Abstract: A combination drive and method for applying power through a piston rod (A) operated by an air cylinder (B) is controlled by an elongated self-locking threaded drive member (C) rotated by an electric motor (D) for affording positioning and velocity control for the air operated cylinder and the guided piston rod which stops and is positively positioned upon cessation of operation of the electric motor. Control apparatus includes a valve housing (35) positioning a spool (40) fixed on one end to the elongated threaded drive member (C), and an assembly (45) for moving the spool axially in respect to the electric motor (D) through an axially compliant coupling (50) so that by controlling the motor the valve is thereby controlled.

Abstract: A coupling includes a sleeve (E) engaged to a lead screw .COPYRGT. on one end and to a power take-off shaft from an electric motor (D) on the other end. The lead screw (C) extends into an elongated housing (A) and is threadably received for rotation within a piston (B). An insert (F) is mounted in the sleeve (E) for maintaining respective opposite overlapping ends (G) of the lead screw and the power take-off shaft. The insert is constructed of machinable plastic capable of compensating for slight misalignment while providing resiliency and reduced problems resulting from thermal expansion and contraction of the parts.

Abstract: Control apparatus and method for applying power to a linear actuator (A) utilizes an air cylinder (B) and a self-locking drive (C) rotated by an electric motor (D) for affording positioning and velocity control for the air operated cylinder and the guided linear actuator which stops and is positively positioned upon cessation of rotation of the drive by the electric motor.

Abstract: An end of stroke linear decelerator apparatus for powered slides and method include a disc spring member (A) retained upon a guide rod by a retainer disc member (B) which is itself positioned for retention upon a guide rod adjacent a tooling member. An elastomer retainer (C) positions the disc upon the guide rod and has an elastomer extension facing outwardly of the disc for dampening noises and forceful engagement with the frame which supports the guide rods.

Abstract: A multiple piston and cylinder assembly is illustrated utilizing first and second transversely bifurcated segments (A) and (B) for retention by an intermediate snap ring (D) installed within a single groove (C) facilitating a sealing abutting relation between the segments utilizing a sealing and retaining member (E) wherein the segments are inserted from opposite ends of the cylinder.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for joining a piston in a precise leak proof junction on a rod utilizes an axial longitudinally elongated reservoir (A) in a bore within the piston which serves as a receptacle for a bonding agent (B), an annular groove (C) in the piston rod serves to position an O-ring member (D) serving as a support for the piston and as a closure on one end of the reservoir.

Abstract: A multi-piston assembly is illustrated wherein a cylindrical housing (A) is ported through longitudinal circumferentially spaced ports (F) and (G) carried within the cylindrical housing. Porting through piston rods is thus avoided so that their cross section may be reduced thereby increasing the area of the pistons available for contact by pressurized fluid. Even greater force may be made available for actuating a tool by the addition of an add-on unit utilizing complementary longitudinal porting.

Abstract: A release mechanism for permitting the operation of a pneumatic valve includes a ring (A) extending about a cylindrical hand held housing for manual manipulation to move a blocking member (B) from beneath a depressible valve operator (D) and is provided with resilient means (C) normally biasing the blocking member (B) towards a blocking position beneath the handle (D) but which may be moved by manual manipulation of the ring against the force of resilient means (C) which automatically returns the blocking member to blocking position after the handle is moved for actuating the pneumatic valve and the like for operating the hand held mechanism.

Abstract: A compact high pressure fluid operated cylinder and method for making same is illustrated wherein an end cap is held within the cylinder by a snap ring (E) carried within a groove at the end of the cylinder to prevent axial dislodgement outwardly from the end of the cylinder, while an O-ring (A) is carried within complementary grooves (B) and (C) within an intermediate circumferential portion of the end cap opposite the snap ring and an opposite cylinder wall portion respectively to prevent inward dislodgement of the end cap. By inserting the snap ring within the groove (D) while an inner surface of the end cap is in engagement with the O-ring so as to resiliently position the end cap in sealing engagement between the snap ring and the O-ring with the end cap in spaced relation to an adjacent end of the cylinder, a cushion seal is provided preventing chattering of the end cap during operation.

Abstract: A guided cylinder wherein a yoke (B) for bridging diagonally opposed guide rods (A) has connection thereto by means of first enlarged aligned abutments (C) adjacent upper ends of the guide rods to provide a mounting as well as flats for securely holding guide rods while affixing the yoke and thereafter providing a stable mounting for the yoke. The yoke has second abutments (E) integral with the first abutments for receiving threaded fasteners (D), having a lesser cross-sectional area extending upwardly into recesses therefor carried in the yoke to eliminate lateral movement as may result in misalignment of the guide rods.

Abstract: An air over oil intensifier has an oil chamber having first and second ports (C) and (E), respectively, opening into a highest collection point of the cylindrical interior of the oil chamber defined by an upwardly and inwardly tapering surface (D) at a top of the cylinder in both a vertical and a horizontal position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a guided cylinder includes a wall (C) extending between the bore (A) for accommodating the guide rods in the housing and a mounting surface (B). A mounting bore is carried across the wall having an enlarged section for receiving a head (D) of a fastening in a reduced section (E) for receiving in a fastening member.

Abstract: A piston and method of manufacture is disclosed wherein a low friction plastic material D is sprayed upon a molded cylindrical metallic member, having a single intermediate annular groove C, forming a coating having wear surfaces A and B on each side of the groove, and a sealing ring E carried in the annular groove.

Abstract: Apparatus is illustrated for positioning longitudinally spaced switches upon a base member which member may be the cylinder of a robotic control apparatus and which apparatus achieves a clamping action through the use of a rail (A), a locking bracket (B), a rocker arm (C) fixed upon the rail and an abutment (D) carrying a bearing member (E) forcing the bracket into engagement clamping both sides of the switch against the base member.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning magnetic switches in alignment on a base member has a contact edge (C) at one end and a threaded post (D) adjacent the other end. Wedging the contact edge (C) into engagement with a lower surface of an elongated groove (A) is accomplished by tilting the switch upwardly at the other end by means of threadably manipulating the post so as to extend downwardly engaging the stop members (E) with the inward projections (B).

Abstract: A flow control valve includes a needle (B) which is carried in an elongated housing within an axial bore which is partially closed at one end by a crimp (C) which forms a retaining clip to prevent inadvertent forceful expulsion of the needle from the flow control valve in the event dislodgement or failure of the retaining means which normally positions the needle within the control valve.

Abstract: A fluid operated cylinder assembly has an end cap wherein a wire key connection for retaining the end cap within a cylinder has a leg (B) on one end received within a slot (A) on the outer surface of the end cap has a crimped portion (D) at an opposite end being carried at an angle to permit insertion through an anchor passage (C) in the cylinder wall which may be bent to confine the wire key against dislodgement during continuous use. The wire key has an intermediate arcuate segment (E) which is preformed. The method contemplates first inserting an end cap within the cylinder exposing the anchor passage to permit insertion of the crimped end of the wire key and thereafter the leg (B) on the opposite end into the slot in the end cap after return of the end cap to locking position with subsequent further crimping or bending of the crimped end of the wire key to lock same into position.

Abstract: An alignment coupler is illustrated having a flat head screw permitting radial adjustment between a workpiece and a piston rod and a second screw making connection with a cylinder to compensate for direct misalignment wherein first and second rings of high density polyethylene and the like are provided to impart shock absorbing and noise dampening characteristics to the coupler between the first and second screws.

Abstract: A fluid operated apparatus having a cylinder assembly, a piston and a rod is illustrated wherein cap members are provided with a first circumferential groove and a reduced end portion while a second circumferential groove is carried opposite the first circumferential groove within the cylinder assembly forming a seat for a deformable ring. A method of assembling the fluid operated apparatus contemplates inserting an end cap into the cylinder and then mounting a deformable ring in an adjacent groove in the cylinder and then forcing the cap out so that the ring passes over a reduced conical end portion of the cap and is positioned in the seat formed between the opposed grooves for deforming the ring.