Roll lift and transfer apparatus

Apparatus for handling a roll of material having an externally accessible axial opening comprising:

• (a) an elongated frame having upper and lower ends and adapted to be raised and lowered by an overhead crane or the like;
• (b) torque assembly means including probe means having first and second ends, the first end being associated with the probe means and constructed for insertion into the roll opening, the probe means including retention means for releasably retaining the roll thereon;
• (c) said torque assembly means being pivotally connected intermediate its first and second ends to the lower end of the elongated frame and swingable between a generally vertical position and a transverse lift position;
• (d) first actuator means operatively connected between said elongated frame and the torque assembly means proximate its second end for moving the torque assembly means from the generally vertical position to the transverse lift position, and for maintaining the torque assembly means in either position, whereby the roll may be lifted from a horizontal or vertial position;
• (e) coupling means disposed at the extreme end of the probe means for releasably connecting the probe means to an independently supported transfer shaft in coaxial alignment, and for preventing relative axial movement therebetween when connected;
• (f) circular plate means concentric with the probe means and axially movable relative thereto between a retracted position in which the roll may be received on the probe means and an extended position in which the roll is forceably transferred from the probe means;
• (g) and actuator means carried by the torque assembly means for moving the plate means between the retracted and extended positions.

Apparatus for loading and unloading a roll of material having an externally accessible opening to and from an independently supported shaft, comprising:

• (a) frame means;
• (b) probe means projecting from the frame means and constructed for insertion into the roll opening;
• (c) retention means associated with the probe means for releasably retaining the roll thereon;
• (d) coupling means for releasably connecting the probe means with said independently supported shaft with the probe means and shaft in coaxial alignment;
• (e) said coupling means being disposed at the extreme end of the probe means and carried thereby for movement therebetween a normal extended position and a retracted position within the probe means;
• (f) and roll unloading means movably carried by the frame means for forcing the roll axially from the probe means onto the shaft.