A method and apparatus for rapid loading stacks of items aboard vessels which can include rotating palletized items to depalletize the items, and then placing the items on a lifting robot, lifting the robot and items into the hold of a vessel, removing the items from the robot using a load push lift truck, and then using the load push lift truck to stow the items in a stowage location. The empty robot can be removed from the hold of the vessel and put in a position to receive a another depalletized stack of cartons. In one option the robot has a plurality of fork channels for receiving the blades of a load push lift truck along with receiving the blades or a rotating lift truck.

The invention relates to a fork adjuster, forklift truck provided therewith and method for adjusting forks. The fork adjuster according to the invention comprises: a frame provided with coupling means configured to operatively couple the fork adjuster to the forklift truck; an adjusting mechanism arranged in or on the frame and configured to adjust the forks; a drive mechanism which can be connected operatively to the adjusting mechanism for driving the adjusting mechanism, wherein the drive mechanism is provided with contact means such that the adjusting mechanism is driveable by contact of the contact means with a ground surface.

The application relates to a carrying robot including a fork. The fork includes a telescopic arm and a temporary storage tray. The telescopic arm includes a fixed arm and a movable arm connected to the fixed arm. The movable arm is telescopically movable relative to the fixed arm. The temporary storage tray is mounted to the fixed arm and is configured to temporarily store goods. The temporary storage tray is able to extend relative to the fixed arm. An extending direction of the temporary storage tray is consistent with an extending direction of the movable arm. When the fork pulls in or pushes out the goods, containers can be stably transferred between a stationary rack and the temporary storage tray.

An adjustable load handler configured to be mounted on lift trucks with different standard type carriages. The handler comprising a frame assembly, a top hook assembly with a securing mechanism for securing the top hook assembly to the frame assembly in a plurality of positions A center manifold is coupled to the underside of the side shift actuator, with hydraulic connections directly into the side shift actuator. Hydraulic lines coupled to the center manifold and to one or more hydraulic components of the loader have sufficient slack so the top hook assembly can be moved between positions without disconnecting any of these hydraulic lines.

A container with an alignment correcting end is provided. The alignment correcting end has angled side walls that extend from parallel flat square or rectangular sides of the container. Each angled side wall extends at an angle between 5 and 70 from one of the parallel walls towards the center of the container. Nubs may be disposed about an exterior of the angled side walls. Also, a passive displacing robotic element for performing misaligned or off-axis placement of the container with the alignment correcting end is provided. The passive displacing robotic element provides displacement of the one or more robotic actuators that are used to engage and place the container into the slot in response to the alignment correcting end of the container contacting the slot edge, wall, or other barrier.

The present invention relates to a system, comprising: a transport device 100 comprising a transport vehicle 110 which can be moved freely on a base area and a handling device 150 provided on the transport vehicle 110, a carrier for goods in transport 200 which can be received by the handling device 150 and includes at least one first alignment element 220, and a receiving apparatus 300 for receiving the carrier for goods in transport 200 which can be set up on the base area or arranged on a machine set up on the base area, wherein the handling device 150 is configured to hold the carrier for goods in transport 200 in such a way that, when the carrier for goods in transport 200 is inserted and/or exchanged on the receiving apparatus 300 by the handling device 150, the carrier for goods in transport 200 is kept movable relative to the handling device 150, and the receiving apparatus 300 includes at least one second alignment element 320 which, when the carrier for goods in transport 200 is inserted and/or exchanged, is configured to interact with the at least one first alignment element 220 of the carrier for goods in transport 200 for aligning the carrier for goods in transport 200 with the receiving apparatus 300.

A retractable pallet fork carriage assembly is provided that enhances the safe operation of a lift vehicle, such as a loader or telehandler. A carriage assembly is coupled to a fork tyne assembly through scissor links that expand and retract the tynes relative to the carriage assembly. When the scissor links are closed, the fork tynes extend through the carriage assembly to receive a payload (e.g., a pallet). When an operator wants to remove the payload, the fork tynes retract while the payload is supported against the carriage assembly. In this way, the load remains in one stationary position while pallet fork tynes are retracted under the payload to release the payload. Various sensors generate and/or send signals to limit the operation of the boom lift, boom, and/or retractable attachment when a distance or load is out of a threshold range.

The application relates to a carrying robot including a fork. The fork includes a telescopic arm and a temporary storage tray. The telescopic arm includes a fixed arm and a movable arm connected to the fixed arm. The movable arm is telescopically movable relative to the fixed arm. The temporary storage tray is mounted to the fixed arm and is configured to temporarily store goods. The temporary storage tray is able to extend relative to the fixed arm. An extending direction of the temporary storage tray is consistent with an extending direction of the movable arm. When the fork pulls in or pushes out the goods, containers can be stably transferred between a stationary rack and the temporary storage tray.

A pallet lifter for use with a crane enables lifting of materials on a pallet, and then unloading of the materials at one or more locations, such as on a roof of a building. The pallet lifter may include a cage or a retainer frame that contains the material, with a pusher of the lifter used to push out individual portions of the materials. The pusher may unload the material from the top of the pallet of material, such as by sliding it down a ramp. The pusher alternatively may unload the material from the bottom of the stack on the pallet, by pushing it through a slot in the cage. For top-unloading embodiments the pallet lifter may include an assembly for changing the position of the pusher relative to the frame and the pallet, for example moving the pusher downward layer by later as the materials are unloaded.

A container with an alignment correcting end is provided. The alignment correcting end has angled side walls that extend from parallel flat square or rectangular sides of the container. Each angled side wall extends at an angle between 5 and 70 from one of the parallel walls towards the center of the container. Nubs may be disposed about an exterior of the angled side walls. Also, a passive displacing robotic element for performing misaligned or off-axis placement of the container with the alignment correcting end is provided. The passive displacing robotic element provides displacement of the one or more robotic actuators that are used to engage and place the container into the slot in response to the alignment correcting end of the container contacting the slot edge, wall, or other barrier.