Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of utilization of the same of a fixture used for the placement of seats in a vehicle body or cab structure. The present invention provides a "C" frame which may be attached to an overhead lifting device, a first link pivotally connected to the "C" frame, and a second link angularly and pivotally connected to the first link for penetrating between the seat back and seat cushion. A lifting mechanism is provided for raising the second link thereby causing the seat to be captured by the fixture so that the seat can be transported by the lifting device.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically extracting objects individually from containers comprises a stand, beneath which a container having the objects that are to be extracted can be erected; an extractor arm movably disposed on the stand in the area above the container; a device for axially extending and retracting the extractor arm; and a device for guiding the grasping element of the extractor arm to various areas in the container interior. In order to attain reliable emptying of the container, especially in the rim areas and corners, a holding device for the extractor arm is provided, which is connected to the stand via a cardan joint suspension system. A drive mechanism is provided for the longitudinal displacement of the extractor arm relative to the holding device, as are further drive mechanisms for pivoting the holding device in two vertical planes at right angles to one another.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a remotely-operable positioning and carrier aratus for remote-handling equipment for use in large-area cells containing process components. The apparatus is mounted on a lifting device of an overhead bridge crane. The apparatus achieves good positioning of the particular remote-handling equipment even at locations which are poorly accessible. The apparatus includes a horizontal beam which is fixed at an eccentric position thereon to the bottom sheave unit of the lifting device so that the horizontal beam defines a long lever arm and a short lever arm. A receiving lever is pivotally connected to the end of the longer lever arm. The receiving lever has an equipment receiving device at its free end. A displaceable counterweight is arranged on the short lever arm for altering the position of the center of gravity of the apparatus. This apparatus makes it possible also to operate in spaces beneath components present in a rack.

Abstract: A crane and lift apparatus for controlling the operation of primary hoist and bridge structure, and gantry drive functions of the equipment. There is provided an auxiliary hoist grapple apparatus to unload containers stacked one above another from one location to another parallel thereto, from one roadway to a parallel roadway, or from one flat bed railroad car to another flat bed railroad car disposed upon a track that is parallel to and adjacent to the track on which the first railroad car is located. The apparatus is adaptable to straddle two locations, parallel roadways, or parallel railroad tracks and effect interchange of containers to and from trucks or railroad cars positioned on the parallel roadways or tracks.

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: The invention relates to an apparatus for handling sheets or the like. The apparatus comprises a bridge structure displacable on rails, an upper carriage displaceable on the bridge structure in a direction perpendicular to the rails, vertical beams attached to the upper carriage, and a carriage displaceable on the vertical beams in the direction thereof. The carriage is provided with lifting forks for removing a sheet pack or the like from a shelf place. The carriage is further provided with a gripper frame for picking up a sheet or the like from the shelf place or the like. In order to provide a simple and reliable apparatus, the carriage is provided with arms pivotable around a horizontal axis from a first position above the lifting forks and essentially in parallel therewith to a second position, and vice versa.

Abstract: A device for transferring crosswound coils from a crosswound-coil delivery location of a textile machine into a box-shaped conveyance includes a flat conveyor for collecting crosswound coils in mutually adjacent rows, and grippers for unloading the collected crosswound coils, the flat conveyor and the grippers being combined into one structural unit, the structural unit being pivotable in a vertical plane through an angle of substantially 180.degree. and being controllably changeable in position in vertical and horizontal direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for holding an electronic part including a rod coupled to a part-absorbing nozzle at one end thereof and coupled to a vacuum device at the other end portion thereof, the rod being axially movable. Also included is a sleeve member movable along the axis of the rod in response to the movement thereof. A pair of chucking jaws for chucking the electronic part are coupled through a transmission mechanism to the sleeve member. The transmission mechanism comprises a pair of curved levers each providing a connection between the chucking jaws and the sleeve member and a pair of guide members which are respectively engaged with the pair of chucking jaws and radially extend at right angles to the axis of the rod, and is arranged to allow the pair of chucking jaws to be moved at right angles to the axis of the rod member in opposite directions to each other in response to the movement of the sleeve member.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for handling bobbins and transferring them from one location to another. The apparatus includes upper and lower housings connected by an articulated joint. The upper housing is supported by a fluid-operated, overhead hoist which is controlled by a manually-operated control mounted on the upper housing. The lower housing has an outwardly-extending, compact, fluid-operated gripper which extends into a central passage of the bobbin and has movable jaws engaging the inner surface. The articulated joint enables the lower housing to pivot relative to the upper one and move the gripper between horizontal and vertical positions. The articulated joint has a manually-operated locking pin locking the lower housing in either position, with a manual release handle located near the hoist control on the upper housing to enable both to be manipulated by one hand. The apparatus also includes a fluid interlock system which prevents accidental release of the bobbin from the gripper.

Abstract: An automated cassette handler for transporting a cassette containing integrated circuit wafers between first and second elevators in a standardized mechanical interface (SMIF) system for integrated circuit processing. The handler is adapted to grip and transport the cassette while positively pushing the wafers into the cassette.

Abstract: A robot carrier structure constituted by a portal wagon movable on rails and laterially supported by a pair of carriages each comprising a pair of wheels longitudinally coupled by motion transmission means actuated in synchronism by an electric motor. Further the two electric motors of the pair of carriages are so connected as to constitute an electric axis. Each wheel has a structure adapted to ensure a high adherence to the rail, particularly due to the provision of a pair of rings of elastomeric material engaging the rolling surface of the rail.

Abstract: A device for moving objects about the inside of a closed container includes a grasping mechanism for grasping and releasing objects and an operating mechanism for operating the grasping mechanism and for moving the grasping mechanism about the inside of the container. The operating mechanism includes a pair of arm bodies each of which slidably move through a wall in the container along a linear pathway. As a result of the linear movement of the arm bodies, close tolerance seals can be used to seal the opening sufficiently to allow sliding movement without significantly disturbing the atomspheric and temperature conditions in the container. At least one of the arm bodies is composed of a pair of arm body portions, each portion having a surface slidable with respect to the other portion. The outer ends of the arm bodies positioned outside of the container are suitably coupled to a driver for moving the arm bodies along a linear pathway.

Abstract: An automated handling system intended notably for storehouses in which miscellaneous articles are kept, for allowing either the restocking of the storehouse, or the regrouping of articles picked up in the storehouse for constituting lots or articles which correspond to a customer's order. The system comprises a central control and management computer and one or a plurality of self-powered trucks adapted to handle stock bins and order receiving bins in the storehouse, and to pick up articles from the bins to constitute lots of articles and gather the various customers' orders.

Abstract: Self-contained apparatus able to move along a non-horizontal surface and comprising a first train and a second train (48) connected to the first train by devices allowing to obtain a relative displacement by translation and rotation in a plane parallel to the surface, and first and second holding devices (2) carried respectively by the first and the second trains and able to fix removably the apparatus on the surface, wherein the holding devices carried by at least one of the trains are connected to the train through devices capable of displacing said train with respect to the holding devices in a direction perpendicular to the surface. Preferably, the holding devices (2) of the first train are comprised of a plurality of adherence devices forming a polygon and arranged outside the center of the holding devices of the second train, and the apparatus further comprises a processing or inspection tool (60) mounted so as to pivot with respect to the first train.

Abstract: An A-frame has a winch head swingable from a cross-member and between its two arms. A docking member comprises an upper frame depending, by means of hydraulic rams, from the winch head and a lower frame swingable from the upper frame about an axis perpendicular to the axis about which the winch head can swing from the cross-member. Guides for a load-carrying line are provided on the frames.

Abstract: In a canister handling system, a canister dumper has pentagonally arranged rows of holders on a structure which is rotatable about a horizontal axis for indexing the rows of holders from a vertical position, where the canisters are loaded, through two steps to a canister content unloading station where the contents are gravity unloaded, and then through a canister unloading station where the canisters are dropped from the holders. The canisters include vertical ribs defining an enlarged outside diameter which interlocks with curved carrier walls to retain the canisters on carriers.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improved end effector for a robot which is particularly advantageous in applications such as placing flat pack integrated circuits on circuit boards. The end effector includes a vacuum-operated quill for picking up the integrated circuit from a predetermined location. A pressure spring mechanism is included in the end effector permits the flat pack to be held in the desired position with a predetermined force by utilizing the robot arm to compress the pressure spring a predetermined amount. Once the integrated circuit is positioned on the circuit board, the circuit is released and the quill moved away from the board a predetermined distance by a linear actuator included in the end effector without any motion of the robotic arm.

Abstract: A log lifter particularly designed to elevate a portion of a large log to facilitate cutting the log into shorter lengths, wherein the log lifter includes a collapsible support frame with a hoist mechanism mounted thereon and a log gripping clamp connected with the hoist mechanism for lifting the log.

Abstract: A parts handling device is provided having a movable carrier on which is disposed a plurality of coil wound magnet poles. At least one of the poles is wound and with an A.C. source so that its current or voltage is subject to changes in response to induced magnetic flux caused by its proximity to a ferro-magnetic material. The changes in current or voltage so induced is sensed by a low impedance device or a resonant circuit device and an electric signal is produced which is employed to convert said poles to D.C. excitement control the operation of the parts handling device.

Abstract: A tool for picking up and releasing washers which uses a retractable rod member that is insertable into the washer and directs jets of pressurized air alternately onto the bottom surface of the washer to cause the latter to be picked up and onto the top surface of the washer to cause the latter to be released.

Abstract: A pallet loading apparatus wherein an article is held by a holding device that can move freely vertically and horizontally at the article line-up position. The article is then moved and lowered onto articles on a pallet at the pallet loading position. The holding device is provided at the lower sections on its both sides with a plurality of scooping fork members, each of which has a supporting section that is supported on a shaft in such a manner that it can be opened and closed and is horizontal when it is closed. The supporting sections of the scooping fork members are provided at one or more positions of each section with joint sections and the end section of the joint sections is formed so as to bend only upwards.

Abstract: A device for lifting removable tops from vehicles comprises a frame having a longitudinal member attached to a hoist and upper and lower crossbars extending laterally outward therefrom to envelope the vehicle top. Protective pads on each end of the lower crossbar engage the underside of the top near the rear portion and a protective pad at the front of the longitudinal member engages the front topside of the top whereby the removable top is supported in a balanced horizontal position upon application of a lifting force to the longitudinal member.

Abstract: A digger for digging out substantially vertically-sided holes e.g. for gravestone monument foundations, is in the form of an attachment adapted to be connected on the dipper stick of a backhoe machine. The attachment has a downwardly-depending digger frame pivoted at its upper end to an attachment frame which is connected to the free end of the dipper stick. A vertically extending operating shaft extends upwardly relative to the digger frame and is connected through a pair of lower linkages to the sections of a clam shell bucket mounted on the lower end of the digger frame. The upper end of the operating shaft connects through a connecting link and a rocking lever to the piston of the dipper stick piston and cylinder arrangement.

Abstract: A method of handling slabs by an overhead traveling crane having a slab grip lifter comprises disengaging a brake for a lifter swinging motor and a brake for a crab moving motor in the beginning, causing the position of the lifter to be adjusted by a reaction force from a slab when the lifter grips the slab, and causing the lifter to return to its original position after it has gripped the slab.

Abstract: The invention comprises a load-supporting beam provided with plates at each end which are pivotally mounted to pendants at each end, to which pendants are attached the suspending cables. Each pendant carries a hydraulic cylinder attached at one end to the pendant and at the other end to a crank affixed to the rotating element carrying the pivot for the load. That element is provided with an indexing pin which fits movably in a slot in the adjoining beam end plate. That end plate also has a second slot in line with the slot first mentioned, through which second slot passes the pivot bolt which also passes through the center of rotation of the rotating member. The center of gravity of the rotating load carrier is brought into alignment with the axis of rotation by adjusting the position of the indexing pin and the pivot bolt in the end plate slots.

Abstract: There is provided a coil upending and transporting apparatus which includes a main frame having means for allowing the frame to be suspended from a suspension means, and a sub-frame pivoted to the main frame at a horizontal axis located below the suspension means. Power means such as hydraulic cylinders are provided for positively pivoting the sub-frame with respect to the main frame about the axis. The sub-frame includes support means for engagement under a coil whose axis is vertical, and an elongate holding mandrel disposed so as to be parallel with the axis of a coil at one end of which the support means is engaged. Control means are also provided for moving the holding mandrel selectively (1) in the direction of its elongation, and (2) perpendicular to both its own elongation direction and the direction of said horizontal axis.

Abstract: A claw crane well suited for loading and unloading, transporting and stacking steel products such as blooms, includes a mast suspended from the crane proper to be moved vertically, a beam tiltably attached to the lower end of the mast, and a plurality of load carrying claw shifters and load unloading pusher means which are movably arranged on the beam.

Abstract: A machine for assisting in the support of a load. A suction head having a downwardly facing opening supports the load. A conduit is connected to the hollow interior of the suction head and suction is impressed on the conduit so that the load can be held at the opening. A cable supports the suction head. A pressure cylinder is provided with a piston connected to urge the cable upwardly to support the suction head and the load. Fluid under pressure can be supplied to the cylinder at two selected pressures, one selected pressure being sufficient to substantially counterbalance the weight of the load and of the suction head, the other selected pressure being a lesser pressure sufficient to substantially counterbalance the weight of the suction head. A pressure operated switch is connected to be actuated by pressure in the conduit. Operation of the switch impresses the first selected pressure on the cylinder when the opening in the suction head is closed by the load and there is a reduced pressure in the conduit.

Abstract: A crane for lifting and transporting a load such as a heavy metal coil. An overhead winch lifts and lowers a load carriage and the load attached thereto, and a powered wheeled trolley moves the load horizontally above a floor. Attached to the carriage is a clamp, which engages the coil through its center aperture and its periphery. The clamp has two jaws, one movable with respect to the other, the movable jaw also having a movable gripping surface that moves on an inclined surface of the movable jaw towards the fixed jar to ensure a tight wedging engagement of the load. The jaws and gripping surfaces provide a nonpowered, mechanically firm grip on the load once it has been engaged by the jaws. The coil may be lifted with the jaws when its center aperture is vertically or horizontally disposed, and the load may be placed for storage in either position as well.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to apparatus (11) for lifting, maneuvering and transferring a roll of material to an independently supported shaft (93). The apparatus is adapted for suspension from an overhead crane and comprises an elongated frame (12) the lower end of which is pivotally connected to a torque assembly (14) that includes a center probe (15). The center probe includes a plurality of radially expanding teeth (49) that engage the inner surface of the roll core and retain it on the center probe (15). An actuator (13) of the extensible-retractable type is pivotally connected between the upper end of the elongated frame (12) and one end of the torque arm assembly (14). Extension and retraction of the actuator (13) causes the torque arm assembly (14) and center probe (15) to move between substantially vertical and horizontal positions. The extreme end of the center probe includes a coupler (61) that releasably interlocks with a coupler (94) secured to the end of the machine shaft (93).

Abstract: An internal elevator to be received within and internally grip and support a tubular member such as a well platform supporting pile, and including slips preferably mounted within openings in an outer body and actuable radially outwardly into gripping engagement with the tubular member by powered axial movement of an inner camming body. The elevator is desirably suspended in horizontal position by a hanger in a manner enabling the elevator to be stabbed into an end of a horizontal tubular pile or member, with the elevator having additional connector means attachable to a suspending line in a relation then swinging the elevator and pile to vertical positions. In one form of the invention, the elevator may be formed as part of an elongated structure adapted to be lowered through vertically spaced pile guides, with the elongated structure acting to bridge the space between the guides and thereby assure proper alignment of the elevator with the guides and with a pile centered with respect thereto.

Abstract: The remote docking apparatus comprises a support plate with locking devices mounted thereon. The locking devices are capable of being inserted into tubular members for suspending the support plate therefrom. A vertical member is attached to the support plate with an attachment mechanism attached to the vertical member. A remote access manipulator is capable of being attached to the attachment mechanism so that the vertical member can position the remote access manipulator so that the remote access manipulator can be initially attached to the tubular members in a well defined manner.

Abstract: The four hoisting cables of a container loading crane which depend from the free end of the crane boom pass axially through a central opening of a turntable mechanism. The upper turntable portion is mounted on the boom and may tilt about a horizontal axis. The lower turntable portion may be moved relative to the upper portion about a vertical axis. The free ends of the hoisting cables extend between two pairs of engaging elements on the lower turntable portion and corresponding two pairs of engaging elements on a container hoisting frame. The pairs of engagement elements at least on the frame are spaced farther apart in the direction of frame elongation than the frame is wide. One engagement element associated with each tension member is a pulley over which the tension member is trained.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for handling signature bundles. The apparatus is particularly designed to place one signature bundle in end-to-end relationship with another. The apparatus includes a clamping plate at one end of a frame and a pair of pivotal arms at the other end of the frame which can engage and disengage a signature at the end of the bundle without damaging it. This enables a new signature bundle to be stacked on another one at feeding equipment which separates and collates the bundles with other bundles, by way of example.

Abstract: This invention is a tool apparatus operable to aid in assembling and disassembling of large, rotational sprinkler systems for crop irrigation purposes. The tool apparatus function is to present the tools and the structure for readily maneuvering the elements of the respective irrigation sprinkler system.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for handling signature bundles. The apparatus includes an inverted U-shaped frame with legs rotatably carrying clamping pads. The frame has a fluid-operated ram thereon for moving one leg toward and away from the other. One clamping pad is connected to a driven sprocket engaged by a chain. The chain is connected to a drive sprocket mounted on a drive shaft of a motor which is mounted on the frame. The frame also has a locator plate to aid in centering the clamping pads with the signature bundles.

Abstract: A vertical lift unit comprises a horizontally disposed upper plate adapted for suspension from a reciprocal shuttle feed unit, and a horizontally disposed lower plate adapted for supporting a reciprocal work piece gripping, lifting and transport assembly. A cylinder assembly is interposed between and interconnects the plates for effecting relative vertical movement therebetween. A series of bi-fold linkages are mounted quarter laterally in a rectangular pattern around the cylinder assembly and interposed between the plates and at their respective free ends pivotally connected to the plates for providing straight vertical lift motions to the work piece transport assembly. The bi-fold linkages are arranged in opposed spaced pairs, and a combination adjustable lock screw assembly and interconnected shock absorber assembly is interposed between one of said pairs of bi-fold linkages for selectively preadjusting the vertical work stroke of the lower plate and cushioning its downward movement.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling truck frames in production line assembly including a frame engaging and turning machine elevatable at a work station to a selected position for installation of components and parts at various stations of rotation of the frame which may then be lowered onto a pallet or the floor. The device for engaging and rotating such frames is of inverted U-shape having a fixed leg with an attached rotatable frame engaging pad, and an adjustable leg with an attached translatable frame engaging pad.

Abstract: A device for picking up and placing articles on a moving conveyor or assembly line, comprising a conveyor including a support adapted to be moved in a first conveyor shaft, an article station adjacent the conveyor, an article handling device support assembly adjacent the conveyor, an arrangement mounting the article handling device support assembly for movement along an article handling path, and a reciprocating drive connected to the conveyor and to the article handling support assembly to move the article handling support assembly in timed relationship to the conveyor.

Abstract: A dual loading and stowage apparatus for handling a pair of cylindrical bes, such as a pair of missiles, torpedoes, or projectiles. The apparatus includes an elongated base, and a pair of elongated trays which are positioned in tandem above the base and parallel thereto for receiving the cylindrical bodies. A device slidably mounts the trays for lateral movement on the base so that each tray can be selectively centered above the base for off-loading purposes. Each of the trays is pivoted to the mounting device along an inner edge so as to be capable of pivoting between downward and upward positions. The lateral dimension of the pair of trays in their downward positions is greater than the lateral dimension of the base, however, when one of the trays is pivoted to its upward position the lateral dimension of the trays is less than the lateral dimension of the base.

Abstract: A container cargo handling system for loading and unloading ships includes an improved transport vehicle having cable-operated collecting means for lowering and raising container cargo in the ship's hold from the main deck and a cargo vessel having vertical storage compartments with hatchways on the main deck covered by pontoon covers which form a roadway for the transport vehicle, and a bow entrance for direct passage of the transport vehicle onto the main deck for loading and unloading the vessel.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to apparatus adapted for attachment to an overhead crane which lifts and maneuvers material wound on rolls, coils, reels and spools. The apparatus comprises an elongated housing which is suspended in a generally vertical position at its upper end from the overhead crane. An elongated probe assembly constructed for insertion into one end of the roll core is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends to the lower end of the housing so that it is capable of swinging between vertical and horizontal positions. The probe itself includes means for expanding its effective diameter upon entry into the core, thus permitting it to be securely retained within the core and to lift the core from this single internal region of contact. The opposite end of the probe assembly is pivotally connected to the rod end of an hydraulic actuator which is pivotally mounted to the elongated housing.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for transporting track ties comprises a traveling gantry with a frame on which the track ties are received, stored and transported. This frame includes a tie carrier frame mounted for vertical adjustment on the gantry frame, two tie holders mounted on the carrier frame in superposed relationship for simultaneously receiving, storing and transporting two superposed layers of ties, each tie holder having a pair of tie engaging elements arranged for movement transverse to the direction of track elongation into engagement with respective tie ends in a respective layer, the vertical spacing between the pairs of tie engaging elements corresponding to that of the superposed layers of ties, and a separate drive for transversely moving the tie engaging elements of each tie holder. A common power source is connected to the transverse moving drives, a drive for moving the gantry in the direction of track elongation and a drive for vertically adjusting the tie carrier frame on the gantry frame.