Abstract: A forklift attachment adapts a forklift to handle long slender workpieces or bundles of such workpieces, such as during stocking pipe or conduit stored in vertical storage racks. The forklift adapter includes an H-shaped frame, with hollow tubular legs for receiving forks of the forklift. A cradling member is rigidly mounted to the frame for cradling the workpieces. The cradling member includes two arcuate extending arms which curve forwardly and upwardly from a plane containing the H-shaped frame, and which have a bundle receiving opening wider than the distance between the legs of the H-shaped frame. To protect the workpieces from damage during handling, the ends of the arms are rounded and the arcuate member of the cradling member has a circular cross section.

Abstract: A wheel lift type vehicle lifting and towing device which includes an extendible and tiltable boom having three telescoping sections for extension from the rear of a towing vehicle and means for raising and lowering the boom. The boom is extended and retracted by a pair of hydraulic cylinders mounted within the first and second boom sections. Another pair of hydraulic cylinders are pivotally mounted to the towing vehicle within the understructure thereof and the boom to tilt the boom. The means for raising and lowering, for extending and retracting and for tilting the boom all may be operated independently of each other. When the apparatus is in a storage position, it is retracted substantially out of view within the understructure of the body of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: System to feed and discharge materials continuously for the rehabilitation f railway road beds and the like in cooperation with operational machines (21) coupled to a plurality of waggons (10) storing such materials, in which system each storage waggon (10) comprises:hopper (11) to contain materials, with lower movable shutters (12) to open and close the hoppers (11),a lower conveyor (13) cooperating with the hoppers (11) and extending substantially along the whole length of the waggon (10) in a horizontal plane,a upper conveyor (14) extending substantially along the whole length of the waggon (10) in a horizontal plane, andan almost vertical conveyor (16) cooperating with the lower conveyor (13) in the transfer of materials.

Abstract: A device for providing sideward displacement of a vehicle having vertically adjustable members such as a forklift truck, comprising at least one displacement member attached to said vertically adjustable member, said displacement member being pivotably movable from an active position to an inactive position, said device including a pedal to move the displacement member from said inactive position to said active position upon raising said adjustment member to a raised position, whereby lowering of said adjustable member causes contact of said displacement member with the ground, and whereby continued lowering of the adjustable member permits pivoting of the displacement member towards its inactive position to simultaneously displace at least a portion of the vehicle in a sideward direction.

Abstract: A magazine for the maturation of cakes of synthetic foam material, for a plant served by a conveyor belt bringing the cakes for distribution in the magazine, and by an overhead crane with a gripper intended for lifting a cake from the belt conveyor, for shifting it laterally and for depositing the same into a maturation space, which comprises stands arranged parallel to and at the side of the belt conveyor; each stand comprises a frame which supports a fixed lower shelf whose width and length are adapted to the width and length of the cakes to be received, and above the fixed shelf, at vertical mutual distances somewhat greater than the height of the cakes to be received, a plurality of movable shelves for receiving the cakes; each movable shelf is shiftable between a working position, in which it constitutes a surface whose width and length are adapted to the width and length of the cakes to be received, and a rest position, in which it leaves free the access from above to the shelf lying below.

Abstract: A pick-up trailer comprising a feeding mechanism composed of a pick-up (7) and a rotor (4) linking up therewith in downstream direction, and partly surrounded by a guide plate (9), thereby producing a guide channel (10) between the rotor and the guide plate. The guide channel (10), at the end opposite pick-up (7) is bounded in the downward direction by a rotary roller (12) and terminates at the top in a bottom opening of the trailer. The roller (12) as well as shaft (3) are mounted for rotation between side plates (5) attached to the bottom (1) of the trailer. The arrangement is characterized in that the rotary roller (12) is attached to separate, adjustable suspension arms (13) mounted for rotation to the shaft (3) of the rotor.

Abstract: Shelf conveying system which is guided within one upper track system (8) and one ground track system (7), has driving bogies (3), which are supported by wheels (10) on two bearing surfaces of the track system (7) and are equipped with guide rollers (12), which abut laterally on the track system and can be removed at the branches for a straight-ahead path or to introduce branch paths. In addition, each driving bogie has at least one pilot roller (13) which extends into the gap between the bearing surfaces. The pilot roller (13) can be simultaneously designed as a track fastening element (14) which effectively connects with the track by contact with the back taper surfaces of the ground track system (7) (FIG. 3).

Abstract: A method and apparatus of unloading a container having shelves at different levels, each shelf being filled with at least three adjacent stacks of trays filled with a product, such as eggs. The container is comprised of four vertical angle sections connected by horizontal sections which support the stack carrying shelves. The middle stack of trays is always removed first, after loosening that stack by moving it slightly sideways to prevent jamming with the outer adjacent stacks of trays. In one embodiment, a fork-shaped unloading device is used for the unloading, which device can be inserted under tunnel-shaped openings of the lowermost tray of a stack of trays, and the points of which are provided with switch elements or sensors to sense the edge of the shelf. A beam, with electromagnets, is used to lift a superadjacent shelf so that stacks of trays can be unloaded from a subadjacent shelf.

Abstract: A device is disclosed, which is useful for subdividing and diluting an accumulated amount of pirns in bulk, which comprises a chute positioned between a pirn container, and a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is prearranged to transfer and meter a limited number of pirns. Along the chute, at least one barrier wall is provided, which can move along a vertical, or substantially vertical, direction, and is driven by a drive source, whose enabling is commanded by a level sensor located downstream the same barrier wall. A plurality of movable barrier walls, following each other, transversely prearranged along the chute relatively to the pirn falling motion, can be used. Each barrier wall is driven by a drive source, whose enabling is commanded by a level sensor located downstream of the barrier wall.

Abstract: An improved flatrack loading system and method for a palletized loading system for loading flatracks with palletized cargo and containers onto a cargo trailer, which allow quick, efficient, and accurate loading even on rough terrain. Skid plates on the rear end of the flatrack slide along smooth slide tracks on the trailer and are automatically affixed to the rear of the trailer on contact. The front end of the flatrack is automatically aligned along the skid tracks with the front of the trailer for easy manual affixation.

Abstract: A device for loading cans, bottles, or similar containers into a dispensing mechanism of a vending machine is disclosed. The device includes a rectangular box having a receiving opening and a discharge opening. The rectangular box temporarily stores the containers and includes a cover plate to control the opening and closing of the discharge opening. The cover plate is manually controlled by a control mechanism. The receiving box is also provided with a guide portion which extends into the open loading space of a dispensing mechanism of an automatic vending machine to facilitate the loading operation.

Abstract: A hinge and ramp assembly including first and second plate-like members, each having bottom portions and flanged end portions at one end, with a pivotal device disposed therebetween. The plate-like members may be pivoted from a first closed position in which the bottom portions are in face-to-face engagement to a second load bearing position in which the flanged end portions are in face-to-face engagement and are configured to carry loads placed on the assembly which would act to open the assembly further. Ramp members, configured to matingly engage with the inside surface of each plate-like member formed by said bottom and flanged end portion, are attached to the hinge assembly to provide a ramp apparatus which is rigid and may be used to bridge a distance.

Abstract: A mobile installation for loading, transporting and unloading track parts such as ties on, in and from open top railroad cars including a train mounted for mobility along a railroad track and having a plurality of open top railroad cars. Adjacent ones of the railroad cars are coupled together and each one of the railroad cars has two parallel side walls with top edges extending in the direction of the railroad track, and two end walls, the end wals of the adjacent railroad cars defining respective gaps therebetween. A power-driven crane is provided for loading and unloading the track parts and has an undercarriage supporting the crane for mobility in the direction of the railroad track. There is also a track supporting the undercarriage of the crane for mobility above the top edges of the railroad cars in said direction. The track includes two parallel guide rails mounted on the top edges of the railroad cars and is spaced apart a distance corresponding to the gage of the crane undercarriage.

Abstract: The lift is installed under the cargo floor proximate to the side door of the van. In the retracted position it is entirely concealed and does not obstruct the normal van usage. Stationary track members are attached to the van. Slidably mounted within the track members are frame members which may be extended or retracted from the van by use of a pair of worm gears. A pair of hydraulic cylinders interconnect the platform and the frame using four links which raise and lower the platform equalangularly. The equalangular motion of the links maintains the platform in a substantially horizontal position as it is lowered from its raised position level with the floor of the van to its lower position with the street or sidewalk.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer handling apparatus for automated movement of semiconductor wafers between wafer cassette trays and wafer test systems is provided. The apparatus includes a platform for carrying at least one semiconductor wafer cassette tray, a wafer alignment device carried by the platform for aligning a semiconductor wafer in a predetermined test position and a wafer transfer device associated with the platform and the wafer alignment device for transferring the wafer between the cassette tray, the alignment device and the test system. The wafer transfer device is operational in the same plane relative to the platform and capable of extending, retracting and rotating in the plane.

Abstract: A cargo transporter having a cargo platform, mounted on a frame. The frame is supported by lift assemblies, which are mounted on wheel assemblies. Each lift assembly has a leg having an upper end which supports the frame and a lower end connected to the wheel assembly. Each lift assembly also has a support arm having an upper end pivotally connected to the frame and a lower end pivotally connected to the leg. Each lift assembly also has a hydraulic cylinder and piston rod, mounted between the leg and a bell crank of the support arm for changing the angle between the leg and the support arm, to cause the frame in the cargo platform to move vertically. A plurality of hydraulic cylinders and piston rods are mounted between the frame and the cargo platform for maneuvering the cargo platform relative to the frame.

Abstract: Apparatus for wheel lift towing vehicles for supporting the tires of a vehicle to be lifted and towed. The apparatus includes a pair of tire support cradles having front and rear members for respectively engaging the front and rear surfaces of a tire of the vehicle to be towed. The rear member has a bar which mounts a moveable support member in the form of a foldable plate. The plate may be raised above the bar to provide a retaining surface for engaging and supporting the rear surface portion of the tire, and may be lowered to provide clearance for entry beneath the vehicle and behind the tire. The plate in its lowered position is also adapted to be positioned on the ground so as to provide a ramp over which the tire may be drawn into the cradle when, for example, the tire is flat.

Abstract: This invention relates to a drum dolly attachment apparatus having a conventional dolly truck assembly with a drum attachment assembly of this invention connected thereto. The dolly truck assembly includes a main truck frame on a support wheel assembly which is operable to be placed adjacent and under a drum member for connecting thereto. The drum attachment assembly is slidably mounted on an upright vertical handle of the dolly truck assembly and is operable to be placed in contact and grasp a main rim portion of the drum member. The drum attachment assembly is constructed so as to move vertically as required to adjust its position on the main rim portion of the drum member when moved from a vertical to an inclined position. The drum attachment assembly includes a drum connector assembly having a first stationary drum connector connectable to an upper inner portion of the main rim portion and a second actuator drum connector connectable to an outer lower portion of the main rim portion of the drum member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stowable, multiple grade ramping device particularly adapted for use in pick-up trucks. The ramping device includes a carrier assembly, an entryway extension unit and a ramp end section for loading and unloading cargo thereupon. The carrier assembly is advantageously equipped with an enclosed trackway having a beveled ramping guide for elevating track following guides mounted onto an entryway extension unit and an open trackway for engaging track following guides mounted onto the ramp end section. The cargo assembly beveled track guides impart an intermediate ramping grade to the entryway unit. The entryway unit is fitted with a pair of enclosed track guides. The ramp end section is equipped with track following guides slideably engaging onto the enclosed entryway track guides which permits the entryway unit and ramp end section to telescopically retract for effective stowage thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for releasably engaging a semiconductor wafer (12) comprises a frame (18) adapted for engagement by a robotic arm (26). The frame mounts one end of an elongated arm (30) dimensioned for insertion into a pocket (14) in a wafer-carrying cassette (16). The arm has a first jaw (34) depending from its end distant from the frame for engaging a portion of the edge of the wafer. A second jaw (38) extends through a slot (46) in the arm so as to be opposite the first jaw for engaging a portion of the edge of the wafer diametrically opposed to that engaged by the first jaw. The second jaw is displaced to and from the first jaw by a pneumatic cylinder (48) to enable the wafer to be releasably captured between the jaws without any damage to the surfaces of the wafer.