Abstract: The apparatus is used for picking up arbitrary, especially heavy, articles. It includes a receiving table and an auxiliary pickup member located above the receiving table. A roller-like pickup member is arranged at the front end of the receiving table for exerting a lifting force to a vertical surface or front face of an article to be picked up. The auxiliary pickup member applies a second, horizontal force to the top side of the article. In this way a torque is generated, which supports tilting and lifting the article.

Abstract: A horizontally displaceable receiving table for picking up and setting down package-like articles includes a displaceable transporting device, with roller-like pick-up members at its end relative to the direction of travel. The receiving table is displaced towards the articles by a first drive at a velocity which is decreased when the table is in close proximity to the vertical face surface of the articles. The pick-up member is then driven by a second drive such that the pick-up member engages the article and lifts the article onto the receiving table. The receiving table and the transporting device are then driven countercurrently at the same speed until they have substantially moved under the article. The receiving table permits picking up and setting down package-like articles at designated times and locations without damage to the articles.

Abstract: A goods handling facility having a storage rack with vertically aligned sves, storage containers disposed within the racks, a shelf conveying device movable alongside the storage rack, a support frame disposed within the shelf conveying device, and at least one transport frame supported in the support frame with shelves for the storage containers. A charging device for collecting individual storage containers from the storage racks is mounted at the support frame and is displaceable relative to the support frame. Lot forming takes place at a stationary goods removing station from a transport frame deposited thereat. The charging device is adapted to transfer storage containers from the transport frame into the storage rack, and vice versa. At the goods removing station a transport frame is removed from the support frame of the shelf conveying device permitting an exchange of transport frames. The exchanged transport frame is then moved alongside the storage rack.

Abstract: To provide safe operation for unmanned operation of a guiding wire controd vehicle also at higher speeds of about 10 km/h the vehicle comprises a contact feeler mounted on a safety cart, which contact feeler is located ahead of the face surface of the vehicle by a distance exceeding the braking distance thereof. Upon contacting an obstacle the contact feeler triggers a retracting means which retracts the safety cart against the face area of the vehicle triggering at the same time the braking operation thereof. Accordingly, the vehicle can be brought to a full stop without injuring or damaging as well as bodily contacting the obstacle.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing mixed cargo in which a plurality of containers each house therein a plurality of storage channels arranged in tiers and rows filling each container and located immovably with respect to each other. The storage channels lead away from a loading and unloading opening in one container end wall. Each channel has a smooth, low friction bottom extending in its longitudinal direction. Packages are loaded through the loading and unloading opening one in back of the other in series in each channel. The channels are loaded by pushing items of cargo in mutual contact into the channels and by tilting the container to allow sliding of the items of cargo in rows out of the channels.

Abstract: An improved steering control system for a remote controlled transport unit for moving said unit along a pair of guide lines fixed in space comprises two drive wheel means, one of the two drive wheel means having a first control angle .alpha. associated therewith, the other of the two drive wheel means having a second control angle .beta. associated therewith, the control angles corresponding to the angular direction of travel of their associated drive wheel means with respect to a common longitudinal axis fixed relative to the transport unit; means for controlling the direction of travel of the two drive wheel means whereby the direction of travel of one of the drive wheel means will be along one of the pair of guide lines and the direction of travel of the other of the drive wheel means will be along the other of the pair of guide lines; and means for controlling the drive speed v.sub.A of the one drive wheel means relative to the drive speed v.sub.

Abstract: An installation for manufacturing products, for example motor vehicles, from a number of component elements, comprises transport units which convey the elements along a production line. Each transport unit comprises a truck part and a removable platform part which carries the element. Means are provided for lifting the platform part relative to the truck part and for centering the platform part relative to the truck part.