Abstract: Elevator cabs are transferred between elevators, which may be shuttles, in various levels of a building, such as transport floors, in response to car calls registered in the cabs and hall calls registered on the transport floors. The cabs may be transferred from carriages or bogeys onto elevator car frames in a lateral direction, which is perpendicular to the motion of the cab on a carriage or bogey, or in a longitudinal direction which is the same as the direction of motion of a cab on a carriage or bogey. The horizontal/vertical control and transfer may be effected in response to the arrival at transport floors of elevators having cabs therein, or in response to the arrival at an elevator of a bogey carrying a cab which must be transported between a transport floor on one level of a building and a transport floor on another level of a building, in order to serve the need of a car call registered therein or a hall call.

Abstract: A lift for persons needing assistance in moving from a seated position to a standing position, includes an elongated seat raiseable by a jack under the seat and supported on a base assembly. The elongated seat includes stabilizer arms which extend on opposite sides of an adjacent post into engagement with a remote post for sliding engagement when the elongated seat is being raised.

Abstract: Wheelchair lift (10) includes a platform (12) mounted on a carriage (14) for vertical travel between the ground and an elevated location along a mast structure (16) through the use of a linear, lift actuator (18). Platform (12) includes an upper main section (20) and a lower movable section (22) that is horizontally extendible and retractable by a linear, platform actuator (24). The actuators (18) and (24) are cooperatively interconnected with and controlled by a power system (28) so that platform (12) is raised to a desired height before the movable section (22) is extended, and conversely the movable section (22) is fully retracted before the platform (12) is allowed to lower to the ground.

Abstract: An improved gantry crane that has a control cab mounted for vertical up and down movement substantially parallel with respect to the upstanding columns of the crane between a lowermost position adjacent the ground and infinite positions within a fixed range. One or both of the sill beams of the crane include a downwardly offset mid-portion extending adjacent to the ground but spaced therefrom with the mid-portion of one of the sill beams being positioned to receive the control cab when in the lowermost position thereof. A supporting beam supports the control cab therebeneath so that the operator in the cab has a 360 degree substantially unobstructed view in all directions.

Abstract: A transport means for transporting pieces three-dimensionally, wherein the sections belonging to a section pair (1.sup.1, 1.sup.2, 4.sup.1, 4.sup.2) are box-like; a traction member (14.sup.1, 14.sup.2 ; 16.sup.1, 16.sup.2) has been disposed over its essential length inside the section (1.sup.1, 1.sup.2 ; 4.sup.1, 4.sup.2) and secured to the carriage with a tension means (31); and the transport means comprises return sheaves (15; 17), which have been placed in pairs, spaced at the distance of the section, with the carriage (2.sup.1, 2.sup.2 ; 5.sup.1, 5.sup.2) between the return sheaves; and the traction member has been disposed to run from the carriage over the return sheaves back to the respective carriage for forming a closed loop of the traction member and the respective carriage; and a power means (3, 6) has been arranged to move the traction member and by its mediation, the respective carriage.

Abstract: Freight handling apparatus for unloading stacks of beverage containers supported on pallets within bay wells of a beverage delivery truck having floors tilted inwardly and downwardly toward the center of the truck includes a wheeled frame having an upstanding mast on which a vertically movable carriage is supported mounting a pair of forwardly projecting lifting forks engageable with the pallet load. A hydraulic lifting jack is operable for raising and lowering the forks. A hydraulic tilting jack acts between a set of rear wheels and the back of the frame for selectively elevating the back of the frame relative to the front so as to angle the fork tines downwardly from horizontal to correspond in inclination to that of the floor of the bay wells. The downward angling of the fork tines enables them to be inserted into the correspondingly angled pallet load, and the forks thereafter elevated to lift the pallet load for subsequent removal from the bay well.

Abstract: An invalid assistance device mounted on a wall in which a supported locked and guided flexible line is used to stabilize an invalid in the range of desired vertical positions from sitting to standing while a single attendant can work with the stabilized invalid.

Abstract: A drum, container and the like of a flowable material is placed and retained on a container support assembly of a lifting and tilting apparatus. This lifting and tilting apparatus includes a telescoping column attached to a base support. Interior of the column is a hydraulic cylinder for lifting the sliding portion of the tubular column. As the sliding portion is lifted the container support is lifted at twice the lift rate of the column. The container support is independently tilted at any convenient height between the lifting extent of the apparatus. The tilting of the container support is provided by an air operated gear-motor carried on a moveable carriage. The moveable carriage and gear-motor are fully contained interior of the telescoping column. A slot is provided in the telescoping column to allow the independent lifting and tilting of the container support by an operator.

Abstract: An overhead storage system particularly suitable for installation within a garage, includes a lift arrangement for receiving and delivering articles to be stored. The lift arrangement includes a mechanism for elevating the articles between a lower position where they can be placed on or removed from the lift arrangement by a person standing on the garage floor, and an upper position a certain distance above the lower position. In the disclosed embodiment, a storing mechanism operates to retrieve articles from or to deliver articles to the lift arrangement at the upper position, and to transport the articles between the upper position and a storage area offset from the upper position which area is at a storage level above and clear of the garage floor.

Abstract: An arrangement for the transportation of a heavy package of a vessel to a quay or similar loading location uses a first apparatus for transportation of the package in a vertical direction and a second apparatus for transportation in a horizontal direction. A support member in which the package is placed is alternately raised and lowered by a set of lifting devices. The support member and a support element are also supported separately and alternately on a foundation via climbing arrangements. The support member and support element are moved in a stepwise lifting movement or in a stepwise lowering movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for displacing an article or a person in parallel with the curvature of and in proximity to a surface of variable profile possessing convex and/or concave parts, as the case may be, comprising a support for the article to be displaced in the vicinity of the surface, having at least two guide rollers, engaged respectively in each of two separate rail-forming grooves made in a structure for bearing on the ground which is moveable and which is located as near as possible to the surface, this structure having a profile corresponding substantially to that of this surface, the two rollers being arranged in their respective grooves in such a way that they are always separated by an invariable distance, a motor being provided for displacing the rollers in their grooves, wherein the grooves receiving the rollers are open outwards and provided on either side of a upright belonging to the bearing structure, these grooves having different profiles which are a function of the curvature of the surface and whic

Abstract: A lift for raising and lowering large cylindrical tanks, which when filled with a fluid such as liquid nitrogen are very heavy, is provided with a base consisting of two parallel beams, each with a wheel at each end and a cross beam closer to one pair of wheels than the other to leave a U-shaped part of the base that may be positioned around a tank. An upright telescoping beam has a horizontal rod at its upper end that engages an eye on a strap welded to the tank. When the upright telescoping beam is extended by a jack having one end on a seat secured to a hollow beam and the other end secured to the telescoping beam, the cylinder is raised in a nearly vertical position. Side struts aid in supporting the upright hollow beam, and each side strut supports a bumper rod that prevents the tank from dragging on the upright hollow beam. Pulleys with V-belts are positioned on the bumper rods to prevent the tank from dragging on the bumper rods.

Abstract: A general cargo crane for unloading general cargo from a ship's hold, in particular general cargo placed on a pallet, comprises a continuously operating conveyor in a shaft of which at least the bottom part is vertically displaceable. To solve the problem how general cargo can be introduced into the continuously operating conveyor smoothly and with a minimum of manpower, provision is made at the lower end of the shaft (4) for a cage-type frame (15) which is provided at least one side with a deposit platform (16a, 16b) and lifting elements (17, 18) for moving the deposit platform between a lower position in which general cargo can be deposited on the platform and a higher position in which the general cargo can be transferred to the continuously operating conveyor.

Abstract: A device for providing sideward displacement of a vehicle having vertically adjustable members such as a forklift truck, comprising at least one displacement member attached to said vertically adjustable member, said displacement member being pivotably movable from an active position to an inactive position, said device including a pedal to move the displacement member from said inactive position to said active position upon raising said adjustment member to a raised position, whereby lowering of said adjustable member causes contact of said displacement member with the ground, and whereby continued lowering of the adjustable member permits pivoting of the displacement member towards its inactive position to simultaneously displace at least a portion of the vehicle in a sideward direction.

Abstract: A wafer boat transfer tool has an upper fork and a lower fork which may be differently configured for supporting wafer boats in different ways. The same tool may be used to transfer boats in one or more steps from locations where they are supported in one way to other locations where they are supported in the same or a different way. Also, the tool may be used to transfer more than one boat at a time without excessive travel in a direction parallel to the boat loader axis.A versatile wafer designed for use with two different forks of the tool may be utilized with different boat loaders and a common wafer transfer machine and in-process storage nests.

Abstract: An incubation chamber for incubating a number of microbiological test trays such as susceptibility trays and identification trays holds a number of tray carriers in a pair of stacks. An elevator is provided to move any given carrier to a position at which it can be removed from the incubation chamber and moved to an inspection station at which the trays thereon may be inspected to determine the results of the microbiological tests. The image of the test tray at the inspection station is processed to determine test results.

Abstract: An industrial elevator for automatically handling paper rolls at high volume is described. The elevator includes load-receiving platforms at both the initial and final floor levels, interconnected by a chain suspension system such that each platform travels only one-half the distance between floors, meeting at an intermediate level where the roll transfers from one platform to the other before continuing on to the discharge level. Each platform includes a stop arm system which receives a roll, rolling on its lateral edge, absorbing its dynamic energy and bringing the roll to a stop. The roll is cradled on the stop arm such that, on positive release, a rolling motion is imparted to the roll and it rolls from the discharging platform.

Abstract: A tool for picking up and releasing washers which uses a retractable rod member that is insertable into the washer and directs jets of pressurized air alternately onto the bottom surface of the washer to cause the latter to be picked up and onto the top surface of the washer to cause the latter to be released.

Abstract: A highly maneuverable straddle carrier vehicle structure is provided for dling various sizes of containers and outsized loads over rough, unleveled, weak and unprepared soils to meet austere requirements which are beyond the capability of commercial straddle lifts that normally operate on prepared surfaces within specific boundaries of yards and docks. Features include high flotation tires capable of operation over marginal terrain, fording capability, all wheel 360 degree steering and offset wheel yokes which permits automatic changing of wheelbase dimensions for rugged sloping terrain operations and wheel positioning for optimum mobility including lateral and oblique movement and vehicle rotation within its own length for a variety of close quarters operations. Load stabilization devices permit container securing during transit and hinged transverse members operate to reduce torsion and bending moments on the vehicle structure over severe terrain.

Abstract: Flowable materials such as slurry explosives are transported down a mine shaft by providing a pipeline from the surface to the level in the mine where the material is needed. A plug is slidably and sealingly positioned within the pipeline and connected through a cable to a winch whereby the plug can be raised or lowered within the pipeline. With the plug near the top of the pipeline, material is loaded into the pipeline on top of the plug. The plug and material are then lowered to the desired depth in the mine and the material drained from the pipeline.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming and transferring a matrix arrangement of batteries which has two interrelated parts. A matrix-forming device which receives a plurality of batteries therein on base rollers space the batteries and which arranges the batteries on the base rollers into a matrix of rows of batteries. Pivoted spacing rollers from the battery adjacent thereto, and a shuttle moves the batteries transversely across the base rollers. Limit switches are provided to control the movement of the shuttle. Secondly, a transfer frame fits within the matrix-forming device, and fits around and expands tightly against the batteries in the matrix-forming device to hold the batteries tightly on at least two sides thereof. The transfer frame is adapted to to lifted so that the batteries may be lifted from the matrix-forming device in their matrix formation.

Abstract: A work conveying apparatus for transporting work pieces through a plurality of treating stations including a work rack for supporting the work pieces which is tiltable, according to one embodiment of the invention, in one direction when in a raised position to facilitate drainage of solution from the work pieces and is tiltable in an opposite direction to facilitate escape of gases from the work pieces when the work rack is immersed in a treating solution. The work rack further includes pivotally mounted work holders thereon which are movable to and from a work piece supporting position to a work piece discharge or unloading position to facilitate automatic loading and unloading of work pieces therefrom. The conveying apparatus further includes an unload station including a guide for retaining the work rack in a fixed position and includes a device for aligning the rack with the guide during its descending movement.

Abstract: A log lifting device is described that includes an upstanding post with an attached flexible strand. The flexible strand, such as a chain, releasably connects the post to a jack. Guide members on the post cause the flexible strand to extend generally parallel to the post for a substantial portion of the length of the post. The flexible strand may include a thin, rigid extension at one end to enable the strand to be threaded under a log to be lifted. The end passed under the log to be lifted is then attached to a jack. The log is raised upwardly generally parallel the length of the support member in response to an upward force applied by the jack.

Abstract: The remote docking apparatus comprises a support plate with locking devices mounted thereon. The locking devices are capable of being inserted into tubular members for suspending the support plate therefrom. A vertical member is attached to the support plate with an attachment mechanism attached to the vertical member. A remote access manipulator is capable of being attached to the attachment mechanism so that the vertical member can position the remote access manipulator so that the remote access manipulator can be initially attached to the tubular members in a well defined manner.

Abstract: Mechanical handling equipment comprises a lift truck and a self powered pallet truck which is lifted into a trailer, etc. to be loaded by the lift truck with the load. The pallet truck is then remotely controlled by the lift truck driver to position the load at a desired location in the trailer.

Abstract: Tensioning device for tensioning of hydraulic flexible tubes on telescopic lift mast assemblies of fork lift trucks with the flexible tubes being turned-around over a pulley which is rotatably mounted on the stationary outer upright and an additional pulley which is rotatably mounted on the sliding inner upright. A holder is engaged by a spring, the holder being guided on the stationary outer upright in a guide, the holder carrying a rotatable pulley.

Abstract: A machine for cyclically receiving a plurality of containers from an unloading station and for transporting them to a discharge station, which is spaced apart from, and above the unloading station by a predetermined distance, includes a platform operable in a first position thereof below the loading station and near the discharge station for accepting the containers, and which is movable thereafter to a second position spaced substantially vertically above the first position for unloading the containers to the discharge station; the platform is thereafter returned to the first position. A control device is connected to the platform for controlling the operation thereof, and a drive arrangement is provided for moving the platform from the first position to the second position and vice versa.

Abstract: A vertical conveyor comprising an upstanding support including spaced-apart, horizontally spaced, vertically disposed side frame members. A platform for supporting the object to be conveyed is positioned between the frame members and is vertically movable thereon from a lowermost position to an uppermost position. A first elongated power cylinder is mounted on the support adjacent one of the frame members and is substantially vertically disposed. A piston is positioned within the first power cylinder and has cables secured thereto which extend outwardly from opposite ends of the cylinder. The cables are connected to the upper and lower portions of the platform so that downward movement of the piston in the first power cylinder will cause the platform to be vertically moved upwardly and so that upward movement of the piston in the first power cylinder will cause the platform to be vertically moved downwardly.

Abstract: A tray unloading apparatus for transferring trays from a tray transport van to a horizontal in-feed station of a carry-away conveyor for carrying trays to further stations. The unloading apparatus includes vertical pillars which support a set of horizontal parallel tray guide tracks which are disposed essentially parallel to a plurality of vertical sets of tray rails in a tray transport van. The set of tray guide tracks are vertically shiftable along the pillars by a mechanical drive into different height positions corresponding to levels of the transport van rails. The uppermost height position is level with the in-feed station of the carry-away conveyor to receive a tray slid from the tray guide tracks at the upper level.

Abstract: A platform loading system having an elevator platform mounted loader unit d a magazine mounted loader unit in each magazine served by the loader system. Each loader unit consists of one cargo tray and its associated tray transfer machinery. In each loader unit a cargo tray may occupy one of two positions, an upper position or a lower position. The load to be transferred is always carried by a tray in the upper position. Transfer of weapons between elevator platforms and magazines consists of a simultaneous exchange of a loaded and empty tray between mating loader units. The loaded tray traveling in the upper position passes over the empty tray in the lower position heading in the opposite direction. At completion of tray exchange, loaded trays may be off-loaded and the now empty tray lowered to the lower tray position by a tray jacking system as required by the next exchange operation.

Abstract: A loading and unloading station for conveyors with trolley driving systems which includes an automatic feeding and withdrawing device from and to a deposit place for transferring a container. The feeding and withdrawing device includes a grab movable into a shaft above the level of a container in the shaft.

Abstract: A device for use with fork-lift trucks or the like to provide tipping and side shift facilities for ancillary apparatus attached to the truck. The device includes first and second frames and a sub-frame with two operatively connected fluid-powered rams. There is one mounting point for an ancillary on the sub-frame and an alternative mounting point for an ancillary on the second frame, whereby an ancillary so mounted may be tipped and/or side shifted according to which ram is operated.

Abstract: The apparatus to be described comprises a trolley and track disposed crosswise of the carrying vehicle positioned between its front and rear wheels and elevated above the vehicle frame. At an end of the trolley track a cradle is affixed so as to tilt about a horizontal axis normal to the track. The trolley is provided with lifting hooks adapted to engage the trunnions of a slag pot resting on the ground and lift it above the vehicle frame. The cradle is provided with upstanding hooks which receive the slag pot trunnions when the pot is moved by the trolley into the cradle. Means are provided to tilt the cradle. The cradle frame is open toward the trolley so that the cradle partially encloses the slag pot during the dumping operation. The vehicle frame is of the fork or wishbone type open at the rear so that the vehicle can be backed to enclose a slag pot resting on the ground.

Abstract: A machine for cyclically receiving a plurality of containers from an unloading station and for transporting them to a discharge station, which is spaced apart from, and above the unloading station by a predetermined distance, includes a platform operable in a first position thereof below the loading station and near the discharge station for accepting the containers, and which is movable thereafter to a second position spaced substantially vertically above the first position for unloading the containers to the discharge station; the platform is thereafter returned to the first position. A control device is connected to the platform for controlling the operation thereof, and a drive arrangement is provided for moving the platform from the first position to the second position and vice versa.