Abstract: A high-speed fastener inspection system is provided to perform 100 percent inspection of various geometry features and to sort a large number of fasteners at high speed. The inspection system includes a rotary table having an outer periphery, an inner periphery, and a plurality of radial slots extending from the outer periphery to the inner periphery. When a fastener is be placed in a radial slot with the head of the fastener facing upward and the shank extending into the slot, the side view of each fastener is unobstructed. A loading mechanism, an anti-jam mechanism, and a sorting mechanism are arranged along the outer periphery of the rotary table. At least one vision inspection camera is provided for capturing the image of each fastener after each fastener is placed in a radial slot. An image analyzer is operatively connected to the vision inspection camera for analyzing the captured image and to determine whether the fastener is defective.

Abstract: An apparatus for segregating particulate by density and/or size including a fluidizing bed having a particulate receiving inlet for receiving particulate to be fluidized. The fluidized bed also includes an opening for receiving a first fluidizing stream, an exit for fluidized particulate and at least one exit for non-fluidized particulate. A conveyor is operatively disposed in the fluidized bed for conveying the non-fluidized particulate to the non-fluidized particulate exit. A collector box is in operative communication with the fluidized bed to receive the non-fluidized particulate. There is a means for directing a second fluidizing stream through the non-fluidized particulate as while it is in the collector box to separate fluidizable particulate therefrom.

Abstract: In a component feeding apparatus, forwarding pitches of the storage tape are reduced without using an alternative forwarding gear corresponding to the reduced pitches. The component feeding apparatus feeds chip components by intermittently forwarding the storage tape having the chip components by predetermined pitches. Thy apparatus has a sprocket for intermittently forwarding the storage tape, a forwarding gear supported by the same axis as that of the sprocket and rotating together with the sprocket, a forwarding lever turnably supported, and first and second forwarding pawls both attached to the forwarding lever. Every time the forwarding lever turns in a predetermined direction, the first forwarding pawl and the second forwarding pawl engage with the forwarding gear alternately to rotate the forwarding gear by half a tooth pitch.

Abstract: The effervescent tablet dispenser may be assembled onto the open end of a container tube (2). It consists of an annular lower part (3) which may be assembled onto the open end of a container tube (2). For this there is a lid (4) for closing the annular lower part (3). A dispenser tab (8) extends diametrically in a tongue-like manner in the lower part (3) in its clear opening This dispenser tab (8) is integrally formed on the inner edge (10) of the lower part (3) in the manner of a film hinge. With respect to the annular lower part (3) is may be pivoted out in the axial direction by at least 10°. When the container tube is tipped, the dispenser tab under the load of a tablet lying on it pivots approx. 10° downwards and the lowermost tablet may be easily removed with one hand, whilst the remaining ones are held back.

Abstract: An agricultural combine including an unloading system wherein an unloading conduit assembly is, in an operational set-up, rotatable or swivelable through an arc of 360° to permit grain unloading into a grain truck located at any point around the combine, whether the combine is stationary or moving. For road travel or storage the unloading conduit assembly, or some portion of it, is pivoted into a set-up wherein the longitudinal conduit is retracted into nesting relationship against the side of the combine and below the top of the grain tank.

Abstract: Wire attachment and/or tensioning assemblies are described. The ends of wires may be fitted with mateable collar and wedge components to allow the wire to be securely attached to a supporting structure such as, for example, the surface of a railing post. The wire attachment assembly may be rotatably attached to a tensioning device that enables wire tension adjustments without rotating the wire itself, thereby avoiding the need to adjust the opposing end of the wire.

Abstract: A lifting device (10) includes a base frame (12), the base frame having associated drive means: a lifting arm (44) connected at a first end thereof to a frame (42), the lifting arm being pivotally movable with respect to the frame and being movable between a withdrawn condition and an extended lifting condition; and a lifting cradle being movable between open and engaged positions. The device is suitable for use in the movement of hospital beds and trolleys.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carrying apparatus that prevents an elevating motor and the like from projecting from a stacker crane to hinder the stacker crane from interfering with walls of an automatic warehouse. A traveling vehicle 2 of a stacker crane comprises traveling driving means 20, 20 for wheels 9, and elevation driving means 35 for elevating and lowering a platform 4. Both driving means 20, 35 are arranged so that a longitudinal direction of both driving means 20, 35 is almost parallel with a direction in which the traveling vehicle 2 runs. The traveling vehicle 2 comprises a pair of frames 17, 17 spaced at a predetermined distance from each other and a plurality of connecting members that connect both frames 17, 17 together. Both driving means 20, 35 are arranged outside the respective frames 17. Wheels 9, 9 are arranged in the front and rear, respectively, of the traveling vehicle 2. The traveling driving means 20 is connected to each wheel 9.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electromechanical traversing step system for transporting elderly users 12, infirm and others between floors of a building. A single moveable step 14 ascends or descends on a set of tracks 16 secured to the wall of the stairway 18 or the staircase structure above the flight of stairs 20. Travel is initiated by the user 12 positioning themselves on the movable step 14, selecting the ascension 22 or descension 24 switch and then gripping the handrails. Motion of the step commences and continues when a pressure sensor 26 responds to a force on the step 14 and the omic resistance of the user 12 is detected by sensors 28 in each of the handrails. Ascending motion continues until the tread of the movable step 14 is flush with the upper floor 30. The movable step 14 automatically returns to the docked position 32 at the bottom 34 of the staircase 18 once the user 12 departs from the step to the upper floor 30.

Abstract: A storage device for the bed of a pickup truck has a body with a storage area therein and a scissors lift connected to the body for moving the body between a first position on the bed of the truck and a second position above a side wall of the truck. The scissors lift includes a top plate, a bottom plate, first and second scissors pivotally connected to the top plates and a motor cooperative with the scissors so as to move the top plate relative to the bottom plate. A spring is in tension and extends between the scissors between when the body is in the first position.

Abstract: A car door apparatus of an elevator includes a pair of door panels, a door drive device, and a door-opening mechanism. The pair of door panels open and close a doorway of the car of the elevator. The door drive device drives the door panels to open and close the doorway using electric power. When the car is stopped in an emergency in which a power source for driving the elevator is shut off, the door-opening mechanism starts up the door drive device using a secondary battery to move the door panels in the opening direction by a predetermined distance respectively to make a predetermined clearance between the door panels.

Abstract: The invention provides an elevator apparatus comprising a cage 1 disposed inside a path of upward or downward movement vertically movably, a counterweight 2 vertically movable with the upward or downward movement of the cage 1, and a lift drive mechanism for driving the cage 1 upward or downward. The drive mechanism comprises a sheave 42 disposed inside the path, ropes 3 extending along a route around the sheave 42, and a drive device 5 in engagement with the ropes 3. The drive device 5 comprises a belt transmission provided alongside the ropes 3 and revolvingly movable along the rope extension route, a mechanism for pressing a belt surface of the belt transmission into contact with the ropes 3, and a drive motor for driving the belt transmission. The cage can be driven upward or downward without using any traction sheave, while the cage can be reduced in weight.

Abstract: A litter and refuse retrieval device is provided for sanitarily and single-handedly cleaning up after a pet. The device includes an outer frame having an upper and a lower portion and an inner frame also having an upper and a lower portion. The upper and lower portions of the respective frames can be connected together to form the assembled retrieval device by interlocking prongs with respective prong receiving openings. The device further includes an outer frame having a handle at one end and outer nipples at the other end for pivotally mounting two scoops. Each scoop includes extended disk portions with holes therethrough that overlap with the disk portions of the other scoop placing the holes in alignment for insertion of the outer nipples of the outer frame. An inner control frame is carried by the outer frame and includes linkage arms having outwardly extending cylindrical portions having nipples extending therefrom for pivotally mounting the two scoops adjacent to the outer nipples.

Abstract: A tensioner for deploying a member such as a pipe or cable, such as a sub-sea cable deployed from a ship, comprises an endless track and drive means for driving the track. The track includes a plurality of traction elements mounted thereon for movement with the track. Each traction element includes one or more cushions for supporting the member, and a pair of opposed arms mounted on respective sides of the base of the traction element. One or more of the arms is pivotally mounted for movement between a clamping position and a release position. In an alternative arrangement, four moveable arms are linked in diametrically opposite pairs to move between a release position and a clamping position. Cushions on the arms clamp the member in conjunction with the cushions of the traction element, when the arms are in the clamping position. Guide means are provided to urge the arms into the clamping position to grip the member as it passes through the tensioner.

Abstract: A drum brake (1) having a rotatably journalled drum (2) and means for adjusting the torque applied to the drum (2) has several peripherally-extending take-up slots (4) for filaments (5) with the slots being spaced from each other in the direction of the drum axis (X). With such an arrangement, a plurality of filaments can be adjusted to constant filament tensions simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention provides a balloon anchor including a spool having opposing sides, a pair of flanges, one flange extending from each opposing side of the spool, at least one of the flanges having a cutout section, the cutout section having a first side and a second side; and a hook extending from the second side of the cutout section.

Abstract: A crank handle for a spinning reel includes an axle inserted through a base, an bush mounted on the axle inside the base and having two cut faces, a retaining member, which has an axial hole for receiving the axle and the bush, two notches at one end, and two flat portions for engaging the cut faces of the bush, a spring sleeved onto the bush and stopped between the base and the retaining member, and a handle, which is pivoted to one end of the axle and has two blocks for engaging the notches of the retaining member.

Abstract: An automated perforated web splicing system includes a web stock roll of a perforated web, supported on a single unwind spindle, and having both a precut web leader edge and a web trailer edge for splicing. Also included in the automated perforated web splicing system is a leader holder device for automatically acquiring and positioning the web leader edge of the web stock roll according to perforations in the perforated web, and a splicing station for automatically positioning the web trailer edge prior to splicing and performing an on-pitch splice according to perforations in the perforated web.

Abstract: An elongated composite tube made up of an inner tube 42 and an outer tube 44 (FIG. 3) with a plurality of elongated helical ribs disposed between the inner tube and the outer tube in a supporting relationship to both. A slinky like toy made from the composite tube is also disclosed, as is a method of making both.

Abstract: The invention is a vehicle-mounted cargo transport apparatus and a method for mounting the cargo transport apparatus on a vehicle is in such a way that increases both the loading capacity and stability of the cargo transport apparatus. At a minimum, the cargo transport apparatus comprises a lifting device and at least one load-bearing member. The lifting device is connected to the vehicle and has a cargo holding area, such as a platform, connected to the lifting device for loading cargo. The cargo holding area has at least two positions: a traveling position and a loading position. Cargo is loaded onto the cargo holding area in the loading position and then raised to a vertical position above the traveling position. At least one load beam, preferably two load beams, are then connected to the vehicle in a location where the load-supporting member can support the lifting device cargo in the traveling position.