Abstract: A rack-changing apparatus for a continuous casting installation, especially for changing the curved guide, support and cooling racks of a continuous casting installation having a plurality of casting lines, has a carriage which is shiftable transversely to the casting lines on rails mounting below the casting floor and preferably extending beyond the installation to a location at which the racks can be deposited and picked up. An arm on the carriage is swingable in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis and is extensible and retractable while carrying on its end a clamping mechanism swingable in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis at the arm end for engagement with the racks.

Abstract: An industrial robot, mountable on a machine tool for carrying a workpiece to a spindle of the machine tool, and having an arm, one end of which is equipped with a wrist having a gripping device for gripping a workpiece. The robot further includes a main body having first and second rods with perpendicular spanning plates movably mounted on the machine tool rotatably connected to the second rod, first driving means provided on the main body for moving the arm axially of the spindle on the machine tool, and second driving means for allowing movement axially of the spindle for rotating the arm in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the spindle, with the other end of the arm serving as the center of rotation about the first rod.

Abstract: Automatically traveling tube-interior manipulator for the remotely controlled transportation of testing devices and tools along given feedpaths through the tube interior, including a stepping mechanism having at least two links including a rear stepping body and a front counterstepping body as seen in the direction of entry into the tube, at least one gimbal-type joint hinging the bodies to each other, clamping devices disposed on each of the bodies for clamping the bodies to the inner periphery of the tube, driving means associated with at least one of the bodies for transporting the stepping body in the axial direction of the tube relative to the counterstepping body when the clamping device of the stepping body is engaged and the clamping device of the counterstepping body is disengaged and vice versa, guiding elements disposed on the outer periphery of each of the bodies for transportation along the inner periphery of the tube, a line reservoir disposed outside the tube, a flexible harness of supply lines

Abstract: A flexible loader apparatus as used for supplying a workpiece to or removing a machined workpiece from a machine tool is provided which has a base (6) secured to a headstock (5) of the machine tool, slides (7,8) shiftable in a direction parallel to the axial line (9) of the main spindle of the headstock (5) guided by the guide member (10) of the base (6), a first servo-motor (16) to move the slides (7, 8), an arm (18) supported at its one end on the slides (7, 8) at their one ends so as to be rotatable about a second axial line (17) parallel to the axial line (9) of the main spindle, a second servo-motor (26) to rotate the arm (18), a wrist member (21) supported by the arm (18) at its free end so as to be rotatable about a third axial line (20) parallel to the axial line (9), a hand member (23) supported by the wrist member (21) so as to be rotatable about an axial line (22) orthogonal to the third axial line (20), fingers (25) mounted to the hand member (23) and adapted to be opened and closed by a fluid cyl

Abstract: An assembly apparatus of the pick-and-place type having an elongated reach and including an intermittent motion drive mechanism having an output crank arm operable to stop at selected locations. A pivot plate assembly is rotatably journalled to the intermittent motion drive mechanism about the output thereof and capable of being drivably oscillated thereabout. A linkage slide assembly is carried by the pivot plate and comprises slide rods which are pivotally connected to the output crank arm of the intermittent motion drive mechanism for transmitting rotational oscillation into linear sliding movement. A cam member driven by the input of the intermittent motion drive mechanism and engages cam followers carried by the pivot plate assembly. Rotation of the cam member drivably oscillates the pivot plate thereby providing rotatable oscillation to the linearly reciprocating slide rods.

Abstract: A device for handling coils of flat material, as for example coiled steel, including a carrying mechanism attachable to a crane having a coil securing frame thereon including a holding fixture which can be inserted through the coil and being pivotal whereby the coil may be oriented in either a horizontal or vertical plane whereby the coils may be stored or picked up in a vertical stacking arrangement.

Abstract: A universal robot comprising an X-axis arm (3) which is mounted on a post (1) through a support member (2) movable in the vertical direction and is tiltable into a desired position, and a Z-axis arm (6) which is mounted on a slider (5) movable along the X-axis arm (3) and is tiltable into a desired position. With this arrangement, the transportation of a load to be moved in two-dimensional directions can be carried out by a single linear movement of the slider, so that not only the time required for the load transportation can be reduced but the accuracy of the transportation can be improved very much.

Abstract: A robotic manipulator includes a main upright frame on which two extensible arms are journalled. One of the arms consists of a pair of laterally spaced lead screws connected together at their front and rear ends and the other consists of a lead screw or sprocket-engaged chain connected to the front connected ends of the two lead screws. The motors for extending and retracting the arms are mounted on the main frame. A tool at the forward connected ends of the arms are controlled by parallelogram linkages which are also powered by motors mounted on the main frame.

Abstract: A core delivery device of a machine for making cores from fluidized sands in hot boxes comprises apparatus for receiving cores and delivering them onto bearing plate bars mounted on a support frame. The apparatus in question is made in the form of a pantograph positioned on a trolley which, in turn, is mounted for reciprocation on the support frame. The pantograph is provided with core receiving bars which are lifted and lowered by an appropriate mechanism.

Abstract: An automatic robot structure includes a fixed location support 10 which carries three locational arms 12, 14, 16, being hingedly connected to each other at their location of convergence to support a workhead 20, the driving motors 12a, 14a, and 16a each being independently operable to drive its respective arm in an axial direction, each of the arms being rigid in the sense that no part of the arm is hingedly connected to another part, so that the forces derived from a payload weight subject the arms primarily only to compression and or tension.

Abstract: In an apparatus for manipulating workpieces in an electron beam drilling machine, workpieces are mounted on rotatable disks which in turn are mounted on a housing which is rotatable and translatable. Each disk, as a fixture holding the workpiece, is unlocked, rotated, and locked in a new position by the motion of a single driving member and associated elements. The single driving members associated with each workpiece indexing assembly are driven through a system of gears from a single central shaft which passes through the vacuum chamber wall to externally mounted actuators and controls.

Abstract: A truck vehicle carried boom system for lifting, transporting, and depositing a load of particulate material such as powder, granules or seeds into storage bins in material dispensing aircraft, including a telescoping boom structure pivotally mounted on support structure which in turn is rigidly secured to the vehicle frame. The boom includes provision for removable carrying a hopper form of load bag. An extensible piston-cylinder hydraulic motor is utilized to obtain various pivotal positions of the boom. The boom telescope disposition is maintained by a mechanical safety pin. The boom is extended and retracted by inertial forces generated by vehicle manipulation. As an auxiliary device a boom safety bar, hydraulically operated is secured to a side portion of the truck bumper structure to provide a safety block when the boom is in the aircraft loading position.

Abstract: In a vertical type heat exchanger including a water chamber delimited by a drum end plate and a header plate on which a large number of heat transfer tubes are arrayed, a novel manipulator for working in the heat exchanger is provided such that a support frame is disposed within the water chamber, a base end portion of a freely extensible and contractible main arm which is rotatable about its base end portion and vertically swingable about a fulcrum at its base end portion, is mounted on the support frame, a base end portion of a sub-arm which is rotatable about its base end portion and vertically swingable about a fulcrum at its base end portion and also which can be positioned in parallel to the header plate, is mounted at the tip end portion of the main arm, a vertically movable clamp shaft which can be inserted into the heat transfer tube is provided coaxially with the rotational axis of the sub-arm, and a position detector for detecting the position of the clamp shaft so as to assist in positioning the c

Abstract: An extendable utility boom assembly for assisting fire-fighting operations performed from a semi-submersible service vessel upon an offshore platform is disclosed. The boom assembly is moved to operating position by means of a carriage assembly which is mounted for movement along a track secured to the deck of the service vessel. Orientation of the boom assembly in azimuth and pitch is provided by a supporting frame which is pivotally mounted on the carriage assembly for angular movement through a horizontal plane, and a trunnion which is pivotally mounted on the supporting frame for angular movement through a vertical plane. An elongated utility boom is supported by roller bearing elements for axial movement through the trunnion. A first linear actuator is interconnected between the carriage assembly and supporting frame for displacing the supporting frame through the horizontal plane.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a mobile chassis having a turntable on which is supported a boom assembly. At the free end of the boom assembly is tiltably mounted a forklift carriage which can be extended and retracted relative to the boom assembly.

Abstract: A self propelled reaching type mobile loader includes a mobile vehicle which has an articulated body and frame and self leveling wheels. The front portion has a supporting frame with a cab enclosing the front end thereof and has a suitable motor means for operating the vehicle and loading components. A pair of pivot supports are laterally spaced on the frame adjacent the top of the cab and support a pair of pivoted supporting lever members each having a pair of arms rigidly extending at an angle to each other. One of the arms on each of the supporting lever members is supported for pivotal movement on the pivot supports and has an initial position extending along the top of the cab with the angularly extending arm extending substantially vertically in front of the cab. A pair of supporting boom members are supported on each of the angularly extending arms of the supporting lever members and movable longitudinally thereof. A load carrying carriage is supported on the lower ends of the boom members.

Abstract: A tool is essentially an extensible mechanical arm adapted on one end to support equipment in a hostile environment while the arm is manually manipulated from its second end in a benign environment. The arm is pivoted at the entrance to an area containing nuclear radiation with its end projected into the radiation area, and adapted to install and remove equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading molded articles from a molding machine having a reciprocally mounted unloader assembly. The unloader assembly is provided with a plurality of slotted bars to receive a plurality of molded articles between adjacent pairs thereof. The molded articles retained between adjacent pairs of unload bars are moved to a position at which cam followers coupled to the moveable unloader assembly contact respective fixed stop plates. Upon contact, the unloader assembly swings about a pivot rod to deposit the molded articles into a collection element.

Abstract: A loader-unloader system for loading and unloading workpieces, into a machine tool wherein each workpiece is held in position for rotation about a longitudinal 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 trolley movable along the track and means for moving said trolley back and forth along the said track. A loader clamping head assembly is mounted on the trolley, and an unloader head assembly is mounted on the trolley. Each assembly includes a head for gripping a workpiece, means on the trolley for mounting said head for swinging movement into and out of position adjacent the machine and for reciprocating movement toward and away from the axis of said machine.

Abstract: The control device for an earthwork machine according to the invention is designed for reducing the manufacturing cost of the earthwork machine by eliminating some of the calculating circuitry and the control circuitry. According to the control device, one of the cylinders necessary for carrying out straight excavation is directly manually controlled without using calculating circuitry, and the operations of the cylinders are respectively detected by detecting circuitry. The other two cylinders are also controlled by the arithmetic unit provided in the control device for performing calculation necessary to move the sharp edge of the bucket along a straight line of predetermined inclination in accordance with detected pivoted angles of the boom, arm and bucket.

Abstract: A materials handling device suitable for mounting on a structure, such as a pickup truck, so that heavy materials, such as cylindrical bales of hay, can be selectively loaded and unloaded onto the pickup truck for transportation from one location to another. The materials handling device comprises a housing assembly pivotally connected to the support structure so that the housing assembly is substantially vertically disposed adjacent an edge of the support structure; a frame slideably positioned within the housing assembly; a material engaging assembly mounted on the lower end portion of the frame so as to extend in a direction away from the support structure; and a frame and housing actuator assembly disposed between and interconnecting the support structure and the upper end portion of the frame. The actuator assembly, which is pivotally connected to the frame and the support structure, selectively moves the frame between a vertically lowered position and the vertically raised position.

Abstract: A mechanical linkage and hydraulic circuit are used to control the position of a material handling element. A bell crank and outrigger arm are joined between the boom and dipperstick of a backhoe linkage and the supporting frame. A relief valve discharges fluid pressure building up in the actuator between the support frame and the boom. The bell crank linkage and hydraulic circuit maintains the position of the material handling element along the grade by manipulating the dipperstick alone.

Abstract: A tool changing mechanism for a machining center comprising arcuate shuttle path means including rail means having a uniform width with opposing sides and a gear track parallel to the rail, and a tool shuttle including a tool change arm, shuttle path engagement means including post means, means for mounting the post means on the tool shuttle for selective rotation about a vertical axis, a pair of guide rollers, means for mounting the pair of guide rollers on the post means with a selected spacing therebetween substantially equal to the rail width, whereby the pair of guide rollers will engage the opposing rail sides and selectively change their orientation to automatically maintain an orthogonal relation thereto while the shuttle traverses the arcuate shuttle path, a driven gear concentrically mounted for rotational movement relative to the post means about the post rotational axis and for engagement with the gear track, and means for driving the driven gear, whereby the shuttle may traverse the arcuate shutt

Abstract: The invention provides material handling apparatus in the form of a lift arm assembly integratable with or releasably applicable to farm tractors or like relatively small, lightweight vehicles for front end loading and leveling having extended outreach capabilities. An extensible carriage which mounts stably and for guided reciprocable movement on the lift arms carries a material engaging device so interrelated as to enable an advantageous application of forces therethrough, both to break material free from a mass at ground level and to reorient the placement of material at elevated levels. In certain embodiments the material engaging device is tiltable in response and/or correspondence with movements of the carriage. In a preferred from of embodiment of the invention, a guided movement of the material engaging device and the outreach and tilting thereof is sensitively controlled by separate connectors extending thereto from both the lift arms and the carriage.

Abstract: A vehicle is shown having a hopper mounted thereon capable of dumping materials contained within the hopper over the end of the hopper or through the bottom of the hopper. Dumping over the end of the hopper is accomplished by lifting the front end of the hopper and sequentially pivoting the rear end of the hopper upon an initial pivot point and a subsequent pivot point in a manner which minimizes the risk of the vehicle capsizing by maintaining a low center of gravity. Dumping through the bottom of the hopper is accomplished through the use of a clam shell gate covering an opening in the bottom of the hopper. The vehicle may be interchangeably used as a rear dump vehicle or a belly dump vehicle, more safely used upon hazardous terrains, and still carry the maximum load capacity allowed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting an automated exchange of a tool in hobbing machines. At least a pair of gripping devices are mounted on a shaft for relative sliding movement therealong and for selective locking engagement with the shaft so that a rotation of the shaft will effect a rotary movement of a selected one of the gripping devices. The rotary movement of the selected gripping device is between a storage position and a working position. The gripping device is capable of holding a tool which is to be exchanged for a worn out tool. The other gripping device is generally empty and is first moved into the working position to extract the worn out tool from the milling spindle. Thereafter, the gripping devices are shifted to bring the appropriate device having a new tool therein into a position so that it can be rotated with the shaft to bring the new tool into the working position and inserted onto the milling spindle.

Abstract: An extendable utility boom assembly for assisting fire-fighting operations performed from a semi-submersible service vessel upon an offshore platform is disclosed. The boom assembly is moved to operating position by means of a carriage assembly which is mounted for movement along a track secured to the deck of the service vessel. Orientation of the boom assembly in azimuth and pitch is provided by a supporting frame which is pivotally mounted on the carriage assembly for angular movement through a horizontal plane, and a boom housing which is pivotally mounted on the supporting frame for angular movement through a vertical plane. An elongated utility boom is supported by roller bearing elements for axial movement through the boom housing. A first linear actuator is interconnected between the carriage assembly and supporting frame for displacing the supporting frame through the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A vehicle for transporting garbage containers or the like fron one place to another. The vehicle includes a mast which is disposed on a flat bed to the rear of a truck cab and which is capable of traveling longitudinally along the length of the truck bed from one end adjacent the cab to the other end. Extending from the mast is a boom and pivotally secured to the distal end thereof is a fork lift assembly. The boom may be raised or lowered hydraulically while the attitude of the fork lift assembly may also be adjusted hydraulically. A parallel motion mechanism links the fork lift assembly to the mast and maintains the fork lift assembly at a pre-adjusted attitude regardless of the elevation of the boom. Hydraulically-operated clamping arms are provided on the fork lift assembly to clamp a lid down on a container during lifting of the container onto the truck and during transportation of the container to another location.

Abstract: An industrial robot system comprises a pair of vertically spaced parallel guide rails rigidly supported from the ground, a slide member slidably mounted on the guide rails having upper and lower pivots, a robot arm structure having a housing pivoted at the upper pivot of the slide member, and an outer and inner shaft axially movable as a single piece along the longitudinal axis of said housing, the inner shaft being rotatable about the longitudinal axis. A tool holding arm is attached to the forward end of the housing for unitary axial movement with the outer shaft and for unitary rotation with the inner shaft. A fluid operated telescopic cylinder is pivotally connected between the lower pivot of the slide member and a lower end portion of the robot housing for pivoting the robot arm structure at a desired angular position.

Abstract: A steam generator tubesheet is serviced by end effectors mounted on a slew table cantilevered from a carriage slidable along an arm rotatable in a plane parallel to the tubesheet. In servicing a selected hole in the tubesheet, the rotatable arm and the carriage arm are driven to positions which allow the cantilevered slew table to be slewed to a predetermined angle associated with the selected hole. The arm and carriage are then driven to positions which place the end effector under the selected hole taking into account the offset of the slew table. Alternatively, a determination is first made whether the arm and carriage can be positioned within preset limits to place the end effector under the selected hole using the existing slew angle. If so, the existing slewed angle is used but, if not, the table is slewed as mentioned above.

Abstract: An apparatus for excavating or cleaning out sumps and drainage pits includes a mobile, towable chassis rotatably supporting a platform thereon. A standard extends upwardly from the platform and an elongate, rigid boom structure and guide is mounted upon the standard for upward and downward swinging movement and for forward and rearward reciprocal movement relative to the platform. A material engaging member such as a bucket is mounted to a forward end of the boom structure and has a cover therewith whereby the bucket closes and traps mud or loose materials for removal from the sump or drainage pit. An engine mounted upon the platform powers a hydraulic pump for routing fluid under pressure to motors and rams controlling operation of the platform, boom structure and material engaging member.

Abstract: A method of loading bales of refuse from a horizontally acting baling press on to a transport vehicle without the use of a separate loading machine such as a fork-lift truck comprises aligning the transport vehicle with a discharge from the press; moving each bale as it is discharged from the press on to a transverse table; moving some of the bales laterally so that the bales are formed into two or more rows side by side aligned with the transport vehicle and moving the two rows of bales progressively forward as successive bales are discharged from the press so that the rows are moved from the transverse table on to the vehicle and the rows are built up on the vehicle until the vehicle is fully loaded.

Abstract: A device for handling semi-continuously vertically cast rectangular strands, especially of aluminum and aluminum alloys. The strands are simultaneously adjacent to each other lowered by means of a downwardly movable casting table, brought into engagement with a supporting member, and by a pivoting movement of the dummy bars and of the supporting member which are operatively connected to the casting table are moved into an at least nearly horizontal positon with regard to the casting table. The above mentioned pivoting movement is coupled to the upward movement of the casting table. The strands are cast in such a way that one of their narrow sides is located opposite the supporting member. During the upward movement of the casting table, the supporting member with the strands one narrow side of which engages the supporting member are pivoted about a pivot axis which is eccentrically located with regard to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the casting table.

Abstract: A device includes a fixed frame over the bed and the cab of a pickup truck, a pair of slanting rails along the sides of the fixed frame, and a folding frame that is detachably connected to the rear portion of the fixed frame. Unfolding the folding frame extends a carrying frame slantingly, rearwardly from the rails to the rear of the folding frame. Folding the frame by operation of a winch moves the front end of the carrying frame up the rails while the rear end of the carrying frame is guided by members of the folding frame to a position over the bed of the pickup truck. After removing locking pins, the winch is again operated to position the folding frame over the fixed frame at the sides of the carrying frame.

Abstract: A pipe-conveying catwalk has a ramp affixed to the floor of a drilling rig and a main frame ground supported adjacent to a pipe rack so that pipe can be conveyed between the rack and the derrick floor. Pipe is rolled from the rack into a trough which forms part of a stinger. The stinger is nested within a boom and can be telescoped to extend longitudinally away from the boom. The boom is retracted into nested position within the main framework. One end of the boom is attached to the main frame by an extensible swing arm apparatus which elevates the outer end of the boom while the other end of the main frame is attached to the rig floor by a ramp which moves the other end of the boom from the nested position vertically upwards and towards the rig floor. A pipe is rolled from the pipe rack into the trough, the boom is elevated into an inclined position such that the stinger telescopes from the boom to position the box end of the pipe in overlying relationship respective to the derrick floor.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for handling bobbins and particularly for transferring bobbins from one location to another. The apparatus includes a cart having parallel linkages pivotally mounted thereon and connected to a fluid-operated ram. A bobbin-engaging unit is carried at the ends of the linkages and engages the bobbin internally. After engagement, the linkages are manipulated to transfer the bobbin to another location with the weight of the bobbin and mechanism being offset by the fluid-operated cylinder. The cart is designed to be attached to a portable bobbin buggy so that both can then be pushed as a unit to move the buggy to a desired location from which the bobbins are transferred to a creel or rack, for example.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring an article between two mutually spaced locations comprises a rotatable and longitudinally translatable shaft, a sweep arm fixed to the shaft and adapted to carry suitable apparatus for gripping the article, a first drive motor operably connected to the shaft for imparting longitudinal movement thereto and a second drive motor, independent from the first and operably connected to the shaft for imparting rotational movement thereto. The apparatus is characterized by an economy of manufacture, efficiency of operation and a compactness which renders the apparatus suitable for adaptation o a variety of manufacturing environments.

Abstract: Apparatus that is assembled quickly inside a channel head of a steam generator and is capable of performing various repair and inspection techniques remotely in order to reduce radiation exposure and facilitate rapid repair of the tubes.

Abstract: The lift truck of the invention comprises a frame, a mast adapted to be lifted in relation to the frame, a fluid-operated cylinder for controlling the ascent and descent of the mast, a load-supporting platform rigid with the mast, a first pivot pin carried by the lower end of the mast and rigid with a movable slide block guided horizontally along the lower portion of the frame. The slide block carries the pivot pin of a positioning rod for positioning the load supporting platform and a supporting rod, having a length equal to one-half of the distance between the pivot pin of the mast on the slide block and the pivot pin of the load supporting platform on the mast, is pivoted to the mast and to the lower portion of the frame ahead of the slide block.

Abstract: Apparatus that may be assembled inside the head of a steam generator and can perform various repair and inspection operations on the steam generator's tubes and tubesheet. Selective engagement of an included tool holder and associated tools with the tube and tubesheet is provided by a gear train which has a portion which houses a tool drive motor. The drive motor provides power to a tool holder-mounted tool chuck for driving the various tools insertable therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in positioning a unit successively relative to a plurality of tubes of a regular array of tubes supported by a tube-plate within an enclosure provided with an access opening, e.g. relative to the boiler tubes of a steam generator of a nuclear power station, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,698 is adapted for association with transporting apparatus for placing the positioning apparatus in the enclosure, the transporting apparatus comprising a rectilinear guide rod for passing through the access opening and for guiding a carriage provided with a coupling assembly for releasably coupling the positioning apparatus to the carriage during movement thereof between the outside and the inside of the enclosure and which are disconnectable to permit movement of the positioning apparatus across the tube-plate.

Abstract: Apparatus that is assembled quickly inside a portion of a channel head of a steam generator and is capable of performing various repair and inspection operations on all of the tubes and the tubesheet in that portion of the channel head.

Abstract: Apparatus that is assembled quickly inside a channel head of a steam generator and is capable of performing various repair and inspection operations remotely within the channel head for reducing radiation exposure to personnel and facilitate rapid repair of the tubes of the steam generator.

Abstract: A workpiece storing and handling apparatus particularly adapted for loading parts in a multiple spindle chucking machine wherein the spindles and chucks are indexible successively to a transfer station. A rotary part table has a circumaxial series of part receiving rests and is indexed to move the parts to a transfer station in succession. A gripper on a transfer arm engages a part at the transfer station and swings the same in a composite arcuate motion to a ready position in horizontal alignment with a chuck at the machine transfer station. The arm and gripper then move the part linearly in a horizontal plane to the open chuck and return to the ready position for arcuate return movement to the table transfer station. A transfer arm support shaft is swingable through an arc in a vertical plane by a fluid operable cylinder and is simultaneously rotated about its axis by a bevel gear arrangement to provide the required composite arcuate motion of the arm.

Abstract: A tool storage drum which is adapted to receive and store a plurality of toolholders is rotatably mounted on top of the upright of a horizontal machining center behind the spindle thereof. A tool changer carriage carrying a tool change arm is pivotally mounted on the upright above the spindle and is pivotable between a parked positon in which an end of the tool changer arm is adjacent to the tool storage drum and an exchange position in which an end of the tool changer arm is adjacent to the spindle. The tool changer arm is slidably mounted on the carriage for movement between an extended and a retracted position to remove toolholders from their sockets or insert them therein and is rotatable through 180.degree. to interchange its ends for the purpose of exchanging a tool in the spindle for a tool previously removed from the tool storage drum.

Abstract: A workpiece lift including a pivotable boom with a pivot end that moves horizontally as the load end of the boom is raised and lowered, allowing the load end to move along a substantially vertical line. In a preferred embodiment the load end of the boom terminates in a workpiece arm which supports a workpiece and which extends downwardly from the load end of the boom so that the workpiece may be lifted upwardly and outwardly in an arc.

Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating the loading and unloading of workpieces to be machined on a machine tool having a horizontal-axis headstock and at least one rotary or pendular arm designed to transport the workpieces, without changing their orientation, from a supply location to a machining station. The apparatus itself comprises a workpiece-holder pivoting about a vertical axis in synchronization with the movements of the rotary or pendular arm of the machine tool in such a way as to cause a workpiece support first to face toward the side of the machine tool manned by the operator, to facilitate loading of the workpiece, then to face in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the machine tool so that the workpiece may be correctly picked up by the rotary or pendular arm.

Abstract: A transfer for elongated articles such as angles, flats, channels or rounds includes an optionally deployable rolling restraint to maintain rounds such as bars or tubes properly on the transfer during operation thereof. More particularly, the transfer is in the form of a relatively thin stacking carriage which elevates to pick up a single layer of predetermined width of such articles to transfer the same to the top of a stack being formed. The relatively thin stacking carriage pivots downwardly adjacent the top of the stack and then retracts with adjustable uprights on the stacking cradle causing the layer to be wiped off onto the top of the stack. During such retraction, the top surface of the stacking carriage must be free of obstructions to permit the layer properly to be wiped therefrom. Accordingly, a rolling restraint is provided for the stacking carriage which will move from an ambush position to a position projecting slightly above the top surface of the carriage as it elevates to lift the layer.

Abstract: A versatile mobile high lift loader characterized by an extendible telescopic boom carried by a longitudinally extendible transfer carriage. The transfer carriage travels on stepped fore and aft longitudinal transfer rails for greater operator visibility. The transfer rails are stepped laterally to provide for maximum width of the operator compartment and to permit the use of dual front wheels. The transfer carriage and boom extension travel on cam roller non-friction bearings for cycling demands of the fork lift transferring boom. The transfer rails include readily replaceable hardened wear surfaces on a unitized frame. The loader includes modular drive train fabrication for less expensive manufacturing cost and easier servicing. It is provided with drive line disc brakes and locking differential for easy servicing, non-power assist and positive braking with and without load. The telescoping boom includes a novel hose reel assembly for transfer of internal hosing within the boom.

Abstract: This is a new and unique machine which organizes older, recognized and established methods of handling objects and machinery into a more economical, efficient method by recombining articles of present day usage into a new concept. An ordinary conventional automotive hydraulic jack is used to replace the fixed jacking arrangement found on machines of this type. The use of a threaded screw mechanism working in conjunction with a moveable trolley arrangement makes it easier to handle a load and makes it possible for this machine to accomplish comparable results in the handling of objects and machinery as was formerly required by two different and distinct machines.