Inserted Holder Movable Relative To Work Backup Patents (Class 269/49)
  • Patent number: 6371468
    Abstract: The present invention is a universal workpiece holder that includes a unique positioning hub and a plurality of clamping devices for clamping a variety of annularly shaped workpieces having different interior and/or exterior diameters. The positioning hub includes multiple sets of spokes, wherein when a particular set of spokes aligns with the clamping devices, the workpiece holder is able to secure a particularly sized annulus without distorting it. Moreover, upon rotating the positioning hub about its center and aligning a different set of spokes with the clamping devices, the workpiece holder is able to secure a differently sized annulus. Each set of spokes corresponds to a certain sized annulus, thereby eliminating the need for an independent workpiece holder for each differently sized annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: United Technologies Research Center
    Inventors: James A. Lessard, Joseph A. Gosselin
  • Patent number: 6364300
    Abstract: A clamp apparatus comprises a single driving unit for displacing a piston rod in the axial direction, clamp arms which are rotatable by predetermined angles in accordance with the displacement action of the piston rod, a positioning pin which is displaceable in the axial direction in accordance with the displacement action of the piston rod, and a driving force-transmitting mechanism for operating the clamp arms and the positioning pin substantially simultaneously by transmitting the driving force of the driving unit to the clamp arms and the positioning pin respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazushi Kita
  • Patent number: 6357735
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flange fixture intended to hold a flange to a tube for welding the flange to the tube, whereby it comprises: a) a cylindrical central body comprising at least three evenly distributed expansion holders as well as one cylindrical part provided with threads, whereby the expansion holders are each arranged to receive at least a radially movable expansion mechanism, and whereby the cylindrical part being provided with threads is arranged to receive one controlling device influencing the radially movable expansion mechanism for obtaining an outwardly directed movement; b) a first cylindrical shaft axially and rotatably mounted arranged in the central body and comprising a second controlling device arranged in the end thereof facing away from the central body; c) an axially and rotatably arranged second shaft in the shaft, which second shaft in its end receives at least three evenly distributed second expansion holders, which are each arranged to receive at least one radially move
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventor: Jouko Haverinen
  • Patent number: 6342138
    Abstract: An electroplating rack includes a cathode flight bar from which depends an insulated rack bar over an acid bath. A clamp is fixed to the rack bar, and has a bridge electrically connected to the flight bar through a conducting core inside the insulated rack bar. The clamp has a main body made of plastic, which includes a slot in which protrudes the bridge. An electrically conducting spring clip is installed in the slot, and is formed of two arms continuously biased into a spreaded, opened condition in the slot. A screw carried by the main body, when rotated in a first direction, can force the spring clip into a closed condition, in which it can hold an article to be electroplated between its two arms, and in which one of the spring clip arms is forced against the bridge member. Thus, electrical current can pass through the rack flight bar and conducting core, then through the bridge member, the spring clip and finally into the article to be electroplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: M & B Plating Racks Inc.
    Inventor: Howard Brown
  • Publication number: 20010042951
    Abstract: A clamp jig has a positioning pin provided at the tip of a cylindrical member, and a clamp arm is mounted in a slit formed in this positioning pin, so as to be able to swing and so as to be able to axially advance and retreat. A reciprocating shaft is connected to the clamp arm by a connecting pin, and a spring force is applied to this reciprocating shaft in a retreating direction by a compression coil spring. A plunger 35 brought into contact with the reciprocating shaft is mounted in a drive housing so as to be able to axially reciprocate, and a female screw member driven by a motor is thread-connected to a male screw member secured to this plunger. Accordingly, it is made possible to reliably perform positioning and clamping, of a member to be fixed, and unclamping thereof by a low-cost motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Ken Sawada, Akio Nakata, Masakazu Tetsuka
  • Patent number: 6102383
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combined centering and clamping device that is actuatable by a pressure medium, and is especially useful in auto body building industry. Through this invention, large-area clamping of the work product around the circumference of the centering part is possible. This large area clamping produces not only favorable force distribution but also large-area, reliable centering around the centering part, which allows the work product to be locked together with high precision. This invention is especially advantageous in building auto bodies in the automotive industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Tunkers Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Josef-Gerhard Tunkers
  • Patent number: 6098272
    Abstract: A system and method maintain concentricity of a center hole of a top substrate and of a bottom substrate in a bonded storage disk manufacturing system. A first device holds a coaxial arrangement of a top and bottom substrate around a first arbor. A second device holding the arrangement in a coaxial arrangement around a second arbor. One of the first and second arbors is fixed to its associated device and the other is movable in response to urging from the one arbor so that the arrangement maintains concentricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: First Light Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Paulus, Scott R. Parent, Thomas M. Thibault, Guy P. Laverriere, Donald G. Parent
  • Patent number: 6056283
    Abstract: A tack fastener temporarily holds two or more parts together. An elongate tubular body of the tack fastener includes a longitudinal center cavity formed therein along a longitudinal center axis. A threaded hub is provided at a first end of the body and a plurality of tangs at a second end. Each of the tangs includes an enlarged tip having an inner shoulder that lies orthogonal to the longitudinal center axis. Each of the tangs has an outer surface which tapers inwardly toward the longitudinal axis in a direction toward the tip. A compression nut is mounted on the threaded hub. A stem is slidably mounted in the longitudinal center cavity. The stem includes a cone-shaped spreader with a distal end and having a contact surface with a gradually enlarging diameter in a direction toward the distal end. The spreader is movable between a position out of alignment with and a position in alignment with the enlarged tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Roger A. Gage, Laurence N. Hazlehurst, Milton R. Jack
  • Patent number: 5971382
    Abstract: The present invention is basically a device that can be used as a centering tool, clamp and/or a gauge for measuring the size of bores. The device is basically made up of six different components. The first being a housing. The housing has three pocket bores near it's top to take three spheres. These pockets are placed 120.degree. from each other. First a spring is placed into the housing. Next a large diameter sphere or conical plug is then placed into the housing. Then three smaller spheres are placed into the housing. These smaller spheres are adapted to fit into the machine pockets above mentioned. To operate you simply place the bore of the work piece over the locator and press down. One would know that the bore is precisely located when one hears or feels the three spheres snap into place. The device can also be used to measure the size of a bore by adding a measurement device to measure the position of the large sphere within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Richard A. Scheufler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5845898
    Abstract: A device for holding together two objects with aligned holes has a body formed with a passage centered on an axis, a tubular bolt axially displaceable in the passage and having a front end projecting from the body and a rear end, and a first spring braced between the bolt and the body for urging the bolt axially rearward relative to the body. A pin axially displaceable in the bolt is formed with a radially outwardly open recess having an angled front flank. At least one retaining element, normally a ball, is radially displaceable in the body front end between a retaining position projecting radially from the bolt and a retracted position recessed in the bolt and engaged in the recess. A second spring urges the pin axially rearward in the bolt and thereby urges the angled flank axially into engagement with the retaining element to press same outward into the retaining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Erwin Halder KG
    Inventors: Werner Halder, Dieter Hummel
  • Patent number: 5839647
    Abstract: Weldolets or threadolet type fittings are welded onto pipe while being clamped in position with a clamp assembly that includes a threaded bolt, a wing nut, a positioning star with tapered arms which can slide along the axis of the bolt, and a tapered swivel anchor that is pivotally connected to an end of the bolt. In operation, the fitting is positioned at a hole in the pipe. The swivel anchor and bolt are inserted through the fitting into the pipe. The positioning star is engaged with a free end of the fitting and then the wing nut is tightened to produce a forced engagement between the positioning star and the fitting. This positions the fitting into concentric alignment with the hole and orthogonal alignment with the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: MSE Technology Applications, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald A. Orne
  • Patent number: 5798021
    Abstract: A clamping apparatus for use in clamping a fitting to a pipe or other fitting. The apparatus may be used without supporting the outer surface of the pipe on the opposite side of the fitting, and in the case of a buried pipe, only a portion of the pipe needs to be excavated. The apparatus comprises a clamping plate for engaging an outer surface of the fitting with an adjusting stem threadingly engaged with the clamping plate. A locking bar is pivotally and rotatably attached to an end of the adjusting stem. A weight differential between long and short ends of said locking bar and a cable are used to pivot the locking bar between a first position thereof wherein the locking bar and a portion of the stem may be inserted through aligned openings in the fitting and pipe and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Central Plastics Company
    Inventor: Terry L. Stiles
  • Patent number: 5707053
    Abstract: A clamping tool for removing the gap between and temporarily clamping workpieces together for subsequent fastening and having a cable actuated toggle member for engagement with one side of the workpieces and a nut member engageable with the opposite side of the workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Huck International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Plunkett, Marvin R. Hicks
  • Patent number: 5588642
    Abstract: A first threaded member (11) is supported by a housing (3) so as to be rotatable about its axis and to be unable to axially advance and retreat. While a second threaded member (22) is threadably engaged with the first threaded member (11) so as to be able to axially advance and retreat, the second threaded member (22) is supported by the housing (3) under the condition that its rotation about its axis is preventable. Under a clamping condition, the second threaded member (22) is strongly tightened by the first threaded member (11) which has been rotated by an impact wrench (16). Thereby, a metal mold (6) is fixedly pressed by a clamping member (5). When changing over from the clamping condition to an unclamping condition, large counterclockwise impacts are intermittently imposed to the first threaded member (11) by the wrench (16). Thereupon, the first threaded member (11) is rotated counterclockwise little by little by those impacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kosmek
    Inventor: Keitaro Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 5584427
    Abstract: A weld spring clip used to tack weld two pipes together using a tungsten inert gas welder and a shield gas includes a reflector that can be inserted within a weld seam using a handle. The reflector, which is attached to an arm and a handle, is positioned beneath the desired weld site on the interior of the pipes. The handle biases the clip in place on the pipe at the seam, and a point on the end of the reflector assists in aligning the reflector at the seam. In position, the reflector reflects the shield gas toward the interior of the weld site. By reflecting the shield gas, oxidation along the interior surface of the weld site is prevented, and the need for a back gas is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Inventor: Timothy B. Suaso
  • Patent number: 5573229
    Abstract: A fixture for aligning clamping pipes end to end to enable joining the pipes by welding includes a collar circumscribing one of the pipes and circumferentially spaced arms extending outwardly from the collar and then coaxially with the pipes. Pipe damps are supported by each of the arms at approximately 120 degrees intervals about the pipe. The stems of the clamps are supported by the arms such that proper orientation of the clamping shoes and guide members is assured. Furthermore, an extension of the stem which projects between the pipes and carries an inner guide member for engagement with the inner circumferential surface of the pipe has a differential thickness such that the pipes are initially separated by a predetermined thickness by engagement of the pipes with the necked portion of the extension for tack welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Goodwin A. Lycan
  • Patent number: 5317790
    Abstract: A clamping device for a planer layer of threads includes a clamping rail adapted to extend across the layer of threads and provided with a contact zone for contacting one face of the thread layer, and a plurality of clamping member units spaced along the length of the clamping rail. Each of the clamping member units includes a support element having a pivot axis and mounted for pivoting movement about the pivot axis and linear movement along the axis, and a thread contacting member carried by the end portion of the supporting member. When the support element is pivoted about the pivot axis, the thread contacting member swings from a first position at right angles to the contact zone of the clamping rail to a second position parallel to the contact zone. When the support element is moved in the linear direction, the thread contacting member moves closer to or farther from the clamping rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Zellweger Uster AG
    Inventor: Martin Plaschy
  • Patent number: 5303908
    Abstract: A device for clamping a workpiece formed with a throughgoing hole and having a pair of faces to a support also formed with a throughgoing hole and also having a pair of faces has a tube engaged along an axis through both the holes in a position of the workpiece and support with one face of the workpiece bearing inwardly on one face of the support, the holes aligned, and the other faces of the workpiece and support turned outwardly away from each other. The tube is formed with a radially throughgoing aperture opening outwardly of one of the outer faces and with a screwthread outward of the other outer face. A retaining element is radially displaceable in the aperture between an extended position projecting radially from the tube and engageable axially with the one outer face and a retracted position generally wholly recessed in the tube. An actuating pin axially displaceable in the tube is engageable with the element to radially displace same into its extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Erwin Halder KG
    Inventor: Werner Halder
  • Patent number: 5067696
    Abstract: A device for clamping relative to each other at opposite end edges two metal objects which are to be welded together including a draw bolt, an element screwed onto the draw bolt forming a tension nut, and a bridge piece which has an opening through which the draw bolt passes. The draw bolt at one end bears a relatively thin part with a clamping plate or similar element and at least one element is connected to the draw bolt above the relatively thin part which forms at least one protuberance projecting outwards. The bridge piece has guide means for guiding the protuberance in such a way that an up and down movement of the screw bolt relative to the bridge piece is permitted, but rotary movements of the screw bolt about its central axis are prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Inventor: Allen D. Morley
  • Patent number: 5016694
    Abstract: A clamping assembly with at least two clamping members with inner surfaces facing towards each other and outer surfaces facing away from each other, a bolt passes through holes formed in the clamping members, the bolt including a bolt head and a threaded section, the inner surfaces including means for gripping work surface, such that when the bolt is tightened, work pieces are clamped together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Inventors: Richard L. Wagner, William C. Weber
  • Patent number: 4845818
    Abstract: A specially designed holding device for holding a fuel pump push rod in place during the installation of a fuel pump on an internal combustion engine is threaded into an existing threaded bore which intersects the passage containing the push rod. The holding device comprises an elongated threaded member of relatively soft metallic material compared to that of the block, e.g. aluminum, and having safety means for preventing damage to the push rod comprising an undersized forward inner thread portion, i.e. the first 21/2 to 3 threads, which will strip more readily than the threads of the engine block in the bore when over tightened. Alternatively, the safety means comprises a relatively soft metallic inner end portion or tip on the holding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Inventor: Oliver L. Perry
  • Patent number: 4782587
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding a slider includes a holder body defining a space for receiving a pull tab, and a slider support having a first seat and a bore below the first seat. A locking lever is pivotally disposed in the space and has a locking projection. A supporting arm is angularly movable between an inclined position in which its second seat is positioned remotely from the first seat and it presses the locking lever so that the projection is retracted into the bore, and an upright position in which the second seat is positioned adjacent to the first seat. As the arm is angularly moved from the inclined position to the upright position, the locking lever is allowed to turn so that the projection projects through the bore for engagement with the slider's pull tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K. K.
    Inventor: Akio Yunoki
  • Patent number: 4738832
    Abstract: A crystal holder for apparatus for pulling a crystal from a melt in a crucible with a reelable pulling member fastened to the crystal holder has thermal insulation between the fastener for the reelable pulling member and a clamping device for the crystal. The thermal insulation preferably comprises a tie rod between sections of the crystal holder, the tie rod having a cross section sufficiently smaller than the sections for insulation therebetween, an insulating spacer about the tie rod, and radiation shields about the spacer, the radiation shields having diameters no longer than the sections of the crystal holder. Foil insulation spaced about the crystal holder at the crystal clamp may also be provided. The insulation appreciably extends the life of the pulling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Leybold-Heraeus GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Drechsel
  • Patent number: 4615514
    Abstract: A tool for positioning a pair of objects with respect to each other is realized that comprises a toggle assembly attached to one end of a threaded shaft. The toggle assembly includes a pair of arm members pivotally attached about the shaft which are normally held in an open position wherein the arm members are jointed together end to end. A collapsing assembly is provided that is connected with the toggle assembly and disposed about the threaded shaft for causing the arm members to be collapsed about the threaded shaft, into a closed position. In this manner, the tool can be either inserted or removed from a hollow cylindrical object when the tool is closed into another hollow object. After insertion the first object is held securely to the second by allowing the toggle assembly to open prevention removal of the tool. Thereafter, the tool can be removed from both objects by collapsing the toggle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Inventor: Jerry J. Hamlin
  • Patent number: 4611743
    Abstract: A device supports a weldolet on a pipe with a passage through the weldolet in aligned relationship with an opening in the pipe in order that the weldolet and pipe may be joined by welding or the like. The device is adjustable to accommodate weldolets and pipes of various different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Inventor: Stanley B. Williams
  • Patent number: 4487110
    Abstract: A clamping element comprises a single-acting cylinder and a piston with strong spring return which can be cancelled out by introduction of a pressure medium into the pressure chamber of the cylinder. The spring return is brought about, at least mainly, by means of a sleeve (6a, 6b) of rubber or rubber-like material which occupies a gap (5, 5b) between the piston (3, 3a, 3b) and the cylinder wall (7, 7a, 7b) or a lining (40) arranged in the cylinder. The rubber sleeve is firmly vulcanized, firmly glued or surface-fixed in some other manner against the cylindrical exterior of the piston and against the wall of the cylinder or the said lining along an axial length which considerably exceeds the thickness of the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: E.M.E. System Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Olof Olofsson, Gunnar Larsson
  • Patent number: 4447050
    Abstract: A wood, or the like, kerf chuck of two substantially identical pieces are disposed parallel to each other for clamping a board between them. A vertical kerf member extends from one piece through a saw kerf and lies alongside a similar vertical member which extends from the other piece. A bolt and thumb screw attach the vertical members in order to maintain the established separation between base and clamp jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Inventor: Charles W. Niemoeller
  • Patent number: 4431173
    Abstract: A welder's tool for use in adjusting the confronting edges of two plates to be welded together comprises a force applying body having legs adapted to straddle a gap between the edges and a bridge joining the legs, the bridge having an opening therein through which extends an axially adjustable drawbar terminating at one end in a carrier of such thickness as to pass through the gap. The carrier has an opening therein through which extends a force transmitting member that is of such length as to span the gap and engage both of the plates on opposite sides of the gap. Adjustment of the drawbar in one direction effects movement of the force transmitting member in a direction to bear on the corresponding surfaces of both plates and locate such surfaces in a common plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Inventor: Timothy C. Dearman
  • Patent number: 4418890
    Abstract: A flanged wedge having a wedge body of conventional design with two to four flanges extending from the parallel planar surfaces of the wedge body. The wedge is used to separate the kerf of a board being cut to prevent binding of the saw. The flanges keep the wedge in position during the cutting and support the sides of the board at the cut end until the sawing is completed. Various flange sizes and shapes may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Inventor: Alan Knight
  • Patent number: 4411054
    Abstract: A removable clamping device is disclosed for firmly holding a drain flange within the drain hole of a sink, so that one can assemble around the depending body of the flange which body is disposed below the sink one or more rings and a split spring type ring or Cee-shaped keeper so that the rings are maintained around the body of the flange and in turn a garbage disposal may be mounted to the rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Inventor: William Zeilenga
  • Patent number: 4397454
    Abstract: A device for holding a slider in position during threading onto a slide fastener chain includes a housing having a support surface for supporting thereon a slider body upside down, and a slit receptive of a pull tab hanging from the slider body. A lever has a pair of juxtaposed first and second arms disposed one on each side of the slit, there being on the first arm a locking projection movable into and out of the slit. The lever is pivotable in the housing between a slider-holding position and a slider-release position. The second arm extends beyond the first arm to such an extent that as the slider is placed on the support surface, the second arm is pressed downwardly by a yoke of the slider to cause the lever to be pivotally moved to the slider-holding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K. K.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 4392641
    Abstract: A tool for use in preparing two members to be welded to one another has a body provided with legs adapted to straddle a gap between the two members and a bridge joining corresponding ends of the legs. The bridge has an elongate slot therein through which extends a drawbar that terminates at one end in a hook which is capable of underlying and engaging the lower surface of only one of such members. The drawbar is adjustable to cause the hook to move toward the bridge and thereby effect relative adjustment of the confronting edges of the two members. The drawbar preferably carries a gauge which may be used to ascertain the relative positions of the lower surfaces of the two members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Inventor: Timothy C. Dearman
  • Patent number: 4376885
    Abstract: For producing the seat or valve member of a labyrinth valve a number of rings of different diameter are placed one inside the other as a workpiece with their blade-like edges turned in the same direction. The group of rings is then slipped over the middle guide or stem of a jig so that the downwardly turned blade-like edges on the rings come to rest against upwardly directed ring-like blades on the jig. These blades are designed with a form answering to the form of the other valve part with which the workpiece is to be used. The rings in the workpiece are pressed down against the blades for leveling them and are then welded together, for example by electron beam welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1983
    Inventor: Johannes R. Smirra
  • Patent number: 4369957
    Abstract: A device for clamping and aligning a pair of plates in selected angular relationship, so that the plates may be joined by welding or the like, clamps the same in the selected angular relationship with adjacent edges thereof in close proximity. The device holds the plates for being joined at one or more spaced points along their adjacent edges, whereafter the device is removable to permit the plates to be joined along the entirety of the length of their edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1983
    Inventor: Stanley B. Williams
  • Patent number: 4254545
    Abstract: A manufacture of uniformly sized doors for the compartments of safe deposit box nests comprises punching the lock nose holes in uniformly oversized door blanks and then using those holes as the reference from which the various operations on the edges and rear faces of the blanks are performed. For the latter purposes the blanks are supported in a vertical position upon special moving workholders which engage and position the blanks by means of reciprocating draw bars which extend through the nose holes. In cooperation with other apparatus, the draw bars releasably clamp the blanks in position while various machine operations are serially performed on the blanks as the workholders pause at successive tool stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1981
    Assignee: Kidde, Inc.
    Inventor: Eldon C. Higgins
  • Patent number: 4222259
    Abstract: A propeller is mounted on a vertical bolt on one end of a table. A horizontal radial wedge under the table is actuated by an hydraulic cylinder to tighten the bolt and clamp the propeller against rotation. A head frame is movable along the table by an hydraulic motor. An anvil beam and a presser foot beam are movable vertically in the head frame by hydraulic cylinders to clamp a blade of the propeller, remove dents, twist the blade and perform other operations as may be necessary to repair a damaged metal marine propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Inventor: Norman E. Junes
  • Patent number: 4175735
    Abstract: A device for holding a pair of metal pipes, in order that the pipes may be joined end to end, clamps the pipes in coaxial relationship with adjacent ends thereof in close proximity with one another. The device is adjustable to accommodate pipes of differing outer diameters, and holds the pipes in aligned relationship for initially being joined at one or more points around their juncture. After the pipes have initially been joined, the device is then removable from the pipes to permit the same to be joined completely around their juncture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Inventor: Jerry R. Griffin
  • Patent number: 4175734
    Abstract: A device for aligning and clamping in position a pair of plates in side by side coplanar relationship, with adjacent edges of the plates closely spaced from one another, in order that the plates may be joined along their edges, is characterized by a lower plate clamp extendable through the space between adjacent edges of the plates and under the plates into engagement with lower surfaces thereof for aligning the lower surfaces in coplanar relationship, and an upper plate clamp movable into engagement with upper surfaces of the plates for gripping the plates between the clamps. When held by the device the plates are in position to be joined along their edges, whereafter the device may be removed from the plates through the space therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Inventor: Stanley B. Williams
  • Patent number: 4161311
    Abstract: An improved kerf clamp for maintaining two sheet members in pre-disposed relation on either side of a kerf. The clamp is fabricated from sheet metal stock in such a way as to maximize strength and minimize material and production costs. The clamp includes a generally planar sheet metal base which is ribbed for added rigidity and includes an integral kerf blade which extends perpendicularly therefrom and has a stud screw extending axially from the distal end thereof. In use, the base is positioned underneath the sheet material to be clamped with the blade extending upwardly through a kerf cut therein. The clamp also includes a pressure part formed from sheet metal which is bent and shaped into a hollow tubular structure having a narrow upper gripping portion. A pair of sheet metal bulkhead-like inserts are mounted within the pressure part to impart rigidity and strength in compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1979
    Assignee: Adjustable Clamp Company
    Inventor: Daniel V. Holman
  • Patent number: 4159072
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use in aligning a new pipe section with an existing pipe section to facilitate welding the new pipe section to the existing pipe section. The apparatus is adapted to fit within the pipe sections and to be moved longitudinally along the pipe sections and includes an actuator means disposed longitudinally and including a longitudinal rod; a plurality of spaced-apart radial elements; means fixedly coupled to the actuator means and defining radial guides for the radial elements to guide the elements between a withdrawn position and an engagement position in which the elements are positioned to engage both the existing and the new pipe sections to thereby align the new pipe section with the existing pipe section; and a plurality of links attached one to each of the radial elements and to the longitudinal rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1979
    Inventors: Marcel Lajoie, Bernard Lajoie
  • Patent number: 4108346
    Abstract: An alignment clamp is disclosed for uses such as welding adjacent plates. The clamp utilizes a strap which passes through a gap between the adjacent plates. The strap is attached at one end by a plate like clamp member which is to be located on one side of the welded plates. The strap connects to a clamp member on the opposite side. The second clamp member is located above the plate to be clamped. It is on freely movable guide posts spaced apart from a bearing plate. A tapered wedge is driven between the second clamp member and the bearing plate. The tapered wedge separates the two and pulls the strap taut. When it is taut, it levels and temporarily connects the adjacent plates held by the clamp to permit welding in the gap between the adjacent plates, and is thereafter disassembled to enable the removal of the clamp to close the gap by welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1978
    Inventors: James Warren Minix, deceased, by Richard W. Minix, administrator, by Helen Minix, administratrix
  • Patent number: 4076228
    Abstract: A clamp for securing in proper relationship portions of a piece or sheet of material on opposite sides of a kerf or other separation. The clamp has a base block or part and a pressure block or part the two of which engage a sheet or pieces of material from opposite sides of a kerf therein or line of separation therebetween. The base block carries a blade which projects through the kerf or line of separation into a receiving slot or opening in the pressure block. By tightening fastening means such as a nut threaded on a screw projecting from the kerf blade, the base and pressure blocks may be drawn together in clamping relationship on opposite sides of a kerf or line of separation thereby holding in normal or coplanar relationship the juxtaposed sections separated from each other by the presence of a kerf or other form of separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1978
    Assignee: Adjustable Clamp Company
    Inventor: Harold S. Sheldon
  • Patent number: 4030184
    Abstract: A method of stripping from a dynamoelectric machine stator a plurality of windings thereof having one of a pair of opposite generally annular grouping of end turns of the windings secured therefrom. The method includes the steps of: lowering the stator onto means for seating and supporting it so as to dispose the other of the end turns in a predetermined position; gripping the other end turns for maintaining them generally against displacement from the predetermined positions; and driving the seating means generally upwardly relative to the winding and moving the stator conjointly therewith toward a position displaced from the windings while gripping the other end turns in the predetermined position thereby stripping the windings from the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1977
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Frank R. Dombrowski, Raymond L. Larson
  • Patent number: 3955495
    Abstract: A printing machine for applying printed matter to the outside of dished articles, particularly plastics containers for packaging food stuffs, of non-circular cross-section has a rotary printing drum associated with a revolving head, with supports for the articles, arranged to be indexed past the printing drum and is characterised by each support having an arbor which is operative to support an article throughout the printing operation and at least one additional arbor spaced therefrom and displaceable between an operative position in which it also supports the article and an inoperative position in which it does not support the article. A vacuum, applied through a frontal aperture in the first-mentioned arbor may be provided to assist in retaining the articles on their supports. Alternatively or additionally the articles may be held on to their supports by means of rollers acting on the outside of the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1976
    Inventor: Wilfried Kammann