First Class Lever Action Type Patents (Class 269/238)
  • Patent number: 5713112
    Abstract: An engaging device for releasably engaging an object. The engaging device comprising a supporting part and an engaging part mounted on the supporting part for pivotal movement about two spaced apart axes between two stable conditions, one being an engaging condition and the other being a release condition. The two axes being defined by means carried on a portion of the supporting part, the supporting part being resiliently deflectable at said means defining the two axes to accommodate movement of the engaging part between the two stable conditions and to urge the engaging part into one or other of the two stable conditions. The supporting part may define a housing which accommodates the engaging part and which provides protection to the resilient portions of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Inventors: Claude Paul Genero, Gail Ann Genero
  • Patent number: 5695593
    Abstract: A lid is sealed to an integrated circuit package by a method that uses a spring biased pressure foot that is structurally carried by a secondary loading jig to impose sealant curing load on the lid. The pressure foot is retracted against the spring bias while secondary jig index pins are meshed with corresponding sockets in the fabrication boat that are aligned with the package position on the boat. When the pins and sockets are meshed, the pressure foot is released to apply optimal assembly force at the package center normal of the package lid plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Sutee Vongfuangfoo, Mirek Boruta, Galen Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 5689864
    Abstract: A clamp secures objects against a structure adjacent to and on either side f a rib of the structure. First and second arms are pivotally coupled to one another at a pivot point. The arms define a pair of opposing jaws that engage the rib and a pair of levers extending away from the opposing jaws on either side of the rib. A threaded member cooperating with each lever is rotated towards the structure. An object is positioned between each threaded member and the structure. In this way, the threaded members press the objects securely against the structure as the opposing jaws grip the rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: James G. White
  • Patent number: 5673905
    Abstract: A clamp device for clamping a specimen holder. The clamp device includes a rotatably mounted clamping lever, a rotatable clamping wedge, and a guide member which is located adjacent to the clamping wedge for receiving the specimen holder. The clamping wedge is in operative communication with the clamping lever, so that by rotating the clamping lever, the clamping wedge is rotated into the guide member which causes the specimen holder to be clamped within the guide member. The specimen holder may be provided with a removable adapter plate wherein the adapter plate is sized to fit within the guide member. By including the adapter plate, multiple sizes and types of specimen holders can thereby be employed using the same clamping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Leica Instruments GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Kiene
  • Patent number: 5667209
    Abstract: A device for securely clamping a workpiece (2) on a clamping table (1), which device has a guide shoe (3) which can be fastened on the clamping table (1) and has T-slot-shaped clearances (35) which continue, in a symmetrical arrangement, over the length of the guide shoe. The device also has a clamping claw (8) which is designed as a tilting lever and has a clamping leg (10) and a bracing leg (9). A clamping bolt (11) is provided which passes through the clamping leg (10) in the region of its free end and, in the clamping position, fixes the clamping claw (8) relative to the guide shoe (3) and securely clamps the workpiece (2). A bearing plate (4) is provided between the guide shoe (3) and clamping claw (8) and the bearing plate (4) is guided in a sliding manner in the T-slot-shaped clearances (35) by means of strip-like protrusions (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Shanview Patents Limited
    Inventor: Thomas Lenzkes
  • Patent number: 5647102
    Abstract: A toggle-type clamping device which grippingly and compressingly engages a clamp bar in order to secure a de-watering or sizing screen within a vibrator is disclosed. The clamping device is mounted on the side of a vibrator support member that is opposite the clamp bar and includes an L-shaped clamping member which passes through an aperture in the support member permitting engagement of the clamp bar by the clamping member. The clamping member grippingly and compressingly engages the top surface of the clamp bar and the surface of the clamp bar that is opposite the support member causing the clamp bar to be compressed against the support member in the lateral direction and against the de-watering or sizing screen in the transverse direction preventing lateral and/or transverse movement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Guyan Machinery Co.
    Inventor: John E. Sterling, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5644964
    Abstract: A clamping mechanism is provided for securing a workpiece proximate a power tool on a work surface of the type having a support surface defined thereon and extending generally orthogonal thereto. The clamping mechanism applies a force to the workpiece to secure the workpiece between the clamping mechanism and the support surface. The force applied to the workpiece has a component directed substantially perpendicular to the support surface, and an additional component which is directed substantially parallel to the support surface in a direction away from the power tool to resist pulling forces which are applied by the power tool to the workpiece. Further, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping mechanism is oriented proximate a work head of the power tool without entering an effective work area of the power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Inventor: T. David Price
  • Patent number: 5637200
    Abstract: Apparatus for locking a workpiece, such as a compact disc, in a vacuum chamber includes a locking mechanism, movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and a sealed bellows assembly that is coupled to the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is automatically actuated by the bellows assembly between the locked and unlocked positions when the pressure in the chamber is changed by a predetermined amount. The locking apparatus is preferably used for locking the compact disc to a disc holder during processing and/or handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Nobler Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonid Tsymberov
  • Patent number: 5598775
    Abstract: A lid is sealed to an integrated circuit package using a spring biased pressure foot that is structurally carried by a secondary loading jig to impose sealant curing load on the lid. The secondary jig attaches to the fabrication boat at a position indexed to apply optimal assembly force at the package center normal of the package lid plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Sutee Vongfuangfoo, Mirek Boruta, Galen Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 5489089
    Abstract: An automatic alignment vise capable of automatically precisely positioning a workpiece to be machined. The vise can provide precise three dimensional positioning in response to data signals provided by a robotic device, a vertical milling machine or other machining device. The vise allows precise machining of all faces of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Ohio Northern University
    Inventors: Kris Vollrath, Shane Bendele, Chris Recker, Chad Weaver, Eric McWhorter, Jamie Cree, Adam Park, Kirby Harder, Sean Jeric, Michael Vaughn, Charles A. Shearrow
  • Patent number: 5465470
    Abstract: A fixture clamps a plurality of lids onto a multi-chip module (MCM) integrated circuit for adhesively attaching the lids to cover a plurality of cavities in the module in which chips or dies are mounted. The fixture includes a base plate which is formed with recesses in which the lids and the module are fittingly retained with the lids properly positioned relative to the module. A pressure plate is guided onto the module by a pin assembly and presses the module against the base plate. A plurality of spring loaded clamps have first jaws that engage with the lids through respective holes in the base plate and second jaws that engage with the pressure plate. The clamp thereby clamps the lids and the pressure plate to the module. The assembly including the module, lids, pressure plate and clamps is then removed from the base plate to enable curing of an adhesive that bonds the lids to the module, and frees the base plate for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Sutee Vongfuangfoo, Robert Trabucco
  • Patent number: 5417693
    Abstract: An impactor/extractor holder for a femoral trial and/or a knee implant to hold and guide those items onto the resected end of a femur. The impactor/extractor holder comprises two opposed clamping arms for gripping the opposite outer edges of the trial and/or implant, and an abutment table movable relative to the clamping arms so as to be capable of being advanced against the outer surface of the trial and/or implant after the sides have been clamped by the clamping jaws. The abutment table has a cushioning surface for contacting the trial and/or implant which is adapted not to damage the outer surface of the implant or trail. A threaded mechanism is provided for moving the abutment table relative to the clamping jaws to advance the cushioning surface of the abutment table against the outer surface of the implant or the trial to securely and rigidly lock the trial or implant on the impactor/extractor holder. A trial rasp is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Bjorn K. Sowden, John Egan
  • Patent number: 5415383
    Abstract: A clamp having slip plane positioning enables a clamp nose and an attached pressure foot which are initially non-permanently attached to the clamp arm to be brought into a final predetermined coordinate position before the clamp nose is fixedly attached to the clamp arm. The clamp nose has the pressure foot mounted at one end. An open-ended slot is formed at the other end of the clamp nose and slidingly engages opposed side walls of one end of the clamp arm. In one embodiment, a fastener threadingly extends through a portion of the clamp nose surrounding the slot into engagement with the clamp arm to non-permanently attach the clamp nose to the clamp arm. In another embodiment, aligned bores and slots are formed in adjoining surfaces of the clamp nose and the clamp arm and receive fasteners therethrough to non-permanently mount the clamp nose on the clamp arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventor: John S. Ausilio
  • Patent number: 5290121
    Abstract: Service equipment for use in hostile environments includes a detachable service unit secured to a stationary service unit. The detachable service unit includes a housing with an exterior plate, a power control interface for connection to an exterior power source, locating pins located in said exterior plate, an electrical connector in the exterior plate electrically coupled to said power control interface, and a pair of clamping receptacles formed in the exterior plate and located on adjacent opposite edges of the exterior plate. The stationary unit includes an electrical connector for connection to the electrical connector of the detachable service unit, a clamping apparatus for clamping and unclamping the detachable service unit from the stationary unit, a base clamp assembly for mounting the clamping apparatus onto the stationary unit, and locating pin holes for receiving the locating pins and aligning the detachable service unit onto the stationary unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: James L. Dolce, Andrew L. Gordan
  • Patent number: 5275391
    Abstract: A hold-down utilizing a round, interchangeable post having annular barb-like ridges or projections that engage a workbench top through round holes that may be located at substantially any desired positions in the bench top. The post threads into a hold-down body having, on one side of the post, a yoke within which a gooseneck-shaped hold-down arm pivots on a pin received in yoke arms or forks and, on the other side of the post, a screw pressure point and T-shaped slot for receiving the head of a clamping adjustment screw that is journaled through one end of the clamping arm. The other end of the clamping arm terminates in a foot with a rounded pad for exerting pressure against a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Lee Valley Tools Ltd.
    Inventors: John S. Lynn, Francis A. McLean, Edwin C. Tucker, Lloyd Sevack, Gary W. Lacoste, Timothy C. Frank, Michel Perrier, Leonard G. Lee
  • Patent number: 5226638
    Abstract: A clamp having slip plane positioning enables a clamp nose and an attached pressure foot which are initially non-permanently attached to the clamp arm to be brought into a final predetermined coordinate position before the clamp nose is fixedly attached to the clamp arm. The clamp nose has the pressure foot mounted at one end. An open-ended slot is formed at the other end of the clamp nose and slidingly engages opposed side walls of one end of the clamp arm. A fastener threadingly extends through a portion of the clamp nose bounding the slot into engagement with the clamp arm to non-permanently attach the clamp nose to the clamp arm. The clamp nose and the pressure foot are positionally adjusted with respect to the clamp arm at final assembly to bring the pressure foot into a predetermined coordinate position before the clamp nose is fixedly secured to the clamp arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Inventor: John S. Ausilio
  • Patent number: 5218209
    Abstract: An ion implanter for implanting ions into a batch of semiconductor wafers comprises a wafer holding disk of the centrifugal holding type, and a plurality of wafer rests in the wafer holding disk having a wafer holding surface which is conically curved. When the wafer holding disk is rotated, the wafer is pushed onto the wafer holding surface so that the surface of the wafer is curved nearly in the same manner as the conically-curved inner surface of the peripheral portion of the s wafer holding disk As a result, an ion beam being irradiated upon the surface of the wafer is always perpendicular to the surface of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Nissin High Voltage Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunihiko Takeyama
  • Patent number: 5209153
    Abstract: A hydraulically operated device including a single-acting cylinder having a piston for operating a working tool, a pressure chamber for applying a hydraulic pressure to the piston from an original position to an operated position, and a return spring for biasing the piston toward the original position. The device includes a hydraulic pump for delivering a pressurized fluid to be fed into the pressure chamber of the cylinder, and an automatic drain valve for inhibiting the pressurized fluid from being discharged from the pressure chamber while a difference by which a delivery pressure of the pump is higher than a pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined value. When the difference becomes smaller than the predetermined value, the automatic drain valve is operated to allow the pressurized fluid to be discharged from the pressure chamber. Thus, the automatic drain valve automatically drains the pressure chamber when the pump is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Daia Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Araki, Toshiyuki Kumazaki
  • Patent number: 5174489
    Abstract: A mechanical clamping device adapted to engage and secure the upper tooling of a welding knee. The clamping device is motor driven such that several clamping devices can be simultaneously and synchronously operated to engage, align and secure the upper tooling from a remote location. The clamping device includes a clamping lever actuated by a cam mechanism. The clamping lever has an upper end provided with a cam follower, a lower engagement end for engaging the tooling, and a journalling region. The engagement end is adapted to closely engage a corresponding feature on the tooling. The journalling region of the clamping lever is slidably journalled in a bushing which includes a biasing member for biasing the cam follower against the cam mechanism. The clamping lever is pivotably attached by the bushing to the cam mechanism which serves to both rotate the clamping lever and bushing together and stroke the clamping lever within the bushing to secure the upper tooling to the welding knee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Utica Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur C. Mason
  • Patent number: 5125324
    Abstract: A hydraulically operated device including a single-acting cylinder having a piston for operating a working tool, a pressure chamber for applying a hydraulic pressure to the piston from an original position to an operated position, and a return spring for biasing the piston toward the original position. The device includes a hydraulic pump for delivering a pressurized fluid to be fed into the pressure chamber of the cylinder, and an automatic drain valve for inhibiting the pressurized fluid from being discharged from the pressure chamber while a difference by which a delivery pressure of the pump is higher than a pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined value. When the difference becomes smaller than the predetermined value, the automatic drain valve is operated to allow the pressurized fluid to be discharged from the pressure chamber. Thus, the automatic drain valve automatically drains the pressure chamber when the pump is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Daia Industry Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Araki, Toshiyuki Kumazaki
  • Patent number: 5109580
    Abstract: A clamp assembly primarily designed for the removable attachment of a load supporting device to a skid or like support structure of a helicopter such that additional load or cargo may be mounted exteriorally of the helicopter body and generally between the supporting skid assembly and the cockpit or other interior cargo space. The clamp assembly is removably secured to the load supporting structure and includes two clamp body segments pivotal relative to one another between an open position and a clamped position, the latter being defined by a gripping or clamping of the clamp segment about the generally tubular structure defining the skid assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Inventor: Mark Camus
  • Patent number: 5101573
    Abstract: A tool arranged for the testing of automotive components, such as ball joints, is provided to include a handle pivotally mounted to an "L" shaped positioning leg. The positioning leg includes an upper cylinder mounted to the leg to receive a stud portion of a ball joint therethrough, with the lower cylindrical member defining a cup to receive a lowermost portion of a ball joint therewithin to permit pivotment of the "L" shaped leg relative to a handle pivotally mounted through the "L" shaped leg indicating deflection of a ball joint when the handle is pivoted relative to the "L" shaped leg. A modification of the invention includes magnetic insert members, each including parallel support legs to receive opposing ends of a shock absorber such as a gas-filled shock absorber to indicate resistance and deflection of the shock absorber in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Inventors: Loren T. Mills, William F. Moody
  • Patent number: 5040484
    Abstract: A device for releaseably holding a workpiece includes a resilient collet which is attached to a base by an elastomeric member. Typically, the collet is an annular ring. Several fingers for holding the workpiece extend from the collet. The fingers are pivoted by actuating a member which elastically deforms the collet and causes the fingers to pivot from a position for engaging the workpiece to a position for releasing the workpiece and vice-versa. In one application, the base is a platen for supporting a wafer in a semiconductor processing system, and a plurality of the holding devices are arranged around the periphery of a rotating disk. A counterweight ring is attached to the collet to counterbalance the moment generated by the centrifugal force of the wafer pressing against the fingers as the disk is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Varian Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Mears, Richard J. Hertel, Robert V. Brick, Carl J. Holt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5037074
    Abstract: A work-holding fixture for clamping a workpiece in position on a work-holding table has a guide shoe (1) and an associated clamping dog (2) which is designed as rocking lever (21) and has extensions (24) which are arranged in the center area and are supported on the guide shoe. A clamping screw (36) is provided at the free end of the clamping dog (2). The recesses (8, 9) are provided in such a way as to be continuous over the length of the guide shoe (1) and are integral parts of a T-slot-shaped cross-sectional configuration of the guide shoe (1). The clamping dog (2) has a curved form in which the free ends of the gripping leg (22) and of the clamping leg (23) are arranged higher than the extensions (24). The extensions have a roughly elliptical cross-section with an orientation of the large axis roughly in the longitudinal direction of the clamping dog (2). The clamping dog has a return spring (30) acting against the clamping direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Lenzkes
  • Patent number: 5025183
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator driver apparatus having a bobbin with an electrical coil wound around the central portion thereof and positioned within a permanent magnetic generated flux field structure. A drive arm is engaged by bobbin fingers at the input end of the drive arm to deflect the output end of the drive arm by a predetermined amount in response to a control signal which is applied to the electrical coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Anthony N. Fuschetto
  • Patent number: 5022256
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clamping device for the clamping of at least one piece of tooling, for instance an upper tooling or a press, which device comprises:two clamping jaws moveable towards and away from one another, between which the tooling can be clamped,pressure means, for instance at least one hydraulic cylinder for pressing the clamping jaws towards one another with force at energizing thereof, andat least one locking element present between the clamping jaws for co-action with an edge present on the tooling,such that the tooling in the absence of energizing of the pressure means can be pushed with at least one edge over the locking element, hook over the edge, and thus prevents the tool from falling,and is characterized in thata resilient strip, which is attached between the clamping jaws to one clamping jaw and which as a result of its own resilience lies in untensioned state at a distance from a pressure surface of this clamping jaw, whereby in the absence of energizing of the pressure means, the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Machinefabriek Wila B.V.
    Inventor: Jan van der Meulen
  • Patent number: 4993255
    Abstract: A bending-press tool can be fixed instantaneously on its tool-holder by means of a device which permits positioning and extraction of the tool on the front side of the machine without any need to displace adjacent tools. The device comprises a clamping member pivotally mounted on a longitudinal shaft and having a shouldered portion, the heel of the tool which has a suitable shape being intended to engage on the shouldered portion. After engagement, the tool is thrust from its position of equilibrium towards the rear, causes rotational displacement of the clamping member and of a locking cam which has the effect of applying the clamping member on the tool in the work position. In order to unclamp the tool, it is only necessary to withdraw the cam. The tool then remains engaged and can be extracted by pivotal displacement in the forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Amada
    Inventor: Jean P. H. Treillet
  • Patent number: 4958813
    Abstract: A variable height die clamp adjustable through threaded knob on a single T-headed bolt engageable with the T-slots of conventional machine table. A clamp arm pivotally connected at the centerline of the bolt through a pair of side brackets and a bolt guide has a spaced end raised through a reaction connection of the side brackets with the machine table surface and through a transverse hydraulic piston having a flat wedge surface adapted to engage a flatted surface on a longitudinal locking pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Dykstra
  • Patent number: 4938489
    Abstract: A holder for an optical device such as a lens includes a frame and a plurality of arms pivotably attached to the frame. A resilient member urges the arms toward a closed position in which the arms meet at a common center within the frame. Linking members insure that the arms move simultaneously. The arms are moved away from the common point to accept and secure the optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignees: Robert Nemirovsky, Joseph Deutsch
    Inventor: Robert Nemirovsky
  • Patent number: 4924738
    Abstract: A bar puller is provided having adjustable jaws comprising fingers made of a resilient material. The fingers extend forward from a housing adapted to be mounted at a tool station of a computer numerically controlled lathe having a turret. Front and side guiding surfaces are provided on the ends of the fingers to cause the jaws to deflect outwardly and grip a bar when forcibly engaged therewith. The lathe chuck releases the bar allowing the bar puller to withdraw the end of the bar a desired distance out of the chuck. The chuck is closed while the turret continues moving away from the chuck causing the bar to be withdrawn from between the jaws of the bar puller, readying the machine for its next cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Hue Nguyen Che
    Inventor: Hue N. Che
  • Patent number: 4913412
    Abstract: A rack, in particular for making up faggots, cutting logs, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventor: Henri Plouvier
  • Patent number: 4887350
    Abstract: This invention relates to handling apparatus and methods and in particular, but not exclusively, to the handling of groups of battery plates.Thus handling apparatus 10 includes a main upright 11 supporting a transport mechanism 12 from which depends a plurality of spaced gripping devices 13. These devices are used to remove groups of battery plates from a jig box 14 to hold the plates in their alignment while moving them to a position 17 where they can be loaded in to the cells 18 of a battery box 19. A guide 21 is provided for providing the plates in to the cells 18. The loading procedure is carried out in two stages, a first set of cells being loaded in the first operation and a second set in the second operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: DRG (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Robert T. Hopwood
  • Patent number: 4877228
    Abstract: A clamp for fitting to a conveyor in an automatic cabling machine, said clamp comprising two pairs of jaws which are symmetrical about a plane and which are separated by an intermediate space containing a piston which is urged out from the clamp by a spring and whose outer face includes a flared notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Automatisme et Robotique Appliques -A.R.A.
    Inventor: Victor L. Ripert
  • Patent number: 4858861
    Abstract: An improved pipe shoe is provided for permanently supporting a length of insulated pipe above a pipe rack of the type used in industrial facilities. The pipe shoe includes a base member for sliding engagement with the pipe rack, a first clamp member including a spacer portion, a first clamp portion, and a through slot. A second clamp member includes a second clamp portion and a projecting plate, such that the plate can be fitted within the through slot and the second clamp member rotated to its closed position. A securing member retains the plate adjacent the spacer portion, so that adjacent edges of elongate insulation members may be positioned on opposing sides of the spacer portion and the adjacent plate. The insulation thus retains its generally sleeve-like configuration about the pipe and the pipe shoe, thereby decreasing the time required to install the insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Inventor: Joseph Wilkinson, III
  • Patent number: 4848758
    Abstract: A clamp for holding small workpieces, such as jewelry, is disclosed. The clamp is rotatable and tiltable about a central mounting shaft, and includes hand rests extending transversely from each side of the clamp. The hand rests allow one's hands to be supported and stabilized while performing work on the workpiece, thereby reducing fatigue while also improving stability, accuracy and steadiness. In the preferred embodiment the clamp includes an integral flux cup for facilitating soldering operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Inventor: Neal C. Mills
  • Patent number: 4834352
    Abstract: A spring clamp with a lower clamping jaw, an upper clamping jaw, a first handle portion extending rearwardly from and integrally connected with the lower clamping jaw, a second handle portion extending rearwardly from the upper clamping jaw, the upper clamping jaw having a slide-housing integrally connected to the second handle portion, and an L-shaped bracket having a first leg portion having a free end for sliding cooperation with the slide-housing and a second leg portion extending at right angles to another end of the first leg portion. The slide-housing has a first cooperating means and the first leg portion has second cooperating means, the first and second cooperating means being operatively associated to allow for the sliding movement of the first leg portion with respect to the slide-housing and for preventing the escape of the first leg portion from sliding engagement with the slide-housing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Inventor: William Thornton
  • Patent number: 4817556
    Abstract: A device for releaseably holding a workpiece includes a resilient collet which is pivotally attached to a base. Several fingers for holding the workpiece extend from the collet. The fingers are pivoted by actuating a member which elastically deforms the collet and causes the fingers to pivot from a position for engaging the workpiece to a position for releasing the workpiece and vice-versa. In one application, the base is a platen for supporting a wafer in a semiconductor processing system and a plurality of such platens and a corresponding plurality of the holding devices are arranged around the periphery of the disk. A counterweight ring is attached to the ring-shaped collet to counter-balance the moment generated by the centrifugal force of the wafer pressing against the fingers as the disk is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Varian Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Mears, Richard J. Hertel, Robert V. Brick
  • Patent number: 4811935
    Abstract: For holding a plurality of different, in shape, workpieces, a holding unit comprises a laminated body with a number of thin identical shaped elongate plates which have one ends forming a workpiece supporting surface, a vibrator unit for moving the elongate plates so as to vary the shape of the workpiece supporting surface to create a new one, and a bias mechanism for clamping the laminated body, so the newly created shape of the workpiece supporting surface is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kinichi Tamura, Susumu Kawada, Yoshitada Sekine, Kazuyoshi Abe, Ryosuke Ishikawa, Fumiki Yokota
  • Patent number: 4803828
    Abstract: A fixture for loading and unloading of a PGA chip package (12) into and out of a chip carrier (10) includes a substantially rectangular-shaped solid body member (56) having a central cavity (58). The body member is formed of a left side member (60), a right side member (62), a top side member (64), and a bottom side member (68). A first actuator (70a) is formed on an interior surface (68) of the left side member for contacting a first tab (38a) of the chip carrier (10). The first actuator (70a) includes a first outer, upwardly extending projection (72a) and a first inner, downwardly extending projection (76a). A second actuator (70b) is formed on an interior surface (69) of the right side member for contacting a second tab (38b) of the chip carrier (10). The second actuator (70b) includes a second outer, upwardly extending projection (72b) and a second inner, downwardly extending projection (76b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Wayne Tan, Danh C. Tran, Walter McGreevy
  • Patent number: 4732645
    Abstract: A machine is disclosed for depositing powder in a selected configuration, fusing the deposited powder into a laminate and pressing the fused laminate against a shoe substrate to adhere the fused laminate to the shoe substrate. A shoe substrate to which a fused laminate is to be adhered, supported on a surface and a guide assists an operator in the accurate placement of the shoe substrate on the surface. The guide has a pair of locating surfaces which can be conjointly, horizontally displaced in a first direction toward or away from each other, and independently adjusted horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: DVSG Patentverwaltungs G.m.b.H.
    Inventor: Andrew J. Gilbride
  • Patent number: 4721293
    Abstract: A self-locking, fluid-operated, tool clamping device is disclosed. The device provides a double-acting piston formed with a camming surface intermediate its ends. The camming surface is formed with a locking angle with respect to the axis of the piston. A cylindrical clamping pin is guided within the device for movement in a direction perpendicular to the camming surface and is provided with an end surface perpendicular to such direction of movement which engages the camming surface. An output lever pivotably mounted on the device engages the clamping pin at one end and is operable to engage tooling at its other end to clamp the tooling in position. The clamping pin is cylindrical and is free to rotate about its axis so as to reduce localized wear when the device is repeatedly cycled. A spring operably positioned between the lever and the body of the device resiliently biases the lever and the clamping pin toward the release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: Jergens, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack H. Schron, Lawrence H. Seidel
  • Patent number: 4706955
    Abstract: A racket stringing machine comprises a support frame, a tension head assembly, a lateral clamp head and a longitudinal clamp head. Movement of the tension head assembly is controlled by a brake motor which is controlled by the signals transferred from a limit switch. The limit switch is normally pressed by a contact element and released when a string clamp head pivoted on the tension head assembly is spring biassed to pivot away from the clamping frame and a contact element fixed on the string clamp head is separated from the limit switch. The lateral clamp head comprises two lateral clamp arms for clamping the lateral sides of a racket frame to be strung by a pivotal movement accomplished by an actuating block sliding along a rotating bolt. The longitudinal clamp head comprises a clamping sheet with a rack extending downward from the bottom surface for meshing with a sector gear so as to be rotated by a handle in order to clamp the upper surface of the racket frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Inventors: Sumiaty Ngadi, David T. Chu
  • Patent number: 4706602
    Abstract: A clamp for dipping printed circuit boards into a solder bath of a solder coater machine is disclosed. The clamp comprises first and second interdigitated, coplanar fingers connected respectively at common ends thereof to a pair of spaced, parallel first and second plates. Pivot pins respectively connect adjacent first and second fingers to each other to define a pivot axis extending parallel to and between the distal ends of fingers and the first and second plates. The second plate is spring biased from and movable towards the first plate under an applied actuating force to pivot the second fingers out the plane of the first fingers enabling insertion of a printed circuit board between clamping surfaces defined by the distal ends. The pivot pins and spring mechanism are spaced a sufficient distance from the distal ends to avoid contamination by solder particles and flux during the coating process and to avoid interference with air leveling knives closely spaced to the coated board upon removal from the bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Gyrex Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Polacek
  • Patent number: 4700936
    Abstract: A workpiece clamping device with a movable clamp member actuated by a jack screw driven by a reversible electric motor through a worm meshing with a gear connected to the jack screw. To yieldably bias the clamp member into engagement with the workpiece, a spring is compressed by axial movement of the worm caused by rotating it after the clamp member is forced into engagement with the workpiece by the jack screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Lamb Technicon Corp.
    Inventor: Garfield R. Lunn
  • Patent number: 4696460
    Abstract: A clamping device is provided with holding means on each of a first and second jaw means for positioning at least two workpieces of different thicknesses together in any desired abutting angular relationship and means for applying a force to the jaw means so that the holding means will hold the workpieces of different thicknesses in the abutting angular relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Inventors: Eugene P. Genereaux, Samuel M. Jameson, Timothy K. Brooks
  • Patent number: 4673174
    Abstract: An angle clamping tool is provided having a handle including a lockable clamping mechanism operably connected to two jaw arms. Each jaw arm includes an end portion and a medial portion. Secured to the end portion of each jaw arm is a clamping jaw comprising a pair of two elongate clamp members. The clamp members are adjustable to form a selected angular relationship with respect to each other, depending on the types of materials being secured together and the uses for such materials. Once a selected angle is obtained, means are provided for locking the clamp members in such angle during use. The jaw arms in the invention are designed so that, when the handle portion is gripped, the clamping jaws move inwardly toward each other so as to meet and engage work pieces therebetween. The jaw arms are further designed so that when the clamping jaws meet, the medial portions of the jaw arms are sufficiently spaced from each other to permit passage of the clamped work pieces therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Inventor: William D. Tabbert
  • Patent number: 4660816
    Abstract: A clamping device including a pair of counter-opposing angularly shaped beams each having a forward jaw portion and a rearward portion interconnected by a pair of connecting straps and a force exerting element. Each connecting strap is pivotally attached at one end to a forward jaw portion of one beam and the rearward portion of the other beam. The point of intersection of the connecting straps moves progressively closer to the workpiece held between the jaws as the jaws are closed and exert simultaneously equal forces ont the workpiece. In one embodiment the clamping device is adapted for use as a portable tire bead breaker suitable for use on large truck or tractor tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Inventor: Robert E. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4658687
    Abstract: A saw fence having an elongate fence member, a lock-back attached to an end of the fence member for engaging a side rail of a saw table, a base member attached to an opposite end of the fence member and adapted to engage a side rail of a saw table. The base member includes a housing having a transverse channel to receive a side rail of a saw table, a hook member pivotally attached to the base member having a tongue portion which extends downwardly and inwardly from the base member, and a bolt threaded into the base member for pivotally displacing the hook member inwardly to engage a side rail in a locked position, or outwardly to disengage a side rail in a release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Shopsmith, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Haas, Dale Timman, John H. Stolzenberg
  • Patent number: 4648160
    Abstract: A closure assembly useful as a means for sealing a pressurized package which includes clamping means shiftable between an open position to receive an open portion of the pressurized package and a closed position to substantially hermetically seal the open portion of the pressurized package. The assembly also includes a retaining means coupled to the clamped means and adapted to be actuated by a force substantially independent of the force associated with the pressurized package whereupon the actuating force will maintain the clamping means in the closed position. Another part of the present closure assembly is an actuation means which is engageable with the retaining means in a manner which supplies the force enabling the retaining means to keep the clamping means in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: East/West Industries
    Inventors: Dominic J. Spinosa, Frank Knoll
  • Patent number: 4644834
    Abstract: A feed lever and a lateral stop with individual guide members spaced apart and arranged in slot-shaped grooves of the metal feed table supported so that they can be raised and lowered on a support. The guide members are each equipped with a guide body possessing a lateral stop in the form of a roller. These rollers come up against the edge to be guided of the sheet metal plate. A guide and clamping device is located alongside of each roller. The apparatus allows sheet metal plates to be accommodated, spaced apart from one another in several stacks, these sheet metal plates being cut at different locations on the cutting knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Hammerle AG
    Inventors: Eduard Hanni, Marcus Zweili