Abstract: A conveying method includes first and second pads conveying workpieces with speeds of the first and second pads being varied; circumferential velocities of the first pads and the second pads are accelerated by variable speed mechanisms; the first and second pads move and separate in a state in which a distance between the first pad and the second pad, whose speeds were increased, is increased; the circumferential velocities of the first pads and the second pads are decelerated by the variable speed mechanisms; and a first slider and a second slider, which were subjected to deceleration, overlap each other in a part in a circumferential direction, which causes the first pad and the second pad to approach each other, and the first pad and the second pad move and approach each other in this state in which the first pad and the second pad have approached each other.

Abstract: A lift roller may include a hub having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a radially outward surface. The hub may define a channel extending through the hub from the first surface to the second surface. The lift roller may also include a rim portion rotatably disposed about the radially outward surface of the hub and a boss disposed on one of the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: A magazine extraction system includes a carrier, an extractor, and a catch element. The carrier is disposed below the magazine. The extractor is configured to move an article out of the magazine and along the carrier. The catch element is configured to move the article away from the magazine and along a platform. The extractor is configured to move at a first velocity, which is less than a velocity of the catch element. The extractor is also configured to move at a second velocity, which is greater than the first velocity.

Abstract: A stock feeder for woodworking equipment includes a base, a cross clamp, a horizontal bar unit, a vertical bar unit, a feeding unit, and an electrical unit. The electrical unit has an electrical unit main body and a variable-frequency drive. The electrical unit main body has a first housing, a plurality of heat dissipation grooves provided on the outer periphery of the first housing, and a power fan which is independently mounted on a top portion of the first housing and in communication with the heat dissipation grooves. The variable-frequency drive has a second housing, a variable-frequency circuit sealed in the second housing, and a control panel exposed outside the second housing. The second housing has an outer surface provided with a plurality of heat dissipation slots corresponding in position to and in communication with the heat dissipation grooves of the electrical unit main body.

Abstract: Conveyor system (1) for forage bales (2) comprising driving means (3) for said forage bales (2) and dragging means (4) for said driving means (3) for moving said bales (2) along a conveying direction, and it is characterised in that said driving means (3) are rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis (“Y”) of said dragging means, said driving means (3) being susceptible to freely rotate about said axis (“Y”) to permit the relative movement of the bales (2) with respect to said dragging means (4). The system prevents the breakage of tie threads, permits to auto-align the bales and permits the bales to trace curved paths with a very little rotation radius.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the input of notes of value into a container. The device comprises a supply unit for supplying the notes of value and a stacking unit for stacking the supplied notes of value. Further, the device has a vane wheel (10c) for handling the notes of value. The vane wheel (10c) comprises a rotatably mounted basic body (12c) and at least one vane (14c, 16c) firmly connected to the basic body (12c) at a first end of a connecting area (20c, 22c). A support area (38, 40) of the vane (14c, 16c) contacts the circumferential surface of the basic body (12c) when the vane (14c, 16c) exerts a force on a note of value.

Abstract: Systems, feeder devices and methods for moving particulate hot melt adhesive from an adhesive supply to an adhesive melter. A feeder device includes a body having an inlet and an outlet, and an interior communicating with the inlet and the outlet. The inlet is configured to receive particulate hot melt adhesive from an outlet of the adhesive supply, and the outlet is configured to provide particulate hot melt adhesive to an inlet of the adhesive melter. The feeder device further includes a mechanical agitator positioned in the interior for urging the particulate hot melt adhesive in a flow direction toward the outlet.

Abstract: A conveyor device for crops is presented. The conveyor device has a conveyor rotor, a conveyor channel, and a conveyor channel floor. The conveyor rotor and the conveyor channel floor are arranged at a distance to one another in such a way that the distance can be changed and that they delimit, at least partially, the conveyor channel. The distance between the conveyor channel floor and the conveyor rotor can be changed by at least one adjusting device, radial to the rotation axis of the conveyor rotor. In order to improve the quality of the flow of crops, the conveyor channel floor can be subdivided, in the direction of the rotation axis, into at least two floor segments, the distance of which to the conveyor rotor can be changed separately from one another by an adjusting device. Furthermore, a baling press with a conveyor device is disclosed.

Abstract: In a conveying apparatus, a support member supports a second guide member such that the second guide member is pivotable between a first position and a second position, a downstream-side edge of the second guide member in a sheet conveying direction being closer to a first guide member than to a fourth guide member when the second guide member is in a first position, the downstream-side edge of the second guide member being closer to the fourth guide member than to the first guide member when the second guide member is in the second position.

Abstract: Under a state in which a long material (structural steel (A)) is sandwiched by pinch rollers (drive roller (21) and idle rollers (22)) of a pinch roller apparatus (20), the drive roller (21) is driven to rotate, and the structural steel (A) is conveyed forward. When a rear end portion of the structural steel (A) reaches a vicinity of the pinch roller apparatus (20), the rear end portion of the structural steel (A) is held by a holding portion (32) provided at a front end portion of a feed bar (36) of a feed bar device (30), and the feed bar (36) is caused to slide toward a working machine. Consequently, the structural steel (A) is conveyed forward through the pinch roller apparatus (20) and is positioned.

Abstract: A transferring mechanism of contact test, applied to transfer a raw material band of terminals for a contact test of fan-shaped band of terminals is disclosed. The transferring mechanism of contact test comprises a main body, a driving shaft, a driving gear, a driven shaft, a driven gear and a transmission element. The transmission element connects to the driving shaft to rotate the driving shaft, the driving gear. The driving shaft rotates the driven shaft, the driven gear by a belt. The driving gear and the driven gear are ratchets. With the thorn teeth thereof matching with holes of the raw material band of terminals, a transferring mechanism with high speed transfer, exact location and simple structure during the transfer can be realized. Moreover, an arching of the raw material band of terminals can be prevented for guaranteeing the accuracy of the contact test.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retractile finger (1) for fitting to a grain harvester auger (3) main shaft (2), which retractile finger comprises an elongated portion (4) having at one of its ends a portion in the form of a guide (5) for fitting to the above-mentioned shaft (2), the elongated portion (4) and the portion in the form of a guide (5) being formed in one piece made of polyethylene with a molar mass of between 3.9 and 10.5 million g/mol.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products (10) to a loading station (12) having a cooling conveyor (14) that selectively drops food product into a distributor (34). The distributor (34) separates product into at least two lanes (48, 50) and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor (46) monitors and counts product in each lane (48, 50) and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter (70, 80) transfers product from a loading conveyor (68) to a buffer conveyor (72). The buffer conveyor (72) transfers product to a main conveyor (76) which transfers product to a loading head (84).

Abstract: A method for putting a glass plate to a target position includes (a) putting the glass plate at a preliminary position above an air table that discharges air upwardly, by moving a suction member that supports the glass plate through suction; (b) releasing suction of the suction member, while air is discharged upwardly from the air table, thereby floating the glass plate at the preliminary position above the air table; and (c) moving a pressing member in a horizontal direction, while the pressing member is in abutment with a top surface of the glass plate and while air is discharged upwardly from the air table, thereby moving the glass plate in the horizontal direction from the preliminary position above the air table to the target position above the air table by a frictional force generated between the pressing member and the glass plate.

Abstract: A can extractor for atmospheric rotary cookers and coolers has a clover wheel, a star wheel and a star wheel flange made of stainless steel. The clover wheel and star wheel are aligned and coupled to a sleeve rotating on a stationary shaft. The star wheel is coupled to the sleeve using an adjustable keyless hub/shaft locking device. The clover wheel and star wheel are spaced to accommodate bulging or deformed cans. A center discharge chute is supported on the rotating sleeve with a plastic bushing. Cans from the reel of a cooker/cooler are positioned with a can stripper between the star wheel and clover wheel while the reel rotates the clover wheel. The stainless steel components reduce scratching and eliminate transfer of rust to cans. A plastic clover wheel and a plastic star wheel flange are disclosed that do not scratch or transfer rust to the cans.

Abstract: A selection apparatus for grouping articles in predetermined quantities from a moving stream of articles. The apparatus includes a horizontal rotating plate with three equally spaced arms and a lug assembly attached to an end of each arm. The plate rotates at a repeating velocity pattern enabling a lug assembly to be inserted between articles from the moving stream and a group of selected articles to be separated by a predetermined acceleration of the lug assembly.

Abstract: Roller drive units are used for conveying objects, in particular cargo containers, on a roller conveyor track of an aircraft. They comprise a drive motor, a planetary gear with an input connected to the drive motor and with a first as well as a second gear output. A drive roller is connected to the first gear output to propel the object and a lifting apparatus is connected to the second gear output to lift the drive roller out of a retracted resting position, in which the drive roller does not contact the object, into a raised operating position in which the drive roller can engaged with the object. A first brake is provided to slow down the drive roller and a second brake is provided to keep the lifting apparatus in position. To improve the traction characteristics and in particular to improve the force with which the drive roller can press against the object to be conveyed, the first and second brakes are constructed so as to be controllable.

Abstract: A power drive unit (PDU) for cargo handling systems comprising a frame arranged to be mounted in use for raising and lowering movement relative to a supporting structure, a drive motor carried by the frame and having an output shaft, a drive roller assembly carried by said frame for engagement in use with a unit load device (ULD) or the like to be moved by the PDU, a first gear train transmitting drive from said motor output shaft to a drive roller of said drive roller assembly, a rotatable lifting cam assembly carried by said frame and driven in use relative to said frame to lift and lower the frame on said mounting, a second gear train for transmitting drive from said motor output shaft to said lifting cam assembly to operate said lifting cam assembly, clutch means operable to connect and disconnect said motor output shaft to and from said second gear train, a torque limiting device limiting the torque transmitted through said clutch, when said clutch is engaged, to said lifting cam assembly, and a brake me

Abstract: Rotating conveyor for the evacuation of metallic shavings resulting from mechanical work processes comprising a collection container in which is able to rotate a motorised bucket above whose bottom wall is positioned the lower end of an evacuation conduit connected to an aspiration unit, for instance pneumatic. A stationary conveying member extends between the vertical axis of rotation of the bucket and the lower end of the evacuation conduit to convey the shavings below it.

Abstract: A feeding roller includes a hub member mounted to rotate with a driven shaft, a plurality of angularly displaced anchored seat members disposed on a surrounding outer wall of the hub member and defining anchored areas, a surrounding workpiece contacting member surrounding and spaced apart from the hub member so as to be brought into frictional contact with a workpiece, a plurality of force transmitting members disposed on an inner annular wall surface of the surrounding workpiece contacting member and forming secured areas which spacedly confront and lead the anchored areas, respectively, and a plurality of coupling and biasing members, each interposed between the secured area and the corresponding anchored area. Rotation of the hub member is transmitted to the surrounding workpiece contacting member to bring the surrounding workpiece contacting member into contact with the workpiece so as to feed the workpiece with an even and smooth compression force.

Abstract: A feeding roller includes a hub member mounted to rotate with a driven shaft, a plurality of angularly displaced anchored seat members disposed on a surrounding outer wall of the hub member and defining anchored areas, a surrounding workpiece contacting member surrounding and spaced apart from the hub member so as to be brought into frictional contact with a workpiece, a plurality of force transmitting members disposed on an inner annular wall surface of the surrounding workpiece contacting member and forming secured areas which spacedly confront and lead the anchored areas, respectively, and a plurality of coupling and biasing members, each interposed between the secured area and the corresponding anchored area. Rotation of the hub member is transmitted to the surrounding workpiece contacting member to bring the surrounding workpiece contacting member into contact with the workpiece so as to feed the workpiece with an even and smooth compression force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for loading a fragmenting machine, such as a hammer crusher, including a front and rear upper drive roller which are equipped, independently of each other, with a drive mechanism and arranged above the feed plane of a feed chute. The drive rollers are mounted on a displaceable and pressure exerting system of levers, such that a continuous, pre-pressed and controlled feed of recyclable material for fragmenting is guaranteed.

Abstract: A car type conveyor includes a guide rail 3 extending along one edge of a running path. The running path is fitted with a friction driver including a frictional wheel 32. A runner 2 is guided by and moves along the guide rail 3. The runner 2 has a frictional surface 29 formed on it for compressive contact with the frictional wheel 32. A carriage 1 includes wheels 8 and 9 and moves along the running path. The runner 2 and one of the right and left sides of the carriage 1 are connected together in such a manner that the top of the runner 2 is higher than the position at which the carriage 1 supports a body. The carriage 1 may be foldable toward the runner 2.

Abstract: A feeding system for difficult web and sheet materials, such as bubble wrap. A drive roller having a high friction surface is spaced over a flexible platen having a low friction transport surface. The gap between the platen and the drive roller is adjustable, and the drive roller is driven to advance web and sheet materials between the drive roller and the transport surface. The transport surface has a very low coefficient of static friction, and the surface of the drive roller has a very high coefficient of static friction, with the coefficients of friction differing by at least 0.5.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a simple, safe to handle fixing device for a par that can be inserted between adjacent supports, especially centrally. Locating holes that are aligned approximately flush with each other, for holding elements of the part are provided in the adjacent supports. The holding elements are configured in the form of pegs mounted in the part. The pegs are provided with a screw thread at their second ends and each engage in a corresponding screw of sliding pieces that can slide in the part. The sliding pieces can be slid and stopped in a plane defined by the longitudinal axes of the pegs. The part has at least one pair of pegs on opposite outer surfaces that are flush with each other through the part.

Abstract: An arrangement for conveying material to be conveyed along a conveying plane, in particular for freight-loading systems in freight compartments, preferably of aircraft is disclosed. The arrangement provides that driving material to be conveyed along a conveying plane, with which safe, reliable transport of the material to be conveyed is ensured with low wear of the conveying roller under widely varying operating conditions. This is achieved in that, in a drive unit, the conveying roller is connected to a first drive and an associated first activating unit for producing a requisite traction force for moving the material to be conveyed along the conveying plane.

Abstract: A roller assembly adapted to be mounted to a conveyor sideguide for use in directing a strip of steel along a conveyor. The roller assembly includes a roller member having a plurality of flutes spaced apart on outer surface of the roller. The roller assembly also includes a support assembly featuring a roller support assembly in which the roller member is rotatably supported and a mounting assembly for securing the roller member to the sideguide such that the roller extends beyond an inner surface of the conveyor sideguide facing the steel strip. The roller assembly further includes a fluid manifold which directs a source of pressurized liquid directed at the roller to sequentially impinge each of the plurality of flutes and cause the roller member to rotate with respect to the roller support assembly at a predetermined angular velocity, the angular velocity of the roller automatically adjusting to correspond to a linear velocity of the steel strip when an edge of the steel strip contacts the roller member.

Abstract: A drive roller unit is provided for use in a roller drive unit for the conveyance of objects on the freight deck of an aircraft. The drive roller unit comprises a drive motor to drive a drive roller which, when in an operating position, can be brought into frictional engagement with the bottom of an object to be conveyed. A lifting mechanism with a lifting motor is used to raise the drive roller from a retracted, resting position into the raised, operating position. A control apparatus controls operation of the drive motor and the lifting motor. A differential velocity measuring means is also provided for measuring a difference between a velocity of the drive roller and a velocity of said object being conveyed to determine a slippage.

Abstract: A multiple station in-line product handling machine (40) is provided which has infeed stations (42-46) equipped with improved feeder and receiving units (60, 62) as well as a unique pusher chain assembly (78). The feeder units (60) include a sucker shaft (88) adapted to successively grip the leading ends (336) of the bottom products (334) in a stack thereof and to pivot such leading ends (336) downwardly without any substantial translational movement of the product (334); the downwardly pivoted ends (336) are then engaged by a cooperating nip roller (100) and feed belt assembly (71) to withdraw the product (334) from the stack. Preferably, the sucker shaft (88) and nip roller (100) are driven by respective cams (106, 108) mounted on a powered shaft (110). The receiving units (62) have receiving structure (74) together with a rotatable wheel (76) equipped with a resilient peripheral product-engaging element (174) which quickly and reliably move the fed product (334) along the length of the machine (10).

Abstract: A method and unit for conveying packets of cigarettes, whereby packets of cigarettes, supplied successively to an input of a guide, are transferred to an output of the guide by means of a screw device rotating about a respective axis of rotation; the guide winds 180.degree. about the axis, and has two conducting elements located inside and outside the screw device to orient the packets with respect to the screw device.

Abstract: A transport element (1) for transporting or conveying flat goods, such as sheet goods like paper in photocopy machines and printers, includes an inner support member (2) that can be connected to an axle or shaft, and an outer ring member (14) of a rubber-elastic material that at least partially surrounds and is connected in a form-locking manner to the support member (2). The rubber-elastic material has a greater elasticity than the material of the support member (2). The ring member (4) has an outer contact surface (5) for frictionally gripping and transporting the flat goods. The support member (2) has a plurality of grooves (7) distributed around an outer circumferential surface (6) thereof. The rubber-elastic material of the ring member (4) form-lockingly engages the grooves (7). The grooves (7) are open at least toward the outer circumferential surface (6) with a respective opening width (16) that spans an angle .alpha. of at most 5.degree., and are undercut radially inwardly below the openings.

Abstract: A device for the transfer of products from the upper terminal section of a first vertical conveyor belt to an initial section of a horizontal channel of reception and advancement along a feed line of the products themselves, which channel comprises at least one pushing element located at the terminal section of the conveyor belt and having continuous motion along a closed trajectory.

Abstract: An article to be inserted in a conveying arrangement is picked up by the vane of a rotating element, and pushed into the conveying device. Because the motion of the element is rotational, a high feed rate can be achieved, and the article can be contacted without damage.

Abstract: A transport drive system for use in a sputtering apparatus, particularly an in-line sputtering apparatus, is disclosed. The system transports a plurality of planar substrates and includes a plurality of transport beams having a C-shaped cross-section. Each transport beam has a first and second end, a first and second sides, a top surface, and a channel, disposed under the top portion, and forming a portion of the C-shaped cross-section. The transport beam includes a substrate carrier which secures the substrate or pallet at the top portion of the substrate or pallet, and which is mounted in an alignment with an off-center relationship with respect to the center of the transport beam. In addition, the system for transporting includes a plurality of drive beams. Each drive beam includes a plurality of horizontally-oriented guide wheels disposed on a top surface of the drive beam, the drive wheels engaging the channel of the transport beam.

Abstract: A rotary conveyor includes a cylindrical housing forming part of a centering auger having opposite ends respectively mounted for in a pair of supports for rotation about a horizontal axis. A finger assembly is mounted in a central portion of the housing between auger flighting secured to opposite end portions of the housing. The finger assembly includes a crankshaft having a cranked central portion that is eccentric to and located in the central portion of the housing. Fingers are mounted for pivoting about the cranked central portion of the crankshaft and are slidably received in openings provided in the housing. Opposite ends of the crankshaft are supported in the pair of supports for rotating about said horizontal axis. One end portion of the crankshaft extends through one of the supports and has a retainer fixed thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive unit, in particular for loading equipment in an airplane, with a drive element (8) contained in a housing (7). According to the invention the drive unit is connected to the housing (7) by linear guides (25, 26) which are guides for vertical movement. The transmission includes a planetary gear in which the planet gear carrier is made in the form of a swivelling planet wheel rocker (16). Supporting elements (23, 24) are provided on the planet wheel rocker (16) and these engage respective stops (34, 35). The supporting elements provide an opposing moment on the planet wheel rocker (16) as a reaction to a braking moment exerted on a conveying wheel (9). This causes an upward contact pressure (arrow 43) to be exerted on the drive element (8) and thereby on the conveying wheel (9). In this manner, the contact pressure (arrow 43) is optimally adjusted to a load placed on the conveying wheel, so that wear and maintenance are reduced and overloading of the equipment is avoided (FIG.

Abstract: A roller drive assembly comprises a drive roller mounted in a frame in such a way that the roller can be pivoted by a drive such as an electric motor from a lower retracted position when the drive roller is stationary to one of two, upper operating positions when the drive roller is rotating, dependent on the direction in which the roller is pivoted. An outer shell forming part of the drive roller for engaging an object to be conveyed defines a first larger-area frictional surface projecting above which is a plurality of second smaller-area frictional surfaces.

Abstract: An agricultural baler for making square bales of crop material having a bale case, a feed platform adjacent the bale case and a pickup in front of the platform for lifting crop material from the to the platform. A first feed mechanism, including a first set of crop engaging tines, is provided for urging crop material across the feed platform toward the bale case. Intermediate the first feed mechanism and the bale case is a second feeding mechanism having a second set of crop engaging tines for urging the crop material across the platform from said first feed mechanism into the crop inlet. The first and second sets of crop engaging tines are driven through endless paths each having arcuate portions in the vicinity of the feed platform and along which the tines travel in the general direction of the bale case. The paths of the second set of tines pass through said inlet into the bale case and are offset from the first set transversely relative to the general direction crop is being urged across the platform.

Abstract: A tubular guide body provided with a longitudinal slit portion has a flexible screw rotatably incorporated. A guiding portion of an object to be transported is brought into contact with the flexible screw through the slit portion. The flexible screw is rotated to exert forcing pressure upon the guiding portion of the object which is in contact with the flexible screw, thereby achieving the conveyance of the object in the longitudinal direction of the tubular guide body.

Abstract: A drive roller for use in a conveyor, comprising rotary shafts supported in respective bearings, the respective rotary shafts being provided at the respective ends of a core member and one of the rotary shafts being connected to a drive source. The core member is a hollow- or solid-cylindrical one and has provided thereon and fastened at the respective end portions thereof a tubular inflatable member having at least one inner cord layer in which the cords are laid with a predetermined angle, one end of which inflatable member is fastened to one end portion of the core member while the other end of the inflatable member is folded back inwardly and fastened to the other end portion of the core member, thus a sealed space being defined between the inflatable member and the outer surface of the core member.

Abstract: A simplified low cost, low wear, sheet registration and feeding system for laterally (side) registering a sheet without frictional drive slippage against the sheet and while maintaining feeding control in the primary forward feeding direction of the sheet. The sheet may be fed both forward and laterally (towards a side guide edge for side registration) utilizing only multiple sheet-engaging rotatable ellipsoidal rollers angularly mounted around the periphery of a fixed angle rotating hub member. The sheet-engaging rollers rotate with the hub member to so feed the sheet, but are also rotatable about their own, different, axes of rotation, which axes are parallel to the forward feeding direction of the sheet and the side guide to allow the sheet-engaging rollers to roll after side registration is achieved to prevent excessive lateral feeding force and undesirable slippage, smearing and/or wear.

Abstract: A log feed roller mechanism has a pair of parallel drive rolls; a plurality of contour-edged bars flexibly mounted at spaced intervals around the outer surfaces of each of the rolls; and, a drive mechanism for drivingly counter-rotating the rolls about their respective longitudinal axes.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding syringes into a cartoning machine in which the syringes slide down the feed section 10 of a guide 1 to a substantially horizontal central section 12. Rotatable adjacent this central section is a feed worm 2, the threads of which are of decreasing depth. As the syringes are fed forwardly toward a discharge section 14, the plungers of the syringes are forced to a fully inserted position by the decreasing depth of the thread.

Abstract: A hollow tube (3) supports a spring (5) coaxially positioned within the tube (3) and free to rotate within it. The tube (3) has a longitudinal slot (4) through which components (2) threaded onto the coils of the spring (5) hang down. A motor 6 rotates the spring (5) causing the components, constrained by the slot (4), to move longitudinally along the slot (4). When they reach the end of the slot (4), they are orientated by the end of the spring (5), which has been suitably shaped, to the correct orientation to be presented for automatic mounting on a printed circuit board.

Abstract: This invention relates to a feeder including a roller seat, a threaded control shaft which has one end protruding out from the roller seat, and an adjusting knob connected with the end of the threaded control shaft for changing the rotating speed of the conveying rollers of the feeder by means of manually rotating the adjusting knob. The protruding end of the threaded control shaft is surrounded by a sleeve member so as to protect the protruding end of the threaded control shaft from the accumulation of foreign matter. The sleeve member has predetermined graduation marks scaled on an outer surface of the sleeve member to show the rotating speed of the conveying rollers when the adjusting knob is rotated downwards and upwards.

Abstract: Chip remover for machines which perform a machining operation, especially on metallic workpieces, such as strip edging machines, turning machines, etc. The chip remover has a stretched spiral rotating about its longitudinal axis with successive turns spaced apart from one another. The free upper end of the spiral extends into the chip discharge area of the machining tool. This spiral carries the chips away from the area about the tool to assure unhampered machining. The spiral is in the form of a hollow helix and is surrounded, on the outside, with only minimal clearance, by a non-rotating guide tube having an open-topped slot running lengthwise of the tube. The upper end of the helix extends freely out of the tube.

Abstract: A scrub wheel is provided in document processing equipment where a wheel is removable and replaceable. The wheel is held between a base member and a top member where the top member comprises retaining lugs at the distal ends of retention arms which engage the lower surface of a ledge in the center of the base member subsequent to passage therethrough when in a correct angular orientation, the lower surface comprising recesses which bind the top member and the base member under the elastic restitution force of a helical spring in the top member.

Abstract: A transport device for paper sheets incorporates driven rollers which frictionally engage the paper sheets and are mounted on shafts arranged parallel with one another in the transport direction. Filaments extending in the transport direction are utilized to bias the paper sheets from below against the rollers. The filaments permit the paper sheets to glide or slide thereover and extend between the rollers in a lower tangential plane, said filaments being mounted elastically at one extremity thereof. A slight inclination of the shafts of the rollers causes the paper sheets to be transported while engaging a lateral guiding edge to accomplish transportation of said sheet in an accurately aligned manner.

Abstract: A machine for connecting successive rows of coil springs together into a coil spring assembly. The machine, in preferred form, initially picks up a row of coil springs by inserting a pick up finger into the barrel of each coil and moving the springs onto a support platen. In the course of transporting the coils between pick up and the support platen, the pick up fingers change the spacing of the coils. The springs are then compressed against the support platen to a desired height through use of a reciprocable compression bar. Thereafter, and through use of rotatable transfer fingers on a transfer shaft, the springs are removed from under the compression bar, and are moved into clamping dies. Leading rotary transfer fingers on the transfer shaft first pull the row of springs out from under the compression bar, and trailing rotary fingers then push the springs into the downstream one of upper and lower clamping dies.

Abstract: Mechanical handling apparatus (1) which includes rollers (7) which can be raised and lowered above or below a support surface, and a driven roller or rollers (14) which is driven by an electro-hydraulic system including a hydraulic motor (20) and which is mounted on a pivoted bracket (15) which can be raised and lowered by an air control ram (16) so that the roller (14) too can be raised and lowered relative to the support surface to engage a pallet (18) and drive that pallet (18) over the apparatus (1).