Abstract: A forklift attachment for attachment to a fifth-wheel hitch assembly of a vehicle for permitting the lifting of loads. The forklift attachment includes a ground engaging support carriage having an towing tongue designed for attachment to a fifth-wheel hitch assembly of a vehicle. A pair of lifting arms are pivotally mounted to the support carriage. A pair of lifting devices are provided for raising and lowering the lifting arms with respect to the support carriage and a pair of tilting devices are provided for tilting the lifting arms with respect to the support carriage.

Abstract: A manipulator for a test head connected to automatic test equipment through a heavy, inflexible cable. The manipulator includes a telescoping column assembly to which is mounted a vertical member. A cradle holding the test head is mounted to the vertical member. The cable is clamped at the vertical member to reduce the amount of force exerted by the cable on the test head. The cradle includes movable members to allow fine positioning of the test head, while maintaining the test head isolated from cable force. Course motion of the test head may be made by moving portions of the manipulator on the opposite side of the cable clamp from the test head. Precise positioning of the test head relative to a handling device is accomplished through a positioning mechanism at the interface between the test head and the handling device. To allow the positioning mechanism to operate, the manipulator has compliance which allows the test head to be forced into position by the positioning mechanism.

Abstract: A fork lift with retractably extendable loading prongs for lifting loads from either side of a vehicle. The fork lift includes a mechanism for displacing the prongs over and across the vehicle, which mechanism has front and rear transverse girders which can be rigidly secured to the vehicle's chassis. The mechanism further includes front and rear masts, sprocketed wheels mounted on the masts to move the front and rear masts reciprocally, and a longitudinal beam which is coupled to the masts. The longitudinal beam can move up and down. Front and rear uprights extend downwardly from the longitudinal beam. The prongs are retractably engaged to the bottom of the uprights and are moved with hydraulic pistons.

Abstract: A motorized lift truck, with a telescopic arm (9), comprising a chassis (1) mounted on a plurality of wheels of which at least one (7) is power driven. The chassis (1) carries a motor propulsion group (3), a cab (2) and lifting structure (4) disposed between the motor propulsion group (3) and the cab (2). The lifting structure (4) is the telescopic arm (9) mounted pivotably about a substantially horizontal axle (10). The assembly of the lifting structure (4) comprising the telescopic arm (9) is displaceable transversely, so as to permit precise adjustment over a predetermined distance (d) of the position of the lifting structure (4) so as to engage the load. The truck is adapted to be loaded up on the rear of a carrying vehicle and comprises a chassis (1) having a U shape.

Abstract: A material handling lift having a movable frame, a mast mounted at one end to a shuttle assembly movable on the frame, and a load handling assembly attached to the mast by means of two extending arm members. The frame comprises two longitudinal C-shaped side rails in which the shuttle assembly can be reciprocated by wheels which engage the inner surfaces of the rails. The sections of the wheels which engage the rails are arched to prevent the lift from tipping when the lift is moving in a sloped direction. Guide wheels mounted on the shuttle assembly rotate across the surfaces of the sides of the upper rails, thereby stabilizing movement of the shuttle assembly along the rails. The shuttle assembly can be sustained in any position along the rails by operation of a hand-operated shuttle brake.

Abstract: A loader attachment includes a frame with a pair of arms pivotally connected thereto and depending therefrom. A tine is pivotally mounted at the lower end of each arm, and projects forwardly from each arm. Hydraulic cylinders are mounted between the frame and the arms to selectively pivot the arms inwardly towards one another and outwardly away from one another. A parallelogram linkage is provided on each arm to maintain the orientation of the tine on the arm as each arm is pivoted. A drive linkage interconnects the two parallelogram linkages such that the tines maintain an orientation relative to one another as the arms are pivoted. A hydraulic cylinder is connected between the frame and the drive linkage to permit selective rotation of the tines in opposing directions on the lower ends of the arms.

Abstract: A fork lift truck having a "lazy tong" or "scissor-like" horizontal motion control system attached to the mast carriage which allows the load carried by the mast to be retracted from forward of the front wheels to between the front and rear wheels and to be extended in a reverse fashion. Also, two horizontally and vertically forward-extending outriggers are deployed independently of each other with consideration to the terrain, obstacles, the load and other factors to prevent the truck from tilting forward in response to a load on the tines while the tines are extended forwardly and the truck is not traveling.

Abstract: In a method for stowing a load 1 in a load stacking position on a rear deck 4A, the load 1 is mounted on a slide plate 63 and is pushed by a pusher 51 to a push-in position until the load 1 and the slide plate 63 reach a load stacking position which is close to and facing against a front wall 4B on the rear deck 4A. Then the load 1 is transferred to the load stacking position by pulling the slide plate 63 back from the load stacking position with the pusher 51 kept in the push-in position.

Abstract: A hydraulic device comprising at least two cylinder-piston assemblies. Each of the assemblies are of the double-action type with a front and rear chamber on either side of a piston. The chambers are connected in series in a hydraulic control circuit such that the front chamber of a first assembly has a direct connection to a rear chamber of a second assembly. At least one of the cylinder-piston assemblies is provided with a valve assembly which opens a bypass thereby bypassing the piston of the assembly when the piston is situated close to the direct connection at the end of its stroke and the effective piston surfaces are the same in the chambers mutually connected by the direct connection.

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: Device for the quick change of tracks, which is suitable to cooperate with a traction unit (12) of a type with two facing tracks (11) such as that of EP-A-548723, for instance, and comprises a movable trolley (13), which has in a position substantially at the front of the traction unit (12) a first withdrawal and delivery position (13a), a second replacement position (13b) and an intermediate rotation position (13c) for pre-arrangement of the new set of tracks (111).

Abstract: A material handling attachment mountable on a pair of lifting arms of a vehicle comprising a mounting frame mountable on the lift arms of the vehicle and having at least one guide disposed thereon, a tine having a support arm portion cooperating with and displaceable along the guide. The mounting frame and the support arm portion of the tine are operatively interconnected for displacing the tine relative to the mounting frame.

Abstract: An improved fork lift truck having a scissor-actuated horizontal carriage motion system mounted on a horizontal frame. The carriage motion system providing for selectable positioning in a compact space of a lift assembly between a position forward of and behind the front wheels. The lift assembly provides downward pressure and is vertically moveable from and to a position which is below ground level and a further position above the level of the fork lift truck. The fork lift truck also provides a pair of outriggers which discontinue movement and remain stationary if they contact an obstruction, while the other outriggers continue to extend, the outriggers being moveable both horizontally and vertically relative to the remainder of the lift truck.

Abstract: A truck for handling pallets by means of a fork which vertically and horizontally is movable with respect to a supporting chassis; the chassis has a planar U-shaped configuration forming a central cavity which is closed toward the outside by a movable element of a bumper which surrounds the chassis, and is provided with two shoulders, each of which supports a guide which is slidingly engaged by a respective arm extending parallel and laterally with respect to the fork from a slider which is arranged between the shoulders and supports the fork so that it can slide vertically.

Abstract: A pallet handling platten system of the invention includes an auxiliary platten unit. The auxiliary platten unit comprises a pair of auxiliary plattens 30 normally stowable beneath the level of the load bearing surfaces of primary plattens 5 of the system. Devices 74,72 are provided for lifting the auxiliary plattens 30 to a first elevated level, for moving the auxiliary plattens 30 laterally of the system while not under load, and for lifting them when so extended to a second elevated level to take the load of the pallet. The primary plattens 5 of the system are then withdrawn while the load is supported on the auxiliary plattens, but the auxiliary plattens do not themselves move laterally under load.

Abstract: Apparatus for fabricating discrete segments of cushioned web material for use as dunnage. The apparatus includes a mobile supply cart having at least one substantially horizontal support arm for receiving the hollow core of rolled web material. The apparatus also includes a separate driven rugation device with feed rollers for directing multiple plies of the web material in overlying, contacting relationship along a single path of travel. The separate cart and rugation device may be removably interconnected for lateral alignment. Driven interdigitized texturing rolls downstream of the feed rollers emboss a raised pattern on the web material, and a plurality of separating rollers downstream from the texturing rolls separate the plies of web material and direct them in divergent paths of travel. Combining rolls recombine the plies of textured web material such that the embossed areas of each ply do not directly overlie each other but are offset, creating void areas between the adjacent plies.

Abstract: An attachment for removing pavement that can be removably mounted on the lift arms of a vehicle such as a tractor loader that includes a main frame having front and rear sides. An elongated penetrating member is mounted to extend cantilever from the front side of the main frame and an angular adjusting means is provided for orientating the penetrating member to any desired angular position from below to above horizontal. A holding member in the form of a pair of stub beams is mounted to also extend from the front side of the main frame in vertically spaced relation above the penetrating member to define a pavement receiving space therebetween into which the pavement can slide during removal. A hitch means is provided on the main frame for mounting the attachment on the lift arms of a tractor loader.

Abstract: A lift truck attachment for handling loads comprises a main frame assembly for attachment to an elevator of a lift truck and a lower slide assembly. A first channel member is associated with a first main frame vertical tube and disposed in an upright position. A second channel member is associated with a second main frame vertical tube and disposed substantially parallel to the first channel member. Upper closing members with center bores are attached to upper ends of the main frame vertical tubes and of lower sliding tubes. Lower sliding tubes are slidingly disposed in the main frame vertical tubes. First and second end members are attached at upper ends of first and second bolts. Third and fourth end members are attached at lower ends of first and second bolts. The first and second bolts pass through the center bores. The closing members are disposed between the first and third end members and between the second and fourth end members, respectively.

Abstract: The chassis of a forklift truck includes a front assembly and a rear assembly movable toward and away from each other between an extended stable normal working condition and a contracted compact condition for storage or transport of the forklift truck. The front assembly includes driven front wheels, standard upright mast and double-acting lift jack for the fork carriage movable along the mast. The rear assembly includes the operator compartment, rear axle assembly for the rear wheels and mechanism mounting the rear axle assembly for vertical movement relative to the operator compartment between a raised normal working position and a downward-projected position. The rear assembly also includes a landing wheel mounted in front of the rear axle assembly at a location above the rear wheels when the rear axle assembly is raised.

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 load-handling device is designed as a carriage movable along a floor and having a load-handling assembly whose load-engaging member is vertically movable as well as extendable and retractable relative to the carriage. According to the invention, the driving mechanism of the load-handling assembly comprises an endless driving element which runs along an elongate path between guiding wheels. The load-engaging member of the assembly is designed as a double-armed lever. The fulcrum of the lever is rotatably connected to the driving element so as to follow the movements thereof. One arm of the lever constitutes the load-engaging member or forms a part of the load-engaging member. The other arm of the lever has a cam follower. The cam follower serves to absorb torque produced by the load and, to this end, engages a cam track.

Abstract: The secondary fork 36 is composed of an aluminum extrusion which is formed integrally with a pair of right and left outward guide rail grooves 40a, 40b to be fitted with the guide rollers 45, 46 provided on the fixed fork 35 side and a pair of right and left inward guide rail grooves 41a, 41b to be fitted with the guide rollers 47, 48 provided on the primary fork 37 side, so as to form the secondary fork 36 in a single member. As a result, assembling operation is not needed, and therefore the number of parts and the assembling processes of the running fork type load transfer apparatus can be greatly curtailed, so as to reduce the cost.

Abstract: A handling vehicle is used for the interchanging or replacement of printed product reels and empty reel cores. The vehicle body has a substantially U-shaped frame in plan. On the frame is a structure (1), into which is integrated a working module (35) with a vertically adjustable manipulating device (4). This working module is movable at right angles to the vehicle body (2) and is arranged in the central area of the vehicle body. Longitudinally spaced from the working module (35) is a laterally movable gripping arm (12) fixed to the structure (1) on the vehicle body (2). The working module (35) is used for the handling and transportation of printing product reels (8) and the gripping arm (12) for handling and transporting empty reel cores (50).

Abstract: A fork extension and retraction system for use with stockpickers automatically extends and retracts hydraulically extendable forks of a stockpicker when the load handler carrying the forks has moved to its extended position on the load side of the vehicle, and it also automatically retracts the forks if they have drifted from a home position before performing other fork related activities. Switches in the fork carriage assembly sense when the extendable forks are in the home position and near the home position. Other switches sense when the load handler assembly has reached its extreme positions on either side of the operator's platform. Still other switches are used to slow the traverse movement of the load handler assembly as it approaches its extreme positions, thus to cushion the shock of the load handler stopping. A control circuit senses the condition of these switches and controls the operation of both the load handle and the fork extension hydraulic system.

Abstract: A green tire feed system provided between the forming process and the vulcanizing process in a tire manufacturing installation. This green tire feed system comprises pallets, each adapted to be charged with green tires, pallet loading tables disposed respectively in front of the respective vulcanizing machines installed in a row, shelves disposed in opposition to the pallet loading tables, a stacker crane adapted to travel through a passageway formed between a row of the pallet loading tables and a row of the shelves, a station for receiving pallets sent from forming machines and from the pallet loading tables, and control devices for controlling the stacker crane. The stacker crane is controlled by the control means to transport a pallet charged with green tires form the station to the shelves and from the shelves to the pallet loading table, and to transport an empty pallet from the pallet loading table to the station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a load-handling vehicle fitted with load-handling forks in which the fork blades are slidably movable relatively to the carriage on which they are mounted from a load supporting extended position to a retracted position in which the blades will be disengaged from the load. The sliding motion of the fork blades is such that during a movement from the extended load supporting position to a retracted position, each fork blade slides through the carriage on which it is mounted. The sliding motion is preferably effected by a rack and pinion type mechanism driven by a hydraulic driving mechanism controlled from the vehicle.

Abstract: A low-profile, automatically guided vehicle is provided with a vertically raisable cradle which can carry a roll either in a bilge position or an upright position. The vehicle is used in a roll-handling system which enables the vehicle to pass beneath the spaced, parallel arms of a storage rack that can be holding a roll either in the upright or bilge position. The vehicle can pass beneath a set of rolls on the storage racks so that passage of the vehicle either for depositing a paper roll or lifting a paper roll from the storage rack can be in a single, common direction. A transfer table is provided which has articulated arms that can be vertically raised. The arms can be moved lengthwise to the direction of the lengthwise axis of the roll in a bilge position, the arms can be raised vertically, or the arms can be carried moved to the lengthwise axis of the roll on the transfer table.

Abstract: An operating control system for a lift truck controlled from a single multi-function operator hand control which is located and designed for improved operator comfort, convenience, simplicity and to reduce operator fatigue. The sole hand control for directional and speed control and the operation of all hydraulic functions of the truck related to the handling of loads is recessed in a compartment adjacent one side of the truck and supported from a control shaft which extends forwardly, leftwardly and downwardly and along which the control handle may be pushed or pulled linearly to control all such hydraulic truck functions. The grip handle is rotatable to control direction and speed of the truck. Switch controls are located conveniently adjacent the one end of the rotatable grip handle for selecting a variety of hydraulic functions by the same movements forwardly and rearwardly of the operator control handle along the control shaft.

Abstract: A mechanism for use on a boom-type vehicle includes load lifting forks carried by a low profile twist-resistant carriage which is one link in a low profile parallelogram linkage attached to a fly section of the boom and maintained level in all positions of the boom by a slave cylinder connected between the boom and a slave link which constitutes a member of the parallelogram linkage. The mechanism can be adjusted to many positions while automatically maintaining the relative position of the forks with respect to the vehicle frame for any boom angle. The mechanism can be adjusted to provide a long reach over or under obstructions in order to remove or place a load. It may also engage loads below ground level. Load pick-up or placement can be performed in confined areas which are unreachable by conventional forklift trucks.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a slide fork provided on a stacker crane is provided wherein the slide fork is movable on the crane and can be positioned relative to a load rack, independently of the crane, and also fixed to a definite position on the crane. According to the apparatus, since the slide fork is directly positioned, the precision of the positioning is improved, substantially.

Abstract: In a stacker crane having a trolley comprising a turntable rotatable about a vertical axis, a mast projecting down from the turntable for rotation and horizontal motion with it, and a load supporting device vertically positionable along the mast, the mast comprises two mast elements spaced to opposite sides of said axis, and said device comprises an inverted U-shaped carriage member having its legs engaged along the inner sides of the mast elements and a shuttle member comprising load supporting tongues projecting forward from a frame. Rollers on the shuttle member frame engage fore-and-aft extending tracks on the legs of the carriage member to confine the shuttle member to horizontal motion relative to the carriage member between an extended position wherein said frame is spaced forward from said axis and a retracted position wherein said axis extends through the shuttle member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a retention device (30) for releasably maintaining a load engaging member (24) at a transport position (28) which eliminates the problems of supporting and simultaneously locking the load engaging member (24) at the transport position (28), failure of the lock device due to the weight of the load engaging member acting thereon, and alignment of the load engaging member (24) with the locking device. The retention device (30) has a stop (66) connected to the load engaging member (24) and a flange (40) engageable by the stop (66) at the transport portion of the load engaging member (24), to support the load engaging member (24) and the weight thereof at the transport position (28). The retention device (30) also has an engaging device (74) which engages the stop (66) and prevents pivotal movement of the load engaging member (24) from the transport position (28) to a load carrying position (26).

Abstract: A fork lifter comprising a mobile frame, a pole arranged on the frame and a load carrier adapted to move up and down along the pole and having a fork protruding from the pole, the prongs of the fork being provided with extensible parts wherein the extensible parts are driven by at least two cylinder-plunger combinations accommodated in the prongs of the fork and being located in a substantially horizontal plane.

Abstract: A lift truck carriage (12) is provided with a cylindrical bar (34) upon which the forks (16,18) may be mounted. The forks (16,18) are each retained in any desired position along the bar (34) by a clamp (42) located between a pair of mounting sleeves (28,30), and may be rotated about the axis of the bar (34) into a stowed position without having to unlock the clamping member (40).

Abstract: A forklift vehicle has hooks mounted on the forks for preventing removal of a loaded pallet from the forks and a gate for ejecting the contents of the pallet as the forks are withdrawn. The hooks are normally biased out of engagement with the pallet but a cam mechanism moves the hooks into pallet engaging position when the forks are moved to a selected unloading height. The gate is mounted on the rear of the forks and is biased there by two pairs of extensible links. During unloading the forks are moved forwardly and downwardly to bring the gate in front of a pair of stops. The forks are then moved rearwardly, withdrawing the pallet while the gate ejects the pallet contents. The forks are then raised above the stops, allowing the biased links to return the gate to its rear position.

Abstract: Industrial trucks commonly include a unitary frame having a roller mast and carriage assembly mounted forwardly thereon. The ability of such trucks to traverse narrow aisles is limited and their stability is normally increased with use of outriggers, counterweights, or the like. The vehicle (10) of this invention, such as an industrial truck, comprises a rear frame (14) and a pair of laterally spaced front frames (16) pivotally mounted forwardly on the rear frame (14). A roller mast (20) and carriage (26) is adapted to be mounted forwardly on the rear frame (14), between the front frames (16). The vehicle (10) will thus exhibit high degrees of maneuverability and stability by its ability to pivot the front frames (16) towards and away from each other, depending on the job task under consideration.

Abstract: A load support assembly including a base plate pivotally mounted to the lift arm of a supporting vehicle. A linking arm pivotally mounted to the base plate at one end and having a lift fork pivotally mounted at the other end. A hydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted to the base plate at one end and has a lift fork pivotally mounted at the other end. A linking arm is pivotally mounted to the base plate at one end and has another lift fork pivotally mounted at the other end. A member is pivotally mounted to both lift forks to maintain the lift forks in parallel alignment. A second hydraulic cylinder is pivotally mounted to the base plate at one end and to the linking arm at the other end to impart rotational displacement to the linking arm.

Abstract: Each of the tines of a fork lift truck is provided with a sleeve which is telescopically slidable thereover. A cross member joins the sleeves at their inner ends closest to the truck. A mechanical linkage is mounted on the truck and attached to the cross member. Extension of the linkage causes the covering sleeves to be tine extensions thus permitting a load carried thereon to be forwardly extended relative to the lift truck. A bail member having a rectangular perimeter is pivotally mounted at its rear on the lift truck to the rear of the tines and is positionable either in a substantially vertical position adjacent the front of the lift truck or in a horizontal position where the front cross member rests on the top surface of the sleeves. A cross slatted pallet carrying a load is positioned across the forwardly extending tines with their sleeve covers. Each of the sleeves is provided with a fixed lug on its top side.

Abstract: A standard hook-type carriage assembly designed for lift truck use in the handling of palletized cargo is converted for use in the handling of concrete blocks by hooking block-handling forks on the carriage plate and positioning such forks on the carriage plate with predetermined lateral spacings between the forks by a removable elongated spacer bar to which all of the forks are attached. Lost-motion connections are made between the forks and the spacer bar and limited lengthwise movement of the spacer bar relative to the carriage plate is permitted so that the forks can float, relative to each other and in unison, laterally along the carriage plate. The forks can also move independently of each other through a limited vertical distance relative to the carriage plate.

Abstract: An internal fluid communication system in combination with a fluid operated power cylinder, such as that used on industrial lift trucks, in which a pair of tubular sections in telescopic relationship is disposed lengthwise within the power cylinder, forming a fluid passageway through the cylinder for transmitting fluid from one end of the cylinder to the other. The cylinder may be of either the ram or the cylinder and piston type. Two or more tubular sections may surround the first tubular section and form a plurality of parallel fluid passages passing through the power cylinder from one end to the other without communicating with the operating fluid in the cylinder. In the embodiment of the invention applicable to a cylinder and piston type hydraulic motor, one tubular section is disposed in the piston rod and the other tubular section passes through the piston and is in telescopic relationship with the tubular section in the piston rod.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling large rolls of paper or spools of wire including a pair of outwardly extending arms, supported by air bearings, which straddle the roll or reel along the axis in a lower hemisphere. The roll is lifted upon inflation of the bearing and transported to its desired location. The parallel arms are adjustable toward and away from each other to accommodate rolls of varying diameters and may include stabilizing members for use with a reel in the event the arms are not of a sufficient length to extend beneath both flanges.

Abstract: A supporting and handling device located adjacent a tire processing machine for positioning and/or removing a tire, either in its cured or uncured state, to or from the holding device of said machine. The device is provided with an adjustable contoured surface that may be raised and lowered for handling said tire while same is being positioned upon or removed from the building drum or mandrel and while being moved to a position for further handling.