Abstract: An automated storage system for storing large quantities of samples in trays includes a storage compartment, a tray shuttle compartment abutting the storage compartment on one side and a plurality of independent modules on the other side. The modules perform processing of samples that are retrieved from the storage compartment by a tray shuttle, including extraction of selected samples from retrieved source trays and transfer of the selected samples into a separate, destination tray that can be further processed or removed from the system for use. The independent operation of the modules permits handling and processing to be performed simultaneously by different modules while the tray shuttle accesses additional samples within the storage compartment. In one embodiment, a vertical carousel is used to vertically align a desired tray with the tray shuttle, while the tray shuttle operates within a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A transporting rail unit includes a first driving mechanism driving the object to a first position on a rail. A second driving mechanism includes a member designed to displace in response to reception of a force from the object when the object moves forward to the first position from a second position in front of the first position on the rail. The second driving mechanism allows accumulation of an elastic repulsive force based on displacement of the member. The transporting rail unit allows the object to keep moving forward based on the elastic repulsive force even after the object is released from engagement with the first driving mechanism. If the second driving mechanism is interposed between the first driving mechanisms, the object can be transferred between the first driving mechanisms. A single transporting rail unit can be utilized in common. This results in reduction in the production and management costs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a forklift truck (1) of the type adapted to be mounted on a carrying vehicle, commonly referred to as a piggy-back forklift. The forklift truck has a forklift loading support comprising an upright bar (19) is mounted on the mast carriage (9) between the upright mast (11) and the side bar (7). The upright bar (19) may be pivotally mounted on the mast carriage, pivotable to and from a platform engaging position forward of the mast and a stowed position rearward of the front surface of the mast. The forklift loading support may be deployed very quickly and will not hinder loading of the forklift onto a carrying vehicle or require modification of the mounting gear for the forklift truck.

Abstract: In a manufacturing system utilizing a cigarette maker linked to a packer, cigarettes temporarily surplus to requirements are stored in containers, each provided with an opening by way of which it can be filled and emptied. A full container is picked up by a first pivoting arm from a magazine and overturned above a bearing surface advancing along a feed direction parallel to this same surface, so as to direct the opening downwards and allow the cigarettes to drop onto the surface. During the step of unloading the cigarettes, the container rests on a hopper and is traversed from a first station toward a second station along a direction parallel and opposite to the feed direction of the bearing surface, so that the cigarettes can be released more quickly from the container. After being emptied, the container is picked up from the second station by a second pivoting arm and put into a magazine with other empty containers.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate transfer apparatus for transferring semiconductor substrates from a first container to a second container, includes: multiple end effectors; at least one robot arm with which the multiple end effectors are independently rotatably joined; and a controller storing software including instructions to judge which end effector or end effectors in the multiple end effectors are to be selected based on a distribution status of substrates stored in the first and second containers and to rotate the selected end effector(s) for unloading a substrate or substrates from the first container and loading the substrate or substrates to the second container.

Abstract: A method of providing portable storage and a portable storage system including a vehicle for carrying a container. The vehicle includes a tilting bed carried by a wheeled carriage. A lift system tilts the bed from the carriage to load and unload the container by using a conveyor on the bed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a stocking system and its operating method. The stocking system comprises a shelf assembly, a first crane, and a second crane. The shelf assembly stores a plurality of cassettes. The first crane is installed at one side of the shelf assembly and loads/unloads the cassettes to/from the shelf assembly. The second crane is installed at the other side of the shelf assembly and loads/unloads the cassettes to/from the shelf assembly.

Abstract: A feeding mechanism and method for feeding minute items, such as capacitors, resistors, or solder preforms. The mechanism is adapted to receive a plurality of the randomly-positioned and randomly-oriented extremely small or minute items, and to isolate, orient, and position one or more of the items in a specific repeatable pickup location wherefrom they may be removed for use by, for example, a computer-controlled automated assembly machine. The mechanism comprises a sliding shelf adapted to receive and support the items; a wiper arm adapted to achieve a single even layer of the items; and a pushing arm adapted to push the items into the pickup location. The mechanism can be adapted for providing the items with a more exact orientation, and can also be adapted for use in a liquid environment.

Abstract: The method invented is based on sluice system according to which the product is first conveyed through a portioning device, which produces a sequence of uniform product portions divided by uniform particle free spaces, and subsequently the product portions are conveyed individually through a sluice device, which comprises at least one sluice chamber and two pressure locks of which at least one at any time secures a pressure tight barrier between the two pressure zones, and the product portions are force loaded from the first zone into a sluice chamber by means of a piston screw, the axis of which is practically in line with the axis of the sluice chamber, and the product portions are force unloaded from the sluice chamber and into the second pressure zone by means of said piston screw or a piston or by means of gas, steam or liquid supplied at a pressure higher than that of the second pressure zone.

Abstract: A wheel dolly is disclosed that is suited to serve as both an automobile jack, capable of holding large loads aloft for extended periods, relying on only mechanical systems and eliminating hydraulic systems. In a further aspect, the wheel dolly of the present invention does not include extended arms, handles, or levers for pumping or rotating the lifting mechanisms. Each lifting element terminates in only a single nut exposed to the user. Preferably, each nut of each lifting system has the same plan dimensions as the other, thus providing the advantage of allowing the user to operate the dolly with a driver and only one socket.

Abstract: A device to facilitate transporting an injured person or cargo over rough terrain having an elongated rigid load bed riding on adjustable air-sprung suspension over a wheel assembly having a narrow track. The device includes handles extending from each end which can be used to control the device during movement or which can by folded down to provide vertical supports to maintain a stable stationary unattended position. The air suspension is utilized to actively raise and lower the device to facilitate changing between movable and stationary configurations. Brakes are provided on the wheels for control while descending, independent of the security of the footing of the operator(s). The device also provides for being towed utilizing a universal-joint connector to a towed vehicle which allows flexibility of the connection but prevents torsional movement and maintains side-to-side stability of the towed device.

Abstract: A trailer 10 includes a frame 12 having a central axis 14 spaced between rear wheels. A plurality of storage units 20 are supported on the trailer frame, with each storage unit supporting a plurality of objects thereon. Each storage support has a support axis 22 substantially parallel to the frame central axis. A carriage assembly 24 rotates the plurality of storage supports, and a lift mechanism 30 raises and lowers the carriage assembly.

Abstract: Overhead cargo rack apparatus for pickup trucks is described and includes an electromechanical actuator jack mounted onto a tiltable cargo platform and the electromechanical actuator jack actuated by a reversible switch connected to a circuit breaker connected to the pickup truck battery to tilt the tiltable cargo platform, and cargo mounted on the cargo platform and the cargo platform with cargo mounted thereon balanced on a fulcrum and the tilting raising the front end of the cargo platform and cargo mounted thereon to then lower the rear of the cargo platform and cargo mounted thereon to be in a loading or unloading mode and as an alternate the tilting action can be done manually by pulling downward the rear end of the tiltable cargo platform with cargo mounted thereon, and the electromechanical actuator jack in disconnect mode, when the tiltable cargo platform with cargo loaded thereon is balanced on the fulcrum mount.

Abstract: An article storage facility comprising: an article storage rack having a plurality of storage units arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns; a track extending in the vicinity of the article storage rack; a plurality of article-conveying movable bodies capable of moving horizontally on the track in order to convey an article between the article storage rack and a loading/unloading article support unit; an article transfer device provided to each of the movable bodies that is capable of vertical movement and that transfers the article between a movable body and a storage unit or the article support unit; and a control device for controlling the movements of the movable bodies; wherein the dimensions of the movable bodies are determined so as to enable two of the movable bodies adjacent each other in the horizontal direction to be positioned such that the two article transfer devices, provided to the two adjacent movable bodies, overlap in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A goods handling apparatus for a cargo storage and transport trailer of, or connectable to, a vehicle. The preferred apparatus includes a movable cargo platform forming a separate part of, and continuous with, the trailer floor when the cargo platform is in an upper position whereupon cargo may be slid between the trailer floor and the cargo platform. A vertical actuator attached to the cargo platform raises and lowers the cargo platform between the upper position and a lower position atop the ground or other vehicle support surface whereupon cargo may be slid between the cargo platform and the ground or other vehicle support surface. The cargo platform is positioned substantially within the plan perimeter of the floor of the trailer when cargo on the cargo platform is lifted or lowered. A side module is also available.

Abstract: An improved front loading or side loading refuse collection body includes an ejector panel which is moveable from a position immediately adjacent the front end wall of the storage compartment of the refuse collection body to a second position at the open rear end of the storage compartment. A compaction blade in a compaction chamber adjacent the front end of the storage compartment is independently driven by a second hydraulic ram. The ejector panel has an opening which is in registry with the opening in the front wall of the storage compartment through which refuse is pushed by the compaction blade. A tray member may be fixed to a side of the ejector panel to catch refuse which falls back through the opening in the ejector panel when it is moved away from the front end of the storage compartment. A multiple compartment body may include two compaction chambers each adjacent one of two storage compartments.

Abstract: A hydraulic grip-control unit provided with at least two gripping arms driven hydraulically to seize loads while cooperating with a striker arm of the grip with the control unit in use being connected hydraulically between a hydraulic fluid source under pressure and hydraulic cylinders each of which drives a gripping arm to form a closed supply circuit in which the source feeds fluid to the cylinders connected hydraulically in parallel and with the unit including a flow divider connected along said supply circuit between said source and said cylinders to apportion the flow of the circuit between the cylinders in parallel.

Abstract: A hydraulic tail trailer comprising a main deck having a main tail assembly pivotally connected to the rearward end thereof with the pivotal connection therebetween being located forwardly of the centerline of the rear axle of the trailer suspension system. The location of the hinge between the main deck and the main tail assembly, by being located forwardly of the centerline of the rear axle, provides a main tail having an increased length thereby providing a lower loading angle without increasing the overall length of the trailer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lifting device which comprises a frame part (1), a transversal support (3) attached to one end of the frame part and lifting arms (4) attached to the transversal support in a distance from each other, which lifting arms are removable under a load to be lifted as well as a transporting equipment (5) placed in lifting arms for moving the lifting arms on a surface. The lifting device in accordance with the invention comprises drive mechanisms (6) placed in lifting arms for driving the transporting equipment in lifting arms (4) separately and for steering the lifting arms.

Abstract: A cargo transporting box body with a cargo-handling device for cargo unloading or loading, the box body having on its bottom a floor board movable, and a movable partition wall on the floor board such that, when the movable partition wall is latched, only the floor board is movable, and when allowed to move, the movable partition wall moves in association with the floor board. A sprocket is attached around an axis at the base of the movable partition wall and driven by a reversible motor. A first chain has one end fixed to the posterior end of the of the box body and the other end to the anterior end; while a second chain has one end fixed to the posterior end of the box body and the other side the anterior end, and the first and second chains cross with each other at their mid-portions and engage with the sprocket.