Abstract: A hand held power assisted apparatus is provided for assembling a rigid tube into a flexible hose in an automobile assembly line environment. The apparatus includes a frame with first and second gripper assemblies mounted on the frame. An actuator assembly is connected between the frame and the first gripper assembly for moving the first gripper assembly toward the second gripper assembly to insert the rigid tube into the flexible hose.

Abstract: Fastener delivery apparatus for automatically selecting and delivering fasteners such as rivets to a setting tool. The fasteners are pre-loaded in a package and dispense via at least one fastener delivery tube that interconnects the setting tool to a fastener feeder device. The fastener feeder device releases selected fasteners from the package into the delivery tube. The fasteners are transportable individually or in groups in the tube from the feeder device to the tool. A transfer station attached to the tool or the delivery tube transfers a fastener from the delivery apparatus into the tool, the transfer station being moveable between a first position in which an exit of the transfer station is adjacent to the tool so that a delivered fastener may be inserted by the transfer station into the tool and a second position in which it is clear of the tool so as to permit the tool or a portion thereof to move towards a workpiece to insert a loaded fastener. The delivery tube has wear resistant elements.

Abstract: A system for making and breaking connections between the pin ends of sucker rods and coupling sleeves employs a hydraulically powered system of radially driven gripper heads which are interchangeable to accept different sucker rod sizes. A torqueing system adjacent the gripper head system is also hydraulically driven, employing a pivotally coupled free end on a torque wrench which engages the wrench flat on the sucker rod at its opposite end. The coupling is securely retained without marring the coupling surface while the torque necessary to make or break the connection is applied rapidly and controllably. The system can also be used to advantage in preassemble sucker rods into couplings with precise prestress, using an improved connection design. A sucker rod string can then be assembled readily in the field with invariant optimum prestress conditions at each connection.

Abstract: A service body for a vehicle includes side packs, each of which is formed with a multi-panel face which includes a side panel, a front panel and a back panel. The panels of the multi-panel face are formed integral by laser cutting the face from a single sheet of metal. L-shaped compartment panels are constructed by forming a compartment divider at right angles to a recessed doorjamb. The recessed doorjambs are welded to the interior surface of the side panel. Top, back and bottom panels are welded to flanged edges of the multi-panel face.

Abstract: A method of fastening at least two large-surface components together by hole-punching rivets, in which the rivets are driven through the components by rivet drivers and against dollies, and fastening the components together. The components rest on supports, and the dollies are a part of these supports; each of the rivet drivers as well as the dollies are guided unfocused to a correct position where a hole-punching rivet is to be placed.

Abstract: A wrought aluminum sheet product having a textured surface for improved heat transfer properties. A plurality of textured features having dimensions of about 1-50 microns is roll textured onto one or both sides of the sheet. The aluminum sheet may be used as the fins or tubing of a heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an endovascular support device comprises positioning a generally tubular member made of an implantable metal and having a generally cylindrical wall in a working relationship with a laser beam. A desired pattern is cut in the generally cylindrical wall in order to produce a stent having a plurality of openings and a plurality of edges. The stent is tumbled in a medium to round its edges and, in turn, to produce more rounded cross-sections of stent elements.

Abstract: A porcelain coated steel wire oven rack. The preferred coated steel wire oven rack includes a plurality of elongated steel wire members joined together to form an oven rack having an outer surface. The plurality of elongated steel wire members are made from a steel rod material containing from about 80 to about 99.9% by weight of iron, from about 0.001 to about 0.08% by weight of carbon and from about 0.001 to about 0.2% by weight of a carbon stabilizing transition metal, preferably selected from the group consisting of Vanadium, Tantalum, Titanium and Niobium.

Abstract: A puller (10) for removing a compression sleeve from a pipe (38) generally comprised of a cylindrical body (24) containing on one end an internal cavity (28) to receive the pipe (38) and an external double thread (30) to engage a compression nut (34) and on the opposite end a threaded through screw (14) entering the cavity (28). A disk (22) attached at one end of the screw (14) bears on the end of the pipe (38) and a torque handle (12) at the other end is used to supply increasing pressure against the end of the pipe (38). The puller (10) is threadably attached to the compression nut (34) placing the pipe (38) into the internal cavity (28) against the disk (22) while the compression sleeve (36) is contained between the compression nut (34) and the puller (10). Turning the torque handle (12) urges the compression nut (34) and the compression sleeve (36) toward the end of the pipe (38) until the compression nut (34) and compression sleeve (36) are freed from the pipe (38).

Abstract: A method of sealing a cartridge having a barrel with a polymeric closure, wherein the polymeric closure includes a tubular collar portion and an integral radial portion, The method includes disposing the tubular collar portion over the radial rim portion of the barrel to surround the reduced diameter neck portion and incrementally rolling and radially deforming the tubular collar portion adjacent its free end into the reduced diameter neck portion with a crimping tool, wherein the polymeric closure is sufficiently malleable to permit radial deformation, yet sufficiently rigid and resistant to creep to retain its shape following deformation The crimping tool or tools include an inclined surface having a gradually decreasing angles of inclination which are driven against the tubular collar portion adjacent the free end and the cartridge assembly and crimping tool are relatively rotated.

Abstract: A connector assembly is disclosed and claimed. The connector assembly includes a connector and a cable attachable at one end to the connector. The cable includes a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer disposed over the first conductive layer. A layer of insulation material is disposed at least between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer and a plurality of capacitors are connected between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

Abstract: An improved stationary roller shaft of a gear assembly for an air turbine starter is provided. The air turbine starter may be used to start a gas turbine engine, such as may be found in aircraft, ships and military vehicles. The stationary roller shaft is formed of a material having a hardness of at least 66 Rockwell C and having a low inclusion content rating, thereby providing improved wear and/or fatigue properties.

Abstract: A hand held spin-pull tool for securing a hollow threaded insert into a substrate.

Abstract: An improved truck bed toolbox lid and a method of producing the same. The truck bed toolbox lid includes an outer metallic sheet layer comprising a generally rectangular top sheet member, a longitudinal front edge member, two lateral edge members and a longitudinal rear edge member. A metallic liner sheet member is disposed inside the top sheet member in edge contact abutment with beveled inside edges of the front and rear longitudinal edge members and the lateral edge members to create an internal cavity in which the liner is by stitch welding. One or more injection ports are provided through the liner sheet member through which a self-expanding and self-curing, relatively high-density, foam is injected. The stitch welded edge contacts leave non-welded, gas permeable junctions along the wedged cavity periphery at a funneled apex of the edge contacted boundary which facilitate expansion of the foam toward the outermost edges of the cavity.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a sensing element in a sensing chamber defined by two cases, one of which is crimped to the other. An internal pressure of the chamber is affected by a crimping force. In the manufacturing process of the pressure sensor, the internal pressure is monitored during crimping the cases. To monitor the internal pressure, the sensing element of the pressure sensor is used. An output signal of the sensing element is sent to a crimping machine. The crimping machine controls a crimping force based on the output signal.

Abstract: A method of manufacture for a drug cartridge assembly. The method includes providing a drug cartridge, providing a nozzle sub-assembly, and sterilizing the drug cartridge and nozzle sub-assembly. The method further includes assembling the drug cartridge and nozzle sub-assembly together in a configuration that enables ejection of liquid out of the drug cartridge through the nozzle sub-assembly. The method further includes filling the drug cartridge with a liquid, such as an injectable drug. The method may include separate sterilization of the drug cartridge and nozzle sub-assembly, using different sterilization processes. Portions of the method may be performed prior to sterilization within a first cleanroom, with subsequent steps being performed in a second cleanroom having a substantially lower particulate-per-volume rating than the first cleanroom.

Abstract: A grease slinger, power tool and method of assembling a power tool. The power tool includes a housing, a motor supported in the housing and including a rotatable shaft extending along an axis, a gear case connected to the housing, a flange between the housing and the gear case having a first side and a second side and defining an opening extending between the first side and the second side, a drive mechanism supported by the gear case and drivingly engaging the motor shaft, and a grease slinger. The grease slinger includes a body supportable on the shaft for rotation with the shaft relative to the flange. The body has a first face providing a grease-slinging surface and a second face facing the first side of the flange. The second face includes an annular side wall defining an annular channel. The side wall and the channel cooperate with the flange to provide a labyrinth seal and to prevent grease from flowing from the gear case into the housing.

Abstract: A tool for, and method of, removing a first component, such as a disc brake rotor, from an assembly, such as a disc brake assembly. The tool includes an elongated bar and a pressing device. The elongated bar has a pressing surface for pressing against the first component, and a backing surface opposite the pressing surface. The pressing device is connectable to the backing surface of the elongated bar. The pressing device is adjustable to engage a second component that is fixed to the assembly, in order to apply a force between the first component and the second component, to thereby remove the first component from the assembly.

Abstract: A seal attachment fixture and method are provided for attaching a seal to an encapsulated gasket disposed on a work piece, for example, an automotive window assembly. The seal attachment fixture includes fixture members, which slidably move into contact with openable lip portions on the gasket, thus exposing a retention slot defined therein. With the gasket retention slot open, a seal is then inserted within the slot.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device is attached to a support by positioning fasteners into the device at the leading and trailing edges of the device and then positioning the device with respect to the support such that the leading edge fastener(s) slide downward into a slot in a first bracket and the trailing edge fastener slides laterally downward into a slot in a second fastener causing both the first and second fasteners to be captured by lateral slots in the first and second brackets. In the embodiment, the first bracket has an L shaped slot while the slot in the second bracket includes a ramp. After the fasteners are captured by the brackets, the user, in one embodiment, may tighten the fasteners from the outside of a housing in which the support resides by inserting a tightening tool through openings in the housing.