Abstract: A handling unit for relocating parts, comprises a base part and a handling arm, wherein the handling arm is guided in a linear direction along a first axis of movement and along a second axis of movement which extends transversely with respect to the first axis of movement such that it can be adjusted with respect to the base part, and wherein for guiding the handling arm, a guiding cam is provided on the base part and at least one cam follower is provided on the handling arm, wherein a first drive is provided for adjusting the handling arm along the first axis of movement and a second drive is provided for adjusting the handling arm along the second axis of movement.

Abstract: A wheel lift hitch device for towing a vehicle, particularly a hitch that is assembled from several components to surround and carry an axle of a vehicle to be towed, in which the device becomes a rigid appendage to that vehicle. The appendage serves as a tongue to hitch vehicle to a tow truck with both horizontal and vertical axes at the hitch of the tow truck.

Abstract: A manually-operated cart retrieves a waste container from a compactor and transports the waste container across a support surface to a waste collection receptacle. An operator activates a winch and a belt that extends from the winch to a base frame lifts the base frame. The base frame is constrained to travel between a pair of vertically disposed channel members that form part of a back frame for the cart. A waste container rotating apparatus is secured to the base frame and is lifted with it until an immovable barrier secured to one of the channel members is encountered. Continued lifting of the base frame effects rotation of the waste container about an axis of rotation until the waste container tilts sufficiently to allow waste contained in it to fall out under the influence of gravity into the waste collection receptacle.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling reels (10) by means of a vertical reel conveyor (15). The latter is provided with a lifting head (18) which can be moved up and down on a vertical bearing column (17) and has a projecting conveyor journal (19) for moving into a centre opening (11) in a reel (10) which is to be picked up. The reels (10) are arranged one above the other in the region of a stock of reels (13), with their centre openings (11) running vertically. The lifting head (18) or part of this head can be rotated in order to transfer the reel (10) to the working journal (16).

Abstract: A robotic guidance mechanism for transporting storage media cartridges along linear and curved routes within a data storage library. The guidance mechanism includes a robotic assembly operating on a guide rail. Two guides of the robotic assembly move in two guide paths in the guide rail to route and orient the robotic assembly in a plane defined by the guide rail. A third guide of the robotic assembly engages a guide surface on the guide rail to prevent the robotic assembly from rotating out of the guide rail plane. A picker assembly is provided in the robotic assembly to handle one of the storage media cartridges.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is an apparatus for automatically testing condoms comprising a retrieving mechanism to present condoms from a large batch receptacle to an orienting mechanism, the orienting mechanism to orient each condom into the same configuration and orientation, a suction mechanism to move the condoms through the apparatus, a receiving mechanism to receive the oriented condom and position each condom onto a loading mechanism, the loading mechanism for loading the condom onto the testing mandrel, a mandrel shuttling mechanism to move the mandrels to the test position and a condom testing mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for loading a roll of web (1) from a stack (3) along a first axis (7) into a chamber (2) along a second axis (8) has a pivotable support member (12) and an engaging means (16) having a head member (18) attached to the support member (12) for engaging a roll along the first axis (7) and guiding the roll (1) into the chamber (4) along the second (8). The support member (12) pivots between a first position in alignment with the stack (3) along the first axis (7) and, a second position in alignment with the chamber opening (4) along the second axis (8). A guide means (22) comprising a guide track (24) having first and second elevation positions and predetermined first, second and third stopping means (30) , (53) , (44) are provided to ensure that the engaging means (16) precisely and repeatedly locates at the desired positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container loading and emptying device for a refuse vehicle with an endless carrier consisting of two chains (10,11), which runs in a substantially vertical plane along a substantially rectangular path, one or more pick up members (13), which are fitted to a shaft (12) connected to the endless carrier (10,11) and which are rotatable around this shaft (12) and tilting means consisting of rolls (15,16,17,18) mounted to the pick up member (13) and guides (27a,27b,28,27a',27b',28',30,31) for the said rolls mounted on the frame (3), with which at the upper angular points and a successive part of the upper part of the path the pick up member (13) rotates over an angle of 180.degree.

Abstract: An improved loader apparatus for a refuse collection truck or vehicle which includes a vertical rail assembly, a carriage apparatus mounted for vertical up and down movement along the rail assembly, a single length of drive chain for lifting and lowering the carriage apparatus between a home or down position and a dump or up position, a hydraulic motor system for driving the drive chain such that the refuse container-engaging apparatus carried by the carriage assembly can be position laterally outwardly therefrom for operatively engaging a refuse container to be emptied. The system includes a feedback system for controlling the speed, acceleration and deacceleration of the pick-up, transporting, emptying, lowering, and releasing cycle for minimizing cycle time while simultaneously maximizing the dumping efficiency of the system.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle has a pair of hoists at the rear of a body of the vehicle. Each hoist includes a carriage which slides up and down on guide bars. A bin-carrier is pivotally mounted on the carriage. Engagement of an element on the carrier with a fixed abutment during upward movement of the carriage causes the carrier to tip.

Abstract: Improved handling of multi-wafer cassettes in automated wafer processing machines is accomplished by means of an improved cassette elevator. The design of the cassette elevator is such that the receiver/sender portion of the wafer processing machine can be easily configured to accommodate single or multiple cassette elevators served by a single wafer loading spatula without increasing the width of the receiver/sender units. In addition, an automatic tilt feature of the cassette elevator substantially reduces the likelihood of wafer breakage during the cassette loading and unloading operation.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for transporting a holder for holding articles between a port opening providing access to the system and a loading and unloading station, the apparatus comprising: a first platform for supporting the holder in the course of transport of the holder between the port opening and the station; an elevator for moving the first platform between the port opening and the station; and an assembly for rotatably moving the first platform between a first position in which the first platform is oriented substantially perpendicular to a vertical axis and a second position in which the first platform is inclined relative to the vertical axis; and wherein the assembly moves the first platform between the first and second positions while the elevator moves the first platform between the port opening and the station.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the lifting and tilting of a container of fluent materials. Two embodiments are shown, one having a vertical column disposed to carry the secured container to a predetermined height. This apparatus may be fixed or may be movable from and to selected positions. A slot is formed in this column and a reciprocable movable plate is cycled up and down therein. A spur gear and meshed pinion are provided therein. The spur gear is rotated by an arm and cam follower on the end thereof, with the cam follower transverse an angled cam track to provide a determined tilt and rate of tilt. A second and telescoping embodiment is also disclosed for conditions in which the lift may be as much as twelve feet or more. Side and front discharge apparatus is shown. Container securement apparatus includes adjustable pins. A clamping arrangement for cylindrical containers with a tapered end is also contemplated. A battery-powered apparatus is shown particularly for the telescoping apparatus.

Abstract: The elevator device for an agricultural tractor loader comprises a swing member bearing in an articulated manner on a member protruding from a bracket in direction of the tractor loader. The swing member is moreover supported and actuated by a cylinder connected to the bracket so that this swing member pivots the tool to which it is attached and lifts the tool during expansion of the cylinder.

Abstract: A workpiece elevator for moving plural workpieces from an intake station vertically to an elevated discharge station. The workpiece elevator includes a bucket assembly which is pivotable in response to engagement with cam bars such that in one rotated position, the bucket engages the workpieces and carries them to the discharge station where the bucket is rotated to a discharging position. The bucket assembly includes a pair of cam followers disposed on opposite sides of a plate which engage elongated cam bars affixed to the elevator frame. Means are also provided for limiting the angular range of motion of the bucket assemblies. The elevator in accordance with the second embodiment includes means for enabling the elevator to be easily modified to accommodate different configurations and sizes of workpieces. A pair of separated channels are mounted to the frame amd extend between the intake and discharge stations to laterally support the workpiece.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted automobile "wheel lift" towing mechanism having a power actuated lift boom vertically movable between raised and lowered positions along angularly inclined parallel tracks having cam members operable to impart predetermined vertical tilting movements to the boom; the latter at ground engagement being tiltable to conform to variations in ground slope; power actuation of the boom being responsive to extension and contraction of a horizontal lift cylinder assembly having a linearly movable piston. Manually operable wheel engaging apparatus, is carried by the lift boom for positively coupling a pair of vehicle wheels to the towing mechanism and includes a pair of pivotally movable wheel restraints operable to swing arcuately about vertical axes from positions laterally outwardly of adjacently opposed vehicle wheels to positions behind such wheels for restraining the latter against opposing wheel chocks.

Abstract: A lift mechanism of a "fork-lift" type is capable of use on the input and output sides of machines for processing sheets of particle board, plywood and similar products. The mechanism itself has the sheets of product to be processed stacked on a pair of spaced-apart lifting arms which are hydraulically raised and lowered from one end, leaving the other end open to permit loading of stacks of product sheets or to permit removing stacks of product sheets from the arms by means of a conventional fork-lift truck. The lifting arms deflect under load in direct proportion to the amount of load on them, and a cam and cam-follower mechanism is provided to compensate for this deflection. Thus, the top sheet of the stack load always is presented at a horizontal orientation.

Abstract: Improvements are described for the type of trash collection apparatus mounted on a side-loading trash collection vehicle of the type in which a container carriage moves up and down on vertical guide rails. The improvements comprise providing pairs of guide rails on each side of the carriage with one set of guide rails being entirely vertical and the other set of guide rails having upper end portions which are curved towards the receptacle into which the container is dumped. An improved apparatus for slowing the speed of and stopping the carriage at the end of its upper travel to ensure proper orientation of the carriage wheels during return of the carriage to the ground position is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring pipe between pipe racks and the drilling rig floor including a stationary trough located below and extending towards the drilling rig and a movable, inclined trough aligned with the stationary trough having one end supported on the drilling floor and the other end powered to move between a lower position for transferring pipe to and from the stationary trough and an upper position for transferring pipe to and from the drilling floor. Two pair of racking legs extending between the pipe racks and the fixed trough are provided. Each leg has a cradling lug which moves up and down the leg powered by a hydraulic cylinder, thereby lifting the pipe along the leg. Further, each leg is able to pivot in two directions about a pivoting structure. The pipe when moving in the troughs is held at one end by a shovel member which is engageable by the buggy traveling along the stationary trough and is also engageable by the carriage in the inclined trough.

Abstract: A walking dragline excavator massive hollow internally reinforced base frame has built-in annular rail girder means over which annular track means are carried for running thereon of roller means adapted for supporting the revolving frame on the annular track means. Load stress distribution between the base frame and the revolving frame is attained by having an annular area contiguous to the perimeter of the base frame of greater resilient flexibility than the remainder of the base frame. Means comprising either bolts or clips are provided for releasably connecting the track means to the base frame and for permitting load stress relief circumferentially directed relative movement of the track means and the base frame under load transmitted through roller means by the revolving frame during load lifting and operational revolving of the revolving frame.

Abstract: Individual shelves are provided on the load transport vehicle, which may be a trailor or self-propelled steerable vehicle, so that the shelves may be dropped down adjacent to the roadway for loading and unloading, and lifted up above the clearance height of the vehicle for storage and transport. Guides and bearings are provided between the shelf and body of the vehicle so that the horizontal portion of the shelves will be parallel to the roadway in their lower loading and unloading position to facilitate such loading and unloading, and they will tilt during their travel between such positions so that in the storage position the generally horizontal portion of the shelf will extend downwardly and inwardly to maintain the load on the vehicle with the help of gravity. The frame of the vehicle is provided with a central vertical and longitudinal rib carrying the guides for supporting shelves on each side. The shelves are L-shaped, and are provided with hydraulic cylinders for individually raising and lowering.

Abstract: A lifting device, particularly for feeding a processing machine in the food industry, comprises a telescopic post which includes a plurality of telescopically extensible and retractable parts and a container support which is pivoted to the post. The container support includes a supporting arm which is shifted between a support position in which the arm extends substantially horizontally to support the material and a discharge position at which it is tilted by the movement of the telescopic parts relative to each other.