A self-locking hook includes an S shaped member having a first surface and a second surface, a first portion for receiving a support member and a second portion for supporting an object; a pivot pin extending through an opening in the S shaped member and extending from the first surface and the second surface; a first locking member held by the pivot pin to pivot against the first surface to defines an opening so that the first portion can engage the support member, to a position where the first locking member and the first portion form a closed loop to surround the support member; and a second locking member held by the pivot pin to pivot against the second surface to define an opening so that the second portion can receive an object to be supported, to a second position where the second locking member and the second portion form a closed loop.

A barge lid lifter system having a horizontal frame, a plurality of vertical beams, a plurality of cross bracing beams, and a plurality of load engagement mechanisms is provided. Each load engagement mechanism may include a frame, wherein each load engagement mechanism frame may have a first side plate, a second side plate, a top plate, a dagger plate, a horizontal pivot pin, and a horizontal pivot pin sleeve. The load engagement mechanism includes a linear actuator, a rotation plate, a rotation elbow, an arm, and a dagger point. The linear actuator is connected to the first side plate and the rotation elbow, and the rotation plate is connected to the rotation elbow and the arm. The arm is configured to close over the dagger point and retain a lifting eye of a barge lid lifting assembly.

A barge lid lifter system having a horizontal frame, a plurality of vertical beams, a plurality of cross bracing beams, and a plurality of load engagement mechanisms is provided. Each load engagement mechanism may include a frame, wherein each load engagement mechanism frame may have a first side plate, a second side plate, a top plate, a dagger plate, a horizontal pivot pin, and a horizontal pivot pin sleeve. The load engagement mechanism includes a linear actuator, a rotation plate, a rotation elbow, an arm, and a dagger point. The linear actuator is connected to the first side plate and the rotation elbow, and the rotation plate is connected to the rotation elbow and the arm. The arm is configured to close over the dagger point and retain a lifting eye of a barge lid lifting assembly.

A gripper device includes: a holding portion that is attached to an elevating section capable of lifting and lowering above a transfer section to hold an article, a first positioning section that is attached to the elevating section and that positions the holding portion in a horizontal direction with respect to the article by contacting the article at two first contact positions in an upper portion of the article, and a second positioning section that is attached to the elevating section and that positions the holding portion in a height direction with respect to the article by contacting the article at three second contact positions that are not located on a straight line in the upper portion of the article.

A gripper device includes: a holding portion that is attached to an elevating section capable of lifting and lowering above a transfer section to hold an article, a first positioning section that is attached to the elevating section and that positions the holding portion in a horizontal direction with respect to the article by contacting the article at two first contact positions in an upper portion of the article, and a second positioning section that is attached to the elevating section and that positions the holding portion in a height direction with respect to the article by contacting the article at three second contact positions that are not located on a straight line in the upper portion of the article.

A Load Lifter Assembly is configured to allow for lifting, moving and releasing a barge lid via a material hander such as a crane without need for manual intervention between the load lifter assembly and the barge lid.

A Load Lifter Assembly is configured to allow for lifting, moving and releasing a barge lid via a material hander such as a crane without need for manual intervention between the load lifter assembly and the barge lid.

An article transport vehicle includes a travel body; a holding device that holds an article; and a lift device that is on the travel body, and that raises and lowers the holding device with respect to the travel body. The holding device includes: a connection portion connected to the lift device and an article support portion that supports the article; an elastic support mechanism that is between the article support portion and the connection portion, and that supports the article support portion against the connection portion while being elastic in a vertical direction, and a guide mechanism that guides the article support portion in the vertical direction with respect to the connection portion. The guide mechanism allows the article support portion to move parallel with the vertical direction with respect to the connection portion and restricts swinging of the article support portion with respect to the connection portion.

An article transport vehicle includes a travel body; a holding device that holds an article; and a lift device that is on the travel body, and that raises and lowers the holding device with respect to the travel body. The holding device includes: a connection portion connected to the lift device and an article support portion that supports the article; an elastic support mechanism that is between the article support portion and the connection portion, and that supports the article support portion against the connection portion while being elastic in a vertical direction, and a guide mechanism that guides the article support portion in the vertical direction with respect to the connection portion. The guide mechanism allows the article support portion to move parallel with the vertical direction with respect to the connection portion and restricts swinging of the article support portion with respect to the connection portion.

A hook assembly includes a first hook having a first open end and a second hook having a second open end. The first hook is parallel to the second hook where the first open end is adjacent to the second open end. Extensions extend from each of the first hook and the second hook. The extensions extend perpendicular to a hook plane of the first hook and the second hook members. The first hook is a mirror image of the second hook. A hinge connects the first hook to the second hook. The hinge is located at an opposite end of the hook from where the extensions are located. A resilient member exerts a constant force at the hinge to bias the first hook and the second hook toward an open position.