Abstract: An article storage and delivery system comprising a rack having vertical rows of article storage compartments, and a storage and retrieval machine movable along one side of the rack for selectively placing articles in and removing them from the compartments. An indexable turntable, having a plurality of circumferentially spaced article supports, is arranged at the opposite side of and partially within the rack so that each support is indexable into a machine accessible position, thereby enabling articles to be transferred by the machine between the storage compartments and the turntable supports. By dedicating each turntable support to a particular article type, different articles on the turntable are selectively deliverable by indexing movements thereof to a station on the turntable periphery externally of the rack.

Abstract: A locking device for preventing rotation of a vehicle wheel and tire unit comprises a U-shaped clamp insertable through the openings between spoke-like portions of a conventional wheel so that the base of the clamp engages one side of the wheel and a pair of threaded clamp members project through the openings outwardly of the other wheel side. A wheel rotation blocking bar is mounted on the clamp members, is urged by fastening nuts into compressive contact with the tire at chordally spaced locations, and has ends projecting beyond the outer circumference of the tire. Tabs, threaded on the clamp members and interconnected by a padlock, prevent removal of the device from the wheel and tire unit.

Abstract: The inner surface of the open end of a socket for a pipe is formed with a taper portion and a lock ring is received on the inner periphery of the taper portion. The outer peripheral portion of the socket corresponding to the taper portion is tapered in the same direction so that the wall thickness of the socket at the taper portion has a suitable value. When a pull-out force acts on a spigot inserted in the socket, the wedge action of the taper portion presses the lock ring against the spigot, whereby the separation is prevented. If an excessive pull-out force acts thereon, the portion of the socket which has the suitable thickness is deformed for radial expansion so as to allow the pull-out of the lock ring. Thereby, the pipe joint and the pipe body are prevented from being broken by the excessive force.

Abstract: A guard for enclosing the sprocket, trolley and chain elements of a conveyor at a sprocket wheel turn, comprises a circular cover portion having a diameter greater than that of the sprocket and a skirt extending generally perpendicularly from the entire circumferential edge of the cover portion. Portions of the skirt are severable therefrom at locations defined by the ends of the arc of the turn at which the guard is mounted to provide passages for the conveyor chain through the skirt and into engagement with the sprocket.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging apparatus designed so that a belt-like plastic film is placed over articles being transported on a conveyor, the article being wrapped in the film while the film being stretched widthwise, the film being cut between adjacent articles, the cut ends of the film being folded to and brought in adhesion to the underside of the article. A pair of chains run on both sides of a path of transport of the articles, each of the chains having a number of clamps. As the chains run, the clamps place the film over the articles while clamping both side edge portions and pulling them in the widthwise direction. The distance between the chains is adjustable; where a stretchable film having a high draw ratio is used, the interchain distance is broadened, whereas in the case of a heat-shrinkable film having a low draw ratio being used, the interchain distance is narrowed.

Abstract: A machine for transporting tote pans to and from storage compartments arranged longitudinally in vertical rows along an aisle includes a vertically movable carriage provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending tote pan supporting guides which are transversely shiftable between centered and tote pan transfer positions. Associated with the guides is a pair of endless chains, each arranged in a horizontal orbit extending below one of the guides around the sides and ends thereof and carrying a pair of equidistantly spaced pins projecting above the support level of the guide, the pins on one chain being aligned longitudinally with the pins on the other chain. The chains are driven simultaneously in opposite directions on a storage or retrieval cycle synchronously with a cam which shifts the support assembly transversely.

Abstract: A fuel saving device comprising a chamber formed within a housing adapted to be mounted between the carburetor and the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, the chamber having an inlet end opening which registers with the discharge passage of the carburetor and receives a fuel-air mixture formed in the carburetor, and an outlet end opening which connects to the intake manifold. Micro-porous filter plates are mounted in the chamber transversely to the path of flow of the fuel-air mixture, are spaced from each other in the direction of flow, and a bypass passage is associated with some of the filter plates. Increased vaporization of the fuel results from the flow of the fuel-air mixture around and through the filter plates with the result that the fuel quantity can be reduced, fuel economy improved, and exhaust emissions decreased.

Abstract: A link is pivotally connected at one end thereof to one end of a case or main body of a door closer so that the link is turnable between a first position where it is received in the case and a second position where it is put outside the case. A roller is attached to the link, and a cam member is installed within the case. Also installed within the case is an urging spring which causes the cam surface of the cam member to abut against the roller, whereby the link is urged in the direction to be received in the case. The case has no oil enclosed therein. Thus, the construction of the case is simple and inexpensive. When the door is closed, the link is received within the case to improve the external appearance.

Abstract: A reciprocatable shuttle employed to advance a variable number of article carriers through successive work stations is driven on forward and return movements by a plurality of energizable linear motor stators for which the shuttle forms a common reactor. Energization of the stators is controlled by a programmable logic contoller in response to inputs from velocity measuring circuits which determine the difference in the actual velocity of the shuttle relative to a desired maximum forward velocity, return velocity and creep velocity; to inputs from distance measuring curcuits which determine the distance travelled by the shuttle relative to a forward deceleration point and to a return deceleration point; to inputs which establish the return or forward position of the shuttle; and, to inputs which count the number of article carriers to be advanced.

Abstract: A device for processing a towel fabric having thicker piled portions and thinner plain weave portions alternate with the piled portions longitudinally of the towel fabric, comprising lower rollers for supporting thereon the towel fabric, the lower rollers having a common axis extending widthwise of the towel fabric, upper rollers movable toward and away from the lower rollers and adapted to nip each plain weave portion of the towel fabric when the upper rollers are moved toward the lower rollers, the upper rollers having an common axis extending widthwise of the towel fabric, releasable stopper assembly for selectively preventing the upper rollers from moving away from the lower rollers, and a finger assembly for tensionally moving the towel fabric forward along a specified path through and between the upper and lower rollers.

Abstract: A load carrier for the carrier track of a power and free conveyor has load carrying structure comprising a front suspension member pivotally connected to a front trolley and a rear suspension member pivotally connected to a rear trolley, each suspension member having an upper portion extending transversely to one side of the track and a vertical portion extending obliquely downwardly from the upper portion through a vertical plane containing the pivotal connections. A load supporting member connects the lower ends of the suspension members and is positioned so that the center of gravity of the load carrying structure and of a load supported thereby lies in the vertical plane. A drip pan is mountable below the upper portions of the suspension members.

Abstract: In a door closer, there are provided a vertical rotatable shaft associated with the rotation of a door through an arm, two cams installed integral with the shaft, an urging device for rotating the door in the closing direction through one of the cams and a cylinder device for braking the door during door closing operation through the other of the cams. Thus, the opening of the door is effected by overcoming the force of the urging device and hence the door can be opened lightly. When the door is released, the force of the urging device is transmitted to the one cam and then to the arm, so that the door can be automatically closed. During door closing operation, the cam surface of the other cam pushes the piston rod of the cylinder device, whereby the rotation of the other cam and hence the rotation of the shaft connected with the other cam are braked, avoiding severe shocks to the door.

Abstract: A nozzle or nozzles for spraying cooling water are disposed at the lower end of a slag suction path. A cooling water down-flow passage is provided on the outer periphery of an inner tube which constitutes a slag suction path. A water sump is provided below the cooling water down-flow passage, the water sump being located lower than the each nozzle. A lower end opening of the cooling water down-flow passage is disposed lower than the each nozzle and is submerged in water in the water sump. The cooling water down-flow passage, except the lower end opening, is adapted to be closed up. When the cooling water down-flow passage is closed up, water in the passage is stopped by atmospheric pressure acting upon the surface of the water in the water sump, so that it is prevented from flowing down.

Abstract: A storage track section for a power and free conveyor system having carriers each comprising a leading driving trolley, a first load carrying trolley connected to the driving trolley by a tow bar, and a second load carrying trolley connected to the first load carrying trolley by load carrying structure. The storage track section includes parallel first and second load tracks which respectively support the first and second load carrying trolleys and are transversely spaced apart a distance less than the length of the load carrying structure; and, includes a driving trolley track located intermediate and parallel to the load tracks and transversely spaced from the first load track a distance less than the length of the tow bar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a denier-mixed composite yarn containing 20 weight percent or more coarse filaments whose single filament fineness is 3 deniers or more and 5 weight percent or more fine filaments whose single filament fineness is 1.5 denier or less. Part or all of the coarse filaments are of non-circular cross-section, the stress of the composite yarn at 10% elongation is 2.5 g/d or less, and the composite yarn has a particular distribution of elongation. According to such denier-mixed composite yarn, superior dry feel fullness and softness can be imparted to woven and knit fabrics.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously producing a thin metallic strip comprises a mold 3 adapted to receive molten metal and having an outlet opening 1a through which the molten metal under solidification is drawn out as a casting 10 for guided withdrawal movement along a predetermined path, and surface smoothing devices 5 for generally continuously impacting both opposite surfaces of the casting 10 adjacent the outlet opening of the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous casting of a thin metallic plate which includes a movable mold 2 arranged for movement in a specified direction, and a melt receiver 5 disposed on the movable mold 2 for storing molten metal in coopertion therewith, whereby molten metal within the melt receiver 5, through its contact with the surface of the movable mold 2, will be cooled and formed into a casting shell, the casting shell being drawn by the movable mold 2 in the form of a thin metallic plate, wherein at least the lower end portion of the melt receiver 5 is movable along the withdrawal path of the casting shell, and wherein a mover mechanism 7 is provided for moving the lower end portion of the melt receiver 5.

Abstract: An horizontal continuous casting apparatus comprising a tundish 3 for receiving molten metal 32, horizontally reciprocally movable oscillating nozzle 12 communicating with a nozzle opening 7a of the tundish 3, a mold 24 into which one end of the nozzle 12 is slidably inserted, and a vibrator 22 for horizontally vibrating the nozzle 12.

Abstract: A full contact seal for a bearing assembly having an axially outer shield and an annular sealing ring which extends radially inwardly from the outer bearing race axially inward of and adjacent to the shield and which is provided with a radially outwardly facing groove positioned adjacent to the shield. The contact seal comprises a resilient annular sealing member having a base portion adapted to seat in the groove and axially outer and inner sealing lips compressively engaging and bridging the axially facing surfaces of the shield and the sealing ring, the sealing member being resiliently expandable and contractable for insertion into the groove.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously casting a thin metallic strip comprising a melt receiver 3 for receiving molten metal, a pair of rolls 4 rotatably arranged under the melt receiver 3 and opposed to each other with a predetermined clearance, rotary drive device 5 for rotating the rolls 4 to draw out the molten metal under solidification as a casting through said clearance, and supply system 11 for supplying cooling water into the interior of the rolls 4, the apparatus further comprising roll temperature sensors 9 embedded in the outer peripheral portion of each roll 4 and equiangularly spaced circumferentially thereof for detecting the surface temperature of the roll 4, a position detecting device 14 for detecting the rotational position of the roll 4, and a control unit 20 for controlling the rotary drive device 5 and the cooling water supplying system 11 in response to detection signals from the temperature sensors 9 and the position detecting device 14.