Abstract: An accumulating roller conveyor comprising a frame, a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending drive rollers rotatably mounted on the frame, a drive extending longitudinally of the frame, and a spring clutch interposed between each drive roller and the drive. A driven roller is rotatably mounted on the frame upstream of each drive roller and an endless belt interconnects the driven and drive roller such that when the drive roller is rotated, the driven roller is rotated. A sensing roller is rotatably mounted on the frame upstream and adjacent each driven roller, and a one-way clutch is provided on each sensing roller. An endless belt interconnects the driven roller and the one-way clutch such that when the driven roller is rotated, the sensing roller is rotated.

Abstract: A vacuum pad comprising a body having an opening therethrough. One end of the opening is adapted to be attached to a source of vacuum. A water trap chamber is provided on the body communicating with the opening. A cup of flexible material having a peripheral lip is mounted on the water trap chamber and has an opening therethrough providing communication between the interior of the water trap chamber and the space surrounded by the peripheral lip.

Abstract: A tilting tray sorting system comprising a plurality of carriages, a track and a conveyor for moving the carriages along the track. Each carriage comprises a tray which is supported on its carriage for swiveling movement about a vertical axis and for tilting movement about a horizontal axis. The tray is normally held in generally horizontal position on the carriage. Actuators are provided along the path of the carriages and engage and move the trays such that they swivel about a vertical axis and tilt about a horizontal axis to deliver an article to one or more delivery positions along the path of the carriages. Reset devices are provided along the path of the carriages downstream of the delivery positions for returning the trays to their normal position.

Abstract: A stacker crane storage arrangement wherein a tray is supported for reversible extension transversely of a tower which is movable on a track, so as to deposit cargo laden pallets in cells or cubicles of open sides storage grids on both sides of the track. The tray of the tower is movable by a compact mechanism, utilizing telescopically and reversibly extending drive members carried by pairs of cantilever beams and driven by sprocket chains and hydraulic cylinders in a dual system which effects reversible motion of a tray to either side of the tower. The telescopic tray mechanism provides for moving a cargo laden tray to either a part distance or a full distance transversely of the tower, so that pallets can be stored in or retrieved from double depth storage grids. The specific racks or cells can hold two pallets in tandem, there being a first pallet position and a second pallet position in each cell. The arrangement and construction has features whereby very tall towers are usable.

Abstract: A vacuum pad system comprising a plurality of vacuum pads to which vacuum is selectively supplied and a de-icer supply mechanism selectively connected to the vacuum pads to supply de-icer to the pads and thereby to purge the pads.

Abstract: A Bourdon pressure gauge is provided with a direct-coupled electronic and visual readout. Specifically, the electronic and visual readouts are direct-coupled in that they are taken along a common linkage from the Bourdon tube. In addition, they are of comparable accuracy because the electrical readout is taken at a point of relatively small displacement amplification on the commmon linkage whereas the visual readout is taken at a point of substantial displacement amplification. In a preferred embodiment, the Bourdon tube is linked to a pivotally mounted linkage element having a cam head for driving a helicoidal gear. An electrical contact in cooperation with resistor disposed on the pivotally mounted element is used to take a variable resistance electrical readout, and a pointer for taking a visual readout is connected to the helicoidal gear.

Abstract: A push-pull cable electrically insulating an operator from an electrically conductive device to which the cable is connected. The cable includes a non-conductive flexible elongated core encased in a non-conductive flexible tubular member. The tubular member has an effective inner diameter which allows movement of the core therethrough.

Abstract: A sorter system for articles such as baggage, mail bags, cartons, and the like is provided which combines a high speed main or sorting conveyor and a feed or induction conveyor, or a plurality of such induction conveyors along the length of the main conveyor. The induction conveyors are for the purpose of loading the main conveyor by depositing articles thereon with a velocity imparted to the articles in the direction of movement of the main conveyor which is substantially equal to the high rate of main conveyor velocity thereby avoiding shock. The arrangement is such that articles having length and width are deposited on an induction conveyor to travel in the direction of their length and be deposited on the main conveyor transversely of the motion thereof and thus oriented widthwise on the main conveyor to reduce the area required per article on the main conveyor.

Abstract: A tilting tray sorting conveyor comprising a track, a plurality of carriers on said track, a conveyor interconnecting said carriers and adapted to be driven to move said carriers along said track. Each carrier has a tray pivotally mounted thereon about an axis generally parallel to said track and a tilting yoke fixed thereto. Cam means along said track engage the tilting yoke and move said yoke in one direction to tilt said tray to one side and move said yoke in the other direction to tilt said tray to the opposite side of the track. Latch means are operable to hold said tray in normal upright position or to permit the tray to be tilted to one side or the other of said track. The latch means includes an escapement member mounted for generally vertical movement on the carriage and means yieldingly urging said escapement member to a neutral position corresponding to the upright position of said tray.

Abstract: A power and free conveyor system comprising a power track, a conveyor movable along the power track, a carrier track, a plurality of carriers movable along the carrier track and interengaging members between the coveyor and the carriers. At least one module is provided and comprises a body having hooks on a back wall thereof. The carrier has a generally vertical central frame extending downwardly including spaced side portions which are generally vertically aligned with the carrier track. An upper pair of arms extends transversely from the central frame and a cross bar joins the arms. The module extends between the side portions of the central frame with the hooks engaging the cross bar. A pair of lower arms extends transversely from the central frame and a bar between the ends of the lower arms engages the back wall of the module to stabilize the module.

Abstract: An accumulating roller conveyor system comprising a first tail end section which delivers the articles at a more rapid speed to an intermediate accumulating section wherein successive portions of the conveyor are disengaged upon movement of an article over a downstream portion and a drive section which is operable to stop articles and brake their movement.

Abstract: A connector element for securement of one chain member including a plurality of links to a second chain member also including a plurality of links is disclosed. The connector element includes a pin portion and opposed head portions at the ends which define with the pin a pair of spaced shoulders. One head is enlarged so that its shoulder engages with a link to prevent passage therethrough. The other head may be received through the link and receives a deformable member thereover to cooperate with its shoulder. The member is of a size to cooperate with the link and prevent passage of the connector element in the other direction.

Abstract: A spliceless longitudinally extending strand structure and method of fabricating the same which method embodies the steps of stranding at least one generally elongated strand wire about a first individual core wire segment to form a first outer layer segment, bonding a second core wire segment to the first core wire segment, bonding a second generally elongated strand wire to each of the first strand wires and stranding the second strand wires about second core wire segment as a second outer layer segment to form a continuous length of a strand structure. This process is continued until a strand structure of desired length is obtained. A stranded cable is formed by helically twisting a plurality of strand structures together. In the strand structure, the bonded joints connecting the strand wires between adjacent outer layer segments are spaced from the joint between the associated core wire segments and from each other longitudinally of the strand structure.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a control system is provided for maximizing flow rate and sorting rate by minimizing the spacing between articles of varying length. The system measures the length of the articles and controls their movement into the sortation system so as to minimize spacing between the articles. The system permits maximizing the rate of sortation while taking into account conveyor speed, length of time for diverting to zones, length of the articles and spacing between them. In addition, the system is arranged to prevent false signals due to tags and the like.

Abstract: A hydraulic motor system mechanism for driving a member selectively in opposite directions and to either of a pair of positions in either direction. The mechanism comprises two pairs of double acting hydraulic cylinders with interconnecting piston rods, whereby selective pressurization of a cylinder of either pair of said cylinders effects movement of the member in one direction to a first position and pressurization of the other cylinder of the pair effects movement to a second and further position in the same direction. Pressurization of one or both cylinders of the other pair effects movement of the member to a first or second and further position in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A hand hoist comprising a hand wheel adapted to be moved by hand. The wheel has a plurality of circular openings therein spaced circumferentially of said wheel. A plurality of friction discs are placed in the openings and have opposed surfaces. A driven member is adapted to be connected to the hoist for providing a drive for lifting. The driven member has a surface engaging one of the opposed surfaces of the discs and a pressure member engages the other of the surfaces of the discs. Spring means apply yielding pressure to the pressure member.

Abstract: A trolley comprising a trolley body, a shaft fixed on the trolley body and having ends projecting outwardly along the sides of the trolley body and a wheel on each end of the shaft. Each wheel comprises an inner race, an outer race and rollers between the inner and outer races. The inner race having an opening through which the end of the shaft extends. The inner race also has a frusto conical surface adjacent the end of the opening. A conical washer having its outer surface complementary to the frusto conical surface of the inner race is placed adjacent thereto and interengaging means are provided between the washer and the shaft end to prevent rotation therebetween. Each end of the shaft having a threaded opening extending axially therein and a cap screw is threaded into the opening and engages the conical washer to hold the washer against the inner race and relative to the end of the shaft.

Abstract: A means for stabilizing a large diameter - to - thickness ratio wheel to prevent axial flutter of the wheel at high wheel speeds is disclosed. The wheel is supported for rotation through a gap formed by at least one pair of spaced bearing plates. Each bearing plate provides a relieved area in the side juxtaposed to the wheel, the non-relieved area of the bearing plate and the wheel surface defining a nozzle directed generally toward the periphery of the wheel. The gap spacing is adjustable. Means are provided for introducing fluid through each bearing plate into the relieved area on both sides of and at circumferentially spaced locations on the wheel face. The flow of fluid which impinges on the face is maintained constant. Through a change in direction through the gap and due to centrifugal forces the fluid moves toward the wheel periphery at increased velocity. The flowing fluid creates hydrodynamic conditions which stiffen the wheel sufficiently to prevent axial flutter.

Abstract: A loom cleaner for cleaning a plurality of looms in a row comprising a carriage adapted to be moved along an overhead track above the row of looms. A pair of spaced blowers are provided on the carriage. Each blower includes a scroll and a fan. A motor on the carriage drives a horizontal shaft connected to the fans of the blowers. A plenum is associated with the outlet of each blower scroll and is mounted for swinging movement about a horizontal axis intersecting said outlet. Means are provided for oscillating the plenums about their respective axes. A plurality of blower tubes extend downwardly from each said plenum and are oscillated as each plenum is oscillated.

Abstract: An improved tester for measuring the hardness of materials, the tester having multiple spring means and an adjustable control for placing one or both of the spring means into operation to load the tester under different minor loads.