Abstract: A large rectangular rotary table includes a fabricated tubular metal frame having top plates for supporting fixtures and large motor vehicle parts. A center portion of the table frame is supported by an annular turret bearing mounted on a base plate spaced above a floor plate by adjustable leveling screws. A drive unit is also supported by the base plate within the bearing and the center portion of the table frame and includes a planocentric gear reducer driven by an electric servo motor projecting above the table. A laterally projecting torque arm is mounted on the output of the gear reducer and is connected to the table frame by a sliding drive pin assembly which prevents radial loads on the gear reducer when the table is indexed. A fluid actuated table locating pin alternately engages a locating seat on each end of the table after the table is indexed.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for rapidly conveying workpieces successively through multiple stations by providing an integrated dual shuttle transfer mechanism conveyor operable in an intermittent repetitive lift and carry workpiece travel cycle mode. The dual shuttles cooperate to alternately advance an in-line array of workpieces at twice the rate of a conventional single shuttle by successively alternately handing off the workpiece array from the workpiece loaded shuttle to the companion empty shuttle for the next array advance thereon while the other shuttle as so unloaded retracts to reload a workpiece on its upstream end. Workpiece carrier rails of each shuttle reciprocable vertically adjacent and past one another between upper and lower elevational limits and horizontally between advance and retract stroke end limits. A shuttle drive causes the dual sets of carrier rails to move through identical closed loop lift and carry travel paths disposed in laterally adjacent vertical planes and in a 180.

Abstract: A counterbalance actuator is disclosed for reducing the energy required in weight lifting operations. The counterbalance actuator includes a piston and a flexible bellows attached to the piston. A bellows extension is attached to the top of the bellows with a gas impervious seal. The bellows extension permits the counterbalance actuator to achieve an extended stroke while allowing the counterbalance actuator to be collapsed to a reduced size.

Abstract: A conveying and storage system for wheeled pallets has tracks each formed by a pair of generally parallel rails. The pallet has grooved wheels at one side for riding on the upper edge of one rail and a roller on the other side for riding on the upper edge of the other rail. At the intersection of the tracks, the two wheel engaging rails are interconnected by a frog on which the peripheries of the grooved wheels roll. Where a wheel engaging rail crosses a roller engaging rail, the roller engaging rail is interrupted and elevated pads are provided that are coplanar with the upper edges of the rails. The pads are arranged to support the rollers as they negotiate the gap in the roller engaging rail.

Abstract: A gravity conveyor has a work supporting trolley provided with multiple wheels of different diameters fixed to a shaft that operates a retarder for applying a retarding torque to the wheels proportional to their angular velocity. The conveyor track consists of multiple, laterally spaced, resiliently flexible rails on which selective wheels of the trolley are adapted to roll. The axial spacing of the tracks and wheels simplifies the location of the two centers of gravity of the loaded and unloaded trolley.