Abstract: A reversible drive device rotates a sprocket wheel so that an endless chain engaging said sprocket wheel moves through a vertical path and then in a semicircular path around a chain guide. A workpiece conveyed by a conveyor device from a preceding stage is clamped by a clamping device extending from a base end of a workpiece retaining arm having an outer end connected to said chain. If the workpiece is to be transferred in an inverted orientation, a slider pivotally supporting the base end of the workpiece retaining arm is raised along a slide guide by the chain; then the outer end of the workpiece retaining arm circles around the upper end of the chain guide together with the chain, thereby rotating the workpiece retaining arm by half a turn and inverting the workpiece.

Abstract: Device for dividing a stream of loose material, on which one layer of material, fed in a given direction on the conveying surface of a conveyor device, is divided into at least two strips parallel to each other and to the direction of feed. At least one pair of nozzles is provided for supplying fluid pressure to each pair of adjacent strips.

Abstract: A heavy-load transport apparatus has a stationary support beam extending horizontally in a transport direction and adapted to support an elongated heavy load with same lying on the support beam and extending horizontally transversely thereto, a guide beam extending in the direction generally parallel to the support beam, and a carriage riding on the guide beam and displaceable in the direction therealong. An actuator connected to the guide beam can vertically displace same between an upper position with the carriage at least partly above the support beam and a lower position with the carriage below the support beam. Thus when the carriage underlies the load and is raised from the lower to the upper position it raises the load off the support beam. A drive including a flexible drive element has a generally straight stretch extending parallel to the direction adjacent the guide beam for displacing the carriage therealong.

Abstract: A method of grouping items comprises the steps of advancing the items in an edgewise supported, upright oriented, face-to-face series on a supply conveyor; and advancing the items from the supply conveyor on a receiving trough for forming thereon an item stack of a predetermined length measured parallel to the advance of articles on the receiving trough. Further, simultaneously with the last-named step, a collector slide is advanced on the receiving trough in engagement with a leading item of the article stack. The length of each item stack is determined jointly by first signals representing the length of travel of the collector slide on the receiving trough and by second signals representing the number of items on the receiving trough.

Abstract: A turntable for a conveyor system has a main frame, a plurality of load-carrying rollers supported by the main frame for rotation about transverse axes to transport a load between upstream and downstream ends of the conveyor system, a lift frame supported by the main frame, a load-supporting table carried on the main frame, and glide rollers for allowing rotation of the table relative to the lift frame. Air jacks move the lift frame between a first position where the table is slightly below the load-carrying rollers to allow the load to be transported over the load-carrying rollers and a second position where the table is above the load-carrying rollers to lift the load off the load-carrying rollers. A lift-leveling mechanism provides level movement of the lift frame relative to the main frame and includes a plurality of guide plates mounted on the main frame.

Abstract: A sorting system for generally flat articles includes a number of receptacles (2) mounted on a conveyor (1) each of which is disposed to receive and convey an article to be carried lying with its surface of maximum size perpendicular to the conveyor line of travel and which are each angularly displaceable about an axis extending lengthwise of the conveyor between two positions in which a controllable discharge outlet (9) of the receptacle is positioned on opposite sides respectively of the conveyor.

Abstract: A hydraulic take-up device for removing slack and applying constant and adjustable tension on an endless conveyor belt or chain. The device characterized by having a hydraulic cylinder which applies continuous pressure on take-up bearings surrounding a take-up shaft mounted at one end of a conveyor.

Abstract: A log-feeding apparatus comprises at least three feed rollers (9, 10, 11) mounted on feed arms (6, 7, 8), the movements of which for moving the feed rollers is determined by means of a linkage system (16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23) coupled to the feed arms. The linkage system is actuated by means of a piston-cylinder device (24, 25). The cylinder is pivotally mounted at its one end on a shaft (29). In accordance with the invention, the shaft (29) is journalled in a displaceable slide, to actuate the linkage system without simultaneously activating the piston-cylinder device.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for successively receiving single newspapers being advanced by a conveyor loading device and advancing the same to a downstream location for additional processing. The apparatus includes an endless conveyor track having a conveyor chain that supports a multiplicity of pocket members in close proximity with the outer surface of the conveyor track and for movement about the extent of the track. The pocket members are equally spaced about the chain and each includes a pair of spaced spring biased arcuated fingers that are continually urged in a direction to engage and maintain a newspaper in a pocket when received from the loader. A cam controlled lever is operatively connected to the arcuated fingers and serves to control movement of the latter between positions for receiving and releasing a newspaper from a pocket and a position for maintaining one within a pocket.

Abstract: A transfer press is disclosed which has a pair of parallel spaced transfer bars for indexing work through a succession of press stations. Each transfer bar consists of, typically, five segments separably joined end to end. For longitudinally moving the constituent segments of each transfer bar away from one another, as for the change of press dies, there are provided a one-way splitting mechanism which moves a terminal segment of each transfer bar away from the next, and a two-way splitting mechanism which separates the central segment of each transfer bar away from the oppositely adjoining ones. The one-way and two-way splitting mechanisms are approximately analogous in construction, each having a splitter pin which is movable up and down into and out of engagement with the desired transfer bar segment and which is further movable with the transfer bar segment for separating it from the neighboring segment or segments.

Abstract: A roller device for roller trains or roller conveyors has a unit consisting of one side face of a load-carrying roller and a supporting shaft projecting from said side face and being non-rotatably connected to the load-carrying roller and adapted to support a drive pulley which is intended to be driven by a belt, chain or the like and can be passed on to the supporting shaft with any one of its ends facing said side face of the roller and which at one of said ends has coupling means adapted, when the drive pulley is mounted on the supporting shaft with one end facing said side face of the roller, to engage coupling means on the unit so as to provide a non-rotatable engagement between the drive pulley and the load-carrying roller, said drive pulley, at its other end, being so designed that when the drive pulley is mounted on the supporting shaft with the opposite end facing said side face of the roller, it comes clear of the coupling means of the unit and is rotatable on the supporting shaft.

Abstract: A device for aligning flat bottomed rolls, in particular hotdog rolls, comprises a plurality of elongated parallel stalls for receiving flat bottomed rolls, a first conveyor movable over at least a portion of the stalls for distributing rolls into the stalls in a random manner, a second conveyor movable in a feed direction parallel to the stalls, under the stalls, for conveying rolls along the stalls, a third conveyor movalbe transversely to the feed direction over the second conveyor and under the stalls for flipping the rolls. The third conveyor has a friction surface which engages the rolls and causes them to roll until a flat bottom of the rolls engage the third conveyor. The friction surface is insufficient to thereafter rotate the rolls further. Drive motors are connected to the first, second and third conveyor. Each of the rolls in the stalls are thus rotated in a properly aligned upright position in which they can be transfered to a packing device.

Abstract: A work-conveying apparatus which conveys a work stably and without fail from the receipt of the work transferred from a conveying apparatus in the previous step to the transfer of the work to a conveying apparatus in the next step.

Abstract: A conveyor for transporting bulk material mainly underground along a closed path traversing at least one loading or unloading zone has a mainly one-level track on the path. This track has a one-level main rail following the path outside the zone and having ends at the zone, respective one-level Y-intersections at the zone each having a central leg connected to the respective rail end and right and left arms extending into the zone, and respective right and left rail branches at the zone extending from the right and left arms of the one Y-intersection to the right and left arms of the other intersection and spaced apart transversely of the path. An endless conveyor belt extends along the path and through the zone and has right and left longitudinal edges. Respective endless rows of longitudinally spaced right and left trucks alternate with one another along the path and each have a lower end attached to the respective belt edge and an upper end riding on and displaceable longitudinally in the main rail.

Abstract: A load-unload device is disclosed for use in a vertical conveyor system hng means for sensing a jam condition between a downward moving conveyor tray and an article that has failed to remove from the load-unload device. The device includes linkage means for creating an over-center locked condition automatically releasable at a preset force. A spring receives the load due to a jam and develops the force necessary to unlock the linkage and allow the platform to move to a position for relieving the overload. A limit switch opens the conveyor drive motor down circuit as the platform moves. Provision is made for presetting a limited amount of platform movement without shutting off the conveyor.