Abstract: A stacking apparatus for deep-drawn articles of plastics material, particularly articles manufactured in a thermoforming machine, includes a lower stacking plate and an upper stacking plate which are adapted to receive formed articles from the forming die of the thermoforming machine. The lower and upper stacking plates are used to form a vertical stack of formed articles. The upper stacking plate, including a stack of formed articles carried by the upper stacking plate, can be raised to a position on the working level of a removal station.

Abstract: A pick and place machine has two pairs of centering jaws slidably mounted in rectilinear slots of a shift plate, with each jaw pair being driven by a pair of scissor links respectively pivoted to a pair of nuts mounted on a dual reverse threaded shaft.

Abstract: Improved sticker placer apparatus is described. The apparatus includes plural, inclined sticker feed pockets for holding stickers simultaneously to be placed and vertically reciprocable placement arms, each being capable of displacing one sticker at a time from the mouth of the sticker pocket to a variable height of lumber indexed therebeneath, and each having a positive sticker capture device including a generally horizontal pivotable support arm for cradling the sticker thereabove, and a downwardly impinging pincer arm for urging the sticker downwardly throughout the placement cycle. Each placement arm further has plural stops for halting the descent of the arm when the top of the lumber is reached, a slider link mechanism providing dwell time between the arm's downstroke and upstroke and a spring-tensioned rocker arm operable during the dwell time to pivot the support arm out from under the sticker when the associated stops are reached.

Abstract: In an automated high speed test handler for integrated circuits (IC's) an articulated vacuum picker reciprocates to transfer IC's successively from a staging area to a test site. Movable stops position and locate the IC at a test site. A sliding plate mounts the picker and carries cam surfaces to control the stops. A reciprocating placer mechanism carrying a multi-port vacuum manifold carries an IC being tested from the test site to a test plane displaced laterally from the flow path of the device. The picker is balanced to rotate under the weight of the IC being carried against mutually inclined lateral guide rails so that the mechanism is self-centering. These guide and locating mechanisms accurately position the IC so that there is no need for a physical steering of the IC's as they approach the test plane or a separately actuated clamping of the device in the test plane.

Abstract: A motor driven device for transferring workpieces between two stations possesses a holding device for the workpieces arranged on the lower end of a lever linkage. This linkage comprises an operating lever, which at its top end articulates with a crank lever, which pivots about a stationary crank lever axis. The center part of the operating lever articulates with the free end of a guide lever which at its other end pivots about a stationary guide lever axis under the crank lever axis. During transfer motion the linkage runs through a center position, in which the guide lever, the upper lever arm of the operating lever and the upwardly directed crank lever are on a straight line. At one stationary lever axis there is a driven shaft which is keyed to the lever thereat.

Abstract: A motorized lifting device for loading and unloading articles from automobile trunks has a floor frame acting as a base for a pair of upstanding platform supports each of which has a flange. A carriage having a plurality of rollers is reciprocally mounted on each upstanding platform support such that at least two spaced apart rollers are on one side of the flange and at least one roller is on the other side of the flange. The flange, therefore, acts as a guide for the carriages when moving along the upstanding platform support. A platform frame is attached to the carriages and a platform rests on the platform frame. Lifting is achieved through means of a cable attached to each carriage, strung over a pulley on each upstanding platform support that is then wound onto a spool rod mounted to the upstanding platform supports. The spool rod is rotated by means of an electric motor powered by electricity from the automobile.

Abstract: An adjustable control station for an aircraft loader for transferring containers between a controllably driven loader conveyor and a conveyor in cargo aircrafts of different sizes. The control station includes a unique movable platform constructed of three easily assembled major components including a stationary support structure and a movable platform which supports a console with front and rear control panels thereon. The movable platform is moved to a position close to the aircraft thereby enabling an operator thereon to simultaneously actuate controls for the loader conveyor and the aircraft conveyor while observing the containers movement. A front rail of a handrail may be vertically adjusted.

Abstract: An earth-working machine such as an excavator includes a mobile chassis having a support base on which an internal or external gear is fixedly mounted. A slider ring is mounted on the underside of a turntable with a hydraulic motor mounted thereon and having a drive pinion held in mesh with the internal or external gear. A carriage supporting an excavating mechanism has an internal or external gear fixed to the underside of the carriage and rotatably mounted on an annular holder fixed to the turntable. An intermediate shaft is rotatably journalled in at least one bearing mounted on the turntable and has a pair of pinions fixed thereto and held in mesh with the gears, respectively. Alternatively, an intermediate shaft may have a pinion held in driving mesh with the gear secured to the carriage and driven by another hydraulic motor mounted on the turntable through sprockets and a chain trained therearound.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading a scooter-type wheelchair or similar object into a vehicle comparment such that the apparatus and wheelchair loaded are fully contained within the vehicle when in a storage position. The apparatus includes a frame attachable to a lower surface of the vehicle compartment and a platform upon which the wheelchair may be rolled. During a loading cycle, the platform and wheelchair are raised upwardly, traversed toward the vehicle compartment and lowered into the compartment for storage. During this cycle, the platform passes through a vertical plane defining a maximum elevation. The platform includes wheel locators and positioning plates for locating the wheels of the wheelchair as it is positioned on the platform and for preventing the wheelchair from undesired movement once loaded. A vertical shaft is positioned adjacent a track portion of the platform.

Abstract: Combined driven and idler dog chain assemblies engaging opposite sides of a main chain conveyor enable the driving of heavily loaded and long conveyor systems at one or more selected straight-line track sections, with minimal wear.

Abstract: The turn tilt table is preferably mounted on a self propelled mobile vehicle for carrying a test article such as a military vehicle weighing up to 70 tons. The mobile vehicle is driven to a plurality of test sites at which radar beams or the like are directed against the test article for determining vehicle radar signatures or the like. During testing, the turn tilt table may be tilted anywhere between a horizontal position and 45.degree. from the horizontal; and may be pivoted 360.degree. about an axis normal to the plane of the turn tilt table to any of a plurality of positions within 360.degree.. If vehicles are being tested, a ramp is connectable to the table to allow the vehicle to be driven onto or off the table.

Abstract: A portable bucket loader attachment can be operated by a conventional garden tractor or pickup truck. The loader has a wheel mounted frame having a forwardly extending boom carrying a bucket rotationally mounted at the end of the boom. A rotational control device mounted on the frame is operated by one or more cables which are operatively connected to a pair of electric winches. The rotational control device is connected to the bucket by connecting rods which control the rotational position of the bucket about the boom, thus controlling the "scoop" and "dump" functions of the bucket. Elevation of the bucket is controlled by a winch which retrieves and releases cable connected to the rotational control device, the cable also passing over a sheave mounted at an upper portion of the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding boards, said apparatus being provided with reversing arm means 23 which comprises a table 21 and a conveyance surface 22, said conveyance surface making an obtuse angle with said table, and fork means 33 capable of pivoting edge resting boards on the conveyance surface from a backwardly inclined posture to a forwardly inclined posture.

Abstract: A folding ramp for attachment to the rear bumper and tailgate of a pickup truck. The ramp is formed by a pair of hingedly connected ramp panels of substantially equal overall dimension. One panel is slidably connected with the pickup truck tailgate in a manner to fold and unfold both panels from a loading to a stored position by vertical movement of the pickup tailgate. Legs support the ramp panels at their hinged position when loading and unloading wheeled vehicles, such as garden tractors, etc.

Abstract: A flexible strand stacker comprises:(a) a conveyor having an elongated endwise traveling stretch onto which the strand is fed to be carried endwise on the stretch,(b) a gripper to grip a trailing portion of the strand as forward extent of the strand is carried endwise on the stretch,(c) structure to effect displacement of the gripper to a position locating the gripped portion of the strand sufficiently out of alignment with the stretch that the strand is progressively pulled sidewardly off the stretch in response to endwise travel of the stretch relative to the strand,(d) and a holder such as a roller is provided to temporarily and locally hold the trailing portion of the strand to the traveling conveyor means stretch to travel therewith; the holder then releases the wire strand and the gripper initially grips the trailing portion of the strand.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an automobile transporting carriage constituted by an inner frame, provided with wheels and motors for translation of the carriage along rails and slidingly coupled, for vertical displacement, to an outer frame not overlying the region covered by the inner frame, the outer frame having a set of comb-like teeth for supporting the wheels of an automobile, which teeth can be intercalated with teeth of a fixed rack, to enable the carriage to pick up an automobile from the fixed rack by raising the outer frame with the teeth thereof passing between the teeth on the fixed rails, or likewise deposit it on the fixed rack by lowering the outer frame.

Abstract: A bulk material unloading apparatus comprises a vertical conveyor (10) and a horizontal conveyor connected thereto. A rotable feeder (13) is mounted at the feeding end of the vertical conveyor for feeding material thereinto. According to the invention, the apparatus also has a separately operable material supply device (23, 32) for the controlled supply of material to the feeder. The material supply device has a gimbal-mounted material draw-in device (32) which is universally tiltable relative to the axis of rotation of the feeder (13) and which preferably also is telescopically mounted in relation to the feeder.

Abstract: An inverter apparatus for strips of sheet material which are affected by a magnetic field. The apparatus includes a pair of parallel drums which rotate in opposite directions immediately adjacent each other. Mounted within the drums in prescribed and fixed relationship are permanent magnets. A strip adheres to the first drum under the effects of the magnets within and rotates with that drum until it comes between the two drums. At that point the strip enters the field of the magnets in the second drum and departs the field of those in the first whereby it adheres to the second drum. The strip rotates with the second drum until it departs the field of the magnets therein, whereupon the strip drops off the drum in inverted relationship.

Abstract: A modular parts supply rack is provided for supplying a plurality of containers filled with small parts from a loading end to a delivery end for use by vehicle assembly line operators and for return of empty nested containers from the delivery end to the loading end. The rack comprises a pair of upstanding spaced apart side walls which are connected together by a plurality of detachably mounted support bars. A plurality of side-by-side slide members extend between pairs of support bars and are detachably secured thereto.

Abstract: An improved boom-supportable device for lifting large rocks, broken concrete or asphalt pieces, and the like from the ground without particulates. The invention includes a generally upright frame member having a lower edge, a shelf-like member extending laterally from the frame lower edge to a distal end and defining substantial voids, and devices removably attaching the shelf-like member to the frame lower edge selectively in either a forward position or a rearward position. The shelf-like member preferably has a plurality of elongated parallel teeth spaced along the lower edge. The teeth are most preferably separate, each individually attached to the lower edge.