Abstract: A roller mechanism for transporting loads over a surface, the roller mechanism including a body, at least one roller assembly that permits the body to move in at least one translational direction, the roller assembly being rotatably connected to the body, and a lifting mechanism attached to the body such that the body is selectively rotatable relative to the lifting mechanism, wherein the lifting mechanism can be operated to lift the roller assemblies out of contact with the 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 device for mechanically picking and palletizing rectangular objects of various sizes for attachment to a robotic arm. The device includes a pair of rails having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, elongated L-shaped grips extending there through. The distance between the respective rails can be adjusted to accommodate various width containers. The L-shaped grips are capable of pivotal rotation such that their grip ends rotate under the object for picking and palletizing. A pair of pallet hooks having suction cups attached thereto is also provided on the device.

Abstract: An attachment for industrial trucks, especially lift trucks, is designed as a multi-articulated lever mechanism (11), preferably as a three-hinge arm. This is articulated to a support plate (1), which can be locked and/or fixed in a bracket of the industrial truck. The lever arms (5, 6, 7) of the lever mechanism (11) are rotatable in relation to one another in articulated axles (3, 8, 10), and can be driven, individually and/or in a simultaneous movement, at least in the horizontal direction by mechanical, hydraulic and/or electrical devices. A load pickup device (12), which can be used preferably as a pivoting retractable fork, is arranged at the last, freely hanging lever arm (7). At least one of the lever arms (5 or 6 or 7) is adjustable in height along its articulated axle (3 or 8 or 10).

Abstract: A load-lifting device includes a load carrying beam at whose underside are arranged load-lifting magnets and which has on both sides vertical support columns, wherein securing arms of a load securing device are arranged on the vertical support columns so as to be swingable and in out about a vertical axis. The securing arms engage underneath a suspended load when oriented toward each other in a secured position. The support columns are each arranged on upper support arms which are swingably fastened to a lifting device. The lifting device is supported by the load carrying beam. The securing arms engage in the secured position thereof underneath a suspended load and can be placed against the underside of the load.

Abstract: Successive workpieces of a series of identical and/or different workpieces are measured at a monitoring station to which the workpieces are delivered by a conveyor serving to advance the workpieces along and/or against one or more orienting devices. A workpiece at the monitoring station is engaged by a clamping device which can enter an axial passage of the workpiece, or can engage a coaxial stud of the workpiece, and is mounted on an elevator which can shift a properly engaged workpiece above or below the transporting level. The workpiece is thereupon monitored by one or more sensors in suspended condition and is returned onto the conveyor.

Abstract: A mixed freight handling system, particularly for limited access areas such as an end-opening trailer at a dock, includes a telescoping conveyor overlapping a fixed conveyor and translatable into the trailer to receive hand liftable articles. A freight manipulator includes an appropriate and changeable freight manipulator tool mounted on an extendible boom and is translatable adjacent and along the conveyors to the dock edge. The tool is extendible into the trailer for engaging and supporting manually nonliftable freight for transfer to or from a freight conveyor extending alongside the path of the manipulator. The telescoping conveyor includes a base section engaged with a track, an inclinable lift section, and a liftable and laterally swingable head section. The manipulator includes a chassis engaged with a track straddling the fixed and telescoping conveyors and has a tunnel formed therethrough, allowing the passage of articles on the conveyors therebeneath.

Abstract: A support system comprises a cantilever for taking up objects running on roller wheels. The cantilever is formed to roll the objects onto the cantilever in a first direction up to a lock position and to remove them from the cantilever by rolling in a substantially opposite direction. The roller wheels shall be locked in a rest position and removal of the objects by rolling the roller wheels from the cantilever shall be eased. In order to achieve this object the cantilever comprises a depression formed at the lock position of the roller wheels and extending transversely to the roll-on direction. A substantially plane portion is provided at the roll-on side of the depression and a roller wheel arriving in the depression contacts said plane portion.

Abstract: An overhead support for receiving medical appliances comprises an extension arm and appliance receiving means and is modified for receiving various chassis-mounted appliances on said appliance receiving means. To this end the appliance receiving means is level-adjustable such that it receives a medical appliance carried on a chassis by grabbing the chassis from below.

Abstract: A hydraulic bumper mechanism for moving bales. A modified rear bumper is used on pick up trucks. Extending forwardly from the bumper is a pair of spaced apart housings which retain hydraulic cylinders. The front end of the cylinders and the piston portion thereof faces to the rear of the truck and each is attached to a receptacle that is rotatably attached to a common shaft. These receptacles are adapted to receive round bale piercing spears. When in the horizontal position as the truck is backed up into the bale these spears stab into the bales. Once the bale is stabbed, the hydraulic cylinders are actuated outwardly to cause rotation of the receptacles, of the spears and of the attached round bale of hay. A variety of other tools can be used with it and include a wire winder and a pallet mover. An auxiliary hydraulic kit is also incorporated with the modified bumper.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for supporting a load on the forks of a forklift while such load is being moved, wherein the relationship of the direction the load is moved to the direction the forklift moves is an oblique angle, the apparatus comprising:(A) a bottom member adapted with a means for attaching the apparatus to a forklift; and(B) a top member adapted for supporting a load, the top member pivotally attached to the bottom member, said top member adapted to pivot so as to support a load to be moved which must be moved in a direction which is at an oblique angle to the direction the forklift will move wherein the pivot point of the apparatus is located beyond the pivot point of a forklift when the apparatus is mounted on a forklift.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating the upper and lower dies of a die set comprising a gantry having a fixture mounted on a main frame for up and down movement, and a sub-frame mounted on the fixture for 180.degree. of rotation. Clamping units are mounted on the sub-frame for clamping the upper die to the sub-frame when the fixture is in a lower position at a work-transfer station. The die set is transported on a cart to the work-transfer station where the upper die is clamped to the sub-frame. The fixture is raised to elevate the upper die to an upper position. The cart is moved away from the work-transfer station carrying only the lower die with it. The upper die is inverted, lowered onto a second cart and it, too, is then moved away from the work-transfer station. Both dies now face upwardly for convenient inspection, cleaning and/or repair. The transporter cart table on which the die set is supported can be rotated to any desired angle such as 90.degree.

Abstract: An attachment for lift trucks to enable the truck to work in narrow aisles and manipulate loads in front of and to both sides of the truck without turning the truck. A side shifter which includes a pair of parallel moving arms for supporting the load in which the arms are pivotally supported from a track intermediate the ends of the arms. The side shifter retracts within the width of the truck, but extends beyond the sides of the truck for handling loads.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for lifting and swivelling a cover of a furnace away from a cauldron of the furnace is disclosed. The apparatus includes a longitudinally moveable and rotatable column housed in a cylinder. A bar, having a longitudinal axis which is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the column, is spaced apart from, and connected to, the column. A plate with an aperture is connected to an upper end of the cylinder. The bar may move through the aperture in the plate when the longitudinal axis of the bar is aligned with a center of the plate. A double-acting hydraulic cylinder is mounted on the plate. The cylinder includes a piston rod which is connected to a pivot head. The pivot head encircles the bar.

Abstract: A winder wherein, following completion of the winding operation, a roll receiver is moved from a standby position to a position under the completed sheet roll or rolls and the winding shaft used to wind the roll or rolls is then extracted to free the rolls for removal from the winder. Additionally, the winder is provided with a supply tension control for changing the tension in the web from that in the operation of unwinding the sheet from the web roll to a tension better suited for the winding operation, a winding torque adjuster which adjusts the winding torque by increasing the friction between the winding shaft and the winding core by regulating the air pressure within the hollow center of the winding shaft, and a winding core locking mechanism whereby the winding core is locked in place by spheres provided on the outer surface of a large number of core supporting collars fitted on the winding shaft.

Abstract: A lifting and dumping apparatus for use with a front end loading refuse vehicle. The apparatus includes a pair of lift arms which extend forward of the cab of the vehicle and which are pivotally secured to the sides of the vehicle. A rotatable front tube extends between the front ends of the left arms, and a pair of fork arms are pivotally connected to the front tube. The fork arms can pivot between an open position and a closed position. In the open position the fork arms extend forward of the lift arms, generally perpendicular to the front tube for engagement with a detachable refuse container, and in the closed position the fork arms are generally parallel to the front tube so that their projection forward of the left arms is eliminated. Hydraulic cylinders are provided for pivoting the fork arms, and a hydraulic circuit is provided with a sequencing valve to close the fork arms one at a time.

Abstract: A three-dimensional storage apparatus consists of a stacker truck movable along an aisle formed between opposing sets of cantilever arms at different levels projecting from a plurality of pillars disposed on each side of the aisle. The stacker truck has a vertically movable loader upon which transfer forks are pivotally mounted for displacement between an article support position and a stowed position. With the transfer forks in the stowed position the width of the stacker truck is significantly reduced thus allowing a reduction in aisle width and an increase in storage efficiency.