With Means On Each Vehicle Cooperating To Effect, Or Facilitate, Transfer Of Load Patents (Class 414/343)
  • Patent number: 11402830
    Abstract: A collaborative logistic facility management system for a logistic facility includes multiple robot autonomous guided vehicles and a system controller. The vehicles transport logistics goods or pallets between truck portals and storage locations and are configured for autonomous guidance travel, in autonomous mode and include a collaborating operator input for collaborative autonomous guided vehicle navigation and guidance. The system controller commands each vehicle to transfer the logistic goods or pallets between the truck portals and the storage locations, identifies a predetermined truck portal of a corresponding truck to be loaded or to be unloaded, and generates a collaborative zone. The controller generates a queue of robot autonomous guided vehicles on a side of the collaborative zone and commands the multiple robot autonomous guided vehicles disposed to load or unload the corresponding truck to move in autonomous mode into the queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Sullivan, Justin Holwell
  • Patent number: 11235669
    Abstract: A high voltage battery has at least two battery modules that each have a module housing and an electrical connection element to electrically connect the battery modules. A battery module has a prestressing element which is arranged within the respective module housing and is connected to the respective electrical connection element. The electrical connection element connected to the prestressing element is arranged on the battery module such that it is movable between a connection position, in which the electrical connection element is guided through a through-hole in the module housing, and a protective position, in which the electrical connection element is arranged completely within the module housing. The prestressing element prestresses the electrical connection element in a direction of the protective position. The connection element in the connection position is connected to another battery module via at least one connecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Meckenstock, Joergen Hilmann, Marius Sawatzki
  • Patent number: 11161722
    Abstract: A telescopic jib bracing unit for a mobile crane includes a holding frame which is embodied for fastening to the telescopic jib of the mobile crane and exhibits an open cross-section, the cross-sectional opening of which enables the jib to be retracted into the holding frame, and two bracing supports which are connected by the holding frame to form a structural unit. Two frame parts which form the open cross-section of the holding frame are coupled to each other via a coupling point such that they can be moved with respect to each other. A bracing unit transport system, a mobile crane and a fitting method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Group France SAS
    Inventors: Bernd Backes, Dieter Stuehrwoldt, Franz Bischof, Jann Reesing
  • Patent number: 11034533
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for conveying articles (3), which system comprises an article conveyor (2) extending from an upstream end (4) to a downstream end (5), and a motor-driven shuttle trolley (6) having an article carrier deck (7) and designed to dock with said ends of the conveyor so as to transfer an article between the trolley and the conveyor. The conveyor is a gravity conveyor under which a ramp (12) extends, and the trolley is suitable for travelling under the conveyor and is provided with a lever (11) that is mounted to move vertically relative to the deck and that is designed to co-operate with the ramp while the trolley is moving under the conveyor so that, by following the ramp, the lever moves between a retracted position in which it is retracted under the conveyor and a deployed position in which it projects above the conveyor so as to drive an article along the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: SOLYSTIC
    Inventors: Karim Kara, Alain Danjaume, Eric Moullard
  • Patent number: 10919698
    Abstract: A robotic cargo handling system and method provides an interchange for moving shipping containers and semi-trailers between trains, between train and road vehicles and between road vehicles. The interchange includes a structure located above a series of railway tracks forming part of a rail network and a series of roads forming part of a road network. Tracks supported by the structure form a grid-like pattern above the transport network tracks and roads. Robotic load handlers operable on the tracks or rails of the grid structure pick up containers from beneath the structure and move the containers to alternative locations-by moving the containers between vehicles located beneath the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Lars Sverker Ture Lindbo, Matthew Whelan, Andrew John Ingram-Tedd, Gion-Otto Presser-Velder
  • Patent number: 10875268
    Abstract: A transport system prevents swinging of a lift stage at the time of ascent and descent, while appropriately supporting an article shifted from the reference position. The transport system includes a transport device that transfers a green tire to and from a rack part. The transport device includes a lift stage, a support part, and a guided part. The lift stage is provided to be movable upward and downward. The support part is provided on the lift stage and supports an upper inner wall of the green tire from a lower side. The guided part is provided on the lift stage. The rack part is provided with a guide part having a lower portion defining a first gap with the guided part and an upper portion defining a second gap with the guided part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideji Sakata
  • Patent number: 10466699
    Abstract: An autonomous travel device is provided with wheels, a device main body, a power source that is provided on one end portion of the device main body within the device main body and causes the device main body to travel autonomously by driving the wheels, a battery for supplying power to the power source, and an accommodation unit for accommodating the battery from the other end portion of the device main body to a central portion of the device main body within the device main body. With this configuration, it is possible to easily perform replacement of the battery, and therefore, it is possible to perform autonomous travel that is stabilized due to disposition of the battery in consideration of the center of gravity of the device main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Hirata, Atsushi Higuchi
  • Patent number: 9452901
    Abstract: A system for loading and unloading a cargo compartment of a vehicle, such as an aircraft, with a cargo receiving device is provided. The system includes a cargo receiving device including a base structure arrangement having a horizontal lower contact surface, and a locking mechanism configured to engage one or more corresponding holding members provided in a cargo compartment of a vehicle. The system also includes a transport device including a horizontal upper contact surface configured to be disposed in abutting contact to said lower contact surface, a drive unit configured to initiate horizontal movement of the transport device, a lift unit configured to initiate vertical movement of the upper contact surface, and an actuating unit configured to actuate the locking mechanism of the cargo receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignees: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH, AIRBUS S.A.S.
    Inventors: Uwe Panzram, Joerg Klockgether, Philippe Le Bigot, Peter Esteie, Netra Gowda
  • Patent number: 9404616
    Abstract: An equipment transfer device is provided that is transferrable from one support to another support. The transport device is formed as a housing that has two spaced apart, generally parallel recesses, which form docking cups that are open to the bottom. Each docking cup is configured to receive a docking cone that is supported on a structure and is capable of moving in generally a vertical direction into engagement or out of engagement with their respective docking cups. A support post is also supported by the housing and protrudes from the upper end thereof as a base to which an equipment support structure is attached. In this manner the transfer device can be transferred from one docking cone to another with minimal handling and virtually no possibility of dislodgement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Nexxspan Healthcare, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander Bally
  • Patent number: 9292629
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying paths for moving equipment into buildings at different stages of building construction using a building information model. The system analyzes the building model and building objects completed before a given time and identifies one or more paths that circumnavigate the building objects and can accommodate dimensions of the equipment moving down the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventor: Wawan Solihin
  • Patent number: 9102339
    Abstract: The invention relates to the automatically transfer of a container between a flatcar (2) or the like and a transfer vehicle moving along said flatcar (2), whereby a method and a system is adapted to handle (3) both customized containers and ordinary standard containers, and it will automatically lock and unlock the freight (1) containers at the time of pulling a container between secured positions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: BLACH HOLDING APS
    Inventor: Heine Blach Jensen
  • Patent number: 9056731
    Abstract: A container packer system includes a transfer base, which receives a container packer adapted for movement longitudinally between retracted and extended positions with respect to the transfer base. The transfer base includes a power subsystem with a motor or engine driving an hydraulic pump for powering hydraulic piston-and-cylinder units of the system, including a container packer piston-and-cylinder unit for hydraulically extending and retracting the container packer. The container packer generally encloses an interior adapted for receiving bulk material for transfer to a transport container, which can comprise a standard shipping container, a trailer or some other bulk material receptacle. The container packer includes a push blade assembly longitudinally movably mounted in its interior and actuated by a push blade piston-and-cylinder unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Steel Recovery, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory D. Haub, Chris D. Bartel
  • Patent number: 8753061
    Abstract: A transport system having multilayer tracks is presented. The system has a bottom track and at least one top track disposed above on the bottom track. Shuttle carriages are moving along the top and bottom tracks. The shuttle body of each shuttle carriage has a first locking portion on the top end thereof, and has a second locking portion on the bottom end thereof. The second locking portion of the shuttle carriage on the top track can be locked with the first locking portion of the shuttle carriage on the bottom track. Therefore, the two transports on different tracks are locked so that the object can be transported between the top and bottom tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Inotera Memories, Inc.
    Inventors: Chao-Hsiang Tseng, Huei-Lan Kuo
  • Patent number: 8702366
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for palletizing cargo on a rack for shipment are provided. The system generally includes a tiered rack having a base tier, a support framework extending from the base tier, and a second tier adjustably attached to the support framework. The system may further include a plurality of lower frame support members positioned longitudinally across the bottom of the base tier, and a plurality of pneumatically actuated rollers spaced to cooperatively engage the plurality of lower frame support members, the rollers being selectively extendable from a plurality of raised tracks positioned longitudinally along a floor of the railcar, where the rollers are configured to pneumatically extend past an upper surface of the track when actuated and allow for linear motion there over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: American Refrigerated Express, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Campbell, Art Shoener
  • Publication number: 20130272827
    Abstract: A transshipment device for horizontal transshipment in a container transport system for the rail and/or road sector includes at least one sliding and lifting plate, which is operated hydraulically, pneumatically or electro-mechanically, and is detachably mounted on a truck, and which interacts with at least one adapter frame which is detachably installed on a container-carrying wagon. Two sliding and lifting plates are positioned on the truck to grip and hold a container from below so that it can be carried.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: INNOVA TRAIN AG
    Inventor: Beat Wegmüller
  • Patent number: 8418731
    Abstract: A method for the filling and optionally emptying transport containers with plastics granular materials, in which a flexible plastics inliner is inserted into a transport container. A front side of the inliner includes at least one receiving flexible hose connection for filling the inliner with plastics granular material, at least one discharge hose connection for discharging blown in conveying air from the inliner, and at least one emptying hose connection for emptying plastics granular material from the inliner. The front side of the inliner also includes a protective liner. The cabin and the transport container are positioned at a decanting station, the cabin being adapted to transfer plastics granular material from the decanting station and decant the transferred plastics granular material into the transport container through the receiving hose connection. The transport container is then filled with plastics granular material utilizing the cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Christian Kords, Reiner Horl, Uli Franz, Raimund Zimmermann, Norbert Schniesko
  • Patent number: 8180534
    Abstract: A grain moving system providing for single point unloading of harvesters to a grain cart. There are a plurality of harvesting machines including a first harvesting machine and a second harvesting machine. The first harvesting machine being configured to deliver grain to the grain cart. The first harvesting machine receiving grain from the second harvesting machine. The first harvesting machine being configured for the coordination of grain transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Burke, Alan D. Sheidler, Mark DePoorter, Jim Adamson, Santosh Chaturvedi
  • Patent number: 8084993
    Abstract: A plurality of manually maneuverable battery bank modules are formed into a train and transported by a vehicle to the site of electrically operated equipment. At the site, the modules replace modules already connected to the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas K. Wong
  • Patent number: 8003964
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a yoke having a first end and a second end. The yoke is configured to hold a device that includes an aperture and a range compensation structure. A catch arm is pivotally secured to the first end of the yoke. The catch arm includes a locking feature. The locking feature and the second end of the yoke interface, respectively, to a first retention feature and a second retention feature defined by the aperture and the range compensation structure. The locking feature is configured to interface to the first retention feature and the second end of the yoke is configured to interface to the second retention feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Still River Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: James M. Stark, Stanley J. Rosenthal, Miles S. Wagner, Michael J. Ahearn
  • Patent number: 7971875
    Abstract: A sheet accumulation apparatus includes a tray moving device elevatably provided at an apparatus frame and having a fork member; a tray device detachably attached to the fork member; a driving device for elevating the tray moving device; and a carrier device having a hand truck frame with a fork member. An operation handle is connected to the hand truck frame for accommodating the tray device separated from the tray moving device to transport the tray device from the tray moving device. The tray moving device and the carrier device are structured so that the tray device is transferred between the tray moving device and the carrier device at an attachment/detachment position at which the tray moving device is lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Iino, Hiroto Akiyama, Tomohisa Shimizu, Masato Hosaka, Masaki Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20100172726
    Abstract: A system and method to load and unload railcars using stackable trays having an internal propulsion system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Ronald G. Russ, Roger D. Sims, Ed Bell, Bruce Fetterman
  • Publication number: 20100166530
    Abstract: Disclosed are a structural arrangement at a train station, and a method for receiving at least one container from a container freight train and disposing an empty container to the container freight train at the train station. The structural arrangement comprises a housing and at least one load maneuvering device. The housing comprises a floor member, a ceiling member, and two pairs of opposite side walls for configuring an interior area. The floor member comprises at least one closeable opening for providing accessibility to the interior area. The housing is disposed over at least one pair of train tracks, such that, the housing is placed directly above the container freight train. The at least one load maneuvering device receives the at least one container from the container freight train into the interior area, and disposes the empty container from the interior area to the container freight train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: Andrew Philp
  • Publication number: 20100070144
    Abstract: A grain moving system providing for single point unloading of harvesters to a grain cart. There are a plurality of harvesting machines including a first harvesting machine and a second harvesting machine. The first harvesting machine being configured to deliver grain to the grain cart. The first harvesting machine receiving grain from the second harvesting machine. The first harvesting machine being configured for the coordination of grain transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel J. Burke, Alan D. Sheidler, Mark DePoorter, Jim Adamson, Santosh Chaturvedi
  • Patent number: 7500814
    Abstract: An air cart for use in an agricultural seeder includes a frame; a material tank carried by the frame; an arm pivotally coupled with the frame; a conveyor coupled with the arm for conveying material to the tank; and a hydraulic positioning system coupled with the conveyor for automatically moving the conveyor to a selected one of a plurality of predetermined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Bradley J. Meyer
  • Patent number: 7476060
    Abstract: A bulk material system generally consisting of a container having an upper wall, a vertical wall and an opening in the vertical wall; a support frame detachably mountable on the upper and vertical walls of the container; a hopper mounted on the support frame; a material conveying conduit mounted on the frame having an inlet communicating with an outlet of the hopper for receiving material therefrom and an end portion with an outlet insertable through the vertical wall opening of the container when the frame is detachably mounted on the container; and a conduit supported on the support frame having an outlet communicating with the material conveying conduit and an inlet communicable with a source of gas under pressure, function to supply gas under pressure to the material conveying conduit for pneumatically conveying material fed from the hopper into the material conveying conduit, therethrough, into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: The Young Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Boroch
  • Patent number: 7153081
    Abstract: An article transfer method using a self-propelled carriage capable of supporting an article and travelling along a fixed path is provided in which an article supporting body forming a final operating section is turned without performing lateral movement and with making little protrusion toward the article handling section, by combining longitudinal movement of a movable body with respect to a vehicle body and turning movement of a turnable body with respect to the movable body. As a result, means for performing lateral movement of the article supporting body can be omitted, and hence the overall device can be constituted in a simple and inexpensive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Haruhiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6910845
    Abstract: An improved combination of a powered combine carrying a combine grain bin for housing harvested grain and a towed grain cart carrying a grain cart bin for housing harvested grain includes improved harvested grain transfer between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin and improved off-loading of harvested grain from the combination. A generally horizontally disposed first grain movement assembly is pivotally connected within the combine grain bin and pivotally connected within the grain cart bin and disposed for reciprocally transporting grain between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin. A generally vertically disposed second grain movement assembly is cooperatively operable with the first grain movement assembly for transferring grain from the grain cart bin to the first grain movement assembly and thence to the combine grain bin. An off-loading grain movement assembly is disposed for off-loading grain only from the combine grain bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Inventor: Ben N. Dillon
  • Patent number: 6726431
    Abstract: A container handling system includes a vehicle adapted to carry a container, the vehicle being equipped with a hoist for lifting containers, and, a trailer towable by the vehicle so as to provide tandem transport of containers. The trailer is adapted to receive a container from the vehicle via the vehicle hoist, and is further adapted to selectively hoist a received container in furtherance of unloading the received container, or dump contents therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Jay C. Morrell
  • Patent number: 6695561
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Leonard D. Barry
  • Publication number: 20030129046
    Abstract: A loading apparatus for a vehicle, the apparatus having a first frame; a second frame having a chain mounted thereupon; and a locking system that is mounted on the first frame. The locking system has a drive wheel, a first arm member and a second arm member. The system is configured such that in a generally closed position, the chain engages the drive wheel in a first position, the drive wheel is connected to the arms; the arms are urged into the closed position. In a generally open position, the chain engages the drive wheel in a second position and the arms are urged into the open position by the second frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Patrick Dana Simpson, Terry Edward Simpson, Dana William Simpson
  • Patent number: 6533523
    Abstract: A wheelchair system for transferring a handicapped person onto an automobile seat includes a wheeled chassis whose front end is rolled beneath an automobile door opening, a horizontally extending base member, and a rotatable mounting mechanism for the base member. The rotatable mounting mechanism includes a first actuating linkage and a first driven member therefor. The wheelchair system also includes a chair supporting frame located centrally of the chassis and removably mounted on the base member. This chair supporting frame includes an adjusting mechanism for vertically adjusting a support thereof. A handle assembly is removably mounted to the chassis and includes a second linkage for rotating the first driven member. This second linkage includes a removable driving member which removably connects to the first driven member as the handle is removed and connected to the chassis, and a second driven member at an opposite end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Rodvinon I. Zamotin
  • Patent number: 6520729
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for transporting a load from a source to a destination. The apparatus includes a freight container (1) which has a plurality of cells (7) each for containing a discrete load and a conveyor (10) for conveying loads between cells (7). Plural discrete loads are loaded into the container (1). The loads are allocated amongst the cells (7) according to the destinations of the individual loads and then each individual load is conveyed to its allocated cell (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: 3rd Planet Solutions Limited
    Inventor: David A. Gibson
  • Patent number: 6443683
    Abstract: An improved system for transporting vehicles and passengers from one destination to another using pallets, trains and guideways. The automobile uses ramp 1 to enter station 2 and park in port 3. The port then rotates 45 degrees 4 and parallel to a pallet guideway 5. The system then moves the pallet 6 along the pallet guideway next to a port 7 and parks. A mechanism on the pallet transfers the vehicle from the port 7 to the pallet 6. The pallet accelerates on a pallet guideway 8 and moves next to a train 9 that is traveling in the same direction on a train guideway 10. The pallet docks with an empty slot 11 on said train while both are moving. The pallet moves the automobile onto said train and undocks. The empty pallet continues along the pallet guideway 12 back to the station to pick up another vehicle. As said train approaches the next station, an empty pallet docks with the train at the said slot that contains the automobile. The pallet transfers the automobile from the train to the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Frank C. Randak
  • Patent number: 6357986
    Abstract: The device of manual transporting large objects or loads, which includes a wheeled, load supporting frame vertically adjustable, facilitates the manual load, unload, and transport of large objects or loads, such as pickup truck toppers or shells, sheet material, pipes, other building supplies, appliances, etc. Frame height adjustment to the level of on or off load is by means of telescoping legs, supported on lockable wheels or castors, or in combination with hand winches mounted on the legs. Rollers may be attached to the top of the frame for ease in sliding objects or loads on or off. In an alternate embodiment for elongated objects or loads, such as pipes, beams, rails, etc., a beam and additional supports are added to the frame. The device is positioned over the load. The load, such as a pipe, is attached to each end of the beam by chains and transported to an interim workstation or its final disposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventors: Evelyn Payton Sonnamaker, Wade Sonnamaker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6162004
    Abstract: A system for handling and transporting cargo includes a container supported by wheels mounted on detachable casterboards fitted within casterboard holders provided on the bottom wall of the container. The system also includes an apparatus that elevates the container body so that the casterboards are free to slide into and out of the casterboard holders and thus the casterboards may be attached to and detached from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignees: Hanaoka Sharyo Ltd., Hisao Yoshimi, Hiroshi Iwamoto
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hanakawa
  • Patent number: 6135671
    Abstract: The invention relates to a paving materials loading apparatus. In particular, a paving materials loading feeder 16 is so disposed that a lower end 19a of a loading frame 19 thereof is connected to a receiving hopper 17, a discharge port 19c, 19d is formed in a middle part of the loading frame 19 between the lower end 19a and a discharge end 19b, and a lid 35 is provided on the discharge port 19c, 19d so as to be openable and closable. The loading feeder 16 may also be raised and lowered. The invention also relates to a paving machine provided with a front hopper 2 and a rear hopper 3, on a self-propelled vehicle 1. In particular, the paving materials loading apparatus of the above construction is mounted on the self-propelled vehicle 1 so that the discharge port 19c, 19d of the loading feeder 16 is located above the front hopper 2 and the discharge end 19b of the loading feeder 16 is located above the rear hopper 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Niigata Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidenori Yasu, Tatsuoki Inagaki, Hajime Sugata, Chiaki Matsuura, Katsuro Hasebe, Ryuzi Izawa, Akio Mori, Nobuyuki Watanabe, Fumio Goto, Shinichiro Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 5846043
    Abstract: A cart and caddie system for storing and transporting standard, multi-gallon water bottles, and for inverting each bottle so that its neck is received in an open well at the top of a water dispenser to feed water therein. The wheeled cart includes a lower deck loaded by depleted bottles taken from the dispenser and an upper roller deck loaded by filled water bottles and having an outlet end. The wheeled caddie which is provided with a swiveled cradle is movable from a position adjacent the cart in which the cradle lies in registration with the outlet end of the upper deck whereby a filled bottle can then be transferred from the upper deck to the cradle and then to a position adjacent the dispenser at which the cradle can then be swung to invert the bottle to cause its neck to be received in the open well and thereby renew the water supply of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: John J. Spath
  • Patent number: 5816997
    Abstract: A system for stacking continuous folded forms coming from a folder and moving to a conveyor. A table is position adjacent and in line with the conveyor and in a position for receiving a horizontal stack of folded forms disposed on the table top. The table is a tiltable table and is able to be tilted from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position to likewise move the stack from a horizontal to a vertical stack position. A cart is movable to a position adjacent to the tilted table for receiving from the table the vertical stack for support on the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: H. W. Crowley
  • Patent number: 5810546
    Abstract: Apparatus for loading and unloading a personal watercraft from a bed of a pickup truck. The apparatus includes an outer rail assembly and an inner rail assembly adapted to telescopically slide into and out of the outer rail assembly. The outer rail assembly is of dimensions permitting it to lay flat on a bed of a pickup truck and to be releasably secured in the bed. Loading and unloading of the watercraft is accomplished by pulling the inner rail assembly slidably out from the outer rail assembly and resting one end of the inner rail assembly in shallow water. A pulley assembly is used by an individual to controllably lower the watercraft into the water or draw the watercraft up out of the water along the inner and outer rail assemblies. Once loading or unloading has taken place, the inner rail assembly is slidably inserted into the outer rail assembly. A dolly is disclosed for enabling the watercraft to be unloaded for storage off of the bed of a pickup struck by a single individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Ralph B. Schmoling
  • Patent number: 5795123
    Abstract: The invention is related to a method for transferring load units between two carriers. A first carrier includes a transfer arrangement which is an extendable and retractable arm that moves transverse to the first carrier and forms a path for a carrying member movable along the arm. A second carrier includes elevating securing members which engage a load unit. The method includes the steps of extending the arm from the first carrier so that the arm will be supported by the second carrier, displacing the carrying member along the arm to a position under the load on the second carrier, lowering the load onto the carrying member by lowering the securing members, and transferring the load with the carrying member along the arm to the first carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: Sten Lovgren
  • Patent number: 5645389
    Abstract: A fan shipping frame includes a frame assembly for supporting a loaded fan section of a jet aircraft engine. A plurality of caster assemblies attached to the shipping frame provide locomotive capability and adjustable height positioning so that a loaded fan section may be transferred onto the appropriate transport aircraft or vehicle. Rail members mounted on the frame assembly are alignable with rail members of a fan dolly so that the fan section may be directly transferred from the fan dolly onto the shipping frame. A template bracket integral with the shipping frame enables the fan section to be mounted thereon. A platform assembly rotatably mounted to the shipping frame may be deployed to enable the fan section to be tilted from a vertical transport position to a horizontal transport position wherein, the shipping frame may be transported in either position. A storage container mounted on the shipping frame stores the removed fan blades of the fan section in either position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Stanley Aviation Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald D. Lilja, Frank Fowler, Robert F. Hatch
  • Patent number: 5570988
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for transporting cargo, and adapted to receive and convey the cargo to and from a storage area. The device includes a cart having a frame and two rails mounted to a top of the frame. The rails are disposed in spaced apart, parallel relationship to each other and define a longitudinal direction. A table includes two rail channels disposed at a bottom side thereof. The rail channels are disposed in spaced apart, parallel relationship to each other for respectively receiving each of the two cart rails therein. The table further includes a plurality of rollers disposed in each of the rail channels. The rollers are rotatably disposed between the table and the cart rails for allowing relative movement between the table and the cart in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Midway Truck & Coach, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Gallaway, Jack N. Morrical
  • Patent number: 5538387
    Abstract: Flat, flexible articles such as carpets are commonly transported on wooden pallets, which are prone to breakage, and which must be returned for re-use after the articles have been delivered to their destination. A simple solution to the problem is to provide a pallet assembly which forms the floor of a truck or tailer, and which includes a casing, a cover on the casing with a load supporting surface, a plurality of support bars vertical slidable in the cover for movement between a lower position substantially flush with the load supporting surface of the cover and an elevated position in which the load is supported by the support bars only, and a drive mechanism at each end of the support bars for simultaneously moving all of the support bars between the lower position and the elevated position. In the elevated position, the forks of a forklift truck can be inserted between the support bars for transferring a load to such bars or for removing a load therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: WCA Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph G. J. Durivage, Joseph B. C. Chouinard, Ernest R. Vaillancourt, Alan C. Russell
  • Patent number: 5476353
    Abstract: Trailer-mounted apparatus of the type with a platform that can rotate on a central fifth wheel-like support with a vertical axis, particularly for the loading and handling of coop frames for poultry and the like, which includes: a substantially rectangular rotating platform which is driven by a motor; two fifth wheel-like supports with a vertical axis which are individually driven with a preset rotation angle by individual independent motors; and a horizontal secondary frame which is anchored to each one of the two end fifth wheels, and which has a retention sidewall for accommodating in succession a frame of coops to be loaded with poultry while another coop frame, arranged on the secondary frame that is rigidly associated with the opposite fifth wheel, is being loaded; each coop frame to be filled is arranged on the rotating secondary frame located opposite to the one that supports the coop frame during loading so that its longer longitudinal axis is orientated like the longitudinal axis of the platform by
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Inventor: Enrico Mola
  • Patent number: 5456571
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for handling business forms that are zig-zag folded including a printed forms transport and a printed stack transport, the printed forms transport including a caster-equipped undercarriage and a generally elongated forms-receiving box pivotally mounted on the undercarriage, the box having a pair of sides, an open end for receiving the forms and a closed end, an open top and a planar bottom, a tine member removably mounted on the box at the open end, a printed stack transport releasably engaged with the printed forms transport, and cylinders connecting the undercarriage with the box for pivoting the box through a vertical arc to convert the string of forms to a stack of business forms and to deposit the stack on the printed stack transport, the printed stack transport having a platform equipped with elongated slots aligned with the tine member when the printed forms transport and the printed stack transport are engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Wallace Computer Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Schoenherr, Donald J. Nauheimer, Jerome F. Andersen
  • Patent number: 5433576
    Abstract: The combined dolly and ramp assembly includes a ramp having a pair of laterally spaced arms and an inclined ramp surface interconnecting the arms adjacent one end and at an elevation for receiving a roll of web material from a pallet. The dolly includes a frame mounted on casters and which has a pair of inclined surfaces meeting at an apex centrally of the dolly. The dolly is movable into an opening between the arms 16 of the ramp to align the inclined ramp with one of the inclined surfaces of the dolly. A foot-actuated latch automatically and releasably locks the dolly and ramp to one another. The roll of web material is rolled down the ramp onto the dolly and secured by a strap to anchor points on the dolly. By releasing the latch, the dolly with the roll may be displaced to another station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Moore Business Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Wilbur Drew
  • Patent number: 5413449
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for handling business forms that are zig-zag folded including a printed forms transport and a printed stack transport, the printed forms transport including a caster-equipped undercarriage and a generally elongated forms-receiving box pivotally mounted on the undercarriage, the box having a pair of sides, an open end for receiving the forms and a closed end, an open top and a planar bottom, a tine member positionably mounted on the box at the open end, a printed stack transport releasably engaged with the printed forms transport, and cylinders connecting the undercarriage with the box for pivoting the box through a vertical arc to convert the string of forms to a stack of business forms and to deposit the stack on the printed stack transport, the printed stack transport having a platform equipped with elongated slots aligned with the tine member when the printed forms transport and the printed stack transport are engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Wallace Computer Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Schoenherr, Donald J. Nauheimer
  • Patent number: 5413448
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Inventor: Donald A. Peshkin
  • Patent number: 5378105
    Abstract: A cargo handling and restraining system for loading, unloading, and transporting cargo containers in a carrier vehicle. The carrier is provided with a supporting floor (bed) having a plurality of tracks disposed thereon. The tracks include a channel disposed between a pair of spaced, horizontally extending members, and each container is provided with members which "ride" in the channel of the tracks to move the containers along the track. A hook assembly is provided at opposite ends and on the bottom of the containers for engaged relation with a retaining mechanism which positively locks adjacent containers together and to the track. A locking member is provided for rigidly securing the last loaded container (toward the rear of the bed) to the track. A cargo loader mechanism is provided to load and unload the cargo onto and off of the bed, and a cargo cart is provided to transport the cargo from or to a storage bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Inventor: Richard L. Palko
  • Patent number: RE36170
    Abstract: A fan shipping frame includes a frame assembly for supporting a loaded fan section of a jet aircraft engine. A plurality of caster assemblies attached to the shipping frame provide locomotive capability and adjustable height positioning so that a loaded fan section may be transferred onto the appropriate transport aircraft or vehicle. Rail members mounted on the frame assembly are alignable with rail members of a fan dolly so that the fan section may be directly transferred from the fan dolly onto the shipping frame. A template bracket integral with the shipping frame enables the fan section to be mounted thereon. A platform assembly rotatably mounted to the shipping frame may be deployed to enable the fan section to be tilted from a vertical transport position to a horizontal transport position wherein, the shipping frame may be transported in either position. A storage container mounted on the shipping frame stores the removed fan blades of the fan section in either position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Stanley Aviation Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald D. Lilja, Frank Fowler, Robert F. Hatch