Cylindrical Bar Handling Device Patents (Class 414/745.1)
  • Patent number: 9028198
    Abstract: In some aspects, an unloading device for a pipe processing system includes a depositing carriage having a depositing surface for depositing a pipe during and/or after a pipe processing operation, the depositing carriage being configured to move in a longitudinal direction of the pipe, and a supporting carriage having a supporting member for the pipe, the supporting member having a wall for radially supporting the pipe, and the supporting carriage being configured to move in a longitudinal direction of the pipe, where the depositing surface of the depositing carriage and/or the supporting member of the supporting carriage is configured to move in at least one other direction in addition to the longitudinal direction of the pipe so that the depositing carriage and the supporting carriage can be at least partially moved past each other along the longitudinal direction of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Schopf, Andreas Kettner-Reich, Simon Reinwald
  • Patent number: 8973856
    Abstract: The invention relates to a handling apparatus for handling a roller of a roller crusher. The handling apparatus comprises a movable base, a carrier pivotably attached to said base and adapted to carry the roller, at least one carrier pivoting device pivotably attached to said base and attached to said carrier, said carrier pivoting device being extendable, and at least one roller pivoting device pivotably connected to said base, said roller pivoting device being adapted to releasably engage said roller. The invention also relates to a method for mounting a roller to a roller crusher and a method for dismounting a roller to a roller crusher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Metso Minerals Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Croyle
  • Publication number: 20140356120
    Abstract: A rod loader attachment for loading an elongate rod or pipe. The attachment comprises an elongate support member designed to be positioned substantially parallel to a rod or pipe. A plurality of rod gripping units is mounted at spaced intervals on the support member. Each rod gripping unit comprises a pair of holding arms for gripping the rod or pipe between the holding arms. Each holding arm in the rod gripping units is independently activated by a spring actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Quenton Seed
  • Patent number: 8840352
    Abstract: A pipe handling catwalk is provided for moving tubulars or pipe to and from a work floor of well drilling or service rigs. The catwalk includes a variable height V-door for guiding pipe to the work floor. The V-door is made of a series of sequential pivotally attached segments that can extend from, and retract into, the catwalk at an angle relative to the catwalk along a guide track disposed at an end of the catwalk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Rangeland Industrial Services Ltd
    Inventors: Mark Charles Taggart, Kevin John Scott Kerr
  • Publication number: 20130298373
    Abstract: The invention relates to a handling apparatus for handling a roller of a roller crusher. The handling apparatus comprises a movable base, a carrier pivotably attached to said base and adapted to carry the roller, at least one carrier pivoting device pivotably attached to said base and attached to said carrier, said carrier pivoting device being extendable, and at least one roller pivoting device pivotably connected to said base, said roller pivoting device being adapted to releasably engage said roller. The invention also relates to a method for mounting a roller to a roller crusher and a method for dismounting a roller to a roller crusher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: METSO MINERALS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Robert C. Croyle
  • Publication number: 20120321428
    Abstract: The method of control consists in altering the flow path by means of swing and/or slide shiftable movable elements (5 and 10), constituting a fragment of the opposite side walls (2 and 3) of an angularly positioned channel (1), which after shifting stop the flow or direct it to another receiving device or simultaneously to multiple receiving devices, with the possibility of restoring the flow after shifting the movable elements (5 and 10) to previous position. The device is situated in the channel (1), the first side wall (2) of which is provided with a first movable element (5), and a fragment of the opposite second side wall (3) forms a second movable element (10), with the first movable element (5) being mounted on a pivot (6) together with a perpendicular plate (7), on which also the second movable element (10) by means of an actuator (9) is mounted. The second element (10) may have the shape of a cylinder sector or a triangular prism or take the shape of a rotating plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL TOBACCO MACHINERY POLAND SP. Z O.O
    Inventor: Bartosz Cieslikowski
  • Publication number: 20120219396
    Abstract: In some aspects, an unloading device for a pipe processing system includes a depositing carriage having a depositing surface for depositing a pipe during and/or after a pipe processing operation, the depositing carriage being configured to move in a longitudinal direction of the pipe, and a supporting carriage having a supporting member for the pipe, the supporting member having a wall for radially supporting the pipe, and the supporting carriage being configured to move in a longitudinal direction of the pipe, where the depositing surface of the depositing carriage and/or the supporting member of the supporting carriage is configured to move in at least one other direction in addition to the longitudinal direction of the pipe so that the depositing carriage and the supporting carriage can be at least partially moved past each other along the longitudinal direction of the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: TRUMPF WERKZEUGMASCHINEN GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Schopf, Andreas Kettner-Reich, Simon Reinwald
  • Patent number: 8136653
    Abstract: Under a state in which a long material (structural steel (A)) is sandwiched by pinch rollers (drive roller (21) and idle rollers (22)) of a pinch roller apparatus (20), the drive roller (21) is driven to rotate, and the structural steel (A) is conveyed forward. When a rear end portion of the structural steel (A) reaches a vicinity of the pinch roller apparatus (20), the rear end portion of the structural steel (A) is held by a holding portion (32) provided at a front end portion of a feed bar (36) of a feed bar device (30), and the feed bar (36) is caused to slide toward a working machine. Consequently, the structural steel (A) is conveyed forward through the pinch roller apparatus (20) and is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Daito Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taichi Okimoto
  • Publication number: 20110276176
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a loading station for a storage frame. In the loading station, the storage frame serves for temporarily holding and transporting rod-like elements, in particular smoking rods, on which sausage-shaped products, like sausages, are stored, and comprises two side parts, wherein each side part has two supports being substantially parallel to each other and wherein the side parts are connected with each other by at least one cross beam, and horizontally arranged trays for accommodating rod-like elements. The loading station comprises at least one position defining device for defining a predetermined position of the storage frame. Moreover, at least one locking device is provided for releasably locking of the storage frame in its predetermined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: POLY-CLIP SYSTEM GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Gerd Freiberger, Peter Wiemer, Jürgen Reitz, Manfred Waldstädt
  • Publication number: 20110274529
    Abstract: The invention relates to a handling system for transporting, removing or inserting rod-like elements. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for transporting, removing or inserting rod-like elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: POLY-CLIP SYSTEM GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Günter Kessler
  • Patent number: 7918327
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for receiving successive bars moving longitudinally along an entry path and for laterally transferring the bars from the entry path to a braking path. The apparatus comprises a run in table having a plurality of rollers arranged to convey the bars along the entry path. A braking surface is arranged between the run in table and the braking path. The braking surface and the rollers of the run in table lie in a reference plane sloping downwardly from the entry path to the braking path. A dividing wall is arranged between the run in table and the braking surface. The dividing wall is adjustable between a raised position projecting above the reference plane to block lateral downward movement of bars from the entry path across the braking surface to the braking path, and a lowered position accommodating such downward movement. A switch is positioned in advance of the dividing wall. The switch has a plurality of guide channels arranged around a common axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Palfreman, Terence Michael Shore
  • Publication number: 20110008143
    Abstract: A device and method to feed bars which picks-up and removes selectively from a bundle one bar in order to dispose the bar for use in an operating machine. The device including first magnetic members, which separate from the bundle an end segment of a plurality of bars and dispose the end segments of the plurality of bars on a plane distanced with respect to the bundle, and second magnetic members, which cooperate with the first magnetic members so as to pick-up at least one bar at a time from the plurality of bars and to prepare the bar for sending to the operating machine. The device also includes third magnetic members, which temporarily hold the bar or bars picked-up by the first magnetic members, forming substantially a pick-up plane, in an intermediate step, from which the second magnetic members selectively pick-up the bars to be sent to the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: M.E.P. MACCHINE ELETTRONICHE PIEGATRICI SPA
    Inventor: Giorgio Del Fabro
  • Publication number: 20100310347
    Abstract: A formation and rotation apparatus for use in forming and rotating interconnected sections of a cylindrical workpiece, including a frame and a head arranged within the frame, the head defining two slots and being operatively rotated via an integral drive assembly. A first slide block is slidably disposed within one of the two slots, and a second slide block is disposed within another of the two slots, each of the first and the second slide blocks include a cutting wheel and a beading wheel for successively forming each of the interconnected sections. An armature having an axis of rotation is also provided, along with a gripping mechanism being operatively connected to the armature. A drive mechanism selectively rotates the armature about the axis of rotation after the gripping means has closed about one of the interconnected sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: FORMTEK, INC.
    Inventor: LELAND M. RIECK
  • Patent number: 7832976
    Abstract: The method for the automatic feeding of metal section bars provides for seizing a group of metal section bars (2) from a store (3) by means of gripping tools (11) and for transferring the said group of metal section bars (2) in a lifted position. The metal section bars (2) are arranged on a transfer device (20) suited to transfer the metal section bars (2) on receiving means (30). In a suitable phase relationship, the counting of the metal section bars (2) transferred on the said receiving means (30) is carried out. Such operating cycle is repeated until a prefixed number of metal section bars (2) is reached. The whole of the metal section bars (2) is disentangled through the progressive sliding of the receiving means (30) along the longitudinal axis of the metal section bars (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schnell S.p.A.
    Inventor: Aronne Miglioranza
  • Patent number: 7762759
    Abstract: Device and method to pick up and remove from a bundle one or more bars in order to arrange them for use in an operating machine. The device comprises first magnetic means to separate from the bundle an end segment of a plurality of bars and to arrange at least the end segments of plurality bars on a plane distanced with respect to the bundle. The device comprises second magnetic means to pick up, from the first magnetic means, at least one bar at a time from the plurality of bars and to unload the at least one bar in a desired release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: M.E.P. Macchine Elettroniche Piegatrici SpA
    Inventors: Giorgio Del Fabro, Marcello Del Fabro
  • Publication number: 20100183418
    Abstract: An arbor, arranged for attachment to a drilling rigs overhead support and drilling fluid circuit, has a cross frame with axles that support telescoping link arms to carry a single stand elevator at their lower end. The link arms have provision, at their top end, to tilt about a horizontal axis. The link arms can extend an amount greater than their minimum length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: PREMIERE, INC
    Inventors: Kris Henderson, Lee M. Robichaux, Joseph L. Hawkins, Lee J. Matherne, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100138041
    Abstract: A device for taking over, temporarily storing and passing on elongated, hollow-cylindrical product units, preferably tubes, sleeves or cans, which come from a production line, has a first supplying conveyor belt and a continuously delivering second conveyor belt. The first and the second conveyor belts are disposed horizontally lying one above the other in a transfer zone. An intermediate storage arrangement is designed as a high-rack storage arrangement or as a paternoster storage arrangement. At least one handling robot is also located in the region of the transfer zone between the conveyor belts and the intermediate storage arrangement. This handling robot is designed either (a) to take a number of product units from the first conveyor belt and to feed them to the second conveyor belt or the intermediate storage arrangement, or (b) to remove a number of product units from the intermediate storage arrangement and to feed them to the second conveyor belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: TEXA AG
    Inventors: Gottlieb Benz, Albertus Robbertson
  • Publication number: 20100021271
    Abstract: An elongate item handling means comprising a base (11) adapted to be fixed to a fixture, an elongate member support (13) having a first axis, the elongate member support comprising an engagement means (19) adapted to engage an elongate item and support the elongate item such that it is parallel to the first axis and to move the elongate item into engagement with the elongate member support, wherein the elongate member support is supported from the base to be rotatable about a second axis which is transverse to the first axis whereby the elongate item when supported from the elongate member support can be moved between an upright position and a substantially horizontal position, the base being movable on the fixture between a first position located at a desired erect position of the elongate item and one or more positions clear of the first position, said elongate member support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Keith Littlely
  • Publication number: 20100003120
    Abstract: A bolting apparatus and method for inserting a rod into a surface, the bolting apparatus including a base having a foot end and a head end, at least one stabilizing rod extendable from the base head end and having a stabilizing rod end adapted to contact a surface to be drilled, and a mechanism attached to the base between the base foot end and the stabilizing rod end and adapted to grip the rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: JOY MM DELAWARE, INC.
    Inventors: Will Eddowes, Gregory Wayne Broad, John Edward Bailey
  • Publication number: 20090191041
    Abstract: Device and method to pick up and remove from a bundle one or more bars in order to arrange them for use in an operating machine. The device comprises first magnetic means to separate from the bundle an end segment of a plurality of bars and to arrange at least the end segments of plurality bars on a plane distanced with respect to the bundle. The device comprises second magnetic means to pick up, from the first magnetic means, at least one bar at a time from the plurality of bars and to unload the at least one bar in a desired release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: M.E.P. Macchine Elettroniche Piegatrice SpA
    Inventors: Giorgio Del Fabro, Marcello Del Fabro
  • Publication number: 20090180856
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bar feeder, which is capable of reliably loading a bar onto a guide rail with a simplified structure. The bar feeder 1 comprises a stock rack 8, a guide rail 4 for guiding a bar to a bar machining apparatus, and a bar supply mechanism 32 for taking bars W one by one out of the stock rack 8 and supplying the taken-out bar W onto the guide rail 4. The bar supply mechanism 32 includes a lifting member 40 adapted to lift a downstreammost one of the bar W on the stack rack 8, a bar receiving member 42 adapted to receive thereon the lifted bar W and supply the bar W onto the guide rail 4, and a stopper member 36 adapted to holds a second-downstreammost one of the bar W to be subsequently supplied. The lifting member 40 and the bar receiving member 42 are adapted to be driven by a common moving device 44, in such a manner that the lifting member 40 is linearly moved in an upward-downward direction in conjunction with a swing movement of the bar receiving member 42.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: IKURA SEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi HIROSAWA, Takazo ITO, Kenji SATO
  • Patent number: 7513181
    Abstract: A device for effecting an unloading operation of a workpiece with respect to a machine tool. The device includes a non-rotating dump tube having one end adapted for communication with a machine tool and a sidewall defining an opening for discharging a workpiece, a vacuum chamber enclosing the opening in the sidewall and including a workpiece outlet, the chamber configured to receive a workpiece from the dump tube, a door selectively sealingly engaged with the workpiece outlet, and configured to allow the unloading of a workpiece, and a source of vacuum coupled to the vacuum chamber and configured to draw a workpiece through the dump tube and into the vacuum chamber for unloading. A coupling may be disposed between an unloading device and a machine tool to allow the machine tool to operate at increased rates during an unloading operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: J.F. Berns Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Berns
  • Patent number: 7032289
    Abstract: A flexible bar handler that comprises a mobile carriage; a lift boom assembly rotatably attached to rotate around a vertical axis of the carriage to swing a distal end of the boom assembly back and forth and pivotally attached to pivot around a horizontal axis of the carriage to raise and lower the distal end of the boom assembly; and a lift bracket comprising an elongated rail with receptor-shaped cross section to lengthwise accommodate a bar, the lift bracket being attached at a point on its length at the distal end of the longitudinal boom assembly opposed to a counter weight attached at an opposite proximal end of the boom assembly, wherein the lift bracket is pivotally attached to a horizontal pin at the point to permit the lift bracket to tilt to one side or the other so as to raise and lower the lift bracket ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stuart A. Oliver, Gary L. Stewart, John D. King, Terry Bergeron, Herbert Dupre, Jr., Glenn B. Ferguson, Farrell Gillaspie, Harold P. Leboeuf, Eddie McMillis, Jr., Carrol J. Boyne, Jr., James L. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6962476
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for handling material for the insulating glass industry are disclosed. One method of handling material for the insulating glass industry in accordance with the present invention includes the step of arranging a plurality of bars into a plurality of stacks with adjacent stacks defining spaces dimensioned to receive a bar engaging member. The stacks of bars may then be transported to a desired destination. A bar engaging member may be inserted into a space defined by the stacks, and one or more bars may be grasped using the bar engaging member. A container for handling material for the insulating glass industry is also disclosed. The container may advantageously include a plurality of prearranged bar locating members configured to hold a predetermined type of bar stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventor: Paul Trpkovski
  • Patent number: 6860694
    Abstract: A device for handling pipes or stands including a transportation carriage for transport of pipes or stands between a pipe storage and a place for use. The carriage includes picking columns, each having a first picking arm arranged to move substantially vertically. The arms are capable of lifting at least one horizontal pipe or stand from the pipe storage. The picking columns are also equipped with a respective second picking arm, capable of motion substantially vertically on the opposite side of the picking column, to hold the pipe or stand between the first and second picking arms. Also described are a storage device and a pipe erecting device to be used together with the transportation carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Maritime Hydraulics AS
    Inventor: Per Slettedal
  • Publication number: 20040253090
    Abstract: A rebar separator having a crossbar situated atop one or, preferably, two vibrational insulators which are preferably inflatable cushions. Preferably, there are two or more such crossbars on one or two inflatable cushions. At least one vibrational motor is in contact with at least one crossbar. And preferably each crossbar slopes from a first end to a second end. A source of fluid is in communication with each inflatable cushion. Preferably, the vibrational insulators are placed on top of first and second longitudinal channels of a horizontal rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Ken Shinaut, Steven S. Anglesey
  • Patent number: 6808359
    Abstract: A method for automatically feeding the metal profiles in bar form entails gripping a set of the metal profiles from a magazine for collecting said profiles and transferring the set of metal profiles into a raised position and arranging the raised metal profiles on a movable transfer device provided with separators for separating the metal profiles, at which a preset number of metal profiles to be fed, at each work cycle to the machine arranged downstream, is conveyed transversely and counted; the metal profiles are transferred, in counted number, onto auxiliary supports arranged to the side of the transfer device and actuated gradually along the longitudinal axis of the metal profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Schnell S.p.A.
    Inventor: Aronne Miglioranza
  • Patent number: 6758650
    Abstract: A bar guiding device in a feeder for feeding a machine tool, composed of two elements that have respective slots and can move with respect to each other between an open position, which allows insertion of a bar between them, and a mutually adjacent position, at which the slots form a longitudinal channel for advancement of a bar to be fed to the machine tool by way of a bar pusher connected to an actuation chain that is external to the channel by means of a bridge that is guided through regions where the elements mate, the regions being in mutual contact, so as to close the channel, and undergoing elastic deformation in order to allow passage of the bridge between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: IEMCA Giuliani Macchine Italia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Drei, Pierantonio Melandri
  • Patent number: 6752073
    Abstract: An improved bundling method and apparatus is provided for receiving, forming, and holding a desired shape for the bundling of cylindrical objects of various materials through the use of a set of movable links. The method and apparatus use a series of interconnected, predefined lengths of jointed members or links to complete the process of receiving, shaping, and holding a bundle of cylindrical objects in a polygon shaped cross-section such that banding can be applied to the bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventor: Raymond Paris
  • Patent number: 6746201
    Abstract: A bundle puller having an adjustable length carriage frame is disclosed. The carriage frame includes a hinged section that can be rotated between a level or lowered position and a raised position. When the hinged section is raised, the length of the carriage frame is decreased considerably, which allows the bundle puller to be operated in narrow alleyways. The hinged section may then be lowered for operating in larger alleyways. A hydraulic cylinder lowers and raises the hinged section. A rack-and-pinion drive system is used instead of the more common screw drive system to move the sled back and forth on the carriage frame while removing or replacing tube bundles in the heat exchanger shell. Separate gear racks are attached to the hinged section and main section of the carriage frame, respectively. The separate gear racks can be raised and lowered with the hinged section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Fluor Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Cradeur, John M. Dewees, James E. Edward
  • Patent number: 6711457
    Abstract: Working machinery for working an elongated work comprises a work stocker configured to store a plurality of works, a work carrying-in machine configured to carry in the works from the work stocker to a working area, a positioning device configured to position the work in the working area, a work clamper provided in the working area and configured to clamp the work in a vertical direction, a plurality of working machines arranged on both sides of the working clamper to work the elongated work from both sides of the work, a plurality of driving devices configured to move the working machines respectively in a longitudinal direction, a controller configured to control the working machines and the driving device, and a work carrying-out machine configured to carry out the work which is completed in working from the working area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Satoru Yanaka, Katsuhiro Sato, Yasuo Nagase, Hiroshi Noguchi, Kazuto Sasaki, Hiromichi Nakabayashi, Syouji Inagawa, Masahiro Kasiwa, Hitoshi Furugori, Kouji Oonishi, Nobuhiro Abe
  • Publication number: 20030147735
    Abstract: In a device for extending and shortening tubings used to transport drill cuttings and stripped material, a tube storage or tube magazine is provided on a frame (1) capable of being supported on the floor, wherein at least one lifting means (3) capable of being displaced in the height direction and intended to lift tubes (17) into a storage position as well as at least one manipulator (13) intended to position a tube removed from the tube storage into a position in alignment with a laid tube track are arranged on the frame (1). The frame includes at least one longitudinal guide (5) for a telescoping tube (7) that is capable of being integrated in the tube track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Bernhard Ebner, Bruno Reumller, Barry Schmitke
  • Patent number: 6598727
    Abstract: An automatic wire alignment apparatus that can rapidly align wires on an alignment plate is provided. The apparatus includes an elongated alignment plate 10 having parallel grooves 11 for respectively holding a single wire A, a wire supply box 20, vibration generator 30 for vibrating the wire supply box 20. The vibrating causes the wires A in the wire supply box 20 to descend toward the alignment plate 10. A conveyor 40 moves the wire supply box 20, so that the wire supply box 20 is moved relative to the alignment plate 10 in a direction perpendicular to the grooves 11 in the alignment plate 10, and the wires A respectively descend into grooves 11 in the alignment plate 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Sanoh Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Kasuya
  • Patent number: 6588329
    Abstract: An improved bundling method and apparatus is provided for receiving, forming, and holding a desired shape for the bundling of cylindrical objects of various materials through the use of a set of movable links. The method and apparatus use a series of interconnected, predefined lengths of jointed members or links to complete the process of receiving, shaping, and holding a bundle of cylindrical objects in a polygon shaped cross-section such that banding can be applied to the bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Raymond Paris
  • Publication number: 20030118434
    Abstract: A bar guiding device in a feeder for feeding a machine tool, composed of two elements that have respective slots and can move with respect to each other between an open position, which allows insertion of a bar between them, and a mutually adjacent position, at which the slots form a longitudinal channel for advancement of a bar to be fed to the machine tool by way of a bar pusher connected to an actuation chain that is external to the channel by means of a bridge that is guided through regions where the elements mate, the regions being in mutual contact, so as to close the channel, and undergoing elastic deformation in order to allow passage of the bridge between them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: IEMCA GIULIANI MACCHINE ITALIA S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Drei, Pierantonio Melandri
  • Publication number: 20030072643
    Abstract: A flexible bar handler that comprises a mobile carriage; a lift boom assembly rotatably attached to rotate around a vertical axis of the carriage to swing a distal end of the boom assembly back and forth and pivotally attached to pivot around a horizontal axis of the carriage to raise and lower the distal end of the boom assembly; and a lift bracket comprising an elongated rail with receptor-shaped cross section to lengthwise accommodate a bar, the lift bracket being attached at a point on its length at the distal end of the longitudinal boom assembly opposed to a counter weight attached at an opposite proximal end of the boom assembly, wherein the lift bracket is pivotally attached to a horizontal pin at the point to permit the lift bracket to tilt to one side or the other so as to raise and lower the lift bracket ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Stuart A. Oliver, Gary L. Stewart, John D. King, Terry Bergeron, Herbert Dupre, Glenn B. Ferguson, Farrell Gillaspie, Harold P. Leboeuf, Eddie McMillis, Carrol J. Boyne, James L. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20030039509
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a pipeline includes a plurality of vehicles for straddling a ditch. Al of the vehicles are carried by wide, relatively soft tires for minimizing damage to the soil surface. A first vehicle receives, aligns and maintains sections of pipe in position over a trench while effecting a first weld. Additional welding of the joints between pipe sections is effected in successive vehicles, and the weld joint is inspected and then coated with plastic. Finally, the pipeline is deposited in the trench, and the latter is backfilled by the last vehicle in the train of vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Garry McIvor
  • Patent number: 6503046
    Abstract: An apparatus for extracting a single bar from a plurality of bars, comprises a holding device for nipping the single bar. The holding device comprises nipping-members, which face each other and are capable of being opened and closed. The nipping members have a taper space formed therebetween so that only a single bar locating in a peak portion of the taper space of a plurality of bars received therein can be nipped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Alps Tool Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Saiki, Mitsuyoshi Yamaguchi, Yoshimori Kondo
  • Patent number: 6491475
    Abstract: A cable laying method is disclosed, which facilitates an easy cable laying on a cable bed without damaging cables. The method comprises dragging a cable onto a cable drag route of a cable bed, and shifting the cable onto a cable housing provided adjacent the drag route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Mirai Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shohachi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6485251
    Abstract: A lift system particularly designed for transport of pipes from a first to a second elevated location includes first and second storage locations with a lifter component positioned therebetween. The lifter is positioned such that pipes at a first location can be easily picked off a first location by the lifter for transport to the second location. Fingers on the drive chains of the lifter offer a two-point spaced contact to each pipe whether picked off the location or placed thereon by the user. Upon each pipe reaching the upper end of the lifter the fingers return to the lower end which causes a deposit of the pipe onto a second elevated location, e.g., a storage location, truck bed or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Paul Fisher
  • Patent number: 6450752
    Abstract: A feeder system for incrementally feeding a tube along a linear tube path to a point of use. The feeder system includes a frame, and first and second belts on the frame. The first and second belts are capable of moving incrementally in respective first and second belt paths and thereby incrementally moving a tube engaged by the first and second belts in the linear tube path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Hill Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Hill
  • Patent number: 6267544
    Abstract: A log positioning and securing device is described in which a frame supports a log receiving trough with sides positioned to receive and support a log along a longitudinal plane. A log clamp including a pair of log clamp members is movably mounted to the frame. The clamp members are driven to move between an inoperative position in which the log clamp members are separated in a log receiving position, and a log clamping position in which the log clamp members are moved toward one another and toward the longitudinal plane, to clamp and hold a log securely along the rough, with the centerline of the log parallel to or coincidental with the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Nevilog, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Neville
  • Patent number: 6237742
    Abstract: A conveyor defining a horizontal transport surface receives elongated workpieces in crossed-over and nonparallel orientation at an input side of the surface and moves them in a horizontal transport direction to an output side of the surface. A workpiece-aligning apparatus has a guide extending generally parallel to the workpieces along the surface, a carriage displaceable along the guide parallel to the workpieces, and a pushdown element vertically displaceable on the carriage between a lower position engaging and pushing down the workpieces and an upper position above the workpieces. A drive displaces the carriage along the guide with the element in the lower position and thereby presses the workpieces down against the transport surface and moves the workpieces into generally parallel alignment with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: RSA Entgrat-U. Trenn-System GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Dünwald, Rainer Schmidt