Abstract: A vehicle including loading and unloading apparatus, which includes a loading platform that can be moved by a driving mechanism. The loading platform includes an endless belt, which is passed over support rollers, and a head partition extending substantially transversely to the flexible belt, which is connected to the belt. The belt can be moved forwards and backwards by a further driving mechanism. The further driving mechanism includes a rack extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the belt, which rack is connected to a wall of the vehicle, and a pinion that meshes with the rack, which pinion can be rotated by a motor mounted on the head partition. The rack is disposed under the loading platform, whereby the pinion meshes with the rack along a side edge of the endless belt.

Abstract: A rodless cylinder comprises a cylinder tube, and a slide table which is movable back and forth along the cylinder tube. A cover member is fixed to the cylinder tube in a state in which an attachment base is secured to the slide table. A dust-preventive member is integrally interposed by an inner wall of the cover member, a side wall of the cylinder tube, and a side wall of the attachment base. The dust-preventive member is provided to be capable of making elastic deformation in a direction of the arrow B perpendicular to a direction of the arrow A.

Abstract: A component carrying device has a simple constitution, and is capable of lining up components and carrying them in one direction with high reliability. The device comprises a guide groove for lining up components into one line and guiding them; a carrying member, provided on the bottom face of the guide groove, which can move forward and backward along the direction of the groove; and driving means, for driving the carrying member forward and backward at a higher speed when moving backward than when moving forward. The speed of the carrying member when moving forward is a speed at which a predetermined sustained frictional force acts between the carrying member and the components, which are mounted on the top face of the carrying member; and the speed of the carrying member when moving backward is a speed at which the frictional force between the carrying member and the components mounted on its top face, substantially breaks, so that the components are carried forward by the difference in frictional force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a longitudinal conveyor for conveying electronic components (5) in bar stock magazines (2) along a conveying line (1) by means of a slide (3), which is inserted into the magazine and which is driven by a linear motor with stationary electromagnets (4) and with a permanent magnet placed on the slide. According to the invention, it is not necessary to transfer the components out of customary extruded magazines and into special conveying magazines.

Abstract: A pultruded slat for a reciprocating slat conveyor system comprises a slat body including a top portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion, the first and second side portions depending downwardly from opposite lengthwise sides of the top portion; wherein the first side portion and second side portion each include projections extending toward an opposing side portion, wherein the top portion of the slat body comprises a plurality of closed cells, and wherein a bottom of the top portion, the first side portion, the second side portion, and the projections comprise an open cell.

Abstract: A differential motion conveyor drive includes at least three pairs of drive shafts carrying eccentric weights that are selected to correspond to the terms of a Fourier series in order to achieve optimal conveying speed and efficiency. To approximate the Fourier series terms, in one preferred embodiment, each of the first pair of shafts carries a weight and rotates at a predetermined operating speed &ohgr;. Each of the second pair of shafts carries a smaller weight and rotates at an operating speed 2&ohgr;, and each of the third pair of shafts carries an even smaller weight and rotates at an operating speed 3&ohgr;. An appropriate weight distribution results in a differential motion conveyor drive that consistently produces a higher conveying speed compared to that produced by a prior art drive throughout a range of operating speeds.

Abstract: A parts feeder for a robot has a selection zone accessible to the robot, a device for changing the orientation and/or the position of the parts stochastically, and a device with a parts recirculation element for recirculating the parts. The device for changing the orientation and/or the position of the parts stochastically is a vibrating platform constructed at the same time as a selection zone vibrating platform can be brought relative to each other into two different positions in such a way that in the first position the vibrating platform can be brought relative to each other into two different positions in such a way that in the first position the vibrating platform can be loaded with parts from the parts recirculation element and in the second position the parts which fall down from the vibrating platform can be collected by the parts recirculation element.

Abstract: The article conveyor employs two cams of different configuration. One cam imparts oscillatory motion to an output shaft; whereas the other cam imparts a reciprocating motion. The article conveyor moves in a conveying direction from a first position to a second position and back to the first position. Motion is such that the time taken to move from the first position to the second position is longer than the time taken to move from the second position back to the first position.

Abstract: Bolt fasteners extend through a bottom wall (38) in longitudinal guide beams (14), to secure the guide beams (14) to transverse frame members (70, 72). The guide beams (14) include sidewalls (40, 42) which extend upwardly from the bottom wall (30) to laterally outwardly extending top flanges (44, 46). The bolts may be installed from above by use of a tool that is inserted into the space between the sidewalls (40, 42). After the guide beams (14) are secured to the frame members (70, 72), bearing/seal members (48) are friction-fitted onto the tops of the support beams (14). Conveyor slats are installed in the spaces between the support beams (14). The conveyor slats (10) include side portions (20, 22) which extend laterally outwardly into positions above the bearing/seal members (48). The side members (20, 22) include downwardly extending beads B which contact the upper surfaces (62) of the bearing/seal members (48).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lift-table flatcar conveyor for transferring a roll (3) or, respectively, group of rolls of cardboard, cellulose or paper from a first station to a second station, the lift-table flatcar conveyor comprising a rail (2) arranged between the first station and the second station and, arranged back-and-forth movable along the rail (2) between the first station and the second station, a flatcar (1) onto which the roll (3) or, respectively, a group of rolls is movable. During the transfer operation, the roll (3) or, respectively, the group of rolls moved onto said flatcar (1) is supported by support means (4) that are adapted rotatable for the duration of the return travel of the flatcar (1) from the second station to the first station into a home position, wherein the support means (4) can pass rolls (3) waiting on the stations without making a physical contact with the rolls.

Abstract: A self-clearing article-transfer plate for a conveyor system. The plate is disposed between an upstream article feeder, such as a conveyor belt supplying a stream of conveyed articles, and a downstream article receiver, such as a takeaway belt or an accumulation table. The plate may have a tapered edge or a fingered edge at a first end for receiving articles from the article feeder. Backpressure from the stream of articles pushes the articles onto, across, and off a second opposite end of the plate onto the article receiver. When the stream of articles stops or is interrupted, the last articles in the stream are urged along the plate from the first end to the second end by vibrations from a vibrator affixed to a support for the plate. In this way, articles are cleared from the plate, without being stranded, even in the absence of backpressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear stage with a seal band, including a dustproof belt, wherein the dustproof belt is made of high-molecular material, so that the loss value of the power of the movement seat of the linear stage may be reduced. In addition, the roller set is designed as the guide device, so that the contact resistance may be reduced, thereby increasing the working efficiency and the exactness of the linear stage.

Abstract: There is provided an article conveyor device which may effectively convey an article by a cam drive. The article conveyor device comprises a reciprocating portion which reciprocates by being driven by a cam, and an article conveyor portion for conveying an article, having an inclination of a predetermined angle in respect to a reciprocating direction of the reciprocating portion in a vertical plane, and cooperating with the reciprocating portion; and conveys an article along the article conveyor portion by the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating portion.

Abstract: The driving mechanism has a drive shaft which rotates a driving block. A cam is mounted for rotation to the driving block and is received in a slot of a follower. As the cam rotates, it rolls backwards and forwards in the slot and causes the follower to rotate. A connecting rod is affixed to the follower and is rotated by it. The connecting rod rotates about an axis parallel to, but offset from, the axis about which the drive shaft rotates. The rate of rotation of the drive shaft is unvarying whereas the connecting rod rotates at a varying rate. A crank is affixed to the connecting rod and imparts reciprocating motion to the tray. A link can be substituted for the cam.

Abstract: In a vibratory conveyor which includes a trough for transporting objects, an exciting mechanism for vibrating the trough in a horizontal direction and a supporting mechanism for supporting the trough so as to be vibratile in the horizontal direction, the exciting mechanism is a linear motor, one of the primary and secondary sides of the linear motor is fixed to the trough and the other is facing to the one side with a predetermined gap and so arranged as to be vibratile relative to the one side.

Abstract: A carrier (4) with articles (2) provided thereon is moved quickly toward a package (3) and is slowed down at the package (3) such that by utilizing the articles (2) kinetic energy, they slide off the carrier (4) and move into the package (3). The carrier (4) can thus be returned to an article receiving position during the feed-in process for the articles (2) in order to receive new articles (2), which can be, for example filled tubular bags.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor (10, 10A) for moving goods along a tray (12, 12A) in a forward direction at a first speed and in a rearward direction at a second speed greater than the first speed. A reversible servomotor (14, 14A) may be provided for powering a drive mechanism between the motor shaft (16, 16A) and the tray (12, 12A). The drive mechanism may utilize a rack and pinion assembly (30). An electronic controller (68) may control the rotational speed of motor (14) and reverse the direction of motor rotation. Another embodiment may utilize a drive mechanism including a pair of timing belts (79A, 85A) with ends (83A, 89A) secured to respective links (35A, 48A). A further embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 utilizes a cable and sheave system having a pair of cables (43B, 59B) operatively connected to a reversible motor (14B) for moving the tray (12B) in forward and rearward directions.

Abstract: A shuttle for transferring cargo between a storage area and a manufacturing area has a cargo platform for receiving the cargo along a horizontal transfer path. The shuttle has two telescoping tables, the first controlled by a single servomotor drive mechanism, while the second table is a slave to the first table. When the drive mechanism powered by the servomotor extends the first table, a second passive drive mechanism extends the second table from the first table an equal amount in the same direction. The tables are reversible, and can extend in either longitudinal direction of the shuttle in order to retrieve or replace cargo onto shelves located on either side of the shuttle. Sensors on the shuttle sense the presence of cargo on a shelf, the position of the cargo on the cargo platform, and the location of the tables relative to the shuttle base.

Abstract: A component carrying device has a simple constitution, and is capable of lining up components and carrying them in one direction with high reliability. The device comprises a guide groove for lining up components into one line and guiding them; a carrying member, provided on the bottom face of the guide groove, which can move forward and backward along the direction of the groove; and driving means, for driving the carrying member forward and backward at a higher speed when moving backward than when moving forward. The speed of the carrying member when moving forward is a speed at which a predetermined sustained frictional force acts between the carrying member and the components, which are mounted on the top face of the carrying member; and the speed of the carrying member when moving backward is a speed at which the frictional force between the carrying member and the components mounted on its top face, substantially breaks, so that the components are carried forward by the difference in frictional force.

Abstract: Disclosed is a free link system comprising a drive assembly mounted along an imaginary longitudinal center line of a rectangular base, the drive assembly including two identical units provided on opposing ends of the base; a main platform that is raised and lowered by operation of the drive assembly; and a guide frame mounted to the base extending perpendicularly to the same, the guide frame being provided on one long end of the base and acting to guide the movement of the main platform.

Abstract: A transport and position system, particularly for the workpiece transfer, has a lever mechanism between its driving motors and its output to carry out a step-up. The lever mechanism takes over the guiding as well as the driving of the carrier device which therefore forms the output of the lever mechanism. As a result of the step-up, high accelerations and decelerations can be achieved at the carrier device. Thereby, the mass inertia of linear guides for the bearing of levers and mass inertias of drives moved along play a substantially reduced role. While a high positioning precision can be achieved.

Abstract: A discharge gate mechanism or structure for proportioning a volume of goods between two flow streams. The gate discharge structure includes a one-piece tube 22 having a gate discharge opening 92 therein. A feed trough 20 is connected to tube 22 for reciprocal simultaneous movement with tube 22 for moving the goods along trough 20 and tube 22. A motor 86 is effective to rotate tube 22 and opening 92 therein relative to feed trough 20 to position discharge opening 92 at a desired location for controlling the discharge of goods between two flow streams.

Abstract: A transfer system, particularly for the transfer of workpieces in multi-station presses (1), consists of several transfer modules (14 to 19), which each have a workpiece holding device (28) which is carried by at least one lever mechanism (23). Each lever mechanism transmits the adjusting movement of two mutually independent drives (39, 44) to the workpiece holding device (28). One of the drives (39, 44) is disposed in a stationary manner, and the other is moved by the drive disposed in a stationary manner. This basic principle opens up many design possibilities.

Abstract: A positioning system (31, 32, 33, 34 35, 36), particularly for transporting and positioning workpieces, has a drive and force generating transmission device (47) by means of which a carrier device (41) can be moved and positioned. At least one force generating device (70) is connected to the drive and force transmission device (47), which force generating device (70) feeds into the drive and transmission system of the drive and force transmission device (47), an additional force used for compensating the weight of the drive and force transmission device and its moved parts and possibly of a workpiece, to the extent that this force manifests itself at the drives of the drive and force transmission device (47).

Abstract: A method for conveying silicon fragments has the silicon fragments being conveyed over a conveyor surface, which is made from hyperpure silicon. There is a vibrating conveyor, and during the conveying, the sharp edges of the silicon fragments are rounded and mechanical-physical decontamination takes place. The vibrating conveyor has a conveyor surface which is made from hyperpure silicon. A second vibrating conveyor unit has a conveyor surface which is made from hyperpure silicon and has passage openings therethrough.

Abstract: A vibrating conveyor has a conveying plate (6) which carries objects to be conveyed. The conveying plate (6) is movable back and forth between a first and a second end position by a cam wheel (7) and a pressure spring (8). The cam wheel (7) has on its periphery at least one cam (18) with a cam surface (19) which has a distance to the center of the cam wheel (7) that increases continuously in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the cam wheel (7), and which is terminated abruptly with a substantially radially directed cam surface portion. The pressure spring (8) is arranged to be contracted during the displacement of the conveying plate (6) to the first end position, and then displaces the conveying element to the second end position.

Abstract: Device for loading packages into a cargo hold (3) particularly of an aircraft, wherein loading is effected through a conveyor (4) including a plurality of transport paths (41-43). This conveyor is progressively loaded with packages and moved into the rear area of the cargo hold (3). In order to absorb the longitudinal peak forces possibly occurring particularly during loading and unloading, longitudinal beams (7 and 8) are provided which are mounted on the floor side and support the deflection means (6) against the fixedly mounted drive means (5). Hereby the occurring longitudinal forces may effectively be absorbed within the loading system without the aircraft fuselage (1) being weakened through additional holding means in particular in the side wall area, or even damage being caused to the hull of the aircraft.

Abstract: A system for cleaning the floor of a self-unloading trailer of residual particulate material comprises in combination with moving slats of a typical self-unloading trailer three rails each fashioned to be attached to the top of a slat, and a wedge-shaped sweeper having skates on a lower portion to ride along said rails. The sweeper rides along the rails by means of skate assemblies having pawls which may ratcheting along teeth formed in the rails as the sweeper moves rearwardly in the trailer. A control system sends signals to a motor contained within the sweeper to engage and disengage the pawls, and to a winch to draw the sweeper back to a starting position following operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequential loading, by means of a pusher, of bars in a rotating spindle of a machine tool, this loading apparatus comprising a device for alignment of an end of each loaded bar, on the axis of the spindle of the machine tool, the said alignment device itself comprising jaws which, having bearing surfaces able to define a cylindrical support around the bar, are supported by a mechanism allowing their counter-displacements, wherein said mechanism for displacement of the jaws of the apparatus includes:

Abstract: A component carrying device has a simple constitution, and is capable of lining up components and carrying them in one direction with high reliability. The device comprises a guide groove for lining up components into one line and guiding them; a carrying member, provided on the bottom face of the guide groove, which can move forward and backward along the direction of the groove; and driving means, for driving the carrying member forward and backward at a higher speed when moving backward than when moving forward. The speed of the carrying member when moving forward is a speed at which a predetermined sustained frictional force acts between the carrying member and the components, which are mounted on the top face of the carrying member; and the speed of the carrying member when moving backward is a speed at which the frictional force between the carrying member and the components mounted on its top face, substantially breaks, so that the components are carried forward by the difference in frictional force.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor apparatus is described and which includes a conveyor bed, a frame mounted on the conveyor bed and which facilitates the reciprocal motion of the conveyor bed, and a drive assembly borne by the conveyor bed and which imparts reciprocal motion to same. The vibratory drive causes the conveyor bed to reciprocate at different velocities.

Abstract: A part transporting apparatus comprises: a guiding groove for lining up parts in one row and guiding the parts; a transporting member which is provided at the base of the guiding groove and transports the parts in a forward direction by itself moving forwards and backwards along the groove; and a driving means for reciprocally driving the transporting member in the forward and backward directions; wherein the transporting member is advanced slowly and retracted rapidly, so as to transport the parts forwards.

Abstract: A plurality of adjacent open-ended flat timing belts each has parallel spaced teeth, and opposite end portions of each belt are connected to a shuttle or carriage platform by corresponding relatively adjustable clamping blocks and plates having teeth engaging the teeth on the belts. The belts extend around a common drive sprocket having engaging teeth and formed as part of a drive shaft connected to a multiple speed drive having reversible electric motors and oil-shear clutch and brake discs. The belts also extend around a tail shaft having corresponding tail sprockets with teeth, and adjacent tail sprockets are free to rotate relative to each other. One of the clamping blocks for each belt is adjusted relative to the platform and the other clamping block for the belt to obtain the same tension in all belts so that each belt may be operated at its full rated capacity.

Abstract: A part transfer apparatus includes a guide groove for aligning and guiding parts, a blade placed at the bottom of the guide groove so as to move forward and backward in the direction of the groove, and a driving device for reciprocally driving the blade so that the speed of backward movement of the blade is higher than the speed of forward movement. The part transfer apparatus conveys the parts forward by using the difference in frictional force. The driving device includes a cam, and a cam lever having a cam follower in contact with the peripheral surface of the cam. The rear end of the blade is in contact with the front side of the cam lever. Since the rotational motion of the cam is converted into the pivotal motion of the cam lever, and further into the reciprocating motion of the blade, vertical force hardly acts on the blade, and vertical vibration of the blade is inhibited.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus (1) for use in a shelf channel of rack storage facilities. The conveying apparatus (1) comprises circulating conveying means (2) for conveying and storing goods. The conveying means (2) is an endless loop formed partially by a roller chain (3) and partially by a tape (4). The roller chain (3) includes a plurality of chain links. Adjacent chain links are interconnected by an axes of a roller. The plurality of interconnected chain links includes two end links (31, 32). The end links (31, 32) are interconnected by the tape (4). A rail (10) extends linearly and supports a portion of said endless loop. The rail (10) has a loading/unloading end where the goods are loaded onto said conveying means (2) and unloaded from said conveying means (2). The rail (10) includes a first and a second deflection member (5, 6). The first deflection member (5) is located in a region of the loading/unloading end and the second deflection member (6) is located in a region remote from the loading/unloading end.

Abstract: A chain conveyor comprises a roller chain (6) [should read “8”] and a supporting rail (5) for vertically supporting the roller chain (6) [should read “8”]. The roller chain (6) [should read “8”] consists of a plurality of supporting rollers (3) that are interconnected by means of chain links (1). The chain links are of U-shaped design inasmuch as they comprise two legs (11, 12) and a base portion (10) located there between. The mean length (L) of the base portion (10) corresponds at least approximately to the distance (A) of the axes of two adjacent supporting rollers (3). The front faces of adjacent base portions of adjacent chain links are correspondingly designed and act as stops, inasmuch as they limit the mutual rotating movement of adjacent chain links, exceeding a predetermined angle, in such a way that the roller chain can transmit thrust forces.

Abstract: The rotary conveyor of the present invention has a simple structure and is capable of preventing an electric cable and an air tube from twisting and cutting. In the rotary conveyor, a rotating section can rotate in the both directions. A number N (an integer three or more) of movable stations are provided to the rotating section with regular angular separations (an angle &thgr;1). The movable stations respectively machine work pieces. The number N of fixed stations are provided on the base section and located at positions corresponding on the movable stations. The fixed stations respectively machine the work pieces with the movable stations. The rotating section is intermittently turned the angle &thgr;1 a prescribed number (N−1) of times, in one direction, from an initial position of the rotating section, then the rotating section is continuously turned, in the other direction, until reaching the initial position.

Abstract: A conveyorized apparatus for performing work operations on one or more layers of sheet-type work material includes a frame having at least three flexible drive members coupled thereto for movement in a direction longitudinal of the frame. A plurality of slats are also provided, each extending transversely across the frame and positioned consecutively relative to one another. Each slat defines an upper surface, and a lower surface attached for movement to the flexible drive members. The upper surfaces of the plurality of slats, collectively define a supported adapted to carry the layers of work material thereon, during the performance of the work operations. The flexible advancing members and the slats are driven by a suitable drive, such as a motor.