B66F9/087

Automated mobile vehicle lift column

A mobile lift column (200) is configured to automatically position itself with respect to a vehicle (112) to be lifted. A proximity and object sensor is used to identify a location of a vehicle and navigate obstructions while advancing to the vehicle. The column includes a set of automatically driven Mecanum wheels (222, 224) that can be variably controlled to provide precise movement in any direction without rotating the column. A camera (244) positioned on the column identifies a wheel of the vehicle, and an alignment beam is projected onto the wheel to verify centering on the wheel. Once positioned, the column may operate one of several lift members, including a pair of removable fork adapters (216, 218), to extend underneath the vehicle and contact the vehicle lifting points. With at least two columns properly positioned, each mobile column can simultaneously raise its lift member(s) to lift the vehicle to a desired height.

Fork carriage apparatus for a materials handling vehicle
10144626 · 2018-12-04 · ·

A materials handling vehicle is provided including a vehicle power unit, a monomast coupled to the vehicle power unit, and a fork carriage apparatus supported on the monomast. The fork carriage apparatus includes a mast carriage assembly directly coupled to the monomast for vertical movement, a fork carriage mechanism to which forks are mounted, and a reach mechanism coupled to the mast carriage assembly and to the fork carriage mechanism for actuating the fork carriage mechanism to move between an extended position and a retracted position.

Water bottle lifting and rotating device
10125005 · 2018-11-13 ·

A water bottle lifting and rotating device includes a base supporting a pair of rolling wheels and forwardly extending supports. The base further supports a vertically extending mast upon which a bottle clasp is lifted and lowered by a cable arrangement. A drive motor also supported on the base is operative in combination with the pulley and cable arrangement to raise and lower the bottle clasp and thereby raise and lower a captive water bottle. The bottle clasp supporting a water bottle is automatically rotated to an inverted position by a gear and gear rack arrangement operative between the mast and the bottle clasp.

SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR INVENTORY MANAGEMENT OF CARPET ROLLS IN A WAREHOUSE

A system for managing an inventory of carpet rolls within a warehouse includes one or more autonomous lift trucks, a database configured to store location information for a plurality of carpet rolls in the warehouse, a server in electronic communication with the database, and a system manager configured to send one or more instructions to the one or more lift trucks. The one or more autonomous lift trucks include a frame, a mast attached to the frame, a pole fixedly mounted on the mast, the pole being configured for insertion within a core of a carpet roll for transport of the carpet roll, a plurality of imaging devices mounted on each lift truck in a displaceable manner, at least one navigation sensor, at least one safety sensor, at least one emergency stop, and at least three wheels.

AUTOMATED MOBILE VEHICLE LIFT COLUMN

A mobile lift column includes a controller comprising at least one processor and at least one memory. The column includes a base with a pair of support members, each of which includes a support actuator operable to extend and retract an inner portion of the support member. A lift post is coupled to and extends upwards from the base and includes a movable portion and a lift post driver operable to raise and lower the movable portion vertically along the lift post. A lift assembly is coupled to the movable portion. The lift assembly includes an adapter plate with one or more slots, one or more extension assemblies that pass horizontally through the slots of the adapter plate, and a set of extension actuators operable to extend and retract the one or more extension assemblies along a first axis.

Portable Lift
20180251062 · 2018-09-06 ·

A portable lift may attach to a hitch of a vehicle. The portable lift may include an attachment member configured to engage the hitch. An elevation member may include a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The proximal end of the elevation member may be connected to the attachment member. A platform may be slidably disposed on the elevation member. A pulley may be disposed nearer the distal end than the proximal end of the elevation member. A winch may be configured to move the platform up and down on the elevation member. The winch may include a cable connected to the platform and engaging the pulley.

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR CLEANING A MOULD DRUM
20180215596 · 2018-08-02 ·

The present invention relates to a mould drum for moulding products from a mass of food starting material. The mould drum comprises one or more cavities with a mould cavity wall having at least partially a porous structure, whereas each cavity is connected to a passage. The present invention further relates to a cleaning apparatus for the inventive mould drum with supporting means for supporting the axis of the drum. Additionally, the present invention relates to a process for cleaning the inventive drum.

WATER BOTTLE LIFTING AND ROTATING DEVICE
20180118553 · 2018-05-03 ·

A water bottle lifting and rotating device includes a base supporting a pair of rolling wheels and forwardly extending supports. The base further supports a vertically extending mast upon which a bottle clasp is lifted and lowered by a cable arrangement. A drive motor also supported on the base is operative in combination with the pulley and cable arrangement to raise and lower the bottle clasp and thereby raise and lower a captive water bottle. The bottle clasp supporting a water bottle is automatically rotated to an inverted position by a gear and gear rack arrangement operative between the mast and the bottle clasp.

Apparatus and methods for cleaning a mould drum

The present invention relates to a mold drum for molding products from a mass of food starting material. The mold drum comprises one or more cavities with a mold cavity wall having at least partially a porous structure, whereas each cavity is connected to a passage. The present invention further relates to a cleaning apparatus for the inventive mold drum with supporting means for supporting the axis of the drum. Additionally, the present invention relates to a process for cleaning the inventive drum.

Materials handling vehicle estimating a speed of a movable assembly from a lift motor speed

A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising: a support structure including a first member; a movable assembly coupled to the support structure; a hydraulic system; and a control system. The support structure further comprises lift apparatus to effect movement of the movable assembly relative to the support structure first member. The lift apparatus includes at least one ram/cylinder assembly. The hydraulic system includes a motor, a pump coupled to the motor to supply a pressurized fluid to the at least one ram/cylinder assembly, and at least one electronically controlled valve associated with the ram/cylinder assembly. The control structure may estimate a speed of the movable assembly from a speed of the motor and may control the operation of the at least one valve using a comparison involving the estimated movable assembly speed and a determined speed, and the comparison may not involve use of an operator commanded speed.