Abstract: A collapsible conveyor system includes a plurality of nestable conveyor components. Each component includes a plurality of wheeled vertical ground supporting members. The conveying portion of each conveyor component includes a pair of spaced apart, longitudinal members or side rails. Positioned vertically between each pair of spaced apart side rails and providing connection therebetween are a plurality of cross-members or roller assemblies. The top side of one rail is slidingly matable with the bottom side of another side rail through a channel-male component arrangement. The rails are composed of a polymerized material. Optionally, one or more elements of the roller assemblies are composed of a polymerized material.

Abstract: Telescoping rigid frame/scissor conveyors with suspension structures to accommodate less than totally flat surfaces, and for easy and ergonomic repositioning. Such conveyors are formed of a plurality of telescoping frame segments which may be positioned at any number of desired nested/unnested configurations. The frame segments bear a lazy tong or scissors conveyor structure which assures uniform roller spacing, and rollers positioned at one height along the conveyor rather than at different heights for each frame segment. The conveyors are adapted to bear greater weight than conventional lazy tongs conveyors, but contain suspension systems in order to conform to irregularities in factory and warehouse floors and slabs and for easy movement.

Abstract: A fully adjustable conveyor system for transporting loose items of cargo which are to be manually loaded or unloaded by a worker. In one embodiment, the conveyor system includes a powered device, such as a driveable, maneuverable tug which is provided with a vertically adjustable operator platform, expandable and vertically adjustable first and second powered conveyor units. In a second embodiment, the conveyor system includes an electrically powered mobile base frame which is provided with an adjustable operator platform, a vertically adjustable first conveyor, and a flexible expandable second conveyor. The conveyor system of the present invention includes a control system for positioning the conveyor system at the optimum height and location for efficiently loading and unloading cargo and significantly reducing the risk of strain and injury to the workers handling the cargo.

Abstract: Power modules for expandable conveyors. The power modules contain motor driven rollers whose operation may be speed, direction and otherwise controlled as desired. The module connects to the end of an expandable conveyor, such as a conventional scissors conveyor, to allow repositioning, expansion and contraction of the conveyor with minimum risk of overexertion, strain and injury. Rollers may be positioned along the top surface of the power module as an extension of the conveyor for conveying items to ultimate destination. Gripping surfaces may be provided which act in combination with swivel mounted wheels to allow efficient and effective steering of the power module and the conveyor. The gripping surfaces may be located conveniently in the vicinity of a control panel for controlling actuation of the motor and the drive wheels.

Abstract: Expandable powered conveyors featuring a number of roller power motors located externally of the rollers. The conveyors include a pair of lazy tong trusses which may be supplemented, as desired, by telescoping rigid frames, leg structures or other structures. The motors are mounted between the trusses so that their drive pulleys are located substantially coaxial to the middle connection points of the scissor bars in the trusses and thus maintain a substantially constant distance from rollers connected to those scissor bars. Drive belts connect the motor drive pulleys to power such rollers. The conveyors also include a number of transfer pulleys which are also mounted substantially coaxial to corresponding middle connection points of the trusses. A single motor may thus power one or more rollers directly, and other rollers indirectly via motor drive belts and transfer drive belts.

Abstract: A parcel conveyor having a number of rollers forming a supporting surface for the cargo to be transported is disclosed. The conveyor is divided into a number of separate roller/shaft units having the same shape which are linked together by a single, longitudinally rigid but sidewards flexible, driving device, such as a cardan chain. The units run on rollers on the floor and can be pushed or pulled centrally in a straight line or in a curve by way of the driving means. By use of such a conveyor, luggage can easily be transported on the cargo supporting rollers all the way to the end of the conveyor even as the conveyor is progressively pulled out of a cargo compartment as the cargo compartment is filled with luggage.

Abstract: A tire cutting machine including a fixed cutting blade and a movable cutting blade, the machine being adapted to cut by shearing action. The movable blade is guided by adjustable guides at each end of the blade to provide very close proximity of the blades and to maintain proper clearance between the blades. The blades, in the open position, are spaced apart at both ends to provide an open throat allowing placement of the tire to be cut in a position relatively close to the pivot point between the blades for better leverage in the cutting process, so that varied sizes of tires for all types of conveyances may be easily cut. Loading and disposal devices are also used with the machine for easier handling. A special tire or wheel holding device is also provided to hold the tire in place as it is being cut.

Abstract: A proportional spacing mechanism proportionally spaces objects from a reference position on a fixed support frame. At least one supplemental drive mechanism assists the proportional spacing mechanism in moving the coupling elements and respective objects relative to each other for proportional spacing from the reference position. The supplemental drive mechanism incorporates a first portion coupled to a coupling element spaced from the reference position. A second portion of the supplemental drive mechanism is coupled to the fixed support frame. The supplemental drive mechanism extends and retracts the distance between the first and second portions for assisting motion of the coupling elements and respective objects during rotation of the shaft and crank of the proportional spacing mechanism. Various supplemental drive mechanisms are described including a chain and sprocket drive, a cylinder and piston drive, and a screw drive mechanism.

Abstract: Conveyors containing powered rollers arranged in zones, each of which zones may be independently controlled. Such conveyors are particularly useful in transitioning object flow from a constant speed conveyor such as in a plant or warehouse, to manual offloading operations which tends to be more intermittent in nature. The independently controlled zones automatically activate and deactivate in a manner that allows objects to accumulate in a compact fashion on the conveyor when offloading operations stop, but once again to space themselves apart from one another as offloading operations resume and flow once again reaches steady state. This increased spacing during steady state flow allows the conveyor to begin absorbing objects in the accumulation mode if and when offloading stops again. Among other beneficial effects is an ergonomic one: Workers are freed from the stress of knowing that objects flowing on the conveyor will simply be propelled off the end if they take a momentary break.

Abstract: Chain driven expandable powered conveyors utilizing lazy tong structures. A first embodiment of such conveyors employs elongated rollers which are connected to sprockets driven by one or more drive chains. The chains follow a tortuous path through the conveyor structure allowing efficient and effective transmission of power from a power source to the sprockets and elongated rollers regardless of the extent to which the conveyor is expanded or contracted. A second embodiment, which also employs elongated rollers, includes sprockets powered by a chain that in turn apply power to elongated rollers using drive belts. This embodiment avoids exposure of drive chain at the surface of the conveyor, allows accumulation of product on the conveyor and features other advantages. A third embodiment employs skate wheels rather than elongated rollers. A drive chain applies power to drive sprockets on the surface of the conveyor which propel product on the conveyor.

Abstract: Powered roller conveyors, which may be expandable and/or flexible. One or more drive belts (tubing or chain) extends across drive rollers and smaller-diameter guide rollers or sheaves on the top surface of the conveyor, and under followers located beneath the top surface of the conveyor. In the expandable and flexible conveyor version, the followers are located from the drive and guide rollers approximately the same distance as the connections between bars in the lazy tong structures forming the supports for the conveyor so that as the lazy tong structures expand, the segments of the drive belt between guide and drive rollers on the one hand and the followers on the other hand, remain substantially constant, thus allowing the drive belts to power their conveyor at any desired expanded length.

Abstract: Roller table comprising a front supporting group and a rear supporting group defining respectively a front sliding surface and a rear sliding surface longitudinally aligned. A bearing bar, on which lifting levers are pivoted, is secured to the rear supporting group, the levers being mutually placed side-by-side and bearing in a rotatable manner ancillary rollers at their respective upper ends. Each lifting lever is provided in the lower part with a feeler pin engaged in a sliding manner along a guiding groove provided in a guiding bar integral with the front supporting group. The guiding groove is shaped in such a way that when the front and rear supporting groups are moved away the one from the other, the ancillary rollers are lifted one by one, one after the other, and led to the level of the front and rear sliding surfaces to support a product, during its working, in the portion between the spaced sliding surfaces.

Abstract: Flexible and expandable roller conveyors. Conveyors according to the present invention utilize lazy tong structures which are spanned and connected not only by roller axles, but also by braces rigidly connected to corresponding bars in the structures. The resulting conveyors are more economical on a long term basis than previous conveyors because the redundant axle and brace structure allows them to be more durable and resistant to abuse than other conveyors. Lazy tong structures in conveyors of the present invention utilize bars which have flanges on their long edges for additional strength. The flanges thus allow the bars to be formed in longer lengths than bars of earlier lazy tong structures so that fewer moving parts are required and the conveyor is more easily curved and flexed in order to move packages to a variety of desired locations.

Abstract: A roller conveyor comprises rollers (10) journalled on through shafts (13), which are linked together by means of alternatingly arranged links (11, 11a). Links (11a) mounted between adjacent rollers (10) on a mutual shaft (13) have support surfaces (12) on one side of the plane of the conveyor. These links (11a) are placed separately, so that links on each side of one roller (10) are linked to different adjacent shafts (13) and are pivotable at least 135.degree. to each side of the conveyor plane.

Abstract: A new conveyor belt, which is adjustable in space between the rollers and in the height of the rollers, and which can also set up a conveying section at a given angle. The device mainly comprises a plurality of connection plates and roller rests. The connection plate may be made with a bend angle so as to set up a curved conveying section. The roller rest is furnished with three trumpet-shaped holes at different heights so as to have the rollers set up at a suitable height or at a desired slope.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved arrangement for transferring heavy workpieces from a transport or storage position to at least one machining position or reverse. According to the invention this is achieved by means of a pair of arms (13) which are telescoptically extendable for bridging the distance between the positions and by means of support apparatus (14, 15) which, in the fully or partly extended position for the arms (13), engage and support the arms adjacent their outer ends.

Abstract: A telescoping roller conveyor is disclosed wherein interwoven rollers are provided on axles. The axles are linked to adjacent axles within siderails. The links allow the axle separation to expand a limited distance longitudinally as siderails are telescopically extended. The links are enclosed in channel-shaped telescoping siderails and do not project above the level of the rollers in any position and thus do not provide any obstruction to items moving over the rollers along the conveyor. The axles are seated into special round plastic bushings that aid the movement of the telescoping longitudinal siderails and the relative movement of the axles to and from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for removing a fireplace insert are described. The apparatus comprises a pair of front rails which telescope from a pair of rear rails to be inserted beneath a fireplace insert. The rear rails have support means extending from the front thereof for supporting the front of the rails upon an elevated surface and adjustable support means at the other end for aligning the rear rails with a hearth surface.

Abstract: A self supporting roller table in combination with a power saw includes a frame with polygonal sides and a plurality of support legs supporting the frame independently of the power saw at a height compatible for cooperation with the power saw. A plurality of parallel rollers are each rotatably attached within and to the frame. Each roller is made from a conventional plastic pipe section with a pair of plastic end plugs having integrally molded stub shafts for rotatably mounting the rollers.

Abstract: A tire building machine servicer including carcass component supply rolls and a plurality of vertically aligned extensible servicer trays arranged to be pivotable into and out of servicing position with respect to the tire carcass being assembled on a tire building drum. Anyone of said servicer trays may be extended telescopically and then rotated about its pivot axis to permit the delivery extremity of said tray to interface tangentially with the surface of the tire carcass being built. In this manner, the web or strip of tire component is precisely oriented and confined, by guide means on said trays, to a point immediately adjacent to the tangential point of contact where said web or strip contacts the carcass being built.

Abstract: Two longitudinally extending conveyors are connected by a plurality of novel hinge structures for movement between a first position with the two conveyors substantially in line, and a second position with one of the conveyors folded parallel to and on top of the other conveyor. One conveyor called a skate conveyor is referred to as the basic conveyor, while the other shorter conveyor is commonly called a stick conveyor and is herein referred to as the extension conveyor. Each hinge structure comprises a flat coupling hinge leaf generally triangular in shape and having acute apexes respectively one at each end. Each of the hinge structures includes a control link and pivotal connections respectively connected to the basic and extension conveyors, while a control link has a pivotal connection at one end with the hinge leaf near the obtuse apex at one end and is connected to the extension conveyor at its other end.

Abstract: A link type rail structure for a conveyor device where the rail structure is adapted to be moved between a rigid, straight line attitude which can support weighted objects thereon, and a curved line attitude which permits the rail structure to be coiled up for storage. The rail structure is characterized by element structure and function that substantially eliminates pinch points between successive connecting and supporting links of the rail structure.

Abstract: A sheet piling machine for stacking metal sheets of material which respond to magnetic force which machine is characterized by an upright supporting frame defining two in-line stacking areas having suitable lift platforms on which sheets are piled, an elongate overhead magnetic sheet conveyor mounted on the supporting frame above the first stacking or piling area, a roller skate conveyor forming an approach to the entrance end of each of the stacking areas and spaced below the overhead conveyor in predetermined, vertical relation so as not to interfere with the entry of sheets to the respective stacking areas, each roller skate conveyor being inclined in the direction of the associated stacking area so as to cause sheets deposited thereon to be advanced by gravity into the associated stacking area, end stop and back stop mechanisms and a side guide mechanism for each of the stacking areas, and electrical control circuits for controlling the operation of the magnetic conveyor and associated mechanisms so as to