Abstract: An assembly system and method thereof for manufacturing an outdoor unit of a dual-unit type air conditioner employs an assembly system in which the outdoor unit is assembled, a refrigerant charging section in which the assembled outdoor unit is charged with a refrigerant, a testing section in which the outdoor unit charged with the refrigerant is tested, and a packaging section in which the outdoor unit after passing the test in the testing section is packaged and forwarded. The outdoor unit is carried on a mobile cart through the assembly section, the refrigerant charging section, and the testing section.

Abstract: A universal rack loading/unloading system and method of using such a system includes a transfer station for receiving the truck bed of a truck. A monorail is fixedly attached to the transfer station. The monorail has at least one snatch winch that is coupled thereto and capable of traversing a length of the monorail. Also, a first rail system is formed by a pair of parallel track members and fixedly attached to the second support frame of the transfer station. A conveyance trolley is slidable mounted to the first rail system. A universal rack being suspended from the snatch winch of the monorail for supporting a load of material to be moved through a processing plant. The truck bed is unloaded and jigged simultaneously at the transfer station for movement of the material through the plant for processing.

Abstract: A high density narrow-profile storage system, comprising the steps of: unloading a container from a train car; storing the container in a storage yard substantially adjacent and parallel to a track; loading the container on a buffer in proximity to the storage yard; lowering the container on a chassis of a tractor trailer; and transporting the container away from the buffer. The system can include: a crane; a narrow-profile storage yard substantially adjacent and parallel to a train track; a buffer adapted to receive and raise or lower a container from or onto a chassis of a tractor trailer; and a tractor for transporting the container to or from the buffer.

Abstract: To cope with recent LCD or PDP of larger size, an efficient transfer technology is demanded in manufacturing a larger substrate. It calls for a transfer method for such larger substrate with a less required space, and a substrate transfer cassette enabling such method. A technology is disclosed, which comprises a substrate transfer cassette (50) containing a plurality of substrates, a dolly (55) for loading the substrate transfer cassette (50), and a plurality of cassette holders (70) having a rotating arm (71) which can rotate in the vertical direction, wherein a substrate cassette (50) is transferred from a position near another cassette holder to a position near a destination cassette holder with the dolly (55), raised by the rotating arm (71) on the destination cassette holder (70) from the lower section to the upper section of the dolly (55), and moved from the dolly (55) to the cassette holder (70).

Abstract: This is a top lift rotary-crane transfer device and system especially suited for transferring cargo containers between a railway car and one or more conveyors or other vehicles or storage spots. It has a revolving loadspreader on the end of a revolving crane connected by chain and sprockets or gearing to cancel to hold the loadspreader in parallel positions while translating around a supporting column. Improved alignment columns on the loadspreader are carried above the ground and swing up to clear over containers set on a conveyor. The alignment columns align the loadspreader transversely over a container, well car, flat-bed trailer, or along a conveyor. The alignment of the loadspreader can be turned if desired to engage one end first and help clear an adjacent car.

Abstract: A passenger lift (10) is provided for loading a passenger (12) into and out of an aircraft (14). Lift (10) includes a chassis (38) having a front (34) end and a back (36) end. A plurality of wheels (62 and 63) are attached to the chassis (38) providing means for moving the lift (10). The lift (10) also includes an electrical energy source (70) for providing electrical energy, and an energy converter (104) for translating the electrical energy from the electrical energy source (70) to mechanical energy. The lift (10) includes a rear support (40) generally perpendicular to the chassis (38) and attached to the back end of the chassis (38). The lift (10) has a basket (48) for holding the passenger (12) while the passenger is raised and lowered with the lift (10) and (48) is located at the front end of the chassis (38). The lift (10) includes a pair of lift arms (44) for lifting the basket (48), and a pair of stabilizing arms (42) for providing stability to the basket (48).

Abstract: An integrated container depot (10) comprises a first transit sector (11) with a cellular structure (13) having cells superimposed and adjacent to one another to form columns and rows of cells designed to receive containers; a second storage sector (12) consisting of a storage yard structure with areas for stacking containers; first devices (14, 18) for transferring containers to and from a container arrival and departure area (19) and cells of the cellular structure (13); second devices (15, 16, 17) for transferring containers to and from cells of the cellular structure (13) and areas of the storage yard structure, (12). Upon arrival of containers they are rapidly inserted into the cellular structure, from where they are extracted in a desired order for efficient stacking in the storage yard structure.

Abstract: Freight is transferred between a car of a train riding on rails extending in a travel direction and a stationary street vehicle while the train is moving slowly in the travel direction by displacing a grab into a position above the rails, identifying the piece of freight and moving the grab in the travel direction synchronously with the train above the piece of freight on the train, and then engaging the grab with the piece of freight while the grab moves synchronously with the train. The piece of freight is then lifted with the grab off the train and the grab are displaced in a transfer direction transverse to the travel direction while the grab moves synchronously with the train until the piece of freight is clear of the train. Movement of the grab in the travel direction is then arrested and the grab and the piece of freight are moved in the transverse transfer direction and the piece of freight is deposited on a stationary support. The piece of freight is then moved from the support to the street vehicle.

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

Abstract: The invention relates to a transloading apparatus for transcontainers such as freight containers, interchangeable containers and semi-trailers including a crane trolley adapted to travel on a crane or portal, to which, by way of a lifting means, a load receiving means is fitted in a manner for raising and lowering.In order to enable the load receiving means to be guided and aligned more accurately in relation to the transcontainer, provision is made to connect to the load receiving apparatus two horizontally movable columns or lifting structures at a distance from one another which is fixed or can be adjusted in a defined manner and to reader these vertically displaceable. Preferably each of the columns or each of the two lifting structures can be connected by way of a pendulum suspension to the load receiving means.

Abstract: A system is provided for transferring loads between railroad cars on different tracks. If desired the system may be highly automated. A series of parallel, adjacent railcar tracks are provided for carrying separate strings of connected railcars and/or boats or trucks in side-by-side relation. A second series of tracks is positioned parallel to and adjacent the first-named series of tracks. A plurality of load lifting mechanisms are provided, these mechanisms being independently movable along the second tracks. The mechanisms each have at least one and preferably a plurality of grapplers capable of lifting a load from one vehicle such as a railcar on a first of the railcar tracks and placing the load on another vehicle such as a railcar on a second of the railcar tracks. Thus, the plurality of load lifting mechanisms can redistribute the loads of separate strings of connected railcars and other vehicles.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading and unloading a firing table arrangement with product for firing, wherein the firing table arrangement comprises on at least one horizontal plane a plurality of rollers having ends disposed at a distance from one another for picking up the product for firing, comprises a supporting structure (20), aligned relative to the firing table arrangement, with two horizontally projecting supporting arms (24) each of them running traversely relative to the rollers, laterally outside the firing table arrangement which are accommodated on the supporting structure (20) so as to be adjustable in height, said supporting arms having inner sides facing one another and a front end, a drive member (26) disposed on the inner side of one supporting arm (24) which, after coupling to the rollers of the firing table arrangement, set them in a rotating movement, and a device disposed on the inner side of the other supporting arm for the rotatable guiding of the rollers of the firing table arrangement.

Abstract: A method for stacking trailers is described. Firstly, position a first trailer on a skid assembly having an upper support frame that overlies a top of the first trailer. The upper support frame has a first end and a second end. Secondly, secure a first end of a tow line to an end of a skid assembly for a second trailer. The tow line is extended over the upper support frame from the first end across to the second end and then a second end of the tow line is secured to a winch. Thirdly, activate the winch to raise the skid assembly of the second trailer to the height of upper support frame and then draw the skid assembly of the second trailer from the first end of the upper support frame across the upper support frame until the end of the skid assembly of the second trailer to which the tow line is attached is positioned at the second end of the upper support frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for handling and storing marine containers transports containers from below using a shuttle that is movable sideways from an elevating cradle in an elevating transfer vehicle. The shuttle has four lifting devices that engage ISO fittings in the container from below. The shuttle can lift a container and travel into a bay of a large storage rack. The lifting devices then lower the container onto supporting brackets that share the ISO fitting with the lifting devices. The shuttle can move the containers within the storage rack, or to a portal where it can be temporarily stored or picked up immediately by a ground vehicle. The system also includes a dock crane buffer and an automated guided vehicle system.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for mechanized loading and unloading, having an insertable pallet that may be tilted around its longitudinal axis and that can be moved horizontally and vertically. The pallet has a live conveyor for advancing a package along the pallet. Also a method for acquiring packages from a stack of packages with a mechanical loader having a pallet, including the steps of (a) vertically translating the pallet to the height of the package to be acquired, (b) tilting the pallet around the longitudinal axis so that the angle of the pallet roughly matches the angle of the bottom of the package to be acquired, (c) horizontally translating the pallet so that a front edge of the pallet is inserted into a seam between the package to be acquired and the other packages in the stack, and (d) advancing the package to be acquired along the pallet.

Abstract: A system is provided for transferring loads between railroad cars on different tracks. If desired the system may be highly automated. A series of parallel, adjacent rail car tracks are provided for carrying separate strings of connected railcars in side-by-side relation. A second series of tracks is positioned parallel to and adjacent the first-named series of tracks. A plurality of load lifting mechanisms are provided, these mechanisms being independently movable along the second tracks. The mechanisms each have at least one and preferably a plurality of grapplers capable of lifting a load from one rail car on a first of the rail car tracks and placing the load on another rail car on a second of the rail car tracks. Thus, the plurality of load lifting mechanisms can redistribute the loads of separate strings of connected rail cars.

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

Abstract: Installations for trans-loading piece goods in the form of load units (3) such as containers, returnable vessels, semi-trailers or the like between road and railborne vehicles (2) comprise a single or multiple storey store (5, 6) for the load units (3) on one side of a single or multiple track railway line (1), a single or multiple lane roadway (9) on the other side of the store (5, 6) as well as lifting gear means (10, 11) for transferring the load units (3). In order to reduce the required floor area for simplifying the lifting gear means to be employed as well as accelerating the transfer, the store (5, 6) in such an installation is to be divided longitudinally into two parts with an operating space (7) accommodated between the store portions (5, 6) and having fixed to the four comers of the operating space (7) one load lifting gear means (11) each. The width of the operating space (7) corresponds at least to the length of the largest load unit which is to be transferred.

Abstract: Apparatus for the installation for transferring piece goods between road and railborne vehicles includes a receiving and an issuing store, the outer sides of which remote from the railway line adjoin a loading roadway for the unloading or/and loading of road vehicles, each of the stores is provided with a plurality of loading lifting gears adapted to travel longitudinally for transporting load units beyond the railway lines between the roadway and at least the store, a plurality of train transfer lifting devices are provided to travel longitudinally, their operating radii extending laterally beyond the railway line in the direction towards the stores, and additional transport devices are provided which bridge the mutually separated ranges of the lifting gears and the train transfer lifting devices for transporting load units transversely to the railway line.

Abstract: A system is provided for transferring loads between railroad cars on different tracks. If desired the system may be highly automated. A series of parallel, adjacent rail car tracks are provided for carrying separate strings of connected railcars in side-by-side relation. A second series of tracks is positioned parallel to and adjacent the first-named series of tracks. A plurality of load lifting mechanisms are provided, these mechanisms being independently movable along the second tracks. The mechanisms each have at least one and preferably a plurality of grapplers capable of lifting a load from one rail car on a first of the rail car tracks and placing the load on another rail car on a second of the rail car tracks. Thus, the plurality of load lifting mechanisms can redistribute the loads of separate strings of connected rail cars.

Abstract: A vehicle cabin construction includes a storage Compartment in the space between the ceiling and outer cabin wall extending longitudinally of the vehicle cabin for storing article holders, an elevator for lowering the article holders from the storage compartment to the deck, and for raising the article holders from the deck to the storage compartment, and longitudinal transfer means engageable with the article holders for moving them longitudinally from or to different locations in the storage compartment on a plurality of roller transfer members.

Abstract: The chassis of a forklift truck includes a front assembly and a rear assembly which, in certain embodiments, are movable toward and away from each other between an extended stable normal working condition and a contracted compact condition for storage or transport of the forklift truck. The front assembly includes driven front wheels, standard upright mast and double-acting lift jack for the fork carriage movable along the mast. The rear assembly includes the operator compartment, rear axle assembly for the rear wheels and mechanism mounting the rear axle assembly for vertical movement relative to the operator compartment between a raised normal working position and a downward-projected position. The rear assembly also includes a landing wheel or wheels mounted in front of the rear axle assembly at a location above the rear wheels when the rear axle assembly is raised.

Abstract: A material handling adjustable conveyor comprising an adjustable boom, and front-end material handling device with four degrees of freedom to allow loads to be lifted and rotated into position and placed or removed from an over-the-road vehicle or unloaded from such a vehicle. During the loading or unloading procedure, the load is only supported by the front-end material handling device. Some of the load is borne by the floor of the cargo vehicle when more than minimal torsion forces are applied to the front-end material handling device. The material handling device is computer controlled based upon the dimensions of the vehicle being loaded and unloaded and further comprises sensors for fine adjustment of front-end handling device motion during the course of the loading or unloading. Other senors can be used to measure and record the internal dimensions of a cargo vehicle.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for loading and unloading motor vehicles, to be positioned between a loading platform and a vehicle positioning region, includes a frame movable longitudinally to the loading platform, a manipulator-conveyor unit provided with lifting and/or gripping devices and arranged on a support element rotatable through at least 180.degree., the manipulator-conveyor unit being extendable so as to be movable to a position above the loading platform and to a position above the load floor of a vehicle, features being provided for correctly aligning the support element with the load floor, a central processor also being connected to the apparatus. Sensors are associated with the manipulator-conveyor unit for sensing its movement above the support element and are connected to the central processor and to an actuator which correctly positions at least one pair of motorized wheels supporting the manipulator-conveyor unit.

Abstract: A material handling adjustable conveyor comprising an adjustable boom, and front-end material handling device with four degrees of freedom to allow loads to be lifted and rotated into position and placed or removed from an over-the-road vehicle or unloaded from such a vehicle. During the loading or unloading procedure, the load is only supported by the front-end material handling device. Some of the load is borne by the floor of the cargo vehicle when more than minimal torsion forces are applied to the front-end material handling device. The material handling device is computer controlled based upon the dimensions of the vehicle being loaded and unloaded and further comprises sensors for fine adjustment of front-end handling device motion during the course of the loading or unloading. Other senors can be used to measure and record the internal dimensions of a cargo vehicle.

Abstract: A mobile retractable load deck (12) comprises a platform with a ground running bearing surface (24), for releasably elevating and supporting a load 16 resting thereupon from a support surface (19) at a load collection station and transferring that elevated load to a delivery station (42), where the load deck is retracted to deposit the load and then withdrawn therefrom.

Abstract: A manufacturing system and method for processing semiconductor wafers through a plurality of processing stations that perform manufacturing operations on wafers includes a plurality of processing stations, each of which are capable of performing at least one processing operation of a wafer, each of the processing stations having a controlled environment for processing the wafers, and a branched track providing a surface leading to each of said processing stations. On the track there are provided a plurality of guided transport vehicles adapted to travel between the process stations. A plurality of wafer carriers, each adapted to support a single wafer and be carried by the transport vehicles, are part of the system. An interface is provided at each processing station to introduce the wafer from the box into the clean environment of the process station, and subsequently return the box and wafer to the transport vehicle.

Abstract: A multiple section conveyor for the positioning of loose items for manual loading or stacking is, in combination, a first, telescoping gravity fed conveyor connected with a second powered elevated and delivery conveyor, controlled by the arrival of objects at the end of the second powered conveyor. The combination is coupled to a mobile, powered elevating work platform, to provide cargo items to a work crew at a controlled rate and at a proper height for safest handling, over the range of motions and elevations of the work platform.

Abstract: A sectional van trailer having detachable, interchangeable compartments capable of forming a continuous van body is disclosed. One or more van sections or cargo compartments are secured to a trailer frame. The van sections may be individually removed and left at a location for loading or unloading. When removed, the van sections form secure, weather-tight individual containers for the goods disposed therein. The van sections are interconnected and each van section may remain an individual compartment or may be joined with one or more adjacent van sections to form a continuous van body. A tractor mounted hoist apparatus is provided to allow a lone truck operator to move the van sections between the ground, and the trailer frame, a storage stand, or a truck frame. The described embodiments are particularly efficient for moving both household belongings and general commodities on a long-haul trip.

Abstract: A sectional van trailer having detachable, interchangeable compartments capable of forming a continuous van body is disclosed. One or more van sections or cargo compartments are secured to a trailer frame. The van sections may be individually removed and left at a location for loading or unloading. When removed, the van sections form secure, weather-tight individual containers for the goods disposed therein. The van sections are interconnected and each van section may remain an individual compartment or may be joined with one or more adjacent van sections to form a continuous van body. A tractor mounted hoist apparatus is provided to allow a lone truck operator to move the van sections between the ground, and the trailer frame, a storage stand, or a truck frame. The described embodiments are particularly efficient for moving both household belongings and general commodities on a long-haul trip.

Abstract: A supply system for passenger aircraft uses one or more catering containers which are loaded with the aid of the aircraft's loading system into the cargo hold of the passenger aircraft and positioned in vertical alignment with a supply distribution and work cabin on the passenger deck or floor of the aircraft. A horizontal conveying system is capable of moving transport carts or standardized packages in the directions of a rectangular coordinate system for bringing carts or packages into a lifting position. A vertical lift cooperates with the horizontal conveyor system for bringing trolleys initially held in the carts or standardized packages into the distribution and work cabin. Instead of equipping the catering container with a horizontal conveyor system that works in the X- and Y-direction, it is possible to use any other robot system for retrieving standardized packages and/or trolleys from the catering container.

Abstract: The container loading and unloading system includes a first set of cables attached to the front of the container, a second set of cables attached to the rear of the container, a winch for alternately extending and retracting the cables by rotating a cross bar, a pair of substantially parallel rails for supporting the bottom of the container, a pivot bar located between and normal to both rails, and a yoke for supporting the pivot bar. To load the container--which may be a camper, a cargo box or a tool box--a cross bar is rotated in a first direction to extend the first set of cables and to retract the second set of cables, thereby pulling the container along the rail members onto a raised surface. The rails pivot along with the container on the pivot bar to assist in the loading operation.

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

Abstract: The chassis of a forklift truck includes a front assembly and a rear assembly movable toward and away from each other between an extended stable normal working condition and a contracted compact condition for storage or transport of the forklift truck. The front assembly includes driven front wheels, standard upright mast and double-acting lift jack for the fork carriage movable along the mast. The rear assembly includes the operator compartment, rear axle assembly for the rear wheels and mechanism mounting the rear axle assembly for vertical movement relative to the operator compartment between a raised normal working position and a downward-projected position. The rear assembly also includes a landing wheel mounted in front of the rear axle assembly at a location above the rear wheels when the rear axle assembly is raised.

Abstract: An aircraft fuselage construction includes a track overlying and parallel to the aisle, a food carrier having wheels on its bottom engageable with the deck, and a guiding member engageable with the track for guiding the movement of the food carrier along the aisle.

Abstract: A freight manipulator includes a mobile chassis positioned on a pair of guide tracks and have an articulated cantilever boom extending forwardly thereof. A tool carriage is mounted at the end of the boom and has a pair of freight engaging tools thereon for engaging freight articles. The boom is connected to a two-axis gimbals at the rear of the chassis which allows swinging of the boom about a vertical axis and tilting of the boom about a horizontal tilt axis to increase the positioning range of the freight engaging tools. A boom bearing assembly at the front of the chassis supports the boom on the chassis during movement thereof. A pair of swing cylinders are connected to the chassis and have a chain connecting the ends of their rams to the bearing assembly. The swing cylinders work in opposition to swing the boom. A pair of boom tilt cylinders are connected between the bearing assembly and the boom and operate in unison to tilt the boom.

Abstract: A freight manipulation includes a tracked chassis with an articulated cantilever boom extending therefrom which is capable of swinging about a horizontal tilt axis. A tool carriage, mounted at the end of the boom by a multiple stage lift mast, has a pair of freight engaging tools thereon. the telescoping mast includes an upper frame connected to the boom for pivoting about a vertical axis, a middle frame, and a lower frame having the tool carriage slidably mounted thereon. A pair of secondary lift cylinders are connected between the upper and middle frames. A pair of secondary lift chains are connected between the upper and lower frames and engage pulleys on the middle frame such that as the secondary cylinders extend or retract to respectively lower or raise the middle frame, the lower frame is lowered or raised relative to the middle frame.

Abstract: Handling apparatus for metal slabs comprising a slab turner and a transfer cart. The slab turner receives the metal slab and transfers it to a bunk on the cart which tilts the slab so that one surface of the slab is upward. The cart moves the slab through a scarfing station which scarfs the upwardly-directed surface of the slab. The cart moves back to the slab turner and the slab turner cooperates with the transfer cart to receive the slab from the transfer cart and return the slab to the transfer cart bunk with the opposite surface upward, whereupon the transfer cart again moves the slab into the scarfing station for scarfing the opposite surface. In the scarfing station, the transfer cart supports the slab in a tilted position by toe portions underlying one edge of the slab, and enables rotation of the slab to a generally horizontal position which exposes the edge which supports the slab in the tilted position, so that the edge may be scarfed while the slab is generally horizontal.

Abstract: A lifting assembly for lifting containers onto rail cars includes a substantially rectangular horizontal frame slidably mounted on vertical hoist assemblies each supported on a tracked undercarriage. The lateral separation between the hoists and the lateral dimensions of the frame are hydraulically adjustable to adjust the alignment of two cantilevered lifting beams which extend from the frame over the undercarriage. An operator housing that rides with the frame provides view exposure to the lifting alignment of the cantilevered beams.

Abstract: The apparatus for feeding packaging machines with stacks of sheet material includes a trolley-like support provided with a vertically arranged rotatable belt having orthogonally connected thereto a plurality of pairs of support walls which define an accommodation seat for respective stacks of material in sheets, and a unit for removing and transferring the stacks which has a head provided with an element for gripping a stack. The head is movable vertically, laterally and horizontally so as to arrange itself at a selected accommodation seat in order to remove a stack therefrom and subsequently move it to a station for feeding the material in sheets to the packaging machine. The pairs of support walls are relatively mutually displaceable along a horizontal axis to thereby support a stack in a closed position and release a stack, or alternatively to receive a stack, in an open position.

Abstract: A mixed freight handling system, particularly for limited access areas such as an end-opening trailer at a dock, includes a telescoping conveyor overlapping a fixed conveyor and translatable into the trailer to receive hand liftable articles. A freight manipulator includes an appropriate and changeable freight manipulator tool mounted on an extendible boom and is translatable adjacent and along the conveyors to the dock edge. The tool is extendible into the trailer for engaging and supporting manually nonliftable freight for transfer to or from a freight conveyor extending alongside the path of the manipulator. The telescoping conveyor includes a base section engaged with a track, an inclinable lift section, and a liftable and laterally swingable head section. The manipulator includes a chassis engaged with a track straddling the fixed and telescoping conveyors and has a tunnel formed therethrough, allowing the passage of articles on the conveyors therebeneath.

Abstract: A container transporting trailer comprising a forward, main and rear portion. The forward portion extends from the front of the trailer rearwardly and is adapted to hitch to, and thus clear, the fifth wheel of a tractor. At the end of the front portion opposite the front of the trailer, the forward portion turns downward and joins with the front of a main portion. The main portion extends rearwardly from the forward portion and has an upper surface plane for receiving and supporting a standardize container above the plane. The main portion is lower to the ground than the forward portion. Extending rearwardly from the end of the main portion. Extending rearwardly from the end of the main portion is a rear portion which ends at the end of the trailer. The rear portion has fixture for receiving a trailer bogie. The rear portion has an upper surface which lies parallel to and above the plane of the main surface.

Abstract: A fork lift style loading apparatus is provided to improve truck cargo loading and unloading efficiency by allowing an entire truckload of cargo to be set on forks which simply move horizontally into the truck for loading. Loading time is drastically reduced by loading the cargo onto the forks prior to truck arrival. The loading appartus includes a platform lift which adjusts vertically to the truck height, a fork lift body which supports the cargo, and a cargo stand which fits in the cargo bed of the truck. Loading pallets are not required and cargo is handled by the truckload rather than by a pallet load as in a pallet loading system.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for supplying an enclosure with trolleys or similar, provided more particularly in the passenger cabin of an aircraft and comprising:at least one storage container in which said trolleys are arranged and which is situated in the baggage compartment of said aircraft;a controllable automatic device provided in the baggage compartment of said aircraft and able to move to seize each of said trolleys in said container, by gripping means, and then bring it to said enclosure via a passage formed between the baggage compartment and said enclosure; anda programmable control unit connected to said automatic device and containing the information relative to the position of said trolleys in the container and to the types of products contained in each of them so that, depending on the information transmitted by said unit, said automatic device moves for seizing said corresponding trolley and bringing it from the baggage compartment to said enclosure.

Abstract: The invention involves a method of and apparatus for transferring rolls of various sizes from a roll delivery vehicle to a spindle of a reel stand. A transfer table with articulated arms lifts the roll off of the vehicle and aligns the roll both in the vertical and horizontal directions so that the longitudinal axis of the roll coincides with the axis of the spindle. A unique clam shell linkage of the articulated arms allows the transfer table to handle different diameter rolls and position the different diameter rolls on spindles of different heights.

Abstract: A mixed freight handling system, particularly for limited access areas such as an end-opening trailer at a dock, includes a telescoping conveyor overlapping a fixed conveyor and translatable into the trailer to receive hand liftable articles. A freight manipulator includes an appropriate and changeable freight manipulator tool mounted on an extendible boom and is translatable adjacent and along the conveyors to the dock edge. The tool is extendible into the trailer for engaging and supporting manually nonliftable freight for transfer to or from a freight conveyor extending alongside the path of the manipulator. The telescoping conveyor includes a base section engaged with a track, an inclinable lift section, and a liftable and laterally swingable head section. The manipulator includes a chassis engaged with a track straddling the fixed and telescoping conveyors and has a tunnel formed therethrough; allowing the passage of articles on the conveyors therebeneath.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading a container having different shelves, each filled with a plurality of stacks of trays filled with a product, such as eggs. The container is comprised of four vertical support sections and horizontal connecting sections which support the stack carrying shelves. During the unloading of the various shelves, each of which carries at least three adjacent stacks of trays, the middle stack is, preferably, first removed, and more preferably after loosening such middle stack by lifting and moving it sideways a small distance to prevent jamming of the middle stack and an adjacent stack. In one embodiment, a fork-shaped unloading device can be inserted under tunnel-shaped openings of the lowermost of a stack of trays, and the points of which are provided with switch elements or sensors.

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

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring a group of unit loads between a shipping dock and a vehicle bed comprises a transfer beam assembly which has a base equipped with wheels engageable with the surfaces of the shipping dock and vehicle bed, has a length greater than that of the vehicle bed, and is movable lengthwise by a reversible drive unit installed on the shipping dock, the movement being defined by guide rails on the shipping dock. Load engaging members mounted on the base of the assembly are vertically movable by inflatable tubes between a raised, load supporting position and a lowered load clearing position.