Abstract: A system for remote object handling including a vehicle having a front portion. An articulated arm has a first end and a second end distinct from the first end, the arm being coupled to the front portion at the first end, and has at least one pivot disposed between the first end and the second end. A gripping element is removably coupled to the second end, wherein the gripping element is one of a pincer device, a hand device having at least three fingers or a shovel. A video camera is also coupled to the second end. An arm control is disposed within the vehicle and is operable to control the operation of the arm, the manipulator and the video camera, and a video interface is coupled to the video camera which is operable to display output from the video camera.

Abstract: An apparatus for pre-assembly of an electrically connected array of solar panels for a solar canopy including a substantially planar base member for resting on a horizontal surface, a substantially planar support member for horizontally aligning side-by-side and horizontally supporting a plurality of solar panels and a support member extending upward from the base member; a track member disposed proximate a bottom portion of the support member attached to or integral with the support member or base member for vertically aligning side-by-side and vertically supporting a plurality of solar panels when a side edge portion of the solar panels rests on the track member; and at least two arm members pivotally attached proximate to opposing ends of the base member or support member.

Abstract: A work machine includes a pivotable arm having a first gripping device formed therein, the arm operatively connected to an attachment for securing an object between the first gripping device and the attachment. A second gripping device is removably securable to the arm near the first gripping device, the second gripping device configured to at least partially secure an object between the second gripping device and the attachment.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for facilitating quick and accurate placement of a pole in a post hole for building pole buildings and for holding the post in such position during backfilling, tamping and/or concrete placement in the post hole. A post clamping device holds the post during a time when other adjusting aspects of the present invention can be used to move a post up or down, from side to side in at least two directions, tipping in any direction and rotation about a vertical axis of the post.

Abstract: A device for implementing a method of sizing a cylindrical part following shaping, by plastic deformation, of a metallic material that has maximum structural shrinkage at a maximum-shrinkage temperature between a first temperature and a second temperature, which is lower than the first temperature, is disclosed. The method includes placing the part in a shaft furnace, heating the part to the first temperature, lowering and fitting into the part an internal-sizing tool with an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the part at maximum structural shrinkage, transporting the assembly formed by the part and the sizing tool to a tempering vessel, cooling the part to a temperature below said second temperature, and extracting the internal-sizing tool. The method applies to the manufacture of turbomachine casings.

Abstract: A quick disconnect tooling apparatus for releasably latching an end effector tool to a manipulator. The present invention provides a base module connectable to a manipulator, and a tool module connectable to the end effector tool. A power source coupling has a first portion coupled to the base module, and a second portion coupled to the tool module, wherein the first and second portions of the power source coupling may cooperatively engage one another to allow for the passing of power between the manipulator and the end effector tool.

Abstract: Pole or mast handling apparatus adapted for mounting on a loader type vehicle, such as a tractor mounted loader or skid steer type loader having one or more booms movable between reclined position and an elevated position, the booms including a support member mounted at a distal end and positionable with respect to the booms. The apparatus includes a frame for mounting on the support member and a pair of pole grasping jaws which are selectively operable by a hydraulic actuator to move between pole grasping and non-grasping positions. The booms and support member may be oriented such that the apparatus is in a position to grasp a pole in a reclined position and by raising the boom and retracting the support member, rotate the apparatus so that the pole is in an erect position for placement in a receptacle.

Abstract: A compact micro-manipulator with low energy consumption accurately and quickly positions a micro-material in a visual field of a microscope. A micro-manipulator operable to grip micro-material by bringing leading ends of the gripping fingers in close proximity includes an XY drive unit that drives a handling unit in X and Y directions, a drive unit that changes a positional direction of the handling unit in order to swing the gripping fingers around leading ends of the gripping fingers, and a Z drive unit that drives the handling unit in the Z direction.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer assembly for manipulating one or more workpieces, such as semiconductor wafers includes a plurality of coacting arms that include one or more arcuate portions corresponding to an outer diameter of a workpiece. The arcuate portion has a workpiece engaging surface adapted to engage an outer edge of the workpiece. At least one of the coacting arms includes a flexure assembly that allows deformation of the workpiece engaging surface in a direction away from the workpiece in response to pressure on the outer edge of the workpiece from the workpiece engaging surface.

Abstract: A robotically controlled endoscopic medical instrument that includes an end effector coupled to a wrist. The wrist provides two separate degrees of freedom about the same pivot point. The end effector can be moved and actuated by pins. The pins allow for a compact minimally invasive medical instrument that has a wrist with two degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus includes a frame attachable to a front-end loader vehicle. A tine is attached to the frame, and a top clamp arm is pivoted to the frame and extends over the tine. The clamp arm is movable between a closed position where teeth on a forward lower surface extend generally parallel the tine for holding objects on the front portion, and a partially closed position where teeth on the rearward lower surface are located to hold objects on the rear portion of the tine. The rearward lower surface is upwardly angled from the forward lower surface so that the rear teeth do not interfere with holding a primary object on the front teeth even with secondary objects under the rearward lower surface. The clamp arm has a width and defines a space for receiving the tine, thus providing improved clamping ability.

Abstract: A pre-gripper driving device for a pre-gripper cyclically driven oscillatingly and serving for transporting individual sheets in a sheet-processing machine, includes sheet grippers disposed at a free end of a rocking lever pivotable about a pivot pin fixed to a frame, the sheet grippers being movable relative to a gripper support about a gripper shaft aligned parallel to the pivot pin, for closing and opening the sheet grippers, and an activatable and regulatable drive for producing the movement of the grippers, the drive, on one hand, being connected to the sheet grippers and, on the other hand, being supported on one of the rocking lever and the frame; and a printing unit, a digital printing unit, a rotary printing machine and a multicolor rotary printing machine, respectively including the pre-gripper driving device.

Abstract: A cassette pod stage that is equipped with locked guide pins is described. The cassette pod stage of the present invention is provided with at least one aperture therethrough for engaging at least one guide pin. The guide pin is provided with a top portion, a bottom portion and a skirt portion in-between the top portion and the bottom portion for use as a stop during installation of the guide pin through an aperture in the cassette pod stage. The bottom portion of the guide pin is provided with a threaded portion for engaging a locking nut after the guide pin is installed with the threaded portion extending beyond the bottom surface of the cassette pod stage for such engagement.

Abstract: An improved gripping arm assembly including a two-piece gripper arm body construction which includes an arm clamp having alignment pins, and an arm main body with corresponding alignment holes for receiving the clamp pins, and a means for securably attaching the main body with the clamp. This two-piece gripper arm construction is simpler to remove than one-piece standard gripper arms. To replace a broken gripper arm with a new gripper arm only requires unscrewing fasteners holding the two-piece old gripper arm together allowing detachment of the broken gripper arm from the shaft, and clamping the two pieces of the new gripper arm together around the shafts and securing the screws and re-clipping an operating rod. The two-piece construction eliminates the need to remove a shaft from the machine or other gripper arms from the shaft when repairing or replacing one gripper arm or replacing or repairing a shaft having gripper arms mounted thereto.

Abstract: A grapple attachment is presented for use with motorized vehicles. The grapple attachment is comprised of upper and lower jaws having a plurality of elongated, substantially angular tines that are adapted for dislodging, lifting and carrying whole concrete slabs, vertically disposed posts, horizontally disposed logs, rocks and other awkward debris. The tines are further adapted for use in scarifying and ripping ground surfaces. The upper and lower jaws are pivotally connected to each other at the rearward ends thereof, thus forming the body of the grapple. A single actuator moves the grapple jaws between open and closed positions. The grapple is pivotally connected to the front-end loader using a universal hitch that is adapted for use on a plurality of motorized vehicles, including front-end loaders, skid loaders, tractors, backhoes, excavators and end loaders.

Abstract: A robotic self-feeding device uses a multiplicity of dishes, utensils and control methods to handle a wide variety of food, including sandwiches. Its operating sequence has a hover mode in which a utensil is automatically steered over a food holder and is constrained from moving away from the food holder. The user points to the desired food with the utensil and triggers pickup which is automatically accomplished. Its gripper can operate tong utensils to grasp food. It can cut food. The process of eating is thus easy and intuitive for people who may have a wide variety of severe paralysis disabilities.

Abstract: The pole handler attachment includes a base frame that is pivotally attached to an arm of an earth moving machine for pivotal movement about a transverse horizontal axis. A trunnion is fixed to the base frame. A sleeve is journaled on the trunnion for pivotal movement about a trunnion axis that is normal to the transverse horizontal axis. A fixed clamp assembly is fixed to the sleeve. A movable clamp assembly is pivotally attached to the sleeve. A clamp cylinder pivots the movable clamp assembly to hold a pole against first and second clamp surfaces on the fixed clamp assembly. The first clamp surface is perpendicular to the second clamp surface. A tilt linear actuator pivots the sleeve on the trunnion.

Abstract: An actuation device uses, for the active element, a flexible bellows operated by a pressurized fluid (usually, but not necessarily, at a pressure higher than the ambient one). The bellows is housed, for the most part of its length, inside a cylindrical cavity having the inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the bellows, so that the bellows is free to vary its length, but is restrained to bend sideways and therefore can be operated by high pressure.

Abstract: A bale handling apparatus attached to lifting arms of a tractor with a front-end loader having an axle removeably attached to the lifting arms and extending in a generally horizontal, forward direction. A support column is rotatably secured to the axle. A lower fixed jaw has one end fixedly secured to the support column and has an opposite end extending in a forward direction. An upper moveable jaw is also provided having one end extending in a forward direction, and has an opposite end hingedly secured to the support column at a position spaced apart from the fixed jaw. The lower jaw and upper jaw are positioned to face one another. Hydraulic means is provided for closing the upper jaw toward the lower jaw for gripping a round bale between the jaws and hydraulic means is provided for rotating the lower jaw and the upper jaw together about the axle.

Abstract: The grapple system of the present invention is intended for use with a front-end loader or other type equipment which specialize in gripping and moving heavy loads. The grapple system includes a stationary jaw assembly that is comprised of a series of spaced apart fingers and which is adapted to be secured to a mounting fixture on the front loading equipment. Rotatably secured to the stationary jaw assembly, by a generally horizontal main shaft, is a movable jaw assembly. Also disposed about the main shaft is a T-shaped lever arm connector, which, along with a pair of hydraulic actuators, comprise an actuating linkage assembly. More particularly, the hydraulic actuators are disposed in a series configuration, with the T-shaped connector serving as an intermediate connecting link between the two actuators. The free end of one actuator is attached to the stationary jaw assembly, while the free end of the remaining actuator is attached in a similar manner to the movable jaw assembly.

Abstract: For removing and transporting several spaced, parallel wafers stored in a container, a gripping device is provided. The gripping device has a holding rake and several gripping heads which can be rotated with respect to the holding rake. In one swivel position, the gripping heads are moved through between the wafers and then swivelled into another swivel position. In this latter position, the gripping heads are brought to a stop against the edges of the wafers movement of the gripping device, and then the opposite edges of the wafer disks are brought to stop against the counterholder by displacement of the counterholder. All wafers contained in the container are thus simultaneously securely held and can be displaced out of the container. In order to then swivel the wafers, the holding rake which has slots for receiving the wafer edges is also stopped at the wafer edges, and the counterholder is then pushed back. The wafers are therefore securely swivelled.

Abstract: A hydraulic grapple assembly couples to a link pivot and to a dipper pivot of an arm of an equipment. The assembly includes a grapple having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw. The fixed jaw extends in a direction substantially parallel to an imaginary line drawn between the link pivot and the dipper pivot when the grapple assembly is coupled to the arm. A distal end of the fixed jaw is positioned closer to the link pivot than to the dipper pivot when the grapple is coupled to the arm. The movable jaw has a proximal end coupled to a proximal end of the fixed jaw by an articulation. A hydraulic grapple actuator moves a distal end of the movable jaw between open and closed positions relative to a distal end of the fixed jaw. The grapple assembly can include a hydraulic swinger mechanism that rotates the grapple about an axis that is approximately aligned with the imaginary line through the dipper pivot and the link pivot.

Abstract: This invention discloses a twin gripping apparatus for loading components comprising of two grippers, each composed of two pairs of fingers, disposed at an angle of predetermined value so that the components are held and carried to and from a work station. The two pairs of fingers perform simultaneously a carrying motion to and from a work station by gripping the components positioned at each work station by means of hydraulic pressure from air cylinders, and rotating to and from an angle of predetermined value.

Abstract: A grab implement comprising a fixed part (31) and a movable part (30) pivotally coupled thereto to form a grab, the fixed part (31) having a continuous rear wall member (2) and a continuous floor member (4) projecting forwardly therefrom, the floor member (4) having a cutting edge along the leading edge thereof.

Abstract: A metallic waste disposal device for industrial machinery, wherein a working unit attached to the distal end of a movable arm of a construction machine is provided with a permanent magnet assembly which attracts and disposes of metallic wastes produced when tearing down a building.

Abstract: A vehicle having an earth moving blade equipped with log gripping devices at the ends thereof. The log gripping devices consist of a mounting assembly which is attached to the rear of the earth moving blade. Mounted on the assembly is an arm which in its retracted position is located behind and within the area between the ends of the blade. Hydraulic pistons and cylinders move the arms outwardly of the ends of the blade independently to permit the arms to grip logs and felled trees between the arms and the ends of the blade.

Abstract: A lower jaw 4 is tiltably connected to the front end of a swing arm 3, an upper jaw 6 openably and closably connected to the lower jaw 4, a hydraulic cylinder 8 interposed between the upper and lower jaws to open and close the jaws, and a protective cover 11 connected to the lower jaw 4 by a link 12 and to the upper jaw 6 by a pin and adapted to follow the opening and closing movement of the upper jaw 6 by a pin while covering the piston rod 10 of the hydraulic cylinder 8. A plurality of straight lower cutting blades are formed on the upper surface of the front end of the lower jaw 4 and a plurality of pointed upper cutting blades 7 are formed on the lower surface of the front end of the upper jaw 6. These upper and lower cutting blades are disposed to mesh with each other in zigzags as viewed from the side. When the upper and lower jaws are closed, concrete is finely broken in the clearances between the upper and lower cutting blades.

Abstract: Apparatus to load workpieces on a carrier for a decorator. A swing arm supports grippers at one end for movement between a workpiece transfer site and a workpiece loading position. An actuating lever moveable with the swing arm moves a gripper into a workpiece gripping position with the stationary gripper at the transfer site and moves the displaceable gripper into a workpiece release position with stationary gripper at the workpiece loading position. A driven cam track coupled by a follower to an oscillating shaft reciprocates the swing arm between a workpiece receiving position and a workpiece discharge position. A belt extends between a bearing block used to support the oscillating shaft and a support shaft for the gripper so that as the swing arm reciprocates the gripper is rotated to transposes the position of the workpiece supported thereby.

Abstract: A gravity-steered grapple is created by retrofiting the boom plate of an excavator which has a longitudinally rotatable boom. The grapple includes a freely-turning, swivel joint with an axis of rotation which is offset from the center of the grapple jaws so that the center of mass of the load is likewise offset. By manipulating the angle of the boom plate with existing operator controls, the load can be steered about the swivel joint controllably through a horizontal 360-degree angle. The grapple also includes a jaw safety clamp which is movable between lock and release positions. The clamp is self-actuating and is moved into the lock position when an extension of the clamp contacts the load as the grapple is raised. The grapple is particularly useful in lifting and placing modular highway barriers.

Abstract: A heavy duty shear attachable to the boom of a mobile machine, such as a backhoe, comprises a support structure of welded steel plate construction, and a shear head of steel plate construction mounted on the support structure and having pivotally interconnected upper and lower jaw members. The upper and lower jaw members carry removable shearing blade inserts which are dimensionally identical, and the jaw members are pivotally interconnected by a joint assembly which facilitates disassembly thereof for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: An article handling machine comprises a base, a support supported at its lower end portion on the base rotatably around the vertical axis of the base, an arm having the proximal end portion pivoted to the upper end portion of the support, and an article-pallet holding mechanism mounted on the distal end portion of the arm. The article-pallet holding mechanism has a pair of plate members for holding an article and a plurality pair of fingers for holding a pallet.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting an article into sheets includes an upper jaw pivotally mounted to a lower jaw. The lower jaw includes three coplanar cutting edges, and the upper jaw includes three cutting edges which cooperate with those of the lower jaw. Longitudinal cutting edges of the upper jaw are curved along their lengths, and the end element of the upper jaw is slanted with respect to the end element of the lower jaw. The apparatus may be attached to existing mounting points of a backhoe.

Abstract: A gripping device for use in combination with a front-end loader for lifting and transporting heavy objects, comprising a slot-entering jaw means, second jaw means, jaw adjusting means to effect movement of one of said slot-entering jaw means and said second jaw means relative to other of said jaw means, and loader cooperation means by which said device is adapted to cooperate with the loader. The device is particularly useful for removing slabs of concrete from a pre-cut concrete floor, such as found in multi-storey parking garages, during demolition or rehabilitation.

Abstract: An extendable boom assembly is mounted on a platform or a base for longitudinally pivotally moving a drill rod between a rod rack and a drill rig in a position in alignment with the drill string axis regardless of whether the drilling direction is vertical or is angularly positioned relative to the vertical direction. The boom assembly is mounted for pivotal movement with the track assembly and transverse movement relative thereto, the track assembly being mounted on a drill rig platform. The upper end of the boom assembly mounts a jaw assembly for releaseably gripping a drill rod, the jaw assembly being mounted for limited pivotal movement about a horizontal axis and is of a design not requiring the rods being in a particular spaced relationship relative to one another. The gripping assembly jaws and the limited pivotal movement results in the rod to be transferred being pivoted to a position parallel to the main boom arm central axis as the rod is being clampingly engaged and moved away from the rod stack.

Abstract: A quick connect grapple attachment including a first grapple jaw that attaches to one jaw of a work head and a second grapple jaw that attaches to another jaw of a workhead with the first grapple jaw and the second grapple jaw pivotally connect to each other so that an operator can grasp and lift articles using the controls of the jaws of the workhead.

Abstract: A rotator for use on backhoe boom to rotate attachments thereon relative to the boom. The rotator has a main support frame pivotally secured to the boom with a rotating extension mount onto which the attachment is secured. A rotary joint for hydraulic controls extends from the main support frame and a hydraulic drive motor and gear assembly engage and rotate the extension mount extending from the main support frame.

Abstract: For holding a plurality of different, in shape, workpieces, a holding unit comprises a laminated body with a number of thin identical shaped elongate plates which have one ends forming a workpiece supporting surface, a vibrator unit for moving the elongate plates so as to vary the shape of the workpiece supporting surface to create a new one, and a bias mechanism for clamping the laminated body, so the newly created shape of the workpiece supporting surface is maintained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for breaking objects such as concrete or similar material, which device is provided with a pair of jaws having teeth which are pivotable relative to each other about a pivot pin. The device is designed to be coupled to the end of the arm of an excavator or the like by use of a hinge pin. A strut is provided between a first jaw and the arm of the excavator, while a setting cylinder coupled to the arm of the excavator with one end is coupled to the second jaw with its other end, in such a manner that the second jaw can be pivoted towards and away from the first jaw by use of said setting cylinder. The device is thereby provided with a coupling piece to be coupled to the end of the arm of the excavator by use of the hinge pin, while the first jaw is connected with the coupling piece in a point which, when seen in the longitudinal direction of the hinge pin, is located between the hinge pin and the point of attachment of the strut to the first jaw.

Abstract: A system for taking up and discharging ironed cloth articles from ironing apparatus comprises a column mounted on a base and supporting an articulated rotary arm at one end of which there is mounted a ball member for engaging an ironed cloth article and removing it from an ironing apparatus.

Abstract: A robotic tool is provided for temporarily positioning shearclips against structural members. The device incorporates a movable jaw linkage which provides sufficient clamping force for withdrawing a shearclip from an adhesively retained position in a storage tray. After a shearclip is removed from the storage tray, the movable jaw is displaced to a non-clamping position and vacuum retention of the shearclip is relied upon. The present robotic device achieves two time-saving objectives in the assembly of aircraft. It permits rapid preparation of shearclips as well as rapid mechanical-handling deployment of a prepared shearclip for utilization with a structural member.

Abstract: A hydraulically controlled gripper tool for positioning, mounting and retrieving parts in poorly accessible locations and areas, such as in nuclear power plants, includes a support body. A pivot shaft is supported on the support body in a given plane. A bracket is supported on the pivot shaft and a tilting shaft is supported on the bracket in the given plane. A basic tool body is supported on the tilting shaft. An actuation cylinder is disposed on the basic tool body and gripper jaws are connected to the actuation cylinder for closing and opening the gripper jaws. Another cylinder is rotatably disposed on the support body with a piston guided in the other cylinder and a universal joint connected to the piston. A tilting lever has one end rotatably connected to the universal joint and another end locked on the basic tool body for tilting the gripper jaws. A further cylinder is rotatably disposed on the support body and another piston is guided in the further cylinder.

Abstract: Bale handling apparatus comprises a main frame including transverse supports and devices mounted on the main frame for picking up bales. These bale pick-up devices comprise a plurality of substantially identical modules which are transversely adjustably mounted on the transverse supports of the main frame so that the number and position of the modules can be varied. The bale pick-up devices each have movable tines which, in an operative position, engage a bale and, in an inoperative position, are retracted clear of a bale, and actuators associated with each respective bale pick-up device operable to move the movable tines thereof to and from the operative position. The actuators of the respective bale pick-up devices are connectable in parallel to a common drive and releasable locking devices are associated with the movable tines of each bale pick-up device for locking the movable tines in the inoperative position.

Abstract: A material handling and metal shear attachment for a backhoe is mounted on the boom or dip stick of the backhoe for actuation by the hydraulic system of the backhoe. A fixed blade is pivotally secured to the boom or dip stick and a movable cutting blade is pivoted to the fixed blade. A hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly mounted on the fixed blade moves the movable cutting blade in shearing relation to the fixed blade. The fixed and movable blades are shaped and positioned relative to their pivotal engagement to move objects being sheared toward the blade's pivotal engagement where the cutting force is the greatest. The movable blade and the fixed blade have changeable cutting edge portions, each of the portions having a number of cutting edges on both sides so that worn cutting edge sections are replaced quickly and easily by changing the position of the cutting edge portion relative to the movable and fixed blades on which they are positioned.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking up rocks, which attaches to an agricultural tractor and functions to pick up rocks located on or partially embedded in the soil of a field, is provided. The three embodiments disclosed all function in a similar manner with one fixed jaw and one movable jaw, with each embodiment containing interlocking tines to close beneath and lift up the rock to be moved.

Abstract: A gripping claw for a backhoe, breaker, or similar device is secured to the end of a boom in a pivotal manner. Attachment is achieved through a pair of plates joined together facing each other, with the claw pivotally mounted at one end in the space between the plates. A piston and cylinder, also mounted in the space between the plates, joins the plates to a second location on the claw, both being pivot connections, so that extension and retraction of the piston causes the claw to pivot between open and closed positions. To install the attachment on a boom-mounted tool, the tool is detached from the boom, and the attachment inserted in its place, with the tool in turn secured to the attachment. The attachment thus serves as an extension, and is readily installed and removed on site.

Abstract: A tree gripping device adapted to be mounted on the top of a bulldozer blade. The device has a base member mounted on top of the blade, the base member projecting past one side of the blade. A gripping arm is pivotally mounted on the projecting portion of the base member, the arm extending along the side of the blade. Actuating structures move the gripping arm toward the side of the blade to grip a tree between them.

Abstract: The combination of a dipper stick and pivotable bucket of a backhoe and a detachable, folding, clamping device attached to the dipper stick, the clamping device comprising an elongated jaw member pivotably attached to the distal end of the dipper stick and having a serrated member facing the bucket, the jaw member being pivotable to an operative position substantially perpendicular to the dipper stick and to an inoperative position parallel to and closely adjacent to the dipper stick; and a bracing support member pivotably attached to the free end of the jaw member and attachable to said dipper stick when in the operative position.

Abstract: The size of the gap separating first and second jaw members (26, 28) comprising a gripper arm is made adjustable by the provision of a translatable bracket (80) upon which an actuator (30) is supported. As the bracket (80) translates, so do the actuator (30) and a linkage (32) which connects a pivotable jaw member (28) to the actuator (30). Translation of the actuator (30) and linkage (32) changes the size of the gap separating the pivotable jaw member (28) and the other jaw member (26), thereby permitting the gripper arm to accommodate and engage articles of differing thicknesses.

Abstract: A rotating hammer-shear for releasable attachment to the boom structure and hydraulic system of a hydraulic excavator for the demolition of concrete structures. The hammer-shear having a heavy duty power operated shear and hammer secured to and extending from opposite ends of a common frame. The frame includes a rotational mounting. The rotational mounting provides for rotation of the hammer-shear through an arc of 360.degree. about an axis essentially perpendicular to the line of longitudinal extension of the shear and hammer from the frame. The rotational mounting also provides for pivotal attachment of the hammer-shear to the boom structure and hydraulic system of the excavator.

Abstract: A pipelaying appliance (1) is removably connected to the bucket (2) of an excavator with the aid of a gripping means (3) mounted on the bucket. The appliance includes two gripping arms (7, 8) of which one thrusts into the pipe (9) and the other is situated on the outside of the pipe. The gripping arms are movable to and from each other and are connected to the appliance so that the clamping force of the gripping arms on the pipe wall will be proportional to the weight of the pipe carried by the appliance.