Abstract: A self-contained lift truck capable of loading a cargo container by engaging an end of the container, lifting the end of the container, moving the truck toward the container until it contacts the container, pulling the container forward until it is level on the truck, and then locking the container on the truck. During loading, the container never slides along the ground, avoiding damage to the ground.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for loading water bottles into a water cooler. The apparatus includes a cradle adapted to assume a horizontal position to receive a horizontally disposed water bottle that is laterally rolled into the cradle, a hinge adapted to rotate the cradle and received water bottle to a vertical position so that a water delivery aperture of the water bottle is disposed on a bottom side of the water bottle and an energy absorbing control arm assembly adapted to lower the rotated water bottle into the water cooler.

Abstract: A light-pole erecting and lowering apparatus (10) that is designed to allow a single person to install, remove and service a light pole (136) that is attached to an above-ground concrete pedestal (130). The apparatus (10) consists of an integrated unit that incorporates three major elements: a transporting dolly (12), a pole platform and pedestal attachment frame (34) and a pivoting pole-securing assembly (70). The dolly (12) includes a set of wheels (28) and casters (30) that allow the apparatus (10) to be transported over various surfaces. The pole platform and pedestal attachment frame (34) allows the apparatus (10) to be placed in either a horizontal storage and transporting position or in a vertical position. The pivoting pole-securing assembly (70) includes a pole securing platform (86) and means for allowing the platform (86) to be rotated to either a horizontal or to a vertical position and to adjust the height of an erected platform (86).

Abstract: A rectilinear framework includes a plurality of rear wheels mounted to respective right and left axles, with the right axle including a rear axle pulley cooperative with a front pulley and drive belt to effect rotation of paddle wheels to traverse an underlying ground surface and project golf balls rearwardly along a chute structure onto associated fabric webs to contain the golf balls therewithin.

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 load-transporting method and apparatus involve use of a transport vehicle, preferably a straddle truck, having connected thereto a load carrier in the form of a frame which is capable of engaging a load and elevating the same with respect to a given surface on which the load initially rests when the load-carrier is raised with respect to this surface. The connection between the load carrier and the vehicle is such that once the load is engaged by the load carrier, the travel of the vehicle with respect to the load causes the load carrier to act through its connection to the vehicle on the latter in a manner which resists the travel of the vehicle and causes the load to move frictionally with respect to the above surface on which it initially rests, the kinetic energy of the travelling vehicle and the friction of the load with respect to the surface and/or the inertia of the load being utilized to bring about elevation of the load and the load-carrier with respect to the above surface.

Abstract: Containerized freight is loaded onto a vehicle by attaching an elongated pod frame to one end of the freight container, applying a lift force to the other end of the container to reposition the container above the plane of the bed on the vehicle, backing the vehicle into the space beneath the container, and lowering the container onto the vehicle bed for transport to another location.