Abstract: An apparatus for deployment and retrieval of section dividers includes a frame, a deployment rail, a first section divider carrier rail, and a second section divider carrier rail. The structure includes a first end of the first section divider carrier rail coupled to a first end of the deployment rail and a first end of the second section divider carrier rail coupled to a second of the deployment rail. A first actuator coupled to the first end of the first section divider carrier rail. A second actuator coupled to the second end of the first section divider carrier rail. The structure further includes a first deployment and retrieval system coupled to the first section divider carrier rail, wherein the first deployment and retrieval system guides a first retrieval body at a first end of a first section divider from the deployment rail to the first section divider carrier rail.

Abstract: A container transfer system is disclosed. The container transfer system includes a conveyance mechanism configured to support a container and move the container along a first axis, and a lift mechanism configured to raise and lower the conveyance mechanism.

Abstract: The tractor trailer conveyor system is installed as a flooring surface within the trailer. The tractor trailer conveyor system allows for the loading and unloading of cargo without requiring entrance into the trailer. Cargo is loaded onto the tractor trailer conveyor system from the rear door of the trailer. The conveyor system then transports the cargo towards the front of the trailer until adequate space has been made within the trailer to receive the next cargo item that is to be loaded onto the trailer. The same procedure is used to unload the trailer using the tractor trailer conveyor system with the exception that the direction of movement of the flooring is reversed. The tractor trailer conveyor system comprises a conveyor system and a control system. The conveyor system transports the cargo loaded within the trailer. The control system is used to operate the conveyor system.

Abstract: A tennis ball pick-up cart comprises a chassis including a pair of driven wheels and a pair of steering wheels. A ball collection case is coupled to the chassis. A ball pick-up mechanism includes a concave ball guiding plate laterally placed under two vertical side plates. The ball pick-up mechanism also includes a fixing shaft and a rotating shaft each laterally extending between the vertical side plates. Synchronous belt pulleys are provided on the fixing shaft and the rotating shaft. Two synchronous belts are assembled with two of the synchronous belt pulleys. Laterally placed ball-moving plates are evenly distributed on an outer surface of each of the synchronous belts. Each of the ball moving plates includes a ball moving surface perpendicularly connected to the outer surface of each of the belts. An electric motor drives the driven wheels and the rotating shaft.

Abstract: A tennis ball collection device includes a rotating drum that rotates at a higher speed than the rotation of the wheels that carry the device. Additionally, the drum rail that operates in connection with the rotating drum to lift a ball off of a ground is allowed to move in the horizontal direction. This back and forth movement is facilitated by a spring that otherwise biases the drum rail forward to a rest position.

Abstract: A tennis ball collection device includes a rotating drum that rotates at a higher speed than the rotation of the wheels that carry the device. Additionally, the drum rail that operates in connection with the rotating drum to lift a ball off of a ground is allowed to move in the horizontal direction. This back and forth movement is facilitated by a spring that otherwise biases the drum rail forward to a rest position.

Abstract: An implement for transporting and wrapping large round bales of forage material includes an elongated transporter having longitudinally extending rails and an endless chain associated with each rail to move large bales of forage material rearwardly along the rails toward the bale wrapper connected to the rearward end of the transporter. The bale wrapper can be devoid of wheels and is carried between job sites on top of the transporter bed, being loaded and unloaded through use of the endless chains associated with each rail. The bale wrapper receives operative power from the transporter drive mechanism. A bale loader elevates round bales from the ground onto the rails. Once fully loaded, a push gate pushes the round bales rearwardly toward the bale wrapper.

Abstract: In a method for the automatic control of blood pumps, an optimization of the blood flow is achieved by periodic speed interventions and flow changes thereby occurring, using a formed differential variable and a control algorithm. In addition, the location of possible flow resistances on the venous or arterial side can be ascertained.

Abstract: A ball retrieval device that picks up tennis balls from the ground and vertically elevates them into a cart. The ball retrieval device includes an L-shaped frame including a first section and a second section. A feeder system is located on the horizontal section of the L-shaped frame and a paddle wheel system is connected to the feeder system. A lift system is located on the vertical section of the L-shaped frame.

Abstract: A tennis ball collection device includes a rotating drum that rotates at a higher speed than the rotation of the wheels that carry the device. Additionally, the drum rail that operates in connection with the rotating drum to lift a ball off of a ground is allowed to move in the horizontal direction. This back and forth movement is facilitated by a spring that otherwise biases the drum rail forward to a rest position.

Abstract: A procedure and system for unloading a compacted cotton module from an on-board module builder of a cotton harvester, which in an automatic mode utilizes a controller to automatically monitor ground speed and operate unloading apparatus at a synchronized ratio to ground speed, for maintaining integrity and shape of the module, and which is quickly and easily switchable between the automatic mode and a manual mode that allows an operator to position and operate the unloading apparatus independent of ground speed for purposes such as placing the module at a precise location such as next to an already unloaded module or the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a loading platform (2,3) for displacing goods, comprising a support frame for goods (8) and at least one double roller device (7,9) arranged in longitudinal direction, wherein the double roller device comprises a number of first roller elements (9) situated at regular mutual distances and having a rolling surface (15), and a number of second roller elements (7) situated above the first roller elements and having a rolling surface (15), and wherein the rolling surface of the first roller elements lies against the rolling surface of the second roller elements, characterised in that the roller elements engage movably on the frame in vertical direction.

Abstract: My invention, titled “The Brass Magnet”, is a device, which can be utilized by anyone participating in the use of firearms, whether, civilian, military, or law enforcement. The device will be used to collect the spent cartridge casings, after they have been extracted from a firearm. The device will be constructed of a handle which is attached to a cylindrical shaped drum. The drum is made up of spokes, which are spaced slightly smaller than the cartridge case. The device will be rolled over the area where the spent cartridge casings have fallen. The pressure or weight of the device will cause the casings to squeeze through the spokes, thus collecting the casings inside the drum, where they can be disposed of or collected.

Abstract: A system is described herein including a load port which allows various pod sizes, including 200 mm and 300 mm, add various configurations, including front opening and bottom opening, to operate with a BOLTS interface, or simply with a vertical port on the front end of a process tool in configurations not including the BOLTS interface.

Abstract: A substrate load lock comprising a frame and a substrate support movably mounted to the frame. The frame forms at least three chambers. The substrate support has at least two separate support areas. The first one of the support areas is movable between the first one of the chambers. A second one of the support areas is movable between the second chamber and a third one of the chambers.

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: An apparatus is provided for scooping up articles typically golf balls, from the ground comprising a rotary scoop 16 which can rotate about an axis 18 extending parallel to the ground 14. The scoop 16 is provided with three elongate elements uniformly spaced in the radial direction about and extending parallel to the axis of rotation 18. A curved plate 32 is located behind the scoop 16 in the direction of travel D of the apparatus 10. The plate 32 has a lower edge 34 extending parallel to the ground 14 at a height to prevent the passage of the golf ball to fall between the edge 34 and the ground 14. A cylindrical receptacle 38 is located between the elongate elements 20 and has its longitudinal axis coincident with the axis of rotation 18. An opening 40 is formed along the length of the receptacle 38 near an upper edge 42 of the place 32. A golf ball 12 scooped by the scoop 16 is guided by plate 32 so as to fall by the action of gravity through opening 40 into the receptacle 48.

Abstract: A micro-environment load lock for coupling a SMIF-type box containing a stack of semiconductor wafers directly to a wafer processing chamber includes a load lock chamber in communication with at least one wafer processing tool. The load lock also includes a seal operable to accept and sealably couple a SMIF-type box to the load lock chamber such that SMIF-type box becomes an extension of the load lock chamber, and provides a base that is selectably operable to open and close the SMIF-type box and to selectably draw a cassette of wafers from the SMIF-type box through a port in communication with the load lock chamber and into the load lock chamber. The base is also operable to seal the port in the absence of a SMIF-type box. A single robot is provided in conjunction with the load lock chamber for moving one wafer at a time between the cassette of wafers and the process chamber.

Abstract: A highway marker manipulating apparatus comprising a pair of gripper wheels spaced apart to engage and apply pressure onto the side edges of the base flange of a highway marker. The wheels are spaced apart by a loading magazine between the wheels and directing the marker flanges into gripped engagement with the gripping faces of the opposing wheels; and a guide panel between the outer portions of the wheels to guide the flanges of the markers being retrieved off the pavement. A stripper guide is provided between the wheels for urging the flanges of the markers toward the outer periphery of the wheels as the flanges are also engaging the peripherally extending guide panels as to turn the markers and move the markers along the stripper bars which carry the markers to the upper periphery of the wheels. Stabilizing guides or runners are provided to be removably mounted at the lower portion of the gripper wheels to receive the flanges of dispensed markers therebeneath for stabilizing the markers on the pavement.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving golf balls comprises a structure which may be dragged behind or pushed by a tractor. The structure comprises a plurality of golf ball containers which are individually and flexibly connected to the dragging structure. Rearwardly converging guide means are also flexibly connected to the dragging structure for guiding golf balls into front openings in each of the ball containers. In front of each ball container opening is a lift gate comprising a plurality of fixed strands and a lowermost pivotable strand for dislodging partially buried golf balls. A paddle structure rotates in conjunction with the lift gate to assist golf balls upwardly into the container and the paddle structure is connected to ground engaging wheels which rotate as the apparatus is dragged in operation.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an automatic loading/unloading material mover. The mover includes a wheeled vehicle having a tiltable bed with a live floor and a non-driven wheel and is used to load and unload heavy objects, such as cotton modules. Pulse-generating magnetic sensors are used to measure the displacement of both the non-driven wheel, and hence the vehicle, and the live floor. The displacement of the live floor is controlled by the synchronization system and method which includes a digital processor to match the displacement of the vehicle so that heavy modules being loaded or unloaded are not torn apart.

Abstract: A load transfer device for loading or unloading an entire storage compartment, such as the interior of a freight hauling trailer, in one cycle includes a long vertically flexible load support and transfer member that is as long and as wide as the storage compartment and which has a chisel-like leading edge to slip under freight articles resting on a floor, the transfer member being empowered by a motor mounted on it at the rear end to move longitudinally in and out of the storage compartment.

Abstract: A highway marker cone dispenser and collector is provided. A rotatable cone conveyor moves the cones between upper and lower locations, the lower location being near the ground, and has a cone stripper for removing cones from the conveyor at either the upper or lower location. The device may be vehicle mounted for simultaneous rotational and translational movement.

Abstract: Trash handling apparatus that includes a hopper mounted to tilt to a dump position off a trailer, a friction wheel to engage a wheel of the trailer and to be turned by forward movement of the trailer, reeling in a cable of a drum system so as to tilt the hopper back to an upright position after dumping where at it is locked in place until the hopper is again to be dumped.

Abstract: A tennis ball retrieving apparatus comprises a wheeled vehicle having a front end and a rear end. The vehicle has a ball storage container disposed at a level enabling ready removal of balls therefrom by a person next to the vehicle while the person is in a standing position. There are a pair of horizontal ball gathering arms at the front of the vehicle arranged in V formation to provide an apex portion to which gathered balls are fed. A pair of the wheels of the wheeled vehicle are in traction contact with the surface on which the vehicle is supported to be driven thereby in rotary fashion as the vehicle is moved over the supporting surface. The wheels are supported with the lower portions of the tires spaced from one another less than the diameter of a tennis ball so as to grip the same when a ball is fed thereto. A chute extends from the area just rearwardly of the lower portions of the tires upwardly to the storage container.

Abstract: An apparatus designed to facilitate the unrolling of baled hay has a main frame mounted onto a tractor or other vehicle. An upstanding arm attached to the frame carries a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly, which assembly supports and selectively positions an axle and wheel. The axle is positioned so that the wheel contacts a tire of a vehicle. As the vehicle causes the tire to rotate, the wheel is also rotated but in the opposite direction from that of the tire. The wheel is driven by the vehicle against a rolled bale of hay. As the vehicle is driven, the wheel abuts the bale of hay and causes it to unroll.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking up surface litter on the ground includes a movable main frame towed by a lightweight vehicle. A roller carriage pivotally attached to the main frame supports identical front and rear oppositely rotating tandem rollers each having ground engaging rows of resilient fingers. The rollers are driven by a ground engaging drive wheel and sprocket gear arrangement. The resilient fingers spread apart to entrap litter and mesh between the rollers to transfer litter downstream, to a main frame conveyor for containment within a trash drum. A pair of wiper blades completely dislodge litter entrapped between the roller fingers and cooperate with upper portions of each roller to define a transfer path towards the conveyor. In a second embodiment, the trash drum is pivotally secured to the main frame to control the height of the drum discharge opening. In a third embodiment, a rectangular, box-like main frame is supported by a rear panel door of a dump truck.

Abstract: A mobile spreader unit comprises a tractor and a detachable hopper. The latter is defined by tapering front and rear walls and has a breadth permitting it to fit in between the rear wheels of the tractor. There is an elongate spreader opening in the bottom of the hopper, and an agitator adjacent to the mechanism driven by a roller to be brought into contact with one of the rear wheels of the tractor. Pivots at the front wall of the hopper are attachable to brackets at the tractor, and are located so the point of gravity of the hopper tends to tilt it away from the tractor. In its furthermost tilted position the rear wall will be substantially parallel to the ground, and the hopper may then be used to scoop up particulate material to be spread. A pressure fluid actuator raises the hopper to an upright position, in which finally the roller contacts the rear wheel of the tractor and drives the agitator.

Abstract: A self-loading material transporter utilizes a conveyor system having a continuous, flexible conveyor belt. A plurality of rollers is positioned below the upper surface of the conveyor system to support the load bearing portion of the conveyor belt as it passes over the upper surface of the conveyor system. The conveyor belt can be rotated in either a forward or reverse direction to either load or unload the material transporter. The conveyor system may be mounted on a truck, trailer, or other vehicle. The conveyor system may be tilted into an inclined position to load or unload material from the ground or it can be operated in a horizontal position to load or unload material from an elevated loading dock.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling sod includes a wheeled frame for moving along the ground and a forward frame section which is adapted to receive pallets of sod adjacent thereto. A conveyor is coupled to the frame for transporting pieces of sod between the pallet and the ground. A pair of foot supports are attached on either side of the wheeled frame for allowing workers to stand thereon while handling the sod either along the conveyor or on the pallet. The foot supports extend forward from adjacent a rear end of the conveyor to adjacent the pallet of sod.

Abstract: Athletic discus retriever for lifting a discus from the ground surface and projecting it toward a retrieval area including a vehicle or cart having a set of inclined support members extending between a novel work surface and handles. The work surface includes discus erecting members or guide surfaces so that after the discus is scooped up when moving the cart forward and retrieving the discus in a flat position on the work surface, by then tilting the cart handles down and rearwardly the discus will fall along the guide surfaces so that when the discus responds to the force of gravity, the discus is guided to a vertical position resting upon its edge. The cart is provided with a spring and release mechanism which upon proper operation projects the discus toward a retrieval area adjacent a discus court by rolling it along the ground surface.

Abstract: A trailer for loading and unloading fences and includes two rollers at the rear of the trailer for assisting passage of fence sections onto the trailer. The rollers are drawn via a pulley which is movable into and out of contact with a wheel of the trailer. A sprocket is connected to the pulley and one roller and an endless chain engaged the sprocket to drive the rollers. The trailer may be tilted relative to its drawbar to assist in loading and unloading the fences.

Abstract: An automatic loading platform for facilitating the loading and unloading of palletized loads is provided. The platform comprises an upper surface and an inclined ramp. A plurality of rotatable drive rollers extend above the upper surface to support a load, and the upper surface includes a plurality of air exit ports to provide a fluid bearing surface for the load. The drive rollers rotate in response to the rotation of carrier rollers and wheels, such response occuring only after air is supplied to the frame, and after the carrier rollers rotate in response to translational movement of the platform. A method for unloading a load from the platform by creating relative motion between the platform and load is thereby provided.

Abstract: A tiltable bed is provided with a set of toothed chains and a control system therefor so that the chains are moved along the length of the bed at a linear speed which corresponds to the linear speed of movement of the bed relative to the ground and independent of the rate of movement of ground engaging means directed to move that bed along the ground: thereby there is no strain put on a cotton module engaged and caused to traverse the length of such bed by those moving chains while being lifted or lowered during adverse traction conditions.

Abstract: A handcart for retrieving tennis balls lying on a ground or floor surface and comprising a wheeled support structure adapted to be wheeled along said surface, a ball collection receptacle supported on said structure at approximately waist level about said surface, and means supported on said structure for picking up balls lying on said surface and depositing the picked-up balls in said receptacle.

Abstract: A conveyor-trailer for transporting cotton, which is mounted on a long-bed truck trailer. The conveyor-trailer is pivotally mounted on the bed of the truck trailer and hydraulic means moves the conveyor-trailer between a horizontal position and a position inclined upwardly toward the forward end of the truck trailer. Mounted on the conveyor-trailer is a servo mechanism which engages automatically a wheel on the truck trailer when the conveyor-trailer is in the inclined position and disengages automatically the wheel on the truck trailer when the conveyor is in the horizontal position. An hydraulic drive motor is connected to the conveyor of the conveyor-trailer to impart movement thereto under the control of the servo mechanism. When the servo mechanism is spaced from the wheel of the truck trailer, the conveyor of the conveyor-trailer is idle.