Abstract: For the initial operation or changeover of a can body welding machine, a modular stack magazine to guide and hold a stack of blanks has adjustable stack supports with holding surfaces projecting under the lowermost blank. These stack supports are adjustably mounted on a frame which is releasably connected to a blank separating device. To assist the destacking of individual blanks, adjustable spreading air feed elements are also fitted to the frame. These adjustable components together with the frame form an exchangeable module, so that once their settings have been carried out--the setting operations being inherently complex, because as they are governed by many other parameters besides size of blank they have to be arrived at empirically, and they must be made all over again if just one of those parameters is altered--the module can be stored ready for reuse after maintenance operations, or after the use of another module.

Abstract: A transport star in which movable expanders with multiple self-locking positions, which can be selected with a control apparatus, engage the radially inward-directed counter-arms of several gripping pliers with pivoting clamps positioned along the perimeter of a rotating basic structure. This provides a design for a device which is relatively simple and reliable, and can be adjusted quickly and easily to accommodate different-sized containers.

Abstract: A conveyer transfer apparatus for use in a roller conveyer for lifting an article upwardly and moving it laterally to another conveyer. It includes a motor as a driving force to drive two pairs of spaced eccentric sprockets and a side-roller-chain, which engages with a pair of spaced sprockets. The side-roller-chain moves on a guide channel, which can be lifted upward, synchronously with the movement of the sprocket, thus enabling the article to be lifted upward and carried away laterally at a speed faster than the rotating speed of the sprocket.

Abstract: A multiple link robot arm mechanism uses first and second motors capable of synchronized operation to permit movement of the robot arm hand along a curvilinear path as the extension of the hand changes. A motor controller controls the first and second motors in two preferred operational states to enable the robot arm mechanism to perform two principal motion sequences. The first operational state maintains the position of the first motor and rotates the second motor so that the mechanical linkage causes linear displacement (i.e., extension or retraction) of the hand. The second operational state rotates the first and second motors so that a mechanical linkage causes angular displacement of the hand about a shoulder axis. The second operational state can provide an indefinite number of travel paths for the hand, depending on coordination of the control of the first and second motors.

Abstract: A front loading truck rack for wheeled loads such as boat trailers, golf carts, all terrain vehicles, and three or four wheeled loads. The truck rack allows a load to be loaded onto a pickup while a fifth wheel trailer is attached to the pickup, and the rack takes up a minimum of space in the truck bed, to accommodate the clearance needed for a fifth wheel trailer when turning or backing. The truck rack allows the user to load and transport loads with little or no lifting required by the user.

Abstract: A wedge for bracing cylindrical cargo elements is made from a cushioning material, especially cellular cushioning material, and is formed from a single sheet of the material. First and second wing panels are floded back on the central panel to form a wedge of increased thickness. The wedge is particularly useful for bracing rolls of paper in a cargo container so that the rolls of paper do not suffer any damage during transit.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading blocks that are stacked on pallets and have flat separators interposed between the blocks is provided. The apparatus has a three-dimensionally controlled and movable pick-up head on which is disposed an approximately horizontally oriented insertion tool that terminates in a pointed insertion tip. The insertion tool is adapted by means of a horizontal movement to extend below a respectively to be removed block of blanks. In order to recognize an improperly taken up block of blanks prior to further processing thereof, a sensor unit is provided that cooperates with a reflective element that is disposed on the underside of the insertion tool. This makes it possible to inspect if a portion of the bottom blank is disposed below the insertion tool. A block of blanks that has been recognized as improper is initially separated out.

Abstract: An automatic handling apparatus for handling stacking boards/stacking pallets comprising a carrying arm with an actuating mechanism (17-23) which operates the carrying arm in three different planes (X, Y, and Z) and about a rotational vertical axis (W). The stacking board is designed as a stackable pallet (1). This exhibits on its underside, on opposite side borders (1a, 1b), in each case two hollow feet (2) and in each case two hollow latching protuberances (4,5) with a smaller engagement depth than that of the feet. The feet (2,3) on each longitudinal border of the pallet are located opposite the hollow latching protuberances (4,5) on the other longitudinal border. In this manner, when a plurality of pallets are stacked one upon the other, depending on the orientation of the pallets, either a tightly packed storage stack can be produced. In the case of this storage stack, the feet of the pallet placed on top are sunk into the hollow feet of the pallet located thereabove.

Abstract: A fork lift truck includes a fork level sensor located in the forks, away from the vertical mast of a lift truck for detecting the true level of the forks, and a vision system including a camera which may take several forms. In one form, a single camera is mounted in a housing which may be moved to a protected location vertically either by sliding in the carriage assembly, or by use of a parallelogram device. In another form, multiple cameras are employed where a second camera may be either mounted above the first camera in the same housing or mounted between the forks. Alternatively, the first camera may perform multiple roles by being moved vertically from a first predetermined location below the bottom of the forks to a higher elevation a second predetermined location relative to the forks.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically removing bags from a supply conveyor and stacking a predetermined number of bags upon raised pins. The stacks are then placed on a stack transfer assembly that is then moved into a transfer station wherein the stacks are placed on wickets. An endless accumulator conveyor is arranged to deliver the wickets into the transfer station in timed relation with the movement of the transfer assembly between stations.

Abstract: A system of modular attachments for a railcar or truck trailer to convert the trailer to various uses is disclosed. A system of compressed air driven locking pins allows the various modules to be readily secured to or removed from the trailer chassis. Air suspension shock absorbers permit the load to be weighed on the car or trailer.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling a circular saw blade for performing operations on the blade at a work station includes a mechanism for carrying the blade between a supply stack of blades, the work station, and a blade off-loading location. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for supporting the supply stack of blades. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for transferring the blade between a second blade support mechanism carried by the carrying mechanism and a third blade support mechanism provided at the work station. The third blade support mechanism enables indexing of the blade through the work station.

Abstract: A palletizer of the present invention for arranging objects in a honeycomb pattern is disclosed. The palletizer comprises a mechanism for transporting the objects from an object source, a mechanism for arranging the objects into single file while the mechanism for transporting moves the objects, a first area for receiving groups of the objects comprising a number of the objects arranged into the single file. The first area has a depth to which each of the groups of objects travel after entering the first area. The palletizer further includes a mechanism for alternating the depth between a greater and lesser depth such that every other one of the groups extends to the lesser depth and all other ones of the groups extend to the greater depth for forming the objects into the honeycomb pattern. A second area is provided for collecting the objects as the objects are arranged in the honeycomb pattern and a first container moving mechanism is provided for moving the groups of the objects into the second area.

Abstract: An automated order picking system assembled from known, available components and that includes a manager computer to receive orders for goods from a customer and to break the order down into requested full pallets of multiple ordered layers of goods; layers of goods ordered by the customer; compatible ordered layers of goods that can be combined into full pallets; and compatible cases of ordered goods that can be formed into layers and into full pallets of multiple layers of goods; and vertical cells for receiving, storing and delivering cases of the goods. The vertical cells comprise towers having mutually facing tower sections that receive goods delivered to feed conveyors by gantry robots having end effectors capable of handling the goods and the tower sections passing the goods back and forth as the goods are moved downwardly for placement on the discharge conveyor under the control of a programmable logic computer.

Abstract: In a nosepiece/receiver assembly having a housing for receiving a part, a removable jaw mechanism that is mounted for pivotable movement against a biasing spring. The jaw member has a contoured surface for holding a part received by the nosepiece/receiver assembly when the jaw member is in a part holding position. The jaw member includes channel at one end for enabling the jaw member to pivot about a securing member of the assembly to a part releasing position. The jaw member may consist of either two cooperating movable jaws or one separate jaw. The jaw mechanism also includes a resilient biasing device for urging the jaw member into a part holding position. The biasing device is in contact with both the housing of the nosepiece/receiver assembly and the jaw member, with at least a portion of the resilient biasing device being external to the jaw member to allow easy replacement of the biasing device. The biasing device is positioned to minimize the chance of breakage of the jaw.

Abstract: A tie down system for a cargo area of a carrier arranged to secure cargo in position. Multiple formed slots are formed in the side and end walls of the cargo area of the carrier. The slots are arranged to receive tie down devices to which securing devices utilized to hold the cargo in place may be secured. The slots are provided at intervals along the length and the height of the end and side walls to enable positioning a tie down device strategic to the cargo to be secured.

Abstract: A crane safety apparatus for displaying a schematic diagram of a part of a crane mechanism on a two-dimensional screen dynamically as the crane mechanism is operated, and displaying on the same screen a predetermined operation zone as a visually discriminative zone pattern. The operation zone pattern is displayed on the screen in response to the key command by an operator during a selected crane operation mode, while referring to the schematic crane mechanism diagram currently displayed on the screen.

Abstract: A carrier adapted to be drawn over the ground for handling and transporting bales of hay comprises a rigid framework assembly adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle for transporting a series of bales in side-to-side relationship substantially along the entire length thereof. A bale engaging structure is pivotally attached to the framework assembly about a first horizontal axis for lifting the bales from the ground to the framework assembly. The bale engaging structure is also slidably mounted to the framework assembly along a second horizontal axis substantially parallel to the first horizontal axis for engaging the ends of the bales. An alignment arrangement is constructed and arranged to shift the framework assembly without moving the towing vehicle so as to align the bale engaging structure with the ends of the bale before the bale engaging structure engages the bales on the ground.

Abstract: A load forming apparatus is described for forming a load comprised of layers of bundles, in which first and second conveyors are configured to deliver individual first bundles of load components to individual respective first and second transfer stations. A load former operatively joins the conveyor transfer stations. A transfer device adjacent the transfer stations is alternatively operable to (a) move the first bundles from the first transfer station to the load former to form a load comprised of first bundles; (b) move the second bundles from the second transfer station to the load former to form a load comprised of second bundles; or (c) alternate moving the first and second bundles from the first and second transfer stations to the load former to form a load comprised of first and second bundles. A load former feed system is also described in which the bundle transfer station and bundle transfer device are selectively separable to form a manual operator station.

Abstract: An air bag, and a method of using the same, for indicating proper inflation and over-inflation of the air bag when the air bag is used within a void defined between adjacent cargo loads. In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, a plurality of horizontally disposed, vertically spaced printed lines are provided upon only one side of the inflatable air bag and extend from a side edge portion of the air bag toward a central position of the side of the air bag for a predetermined distance. When the bag is inflated, as long as the lines are visible, the bag is properly inflated. If terminal end portions of the bag become visible, the air bag is over-inflated. In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, a single vertical line is disposed upon only one side of the inflatable bag and is located a predetermined distance from the side edge portion of the bag which corresponds to the disposition of the terminal end portions of the horizontal lines of the first embodiment.