Abstract: A tire stacking apparatus includes a base frame with a carriage pivotally mounted on the frame for selective movement between a horizontal loading position and a vertical stacking position. The carriage includes a pair of parallel support members connected to a rotatable axle, and a pair of legs connected to the axle generally perpendicularly to the support members, the leg members and support members connected for rotation on the axle to pivot between the loading and stacking positions. The support members and leg members are spaced apart a distance to support tires therebetween such that a row of vertically oriented tires resting on the support members will be formed in a vertical stack on the carriage leg members when the carriage is pivoted to the stacking position. A cylinder with an extensible plunger rod is operably connected between the base frame and a lever arm connected to the axle to selectively pivot the carriage between the loading and stacking position.

Abstract: A roll handling apparatus, including a roll handling cart, a C-hook assembly and a tiltable upender assembly is disclosed. The roll handling cart receives a plurality of spaced rolls, for example, paper rolls. A guide moves the cart bed along a path. A first member engages one end of the rolls and a second member engages the other end to move the rolls adjacent one another.

Abstract: A transporter for elongated compressed gas cylinders comprising an elongated load bearing beam supported in an upright inclining position by a pair of rotatably attached wheels and a supplemental support, the support also mounting a wheel which pivots about a vertical axis to facilitate a steering function. The transporter further having hook device for engaging a hook receiving aperture on a compressed gas cylinder, the hook device movably attached to the beam via a device for elevating and lowering the hook relative to the beam. Handle devices attached to the transporter provide for manual actuation of the elevating and lowering device as well as for tilting motion and movement of the transporter. The beam having a cylinder support yoke fixedly attached for cradling a compressed gas cylinder carried by the transporter, the yoke having a strap connectably mounted which encircles and secures a compressed gas cylinder.

Abstract: A robot manipulator has an arm with a head which is mounted for movement up and down, along a first horizontal path, along a second horizontal path at right angles to the first path, about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis so that it can reach all portions of a storage facility for bobbins, stacked blanks and/or other commodities which are to be fed to one or more tobacco processing machines. The head has a jaw chuck which can engage a cylindrical internal surface of a bobbin or the cylindrical internal surface of a tool which is used for the transport of stacks of superimposed blanks of paper or the like. The head further has a vertically movable annular pusher which can strip a bobbin off the chuck or which can actuate one or more pivotable supports forming part of the tool and serving to prop one or more stacks from below.

Abstract: A fuel tank tender is used for facilitating installation, removal and service of vehicle fuel tanks. The tender includes a frame. Casters rotatably mounted on the frame move the frame over a support surface, including into position beneath a fuel tank. A cradle supports a fuel tank. Elevating jacks mount the cradle to the frame for raising and lowering the cradle relative to the support surface to lift and lower or support the fuel tank relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: Handling apparatus, in particular a telescopic cylinder having at least one retractable and extendable telescopic part. For handling objects, in particular bobbins of wound packaging material, in conjunction with packaging machines, use can be made of long-stroke telescopic members (10) which effect the automatic movement of a load-bearing pin for each bobbin. The telescopic members (10) can be extended by compressed air and can be drawn in by a tension member (20). The tension member (20) is arranged outside the telescopic member (10), is fixedly anchored by one end, and can be wound up and unwound by the other end. The tension member (20) runs over a deflection wheel (23) arranged at the free end of the telescopic member (10), namely on a piston rod (15) of the same.

Abstract: Core plugs, which are intended for insertion in the ends of cores on which large rolls of paper are wound, are lifted and maneuvered into position by an apparatus having an elongated horizontal spreader beam that rides on an overhead track. The beam has support arms mounted on each end, the arms being movable horizontally on the beam by a worm gear apparatus. The support arms each carry a hook that reaches downward for grasping of axially extending stubs at the outer ends of core plugs. Each arm has a pneumatically actuated rod with a clamping block on its lower end. The blocks are projectable downward to engage the stubs and secure the core plugs in position on the hooks. Vertical movement of the plugs is provided by a hoist which raises and lowers the beam. With the plugs in place at each end, the paper roll is lifted onto a supporting cradle in position for insertion of spindles of a mill stand. This supports the roll as the paper is being unwound.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to convert any fork lift truck to a roll turning fork truck by sliding a specially designed rectangular frame onto the truck forks. Two safety chains are incorporated to firmly attach the device to the fork lift carriage. The frame combines a power winch and cable that engages a roll or coil core via a roll center lift in combination with an arm proceeding out from the roll center lift to the outside mid-width of the roll or coil which is attached to an adjustable fixed length chain. By lowering or raising the winch cable past the fixed length chain, rolls can be turned to either a true horizontal or vertical position. The adjustable "L" frame suspends from the fixed length chain at the lowest point with a pivot pin to achieve the turning feature when the winch cable is activated. Even though a fork truck may be stationary, the center lift is free to guide into the roll because the roll center lift is connected to a flexible cable and flexible chain.

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: A device for the lifting, manipulation and transport of heavy rolls of material from shipping containers to/and from production apparatus is disclosed. The device has a mandrel which grips rolled stock at the roll core by means of expansion inside the roll core, and manipulates the rolled stock from its shipping position to a position suitable for placement on the mandrel of equipment to utilize the rolled stock. The device allows for transport of the rolled stock from shipping or storage locations to machinery for use. The device is capable of straddling shipping pallets and the like to allow for positioning the mandrel over the rolled stock while maintaining a relatively low center of gravity. Attached to the vertical lift plate is a second plate which is capable of sideways movement of the rolled stock and the mandrel for horizontal positioning. Primary energy sources are provided by electrically powered hydraulics or manually actuated hydraulics, winches, or lead screws.

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

Abstract: A device for the lifting, manipulation and transport of heavy rolls of material from shipping containers to/and from production apparatus is disclosed. The device has a mandrel which grips rolled stock at the roll core by means of expansion inside the roll core, and manipulates the rolled stock from its shipping position to a position suitable for placement on the mandrel of equipment to utilize the rolled stock. The device allows for transport of the rolled stock from shipping or storage locations to machinery for use. The device is capable of straddling shipping pallets and the like to allow for positioning the mandrel over the rolled stock while maintaining a relatively low center of gravity. Attached to the vertical lift plate is a second plate which is capable of sideways movement of the rolled stock and the mandrel for horizontal positioning. Primary energy sources are provided by electrically powered hydraulics or manually actuated hydraulics, winches, or lead screws.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes for supporting hollow cylinders including a cantilevered arm having a supported end and an unsupported free end and a plurality of rotatable wheels arranged concentrically around the outer periphery of and supported by the arm, the wheels being adapted to receive and support the interior of at least one hollow cylinder. This apparatus may be employed in a process for treating at least one hollow cylinder.

Abstract: A support system for submarine weapons. Fore and aft support structures iude a plurality of vertically oriented channels spaced to engage rollers on the ends of the saddles that engage and support a weapon on diametrically opposed sides of the weapon. Locking structures position the ends of the saddle in the supporting structure. A crane mechanism can selectively engage the saddles and elevate the weapon into the crane for transport to a loading structure. Upon use of a column of weapons, the saddles can be stored horizontally allowing other operations in the storage space between the support structures.

Abstract: A system for loading a plurality of cylindrical members, initially oriented to longitudinally extend in a first direction, into a processing module adapted to receive the plurality of cylindrical members longitudinally extending in a second direction, is disclosed. The system is particularly adapted for use in a rotary atomization manufacturing system for manufacturing photoreceptors from the cylindrical member in the form of substrate members. The system includes a first support structure for receiving and retaining removably thereon the plurality of cylindrical members oriented to longitudinally extend in the first direction. The system transfers the plurality of cylindrical members, longitudinally extending in the first direction, to the first support structure. The system includes a second support structure for receiving and retaining removably thereon the plurality of cylindrical members oriented to longitudinally extend in the second direction.

Abstract: A mandrel for transporting a plurality of magnetic discs is described. The mandrel has a series of axially spaced grooves, each designed to engage and support a magnetic disc at an inner edge region of the disc's circular opening, at two or more contact positions.

Abstract: A carriage supported tool for manipulating a heavy object including a mobile carriage assembly having a carriage supported on wheels, an elongated operating arm, and an elongated clamp-assembly support boom. Both the boom and the arm are attached to the carriage to form a lever with the carriage acting as a fulcrum. The clamp assembly is coupled to the boom by a chain and hook. The clamp assembly includes a plurality of adjustable jaw sets for engaging a heavy object, such as a manhole frame, which is to be moved.

Abstract: A device for raising and lowering a paper roll used in a printing press. This device is comprised of an inverted U-shaped frame made up of a horizontal member supported by two vertical members. Two hydraulic cylinders are supported by the horizontal member so that each extends substantially parallel to a vertical member of the frame. A hydraulic power unit is attached to the top of the horizontal member to actuate the hydraulic cylinders. A hydraulic directional control valve controls the direction of flow of hydraulic fluid in order to effectuate the extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinders and thereby raise and lower the paper roll.

Abstract: The present invention is a compressed gas cylinder carrier for retaining and transporting a plurality of such cylinders. The carrier includes a cage or framework having a base and top interconnected by a plurality of vertical bars. The base includes slide rails on which is slideably mounted a sled that can move between opposite ends of the carrier within the framework thereof. The sled has a base and a sidewall portion integral there with and extending upward there from. The sled base and sidewall form a cylinder retaining space. One carrier end has a hinged door for providing access to the interior of the carrier. A strap extends around the sled and is engaged through an adjustable buckle secured to the door. The top end of the carrier has a roof structure for forming a forklift receiving cavity. In operation, the present invention is sized to retain a plurality of compressed gas cylinders.

Abstract: A mobile cart for moving coil-shaped objects has a wheel-mounted horizontal base which supports an upwardly extending mast provided with a guideway along which a first support element is controllably movable up and down in a vertical direction above the base. A second support element is pivotably mounted at a proximate end to the first support element, and provides a horizontal guideway along which is suspended a downwardly depending clamp. On the base of the cart there is also provided an object support which, between two quarter-cylinder shaped horizontal support elements, has a gap of selected size. The clamp is operable to grasp a coil-shaped object, after which the first and second support elements are guidably moved upward, and the object supported by the clamps is horizontally moved to the object support. Lower distal end portions of the clamp slide into the gap and the coil-like object is lowered to rest on and be supported by an upper portion of the object support.

Abstract: High aspect ratio metal microstructures may be prepared by a method involving(i) forming a layer of a photoresist on a substrate;(ii) exposing the layer to actinic radiation in an imagewise manner and developing the exposed layer to obtain a surface which contains regions having no remaining photoresist and regions covered with photoresist;(iii) metallizing the surface to form a layer of metal on the region of the surface having no remaining photoresist and on the sides of the regions of photoresist remaining on the surface; and(iv) optionally, stripping the photoresist remaining on the surface.Such microstructures are useful as electron emitters, anisotropic high dielectric interconnects, masks for x-ray photolithography, carriers for the controlled release of active agents, and ultramicroelectrode arrays.

Abstract: An upright, particularly for a counterbalanced, high lift truck, comprising first and second telescoping dual mast sections disposed in fore and aft relationship, each section having laterally spaced outer, intermediate, and inner rails, and a load carriage elevatable on the inner rails of the front mast section providing a five-stage, sextuple upright. The carriage has side thrust and vertical guide roller pairs travelling in anti-friction engagement on the inner rails spaced to distribute the forces for reducing roller wear and rail distortion. The carriage has a free lift that leaves the top of the carriage flush with the top of the upright reducing the possibility of ceiling damage. The carriage also does not extend laterally beyond the sides of the mast section to reduce interfering with objects alongside the lift, such as storage racks, when engaging a load. The rails and carriage overlap to a high degree thereby allowing loads to be lifted by a truck having a smaller capacity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for holding and inverting cylinder halves of steam turbines is disclosed. The device includes an adjustable base member having a temporary cylinder half support platform. The support includes a jacking mechanism for raising and lower the cylinder half when placed thereon. A rotatable carriage assembly is supported above the base member and securable to the cylinder half flange, the carriage being rotated by a rotation drive unit which is controlled to rotate the cylinder half at a constant rate. After a cylinder half is placed on a support platform, the jacks are activated to raise the cylinder half flange to the level of the rotatable carriage and the flange secured to the carriage. A support is then lowered and removed, and the cylinder half rotated about either its longitudinal or quadrature axis. The axis of rotation is chosen such that the center of gravity of the cylinder half passes therethrough.

Abstract: A roll chucking apparatus is disclosed. The roll defines opposed side openings. The roll chucking apparatus includes a platform from supporting the roll. Lift structures vertically adjust the platform. Sensing structures sense an increase or decrease in the platform load upon the attempted initial insertion of opposed chucking pins into the opposed side openings. The lift structures vertically moves the platform and the roll until correct vertical alignment with the chucking pins occurs.

Abstract: A device for loading dough into cylindrical containers is disclosed. A first conveyor is provided which delivers a plurality of cylindrical containers to a receiving surface which is declining with respect to the horizontal. The containers are oriented such that a central cylindrical axis of each container is substantially parallel to the container receiving surface as the containers approach the container receiving surface. A second conveyor then delivers a cylindrical object to the receiving surface in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to path of the containers in the first conveyor as the objects approach the container receiving surf ace. The second conveyor aligns the cylindrical objects and causes the objects to be inserted into the cylindrical container. Means for positioning the container on the container receiving surface and for releasing the cylindrical containers after filling is also provided. A method of inserting cylindrical objects into cylindrical containers is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reusable bulk transport containers having four wheels attached thereto forming a dolly for easy movement of the containers by a single person. The containers are further equipped with four legs for supporting the containers upright wherein the four wheels are all spaced above the ground surface. Two of the legs are in the form of a kick-stand which can be rotatable to a raised position after which the container can be tilted onto the four wheels and the center of gravity spaced between the main and rear wheels such that when tilted to a wheeled position, the container is inherently stable and will not tip over.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for handling rolls (12) of web material, the rolls being of the type having a hollow core (60) on which a length of the web is wound, the core having opposite ends (68) extending axially beyond the material. The rolls are supported on a rack (10) with their axes of rotation essentially horizontal. Devices such as a general purpose programmable robot (22) having a special tool (26, 32-114) are provided for removing rolls from the rack and placing them on a transfer stand (28, 116-174) adjacent a processing apparatus (30). The transfer stand extends toward the processing apparatus and pushes a fresh roll from its chuck (174) onto the chuck (186) of the processing apparatus.

Abstract: In a system for exchanging packages on a textile machine such as a rewinder, a creel loader receives empty packages from a creel for transportation to the position of a package supporter, the package supporter is rotated about a vertical axis over 180 degrees to place full packages in a position facing the creel loader, and, after receipt of the full packages, the creel loader travels to a section of the creel in need of package exchange for transfer of the full packages to the creel. Concurrently with this process, full packages from a package stocker is mounted to the package supporter by operation of an assistant device such as a robot for next exchange of packages with the creel loader. Loss in production efficiency otherwise caused by empty travel of the loader is well avoided.

Abstract: A yarn package supply and empty bobbin removing apparatus for a warper creel, for removing empty bobbins from a plurality of pegs of a creel and putting yarn packages on the pegs, which includes a yarn package transfer frame having a shape resembling the letter H and supported so as to be located opposite to the pegs. The yarn package transfer frame is provided with holding devices arranged in two rows separated from each other by a distance corresponding to the distance between the adjacent rows of pegs.

Abstract: Merchandise protector apparatus in conjunction with a lift truck of the type having a horizontal ram is used to enter the core of a coil of steel or like material and move the coil. The apparatus includes a contact wall mounted generally vertically at a right angle to the ram near but in front of its base, such that the edge of the coil, which coil is not aligned with the ram, will first contact a surface pad on the contact wall. The contact wall is mounted with shock absorbers such as springs for absorbing energy of contact and telescoping mechanisms for allowing the contact wall to move rearward and a roller on the top surface of the ram which transfers vertical loading to the ram. The apparatus serves to prevent dents in the coil edges and turn the coil to align it with the ram.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying a plurality of packages. A pivotable support rod having a tubular form defines a hollow inner diameter. The support rod receives packages from a doffing truck and supports the packages in a vertical orientation. A hanger is vertically lowered toward the support rod. The hanger includes package holding pawls located at the ends of longitudinal posts. A longitudinal guide member is centrally located among the posts and extends at least to the holding pawls. The guide member defines an outer diameter that is smaller than the hollow inner diameter of the support rod. The guide member is insertable into the hollow inner diameter of the support rod when the hanger is vertically lowered toward the support rod.

Abstract: A heat exchanger tube bundle extractor capable of being used either suspended from a crane or while mounted onto a rigid extendible boom. The extractor features brackets for attaching the extractor to cables suspended from a crane. The extractor can also be mounted onto an extendible boom having an articulated head. When desired, the bundle extractor can be used while mounted onto the boom. If crane operations are preferred, the extractor can be readily detached from the boom and suspended from a crane at much higher elevations.

Abstract: A lift for raising and lowering large cylindrical tanks, which when filled with a fluid such as liquid nitrogen are very heavy, is provided with a base consisting of two parallel beams, each with a wheel at each end and a cross beam closer to one pair of wheels than the other to leave a U-shaped part of the base that may be positioned around a tank. An upright telescoping beam has a horizontal rod at its upper end that engages an eye on a strap welded to the tank. When the upright telescoping beam is extended by a jack having one end on a seat secured to a hollow beam and the other end secured to the telescoping beam, the cylinder is raised in a nearly vertical position. Side struts aid in supporting the upright hollow beam, and each side strut supports a bumper rod that prevents the tank from dragging on the upright hollow beam. Pulleys with V-belts are positioned on the bumper rods to prevent the tank from dragging on the bumper rods.

Abstract: An oil tube bundle positioning device (26) for supporting and restraining oil cooler tube bundles (10) so that they can be safely oriented from one position to another, e.g., from a vertical position to a horizontal position, for cleaning and servicing. The positioning device (26) includes a substantially rigid beam element (28), a first plate (30) fixed to the beam element (28) and a second plate (32) movably supported by the beam element (28) and spaced from the first plate (30). The positioning device is designed to receive an oil tube bundle (10) in the spacing between the first and second plates (30, 32). A plurality of tapered dowels (42) extend from each of the first and second plates (30, 32). Each dowel (42) is positioned to engage an end of a tube (14) of the tube bundle (10) upon the tube bundle (10) being received between the first and second plates (30, 32).

Abstract: A simple, double rotary workpiece or cage holder is disclosed for coating articles such as tubes or article-holders. The articles or article holders are supported in oversized support holes or on undersized pegs so that rotation of the cage about a horizontal axis causes gravity-induced precession of the tubes. The center of gravity of the article holders may be displaced so that the article holders are maintained at an acute angle relative to the cage axis, to facilitate coating difficult shapes such as lenses.

Abstract: A pipe centering apparatus is of such a structure that pipes of certain kinds such as aluminum short pipes transported by a conveyor are centered with their longitudinal centers aligned with each other, before the pipes are subjected to chamfering or other processes. The pipe centering apparatus in the invention comprises a pair of right and left gears in mesh with each other and rotatably mounted on a main frame, a pair of right and left racks respectively in mesh with the right and left gears, and a pair of right and left regulators respectively secured to the right and left racks so as to come into contact with ends of the pipes, wherein the gears are rotated to cause the regulators to move towards each other and to contact the pipe ends, thereby precisely centering the pipes even where the pipes are not of strictly the same length.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing cylindrical and belt-like substrates includes: a support structure having two opposing faces and defining a central horizontal axis, each face of the support structure supporting a planetary array of substrates about the central horizontal axis to define two opposing planetary arrays of substrates, each substrate in each planetary array defining an offset horizontal axis radially spaced from and parallel to the central horizontal axis of the support structure; an array of processing modules each housing a processing chamber for receiving therein the opposing planetary arrays of substrates, each chamber defining a central horizontal axis aligned with the central horizontal axis of the support structure when the support structure is received within the chamber, and each chamber including an opening between opposing chamber sections, the opening being in a plane parallel to the central horizontal axis of the chamber; and a transport vehicle for transporting the support structure to ea

Abstract: An apparatus for charging and discharging yarn cheeses from cheese frames. A frame has a locking rod extending downwardly therefrom. The frame also supports a vertically traversing carriage. The carriage mounts a pair of gripping arms which extend downwardly therefrom and which are disposed about, and rotatable about, the locking rod. The free end of the locking rod may be expanded to hold yarn cheeses thereon, and the free ends of the gripping arms have grippers to raise or lower a yarn cheese onto or off of the locking rod. Rotation of the arms allows them to be placed within spaces adjacent closely packed yarn cheeses. The entire frame is movable in two directions to properly place the locking rod.

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 pipe-moving apparatus is disclosed having a pipe-insertable elongate member which is articulated for ease of use, particularly for pipe laying near trench ends. In a preferred form, the elongate member has a series of at least two carrier members pivotably interconnected end-to-end, with the proximal end of such series of carrier members attached to the controlling mechanism, and structure supporting the carrier members in alignment when the carrier member series is suspended by its proximal end. A highly preferred embodiment accommodates the removable insertion of one or more additional carrier members in the series to extend the length of the elongate member.

Abstract: A robot for transporting a cylindrical tire carcass between various processing locations comprising arms with contoured free ends movable toward each other to thereby grasp the exterior cylindrical surface of a carcass, the free ends also being movable away from each other to thereby grasp the interior cylindrical surface of a green tire; transport means to move the arms between a pick up location, a tire building machine, and an inspection location; and control means adapted to move the arms toward each other at the pick up location to grasp the exterior cylindrical surface of a carcass and to activate the transport means to convey the grasped carcass to the tire building machine, the control means also adapted to move the arm away from each other at the tire building machine to grasp the interior cylindrical surface of a green tire and to activate the transport means to convey the grasped green tire to the inspection location.

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: A traveling platform unit which is movable in the horizontal direction, for loading and unloading a printing paper on a roll stand. The roll stand has swivel arms and is part of a web-fed rotary printing press which uses the printing paper rolls. The traveling platform is equipped with lifting elements acting together in pairs, which permit aligning of the paper rolls with a paper roll bearing axle of the roll stand while allowing paper rolls of different diameters and widths to be brought for clamping between pairs of the swivel arms of the roll stand or to be removed from the swivel arms of the roll stand.

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: A method and an apparatus for storing/taking-out a rod-like stored article enables the article such as a printing-plate cylinder, which must be kept out of contact with other thing in its barrel surface in storing, to keep out of contact with other thing in storing/taking-out operation thereof, which apparatus use a foldable ladder-like, or a like chain-like holder unit for holding a plurality of the rod-like articles in parallel to each other at certain intervals so that the thus held articles can be transferred between its storing area and its taking-out area for use, while its storing space is remarkably reduced without fear of contact with each other.

Abstract: A rack (28) which supports the beads (12) in a separated condition is transported to the storing and feeding apparatus (10) where the rack (28) is used to place the beads (12) around a plurality of continuous conveyors (20) which are expanded to grip the beads (12). After the rack (28) is removed from the feeding and storing apparatus (10), the conveyors (20) are actuated to simultaneously and intermittently feed the beads (12) to a bead transfer member. The apparatus (10) includes means (64,66,89) to adjust and level the conveyors (20) to accommodate a range of bead sizes and means (118) to insure feeding of one bead (12) at a time.

Abstract: In an apparatus for producing hollow bodies from thermoplastic material in large numbers a plurality of stations in which the blanks are successively subjected to various treatment steps are arranged at horizontal spacings around the peripheral surface of a vertical, substantially cylindrical housing of an operating unit of the apparatus. The blanks to be treated are passed downwardly through the operating unit and a first one of the treatment stations therein to the next station therein. Arranged within the operating unit is a cam drum which rotates about a vertical axis and which has cams adapted to actuate tools for treating the blanks in at least some of the treatment stations. Two or more such operating units may be connected in succession for carrying out successive treatment operations on the blanks.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning the seam of a welded tube comprises a plunger rod of a diameter less than the tube having a first longitudinal axis supported and journaled upon its first axis for reciprocal and rotational movements. A radial knife edge projects from the plunger which is adapted for advancing on its axis into a welded tube having a seam rotatably supported upon the first axis. Successive rotation of the plunger causes the knife edge to operatively engage the seam and rotate the tube a predetermined angle, there being preset angular final seam position for the tube, the knife edge having a preset initial position clockwise ahead of the desired seam position. Rotation of the knife edge is counterclockwise.

Abstract: A system for controlling a lift truck apparatus with a clamp, the angle of which is set by a rotator, is disclosed. The rotator is provided with an angle sensor for detecting its rotational angle position, and the clamp is provided with a clamp pressure sensor for detecting the clamp pressure. A plurality of selection switches operable in an auto mode are provided on an operation panel for rotator control and clamp control. These selection switches designate memory areas of angle memory means and pressure memory means. By selectively operating the selection switches, corresponding angle data and pressure data are read out from the angle and pressure memory means. A clamp operation of the clamp is executed according to pressure data read out according to operation of an operation lever. Also according to the operation of the operation lever angle data is read out to control the rotator so as to control the angle of the clamp.

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.