Abstract: An object processing system is disclosed that includes a plurality of track sections, and a plurality of remotely actuatable carriers for controlled movement along at least portions of the plurality of track sections, wherein each of the remotely controllable carriers is adapted to support and transport an object processing bin.

Abstract: An object processing system is disclosed that includes a plurality of track sections, and a plurality of remotely actuatable carriers for controlled movement along at least portions of the plurality of track sections, wherein each of the remotely controllable carriers is adapted to support and transport an object processing bin.

Abstract: A system for moving payloads is described. It uses one or more mobile robots. Each mobile robot comprises a payload bearing platform with a transfer mechanism with multiple degrees of freedom of movement. The system includes one or more stack exchangers having a set of alignment mechanisms, and at least one payload transfer ramp. The mobile robots pass through the stack exchanger and pick up a payload or drop off a payload.

Abstract: A system for moving payloads is described. It uses one or more mobile robots. Each mobile robot comprises a payload bearing platform, and a payload release latch. The system includes one or more stack exchangers having a set of alignment rails, a payload transfer ramp, and a latch engagement bar. The mobile robots pass through the stack exchanger and pick up a payload or drop off a payload without fully stopping motion.

Abstract: Methods and devices for loading, deploying, and receiving concertina-wire barriers along paths with varying travel or paths located at a distance to the access track of a transport vehicle. The first method includes loading a concertina-wire coil arrangement directly into carry tines and adjusting the tine tilt during deployment to reflect the changing gradient. An anchored portion of the wire stretches each coil longitudinally into its operative configuration and position as the transport vehicle advances. A second method involves a generally analogous process in order to deploy the barrier at distance from the access route. Retrieval for both methods is accomplished by inserting the carry tines in the space circumscribed by the deployed coils so that as the transport vehicle advances the coil arrangement is removed from its deployment location and pressed together onto the tines thereby being disposed for the next deployment.

Abstract: A machine for uploading and positioning rails on crossties in railway tracks includes an inverted U-shaped gantry (1-2), with side branches finished at the lower part in respective caterpillar tracks (4) of movement on the ballast of the beam on both sides of the platform of crossties. The gantry (1) supports a pair of clamps (8) with jaws (16), for fixing the rails by the core thereof, and preventing pitching, which clamps (8) close by means of respective hydraulic cylinders (10) movable in height actuated by another hydraulic cylinder (15) through a deformable parallelogram (12), while at the same time they are longitudinally movable by the actual movement of the machine. The machine thus moves forward towards the rail carrier train located at the end of the track under construction, grasps a pair of rails with its clamps, and pulls them without contact with the ground until they are arranged on their assembly position, the rails serving for the forward movement of the rail carrier train.

Abstract: This invention is an oblique fork or channel parallel moving transfer system especially for lift or stacker vehicles for storage and retrieval of containers such as automobile parking pallets, racks, parts boxes, etc. on storage shelves, platforms or racks including those having a plurality of tiers for storing the containers. It can serve as a parking garage, warehouse or other storage-retrieval system. The lift vehicle has a lift or fork bed with one or more oblique channels or forks extended to engage a line of rollers or cooperating slide member on the container to move the container out from the tier and support it when the vehicle is engaged and moved parallel to the facing side of the tier. The vehicle lifts and lowers and rolls along an aisle for transfer to and from racks on either or both sides. Two cooperating lifts columns are at opposite corners farthest from the channel for transfer clearance to and from either side.

Abstract: This invention is a drive-by side transfer system including a dump container and its dump truck. The truck has a bed mounted for rear or side dumping and has one or more parallel roller or slide channel-ways run obliquely across the bed extendable beyond at least one side to engage between facing channels run on the same oblique angle across in the bottom frame of the container to guide on the ways on the truck to be engaged by the truck's movement alongside of the platform to transfer the container between a platform (such as on a dock, storage spot, railway car, or conveyor) and the truck bed. The truck has a self-chocking hydraulic lift with dog or dog and tongue operated to engage the bottom of the dump container to tilt the container on the truck to dump its load. The container has a retractable roof.

Abstract: This is a cargo container overhead hoist operated by a highway truck to load or unload the container from the bed of the truck to an overhead hoist for holding the container. The hoist has parallel swing links that lift the container, and a latch to hold it lifted so the truck can be driven out from under, or released to be lowered onto the truck bed by movement of the truck.

Abstract: This is a container transfer system including a highway vehicle and container platform on a railway car, dock, or conveyor to transfer containers by driving alongside of the platform. One or more channels are secured obliquely across the truck bed with extensions which reach out over the platform to engage and guide cam rollers or runners added to the bottom of the container within side clearance for parallel transfer and fold in to secure the container to truck. Two sets of channels cross for loading and unloading from either side of the truck driven forward. Clip-on cam rollers and arms that lock onto the container for quick removal fold in with the channels' ends to lock. A push-off arm added to the container or two on the truck turn horizontally to push the container straight onto the platform. Truck bed height, tilt, and location on the truck is adjustable.

Abstract: An automated cart unloading/conveyor system for automated unloading of articles from a transport vehicle or cart to one or more transfer surfaces, conveyors, or other platforms. A specially configured cart carries articles to be transferred upon shelves. The cart is engaged by a cart drive mechanism which propels the cart along a path which interfaces with one or more diverter arms configured to interface with the cart to transfer articles from the cart onto one or more conveyors. In one embodiment, the cart may have multiple shelves which interface with multiple conveyors along the cart drive path, and further each shelf of the cart may be divided with a diverter arm positioned to interface with each divided portion of each shelf of the cart.

Abstract: This is a cargo container overhead hoist operated by a highway truck to load or unload the container from the bed of the truck to an overhead hoist for holding the container. The hoist has parallel swing links that lift the container, and a latch to hold it lifted so the truck can be driven out from under, or released to be lowered onto the truck bed by movement of the truck.

Abstract: A dock or railway has a length of parallel track-driveway spaced along side for rail mounted tractor-trailers or truck-bus chassis-cab to guide on and travel to transfer cargo or people containers between the dock or cars in a train stopped for these transfers. The truck bed, chassis, or dock has one or more parallel oblique channels extensible or with roller bars extensible obliquely from a side to engage transfer rollers added on the container or oblique channels in the bottom of the container to move the container between the truck bed and the dock or car according to the direction the truck is driven or moved along parallel past the dock or car or the container is extended to initiate transfer. Various actuators can initiate and complete the transfer between the truck and standing train car or dock. Passenger and freight containers are interchangeable on the same bus-truck chassis and railway car container berth.

Abstract: This is a slide, roller-bed, magnlev, or fluid lift side transfer platform system for transfer of transport or cargo containers from and to railway cars, motor trucks or conveyor and a dock. The container has transfer arms that extend or lock into corner castings on a side and can be hinged to swing down to position wheels on the arms to track in parallel channels slanted obliquely out away from the car to pull the container out parallel as the train moves to dock the container. The car is moved in the opposite direction to receive the container. The car can extend a push arm to engage the container or a starter to accelerate the container to train speed at alignment for it to be pushed along the oblique channels parallel into an empty berth on the train. The accelerator arm can retard a container pushed out from the moving train. Roll up-down side doors on the car operate the transfer arms to raise and lower with the lower door and secure the container in place when closed.

Abstract: This is a loader moved by a train to cross over the train to transfer cargo, mail, baggage, express, passenger, or freight containers from and to railway cars in the train. A revolving jib crane or skewed traveling crane with depending parallelogram linkage supports a single or double sided loadspreader which is engaged by the train to swing up to engage and lift the container or its hooks and directs a force to move the loadspreader across the car to lift, push, pull, or roll containers off and on the car simultaneously and unlock and lock containers on the car. It includes side, top, bottom, and end lift loadspreaders. It removes and inserts containers on trains in either direction and moves and turns them to station platforms or interfaces with a conveyor or other vehicle or dumps bulk containers with successive loaders and recrosses the train to return the containers to the same cars or to the starting side of the train. It transfers containers between trains on different tracks.

Abstract: A dumping system for pick-up trucks including a slidable member disposed within the bed of the pick-up truck. The slidable member generally includes a sliding vertical dump board positioned essentially perpendicular with respect to the truck bed. The vertical dump board is positioned along the inner edge of the bed in a starting orientation and along the outer edge of the bed in an ending orientation. A stabilizing mechanism is fixed to the ground surface and couplable with the slidable member whereby forward movement of the pick-up truck will allow the slidable member to force the debris out through the tailgate in an open orientation. The stabilizing member may comprise of an inverted L-shaped arm member engagable with the sliding vertical plate and a base member fixed to the ground. Alternatively, the stabilizing member may be a cable fixed to the base member.

Abstract: This is a top-lifting rotary loader and system for cargo containers and is especially suited for loading and unloading double-stacking container well cars and single level railway cars, semitrailers, etc. This loader has a vertical pivot post about which turns a parallelogram linkage connecting a mast vertically supported on one or more wheels to revolve about the post and a second parallelogram linkage extending from the mast out to support a depending parallelepiped linkage frame pivotally supporting a loadspreader having depending aligning columns adjustable to align transversely both a railway and a highway vehicle, and cylinder or cam track means for lifting or lowering the the second parallelogram linkage arms to transfer a load. The loader can be automated to various degrees with cam tracks.

Abstract: An unloading apparatus for removing articles on hangers from a trolley comprises a hanger receiving member extending alongside the path of the trolley and movable up and down in an arcuate path following the contour of the hanger support bar of the trolley. The hanger support bar engages the tips of the hanger hooks and lifts the hanger hooks off the hanger support bar of the trolley and deposits them on a hanger chute.

Abstract: This is a top-lifting rotary loader and system especially suited for loading and unloading double stacking container well cars. This loader has a self-aligning loadspreader on a crane lift arm extended to revolve around and swing up and down from a vertical column. Each lift arm comprises a first parallelogram linkage with generally horizontally extending links to swing up and down from the column, and a second parallelogram linkage with generally vertical links pivotally attached to the outer lift end of the first linkage and extending to support a loadspreader free to turn thereon. The loadspreader has vertical alignment and coupling rods which turn the loadspreader to align and engage in pockets on the vehicles. A lift cylinder and/or cam track supports the arm to rotate on the column and set and pick up containers.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for transporting loads of the type comprising self-propelled carriages movable on rails and having assembly structure on which removable containers may be engaged and temporarily fixed, loading and unloading of such containers taking place in automatic loading and/or unloading stations.The assembly structure contains at least one assembly profile oriented parallel to the axis of movement of the carriage and cooperating with a corresponding assembly profile provided on the containers, so that the assembly or disassembly of the containers may take place after a relative carriage/container translational movement parallel to said axis of movement.

Abstract: A concealment trolley for the transportation of deceased persons which includes a bogie supporting an enclosure. The enclosure preferably has an overall outward appearance resembling a piece of mobile hospital equipment. In the enclosure there is a mechanism whereby a deceased person can be loaded on a litter or platform into the enclosure and fully concealed therewithin. A support mechanism is located within the enclosure and is adapted to support a litter or platform. The support mechanism is movable so as to be able to raise and lower the litter or platform relative to the enclosure.

Abstract: Apparatus for receiving and/or delivering articles comprises a generally horizontal conveyor having a number of cars arranged to travel along it. A receiving station and a delivering station are located in the path of travel of the cars along the conveyor. Each car has doors at its ends which are normally kept closed but which are arranged to open as the car approaches the receiving end delivering stations and to close on leaving the stations. The receiving station has a plate located below the base of the car but engageable therewith and means are provided to retain articles in the car on the plate as the car passes through the receiving station. The delivering station has a similar plate located below the base of the car but engageable therewith and a mechanism is provided to retain articles on the plate until the car passes through the delivering station when it picks up the articles from the plate automatically.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel train and track which can be used in an automated, tracked soration system which is capable of sorting and transporting high volumes ofgoods efficiently and which gives flexible system design, easy set-up, easy servicing with minimum down time, centralized control and a minimum of wiring complexity. The train includes "smart" cars and a locomotive for pulling the cars around the track. The trains are loaded with goods to be sorted and given destination addresses for the goods at a loading or master station. Once a train has left the master station, all functions including keeping track of position, regulating speed and dumping cars are to be controlled by a microprocessor placed aboard each locomotive. This "smart" design allows the track to be very simple as it need only provide a path and lower supply for the trains to run on and the train can wait at the loading station until it has a full or partial load to deliver.

Abstract: These new rotary loaders for transfer of cargo containers or semitrailers to and from railway cars etc. are characterized by a load lift arm or frame or platform supporting two or more parallel swinging parallelogram arms each supported free to swing in a substantially vertical plane substantially independently of one another and all supporting a loadspreader pivotally connected on outward extensions of the parallelogram linkage arms. The loadspreader is therefore free to turn (without a central turntable) to enage and couple a vehicle and align the loadspreader therewith through the chord of a transfer arc of the load lift arm as the loader is rotated in one direction. The loadspreader is realigned for the next transfer by the weight of the load spreader and its load as the loader continues to turn out beyond the transfer arc and away from the vehicle.

Abstract: These loaders for transfer of cargo containers or semitrailers to and from railway cars etc. have parallel swinging links vertically connecting the load-spreader support end of the lift arm with the end of the arm which is mounted to a pivot. The links are free to swing back when the loadspreader engages a vehicle to cushion and carry the load-spreader aligned with the vehicle for transfer across the chord of a transfer arc. A weight extends the links out at the bottom to extend the loadspreader to swing back through vertical for least change in elevation. The load arm is supported on wheels to run on the cam track at or near the same elevation that is mounted to swing up and down on the mount about the pivot, so the cam track wheels run on a substantially uniform radius from the pivot. The inner end of the arm extends up to support the top ends of the swinging links which depend to support the outer end of the arm or vice versa.

Abstract: A driveway for tractor-trailers is elevated along one side having a side coupling runner mounted to roll on wheels in a track along the side of the driveway facing a single-arm rotary loader. The runner is longer than the tractor-trailer and has a lift push gate at one or both ends for lowering in front of the tractor to push the runner along its track and has recesses for vertical coupling rods or tubes on the loader's trailer-lifting turntable to engage in to move the loader with the tractor to rotate the loader into alignment under the trailer and lift for transfer. Then the tractor driver can release the fifth-wheel and lift the gate and drive away. The loader is further rotated or driven and disengaged from the runner before the runner is returned by motor drive. The loader can load the trailer removed from the tractor onto a railway car as in my earlier U.S. Pat. No.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor apparatus, particularly for intra-plant and plant-to-plant suspension conveyance, comprising a conveyor rail system for the conveyance therealong of bridge-type carriers suspended at both ends from the conveyor rails by means of rollers connected to said carriers by brackets, and container means for the goods to be conveyed, said container means being suspended from said carrier by means of a carrier head releasably engaging said carrier from above.In order to enable said container means to be suspended from said rail system for conveyance or to be released therefrom, respectively, with a minimum of structural and labor expenditure, the carrier head is adapted to be released from the carrier by being lifted relative thereto and withdrawn in the longitudinal direction thereof.

Abstract: This loader has two rotary arms which turn a load spreader fork frame off-parallel so that only one fork is extended to couple. The fork frame has a fork at each end with a cam track diagonal across the bottom engaged on the extended fork by a coupling roller extended from a vehicle to pull the fork frame to the vehicle until the roller leaves the track when the frame has engaged between pedestals on the vehicle. The frame is engaged and rotated through many more degrees and the most effective degrees of a circle for a transfer run (now over 180.degree.

Abstract: The transport installation comprises a reception station and a transport vehicle between which a load can be displaced in a horizontal plane by movement of the vehicle. To avoid the necessity of raising the transport vehicle or of having recourse to an auxiliary vehicle, an endless conveyor, extending in the direction of displacement of the transport vehicle is provided at the reception station. The endless conveyor comprises a horizontal portion for receiving the load and this portion is preceded by a downwardly inclined portion intersecting the horizontal plane along which the load can be transported. At least one drive wheel, co-operating with a corresponding drive element carried by the transport vehicle, is provided at the reception station for driving the endless conveyor at the same time as the transport vehicle.

Abstract: This rotary loader has two vertical posts each with a rotary arm radiating therefrom with a load platform centered an equal distance out on each arm. The arms are coordinated to revolve parallel and move under and lift or lower together to transfer a load such as a cargo container or railway car body separable from its chassis. Each arm supports the end of a load on a pivot or turntable central of the width of the load. The turntables can be connected to form one platform and the pivots be above or below the load. Preferably the turntables are round and on a lobe of equal diameter on the end of each arm with a rubber rimmed disc wheel of slightly larger diameter of the pivot's axis below the arm to guide the arms of the loader to roll between pedestals or rabbets across the car's platform to couple and align the loader and car for transfer. The loader is vehicle mounted to engage stationary cars or load berths.

Abstract: This rotary loader and side coupling system for transfer of semitrailers or containers has a vertical pivot post with one or more load handling lobes or turntables each mounted on a horizontal flat lobe on an end of a frame or arm which is hinged to a slip collar on the post and supported and propelled on wheels on a concentric cam track to revolve thereabout and lift and lower on slopes in the cam track to transfer a load on the lobe or turntable. The turntable is fronted with a bumper or face sloped or rounded or disc wheel to engage between pedestals or locators or into openings on a vehicle under the load. The turntable has two depending fingers spaced on opposite sides of the table's pivot for engaging the side of a vehicle or curb to turn the table to align with the vehicle or driveway for transfer.

Abstract: This loader has one or more frames mounted to travel around a central pivot post. Each frame has preferably two fork arms extending radially out and curved inward like a gear or sprocket tooth profile to mesh between pedestals on a vehicle moved tangentially past the loader with a slope to transfer a load thereto or from according to the direction of movement. Grooved wheels support the frame on a circular cam track concentric about the pivot and are mounted on legs that swing to switch between concentric tracks having reverse slopes to transfer to or from a vehicle in either direction. Cradles on the forks have fingers to engage the side of the vehicle to align for transfer. The vehicle can have side couplers which engage behind the forward fork arm on its inner curve to gradually accelerate the loader into alignment for transfer or the loader can be powered or started to mesh its forks between the pedestals.

Abstract: A transportable roadway which can be folded layer upon layer on a flat bed ransporter/launcher vehicle and be easily deployed in a swampy or marshy area to provide a temporary roadway during military operations. The roadway comprises a plurality of sections each including an array of edge to edge planks bonded to a flexible membrane or fabric, with adjoining sections being connected by hinges connecting the end planks of each section in such a way that the roadway can be folded for transport and easily deployed from said transporter/launcher, either from the front or rear thereof.

Abstract: A system for the transfer of loads from a wheeled transporter to a roller conveyor. The system includes two transfer conveyors which are arranged in alignment with a roller conveyor supplying a machine. Strips are provided on the wheeled transporter which form spaces therebetween to receive bars which project laterally from a pallet on the wheeled transporter. The pallet can be raised and lowered so that the bars can be moved onto the two transfer conveyors to facilitate transfer of the loads from the wheeled transporter to the two transfer conveyors which in turn transfers the loads to the roller conveyor or supply of the machine.