Abstract: An expandable chuck for insertion into a vertically oriented, longitudinally extending, cylindrical hollow core about which a web of paper or other material is wound to form a roll. An elongate body is dimensioned for insertion into the core. Mechanisms are connected to an upper portion of the body for engaging an upper end of the core to prevent the body from falling down through the core. A central lifting post is mounted to the body for vertical reciprocation relative thereto between a lowered position and a raised position. A plurality of jaws are connected by a linkage between the central lifting post and a lower portion of the body for movement from retracted positions in which they are disengaged from an inner surface of the core to extended positions in which they are grippingly engaged with the inner surface of the core. The jaws move from their retracted positions to their extended positions upon movement of the central lifting post from its lowered position to its raised position.

Abstract: A pig extractor for extracting pigs from a pipe or conduit. The extractor has an elongated shaft with a handle at one end and a spring latch at an opposing end.

Abstract: A tire press having upper and lower cavity molds with a tire loader which is vertically and horizontally movable and has a chuck which grips a tire by the tread rather than the bead. The gripper has plural gripping shoes movable by bell-cranks and piston actuators. The chuck of the invention grips a tire by the tread and positions it adjacent a mold where the tire bead is gripped by a second chuck (not claimed) which deposits the tire in the mold.

Abstract: A coupling device including a male coupling member and a female coupling member, the male coupling member including a shank-like body having three longitudinal slots each receiving a pivot fin, a circular spring normally biasing a first end portion of each fin into each associated slot and thereby automatically placing a second end portion of each fin in its normal coupling position, the female coupling member including a fitting connected by spacer bars to a coupler ring which receives the shank-like body, the ring having an opening which causes the fins to deflect toward an unclamped position during insertion, and after insertion the second end portions of the fins are brought into clamping engagement with the ring by the biasing force of the circular spring.

Abstract: A handling tool for insulated building blocks includes a pair of gripping surfaces that can be inserted within a recess of the block. A movable handle is attached through an actuator mechanism to the gripping surfaces for forceably moving the gripping surfaces apart to engage forcefully and in flushed contact with the end wall surfaces of the block. A guide is provided for substantially centering the gripping surfaces and handles within the block over the block weight and for positioning the gripping surfaces along the end walls to prevent damaging engagement between the gripping surfaces and the insulation layer within the block.

Abstract: A jig for transporting a green tire carcass in a horizontal position without causing any distortion comprising a lower bead support, a concentric tire shoulder support and a set of fingers for supporting the upper bead of the carcass.The fingers are spring biassed towards a position in engagement with the upper bead, but may be moved radially inwards while a tire carcass is either placed on or removed from the jig.

Abstract: A releasable tool holder (75) for quickly interchanging tools usable by a conventional robot (50) having one or more articulatable arms (60, 65, 70). The tool holder (75) is mounted to an arm (70) of the robot (50) and is provided with a plurality of variable fulcrum clamping levers (110) capable of engaging a surface (215) of a ring (205) mounting a preselected tool. A fluid motor (95) is connected to a translatable center link (105) that is pivotably attached to the variable fulcrum clamping levers (110) whereby when the motor (95) causes the link (105) to translate, the variable fulcrum clamping levers (110) engage the surface (215) of the tool mounting ring (205). A novel tool mounting ring (205) and a releasable fluid coupling (125) are also provided.

Abstract: A hand grip member for insertion in the end of a tubular core for flexible rolled material such as plastic stretch film includes opposed handle portions projecting from one side of a support web which includes cylindrical bearing shoe segments projecting from the other side of the support web. The handle portions are spaced apart and may be squeezed to move toward each other thereby deflecting the web to cause the bearing shoes to expand radially into gripping engagement with the inner wall of the roll core to selectively control the drag on the roll as the material is unrolled in the stretch wrapping process. The hand grip members are preferably used in pairs and are preferably molded in one piece of a suitable elastic material such as nylon.

Abstract: A hand apparatus of a robot which is less likely to be damaged and can offer a reliable and effective gripping of a workpiece. The hand apparatus comprises a main frame which is mounted to a wrist member through a plurality of damper couplings. Pivotally mounted to the main frame are a pair of four-point-articulated link arms each having two arms extending parallel to each other. A sub-frame having a finger mounted thereon for pivotal movement in every direction is pivotally mounted to the leading end of the respective link arms. A pair of hydraulic cylinders are provided for moving the link arms in a gripping operation.

Abstract: A liner cup 2 can be removed from a golf hole 1 by a tool with a shaft 6 and wedge-shaped member 9 pivoted on arms 8 extending from the shaft so that they fold inwards as the shaft is positioned in the cup (by placing nose 6d into the conventional bottom recess) and fold outwards to grip by their curved outer edges 9a at the inner liner cup surface as the shaft is pulled up, thereby removing the cup 2 from the ground by frictional engagement of the edges 9a. In case simple frictional engagement is inadequate, e.g. in wet weather, a sleeve 12 is mounted to be slid upwards by arm 13 when second handle 14, pivoted at 15 to the shaft is manipulated so that limb 14a lies nearest handle 7, or conversely downwards when 14 is oppositely pivoted.

Abstract: A robot hand for lifting an apertured panel includes a pair of tong fingers pivotally mounted upon a housing having a locating face. The tong fingers have opposed facing knuckles including a circular cylindrical wall portion adjacent the pivot and spherical cam faces adjacent the distal ends. An air cylinder operated toggle linkage moves the tong arms between a pinched together position contracting the tong finger knuckles for insertion through the aperture of the apertured panel and spread apart positions in which the circular cylindrical wall portions engage the aperture walls to locate the panel in the longitudinal and transverse directions and the spherical cam faces engage with the underside of the panel and lift the panel against the locating face of the housing.

Abstract: A device for attaching a lifting cable to a load. Lifting forces are imparted through a pair of inclined surfaces of the device which surfaces engage like surfaces on the load being lifted. A main member houses positionable member which has one of the inclined surfaces thereon and may be rotated for insertion below an inclined surface on the load. The main member has the remaining lifting inclined surface thereon. A locking member is slidably mounted on a main member of the device and gravitates into a position whereat the positionable member is prevented from movement. The lifting cable passes through openings in the movable, locking and main members of the device. A bolt equipped clevis may be coupled to said members.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for supplying individually to a processing station, such as a banding station, metal coils which are provided in groups of adjacent side-by-side coils, the groups of coils being placed on a conveyor line in following order with the coils in each group stacked vertically, conveyed to a separating station in turn, and destacked by mechanically lifting from the top of each group, carrying forwardly, and depositing on the conveyor line at a depositing station individual coils of the group successively, while the group is stationary, and the deposited coils being conveyed forwardly towards the processing station. Following groups are accumulated on the conveyor line in advance of the separating station while a group of coils is stationary on the separating section for destacking thereof.

Abstract: Multi-legged apparatus for frictionally engaging the interior of a chimney flue liner and inserting same in a chimney via a stanchion or multi-sectioned rods. Each L-shaped leg is containably and rotatably mounted to a center threaded rod. The legs are expandable via a moving carrier containing cantilever arms connected to each of said L-shaped arms, such that by moving said carrier up or down along said center rod, said arms radially expand or contract from said center shaft.

Abstract: A device for transferring tubular fabrics, particularly panty hose, the opening or mouth of which is fitted on support hangers which are spaced apart from one another and hold the mouth at an open position, and for transferring such tubular fabrics onto a rigid body adjacent to and aligned with the hangers by inverting the tubular fabrics on such rigid body. The device includes a slide longitudinally movable on a fixed guide, jaws mounted on the slide and includes four discrete rotable elements in two pairs on two discrete planes, a pan projecting forwardly of the slide and freely axially movable relative thereto against the action of a spring, plungers supported from the jaws which project for insertion in the mouth or opening of the tubular fabric as the slide moves forward, followed by lifting such fabric out of the support hangers when the jaws are spread out.

Abstract: An implement for setting individual conduit units in end-to-end stacking relation. First and second members are resiliently biased in spaced relation to each other. Cleats extend from the spaced members for supporting an end of a conduit unit. A toggle extends between the spaced members with its arm pivotally joined to those members at one end and to a common knee at their other end. In a preferred embodiment, the toggle is an over-center device having a stop with the cleats being spaced from each other sufficiently to engage an end of a conduit unit when the toggle is in the over-center position. Flexing of the toggle from the over-center position results in a withdrawal of the cleats from the conduit unit end. Positive release of the cleats from the conduit unit end is assured by members extending from each of the spaced members toward the other of the spaced members to engage a conduit unit supported by the cleats during flexing of the toggle.

Abstract: A tool for straightening indentations in sheet metal has a pair of substantially L-shaped rods, one leg of one of the rods being mounted concentrically within a corresponding leg of the other of the rods for movement axially along and rotatable about the common axis. The second leg of the outer rod has a recess shaped for receiving the corresponding second leg of the inner rod so that in a first position the second leg of the inner rod may be nestled within the second leg of the outer rod to provide a cross-sectional profile less than the composite of the two rods and both may be inserted and removed as a unit into and from a hole formed in the sheet metal. The inner rod may thereafter be rotated 180 degrees about the common axis and locked in position for applying a pulling force against the sheet metal. A spring detent locking pin secures the rods in the pulling disposition and also in the insertion/removal disposition of the rods.

Abstract: A latching device for use in nuclear reactors. The device is used to latch outer housing assemblies to the reactor core. The device contains a shear pin which does not break under normal loading imposed by movement of absorber rod assemblies, but which shears when it is desired to remove the housing from the core.

Abstract: A lifting device for massive precast concrete wall units having spaced parallel front and rear wall panels and spaced apart lateral connecting arms therebetween. The device comprises a pair of pivotally connected lifting legs swingable between retracted and expanded positions. The legs have a spreader element pivotally connected therebetween intermediate their ends. At upper ends a pair of connecting links are respectively connected pivotally at lower ends with the legs and pivotally connected together at upper ends. A lift attachment is also pivotally connected at upper ends of the connecting links. At lower ends the legs have fixed or pivotal shoes with outwardly projecting toes which engage beneath the bottom surfaces of the arms of the wall units with the legs expanded. With the legs retracted the legs and shoes are freely moveable vertically between the arms of the wall units. Shoes are selectively mountable on the legs in pairs with horizontal and at least one other toe angle.

Abstract: A device for lifting objects with an annular opening is disclosed. A handle mounted within a housing is linked to legs. When the handle is moved vertically up or down, the legs are extended or retracted. A locking mechanism provides a means to maintain the legs in a retracted position for easy insertion into the annular opening.

Abstract: A grapple includes a pivotal L-shaped catch and a lever arranged to move the catch to an object-releasing position when the lever engages the object.

Abstract: This auto body dent removing puller and anchor may be inserted through a drilled hole or existing hole in the body of automobiles or other vehicles. The hole having to be only as large as the modified cylinder shaped part of the tool. It can be made in various lengths and diameters. Once inserted this uniquely modified cylinder shaped portion may be tipped by a rod attached to the outside of the tool and to the cylinder allowing a flattened V-shaped surface area to abut against the inside of the material for the purpose of pulling a damaged area out with common pulling devices or with an impacting device such as a slide hammer. Once the damaged area is pulled out it may be removed from the hole easily by the same rod it was tipped with after being inserted.

Abstract: There is disclosed a lifting feature for releasably gripping from within the reel-less cores about which coils of wire in bulk are wound, the fixture including a central lifting member from which pivotally attached lifting bars radiate to engage the core in an upwardly inclined attitude so that the weight of the load causes the bars to press into the walls of the core to establish a solid coupling.

Abstract: A handling apparatus adapted for transferring machined pieces from one station to another. A hollow cylindrical arm is mounted vertically movable upon a frame which is laterally movable along a guide rail. Within the hollow arm are positioned an operating rod and a coaxial inner cylinder with a spring disposed between the ends of the inner cylinder and the cylindrical arm for biasing the inner cylindrical arm downwardly. A clamper including fingers which are spreadable by operation of the operational rod is formed at the lower position of the inner cylinder. Control switches for vertically moving the assembly are mounted alongside a control device positioned atop the inner cylinder and controlling the movement of the operational rod.

Abstract: A grapnel is disclosed which comprises a plurality of arms pivotably mounted on a substantially rod shaped body. The arms have at their free ends catching points forming an angle with the arms and near the foot of the catching points auxiliary catching claws extend substantially in the direction of the arms. A piston and cam-shaped portions of the grapnel arms co-operate to urge the arms into an outwardly extending position upon a traction on the grapnel rope.

Abstract: A loader-unloader system for loading and unloading workpieces into a machine tool wherein each workpiece is held in position about an axis during which various machine operations may be performed. The tool comprising a loading chute or conveyor adapted to deliver articles in succession to a loading position, an unloading chute or conveyor adapted to receive workpieces, and a loader-unloader assembly. The loader-unloader assembly comprises a track extending along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine, a carriage movable along the track and means for moving said carriage back and forth along the said track. A loader-unloader head assembly is mounted on the carriage, and includes a head having a multiplicity of fingers movable radially inwardly and outwardly for gripping a workpiece.

Abstract: A tool for straightening indentations in sheet metal has a pair of levers each having first and second legs disposed angularly to one another and a pivot pin for journally mounting the levers together for pivotable movement about the pin. The levers may be pivoted from a position in which the axes of the first legs are superposed upon each other for insertion of both first legs simultaneously into a hole formed in the sheet metal for receiving the legs. The levers may then be pivoted to a second position in which the first legs face in opposite directions from the pivot pin and engage the sheet metal about the hole. In one embodiment the axes of the second legs in the second position are disposed angularly to one another and a spreader member is removably secured to the legs. A clevis member being secured to the spreader member for application of a pulling force. In two other embodiments the axes of the second legs are superposed upon each other and a clevis member is directly removably secured to both legs.

Abstract: A vertically elongated tool is provided including an upper head portion and a pair of downwardly divergent legs each having its upper end pivotally supported from the head portion for oscillation relative thereto about an axis extending transversely of the legs, the pivot axes of the legs being parallel, and for relative swinging movement of the lower ends of the legs toward and away from each other. A horizontally elongated control block extends between and interconnects the legs intermediate their upper and lower ends.

Abstract: An improved internal gripper apparatus for use in uncasers and the like for controllably gripping bottles or other containers from within for transport and release as desired. The internal grippers are spring-loaded to an outer position though automatically retract as required for insertion into the mouth of a container, gripping the container near the top, or at the ridge adjacent the top of the container characteristic of many containers. The improvement comprises a guide ring on the gripper at an elevation approximately equal to the highest relative position of a container during normal operation of the gripper apparatus. The guide ring may limit the uppermost position of any part of the container top or confine the radial position thereof, preferably both, to positively locate the container top and prevent cocking thereof. Chamfering of the lower edge of the ring provides a guide to encourage the gripper and container into axial alignment as the gripper proceeds into a container.

Abstract: A truck on rails includes a vertically adjustable horizontally extending main beam supported at one end and having a plurality of auxiliary beams semi-circularly arranged thereabout parallel thereto and each connected thereto by a plurality of parallel levers of equal length each having a fulcrum on the main beam, being pivotally connected adjacent an outer end to its respective auxiliary beam, and being operatively connected adjacent an inner end to an actuating rod reciprocable by a hydraulic actuator for adjustment of the auxiliary beams radially of the main beam. The auxiliary beams are provided with rollers for engagement with the inside of a pipe, and those on the uppermost auxiliary beam are driven by a compressed-air motor to compensate for frictional drag imposed by the others on pipe being rotated in continuous production on a pipe making machine. When the pipe is cut to length, the truck transports the cut-off length to a storage or shipping area and returns to support another length being made.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in the lifting of tires that includes a master support sleeve, two movable arms slideably associated with the master support sleeve, and two hook units pivotably connected to the arms for easy engagement with the inner rim of a tire.

Abstract: During upward drilling operations the casing for the hole is, at times, supported from the drill stem from which the cutterhead is operatively driven. A collapsible spider is placed about the drill stem and supported therefrom, and has extension arms which, during one operating condition, pass underneath the lower end of the casing for providing it with vertical support, and in another operating condition are pivotally folded upwardly so that the casing may be moved vertically past both the spider and its associated drill stem.

Abstract: An annular workpiece is grasped by inserting into an annular portion of the annular workpiece the second end of a gripping member having a first end and an expandable second end and expanding the expandable end of the gripping member.

Abstract: A lifting device having radially disposed arms each provided with a lift pad assembly pivotally mounted at the outer arm ends. The arms are pivotally attached at their inner ends to a central post structure. An arm locking assembly includes a sleeve on the post structure having pivoted links coupled to each of the arms to assure uniform locking and unlocking of the arms.

Abstract: A low inertia transfer arm for rapid operation and for manipulation of small or medium sized parts comprises a supporting arm adapted for connection at one end to a device for movement of said arm having at least two degrees of freedom, a pair of tongs comprising a pair of jaws for gripping a part and mounted at the other end of said supporting arm, one of said jaws being rigidly attached to said supporting arm and the other of said jaws being movable relative thereto between open and closed relative positions of said jaws, and means for controlling opening and closing of said jaws, said controlling means including a rocker lever comprising a pair of arms for movement between two stable positions by contact between a respective one of said arms and a fixed stop, a torsion bar extending along said support arm fixed at one end to said movable tong jaw and at the other end to said rocker lever for rotation therewith about its longitudinal axis to cause opening and closing of said jaws.

Abstract: A device for the raising and lowering of a chimney flue liner pipe within a chimney comprised of a wedge element affixed by a hinge member to a release element, the wedge element having a wedge element release rope aperture and a wedge element lowering rope aperture defined therein, and the release element having a release element lowering rope aperture and a release element release rope aperture defined therein; a release rope passing through the wedge element release rope aperture and the release element release rope aperture and affixed to the wedge element, and a lowering rope passing through the release element lowering rope aperture and then through the wedge element lowering rope aperture and affixed to the wedge element.

Abstract: An annular workpiece is grasped by inserting a wedging member having two ends into the annular portion of the workpiece wherein the wedging member is longer than the diameter of the annular portion of the workpiece and positioning the ends of the wedging member against the inside surface of the annular workpiece.

Abstract: Internal gripper apparatus for use in uncasers and the like, for controllably gripping bottles or other containers from within for transport and release as desired. The internal grippers are spring-loaded to an outer position though automatically retract as required for insertion into the mouth of a container, gripping the container near the top, or at the ridge adjacent the top of the container characteristic of nearly all containers. The grippers have an upward extending centrally disposed actuating member which may be slidably encouraged to a lower position to retract the grippers and release a container held thereby. The grippers provide relatively close axial positioning of the containers to provide the desired separation of containers on container handling apparatus, and further include supporting structure to allow retraction of the gripper on engagement with broken or inverted containers or other obstructions in the normal operation of the gripper apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for cooling rolled wire after rolling by the application of a liquid treatment medium, which apparatus requires substantially less space and retention time for treatment than previous devices utilizing liquid mediums, but which still accommodates the rolled product issuing from a high speed large capacity production line. This is achieved by coiling the wire and simultaneously continuously immersing it in the container holding the liquid treating medium, so that at the moment each coil of wire is completed, it is also properly treated. Also included are means for sequentially coiling and removing each coil of rolled wire from the liquid treatment container.

Abstract: A recovery tool is located and affixed to a recovery object by a mechanical anipulator extending from an undersea vehicle. The manipulator squeezes a pair of spring biased actuators on the tool and interconnected linkage is displaced. The displaced linkage longitudinally slides an actuator tube on a lift rod and rotates a crossbar from its orthogonal disposition on the lift rod to an axially aligned position. The manipulator inserts the lift rod through a hole or ring provided in the recovery object and relaxes its squeezing force. The spring biased actuators spread apart and the interconnected linkage withdraws the actuator tube. A small spring carried inside the lift rod rotates the cross bar to its orthogonal position. When so disposed the crossbar cannot be withdrawn through the hole on the object. Thusly, a hoisting cable coupled to the recovery tool is joined to the object allowing its recovery to a surface or other undersea craft.

Abstract: A ring of paddles is provided the lower ends of which are engageable under the upper bead of a longitudinally-lying tire for lifting the latter and positioning it in a press. The paddles define an enclosure for the press diaphragm to prevent the latter "ballooning" out above a tire or tire carcass pre-formed to C-section and thus of smaller axial extent than its diaphragm when inserted in the press. Spreading of the lower ends of the paddles to engage under the tire bead is effected by gravity as the device is lifted and locking means is provided to prevent such spreading when desired.

Abstract: An attachment device for underwater salvage operations which has an elongd cylindrical body and a plurality of extendable lugs supported in one or more apertures near the tapered end of the cylindrical body. After insertion in a predrilled hole, the lugs are extended either by a spring action or mechanically by a shaft passing through the center of the cylindrical body. An external concentric collar on the hollow body supports a shackle for attachment of a cable. A scalloped handle attached to the hollow body at the end adjacent to the shackle permits the collar to be tightened down firmly against the hull after attachment to increase side load bending strength by the lift cable attached to the shackle. The end of the cylindrical body adjacent to the extendable lugs may be tapered to aid in alignment and insertion in a predrilled hole.