Abstract: A ball transfer device is disclosed herein. An embodiment of the ball transfer device includes a chamber, wherein a first opening and a second opening extend into the chamber. A ball is located between the first opening and the second opening and is movable within the chamber. The movement extends between a first position and as second position, wherein a portion of the ball is movable into the first opening when the ball is in the first position.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting a standard non-knife edge conveyor or power turn into a knife edge conveyor or power turn.

Abstract: The invention is a screening apparatus for classifying material of different sizes. A screen is rotatably mounted on a frame for rotation around a first axis which is angled upwardly away from the horizontal, at an angle of from 0 to 30 degrees. The screen is symmetrical about the axis and has an open upper inlet end and a lower outlet end. The screen has a cylindrical portion extending from the inlet end towards the outlet end, having a diameter larger than its length, and a conical portion extending from the cylindrical portion towards the outlet end, tapering inwardly to a central outlet opening, the lowest point of the outlet opening being substantially higher than the lowest point of the screen. The frame is pivotally mounted on a trailer for pivoting about a longitudinal axis near a lower side edge of the trailer. The open inlet end of the screen faces one side of the trailer.

Abstract: An assembly for applying one or more materials to the rails of a railroad track includes a mounting bracket for mounting the assembly to a vehicle adapted to travel on the rails. A connecting arm is coupled to the mounting bracket, and at least one nozzle is connected to an end of the connecting arm. The nozzle arm has a hollow channel through which material flows to be applied to a rail surface. A nozzle port is in fluid communication with the nozzle channel when the nozzle arm is in an operative position. The nozzle arm is biased toward the operative position and is adapted to move away from the operative position in response to contact with an obstruction and is returned to the operative position following the contact.

Abstract: The invention is a wiping bar of a rail lubrication apparatus of the type used with a rail having a base with outwardly extending flanges, a head, and a web connecting the base and the head, where the lubrication apparatus is comprised of a wiping bar and a first set of clamps for maintaining the wiping bar in position with respect to the rail. The lubrication apparatus also comprises a pump actuator and a second set of clamps for maintaining the pump actuator in position with the rail. The rail lubrication apparatus may be used with a pump, responsive to the pump actuator, for pumping a lubricant from a reservoir to the wiping bar to form a complete rail lubrication system. Specifically, the wiping bar of the present invention includes an improved distribution blade over those known in the art. Further, the wiping bar of the present invention includes the improvement of coating the surface of the wiping bar contacting the lubricant with an anti-stick material.

Abstract: A plurality of spiral sidewall sections are provided and are connected to the center support pole of a spiral chute which is used to transport articles from an upper location to a lower location to provide a sidewall located between the original sidewall of the spiral chute and the center support pole.

Abstract: The hammers provide multiple impact points for debris, by providing impact points via tips at different radii from the axis of rotation of the hammer mill. The tips preferably are at substantially the same radius from the axis of rotation of the hammer about the hammer support shaft, so that efficiency is maintained even as the hammers lay back. The multiple impact points produce a more effective result, by partially sizing the debris on initial impact, before more precise final sizing in the grinding chamber. Angled surfaces on the hammer tips provide more effective shearing and tearing action than with conventional bar hammers. Wear patterns are such that grinding efficiency as the hammers wear down is maintained throughout the life of the replaceable tips. Preferably, the hammers weigh substantially more than conventional hammers, to provide a higher energy impact, and to reduce the tendency of the hammers to lay back.

Abstract: A sortation table having apparatus to gradually slow moving articles to a stop and return the articles to a position for further processing.

Abstract: A rail lubrication apparatus of the type used with a rail having a base with outwardly extending flanges, a head, and a web connecting the base and the head, is comprised of a wiping bar and a first set of clamps for maintaining the wiping bar in position with respect to the rail. The lubrication apparatus also comprises a pump actuator and a second set of clamps for maintaining the pump actuator in position with the rail. The rail lubrication apparatus may be used with a pump, responsive to the pump actuator, for pumping a lubricant from a reservoir to the wiping bar to form a complete rail lubrication system. The clamps, wiping bar, and pump actuator are each of a unique construction.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for facilitating the replacement of an endless conveyor belt having arcuate outer and inner edge portions. During the operation of the endless conveyor belt a plurality of cooperating pairs of guide rollers are in contact with shoulder portions of the endless conveyor belt adjacent to the arcuate outer edge portion to maintain the endless conveyor belt moving in a desired path. One of each cooperating pairs of rollers is mounted for movement between a first location whereat the cooperating pair of rollers are located to contact the shoulder portions and a second location whereat the cooperating pairs of rollers are spaced apart a distance permitting passage of the shoulder portions therebetween.

Abstract: A rail lubrication apparatus of the type used with a rail having a base with outwardly extending flanges, a head, and a web connecting the base and the head, is comprised of a wiping bar and a first set of clamps for maintaining the wiping bar in position with respect to the rail. The lubrication apparatus also comprises a pump actuator and a second set of clamps for maintaining the pump actuator in position with the rail. The rail lubrication apparatus may be used with a pump, responsive to the pump actuator, for pumping a lubricant from a reservoir to the wiping bar to form a complete rail lubrication system. The clamps, wiping bar, and pump actuator are each of a unique construction.

Abstract: An adjustable guide assembly for mounting on the upper edge of a longitudinal retaining wall defining a cargo container well of a well car adapted for accommodating containers of different widths in the well, has a base member and a rockable guide member. The guide member has a narrow-container stabilizer surface, a narrow-container loading assistance cam surface, and a wide-container loading assistance cam surface, which are selectively operative by swingably positioning the guide member relative to the base member.

Abstract: A high-rate portable self-contained combination screening/dosing/mixing plant is mounted on a single tractor trailer for highway travel in most states without requiring travel escort vehicles. The plant has a nominal capacity of about 100 tons of soil or dirt per hour, and includes an apparatus train for preliminary separation of large objects, hopper storage, uniform feed rate, shredding-pulverization, particle size screening, additive dosing, mixing and conveyance to an elevated position for transfer to a dump truck, bin or pile.

Abstract: Apparatus wherein an endless moving conveyor belt is trained around two spaced apart shafts and wherein at least one of the shafts is mounted in a bearing that is resiliently urged in a direction away from the other shaft to provide the proper tension in the endless moving conveyor belt, and shock absorbing apparatus is provided for absorbing excessive forces placed on the bearing with or without the resilient urging of the bearing.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting the guide members for guiding the moving endless chain for moving an endless belt conveyor, and in particular an endless conveyor for a power turn, mounted on a support frame wherein the guide members are mounted on a support member and at least one isolation member comprising a resilient sound and vibration deadening material is provided and the support member and support frame are secured together with the at least one isolation member located therebetween so as to isolate the support member from the support frame.

Abstract: A loading dock range finding system is provided for permitting a driver of a vehicle backing towards a loading dock to determine a distance of the back end of the vehicle from a reference point at the loading dock. An ultrasonic transmitting and receiving transducer is positioned adjacent the loading dock for sending signals towards a back end of the truck, which are reflected and received by the transducer. A display unit is connected to the transducer and is mounted at a location adjacent the loading dock so that a visual display on the display unit can be easily viewed by a driver of the vehicle looking through his rear view mirror. A distance between the back end of the vehicle and the reference point is displayed in reversed image fashion on the visual display so that when the driver views the image through his rear view mirror, it is not a reversed image.

Abstract: Attachments for a power turn which power turn has a frame having arcuate inner and outer sidewall portions and support plates forming extensions of the arcuate outer side wall portion and on which are rotatably mounted a driving roll and an idler roll. An endless belt is journaled around the driving and idler rolls and is moved thereby. A cover is mounted on the arcuate outer sidewall portion to cover the outer portion of the endless belt and an endless chain secured thereto and has a main body portion and two removable end portions. One end portion covers a sprocket of the driving roll and portions of the endless chain and the second removable end portion covers a sprocket of the idler roll and portions of the endless chain so that the removable end portions may be readily removed when it is desired to inspect these portions of the driving and idler rolls.

Abstract: Drive apparatus for driving an endless moving conveyor belt for a power turn to change the direction of movement of articles in a transfer conveying system wherein the plurality of rolls at each end of the power turn over which the endless conveyor belt passes have a diameter less than about one inch. An endless chain is attached to the endless moving conveyor belt for movement therewith. A drive shaft is provided adjacent to each end of the power turn and has a drive roll having a tapered outer surface and a drive sprocket mounted thereon for rotation therewith. A snub roll shaft is provided adjacent to each end of the power turn and has a snub roll integral with the snub roll drive shaft and having a tapered outer surface and a snub roll sprocket mounted on the drive roll snub shaft for rotation therewith. An idler sprocket is mounted on the outer side wall adjacent to each end of the power turn.

Abstract: A hold down device is provided to engage and hold down adjacent ends of containers on a flat bed vehicle. The hold down device includes four twist locks being two longitudinally spaced pairs of twist locks, each pair being two laterally spaced twist locks which hold down each end of a container. The twist locks are spring loaded so that they will be continuously biased into a protruding operative position, yet capable of being automatically recessed when a long container is set down over the hold down device. A connecting apparatus is provided to inter-connect all four twist locks for simultaneous movement between a locked and unlocked position and an over-center spring is provided to hold the twist locks in the currently selected position.

Abstract: Friction applying material in a recess in a portion of the upper surface of a molded fiberglass spiral chute to apply a braking force to reduce the velocity of articles passing over the upper surface of the molded fiberglass spiral chute while still providing a substantially continuous surface for passage of the articles.