Abstract: Hydraulic displacement mechanisms, and methods of using hydraulic displacement mechanisms to remove cables jammed or stuck in a conduit or other passageways, are disclosed.

Abstract: A pipe coupon extraction tool includes: a rod defining a first end, a second end, and a central axis; and a spring bar defining a first end and a second end, the spring bar rotatably secured to the rod, a surface of the spring bar configured to be angled with respect to the central axis when the pipe coupon extraction tool is engaged with a pipe coupon.

Abstract: A method for enlarging a crushed section of a ductile pipe. A wire rope having a bead or plurality of beads attached to the rope is placed in a ductile pipe. When a series of beads is used, each of the beads is sequentially larger. The wire rope is pulled through the crushed section, and the ductile pipe conforms to the larger diameter of the beads. The crushed section of pipe may be expanded so that a larger wire rope suitable for pipe extraction may be passed through. Alternatively, the pipe may be reformed and expanded to near or greater than its original size. The pipe may then be coated or a smaller slip-lined pipe may be placed within the original pipe.

Abstract: A pipe pulling device guides extruded plastic conduit tubing through a building structure. The device has a fastener body including a main shaft supporting a resilient expansion sleeve thereon that can be inserted into an open end of the tubing. A nut is threaded onto the main shaft for axially compressing the expansion sleeve between the nut and a fastener head at the inner end of the main shaft to radially expand the sleeve within the tubing and frictionally grip the fastener body relative to the tubing. The nut is tapered outwardly and supports an elongate, rigid tip body extending longitudinally outward from the tubing to guide insertion of the tubing through cavities in the building structure. Various accessories can be secured to the nut or the tip body to assist insertion of the pipe pulling device through different building structures.

Abstract: A telescopic elevator bail is arranged to be able to be used dynamically in well operations in the petroleum industry. The elevator bail comprises a sleeve provided with a first attachment organ and a muzzle portion, and a rod arranged to be able to be displaced telescopically relative to the sleeve along the common longitudinal axis of the sleeve and the rod. The rod is provided with at least one through hole perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the rod and the hole is arranged to be able to accommodate an actuator actuable holding bolt. The sleeve is provided with at least one catch bolt. The catch bolt is provided with an inward projecting holding portion. The rod is provided with a first shoulder portion arranged to rest on the holding portion of the catch bolt when the sleeve and the rod exhibit their relatively longest longitudinal displacement. A method is for utilizing the elevator bail.

Abstract: An internal pipe gripping tool includes a tool body adapted for insertion into a pipe. A gripper is disposed adjacent and movably coupled to the tool body. The gripper has an engaged position and a released position relative to the tool body. A lever has a first end node, a second end node, and an intermediate node between the first and second end nodes. The first end node is coupled to the tool body, and the intermediate node is coupled to the gripper. A force applied to the second end node results in another force at the intermediate node that shifts the gripper from the engaged position to the released position.

Abstract: The present invention is a lifting apparatus that includes a master wedge bar, a slave wedge bar, a cam lug and a handle. The master wedge bar and slave wedge bar are configured to be placed in a drilled core in an object to be lifted. The cam lug is pivotally coupled to the master wedge bar and drivingly engages with the slave wedge bar such that upward force applied to a lift end of the cam lug drives the slave wedge downward. The master wedge bar and the slave wedge bar generate an outward force upon the core wall of the object upon the downward movement of the slave wedge bar relative to the master wedge bar such that the apparatus engages the core wall and secures itself in it by friction. A handle is configured to disengage the apparatus from the core wall when lifted upward.

Abstract: An expander for concentrically expanding a cylindrical member, the expander with a tapered block, a plurality of segments, each having an inner surface at least partially in contact with the tapered surface of the tapered block and the segments arranged to move in concert with each other relative to the block, and a pair of engaging features being provided for each segment, each pair comprising a first engagement feature on one of the segments and a second engagement feature on the block, the pairs of engaging features being arranged to maintain equal circumferential spacing of the segments around the block and to constrain movement of the segments in a direction that is coaxial with the block, each pair of engaging features being located away from the circumferential edges of their respective segment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connection system for use with an active or passive protection device that minimizes weight. In accordance with the present invention, a single stem connection system for use with an active protection device includes a single bent cable that is attached to the single cable terminal of the active protection device. A stem tube is fitted over a portion of the bent cable giving the appearance and benefits of a single stem. However, a portion of the bent cable is left separated thereby automatically forming a clip-in point for the entire active protection device. Unlike conventional single stem connection systems, the single stem system in accordance with the present invention only requires coupling the cable to the cable terminal thereby reducing manufacturing cost and minimizing overall weight. Alternatively, a similar connection system can be used with a passive protection device to provide many of the same benefits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connection system for use with an active or passive protection device that minimizes weight. In accordance with the present invention, a single stem connection system for use with an active protection device includes a single bent cable that is attached to the single cable terminal of the active protection device. A stem tube is fitted over a portion of the bent cable giving the appearance and benefits of a single stem. However, a portion of the bent cable is left separated thereby automatically forming a clip-in point for the entire active protection device. Unlike conventional single stem connection systems, the single stem system in accordance with the present invention only requires coupling the cable to the cable terminal thereby reducing manufacturing cost and minimizing overall weight. Alternatively, a similar connection system can be used with a passive protection device to provide many of the same benefits.

Abstract: A lifting anchor (1) arranged to be mounted in an opening (33) in a plate wall (31) by use of an installation device, the lifting anchor (1) comprising: a leg (11), one end of the leg (11) being provided with a guide section (13) and the axially opposite end being provided with an attachment section (13?) arranged for coupling to a lifting device; and a plurality of dogs (21) encircling a middle section (13?) of the leg (11), a first end portion (23) of each dog (21) being provided with an outwardly facing gripping hook (24); and an operational abutment surface (15, 22?) between the leg (11) and each dog (21), forming an ramp which is arranged, upon axial movement of the dog (21) along the surface (13?) of the leg (11) in the direction of the guide section (13) of the leg (11), to move the gripping hook (24) axially outwards to a gripping position.

Abstract: A mooring connector or pipeline recovery tool comprising a mandrel (10) around which is concentrically disposed a ball cage (11) having balls (12) protruding therefrom so that relative longitudinal movement of the mandrel (10) and ball cage (11) causes the balls to ascend ramped surfaces of the mandrel (10) thus to protrude outwardly through the ball cage (11). The conventional arrangement of balls in regular rows and columns is replaced by helical rows or random arrays of the balls thus to avoid excessive grooving and deformation of the wall of a receptor into which the connector is inserted.

Abstract: This invention concerns a device for gripping the inside of hollow or bored items, that comprises a prehensile device (11) with a supporting head (14), so as to undertake a contracted inactive position, and an expanded active one; a divaricator (12) inserted in the prehensile device (11) movable between a first and a second position to respectively define the contracted and expanded positions of said prehensile device (11)), and a control lever fulcrated to the supporting head (14) and connected to the divaricator (12) to provoke the movements of the latter between the first position in which the device is in the contracted position and the second position in which the prehensile device is in the expanded position.

Abstract: A pipe pulling assembly (10) consisting of a first circular band (12) and an identical second circular band (12?). The two bands (12, 12?) are each comprised of an upper arcuate band (14) and a lower arcuate band (13) that are placed around the circumferential end of a first circular pipe (100) and a second circular pipe (110). Attached adjacent to the first and second end (20,22) of the upper arcuate band (14) is an upper band attachment structure (30) and attached adjacent to the first and second end (19,21) of the lower arcuate band (13) is a lower band attachment structure (29). A first ratcheting tool (118) is connected between the two structures (30,29) to cause the two structures (30,29) to close and tighten the two bands (14,13) around the first and second circular pipes (100,110). A second ratcheting tool (124) is then connected between the first and second upper band attachment structures (30) to cause the first circular pipe (100) to be pulled into and attached to the second circular pipe (110).

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a tire and a wheel is disclosed. The apparatus includes a single-cell workstation including a device that retains a wheel, and a plurality of sub-stations. The device moves the wheel to each of the plurality of sub-stations, without releasing the wheel, to assemble a tire-wheel assembly. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pipe extraction tool grips the inside of a pipe or other such conduit to facilitate removal of a pipe which can not otherwise be removed. The extraction tool uses expandable jaws to grip the inside of the pipe.

Abstract: A pipe pulling device secures to the end of a pipe, with wedge action, for pulling by equipment. The device has a shaft, a housing upon the shaft, one or more wedges, a cone, nuts, eye nuts, O rings, and a sleeve, all arranged coaxially. First the nut is placed upon the shaft, then the housing is oriented forward. The forward end of the housing has a beveled edge to assist in passage through soil. The contractor then places a wedge of three vanes upon the shaft within the housing. A hollow cone upon the shaft contacts the wedge. An eye nut then secures the assembled parts upon the shaft. In use, a contractor tightens the nut rearward thus pulling the cone forward and expanding the wedge. The Is wedge expands to grasp the pipe between the housing and the wedge. The contractor can then pull the pipe through soil.

Abstract: A gripper mechanism for downhole tool is disclosed that includes a linkage mechanism and a flexible toe disposed over the linkage mechanism. In operation, an axial force generated by a power section of the gripper expands the linkage mechanism, which applies a radial expansion force to the flexible toe. For certain expansion diameters, the expansion force can be primarily transmitted to the toe from a roller-ramp interface expanding the linkage. For other expansion diameters, the expansion force can be primarily transmitted to the toe by expansion of the linkage in a three-bar linkage configuration. For other expansion diameters, the expansion force can be primarily transmitted to the toe by expansion of the linkage in a four-bar linkage configuration. Thus, the gripper can provide a desired expansion force over a large range of expansion diameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual stem active camming device including a plurality of compression springs independently coupled to a plurality of cam lobes. The compression springs are positioned between the trigger and the clip-in point of the cam to protect the springs from damage and allow the trigger to compress the springs upon retraction. A flexible stem tube is positioned over the portion of the dual stem between the trigger and the cable terminals. The flexible stem tube shields the trigger wires from debris and abrasion. A rigid yoke is also positioned over the dual stem between the stem tube and cable terminals. The rigid yoke prevents uneven lateral bending on the head of the camming device that may otherwise cause the device to pull out of a placement. The cable terminals are positioned between the outer cam lobes and on either side of the inner cam lobe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an active camming device including a plurality of non-flat camming surfaces. In accordance with the present invention, the opposing camming surfaces are shaped to include substantially concave and convex surfaces respectively. In one embodiment, each individual cam lobe is shaped in a substantially concave or convex manner to form a cam surface. In another embodiment, a plurality of cam lobes disposed on a single side of a device, are shaped to provide a combined substantially concave or convex surface. The convex surface or surfaces are always disposed opposite of the concave surface or surfaces to provide an increased stability in uneven recesses. Non-flat camming surfaces increase the stability of a camming device in irregular recesses by increasing the number of connection points between the device and the recess.

Abstract: Slips slidably disposed on a mandrel for lowering into a well inside a tubular to be removed from the well move outwardly to engage the tubular upon withdrawing the mandrel carrying the slips from the well. In one implementation there is a conical surface such that movement between the slips and the conical surface expands the slips outwardly. These inner and outer bodies are relatively moved in the well such that the outer body expands against an inner surface of the tubular in the well preparatory to removing the tubular from the well. After removing the tool string and at least part of the tubular engaged by the slips out of the well, inner structure of the removal tool can be pulled, in a direction opposite to which the lifting force was applied, to disengage the slips from the removed portion of the tubular.

Abstract: A reusable self-aligning precision latch, including a latch body for mounting a latch assembly, and an interface cone. A lead screw, coupled to the latch body on one end, pivots at an interface on the latch body allowing for self-alignment. A drive cam having a plurality of surfaces and positioned on the lead screw engages a plurality of linkage assemblies such that at least two links are driven. A flexure ball assembly clamped by the plurality of linkage assemblies to the latch body with a pivoting clamp plate such that all clamping forces between the pivoting clamp plate and the latch body are equalized. A motor for closing and opening the self-aligning precision latch by turning the lead screw to apply and release, respectively, the clamping forces between the pivoting clamp plate and the latch body.

Abstract: A storage medium cartridge that has a substantially rectangular housing with an aperture formed thereon is provided for use with a cartridge gripping assembly. The cartridge gripping assembly includes a gripping mechanism having a first end which releasably engages the aperture defined on the housing of the storage medium cartridge. The gripping mechanism further includes a second end that is dimensioned for coupling with a first end of a mechanized robotic arm for providing motion to the cartridge gripping assembly.

Abstract: A cam-operated pipe puller for pulling and extracting a pipe through a conduit wherein the pipe puller has members for grasping the inner sides of the pipe and apparatus attached to the grasping members for holding the grasping members in a retained position as they are initially inserted into the pipe and for releasing and expanding the grasping members to engage the inner surface of the pipe after the grasping members are fully inserted into the pipe so as to pull and extract the pipe from and through the conduit.

Abstract: A device that is manually manipulated to engage and or grip the inside of a tube sufficiently to transmit an upward pull on a tube to loosen it and remove it from its stuck condition. Its use includes a special METHOD of jarring the tube; a feature that causes high impact upward forces to be transmitted to a tube. This aids tremendously in removing it from severely stuck conditions. The tube referred to is in the pipe extending up from the underground gas tanks at gasoline service stations.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling hollow core rolls of different core diameters, by picking up a roll disposed with its axis vertical, relating the same to a horizontal position, and sliding it onto a horizontally extending spindle. A stepped diameter holder having sets of gripper elements is supported on an angled arm driven by a rotary actuator. After insertion of the stepped diameter into a roll core and outward movement of the gripper elements, the core can be moved to a horizontal orientation by oscillation of the actuator. The stepped diameter holder has a ball locking assembly which is inserted into a receptacle attached to the projecting end of the spindle. After full insertion sensed by blockage of air flow out of a hole in the end of an actuator rod caused by contact with a compressible insert, the actuator rod is moved axially to dock the spindle to the stepped holder by operation of the ball locking assembly and the gripper elements are released, allowing powered push off of the roll onto the spindle.

Abstract: A pulling device for use with a pipe having an inside wall. The device includes a center slide. The device further includes at least one gripper plate that is adapted to cooperatively engage the center slide to cause the gripper plate to expand outwardly with respect to the center slide. The gripper plate includes a plurality of rings for engaging the inside wall of the pipe. The device further includes a pulling eye attached to the center slide to which a swivel or a cable can be attached to pull the device.

Abstract: A boot carrier having a pair of support members insertable into the interior of each boot to bear against the inside heel portion of each boot. A retainer device taking the form of an expandable, segmented clam-shell type or a buckled strap is employed to releasably secure the carrier to each boot. A tether strap detachably connects the pair of support members together for grasping by the user in order to transport the boots from place to place. Each boot may have a sports article attached such as a set of roller blades, snow skis or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pipe puller which grips the inner bore of the pipe to be installed. A tapered, threaded, expandable gripping member is inserted into the bore of the pipe. The gripping member is turned clockwise which then expands the gripping member so that the gripping member is placed in contact with the inner surface of the pipe. A hollow cylinder is also placed over the pipe and gripping member to protect the end of the pipe as it is pulled through the ground. The pipe puller is pulled through the ground by a motive device attached to the end of the pipe puller shaft.

Abstract: A pipe pulling device having a multiple section body portion with a substantially hollow interior, a cap engagable with a pulling device and having a threaded member extending into the body portion hollow interior, and a securing plug having a threaded conically shaped front portion suitable to cooperatively receive and secure the cap threaded member so that as the member continues to be threadably received, the plug front portion is urged into the body portion hollow interior and the body portion sections are separated and expanded to grippingly engage the pipe interior and enable the pipe to be pulled by the pulling device connected to the cap.

Abstract: A pipe pulling device having a multiple section body portion with a substantially hollow interior, a cap engagable with a pulling device and having a threaded member extending into the body portion hollow interior, and a securing plug having a threaded conically shaped front portion suitable to cooperatively receive and secure the cap threaded member so that as the member continues to be threadably received, the plug front portion is urged into the body portion hollow interior and the body portion sections are separated and expanded to grippingly engage the pipe interior and enable the pipe to be pulled by the pulling device connected to the cap.

Abstract: A two phase quick setting and quick releasing pipe pulling device having an outer housing for engaging the exterior of a plastic pipe and interior radially expandable and contractible jaws that can be quickly set on the interior surface of a plastic pipe by applying a blow to the housing with the expandable jaws responsive to a pulling force on a central shaft located in the housing to further radially expand the jaws to further engage the interior of a plastic pipe as one pulls on the pipe pulling device with the expandable jaws also operable to be quickly disengaged from the interior of the plastic pipe by applying an axial blow to the central shaft of the pipe pulling device.

Abstract: An apparatus for removal of tubular pipe members, and particularly PVC pipe, from in-ground securement is provided. The apparatus includes an inverted sleeve for surrounding the pipe, with an engagement plug mounted within the pipe to capture the pipe between the engagement plug and the sleeve. An expander plug is directed interiorly of the engagement plug to expand the engagement plug to accordingly grasp the pipe for removal.

Abstract: A retrievable downhole wedging system is disclosed for firmly securing accelerometers and other instruments to the bottom of a cased bore hole. The system includes a pair of arcuate top wedges and a pair of arcuate bottom wedges for insertion between the accelerometers and the casing. The bottom wedges are slideably coupled to the accelerometer such that they will not become separated from the accelerometer during retrieval. A retrieving means is provided for disengaging the accelerometer by first individually removing the top wedges and then pulling the accelerometer free of the bottom wedges.

Abstract: Releasable spider-type clamping apparatus for clamping to the end of a pipe comprises a system including a normal industrial line connection between a supply and control unit and the spider and a controllable operating device on the spider itself for operating and adjusting the clamp members, at least for the purpose of releasing them in the event the normal industrial line connection fails, the operating device comprising a pressure medium system with at least one pressure medium storage device and a wireless remote control and/or manual system.

Abstract: A gripper with leaf springs having fingers near their ends to engage and disengage work. The springs are respectively connected in an annular array to the end of a cylindrical support. The springs are diverged or expanded to cause the fingers to engage the work and are converged or collapsed to cause the fingers to disengage the work. During the diverging and the converging each spring is pivoted about its junction with the support. The diverging and the converging of the springs is effected by an actuator or mandrel including a rod having a nose at its outer end. The actuator is reciprocable within the springs between advanced and retracted positions. Near its outer end the rod has a conical cam surface which engages cooperative internal cam-follower surfaces on the springs to diverge the springs when the actuator is in advanced position. The nose has a skirt which engages the outer ends of the springs, i.e. the fingers, to converge the springs near the ends when the actuator is in retracted position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lifting wedge which is intended in particular for lifting a paper roll in the vertical position, and which is made up of a substantially cylindrical lifting wedge part (1) having the cross sectional shape of the core hollow of the paper roll, a lifting belt (2) fitted to the lifitng wedge, and friction surfacing (3). The lifting wedge accompanies during transport the roll to be lifted.Previously known lifting devices of this type consist of lifting belts which are passed around paper rolls in the vertical position. The assembling of the belts and fitting them around the rolls is relatively difficult.The lifting wedge part (1) according to the invention is divided in its longitudinal direction preferably into three wedge-shaped sections. The lifting belt (2) encircles that wedge section which has a larger cross sectional surface in its lower part, and forms a lifting loop above the wedge section.

Abstract: Apparatus for the lifting of coils, spools and the like of the type which have an interior opening includes a carrying shaft, guide tracks arranged circumferentially about the carrying shaft, and clamping segments disposed on the guide tracks for movement in a radial and a vertical direction, the clamping segments and guide tracks having a cooperable aperture and a cross shaft accommodated in the aperture such that the cross shaft moves in the aperture during relative movement between the guide tracks and the clamping segments. The carrying shaft has an outer conical surface and the clamping segments have an inner conical surface engaging the outer conical surface on the carrying shaft.

Abstract: A rock lifting device having an elongated shaft and at least two feather members. A pair of wedge surfaces are formed on the outer surface of the shaft adjacent its bottom end. The top end of each of the wedge surfaces is located farther inwardly from the outer surface of the shaft than its bottom end of the wedge surface. The wedge surfaces are substantially planar. Each of the feather members has a shank portion, an arm member extending outwardly from its top end, and a wedge portion extending from the bottom end of the shank portion. The wedge portion has a wedge surface upon its inner face. The wedge surfaces of the feather members mate with the wedge surfaces of the shaft. A transversely extending bore hole passes through the top of the shaft and a clevis attached to a chain may be secured thereto. There is also structure for securing the feather members to the shaft.

Abstract: An internal elevator to be received within and internally grip and support a tubular member such as a well platform supporting pile, and including slips preferably mounted within openings in an outer body and actuable radially outwardly into gripping engagement with the tubular member by powered axial movement of an inner camming body. The elevator is desirably suspended in horizontal position by a hanger in a manner enabling the elevator to be stabbed into an end of a horizontal tubular pile or member, with the elevator having additional connector means attachable to a suspending line in a relation then swinging the elevator and pile to vertical positions. In one form of the invention, the elevator may be formed as part of an elongated structure adapted to be lowered through vertically spaced pile guides, with the elongated structure acting to bridge the space between the guides and thereby assure proper alignment of the elevator with the guides and with a pile centered with respect thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for grasping hollow bodies, such as bottles, from the inside. It is particularly useful in protecting grasping equipment used in conjunction with bottle coating equipment. On a movable rod inside a housing are mounted a structure adapted to engage the rim of the bottle and grasping arms which can be inserted into the neck of the bottle. The rod is spring-biased toward a position in which the structure and the grasping arms are retained within the housing. To grasp a bottle, a force is applied to the rod against this spring-bias so as to urge the rod, the structure and the grasping arms toward the bottle. At an intermediate point on the outward stroke, the structure is released from the rod. If the structure engages the rim of the bottle after its release and before the outward stroke ends, the structure is prevented by a slider from moving back into the housing and relative movement between the rod and the structure causes the grasping arms to engage the inside of the bottle.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in lowering casing strings or other parts from a floating unit to a subsea well which includes an expansion-type casing running tool employing extendible latches that have left-handed threads cut on their exterior for engagement with similar threads on the inside of the casing which is to be lowered. Tapered blocks are spring loaded for expanding the dogs into position and hydraulic pressure is used to retract the blocks thus disengaging the running tool from the equipment just lowered. If disengagement of the latches is not accomplished, the running tool can be removed from the casing by left-handed rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus for insertion into the interior of large diameter pipe or tubing which engages inner portions of the pipe so that the pipe may be lifted and moved. Slip assemblies are wedged into engagement with inner portions of the pipe. The amount of wedging may be varied with a hydraulic cylinder or other suitable power source. Pipe guide members are provided to insure centering of the apparatus within the pipe.

Abstract: A remote access manipulator comprises a locking mechanism capable of self-alignment for performing operations on equipment located in areas where human access is limited. The manipulator further comprises a slave carriage located in the equipment on which the operation is to be performed, such as a nuclear steam generator, for carrying tools and inspection devices for performing operations on the equipment together with a master carriage located in a scale model of the equipment and electrically connected to the slave carriage for controlling the movement of the slave carriage. The slave carriage is capable of advancing across a surface of the equipment to position the devices which it carries. The manipulator further comprises a slave manipulator arm used to move the slave carriage into and out of the equipment on which the operation is to be performed in conjunction with a master manipulator arm located in the scale model for controlling the movement of the slave manipulator arm.

Abstract: A retention and release mechanism utilizes a collet with deflectable fingers to allow assembly of the mechanism onto an object which is to be retained. Movement of the object toward the mechanism causes a force to be exerted on the bottom end of a plunger and movement of the plunger, which is coupled to a lockpin by a plurality of spherical balls and a split ring, from a released to a retained position. In the retained position, the balls secure the lockpin in a fixed position relative to the collet while mating tapered surfaces at the ends of the collet fingers and the lockpin cooperate to retain the object to which an expendable bushing has been attached, the bushing being part of the mechanism. To release the object, a force must be exerted on the top end of the plunger to move it to an axial position wherein the balls are released from their fixed position relative to the collet and the mating tapered surfaces move away from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed wherein annular articles conveyed one by one to a chute member are successively transferred to a rail member connected to the chute member until a predetermined number of articles are lined up thereon, whereupon a plurality of slender holders waiting their turn above the individual articles are lowered and then lifted in unison, whereby the holders pass through the apertures of the articles in their downward travel and in their upward travel they lift the articles in unison which are held in position as a result of projectable members installed at the front ends of the holders being projected in connection with the upward movement of the holders, the above operation being repeatedly carried out a plurality of times until each holder is loaded with a desired number of articles piled in a stack, the stacks of articles on the individual holders being then released in unison onto a table member, the latter being adapted to be inched each time it receives the stacks so that such articles

Abstract: An improved deck structure and connector for construction of demountable structures such as a parking building as well as permanent structures such as a high rise office or apartment building, comprising connectors spaced along the edges of a concrete slab for attaching the slab to an underlying beam. Each connector includes an upright bushing embedded in the slab for receiving a removable lifting bolt which expands to engage the inside walls of the bushing to lift the slab into location on the beam. The portion of the bushing engaged by the expandable lifting bolt is preferably tapered upwardly between a horizontal mounting plate which rests on top of the beam and an anchor rod extending laterally from the bushing into the slab. The lifting bolt can be released and removed allowing same bushing to receive a fastener bolt. An alternative embodiment provides a downward vertical flange on the connector for welding to an edge of the beam.