Abstract: A strap support system for collapsible shipping containers whereby top-loaded containers may be emptied from the bottoms thereof while supported in a manner which permits, for example, the transfer of particulate material to a hopper or other receptacle is disclosed. In the case of particulate comestibles, the system includes the provision of an expandable sack-like element which contacts the transported material and prevents contact of this material with the reuseable components of the container.

Abstract: There is disclosed article handling apparatus (10) which is primarily intended for transferring ammunition shells to and from a storage magazine in a mobile weapons system such as a tank or warship. The apparatus comprises a storage magazine having a storage rack on which the articles can be stored, and an indexing-type conveyor for traversing the articles along the storage rack. The conveyor moves through an indexing cycle in which it has a starting position in which it is engageable with a first batch of articles, causes one increment of traversing movement of the batch, releases itself from the engaged first batch, returns to the starting position and engages with a second batch of articles. A restrainer is provided, including a cam bar, which operates to locate any articles which may be present on the storage rack against up and down movement and also against traversing movement while the apparatus is in its storage mode.

Abstract: A hand cart particularly adapted for carrying a stack of material such as tires, barrels and the like utilizing a pair of arms activated by foot pedals to open and close the arms. The foot pedal mechanism is arranged such that the pedals will always be horizontal during the opening or closing of the arms. Two horizontal projections from the end of each arm provide horizontal support of material to be moved. The projections from the arms are scalloped to minimize friction during engagement. No adjustments for material size are required in the use of this device. The arms are arranged to have the maximum length possible to minimize the opening angle to reduce interference with adjacent stacks.

Abstract: The method and device disclosed are for the testing of microelectronic components in a centrifuge. The method includes the steps of loading the components to be tested into a holder or stick and then providing a device controlling the dispensing of the microelectronic components from the holder into receptacles circularly arranged in an insert which fits into the rotor of the centrifuge. The control device in the form disclosed is in the form of a manual tool having a passageway into which the end of the holder can be extended. The tool is positioned between the holder and a receptacle in the insert so as to be able to control the dispensing of components into the receptacle or unloading them from the receptacle. The tool embodies a trigger and a plunger member actuatable thereby which can obstruct the passageway through the tool or to open the passageway for the passage of components through it.

Abstract: Load transporting apparatus enables loads to be transported on and off vehicles. The apparatus requires a loading platform to be located adjacent a load receiving surface of a vehicle. The platform and the surface each have channel shaped tracks which are aligned with one another. An inflatable tube on which is carried a plate is located in the base of the channel and skates are arranged to be moved along the plates when the tube is inflated. Thus the skates can move along the channels supporting a load when a transfer to or from the vehicle is required. When in position deflation of the tube causes the skates to lower and the load rests on the associated surface. In the deflated position the skates can be moved along the tracks out of engagement with the load. The plates have a central depression to ensure that the skates remain centrally located in the tracks.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically transferring a cassette of semiconductor wafers from one "clean" room to a second "clean" room across an area that may be less clean. The system includes an elevator in each room where a load is manually positioned in a load stall, and is then withdrawn automatically to an elevator and moved to a different elevation and transferred to an enclosed horizontal conveyor at that elevation which spans the distance between the "clean" rooms. The load then moves on a driven cart which straddles, and is magnetically coupled to an enclosed driver cart. The conveyor and the elevator stations are pressurized with clean air to maintain the necessary cleanliness for the wafer processing operation.

Abstract: Wafer transfer apparatus including a wafer-pickup element having suction openings closer to the edge of wafer than the wafer's center so that the wafer can be picked up with greater certainty as to the locations of the wafer edges, the pickup element being thin and made of a structural layer of rigid structural material having grooves and a TEFLON layer laminated to the structural layer and having suction openings, the grooves and covering portions of TEFLON defining vacuum passages.

Abstract: An apparatus for simplifying the launching and retrieval of a boat from its trailer is provided. The apparatus includes a longitudinal body, an electrical or manual winch, a coupler for mounting to the trailer hitch ball on the towing vehicle, a trailer hitch ball for coupling the boat trailer to the apparatus and a locking assembly to secure the apparatus to the boat trailer structure.

Abstract: A wheel lifting unit for mounting to a tow truck has a base that is carried by the truck under the bed. An extending device will retract and extend the base. A telescoping member, which also retracts and extends, is mounted to the base. The telescoping member includes a neck member that pivotally connects to arms mounted to the base. The neck member will also move between retracted and extended positions. Lateral extension members are located at the end of the telescoping member assembly. Wheel supports on the lateral extension members incline outwardly to accommodate different wheel sizes.

Abstract: A freight vehicle has a cargo space convertible from that suitable for handling piece goods to that suitable for bulk material. A conventional cargo space for piece goods has openings for filling and discharging bulk material. A double-walled inflatable bag having its bottom attached to a rigid support platform is positioned in erected condition to handle bulk material and is movable to a stored position near the roof of the cargo space to allow handling of piece goods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a manipulator for removing a cassette holding articles, such as semiconductor wafers, to be processed from a container supported on a processing station in a standard mechanical interface (SMIF) system. The container is supported on an interface port on the canopy of the processing station and has a removeable door on which the cassette is supportable. A first platform is transportable along a shaft below the interface port and is operable to mate with the interface port and receive the cassette from the container. The first platform is transported down the shaft, thereby removing the cassette from the container. A second platform mounted in the shaft includes a manipulator arm which swings to engage the cassette on the first platform and support the cassette off of the first platform. The manipulator arm then pivots to transport the cassette to a location in the processing station away from the shaft.

Abstract: A wheel lift type vehicle lifting and towing device which includes an extensible and tiltable boom extending rearwardly from a towing vehicle when in use and provided on its end thereof with a pair of wheel receiving members for engaging the wheels of a vehicle to be towed, and then lifting and towing the vehicle. The wheel receiving members are comprised of a fixed prong and a movable L-shaped prong which may be folded to a storage position when not in use. When the entire device is in a storage position, it is retracted substantially out of view within the understructure of the body of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint for preventing a vehicle, such as a truck, from pulling away from the loading dock during a loading operation. The vehicle restraint includes a frame or supporting structure which is mounted on the generally horizontal driveway in front of the loading dock, and a parallelogram linkage inerconnects the frame and a hook. The parallelogram linkage includes two pair of generally parallel links and the lower ends of both pairs of links are mounted for movement on the frame in a direction toward and away from the dock, while the upper ends of the links are pivotally connected to the hook. A reciprocating drive mechanism interconnects the frame and the linkage, and by moving the lower ends of the links in a direction toward the loading dock, the hook will be moved upwardly in a vertical path to engage an abutment on the rear end of the truck to prevent the truck from accidentally moving away from the loading dock.

Abstract: A four-axis robot has three independent linear motions and one rotational component. The robot is disposed between a pair of confronting storage units and is operable to store and retrieve articles in and from them. The robot comprises a carrier disposed half-way between the two storage units for travel parallel to the units. A head is supported from the carriage and in turn supports an arm for horizontal extension and retraction. The head can be both elevated and lowered along, as well as rotated about, a vertical axis. The head and arm are capable of 180.degree. rotary motion about the vertical axis to access the two storage units. Specific rotational control of the head is provided by a unique actuating mechanism with associated adjustable stops. The mechanism includes a linearly movable gear rack operated by a power cylinder and meshing with a pinion concentric with the vertical axis. The pinion is mounted on the bearing portions of a ball spline shaft and bearing coupling.

Abstract: Disclosed is a manipulator for removing a cassette holding articles, such as semiconductor wafers, to be processed from a container supported on a processing station in a standard mechanical interface (SMIF) system. The container is supported on an interface port on the canopy of the processing station. A first platform is transportable along a shaft below the interface port. The platform is operable to mate with the interface port and receive the cassette from the container. The first platform is transported down the shaft, thereby removing the cassette from the container. An arm orthogonal to the shaft and mounted in the shaft supports a pivoting arm which swings to engage the cassette on the first platform and support the cassette off of the first platform. The pivoting arm pivots to transport the cassette to a location away from the shaft. The first platform is then transported back up the shaft to the interface port to seal the container to prevent particulate contamination.

Abstract: Load-hauling tandem combination formed of a motor driven truck releasably hitched to a wheel-mounted trailer which is self-propelled and self-steerable when unhitched from the truck. A lifting mechanism is provided on the trailer for mounting and removing a container or the like load box on and from its chassis.

Abstract: A cantilevered, soft landing boat loading system for semiconductor processing furnaces includes an alignment mechanism, a paddle, and a boat loader. The alignment mechanism includes five handles for five degrees of freedom. The boat loader is supported from a vertical plane.

Abstract: This motor vehicle is of use to a disabled person 43 who moves about on a wheeled chair 44 and comprises a compartment 1 which has an openable panel 8 on one of its sides and includes horizontal slideways 11 which are disposed perpendicular to said opening. A support is slidable in these slideways 11 and, in a withdrawn position of the support, is partly located outside the compartment 1. A panel 22 is vertically movable between branches 13 of the support to which it is connected by a raising device 25, 27. When the branches 13 are in a drawn out position, the panel 22 is lowered down to the ground while remaining horizontal by the raising device 25, 27. A wheeled chair 44 is then easily placed on the panel 42 which is raised, and the support is introduced into the compartment 1 by a driving device provided for this purpose.

Abstract: A portable hoist is provided for lifting, transporting, and depositing loads onto a platform, such as a work bench, or into a vehicle, such as a pick-up truck. The portable hoist comprises a mounting for attachment to the a wall of a vehicle or a work bench, an upright support structure connected to the mounting by a hinge connection which allows for swinging movement of the support structure about its vertical axis, and a boom pivotally secured at one end to the upper end of the support structure such that the free end of the boom can be raised and lowered. A hydraulic operator acting between the support structure and the boom serves to raise and lower the boom. A sheave is carried at the free end of the boom and a hoist line connected to the support structure loops over the sheave and carries a hook assembly for attachment to the load to be lifted.

Abstract: A container handling apparatus for refuse containers of various sizes includes a frame mounted on an elevating and dumping mechanism disposed on a refuse collection vehicle. The apparatus includes opposed primary container engaging arms pivotally secured to the frame and secondary container engaging arms pivotally secured to the frame inboard of the pivot points of the primary arms. Hydraulic cylinder actuators are operable to move the primary arms from a retracted position substantially within the normal clearance width profile of the vehicle to a position for engaging and gathering the container to be grasped between the primary and secondary arms. The configuration of the primary and secondary arms provides for grasping containers of various diameters and for tolerating misalignment of the apparatus with respect to a container during driveby pickup operations.