Abstract: A heavy equipment recovery winch system includes a winch assembly mountable to a drive end of a heavy equipment vehicle, a hydraulic assembly and a fairlead assembly. The hydraulic assembly is mounted to a portion of the heavy equipment vehicle and the hydraulic assembly is operatively connected to the winch assembly. The fairlead assembly is mountable to the drive end of the heavy equipment vehicle to assist with guiding a cable from the winch assembly.

Abstract: A includes a control arm comprising a first link and a second link, a lift arm articulately connected to the first link by a first joint and a first actuating means articulately connected to the first link by the second joint. The second link and the lift arm are adapted to permit a pivotal connection with a loading means by a third joint and a fourth joint, wherein the lift arm is adapted to lift and lower the loading means and the first actuating means is adapted for actuating the control arm, by acting on the first link in at least a direction from the first actuating means, to achieve a rotational movement of the loading means around said fourth joint, when the loading means is connected to the control arm and to the lift arm. During action of the first actuating means on the first link in the direction from the first actuating means a decrease of a distance between the second joint and the third joint is achieved.

Abstract: A compact utility loader compact utility loader comprising a frame and a loader arm configured in a vertical-lift configuration. The compact utility loader additionally comprises a link pivotably secured to the loader arm and to the frame, and an actuator pivotably secured to the loader arm and to the frame. The compact utility loader further comprises a track assembly configured to maintain the loader arm in direct attachment to the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling a robot arm to a tool that is suspended by an ergonomic arm capable of supporting 3D motion of the tool within a working volume. The apparatus includes a tool sleeve configured to accept the tool, a freely rotating rotary fitting coupled to the tool sleeve, and a coupling that couples a distal end of the robot arm to the rotary fitting. When the tool is inserted into the tool sleeve, the tool is free to rotate around the rotational axis with respect to the robot arm, such that a motion of the distal end of the robot arm does not impose a torque between the robot arm and the tool around the rotational axis, and such that motion of the distal end of the robot arm repositions or reorients the tool within at least a portion of the working volume.

Abstract: A system for protecting at least one tube extending between articulating joints of a work machine including a first guard configured to be at least partially inserted inside a first opening formed in a second portion that is pivotably connected to a first portion. A second guard is configured to be at least partially inserted inside a second opening formed in the third portion that is pivotably connected to the second portion and near the first portion. The first guard and the second guard form a protective passageway for a tube extending from the first portion to the third portion, the passageway substantially preventing contact between the at least one tube and surfaces of the second portion and the third portion in close proximity with the corresponding pivotable connections.

Abstract: A material handling machine includes a linkage assembly connected to a machine frame of the material handling machine. The linkage assembly configured to transport material from a front side of the machine frame to a rear side of the machine frame. The linkage assembly includes a first and a second guide rails associated with the machine frame. The linkage assembly further includes a first boom and a second boom having one end pivotally connected to the first guide rail and the second guide rails. A first and a second lift mechanism are pivotally connected to the first boom and second boom, respectively.

Abstract: A robotic device for moving at least one object between locations, including a servo motor system having a single servo axis for effecting motion in at least two directions of motion. The robotic device includes a link arm rotationally coupled to said servo motor system for lifting and placing said at least one object, a head assembly having gripper arms for gripping and releasing said at least one object at said locations. The head assembly includes a leveling mechanism for maintaining said at least one object in a desired orientation, and a split ring sensing mechanism, disposed between said gripper arms, for determining the presence of said at least one object.

Abstract: Wheels, endless treads, or articulating legs powered by a first drive mechanism support a chassis for movement along a support surface over which are spread one or more regular or irregular shaped objects. A transversely extending, forwardly opening receptacle is mounted to the chassis for receiving and holding the objects. The receptacle is movable by a second drive mechanism about a substantially horizontal axis between a lowered collecting position and a raised dumping position for dispensing collected objects into a collection bin. Working together a pair of sweeper gates mounted at opposite ends of the receptacle can be rotated by a third drive mechanism about respective vertical axes between fully open and fully closed positions. The sweeper gates entrap and pull objects into the receptacle when they are within a predetermined proximity of the receptacle. A remote control allows an operator to control the first, second and third drive mechanisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a forklift having a traversing carriage for moving longitudinally along a frame of the forklift, an outer guide rail for guiding the carriage being disposed relatively low to the operator cockpit so as to minimize the obstruction of operator visibility of the surrounding terrain.

Abstract: An arm operation mechanism for an industrial robot includes a support, a first arm, a second arm, a link base, a parallel link and a conversion mechanism. The first arm has a base end pivotally connected to the support for rotation relative to the support. The second arm has a base end pivotally connected to a tip end of the first arm for rotation relative to the first arm. The link base is pivotally connected to the first arm for rotation relative to the first arm. The parallel link keeps a constant posture of the link base upon the rotation of the first arm. The conversion mechanism converts the rotation of the link base relative to the first arm into the rotation of the second arm relative to the link base.

Abstract: The elevator device for an agricultural tractor loader comprises a swing member bearing in an articulated manner on a member protruding from a bracket in direction of the tractor loader. The swing member is moreover supported and actuated by a cylinder connected to the bracket so that this swing member pivots the tool to which it is attached and lifts the tool during expansion of the cylinder.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus arranged on the side of a vehicle frame for vehicles such as various model size forklifts ensures exact vertical movement of the load. The lifting apparatus includes a rocker having inner and outer rockers connected to each other by a common lower rocker bearing and bearing bolt to resist torsion. The outer rocker is directly and operatively connected to a lifting cylinder supported in the vehicle frame. The outer rocker is also operatively connected through a multi-sectional kinematic drive to a rack-and-pinion or drive shaft drive arranged near and operatively connected to the lifting cylinder. An inclination cylinder is operatively connected to pressure bars and is arranged near the lower rocker bearing. The inner and outer rockers are also supported on the front side of a box girder which connects two side portions of the vehicle frame to resist twisting. Visual range is improved and the total mass reduced due to favorable positioning of the center of gravity.

Abstract: In a device for receiving and transposing of plates (2), in particular glass plates from a substantially horizontal position or reversed, a pivot arm (6) is pivotable around a longitudinal axis (7) into two end positions, namely into a receiving position and a release position. A support frame (8) is mounted on the pivotable end of the pivot arm (6) being pivotably mounted around a horizontal axis (10). The support frame (8) is provided with suction cups (9) for receiving a plate (2) and is forcibly guided, so that it is turned around its pivot axis (10) at an angle which is smaller than 90.degree. during the movement of pivot arm (6) from one end position into the other. The support frame (8) is rigidly connected with a guide rod (15) disposed in a vertical plane for an exact and poor wear guide, whereby the guide rod is guided longitudinally displaceable in guide bushing (16) which is supported pivotably and a horizontal axis (20) outside of the pivot radius (23) of pivot arm (6).

Abstract: Conventional lifting mechanisms for positioning materials with respect to a frame such as lift trucks, cranes, and front end loaders frequently have undesirable components of motion. For example, the motion of the mast on a conventional fork lift truck with a parallelogram linkage contains substantial horizontal displacement. The apparatus (48) of the present invention substantially reduces undesirable components of motion by, for example, utilizing a lifting linkage (49) comprising an upper pair of links (50,52), a medial pair of links (58,60), a connecting link (66), and a lower pair of links (68,69). The linkage (49) also includes a guide channel (78) which directs the lower pair of links (68,69) along a predetermined path with respect to the lift truck (40).

Abstract: A flexible hose assembly (10) transmits fluid between relatively movable components, such as a drive motor (16) secured to the main frame (14) of a vehicle (12) and pressurized fluid supply ports (13) resiliently supported on the main frame (14), in a constricted region where typical hose motions could result in chafing or cutting from contacts with adjacent structure. A flexed portion (39) of the hose (38) extends within a curved tubular rigid sleeve (47) which is fixed relative to one (16) of the fluid transmitting components (16, 13) and free of rigid attachment to the other (13). The diameter of the inside passage (51) of the sleeve (47) is greater than that of the hose (38) enabling limited necessary flexing while preventing more sizable and potentially damaging hose (38) movements. The curved hose portion (39) may have a radius of curvature smaller than the normal minimum bending radius as the sleeve (47) restrains kinking by preventing concentration of bending forces at one point on the hose (38).

Abstract: A frame for attachment to the forward end of a farm tractor and defining upstanding guide structure thereon including a substantially vertical lower portion and an upwardly and rearwardly inclined upper portion. A follower is supported from the guide structure for movement up and down the latter and includes a forwardly projecting horizontal spear assembly for spearing the center of a round bale of hay lying upon the ground toward which the associated tractor is advanced. A hydraulic cylinder is operatively connected between the frame and the follower for moving the latter upwardly and downwardly along the guide structure.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting an extendable, elongated tool-handling boom within a gantry. The back end of the boom is rotatably supported in a carriage that is movably mounted in a gantry while the main body of the boom forward of the carriage is seated upon a rest carried within a cradle which is also movably mounted within the gantry whereby the relative position of the two boom support points can be altered as the boom is extended and retracted within the gantry. The boom is able to be lifted from the cradle seat in the event it becomes hung-up upon an obstacle while in use thereby preventing the boom from being damaged. A shock absorber is operably connected between the cradle and the boom which serves to return the boom to the cradle seat at a controlled rate.

Abstract: The lift truck of the invention comprises a frame, a mast adapted to be lifted in relation to the frame, a fluid-operated cylinder for controlling the ascent and descent of the mast, a load-supporting platform rigid with the mast, a first pivot pin carried by the lower end of the mast and rigid with a movable slide block guided horizontally along the lower portion of the frame. The slide block carries the pivot pin of a positioning rod for positioning the load supporting platform and a supporting rod, having a length equal to one-half of the distance between the pivot pin of the mast on the slide block and the pivot pin of the load supporting platform on the mast, is pivoted to the mast and to the lower portion of the frame ahead of the slide block.

Abstract: A robot arrangement adapted to carry a load such as an article, a tool or a cargo to a specified position includes a main robot capable of active movement of the load in rectilinear directions and passive movement in directions parallel to a plane perpendicular to the rectilinear directions, and at least one sub robot capable of active movement of the load in directions parallel to the plane. A flexible connection allows passive movement of the load with respect to the sub robot in the rectilinear directions.