Abstract: The vehicle mounted highway refuse collector gathers discarded refuse from roadway surfaces at normal highway speeds without slowing down. The refuse collector can gather discarded tire treads, or pieces of furniture, and even dead animals at normal speeds safely. At normal highway speeds, the impact with refuse provides centrifugal force sufficient to gather and rotate debris up and onto a storage shelf allowing the continued operation of the refuse collector until it is full. At less than highway speeds, motor assistance provides the means to gather in, and rotate debris onto the storage shelf safely for operation at slower speeds as in city streets. The cleanout when full is facilitated by pull-pins that drop down the storage shelf so as to be easily unloaded.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a material loader for quickly and easily loading material, particularly bulk material, into a containment apparatus. Material to be loaded is placed inside a bin that is dimensioned to fit inside the containment apparatus. In use the containment apparatus is positioned so that the bin is inside the containment apparatus and the containment apparatus or a vehicle bearing the containment apparatus is connected to a material transfer member inside the bin. Forward movement of the containment apparatus/vehicle causes the material transfer member to hold against the material while the bin slides out of the containment apparatus from the point of view of the containment apparatus, leaving the material behind. In other words, the forward movement of the containment apparatus/vehicle causes the material transfer member to pull the material into the containment apparatus. The invention may also be used for unloading a containment apparatus.

Abstract: A turf cutter device, an infill extractor/collector device, and a turf wind-up device are used to facilitate the cost-effective removal of an infilled synthetic turf and the subsequent installation of a new turf at the same site, with minimal subsurface disruption. An infill extractor/collector device mounted on a motorized vehicle moves a relatively narrow strip of filled artificial turf from the surface, in front of the vehicle, and directs the strip to an infill removal station. The infill removal station inverts the strip and redirects the strip back toward the front of the vehicle, after agitating the strip to extract the infill. After redirecting the strip toward the front of the vehicle, the vehicle drives over the unfilled strip. Meanwhile, the extractor/collector device moves the extracted infill rearwardly to a bag located in a trailer.

Abstract: The vehicle mounted highway refuse collector gathers discarded refuse from roadway surfaces at normal highway speeds without slowing down. The refuse collector can gather discarded tire treads, or pieces of furniture, and even dead animals at normal speeds safely. At normal highway speeds, the impact with refuse provides centrifugal force sufficient to gather and rotate debris up and onto a storage shelf allowing the continued operation of the refuse collector until it is full. At less than highway speeds, motor assistance provides the means to gather in, and rotate debris onto the storage shelf safely for operation at slower speeds as in city streets. The cleanout when full is facilitated by pull-pins that drop down the storage shelf so as to be easily unloaded.

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: A golfball collecting apparatus is provided including a frame and at least first and second discs mounted to the frame for rotation about an axis, the first and second discs having facing surfaces defining a space therebetween in which golf balls become lodged at a first angular position relative to the axis and are carried with the first and second discs about the axis from the first angular position. A first finger is attached to the frame and has a first end disposed in the space to dislodge golf balls carried with the first and second discs about the axis in a first direction about the axis. A second finger is attached to the frame and has a surface disposed in the space between the first angular location and the end of the first finger to dislodge golf balls carried with the first and second discs about the axis in a second direction about the axis.

Abstract: Systems and devices for storing railway surveillance vehicles on trains and placing railway surveillance vehicles onto railway tracks.

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: A method and apparatus for unloading long ribbon rails which are carried on a transport car on bunks which hold the rails in four or five different tiers each containing eight to ten rails. A special railcar is equipped with a gantry crane which feeds the rails from the bunks into power driven thread boxes. The thread boxes grip the rails and feed them rearwardly onto the railway bed. After the first two rails have been unloaded side by side, the next pair are fed into the thread boxes. The thread boxes feed these rails out of the bunks as the train is moved forwardly at the same speed as the rails are fed rearwardly so that the rails are unloaded end to end with the first pair of rails. The railcar has retractable over the road wheels that allow it to be towed on the roadway to the site of the rail transport car.

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: A trailer and a method for loading a trailer onto a transport vehicle. The trailer is elevated, causing a rear axle assembly of the trailer to pivot from a forward position to a position that is generally normal to the trailer frame. A front wheel axle assembly is rotated upwardly, and the trailer is then subsequently slid/or pushed along a generally planar bed surface of the transport vehicle. The end of the bed surface contacts the rear axle assembly during the sliding process, and with continuing sliding the rear axle assembly moves from a normal position to a rearward position.

Abstract: A car for loading and unloading elongated rails comprises a frame supported on a track by undercarriages, the frame defining at least one clearance between the undercarriages for permitting the elongated rails to be guided therethrough, a guiding roller arrangement arranged to guide a respective one of the elongated rails through the clearance between the track plane and a loading plane above the frame, the guiding roller arrangement being positioned in the clearance, and two rails for supporting a crane, the rails being affixed to the frame and extending in the longitudinal direction, the rails being spaced from each other in a direction extending transversely to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A waste collection system comprises a waste receptacle (1) and a collection vehicle (2) suitable for the mechanical emptying thereof. The waste receptacle (1) is suspended from a supporting frame (3) by way of a swivel bearing (22) so as to swivel around a horizontal axis (5), and the collection vehicle (2) includes a catch basin (13) into which the waste receptacle is emptied when it is swiveled out of its upright position, when the collection vehicle drives past said receptacle and guides the catch basin under the waste receptacle. The swivel bearing (22) is allowed to freely swing the waste receptacle through its upright position, and the collection vehicle features a tipping mechanism for the waste receptacle (1), which includes a grip element (10) that takes hold of a projection or the rim (11) of the inclined waste receptacle (1) and turns it upside down.

Abstract: This is a waste collection system from individual homes by use of a divided garbage can, cantilvered from a mobile supporter which is rolled to curbside and secured to in-ground anchors. A divided collecting device (hereafter called "CD") is suspended on the side of a garbage truck. The moving truck passes the CD beneath the can. Both the can and CD have guides to align themselves with one another. The CD has a mechanism that when touched by the can, causes its top to slide open. The CD engages targets that project downward from beneath the can. It pushes the targets and thereby slides the can's bottom open. It simultaneously compresses a spring beneath the can. Garbage falls from both compartments of the can onto the divided CD. The truck continues to move, the targets disengage, the compressed spring is released and closes the bottom of the can. The top of the CD closes and a sweeper inside the CD stradling the divider rams the garbage backward onto a closed pan.

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: Automatic collection and set up equipment for chairs, characterized by the fact that it performs automatically all the jobs required in collecting and setting up chairs; markedly reduces the man-hours required to prepare a conference room; and it has an arrangement of many hooks which are able to move up or down at short intervals, in line, on a truck picking up or letting down crossmembers of the chairs and stacking chairs one by one.

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: In a wheelbarrow having a bin (1) for the load, a ground wheel (2) at a front end of the bin and a handle (3) at a rear end, the handle (3) has a cam shaped extension (7) which forms a leg for the bin rear end and which is mounted on a pivot (4) carried on the bin. The handle (3) can be released from its normal position and then pivoted forward in the direction of the wheel (2). This action causes rotation of the cam and the bin rear end is lowered to near ground level to allow easy loading of the bin. When loaded the handle (3) can be returned to its position at the bin rear end and the cam simultaneously lifts the bin and load. The load may then be carried and emptied as with a conventional wheelbarrow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically restacking palletized tiers of adjacent rows of loosely cubed laden produce boxes in a continuous fashion by recubing the boxes while automatically retrieving and stacking the successive pallets during the continuing recubing process.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically restacking palletized tiers of adjacent rows of loosely cubed laden produce boxes in a continuous fashion by recubing the boxes while automatically retrieving and stacking the successive pallets during the continuing recubing process.

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 bottom discharge hopper rail car has a hopper body mounted on a chassis which is itself supported on flanged wheels. The body has a pair of downwardly converging, laterally spaced side walls with longitudinally extending lower edges which border a discharge opening. The spacing between the lower edges of the sidewalls is greater than the lateral distance between the wheels as wider openings can facilitate discharge. In practice, the wheels have outer flange surfaces adjacent to rail-engaging surfaces for resting on the rails, and the spacing between the lower edges of the side walls is preferably greater than the distance between these outer flange surfaces. The side walls are asymmetrical with respect to a longitudinal vertical plane passing centrally between the wheels as this can inhibit bridging during discharge.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an overhead travelling crane for lifting and transporting a heavy load over an obstacle including a carriage with front and rear wheels mounted on independent axles for movement along respective rails. The rails engaged by the rear wheels are horizontal while those engaged by the front wheels each have a first section sloping upwardly from a starting point at one side of the obstacle, a central horizontal section extending over the obstacle and a final downwardly-sloping section. In use, a load is engaged with a support member adjacent the front end of the carriage and the carriage is driven along the rails to transport the load, the load being raised as the front wheels climb the first sections of their rails and being lowered as the front wheels descend the final sections.

Abstract: A load-transporting method and apparatus involve use of a transport vehicle, preferably a straddle truck, having connected thereto a load carrier in the form of a frame which is capable of engaging a load and elevating the same with respect to a given surface on which the load initially rests when the load-carrier is raised with respect to this surface. The connection between the load carrier and the vehicle is such that once the load is engaged by the load carrier, the travel of the vehicle with respect to the load causes the load carrier to act through its connection to the vehicle on the latter in a manner which resists the travel of the vehicle and causes the load to move frictionally with respect to the above surface on which it initially rests, the kinetic energy of the travelling vehicle and the friction of the load with respect to the surface and/or the inertia of the load being utilized to bring about elevation of the load and the load-carrier with respect to the above surface.

Abstract: A bale loader designed for use in combination with a pickup truck. The loader features a frame assembly which slides easily into and out of the bed of the pickup truck and which may be secured thereto and removed therefrom without the need for special tools. The bale fork portion of the loader is designed to be utilized either in connection with the pickup truck frame assembly or with a standard three-point tractor hitch. The base of the bale fork is pivotally mounted to the rear portion of the frame assembly. An adjustable mast extends vertically from the center post of the bale fork and has a pulley connected to the top portion thereof. A winch motor is attached to the forward portion of the frame assembly and drives a spool having a cable which engages the pulley for selective pivoting of the bale fork.