Abstract: A barrel loading and unloading station that includes a barrel support stand 10 for supporting a plating barrel 18 in predetermined positions and a door handling apparatus 14 for releasing and separating a barrel access door 16 from the plating barrel. The door handling apparatus 14 includes a door assembly 40 mounted for reciprocating motion towards and away from the plating barrel by a pair of trackways 42 that are mounted to an elevator mechanism 44 that is operative to raise and lower the trackways to increase accessibility to the barrel after the access door has been removed. One embodiment of the door handling assembly 40 includes a pair of rotatable spindles 56 operative to engage and rotate locking knobs 220 on the barrel access door 16 and a slide mechanism 120 for unlatching the door from the barrel. Another embodiment of the door handling assembly 40' includes a plurality of clamp engaging spreader arms 366 operative to spread and release resilient clamps 352 from the plating barrel.

Abstract: A load manipulating apparatus including a turnstile 10 supported for rotation about a fixed stub shaft 30 defining a substantially vertical axis, an elevating mechanism 12 supported for vertical reciprocating motion by the turnstile, and a rotatable operating arm 14 carried by the elevating mechanism including a mechanism 205 for releasably engaging a load receiving container 18. Support columns 22 defining a path of motion for the elevating mechanism include integral fluid reservoirs that form part of a fluid pressure operating system for effecting movements in the turnstile, elevator, operating arm, and container engaging mechanism.

Abstract: A self-unloading centrifuge for use in a metal finishing process which comprises a drum 10 having a perforate cylindrical sidewall 10a, supported for rotation about a vertical axis by a support base 19 and a driving arrangement 12 for rotating the drum. A tilt mechanism 36 is operative to engage and rotate the drum about a substantially transverse axis, spaced laterally from the center axis of the drum in order to discharge the processed parts. Clamping devices 30 are operative to decouple the drum from its driving arrangement prior to unloading and are operative to recouple the drum after reloading. Top and side covers 140, 120, 122, 126 enclose the drum when in its operating position and open as the drum moves to its unloading and/or loading position.

Abstract: A multiple-plate filter apparatus characterized by a plurality of individual filter units, each having dual filtering surfaces. The filtering surfaces are defined in part by bags made of plastic cloth. During the cleaning cycle, a flotation collar raises the filter unit assembly to the top of the tank so that the individual units can be retrieved without reaching into the solution.