Abstract: These loaders for transfer of cargo containers or semitrailers to and from railway cars etc. have parallel swinging links vertically connecting the load-spreader support end of the lift arm with the end of the arm which is mounted to a pivot. The links are free to swing back when the loadspreader engages a vehicle to cushion and carry the load-spreader aligned with the vehicle for transfer across the chord of a transfer arc. A weight extends the links out at the bottom to extend the loadspreader to swing back through vertical for least change in elevation. The load arm is supported on wheels to run on the cam track at or near the same elevation that is mounted to swing up and down on the mount about the pivot, so the cam track wheels run on a substantially uniform radius from the pivot. The inner end of the arm extends up to support the top ends of the swinging links which depend to support the outer end of the arm or vice versa.

Abstract: This apparatus for separating wet laundry articles (e.g.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of unloading a container having shelves at different levels, each shelf being filled with at least three adjacent stacks of trays filled with a product, such as eggs. The container is comprised of four vertical angle sections connected by horizontal sections which support the stack carrying shelves. The middle stack of trays is always removed first, after loosening that stack by moving it slightly sideways to prevent jamming with the outer adjacent stacks of trays. In one embodiment, a fork-shaped unloading device is used for the unloading, which device can be inserted under tunnel-shaped openings of the lowermost tray of a stack of trays, and the points of which are provided with switch elements or sensors to sense the edge of the shelf. A beam, with electromagnets, is used to lift a superadjacent shelf so that stacks of trays can be unloaded from a subadjacent shelf.

Abstract: A double-decked apparatus has a base (4), and a movable deck (6) is rotatably connected, at one end, to one end of the base. Automobiles can be positioned on the base (4) and on the movable deck (6). The movable deck can rotate between a first position, where it is laid upon the base and positioned substantially parallel thereto, and a second position, where it is inclined upwardly. The apparatus is also provided with support rods (8, 9) which can hold the movable deck in the second position. Two automobiles can be mounted on this apparatus, one above the other. The apparatus can, therefore, help to achieve an efficient use of the space within a transport container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading a refrigerator box which has a door along one side and insulation in all of the surfaces of the box including the bottom. The invention specifically relates to devices for loading the box using a pallet loaded with prepackaged material such as ice. The insulation in the bottom of the box is divided into three parts; the insulation along one side, the insulation along the opposite side and then the center insulation portion.The method is accomplished by removing the center insulated portion and rolling a pallet loaded with prepackaged material into the refrigerated box using an ordinary transportation vehicle such as a lift cart. Once the vehicle has moved the pallet of prepackaged material into the refrigerated ice box or container, the transportation device is then lowered so that the pallet will settle onto the pieces of insulation on each side of the box. The transportation device is then removed and a piece of insulation is inserted under the pallet.

Abstract: For supplying a sufficient quantity of prefabricated blanks (21) to packaging machines (20), blank stacks (22) are brought up to the packaging machine (20) on a stack pallet (25). By the use of at least one stack conveyor (27), the blank stacks (22) are taken off from the stack pallet (25) in succession and conveyed to a blank magazine (23) of the packaging machine (20).

Abstract: A load-carrying attachment for a vehicle to unload cargo from or load cargo onto the vehicle. The attachment includes a pair of spaced horizontal support beam assemblies having first and second ends. A cross beam connects the first ends of the beam assemblies to form a fixed frame with the beam assemblies. The cross beam is attachable to the vehicle such that the assembly is movable along the periphery of the vehicle. The attachment includes a pair of leg members, one of the leg members being attached to one of the support beam assemblies. The leg members include hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering the support beam assemblies and wheel assemblies which can be employed as wheels when moving the attachment or as bases when the attachment is being employed to load or unload cargo. The attachment further includes a mast which is slidably attached to the beam assemblies such that it is movable along the beam assemblies. The mast is positioned between the beam assemblies.

Abstract: A crane and lift apparatus for controlling the operation of primary hoist and bridge apparatus, and gantry drive functions of the equipment. There is provided a side shift grappler apparatus to handle or pick up a truck trailer vehicle loaded with two containers and transfer the load from a roadway to a flat bed railroad car. The apparatus is adaptable to adjust or position the loaded truck trailer vehicle on the flat bed railroad car so as to place the fifth wheel of the trailer vehicle over and about the mounting stanchion of the flat bed railroad car for secure attachment thereat. The apparatus avoids the need to move the crane apparatus for only a relatively slight adjustment for positioning a loaded truck trailer on a flat bed railroad car.

Abstract: A palletizing method for articles by a robot wherein a final stacking pallet is moved as a hand portion of the robot moves, and when an article is loaded on the pallet, the final stacking pallet is made to assume a position in the neighborhood of a position where the article is gripped up by the robot hand to transfer the article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a loading and unloading station for commercial vehicles and containers consisting of a travelling unit, a roller conveyor or chain conveyor, and a transport conveyor, wherein, in accordance with the invention, the transport conveyor and the roller conveyor or chain conveyor are swivel-mounted on the travelling unit and are designed to slide in transverse direction and can be adjusted in transverse and vertical direction. In this case, the travelling unit can be mounted on a stationary or a supporting structure to move in the direction of transport and transversely thereto. The travelling unit may also be equipped with a lifting mechanism to adjust the height of the chain and transport conveyor. Furthermore, the transport conveyor may be provided with support rollers that run transversely to the direction of transport. Finally, a height equalizer may be mounted on the supporting structure.

Abstract: A process and installation for transferring pallets for loading (or unloading) a commonplace vehicle, in which trucks, coupled together in rows, are deployed under the load from an accumulation machine, loading then being effected by raising the elevator means of said trucks, followed by a translational movement of the rows in the axis of the vehicle. Then the loads are set down by controlling, from the accumulation machine, lowering of said elevation means then return of the rows of trucks into the accumulation machine.

Abstract: A driveway for tractor-trailers is elevated along one side having a side coupling runner mounted to roll on wheels in a track along the side of the driveway facing a single-arm rotary loader. The runner is longer than the tractor-trailer and has a lift push gate at one or both ends for lowering in front of the tractor to push the runner along its track and has recesses for vertical coupling rods or tubes on the loader's trailer-lifting turntable to engage in to move the loader with the tractor to rotate the loader into alignment under the trailer and lift for transfer. Then the tractor driver can release the fifth-wheel and lift the gate and drive away. The loader is further rotated or driven and disengaged from the runner before the runner is returned by motor drive. The loader can load the trailer removed from the tractor onto a railway car as in my earlier U.S. Pat. No.

Abstract: Garbage can be collected and fowarded in an economical manner by garbage trucks on which containers are detachably mounted. The containers can be lifted and removed from the garbage trucks and transferred to forwarding trucks in a simple operation. This is accomplished by the provision of a conveyor for transversely conveying the containers the conveyor having a receiving end which is dispsoed approximately on the level of the load platforms of the garbage trucks and which is provided at that end with tine-like arms, which are adapted to be moved under the containers when they have been unlocked. The arms are adapted to be lifted and lowered and to be extended from and to be retracted into the receiving end of the conveyor.

Abstract: A distribution apparatus for the distribution of piece goods to different stations which is equipped with a transporting system for the pick-up and delivery of the piece good and with a chassis adapted to be driven; in order to enable the loading and unloading of differently constructed stations, the transporting system of the distribution apparatus includes a roller or chain type conveyor and a loading fork arranged coaxially thereto, whereby the loading fork is mounted on a chassis so as to be liftable and lowerable and both the conveyor and loading fork are adapted to be driven for loading and unloading.

Abstract: Storage system for products using supporting units, comprising a staging containing a number of storeys, on one side of the staging at least one supply-conveyor and at least one entry elevating device, which is movable in a longitudinal direction along the staging, as well as a device for the input of the supporting units into the staging and on the other side of the staging at least one exit elevating device, which also is movable in a longitudinal direction along the staging and at least one exit conveyor. In each storey of the staging one or more step conveyors are mounted, which at both sides of the staging are connectable with a single driving device, which is movable vertically on the entry elevating device and the exit elevating device respectively.

Abstract: A method for loading a stack of filled cartons onto a transport vehicle includes lifting the cartons at the first station on a rotator lift truck and then rotating the cartons through an acute angle to cradle the cartons for carrying purposes. The cartons are then carried in their rotative position towards a second station, and again rotated to an upright position. The cartons are compressed at the second station and thereafter loaded onto the transport vehicle by a second lift truck. The rotator lift truck utilized for effecting the lifting, rotating, carrying and compressing steps includes a mast assembly mounted forwardly thereon and a rotator attachment mounted on the mast assembly for vertical movements and for rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: A spinning system has a spinning apparatus having a longitudinal succession of spinning stations, a creel extending longitudinally above the apparatus and having respective pendant hangers above the stations and each capable of holding a respective yarn package, and a respective slide above each station supporting the respective hanger slidable between an inner position directly above the respective station and an outer position above but horizontally offset therefrom. A reloading apparatus is displaceable longitudinally along the apparatus at least generally under the hangers in the outer positions of the respective slides. A magazine holds a supply of fresh roving packages on the reloading apparatus and a device is provided on the reloading apparatus for displacing the slide between the inner and outer positions. A grab on the reloading apparatus can grab the package on the hanger in the outer position of the respective slide.

Abstract: A stationary service unit at one end of an elongate spinning machine coacts with a supply carriage delivering bobbins wound with rovings from a flyer at a preparatory stage and loads these bobbins onto depending grippers which are movable, manually or automatically, on an overhead guide rack. The rack may form an endless loop about the machine bed or may be divided into two parallel sections flanking same; in the latter instance the service unit may be swingable about a vertical axis toward one or the other section.

Abstract: A buffer storage unit for substantially plate-like ceramic articles includes at least one carriage movable along a feed-in path and adapted to contain a plurality of articles, and being formed by plural frames laid in vertical planes and attached to a carrier structure, each frame including a pair of vertical uprights to which are attached plural horizontal bar elements which define a plurality of planes for supporting the articles. A roller carrier is operative to insert rollers through vertical spaces left between the frames in a vertical direction. Engagement elements flank the carriage and is operative to hold the rollers in position during a loading/unloading step. The engagement elements are provided with elastic members at least at one of the roller ends.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for automatically transporting works between an automated warehouse and a machine tool, and for maintaining the works in a precise position with respect to the machine tool. The system includes an automated warehouse, a pallet for precisely holding works, a truck for carrying the pallet, the truck moving along rails between the warehouse and a work exchanging apparatus adjacent to a machine tool table, and a device for positioning the pallet on the machine tool table precisely with respect to the machine tool. The work exchanging apparatus operates to transfer a pallet which holds unmachined works from the truck to the machine tool table and to transfer a pallet holding machined works from the machine tool table to the truck. The pallet, machine tool table, truck and work exchanging apparatus include means to position the pallet so that after a work is initially positioned on the pallet, the work will be precisely positioned with respect to the machine tool.

Abstract: This loader has two rotary arms which turn a load spreader fork frame off-parallel so that only one fork is extended to couple. The fork frame has a fork at each end with a cam track diagonal across the bottom engaged on the extended fork by a coupling roller extended from a vehicle to pull the fork frame to the vehicle until the roller leaves the track when the frame has engaged between pedestals on the vehicle. The frame is engaged and rotated through many more degrees and the most effective degrees of a circle for a transfer run (now over 180.degree.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a conveying apparatus especially to be used for charging a shaft furnace. The apparatus comprises a transferring device consisting of at least one carriage accommodating at least two skips with open tops. At the upper part of the skip there is, or can be attached a lifting handle. The skips are lifted to the emptying position by a lifting device including locking bars and a locking device. The locking bars are situated in relation to the pouring lip of the skip, on the opposite side of the transverse vertical plane bisecting the center of gravity, in order to tilt the skip around the locking bar.

Abstract: This is a rotary loader for transfer of cargo containers, flat beds or pallets, racks, or other loads to and from railroad cars or vehicles moving by and is rotated to turn either end to a dock or building for convenient end loading. Standard or wide end-door cargo containers can be transferred and supported on the loader and the loader turned so the door end of the container is at or over a dock so fork trucks or other vehicles can be driven over a dock board straight in and out from the cargo container. One form of the loader has two vertical posts equally spaced from a railway track or driveway and a horizontal rotary arm connected on each post to rotate parallelly through an arc with cam lift for transfer as my earlier loader, but the arms are free to be rotated differently from dead center position to rotate either end of the load to the dock or building doorway. The loader can be rotated to and from the dock by hand or by cable and winch or by a separate reversible drive or motor for each arm.

Abstract: A crane is mounted on a platform having ground engaging legs adapted to support the platform in an elevated position straddling railroad tracks so that a railway car to be loaded or unloaded is adapted to be moved beneath the platform. The legs are adapted to be displaced between raised and lowered positions relative to the platform and are in the lowered positions thereof when the platform is so ground supported. When a railway car has been moved beneath the platform, the legs are displaced toward their raised positions whereby the platform is lowered onto the car to rest on the top edges of the side walls thereof. Preferably, the legs are also adapted to be displaced laterally between extended and retracted positions relative to the platform and are retracted when the platform rests on the car to minimize lateral projection of the apparatus relative to the car.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding planar workpieces particularly in a worktable for a cutting saw wherein a reciprocating carriage moves on tracks between a feeding unit and a support table onto which planar workpieces arranged on the carriage may be deposited. When in a position closest to the feeding unit, movement of the carriage toward the support table is blocked by an alignment stop means which may be moved into and out of the path of the carriage. After a stack of planar workpieces has been placed on a grated support surface of the carriage, the carriage is moved to the support table which is composed of a plurality of rollers arranged in adjacent rows, the individual elements of the grated support surface of the carriage means being arranged to be located so that when the carriage means is coplanar with the support table, the workpieces may be transferred to the support table by lowering of the grated support surface.

Abstract: A battery changing apparatus for replacing a spent battery with a charged one on an electrically powered vehicle including a support with at least two battery support sections for supporting batteries adapted for use on an electrically powered vehicle. A spent battery is removed from the vehicle and transferred to one of the support sections. The relative positions of the apparatus for removing and transferring the battery and the support can be changed so that a charged battery can be removed from another support section. The apparatus for removing and transferring the battery can remove the charged battery from the other support and transfer it to the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically unfastening sheets of glass which are suspended vertically from pincer-like gripping means including a lifting element for lifting a sheet of glass towards the gripping means. A release means for moving the gripping means out of engagement with the sheet is included when a sheet is raised by the lifting means. The lifting means includes at least one gripper element which is movable in a horizontal direction to grip a surface of a sheet of glass.