A stacking ring for a chair base may be disposable between a first and second chair base such that the stacking ring generally prevents lateral movement of the first chair base relative to the second chair base. The stacking ring may be integrally formed to the chair base, or separate and disposable between at least two chair bases. The stacking ring may substantially prevent rotation of a first chair base relative to a second chair base.

A stacking ring for a chair base may be disposable between a first and second chair base such that the stacking ring generally prevents lateral movement of the first chair base relative to the second chair base. The stacking ring may be integrally formed to the chair base, or separate and disposable between at least two chair bases. The stacking ring may substantially prevent rotation of a first chair base relative to a second chair base.

A stacking ring for a chair base may be disposable between a first and second chair base such that the stacking ring generally prevents lateral movement of the first chair base relative to the second chair base. The stacking ring may be integrally formed to the chair base, or separate and disposable between at least two chair bases. The stacking ring may substantially prevent rotation of a first chair base relative to a second chair base.

An automatic tire loader/unloader for stacking/unstacking tires in a trailer is disclosed. In one embodiment, a mobile base structure provides a support framework for a drive subassembly, conveyance subassembly, an industrial robot, a distance measurement subassembly, and a control subassembly. Under the operation of the control subassembly, tires advance through a powered transportation path to an industrial robot which places the tires within the trailer in a vertical stacking pattern or a rick-stacking pattern, for example. The control subassembly coordinates the selective articulated movement of the industrial robot and the activation of the drive subassembly based upon the distance measurement subassembly detecting objects, including tires, within a detection space, dimensions of the trailer provided to the control subassembly, and dimensions of the tires provided to the control subassembly.

An automatic tire loader/unloader for stacking/unstacking tires in a trailer is disclosed. In one embodiment, a mobile base structure provides a support framework for a drive subassembly, conveyance subassembly, an industrial robot, a distance measurement subassembly, and a control subassembly. Under the operation of the control subassembly, tires advance through a powered transportation path to an industrial robot which places the tires within the trailer in a vertical stacking pattern or a rick-stacking pattern, for example. The control subassembly coordinates the selective articulated movement of the industrial robot and the activation of the drive subassembly based upon the distance measurement subassembly detecting objects, including tires, within a detection space, dimensions of the trailer provided to the control subassembly, and dimensions of the tires provided to the control subassembly.

Facilities for processing steel. One facility includes a line for producing packages; a plurality of stackable cassettes for receiving packages; a splitter subfacility; automated transfer apparatus; and an automated overhead crane. The line may be a slitting line with the packages being coils of steel, or a cut-to-length line with the packages being stacks of steel sheets. A premises of the facility comprises a loading area in which packages from the line are loaded into cassettes, a storage area in which cassettes are stored, and a transition zone including at least one transfer position. The automated transfer apparatus moves packages and/or cassettes between the transfer position and the splitter subfacility. The automated overhead crane moves cassettes between the storage area, the loading area, and the transition zone.

Facilities for processing steel. One facility includes a line for producing packages; a plurality of stackable cassettes for receiving packages; a splitter subfacility; automated transfer apparatus; and an automated overhead crane. The line may be a slitting line with the packages being coils of steel, or a cut-to-length line with the packages being stacks of steel sheets. A premises of the facility comprises a loading area in which packages from the line are loaded into cassettes, a storage area in which cassettes are stored, and a transition zone including at least one transfer position. The automated transfer apparatus moves packages and/or cassettes between the transfer position and the splitter subfacility. The automated overhead crane moves cassettes between the storage area, the loading area, and the transition zone.

A stacking ring for a chair base may be disposable between a first and second chair base such that the stacking ring generally prevents lateral movement of the first chair base relative to the second chair base. The stacking ring may be integrally formed to the chair base, or separate and disposable between at least two chair bases. The stacking ring may substantially prevent rotation of a first chair base relative to a second chair base.

A stacking ring for a chair base may be disposable between a first and second chair base such that the stacking ring generally prevents lateral movement of the first chair base relative to the second chair base. The stacking ring may be integrally formed to the chair base, or separate and disposable between at least two chair bases. The stacking ring may substantially prevent rotation of a first chair base relative to a second chair base.

A lift system includes a base and a vertical structure from which a plurality of tines projects. The tines are configured to engage a lower surface of a plurality of dairy trays within a stack of dairy trays in order to facilitate lifting part of a stack of dairy trays to access or remove a tray that is lower in the stack. In one embodiment, a plurality of pairs of tines are movable from a low position where they can engage a plurality of stacked trays to a raised position where there is space between each of the adjacent trays.