Abstract: A lifting truck tailgate is attached to an angled, swiveling arm which is attached to a lifting arm by a pivot and supported on a structural member of the lifting arm. The lifting arm is actuated by a pressure cylinder. A spring activated catch on the lifting arm mates with a matching projection on the swiveling arm thereby preventing liftoff of the swiveling arm from the lifting arm when a heavy load is placed on the trailing edge of the tailgate. An adjustable screw disengages the latch when the pressure cylinder is fully retracted enabling the tailgate to form a ramp when it rests on the ground.

Abstract: Apparatus for distributing empty and filled trays in a production line wherein the output of a cigarette maker is normally processed by a packing machine has a tray filling unit which withdraws the surplus of cigarettes from the transporting unit between the maker and the packing machine, a tray evacuating unit which admits stored cigarettes from trays into the transporting unit when the requirements of the packing machine exceed the output of the maker, at least one mobile magazine for empty and filled trays, and a transferring device which can advance filled and empty trays directly between the two units or between either of the two units and the magazine. The transferring device has an inclined holder for a filled or an empty tray and motors which can move the holder up or down as well as about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A vehicle parking apparatus incorporating a platform and a mounting device. The platform is sized and shaped to permit a vehicle to be driven onto the platform so that it is supported thereby. The platform is supported between its ends by a mounting device in a manner which permits the platform to selectively pivot in response to the force of gravity on the platform and any additional items supported thereby.

Abstract: A refuse-collecting utility vehicle with a refuse-charging system located behind the driver's cabin has an adjoining refuse-compacting device and a refuse-collecting bin arranged behind the compacting device. A dual compaction system makes it possible to accomplish uniform compaction of the refuse charged within the refuse-collecting bin, so that the capacity of the refuse-collecting bin is exploited to its fullest capacity. Specifically, a counterpressure plate is arranged within the zone of action of the refuse-compacting device on the top of the refuse-collecting bin. This counterpressure plate is supported for upward and downward pivotal movement and is capable of being acted upon by a pressure force and forms a counterpressure element for the refuse charged.

Abstract: A flexible manufacturing apparatus having several parallel, spaced-apart processing machines several shelf-like magazines disposed at the rear of the processing machines and extending transverse thereto, and transport mechanisms for conveying tools from the magazines to the processing machines. Two magazine rows are provided, each composed of magazine sections having superimposed, horizontal bottoms, including a lower shelf bottom and an upper shelf bottom, for holding tools. Transport mechanisms are provided in the form of a first upper transport mechanism, which, above the height of a person, is disposed on an upper transport rail, and a second lower transport mechanism, which, below the upper transport mechanism and at approximately half of the height thereof, is disposed on a lower transport rail. At least one mechanism is provided for conveying tools in a vertical plane from the lower shelf bottoms to the upper shelf bottoms, and vice versa.

Abstract: A dumping apparatus for rubbish and garbage bins which can either be a single large container or a plurality of small containers can have, at the end of an arm extendable toward the container or containers and liftable to permit the containers to swing over the collecting space in a truck, one or a pair of transport units which are self-adjusting against the container or containers. Preferably two such units are provided on opposite sides of a fulcrum of a transverse beam provided with a rotator element which automatically restores a normal position for lifting and dumping. The beam is locked in this position. The individual transport units can have their gripper and bracing elements connected to a tilting frame by flexible joints which also can be locked.

Abstract: A load carrying floor, more particularly of a load transporting vehicle, provided with a number of roller tracks disposed parallel to one another, on which a load may be displaced across the floor with low frictional resistance, displacement and holding devices being provided, comprising at least one additional track of rollers, over which a friction belt is trained, which is adapted to get into frictional contact with the lower side of a load and to be selectively driven in one direction or the other, so as to displace the load in one direction or the other and parallel to the roller tracks. The ends of the friction belt are each fastened for winding or unwinding respectively on a drum provided at the respective end of the floor.

Abstract: Interface control for controlling the altitude of two roll planes of a deck surface relative to each other and providing cooperation with a stop that precludes the lowering of one of the roll planes when a load is in position on the deck surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a collapsible transporter module, and the method of using same, for transporting large volumes of unpackaged goods in spaced padded relationship in conventional transportation vehicles such as trains, trucks, ships or containers. The transport module consists of a mounting for the module in the transportation vehicle; a rigid upper frame suspended from the mounting; a plurality of vertically elongate collapsible support members having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being attached to the upper rigid frame; and a plurality of vertically spaced apart shelf members supported from the support members. When not loaded with goods being transported, the transporter module may be stored in a collapsed mode, thereby allowing the transportation vehicle to return the transporter module to the goods supplier, together with a new payload.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling a large-sized article such as a window assembly for a car has a carriage movable three-dimensionally in X-, Y- and Z-directions, and a vacuum holding device tiltably and fixably secured to the carriage. This apparatus conveys the article to a remote place and holds it while it is being secured to an object such as the wall of a car, thus improving the efficiency and safety of the work.

Abstract: This invention relates to a discharge apparatus for storage bins and tanks having a central bottom outlet opening to allow a discharge conveyor to remove bulk material and a sweep conveyor within the storage bin, the improvement is that the outlet opening is adapted so that the sweep conveyor can be driven by its own motor or through gearing means driven by the discharge conveyor motor. A bearing support is provided for mounting the sweep conveyor with its own motor, and a structure is provided to mount a gear box connectably drivable by the discharge conveyor. The gear box arrangement comprises an upper and lower conventional gear box, together with a clutch to engage or disengage the sweep conveyor as required. Another improvement resides in having the sweep auger of the single drive system detachable. A further improvement lies in supplying a broom auger, in parallel with the sweep auger.

Abstract: An underlift attachment for tow trucks is attached to a tow truck by initially cutting a vertical slot in the tailboard of the tow truck's housing. A pocket member is welded in the slot flush with the tailboard, and a pivotable boom arm is mounted to pivot between a storage position journaled within the pocket, and a working position extending generally horizontally rearwardly from the tow truck. The tow truck's tow cable is extended from the tow truck's boom through the pulley hook and connected to the boom arm to raise and lower it between its storage and working positions. The boom arm of the attachment includes an extensible telescoping arm journaled within a boom arm housing, and is provided with a pivotal cross bar. The extensible arm is connected to a hydraulic cylinder which will extend or retract the telescoping arm and the cross bar. Attachment brackets are slidably mounted on the ends of cross bar and serve to hold the axle of a vehicle, or the like, for towing.

Abstract: A kit for adapting a pickup truck for safely loading, transporting, and unloading two all terrain vehicles over the truck's bed area while preserving cargo space in the bed area. The kit includes a platform having a frame and flooring with dimensions sufficient to park two standard size all terrain vehicles thereon with the vehicles facing perpendicular to the length of the truck. The platform is mounted on the sidewalls of the truck such that the flooring is approximately even with the tops of the sidewalls, thus preserving significent cargo space under the flooring. Because it is safer when moving all terrain vehicles on a incline to always travel forward, the kit is designed for loading the vehicles on one side of the platform and unloading on the other. Toward this end, the kit's safety barrier, which is for preventing vehicles being loaded from one side from being accidentally driven off the other side, is hingedly attached and may be lowered and passed over while unloading vehicles.

Abstract: An automatic handling apparatus for plate-shaped objects, including a height-adjustable magazine having compartments lying horizontally, one above the other, and a manipulator which can be moved in a linear manner and is swivelable. The manipulator is equipped with interchangeable gripping arms. The gripping arms and the plate-shaped objects are deposited in compartments of the magazine. The compartments include a coding for the size and shape of the plate-shaped objected and the associated gripping arms. A control device controls the manipulator as a function of the coding of the plate-shaped object or gripping arm to be handled.

Abstract: A package handling apparatus for presenting circuit packages to a test head is provided which uses a soft handling approach throughout the system. The handler works with a plurality of sticks, with each stick adapted for holding a plurality of packages in a substantially horizontal linear array, with the linear array defining a linear axis for the stick. The handler includes an input elevator element for receiving a first stick loaded with a first package, for moving the first stick vertically to an index level. An input drive moves the first stick horizontally to an index position. A first pick-up removes the first package from the first stick and then moves the first package to a stage pick-up position. A stage element receives the first package, and presents it to the test head for testing. Once tested, the stage element moves the package to a stage exit position. A stage pick-up then places the first package in a stage row stick.

Abstract: A dock leveler assembly and latch mechanism therefor are provided which are adapted to automatically cause unlatching of components thereof if the assembly is activated without a vehicle being present or if the vehicle moves away from a dock; thus enabling the assembly to readily return to an inoperative mode position.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint for preventing a vehicle or truck from accidentally pulling away from a loading dock. The truck restraint comprises a frame to be mounted on the vertical front face of the loading dock and a restraining member is mounted for pivotal movement in a generally vertical plane parallel to the dock face between a first lower storage position and a second operative position where the restraining member will prevent outward movement of the truck away from the dock. A curved plate or abutment is mounted in spaced relation to the frame and extends throughout the length of the path of pivotal movement of the restraining means. The restraining member is normally disposed out of contact with the abutment as the restraining member pivots between the storage and operative positions.

Abstract: An improved roll-on, roll-off handling device is provided adapted to lift one end of a container and to maintain it in the raised position during handling and displacement of the container, said device comprising a chassis; a wheel system for supporting the chassis upon the ground; a carriage mounted on said chassis and displaceable along the longitudinal axis of said chassis; an apron removably attachable to one face of a container; a jack for pivotally displacing said apron with respect to said chassis and for moving said carriage and said chassis with respect to each other along the longitudinal axis of said chassis, whereby a container can move from a position in which said container rests on the ground with the chassis in a tilted position to a raised position in which said end of the container is raised and overlies part of the chassis.

Abstract: A load positioning assembly and method for locating and maintaining a load supporting device on a material handling vehicle, includes a load carrying device mounted on a frame and a load carrying portion elevationally movable along an elevationally oriented axis. A pilot member which is freely movably supported on a carrier connected to the load carrying portion is elevationally movable with the load carrying portion between first and second preselected elevationally spaced apart positions relative to the frame. A first engaging device moves the pilot member in directions transverse to the axis in response to movement of the pilot member toward the first elevational position and maintains the pilot member at a first preselected transverse location relative to the axis and the load supporting device at a preselected transverse location at the first elevational position of the load carrying portion. The load positioning assembly is particularly suited for use on an SGV.

Abstract: Described herein is a lithographic plate transfer system composed of a lithographic plate pickup conveyor (10), a transfer conveyor (30) and an allocator (60). The plate pickup (10) is provided with a lift for hooking and lifting up lithographic plates delivered by conveyors (12, 14), and a transfer device (24) for transferring lithographic plates to a transfer conveyor (30). The transfer conveyor (30) is provided with a gripper (40) for gripping a folded upper end (S1) of the lithographic plate, and cam mechanisms (50, 50') adapted to open and close the gripper at loading and unloading positions between the pickup and allocator. The allocator (60) includes a mechanism for allocating unloaded lithographic plates from the transfer conveyor (30) to shelves (62, 64).