Abstract: The invention is directed to a device (1) for automatically loading workpiece palette (2) with delicate workpieces (3), the workpiece palette (2) having straight cords (6) disposed in a grid- and/or comb-like manner with free spaces (7) between the rods (6). In order to hold the workpiece palette (2) a palette gripper (12) is provided, which lowers an empty workpiece palette (2) from a lowering position (13) lying above the empty positioning surface (9) through the plane of the latter into a receiving position (14) lying below the positioning surface (9), the receiving region (15) of the workpiece palette (2) being lower than the plane of the positioning surface (9). When the workpiece palette (2) has been lowered, the workpieces (3) are laid on the positioning surface (9). The palette gripper (12) raises the workpiece palette (2) out of the receiving position (14) such that the workpieces (3) are also raised.

Abstract: A bale loading apparatus, which includes a wheeled undercarriage having front and rear ends; a deck pivotally mounted by a pivot mount to the rear end of the undercarriage for supporting a row of bales thereon; and actuating component driven by a first drive to pivot said deck between a first generally horizontal position and a second generally vertical position. The apparatus also includes forks mounted to the rear of the deck, with the forks preferably composed of tines. The forks are positionable at substantially ground level and in a generally horizontal orientation when the deck is generally vertical. A conveyor is incorporated within the deck to convey a bale from the rear end of the deck to the front end thereof. A drive component is provided to drive the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for retrieving and stacking bales includes bale engagement and transport mechanism to individually transport bales engaged by the apparatus from the ground to a location on a support platform. A bale displacement member repositions the bale on the support platform to allow room for a subsequent bale. The apparatus includes mechanical linkage of a specific character which includes two link members relatively pivotally movable during a portion of the bale placement procedure and locked together during another portion of the procedure.

Abstract: A unit for forming stacks of articles, the unit having a stacking device for forming the stacks, an input supply device for feeding the articles to the stacking device in a first supply direction, and an unloading assembly for unloading the stacks off the stacking device and feeding the stacks in a second supply direction perpendicular to the first supply direction.

Abstract: A support for wearing on the torso and supporting and raising a ceiling panel. The support includes a harness that engages the torso and a frame that is operatively connected to the harness and supports and raises the ceiling panel. The frame includes a pair of rods that extend upwardly and aligningly along the harness and an H-pipe that has a pair of uprights. Termination ends of the pair of rods extend snugly through lower restricted bores in the H-pipe. The frame further includes a pair of coil springs that are captured in the pair of uprights of the H-pipe and sit on the termination ends of the pair of rods. Upper ends of the uprights of the H-pipe contain ball sockets. The frame further includes a pair of balls that are rollingly received in the ball sockets in the H-pipe so as to form ball joints. The pair of balls have necks that extend freely through upper restricted bores in the H-pipe and supporting portions that diverge from the necks.

Abstract: A palletizer assembly including a sweep assembly including a frame having a pair of generally parallel side members and a pair of cross members extending between respective ends of the side members, the sweep assembly also including a pair of forward stanchions that extend vertically upward from respective side members, and a pair of rearward stanchions extending vertically upward from the upstream ends of the side members, a pair of generally vertically extending slides, each having a lower end connected to a side member and an upper end, plunger assemblies including a plunger support slidably supported by a respective slide between a lowered position and a raised position, each plunger assembly including a plurality of plungers which are fixed to, and extend downwardly from, the respective plunger support, and a container shift assembly supported by the frame and including a pair of shifter slide rails extending rearwardly of the rearward plunger support, the upstream ends of the shifter slide rails being o

Abstract: A material table 39 supporting materials W is provided so as to be able to move between a plate material taking-in/out area 11 and material wait area 13, and when the material table 39 is positioned in the plate material taking-in/out area 11, the material table 39 is positioned in a lower position adjacent to an upper end portion of a slat conveyor 33.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new machine for continuously stacking packages in a vertical orientation for insertion into cases. A lift area is provided having a plurality of lateral lifting panels on either side. The panels are adjustably attached to pairs of continuous rotating bands, such that for each panel on one side there is a corresponding panel on the other side. The panels are provided in two independently operated sets, each set having identical operation, but with alternating action. Two horizontal conveyors deliver packages to the lifting area, the conveyor closer to the lift operating at a faster speed than the more distant conveyor. The faster speed creates a time and space gap between packages delivered to the lifting area, which gap may be increased or decreased by varying the conveyor speed. As the conveyors deliver packages to the lifting area, the two sets of lifting panels are alternatively activated to raise the packages in a stack, providing a continuous stacking operation.

Abstract: A tandem wheeled carriage of heavy, very strong steel construction capable of lifting 5 to 30 or more tons of load and transporting the same over difficult roadways, wherein a laterally spaced pair of lift devices is provided on the carriage and adapted to be connected to laterally spaced supporting beams of the load, wherein each lift device is operable independently of the other to selectively lift or lower either or both sides of the load to avoid obstacles, and wherein a steering mechanism is provided to synchronously pivot all wheels of the tandem thru a steering angle whereby the rear of the load can be steered straight ahead or also in lateral directions to avoid obstacles and to allow maneuvering of a long load around corners which are too sharp for conventional transport devices.

Abstract: Interlocking towing skates for placement beneath the tires of a vehicle prior to winching onto a flatbed. Two or more skates can be locked together in accordance with the tire width of the vehicle to be towed, and the interlocked skates are placed beneath each tire. The disabled vehicle can be winched quickly and easily upward along the flatbed. The friction of the tires is greatly reduced as the salvage vehicle is drawn upward, and personal injury and/or damage to the transmission and/or tow truck hoist is eliminated. The towing skates are formed as an elongate hard unitary plastic member having a chock at one end, a flat mid-section, and an opposing ramped end. A series of interlocking teeth protrude laterally from one side, and a mating series of interlocking recesses are formed in the other side for locking side-by-side skates together.

Abstract: A tank handling apparatus which is usable for loading and unloading of a tank such as an oxygen tank with respect to a location of usage such as an emergency vehicle. The handling apparatus is capable of securely locking the tank in place at the storage or usage position while at the same time easily allowing it to be detached therefrom and transferred to a tank service position for removal and replacement or servicing. The apparatus includes a unique locking mechanism including a locking hook construction and a locking housing with a locking slide movably mounted therein wherein a locking handle is secured thereto for movement of the locking slide between the position of engagement and the position of release of the locking hook. Multiple locking hooks and locking slides can be utilized for further secure attachment of the tank in the storage position.

Abstract: A control mechanism for generation of a pair of analog signals wherein the mechanism includes a support and an analog element mounted on the support for rotation and translation relative thereto. The support includes an elongated guide member, and the analog element is rotatably mounted on the guide member and is movable relative to and longitudinally of the guide member. A first encoder is coupled to the analog element for sensing rotation thereof relative to the support. A second encoder is coupled with the analog element for sensing translation of the analog element relative to the support. Several embodiments of the control mechanism are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of securing a window of crumbly material in the end of a tube so as to effectively prevent leakage during temperature cycling, first involving the step of selecting a window having a small clearance when placed inside the end of the tube. Any contamination is removed from the periphery of the window, and then a thin metallic layer that will accept nickel plate is vapor deposited around the periphery of the window. Subsequently, a hoop of tensilely stressed nickel plate is applied over the thin metallic layer, after which the window and tube are sweated together by the application of suitable amounts of solder and heat. Significantly, the hoop of nickel serves to keep the window in continuous compression, such that leakage between the window and tube is effectively prevented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adapter device made from a polymeric material for detachably connecting a broom, brush, mop or the like to a hollow or solid core handle member. The device includes a unitary body constructed with a multi-diameter interior defining an internal shoulder portion adapted to abuttingly receive the end of a handle and a multi-step-down exterior terminating in a threaded or tapered male end portion adapted to be frictionally coupled into the corresponding female threaded or tapered socket in the brush head.

Abstract: A plastic fence having spaced hollow plastic posts with vertically spaced holes in the posts for receiving rails with a friction fit with the rails having vertical rungs, slats, or both which are received between the rails with a friction fit. A plastic gate construction including a frame fabricated from plastic frame sections connected by elbows, vertical rung and slat members extending vertically in the frame, and plastic hinge members formed integrally with the elbows for mating with cooperating hinge elements mounted on sleeves which are secured to a post of a fence.

Abstract: A friction pivot joint for use between two components such as two arms, or an arm and a frame or sash plate, of a window stay. The joint comprises an aperture in a first of the components, an annular shoulder surrounding and projecting from the periphery of the aperture, an aperture in the second component such that the component is located about the shoulder. A self-lubricating and wear-resistant bushing interposed between the shoulder and the second component to prevent direct contact therebetween and a fixing element extends through the joint and is fixed within the aperture below the shoulder so as to apply friction creating pressure to the joint.

Abstract: A first tube intersecting a second tube is joined to the second tube by a clamp around the second tube having limbs projecting into the first tube. A screw thread member cooperates with the limbs and has an end portion seated against a first inner surface of the first tube to force one of the limbs against that inner surface of the first tube opposite the first inner surface while moving the other limb away from the first inner surface of the first tube to tighten the clamp.

Abstract: A connector for scaffolding or similar structure permitting vertical poles to be connected to longitudinal transverse members or bars includes a star-shaped portion with a central bore having a plurality of arms which at their ends each carry a pyramid-conical opening into which engages a pyramid-conical or conical hook. A clip which is movable about a horizontal axis makes it possible to avoid accidental dismantling of the assembly.

Abstract: A retaining and locking clamp, mounted onto a first apparatus, for retaining and locking a second apparatus to the first apparatus. The first apparatus has a plate which in turn includes an aperture. The clamp comprises an inner rod that has a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion being adapted to be received within the aperture of the first apparatus plate so as to mount the inner rod to the first apparatus. The clamp also includes an outer sleeve that is rotatably mounted onto the inner rod, the outer sleeve has a retaining and locking flange and a surface. The clamp further comprises a turn knob that is rotatably mounted onto the inner rod, the turn knob has a surface that is adapted to frictionally engage the outer sleeve surface, whereby rotating the turn knob causes the turn knob surface to frictionally engage the outer sleeve surface so as to permit the outer sleeve flange to retain the second apparatus.

Abstract: A rotary to linear converter is disclosed as adapted for transporting a magnetic transducer head from track to track on a magnetic disk in a disk drive. Included are an electric stepping motor coupled to a lead screw, and a head carriage engaged with the lead screw for linear travel in response to the rotation thereof. A pin is engaged with a helical groove of the lead screw. The pin is arranged in perpendicular to the lead screw. Consequently, even if distance between the lead screw and a guide rod of the head carriage deviates from a desired value, the pin is not displaced in the extending direction of the lead screw.