Abstract: For under hood sound-deadening of vehicles a molded sheet (14) of impregnated non-woven fabric sheet material having a weight in the range 0.5 to 0.75 kg/m.sup.2 and a density in the range of 350 to 425 kg/m.sup.3 is used. The material includes a blend of polyester staple fibers having an average decitex in the range 2.5 to 4.0 dtex typically 3.2 dtex. The impregnant includes 10 to 35% by dry weight carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer in which the styrene content is not less than 55%, 5 to 10% by dry weight carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer in which the styrene content is not more than 50%, 50 to 70% by dry weight mineral filler, and up to 3.5% by dry weight melamine formaldehyde resin. Pigment may also be added. The fabric sheet material is preferably clipped to the hood underside to provide a small air gap between the material and the hood, but alternatively the sheet material may be bonded by adhesive to the hood underside.

Abstract: Hot melt guns comprising a melt body having a melt chamber and a mechanism for feeding a rod of solid hot melt material to the chamber for melting and dispensing. The feeding mechanism comprises a carriage mounted for movement towards and away from the melt body, a clamp member pivotally mounted on the carriage and a trigger to cause the clamp member to grip the rod and feed it into the melt chamber. The clamp member has two pivot pins projecting from opposite sides, each pin having an arcuate coaxial bearing portion and at least one flat face. The pins are received in bearing openings defined by circular bearing surfaces in the carriage, Assembly openings are provided in each bearing surface extending around a minor arc and sufficiently wide for the pins to pass through when the flat faces are suitably oriented relative to the openings.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for verifying the proper insertion of the leads of an electrical component. The system includes a camera mounted within a component insertion machine. The camera image is stored within the system and analyzed for the absence of any leads that should have been inserted.

Abstract: A process for precisely controlling the thickness of a heat-softenable sheet material (52) comprising heating the material to bring it to a softened condition, compressing the material while in the softened condition to the desired thickness or somewhat less and then cooling the material to a temperature below its softening point so that it sets while precisely maintained at the desired thickness. The material is cooled by passing it between substantially parallel cooling plate (32,34) rigidly spaced with a separation equal to the desired thickness of the material.

Abstract: A drilling and thread forming fastener is provided having a pilot end with a cutting tip and a pair of flutes formed thereon. The flutes define the length of the pilot end, which is tapered in one direction only over the greater portion of its extent.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically supplying electrical components from a series of tubular holders held in a cassette to the magazine of an electrical component assembly machine. The apparatus is carried on a channel base movable from a position with the cassette over the workstation to a position with the cassette remote from the workstation. The components are released from the cassette down a chute to the workstation, the chute having a stop member releasable when the channel base is moved to prevent the release of components from the chute. A component presence reader is located in the chute and is disposed at an acute angle to the chute vertical axis to obtain an accurate reading of the presence or absence of a component in the chute.

Abstract: A repair station located at the insertion head of an electrical component assembly machine, the repair station permitting the testing and placement of components into the sequence of components to be inserted into printed circuit boards.

Abstract: It is convenient to supply electrical or electronic components for placement on tapes; however it has proved difficult to satisfactorily handle tapes for carrying large components. Use of wide tapes to feed larger components is facilitated by using a drive belt (48) to rotate at a sprocket wheel (44) to feed the tape (38,40), a drive wheel (52) to move the belt, and drive means conveniently a ratchet wheel to cause the drive wheel (52) to rotate through a predetermined angle to feed the tape a distance equal to the spacing between the components on the tape. Wide tape can conveniently be disposed of after unloading by using means (88,90) for severing the tape (38) immediately downstream of an unloading position, and means for collecting the severed tape preferably comprising a duct (84) through which a current of air flows to carry the severed tape to a remote receptacle (85).

Abstract: A device for automatically presenting mandrel rivets to the nosepiece of a rivet installation tool, which receives rivets from a supply in a slidably mounted transfer arm while the arm is in a retracted position, and axially and radially moves the arm relative to the tool axis to a position of alignment with receiving jaws within the tool. The rivet is then propelled into the tool's nosepiece from the transfer arm by an air blast. The presentation device may be separately mounted within a rivet installation machine, or may be mounted to the tool body in a hand-held configuration. A first version provides successive, separately actuated axial and angular movements of the transfer arm, while a second version provides simultaneous axial and angular movement of the arm. The rivet is held within the transfer arm by a vacuum, which vacuum may be rapidly changed to a positive pressure on command to propel the rivet from the arm into the tool.

Abstract: A combination electrical component sequencing and inserting machine having a conveyor for receiving components from a source, a verifier for determining acceptability of the component, a blow out station for removing unacceptable components, a transfer station for accepting components from the sequencer, an inspection station for indicating to the machine control the absence of components from the sequence and a repair station adjacent an insertion head for replacing missing components from the sequence. The repair station also functions to test the replacement component prior to placement into the sequence.

Abstract: In a bagmaker, two pairs of opposed jaws to draw a web of material about a former and seal the web to form separate bags, each set of jaws are cantilevered on a support and have electromagnetic assist to provide pressure during sealing.

Abstract: Mechanism associated with the insertion head of an electrical component insertion machine permitting the head to be adjusted from normal IC insertion to side by side socket insertion.

Abstract: A mechanism for body centering and lead trimming of axial lead electrical components.

Abstract: A drilling and thread forming fastener is provided having a threaded shank and a pilot end.A pair of cutting surfaces are provided on the pilot end, each surface terminating in a cutting edge having a linear groove, arcuate in cross-section disposed adjacent the cutting edge.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for raising and lowering the placement head of an electrical component assembly machine, the mechanism having a servo motor driving a lead nut engaging a lead screw which carries the placement head. The servo motor, in response to the machine control, rotates the lead nut to lower the placement head the desired distance from the board for proper placement in the board. A pair of rollers contact upper flat surfaces on the lead screw to prevent axial rotation of the lead screw.

Abstract: A plastic wall anchor receives a threaded fastener and thereafter flexes its curved leg portions in such a manner as to provide a firm anchoring to the wall. The wall anchor provides an indication as to when it is about to firmly anchor to the wall.

Abstract: A blind rivet having an easily settable secondary head with the rivet body having a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced weakened areas terminating in spaced relation from the rivet flange and the open end of the rivet so that upon setting, the rivet body separates at the weakened areas to form a plurality of outwardly extending deformed areas for an enlarged secondary head on the rivet.