Abstract: A longitudinally, self-adjustable linking element is used to form a conveyor assembly for moving an article along a path. The linking element has two end sections, bearings mounted at each end section, and coupling elements for connecting the end sections with respect to each other. The coupling elements are fixedly secured to one of the end sections and shiftingly secured to the other end section. A closed loop conveying apparatus includes the longitudinally self adjustable linking element and rail guide members extend along the length of the conveying apparatus. Sprocket mechanisms are disposed at fixed spaced locations for changing the direction of movement of the conveying apparatus along the path.

Abstract: The side discharge doors of a railway hopper car are maintained in a closed and locked position by a rotatable latch element which is engaged by a stop and lock member. The stop and lock member is connected to a linkage rigging arrangement which is moved by a ground actuated operating and tripping mechanism. The tripping mechanism includes a cam actuated arm which by linkage means transmits vertical movement to horizontal movement of the linkage rigging which actuates the latch and locking members of the doors.

Abstract: Means for collating a flow of rod-like elements moving in a lengthwise direction comprising a rotatable drum arranged to receive the elements on its outer surface and move them transversely to their lengthwise direction, said drum having a porous wall and being rotatable through a reception zone where a fluid bed is created on its outer surface to assist reception of the elements thereon, a holding zone where a vacuum is created to hold the elements on the drum, and a discharge zone where fluid pressure is provided to assist discharge of the elements.

Abstract: A mounting for a drive mechanism of an elevator used in a carry-type earthmoving scraper wherein the elevator assists in loading material into the scraper. The drive mechanism includes provision for absorbing torsional vibrations generated by flights of the elevator striking material being loaded and, coincident therewith, axial alignment is maintained between driving and driven members of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A conveyor installation has a principal line of conveyance from which products are removed at a plurality of spaced locations. Between each removal location, the principal line of conveyance comprises a haltable, two-speed accumulation conveyor and a step-advance conveyor advanceable at two different frequencies. The installation is arranged to monitor the presence of products at the loading and discharge ends of each accumulation conveyor and at the loading end of each step-advance conveyor, whereby to appropriately control the conveyors to compensate for the randomness of product distribution on the principal line of conveyance resulting from random product removal therefrom.

Abstract: Conveyor belt of rubber or rubber-like elastomeric synthetic materials with strength members embedded in the belt and arranged in mutually spaced apart relationship while extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the belt, whereby the strength members are generally distributed in groups over the width of the belt at predetermined intervals. The strength members can be in the form of wires, cables, ropes and the like, while the conveyor belt includes carrier elements such as cups, baffle plates, rakes or scrapers, or pusher dogs, and the like.

Abstract: A very large hopper capable of discharging concrete of varying consistency onto a moving belt conveyor in a smooth continuous ribbon. The hopper will handle concrete which is predominately mortar, up to concrete having aggregate comprising 4 to 6 inch mean diameter rocks. In a preferred embodiment the hopper has a flat inclined wall containing a discharge opening closed by a sliding primary gate with a "W" shaped leading edge; the primary gate also having a discharge opening closed by a sliding secondary gate.

Abstract: Electrophotographic copying apparatus comprising a body proper and a copy paper transporting unit which can be slidably withdrawn from the body proper in the feeding direction of the copy paper. The transporting unit houses the entire path of the copy paper, thus permitting easy removal of jammed paper from the apparatus upon withdrawal of the transporting unit from the body proper.

Abstract: A card conveyor is disclosed as including a frame with a horizontal top surface supporting two spaced rows of conveyor rollers adapted to engage opposed edges of a card. An endless belt passes along a line tangent to the periphery of each conveyor roller in a row, the belt being pressed against each conveyor roller at its respective point of tangency therewith by a pressure roller which is biased toward the respective conveyor roller, enabling the belt frictionally to drive the conveyor rollers.

Abstract: A squeeze type foamed liquid dispensing device comprising a squeeze container, an inner cap threaded on the container and defining a mixing chamber receiving a secondary porous foaming member thereabout, a check valve chamber, an air intake port and an air discharge tube receiving portion, an outer or cover cap releasably fitted on the inner cap for normally closing the air intake port and having a foamed liquid jet orifice and an air discharge tube received in the air discharge tube receiving portion of the inner cap and having a primary porous foaming member thereabout.

Abstract: A device that permits the rapid removal of fiber glass roving from a coil thereof, for movement of the roving to a chopping and spraying gun, wherein the device provides considerable drag to the roving when it is no longer pulled firmly. The device includes a tube that is pivotally mounted on a support, so that the tube can pivot to best align itself with roving moving, therethrough, and then can pivot away from that orientation to cause the roving to undergo sharper bends in passing into and out of the tube, so as to apply braking forces to the roving. The support for the tube can include a pair of rods that fit closely within the corners of a standard roving box, and can also include clamps on the rods that clamp to the box, for facilitating mounting of the tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved transport mechanism for cyclically conveying an original past an optical scanning device in an electrophotographic copying machine of the type in which a gripping unit engages a leading edge of an original during the entire cycling time, which reduces distortion, maximizes utilization of the transport mechanism, and enables the use of lower illumination intensities by optically scanning the original as a planar surface and by providing a pair of transport rollers downstream of the optical scanning device to insure a fast cycling and delivery of the original.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device (10) that feeds sheets individually from a stack (31) includes a sheet feeding member (20) that strikes the stack (31) at such an acute angle .theta. and normal force that the top sheet in the stack is forwarded for subsequent transport while simultaneously retarding movement of the sheet immediately adjacent to the top sheet.

Abstract: A sheet holding cassette comprising a box-shaped main body open at its base and closed by a sheet receiving plate pivoted to the main body, means for releasably locking the sheet receiving plate, and means for resiliently locating the uppermost sheet of a stack of sheets charged into the main body at a given position irrespective of change of the number of the sheets.

Abstract: A reservoir for rod-like articles such as filter plugs comprises a lower hopper section for the curing of the filter plugs, an overlying upper buffer section in which the freshly produced filter plugs accumulate up to a predetermined maximum level, and elevator belts for feeding the freshly produced filter plugs into the reservoir in a zone which is located intermediately between the lower curing hopper and the upper buffer section. A substantially horizontal cover plate is movable, at the interior of the buffer section of the reservoir, in response to the variations of the level of the filter plugs in the buffer section. Suitable limit switches are operatively associated with the movable cover plate, and control the operation of the filter making machine and the delivery apparatus which receives the filter plugs from the bottom of the lower hopper section and conveys same to further processing.

Abstract: The chain has a single direction of curvature and is capable of passing over pinions of small diameter. This chain is made up of a classic chain comprising at regular intervals a link to which is fixed a block having at least two rectilinear coplanar faces and tangent to the pins of the links and each extending over a length equal to the interval respectively from one part to the other of the link. An application of this chain consists in a variable speed handrail.

Abstract: Endless, flexible anti-backbend belts having a molded elastomeric body are disclosed and comprise a plurality of longitudinal high tensile modulus cords embedded in the belt near the inside surface and a layer of substantially incompressible material facing outwardly and forming the outside surface of the belt. When the belt is in a straightened position, the incompressible material provides a resistance to backbending. Other embodiments are also disclosed that operate in combination with drive lugs on the inside surface of a conveyor belt, and the separation of the tensile cords of the conveyor and anti-backbend belts provide a resistance to backbending such as to support the conveyor in the area between its drive and take-up pulleys.

Abstract: An automatic electroplating machine has a plurality of plating barrels supported by cantilever arms on an elevator-conveyor for intermittent movement along a continuous, generally horizontal path to and through a plurality of work stations. Groups of barrels are lowered into and lifted out of a series of treating tanks located at work stations and along a rectilinear portion of the conveyor path. When the barrels are in lowered positions pinions on some of the barrels are engaged with reciprocally movable rack assemblies which oscillate the barrels in unison about horizontal axes and within the associated treating tanks.

Abstract: A transfer and phasing device having a transfer drum for receiving rod-shaped articles from an output drum rotating at the same peripheral speed, a phasing drum rotating at a different peripheral speed and having a plurality of tapered seats for receiving the rod-shaped articles from the transfer drum, and means for capturing and moving said rod-shaped articles into said tapered seats.

Abstract: A capsule apparatus for transporting a disabled person from an underground mine or over rough terrain aboveground includes an elongated base with upstanding side walls extending about the periphery of the floor which has inclined forward and aft floor sections. A plate extends from the floor of the base between opposed side walls thereof to define a supply compartment at one side of the plate and a disabled person compartment at the other side of the plate. The plate is adjustably fastened to the side walls of the base. The base is provided with a mattress to support the disabled person. Elongated top sections include abutting end surfaces to form a top closure which is releasably secured by latch members to the elongated base. A sliding window for a hatch within one of the top sections for visual monitoring and voice communication is used to provide continued first aid for an injured person therein. The base is coupled to a conveyor belt by anchor members with releasable clamp jaws.