Abstract: An adaptor for a hook-lift vehicle provided with a hydraulically-operated lifting mechanism on its chassis to load and unload freight containers having conventional corner fittings, the adaptor comprising an adaptor frame for attachment to the lifting mechanism and including releasable securing members for co-operation with the end corner fittings of a container to secure the frame to the container, and a pair of pivotal, laterally-spaced support surfaces for location one to each side of the rear end of the chassis whereby, subsequent to securing the adaptor frame to the front of a container on the ground and on actuating the lifting mechanism, the front of the container is drawn upwardly onto the chassis until the outer lower side regions of the container engage the support surfaces, continued actuation of the lifting mechanism drawing the container over the pivoting surfaces and onto the chassis.

Abstract: A ramp assembly for trailers which includes a pair of elongated, parallel ramp plates reciprocably supported in tracks under the bed of a trailer. An arresting cam assembly is mounted on the rear of the trailer, and includes a control handle which is connected to, and rotates, a cam rod which carries, and is keyed to, a plurality of spaced cam plates. These cam plates are rotated with the cam rod to bring the lobes of the cam plates against the ramp plates, forcing them into a locked status against the underside of the bed of the trailer. In another rotational position of the cam plates, the ramp plates can be pulled horizontally outwardly from the trailer bed to an inclined loading position, but a cusp on each of the cam plates functions to engage the ramp plates and prevent them from being pulled completely free of the trailer bed.

Abstract: In order to increase the efficiency of space utilization in a palletized goods store in which loaded pallets (1) are arranged in rows (2, 3) with alleys (4) therebetween, each loaded pallet (1) is carried on a wheeled trolley (7A). Where it is required to introduce a loaded pallet (1A) into a space (10) present anywhere along each row (2), the wheeled trolleys are arranged to move transversely of a row whereby the loaded pallet (1A) can first be transported by a fork lift truck (11) down an alley (4) opposite to said space (10), and then moved transversely on a wheeled trolley (7A) into said space (10). In this manner, it is unnecessary for the truck (11) to effect a quarter-turn in the alley (4) whereby the latter can be of a much smaller width than normal. Where the store is to be operated on a first-in, first-out basis, the wheeled trolleys in a row are arranged for movement longitudinally of the row.

Abstract: A grain cart includes an auger having a first lower section fixedly mounted to an inner portion of the cart and a second upper section pivotally mounted to an upper end of the first auger section and movable between a retracted, non-use position and an extended, use position. The auger's second section is folded inwardly and maintained in position within an upper portion of the grain cart by gravity when positioned in the retracted position. The second section of the auger is pivotally displaced outwardly to assume the extended, use position wherein the two auger sections are aligned and mechanically coupled for removal of grain from the cart, with the second auger section also maintained in this extended position by gravity. The first and second auger sections are coupled to a mounting plate so as to form an integral structure which is easily removed from and installed in the cart as a unit by means of a plurality of bolts coupling the mounting plate to a lateral wall of the cart.

Abstract: A vehicle recovery unit is disclosed comprising a first boom (9) which is pivotally mountable on the fifth wheel (6) of a tractor unit (1), beneath which first boom (9) is pivotally mounted a second boom (11). The second boom (11) is pivotally moveable with respect to first boom (9) by a piston and cylinder arrangement (13). The second boom (11) may be secured to a vehicle to be recovered (3) by a locking pin (25) a chain under tension (26) and a load bearing member (27) so that the second boom (11) is rigidly secured to the lorry (3). When in use, the attachment of the recovery unit (2) to the lorry (3) is rigid and the combined lorry (3) and vehicle recovery unit (2) are pivotable only about the fifth wheel (6) of the tractor unit (1). The vehicle recovery unit (2) is free standing by legs (20) so that the tractor unit (1) may be detached from the recovery unit (2) and driven away to leave the recovery unit (2) free standing.

Abstract: An apparatus automatically transfers semiconductor wafers between plastic wafer boats and closed bottom quartz boats. The apparatus has a wafer elevator for elevating the wafers in a plastic boat to a position where the wafers can be retained by first and second retainer walls. The retainer walls are pivotable relative to one another between open and closed positions. In the closed position, the retainer walls contact the wafers at a point located beneath their centers of gravity. The retainer walls transfer the wafers between the wafer elevator and the quartz boat, which becaue of its closed bottom can only be entered from the top. The retainer walls transfer the wafers to and from the quartz boat by descending into the quartz boat through its top. Once inside of the quartz boat, the retainer walls can be pivoted between the open and closed positions to release or retain wafers.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a vehicle for curbside collection of source separated recyclable materials. A dumping unit includes a box-like frame having a series of compartments to receive the separated materials and includes, along one side wall thereof, a vertically movable trough having a series of compartments receiving the recyclable materials. The trough moves upwardly along the said side wall to an upper discharging position whereby the separated materials are dumped into the compartments of the frame. A cylinder located centrally between the understructure and the frame cooperates with pin-engaged hinge points on either side or rear of the frame to tilt the frame on any one side depending on where the pins are engaged in the hinge points. Doors at the bottom of each compartment allow the discharging of the contents of the compartments whenever the frame is tilted on one side or the other.

Abstract: Safety mechanism for forklift attachment, prevents the premature dumping of a container residing on the attachment in situations where the container is not adequately secured to the attachment because of operator error or nonuniform size containers.

Abstract: A driveway truck restraining apparatus including a sealed casing embedded partially in the ground, a ram mounted in the casing for movement between a storage position and an operative position blocking the travel of the ICC bar located on the back of a truck, a pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly mounted on the loading dock and being operatively connected to the ram, and an indoor signal assembly mounted on the inside of the loading dock and an outdoor signal assembly mounted on the outside of the loading dock, the signal assemblies being electrically connected to the piston and cylinder assembly to provide control signals indicating the position of the ram and the absence or presence of a truck at the loading dock.