Abstract: A process for producing petroleum from subterranean formations is disclosed wherein production from the formation is obtained by driving a fluid from an injection well to a production well. The process involves injecting via the injection well into the formation an aqueous solution of lignosulfonate salt modified by alkoxylation as a sacrificial agent to inhibit the deposition of surfactant and/or polymer on the reservoir matrix. The process may best be carried out by injecting the lignosulfonates modified by alkoxylation into the formation through the injection well mixed with either a polymer, a surfactant solution and/or a micellar dispersion. This mixture would then be followed by a drive fluid such as water to push the chemicals to the production well.

Abstract: A column of elastic material such as steel is lowered into an oil well by means of a derrick to a position such that the end portion thereof is within a liner to be removed. The end portion of the column has clamping means thereon which are employed to tightly clamp the column to the liner. High level and variable resonant sonic energy is then applied to the column from the surface and transmitted along the column to the liner. The sonic energy operates to loosen the liner from the surrounding earthen material which usually has an adhesive tarry substance which tightly holds the liner. Vertical bias force, which may be varied from time to time to apply variable bias both upwardly and downwardly, as well as torsional bias in some instances are employed to aid in loosening the liner, the sonic energy operating to hysteresis heat the tarry adhesive until it softens and the liner can be removed by drawing the column upwardly with the derrick.

Abstract: A harvesting machine for root row crops, such as onions, radishes, parsley, turnips, turnip greens, carrots, and the like wherein the individual plants have root bodies within the soil and tops above the ground. The harvesting machine has at least one harvesting wheel mounted on a vehicle for movement along a plant row and provided about its perimeter with a pair of annular, axially confronting plant top gripping means which open and close locally as the wheel turns, in a manner such that the gripping means open within a plant receiving zone within the bottom of the wheel to receive between the gripping means the tops of the plants in the plant row being harvested, and the gripping means then close to grip the intervening plant tops, extract the plants from the ground, and transport the extracted plants upwardly through a transfer zone to an upper plant releasing zone, where the gripping means reopen to release the plants from the wheel.

Abstract: A powered machine for moving along the ground surface and producing a succession of holes therein to aerate the soil. The present aerator includes a pair of ground-penetrating members that are moved alternately to engage, penetrate, and disengage the ground's surface. They are moved both vertically and horizontally to "walk" the aerator in a forward path. Each ground-penetrating member is moved through an elliptical circuit in a vertical plane parallel with the forward path. The penetrating members are retained in substantially upright orientation throughout the complete circuit. They are tipped slightly as they engage and leave engagement with the ground to form a uniform upwardly open hole as the aerator is propelled forwardly.

Abstract: A moldboard plow bottom unit having a frame mount on a beam. A standard attached to a moldboard plow bottom is pivotally connected to the frame to provide movement of the moldboard plow bottom from a normal earthworking position to an elevated trip position. A trip and reset mechanism having a toggle link assembly connected to the standard operates to allow the standard and plow bottom to move up to a trip position and to bias the standard and plow bottom to the earthworking position. The trip and reset mechanism includes a control member pivotally mounted on the frame and connected to the toggle link assembly. The control member has first and second members which selectively engage opposite sides of one link of the toggle link assembly to control the movement of the toggle link assembly between its extended over-center position to its folded position.

Abstract: A locking structure for a disk tiller or the like which simply and quickly secures the rear furrow wheel in either an operational or transport position. An elongated link is pivotally connected to the disk tiller frame. The link is received in a guide structure carried by the disk tiller frame and is reciprocably shifted to vary the angular position of the rear furrow wheel support arm relative to the disk tiller frame. A pair of horizontally spaced latching pins are carried adjacent the guide, are biased towards the link and are selectively and alternatively engageable with abutment surfaces on the link to secure it in either of two spaced reciprocable positions.

Abstract: Two tool-carrying beams extending laterally in opposite directions from the tongue of the frame may be swung fore-and-aft between lateral working positions and folded back transport positions. A collapsible link between the tongue and each beam, respectively, may be held partially collapsed against the tongue to maintain its beam in the operating position, or the link may be released for partial extension to permit the beam to swing back into its transport position. Although the innermost tools of the two beams are disposed in close proximity of one another when the beams are in their widespread working positions, the vertical pivots for the beams are so disposed that the beams can swing through arcs exceeding ninety degrees without causing said innermost tools to strike one another.

Abstract: Land leveling apparatus includes a leveling attachment drawn by a tractor with the attachment having pivotally connected side blade sections on a central blade section affording a substantially greater leveling capacity. The side blade sections fold up to reduce width during transport and have a power-driven linkage arrangement for each blade section that moves and positions the blade sections and locks them in the lowered working position, together with upper and lower level adjustments for the side blade sections. A hitch assembly facilitates quick coupling to a crossbar carried by the lower links of the tractor linkage and is pivotally joined to the central blade section so as to facilitate rear tractor wheel movement independently of the scraper blades.

Abstract: Land leveling apparatus includes a leveling attachment drawn by a tractor with the attachment having pivotally connected side blade sections on a central blade section affording a substantially greater leveling capacity. The side blade sections fold up to reduce width during transport and have a power-driven linkage arrangement for each blade section that moves and positions the blade sections and locks them in the lowered working position, together with upper and lower level adjustments for the side blade sections. A hitch assembly facilitates quick coupling to a crossbar carried by the lower links of the tractor linkage and is pivotally joined to the central blade section so as to facilitate rear tractor wheel movement independently of the scraper blades.

Abstract: In a hammer drill in which both rotationally and axially directed driving force components can be transmitted to a tool held in a tool holder, a coupling member is displaceable between three axially spaced positions. In the first position the coupling member transmits rotational driving force to the tool holder, in the second position the tool holder is freely rotatable and in the third position the coupling member locks the tool holder against rotation so that only axially directed driving force can be transmitted to the tool.

Abstract: A vacuum motor comprising a housing with a eccentrically mounted rotor composed of a rotor-body having a plurality of radially extending equi-spaced slits extending axially and a plurality of slidable vane members, one of which is in each of said rotor slits; there are a plurality of passageways in a sleeve coaxially lining the stator and a pair of spaced holes are provided in a control member slidable captivated on the stator to selectively control suction forces applied to the vanes from a source so as to provide a differential pressure on one of the vanes on one face while the other face of the vane is exposed to atmospheric pressure, whereby, upon selective operation of a trigger mechanism to control suction application, the rotor will turn to deliver power to drive a gear train or other suitable mechanical mechanism for producing useful work, as is set forth more fully hereinafter.

Abstract: A balance having an electromagnetically compensated loading system and an electromagnetically compensated reference system includes respective signal pathways provided for feeding signals which arise in or are derived from the two systems. These signals are to be compared for measurement. The signals from the two pathways are processed coincidentally with one another for digitization, beginning simultaneously and ending simultaneously.

Abstract: This specification discloses an off-road vehicle that both articulates and oscillates, thereby enabling achieving a highly maneuverable, more nearly level working platform from which attachments can be operated with utmost effectiveness. The vehicle is characterized by front and rear sections, each carried by two wheels and connected at an articulating steering joint with steering rams and steering means; and a mechanism on the front section for leveling the front section. The leveling mechanism includes a front frame member that supplies the main structural support for the front section and is pivotally connected with a front axle, with hydraulic rams disposed on either side of the pivotal connection and connected via control valve with a source of high pressure hydraulic fluid for attaining and holding a predetermined, or substantially level, position.

Abstract: A structure for protecting front surfaces of moving vehicles from insects and debris and modulating air flow through the vehicle radiator to control cooling efficiency, including an air deflector mounted on the leading edge of the vehicle to deflect air, airborne insects and debris upward and over the windshield, and, a detachable cover depending from the deflector to preclude insects and debris from entering the radiator, the detachable cover being either a non-perforated curtain to limit and control air flow through the vehicle radiator during cold weather operation, or a screen to provide full air flow during warm weather.

Abstract: A bag member for an air cushion vehicle flexible skirt has an apertured portion by which a space enclosed by the bag member and hard structure of a vehicle to which it is attached, is placed in communication with the vehicle cushion area. The apertured portion comprises a plurality of strips of flexible material laid across each other so as to form apertures therebetween. The apertured portion may be formed by a plurality of apertured panels comprising the aperture-forming strips of flexible material joined to strips of flexible material defining side edges of each panel.

Abstract: A microprocessor based system for remote starting of an automobile engine includes circuitry for automatically actuating an accelerator of the automobile to effect starting of the engine, circuitry for energizing the starter motor for a predetermined number of seconds, repeating energizing of the engine a predetermined number of times if the engine does not start, and providing a predetermined delay between each energizing of the automobile engine. A remote transmitter transmits a start command to a receiver located in the automobile, causing the receiver to cause an algorithm stored in the microprocessor to attempt to start the engine and control certain accessories.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic auxiliary drive system providing power to the non-driven steerable wheels of an agricultural tractor utilizing hydraulic power in a parallel circuit from a pressure compensated pump which varies torque supplied to the auxiliary system by sensing the relative speed between the front and rear wheels and increases the torque to the auxiliary system when a set percentage of slip is determined between the front and rear wheels. The steerable wheels are driven by hydraulic motors connected in parallel through a flow divider valve and supplied by a variable displacement pressure compensated pump. When the electronic control receives an indication of slip from the main drive wheels it energizes a solenoid causing the pressure compensation level of the variable displacement pump to increase the torque output of the auxiliary drive system, with the percentage of slip being proportional to the increased torque.

Abstract: A hydrostatic-transmission control system for fork-lift trucks and like industrial vehicles has at least one variable-displacement hydrostatic motor driving wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle and supplied by a pump having a control element for varying its displacement under the control of an operator. The prime mover, e.g. a gasoline engine or electric motor, drives the pump. The control system comprises means whereby, for low and average output speeds of the transmission consisting of a combination of the pump and motor, the control of the transmission ratio is a function only of the operator-set position of the aforementioned element whereas, for the highest output speeds, the ratio is controlled by both the position of this element and by a further parameter, usually the output speed of the prime mover.

Abstract: A flow duct for the delivery of air for ventilation is of round cross section and is surrounded by a prismatic casing over the length of the duct. Sound-absorbing material is filled into the space between the casing and the duct and varies in radial thickness around the periphery of the duct as measured in a plane perpendicular to the axis thereof.

Abstract: A sound absorbing structure for a flow duct composed of a bundle of parallel, terminated, acoustical waveguides. The bundle of waveguides is cut obliquely so that the individual waveguides vary substantially in length along the cut. The bundle is arranged within a structure which is revolvable about its longitudinal axis. The exterior surface of the structure is spaced from the interior wall of the duct. The longitudinal axis of each of the waveguides is located substantially perpendicular to the axis of revolution. The structure revolves during passage of gas through the duct.

Abstract: In the illustrative embodiments disclosed, a novel step stool structure includes the sitting and climbing features of a traditional step stool and, in addition, a vise unit affording a vise action and a working surface for carpentry or other tasks. The vise unit comprises a pair of relatively movable vise beams, the upper surfaces of which provide the working surface. One or more movable seat-forming members, by themselves or in conjunction with the vise beams, provide a seat for use of the stool in the traditional step stool sense. Movement of the movable member or members allows conversion of the stool from a seat mode of use to a workbench mode of use and vice versa.

Abstract: The present invention provides an emergency fire escape system for decending from elevated buildings during a fire. The present system in its simplies embodiment comprises of a pair of vertically oriented spaced apart continuous cables positioned along side an elevated structure having natural openings positioned between the cables, that is, windows, fire escapes, exits, or the like. The top portion of each cable passes through an adjustable pulley member rigidly affixed to the respective top portion of the building at which an given cable is located. The bottom portion of each cable is operably connected to separate gear motors having a pulley upon which each respective cable passes. The individual gear motors are synchronized such that the respective cables travel in unison over the gear motor pulleys.

Abstract: A turning type emergency escape is constituted by a rotary stowage box defining an evacuation passage therein, upper and lower covers pivoted to upper and lower portions of the inner side of the evacuation passage, a cover interlocking mechanism interlocking the upper and lower covers for simultaneously opening and closing movements, and a turning mechanism for rotating the stowage box between retracted and protruded positions. An extensible escape means is connected to the stowage box at the evacuation passage and is normally received in the evacuation way for extending out of the stowage box for escape. The extensible escape means has a plurality of telescopically connected pipe sections of different cross-sectional areas.

Abstract: Apparatus attachable to a vertically extending object and having a stand and seat for providing support is disclosed. Means are provided for adjusting the pitch of the seat. Cables connected to the frame and the stand support much of the weight on the stand in order to provide stability. Both the seat and stand pivot so as to form a compact package for storage and portage. Means are provided for maintaining the apparatus noiseless both when the apparatus is flexed and when the seat and stand are pivoted. Other embodiments include only the seat and only the stand.

Abstract: An adjustable device for leveling a ladder having one or more bores through at least one of the stiles thereof, comprising an elongated channel shaped ladder extending member independently cooperatively engagable with one of the stiles of a ladder and being slidable thereon, the channel shaped member having two opposite side walls and a connecting wall extending therebetween, a plurality of spaced longitudinally disposed apertures in each opposite side wall, the apertures in one side wall corresponding to and being in lateral alignment with the respective apertures in the other side wall to define aperture pairs, each aperture pair being able to be positioned in alignment with a selected one of the bores through the ladder stile when the channel shaped member is engaged therewith, a pin member adapted to pass through the selected ladder stile bore and the aperture pair in alignment therewith to hold the leveling device in the desired position with respect to the selected ladder stile, and means attached to th

Abstract: A start/stop control arrangement for material handling systems, particularly automated checkout systems in retail stores. From a beam sensing device at the delivery end of the incoming conveyor a control is derived not only for stopping the conveyor in response to the detection of the arrival at that end of a product but also a time control for automatically stopping the conveyor in response to no such product being detected by that device for a predetermined time. The arrangement may be incorporated in the amplifier unit which serves to amplify the output of the beam of the beam sensing device. Alternatively, and as shown herein, the arrangement may be implemented by a plug-in accessory module designed to be interposed between two cooperating plug-in modules--one of them mounting the above sensor amplifier--which provide for the first of these two controls only. Provisions are also made for double-using the arrangement for the start/stop control of the conveyor outgoing from the checkout stand.

Abstract: A movable load exerts varying static and dynamic forces which need to be counteracted with a minimum expenditure of energy. A counterweight connected to the movable load has its counterweighting effectiveness varied as a function of the position of components which make up the counterweight to adapt the counterweight to the varying forces exerted by the load during movement of the load.

Abstract: A vibration snubber for earthquake protection of piping including an auxiliary cylinder axially slidable in a main cylinder having a large diameter portion. The large diameter portion houses a flywheel which is secured to a rotatable center shaft. One end of the shaft is mounted in a bearing in the cylinder end. The other end is threaded and screwed into a conventional screw nut fixed on one end of the auxiliary case. A spacing collar is provided between the flywheel and the bearing. The inner end surface of the large diameter portion has a chamferred friction bearing surface. A movable wheel is rotatably and slidably mounted on the spacing collar. The movable wheel is cylindrical, concentrically surrounding the flywheel. A spring mounted between a spring-receiving ring on the movable wheel and a spring-receiving flange on the flywheel presses the movable wheel against the flywheel.

Abstract: A vibration isolator (10) includes an outer housing (14) with an inner housing (16) supported for reciprocation therein. The inner housing (16) includes an elastomeric spring (32) supporting a sleeve or inner cylinder (30) with a passage (44) extending therethrough interconnecting a pair of spaced apart chambers (40,42) defined between the housings (14, 16). A tuning mass including liquid is disposed in the chambers (40,42) and the passage (44). The inner housing (16) functions as a piston to move the tuning mass through the inner cylinder (30) between the chambers (40,42) and generate amplified counter-inertial forces to cancel vibration.

Abstract: Caliper brake particularly for installation in locations where there is insufficient space for conventional caliper brakes of similar capacity, and also adapted to accommodate lateral shifting of the brake shoes due to deviating braking surfaces. Brake has a pair of caliper arms with brake shoes at outer ends thereof, and actuator with axis of extension and retraction disposed longitudinally of the caliper arms. A toggle structure cooperates with the actuator and caliper arms to force inner ends of arms apart when the actuator is actuated, and includes toggle links having inner ends hinged to actuator and outer ends hinged to inner ends of respective caliper arms. To permit the brake shoes to move laterally, the caliper arms are hinged on a mounting structure which cooperates with frame to permit relative swinging between mounting structure and actuator.

Abstract: A locking device for two parts, mutually displaceable telescopically, e.g. a rod glidable in an outer tube, and including a washer with resilient serrations or teeth bent slopingly upwards out of the plane of the washer, which is retained in one part while its teeth engage the other part. An operating means is adapted for urging an annular lifting means into engagement with the teeth on actuation in one direction, so that the teeth are deflected out of engagement, allowing free movement between the parts, until they regain their engagement when the operating means is moved in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A crown-type caliper brake comprises an axially elongate cylindrical braking member with respectively brake pads inside and outside the braking member and a caliper member operative to apply the brake pads against the braking member. The fixed support for the brake has two legs disposed respectively on opposite sides of an axial gripping plane containing a gripping axis through the central zones of the brake pads radially of the cylindrical braking member. Each of the legs has two fastener apertures for, e.g., a screw fastener and a pin respectively. One of the fastener apertures lies along a circle concentric with the axis of the cylindrical braking member substantially along which lie circumferential bearing surfaces on the legs for the brake pads. Preferably the apertures are disposed chordally of the braking member. A connecting bar may interconnect the legs outside the confines of the cylindrical braking member.

Abstract: A drum brake includes a pair of brake shoes which are carried by and pivotally anchored to a backing plate. The pair of shoes are engageable with a brake drum to effect a brake application. A running clearance is maintained between the brake shoes and the drum when the brakes are released by an adjusting member which includes an adjusting lever pivotally carried by one of the shoes and a fixed-length spacer carried between the adjusting lever and the other brake shoe. An extensible member is carried between one end of the adjusting lever and the one brake shoe and a three-bar linkage effects an extension of the member to compensate for wear of the brake shoes. The adjusting lever forms one bar of the linkage and carries the other two bars. The second bar of the linkage is pivotally engaged with the adjusting lever and with the spacer and is biased so as to move the spacer away from the adjusting lever during a brake application.

Abstract: A friction pad assembly for a rail vehicle brake comprises a pad of friction material carried by a rigid backing plate, and the backing plate is detachably mounted on a shoe. A part-circular notch at one end of the shoe receives the stem of a headed stud which acts as an abutment for that end of the backing plate, and the backing plate is urged into engagement with the stud by means of a keeper which acts on the opposite end of the backing plate. The keeper comprises a stop member in combination with a relatively movable resilient abutment comprising a strip of metal which is bent into a loop and of which a forward terminal projection of part-circular outline is received in a notch of complementary outline in the other end of the backing plate.

Abstract: An elongated coupling member is connectable to the upper link of a three point tractor lift and to an implement carried by the lift, such as a spreader. The member includes a piston slideably mounted in a cylinder and a hydraulic circuit between a space at each side of the piston. The piston can be adjusted to a set position in which the relative positions of the piston and cylinder are maintained by hydraulic fluid within the circuit and spaces. An overload device, such as a spring biased, one-way valve, is included in the circuit so that upon overload, the piston moves, usually to lengthen the coupling member and allow fluid to flow from one space to the other. In one version, an overflow space or reservoir is in the circuit to accomodate excess fluid when the piston is shifted and one space is larger than the other.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly includes a pair of brake shoes which are movable to a braking position by a hydraulic actuator. In order to maintain the pair of brake shoes adjacent the drum an adjuster is disposed between the pair of brake shoes opposite the hydraulic actuator. The adjuster carries a parking mechanism to manually move the pair of brake shoes to the braking position independently of the hydraulic actuator. The parking mechanism comprises a pair of levers which are pivotally connected to projections on the adjuster and the levers oppose one of the pair of brake shoes such that pivoting of the pair of levers moves the adjuster and the other brake shoe away from the one brake shoe. A spacer and a washer are disposed between the one brake shoe and abutment surfaces on each pair of levers and the adjuster movably supports the spacer and the washer.

Abstract: Packing cases having expansible compartments are described in which the outer wall enclosure of the case is formed with an opening lined with a fastener device, such as a zipper, and an expansible partition of flexible material is secured along its peripheral edges to the edges of the opening, the partition being normally disposed within the main compartment of the case to form an auxiliary compartment separate from but expansible within the main case compartment and closable by the fastener device. In one described embodiment, the opening is formed in an end wall of the case, and the partition is dimensioned such that the expansible auxiliary compartment defined by it is expansible to approximately the full volume of the main compartment.

Abstract: A current collector shoe traveling along a multipole slide wire with sliding contacts projecting from the sides and spring-mounted in the shoe. Breakouts extend between the lengthwise sides for cassettes insertable from either side, with the sliding contacts being spring-mounted in the cassettes. The cassettes may be made of non-conducting material, and a brass sleeve may be inserted between the cassettes and the sliding contacts. The cassettes may be detachably detented in the collector shoe and have projections on their face side to contact the collector shoe from the outside during installation. Each sliding contact may be engaged by a compression spring and connected rigidly to it, with a Z-shaped sheet metal member having a leg fastened to a free end of the spring and contacting the cassette bottom, with the other leg fastened to the collector shoe on the outside. The compression spring may be a flat strip spring.

Abstract: A vehicle includes variable-ratio gearing driven via a hydrodynamic torque converter. The converter has a hydraulically-engaged lock-up clutch which is temporarily disengaged whenever a ratio is disengaged. The vehicle has a system of hydraulically-engaged clutches and brakes for changing ratio, and a system of hydraulically-engaged brakes for bringing the vehicle to rest. The respective operating pressures in the clutch-and-brake system and the braking system are independently modulated, in order more smoothly to change ratio or bring the vehicle to rest, by enabling a relief valve in each system to open against a determined spring force when pilot pressure exerted on each valve in the closing direction and derived from the operating cylinder of the lock-up clutch is temporarily cut off.

Abstract: Disclosed is a torque transmitting and blocking device which includes a cylindrical drum, a pair of arcuate shoes positioned within the drum, and a spanner bar extending between the shoes to one side of the axis of the drum. On the other side of the drum axis the shoes are displaceable toward each other, and may conveniently be lightly biased apart. The shoes have surfaces, which may include holes, lateral or transverse projections, or the ends of the shoes, through which rotative forces may be transmitted from sources external of the drum and through which the shoes may retransmit such forces. Application of a rotational force through such a surface into a shoe in a direction tending to displace the shoes toward each other results in rotation of the shoes and bar within the drum, and consequent transmission of torque, if desired, out of the drum through another shoe surface.

Abstract: A one-way clutch comprises rollers disposed respectively in a plurality of wedge-shaped spaces defined between an outer ring provided with a plurality of clutch slopes on its inner peripheral surface and the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of a shaft or inner ring, S-shaped spring members lightly pressing the rollers against the wedge surfaces, and bearing rings installed between the outer ring and the shaft or inner ring and on opposite sides of the rollers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double-output clutch comprising two clutch assemblies between the two pressure plates of which are interposed two spring washers separated from one another by a spacer which is axially fastened on one of the reaction plates.The spacer forms an independent part which for the purpose of its axial fastening to the associated reaction plate bears through at least one of the spring washers against retaining means disposed axially beyond the said spring washer in relation to the spacer.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a compressor from breakdown, in the case where the compressor is arranged so as to be connected to a drive source by means of an electromagnetic clutch having therein an excitation circuit connected, at its one end, to electric power source, and at its other end, to a body of the compressor via a grounding lead wire, which is characterized in that the grounding lead wire is connected to the body of the compressor by means of an electrically conductive connecting member made of a material which is capable of melting under a thermal effect of the compressor when the compressor is overheated.

Abstract: Pneumatically operated, coin actuated apparatus for inflating tires for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An escalator step plate is provided at each edge with a narrow ramp which slopes upwardly and laterally outwardly to divert wearing apparel or other objects from the gap between the moving step plates and the stationary escalator skirt members and to lift shoes off the lateral edges of the step plate to prevent a tendency of a rider's shoe which has gotten hot from friction with the skirt member from sticking to the metal step plate. The ramp is preferably formed of smooth urethane, and may be formed integrally with the step plate or as an attachment.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for orientating elongated articles, in particular bodies of writing pens. These articles are placed in parallel disposition on a conveyor which is moved in step by step fashion. The articles will either be pointing in the desired direction or in the opposite direction to the desired direction. The first pushers are arranged to push the articles not in the desired direction off the conveyor and into an inverting mechanism, and a second pusher pushes the inverted articles from the inverting mechanism back onto the conveyor in the correct disposition. The first pushers distinguish between the articles which are positioned correctly and those which are not in that the configuration of the respective ends of the articles are different, and the first pushers are adapted to engage only one end of each article.

Abstract: A conveyor combiner has a side guide unit, for relieving jammed articles being carried by the conveyor, the unit comprising a longitudinally reciprocating frame carrying an array of freely rotatable rollers which nudge jammed articles free but which are normally kept out of contact with the articles by a retractable side guide rail.

Abstract: A walking-beam conveyor has a horizontally extending movable beam flanked by a pair of horizontally extending fixed beams. This movable beam is subdivided into a relatively long main portion and a relatively short end portion. The entire movable beam can be reciprocated through a relatively short vertical stroke and horizontally through a horizontal stroke for stepwise displacement of a load supported on the beams. In addition the end portion can be vertically displaced through a relatively long vertical stroke for picking a load, as for instance a sheet-metal coil, up off a machine, as for instance a winding machine, and for similarly lifting up a load to be discharged onto a higher location.

Abstract: A cutting machine includes an endless conveyor and a loading ramp having movable loading arms which continuously shift the cut material in an upward direction of the loading ramp to conveyor. The rear deflector wheel of the conveyor is driven by a squirrel-cage motor, and the drive of the loading arms is, via the conveyor derived from the front deflector wheel. A slipper clutch is interpositioned within the drive between the motor and the loading arms, and the slide torque of the slipper clutch as reduced to the motor shaft, exceeds the breakdown torque of the squirrel-cage motor.

Abstract: A skirt board and installation arrangement adapted effectively to seal a moving conveyor belt, including skirt board sections interlocked with each other and individually adjustable and removable for replacement, which can be accomplished easily without major tools and without stopping the conveyor belt. The skirt board sections are simple to install individually, or by groups and these operations may be performed while the conveyor belt continues to run and when installed, maintains a proper and effective seal with the belt.