Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a glazing panel which includes a pair of glazing sheets separated by an intervening marginal spacer frame formed to a required size and shape from strip material and marginally secured between the pair of sheets. The apparatus comprises a frame forming mechanism which includes guides defining at least two paths for feeding required lengths of the strip material, stops defining a position for the leading ends of the strip material as it is fed, a plurality of bending stations arranged to bend the strip material on at least one of the paths to form frame corner angles at required distances from the stops, and apparatus for joining the ends of spacer strip material which has been fed along the paths and bent, thereby to form the frame.

Abstract: A desolderer and heater assembly therefor wherein the heater assembly includes at least a heating element and a solder transfer means where the forward end of the solder transfer means is adapted to receive a desoldering tip and where the thermal characteristics of the rear end portion of the solder transfer means are such that the heater element raises the rear end portion of the solder transfer means to a solder melting temperature shortly after the tip reaches this temperature. The desolderer includes a solder collection chamber into which molten solder is ejected from the solder transfer means where the solder collection chamber may be disposed either inside or outside the desolderer handle. Various embodiments are described whereby the heater assembly may be adapted to receive a seal mounting member so that the forward end of the solder collection chamber can be sealed at a surface which is removed from the path the molten solder traverses through the solder transfer means.

Abstract: A tri-metallic electrical contact consisting of a head wire piece and a base wire piece which abut to an intermediate piece at its opposite ends, is produced by cold press operations performed by first and second die and punch sets. The first die and punch set causes plastic deformation of approximately only a half part of the aligned wire pieces, while keeping another half part of these pieces not deformed. The second die and punch set imparts, subsequent to, and independently from, the cold press operation performed by the first die and punch set, plastic deformation to the other half part of the pieces, whereby the abutting surfaces of the three wires are prevented from sliding movements laterally relative to each other during the cold press operations, and whereby irregular or insufficient deformation of the wires due to the differences of yield points of the wires is prevented.

Abstract: Apparatus for weld bonding circuit connection wires to stitch pins in a printed circuit board, including a bonding head which combines an omni-directional cutter in association with an electrode which the circuit wire extends, and structure is provided to bend the exposed end of the wire before welding to a stitch pin.

Abstract: A standardized access card is formed of a single or a pair of bonded sheets f material including a cavity within which is disposed an integrated circuit assembly for processing electrical signals arranged within the card. The thickness of the assembly is relatively smaller than the thickness of the card and terminal areas of the assembly are accessible through cut-outs in the card which may be open or plugged with conductive material. The card may be formed in a continuous process from a plurality of strips of material which separately provide the card material, the integrated circuit assembly and a cover for the device of the circuit assembly.

Abstract: A standardized access card is formed of a single or a pair of bonded sheets of material including a cavity within which is disposed an integrated circuit assembly for processing electrical signals arranged within the card. The thickness of the assembly is relatively smaller than the thickness of the card and terminal areas of the assembly are accessible through cut-outs in the card which may be open or plugged with conductive material. The card may be formed in a continuous process from a plurality of strips of material which separately provide the card material, the integrated circuit assembly and a cover for the device of the circuit assembly.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and method for continuously producing high sensitivity magnetochemical particles consisting of joined pairs of pre-oriented magnetic metallic spheres which have been heat treated, magnetically annealed, then plated with color forming metals and overcoated with a chemically resistant coating. These spheres are vibratorially and frictionally seated in surface dimples impressed on the opposed surfaces of a film formed in a mobius loop. The dimples are formed in back-to-back registry by passing the film material through mirror image half-tone screen carrying impressing cylinders. A resin coating applied to the surface of the film loop encases and binds the spheres into mirror image groups; and while the resin coating is still fluid, a directional magnetic field is applied to rotate and orient the encased spheres so that their preferred directions for magnetic field propagation are parallel to the surface of the film loop.

Abstract: Apparatus for aligning and setting the gap between two rail-ends prior to joining these two ends by fish plating or welding and possibly dressing the weld, comprises a rigid horizontal frame of open structure overlapping the two rails and providing an access area around the two ends to be joined. Two main presses and two end presses are mounted in line on the frame and arranged so that the two main presses are located between the end presses. Each combination of a main press and an end press serves to grip one of the two rails to be joined. The gap setting means can be locked on the two rails and has rams for moving the rails together or apart. Weld dressing means for eliminating the weld bead formed after a weld joining operation comprises a dressing tool movable by the aforesaid rams. The apparatus is especially for use in laying or reconditioning railway lines.

Abstract: An assembly system for assembling microcomponents of semi-conductor or other electronic devices includes on a unitary machine frame the tooling for precision excising tape mounted microcomponents, precision forming their electrical leads, placement of the components in correct registration with conductors on a pre-positioned substrate, and bonding the formed leads to the conductors.

Abstract: A machine for attaching solar cells to a flexible substrate having printed circuitry deposited thereon. The strip is fed through a first station in which solar cells are elevated into engagement with solder pads for the printed circuitry and thereafter heated by an infrared lamp, a second station at which flux and solder residue is removed, a third station at which electrical performance of the soldered cells is determined, a fourth station at which an encapsulating resin is deposited on the cells, a fifth station at which the encapsulated solar cells are examined for electrical performance and a final station at which the resulting array is wound on a take-up drum.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for sequentially forming integrally fused battery terminals on a plurality of storage batteries is described wherein a head means having a mold means adjustably mounted thereon is automatically movable with respect to a vertical axis, and has slidably mounted thereon a burning means for automatically producing a variable-intensity flame for melting said battery elements to form said integrally fused battery terminal during a vertial stroke thereof. An automated post burn station is further described having a conveyor means for advancing batteries sequentially to said burning station and for aligning said batteries with respect to said station for the above described fusing process. A plurality of novel sensors incorporated into the automated post burn station facilitates the rapid, automatic processing of batteries, while providing a high degree of safety and reliability.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a disposable, self-contained, battery-operated cautery featuring a finger-grasping end which is of substantially reduced diameter as compared with the battery-containing body portion of the device. Such reduced finger-grasping proportions enable facile and precise manipulation of a cauterizing tip, and a switch actuator carried at the finger-grasping end further facilitates manipulation. The switch actuator is of such low profile as to be fully encased and protected when a protective cover is telescopically assembled over the tip end of the cautery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to produce a gold, inlaid contact surface for an electrical contact device by welding gold ribbon segments to the contact device wire base prior to the coining, trimming, slotting and various other forming operations which transform the wire base into a finished contact device. The apparatus features a sequential arrangement of gripping devices which manipulate the gold ribbon for processing as stated above, a welding apparatus for combining the gold ribbon segment with the contact wire base, a cutting device for cutting the gold ribbon and apparatus for forming the finished electrical contact device. The product features a formed contact device including a wire support member and a contact material simultaneously formed and flattened, to provide a minimum amount of inlaid or coined gold for effecting desirable contact characteristics.

Abstract: A tool adapted to simultaneously heat a plurality of spaced electrical elements for soldering includes an elongated heat generating member connected between spaced, parallel, relatively massive and high conductivity rectangular cross section bars. An arcuate lower portion of the heat generating member disposed between the bars is adapted to contact the surface to be soldered. Electrical current applied to one end of one bar and to the opposite end of the other bar is directed uniformly through the heat generating member transverse to the elongated dimension thereof to provide a uniform temperature to all the spaced elements. Upon discontinuation of the electrical current the relatively massive bars are operative to rapidly remove heat from the heat generating member.

Abstract: A method of connecting an isolated electric conductor to terminals of an apparatus where the electric conductor is drawn onto a fixture provided with holes arranged in correspondence with the terminals of the apparatus, from hole to hole and formed into loops through at least some of the holes. Then the terminals of the apparatus are inserted through the holes of the fixture and brought to contact against the inside of the loops where they are then attached.

Abstract: A double-contact rivet is formed from wire portions cut from wire supplies. The wire portions are aligned so that outer portions of electric contact material are located on either side of a central portion of support material, and the two outer portions are cold-welded to the central portion. One end of the body so formed is punched to provide a contact head while the bead formed by the cold-welding at the other end is pressed to a substantially flat ring form and hardened by rapid cooling. The hardened ring bead is cleanly cut from the remainder of the rivet.

Abstract: An electrically powered hand-held heating device having an electrical heating member with a sleeve member disposed thereabout for insulating the user's hand from localized heating of the heating member, a body member formed having an enlarged housing portion and a reduced neck portion. The neck portion releasably engages the heating member and the sleeve member and provides a thermal barrier between the heating member, and the enlarged housing portion while the enlarged housing portion has an electronic control circuit mounted therein for controlling the heating temperature of the heating member for various selected heating ranges.

Abstract: In an apparatus for preforming the ends of wire leads of lead frames, prior to bonding, the lead frames are fed successively through a preforming position. A positioning and alignment device is provided correctly positioning the lead frames prior to preforming, the device using as datum surfaces, surfaces used to position the lead frames during manufacture. Typically the lead frames are produced on perforated strip film and the perforations act as positioning datum surfaces during manufacture and during preforming. After preforming the lead frames are fed to a bonding position for automatic bonding, as by an ultrasonic wobble bonding tool.

Abstract: Each lead frame in a continuous strip of lead frames is formed with opposed pairs of integral and subsequently removable aligning tabs for locating a substrate on the lead frame such that leads of the lead frame and respective terminals on the substrate are in alignment. The aligning tabs initially are formed in the plane of the lead frame and subsequently are bent out of the plane of the lead frame so as to project from the lead frame for the reception of the substrate therebetween. The substrate is placed between the projecting tabs in an inverted position with the terminals on the substrate resting on inner free end portions of the lead frame leads. The lead frame then supports the substrate for movement through a series of processing stations, including a lead-terminal bonding station and a tab-removal station, as the continuous strip of lead frames is indexed in successive steps from a continuous lead frame supply.

Abstract: An electrically heated soldering device includes a housing having an elongated axis with an obtuse angle, an open end, a closed end and an intermediate opening. The outer dimensions of the housing are so dimensioned that the device can be held pencil-fashion with the portion of the housing between the open end and intermediate end grasped by the fingers and thumb of the hand with the portion of the housing between the intermediate opening and the closed end resting on the back of the hand between the thumb and index finger. An electric heating means is substantially coaxially positioned in the housing in spaced relation thereto and is provided with a soldering tip protruding out of the housing through said open end. The open end and the intermediate opening are substantially aligned to produce a chimney-like hollow space surrounding the hot parts of the heating means which carries away excess heat generated within the housing thereby maintaining the housing comfortably cool to touch.

Abstract: An ultrasonic wobble-bonding apparatus for bonding leads of lead frames has a bonding tool attached to a support member which is mounted on a double axis pivot or trunnion, the pivot or trunnion in turn mounted on a sector bearing. The interception of the two axis is on a center common with the active surface of the bonding tool, the active surface being concave. The tool is moved about the two axes in a predetermined manner such that the common center on the active surface -- which is also the contact position between tool and lead frames -- follows a predetermined path on the active surface. The pivot and sector bearing are displaced from the bonding tool to leave a clear working space -- particularly useful for automatic bonding of leads of lead frames arranged in long strips or coils.

Abstract: A hand tool for extracting integrated circuit packs from printed circuit boards to which the pins of the pack have been soldered. The tool includes a pair of pivotable arms each of which carries an electrically heated tip. Each tip includes an inside face extending at a very slight angle to a plane bisecting the space between the faces and terminates in a bottom edge. The tool is arranged such that when the arms are moved toward each other the bottom edge of each tip clampingly engages and abuts the pins of a respective side of the pack at portions immediately adjacent to the printed circuit board solder joints but with the remaining inside surface of each tip remote from the remaining portions of the pins above the solder joints so that heat is applied to the pins at the joints but not appreciably to the circuit pack to effect the melting of the solder at the joints. Once the solder has melted the pack can be readily removed from the board.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing and replacing dual in-line solid state circuit chip devices and/or receptacles or sockets from printed wiring or circuit (PC) boards comprising means for positioning a printed wiring board adjacent to a source of radiant energy capable of soldering and desoldering said devices, means for automatically, cyclically extracting a device from said board and replacing said device with another similar device, means forceably removing the excess solder residue retained by the board when the device is extracted, means for automatically timing both the device extraction and insertion and the soldering and desoldering operation, and means preventing device extraction should the desoldering operation fail to release the device from the PC board.

Abstract: Apparatus for making a spiral muffler includes a mandrel for spirally winding a metal strip while maintaining a predetermined spaced relationship between the wound portions, with the strip being welded to a pair of side plates as it is wound.

Abstract: An extraction tool is disclosed for removing integrated-circuit blocks (IC's) from soldered placement in a circuit board. Support members of the tool position it with reference to the circuit board for proper operation. Heating elements melt the solder; and a force mechanism, including a pair of grippers, is then actuated. In a two-step motion pattern, the grippers grasp the block then withdraw it from the circuit board. An ejector then forces the block from the tool.

Abstract: A tool adapted to simultaneously heat a plurality of spaced electrical elements for soldering includes a rigid low conductivity metallic strip connected between and holding first and second relatively massive high conductivity bars in spaced, parallel relation. The lower portion of the elongated metallic strip is shaped to extend from the bars and contact the elements to be soldered. Electrical current is applied between one end of the first bar and the opposite end of the second bar and is directed through a metallic strip transverse to the elongated dimension. Upon discontinuation of the electrical current, the relatively massive bars rapidly remove heat from the metallic strip.

Abstract: Apparatus operative in conjunction with a wire routing and bonding machine, or the like, to selectively penetrate a maze of parallel wires on a printed circuit board and expose an area on the board so that additional wires may be suitably bonded to the exposed area. Utilizing the pressure it experiences when contacting the board surface, the apparatus operates to avoid damage to the printed circuit board surface and at the same time has a high reliability for clearing of wires from the selected area.

Abstract: A miniature thermal wire stripper having a pair of heater elements in the form of hollow tubes each with a heater coil disposed therein and affixed to a pair of spring loaded handles for contacting and subsequently melting through thermal (e.g. thermoplastic) insulation about a wire from which insulation is to be stripped. A pair of wire stripping clamping members in the form of blades respectively attached to the hollow tubes have semi-circular recesses in the clamping edge thereof. In one embodiment, the circuit for the heater elements is completed through the blades so that the blades are heated only when held together in contact with each other or with the wire being stripped. In another embodiment the implement resembles a pair of tweezers having particularly shaped blades at the operative end which are configured to serve the purpose of the particular function for which the implement is designed.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for sequentially forming integrally fused battery terminals on a plurality of storage batteries is described wherein a head means having a mold means adjustably mounted thereon is automatically movable with respect to a vertical axis, and has slidably mounted thereon a burning means for automatically producing a variable-intensity flame for melting said battery elements to form said integrally fused battery terminal during a vertical stroke thereof. An automated post burn station is further described having a conveyor means for advancing batteries sequentially to said burning station and for aligning said batteries with respect to said station for the above described fusing process. A plurality of novel sensors incorporated into the automated post burn station facilitates the rapid, automatic processing of batteries, while providing a high degree of safety and reliability.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for applying gold contacts to a metal member comprising an ultrasonic welding unit, a welding zone for receiving and superposing the foil element and metal member, a stripping plate disposed in the welding zone between the element and the member having an opening therein for superposing and welding the element and member. The gold foil element is welded to the metal member and the stripping plate separates the unwelded portion of the gold foil from the welded portion to leave the welded portion of the gold foil attached to the metal member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming truss members which comprise oppositely disposed channel members and struts interconnected to one another by alternately extending apices wherein the apices are welded to the channel members. The method and apparatus provides for simultaneously forming channel members from a pair of endless strips and the strut members from an endless third strip, guiding the channels in a predetermined relation to one another with the third strip therebetween and thereafter welding the apices to the channel members.

Abstract: A dual-in-line plastic package for an integrated circuit is assembled with the use of a thermal stress-resistant thin-film interconnect pattern on a flexible insulator film. All electrical connections to the semiconductor chip are made simultaneously by bonding directly to the thin-film interconnect pattern. Each segment of the interconnect pattern is then connected simultaneously to a simplified external lead frame, by means of a novel soldering technique. The assembly is then ready for plastic encapsulation and final trimming. By supplying both the flexible interconnect pattern and the external lead frame in continuous coils or reels, a high degree of handling simplicity, speed and accuracy is achieved with a maximum opportunity for automation, to produce a low work content product.

Abstract: Apparatus for affixing surface enlarging, transversally corrugated metal strips to elongate metal basic profiles which are advanced in the direction of their longitudinal axes whilst simultaneously being joined by a joining compound to the wave crests on one side of the corrugated metal strips. The apparatus provides a furnace for heating the basic profile to a temperature which exceeds the melting point of the joining compound, a device for advancing the metal strip longitudinally externally of the path of the basic profile while applying the joining compound to the crests and solidifying a suitable portion of the compound at respective crests by conducting heat away from the compound through the strip to material.

Abstract: Apparaus for automatically bonding pre-twisted wires to a number of pairs of ground and current contact points on a workpiece or substrate is disclosed. The apparatus forms a loop in the pre-twisted wires and bonds each wire to a ground or current contact point. The pre-twisted wire is then routed to the next pair of ground and current contact point for bonding.

Abstract: Members are welded together by indirect application of heat, as for welding internal battery posts for connecting groups of plates or terminal posts electrically, through the use of a plurality of heated elements simultaneously engaging posts to be welded together, and wherein the configuration of molten material is controlled as the weld cools, by the use of a templet. The elements are heated, preferably by application of open flame through a plurality of mixing systems for the fuel, with one system being provided for each heated element.

Abstract: A plant for applying and welding stiffeners onto a plate is disclosed. The plant includes a welding station, a buffer station and a carriage movable between the buffer station and the welding station, the carriage being suspended in a cantilever beam extending over said stations. The carriage collects stiffeners in the buffer station and transports said stiffeners onto the plate in the welding station, means being provided to press said stiffeners to be welded against the plate. Welding means are arranged at one end of the carriage, the welding process taking place while the carriage returns to the buffer station to collect new stiffeners.

Abstract: In an electrical soldering iron having a soldering tip which is heatable to a predetermined operating temperature by means of an electrical heater element and in which electrical heating and control circuits are provided to supply electric current to the heater element in response to predetermined changes in temperature of the soldering tip an electrically conducting sensing element is operatively connected with the soldering tip having a resistance which varies directly with changes in its temperature. The heating circuit has a controlled rectifier as a switch and the control circuit is adapted to regulate said controlled rectifier to open and close the heating circuit in response to a predetermined change in the resistance of the sensing element. The control circuit includes a bridge circuit in which a bias compensating diode is connected to compensate for bias of the controlled rectifier.

Abstract: Methods for positive displacement casting and/or for positive displacement bonding and, more particularly, for automatically locating the bonding apparatus with respect to the workpieces, locking thereon, and, thereafter forming, on a continuous, reproducible basis, fusion bonds devoid of structural, electrical and cosmetic defects between two or more workpieces by moving a heated electrode into the area to be bonded so as to uniformly heat and melt the portions of the workpieces to be bonded while, at the same time, displacing substantially all of the molten material from the area to be bonded into a storage area or reservoir surrounding the heated electrode where such molten material is maintained in its uniformly heated molten state, and then retracting the electrode so as to permit the molten material to return to the cavity formed by the electrode in the workpieces where such molten material is allowed to cool and solidify, thus forming a flawless bond between the workpieces--thermal or fusion bonds are