Article handling system

An article handling system comprising:

• a lower frame and an upper frame interconnected by a plurality of scissor lift linkages at a proximal end and a distal end of said lower and upper frames, each said scissor lift linkage having a pivotable first arm and a pivotable second arm, each pivotable arm having a first end and a second end;
• a first supporting frame having a plurality of pivotable linking arms for coupling with said plurality of scissor lift linkages, said first supporting frame disposed intermediate said lower and upper frames;
• an article bed mounted on a second supporting frame coupled to said upper frame, said article bed having a plurality of multi-directional rollers disposed on oppositely lying sides of said article bed, each said multi-directional roller configured for linear and rotational motion of an article located on said article bed;
• a first drive unit mounted on said first supporting frame, configured to translate said article bed interconnected with said plurality of scissor lift linkages and said upper frame, about a longitudinal axis in an upward and a downward translational degree of freedom;
• a second drive unit coupled to said article bed, configured to translate said article about an axial feed axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said first drive unit, in a forward and a rearward translational degree of freedom;
• and
• a third drive unit coupled to said article bed configured to translate said article bed about an angular pitch axis in a tilting translational degree of freedom, said angular pitch axis orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of said article bed,
• each said drive units are configured to switch said article handling system mounted on a platform from a retracted position to an extended operating position, thereby stabilizing, translation of said article and ensuring protection to an outer surface of said article.