Abstract: A step platform for an escalator is provided, comprising a higher step and a lower step. The higher step includes a top surface and a support arm. The lower step has a main body, a raisable middle section, and apparatus for selectively raising the middle section. When the apparatus for selectively raising the middle section engages the support arms, the top surface of the middle section is maintained in the same plane as the top surface of the higher step.

Abstract: A step platform for an escalator having a step chain with a plurality of axles is provided comprising a lower step attached to an axle of the step chain, a higher step, attached to an axle of the step chain, having a middle section, and apparatus for actuating the middle section. The actuating apparatus is operated by the rotation of the step chain axles in the transition zones between the landings and the inclined midsection of the escalator.

Abstract: Apparatus for the remote grasping and safe transporting of an article and r remote coupling of an electrical plug connection comprises a first adapter device which is suitable for connection to a crane block and includes at least one load latch, adapted to be locked by a locking device, as well as a centrally arranged first plug member. It further comprises a second adapter device which is suitable for connection to an article to be transported and includes a pin member, adapted to be engaged with the load latch, as well as a second plug member disposed centrally within the pin member.

Abstract: An assembly for remotely handling an electrical plug connector, including a ottom block, including a crane hook attachable to a crane, a first plug member fixed to the bottom block and electrically connectable to a power supply, a second plug member electrically connected to a load, a retaining device retaining the second plug member such that electrical coupling and decoupling between the first and the second plug member can be effected by mere movement of the bottom block in the horizontal and the vertical plane. When the first and second plug members are vertically aligned, coupling and decoupling can be effected by mere lowering and raising of the bottom block. The retaining device has parallel prongs with recessed surface areas to hold the second plug member, alternatively, in a locking position and a withdrawing position. The second plug member has a spherical thickened contour portion acting as a pivot enabling it to swing into alignment with the first plug member.

Abstract: The crane operated lifting apparatus for safely gripping and holding obje (11) includes a plurality of movable pawls (3) which enter into a groove, aperture, or bore (14) of an object (11) which is to be transported. To move the pawls (3), a driving member (4) is provided which is displaceable in a basic body (1). The lifting apparatus also includes comprises two holding members (2,5) the first of which is firmly attached to the basic body (1) while the second one is connected to the driving member (4) for a tilting or pivoting motion. Thus, the hook of a crane may selectively grasp either one of the two holding members (2,5) or both of them (2,5) together, and it may also selectively swing the second holding member, (5). In this manner it is possible to have all the functions, such as locking, unlocking, and conveying, accomplished by the hook of a crane alone.

Abstract: The remote control and remote handling accessory is of such design that an xchange part (7) contains all elements subject to wear of the accessory, while the anti-wear elements, in particular the accessory case (2) remain firmly connected to the pipeline (1). The exchange part (7) and the accessory case (2) are mutually fixed by a clamping bracket (9). The exchange part (7) comprises a central bolt (16) which is displaceable with respect to the other components of the exchange part (7) and is supported in both axial directions by the clamping bracket (9) which is adapted to be swung open. In this manner the exchange part can be pressed into and pulled out of the anti-wear part (accessory case 2). The other components of the exchange part (7) are connected to a cover (15) with respect to which the central bolt (16) is rotatable, the cover (15) being secured to a slide shoe (8) of a stationary guide rail (4).

Abstract: The invention is directed to remotely-controlled manipulator carrier systems for use in maintaining and servicing process equipment housed in large-area cells affected by radioactivity wherein industrial processes are conducted. The cells are part of a nuclear facility for reprocessing irradiated nuclear fuel materials. The process equipment is arranged along mutually adjacent walls of the cell and so defines a canyon-like passageway extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cell. The system includes a first overhead bridge crane having a trolley movable thereon in a direction transverse to said longitudinal axis. The trolley includes a hoist for lowering and raising a hook for engaging and moving a component of the process equipment in a first vertical plane transverse to said axis. A second overhead bridge crane is disposed beneath the first bridge crane.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a remotely-controlled remote handling arrangnt for use in large-area radioactively-charged cells of a facility for reprocessing irradiated nuclear fuel materials. The remote handling means includes a travelling bridge crane and a manipulator carrying apparatus arranged in a plane below the bridge beam of the crane. To improve the self servicing and internal maintenance thereof, the arrangement is made up of various assemblies. The movable assemblies can be separated from their travelling chassis frames. The drive units for driving the chassis frames stay with assemblies when the latter are removed. Accordingly, chassis frames are left on the bridge beam or guide member without their drive units.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for interconnecting a first pality of conduits with a second plurality of conduits such as conduits of the kind utilized in nuclear facilities. Maintenance work in large-area hot cells subjected to radioactivity is conducted with remotely-controlled apparatus that is movable within the hot cell. The conduits must be disconnected and connected again with remotely-controlled apparatus. The connection should be completed quickly and effectively. For this purpose, conduit end portions of the conduits which are to be connected are arranged on a fixed supporting bracket. The two sets of conduit end portions which are to be interconnected curve continuously away from the bracket to define an angle of ninety degrees so that the open terminations of the one set of conduits are spaced from the open terminations of the other set of conduits and the axes of the conduit end portions are mutually parallel.

Abstract: Remotely-controlled manipulator carrier systems are used in large-area hot ells such as a facility for reprocessing irradiated nuclear fuel materials. The system is used to perform manual-like operations on the process equipment in the hot cell which is disposed in racks along two longitudinally extending walls of the hot cell enclosure, the racks being filled with process equipment and defining a passageway in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the enclosure. The system includes a vertical guide column which is connected to the bridge beam of an overhead bridge crane. A support is mounted on the guide column for movement up and down the column. An extendible arm is cantilever-mounted on the support and has a manipulator or other remotely-controlled apparatus at its outer end. The extendible arm is to be subjected to a minimal bending moment when work is done in the racks containing the process equipment.

Abstract: A large-area cell for reprocessing irradiated nuclear reactor fuel elements ontains racks in which process components and connecting conduits for the latter are arranged. The arrangement of the invention connects the conduits of a rack with a plurality of supply conduits outside of the cell which have end portions that penetrate the interior wall of the cell. When the racks are assembled and disassembled, the conduits leading to the process components contained in the rack have to be disconnected from the supply conduits. The conduits should be connected and disconnected rapidly and surely by means of remotely-controlled manipulating apparatus. For this purpose, the arrangement of the invention for interconnecting conduits includes two terminal blocks each having a plurality of passages formed therein. The two terminal blocks are connected to each other by conduit segments which communicate with corresponding ones of the passages in the blocks.