Abstract: A method and system for supplying electrically conductive coating materials to an electrostatic dispenser with a parallel arrangement of subsystems selectably coupled to the dispenser by a four-port system voltage blocking valve, which electrically isolates the subsystems. The subsystems each include first and second piston cylinders that alternatingly receive a selected coating material from a corresponding manifold and supply the coating material to the dispenser by a subsystem voltage blocking valve, which isolates the dispenser from the manifold, when coupled to the dispenser. The first and second piston cylinders of each subsystem also alternatingly receive a solvent from the corresponding manifold and direct the solvent to a waste receptacle by a corresponding subsystem voltage blocking valve when the subsystem is not coupled to the dispenser.

Abstract: A web tensioning device to maintain a pre-selected web tension during web delivery and web roller take-up. The device comprises a web pressure sensing roller, tension pre-selection and conditioning circuitry means associated therewith. A motor controller responsive to condition circuitry input selectively controlling a supply roller.

Abstract: A combustion powered tool having a self-contained internal combustion power source constructed and arranged for creating a combustion for driving a driver blade to impact a fastener and drive it into a workpiece includes a housing having a main chamber enclosing the power source, a combustion chamber defined within the main chamber, an air flow enhancing device disposed in the combustion chamber for enhancing the flow of air therein, and a supplemental air flow enhancing device disposed externally of the combustion chamber and within the housing for forcing air past the combustion chamber as a cooling mechanism.

Abstract: A stress plate for use with a threaded fastener for securing relatively soft insulation to a solid base, such as in a roofing environment, includes a generally planar main body, and a hole on the main body configured for receiving the fastener. The plate is configured so that the hole is angled relative to a vertical axis of the plate for accommodating threads of the fastener so that the fastener is maintained in a generally perpendicular orientation to the main body upon the engagement of the threads of the fastener in the hole. In the preferred embodiment, the threads of the fastener have a helix angle, and the hole, which is formed in a conical depression in the plate, is angled at the same angle as the threads of the fastener.

Abstract: A surge protector module for protecting telecommunications equipment from power and transient surges includes a two-piece interfitting housing, a printed circuit board, a plurality of circuit surge protector devices mounted on the printed circuit board, an input connector connected to a first side of the printed circuit board, and an output connector connected to a second side of the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board includes a unique pattern of conductive traces for use in association with the electrical components of the protector devices so as to meet the TIA's Category 5 specification for connectors. As a result, the bandwidth of the protector module has been extended.

Abstract: A method for making a lock nut engagable and retainable about a threaded shaft wherein a body member having a bore is threaded for receiving a threaded shaft, and at least a portion of the bore is deformed to provide threaded shaft engaging means engagable with a threaded shaft disposed in the bore. The deformed portion of the bore is then sized with a threaded sizing tool that is oversized relative to the deformed portion of the bore and undersized relative to any undeformed portion of the bore to provide a sized lock nut with a relatively consistent torque performance and a reduced statistical spread over several installation and removal cycles of the nut about the threaded shaft.

Abstract: A dual switch for a semi automatic welding gun has a switch lever that pivots between three positions. At the first position, the switch lever is disengaged from a first switch so that the welding gun is "off". In the second position, the switch lever engages the first switch to turn the gun "on". A locking lever retains the switch lever in its second position. Pivoting the switch lever to its third position releases the locking lever to enable the switch lever to return, under a spring bias, to its first position. A second switch is independent of the first switch and is selectively actuated to vary the welding schedule while the gun is either "on" or "off".

Abstract: An improvement in a punch design for a punch used within a strapping tool which creates seal-less connections between overlapping steel strap segments that are to be bound together. The punch is relieved along the edge surfaces that experience extreme forces during the stamping operation which physically binds the strap segments together. The relieved edges also provide a less acute angle for the stamped edge surfaces to scrape against once the tension on the straps is released.

Abstract: An improved mechanism for controlling a fastener-driving tool comprises a workpiece-contacting element, a tool-controlling element movable conjointly with the workpiece-contacting element over a limited range, a spool defining having a threaded connection with the workpiece-contacting element and a swivel connection with the tool-controlling element and having axial ribs alternating with axial ribs, and a spool-restraining element movable along a radial line between a spool-restraining position and a spool-releasing position and biased toward the spool-restraining position. The spool-restraining member is arranged to restrain the spool against rotating at the swivel and threaded connections by projecting into any given one of the grooves, between the fibs nearest to the given one of the grooves, when the workpiece-contacting element is moved inwardly from an outer portion of the limited range but not when the workpiece-contacting element is within the outer portion of the limited range.

Abstract: A fuel system is provided for a combustion-powered tool having a self-contained internal combustion power source with a combustion chamber, and constructed and arranged for driving a drive blade to impact a fastener and drive it into a workpiece. The tool includes a housing having a main chamber enclosing the power source and having a first end adjacent a nosepiece wherein the fasteners are positioned prior to driving, and a second end opposite the first end and adjacent the combustion chamber. A fuel cell chamber is in communication with the main chamber and has a first chamber end corresponding to the first end of the main chamber and a second chamber end corresponding to the second end of the main chamber.

Abstract: A method for creating a stable, palletized unit of trays of multipackaged containers. The containers are multipackaged with a flexible ring-type plastic device. The trays are of corrugated paperboard which have been pre-compressed or embossed in predetermined areas of the base of the tray so that any tendency of the tray to compress under pressure from the base of the containers during a palletization is avoided.

Abstract: An article engagable and retainable about a threaded shaft, which in one embodiment is a self locking nut a first end, an opposing second end, and a threaded bore with an axial dimension for receiving the threaded shaft. A plurality of resilient posts extend along the body member and are inclined inwardly toward the bore axis to provide a prevailing torque on a threaded shaft disposed in the threaded bore. A pair of resilient arms with end portions extend from each resilient post. Each resilient arms is inclined toward the second end of the body member to provide a prevailing torque on the threaded shaft disposed in the threaded bore. The resilient posts and resilient arms contribute to retaining the body member about the threaded shaft. The lock nut has a relatively low first installation torque and a relatively consistent torque performance with reduced statistical spread over several nut installation and removal cycles, which meet an established torque specification.

Abstract: A web tensioning device to maintain a pre-selected web tension during web delivery and web roller take-up. The device comprises a web pressure sensing roller, tension pre-selection and conditioning circuitry associated therewith. A motor controller responsive to condition circuitry input selectively controlling a supply roller in a closed loop self-regulating system to maintaining desired film tension despite input roller variations.

Abstract: A GMAW gun has a nozzle that is axially slidable over a gas diffuser. The nozzle is positively located in one of two different positions by a double counterbored insulator in cooperation with an insulative retaining ring. When the double counterbored insulator is installed in a first orientation on the gun, the nozzle abuts a first surface of the double counterbored insulator to provide a first positive stop. When the double counterbored insulator is installed in a second orientation, the nozzle abuts a second surface of the double counterbored insulator to provide a second positive stop. The various components of the gun are dimensioned such that a contact tip protrudes from the nozzle when the nozzle is at the first positive stop, and the contact tip is recessed into the nozzle when the nozzle is at the second positive stop.

Abstract: A magnetic drain bolt comprising: a bolt body and a magnet, the bolt body comprises a male-threaded member and a head member, the male-threaded member has an axial bore formed at a bottom end thereof for receiving the magnet, the male-threaded member further has a substantially circular lip extending axially inward at a bottom edge of the axial bore; the magnet consists of a cylindrical base and a cylindrical projecting extremity, the cylindrical base is sized to fit within the axial bore and has a diameter slightly larger than an inner diameter of the circular lip, the cylindrical projecting extremity extends axially from the cylindrical base and has a diameter slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the circular lip and thereby defines an indented circular shoulder along a bottom edge of the cylindrical base and along a top edge of the cylindrical projecting extremity, wherein the cylindrical base is fitted within the axial bore and the circular lip extends over the indented circular shoulder against the

Abstract: A self-contained welding machine has the same width as a selected prior welding machine and is interchangeably mountable therewith to a flat surface. The welding machine of the invention has a base that utilizes the full space available above its width by fabricating the base with side walls that lie in respective vertical planes coinciding with the vertical planes that pass through the outermost ends of mounting lugs on the base of the prior welding machine. Mounting holes in the floor of the base are accessible through associated openings in the base side walls. Covers cooperate with the base floor and side walls to create pockets that close the side wall openings while providing access to the mounting holes in the base floor.

Abstract: At end cap construction forms part of an enclosure for a self-contained welding machine. The end cap construction comprises a control panel assembled to the back plane of an upright bezel. Triangular-shaped arms on the bezel fit into a corresponding triangular-shaped outline of the panel to add rigidity to the panel. The bezel has appreciable thickness between its back plane and a front plane. Control knobs on the control panel front surface are recessed from the bezel front plane and are thus protected by the bezel against damage. The bezel and panel have respective flanges that are fastened to top and side covers that complete the enclosure.

Abstract: A dual knife-edge transfer conveyor for transporting small articles from one conveyor to a second conveyor, upper sections of the conveyors being in approximately the same plane, the conveyors being driven in the same transport direction and following each other immediately in the transport direction and thus forming a gap between the two conveyors, the dual knife-edge transfer conveyor comprising: a dual knife-edge plate member, an endless transfer belt, the transfer belt revolving about the dual knife-edge plate member, a transfer conveyor frame, the dual knife-edge plate member being attached to an upper section of the frame, the dual knife-edge plate member also having a pair of edges, each of the edges having a small radius, the frame being positioned in between the two conveyors such that the dual knife-edge plate member lies in approximately the same plane as the two conveyors, the dual knife-edge plate member further having a length slightly smaller than the gap formed between the two conveyors, defle

Abstract: A flexible end cap includes at least one flexible membrane, such as a rubber sheet, for covering the end of the roof rib, having a top peripheral portion and a bottom peripheral portion. At least one frame member is attached to at least a portion of the top peripheral portion of the flexible membrane for supporting the membrane in a sealing relationship with the roof rib. At least a portion of the bottom peripheral portion, such as the portion for covering a ridge profile, includes at least two sealing ribs wherein a cross-sectional height of one rib is larger than a cross-sectional height of the other rib. The sealing ribs with the larger cross-sectional height allow the end cap to accommodate varying designs of roof rib profiles formed by adjacent sheets of roof panels.