US3718303A

US3718303A - Turnstile-type coil-gathering machine

Info

Publication number: US3718303A
Application number: US00125694A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Pundyk; R Mount; Gelleke G De
Original assignee: Midland Ross Corp
Current assignee: Somerset Technologies Inc
Priority date: 1971-03-18
Filing date: 1971-03-18
Publication date: 1973-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 1990-02-27
Also published as: CA955224A

Abstract

A machine generally in the form of a pedestal with a revolvable cantilever-supporting probe for receiving slit coils of foil, paper, etc. or other annular articles which have central cylindrical openings differing in diameter such as to require the machine to include a probe of special diameter for each size of annular article handled. The machine is useful for collecting such articles in a compact package and includes facilities for shifting the coils from the probe to another coil-receiving apparatus.

Description

United States Patent [191 1111 3,718,303

Mount et al. 51 Feb. 27, 1973 54] TURNSTILE-TYPE COIL-GATHERING 2,l98,644 4/1940 Wettengel ..242 s1 MACHINE 2,185,360 1/1940 Talbot ..242 s1 2,424,307 7 1947 Dunbar ..242/79 [75] Inventors: Robert E. Mount, Pine Brook; Gerrit DeGelleke, Parsippany, both of Primary ExaminerGeorge F. Mautz I N.J.; Joseph Pundyk, New York, Assistant ExaminerEdward J. McCarthy N.Y. Attorney-Woodrow W. Portz and Riving L. Groh [73] Assignee: Midland-Ross Corporation, Cleve- [57] ABSTRACT land, Ohio A machine generally in the form of a pedestal with a [22] Filed March 1971 revolvable cantilever-supporting probe for receiving [2]] A N 125,694 slit coils of foil, paper, etc. or other annular articles which have central cylindrical openings differing in diameter such as to require the machine to include a [52] US. Cl. ..242/81, 242/56.9, 242/68 probe f special diameter for each i of annular i [51] Int. Cl ..B2lc 47/24 cle l The machine is f l for couecting Such Fleld Search 78-3, articles in a compact package and includes facilities for shifting the coils from the probe to another coilreceiving apparatus. [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 14 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 2,417,001 3/1947 Leroy ..242/81 k I l /4 5/ l W I 3X 1 a 34 M 1 TURNSTlLE-TYPE COIL-GATHERING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The machine to be herein described is useful, for example, in an assembly of machinery which has the function of removing coils from paper or foil-slitting machine mandrels and collecting the coils into packages thereof suitable for shipment in commerce or other handling. As a recent development in the art of stripping the coils resulting from a slitting operation from portable mandrels ordinarily used to collect the thin strip material issuing from the slitter, it is desirable now that the machine which first receives the coils stripped one by one from the mandrels comprise a probe of which its outer diameter conforms rather precisely to the inner core diameter of the coil transferred thereto as well as to the diameter of the mandrel on which the coils are wrapped. End-interlocked axial registry of the probe and the mandrel being stripped has not been practiced in conventional machinery assemblies for collecting and packaging such coils. For example, it has been the prior practice instead to withdraw the mandrel from coils supported on a cradle and then insert a probe of less diameter than that of any of the coil-carrying cores normally handled by the machinery. On such a probe the coils may be shoved into engaging juxtaposition manually. In the present situation, coils of greater weight and size than can be handled manually without possible damage or disarrangement is contemplated.

Hence, an important object of the invention is to provide a coil-gathering machine which may be equipped at all times with coil-supporting probes which accurately fit the inner diameters of annular articles received thereon, and that the machine be quickly convertible from handling one size to handling another.

A further object is to provide a machine of the foregoing object constructed with coil-pushing structure which may be adapted for use with each of the different-sized probes.

It is also an object to provide different types of probes adapted for use with a single type of socket of the parent apparatus.

Summary of the Invention The invention provided in furtherance of the above objects resides in a machine capable of receiving articles which have cylindrical openings and the machine has probe structure consisting of an elongated support of uniform diametrical cross section, e.g., a cylindrical stud for receiving a plurality of articles of matching diameter. The principal feature of the machine giving rise to the present invention is that, since the machine is intended for use with articles, usually rolls of wrapped thin sheet material, which vary as to diameter of the central opening, the machine and the interchangeable probes associated therewith are arranged with machine structure providing an upright support having a laterally-opening socket, and the probes are constructed with pistons or head portions which are tightly received in the socket and fixedly anchored therein. In preferred embodiments, the socket is incorporated in a rotatable head of a machine of turnstile construction, and the probes may comprise various components to adapt to the different sized cores.

In the drawing with respect to which the invention is described:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a coil-receiving machine with parts in section along intersecting vertical and horizontal axes of the machine;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the machine of FIG. 1 showing a coil-pusher in the foreground and in surrounding lateral proximity with a coil-supporting probe;

FIG. 3 is a plan view with foreground parts removed of the machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic elevation illustrating the machine of FIGS. 1-3 in intermediate association with other machinery of a system for stripping coiled thinstrip material from a portable mandrel and assembling the coils in a condition suitable for packaging and movement in commerce;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal side elevation of one type of probe with portions thereof shown in section along its longitudinal axis;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal elevation of another type of probe with the distal end portion shown in section;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal elevation with portions in section of a modified probe combination;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation partly in section of a removable conversion sleeve for use in the combina tion of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of an adapter for connecting a probe and a mandrel in the system of FIG. 4.

Description of Preferred Embodiments The apparatus with which the description below is principally concerned is shown in FIG. 4 as machine 5 shown situated between machines 6 and 7. The

machinery of FIG. 4 is more fully disclosed in an earlier ble mandrel 9 loaded with coils 10 within its'mandrel supporting structure. In practice, the loaded mandrels received by the machine 6 have coils formed thereon by a so-called duplex slitter (not shown) in which coils are spaced on the mandrel by one coil-width from each other. The coils are formed by wrapping a strip material onto a sleeveJike core with the cores separated on the mandrel by various annular elements which, in effect, provide separate slip-clutch transmission of torque power to each of the coils when the mandrel is positively driven within the slitting machine.

The machine 6 comprises a hydraulic table 11 which is movable in a vertical direction into and out of engagement with coils supported on the mandrel 9. The machine 6 also comprises a hydraulic pusher 12 which is reciprocable in a horizontal direction lengthwise of the mandrel at close clearance therewith for shifting coils toward the machine 5. In order to progressively remove the annular elements which space the coils 10 along the mandrel 9, the coils are shifted one by one onto a probe 14 of the machine 5. During movement of a coil from the mandrel to the probe, the mandrel and the probe are held in a fixed axial alignment by an adapter 13 (see FIG. 9) which has surfaces which will telescopically engage complementary surfaces of the mandrel and the probe. The machine 5 in its entirety is moved along track 15 by hydraulic cylinder 16 toward the machine 6. When moved to a position of engagement with the adapter 13 supported on the end of the mandrel, the mandrel 9, and the probe along with the intermediate adapter 13 temporarily form a continuous cylindrical supporting surface along which one or more of the coils 10 maybe traversed. In usual operation, with the probe 14 joined through the adapter with the mandrel 9, the table 11 is lowered away from the coils on the mandrel 9; then the pusher shoves the entire load of coils on the mandrel toward the probe 14 for a sufficient distance to position just one more coil on the probe. The table 11 is then raised against the coils remaining on the mandrel 9 to support the outboard end of the mandrel while the machine 5 is moved away from the machine 6 to provide a few inches of space between the probe and the adapter 13 attached to the mandrel. Such spacing permits manual removal of the elements for spacing the coils on the mandrel from an end portion of the mandrel and the adapter 13. Thereafter, the probe is again connected in end-to-end relation with the mandrel and the intervening adapter, and the table is lowered away from any remaining coils on the mandrel in preparation for the transfer of another coil from the mandrel 9 to the probe 14. By

this process, the mandrel 9 is stripped in a series of 25 movements repeated for each coil, and the probe 14 is thereby loaded with the coils in side-by-side engaged juxtapositionJThis mode of handling is extremely advantageous as coil loads can weigh five tons or more.

When the probe 14 becomes fully loaded, a rotor 18 of the machine 5 may be turned 180 on its vertical axis of rotation to dispose the probe and the coils positioned thereon over a vertically adjustable table 19 of the upending machine 7. Precise positioning of the coils while supported on the probe is effected through movement of the machine 5 as a whole along its track 15 through operation of the cylinder 16. Normally, the group of coils l collected on the probe will be positioned against a pallet 21 supported temporarily against the roller platform 22 of the upending machine. The table 19 is then elevated into contact with the coils and the machine is moved away from the machine 7 to withdraw the probe from the coils.

In transferring the coils from the probe 14 to the upending machine 7 as just described, it is necessary that the machine 5 execute two motions simultaneously. Unless the group of coils 10 can be transferred to the upending machine in a motionless state, they will be damaged. Such transfer entails withdrawal of the probe 14 from the coils by operation of a pusher 24 while the machine in its entirety is being backed away from the machine 7 through operation of the cylinder 16. By means of valve mechanism known to the skilled in the valve art, a hydraulic fluid is fed into the cylinder 16 and to cylinders 25 secured to opposite sides of the head26 of the rotor 18. The coils 10 are pushed off the probe 14 at the same linear rate as the machine 5 is thrust along its rails 15 toward the left as shown in FIG. 4. Such combination of movements leaves the pusher 24 motionless with respect to the upending machine during unloading of the machine 5.

Considering now the construction of the machine 5 in more detail, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show that a shaft 31 of the rotor 18 is received in an upright support or pedestal 32 providing vertically spaced

anti-friction bearings

33,34. These bearings engage interior seating surfaces of a barrel 35 of the support 32 and outer bearing seat surfaces of the shaft 31 to support the rotor 18 along its axis of rotor N-N. Because of the heavy loads entailed in the handling of metal foil coils, the head 26 is sturdily built of an exterior drum wall 37, an interior drum 38 and endplates 41,42 which connect the

drums

37,38 in concentric relationship. As FIG. 2 shows, the head further comprises

outer side plates

44, 45, 46 which give the head of the rotor an outer boxlike appearance and are useful for attaching various elements, such as

guide blocks

47, 48, 49, 50 through which reciprocate rod-

like guides

52, 53, 54, 55. These guide rods support a yoke 57 of the pusher 14. The yoke in turn supports one of a plurality of interchangeable coil-engaging plates 58. As FIG. 2 shows, the plate 58 is secured to the yoke by cap screws 59 and has a slot formed by the reentrant U-shaped surface 61 of which its closed end portion is arcuate and concentric with the load-supporting stud 63 of the probe 14. The surface 61 extends at close clearance with the outer circumference of the stud 63 so that the plate 58 will engage and exert any thrusting force of the pusher 14 essentially on the end surfaces of annular cores 64 rather than on the wrapped strip material of the respective coils 10. When the probe 14 is modified or exchanged with another probe to provide a stud of different diameter, a substitution plate of corresponding slot size is mounted on the yoke in place of plate 58.

The rotor 18 further comprises two fluid cylinders 65,66 for moving the pusher pivotally secured at one end to brackets, such as bracket 67, fixed to and extending rearwardly from the head 26 at opposite sides thereof. The cylinders 65,66 have respective piston rods anchored in the yoke 57 in a horizontal plane containing the longitudinal axis PP of the probe 14. With the guide rods 52-55 arranged in parallel relation with the axis PP and anchored in the yoke 57 as shown,

the cylinders 65,66 are operable from a suitable fluid supply to traverse the pusher 14 lengthwise of the stud 63 in an unloading movement such as heretofore described. Cylinders 16 which shift the entire machine 5 along the track 15 are anchored at one end on the stationary fixtures 68 and at their other ends on brackets 69 fixed in laterally-extending relation to a bottom portion of the support 32. Rotation of the rotor 18 through at least 180 degrees is obtained by operation of a motor 71 having its housing attached to a downward extension 72 of the support 32.

An important feature of the invention is that the machine 5 may include any one of a plurality of different types of probes. Such probes, including probe 14 shown in normal operating position within the socket 75 therefor defined by the head 26 of the rotor, have a structure feature in common, i.e., a piston, similar to piston 76 of probe 14, or the equivalent of piston 76, adapting it to be received in the recess formed by the socket 75.

As may be noted especially from FIGS. 1 and 3, socket 75 is an essentially inner cylindrical surface of the drum 38 terminating in an axially-facing shoulder 77 formed by the junction of the cylindrical socket surface with a smaller internal cylindrical surface 78 within the rear portion of the drum. The drum 38 has an end wall 81 which is centrally apertured along axis P-P to receive a wing-headed bolt 82 normally extending, as shown, into threaded relation with the threaded bore 83 of the probe piston 76 with the wing head thereof seated on the end wall 81. In operation, the piston is drawn into tight engagement with the shoulder 77 by adjustment of the bolt 82. To eliminate any misalignment of the stud with the axis PP, the cylindrical surfaces of the socket and piston are machined to within two or three thousandths of an inch clearance.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the probe 14 is of onepiece construction. As shown in FIG. 5, a probe 85 adapted to be received in the socket 75 may comprise a separable piston 86 and a fully cylindrical stud 87. As shown, the stud 87 has a threaded bore 88, but the adjacent coaxial bore 89 of the piston is not threaded. Thus the probe 85 may be constructed with the piston and the stud in loose attachment but firmly secured in place when the probe is installed within the machine 5 with the wing-head bolt 82 in tight adjustment between the bore 88 and the end wall 81. As the dot-dash line 91 suggests, a stud insertable into the piston 86 may be constructed with two cylindrical portions of different diameters with the portion indicated by outline 91 being suitable for use with coils having inner core diameters of greater diameter than those corresponding to the stud 87.

FIG. 6 indicates a mode of constructing the probe 14 in two pieces comprising a piston 76 and a stud 63. In this embodiment, the stud has reentrant relation with the piston limited to extent providing a threaded bore for the bolt 82 within a substantial rear portion of the piston 76. The piston and the stud may be relatively machined to provide attachment by a shrink fit of the two pieces, by welding, or by set screws.

FIG. 7 illustrates a further modification in the form of a probe 93 wherein the butt or proximal end portion 94 of the probe is equivalent to a probe piston complementary to the socket 75 and the rest of the probe conforms cylindrically with portion 94 except for a distal end portion having a cylindrical surface 95 of reduced diameter. The probe 93 is used in combination with an end element 96 (see FIG. 8) when the inner core diameter of coils is the same diameter as that of the pistons received by the socket 75. The end element 96 has the same external diameter as the probe 93. Its end surface 97 abuts a shoulder surface 98 of the probe 93 when the element 96 is installed in overlapping relation with its internal cylindrical surface 98 in complementary relation with the probe surface 95. The element 96 has an internal transverse wall 99 apertured to receive cap screws 106 normally received in the distal end portion of the probe 93 by which the element is secured thereover. When so assembled, probe 93 and element 96 thus make a complete probe for handling coils of corresponding core size.

The probe 93 is adaptable to larger sizes through the use of adapter sleeve member 101. Similar members may be constructed to any desired diameter by providing a tube element 102 of the desired size in combination with bushings 103,104 secured as by welding to the inner surface of the element 102. The

bushings

103, 104 are constructed with inner diameters and outer diameters which concentrically support the element 102 about the outer surface of the probe 93. As shown, bushing 104 has an internal diameter which corresponds to the diameter of distal surface 95. The element 101 is fixed lengthwise of the probe 93 by a plate 105 bearing against the outer side of the bushing 104 to thus confine the bushing between the plate and the shoulder surface 98. The plate is secured to the probe 93 by cap screws 106 in threaded relation with the distal end of the probe.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for receiving a plurality of annular articles, each defining a central cylindrical aperture, comprising:

a cantilever-supported probe having an elongate cylindrical stud of a diameter for receiving said articles thereon in closely-fitting, freely-slidable relation with the stud, and a piston fixedly attached to the stud in end-to-end relationship;

an upright support forming a laterally-opening socket adapted to receive said piston with at least a portion of the outer piston surface in complementary relation with a corresponding portion of said socket; and

anchor means acting between the socket and the piston to lock said piston in immovable relation with said socket when received therein.

2. Machinery for receiving a plurality of annular articles, each having a central cylindrical aperture which varies in diameter from others of said articles, comprising:

a plurality of cantilever-supported probes, each probe having an elongate cylindrical stud and a piston fixedly attached to the stud in end-to-end relationship, the studs of said probes being of different diameters adapting each stud to extend through articles with apertures of corresponding diameter to a degree enabling closely-fitting, freely-slidable relationship of the stud and said articles, said probes having substantially identical pistons;

an upright support forming a laterally-opening socket constructed for receiving, and providing a seat for, any of said pistons with at least a portion of the outer surface of the piston surface in complementary relation with a corresponding inner surface portion of said socket; and

means acting between the socket and the piston of any of said probes inserted in said socket to lock the corresponding probe in immovable relation with said socket.

3. The machinery of claim 2 wherein:

the piston and the stud are separable, said piston having a cylindrical recess for receiving a proximal portion of the stud.

4. The machinery of claim 3 wherein:

the stud is of approximately uniform diameter; and

said piston has a recess equal in diameter to the stud diameter.

5. The machinery of claim 2 wherein:

the stud diameter is greater than that of the piston.

6. The machinery of claim 2 wherein:

said support comprises as its uppermost portion a head forming said socket and an adjacent compartment, said compartment being smaller in transverse cross section than said socket to define a shoulder therebetween forming an axially facing seat for the piston of any of said probes, said compartment having an outer wall opposite said shoulder; and

said anchor means is adjustably secured in said outer wall and said piston through said compartment.

7. The machinery of claim 6 wherein:

said anchor means is a tie bolt normally in tension having a handle portion seating on the outer surface of said outer wall and a threaded distal portion normally in threaded entered relation with any piston received in said socket.

8. The machinery of claim 2 comprising:

a detachable cylindrical sleeve having a length substantially that of the length of the stud of one of I said probes and an outer diameter greater than that of said stud, said sleeve being securable to said stud in concentric and coextensive relation therewith to form another one of said probes adapted for receiving articles of greater inside diameter than said one probe.

9. The machinery of claim 8 wherein:

the stud of said one probe terminates in a boss of less diameter than the prevailing diameter of the stud and comprises a detachable annular collar conforming inwardly to said lesser diameter and outwardly to said prevailing diameter, the stud comprising securing means retaining said collar on the boss;

said collar is removable to adapt the stud for receiving said cylindrical sleeve, and said sleeve has centering structure adjacent one end conforming to said prevailing diameter and adjacent its other end conforming to said boss for maintaining concentricity of the sleeve and the stud; and

the stud and the sleeve include end-stop means for securing said stud and the sleeve against relative axial movement.

10. The machinery of claim 9 wherein:

the end-stop means includes an axially facing shoulder for engaging said centering structure and end detent means securable to the distal end of said stud in radially overlapping relation with said centering structure.

11. Machinery for receiving a plurality of annular articles defining a central cylindrical aperture in each article varying in diameter from article to article, comprising:

a plurality of cantilever-supported probes, each probe having an elongate cylindrical stud and a piston fixedly attached to the stud in end-to-end relationship, the studs of said probes being of different diameters adapting each stud to extend through any of said articles having apertures corresponding in diameter to a degree enabling closely-fitting, freely-slidable relation of the stud with the articles, said probes having pistons of substantially identical transverse peripheral cross section;

a support of turnstile construction comprising a base member and a rotor in journal-bearing relation therewith rotatable about a normally upright axis within said member, said rotor comprising a socket facing radially outwardly from said axis, said socket being constructed for receiving and providing an inward seat for any of said pistons with a substantial portion of the outer piston surface in complementary relation with a corresponding inner surface portion of said socket; and anchor means acting between the rotor and any one of said pistons received therein to secure the probe against movement lengthwise of the socket.

12. The machinery of claim 11 wherein:

the base member is a housing providing upper and lower bearing means for radial and end loads, and the rotor comprises a head supported above said housing and a shaft extending through said bearing means;

said head defines said socket having an open end facing along an axis for receiving one of said pistons on one side of the head, and a wall perpendicular to said axis on the opposite side of the head, and

said anchor means is a tie bolt adjustably connecting any one of said pistons positioned against said seat with said wall under a condition of tension.

13. The machinery of claim 12 comprising:

a pusher and supporting means therefor maintaining the pusher in guide relation with the head along a path adjacent and parallel to one of said probes secured in operating position within said head, said pusher being movable through a region occupied by said articles on the stud of said probe in a direction parallel with the length of the stud;

said pusher comprising a yoke supported in transverse and spaced relation with any probes secured in said head, and any one of a plurality of detachable interchangeable plates of which one is normally secured to the yoke, each plate having an opening therethrough matching it with one of said probes, said opening spacing portions of the respective plate in close proximity with opposite sides of the stud of the matching probe when Said matching probe and plate are mounted in operative position within said machine.

14. The machinery of claim 13 comprising:

track means for supporting the base member in movements along a rectilinear path;

hydraulic cylinder means anchored at one end in fixed relation with the track and at the other end on said member for traversing the member lengthwise of said track;

hydraulic cylinder means having opposite ends secured to said head and said pusher for traversing the pusher lengthwise of a corresponding stud;

hydraulic source means for acting simultaneously on both hydraulic means to traverse the base and the pusher in opposite directions in maintaining the pusher at a static position in fixed relation with the track during unloading of the probe.

Claims

1. A machine for receiving a plurality of annular articles, each defining a central cylindrical aperture, comprising: a cantilever-supported probe having an elongate cylindrical stud of a diameter for receiving said articles thereon in closelyfitting, freely-slidable relation with the stud, and a piston fixedly attached to the stud in end-to-end relationship; an upright support forming a laterally-opening socket adapted to receive said piston with at least a portion of the outer piston surface in complementary relation with a corresponding portion of said socket; and anchor means acting between the socket and the piston to lock said piston in immovable relation with said socket when received therein.

2. Machinery for receiving a plurality of annular articles, each having a central cylindrical aperture which varies in diameter from others of said articles, comprising: a plurality of cantilever-supported probes, each probe having an elongate cylindrical stud and a piston fixedly attached to the stud in end-to-end relationship, the studs of said probes being of different diameters adapting each stud to extend through articles with apertures of corresponding diameter to a degree enabling closely-fitting, freely-slidable relationship of the stud and said articles, said probes having substantially identical pistons; an upright support forming a laterally-opening socket constructed for receiving, and providing a seat for, any of said pistons with at least a portion of the outer surface of the piston surface in complementary relation with a corresponding inner surface portion of said socket; and means acting between the socket and the piston of any of said probes inserted in said socket to lock the correspondinG probe in immovable relation with said socket.

3. The machinery of claim 2 wherein: the piston and the stud are separable, said piston having a cylindrical recess for receiving a proximal portion of the stud.

4. The machinery of claim 3 wherein: the stud is of approximately uniform diameter; and said piston has a recess equal in diameter to the stud diameter.

5. The machinery of claim 2 wherein: the stud diameter is greater than that of the piston.

6. The machinery of claim 2 wherein: said support comprises as its uppermost portion a head forming said socket and an adjacent compartment, said compartment being smaller in transverse cross section than said socket to define a shoulder therebetween forming an axially facing seat for the piston of any of said probes, said compartment having an outer wall opposite said shoulder; and said anchor means is adjustably secured in said outer wall and said piston through said compartment.

7. The machinery of claim 6 wherein: said anchor means is a tie bolt normally in tension having a handle portion seating on the outer surface of said outer wall and a threaded distal portion normally in threaded entered relation with any piston received in said socket.

8. The machinery of claim 2 comprising: a detachable cylindrical sleeve having a length substantially that of the length of the stud of one of said probes and an outer diameter greater than that of said stud, said sleeve being securable to said stud in concentric and coextensive relation therewith to form another one of said probes adapted for receiving articles of greater inside diameter than said one probe.

9. The machinery of claim 8 wherein: the stud of said one probe terminates in a boss of less diameter than the prevailing diameter of the stud and comprises a detachable annular collar conforming inwardly to said lesser diameter and outwardly to said prevailing diameter, the stud comprising securing means retaining said collar on the boss; said collar is removable to adapt the stud for receiving said cylindrical sleeve, and said sleeve has centering structure adjacent one end conforming to said prevailing diameter and adjacent its other end conforming to said boss for maintaining concentricity of the sleeve and the stud; and the stud and the sleeve include end-stop means for securing said stud and the sleeve against relative axial movement.

10. The machinery of claim 9 wherein: the end-stop means includes an axially facing shoulder for engaging said centering structure and end detent means securable to the distal end of said stud in radially overlapping relation with said centering structure.

11. Machinery for receiving a plurality of annular articles defining a central cylindrical aperture in each article varying in diameter from article to article, comprising: a plurality of cantilever-supported probes, each probe having an elongate cylindrical stud and a piston fixedly attached to the stud in end-to-end relationship, the studs of said probes being of different diameters adapting each stud to extend through any of said articles having apertures corresponding in diameter to a degree enabling closely-fitting, freely-slidable relation of the stud with the articles, said probes having pistons of substantially identical transverse peripheral cross section; a support of turnstile construction comprising a base member and a rotor in journal-bearing relation therewith rotatable about a normally upright axis within said member, said rotor comprising a socket facing radially outwardly from said axis, said socket being constructed for receiving and providing an inward seat for any of said pistons with a substantial portion of the outer piston surface in complementary relation with a corresponding inner surface portion of said socket; and anchor means acting between the rotor and any one of said pistons received therein to secure the probe against movement lengthwise of the socket.

12. The machinery of claim 11 wherein: the base member is a housing providing upper and lower bearing means for radial and end loads, and the rotor comprises a head supported above said housing and a shaft extending through said bearing means; said head defines said socket having an open end facing along an axis for receiving one of said pistons on one side of the head, and a wall perpendicular to said axis on the opposite side of the head, and said anchor means is a tie bolt adjustably connecting any one of said pistons positioned against said seat with said wall under a condition of tension.

13. The machinery of claim 12 comprising: a pusher and supporting means therefor maintaining the pusher in guide relation with the head along a path adjacent and parallel to one of said probes secured in operating position within said head, said pusher being movable through a region occupied by said articles on the stud of said probe in a direction parallel with the length of the stud; said pusher comprising a yoke supported in transverse and spaced relation with any probes secured in said head, and any one of a plurality of detachable interchangeable plates of which one is normally secured to the yoke, each plate having an opening therethrough matching it with one of said probes, said opening spacing portions of the respective plate in close proximity with opposite sides of the stud of the matching probe when said matching probe and plate are mounted in operative position within said machine.

14. The machinery of claim 13 comprising: track means for supporting the base member in movements along a rectilinear path; hydraulic cylinder means anchored at one end in fixed relation with the track and at the other end on said member for traversing the member lengthwise of said track; hydraulic cylinder means having opposite ends secured to said head and said pusher for traversing the pusher lengthwise of a corresponding stud; hydraulic source means for acting simultaneously on both hydraulic means to traverse the base and the pusher in opposite directions in maintaining the pusher at a static position in fixed relation with the track during unloading of the probe.