Abstract: A fluid power load-clamping system includes at least one fluid valve for variably regulating the maximum fluid pressure causing closure of the clamp. Preferably the valve increases the maximum fluid pressure automatically in relation to the measured magnitude of the weight of the load to regulate the load-gripping force. A controller causes the valve to permit a relatively high maximum fluid pressure as the clamp closes toward the load to enable high initial clamp closure speed. Thereafter the valve automatically reduces the maximum pressure as the clamping surfaces close into a predetermined relationship with the load, and then increases the maximum pressure to regulate the gripping force. Other preferable features include continuous weight-responsive automatic regulation of the gripping pressure while the load is supported by the clamp, and compensation of the weight measurement for the longitudinally-extensible position of the lifting mechanism, to maximize the accuracy of the load-weight measurement.

Abstract: An end effector assembly is provided which allows for transport of test fixtures between storage locations and testing locations. The end effector assembly includes a pivotable frame, a pair of loading arms which can be separated or drawn together, and a pair of gripping members which provide a wristlike action. Operation of the apparatus is provided by manipulating the apparatus into the vicinity of a first location, manipulating the elongate arms such that they engage the opposing handles, lifting the test fixture from a first position, manipulating the apparatus into the vicinity of a second location; and lowering the test fixture into the second position.

Abstract: A control is provided for a load-handling device that includes a hydraulic gripper (14) which is intended to grip objects, such as one or more rolls or bales of paper material or other goods, through the medium of pressure in a clamping pressure line (32) leading to one or more hydraulic cylinders (30) that actuate gripping arms on the gripper (14), and on the other hand to lift the objects by actuation from a lifting device (22, 42). The clamping force is adapted to the lifting force during a clamping and lifting operation, by, among other things, monitoring the lifting force of the lifting device (42) with the aid of sensor member. A pressure reduction valve (36) is provided in the clamping pressure line (32), and a control member (50) is provided for controlling the pressure reduction valve (36) to a pressure in the clamping pressure line (36) that is proportional in the lifting force detected by the sensor member (60).

Abstract: A support for a cylindrical container adapted to engage said container at its mid-section and containing a rapid connect and disconnect flexible member adapted to pull together two hinged semi-circular members to permit the container to be firmly held in position.

Abstract: A rotatable load-handling clamp assembly has a rotation-stopping triggering assembly for automatically stopping clamp rotation at one or more predetermined stop positions. A hydraulic motor rotates a rotatable frame having clamp arms thereon with respect to a base. A hydraulic motor control system includes a switch and a set of triggering devices mounted in mutual opposition on the frame and base. The triggering devices are positioned to actuate the switch at the predetermined stop positions, and thereby automatically stop rotation of the hydraulic motor at such positions.

Abstract: The present invention provides new drum lift indicators and inventory control devices for use with drum handling equipment. The drum lift indicators and inventory control devices provide signals indicative of whether drums are properly clamped in the drum lifting equipment. The devices may also provide various other information, for example a count of the number of drums lifted and the amount of time the drum lift indicator and inventory control device is in service. One drum lift indicator and inventory control device according to the present invention has a clamp sensor positioned on a drum lifting clamp, in which the clamp sensor has a sensor signal indicative of whether the drum lifting clamp is clamped onto the drum. A drum clamp indicator is connected to the drum clamp sensor and receives the sensor signal from the clamp sensor. An operator receivable indicator signal is produced by the clamp indicator in response to the sensor signal when the drum lift clamp is clamped onto the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting, carrying, and positioning probemats or fixtures. The apparatus comprises movable opposing side arms having a mechanism for receipt of a fixture handle, as well as a stationary support member. An arrangement is provided to connect the side arms to the support member by the use of a first track positioned on the front of the support member and a second track positioned on the rear of the support member. First and second rollers for rolling engagement with the tracks are connected to each side arm to support the weight of the side arm and to permit each side arm to slidably move along the tracks. The fixture handler also includes jaws comprising a channel and stops at the ends of the channel to permit the handler to be used with a plurality of different fixtures handles. Finally, an insert is provided for use with the jaws to further enhance the ability of the fixture handler to support a myriad of fixture types.

Abstract: Difficulties in handling drums when transporting them from one location to another may be avoided through use of an apparatus for transporting the drums that includes a cart frame (12) having spaced side members (13) and (14) extending to an open side. The spacing between the side members (13), (14) is such as to allow a drum (84) to be transported to fit between the side members (13), (14) by advancing the open side toward the drum (84). Wheels (18), (22) are located on the cart frame (10) and a lifting frame (12) is mounted on the cart frame (10) for elevating movement thereon. The lifting frame is open on one side to receive a drum to be transported and includes a lifting side (80) adapted to engage a rib (82) on a drum (84). Grapple arms (68) are located on the lifting frame (12) for engaging a drum (84) and holding the drum (84) against the lifting side (80). Lift assemblies (40) are provided for lifting the lifting frame (12) away from the cart frame (10).

Abstract: Drum lifting attachments for allowing forklift trucks to be able to raise and lower 55 gallon storage drums. A first embodiment includes a drum lifting attachment having two pairs of arcuate lifting arms positioned side-by-side to allow for lifting two 55 gallon plastic drums simultaneously. This embodiment includes a pair of arcuate arms for each drum. A rotatable rectangular flap can fold-down over the portion of the side-by-side connection between the two pairs of arcuate arms inorder to allow for the lifting of a different diameter sized drum. Optionally, the fold-down flap can have arcuate shaped sides. Optionally, plural flaps of increasing sizes can be folded down to adjust for the different diameter drums. A second embodiment includes a forklifting attachment that includes four sets of arcuate arms for allowing four 55 gallon drums to be able to be lifted simultaneously. The drums to be lifted in include standard 55 gallon metal drums, 55 gallon conical drums and drum sizes of varying diameters.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for manipulating concrete products having first and second ends. The apparatus comprises 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: The universal carrier of the present invention may be used to move and weigh heavy objects, such as drums or coils of metal or wire. This can be done by changing a removable member attached to the lift member of the universal carrier or by replacing both the removable and lift members with a single horizontally adjustable member. The removable members have different attachments which allow different types of objects to be moved. The universal carrier may include an optional force measuring device which allows the object to be weighed at the time it is moved.

Abstract: An automatic bobbin-changing device (10) for a winding machine with a vertical winding axis, the device having a bobbin carrier (12) which can rotate about a vertical axis (13) and which can adopt two bobbin-holding positions staggered at an angle of about 180.degree.. The bobbin carrier (12) has a total of four gripper arms (25, 26, 27, 28) which work together in pairs to grip a bobbin (1, 2). On each gripper arm (25, 26, 27, 28) is a bobbin-support surface (29) which, during the bobbin-changing operation, is positioned under the bobbin lower-flange (1b, 2b). The bobbin is changed by lifting the bobbin carrier (12) by means of a lifting mechanism (52, 54, 55) in such a way that the bobbin (1) on the winding machine is lifted off its mounting, the bobbin carrier (12) subsequently being rotated through 180.degree. and lowered again.

Abstract: A lift truck pivot frame paper roll handling clamp assembly for engaging and moving paper rolls of varying diameter. The clamp has a mounting frame that is rotatably mounted on a lifting apparatus of the lift truck. A pair of sub-frames are pivotally attached to the mounting frame by four pivot arms which permit eccentrical pivoting of the sub-frame in relation to the mounting frame. This eccentric pivotal motion is essentially a guided linear side shift movement of one end of the sub-frame and guided a circular segment path at the other end thereof. This results in a turning generally about a "floating point" approximately halfway between the center of gravity of the roll and the body of the clamp. The clamp assembly also includes a pair of hydraulically actuated opposing clamp arms pivotally connected to the sub-frame for gripping paper rolls of varying diameter.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus for lifting objects includes a frame and first and second opposing clamping arms pivotably supported by the frame about first and second parallel axes. Each clamping arm has a contact portion. A drive member is connected to the first and second clamping arms to simultaneously pivot the first and second clamping arms about the first and second axes. The height of the contact portions when spaced apart by a first separation is the same as when spaced apart by a second separation. As a result, the clamping apparatus can securely grasp both square and elongated rectangular objects.

Abstract: The invention consists of an improvement to 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 drum to another location with minimum effort and allows force measuring (weighing) of the drum.

Abstract: A dolly which may be used in pairs to clampingly engage respective ends of heavy elongate objects followed by upward movement of one frame relative to another to lift the object so that it may be easily and safely transported.

Abstract: A floor-running stacker crane comprising a non-linear floor rail, a non-linear overhead rail, a base supported for movement along the floor rail, a turntable, a rotate bearing supporting the turntable on the base for rotation of the turntable relative to the base about a generally vertical axis, a rotate drive for rotating the turntable relative to the base, a mast having a lower end fixed to the turntable such that the mast rotates with the turntable relative to the base, the mast also having an upper end supported for movement along the overhead rail, a carriage moveable vertically relative to the mast, a hoist assembly for moving the carriage vertically relative to the mast, a load engaging mechanism, a rotate bearing supporting the load engaging mechanism on the carriage for rotation relative to the carriage about a generally horizontal axis, and a tilt drive for rotating the load engaging mechanism relative to the carriage.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for carrying bales which forms an extension of a vehicle, such as a fork-lift truck. The bale-carrying device includes a frame (4) which can be fixed to the vehicle and carries a lifting device (5) which can be raised and lowered relative to the frame (4). The lifting device (5) includes two carrying arms (6, 7) which are carried by and extend from the lifting device (5) outward generally in the direction of vehicle travel. The carrying arms (6, 7) are provided with opposing vertical contact faces (8) which are parallel and can be closed to grip a bale and opened to drop a bale. Such bales are generally tied by horizontal binding wires, and to simplify the task of unbailing a bale, at least one of the two carrying arms (6) has a cutting device (10) which extends along the entire height thereof. A cutting device (10) carries a cutting blade (12) for cutting through the bale-binding wire.

Abstract: An apparatus to transport and place a water bottle onto a water dispenser includes an upright frame member having a base portion and a top portion, the base having a pair of strut elements adapted to fit around the sides of the water dispenser without interference. A vertically-movable and horizontal-axis swivelling bottle clamp arm portion extends in a direction parallel to the struts. The clamp arm is supported on the upright frame so that it may be raised and lowered, such as by a winch and cable arrangement. The bottle clamp arm terminates in a pivotable clamp member adapted for releasable capture of a water bottle.

Abstract: A lift mechanism lifts a bottle of water from a lower upright position to an elevated position at which it can be lowered into a well of a water cooler. The lift mechanism includes a bottle elevator and cam operated bottle turning assembly. A closure on the bottle is adapted to be activated by surfaces of the cooler well to move a plunger from a closed position to a position at which water is adapted to flow out of the bottle.

Abstract: A clamping device for carrying barrels having end frame rims is supported on a housing adapted to be lifted by a fork lift truck. Upper and lower clamping heads carried by a parallelogram link mechanism pivotally supported on a bearing holder mounted at the upper end of the housing are normally urged upwardly to a released position by a counterweight carried by one of the links which comprise the link mechanism. When the lower clamping head is engaged with the rim of a barrel and the housing is elevated by a lift truck the parallelogram linkage moves the upper clamping head downwardly toward the lower clamping head against the action of the counterweight and into cooperating clamping relation to the lower clamping head to grip and hold an upper portion of the barrel.

Abstract: A container handling apparatus for lifting a container by first and second apertures in opposite sides thereof, comprising: a frame having first and second sides; first and second reciprocating beams mounted to the frame for inward and outward movement with respect thereto, respectively from the first and second sides thereof; first and second inwardly directed pins, respectively attached to clamp heads at the ends of the reciprocating beams, for registered insertion into the container's side apertures; hydraulic cylinders or motor driven screws for reciprocating the beams with respect to the frame between a released condition and a gripping condition; and either a lock wedge operating against a striker plate and aperture or compression washers for causing the reciprocating beams to move inwardly while in the gripping condition so as to track decreases in the width of the container due to bowing as the container is lifted.

Abstract: A lifting device for polyethylene barrels comprises a pair of arms each having a sleeve for engaging over the fork of a fork lift truck. A cross bar interconnects the arms and is adjustable in length in conjunction with the adjustment of the spacing between the forks of the forklift truck. On the forward end of each end is mounted an arcuate gripper pivotal about a vertical pin on the respective arm. The gripper comprises a horizontal band having a sharpened upper edge with the band curved around a center of the barrel. Each gripper is rotated by a spring in a direction to open forward ends of the gripper to an increased spacing so that the forward ends can be moved forwardly to engage around the barrel and then each gripper pivots about the vertical pin to face the center of the barrel and to engage the barrel under the bead at the upper end of the barrel.

Abstract: A load-handling parallel arm clamp structure for a lift truck comprises a slide guide frame having respective upper and lower pairs of elongate, parallel, vertically-spaced transverse slide guides with load-arm supporting slide members longitudinally movable thereon alternatively toward or away from one another in a mutually overlapping longitudinal relationship. Each slide member at least partially surrounds the respective slide guide upon which it is mounted, and each slide guide in turn at least partially surrounds a respective piston and cylinder assembly for moving the slides relative to the guides. The upper and lower pairs of guides are separated by a wide, unobstructed central vertical space through which the operator can view in a forward direction, such space being unoccupied by any view-impeding piston and cylinder assemblies due to their placement inside the guides.

Abstract: Procedure and apparatus for the handling of loads using jaws pressed against the sides of the load. In the procedure of the invention, the slippage between the load and the jaws is measured and the compressive force of the jaws is adjusted on the basis of the slippage. The slippage is measured at least during a preliminary lifting performed before the load is lifted or at the beginning of the lifting operation. During the preliminary lifting the load can be lifted at an essentially lower speed than during the main lifting operation. The compressive force is increased during the preliminary lifting from a predetermined precompression value to at least a value at which the slipping ceases.

Abstract: An attachment is provided for a forklift. The attachment including a frame having a mechanism for attaching said frame to the forks of a forklift. A carriage assembly is provided including a carriage frame and drum engaging member. The carriage frame is connected to the main frame for pivotable movement about a horizontal axis of rotation. The drum engaging member is connected to the carriage frame for rotational movement about the axis of rotation. The drum engaging member includes first and second clamps mounted on the drum engaging member for movement relative to one another between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A rotator including a base frame for being attached to a lift mechanism; a rotating frame; a first latch member attached to the rotating frame; a second latch member attached to the rotating frame a spaced distance from the first latch member for coacting with the first latch member to securely attach a trailer chassis to the rotating frame; and axle structure rotatably attaching the rotating frame and the base frame to one another for allowing the rotating frame to rotate between a first position and a second position to rotate the trailer chassis between an upright position and an inverted position about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the trailer chassis.

Abstract: A wall board lifting and positioning apparatus which includes an elongated boom having first and second ends and apparatus for holding an associated individual panel. The apparatus for holding is carried on the elongated boom proximate to the first end thereof and apparatus for moving the boom through a plurality of substantially coplanar positions. The apparatus includes apparatus for pivoting and rotating the apparatus for holding to position the apparatus for holding. In some forms of the invention the apparatus for moving includes a first elongated control link and a second elongated control link. The boom may be supported on a head member. The first control link and the second control link may be each pivotally connected to the head member and may also be pivotally connected to the boom.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a rectangular frame (20) disposed horizontally, which is fixed to the forks (25) of a lift truck. Gates (29) depend downwards from the sides of the frame, and each gate carries a pad (32). When the gates are operated hydraulically the pads clamp a pallet-sized layer (43) of cardboard cases (36) therebetween. Other layers of cases resting on the clamped layer may be picked up along with the clamped layer. The layer is clamped on all four sides, and the pads are long enough that no bottle (38) can "escape" the clamping force. The apparatus allows a high clamp force to be used, without the danger of damaging the cases or bottles.

Abstract: An article handling method and system for an article handling machine operable by users having identification (ID) cards bearing user identifying codes for vending and/or receiving articles which bear article identifying codes and are stored within storage bins in the machine. The article handling system includes a novel article transport and a novel user and article code reading arrangement. The article transport is selectively operable in a vending mode to transport user-selected articles from their storage bins to a position accessible to machine users for removal of the selected articles from and later return of the articles to the machine and in a return mode to transport returned articles from the user accessible position to their storage bins. The user and article code reading arrangement embodies a single common code reader for reading both ther user code on user ID cards inserted into the machine and the article codes on articles vended to and returned by machine users.

Abstract: A stern drive handling device includes a wheeled lower support frame and an extensible upper support frame telescopically mounted on the lower support frame. A horizontally disposed hollow sleeve is secured to the upper end of the upper support frame and a screw jack is provided for adjusting the height of the sleeve relative to the lower support frame. A support bracket assembly is pivotally mounted in the sleeve for swinging movement about a horizontal axis and a pair of pivoted clamps adapted to engage the cavitation plates on the housing of a stern drive unit are pivotally mounted on the support bracket assembly for pivotal adjusting movement about a second horizontal axis orthogonal to the first horizontal axis. The clamps may be secured in any desired pivoted position and limit stops are provided to limit the pivoting movement of the clamps.

Abstract: A unit which serves to fill trays with surplus cigarettes adjacent the path of movement of a mass flow of cigarettes from a maker to a processing machine is disposed at a level beneath a unit which empties the contents of filled trays into the mass flow when the requirements of the processing machine exceed the output of the maker. Each unit stores empty trays at an upper level and filled trays at a lower level. The two units are adjacent a device which serves to transfer trays between the storeys as well as between the two units on the one hand and a reservoir for additional empty and filled trays on the other hand.

Abstract: A load transporting dolly includes a frame having a flange on a lower end thereof to be positioned above an upstanding wall of a tray containing a load and a foot positioned in spaced relation with the flange for engaging the load when the flange is placed above the side wall. Spaced, parallel legs joined to opposing lateral ends of the flange extend upwardly therefrom, and arms for positioning and holding the load upon the frame are mounted, respectively, on the legs for selective rotation around a first axis and selective sliding movement along the first axis to extend along lateral sides of the load perpendicular with the foot. The arms are rotatable around a second axis perpendicular with the first axis and are slidable along the second axis to selectively position gripping fingers in the arms and planes containing the arms to permit the gripping fingers to be placed in a clearance adjacent lateral sides of the load and positioned to extend along a back of the load.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for lifting, inverting, and stacking trailer chassis has a pair of support arms engageable with arms of a forklift vehicle and a frame pivotally mounted on outer ends of the support arms. The frame is mounted by engagement of pivot pins on the arm ends with apertures in side members of the frame, the apertures being located inwardly from the center of the length of the side members. This off-center placement of the axis of rotation of the frame enables it to be rotated when the forklift arms are raised without requiring power other than normal forklift lifting power. Clamps including a fixed L-shaped bracket and a cooperating slideable bracket are provided on the underside of the frame for engaging chassis beams of a trailer. A locking pin for securing the frame in a position generally coplanar with the support arms is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying large-diameter bales for attachment to a front end loader including a support frame for attachment to the loader, forwardly extending support arms for supporting a bale generally from underneath, first and second forwardly extending gripping arm spaced apart to receive a bale therebetween. Manipulation structure slides the gripping arms to vary the distance therebetween, so that the device may effectively handle bales of varying width or in lengthwise and endwise orientation.

Abstract: A grapple device (12) adapted for coupling to a conventional loader (110) is provided which is especially adapted for the pickup and handling of elongated auger sections. The device (12) includes a pair of pivotal arms (28,30) having auger-engaging pickup members (72,74) secured to the outermost ends thereof. The arms (28,30) are movable between a closed, auger-engaging position and an open position by a stationary piston and cylinder assembly (94) equipped with an extensible piston rod (96); the rod (96) is coupled to the arms (28, 30) by pivotal links (104,106). Selective rotation of the arms (28, 30) is effected by motor (108) coupled via chain (112) and sprockets (110,88) to the arm assembly.

Abstract: A load bearing replaceable wear strip for use between the guides and slides in a clamp attachment for use on a lift truck. Each wear strip is C-shaped in cross section and is positioned in and matches the surfaces of each guide and extends substantially the entire length of the guide. The strip is telescopically movable in and out of the slide for replacement. A releasable retainer is connected between the wear strip and the guide.

Abstract: A carton clamp load having a pad on the inner side for clamping a load, a first spring beam positioned outside of the pad and supported from its back end, and a second spring beam positioned outside of the first beam and supported at its back end. A uniform distribution of load is provided by supporting the front end of the pad adjacent the front ends of the first and second beams and supporting the back end of the pad vertically from the first beam and horizontally from the second beam.

Abstract: A clamping arrangement for stabilizing a load carried on an elevationally movable load engaging device of a material handling lift mast has a clamp movably connected to the load engaging device and an actuator for moving the load engaging clamp between first and second spaced apart locations in response to the actuator being moved between extended and retracted positions. A connecting device connects the actuator to the load engaging device and maintains the load engaging clamp from movement toward the second position in response to engagement between the load engaging clamp and the load and provides a preselected amount of movement of the actuator relative to the load engaging clamp subsequent to engagement between the load engaging clamp and the load and thus reduces the potential of damaging the load. The clamping arrangement is particularly suited for use on an automatic guided vehicle.

Abstract: A device for clamping container comprises a support frame positionable around the container over approximately one half of the circumference thereof, a pair of substantially horizontal support rods provided on the inner side of the frame in the vicinity of respective opposite ends thereof, and a pair of claw plates mounted on the respective support rods upwardly and downwardly rotatable. The support rods extend away from each other in a horizontal plane toward their front ends. The claw plates have inwardly curved edges opposed to each other for the body of the container to partly fit in and each have an upper surface positioned at a higher level than the support rod. The shortest distance between the claw plates through the center of the container corresponds to the diameter of the container body, and the distance between the front ends of the claw plates is smaller than the diameter.

Abstract: Yieldably suspended attachments for lifting trailers or containers are difficult to accurately position. Therefore, load pick-up and deposit is inefficient and inaccurate. A load lifting attachment having an elevationally movable connecting frame, a load engaging frame having first and second end portions, and first and second link assemblies yieldably connecting the load engaging frame to the connecting frame first end portion is provided. A connecting arrangement connects the load engaging frame second end portion to the connecting frame, maintains the load engaging frame for free elevational movement relative to the connecting frame, and controllably moves the load engaging frame second end portion between elevationally spaced apart locations relative to the connecting frame. Therefore, the aforementioned problems related to the positioning of the load lifting attachment are alleviated. The load lifting attachment is particularly suited for use on a material handling vehicle having a lift mast.

Abstract: A manipulator for manipulating metal ingots comprises a wheeled carriage with a peel assembly supported on it so that the peel assembly can move relative to the carriage. The peel assembly is supported adjacent one end of the carriage by at least one piston-cylinder device and a plurality of elongate links are pivotally coupled to the peel assembly and to a rigid support means on the carriage away from the end.

Abstract: A drum handling apparatus adapted for use with an integrated tool carrier hicle or a forklift which has coupled thereto a tire handling attachment. The tire handling attachment has a pair of L shaped members which extend and retract. Located at the free end of the L shaped members are rotatable engaging elements. The drum handling apparatus includes a pair of square shaped tubular members in slidable engagement, with each tubular member having at the free end thereof a circular plate which attaches to one of the rotatable gripping elements of the tire handling attachment. Each tubular member has affixed thereto a curved plate with the curved plates to be utilized to grip a barrel or drum when the L shaped members of the tire handling attachment are retracted and release the barrel or drum when the L shaped members of the tire handling attachment are extended.

Abstract: A storage system for wheeled trailer frames includes a staircase-like support rack. Frames are stacked horizontally with their front ends supported by the rack and with their rear wheels nested. Trailer frames are lifted and stacked by means of a traveling overhead yard crane provided with a lifting attachment or by means of a forklift truck provided with a lifting attachment slidingly engaged by its tines.

Abstract: A chuck for transporting wafer carriers is designed to hold the wafer carriers in a cantilever manner and with support members supporting one sides of the wafer carriers. This enables the whole chuck to be extremely compact. This also enables the wafer carriers to be made freer fron any limit while they are being transported and prevents them from being damaged because they can be steadily transported.

Abstract: A forging manipulator has a billet gripper carrier rotatable about its longitudinal axis in bearings, which in turn are displaceable transversally along cross arms on a carriage. To reduce height and to reduce bending moments, the cross arms are above the bearings and above the gripper carrier, which are suspended from the cross arms. The cross arms are raised and lowered, by telescopic piston and cylinder units which support the cross arms on the upper ends of the cylinders, the piston rods being suspended on the carriage.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying packages to a warper creel having a plurality of package supporting pegs comprises a lining station for lining up packages transported on a conveyor in a predetermined order, and a package exchanging apparatus located between the lining station and the positioned creel for transferring a plurality of packages lined up at the lining station collectively to the pegs on the creel.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the level of clamping pressure applied by a clamp to a load. A pump, whose output is controlled by a normally open valve, establishes an initial level of clamping pressure. Through the use of a number of controllable fluid discharge systems, this pressure is automatically increased in increments depending upon the resistance of the load to the clamping pressure exerted. In a preferred embodiment, the controllable fluid discharge systems include discharge cylinders that contain predetermined volumes of fluid dischargeable by free-floating pistons residing therein. The outputs of the discharge cylinders are controlled by pressure-responsive valves to produce the desired relationship between clamp pressure and load rigidity.

Abstract: A truck-mounted lifting mechanism is provided for loading containers, such as waste bins, on a truck so that the container can be positioned where its weight will be reasonably distributed between the front and rear wheels. The lifting mechanism includes a track extending along the length of the truck bed, a tray which can be moved along the length of the track while being restrained by the track from any vertical displacement, and a jack-up assembly attached to and supported by the movable tray. A pair of hydraulic cylinders attached between the tray and the jack-up assembly permit the controlled forward tilting of the jack-up assembly toward the truck cab. In use, the jack-up assembly is utilized to securely grasp the container to be loaded, and lift it vertically until the container bottom is above the upper surface of the truck bed. In this elevated position, the tray can be pulled by another hydraulic ram toward the truck cab to position the container over the truck bed.

Abstract: An electric motor-actuated load clamp for automatically-guided vehicles has clamp arms which are selectively opened and closed by a plurality of rotary electric motors connected to the clamp arms by ball screws. Clamping force is accurately controlled by regulation of current to the electric motors, any of a number of different predetermined clamping forces being selectively obtainable. During clamping of a load, the electric motors are energized only a small fraction of the time according to a time-sequenced clamping and reclamping procedure, clamping force being otherwise maintained by a one-way brake. Further control features ensure against inaccuracy and overclamping due to current in-rush, and against malfunctions which could cause safety hazards.