Abstract: Automated installation for the laying for masonry on a wall, especially of a converter, comprising an operating station with a work plateform movable vertically inside the enclosure and capable of rotating about the vertical axis of the latter, areas for the simultaneous storage of two pallets of bricks on the platform, a robot for handling and laying the bricks, a monitoring and control station, retractable props for stabilizing the operating station and a device for raising and lowering pallets of bricks. The entire operating station is supported by a telescopic mast mounted on a turntable of a movable floor which is located outside the enclosure and with which the operating station forms a retractable self-propelled or towable unit.

Abstract: A brick placing machine consisting of a horizontally disposed substantially rectangular rectangle the length of which corresponds approximately to the maximum width or height of any brick panel to be formed, a substantially horizontal mould on which a brick panel can be formed arranged adjacent to the receptacle the receptacle being constructed to receive bricks constituting part of a panel, the bricks being arranged in the receptacle in a configuration in which they are to be placed on the mould, the receptacle having in it clamps for clamping the bricks in their correct relative positions with appropriate spaces between bricks and between courses of bricks for the reception of mortar, the receptacle being movable to a position over the mould in which position the clamps are released to leave the bricks on the mould in the desired position, the receptacle then being moved clear of the bricks placed on the mould and moved relative to the mould so that the receptacle can be suitable refilled with bricks and th

Abstract: A material handling platform is pivotally attached to the front of the material transport vehicle. Actuator means raise and lower the platform. The platform is arranged to tilt relative to the vehicle about a horizontal pivot at the front of the vehicle. A turntable is mounted on the platform. The material handling platform positions roof supports in an underground mine adjacent a long wall mining machine. The roof supports are transported by the material transport vehicle carrying the material handling platform with the longest dimension of the roof support aligned with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. After the roof support reaches the position where it is to be installed, the roof support is turned relative to the vehicle by turning the turntable of the material handling platform so that the longest dimension of the roof support is at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The roof support is then removed from the vehicle by lowering and tilting the platform relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling and positioning building components of the type which are used in retaining walls or the like includes a vehicular support having an articulatable boom extending therefrom, and a gripper assembly at the end of the boom. The vehicle and boom are operatable through a remote control assembly by a worker who may be standing near the structure which is being constructed. Several species of gripping assemblies are included for attachment to the boom.

Abstract: A crane comprises a base, a driving body for driving and controlling the crane disposed on the base rotatable in a horizontal plane, an articulated arm attached to the driving body pivotable in a vertical plane, and a clutching means for clutching the construction elements. The arm is folded and extended in a vertical plane. The clutching means is tiltably and detachably connected to a forward end of the arm. The crane further comprises a fixing means tiltably and detachably connected to the forward end of the arm as a substitute for the clutching means. The fixing means is capable of being fixed to the construction, so that the driving body can be moved while the fixing means is fixed to the construction.

Abstract: An apparatus for lining the inside wall of a vessel with bricks is presented. The apparatus includes a work platform, a handling robot and telescopic hoists. The telescopic hoists have carriages for receiving a stack of bricks of the same type. At the platform level, a vertical conveyor is associated with the hoists. The vertical conveyor transfers the stack of bricks from the carriages and raise the bricks to the platform level. The installation of this invention is particularly useful for laying a refractory lining on the inside wall of a metallurgical converter.

Abstract: A temperature sensor for measuring the internal temperature of a thermostatically controlled centrifuge cell. The sensor comprises a metallic element including a flange and a widened portion. The flange is adapted to be fixed in intimate contact against an area of an internal wall of the cell, in direct heat transfer relation with said internal wall; and the widened portion of the metallic element is spaced from the flange, includes a lateral surface having a surface area significantly larger than the area of contact between the flange and the internal wall of the cell, and is adapted to be positioned inside the centrifuge cell in heat transfer relation with the atmosphere therein. The metallic element forms an internal bore; and a temperature responsive prove is secured in that internal bore in heat transfer relation with the metallic element to sense, and to generate a signal indicative of, the temperature of the metallic body.

Abstract: A brick-laying apparatus comprises a work platform vertically movable within a vessel and capable of rotating about the vertical axis of the vessel; and a robot for manipulating and laying bricks along the brick lining of the wall. The robot is mounted on a support capable of pivoting about a first vertical axis. To increase the effective radius of the robot, the support is mounted on an extension piece pivotable about a second vertical axis. The brick-laying apparatus is particularly well suited for repairing the refractory covering of a metallurgical converter.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises an operating station with a rotary work platform, a non-rotary supporting stage supporting the work platform by means of a first bearing, a robot for laying the bricks, a monitoring booth, a device for raising and lowering brick pallets and at least one automatic brick-depalletizing mechanism for transferring the bricks from the pallets towards a stand-by station. This stand-by station comprises a turret which can contain a reserve of bricks of different types and which is supported by the stage by means of a second bearing, so as to be rotatable independently of the stage and the platform about the vertical axis of the vessel. The apparatus is particularly well suited for repairing metallurgical converters.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention utilizes a bricklaying robot which comprises an automatic brick-handling or grabbing device fastened to the end of a main arm which is carried by a frame mounted on a work platform; and which is radially movable relative to the platform. Circular movement of the arm and of the grabbing device relative to the vertical axis of the work platform is generated as result of a rotation of the platform about this vertical axis. The present invention also utilizes a storage table which is mounted underneath the main arm of the robot, so as to be movable along a vertical axis and rotatable about the axis. The present invention further includes an automatic depalletizing mechanism comprising a pivoting arm, of which one of the ends is equipped with a brick-grasping device and the other end is mounted pivotally on a support sliding parallel to the main arm of the robot between two rails of the frame.

Abstract: A beam picker adapted to be mounted on the boom tip of a conventional hydraulic crane is described to facilitate the removal of shoring beams positioned beneath a completed structure. The beam picker comprises a first support which is mounted on the outer end of a hydraulic crane and which has a second support pivotally secured thereto about a horizontal axis. A third support is rotatably and pivotally mounted on the second support so that the third support may be rotated and tilted relative to the second support. Movable jaws are provided on the third support for grasping the lower flange of the shoring beam.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a work platform movable inside a vessel and associated with a handling robot for handling and laying bricks is presented. The present invention includes at least two hoists placed next to one another, each hoist comprising several telescopic sections. Carriages move along the hoists in order to raise the bricks individually from a depalletizing station located at the foot of the hoist up to platform level. A depalletizing robot, the action of which is coordinated with that of the handling robot, transfers the bricks from a reserve of several brick pallets onto the carriages of the hoist.

Abstract: A hand truck apparatus configured for transporting, as well as lifting, a load and also configured so that the hand truck apparatus is self-stabilizing under all conditions of use. The hand truck apparatus in accordance with the invention provides mechanical advantage for lifting the load and is configured for precisely lifting the load to a raised position. The hand truck apparatus in accordance with the invention is self-stabilizing when a load is not placed on the hand truck apparatus, as well as when a load is placed on the hand truck apparatus and for any raised position of the load. The hand truck apparatus in accordance with the invention is particularly advantageous when used in connection with transporting and installing solid core doors. Hinge plates are first attached to the edge of the door. The door is then placed on the hand truck apparatus and transported to the location of installation.

Abstract: A unique truss transportation trailer which provides a truss support trailer that may be easily and safely controlled by a single operator and which can be utilized to transport a large variety of truss sizes and configurations safely from the point of manufacture to the point of use.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for lifting and positioning construction material such as building logs. The apparatus includes a frame having a pair of interconnected parallel beams. A pair of large fixed axis wheels are attached to one end of the frame while a pair of smaller swivelable wheels are connected to the other end of the frame. A winch is connected to a beam which extents over the frame at various elevations. A grasping mechanism is attached to the winch for holding the construction material.

Abstract: A unique lift container for use in erecting scaffolding within power boilers and similar large enclosures having small access manholes, preferably being made from modularized forming equipment so as to be readily disassembled into constituent parts dimensioned to fit through the small access openings of such boilers.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a work platform vertically movable within a vessel and capable of rotating about the vertical axis of the vessel. The work platform is provided with two storage areas for pallets of bricks, and an automatic device for manipulating and laying the bricks. The apparatus also includes a palletholder housing comprising at least two compartments for respectively receiving a full pallet and an empty pallet, a basket for carrying the housing, and lifting devices for raising and lowering the basket, together with the pallet-holder housing to the level of the platform and for releasing the pallet-holder housing from the basket. The apparatus is particularly well suited for repairing the refractory lining of a metallurigical convertor.

Abstract: A pneumatic hoist is provided for lifting cabinets, ceiling frames, and the like. The hoist includes a tripod base and manual structure for an initial height adjustment.

Abstract: A panel laying machine for use as a "power assist" in installing access flooring. The machine includes a self-propelled chassis, a mast extending upwardly from the chassis and a jib turnably mounted on the mast. A panel gripper head is suspended from the mast by a cable coupled to a winch on the jib and the gripper head includes controls manually operable by an operator to raise and lower the panel, release the panel from the gripper head and move the chassis. A safety interlock is provided so that the panel cannot be released by the gripper head while the suspension cable is supporting a load above a predetermined limit.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for lining the inner wall of a vessel with bricks is presented. This apparatus comprises an operating station which has at least two levels for storing pallets (having bricks thereon) above one another. An automatic device consisting of at least one automatic depalletizing mechanism for transferring the bricks from each of the superimposed pallets onto at least one standby track is provided along with at least one robot equipped with a gripping device for picking up bricks located on the stand-by tracks and for depositing the bricks at the intended location. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the operating station has two automatic depalletizing mechanisms associated respectively with each of the two superimposed pallets.

Abstract: A generally U-shaped frame is formed with a pair of elongated beams, each having a pair of pivotally mounted load-engaging dogs, and with a pair of elongated sleeves, each extending upwardly from the free end of one of the beams. An elongated post is slidably and telescopically mounted in each of the sleeve. Each post is mounted on a wheel-supporting carriage. A hydraulic jack is mounted in each of the telescoping post and sleeve assemblies to raise and lower the frame relative to the base assemblies. Hydraulic motors and lines are provided so that the dogs can be pivoted and the frame raised and lowered by the operator of a fork lift which is attached to a hitch extending from the closed end of the frame.

Abstract: A multi-beam structure clip for transporting and dispensing I-beams includes two legs which stradle a stack of I-beams and which include at their lower ends dogs which extend under the upper flange of the bottom I-beam in the stack to support the stack within the clip. Each dog includes a lobe located so as to contact the upper surface of the lower flange of the bottom I-beam as the clip is lowered with the bottom I-beam being supported. Contact of the lobe against that surface pivots the dog to a retracted position so that the tip of the dog clears the upper flange of the bottom beam when the clip is raised, thereby freeing the bottom I-beam. However, as the clip is raised, the lobes of the dogs contact the lower surface of the upper flange of the bottom I-beam causing the dogs to pivot inwardly to an extended position so that as the clip is further raised, the tips of the dogs engage the lower surface of the upper flange of the next-to-bottom I-beam.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an apparatus for lifting objects. The apparatus is suspended from a cable which is attached to a crane. The apparatus is used in construction such as in the construction of buildings. The apparatus can connect with a precast concrete panel and lift the precast concrete panel to a desired opening in a building under construction. Also, the apparatus can lift building material to a desired opening in a building, to a proper location in a dam under construction, and to a tower under construction such as a high voltage electric line tower, a radio and television tower and the like. The crane can be on top of the article being constructed such as a building or a dam or the crane can be on the ground. The cable is suspended from the crane and attaches to the apparatus so that the position of the apparatus can be varied both horizontally and vertically and also away from the article under construction and toward the article under construction.

Abstract: A mechanism for positioning on a dock vertical wall a fender including spaced openings, the mechanism comprising a movable support, a first arm pivotally attached to the movable support, a first hydraulic cylinder piston rod assembly for pivoting the first arm, a second arm pivotally attached to the first arm, means for pivoting said second arm, a plurality of spaced projections attached to and extending from the second arm, and pins for releasably securing the projections in the spaced openings in the fender. And a method for positioning on a dock vertical wall fenders including spaced openings opposite an attaching surface, the method comprising the steps of positioning the fender so the spaced openings are accessible, releasably fastening a fender moving mechanism in the openings, locating the fender so the attaching surface is generally vertical, locating the fender on the dock vertical wall, attaching the fender attaching surface to the dock vertical wall, and releasing the fender moving mechanism.

Abstract: A crane-like apparatus for enabling easy assembly and easy lifting from a horizontal to a vertical position of a structure. The apparatus comprises two (or more) clamping arms attached to the pivotally mounted mast of the apparatus with clamping means mounted on clamping arms at selective positions along the lengths thereof, such as by providing a plurality of spaced holes through which mounting bolts may be selectively fastened. The clamping means comprises a hydraulic cylinder on one end of the clamping arms and either another hydraulic cylinder, or a dummy cylinder or stop, on the other end so that the structure to be assembled may be clamped therebetween by application of hydraulic fluid to the cylinder, thus not marring the surface of the structure.

Abstract: A method and system for installing a layered vessel wherein the method includes the steps of constructing the bottom vessel head section in an inverted position mounting the bottom head section on the vessel foundation, erecting a generally cylindrical construction frame having a plurality of annular work stations; substantially simultaneously with the erection of the cylindrical construction frame, constructing onto the bottom head a cylindrical inside shell liner and a hemispherical upper head inside liner and adding layers to the inside shell from the bottom upwardly with the addition of such layers occurring substantially simultaneously at various of the annular work stations. A system for accomplishing these steps is provided, including particular method for construction the bottom head, and further, an annularly movable crane assembly is provided for the work stations.

Abstract: A silo mover apparatus comprising a main frame that is movable across the ground on a plurality of support wheels, and which has a subframe pivotallymounted thereon adjacent one end. The subframe can be raised about the pivot to a substantially vertical position through the use of hydraulic cylinders, stabilized in position adjacent to a silo to be moved, clamped to the silo by straps, after the silo has been suitably reinforced, and then the silo can be lifted and tilted downwardly with the subframe to rest on the main frame for transport to a new location. At the new location the silo is then raised by raising the subframe about its pivot, to place the silo onto the desired platform, after which the members that clamp the silo and subframe together are removed.

Abstract: An arrangement for transporting wall material, for example, shaped bricks for the lining of ladles, converters, blast furnaces or the like, where the transport is intended to take place between a supply place, usually located outside the converter or corresponding apparatus, and a consumption place, for example a bricklaying station adjacent an inner wall in the converter or corresponding apparatus, which arrangement comprises a vertically adjustable carrying device and a conveying device for substantially vertical transport of material transferred to the conveying device, and transfer mechanism is provided for advancing material transported down by the conveyor onward to the consumption space, and a work platform is provided to be carried by the carrying device. The arrangement as disclosed shows the conveying device as a substantially helical slither plate, e.g., a chute or corresponding slide device, along which material supplied at an upper portion of the helical plate is intended to slide.

Abstract: A vehicle and method for raising elongated objects, especially for raising pipes and the like to a ceiling structure in the construction of a building. The vehicle has a pair of transversely extending support stands and a lift such as a scissors lift adjacent each. On top of each lift is a saddle for supporting an object to be raised and a transversely extendable rod with a hook end. A platform may be removably attached to each lift. In the method of operation of the invention to lift an elongated pipe, the rod and the lifts are utilized to engage a pipe in a stockpile and lift the same onto the support stands. Thereafter the lifts are lowered, the elongated pipe is rolled to be over the saddles of the lifts, and the lifts are raised to raise the pipe up to its desired position in the ceiling structure.

Abstract: A panel locator for moving bundles of panels from one place to another on a roof includes a base section movably mounted on roof purlins, and a tower section extending upwardly from the base section, and a boom section pivotably mounted on the tower section. The locator has the capability for maintaining a level orientation on a sloped roof and can change direction of movement from along the roof length to up and down the slope.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for removing or replacing ships underwater parts such as a screw from the propulsion shaft or the rudder of a ship in a dry dock and transporting it from the ship to a work area. It has a mobile vehicular frame and a pair of spaced apart main cylinder ram lifts pivoted at their base to the vehicular frame, one lying to each side of the ships part either screw or rudder to be removed. The part receiving and cradling apparatus is mounted at the upper ends of said main cylinder ram lifts. Auxiliary tilt cylinders and rams each having one end pivoted to said vehicular frame and the other end pivotally connected to tilt the main cylinder and ram lifts toward and away from the ships part to be removed from or replaced on the ship.

Abstract: An arrangement to support a drawworks and drilling mast in elevated position during drilling operations and which also functions to transport the drawworks and drilling mast includes a base support and an elevated support with jacks pivotally conncted to the base support and the elevatable support and extending herebetween. Wheels are mounted on the elevatable support for transporting the base support elevatable support, the drilling mast and drawworks carried on the elevatable support. Brace members are pivotally connected between the base support and elevatable support to retain the elevatable support in elevated position during drilling operations.

Abstract: A rig for lining with brick a kiln, tunnel or like surface embodies a frame that is of variable size to suit different surface diameters, and two relatively adjustable jacks support deformable arcuate brick column support members at each opposite sides of the frame. Each arcuate member is a continuous longitudinally deformable trough containing an expansible tube overlaid by a solid rubber or like flexible brick contact element.

Abstract: The invention refers to a brick lining apparatus for metallurgical vessels, particularly for steel mill converters and/or blast furnaces, with an annular working platform which is automatically adjustable in height, and with a coordinated brick conveyor line consisting of one or several chains leading around sprocket wheel pairs with attached brick supports, whereby working platform and brick conveyor line are retractable to approximately the distance between mill floor and vessel opening.

Abstract: An automated assembly, maintenance, and repair system for the construction of a large space structure. The space structure comprises a plurality of trusses and truss junctions that in turn are made up of a plurality of individual struts and nodes. The truss assemblies are progressively built by an assembler trolley as the trolley crawls along the constructed truss. The trolley comprises a forward crawler and a rear crawler joined by an articulated coupler. The crawlers are carried along the structure by belt transports incorporating grippers that engage the truss structure at the nodes. Manipulator arms for strut and node assembly are located on the forward crawler, and the majority of control, power, and communication systems are located in the rear crawler. Cargo canisters filled with component parts for constructing the space structure are carried by the forward crawler. The space structure configuration is determined by the arrangement of the individual struts and nodes during the assembly process.

Abstract: An apparatus having an upper frame with a depending, telescopically elongatable and shortenable suspended structure for supporting at the lower end thereof a working platform in a converter or like metallurgical container, the upper frame being arranged to be supported at the upper end of the converter with the suspended structure extending down through an opening at the upper end of the converter. The apparatus has an endless conveyor which includes a vertical conveyor part extending from the upper frame to a point above the working platform, and a horizontal or inclined conveyor part situated outside the converter and the upper frame, the horizontal or inclined conveyor part permitting, upon elongation or shortening, shortening and elongation, respectively, of the vertical part of the endless conveyor.

Abstract: A pipe, beam or other work piece is detachably secured to a handling device affixed to the extremity of a conventional telescoping crane boom, the handling device including a main frame, a sub-frame, and a work piece support frame. Respective hydraulic actuators selectively position the sub-frame relative to the main frame and the support frame relative to the sub-frame. One actuator rotates the sub-frame about a transverse axis and the other actuator rotates the support frame about a longitudinal axis. The work piece supporting frame includes means for detachably holding a work piece during handling periods, permitting the work piece to be positioned at any desired attitude, orientation and elevation by appropriate actuation of the hydraulic system.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing plate-like members in a compact volume in upright position, and for removing those members from storage and laying them in a horizontal series and returning the members to storage, is useful for example in the laying of a support for supporting amusement vehicles, for example in a traveling fair or circus. A vertically swinging assembly separates the members one by one from storage and swings them down to horizontal position and then pushes them so that each member pushes in front of it, along the trackway, the members previously deposited. The members are stored in pendant relationship on inclined tracks that terminate downwardly in an abutment, which ensure their sequential but groupwise feeding to the position at which the vertically swinging assembly engages them, lifts them out of contact with the abutment, and then lowers them.

Abstract: An automatic article-laying apparatus is positioned at the terminal end of a horizontally rotatable conveyor. The apparatus comprises a rotatable roller conveyor, a hydraulic drive to horizontally rotate the roller conveyor, a traversing plate, and a reciprocating head. Placed adjacent to the first-mentioned conveyor, the roller conveyor is horizontally rotatable and carries an article holder that projects sidewards, below the plane on which articles are conveyed, so as to contact the side of the previously laid article. Positioned close and parallel to the roller conveyor, the traversing plate pushes an article away from the roller conveyor, at right angles to the direction of conveyor travel and toward the article holder. Extending along the roller conveyor and behind the article holder, the reciprocating head pushes forward the article delivered from the roller conveyor in the direction of conveyor travel. With this apparatus, hexahedral articles can be laid in an exactly geometrical pattern.

Abstract: A process of erecting interior combustion and checker chambers in a hot blast stove by lining the checker chamber and building the chamber wall from a vertically movable scaffold in the checker chamber shaped to conform with the interior thereof, laying up checkerwork in the checker chamber beneath the movable scaffold, these two operations being supplied from outside the stove through feed openings at progressive heights, and lining the combustion chamber from a vertically movable work scaffold within the combustion chamber. All three principal operations are carried on concurrently.