A sliding shelf system includes a support structure including a plurality of posts, and a base mounted to the posts in a stationary manner. A slidable shelf is mounted to the base for movement between a stored position and an extended position. A wheel supports the shelf in the extended position. A notch is provided in the support structure for receipt of the wheel when the shelf is in the stored position. A latch includes a pivoting handle, a cable, and a slidable rod wherein pivoting of the handle moves the slidable rod. A rod with a hook engages an aperture in the pivoting handle of the latch of the slidable shelf. A socket on the slidable shelf receives a distal end of a rod, a proximal end of the rod defines a handle for grasping by the user.

A sliding shelf system includes a support structure including a plurality of posts, and a base mounted to the posts in a stationary manner. A slidable shelf is mounted to the base for movement between a stored position and an extended position. A wheel supports the shelf in the extended position. A notch is provided in the support structure for receipt of the wheel when the shelf is in the stored position. A latch includes a pivoting handle, a cable, and a slidable rod wherein pivoting of the handle moves the slidable rod. A rod with a hook engages an aperture in the pivoting handle of the latch of the slidable shelf. A socket on the slidable shelf receives a distal end of a rod, a proximal end of the rod defines a handle for grasping by the user.

Jack units attach skates to an object to be moved. Each jack unit has a tongue that slidably engages a coupling slot affixed to the object, and can be operated to raise or lower the tongue; when raised, the object is supported on the skates and can be rolled to a new location. A crane can attach to lift eyes on the jack units to allow the system to be lifted with the skates attached to the object, avoiding the risk to operators of positioning the skates under the object while it is suspended. Rotation-limiting structures can be selectively employed to block rotation of the trailing skates to facilitate steering when rolling the object supported by the system. The coupling slots can be provided in coupling elements which can attach directly to the object or which can be employed to form a freestanding frame to which the object is secured.

A storage system having e.g., side-by-side dual pallet bays is provided. The system includes a single level or stacked multilevel storage bay. Each bay is defined by a series of vertically extending supports and a central divider for storing two rows of pallets. Preferably, there are no vertical supports extending up from the central divider. Rails are provided on both sides of each row for supporting pallets and for pallet transportation/inventory carts to travel under the pallets. Side and center guides having camming surfaces are provided to properly position the pallets in the bays as they are loaded from a forklift.

A storage system having e.g., side-by-side dual pallet bays is provided. The system includes a single level or stacked multilevel storage bay. Each bay is defined by a series of vertically extending supports and a central divider for storing two rows of pallets. Preferably, there are no vertical supports extending up from the central divider. Rails are provided on both sides of each row for supporting pallets and for pallet transportation/inventory carts to travel under the pallets. Side and center guides having camming surfaces are provided to properly position the pallets in the bays as they are loaded from a forklift.

A convertible pallet assembly, and associated method of making the convertible pallet, includes a first, planar pallet surface, and a second, planar support surface spaced therefrom. First and second sidewalls extend in parallel relation between the pallet surface and the support surface from adjacent opposite sides thereof. The sidewalls include first and second wheels with respective rotational axes that extend perpendicular to the sidewalls. An actuation mechanism is associated with each sidewall. The actuation mechanism has (i) a first position that allows the first and second wheels on one side to move upwardly and downwardly relative to the sidewall in a non-load carrying condition, and (ii) a second position such that the first and second wheels on the one side project outwardly from the support surface in a load carrying condition whereby the assembly can be rolled on the wheels as a cart.

A convertible pallet assembly, and associated method of making the convertible pallet, includes a first, planar pallet surface, and a second, planar support surface spaced therefrom. First and second sidewalls extend in parallel relation between the pallet surface and the support surface from adjacent opposite sides thereof. The sidewalls include first and second wheels with respective rotational axes that extend perpendicular to the sidewalls. An actuation mechanism is associated with each sidewall. The actuation mechanism has (i) a first position that allows the first and second wheels on one side to move upwardly and downwardly relative to the sidewall in a non-load carrying condition, and (ii) a second position such that the first and second wheels on the one side project outwardly from the support surface in a load carrying condition whereby the assembly can be rolled on the wheels as a cart.

A transportation system is equipped with at least one self-propelled pallet that can move and that is loaded with a piece of luggage, a vehicle that accommodates the at least one self-propelled pallet, and an administrative server that commands the self-propelled pallet loaded with the piece of luggage to move to a place of reception of the piece of luggage, and that commands the self-propelled pallet loaded with no luggage to move to the vehicle after the piece of luggage is unloaded at the place of reception.

A transportation system is equipped with at least one self-propelled pallet that can move and that is loaded with a piece of luggage, a vehicle that accommodates the at least one self-propelled pallet, and an administrative server that commands the self-propelled pallet loaded with the piece of luggage to move to a place of reception of the piece of luggage, and that commands the self-propelled pallet loaded with no luggage to move to the vehicle after the piece of luggage is unloaded at the place of reception.

A cage can be positioned around a medical balloon, such as an angioplasty balloon, to assist in a medical procedure. The cage can include a plurality of strips, each extending between a set of rings including first and second rings. As the balloon expands, the first and second rings move closer together and allow the strips to expand outward. The cage may have wedge dissectors on the strips.