Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring a workpiece quickly and which can handle a variety of workpieces even of different outside sizes, and can accurately position workpieces. Workpieces on a transfer surface are adjusted in position to maintain an interval between the workpieces at a certain value. Along the transfer surface are disposed two belts on which are provided first and second holders raised above the transfer surface and which contact the workpiece at its front and rear edges. The holders, which are separately formed on the belt, cooperate with each other to hold the workpieces. The apparatus is also provided with a driving force which is able to change the rotational phase between the two belts. By changing the phase between the belts, the interval between the holders in the transfer direction can be varied in accordance with the size of the workpiece to be transferred.

Abstract: An article packaging machine for packaging articles such as beverage cans into open-ended containers and sealing the containers comprises a carton conveyor that defines a carton path. Open cartons are moved along the path and articles are directed in groups toward and into the cartons as they move along the path. An overhead flight assembly is provided and includes pusher lugs that engage and push the top portions of cartons along the carton path so that the cartons do not become skewed. The spacing between adjacent pusher lugs on the overhead flight assembly is adjusted automatically to accommodate relatively wider cartons or relatively narrower cartons so that human intervention is not required when setting up the machine to package different size cartons.

Abstract: A scraper conveyor has a channel having a pair of parallel and longitudinally extending upstanding sides and a chain extending longitudinally along the channel between the sides thereof and normally advanced therein in a travel direction. A chain-arresting system has a crosspiece fixable to the chain and having outer ends juxtaposed with the channel sides and each of a predetermined length measured in the direction. Respective blocks fittable with the sides of the channel are each formed with an inwardly open inner groove into which the respective end of the crosspiece can engage. An abutment in the groove has a rear face directed backward against the direction and engageable with the respective crosspiece end and an inner hole spaced in the direction rearward of the abutment face by a distance greater than the crosspiece-end length. Respective pins engageable through the inner holes behind the respective crosspiece ends trap same in the respective blocks.

Abstract: An overhead pusher lug assembly for stabilizing the top portions of cartons in a carton packaging machine comprises an endless chain conveyor having an array of pusher lugs rotatably mounted thereto at spaced intervals. The lugs are rotatable between a first position wherein the lugs extend upwardly from the lower flight of the conveyor and a second position wherein the lugs extend downwardly from the lower flight of the conveyor for insertion between adjacent cartons on a carton conveyor. As the pusher lugs move onto the lower flight of the conveyor, they engage the end of an elongated bar, which rotates or flips the pusher lugs into place between underlying cartons so that the lugs do not impact and disfigure trailing cartons on the carton path.

Abstract: A drive and guide arrangement for an endless conveyor includes a plurality of transport members, at least one drive wheel, and at least one chain of rubber links forming a traction member having respective end regions. The chain is reversible around the drive wheel at at least one of the end regions. The chain includes steel cable traction supports arranged within the rubber links. A first side of the chain faces the transport members and is formed with a plurality of block teeth. At least two of the block teeth have bores formed therethrough separated from one another by a predetermined distance. A second side of the chain opposite to the first side is formed with a plurality of drive teeth for engaging with the drive wheel. A guide is provided having a receiving profile and located adjacent to the chain. A plurality of connecting-and-guide members join the chain to the transport members.

Abstract: A parts-conveying apparatus comprising an elongated guide member having a guide channel extending throughout the entire length of the guide member for supporting parts therein; and an endless belt unit comprising a pair of rollers and an endless belt wrapped around the rollers, one of the rollers being operatively connected to a drive source, the endless belt having one substantially rectilinear part extending alongside of the guide channel substantially over its entire length in order to feed the parts.

Abstract: A high capacity dry separation apparatus with air-heavy medium fluidized bed having a separation chamber (3) with a fluidized bed above an air distributor (4), a scraper conveyer (2) in the separation chamber (3) having a double-scraper structure made up of two columns of scrapers moving side by side, and a sink discharge outlet (8) at one end of the separation chamber. An up-floating materials discharge outlet (11) and a feed inlet (12) are arranged on opposite sides of the separation chamber (3). An inclined inner circulator (7) for heavy medium is provided in the separation chamber and includes an air inlet tube (13), a cone-shaped buffer chamber (14), a sieve layer (15), a multilayer fabric (16) and a sintered metal plate (17).

Abstract: A scraper conveyor has a machine frame consisting of a horizontal grains supply case, a horizontal discharge case placed at a position higher than the supply case and having a discharge port, and a slanted case arranged between both these cases; a pair of sprockets arranged at both the ends of the machine frame; an endless chain provided with a number of paired scrapers for conveying grains and extending around the sprockets; a curved guide rail extending along substantially the whole length of the machine frame and being arranged in the frame in order to support upward the upper returning chain portion of the chain; a pair of chain sustaining members for preventing the upper returning chain portion and lower advancing chain portion of the chain from floating; and chain support members for supporting upward the lower advancing chain portion.

Abstract: A chain having a plurality of block links each including longitudinally spaced apart ends each of which has a pivot pin receiving first bore therethrough of a first diameter. The chain also has a plurality of connecting links each including longitudinally spaced pivot pins mounted in the block link first bores for articulatively interconnecting the ends of adjacent block links. The pivot pins have a close tolerance fit in the first bores to form a chain that extends along a straight line of travel. The chain further has at least one flight attachment link having a flight attachment support and longitudinally spaced leading and trailing ends pivotally connected between adjacent connecting links of the chain.

Abstract: A packaging machine having a working reach interconnected with a return reach over which flight bars are movable is provided with a ramp formed with a long radius for interconnecting the working reach with the return reach. This long radius ramp eliminates the tendency for flight bars to accelerate at an unacceptable velocity and can lead to damage to adjacent cartons. The long radius together with a sprocket of increased diameter avoids exposure to the risk of damage to and breakage of cartons. This increased radius also tends to provide a gap between the working reach and an outfeed conveyor which is longer than that normally employed with conventional structures. This gap is bridged by rotatable support wheels having cutaway radial areas which afford clearance for flight bars on their way from the working reach to the return reach.

Abstract: A recirculating apparatus for transfer of objects from a first position to a second position. A pair of spaced, endless conveying chains have at least one flight located between them, the flight being connected to and travelling with the chains. A third chain is located at one side of the first and second chains, offset relative to the first two chains. The flight is linked to the third chain such that when the three chains are driven in unison, the flight does not rotate about its axis.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes two confrontingly opposed, columnar arrays which define a plurality of vertically spaced tray-receiving recesses. A platform is vertically displaceable along and between the arrays and carries an extraction device operable for withdrawing a selected tray from an array recess onto the platform, and for inserting a tray supported on the platform into a vacant recess in either array. The extraction device includes a pair of rods carried on and for movement longitudinally along the platform, toward and away from the opposed arrays, about opposed continuous-loop drive belts which lie in substantially vertical planes. The rods are releasably engageable, through rotation of the drive belts, within handles provided at and extending longitudinally outwardly from the opposite ends of each tray to enable withdrawal and insertion of the selected tray.

Abstract: A belt chain includes transverse links having non-circular end sections received within complimentary apertures in the core of supporting longitudinal belts. The belt cores are reinforced by longitudinal cords encircling adjacent apertures and twisted between them. When assembled in a conveyor, the resulting belt tension causes the cords to contract about the end sections of the links supported by them, thereby preventing rotation of the links about their transverse axes.

Abstract: A conveyer for particulate or comminuted material having flighting carried by a belt rather than a chain or cable. The flat belt is oriented with its broad sides in a substantially vertical plane and is driven and supported by pulleys at each end of the trough.

Abstract: A shackle connector 8 for a scraper chain conveyor assembly in which the shackle connectors 8 are interlinked with chains 2,4, bolted to scraper bars 6 and formed with an enlarged portion or pad 20 serving slidably to guide the assembly relative to the inner profile of an associated trough or pan. The shackle connectors 8 are selectively heat treated such that the surface or surface and sub-surface hardness value of the enlarged portions or pads 20 is in the range of approximately 280-380 (preferably 340-380) Brinel Hardness and the remainder of the shackle connector, or at least crown portions 10, 12, have a surface or a surface and sub-surface hardness value in the range of approximately 380-550 (preferably 440-500) Brinel hardness and such that the mechanical properties of the shackle connector are enhanced while any propensity towards the propagation of frictionally induced surface cracks is resisted.

Abstract: A conveyor belt assembly is provided with a pair of spaced parallel endless conveyor belts which are spanned by a plurality of equally spaced, parallel rods. Each of the conveyor belts are joined together at their opposite belt ends by a pair of belt fasteners secured to the belts and having hinge loops intermeshed and connected by a hinge pin. The preferred pin has a constant diameter and retainers at opposite ends of the hinge pin to abut the belt fasteners to prevent lateral sliding of the hinge pin. The preferred retainers are enlarged heads on opposite ends of the hinge pin. Other retainers are tru-arc rings positioned in grooves formed in the hinge pin. The preferred belt fasteners are all identical in shape and have first and second notches in their respective side edges to receive the enlarged heads. When the belt fastener is forwardly facing, the enlarged head will be nested in a first notch; and where the belt fastener is rearwardly facing the enlarged head will be in the second notch.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting shredded solid waste material to a boiler is provided. The system includes a flighted drag chain conveyor positioned within a trough-like enclosure. The conveyor includes a number of drag elements mounted to each flight, the drag elements including spring mounted tines which urged the shredded waste material through the enclosure. The tines are deflectable about the axes of the respective springs so that they can deflect about difficult to move items within the conveyor enclosure. The drag elements are preferably arranged in a staggered configuration to aid in dislodging items which may be stuck within the conveyor enclosure. One or more discharge outlets are mounted to the conveyor enclosure for receiving the shredded solid waste material from the enclosure.

Abstract: The invention comprises an arrangement for transporting articles, in particular rectangular box-like packages into a single or plural paths packaging machine by at least one slider and a guiding flank. The arrangement includes a combined turning and collecting arrangement for the articles, respectively packages. The guiding flanks of this arrangement define the curved guiding paths which includes curved flanks which extend essentially angularly with respect to the transport direction and further include guide grooves which coact with the slider. By this arrangement, the articles, respectively packages are slidingly fed, turned and collected.

Abstract: There is disclosed a flexible rubber belt having molded lugs on the bottom surface and at least one row of molded cleats on the top surface. A plurality of these belts are transversely spaced apart to form a conveying assembly. The conveying assembly is useful as a drag or raddle chain conveyor in combines or in round balers.

Abstract: A chip conveyor moves material through a conduit using plates of substantially oval shape, the axis of symmetry of which coincides substantially with the axis of the drive chains. The plates consist of two identical half-plates joined together and mounted on the drive chain. The conveyor is especially useful for transporting chips from machine tools.

Abstract: A pair of harvester belts have ends joined to form an endless loop by hinged belt fasteners of identical shape. Parallel rods span the endless belts and one of the parallel rods has ends inserted into interleaved loops on adjacent belt fasteners to form a hinge pin connection. In one embodiment, only the belt fastener has only a single plate secured to one side of the belt by threaded fasteners. In another embodiment, the belt fastener has both upper and lower plates with the upper plate having a channel to receive a parallel rod end and fasteners secure the parallel rods, the upper plate, the belt and the lower plate.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for accurately positioning stickers when stacking lumber. The apparatus provides an unscrambling conveyer that feeds stickers from a bulk supply to a crowder feed conveyer to present a constant supply of stickers to a timed release mechanism. The release mechanism by cam means sequentially presents individual stickers in a timed fashion to an endless distribution conveyer that initially feeds stickers through an upper horizontal feed plane about a curved guide structure, and finally about a second horizontal feed plane below the first. The stickers are maintained in the second feed plane by an underlying bottom shelf structure. The bottom shelf structure feeds individual stickers into a plurality of sticker positioners that oscillate from an upper position downwardly to feed the stickers onto a top of a lumber stack to accurately position them in spaced relation on a stack of lumber therebeneath.

Abstract: The present invention consists in employing conveyors and/or pushers in order to permit movable planes (7,110) to be advanced along bearing guides (1, 102) showing a quadrilateral shape. The advancing motion of the movable planes (7, 110) is caused by several devices which are housed in seats, suitably profiled, of the guides (1, 102). These devices are mounted on a peripheral chain line (3, 104). According to a first embodiment, the aforesaid devices are provided with a series of small bars (5) which are mounted on the chain (3) and supports magnetic elements (4) dragging metallic discs (6) applied under sliding planes (7). According to a second embodiment, the chain line (104) supports a series of plates (106) which are provided with pushers (108) working in contrast with a spring and pushing vertical stirrups (111) which are provided under the sliding planes (110).

Abstract: An output buffer apparatus for an integrated circuit handler comprises a plurality of buffer tracks adapted to slidably contain integrated circuits. The tracks are designed to engage only the body portions of the integrated circuits so as to avoid lead damage. A belt running parallel to each track carries paddles which interrupt the path of the integrated circuits thereon. Movement of the belt moves the paddles so that the functions of stopping further movement down the track and forcing the integrated circuits off the output end of the track are performed. Thus, the buffer tracks also serve a sleeve loading function of the handler.

Abstract: A manure separator arrangement is described including a flume and chain conveyor arrangement by which initially received slurry of liquids and solids is directed over a perforated flume floor. Liquid is allowed to drain through perforations in the floor as the slurry is moved along a pair of troughs formed along the flume. The entire flume is inclined so the liquids received from the perforated flume floor will drain downwardly away from the solids being carried along by the drag conveyor. Solids leaving a discharge end of the flume may lose approximately 80% of the liquid previously contained in the slurry or mixture. The manure discharged from the flume may be received by a separator press roll mechanism by which remaining moisture can be separated. The separator includes a rotated perforated drum and an oppositely rotated press roll. The press roll is yieldably urged against the rotating surface of the drum and is simultaneously rotated to press or squeeze liquid from the solids.

Abstract: An improved shot peening machine is of the type which includes blast wheels capable of propelling a plurality of shot generally downwardly into a critical blast region of the machine for shot peening a plurality of springs passing therethrough. The improvement includes a housing for the machine including a blast cabinet, an entrance chamber and an exit chamber. The blast cabinet generally defines the critical blast region. Horizontally extending spinner rolls for the springs extend through the blast cabinet and terminate at a first end at a first edge of the critical blast region within the entrance chamber and a second end at a second edge of the critical blast region within the exit chamber. The springs are conveyed along a peening path on the spinner rolls from the first end to the second end thereof. A feeding system feeds the springs from an exterior of the housing into the entrance chamber to supply the springs to the first end of the spinner rolls.

Abstract: A seedling grading machine for sorting and collecting seedling trees according to size comprises a conveyor including a longitudinal grate and carrier rods that extend through the grate for moving the seedlings sideways along the grate; an electronic photocell control for measuring the height of each seedling at a front portion of the grate; a series of longitudinally separated gates positioned downstream of the photocell control, each gate corresponding to a given size classification of seedling and opening downwardly to drop the seedling through the gate in accordance with the measured height of the seedling; a dumpable bin in position below each gate to collect the seedlings; an electronic counting means for counting the number of seedlings deposited in each collector bin; a dumping mechanism for dumping each collector bin after a predetermined number of seedlings have been deposited therein; and a conveyor for conveying the seedlings dumped from the collector bin to a packaging station.

Abstract: An article transfer arrangement of the type which is utilized to retrieve and store articles which are arranged in a matrix of compartments, such as in a warehouse. In a preferred embodiment, a push member which urges an article on the transfer arrangement into a selected one of the storage compartments is provided with a latching mechanism which facilitates withdrawal of an article which has become jammed during the storage procedure as a result of misalignment. In embodiments where the articles are tote bins of the type which are generally used in such storage systems, the exterior of the tote bins is provided with a depending member having push and pull surfaces. During the storing procedure, the push member communicates with the push surface of the depending member while the latching mechanism latchingly communicates with the pull surface.

Abstract: A tracked vehicle is tethered so that as it skids on a pile of bulk material, the cleated tracks transfer the material toward the tethered end. The tethering rope hitch point on the vehicle is translatable laterally to effect controlled sideward skiding for sweeping bulk material from a wide area and is located at one end above the vehicle center of gravity so that the vehicle can be lowered by the tethering rope through narrow openings in storage chambers yet come to rest upright. The tracks comprise cleated endless belts coupled to endless wire ropes at the end pulleys by resilient rail members made of two rows of discrete blocks bolted to the belts which are wedged against the wire ropes by grooves in the pulleys so that tension induced in the wire ropes resists the lateral forces tending to cause the belts to creep along the pulleys.

Abstract: A tool magazine of a tool handling machine which carries several similar tools comprises a unit which can be removed from the tool machine. The tools are conducted between guide rails in a lengthwise shiftable manner. The lengthwise feed of the tools in the tool magazine takes place by means of a feed comb whose comb teeth are moved transversely into engagement between the individual tools. The feed comb carries out a driven feed movement in a lengthwise direction of the magazine. The tools are moved from the tool magazine by a tool gripping device and conducted to a tool fixture of the tool machine. Conversely, the expended tools are moved into the tool magazine by a tool gripping device.

Abstract: A revolving floor apparatus (10) for a trailer flat bed (12) or the like is disclosed. The revolving floor apparatus (10) includes endless conveyor chains (30) having a plurality of elongated slats (70) attached along a portion thereof. The transversely extending slats (70) are moved in a spaced relationship by the endless chains (30) longitudinally of the trailer flat bed (12). The trailer flat bed (12) may be used either in a "live floor" configuration wherein the slats (70) are positioned along at least a portion of the top surface of the trailer flat bed (12) or in a conventional configuration wherein the slats (70) are positioned under the trailer flat bed (12) such that the top surface of the trailer flat bed (12) is generally void of any of the slats (70). Furthermore, the chains (30) are recessed in longitudinally extending recesses.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus is disclosed for conveying pallets upon which cement is deposited for continuous moulding of cement tiles. The pallets each have a projecting shoulder portion and are of predetermined length and the apparatus includes a support over which the pallets are conveyed in a continuous stream with adjacent pallets in contact with one another, the drive mechanism for moving the pallets along the support, said drive means including an endless band located above the support and having a run in the direction which the pallets are conveyed over the support, the band having drive members projecting outwardly therefrom for engagement with the shoulders of the pallets for moving the pallets.

Abstract: The driven head shaft of a drag elevator type conveyor is mounted at the roller end of a shaft mounting frame which is in the nature of a first class lever. A mid-portion of the shaft mounting frame is mounted onto an upper end portion of the conveyor main frame for pivotal movement about an axis which is parallel to the axes of both the head shaft and the tail shaft. A turnbuckle is interconnected between the upper portion of the shaft mounting frame and an upper portion of the main frame. The shaft mounting frame end of the turnbuckle is connected to a mid-portion of a lever arm which is at its upper end pivotally attached to the shaft mounting frame. The lower end of such lever rests on a pair of laterally spaced apart compression springs. The turnbuckle provides a way of adjusting the tension in a pair of roller chains which are portions of an endless carrier which extends between and is mounted on the head shaft and the tail shaft.

Abstract: A garment bag bottom sealing machine used in a dry cleaning operation or garment manufacturing industry includes a V-link belt which receives hangers fed thereto one at a time by a feeder. A sealer on the machine effects a double seal of a garment bag, and the bagged garment is discharged from the machine for further processing. The sealing machine is separate from any other equipment used in a garment dry cleaning operation or garment manufacturing industry.

Abstract: For fixing conveyor elements (7) to the chain strands (5, 6) in a chain conveyor having two chain strands (5, 6) running over sprockets (1, 3), pairs of projections (9, 10) are used which grip one chain link in each case and which each have an arcuate outline on one side and are pivotably mounted on the conveyor element (7).

Abstract: A scraper-chain conveyor has a scraper assembly and plurality of channel sections defining upper and lower runs for the scraper assembly. The scraper assembly passes round sprocket drums positioned at the ends of the conveyor, and is constituted by two drive chains and a plurality of scrapers connected thereto. The conveyor has first and second straight portions joined by a curved portion. The upper run of the curved conveyor portion is at a lower level than the upper run of the adjacent end of the first straight conveyor portion. The scraper assembly passes between the upper runs of said end of the first straight conveyor portion and the curved conveyor portion via upper and lower deflector rollers which direct the scraper assembly in a Z-shaped path. The upper deflector roller is provided with a drive, whereby the chain tension of the scraper assembly is negligible when the assembly passes round the curved portion.

Abstract: A chainless haulage system having at least three pairs of sprocket wheels, each pair disposed on a separate axle with opposed wheels on each axle aligned in a pair of parallel planes. Two pairs of sprocket wheels are disposed laterally offset from each other and serve as follower sprocket wheels, while a third pair is driven by conventional means. A pair of endless drive chains each having adjacent chain links in generally perpendicular planes respectively engage sprocket wheels disposed in the parallel planes to form a double strand of drive chain. The two endless drive chains are interconnected by a plurality of crossbars, each of which is formed of a pair of opposed chain links integrally connected by a connecting bar, the chain links of the cross bar inserted in series with the links of the endless drive chain. A hollow cylindrical roller is loosely disposed around the connecting bar of the cross bar.

Abstract: An improved conveyor system, designed particularly for unloading bulk cargo, such as refuse, from a tractor-trailer type transporter. The conveyor system traverses the full length of the trailer cargo-box floor and includes at least a pair of endless chains arranged in parallelism, each chain being affixed to a plurality of cleat members that are affixed in a predetermined space relationship to each other, the cleats being arranged along only one-quarter of the total continuous length of the chains; and wherein the cleats are positioned along the rear half of the cargo box floor when loading refuse therein, whereby the rear half of the refuse is unloaded first, followed by the forward half of the refuse.

Abstract: Bread is toasted by being moved by a conveyor, in upright position, between a plurality of radiant heating elements. The conveyor is provided with vertically spaced metal endless belts that carry between them pusher members. The bread is fed toward the conveyor by a spring-urged feeder, whereby slices of bread are removed one by one from the stacked series of slices by the pushers on the conveyor.

Abstract: A container conveying and elevating apparatus conveys relatively shallow containers having a relatively large diameter, such as aluminum can cup bodies, in banks, or en masse, that is, in multiple rows, along a generally horizontal feed-in conveyor to the front or imput side of a vertically extending elevator housing and onto the bottom run of a generally vertically extending elevator conveyor which is arranged in the housing. The elevator conveyor embodies multiple rows of generally horizontally or longitudinally and transversely extending spaced flexible container-conveying and supporting finger members which are adapted to project into the interiors of, or otherwise engage, the containers as they are fed by the feed-in conveyor to the bottom horizontal run of the elevator conveyor.

Abstract: The specification describes a double dolly for use with a conveyor for moving an object by engagement with the object. The double dolly comprises a first roller, which rotates about a first axle, a second support roller which rotates about a second axle, a rotatable safety bar located in advance of and below the lower reach of the first roller, and a frame for securing the rollers, axles and safety bar to a conveyor. The first roller, which engages the object is freely rotatable prior to contact with the object. The support roller is in contact with the surface over which the object is being moved for transferring load exerted on the dolly by the object to that surface while permitting movement of the dolly. The safety bar blocks the gap between the supporting surface and the first roller. The rotatability of the safety bar prevents its binding on the supporting surface in the event of tipping of the dolly.

Abstract: Treatment of articles in an enclosure traversed by gases, according to which the articles are advanced translationally and are simultaneously rotated, characterized by apparatus for causing the articles to travel the length of the enclosure several times and at different levels, and for causing the articles to roll on flat superimposed surfaces extending across the enclosure by bringing them in contact with driving components carried in a continuous or endless circuit so that the same components provide for successive travel of the articles first in one direction, and then in the other direction at two different levels.

Abstract: A scraper unit for a scraper-chain assembly is composed of a one-piece scraper with extensions at the ends of its main body for engagement with horizontal links of the chains. The extensions have underside recesses which locate the shanks of the horizontal links and external cavities which locate the vertical links joined to these horizontal links. Deep vertical profiled pockets in the scraper end regions receive and shape-lock coupling pieces which encompass the inner shanks of the horizontal links and project laterally across the links, i.e., parallel to the scraper. The coupling pieces can be permanently joined to the links or detachable therefrom. The coupling pieces have tongues which support beneath the outer shanks of the horizontal links. Nuts engage on fixing bolts or the like projecting through both the scraper and the coupling pieces enabling the scraper to be detached. Where the coupling pieces are detachable they have additional threaded pins engaging in bores in the scraper and receiving nuts.

Abstract: Strictly translatory substantially lengthwise horizontal motion is imparted to an elongated workpiece such as a cant having top and bottom face surfaces, at least one of which is flat, to feed the workpiece from an orienting station towards a trimming station at which straight, parallel longitudinal side surfaces are formed on the workpiece that are perpendicular to said flat face surface. For such translatory motion, driving dogs engage one face surface at longitudinally spaced portions of a narrow zone thereof which is spaced substantially equal distances from its longitudinal edges; the driving dogs are confined to linear motion in the feed direction; and the other face surface is engaged by horizontal freely revolving rollers extending transversely to the feed direction at intervals therealong. At the orienting station the oriented workpiece is clampwise engaged by the rollers and dogs by effecting relative vertically converging motion between them.

Abstract: A double chain conveyor which is adapted to run in a conveyor trough which has a trough bottom in which it is guided, comprises first and second chains having interconnected horizontally and vertically arranged links which are adapted to run in the conveyor trough in spaced parallel relationship. The construction includes transversely extending drivers engaged over the chain link which have a central part with seating lugs which extend downwardly into engagement with the trough bottom. The driver also includes side portions on each side including a core which engages over the top and around the outer end of each horizontally disposed chain link to which it is connected. In addition, it has a cutout portion for accommodating the upper part of the vertical chain link which is connected to each side of the horizontal chain link to which it is connected.

Abstract: The skeleton discharge mechanism receives the leading edge portion of scrap skeleton sheets one at a time from a press at an entrance portion of a support surface exactly positioned by the press relative to a pick-up station and transversely spaced pairs of engagement members move partially upwardly through the support surface on a timed basis to engage the sheet leading edge through press formed part openings. The engagement members are secured to chains constantly moving over sets of sprockets along closed paths and after engaging the sheet leading edge move longitudinally along the support surface to a surface exit portion pulling or dragging the sheet through the mechanism.

Abstract: A chain drum for a chain conveyor, in particular a chain flight conveyor mounted on the cutting jib of a cutter-loader, consists of a split sprocket removably mounted on a non-divided drum which is connected to and rotates together with its shaft. The drum is provided with external teeth which mesh with internal teeth on both sprocket halves. Both sprocket halves are held together by locking disks which extend over shoulders on the sprocket halves, which latter are fixed to the drum by means of circlips or the like.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCutter-loaders of various designs are known for excavating tunnels, adits and so on, as well as for mining minerals such as clay. A cutter-loader may be provided with a swinging cutter jib, on the free end of which is mounted a rotary cutting drum or the like. The jib may also have a conveyor onto which the broken rock excavated at the face by the cutter drum is loaded in order for it to be carried to the next transporter.

Abstract: Discloses a conveyor, adapted to be driven by drive means, for continuous and positive conveying of material. The conveyor comprises driven chains, adapted to be driven by the drive means, spaced-apart, rigid bar flights carried cross-wise by and relative to the driven chains, and angularly arranged and disposed chains carried between the rigid bar flights. The rigid bar flights and angularly arranged chains between such rigid bar flights cooperate to effect continuous and positive conveying of the material.

Abstract: A conveyor chain assembly with upper and lower chain runs separated by a deck has scraper bars each attached to the outer two links of a three link chain run. The outer links can rotate relative to the center link to allow the chain to negotiate a sprocket. Each scraper bar is formed with two frame members pinned together to form closed slots which house the outer links. The attachment may be duplicated to connect a bar to two parallel chains if required.

Abstract: A connection for the ends of the supporting straps of an endless bar belt conveyor, especially for agricultural machines, the bars of which are connected to the supporting straps by connecting members such as rivets and screws. Within the region of the two ends of each supporting strap there is provided a connecting member which engages the inner side of the respective adjacent supporting strap and is connected to the supporting strap by means of connecting elements such as rivets or preferably screws. The connecting member comprises a pull-resistant flexible layer which extends in the longitudinal direction of the supporting strap and has a thickness less than the thickness of the supporting straps.