Abstract: A method and a device for determining the reference positions of an industrial robot, in which datum surfaces (1a, 1b) are formed in the fixed base (1) of an industrial robot having a plurality of degrees of freedom of motion. The reference positions with respect to directions corresponding to the degrees of freedom of motion of the wrist base (5) and the wrist front section (7) are determined relatively to the fixed base (1) by means of a jig body (11) located fixedly on the datum surfaces, and measuring instruments (14 to 19) attached to the fixed base (1) at predetermined reference positions thereon, and the determined reference positions are given and taught to the NC unit of the industrial robot.

Abstract: A single item vending machine, particularly for vending only a single newspaper for each vend operation, is disclosed. The machine has a slot, which is adjustable in height, in the front of the frame of the machine through which the newspaper is vended. A door on the front of the machine prevents access to the slot unless the door is opened. The door cannot be opened unless the required coins are placed in a coin mechanism, thus releasing a door lock. Mounted inside the machine is a base plate. Mounted on top of the base plate are ball bearings. Resting on the ball bearings is a transfer plate which has a raised rear portion which is approximately 1/2 inch higher than a lower front portion of the transfer plate. When the machine is in the closed and locked position, the newspapers are stacked on the lower front portion of the transfer plate. The transfer plate, which is connected to the door by at least one hinge and lever arm, slides forward when the door is opened by the purchaser.

Abstract: An engine interlock control system is disclosed which is particularly suited for use with a material handling implement comprising a combination loader backhoe. In the preferred form, the present control system includes an electrically-operated fuel solenoid for selectively controlling delivery of fuel to the internal combustion engine of the implement. This system further includes means for sensing operation of the engine, preferably comprising an oil pressure sensor, and means for sensing disposition of the implement's transmission in a neutral condition. The fuel solenoid, engine sensor, and transmission sensor are all operatively connected with a microprocessor control unit, whereby delivery of fuel to the engine is prevented in the event that the engine is not running, and the transmission is in a non-neutral condition.

Abstract: A pattern former/loader system for bakery products includes a pair of carriages (94) positionable along first guideways (92) and a second carriage (112) positionable along a second guideway (110) supported by the carriages (94). The second carriage (112) supports an actuator (130) which in turn supports a transfer head (132). The carriages (94, 112) position the transfer head (132) longitudinally and transversely, the actuator (130) functions both to rotate the transfer head and to move the transfer head vertically. The transfer head (132) comprises a plurality of vacuum ports (142) each comprising an elastomeric vacuum cup and a relatively rigid vacuum cup insert which serves both to retain the shape of the vacuum cup and to limit the flow of air therethrough.

Abstract: A bung connection for a rigid container has a bung body which threads into the bung opening, and has a base wall with two or more access openings which are connected to tubes extending to the flowable material in the container. A tube mounting is removably inserted into the bung body and has flow ports which connect with the access ports in the base wall. Flow tubes connect to the tube mounting. The tube mounting and bung body have a coded pattern of interfitting lugs and recesses which prevent full assembly of the tube mounting and bung body if the coding is wrong. A clamp ring secures the tube mounting in the bung body. A shipping plug and liner replace the tube mounting in the bung body for shipping the container to be refilled and then returned for use again.

Abstract: An extendible dipperstick for excavators and backhoes. The dipperstick includes a telescoping member mounted to a main housing. The telescoping member includes a telescoping housing and a plate attached to one surface, forming flanges with respect thereto. The telescoping member is slidably attached to the housing by means of clamping bars and roller bearings attached to the main housing, which contact the flanges and the exterior surface of the plate, respectively.

Abstract: A positioning arrangement for use with a device having a fixed or movable crane arm includes a suction device for plate-shaped bodies which hangs from the free end of the crane arm, the suction device being provided with a tilting device. The tilting device is infinitely variable by a setting mechanism. In this way, the center of gravity of the suction device with the plate-shaped body attached by suction may be adjusted such that the plate-shaped body is kept vertically.

Abstract: A hopper discharge structure is provided with slope sheets defining a throat over a pneumatic outlet tube. The throat is closed by two sliding valve plates. The valve plates are moved by crank arrangements which provide an operator with varying mechanical advantage in operating the valve means. The crank arrangements are mounted on operating shafts extending the length of the hopper. The operating shafts extend through the hopper end walls and are adjustably supported for rotation by reinforcement plates adjustably mounted on the end walls. The operating shafts are equipped with handles which accommodate the insertion of an extension bar from two different directions. The outlet tube is covered by a hinged cap and locking structure. The cap is cammingly sealed over the end of the outlet tube by a cam lock and handle mounted on the locking structure. Outward force on the handle unlocks and withdraws the cap from the end of the outlet tube.

Abstract: A vehicle has a steerable subframe articulated to the remainder of the vehicle, a set of lifting forks projecting forwardly from the subframe and supported thereon by a linkage permitting lifting, tilting and lateral movement of the forks, and a counterweight balancing a load carried by the forks across the subframe, the counterweight projecting rearwardly from the subframe beneath the remainder of the vehicle. Interchangeable units are engageable with the forks to transport thereby to a worksite, such as pallet units, a work platform, a crane and a cable dispenser.

Abstract: A solid block chemical dispenser for cleaning systems. A substantially horizontal support screen within a housing retainably supports a solid block of wash chemical thereabove. The support screen divides the housing into an upper cylindrical storage portion and a lower funnel shaped collector portion. A spray forming nozzle is mounted within the collector portion below the generally horizontal screen for directing a spray of water at substantially the entire downwardly facing surface of the wash chemical block supportably retained above the support screen. The dissolved wash chemical passes through the support screen, is collected by the collector portion of the housing, and directed to its utilization point. Spray controls, either manual or electronic, control the spray of water through the nozzle in response to a control signal. The dispenser is configured for mounting to a vertical surface and is loaded through an upper access port normally closed by a door.

Abstract: A one-piece unitary guide member for guiding an article-engaging member of a metering device is disclosed. The guide member is fabricated from a rigid non-metallic material to form a through-hole having a rectangular transverse cross section just slightly larger than that of the article-engaging member which it guides. Apertures are formed in the guide member to provide for its attachment to a base plate by means of screws. The apertures are in a rectangular pattern which is offset lengthwise of the guide member so that two apertures are closely adjacent one edge. The guide member has a generally rectangular shape and is formed with wall structures which are of generally uniform thickness.

Abstract: Load lifting apparatus comprises an extensible boom carrying a platform at its outer end and being pivotally mounted at its inner end on rotatable support structure. Hydraulic elevating and extending rams effect elevation and extension of the boom. The elevating ram acts at its bottom end on the support structure through a pivot arm which is seated at its free end on a spring pack. The coupling of the ram to the pivot arm preferably lies in the plane of the pivot axes of the arm and the boom, whereby the load on the spring pack can be independent of the boom elevation for a constant overturning moment of the boom. Hydraulic diverter valves, actuated by the pivot arm when it is deflected against the spring pack, operate to divert fluid flows from the elevating and/or extending rams to urge retraction of the boom upon a predetermined overturning moment being exceeded.

Abstract: In the stacking chamber (9) of a stacking box (50) for superimposed coins (2, 3), a stack carrier (11) supporting the stacked coins is arranged, the top surface (18) of which is inclined with respect to the horizontal (c). For the stacking of coins, the stack carrier (11) is lowered so that the uppermost (3) of the stacked coins (2, 3) is in each case closely below the upper stacking box rim (19). For issuing coins, the stack carrier (11) is lifted, during which step respectively the uppermost (3) of the coins (2, 3) stacked in an oblique position slides along the coin lying therebelow and downwards over the upper stacking box rim once this uppermost coin has been lifted above this rim.

Abstract: A tool and workpiece change system adapted to a machining center with a tool magazine and a pallet pool having a pallet change station and a pallet loading and unloading station and associated with a pallet change apparatus for replacing a pallet on a worktable in the machining center with another pallet successively positioned at the pallet change station. The system comprises a replaceable hand support arranged adjacent the loading and unloading station to detachably support a first replaceable hand for grasping a workpiece and a second replaceable hand for grasping a cutting tool, a workpiece support arranged adjacent the hand support, a tool support arranged adjacent the workpiece support to detachably support a plurality of spare cutting tools, and a robot arranged to be movable between first and second spaced positions.

Abstract: A lift truck having a hydraulic power piping unit for interconnecting between a control valve unit and a hydraulic actuator, mounted and encased in a full free lift upright assembly arranged in front of the truck body. The piping unit has a first pulley unit held by a middle tie beam of the vertically liftable inner masts, for guiding one assembly of flexible hydraulic hoses hanging down in a loose U-shape and connected to the control valve unit. The piping unit also has a second pulley unit held coaxially with a chain wheel on a top of a piston rod of a free lift cylinder mounted on the middle tie beam of the inner masts, for supporting the other assembly of flexible hydraulic hoses connected to the hydraulic actuator. The one and the other assemblies of flexible hydraulic hoses are fluidly connected to one another by a hydraulic joint unit held by the middle tie beam.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of dispensing solid particles are provided wherein a screen unit is movably disposed within a hopper for containing solid particles to be dispened. Vibration of the hopper causes the screen unit therein to move relative to the hopper so as to assist in the prevention of plugging of the hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus connected to an arm in a robot system removes injection molded and die cast products while compensating for the load on the piston rods of the apparatus. A chuck for grasping the products is moved up and down by a pair of pneumatic cylinders on a frame and intermediate frame. The pneumatic cylinders carry the load of the various elements of the apparatus. In order to eliminate variations in the load carried by the cylinders and absorb the shock at the ends of the cylinder strokes, the apparatus includes surge tanks connected to the cylinders. Compressed air is provided through the surge tanks to provide an upward pressure offsetting the load on the cylinders.

Abstract: A nozzle construction has an end of a spout member threaded into an opening of an adaptor member until the members are disposed in a predetermined threaded condition thereof. One of the members then has a portion thereof deformed into a locking position with the other of the members to tend to prevent relative threading movement between the members from the predetermined threaded condition.

Abstract: A table feed apparatus is disclosed. The table feed apparatus includes a fixed bed, a first movable table and a second movable table. The first movable table and the second movable table are carried on the fixed bed through the first and second linear bearings in such a manner that the tables are vertically separated from each other and are movable in the same direction. The first and second movable tables have a brake for fixing the tables to the fixed bed. The apparatus further includes a linear motor acting between the first and the second movable tables and capable of selectively causing one of the tables to travel while the other is fixed to the fixed bed through its brake. In consequence, it is possible for the movable tables to travel an infinitely long distance, irrespective of the length of the fixed member.

Abstract: A cartridge which discharges a filler such as a bonding agent by pressing directly by a finger or by an exclusive discharger with a plug opening function. A plug member is secured fixedly to the head of a cartridge body, a nozzle is screwed to or engaged with the plug member. The nozzle has a needle or cutting teeth at the bottom, to be deeply screwed or pressed to the plug member to open the plug.