Abstract: An unmanned material handling system for servicing a plurality of vertically spaced levels of a structure is provided. This system includes an unmanned, selfpropelled vehicle driven by an electromechanical device such as an electric motor. The vehicle includes an energy storage device, such as a flywheel, for storing energy and for supplying that energy to the electro-mechanical device. The vehicle can be moved from one level to another within the structure by an elevator. One half of a split transformer is embedded in the floor of the elevator and, when the vehicle is disposed thereover, that half of the split transformer is energized and becomes electromagnetically coupled with a second half of the split transformer which is disposed within the vehicle. This coupling provides electrical energy to drive a motor/generator which, in turn, causes the flywheel to rotate and store energy.

Abstract: A load support and shuttle combination. The load support (20) is in the form of a central beam (24) disposed fore and aft in a storage bay (22) on top of which are mounted a plurality of spaced apart V-shaped load support members (26), the outer ends of which are bent downward to a substantially horizontal position. The shuttle includes a pair of space apart rails (46) which straddle the beam (24). A plurality of spaced load supporting finger members (48) extend inwardly and downwardly from the rails and are sized and shaped such that they fit in the spaces between the V-shaped load support members. A load resting on the load support member can be transferred to the shuttle by inserting the load supporting finger members into a storage bay beneath the load support members and then lifting the shuttle to move the finger members through the spaces between the load support members.

Abstract: A system for transferring tubes or bars or like elongated elements between a processing line and associated storage structures or intermediate delivery locations is disclosed. The system includes spacing stations for intermittently spacing groups of tubes or bars, apparatus for transporting the groups from one spacing station onto one of several storage cantilever supports adapted to support the tubes or bars with their axes parallel to that of the processing line, apparatus for intermittently laterally removing groups of spaced elongate elements from the storage supports via an intermediate supporting station, and apparatus for rotating the elements through 90.degree. in order to deposit them on supports at the inlet end of the processing line with their axes at right angles to that of the processing line, or after removal from such supports onto an intermediate supporting station at the outlet end of the processing line.

Abstract: An automatic tooling machine includes a spindle carrier having a spindle for supporting a machining tool. The spindle carrier includes a tool drum mounting device for rotatably supporting a tool drum having plural machining tools thereon. A device is provided for transferring a selected machining tool between the tool drum supported on the tool drum mounting device and the spindle. A drum storage rack is fixedly positioned separate from the spindle carrier and extends in a longitudinal direction. The rack includes a plurality of drum support members for storing a plurality of tool drums. A carriage track is integral with the spindle carrier. A device is provided for selectively moving the spindle carrier to a position such that the carriage track is positioned adjacent and aligned with a selected of the drum support members. A carriage is provided for moving the tool drum of the selected drum support member along the carriage track between the tool drum mounting device and the selected drum support member.

Abstract: A tray unloading apparatus for transferring trays from a tray transport van to a horizontal in-feed station of a carry-away conveyor for carrying trays to further stations. The unloading apparatus includes vertical pillars which support a set of horizontal parallel tray guide tracks which are disposed essentially parallel to a plurality of vertical sets of tray rails in a tray transport van. The set of tray guide tracks are vertically shiftable along the pillars by a mechanical drive into different height positions corresponding to levels of the transport van rails. The uppermost height position is level with the in-feed station of the carry-away conveyor to receive a tray slid from the tray guide tracks at the upper level.