Abstract: A proximity switch assembly is provided which has a base with a longitudinal axis. A sensing coil is mounted on the distal end of a probe on a front axial end of the base, and the base is adapted to be mounted to a machine which has a moving part, the position of which relative to the sensing coil is to be determined by the proximity switch. An electrical cable connector is rotatably mounted on the base and may be rotated into a plurality of positions around the axis. Conductors extend between the sensing coil and the electrical cable connector, and at least part are deformed spirally to permit rotation of the cable connector. A series of teeth are on the base and a locking spring moves into engagement with any of the teeth to establish the plurality of locked rotational positions.

Abstract: A threading attachment is provided in the tooling area of a multiple spindle machine tool, wherein the tap holder is rotated by a motor which has an infinitely variable speed within a given range and includes a first speed for advance movements to tap workpieces. This advance movement is provided by a motive power unit to move the tap holder in the advance movement and also in a retract movement at the completion of tapping. The motor has a second variable speed condition to back the tap out of the workpiece. This threading attachment is modular in construction to permit it to be physically mounted in any of the spindle positions of the multiple spindle machine tool and to be capable of being utilized with machine tools of different frame sizes. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Abstract: A target has leading and trailing edges which are boundaries between a retroreflector and a non-retroreflector. The target is used in target determining apparatus for distance, width, azimuth, gauging, profiling, object detection, and particular target identification. A laser light source scans along a scanning path across the target. The retroreflector reflects light back toward the scanning means where it is received in a photoreceptor to determine the angles of the target edges. The distance to the target and the width are inversely proportional to the length of time that the light beam scans across the target. The laser light also scans across a reference point and the length of time between this reference point and the reflection from the target is directly proportional to the azimuthal position of the target relative to the reference. Further, the target may include a plurality of reflective and non-reflective strips transverse to the scanning path to establish binary indicia on the target.

Abstract: A three or four-terminal electronic control circuit utilizes a thyristor and a transistor connected in their regenerative circuit or, alternatively, three transistors interconnected in a regenerative circuit. The thyristor is connected to operate in a remote base mode as a low gain PNP transistor, together with a bipolar NPN transistor. The thyristor and transistor are connected in a regenerative circuit which results in very high gain, low input current, with low cost and complete control for ON and OFF, and even intermediate range conditions due to direct access to the base of the NPN transistor. A switch may be connected to the base of the NPN transistor to control the current thereinto, and when current flows into this base, then the transistor and thyristor are connected toward regenerative conduction. When the base current is terminated by the switch, then the circuit degenerates toward non-conduction.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a masonry drill is disclosed. The drill has an axially elongated body which is made from a die cast material and has one or more spiral grooves cast in its exterior surface substantially along its length. A hard insert is embedded in the leading end of the body. The insert is formed with sides having generally planar side portions, a top chisel edge, and a bottom edge. The insert preferably has projections for interlocking with the body. Each projection extends the greatest distance from the plane of the side portions near the bottom edge of the insert. The insert is held in place by casting the body around it so that the body substantially surrounds the projection, and especially entirely covers the portion of the projection nearest the chisel edge. As the die cast material of the body cools following the casting operation, it contracts around the insert to securely hold the insert in place. An extremely economical yet rugged drill is thus formed.

Abstract: A masonry drill and method for its manufacture are disclosed. The drill has an axially elongated body which is made from a die cast material and has one or more spiral grooves cast in its exterior surface substantially along its length. A hard insert is embedded in the leading end of the body. The insert is formed with sides having generally planar side portions, a top chisel edge, and a bottom edge. The insert preferably has means for interlocking with the body, the interlocking means preferably comprising a projection extending from the plane of each of the side portions. Each projection extends the greatest distance from the plane of the side portions near the bottom edge of the insert. The insert is held in place by casting the body around it so that the body substantially surrounds the projection, and especially entirely covers the portion of the projection nearest the chisel edge.

Abstract: A separator or escapement mechanism is disclosed which separates or holds one of serially movable objects, such as the second or nth object from the exit end of a support structure. This support may be a sloping ramp so that the objects, if of circular cross section, may roll toward the exit end. The object at the exit end may be held by a stop and the second or nth object may be engaged by a bar holder along the upper surface thereof regardless of the dimension of such object within a given range of sizes. The bar holder moves along a first path at an acute angle to second and third paths, the second path being the path of movement of the upper surface of the maximum size objects and the third path being the path of movement of the upper surface of minimum size objects. The first path intersects the ramp surface at approximately the exit end and is disposed at an acute angle to such ramp surface.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed to raise a round or hexagonal object having a center and to establish the center on a fixed reference line regardless of the diameter of such object within a finite range of diameters. First and second caliper means engage opposite sides of each such object to sense the diameter and to act through a lever linkage with a two-to-one mechanical advantage so that a stop on the linkage coacts with a fixed frame. The calipered diameter of the object establishes the position of the stop means relative to the fixed frame so that the center of the object is on the fixed reference line regardless of the diameter of the object. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all priciples of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Abstract: A foundry core making machine is disclosed which produces large or fragile cores. The core is initially made in two parts, which are later adhered together by movement between first and second stations. The separate core halves are made in third and fourth stations and then relatively moved to be in the first and second stations, vertically one above the other, and with flat surfaces facing each other. The core box booking means is utilized to move the lower core half upwardly against the upper core half to have the two adhere together. This same booking means was previously used to press vent grooves in one core half so that when the two core halves were assembled, a generally centrally extending core venting aperture was established. The core box ejection means then ejects the completed core from one core box in a carefully controlled movement.

Abstract: A two-terminal overcurrent sensing transistor circuit of the fold-back type is inserted in electrical series relationship with an AC load and an associated load-energizing, solid state, semiconductor switch. Under normal operating conditions, the transistor circuit presents a very low impedance to permit load energization when the solid state switch is conducting, and hence has a very low impedance. Upon sensing an overcurrent condition, caused for example by a short circuit across the load, the transistor circuit rapidly switches to and locks into a high impedance circuit protection state to limit current through the series-associated solid state switch. A charged capacitor holds the transistor circuit into its high impedance state subsequent to clearing of the short circuit fault until reset by interrupting the application of power to it. The disclosed protection scheme finds particularly advantageous use in the short circuit protection of AC line-operated proximity switches.

Abstract: A machine tool such as a multiple spindle automatic machine tool is provided with a motor acting through a slippable clutch on each of the multiple spindles to rotate the spindles and each spindle is provided with a brake to brake each spingle to a stop. A spindle rotational means is provided to rotate the spindle at a speed less than that established by full engagement of the clutch. This is accomplished by partial engagement of each the clutch and brake so that each slips. A spindle positioning means is further provided to position the spindle at a desired arcuate position. At such time the clutch is disengaged and the spindle is locked in rotational position. The clutch and brake are differentially controlled to control the relative average torque transmission therethrough to maintain a desired slow speed.

Abstract: An adjustable feed mechanism is disclosed to feed elongated stock to a machine, for example, elongated bar stock to a machine tool, so that successive parts may be machined in the machine tool, cut off, and then a new length of bar stock of the proper length fed to the machine tool for the next cycle of operation. The adjustable feed mechanism includes a stock pusher to push the bar stock to the spindle of the machine tool and an actuator means is provided, such as a spring urging the stock pusher forwardly as controlled by a stock feed cam and cam follower. A cable pulley is journaled on an arm moved by the cam follower to have a constant length stroke. A flexible cable is connected to actuate the stock pusher and encompasses part of the cable pulley and then has a variable anchor on an involute curve as a fixed anchor point on the frame of the machine.

Abstract: A molding machine is disclosed which has a parting line of the molds at an acute angle to the horizontal. A continuous molding machine is disclosed wherein particulate matter such as sand and a binder is used to provide a succession of molds with cavities therebetween into which molten metal is poured to make a casting. The sand mold is constructed using a molding chamber and first and second pattern plates carrying patterns which face in opposite directions relative to the molding chamber. The sand is invested and the mold cured or hardened, then the pattern plates are withdrawn along opposing paths which are non-coincident. The completed sand mold is moved from the molding machine into a core setting area whereat cores are moved along the axis of the cavity which is at an acute angle to the horizontal for easy setting of these cores in prints of the mold cavities. Sprue and vent openings may also be drilled in this core setting area.

Abstract: A molding machine for use with quick setting and cold setting sticky mold material, a mixture of sand and self-setting adhesive, is provided with a device to clean out the machine during each cycle and after the blow operation is completed. The sand and adhesive is mixed with the catalyst to a condition so that it will set up in a matter of seconds, e.g. ten to sixty seconds, and as it is mixed, a predetermined quantity is immediately deposited in a magazine. The magazine is closed by a valve and air pressure is applied to blow the sticky mold mixture from the magazine through a blow head into a mold cavity wherein it immediately starts to set. A diverter is provided with a diverter passage just outboard of the blow apertures of the mold box and this diverter passage is next enabled and air pressure is again applied through the magazine and blow head to blow any small amount of excess sticky mold mixture out the diverter passage into a receptacle.

Abstract: A foundry molding machine is disclosed wherein a core or mold is molded from moldable material such as sand in first and second mold boxes having a cavity. The cavity is filled with the sand and is then cured to form the mold. The first and second mold boxes are separated so that the mold remains in the first mold box with a downwardly facing cavity. Any of several means may be used to assure that the mold remains in this downwardly facing cavity. A transfer conveyor is then moved to a position closely beneath the mold. The first mold box is then moved upwardly as ejection means acts on the mold to eject it downwardly onto the closely spaced transfer conveyor. The transfer conveyor then moves out from underneath the first mold box to remove the completed mold and the cycle repeats.

Abstract: A conversion unit is disclosed for converting a mold forming machine from a dry mold material forming process to a moist mold material mold forming process, to form a mold item. The conversion unit comprises mold material injection means having an aperture for injecting the mold material therefrom. The mold material injection means is moved adjacent an aperture in a moldbox of the mold forming machine to inject the mold material into a cavity of the moldbox. The mold material injection means is retracted from the moldbox enabling an aperture sealing means to be rotated between the apertures of the moldbox and the mold material injection means. The mold material injection means is again advanced toward the moldbox to seal the aperture of the moldbox by the aperture sealing means enabling a gas for curing the mold material to enter the mold cavity by gas ports internal the moldbox means.

Abstract: Particulate material, hereinafter called sand, is used in a sand article, such as a mold article, for foundry purposes such as a green sand mold and sand core consisting of sand and a binder and is hardened in a molding box by sucking a catalyst gas from a catalyst gas source through the molding box and the sand article. The molding box is continuously exposed to the action of a reduced pressure source and normally evacuated to the atmosphere. When the pressure has been reduced to a predetermined pressure less than atmospheric pressure, the catalyst gas is briefly supplied to the molding box under slight increase of the absolute pressure, whereupon the molding box is evacuated to the catalyst gas source until the pressure therein is reduced to the predetermined pressure to recycle the unused catalyst gas leaving the molding box to the catalyst gas source.

Abstract: A radially adjustable rotary cutting tool such as a rotary reamer or the like. The tool head has a generally cylindrical body with a shank at one end and a radially slotted cutting head at the other end. The cutting head has a central axially extending threaded bore adapted to receive a threaded expansion element that may be used to radially expand or enlarge the cutting head when turned into the bore. The cutting head has an inner core portion formed of a low to medium alloy carbon steel and an annular outer portion formed of a tool steel metallurgically bonded to the core portion to provide a unitary composite structure. The annular outer portion has a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal flutes formed therein to define integral longitudinally extending radially adjustable cutting surfaces.

Abstract: An attachment drive for a multiple spindle machine is disclosed which machine has a front gearbox wall and a rear gearbox wall defining a gearbox therebetween. A spindle drive shaft extends through the walls in a conventional manner. The front gearbox wall has a plurality of front mounting holes whereas the rear gearbox has at least one rear mounting hole which is aligned with one of the front mounting holes. An idler gear is mounted on the spindle drive shaft within the gearbox with a spindle drive means secured to the spindle drive shaft outside of the gearbox. A first front cartridge journals a first front cartridge shaft and a first rear cartridge journals a first rear cartridge shaft in respective front and rear mounting holes having a common axis of symmetry. A coupling interconnects the first front cartridge and the first rear cartridge with the rear cartridge engaging the spindle drive means to rotate the first front cartridge shaft in accordance with the rotation of the spindle drive shaft.

Abstract: A rotatable shaft positioning mechanism is disclosed for use with a multiple spindle automatic machine tool having a plurality of rotatable spindles in an indexable spindle carrier. A Hall effect sensor is actuated by a permanent magnet rotating with each spindle to develop a reference signal which starts a counter counting pulse generated by a pulse generator connected to the output of a stepping motor. The stepping motor is connected to rotate the spindle and when the counter counts out, the spindle is stopped at the preset position. The spindle is held in place and the machine tool may be operated for performing a machining function on a workpiece held in the spindle, for example, a cross drilling attachment, cross-tapping attachment or alternatively, the spindle may be rotated at a slow speed by the stepping motor to perform a contouring or assembling operation on a workpiece in the spindle.