Abstract: This low friction rotatable electrical connector is for use with coiled telephone cords to prevent the cord from becoming twisted and knotted-up during use. This connector is generally of insulating material formed with a hollow housing having a first electrical female socket built into one end wall, and a circular opening in the opposite end wall for supporting a rotor assembly that is also of insulating material. The free end of the rotor assembly has a male phone plug. The innermost end of the rotor assembly has an enlarged head with a transverse face supporting a plurality of concentric electrical contact rings that are insulated from each other. A circuit board is clamped within the housing, and it has a first plurality of spring wire contacts that are each urged into continuous wiping contact with a separate one of the concentric rings. A second plurality of spring wire contacts are mounted to the circuit board within the female socket for making contact with a standard male phone plug.

Abstract: A self-mobile electrically powered machine is provided with an electric cable for supplying power to the machine. The cable is suspended between a rotatable turret, which may include a reel, on the machine and a portable cable tower spaced from the machine. From the cable tower, the cable extends to a remote power source. Constant cable tension is provided by the turret reel, or by a sheaving arrangement on the cable tower. The cable tower base is provided with a slot whereby the machine is used to move the tower to different locations while still being supplied with electricity therefrom.

Abstract: A tree processing unit for use in combination with a motorized carrier. The unit comprises a base support pivotably mounted on and extending up from the carrier, which comprises a pair of spaced apart side plates parallel to each other and defining a through passage between them. An elongated, tubular base is fastened to the upper ends of the side plates of the base support. This base extends above the through passage defined by the side plates. A rigid, elongated boom is movably mounted through the base and has a front end on which is fixed a tree processing head for gripping and debranching a felled tree. Means are fixed onto the base in front of the support and through passage therefrom for holding the processed tree.

Abstract: A retractor for storage of a long, flexible line includes a thin, flat, elongated strip spring member of tough, resilient, inelastic resin, preferably an oriented polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, the spring having an arcuate configuration exceeding 180.degree. up to a full 360.degree.. A plurality of small pulleys mounted on the spring member project inwardly thereof at spaced locations with half of the pulleys located on each side of a centerline. The line is anchored to the spring member near one end of the centerline and extends back and forth across the centerline around each pulley to store a substantial length of the line within the spring member.

Abstract: A device for extending flexible power supply lines for mining machines which are guided on a conveyor structure and moved back and forth along a longwall by means of a traction element which includes a coal strand and a return strand extending with an enclosed space comprising a housing secured to the conveyor and enclosing a load strand. A return and a cable channel is alongside the load strand channel, with the flexible supply lines being stored at the ends of the longwall towed along by a mining machine through the cable channel. The housing is secured to the conveyor structure and open at one side, and an idle roller is mounted in the housing in the cable channel. The supply lines are supported on the idle rollers. The mining machine is moved by a traction element and the supply lines bear against the traction element at the open side of the cable channel.

Abstract: An electrical power supply and liquid supply arrangement for a mining machine, particularly a longwall mining machine, wherein extended lengths of a power supply cable and liquid supply conduit are disposed within a housing structure extending along one side of the course of travel of the mining machine. A side arm on the mining machine extends through a slot in a face plate of the housing structure and carries at its outer end a junction box within which power cables leading from the mining machine can be connected to or disconnected from an external power cable. Clamped to the aforesaid junction box is the liquid supply conduit which can be selectively coupled to, or uncoupled from, a mating supply conduit leading to the interior of the mining machine. The arrangement permits connection or disconnection of the power supply and water supply members to or from the mining machine without any disassembly of the machine itself.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning supply connections such as cables or connecting hoses into operative association with a mining extractor machine which is movable against a working space along a mining longwall by a longwall conveyor and in a mine between adjacent adits and to the stowage side comprises a connection winding and unwinding drum positionable in an adit and having a supply connection thereon which is unwindable from the drum guided to a supply connection conveyor which moves along the longwall with the extractor.

Abstract: Material handling apparatus for a trailer having opposed sidewalls is disclosed in the application. Support brackets are positioned on the opposed sidewalls of the trailer. A frame is moveably positioned on the support brackets. The frame is capable of moving said support brackets in a direction that is substantially parallel to the sidewalls of the trailer. A lifting frame is moveably positioned on the frame. A hoist is positioned on the lifting frame and the hoist is capable of moving in a direction substantially parallel to and substantially perpendicular to the opposed sidewalls of the trailer. The hoist is capable of lifting objects that are to be transported in the trailer whereby said objects are lifted and said lifting frame, hoist and frame can be moved with respect to said trailer for loading and unloading the objects.

Abstract: In mining operations, a number of mining machines will have flexible cable attached thereto which then drag along behind the machine as it operates. When the machine moves in a backward direction, the machine often times will run over and damage the cable. In the past, the cable has been moved manually to prevent damage. The disclosed invention provides an automatic device which will lift a predetermined length of cable above the groun so that the cable will not be cut as the machine moves backward a given distance.

Abstract: An electric cord support bracket assembly for lawnmowers, snowblowers, lawn edgers, and other wheeled implements having push handles for directing their movement by users walking therebehind. The bracket assembly includes a clamp adapted to be secured to the tubular handle of the implement, a generally vertical rod or standard secured at its lower end to the clamp, and a cord guide at the upper end of the rod. The guide preferably takes the form of an S-shaped portion oriented with its loops facing upwardly and downwardly, and the length of the rod is such that the power cord is directed and supported over the user's shoulder by the loops of the guide.

Abstract: The device is an accessory attachment which prevents twisting and entanglement of the commonly used helical extensible telephone cords which connect the telephone handset to the main telephone or base. The device is a somewhat flexible elongate member centrally positioned within the cord and attached to the opposite ends of the cord.

Abstract: A cable storage device having an operating pulley which is driven by a spring for retraction of cable which is payed out from the device is provided with a friction clutch interconnecting the spring and the pulley so that the clutch slips when the spring has been fully tensioned by paying out of the cable thereby to permit further paying out of cable without further tensioning of the spring.

Abstract: An improvement in a flat type cable suspension structure which comprises a support structure comprising an upper support member and a lower support member vertically spaced from the upper support member and fixedly secured with respect to the ground, and a flat type jacketed cable extending crosswise with the support structure. The flat type cable extends downwardly through the spacing between the upper and lower support members toward said lower support member in such a manner that one face of the cable has a portion abutting against the rear side of the upper support member and the other face of the cable has a portion abutting against the front side of said lower support member. An exposed extension stemming outwardly from a tension member buried in the jacket of the cable is securely hooked over and held in a tightly suspended state on a hanger member provided on the front side of the upper support member.

Abstract: A carrier for an apparatus that must be moved to different positions relative to a work station includes a track mounted to the work station and a truck assembly with a locking brake riding the track. A mounting head which receives the apparatus is coupled to the truck by an arm. The mounting head rotates relative to the arm and includes a locking brake to prevent rotation. A single control handle simultaneously releases the mounting head and truck assembly to permit normal relocation and reorientation of the apparatus with respect to the work station and convenient access to the apparatus. Releasing the control handle causes both locking brakes to engage, thereby fixing the apparatus in the desired position and orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving and storing an elongated flexible element such as an electrical cord, garden hose, air hose, vacuum hose, rope, or the like. The elongated flexible element has a first end for attachment to a service and a second end for attachment to an article to be coupled through the elongated member to the service. The apparatus includes first and second wheels, a framework for supporting the wheels in a use orientation, with peripheral surfaces of the wheels in closely spaced-apart relation. The supporting framework supports the wheels for rotation about their respective axes, the axes extending generally parallel to one another. The space between the wheel peripheries is sufficiently small when the wheels are in the use orientation that the wheel peripheries bear frictionally upon the surfaces of the flexible element to move the flexible element therebetween as the wheels are turned. One of the wheels is turned to retrieve the flexible element.

Abstract: A looped cable control device for use in guiding a supply cable to a mineral winning machine in a longwall mining installation to reduce the risk of damage, the device being mountable on a spill plate to form an elongate of side wall parallel to the spill plate, a platform being mounted between the spill plate and the goaf side wall, so that a trough is defined for receiving the supply cable, the goaf side wall being pivotally mounted for deflection towards the spill plate under impact, the goaf side wall having a projecting lever arm, which engages between a stop and a resilient member, so that the resilient member resists deflection and returns the wall to its normal position, risk of damage by the impact being, therefore, reduced.

Abstract: A travelling cable support system for cranes, in which a cable is fixedly secured between successive sleds, is discussed. The sleds are connected together by resilient tension elements which stretch elastically on acceleration and subsequently give up their stored potential energy as kinetic energy. Non-elastic traction cords are also provided in conjunction with the cable and elastic elements for limiting the extension of the elastic elements.

Abstract: A motion damping means for the take-up section of a cable haul system in which one or more rail-mounted carriers support loops of cable, and where the carriers bunch together upon take-up of cable and move apart when cable is paid-out. The cable is fastened to a terminal clamp and at least the first carrier adjacent the clamp is acted upon by a force-exerting means for restraining motion of the carrier towards the clamp for storing at least part of the energy removed from the carrier in restraining this motion and for returning at least part of the energy to that carrier on payout of the cable. In specific embodiments of the invention, the force-exerting means is an elastic rope. Undue swinging of the loops of cable upon take-up is avoided by the restraining action on the carrier.

Abstract: A land vehicle such as an electric motor-operated power shovel working on the floor of an open pit mine is supplied with electrical power from a remote source by a flexible electric power cable. To prevent vehicles working within and moving along the floor and terraced sides of the mine pit from being obstructed by or traveling over and damaging the power cable, such cable is suspended between its ends from a lighter-than-air balloon tethered at an elevation above the shovel and terrain between the power source and the shovel. The balloon is tethered to a support cable anchored at one end near the power source and at the other end to the shovel. Connectors placed at intervals along the support cable interconnect the support cable and the power cable while enabling the power cable to slide in opposite directions along the support cable. The support cable is connected to the shovel in a manner enabling the shovel to rotate while working without twisting the cables.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an improved hook for use on an electrical appliance such as an upright vacuum cleaner or floor polisher, around which may be wound or looped the electric cord for storing the latter when the appliance is not in use, but which may be moved so as to quickly release all turns but one of the cord.

Abstract: A device for receiving, from a fixed electric connection, adapting to length, and holding conductors for the electric current supply of movable consumers. The electric conductors are moved by way of at least one carriage in conformity with the movement of the consumer along a guiding path, especially for rotatable superstructures. The carriage which may be similar to a trolley is equipped with at least one spool box having at least one rotatably mounted and easily exchangeable winding mandrel which is provided with a slot extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel for passing therethrough a flat cable adapted to wind itself up. When the pre-load of the flat cable is reduced, a tensioning force can be exerted by way of remote control upon the winding mandrel. The consumer connection is provided with entraining mechanism which serves as cable carrier and is guided in the manner of a carriage or trolley.

Abstract: An axial tomographic scanner having means for supporting a plurality of cables leading to the X-ray source including a yoke upon which the X-ray source is mounted, first bracket means mounted on the yoke adjacent the X-ray source for restraining cable movement, second bracket means mounted on the yoke remote from the X-ray source for restraining cable movement, and means disposed between the first and second bracket means for maintaining the cables passing therethrough in a gradual arc while preventing undue flexing of the cables and undesirable movement of the cables into interfering position with other components of the axial tomographic scanner.

Abstract: A carrier for a looped cable used to supply power or water to a winning machine in a mine in which a gate is mounted on a body for movement into an open and a closed horizontal position. The body is resiliently mounted on a carrier.

Abstract: A closed compartment for storing multi-conductor electric cable on an electrically powered mobile mining machine is secured to and extends laterally from a sidewall of the vehicle. The storage compartment has a slotted opening in the front portion thereof through which the cable is conveyed. A support frame is secured to the conveyor boom of the vehicle and extends outwardly therefrom and forwardly of the storage compartment. A first traction roller is rotatably mounted and fixed on the support frame between pairs of guide members that serve to direct the cable into the storage compartment. A second traction roller is rotatably mounted in spaced parallel relation above the fixed traction roller and is resiliently supported on the support frame by spring members. The cable passes between the rollers, and the springs maintain the rollers in frictional engagement with the cable.

Abstract: A suspended electrical fixture assembly including a supporting bracket, a fixture, and a line extending from the bracket to the fixture holding the latter in a suspended state. The line is taken up on a drum powered by a motor spring in a drum assembly mounted on said bracket. A spool anchored from free rotation on the bracket has an intermediate portion of the line wrapped thereabout, with such forming a bight which is in frictional engagement with the spool.

Abstract: The operator's station of a lift truck is optionally elevatable with the carriage and the electric control interconnection between the operator's station, and the truck main frame includes a novel reel mechanism for the multiple lead electric conduit which does not use slip rings. The reel mechanism includes two drums which rotate together on a stationary shaft secured to the main frame. One drum is for coiling a flexible multi-lead round conduit which has its free end connected to the electric control console at the operator's station. The other drum contains a multiple lead flexible ribbon having its outer end connected to the inner end of the round conduit. The ribbon is coiled about the stationary shaft with its radially inner end passing through a hollowed portion of the stationary shaft and thence to a point of connection to a terminal block on the main frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling and transporting a product such as coal as a slurry in a mine. The apparatus is used in combination with a digging machine which also has included therewith means for conveying the coal or material released by the digging machine to a hopper for mixing water thereto to form a slurry, and a terminal for taking a slurry to the surface of the mine. The apparatus includes a dual flexible hose system interconnecting the terminal with the slurry hopper. A plurality of carts are spaced along the hose system to support the hose off of the mine floor and to provide mobility to the hose. The system further contemplates a means for storing a long length of hose and a means for activating the support carts to move only that portion of the hose which is not in storage. The carts will follow the movements of the coal digging machine into and out of the room where the coal is being removed.

Abstract: A remote control method and apparatus for use in association with a movable carriage illustrated as a transfer car for handling radioactive materials. The car has a self-contained drive motor energized from a remote power source, and travels in forward and reverse directions in a predetermined path between at least two predetermined operating stations in a closed operating space defined by protective walls. The travel of the car in both directions is automatically halted by means of limit switch means located outside the closed space, to de-energize the power source for the drive motor. A rotary shaft extending through a wall of the enclosed space is rotated in one direction in response to forward travel of the car and in the opposite direction in response to the reverse travel of the car. An adjustable switch means is located on the outside of the chamber wall to halt the car at the predetermined limit position.

Abstract: This device for the remote transmission of a plurality of orders through a single control line or channel is intended more particularly for controlling the firing rates and volley-firing limitation of rockets or miscellaneous cartridges notably on aircraft. It comprises essentially a selector-switch control unit and a receiver unit. The device is energized from the common direct-current supply of the aircraft.