Abstract: A bleed circuit for a backhoe boom cylinder which minimizes cylinder pressure during over-center movement of the boom while permitting the maintenance of sufficient cylinder pressure during other boom operations. The boom cylinder is provided with a retract port, a head end port, and a small bleed port with a bleed line connecting the bleed and head end ports. As the boom cylinder crosses over-center, the fluid pressure in the retract side of the boom cylinder may be transmitted from the rod end to the head end of the cylinder thereby reducing cylinder pressure and improving the over-center controlability of the boom.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a work function on a workpiece comprising a stationary support member, a workpiece support assembly mounted on the stationary support member for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, first and second workpiece holding members mounted on the workpiece support assembly, a mechanism for pivoting the workpiece support assembly between selected positions to move one of the workpiece holding members into position at a first station at which a work function may be performed on a workpiece while simultaneously moving the other workpiece holding member into position at a second station at which a workpiece may be loaded and unloaded, and a robot mounted on the stationary support member operable for performing a work function on a workpiece positioned at the work station.

Abstract: A swivel head is disclosed having a one-piece, fork-shaped support housing in which a swivel housing adapted to the shape of the support housing is inserted and pivotally mounted by means of a cover and a bearing bracket.

Abstract: A quick coupler for attaching various material handling implements to a lift arm. The quick coupler includes an opening on one end for pivotal connection with the lift arm and a slotted end portion for selective engagement with a mounting pin on the implement. An intermediate portion of the quick coupler includes a mounting or coupler pin that extends laterally beyond the sides of the quick coupler. An actuating mechanism including a push-pull link is connected to the quick coupler for rotating it about the end of the lift arm. The quick coupler includes an element which may be used for lifting or positioning objects while the quick coupler is fully attached to the implement. Each implement is provided with a pair of opposed attachment members which include slots for receiving the outer laterally extending portions of the quick coupler mounting pin.

Abstract: A manipulating mechanism is disclosed having a control handle adapted to be positioned freely in three dimensions, a fixture for supporting a tool to be positioned, a linkage system which causes the end of the tool to move in the same direction as the control handle and a support structure. The linkage system includes a first linkage connected between the control handle and an effective ball-and-socket joint and a second linkage connected between the effective ball and socket joint and the fixture. Each linkage includes four link members rotatably connected in a parallelogram and a gimbal connected to one of the link members for mounting the linkage from the support structure.

Abstract: The dispenser comprises a flexible sealing-tight vessel (1) disposed in a rigid chamber (3) containing a ratchet mechanism comprising ratchet teeth (6) secured to a tubular element (4) and pawls (11) on resilient arms (10) mounted on a disc (9) disposed above the flexible bag (1). Resilient elements (12) fastened to the disc (9) lower it in proportion as a drink is withdrawn from the flexible bag (1). The ratchet mechanism retains the disc (9) when the pressure in the bag (1) becomes higher than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A multicoin tester has a coin inlet path 1 along which coins under test run edgewise past coils 2, 3 on opposite sides of the path, and through the windings of a coil 4. Electronic circuitry responsive to the inductive coupling of the coin with the coils operates a gate 5 to either reject the coin onto path 1b or to accept the coin into path 1a. As shown in FIG. 2 each of the coils 2, 3 and 4 is arranged in a parallel L-C resonant circuit 10, 11, 12 connected in the feedback path of an amplifier A1, the resonant circuit being energised sequentially by multiplexer M1. Each of the circuits 10, 11 and 12 has its own natural resonant frequency. The resonant circuits 10, 11, 12 are driven by a voltage controlled oscillator VCO. A phase locked loop including a phase comparator PS1 drives the oscillator VCO at a frequency corresponding to the natural resonant frequency of whichever of the circuits 10, 11 and 12 is connected thereto.

Abstract: The machine comprises a tower, driven horizontally along two rails, on either side whereof loading and unloading stations are located. The tower carries pairs of guides, adapted for supporting lateral side members, movable in vertical and horizontal directions with respect to the tower. The lateral side members have at their bottom ends supporting members adapted for supporting the bin bases. The movable members of the machine being operatively linked to sensors effective to sense the presence of bins at the stations and to a selector unit for selecting the loading and unloading stations.

Abstract: A beverage reservoir from which beverage is dispensed in a coin-operated beverage making machine. The reservoir has a handle which incorporates an overflow passageway preventing beverage from otherwise overflowing the reservoir. The overflow passageway discharges into a drain tube which in turn discharges in the area in which beverage is normally dispensed into consumers' cups.

Abstract: An earth-working machine includes a first internal gear fixedly mounted on a mobile chassis, a turntable coaxially rotatably mounted on the first internal gear, a carriage rotatably mounted on the turntable in eccentric relation thereto and having a second internal gear, an earth-working mechanism mounted on the carriage, a first hydraulic motor mounted on the turntable and having a first pinion held in driving mesh with the first internal gear for rotating the turntable about its own axis, a second hydraulic motor mounted on the turntable and having a second pinion held in driving mesh with the second internal gear for rotating the carriage about its own axis, and hydraulic driving devices for actuating the first and second hydraulic motors independently or in synchronism. The hydraulic driving devices may be controlled by an electric control system supplied with signals from angle detectors such as rotary encoders for detecting angular displacements of the turntable and the carriage.

Abstract: A multi-joint arm robot apparatus comprises a multi-joint arm having a plurality of unit arms coupled in tandem with each other through joints, and a movable support for supporting the proximal portion of the multi-joint arm. The multi-joint arm robot apparatus has motors for controlling joint angles of the joints and a motor for moving the movable support. These motors are driven by a control system. The control system controls the motors to obtain proper joint angles, in such a way that the joints of the multi-joint arm are put into a given path when the movable support is moved a given unit distance.

Abstract: A merchandise dispenser for storing and dispensing a plurality of items aligned within the dispenser and eased toward the front of the dispenser by a retractable member which is biased to push the remaining line of items forward when the first item in the line is removed. The dispenser is provided with an indicator which automatically indicates the quantity of items remaining in the dispenser.

Abstract: A dispenser for flowable materials such as toothpaste includes a hollow barrel in the form of a cylinder open at its lower end and closed at its upper end with the flowable material being inserted in the cylinder. A plunger, which is also in the form of a hollow cylinder open at its lower end and closed at its upper end is telescopically arranged in the cylinder so that upon telescopic movement of the plunger in the barrel, flowable material is dispensed from a spout at the upper portion of the barrel.

Abstract: A side shift backhoe mounted on a sliding frame adapted for sliding transversely along upper and lower tracks of a main frame and in which the sliding frame and one of the tracks have matching chamfered surfaces and the sliding frame and other track have matching horizontal surfaces, and a power device extending between the sliding frame and main frame to effect movement of the sliding frame vertically in one direction to tightly engage the chamfered surfaces and in the opposite direction to cause the horizontal surfaces to engage so that the weight of the backhoe is carried on said other track having the matching horizontal surface.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is disclosed having a hollow wall member closed at one end with a dispensing opening at the other end. A ledge is mounted within the hollow having an aperture therethrough to permit precise pouring through the aperture but with the opening otherwise permitting dispensing of large amounts. Indicia is provided within the hollow to measure a predetermined amount of material, particularly the amount required for a washload within an automatic washing machine. The dispensing apparatus additionally operates as a closure for a container, preferably of a laundry product and has a skirt for matingly engaging a container opening and closing same.

Abstract: A welding robot is provided with a first joint member in addition to a welding gun. A work holder provided with a second joint member adapted to be connected with the first joint member and a clamp mechanism for gripping a workpiece is positioned in a predetermined waiting position. The welding robot accomplishes welding on a workpiece transferred to a first station and when the welding is completed, the welding robot approaches the work holder in the waiting position to connect the first and second joint members with each other. Then the robot returns to the first station carrying the work holder and permits the clamp mechanism of the work holder to grip the workpiece at the first station. Thereafter, the robot moves to a second station to transfer the workpiece from the first station to the second station. Then, the clamp mechanism releases the workpiece and the robot moves away from the second station to the waiting position with the workpiece left at the second station.

Abstract: A dispenser containing a plurality of packaged rolls of bandage strips includes a case having upper section and a lower section which accommodates packaged rolls of bandage strips. The case has at least one slot for dispensing bandage strips and the bottom side of the case has a flat area which can be adhered to a flat support. Each packaged roll of bandage strips includes a series of bandage strips disposed in end-to-end relation with packaging material surrounding the bandage strips, transverse seals for maintaining strips sterilely separate from each other, lines of weakness in the packaging material, each located forward of a respective seal for aiding the separation of the packaging material and a corresponding bandage strip from the remainder of the roll while maintaining the bandage strips in the remainder of the roll in a sealed sterile condition.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus adapted to be mounted over a can line for dispensing metered amounts of particulate material into cans in a high speed canning operation. The dispenser utilizes a metering unit which includes a reciprocating slide bar having a pair of spaced chambers, one of which is moved into a loading position and the other of which is moved into a discharge position during each reciprocation of the slide bar. A can detecting device and an air pressure operated actuating valve are provided to control reciprocating movement of the slide bar in response to the presence and speed of cans carried on the can line beneath the dispenser. Lubricating conduits are provided in the metering unit to ensure free movement of the slide bar.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus 10 for elongate flat articles such as newspapers is described. The mechanism uses a rachet or pawl mechanism 36 or 36a to control a roller 23 or 23a rotatably mounted on a shaft 24 or 51 for dispensing the articles with the shaft and roller locked together. The roller has a cylindrical cross-section in continuous contact with the uppermost article to be dispensed by turning a crank handle 53 or by pulling a pull bar 28. The rachet or pawl mechanism and support plate 18 for the articles P are constructed to be rugged and reliable in dispensing the articles. Self lubricating bearings 18a are mounted on the plate for movement on multiple posts 12. The rachet mechanism engages indentations 38 on the end 37 of the roll.

Abstract: An electric industrial robot comprises a movable robot assembly (10) forming therein an airtight chamber, and an electric drive unit for driving the robot assembly. The electric drive unit comprises a plurality of motors (36-41). The respective casings (36a-41a) of the motors are disposed within the airtight chamber (30) of the robot assembly. Electric cables (57-62) connected to the motors, respectively, are led through the airtight chamber into a fixed pipe (67) connected to the robot assembly. The interior of the motors and the interior of the airtight chamber are kept at a pressure higher than an atmospheric pressure outside the robot assembly.