Abstract: It is well known to use pneumatically-operated devices for handling containers, such as, gripping finger mechanisms and suction devices. However, the former type of mechanism can be unstable and the contents of the container can easily be spilled as the container is moved from one location to another. In the latter type, the top of the container needs to be undamaged to ensure proper engagement. Described herein is an improved pneumatically-operated device in which a plurality of pistons (22, 24, 26, 28, 30) are housed in a body portion (10), the pistons (22, 24, 26, 28, 30) being operated by an air supply to move a split ring (40) into and out of engagement with a container to move it from one location to another.

Abstract: There is disclosed a substrate holding apparatus comprising: (a) a member comprised of a top surface, a bottom surface, a center region and a plurality of segments disposed around and integral with the center region, the segments being defined by a plurality of slits in the member, wherein the segments bend and overlap when subjected to a compressive force, thereby decreasing the width of the member, and wherein the extent of bending and overlapping of the segments spontaneously decreases when the compressive force lessens, thereby increasing the width of the member; and (b) compressive force mechanism operatively associated with the member for controlling the amount of compressive force on the member.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which is used to assist in lifting and moving storage tanks, pipes and the like. The apparatus includes a tubularly-shaped body suspended from a cable, the tubularly shaped body having a slot which communicates with the hollow interior of the tube allowing the cable to radially enter and exit approximately one-half of the hollow interior of the tube. The tube is inserted into an access port in the tank to be lifted and is positioned to engage the interior of the tank. The interaction of the slotted tube with the cable provides a convenient tool for engaging, securing and lifting the tank.

Abstract: An anchoring system using a harpoon secured under a helicopter and a grid a platform includes a shaft, having near its end, fingers oriented and movable radially between a retracted position and an extended position. The shaft includes a device for moving and retaining the fingers in the extended position. The device acts from a state activated in response to the penetration into the grid. It furthermore includes structure for unlocking the fingers and resetting the moving and retaining device. Harpoons including such catching heads, which have the advantage of being light and simple in construction, and capable of being adaptable to all types of helicopters are also contemplated.

Abstract: A gripper for handling printed product rolls and empty roll cores is used for intermittently storing printed products wound on roll cores. The gripper has a central piece (10), which is fixed to a conveying or transporting device and which carries a gripper arm star or spider (20). On the gripper arm star (20) is a substantially circular array of radially movable roll clamping devices (30) for clamping a roll or rolls (W) from the periphery thereof and core supports (40) for engaging and supporting a rosette-shaped arrangement of juxtaposed roll cores (WK). The core supports (40) are pivotable so that, in a core handling configuration of the gripper, they are positioned within the circle formed by the roll clamping devices and in a roll handling configuration of the gripper they are moved out of that circle. The movements of the gripper parts are driven by linear drives and monitored by sensors, so that the gripper can operate in a fully automated manner.

Abstract: An adjustable lifting device, which includes a lifting frame, with at least one adjustable arm thereon and a lifting arm secured thereto is buttressed by sleeves and bars connecting each adjustable arm to the lifting arm.

Abstract: A device for handling a disc such as a compact disc retained in a container by retaining fingers. The device includes first and second arms having free ends and a biasing device to arch the free ends of the arms apart. The free ends include an engaging device having a projecting fin with a thickness for insertion between adjacent retaining fingers of the container.

Abstract: A tire loader basket assembly for a tire press includes a frame; a plurality of loader shoes mounted for radial movement on the frame; an adjusting plate mounted for rotation with respect to the frame and connected to each of the shoes by a respective link such that rotation of the adjusting plate causes radial movement of the shoes; an actuating plate mounted for rotation with respect to the frame by operation of an actuating means connected to the actuating plate; and means for releasably connecting the adjusting and actuating plates together so that when the plates are connected, they rotate together by operation of the actuating means, and when the plates are unconnected, the adjusting plate can be rotated to set a movement limit for the shoes.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting packaging material supply reels from a storage location to a consumption station which includes a gripping mechanism for engaging the core tube of the supply reel and a support for the gripping mechanism, the support permitting the gripping mechanism to be moved in three mutually perpendicular directions. The support includes a pair of angularly arranged, pivotal contact arms which define an angle, the axis of the gripping means lying in a plane which bisects the angle between the contact arms. Deflection of both arms to preselected angular positions against a resiliant bias will be indicative of establishment of a coaxial relationship between the gripping mechanism and the core of the supply reel whereupon the gripping mechanism may be inserted into the core for engagement therewith and subsequent reel transfer.

Abstract: A mandrel for transporting hollow cylinders including an elongated arm having a first end and a second end, an expandable disk supported at the first end and means supported at the second end to expand the expandable disk, the mandrel arm comprising an elongated body having an imaginary axis and at least three fins extending substantially radially from the arm, each of the fins having an alignment shoulder adjacent the first end adapted to receive an end of a hollow cylinder and to coaxially align the cylinder with the elongated arm. This mandrel is used in a process for coating hollow cylinders.

Abstract: A mandrel for transporting a hollow cylinder including an elongated arm, a dish shaped disk adjacent one end of the elongated arm, the dish shaped disk having a flexible lip flared inclined away from the elongated arm, the flared flexible lip having a circular outermost edge, and a reciprocable presser means adapted to partially flatten at least a portion of the flexible lip adjacent to and including the outermost edge of the lip toward the elongated arm to increase the length of the circumference of the circular outermost edge of the lip. This mandrel is used in a process for coating hollow cylinders.

Abstract: A mandrel including an elongated arm having a first end and a second end, a reciprocatable shaft coaxially aligned with and extending through the arm, a first end of the shaft extending beyond the first end of the arm and a second end of the shaft extending beyond the second end of the arm, a presser means mounted at the first end of the shaft, an expandable disk shaped member coaxially aligned with and slidably mounted on the shaft between the presser means and the first end of the arm, a compression means mounted on the second end of the shaft, and a resilient helical spring coaxially aligned with and slidably mounted on the shaft between the presser means and the compression means, the compression means adopted to apply compression pressure to the disk shaped member and to the helical spring. This mandrel is used in a process for coating hollow cylinders.

Abstract: A mandrel for transporting a hollow cylinder including an elongated arm having an imaginary axis, an expandable disk shaped member having at least one hole and a circular outermost edge, the disk shaped member being mounted on and coaxially aligned with one end of the arm and including an elastomeric polymer material having a durometer of between about 25 and about 35 and a maximum continuous use temperature rating of at least about 230.degree. C., and means mounted on the mandrel to apply compressive pressure to the disk shaped member to increase the length of the circumference of the circular outermost edge. This mandrel is used in a process for coating hollow cylinders.

Abstract: A device for lifting heavy items such as manhole frames has four adjustable arms for securing the device to the sewer frame or similar item and a lifting arm for connecting the device to a machine for lifting and moving the item.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for holding a hollow cylindrical body with openings at both ends during a dip coating apparatus having a flange member, a first pressing member fastened to the flange member, a shaft member extending from the flange member in the direction of the first pressing member, a second pressing member fastened to the shaft member, a flexible bag member located between the first pressing member and the second pressing member, and means for moving the shaft member in a direction of the shaft to move the first pressing member to cause the flexible bag member to expand laterally to contact the inside of the hollow cylindrical body to hold the hollow cylindrical body.

Abstract: A grabber for a wheel clamp of a wheel aligner has a tip including a body shaft with first and second wheel engagement ends. The body shaft includes a circumferential groove formed thereon. A barrel attached to a carrier of the wheel clamp has a bore sized to slidingly receive the body shaft. The bore has a groove formed in its wall. An elastic "O" ring is fitted within the body shaft groove and, when an engagement end of the shaft is inserted in the bore, the "O" ring resiliently retains the shaft within the bore. Alternatively the grabber tip includes first and second cross shafts, each with first and second wheel engagement ends. The first and second cross shafts and body shaft have axes which are mutually perpendicular.

Abstract: A handling apparatus pulls a group of lightweight cargo carrying sleeves out of a container in which they have been transported onto a storage bed. The collapsed sleeves are individually supported in an upright orientation on the bed by fingers which can be selectively withdrawn from a sleeve when it is to be removed. An overhead crane has a carriage that translates across the sleeves on the storage bed and a sleeve loading and unloading apparatus that is positioned beside the bed. The carriage can also be raised and lowered. The carriage carries hooks which engage the sidewalls of the sleeves and can be moved toward and away from one another. After the hooks engage the sidewalls of a sleeve the carriage is raised to lift the sleeve out of the group. The carriage is then moved above the loading apparatus and the hooks are moved apart from one another to expand the sleeve. Finally, the carriage is lowered to place the expanded sleeve on the loading apparatus and the hooks are disengaged from its sidewalls.

Abstract: A device for handling compact discs which can hold the compact disc either at its outer edge or at its aperture edge. The device includes first and second opposing arms. Each arm having a free end, a groove portion adjacent the free end for receiving the outer edge of a disc and a group portion adjacent the free end for receiving the inner edge of a disc.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chucking device for chucking a drum to keep it vertical while the drum is immersed in a coating liquid to be coated with the coating liquid. The chucking device comprises upper and lower pressure members having tapered peripheral surfaces at their ends facing each other. An annular elastic member is fitted between the tapered peripheral surfaces. The pressure members are constantly urged toward each other. When chucking a drum, the lower pressure member is moved away from the upper pressure member by means of compressed air so as to contract the elastic member, thereby allowing the pressure members and the elastic member to be inserted into the drum. Then, the compressed air is released, allowing the pressure members to contact each other. This causes the elastic member to be pressed outward by the tapered peripheral surfaces to tightly contact the inner surface of the drum.

Abstract: A reheat blow mold machine includes a preform loader, an oven, a mold station and a preform transfer mechanism for transporting preforms form the oven to the mold station. A loader defines a plurality of lanes within which the preforms are supported. A reciprocal jaw assembly moves the preforms from a receiving end to a load end of the oven. The oven includes a plurality of tandemly arranged abutting pallets which rotatably support the preforms. The pallets are stepped through the oven and moved between a receiving end and a discharge end by a pair of elevators and a return conveyor. The transfer mechanism includes two sets of jaw assemblies, a pair of slidable actuators and a compensation mechanism to automatically adjust for tolerance variations in the diameter of the performs. A mold station includes a pair of opposed platens which support mold halves. A bottom platen is positioned by a cam arrangement mounted on the opposed platens.

Abstract: A recovery head for use in retrieving a submerged pipeline to the water surface. The recovery head includes a center of gravity arm attached to one end of the recovery head by a connecting pin. The center of gravity arm maintains the recovery head in a level orientation to allow divers or an ROV to more easily insert the head into the pipeline. After insertion into the pipeline, the center of gravity arm is removed from the recovery head. With the center of gravity arm removed, the recovery head does not obstruct or interfere with any steps involved in the actual retrieval and securing of the pipeline on the lay barge. The rear portion of the recovery head includes two T-posts which connect to oval links attached to the end of a retrieving cable. The links are such that, when placed over the T-posts and the retrieval cable is pulled to retrieve the pipeline to the surface, the links rotate.

Abstract: The hollow plug 6 is placed in the end opening of the inner tube 2 of a spirally wound package of sheet material, such as carpet. The hollow plug has a cylindrical section 10 and a conical section 11. The conical section includes approximately equal spaced elongated weakened areas or grooves 25 that spread apart in response to outwardly directed forces applied to the conical section from within the conical section. Ribs 18 extending along the outer surface of the cylindrical section tend to reduce the frictional contact between the plug and the inner tube 2 and the edge portion of the wrapping paper 4, while teeth 20 resist inadvertent withdrawal of the plug from the carpet package.

Abstract: A wheel handling apparatus has an upright frame movably supporting a carrier connected to a wheel holder and a power unit for operating the wheel holder. A winch mounted on the carrier is used to move the carrier along the frame. The wheel holder has a body rotatably mounted on the carrier and a cone head connected to the power unit. The body supports arms that are moved into engagement with a wheel when the head is moved by the power unit into the body.

Abstract: The device comprises a pole (31) fastened to a handling and lifting means arranged above the pool in which the fuel assembly is placed underwater. The pole has at least one lower end part (32) or spindle, the diameter of which is less than the inside diameter of the blocking sleeve (25). This part (32) has a spring means (48) for retaining the blocking sleeve in the position engaged on the spindle, and a transversely arranged surface (38) for bearing on part of the sleeve (25), and a means (40) for the vertical movement of the pole (31).

Abstract: A disk gripper has a rotary actuator with a horizontally supported shaft, a swing arm which is attached to and can rotate with this shaft and a finger arm which is connected to the swing arm such that the connected arms together extend radially from the shaft. Gripper fingers on the finger arm have mutually coplanar flat outer surfaces which point downward when the arms are in the horizontally extended position. The gripper fingers are provided with grooves and are movable toward or away from one another while their flat outer surfaces slidingly move over a horizontal support surface such that a disk lying on this surface can be engaged in these grooves or disengaged therefrom. The swing arm and the finger arm are slidable within a limited distance with respect to each other in a direction perpendicular to their extension.

Abstract: A wafer transfer apparatus used in manufacturing high density semiconductor products is disclosed which includes at least three movable arms for supporting a wafer from below thereby preventing contact with the active surface of the wafer. A mechanism for moving the arms into and out of its wafer supporting position is diposed, in part, above the wafer when a wafer is supported thereby. The portions of the actuator mechanism disposed above the wafer are constructed in a way such that no sliding contact occurs between elements thereof. Sliding contact between elements disposed above a wafer has proved to produce microscopic particles which can fall onto the active surface of the wafer thereby contaminating the circuits contained thereon. As sliding contact is avoided by the apparatus of the present invention, contamination particles produced within the wafer transfer apparatus is substantially reduced, if not entirely eliminated.

Abstract: An accessory chuck for utility vehicles having an upper jaw and a lower jaw slidably suspended therefrom and movable by turning a threaded rod supported by the upper jaw. Suspending members are pivotally attached to the lower jaw and to pairs of carrying nuts that ride on the threaded rods. Turning the threaded rod from either end causes each pair of carrying nuts to ride closer or farther apart, depending on the direction the rod is turned. As the carrying nuts move, the suspending members raise or lower the lower jaw to a releasing or a gripping position, respectively.

Abstract: A multi-disk clamp end effector carries around a tubular member a plurality of disks with a center hole like wafers and releases them sequentially one at a time. Each disk is attached to the tubular member by means of a holder which not only supports the disk but also is pressed to the tubular member by an elastic ring. As the tubular member is gradually retracted and its front end passes the position of each holder, the contracting force of the spring disengages the holder from the disk to which it is attached and the corresponding disk is released.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of a robot or like end-of-arm tool (EOAT) for gripping workpieces by cavities in the workpieces is provided. The EOAT is connected with the robot or like and includes an extendible rod having a generally flanged end opposite the robot. The EOAT also includes at least one spacer encircling the rod between the robot or like and the flanged end of the rod, and at least two elastomeric gripper portions encircling the rod and capturing at least one spacer. The gripper portions have a first dimension when the rod is extended whereby at least one of the gripper portions can be inserted into a workpiece cavity and the gripper portions have a second dimension when the rod is retracted whereby the gripper portions can engage with the workpiece cavity to grip the workpiece.

Abstract: The inventive manipulator for heavy loads, preferably printing products in loose scale formation and wound up to form rolls, only has a single pivot pin (35) or joint which, according to the invention, is arranged in such a way that the load (5) can be brought into three main positions orthogonal to one another using this single pivot pin or joint. The load is held by a holding device (33,38). The pivot pin (35) passes through the center of gravity of the load, or the center of gravity is located in the pivot point or fulcrum. This makes it possible to grip in frontal or lateral precise manner heavy loads and subsequently to deposit same on a loading device or in a store without great force expenditure using a drive and/or manually. The invention is also characterized by the combination of an industrial truck (10), a lifting device (11) arranged thereon and a mounted implement (31-38) located on the truck and preferably constituted by the inventive manipulator.

Abstract: A power transmission gear assembly puller for use on the General Motors 440 power transmission, facilitating the accessibility of power transmision gears for repair and maintenance. A novel means for removing a gear assembly incorporating a shaft with an expandable seat on one end on which the gear assembly rests when expanded. A unique means for expanding the seat while inside the gear assembly through the shaft from the handle. The gear assembly puller reduces transmission repair time significantly while providing ease of gear assembly removal, as well as safety with regard to the technician's hands.

Abstract: A preform carrier adapted to be received in the open end of a wide mouth tubular container preform for internally gripping the preform to permit carrying the preform from a heating station to a container blowing station. The carrier includes a flexible annular gripping member in the form of a gripping and sealing ring that is resiliently flexible in a radial direction, relative to the preform axis, for engaging the inner surface of the preform finish. The gripping member includes an annular sealing ridge on its outermost surface for gripping and sealing against the inner surface of the preform finish. The gripping member is of generally U-shaped configuration, and includes an inner annular U-shaped spring for urging the legs of the sealing ring outwardly to provide a gripping and sealing force against the inner surface of the preform finish.

Abstract: A hitch assembly for mounting onto the articulated arm of a hydraulic excavator, backhoe or the like comprising remotely operable jaws (14) for releasibly grasping the hinge pins (15, 16) of a bucket, rock hammer or other device whereby such implements can be quickly and easily interchanged without removal of said pins.

Abstract: A gripper head (18) for use, for example, with a pick and place robot (2) comprises a body (26) comprising a pair of housings (28) each containing a pneumatic piston and cylinder unit (62) and being connected together by means of a slide plate (30). The piston and cylinder units (62) are arranged in opposed relationship on opposite sides of a central vertical axis (Z) of the body (26). The slide plate (30) defines in cooperation with a top cover (32) a slideway (48) receiving slides (82) from which depend side plates (76) connected to gripper jaws (98). The slides (82) are positively connected by a link (92) which is pivotable about a pin (88) coincident with the central axis (Z). Pins (96) on the link (92) engage in transverse slots (86) in the slides (82) to ensure that the jaws (98) are moved by piston rods (66) of the piston and cylinder units (62), always simultaneously and by the same distance, between an open position to receive an electrical connector (C') and a closed position to grip it.

Abstract: This invention relates to a handling apparatus designed to move on at least two orthogonal axes and, preferably, on three axes, said apparatus being capable of positively gripping spools at their axial bore with great precision and being particularly adapted to be associated with plants designed for automation of the loading and unloading operations of said spools, respectively, into and from wire winding machines and into and from feeding and collecting stations where said spools may be disposed with any orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus which acquires individual articles having a substantially cylindrical aperture therein from a supply of roughly aligned articles in a storage bin. The apparatus grips the article on the interior wall of the cylindrical aperture therein. The gripper is moved to retract the article from the storage bin. The article is then moved to a receiving member which aligns the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical aperture of the article substantially parallel or coincidental with the longitudinal axis of the receiving member.

Abstract: An article picking up mechanism for picking up articles placed in a container one by one for assembling the articles on works. The mechanism includes a tiltable table for receiving the container and tilting it to thereby shift the articles to one side of the container leaving a space in the other side. A manipulator robot is provided to shift one of the articles toward the space and grip the article to take out of the container.

Abstract: An expandable chuck for insertion into a vertically oriented, longitudinally extending, cylindrical hollow core about which a web of paper or other material is wound to form a roll. An elongate body is dimensioned for insertion into the core. Mechanisms are connected to an upper portion of the body for engaging an upper end of the core to prevent the body from falling down through the core. A central lifting post is mounted to the body for vertical reciprocation relative thereto between a lowered position and a raised position. A plurality of jaws are connected by a linkage between the central lifting post and a lower portion of the body for movement from retracted positions in which they are disengaged from an inner surface of the core to extended positions in which they are grippingly engaged with the inner surface of the core. The jaws move from their retracted positions to their extended positions upon movement of the central lifting post from its lowered position to its raised position.

Abstract: The gripping device comprises at least one gripper which can be inserted into the tube and is formed from two elements which are mobile axially one in the other and are provided with frusto-conical ends which cooperate in such a manner that the axial movement of the inner element causes the outer element to expand and to engage under pressure with the tube for the purpose of its replacement. Two friction discs supported in an axially mobile manner are associated with the gripper and are subjected to the action of a spring in order to press a lower support element of the discs against the tube in order to retain it and allow exact keying of the tube on to the rotary drive element. The device is particularly suitable for cops.

Abstract: The present invention provides an end of arm tooling (EOAT) internal gripper device for a robot. The EOAT of the present invention provides a gripper portion which can be elastically deformed by being extended or retracted by an internal rod actuator. Extension of the actuator rod causes the gripper portion to assume a smaller dimensional shape for insertion into a workpiece cavity. Retraction of the actuator rod causes the gripper portion to increase in dimension therefore engaging and gripping the workpiece. The EOAT of the present invention is extremely useful in applications requiring large amounts of compliance, delicate handling, and/or in environments wherein an air supply is not available or desirable.

Abstract: In order to automatically initiate without any intermediate instrumentation chain the drop of absorbing members into the core of a nuclear reactor, in the of a drop in the cooling liquid level to below a given threshold and, optionally, a rise in the pressure to beyond a maximum permitted value, between each absorbing member and the bar supporting said member is provided an apparatus, which comprises tongs formed by at least two fingers, said tongs normally being locked in a gripping position by locking members, such as balls. A float mounted in the bar controls the unlocking of the tongs in either of the two conditions requiring the dropping of the absorbing members.

Abstract: An actuating system for operating pressure-medium actuated coupling members for remotely connecting a drill column to a pipe or pipe casing, where the location of the connection is inaccessible, comprises a directional control valve (48) switchable by an actuator (46) and having at least three connections (51, 52, 53), a coupling (47) operated in one direction by the actuator disposed between the actuator (46) and the adjustable part of the directional valve (48). The coupling members may be a plurality of radially movable bearing members (34) and bars (24) spaced apart in the axial direction of the device.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in doffing and donning roving bobbins on the winding spindles of textile roving machines, wherein a drive nut associated with bobbin gripping components is constrained by an L-shaped guide slot to move axially with respect to the bobbin spindle for positioning the bobbin axially with respect thereto and to further move rotationally with respect to the spindle to orient mating drive components of the bobbin and spindle in proper driving connection.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading individual reels from a carrier member on which a plurality of reels are stacked next to one another in several rows, and one on top of the other in several layers. An unloading mechanism is supported on a height-adjustable frame in such a way as to be movable relative to the frame. Linear drives are provided for moving the unloading mechanism, in a plane, in two directions that extend at an angle of 90.degree. relative to one another. Sensors are disposed on the frame for detecting reels in a given layer or plane, and for controlling the height adjustment of the frame. Further sensors are disposed on the unloading mechanism for alignment of the latter relative to a reel that is to be unloaded. With such an apparatus, the reels can be unloaded directly and fully automatically from a conventional transport device, such as a pallet, and can be supplied to a packaging machine, where they are also fully automatically secured and threaded.

Abstract: A lift and reorienting apparatus is the subject of this document. The apparatus includes a probe (16) for insertion into an internal accessible axially extending opening (36) of an object to be moved. The probe (16) is pivotably carried by a frame (10) and maneuvered through the action of telescoping arms (46) of a dual arm actuator (42). This dual arm actuator (42) adds strength to the apparatus. The probe (16) is attached to the object to be lifted and reoriented by means of a retractable projection (18) and sleeve mechanism (24).

Abstract: Lifting and tilting device for reels of wound material, in which a support shaft for entering into a bore of a reel is held at one end by a frame having an arcuate track. A lifting block is mounted on the track to enable the frame and the shaft to be tilted by movement of the track through the block. A reel retention device has a lever pivoted to the frame, the lever normally being in a reel retention position to engage one side of a reel flange to prevent its removal from its seat upon the shaft even if the shaft is tilted towards a vertical position.

Abstract: A tool inserted within a circular duct is adapted to securely engage the inner surface of the duct to facilitate drawing the duct through a conduit. The tool includes a screw inserted within a hollow tube-like member open at a first end and having a threaded inner surface along the length thereof for engaging the screw. A second, closed end of the tube-like member includes an expanded end portion. Positioned on the screw adjacent the first end of the tube-like member is a nut. Located along the length on the outside of the tube-like member are a plurality of alternately arranged rigid cylindrical spacers and compressible tubular sleeves. Displacement of the nut along the screw toward the hollow tube-like member causes the nut to abut and displace an immediately adjacent cylindrical spacer. Further rotation of the nut produces an abutting linear arrangement of the alternating cylindrical spacers and tubular sleeves causing the longitudinal compression of each of the tubular sleeves.

Abstract: A jig for transporting a green tire carcass in a horizontal position without causing any distortion comprising a lower bead support, a concentric tire shoulder support and a set of fingers for supporting the upper bead of the carcass.The fingers are spring biassed towards a position in engagement with the upper bead, but may be moved radially inwards while a tire carcass is either placed on or removed from the jig.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling different size parts in a vertical assembly is provided which includes a pair of fingers attached to and extending from the gripper of a manipulator in parallel relationship and moveable toward and away from one another under control of the gripper. Different diameter curved outer sections extend around the periphery of and are stepped along the length of the fingers. The smallest diameter curved section is located at the outer end of the fingers and successively wider diameter sections are located along the fingers as the inner end is approached. One of the predetermined diameter sections has a predetermined slope, each part to be assembled has an opening therein of a diameter slightly larger than a diameter of a section of the fingers along the length thereof.

Abstract: A gripping apparatus for gripping and releasing objects and for use with a micromanipulator. Spaced cantilever jaws extending in substantially the same direction from a support are each formed of a pair of elongated ribbons of piezoelectric polymer bonded together in oppositely polarized orientation. An electrically conductive thin film is bonded to the outer surfaces of the laminate. A voltage is applied to the conductive films causing the polymer ribbon laminates to bend toward or away from each other dependent upon the polarity of the applied voltage so that they grip an object.