Abstract: A fuel cell adapter system for a combustion tool which includes a housing enclosing a fuel metering valve. The fuel cell is provided with an adapter having a generally cylindrical nozzle and an enlarged base configured for engagement upon the fuel cell. The nozzle has a lobed free end and defines a passageway. A frangible membrane is provided for blocking the passageway. The latch is disposed in the housing for releasably securing the adapter in fluid communication with the fuel metering valve. The latch includes a latch body having at least one locking tang movable between a closed position and an open position, and a release member for moving the locking tang to release the engagement with the adapter and permitting withdrawal of said fuel cell from said tool. A modified latch receives the adapter of the fuel cell in a push-and-twist motion to retain it in position.

Abstract: A method of securing a wire includes the steps of providing a member having a substrate side and a wire hole, feeding a wire into the wire hole of the member, heading the wire to form a wire head, positioning the wire head adjacent to the substrate side of the member, and fastening the member to a substrate.

Abstract: A bundling assembly for use with a strapping machine that is configured to position a strap material around a load and tension the strap material around the load includes first and second moving belts positioned at the strapping machine entrance in opposing relation to one another. The belts each have a paddle mounted thereto and define a pathway through the bundling assembly. A movable stop is positioned at the exit of the strapping machine and is movable between a stop position and a convey position. The moving belts rotate to contact the paddles with the load, urging the load into the entrance of the strapping machine and into an area under the chute. The belts stop rotation, thus stopping movement of the load upon contact of the load with the stop. The movable stop then moves to the convey position and the moving belts rotate such that the paddles move the load out of the exit of the strapping machine. A stabilizing assembly applies a slight pressure on the load during the strapping cycle.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool includes a housing defining a cavity for insertion of at least one battery, a battery configured for insertion into the cavity and having at least one battery contact element, a terminal module disposed in the cavity, constructed and arranged for engaging the battery and making an electrical connection therewith, the module including at least one terminal module contact element. At least one of the battery and terminal module contact elements incorporates a precious metal alloy and the other of the contact elements is conductive. The respective contact elements are configured for oxidation-free operation in the range of at least about 100 g's.

Abstract: A powered tool constructed to drive a fastener into a workpiece includes a nosepiece assembly including a back plate and a front plate combining to define a path for a driver blade, the front plate being pivotally movable relative to the back plate between a closed position, in which the front plate and the back plate are in contact with each other, and an open position. The front plate is movable to an interim deflecting position between the closed position and the open position. A handle portion has an outer surface at least partially defining a grip, and an inner surface at least partially defining a chamber. The handle portion includes a substrate having at least one aperture, and an overmold configured for forming a gripping surface on the outer surface and for extending through the apertures into the chamber for forming a resilient mounting point.

Abstract: A mechanism for generating a flame jet has a volume formed of at least one vertical structure and two opposing horizontal structures. A rotatable fan is located within the volume, and is rotatable in a plane generally parallel to the planes of the horizontal structures. The mechanism also contains means for igniting a combustible gas which is contained within the volume, to propel a flame jet outside of the volume.

Abstract: In a waste pulping apparatus, an impeller assembly comprises a rotating blade for pulping solid waste to form a slurry, the rotating blade having an axis of rotation, a base and a plurality of ears that axially extend away from the base. The impeller assembly also includes a sieve ring having axially opposed first and second ends, an inner cylindrical surface and an outer cylindrical surface, where the sieve ring encircles the base of the rotating blade at the first end so that a portion of the ears are radially spaced inside the inner cylindrical surface so that the ears rotate within the sieve ring. A plurality of pumping vanes are also provided for pumping the slurry, where each pumping vane has a pumping surface that rotates radially outside the outer cylindrical surface of the sieve ring. Preferably, the pumping vanes can be easily changed to allow for various head condition while providing a predetermined pumping capacity.

Abstract: A strapping machine for forming a seal between two portions of strapping material includes a fixed support and a movable support movable away from and toward the fixed support to form the seal. The strapping machine includes an eccentric shaft defining primary and secondary axes of rotation, and having a key extending from an end thereof. The movable support moves about the secondary axis. An actuating lever rotates about the primary axis to move the movable support toward and away from the fixed support. A shaft securing member has a key receiving aperture for engaging the shaft key in only one orientation. The shaft securing member is fastened to the body to secure the shaft in a desired orientation. The strapping machine includes a reversible actuating lever to accommodate strapping operations in multiple orientations. A variable strap width assembly accommodates use of various strap widths.

Abstract: A piezo-electric printhead is formed from a first piezo-electric actuator disposed parallel to a second piezo-electric actuator. The first and second piezo-electric actuators have a shared inner electrode disposed between them, a first control electrode disposed on an outside surface of the first piezo-electric actuator and a second control electrode disposed on an outside surface of the second piezo-electric actuator. The actuators are formed from a block having a piezo-electric layer disposed on a ceramic base, in which the piezo-electric layer has two parallel, distinct electrode patterns embedded therein in the form of a metal paste.

Abstract: A method of controlling ink drop volume in an inkjet printhead includes the steps of providing a piezoelectric module. The module has a plate with an integrated ink chamber in flow communication with an integrated ink supply manifold and an integrated ink orifice. The ink chamber includes a main channel that connects the ink supply manifold to the ink orifice, and multiple piezoelectric actuators depending from the main channel and spaced apart by ink subchannels in flow communication with the main channel that define an array of piezoelectric actuators. A ground electrode is in contact with a first end of each of the actuators, and a cover plate is bonded to the piezoelectric plate to seal the chamber and the manifold. The cover plate is in contact with a control electrode and is configured to conduct control signals from the control electrode to the actuators.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool has a tool body with an axis, a piston, a muzzle extending from tool body, and a magazine coupled to the muzzle. The fastener driving tool has an axial locking mechanism associated with a rotatable muzzle to releasably lock the muzzle and coupled magazine in at least one position. The axial locking mechanism comprises male members and female members with the male members biased axially into the female members.

Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load, includes a modular strapping head and a modular feed assembly. The strapping head and feed assembly are readily installed on and removed from the strapping machine without tools. The Strapping machine includes a frame, a chute mounted to the frame and defining a strap path, the feed assembly mounted to the frame by a first aligning and mounting assembly, the strapping head assembly mounted to the frame by a second aligning and mounting assembly independent of the first mounting assembly, and a guide mounted to the frame adjacent the feed assembly. Both the feed assembly and the strapping head are independently removable from the frame.

Abstract: A fluorescent lubricant that is applied to an associated object in a liquid state and dries to a solid coating is formulated from a solid lubricant present in a concentration of about 60 percent to about 80 percent of the fluorescent lubricant. The solid lubricant is a solid at room temperature. A diluent for and compatible with the solid lubricant is present in a concentration of about 10 percent to about 40 percent of the fluorescent lubricant. An optical brightener is present in a concentration of about 0.1 percent to about 5.0 percent and a fluorescent dye is present in a concentration of about 0.1 percent to about 5.0 percent of the fluorescent lubricant. The fluorescent lubricant is heated to a temperature above about 130 degrees F., is applied to the associated object and cools to form solid, lubricating fluorescent coating on the associated object. A method for coating an object with a lubricating fluorescent coating is also disclosed.

Abstract: A non-flammable ternary liquid cleaner is formulated from first, second and third solvents. The first solvent is a hydrofluorocarbon, the second solvent is a dichloroethylene and the third solvent is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon. The hydrochlorofluorocarbon imparts low flammability to the cleaner. The hydrofluorocarbon is present in a concentration of about 10 percent to about 80 percent by weight of the cleaner, the dichloroethylene is present in a concentration of about 10 percent to about 60 percent by weight of the cleaner and the hydrochlorofluorocarbon is present in a concentration of at about 10 percent to about 40 percent by weight of the cleaner. The third solvent is non-flammable and thus renders the ternary cleaner non-flammable.

Abstract: A purge/clean system and an associated method for a fluid jet apparatus, such as an ink jet printing system, having a fluid chamber including a chamber wall having an exterior surface and at least one orifice through which fluid is ejected from the fluid chamber toward a substrate involves a cavity defined adjacent the exterior surface of the chamber wall into which fluid which is expelled from the at least one orifice during a purging or cleaning operation is permitted to flow and a vacuum pump for withdrawing fluid which is contained within the cavity. The cavity can be provided by a plurality of plates arranged in an assembled, or stacked, relationship against the exterior surface of the chamber wall and, with the aid of a fan or compressor, can be used to create a zone of above-atmospheric pressure adjacent the exterior surface of the printer head.

Abstract: A time-out indicator is adapted for use in a pneumatic strapping tool for tensioning a strap around a load, adhering the strap onto itself, and cutting a feed end of the strap. The strapping tool has a cylinder housing, a piston disposed within a cylinder in the cylinder housing, a pneumatic weld motor operably connected to the piston, a vibrating weld element operably connected to the piston for contacting the strap and adhering the strap onto itself. A pneumatic module is mounted to the cylinder housing to provide compressed gas to the cylinder housing and the pneumatic weld motor. The time-out indicator includes a sleeve fitted into an opening in the module. The opening is disposed above and in communication with the cylinder. The sleeve defines a central, longitudinal opening. An indicator is biasedly mounted in the sleeve and disposed for contact with the piston.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating articles with coating material includes dispensing coating material from a coating dispensing device, maintaining the coating dispensing device at high-magnitude electrostatic potential, coupling articles to a conveyor on hangers constructed from electrically non-insulative strips, and conveying the articles through the dispensed coating material on the hangers.

Abstract: A seam plate for use in connection with securing membrane sheets to underlying roof decking substructure comprises a substantially rectangular plate having a central aperture for receiving a bolt fastener. Upstanding rib structure is provided upon the plate so as to provide different regions thereof with different rigidity, flexibility, and bendability properties. The rib structure can have, for example, a substantially diamond-shaped configuration or an X-shaped configuration for respectively providing corner regions of the plate with increased or decreased flexibility. A plurality of downwardly extending projections, having substantially V-shaped cross-sectional configurations, are provided upon the underside of the seam plate so as to engage the membrane sheets and retain the same at their desired locations upon the underlying roof deck substructure assembly.

Abstract: An arm member is provided for protection of a power source and for facilitating storage of a power tool. In a closed position, the arm member is configured for partially encircling a portion of the power source and re-directing an impact directed towards that portion away from the power source. In an open position, the arm member is configured for engaging a projection or structure to enable hanging and/or other storage of the power tool.

Abstract: A combustion tool employing a replaceable pressurized fuel cell includes a fuel condition monitor system for monitoring and indicating fuel cell fuel condition. The fuel condition monitor system includes a fuel condition monitor for monitoring at least one of fuel cell pressure and fuel flow from the fuel cell, a control unit connected to the monitor for receiving fuel condition data sensed by the monitor, comparing the sensed data with preset values and determining fuel level in the fuel cell based on the determinations, a metering valve connected to the control unit, providing the exact amount of fuel based upon fuel cell condition, and an indicator connected to the control unit for providing an indication of fuel level.