Abstract: A computer mouse device cleaner uses a cleaning surface that has a diameter that is approximately the same as or larger than the diameter of a mouse ball. The cleaning surface is made of a hook material or an abrasive, absorbent material, and both materials can be used as two cleaning surfaces in a single device or kit. A curved ball cleaning surface made of an abrasive, absorbant material can also be included at an end of the handle of the cleaning device. In use, the cleaning surface is placed into the interior ball cavity of the mouse and rotated to cause the interior mouse rollers to roll. If a liquid cleaning solvent is applied to the hook material, it can be used to clean the mouse rollers and then removed by subsequent use of the abrasive, absorbent material.

Abstract: A twist-style mop and method, having a locking wringing grip and a lockable, adjustable, second grip. The lockable, adjustable second grip allows the size adjustment of the twist-type mop to fit a particular user.

Abstract: A self-wringing ratchet mop is disclosed to comprise an elongate handle including at least one channel provided along a discrete length thereof, a tubular member slidably and rotatably disposed on the handle, and a mop swab connected to the handle and the tubular member. The tubular member has a wall including at least one pawl formed therein. The at least one pawl is engageable with the at least one channel to resist rotation of the tubular member in a first direction about the handle, and the at least one pawl is further flexibly moveable out of engagement with the at least one channel when the tubular member is rotated in a second direction about the handle. And when the at least one pawl is positioned along a length of the mop handle other than the discrete length, the tubular member is freely rotatable in both the first and second directions about the mop handle.

Abstract: A mop head for cleaning floors and the like includes a pair of fabric covering elements enclosing the strands of a looped-end wet mop. The fabric covering elements are of a generally trapezoidal shape with a narrow end at the top and a wider end at the bottom. The narrow end is open for insertion of the strands, while the wider end may be open or closed. The fabric covering elements enclose each end of the strands. A headband is attached to the central portion of the mop head around the open ends of the fabric covering elements enclosing the strands. Alternatively, the mop head may be made solely of two fabric mopping elements secured to and extending from each end of a headband, or two fabric pouches having absorbent filler material inserted therein and attached to a central headband to form a fabric wet mop.

Abstract: A wiper arm for wiping vehicle's windows and having an essentially oblong wiper arm body. The wiper arm body has essentially, along its whole length, a cross-sectional shape which has a first curvature facing the window and a second curvature facing away from the window. The second curvature being smaller than the first curvature.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning floors having an undercarriage including front and rear axles (1,3) bearing at least one wheel (2,4) and a driver's seat. A steering mechanism is connected to one of the axles (1,3) for steering the apparatus. There are provided front cleaning element (5) near the front axle (1) for carrying out a first cleaning step and rear cleaning element (6) for carrying out a second cleaning step. The front and rear axles (1,3) are operatively connected in order to steer both axles in a predetermined relationship, such that the front and rear cleaning elements (5,6) follow substantially the same path.

Abstract: At an interior portion of a suction nozzle body, an impeller and a brush member are installed. The impeller is rotated in response to an air flow produced by a suction force and a brush or a blade member is mounted in a spiral shape along the whole impeller or a part of the impeller and contacts a surface to be subjected to cleaning. The rotary brush rotates integrally with the impeller on the same shaft and no partition wall is provided between the impeller and the rotary brush. A suction nozzle body having a small size, and which is of light weight and provides for silent operation, and a vacuum cleaner using the same, can be provided.

Abstract: A hub and wheel assembly enabling the moving direction of wheels of a vehicle to be adjusted instantly as the exerted pushing force changes direction comprises a wheel mount having wheels mounted thereon, and a swivel base assembly mounted on stroller leg. Wheel mount may quickly assemble with and detach from swivel base assembly. A protrusion of wheel mount, inserted into swivel base assembly, includes a circumferential groove having a cavity provided therein such that a spring-biased locking member may releasably engage with cavity for setting movement of wheels in a linear direction. Further, as a deflecting force is applied on the stroller locking member disengages with cavity for allowing wheels to move to left or right. Once the force is released, locking member will instantly return to its normal position to engage with cavity.

Abstract: An adjustable, lift-off hinge having a hinge assembly including a first hinge member and a second hinge member joined by a tension pin along a vertical rotational axis. Advantageously, the hinge has two identical hinge members enabling manufacturing with a single mold or tooling set. The present invention allows low friction, pivotal movement of the first hinge member relative to the second hinge member about the vertical rotational axis. The hinge also includes a vertical adjustment mechanism allowing for precise movement of the first hinge member relative to the second hinge member along the vertical axis and precise movement of the second hinge member relative to the first hinge member along the vertical axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with hinged members is provided. The apparatus is an elastomeric member affixed to hinged members on opposing sides of a longitudinal axis of rotation. The elastomeric member is affixed in a stretched state to facilitate the resilient return of the hinged members to a closed position. The elastomeric member occupies substantially the entire length of the hinge area. The elastomeric member bridges the hinge area between the two hinged members. Thus, the hinge area is protected against the entrance of stray wires or materials.

Abstract: A tube density separator and method for use in a cotton gin to separate cotton from a pneumatically conveyed mixture of cotton and foreign materials has a generally vertical tube for receiving the mixture and separating out the foreign material from the cotton. The bottom of the tube is larger than the outlet of the pipe transporting the mixture so the velocity of the flow will be reduced and turbulence created. This action causes the heavier foreign matter to separate from and drop out of the cotton/foreign matter mixture. One or more dispersal rods are placed inside the tube to interact with the flow of material up the tube. The dispersal rods further break apart the clumps and wads of cotton and foreign matter to facilitate the separation action. The separated out foreign matter is collected at the inlet area of the tube. A supply of air, which can be skimmed from the air flow up the tube, conveys away the foreign matter from the tube.

Abstract: A system is provided for processing textile fibers. A bale plucker removes fiber flocks from bales of fiber material and a flock transporting system delivers the flocks from the bale plucker to a carding machine or other processing apparatus. A feed chute is configured with the card machine and includes a first part for receiving flocks from the flock transporting system, and a second part for delivering a fiber lap to the card machine. A cleaning device is disposed within the feed chute between the first and second parts. The cleaning device comprises a fine cleaning nip feed arrangement. This nip feed arrangement in the feed chute is the only fine cleaning nip feed arrangement within the system between the bale plucker and the cleaning device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fibre production by recycling waste fibre material includes pressing the waste fibre material with a pressure element along a contact pressure line onto a surface of a feed roller. The pressure force of the pressure element is variable along the length of the contact pressure line depending on the thickness of the fibre material at a respective position on the contact pressure line so that a thick fibre material does not substantially influence processing of a thinner fibre material along the contact pressure line. The pressure element is radially adjustable relative to the feed roller and is configured with at least one adjusting end pressured device. The pressure element may also be adjustable along the circumference of the feed roller.

Abstract: A pintle wire (10) for insertion through interdigitating end loops of a belt fabric or of a spiral connector, is disclosed which is expandable after insertion into the seam, for example by way of a sheath (12) which includes a thermally activated expanding agent. This is subject to heating to expand the sheath (12) , causing the pintle wire (10) to swell and fill voids in the seam area reducing permeability in the seam and thus reducing marking of paper webs carried by the belt.

Abstract: A fastening device for safety belt, including a first longer U-shaped biting plate, a second shorter U-shaped biting plate and an insertion pin. The first and second biting plate are formed with opposite ratchets on inner sides. The biting plates are positioned on two sides of a lower U-shaped suspending section of the safety belt and fitted with each other. The bent sections of the first biting plate cover the bent sections of the second biting plate in a stacked state. The U-shaped suspending section of the safety belt is clamped between the biting plates with the pin holes thereof aligned with each other. The insertion pin is passed through the pin holes and through the U-shaped suspending section of the safety belt. The ends of the insertion pin are enlarged to assemble with the safety belt by riveting, whereby the biting plates can be quickly slid along the suspending section of the safety belt to adjust the size of the fastening loop.

Abstract: A tether based connector for locating, identifying, inventorying, controlling and helping to ensure the retrieval of one or more items packaged within a container loaded with potentially obscuring packaging materials. The connector terminates at a fastener at one end for releasably fastening to an item, and at an easily located terminus at the other end. The terminus may be formed as an anchorment for anchoring to the container. A single anchorment may be adapted to serve a plurality of tethers for fastening to a plurality of items. A badge carrying item identifying information can be associated with a connector. A dispenser or applicator dispenses multiple connectors. An oblong foam slab is separable into anchorment and fastener portions connected by the tether extendible from at least one of the portions. Also disclosed is an inventive method for packaging items with tethers.

Abstract: A clamp for mounting a drip tray to a transformer fuse holder has only two connecting members which are a first arm and a second arm. The first arm comprises a proximal end attached to the drip tray and a distal male end. The second arm comprises a proximal end attached to the drip tray and a distal female end. The male end comprises an insertion member, a male mating detent protruding from the insertion member, and a male locking detent protruding from the male end. The female end comprises a receiving member, a female mating detent protruding from the receiving member, and a female locking detent protruding from the receiving member. When the insertion member mates with the receiving member, the male mating detent and the female mating detent align, and the male locking detent and the female locking detent align such that the clamp becomes locked in three perpendicular directions.

Abstract: Laces for shoes, sneakers, or other wearing apparel that adjust easily, but stay tied. In one embodiment, the novel design is a flat lace having an upper and lower surface made from different materials. The surfaces have a relatively low coefficient of friction with respect to a shoe's eyelets. Upon being tied, the surfaces have a high coefficient of friction when they are in contact with one another. An alternative design includes a brush-like array of tiny fibers protruding from the lace surface. Another embodiment consists of a middle portion having material properties different from its end portions. An alternative design has two sets of opposing sides with different material properties. The inventive designs minimize the possibility of laces coming untied.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a reticulating machine (39) for simultaneously producing in metal sheet (2) of strip form a plurality of slits (67) disposed in a continuous and zigzag arrangement extending in the lengthwise direction thereof, and an expanding machine (40) for expanding in the lateral direction the metal sheet (2) in which slits (67) have been formed in order to produce a lozenge-shaped mesh configuration. The expanding machine (40) comprises two endless conveyor elements (44) disposed at the two lateral edges of the metal sheet (2), chuck members (47), a plurality of which are provided in an equally-spaced arrangement to the endless conveyor elements (44), and a center guide member (91) for conveying the metal sheet (2) while guiding the transverse central portion such that it is deflected to one side in the direction of thickness of the metal sheet (2).

Abstract: A method for setting stones in the surface of a jewel produced by electroforming, comprising the following steps: producing a base having external shapes and dimensions with a thickness close to the gold film forming the wall of the jewel to be produced and having seats for receiving the stones; depositing on the base, before setting the stones, a protective coating, then a thin gold film; setting the stones in the seats; then depositing a second thicker gold film; and finally extracting or removing the base and the protective coating. The invention is characterized in that when the base is being produced, at least one passage is provided perpendicular to each seat, capable of communicating, once the stone is set, the space between it and the bottom of its seat with outside, so as to enable the depositing of the second gold film to reach the space. The invention is useful for jewels produced by electroforming.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing clips onto workpieces which includes a spring biased alignment mechanism which positions a workpiece for the installation of a retaining clip thereon and thereafter, causes the workpiece to be ejected from the apparatus.

Abstract: Polyolefin pipes are welded end-to-end by a self-propelled, self-contained machine which performs all steps necessary to the process without need for any other machines or equipment. Hydraulically driven parallel tracks are independently controlled for maximum maneuverability. An hydraulically driven, computer controlled, reversible jaw assembly reciprocates the new pipe section relative to the exiting pipe line. A facer for trimming and squaring the pipe ends to be joined and a heater for melting the pipe ends for fusing are umbilically connected to the machine for on-board or remote operation. The computer, also on an umbilical, enables the operator to operate the machine in a normal mode in which the operator manually controls the facing, soaking and fusing processes or an automatic mode in which the fusing process is automatically controlled by the computer.

Abstract: Polyolefin pipes are welded end-to-end by a self-propelled, self-contained machine which performs all steps necessary to the process without need for any other machines or equipment. Hydraulically driven parallel tracks are independently controlled for maximum maneuverability. An hydraulically driven, computer controlled, reversible jaw assembly reciprocates the new pipe section relative to the exiting pipe line. A facer for trimming and squaring the pipe ends to be joined and a heater for melting the pipe ends for fusing are umbilically connected to the machine for on-board or remote operation. The computer, also on an umbilical, enables the operator to operate the machine in a normal mode in which the operator manually controls the facing, soaking and fusing processes or an automatic mode in which the fusing process is automatically controlled by the computer.

Abstract: A mount assembly system provides repeatable net position of vehicle body mounts, enabling an automated body to frame marriage process. With the system, a body mount bracket is assembled to the vehicle's frame rail and the body mount is relocatably attached thereto. Prior to tightening the mount, a positioning fixture engages the mount, repositioning it to a desired location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing a casting in a cold metal repair process includes a plurality of drilling fixtures which facilitate the creation of one or more lock receiving recesses positioned generally transverse to the casting crack. The lock receiving recesses are formed of a single sized circular bore combination having alternating double and single circular portions to maximize strength. A plurality of correspondingly configured metal locks are inserted into the lock receiving recesses to provide transverse metal locks drawing the casting portions on each side of the crack together. A plurality of threaded bores are formed along the remainder of the casting crack in overlapping spacing which receive a corresponding plurality of stitching pins. The stitching pins each define threaded shaft portions having pointed ends and undersized major pitch diameter threads adjacent the pointed ends.

Abstract: A method of examining a position of at least one board-support pin which is positioned on a board-support base for supporting a printed-circuit board under a back surface thereof, the method including the steps of taking an image of the board-support pin, at a position opposed to a free end of the pin, judging whether the position of the board-support pin is appropriate, based on the taken image, and producing judgment information indicative of a result of the judgment.

Abstract: A system and method for assembling a fuel tank is disclosed. A measuring device is mounted on a carriage on which at least one machine tool (e.g., saw, router) is also mounted. This carriage is operatively interconnected with a computer and may be longitudinally moved between a headstock and tailstock which are longitudinally displaced and on which various subassemblies of the fuel tank may be mounted during the assembly of a given fuel tank. Length measurements are preferably made of each fuel tank subassembly prior to any machining operation being executed thereon, as well as after each such machining operation, by monitoring/knowing the longitudinal position of the carriage via the measuring device. These length measurements may be automatically recorded on an appropriate computer-readable storage medium in relation to the subject fuel tank subassembly and the subject fuel tank.

Abstract: A method is used for interfacing materials of dissimilar thermal expansion in an X-ray tube. Initially, a first joint is identified, which has an inner component to be received into an outer component. Typically, the inner component has a higher coefficient of expansion than the outer component, so the purpose of the invention is to reduce the physical expansion of that component in the joint. A plurality of slots is introduced along the approximate axial length of the inner component of the joint, to achieve the aforementioned purpose. Alternatively, a coupling member could be provided between two components, the coupling member having a thermal expansion rate greater than one component and less than the other component.

Abstract: When a seal (10) with a lip (10A) is slid onto a shaft (14), the seal (10) is first slid from a D-cut portion (14C) to the end of a shaft body (14B) contiguous to the D-cut portion (14C), and then is slid at a first speed (at 40 mm/s) from this end to a position in which the seal (10) does not come into contact with a large-diameter portion (14A) of the shaft (14). Since there is a strong possibility that the lip (10A) of the seal (10) will have been completely curled at this time, the seal (10) is pulled out at a second speed (at 10 mm/s) on the shaft body (14B) from this position toward the D-cut portion (14C), and the seal (10) is again slid inward at a third speed (at 70 mm/s) from this position to an appropriate position. Thus, the seal (10) is slid without the lip (10A) being curled. The sliding operations at the second and third speeds may be performed a plurality of times.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an insert-resin-molded product prevents resin burrs from being generated. The method includes the steps of: preparing a resin-molding mold having a cavity having an inner wall including a recess formed therein; preparing a metallic member to be placed in the cavity of the resin-molding mold so as to be integrally molded with resin, the member having a metallic part to be fit into a recess of the resin-molding mold; placing the metallic member in the cavity of the resin-molding mold and fitting the metallic part of the metallic member into the recess of the resin-molding mold; and injecting resin into the cavity of the resin-molding mold to integrally insert-resin-mold with the metallic member.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of making an edge assembly for an insulating glass unit, the edge assembly including a closed hollow spacer, the method comprising (1) dispensing a flowable desiccating matrix formulation onto a portion of the spacer which will be inside the hollow spacer when the spacer has been closed; (2) allowing or causing the formulation to solidify into a solid matrix and to detach from any attachment to the spacer; and (3) closing the spacer whereby the detached matrix will be retained within the spacer.

Abstract: An automatic cutting and crimping apparatus of the present invention includes a cutting and cover stripping section cutting an electric wire and stripping a cover of the electric wire, a terminal crimping section crimping a terminal to the electric wire, an electric wire carrying unit carrying the electric wire to the terminal crimping section by rotating around a rotary axis in a carrying direction, an elastic member applying a force to the electric wire carrying unit in a direction substantially opposite to the carrying direction, and an electric wire guiding section provided at a front end side of the electric wire carrying unit and guiding the electric wire to a send-out direction. Here the electric wire, sent out by a predetermined volume from the electric wire guiding section to the send-out direction, reaches the cutting and stripping section, and then the electric wire is rotated in the carrying direction so as to reaches the terminal crimping section.

Abstract: The present invention provides an impact shaft for use in a pneumatic wire termination tool. The tool has a handle, a pneumatically driven piston and a head frame for engaging and terminating a plurality of wires to a corresponding connector at the same time. The impact shaft includes a plurality of coaxially arranged cylindrical sections positioned end to end, including a dowel pin positioned at a first end and a head frame locator having the dowel pin projecting from a first end and an extension portion projecting from a second end. The dowel pin and the head frame locator are sized to operatively engage the head frame. A spring register portion includes a first end from which the extension portion projects, and also includes a plurality of facets arranged for engagement with a biased portion of the tool so as to maintain the rotational orientation of the impact shaft relative to the handle.

Abstract: An assembly device for assembling components of a disc drive, the assembly device being adapted to assembly components of a disc drive supported at a disc drive station. The assembly members are operably supported for operation between a load position and an install position aligned with the disc drive station. Components are engaged by the assembly members and transported to the disc drive station. At the disc drive station, the components are aligned for assembly in the disc drive.

Abstract: Problems aligning a slider with a dimple in manufacture of head gimbal assemblies for disk drive suspensions are obviated by defining a series of optically readable indicia on or about the dimple that serve as a reference for positioning apparatus rather than the dimple.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head includes a step of cutting a wafer into bars, each bar having a plurality of thin-film magnetic head sliders which are sequentially coupled with each other, a step of identifying the bar to be worked to generate an identification signal which indicates identity of the bar, a step of obtaining data of the bar in a unit of bar depending upon the identification signal, and a step of processing at least one working of the bar on the basis of the obtained data of the bar.

Abstract: An apparatus for tagging pieces of lumber including a motor-driven chain for positioning adjacent a lumber conveyor. A stapler is positioned adjacent one end of the chain for affixing a tag to a piece of lumber on the conveyor. A tag feeding attachment urges one tag of a contiguous sequence of tags into alignment with the stapler and severs the tag from the contiguous sequence of tags. A photosensor is positioned adjacent the stapler for detecting the presence of lumber upon the conveyor and for generating an electrical signal in response thereto. Upon receiving an electrical signal from the photosensor, a central processing unit energizes the stapler and the tag feeding attachment in a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: A sucker rod tool system for oil wells monitors both torque and angular displacement of a three-element sucker rod connection. The tool system engages two sucker rods that are at least partially screwed into opposite ends of a sucker rod coupling. The system, however, does not engage the coupling adjoining both rods. The system determines whether a connection has been properly tightened by sensing the torque and angular displacement of the connection as it is being tightened, and comparing the data to a stored reference set of data or curves. In some embodiments, a properly tightened connection is based upon the number of straight lines that are needed to adequately approximate a plotted curve of the sensed torque versus angular displacement. Tightness of each connection of a string of sucker rods is recorded with reference to each connection's depth within a well to later serve as an aide in diagnosing connection failures. In some cases, the energy required to unscrew a connection is also recorded.

Abstract: A machine for bending a first set and a second set of folded deformable links projecting outwardly from a heat exchanger core made is disclosed. The machine comprises a base, a transport mechanism for transporting the core to a workstation, a locking mechanism for locking the core in a predetermined orientation in the workstation, and a bending mechanism attached to the base for bending a set of folded deformable links against the core.

Abstract: The method of removing an epoxy bonded microelectronic component from a substrate includes the steps of heating a removal tool comprising a blade portion. The heated blade portion engages against the cured epoxy positioned around the edge of the component, and the epoxy is removed. The blade portion is positioned between an edge of the component and an adjacent portion of the substrate to lift the component from the substrate. A screwdriver receiving tip can also be attached to the removal tool. The screwdriver receiving tip includes an orifice that receives a screwdriver shaft that is freely rotatable therein. The removal tool is heated, thereby heating the screwdriver receiving tip and screwdriver shaft so that any screw to be removed is heated and removed. A tool is also disclosed for removing the microelectronic component from a substrate. The tool includes a removal tool comprising a proximal body and a distal heating end.

Abstract: A method of automatically inserting terminals with wires into desired terminal accommodating cavities in a connector housing after putting neighboring wires aside, and a wire sweeping arm and a driving device for the sweeping arm. The method includes the steps of: grasping the terminal with wire by terminal supporting hands and wire supporting hands; moving the wire sweeping arm in the direction that the wire sweeping arm sweep wires which are already accommodated in neighboring terminal accommodating cavities, the wire sweeping arm being disposed between the terminal accommodating cavities and the terminal supporting hands so as to move back and forth; moving the wire supporting hands and the terminal supporting hands toward the connector housing to insert the terminal with wire into the terminal accommodating cavity.

Abstract: A technique for assembling a multi-chip module does not necessitate more than one pass through a die attach machine. The technique involves attaching a smaller die to a larger die without using a die attach machine. The larger die may be attached to a support structure using a die attach machine. In some embodiments, the larger die is affixed to the support structure first and in other embodiments, the smaller die is affixed to the larger die first.

Abstract: A flip chip mounting method and the apparatus have high reliability in electrical connection between a semiconductor and a circuit board so as to avoid void in a via formed in a circuit board or in a recessed portion of a solder resist formed in a circumference of a mounding pad. The flip chip mounting method for connecting a semiconductor element and a circuit board includes steps supplying a thermosetting type resin to a mounting portion on the circuit board, mounting an electrode of the semiconductor element on an electrode of the circuit board under a condition where the semiconductor element is heated by a heating tool, applying a high frequency vibration on the heating tool or the circuit board in the condition where the electrode of the semiconductor element is mounted on the electrode of the circuit board, and heating and pressurizing the thermosetting type resin by the heating tool.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a simplified process for fabricating high density printed wiring boards using a semi-additive process. A roughened copper foil is laminated to a dielectric substrate. The foil is subsequently removed from the dielectric to create a roughened, irregular surface on the dielectric substrate. Vertical angle through holes and blind holes are formed in the substrate. A uniform copper commoning layer is electrolessly plated to the roughened dielectric substrate and through holes. A photoresist is applied on the surface of the electroless plated layer and irradiated through a mask having printed circuit features. After developing the photoresist the uncovered electroless layer is electrolytically plated to create the final features and circuitry. After stripping the remaining photoresist the unplated electroless copper layer is etched to electronically isolate the copper features and circuitry lines.

Abstract: A method for forming a rotor assembly for guiding motion of one circumferentially extending structure with respect to a second structure is disclosed. Various steps of the method are developed and include forming a pin for receiving a rotatable element for the roller assembly. In one particular embodiment the method includes forming the pin with a one-piece head and trapping the rotatable element between the pin and support structure for the pin.

Abstract: A method for making air turning vanes each having formed therein a pair of locking protuberances which adapt the vanes to self-gripping attachment between a pair of rails to fabricate an air turning vane and rail assembly utilizes an elongated length of double plate airfoil vane stock including a front plate having an outer concave surface arcuately bowed about the central longitudinal axis of the plate, and a rear plate having an outer concave surface arcuately bowed about the central longitudinal axis of the rear plate. A vane of a desired length is severed from the vane stock, and the outer concave surface of the rear vane plate is impacted by a punch with sufficient force to deform from the inner surface of the plate a generally hemispherically-shaped button having a lower severed wall which forms a locking lip. The apparatus according to the present invention includes a guillotine-like shearing structure/vane stock support fixture which vertically slidably supports shear blade.

Abstract: Process for the formation of a Caribbean steel pan using a hydroforming press and the resulting pans.

Abstract: A method for forming shaped members by drilling, milling or pushing. The positions of tools are preset with respect to at least one reference surface of the machine. A reference surface of each of the members to be machined is placed on the machine reference surface. The tools are moved in union relative to the member on the machine so that at least one tool in the set can carry out a machining step on at least one side wall of the member. The tools are preset and the member is shaped in such a way that members of various cross sections may be suitably machined from the same set of tools.

Abstract: A bicycle bearing assembly has a spindle rotatably coupled within an outer tubular member via bearing members. The spindle preferably has a pair of annular grooves, which are formed in its outer surface by cold rolling the spindle. Similarly, the tubular outer member is cold rolled to form a pair of corresponding annular grooves in its internal surface. The cold rolling process of forming the tubular outer member results in its external surface also deformed to create a similar corresponding profile to the internal surface. This cold rolling creates a very smooth bearing surface for the bearing members. In one embodiment, the bicycle bearing assembly is a bottom bracket for a bicycle. In other embodiments, the bicycle bearing assembly is a hub for a wheel bicycle. The hub can be either a front hub or a rear hub.

Abstract: A blind hole bushing puller and method, wherein the puller comprises: a rectangular cross block having a first end-portion and a second end portion, a pair of elongated leg screws, a circular bushing insert, and a bolt with a matching washer and a nut. Each of the end-portions of the cross block have a threaded leg hole formed therethrough, the cross block also has a centrally located unthreaded cross block hole. One of the leg screws passes through one of the threaded leg holes, and the other leg screw passes through the other threaded leg hole. The bushing insert has a centrally located unthreaded bushing insert hole and is sized to snugly fit about an inside diameter of the bushing. The bolt is sized to pass through the bushing insert hole and the cross block hole with a head of the bolt being positioned adjacent an upper portion of the bushing insert.