Abstract: A coil packing line in which coils are packed by a plurality of operation processes is provided. The coil packing line is provided with a plurality of work stations, stationary skid mechanisms, carriage mechanisms and a plurality of reciprocating mechanisms. Each operation process has a corresponding work station. The stationary skid mechanisms are provided at each work station for supporting a coil at the work station. The carriage mechanisms are provided between each work station for removing a coil from an upstream stationary skid mechanism, supporting the coil and depositing the coil at a downstream stationary skid mechanism. The plurality of reciprocating mechanisms independently move at least one carriage mechanism back and forth between the upstream and downstream stationary skid mechanisms.

Abstract: A shuttle-type conveyor having a plurality of carriages connected to one another, arranged at a predetermined uniform pitch, and reciprocable along a path through the pitch distance, and a stationary rest extending along the conveyor path, each carriage has an independently operable lifting device. In the operation of the conveyor, if articles are deposited irregularly at an intake station on the rest, the independently operable lifting devices can be operated in such a way as to eliminate vacant spaces in the series of articles being advanced along the rest. This is accomplished by operating the lifting devices of the carriage or carriages behind the vacant space while temporarily disabling the lifting devices of the carriage corresponding to the vacant space and the carriage or carriages located ahead of the vacant space.

Abstract: In a storage facility for heavy coils or the like, coils are transported to and from stationary rests by a first carriage which include a hydraulic lift. The first carriage is carried by a second carriage which moves perpendicularly to the path of the first carriage and which has its own heavy article-supporting rest. Transfer of heavy articles from rest to rest takes place by operation of the hydraulic lift in conjunction with lateral movement of the first carriage. The second carriage is self-propelled, and also carries a hydraulic pump unit for powering the lift through a flexible coupling which allows limited movement of the first carriage away from the second carriage. A third carriage, which is self-propelled and movable perpendicularly to the path of the second carriage, receives the second carriage to carry the second carriage, with a first carriage on it, to and away from the storage facility. The second and third carriages are movable independently of each other.