Abstract: An article carrier especially useful for supporting and carrying paper grocery bags includes a rigid, substantially planar upright member and a pair of rigid, substantially planar support members. The support members are hinged to a bottom end of the upright member and are independently movable between raised and lowered positions. When both of the support members are in the lowered position, a contacting edge surface defined by one of the support members contacts a mating contacting edge surface defined by the other support member and a contacting edge surface defined by the bottom of the upright member contacts both of the support members. The mutual contact between the support member contacting surfaces the contact between the support members and the upright member contacting surface retains the support members perpendicular to the upright member under load without need for additional linkages between the upright member and the support members.

Abstract: A litter gun (10) includes a handle (12) with an elongated spear (14), surrounded by a longitudinally movable tubularly-shaped barrel (16), fixedly attached thereto. A biasing spring (18) mounted between the handle and the barrel biases the barrel outwardly. A trigger (20) is mounted in the handle for engaging a graduated ratchet mechanism of the barrel at various points therealong to hold the barrel and prevent outward longitudinal movement thereof. As an operator drives the spear into trash the barrel is urged backwardly into the handle to compress the biasing spring and it is held in these positions by the trigger mechanism. Actuation of the trigger mechanism releases the barrel to drive forwardly, shooting the trash from the end of the spear into a receptacle.

Abstract: An improved hose gripping tool is provided for use with high pressure hoses such as fire hoses. The apparatus includes a saddle which has offset opposed curved jaws that can abut a section of hose on opposite sides, 180.degree. apart. A handle connected to the device allows an operator, such as a fireman, to grip the apparatus. The apparatus reduces the possibility of inadvertent slippage, lessens the strain of supporting the hose and reduces exhaustion commonly experienced by firemen over a long period of time during fire-fighting with such hoses.

Abstract: Apparatus for coupling a choker line which terminates at a nubbin to a main line in a log-hauling system. The apparatus includes an elongate body having an axially extending chamber of a size enabling confined axial movement of the choker nubbin therein. The choker nubbin and adjacent portion of choker line are receivable in the chamber by passage, in a direction substantially normal to the choker line axis, through an elongate keyhole slot formed in the body and extending to the lower end thereof. A shackle mounted on the upper end of the body for swinging toward and away from a position of axial alignment with the body fastens the body to the main line. A plate formed with the shackle acts to block passage of the choker nubbin through the keyhole slot at all shackle positions except a preselected one which is remote from the aligned position.

Abstract: A gripper has n pseudospherical contact pads providing a point contact with an object to be gripped. The sum of the degrees of liberty existing between the object and each of the pads taken separately is less than, or preferably equal to, 6(n-1)-1. Moreover, the assembly constituted by the object, the pads, the fingers and the frame is isotatic, which means that the total number of degrees of liberty of this assembly is strictly equal to 6(n-1). Strain gauges placed on the fingers permit determining the tensor of the efforts exerted by the object on the gripper. An orientation of the object gripped can be accomplished by providing the pads with additional degrees of liberty controlled by independent actuators.

Abstract: Non snagging airplane pick-up hook has a long shank member with an eye connection at one end of the shank member. A plurality of hook members are mounted on the other end of the shank member, each hook member terminating in a portion curved back on itself, whereby snagging of the hook while picking up objects or banners is minimized.

Abstract: The invention is an improved multiple book storage and carrying case. It comprises a case with spine and hingedly attached front and back bindings with page covers, having a center flap divider attached to the inside of the spine. The page cover ends have pockets covering them into which the covers of books to be held are inserted. The page cover flaps attached to edges of the front and back bindings have openable closure means associated with the edges of the page cover flaps to either selectively seal together the flaps for storage, or open said flaps to access the books stored within the case.

Abstract: A transfer boom assembly for panel type workpieces adapted for suspension from a reciprocal shuttle carriage comprises an elongated boom arm of circular cross section having a plurality of continuous parallel passages formed within and along the length thereof. An air fitting is selectively connected to one end of at least one passage and connected by a conduit to an air control valve connected to a source of pressurized air. A plurality of variably spaced air fittings are connected to the arm along its length respectively in communication with at least one pressurized passage. A plurality of variably spaced vacuum boom mounts are adjustably mounted upon the boom arm adjacent the outlet fittings respectively. Each mount includes a clamp mounted on and secured to the boom arm. A spreader bar at one end is connected to each clamp and adjustably mounts along its length a venturi vacuum cup assembly for supporting registry with a workpiece.

Abstract: An elevator for drill pipe which includes at least two jaws for supporting a length of pipe and structure for maintaining the jaws in clamping engagement with the pipe. The structure includes linkage means coupled to the jaws for maintaining the jaws clamped to the pipe when the elevator and pipe are urged apart by gravity due to the weight of the pipe as when the pipe is raised or otherwise supported by the elevator. Additionally or alternatively, the elevator includes a pressure actuator assembly connected to the jaws for applying a positive force against the jaws for maintaining the jaws clamped to the pipe independent of the effect of gravity and, thus, independent of the orientation of the elevator.

Abstract: A belt conveyor having a frame located inside whereof are two lengthy pliable members which are interconnected by medial idlers. A plurality of side idlers are supported on fulcrum pins which make each an angle with a plane through the pliable members and are conneted to these members with provision for displacement integrally therewith in a vertical plane. Linking means are also provided for which connect each to the respective fulcrum pin with one end so as to make an angle therewith and are pivoted each to the frame at the outward sides of the pliable members with the other end with provision for unobstructed swinging in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the conveyor. Said pivoted joints are located substantially not below a plane through the pliable members.

Abstract: A manhole cover lifter usable by an individual including means to clear receipt notches on the manhole cover and means to engage a portion thereof under the manhole cover against its reinforcement brace(s) to pull said cover out of its frame and to return said cover to said frame without the need of manually lifting the cover.

Abstract: A device for gripping, lifting and releasing a member, such as a package or individual article, used in automatic handling apparatus where two gripping arms are pivotally mounted so that they can be pivoted into and out of gripping relation with a member. The device can grip the member and place it carefully on a surface where it is surrounded laterally by similar members. In the placing operation the member gripped and the laterally surrounding members are not deformed. The gripping arms are pivoted at one end and grip the member at the other. The pivoted ends of the gripping arms can be moved away from or toward one another while being pivoted for effecting gripping or releasing of the member.

Abstract: A spreader which is useful for hoisting a container, for example with a crane or hoist, and being spective to transmit a lifting force to twist lock blocks located at the corners of the container when engaged by the respective twist locks carried by the frame of the spreader, comprising a lifting member (21), lifting cables (44) between the lifting member and the spreader frame (11), an indexing head (30) between the indexing head and the lifting member, coupling means arranged to rotate the twist locks (16, 17) simultaneously upon lifting forces being applied, and inhibit means (52, 57) arranged so that if any one of the twist locks does not rotate to a locked position upon the lifting force being applied, the inhibit means inhibits movement of the coupling means which in turn prevents the indexing head from rotating and thereby all other twist locks are prevented from rotation.

Abstract: A hoist cable coupling device comprising a lower scissor-like part and an upper doughnut-shaped part, in which blades of the scissor-like part extend through the ring part and are locked in place when suspending a load. Hoist cables are attached to its upper part and load cables to its lower part. When the locking mechanism is of the magnetic type, it is so designed and so placed in a recess portion of the scissorlike part that it can be removed by personnel with ease whenever so desired. When the locking mechanism is of the solenoid type, it is an integral part of the scissor-like part with its plunger projecting into the same recess as above, when suspending cargo. The plunger is shaped to retract or rotate easily whenever required to unload cargo. In either locking technique, positive load-cable retension is acquired. The device cannot become unlocked by itself and be decoupled without action on the part of personnel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for gripping electronic parts, particularly IC's with a pincer grip of which the gripping jaws are moveable towards and away from one another. Its object is to design the device so that the dimensions of the pincer grip can be adapted at will to those of the part to be gripped, without the need for exchanging the grip. This is achieved by dividing the pincer grip into a plurality of pincer sections arranged in a row, at least one of the sections being moveable in a first guide between a retracted stand-by position and an advanced operating position.

Abstract: The hoist clamp has a coupling eye (7) which has a gimbal-type connection by means of the shafts (5,6) to clamp operating crank (14). When a diagonal pull is exerted, the neck (42) of the coupling eye (7) engages against a bracing point (3,4) which is sufficiently high above the shaft (6) to ensure that the lever action provides extra clamping force between the clamps (11,12). When the coupling eye (7) swings about the shaft (5), the coupling eye engages against the upper edges (1,2) of the casing (8), said edges curving outwards, so that additional clamping force is also obtained when the pull exerted is diagonal. Said additional clamping force is only marginally affected by the load (32) held in the load aperture (37).

Abstract: A gravity actuated gripper includes two concentrically interleaved shells ich are displaceable with respect to one another in two positions for gripping molds containing radioactive material, with the fill opening or upper edge of the molds being provided with a circumferential carrying ring behind which engage balls to perform the gripping. The gripper is intended to be particularly robust and assure high operational reliability under all conditions. For this purpose, a special control is provided for the two positions, the control including a switching ring which corresponds with rings of crown teeth attached to both shells. Due to the special configuration of the teeth and an up-and-down movement of the switching ring, the two shells can take on a gripping position and a release position.

Abstract: A dual mode robotic mechanical hand is disclosed in a preferred embodiment with one fixed and two opposed articulated fingers, each with a base and a tip digit. In a first mode, the two independently controlled articulated fingers are operated to soft grip an object against the fixed finger. In a second mode, the base digits are anchored so that only the tip digits rotate, allowing smaller size objects to be conveniently manipulated. The preferred embodiment is designed for particular compactness and simplicity, as well.

Abstract: A coil edge protecting coil lifter and insert. The insert mounts within a cavity through an aperture in the front wall of each lifter arm of the coil lifter. The edges of a coil contact with a protruding portion of an endless belt which extends through the aperture and outwardly beyond each front wall. A low-friction wear plate atop a backing plate is positioned behind the endless belt and causes the belt to protrude outwardly. The endless belt can be made to additionally protrude through an aperture in the rear wall of each lifter arm.

Abstract: A flexible core is provided for insertion in the handle receiving socket of a tool blade, such as a shovel. This flexible core provides compressive support inside the handle socket to prevent buckling or collapse of the socket when the socket is subjected to high bending stress.