Abstract: A zero-pressure accumulating conveyor including a bed defined by rotatable rollers mounted in parallel sidewalls and powered by an endless drive chain. Pneumatic actuators lift the drive chain into engagement with the rollers to empower same. Sensor rollers divide the bed into distinct zones. Sensor rollers are retained in operative position relative to the conveyor bed by unique sensor brackets. A primary sensor roller bracket includes a bore with a piston movable there within; the cooperating secondary sensor roller bracket is spring biased in a first direction. Valves, and pneumatic circuitry controlled by such valves, extend along the length of the conveyor. Such valves are operated by the primary sensor roller brackets to regulate the flow of air pressure into the bores of the brackets and into the actuators. The actuators, when the pressure therein is bled-off, allow the chain in a particular zone to drop out of contact with the rotatable rollers.

Abstract: A radial locator is carried by the bed of a cam lobe grinding machine proximate the workpiece chuck. An initial locating pin is carried by the chuck to sense a rough locating hole in a sprocket carried by a cam shaft to be disposed in the chuck to have its cam lobes ground. A timing tooth is provided on the sprocket in proper proximity to the rough locating hole and for coaction with complimentary locating teeth carried by a rockable locating arm of the radial locator. An actuating arm carries the locating arm for movement between an at rest disposition and a rocked disposition wherein the locator teeth coact with the timing tooth to rotate the sprocket, cam shaft and cam lobes to a final position for proper grinding of the cam lobes. A rotary actuator moves the actuating arm an locating arm between their respective dispositions.

Abstract: A grinding machine provided with a spindle rotating under the influence of a cantilever mounted rare earth permanent magnet motor. Hydrostatic fluid film bearings are provided between the ends of the spindle and a bronze bearing to support the spindle in such a manner so as to eliminate wear. A single oil reservoir is used to supply oil to the hydrostatic bearings, as well as to the cooling jacket of the motor.

Abstract: Tubular members of predetermined lengths are arranged in ornamental fashion, such as a helix disposed in a conical or cylindrical configuration or as a festooned member, and are adapted to contain a first fluid, such as water, and to receive a second fluid, such as air, which is lighter than water and which passes through the first fluid in pockets separated one from the other. The wall of the tubular members transmits light its entire length which when illuminated coacts with the first fluid and the second fluid, as it passes through the first fluid, to provide a pleasingly aesthetic affect. A conduit member may also be carried by said tubular members to act as a return for the second fluid; and suitable pump means are provided to inject said second fluid into said first fluid. If desired, particles of reflecting material may be disposed in said first fluid, and the light may be of single or changing colors.

Abstract: A dispersion or solution of a fluorescent dye material which emits radiation for detection by automated guidance vehicles (AGV) including a sulfonated fluorescent dye solution in its acid state. The unique product forms a guidepath on a carpet which requires little or no maintenance. The product will cause no carpet discoloration or will it be affected by extended exposure to sunlight.

Abstract: A plurality of work stations are provided each with a plurality of containers, each containing sliver rope, disposed in first and second arrays in proximity to a spinning machine to alternately provide sliver rope to respective spinning positions so that yarn or thread may be spun by each spinning machine. A container support platform supports each array of sliver rope containers in proximity to their respective spinning machine; as well as a container transport assembly which extends the length of the support platform. A number of container moving fingers are pivotally carried in spaced relationship along the length of an elongated, substantially "U" shaped transport beam and for coaction with cams also carried by the transport beam and disposed for coaction with a stationary beam also carried by the container support.

Abstract: A system is provided for converting conventionally hanger-hung gutters fixedly disposed to receive water from building roofs to a gutter system wherein the gutters are selectively movable between water receiving dispositions and overturned dispositions to facilitate dumping debris from the gutters. The system entails securing first portions of gutter mounting brackets in spaced relationship along the length of the gutter proximate the lower edge of the gutter front wall and securing a second portion of the gutter mounting brackets to the building facia while the gutters are still secured to the building by the conventional gutter hangers. A pivot pin connects the mounting bracket first and second portions to permit the selective gutter movements. Selective movement of the gutters is effected by use of a rod operated by a person standing on the ground beneath the gutters and the application of force in selected manner to the gutter.

Abstract: Diversion-type switches and cross-type switches are provided for inclusion in suspended rail conveyor arrangements to form a rail conveyor system. Each of said switches includes at least one shiftable rail section movable between a first position of cooperation with spaced rails of one conveyor pathway and a second position of cooperation with spaced rails of another conveyor pathway. Rail alignment and load transmitting elements, in the configuration of coacting fingers and seats, are disposed at the respective end of the shiftable rail section and fixed rail section and coact therewith so that load forces acting on the shiftable rail section act to align the shiftable rail section with the spaced rails of the respective conveyor pathways and so that load forces applied to the shiftable rail section are transmitted directly to the fixed rail section.

Abstract: Diversion-type switches and cross-type switches are provided for inclusion in suspended rail conveyor arrangements to form a rail conveyor system. Each of the switches includes at least one shiftable rail section movable between a first position of cooperation with spaced rails of one conveyor pathway and a second position of cooperation with spaced rails of another conveyor pathway. Rail alignment and load transmitting elements, in the configuration of coating fingers and seats, are disposed at the respective ends of the shiftable rail section and fixed rail section and coact therewith so that load forces acting on the shiftable rail section act to align the shiftable rail section with the spaced rails of the respective conveyor pathways and so that load forces applied to the shiftable rail section are transmitted directly to the fixed rail section.

Abstract: Diversion-type switches and cross-type switches are provided for inclusion in suspended rail conveyor arrangements to form a rail conveyor system. Each of said switches includes at least one shiftable rail section movable between a first position of cooperation with spaced rails of one conveyor pathway and a second position of cooperation with a spaced rails of another conveyor pathway. Rail alignment and load transmitting means, in the configuration of coacting fingers and seats, are disposed at the respective ends of the shiftable rail section and fixed rail section and coact therewith so that load forces acting on the shiftable rail section act to align the shiftable rail section with the spaced rails of the respective conveyor pathways and so that load forces applied to the shiftable rail section are transmitted directly to the fixed rail section.

Abstract: An abrasive disc comprising a bonded abrasive body having a substantially flat mounting surface, a plurality of anchors each including a cup-shaped metallic washer having a flat top surface portion substantially flush with the flat mounting face and an annular outwardly inclined skirt portion embedded within the abrasive body, each washer including a first plurality of apertures in the skirt portion whereby integral portions of the bonded abrasive body extending therethrough lock the washer in position within the bonded abrasive, and a second plurality of apertures in the flat top surface portion filled with abrasives for decreasing the metallic surface area of the washer.

Abstract: A vibration exciter including a motor with eccentric counterweights is carried by a mounting frame so as to transmit vibrations to a vibrating feeder through a coil drive spring system. Eight coil drive springs are disposed in coaxial sets two sets to each side of said motor; the springs of each of such sets being disposed on opposite sides of a ledge formed as part of the mounting frame. A bolt extends through each aligned coil drive spring set to connect the vibration exciter, mounting frame and spring system to a vibrating feeder to form therewith a two mass vibrating feeder. Relatively stiff leaf spring type stabilizer springs also connect the mounting frame to the vibrating feeder but so as to minimize transmission of vibrating forces to the live frame, of the vibrating feeder, in directions transverse to the action direction of the spring system.

Abstract: A guided vehicle, which follows a guidepath into and out from a work station, is provided with an article carrying table that includes a plurality of cone shaped mounting plates each disposed upon a ball transport unit to provide for relative movement between the article carrier, any article carried thereby, and the body of the vehicle. Each side, of two opposed sides, of the article carrier mounts a number of guide wheels; including entry guide wheels larger in diameter than side guide wheels, with the entry wheels disposed proximate carriers of the carrier and side wheels disposed therebetween. Guide rails disposed at the work station cooperate with the guide wheels to effect relative movement between the article carrier and vehicle body if the vehicle enters the work station out of a centered alignment therewith.

Abstract: A stacker-retriever lift carriage is disposed to be raised, lowered and positioned, in selected positions with respect to a pair of spaced support masts, by a flexible wire cable one end of which is connected to a lift carriage drive and the other end of which is connected to the lift carriage through a pair of four bar linkages pivotally connected together in spaced parallel relationship to form a safety brake operating mechanism. The upward pull by the cable upon the brake operating mechanism retracts a pair of opposed brake arms, pivotally carried by the brake operating mechanism, to a brake deactivated position with the back ends of each brake arm abutting each other. Loss of the pull of the cable on the lift carriage, as would occur if the cable severed or if the lift carriage hung up, permits a spring housed between the brake arms to move the brake operating mechanism and the brake arms to a braking position with brake pads carried by the brake arms in friction engagement with the support masts.

Abstract: A stacker-retriever lift carriage is disposed to be raised, lowered and positioned, in selected positions with respect to a pair of spaced support masts, by a flexible wire cable connected between a lift drive and the lift carriage. The lift carriage carries a telescoping shuttle which includes a shuttle base, middle table and top table disposed one atop the other and for movement with respect to each either in a bi-directional manner. A pair of sheaves are rotatably mounted on the middle table at an acute angle to the surface of the middle table. A pair of cable connect the sheaves to the shuttle base and top table so that drive of the middle table, by table drive means, in a particular direction effects a movement of the top table in a corresponding direction but at twice the relative distance of the middle table. The middle table is fabricated from a pair of identically sized and formed table plates; has a pair of flaps bent therefrom to an acute angle with respect to a top surface of the table plate.

Abstract: A stacker-retriever lift carriage is disposed to be raised, lowered and positioned, in selected positions with respect to a pair of spaced support masts, by a flexible wire cable connected between a lift drive and the lift carriage. The lift carriage carries a telescoping shuttle which includes a shuttle base, middle table and top table disposed one atop the other and for movement with respect to each either in a bi-directional manner. A pair of sheaves are rotatably mounted on the middle table at an acute angle to the surface of the middle table. A pair of cable connect the sheaves to the shuttle base and top table so that drive of the middle table, by a table drive mechanism, in a particular direction effects a movement of the top table in a corresponding direction but at twice the relative distance of the middle table.

Abstract: A non-deformable metallic pulley is coated with a urethane layer having a thickness of about 0.0005 inches. A drive belt, coupled to a recording head, is positioned over the urethane layer of the pulley, which in turn is driven by a stepping motor. The drive pulley is non-deformable, to eliminate backlash and yet has a very high coefficient of friction, about double that of steel, which is maintained consistent throughout the operation of the drive system, regardless of exposure to paper dust, dirt, oil and the like.

Abstract: A series of flexible, substantially cylindrical tubes communicates with the hollow central bores of shafts of adjacent idler rolls to form a conduit so that lubrication introduced through a fitting at one end of the idler roll assembly can be distributed in sequence to all of the rolls. Opposite ends of each tube are secured in position by insertion into an axial passageway in the end caps secured to the ends of the shafts. In the preferred embodiment, each passageway has a tapered entrance to facilitate the insertion of a tube, and a radially inwardly extending knife edge at the inner end remote from the entrance. The diameter of the passageway along its axial extent is slightly larger than the external diameter of the tube, while the diameter of the passageway at the knife edge is smaller than the external diameter of the tube to deform same and secure it in fixed position.

Abstract: A material handling system of the monorail and crane type is adaptable to carry relatively heavy loads and light loads through convenient structural modification using common component parts. The system is comprised of a double track 40 for heavy loads, formed of two track parts 54, 55 that alone are suitable for light-load applications. Carriers 42, 204 are comprised of drive heads 74 and idler heads 78, each with a single load support wheel 70, 71 or 70', 71'. A drive head 74, 74' and an idler head 78, 78' can be releasably interconnected in tandem by a load bar 206 to run along a single track, or in face-to-face opposition with wheels 70, 71 coaxial to form a drive unit 44 adapted to run along a double track. In the latter arrangement two additional heads, such as two idler heads 78b, 78c, are also interconnected in face-to-face opposition to form an idler unit 46 and connected in tandem with the drive unit 44 by a load bar 52.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed for automatically transporting loaded pallets within a plurality of tracks forming a storage rack. The vehicle comprises a main body having a plurality of wheels extending out of the sides thereof. A lift mechanism is mounted on the main body and is extendable therefrom for raising or lowering a loaded pallet above or onto the support surface of the tracks. Each lift mechanism comprises a pair of support bars, with each bar being connected to a pair of lifters or support elements. Each pair of lifters is jointly raised and lowered by flexible chains which extend over fixed supports and a double eccentric drive mechanism located therebetween. A horizontally positioned guide wheel also extends out of each corner of the carriage to contact the track rails and center the carriage at all times on the track. The carriage and lift mechanisms are respectively driven by a pair of drive motors located on the carriage.