Abstract: In a feeder for carrying electronic components in a predetermined sequence such as ICs packed in a cassette, stick or the like in an electronic insertion machine, part of a carrying path is made movable between the two positions; a component passing position in a usual state and a waiting position outside the carrying path, whereby in the case of incorrect insertion of an electronic component, a new identical component can be supplied by leaving behind the components of the sequential order.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and procedure for processing tubular or cylindrical stock, particularly short lengths thereof, into precision formed end products includes a chute, preferably formed of a pair of parallel wall surfaces mounting opposed guide plates at least a portion of which are adjustable. The orientation of the chute and its cross section are made such that in the delivery thereof the longitudinal axis of the stock is maintained substantially parallel to the position in which such axis must be set for the working thereof. A transfer device cycled to and from the delivery end of the chute successively receives elements of the stock discharged therefrom and carries them to a work station without change of their orientation. Upon reaching said working station, said transfer device first holds the stock loosely against a complementary abutment surface, essentially in the attitude required for the working thereof.

Abstract: The stationary die of a flat die thread rolling machine is supported on a series of stacked members which may be automatically unclamped, automatically adjusted and then automatically re-clamped to hold the stationary die in a precisely adjusted position relative to a reciprocating die. Fastener blanks from a supply hopper are fed to the dies along a set of parallel rails and are captivated by an upper hold-down rail, there being means for automatically and simultaneously adjusting the elevation of the hopper and the parallel rails and there further being means for independently adjusting the angle and elevation of the hold-down rail. Adjacent blanks in the parallel rails are separated from one another by a catcher which enables a pusher to insert the blanks between the dies in a smooth and trouble-free manner.

Abstract: A paper selecting apparatus includes an upstream side transportation passage having an inclined bottom surface(s) held in the inclined state in the transverse direction, a lower stage transportation passage extending in continuation from the downstream end of the upstream side transportation passage, an upper stage transportation passage disposed above the lower one with a predetermined distance kept therebetween and a guide wall disposed between the upstream side transportation passage and the upper stage transportation passage for determining the direction of further movement of paper which has been displaced from the upstream side transportation passage to selectively bring it to either of both the upper and lower stage transportation passages in conformance with the width of paper to be selected.

Abstract: A link guide chutes for a weapon system including a main gun using link fed ammunition and a co-axially mounted machine gun mounted in a turret rotatably positionable in an armored vehicle. The spent links for the main gun and the spent machine gun links and brass are ejected through the trunnion bearing on which the rotor for the main gun rotates and into a compartment which communicates with the exterior of the vehicle. The link guide chutes for the main gun, which can be a dual fed 25 millimeter gun, include guide strips for guiding the tab members of the links through the chute channels and thereby preventing jamming.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for minimizing the work required for moving, handling, and rolling heavy boxes and the like having a center of gravity. The apparatus incorporates a ramp contoured to the locus of points described by the surfaces of the workpiece as that workpiece rotates about its center of gravity, as that center of gravity is horizontally translated while simultaneously maintained at constant vertical elevation.

Abstract: A rack for supporting drilling tubulars such as drill pipe, collars and the like includes a base and a rail. The rail is coupled to the base by means of two columns, each of which is provided with threads such that the tilt angle of the rail with respect to the base can be adjusted to provide gravity feeding of drilling tubulars to either end of the rail. The rail is provided with two pivotably connected stop plates which move in opposition. The stop plates are controlled by means of an air cylinder to allow only one drilling tubular at a time from those stored on the rack to roll off the end of the rail. Furthermore, both stop plates can be retracted below the level of the rail so as not to interfere with the movement of tubulars onto the rack. The combination of the tiltable rail and the two stop plates provides a rack which can be used to control movement of drilling tubulars on to and off of the rack with a minimum of manpower requirements.

Abstract: A dispenser is provided having a reservoir, a knife driven with a vertical reciprocal translational movement, and an inclinded ramp feeding the spokes into abutment against a drum provided with peripheral grooves. The rotation of the drum feeds the spokes one by one into a guide device comprising two inclined surfaces, the supper surface having a smooth surface and the lower surface being made of an adherent material. A spoke slides between the two surfaces and is discharged to a spoke holder of a spoke fitting machine.

Abstract: In a gravity-operated, forward feed bottle merchandiser, bottles are supported by their necks on tracks consisting of parallel track elements which are removable and reversible to accommodate bottles of different neck widths. Each track element is secured between front and rear support rails. The track elements are held against rotation in slots in the rear support rail, and must be twisted in order to be disengaged from the front support rails.Each track element comprises a web having flanges extending in opposite directions respectively from its upper and lower edges. Ramps extending forwardly from the flanges cross each other and each ramp has a projection overlying the other ramp so that the ramps reinforce each other.

Abstract: An article dispenser comprising a base element, side panels, a rear panel, and a front panel joined respectively to the edges of the base element and upstanding therefrom, an aperture formed in the base element, a reinforcing rib extending the length of the base element and being in coincidence with the periphery of the aperture, and multiple support elements depending from the base element and arranged to provide an angular disposition to the article dispenser.

Abstract: A modular chute for passing a workpiece therealong is disclosed. The chute of the present invention includes a pair of side walls secured in a spaced apart manner by a plurality of clips attached to upper and lower edges of the side walls. Wear members are disclosed that are selectively secured to the walls of the chute or to the clips to reduce friction and wear from parts moving along the chute.

Abstract: A modular chute for passing a workpiece therealong is disclosed. The chute of the present invention includes a U-shaped cross-section having a bottom wall, a pair of opposed side walls, and an open top. A joining device is provided for abutting and securing a plurality of chutes into a continuous member. Wear members are disclosed that are selectively secured to the walls of the chute to reduce friction and wear from parts moving along the chute.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a way of separating and treating the covered surfaces of stacked articles in abutting face-to-face contact. It is particularly applicable to stacked planar articles, those having a relatively small width dimension and at least two substantially parallel surfaces in abutting contact, such as metal beverage container closures. The articles are pushed through a curvilinear path defined by a constant width trackwork of a herein specified design, allowed to pivot on the portions of the articles in proximity to the shorter radius whereby fan-like separation of the portions in proximity to the longer radius occurs, and treating medium, such as heated air, is directed toward the separated portions. Greater uniformity in treatment may be obtained by rotating the articles, at least once, as they traverse the curvilinear path. A preferred embodiment designed to dry the sealant on metal beverage container closures is disclosed herein.

Abstract: A merchandise shelving display embodying a downwardly inclined shelf panel supported from a supporting frame. At least one downwardly inclined track unit is integrally formed to provide a pair of upstanding outer rails extending in spaced parallel relation to each other and a pair of upstanding inner rails between the outer rails and extending in spaced parallel relation to each other and the outer rails with the upper surfaces of the outer rails being at an elevation different from the elevation of the upper surfaces of the inner rails. Each track unit is detachably secured to the upper surface of the shelf panel so that a plurality of laterally spaced track units may be carried by the shelf panel.

Abstract: A cargo ramp configured for stowage on a cargo carrying vessel and deployment between a cargo opening or the outer boundary of a cargo deck and the surface of a cargo handling region such as a runway, dock or pier. The cargo ramp includes two hinged together ramp sections having a motor-driven wheel assembly at the lower terminus of the ramp and a vessel-to-ramp interface at the upper terminus of the ramp. Deployment and retrieval of the cargo ramp is effected through predetermined sequential operation of motor-driven deployment wheels located beneath the upper ramp section, actuators for operation of the hinge and the motor-driven wheel assembly at the lower terminus of the ramp. A power operated deployment mechanism contained in the ramp-to-vessel interface permits vertical adjustment of the upper terminus of the ramp when required.

Abstract: A closure cap for bottles which is stamped from a blank and has a pair of tear assisting tabs thereon especially adapted for high speed bottling equipment and designed so as not to jam in the equipment. The tabs in the transport position form a V-configuration on their inner edges and their outer lateral edges are in parallel planes spaced apart a distance equal to the diameter of the cap; such construction permitting a following cap to enter between the tabs without riding up on the preceding cap.

Abstract: Sound-damping liners for bar stock guide tubes and the like for use in automatic metal working machines, said liners being produced from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene; means insulating the outer periphery of the liner from the inner surface of the guide tube; and means for retaining the liner within the guide tube.

Abstract: The invention described is a guide for directing a moving flexible member along a prescribed path. Suction slots are provided along the lateral walls of the guide for enabling the member to be directed along the desired path.

Abstract: A method of adhering a plurality of articles, each having one marginal edge thicker than the opposite marginal edge onto a tape to form an article-tape product. The article may be a pod which is usable, for example, in instant photographic products where the pod is interposed between image-recording and print receiving sheets and advanced between a pair of pressure applying members for rupturing the pod and dispensing and distributing the processing liquid between the sheets.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a boat trailer, comprised of a wheeled chassis, adapted to receive and vertically support a boat. The improvement comprises two longitudinal, parallel rails mounted on opposite sides of the chassis, to guide the boat into a centered position. These rails are long enough to prevent the boat from cocking into a crosswise position on the chassis under adverse conditions of wind or waves, and also guide the boat when inaccurately steered in going onto the trailer. These rails are in the upper end portions of upwardly reaching leaf spring arms, mounted at their lowers ends on the chassis. The spring arms deflect under impact by the boat when inaccurately steered between the guide rails, and may react to bounce or throw the boat toward longitudinally aligned position. Preferably, convergent wings are used to guide the boat into the space between the longitudinal rails.

Abstract: A bar stock feed tube assembly is disclosed of the type in which bar feed stock is supported and guided by, and rotates within, the assembly during machining. The feed tube assembly is comprised of an anechoic feed tube, a surrounding reinforcing jacket, and an intermediate, acoustically-decoupling layer of energy-absorbing material. Retaining caps are provided at the ends of the assembly to protect the end of the anechoic feed tube and its jacket, to act as a stop against axial movement of the assembly, and to retain the feed tube within the reinforcing jacket. By utilizing retaining caps having feed stock-receiving orifices of smaller diameters than the feed tube, the assembly may be adapted for use with a wide range of bar stock sizes.

Abstract: An alignment and locking system is set forth which aids in the placement of "V" bowed boats atop carrier vehicles. A cross bar is positioned across both the front and rear of the vehicle. Attached to the front cross bar are two alignment and locking devices spaced at either end of the cross bar. Both devices have a slanting smooth surface which will force a "V" bowed boat, if it is out of alignment as it is being loaded, to correct its alignment by being forced to the center of the cross bar. After the front of the "V" bowed boat is aligned on the front cross bar, the boat is pushed forward until the rails on either side of the boat are secure under the two alignment and locking devices.

Abstract: This apparatus is for use in the launching of battered leg jackets for offshore platforms. The jacket is transported on at least one barge resting on its lower battered legs and, during launching, the apparatus guides the jacket by its lower battered legs to maintain the center line of the jacket on the launching center line. The apparatus uses a pair of dollies on a beam, and at least two beams on a barge. The beams are mounted transverse to the launching center line. The dollies can move along the transverse beam and position coordinating means are used to control the relative positions of the dollies on each beam such that the two dollies are maintained essentially the same distance from the launching center line with one dolly on either side of the launching center line. When either dolly is moved, the other dolly on the same beam will move the same distance in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A readily mountable and demountable car top boat carrier. The carrier includes a cradle portion on the car top which carries a boat secured thereto and a ramp comprising a pair of folding rails which extend downwardly from the car top cradle when unfolded to permit a boat to be easily slid between the cradle and the water surface by a single person. The rails are individually adjustable for differences in bottom depth and fold into a compact storage position when not in use.

Abstract: Run-out apparatus and method for roll-formed panels includes a sectional run-out table providing a supporting surface of a selected length for panels formed by a forming section, a sectional support adjacent the run-out table providing a supporting surface of a selected length onto which formed panels are supported and positioned for feed to a curving section, and a sectional run-out table and guide assembly supports and maintains the curved panels in a curved course of travel of a selected radius as the curved panels are run out from the curving section. Each of the run-out table, support, and run-out table and guide assembly are made in sections to accommodate a variety of different panel lengths. Each of the table sections are pivotally connected together end-to-end, are releasably connected for ready assembly and disassembly, and further have legs that are adjustable in height to afford the leveling of the table sections and said support.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and means for combining two merging streams of small parts having heads and shanks comprising progressing each of the streams in the same general direction and with the heads aligned and the shanks transverse to the direction of progression. The streams, or paths, are lead at different levels and in different horizontal positions at the last part of the progression and then the streams or paths are progressively merged at the last part of the progression in at least the horizontal direction so the shanks of the parts in one path become interposed between the heads of the parts in the other path as the paths are merged into a single path without stoppage.

Abstract: In this apparatus rotatable, annular guide fittings receive the bar stock at support standards which are spaced apart in succession along the path of the bar stock at the inlet side of a screw machine. Each fitting contains spring-biased rollers which guide the bar stock between them and yieldably restrain it against vibrating transversely. The bar stock is unconfined except in the spaced-apart fittings. For a multiple screw machine, each support standard has a rotatively indexed cross plate carrying several such fittings, one for each bar stock.

Abstract: A transport track and a sliding carriage for transporting heavy loads in substantially horizontal direction. The track comprising a bottom plate intended to be positioned loosely on a support capable to bear heavy loads. The upper surface of the plate and the lower surface of the sliding carriage being designed so as to provide minimum resistance to the movement of the sliding carriage over the surface. At least one rod is attached to the bottom plate which rod is adapted for cooperation with a climbing jack intended for moving the carriage and with a guide groove in the carriage for guiding the carriage during the movement. Structure is also arranged for transferring axial forces arising in the rod to the bottom plate.

Abstract: The present arrangement for guiding bar stock being fed to a screw machine has yieldably-mounted rollers which project into a rotatable guide tube to guide the rotatable bar stock between them. The yieldable, resilient mounting of these rollers substantially eliminates noise and absorbs the transverse forces acting on the bar stock. Preferably, several sets of such rollers are provided at different locations along the length of the guide tube.

Abstract: Continuously cast metal, such as steel, ingots are supported and cooled while being displaced along a path on a panel comprised of alternating support bars and cooling fluid spray banks extending parallel to each other transversely to the path of displacement. The spray banks are mounted individually and removably on the panel.

Abstract: A process for starting and laying a submergible elongate structure, such as a pipeline, upon the bed of a body of water from a marine vessel, while controlling the bending configuration thereof. The method includes the steps of tensioning a flexible cable between a marine vessel and a submerged hook-up facility, progressively suspending portions of a pipeline from the tensioned cable by means of spaced hangers, and extending the pipeline toward the submerged facility. The process may be employed solely to initially start to lay a submergible elongate structure or the process may be employed to both start to lay a submergible elongate structure and to subsequently lay a submergible elongate structure.

Abstract: An improved adjustable track cover assembly is provided which facilitates adjustable positioning of a track cover over a work blank feed track and which maintains the position established. The track cover assembly includes a cover supporting bracket which is operatively supported by an adjusting screw in threaded engagement therewith. The adjusting screw is supported for selective adjusting rotation relative to the cover bracket. Snubbing means, including spring means and a member in threaded engagement with the adjusting screw, coact with the bracket to impede relative rotation between the bracket and adjusting screw and thereby maintain a fixed positioning of the track cover. Additional spring means, associated with the adjusting screw support, coact with the adjusting screw to maintain a fixed positioning of the adjusting screw.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a feeding arrangement for high-speed multi-channel sensing and counting apparatus utilized in processing randomly-flowing discreet solid particular objects such as pharmaceutical tablets. An inclined vibrating feeder-tray is provided having a receiving and spreading region and a multi-channel sorting region. Each channel of the latter is provided with an exit port at the extreme end thereof for passage of the objects from the tray to an associated channel of a sensing apparatus. Associated with each channel of the feeder-tray is a wedge-like directing means having at least four unique inclined plane surfaces for operating on the objects incoming to the channel, which directing means enables each object to become oriented in the preferred erect orientation of rolling on its cylindrical surface, regardless of the initial orientation thereof upon entering the channel. Additional means are provided for adapting the feeder-tray to various different ranges of sizes of the objects.

Abstract: There is provided an improved bar stock feed tube characterized by its ability to reduce noise level. The tube structure is composed of inner and outer tubes defining an annular space therebetween, the annular space being sealed at each end and being filled with a particulate material, particularly metallic shot, e.g. lead.