Abstract: An improved vehicle for working in a forest, of the type comprising a pusher blade movable up and down. This vehicle is improved in that it further comprises a tree gripping unit mounted laterally of the blade at one end thereof, in a position to pick up a tree lying on the ground. An actuator is provided for actuating the tree gripping unit from the cabin of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for lifting and handling objects, including cylindrical objects includes a lifting arm having a substantially vertical clamp portion and a substantially horizontal actuating portion provided with a lifting hook, a yoke having a substantially vertical clamp portion having ends and a substantially horizontal portion, the clamp portion of the lifting arm being, between its ends, pivotally connected to a free end of the substantially horizontal portion of the yoke, clamping jaws mounted on the clamp portions of the lifting arm and the yoke for engagement with diametrically opposite sides of an object to be lifted, a locking mechanism for releasably locking the lifting arm to the yoke in open position and a device for releasing the locking mechanism in downward swinging movement of the actuating portion of the lifting arm to allow the closing of the clamping jaws in order to grip the object to be lifted, the lifting hook being arranged for free movement in a slot provided in the actuating portion of the l

Abstract: A carrier for lifting and transporting a log. The carrier includes a wheeled frame, a hook, and a load stabilizer. The hook has, at one end, a hinged attachment to the frame, and, at the other end, both a point for gripping one side of the log and a point for prodding logs into position. The load stabilizer is movably attached to the frame. After a log is initially gripped between the hook and the frame, the stabilizer is moved into a position in which the stabilizer applies a force to the log to hold the log against the hook and thereby prevent the hook from losing its grip on the log.

Abstract: A robotic hand is provided with an array of movable spring loaded fingers and an assembly opposed to the fingers. An object to be grasped by the hand is pushed by the assembly toward and into contact with the fingers. An electrical signal is produced when each finger is contacted by the object. The time intervals between various finger contacts are measured and used to calculate the distance that the object moved during those intervals. These distances provide information about the shape of the object which can be used to differentiate between objects of various shapes.

Abstract: A device for changing tools, pick-ups, welding torches, and other implements that can be handled by industrial robots. It consists of an upper and lower part. In order to obtain optimal cost effectiveness a linear drive mechanism guides a hook-shaped structure in the upper part along a guide in such a way that the structure initially carries out a curved motion essentially perpendicular to the linear closing or opening motion during the closure process. The curved motion is appropriate for making the bottom of the device engage an associated implement even when the latter is stored in an imprecise position. The structure then carries out a strictly linear motion during which the upper part and lower part are exactly aligned by guides integrated into the device and by guide bevels even in the presence of counteracting forces. A motion that can be made as precise as desired can be executed to obtain a closed and mechanically prescribable final position.

Abstract: A pick up device having a shank with a handle on one end and a jaw assembly on the other. The jaw assembly includes a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, the movable jaw having a pair of jaw operating arms that can be moved to open and close the jaw member. A spring is connected to one jaw operating arm and a link is connected to the other jaw operating arm, and the two are interchangeable so the jaw can be normally open or normally closed. The link is operated from the handle. In one form of the invention, the shank can telescope, and the operating is through a cable that can be extended.

Abstract: Apparatus for clamping and transferring to another location stacks of bags or other products of varying sizes. The apparatus preferably includes sets of clamping jaws for grasping the stacks of bags. The jaws are designed for movement in more than one direction in substantially the same plane so that mechanisms for delivering and receiving bags can be used even if the bags from one stack vary in size from that in the next stack. Each set of clamping jaws supports as well as clamps each stack of bags, a lower support jaw being extended to a sufficient length to provide such support. The device can also accommodate bags or other products of varying wall thicknesses.

Abstract: Apparatus for lifting and/or handling objects, preferably cylindrical objects such as pipe or the like. A first object engaging element has a first pair of arms pivotally secured to opposite sides of same. A second pair of arms are pivotally associated with said first pair of arms. A second object engaging element is pivotally secured between said second pair of arms intermediate the length of same for disposition on a side of said object opposite the first engagement element. A third object engagement is pivotally secured between said second pair of arms for disposition on a side of said object opposite said second object engagement element. An elongated lifting element is secured to the first object engaging element, and when lifting force is applied thereto, the first, second, and third engagement elements are brought into gripping engagement with the object. An elongated releasing element may also be associated with the object engagement elements for avoiding gripping engagement when desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically mounting an electronic circuit element on a printed circuit board which is capable of dealing with an electronic circuit element having two lead wires of the large interval, that having two lead wires of the small interval, and that having three lead wires. The apparatus includes a mechanism for holding and transferring an electronic circuit element to a printed circuit board which comprises a fixed pawl formed with a central recess and a pair of side steps, and a pair of movable pawls openable with respect to the fixed pawl wherein the movable pawls are adapted to be in cooperation with the fixed pawl to securely interpose lead wires of an electronic circuit element positioned in the central recess and one of the side steps between one of the movable pawls and the fixed pawl.

Abstract: Apparatus for attachment to a boom of a backhoe or other mobile material handling machine, having a stick member pivotally attached to the boom, a first jaw and shear pivotally attached to the distal end of the stick member, and a second jaw and shear pivotally attached to the first jaw and shear, so that power actuation of one jaw causes opening and closing of the jaws and permits interleaved jaw engagement and shearing action between the jaws near the closure position. A heavy duty shear for a backhoe including a lower jaw having a shear blade and a guide blade lying along each other and tied together at their outer ends, an upper jaw defining a shear blade and having a wear plate or guide to engage and slide along the guide blade of the lower jaw, the guide blade of the lower jaw having is edge recessed below the level of the cutting edge of the shear blade of the lower jaw.

Abstract: An oil well drilling rig assembly having a main drilling mast which receives and installs sections of drill pipe. A pipe supply mast is pivotally mounted in a spaced relationship from the base of the main mast to provide a safe catwalk area therebetween. The supply mast is movable between a horizontal position for transferring pipe sections between an adjacent pipe supply rack and a vertical position adjacent the main mast for transferring a section of pipe therebetween. The supply mast is raised and lowered by hydraulic cylinders and is telescopically adjustable to various lengths. A combination shock absorbing bumper and alignment arrangement is provided between the mast drill mast and the pipe clamps on the supply mast. The supply mast is provided with a plurality of pipe clamps for releasably clamping a section of pipe on the supply mast. The clamps are provided with adjustable jaws which maintain the axial centerline for clamped pipes of various diameters.

Abstract: A curb lifting device including a frame adapted to be positioned over the top of a curb. The frame includes a fixed jaw as well as a movable jaw, the movable jaw being supported at the bottom of a pivotally mounted support. The first and second supports are provided with lever pairs which are upwardly pivotably movable at a center connection by means of a longitudinally extending shaft to which actuation means normally in the form of an upwardly movable cable is attached. The frame is initially positioned in its open position over the curb and thereafter upward force exerted upon the lever pairs centrally thereof so as to force the second support and its jaw into grasping contact with the opposite side of the curb.

Abstract: The invention is a flexible gripper for industrial robots and the like through the use of articulated ball joint linkages and an industrial brake. The gripper can orient itself to an object and adapt to irregular surfaces while engaging the object. In other words, the gripper matches the orientation of the grasped part. With the object so engaged, the gripper is locked rigidly so that the orientation of the part is preserved as it is manipulated by the flexible gripper and its associated robot.

Abstract: In an animal skinning holder including a bracket adopted for securement to a supporting surface, a base plate incorporating wedge connecting device may removably support the bracket to the supporting surface. A pair of arms extend forwardly from the bracket, incorporating clamps at their forwardmost ends, and cooperate with ratchet jaws that are designed for binding, in a wedging fashion, if any animal leg inserted within the clamp in preparation for its skinning.

Abstract: An "F-shaped" rug puller is disclosed for pulling stacked carpets wound in convolute rolls. The "F-shaped" rug puller has a rigid "L-shaped" arm with the central member of the "F" being pivotally attached. The L-shaped member includes two arms rigidly joined at right angles. One arm has a carpet claw at one end extending downwardly and upon the upper and outer surface of the convolute carpet roll. Medially located to the other arm of the L is a pivoted arm with a pointed aperture which imparts to the rigid "L" member the "F" configuration. This pivoted arm penetrates to and into the convolutely wound carpet roll. At the extreme end of the rigid arm remote from the carpet claw, there is preferably mounted a clevice. Typically, a tensive device such as a rope, chain or cable is used to pull the puller. In operation, the device is inserted into the spirally wound carpet with the pivoted arm penetrating into the central portion of the spirally wound convolute carpet roll.

Abstract: A grapple attachment for log loader of a type in which a main frame comprises a pair of tines integrally joined to and extended forwardly from both lateral ends at the bottom thereof and a pair of clamp arms each pivoted on both lateral ends at the top thereof and driven vertically rotatably by a hydraulic cylinder and piston means, is improved according to this invention in that the main frame comprises a pair of support posts disposed on both lateral ends thereof and a beam assembly generally of an X-shaped configuration disposed between the support posts for connecting the same. The X-shaped beam may be of a hollow structure reinforced with web members such as lattice bars integrally secured to the inside of the hollow beam.

Abstract: Novel apparatus for removing concrete or blacktop paving and curbing and loading the same for hauling. The novel apparatus is adapted to be fitted onto a standard backhoe and operated off the hydraulic system. It is comprised of a rigid immobile member secured to the inboard surface of the forward arm of the backhoe and a blade attached to the lower extremity of said forward arm. The blade is oriented in the direction of the backhoe and adapted to be pivoted by operation of the said hydraulic system so as to clamp slabs of paving between the blade and the rigid stationary member for lifting and loading.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for individually transporting large sheets of stock which may have curled ends from a planar support surface such as a printing bed to another location, such as a delivery station. The present invention includes lifting members for positioning a leading end of each sheet at a predetermined elevation prior to engagement by a purality of grippers having upper and lower jaws which grip the end of the sheet to transport it. In the preferred embodiment, the lifting member comprises a plurality of pins mounted in the support surface which are driven upward to raise the leading end of the sheet.

Abstract: A game skinning rack comprising a generally rectangular board having notches formed in each upper corner thereof, cam means pivotally mounted in each of said notches for tightly gripping the extremities of an animal to be skinned with a pressure that increases with pull, and a fixed spool and a laterally shiftable spool movable between several spaced positions with respect to said fixed spool for snugly engaging and holding the neck of the animal to be skinned. A bracket for mounting the rack to a tree or post also is disclosed.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for successively receiving single newspapers being advanced by a conveyor loading device and advancing the same to a downstream location for additional processing. The apparatus includes an endless conveyor track having a conveyor chain that supports a multiplicity of pocket members in close proximity with the outer surface of the conveyor track and for movement about the extent of the track. The pocket members are equally spaced about the chain and each includes a pair of spaced spring biased arcuated fingers that are continually urged in a direction to engage and maintain a newspaper in a pocket when received from the loader. A cam controlled lever is operatively connected to the arcuated fingers and serves to control movement of the latter between positions for receiving and releasing a newspaper from a pocket and a position for maintaining one within a pocket.

Abstract: In an apparatus for feeding laundry articles to a mangle, with a spreading-out and conveying device for spreading out the laundry articles when hanging down freely and for feeding the laundry articles centrally to a belt-shaped feed conveyor conveying towards the mangle, wherein two corners of each laundry article are gripped in clamps which are arranged in pairs at a short distance from one another on the spreading-out and conveying device and which can be moved away from one another, the clamping jaws of each clamp are arranged at an angle to the vertical, and the clamping jaws of a pair of clamps are directed opposite to one another in such a manner as to form a roof shape. The clamping jaws of each clamp are also made self-clamping.

Abstract: A pair of belt clamps is used for tensioning a conveyor belt to join its ends. Each clamp comprises a channel member and a rectangular bar member sized to span the width of the belt. The channel member has parallel sidewalls and a center wall defining two channels sized to receive the narrow dimension of the bar member together with a thickness of the belt. Two pivotable links connect the ends of the bar member to the end of the center wall. The clamp is connected to a conventional haulage device via a rigid loop mounted on the bar member radially of the axis of rotation of such member about the connecting links. Pulling the loop lengthwise of the belt rotates the bar member into one of the channels to clamp the belt therein. The sidewall of the unused channel engages the underside of the belt to resist any tendency of the channel member to rotate.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping pipes and the like to the forks of a forklift truck. A flapper arm is pivotally attached to a frame member which straddles each fork of the truck. A clamp arm is pivotally attached to the opposite end of the flapper arm. A single piston extends between the frame member and clamp arm to cause the clamp arm to move between opened and closed positions.

Abstract: A non-marring lifting clamp for articles such as metal plates has a pair of opposed jaws mounted on opposite sides of a slot formed in the side plates of the clamp body with one of the jaws being pivotally mounted for opening and closing movements relative to the other jaw, and a lifting shackle being mounted for guided movement in the clamp body. A linkage assembly in the body couples the shackle to the pivotally mounted gripping jaw to urge the gripping jaw toward the other jaw when a lifting force is applied to the shackle. The linkage assembly includes a swing link connected to move the gripping jaw and a control link pivoted to the clamp body with a connecting mechanism coupling the control link both to the shackle and to the swing link.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for transferring a wood frame or the like from a first surface to a second surface. The apparatus includes a pivotably mounted frame assembly having a pair of projecting transfer arms. The transfer arms are provided with a clamping mechanism for clamping the wood frame therebetween at the first surface. It is transferred to the second surface by rotating the frame assembly about its pivot axis and then releasing the clamping mechanism when the frame is at or just above the second surface. The clamping mechanism includes at least one structure which is pivotably mounted to the end of one of the transfer arms and movable in the direction of the other of the two arms.

Abstract: A rotatable lever and an initially transversely disposed adjustable linkage echanism for attachment in predetermined relation to at least one movable work-performing arm and operable such that upon rotation of the lever and linkage mechanism responsive to pivotal rotary movement of the lever portion thru a designated travel arc of at least approximately 90.degree., the movable arm moves much more rapidly during the first approximate one-half to three-quarters of its designated travel arc, and thereafter continues to move progressively slower in a firm positive manner thru the remainder of the travel arc, while moving from its transverse relationship to a generally parallel or linearly aligned relationship. This simplified mechanism is non-servo in character and relatively low cost compared to servo devices embodying continuous sensing and feedback circuitry. Among various uses are easy association with various known industrial type robot devices embodying programmed control of articulated mechanical arms.

Abstract: The device includes a shaft having a plurality of interengaging shaft members. A tension member extends through the shaft and is positional between two positions. When the tension member is in the first position thereof, the shaft members are capable of movement relative to one another allowing the shaft to be manipulable between a continuous range of positions. When the tension member is biased to the second position thereof, the shaft members are non-movably held together forming a rigid shaft of desired shape. An articulation member extends through the shaft and is connected to a live attachment which is retained on a distal end of the shaft. By manipulation of the articulation member at a proximal end of the shaft the live attachment is manipulated.

Abstract: A tool for lifting and carrying a piece of wood such as a log includes a rigid rod one end of which is curved downwardly with pointed elements thereon and the other end of the rod is curved upwardly to define a handle. A gripping member is loosely suspended from a central portion of the rod and is provided with a pair of diverging legs the ends of which are each provided with a point. The pointed ends on the rod and the gripping member readily penetrate into a piece of wood thereby exerting a gripping action on a piece of wood positioned between the pointed teeth on the end of the rod and the teeth on the gripping member when a lifting force is exerted upon the handle.

Abstract: A pair of clamping jaws for gripping a work piece are coupled by a link mechanism to a fluid operated piston and cylinder assembly which opens and closes the jaws. The jaws and cylinder are mounted on a unitary support having a cavity therein within which the cylinder is received. The jaws and link mechanism are mounted on a head which is slidably carried on the support by guide rods fixedly secured to the head. The link mechanism includes an overcenter link arrangement which locks the jaws in a closed, gripping position in the event that the cylinder fails due to loss of fluid pressure.

Abstract: A pipe lifting hook is provided having a generally "C" shaped hook member having an elongated lower portion being insertable within the end of a joint of pipe and having an upper portion positionable above the pipe and provided with lifting connection means. The hook member is frictionally clamped to the pipe by grip shoe means that is movably supported by the upper portion of the hook member and is selectably movable from a released position out of contact with said pipe to a locked position in frictional locking engagement with the outer surface of the pipe. A ratchet mechanism couples said grip shoe means to the upper portion of the hook member and is manually positionable to lock said grip shoe means at said locked position or release said grip shoe means for movement toward said released position thereof.

Abstract: A record handling device is disclosed which includes a frame which defines a handle and an arcuate record contacting member. This contacting member defines an arcuate groove sized to receive the peripheral edge of a record. A record retaining member is pivotably mounted to the frame so as to move between an open position, in which a record can freely be inserted in or removed from the groove, and a closed position, in which the record is captured in the groove. The record gripping device of this invention allows a record such as a phonographic record to be handled and transported safely and securely, without damage to the delicate recording surface. In addition, an album opening device is disclosed which comprises a groove defined by two sloping sidewalls and a base, and a blade situated within the groove.

Abstract: A self-contained power-operated manipulator for piping and the like is capable of coordinated movements which approximate those of the human arm and hand. Spaced pairs of cooperative opposing fixed and movable jaws on a common carrier structure can rotate in two directions around the axis of a main support to which the carrier structure is pivoted on crossing relationship. The carrier structure, with the attached pairs of jaws, can be swung in two directions through large angles around the pivot axis of the carrier structure. The pairs of jaws on the carrier structure can be rotated in unison around the axis of the carrier structure and the movable jaws of the opposing pairs can be rotated relative to the fixed jaws around the axis of the carrier structure. Separate power units are utilized for producing the several movements of the manipulator in a coordinated manner. The pipe manipulator can be attached to a crane boom jib or other support.

Abstract: A gripping device to be attached to a boom of a backhoe. The device has a rigid beam to attach to the boom. A gripping member is formed on the rigid beam and positioned to be opposed to the reciprocable member of the backhoe when the gripping device is in position on the boom. There is an anchor point on the rigid beam. A support arm extends from the anchor point to attach to the boom. The device provides a solid removable attachment to the boom, against which an object can be gripped by movement of the reciprocable member of the backhoe.

Abstract: A device for transporting flexible workpieces comprises one or more carrying brackets for holding the flexible workpieces having a substantially horizontal receiving rod for receiving the workpieces and a clamping lever movably mounted to the receiving rod having a spring connected thereto for biasing the clamping lever into a closed position to hold the workpieces. The clamping lever has an end portion which extends downwardly beyond the receiving rod so that when the carrying bracket is placed on a holding apparatus which has a support surface, the free end of the clamping lever causes the clamping lever to move into an open position, releasing the workpieces.

Abstract: An extendable utility boom assembly for assisting fire-fighting operations performed from a semi-submersible service vessel upon an offshore platform is disclosed. The boom assembly is moved to operating position by means of a carriage assembly which is mounted for movement along a track secured to the deck of the service vessel. Orientation of the boom assembly in azimuth and pitch is provided by a supporting frame which is pivotally mounted on the carriage assembly for angular movement through a horizontal plane, and a trunnion which is pivotally mounted on the supporting frame for angular movement through a vertical plane. An elongated utility boom is supported by roller bearing elements for axial movement through the trunnion. A first linear actuator is interconnected between the carriage assembly and supporting frame for displacing the supporting frame through the horizontal plane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for lifting, gripping and transporting printing plates in a processing apparatus of the type in which the printing plates are fixed by suction on a processing table during processing at individual stations of the apparatus. The device comprises a lifting device, positioned below the processing table, for lifting a printing plate positioned on the table, movable in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus, and a gripping member positioned above the processing table for gripping a printing plate lifted off of the processing table by the lifting device.

Abstract: A grapple shear having a lower jaw with three widely spaced forwardly projecting tines, the outer tines having upper ends mounting the upper jaw with a pair of tines to swing into interleaving relation with the tines of the lower jaw, the outer tines of the lower jaw having forwardly opening angular bights, a swingable shear blade on the central tine of the lower jaw which carries an upright mast and a hydraulic ram on the top of the mast and driving the shear blade downwardly in a cutting motion.

Abstract: An article conveyor apparatus is disclosed wherein the gripper clamps possess a movable clamping tongue and a fixed clamping tongue which forms part of a housing. The movable clamping tongue is formed of one-piece with a spiral spring. The latter is wound about a hollow shaft rotatably mounted in the housing. The hollow shaft is rigidly connected for rotation with an arm or lever carrying at its end a roller. A part of the hollow shaft is constructed as a blocking wheel of a blocking mechanism. This blocking wheel is provided with a gap into which engages, in the latching position, the one end of a blocking pawl pivotably mounted in the housing. Upon travel of the roller upon a bracket or cam or the like the hollow shaft is rotated in a predetermined direction, whereby the movable clamping tongue is moved towards the other clamping tongue. If both clamping tongues are brought together then during further rotation of the hollow shaft the spiral spring is tensioned.

Abstract: An industrial robot for gripping workpieces of diverse shape comprises at least one finger preferably two arranged for pivotal movement on respective sides of the workpiece. Each finger has at least one workpiece engagement member or joint which is movable thereon. Fluid pressure operated means are connected to the workpiece engagement member or joint so that it is moved outwardly from the associated finger to engage the workpiece and to be locked in the engaged position so that it will reengage in the same position after the finger is shifted relative to the workpiece to reengage it.

Abstract: Apparatus lays pipe in a trench and joins successive sections thereof. An elongated carriage is of a length sufficient to straddle the trench and includes propelling means for engaging the surface outward from the respective upper sides of the trench and moving the carriage therealong. The propelling means is steerably driven. A crane arises from the carriage and includes an adjustably articulated arm of adjustable length and which has an outer end portion controllably movable both laterally with respect to the trench and between respective positions above and within the trench. The crane is mounted upon the carriage so as to permit tilting relative thereto and, thus, relative to the sidewalls of the trench. A controllable grapple is mounted on the outer end of the arm and is controlled to engage and disengage the pipe.

Abstract: Improvements in sheet gripping and handling devices; devices for gripping the vertical end edges of heavy, rigid sheet materials to facilitate and permit carrying thereof supported by the devices; handle devices engageable with the vertical end edges of heavy, rigid sheet material like sheet rock, enabling two men to comfortably and safely carry one or more sheets between them.

Abstract: A break-away device includes a lower arm 15 pivotally connected to an upper arm 19 by a coupling 17. The lower and upper arms 15,19 are generally maintained in a rigid, colinear relationship by a spring-biased detent pin 39. When the lower arm 15 undergoes a lateral impact, the detent pin 39 is displaced from a grooved detent recess 37 of the lower arm 15 and rolled about an upper convex surface 31 thereof, thereby permitting the lower arm 15 to pivot about the coupling 17 and break away from the upper arm 19.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tension-setting edge clamp with an improved linkage and an improved anchor point location so that when in use in sets of pairs, to pull broken belt ends toward one another for reconnection, wherein the anchor point for the center of pull on each clamp is aligned with the center of the clamping jaws of the same clamp, to minimize belt twisting, yet not interfere with the site of the adjoining broken edges. This eliminates a cause of belt rupture and tearing, yet provides space for the reconnection to be made.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting stacks of paper sheets in a spiral binding machine has a hollow frame with a forwardly and downwardly sloping front panel which is provided with a horizontal slot extending between a first station where fresh stacks of paper sheets are placed onto the exposed side of the panel and a second station where the stacks are subjected to one or more treatments, such as making of perforations, breaking up into smaller stacks, introduction of spiral binders, or looping of end portions of the outermost convolutions of inserted spiral binders. A tongs in the interior of the frame is mounted on a reciprocable carriage which is rigid with one jaw of the tongs and supports the other jaw through the medium of a pivotable lever which is pivotably connected with the other jaw.

Abstract: A system for picking up and laying down oil well tubular products (essentially casing, tubing, and drill pipe), including a conventional pickup and laydown machine having an endless conveyor in the form of a cable loop with upper and lower parallel courses, and a pair of clamping tools for attachment to opposite ends of a joint of pipe to be moved up to a drill floor or down from a drill floor by the use of the conveyor cable. Each tool comprises a rigid pipe supporting member, a pad secured to the member by a first pivot to turn and clampingly engage or disengage a pipe, and a connecting member attached to the conveyor and secured to the rigid member by a second pivot, the tool parts being so shaped and arranged that the weight of a pipe causes the pad automatically to turn and lockingly clamp the pipe, and lifting the pipe slightly to remove its weight from the tool causes the pad automatically to turn and release its clamping engagement.

Abstract: A clamping device for handling and lifting metal sheets is disclosed. The device has a body member with a first flanged portion and a second flanged portion mounted adjacent to the first flanged portion. The first and second flanged portions define an opening therebetween for receiving metal sheets therebetween. A cam member includes an adjustable grip portion and an opposite leg portion. The cam member is attached to the first flanged portion so as to permit the adjustable grip portion to rotate in the opening from a first open position to a second closed position. The cam member is biased to a closed position by a helical spring member acting on the opposite leg portion. The spring member is supported on the other end by the body member and coiled about a pivot pin. The cam member is automatically locked in an open position by a lever engaging a pin on the cam member adjacent the adjustable gap portion. One leg of the lever arm extends through the opening between the two flanged portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing a drill pipe joint is characterized by an arm pivotally moveable with respect to a drill pipe from a first, normal, position. The arm deflects a predetermined angular distance from the normal position when it comes into contact with a predetermined distended location on a drill pipe. An electrical signal is generated by a signal arrangement associated with the arm to indicate that the predetermined distended location is reached.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing and installing hot refractory bricks, particularly in the checkerwork structures of the regenerators employed in glass melting furnaces, the apparatus having a manually operable, selectively actuatable claw mechanism mounted on one end of an elongated support member for gripping and moving the bricks individually at a remote location. The claw mechanism is operated by a power cylinder mounted on the other end of the elongated support member, the cylinder being manually controlled by an operator who also manipulates the support member to move a grasped brick to a desired position. A cooling medium, such as air or the like, may be employed for cooling the claw mechanism.

Abstract: An extendable utility boom assembly for assisting fire-fighting operations performed from a semi-submersible service vessel upon an offshore platform is disclosed. The boom assembly is moved to operating position by means of a carriage assembly which is mounted for movement along a track secured to the deck of the service vessel. Orientation of the boom assembly in azimuth and pitch is provided by a supporting frame which is pivotally mounted on the carriage assembly for angular movement through a horizontal plane, and a boom housing which is pivotally mounted on the supporting frame for angular movement through a vertical plane. An elongated utility boom is supported by roller bearing elements for axial movement through the boom housing. A first linear actuator is interconnected between the carriage assembly and supporting frame for displacing the supporting frame through the horizontal plane.

Abstract: Apparatus for clamping and transferring to another location a stack of thermoplastic bags or the like wherein the bag walls have varying thicknesses. The apparatus preferably includes sets of clamping jaws for grasping the stack of bags. Each set comprises two pairs of the jaws. One pair is designed to rigidly clamp upon the stack while the other pair is spring-loaded or otherwise adjustable so that it can close differently than the first pair to compensate for the varying bag thicknesses even when the pairs of jaws are closed by the same drive mechanism. Each set of clamping jaws is independent of the other so that they can operate independently if one set were to jam.