Abstract: The linear actuator comprises elongated first and second bands that cooperate to form an extractable and retractable column. Rotatable first and second band guide members respectively guide turns of the first and second bands into intertwined engagement. A power actuator causes rotation of the first and second band guide members such that the extractable and retractable column may be extracted or retracted. A base carries the power actuator, the first and second bands and the first and second band guide members. An anti-rotation mechanism comprises a first anti-rotation member attached to the base and a complementary second anti-rotation member attached to at least one of the first and second bands, with the first and second anti-rotation members engaging one another in the column to prevent rotation of the column relative to the base. The engagement of the first and second anti-rotation members is non-punctual about a periphery of the column.

Abstract: The linear actuator comprises upper and lower frame portions vertically movable relative to one another along a central axis, and first and second bands that intertwine to form an extractable and retractable column. The second band forms the wall of the vertical column, and it is the second band that is supported by a rotor that is rotatably carried by the lower frame portion, to reduce the mechanical stress on the first band.

Abstract: The removable seats system has a first vertically movable platform defining opposite upper and lower sides, a seat member comprising at least one seat and first and second complementary male-female engagement members respectively provided on the first platform and on the seat member. The seat member may be removably installed in an operative position on the upper side of the first platform through a releasable engagement of the first and second male-female engagement members with one another.

Abstract: The removable seals system has a lirsl vertically movable platform defining opposite upper ami lower sides, a seal member comprising at least one seat and first and second complementary male-female engagement members respectively provided on the first platform and on the scat member. The scat member may be removably installed in an operative position on the upper side of the first platform through a releasable engagement of the first and second male-female engagement members with one an- other.

Abstract: A procedure for locating a mobile magnetic target (2) using magnetic measurements includes determining first and second positions (P1 and P2), and a first possible speed (V) of the target (2) along a first direction (Y), determining a third position on a trajectory (28) defined relative to the first direction as a function of the first possible speed (V) and of a later moment in time, and determining the approach position of the target and its speed as a function of the first, second and third positions.

Abstract: A procedure for locating a mobile magnetic target (2) using magnetic measurements includes determining first and second positions (P1 and P2), and a first possible speed (V) of the target (2) along a first direction (Y), determining a third position on a trajectory (28) defined relative to the first direction as a function of the first possible speed (V) and of a later moment in time, and determining the approach position of the target and its speed as a function of the first, second and third positions.

Abstract: The linear actuator comprises an elongated first band wound in helical form about a central axis and capable of taking a retracted position and an extended position with its turns spaced from one another in the direction of the central axis, and first fasteners carried by the first band and longitudinally disposed therealong. The linear actuator also comprises an elongated second substantially flat band wound on itself, with its turns substantially transversely parallel to the central axis, and capable of taking a retracted, spiral position with its turns nested within one another and an extended position with its turns forming a helix around the central axis and generally equally radially spaced therefrom to form a telescopic column, the first and second bands, when in retracted position, in respective locations so as to clear each other.

Abstract: A removable seats system includes a number of vertically movable platforms supported by a platform support and displacement device which engages the platforms and which positions the platforms in a horizontally successively spaced configuration defining a gap between each two successive platforms having selective independent vertical displacement of the platforms. The removable seats system further includes a number of seat elements each associated with a corresponding platform and each including: a row of seats including at least one seat; and a seat supporting structure carried by a platform and supporting the row of seats. Each one of the seat members is movable relative to its corresponding platform between an operative position in which the row of seats is located above its corresponding platform, and a concealed position in which the row of seats is located under a platform.

Abstract: The linear actuator comprises an elongated first band wound in helical form about a central axis and capable of taking a retracted position and an extended position with its turns spaced from one another in the direction of the central axis, and first fasteners carried by the first band and longitudinally disposed therealong. The linear actuator also comprises an elongated second substantially flat band wound on itself, with its turns substantially transversely parallel to the central axis, and capable of taking a retracted, spiral position with its turns nested within one another and an extended position with its turns forming a helix around the central axis and generally equally radially spaced therefrom to form a telescopic column, the first and second bands, when in retracted position, in respective locations so as to clear each other.

Abstract: A loading and unloading system for loading articles into and unloading articles from at least one storage area having an open end and inner side walls. The loading and unloading system includes a powered carriage for carrying articles and having two sides, the distance therebetween defining a carriage width, the carriage also having a front and a rear end and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween. The carriage comprises a main rigid frame movable over ground along the longitudinal axis, a powered article-carrying device mounted to the carriage frame for carrying the articles on the carriage, and a number of lateral guide members mounted to the frame and laterally protruding beyond the frame on both the carriage sides.

Abstract: The removable seats system includes a number of vertically movable platforms (32) supported spacedly over ground by a ground-resting platform support and displacement device which engages the platforms and which positions the platforms in a horizontally successively adjacent although slightly horizontally spaced configuration so as to define a small horizontal gap between each two successive platforms, the platform support and displacement means further allowing selective independent vertical displacement of the platforms, the removable seats system further including a number of seat elements each associated to a coresponding platform and each including:- a row of seats (44) including at least one seat (46); and- a seat supporting structure (48) carried by a platform and supporting the row of seats.

Abstract: The push actuator has a fixed base which rotatably carries a selectively rotatable rotor. A horizontal band has a lower portion stacked in a helical pattern and has an upper portion engaged by the upper portion of a vertical band, to form a telescopic column. The lower portion of the vertical band is stacked in a spiral, separately from the horizontal band, the horizontal band is supported on the rotor with a helical ball support track along which a number of balls can roll and slide, to allow substantially frictionless rotation of the rotor member while the horizontal band remains rotatably stationary. A ball re-circulation unit allows the balls to circulate between the top of the track and the bottom of the track.

Abstract: The system selectively moves articles into and out of a number of loading areas. The system has mutually transverse longitudinal and lateral axes defining longitudinal and lateral directions, respectively, and comprises a carriage movable along variable longitudinal distances in the longitudinal direction, with the carriage having full longitudinal movement capability throughout the loading areas and being capable of depositing and retrieving an article at any point in the longitudinal direction. The carriage is movable also along a continuous range of variable lateral distances in the lateral direction, with the variable lateral distances being determined by an article having any lateral position along the continuous range of lateral distances. The carriage can selectively engage and release the article at a predetermined lateral position.

Abstract: A conveyor conveys palletized articles to a loading dock. A bogie movable along rails between different loading docks, supports an independently movable carriage, which may roll out of the bogie once the latter reaches a desired loading dock. The carriage then loads with a forklift provided on the carriage, the articles from the conveyor into a semi-trailer located at the loading dock. The carriage is provided with a linkage pivotally installed on its main frame, the linkage carrying four lateral guide wheels which protrude laterally beyond all other structural elements of the carriage. The linkage integrally links the guide wheels into a common pivotal displacement, with the guide wheels remaining symmetrically disposed relative to the carriage frame. A hydraulic piston biases the guide wheels towards an outer limit position at all times, and the guide wheels are forcibly pivotable, against the bias of the piston, towards an inner limit position.

Abstract: A storage rack is loaded and unloaded from the top with pallets carrying articles to be stored in and retrieved from the rack. The rack consists of a series of spaced columns arranged in parallel rows defining wells accessible from the top; the columns have vertically spaced, upwardly facing sets of steps protruding to an equal extent towards the centre of the wells. A crane is horizontally movable over the rack and stoppable above a selected well; it has a hoisting block which can be lowered between and guided by the columns of the selected well; a pair of hooks are pivoted to the hoisting block for movement towards and away from each other between opened and closed position; a pair of Z-shaped pallet holding beams adapted to carry a series of pallets aligned in end to end relation are suspended from the hooks and clear the steps when in closed position.

Abstract: A pair of spaced, parallel beams are designed to hold a group of aligned, contiguous article carrying pallets. Each beam has a web of uniform width with a lower, inturned flange to extend under the side edges of the aligned pallets and an upper outturned flange to be picked up by the pivoted jaws of a crane. These jaws together with a pusher/puller carriage are mounted on a long frame suspended from the crane which travels across one face of a rack in which pairs of parallel tracks are arranged in a grid. The pair of jaws, carrying the beams or pallet holders are closed to position the latter under the sides of a group of aligned, contiguous, article carrying pallets assembled at a pick-up station. The pallet carrying holders are aligned by the crane with any selected pair of tracks. One end of the frame latches to the rack and the pusher-puller carriage latches to one end of the pallet holders and pushes the same and their load off the jaws and onto the tracks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tray for carrying a plurality of pallets loaded with several concrete blocks. The tray is a rectangular frame defining an upper surface, front and rear ends and upwardly-projecting flanges at both front and rear ends. The tray is adapted to receive the loaded pallets on its upper surface between the flanges. The invention further relates to a system adapted to carry the loaded tray through a block curing kiln. The kiln is composed of a plurality of longitudinal cells, as is already known, and the pallet-loaded trays are inserted in a consecutive linear abutment fashion in the cells. The relatively high flanges of each tray thus abut on one another, which prevents the overlapping of the trays, and thus prevents the damaging in this way of the concrete blocks.

Abstract: There is disclosed a broomball broom head, comprising a molded solid body having opposed faces with edges, a top end and a bottom end spaced therefrom, at least one of the opposed faces having a concave area spaced inwardly from the edges and the lower end, the top end having a stick receiving opening being confined to the top end.

Abstract: This telescopic tube is formed of a first and of a second continuous bands wound in a spiral and in a helix, respectively, with the turns of each band lying flat against each other in the retracted position of the tube. The turns of the respective bands are normal to one another. To extend the tube, the turns of the first band are spaced from each other, and the turns of the second band are inserted between the spaced turns of the first band, so as to act as spacers for the latter turns. A mechanism is described to cause extension and retraction of the tube which is mainly used as a push actuator.