Abstract: A system for building, testing, and repairing gas turbine engines and for transporting gas turbine engines from one location to another includes a transporter and a build cell. The build cell is a frame structure supported by a plurality of pedestals for mounting the gas turbine engine thereon and is transportable by the transporter to allow assembly and disassembly of the gas turbine engine at any location. The transporter removes the gas turbine engine from either a build cell or another type of a structure at a first location and transports the gas turbine engine either with or without the build cell to a second location and loads the gas turbine engine onto either a build cell or a second structure.

Abstract: A self propelled tube bundle extractor includes a mainframe which has four hydraulically actuated wheel assemblies for propulsion and steering. An extraction frame is mounted on the main frame and is operable to translate in three directions, up and down, forward and backward, and side to side, independent of the movement of the main frame. The vertical movement of the extraction frame is established by at least two telescoping lifting columns.

Abstract: A container handling apparatus for receiving, engaging and releasing exchangeable chassis or sub-frame mounted containers, which may be truck bodies, or the like, capable of readily locking and unlocking a truck body or sub-frame to a supporting chassis is disclosed that is self-contained on the chassis. A truck body or container which may be self-supporting is also disclosed.

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: A utility trailer affording level load support to the ground has a frame and a shiftable platform supported on shafts which are journaled on the frame and on the platform in offset relation so that tilting of the platform during shifting is torsionally opposed. The frame and platform are fastened together by a snap bolt arrangement in response to movement of the platform relative to the frame.

Abstract: A semi-trailer for automotive vehicle transportation of the type whose front is coupled to a tractor (T) and whose rear rests over at least one wheel train shaft, including a substantially parallelepiped basic structure (10, 110), incorporating a front cargo platform (20, 120), a rear cargo platform (30, 130), and including at least one lower cargo platform (40, 140) and at least one upper cargo platform (50, 150) whose position can be vertically adjusted. The upper longitudinal edges of the basic structure (10, 110) has longitudinal support bars (11, 111) and the corners of the basic structure (10, 110) have front vertical columns (12, 112) and rear vertical columns (13, 113). A remount system (190) is articulately suspended between longitudinal support bars (111) of basic structure (110) by support pendula (192) and articulately attached to the longitudinal support bars (111) by positioning arms (193) in order to be longitudinally and vertically displaceable along basic structure (110).

Abstract: A hydraulic rear platform lift for an aircraft loader provides for an increased height by providing a pair of lifting levers actuated by a hydraulic cylinder-piston which extends into cutout space of a forward support frame and mates with the scissor type lifting beams of a forward lifting platform. The lifting mechanism generally consists of a chicken leg lever and tension bar with the actuating force provided by a cylinder--piston connected between the chicken leg lever and the other end of the tension bar. For even greater lifting heights, one end of the tension bar may be placed on the leg of the rear scissor beams with appropriate cutouts being provided in the rear support frame and rear elevatable platform.

Abstract: A truck which has first wheels that are fixed to the front part of a bed with arms put in between so freely as to move up and down and designed to roll backward and forward in the longitudinal direction when in touch with the ground, second wheels that are fixed to the arms with bearing arms put in between so freely as to move up and down and designed to roll right and left in the lateral direction when in touch with the ground, and a rear wheel that is fixed to the bed with a hydraulic pressure cylinder put in between and capable of changing its direction by the turning of a pumping handle which works the cylinder.

Abstract: A self-adjusting pneumatic load elevator is adapted for mounting in a pit so that it can be used with pallet trucks. The elevator has a base, a rotatable, horizontal load platform, a vertically expandable scissors linkage mechanically coupled between the load platform and the base, and an air actuator chamber. To accommodate a rectangular pit opening, the load platform has a circular, rotatable portion surrounded by a rectangular, non-rotatable transition frame which fits with small clearance in the pit opening. An automatic brake prevents the rotation of the load platform when it is flush with the floor, and lightweight, vertically movable skirts on the load platform can strike a worker's toe to warn of danger. To prevent dangerous rebounds, when the elevator fully descends, it automatically releases the air in the air actuator chamber.

Abstract: An endless track transporter is provided moving the semi-trailer of an on-highway wheeled tractor-trailer over terrain where it is desirable to exert low ground pressure. The transporter has a gate system which is controllably moveable for clearing the landing gear of the semi-trailer during hitching of the transporter to the semi-trailer.

Abstract: A wheeled suspension unit for elevating a vehicle platform from ground engagement to operational height, characterized by a lever that swings a wheel axis to and from alignment with a vertical plane extending between a raised fulcrum of the lever and a transverse axis of the vehicle, there being separate manually operable suspension units at opposite sides of the vehicle and each with a releasable latch for securing the elevated condition.

Abstract: A method of loading goods into and unloading goods from narrow spaces located some distance above ground level is disclosed. In the method, use is made of a specially designed loading truck with a drive and steering apparatus which can be driven from one place to another and including a cargo lifting apparatus suited for lifting an entire transport carriage of cargo. The apparatus also includes a lift for vertically lifting persons adjacent to the cargo lifting apparatus to thereby provide free access to the load platform. In the method, the truck is driven to the location where the cargo is standing, the cargo is lifted by the truck, the truck is driven to a position adjacent to the unloading place, the transport carriage is lifted until the uppermost layer of cargo is level with the unloading place, and the person lifting device is lifted to a convenient position adjacent the cargo and luggage is unloaded.

Abstract: This invention relates to a towable trailer, having an inner and outer frame, that function as levers, to lower the load bed horizontally to ground level. The levers are pivotally attached at the rear of the trailer. The trailer has a hinged tongue portion that when raised, allows cargo such as snowmobiles, to be driven or unloaded off of the front of the load bed while the load bed remains on ground level.

Abstract: A fire truck having a flat bed includes a conveyor system for loading a number of interchangeable firefighting modules onto the bed. The conveyor system comprises a frame carrying a number of rollers or casters which allow the units to be easily slid on and off the bed. A pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, or mechanical mechanism is provided for raising and lowering the roller frame to engage or disengage the flat bottoms of the firefighting modules. Among the various modules disclosed are a hose module having fold-down chutes which lay the hose out alongside the truck as the truck moves ahead, and a tank module, which is coupled by quick-connect hoses to the intake and discharge lines of a pump carried in the truck bed. The intake and discharge lines of the pump may double as chassis rails for the truck. Also disclosed is a ladder carrier device which pivots downwardly and rearwardly to let the ladder slide down under its own weight after a sufficient length of the ladder has been pulled.

Abstract: A portable ice cart provides both elevation adjustment and tilt adjustment for the ice hopper. The ice cart includes a support frame that allows the ice hopper to be tilted to any of a plurality of orientations about a horizontal axis, and a scissors linkage for supporting the support frame at an adjustable elevation above the base of the cart. A retractable spring-loaded pin is used to lock the ice hopper in place after the desired orientation has been reached. The elevation of the ice hopper can be raised by pumping a foot pedal that pressurizes a hydraulic cylinder and extends the scissors linkage.

Abstract: A combination material compacting and moving apparatus comprising a compactor and a cart. The compactor having a ram reciprocatingly mounted therein for compacting material onto the cart. The cart includes a lifting and dumping mechanism so the compacted materials may be transported, lifted and dumped at a remote location without the operator coming in contact with the compacted material or its container.

Abstract: A transporter vehicle comprises two lifting devices which carry respective jacks and which can be joined at their ends by cross bars to form a rectangular dolly with a central opening therein. The lifting devices each have front and rear wheels so that the dolly can be rolled on floor surfaces. In practice, the two are placed on opposite sides of a load seated on a floor in the opening between those devices, the jacks are placed under the load, the cross bars are assembled with the side frames, the load is jacked up on its opposite sides to be above the floor and the load may then be transported.

Abstract: A transporter vehicle comprises two lifting devices which carry respective jacks and which can be joined at their ends by cross bars to form a rectangular dolly with a central opening therein. The lifting devices each have front and rear wheels so that the dolly can be rolled on floor surfaces. In practice, the two are placed on opposite sides of a load seated on a floor in the opening between those devices, the jacks are placed under the load, the cross bars are assembled with the side frames, the load is jacked up on its opposite sides to be above the floor and the load may then be transported. The jacks may include linkages which cause the load to be lifted wholly vertically while not undergoing any horizontal translational movement.

Abstract: A goods vehicle has a body with upper and lower load-bearing floors and each mounted for vertical movement within the body. The upper floor is raised and lowered by a hoist. Telescopic links connect the two floors such that when the upper floor is less than a certain height above the lower floor it can move independently of the lower floor, but when the upper floor is lifted above such height it entrains the lower floor and the two floors move together. In another embodiment the two floors are fixed together for movement together over the full range of vertical movement of the upper floor.

Abstract: A system for hauling cargo containers which includes elevatable frames on which the containers are supported during transportation, loading and unloading of the containers. The frames are designed to be either directly mounted to conventional trailers or other transport vehicles or interlocked to alignment members mounted to such vehicles. The frames include support legs which are movable outwardly and pivotable vertically so as to support the frames in elevated relationship to the transport vehicles. Lifting devices are mounted on the frames to raise and lower the frames relative to the vehicles so that the containers may be loaded or unloaded relative to the vehicles without supplemental lifts or cranes. In a separate embodiment, the transport vehicles include lifting devices for elevating the frames for purposes of loading or unloading.

Abstract: A compact utility trailer for pick-up and delivery of relatively small sized lots of material is readily towable behind a variety of commonly driven vehicles such as automobiles, pick-up trucks and the like, and contains a hand operated hydraulic jack-operated forklift that allows a pallet of material to be easily seized and lifted into a transport position within the confines of the trailer. The trailer comprises a front end hydraulic jack-mounting portion, and a rear end pallet-housing portion affixed thereto within which a pallet is to be seized and transported. The front end hydraulic jack-mounting portion has a longitudinal member having a trailer hitch fixture. A floor is affixed to the front end portion, and a hydraulic jack is mounted to the floor. A driven piston of the jack is vertically translatable to engage a fork lift-translating lever unit, which is coupled to a fork lift frame supported in the rear end portion of the trailer.

Abstract: In a vehicle (10) of the type having a first frame (12), apparatus for driving and turning the vehicle (18,24), and apparatus for loading, carrying, and unloading a load (110), and wherein the apparatus for loading, carrying, and unloading a load is mounted on a second frame (78) having an underside having a seating surface (72) thereon, the improvement comprising:a third frame (54), supported by the first frame, for supporting the second frame on the seating surface and having mounted thereon a plurality of biasing elements (64) for contacting the second frame to thereby allow limited off-vertical movement of the apparatus for loading, carrying, and unloading a load with respect to the third frame.

Abstract: A system is provided for transporting large glass sheets or blanks. A-frame stanchions are removably secured to a base section to form a rack for carrying stacks of sheets supported on edge upon the base. The base section is supported above the floor or supporting surface by spacer sections which define a corridor beneath the base for removably receiving a transport dolly. The transport dolly includes lift platforms positionable beneath frame members of the base section. Inflatable air bags are adapted to raise and lower the lift platforms for selectively raising the rack to permit it to be moved about on the transport dolly. A steerable wheel arrangement is provided at the forward end of the transport dolly. Stacking posts are provided at the corners of the base whereby when empty, the A-frame stanchions can be disassembled and the racks stacked in nested relationship for return shipment and storage.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus that can be operated by one person to move an article such as a pool table, vending machine, and the like, from place to place over a floor surface. The apparatus is made of a planar base and planar platform with a structure for slidably moving the apparatus across the floor. The apparatus includes a mechanism for pivotally connecting the base and platform attached at opposing sides of the apparatus. The pivotal connecting mechanism is operable to raise and lower the platform relative the base to selectively move the apparatus between a retracted position and an elevated position. The invention further provides a method of moving an article using the apparatus. In use, an operator positions the apparatus in the retracted position underneath the article and pushes downward on the handle of the movement actuating structure to elevate the platform which then contacts the article and raises it off the floor.

Abstract: A device for the collection of domestic refuse and similar materials, comprising a number of containers which are fitted in at least one upper layer positioned above at least one lower layer. The containers in the upper layer are accommodated in a support which can be moved up and down. The containers are formed in such a way that in a lower position of the upper support, the containers of the top layer project into the containers of the layer lying below. Accordingly, the containers of each layer can be filled easily by hand while they are in the device.

Abstract: A device for transporting workpieces to be machined and worked having a base housing or frame which may be moved on wheels and a bed which holds workpieces. The bed is connected with the base frame via a scissors mechanism and can be raised by the scissors mechanism. The scissors mechanism comprises arm braces wherein one arm brace at one end is pivotally connected to the base housing and the other arm brace on one end is pivotally connected to the bed wherein the arm braces are connected to each other at approximately the center thereof via a shaft. The wheels are mounted on the shaft which connect the arm braces and the wheels are pushed out of the base housing as the bed is lowered. The arm braces on the other end opposite the pivotal connections have a free end comprising a sliding foot which slides on the housing floor. In the resting position, the sliding foot engages under a cross rod lying above the housing floor.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting and lifting a wheelless, vehicle-mounted camper cabin includes built-in jacks for safely, quickly and easily loading and unloading the camper cabin with respect to a transporting vehicle. The apparatus can be attached to the camper cabin and suspended therefrom when the camper cabin is mounted on a vehicle, and the apparatus can be used to secure the camper cabin on the transporting vehicle, while eliminating the need for tie-down chains, turnbuckles or other inconvenient means of securing the camper cabin to the transporting vehicle. The apparatus can include wheels for enabling the camper cabin to be moved about when the cabin has been removed from the vehicle and supported by the apparatus. The apparatus is also very stable to permit safe occupancy of the camper cabin when the cabin has been off-loaded from the vehicle and supported by the apparatus.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism for a no-man vehicle self-propelled and run along a guide tape installed on a floor has a lifting motor secured to a base frame of the no-man vehicle, a cam disc driven by the lifting motor, and a lifting member 6 coming into contact with the cam disc and moving up-and-down when the cam disc rotates. There are on the circumference of the cam disc the first cam face 21 formed with a radius around the axis center point B of the rotary shaft passing through the cam disc and the second cam face 20 formed with a radius around the center point A different from the center point B.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for transporting a boat and elevating the boat above a body of water utilizing a lightweight combination boat trailer and lift. A lightweight support frame carries the boat during transporting and elevating. Positioning members attached to the lightweight support frame position the boat upon the lightweight support frame in a detachable manner. Three adjustable support legs are adjustably secured to the lightweight support frame. A cable and winch assembly is utilized for elevating the lightweight support frame and is connected to the adjustable support legs to simultaneously move the adjustable support legs in the same direction. This enables the lightweight support frame to be elevated to carry the boat above the body of water or lowered to carry the boat into the body of water.

Abstract: A cargo handling and restraining system for loading, unloading, and transporting cargo containers in a carrier vehicle. The carrier is provided with a supporting floor (bed) having a plurality of tracks disposed thereon. The tracks include a channel disposed between a pair of spaced, horizontally extending members, and each container is provided with members which "ride" in the channel of the tracks to move the containers along the track. A hook assembly is provided at opposite ends and on the bottom of the containers for engaged relation with a retaining mechanism which positively locks adjacent containers together and to the track. A locking member is provided for rigidly securing the last loaded container (toward the rear of the bed) to the track. A cargo loader mechanism is provided to load and unload the cargo onto and off of the bed, and a cargo cart is provided to transport the cargo from or to a storage bin.

Abstract: A carrier for cylindrical bales of hay includes a rigid support structure for supporting a series of cylindrical bales in end-to-end relationship. Fluid power mechanisms are disposed on the support structure for moving the support structure upwardly and downwardly relative to the ground. A fluid control arrangement is accessibly mounted on the support structure and adapted for apportioning equally and automatically a flow of fluid to each of the fluid power mechanisms suck that the support structure is smoothly and evenly raised and lowered during handling of the cylindrical bales.

Abstract: For picking up and moving containers with corner castings on platforms, railway wagons or ships, two carriages are locked one to each end face of the container. These carriages have sets of wheels, which are vertically movable therein and allow displacement of the carriages in their longitudinal direction. With the wheels of each set at the same height, the carriages are in the lowest position and can be locked by locks in the corner castings of the container. By moving one wheel of each set of each carriage down, the carriage and, if locked thereto, the container are lifted for displacement. Such wheels can bridge gaps between loading surfaces and differences in height between such surfaces. The carriages may also have wheels with a horizontal axis transverse to the other wheels, to allow movement of the carriages with or without a container transversely to their longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A boll buggy includes a basket upon a wheeled frame. The basket is translationally elevated to a height so that the bottom of the basket is higher than the top of a module maker. Seed cotton is transferred from the basket into the module maker by chains running along the bottom of the basket and extended panel. Cotton is loaded into the basket on the boll buggy by moving the boll buggy alongside a cotton harvester and extending a load door from the basket to receive cotton from the cotton harvester.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted for attachment to the frame of a truck, usually within a bed of a conventional pickup truck. A generally planar base is rigidly attached to the truck frame with bolts. A platform is rotatably connected to the base with a pair of four-bar linkages, one on the right side of the platform and one on the left. The platform has a low position close to the base, and a high position that is typically 15 or 20 inches higher. A double-acting hydraulic cylinder is anchored at one end to the base and connected at its other end to the platform. Pressurizing the cylinder one way causes the platform to be raised and translated backwardly with respect to the base. Pressurizing the cylinder the other way causes the platform to be moved toward the base in a relatively slow and deliberate manner.

Abstract: A handling and transporting apparatus having a lifting and lowering frame supported by hydraulically actuated parallelograms at each end from transporting frames.

Abstract: A device (10) for raising and lowering an impaired person between the ground and a higher level for boarding and deplaning from an airplane. The device (10) comprises a wheeled frame (12) and a hydraulic lift for raising and lowering the person (14). The hydraulic lift (14) extends upwardly from the wheeled frame (12). The device (10) also comprises a platform (16) oriented transversely in relation to the hydraulic lift (14), the platform (16) being adapted for supporting the impaired person or a wheelchair in which the person reposes. The device (10) also has a protective enclosure (18) mounted upon the platform (16) which surrounds the impaired person.

Abstract: A bale carrier for carrying first, second and third rows of bales. The first row of bales are positioned on cradles positioned at one side of the carrier while the second row of bales are positioned on cradles at the other side of the carrier. A third row of bales is positioned on the tops of the first and second rows. A hydraulic cylinder having a push-off arm at the upper end thereof is positioned between bales in the first and second rows and is adapted to engage the underside of the bale in the third row of the bales positioned thereon so that the bale in the third row will be moved upwardly and laterally with respect to the bales and will be dumped from the right side of the carrier.

Abstract: This invention relates to a ground level loading universal trailer comprising a U-shaped frame; a support bed being pivotally connected to either side and near the rear end thereof to the frame which is mounted upon two stub axles having wheels mounted thereupon; a pair of clevis-like members fixedly attached to the sides and near the forward end of the support bed to receive a portion of the frame to lock the support bed in a transport mode with locking pins; a tongue device having a first tongue extension member fixedly attached to and extending forward the frame and having a second tongue extension member hingedly attached near a central portion thereof to the outer end of the first tongue extension member; and a winch mechanism mounted upon an upright elongate support member fixedly attached to the second tongue extension member for lowering and raising the support bed without any part of the tongue device being disconnected and with ease and convenience for a lone user, in particular.

Abstract: An elevating scaffold trailer is provided for transporting burley tobacco stalks impaled on tobacco rods from the field into a curing cell and subsequently out of the curing cell. The trailer comprises an elevating device for raising tobacco rod carrying devices above the height of holding racks within the curing cell. The trailer is transported into the curing cell whereby the elevating device lowers the tobacco rod carrying device below the level of the holding racks so that the tobacco rods are transferred to the holding racks. A method for gathering and transporting burley tobacco to a curing cell is also provided. The method involves using the elevating wheeled scaffold trailer to transport cut burley tobacco stalks to the curing cell and for transferring the tobacco to holding racks within the curing cell.

Abstract: A self-adjusting load elevator has a base, a horizontal load platform, a vertically expandable scissors linkage coupled between the load platform and the base, and an air actuator chamber. The air actuator chamber is formed of a compressible bellows and a fixed volume reservoir. The bellows is compressible between specified maximum and minimum bellows heights which correspondingly determine substantially different maximum and minimum bellows volumes and coupled between the scissors linkage and the load platform. The air reservoir is coupled to the bellows and has a fixed volume that is substantial compared to the difference between the maximum and minimum bellows volumes. A normally closed air inlet/outlet valve is coupled to the air actuator.

Abstract: An equipment trailer particularly designed to transport as many as two forklifts at one time, having a trap door in the bed so that a forklift may be positioned on the trailer for maintenance to the lower portions of the forklift. The bed of the trailer is mounted within a U-shaped frame which has lifting mechanisms at the front and rear of the trailer to tilt the trailer bed as desired by the operator. The bed may be locked in a travel position to the arms of the U-shaped frame in such a way that excessive torque or longitudinal twisting couplings are not exerted upon the arms.

Abstract: Wheeled elevator apparatus for use in loading and unloading freight into and out of a highway truck; the apparatus including a platform raised and lowered by hydraulic power engaging lever arms arranged in a parallelogram structure, drawbridge access ways from the platform to the truck bed and from the platform to the loading/unloading level, the access directions being perpendicular to each other, wheels for moving the apparatus from place to place, and jacks for securing the apparatus off its wheels.

Abstract: A device for gripping, handling and transporting helicopters, particularly on board ships, platforms and the like, includes a pair of gripping units located parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vessel and capable of moving transversally to the axis and parallel to one of the respective transverse guides, and under the action of drive units which are independent of one another, and traversing units parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel, and connected with corresponding longitudinal guides, along which the former are guided under the action of further independent drive units upon cocking the helicopters wheels.

Abstract: A trailer construction includes forward and rear deck surfaces arranged in a central coplanar relationship having an intermediate deck vertically adjustable relative to the forward and rear decks. A hydraulic push bar is mounted below each forward and rear deck operative to project a push bar forwardly within the forward and rear portions of the trailer structure, with each push bar having rearwardly directed cables mounted to the intermediate trailer portion to effect raising and lowering of the trailer portion relative to the forward and rear surfaces of the trailer.

Abstract: A hay bale transport has a frame consisting of a plurality of spaced inverted U-shaped frame members which are secured together in spaced parallel relation by elongated beams extending along the lower ends thereof. An elongated longitudinal alley space exists within the frame for receiving a plurality of bales to be transported. Spaced elongated bale supporting rails extend within the frame and are secured to the beams. Wheels are secured to the frame and are connected to a power unit for raising or lowering the frame with respect to a ground surface whereby bales within the alley can be raised or lowered with respect to the ground surface. An operating cab is movably secured to one of the inverted U-shaped frame members and is normally positioned within the alley, but is connected to another power unit so that the cab can be laterally moved out of the alley while the bales are being picked up, transported, and discharged.

Abstract: An apparatus for stowing a pallet mounted with a cargo into a hold of a freight vessel, which comprises: two pairs of rails installed on a floor of a hold of a freight vessel in parallel with the center line of the freight vessel; at least two rows of pallet stands, for placing a pallet mounted with a cargo, provided at least outside each of the two pairs of rails; two carriages travellable on the two pairs of rails in synchronization with each other, a vertically moveble table provided each carriage; and a lifting mechanism of the table.

Abstract: A catamaran trailer on a wheeled chassis supporting a lifting mechanism comprising two pairs of pivotable lifting arms spaced apart from one another at front and rear portions of the chassis. Each of a pair of lifting arms is integrally formed in a U-shaped construction with one of forward and rear shafts, with the shafts being connected in the preferred embodiment, by an arrangement of sprocket wheels and a chain. An operating handle attached at one end to the forward shaft causes it to rotate when the handle is raised or lowered. The sprocket wheels and chain transfer the rotational motion to the rear shaft such that front and rear lifting arms are raised and lowered simultaneously, to lower or lift the catamaran. The design enables lowering of the lifting arms below the top of the frame, which may be slid under low-profile catamarans, while maintaining a constant lifting force during operation regardless of the lifting arm angle.

Abstract: An interface system for cargo loaders which is especially suited for use with aircraft cargo loaders. The interface is secured to a deck structure forming part of the cargo loader. The interface system includes a primary interface member which can be extended or retracted with respect to the end of the deck. In addition to extension and retraction, the primary interface member can be angularly adjusted with respect to the end of the deck. In one embodiment a secondary interface member is stowed adjacent to the primary interface or nested within a recess formed in the primary interface. The secondary interface can be extended or retracted with respect to the primary interface member. The secondary interface can also be designed for angular adjustment. The primary interface also includes lateral extension members which can be varied in position to either decrease or increase the transverse length of the primary interface member.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing tobacco transplant seedlings from a plant bed by being connected to a tractor and pulled thereacross. An undercutter bar is provided at the front of the apparatus for undercutting a ribbon of soil which is then received by a conveyor defining an upwardly extending and a horizontally extending portion. A shaker mechanism provided beneath the conveyor serves to dislodge soil and smaller transplant seedlings from the seedlings as the seedlings are transported from the front to the rear of the automated apparatus. A boxing mechanism is provided at the rear of the automated apparatus which serves to fill containers with the transplant seedlings and then to deposit the filled containers upon the ground as the apparatus is pulled across a plant bed.

Abstract: A simplified, convenient and compact multi-storied parking and/or displaying rack being collapsible and movable is provided. The rack includes at least two vertically spaced parking/displaying members each of which includes a first end, two opposite sides and a second end, at least a vertically moving mechanism mounted between the two members for moving them apart from or toward each other, and at least a positioning mechanism mounted on the moving mechanism and capable of holding the two members in a vertically spaced relationship.