Abstract: A hopper loader having at least a horizontal infeed conveyor and one or a plurality of side guides each adjustable by a single operating handle to facilitate accurate horizontal product alignment over the entire length of the hopper loader. The single operating handle drives one or a plurality of linkage assemblies which operate in unison to move a guide plate slidably engaged by side edges of printed products as they move along the horizontal conveyor sections. In applications where the hopper loader incorporates conveyor sections having different angular orientations, rods and rod sections for each such conveyor section are coupled to one another by a universal joint to convey movement to each linkage under control of the single operating handle.

Abstract: For use with a hopper loader a quick-release feed rack having two swingable sections coupled through a center pivot enables removal of one section for quick and simple attachment to a loader.

Abstract: A hopper loader interfaced with a variety of hoppers/feeders having a horizontal infeed conveyor with a hand-feed belt section near the input end movable between an operative position for hand-feed operation and a lowered position to facilitate automatic feeding. A positioning actuator is coupled between the hopper loader and the hopper to provide for automatic fine-tuning adjustment of the jogger position as well as for machine make-ready to accommodate changing product size. A single controller is provided for simultaneously positioning a plurality of loaders. The controller has adjustable stops for accommodating frequently used product formats. Automatic air delay shut-off saves energy by shutting off the air blast system a predetermiend delay after the loader is halted. further automatic means saves energy and prevents "over jogging" and damage to the product by turning off the jogger a predetermined delay interval after the loader stops.

Abstract: A torque converter is disclosed which comprises a gimbal assembly having a gyroscope mounted for rotation within one of the rings thereof. The spin axle of the gyroscope and the entire gimbal assembly are adapted to rotate about the precessional axis of the gyroscope. The gimbal ring is further adapted to oscillate about a torque axis that is perpendicular to the precessional axis to set up gyroscopic forces in the converter. The spin axis of the gyroscope is independently connected to the output gear of a differential drive unit and the input gear of the unit is connected to the drive shaft of the engine. A planetary gear section is interposed between the input and output gears of the drive unit that is adapted to turn the loaded output shaft of the converter. Oscillating means rock the gimbal ring about the torque axis at some fixed multiple of the engine speed while the entire gimbal assembly is turned about the precessional axis at some fixed multiple of the load speed.