Abstract: A wheel assembly having rolling and swiveling capability includes a wheel bracket configured for mounting one or more wheels, a swivel bracket configured for positioning with respect to an object with respect to which the wheel assembly is used, the swivel bracket including a main body and a spindle extending from one side of the main body of the swivel bracket into a receptacle in the wheel bracket, the spindle and receptacle being tapered at different angles to minimize surface to surface engagement during swiveling, a thrust bearing between the swivel bracket and wheel bracket to transfer force between the brackets while assisting to align the brackets, a retention mechanism at the distal end portion of the spindle configured to retain the spindle in the wheel bracket and aligning the spindle with respect to the wheel bracket while permitting the wheel bracket to swivel about the spindle relative to the swivel bracket.

Abstract: A wheel assembly having rolling and swiveling capability includes a wheel bracket configured for mounting one or more wheels, a swivel bracket configured for positioning with respect to an object with respect to which the wheel assembly is used, the swivel bracket including a main body and a spindle extending from one side of the main body of the swivel bracket into a receptacle in the wheel bracket, the spindle and receptacle being tapered at different angles to minimize surface to surface engagement during swiveling, a thrust bearing between the swivel bracket and wheel bracket to transfer force between the brackets while assisting to align the brackets, a retention mechanism at the distal end portion of the spindle configured to retain the spindle in the wheel bracket and aligning the spindle with respect to the wheel bracket while permitting the wheel bracket to swivel about the spindle relative to the swivel bracket.

Abstract: A bundle compactor for elongated elements includes a plurality of aligned compacting units adapted to be used in conjunction with automatic stacking and strapping machines, each bundle compactor unit having a pair of coaxially pivotally mounted arms which are moved by a single piston-cylinder assembly from an open to a closed position through a crank and toggle links which lock the arms in closed position. A chain cinch trained over the distal ends of the arms completely encircles the bundle when the arms are closed and another piston-cylinder assembly tightens the cinch by moving a crank which includes rolls around which the cinch is trained, such rolls being thus moved away from a fixed anchor and fixed rolls for the cinch to tighten the cinch uniformly from each arm. At least one arm is bifurcated so that the other may move between the forked end of the one substantially completely to encircle the bundle with the cinch, the cinch also being bifurcated accordingly.