Abstract: According to an embodiment, an inspection apparatus includes a communication interface and a processor. The communication interface acquires results of single-item determination, which are inspection results for individual parcels that are successively conveyed, and number-of-items information for identifying, as one parcel group, a plurality of parcels among the individual parcels. The processor identifies a plurality of parcels as one parcel group, based on the number-of-items information, determines a result of multiple-item determination, which is an inspection result for the parcel group, based on the results of the single-item determination for the individual parcels included in the parcel group, and distributes the individual parcels included in the parcel group, based on the result of the multiple-item determination.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a load assist module for transferring articles onto a downstream conveyor. The load assist module may include a roller conveyor having one or more rollers that together define a conveyor plane, such that the one or more rollers may be actuatable to convey the article along the conveyor plane in a direction of a downstream conveyor. The load assist module may further include a pusher assembly positioned adjacent the conveyor plane. The pusher assembly may include a track-guided vertical popup with a base and a pop-up. The pop-up may be actuatable such that the pop-up extends through the conveyor plane to contact the article. The pusher assembly may drive the track-guided vertical popup toward the direction of the downstream conveyor such that the track-guided vertical popup pushes the article.

Abstract: A device for automatically stacking packages on a support comprising at least one feeding conveyor; a lifting and lowering unit for lifting and lowering a pallet; a position conveyor embodied as a travel container, which is arranged horizontally and longitudinally to one side of the storage place, in order to position the packages in the X-direction; at least one sliding plate and a pusher in order to transport the packages from the travel path in the Z-direction to the predetermined position in the stack. The at least one sliding plate may comprise a flat, strip-like plate that can move horizontally and longitudinally on the side of the storage place and transversally thereto, in order to remove packages from the positioning conveyor in the X direction when pushed by the pusher and arranging on the pallet in the Z-direction. The travel container contains pivotable stops and can be moved on rails.

Abstract: A material handling feed table having a driven conveyor mechanism to move a work piece. A reciprocating shuttle mechanism clamps and moves the work piece. A mechanism is provided to coordinate and operate movement of the driven conveyor mechanism in conjunction with the movement of the reciprocating shuttle mechanism.

Abstract: The device for transporting upright containers in a straight line includes a rake conveyor comprising multiple receiving sections for the containers and an opposing support element for the containers carried in the receiving sections. The rake conveyor is connected to two drives by at least two pivot systems, each with two arms, in such a way that the rake conveyor can be pushed back and forth both in the transport direction of the containers and also in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the containers.

Abstract: A large rectangular rotary table includes a fabricated tubular metal frame having top plates for supporting fixtures and large motor vehicle parts. A center portion of the table frame is supported by an annular turret bearing mounted on a base plate spaced above a floor plate by adjustable leveling screws. A drive unit is also supported by the base plate within the bearing and the center portion of the table frame and includes a planocentric gear reducer driven by an electric servo motor projecting above the table. A laterally projecting torque arm is mounted on the output of the gear reducer and is connected to the table frame by a sliding drive pin assembly which prevents radial loads on the gear reducer when the table is indexed. A fluid actuated table locating pin alternately engages a locating seat on each end of the table after the table is indexed.

Abstract: A method of repairing a slat conveyor includes an anchor bar and a ratchet puller. The anchor bar preferably includes an anchor frame and a pair of C-clamps. A first C-clamp is pivotally coupled to a first end of the anchor bar with at least one link and the second C-clamp is coupled to a second end of the anchor bar with at least one link. The anchor bar is secured to conveyor frame with the pair of C-clamps. A first end of the ratchet puller is secured to the anchor bar and to a first end of a broken conveyor chain. A second end of the ratchet puller is attached to a second end of the broken conveyor chain. The ratchet puller is actuated, until the first and second ends of the broken chain meet.

Abstract: A scraper for removing debris from the floor of an animal stall includes a central frame member oriented generally parallel to the direction of movement of the scraper assembly and a cross frame member integral with the central frame member, the cross frame member having opposed first and second ends. First and second beams are pivotally supported on the first and second frame member ends and are generally parallel to the cross frame member. First and second scraper blades are pivotally supported, respectively, by the first and second beams, the blades being pivotal from a vertical orientation adapted for scraping a floor surface during advancement of the blade assembly in a first direction and pivotal to elevated, non-scraping orientation for retraction of the assembly in a direction opposite from the scraping direction. Preferably, a pair of end scrapers are supported by the outer ends of each of the two beams and hingedly connected thereto by a vertical hinge.

Abstract: A forward feed device for conveyor tables includes a drive element (38) that can be moved to and fro, which moves out of the table area (36) during the forward movement and back underneath it during the return movement. The drive element comprises a pivotable latch (38) that can be moved upwards out of the table area in the forward feed direction, of which the end that leads and can be raised during the forward feed movement is supported, via a link (48) with two pivoting ends, by a friction block (54) that trails behind during the forward feed movement and the return movement, and that is slowed down by friction against a stationary surface.

Abstract: A conveyor device for position-precisely moving objects on a conveyor surface of the conveyor belt includes a plurality of forward feed elements (42) for taking hold of the objects by their rear bottom edge in relation to the forward direction. Tension members (32) which are endless or connected to an endless strand via the forward feed elements are provided for the purpose of moving the forward feed elements, and the tension members for moving the forward feed elements into a specified starting position can be driven by means of a common shaft (30) to be coupled separately with the tension members. When the forward feed elements are in the specified starting position, the tension members can be uncoupled from the common shaft (30) and each coupled with a separate linear drive (48,50) with the stroke of the desired length of displacement of the objects.

Abstract: The present invention reveals a sorting device, positioned above and orientated across a plurality of conveyors, capable of diverting objects between the conveyors or removing objects entirely from the conveyors, based on the object's destination location or some other characteristic. To accomplish its purpose, the device comprises: a primary conveyor; a secondary conveyor; a monorail positioned above and orientated across the conveyors; a carriage that mounts the monorail; a linear actuator that drives the carriage side to side the length of the monorail; a paddle attached to the carriage that extends downward to contact the objects; a wiper located along the bottom edge of the paddle that is biased in contact with the conveyors; and a controller capable of positioning the carriage so the paddle contacts the object to be diverted and pushes it between conveyors or from conveyors to adjacent destination locations.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus (1) for shelf channels of shelf storage facilities comprises two parallely arranged, circulating conveying means (2) for receiving pallets (P). The conveying means (2) are partially designed as support roller chains (3) whose ends are interconnected by a rope (3). Two deflections (5, 6) are provided per conveying means (2) by means of which the particular conveying means is divided into an upper (7) and a lower run (8). In order to bring the two conveying means into a defined initial position after unloading the last pallet, several chain links (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) of the end region of the particular chain (3) near the unloading end are provided with a smooth surface. Moreover, an end stop member (15, 16) is provided for each conveying means (2) that limits the path of displacement of the chain (3) in the unloading direction.

Abstract: A circulating conveyor with roller and/or sliding guides, as well as with at least one engaging element for transporting articles to be conveyed, such as sliver cans, is described. In order to achieve that the circulating conveyor can convey and store simultaneously in two directions, at least two roller or sliding guides located next to each other are provided for conveying and storing in one or both longitudinal guide directions, wherein the engaging element can be driven along the guides.

Abstract: A positioning system for a sample testing machine incudes a base pan and a set of independent drive systems for sliding a sample tray across the base pan. Each of the drive systems incudes a paddle that engages a side of the sample tray. The paddle is slideably mounted to a shaft with a collar that slides over the shaft. A motor and drive belt is provided to move the collar along the shaft, causing the paddle to engage the side of the sample tray and slide the sample tray across the base pan. Track sections are provided in the base pan to prevent the sample tray from rotating as the paddle slides the sample tray across the base pan.

Abstract: A positioning system for a sample testing machine includes a base pan and a set of independent drive systems for sliding a sample tray across the base pan. Each of the drive systems includes a paddle that engages a side of the sample tray. The paddle is slideably mounted to a shaft with a collar that slides over the shaft. A motor and drive belt is provided to move the collar along the shaft, causing the paddle to engage the side of the sample tray and slide the sample tray across the base pan. Track sections are provided in the base pan to prevent the sample tray from rotating as the paddle slides the sample tray across the base pan.

Abstract: A positioning system for a sample testing machine includes a base pan and a set of independent drive systems for sliding a sample tray across the base pan. Each of the drive systems includes a paddle that engages a side of the sample tray. The paddle is slideably mounted to a shaft with a collar that slides over the shaft. A motor and drive belt is provided to move the collar along the shaft, causing the paddle to engage the side of the sample tray and slide the sample tray across the base pan. Track sections are provided in the base pan to prevent the sample tray from rotating as the paddle slides the sample tray across the base pan.

Abstract: A positioning system for a sample testing machine includes a base pan and a set of independent drive systems for sliding a sample tray across the base pan. Each of the drive systems includes a paddle that engages a side of the sample tray. The paddle is slideably mounted to a shaft with a collar that slides over the shaft. A motor and drive belt is provided to move the collar along the shaft, causing the paddle to engage the side of the sample tray and slide the sample tray across the base pan. Track sections are provided in the base pan to prevent the sample tray from rotating as the paddle slides the sample tray across the base pan.

Abstract: A scraper assembly and method for clearing manure deposits from a manure collection board associated with an animal cage arrangement is provided. The scraper assembly includes a first scraper blade extending in a generally diagonal direction with respect to a length of the collection board, but only partially across a width of the collection board, in an area of maximum manure deposits. The scraper assembly further includes a second scraper blade extending in a substantially opposite generally diagonal direction with respect to the diagonal extension of the first scraper blade. The second scraper blade, however, extends substantially across the entire width of the collection board.

Abstract: A transport means for transporting pieces three-dimensionally, wherein the sections belonging to a section pair (1.sup.1, 1.sup.2, 4.sup.1, 4.sup.2) are box-like; a traction member (14.sup.1, 14.sup.2 ; 16.sup.1, 16.sup.2) has been disposed over its essential length inside the section (1.sup.1, 1.sup.2 ; 4.sup.1, 4.sup.2) and secured to the carriage with a tension means (31); and the transport means comprises return sheaves (15; 17), which have been placed in pairs, spaced at the distance of the section, with the carriage (2.sup.1, 2.sup.2 ; 5.sup.1, 5.sup.2) between the return sheaves; and the traction member has been disposed to run from the carriage over the return sheaves back to the respective carriage for forming a closed loop of the traction member and the respective carriage; and a power means (3, 6) has been arranged to move the traction member and by its mediation, the respective carriage.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus including a base frame, a first movable frame which is movably supported on the base frame so as to move in a first direction, a second movable frame which is movably supported on the first movable frame so as to move in a second direction different from the first direction, servo-motors with drive pulleys on the base frame, first rollers provided on the first movable frame on opposite sides of the second movable frame, second rollers provided on the second movable frame, and a belt wound about the drive pulleys and the first and second rollers.

Abstract: A device for rapidly feeding piece-supporting pallets to a machine includes a motorized belt whose upper run is fixed to a pallet gripping device which is slidably mounted on a guide rail.

Abstract: An animal confinement building includes an upper animal floor and a lower animal waste pit having a lower floor. Scrappers are mounted on a continuous cable movable back and forth the length of the lower pit floor. Controls for the cleaning system are mounted on a wall in the area of the upper floor out of the corrosive environment of the waste pit. A pair of cable stops are carried on the cable and operate limit switches which cause the motor to reverse directions and stop at the end of a completed cycle. A programmable control is provided for automatic operation of the cleaning system.

Abstract: In a pushing device used for, for example, lead frame bonding machines, a pusher which feeds out plate-form parts stacked in a storage magazine one by one is belt-driven by a motor so that the moving amount of the pusher (that is, a feed out distance of the plate-form part) can be adjusted as desired, making changeovers of the plate-form parts easy.

Abstract: A linear conveying unit comprises a rail and a saddle movable therealong. The rail includes two pairs of tracks, with the tracks of each pair being convergent. The saddle carries front and rear groups of wheels for engaging the tracks. Each wheel group includes two pairs of wheels, each pair of wheels having convergent axes of rotation. To adjust the saddle in order to eliminate any gaps between the wheels and tracks, only one wheel of each wheel group is made to be radially adjustable. That adjustment is effected by an eccentric sleeve surrounding the wheel axle. The saddle is moved by a drive belt, the ends of which are connected to the saddle by quick-release couplings. The saddle includes a recess which is covered by a metallic tape that is magnetically attracted to a pair of magnetic rims.

Abstract: A longitudinal extensible platform comprises a plurality of framed sections hingedly joined together. Each framed section comprises a first set of ground engaging rollers and a second set of load engaging rollers extending transversely of the framed section. A drive is mounted below the surface of the loading dock for driving an endless chain. The extensible platform is drivingly engaged to the endless chain and adapted for longitudinal movement therealong. The extensible platform has a platen at a forward end hingedly engaging the first framed section. The extensible platform is provided with a driven pusher assembly mounted thereon. The pusher assembly extending upwardly for abutting with the load resting on the extensible platform.

Abstract: An article transporting wheeled cart is reciprocatably moved along a pair of transversely spaced rails by a power transmitting unit detachably mounted between and below the rails and comprising a pair of trolley tracks secured to the upstanding legs of transversely extending longitudinally spaced U-shaped track yokes which have base portions located below the tracks and attached to a fluid pressure cylinder unit longitudinally coextensive with the tracks. A trolley, having a pair of oppositely acting driving dogs engageable with the cart, is supported on the tracks and is connected to a motion transmitter reciprocatably driven by the cylinder unit.

Abstract: A bar feeder for machine tools, comprising at least first and second carriages for bearing the bars, the carriages being movable along guide rods which are supported at their ends so as to freely oscillate with the carriages and the bar. The guide rods bear the carriages by sliding bushes which maintain the bars parallel and at a suitable distance from one another during oscillations. A supplementary bar guide comprising a bar pushing member is supported between a position coaxially arranged with the supporting carriages and a side or underlying position.

Abstract: An end dogging sawmill carriage is described, including a pair of front and rear carriage units having dogs which engage the opposite ends of a log and a pair of independent drives for such carriage units. The pair of drives are temporarily connected together by a releasable connector means to maintain the log clamped between the carriage units as such pair of drives share the load and both drive the log through the primary breakdown log cutting apparatus. The releasable connector can by a cylinder actuated cable clamp mounted on the rear carriage unit for clamping the first drive cable of the front carriage unit in response to an electrical control signal applied to a solenoid valve for operating the clamp cylinder. In another embodiment the releasable connector is a solenoid actuated lock which operates a latch member to selectively engage one of a plurality of notches spaced along a notched connecting rod attached between the end of the first cable and the front carriage.

Abstract: A high-speed, bidirectional transporter for a multiple station production line provides for the programmable pickup, transport and delivery of materials at non-sequential work stations along the production line. The transporter is self-propelled by a rack and pinion drive and moves along a track that defines a course through the multiple work stations. A turntable on the transporter carries an extensible and retractable arm whose motion, when coupled with a materialladen pallet, provides for either the pickup or delivery of a pallet to or from an individual work station. Coupling and uncoupling of the arm with a pallet is effected by the controlled rotation of the turntable, which is capable of 180 degrees of rotation to also impart to the transporter the ability to transfer pallets off of both sides to address a work station on either side of the track.

Abstract: There is disclosed a test element advancing mechanism for use in an analyzer to move such test element from station to station, and a method of doing the same. The mechanism features a support surface over which the test elements move in a predetermined direction, a test element mover for engaging and moving the test elements, means for reciprocating the mover along a surface disposed to one side of the support surface, a portion of said mover being constructed to engage the reciprocating means, and means for pivoting the mover about an axis that extends parallel to the movement direction so that the engaging means are moved into or out of contact with such test elements. The test element mover includes a lever arm emanating from one side of the reciprocating means engaging portion, constructed to interact with the pivoting means.

Abstract: An automatic transfer apparatus for loading and unloading a push car into and from an elevator is provided. It includes a guide member, a carriage mounted in the guide member, a conveyor for moving the carriage toward the push car, and another conveyor for pulling the push car into and out of the elevator. Firstly the carriage moves toward the push car, pulls it to mount it just on itself, and moves back to its original position to carry it onto the elevator.

Abstract: An apparatus for a moving conveyor feeder comprises an hydraulic actuator to alternatively move a shaft in opposite directions. Motion amplification is operationally coupled to the shaft to amplify the amount of motion thereof, and a conveyor feeder is operationally coupled to the motion amplification; whereby a small amount of linear movement imparted to the shaft by the hydraulic actuator results in a much larger linear movement by the conveyor feeder.

Abstract: An automatic apparatus for supplying flattened cardboard boxes or work units to an automatic packing machine. The apparatus comprises a first belt conveyor on which the work units are placed groupwise in a standing posture closely in contact with each other, a second belt conveyor onto which the work units on the first are transferred while maintaining them upright, a holding bracket slippingly disposed on the first belt conveyor, and retaining means provided at the juncture of the first and second belt conveyors. The holding bracket is adapted to be borne by friction so as to hold and push the work units upright in close contact and to slip on the first conveyor belt owing to the reaction from the work. The retaining means comprises two holding pins which are kept retracted under the belts until the work has been completely transferred onto the second belt conveyor and then project above the belt conveyor so as to hold the work units from the rear to prevent them from falling backward.

Abstract: Three machine tools are positioned in spaced apart relationship at the corners of a triangle. Each machine tool has a worktable which is rotatably mounted on a corresponding bed for rotation about a corresponding vertical axis. Each worktable has guide means for slidably receiving a pallet carrying one or more workpieces. At least three workpiece transfer units are each positioned adjacent to the worktable of a corresponding machine tool for interaction therewith. Each workpiece transfer unit has guide means for slidably receiving a pallet and has a hydraulically actuated slide which engages the pallet and moves it along the guide means to transfer the pallet from one machine tool to the adjacent machine tool. One or more workpieces are clamped on each pallet. The pallets are introduced into the loop at an operator's station.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for feeding elongated products, such as feeding large sausage chubs or loafs to a slicer, which apparatus includes a transport for engaging such elongated products during the feed mode. At the end of the feeding mode, the transport is disengaged from its feed mechanism and is rapidly retracted by a drive assembly to a location for re-engagement with the transport feed assembly. The transport drive assembly may include dual drive members such as ball screws and ball screw nuts which are synchronized such that as one ball screw nut moves toward the front of the apparatus, the other moves toward the rear of the apparatus.

Abstract: A manure scraper assembly for removal of manure from collecting sheets used in association with poultry cage systems. The scraper assembly includes a blade member which is angularly disposed with respect to the manure collecting sheets and which has the lower portion of each end thereof raised sufficiently to facilitate sliding across the overlapped edges of the manure collecting sheets. The scraper assembly is pivotally movable with respect to the manure collecting sheets so that the leading and trailing ends of the scraper blade are functionally interchanged when the direction of movement of the scraper assembly is reversed upon reaching the end of the length of manure collecting sheets.

Abstract: A single narrow track frame having guideways for a push chain and a holdback chain extends between a pair of vertical saws for cutting slabs or boards off opposite sides of a log or cant. The track frame is under the log. The push chain has upstanding push dogs and the holdback chain has upstanding holdback dogs to grip the ends of the logs, all the dogs being formed as links in the chains.

Abstract: An improved revolving table intended for stackers as utilized in book-binding shops and the like, has a pusher reciprocating arrangement which is accommodated in the table structure, the pusher being, at its travel limit positions, located on the surface of the revolving table. The table is formed with a slot in the diametrical direction, and has, depending therefrom, a hollow beam accommodating the pusher reciprocating arrangement. For a given stack size, lower bulk dimensions can be achieved for the stacker.

Abstract: Latch and guide system for gripping steel plate and the like while it is edge-formed. A pulley system is driven to apply tension to cables which actuate gripping clamps. The clamps travel within channel guides along the length of the system and restrain the plate from lateral movement.

Abstract: An article handling apparatus including a generally vertical plate is disclosed for contacting and pushing articles along a generally horizontal surface. The plate is connected to a movable endless cable which is carried about the periphery of a pair of spaced wheels. A hollow dividing rail is supported upon the horizontal surface. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of dividing rails are supported on the surface and divide the surface into a plurality of lanes. A pair of said wheels are rotatably mounted within each hollow rail adjacent opposite longitudinal ends thereof.

Abstract: A warehouse crane comprises an elevationally positionable carriage, a shuttle guidably mounted on the carriage for transverse movement, and apparatus for moving a tote pan out of storage racks alongside either side of the crane and onto the carriage, the crane further being able to replace the tote pan in its original compartment or to place the tote pan in any other compartment in either of the storage racks. The apparatus for moving the tote pan out of a storage rack includes a pair of reversibly driven endless chain mechanisms mounted on the shuttle and a tote pan puller attached to those chain mechanisms. The puller travels in a horizontal and flat orbital path, but changes from a vertical position to a transversely outwardly inclined position as it approaches the ends of that path so that the puller may engage a tote pan handle as it moves upwardly in an inclined position.

Abstract: A mechanism for cleaning floors of animal waste including a scraper adapted to be pulled across the floor by cables having a drive mechanism with novel safety and reversing controls. The blade also uses novel pivoted legs to raise the scraper off the floor while it is returned to its starting point.

Abstract: A scraper assembly is connected at a forward and rearward end to a cable driven by a reversible double drum cable drive. The scraper assembly includes a scraper blade pivotally connected to a shaft secured at each end to a shoe, or runner. A strut extends forwardly and rearwardly from each shoe terminating in centrally disposed front and rear guide members. A drive linkage, connected at forward and rearward ends to the cable, is pivotally connected to the blade and has front and rear slide members which are slideably received within the front and rear guide members, respectively. The slide members have stops at their ends defining a limited range of sliding movement between the guide members and the drive linkage. The sliding movement of the slides in the guides pivots the scraper blade, with the slide stops transmitting a drive force to the guides at the end of the slide travel to move the blade forwardly or rearwardly.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving solid material and liquid from a floor into a solid material tank and a liquid tank. The floor has longitudinal sections that slope downwardly to a longitudinal slit open to a chamber located below the floor. A scraper pivotally connected to a frame moves solid material from the floor into the solid material tank when the frame is moved toward the solid material tank. A vertical plate attached to the frame extends through the slit into the chamber. A plate pivotally attached to the vertical plate pushes liquid in the chamber into the liquid tank when the frame is moved toward the liquid tank. A winch and rope attached to a connecting fitting located in a mount on the frame selectively moves the frame in opposite directions over the floor. The fitting has limited movement relative to the frame and engages the scraper to raise the scraper above the floor when the frame is moved toward the liquid tank whereby solid material is not moved when the scraper is raised.

Abstract: A container handling and filling system for sequentially selecting, filling, and capping individual containers stored in a nested stack. The system includes first, second, and third sequentially arranged container handling sub-systems for moving individual containers through the handling and filling system, with the first sub-system including a container transfer drive in the form of an endless web having a container gripping member secured thereto, and arranged for reciprocal to-and-fro linear motion to initially transport individual containers from a nested stack to the second container handling sub-system. The second container handling sub-system includes a vertically reciprocable pad for intermittently raising individual containers to a filling station, and rotating the containers while in the elevated disposition.

Abstract: Bag handling apparatus includes a bag flattener for flattening and evenly distributing the material in each bag and a bag palletizer having an infeed conveyor for metering the bags at a controlled rate onto a bag turner apparatus. The bag turner apparatus rotates selected bags from a stream of the bags either 90.degree., 180.degree., or 270.degree. to orient the bags for forming a selected of a multiplicity of layer patterns on a live roller conveyor load table. From the load table a pusher bar transfers the bags onto a set of stripper plates which are separable for depositing the layer pattern of bags onto a pallet situated on a pallet elevator below the stripper plates. After each layer is deposited the layer is squared and then compressed by moving the deposited layers up against the stripper plates for vertical compression. Alternating layer patterns are loaded onto the pallet, with squaring and a vertical compression after each layer, until a full pallet load is obtained.

Abstract: A cable or chain actuated chip conveyor for moving chips along a trough is disclosed. A trough is employed to collect chips from various operations and a harpoon is employed to move the chips along the trough to a point where they are collected for disposal. The harpoon is shaped so that when moving in a second direction through a pile of chips it passes through the chips without displacing the chips in the direction of movement of movement of the harpoon, and when moving in a first direction the harpoon displaces the chips in the direction of movement of the harpoon. A cable or chain driven by a capstan is employed for urging the harpoon in the first direction and in the second direction.

Abstract: A T-shaped scraper assembly is operatively connected to a drive unit via a cable assembly and is adapted to be pulled along the floor in one direction thus scraping manure or debris from the floor, and in the opposite direction to return the scraper assembly to the starting position. When moving in the non-scraping direction, means are provided to elevate the scraper blades slightly above the floor level. The scraper blades are floatably mounted vertically thus allowing them to follow the floor contours within limits and the width is adjustable within limits also. The drive unit includes a resilient or nonmetal main, grooved cable pulley and a resilient or nonmetal idler pulley situated at an angle so that the cable engaging around these pulleys runs relatively freely aligned in the cable grooves. The angling of the idler pulley relative to the main drive pulley reduces side friction between the cable and the grooves and between the cable portions where same cross one another.

Abstract: A device for moving bulk material collected along the length of a chute to a container located outside and below one end of the chute, comprises in combination a scraper means which is brought to reciprocate along the chute the scraper means being arranged to transport the bulk material during its forward motion against said container, the arrangement being such that the scraper means is adapted to project cantilever-wise outside the chute before its forward motion is concluded, means being provided to let the scraper means be lowered during the end period of the forward motion to a level below the chute, further means being arranged to place the scraper means in a position where it will be free during the return movement away from the container to move at a level above material residing in the chute and thereby not moving the the bulk material in both directions.

Abstract: A shuttle conveyor for moving articles fore and aft on a cargo support such as the baggage area in an aircraft cargo compartment comprises a shuttle carriage assembly travelling in tracks moved fore and aft by a cable. A control mechanism is provided to raise and lower selectively one of two cargo engaging pawls mounted on the shuttle carriage. The pawls are adapted to move cargo forward or aft in the compartment and are operated by a cable or chain operator.