Abstract: A clutch and lock mechanism adapted for use with a double shuttle table utilizing two individual drive shafts wherein a first shaft ring assembly is fixedly coupled to a first shaft and a second shaft ring assembly is coupled to the second shaft. The first and second shafts and shaft ring assemblies are spaced from one another along the common axis of rotation of the first and second shafts and an engaging mechanism is positioned between the two shaft ring assemblies and movable therebetween. When the engaging mechanism, at least a portion of which is rotationally locked to the second shaft, is moved to a first position, it is rotationally locked to the first shaft and rotation of the first shaft thereby results in the rotation of the second shaft. When the engaging mechanism is moved to a second position, opposed to the first position, it is disengaged from the first shaft and prevents the rotation of the second shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an arm deflecting drive system for strip chart recorders. The drive system mechanism includes a variable resistance structure which produces a position signal indicative of the angular position of the deflecting arm, which signal is proportional to the tangent of the position angle of the arm. The drive mechanism further includes a differential amplifier receiving both the position signal and a reference signal and generating a deflection signal related to the difference between the reference and position signals. In accordance with the invention, the variable resistance structure may include a track of electrically resistant material contoured to provide the tangential relationship between the position signal and the position angle or, alternatively, the track may be formed from an inhomogeneous material to provide such tangential relationship.

Abstract: A structure for a load carrying vehicle and the track therefor. The load carrying vehicle includes a load carrying platform and a pair of side plates, one plate located adjacent to each of the platform sides. The side plates are structurally weakened, that is, the rigidity of the side plates is controlled by, for example, fabricating them to include grooves, apertures, etc., so that the vehicle may deflect longitudinally. This is done so that all the wheels of the vehicle will be in contact with the track, and thereby serve to support at least part of the load being carried, thus improving the weight distribution of the vehicle load on the wheels and on the track. The track provided for supporting the load carrying vehicle, which track may be fabricated by roll forming a sheet of steel, includes four sections, two of which sections join the other two at an obtuse angle thereby providing a pivot point or flexure.

Abstract: A system for determining the position of vehicles in an automated warehouse of the type utilizing transfer vehicles and robot vehicles is disclosed. The position determining system includes a photo-electric sensor flexibly coupled to a robot vehicle, which sensor is responsive to its alignment with a pallet stored in the warehouse. The system further includes a photo-electric reflector retaining bracket mounted adjacent to an aisle in the warehouse, the bracket supporting a number of reflectors arranged in a pattern containing information identifying the aisle. A photo-electric transceiver supported by a mounting bracket is connected to a transfer vehicle and is arranged to provide an output signal related to the pattern of the reflectors when the transceiver is in alignment with the reflectors whereby the transfer vehicle is apprised of its location in the warehouse.

Abstract: A system for determining the position of vehicles in an automated warehouse of the type utilizing transfer vehicles and robot vehicles is disclosed. The position determining system includes a photo-electric sensor flexibly coupled to a robot vehicle, which sensor is responsive to its alignment with a pallet stored in the warehouse. The system further includes a photo-electric reflector retaining bracket mounted adjacent to an aisle in the warehouse, the bracket supporting a number of reflectors arranged in a pattern containing information identifying the aisle. A photo-electric transceiver supported by a mounting bracket is connected to a transfer vehicle and is arranged to provide an output signal related to the pattern of the reflectors when the transceiver is in alignment with the reflectors whereby the transfer vehicle is apprised of its location in the warehouse.

Abstract: A semi-automated warehousing system for unitized loads, such as load carrying pallets, which are retained in storage racks arranged in a multiple lane, multiple tier array, is disclosed. The system employs a man operated stacker crane that travels upon a fixed rail and serves as a host vehicle for a radio controlled transfer vehicle which is powered by a rechargable battery. An elevator, which forms part of the crane, is mounted between masts of the crane and a man carrying cab is secured to the elevator. The transfer vehicle can move laterally away from the crane, in either direction, in response to radio command signals controlled by the operator in the cab. The transfer vehicle rides on support rails in the storage rack and, upon command, deposits or picks up a pallet. The battery which powers the transfer vehicle is recharged each time the vehicle returns to the elevator portion of the crane.

Abstract: A semi-automated warehousing system for unitized loads, such as load carrying pallets, which are retained in storage racks arranged in a multiple lane, multiple tier array is provided. The system employs a man operated stacker crane that travels upon a fixed rail and serves as a host vehicle for a ratio controlled transfer vehicle which is powered by a rechargeable battery. An elevator, which forms part of the crane is mounted between masts of the crane and a man carrying cab is secured to the elevator. The transfer vehicle can move laterally away from the crane, in either direction, in response to radio command signals controlled by the operator in the cab. The transfer vehicle rides on support rails in the storage racks and, upon command, deposits or picks up a pallet. The battery which powers the transfer vehicle is recharged each time the vehicle returns to the elevator portion of the crane.

Abstract: An automatic drive prevention mechanism for an automated vehicle. The mechanism includes a switch frame having a rectangular periphery pivotally mounted on the automated vehicle and a switch mechanism, including a switch, coupled between the switch frame and the vehicle drive means, the switch being arranged to be activated to interrupt drive power to the vehicle when the frame is pivoted out of its neutral position. The switch mechanism includes a self-centering switch controller and the switch is arranged so that pivoting the switch frame causes actuation of the switch and release of the switch frame permits the self-centering controller to urge the switch mechanism to return to its original configuration thereby deactivating the switch and permitting the drive to be re-started.

Abstract: A cone crusher characterized by a frame having a completely fabricated construction, an anti-spin mechanism and an improved crusher setting indicator is disclosed. The frame of the structure, which is composed solely of pre-formed and/or forged members, includes a number of tubular members, a number of annular members and a number of ribs, all of which are welded together to provide a rigid, strong frame. The anti-spin mechanism is characterized by the use of a unidirectional valve and a spring loaded ball valve, thereby permitting the rotation of the mantle of the crusher in one direction while barring rotation of the mantle in the opposite direction unless a force exceeding a pre-selected magnitude is applied to the mantle.

Abstract: A system for determining the position of vehicles in an automated warehouse of the type utilizing transfer vehicles and robot vehicles is disclosed. The position determining system includes a photo-electric sensor flexibly coupled to a robot vehicle, which sensor is responsive to its alignment with a pallet stored in the warehouse. The system further includes a photo-electric reflector retaining bracket mounted adjacent to an aisle in the warehouse, the bracket supporting a number of reflectors arranged in a pattern containing information identifying the aisle. A photo-electric transceiver supported by a mounting bracket is connected to a transfer vehicle and is arranged to provide an output signal related to the pattern of the reflectors when the transceiver is in alignment with the reflectors whereby the transfer vehicle is apprised of its location in the warehouse.

Abstract: A cone crusher characterized by a frame having a completely fabricated construction, an anti-spin mechanism and an improved crusher setting indicator is disclosed. The frame of the structure, which is composed solely of pre-formed and/or forged members, includes a number of tubular members, a number of annular members and a number of ribs, all of which are welded together to provide a rigid, strong frame. The anti-spin mechanism is characterized by the use of a unidirectional valve and a spring loaded ball valve, thereby permitting the rotation of the mantle of the crusher in one direction while barring rotation of the mantle in the opposite direction unless a force exceeding a pre-selected magnitude is applied to the mantle.

Abstract: A cone crusher characterized by a frame having a completely fabricated construction, an anti-spin mechanism and an improved crusher setting indicator is disclosed. The frame of the structure, which is composed solely of pre-formed and/or forged members, includes a number of tubular members, a number of annular members and a number of ribs, all of which are welded together to provide a rigid, strong frame. The anti-spin mechanism is characterized by the use of a unidirectional valve and a spring loaded ball valve, thereby permitting the rotation of the mantle of the crusher in one direction while barring rotation of the mantle in the opposite direction unless a force exceeding a pre-selected magnitude is applied to the mantle.

Abstract: A fabric in which resin coated glass yarns are interwoven with staple fiber spun synthetic yarns for a cover cloth used upon flatwork ironers. The fabric of the cover cloth has a work engaging surface that is relatively soft so as not to impress its weave upon articles undergoing ironing.

Abstract: A steel-belted radial ply tire construction characterized by improved uniformity and resistance to ply separation, and a method of manufacturing such tires in non-segmented molds, are disclosed. In the finished tire, a cap band having at least one layer of rubberized tire cords of synthetic filamentary textile material is disposed in direct surrounding relation to the radially outermost belt ply of bias-angled steel cords, the cap band having a width equal to or greater than the width of the belt, with the cords in the cap band being disposed parallel to one another and to the median equatorial plane of the tire, i.e., at an essentially 0.degree. bias angle. The cords in the cap band are prestressed, due to their having been stretched about 1 to 5% in the manufacturing operation during the final expansion of the tire into the mold contours under high internal pressure, so as to exert a stability and uniformity-enhancing compressive stress on the underlying belt.

Abstract: A method for determining the preferred direction of rotation of a vehicle tire including determining the direction of rotation of the tire in which the lateral structural force acting on the tire is greater. After this determination the tire is marked in a manner indicating the direction of rotation in which the lateral structural force is greater. In this way the tire may be mounted on a vehicle so that the conventionally forward direction of rotation of the tire is in the direction of greater lateral structural force so that the effect of the forces acting on the tire which tend to alter its direction of travel are minimized.

Abstract: A fabric in which resin coated glass yarns are interwoven with staple fiber spun synthetic yarns for a cover cloth used upon flatwork ironers. The fabric of the cover cloth has a work engaging surface that is relatively soft so as not to impress its weave upon articles undergoing ironing.

Abstract: A method for determining the preferred direction of rotation of a vehicle tire including determining the direction of rotation of the tire in which the lateral structural force acting on the tire is greater. After this determination the tire is marked in a manner indicating the direction of rotation in which the lateral structural force is greater. In this way the tire may be mounted on a vehicle so that the conventionally forward direction of rotation of the tire is in the direction of greater lateral structural force so that the effect of the forces acting on the tire which tend to alter its direction of travel are minimized.

Abstract: A radial ply pneumatic tire, characterized by uniform tread wear and improved traction is disclosed. The tire includes a radial ply carcass, first and second sidewalls overlying the lateral portions of the carcass, a tread overlying the crown region of the carcass, a breaker positioned between the tread and the crown region of the carcass, and a cushion positioned between the breaker and the tread. The cushion is constituted by a rubber mixture which is softer than the rubber mixture constituting the tread and it extends symmetrically about the median equatorial plane of the tire, thereby providing a more pliable support in the central portion of the tread than in the shoulder region thereof. This abstract is not to be taken either as a complete exposition or as a limitation of the present invention, however, the full nature and extent of the invention being discernible only by reference to and from the entire disclosure.