Abstract: Lift truck attachment assemblies are shown and disclosed. In some embodiments, the lift truck attachment assembly includes a carriage assembly having a carriage and a linear actuator attached to the carriage. The carriage is mountable to a lift truck, and the linear actuator includes a body and longitudinally opposed piston rods slidably received in the body, each of the piston rods having an end. The attachment assembly additionally includes a frame assembly slidably connected to the carriage. The frame assembly includes upper and lower transverse frame members and end vertical frame members connecting the upper and lower transverse frame members in a spaced relationship to define a frame central cavity therebetween. The linear actuator is disposed within the frame central cavity such that the ends of the piston rods contact the end vertical frame members allowing the linear actuator to slide the frame assembly laterally relative to the carriage assembly.

Abstract: A stacker includes a frame, forks connected to the frame and provided with a support part having at least one support wheel, and a carrier part provided movably relative to the support part for carrying the goods for displacement. The carrier part is provided with a double roller device. The double roller device includes a number of first roller elements located a distance from each other and having a roll surface, and a number of second roller elements located above the first roller elements and having a roll surface. The roll surface of the first roller elements lies against the roll surface of the second roller elements. The roller elements engage movably in vertical direction on the frame in a guided manner so as to extend the second roller elements in selective manner above the upper surface of the load platform.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided including a vehicle power unit, a monomast coupled to the vehicle power unit, and a fork carriage apparatus supported on the monomast. The fork carriage apparatus includes a mast carriage assembly directly coupled to the monomast for vertical movement, a fork carriage mechanism to which forks are mounted, and a reach mechanism coupled to the mast carriage assembly and to the fork carriage mechanism for actuating the fork carriage mechanism to move between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a forklift truck (1) of the type suitable for mounting on the rear of a carrying vehicle, the forklift truck comprising a u-shaped chassis (3) having a vertical mast (17) mounted thereon. The vertical mast carries a side shift mechanism (21), the side shift mechanism comprising a fixed carriage (23) with a movable carriage (25) slidably mounted thereon. A pair of fluid actuated rams (27, 29) is provided to slide the movable carriage (25) laterally relative to the fixed carriage (23). A rotating cylinder (49) is provided to rotate a pair of forks (19) mounted on the movable carriage. The configuration achieves greater side shift without the use of rollers or chains and permits the use of a rotating cylinder.

Abstract: A motorized pallet jack comprises one or more motors that can propel the pallet jack and lift each of the tines. The pallet jack has three tines, and the center tine can be about 2 times the width of each of the left and right tines, though other widths of the center tine can also be implemented. Because the center tine is about twice the width of the left and right tines, two pallets, side-by-side, can be carried simultaneously with only three tines. A portion of the center tine (a right-most portion) and the right tine can have raised areas that enable an operator of the pallet jack to lift a right pallet that sits on the raised areas higher than the left pallet. The left pallet sits on the left tine and center tine without the raised areas (at a lower height). The operator of the pallet jack can place the left pallet in a first location without disengaging the tines from the right pallet, or without lowering the right pallet all the way to the ground (or a first location surface).

Abstract: A pallet jack is disclosed that comprises a left tine, center tine, and a right tine. The center tine is about 2 times the width of each of the left and right tines, though other widths of the center tine can also be implemented. Because the center tine is about twice the width of the left and right tines, two pallets, side-by-side, can be carried simultaneously with only three tines. According to another embodiment of the pallet jack, a portion of the center tine (a right-most portion) and the right tine can have raised areas that enable an operator of the pallet jack to lift a right pallet that sits on the raised areas higher than the left pallet. The left pallet sits on the left tine and center tine without the raised areas (at a lower height). Thus, the operator of the pallet jack can place the left pallet in a first location without disengaging the tines from the right pallet, or without lowering the right pallet all the way to the ground (or a first location surface).

Abstract: A multi-lift for lifting and storing motorcycles and other vehicles includes a column, incorporating a vertical threaded shaft therein. The shaft is capable of rotation in opposite directions through a reversing motor. The shaft has a threaded carriage mounted thereon, so that as the shaft rotates in one direction, the vehicle laden carriage may be elevated for storing a vehicle or the reversing motor may be turned in an opposite direction, for lowering a vehicle laden carriage, to provide for unloading a vehicle. The threaded carriage that mounts on the threaded shaft may hold one or more wheeled vehicles, and is telescopically constructed so as to extend its length, to allow for storing one or more vehicles lengthwise thereon.

Abstract: A pallet jack with a pallet engaging fork having separate and independently movable first and second fork arms connected to independently controlled and operable first and second fork arm elevating means, for lifting a pallet loaded with a stack of items so that when the stack of items leans and is out of balance one fork arm can be elevated higher than the other to compensate and restore balance to the stack of items.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly formed by the hoisting cradle (4) and the fork cradle (2) of a forklift truck (1), in which the fork cradle (2) consists of two vertical beams (11, 12) and two horizontal beams (9, 10), the beams (9, 10, 11, 12) forming a substantially rectangular construction, to which hoisting means (3) are attached, the hoisting cradle (4) consisting of two substantially vertical beams (7, 8), one substantially transverse beam (5) and at least one substantially transverse hydraulic cylinder (6), the lower surface (14) of the upper horizontal beam (9) of the fork cradle (2) matching the curved outer surface (13) of the hydraulic cylinder (6), with bearings provided between the surfaces (13, 14). The invention also relates to a corresponding method for transverse shifting of a, fork cradle.

Abstract: A guard for use with a forklift including a carriage and at least one fork coupled to the carriage. The guard includes a first member configured to be coupled to the carriage, a second member configured to be coupled to the carriage opposite the first member, and a fork interface member extending between the first member and the second member. The fork interface member is adapted to adjustably secure the at least one fork relative to the carriage when the at least one fork is only partially coupled with the carriage. Fork racks and systems for removing, replacing, and/or storing forks provide additional advantages.

Abstract: A manipulator for accurately positioning a test head in automatic test systems supports the test head internally and reduces the overall size of the manipulator. The manipulator includes an elongated blade that extends into a central region of the test head. A spherical bearing is disposed within an opening of the elongated blade, and has an outlet race attached to the elongated blade. A shaft passes through the inner race of the spherical bearing and attaches to the body of the test head via a transition insert. The test head can thus be supported internally and made to rotate in compliance on the spherical bearing, about all axes of rotation.

Abstract: A lifting device comprising: a substantially horizontally extending support forming a support surface, comprising at least two support elements, such as, for instance, two prongs of a fork, for supporting a stack, a lifting member, movably connected to the support elements and displaceable in a vertical plane, a connecting device for movably connecting the support elements to the lifting member. The connecting device comprises: first members for, during picking up or putting down of the stack, moving a support element freely relative to the lifting member through an at least small distance relative to the lifting member in substantially vertical, upward direction; second members for freely rotating a support element through an at least small angle about an axis perpendicular to the vertical plane, the second members allowing free rotation only when, during picking up or putting down of the stack, the support element has been moved upwardly.

Abstract: A forklift truck has a frame, a cab including a roof to protect the driver and a lift support structure connected to the frame. A load-carrying fork is mounted on the lift support structure for vertical movement and the lift support structure, the roof and the frame are all welded together to form a single load-bearing assembly.

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 removable side shifter attachment attachable to the carriage bar of a lift truck has a frame shiftable with respect to the truck. The frame includes a shifter carriage bar for receiving a lift fork. A hydraulic cylinder attached to the truck carriage bar having rods contacting the frame at its sides is positioned horizontally forwardly of the truck carriage bar and between the truck carriage bar and the shifter carriage bar. The cylinder is positioned generally within a J-shaped portion of the shifter carriage bar so that the cylinder does not extend substantially above or below the carriage bar and does not appreciable add to the overall thickness of the apparatus. The cylinder further includes two axially aligned chambers separated by a central partition, each chamber containing a piston in contact with a respective rod, each piston dividing its respective chamber into interior and exterior portions.

Abstract: A removable side shifter attachment attachable to the carriage bar of a lift truck has a frame shiftable with respect to the truck. The frame includes a shifter carriage bar for receiving a lift fork. A hydraulic cylinder attached to the truck carriage bar having rods contacting the frame at its sides is positioned horizontally forwardly of the truck carriage bar and between the truck carriage bar and the shifter carriage bar. The cylinder is positioned generally within a J-shaped portion of the shifter carriage bar so that the cylinder does not extend substantially above or below the carriage bar and does not appreciable add to the overall thickness of the apparatus. The cylinder further includes two axially aligned chambers separated by a central partition, each chamber containing a piston in contact with a respective rod, each piston dividing its respective chamber into interior and exterior portions.

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: 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: An adjustable lifting shoe assembly for sheet or sheet package lifting devices is disclosed. The assembly enables a plurality of lifting shoes suspended from a reinforced back plate to be slid laterally along the back plate to stradle and/or be inserted between full-width cross runners or circumferential bands extending beneath the sheet or sheet package. Such a construction is generally suspended from a crane or hoist and is useful in lifting all types of sheet packages.

Abstract: A device for shifting packs (P) of panels along the workpiece support table (L) of a sawing machine. The top surface of a stack of panels (P') comprises a pair of levers (1, 2) hingedly mounted on a motorized carriage (C). The first lower lever (1) frontally contacts the side of the pack (P) by its forward end defining a vertical pushing front (13) and has a lower jaw (17) acting on the underside of the edge of the pack (P), while a second, upper lever (2) forms, with its forward end (20, 21), the upper jaw acting on the top side of the edge of the pack (P). The second lever is actuated for gripping the edge of the pack between the two jaws (17, 20, 21).

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: Apparatus (1) for driving take-up elements (7) for palletizable load units (4), which are intended to effect cycles of movement each including at least a first and a second horizontal movement in opposite directions from each other, with a vertical movement in between. These movements are driven so as to follow each other without intermediate stoppages and with a continuous and substantially harmonic variation of the velocity and acceleration of the take-up elements (7). The apparatus (1) includes a linkage (10, 12) interposed between the take-up elements (7) and the motor (13) for driving their horizontal movement, and cam means (24, 25) driven by the motor (13) for driving the vertical movement.

Abstract: A dolly is illustrated of the type generally employed for lifting and transporting vehicle wheels, especially the large wheel assemblies employed on truck rigs which utilizes longitudinally disposed tiltable frames for supporting the wheels, and a modified form of the invention contemplates a special leveling mechanism for the dolly.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a machine for drawing yarn hanks from advancing hank carrying supports and doffing the drawn hanks on a carriage or container or conveyor belt. The machine comprises a pliers holder head wherein the pliers, each formed of two or more rods movable near one another, can be adjusted in spacing for adaptation to various dimensions of hanks. The head is rotatable about a horizontal axis to arrange the hanks in horizontal direction and is tiltable or upsettable about a further horizontal axis. Furthermore, the head is mounted to be movable parallel to the extension of the hank carrying supports, and preferably also parallel to the advancement or feeding of the hank carrying supports.

Abstract: A storage structure is provided with a plurality of vertically, horizontally and longitudinally spaced support pads which form a plurality of vertically and horizontally spaced, elongated floors for supporting a plurality of cargo container trailers. The longitudinal passageway between adjacent horizontally separated floors freely receives a pair of vertically telescoping stabilizer masts mounted upon a powered vehicle, the front and rear wheels of one side of which are receivable in a longitudinal vehicle guide at the bottom of the storage structure. The upper ends of the masts are receivable in a longitudinal mast guide at the top of the storage structure, whereby the masts are supported in vertical position. An elevator, movable vertically between the masts and horizontally through the longitudinal passageway, is arranged to pick up a cargo container trailer and elevate it to and lower from a desired one of the floors of the storage structure.

Abstract: A hank transfer apparatus for transferring hanks from a hank carrier (100) to a holding or transporting device, comprises, on a stationary structure (11, 12, 13) a movable head (72) carrying two parallel hank-holder rods (90, 91) extended therefrom, which can be moved near each other in a closing position for introduction into a hank hanging from a hank carrier, and moved away from each other to an opening position for removing a hank from its own hank-carrier; the head (72) is movable in three orthogonal directions and rotatable, by sliding members (25, 40, 70) and guides (15,16; 31,32; 63,64) and a rotational device (50).

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for handling signature bundles. The apparatus is particularly designed to place one signature bundle in end-to-end relationship with another. The apparatus includes a clamping plate at one end of a frame and a pair of pivotal arms at the other end of the frame which can engage and disengage a signature at the end of the bundle without damaging it. This enables a new signature bundle to be stacked on another one at feeding equipment which separates and collates the bundles with other bundles, by way of example.