Abstract: A hammer-head comprising an optimally designed set of nail extraction claws oriented at a predetermined tangency angle relative to an integrally mounted anvil. The hammer-head is to be used with an integral or removable handle to minimize the forces required in extraction of nails and in exercising prying forces by such tools as a common hammer, a crowbar, or a lever with a stationary or movable fulcrum point. An optimization methodology based on minimization of the nail extraction energy or minimization of the nail extraction energy is implemented in a design methodology and an algorithm for the synthesis of the optimal contour shape of the claws.

Abstract: A workpiece clamping apparatus for securing a workpiece relative to a planar support surface has a first cam with an arcuate exterior surface thereon. A pin is disposed for rotationally mounting the first cam about an axis. A mounting member is associated with the planar support surface for receiving the pin. Additionally, an abutment plate is operatively associated with the first cam for releasable securing a workpiece relative to the planar support surface. The workpiece can also include a second cam, having an arcuate exterior surface operably attached to the pin. The mounting member has a plurality of spaced apertures arranged in rows on the planar support surface, wherein each of the apertures are dimensioned to receive the pin.

Abstract: An X-Y table produces no dust and maintains a high positioning accuracy. Slide blocks are slidably mounted on an x-axis bar guide and a y-axis bar guide through air bearings. They are moved along the respective bar guides by linear motors. A sub-bar guide is fixed to one end of the slide block supported on the x-axis bar guide. It extends through a hole formed in a stage to slidably support the stage through an air bearing. Another sub-bar guide has its one end fixed to the stage and extends through a hole formed in the slide block supported on the y-axis bar guide to slidably support it through an air bearing. The x-axis motor has a yoke having a top surface opposite the bottom surface of the stage. Permanent magnets provided on the bottom surface of the stage attracts the top surface of the yoke.

Abstract: A spring-lock release tool provided with double-action arms for both uncoupling a pair of tubes and separating them from each other. A first portion of the arms engageable with a floating collar member for uncoupling the tubes, and a second portion of the arms engageable with rods for separating the tubes.

Abstract: A device to simply control a position and an amount of rotation of a carrier and to prevent a decrease of the control accuracy upon thermal expansion of the carrier. On a base (15), a carrier (16) is slidably and at the same time rotatably supported. The carrier (16) has arms (41, 42 and 43) which are driven by a respective drive element (21, 22 and 23) for each of three axes (X, X', and Y). The drive elements of each axis (21, 22, 23) are the same distance from a reference axis which functions as the center of rotation of the carrier (16). When the carrier (16) moves in the X direction, by means of the drive elements (21 and 22), two of the arms (41 and 42) are moved by the same amount. For movement in the Y direction, the third arm (43) is moved by the third of the drive elements (23). When the carrier (16) is turned, the drive elements (21, 22 and 23) move all of the arms (41, 42 and 43) the same amount in the direction in which the carrier is turned.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for dimensioning and manipulating a patterned material by selectively applying a vacuum and/or positive pressure to the patterned material.

Abstract: A workpiece clamping apparatus for securing a workpiece relative to a planar support surface; wherein, the workpiece clamping apparatus includes an abutment plate having means for selectively positioning the abutment plate relative to the planar support surface; and, securing means operatively associated with the planar support surface for captively engaging the workpiece between the abutment plate and the securing means.

Abstract: A clamp secures a workpiece relative to a work piece support. A clamp arm is connected to an external end of the clamp for movement between workpiece clamping and release positions. An inflatable bladder disposed within a bladder support is releasably attached to the clamp arm between the workpiece and the clamp arm. A proportional regulator controls the inflation of the bladder, so that when the bladder is inflated, the bladder provides uniform distribution of the pressure to be exerted along a greater portion of the workpiece to protect the workpiece surface from undesirable indentations or defects.

Abstract: A portable or fold away workbench comprises a pair of elongate vise members which are supported from below and which are relatively movable towards and away from one another and a tool tray forming part of, or being attached to, one of the vice members. The tool tray includes a well for storing relatively large tools and a plurality of depressions, which are shallower than the well, for storing relatively small tools.

Abstract: A marine seismic cable deployment and retrieval system for utilization in conjunction with a marine vessel. The present, searched for invention teaches a large wheel mounted in the front of the vessel for retrieving seismic cable from the water, and a horizontally mounted cable handler comprising an eight wheel cable puller for pulling the cable, the cable puller comprising four pairs of tires in frictional, rotational contact with one another along their outer surfaces configured to frictionally grab and pull a seismic cable along a linear path. A smaller rear cable puller further urges the cable to the rear of the vessel, and down into the main deck via a chute arrangement.

Abstract: A jack handle and adapter bar are shown which permit conventional automotive hydraulic floor jacks to be used to jack up low clearance cars. Full control is obtained without damage to or interference from the car skirt or fairing panels.

Abstract: A pneumatic clamping device which is driven by a single cylinder, but which operates with two degrees of motion so that it is completely out of the way after an assembly operation is complete. A housing which defines an aperture through which a shaft passes to connect to the cylinder. The shaft has two diameters along its length, the smaller of which is nearer the piston. This permits the shaft to point away from a vertical axis when it contacts the inner diameter of the aperture in the housing which provides a sliding fit to the larger diameter of the shaft. The shaft which supports a perpendicular clamp, one end of which will apply the clamping force to the workpiece. The other end of the clamp is connected to a guide which is approximately parallel to the shaft. A pin restrains the motion of the guide as the piston moves from the clamped to the unclamped position. Further movement of the piston impresses a second degree of motion upon the clamp, namely, a rotation about the pin and away from the work area.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tool for the partial or complete removal and installation of press pins lodged within a latch device which fasten an automobile window to an automobile body, or press pins lodged in latches which are attached to an automobile window. The present invention employs novel jaws to partially or completely remove press pins of any size by the use of unique, removable tips. These tips slidably engage one jaw of the press pin remover tool, and after the tip is securely engaged within the jaw, it is capable of rotation about an axis perpendicular to the length of the tool. Rotation around such an axis allows the tip, and more generally the tool, to adapt to any size latch as used in the automotive industry for the purpose of partially or completely removing a lodged press pin. The present invention is also adapted to install press pins into latch portions in order to construct a completed latch device.

Abstract: There are provided a pipe (9) having a slit (6) along a longitudinal direction thereof throughout a full length thereof, a moving body (23) inserted into the pipe (9) and being movable in the pipe (9) by means of a compressed air fed into the pipe (9), and a connection member (1) comprising a wire, connected to the moving body (23) in the pipe (9) at a base end thereof, passing through the slit (6) and positioned outside the pipe (9) at a leading end thereof to which a material (15) to be laid or an object is connected. It is preferable that a sealing wire rod (8) which can blockade the slit (6) is arranged in the pipe (9) throughout the full length of the pipe, and that a guide groove (7) for guiding the sealing wire rod (8) so as to blockade the slit (6) at the time of movement of the moving body (23) is disposed on the moving body (23).

Abstract: A tilting lift apparatus for providing access to the under carriage of a vehicle, such as a fork lift truck is disclosed. A base pivotally mounts at least two longitudinally extending ramps. When a vehicle is moved onto the ramps they move from an angle position to a level position. A movement attenuating assembly is connected to the ramps for slowing their movement. In a preferred embodiment a tilter leg assembly is pivotally mounted together with a pivotally mounted brace. Both swing downwardly and engage as the ramps move toward the level position. A worker may then move under the ramps to perform maintenance or repair on the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an extendible cheater bar for use in tightening the ratchet mechanisms and consequently the straps used in long haul trucking applications for the securement of loads. The extendible cheater bar includes a second body member and a first body member. The second body member is hollow, elongated and includes an internal cavity with an internal surface which is partially or wholly internally threaded. The first body member is elongated and has an outer surface which is partially or wholly externally threaded. The first body member screws into and out of the internal cavity of the second body member, thereby forming an extendible and retractable cheater bar lever with improved characteristics while maintaining the necessary rigidity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for supplying cooling medium to a grinding cup for grinding buttons of a rock drilling bit. The invention also relates to a grinding cup to carry out the method. A shank of the grinding cup is rotatably mounted in a grinding machine. In prior art grinding cups, the cooling medium is supplied via an axial bore extending through the entire grinding cup. These prior arrangements require the cooling medium to be guided through the grinding machine. The method according to the present invention supplies cooling medium to the portion of the grinding cup that is located axially between a recess of a wear part and the free end of the shank of the grinding cup.

Abstract: A rotary clamp having a common plane mounting arrangement that provides a first planar surface for mounting the rotary clamp to a support member and a second planar surface for mounting a workpiece engaging means to the rotary clamp wherein the first and second planar surfaces lie in a common plane for simplifying the set up procedure of the rotary clamp. The first planar surface is formed on a housing of the rotary clamp, and the second planar surface is formed on a pivot pin of the rotary clamp. The first and second planar surfaces are spaced from one another to provide proper relief so that the workpiece engaging means may freely rotate without interference from the second planar surface. The pivot pin provides a large end portion seated within a recess of the housing that remains externally accessible with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A workpiece clamping apparatus for securing a workpiece relative to a planar support surface has a pair of saddle clamp members each provided with a plurality of threaded apertures. A mounting member associated with selected ones of the plurality of threaded apertures is provided for operably attaching saddle clamp members to the planar support surface in a variety of orientations. Each saddle clamp member can engage a portion of a bar clamp. Each saddle clamp member can also engage a portion of a length of pipe which can have pipe clamps thereon.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for clamping first and second objects together includes a sleeve adapted to fit within a first bore in the first object, the sleeve having a first end, a second end, and a slit extending from the first end to the second end. Bolt-driven sleeve-expansion components operate to radially expand the sleeve within the first bore of the first object while applying force to the sleeve axially toward the second object. One embodiment includes a cylindrically shaped, longitudinally split sleeve of resiliently deformable composition. A conically shaped member and a bolt having a conically shaped head and a shank adapted to screw into the second bore cooperate as sleeve expansion components. The tapered head of the bolt faces a first tapered inner surface of the sleeve, and a tapered exterior surface on the conically shaped member faces a second tapered inner surface of the sleeve. The shank of the bolt extends axially through the sleeve and the conically shaped member.