Abstract: Apparatus for converting tubular blanks of ductile material into substantially L-shaped bodies which can constitute parts of spacer frames for use between the panes of multiple-pane windows has a clamping unit which can engage a first portion of a blank so as to locate the blank in a predetermined position in which an intermediate portion of the blank is located between the first portion and a second portion. At such time, one side of the intermediate portion is adjacent a roller and the other side of the intermediate portion is adjacent an anvil. A moving unit is then caused to bend the intermediate portion about the anvil while the distance between the roller and the anvil decreases so that those walls of the intermediate portion which are adjacent the roller and the anvil move nearer to each other during transformation of the intermediate portion into an elbow of the thus obtained L-shaped blank.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for centering an integrated circuit device (12) along X and Y axes (95, 97) with respect to a Z axis (39). First and second jaw pairs (98, 100), are actuated so that corresponding jaws of each pair are, at all times, disposed along their respective axis at equal distances from the Z axis (39). Corresponding jaws of each pair (98, 100) are, concurrently, moved toward and away from the Z axis, therefore. In a preferred embodiment, actuation is effected by means of linear extender rods, (70, 72) which, in turn, in effect rotation of discs (26, 28) and their corresponding turnstiles (106, 114). Turnstile (106, 114) rotation, in turn, effects linear movement of track riders (84, 86) to which the jaw pairs, (98, 100) are mounted.

Abstract: A wire-removing machine for pulp bales consists of a positioning device (1) for the bales, a cutting device (2) for cutting through the tying wires stretched around the bales, and also a winding device (4) for winding the cut-through tying wires. In order to optimize the co-ordination between cutting and winding devices and so that cutting through and subsequently winding the wires can be carried out without problem even when the tying wires are arranged obliquely, a gripping device (3) is provided with which the tying wires are held in position and are lifted a short distance away from the bale after being cut through, the winding device (4) seizing the cut-through wires in the section between the bale and the gripping device (3) and winding them into coils.

Abstract: When a cast metallic fixture for holding workpieces in a grinding machine, it is broken up by subjecting its walls to bending and tensional stresses to destory webs which connect two walls of the fixture to each other, whereupon the walls are moved apart to afford access to the workpiece. The webs can be destroyed as a result of the application of mechanical stresses to the walls of the fixture by a breaking device which is inserted into a compartment of the fixture and is movable relative thereto in order to destroy the integrity of a connector between the walls.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the relationship between the sidewalls of a carrier for a seal. A probe engages the sidewalls and responds to the frictional resistance to movement of the carrier with respect to the probe. If the frictional resistance is outside a preselected resistance, an indicator informs an operator of an out of tolerance condition needs to be corrected in order to manufacture a carrier with insertion and removal characteristics required to retain the seal on a projection surrounding a opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing leaves for Christmas tree has a housing securing thereon an iron wire source, a plastic cloth source, a cutting means for continuously cutting two sides of the cloth, a shearing means for regularly shearing in desired shape the cloth, a guiding means clamping two iron wires from the iron wire source against two surfaces of the cloth substantially at the longitudinal axis of the cloth a twisting means clamping together the two iron wires and the cloth and capable of twisting and tidily tangling them together, and a breaking means breaking the tangled iron wires and cloth so as to produce a leaf for a Christmas tree, and to automate the production of such leaf.

Abstract: A press brake having bed and ram members whose tool-holding faces, edges and surfaces need reconditioning due to wear, and a portable milling machine adapted to be fixed to the press brake to mill and thus recondition the faces, edges and surfaces. An improved milling machine comprising an elongated carriage-support assembly supported on the bed and separated from the ram, a milling-head assembly having a carriage and a set of cutters seated on the carriage with the milling-head assembly being mounted on the carriage-support assembly, and a carriage-feed drive assembly coupled to the carriage to drive the milling-head assembly the length of the carriage-support assembly with the cutters selectively engaging any faces, edges and surfaces needing reconditioning.

Abstract: A robotic chain assembly which uses two clamps, a robot gripper and a computer with auxiliary stations. The assembly both measures and cuts the chain, secures fasteners to the ends of the chain and secures the fasteners one to the other.

Abstract: A tool adapted for removing the outer protective jacket from an electrical cable of the type comprising a plurality of central coaxial conductors surrounded by a layer of insulating material, an inner sheath of conductive material surrounding the insulating material, and a plurality of generally coaxial neutral wires on the outside of the inner sheath and on the inside of the outer protective jacket. The tool comprises a reel rotatable on an axis for rolling engagement with the cable as the reel is rotated on its axis. The reel is configured for tracking on the cable as the reel is rolled along the cable thereby to maintain the reel with its axis generally at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the cable. The reel is adapted for temporarily securing an end of one of the neutral wires to the reel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning and refurbishing the adjacent planar surfaces of a pair of interchangeable surgical acoustic members. The device includes a spaced pair of outwardly biased abrasive members mounted on a rotatable housing so that the tool can be located between the adjacent planar faces and about a threaded connection between them. Rotation of the device causes the abrasive members in contact with the opposed planar surfaces to clean and refurbish those surfaces. The method of using the device is also disclosed. The device is provided as a component of a maintenance kit for the acoustic members. The kit also includes a wire brush for cleaning the threaded joint, non-shredding swabs for wiping the threads and acoustic joint, and a brush for cleaning the bores of the acoustic member.

Abstract: A tapping machine has a plurality of punches for punching a plate-shaped workpiece and extruding or plunging the punched holes and a plurality of tapping units for carrying out the tapping operation continuously in the tapping machine. A free positional workpiece transfer-and-position device is provided which moves the plate-shaped workpiece in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the work area of the machine. The plurality of punches are provided in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the machine. First operating means provide an operating force for the tapping units and second operating means provide an operating force for the punches.

Abstract: In order for a coil winding head, preferably to be reinforced by the baked-lacquer process, to be compression-molded with no need for preliminary pre-positioning by tape-wrapping and with no damage to the winding wires, a form shell apparatus is provided with a form core, which radially confines the coil end forms shape on the inside, with a radially advanced confining form shell divided into at least two parts in the circumferential direction. This multi-part shell radially confines the coil end turns on the outside. A compression form shell axially advanceable against the coil end turns confines the coil end turns in an axial direction. It has, on its inner and outer circumferential surfaces, integrally molded guide fingers, which extend axially in the direction of the coil end turns to be shaped. Corresponding guide grooves are molded into the form core and the confining form shell, into which guide grooves the guide fingers extend.

Abstract: A portable automotive vehicle radiator repair shop is mounted on an automotive vehicle. The vehicle is equipped with an immersion tank having an open top and a drain beneath and a power lift having a platform moveable to submerge and raise a radiator to be repaired which is positioned thereon. The vehicle has a water distribution system with a female garden hose coupling as a water inlet. The vehicle is also equipped with a pneumatic reservoir having a pneumatic inlet coupling adapted to receive an air hose of the type with which most service stations and garages are equipped. The vehicle is also equipped with a blowtorch, a propane tank and an oxygen tank. The propane and oxygen tanks are connected to the blowtorch. The propane and air supply from the pneumatic tank are connected to a drying torch and the water distribution system and pneumatic air supply are connected to a flushing nozzle. A paint reservoir and paint sprayer are also employed and the paint sprayer is connected to the pneumatic tank as well.

Abstract: A cutting unit and a grinding unit are aligned adjacently and adopt a common contour tracing means numerically controlled with respect to a X-Y plane coordinate system. A cutting tool and a grinding tool are provided on respective .theta.-axes along Z-direction and are commonly controlled about the .theta.-axes to direct in a tangential or a normal direction of the contour. The cutting and grinding tools are shiftable away from a reference point of the .theta.-axis to finely adjust a cutting line and a grinding edge outward/inward a reference contour.

Abstract: A machine comprises on the one hand a mechanical working device, for working sheet material by pressing or stamping, and on the other hand a laser working device. The mechanical working device comprises a gantry hydraulic press comprising a frame, a table, an hydraulic press ram and a slide member. Several tools are stored in a storage device from which they are brought, on rails, up to the axis of the press by means of a jack. The laser working device comprises a resonator producing a laser beam which is conducted up to the axis of the press through a tube and by a reflecting mirror located on the axis of the slide member. When the laser cutting head is not in service it is retracted within one of the columns of the frame of the press, a jack producing the displacement of the cutting head. This equipment enables the carrying out, on a common axis of working, of either mechanical punching, cutting, folding, cumbering and pressing operations, or working by means of the laser.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing rigid computer memory disc substrates is disclosed wherein the apparatus comprises a circular base plate, the base plate being mounted horizontally for rotation about a vertical axis; a plurality of spindles rotatably mounted on motors mounted on the base plate, the spindles extending radially outwardly from the base plate, in equally spaced relationship therearound, the outwardly extending end of each spindle including a fastening means for mounting a rigid disc to be processed thereon; a plurality of work stations spaced around the circular base plate for performing work operations on the discs; and a motor for rotating the base plate so as to convey each of the discs consecutively to each of the work stations.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating individual conductors in an array thereof is characterized by a member having an abutment surface operable against the axial ends of the conductors to cause the same to buckle radially outwardly of the axis of the cable to form a buckled array of conductors. A rotator assembly is provided for rotating each conductor in a buckled array past a reference position. A grasping finger selects the conductor disposed at the reference position and transposes the same to a different predetermined position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a counterbore and a bore in a workpiece for toe fastening of the piece to a second member is disclosed. The apparatus includes a router mounted with its cutting bit transverse to the workpiece so that the bit may be progressively urged into the workpiece surface to produce a shallow counterbore. Additionally, a drillbit is mounted so that it can be urged from the edge of the workpiece in an opposite direction toward the counterbore to produce a fastener receiving bore which communicates with the counterbore. The router and drill are mounted on a common carriage, and in one embodiment the carriage is pivoted, while in another it is slid, in opposite directions to produce the counterbore and bore. A method of forming the bore and counterbore is also disclosed.

Abstract: A polar coordinate apparatus for performing an operation on a three-dimensional workpiece. The apparatus comprises an arcuate track having a rigid carrier member slidably supported thereon, such carrier including a motor for selectively positioning the carrier along the arcuate track. A radial support arm is slidably connected to the carrier and is provided with a motor for controlling the position of the radial support arm with respect to the carrier. Further, a working implement, such as a milling device, is connected adjacent one end of the radial support arm so as to be capable of engaging a workpiece. Advantageously, the radial support arm may also be rotatable with respect to its point of connection to the carrier, and the working implement may be rotatable with respect to its point of connection to the radial support arm.A workpiece is supported on a rotatable turret plate, and a motor is provided for rotating the turret plate, together with the workpiece, about a substantially vertical axis.

Abstract: A connector fitting in the form of a sleeve for use on synthetic resin pipes has heating wire let into its inner face for heating the sleeve material and the ends of the pipes to be joined so that a fusion weld is produced. In order to have the wire so fixed in place that on the one hand there is no danger is its being pushed out of place when the pipes are slipped into the fitting, while on the other hand taking care of inaccuracies in the size of the pipes, the wire is let into a cut or groove, that has been opened up, in the fitting and the edges of the cut are overlapped onto the wire so that it is well locked in place.

Abstract: An apparatus for daylight loading of a plane film cassette having at least one dark slide comprises a housing having an inlet opening through which the plane film cassette is introduced. In the interior of the housing is located a platform and an abutment member for aligning the cassette. Photographic material is supplied from a supply roll and cut in predetermined lengths. The cut off portion of the photographic material is partly guided into the plane film cassette, whereinafter a friction element engages the material length through the side opening of the cassette with the dark slide open and advances it completely into the plane film cassette which is subsequently closed, relocked and taken out of the housing.

Abstract: A manually operable device which is for forming contraction joints in wet concrete and which includes a quantity of ribbon held within an enclosed housing. The ribbon is fed through a channel part in the device housing and into the wet concrete.

Abstract: Apparatus for completing the fabrication of molded electrical junction boxes includes a set of rams for perforating webs remaining in the cable entry ports after the molding process. The rams have cutting edges and are driven along guide rails into the entry ports. A spring loaded plate having teeth or pins contacts the box for aligning the box with the rams.

Abstract: During manufacture of a flexible disk drive, the drive's head is located in its penetration direction, and then in radial, azimuth, tangential, roll and pitch attitudes by reading a test disk, as the head is held by a robotic head holder/manipulator. The head's signal produces closed-loop control of a serially-stacked array of rotary and linear motors which position the holder/manipulator. After the head is properly adjusted, it is clamped to the disk drive's head carriage.Cross Reference to Other ApplicationsApplication Ser. No. 391,058, filed June 22, 1982, "Manufacturing Method and Apparatus for Adjusting the Position of a Magnetic Head in a Flexible Disk Drive", by Paul M. Charlson, Richard H. Estry and Clarence R. Schwieters.Application Ser. No. 433,618, filed Oct. 12, 1982, "Manufacturing Apparatus for Adjusting the Position of a Magnetic Head in a Flexible Disk Drive", by Holger J. Baasch, Ross W. Bishop, Paul M. Charlson, James G. Hunzeker and Clarence R. Schwieters.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing tempered plate spare parts, planar shaped products, shear platus, blades cut from band material, and particularly ampule files, comprises a band hobbing and feeding unit, in certain cases a mechanical forming unit, particularly a serrating and/or sharpening unit, a heating and cooling unit and a cutting mechanism. The apparatus is equipped with a cutting-cooling mechanism arranged on a cross slide that can alternately be displaced crosswise to the transfer trace of the band material and it is provided with pairs of cutting tools arranged in two parallel or approximately parallel--expediently flat--clamp plates that can be pressed to one another.

Abstract: A pledget loading apparatus for automatically applying a cut segment of a flocculent material such as absorbent cotton to the needle of an elongated needle instrument such as a dental probe needle instrument. The instrument is inserted into an instrument receiver unit to be loaded with such a pledget on the needle and is automatically conveyed into a position ready to be removed from the apparatus. A continuous length of flocculent material is stepwise supplied and cut into segments in an area suitable for being applied to the needle of the instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for assembling, on a mass production basis, shade devices for insulating a building area against heat transmission. Each shade device includes a roller, a plurality of shade sheets attached to the roller to be retracted thereon and detracted therefrom and a plurality of spacer devices mounted with one sheet of each pair of adjacent sheets to space them apart when detracted from the roller. The assembling apparatus comprises a sheet feeding section for ultimately feeding and assembling all of the sheets in generally mutually parallel relation. Other mechanisms place spacer devices in close proximity to each of the sheets on which spacer devices are to be mounted and attachment apparatus associated with the sheet feeding section and spacer device placing mechanisms attach each of the spacer devices to its respective closely proximate sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for installing wicking in a formed candle body; the apparatus comprising a bore forming station, a clean out station, a feeding station, and conveying means for moving a candle body from one station to the next station in the process of inserting a wick therein. A novel candle product is also disclosed.

Abstract: A shear device for splitting hot metallic bars or billets into smaller forms on a continuous basis, as the metallic bars continuously exit from a mill. The shear device comprises two mechanical complexes. The first mechanical complex is a circular shear for generating shearing stresses in the metallic bar by displacing portions of the metallic bar with respect to adjacent portions thereof, and the second mechanical complex wedges and shapes the deformed metallic bar into separate bars.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming a large area photovoltaic cell into a plurality of photovoltaic cells on a common substrate and preparing the individual cells for an overlying layer of conductive material. A tool bit is urged against the polycrystalline materials forming the heterojunction to remove a preselected pattern and expose a layer of conductive material, tin oxide, on a supporting glass substrate. Tool bit pressure causes fracturing of the crystals to produce defined edges along the tool bit furrow. An electrical arc is produced to vaporize a portion of the exposed tin oxide to electrically isolate the individual photovoltaic cells. Applicator pens coat the edges of the polycrystalline material with preselected insulating films. Finally, a buffer wheel abrades a preselected metal onto the remaining exposed surface of the tin oxide to obtain an improved metallurgical and/or electrical contact between the tin oxide and the subsequent conductor layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping anodes for electrolytic refining in the form of flat plates having support ears extending outwardly of a top edge and opposite side edges thereof, the apparatus including a receptacle for holding the plates parallel, vertical and spaced apart, vertically movable beams engaging the ears for supporting the plates, shaping devices movable toward and away from opposing sides of the receptacle for shaping the under-surfaces of the support ears, and a device movable vertically and horizontally for transferring the plates into the receptacle for being shaped and for transferring the shaped plates from the receptacle, whereby the support ears may be shaped concurrently for improving the contact of the anodes with bus bars.

Abstract: A transfer machine composing of a rotary indexing table with a positioning device for transferring plural jig plates holding workpieces to be machined thereon and which are intermittently indexed and working units being arranged near the circumference of the indexing table. Every working unit having a cutting infeed device to make its cutter head step forward or backward in a working direction and multi-axes sliding devices for changing & adjusting the relative position between the cutter head and the jig plate, and these sliding devices being controlled by feed-volume setting devices corresponded with setting volumes selected therein and with the result that the said relative position being decided and set.

Abstract: A press brake milling machine comprising an upper way, a lower way and a carriage. The upper way includes a rail on which the upper carriage support shoes ride, and a rack for meshing with the gears of a carriage drive for advancing the carriage along the length of the upper way. The lower way includes a rail on which the lower carriage support shoes ride and a rack for meshing with the gears of the carriage drive for advancing the carriage along the length of the lower way. The upper way is attached to the upper moving slide member of the press brake and the lower way is attached to the lower bed member of the press brake. Mounted on the carriage is a cutter and a cutter drive. The carriage traverses the length of the press brake. While the carriage moves along the length of the upper moving slide member and the lower bed member, the cutter machines either the tool holding edge of the upper moving slide member or the tool holding edge of the lower bed member to straighten the edges thereof.

Abstract: A machine for longitudinally cutting and/or grooving continuous sheet material comprises first and second stations each of which has means for cutting and/or grooving the sheet material, the stations being spaced apart longitudinally in a direction along which the sheet material is fed through the machine, the sheet material first passing the first station and then the second station. The stations are upwardly and downwardly movable between working and inoperative positions, and a device for cutting the continuous sheet material transversely into sections is also provided. The working positions of the two stations are in a common plane along which, in operation, the sheet material is fed and each of the stations has a first guide device for guiding the sheet material, the first guide device of each station being disposed on one side of the common plane when the station is in its working position.

Abstract: A method is disclosed wherein so-called pull-lock type blind fasteners are automatically and efficiently fitted and fixed to a plurality of apertures provided in a panel, or a plurality of aligned apertures provided in superimposed two or more panels to fix them together, with the use of a fastener assembly. The assembly includes a plurality of fasteners connected with one another in a head-to-head connected fashion.

Abstract: An improved annular cutting die for shaving the surface from metal rods or base, having four facets in the outer annular cutting surface thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing dual in-line packages from a single continuous lead frame assembly and a number of leadless circuit modules. The apparatus includes a loading station where modules are positioned in spaces in the lead frame assembly, a closing station where leads carried by spaced carrier strips on both sides of the modules are moved toward the modules to engage the modules adjacent metalized pads and to collapse interconnecting rungs, a soldering station where the leads are soldered to the pads, a bending station where the leads are bent down with respect to the module through about 90 degrees, a cut off station for removing the carrier strips on either side of the lead frame assembly, and associated drives for moving the lead frame assembly past the various stations.

Abstract: A tool forming an attachment to the dipper arm of an excavator, especially for processing scrap automobiles, which includes an extension member that is fixedly connected to the dipper arm and projects beyond the free end portion of the latter. The free end portion of this extension member forms a gripping and shearing structure with a ripping tooth member which preferably forms a two-arm lever pivotally supported by the free outer end of the dipper arm. The longer arm of the two-arm lever cooperates with the extension member while forming a gripping device therewith, whereas the shorter arm of the two-arm lever cooperates with a shearing member supported by the extension member and forms a shear therewith.

Abstract: A semiautomatic diamond tool-grinding machine performing several grinding operations in a single pass, at a single setting of the tool to be ground, including diamond wheels: one for grinding the rear edges of a hard-alloy element, the other for grinding a chip-breaking groove, both wheels being affixed to the spindle of a grinding head disposed on the base of the machine, the base also carrying a horizontally displaceable stop to adjust the amount of the cut-off allowance removed off the rear surface of the tool, and a milling head which, upon dressing the tool holder over its rear surface, permits grinding of the hard-alloy element without the diamond wheel touching the tool holder.

Abstract: An assembly machine having a high accuracy positive positioning mechanism, which engages the assembly table when the indexing system is in a dwell portion of the cycle, not moving the assembly table. A positioning pin, which is mechanically connected to operate in synchronism with the indexer for the assembly table, positively engages and positions, if necessary, the assembly table. The positive positioning mechanism engages the assembly table between indexing steps. An overload clutch is provided between the indexer and the assembly table, to relieve mechanical overloads which may occur and to prevent damage to the assembly machine. The positive positioning mechanism is not driven by the indexer output thus it is unaffected by wear or defects in the indexer, the indexer drive, or the overload clutch mechanism.

Abstract: An assembly machine is provided having an actuator which transmits power from a driver reciprocating along a first axis to appropriate assembly machine tooling wherein spring loaded overload protection can be provided for all movement of the output shaft of the actuator. Overload protection in either or neither direction of movement of the actuator can be provided. The disclosed actuator can be used on an assembly machine having a rotatable assembly table which moves in indexed steps around a main center support column. A tooling mount is provided for supporting various tooling which performs operations on devices to be assembled which are mounted on the rotatable assembly table. A reciprocating drive is provided around the main center support column. The disclosed actuator is utilized to transmit power from the reciprocating driver to appropriate tooling.

Abstract: An assembly machine is provided having tooling mounting and surfaces and tooling actuator drivers above and below a rotatable assembly table. The annular assembly table is disposed around a main center support column within which is disposed the main driver shaft. An indexing unit rotates the annular assembly table in discrete spaced apart steps around the main support column. A lower tooling plate mounting surface and a tooling actuator driver, which is driven from the main drive shaft, is provided beneath the annular assembly table. The mounting surface is fixed longitudinally with respect to the annular assembly table while the tooling driver reciprocates with respect to the assembly table. An upper tooling mount is provided above the annular assembly table. The upper annular tooling mount is disposed around the main center support column and moves in a reciprocating up/down motion with respect to the annular assembly table.