Abstract: In a document storage and retrieval system of the type including at least one storage rack having a plurality of individual storage compartments, each of the compartments normally having positioned therein a cartridge holding a plurality of cards or the like, at least a first one of the compartments being empty and functioning as an access port for feeding cartridges into and removing cartridges from the storage rack, and a carriage assembly which travels on one side of the rack for transferring cartridges between the access port and the other storage compartments, the carriage assembly including a transport mechanism for moving cartridges thereon to and thereoff of, there is disclosed an improved transport and gate assembly positionable in a single empty storage compartment immediately below the access port which acts as a stop and cartridge presence sensor for blocking movement of a cartridge through the access port on to or off of the carriage assembly and which selectively retracts and allows movement of

Abstract: A hank transfer apparatus for transferring hanks from a hank carrier (100) to a holding or transporting device, comprises, on a stationary structure (11, 12, 13) a movable head (72) carrying two parallel hank-holder rods (90, 91) extended therefrom, which can be moved near each other in a closing position for introduction into a hank hanging from a hank carrier, and moved away from each other to an opening position for removing a hank from its own hank-carrier; the head (72) is movable in three orthogonal directions and rotatable, by sliding members (25, 40, 70) and guides (15,16; 31,32; 63,64) and a rotational device (50).

Abstract: A sort bin having substantially vertical bin walls and a vertically movable bin floor, the floor being mounted such that it is in a predetermined and fixed inclined attitude throughout its vertical movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically unfastening sheets of glass which are suspended vertically from pincer-like gripping means including a lifting element for lifting a sheet of glass towards the gripping means. A release means for moving the gripping means out of engagement with the sheet is included when a sheet is raised by the lifting means. The lifting means includes at least one gripper element which is movable in a horizontal direction to grip a surface of a sheet of glass.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing bottom material from beneath the surface of a body of water includes a floatable base upon which a tower is mounted for extending vertically upwardly therefrom. A rigid, elongate member having a bucket is connected to the tower and shiftable relative thereto by means of a power-driven motor mounted adjacent the tower. The motor is operable for selectively shifting the elongate member in a substantially vertical direction to effect raising and lowering of the bucket. A carriage is connected by cables to the motor and is operable for substantially vertical shifting along guides provided on the tower. The elongate member is connected to the carriage and suspended therefrom and is also pivotally connected to the carriage to permit pivotal movement of the elongate member about a horizontal axis extending generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering ties after unmolding from a first location to a trimming station which includes a conveyor operative between the first location and the trimming station, a gantry having a pair of arms for grasping the ends of the tie, lifting the tie from the first location, rotating the tie and delivering it to said conveyor.

Abstract: A dredging and treatment apparatus is provided for the working of alluvial deposits in deep waters in excess of 100 meters. The apparatus comprises an elongated pontoon having a container at one end and a treatment plant at the other. A plurality of grab units mounted on rails are movable from positions laterally of both sides of the pontoon to discharge positions over said container. A bucket elevator is pivoted at its upper end to support means on said pontoon so that its lower end may be moved to a position relative to the container section in accordance with the level of the material in the container. The treatment plant is thereby able to receive the material at a constant rate for onboard processing, the tailings being discharged back into the sea.

Abstract: Plant for handling cement tiles and similar articles that require a seasoning and subsequent workings.It includes: trays set up to be superimposed on one another and to slide along a track with a stripping station, a station to pile up the trays, an un-piling station of said trays and a station to pick up the tiles; the piles of trays are picked up beyond the piling station for the seasoning and are laid down again on the track before the un-piling station.

Abstract: In a loading apparatus, sacks are moved from a supply source along a conveyor to a device which arranges the sacks into a layer. From this device, the layer of sacks is moved over a double conveyor belt structure to a member which loads the layer directly onto a loading surface or onto a previously deposited layer of sacks on the loading surface. To provide continuous operation of the apparatus even when a loading surface is being replaced, the different parts of the apparatus can operate at variable speeds. The double conveyor belt structure which normally moves continuously supplying layers to the loading member, switches to a step-wise movement and stores a number of layers of sacks until the loading surface is replaced and ready to be loaded.