Abstract: Automated warehouses are provided which include a main path, a series of secondary paths perpendicular to the main path along which storage stations are defined, suitable for receiving cargo units. In order to move the cargo units, a main self-propelled vehicle is movable along the main path, and is associated with an auxiliary self-propelled vehicle, movable along the secondary paths. Location data representations are provided along the paths, which identify absolute positions of reference points or ranges within the automated warehouse. Sensors to read the data are mounted on board of the main self-propelled vehicle and the auxiliary self-propelled vehicle. Methods for storing and withdrawing cargo units in automated warehouses are also provided.

Abstract: A lifting and/or tilting device is provided for a grass cutting machine, such as a ride-on mower. The device includes a fixed chassis element designed to rest on the ground. A movable chassis element is capable of accommodating at least one wheel of the machine and is movable about an axle supported by the fixed chassis element, between a stowed position, in which the movable chassis element extends essentially in the plane formed by the fixed chassis element, and at least one raised position in which the movable chassis element is separated from the fixed chassis element. The device has a cylinder with a body that is attached permanently to the fixed chassis element and a shaft that is movable relative to the body, attached permanently to the movable chassis element, and mounted in such manner that in the raised position it extends essentially outside of the zone delimited by the fixed and movable chassis elements.

Abstract: A combination apparatus for weighing an aircraft has a plurality of weight scales, each scale being adapted to be supported by a support surface in a position for receiving landing gear of an aircraft thereon. At least one riser supports at least one scale above the support surface, and the height of each riser is selected to position an aircraft on the scales in a level attitude while a weight of the aircraft is being supported by the landing gear on the scales. At least one scale may be recessed in the support surface, and the height of each riser may be adjustable.

Abstract: Passenger or freight cabs 9 can roll on bridge rails 24, 25; 54, 55; 64, 65, between a pair of platforms such as an elevator car frame 19, a horizontal transport bogie 41, or a stationary platform 68. The bridge rails may move from a first position to a second position where they are parallel to, coaligned with and overlapping rails on one of the platforms so as to permit transferring a cab, either by individually rotating through corresponding axes passing through each rail, or by rotating a pair of such rails together about an axis passing between them.

Abstract: A cab having a wheeled carriage fixed thereto is moved between rails on an elevator car frame and similar rails on a wheeled bogey. The ends of the rails are scarfed in a complimentary fashion so as to provide a temporary half-lap joint between the rails of the bogey and the rails of the car frame. Motion is provided by linear motors having active primaries disposed on the car frame and the bogey and passive secondaries disposed on the cab carriage. Motor control is in response to position signals provided by magnetostrictive linear displacement transducers. The cab carriage includes rollers on vertical axes which contact the insides of the rails for guidance. The cab carriage wheels and rollers are disposed in pairs separated sufficiently so that at least one roller and one wheel of each pair is in contact with a full rail as the carriage crosses the rail joints between the car frame and the bogey.

Abstract: A lift including a rectangular base frame moved between two parallel rails on the outside wall of a building, two supporting bars fastened to the base frame for holding the cargo, a lifting cable driven by a motor drive to lift the base frame along the parallel rails, wherein the supporting bars are hinged to a cross bottom bar on the base frame and turned between the collapsed position in which the supporting bars are longitudinally aligned and closely attached to said cross bottom bar, and the operative position in which the supporting bars are disposed in parallel with each other and perpendicular to the cross bottom rail for supporting the wheels of a cargo carriage upon its loading onto the lift, the supporting bars each having an upright guard rod at the end for stopping the cargo carriage in place.

Abstract: A cableless elevator system for very high buildings includes several vertical travel shafts with apparatus at the floors for horizontal travel of the elevator cars between shafts. Several cars can move in the same shaft at the same time. Vertically extending shaft wall strips positioned between the shafts have horizontal guide channels and vertical rolling tracks formed therein. During vertical travel, upper and lower guide rollers on the cars engage the rolling tracks and the cars are moved by a combination of a linear drive and a friction drive. The friction drive utilizes battery powered electrical motors to drive the lower guide rollers. The linear drive has linear motor stators attached to the shaft rear wall and permanent magnets on the cars. During horizontal movement, the upper and lower guide rollers engage the horizontal guide channels and the lower rollers move the car.