Abstract: A coil unloading and transporting apparatus is disclosed and is suited for unloading coiled aluminum and other metals from a storage shaft and moving the coils from the storage shaft to a pallet for further transport. The unloading and transporting apparatus comprises a carriage movable from a position adjacent the storage shaft to a position remote from the storage shaft. A platform for supporting the coil is mounted on the carriage and a receiving shaft extends outwardly from the platform. The storage shaft can be withdrawn below the plane of the platform. The platform and the receiving shaft is pivotal from a position wherein the receiving shaft is horizontal and the coil is supported on the receiving shaft to a position wherein the receiving shaft is vertical and the coil is supported on the platform. Once the coil is supported on the platform, the receiving shaft may be withdrawn below the platform, and the coil transported by the carriage to a remote location.

Abstract: A clamping nosepiece for a hardness tester is disclosed. The clamping nosepiece is removable from the tester and includes means to adjust the position of the penetrator with respect to the clamp. Additionally, the amount of clamping force with which the clamp holds the workpiece is also adjustable. Belleville washers having a stiff gradient are employed to exert the clamping force, and linear ball bearings are employed to minimize frictional hysteresis which can occur in prior clamping nosepieces.