Abstract: A payload deployment system for a vessel, such as a submarine, which includes a cable extending between a piston in a piston tube and an ejection element in an ejection tube, wherein the ejection tube is suitable for holding the payload, such as a torpedo. The system is arranged such that movement of the piston in the piston tube causes movement of the cable which, in turn, exerts a force on the ejection element to move it in the ejection tube to eject the payload from the ejection tube.

Abstract: To permit coupled rail cars of different lengths be tipped in a rail car dumper installation, between a rail car platform of the tipping structure and a fixed track section leading to the platform there is a space occupied by a supplementary rail section that can be secured relative to the rail car platform or the fixed track section respectively. The tipping structure has a cranked portion overlapping said supplementary rail section to engage end supports for the associated end of the tipping structure.

Abstract: A barrel reclaimer has a drum member with axially extending series of openings provided with buckets for taking material from a stockpile. At least some of the series of openings terminate spaced from the end of the drum member and auxiliary tapered openings are arranged in line with each such series, between the end of the associated series and the drum end. The provision of auxiliary openings of the forms discussed is found to increase the fatigue resistance of the drum member. It is also helpful if the individual openings of each axial series are uniformly spaced from each other.

Abstract: A rotary rail car dumper has a rail car platform forming part of a rigid tipping structure which, through end ring members, is mounted for rotation about a central longitudinal axis for tipping a rail car to dump its contents. Between the rail car platform and the ring members are pin joint connections allowing flexure under gravity loading independently of the ring members, at least before tipping. The maximum stresses occurring during operation of the dumper are thereby reduced. The dumper installation is also provided with means for extending the length of the rail car platform in order to handle rail cars of different lengths in unit trains.

Abstract: For fitting a printing sleeve in a printing roll the outer surface of the roll core and preferably the inner surface of the sleeve are made at least partly tapered; the sleeve is slightly undersize diametrically. Remote from the ends of the core are orifices whereby gas under pressure may be blown radially outwardly from the core. The tapers allow the sleeve to be passed freely along the core until it jams up against an increased diameter portion of the tapered outer surface of the roll, at which time it covers the orifices. Gas is then blown from the orifices to expand the sleeve which can then be moved into its working position on the core. A sleeve specially suitable for this treatment is made by laying-up a seamless GRP layer on a former which is undersize for the designed core and either curing a rubber layer in situ onto the layer, or adhesively securing a flexible plate to a true cylindrical outer surface of the GRP layer.

Abstract: For fitting a printing sleeve in a printing roll the outer surface of the roll core and preferably the inner surface of the sleeve are made with one end of a lesser diameter than the other; the sleeve is slightly undersize diametrically. Remote from the ends of the core are orifices whereby gas under pressure may be blown radially outwardly from the core. The difference in diameter allows the sleeve to be passed freely along the core until it jams up against an increased diameter portion of the outer surface of the roll, at which time it covers the orifices. Gas is then blown from the orifices to expand the sleeve which can then be moved into its working position on the core. A sleeve specially suitable for this treatment is made by laying-up a seamless GRP layer on a former which is undersize for the designed core and either curing a rubber layer in situ onto the layer, or adhesively securing a flexible plate to a true cylindrical outer surface of the GRP layer.

Abstract: A printing roll is mounted in a printing machine in such a way that a sleeve on its outer surface can be removed axially while the roll remains substantially in its working position. One end bearing of the roll is free of axial restraint relative to the roll and is removably secured to a side frame of the machine. For axial positioning, an adjustable restrainer engages the roll axle at that end. Beyond the other side frame a counterpoise acts on the roll axle to support the roll when the one end bearing is removed. The counterpoise may be a hydraulically operated pull roll, permanently engaged to the roll axle through a yoke and a rolling contact bearing.

Abstract: A rail-car positioner comprises a carriage on a track running alongside and parallel to the train track and an elongate arm on the carriage is transversely displaceable to enter between a pair of coupled rail-cars of the train and connect the positioner drivingly to the train. The arm is extended substantially axially, from a retracted position on the carriage, in a preferably generally horizontal first direction to introduce an end of the arm between the pair of rail-cars, and said end is then engaged with the rail-cars' coupling by displacing it in a second direction transverse to the first direction.

Abstract: A rail wheel gripper for holding or retarding a rail vehicle has opposed gripper mechanisms that engage a wheel between them. Each mechanism comprises a carrier arm for a gripper member and upper and lower pivot arms connected to the carrier arm controlling the path of movement of the gripper member. Each mechanism is so arranged, and a drive device co-operates with it, as to exhibit a mechanical advantage with increased gripping force when the opposed gripper members reach their operative positions, and a mechanical disadvantage with magnified displacement of the members when they are remote from their operative position.

Abstract: An in-line book making system produces sets of signatures ready for "come and go" binding. Webs printing in respective presses are slit collated and folded into signatures which are fed in succession to two collecting pockets, one pocket receiving a batch of signatures totalling all the pages of the book and then the other pocket receiving a similar batch. The batches are fed in identical orientations from the respective pockets to respective conveyors, which cause a relative rotation of the batches through 180.degree.. The two batches are then brought together, when they together contain all the pages for two books in a disposition which can be bound in come and go binding and then cut apart.The signatures may be made by a former-folding process.The conveyor system may additionally be operable to eliminate the 180.degree. relative rotation, in case simple binding is desired.

Abstract: A stacking mechanism and method brings batches of articles from a shingled formation on a conveyor to a vertically stacked formation without stopping the progress of any of them. Shingled articles are pushed forward from behind by a pusher at a speed greater than that of a conveyor on which they are supported while at the same time a slower-moving obstruction is erected in their path offering a vertical rear wall. The articles successively align against the rear wall of the obstruction until when the longitudinal distance between the pusher and the obstruction has become substantially the same as the length of the articles, so that all of a batch of shingled articles must have been stacked, the obstruction is withdrawn and the stack is driven on by the pusher. Hooks may travel at the same speed as the conveyor and engage over a trailing edge of the last article in a shingled batch of articles to help define the end of the batch.