Abstract: An anti-backlash mechanism is provided for use in an assembly line including a conveyor transporting a plurality of pucks. The anti-backlash mechanism comprises a supporting structure adapted for being mounted adjacent the conveyor. A finger is mounted on the supporting structure and is biased in contact with the pucks to successively fall into and move out of notches defined in the pucks. The finger while being in engagement with the notches acts to block the propagation of movement from one of the plurality of pucks to other colliding pucks located upstream therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for imparting a predetermined profile to one end of a workpiece mounted on a main axis. The apparatus comprises a rotary head mounted for rotation about the main axis and at least two fingers pivotally mounted to the rotary head for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position. Each finger has a shaping tool adapted to engage the workpiece, and a cam mounted between said at least two fingers in riding contact with an inwardly facing cam surface thereof to pivot the fingers between said open and closed positions upon relative axial movement between the rotary head and the cam.