Abstract: The invention is directed to a sheet gripper structure for use in a copying machine which is affixed to a pair of chains extending between sprockets. The chains include link plates with an improved attachment formed in each of the link plates. A pair of the attachments are secured inside the pair of chains at an interval of the link plates. A sheet pressure rod is mounted on the folded sections of selected ones of the pairs of the attachments in the sheet conveying direction and a sheet retainer is fixed to other selected ones of the pairs of the attachments. The sheet pressure rod carries a pair of symmetrical hold plates inside thereof and a pair of sheet pressure arms outside thereof. The gripper structure comprising the sheet retainer, the hold arm and the sheet pressure arm is installed on the chains, or on a belt conveyor or any other conveyors in such a way to be closed when moving in the straight direction and opened in the process of changing their directions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for separating sheets from a stack of sheets, comprising a base for supporting the stack of sheets; a bar extending transversely along one edge of the stack of sheets; two members attached to the bar at a distance from one another corresponding to the width of the sheets for holding down the corners of the sheets; and two guide elements mounted on the base on opposing sides of the stack of sheets for vertically displaceably receiving the bar and guiding the bar along a vertical path.

Abstract: An automatic document handler adapted to receive a stack of documents to be copied for feeding the documents seriatim to the platen of a copy machine and returning the copied documents to the stack. A combination vacuum-belt document separator in conjunction with a multiple orifice air knife and a document tray having a "U" shaped pocket is provided to assure positive feeding of documents without misfeeds or multifeeds.

Abstract: A mobile lift truck for handling unpalletized loads comprising a tiltable load-carrying platform projecting forwardly from the main frame of the truck rotatably mounted so as to permit rotation of the platform about a generally vertical axis of rotation between respective rotatable positions substantially 90.degree. apart. A forwardly-facing push-pull frame having a slip sheet clamp is provided which does not rotate in unison with the platform, enabling the push frame to push loads forwardly off of the platform in both of the rotatable positions of the platform. Power-actuating circuitry is provided interconnecting the platform rotation function, push frame retraction function and slip sheet clamp release function so that the platform is prevented from rotating until the slip sheet clamp has been released and the push frame has been retracted off of the platform. Methods of application of the lift truck are also disclosed.

Abstract: A machine comprising a rotatable telescopic boom assembly includes an outer boom section, an intermediate boom section rotatably mounted within the outer boom section, and an inner boom section located within the intermediate boom section on a telescopic relationship thereto. The inner boom section is adapted to carry an implement such as, for example, an impact hammer, at one end thereof. A mounting is provided to which the outer boom section is rigidly attached. Fluid actuating means are also provided for rotatably driving the intermediate boom section within the outer boom section continuously through 360.degree. in one direction of rotation and for reciprocating the inner boom section within the intermediate boom section.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically unfastening sheets of glass which are suspended vertically from pincer-like gripping means including a lifting element for lifting a sheet of glass towards the gripping means. A release means for moving the gripping means out of engagement with the sheet is included when a sheet is raised by the lifting means. The lifting means includes at least one gripper element which is movable in a horizontal direction to grip a surface of a sheet of glass.

Abstract: A clip is provided for carrying articles and cooperates with system for engaging, disengaging and overlapping it. The clip is constituted by a thin piece of injected, stamped or moulded plastics material which is provided with a triangular opening which is itself open at a narrow slot in the center of the upper side of the clip and which may or may not have bosses to enable a regular spacing to be maintained between a number of clips which are carried by a storage rod before they are engaged onto a transfer or handling system. Such a clip is able to operate effectively with an engaging system which is formed by a dispenser and a member for thrusting the clip towards a system of abutments which thus enable the clip to move from a fixed support to a moving support.

Abstract: A vegetation spraying assembly including a support framework mounted on the front of a tractor and movable vertically by hydraulic cylinders. A plurality of arms extend forwardly from the framework to distal ends supporting wedge-shaped guards with spraying nozzles supported rearwardly of the guards and aimed to spray rearwardly in a horizontal pattern. A plurality of collector trays are supported on the framework rearwardly of the spray nozzles. Each collector tray is an integral plastic member having end walls and a vertical back wall extending between the end walls. Each collector tray has a forwardly facing spray-receiving opening and a catch basin below the opening. A projection extends along and below the opening and is defined by first and second walls extending rearwardly from an apex for engaging and preventing vegetation from engaging the opening. A lip wall extends upwardly and forwardly from one of the walls defining the projection and defines the lower periphery of the opening.

Abstract: A suction braking apparatus for the braking and overlapping of sheets coming from a duplex crosscutter is provided which has a single suction chamber and can be quickly changed over to accommodate sheets of a different width. The suction chamber is provided with two groups of suction holes arranged in a row in the direction of travel of the sheets and has cover plates perforated in register therewith and each has a perforated control belt. Each group of suction holes has associated therewith a cover slide which is movable at a right angle to the direction of sheet travel with the two cover slides reciprocally covering a group of suction holes, starting from one of the two side edges and up to a junction extending in the direction of sheet travel.

Abstract: An atomizer head for use with a spray gun has a centrally located paint spray orifice with an essentially elliptical cross-section and a pair of compressed air output orifices offset from the paint spray orifice. The output air forms a screen, with an elliptical cross-section, that prevents the paint spray from breaking up.

Abstract: A roll-wave sheet separator is provided which comprises a sheet support for supporting a stack of sheets and a sheet separator mounted adjacent to the stack which comprise a rotatable shaft having a helical peripheral thread coaxial with the shaft, and a follower rotatable around the shaft which follows the helical thread to move along the shaft axis. The follower supports at least one circular element which is preferably freely rotatable. The apparatus further includes a motor for rotating the shaft in one direction to drive the follower and its supported circular elements against the surface of the outermost sheet in the stack so that rotation of the circular element against the uppermost sheet in the stack will shingle that sheet from the stack. A brake is provided for abruptly stopping the rotation of the shaft whereby the follower and its supported element will then move back along the shaft out of engagement with the sheet surface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus involving passing the leading edge of successive sheets carried by a high-speed conveyor over a slow-down region, and when the rear edge portion of the sheet reaches said region, grabbing the same to slow down the sheet to the desired speed and then releasing it and permitting the leading edge of the next sheet to travel freely at high speed over said region, thereby to enable controlled slow-down of the high-speed sheets for predetermined overlap on lower speed conveyors or stacking on platforms and the like.

Abstract: A drum lifter comprises a base including a pair of parallel spaced fork tubes adapted for receiving at one end and positioning over a pair of vertically adjustable forks of a lift truck. A support plate spans the other ends of the tubes and mounts thereover a transverse support pipe with spaced stops thereon. A pair of spaced sleeves are mounted upon the pipe between the stops, each sleeve having an upright jaw support plate secured thereto. A pair of laterally spaced opposed arcuate drum-engaging jaws project forwardly from the sleeves and are pivotally mounted upon the jaw support plates for rotation upon vertical axes. A stop plate is mounted on and extends laterally outward of each jaw and is engageable with the support plate when the jaws are in a horizontal position for holding the jaws to operatively clamp a drum therebetween.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed to a spreader adapted for support in an upper entrance or inlet of a storage facility or bin for spreading and depositing the product in a circular area to a substantially uniform depth and comprises a hopper or funnel for initially receiving the product and an impeller which is propelled or operated by the downward force of the product.

Abstract: A roll-wave sheet separator is provided for simultaneously separating sheets from two stacks in opposite sheet feed directions. The separator comprises a sheet support for supporting a first and a second stack of sheets and a sheet separator mounted adjacent to the stacks comprising a rotatable shaft having a first coaxial helical peripheral thread formed along a portion of the shaft near the first stack and a second coaxial helical peripheral thread formed along another portion of the shaft near the second stack and having a direction opposite to that of the first thread. First and second followers which are rotatable about the axis of the shaft, respectively follow said first and second threads.

Abstract: An improved automotive lift device for vehicles which consists of a lift carriage having movable upper step and riser elements so as to selectively form normal upper and lower entrance steps in their retracted normal use position. The upper step and riser pivotally connected thereto are selectively extendable outwardly and downwardly by self-contained actuating device so as to form a continuous horizontal loading platform in association with the fixed lower step formed by the base of the lift carriage. Thus formed, the horizontal loading platform can be selectively lowered to the ground or curb level. It can be also selectively raised to the vehicle interior floor level thereby enabling a handicapped person, on crutches or in a wheelchair, to easily board or disembark from such vehicle at will.

Abstract: An automatic document handler adapted to receive a stack of documents to be copied for feeding the documents seriatim to the platen of a copy machine and returning the copied documents to the stack. A combination vacuum-document separator in conjunction with a precisely located air knife in relation to the vacuum belts and a document tray having a "U" shaped pocket therein is provided to assure positive feeding of each document to the platen without misfeeds or multifeeds.

Abstract: An impulse-sinking hydrant having an upright cylindrical housing with a movable piston disposed therein and formed with a radial passageway and an upright stem having a first passageway communicating with the radial passageway, the upright stem extending above the housing in an upper position of the piston. The upper end of the housing communicates with a pressure-accumulative reservoir through a second passageway which lies in registration with the radial passageway when the piston is in the upper position. A supply conduit carrying water under pressure communicates with the reservoir through a third passageway and with the interior of the housing through a fourth passageway feeding into the lower end thereof for displacing the piston upwardly.

Abstract: A sectoral sprinkler comprises a standpipe and a pair of abutments projecting therefrom and adjustable to define therebetween a changeable angle determining a sector. A water transmitting pipe carrying a water spray nozzle is mounted rotatably on, and in communication with, the standpipe for rotation in a horizontal plane and is driven in a forward direction towards one abutment by water pressure in the pipes. A shifting rod is rotatably mounted on the water transmitting pipe and extends therealong for rotation about an axis transverse to the standpipe. A return blade is mounted on an outer end of the shifting rod projecting beyond the outer shifting rod end. A coil spring is affixed with one end to the shifting rod and has a free end extending from the water transmitting pipe into the sector whereby a sectoral sweep of the water transmitting pipe and nozzle is defined.

Abstract: A system for the transfer of loads from a wheeled transporter to a roller conveyor. The system includes two transfer conveyors which are arranged in alignment with a roller conveyor supplying a machine. Strips are provided on the wheeled transporter which form spaces therebetween to receive bars which project laterally from a pallet on the wheeled transporter. The pallet can be raised and lowered so that the bars can be moved onto the two transfer conveyors to facilitate transfer of the loads from the wheeled transporter to the two transfer conveyors which in turn transfers the loads to the roller conveyor or supply of the machine.