Abstract: This invention is a modular vacuum clamping and part manipulation system designed to automate the loading, unloading and vacuum clamping (or holding by means of negative vacuum pressure) of a workpiece during the machining process. The system is designed in such a manner as to allow an end user with limited technical experience to assemble it to meet his/her specific manufacturing requirements and to, at a later date, modify or expand it into a system which has fully automated loading and unloading capabilities.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes first and second pole tips separated by a nonmagnetic gap layer. The right side walls of the first and second pole tips are vertically aligned. Similarly, the left side walls of the first and second pole tips are vertically aligned. The side fringing flux is substantially reduced resulting in a magnetic head capable of writing data tracks with well defined boundaries. The fabrication of the magnetic head begins with forming a stack of layers on a substrate. The stack of layers includes a nonmagnetic layer sandwiched between the first pole tip layer and a sacrificial layer which is preferably made of a metal. A protective layer, such as alumina, is then deposited over and around the stack of layers. After planarization and ion milling, the sacrificial layer is exposed. The sacrificial layer is then etched away leaving a volume of space in the protective layer and above the gap layer. An inductive coil with associated dielectric layers are then deposited above the first pole layer.

Abstract: A hydraulic staging jack has a circumferentially grooved cylinder which fits into a base in which two shoes are seated and each shoe has two axially spaced flanges which engage in two axially spaced grooves of the cylinder. Radially outer surfaces of the shoes are axially angled so that moving the shoes axially out of the base causes the shoes to separate radially, thereby disengaging the flanges from the grooves and permitting adjustable axial fixing of the position of the cylinder relative to the base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support for articles such as ceiling slabs, roof battens, machine parts or the like. The support comprises at least two telescopic tubes or one telescopic eod in at least one tube. A first tube or the rod can be displaced by a first distance in relation to the second tube, and devices are provided to convey the first tube or the rod a further distance in relation to the second tube. Stopping devices for the tube(s) and the rod are also provided in relation to each other and end stops are provided on the tubes, or the rod, the devices for further conveyance of the first tube or the rod comprising a ratchet, rack, clamping bracket or the like which are provided with manual advance devices.

Abstract: A grinding tool of the present invention is configured by having grinding surface that comes into direct contact with the surface of the object to be ground. Multiple small protuberances which include diamonds and other abrasive materials are formed on the grinding surface. Surface area of the small protuberances and the distance between the small protuberances are set such that the grinding resistance was maintained at an approximate constant value after a substantially constant grinding resistance value was reached.

Abstract: A compact portable vise of the type designed to hold a fishing hook while a fly-like lure is formed, using methods known as "fly-tying," on the hook for use in the sport of fly fishing. The vise is particularly small to be shirt-pocket portable and alternatively may be supported by a clamp directly engaging a support or by a vise clamp that is mounted with screws on a railing, a gunwale, a board, or a tree, either fallen or erect. The vise head is connected to such support by an articulated arm that engages the support. The arm includes at least one pivot link that permits it to be bent about a first axis and a second pivot link connecting the vise head that permits the head to pivot on an axis perpendicular to said first axis and close to and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the head. These two pivot links permit easy and flexible manipulation of the vise head for viewing the work piece from a myriad of angles. The articulated arm bends to wrap around the clamp for compact storage.

Abstract: A tool including a first member, a second member, and a connector pivotally connecting the members together. The first and second members are pivotal relative to each other to convert the tool between a closed condition whereat the members overlie each other and an extended condition whereat the members extend from each other. The first member and/or the second member includes a tooling component which may be used when the tool is in the extended condition. The tool having an exterior surface defined by the first member, the second member, and the pivotal connector when the tool is in the closed condition. The tool may be carried on a keyring along with a set of keys whereby it may be conveniently carried in a pocket or purse.

Abstract: A vice device consisting of a frame containing a fixed jaw and a rack, the rack being placed in a plane perpendicular to the fixed jaw; and a mobile jaw, containing a body and a jaw mobile in movement compared to the body. The jaw is mobile in movement parallel to the rack with the possibility of locking onto the rack by means of a rack mobile in the body equipped with notches at its end opposite the rack and biased in the direction of rack by at least one spring and maneuverable by a lever connected to the body. The end of the body connected to the lever being linked to a cam which leans on the posterior part of the mobile jaw in order to allow the spreading of the mobile jaw compared to the body in the direction of the fixed jaw.

Abstract: A portable work platform is provided for attachment to a stationary object such as a ladder. The platform includes a frame, a clamp to retain the frame to a stationary object, a vise for retaining a work piece and a guide for retaining the free end of an elongate work piece.

Abstract: A device for clamping a work piece or a tool in a well defined position comprises a first coupling element assigned to the work piece or tool to be clamped and a second, stationary coupling element. The first coupling element is provided with grooves that cooperate with aligning members provided on the second coupling element to effect a precise positioning of the first coupling element with respect to the second coupling element in X- and Y-directions. A clamping pin member required for locking the two coupling elements to each other is located on the second coupling element. To protect the parts and element essential for the fine positioning, the first coupling element is provided with a supporting member towering above the aforementioned parts and elements.

Abstract: A fixture for a workpiece having an irregular shape or an irregular surface which makes the workpiece difficult to consistently locate and support for machining in a conventional device. The fixture includes a base, upon which is mounted a locating member for positioning the workpiece in the fixture, and at least one support assembly. Each support assembly has a plurality of support elements which are independently adjustable as needed to engage the surface of different workpieces to provide support. In operation, the workpiece is placed in the fixture and positioned relative to the locating member. Each support assembly is adjusted as needed, including independently adjusting the support elements to engage the surface of the workpiece, and the support assembly is secured in position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for holding tile during cutting to obtain defined angles, preferably 45.degree. angles. The present invention further encompasses a method for using such a device in combination with a table-style tile cutter, preferably one using a roller tray with a lip, to cut defined angles into various orientations of tile and, more specifically, tile caps. The device comprises a base having a bottom and at least two straight edges that meet in a right angle in a corner of the base. In its preferred embodiment the base includes two grooves. One of the grooves includes a curved section shaped to mirror and support the concave side of the curved nose of a standard bullnose tile cap. The other groove includes a curved section shaped to mirror and support the convex side of the curved nose of a standard bullnose tile cap. These grooves allow for holding and supporting tile as aligned by the base for cutting pre-defined angles into various orientations of the tile.

Abstract: A hand tool wrench set includes a plurality of wrenches rotatably mounted to one or more pivot pins. The tool includes an elongated body having a channel defining by a channel bottom and side walls. The wrenches comprise a shank portion and a working tip portion, such as a crescent or boxed end wrench tip. The pivot pin is slidably mounted through a longitudinal locking slot in the wrench shank. The longitudinal locking slot defines a proximate portion and a distal portion. The shank may freely rotate about the pivot pin when the pivot pin is positioned in the proximate portion of said slot, however, the shank is biased against the channel bottom when the pivot pin is positioned in the distal portion of the locking slot. This allows a user to fixedly secure the wrench to the hand tool and use the wrench in either a clockwise or counter clockwise manner without reversing the direction of the wrench.

Abstract: A release element for a holddown device, on a solar generator, for example, with a retaining bolt which is under pretension in the direction of its lengthwise axis, releases the retaining bolt from its pretensioned position. Pretensioning force is exerted on the retaining bolt through thread located at the end of retaining bolt into a corresponding internal thread in the release device. Internal thread is located half in a housing of release device and half in an opener. Opener is inserted pivotably in a cutout of housing and held in place by a wire coil wound around housing and opener. To release retaining bolt, the wire coil is released by fuse elements and expands to a larger diameter, releasing the retaining bolt.

Abstract: Clamp apparatus comprising a base, a rocker arm mounted at a location intermediate first and second portions thereof to the base for pivotal movement in opposition to the base, a first clamp element carried by the first portion, power transfer structure supported movably by the base and having drive and driven ends, a second clamp element carried by the driven end in substantial opposition to the first clamp element, and carried adjacent the second portion, a drive element responsive to application of a first force for exerting a second force to the drive end for pivoting the rocker arm to force the first clamp element against a work piece positioned between the first and second clamp elements, and for moving the power transfer structure to force the second clamp element against the work piece.

Abstract: A motorcycle jack including a support assembly (SA) for engagement with a first part (S) of a motorcycle and a lifting assembly (LA) for engagement with a second part (S) of the motorcycle, the first and second parts being on opposite sides of the motorcycle. The lifting assembly (LA) is adjustable between an initial position in which both motorcycle wheels (W) are in contact with the ground and a lifted position in which one motorcycle wheel is raised above the ground (G).

Abstract: A dual jawed adjustable workpiece holder is formed as a highly versatile V-block related device wherein the V-point may be precisely shifted in vernier increments along both X and Y axes in response to lead screw driven translations of one or both adjustable jaws along parallel axes. The pair of mirror image jaws are slidably retained in an interior, U-shaped cavity formed into a rectangular shaped overall workpiece holder. Upon being adjusted to translate a workpiece to a desired location in an XY plane, individual locking screws secure the jaws in position. The thus configured workpiece holder may be used in combination with various grinding machines and clamping means to rapidly and precisely position and retain a workpiece with a high degree of positional repeatability.

Abstract: An hydraulic, bolt tensioning device comprising a reaction component which in use bears against the member from which the bolt shank protrudes, the reaction component having a shank receiving bore extending therethrough, an annular, axially moveable component carried by said reaction component and moveable axially relative thereto by the introduction of hydraulic fluid under pressure between said components, a cam ring secured to said axially moveable component for axial movement therewith, and rotatable relative to said component about the axis thereof, and, a tensioning nut secured to said cam ring for movement therewith, said tensioning nut being divided into at least two relatively displaceable segments moveable relative to said cam ring between an open position in which the shank of a bolt to be tensioned can pass freely between said segments, and an operative position in which the thread portions on said segments mate with the thread of said bolt shank, said cam ring cooperating with said nut segments w

Abstract: Adjustable stoppers for limiting the angle at which pivotal gripper jaws are opened. The stoppers include a stop block and at least one stopper pad which is made from a shock absorbing material such as urethane. The stoppers are secured to a pivotal one of a pair of gripper jaw members of a parts gripper and positioned to abut the other of the pair of gripper jaw members. Stoppers which are provided with two or more stopper pads of different lengths are reversible and can be used to adjust the angle at which the jaw members open. A mounting assembly which includes a mounting plate, and clamping plate and a spherical collar therebetween can be used to mount a workpiece holder from the rear or at a side. Providing the mounting plate with a central circular bore allows a cylindrical support member to be inserted therein and thus axially aligned with the mounting plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool which is intended for inserting separate tooth bits into a saw blade body by turning. The tool (1) comprises an intermediate part (13) with separate turning plates (12a, 12b) arranged on the sides thereof to cover at least that end of the tool which comes into contact with the tooth bit (2), whereby a free space is formed between the turning plates, which enables the tool to be brought to a saw tooth (11) in such a way that the tooth bit can be turned by support shoulders (5) provided in the tooth bit by means of the tool's first insertion heads (10). By means of the tool's intermediate part the space between the turning plates transversally to the blade is arranged to correspond to the thickness of the blade. The intermediate part is preferably formed from at least one suitably thick plate.