Abstract: A mounting system having a dual plunger arrangement wherein the side of each plunger has a pull down cam to provide a desired pull down action in relation to at least two studs, the cams moving relative to one another and axially aligning relative to one another relative to the two axially spaced pull down studs to allow the plungers to provide a maximum hold down force for the two pull down studs, balance the hold down forces thereby maximizing performance and reducing unlocking forces.

Abstract: A mounting system having a dual plunger arrangement wherein the side of each plunger has a pull down cam to provide a desired pull down action in relation to at least two studs, the cams moving relative to one another and axially aligning relative to one another relative to the two axially spaced pull down studs to allow the plungers to provide a maximum hold down force for the two pull down studs, balance the hold down forces thereby maximizing performance and reducing unlocking forces.

Abstract: A vise for holding a workpiece that reduces jaw lift having a vise base with a longitudinally extending guide channel that includes vise base flanges with base flange guide surfaces, the vise having vise trucks that move longitudinally within the guide channel, the vise having jaws that are selectively securable relative to the trucks wherein the jaws and the trucks include lift surfaces that move the trucks toward the jaws transversely to the longitudinal direction as the jaws engage the workpiece to lock the jaws and the trucks relative to the guide channel when the workpiece is clamped in the vise.

Abstract: A mounting system having a dual plunger arrangement wherein the side of each plunger has a pull down cam to provide a desired pull down action in relation to at least two studs, the cams moving relative to one another and axially aligning relative to one another relative to the two axially spaced pull down studs to allow the plungers to provide a maximum hold down force for the two pull down studs, balance the hold down forces thereby maximizing performance and reducing unlocking forces.

Abstract: A hoist ring assembly and related methods of lifting a load wherein the hoist ring assembly includes a bolt for securing the hoist ring assembly to the load and the bolt includes a tensile stress indicator for showing the tensile stress on the bolt when the bolt is tightened onto the load. The hoist ring assembly can further include a radio-frequency identification tag used for communicating information relating to the hoist ring assembly. The methods include using the tensile stress indicator to achieve and maintain a predetermined preload of the bolt, and using the radio-frequency identification tag to obtain historical recorded information relating to the hoist ring assembly.

Abstract: A hoisting device and, more particularly, an intelligent hoist ring that is capable of monitoring, recording and/or communicating the use of the hoist ring including monitoring, recording and/or communicating the loads on the hoist ring that can be used, inter alia, to determine condition of the hoist ring and whether it can remain in active service and monitoring tightening loads independently of applied loads.

Abstract: A hoisting device and, more particularly, an intelligent hoist ring that is capable of monitoring, recording and/or communicating the use of the hoist ring including monitoring, recording and/or communicating the loads on the hoist ring that can be used, inter alia, to determine condition of the hoist ring and whether it can remain in active service and monitoring tightening loads independently of applied loads.

Abstract: A hoisting device and method of making the same including a hoist body having an inwardly extending post pocket that includes an inwardly facing body groove extending about a post pocket axis. The hoist body further includes an access opening in communication with the body groove. The hoisting device further including a post having a post head that has an outwardly extending post groove configured to functionally align with the body groove of the body such that the two groove are in functional alignment with one another when in an assembled position. The access opening allowing a plurality of bearings to be directed into the bearing groove when the post is in assembled position within the bearing pocket. The hoist device further includes a plug to selectively close the access opening thereby maintaining the plurality of bearings in the bearing grooves.

Abstract: A mounting and alignment system for selectively securing and accurately aligning a first plate relative to a second plate, the mounting system including a shank and a receiver arrangement with an annular locking ring and an annular receiver bushing. The bushing having an inner passage and an oppositely facing outer bushing surface. The outer bushing surface having at least one receiver bearing surface shaped to engage a bearing surface of an associated mounting opening in one of the plates to align the receiver bushing laterally within the opening. The inner passage of the bushing being shaped to receive and align with a shaft portion of the shank. The locking ring configured to secure the bushing axially within the mounting opening.

Abstract: A mounting system including a plunger system wherein the sides of the plunger are utilized to engage a stud and the side of the plunger has a plunger cam that can have virtually any desired cam angle and/or configuration to produce a desired pull down and/or locking action.

Abstract: A mounting and alignment system for selectively securing and accurately aligning a first plate relative to a second plate, the mounting system including a shank and a receiver arrangement with an annular locking ring and an annular receiver bushing. The bushing having an inner passage and an oppositely facing outer bushing surface. The outer bushing surface having at least one receiver bearing surface shaped to engage a bearing surface of an associated mounting opening in one of the plates to align the receiver bushing laterally within the opening. The inner passage of the bushing being shaped to receive and align with a shaft portion of the shank. The locking ring configured to secure the bushing axially within the mounting opening.

Abstract: A mounting system with a receiver arrangement having a double sided configuration, the bushing having an inner passage and an oppositely facing outer surface, the outer bushing surface having at least one receiver bearing surface shaped to engage a bearing surface of the mounting opening to align the receiver laterally within the opening, the bushing being locked or lockable within a mounting opening and further including two locking arrangements for allowing the selectively locking of a shank from either end.

Abstract: A hoisting device and method of making the same including a hoist body having an inwardly extending post pocket that includes an inwardly facing body groove extending about a post pocket axis. The hoist body further includes an access opening in communication with the body groove. The hoisting device further including a post having a post head that has an outwardly extending post groove configured to functionally align with the body groove of the body such that the two groove are in functional alignment with one another when in an assembled position. The access opening allowing a plurality of bearings to be directed into the bearing groove when the post is in assembled position within the bearing pocket. The hoist device further includes a plug to selectively close the access opening thereby maintaining the plurality of bearings in the bearing grooves.

Abstract: A two jaw vise having a base extending in a longitudinal direction between two ends, a central fixed block and opposing jaws on either side of the central block. The opposing jaws being movable longitudinally and joined to the base for controlled movement longitudinally. The base including a base block extending longitudinally between the first and second ends and including first and second longitudinally extending rails. The first and second rails extending parallel to the base block and being spaced from the base block. The first and second rails at least partially forming the controlled movement of the jaws. The base further including first and second pluralities of vertically extending columns extending between the base block and the first and second rails, respectively. The base including at least one gap between adjacent columns.

Abstract: A rotary coupler for directing a fluid between a fluid supply and fixtures rotatable about a fixture axis and which has a manifold plate directing the fluid from a manifold inlet and a manifold outlet to the fixtures positioned about the fixture axis, the coupler including a spindle having a base portion and a shaft portion and the shaft portion defines a coupler axis and has a shaft surface generally coaxial to the coupler axis and the shaft surface includes an annular pressure zone and an axially spaced annular tank zone, the spindle also includes an internal pressurized fluid passage and an internal tank fluid passage wherein the pressurized passage extends within the spindle the coupler further includes a hub with a shaft opening shaped to receive the shaft portion, the manifold having control valves for selective actuation of the fixturing.

Abstract: A releasable locking member, having a handle, a spindle, and a shank connected at a first end to the handle. The shank has an opening extending through along a longitudinal axis thereof. A shaft extends through an opening of the shank. The shaft has a first portion, a second portion, and a central portion extending between the first and second portions. An actuator member is connected to the first portion of the shaft. A spindle is connected to the second portion of the shaft. A biasing member is positioned between the actuator member and a wall of the handle.

Abstract: A mounting system including a plunger system wherein the sides of the plunger are utilized to engage a stud and the side of the plunger has a plunger cam that can have virtually any desired cam angle and/or configuration to produce a desired pull down and/or locking action.

Abstract: A mounting system with a receiver arrangement having a double sided configuration, the bushing having an inner passage and an oppositely facing outer surface, the outer bushing surface having at least one receiver bearing surface shaped to engage a bearing surface of the mounting opening to align the receiver laterally within the opening, the bushing being locked or lockable within a mounting opening and further including two locking arrangements for allowing the selectively locking of a shank from either end.

Abstract: A spindle for a releasable securing device having a ball that cooperates with the spindle, which is located in a shank of the releasable securing device, is disclosed. The spindle includes a tapered land region and a ball pocket region. The tapered land region is configured to selectively contact the ball of the associated releasable securing device urging the ball outwardly in a radial opening formed in the shank of the associated releasable securing device. The land region includes an external surface tapering toward a central axis and a distal end of the spindle. The ball extends beyond an outer surface of the shank when contacted by the exterior surface. The ball pocket region is spaced from the tapered land region toward a proximal end of the spindle.

Abstract: A release pin for selective engagement with at least one work piece, the pin extending in a longitudinal direction with an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion including a shank having an exterior portion extending in the longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end and the inner portion further including a locking arrangement near the second end. The shank exterior being sized to pass through an associated bore extending into an associated surface of an associated work piece. The outer portion being joined to the inner portion near the first end and including an abutment extending transverse to the longitudinal direction and being shaped to engage the associated surface when the shank is positioned in the associated bore such that the outer portion is defined by the abutment and has an outer longitudinal height extending in the longitudinal direction outwardly from the abutment and the associated surface when the pin is secured to the associated work piece.