Abstract: An apparatus for the excavation of a deep basement includes at least two main auger assemblies that are disposed vertically with one assembly atop the other. Auger blades in each assembly are operatively connected together. A feed hopper attached to a bottom of the lower main auger assembly conveys excavation material through a feed hopper opening to the auger blade for lifting. A steel ball is attached to a bottom of the auger blades. The ball rests in a spherical recess and acts as a thrust bearing. A discharge opening is provided proximate a top of the uppermost main auger assembly. A pivoting discharge chute is located at the discharge opening. During use, excavation material is loaded into the feed hopper, conveyed to the auger blades, lifted by the auger blades, discharged through the discharge opening, down the discharge chute and into a dump truck bed for removal.

Abstract: Sheets (3) have a narrow margin (3a) which are the first part of the sheet to enter nip rollers (5 and 7). This concentrates the pressure of the nip rollers on the narrow margin to assure a firm grip without slippage. Once the sheet is moving, continuing movement without slippage is assured from the momentum. This is particularly useful when the nip rollers are fixing rollers which are oiled to minimize toner transfer and when the sheet is a smooth transparency.