Abstract: A lockstitch sewing machine has a needle (22) and awl (24) mounted on a common pivot (52) and actuated each by a crank mechanism (40;72), the two mechanisms being mounted on a common crank shaft (38). Each mechanism is constituted by a bell crank lever (44;76); the two levers also being mounted on a common pivot (46). This latter pivot (46) is disposed intermediate the pivot (52) for the needle and awl and the crank shaft (38).

Abstract: A plastic fastener for pushing axially onto a headed or threaded stud has a hollow shank, part of the wall of which is constituted by a flexible resilient finger. The finger has a deep step for latching under the head of the T-stud and opposite it is a window in the wall of the shank, the floor of the window forming a corresponding step to latch under the other side of the stud shoulder.The fastener provides greater resistance to pull-off than has usually been found in fasteners having closed ended hollow shanks.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically loading and unloading printed circuit boards from a electrical component insertion machine comprising an elevator for vertically moving and positioning conveyors adjacent a board storage, one of the conveyors being adapted to extract a board from the storage and convey the board to the insertion machine and the other conveyor being adapted to receive the assembled board from the insertion machine and insert the assembled board back into the storage. A conveyor is mounted on the table of the insertion machine and a bridge conveyor transfers the board from the table conveyor to the vertically movable conveyors to transport the boards onto and off from the insertion machine table.

Abstract: A single vapor system for soldering, fusing, or brazing includes vertically disposed chambers which provide a draining and drying zone above a vapor processing zone. Draining occurs in the upper zone with no additional heat being added in vapor recovery. A sealing system is utilized which is actuated by the carrier elevator as an article-carrying basket is moved into and out of the zones. The sealing system includes a moveable top cover resting on the top of the article-carrying basket, with the top cover being left at the top of the draining and drying zone to seal the top of this zone when the basket is lowered to the bottom of this zone. A moveable bottom plate is raised by pulleys and weights, spring returns or other means to the bottom of the draining and drying zone such that the bottom plate seals the bottom of this zone, isolating the zones one from the other.

Abstract: Device for tensioning a shoe upper on a last and for laying its lasting margin over in the ball and shank region, wherein the shoe upper is first pressed against the last by means of a presser member, whereafter a band secured to the presser member is tensioned about the shoe upper in a direction towards the last bottom. The bands which embrace the last from both sides are brought together in tension in the middle of the insole.

Abstract: In a thermo-cementing and folding machine, a gear pump operates to supply adhesive at a rate which is dependent upon the speed of rotation of a main drive shaft, by which workpiece feeding means of the machine is driven. The machine has also a facility for varying the rate of feed of a workpiece by the workpiece feeding means without varying the speed of rotation of the main drive shaft. The ratio of the rotational speed of the shaft to the operating rate of the pump is varied in response to variation of the workpiece feed rate. This arrangement is achieved by computer control, the gear pump being driven by a stepping motor for this purpose. In addition, at the end of each work cycle, use of a stepping motor facilitates "suck back" of adhesive, and a "fast forward" adhesive upon initiation of the next work cycle.

Abstract: The output of a plastic or polymeric material processor is fed through a three-way valve to an expandable chamber in a barrel having a ram therein. When the chamber has a predetermined charge the valve is shifted to direct the output of the plasticator to an accumulator. Operation of the ram injects the material into a mold cavity and thereafter the valve shifts to direct the combined output of the plasticator and the accumulator to recharge the chamber.

Abstract: A hopper feed apparatus for the powder hopper of a powder reinforcing machine, to keep the hopper and its supply conduit free of clogged powder, the apparatus comprising of an arrangement of springs attached to the top of the hopper on the inside thereof, which springs extend downwardly to a common point near the discharge orifice, to where they are attached to a line which extends through the conduit. The lower end of the conduit is secured to a movable dispensing apparatus, which when it moves, pulls on the line and biases the springs, all of which agitate any powder within the hopper and the conduit, preventing it from caking and otherwise clogging the system.

Abstract: An electrical component placement head control for automatically spacing the component inserter of the head from a printed circuit board comprising of a stop limiting downward movement of the head that coacts with a control shaft having an eccentric cam surface controlling the position of the stop.

Abstract: A lockstitch sewing machine has, in addition to stitch forming instrumentalities (22, 24), a needle thread control arrangement (32) by which the tension in the needle thread (T2) is controlled during stitch formation. In addition, said arrangement (32) ensures that each formed stitch is drawn into the body of the workpiece, by pulling on the thread while it remains clamped by thread clamping means (200, 202). This pulling takes place in the early stages of the formation of the next stitch so that, at the end of the machine stitching cycle, the final stitch is not set by this arrangement (32). Instead, electrically actuated stitch setting means (220 to 226) is provided operable in response to an "end of cycle" signal supplied by control means by which further "end of cycle" functions (e.g. release of a presser foot (36) and of the thread clamping means (200, 202) are also controlled.

Abstract: Apparatus for the heat treatment of lasted shoe uppers, e.g. for use in the curing of moisture-curable adhesive applied to the periphery of a shoe bottom. The apparatus comprises a treatment station (2), a conveyor belt (4) and drive means therefor, the belt being adapted to progressively present portions of lasted shoe uppers to the treatment station, and support means for the belt. The conveyor belt (4) comprises one or more rows of slots (10) extending in the direction of movement of the conveyor belt, each slot (10) being so dimensioned that a lasted shoe upper can be supported bottom up by the conveyor belt (4) with the last cone projecting into the slot. The support means preferably comprises two portions, the first portion comprising lands (16) by which the belt (4) is supported adjacent the or each row of slots (10) and a trough aligned with said path of movement, and the second portion comprising a continuous support surface (20).

Abstract: A one-piece plastic pipe clip has one or more pipe-receiving portions, one wall of which is provided by a rockable element which overlies a stud-receiving hole in the clip body so that the element will close over a pipe and secure it when the clip is assembled on a projecting stud. The elements may have staggered teeth to engage a screw thread on the stud and resilient feet to engage the surface from which the stud projects.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a foamed mass of thermoplastic, e.g., a hot melt adhesive on a substrate by introducing a foaming agent to the composition which has been melted by heating in excess of 100.degree. C. The foaming agent is provided by water entrained in a carrier gas and is preferably introduced to the thermoplastic as it is dispensed from an applicator. The invention permits foaming of adhesives using readily available raw materials and simple equipment readily derivable from existing hot melt adhesive applicators.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for physically separating a heterogeneous mixture of immiscible liquids utilizing the difference in the viscosities of the components. At least one moveable surface is enclosed by at least one stationary surface to form a processing passage. Viscous-drag-induced momentum is transferred preferentially from the moving surface(s) to the more viscous component of the mixture, moving it downstream toward a collecting and pressurizing obstructing member. The resulting pressure "squeezes" the less viscous droplets upstream to separate from the collected material and drain from the passage through a drainage opening.In a preferred embodiment, an annular channel rotates within a housing, dragging the mixture from an inlet to an obstructing member extending into the passage near an outlet. The separated less viscous component drains from a drainage opening in the housing, while the more viscous component is discharged through the outlet.

Abstract: The specification describes and claims substantially odorless compositions having a pot life after mixing acceptable for use in manufacture and repair of aircraft and which cure at room temperature to provide a mass of heat and aircraft fuel resistant elastomeric material. The compositions comprise components which are at least substantially free of thiol and comprise a fluorocarbon copolymer, organic solvent, metallic oxide, epoxy compound and as crosslinking agent a diamino silane according to the general formula (i) namely ##STR1## Examples disclose compositions formed from admixture of two components comprising Viton A, methyl ethyl ketone, magnesium oxide, Epikote 828 and N-beta(aminoethyl) gamma-aminopropyl-trimethoxysilane. The compositions are suitable for forming coatings, adhesive bonds and seals, to metal parts of titanium and aluminum alloys which have resistance to aviation fuels and high temperatures.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for assigning stitch patterns that are to be automatically sewn on workpieces presented to an automatic sewing machine. The system is capable of receiving a number of communications that identify separate stitch patterns that are to be sewn on a workpiece. The system analyzes these communications and either accepts or rejects the communications as valid stitch pattern assignments. In the event that a communication is accepted, it is stored in a recallable sequence of stitch patterns that are to be sewn on the workpiece.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for positioning a large, flexible workpiece relative to a high speed reciprocating tool. The apparatus comprises a frame and associated workpiece supports which move in a first direction. A workpiece holding assembly mounted to the frame moves the workpiece over the workpiece supports in a second direction transverse to the first direction of movement. The supports engage channels of a tool bed associated with the operative tool and are preferably beveled so as to prevent interference with the moving workpiece.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for checking on the presence or absence of inserted leads of a component into the openings of a printed circuit board. The system is utilized within a component insertion machine wherein a plurality of optical lead sensors are preferably located within the cut and clinch mechanism. A computer system associated with the optical lead sensors compares the optical readings of the lead sensors with predefined data relating to the presence or absence of leads for each particular component being inserted.

Abstract: A conveyor for supporting a substrate having a substrate support guided in a track for linear movement, the support being the sole support for transporting the substrate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing large gears by performing all steps required on a single vertical boring mill without removing the gear blank from the rotary table of the mill.