Abstract: An article conveying equipment includes: a carrying apparatus, configured to carry one or more articles to be transported; a travelling apparatus, where the travelling apparatus includes at least two driving wheels located at the bottom of the travelling apparatus, the at least two driving wheels are configured to control the travelling apparatus to rotate in a first rotation direction; and a rotation supporting apparatus, which is located between the carrying apparatus and the travelling apparatus and connected to the carrying apparatus and the travelling apparatus respectively, where the rotation supporting apparatus is configured to rotate in a direction opposite to the first rotation direction when the travelling apparatus rotates in the first rotation direction.

Abstract: A vessel controlling device for positioning a vessel includes a base for supporting the vessel. A primary guide is coupled to the base. A secondary guide is couple to the base. The vessel impacts with the primary guide and the secondary guide. The primary guide and the secondary guide direct the vessel towards the center of the base during launching and recovering the vessel relative to the base.

Abstract: A pallet jack having first and second turn radii includes a support frame having a first end and a second end. The support frame is positionable between a raised position and a lowered position. A main wheel connects to the support frame proximate the first end while a first extensible wheel connects to the support frame proximate the second end. The distance between the main wheel and the extensible wheel define the first turn radius when the support frame is in the raised position. A ground engaging device attaches to the support frame between the main wheel and the first extensible wheel. Positioning the support frame towards the lowered position, the ground engageable device engages the ground and the extensible wheel disengages the ground. The second turn radius is thereby defined by the distance between the main wheel and the ground engaging device, which is less than the first turn radius.

Abstract: A steering device for decreasing a turning radius of a pallet jack includes a ground engaging member connected to a support member of the pallet jack between a main wheel and an extensible wheel. The load supporting member of the pallet jack is positionable between a raised position and a lowered position. A first turning radius of the pallet jack is defined by the distance between the main wheel and the extensible wheel. While the extensible wheel engages the ground when the support frame is positioned towards the raised position, positioning the support member towards the lowered position engages the ground engageable member with the ground causing the extensible wheel to disengage the ground. The main wheel and the ground engageable member then define a second turning radius which is less than the first turning radius.

Abstract: A loading device for cargo spaces in transportation means, in particular for cargo spaces in aircraft, includes a roller conveyor that contacts a substructure in a first position for placing cargo units in the cargo space. In one embodiment, the roller conveyor has contact surfaces on both sides and the substructure 3 is formed as a U-profile having a base and two webs. Both webs of the U-profile have bearing surfaces oriented at least partially inwardly and the contact surfaces are formed, such that they cooperate with the bearing surfaces in the first position and in a second position. In the second position, the roller conveyer 2 is insertable into the substructure for forming a substantially flat base surface of the cargo chamber, which serves in particular for placing vehicles into a cargo space.

Abstract: A pivoting casket carrier incoludes a pivoting bed having a predefined length and width. The bed includes a plurality of rollers disposed substantially transverse to the length of the bed for facilitating removal and placement of a casket on the bed. A pivoting mechanism is operatively connected to the bed to allow a predetermined degree of rotation of the bed about a central axis of the pivoting mechanism. A locking system is operatively coupled to the pivoting mechanism to enable operation of the pivoting mechanism to allow rotation of the bed when the locking system is in a first disengaged position, and disable operation of the pivoting mechanism to prevent rotation of the bed when the locking system is in a second engaged position.

Abstract: A hay bale pick-up device having a trailer with a deck, side wall, side bar, front wall, and tail gate; a powered track with a front end terminating in an inclined ground engaging track for transporting hay bales onto the deck; and a means for laterally moving the side bar across the track to laterally move hay bales onto the deck.

Abstract: A system and method for loading cargo as cargo units in an aircraft cargo handling system having a cargo loading bay that opens laterally of the aircraft and at least one cargo stowing bay adjacent to the cargo loading bay longitudinally of the aircraft. Two self-erecting power drive units are disposed in the cargo loading bay such that the associated rollers are oriented to propel cargo units in orthogonal directions. The two power drive units in the loading bay are also disposed adjacent to each other such that, when both are in the erected position, the rollers of each unit simultaneously engage a single overlying cargo unit. The power drive units may be simultaneously placed in the erected position with the motors de-energized, such that orthogonal orientation of the de-energized drive rollers effectively prevents movement of an overlying cargo unit engaged by both rollers, whereby the cargo unit so engaged is prevented from inadvertent movement out of the loading bay.

Abstract: A vehicle having a suspension control system that is especially applicable to an aircargo transport loader which is adapted for storage in a cargo hold of an aircraft. The suspension control system utilizes sensors to monitor the clearance between the vehicle and an underlying or overlying surface such as the ramp leading into a cargo hold or the roof of the cargo hold. The sensors relay information concerning clearance to a central control where the necessary suspension adjustments are made to allow the vehicle to avoid a clearance problem once travel is continued after stopping for the suspension adjustment. The system allows for suspension adjustments to be made either automatically or manually. The invention also includes an under deck support system which allows for limited pitch, yaw, roll and side to side adjustments to be made to the deck with respect to the underlying base frame.

Abstract: A low profile steerable power drive unit assembly (10) comprises a cylindrical frame member (22) having an annular ledge (42) extending inwardly therefrom. The ledge (42) includes a flat upper race (46), a frustoconical lower race (48) and gear teeth (82) disposed along the ring-like interface between the upper (46) and lower (48) races. A support bracket (24) is rotatably supported in the frame member (22) about a vertical axis (A) by a plurality of outwardly extending wheels (34, 36) freely rollable along the upper race (46) and the lower race (48). A motor (52) is supported in the support bracket (24) and, through a gear train, operatively engages the gear teeth (82) on the ledge (42) to rotate the support bracket (24) within the frame member (22). The support bracket (24) receives two modular power drive units in side-by-side orientation.

Abstract: A trailer capable of carrying a boat and vehicle in a dual load mode of operation wherein the boat is mounted rearwardly of the vehicle in an inclined position with the bow of the boat above portions of the vehicle being carried. The trailer is also convertible into a single load mode of operation wherein the boat is carried low in a conventional orientation by lowering a supporting boat carriage into a collapsed position near the frame of the trailer. The trailer is provided with a boat carriage which is connected to the frame of the trailer and supported by a lifting mechanism which causes the boat carriage and any supported boat to shift rearwardly when they are moved from the collapsed position into the extended raised position. This rearward movement automatically shifts the weight of the boat carriage and any supported boat rearwardly to counteract the loading associated with a vehicle on forward portions of the trailer.

Abstract: A towable truck with a rotatable platform for transferring cargo units from or to intermediate transportation devices, for handling goods in particular within airport structures. The platform comprises alternate projecting and re-entering parts which, when the truck is in its loading or unloading position, are disposed along the longitudinal sides of this latter and are suitably designed for approach and copenetration by intermediate transportation devices or the like comprising complementary terminal parts provided with motorized rollers, so as to allow automatic transfer of the cargo units.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic guided vehicle for automatically conveying parts, half-finished products and products in a factory or a warehouse. The automatic guided vehicle is provided with a horizontally turnable loading table above a travelling truck, and constructed so that a pair of right and left driving wheels of the travelling truck are rotated reversely to each other so that the travelling truck whirls to steer and a rotating force of a motor for rotating one driving wheel is transmitted to the loading table to thereby turn the loading table reversely relative to the whirling direction of the travelling truck by an equal amount of whirling of the travelling truck, whereby even when the travelling truck whirls, the loading table does not change its orientation with respect to a floor or stations.

Abstract: A device for loading and transporting elongate objects on vehicle roof-tops. A lower tubular member connected to a vehicle in an upright position and further stabilized by a support disposed between the vehicle and the lower tubular member rotatably receives an upper vertical member so that these members are aligned coaxially. A horizontal load bearing member attached substantially at its midpoint to the upper end of the upper vertical member includes rollers which allow elongate objects to be rolled onto the horizontal load bearing member. A supporting pin is placed through the lower tubular member in one pair of a plurality of pairs of holes located at 180-degree spacing for supporting the upper vertical member and allowing height adjustment of the device. Eyebolts are secured at each end of the horizontal load bearing member in one pair of a plurality of pairs of holes to provide adjustable tie down points for the elongate objects.

Abstract: A roller assembly for a boat trailer is provided which does not call for careful alignment of the boat with respect to the trailer. The assembly is inclusive of a frame and, on the frame, a roller, a mounting member and a coupling member. The mounting and coupling members are such that a limited rocking movement of the assembly is permitted, this movement coming into play in response to an offset load bearing force.