Abstract: A tape guide that includes multiple spaced grooves or a spiral groove in the surface of the hub to bleed air from between the surface of the hub and the tape. The distance between adjacent grooves or turns in the case of a spiral groove is 2.4 to 3.7 times greater than the width of each groove or turn. For tape guides used with ½ inch type data storage tapes that have a nominal tape width of 12.65 mm, the grooves or turns are 0.30 mm to 0.38 mm wide and spaced 0.90 mm to 1.12 mm center to center.

Abstract: A method of making a bicycle crank arm bar by casting, forging, rolling, heat molding, and cold forging. The bicycle crank arm has an elongated cavity, an axle end, and a pedal end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in aligning automotive wheels. The apparatus includes a body having a first end and a second end, and including an aperture at the first end arranged to receive a wheel assembly lug; an adjustable camber liquid level arranged longitudinally within the body; and, a horizontal liquid level arranged perpendicularly to the adjustable camber liquid level. The method includes the steps of measuring camber of an automotive wheel with the tool of the invention affixed to a single lug of the wheel assembly, where the tool comprises a liquid level having a horizontal liquid level and a camber liquid level, and the measuring consists of zeroing the horizontal liquid level and the camber liquid level prior to making a repair of the vehicle; removing the tool from the single lug; performing the repair of the vehicle; re-affixing the tool to the single lug; and, adjusting the camber of the wheel assembly such that the horizontal liquid level and the camber liquid level are re-zeroed.

Abstract: A method for cutting a rare earth alloy according to the present invention includes the steps of: a) supplying slurry containing abrasive grains onto a wire; and b) machining the rare earth alloy with the abrasive grains, interposed between the wire and the rare earth alloy, by running and pressing the wire against the rare earth alloy. The slurry contains, as a main component, oil in which the abrasive grains are dispersed, and the viscosity of the slurry at 25° C. is in the range from 92 to 175 mPa·sec.

Abstract: An apparatus for riveting shell components to form a barrel-shaped structure such as an aircraft fuselage includes an outer part and an inner part that operate coordinated with each other under computer control. The outer apparatus part includes a riveting machine system movably carried on an annular machine guide that is supported on a stand that is movable in a length-wise X-direction. The inner apparatus part includes a multi-axis riveting robot mounted on a mounting frame that is movable along the X-direction. Instead of moving the inner and outer apparatus parts in the X-direction, it is alternatively possible to move the fuselage while keeping the apparatus parts stationary. A computer control unit provides control signals to achieve a coordinated and concurrent positioning of the inner and outer apparatus parts, and to carry out a coordinated sequence of riveting steps.

Abstract: The present invention provides a double row taper-roller bearing and a method of assembling a double row taper-roller bearing, which are, when in an assembly, capable of assembling and being assembled by controlling a negative axial gap after the assembly. The present invention-provides also a wheel support structure and a method of the assembling the same structure.

Abstract: A foldable ski carrier pack assembly having 1) a main ski support frame assembly; 2) ski anchor assemblies secured to the main ski support frame assembly and operable to anchor snow skis thereto; and 3) a back support harness assembly connected to the main ski support frame assembly and operable to be placed about shoulder areas of a snow ski person for conveyance similar to a camper's backpack assembly. The main ski support frame assembly includes a first support frame member pivotally connected to a second support frame member by a main connector member. The first support frame member and the second support frame member each have a means thereon to receive the ski anchor assemblies connected thereto. Each ski anchor assembly includes a stabilizing post member having a retaining clamp assembly releasably connected thereto. Each retaining clamp assembly includes a main clamp assembly engageable about a portion of the snow skis and having an actuator handle assembly connected thereto.

Abstract: A card guide unit for use in guiding and positioning circuit boards in a card cage, which guide unit is integral, having front and rear cross members that are integral with machined elongated card guides, having machined spaces between the card guides, and which guide units are inter-connectable to side walls of a card cage, providing identical precisioned alignment between circuit boards in the card guides so that precise electrical connections can be made between the circuit board and electrical connectors on the back plane.

Abstract: A kit of tooling components for facilitating removal of a gear from a shaft includes a plurality of jaw members that are adapted to fit through blanking holes defined in the gear. The jaw members are further adapted to engage the gear. The kit further includes a set of studs with each of the studs adapted to engage one of the jaw members and a plate adapted to couple to the studs. The kit further includes a jack adapted to engage and fit between the plate and the shaft. Included as a part of this disclosure is a method of removing a camshaft gear by use of the kit of tooling components.

Abstract: A repair jig for drilling and retapping bores provided in a marine engine distributor is disclosed. The repair jig includes a frame having a plurality of alignment mechanisms operatively associated therewith. Bores formed in the alignment mechanisms are alignable with bores of the marine engine distributor. Once aligned, drill bits and taps can be sequentially inserted through the repair jig and into the distributor for removing broken fasteners and retapping the distributor bores, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides internally damped stators, rotors, and transformers; internally damped cores from which they may be made; and a method of making the aforementioned.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for opening a sealed engine control module in which the module includes a substrate bent around and sealed to a central housing. In one aspect of the invention, the housing is machined around its perimeter, without damaging the substrate, to expose the sealing bead. The sealing bead is disrupted by cutting a groove in the bead, in one embodiment. The modified module is placed within an opening fixture that supports the substrate against buckling or folding while the substrate is unbent about the housing. In another aspect of the invention, a handling support can be attached to the unbent substrate to prevent buckling or folding while the circuit board supported by the substrate is evaluated or modified, and while the substrate is being transported. A closing fixture is also contemplated that supports the substrate while applying a force to fold or close the substrate about a new housing.

Abstract: There is provided transport apparatus for carton blanks 11. The blanks are delivered to a pair of rotating nip rollers 17 by using a segment wheel 15 and a swinging suction arm 16. The nip rollers 17 are drive at a predetermined speed so as to deliver the blanks 11 between two pairs of endless belts 18, 19 which are driven at the same speed as each other, the speed of the belts being slower than that of the nip rollers 17. The blanks 11 are, therefore, received by the nip rollers 17 in a pitched manner but the relative speeds ensures that the blanks are transported by the endless belts 18, 19 in an unpitched, end to end relationship.

Abstract: The pipe end burnishing tool has a tool shank with an axis of rotation, a first end adapted to be clamped to drill chuck, a second end, and a stop surface on the second end. A cup member is driven by the tool shank and axially moveable along the axis of rotation. An inside member is also driven by the shank and axially movable along the axis of rotation. A cup spring urges the cup toward the stop surface. An inside member spring urges the inside member away from the first end and also urges the cup member toward the first end. Conical burnishing surfaces on the cup and the inside member cooperate to burnish pipe ends. These burnishing surfaces float in line with the ends of pipes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sleeve mechanism without the use of machines by using a hydroforming process. The method includes the steps of providing an inner sleeve, an intermediate sleeve, and an outer sleeve concentrically within one another. The concentric sleeves are then expanded by using a hydroforming process such that an external thread is formed on the inner sleeve and an internal thread is formed on the outer sleeve. After the hydroforming process, the intermediate sleeve is removed by using any desired manner, such as melting or chemical dissolution. The relatively small space remaining between the inner and outer sleeves allow them to freely rotate about each other to ensure smooth operation of the screw and sleeve mechanism. Alternatively, the inner and outer sleeves may be hydroformed in separate operations.

Abstract: A climbing nut is generally trapezoidal and has planar upper and lower faces and paired adjacent faces that are convex and concave, respectively. Opposed faces of the nut are therefore convex and concave, respectively. The convex faces have lateral longitudinally extending leg segments that assist in triangulation and strengthen the nut. The geometry of the faces allows for greater placement options. The nut alternately has one or more asymmetric curved faces. The nut is milled from stock extrusion material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of assembling a vehicle. The method comprises providing an open-top cab module comprising a metallic base frame, a plurality of exterior body panels secured to the base frame, and interior cab module trim component. A roof assembly is then provided. The roof assembly comprises a light metallic roof frame, at least one roof panel supported on the roof frame, glass components comprising at least a front windshield supported on the roof frame, and interior roof assembly trim components supported on the roof frame. The roof assembly is then secured to the cab module.

Abstract: A holster for containing a sealant caulk gun heaving a tip comprising: a strap having a first end and a second end, a clip with a tongue formed in the first end for attaching or disengaging from another object; a body connected to said second end of the strap further comprising a first body end with a guide horn and a second body end having a second body end opening and an elongated nose connected to the second body end; said elongated nose further having an opening disposed therein in communication with the second body end opening for receiving the tip of said sealant/caulk gun; and a cap detachably secured to the elongated nose.

Abstract: A bike carrier that includes an extension support having a vehicle support end and a second end as well as a side rail structure supported by the extension support. The side rail structure has a first section extending to a first side of the extension support and a second section extending to a second side of the extension support, and the first and second sections are arranged for supporting a respective wheel of a bike when in use. The carrier device also includes a first wheel hold down device positioned on the first side of the extension support and an intermediate support device supported by the extension support (e.g. either directly or indirectly such as via an intermediate side rail section) so as to contact a frame component of the bike when in use. The intermediate support device has an upper frame contact section that is positioned, when is use, for contact with the lower sloping frame component of the bike which extends to the hub typically.

Abstract: The tool comprises a body having a top portion within which is formed a generally U-shaped notch with a width and depth that are much larger than the diameter of the wire to be handled. The sides of the notch are outwardly tapered so that the notch is wider at its top. All edges of the notch are smoothed and have a radius such that there is no binding of the wire onto the tool. The design of the tool allows the wire to easily slip across the bottom of the notch without binding. The lower portion of the cylinder comprises a concentric bore for receiving a pole or other lifting device.