Abstract: Apparatus for actuating and locking the hopper doors of a hopper car of the type having a center sill of inverted U-shaped cross section and a plurality of hopper doors extending transversely of the center sill. The hopper doors can be arranged singly to close a chute, in opposed cooperating pairs, and both. The actuating and locking apparatus of the present invention comprises a shaft extending transversely of the center sill and located between adjacent pairs of hopper doors when the hopper doors are so arranged and adjacent each single hopper door when present. Each such shaft is rotatively mounted. A lever is mounted on each shaft. Each lever has an arm for each door to which it is adjacent and a link pivotally connected to each such arm and the adjacent hopper door. Each lever also has an upright arm extending into the center sill and pivotally affixed to a segmented actuating beam located within the center sill and extending longitudinally therein.

Abstract: In a suction-type gripping mechanism having an extensible arm with a suction cup attached to the end thereof for gripping and moving non-porous articles, and a vent hole leading to the interior of the suction cup for breaking the suction when desired, an improved valve mechanism for opening and closing the vent hole, the mechanism comprising a movable valve member mounted on the extensible arm and associated with the vent hole at a location remote from the suction cup, the valve member being movable between a first position where it closes the vent hole and a second position where it opens the vent hole, the valve member being made of a magnetically permeable material; a spring biasing the valve member toward the first position; and a permanent magnet located adjacent the path of movement of the valve member for magnetically overcoming the force of the spring biasing and moving the valve member to the second position when the valve member is adjacent the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A method of controlling a press having a slide mechanism mounted for reciprocating movement, a press drive for cycling the slide mechanism and including a press drive shaft and a mechanism for driving the shaft at a controllable angular velocity, and an automated feed mechanism for transferring workpieces in and out of at least one work station in the press in synchronism with the reciprocating movement of the press slide, the method comprising the steps of driving the press drive shaft at a first, relatively fast angular velocity during a "closed" portion of each cycle of reciprocating movement of the press slide, the "closed" portion of each cycle including that portion of the cycle during which the press slide is working one or more workpieces, and driving the press drive shaft at a second angular velocity, slower than the first angular velocity, during an "open" portion of each cycle of reciprocating movement of the press slide, the second angular velocity being sufficiently slow to allow the automatic fe

Abstract: A hydraulically driven die carrier for a power press, the carrier comprising a bolster for carrying a die; a set of wheels supporting the bolster for horizontal rolling movement to position the die horizontally; a separate hydraulic drive motor for each of the wheels; a plurality of hydraulic lift cylinders for moving the bolster vertically relative to the wheels; and a hydraulic control system for operating the hydraulic drive motors and lift cylinders for horizontal rolling and vertical movement of the die carrier, the control system including a supply pump having two separate outputs for providing separate sources of pressurized hydraulic fluid for the hydraulic drive motors and for the lift cylinders; a reservoir of hydraulic fluid connected to the pump; valve means for connecting and disconnecting the separate sources of hydraulic fluid and the respective drive motors and lift cylinders; and means for locking the lift cylinders in their raised positions while the cylinders are disconnected from the suppl

Abstract: A transfer feed mechanism, for use in a power press, is disclosed. The feed mechanism comprises multiple finger units for moving successive workpieces along a plurality of different axes so as to transfer the workpieces to desired work stations in desired positions and attitudes. The feed mechanism includes a power takeoff from the main drive of the power press, a plurality of drive means connected to the power takeoff for driving the finger units along the different axes in synchronism with the power press, and a secondary drive motor for driving the finger units along at least one of the axes independently of the power takeoff. The drive means includes at least one differential mechanism connected to both the power takeoff and the secondary drive motor to permit the finger units to be selectively driven by either the power takeoff or the secondary drive motor.

Abstract: A transfer feed press for performing a series of press operations on a workpiece at a series of work stations where a plurality of finger units spaced along the work stations for gripping the workpieces move the same between successive work stations in the press. Servo motors, in association with the appropriate gearing, transfer the finger units along the X, Y, Z axes for positioning the workpieces at successive work stations. Separate servo motors are adapted to rotate a workpiece, gripped by the finger units, 180.degree., for performing press operations on both sides of the workpiece.