Abstract: Surface protecting tape is cut away from a lens edge with an annular cutting blade after application to the lens. The blade is pressed and/or rotated into portions of the tape extending over the lens edge for cutting therethrough and freeing the lens. Knife edge serrations enhance the cutting action and blade holding means facilitates its operation.

Abstract: In a power shovel having a main frame, a front end assembly operatively connected to the main frame and a rope crowd system including a rope drum supported on the main frame, a motor supported on the main frame drivingly connected to the rope drum, a brake operatively connected to the rope drum and a rope wound on the drum and operatively connected to the front end assembly, a system for preventing the rope from becoming slack comprising apparatus responsive to an impending slack condition of the rope for actuating the drum brake thereby preventing continued pay out of the rope by the drum and apparatus responsive to motor torque in a pay-out direction for disengaging the motor from the rope drum, allowing the motor to continue to operate in the pay-out direction when said drum brake is actuated.

Abstract: A dumper for parts of various sizes comprising a cradle mounted on a fixed pivot for movement from a loading position through an angle approaching 180.degree. to an unloading position. The pivot axis is such that the cradle, which loads in the front, dumps to the side. The drive for the cradle includes movable chains. The ends of the chains extend part way around and are affixed to sprockets rigidly secured to the cradle.

Abstract: A pair of conveyor pan immobilizing subassemblies are disclosed for engaging the opposite sides of a conveyor pan to stabilize the pan in a first direction transverse to the conveyed direction of the pan. In one embodiment, each subassembly is comprised of a plurality of pan engagement assemblies, each pivotally mounted for depression in a vertical axis by an off-centered pan, and each spaced further from the conveyor pan in the first direction, such that the pan is serially engaged by the assemblies as a result of pan movement resulting from, for example, loading or unloading of the pan. In another embodiment, the subassembly comprises a roller rotatably mounted for rotation by a pan being moved in the conveyed direction and resiliently mounted for depression by an off-centered pan.

Abstract: A parking stand for supporting an implement such as a front end loader when the implement is not in use including an extendable, elongated support leg pivotally secured near its upper end to a portion of the implement, a pin assembly for fixing the support leg in a plurality of extended positions, interlocking connection apparatus for retaining the support leg in its non-operative position and apparatus for limiting the pivotal movement of the elongated support leg.

Abstract: Apparatus for the handling of drill collar and pipe stands and comprised of a hydraulically mechanized "Derrickman" and "Derrick Floor Hand" and associated fingerboard lock bars and all of which are adapted to remote control in the placement of the stands in a derrick, both in alignment with the rotary table and fully placed within the racking fingers, the stand handling mechanism being characterized by articulated arms extensible by actuator apparatus housed entirely within the confines thereof for compactness.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for uniformly spreading a flowing stream of dry solids, which may include solid particles and lumps of varying sizes, with minimal segregation, which utilizes an adjustable dam having a curved crest for forming in the flowing stream a mass of solids in the shape of a segment of a cone, over the surface of which the stream is spread from a relatively narrow stream at the apex of the cone to a relatively wide stream at the base of the cone, and including a mechanism for adjusting the dam to vary the degree of transverse arc curvature of the spreading surface. As an alternative, the spreading surface may be formed by a series of elongated, adjustable bars.

Abstract: A load-carrying vehicle provided with lifting devices to raise and lower loads, comprising a chassis mounted on road wheels, load raising and lowering devices supported by the chassis, at least one additional road wheel articulated with respect to the chassis, and power operated devices operable to move each additional road wheel in an arcuate path from an inoperative position within the normal width of the vehicle to an operative load bearing position in engagement with the ground beside the road wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively discharging load carriers at a predetermined one of discharge stations. The carriers are connected to an endless chain. The chain is made of links of approximate equal length, which are divided into segments of an equal number of links. The position of each carrier is determined by a control system that measures the actual length of segments of the chain and keeps a record of the lengths of the segments which extend between a reference point and the position of the each carrier. When the length of the chain between the reference point and the carrier equal the known distance along the chain path between the reference point and the preselected discharge station a mechanism is actuated to remove the load from the carrier.

Abstract: A general purpose assembly machine of linear indexing type comprising a pallet guide for indexing a plurality of pallets, an elevator block making a rise and fall motion, and a pair of tool plates attached to the elevator block and making a linear and reciprocal motion in a direction parallel to or in a direction making a predetermined angle against an indexing direction of the pallets, wherein a plurality of working heads fixed at the tool plates make a combined horizontal and vertical motion thereby transferring parts from and onto the pallets.

Abstract: A crane has an upperstructure that is mounted on a carrier by a quick-disconnect turntable mounting. The upperstructure can be transferred from the carrier to a transport, and back to the carrier, by a system that does not require an auxiliary crane. A live mast on the crane is used for positioning a front lift assembly and a rear lift assembly for attachment to the upperstructure. The front lift assembly is connected to the upperstructure frame by boom foot pins, and the rear lift assembly is connected to the frame by the counterweight mounting mechanism. These lift assemblies enable vertical movement of the upper structure, and outrigger jacks on the carrier enable vertical movement thereof. Air pad assemblies are provided between the outrigger jacks and the surface supporting the carrier. These air pad assemblies can also be provided between the lift assemblies and the surface supporting the upperstructure.

Abstract: An apparatus for the high speed transfer of workpieces in a multi-station machine. The stations are located in a common plane, in axial alignment and are equidistantly spaced. The apparatus utilizes a carrier assembly, which incorporates a pair of parallel barrels with a shaft received within the bore of each barrel. A series of confronting openings, which expose the shafts, are formed in the barrel walls at intervals which correspond with the spacing of the machine stations. A pair of gripping fingers are located at each barrel opening. A first finger is affixed to the barrel, extending outwardly therefrom, while a second finger which is affixed to the shaft, extends through the barrel wall opening to cooperate with the first finger. By pivoting the barrels in unison, with respect to the shafts, which are rotatably locked, the fingers can be caused to assume either a gripping or releasing attitude.

Abstract: A storage rack entry vehicle for transporting loads of substantial weight in a warehousing system includes a plurality of wheels spaced from each other in the direction of both the length and the width of the vehicle and which support the vehicle for movement upon rails. The vehicle also includes an elevatable platform which supports the loads on the vehicle and distributes the load weight to locations adjacent each of the wheels. A rigid plate connects both the wheels and the load supports. However, this rigid plate is sufficiently flexible such that the plate flexes to maintain all of the wheels in continuous contact with the rails where one of the rails may vary in elevation such that at least one of the wheels might otherwise move out of contact with the rail surface.

Abstract: A forklift assembly is pivotally connected to the front end portion of a self-propelled mobile frame. A mounting plate extends transversely across the front end portion of the mobile frame. A hydraulic lift cylinder is bolted to the intermediate portion of the mounting plate closely adjacent to the front axles of the mobile frame, and the piston rod of the lift cylinder is pinned to a lug extending rearwardly from the forklift assembly. Extension and retraction of the piston rod raises and lowers the forklift assembly relative to the mobile frame. The lug is connected to the piston rod to permit movement of the lug on a shoulder portion of the piston rod so that the torsional forces exerted on the forklift assembly are not transferred to the piston rod of the lift cylinder. Guide members are secured to the rear of the forklift assembly and the mounting plate to maintain vertical movement of the lift cylinder relative to the mounting plate.

Abstract: A screwdriver or the like has a shank adapted to hold any one of a number of double ended bits together with a handle for the shank having storage slots for those bits not being held in place by the shank. A split ring, rotatable on the stem of the handle, holds the stored bits against displacement until the ring is rotated to place the space between the ends of the ring into alignment with a selected slot.

Abstract: A pressure-fluid supply system for use in a hydraulic loader device. Included in the device are a mast mountable on a truck, a platform rotatably mounted on the upper end of the mast, and hydraulic fluid-operated equipment carried on the platform for rotation therewith. The supply system includes a pump anchored on the platform, for supplying hydraulic fluid to the equipment carried thereon, and an engine mounted on the mast. The engine's power output is drivingly coupled to the pump about the platform's axis of rotation, wherein the platform may be rotated endlessly during pump operation.

Abstract: An industrial robot system comprises a pair of vertically spaced parallel guide rails rigidly supported from the ground, a slide member slidably mounted on the guide rails having upper and lower pivots, a robot arm structure having a housing pivoted at the upper pivot of the slide member, and an outer and inner shaft axially movable as a single piece along the longitudinal axis of said housing, the inner shaft being rotatable about the longitudinal axis. A tool holding arm is attached to the forward end of the housing for unitary axial movement with the outer shaft and for unitary rotation with the inner shaft. A fluid operated telescopic cylinder is pivotally connected between the lower pivot of the slide member and a lower end portion of the robot housing for pivoting the robot arm structure at a desired angular position.

Abstract: A fork lift attachment system is adapted to be mounted to a standard fork lift truck utilized for vertically lifting and lowering a container in a reversible manner. A modified container is utilized in conjunction with the fork lift attachment system where the container includes a pair of transversely displaced channel members securely fixed to opposing transverse side panels of the container. The attachment system includes a releasable mounting mechanism for insertion within the channel members of the modified container for mounting the container to the fork lift attachment system. A rotative displacement mechanism allows for the container to be rotated about a first axis line extending in a direction substantially normal to a vertical displacement direction subsequent to the container being mounted on the fork lift attachment system.

Abstract: A pedestal crane of compact construction having a small turning radius is provided for use on board ships and/or off-shore drilling platforms. The crane has a dynamic load compensator so that it may absorb shock loads due to waves on the surrounding body of water. The crane mast includes upright walls supporting a fuel tank and hydraulic tank with the prime mover being between said walls.

Abstract: A crane has a rotatable body with a vertically pivotal boom connected thereto. An energy absorbing stop unit is mounted in a fixed position on the body, and a guide sleeve is pivotally mounted on the body adjacent the stop unit. A stop rod is pivotally connected to the boom at a point between the ends of the boom for vertical swinging movement, and the rod is maintained in the guide sleeve in every position of the boom. The guide sleeve is pivoted by the stop rod into alignment with the stop unit at the extreme upper position of the boom, and, at that position of the boom, the stop rod extends through the guide sleeve into engagement with the stop unit.