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 measuring machine for measuring an article is disclosed. The machine includes a frame which mounts a movable carriage. A vertically movable measuring assembly is mounted on the carriage. The measuring assembly includes a pair of spaced measuring arms. A drive cylinder moves the measuring arms to engage the article. A linear scale is mounted adjacent the measuring arms.

Abstract: This invention relates to an endless fold-over type of conveyor belt for use in conveying relatively-loose bulk material in an enclosed manner to prevent spillage, dusting and contamination of the material and allows belt to operate at steep angles. The belt comprises essentially a rectangular uniform cross-sectional shape having a substantially greater width than thickness. Two similar series of plural closely-spaced longitudinal grooves are located on the load-carrying side of the belt spaced on both sides of the belt medial portion to provide a pair of hinged areas for folding and unfolding the belt. The longitudinal grooves preferably are V-shaped or U-shaped and two to four in number, spaced in an individual array at about one-quarter the belt width from its edges to provide a pair of overlapping edge flaps to cover the medial area when in folded relation.

Abstract: In a mechanical load brake for a hoist or other lifting device, a one-way device such as a helical wrap spring is fitted over the load brake shaft to automatically adjust for brake disc wear. A tang on the one-way device engages a drive hole in an input gear of the mechanical load brake. The diameter of the drive hole is selected so that the clearance of the tang in the drive hole corresponds to the optimal operating range. The one-way device moves around the shaft as the discs wear maintaining the optimal adjustment for the brake.

Abstract: A hinged belt conveyor is provided with spring biased idler compensating rolls for exerting a vertical upward force on the central troughing portion of the hinged belt on the loaded belt flight in relationship to the amount of material being carried by the belt at various locations and in relationship to the tension in the belt for conveying particulate materials along an inclined or declined path. The belt extends between a head pulley and a tail pulley, one of which is power driven. Spaced idler troughing roll sets extend transversely beneath the troughing portion of the belt. Certain of the roll sets include a horizontal roll which is spring biased upwardly into contact with the central portion of the belt by vertically acting springs engaged with the outer ends of the horizontal roll shaft. In one embodiment the horizontal roll is the center roll of a usual three roll set, and in another embodiment the horizontal roll is a single roll extending transversely across and beneath the width of the belt.

Abstract: A drum clamping unit for plastics material drums with peripheral "L'8 chime rings below the drum head is adapted to be mounted on suitable lifting and transporting devices such as lift trucks, overhead cranes, and the like to automatically engage, latch onto, and discharge one or more of the molded plastics material drums without damaging the drums. The unit has a plurality of clamping jaws automatically triggered to clamping positions by the drum heads as the unit is lowered alongside the drums. These clamping jaws are positioned to engage only with the bottom and inner face of the "L" chime ring of each drum and remain clear of the drum head and drum periphery thereby avoiding any damage to the drums especially as they are raised to clamp onto the "L" rings. Then, when the raised clamped drums are conveyed to and lowered on a desired location, the jaws are released, retracted automatically and held in a retracted position until the unit is again lowered to engage a drum head in a subsequent operation.

Abstract: A dual station wrapping machine for serially wrapping material layers on rolls is disclosed. A conveyor moves a roll to a wrap station where a transfer arm moves the roll to a support roller. An upper hold down roller completes a three point support for the roll. A first station includes a fixed material applicator and a movable material applicator. A second station includes a movable material applicator.

Abstract: A container filling apparatus and method that includes a container support movable on a frame so as to raise and lower a container mounted thereon. A conveyor discharge section is also movably mounted on the frame so as to raise and lower the conveyor discharge end. The container support is coupled to the conveyor discharge section by a linkage that provides the container filling apparatus with the ability to initially lower the container support through an initial filling phase while maintaining the conveyor discharge section in a lowered condition, and thereafter simultaneously lower the container support while raising the conveyor discharge section. The linkage preferably includes a slotted bracket pivotally couple to the container support, a joining bracket pivotally mounted on the frame and having a follower mating with the slotted bracket, and a conveyor bracket pivotally mounted to the joining bracket and to the conveyor.

Abstract: A support and enclosure system for a hinged belt conveyor includes a frame truss enclosing loaded and unloaded belt flights. The frame truss includes a plurality of vertical risers. The loaded flight rides between a plurality of troughing roll sets and top idler roll sets. The unloaded flight is supported and guided by return idler roll sets. Each of the roll sets is connected distally by a clevis to mounting shafts. The mounting shafts are accepted into mounting brackets. The mounting brackets for the troughing rolls and return idler rolls include a locking bolt for fixing the position of the shafts in the bracket. The bracket for the top idler rolls includes a spring for biasing the top idler mounting shafts outward so as to bias the top idler rolls downward onto the loaded flight. Each mounting bracket incorporates a recess for accepting a first portion of a riser and a pivoting leg for engaging an opposed section of the riser.

Abstract: A two-wheeled drum or barrel transporting truck slidably mounts a drum flange or chime clamp which is powered from an energy source on the truck to raise the drum for depositing the same on a pallet or the like. An electric motor driven linear actuator on the truck is energized from a battery also carried on the truck to drive the clamp. A double pole switch on or adjacent the handlebar of the truck controls a circuit to drive the motor in opposite directions. The clamp when raised against the chime ring of a barrel or drum automatically locks the drum to the truck. Rollers on the truck embrace and cradle the drum so that it is easily raised and lowered on the truck.

Abstract: A wrapping machine for wrapping a roll is disclosed. The wrapping machine includes a conveyor for receiving the roll to be wrapped. Support rollers space the roll relative to the conveyor and a drive roller rotates the roll. An upper hold-down assembly supports the upper portion of the roll. A reciprocating carriage is mounted adjacent the conveyor. The carriage delivers wrapping materials which are placed in layers on the roll as it rotates.

Abstract: A transfer device is disclosed for moving objects that are supported on a shaft from a receiving station to a transfer station. The shafts are disposed in adjacent substantially parallel relationship. A track extends from the receiving station to the transfer station. Moveable lifting hooks are positioned on the track. The lifting means is disposed for engaging the shafts so that the shafts and the objects supported thereon can be transferred from the receiving station to the transfer station. Each lifting hook is independently moveable to engage the shafts and the lifting hooks are moveable along the track so that the shafts and the objects supported thereon can be lifted and transported from the receiving station to the transfer station.

Abstract: A chute feed having an opening roller and a vertical chute therebeneath for receiving and collecting fibers, the chute having one generally vertical side wall formed with an area of perforations extending above and below the normal level of fibers collected in the chute, and a blower for generating an air current around the upper portion of the opening roller and toward the perforations to entrain fibers leaving the roller and to assist in equalizing the level of fibers collected in the chute. A fiber level sensing device is provided adjacent the area of wall perforations to control the flow of fibers from the opening roller to the chute.

Abstract: A chute feed having a chute formed in part by an upper perforated wall portion and a lower oscillating wall portion. Two compartments are formed adjacent the chute and are separated therefrom by the upper and lower wall portions, and a divider wall is disposed to extend from the front of the chute feed to a location between the upper and lower edges of the upper perforated wall portion, such divider wall separating the two compartments and permitting the compartments to be exposed to upper and lower parts of the perforated wall portion, respectively.

Abstract: A control system for use in textile processing equipment including a card and a chute feed delivering a batt of fiber thereto. The operating speed of the card is sensed to generate a signal that is used to drive the motor for the oscillating densification plate and the feed roll of the chute feed at speeds having a predetermined ratio of the operating speed of the card. The weight of the batt formed by the chute feed is sensed and a signal is generated in proportion to the sensed weight, and this signal is used to override the primary drive for the oscillating plate and thereby vary the ratio between the operating speed of the card and speed of oscillation of the plate. The chute feed includes a device for sensing the level of accumulated fiber in the chute feed, and this device generates a signal that is utilized to override the primary drive for the feed roll of the chute feed and thereby vary the ratio between the operating speed of the card and the speed of such feed roll.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing fiber portions from a selected plurality of bales and delivering the fiber to a receiver, such apparatus including a head that is lowered into contact with the top surface of such bales to grasp fibers therefrom. A control system is provided which generates a signal when the head has traveled a predetermined vertical distance toward a bale, and the signal is used to vary the sequence of pick-up or the amount of fiber picked up, from the plurality of bales to assure that the plurality of bales are maintained at substantially even heights during the sequential pick-up of fiber therefrom.

Abstract: A driverless vehicle has an inverted U-shaped body with the bight being a horizontal load supporting surface. A pair of wheels is supported by each leg of the body. A friction drive wheel for contact with a drive shaft is supported by the body. An accumulation bumper is provided adjacent a front end of the body and a cam is supported adjacent the rear end of the body.

Abstract: For use with a spinning frame, apparatus for removing underwound yarn wraps from the base portion of the rotating spindle, such apparatus including a spindle cleaning structure mounted on a spindle rail for pivotal movement between a first spindle cleaning position engaging the spindle and a second inactive position clear of the movement of the reciprocating ring rail of the spinning frame. A plurality of spindle cleaning structures may be provided along the extent of the spindle rail, each such structure being operated between its first and second position by the movement of ring rail during a predetermined portion of such movement. The spindle cleaning structures may be arranged for sequential operation by the ring rail to provide sequential cleaning of the spindles.

Abstract: A fluid control valve is provided for use in conjunction with a fluid device and a source of fluid pressure wherein the fluid device includes an expansible fluid chamber which, upon connection to the fluid pressure source, actuates the fluid device while exhaustion of the fluid pressure from the expansible chamber deactuates the fluid device. The fluid control valve, according to the present invention, comprises a valve member and a housing axially slidably disposed over the valve member. The housing further includes a first fluid port adapted for connection with the fluid pressure source, a second fluid port adapted for connection with the expansible chamber of the fluid device and a third fluid port adapted for connection with a source of low fluid pressure. Resilient means are provided within the housing to retain the housing in a central or neutral position relative to the valve member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly automated agricultural production system which comprises, as essential components:1. A sensing subsystem comprising direct and indirect sensing means in an agricultural production area. The direct sensing means are generally ground or plant mounted. The indirect sensing means are remote from the area being sensed. The direct and indirect sensing means are adapted to jointly generate data on all important parameters in the homogeneous agricultural production area;2. A data transmitting subsystem for forwarding data generated by the direct and indirect sensing means to computing means and for transmitting instructions from the computing means via interfacing means (controllers) to various devices (field effectors) in the agricultural area to perform various functions;3. A computing subsystem linked by way of said data transmitting subsystem to said indirect and direct sensing means in a pattern of many feedback loops.