Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a rotating structure. An outer ring is placed on a first surface of a trench in a foundation having a ground surface. An inner ring is positioned inside the outer ring on the first surface. A bar assembly is positioned between the outer ring and the inner ring. A plurality of rollers supports the bar assembly. A plurality of motors engages to the bar assembly to cause the bar assembly to rotate when activated.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a rotating structure. An outer ring is placed on a first surface of a trench in a foundation having a ground surface. An inner ring is positioned inside the outer ring on the first surface. A bar assembly is positioned between the outer ring and the inner ring. A plurality of rollers supports the bar assembly. A plurality of motors engages to the bar assembly to cause the bar assembly to rotate when activated.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a rotating structure. An outer ring is placed on a first surface of a trench in a foundation having a ground surface. An inner ring is positioned inside the outer ring on the first surface. A bar assembly is positioned between the outer ring and the inner ring. A plurality of rollers supports the bar assembly. A plurality of motors engages to the bar assembly to cause the bar assembly to rotate when activated.

Abstract: A bridge joint for use with a railroad track having standard rail sections with flanges. The bridge joint includes a fixed point section having an integral accepting portion with a point and laterally spaced side walls, and a standard rail abutting portion. The joint also has a moveable point section having a yoke portion with a point and laterally spaced side walls, and a standard rail abutting portion. A rocker arm has a moveable interface portion adapted to be pivotally attached to said yoke portion and a fixed interface portion adapted to be received in said accepting portion. Clamping lugs arc positioned on the side walls of the accepting portion and the yoke portion. The fixed point section and the moveable point section are clamped to base plates with clamping members that engage the clamping lugs.

Abstract: A storage structure has an entry chamber for receiving articles, a storage area for storing the articles, a lift passage for connecting the entry chamber and the storage area, and a lift for conveying the articles through the lift passage between the entry chamber and the storage area. The storage structure includes a turning chamber provided separately from the entry chamber and connected to the lift passage for changing the orientation of an article. A turntable device is supported in the turning chamber to receive an article from the lift within the lift passage and to transfer an article to the lift. The turntable device includes a rotatable carrying surface and two auxiliary supports. One auxiliary support is located on each of two opposite sides of the turntable device for supporting the carrying surface when the carrying surface rotates. The carrying surface is movable between a position within the lift passage and a position outside of the lift passage.

Abstract: The invention includes devices for displaying motor vehicles and to methods for displaying motor vehicles. In one aspect, the invention includes a device for displaying a motor vehicle comprising: a) a platform configured for supporting an unoccupied motor vehicle; and b) the platform being further configured for rotation about a rotation axis and tilting about a tilt axis while supporting the unoccupied motor vehicle. In another aspect, the invention includes a device for displaying a motor vehicle comprising: a) a first support member defining a tilt axis; b) a second support member defining a rotation axis; c) a platform pivotally supported by the first and second support members and configured for supporting a motor vehicle, the platform being configured for tilting about the tilt axis and for rotating about the rotation axis; and d) a power source operationally attached to at least one of the first support member and the platform and configured for driving the tilting of the platform about the tilt axis.

Abstract: A rotary turntable for use in a building, such as in a residential or office environment, includes at least one door and at least one wall panel for cooperating with adjacent stationary building structures such as walls and a ceiling to define a variable floor plan. The turntable door and wall panel include expansion members for engaging and contacting adjacent building structures to provide an acoustic barrier between rooms. In the preferred form, the turntable door is powered for driven movement between open and closed positions which can vary according to the specific rotational position of the turntable.

Abstract: A rotating floor is provided for rotating a motor vehicle so that the motor vehicle attains a new heading. The rotating floor includes a platform supporting the motor vehicle. The platform is supported above-ground by a plurality of wheels oriented in concentric circles which run along races oriented in concentric circles. A motor is provided with an output shaft coaxial with a rotational center point of the platform. The motor is connected to the platform in a direct drive relationship. A chamber is oriented beneath the platform and housing the motor. The chamber can be accessed through a manhole in the platform and is sized sufficiently to allow a person to enter therein for maintenance to the motor. A tunnel is provided extending from the chamber which provides a person with access to a bottom of the platform.

Abstract: An improved turntable is provided for use in a building, such as in a residential or office environment, wherein the turntable is constructed from modular components for facilitated installation within a relatively low profile space. The turntable comprises a skeletal frame including an outer rim in combination with a plurality of radially extending support beams, wherein the assembled frame defines a plurality of generally pie-shaped openings for nested reception of a corresponding plurality of lightweight modular panel units. Wheels are mounted to the outer rim in adjacent pairs on opposite sides of each radial support beam for shared distribution of loads applied to the turntable during use. A traction drive surface is formed on the periphery of the outer rim in a position engaged by a drive roller of a low profile drive unit.

Abstract: A method of making a composite material in which a porous preform is produced by spray casting. An appropriate metal or alloy is caused to infiltrate the interconnected pores. This may be accomplished by infiltrating the porous preform with a liquid metal of a melting point lower than the melting point of the porous preform and thereafter solidifying the infiltrated material or the material can be infiltrated by the use of a slurry containing the desired particles and the liquid carrier driven off by baking the infiltrated preform. Alternatively, infiltration may be accomplished by plating of a desired metal or alloy from an appropriate infiltrate electroplating or electro-less plating solution.

Abstract: A trailer is arranged to have a rigid trailer frame, including radial rods projecting medially of the trailer frame, with the radial rods having rod rollers equally spaced relative to a cylindrical support collar. The cylindrical support collar rotatably mounts a trailer floor arranged for selective securement relative to the trailer and for selective rotation thereto. The trailer structure is arranged for tilting relative to an associated support leg that is selectively secured to a support tongue mounted overlying the leg.

Abstract: The maneuvering device of the invention is designed to enable a motorcycle rider to handle his machine in limited storage space. Primarily, it consists of a platform supported on a center swivel that enables the rider to rotate the platform to any desired position after mounting the platform.

Abstract: The invention provides a sturdy substantially rectangular scow-like turntable platform with retractable wheels for mobility and turntable mechanics for the use of heavy trucks. The turntable platform is towable and can be used with wheels down or with wheels retracted for bottom surface friction stabilization. A trailer is provided with powering devices and controls for operating the turntable motor and the various ram activated devices. The turntable motor and the rams can be powered by pressurized hydraulic fluid or by compressed air.

Abstract: A vehicle turntable is disclosed herein having flotation and bearing systems to reduce friction while turning. When a vehicle is being moved on or off of the turntable, the turntable tips into engagement with its base to support the eccentric load of the vehicle and to inhibit turning. Power controls for the turntable are operable from the driver's seat.

Abstract: A switching device for a transporting track on which a pallet travels supported on a cushion of air which includes a rotatable track having air jets to support the pallet and which is supported on an air bearing, a first linear motor for turning the air bearing, a second linear motor for driving and braking the pallet and a positioning device for accurately positioning the rotatable track in alignment with a fixed regular track.

Abstract: A turntable for driverless vehicles rides on a horizontally disposed circular rail and is pivotable about a vertical axis through an arc of 90.degree.. A vertical shaft is connected at its upper end to the table by way of a universal coupling. A motor is connected to the shaft to pivot the shaft. The turntable is particularly adapted for use at a T junction of a system having a closed loop.

Abstract: A rotatable table for the display of large objects such as automotive vehicles and the like which is composed of a minimum number of components easily handled by individual assemblers. The components can be assembled and disassembled in a very short period of time and are easily transportable to different locations. The main components consist of a power turntable having stanchion recesses and truss outriggers removably carried by the central power turntable and radially disposed to support sector portions of a supporting top.

Abstract: A rotary load handling device including a frame structure having an arcuate roller rail mounted on the upper surface, a roller ring having a set of concentric ring members and a plurality of double flanged wheels connected therebetween disposed on the arcuate roller rail, and an upper arcuate roller rail secured to the underside of a plate having a load handling unit mounted on the upperside of the plate whereby the upper arcuate roller rail is disposed on the roller ring and rotatable relative to the frame structure.

Abstract: A marine crane having an upper works rotatably mounted on a pedestal adapter, includes a retainer for limiting the extent to which the upper works can be tilted, such retainer having an arcuate member secured to the upper works that extends partially around the pedestal adapter and presents a lip beneath and out of contact with a stationary circumferential member forming a part of the pedestal adapter. The arcuate member has a series of vertical, plate-like buttresses spaced along its circumferential length that have outer ends facing a machinery deck of the upper works to brace the arcuate member, so as to retain the arcuate member in place in the event of abnormal forces being applied thereto.

Abstract: A machine tool wherein an annular gear is rotatable in a horizontal plane to carry a plurality of pallets between adjacent peripherally arranged machine stations. The gear is lowered as each machine station is attained by the entry of gear support bearings into recesses in the underside of the gear. The pallets are supported on the gear for limited vertical and horizontal movement, and lowering of the gear positions the pallet on an abutment surface in rough alignment with the machining station. As the gear is further lowered, it is spaced from the pallet so as not to interfere with independent positioning of the pallet by power actuated positioning means located at each machining station. Thus, the pallet can be adjusted independently of the gear when the gear is in its lowered position, yet is carried by the gear when the gear is in its elevated position.

Abstract: A rotatable load is driven and/or supported and/or guided by wheels carried by a stationary frame and capable of running along at least one track provided on the load. The bearings of each wheel are housed within a rocker-arm, one end of which is supported on the stationary frame by elastic means and the other end of which is supported on the frame by a movable stop associated with driving means.

Abstract: A rotary floor comprising a base having an upwardly facing surface and defining a vertically extending center axis, a platform disposed above and in vertical registry with the base, the platform having a bottom side, circular outer and inner lower tracks concentrically mounted on the base, circular outer and inner upper tracks concentrically mounted on the bottom side of the platform to be in vertical registry, respectively, with the lower tracks, and a plurality of wheels disposed between the tracks rotatably to support the platform. The plurality of wheels comprise first wheels running on the outer lower track and under and supporting the outer upper track, and a plurality of second wheels running on the inner lower track and under and supporting the inner upper track. A driver is provided for the platform to rotate it about the axis.