Abstract: A method of counting small parts by feeding the parts in bulk to discharge a stream of parts into a separating region leading to a plurality of outlet channels, the separating region including spaced rods capable of spatially distributing the parts in a random manner over the outlet channels as the parts fall through the separating region and cascade from rod to rod, counting the number of parts passing through each outlet channel and adding together the corrected numbers of parts passing through all the channels.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed herein relate to a tightening system comprising a wrench for rotating and applying torque to a fastener system, means for developing a signal representative of the torque being applied and means for developing a signal representative of the rotation. The signals are compared and the total rotation signal is increased when the torque signal is increasing at a faster rate than the rotation signal so that the rotation signal corresponds to the torque signal. When the torque signal decreases relative to the rotation signal the rotation signal cannot decrease and a decision-making signal is developed which is processed to develop a control signal when a yield point of the fastener system is detected.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed herein relate to a tightening system comprising a wrench for rotating and applying torque to a fastener system, means for developing a signal representative of the torque being applied and means for developing a signal representative of the rotation. A control system is operatively associated with the wrench for determining which of the two signals is increasing faster. If the torque signal is increasing faster than the rotation signal, the control system modifies the rotation signal by increasing it until it corresponds to the torque signal, but cannot decrease the modified rotation signal when the increase of the torque signal is less than the increase of the rotation signal. When the increase of the torque signal decreases relative to the modified rotation signal, the control system develops a decision-making signal which is processed to develop a control signal when a yield point of the fastener system is detected.

Abstract: A method and machine for teaching the reading of golf putting greens wherein the distance to the cup is calculated and a corresponding force is selected and perfectly applied to a golf ball by the putting machine to verify the calculation. The steps may be repeated until the projected golf ball enters the cup. To compensate for the lie of the putting surface, an optical system using mirrors is mounted to a putter drive assembly to project the golf ball at an angle with respect to the line of sight to the cup. The putter drive assembly includes a plurality of pairs of holes in which two pins are placed to define the plane at which the golfer should strike the ball in order to duplicate the stroke of the putting machine.

Abstract: A rotation resistant nut having an internally threaded nut body and having a portion of the exterior surface of the nut body provided with an irregular configuration. The rotation resistant nut is adapted to be used as an insert-type nut and upon installation of the nut into a round hole in a workpiece having a diameter smaller than the major diameter of the nut, the workpiece deforms the nut body so that the internal threads of the nut become distorted to create a prevailing torque locking characteristic between the internal threads of the nut and a cooperating threaded male fastener.

Abstract: A tightening system for tightening a fastener is disclosed herein and includes a wrench for tightening the fastener, a control system for shutting off the wrench when the fastener has been tightened to a predetermined condition and a quality control system including apparatus for determining the condition of the fastener at the predetermined condition and for also checking the operation of the system during the tightening cycle. Accordingly, an easily discernible and meaningful signal can be provided indicating that the tool has functioned properly and that the joint has been tightened to the predetermined condition.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a fastener assembly and method of using same to preload a joint including a plurality of adjacent workpieces having aligned openings formed therein. The fastener assembly includes a pin member having an enlarged head and a shank located within the aligned openings in the workpieces and further includes a collar member having a deformable outer portion and a relatively hard inner portion located about a portion of the shank such that the inner portion is directly adjacent the shank portion. Also formed on the shank is a thread configuration adapted to cooperate with a complimentary thread configuration for snugging the workpieces together with a relatively light preload. After the joint has been snugged together, the collar member is crimped causing axial flow of material in the outer portion which reacts to stretch the pin member and induce a desired preload in the joint.

Abstract: A meter for determining stiffness or torque gradient including, in one embodiment, a deflectable coupling connected between an output shaft and a power input shaft, sensing means for developing two separate series of signals representative of the displacement of the input and output shafts respectively, a comparator for determining from the two series of signals a function of the stiffness or torque gradient and, in another embodiment, including a single shaft having an input end and an output end, transducer means associated with the shaft for developing a signal representative of the torque being applied through the shaft, sensing means for developing a signal representative of the displacement of the shaft, and comparator means for determining from the two signals a function of the stiffness or torque gradient.

Abstract: A thread forming and vibration resistant fastener having a shank with at least a portion of its length provided with an external thread. At least a portion of the thread has an irregular surface configuration on both of its flanks in the form of a plurality of serrations. The serrations are shaped as teeth, when viewed along a cylinder concentric with the longitudinal axis of the fastener, with the teeth extending inwardly from adjacent the crest of the thread portion to a termination inwardly of the pitch diameter thereof.

Abstract: A fastener bushing for use in a panel structure consisting of a pair of spaced outer skins and a low density core therebetween is formed with an elongated shank adapted to be inserted through an opening in the panel. The shank has a longitudinal bore extending therethrough in which a fastener element can be inserted and includes an integral enlarged head formed at one end thereof which will overlie the skin along one side of the panel when the bushing is inserted in the openings. The bushing has a peripheral groove formed on the shank immediately below the head so that when the shank is fully inserted in the panel, the groove receives the edge of the opening through which the shank was inserted, thereby to positively retain the fastener bushing in the panel.

Abstract: A tightening system and method and a fastener assembly usable therewith are disclosed in this specification. According to the method a fastener assembly is provided that causes a change in the slope of the torque-rotation curve which could be plotted while the joint is being tightened, which change occurs at a known load. While tightening the joint, the torque applied to the fastener assembly when the slope of the torque-rotation curve changes is noted and is used to calculate the torque necessary to induce a desired load in the joint. Additional torque is applied to the fastener until the actual torque being applied substantially equals the calculated torque.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a tightening system including a wrench for applying torque and imparting rotation to a fastener system. Associated with the wrench is a control system including measuring systems for developing a first signal representative of the torque applied to the fastener being tightened and a second signal representative of the rotation of the fastener, both of which are fed to a gradient calculating system for developing a signal representative of the slope of a Torque-Rotation curve which can be plotted for the particular fastener being tightened. The gradient signal is used to develop a signal representative of a theoretical curve which is processed with one of the previously developed signals to develop a control signal when the fastener has been tightened to its yield point or some similarly significant point.

Abstract: A tightening system for tightening a fastener is disclosed herein and includes a wrench for tightening the fastener, a control system for shutting off the wrench when the fastener has been tightened to a predetermined condition and a quality control system including apparatus for determining if tightening characteristics of the fastener at the predetermined condition lie within a range which would be expected for those tightening characteristics for fasteners tightened to the predetermined condition.

Abstract: A vibration resistant threaded fastener such as a set screw and method of forming the fastener wherein the load bearing flank of the thread surface of the screw is provided with a series of serrations. Each serration is formed with an inclined ramp terminating in a buttress forming a skewed angle with the radius of the fastener. The ramp surface is inclined in the direction of tightening the fastener so that the buttress presents a surface tending to act against rotation of the fastener to preclude its loosening. In forming the vibration resistant fastener a pair of flat thread roll dies may be used. Each die is provided with a mating segment near the end of the effective thread forming portion of the die having a configuration designed to impart the ramp and buttress serrations on the load bearing flank of the fastener rolled between the dies.

Abstract: A vibration resistant threaded fastener which may be a set screw or any other type of threaded fastener wherein the load bearing flank of the threaded surface of the screw is provided with a series of serrations. Each serration is formed with an inclined ramp terminating in a buttress with the ramp surface being inclined in the direction of tightening the fastener so that the buttress presents a surface tending to act against rotation of the fastener to preclude loosening of the fastener. Upon engagement in a workpiece under compressive load the buttress of the serrations coact with the thread flank of the mating internal thread in a workpiece to preclude disengagement of the fastener. In one embodiment of the fastener bearing pads are provided to limit the degree of coaction between the serrations and the thread flank of the workpiece.

Abstract: A vibration resistant fastener such as a screw or bolt provided with a series of serrations on the load bearing flank of the thread of a screw or bolt so that the serrations will bear on the pressure flank of a mating thread. Each serration is formed with an inclined ramp terminating in a substantially vertical buttress with the smoothly inclined surface of the ramp being oriented in the direction of tightening so that the buttress presents a surface tending to act against rotation of the fastener to preclude loosening of the screw or bolt.

Abstract: A sequential tightening system is disclosed in this application for tightening a plurality of fasteners to a final predetermined condition and includes a plurality of wrenches for tightening the fasteners and a control system operatively associated with each of said wrenches for tightening the fasteners to a first predetermined condition, preferably their seated condition and at a relatively high output speed of the wrenches, and temporarily discontinuing the tightening procedure. When the tightening procedure of all of the wrenches has been temporarily discontinued, the control means restarts the tightening procedure of each wrench simultaneously or, if desired, sequentially, and, preferably at a lower output speed of the wrenches. As each wrench tightens its operatively engaged fastener to the final predetermined condition, the control means discontinues the tightening procedure of that wrench.

Abstract: A fastener for use in securing a stack of members together comprises a head adapted to be embedded in an outer surface of the stack and a shank adapted to extend through an aperture in the stack so that a tail projects beyond the other outer surface of the stack. As the head is embedded, material in the stack is displaced and develops residual compressive stresses around the hole in the vicinity of the head; as the tail is upset, the shank expands radially to provide an interference fit with the aperture and develops residual tensile stresses around the hole. In the vicinity of the head, these tensile stresses are superimposed upon the previously developed compressive stresses.

Abstract: A tightening method and system for practicing same are disclosed herein for tightening a fastener to a desired axial load. According to the method, torque is applied to the fastener until it is tightened to its yield point and either the torque applied at the yield point or the angular rotation of the fastener at the yield point are determined and are used to determine the axial load acting on the joint assembly and these determined characteristics are used to determine either the torque or angular rotation required to tighten the fastener to the desired load. Thereafter, torque is again applied to the fastener and when the actual torque being applied or actual angular rotation of the fastener substantially equals that required to tighten the fastener to the desired load, the application of torque is discontinued.