Abstract: A conveyor (400) for transporting articles, such as coils springs, is described. The conveyor comprises a substrate (420) for supporting articles during transportation, and a plurality of retaining members (520) located on the substrate for retaining the articles during transportation. The retaining members (520) each comprise a mounting portion (530) for mounting to the substrate (420). A containment portion (540) comprises proximal and distal parts (540a) and (540b) define a space therebetween for receiving a coil spring (100) under compression. Slots (550a) and (550b) in the containment parts are aligned for receiving pushers.

Abstract: A core recovery vehicle for recovering cores from turf which includes an elongated chassis having elongated sides and a front and a back. 1st and 2nd V-shaped wipers are carried on the chassis in a substantially horizontal orientation proximate to the front of the core recovery vehicle whereby the 1st and 2nd V-shaped wipers funnel cores from an open front to an apex opening of each V-shaped wiper; and 1st and 2nd elevators substantially aligned respectively with the apex opening of the 1st and 2nd V-shaped wipers, the 1st and 2nd elevators are substantially aligned with and have substantially all major parts thereof coincident respectively with 1st and 2nd substantially vertical virtual parallel spaced apart planes substantially aligned with the major axis of the chassis.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated removal of workpieces arranged in a container comprising a first object recognition device for detecting the workpieces and a first gripper for picking and removing the workpieces from the container; and a control for evaluating the data of the first object recognition device, for track planning and for controlling the first gripper; wherein an intermediate station on which the first gripper places the workpiece after the removal from the container; and a positioning apparatus which positions the workpieces more accurately starting from the intermediate station and/or singularizes them.

Abstract: A goods-to-person picking station and method of picking goods from a product container and placing the goods in at least one order container includes a product container-handling mechanism and at least one order container-handling mechanism juxtaposed with the product container-handling mechanism. The product container-handling mechanism supplies a product container to a pick area. The at least one order container-handling mechanism supplies at least one order container to the pick area. In this manner, an operator can pick goods from a product container at the pick area and place the goods selectively to the at least one order container at the pick area. The product container-handling mechanism includes a product container elevator assembly and a product container extractor assembly. The elevator assembly elevates a product container from the feed area to the pick area. The extractor assembly transfers a product container from the pick area.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a rotative platform powered manually through a hand crank or motor connected to a worm gear as the system motive force. Each of the arm bar lift is connected to a worm screw shaft providing synchronization as each arm bar rotates from the load position to the travel position. The device can rotate 360 degrees keeping a level platform through its entire rotation. This level platform rotation can only be achieved by having both arm bars connected and kept in time with each other with the worm gears and worm screw.

Abstract: A portable telescopic mast assembly with positive retraction for raising and lowering an associated device includes an outer body and a plurality of mast sections slideably engaged with the outer body. A lifting cable is disposed between the plurality of mast sections. The lifting cable operatively connects the plurality of mast sections so as to urge one or more of the mast sections towards an extended position. The lifting cable includes a first end and a second end, the first end being secured to an inner most mast section of the plurality of mast sections. A retraction cable is disposed at least partially inside the outer body. The retraction cable includes a first end and a second end, the first end being secured to the inner most mast section. A winch is secured to the outer body. The winch includes a first output and a second output, the second end of the lifting cable operatively connected to the first output and the second end of the retraction cable operatively connected to the second output.

Abstract: Device for receiving and for transporting an article, which device has receiving means which are slid under the article by a sliding means, the receiving means being formed by a belt which revolves around deflections means, the deflection means being formed by tensioning struts (26) which are tensioned relative to one another and are arranged on the sliding means (20).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for assisting a user in loading and unloading storage bins and goods to and from the back of a vehicle. The apparatus includes two chain drive supports that are elliptical in shape and positioned vertically and parallel to each other. Two chain drives rotate around sprocket guides attached to the two chain drive supports. Multiple bin carriers are attached on two sides to the two chain drives, and each bin carrier is capable of receiving a storage bin. A support stand that supports the chain drive supports attaches to the vehicle floor via floor mounts. A motor is attached to the support stand and drives a plurality of parallel chain drives, which in turn drive the two chain drives in unison to cause the bin carriers to rotate around each other in an ellipsis.

Abstract: A device for longitudinal adjustment of a spreader relative to the yoke beam with a sled for lateral adjustment of the spreader between the supports of a straddle carrier for picking up and transporting containers includes a base frame and mountings for support bolts firmly connected with it, a traverse with openings for support bolts and an attachment for a displacement cylinder, support bolts between the mountings and the traverse, and displacement cylinders between the base frame and the traverse.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer device includes a mounting frame assembly having an upper fixed frame and an inner subframe slidably mounted to the fixed frame. The inner subframe supports a gear rack on its upper surface and a separate conveying system within its frame. A drive unit is mounted on top of the fixed frame and includes idler rollers and a drive gear. The drive gear engages the gear rack thereby moving the whole inner subframe assembly, including the conveyor system in a horizontal path between two presses. As the inner subframe moves along a horizontal plane, a locking plate assembly prevents the conveyor belt from traveling with the inner subframe. The end gears in the conveyor rotate along the stationary belt forcing a workpiece carrier to move from one end of the conveyor system to the opposite end in the same direction as the inner subframe. Therefore, as the inner subframe moves in a horizontal path, the carrier is simultaneously moved along the same path.

Abstract: An automatic loading mechanism for use in the manufacture of thin, metallic circuit board panels. The invention includes a lower drum unit which accepts the metallic panels from a conveyor system. The lower drum unit is rotatably mounted within a frame assembly, and includes a plurality of clamps which can automatically receive several metallic panels of varying size. The lower unit includes automatic clamp control means, and has the capability of rotating the panels from a horizontal to a vertical position or vice-versa. The lower drum unit guidingly feeds the metallic panels, through a spline assembly, to an upper unit. The uppper unit includes a plurality of clamps, in diametrically placed pairs, which delicately handle only the peripheral edge of the metallic panels while feeding them automatically into a rack assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically mounting chip devices provided in tape units onto a printed circuit board at given positions thereof, the printed circuit board being placed on an XY table so that it is movable horizontally in X and Y directions.

Abstract: In one exemplar embodiment, an apparatus for handling and conveying materials is disclosed having a movable chassis, a longitudinally extendable conveyor assembly mounted on the chassis, the conveyor having a projecting loading end capable of limited longitudinal and arcuate vertical movement to a position immediately adjacent the location of the material being handled. An articulated boom assembly is rotatably mounted on the chassis with the movable free end carrying a pushing and pulling blade for loading the material unto the loading end of the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for transferring a wood frame or the like from a first surface to a second surface. The apparatus includes a pivotably mounted frame assembly having a pair of projecting transfer arms. The transfer arms are provided with a clamping mechanism for clamping the wood frame therebetween at the first surface. It is transferred to the second surface by rotating the frame assembly about its pivot axis and then releasing the clamping mechanism when the frame is at or just above the second surface. The clamping mechanism includes at least one structure which is pivotably mounted to the end of one of the transfer arms and movable in the direction of the other of the two arms.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly for a backhoe is disclosed which enables the operator of the backhoe to convey material from the rear of the backhoe to the front thereof for discharge directly into the bucket of the backhoe on command, eliminating the need for rotation of the turret of the backhoe. The conveyor assembly extends longitudinally through the support frame of the backhoe unit. A hopper filled with material to be conveyed is located at the rear end of the conveyor. The power driven conveyor is controlled from the cab of the backhoe.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for handling and conveying materials is disclosed having a movable chassis, a longitudinally extendable conveyor assembly mounted on the chassis, the conveyor having a projecting loading end capable of limited longitudinal and arcuate vertical movement to a position immediately adjacent the location of the material being handled. An articulated boom assembly is rotatably mounted on the chassis with the movable free end carrying a pushing and pulling blade for loading the material unto the loading end of the conveyor.

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: An improved reciprocatory self-loading dual-ended earth excavation vehicle pivotally connected to two or more unmanned self-leveling and self-maneuvering telescopic conveyor vehicles, the latter in turn are pivotally connected to a multi-function dual-ended distribution vehicle capable of conveying, spreading, wetting, impacting and grading the earth fill. The above-mentioned articulated vehicles provide the means to excavate, convey and discharge a virtually continuous flow of earth while traveling in a forward or rearward direction. The excavation and telescopic conveyor vehicles are readily adaptable to surface mining of various minerals including coal and oil shale by simply exchanging the abovementioned distribution vehicle for a pivotally connected boom conveyer vehicle which provides the means for discharging the ore at a mill site or for the loading of long haul ore carriers.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism places one part in a fixture on a continuously rotating table and substantially simultaneously picks up another part from an adjacent fixture on the table. The transfer mechanism then places the picked-up part on one fixture of an intermittently rotatable table while substantially simultaneously picking up another part on the latter table preparatory to placing that part on the continuously rotating table. A turn over mechanism subsequently picks up the part placed on the intermittently rotatable table by the transfer mechanism, turns the part over, and replaces the part on the intermittently rotatable table preparatory to the part being picked up from the latter table and returned to the continuously rotating table by the transfer mechanism.