Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating a length of at least a portion of a trailer that is carried by a tractor. The tractor has a fifth wheel coupling that is configured to be connected to a kingpin of the trailer. The height of the fifth wheel coupling is adjustable by adjustment of an angle of a boom that carries the fifth wheel coupling. The angle of the boom is determined by a sensor. The angle of the trailer is determined by a sensor. The length of at least a portion of the trailer is calculated based on the boom length, the determined boom angle, and the determined trailer angle.

Abstract: A carrier includes a chassis that is configured to travel from a loading point to an unloading point and a tillable platform is mounted on the chassis. A resilient piston is connected between the chassis and the tillable platform, the piston configured to store energy when the platform is rotated from an unloading orientation to a loading orientation. The platform, when in the loading orientation, is configured to stably support one or more items that are loaded onto the platform at the loading point. A restraining mechanism is configured to maintain the platform in the loading orientation and a triggering mechanism is operable to release the restraining mechanism, releasing the stored energy of the piston to exert a restoring force to tilt the platform from the loading orientation to the unloading orientation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system has a carousel that has a guiderail that forms a loop that has a loading position and an unloading position. The carousel also has a plurality of buckets, each having an upper end and a lower end. The lower end includes at least one bottom wall that is moveable between (i) a transporting configuration where the at least one bottom wall substantially closes the lower end of the bucket and (ii) a discharge configuration where the at least one bottom wall is moved so as to define an opening in the lower end of the bucket. The buckets are supported by the guiderail such that the buckets can be driven from the loading position towards the unloading position in the transporting configuration. The buckets can be transitioned to the discharge configuration so as to unload inventory items at the unloading position into a packaging material.

Abstract: A wall transport device comprises a base, a plurality of wheels positioned below the base, a steering assembly attached to the base, and a wall support pivotally connected to the base. The wall support includes a telescoping mast, a top hook, and a bottom flange. A first mechanism tilts the wall support between a proximal and a distal position. A second mechanism raises and lowers the top hook.

Abstract: A truck has an extendable and retractable truck bed for receiving removable and replacing truck boxes of different lengths. The truck bed can be extended or retracted to fit the size of the truck box. The truck bed has movable supports that can be extended or retracted from inside or outside a cab to support the appropriate length of the truck box. The movable supports also act as guide means to guide the truck box onto or off of the truck bed. In a method of extending or retracting the truck bed, a single truck can be used to mount or remove truck boxes of different sizes.

Abstract: A conveyor system for automatically transporting items along a conveyor path has at least one guide rail and a plurality of vehicles. The vehicles each have a load carrier movable between a substantially horizontal position and two different tilted positions. A lever gauge is movable in an E-shaped shifting gate and a disconnect element is located on the vehicle to move the lever gage between a position engaging the guide rail and a position not engaging the guide rail.

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: A transportable bin-type container having opposed side and end walls and opposed top and bottom walls, the container including a pair of outwardly extending pivot shafts extending from the opposed end walls to define a pivot axis. The container is adapted to be received on a truck bed, or the like, wherein a pair of spaced bearing support members are provided that extend upwardly from the truck bed in substantially parallel relationship, and that are spaced a distance slightly greater than the spacing between the end walls of the container. The bearing support members include an upper surface and an elongated, upwardly facing opening to receive one of the pivot shafts of the container, the opening including a pair of spaced, substantially parallel walls the outermost of which is longer than the innermost to define a transverse stop means for the pivot shafts when the container is being loaded on the truck bed.

Abstract: A transportable bin-type container having opposed side and end walls and opposed top and bottom walls, the container including a pair of outwardly extending pivot shafts extending from the opposed end walls to define a pivot axis. The container is adapted to be received on a truck bed, or the like, wherein a pair of spaced bearing support members are provided that extend upwardly from the truck bed in substantially parallel relationship, and that are spaced a distance slightly greater than the spacing between the end walls of the container. The bearing support members include an upper surface and an elongated, upwardly facing opening to receive one of the pivot shafts of the container, the opening including a pair of spaced, substantially parallel walls the outermost of which is longer than the innermost to define a transverse stop means for the pivot shafts when the container is being loaded on the truck bed.

Abstract: Apparatus for unloading a top unloading mine car that is mounted to pivot about a horizontal axis extending along one side of the base of the mine car includes a hoist chain detachably connected to the mine car at the side opposite the pivotal axis. The hoist chain extends upwardly over a pulley mounted on a positioning crank arm. The pulley moves on rotation of the crank arm from a position substantially vertically above the connection means when the mine car is in an upright position to a position above the pivotal axis. The hoist chain continues around a pulley mounted on a drive crank arm and then to an attachment of restricted mobility. The drive crank arm and the positioning crank arm are rotated in a single direction by drive means which are adapted to rotate the drive crank arm at twice the angular velocity of the positioning crank arm.