Abstract: A multi-axis articulatable robot with a weld gun having a pair of opposing arms, where at least one arm is movable relative to the other arm to apply pressure to a workpiece during a welding operation. At least one of the opposing arms of the weld gun can be rotatable or translatable relative to the other arm. At least one arm is moved relative to the other arm by an inverted roller screw linear actuator. The robot can include an electric controller for controlling the operation of the actuator of the weld gun as an additional axis of the robot movement. The actuator can be mounted on either of the opposing arms.

Abstract: A ring opener for opening tab-top cans and capped containers having a lip portion for removing a container tab when engaged with the container tab, and a tooth portion for removing a container cap from the container's mouth when applied to the container cap.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method and an apparatus for accurately estimating the tension or clamp force in a bolted joint. An installed fastener is rotated and the torque necessary to rotate the fastener and the angle through which the fastener is rotated are measured. The angle and torque values are plotted against one another such that the angle values are plotted on an angle axis and the torque values are plotted on a torque axis. A tangent is extended from the plot towards the angle axis. The point at which the tangent crosses the angle axis is defined as zero degrees and is called the “elastic origin”. The known angle through which the fastener rotates is used to scale the angle axis. The angle from the elastic origin to the point at which the tangent was drawn is defined as the M-alpha angle and is directly proportional to the clamp force created by the bolted joint or tension in the fastener.

Abstract: A vehicle wire harness type connector for making an electrical connection between terminated wire sets through the wall of a sealed chamber in airtight fashion. The connector includes an internal bulkhead with solid male terminals passing through the bulkhead with an airtight seal, and an exterior airtight seal to the ambient or external side of the wall of the sealed chamber. The end of the connector inserted in the sealed chamber is adapted to receive individual female-terminated wires in direct connection with the male terminals, and the ambient or external end of the connector is adapted to receive a group of female terminals housed in a mating connector. An orthogonal locking member is stored in the end of the connector inserted in the sealed chamber in a pre-lock position allowing the individual female terminals to be inserted, and is movable thereafter to a full-lock position to prevent their withdrawal.

Abstract: An insertion-force reducing connector assembly and method for mating multi-terminal male and female connectors of the type used in automotive wiring harnesses. The female connector is movably retained in a frame-like holder by a self-actuating force reducing link that automatically couples a male connector inserted into the holder to the female connector with an insertion/withdrawal ratio in which the female connector moves away from the male connector in the terminal-mating direction more slowly than the male connector is inserted, thus allowing the connectors to be coupled over a longer than normal terminal-mating distance and reducing the insertion force needed to mate the terminals. The method includes the steps of coupling the female connector to the holder and subsequently mating the male connector to the female connector in the holder.

Abstract: A device and method is provided whereby application is made to at least part of the sole of a suitably positioned foot. The device (1) (FIGS. 1 and 2) comprises a member or plate (20) having a planar surface (21) for pressure application to the sole by a handle (28) and in one arrangement is hingedly mounted (22, 24, 26) about horizontal axes from a leg rest (10) which lies in use on a seat or couch for the patient. This enables the surface (21) to be brought against the sole and also tilted for required contact with the latter. The plate (20) is also shown mounted for angular movement about a vertical axis X for additional tilting of the surface (21). An electronic unit (30) on the plate (20) has an LCD display (32) for showing angles of tilt. With the surface (21) in appropriate contact the sole can be manually palpated or manipulated e.g. for contact of the surface (21) with metatarsal joints or points, and/or the subtalar joint palpated for the neutral condition etc.

Abstract: A molded plastic container having an open top and bail receivers molded integrally into the side wall at opposite positions. The receivers are shaped and sized to act as lifting handles as well as to receive the ends of a wire bail. Flexible finger guards are molded into the interior volumes of the receivers to prevent contact between the fingers and the bail wire.

Abstract: Amphibious vehicle power train includes an engine mounted above, or above and to one side of transmission. Axis of crankshaft is parallel to axis of transmission input shaft, and to longitudinal vehicle axis. Crankshaft longitudinally overlaps input shaft. Engine is mounted North-South, and transmission South-North. Crankshaft drives input shaft through sprockets, connected by belt or chain; or by gears. Shaft drives marine propulsion means through drive shaft and optional decoupler. Transmission may be manual, sequential change manual, automated manual, seem-automatic, automatic, or continuously variable. Power train may be mounted towards the rear of the vehicle, driving the rear wheels through differential. Alternatively, the front wheels may also be driven, through drive shaft and differential. Either axle may be decoupled in road mode.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle power train has an engine with crankshaft and solid or fluid flywheel; a transmission arranged in line with the crankshaft, with an input shaft driven from the flywheel; and a power take off for driving shafts and marine propulsion means. The power take off has a driving sprocket attached to the crankshaft, a chain or belt, and a driven sprocket. Bevel gears are provided to convert transverse engine crankshaft rotation to longitudinal marine drive.

Abstract: A golf club head cover for use with standard wood golf clubs and oversized wood golf clubs is disclosed and made primarily of non-stretchable fabric and a narrow strip of elastic material. The head cover has a tubular formation having a first end stitched to an elongated sleeve shaft and a second end stitched to another piece of material to close the second end. The narrow strip of elastic material extends from the first end to the second end to accommodate the receipt of an oversized golf club head. The narrow strip of elastic material encompasses less than fifteen percent of the tubular formation so as not to detract from the decorative qualities of the non-stretchable fabric.

Abstract: An automated welding system utilizing integrally mounted robots within a self-contained and repositionable work station. One or more work tables are shuttled between loading and welding stations. The robot is mounted directly adjacent the operating stage, thereby drastically reducing the required floor space. The robot arm is designed to be programed to replicate a desired welding operation in an automated fashion.

Abstract: A unique method of authenticating access to a computer system or central processor is disclosed. The computer system is in data communication with a plurality of stored challenges and response pairs in a set, with one challenge corresponding to only one response. After a user successfully logs onto the system, the system randomly selects one of the challenges from the set to which the user must respond. If, after comparing the user response with the response in the set corresponding to the selected challenge, the system determines a match, the system continues to select challenges and prompting for responses and will ultimately allow access to the central processor after a predetermined number of matches are received from the user.

Abstract: The present invention solves the problem of repeated operator intervention in a vision system by providing multiple templates which may be used to locate an object within an image.

Abstract: A stuffer pin for a rotatable, two part fluid quick connector carries the seal elements and a retainer housing carrying a retainer for mounting the seal elements in the bore of a first component of the fluid quick connector and positioning the retainer housing for locking and rotatable engagement with the first component. A flange on the stuffer pin prevents premature movement of the retainer in the retainer housing to the fully latched position until the stuffer pin is removed from the assembled two part fluid quick connector. The flange does not interfere with the ability of the stuffer pin to carry an axially displaceable retainer in the retainer housing.