Abstract: A conveyor on which a casting mould consisting of closely juxtaposed mould parts is advanced stepwise, comprises a section formed by an endless flexible belt. Extending along the side edges of this belt are reciprocating coupling parts which during at least part of their forward stroke are firmly clamped to the edge portions of the belt, from which they are released during their return stroke. In this way elastic extensions and retractions of the flexible belt are excluded.

Abstract: Continuous, elongated material is fed lengthwise in steps by clamping devices of which one is stationary on supporting structure, the other is reciprocated. Each device includes clamping jaws backed by a fluid-operated jack and return springs in such a manner that the stationary jack is spring-biased toward the clamping position, and the reciprocating jack is spring-biased toward the material-releasing position, both jacks being operated intermittently, against the restraint of the return springs by the simultaneously supplied pressure fluid. The return spring in the reciprocating jack is weaker than that in the stationary jack. The springs may be replaced by equivalent pneumatic devices.

Abstract: An improved control system for a dual slide type stock feeder for punch presses and the like, said control system being adapted to cause the feeder to execute two serial feed strokes in response to each cyclic operation of the punch press. The control system comprises a control plunger which is responsive to the movement of the press ram and which is adapted to actuate a fluid control circuit that causes one of said feed slides to execute a feed stroke and then causes the other feed slide to execute a feed stroke; there being two serial stock feed strokes produced for each cyclic operation of said control plunger. The feed slides may be controlled so as to operate in a substantially 180 degree mutual phase relation, or each may automatically complete an index stroke immediately after completing a feed stroke so that both of said feed slides are normally disposed in indexed positions.

Abstract: Means are provided for accurate incremental feeding of web material from a supply to a work station by a combination of intermittent drive means for advancing the web and electrically controlled magnetic brake means for clamping and stopping the web after a desired increment thereof has been fed from the supply to the work station. In one embodiment the intermittent drive means comprises a second magnetic brake means reciprocated through advance and retraction strokes of predetermined length which is actuated and deactuated in phase opposition with the first brake means to effect the incremental advance of the web. In another the embodiment intermittent drive means is comprised of sequential feed rolls which nip the web material over a predetermined circumferential extent of the rolls to effect a given incremental advance.

Abstract: An improved pneumatic feeder for a punch press or the like wherein the operation of the feeder is adapted to be slaved in a semi-automatic manner to the operation of the punch press. The feeder is provided with a stock advancing feed slide and a control valve therefor whereby the stock advancing slide is normally positioned in a rearward or indexed position, and is adapted, when the feeder is triggered in response to the operation of the press, to execute a feed stroke and immediately thereafter automatically execute a non-feed stroke so as to return to said normal indexed position where it will remain until said feeder is again triggered in response to the next operation of said press.

Abstract: An apparatus having a table defining a work surface, and a carriage mounted for movement over the work surface in one direction includes a device for precisely indexing a strip of sheet material in the same direction so that various sections of the strip can be operated upon by an instrument mounted on the carriage. The indexing device comprises a bar that is parked at one edge of the work surface while the instrument and carriage are working on one section of the sheet material. The bar is subsequently attached to the carriage above the sheet material for an indexing operation. A plurality of magnets are mounted in the bar and cooperate with a clamping plate placed under the bar and the sheet material to clamp the sheet material between the plate and the bar during an indexing operation. After the indexing operation, the clamping plate and bar are returned to the parking position at one edge of the work surface and the bar is detached from the instrument carriage.

Abstract: A torquer/thruster with a hydrostatically actuated chuck assembly configured to drivingly engage a flexible roofdrill for applying rotational torque and longitudinal thrust to the roofdrill shaft. The chuck assembly is mounted within a rotatable and longitudinally movable piston assembly, the chuck and piston assemblies fixed against relative movement with respect to one another. The piston assembly is mounted within a rotating barrel assembly, the piston and barrel assemblies being fixed against relative rotational movement and being constrained for limited longitudinal movement with respect to one another.

Abstract: Apparatus for pulling elongated workpieces and which apparatus includes a pair of reciprocating clamping devices disposed in a side-by-side relationship and movable in towing and return directions. Elongated rotatable drive shafts extending parallel to the pulling and return directions include helical pulling and return drive paths. Drive path followers on each clamping device switch between the pulling drive path and return drive path for reciprocating the clamping devices.

Abstract: A pneumatic stock feeder for punch presses and the like, said feeder having an improved fluid actuating and control system. The feeder is provided with a stock gripping fluid motor means and a feed slide actuating fluid motor means; which fluid motor means are adapted to be controlled by an improved four-way slide valve arrangement. The slide valve includes a flat plate surface on which is disposed a recesses valve cup or pad that is laterally translatable between two operative valving positions. The recesses valve cup has a flat valving surface formed thereon that slidably engages said flat plate surface and valvingly cooperates with at least three ports formed in said flat plate surface so as to thereby control the operation of said fluid motor means. A control plunger and an associated coupling means are adapted to laterally shift said valve pad between its two operative positions in response to the movement of the ram of said punch press.

Abstract: A plotting apparatus has an automatically controlled carriage assembly for precisely controlling movement of a plotting instrument relative to an associated section of an elongated strip of plotting paper supported on a table which has a stationary low-friction work surface. A coupling mechanism mounted on the carriage assembly includes a friction shoe movable into frictional gripping engagement with the plotting paper to releasably couple the paper to the carriage to move with it and in sliding engagement with the stationary work surface whereby another section of the plotting paper may be moved into plotting position on the work surface when the plotting instrument is not operating.

Abstract: A self-contained dry wall taper has a hollow elongated body for holding mastic and supports a roll of tape with tape feeding means to deliver the tape to tape applying wheels that in turn apply it to cover a joint between two wall board sections.A piston is slidably mounted in the hollow body and is automatically moved by a mechanism actuated by the rotating wheels, as they are moved over the wall board surface, to force a layer of mastic onto the tape just prior to it being applied to the surface. Novel tape feeding and tape cutting means are actuated by a single sleeve which is moved forwardly on the hollow body to initially feed the tape into engagement with the tape applying wheels and is moved rearwardly to actuate the tape-cutting mechanism for cutting the tape.

Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of objects of sheet shape being removed from the output end of said machine by means of a taking-off device. Said device is connected with a feeding device for said objects. The feeding device is arranged to perform a reciprocating movement and the taking-off device is arranged to follow the same in its motion.

Abstract: A stock feeder particularly adopted for feeding narrow, prepunched strip, and featuring a positive locator/stock holder assembly. The stock feeder positively pilots and feeds the stock with more force, and is more compact and less expensive to build, than comparable feeders. Operation is entirely pneumatic. Holding pilots and feed pilots assure positive and accurate feeding.

Abstract: The apparatus includes two clamping devices mounted for vertical reciprocation one above the other, and having registering central apertures through which a flexible tube is adapted to be advanced. Each clamp contains a flexible sleeve disposed to surround the tube and selectively to be pressed into gripping engagement with it by means of a fluid pressure medium. This medium is also used to reciprocate the clamps alternately toward and away from each other, with only one clamp at a time being actuated so that the tube is advanced (e.g. fed upwardly) first by one and the other of the clamps.

Abstract: A high speed dual-slide type pneumatic feeder for intermittently advancing strip stock into the work station of a punch press or the like characterized by a novel asynchronous type fluid control system which includes a rotary control valve that is intermittently stepped to a plurality of predetermined operative angular positions by means of a ratchet mechanism that is adapted to be operated in response to the ram motion of the punch press. The feeder is also characterized by an improved, compact, flexible and more efficient structural arrangement, and by a novel stock grip releasing system and valving arrangement therefor that automatically causes the stock to be released immediately after completion of each feed stroke of the feeder.

Abstract: A paper feeding mechanism for selectively advancing paper a predetermined distance past a printing station of an electronic business machine. The paper feeding mechanism is adapted to utilize a supply of fan folded paper, e.g., housed in a disposable cartridge, which may be readily inserted within the paper feeding mechanism to place the electronic business machine in readiness for operation. During the printing cycle, a contact mechanism maintains a portion of the paper in contact with the printing station of the electronic business machine. After the printing occurs, an actuation mechanism is energized to move the contact mechanism away from the printing station to free the paper for advancement. At the same time, the actuation mechanism moves an advancement mechanism to advance the paper a predetermined distance past the printing station of the electronic business machine.

Abstract: A device for cutting lengths of tubing from a longer tube utilizes an external pair of cutting dies and an internal pair of punches. An eccentric relative motion ("shimmy") of the cutting dies results in the desired cutting of the tube. The punches are inserted into the tube from the end of the tube from which the length of tubing is to be cut. A restraining arrangement prevents the punches from moving farther along the tube than is desired, while a punch positioning mechanism prevents movement of the punches toward the open end of the tube. Thus, the internal punches are accurately positioned with respect to the external cutting dies. A centering arrangement is utilized to insure coaxiality of the punches.

Abstract: A pipe snubbing apparatus and method which may utilize either the draw works of a conventional rig or a pump to provide power for raising the movable gripping assembly.The movable gripper is moved downwardly by stored power, such as pressure stored in an accumulator. The rate of movement of the movable gripping assembly may be controlled by controlling flow of fluid to and from a piston and cylinder assembly associated with the movable gripping assembly.

Abstract: A cassette for a printer for supplying mobius loop ink ribbon to the print head which includes a means for inking the ribbon as it is returned to the cassette and a means for storing the ribbon by randomly stuffing the ribbon in convolutions therein. The cassette also includes a driving means located between the inking means and the storage means for storing the ribbon through the cassette as the print head traverses the record media. In the embodiment disclosed, this driving means includes a one-way clutch actuatable by means carried by the print head. An important aspect resides in the intallation of the cassette in the printer in that there is no direct interengaging of the driving means with the printer so that the position of the print head at the time of installation of the cassette is immaterial. The disclosure also includes new and improved pulley guides for the ribbon as it is being transported to and from the cassette.

Abstract: A printed circuit board support as such board is moved through processing operations and including a defined path having guide ways receiving side portions of a carrier for a board being processed and a plurality of fibrous members such as rotatable brushes with the bristles of a stiffness engaging the board to support same at a desired level during processing such as cutting of depending leads to a final length.

Abstract: A sealing device for hot fluid curing units comprising a pair of telescopically slidable tubular bodies provided with means for originating a relative movement of said bodies with respect to each other and to the curing unit, the material travelling in said unit passing through said tubular bodies.Each tubular body incorporates an expansible and collapsible ring ensuring tightness between the tubular body and the material to be treated, so that a continuous movement of the material travelling in the curing unit can be obtained.

Abstract: An improved fluid-operated dispensing apparatus for use in receiving, processing, and applying rods of hot-melt adhesive. Important characteristics of the apparatus include an air-cooling means adapted to operate when the dispensing function is not being operated, and a means for gripping the adhesive rod to assure a uniform advance through the apparatus to the heating zone. Moreover, the use of a drive piston assembly, which is annular with respect to the rod being processed, enables the manufacture of an unusually compact tool.

Abstract: A reciprocating sheet feeder for feeding sheet material into a press, such as a deep draw cupping press. The sheet feeder comprises a rocking or pivoting framework that has gripper means thereon for gripping the edges of the sheet to be fed and when the frame is rocked about its pivot axis, moving a length of the sheet into the press and then releasing the sheet prior to a return stroke for the rocking feeder.The grips of the rocking feeder thus reciprocate during use. The feeder is used in combination with edge guides that are positioned ahead of the grips with respect to the direction of movement of the sheet so that the sheet is primarily guided while under tension. The pivoting frame is made so that it does not have substantial strength in torsion or in lateral directions of the sheet, so that the sheet essentially guides the frame during the feeding stroke to avoid buckling or misguiding the sheet. The framework does have rigidity needed for moving the sheet in its longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A device for dispensing and applying stickers by intermittently engaging and advancing a continuous strip carrying said stickers along a path having an abrupt change of direction which causes the stickers to separate from the strip. A mobile clamp intermittently engages the strip and travels a reciprocal path for incrementally advancing the continuous strip to dispense a sticker.

Abstract: Apparatus wherein sheet material is longitudinally step-advanced by alternately being gripped and released in a guide path by a reciprocative gripper, and alternately released and gripped in a gripping station, the sheet material being restrained against buckling from the guide path by guide means adjacent to both of opposite faces of the sheet material, and the guide means enabling the reciprocative gripper gripping the sheet material in the guide path to be operated for effecting a forward feeding stroke having the sheet material released in the gripping station, and subsequently a backward stroke, throughout which latter stroke the reciprocative gripper is in a released condition with reference to the sheet material and the latter is gripped in the gripping station.

Abstract: An improved loader mechanism is used with a machine tool having a chuck which is operated between opened and closed conditions and a bar feed mechanism having a feed gripper which is also opened and closed. The loader mechanism is operable to transfer one piece of bar stock at a time from an intermediate station to a loading station while simultaneously transferring another piece of bar stock from a magazine to the intermediate station. After a piece of bar stock has been moved to the loading station, the piece of bar stock is registered relative to the feed gripper and chuck by activating a compensating cylinder to press the leading end of the piece of bar stock against a stop member. When the stop member has been moved out of the way of the registered piece of bar stock, a main cylinder is activated to push the registered piece of bar stock into the open feed gripper and chuck.