Abstract: The truck dumper includes a low profile truck platform built atop a flat concrete slab and lifted by a pair of hydraulic cylinders. The truck platform has a deck suspended between a pair of side I beams resting atop the bottom flanges of the I beams. The low profile truck platform eliminates the need for a below grade lift pit. The truck dumper also includes a wheel chock assembly integrated into the truck platform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container tilting apparatus which includes at least one base section, and at least two tilt arms, with each of the tilt arms being pivotably connected to a base section. The tilt arms may be configured to engage different portions of the container. Also included is at least one tilt arm drive configured to pivot a tilt arm relative to a base section. The apparatus is arranged so that at least one tilt arm is pivotably connected to abase section at a point offset from the center of the tilt arm.

Abstract: A truck dumper including a material receiving hopper, a tilt table configured to dump a load from the truck or truck trailer into the material receiving hopper. The invention includes a stilling shed positioned above the material receiving hopper and at least one curtain baffle suspended below the roof of the stilling shed. The curtain baffles are positioned such that there is a gap located near the roof and an upper margin of the at least one curtain baffle through which air can flow. The invention further includes an air exhaust structure configured to exhaust dust laden air from the interior of the stilling shed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container tilting apparatus which includes at least one base section, and at least two tilt arms, with each of the tilt arms being pivotably connected to a base section. The apparatus also includes at least two container locks with each container lock being configured to engage a tilt arm with a side wall of a container. Also included is at least one tilt arm drive configured to pivot a tilt arm relative to a base section. The apparatus is arranged so that at least one tilt arm is pivotably connected to a base section at a point offset from the center of the tilt arm.

Abstract: A truck dumper including a material receiving hopper, a tilt table configured to dump a load from the truck or truck trailer into the material receiving hopper. The invention includes a stilling shed positioned above the material receiving hopper and at least one curtain baffle suspended below the roof of the stilling shed. The curtain baffles are positioned such that there is a gap located near the roof and an upper margin of the at least one curtain baffle through which air can flow. The invention further includes an air exhaust structure configured to exhaust dust laden air from the interior of the stilling shed.

Abstract: A rotatable apparatus for repairing and restoring vehicle body shells including a pair of vertically positioned hoops placed in a parallel relation mounted to the body shell for rotation about a horizontal axis. A plurality of connecting members attached in a spoke-like manner to support the body shell. A pair of generally stationary roller-bases supports the hoop assembly and facilitates rotation. The roller-bases include foot-operated brakes to prevent rotation of the assembly. A jacking-arm device facilitates the transfer of the assembly from the roller-bases to the removably connected upright rolling supports for traversing an area.

Abstract: A trailer unloading system anchors one or more trailers to a deck, with, or without tractor attached. The sides of the trailers are free to pivot from a top, longitudinal, pivot axis once unlatched from the edge of the trailer floor. The deck tilts the trailers sideways, the doors swing free, and the load discharges. The deck returns to level, the sides latch to support the floor and the trailers are ready to be reloaded.

Abstract: A bin for library articles and an automatic unloading system therefor includes a bin housing having a chamber defined by an uppermost housing plane and by opposing walls. A floor within the chamber has a top and bottom surfaces, and a plurality of cable apertures. A plurality of cables suspend the floor within the chamber, and are fixed at one end to the walls. The cables pass through the cable apertures in the floor, and are secured to a reversible cable driver which is, in turn, secured to the bottom surface of the floor. Clockwise rotational motive force of the driver causes the floor member to climb upward on the cables to the uppermost housing plane, while counter-clockwise rotational motive force causes the floor to descend downward from the housing plane.

Abstract: A trailer tipper is disclosed having a sub-frame, a deck pivotally secured to a rear portion of the sub-frame, and means for raising the deck relative to the sub-frame. A wheel assembly frame is pivotally secured to a rear portion of the sub-frame, and wheels are connected to the wheel assembly frame. An adjustable backstop is provided, having a first member affixed to the deck and a second member slidably secured to the first member and movable over a path that is substantially parallel to the deck. Front and middle stabilizers are pivotally secured to the sub-frame. In the raised position, each stabilizer rests on the deck or sub-frame disposed so that it does not extend outward from an outer side of the sub-frame.

Abstract: A trailer tipper is disclosed for dumping material from the rear of a trailer which includes a main frame, a tipping deck mounted at one end of the main frame for supporting the trailer during pivotal movement of the tipping deck from a lowered position to a raised position for dumping the material from the back end of the trailer, a spill chute for receiving material discharged onto the tipping deck during pivotal movement thereof and a shape-modifiable transition chute connected to the tipping deck and the spill chute modifiable by pivotal movement of the tipping deck from a first configuration when the tipping deck is in the lowered position to a second configuration when the tipping deck is pivoted to the raised position.

Abstract: A retainer arm assembly (30) for use in a container unloading assembly (10) for unloading containers (C) of various sizes. Pivot posts (34) are attached to opposite sides (20) of a fixture (18) into which containers to be unloaded are set. The fixture is movable to invert the container and dump its contents. Retaining arms (32) are mounted on each pivot post and moved by the pivot posts to a position above an open end of the container. The retaining arms now retain container in the fixture as the contents of the container are dumped. A mechanism (54) is activated to rotate each post from a first position to a second position, after the container is placed in the fixture, for the retaining arms to be located above the container. Other of the retaining arms mounted on each pivot post may contact the container as the pivot posts are rotated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling dust generated by the rotary dumping or rail cars may include one or more flexible baffles are provided to the back-side of a rotary dump frame to seal a portion of the material receiving pit during a portion of the rotary motion. The dust cloud generated by this dumping is retained in the pit for an increased time due to tumbling of the cloud induced by the baffles and other features of the facility. A plurality of intake ducts removes the dust cloud from the pit for transfer to a remote filtering facility.

Abstract: A trailer tipper is disclosed for dumping material from the rear of a trailer which includes a main frame, a tipping deck mounted at one end of the main frame for supporting the trailer during pivotal movement of the tipping deck from a lowered position to a raised position for dumping the material from the back end of the trailer, a spill chute for receiving material discharged onto the tipping deck during pivotal movement thereof and a shape-modifiable transition chute connected to the tipping deck and the spill chute modifiable by pivotal movement of the tipping deck from a first configuration when the tipping deck is in the lowered position to a second configuration when the tipping deck is pivoted to the raised position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and a method to unload bulk powders from large bulk containers. The system and method are particularly useful for unloading bulk cohesive powders.

Abstract: A drive across low-profile portable hydraulic trailer dumper for dumping the contents from a trailer containing a dumpable material, includes a towable elongated frame. A base frame with a deck pivotally attached hereto, which closes down and interlocks with the base frame. Making the overall height of the lift deck only seven (7) inches above the ground or pad site. Removable tread plates for use, when pulling a tractor and trailer forward, onto the trailer dumper. The lift deck has an adjustable chock for positioning the trailer during dumping. Actuators raise and lower the deck between a lowered position adjacent the base frame and a raised position for dumping the trailer contents. The trailer dumper has opposing cantilever wheels located near the back end of the dump for lowering a back end base frame to the support surface at the dump site, and raising a back end of a trailer dumper for towing.

Abstract: A method of utilizing a mini-pallet to create, organize, and move product stacks. In a preferred configuration, the mini-pallet is a nestable lightweight shipping tray which provides a convenient means for handling packaged units, in particular packages of beverage containers. The mini-pallet can support loads at an elevation above a supporting surface through the use of a deck supported by two side legs and a central support. The legs are located to facilitate a user in positioning a carrier under the deck for transportation. The central support, in a preferred embodiment, compatibly fits with a designated opening in the lifting portion of the carrier. When not loaded, the mini-pallet is capable of “nesting” within another mini-pallet for convenient storage.

Abstract: A multiple use trailer system for hauling conventional and long loads. The front and rear end gates are closed for normal loads and open to accommodate long loads such as re-bar and lengths of pipe. The rear gate has an aerodynamic air wing that holds it in the open position. A dumping mechanism has a platform which is tiltable to dump the trailer and in one embodiment is mounted on a fulcrum which both pivots and moves laterally to maintain a constant dump line.

Abstract: A portable, low-profile tipper, for dumping the contents from a trailer containing dumpable material, includes a towable, elongated frame having a back end with a deck pivotally attached thereto. The deck has a backstop for positioning the trailer during dumping. Actuators raise and lower the deck to effect dumping. The tipper includes a chute for guiding the dumpable material from the bottom of the trailer past the back end of the frame. Pivotally mounted to the deck rear end beneath the location of the rear end of a trailer supported on the deck is a gate which contains on the deck any materials spilled from the trailer during dumping until it is desired to remove the material from the deck, whereupon the gate can be opened when the tipping platform is elevated and the spilled material permitted to discharge onto a supplementary chute that guides the material away from the tipper frame.

Abstract: A system for storing a carrying truck uncoupled from a self-propelled truck moving along a given passage. So that such uncoupled carrying truck may be stored at a storage area outside and angular relative to the passage, the system includes a direction change device disposed at a point of the passage where the carrying truck is uncoupled from the self-propelled truck, and a truck hitching device disposed in the storage area such as to orient towards that point of passage. The direction change device includes a rotary disc member and an elevating element for raising the carrying truck and orienting the same towards the storage area. The truck hitching device includes fore-and-aft movable elements for hitching and drawing the carrying truck which has been changed its direction by the direction change device, towards the storage area.

Abstract: In a trailer train combination having a tractor, lead trailer and one or two more following trailers, an adjustable dolly under the front end of each following trailer provides for close coupling of the multiple trailers in end to end contact. Then the multiple trailers are lifted to inclined position causing the upper trailer or trailers to discharge its flowable contents out through the lower trailer in a self unloading operation. The dolly has a slidable fifth wheel assembly and self steering ground wheels which may be locked in straight forward positions. A cab controlled electric and pneumatic control system controls these and other functions in the dolly. The trailers may be equipped with walking floors for self unloading in level positions.

Abstract: A trash collection, management and disposal system for an office area including covered trash collector containers positioned at heights substantially equivalent to the height of a standard desk top and adapted to receive trash generated in the area. Some of the trash collector containers are mounted on wheels and are equipped with tongue-and-hitch assemblies enabling a plurality of these trash collector containers to be coupled together in a train for towing to a dump site. Dump mechanisms at the dump site pick the trash collector containers up and invert them to empty the trash contained therein. The cover on each collector container is pivotally mounted by a hinge assembly enabling the cover member to be moved to an over center position when it is opened to inhibit its return movement to the closed position. Also, the hinge assembly operates to maintain the cover in an upright position when it is opened, allowing the cover to serve as a backstop for deflecting thrown trash into the container.