Abstract: A cargo pallet, pallet support and restraint system which distributes the supporting forces equally over the bottom of the cargo pallet, even though the cargo load forces are concentrated and unevenly distributed over the pallet. The pallet is supported by a system of multiple ball or roller assemblies acting in conjunction with an interconnected hydraulic pallet support system to produce a multiplicity of equal lifting forces acting over the bottom surface of the pallet. Rails located at the pallet periphery restrain the pallet's upward movement and thereby introduce forces opposing those of the hydraulic pallet support system. The force and torque interactions among the areas of load concentration, the interconnected hydraulic pallet support system, the restraining rails, and the pallet structure rigidity, distributes the concentrated load evenly over the bottom of the pallet by hydraulically maintaining an equal supporting force from each of the underlying pallet support ball or roller assemblies.

Abstract: A trailer construction that provides an unobstructed flat bed having opposite side walls and hinged or removable front and rear gates as well as adjusting and retracting keel and chine rollers for converting the flat bed of the utility trailer into a boat trailer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device which is for use as or as part of mechanical handling apparatus. It includes an elongate body, and, in the embodiment described, a support for supporting the load and an internal member housing rollers and which is movable above and below the support by an inflatable device in the form of an air bag. The body member is elongate so that it forms a kind of track and it includes a stop in the form of a plate which can be moved between a position in which a load can be moved along the track and a position where it prevents or hinders movement along the track. The track can thus be kept "live" during all loading and unloading operations and the stop keeps loads in their desired positions on the track both during handling and transport.

Abstract: A gravity-type roller conveyor having a plurality of rollers rotatably supported by axles which extend substantially horizontally. The axles are supported at one end thereof by a support device which extends longitudinally along one side of the conveyor and permits the axles, and hence the rollers, to pivot vertically through a small angle about said one side of the conveyor. An actuating device is disposed adjacent and extends longitudinally along the other side of the conveyor, which actuating device supports the other ends of the axles thereon for vertically lifting and lowering these ends through a limited extent, thereby causing the axles and hence the rollers to pivot about said one end. The actuating device includes an elongated intermediate support member extending longitudinally along the conveyor and having the other ends of the axles positioned thereon, which intermediate support member in turn is positioned on a pulsating actuating member, particularly an inflatable elongated hose.

Abstract: A cargo ramp stowable within the cargo compartment of an aircraft and deployable between the sill region of the aircraft cargo opening and the surface of the ground is disclosed. The cargo ramp, which is arranged for ease of deployment and stowage, includes three hinged together ramp sections with the upper surface of each ramp section including track regions suitable for supporting wheeled vehicular cargo. The cargo ramp is stowed within the aircraft cargo compartment in a folded position with the lower cargo ramp section extending along the upper surface of the other two ramp sections. Each hinged portion of the cargo ramp is power actuated such that the cargo ramp sections can be readily swung together during a deployment sequence which utilizes the aircraft cargo roller system and a first deployment assembly that is mounted on the upper cargo ramp terminus. This deployment assembly includes rollers that are engagable with guide channels mounted on the floor of the aircraft cargo compartment.

Abstract: A platform conveyor device for transporting loads, comprising a plurality of spaced apart elongate members alternate ones of which carry rotatable bearing members and are reciprocatable vertically by compressed air hoses so that in an uppermost position loads can be transported over a load bearing surface formed by remaining ones of the members and in a lowermost position loads rest on the load bearing surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a window being moved parallel to a pair of opposite edges thereof, particularly a double-pane window having fresh sealant coated along its leading and trailing edges, comprises two sets of rollers spaced apart laterally beneath the window with the rollers of each set longitudinally spaced in the path of travel of the window. Detectors responsive to the leading and trailing edges of the window selectively actuate the rollers to their respective upper positions after passage of a leading edge of the window thereby, and to respective lower positions prior to passage of a trailing edge thereby. This avoids soiling the rollers by the fresh sealant, with consequent soiling of subsequent windows. The windows may be supported midway of its side edges by a moving carriage, and guides for the side edges may be provided. Upstream and downstream detectors for each roller are described, particularly pneumatic detectors with an AND cell for controlling actuation of a roller.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in alpha particle counting with such as photomultiplier tubes, comprising a platform and linkage mechanism whereby samples are moved in linear manner toward and away from ends of the photomultiplier tubes.