Abstract: Components for multi-position ladders are provided. A ladder includes an outer ladder section with a first outer rail and a second outer rail, and an inner ladder section with a first inner rail and a second inner rail, the first inner rail extending within the first outer rail and the second inner rail extending within the second outer rail such that the outer ladder section and the inner ladder section are slidable relative to one another to change a position between the inner section and the outer section between a maximum contracted position and a maximum extended position. The ladder further includes a stop positioned on the first outer rail or the first inner rail, the stop positioned to stop relative movement of the inner ladder section and outer ladder section beyond the maximum contracted position. Braces for outer rails of a ladder are further provided.

Abstract: A transfer system for moving work pieces held in workpiece grippers along a first, horizontal axis between a plurality of spaced apart workstations, the transfer system including a press having a ram moveable along a second, vertical axis and a bolster aligned with and positioned below the ram. The workpiece grippers are mechanically connected to a transfer rail which extends along the first, longitudinal axis, the transfer rail being supported for movement along the second, vertical axis between a raised and lowered position and along a third, horizontal axis, normal to the first, longitudinal axis, between a forward position and a retracted position. The improvement of the present invention comprises biasing means for urging the transfer rail toward its raised and forward position and movement means connected to the ram for exerting a force on the transfer rail to overcome the biasing means and urge the transfer rail toward its lowered and retracted position.

Abstract: A system for transferring workpieces through a series of linearly aligned, equally spaced work stations where a predetermined sequence of operations are performed thereon. The workpieces are transferred along an X axis by a plurality of workpiece gripping finger operators mounted on a transfer rail at equally spaced locations thereon corresponding to the spacing of the work stations. The transfer rail is reciprocated along the X axis for a distance equal to the spacing between adjacent work stations. Independently supported actuator units are provided which have a lateral arm to support the transfer rail and to impart up and down and back and forth movement to it. The means for moving the workpiece in all three axes are individually controllable and may be coordinated with operation of, for example, a transfer press.

Abstract: A system for transferring workpieces through a series of linearly aligned, equally spaced work stations where a predetermined sequence of operations are performed thereon. The workpieces are transferred along an X axis by a plurality of workpiece gripping finger operators mounted on a transfer rail at equally spaced locations thereon corresponding to the spacing of the work stations. The transfer rail is reciprocated along the X axis for a distance equal to the spacing between adjacent work stations. Independently supported actuator units are provided which have a lateral arm to support the transfer rail and to impart up and down and back and forth movement to it. The means for moving the workpiece in all three axes are individually controllable and may be coordinated with operation of, for example, a transfer press.

Abstract: A dual axis actuator consisting of two fluid cylinders having the fluid inputs to the cylinders connected in parallel to a source of pressurized fluid, resulting in an automatic sequencing of cylinder rod drives. The cylinder rod encountering the least resistance to motion extends first until it reaches a stop, followed by the extension of the second cylinder rod. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the source of fluid input to the two fluid cylinders is derived from the fluid port of a third fluid cylinder having its cylinder rod driven by an external power source. By utilizing two port fluid cylinders, the dual axis actuator can be adapted to provide a sequence of drives for powering workpiece transferring units in a multiple workstation transfer press. Such a system provides an automatic sequencing of translations for engaging and lifting workpieces for movement to a subsequent work station, followed by lowering and retracting from workpieces to allow the next stroke of the press.

Abstract: A system for transferring workpieces through a series of linearly aligned, equally spaced work stations where a predetermined sequence of operations are performed thereon. The workpieces are transferred along an X axis by a plurality of workpiece gripping finger operators mounted on a transfer rail at equally spaced locations thereon corresponding to the spacing of the work stations. The transfer rail is reciprocated along the X axis for a distance equal to the spacing between adjacent work stations. Independently supported actuator units are provided which have a lateral arm to support the transfer rail and to impart up and down and back and forth movement to it. The mechanism for moving the workpiece in all three axes are individually controllable and may be coordinated with operation of, for example, a transfer press.