Abstract: A stop brake for a supply roll mandrel includes at least one brake arm pivotally connected to a support and capable of being pivoted out of braking engagement with the mandrel in response to advancement of sheet material from a supply roll against the return bias of a spring element. The brake arm cooperates with sheet material which is caused to follow a path around a dancer bar secured to the lower end of the brake arm causing the disengagement of the brake. The brake is caused to cooperate with the outer surface of a mandrel upon which a supply roll is mounted through a intermediary of a strap which holds the mandrel surface against rotation when advancement of sheet material is stopped.

Abstract: A hanger for use in a conveyorized system for transporting limp sheet material has a gripper assembly for quick loading and unloading of a unit of work material onto or off of the hanger and includes a longitudinally slidable gripping element cooperating with a fixed gripping surface urged toward the fixed surface by biasing device and is selectively actuated by fingertip pressure exerted on two laterally outwardly extending flanges respectively extending from a body portion supporting the gripping element and a top portion of the gripping element. The hanger may employ a carrier supporting a plurality of gripper assemblies oriented in a spaced relationship with one another and having means by which the orientation of each of the gripper assemblies may be changed.

Abstract: A transfer slide is used in a conveyor system to advance a trolley from one position to another position and includes a body fixed to a free end of a rail and has a cavity formed substantially throughout its length. The body has longitudinally extending surfaces spaced apart from one another by an opening communicating with the cavity which surfaces provide a rolling surface upon which a trolley travels. A slide is received within the cavity of the body and reciprocates within the body in response to the reciprocating movements of an actuator means connected with the slide. The slide has a pusher device extending upwardly from the body and above the rail and which pusher device is engageable with the trolley to push it from the initial position to a final position.

Abstract: A hanger for use in a conveyorized system for transporting limp sheet material has a gripper assembly for quick loading and unloading of a unit of work material onto or off of the hanger and includes a longitudinally slidable gripping element cooperating with a fixed gripping surface urged toward the fixed surface by biasing device and is selectively actuated by fingertip pressure exerted on two laterally outwardly extending flanges respectively extending from a body portion supporting the gripping element and a top portion of the gripping element. The hanger may employ a carrier supporting a plurality of gripper assemblies oriented in a spaced relationship with one another and having means by which the orientation of each of the gripper assemblies may be changed.

Abstract: A conveyorized transport apparatus has an overhead rail system for transporting articles on a suspended trolley from one location to another. A moveable rail section in the system has a pivotal connection with an adjacent rail section to pivot the moveable section from a conveying position and a diverted position in which articles are delivered closer to a work station disposed laterally of the rail system.

Abstract: A hanger for use in a conveyorized system for transporting limp sheet material, has a gripper, for relesably holding a unit of work material to the holder, including a sliding and rotatable circular wedge element cooperating with a fixed gripping surface, whereby both sides of the gripped work unit are engaged along straight lines to produce a strong and distributed holding effect on the work unit resisting downward displacement of the work unit from the hanger while nevertheless allowing the work unit to be pulled sideways from the holder with a relatively small force.