Abstract: A wrecker-hoist combination attachment for mounting on the bed of a truck includes an A-frame having one end supported by the truck bed and the upper apex supported by a support member connected between the apex of the A-frame and the truck bed. The A-frame includes a base bar with a pair of lower legs extending upwardly from and removably engaging the base bar. A midbrace removably engages the upper ends of the lower legs and receives the lower end of a pair of upper legs. A pulley assembly is removably engaged in a first position on the upper ends of the upper legs when the attachment is operated as a hoist. Alternatively, the pulley assembly is engageable in a second position on the upper end of the lower legs with the upper legs and midbrace removed for operation of the attachment as a wrecker. The support member is adjustable in length to support the upper end of the A-frame in both the first and second positions.

Abstract: A wheel-mounted load lifting and transporting machine having load engaging elements at its front end and a counterweight at its rear end, is distinguished by a novel interacting mobility between the counterweight and the load-engaging elements by which the tilting moments imposed upon the machine by the counterweight and by a load suspended from the load engaging elements, at all times offset one another with the result that throughout changes in the location of the picked up load with respect to the wheel locations, a line that passes vertically through the center of gravity of the loaded machine is substantially equispaced from the points at which the wheels of the machine rest upon the ground. For optimum handling of the machine, each of the wheels on which it is mounted is steerable and power driven to the end that the machine can be moved in any direction and along any defined path.

Abstract: A carriage is provided for guided movement along a skyline and includes guide structure for supporting a dragline for longitudinal shifting relative to the carriage. A skyline stop is provided for coaction with the carriage to limit downward movement of the carriage along the skyline and latch structure is shiftably supported from the carriage for movement between applied and released positions and is spring biased toward the applied position. The latch structure is engageable with the skyline stop to prevent upward movement of the carriage along the skyline from its lower limit position established by the stop upon movement of the latch structure to the applied position. Further, abutment structure is carried by the lower end of the dragline depending downwardly from the carriage and is engageable with the latch structure for swinging the latter to its released position.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking up, carrying and depositing loads is made as an attachment for a machine such as a backhoe having an articulated boom provided with a hydraulic ram normally used to operate a digging bucket. The attachment includes co-operating frames pivotally connected together as a grapple assembly readily mountable on an outer end of the articulated boom. One frame is supported to swing about a transverse axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the boom. The other frame has an end releasably secured to the boom. The swingable frame is pivotally connected to the ram through linkage originally intended to operate the bucket and the grapple assembly is then operable by the same hydraulic controls and power units of the backhoe.

Abstract: An unloading mechanism for fork lifts in which a plate slides over the pallet on a fork lift and pushes the goods off the pallet. The plate is moved across the pallet by two arms connecting the plate to the fork lift and operated by a hydraulic cylinder. Pivotal connection of the plate to the arms permits continuous vertical positioning of the plate during its movement forwardly to remove the goods, the rollers may be used to support the plate and arms on the pallet and to prevent damage to the pallet.

Abstract: A front end mechanism for an excavating machine is shown having a boom pivotally mounted at its foot and a dipper stick pivoted to the forward end of the boom that carries a dipper at its outer end.

Abstract: A carriage is provided for guided movement along a skyline and includes guide structure for supporting a dragline for longitudinal shifting relative to the carriage. A skyline stop is provided for coaction with the carriage, a dragline abutment is provided for coaction with the carriage and the carriage includes a stop with which the abutment is engageable to limit movement of the dragline in one direction relative to the carriage. The carriage is engageable with the skyline stop to limit movement of the carriage downwardly along the skyline and the abutment is provided for engagement with the carriage stop to limit upward movement of the dragline relative to the carriage. Latch structure is shiftably supported from the carriage for movement between first and second positions and is latchingly engageable with the skyline stop and engageable with the dragline abutment when in one position and inoperative to latchingly engage the skyline stop and engage the dragline abutment when in the second position.

Abstract: A device for folding and unfolding a hinged boom pivotally mounted atop a telescopic crane mast, in which a cable is secured to the mast and passes over pulleys located, in sequence, at the top of the lower mast section, the bottom of the upper mast section, the top of the upper mast section and on the first boom section adjacent the hinge and thence to another anchor point adjacent the free end of the second boom section. Preferably a spacer strut is placed at the hinge and as the mast telescopes downwardly torque in the cable causes the second boom section to pivot, at the hinge, so that when telescoping is complete the mast and both boom sections are in a coplanar parallel relationship.

Abstract: An improvement in a manual tool having an end, a work engaging tip at the end, a handle spaced from the end and an elongated terminal portion extending from the work engaging tip wherein the elongated terminal portion has a peripheral surface also extending from the work engaging tip. The improvement comprises the application of a layer of light reflective material on the peripheral surface and adjacent the tip whereby light will be reflected into the actual work area which may in some instances be dark.

Abstract: The manipulation of components of a fluid transmission system, particularly portions of a conduit through which heated gas is delivered to a blast furnace is facilitated by the use of a self-propelled vehicle having mounted thereon a component support mechanism. The vehicle and component support mechanism cooperate to define a pair of displaced vertical pivotal axes whereby the component support mechanism can be readily maneuvered into engagement with the conduit portion to be manipulated. The apparatus is further characterized by a lifting arm assembly which enables the component support mechanism to be raised and lowered without changing the orientation of a supported conduit portion.The present invention relates to a device for handling the various components of an installation for the injection of pre-heated air into a shaft furnace. The invention likewise relates to a multi-purpose self-propelling carriage equipped with a device of this kind.

Abstract: An arrangement for the storage of pallets which are used to hold material of lengthy shape. A plurality of shelves are located and fixed next to one another, and they are accessible from at least one broad side via a loading and removal device which travels transversely to the shelves. A plurality of stacked compartments accommodate the pallets, and have a guided loading and removal device which travels underneath the shelves which are located above floor level. An additional guided gantry-like loading and removal device travels above the shelves. The loading and removal device, furthermore, travels underneath the shelves, and may be constructed in the form of a traveling lifting table with a device for the loading and removal of the pallets. Guides may be fixed to the vertical members of the shelves for the lateral support of a platform of the lifting table. A lifting mechanism of a gantry crane may be formed by consoles guided on supports of the gantry.

Abstract: An improved tow truck is provided which comprises a boom pivotally lowerable and raiseable between the truck frame. The boom is telescopic with a rearward end which is extendible, and when fully lowered and extended the rearward end is adjacent the ground and may lift a load, such as a disabled vehicle, about the vehicle wheels. The boom may be retracted and raised to bring the lifted load close to the rear axle of the tow truck.

Abstract: A releasable locking device is provided which is particularly suitable for retaining a parked vehicle against a loading dock or the like during loading or unloading thereof. The device includes a pivotally mounted hook-like member movable between operative and inoperative modes. The member is secured to the front side of the loading dock by a carriage having a first section on which the hook-like member is mounted, and a second section affixed to the dock front side. The first section is adjustable relative to the second section in a substantially vertical plane. The first section is biased to normally assume a predetermined rest position which is at a maximum elevation with respect to the roadway supporting the vehicle. A reversible electric motor is mounted on the carriage first section and actuates the hook-like member between the operative and inoperative modes. When in an operative mode, the hook-like member interlockingly engages the parked vehicle.

Abstract: Structure for detachably mounting a loader to a tractor or other mobile vehicle. An upright pedestal is carried at the rearward end of each loader boom arm for positioning in a receiving support carried on respective sides of the vehicle. Guide and following surfaces provided between the lower portions of each pedestal and support facilitate quick, positive engagement of the pedestal with its support. A transverse pin at the lower end of each receiving support provides a pivotable support for a downwardly opening bracket which is carried on each pedestal and is guided onto the pin by the guide and following surfaces. Engagement of the bracket on the pin horizontally locates the pedestal relative to the support and vertically positions alignable and releasable fastening structure carried between each pedestal and support.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading and unloading of vehicles such as a semi-trailer in which two pairs of continuous chains riding on their side plates extend substantially the length of the vehicle, the pairs being separated by a vertical wall, each pair of chains having a sprocket equipped drive shaft at the rear end of the vehicle with a hydraulic motor for driving the shaft and hydrauically operated struts connected to the bearing housings of the shaft for varying the chain tension.

Abstract: A device for raising the bottom of a can, wherein a lift plate slides vertically inside the can and is activated by a pantograph extending axially thereof. A base structure transmits vertical drive from a vertically-extendable fluid drive to the lower end of the pantograph, which pantograph at its upper end is connected to the plate. The plate is independent of the bottom of the can.

Abstract: A device for mounting an appliance (such as a backhoe excavator) on a vehicle (such as a tractor) comprises a fixed frame secured to the vehicle, and a movable frame to which the appliance is pivotally connected by means of a kingpost. The movable frame has elements thereon which are slidable along respective linear guides on the fixed frame, thereby enabling the movable frame to be pivoted relative to the fixed frame under the control of a drive so as to offset the kingpost from the center line of the vehicle. The guides converge at a predetermined angle rearwardly of the vehicle, and the elements subtend the same angle to the kingpost so that the kingpost moves along a straight line at right angles to the vehicle center line as the movable frame is pivoted with respect to the fixed frame. This arrangement enables the appliance to be pivoted relative to the vehicle about a comparatively large angle without fouling the rear (particularly the rear wheels) of the vehicle.

Abstract: An end position control robot constituted by a compound robot comprising a weight control apparatus a weight control robot having a link arm robot and a position control apparatus of a position control robot, both the apparatus being mechanically associated. The weight control apparatus is constructed so as to bear vertical load to control a vertical position and the position control apparatus is constructed in such a manner that a working end portion of the weight control apparatus is moved in a horizontal direction to carry out positioning, which leads to a precise positioning of the end portion of the arm in the case of load being transferred.

Abstract: A front wheel drive vehicle having a bed supported by the rear wheels of the vehicle by a pair of jacks. The jacks cause lowering of the bed rear end to rest on the road surface for embarkation of a disabled vehicle on the bed.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00584 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 9, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 9, 1979 PCT Filed PCT Pub No. WO 81/00396 Pub Date Feb. 19, 1981A compact grapple head (10) for use in apparatus such as a logging vehicle (11). The grapple head has a reduced overall height and utilizes four pivot connections (17,26,27 and 31) in controlling the tongs (13 and 18) thereof. The arrangement of the pivot connections relative to the tongs, an extensible device (22) and an interconnecting (28) provides an improved load-handling capability both as to maximum and minimum loads. Each of the extensible device (22) and link (28) is connected between the tongs with one of the pivotal connections (26) connecting both of the extensible device (22) and link (28) to one of the tongs (13) and a second pivotal connection (27) connecting both the extensible device and the other of the tongs (18) to the frame (12).