Abstract: A material handling and metal shear attachment for a backhoe is mounted on the boom or dipstick of a backhoe for actuation by the hydraulic system of the backhoe. A fixed blade is pivotally secured to the boom or dipstick and a movable cutting blade is pivoted to the fixed blade, a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly mounted on the fixed blade moves the movable cutting blade in shearing relation to the fixed blade. The fixed and movable blades are shaped and positioned relative to their pivotal engagement to move objects being sheared towards the blades pivotal engagement rather than away therefrom.

Abstract: A material handling and metal shear attachment for a backhoe has an adapter enabling the shear attachment to be mounted on a boom or dipstick of any one of a number of different backhoes for actuation by the hydraulic system of the backhoe. A fixed blade is secured to the adapter and a movable cutting blade is pivoted to the fixed blade, a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly mounted on the fixed blade moves the movable cutting blade in shearing relation to the fixed blade. The fixed and movable blades are shaped and positioned relative to their pivotal engagement to move objects being sheared towards the blades pivotal engagement rather than away therefrom.

Abstract: An excavator bucket of improved versatility is characterized by having gripper means to enable the bucket to grip an object to be lifted and also by being mounted so that it is capable of pivotal movement about two independent axes which are substantially at right angles to each other.

Abstract: An improved vehicle for working in a forest, of the type comprising a pusher blade movable up and down. This vehicle is improved in that it further comprises a tree gripping unit mounted laterally of the blade at one end thereof, in a position to pick up a tree lying on the ground. An actuator is provided for actuating the tree gripping unit from the cabin of the vehicle.

Abstract: A robot toy includes a movable arm which is constituted of alternatingly interconnected three first members and three second members. The first member has a first rotating unit for moving the adjacent second member about its longitudinal axis, and the second member has a second rotating unit for rotating the first member about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The transmission system for transmitting the output motion of a motor to the arm includes a plurality of transmission cords which are made of metal wires twisted together for the transmission along long transmission lines.

Abstract: Three sets of pincer units depend from a flat palm, each pincer unit having a pinching gap at its distal end for engaging a loaded circuit board by its edges and holding it in a spaced-apart relationship with the palm. Each pincer unit includes a finger having a flange at its distal end and a thumb slideably mounted on the finger so as to define a variable pinching gap. The fingers are mounted for prehensiling movement away from one another for bracketing a board to be picked up and toward one another so that the board to be picked up may be squeezed between them.The invention includes a method for picking up a loaded circuit board which involves bracketing a board to be picked up between a set of pincer units, squeezing the board by moving the pincer units toward one another against opposing edges of the board while simultaneously pinching each edge engaged with the pincer units.

Abstract: A paving method and a grab for carrying out the method. A group or unit of paving stones or bricks, arranged in a selected pattern, is clamped, picked up, and laid on a prepared sand bed, in contiguity with paving components already laid, by releasing the clamping and pressing against said paving components. Tilting or jamming of stones or bricks is prevented by the exercise of a downward force on at least the border stones or bricks or border rows bordering the paving components referred to at least at the moment when the clamping is released.

Abstract: The grab (3) for handling material has two grab members (4, 5) one or both or which have tines (6, 7), the grab members being relatively movable to open or close the grab so that cohesive or rigid material can be grasped between the tines (6, 7). Additionally, one grab member (4) has side and bottom panels (21, 22) forming a scoop or bucket component and the other grab member (5) has a back panel (10) so that in one condition of the grab, e.g. when the grab members (4, 5) are closed, there is formed a complete scoop or bucket for scooping up granular or liquid material to be handled.In another embodiment, the grab member (5) may also have small side and bottom panels; in other examples the scoop may be provided wholly on one of the grab members.The grab avoids having to use separate devices respectively for grasping and for scooping operations.

Abstract: Apparatus for attachment to a boom of a backhoe or other mobile material handling machine, having a stick member pivotally attached to the boom, a first jaw and shear pivotally attached to the distal end of the stick member, and a second jaw and shear pivotally attached to the first jaw and shear, so that power actuation of one jaw causes opening and closing of the jaws and permits interleaved jaw engagement and shearing action between the jaws near the closure position. A heavy duty shear for a backhoe including a lower jaw having a shear blade and a guide blade lying along each other and tied together at their outer ends, an upper jaw defining a shear blade and having a wear plate or guide to engage and slide along the guide blade of the lower jaw, the guide blade of the lower jaw having is edge recessed below the level of the cutting edge of the shear blade of the lower jaw.

Abstract: A pick-up claw apparatus connectible to a farm truck for handling baled material, in particular baled roughage, comprising a carrier beam which when the apparatus is coupled to the truck, is at right angles to the direction of travel of the vehicle. The carrier beam is connected to one or more hydraulically operated claw members, which are connected to the carrier beam in parallel and laterally reciprocating relationship, in a direction at right angles to the beam.

Abstract: A grapple attachment for log loader of a type in which a main frame comprises a pair of tines integrally joined to and extended forwardly from both lateral ends at the bottom thereof and a pair of clamp arms each pivoted on both lateral ends at the top thereof and driven vertically rotatably by a hydraulic cylinder and piston means, is improved according to this invention in that the main frame comprises a pair of support posts disposed on both lateral ends thereof and a beam assembly generally of an X-shaped configuration disposed between the support posts for connecting the same. The X-shaped beam may be of a hollow structure reinforced with web members such as lattice bars integrally secured to the inside of the hollow beam.

Abstract: A heavy duty shear for a backhoe including a lower jaw having a shear blade and a guide blade lying along each other and tied together at their outer ends, an upper jaw defining a shear blade and having a wear plate or guide to engage and slide along the guide blade of the lower jaw, the guide blade of the lower jaw having its edge recessed below the level of the cutting edge of the shear blade of the lower jaw.

Abstract: A claw/rake tool attachment for use with a powered digging or material moving machine. The attachment is for clearing undergrowth and timber and consists of spaced parallel tines mounted onto a support means that is affixed to the work arm of a machine. The undergrowth and timer are held by the tines while unwanted material such as soil and the like passes through the space between the tines and is not carried with the undergrowth and timber being cleared.

Abstract: Novel apparatus for removing concrete or blacktop paving and curbing and loading the same for hauling. The novel apparatus is adapted to be fitted onto a standard backhoe and operated off the hydraulic system. It is comprised of a rigid immobile member secured to the inboard surface of the forward arm of the backhoe and a blade attached to the lower extremity of said forward arm. The blade is oriented in the direction of the backhoe and adapted to be pivoted by operation of the said hydraulic system so as to clamp slabs of paving between the blade and the rigid stationary member for lifting and loading.

Abstract: A pipelaying appliance (1) is removably connected to the bucket (2) of an excavator with the aid of a gripping means (3) mounted on the bucket. The appliance includes two gripping arms (7, 8) of which one thrusts into the pipe (9) and the other is situated on the outside of the pipe. The gripping arms are movable to and from each other and are connected to the appliance so that the clamping force of the gripping arms on the pipe wall will be proportional to the weight of the pipe carried by the appliance.

Abstract: A wire transfer mechanism for transporting a length of wire conductor from a feed location to a terminating location and then depositing the length of wire at a collection location is disclosed. The mechanism includes at least one transfer arm mounted for pivotable motion back and forth; a releasable gripper mechanism positioned at the end of each transfer arm for gripping a length of wire to inhibit relative motion in a direction normal to the axis of the wire, and an actuator mechanism for releasing the gripper mechanism while the transfer arms move from a wire terminating position to a wire pickup position at a finite velocity and for decelerating the transfer arms, so that the momentum of a wire gripped in the gripper mechanism will carry it away from the transfer arms in a direction normal to the axis of the wire.

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: An improved arrangement for gripping objects is disclosed which is particularly suited for embodiment in association with an excavator having a hydraulic hammer. The arrangement includes a gripping arm assembly operatively associated with the hydraulic hammer, including a gripping arm selectively movable with respect to the hammer. The arrangement can further include a detachably mountable clamping arm assembly adapted to be attached to the dipper arm of the excavator. The gripping arm and clamping arm assemblies are adapted to cooperate with each other with a claw-like working action to facilitate gripping of objects, such as material broken with the hydraulic hammer.

Abstract: A mechanism for successively feeding sheetlike workpieces into a press in timed relation to the up-and-down motion of a slide carrying an upper die. Linked to an infeed cam mechanism which is driven from the same shaft as is the press slide, a carriage reciprocates horizontally between a retracted position away from the dies and a loading position close thereto. The carriage carries a pair of gripping jaw assemblies for gripping each workpiece in the retracted position of the carriage and releasing the workpiece in the loading position. Each gripping jaw assembly comprises upper and lower jaws jointly movable along a pair of guide rods extending at an angle to the plane of the horizon, the lower jaw being further cam-operated for pivotal motion toward and away from the upper jaw. The infeed cam mechanism driving the carriage is provided with a lockpin for retaining the carriage in the retracted position during replacement of the press dies.

Abstract: A rail breaking attachment for a backhoe, the bucket of which has been removed which enables the backhoe to be used to grasp rail material by pivotally positioning a blade in the form of a hook on the end of a backhoe boom for actuation by a piston and cylinder of the backhoe. A fixed pair of spaced parallel rail engagement members is secured to the boom forming support points on which the rail rests as the movable blade is passed therebetween.

Abstract: A self-contained power-operated manipulator for piping and the like is capable of coordinated movements which approximate those of the human arm and hand. Spaced pairs of cooperative opposing fixed and movable jaws on a common carrier structure can rotate in two directions around the axis of a main support to which the carrier structure is pivoted on crossing relationship. The carrier structure, with the attached pairs of jaws, can be swung in two directions through large angles around the pivot axis of the carrier structure. The pairs of jaws on the carrier structure can be rotated in unison around the axis of the carrier structure and the movable jaws of the opposing pairs can be rotated relative to the fixed jaws around the axis of the carrier structure. Separate power units are utilized for producing the several movements of the manipulator in a coordinated manner. The pipe manipulator can be attached to a crane boom jib or other support.

Abstract: A mechanical hand for use with a door-opener and having a pair of pivotable members, one of which is insertable into the window pane slot of a vehicle door, and the other of which engages the inner panel of the vehicle door so that the latter is capable of being opened and closed by the door-opener.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving an operating head automatically through programmed functions using a telescoping arm assembly. The operating head and arm assembly are mounted on a base and are normally capable of motions about or along several axes, including linear extension and retraction relative to the base. The telescoping arm assembly includes a main carriage mounted on the base, an intermediate carriage mounted on the main carriage, and a head carriage supporting the operating head and mounted on the intermediate carriage for telescoping movement relative to the main carriage. The operating head is connected to the head carriage by a wrist joint for pivotal movement about a wrist tip axis, and even for additional rotary movement about a wrist roll axis, the control of the respective movements being accomplished for example, by chain and sprocket mechanisms in order to control the wrist movements continuously, even during the telescoping extension and retraction movement of the carriages.

Abstract: Bale handling apparatus including a frame portion, a bale moving portion, a bale engaging portion and a control portion; the frame portion including a base section, the base section including a pair of substantially parallel spaced side members; the bale moving portion including rotatable mechanism extending between the side members of the base section, the rotatable mechanism being disposed along the side members of the base section; the bale engaging portion including hook mechanism pivotally connected to the frame portion adjacent one edge thereof, the hook mechanism being oriented substantially parallel to the side members of the base section, the hook mechanism being of a length substantially the same as the side members; the control portion including mechanism for driving the rotatable mechanism, mechanism for pivoting the hook mechanism with respect to the base section and mechanism for changing the position of the base section; whereby when the apparatus is attached to a vehicle, a round bale may be p

Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle maneuverable in an underground mine includes a low profile mobile body with a forwardly extending boom. Piston cylinder assemblies extending between the boom and the mobile body are operable to both laterally and vertically pivot the boom relative to the mobile body. A bracket extends forwardly from the outer end of the boom. The bracket is releasably engageable with a bracket receiver of a multi-purpose bucket by a pair of quick release pins. The bucket includes a movable portion connected by a pivot mechanism to a carrier portion. Piston cylinder assemblies extending between the movable and carrier portions are operable to generate pivotal movement of the movable portion toward and away from the carrier portion to locate the movable portion in a preselected operating position relative to the carrier portion for conducting selected material handling operations.

Abstract: A gripping device to be attached to a boom of a backhoe. The device has a rigid beam to attach to the boom. A gripping member is formed on the rigid beam and positioned to be opposed to the reciprocable member of the backhoe when the gripping device is in position on the boom. There is an anchor point on the rigid beam. A support arm extends from the anchor point to attach to the boom. The device provides a solid removable attachment to the boom, against which an object can be gripped by movement of the reciprocable member of the backhoe.

Abstract: A self-contained material handling and shearing attachment for a backhoe enables the backhoe to be used in grasping and moving structural beams, pipes, cables, and the like, and pivotally positions a cutting blade in the form of a hook on the end of a backhoe boom for actuation by a self-contained piston and cylinder assembly. A fixed blade is secured to the attachment forming a shear point between the movable cutting blade and the fixed blade. The fixed and movable blades are shaped and positioned relative to their pivotal engagement to move objects being sheared towards the blade's pivotal engagement rather than away therefrom and does not require the use of the piston and cylinder of the backhoe as is known in prior art shears.

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: A grapple shear having a lower jaw with three widely spaced forwardly projecting tines, the outer tines having upper ends mounting the upper jaw with a pair of tines to swing into interleaving relation with the tines of the lower jaw, the outer tines of the lower jaw having forwardly opening angular bights, a swingable shear blade on the central tine of the lower jaw which carries an upright mast and a hydraulic ram on the top of the mast and driving the shear blade downwardly in a cutting motion.

Abstract: A support carriage of a manipulator carries an outrigger arm on which is mounted a grab assembly. Upper and lower jaws pivotal on the assembly about respective superposed upper and lower parallel axes can be moved by an actuator head engaging both of these jaws from an open position in which the jaws are pivoted apart from each other to a closed position in which the jaws are pivoted together. The lower jaw is moved at first into the closed position and locked therein before the upper jaw is moved all the way down into the closed position.

Abstract: A device for attachment to the three point hitch of a tractor to handle large cylindrical hay bales. The device includes a pair of tines for piercing one side of the bale and an elevated pivot arm which extends over the bale and has a hook on one end for piercing the opposite side of the bale. A tension spring urges the arm in a direction to pinch the bale between the tines and the hooked end of the arm. The bale is raised for transport when the lift arms of the three point tractor hitch are raised.

Abstract: A scrap removal apparatus (35) for retrieving scrap material (32,33) from a two-piece table (19) includes a programmed lift arm assembly (37) movable between the table (19) and scrap accumulating areas (82,83) and has remotely actuable mechanical gripping devices (45) for positively clamping onto the scrap material (32,33). One form of gripping device is a clamp (50) having a finger (57) and an enlarged pad (54), the fingers (57) of the respective clamps (50) movable through slots (70) defined in the outer table edge (21) to grip the overlying outer scrap (32). Another form of gripping device includes a blade (80) for pinning the inner scrap (33) against a stop (73) near the table center.

Abstract: A mobile welding apparatus mounted on a manipulator, suitable for use in repair of pipe by welding. The apparatus includes a first clamping mechanism for clamping an already-laid pipe, a second clamping mechanism for clamping a new pipe piece to be welded to the already-laid pipe, a mechanism for moving the second clamping mechanism in the direction of longitudinal axis of the already-laid pipe, a mechanism for moving the second clamping mechanism in the direction parallel to the vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis, a mechanism for moving the second clamping mechanism in the direction perpendicular to the vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis, and a torch rotation mechanism adapted to move along the periphery of the clamped pipe.

Abstract: A device for supplying a piece of preformed synthetic resin to the next process line in an apparatus for producing a bottle-shaped blow-molded container of biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate by overturning the piece from neck portion upward position into neck portion downward position, engaging the piece thus overturned to neck portion downward position with orienting jigs held at equidistant central angles at the peripheral edge of a turntable rotating at constant speed in predetermined direction, and supplying the piece held at the jigs around the turntable to a next process line adjacent to the turntable. Thus, the pieces can be continuously rapidly and exactly supplied to the next stage or line.

Abstract: A machine for stacking mesh reinforcement grids alternatingly in initial and reversed orientations includes a frame on which the grids to be reoriented are held during the reversing operation. The frame is mounted on swivelling arms for swivelling therewith and for turning relative thereto between two positions, and the frame is turned through 180.degree. relative to the arms during their swivelling to one of such positions and held stationary relative thereto during the swivelling toward the other position. Guide rails are retractably positioned along the feed path of the grids to support those grids which are not to be reoriented, prior to the retraction of such rails which takes place before the release of the reoriented grid from the frame.

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: An apparatus for picking up, carrying and depositing loads is made as an attachment for a machine such as a backhoe having an articulated boom provided with a hydraulic ram normally used to operate a digging bucket. The attachment includes co-operating frames pivotally connected together as a grapple assembly readily mountable on an outer end of the articulated boom. One frame is supported to swing about a transverse axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the boom. The other frame has an end releasably secured to the boom. The swingable frame is pivotally connected to the ram through linkage originally intended to operate the bucket and the grapple assembly is then operable by the same hydraulic controls and power units of the backhoe.

Abstract: An elongated boom including relatively telescoped base and extension sections is provided with the base section pivotally supported from a mount for oscillation relative thereto about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the base section. First motor structure is provided for adjustably extending and retracting the extension section relative to the base section and a second motor structure is operatively connected between the base section and the mount for angularly positioning the base section relative to the mount. A generally horizontal elongated support arm has one end pivotally supported from the extension section free end for oscillation relative thereto about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the arm and extension section and third motor structure is operatively connected between the extension section and the support arm for angularly shifting the latter relative to the former.

Abstract: A self-adjusting pipe or pole grapple apparatus has a frame having a coupler system attached thereto for coupling to wheel or crawler type loaders. The grappler includes a pair of elongated lifting fork tines for lifting pipes, poles, or elongated members, and a pair of self-adjusting grapple arms hydraulically actuated to grip pipes or poles located on the fork. The grapple arms are self-adjusting for varying size loads supported on the forks.

Abstract: A hydraulic shear for a backhoe. The backhoe includes a boom and a forwardly extending stick pivotally mounted to the boom. The hydraulic shear pivotally mounts on the forward end of the stick and includes a first forward shear blade, an opposing second configured forward shear blade, and a configured rearward shear blade which is pivoted to interleave between the first and second forward shear blades. The configured rearward shear blade of the hydraulic shear is mounted so that force from a hydraulic cylinder acting against the configured rearward shear blade is transferred by a factor of two to at least one point on the curvature of the configured rearward shear blade to shear a workpiece at a predetermined preferred position in the hydraulic shear.

Abstract: A back hoe attachment for cutting and moving cables or the like pivotally positions a cutting blade and hook on the end of a back hoe boom for actuation by a piston and cylinder of the back hoe. A fixed blade is secured to the boom forming a shear point between the movable cutting blade and the fixed blade.

Abstract: Improvements in large bale handlers and loaders which are tractor mounted and include (1) a frame pivotably mounted on a tractor; (2) lifting device operative to elevate the frame in pivotable movement around its connection to the tractor and also lower it; and (3) a grasping element operative to open and close to seize and release the bale.

Abstract: Material handling apparatus, including a bucket and a clamp arm mounted on the bucket, the clamp arm being movable from an operative position, where it cooperates with the operative edge of the bucket in handling material, to a storage position where it is located outside of the bucket.

Abstract: A bur grinding machine especially adapted to grind dental burs and including a turntable supporting a plurality of similar workheads having collets to support bur blanks; a plurality of grinding units mounted on a stationary base in circumferentially spaced locations around the periphery of said table and respectively operable to perform different grinding operations in sequence upon the heads of bur blanks; means to index, rotate, and advance the collets of the workheads automatically at each grinding unit to form a plurality of teeth upon the bur blanks; means to index said table to advance the burs in the workheads to the next grinding unit; means to feed and accurately position bur blanks within the collets of the workheads; and means to control the cycle of the machine throughout.