Abstract: Bottles are conveyed by a pair of side gripping belts, either neck leading or base leading in a direction parallel to an axis extending through the neck and the base of the bottle. In the path of the bottle and upstream therefrom is positioned a split ramp, inclined upward relative to the direction of travel. The split ramps interfere with the forward travel of a base leading bottle and cooperates with the gripping belts to cause the neck of the bottle to raise arcuately so as to orient the bottle to a standing position, on its base. Moving belts are disposed between the split ramp. The split ramp allows passage of part of a bottle conveyed in neck leading position such that the moving belts interfere with the forward travel of the neck leading bottle and cause the neck of the bottle to change its direction of travel to an arcuate, upward direction for orienting the bottle to a standing position, on its base.

Abstract: The invention specifies a method and a device for supplying assembly parts which adhere to or entangle with each other. Individual assembly parts are extracted from an unsorted quantity of assembly parts in a separating or singling operation. These are aligned in a predetermined position and delivered to a delivery point. A partial quantity of separated or singled assembly parts aligned in a predetermined position is formed during a scooping operation. The assembly parts of this partial quantity are extracted singly and in aligned form.

Abstract: A roller for use in the cargo bay of an aircraft is disclosed which is constructed with chopped fiber strands incorporated into the rubber and oriented in a substantially circumferential direction around the hub of the roller to provide reinforcement to the rubber portion of the roller.

Abstract: A handrail for an aircraft belt loader in which a pair of parallel support arms pivotally support a rigid rail member with a variable-length link converted to be non-parallel with the support arms when the handrail is erect or operative. When the handrail is collapsed, the link is shortened and a compression spring inside of the link is further compressed so that maximum erecting force is applied when the handrail is stowed.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving and positively spacing attachments along a moving timing chain is disclosed, consisting of at least three chains or belts and means for driving the chains or belts at different speeds and/or directions relative to each other. Attachment carrying lugs are positively held between a first and second chain for a determined distance over a path defined by the first chain, an then released by the second chain to subsequently move into positive engagement between the first chain and a third chain. The speeds and directions of the chains determine the spacing of the lugs and associated attachments.

Abstract: An improved side guide for an aircraft belt loader having a vertical plate member positioned adjacent to and extending along side the belt conveyor frame which plate is supported by a pair of links, one of which has a slot and a cam surface terminating in a notch. A pin attached to the plate member extends through the slot and a lug affixed to the plate member engages the cam surface as the plate member is moved laterally to elevate the plate member, the lug dropping into said notch to lock said plate member in an elevated position.

Abstract: A chain for a trough conveyor includes individual chain links connected with each other by hinge bolts. Removable flight attachment members, which may be flat or curved, connected with each other by at least one cross piece are provided on both sides of the chain links. Two bearing blocks are provided, each with a bore for receiving the hinge bolt. The cross piece rests on the trough by way of a rest surface. At least one support surface disposed in relation to the cross piece in the direction of the chain serves for preventing the tipping of the flight attachment arms when under the action of operating forces. An alternative embodiment includes a dual U-shaped frame about a frame of bearing blocks and cross pieces.

Abstract: A conveyor having a plurality of groups of rollers 12 arranged to be driven from a chain 26 or other driving element, a clutch mechanism 22 being engageable to connect the drive chain, and the rollers 12 of each group so that roller drive is engaged or interrupted simultaneously, the system being capable of being used as an accumulator conveyor wherein goods units 10 can be moved forward or stopped in succession at the delivery end of the conveyor, a preparation system being provided to prepare operation of clutch mechanism 22 for groups of rollers 12, in readiness for the arrival of a goods unit which, actuating a sensor 43, interrupts drive to a group of rollers 12 and prepares a preceding group of rollers 12 to have the drive thereto interrupted.

Abstract: A system for transferring workpieces generally vertically from a station at one height in a workpiece support or transfer device to a station at another height in another transfer device or support. The workpiece is moved vertically by an elevator which travels along a path through the stations from a point below the lower station to a point above the upper station. To smoothly and rapidly move the workpiece the elevator is accelerated and decelerated and dwells at least when picking up and depositing a workpiece. To avoid collisions, interference and the necessity of precisely synchronizing movement of the transfer and elevator, when in its fully raised and lowered positions, the elevator is clear of and does not interfere with the transfer and supports and any workpieces in the stations.

Abstract: Conveyor idler supports and spacing members are secured to a downwardly facing surface or framework, and adjusted laterally and vertically to facilitate accurate alignment of adjacent idlers in a series. Installation is facilitated, since accuracy in boring securing holes in the downwardly facing surface is less critical than with prior art conveyor support structures, in both the lateral and longitudinal directions. Also spacer assemblies are provided for accurately spacing adjacent idler supports.

Abstract: A method of automated garment assembly includes providing a shingled array of limp garment segments on a movable conveyor with the leading portion of the forwardmost segment exposed for contact by the segment transfer device, and subjecting the array to conditions promoting separation of the forwardmost segment from the array without disturbance of the alignment of the remaining segments in the array and simultaneously engaging the forwardmost segment with the segment transfer device and displacing it from the array to a segment processing station. Apparatus for performing the method are also described.

Abstract: A conveyor for textile machines such as open-end spinning frames, winding machines, two-for-one twisting machines, and the like, which comprises a static conveyor channel, supply levers that cooperate momentarily with the conveyor channel and are provided with a to-and-fro movement, actuators for causing the supply leaves to cooperate momentarily with the conveyor channel, and positioners for the tubes. The conveyor may be installed parallel to the working side of the machine, and apparatus to gear-up and increase the to-and-fro travel distance of some of the supply leavers may be advantageously included.

Abstract: A curved escalator includes guide tracks for defining a stairway path which includes a constant slope intermediate section, horizontal landing sections, and transient sections smoothly connecting the intermediate section and the landing sections. Each section of differing slope has a differing radius of curvature which when viewed in plan, is inversely proportional to the slope angle, thereby eliminating the need for drive chains to change the distance between the step axles. Turn-around mechanisms that are compact and simple in structure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device having a pusher that extends in a direction crosswise to a displacement path of parts undergoing machining, and at least one articulated parallelogram that supports the pusher. The articulated parallelogram is envisaged extending in planes parallel to the path of the parts undergoing machining, and having a fixed side directed transversely to the path.

Abstract: A method for collecting commodities in a group, a longitudinal series of commodities being fed set by set into a tapered pusher on which stages having enough size to accommodate square commodities are continuously formed, a pusher advancing a length equal to one commodity so that the commodity group is pushed out in such a condition that the contacting surfaces of the commodities in the row disagree with the contacting surfaces of the commodities in the adjacent rows. A device for collecting commodities uses a tapered pusher on which stages having a longitudinal length shorter than a length of a square commodity and a substantially same lateral length as a width of the square commodity are continuously formed, the pusher being disposed on an operation table provided at a side of a conveyor for conveying commodities to move in a longitudinal direction parallel to the conveyor.

Abstract: A dispenser and component feeder for integration with automated assembly equipment is adapted for the high speed placement of self-orienting components of varying sizes and includes, a linear vibratory chute for transferring the self-orienting components from the storage hopper to an adjustable single roller feed assembly where the self-orienting components are conveyed to a pick-up position, the single roller feed assembly having a roller to facilitate in conveying the self-orienting components, and alternately reciprocating rod members to segregate a self-orienting component at the pick-up position. A pick-up and placement assembly is operative to pick-up the segregated self-orienting component from the pick-up position and move the same to a position for placement on an associated conveyor on the automated assembly equipment.

Abstract: A helical conveyor system is disclosed. A conveyor belt 11 is positively driven by drive cage 21 around a plurality of vertically spaced helical loops. A pair of supplemental positive drives 25 and 26, which are driven at the same speed and synchronized with the drive cage, engage the belt 11 near its entry into and exit from the helical portion of its endless path. Vertical driving bars 45 on the drive cage 21 positively engage the cross rod heads 14 of the belt 11 in its helical path. The driving surfaces of the bars 45 are relieved at 61 and 62 to prevent driving engagement with the rod heads 14 over an inlet section of the first loop and an exit section of the last loop. The driving bars 45 also engage the ends of the rod heads 14 to limit the penetration of the driving bars past the edge of the belt.

Abstract: A conveyor for bulk goods of the endless-chain type including a bin having a longitudinal floor and upwardly extending and divergent sidewalls; at least two laterally spaced, sprocket mounted and driven, endless chains defining a working flight above the floor and a return flight below the floor; and a plurality of flexible load supporting flaps, each of the flaps having a leading edge attached to the laterally spaced chains by separate brackets to permit flexing of the flap in case of obstruction and a free trailing edge operable to overlap the leading edge of an adjacent and rearwardly spaced flap. Each of the flaps may also include a flexible scraper adjacent its leading edge operable to engage the upper surface of the floor for cleaning the floor.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading open top grain hopper rail cars and trucks which eliminates the buildup of a core of small material and grains directly beneath the load out spout. Also, the grain will not build up heat as easily with the core eliminated and a more representative sample, for grading purposes, can be obtained from the hopper car or truck. The spout line buster is a small, stove-shaped chamber which attaches to the end of a grain load out spout and is lowered about six inches into the hopper rail car or truck being loaded. The grain passes through the down spout and enters the spout line buster where the flow of the grain is directed and slowed by a series of baffles or flow guides. In the model designed for loading hopper rail cars, the grain strikes a screen assembly consisting of a cone screen and two diagonal screens.

Abstract: A passenger conveyor system is provided with a driving unit disposed at an upper horizontal portion of the system and a linear motor disposed at a midway portion of the system for driving the passenger conveyor, thereby not requiring the provision of expensive linear motors over a full rise of the system, and adding a linear motor to only a portion of the conventional system, while the comfort of the passengers is considerably improved.