Abstract: Apparatus and methods for moving a tubular member to and from an elevated drilling rig floor. A support structure has an elongate indentation in its upper surface. A ramp assembly comprises telescoping assemblies having nested tubular elements extendable between retracted and deployed positions, thus forming a guide extending from the elongate indentation towards the drilling rig floor. Indexers may urge the tubular member towards or away from the elongate indentation. Kickers may urge the tubular member into or out of the elongate indentation, and may be operable via actuators which also operate the indexers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a variable phase step feeder including a fixed set of stairs and a moving set of stairs. The fixed set of stairs may include a first fixed step, a second fixed step, and a third fixed step. The moving set of stairs may be interposed between the fixed set of stairs, and include a first moving step adapted to transport a workpiece from the first fixed step to the second fixed step and a second moving step adapted to transport the workpiece from the second fixed step to the third fixed step. The variable phase step feeder may further include a control mechanism for adjusting a phase relationship of the first moving step relative to the second moving step.

Abstract: A sorting deck for paper, board, or pulp rolls has a plane (1) for transporting the rolls and controllable stops (2) for holding the rolls in place and releasing them. The stops (2) are positioned to form at least one line (3) in placed consecutively in the longitudinal direction (4) of the plane (1), and at least one row (5), in which the stops (2) are positioned adjacently to each other along the lateral direction (6) of the plane (1). At least some of the stops (2) are a collector (41) and a feeder (42), both of which can be moved freely between the hold and release positions, so that the travel of the rolls over the stop (2) can be optionally prevented, freely permitted, or permitted one roll at a time. The same sorting deck can be used to handle rolls of different widths.

Abstract: A conveyor support plate includes an upper transport surface configured to receive objects arranged for travel on a conveyor system and a lower surface arranged opposite the upper transport surface. A pair of transversely extending walls and a pair of side walls connect the upper transport surface and the lower surface. A plurality of cavities are formed in the lower surface between the pair of transversely extending walls and the pair of side walls that terminate below the upper transport surface. The cavities are configured to receive a roller that extends through the lower surface to support the support plate during travel on the convey system.

Abstract: A case feeder mechanism, used in quantities of two or more in a horizontal magazine, feeds cases to a removal position at the discharge end of the magazine, for extracting and processing by a case erecting machine. Each mechanism has two U-shaped channels, a sliding ratchet pawl channel and a fixed ratchet pawl channel, each containing a row of ratchet pawls. Each sliding ratchet pawl channel pushes the ratchet pawls against the back of the case group, driving the group towards the removal position. Individual sensing valves determine when the lead case is in the removal position and control each sliding ratchet pawl channel independently. Each fixed ratchet pawl channel holds the ratchet pawls in position, supporting the case group during resetting of the sliding ratchet pawl channel. To reload, cases are simply inserted, preferably in bundles, behind the existing case group.

Abstract: Arrangement for moving a heavy load wherein the arrangement includes at least one actuating unit. The at least one actuating unit utilizes a support for supporting the heavy load. A plurality of jacks are coupled to the support. A first movable element is adapted to slide within a channel of the support. The first movable element is movable in reciprocating manner. A second movable element is adapted to slide within the channel of the support. The second movable element slidably engages the first movable element and is movable in reciprocating manner. An actuating system is used for controlling sliding movements of the first and second movable elements. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A lumber unscrambler and conveyor having first and second rigid units mounted at an incline on a support structure. Each unit has a plurality of spaced apart parallel plates in series along the incline and parallel thereto. The plates on the respective first and second units are interleaved in alternate relation. The plates have an upper article supporting surface and a leading edge generally transverse to the incline. The leading edge of plates proximate the in-feed end are of greater depth than those further along the path toward the out-feed end. The units are supported on the support structure to move relative thereto and one another. The units are driven in synchronized out of phase relation reciprocating along the inclined path. A hopper at the in-feed end receives and holds a supply of lumber pieces of selected dimension and as the plates reciprocate they move pieces of the lumber from the hopper to the out-feed end discharging normally only a single stick one after another.

Abstract: A walking beam conveyor for a continuous furnace (7) for heating aluminium bars (4) with walking beams and fixed beams (1, 2) is described, which support bar supports (3) which can be restrictively pivoted transversely to the beams (1, 2). In order to create advantageous structural conditions, it is proposed that the bar supports (3) have support members (10) for the aluminium bars (4) which can be inserted into recesses (11).

Abstract: An ending apparatus for a log ladder (2), wherein the log ladder (2) sorts, feeds and sequentially indexes logs (54) along a longitudinal array of laterally extending adjacent log cradles (4, 8, 12), having, in the log cradles (4, 8, 12), exclusive of a downstream—most log cradle (12) in the longitudinal array, log translating means (64) for laterally translating the logs (54), when the logs (54) are in the log cradles (4, 8) exclusive of the downstream—most log cradle (12), so as to abut one end of the logs (54) against an edge (72) of the log ladder (2), wherein the log translating means (64) has selectively actuable rollers (64) mounted within a lower vertice of the log cradles (4, 8), wherein the selectively actuable rollers (64) are mounted in lateral array and the rollers (64) are generally hourglass-shaped so that in longitudinal cross section the rollers (64) have a longitudinal profile generally matching the longitudinal profile of a longitudinal cross section of the log cradles (4, 8), a

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for moving and thermally conditioning generally cylindrical containers in which the structure provides for movement of the containers about their axes and provides for a predetermined heat flow relative to the containers to change the temperature of the containers by a predetermined amount. The apparatus may be used for cooling of hot containers or for both heating the containers for sterilization and then subsequent cooling, if desired.

Abstract: A level gravity conveyor provides a plurality of individual load-engaging support pads aligned longitudinally along the conveyor. The pads are movably supported on runway segments which extend longitudinally. Each runway segment defines an upper raceway surface which movably supports the pad, which upper surface in the preferred embodiment is defined by a plurality of support rollers. The runway segments are alternately raised and lowered so that, when in a raised position, the upper surfaces slope downward in the forward direction. The pads engage and vertically lift the loads when the runway segments are in the raised position, whereby the weight of the loads causes the pads to move downwardly by gravity along the inclined upper surfaces to forwardly advance the loads through a small distance.

Abstract: A log ladder for sorting, feeding and indexing in a downstream direction a stack of logs into a stream of logs has a first notched step and a first set of collectively actuable lift arms pivotable about a first axis, and a second set of collectively actuable lift arms downstream of the first set of lift arms, actuable independently of the first set of collectively actuable lift arms and pivotable about a second axis, the first set of lift arms actuable from a lowered position to a raised position whereby the first set of lift arms are engageable with a log at a first engagement point thereby to raise the log from the stack of logs, the first axis downstream of the first engagement point relative to the direction of movement of said logs in said stream of logs, the first axis generally below the first notched step, the first notched step adapted to receive and hold the stack of logs, the first set of lift arms in the raised position positioning the log so as to deposit the log into a second notched step below

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying a roll such as a paper web roll set on the roll stand of a corrugator to a predetermined location at low speed, with a small initial force and without scratches or other damage to the roll. The apparatus includes a plurality of flat plate-shaped bases arranged end-to-end in the direction in which the roll is conveyed, a plurality of fulcrum shafts each passing through shaft holes in a corresponding base to allow each base to pivot on its shaft, raising and lowering units beneath each base to raise and lower the base, a load sensing unit below the downstream side of each base to detect a load exerted on the base, and a controller responsive to a signal from the load sensing unit to control raising and lowering units at a subsequent stage. When the bases are assembled together with the fulcrum shafts, a conveyance path for conveying the roll to the predetermined final location at low speed and without any acceleration is formed.

Abstract: A movable grate comprising a number of grate steps which are arranged adjacent each other, partly overlap one another and are pivotable around an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of said grate step, and which are pivotably mounted outside shield members (7, 10) which in lateral direction enclose a combustion chamber, end plates (5) being rigidly secured to the ends of the grate steps and swingable therewith, the end plates being aligned with and fitted in openings in the shield members. The novel matter of the invention resides in that portions (10) of the shield members having such openings aligned with the end plates (5), are displaceably mounted relative to adjoining shield members (7) in the direction of the grate step axis, and that the shield portions (10) which outwardly sealingly engage adjoining shield members (7) and inwardly sealingly engage the end plates (5), are in the direction of said axis rigidly secured to the grate step shaft.

Abstract: A cargo handling device is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a substrate having at least one motivation mechanism mounted thereon. In other embodiments, the substrate may include more than one motivation mechanism. The motivation mechanism comprises a plurality of pairs of oppositely directed foot members; each pair of foot members comprising a first hinged member and a second hinged member. The first hinged member of each pair is selectively actuatable independently of the second member of each pair of foot members. Each hinged member generally comprises a hinge-shaped member having one hinged side mounted to the substrate and the other hinged side movable with respect thereto. For the preferred embodiment movement is generated by means of fluid bladder positioned between the two hinge member sides. When operated according to a preferred sequence, the device may be utilized in a first mode to move a substrate across a surface, such as a warehouse floor or a truck bed.

Abstract: A continuous process for bending long metal rods comprises separating and feeding a bundle of rods and advancing the rods one by one to a rod cutting station downstream, cutting the rods and feeding them to a rod bending station downstream of the cutting station, and subsequently bending the rods and removing them from the machine.

Abstract: A continuous processing machine for bending long metal rods includes a rod bundle handling machine for separating a bundle of rods and advancing the rods one after the other, a rod cutting station and a rod bending station provided downstream of the handling machine for cutting and subsequently bending the rods. Transfer means are provided for transferring the rods from station to station.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic treatment and machining of tubular sleeves. The apparatus comprises a number of stations in which various kinds of treatments and machining operations are performed. Each station comprises a clamping means in which the tubular sleeve rests while the treatment or machining operation associated with that station is being performed. Each station also comprises a movable carriage designed to adapt the station to tubular sleeves of various lengths.At each end of the tubular sleeve the stations are provided with one pivotable arm each, designed to lift the tubular sleeve away from the clamping means and advance it in a controlled manner to the next station. The stations are equipped with tools designed to treat and machine the tubular sleeve. One of the tools is movably mounted on the carriage.

Abstract: A one man operable, mobile, field usable log cutting device is provided for quickly and easily loading, handling and transversely cutting of heavy logs to yield finished log segments or discs. The device includes a rotatable, powered saw blade along with an elevated, shiftable, log support for manually moving a supported log into a saw blade for cutting purposes. A manually operable, pivotal, knee-action log advancer is also provided for selective lifting and axial shifting of a log towards a limit stop for determining disc thickness. As disc-like log segments are successively cut, they fall by gravity towards an underlying conveyor for transporting the segments away from the device; conveyor damage from falling segments is prevented through use of a pivotal, spring cushioned, basket-like log segment catcher disposed below the saw blade which engages the falling log segments, turns the same and safely deposits the segments onto the conveyor.

Abstract: Coils of hot strip are conveyed in the eye horizontal position along a path travel of the coil axis normal thereto and defined by successive intersecting arcuate segments. Swinging transfer members which overlap at their free ends transfer each coil from a member to its next downstream member at a location within the path segment common to both and also transfer the coil from the downstream member to the next downstream member at the intersection of their respective path segments, so that the coils are rotated thereby but not rolled.

Abstract: A conveyor for moving uniformly spaced-apart cylindrical articles transversely of their polar axes comprises a pair of parallel sawtooth rails, paired lifting and lowering levers on common pivots disposed along the rails in correspondence with each toothed portion of a rail, and cams for sequentially pivoting the lifting levers. The paired sawtooth elements include a stop surface and an inclined surface extending downwardly therefrom in the direction of article movement. The lowering lever is resiliently pivoted to an upper position independently of the lifting lever, and is downwardly pivotable by an article as it rolls down an inclined surface. Pivotation of the lowering lever to upper position permits the lifting lever gravitationally to pivot below an inclined surface.

Abstract: Coils of hot strip from a hot strip mill downcoiler are transferred broadside and set down with the coil eye horizontal on a walking beam conveyor. The conveyor comprises elongated transfer members pivoted at their lower end below the path of coil travel which swing toward and away from each other. Each transfer member has a coil-supporting platform on its upper end and coils are passed from one transfer member to the next when they approach each other, both at the intersections of their arcuate paths and at a point in each arcuate path intermediate those intersections, so that each coil is rotated about its axis during travel, but without rolling.