Cantilevered, self-adjusting pneumatic pallet positioner

A self-adjusting pallet positioner comprising:

• a base;
• a pair of outriggers projecting laterally from the base at ground level;
• a pair of vertical, parallel guide masts rigidly attached to the base;
• a platform assembly cantilevered from the guide masts between the lateral outriggers;
• a pneumatic self-leveling system adapted to urge a block upwards, the self-leveling system including a bellows which comprises a lower end positioned within the two vertical guide masts and an upper end attached to the block, said lower end being supported by said base, and the bellows having an extended condition and a contracted condition, the self-leveling system further including a gas reservoir for urging the bellows to the extended condition, and said gas reservoir being designed to permit the bellows to assume the contracted condition in response to a change in weight of a load when loading the platform assembly;
• means for urging the platform assembly upwards;
• and
• means for controlling the motion of the platform assembly, said means for controlling the motion of the platform assembly including a pair of hydraulic cylinders which are attached to the base and to the block and cooperate with the bellows to support the platform assembly, and said urging means being connected to the block such that a vertical motion of the bellows produces a corresponding vertical motion of the platform assembly and a corresponding displacement of a piston in each of said cylinders.

A self-adjusting pallet positioner comprising:

• a base;
• means for securing the base in a fixed, stationary position;
• a vertical support structure rigidly attached to the base;
• a platform assembly cantilevered from the vertical support structure;
• a pneumatic self-leveling system adapted to urge the platform assembly upwards, the self-leveling system including a bellows which is connected to the platform assembly and comprises a lower end positioned within the vertical support structure, said lower end being supported by said base, and the bellows having an extended condition and a contracted condition, the self-leveling system further including a gas reservoir for urging the bellows to the extended condition, and said gas reservoir being designed to permit the bellows to assume the contracted condition in response to a change in weight of a load when loading the platform assembly;
• and
• means for controlling the motion of the platform assembly.