Abstract: A vibratory feeding system includes a hopper, a tray and a vibrator. The hopper is disposed above the tray so that components can flow from the hopper to the tray. The vibrator is mounted to the tray, so that the tray can be vibrated to move components along the tray. The tray can have a v-groove along which the plurality of components can flow. The tray can also have a plurality of sections that are separated by steps. The plurality of components flow down the steps as they move along the tray. The vibration, the v-groove and the steps cause the components to be singulated as they flow along the tray. A plurality of shedders can be mounted to the tray to create a path through which the components flow. The shedders can regulate the flow of components from the hopper and/or assist in singulating the components.

Abstract: A vibratory feeding system includes a hopper, a tray and a vibrator. The hopper is disposed above the tray so that components can flow from the hopper to the tray. The vibrator is mounted to the tray, so that the tray can be vibrated to move components along the tray. The tray can have a v-groove along which the plurality of components can flow. The tray can also have a plurality of sections that are separated by steps. The plurality of components flow down the steps as they move along the tray. The vibration, the v-groove and the steps cause the components to be singulated as they flow along the tray. A plurality of shedders can be mounted to the tray to create a path through which the components flow. The shedders can regulate the flow of components from the hopper and/or assist in singulating the components.

Abstract: The push-pins of the present invention are defined by at least one pin section and an integral, at least partially corrugated finger grasping section, and are formed from a single piece of rigid material. Methods for the production of such push-pins include providing a piece of substantially flat rigid material and a press, and employing the press to stamp portions of the material to create a plurality of push-pins therefrom.

Abstract: A gripping and fastening device comprising a bendable strip of material having integral slots is provided. The strip can have a formed hook or hanging shape for holding or hanging articles. The strip can be bent through at least one of the slots to grip the upper edge of a structure such as a wall partition or door, or other article. The integral slots allow for multiple repeated bending and unbending of the strip while preventing or delaying the material from work hardening through the bending area, and thus, fracturing. When straightened, the device retains its original shape. Preferably, there is no indication that bending has occurred. Preferably, the slots are rectangular shaped, but other slot shapes can be used, such as dog bone shaped slots.

Abstract: A bendable bookend having a first, non-operating position wherein the bendable bookend includes a substantially flat planar piece and a second, operating position wherein the bendable bookend includes a base and a support member extending upwardly from the base. In the non-operating position, the bendable bookend includes a base, a tongue extending from the base in a plane that is coplanar with a plane defined by the base, and a support member extending from the base in a plane that is coplanar with the plane defined by the base and in a direction toward the top end. In the operating position, the formed up bookend includes a base, a tongue, and an upstanding support member. The tongue extends from the base in a plane that is coplanar to a plane define by the base, and the support member extends upwardly from the base. Preferably, the bendable bookend includes a stiffening structure to help strengthen the formed up bookend.

Abstract: Picture hangers having prongs become automatically inserted into a picture backing material. An insertion apparatus feeds a strip of preformed blanks to an anvil which severs the blanks and presses them into the backing material. At the same time that the apparatus severs the first blank of the strip, a prong forming tool, attached to the anvil, bends the prongs of the next blank. A feed rod advances the strip of blanks through the apparatus, one blank at a time. A pair of paws, attached to the anvil, carry the severed hanger to the picture backing, and releases the hanger as the hanger becomes inserted into the backing. The apparatus includes a resilient structure which enables the device to operate efficiently with picture backings having varying thicknesses. One can also use the invention to insert hangers into picture frames, mirrors, plaques, signs, or the like.

Abstract: An automatic discharge system permits the counting and discharge of measured quantities of similar articles. The system includes a set of substantially identical discharge modules arranged in a series. Each discharge module is connected to a counting device which counts a measured quantity of articles and discharges the articles into a container, upon command. Each discharge module also includes a microprocessor, the microprocessors of the discharge modules being identically programmed. Each microprocessor receives inputs from the microprocessors in adjacent modules, anad transmits signals to the adjacent microprocessors, such that signals propagate up and down the series. A central control unit issues a "step" signal which propagates up the series. Each time a microprocessor receives such a "step" signal, it records a "turn". Each microprocessor is programmed to cause its associated counter to dump articles on one or more predetermined "turns".

Abstract: A hanging device for a hardboard member, such as a hardboard-backed picture, includes pairs of prongs which grip the hardboard, and a saw-tooth structure with which the hanging device can be suspended from a nail or similar article. The prongs of each pair are angled towards each other so that they bite into the hardboard when inserted. The hanging device is preferably formed from an initially flat piece of metal. A first portion of the hanging device includes one or more openings containing the prongs and a second portion defines an opening having the sawtooth structure. In an alternative embodiment, the second portion also includes prongs, and in this embodiment, there are three sets of prongs for engaging the hardboard. After the hanging device has been driven into the hardboard, the second portion is bent away from the hardboard, so that the hanging device can be suspended from a nail or picture hanger affixed to a wall.

Abstract: A combination clip and hanger is used to suspend articles from walls, especially fabric-covered soft-core partitions. In one embodiment, the clip-hanger is formed of a single strand of stiff but bendable wire. The wire defines three components of the hanger, namely, a clip, a hook, and a prong. The clip is formed by two or more segments of wire, oriented in a generally longitudinal direction, and located in approximately the same plane. The hook is a generally transverse loop of wire, connecting two of the clip-forming segments, and protruding from the plane of the clip. One or both of the free ends of the wire can be formed into a prong. In another embodiment, the wire is inserted through a generally flat backer. The backer tends to prevent injury due to the prong; it also tends to protect the fabric of the partition. When the clip-hanger of either embodiment is inserted into a fabric-covered partition, the prong separates the fibers of the fabric, generally without piercing the fibers.

Abstract: A counting device determines the number of similar articles, or parts, passing a detector. The device is especially useful in packaging small parts into containers, and in insuring that each package contains the correct number of parts. The counter is preferably of the type in which the parts interrupt a beam of light, changing the current through a photoelectric cell. When the current in the photoelectric cell falls below a predetermined threshold level, the device generates a pulse which indicates the presence of a part. The pulses are counted electronically. The device preferably includes a microprocessor which can efficiently control the counting, calibration, and diagnostic operations. The microprocessor stores information relating to the threshold current level, for a given type of part. The value of the threshold can be determined by a separate calibration procedure.

Abstract: A modified gear operates in one direction only. The modified gear can be driven in either direction by a standard gear, but will drive another gear in only one direction. Every other tooth of the modified gear is partly cut away to form a step. The remaining sides are cut away to delay engagement with a driven gear. The sides of the teeth preferably have the shape of an involute curve, and each tooth is preferably cut along a line segment beginning at the midpoint of the top land of the tooth, and continuing along a path generally parallel to one side of the tooth. The step is located at a predetermined radial distance from the top land, this distance being a certain fraction of the total depth of the tooth. The modified gear can be used to drive, or be driven by, a conventional unmodified gear. It can also drive, or be driven by, another gear which has been modified in the manner described above.

Abstract: This invention is a dispenser for a transfer adhesive. The dispenser is less expensive to manufacture than comparable dispensers of the prior art, because it uses a single reel to perform the functions previously performed by two separate elements. A supply reel feeds a transfer adhesive tape to a take-up reel, which also acts as an applicator roller. The supply and take-up reels are connected together such that rotation of one causes rotation of the other. The user holds the dispenser so that the take-up reel presses firmly against the surface onto which the adhesive is to be applied. As the dispenser is moved along that surface, the take-up reel rotates due to friction, depositing adhesive and causing the supply reel to deliver more tape. The take-up and supply reels can be connected by gears or by a friction drive. If gears are used, they can be of a modified form which allows the take-up reel to drive the supply reel in only one direction.

Abstract: A hanging device facilitates the attachment of a foam board, or an equivalent object, to a wall. The hanging device has a body portion and at least one prong. The method of attaching the hanging device to the foam board includes the steps of inserting the prong upwardly into the foam board, and then rotating the body portion, which remains outside the foam board, so that at least part of the foam is compressed by the prong. If the foam board has a paper skin or backing, insertion of the prong creates a slot in the skin, and the slot tends to hold the device in position. The part of the body portion remaining outside the foam board can be suspended from a mounting device, such as a nail or a conventional picture hanger, affixed to a wall. The prong itself can also be bent towards the body portion, to increase the compression of the foam.

Abstract: A plastic bag is formed, filled, sealed and separated from continuous webs of plastic material. The webs pass downwardly between complementary U-shaped heat sealing jaws that reciprocate and cooperate to provide seams which form a pocket that is closed after it has been filled from above and indexed downwardly. The top seam of one pocket is formed simultaneously with the bottom seam of an adjacent pocket and a weakened line of juncture is provided therebetween. Grippers carried on the heat sealing jaws engage opposite sides of the plastic webs above the location of the top seam of the filled pocket and cooperate with a separator that tensions the webs along the weakened line to rupture the filled pocket from the webs while the webs are still in a thermally weakened condition.

Abstract: A hanger adapted to be driven into a wooden frame member includes a one-piece stamped metal member having a head and a flat elongate symmetrical shank with a series of lands and grooves disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the shank between its tip and a pair of laterally extending shoulders on its head. Inclined camming surfaces extend between the lands and grooves and cooperate therewith to compress the wood fibers laterally of the shank as it is driven into the wood. A lateral gripping surface behind each land surface engages the wood fibers which expand into the distally adjacent groove to provide a positive gripping action which resists disengagement.