Abstract: An accumulating conveyor assembly has an endless, continuously moving conveyor member defining a closed path having inside and outside edges. A plurality of workpiece supports are coupled to the conveyor member for movement with and relative to the latter. The supports are substantially vertical and are at the outer edge of the path so that a workpiece supported on the support is accessible at any position along the path. Arresters are movable into and out of the path of movement of the supports so as respectively to disable and enable conjoint movement of the supports and the conveyor member.

Abstract: A vacuum lift assembly for lifting sheet members to an elevated position.

Abstract: A fanner magnet assembly including a power actuated carriage and a magnet assembly mounted on the carriage for lost motion relative to the carriage and for pivotal movement relative to the carriage. The magnet assembly is moved forwardly into engagement with a side face of the associated stack of metal sheets, whereafter the forward movement of the carriage is continued as allowed by the lost motion connection between the magnet assembly and the carriage to a predetermined initial position, whereafter proximity switches function to withdraw the carriage relative to the magnet assembly to an operative position in which the desired amount of side loading is applied to the stack.

Abstract: A die cart comprising a carriage adapted to be moved along track means toward and away from a press; a turntable mounted for rotary movement on the carriage and having a first load surface at one end thereof and a second load surface of the opposite end thereof; and a transfer device mounted on the turntable for fore and aft movement over the first and second load surfaces and having coupling means for engaging a die to push or pull a die positioned on either load surface onto or off of the bed of the press. The cart includes a first hydraulic motor carried by the carriage for moving the carriage along the track means; a second hydraulic motor carried by the turntable for rotating the turntable on the carriage; and a third hydraulic motor carried by the turntable for moving the transfer device fore and aft over the first and second load surfaces.

Abstract: A friction clutch for a conveyor roller bearing apparatus wherein a plurality of small thrust springs are disposed between an adjustable nut and a thrust pad to force a drive sprocket against a back-up friction pad connected to the roller axle shaft. Means such as sleeves around the springs or pins between the nut and thrust pad are provided to minimize or eliminate sideloading on the springs. The faces of the thrust and back-up pads are centrally relieved to concentrate the thrust forces in a band which corresponds with the radial locations of the thrust springs. By this arrangement a very uniform breakaway or release torque characteristic is provided about 360.degree. of relative angular travel between the components.

Abstract: A roller conveyor construction has a plurality of longitudinally spaced rollers through each of which extends a shaft journaled at its opposite ends in journal supports which are slideably mounted between a pair of support members for linear movement in a vertical plane only. The journal support for each roller preferably is equipped with yieldable and adjustable suspension means and each roller may include an adjustable, overload clutch drive mechanism.