Abstract: The invention is a close out fitting for installing in a structural element, the structural element having a port extending from a first surface to a second surface thereof, the port countersunk at both ends, and a method of installing the closeout fitting. In detail, the fitting comprises a hollow, tubular sleeve having a flared first end, a flarable second end and internal threads therebetween. The fitting further comprises a plug having a head portion and a shank portion attached to the head portion with the shank portion having external threads.

Abstract: A metal awning assembly which includes a main awning body section comprising a plurality of individual metal panel sections each having a prearranged curvature and being joined in side-to-side relation. Each of the individual panel sections comprises a sheet of thin gage metal formed with a plurality of individual longitudinal rib sections mutually spaced from each other. Each of the rib sections and intervening panel regions have light transverse corrugations formed therein. Each of the panel sections include male and female rib sections formed on opposite edges of the panel with each of the male and female rib sections on adjacent panel sections being snapped together to hold the panel sections together. Alternately a longitudinal cap holds the male/female rib joint together. Panel forming and shaping apparatus is disclosed as well as overall framing and mounting hardware arrangements and assembly and forming methods and techniques.

Abstract: Apparatus for insertion of an object into a close clearance hole utilizing a double taper starter system. The apparatus includes a first taper to align the object radially; a narrow section of length such that with the object tilted to the angle of the first taper, clearance in the hole is maintained; a cut-back segment of either constant diameter or reverse taper geometry; and a second taper of approximately the same size and shape as the first taper to align the object angularly. The apparatus of the invention can be advantageously used in mechanized assembly processes, the assembly of shafts into bearings, and in thermally assembled or regular interference fits.

Abstract: When transferring a vehicle body which is through with coating to a hanger of an overhead conveyor of a vehicle body assembly line, doors are first removed from the vehicle body and thereafter the vehicle body with the doors removed is transferred to the hanger.

Abstract: A composite tubular structure, such as a vehicle drive shaft. The ends of a fiber reinforced resin tubular member are formed with a plurality of longitudinal slots and each slotted end of the tubular member is positioned in overlapping relation with a cylindrical sleeve portion of a metal yoke. A cylindrical metal collar is disposed around the overlapping joint and spaced portions of the collar are deformed inwardly by electromagnetic energy into contact with the sleeve of the yoke. The deformed portions can be mechanically interlocked with the sleeve by welding or the like. With this construction, the torsional load is transmitted through the deformed portions of the collar and the edges of the tubular member bordering the slots to provide an improved mechanical connection between the fiber reinforced tubular member and the yokes.

Abstract: A method of forming an integral fastener such as a rivet on a sheet metal component such as part of a clutch plate assembly. The method involves placing the metal sheet between a pair of dies so that portion of the sheet overlies a cavity in one die. The other die has an annular working face which surrounds the cavity in immediately adjacent relationship. A biased plunger is arranged for movement relative to both dies and is receivable in the die cavity with clearance. That plunger is engaged with the sheet portion on the side thereof opposite the cavity so as to apply a bias force to that portion which acts in the direction of the cavity. The annular working face is then applied to the metal sheet so as to compress an annular zone of that sheet. The combined effect of the bias force and the compression then causes material to yield in the annular zone and to be displaced from that zone to flow into the die cavity to form a hollow fastener in the clearance between the cavity and the plunger.

Abstract: A tenter frame is illustrated wherein a chain is fabricated by press fitting a pin receiving bushing constructed of Vespel and the like into a steel bushing and then boring a pin receiving opening therein and utilizing wear strips constructed of Vespel in a dovetail configuration opposite the tenter chain providing a lubrication free tenter wherein the chain may be tensioned without excessive stretching.

Abstract: Biopsy needle for bone marrow biopsies or the like including a cannula, a cannula housing supporting the cannula, and a stylet including a stylet cap supporting the stylet wherein the stylet engages into the cannula in a predetermined relationship and the stylet cap interlocks to a cannula housing. The biposy needle is constructed to be either disposable to reusable depending upon the cannula housing and stylet cap material. The end of the cannula is uniquely formed in a swaging, bevel and grinding, and buffing process providing a sharp knife edge. The stylet includes a longitudinal member having a ground and buffed beveled end maintaining a knife-sharp edge around the tip, and the other end of the stylet is bent and molded into the stylet cap where the stylet cap includes a spring detent locking groove for interlocking with the button of the cannula housing.

Abstract: An improved transmission for a Volkswagen brand of automobile which has five forward speeds rather than the stock four forward speeds. The transmission uses the vast majority of the parts of the four speed transmission but modifies the four speed transmission by extending the main shaft and the pinion shaft by threading shaft extensions onto the end of both of these shafts. In addition, a new gear carrier housing of greater length and a new nose cone of shorther length are substituted for the original gear carrier housing and nose cone. The method of making this conversion is also described.

Abstract: A window cornice assembly having a semi-circular front plate formed with an upper edge having an upper channel and a lower edge having a lower channel. A lower curtain rod is slidably disposed through the lower channel and an upper curtain rod is slidably disposed through the upper channel. A method for hanging curtains by sliding a fabric over the window cornice assembly, mounting the upper and lower curtain rods to a wall, and securing a middle curtain rod to the wall in between the upper and lower curtain rods. A curtain is hung from the middle curtain rod.

Abstract: A plurality of blind openings (e.g. holes or slots) are formed through a first face of a steel plate and extend a predetermined distance short of the opposite face. Larger size openings are formed through the first face using the blind openings as pilot openings. The larger size openings extend into the plate short of the terminations of the blind openings. Metal is machined from the opposite face in parallel rows defining grooves and to a depth to uncover the terminations of the blind openings in the plate body thereby providing through-extending screen openings in the plate. The ridges (bars) between the grooves may be quadrate in cross-section, or a side face sloped (angled) by machining. A screen cylinder with bars of the invention has a maximum screen area (compared to prior art screens with bars).

Abstract: The process for forming a metallic sandwich structure having a curved surface, particularly a surface curving about more than one axis, such as a quadric surface partially by direct displacement and partially by a fluid interface. Additionally, means to restrain the work sheets being formed with respect to the shaping fixture which allow a portion of the work sheets to flow into the forming cavity before absolute restraint is applied and the restraining means function independently of the clamping force of the press.

Abstract: Applique or similar object is simultaneously formed and affixed to a baseplate by juxtaposing a plate of contributing material adjacent the baseplate and forcing a punch entirely through the contributing material to shear the object from the plate of contributing material. The object, in turn, shears a slug from the baseplate, which is positioned against a die opening, forming an opening in the baseplate in which the object is retained by interference fit. The method may be used to affix objects from a contributing material that is either harder than or softer than the baseplate material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to self-piercing fasteners, such as studs, bolts or nuts, the method of attaching such fasteners to a panel and fastener installation apparatus, including the installation head and die button. The fastener includes a self-piercing and riveting annular wall which is driven into a panel supported against a die member by the installation head. The die member includes an annular die cavity surrounding a central projecting die portion which is telescopically receivable in the free open end of the fastener annular wall. The free end of the fastener annular wall includes a piercing surface which mates with a piercing surface at the outer edge of the projecting die portion to pierce a slug from the panel.

Abstract: A power transmission gear assembly puller for use on the General Motors 440 power transmission, facilitating the accessibility of power transmision gears for repair and maintenance. A novel means for removing a gear assembly incorporating a shaft with an expandable seat on one end on which the gear assembly rests when expanded. A unique means for expanding the seat while inside the gear assembly through the shaft from the handle. The gear assembly puller reduces transmission repair time significantly while providing ease of gear assembly removal, as well as safety with regard to the technician's hands.

Abstract: A disc brake pad and shim assembly consists of a disc brake pad having a back plate with spigot holes which are incompletely filled and a shim with protrusions extending into the unfilled regions of the spigot holes, to stop slippage of the shim across the back plate in service.

Abstract: Successive hollow polygonal bodies which are made of a ductile material and each of which has three corners and two straight open-ended terminal portions are converted into rectangular spacer frames for use between the panes of multiple pane windows by orienting the polygonal bodies in such a way that the terminal portions extend downwardly from their open ends, by admitting metered quantities of a flowable desiccant into selected parts of the two terminal portions, by converting one of the terminal portions into an L-shaped frame member with a section which is in register with the other terminal portion, and by inserting sealing plugs into the open ends of the two terminal portions.

Abstract: A belt designed to simulate the appearance of an expensive leather belt comprises a belt strap to form exclusively of molded plastic and having its front face and edge substantially uniformly machine finished. A fastening means is secured to the belt strap adjacent one end thereof for operatively fastening the one strap end to the other strap end. An intermediate device for the simultaneous transport of a plurality of belt straps from a molding system and into and from a finishing system comprises a sheet of release paper defining a carrier and a plurality of belt straps of molded plastic having their back faces secured to the front face of the carrier for movement therewith as a unit.

Abstract: A device for tying back drapery can be coordinated with the drapery by affixing a swatch of fabric matching or coordinating with that of the drapery.

Abstract: A water heater for containing water surrounded in spaced apart relationship by an outer shell includes a sleeve of insulation material, such as fiberglass, located in the annular space between the inner tank and outer sleeve. The top edge of the insulation sleeve includes an annular cuff which is of a radial thickness greater than the radial thickness of the rest of the insulation sleeve such that the cuff is compressed between the interior wall surface of the outer shell and exterior wall surface of the inner tank. An expanded foam thermal insulation material fills the annular space above the cuff of the insulation mat.