Abstract: Pneumatic pop-up unit for material handling equipment. In one embodiment, the unit comprises a stamped metal housing having a circumferential flange extending radially outwardly from the top. The unit also comprises a stamped metal cap comprising an outer side wall bent down across the outside edge of the flange and then radially inwardly against the bottom surface of the flange. The unit further comprises a two-piece stamped metal piston slidably mounted within the housing. The unit further comprises a stamped metal race disposed within the piston. A monolayer of ball bearings are arranged within the race. A primary ball is seated directly on top of the bearings. The top of the primary ball extends partially through the open top of the top piston piece. The unit further comprises a rubber seal fitted around the piston and a coiled spring for biasing the piston downwardly within the housing.

Abstract: A ball-type anti-friction device which has a housing, a ball cage mounted within the housing for movement relative to the housing between a lower inactive position and an upper active position. The ball cage contains a relatively large ball mounted on relatively small bearing balls so that when the ball cage is in the lower or inactive position, the large ball is below the top surface of the housing and when the ball cage is in the upper or active position, the ball extends above the top surface of the housing. In a first embodiment, the housing contains a double acting fluid drive system. The fluid drive system includes two fluid chambers and a piston connected to the ball cage. The piston is selectively actuated by selective pressurization of the two fluid chambers. In a second embodiment, the ball cage is actuated by a single acting fluid drive system. A piston is connected to the ball cage and is biased downwardly to normally maintain the ball cage and large ball in the lower or inactive position.

Abstract: Featured is a unidirectional rotating support assembly that is located in one or more apertures provided in a surface of a work station, a scissors lift, a cart conveyor or any other work station, bench, table, platform or device known in the art involving the transportation of articles. Typically the work surface includes a plurality or more of such apertures. The unidirectional rotating support assembly of the present invention generally includes a unidirectional rotating member, a support member and a rotating member support mechanism that rotatably supports the unidirectional rotating member with respect to the support member. The support member is configured or arranged so a portion thereof is received in the aperture in such a fashion that the support member has limited, if any, ability to move with respect to the work station surface (e.g., axis of rotation for the rotating member has limited motion transverse to and/or along the axis or rotation).

Abstract: A pneumatic pop-up unit having an open-topped housing and a piston slidably received therein, the piston accommodating a contact element at least partially extending above the open top of the piston and a seal attached to the outside surface of the wall of the piston about the circumference thereof, configured and arranged to form a substantially air-tight seal with the inside surface of the side wall of the housing, wherein the bottom wall of the piston, and the seal form a sealed volume with the bottom wall and side wall of the housing, a cap attached to the open top of the housing, the cap having a flange and a central opening having a descending guide channel sized to slidably receive the outside surface of the side wall of the piston, wherein the cap is secured about its circumference to the side wall of the housing at the open end thereof by a single-seam crimped, rolled, coined, spun or swaged joint.

Abstract: A ball-type anti-friction device which has a housing, a ball cage mounted within the housing for movement relative to the housing between a lower inactive position and an upper active position. The ball cage contains a relatively large ball mounted on relatively small bearing balls so that when the ball cage is in the lower or inactive position, the large ball is below the top surface of the housing and when the ball cage is in the upper or active position, the ball extends above the top surface of the housing. In a first embodiment, the housing contains a double acting fluid drive system. The fluid drive system includes two fluid chambers and a piston connected to the ball cage. The piston is selectively actuated by selective pressurization of the two fluid chambers. In a second embodiment, the ball cage is actuated by a single acting fluid drive system. A piston is connected to the ball cage and is biased downwardly to normally maintain the ball cage and large ball in the lower or inactive position.

Abstract: A conveyor having a plurality of spaced rollers mounted between a pair of elongated horizontal frame members for supporting an article and enabling the article to be conveyed longitudinally of the frame members. The conveyor has a workstation formed by a plurality of interrupter strips extending in the spaces between rollers. Each interrupter strip has a plurality of lifting pads which are selectively movable between a lower position in which the upper surface of the pads are below the tops of the rollers and an upper position in which the upper surface of the pads are above the tops of the rollers for supporting the article and frictionally engaging the article to maintain the article in a stable position above the strips. The interrupter strips also have a plurality of balls mounted for omnidirectional rotation on the interrupter strip.