Abstract: The present invention is intended to expand the operating region of a driven robot component of a robot by a provision of a driving linkage system for transmitting a drive torque of a drive source unit to the driven robot component, the driving linkage system having two spatially separated linkages, which are different from each other in the phase of motion thereof, to thereby transmit the drive torque from the drive source unit to the driven robot component by at least one of the two linkages even if the other linkage is brought to a dead center state, whereby the torque can be continuously transmitted to the driven robot component.

Abstract: Bridge crane with articulated rotary boom, which includes a beam (13) that supports a boom (17) able to rotate in a substantially horizontal plane about a substantially vertical pivot (14), which is located substantially at the center of the span of the beam (13) and is fixed below the beam (13), the boom (17) consisting of at least two elements (18-118-218) which can be positioned vertically in relation to each other by means of cylinder/piston actuators (121-221), the boom (17) being anchored by means of its first element (18) to a rotary platform (24) positioned below the beam (13), an operator's cage (15) and a motor unit (16) located below the beam (13) being comprised in cooperation with the central pivot (14) of rotation, the motor unit (16) being offset laterally in contraposition to the boom (17) so as to act as a counterweight, the first element (18) of the boom (17) being able to oscillate and to be positioned vertically by means of a first cylinder/piston actuator (21).

Abstract: An articulated support rack (10) for a vehicle (12) having a trailer hitch sleeve (20). The support rack (10) includes a base member (28) having a tongue portion (41) slidably engaged with the trailer hitch sleeve (20). First and second frame members (30, 32) are pivotally mounted in spaced parallel relationship on the base member (28). A pair of arms (34) are pivotally attached to the top rail (54) of the frame members (30, 32) to remain in a substantially horizontal position as the frame members (30, 32) pivot between a substantially raised position and a substantially lowered position. A pair of lock plates (36) are pivotally mounted to the base member (28) and have notches (74) formed thereon to positively engage and lock the frame members (30, 32) in the raised position.

Abstract: A battery changing system for electric battery-powered vehicles, particularly for electric battery-powered underground mining vehicles having a main frame and a battery support attached to the main frame, and using several exchangeable batteries, the battery changing system comprising a bellcrank for connecting the battery support with the main frame, a first pin for mounting pivotably the bellcrank to the main frame, a second pin for mounting pivotably the battery support to the bellcrank, an eyebar link for connecting the battery support to the main frame in parallel with the bellcrank, a third pin for connecting pivotably the eyebar link to the main frame, a fourth pin for connecting pivotably the battery support to the eyebar link, and a hydraulic cylinder for pivoting the bellcrank around the first pin.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for moving objects along a predetermined movement path, comprising a stand, a slide assembly carried by the stand, and a gripping-device attachment device connected to the slide assembly, the gripping device being intended to hold the object being moved by the arrangement. According to the invention an elongated carrier is displaceably mounted on the stand for reciprocating movement along a first straight path. The slide assembly is displaceably mounted on the elongated carrier for reciprocating movement along a second straight path which is substantially perpendicular to the first path. The slide assembly carries one end of a link system, the other end of which is free and reciprocatingly moveable along a third straight path extending perpendicularly to both the first path and the second path. The free end of the link system carries the attachment device.

Abstract: A control device for a tiltable mounting head, such as the mounting head for a camera, includes a pantographic-type linkage. The angular position of an arm (24) supporting the mounting head (26) is controlled relative to a locating arm (12), whose remote end is pivoted to fixed structure (16) by three meshing gears, of which one (10) is connected to the locating arm (12) and another gear (20) is connected to the arm (24). The gears are rotatably mounted on a rigid arm (22) of the linkage of which an intermediate point (28) is constrained to move along a horizontal path.

Abstract: A substrate transfer apparatus includes two transfer arms pivotably arranged on a support table on opposite sides from each other with respect to a center of the support table. Each of the transfer arms includes: a first set of parallel links, a second set of parallel links, and a substrate holding member. The first set of the links is pivotably connected to the second set of the links at one ends thereof. The other ends of the first set of the links are pivotably connected to the support table. The substrate holding member is provided on the other end of the second set of the links. The each of the substrate holding members moves outward from the support table by stretching of the transfer arms and returns to the support table by bending of the transfer arms, and the transfer arms are bent in an opposite direction to each other with respect to the support table.

Abstract: Apparatus for lifting round bales of hay including a pair of arms which project forwardly from the front end of a tractor. These arms support a pivotal structure which includes a spear for impaling a round bale of hay and thereafter tilting the bale up off the ground. Another embodiment includes a device similarly attached to the forward end of a tractor; however, the latter embodiment involves a spear which can be elevated with respect to the ground while remaining parallel to the ground. A third embodiment involves a bale lifting device which is similar to the second embodiment but which can be attached to a conventional 3-point hitch on a tractor or to the rear of a flatbed trailer. A still further embodiment includes a square frame supported from a tractor by means of a 3-point hitch connection. The square frame rotatably supports an elongated rectangular frame which has impaling spears at the opposite ends thereof.

Abstract: A spot welding robot including a base and an arm assembly mounted on the base. The arm assembly includes a lower arm mounted at a lower end on the base for a swingable movement about a substantially horizontal first axis, a swingable member mounted on the lower arm at an upper end portion of the lower arm for a swingable movement about a second axis which is parallel with the first axis, and an upper arm mounted at one end portion on the swingable member for a swingable movement about a third axis which is perpendicular to the second axis. The swingable member has a portion extending in a direction opposite to the direction in which the upper arm extends. A driving motor is provided on the swingable member for driving the upper arm to produce the swingable movement of the upper arm about the third axis.

Abstract: A maneuverable, wheeled, steerable vehicle is used for transporting helicopters of the type having landing skids. Such helicopters typically have cross bars under the body proper, with downward-curving arms to the skids. The invention includes two mutually parallel booms which extend from the vehicle body parallel and close to the ground. One of the booms is laterally movable toward and away from the other boom, which is fixed to the vehicle frame. In use, the booms are laterally spaced; the vehicle then goes forward to slide the booms under the cross bars of the helicopter body. Lift bars attached to each boom then raise the helicopter up so that the vehicle can transport it. The booms include a gang of small, hydraulically swiveled steering wheels at the ends distal the vehicle. Each lift bar swings upward on double parallel pivot arms at either end of each boom. The pivot axes are horizontal. The arms are of equal length to keep the lift bars horizontal.

Abstract: This invention is a carrier for an ambulance litter which safely and easily transports a patient between the ambulance and a hospital gurney. The litter carrier includes a frame and a platform, the platform being pivotably mounted to the frame. Moving the platform around its pivot point causes the platform to be raised or lowered relative to the frame. To transport a patient, the operator raises the platform to the level of the ambulance floor, and moves the carrier to the vicinity of the ambulance. The operator then rolls or moves the litter out of the ambulance, onto the platform, and may then secure the litter to the platform with a suitable fastener. The platform includes channels which provide a path for the wheels or feet of the litter, and which tend to prevent the litter from falling from the carrier. As the platform is lowered, its downward movement is cushioned by shock absorbers. The operator then easily lifts the patient from the litter and onto the hospital gurney or other carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus attached to the trailing end of a passenger vehicle that carries a small three wheeled vehicle of the type used by people who have difficulty in walking. Three ramps in triangular array are supported by a support assembly that is raised and lowered by a small motor. The raising and lowering is accomplished by a telescoping member that causes a linkage apparatus to lift the ramp members when the telescoping member is extended and to lower the ramp members when the telescoping member is retracted. The profile of the apparatus is low in that it is positioned below the bottom edge of a station wagon rear door and does not interfere with the opening of that door. A hinge allows folding of the apparatus into a generally vertical plane when not in use.

Abstract: A concealment trolley for the transportation of deceased persons which includes a bogie supporting an enclosure. The enclosure preferably has an overall outward appearance resembling a piece of mobile hospital equipment. In the enclosure there is a mechanism whereby a deceased person can be loaded on a litter or platform into the enclosure and fully concealed therewithin. A support mechanism is located within the enclosure and is adapted to support a litter or platform. The support mechanism is movable so as to be able to raise and lower the litter or platform relative to the enclosure.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift, for tour buses or any bus having an elevated seating area providing room for a compartment beneath the seating area, includes a carriage movable into and out of the compartment. A platform on the carriage is formed by rotating a movable part with respect to a fixed part. A powered linkage between the carriage and the platform raises and lowers the platform. Safety devices such as barriers and handrails are provided.

Abstract: A closed loop multi-link robotic apparatus is actuated to produce two-dimensional motion with respect to a base member. The base member is coupled to an actuator which, in a practical embodiment of the invention, moves the base member along a part which is rectilinearly orthogonal with the respect to the two-dimensional motion. A correlator, which may be an electronic system, controls the actuator to produce a predetermined composite three-dimensional motion which can be adapted to performed industrial automation tasks. Adjustability of the system is achieved by providing a mechanism for adjusting the length of one or more of the links. Additionally, other elements may be varied, such as an angular relationship between various ones of the rigid links or the angular relationship between an end-effector coupler and the multi-link system. In some embodiments, the changes in link length may be correlated to the position of the actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus particularly usable with an emergency vehicle for storage thereon and facilitating removal of remotely located emergency devices such as ladders, tanks or hoses and the like including a mounting bracket fixedly secured to the vehicle with at least two extension arms extending outwardly therefrom and pivotally secured with respect to the mounting bracket at locations vertically and laterally spaced from one another. An upper suspension bracket is pivotally secured to the extension arms at the opposite end from the mounting bracket and in order to facilitate movement of the extension arms from a storage position vertically extending upwardly above the mounting bracket to a retrieval position laterally extending outwardly from the mounting bracket to facilitate access to the emergency device such as a ladder. There is no rotation of the upper suspension bracket during movement from the storage position to the retrieval position and vice versa with respect to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A device for loading and unloading a wheelchair into and out of a motor vehicle, consisting of a horizontal carriage track mounted transversely on the floor of the vehicle and extending the length of the compartment behind the front seat. A carriage block is slideably engaged with the carriage track and connected to a motor-actuated screw drive that causes it to slide along the track on command. An arm with a wheel-support track assembly conforming to the front wheels of a standard wheelchair is pivotally attached to the carriage block and can be extended to the outside of the vehicle to receive the folded wheelchair and move it in and out of the vehicle as the arm is retracted or extended as a result of the carriage block sliding across the track. The device is controlled by a single switch operable from the driver's seat.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improved mechanism for lifting and orienting or tilting objects about a definable pivot axis of rotation. The device is comprised of a quadrilateral frame with each frame member pivotally connected to the adjacent frame members, and wherein one frame member is adapted to be externally supported and to allow the frame to be pivoted about a first generally horizontal axis of rotation, and the opposite side frame member is adapted to support an object, and including a handle for altering the angular relationship of the frame members to thereby pivot or tilt the object about the a second axis of rotation passing through the center of gravity of the object and parallel to the first axis of rotation, and further including mechanism to counterbalance the weight of the frame.

Abstract: An aerial weapons handling trailer includes a frame comprising longitudinally extending beams and a cross beam interconnecting the front ends of the longitudinally extending beams. The frame is supported on wheels which are pivotable between positions wherein the trailer is movable longitudinally and positioned wherein the trailer is movable laterally. The wheels include drive motors for positioning the trailer. A plurality of lift arms are pivotally supported on the longitudinally extending beams of the frame and in turn support lift beams. The lift arms include inwardly offset portions, and the lift beams are separated by a distance not greater than the width of a weapons package that is lifted and positioned by the trailer. The lift arms are actuated by hydraulic cylinders which are provided with load lock valves to prevent inadvertent lowering of the load carried by the lift beams.

Abstract: The invention relates to a collapsible lift trolley capable of occupying a compact collapsed position and a deployed in-use position. In accordance with the invention, the collapsible lift trolley comprises a base unit having a turnable wheel, two longitudinal stringers with an end hinged to the base unit to form a support frame when in the deployed position, a support rod upraised from the base unit, a lift arm having an end bent to be hinged on top of the support rod and the other end engaging a hook and a jack interconnecting the support rod and the lift arm for swinging the lift arm relative to the support rod.

Abstract: A freight transportation system is provided and comprises a loading station, an unloading station and a vehicle moveable therebetween to transport freight. The vehicle includes a lower platform for carrying freight and a pair of doors moveable between open and closed positions. In the closed position, the doors constitute side walls to prevent removal of the freight from the vehicle. In the open position, the doors are located to facilitate removal of the freight from the vehicle. The unloading station includes a door moving mechanism for moving the doors of the vehicle to the open position upon its arrival at the station. A freight removal device moves the freight off of one side of the platform when the doors are moved to the open position.

Abstract: An inflatable bag (17) for use in exhaust powered tippers is constructed from blanks of flexible air tight material using a side wall template (10) and end wall templates (11, 12). The blanks are made so that the finished bag when fully inflated assumes an oblique cone-like shape (17) with rounded ends (19, 20). The side wall material is preferably a fabric having waft and weft fibres of uniform tensile strength so that the tension in the side wall is in the longitudinal direction as the bag inflates in order to reduce the tendency of the bag to rotate on its couplings. The invention can be provided in kit form where the bag is coupled for limited movement to load transmitting end plate (21, 22) for retro fitting the bag to a vehicle.

Abstract: A two-dimensional positioning mechanism, comprising a moveable platform, a first translating device connected to the platform to move the platform in a first direction, and a second translating device connected to the platform to move the platform in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The first translating device includes first and second links, each of which is pivotally connected to the platform, and a first linear actuator pivotally connected to the first and second links to move those links in the first direction. The first and second links, the moveable platform and the linear actuator form a pivotal parallelogram structure to maintain the orientation of the platform substantially constant during movement thereof. Preferably, the positioning mechanism further includes a control system connected to the first and second translating devices to control those translating devices to move the platform from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: At least two manipulators have parallel axes of rotation. Each manipulator is provided with an arm connected to a common coupling member. Movement of the coupling member rotates the manipulators about their axes. The arms describe paths which intersect each other. The manipulators comprise a positioning device suitable for placing electrical components on a support.

Abstract: Bundles of presized wood veneer strips are prepared for longitudinal edge adhesive by vertical alignment of the veneer strip face planes on a horizontal machine bed surface between open clamp jaws. Upon satisfactory alignment of the strip edges on the bed surface, the clamp jaws are closed on the bundle and translated from the bed surface to an adhesive transfer roll transverse plane. As the roll traverses the bundle length, adhesive is coated upon the veneer strip bottom edges. After completing the adhesive application pass, the clamp jaws are opened on manual command to release the veneer strip bundle for manual inversion. While the clamp jaws are open, the adhesive transfer roll is returned to the starting position. The clamp jaws are manually returned to the bed surface position and the opposite edge set of the inverted bundle is aligned against the bed surface and the process is repeated.

Abstract: This invention relates to an articulated robot comprising at least two control arms (4), (7), and two speed reducers provided at articulated portions of the two control arms (4), (7) on the same axis in opposed relation to each other. The two speed reducers comprises first and second harmonic drive speed reducers which include a common circular spline (60) fixedly secured to the articulated portion of one of the control arms (4), (7), and a bracket (40), (50) mounted on one end of the common circular spline (60) for angular movement relative to the common circular spline (60) and connected to the articulated portion of the control arm (4), (7). The number of component parts can be reduced, the assembling operation can be facilitated, a stable high accuracy can be maintained, and an inexpensive articulated robot can be obtained.

Abstract: A paper feeding device for a collator is provided wherein a drive mechanism for moving suction heads between the upper surface of a stack on a paper supply shelf and feed rollers disposed at a paper feeding station in front of the paper supply shelf includes a four-bag linkage mechanism pivotally carried at a horizontally extending pivot. The four-bar linkage machanism comprises four elemental links pivotally connected tail-to-head in a closed loop, one pair of the adjacent links being pivotally carried at the pivot, one of the other pair of the adjacent elementary links supporting the suction heads. The two elemental links pivotally carried at the pivot are synchronously oscillated about the pivot to produce a composite movement at the elemental link supporting the suction head whereby the suction heads moves the upper surface and the feed rollers.

Abstract: A device for removing material from the free surface of a contained body of liquid comprises a scoop supported from a fixed member by two links that carry a substantially horizontal arm on which the scoop is mounted so as to be rotatable about the axis of the arm. The connections of the links to the fixed member and to the arm are pivotal connections at the four corners of a quadrilateral. First actuating means pivots the link about its connection to the fixed member thereby to move the arm to and fro substantially in a horizontal plane. Second actuating means rotates the scoop about the axis of the arm.

Abstract: A handling apparatus includes a base member having a rotating shaft, of a multijoint arm having one end portion thereof connected to the rotating shaft, a holder mounted at the free end portion of the arm, for holding a wafer, a stepping motor for circling the holder together with the arm about the rotating shaft, and another stepping motor for pivoting the arm joints. The multijoint arm is constituted by a plurality of parallel crank mechanisms arranged on corresponding planes in parallel with the circulating plane. One of the links constituting the first-stage parallel crank mechanism is fixed on the base member. During nonuse of the apparatus, the respective parallel crank mechanism overlap each other on the base member. Pulleys are mounted on joints of the arm, and a wire is wrapped around the pulleys. When at least one of the pulleys is pivoted, the parallel crank mechanisms are displaced, thereby extending or retracting the arm.

Abstract: A load balancing mechanism (10) disclosed includes an arm (12) including first and second arm portions (14,26). A support post (22) is rotatable about its vertical axis A and supports arm (12) by first arm portion (14) for pivotal movement in a vertical plane and also for rotational movement about axis A. First arm portion (14) includes parallel spaced members (16,16') defining a parallel linkage arrangement. A piston and cylinder balancing arrangement (38) connects post (22) and first arm portion (14) allowing upward and downward pivotal movement of arm (12) and is responsive to such upward and downward pivotal movement to provide balancing of a load thereon. The second arm portion (26) can be longitudinally moved relative to a second mount (32) to increase or decrease the length of arm (12) without having to change the force applied via balancing arrangement (38) to maintain balancing of the load.

Abstract: A freight transportation system is provided and comprises a loading station, an unloading station and a vehicle moveable therebetween to transport freight. The vehicle includes a lower platform for carrying freight and a pair of doors moveable between open and closed positions. In the closed position, the doors constitute side walls to prevent removal of the freight from the vehicle. In the open position, the doors are located to facilitate removal of the freight from the vehicle. The unloading station includes a door moving mechanism for moving the doors of the vehicle to the open position upon its arrival at the station. A freight removal device moves the freight off of one side of the platform when the doors are moved to the open position.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus includes a load support device for engaging and supporting a load as the load support device and the load are moved between a lowered position and a raised position relative to a base. A pair of spaced lifting arms are connected at first pivotal connections to the base and at second pivotal connections to the load support device for moving the load support device between its lowered and raised positions. A stabilizer arm is connected at a third pivotal connection to the load support device, and at a fourth pivotal connection to the bases, for controlling a rotational orientation of the load support device about an axis of the second pivotal connection relative to the base. A sprocket is rigidly attached to each of the lifting arms substantially coaxial with the first pivotal connection, and a chain is operably engaged with each sprocket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile lift or jack for elevating an object, especially an autombile, entirely from the floor. The lift is adapted engage the object from its side. It includes a base which comprises a power section and a floor stand. The floor stand is horizontally disposed and the power section includes a pair of upstanding braces. One end of the brace is attached to and extends upwardly from the base. The lift further includes a carriage with central support beams for holding the object. A main structural arm is disposed between the brace and the central support beams. One end of the main structural arm is pivotably attached to the central support beam at about the middle thereof and the other end of the connector arm is pivotably attached to the brace. Support arms are disposed between the central support beams and the brace.

Abstract: A movably mounted auxiliary hopper and a platform therefor are provided for discharging small articles contained in the container to a cooperably associated dispensing hopper mounted on the platform, the dispensing hopper being adapted to feed articles in an oriented position to a cooperably associated chute directed to a receiving station. The auxiliary hopper comprises a container having bottom, side and end walls and an open top for receiving a charge of small articles therein, the container being adapted to provide gravity flow of the articles to a discharge end of the container. A U-shaped trough extends from the discharge end of the container and which communicates with the interior of the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing debris from a vehicular debris collection hopper and transferring it to a debris receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading containers onto and unloading containers from ships, in which the ships receive the containers at locations of varying height, comprises a quayside carrier framework and a travelling carrier system fitted on the carrier framework, with a horizontal track on which at least one container-receiving crane trolley may travel. The travelling carrier system is mounted on the carrier framework for variation in height, with at least one power appliance being provided for the height displacement of the travelling carrier system. The travelling carrier system is supported by a rigid support member which is connected to the carrier framework by a lower link rod system and an upper link rod system. The link rod systems define a parallelogram linkage which is deformable by the power appliance provided, to enable the lifting and lowering of the rigid support member while maintaining the predetermined orientation of the rigid support member in space during its lifting and lowering.

Abstract: A system for accurately and smoothly moving the tool centerpoint of a manipulator device. The system includes means for measuring the angles at the elbow pivot joint and shoulder pivot joint of the manipulator device. Required compensating movement in a second axis of the manipulator linkage as a result of movement in a first axis thereof is anticipated by the control system to enable substantially simultaneous movement of both axes, and feedback of the angular position of the pivot joints during such movements enables enhancement of the precision of the tool centerpoint movement.

Abstract: These new rotary loaders for transfer of cargo containers or semitrailers to and from railway cars etc. are characterized by a load lift arm or frame or platform supporting two or more parallel swinging parallelogram arms each supported free to swing in a substantially vertical plane substantially independently of one another and all supporting a loadspreader pivotally connected on outward extensions of the parallelogram linkage arms. The loadspreader is therefore free to turn (without a central turntable) to enage and couple a vehicle and align the loadspreader therewith through the chord of a transfer arc of the load lift arm as the loader is rotated in one direction. The loadspreader is realigned for the next transfer by the weight of the load spreader and its load as the loader continues to turn out beyond the transfer arc and away from the vehicle.

Abstract: An automated machine comprising a handler mounted with a rotating aptitude about two perpendicular and intersecting rotational axes, having a free end fitted with a mechanical hand comprising an intake head. A vision system is permanently installed at the point of intersection of the rotational axes in a base unit comprised of a cradle which supports a rotatable turret which has an extension arm attached to another end of the handler. The handler is comprised of two branches comprising a folding arm that are joined together at one end with devices provided for symmetrical movement of both branches when an external force is exerted on either of them. The automated machine contains devices for deployment and retraction of its folding arms so as to grasp and release an object detected by the vision system installed in the handler apparatus.

Abstract: A device for transporting and for carrying from one elevation to another, persons in wheelchairs or persons otherwise requiring assistance. The device comprises a frame supported on wheels, an engine supported on the frame to drive the wheels and a steering mechanism to turn the wheels for manoeuvering the frame. The frame supports a cab which is vertically movable with respect thereto. The cab has a space within to hold at least one person and has doors on its front. Movable support members connect the cab to the frame, and are operable to move the cab from the level of the frame to a position elevated with respect to the frame. A platform is outwardly extendable from the cab forwardly from the bottom of the doors to provide a bridge between the cab and another location, to support a person being moved from the cab to such other location. A leveling system is provided to maintain a floor of the cab and the platform in horizontal orientation while the cab is moved to the elevated positon.

Abstract: A dual axis transfer mechanism comprising a pair of motors mounted onto a frame for independently rotating a pair of threaded shafts fixed in parallel relation. Each of the shafts is threaded into a carrier member connected to one end of a respective arm, the opposite end of each arm being connected at a common pivot point. Rotation of each shaft caused by its respective motor causes movement of the carrier member threaded thereon which effects movement of the common pivot point to which a tool is attached.

Abstract: Toy apparatus in a playset including a robotic arm module for handling toy vehicles advanced along a path past a plurality of stations including a pickup station, an immersion station, and an exit station. The robotic arm module has gripper members actuatable for picking up the toy vehicle at the pickup station, then dipping the toy vehicle into a liquid and then depositing the toy vehicle at an exit station. The robotic arm apparatus is in the form of a parallelogram linkage which enables twisting action of the gripper members as well as up and down and sideways movement.

Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle for picking up and stacking large hay bales of a one-ton size is disclosed. The vehicle has a pivotally mounted stacking bed that receives bales in a horizontally arrayed matrix and pivots to deposit the arrayed matrix in a vertical orientation for storage. Forward pick up mechanism provides a pivotally mounted mast carrying paired spaced squeeze arms in its outer portion to cooperatively pick up a bale forwardly of the vehicle and pivotally move that bale upwardly and rearwardly to the stacking bed for deposition thereon. Bale moving mechanism positions bales on the stacking bed in proper matrix position. Hydraulic powering and control circuits provide automatic and semi-automatic operation of the various mechanisms of the device.

Abstract: Apparatus for restraining movement of a parked vehicle away from a loading dock comprises an upwardly extending block which is movable from a lower position to an upper position which captures a portion of the parked vehicle to restrain movement of the parked vehicle away from the loading dock. This apparatus provides a safety lock system to ensure that during loading and unloading of a parked vehicle the vehicle cannot accidentally pull away from the loading dock which would result in injury to the forklift truck operator. A linkage mechanism is provided which provides for the raising and lowering of the block. A drive mechanism raises and lowers the linkage in determining the lower an upper positions of the block. The linkage comprises two spaced-apart linked arms which may be in the form of a parallelogram linkage arrangement.

Abstract: These loaders for transfer of cargo containers or semitrailers to and from railway cars etc. have parallel swinging links vertically connecting the load-spreader support end of the lift arm with the end of the arm which is mounted to a pivot. The links are free to swing back when the loadspreader engages a vehicle to cushion and carry the load-spreader aligned with the vehicle for transfer across the chord of a transfer arc. A weight extends the links out at the bottom to extend the loadspreader to swing back through vertical for least change in elevation. The load arm is supported on wheels to run on the cam track at or near the same elevation that is mounted to swing up and down on the mount about the pivot, so the cam track wheels run on a substantially uniform radius from the pivot. The inner end of the arm extends up to support the top ends of the swinging links which depend to support the outer end of the arm or vice versa.

Abstract: In a precision operable robot arm comprising four levers pivotally connected with each other into a paralle arranged link form, when one ends of first and second levers aligned vertically, for example, are driven respectively by two motors such that the levers are swung around the alignment axis in a horizontal plane, for example, a work supporting device provided at an outwardly extending end of the fourth lever is also moved in a horizontal plane.A first pulley is fixedly secured to a position aligning with the driving shafts of the two motors, while second and third pulleys, which are integrally rotatable, are rotatably supported by a pivot pin coupling the second and fourth levers, and fourth pulley rotatably supported at the outer end of the fourth lever is fixed to the work supporting device.

Abstract: A platform lift mountable to a vehicle, which includes a platform that can remain horizontal while lifting and can tilt to faciltate loading and unloading of the platform. The lift includes a linkage pivotally mounted to the base frame, and the linkage includes a base leg, a platform leg, a lift arm, and a reference arm. In a lift/lower mode the legs and the arms form a parallelogram system that will maintain the platform in a level horizontal arrangement. In a tilt mode, the upper arm is extensible in order to change the geometry from a parallelogram to a quadrilateral with equal legs and unequal arms.

Abstract: A manipulator having an end effector (1) displaceable by means of a four-rod mechanism, a comparatively light and stiff construction being obtained in that each of the rods (3,5,9,11) has a tubular support (73,79,159,181), which is secured by a bridge (147,149,169,191) to the bearing plate (87,93,119,193). The manipulator is particularly suitable for use in automatic mounting equipment.

Abstract: The upper panel of a tailgate assembly is moved in a downward and rearward convexly curved path between an upward and forward position and a rearward and lowered position and the lower panel is rotated forwardly and rearwardly with respect to the upper panel. Linkages are included in the tailgate assembly to provide this movement. A lower surface of the fixed panel may have an upwardly curved lower surface which imparts a forward direction of movement to refuse which is packed against it. The upper panel may have a curved forward surface in close proximity to a rearward surface of the fixed panel. During movement of the upper panel, the rearward surface of the fixed panel removes refuse from the curved forward surface. The upper panel is tilted as it moves and during its upward movement the lower portion of the upper panel is tilted forwardly. This imparts a forward movement to refuse which is moved through the opening into the storage body.

Abstract: A refuse collection apparatus including a storage body and a tailgate positioned rearwardly of the storage body which defines a hopper that is positioned adjacent to an opening into the storage body. An upper and a lower panel within the tailgate are pivotally connected and movably positioned with respect to the hopper. The upper panel is moved in a downward and rearward convexly curved path between an upward and forward position and a rearward and lowered position and the lower panel is rotated forwardly and rearwardly with respect to the upper panel. A fixed panel positioned in the tailgate structure defines the upper extent of the opening into the storage body and during upward movement of the upper panel, refuse is packed against the fixed panel.The lower surface of the fixed panel may have an upwardly curved lower surface which imparts a forward direction of movement to refuse which is packed against it.