Patents Assigned to Mechanism Inc.
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Patent number: 4327824Abstract: In the part of the passageway leading out of a coin testing apparatus is an L-shaped member comprising an upright leg and a generally horizontal foot which lies in a plane coincident with the thickness (narrow dimension) of the passageway. The leg is suspended for pivotal movement about an axis normal to that plane and the foot projects into the passageway to be contacted by a selected coin descending through the passageway, which coin would thereby cause the member to pivot with the coin thereby being permitted to continue to descend. The foot is sufficiently close above the actuating arm of an electrical switch that, if a tethered coin descends below the member sufficiently far to move the arm to switch actuating position, the foot will then have pivoted back into the passageway and will prevent the coin from being raised to a level at which the switch arm is returned to switch-deactuated position.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1980Date of Patent: May 4, 1982Assignee: Coin Mechanisms, Inc.Inventor: Raymond W. Nicholson
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Patent number: 4320581Abstract: A level mechanism, and a method of utilization thereof, are disclosed that provide for completely accurate angular placement of workpieces in operative association with the machine tool in a simple manner, even if the machine tool work surface is not itself level. A frame is provided having an elongated straight edge portion, a spirit level tube, a first annular member having first indicia formed thereon, and a second annular member having second indicia formed thereon. Actuators are associated with each of the annular members.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1980Date of Patent: March 23, 1982Assignee: Potomac Applied Mechanics, Inc.Inventor: Karl B. Ousterhout
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Patent number: 4289281Abstract: A double-flier armature winding machine includes a pair of opposing non-rotating winding chucks or forms for engaging the armature core. Each winding form is supported by a bearing mounted on a rotary flier assembly which is mounted on a shaft supported for both rotary and axial movement. Each winding form supports a wire deflector finger for pivotal movement in response to axial movement of an actuator carried by the flier assembly. While the flier assembly is rotating, each actuator is movable axially relative to its corresponding flier assembly by actuation of a fluid cylinder to insure engagement of a wire lead with a predetermined tang on the armature commutator.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1979Date of Patent: September 15, 1981Assignee: Mechaneer, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. George, Robert C. Gray
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Patent number: 4286832Abstract: An article supporting assembly is provided that allows quick retrieval of articles mounted thereby, yet makes maximum utilization of the space occupied by the assembly for supporting articles. A center structure, at least two cover plates, and article supporting structures formed on at least one of the center structure and the cover plates are provided. At least two spanners are provided with first hinges for connecting one cover plate to one spanner, and the other cover plate to the other spanner so that the cover plates are pivotal with respect to the spanners, and second hinges for connecting the spanners to the center structure so that the spanners are pivotal with respect to the center structure. The center structure is mounted on a base and/or top of a housing so that it is pivotal with respect to the housing. The spanners, cover plates, and center structure may take a wide variety of forms.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1979Date of Patent: September 1, 1981Assignee: Potomac Applied Mechanics, Inc.Inventor: Stephen T. Spevak
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Patent number: 4270445Abstract: Apparatus for bundling and banding elongated objects such as angle irons. The objects fall between the walls of a U-channel shaped bundler which automatically stacks them. One or more retractable upper band guide structures then move over the bundler to enclose the stack of objects. A band is then fed around the objects against the bundler walls, base and upper guide structure by a banding assembly which also tightens and fastens the band securely around the objects. Rollers disposed on the bundler base and one wall permit the objects to be rolled off the bundler after banding is completed. Air pistons suitably provide all the necessary forces except rotation of the feeder which is electrically driven. The process is suitably controlled by computer or the like.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1979Date of Patent: June 2, 1981Assignee: Potomac Applied Mechanics, Inc.Inventor: James H. Stubbings
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Patent number: 4265156Abstract: A shearing assembly and method of effecting shearing utilizing the same. Any tendency of further the edges of steel stock being cut to roll is eliminated by providing a male die cutting blade (which cooperates with a female die) having a pair of shelf members, one associated with each cutting blade side face, for engaging the edge of material being sheared during the shearing operation. An actuator element is operatively connected to the male die for moving the cutting blade in a given linear direction, the rolling preventing being accomplished by providing a control structure for positively controlling the length of the stroke of the actuator element and attached cutting blades so that at the limit of travel of the cutting blade in the given linear direction the shelf members are spaced apart from the female die a distance corresponding to the thickness of material being sheared. A plurality of die groups are mounted on a rotating wheel.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1979Date of Patent: May 5, 1981Assignee: Potomac Applied Mechanics, Inc.Inventor: James H. Stubbings
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Patent number: 4257548Abstract: A plurality of two-piece fasteners are connected together by frangible plastic and are automatically fed past moveable wall portions to an area where they are in operative position to be acted upon by impacting pistons. A first inner and a second, outer, concentric pistons are provided, the second piston driving the outer component of the two-piece fastener through metal sheets to be connected together, and the first piston driving the inner fastener component. A common actuating piston may be provided for driving the first and second pistons, with the magazine for the fasteners connected up to the low pressure side of the common piston. It is not possible to fire the impacting device until a handle thereof has been rotated against spring pressure and the bottom thereof is in contact with the work.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1979Date of Patent: March 24, 1981Assignee: Potomac Applied Mechanics, Inc.Inventor: James H. Stubbings
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Patent number: 4255993Abstract: A method and apparatus for acting on angle irons or the like. A vertical stack of angle irons is provided and the angle irons are fed one at a time to a punching position. At the punching position a hole of selected size is punched in the angle iron, and the angle iron is fed from the punching position in a linear direction of movement to a cutting position. The length of the angle iron to be cut is determined by measuring the length of angle iron in the direction of movement past the cutting position, and the angle iron is cut at the cutting position. Cutting is accomplished using a crankshaft with at least one cutting blade operatively connected to the crankshaft at a portion thereof offset from a line between the bushings, guide structures being provided for guiding the linear movement of the cutting blade. Each cut angle iron is removed from the cutting position in a direction normal to the linear direction of movement of the angle iron to the cutting position.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1979Date of Patent: March 17, 1981Assignee: Potomac Applied Mechanics, Inc.Inventor: James H. Stubbings
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Patent number: 4248151Abstract: A guide which maintains an edge surface of a tape, such as an elongated strip of print stock, in contact with a reference surface formed on a base of the guide as the tape is moved in a predetermined direction and along a predetermined path. Preferably, the guide includes a first roller which is mounted on the base in proximity to the reference surface and which has an axis of rotation which is inclined, in an imaginary plane parallel to the predetermined direction of tape movement, from a normal drawn to the reference surface. A second roller is also mounted on the base in proximity to the reference surface and has its axis of rotation substantially parallel to that of the first roller, with corresponding portions of the peripheral surfaces of the first and second rollers being in proximity to each other to define a nip therebetween for compressing the tape.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1978Date of Patent: February 3, 1981Assignee: Interface Mechanisms, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth G. Real
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Patent number: 4210090Abstract: A machine for automatically assembling radius elbows and/or O.G. sets, and the method of utilization of the machine. Four edge deformation effecting components, such as Pittsburg rollers or air hammers, are provided for interlocking edge configurations of ducts to be formed, the edge deformation components defining the corners of a vertical quadrate opening. Two of the components are mounted at the same vertical height above a fabrication table for movement relative to each other in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction of feed of duct pieces through the quadrate opening defined by the edge deforming components. The other two edge deformation components are located at substantially the same level as the rollers of the fabrication table, rollers of the fabrication table being disposed on either side of the vertical plane containing the four edge deformation components. The mounts for the edge deformation components are rotatable about vertical axes to accommodate O.G.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1978Date of Patent: July 1, 1980Assignee: Potomac Applied Mechanics, Inc.Inventor: James H. Stubbings
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Patent number: 4195407Abstract: A yoke construction for a power shear and a ball-bearing assembly are provided that allow easier cutting of sheet metal with the shear. The yoke includes an arm having upper and lower surfaces, with a ball bearing mounted in the lower surface for universal rotation with respect to the arm, the ball bearing engaging the top of a work table to allow easier pivoting of the shear during cutting. Also, a plurality of ball bearings may be provided on the arm upper surface for engaging the work piece. The ball bearings are mounted by a rigid support member having a generally conical end portion with a generally pointed tip, the tip providing a bearing surface for the ball bearing and urging it against a lip formed in the surface from which the ball bearing extends. The ball bearing mounting assembly may be provided as an insert.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1978Date of Patent: April 1, 1980Assignee: Potomac Applied Mechanics, Inc.Inventor: James H. Stubbings
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Patent number: 4184357Abstract: A powered impacting device including relativly movable concentric first and second pistons, the second piston providing a cylinder wall for guiding movement of the first piston. A spring is disposed between the pistons for exerting a biasing force maintaining the pistons in an initial relative position. A single impacting force is applied to the pistons, at first resulting in coincident movement thereof until the second piston drives an outer fastener component through workpieces to be fastened together, and then is stopped. The mass of the first piston is great enough to provide continued movement of the first piston, relative to the second piston against the bias of the spring, to drive an inner component of the fastener through the work to be assembled, deforming the outer component of the fastener so that the material pieces are held together.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1978Date of Patent: January 22, 1980Assignee: Potomac Applied Mechanics, Inc.Inventor: James H. Stubbings
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Patent number: 4183239Abstract: A power impacting device includes two driving pistons, an inner piston, and an outer piston concentric with the inner piston. Pressurized fluid is supplied first to the outer piston and then to the inner piston to drive a two-piece fastener through material which it is to fasten together. The fastener includes an outer component which is driven by the outer piston, and an inner component which is driven by the inner piston to cam tip portions of the outer component radially outwardly to tightly hold two or more workpieces together. The fasteners may be automatically fed to the impacting device, and frangible links provided therewith for engaging riflings in the barrel of the impacting device to impart a rotational velocity component to the fasteners when they are driven. The impacting device is inoperative unless it is pressed into contact with the surface into which fasteners are to be driven and a handle safety mechanism is operated, and a loading gate allowing the feed of fasteners to the device is closed.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1977Date of Patent: January 15, 1980Assignee: Potomac Applied Mechanics, Inc.Inventor: James H. Stubbings
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Patent number: 4174078Abstract: A tape tensioning apparatus particularly useful in regulating the tension in a tape such as an elongated strip of printer ribbon stock used in printing apparatus such as mechanical impact printers. A stock guide is supported for rotation on a base, the stock guide having an arm from which extends a roller. An inclined surface on the stock guide rests on a complementary inclined surface on the base so that the stock guide moves toward the base as the stock guide is rotated in a predetermined direction from a predetermined angular position, with a spring yieldably biasing the stock guide to its predetermined angular position. A spool of print or ribbon stock is mounted on a reel, itself supported for rotation with respect to the base, with the stock passing around the roller on the stock guide after exiting from the spool thereof and with the reel resting on and rotatable with a reel support disc which is constrained from moving more than a predetermined distance above the base.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1978Date of Patent: November 13, 1979Assignee: Interface Mechanisms, Inc.Inventor: Robert J. Brooks
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Patent number: 4170910Abstract: Apparatus for providing a supply of angle irons or like elongated members. A dispensing magazine includes a pair of side walls and a bottom wall, the magazine being pivotal about a horizontal axis for movement from a first operating position where the walls are generally vertical to a second loading position where the walls are generally horizontal. The angle irons in the vertical stack with the side walls in the first position are moved upwardly as the top angle iron is removed, so that the top angle iron in the vertical stack is always substantially at the same vertical level. An ejecting cylinder or the like is provided for pushing the top angle iron from the vertical stack off of the stack when the magazine is in the first position.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1977Date of Patent: October 16, 1979Assignee: Potomac Applied Mechanics, Inc.Inventor: James H. Stubbings
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Patent number: 4170324Abstract: A bracket mounting assembly for mounting an object to a stationary plate, in general, and in particular for mounting a CB radio or the like in a motor vehicle. Although the bracket mounting assembly is detachable, and readily installable, by an authorized person, no access is available to the mounting portions thereof from the exterior so that an unauthorized individual attempting to remove the object must either destroy the stationary plate, the object, or the several structural components of the mounting assembly. The assembly includes first and second general U-shaped members, fasteners for fastening the object to both of the first and second members extending from the interior of the object into operative association with each leg of the second member, and second fasteners for fastening the second member to the stationary plate, the cross portion of the first U-shaped member covering the second fasteners when the bracket is assembled.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1977Date of Patent: October 9, 1979Assignee: Potomac Applied Mechanics, Inc.Inventor: James H. Stubbings
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Patent number: 4170392Abstract: The invention relates to an article supporting assembly that is useful as a toolbox, for shelving, for article display purposes, and a wide variety of other purposes. The basic assembly includes a center plate, at least two spanners, each having first and second opposite edges, at least two cover plates, and article supporting structures formed on the center plate and the cover plates. Each of the spanners is hinged to the center plate generally along the first spanner edges, the cover plates are hinged together, and each cover plate is hinged to a spanner generally along the second edge of the spanner, so that the cover plates are pivotal from a first position generally parallel to the center plate (spaced the width of the spanner) to a second position generally perpendicular to the center plate. A casing preferably surrounds the center plate, with a handle formed on the casing.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1978Date of Patent: October 9, 1979Assignee: Potomac Applied Mechanics, Inc.Inventor: Stephen T. Spevak
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Patent number: 4164180Abstract: An improved hammer bank assembly includes a plurality of spaced-apart hammers, each of the hammers including a substantially planar hammer body containing an electrical coil, with each hammer body being supported for movement in a predetermined plane. A hammer head is attached to and coplanar with each hammer body. Also included are a plurality of flat permanent magnets interleaved with the plurality of hammers so that adjacent ones of the permanent magnets oppose but are separated from each hammer body. A plurality of hammer guide members are provided, one for each hammer, with each hammer guide member defining therein an elongated groove in which is received at least a portion of each hammer head.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1977Date of Patent: August 14, 1979Assignee: Interface Mechanisms, Inc.Inventors: Larry P. Ellefson, Robert J. Brooks, Kenneth G. Real, John A. Manthey
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Patent number: D257918Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1978Date of Patent: January 20, 1981Assignee: Aircraft Mechanics Inc.Inventors: William D. Reida, Othar P. Kennedy
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Patent number: RE30645Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically cutting wrappers or the like from metal sheets. A metal sheet is conveyed in the x-direction to a cutting position wherein a pair of cutting blade (i.e., shears) assemblies cut edge portions from the metal sheet to form a cut wrapper or the like having longitudinal edges. The cutting assemblies are movable in the y-dimension--transverse to the x-direction--and are also angularly movable. From the cutting position the cut wrapper is continuously conveyed to a notching position wherein notching assemblies also movable in the y-dimension may form notches in the longitudinal edges of the cut wrapper. At a further point in the x-direction, an edge deforming position may be provided including edge deforming apparatus that also is movable in the y-dimension. Flexible elongated members or the like support the metal sheet spaced from its conveyor during conveying to prevent damage to the conveyor by the cutting or notching assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1979Date of Patent: June 16, 1981Assignee: Potomac Applied Mechanics, Inc.Inventor: James H. Stubbings