Abstract: A push-pull slipsheet handler is attachable to a conventional forklift truck and includes a push-plate assembly mounted to slide over a platen. A push-plate mounted to the assembly may be raised and lowered so that its lower edge may capture and grip a slipsheet edge with a lower leading edge of the push-plate assembly. A single motor mounted to the assembly engages a chain fixed at each of its ends to a base end and free end of the platen, respectively. The apparatus is mounted to a forklift with the forks below the platen for support, and with L-shaped locks attached to the platen and extending behind the fork uprights to secure the apparatus.

Abstract: A cargo handling vehicle such as a forklift truck having a push-pull unit is improved in responsibility, operation speed and in precise operability by: replacing a conventional hydraulic cylinder for moving a face member 10 back and forth along forks 9 of the vehicle with an electric motor 32. The thus employed motor 32 also eliminates a fear that a cargo 26 is smudged with oil leaking from the hydraulic cylinder and pressurized-oil supply pipes thereof. In cargo loading and discharging operation conducted by the cargo handling vehicle, the face member 10 of the push-pull unit of the vehicle is automatically operated so as to move back and forth along the forks 9 of the vehicle at the substantially same traveling speed as that of the vehicle in a direction counter to a vehicle traveling direction, whereby the sheet pallet B' carrying the cargo 26 is kept substantially stationary during cargo loading and discharging operation or the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for storing and retrieving items to and from a storage receptacle which includes a track riding dolly carrying a robotic item handler for inserting and extracting items to and from storage The dolly also carries a multishelved caddy for receiving a plurality of items thereon. The item handler has the capacity to access each of the shelves of the caddy and may execute, under computer control, a selected sequence of item transfers between the caddy and storage during a single passage of the dolly from an on/off load point past the storage receptacle. A multishelved caddy loader queues a plurality of items received from an on-load device independently of the caddy, via vertical repositioning, and performs a bulk transfer of the queued items to the caddy when the caddy is available. A mass offloader device permits the bulk transfer of a plurality of items from the caddy to an offload receiver.

Abstract: A sliver can conveying system comprising carriages having vertically movably suspended cages, and adapted for traveling overhead in a spinning factory along a path provided between stations of the factory, each of the carriages being capable of holding cans in the cages, and movable between the positions where they are loaded and unloaded with full cans, and the positions where they are loaded and unloaded with empty cans, thereby enabling the exchange of the full and empty cans.

Abstract: Two tray-supporting racks are located on opposite sides of an elevator carriage which carries a mechanized retrieving system for withdrawing trays from either rack and delivering them to a work area. The elevator carriage is vertically driven by a motor, sprockets, and chains. A transport chain travels on sprockets mounted on end plates of the elevator carriage. Transport rollers on the chain engage transport blocks on selected trays to produce lateral movement of the trays onto and off of their respective racks.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes two confrontingly opposed, columnar arrays which define a plurality of vertically spaced tray-receiving recesses. A platform is vertically displaceable along and between the arrays and carries an extraction device operable for withdrawing a selected tray from an array recess onto the platform, and for inserting a tray supported on the platform into a vacant recess in either array. The extraction device includes a pair of rods carried on and for movement longitudinally along the platform, toward and away from the opposed arrays, about opposed continuous-loop drive belts which lie in substantially vertical planes. The rods are releasably engageable, through rotation of the drive belts, within handles provided at and extending longitudinally outwardly from the opposite ends of each tray to enable withdrawal and insertion of the selected tray.

Abstract: A method of and system for handing a load by transferring a load between a storage base and a transport base by engaging a portion of at least one engagement member, e.g. a suction cup or an electromagnet, with an engagement surface on a side or end of the load, and displacing the engagement member to thereby pull the load onto the transport base for transport by the transport base or to push the load from the transport base onto the storage base. The engagement surface has a size at least equal to that of the portion of the engagement member.

Abstract: An automated rack loading system for loading trays of products, especially bakery products, into racks for transport by delivery trucks. An empty transport rack is brought to the loader, and its shelf structure is scanned on each side to locate shelf brackets and to detect any left-over trays still residing on the supposedly empty rack. The precise height of each bracket on each side is noted, and pairs of brackets are compared to determine vertical height differentials, missing brackets, and damaged brackets. Filled trays are advanced on a conveyor to the loader station, where individual trays are loaded into a lift mechanism having lift brackets capable of carrying trays from the lowermost rack shelf position to the uppermost. A loading program, based on the original scan of the transport rack, moves flights of the lift mechanism, filled with trays, to the nearest available open rack position.

Abstract: The automated changer for printed circuit board test fixtures includes apparatus for transporting printed circuit board test fixtures between a printed circuit board test fixture storage apparatus and a printed circuit board test facility. The automated changer also includes apparatus that automatically unlocks and retrieves a test fixture from the printed circuit board test facility and automatically loads another test fixture in its place. In operation, the automated changer retrieves a selected printed circuit board test fixture from a storage apparatus and transports the retrieved printed circuit board test fixture to the printed circuit board test facility. The automated changer orients one of its printed circuit board test fixture retrieval arms in juxtaposed position with a printed circuit board test fixture loading aperture in the test facility. The automated changer unlocks and then retrieves the printed circuit board test fixture that is presently loaded in the test facility via the aperture.

Abstract: A device for the transport of carriers (11,29), in which displaceable containers (27,31) with carriers (29,11) can be coupled with a selection device (33), which is displaceable in vertical direction along a container (27,31) and has two relatively vertical positions with respect to the container (27,31) for the transport of carriers (11,29) at a bringing stage and at a fetching stage, respectively, from and to a positioning device R(B), R(C). The selection device (33) for use in the transport device as described. Use of the transport device with selection device lies particularly in the field of the flexible automation.

Abstract: An aerial tube bundle puller for extracting a tube bundle from a heat exchanger is provided, comprising a cradle supporting a carriage frame and a power source, a sled, attachable to a tube bundle, with a hydraulic powered screw drive to propel the sled on the carriage frame, a hydraulic elevator slidable on the carriage frame for adjusting and supporting the tube bundle and an extension for adjusting the length of the carriage frame.

Abstract: A storage system, in particular a multi-story car park, comprises a displaceable lift (10) resembling a tower and transport pallets (8) with a guide rail on their lower side. The pallets (8) are gripped by the transfer device (47) forming part of the lift (10), which transfers them from the roller rails (20) of the lift (10) to stationary roller rails (7) of the parking places.

Abstract: An assembly for movement of heavy objects is made up of a unit which can be arranged on the fork of a forklift truck and which has a sliding plane (5) and an operating mechanism (8) designed so as to be able to pull or push an object onto or respectively out from the sliding plane and along the latter. The operating mechanism has, in parallel tracks below the sliding plane, longitudinally displaceable drive elements (9, 10) and, arranged on these, carriers (13) which project above the sliding plane and transmit force to the object.

Abstract: A lift truck comprises a roller rotatable at a rate substantially proportional to a ground vehicle speed and a hydraulic regulator operated by the roller to discharge hydraulic fluid at a rate substantially proportional to the ground vehicle speed. An actuator for a push-pull mechanism with a face plate is operated on the hydraulic fluid generated by the hydraulic regulator so that the face plate can displace in synchronized with the ground vehicle speed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a storage structure for yarn bobbins and it comprises a plurality of storage units having support devices of the bobbin. Such storage units are distributed in a plurality of stationary deposit equipments. The storage units contained within each stationary deposit equipment are movable along an annular path. The stationary deposit equipments are vertically superimposed in groups. The groups of deposits are arranged in lateral, side-by-side relationship, thus defining a vertical surface of loading and a vertical surface of unloading, which are accessible from devices of loading and unloading, respectively.

Abstract: An egg carton stacking and loading apparatus having a stacking assembly that adds subsequent cartons to the bottom of the stack. The apparatus includes a transfer assembly having a pair of upright panels that abut both sides of the carton stack during transfer in order to prevent inadvertent tipping of the stack. The transfer panels shift the carton stack onto a loading assembly, which carries the egg carton stack onto a storage surface. The loading assembly includes a support panel and a pusher panel which advance simultaneously, and thereafter the support panel is withdrawn while the position of the pusher panel is maintained.

Abstract: Machine tool apparatus utilizes a tool magazine provided with first plurality of horizontally extending parallel separate compartments disposed vertically one above the other. A plurality of elongated tool units are disposed in the compartments, each compartment containing a like number of units, the units in each compartment being disposed in spaced side by side position across the width of the compartment. Each unit in any compartment is vertically aligned with the correspondingly positioned units in all other compartments. Displaceable, first mechanisms coupled to each unit enable each unit to be separately moveable back and forth along the length of its compartment to either extend the unit out of its compartment into position for subsequent transfer or to retract the corresponding unit back into its compartment.

Abstract: An automatic article feeding system which includes a conveyor for conveying pallets each of which contains an article or articles such as parts to be assembled and has a mark indicating the kind of article or articles contained therein, having a feeder for feeding each of the conveyed pallets into one of the shelves of the stocker according to empty shelf information supplied by an information processing unit; a memory for storing the address of the shelf in which the pallet has been stocked and further storing information of the kinds of articles on the pallet; a searcher for searching the memory according to the instruction received from the automatic assembling machine to detect the existence or non-existence of the article required by the automatic assembling machine and, if in existence, detect the address of the shelf in which the required article is stocked; a system for withdrawing the pallet from the stocker according to such detection; a feeder for feeding the pallet to a position for supplying the

Abstract: An apparatus for exchanging elastic rolls in a supercalender has a platform which is movable up and down between the frame of a supercalender and a magazine for spare rolls. The platform supports two cracks with horizontally movable guides for two supports which can engage the end portions of an elastic roll from below before the guides and the supports are moved horizontally to transfer the roll from the supercalender, across the platform and into the magazine. In order to temporarily detach guide rolls which are installed in front of elastic rolls, the platform further supports two tracks for jaw-shaped supports for the end portions of a guide roll which is transferred into the apparatus and remains in the apparatus at a level above the tracks for the supports which transfer elastic rolls.

Abstract: A load push-pull slipsheet handler is disclosed having automatic features adapting it particularly for use with driverless, automatically-guided vehicles. These features include proximity sensors which sense the distance between the slipsheet handler and a vertically-oriented external surface so as to deposit a load in a predetermined relationship to the surface either on the floor or atop another load. Load contact sensors also are provided for enabling the device to gauge the distance to a load to be picked up so as to control the approach thereto. Further sensors sense the transversely-opposite extremities of a load prior to engagement, and transversely center the push-pull assembly relative to the load. Other features include a system associated with the slipsheet clamp for sensing the presence or absence of a slipsheet tab prior to clamping, and a device for permanently deforming the tab to facilitate subsequent regrasping after the load has been deposited.

Abstract: An article gripper is moved by a robotic transporter in two perpendicular directions within a transport plane between a reference location and ID code reading locations aligned with an access port and storage cells of storage assemblies mounted in doors closing a transport compartment of an automatic vending machine. The gripper is also moved by the robotic transporter in a direction intersecting the transport plane to insert or withdraw articles carried by the gripper after displacement by incremental amounts from the aligned reading locations to gripping or releasing positions. The foregoing movements of the gripper as well as other related operations are under programmed control of a computer and inputted data from a keypad and card reader to perform merchandising transactions with respect to manufactured articles stored in the doors of the machine as well as to accommodate servicing operations.

Abstract: Apparatus for distributing empty and filled trays in a production line wherein the output of a cigarette maker is normally processed by a packing machine has a tray filling unit which withdraws the surplus of cigarettes from the transporting unit between the maker and the packing machine, a tray evacuating unit which admits stored cigarettes from trays into the transporting unit when the requirements of the packing machine exceed the output of the maker, at least one mobile magazine for empty and filled trays, and a transferring device which can advance filled and empty trays directly between the two units or between either of the two units and the magazine. The transferring device has an inclined holder for a filled or an empty tray and motors which can move the holder up or down as well as about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A push-pull slip sheet handling attachment for a forklift truck is fork-supported. The attachment is connected to the fork upright portions. In one embodiment, the base frame of the attachment includes side frame members that straddle the fork uprights and fork connectors that are vertically movable on a base frame support foot between latching positions behind the fork uprights and release positions below the fork uprights. In another embodiment, the base frame is mounted in front of the fork uprights and has pin-type fork connectors adjustable vertically and movable transversely behind the fork uprights between latching and release positions. Both embodiments have lightweight, compliant base frames comprising an open framework having thin side frame members and a minimum of cross frame members.

Abstract: A handling apparatus for handling boxes stored in shelving compartments of storage shelving systems comprises a main body structure (11) which is adapted to be carried by a lifting device (12) and which is adjustable positionally thereby to a given level to be in registration with a respective shelf compartment (35). The body structure incorporates a plate-like support table (17) for supporting boxes (23), and a box dogging device (20) for dogging the boxes between the support table and respective shelf compartments. The box dogging device includes a vacuum device (21) which includes a plurality of suction cups (22) and which is movable along both the body structure and the support table. The dogging device and the support table are connected together so that the support table will move together with the dogging device during the initial and the final part of the movement of the dogging device.

Abstract: An aerial tube bundle puller for extracting a tube bundle from a heat exchanger is provided, comprising a cradle supporting a carriage frame and a power source, a sled, attachable to a tube bundle, with a hydraulic powered screw drive to propel the sled on the carriage frame, a hydraulic elevator slidable on the carriage frame for adjusting and supporting the tube bundle and an extension for adjusting the length of the carriage frame.

Abstract: A load push-pull slipsheet handler is disclosed having automatic features adapting it particularly for use with driverless, automatically-guided vehicles. These features include proximity sensors which sense the distance between the slipsheet handler and a vertically-oriented external surface so as to deposit a load in a predetermined relationship to the surface either on the floor or atop another load. Load contact sensors also are provided for enabling the device to gauge the distance to a load to be picked up so as to control the approach thereto. Further sensors sense the transversely-opposite extremities of a load prior to engagement, and transversely center the push-pull assembly relative to the load. Other features include a system associated with the slipsheet clamp for sensing the presence or absence of a slipsheet tab prior to clamping, and means for permanently deforming the tab to facilitate subsequent regrasping after the load has been deposited.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of automatically vending merchandise to a patron, with the apparatus including display devices and input devices for interaction with the patron. At least one motor is provided for providing vertical and horizontal movement to an elevator which accesses the stored merchandise from respective column positions within the machine. The elevator is then returned to a NEUTRAL position and the merchandise is dumped or dispensed to the patron. The system can provide RENTAL, PURCHASE or RETURN of merchandise procedures along with various other functions related to vending operations.

Abstract: An extraction and transfer mechanism for modular containers in an automated storage and retrieval system of the type having a storage matrix of modular containers and a stacker crane with a vertically movable platform. The extraction and transfer mechanism is carried on the platform and when positioned adjacent a selected modular container, is arranged to extract the container from a first selected storage location laterally onto the platform, and to transfer the container in either lateral direction into a second selected empty storage location. The preferred embodiment uses a pair of continuous loop friction belt and collapsible hook assemblies, which both grasp and hook the sides of handleless modular containers for extraction and transfer.

Abstract: Portable cargo loading apparatus capable of being placed into the hold of a ship for loading and unloading cargo respectively to and from the wing areas of the hold. Comprising the apparatus is a loading section formed of three large area relatively slidable trays arranged in a nesting relation capable of being power extended and retracted in a controlled operating sequence. During tray extension, cargo which has for example been delivered by a dockside crane directly into the uppermost tray is relocated by the apparatus from the delivery location for placement into a paired loading site within the wing. After loading of a localized wing site is completed, a transport section is operable to enable incremental lateral displacement of the loading section to a new paired location relatively juxtaposed to the wing site in which loading was just completed.

Abstract: A disk file apparatus including a transfer member disposed at the upper side of a shelf for accommodating a multiplicity of cartridges each receiving a disk both sides of which are able to be subjected to recording and reproducing, each cartridge having a forward extending groove formed in the rear portion thereof. The transfer member has lever means which is arranged such that, when a cartridge having the same rating as that of said cartridges is inserted into the transfer member, the lever means detects whether or not there is a groove which is formed in the rear portion of the cartridge.

Abstract: An automatic article feeding apparatus which includes a stocker for housing pallets for containing articles such as parts for assembly, interchangeable tools or the like, a first pallet operating device for transferring the pallets from the stocker to an automatic assembling machine and vice versa, a second pallet operating device for feeding the loaded pallets containing the articles to said stocker and discharging the empty pallets to the outside, and control means for controlling the operations of the pallet operating devices in accordance with the actuation of said automatic assembling machine and the signals indicating the position of the loaded pallet housed in said stocker and the empty portion in said stocker.

Abstract: An air bearing slip sheet tight material handling system utilizes a forklift truck with a horizontal platen a pantagraph mechanism supporting a vertical faceplate which has a gripper jaw pocket casing at the bottom. A vertically reciprocating clamping bar is depressable within the gripper jaw pocket casing to clamp the lip of a slip sheet. The slip sheet is of the air bearing type formed of thin flexible sheets sealed together about the edges to define a plenum chamber and forming a load support portion over a major surface outside of the lip area. A plurality of pinhole perforations are provided within the central portion of the bottom thin flexible sheet conforming to the footprint of the load carried by the slip sheet.

Abstract: A load handling attachment for a forklift truck has an upright base, a load engaging platen, and a push-pull assembly connected to the base above the platen. The attachment also includes a device for connecting the base frame to a carriage of the forklift truck to resist forward movement of the base relative to the carriage. The connecting device includes a linearly movable device mounted on a side frame member of the base, the linearly movable device engaging an upright fork portion when in a carriage attaching position.

Abstract: The invention relates to article containment apparatus which is adapted to store articles such as vials on shelves disposed at different elevations by placing them on the successive shelves. In a known article containment apparatus including an elevating mechanism which drives a plurality of shelves, disposed at different elevations for stowing articles thereon, up and down, and a conveyor for conveying articles to a shelf disposed at a given elevation, the invention is characterized by the provision of a plurality of infeeders disposed between the shelf and the conveyor. The infeeders are operated in an alternate fashion so that while one of the infeeders is operating to store articles from the conveyor, another infeeder conveys the stored article thereon onto the shelf. In this manner, there is no need to interrupt the supply of articles by the conveyor during the time the articles are conveyed onto the shelf, thus improving the efficiency of stowage.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for storing/taking-out a rod-like stored article enables the article such as a printing-plate cylinder, which must be kept out of contact with other thing in its barrel surface in storing, to keep out of contact with other thing in storing/taking-out operation thereof, which apparatus use a foldable ladder-like, or a like chain-like holder unit for holding a plurality of the rod-like articles in parallel to each other at certain intervals so that the thus held articles can be transferred between its storing area and its taking-out area for use, while its storing space is remarkably reduced without fear of contact with each other.

Abstract: A machine for transporting tote pans to and from storage compartments arranged longitudinally in vertical rows along an aisle includes a vertically movable carriage provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending tote pan supporting guides which are transversely shiftable between centered and tote pan transfer positions. Associated with the guides is a pair of endless chains, each arranged in a horizontal orbit extending below one of the guides around the sides and ends thereof and carrying a pair of equidistantly spaced pins projecting above the support level of the guide, the pins on one chain being aligned longitudinally with the pins on the other chain. The chains are driven simultaneously in opposite directions on a storage or retrieval cycle synchronously with a cam which shifts the support assembly transversely.

Abstract: The invention provides conveying apparatus consisting of a framework adapted to stand beside a vehicle and having a floor in substantial alignment with a battery support bed of the vehicle. Longitudinal track devices extend parallel to the floor on the framework and spaced from the floor to receive the battery between the floor and the track devices. A transport mechanism has drive devices coupled to the track devices for operation to move the transport mechanism longitudinally along the track devices and a coupling assembly is attached to the transport mechanism for movement with the transport mechanism and includes an upwardly biased connector adapted to releasably engage the battery so that on operation of the transport mechanism the battery may be loaded onto or unloaded from the floor.

Abstract: An article manipulator for use with an industrial robot includes an upper frame adapted for fastening to the industrial robot and a lower frame coupled to the upper frame. A pair of lifting members operable for lifting an article are connected to the lower frame. At least one vacuum cup is coupled to the frame and is restrained to move in a plane substantially parallel to the lifting members. Sensing mechanisms are provided for sensing the position of an article relative to the manipulator and for generating electrical signals which are utilized by a controller to enable the vacuum cups to grip the article at one side and move the article onto the lifting members. Subsequently, the manipulator transfers the articles to a second position. The manipulator is suited for depalletizing and/or palletizing parallelepiped shape articles.

Abstract: A pallet changing system for a machine tool including a pallet changing device which is horizontally rotatable for exchanging a pallet on the work table of the tool with another pallet in a standby station. A plurality of pallet storing shelves are arranged in a plurality of concentric circular arrays and each shelf has a plurality of pallet supporting racks located one above another. The standby station forms a part of those circular arrays defining a central space surrounded by the racks. A rotary table is rotatably disposed in the center of that space. A pair of guide posts are upstanding from the rotary table. A structure is vertically movably supported on the posts. A pallet handling fork is provided on the structure horizontally movably to and away from the standby station. A pair of guide rails guide the horizontal movement of the fork. The fork has one end defining a pallet supporting portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the volumetric efficiency of a shipping container of standard tire carcasses is shown as a powered attachment to a standard warehouse tug or forklift. A horizontally extending steel plate, extending forward from the front of the tug, is powered for vertical motion by a double action, two stage hydraulic cylinder. The plate is enclosed by tightly fitting sliding stripper bars, which are spring-loaded into both the top and bottom surface of the plate; the stripper bars have a bronze wiper bushing at the point of contact with the plate, and are powered for wiping motion across the plate by a pair of balanced hydraulic cylinders.A vertical set of powered outriggers is installed on vertically acting hydraulic cylinders to provide a reacting force against the roof or side wall corners of a shipping container.In use, a standard, interleaved rick of tires is installed in a normal manner within a container.

Abstract: There is disclosed a carrier system for carrying a silicon wafer or a cassette accommodating the wafers to arbitrary positions by loading an arm with them.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading and unloading wafers including a support structure having associated with it a predetermined wafer engagement position at which wafers can be engaged by the processing machine, a temporary storage device mounted on the support structure for storing a wafer in position for pick up, the flat surfaces of the wafer being parallel to an X-axis and perpendicular to a Z-axis, a first wafer engagement member for carrying the wafer on the first engagement member between the temporary storage device and the engagement position, a first X-direction mover mounted on the support structure and operable to move the first engagement member parallel to the X-axis, a second wafer engagement member for carrying the wafer on the second engagement member between the temporary storage device and the engagement position, a second X-direction mover mounted on the support structure and operable to move the second engagement member parallel to the X-axis independent of the first engagement member, a Z-direction m

Abstract: A fork for a fork lift truck having a blade and shank connected by a heel, with a top hook on the shank and a bottom hook near the heel, the bottom hook being constructed so as to be locked and unlocked to the carriage of a lift truck to facilitate engagement of the fork with the carrier and reduce manual effort of the operator and obviate special positioning of the fork prior to connection as is commonly required.

Abstract: A carriage is mounted for longitudinal movement on the elevator of a stacker crane and carries a rod adapted to engage the flange on the container drawer to move the drawer in and out of the storage rack. The rod is mounted on a pair of chains trained on sprockets at opposed sides of the carriage. Drive means is provided for moving the carriage back and forth into and out of contact with the storage rack at the level where the drawer enters the slot or bin in the rack. As the chains move on the sprockets, the extractor rod engages the flange on the drawer and, depending upon the direction the chains are moving, either pulls the drawer out or pushes it into its slot. The container drawer slides on suitable supports in the rack and on the carriage.

Abstract: A push-pull slipsheet handler for a forklift truck is capable of utilizing the truck's standard forks for load-supporting purposes, while enabling mounting and demounting of the push-pull assembly and forks in unison with respect to the lift truck carriage. The upstanding portions of the standard forks are suspended from a transverse mounting member affixed to the frame of the push-pull assembly at an elevated position. The mounting member has a pair of fork-supporting surfaces positioned in transversely offset relation to vertically pivotable push-pull links, thereby minimizing forward protrusion of the push-pull assembly in its fully-retracted position despite the mounting of the standard forks on the push-pull frame. The construction also permits side shifting of the push-pull assembly and standard forks as a unit relative to the lift truck carriage.

Abstract: A machine for automatically dispensing a selected container from a store of containers and for automatically storing a container returned to the machine. The machine includes an array of storage bins arranged in a plurality of vertically-stacked, horizontal rows, with a horizontal passage between adjacent ones of the horizontal rows and a vertical passage connecting the horizontal passages, and each container being stored in a respective one of the bins. A carriage is mounted for movement relative to the bins for transporting a container between a first machine position for dispensing a selected container and for receiving a returned container, and a second position corresponding to one of the bins. A controllable arm is mounted to the carriage for movement therewith between the first and second machine positions and for movement relative to the carriage along a horizontal path transverse to the horizontal passages, the controllable arm presenting first and second vertical surfaces.

Abstract: A high-speed, bidirectional transporter for a multiple station production line provides for the programmable pickup, transport and delivery of materials at non-sequential work stations along the production line. The transporter is self-propelled by a rack and pinion drive and moves along a track that defines a course through the multiple work stations. A turntable on the transporter carries an extensible and retractable arm whose motion, when coupled with a materialladen pallet, provides for either the pickup or delivery of a pallet to or from an individual work station. Coupling and uncoupling of the arm with a pallet is effected by the controlled rotation of the turntable, which is capable of 180 degrees of rotation to also impart to the transporter the ability to transfer pallets off of both sides to address a work station on either side of the track.

Abstract: A push-pull slipsheet handler mountable on a standard hook-type lift truck carriage compatibly with load-handling forks mounted on the carriage. The slipsheet handler comprises a push-pull assembly and split platen, both of which receive their vertical support from the load-supporting surfaces of the forks. Attachment of the push-pull assembly to the lower hook-type bar of the carriage provides resistance against fore-and-aft movement of the slipsheet handler. To convert the truck rapidly to a fork-type truck capable of handling standard rigid pallets rather than slipsheets, the platen may be quickly removed leaving the push-pull assembly in place or, alternatively, the push-pull assembly and platen may be removed as an integral unit.

Abstract: An automatic transfer apparatus for loading and unloading a push car into and from an elevator is provided. It includes a guide member, a carriage mounted in the guide member, a conveyor for moving the carriage toward the push car, and another conveyor for pulling the push car into and out of the elevator. Firstly the carriage moves toward the push car, pulls it to mount it just on itself, and moves back to its original position to carry it onto the elevator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic storage and retrieval system for extracting individual storage elements from locations in a two dimensional array and replacing each extracted element into any other vacant location in that array or in some other location, possibly a second two dimensional array opposed to the first array and spaced from it by a distance only slightly greater than the length of the element. The present invention specifically relates to a system in which the bins are engaged by the extractor element along their sides.