Abstract: An apparatus and method may comprise a platform, a rotatable structure on the platform, an arm associated with the platform, and an interface associated with the arm. The structure may be configured to hold a number of tanks. The arm may be configured to move about a plurality of axes. The interface may be configured to connect to a tank in the number of tanks. The arm may be configured to move the tank about the plurality of axes when the interface is connected to the tank.

Abstract: A device (30) for handling a load (C) such as a sheet iron coil comprises a holder (32) capable of carrying the load (C). The holder (32) is able to be rotated on a frame (31) between a first position, in which the axis of the load (C) is vertical, and a second position, in which the axis of the load (C) is horizontal. The frame (31) of the device (30) is coupled to a driving assembly (35) so as to be mobile in order to load and unload the load (C) on a reel (D). The holder (32) includes a mechanism for maintaining and positioning (36) the load (C), retaining the load (C) during a change of the position of the load, and depositing the load on and/or removing the load from the reel (D).

Abstract: A robot for handling rolls of web material, is disclosed. The robot includes an articulated arm (60), moving according to a plurality of numerically controlled axes and supporting a suction head (61A).

Abstract: An improved downender device for translating heavy objects such as steel coils from a vertical configuration to a horizontal configuration. Comprises a downender transport table having a center channel, a drive chain disposed in said center channel, and an arbor for receiving heavy objects. The arbor may extend and retract without interfering with the drive chain, which includes a series of catchers for pushing the heavy objects along a table of rollers.

Abstract: A coil handling device for engaging a coil having a depth and an interior surface defining a diameter and defining a longitudinal axis, is configured to engage the coil with the longitudinal axis oriented vertically and reorient the coil to position the longitudinal axis horizontally. The handling device includes a transport assembly, a lift assembly and a manipulating assembly. The manipulating assembly is mounted to the lift assembly and includes a pair of spaced apart support arms and a pivoting carriage carried by the support arms. The carriage includes a locking arm for engaging the interior surface of the coil along the depth of the coil and a thrust lever including a bearing arm and a lever arm disposed at an obtuse angle to one another opposite the locking arm.

Abstract: A device to remove coils of rolled stock from a corresponding coiling machine located downstream of a rolling train is disclosed. The coiling machine includes a mandrel mounted to be rotatable around an axis of rotation. The device includes a coil remover and an actuator. The coil remover is associated with the coiling machine and is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation between a first inactive position, in which the device to remove coils is arranged outside the space occupied by the coiling machine, and a first working position, in which the coil remover cooperates with the coil of rolled stock formed by the coiling machine. The actuator is suitable to move the coil remover between the first inactive position and the first working position and vice versa.

Abstract: A coil handling system, and a method of operating the same, comprises an indexer assembly having a pair of rotatable spindles mounted thereon for supporting a coil of material upon which binding straps are to be placed at predetermined circumferential positions by a strap binding assembly when the rotatable spindles index the coil of material to the predetermined circumferential positions.

Abstract: A coil unloading rig is adapted to handle, tilt and position a coil of sheet metal. An arcuate rail has opposed upper and lower open ends and an intermediate arcuate section. A trolley rotatably suspends the rail from a ceiling crane. A ring is disposed in a plane normal to the plane of the rail. A top brace is fixed to the upper rail end and the ring and a lower brace is fixed to the lower rail end and the ring. A pair of divergent posts are on each side of the lower brace, each post having post brackets for supporting and clamping the coil in a vertical position. A vertically movable brace bracket is movably mounted on the top brace for supporting and clamping the coil supported by the post brackets whereby the coil unloading rig is adapted to support and clamp a coil in a vertical position and tilt the coil by rotating the rail by the trolley to a horizontal position.

Abstract: An apparatus attached to a main frame of a vehicle for handling straddled loads including coil-shaped loads and slab-shaped loads entered into a load carrying space of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a moveable lift frame having both a tong assembly and probe assembly suspended therefrom. The tong assembly includes tong actuators and depending tongs for clamping a slab-shaped load, while the probe assembly includes a displaceable probe for penetrating coil shaped loads. When the apparatus is used for engaging a slab-shaped load, the probe is displaced so as to be withdrawn from the load carrying space, and the depending tongs are actuated to clamp the load. When the apparatus is used for engaging a coil shaped load, the probe is displaced into the load carrying space and the vehicle is moved to penetrate the load with the probe. With either load, the lift frame is then raised to elevate the engaged load.

Abstract: An hydraulically powered rotary actuator for rotating a first portion of a work machine relative to a second portion of the work machine has inner and outer rings enclosed by first and second cover plates. The inner and outer rings are spaced apart to define an hydraulic power chamber to which pressurized fluid is supplied to rotate one of the inner or outer rings. The first portion of the work machine is connected to the rotatable ring and rotates with it. A large diameter bearing assembly rotatably supports the rotatable ring and the first portion of the work machine. Most prior work machines with rotatable car or upper structure require large expensive components including gear reduction assemblies, an hydraulic motor, and large diameter swing gear. The subject actuator simplifies the construction by eliminating many of the prior components.

Abstract: A coil unloading and transporting apparatus is disclosed and is suited for unloading coiled aluminum and other metals from a storage shaft and moving the coils from the storage shaft to a pallet for further transport. The unloading and transporting apparatus comprises a carriage movable from a position adjacent the storage shaft to a position remote from the storage shaft. A platform for supporting the coil is mounted on the carriage and a receiving shaft extends outwardly from the platform. The storage shaft can be withdrawn below the plane of the platform. The platform and the receiving shaft is pivotal from a position wherein the receiving shaft is horizontal and the coil is supported on the receiving shaft to a position wherein the receiving shaft is vertical and the coil is supported on the platform. Once the coil is supported on the platform, the receiving shaft may be withdrawn below the platform, and the coil transported by the carriage to a remote location.

Abstract: A web roll transferring apparatus consisting of a roll stand, a couple of bogies which run on the rails disposed on each side of the roll stand and a turntable disposed in a roll transferring station locating in front of the roll stand so as to be rotatable horizontally; transference of a web roll being designed to be carried out between the turntable and the bogies stopping at the predetermined positions provided on each side of the turntable; characterized in that at least one jack disposed beneath the turntable, which can be operated by a fluid pressure and the like so as to tilt the turntable to one of the bogies or to the side opposite to the roll stand to a predetermined angle, and that jacks for tilting the bogies toward the turntable may be disposed at the positions by the turntable where the bogies are to stop.

Abstract: A conveyor for large cylindrical bodies such as paper rolls, includes an elongate track defined by a channel member and a beam mounted within the channel member. The beam defines a pair of rolling surfaces upon which a short length carriage runs longitudinally of the beam. The carriage has an upper surface for receiving the roll and transporting the roll in a direction longitudinal of the axis of the roll. The carriage is pulled longitudinally of the track by a cable driven by an air motor positioned at one end of the track. A portion of the track can be lowered for an initial raised position in which the carriage is above the side edges of the track to a lower position so the roll can be simply rolled onto the carriage. The lower position is achieved by deflating an elongate air bag inside the channel and underneath the beam. A second carriage can be positioned on the track for transporting the roll from a used position to a discharge position.

Abstract: A mobile vehicle is provided with a cradle that can be tilted or rotated. The cradle can also be raised and lowered. The cradle has leaves which are upwardly and outwardly sloping to handle a large cylindrical paper roll by allowing the roll to roll down and center itself in the cradle.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus for withdrawing yarn bobbins, from withdrawal preparation tracks which carry the bobbins and for transferring the withdrawn bobbins into a wheel-mounted container. When the bobbins are transferred to the container they lie in a predetermined ordered arrangement which is related to the bobbin shape and size. The apparatus comprises vertically and angularly displaceable roller tracks which are on a mobile slide or support for preparing the bobbins for handling. These are automatically centered because of a substantially V-shaped arrangement of the supporting roller tracks. The apparatus also comprises a gripping device for simultaneously withdrawing and transferring several bobbins prepared on a roller track. This device is in the form of a multi-engagement gripper which is provided with various pairs of jaws for external gripping. It is also provided with a pendant rod-shaped arm which translates along two axes.

Abstract: The inventive manipulator for heavy loads, preferably printing products in loose scale formation and wound up to form rolls, only has a single pivot pin (35) or joint which, according to the invention, is arranged in such a way that the load (5) can be brought into three main positions orthogonal to one another using this single pivot pin or joint. The load is held by a holding device (33,38). The pivot pin (35) passes through the center of gravity of the load, or the center of gravity is located in the pivot point or fulcrum. This makes it possible to grip in frontal or lateral precise manner heavy loads and subsequently to deposit same on a loading device or in a store without great force expenditure using a drive and/or manually. The invention is also characterized by the combination of an industrial truck (10), a lifting device (11) arranged thereon and a mounted implement (31-38) located on the truck and preferably constituted by the inventive manipulator.

Abstract: An improved machine and method for lifting, loading, and maintaining a web roll on a cantelevered spindle so that the web roll may rotate about the longitudinal axis of the spindle thereby permitting the web to be unwound from the web roll. The cantelevered spindle of this machine may be moved, vertically and horizontally, from its normal, unwind position so as to be insertable into the central core opening of the web roll while the web roll is positioned on the floor adjacent to the machine. Thereafter the spindle, and the web roll mounted on the spindle, are moved vertically and horizontally and are returned to the spindle's normal web unwind position. The means utilized to move the spindle horizontally during web roll lifting and loading is also used, in part, to adjust the position of the web roll, during the web unwinding operation, in response to signals from a side-lay sensing device employed to sense the position of the side edge of the web being unwound.

Abstract: This invention relates to a handling apparatus designed to move on at least two orthogonal axes and, preferably, on three axes, said apparatus being capable of positively gripping spools at their axial bore with great precision and being particularly adapted to be associated with plants designed for automation of the loading and unloading operations of said spools, respectively, into and from wire winding machines and into and from feeding and collecting stations where said spools may be disposed with any orientation.

Abstract: Method and an apparatus for binding coils, for example, of sheet steel, which enable the whole process, from the formation of the coils to the completion of the ready-to-be-shipped bound coils, to be automated. Provision is made so that the strips, produced in a slitting line for example, in each case are coiled in coaxially aligned groups and, while their free severed ends in each case are held down they, are collected. Each collected group of coils, while retaining the coaixal alignment and the holding down of the severed ends, are moved into a transfer position, from which the coils, while the respective severed end continues to be held down, are isolated cyclically and transferred into an operating cycle passing through a first and a second binding position as well as a removal position, one or several additional groups of coils being collected while the coils are being worked off cyclically.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for displacing a reeling drum of a web-like material from a store on a primary fork of the reeler of a paper machine or the like. The device comprises a displacing arm mechanism mounted pivotably around a stationary horizontal shaft and arranged to grip an empty reeling drum positioned in the store in an upper position and to deliver the reeling drum in a lower position on the primary fork. In order to provide a simple device reliable in operation and easy to automate, the displacing mechanism comprises a lever and a hook. The hook is journalled displaceably on a journal point provided in the lever so as to be displaced during the pivoting movement of the displacing mechanism.

Abstract: An assembly for engaging the central bore of a narrow, standing heavyweight reel element, or the core thereof adjacent the opening of the bore, to facilitate the manual lifting and locking of such reel to an elevated shaft-alignment position for transfer of such reel onto a receptive horizontal shaft. The assembly comprises an elevated support member, a lever arm pivotally-attached thereto for vertical movement and including engagement means for locking the lever arm in raised position. The lever arm also has pivotally-attached thereto a depending swivel arm having a substantially-horizontal hub member for engaging the bore or core of the reel, supporting the reel in vertical position as the lever arm is raised and locked in shaft-alignment position and permitting the reel to be pushed onto the receptive shaft.

Abstract: A device for the removal of bobbins from an automatic rotor spinning machine having a conveyor belt placed on the automatic spinning machine for collecting and delivering completed bobbins comprises a transfer device with a frame, a receiving conveyor belt swiveling on the frame in a vertical direction for receiving bobbins from the automatic spinning machine, a roller conveyor section extending the receiving conveyor belt and which can be swiveled between a position inclined in the direction of feed and a horizontal position, a receiving chute placed parallel to the roller conveyor section, a pusher for transfer of bobbins from the roller conveyor section to the receiving chute, a lifting device for vertically moving the receiving chute between a position adjacent to the roller conveyor section and a number of additional positions, and a tilting device for tilting the receiving chute around its longitudinal axis between a horizontal receiving position and a position essentially at a 90.degree.

Abstract: In apparatus for transporting and storing bobbins, especially for removing them from automatic spinning machines, the bobbins are received and collected in an inclined collecting chute from a conveyor belt, are then brought into a horizontal arrangement as a result of the pivoting of the collecting chute, and are pushed in groups from the collecting chute into a transfer chute. A conveyor carrier belonging to a suspension conveyor and provided with at least one chute portion for receiving a group of bobbins is brought into a position adjacent to the transfer chute. The transfer chute is moved into a position located next to the chute portion of the conveyor carrier, and the bobbins are transferred into the chute portion of the conveyor carrier. The bobbins are subsequently moved into a desired target position by means of the conveyor carrier.

Abstract: A transport cart for material carriers such as bobbins or drums having threads or other elongated material wound thereon, has a cart frame with wheels and a tilting frame journalled in said cart frame. The tilting frame carries two parallel skids for supporting a material carrier on its rollers. The tilting frame is tiltable between a first position in which the skids extend horizontally for loading a material carrier onto the cart, and a second position in which the skids extend vertically for unloading a material carrier, or vice versa.

Abstract: A cable reel handling and transporting trailer including a wheeled frame having a forwardly extending hitch provided on the forward end thereof. The wheeled frame includes a pair of laterally spaced-apart and longitudinally extending side frames having a wheel rotatably mounted thereon. A hydraulically operated leveling arm is pivotally mounted on each of the side frames and is adapted to engage a spindle reel assembly extended through a cable reel to roll the spindle reel assembly forwardly on the leveling arms. When the spindle reel assembly has reached the forward end of the leveling arms, a pair of hydraulic cylinders are actuated which engage the opposite ends of the spindle reel assembly so that the spindle reel assembly and the cable reel are moved upwardly on a forwardly extending guide rail into a lock/transport/rotating position. A hydraulic motor is operatively connected to one end of the spindle reel assembly for laying and retrieving the cable on the cable reel.

Abstract: A lift and reorienting apparatus is the subject of this document. The apparatus includes a probe (16) for insertion into an internal accessible axially extending opening (36) of an object to be moved. The probe (16) is pivotably carried by a frame (10) and maneuvered through the action of telescoping arms (46) of a dual arm actuator (42). This dual arm actuator (42) adds strength to the apparatus. The probe (16) is attached to the object to be lifted and reoriented by means of a retractable projection (18) and sleeve mechanism (24).

Abstract: Bolts (10, 13) of material such as fabric, supported in open-topped bearing elements (6, 14) are exchanged by apparatus comprising a carrier (24). The carrier (24) has closable openings for engagement with spindle ends (8) projecting from the bolts (10, 13). When the carrier (24) has engaged the bolts (10, 13), it is raised (arrow 28), rotated about 180.degree. (arrow 26) and lowered (arrow 28), so changing over the positions of the bolts (10, 13). For example, operations performed on a table (1) on material taken from one bolt (10) may be completed, so that bolt (10) is replaced by a further bolt (13) taken from a magazine (12), the first bolt (10) simultaneously taking the place of the second bolt (13) in the magazine.

Abstract: A truck bed bale lift is provided for lifting large round bales of hay onto a flat bed truck. The bale lift assembly includes a pair of hugger arms which grip the hay bale to be manipulated and a mechanism for rotating the hugger arms through a loading/unloading arc. The lift mechanism comprises a rotatable crossbar on which the hugger arms are mounted. The crossbar is pivotally mounted to the rear of the truck and is rotated by a pneudraulic ram mounted underneath the flatbed to engage a series of links attached to the crossbar. The particular linkage system used provides adequate mechanical advantage for the lifting of the hay bale without needing an excessively large equipment structure. The particular structure described permits the flatbed portion of the truck to be kept relatively free of obstruction from portions of the bale lift assembly.

Abstract: A coil handling device which orientates coils on a reel between two positions, e.g., vertical axis and horizontal axis. The device is constructed to be suspended from an overhead hoist and thereby lift or lower a reel to a selected position. The device is constructed to cause the center of gravity of the reel to coincide with the axis of rotation when suspended. Therefore, the forces of resistance caused by weight are eliminated and only friction forces have to be overcome. Hence, a manual device is provided.

Abstract: A hay carrier includes two long bale engaging fingers extending from a flat base. The base is pivoted to a crossbar of a subframe. The subframe is transferrable between the bed of a pickup, and a trailer towed by a pickup or other towing vehicle. A winch on a winch bar of the subframe pivots a bale speared by the fingers up or down by reeling or unreeling a cable connected to the hay carrier. The crossbar rests on the trailer axle or rear edge of the pickup bed. The winch bar is removably fastened to a trailer reach pole or pickup bed. The winch is preferably connectable for "in-the-cab" control, through a dashboard-mounted switch, to 12-volt power on the pickup and towing vehicle. The fingers engage the bale near the ground, and support most of the bale from below.

Abstract: A machine for connecting rows of coil springs together into a coil spring assembly. The machine initially picks up a row of coil springs by inserting a pick up finger into the barrel of each coil and moving the springs onto a support platen. While transporting the coils, the pick up fingers change the spacing of the coils. The springs are then compressed against the support platen to a desired height through use of a reciprocable compression bar. Thereafter, rotatable transfer fingers remove the springs from under the compression bar, and move them into clamping dies. Leading rotary transfer fingers on the transfer shaft first pull the row of springs out from under the compression bar, and trailing rotary fingers then push the springs into the downstream one of upper and lower clamping dies. The rows of clamping dies clamp together the upper and lower end loops of the leading and trailing rows of coil springs.

Abstract: A method for lowering roll wound with a web on a winding machine wherein the roll is supported eccentrically on the upper portion of the circumference of a support roll, the roll being formed by winding the web onto a core tube carrying end insets, the method comprising lifting the web roll from below so as to disengage it from the support roll, withdrawing the end insets from the core tube, and then lowering the web roll to a removal level out of contact with the support roll. A suitable apparatus is provided comprising a trough 4 for holding the wound wed roll, and drive means 9 for raising and lowering the trough along an arcuate path corresponding to the circumference of the support roll 1. The trough comprises a pair of plates 5 and 6 pivotally connected to one another about a horizontal shaft, plate 5 picking up the web roll 2 by its underside and being laterally guided by a cam follower 13 guided along a cam 14.

Abstract: A device for handling coils of flat material, as for example coiled steel, including a carrying mechanism attachable to a crane having a coil securing frame thereon including a holding fixture which can be inserted through the coil and being pivotal whereby the coil may be oriented in either a horizontal or vertical plane whereby the coils may be stored or picked up in a vertical stacking arrangement.

Abstract: A crane for lifting and transporting a load such as a heavy metal coil. An overhead winch lifts and lowers a load carriage and the load attached thereto, and a powered wheeled trolley moves the load horizontally above a floor. Attached to the carriage is a clamp, which engages the coil through its center aperture and its periphery. The clamp has two jaws, one movable with respect to the other, the movable jaw also having a movable gripping surface that moves on an inclined surface of the movable jaw towards the fixed jar to ensure a tight wedging engagement of the load. The jaws and gripping surfaces provide a nonpowered, mechanically firm grip on the load once it has been engaged by the jaws. The coil may be lifted with the jaws when its center aperture is vertically or horizontally disposed, and the load may be placed for storage in either position as well.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to apparatus (11) for lifting, maneuvering and transferring a roll of material to an independently supported shaft (93). The apparatus is adapted for suspension from an overhead crane and comprises an elongated frame (12) the lower end of which is pivotally connected to a torque assembly (14) that includes a center probe (15). The center probe includes a plurality of radially expanding teeth (49) that engage the inner surface of the roll core and retain it on the center probe (15). An actuator (13) of the extensible-retractable type is pivotally connected between the upper end of the elongated frame (12) and one end of the torque arm assembly (14). Extension and retraction of the actuator (13) causes the torque arm assembly (14) and center probe (15) to move between substantially vertical and horizontal positions. The extreme end of the center probe includes a coupler (61) that releasably interlocks with a coupler (94) secured to the end of the machine shaft (93).

Abstract: An apparatus attached to the movable carriage of a folding machine for depositing supply rolls of web material into the machine's roll supporting cradle. The apparatus includes a roll elevator frame and a roll guide frame pivotably attached to the carriage with a drive unit operatively connected to the elevator frame for raising and lowering both frames simultaneously between preselected positions. The drive unit pivots the elevator frame and supply roll carried thereby upwardly to a position where the roll is transferred to the roll guide frame and continued upward movement of the frame causes the supply roll to move along the guide frame and then into the machine's cradle.

Abstract: A coil handling device which orientates heavy coils between two positions, e.g. vertical and horizontal. The device is constructed to cause the center of gravity of the coil and a turning coil support to coincide with the axis of rotation. Hence, forces of resistance caused by weight are eliminated and only friction forces have to be overcome. Hence, a manual device is possible. In one arrangement, the device is adjustable to accommodate coils of different weights and sizes.

Abstract: A roll, such as a cloth bolt, loader for a roll manipulating machine, such as a cloth spreader, which includes a pair of horizontally spaced lifting arms mounted to a frame and adapted to receive a shaft supporting a roll for elevation. The lifting arms are raised in unison such that the roll is elevated until the support shaft thereof engages a pair of horizontally spaced guide rails. The guide rails terminate on a down slope such that the roll and roll support shaft are transferred from the elevating lifting arms for free movement down the guide rails. The guide rails terminate in bridge tracks which yield downwardly under the weight of the roll and its support shaft for transfer of the roll support shaft down onto an underlying roll support of a roll manipulating machine.

Abstract: A bale loader designed for use in combination with a pickup truck. The loader features a frame assembly which slides easily into and out of the bed of the pickup truck and which may be secured thereto and removed therefrom without the need for special tools. The bale fork portion of the loader is designed to be utilized either in connection with the pickup truck frame assembly or with a standard three-point tractor hitch. The base of the bale fork is pivotally mounted to the rear portion of the frame assembly. An adjustable mast extends vertically from the center post of the bale fork and has a pulley connected to the top portion thereof. A winch motor is attached to the forward portion of the frame assembly and drives a spool having a cable which engages the pulley for selective pivoting of the bale fork.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to apparatus adapted for attachment to an overhead crane which lifts and maneuvers material wound on rolls, coils, reels and spools. The apparatus comprises an elongated housing which is suspended in a generally vertical position at its upper end from the overhead crane. An elongated probe assembly constructed for insertion into one end of the roll core is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends to the lower end of the housing so that it is capable of swinging between vertical and horizontal positions. The probe itself includes means for expanding its effective diameter upon entry into the core, thus permitting it to be securely retained within the core and to lift the core from this single internal region of contact. The opposite end of the probe assembly is pivotally connected to the rod end of an hydraulic actuator which is pivotally mounted to the elongated housing.

Abstract: A warp beam transport and elevating carriage for twin warp beams is disclosed having a longitudinally extending shaft capable of rotation about its longitudinal axis, a plurality of gripper arms fixed to the shaft and extending downwardly to securely support twin warp beams at each end, and twin warp beams mouned for transport and elevation without danger of displacement of dislodgement.