Abstract: There is disclosed in a unitized automotive vehicle tire shredding system a rotating drum type elevator for receiving from a screening device heterogeneously mixed scraps of shredded tires or the like which include components of curvilinear shape and resilient characteristics. The drum carries the scraps to an elevated point of discharge to fall therefrom by gravity into a shredding machine and from there down again upon the screening device. The drum includes an annular trough-like portion for carrying the scrap when deposited into a lower portion thereof upwardly to the point of discharge when the drum is rotated, and a material travel control device comprising a trough-shaped channeler of convergent sectional form having side walls peripherally configured to complement the curvatures of said rim and flange wall members.

Abstract: A compactly unitized machine for shredding waste automotive vehicle tires or the like comprising a frame, a shredder, a shredded scrap receiving classifier, and an elevator for carrying oversized scraps rejected by the classfier back to the shredder; said frame, shredder, classifier and elevator are of such configurations and are so relatively arranged and supported upon said frame as to comprise a compactly unitized three-dimensionally minimally sized unit. The classifier per se is of improved construction and operating characteristics.

Abstract: Load position limits and incremental lowering of a load are controlled by a microprocessor forming an interface between an operator's control station and the hoist. Other hoist status conditions such as underspeed and overspeed of the hoist motor are detected by the microprocessor based upon hoist speed during the position limit setting cycle. Still other hoist status data such a motor overheating, number of power-up cycles, number of under and overspeed shut-downs, number of power failures, etc. are input to the microprocessor and all such data as up-dated are entered into a non-volatile memory which, when extracted, permits maintenance scheduling.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pendant control arrangement for overhead electric hoists featuring a helically wound elastically memorized insulative cord enclosing a plurality of electrical conductors for attachments at their opposite ends to terminals in the hoist motor and in the pendant control switches. This coiled cord encloses a straight line strain relief cable or the like which is of a length equal to the anticipated length required to support the pendant switch control panel at proper elevation below the electric hoist, and simply mechanically connects at its opposite ends to said motor and said control panel. Thus, changes in the distance required between the hoist motor and the control panel are more readily accommodated by reason of the mechanical connections of the relief cable, while leaving the electrical connections of the control cord conductors undisturbed.

Abstract: A portable hoist or puller has two facing half shell members housing a chain sprocket rotatably affixed to a drive shaft supported for rotation by a pair of rollers. The first roller is slidably fixed for rotation with the drive shaft while the second is threaded to the shaft. The periphery of the threaded roller is serrated for engagement by a spring detent to inhibit its free rotation. Each roller has a hub portion extending outwardly of the housing to selectively receive a drive tool. A friction disc is disposed between each of the rollers and adjacent housing portion. To apply force to a load connected to the chain trained over the sprocket, the drive tool is coupled to the first roller and rotated causing the sprocket to feed the chain with the rollers pulled against the sprocket. If the drive tool released, the pull of the load tends to reversely rotate the shaft whereby the threaded arrangement causes the rollers to lock-up against the housing.

Abstract: An electric switching apparatus having a trough-shaped body member formed of tough, non-conductive, flexible and substantially fully resilient material within which are seated a plurality of switching mechanisms. A pair of tubular shaped sheath members formed of flexible highly resilient non-conductive material snugly encompasses the device in weatherproof electrically insulated manner; portions of said sheath members being shaped to simulate manually push-operable button devices for actuating said switching devices.

Abstract: There is disclosed for use in powering a hoist or the like a pressured fluid powered machine of the rotary vane motor or pump type, improved means for "lifting" and maintaining the vanes in pressure-sealing contact with the wall of the machine casing, and for substantially preventing pressure losses around the ends of the vanes particularly when the machine is starting up and/or operating at low speeds. A pair of resilient "lifting rings" are provided to ride under the vanes at opposite ends thereof and "air cushion" float about specially shaped seals fixed upon opposite ends of the casing, so as to function at all times to maintain the vanes in contact with the machine casing inner wall. The seals operate to prevent fluid leakages via the vane accommodating slots in the machine rotor around the ends of the vanes; thereby providing the machine with a smooth torque output capability at start-up and low operating speeds, such as is of particular importance in hoisting machine systems.

Abstract: There is disclosed a clutch/brake mechanism of the "disc" type wherein the coacting friction producing members are severally configured of frusto-conical and planar form whereby sealing contact is maintained at the peripheral surfaces thereof when in a brake-released condition to thereby prevent entrance of external contaminants into the brake-clutch mechanism.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pneumatic powered hoist wherein the motor driving the load lift wheel is located within a substantially sealed housing which also encloses the hoist gear and brake mechanisms. The motor exhausts into the housing allowing the exhaust to expand and circulate throughout the housing while cooling and lubricating the mechanisms therein and exit through restricted chain guides leading to and from the load lift wheel; the exhaust further expanding and cooling and lubricating the chain. The high pressure, staccato exhausts from the motor are attenuated and muffled interiorly of the housing.

Abstract: There is disclosed in a chain hoist system or the like, an improved chain travel stop device which is readily attachable to and positionally adjustable on either the load carrying chain or the "slack chain" depending from the load hoisting or pulling machine. The device is positionable with improved facility at any preferred location along the length of any such chains, so as to limit the chain travel relative to the hoist/puller machine.

Abstract: A chain grab hook (10) which engages the cross-over link (30) in a generally flat lay or generally horizontal position is disclosed. The free-end portion (14) of the grab hook (10) includes a support surface (40) which supports the flat face of the cross-over link (30) over a substantial length of the link and over a substantial surface area. The tip (48) of the free-end portion (14) of the hook (10) projects inwardly to provide an obstruction which tends to prevent accidental chain slide-out. The support surface (40) may be slightly angled relative to the horizontal to cause the side links (32, 36) to rotate toward the neutral fiber center (26) of the hook (10) to reduce the moment arm applied by the loaded chain on the hook.

Abstract: A device for precisely positioning a hoist suspended load which operates by temporarily releasing the hoist brake for a predetermined limited time period without actuating the hoist motor so that the load is lowered through a small incremental distance by the influence of its own weight. A control signal may be generated by a delay timer, a repeat cycle timer, a digital timing device or a device for detecting the degree of movement of the load carried by the hoist.

Abstract: An improved means is disclosed for detachably retaining the link of a chain to be temporarily engaged by a chain-grappling "claw" type hook. The retaining means comprises a resilient member at least partially over-reaching the "pocket" portion of the hook into which the link of the engaged chain is temporarily captured; and is so constructed and arranged as to release the engaged chain link only when intended by the user, and with improved facility and ease of operation by the user.

Abstract: A clevis type connection device has one leg thereof formed with a "blind" bore opening and another leg thereof formed with a through-bore opening, which is arranged in axial alignment with the "blind" bore opening; the bore openings thereof being sized to rotatably support opposite ends of a load engaging pin. The load pin is either removably retained or permanently installed within the bore openings.

Abstract: A double ended chain engaging device useful as a chain-to-chain connector or as a chain shortener used to engage different parts of the same interconnected link type chain. A first chain grappling hook member formed with an eye end is articulately joined to the clevis end of a second chain grappling member by a load bearing pin.

Abstract: A rolling bearing type traction wheel and hub assembly which is especially adapted to ride upon either flat (i.e. horizontal) or laterally sloping surfaces such as trolley trackways and/or the opposite side flanges of supporting I-beams or the like; the axis of wheel rotation being in any case canted relative to the support surface. The wheel assembly comprises a generally cylindrical shaped inner bearing race/hub member which is fixed to an external support and is encircled by a rotatable outer race/wheel member, with rolling bearings enclosed therebetween. The wheel and hub parts are formed of sheet material and are so shaped as to novelly facilitate initial assembly thereof. When the device is operating under load the parts automatically float into self-aligning operational relationship and are retained in proper operative relationship without need of any auxiliary retention device.

Abstract: A clevis type hook has one leg formed with a partially closed bore opening and another leg formed with a through bore opening arranged in axial alignment with the partially closed bore opening; the bore openings being sized to loosely rotatably support opposite ends of an oval load pin whose width diameter permits non-rotative slip-fitting within a load chain link. The load pin is removably retained within the bore openings by a retaining device fixed to the other clevis leg.

Abstract: A rolling trolley device adapted to ride upon opposite side flanges of a support beam; said trolley device comprising a generally V-shaped load supporting yoke bar of one-piece formation carrying at the opposite legs thereof a pair of generally tubular-shaped trolley wheel support housings; wheel support members extending from said housings at opposite sides of the legs of said bar; and support beam engaging wheels mounted upon said support members; said housings being keyed to said yoke bar legs in positionally adjustable relation thereon to adapt said device to operate efficiently on a large variety of support beam sizes and flange width and slope configurations. The trolley wheels are carried by said housings so as to rotate about axes which slope away from and into acute angle intersections with the planes of the trolley wheel contact/support surfaces; thereby directionally balancing out the thrust load and reaction load forces to provide an improved wheel tracking operation.

Abstract: A self-contained portable test stand for testing hoists and the like both statically and dynamically. The test stand includes a cantilever beam adapted to support a hoist at one end and a hydraulic cylinder at the other. A variable mechanical advantage force transmitting means which may include a chain and chain block is provided to interconnect the hoist and the cylinder. The hydraulic loading of the cylinder is regulated both by a variable relief valve and a variable pressure and flow hydraulic pump which is controlled by a feedback line responsive to the pressure and flow in the system.

Abstract: A bi-directional wrench (2) capable of ratchet type action is disclosed for turning a member (6) with equally spaced peripheral recesses in either direction without reversing the position of the wrench. The wrench includes one or more teeth (14) and a pair of supports (19,20) on either side of and spaced from the teeth of the wrench for engaging the member. The supports (19,20) and the tooth or teeth (14) of the wrench are configured to permit radial disengagement of the teeth (14) from the recesses of the member (6). In a preferred form, complete removal of the wrench from the member is prevented by the shape of the wrench to enable a true ratchet type action.