Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the technical field of intelligent household appliances, and more particularly, to a method for controlling an article delivery device, the method including: detecting whether an article delivery device is in a wireless charging area, and charging the article delivery device according to a battery power of the article delivery device, controlling the article delivery device to be loaded according to a received user instruction and a target position after the battery power of the article delivery device reaches a set threshold value, and controlling the article delivery device to move to the target position after the article delivery device is loaded.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a motorized transport unit providing customer assistance at a shopping facility, comprises: a transceiver; a control circuit; a motorized wheel system; a lift system; and a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to: activate a motorized wheel system, while continuing to monitor location information, to position the motorized transport unit under the item container and aligned, based on the location information, relative to a frame of the item container; and activate the lift system to lift on the frame of the item container lifting a first portion of the item container such one or more wheels of the item container are lifted off of a floor while two or more other wheels of the item container remain in contact with the floor.

Abstract: A raising/lowering conveyance device for a container for conveying an article includes a container gripping mechanism having multiple container support pins which are arranged so as to be capable of freely protruding and retracting. A spring for biasing the container gripping mechanism upward is interposed between the container gripping mechanism and a columnar support member for supporting the container gripping mechanism such that the container gripping mechanism can be freely raised and lowered. As a result of the upward biasing force of the spring, the container gripping mechanism is held at an equilibrium height in equilibrium with the weight thereof and is capable of movement vertically with the equilibrium height serving as the center of the movement. When the container gripping mechanism lifts a container, the mechanism receives the weight of the container, descends from the equilibrium height, and is supported at the fixed height of the columnar support member.

Abstract: A sacrificial polymer pole guide cover for the use of covering one or more pole guide tongs in a pole guide. The pole guide cover has a generally arcuate body presenting a length and that is curved along the length. The pole guide cover further presents a concave interior surface along the length and a convex exterior surface along the length. A channel is formed in at least a portion of the length of the convex exterior surface. The channel is shaped to complementally receive at least a portion of a pole guide tong. The pole guide cover also has a mounting assembly for removably mounting the pole guide cover to the pole guide tong.

Abstract: A tubular handling apparatus has a main rotating structural member pivotally movable between a first position and a second position, an arm interconnected to the main rotating structural member, and a gripper mechanism affixed to an end of the arm opposite the main rotating structural member. The gripper mechanism has a stab frame, a first gripper translatably attached to a side of the stab frame, and a second gripper translatably attached to the side of the stab frame below the first gripper. A connection bar is connected to the first and second grippers so as to translate the grippers for a substantially identical distance. A translating mechanism translates the grippers along the side of the stab frame.

Abstract: Improvements are disclosed for a load-clamping system with variable clamping force control by which a wide variety of dissimilar loads of different types, geometric configurations and/or other parameters can be accurately clamped at respective variable optimal clamping force settings. An operator terminal cooperates with a controller to translate one or more possible load parameters into a form easily discernible visually by a clamp operator and preferably easily comparable by the clamp operator, from his visual observation, to each particular load which he is about to engage, so that the clamp operator can interactively guide the controller in its selection of an optimal clamping force setting for each particular load.

Abstract: In a method and device for depalletizing stack containers, the stacked containers are supported by at least one support base, and the stacked containers on the support base are frictionally engaged and lifted on two opposite sides thereof.

Abstract: A method of forming layered stacks of bundles includes providing a gripping appliance comprising a first gripping assembly and a second gripping assembly. The first gripping assembly is configured for grasping one or more first bundles and the second gripping assembly is configured for grasping one or more second bundles. The first and second gripping assemblies are configured such that first and second bundles grasped thereby may be reoriented relative to one another. The method further includes retrieving from a first location one or more first bundles with the first gripping assembly and one or more second bundles with the second gripping assembly and transporting the first and second bundles to a second location, During transport of the first and second bundles, the bundles are reoriented relative to one another. The bundles are deposited at a selected position in the second location to form at least a partial layer of a layered stack of bundles.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus includes a frame and a pair of opposing clamping arms mounted on the frame for movement towards and away from each other to grasp or release a load. In one embodiment, each clamping arm is guided for movement with respect to the frame by an adjustable bushing which can be rotated to adjust the position of the bushing with respect to the clamping arm. In another embodiment, each clamping arm defines a four-bar linkage which controls the angle with respect to the vertical of a contact portion of the clamping arm. The clamping apparatus may be mounted on a lift truck or other support member by a connector which permits the angle of the clamping apparatus with respect to the horizontal to be adjusted and which enables the clamping apparatus to pivot about an axis between a position in which it is disposed outboard of the axis and a position in which is it disposed forward of the axis.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus includes a frame and a pair of opposing clamping arms mounted on the frame for movement towards and away from each other to grasp or release a load. In one embodiment, each clamping arm is guided for movement with respect to the frame by an adjustable bushing which can be rotated to adjust the position of the bushing with respect to the clamping arm. In another embodiment, each clamping arm defines a four-bar linkage which controls the angle with respect to the vertical of a contact portion of the clamping arm. The clamping apparatus may be mounted on a lift truck or other support member by a connector which permits the angle of the clamping apparatus with respect to the horizontal to be adjusted and which enables the clamping apparatus to pivot about an axis between a position in which it is disposed outboard of the axis and a position in which is it disposed forward of the axis.

Abstract: A manipulator for use with a lift truck includes a guide assembly mountable on a mast of a lift truck, a carriage assembly supported for movement along the guide assembly, and an arm assembly mounted on the carriage assembly for supporting a lift truck attachment such as a clamping apparatus. The arm assembly may include two arms pivotable with respect to each other about a substantially vertical axis. The manipulator can move a load in a widthwise direction of a lift truck and between opposite widthwise sides of a lift truck.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus includes a frame and a pair of opposing clamping arms mounted on the frame for movement towards and away from each other to grasp or release a load. In one embodiment, each clamping arm is guided for movement with respect to the frame by an adjustable bushing which can be rotated to adjust the position of the bushing with respect to the clamping arm. In another embodiment, each clamping arm defines a four-bar linkage which controls the angle with respect to the vertical of a contact portion of the clamping arm. The clamping apparatus may be mounted on a lift truck or other support member by a connector which permits the angle of the clamping apparatus with respect to the horizontal to be adjusted and which enables the clamping apparatus to pivot about an axis between a position in which it is disposed outboard of the axis and a position in which is it disposed forward of the axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for moving a shelving assembly. The apparatus includes support legs that are connected to the shelving assembly. Jack assemblies are connected to the support legs and are moveable to engage the ground and lift the shelving assembly off the ground. The jack assemblies include wheels so that, when lifted off the ground, the shelving assembly can be moved over the ground with the moving apparatus attached to it.

Abstract: A “forward facing” lift truck (1) for transporting a vertical stack (2) of tires (3) located in front of the lift truck. The lift truck includes grasping means (4) mounted on the frame or “mast” (11) of the lift truck and adapted for picking up and dividing the stack vertically into two vertical, so-called “upper” (2H) and “lower” (2B) sections, so as to open up a space (E) between the two “upper” and “lower” sections of the stack. This space is created at a height above the floor such that the field of vision (CV) of the lift truck driver (or operator) passes through this space at an angle such that the operator can see the floor in front of the lift truck, at a predetermined “safe” distance (D) and beyond, and also has a distant view.

Abstract: A clamp for handling stacked loads of different sizes has a hydraulic circuit capable of selectively causing closing movement of a pair of clamp arms in synchronized unison with each other and thereafter, automatically in response to resistance to closing movement by one but not the other of the pair of clamp arms, causing unsynchronized closing movement of the other clamp arm. Subsequently, upon opening of the clamp, the hydraulic circuit initially causes opening movement of the previously unsynchronized clamp arm and thereafter, automatically in response to the attainment of synchronized clamp arm positions, causes opening movement of the pair of clamp arms in synchronized unison with each other.

Abstract: “Forward facing” lift truck (1) for transporting a vertical stack (2) of tires (3) located in front of the truck. The truck includes grasping means (4) mounted on the frame or “mast” (11) of the truck and adapted for picking up and dividing the stack vertically into two vertical, so-called “upper” (2H) and “lower” (2B) sections, so as to open up a space (E) between the two “upper” and “lower” sections of the stack. This space is created at a floor height such that the field of vision (CV) of the lift truck driver (or operator) passes through this space at an angle such that the operator can see the floor in front of the truck, at a so-called “safe” distance (D) and beyond, and also has a distant view.

Abstract: An automated handling system for moving objects from one location to another location is provided with a self-mobile system having a grabber subsystem for grasping objects, including assemblies for movement in four directions, along X, Y and Z axes and through an angle &thgr;. The system also has a translating carriage assembly for moving the grabber subsystem and power supply and drive systems. A sensing device, such as an imager, is provided to determine the geometric position of the objects and to move the grabber subsystem accordingly. Another embodiment of the system is provided as an accessory to a prime mover. It includes an alignment articulation system, a gross advance system, a tine storage system, a loading head system, and pot grabbers. This automated handling system can be used to move plant containers in nurseries from the ground to a trailer bed and/or from a trailer bed to the ground in a variety of container configurations.

Abstract: An attachment for use with a skid loader for lifting and transporting stacks of strapped blocks which includes a frame having an upper and lower horizontal bar, a pair of arms pivotally mounted with the upper bar which are in sliding engagement with the lower bar. A drive member is carried by the frame between the arms for moving the arms between a disengaged and an engaged position. A foot assembly which includes first and second legs and a grabber foot is connected with each of the arms. Each grabber foot includes a planar inner face and is pivotally mounted with a second leg to extend substantially perpendicularly of the associated arm with its inner face canting slightly upwardly and outwardly.

Abstract: A lift truck clamp for handling stacked loads of different sizes has a pair of opposing clamping assemblies, one of which has a pair of clamp arms movable selectively toward and away from the other clamping assembly under the control of a pair of fluid power actuators. A linkage mechanism interconnects the pair of clamp arms so as to permit relative movement therebetween to enable the clamp arms to move asynchronously toward the other clamping assembly. The linkage mechanism includes a stop assembly preventing more than a predetermined misalignment of the pair of clamp arms, and a spring assembly imposing a yieldable biasing force biasing the pair of clamp arms toward alignment with respect to each other.

Abstract: A layer-picking clamp mountable on a truck has clamp arms extending downwardly from and movably mounted to an upper frame section. The clamp arms are linearly movable with respect to the upper frame section in laterally inward and outward directions so that gripping surfaces of the clamp arms retain their substantially vertical orientations as the clamp arms move inward and outward. The upper frame is supported on a first mounting apparatus that is positioned above a second mounting apparatus that supports a load-supporting device. The first mounting apparatus movably supports the upper frame so as to move the upper frame laterally and vertically with respect to the load-supporting device to enable the clamp arms to deposit a load on the load-supporting device. The load-supporting device is capable of supporting a pallet upon which the clamp can deposit the load.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus for lifting objects includes a frame and two or more clamping arms pivotably supported by the frame for movement into and out of contact with an object to be lifted. An internal support is supported by the frame for reinforcing the inner walls of a cavity in the object to be lifted. The insert may be supported by the frame for vertical movement with respect to the frame so that when the insert is not needed, it can be raised above the object. The insert may passively reinforce a cavity, or it may be equipped with movable reinforcing portions which can be moved into and out of contact with the walls of the cavity which is to be reinforced.

Abstract: A load clamp has two selectively openable and closable opposing clamping assemblies, one of which comprises at least a pair of clamp arms movable separately from each other toward and away from the other clamping assembly. Separate actuators for the respective clamp arms are controlled automatically by a regulator in such a way that the respective closure movements of the arms are simultaneous. A selective adjuster assembly enables the operator to select alternate different maximum magnitudes of clamping force to be imposed by the clamp arms on different loads. An override assembly overrides the regulator to permit nonsimultaneous clamp arm movement, automatically in response to resistance to closure by one of the clamp arms, independently of selective variation of such adjuster assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for raising and lowering stacks of tires includes a stationary mast having a base end attached to a support frame and an opposite free end. A transport structure is attached to the mast and is engageable with a hook member to transport the hook member between a first position adjacent the base end of the mast and and second position adjacent the free end of the mast. The hook member is releasably connectable to a lifting end of a tire stacker which includes a frame capable of supporting a number of tires in side-by-side relation when the stacker is in a horizontal position and a support structure capable to supporting a stack of tires when the stacker is in a vertical position.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling stacks of sheet-like products is provided and includes a rotary table on which gripper devices are mounted for linear shifting. The table has a central axis of rotation about which it is rotatable and includes linear carriage guides on which carriages of the devices can be shifted linearly. A linear drive propels the carriages and devices thereon in a linear direction along the guides between waiting and working positions. Each gripper device includes upper and lower gripper units with the lower gripper unit sliding beneath and out from under the product stack as the carriages are driven between the waiting and working positions depending on whether the units are to support a stack to be moved or are dropping it off at a station for further processing and/or transfer.

Abstract: The tire-stacking device includes a platform for placing a plurality of tires side by side when the device is in a horizontal position. The device is thereafter raised by the lifting apparatus of a lift truck to a vertical position. The stack of tires is supported in this vertical position by a clamping arrangement attached to the base end of the device. The clamping arrangement is selectively releasable to permit an operator to deposit the stack of tires at a desired location. A hook is also provided for connecting the device to the lifting apparatus of a lift truck. A fork apparatus is further provided to be used in cooperative arrangement with the hook, a pair of existing fork lift forks, and a lift truck to lift and transport objects. A cart apparatus is also provided for facilitating the mounting and dismounting of the hook to the lifting apparatus of the lift truck.

Abstract: An automatic bobbin-changing device (10) for a winding machine with a vertical winding axis, the device having a bobbin carrier (12) which can rotate about a vertical axis (13) and which can adopt two bobbin-holding positions staggered at an angle of about 180.degree.. The bobbin carrier (12) has a total of four gripper arms (25, 26, 27, 28) which work together in pairs to grip a bobbin (1, 2). On each gripper arm (25, 26, 27, 28) is a bobbin-support surface (29) which, during the bobbin-changing operation, is positioned under the bobbin lower-flange (1b, 2b). The bobbin is changed by lifting the bobbin carrier (12) by means of a lifting mechanism (52, 54, 55) in such a way that the bobbin (1) on the winding machine is lifted off its mounting, the bobbin carrier (12) subsequently being rotated through 180.degree. and lowered again.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus for lifting objects includes a frame and first and second opposing clamping arms pivotably supported by the frame about first and second parallel axes. Each clamping arm has a contact portion. A drive member is connected to the first and second clamping arms to simultaneously pivot the first and second clamping arms about the first and second axes. The height of the contact portions when spaced apart by a first separation is the same as when spaced apart by a second separation. As a result, the clamping apparatus can securely grasp both square and elongated rectangular objects.

Abstract: Lift truck accessories for stacking and moving stacks of tires are disclosed. The tire-stacking device includes an elongated platform upon which a plurality of tires may be placed side by side when the device is in its horizontal position. The tire-stacking device can be raised by the lifting apparatus of a lift truck from its horizontal position to a vertical position. When in its vertical position, the stack of tires is supported by a clamping arrangement that is attached to the base end of the tire-stacking device. A second embodiment of the invention is a tire transporter that is always maintained in a vertical position but includes a clamping arrangement which is similar to the tire-stacking device. The tire transporter is relatively shorter than the kite-stacking device and enables a lift truck operator to move stacks of tires through low-clearance areas such as under doorways as well as into and out of trucks.

Abstract: A grapple clamp for lifting a group of objects such as a plurality of cases of soft drinks. The clamp has four clamp jaws hinged to a frame in rectangular or square orientation so as to engage a group of objects with equal force from four sides. The clamp is adapted to be carried by a fork lift truck and each pair of opposing jaw clamps is actuated by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder. Preferably, hydraulic cylinders are used which are powered by the hydraulic system of the lift truck. The cylinders are interconnected so that the clamping forces exerted by the two pairs of clamp jaws are equalized. A pressure regulator limits the pressure exerted by the opposing jaw clamps on objects. Provision is made to level the grapple clamp on the forks of a fork lift. A load stabilizer block is suspended within the frame. The grapple clamp is cantilever mounted on one side of the forks of a lift truck and a counterweight is mounted so as to counter balance the weight of the clamp and its load.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for transporting potted plants arranged according to at least one row, in which the apparatus lifts and transports the plant pots and fits them to a fork lift truck. The invention provides elongate cariers, wherein the interval between these carriers is smaller than the diameter at the top of the plant pot but greater than the diameter on the underside of the plant pot. This allows the apparatus to be displaced in the horizontal direction which contacts the plant pots, but also to lift the row of plant pots. According to a preferred embodiment the device is provided with two bearing surfaces for the plant pots. This doubles the carrying capacity of the apparatus. According to another preferred embodiment, said elongate carrier comprises disconnecting mechanism, allowing it to pick up only a limited number of plant pots in a row, for instance only every second plant pot. This allows decreasing the density of the plant pots.

Abstract: A drum clamping unit for plastics material drums with peripheral "L'8 chime rings below the drum head is adapted to be mounted on suitable lifting and transporting devices such as lift trucks, overhead cranes, and the like to automatically engage, latch onto, and discharge one or more of the molded plastics material drums without damaging the drums. The unit has a plurality of clamping jaws automatically triggered to clamping positions by the drum heads as the unit is lowered alongside the drums. These clamping jaws are positioned to engage only with the bottom and inner face of the "L" chime ring of each drum and remain clear of the drum head and drum periphery thereby avoiding any damage to the drums especially as they are raised to clamp onto the "L" rings. Then, when the raised clamped drums are conveyed to and lowered on a desired location, the jaws are released, retracted automatically and held in a retracted position until the unit is again lowered to engage a drum head in a subsequent operation.

Abstract: In a loading and unloading apparatus, a plurality of guide rails are disposed as directed in the horizontal direction on a front surface of a support plate for a main body of the loading and unloading apparatus, which support plate has a fork at its bottom portion, base portions of a pair of arms which can be arbitrarily opened and closed in the directions of coming close to and separating from each other for clamping and releasing an object, are movably supported by these guide rails, and at the tip end portions of the respective arms are provided hooks which can be arbitrarily moved in the back and forth directions of the arms.

Abstract: A load clamp has two selectively openable and closable opposing clamping assemblies, one of which comprises at least a pair of clamp arms movable separately from each other toward and away from the other clamping assembly. Separate actuators for the respective clamp arms are controlled automatically in such a way that, during closure, the respective movements are simultaneous until such time as one of the arms attains a predetermined clamping force, at which time an override system permits their respective movements to become non-simultaneous to enable further closure of the other clamp arm. Corresponding actuator regulation occurs during opening of the clamp arms, the override function being triggered by full opening of one of the clamp arms.

Abstract: A vacuum lift clamp device for sidehandling of one or two paper rolls (21), for use in connection with ordinary fork lift trucks equipped with a vacuum pump device (23) , and having a curved carrying plate (1, 2, 3) e.g.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping pipes and the like to the forks of a forklift truck. A flapper arm is pivotally attached to a frame member which straddles each fork of the truck. A clamp arm is pivotally attached to the opposite end of the flapper arm. A single piston extends between the frame member and clamp arm to cause the clamp arm to move between opened and closed positions.

Abstract: A rectangular frame is mounted on the mast of a conventional forklift. The frame extends outwardly from the front of the mast and includes a gear mounted thereon. First and second arm pairs depend from the gear and are rotatable in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the frame. Each arm pair includes two axially aligned elongate members mounted for movement both away from and toward one another. A grasping element is mounted on the end of each member for grasping opposing sides of a bin when the elongate members move toward one another.

Abstract: A clamp lift truck for lifting a rectangular hexahedral stack of boxes incorporating a vertically movable four-side clamp lift employing a plurality of uniformly dimensioned generally flat clamp plates having widths substantially covering the surroundings of the rectangular hexahedral stack of boxes. The flat clamp plates are supported to be adapted for closely abutting against two pairs of opposing sides of the stack of boxes so as to clamp the stack with entirely uniform clamping force. A drive mechanism is utilized for driving the clamp lift into an open position for receiving the stack therebetween and a closed clmap position for simultaneously clamping two pairs of sides of the stack.

Abstract: Apparatus for the setting of paving blocks includes a movable chassis, an outrigger arm mounted on the chassis for heightwise adjustment, and grab tong devices suspended from the outrigger arm, the grab tong devices each being operable to grip a group of paving blocks laterally. Each of the grab tong devices has opposed jaws, one of which is fixedly mounted and the other of which is movably mounted, and linkage means are provided to operably mount the movable jaw such that upon suspension of the grab tong device from the outrigger arm with paving blocks disposed between the opposed jaws, the linkage means is operable to effect a clamping action on the paving blocks to thereby provide for lifting of the paving blocks with the clamping force being proportional to the weight being lifted.

Abstract: A method and device for collecting a layer of concrete paving bricks forming a brick disk in the form of a stretcher bond which may be used as one setting unit, is characterized in that the layer of the paving bricks is clamped together laterally with a collecting clamp with respect to their longitudinal axes for aligning purposes and, after releasing the collecting clamps, each row of bricks is individually clamped to their respective position at their head ends with clamps. The clamps with the clamped rows of bricks are then displaced with respect to each other in a parallel direction to achieve the desired setting arrangement and the collecting clamp is again engaged.

Abstract: A grapple clamp for lifting a group of objects such as a plurality of cases of soft drinks. The clamp has four clamp jaws hinged to a frame in rectangular or square orientation so as to engage a group of objects with equal force from four sides. The clamp is adapted to be carried by a fork lift truck and each pair of opposing jaw clamps is actuated by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder. Preferably, hydraulic cylinders are used which are powered by the hydraulic system of the lift truck. The cylinders are interconnected so that the clamping forces exerted by the two pairs of clamp jaws are equalized.