Abstract: A backhoe apparatus with a boom structure which is movable overcenter in a fore-and-aft direction and a boom actuator arranged in fore-and-aft alignment with and protected by lateral sides of the boom structure. A swing tower is connected about a lower pivot axis to a lower end of the boom and allows for lateral swinging movement of the boom. The swing tower allows for overcenter movement of the boom to opposite sides of an upper pivot axis on the swing tower whereat one end of the boom actuator is secured. The boom structure has a curved configuration at its lower end to accommodate nesting of the boom actuator while maintaining torsional rigidity for the boom.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a coin rejector for accepting multiple coins. Upon sequential insertion of two coins of the desired size, a customer can rotate a handle to operate a vending machine. The device employs a rotatable wheel which accepts the disks, positions them adjacently edge-to-edge such that the outer edge of the second disk disables a blocking member which otherwise prevents vending, and deposits the disks into a collection chamber.

Abstract: A method for spreading thin soft rectangular articles such as cloths, unwoven cloths, paper sheets, plastic sheets, etc. (generally called "rectangular sheets") is disclosed. A part of a first side of a rectangular sheet including one corner of a rectangular sheet is suspended in the air as held nearly horizontally by gripping the corner and another point on the side by grippers which are slidable on a horizontal rail. Accordingly, a second side of the rectangular sheet including the one corner is made to hang down nearly vertically. Then the lowermost end of the second side is gripped by another gripper that is movable vertically along a vertical rail. Except for the one corner, the initially held part of the one side is released, and the rectangular sheet is held with the two adjacent corners at the opposite ends of the second side gripped by two grippers which are movable on the rail.

Abstract: A checkout counter for supermarkets and the like incorporates therewithin dual bag feeding apparatus, each operable for automatically dispensing, delivering, opening and retaining a flexible bag in a position and location suitable for the convenient introduction of purchased articles into the bags. The checkout counter includes two continuous web reels of successively attached flexible bags, two hoppers below each of which an open bag is retained and through each of which purchased articles are selectively insertable into the underlying bag as the articles are checked by the cashier-operator, and two collecting stations into which filled bags are ejected from the checkout counter interior and from which the customer may retrieve the filled bags.

Abstract: An improved coin handling machine of the type having a rotating coin bowl and coin stripper is presented which allows a coin to be stabilized prior to exiting the machine, reducing jamming of the machine and subsequent maintenance. Improvements include the provision of a set of coin pushers on the underside of the drum wheel disk, a coin guide for helping the coins remain in their respective coin receiving spaces and one or more pressure pads placed strategically above the coin stripper for discharging the coins out of the machine, the pressure pad(s) preventing the coins from gravitationally dropping over the coin stripper as the coins move toward the coin exit chute.

Abstract: A holder for coin validation devices is comprised of a one piece injection molded body (1) of plastic material having therein a first inclined passage (29) for receiving coins or tokens above the validation device, a second passage (30) of rectangular cross section below the validation device for receiving accepted coins therefrom, a third passage of rectangular cross section (31) for receiving rejected coins or tokens and directing the rejected coins or tokens toward a return (32), side walls on the body (1) forming a prismatic rectangular recess (40) communicating with the three passages and having a width and depth and height sufficient to receive and house a validation device for coins and tokens, and a set of supplementary elements (51) of T-shaped cross section for selective insertion at one side of the second passage (30), the elements (51) having different sized ribs (54) for adjusting the coin gap in the second passage (30) for adapting the device to handle different size coins.

Abstract: An attachment for loading and unloading a constructional material capable of substantially improving working efficiency and accomplishing labor saving. A pair of holding arm are pivotally mounted in a manner to be laterally spaced from each other on an arm mounting bracket arranged on a lower surface of a bracket mounted on an arm of a hydraulic shovel, between which a hydraulic cylinder is arranged, resulting in a constructional material being supported between or on the holding arms. Thus, force required for supporting the constructional material can be finely controlled as desired to prevent the material from being broken or damaged due to the application of excessive force thereto.

Abstract: A sorter for mixed denominations of coins has an inclined feeding disc which carry coins on flights from a hopper to the entrance of an inclined track having a referenced edge comprises a rail with a lip on the rear of the rail. The surface of the inclined track is defined by a series of adjustable gates which define openings with the rail that are sized to the respective diameters of the coins to be sorted. Coins entering the track are engaged by an endless of belt or series of belts having projections, such as inclined fingers, that are spaced from the surface of the track a distance less then the thinnest coin. When the coins distort the projections upon entering the track, they are forced against the rail and are thereafter carried by the belt along the track until they reach their respective opening. At the opening, the release of the distorted projections imparts a force which lifts the coins over the lip and through the opening.

Abstract: An industrial robot apparatus of the present invention comprises a rail, a plurality of robots which use the rail in common, which are disposed so as to be movable along the rail and which are respectively stopped on the rail so as to perform a robot work, a work command unit for instructing at least one of the plurality of robots to perform a predetermined robot work, and a controlling unit for maintaining the other robots in a predetermined state when the robot, which is instructed from the work command unit, works.

Abstract: A chock for use in securing four wheel vehicles to a deck mounted rail of a transport carrier is formed of a polymer body which has a pocket formed and adapted to mount the body laterally over a deck mounted rail having a series of transverse openings. A pin is mounted in the body for movement into a rail opening to secure the chock to the rail. The pin is mounted in a bushing which is encased in the polymer chock body and there is a vertical load member extending upwardly from the bushing, with the vertical load member being encased in the polymer chock body to distribute vertical loads through the body. The pocket has spaced walls which extend generally parallel to and closely adjacent the rail.

Abstract: A cam action twist lock container support assembly is provided to support freight containers upon a standard flatbed truck trailer. The support includes a cam activated twist lock assembly, which lowers the base of a locking cone of the support assembly continuously down until the locking cone has rotated 90 degrees into a locking position within each of the container supports of the freight container. A corresponding cam surface for a rotating handle, which transmits a mechanical power to the rotating locking cone, thereby ensures the locking cone within the corresponding container support. For easy carrying, the cam activated twist lock assembly may be attached to hinged, fold away support portions which rotate downward towards a standard trailer side rail to a rest position, such that the cam action twist lock assembly rotates away from a vertical position of use and stores within the outer dimensional limits of the trailer.

Abstract: An automatic loading and unloading system is provided for loading articles supplied from a first location at a rate commensurate with the rate at which articles are supplied from the first location into trays and for unloading the articles from the trays for transport to a second location at a rate commensurate with the demand for articles at the second location, and for balancing a supply of articles loaded onto trays with variations in both the rate of supply thereof and the rate of demand therefor. The system includes a tray loading station, and a tray loading apparatus for loading articles supplied from the first location into trays at tray loading station. An infeed device feeds articles to the loading apparatus in a predetermined, orderly fashion. At a stacking station, a stacking device stacks article-filled trays to form a supply thereof for use on demand. An outfeed device delivers articles on demand to the second location in a predetermined, orderly fashion.

Abstract: A circuit assembly device (200) comprises a cylinder (202) containing a piston (204) coupled to an end-effector for facilitating an assembly of a circuit carrying substrate. The piston (204) defines a first chamber (212) and a second chamber (214) in the cylinder (202) for maintaining substantially the same pressure such that a difference in areas of the first and second chambers (212, 214) establishes a compliant force on the end-effector.

Abstract: A load tie-down and arrangement for securing loads onto vehicles, particularly non-uniform and abrasive loads such as logs onto log-hauling trailers, and for enhancing the safety with which such loads can be transported. The tie-down includes a high abrasion resistant webbing capable of being attached at one end to the vehicle and at the other to a winching mechanism. The winching mechanism easily accommodates excess webbing for small load situations and is capable of being easily and quickly tightened or retightened during transport to offset any slack in the webbing which may have been created due to load shifting or settling. A modified tie-down can be used to encircle the load without attachment to the vehicle for increased security.

Abstract: A retention device for retaining cylindrical containers in upright condition for transport, such as in a truck trailer. The retention device includes a plurality of vertically oriented container retention posts supported by upper and lower support rails. The retention posts are laterally spaced relative to each other such that a plurality of containers may be positioned in predetermined side-by-side relation with each container being disposed against a respective pair of retention posts and with additional containers being stacked outwardly thereof. Adjustably engageable straps are provided for releasable engagement with selected of the retention posts for encompassing the positioned containers within the rack and for retaining the containers firmly against the support posts and against each other.

Abstract: An improvement of a coin dispensing apparatus, in particular of an agitator mounted on a central circular stage of a coin transferring rotary disc rotatably disposed in a hopper containing a plurality of coins to be dispensed. The agitator is composed of an agitating member having a plurality of agitating arms extending outwards from the central portion thereof and a resiliently deformable sheet having a thickness thinner than that of the coin, which are secured at their central portions to the central circular stage of the rotary disc such that the agitating elements rotate together with the rotary disc.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer arm for supporting and moving a workpiece from one position to another has a telescopic arm one end of which is secured to a mounting bracket and the opposite end of which carries a workpiece support for engagement by the workpiece. The telescopic arm has a rod accommodated in a sleeve. The rod has a plurality of annular grooves occupied by a thermoplastic adhesive which, when at ambient temperature, is solid and fixes the rod in the sleeve. At elevated temperatures, however, the adhesive liquefies and enables relative movement between the sleeve and the rod to enable the position of the workpiece support to be adjusted.

Abstract: A system for positioning an electronic test head of a test system with respect to an electronic device handler. A positioner assembly moves vertically and provides substantial movement in the horizontal plane with six degrees of freedom. The positioner assembly includes a section for attaching the test head. A counterbalancing assembly is coupled to the positioner assembly to provide a substantially weightless condition to the positioner assembly with the test head attached.

Abstract: Earthmoving vehicles are often provided with quick coupling devices that allow them to change work implements in a relatively rapid fashion when compared to changing conventionally mounted implements. In most cases, the performance of the work implement is sacrificed to accommodate the ability to change implements quickly. In other cases the level performance is satisfactorily maintained, but the actuation of the coupling mechanism must be done manually or has no ability to accommodate loosening between the coupler and the work implement that can result from normal operation. The coupling device of the present invention allows an operator to change implements from his position within his operating station, yet maintain a structure that will not sacrifice the performance of his work implements through alteration of the linkage arrangement or through the additional weight.

Abstract: Work vehicles are used to perform a variety of functions. Advantageously, such work vehicles include systems for cushioning the ride while the vehicle is travelling. The subject automatic ride control senses the speed of the vehicle and responsively activates and deactivates the ride control by respectively connecting and disconnecting an accumulator to the lift cylinder hydraulic circuit.