Abstract: In a fastener-attaching apparatus equipped with a feeder for selectively delivering two different component pieces of fasteners from two separate feed hoppers to an attaching point, the improvement in the feeder which comprises a pair of tracks having a pair of vertically parallel fastener-guiding T-grooves which extend from the delivery openings of the two feed hoppers and terminate in vertically juxtaposed fastener discharge outlets, a shifting mechanism for selectively closing and opening the T-grooves of the tracks, a guide having a guide groove provided at right angles to the T-grooves and extending to the fastener-attaching point, with the fastener discharge outlets open in the guide groove, a fastener limiter slide located opposite to the discharge outlets and urged by a spring slidably and partly into the guide groove, the limiter slide having separate fastener-piece-receiving recesses corresponding, respectively, to the upper and lower discharge outlets, and a pusher bar slidable in the guide groove

Abstract: A handrail, suitable for use with an accelerating and decelerating moving walkway, comprising a plurality of overlapping handrail elements (51) movable about the periphery of a vertical, oval track, is disclosed. Handrail acceleration and deceleration is produced by changing the amount of element overlap. Element overlap is changed by an overlap control mechanism that comprises a plurality of suitably positioned cam rails (85a and b; 87a, b, c and d; 89a, b, c and d; 90a and b; and, 91) and a plurality of cam followers. The cam followers include rollers (69, 75 and 81) and arms (61, 71) that link the handrail elements (57) together. The rollers ride on the cam rails. The coaction between the rollers and the cam rails causes the arms to fold and unfold, which folding and unfolding action changes the amount of handrail element overlap.

Abstract: In a bottle handling machine, a turret for transport of bottles comprising a plurality of turntables arranged in a circle and controlled by cam followers, a plane fixed cam operatively connected to the turret so that as the turret revolves the cam is contacted by the cam followers of the turntables, each follower having a lever arm guided in said cam, movement of said lever arm rotating the associated turntable back and forth, and a gear meshing therewith and joined to said lever arm, the gear joined to each lever arm being disposed between the gears of two adjacent turntables and meshing with said gears. As a result the turret can accommodate more turntables so the machine output is higher.

Abstract: A device for elevating water by means of a vertical chain (5,21) of buckets (10,20) supported and driven by an upper reversing wheel (7,25), the lower part of the bucket chain (5,21) running through a filling tank (1,15) having a height adjustable overflow edge (4,18) over which water from the lower level (2,19) may flow into the passing buckets (10,20). Structure (11,25') is provided for discharging the buckets (10,20) at the higher level (13,39). The bucket chain (21) in its entirety preferably is adjustable in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A mat-forming installation for the production of pressedboard comprises a grate conveyor whose bars are carried by chains on opposite sides of the conveyor and define gaps at spaced-apart locations into which the headpiece (entraining beam) of a press underlay can fit. The headpiece is connected by a two-joint piano hinge structure to the underlay onto which the fibrous or particulate material is deposited to form the mat, the layer or mat being entrained into the piece on the underlay.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting elongated sample holders in a sample holder storage compartment past an operating station at which sample tubes contained in the sample holders may be removed and then returned to the sample holders. First and second parallel conveyors on opposite sides of the operating station drive the holders toward and away from the operating station. Lateral drive means engage the holders in longitudinal stop positions at opposite ends of the conveyors and drive them laterally between the conveyors to lateral stop positions, one of the holders during lateral movement being driven into and away from an operative position at the operating station. Encoded label means are displayed on each sample holder for indicating the incremental spacing between the sample tubes carried in the sample holder.

Abstract: A multiple rail linear feeder system for orienting parts into multiple rows of single file at a high rate without jamming. A dispenser deposits randomly oriented parts along the rear edge of a first stage preliminary orienter plate having multiple channels or rows thereon. The linear vibratory motion of the system angled to the direction of feed effects a first lengthwise orientation. The parts move to a principal feeder plate having slightly angled rails for further orientation by tending to even out the parts lengthwise in each row as they proceed to a discriminator area. A lower reject discriminator hole cut into each rail allows all chips that are misoriented crosswise to fall of the rails. An upper discriminator positioned over said lower discriminator pushes parts on top of other parts sideways into the discriminator reject holes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for unscrambling and separating a plurality of elongated elements randomly deposited in a pile at a receiving station, and for delivering the elements individually to a discharge station is disclosed wherein small batches of the elements are removed from the pile at the receiving station into the first of a plurality of element separating stations arranged successively between the receiving station and the discharge station. Thereafter, the elements in each batch are shifted from one separating station to the next. This shifting occurs alternately in a forward direction towards the discharge station, and then in a reverse direction back towards the receiving station, with selected properly aligned elements in the separating stations being rearwardly bypassed and forwardly shifted.

Abstract: A system for transporting discrete articles such as paper roll products in a predetermined number of flow lines and consolidating the articles into a lesser number of flow lines.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for automatically assembling end shield assemblies of sub-assemblies for electric motors. In a preferred form, a system and methods are provided that utilize a non-palletized, non-synchronous concept to convey end shields through a number of assembly stations. At process stations situated along a conveyor, operations are performed on components. One method includes controlling traffic of sub-assemblies by toggle type escapements. A stop or latch of unique design stops end shield components in midstream, and "lifts" of unique design disengage parts from the conveyor and also support such parts during various operations. Photo-optic devices and proximity and reed switch mechanisms are utilized for control purposes. The work stations involved in one system include a unique assembly and pressing station involving oil well covers; a unique feed wick seating system; a unique lubricant adding operation; and unique "building block" mechanisms and methods.