An apparatus for loading a shipping container, comprising a transfer plate having a first set of holes and a second set of holes therein and configured to slide, together with an article thereon, into and out of the shipping container, a transfer means positioned underneath the transfer plate having a first carriage with a first set of pins and a second carriage with a second set of pins, the first set of pins configured to extend into the first set of holes and the second set of pins configured to extend into the second set of holes to pull the transfer plate into and out of the shipping container, and a controller configured to extend the second set of pins into the second set of holes when the first sets of pins are already extended into the first set of holes.
B65G 25/06 - Conveyors comprising a cyclically-moving, e.g. reciprocating, carrier or impeller which is disengaged from the load during the return part of its movement the carrier or impeller having identical forward and return paths of movement, e.g. reciprocating conveyors having carriers, e.g. belts
A tractor unit is disclosed for transporting an elongated load such as a wind turbine blade or wind turbine tower segment. The unit comprises a tractor unit body with a longitudinal axis, a wheel set comprising at least three ground-engaging wheels, one or more of which is driven, said wheel set supporting, driving and steering the tractor unit body, and a load engagement mechanism for engaging with and supporting the elongated load, the load engagement mechanism being mounted on said tractor unit body. The load engagement mechanism is moveable along the longitudinal axis on the tractor unit body from a central location to a periphery of the tractor unit body. The load engagement mechanism is configured to be raised and lowered when positioned at the periphery of the tractor unit body.
B60P 3/40 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for carrying long loads, e.g. with separate wheeled load-supporting elements
There is provided a method for an autonomous vehicle to scan a load (105) at a location comprising receiving a lifting task including the location of the load (105) on a racking system, scanning a predefined space at the location with a light based scanning device mounted on the autonomous vehicle, processing data acquired from the scan to determine a distance between each end of the load (105), perpendicular to the autonomous vehicle, and a neighbouring load (502) in the racking system, and terminating the lifting task if it is determined that the distance is less than a predetermined distance.
B66F 9/06 - Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks
A seat system for a vehicle for lifting and moving loads has a seat rotation mechanism which is operable in response to control signals received from a control system, to rotate the operator seat relative to the vehicle chassis. The control system receives an input from a directional control used by the operator to steer all of the vehicle's wheels together in a common direction so that the vehicle is driven over the ground in a certain direction without rotation of the chassis relative to the ground. By rotating the seat towards the direction of travel, the operator's visibility is improved.
B60N 2/14 - Seats specially adapted for vehiclesArrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable rotatable, e.g. to permit easy access
A load lifting vehicle comprising two opposed rails connected by a base, a carriage configured to move along the rails, a mast cross member configured to move along the rails, a first hydraulic cylinder and second hydraulic cylinders connected to the mast cross member, wherein the first cylinder is configured to move the carriage with respect to the mast cross member and the second cylinders are configured to move the mast cross member, the first cylinder and carriage with respect to the base.
A lift truck (10) has a pair of wheel assemblies (21) each of which is rotatable about a pivot point (24) relative to the chassis (12) of the truck through at least 90 degrees between a forward mode and a sideward mode. The wheel (18,20) of each assembly is laterally offset from the assembly's pivot point (24), causing the wheel to describe an arcuate path over the ground as it transitions between the forward and sideward modes. During the transition, an actuator acts on each wheel assembly (21) to pivot the assembly about the pivot point (24), while drive is applied to the wheel to positively drive the wheel along the arcuate patch at a speed that matches the pivotal rotation caused by the actuator. This positive drive imparted to the wheels (18,20) during the transition prevents the truck from rolling if it is located on a slope during the change in orientation of the wheel assemblies (21).
B62D 7/15 - Steering linkageStub axles or their mountings for individually-pivoted wheels, e.g. on king-pins the pivotal axes being situated in more than one plane transverse to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle, e.g. all-wheel steering characterised by means varying the ratio between the steering angles of the steered wheels
B62D 7/14 - Steering linkageStub axles or their mountings for individually-pivoted wheels, e.g. on king-pins the pivotal axes being situated in more than one plane transverse to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle, e.g. all-wheel steering
B62D 9/00 - Steering deflectable wheels not otherwise provided for
A lift truck has a pair of driven wheels at one end, each with an independently controllable electrical motor, and at least one steerable wheel at the other end. A linear sensor measures the distance between a fixed point on the lift truck chassis and a moveable point associated with the steering gear of the steerable wheel. The linear sensor output is provided to a motor controller which derives from the measured distance and the geometry of the lift truck a lateral distance to a common centre of turning circles where each turning circle is associated with a wheel of the truck and each wheel is tangential to its turning circle. The controller calculates a required drive speed for the electric motor of each driven wheel according to the distance of that wheel from the calculated common centre of turning circles, and outputs a respective independent motor control signal effective to cause the drive motors to drive the driven wheels at speeds which avoid slippage or skidding and thereby provide an electronic differential to the driven wheels.
B62D 11/04 - Steering non-deflectable wheelsSteering endless tracks or the like by differentially driving ground-engaging elements on opposite vehicle sides by means of separate power sources
A forklift reach mechanism (10) has a main support (16) connected between a carriage (14) and a set of forks (48). The carriage is moveable vertically on a mast (12). The main support is lifted by a connecting member (32) that depends from an articulated levelling assembly comprising a pair of arms (22, 24) connected pivotally together and connected at their other ends to the mast and carriage respectively. The levelling assembly causes the distal end of the main support, on which the forks are mounted, to travel horizontally towards or away from the mast as the carriage is raised or lowered. The reach mechanism is operated by an extensible actuating member (36) such as a hydraulic cylinder that acts between the carriage and the connecting member, providing a strong and compact reach mechanism.
A lift truck (10) has a pair of wheel assemblies (21) each of which is rotatable about a pivot point (24) relative to the chassis (12) of the truck through at least 90 degrees between a forward mode and a sideward mode. The wheel (18,20) of each assembly is laterally offset from the assembly's pivot point (24), causing the wheel to describe an arcuate path over the ground as it transitions between the forward and sideward modes. During the transition, an actuator acts on each wheel assembly (21) to pivot the assembly about the pivot point (24), while drive is applied to the wheel to positively drive the wheel along the arcuate patch at a speed that matches the pivotal rotation caused by the actuator. This positive drive imparted to the wheels (18,20) during the transition prevents the truck from rolling if it is located on a slope during the change in orientation of the wheel assemblies (21).
B62D 7/15 - Steering linkageStub axles or their mountings for individually-pivoted wheels, e.g. on king-pins the pivotal axes being situated in more than one plane transverse to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle, e.g. all-wheel steering characterised by means varying the ratio between the steering angles of the steered wheels
A tractor unit is disclosed for transporting an elongated load such as a wind turbine blade or wind turbine tower segment. The tractor unit body is supported, driven and steered by a wheel set comprising at least three ground-engaging wheels. At least two of the wheels are steerable and can transform between an aligned mode of operation and a carousel mode of operation. In the aligned mode, the wheels are aligned with one another in a neutral steering position, and steerable to vary the direction of steering. In the carousel mode, the wheels of the wheel set are oriented with their axes of rotation intersecting at a substantially common vertical axis located within the lateral extent of the tractor unit body, so that when the wheels are driven the tractor unit spins about this common vertical axis. A load engagement mechanism is mounted pivotally on the tractor unit body about the common vertical axis. This allows the load engagement mechanism to be counter-rotated in an equal and opposite amount to the angular rotation of the tractor unit body in carousel mode, keeping the load in fixed position relative to the ground as the tractor unit spins.
B60P 3/40 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for carrying long loads, e.g. with separate wheeled load-supporting elements
B62D 49/02 - Tractors modified to take lifting devices
B62D 61/06 - Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern with only three wheels
B62D 7/15 - Steering linkageStub axles or their mountings for individually-pivoted wheels, e.g. on king-pins the pivotal axes being situated in more than one plane transverse to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle, e.g. all-wheel steering characterised by means varying the ratio between the steering angles of the steered wheels
A forklift reach mechanism (10) has a main support (16) connected between a carriage (14) and a set of forks (48). The carriage is moveable vertically on a mast (12). The main support is lifted by a connecting member (32) that depends from an articulated levelling assembly comprising a pair of arms (22, 24) connected pivotally together and connected at their other ends to the mast and carriage respectively. The levelling assembly causes the distal end of the main support, on which the forks are mounted, to travel horizontally towards or away from the mast as the carriage is raised or lowered. The reach mechanism is operated by an extensible actuating member (36) such as a hydraulic cylinder that acts between the carriage and the connecting member, providing a strong and compact reach mechanism.
A system for use in the ventilation of a patient, particularly for a patient using a breathing circuit that is connected along with one or more other breathing circuits to a shared ventilator. The system employs a flow control valve on an inspire air line of an individual breathing circuit for that patient, and measures the tidal volume and pressure in the breathing circuit. A controller is provided with a user interface allowing a desired target volumetric measurement to be input. In response, a control signal is calculated and output to the valve causing the air supply on the inspire line to be adjusted until the measured tidal volume matches the desired volume within a given tolerance. In this way, patient safety is improved for a shared ventilator, by tailoring the ventilation on an individual breathing circuit using a single input value.
An apparatus (100) for loading a shipping container (101), comprising a transfer plate (103) having a series of holes (201, 202) therein and configured to slide, together with an article thereon, into and out of the shipping container (101), and a transfer means (104) positioned underneath the transfer plate (103) and configured to engage with the holes in the transfer plate and to retract or extend after engagement with the holes to pull the transfer plate into and out of the shipping container.
A steering system (10) for a vehicle wheel (12) has a wheel carrier (14) for mounting a steered wheel (12), the wheel carrier (14) being rotatably mounted with respect to the vehicle about a steering axis to allow the wheel (12) to be steered. A hydraulic cylinder (20) has a piston therein and a rigid connecting rod assembly (22) extending from the piston out of the cylinder (20). The rigid connecting rod assembly (22) comprises a first section (22) adapted to reciprocate into and out of the cylinder (20) and a second section (26) rigidly extending from the first section (22) to a pivot point connection (50) where it is pivotally connected to the wheel carrier (14) at an offset from the steering axis. The hydraulic cylinder (20) is pivotally mounted on the vehicle such that it is prevented from translational movement relative to the vehicle but capable of changing its orientation with respect to the vehicle. Due to the rigid connecting rod assembly (22) and the pivot connection to the wheel carrier (14), as well as the pivotal mounting of the cylinder (20) on the vehicle, lateral strains on the seals of the hydraulic cylinder (20) are avoided.
B62D 7/02 - Steering linkageStub axles or their mountings for pivoted bogies
B62D 7/15 - Steering linkageStub axles or their mountings for individually-pivoted wheels, e.g. on king-pins the pivotal axes being situated in more than one plane transverse to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle, e.g. all-wheel steering characterised by means varying the ratio between the steering angles of the steered wheels
B62D 5/26 - Power-assisted or power-driven steering fluid, i.e. using a pressurised fluid for most or all the force required for steering a vehicle specially adapted for particular type of steering gear or particular application for pivoted axles
A tractor unit is disclosed for transporting an elongated load such as a wind turbine blade or wind turbine tower segment. The tractor unit body is supported, driven and steered by a wheel set comprising at least three ground-engaging wheels. At least two of the wheels are steerable and can transform between an aligned mode of operation and a carousel mode of operation. In the aligned mode, the wheels are aligned with one another in a neutral steering position, and steerable to vary the direction of steering. In the carousel mode, the wheels of the wheel set are oriented with their axes of rotation intersecting at a substantially common vertical axis located within the lateral extent of the tractor unit body, so that when the wheels are driven the tractor unit spins about this common vertical axis. A load engagement mechanism is mounted pivotally on the tractor unit body about the common vertical axis. This allows the load engagement mechanism to be counter-rotated in an equal and opposite amount to the angular rotation of the tractor unit body in carousel mode, keeping the load in fixed position relative to the ground as the tractor unit spins.
B60P 3/40 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for carrying long loads, e.g. with separate wheeled load-supporting elements
B62D 7/15 - Steering linkageStub axles or their mountings for individually-pivoted wheels, e.g. on king-pins the pivotal axes being situated in more than one plane transverse to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle, e.g. all-wheel steering characterised by means varying the ratio between the steering angles of the steered wheels
B62D 61/06 - Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern with only three wheels
16.
APPARATUS FOR LOADING ARTICLES INTO A SHIPPING CONTAINER
An apparatus (100) for loading a shipping container (101), comprising a transfer plate (103) having a series of holes (201, 202) therein and configured to slide, together with an article thereon, into and out of the shipping container (101), and a transfer means (104) positioned underneath the transfer plate (103) and configured to engage with the holes in the transfer plate and to retract or extend after engagement with the holes to pull the transfer plate into and out of the shipping container.
A steering system (10) for a vehicle wheel (12) has a wheel carrier (14) for mounting a steered wheel (12), the wheel carrier (14) being rotatably mounted with respect to the vehicle about a steering axis to allow the wheel (12) to be steered. A hydraulic cylinder (20) has a piston therein and a rigid connecting rod assembly (22) extending from the piston out of the cylinder (20). The rigid connecting rod assembly (22) comprises a first section (22) adapted to reciprocate into and out of the cylinder (20) and a second section (26) rigidly extending from the first section (22) to a pivot point connection (50) where it is pivotally connected to the wheel carrier (14) at an offset from the steering axis. The hydraulic cylinder (20) is pivotally mounted on the vehicle such that it is prevented from translational movement relative to the vehicle but capable of changing its orientation with respect to the vehicle. Due to the rigid connecting rod assembly (22) and the pivot connection to the wheel carrier (14), as well as the pivotal mounting of the cylinder (20) on the vehicle, lateral strains on the seals of the hydraulic cylinder (20) are avoided.
B62D 7/02 - Steering linkageStub axles or their mountings for pivoted bogies
B62D 7/15 - Steering linkageStub axles or their mountings for individually-pivoted wheels, e.g. on king-pins the pivotal axes being situated in more than one plane transverse to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle, e.g. all-wheel steering characterised by means varying the ratio between the steering angles of the steered wheels
A pedestrian truck (50) steered with a tiller (56) is operable in a first mode where a controllable front wheel (64) is aligned generally parallel with a front-rear center line of the truck, or a second mode where the wheel is generally perpendicular to the front-rear center line. A steering controller can operate in either a normal steering mode to steer the rear steerable wheel (52) in the same sense (clockwise or anticlockwise) as the tiller is rotated and in an alternate steering mode to steer the rear steerable wheel in the opposite sense to the rotation of the tiller. A steering mode selector is provided which automatically engages the alternate steering mode when the truck is in the second mode of operation and either (i) the tiller is positioned on the same side of the center line as the controllable front wheel and the drive direction is such that the tiller leads the truck (FIGS. 12-14), or (ii) the tiller is positioned on the same side of the center line as the castor front wheel (58) and the drive direction is such that the tiller trails the truck (FIGS. 4, 5).
B62D 1/14 - Tillers, i.e. hand levers operating on steering columns
B62D 7/15 - Steering linkageStub axles or their mountings for individually-pivoted wheels, e.g. on king-pins the pivotal axes being situated in more than one plane transverse to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle, e.g. all-wheel steering characterised by means varying the ratio between the steering angles of the steered wheels
B66F 9/07 - Floor-to-roof stacking devices, e.g. stacker cranes, retrievers
An articulated vehicle [10] has a first body section [12], a second body section [14], and an elongate projection [22] projecting from the first body section [12] towards the second body section [14]. A pair of steering cylinders [36, 34] are mounted such that they are partially or wholly disposed in or on the elongate projection [22], and are disposed one above the other so they overlap vertically, thereby narrowing the projection at the end nearer the first body section [12] and allowing the second body section [14] to be rotated closer to the centre line. A rotatable shaft [40] of the second body section [14] is mounted towards the far end of the elongate projection [22] and is steered by a pair of linkages such as chains [42, 44], each of which is connected to the shaft [40] and to a respective one of the steering cylinders [36, 34]. The chains [42, 44] wrap around the shaft [40] with a circumferential overlap, though they are spaced vertically. This circumferential overlap allows steering angles significantly in excess of 180° to be achieved.
A pedestrian truck (50) steered with a tiller (56) is operable in a first mode where a controllable front wheel (64) is aligned generally parallel with a front-rear centre line of the truck, or a second mode where the wheel is generally perpendicular to the front-rear centre line. A steering controller can operate in either a normal steering mode to steer the rear steerable wheel (52) in the same sense (clockwise or anticlockwise) as the tiller is rotated and in an alternate steering mode to steer the rear steerable wheel in the opposite sense to the rotation of the tiller. A steering mode selector is provided which automatically engages the alternate steering mode when the truck is in the second mode of operation and either (i) the tiller is positioned on the same side of the centre line as the controllable front wheel and the drive direction is such that the tiller leads the truck (figures 12-14), or (ii) the tiller is positioned on the same side of the centre line as the castor front wheel (58) and the drive direction is such that the tiller trails the truck (figures 4, 5).
A load-carrying truck has a fork lift mechanism mounted on a chassis, a pair of front wheels (24, 26) and a single rear wheel (30). At least one front wheel (26) and the rear wheel (30) are driven wheels whose speed is varied relative to one another differently depending on whether the truck is being driven in a forward reverse mode with the front wheels (24, 26) aligned generally parallel to the front-rear axis of the chassis and with steering controlled by steering the rear wheel (30), or a sideways mode with the rear wheel (30) aligned generally perpendicular to the front-rear axis of the chassis and with steering controlled by steering the at least one of the front wheels (26). When the truck is operated in forward/reverse mode and is steered towards the side on which the driven front wheel (26) is located, the relative speed (26) of that wheel is decreased progressively and comes to a stop when the axis of rotation of the rear wheel (30) intersects the front wheel position, and is driven in reverse at increasing speeds as the axis of the rear wheel (30) passes that point of intersection with further increasing steering angle. In the sideways mode of operation when the truck is steered in the direction towards the rear end of the chassis, the relative speed of the rear wheel (30) is decreased progressively and comes to a stop when the axis of rotation of the steered front wheel (26) intersects the rear wheel position, and the rear wheel (30) is driven in reverse at increasing speeds as the axis of the steered front wheel (26) passes said point of intersection with further increasing steering angle.
B62B 3/06 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheelsSteering devices thereforEquipment therefor involving means for grappling or securing in place objects to be carriedLoad handling equipment for simply clearing the load from the ground, e.g. low-lift trucks
B62D 7/15 - Steering linkageStub axles or their mountings for individually-pivoted wheels, e.g. on king-pins the pivotal axes being situated in more than one plane transverse to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle, e.g. all-wheel steering characterised by means varying the ratio between the steering angles of the steered wheels
Lift truck (10) comprising a chassis (12) and a lifting mechanism (14), said chassis comprising two front ground wheels (20R, 20L) and at least one rear ground wheel (22), said chassis further comprising two spaced-apart arms ( to which each of said front ground wheels is respectively mounted, and wherein said arms are sufficiently spaced- apart to allow, in use, the arms of the chassis to straddle a width of a shipping container (C).
B66F 9/06 - Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks
The present invention provides a straddle carrier for lifting and transporting shipping containers, the straddle carrier comprising a spreader which is engageable with the shipping container, the spreader having a central elongated frame and an engagement mechanism at either end of the frame for engaging the container, the frame being mounted on a set of legs, the legs being extendable to raise and lower the frame.
The present invention provides a straddle carrier for lifting and transporting shipping containers, the straddle carrier comprising a spreader which is engageable with the shipping container, the spreader having a central elongated frame and an engagement mechanism at either end of the frame for engaging the container, the frame being coupled via suspension means to at least one transverse member mounted on a set of legs, the legs being extendable to raise and lower the frame.
An articulated vehicle [10] has a first body section [12], a second body section [14], and an elongate projection [22] projecting from the first body section [12] towards the second body section [14]. A pair of steering cylinders [36, 34] are mounted such that they are partially or wholly disposed in or on the elongate projection [22], and are disposed one above the other so they overlap vertically, thereby narrowing the projection at the end nearer the first body section [12] and allowing the second body section [14] to be rotated closer to the centre line. A rotatable shaft [40] of the second body section [14] is mounted towards the far end of the elongate projection [22] and is steered by a pair of linkages such as chains [42, 44], each of which is connected to the shaft [40] and to a respective one of the steering cylinders [36, 34]. The chains [42, 44] wrap around the shaft [40] with a circumferential overlap, though they are spaced vertically. This circumferential overlap allows steering angles significantly in excess of 180° to be achieved.
A load-carrying truck has a fork lift mechanism mounted on a chassis, a pair of front wheels (24, 26) and a single rear wheel (30). At least one front wheel (26) and the rear wheel (30) are driven wheels whose speed is varied relative to one another differently depending on whether the truck is being driven in a forward reverse mode with the front wheels (24, 26) aligned generally parallel to the front-rear axis of the chassis and with steering controlled by steering the rear wheel (30), or a sideways mode with the rear wheel (30) aligned generally perpendicular to the front-rear axis of the chassis and with steering controlled by steering the at least one of the front wheels (26). When the truck is operated in forward/reverse mode and is steered towards the side on which the driven front wheel (26) is located, the relative speed (26) of that wheel is decreased progressively and comes to a stop when the axis of rotation of the rear wheel (30) intersects the front wheel position, and is driven in reverse at increasing speeds as the axis of the rear wheel (30) passes that point of intersection with further increasing steering angle. In the sideways mode of operation when the truck is steered in the direction towards the rear end of the chassis, the relative speed of the rear wheel (30) is decreased progressively and comes to a stop when the axis of rotation of the steered front wheel (26) intersects the rear wheel position, and the rear wheel (30) is driven in reverse at increasing speeds as the axis of the steered front wheel (26) passes said point of intersection with further increasing steering angle.
B62D 7/15 - Steering linkageStub axles or their mountings for individually-pivoted wheels, e.g. on king-pins the pivotal axes being situated in more than one plane transverse to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle, e.g. all-wheel steering characterised by means varying the ratio between the steering angles of the steered wheels
A motorised truck with tiller such as a pallet carrier or forklift truck has a tiller- controlled steerable wheel 14 which is steered by a motor having an associated steering motor controller. The steering motor controller in a normal mode of operation detects movement of the tiller as it is rotated relative to the chassis to steer the truck, and outputs control signals to cause the steering motor to steer the wheel such that it follows the tiller angle with a fixed, predetermined offset (which may be zero or non-zero). In a realignment mode of operation, the controller can change the predetermined angular offset, and the controller can preferably align the wheel with the tiller or with an axis of the chassis. The truck can be manoeuvred more easily into and out of tight spaces with the operator and tiller offset to the side of the truck. The tiller can also be offset manually from the wheel by decoupling the tiller and wheel, and thereby changing the predetermined offset for subsequent operation.
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
39 - Transport, packaging, storage and travel services
Goods & Services
Retail store services and on-line retail store services featuring forklift trucks and vehicles with hydraulic lifting equipment and parts and fittings for forklift trucks and vehicles with hydraulic lifting equipment Repair and maintenance of forklift trucks and vehicles with hydraulic lifting equipment Rental of forklift trucks and vehicles with hydraulic lifting equipment
