Abstract: A nudging device that can be used for aligning the core of a roll of paper with a caliper used for loading the roll into a roll stand. The nudging device has a nudging plate with a pivoted end and a free end. The pivoted end of the nudging plate is pivotally attached to a base by a pivot. The base can be securely maintained stationary with respect to a surface supporting a roll of paper to be nudged. The nudging device also has a means for pivoting the nudging plate from its resting position, and this means may be a pneumatic actuator (such as an air bladder), a hydraulic actuator, a ball screw actuator, or a pawl and ratchet actuator. The pivot is strategically placed on the base so that as the nudging plate is pivoted from its resting position, the free end of the nudging plate travels through an arc in a first circular direction (e.g., clockwise) while causing the roll to be nudged away from the nudging device as the roll moves in a second circular direction (e.g.

Abstract: An assist mechanism for loading and unloading irregularly shaped cargo, such as for example, containers of compressed gas, includes a frame assembly and a handling assembly slidably engageable and movable with respect to the frame assembly. The handling assembly is movable along at least two axes to facilitate loading and unloading cargo, and includes a slide assembly having a powered pivotable support arm, a cuff assembly pivotably attached to the support arm, and optionally a handle assembly attached to the cuff assembly.

Abstract: A machine for lifting a roll of previously wound material and for unwinding the material from the roll is disclosed. The machine includes a turret shaft around which a lift arm assembly is moved from a first position to a second position. A lifting mechanism for lifting the roll after it is loaded at the first position is also provided. A plurality of lift arm assemblies can be provided so that a stand-by roll can be loaded onto the machine to be quickly rotated into an unwinding position. The lift arm assembly supports the roll without the use of a shaft through the core of the roll. A drive tower is provided which includes a turning belt with a frictional contact surface for contacting the roll as the turning belt is rotating, thereby turning the roll to unwind the material therefrom.

Abstract: Device and method for changing film rolls, with apparatus for holding a first film roll in a working position in which film can be pulled off and separated from the film roll as desired, and holding a second film roll in a standby position. The second film roll can be moved from the standby position into the working position, with the first film roll being removable from the working position by moving the second film roll.

Abstract: A carpet loading system for easily loading, transporting and unloading a roll of carpet without requiring significant physical exertion by an individual. The inventive device includes an elongated frame, a pair of rear wheels, a pair of front caster wheels, a plurality of support rollers rotatably attached within the frame, an endless belt surround the support rollers forming an inclined plane with respect to the ground, an elongated handle extending from the rear portion of the frame, a first motor driving the belt and a second motor driving the rear wheels. Preferably, a plurality of side rollers are positioned about the sides of the endless belt to prevent the carpet from rolling off of the cart during loading and transporting. The drive axle between the pair of rear wheels preferably has a differential to allow easy turning when a heavy carpet roll is placed thereupon.

Abstract: An assemblage for aligning a roll to a chucking device has at least two flexibly movable, spaced roll support members arranged planarily for supporting the roll for alignment with a fixed positioned chucking device. Each roll support member has a compression head biased for movement by a plurality of cooperating spring members. Precise alignment of the core with the chucking device results from the force imparted to the flexibly movable support member bearing the roll by the chucking device engaging the core.

Abstract: An intermediate storage facility receives rolls on transport cars. The rolls have previously been prepared, by the application of an adhesive, at a roll preparation station. The prepared rolls, each on its individual transport car, are placed in the intermediate storage facility prior to being withdrawn from the intermediate storage facility for use in a roll changer of a web-fed rotary printing press. The intermediate storage facility is situated before, in the direction of roll transport travel, the roll changer, and after the roll preparation station.

Abstract: A storage arrangement for empty cores for a reel-up in which paper is wound to form reels of paper, said storage arrangement having a stand comprising a feed-out ramp and a container with a top, a bottom and four vertical sides consisting of a front side facing the feed-out ramp, a rear side and two sides, said four sides between them defining a space for empty cores, which container also comprises an upper inlet opening and a lower outlet opening in conjunction with the upstream end of the feed-out ramp. According to the invention a plurality of downwardly inclined planes are arranged one beneath the other inside the container, directed alternately from the front side and the rear side, each plane having a downstream end located a predetermined distance from the adjacent rear side or front side to provide an opening therebetween so that each empty core rolling down an upstream plane continues freely to the next plane in a continuous path from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.

Abstract: An installation is used to load and unload paper rolls in a roll changer of a web-fed rotary printing press. The paper supply rolls and the used paper rolls are supported on transport cars which run on guide tracks. These transport car guide tracks extend to the roll changer from one side of the roll changer.

Abstract: A gopher sod cutter and bailer machine. A generally triangular shaped lower center blade has an adjustable depth mechanism to permit the cutting of lower sod to desired depth. On the side of the machine are two spaced disc blades whose spacing may be adjusted that determine the width of cut sod. Mounted on a string table fixed to the machine's main frame is the height adjustment column for the adjustable depth mechanism and several spindles used to supply lengths of string. Guiding pipes supply the string from each spindle to the ground after the sod has been cut and lifted by the center blade and this string wraps around the lifted cut sod to form a sod ball. A rear mounted sod spindle attached to the machine's main frame retains the formed wrapped sod ball until disconnected from its rear side mounted frame extensions for transport.

Abstract: Sod laying apparatus for use with a self propelled vehicle. The vehicle has a front end mounting mechanism having an attachment engagement member for releasably engaging an attachment. The attachment engagement member is moveable between an attachment engagement position in which the engagement member is positioned in a manner to support the attachment in a position suitable for operating the attachment, and an attachment disengagement position in which the engagement member is positioned to facilitate disengagement of the engagement member from the attachment. The sod laying apparatus comprises a sod unrolling unit having a support mechanism, and a sod engagement mechanism connected to the support mechanism. The sod engagement mechanism is configured to engage a roll of sod in a manner to facilitate rotation of the roll of sod relative to the support mechanism.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion system (10) and method wherein a stock roll storage rack (14) is used to support at least one and preferably a plurality of stock rolls (21) at the same level as the stock roll holder (19) of a cushioning conversion machine (12). The stock roll storage rack (14), which stores the stock rolls (21) in a substantially horizontal array, enables an operator to easily load the machine (12) without having to lift a stock roll (21) to the height of the stock roll holder (19). Also, plural stock roll storage racks (14) can be used interchangeably, whereby one can be loaded with stock rolls (21) by an attendant while the other is used to load stock rolls (21) onto the cushioning conversion machine (12). The stock roll storage rack (14) includes a stand (70) and a stock roll storage shelf (72) vertically adjustable on the stand (70) to match the height of the storage shelf (72) to the height of a stock roll holder (19) on the conversion machine (12).

Abstract: A transporter for lifting and transporting a paper reel having a central core. The transporter has an upright frame at the base of which are provided a pair of ground engaging wheels. A generally cylindrical mandrel, arranged to be received by the core of a reel to be lifted, projects from the front of the frame. The mandrel comprises a deflector member which is arranged to be deflected outwardly relative to the mandrel axis as the transporter frame is tilted backwards to cause the mandrel to take the weight of a paper reel. The deflector member is thus forced against the inside of the reel core, causing the mandrel to self-lock within the core.

Abstract: A method and device for feeding reels from a store, in which the reels are aligned along a first axis coaxial with the reels, to an unwinding unit having a platform rotatable about a second axis, and at least one unwinding pin movable with the platform between a work position and an unwinding position; the unwinding pin is movable, with respect to the platform, between the work position and a loading position in which the unwinding pin is aligned with the first axis; and each reel is fed onto the unwinding pin in the loading position by moving the reel along the first axis.

Abstract: A multi-purpose hand cart for permitting a single user to transport a variety of heavy loads. The multi-purpose hand cart includes a rear base frame having a spaced apart pair of side members and an elongate rear cross member connecting the side members of the rear base frame together. A pair of wheel assemblies each having a rear member and a wheel rotatably mounted to the rear member of the respective wheel assembly. The back end of a first of the side members of the rear base frame is coupled to the front end of the rear member of a first of the wheel assemblies. The back end of a second of the side members of the rear base frame is coupled to the front end of the rear member of a second of the wheel assemblies. A pair of front members are also provided. The back end of a first of the front members is coupled to the front end of the first side member of the rear base frame. The back end of a second of the front members is coupled to the front end of the second side member of the rear base frame.

Abstract: A paper roll supply system for a printing press system comprises a paper roll storage portion having a plurality of vertically arranged shelves for storing a plurality of paper rolls in desired orientation and a paper roll delivery outlet for the paper roll storage portion, the paper roll delivery outlet being positioned in alignment with a paper roll supply station along a substantially straight paper roll transporting path, by way of which a paper roll is transferred to a printing press. For supplying the paper roll to the printing press system, a paper roll transporting means is disposed between the paper roll delivery outlet and the paper roll supply station for transporting a paper roll along the paper roll transporting path.

Abstract: An apparatus and process of loading rolls of roofing material onto a stationary pallet, wherein the process performs a series of operations. Each operation includes the steps of: (a) loading a roll of roofing material onto a table rotatably mounted on an upender, wherein the table is in a loading position such that the roll of roofing material rests on the table in a generally horizontal position; (b) rotating the table to a generally vertical position, thereby orienting the roll of roofing material to a generally vertical position; (c) moving the upender to an unloading position above the pallet; and (d) unloading the roll of roofing material from the table onto the pallet. The pallet is positioned stationary relative to the loading position of the table throughout the process.

Abstract: A method of harvesting sod using a sod harvester involves the formation of a series of discrete slabs of sod that are positioned end-to-end, and conveyed up a conveyor that is driven at ground speed so that the slabs stay together. Netting is introduced continuously below the series of slabs as they enter a roll-forming enclosure of the harvester. The netting keeps the slabs together and allows them to be formed into a roll in essentially the same fashion as a continuous strip of sod. Roll formation is continued until a large diameter roll has been formed comprising multiple layers of sod slabs. The large roll forms a unitary structure wrapped in netting that can be manipulated and transported to a laying site in the same manner as a large single strip roll. At the site, the roll can be tipped onto its side, exposing the netting for removal and permitting individual slabs of sod to be pulled away from the roll and carried off for laying.

Abstract: A system to automatically pick up the propellant charge modules stored in a magazine, such system includes at least one pick-up device carried by a mobile support bracket activated by a driving motor to be able to penetrate inside the magazine and pick up at least one module, wherein the pick-up device has two forks arranged opposite one another and marking out between them a housing to receive at least one module, and at least one retractable retention device intended to protrude inside the housing to retain the module inside the housing after the two forks have moved on either side of the module to be picked up.

Abstract: A transport car is useable to transport rolls to and from a roll changer in a printing press. The transport car has at least one receiver which extends generally perpendicular to the transport direction in which the transport car moves. A second transport car can be loaded onto the receiver of the first transport car. The transport car can be provided with two such receivers and thus can transport two additional transport cars.

Abstract: The present invention provides a turning apparatus for receiving large bales from a baler, the apparatus includes a table for receiving the large bales which turns the bale ninety degrees from its original position as it exits from a baler and then tilts the table downward thus rolling the bale off the table. The table angle and its turning speed are adjustable for varying the position in which it is deposited off of the table.

Abstract: A control is provided for a load-handling device that includes a hydraulic gripper (14) which is intended to grip objects, such as one or more rolls or bales of paper material or other goods, through the medium of pressure in a clamping pressure line (32) leading to one or more hydraulic cylinders (30) that actuate gripping arms on the gripper (14), and on the other hand to lift the objects by actuation from a lifting device (22, 42). The clamping force is adapted to the lifting force during a clamping and lifting operation, by, among other things, monitoring the lifting force of the lifting device (42) with the aid of sensor member. A pressure reduction valve (36) is provided in the clamping pressure line (32), and a control member (50) is provided for controlling the pressure reduction valve (36) to a pressure in the clamping pressure line (36) that is proportional in the lifting force detected by the sensor member (60).

Abstract: A mobile machine for lifting massive objects which includes a primary hydraulic cylinder whose piston chamber is hydraulically connected on a high pressure end thereof to a high pressure end of one or more secondary hydraulic lifting cylinders for operation of the lifting cylinder(s) in unison to lift the object. The total maximum effective volume of the piston chamber(s) of the secondary cylinder(s) is at least equal to the maximum effective volume of the piston chamber of the primary cylinder. The sum total effective cross-sectional area of all of the secondary cylinder piston chambers is greater than the corresponding cross-sectional area of the primary cylinder chamber to provide an output lifting force of the secondary cylinder(s) which is greater than the input force applied to a piston rod of the primary cylinder necessary to transfer hydraulic fluid from the primary cylinder to the secondary cylinder(s) to produce the enhanced output lifting force.

Abstract: A cask transporter for engaging, lifting and safely transporting casks containing nuclear waste material. The cask transporter comprises a gantry structure including a plurality of extendible telescoping boom assemblies coupled to a beam. A platform is coupled to and supports the gantry structure and couples the gantry structure to a driven tread mechanism. Couplers couple the beam to a cask to be transported, and cushioned restraints restrain a cask from colliding with the cask transporter.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for storing and conveying standing, tubular workpieces (1) made of concrete in layers arranged one above the other, comprising a load pick-up device (6) to be connected to a hoist (2) and designed for at least two workpieces (1), which load pick-up device consists of a holding frame (11) extending above the workpieces (1) to be picked up and of holding arms (14) encompassing the workpieces (1) on the outside, which holding arms are mounted on the holding frame (11) so as to be movable transverse to the workpieces (1) and engage below a flange (15) of a bottom ring (16) of the workpieces (1), and comprising storage racks (21) to be coupled individually to the load pick-up device (6) and bridging the workpieces in the manner of a portal for accommodating the workpieces (1) in a further layer.

Abstract: A hauler for manipulating and transporting a bale of material is disclosed. The hauler includes a support frame comprising a pair of elongated, parallel, spaced apart members conjoined at a first end. A manipulating frame comprises a pair of parallel, elongated members spaced apart at a distance not greater than a diameter of the bale, and is disposed between the support frame. A transverse member connects the pair of elongated manipulating frame members. A linkage having first and second pivot points is disposed near the first end of the support frame and is pivotally coupled to the manipulating frame at the first pivot point and pivotally coupled to the support frame at the second pivot point. An actuator is coupled between the support frame and the transverse member and is configured to raise or lower the manipulating frame with respect to the support frame such that the bale may be loaded onto or unloaded from the manipulating frame, and transported when the manipulating frame is in a raised position.

Abstract: A three wheeled sod laying apparatus is provided that employs a hydrostatic power system which allows the drive function and sod dispensing function to be operated at different speeds. This configuration enables the operator to vary the speed at which the sod is dispensed from the apparatus in relation to its forward speed to compensate for varying terrain or for inconsistences in the sod roll itself. The three wheeled configuration allows for a highly maneuverable vehicle that can straddle new sod as it is laid. Thus, the present invention allows for the laying of sod from large commercial sod rolls while avoiding the problems of sod buckling or tearing encountered while using presently available equipment.

Abstract: The present invention involves a loading hay bale trailer. The trailer comprises (a) a carriage having (i) a frame, (ii) axles and (iii) wheels, (b) a pivotal cradle attached to the frame, the carriage having (i) a back section and (ii) tines, (c) a device for forcibly pivoting the cradle. The trailer may be loaded by lowering the tines to the ground level, forcing the tines under the bale, pivoting the cradle to roll the ball onto the elbow section, and transporting the bale.

Abstract: A roll stand for holding rolls of material such as paper rolls which allows the rolls to be mounted and material fed out. The roll stand includes a roll supporting bar which is raised and lowered by a mechanical system such as an air piston. The roll supporting bar is lowered to allow a roll of material to be mounted, and then raised to allow the roll to turn freely. The roll stand includes a roll retainer, including a bar which swings down against the end of the roll, to keep the roll properly positioned on the roll supporting bar. The roll retainer swings up out of the way while a roll of material is mounted or removed. A rotating mechanism maintains the roll retainer in whatever position it is moved to. The roll stand may also be configured to support a plurality of rolls, each roll lifted into place on its own roll supporting bar. The roll supporting bars are positioned to hold all the rolls with a minimum of floor space.

Abstract: A support for a cylindrical container adapted to engage said container at its mid-section and containing a rapid connect and disconnect flexible member adapted to pull together two hinged semi-circular members to permit the container to be firmly held in position.

Abstract: A rotatable load-handling clamp assembly has a rotation-stopping triggering assembly for automatically stopping clamp rotation at one or more predetermined stop positions. A hydraulic motor rotates a rotatable frame having clamp arms thereon with respect to a base. A hydraulic motor control system includes a switch and a set of triggering devices mounted in mutual opposition on the frame and base. The triggering devices are positioned to actuate the switch at the predetermined stop positions, and thereby automatically stop rotation of the hydraulic motor at such positions.

Abstract: A cable reel handler for mounting at the rear of a truck for loading and unloading of cable reels. The handler comprises a pair of lift cylinders pivotally supported in fixed positions on the truck, a pair of lift arms pivotally connected to the truck rearwardly of the lift cylinders, and a piston and cylinder arrangement for moving the lift arms transversely whereby the spacing between the lift arms can be varied so that cable reels of different sizes can be engaged by the lift arms. A pivoting link is connected at one end to each one of the lift cylinder pistons, and each link is connected at its opposite end to one of the lift arms. The connections at each of the ends of the pivoting links comprise swivel connections whereby the loading and unloading can take place at any variation of the spacing between the lift arms. The piston and cylinder connection between the lift arms permits independent movement of the lift arms.

Abstract: A bale butler for transporting and feeding large round bales of hay includes a hay bale attachment frame and a carrying bed attached to each other in functional arrangement. The hay bale attachment frame has a front bar and a pair of bale connector arms pivotally mounted to the front bar. The hay bale attachment frame has a drawbar and a standard ball-type trailer hitch. Each of the bale connector arms has a hollow cylinder which provides for rotatable attachment of a pair of detachable bale attachment pins. The bale attachment pins are each sharpened on one end. The bale attachment pins have holes drilled perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at measured intervals and have slidably, perpendicularly mounted a plate. The bale butler has a carrying bed which consists of a rectangularly shaped deck. The deck has an axle rearward of the intermediate point of the long rectangular sides of the deck which axle has rotatively mounted hubs, wheels and tires.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting grass sods out of grass land and for stacking or rolling up into a predetermined amount of stacks or rolls of one or more grass sods. The apparatus includes a frame provided with two or more wheels suspended thereon, a cutting head suspended in the frame for cutting under the grass sods, a first conveyor which is mounted on the frame in driving direction as seen from behind the cutting head and which repeatedly transports the grass sods from the cutting head in an upwards direction, a second conveyor mounted on the frame in a driving direction as seen from behind the first conveyor and whereof at least one part is moveable with respect to the first conveyor and/or the other part to the second conveyor.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion system that converts sheet stock material into resilient cushioning product has associated therewith a stock roll support assembly, including a mount, a pedal, and a linkage assembly. The pedal is supported on the mount for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis from a raised position to a depressed position and a pair of laterally spaced apart roll lifter arms cooperate to support therebetween the stock roll for lifting the stock roll from the loading position to the elevated operating position when the pedal is depressed. A stay is provided for holding the roll lifter arms in the elevated operating position to support the stock roll for paying out material therefrom for conversion into the cushioning product.

Abstract: A roll brake to prevent relative movement between a pair of rolls, one or both of which may be driven, in a coil wrapping machine or the like is described. A metal brake plank is placed under each end of each roll in a respective pair of parallel rolls and an air bag actuator is placed intermediate each end of each plank and the roll frame. For rotation of the rolls during wrapping the air bags are deflated but when a new coil is loaded onto the rolls the airbags are inflated thus driving the planks into locking relationship with the rotatable rolls and thus preventing any relative rotational movement therebetween.

Abstract: An adaptable carriage arranged in a transfer table located in front of the reel changer of a reel-fed rotary printing machine, the adaptable carriage accommodating a transport means such as, for example, a transport car or a transport cradle, on which the paper reel is loaded. The adaptable carriage, together with the paper reel, is brought into the loading position for the reel changer. Thereafter, the transfer table, together with the transport means, is moved in the direction of the carrying arms of the reel changer, so that the clamping pins of the reel changer can engage into the core of the paper reel. The adaptable carriage of the present invention is used in cases when the transport means is moved on the transfer table automatically. However, according to the present invention, it is also possible to easily remove the adaptable carriage, so that the transport means can be moved manually.

Abstract: A transport appliance (10) to be actuated manually serves for handling large-volume reels (11) of packaging material. This transport appliance (10) is equipped with a lifting mechanism (23) which in each case grasps a reel (11) with vertical positioning, specifically by means of carrier rods (24, 25) on the cylindrical circumferential surface. The lifting mechanism (23) is operated hydraulically by means of a vertical hydraulic cylinder (33) which is supplied with oil via a hydraulic pump (38) to be operated by hand, in order to raise the carrier rods (24, 25) together with the reel (11).

Abstract: A bill handling machine is provided with a bill hold and transport arrangement which can hold bills therebetween and transport them downwardly and a bill receiving device for receiving the bills, the bill receiving device including endless drive belts fixed and extending vertically, endless driven belts movable relative to the endless drive belts and extending vertically so as to hold the bills fed from the bill hold and transport arrangement between themselves and the endless drive belts, a bill press member supported integrally with the endless driven belts, movable between a projected position where it is closer to the endless drive belts than surfaces of the endless driven belts on a side of the endless drive belts and a retracted position where it is more apart from the endless drive belts than the surfaces of the endless driven belts on a side of the endless drive belts and biased toward the endless drive belts, and a plate member located below the endless drive belts and the endless driven belts, the b

Abstract: Apparatus and systems for transporting a generally cylindrical package include: (a) a frame including a support device having at least one compressible support member and a pivot device for pivoting the support device about a generally vertical axis, the support device being movable along the generally vertical axis between (1) a first predetermined position spaced apart from and below an outer surface of a generally cylindrical package which is removably telescoped upon a generally horizontal member of a support at a first predetermined location and (2) a second predetermined position in which the compressible support member contacts and supports at least a portion of the outer surface of the generally cylindrical package; and (b) a carriage assembly connected to and supporting the frame, the carriage assembly including a carriage for moving the frame between (1) a first predetermined position proximate the support and (2) a second predetermined position horizontally spaced apart from the first predetermined

Abstract: A sod harvester includes a cutter for forming a strip of cut sod, and an inclined conveyor for conveying the strip from the cutter to a roll-forming enclosure. The roll-forming enclosure comprises two belt conveyors at right angles to one another. The strip is delivered onto a generally horizontal one of the two conveyors, by which it is moved towards the second conveyor. The second conveyor then causes the leading end portion of the strip to turn back on itself and form the roll. A pair of spring-biassed fingers ensure proper roll formation. The strip of sod is cut transversely at an appropriate point and the sod within the enclosure is rolled up to complete the roll. The enclosure is turnable about a vertical axis to a laterally directed position, in which the roll can be discharged laterally clear of the next pass of the harvester. The roll can be wrapped in netting which is automatically cut as the roll-forming enclosure turns.

Abstract: A paper roll conveying and orienting system for a paper processing unwinding system comprises a conveyor which is displaceable in a conveying direction extending parallel to a receiving axis. A loading plate for receiving a paper roll is arranged on the conveyor. The loading plate is disposed displaceably in a horizontal plane transversely to the receiving axis and/or pivotally round a vertical pivot axis. The unwinding system is allocated an orienting device which can be brought into engagement with the loading plate in its position before the unwinding system. The orienting device has at least one drive for displacing the loading plate transversely to the pivot axis and/or for pivoting the loading plate round the vertical pivot axis.

Abstract: An attachment to a fork lift consisting of a rectangular frame connected via a hinge mechanism to a hook piece. In use, the frame pieces are slid over the tines of the fork lift, with screws securing the device in position. The hook piece thus extends to the side of the fork lift, and can then be used to carry long cylindrically shaped objects through tight spaces in a conventional fork lift manner. The hinged connection between the hook piece and the frame piece allows easy loading and unloading of the objects.

Abstract: A rolled web carrying apparatus is used to enable easy and safe handling of a web. On a carrying truck is mounted a web receiver which faces the peripheral surface of the web and is vertically movable and rotatable around a bearing through a parallelogram link device. Further a fluid pressure cylinder is mounted as one side of the parallelogram link device, by which the web receiver can be tilted between a level position and a vertical position.

Abstract: A carrier adapted to be drawn over the ground for handling and transporting bales of hay comprises a rigid framework assembly adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle for transporting a series of bales in side-to-side relationship substantially along the entire length thereof. A bale engaging structure is pivotally attached to the framework assembly about a first horizontal axis for lifting the bales from the ground to the framework assembly. The bale engaging structure is also slidably mounted to the framework assembly along a second horizontal axis substantially parallel to the first horizontal axis for engaging the ends of the bales. An alignment arrangement is constructed and arranged to shift the framework assembly without moving the towing vehicle so as to align the bale engaging structure with the ends of the bale before the bale engaging structure engages the bales on the ground.

Abstract: A spool feeding method comprising transferring a spool box having a plurality of spools with a cord wound on each of them, the spools being arranged with the axial direction of the spools vertical, to a spool takeout position, loading the spools onto a holding device from the spool box so as to change the axial direction of the spools from vertical to horizontal, and carrying the spools over to a creel stand and setting the spools on creel shafts on the creel stand. A spool feeder including at least one transfer mechanism for transferring a spool box to a spool takeout position, at least one loading mechanism for loading spools from the spool box onto a holding device at the takeout position, at least one moving mechanism capable of moving between a receiving position and the creel stand and a setting device for setting the spools held by the holding device to creel shafts laterally set on the creel stand.

Abstract: A transfer system including a roll holder having an upright member with a support member extending in a cantilevered fashion outward from the upright member with the support member including a set of rollers for rollably supporting a roll of material thereon and a detachably mounted roll stop for connecting to the support member so that when the roll of material is to be placed on the support member the roll stop can be readily detached to permit placing the roll of material on the support member and can be readily attached to the support member to prevent the roll of material on the support member from accidentally rolling off the support member.

Abstract: A C-hook pusher assembly for use with a material handling lift is disclosed. A frame member is connected to the lift. A longitudinally extending probe is positioned parallel to the frame. An end joins the frame and the probe. A motor driven screw is journaled by the frame. A drive block is threadably mounted on the screw. The drive block supports and drives a pusher arm. The pusher arm includes a pusher member which moves along the probe to reposition rolls which are carried by the probe.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring bobbins containing packaging material to, and/or removing the cores of empty bobbins from, a receiving device of a cigarette packaging machine includes a transfer station having a chassis, an axle mounted on the chassis for rotation about an axis angularly oriented with respect to the axes of incoming full bobbins, at least a first arm affixed to and angularly extending from the axle and a gripping device movably supported on each arm. Full and empty bobbins are transported to and from the transfer station with their axes of rotation oriented generally transverse to a movable support plate which may be positioned for cooperation with the gripping devices.

Abstract: A lifting device (10) is provided for lifting bales (14) of material. In broad terms, the lifting device (10) comprises a lifting arm assembly (12), and a winch assembly (16). The lifting arm assembly (12) includes a pair of lifting arms (22,24) pivotally coupled with an axle (26), and a closing arm (28). The lifting arms (22,24) are shiftable between spread and drawn positions, and between lowered and raised positions. A linkage assembly (86) intercouples the lifting arms (22,24), and is adapted for shifting the lifting arms (22,24) between the spread and drawn positions. The closing arm (28) is pivotally attached to the axle (26), and is adapted to engage the linkage assembly (86) for shifting the lifting arms (22,24). The closing arm (28) is shiftable between a bale-disengaging position where the lifting arms (22,24) are in the spread position, and a bale-engaging position where the lifting arms (22,24) are in the drawn position.