Abstract: In an automatic sawmill, a caliper device measures the diameter of an incoming log and the log is then positioned against a pair of backstands over a log receiving carriage. A plurality of cutting devices are positioned relative to the carriage, and the speed control for the carriage is predetermined, in response to the log diameter. The diameter measurement is supplied to data processing circuitry which provides outputs indicative of "sets" to be taken by the aforementioned backstands and cutting devices for sawing the log into a number of cants, boards, or slabs in a manner making optimum use of the log content.

Abstract: The bale row forming table of a three table type bale wagon has a bale alignment device cooperating therewith which acts to insure bale tiers of uniform dimensions by establishing bale rows of equal length, an effect achieved by monitoring the length of a bale row by means of trip levers located at the loading end of the table and at the end remote from the loading end and reversing the table conveyor whenever a short bale row is detected to reposition the last bale of the row.

Abstract: A bale row forming table of a three table type bale wagon has an actuating lever which cooperates in detecting the length of a bale row and in repositioning the last bale of the row when a short row is detected. The actuating lever manipulates an electrical sensor in response to the presence or absence of a bale in contact therewith and is oriented so as to be displaced in only one direction regardless of whether it is contacted by a bale from above or from the side.

Abstract: A material handling device for aligning a stock of articles such as steel bars, pipe or tubing in open-ended trays or like containers for storage. The device supports a container filled with stock between a pair of squaring heads which are drawn together to contact the ends of the stock extending beyond the ends of the container. The stock is shifted in the container until the squaring heads squeeze the articles therebetween. The squaring heads are then returned to a rest position to await the next squaring cycle.

Abstract: Two embodiments of a trailer to be towed by a tractor or truck and hydraulically powered from a hydraulic power source on the tractor or truck for picking up round bales of hay lying on their sides in the field, and for transporting the bales. Each embodiment has spaced-apart rails adapted to lift and cradle round bales of hay, the spacing of the rails being variable for handling bales of different diameters, the rails being adapted to pick up bales in the manner of a fork lift. In the first embodiment, means is provided for towing the trailer either to the left or right of the towing vehicles as well as in line with the towing vehicle, and the trailer may be maneuvered for nonstop front or rear loading and unloading of bales. In the second (and simpler) embodiment, loading and unloading is from the rear only. In each embodiment, the rails are adapted to be positioned generally horizontally, with the bales lifted off the ground for transporting the bales, and to be lowered for unloading the bales.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to automatic bale wagons of the type adapted to pick up crop material bales in the field and automatically form stacks of these bales utilizing a variety of selected tier configurations for forming a stable, interlocked stack of bales.

Abstract: An articulating, part handling device to vary the orientation of the part carried thereby includes a carriage having a vacuum system positively to retain the properly located part thereon during handling. Such carriage is slidably mounted for selective reciprocal movement along the distal member of an articulating arm assembly, which is proximally pivotally mounted to a fixed supporting frame. The part handling device includes an actuating system to provide relative pivotal movement between the articulating arm assembly and frame and between the respective members of the articulating arm assembly and also to provide the relative axial movement between the carriage and distal arm, whereby the orientation of the carried part may be varied as required by the handling environment.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for squaring reams of paper as they are fed toward a wrapper, the squaring up being accomplished as the reams are moving forward toward the wrapper.

Abstract: Carriers adapted to support strand spools in wire type pallets are disclosed. Each carrier comprises a tray having gripping devices or claws for centering the carrier at the intersection of the crossed support wires which comprise the pallet. Tubular supports extending upwardly and downwardly from the central tray are adapted to hold the ends of spools in position on stacked pallets. The lower support is slotted so that it can extend beneath the plane of the pallet. A central bore extending through the supports and the spool tray allows for circulation of air and treatment fluid so that the spools may be treated with steam or other treatment gas while on the pallets.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting and stacking a plurality of torroidal-shaped articles by which the articles are introduced and entrained in a substantially laminar flow gas stream in which at least one collector member is removably disposed in intercepting relationship for collecting and stacking articles intercepted thereon in response to the movement of the articles past the collector member. The articles which are not intercepted are re-entrained in the gas stream and recirculated.

Abstract: An improvement to large container handlers having a transportable platform. A powered positionable support arm is pivotally mounted on one end to the platform for vertical rotation. A L-shaped arm is pivotally mounted from the other end of the support arm to be vertically rotatable. A container gripping device is suspended from the L-shaped arm. In one embodiment, the support arm is mounted to move the L-shaped arm vertically as the support arm is rotated so as to, thereby, raise and lower a container without sidewards movement.

Abstract: As the backhoe boom 19 swings into a swing stop, hydraulic fluid is trapped in the head end 28 of the swing side cylinder 24. This trapped fluid is discharged through a cylinder relief valve, thus absorbing the boom kinetic energy and providing a smooth deceleration of the boom. Fluid discharged from the relief valve 47 is routed to the rod end of the swing cylinder and the head end of the opposite cylinder. Because of the swing linkage geometry, the cylinder rod 30 of the other cylinder had passed over the pivot axis about which the backhoe boom was swinging and thus the piston 29 of the other cylinder was caused to move in the same direction as the swing side piston 29. The movement of this piston can be utilized to provide additional deceleration torque as long as no voiding is permitted to occur in the head end of this other cylinder. Voiding only occurs when the backhoe swing control lever 38 is released prior to the backhoe boom reaching the swing stop.

Abstract: A core-spacer-core mandrel loader in which pairs of cores and spacers are automatically loaded upon a mandrel. A transition nose cone is attached to the mandrel to facilitate proper placement of the cores and spacers upon the mandrel.

Abstract: A grapple tong system has first and second hydraulic lines for closing and raising the grapple tongs, respectively. A hydraulic system is provided for automatically, controllably passing fluid from the second to the first line in response to a preselected pressure in the first line and a higher pressure in the second line for automatically, controllably urging the grapples to a closed position.

Abstract: A frame has (1) a pair of parallel arms normal to a third arm with each arm having a rotating L-shaped member for orienting a sheet and (2) a plurality of cups through which a vacuum is drawn to secure the oriented sheet to the frame and through which fluid is moved under pressure to bias the sheet away from the frame.

Abstract: An accurately indexed rotatable tool positioning table for use with inspection and repair apparatus remotely disposed within the channel head of a steam generator is shown. The table is automatically rotated by a motor to predetermined positions and an angular position resolving mechanism in engagement therewith provides an output signal responsive to the angular movement for accurate position determination and control. An indexing pin is received in an indexing bushing in the plate to insure accurate, repeatable positioning of the plate, and switch means are associated therewith and operatively connected to the tool energizing circuit to prevent operation of any tool until the indexing pin is properly seated in the bushing and to prevent the positioning motor actuation until the pin is fully withdrawn from the bushing.

Abstract: An improved internal gripper apparatus for use in uncasers and the like for controllably gripping bottles or other containers from within for transport and release as desired. The internal grippers are spring-loaded to an outer position though automatically retract as required for insertion into the mouth of a container, gripping the container near the top, or at the ridge adjacent the top of the container characteristic of many containers. The improvement comprises a guide ring on the gripper at an elevation approximately equal to the highest relative position of a container during normal operation of the gripper apparatus. The guide ring may limit the uppermost position of any part of the container top or confine the radial position thereof, preferably both, to positively locate the container top and prevent cocking thereof. Chamfering of the lower edge of the ring provides a guide to encourage the gripper and container into axial alignment as the gripper proceeds into a container.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for assemblying concrete block or other non-fragile block-like articles into multi-tiered stacks or "cubes". Individual tiers of blocks are formed and cyclically fed in succession onto a stationary work table. An elevating frame carries a clamp assembly operable to compressively grip an individual tier on the work table from opposite sides of the tier. When an individual tier on a work table is thus clamped, the elevating frame is raised to elevate the gripped tier about the work table to a height such that another tier can be fed onto the work table in underlying relationship to the gripped tier. The elevated tier is then lowered by the elevating frame until the gripped tier is supported upon the tier now located on the work table. At this point, the clamp assembly is released and the elevating frame is fully lowered so that the clamp assembly can now be applied to grip the lower tier supported upon the work table.

Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle maneuverable in an underground mine includes an elongated mobile body having a forward end portion with a boom assembly mounted thereon. The boom assembly includes a pair of sections that are telescopically arranged to effect a change in the length of the boom. The outer end portion of the boom carries a material handling device which is operable to perform lifting, towing, recovery and other material handling operations in the mine. A pivot arrangement supports the boom assembly for lateral swinging movement on the front end of the mobile body. A pair of double-acting piston cylinder assemblies are mounted on the mobile body and are connected to the pivot arrangement for laterally swinging the boom assembly. The boom assembly is also connected to the pivot arrangement for upward and downward pivotal movement independent of the lateral swinging movement by operation of a lift cylinder.

Abstract: A loader vehicle includes a loading implement movable to a dump and a rack-back position by means of actuation of cylinders. The movement of the cylinders is provided by fluid control valves in turn operated by actuator means which provide for both a slow dump and a fast movement of the implement.