Abstract: An improved front-drive reciprocating slat conveyor has a plurality of sets of longitudinally extending slats spaced across the width of a receptacle floor. A cross beam is secured to each set of slats. The cross beams are secured to rod extensions that are connected to the piston rods of a hydraulic drive system by non-alignment critical connectors. The cross beams have connecting elements that engage receiving elements on the slats. The connecting elements and receiving elements are held together by pins or similar connectors. A frame extends across the width of the receptacle. Bearing guides guide and align the rod extensions when the cylinder rods are extended or retracted.

Abstract: A rail conveyor system comprises a base member supporting a rail conveyor mechanism that includes a mechanical power transfer assembly mounted within the base member. A plurality of parallel support rods mounted upon the base member is rotatable by the mechanical power transfer assembly. A plurality of parallel square tubes rests perpendicularly to and upon the support rods providing a uniform support surface above the base member. The tubes are operatively connected to the power transfer assembly for sequential, longitudinal reciprocation, perpendicular to the support rods. The support rods each include a series of indented surfaces for sequentially lowering one of the tubes relative to three adjacent tubes. The mechanical power transfer assembly provides sequential, longitudinal movement of three adjacent tubes in one direction and movement of a fourth bracketed tube in an opposite direction, while simultaneously rotating the support rods to first lower, then raise the opposite moving fourth bracketed tube.

Abstract: A bifurcated, dual-compartment trailer having a front storage compartment and a rear storage compartment, each having a power driven live floor. The storage compartments are selectively separated by a moveable or openable partition having a closed position and an open position. In the closed position the partition divides the front compartment from the rear compartment and provides a barrier that prevents bulk material contained in either compartment from mixing with bulk material in the other compartment. The trailer includes a rear door, and when opened, the rear compartment may be unloaded using the rear live floor, after which the partition may be opened and the front compartment unloaded using both the front and rear live floors.

Abstract: The conveyor floor slat is an extruded translucent UHMW polyethylene member with a top plate and two side walls. The top plate has an upwardly facing cargo support surface and a downwardly facing bearing surface between the two side walls. A support and hold down flange with a downwardly facing horizontal support surface and an upwardly facing horizontal hold down surface is integral with the bottom edge of each side wall. The UHMW polyethylene can be formed by extrusion, reduces slat weight and requires less force to reciprocate back and forth to discharge cargo than expected. A rubber like seal can be mounted in a seal holder on the outboard side of one sidewall. A seal contact flange is integral with the outboard side of the other side wall.

Abstract: An incremental urging system comprising a container structure including floor, roof, and side wall structures, and closed at a rearward end. A loading aperture is provided in the roof of the container structure for the introduction of compactable material. An incrementing urging structure traverses substantially the length of the container structure from a fully retracted position at the rearward end, to a fully advanced position at a forward or discharge end, with compactable material being ejected through a discharge gate at the forward. The incrementing urging structure is urged into incremental horizontal motion within the container structure by two cooperating mechanical systems.

Abstract: An elongated plastic slide bearing (10) comprises a top (30), sidewalls (32, 34) depending from the top (30), and connecting to walls (36, 44, 48 and 38, 46, 50) that form laterally inwardly extending recesses (40, 42). Lock ribs (62, 64) extend upwardly and inwardly from the inner walls (44, 46) of the recesses (40, 42) to upper edges (66, 68). The upper edges (66, 68) are spaced below the bearing top (30). The bearing (10) is adapted to be set down onto a support beam (14) that includes laterally outwardly projecting lock flanges (22, 24) at its top. The lock ribs (62, 64) contact the lock flanges (22, 24). When the bearing (10) is pushed downwardly, the lock ribs (62, 64) bend outwardly and allow the lock ribs (62, 64) to move into a position below the lock flanges (22, 24). When that happens, the lock ribs (62, 64) assume substantially unstressed positions in which their upper edges (66, 68) are below the lock flanges (22, 24).

Abstract: A bale wagon for large bales that uses a load rack made of a plurality of longitudinal spaced-apart channel members that move in segments to transfer the load rearwardly for unloading. A tilting bed round bale unloader deposits bales one tier at a time onto their cylindrical surfaces on the ground.

Abstract: A system for carrying refuse and other materials can be used in combination with a transport vehicle. More particularly, the system can be part of a trailer for a transport vehicle. The system has a frame to which a load-bearing platform is attached. The platform has a plurality of elongated slats, each of which is engaged with a slat bearing bar such that the slats are spaced so as to permit liquid to seep between them. A drive mechanism is attached to the slats for displacing them. A tray is attached to the frame and extends beneath the elongated slats so as to catch liquid waste that seeps between the slats.

Abstract: In a method and conveyor for conveying a solid material by means of parallel, oblong transfer elements that move back and forth in the direction of transfer, most of the surface of the transfer elements moves in the direction of transfer at the same time and at least part of the surface thereof is inclined towards the center of the conveyor. Pieces of material lying on inclined outermost transfer elements are carried on a lower longitudinal part of the transfer elements, the angle of inclination of the part about the longitudinal axis being smaller than the angle of inclination of the upper part thereof. Thus, the support force exerted by the transfer elements on the pieces lying thereon, and the friction force between them and the pieces lying thereon, increase.

Abstract: A slat conveyor includes both lifting slats (10) and conveying slats (12). Longitudinal movement of drive members (34) move lifting blocks (32) up lifting ramps (30). The tops of the lifting slats (10) rest on the lifting blocks (32) and the lifting slats (10) move upwardly with the lifting blocks (32). When the lifting slats (10) are in a “down” position, their upper surfaces are below the upper surfaces of the conveying slats (12). Advancing movement of the conveying slats (12) advance a load (L) that is on the conveying slats (12). At the end of a forward movement of the conveying slats (12), the lifting slats (10) are raised into an “up” position, lifting the load (L) above the upper surfaces of the conveying slats (12). Then, the conveying slats (12) are retracted while the load (L) is held by the lifting slats (10).

Abstract: Bolt fasteners extend through a bottom wall (38) in longitudinal guide beams (14), to secure the guide beams (14) to transverse frame members (70, 72). The guide beams (14) include sidewalls (40, 42) which extend upwardly from the bottom wall (30) to laterally outwardly extending top flanges (44, 46). The bolts may be installed from above by use of a tool that is inserted into the space between the sidewalls (40, 42). After the guide beams (14) are secured to the frame members (70, 72), bearing/seal members (48) are friction-fitted onto the tops of the support beams (14). Conveyor slats are installed in the spaces between the support beams (14). The conveyor slats (10) include side portions (20, 22) which extend laterally outwardly into positions above the bearing/seal members (48). The side members (20, 22) include downwardly extending beads B which contact the upper surfaces (62) of the bearing/seal members (48).

Abstract: A device for withdrawing debris, for example compost material, stored on a sliding base with longitudinally displaceable boards. A mobile driving unit having at least one driving device can be coupled/uncoupled to at least one section of the sliding base boards in at least one coupling position. The sliding base boards can be at least partially guided into and out of the driving unit. Once guided in, the ends of the sliding base boards remain in the driving unit during the longitudinal back and forth motion of the sliding base boards.