Abstract: An apparatus for raising and lowering stacks of tires includes a stationary mast having a base end attached to a support frame and an opposite free end. A transport structure is attached to the mast and is engageable with a hook member to transport the hook member between a first position adjacent the base end of the mast and and second position adjacent the free end of the mast. The hook member is releasably connectable to a lifting end of a tire stacker which includes a frame capable of supporting a number of tires in side-by-side relation when the stacker is in a horizontal position and a support structure capable to supporting a stack of tires when the stacker is in a vertical position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing repairs and inspections in a reactor pressure vessel (RPV) of a nuclear reactor are described. In one embodiment of the apparatus, a support mast facilitates the positioning of tools within the RPV, especially at locations that are extremely difficult to access using known methods and apparatus. In the one embodiment, a mast extends in the reactor pressure vessel and through an opening in the top guide and through an opening in the core plate. The mast includes an outer tube and an inner tube positioned at least partially within the outer tube. The inner tube is connected to a robotic arm. A slot is formed in the outer tube and the slot extends at least partially along the axial length of the mast. The portion of the inner tube positioned at the location of the slot is in free communication with the reactor components when the mast is positioned within the RPV. The robotic arm can access the reactor components through the slot in the outer tube.

Abstract: A lifter includes a grasping device for grasping and holding a handle in the lane maintenance machine, vertically driving device for driving the grasping device in the vertical direction, horizontally driving device for driving the grasping device in the horizontal direction, and lifter moving device for moving the lifter. When the handle of the bowling lane maintenance machine is grasped by the grasping device and if the horizontally driving device, vertically driving device and lifter moving device are used step-by-step in a combination, the bowling lane maintenance machine can be safely and easily shifted from one position to the other position or vice versa.

Abstract: A human guided mobile loader stocker developed to mechanically assist in SMIF container movement. The assist includes a pushcart, a semi-motorized transport arm, a processor, and communication devices. A group of containers are placed on the cart using the arm. The cart is pushed to a semiconductor processing tool where the arm is used to transfer containers to and from the port of the processing tool. The processor and communication devices are used for inventory control and guiding the container to the port of the processing tool.

Abstract: An improved gantry crane that has a control cab mounted for vertical up and down movement substantially parallel with respect to the upstanding columns of the crane between a lowermost position adjacent the ground and infinite positions within a fixed range. One or both of the sill beams of the crane include a downwardly offset mid-portion extending adjacent to the ground but spaced therefrom with the mid-portion of one of the sill beams being positioned to receive the control cab when in the lowermost position thereof. A supporting beam supports the control cab therebeneath so that the operator in the cab has a 360 degree substantially unobstructed view in all directions.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting truck trailers and cargo containers is provided and includes a plurality of side latch assemblies. A side fitting connection device is secured to four predetermined locations on external upper side locations of a trailer or a container. Each side latch assembly includes a complementary shaped member adaptable to engage with and be secured to each side fitting device. The side fitting devices and side latch assemblies, when connected and engaged together, permit top side lifting of trailers and containers for intermodal movement thereof. The external upper side locations of the side fitting device permit full, complete and more profitable usage of the internal space of volume of truck trailers or cargo containers.

Abstract: An opening and closing apparatus for a manhole cover includes a supporting member 2 having a number of elongated holes 1, two hook rods 4, each having a lower hook, and extending vertically through one of the elongated holes 1 of the supporting member 2, and a bracket 5 through which each hook rod 4 extends. A clamp 6 permits adjustment of the vertical position of each hook rod 4. Two horizontal extension members 8 horizontally adjustably connect to opposite ends of the supporting member 2 so that an upper surface of each horizontal extension member 8 wholly or partially overlaps the supporting member 2. A set of bolts 9 and nuts 10 tightly fasten the supporting member 2 to each horizontal extension member 8. A leg 11 projects downward from an inner end of each horizontal extension member 8.

Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating concrete products having first and second ends. The apparatus includes first and second engaging assemblies for engaging the first and second ends of the product. The engaging assemblies are mounted on a structural assembly. At least one of the engaging assemblies is displaced along the structural assembly towards the other of the engaging assemblies to grip the concrete product therebetween. A rotational actuator may be provided for each of the engaging assemblies for rotating the concrete product from a casting orientation into an installation orientation. The structural assembly may accommodate one or more sets of engaging assemblies and may be designed to allow fine adjustment of these assemblies relative to the concrete products to be manipulated.

Abstract: A four-wheel device used to lift drums with compressed air stored in an on-board storage tank without special straps, tools, or clamps that allows the operator to lift the drum with no physical stress and to roll the unit to another location with minimum effort.

Abstract: Lift-clamping device mounted on a movable base for the lifting and transporting of vertically oriented materials. A hinged arm device controlled by an operator using a jack linked to an adjustable clamp mechanism provides a means for lift and support of materials to be transported.

Abstract: The invention is an automated storage library including one or more robotic accessors which move upon the surface of a horizontal plane including the openings to storage cells. The accessors are wireless, remotely controlled vehicles. The vehicles employ known tracking mechanism(s) to move between locations within the library. The storage cells are embedded beneath the horizontal surface. The horizontal plane is a floor which is formed by the surface of the storage cells. Openings in the floor are also the access openings to the storage cells. Storage media are raised and lowered into the storage cells by a picker mechanism on the vehicles.

Abstract: A system especially adapted to retrieve, insert and transport a computer data storage cassette between spaced-apart cassette library and cassette drive unit sites. The system includes a robot carried by a movable transport assembly which is operable to transport the robot between the cassette library and cassette drive unit sites. The robot itself includes an especially adapted robotic manipulator whereby the cassette may be gripped and released. A mechanical cassette ejector is preferably provided to ensure that the cassette is expelled from the fingers of the robotic manipulator when the cassette is released. A push rod may also be provided so as to engage, and thus manipulate, a door which covers a slot of the cassette drive unit.

Abstract: Left side panels and right side panel are produced in a left side panel production line and a right side panel production line, respectively By vertical lifters, each left side panel and each right side panel are lifted at the delivery stations and then transferred to runners at work transfer positions. The runner with the left side panel held thereon travels along a rail while the runner with the right side panel held thereon travels along a rail. Both runners are stopped at a standby position and then conveyed to a runner transfer position simultaneously. The runners with the left and right side panels held thereon, respectively, are loaded on the traverser and then conveyed to a drop lifter arranged above a main body assembly line. The left and right side panels are transferred to the drop lifter. The drop lifter then descends and feeds the left and right side panels simultaneously on opposite sides of a floor panel in the main body assembly line.

Abstract: A tool gripper to remove a tool from and position the tool in a work spindle or a tool magazine, respectively, includes two tong-like gripper arms, a support attached to a tool changer on which the two gripper arms are mutually movably mounted, and an operating device to open and close the two gripper arms. To achieve a simple construction with only a few individual parts, and to avoid technically complicated hydraulic or pneumatic driving mechanisms, according to the invention a first spring is disposed between the two gripper arms to provide a closing force. Further, the support having a bore therein, is motor-driven and movably arranged on a column. A pin inserted in the bore, which is axially parallel to the column, may be shifted against a second spring, and a locking member laterally attached to the bore engages between the rear legs of the two gripper arms.

Abstract: This invention consists of an assembly and apparatus for handling clothes on hangers, and more exactly of an apparatus able of moving clothes or the like from one place to another inside a factory or a warehouse, following instructions that could be provided by an external computer. The apparatus includes basically an autoguided vehicle, a manipulator of two degrees of freedom and a clamp, movable in four degrees of freedom, being all the aforementioned elements specifically designed for controlled handling clothes on hangers. When applied in a factory, a set of apparatus like this one of the invention, communicated with the proper computer, could automate the operations and the internal management of the warehouse or workshop (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A lift for raising and lowering large cylindrical tanks, which when filled with a fluid such as liquid nitrogen are very heavy, is provided with a base consisting of two parallel beams, each with a wheel at each end and a cross beam closer to one pair of wheels than the other to leave a U-shaped part of the base that may be positioned around a tank. An upright telescoping beam has a horizontal rod at its upper end that engages an eye on a strap welded to the tank. When the upright telescoping beam is extended by a jack having one end on a seat secured to a hollow beam and the other end secured to the telescoping beam, the cylinder is raised in a nearly vertical position. Side struts aid in supporting the upright hollow beam, and each side strut supports a bumper rod that prevents the tank from dragging on the upright hollow beam. Pulleys with V-belts are positioned on the bumper rods to prevent the tank from dragging on the bumper rods.

Abstract: A plate handling apparatus grips a group of vertically oriented stacks of plates that are being transported serially, lifts them out of the pockets they are being transported in, reduces the separation between them, moves them to a remote location and deposits them for further processing. In addition, the apparatus picks up the stacks in two groups that are 180.degree. opposed from one another with the stacks in one group being interposed with the stacks in the other group. The stacks of plates are engaged by gripping heads that employ paired cam elements carrying gripping fingers. The cam elements have two separate cam faces that permits them to be positively opened and closed by linear movement of a cam follower that fits between the cam elements and engages the cam faces. The set of cam faces used to open the fingers has a steeper ramp angle than the set used to close the fingers. Accordingly, the fingers are opened quicker than they are closed and a greater pressure is exerted upon closing.

Abstract: An elevating table has a housing with a workpiece support movably guided in an upward and downward direction by which a disk-shaped workpiece is transportable into a processing chamber of a vacuum installation. To correct the position of the workpiece placed by a machine into the workpiece support, as well as for securing the workpiece during transport, holding elements are disposed on opposite sides of the elevating table. These comprise in each instance a rod at the end of a jib which is disposed on a shaft rotatably supported in the elevating table and which is rotatable by a motor within a pivotal range in order to bring the holding element into one of two different positions. With two holding elements disposed next to each other on one side of the elevating table and one holding element disposed on the opposite side of the elevating table, the position of the workpiece on the workpiece support can be corrected.

Abstract: A product gripper mechanism, particularly for gripping a plurality of products in a product group, such as bakery products, for transfer to and loading into a shipping basket or tray. The gripper is constructed of a material, such as rigid PVC tubing, which is easily obtainable, lightweight and of substantial strength. The gripper frame includes spaced-apart lateral supports, which carry a plurality of adjustably positionable cross members carrying suction devices. The suction devices are adjustably positionable on the cross members, and may easily be added to or removed from the cross members. The assembly of the tubing elements is such as to accommodate rapid disassembly and reassembly, in order to reconfigure the gripper for different product types. The gripper has pivoting end flaps of L-shaped configuration provided with thin, flexible, inwardly projecting bottom plates.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting onto a lifting machine for gripping and lifting a highway barrier and the like, said apparatus comprising a body adapted to be mounted on to the lifting machine. A pair of clamping arms is pivotally and slidingly engaging the body and having mechanical advantage means pivotally engaging and extending between the body and clamping arms for releasably applying a gripping force to the barrier and to lift same. Locking means engaging the clamping arms is provided for successively locking the clamping arms in an open position to receive the barrier, unlocking the clamping arms in an operative position to apply the gripping force and thereafter locking the clamping arms in the open position for reuse upon release of the barrier.

Abstract: An apparatus for gripping and lifting closely packaged objects formed in rows and adjacent one another having a main horizontal beam, end gripper units adjustable through power means and self-positioning cross gripper units intermediate the end grippers. The grippers having elongated fingers which depend from the gripper units are powered toward the object to grip it and powered away from the object to release it. The objects are shaped and positioned to form spaces therebetween even when tangent to one another.

Abstract: A wafer support device including at least one support member shaped like a rotatable rod and having plural wafer support grooves formed at different pitches on the outer surface of the member in the longitudinal direction thereof. The frequencies of exchanging the support member with a new one or washing and cleaning it can be remarkably reduced and the productivity of semi-conductor wafers can be enhanced.

Abstract: Coils (C) containing band-like blank material are stored in a magazine station (M) in a horizontal position, i.e. with the axis vertical. They rest on a level underlay, together with which they can be gripped, still in the horizontal position, and fed to an unwinding station (H), where, together with the underlay, they can be placed horizontally and unwound, in order to feed the band-like blank material to a processing station (B).

Abstract: A disk file apparatus including a transfer member disposed at the upper side of a shelf for accommodating a multiplicity of cartridges each receiving a disk both sides of which are able to be subjected to recording and reproducing, each cartridge having a forward extending groove formed in the rear portion thereof. The transfer member has lever means which is arranged such that, when a cartridge having the same rating as that of said cartridges is inserted into the transfer member, the lever means detects whether or not there is a groove which is formed in the rear portion of the cartridge.

Abstract: A sales stand for articles such as spools of sewing thread has a lower storage part and a sales part arranged therebove. A carriage arrangement for transporting the spools from the storage part to the sales part includes a horizontally displaceable main carriage, a lower carriage part carried by and vertically displaceable relative to the main carriage, for transporting the spools up from the storage part to a transfer station, and an upper carriage part carried by and vertically displaceable relative to the main carriage for transporting the spools from the transfer station to the sales part. The sales part includes a plurality of compartments arranged in columns and rows, the compartments being inclined downwardly towards the front of the stand, and the upper carriage part delivers the reels to a selected individual sales compartment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for transferring a cassette holding articles to be processed to and from a container supported at a processing station where the processing station has a cassette port for receiving the cassette when the cassette moves along a central axis extending from outside the processing station through the cassette port, and into the processing station, said apparatus comprising: a platform device including a cassette platform transportable substantially along the central axis for transferring the cassette to and from the container substantially along the central axis; a manipulator device including a first member extending substantially orthogonal to the central axis, the first member including a first portion and a second portion; a pivoting arm including a pivoting portion and a coupling portion, the pivoting portion mounted pivotally adjacent to the second portion of the first member, the pivoting arm operable to pivot about a pivot axis extending substantially through th

Abstract: A sealable transportable container for use with processing equipment having a port plate and port door sealably mating to the port plate, the transportable container including a box having an interior space for containing the articles. The box including a conduit for communicating between the interior space and the environment external the box. The conduit including a filter for filtering fluids passing through the conduit. The box including a box top having sealing surfaces and a box door sealably mating with the box top. The port plate also includes sealing surfaces and is sealably mated to the box top. The port door includes a sealing surface and is sealably mated to the port plate. The box door includes a latch for mechanically opening and closing of the box and the port door includes a device for activating the latch.

Abstract: An automatically-guided, driverless vehicle for handling loads has a selectively openable and closeable load clamp. The clamp is equipped with various sensors for automatically sensing the load and other objects and surfaces surrounding the load, and controlling the movement of the clamp along a load-engaging direction, the vertical reciprocation of the clamp, and the opening and the closing of the clamp in response thereto.

Abstract: An automated cassette handler for transporting a cassette containing integrated circuit wafers between first and second elevators in a standardized mechanical interface (SMIF) system for integrated circuit processing. The handler is adapted to grip and transport the cassette while positively pushing the wafers into the cassette.

Abstract: A remotely-operable positioning and carrier arrangement for mounting and itioning remote handling apparatus is described for use in large-area cells containing process equipment particularly in radioactively-charged large-area cells of facilities for reprocessing irradiated nuclear fuels. In such large-area cells, the process components are disposed in racks. Maintenance and servicing work is carried out on the process components and the racks using the remote handling apparatus. The positioning and carrier arrangement which is used for this purpose has a vertically movable support. For a more precise positioning, the positioning and carrier arrangement is transportable and can be suspended on the particular rack at which work is to be done. The positioning and carrier arrangement has a table-like main frame which, in turn, has legs which are disposed horizontally when the frame is suspended on the rack. The ends of the legs are supported against the rack.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic storage and retrieval system for extracting individual storage elements from locations in a two dimensional array and replacing each extracted element into any other vacant location in that array or in some other location, possibly a second two dimensional array opposed to the first array and spaced from it by a distance only slightly greater than the length of the element. The present invention specifically relates to a system in which the bins are engaged by the extractor element along their sides.

Abstract: Disclosed is a manipulator for removing a cassette holding articles, such as semiconductor wafers, to be processed from a container supported on a processing station in a standard mechanical interface (SMIF) system. The container is supported on an interface port on the canopy of the processing station and has a removeable door on which the cassette is supportable. A first platform is transportable along a shaft below the interface port and is operable to mate with the interface port and receive the cassette from the container. The first platform is transported down the shaft, thereby removing the cassette from the container. A second platform mounted in the shaft includes a manipulator arm which swings to engage the cassette on the first platform and support the cassette off of the first platform. The manipulator arm then pivots to transport the cassette to a location in the processing station away from the shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a manipulator for removing a cassette holding articles, such as semiconductor wafers, to be processed from a container supported on a processing station in a standard mechanical interface (SMIF) system. The container is supported on an interface port on the canopy of the processing station. A first platform is transportable along a shaft below the interface port. The platform is operable to mate with the interface port and receive the cassette from the container. The first platform is transported down the shaft, thereby removing the cassette from the container. An arm orthogonal to the shaft and mounted in the shaft supports a pivoting arm which swings to engage the cassette on the first platform and support the cassette off of the first platform. The pivoting arm pivots to transport the cassette to a location away from the shaft. The first platform is then transported back up the shaft to the interface port to seal the container to prevent particulate contamination.

Abstract: A parts handling device is provided having a movable carrier on which is disposed a plurality of coil wound magnet poles. At least one of the poles is wound and with an A.C. source so that its current or voltage is subject to changes in response to induced magnetic flux caused by its proximity to a ferro-magnetic material. The changes in current or voltage so induced is sensed by a low impedance device or a resonant circuit device and an electric signal is produced which is employed to convert said poles to D.C. excitement control the operation of the parts handling device.

Abstract: A device for exchanging disks is provided with a pair of opposing disk containers each containing a large number of disk caddies each having side grooves and an upper surface having a recess adapted for containing a disk, a unit for extracting disks interposed between the opposing disk containers and adapted for extracting disk caddies from these disk containers, and a unit for vertically shifting the disk extracting unit. The latter is movable between the disk containers from a first position to a second position and vice versa, and is provided with a pair of hook members cooperable with one of the disk containers and another pair of hook members cooperable with the other disk container. These hook members are actuated by electromagnetic devices thereby and engageable in the side grooves of the disk caddy.

Abstract: A tool for picking up and releasing washers which uses a retractable rod member that is insertable into the washer and directs jets of pressurized air alternately onto the bottom surface of the washer to cause the latter to be picked up and onto the top surface of the washer to cause the latter to be released.

Abstract: An arrangement in a revolving press for withdrawing or inserting a tool holder carrying a punch from and into an opening in a turntable of the press when the tool holder turns with the turntable to an exchange position. The tool holder is in the exchange position temporarily held by a slide engaging a tool holder head projecting upwardly from the tool holder. A guide member substantially aligned with the axis of the tool holder in the exchange position carries at its lower end a gripping claw in such a manner that when the guide member is lowered while the slide is withdrawn, the claw will engage the tool holder head. Thereafter the guide member is raised, moving the tool holder out of the opening in the turntable and finally the tool holder is manually removed from the guide member so that a new punch can be mounted thereon, whereafter the tool holder is moved in reverse direction back into the opening of the turntable.

Abstract: A billet loader for an extrusion press having simple premeasured adjustment capabilities facilitating the sequential loading of different diameter billets into a billet container therewith without requiring difficult realignment adjustments. The billet loader comprises a head having a pair of angled support surfaces, with a third adjustable support arm therebetween, permitting simple adaptability to a plurality of billet diameters. The head also includes a shearable connection with its support arm to minimize damage in case of loader malfunction.

Abstract: An inverted press for producing multiple drawn metal containers combines in one press the functions of cupping and drawing presses. The press includes a blanking and cupping station and several drawing and redrawing stations, disposed one adjacent the other and rendered serially operative by a vertically reciprocable slide assembly. At each stage of operation the material, semifinished article or finished article is under complete control. A method for producing a drawn container by multiple forming and reforming of a drawn article, is also provided.

Abstract: A general purpose assembly machine of linear indexing type comprising a pallet guide for indexing a plurality of pallets, an elevator block making a rise and fall motion, and a pair of tool plates attached to the elevator block and making a linear and reciprocal motion in a direction parallel to or in a direction making a predetermined angle against an indexing direction of the pallets, wherein a plurality of working heads fixed at the tool plates make a combined horizontal and vertical motion thereby transferring parts from and onto the pallets.

Abstract: A stable hoist for loading and unloading articles (10) onto and from shelves (11) includes a base housing (12) from which extends a cruciform-shaped standard (13). A slide arrangement (14) mounted on the standard and driven by a power source (46 and 47) mounted in the housing moves a boom (16) up and down. The boom comprises a slide (20) and a trolley (21) from which depends a clamp (22) to grip the article. Inverted L-shaped arm structures (28 and 29) extend from the crossarms (26 and 27) of the cruciform-shaped standard (13). Stabilizing plates (48 and 49) are pivotally mounted in arm sections (33 and 34) to engage the shelf during a loading or unloading operation. The weight of components mounted in the base housing (12) and on the cruciform-shaped standard (13) act to counterbalance the tilting force during a loading and unloading operation.

Abstract: A truck on rails includes a vertically adjustable horizontally extending main beam supported at one end and having a plurality of auxiliary beams semi-circularly arranged thereabout parallel thereto and each connected thereto by a plurality of parallel levers of equal length each having a fulcrum on the main beam, being pivotally connected adjacent an outer end to its respective auxiliary beam, and being operatively connected adjacent an inner end to an actuating rod reciprocable by a hydraulic actuator for adjustment of the auxiliary beams radially of the main beam. The auxiliary beams are provided with rollers for engagement with the inside of a pipe, and those on the uppermost auxiliary beam are driven by a compressed-air motor to compensate for frictional drag imposed by the others on pipe being rotated in continuous production on a pipe making machine. When the pipe is cut to length, the truck transports the cut-off length to a storage or shipping area and returns to support another length being made.