Abstract: A circular transfer table comprising a ring-shaped member having a central circular opening which is driven in rotation by a roller chain secured to the table and mounted in a circular slideway in a work table below the transfer table to leave the center of the transfer table a free space permitting mounting therein of tools or machinery.

Abstract: An endless belt is mounted on, and extends between, a pair of elongated rollers rotatably mounted in a housing in spaced parallel relation parallel to, and in proximity with, the top and bottom of the housing. A plurality of shelf members are affixed to the belt and extend perpendicularly from the belt in spaced parallel relation for releasably storing files between next-adjacent shelf members. A motor coupled to one of the rollers rotates the rollers and the belt to move the shelf members cyclically from top to bottom to top inside the housing. An opening is formed in the front of the housing and covered by a selectively openable door to provide access to the shelf members for inserting and removing files.

Abstract: An automatic filing cabinet retrieval apparatus comprises two automatic retrieval saddles, the first saddle being located between two facing banks of filing cabinets containing filing cabinet drawers and being operable to extract a drawer from either bank and deliver it to a consultation location on the same level of the banks or to the second saddle, as well as being operable to return a drawer to its bank from the second saddle or from the consultation location, and the second saddle being operable to receive a drawer from the first saddle, to deliver the drawer to another consultation location above and/or below the level of the banks and to return the drawer from these consultation locations to the first saddle.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for supporting and transporting a multiplicity of workpieces during a process such as a batch-type vacuum coating process. The workpieces are placed in two stacks adjacent to process equipment inside a sealable chamber, and means are provided for moving substrates within each stack and between the stacks. Preferably, workpieces are successively conveyed from the top of one stack, through the process, to the top of the other stack, and simultaneously from the bottom of the second stack to the bottom of the first stack. The workpieces in the first stack are raised so that successive workpieces are presented at the top of the first stack. Similarly, the workpieces in the second stack are lowered to present successive workpieces at the bottom. Workpieces may be circulated through the stacks as many times as desired and may be processed one or more times during a single circuit.

Abstract: A plurality of trays are supported on bars affixed to and extending between a pair of endless carrier chains. The carrier chains are mounted on sprocket wheels which are rotated to move the carrier chains through a cabinet and past a window in the cabinet. Each of the trays is removably rotatably mounted on a corresponding one of the bars. Each of the trays has a box-like configuration with an open front facing the window, a spring-biased retainer device for retaining an item in the tray, and a guide device for maintaining the tray upright in its journey through the cabinet.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing and displaying articles for sale on transverse article supporting members pivotally fastened to a pair of endless movable chains mounted on two uprights so that they swing freely on the moving chains. Each chain has an upwardly and a downwardly moving course and the ends of the transverse swinging members are fastened to the same course of each chain for movement therewith. The articles are supported on the transverse swinging members, the capacity and congestion being variable by changing the number of traverse members. An electric motor may be the power source for driving the chains and a control button may operate the motor for moving the chains selectively up or down, and for stopping them.

Abstract: An automatic article surge accumulator is described which has an inlet for the articles, an outlet spaced from the inlet and a plurality of moveable shelves between the inlet and the outlet. Each shelf can store one or more of the articles. The shelves are moveable so that after one shelf is full, a new shelf shifts into position to receive one or more additional articles. Associated with the shelves is a device for shifting the articles to a releasing position so that they are able to move to the outlet when a demand is made for an additional article.

Abstract: A mechanized file comprising a plurality of article storage carriers pivotally suspended from and controllably transported by a closed loop conveyor mechanism for selectively positioning the carriers at an operator work station. A first pair of diagonally disposed rollers is provided on one side of each carrier and a second pair of diagonally disposed rollers, oriented transverse to the first pair, is provided on the other side of each carrier. Tracks are arranged on each side of the file for engagement with the rollers to limit tilt of the carriers while being transported by the conveyor mechanism.

Abstract: Traveling holder for textile coils includes a receptacle, and an elevator disposed in the interior of the receptacle, the elevator having a loopshaped travel path within the receptacle.

Abstract: A filing cabinet drawer retrieval saddle which is adapted to extract a drawer from either bank of two facing filing cabinet banks and is capable of depositing a drawer so extracted in either of two consultation locations respectively at the ends of the filing cabinet banks.

Abstract: An automated system for a dining room or mess comprises an endless belt which is entrained about rollers so that the belt has an upper horizontal run and a lower run situated below the upper horizontal run. An electric motor or the like is provided to drive the endless belt about the rollers. The belt is provided, on the upper surface of its upper run, with devices for securing sets of eating utensils to the upper surface, with the sets being spaced apart from one another along the upper run to define a plurality of eating positions. The system further comprises a plurality of seats adjacent to the upper run and spaced apart therealong to enable persons to eat from the upper run at the eating positions respectively. Thus, the upper run itself forms a table top. Washing apparatus is positioned beneath the upper run to wash the upper surface and eating utensils secured thereto when the electric motor has been operated to bring a portion of the upper run of the belt into the position of the lower run.

Abstract: A mechanized filing system comprises a plurality of carrier pans mounted on an endless chain conveyor. Two chains rotate respectively about upper and lower sprockets with the carrier pans being attached between them by means of scissors-like suspension arms. The carrier pans define symmetrical, wide, wedge shaped, upper camming surfaces on the top sides thereof and symmetrical, wide, V-shaped lower camming surfaces, complementary to the wedge-shaped upper camming surfaces, on the lower sides thereof. The wedge shaped upper camming surfaces mesh with the V-shaped lower camming surfaces when the carrier pans complete rotation about the sprockets. The carrier pans are rotatably attached to the suspension arms at points relatively close to their wedge-shaped upper camming surfaces.