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 transfer apparatus comprising an object-suspending rod, upper and lower support rods whose one ends are pivotally connected to the object-suspending rod, and a connecting rod pivotally connecting the other ends of the support rods. The object-suspending rod, the connecting rod and the upper and lower support rods are disposed in parallel to constitute two pairs of opposite sides of a parallelogram link mechanism. An object hanger is attached to the lower end of the object-suspending rod. The other end of the upper support rod is connected to a balance weight which is guided in a vertical guide slot in a suspended support member so as to be movable up and down by a fluid cylinder device. The lower-support rod and connecting rod are connected by a pivot shaft which is movably guided in a horizontal guide slot in the support member. Another balance weight is connected to the other end of the lower-support rod.

Abstract: A workpiece storing and handling apparatus particularly adapted for loading parts in a multiple spindle chucking machine wherein the spindles and chucks are indexible successively to a transfer station. A rotary part table has a circumaxial series of part receiving rests and is indexed to move the parts to a transfer station in succession. A gripper on a transfer arm engages a part at the transfer station and swings the same in a composite arcuate motion to a ready position in horizontal alignment with a chuck at the machine transfer station. The arm and gripper then move the part linearly in a horizontal plane to the open chuck and return to the ready position for arcuate return movement to the table transfer station. A transfer arm support shaft is swingable through an arc in a vertical plane by a fluid operable cylinder and is simultaneously rotated about its axis by a bevel gear arrangement to provide the required composite arcuate motion of the arm.