Abstract: A hopper containing fuel pellets for a stove opens downward into a feed trough which extends generally horizontally toward the firebox of the stove. A feed plate is positioned such that pellets from the hopper are supported on the feed plate. The feed plate is reciprocated between a rearward position adjacent to the hopper and a forward position adjacent to the firebox so as to advance pellets toward the firebox. A gate member is mounted adjacent to the end of the feed trough remote from the hopper. The gate member is positioned to be engaged by the feed plate when the feed plate is in its forward position so as to close the feed trough and hopper from the firebox. The mechanism for reciprocating the feed plate normally maintains it in its forward position in which the feed trough and hopper are isolated from the firebox.

Abstract: An improvement which allows precise positioning of wafers within cassettes in preparation for removal of the wafers by automated equipment. The improvement includes mounting two sawtooth jigs upon the surface upon which the cassette tray is to be placed which extend up into the cassette. Wafers within the cassette rest within the precisely aligned grooves of the sawtooth jigs.

Abstract: A novel vertical drive assembly for a storage and retrieval vehicle wherein a cable drive motor is horizontally juxtaposed between a lift cable winding and unwinding drum. The vertical drive assembly is modularly assembled on a frame and is attachable and detachable from the vehicle as a unit. The vertical drive assembly comprises, in seriatim, the motor, a belt drive sprocket wheel, a drive belt, a belt driven sprocket wheel, and, juxtaposed and on the same axis as the driven sprocket wheel, an input adapter, a speed reducer, and the drum. The motor is attached to the frame by jacks used to raise and lower the motor to adjust tension in the belt. To stay within the width of the vehicle, the input adapter and speed reducer are at least partly disposed within the core of the drum with the speed reducer providing a bearing for the drum. To reduce starting inertia, sprocket wheels are fabricated from lightweight material.

Abstract: A novel dual mast storage and retrieval vehicle comprising structure which maintains each mast essentially vertical as variably weighted heavy loads are placed on a carriage disposed between the masts. Each mast is disposed near the center of a separately supported base such that bending of the base under such loads induces little off-vertical deflection to the mast. The separately supported bases are coupled by a connector which comprises cross-aisle and vertical degrees of freedom but is strictly constrained in the down-aisle direction. In the currently preferred embodiment, two down-aisle drive motors, in master/slave relationship, provide a synchronous drive for the vehicle. Further, interconnecting joints a strut at the top of the masts and of the carriage comprise hinges which resist propagation of mast induced moments caused by beam deflection or vehicle dynamics.

Abstract: In a device for mounting in position guide rails (1), in which device the guide rail (1) is free of perforations and is seized by claws (3), which claws (3) are fixed in a mounting part, the mounting part has a mounting plate (2) extending in parallel relation to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail, noting that the claws (3) can be passed through perforations (16) in the mounting plate and can be braced against the mounting plate (2), in particular with the interposition of a spring (4), at the side, located opposite the guide rail (1), of the mounting plate (2).

Abstract: A cargo carrying vehicle 10 including a body 12, a movable bulkhead 34 mounted in the interior 14 of the body 12 for movement relative to the body 12, and a plurality of inexpensible cables for stabilizing the movable bulkhead 34 against pivotal movement relative to the internal sidewalls 18, 24 of the body 12. A clamp that is movable relative to the movable bulkhead 34 grips and releases one or more of the inextensible cables, driving the movable bulkhead 34 along the inextensible cables in either direction. The clamp also restrains the movable bulkhead 34 against unwanted forward movement due to quick stops and prevents the load from retreating when the movable bulkhead 34 is used in connection with a reciprocating full or partial floor.

Abstract: In a transfer set, a retention hook rigidly secured for rotation with the tailgate of the truck body for rotation therewith. Entry of the trailer body into the truck body automatically triggers pneumatic elements to lower the truck tailgate causing the retention hook attached thereto to capture a trailer body retention pin secured to the outside of the trailer body. A solenoid operated directional control valve prevents the inadvertent release of the trailer body when the truck body is lifted away from the truck frame to empty contents therefrom. A single pneumatic actuator releases the truck tailgate and, when the trailer body is retained in the truck body, also the trailer tailgate.

Abstract: A stake pocket insert includes a stake receiver and a clamp element designed to engage the interior of a conventional vehicle cargo bed stake pocket. The stake receiver has a cover plate that can be used to anchor a bed liner. The clamp element includes a bracket that engages the interior of the stake pocket and a protruding bolt that can also provide a tie down anchor.

Abstract: Apparatus for removably and adjustably mounting one or more of a wide variety of accessories to a universal, elongated bar rail (52) and ratchet strip (54) which in turn are secured to an underlying support surface. The ratchet strip (54) has outwardly extending teeth (58) and is generally hidden beneath the generally smooth, aesthetically pleasing, protective bar rail (52). The types of accessories that can be used with the invention include without limitation: a simple hook clip (72); a spring biased tie down clip (96); a heavy duty tie down ring and clamp (106 and 104); a cargo net (78); a tonneau cover (80); an extendable cargo holder bar (140); a low rack support system (162); a raised rack support system (186); a cantilevered, long load, over cab, rack support system (230); a canopy (248); and vertical posts (302, 308, and 310) and box boards (300).

Abstract: A trailer sensor (83) for use on a retractable railcar trailer hitch (1) is disclosed. The hitch has a hitch head (3) for capturing a kingpin (K) of a trailer (T), a locking mechanism (35) for latching the hitch in its erect position, and a manually operable release mechanism (67) for retracting the hitch. A movable sensing element (85) carried on the hitch head senses the presence or absence of a trailer. A rod (93) moves the sensing element in response to operation of the release mechanism. If a trailer is supported by the hitch, the assembly blocks movement of the sensor and prevents retraction of the hitch. If no trailer is supported by the hitch, the sensing element allows the release mechanism to unlock the hitch so it can retract.

Abstract: A rail clamping device is provided for aligning and clamping the flange of a rail to a support surface. A slotted clip is fitted over an anchor bolt or other suitable connector, a plate cam washer having an eccentric hole is placed upon the clip, and a nut threaded upon the bolt to secure the clip and washer to the rail flange. The clip has a slotted base portion which slidably engages the support surface in a loose condition and bears upon the support surface in a clamped condition. An abutment portion extends from the base perpendicular to the support surface to engage the outer face of the rail flange. A cantilever portion extends forwardly from the abutment portion and has a bottom surface to which a synthetic rubber strip is bonded to engage the upper surface of the flange to clamp the flange to the supporting surface. The cam washer slidably engages the top surface of the base portion in a loose condition. The cam washer has an outer flank for engaging a rearward face of the abutment portion.

Abstract: A ramp lifter device is provided which is adapted to elevate the end of a loading ramp from its initial, extended position to the floor height of a trailer. A trailer chassis provides a storage area for the loading ramp between longitudinal frame members. A ramp carrier box is secured between opposing frame members of the trailer chassis. The ramp includes a ramp carriage having extension rods that are slidingly received along the ramp carrier box. The ramp lifter device includes a reinforcement member attached to a bottom cross member towards one end of the ramp, and a handle. Selectively applying a downward force on the handle forces a pivot rod on the ramp lifter device against the ramp carriage extension rods, which pivots the reinforcement member upwardly, and hence elevates the end of the ramp to the level of the trailer floor. The loading ramp can be manually moved forward and lowered so that ramp hooks on the end of the ramp engage corresponding ramp pockets on the end of the trailer body.

Abstract: A manually operable apparatus is provided for transferring disks with center holes such as semiconductor wafers from one cassette of an ordinary kind to another having a different pitch. The apparatus has an elongated rod on which an array of disk-shaped pieces each capable of supporting a wafer from its center hole is slidably mounted. These pieces are so connected that the separation between each of mutually adjacent pairs can vary but not to exceed a predetermined maximum distance. The piece at one end of the array is affixed to the rod and the one at the other end is attached to a tubular member which can be moved manually in the direction of the rod.

Abstract: My invention provides the user with a new and innovative way to display a working model railroad train set traveling around a Christmas tree. My invention enables the user to elevate the train to a varying height to prevent any interference with the placements of gifts at the base of the tree, and also provides the means to place the model train out of the reach of small children and pets. The model train is supported on my invention by a track (FIG. 1) which is attached to supports (FIG. 1) connecting the track to the Christmas tree by an adjustable collar (FIG. 1) and by the use of support legs.

Abstract: The swipe transfer assembly is a mechanical assembly which is used in conjunction with glove boxes and other sealed containments. It is used to pass small samples into or out of glove boxes without an open breach of the containment, and includes a rotational cylinder inside a fixed cylinder, the inside cylinder being rotatable through an arc of approximately 240.degree. relative to the outer cylinder. An offset of 120.degree. from end to end allows only one port to be opened at a time. The assembly is made of stainless steel or aluminum and clear acrylic plastic to enable visual observation. The assembly allows transfer of swipes and smears from radiological and other specially controlled environments.

Abstract: A vehicle for a freight transportation system has a platform with end walls located at opposite ends. A pair of doors are pivotally connected to the end walls and are pivotal upwardly between closed and open positions. The doors are held in the closed position by a latch that includes a release member projecting laterally from the door. Upward movement of the release member releases the latch and allows the doors to be moved to the open position.

Abstract: A system for transferring bobbins between textile machines includes a temporary storage device positionable at a location between two textile machines for temporarily storing bobbins being transported between the machine. A transport rail assembly has either one rail extending between the machines for transport of bobbins either directly between machines or between the rail and the intermediate storage device, or a pair of rails each extending from one of the machines to the storage device. The storage device stores bobbins in a plurality of rows and is mobile for selective movement to other locations. It may have slidable pallet members for supporting bobbins or outwardly projecting support members inclined in the range of horizontal to vertically upward for supporting bobbins inserted thereon.

Abstract: Device for fixing a rail on a tie, comprising an abutment made of plastic material and a clamp made of steel fixed by a rail screw or a nut. The clamp is provided with an oblong hole which makes it possible to displace the clamp in a direction perpendicular to the rail, in such a way that the clamp can occupy a preparation position, in which the rail can be placed vertically between two abutments, and a fixing position, in which the clamp bears against the flange of the rail. This device makes it possible to pre-equip ties in workshops.

Abstract: A warehouse has several levels. Each level has a series of storage channels for items to be stocked in the warehouse. The storage channels are parallel to one another and have respective inlet ends located at a first side of the warehouse and respective outlet ends located at an opposite second side of the warehouse. Each storage channel is equipped with a device for guiding items along the channel in a direction from the inlet end towards the outlet end. Every level is further provided with at least one return channel which is parallel to the storage channels and has an inlet end at the second side of the warehouse and an outlet end at the first side of the warehouse. The return channel is again equipped with a device for guiding items along such channel in a direction from the inlet end to the outlet end thereof.

Abstract: An invalid assistance device mounted on a ceiling is which a supported locked and guided flexible line is used to stabilize an invalid in the range of desired vertical positions from sitting to standing while a single attendant can work with the stabilized invalid.