Abstract: A disc-shaped film unit positioning apparatus moves a disc-shaped film unit having a plurality of images circularly disposed thereon to each of the stations by rotating the film unit about the central axis of the apparatus, thereby allowing a predetermined operation to be carried out at each station. A support shaft for fitting thereon the disc-shaped film unit is disposed on a moving table which rotates about the central axis. The support shaft is coupled to a spindle of each station so as to transfer the disc-shaped film unit, thereby allowing the disc-shaped film unit to be automatically loaded onto the moving table and unloaded therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a device comprising a package stock truck moved in the row direction of warper creels, a package feeding conveyor for feeding yarn supply packages to the position of the stock truck, a first package transfer mechanism for transferring the packages on the package feeding conveyor onto the stock truck, and a second package transfer mechanism for transferring the packages on the stock truck to each of pegs of the warper creels.

Abstract: A "hands-free" apparatus for loading and unloading piece parts from baskets containing a plurality of such parts on a ferris wheel or other type carrier for submersion into plating or cleaning tanks. The preferred embodiment is adapted for handling plurality of metallic disks to be plated for the purpose of magnetic recording of data. The system accepts a plurality of baskets transported to it on a conveyor mechanism. The baskets are simultaneously lifted up to a load/unload position at which a mandrel is threaded through the aperture in each metallic disk. The baskets are lowered back down to the conveyor. The mandrel carrying the disks is swung onto a slot on the ferris wheel which is adapted to carry approximately twelve such disk carrying mandrels. The ferris wheel is stepped to the next slot which is loaded the same way. After all slots on the ferris wheel are loaded, the entire ferris wheel is removed from engagement with the loader and transported through the fabrication cycle.

Abstract: A mechanism for positioning on a dock vertical wall a fender including spaced openings, the mechanism comprising a movable support, a first arm pivotally attached to the movable support, a first hydraulic cylinder piston rod assembly for pivoting the first arm, a second arm pivotally attached to the first arm, means for pivoting said second arm, a plurality of spaced projections attached to and extending from the second arm, and pins for releasably securing the projections in the spaced openings in the fender. And a method for positioning on a dock vertical wall fenders including spaced openings opposite an attaching surface, the method comprising the steps of positioning the fender so the spaced openings are accessible, releasably fastening a fender moving mechanism in the openings, locating the fender so the attaching surface is generally vertical, locating the fender on the dock vertical wall, attaching the fender attaching surface to the dock vertical wall, and releasing the fender moving mechanism.

Abstract: Horizontally and vertically actuable apparatus for loading/unloading workpieces from a work station. The workpiece holder is contained on a driven workpiece holding tower having in one embodiment a laterally floating bearing coupled to an endless drive assembly whereby up/down motion is imparted relative to a controlled rotary motion in one direction. Horizontal motion is controlled via a driven endless notched belt and associated magnetic transducing and counting apparatus for determining relative horizontal position. Alternative embodiments of a driven pivoting roller arm and a driven lead screw are also disclosed for imparting respective vertical and horizontal motion.

Abstract: A system for loading and unloading of magnetic discs into and out of a processing chamber in a manner to provide and maintain the discs in spaced positions from each other. A quantity of discs are contained within respective slots of a cartridge carrier movable between first and second positions. In a first position a tubular mandrel is inserted through the aligned central openings of the discs within the cartridge, the mandrel having spaced circumferential grooves spaced correspondingly with the spacing between discs retained in the cartridge. The mandrel is inserted through the central openings of the disc with the respective grooves in alignment, and the cartridge is moved to its second position to leave the discs supported by the respective grooves of the mandrel. The mandrel with the discs supported thereon is inserted into a chamber for processing.

Abstract: A fabric component pickup apparatus or the like having first and second fabric gripping elements defining first and second opposed gripping lines in the plane of the face of the fabric component, the fabric gripping elements adapted for movement relative to each other essentially in the plane with simultaneous components of motion closing the distance between the gripping lines and displacing one gripping line laterally in the plane of the fabric at an angle to the closing motion. As the fabric lying between gripping lines is tensioned by the component of lateral displacement motion of the gripping elements, the fabric is simultaneously gathered by the component of closing motion. In one preferred embodiment, an air blast is directed through the porosity created by tensioning the fabric to impinge upon the underlying layer of fabric.

Abstract: Bead protectors fittable to an opposed pair of tire bead portions are made of a thermoplastic resin. Each bead protector comprises a tubular portion fittable in the bead portion and a flange portion extending from the tubular portion via a curved portion and fittable to the outer side surface of the bead portion. The bead protector is integrally molded in an L-shaped radial cross section. Each of fastening bands comprises a stretchable portion and hooked plate-like metal members. When fitted to the tire bead portions, the bead protectors are interconnected by the fastening bands and elastically pulled toward each other axially of the tire by the stretchable portions, with the hooks in engagement with projections on the flange portions.

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: Horizontally and vertically actuable apparatus for loading/unloading workpieces from a work station. The workpiece holder is contained on a driven workpiece holding tower having in one embodiment a laterally floating bearing coupled to an endless drive assembly whereby up/down motion is imparted relative to a controlled rotary motion in one direction. Horizontal motion is controlled via a driven endless notched belt and associated magnetic transducing and counting apparatus for determining relative horizontal position. Alternative embodiments of a driven pivoting roller arm and a driven lead screw are also disclosed for imparting respective vertical and horizontal motion.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for transferring annular articles from one stage to another, each article having a ferromagnetic element, comprising hanging the annular articles from a hanger bar having spacer elements arranged at spacings from each other, the articles suspended from the hanger bar being axially spaced apart in parallel from each other across the spacer elements and having center axes aligned with each other in a predetermined direction, and transferring the articles from the hanger bar to a subsequent stage by repeating the steps comprising transferring one of the articles from the hanger bar to a carrier member constructed of permanent magnet, the article transferred to the carrier member being attached to the carrier member with the ferromagnetic element attracted to the permanent magnet, moving the article transferred to the carrier member upwardly with respect to the hanger bar so that the article is disengaged from the two adjacent spacer elements, moving the carrier member away from the h

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 stacking device for wire grids such as those welded grids used for reinforcing concrete, has vertical guides into which the free ends of a selected longitudinal wire of the grid slide so as to form a stack, one grid on top of another. One of the vertical guides can be pivoted out of its vertical position so as to release the stack onto a transporting device for removal.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a machine for drawing yarn hanks from advancing hank carrying supports and doffing the drawn hanks on a carriage or container or conveyor belt. The machine comprises a pliers holder head wherein the pliers, each formed of two or more rods movable near one another, can be adjusted in spacing for adaptation to various dimensions of hanks. The head is rotatable about a horizontal axis to arrange the hanks in horizontal direction and is tiltable or upsettable about a further horizontal axis. Furthermore, the head is mounted to be movable parallel to the extension of the hank carrying supports, and preferably also parallel to the advancement or feeding of the hank carrying supports.

Abstract: Automated handling of fabrics and similar materials is accomplished by an apparatus which includes a first and second container. A pair of hollow and flexible needles are fixed within the first container and a pair of grooves for guiding movement of the needles are located within the second container. The second container is screwably attached to the first container. By screwing the two containers towards one another the points of the needles from the first container will be brought into the grooves or passageways of the second container and eventually will protrude outwardly from the bottom of the second container and extend into one or more layers of material to be separated or removed from a greater number of such layers.

Abstract: A cutting machine, especially for foodstuffs such as wurst, forms slices of the product which are picked up on a cylindrical drum which has retractable pins and which, upon take-up of the slices, deposits them upon a plate by swinging downwardly toward the latter. The pins are retracted by the downward swinging movement to release the slices.

Abstract: A spreading device for use in quantity production of lamination stacks for electric machines has sector pieces, which fit into the bore hole of the lamination stack and are placed on a spreading mandrel. The mandrel can be moved axially by a hydraulic drive. The end faces of the sector pieces are beveled on their insides and rest against a first conical surface connected to the spreading mandrel and against a second conical surface opposite to and facing the former. To achieve uniform alignment of the lamination stack over its full length, the second conical surface is displaced by a hydraulic drive and the two conical surfaces are moved towards each other by the same amount.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic selection and delivery apparatus adapted to discriminate between correctly and incorrectly assembled bodies consisting of a plurality of assembled parts and at the same time deliver to a delivery chute only those bodies which have been assembled correctly. This is accomplished through a detection operation performed by a delivery pin which scans recesses that are provided in a base to accommodate the assembled bodies, the delivery pin being adapted to detect a through-hole which will exist only in a correctly assembled body.