An apparatus is disclosed for opening and closing a grain or access door on a barge lid or cover, the grain door having a latch connecting the grain door to the barge lid, the apparatus supportable by an overhead lifting system. The apparatus can include a base which is supportable by the overhead lifting system and a mechanical arm assembly connected to the base, the mechanical arm assembly including a first arm rotatably connected to the base, a second arm connected to the first arm, a latch engagement member connected to the second arm; and an actuator connected between the first arm and the second arm, the actuator operable to move the second arm relative to the first arm to disengage the latch on the grain door from the barge lid via the latch engagement member and swing the grain door from a closed position to an open position.

A hinge comprising: a first hinge member (110) comprising a cylinder barrel (117) having a longitudinal direction (118); a second hinge member (111) pivotably mounted on the first hinge member (110); and a dashpot interposed between said hinge members (110, 111) and configured for damping a closing movement of said closure member. The dashpot comprises a closed cylinder cavity formed within the cylinder barrel (117); a damper shaft (124) which extends into the cylinder cavity and is connected to the second hinge member (111); and a piston (147) within said cylinder cavity. The hinge members (110, 111) are made of a synthetic material and the damper shaft (124) is made of metal.

A dashpot comprising: a closed cylinder cavity and a damper shaft (24) which are rotatable with respect to one another; a piston (47) which is slideable between two extreme positions; and a motion converting mechanism to convert the relative rotation between the cylinder barrel (17) and the damper shaft (24) into a sliding motion of the piston (47). The motion converting mechanism comprises two co-operating screw threads, one (58) being provided on an outer wall of the piston (47) and the other one being provided on an inner wall of the cylinder barrel (17) or on an inner wall of a plastic tubular element fixed to the cylinder barrel. By providing the screw thread (58) on the outside of the piston (47), the diameter of the screw thread (58) is increased thereby increasing its lead and thus causing a higher volume of hydraulic fluid to be displaced during operation of the dashpot.

An apparatus is disclosed for opening and closing a grain or access door on a barge lid or cover, the grain door having a latch connecting the grain door to the barge lid, the apparatus supportable by an overhead lifting system. The apparatus can include a base which is supportable by the overhead lifting system and a mechanical arm assembly connected to the base, the mechanical arm assembly including a first arm rotatably connected to the base, a second arm connected to the first arm, a latch engagement member connected to the second arm; and an actuator connected between the first arm and the second arm, the actuator operable to move the second arm relative to the first arm to disengage the latch on the grain door from the barge lid via the latch engagement member and swing the grain door from a closed position to an open position.

Provided is a roller, and more particularly, to a rotary shaft of the upper part of a rolling wheel, having an inclined surface formed along the circumference of an outer diametral surface thereof, is inserted into at least one coupling groove formed on a transfer bracket, a thrust member is provided at the upper part of the rotary shaft so as to allow a thrust load to be concentrated on the upper end of the rotary shaft or the thrust member, and a radial member is provided at the inner surface of the coupling groove and the rotary shaft positioned at the lower part of the thrust member, thereby supporting a radial load.

Provided is a roller, and more particularly, to a rotary shaft of the upper part of a rolling wheel, having an inclined surface formed along the circumference of an outer diametral surface thereof, is inserted into at least one coupling groove formed on a transfer bracket, a thrust member is provided at the upper part of the rotary shaft so as to allow a thrust load to be concentrated on the upper end of the rotary shaft or the thrust member, and a radial member is provided at the inner surface of the coupling groove and the rotary shaft positioned at the lower part of the thrust member, thereby supporting a radial load.

A hinge comprising: a first hinge member (110) comprising a cylinder barrel (117) having a longitudinal direction (118); a second hinge member (111) pivotably mounted on the first hinge member (110); and a dashpot interposed between said hinge members (110, 111) and configured for damping a closing movement of said closure member. The dashpot comprises a closed cylinder cavity formed within the cylinder barrel (117); a damper shaft (124) which extends into the cylinder cavity and is connected to the second hinge member (111); and a piston (147) within said cylinder cavity. The hinge members (110, 111) are made of a synthetic material and the damper shaft (124) is made of metal.

A dashpot comprising: a closed cylinder cavity and a damper shaft (24) which are rotatable with respect to one another; a piston (47) which is slideable between two extreme positions; and a motion converting mechanism to convert the relative rotation between the cylinder barrel (17) and the damper shaft (24) into a sliding motion of the piston (47). The motion converting mechanism comprises two co-operating screw threads, one (58) being provided on an outer wall of the piston (47) and the other one being provided on an inner wall of the cylinder barrel (17) or on an inner wall of a plastic tubular element fixed to the cylinder barrel. By providing the screw thread (58) on the outside of the piston (47), the diameter of the screw thread (58) is increased thereby increasing its lead and thus causing a higher volume of hydraulic fluid to be displaced during operation of the dashpot.