Abstract: Endwise insertion of leads projecting generally radially, or substantially in parallel, from one side of each of a plurality of interconnected electrical components is effected in rapid reliable succession. The components are sequentially fed into the head of a machine by a tape indexing mechanism. There, when aligned with a reciprocable inserter, the leads of each component after being cut to predetermined length are separated from the tape by spaced members acting transversely on the progressively guided tape.

Abstract: Equipment for laminating for a shoe upper and a lining through the use of an interposed adhesive layer including a form having portions of different radius of curvatures and two operating side surfaces including a heater and two pressers which sequentially engage the workpiece and shape it to correspond with the form.

Abstract: An improved machine and method for stiffening a selected portion of a sheet-like member generally flattens that portion, next deposits on a chill plate matrix an adhesive hot melt deposit of mostly uniform thickness except for a margin of added thickness for slower hardening, and then causes the matrix with impact to press all of the adhesive, while the added thickness margin is still softer than the uniform adhesive thickness, against the flattened portion of the member, thus transferring the adhesive to that portion, the added thickness margin being exuded laterally and hence taperingly reduced to provide diminishing stiffness toward an edge merging with the member.The machine and method have particular advantage in stiffening a toe portion of a shoe upper, rendering the instep margin of the vamp or a toe piece free of irregularity, and assuring ultimate comfort for wearing in an assembled shoe.

Abstract: Mechanism is provided whereby a machine for inserting multiple leads of a component into a circuit board may be adapted to first insert a lead-receivable socket into the board and thereafter mount a component in the pre-inserted socket. The mechanism preferably is employed in a machine comprising automatic means for sequencing the components and sockets predeterminedly. When the machine further comprises automatic means for positioning the circuit board to receive the successive components and/or sockets, it is contemplated all components and sockets will first be programmed to be inserted directly into the boards, then preferably after soldering to secure them into board circuitry and remounting of the board in the machine, new programming of the board positioning means will mount the proper component into its pre-inserted and soldered socket.The novel mechanism is provided, for instance, as an attachment to or auxiliary kit for use in a machine for inserting DIP components and/or sockets.

Abstract: Intensity of vibrations emitted by tool and workpiece acted upon is reduced by an enveloping mat of floppy fibres. In a heel attacher, for instance, the mat reduces by 14 or more decibels, and an operator incurs no risk of injury to his hands should they be in the path of the mat when it is moved to or from a heel and shoe being attached.

Abstract: In a cutting press of the type wherein an upper platen is forced toward a lower platen to press a die through a workpiece on the lower platen, a more easily operable stroke setting means is provided. In the course of low pressure actuation of the upper platen for this purpose, an operator need only deactivate a solenoid whereby a brake becomes effective to establish the cutting stroke as appropriate to the depth of a die, for subsequent high pressure cutting strokes of the press.

Abstract: The mechanism cuts component lead portions projecting from a support such as a circuit board though the leads may be spaced apart at different distances, and then clinches them against the board. Additionally, the mechanism is movable heightwise relative to the support for clearance purposes and adapted to be shifted both in X-Y directions and with selected radial orientation between preset angles. The clinching is done in opposite directions and normal to a line interconnecting the points from which the leads protrude thereby stabilizing the position of a component body.

Abstract: An easily assembled and disassembled die holder assembly of the wedge locking type is provided which tightly clamps a punch die in its pocket. A die-engaging wedge of the assembly has an angular protrusion bearing on a wall of a corresponding groove in a side of the die to clamp it downwardly in the die pocket upon take-up of a threaded fastener. A locking wedge acted on by the fastener bears on the die wedge, relative angles of the latter and the protrusion causing the protrusion to hold the die rigidly. Backing off the fastener permits a resilient member to free the die from the protrusion of the die-engaging wedge.

Abstract: An improved escapement is provided for use with a channel for feeding successive components to insure their continuous and individual release therefrom. The escapement includes elements for holding a next-to-endmost component in cooperation with a land extending lengthwise in the channel, in unobstructive position while the endmost component is released. The invention has particular advantages when one or more components in a stacked series may be of a form tending to overlap or have a small irregularity, such as a protruding flashing for instance, causing shingling and hence resisting automatic feeding one-by-one in the channel.

Abstract: In a side-seam soldering machine wherein successive can bodies are fed and their side-seams progressively soldered by an applicator means, a solder deflecting member (which would otherwise interfere with an internal pre-stripe or coating) is mounted for cooperation with the can feeding means to insure that the member does not adversely affect the pre-stripe or coating, but does prevent solder from being introduced between successive can bodies and deposited therein.

Abstract: A method and means are disclosed for use in a press whereby a sole and an upwardly projecting portion thereof, for instance, such as is used in many athletic type shoes, are attached adhesively to a shoe. An elastically deformable pad mounted in a relatively rigid support is recessed closely to fit the sole therein and has a wall overlying the projecting portion of the sole, the pad also having walls sloping toward the tread surface of the sole and inwardly of the pad. Sloping surfaces of the support engage external walls of the pad positioned thereon so that, when the support and pad are assembled in the press and the latter operated to cause the shoe to deform the pad, the heightwise projecting portion of the sole will be pressed against the upper of the shoe.

Abstract: A can having a closure defined at least in part by a rupturable weakening line is provided with a finger-movable tab-like tool for safely opening the closure. The tool is a sheet metal lever pivotally attached to a can end in which the closure is deflectible and preferably non-severable. A depressor portion of the lever is raised from its prone or inoperative position and, in part, twisted about 90.degree. to locate its pressure-directing beak adjacent to a point along the weakening line, whereupon downward finger pressure on the depressor portion disrupts the line and deflects the closure inwardly. The lever is so shaped that depression of the twistable portion is limited by engagement therewith of an edge of the opening thus barring finger entry into the can opening as a safety measure. The lever may be provided at its opposite end with a handle whereby, when the closure has been opened as explained, the lever may be swung to clear the depressed end portion substantially from the can opening.

Abstract: A skate blade carrier integral with or attached to a shoe bottom has a heel support portion, a forepart support portion, and a strut section interconnecting the support portions. The base of the carrier has a longitudinal kerf for partly receiving the blade. Means secured to the carrier is adapted to adjustably tilt the blade about an axis extending widthwise of the shoe beneath its heel and to selectively shift a skater's locality of balance on the blade along its exposed edge.

Abstract: A plastic heel is attached by inserting through an insole of a shoe a fastener, and vibrating the fastener at ultrasonic frequency to cause its shank to melt the plastic and become embedded in the heel. The fastener may be a staple with wide legs having holes therein. The shank of the shoe may be bridged by the staple for added attachment strength. Since less work penetration is needed than in nail-attaching of heels, advantage is gained especially in securing sharply tapering or so-called "stiletto" heels.

Abstract: To enable a high-speed machine to process (for instance interconnect and reel) only acceptable, predeterminedly ordered electronic components after appropriate test, velocity changing mechanism actuatable by a continuously operable conveyor of the machine is provided to shift components to and from a testing unit and relative to their respective successive locations along the conveyor. Only failure of a component to qualify at the test unit automatically stops the conveyor, and that enables an operator to take corrective action by satisfactory completion of a test on a replacement component which then is preferably manually located in its proper sequence on the conveyor prior to re-starting of the machine. Accordingly, except for the usually uncommon short interval when an attendant may need to make substitution for an unsatisfactory component which has been detected, the invention enables rapid processing of assuredly reliable components and their intended sequence is verified.

Abstract: Speed capability of a rotary stepping motor of the harmonic drive type is markedly increased by providing a stiffer, i.e. harder to radially deflect, structure of its rotor. Elimination of magnetically permeable bridging material as heretofore employed is made possible also in an alternate construction. Basically, thickness of a flexrotor or flexspline wall is made greater than hitherto relative to its outside diameter to provide a stiffness insuring efficient operation at increased natural or resonant frequency. Higher capability of the thicker-stiffer flexspline to maintain its sinusoidal shape during operation results in less tooth wear and increased efficiency over a longer operating life. When concentric ring bridging is incorporated, its total wall-to-outside-diameter ratio thickness is advantageously substantially that of the novel flexrotor or flexspline itself to obtain higher step rates efficiently.

Abstract: Sheet cutting means, preferably of the fluid jet nozzle type, is programmed for predetermined X-Y operation on a workpiece supported on a series of taut, unidirectional, spaced wires arranged substantially as a planar bed. As the nozzle is shifted in an X-Y plane parallel to and above the work, a drain cup is correspondingly moved beneath the wire bed to receive the spent pressure fluid for recirculation or other disposition. A transfer means comprised of uniformly spaced belts is movable heightwise between the wires to convey all cut parts and scrap, collectively in unchanged relation, to an unload station when the nozzle and cup are out of the way. Preferably a television screen displays for an attendant at the unloading zone of the machine a replica of the cut work as pre-programmed to facilitate his identification and disposition of the different cut-outs, for instance, shoe soles.

Abstract: Work feeding and automatic guidance mechanism are combined in a single curvature-controlled means located on one side of a workpiece being progressively processed in a machine, for instance a stitcher. Accordingly, separate feed dog mechanism or equivalent is eliminated. The feeding-steering means preferably comprises a rotary ring orbitally driven about an operating tool such as a needle, and effects guidance and feeding of the work synchronously in intervals when the tool is disengaged from the work.

Abstract: Mechanism for soldering seams, especially the side seams of moving "tin" can bodies, comprises means for guiding each seam along a path, an applicator rotatable counter to the direction of can seam travel and having one portion immersed in molten solder and another solder wettable portion not so immersed, the other portion including a solder applying rim in substantially tangential relation to a locality of the seam joint in the path, and means for maintaining an atmosphere of inert gas about the non-immersed applicator portion and the mentioned locality to avoid oxidation of the solder as applied at the joint and also while carried thereto by the applicator.