Abstract: A control system for power tongs comprises two tongs torque limiters, one of which limits tongs torque to a very low (hand-tight) level; the other limits torque at full make-up to, for example, 2000 ft.-lbs. The hand-tight torque limiter is manually or automatically disabled after the hand-tight level is reached. The system enables the operator to verify that the threads are properly engaged before applying full torque to the connection. The tongs have a very high reduction ratio, so that torque rises very slowly and can be more accurately controlled. The high torque limiter includes a normally closed shunt valve in series with an adjustable choke, the latter of which enables one to maintain a substantial, adjustable, residual torque on the pipe even after the shunt valve opens.

Abstract: A cork screw which has a screw stem with a rotary handle incorporating a penetrating screw, and a hollow pedestal to be seated on a bottle sleeved movably on the stem and encasing the penetrating screw. Dog members are fulcrumed on the pedestal and engage releaseably with a helical groove of the screw stem. Upon rotation of the handle, the penetrating screw penetrates into the cork and subsequently pulls out the cork from the bottle.

Abstract: An adjustable wrench head (10) is disclosed for use in conjunction with spanner nuts of various sizes, each spanner nut having a plurality of locking recesses therein. More particularly, a wrench head is provided which includes a central elongated driving spindle (20) having a plurality of opposed pairs of planar guide rails (22, 24) projecting radially outwardly therefrom. Each pair of guide rails defines a channel (26), which is adapted to receive a generally rectangular insert (28), with the insert being radially movable therein, relative to the central spindle. Each insert is provided with a tang (30) which projects axially beyond the front end of the spindle for engagement with a locking recess of the spanner nut. The radial position of the inserts are adjusted and secured such that the tangs thereof are spaced from the center of the spindle a distance corresponding to the radius of the spanner nut.

Abstract: Hand operated mechanism for breaking loose the beads of a tire mounted on a wheel having an interior annulus and rim flange adjacent a bead seat for receiving the tire bead includes a platform for supporting the wheel and tire, a linkage-supporting column extending upwardly from the platform, a pair of operators and supporting linkage therebetween supported by the column and being operatively interconnected for the selective manual movement of each operator, a bead breaking shoe supported by one of the operators, and a wedging shoe supported by the other of the operators. The linkage provides guided movement for leading each shoe to working positions at diametrically opposite sides of the peripheral line of joinder between wheel and tire and for causing the bead breaking shoe to move into engagement with the wheel and tire for the displacement of the bead from the associated rim bead seat toward the interior annulus of the rim as the opposite side of the rim is held in wedged tight position in situ.

Abstract: The tie rod in the steering system of an automotive vehicle is adjusted by an apparatus whose housing contains two transmissions, one to rotate the tie rod and the other to rotate the lock nut which normally holds the tie rod in a selected angular position. The second transmission can rotate a wrench for the lock nut, and this wrench is slotted to allow for entry of a portion of the tie rod into its socket. A carriage is reciprocable in the housing to shift the wrench axially so that the socket of the wrench can receive or can be moved away from the lock nut.

Abstract: A portable screwdriver comprises a prime mover and, an apparatus formed as a couplable attachment, which contains the screwing tool on a drive shaft which can be connected to the prime mover. The apparatus carries a magazine receptacle for a strip-like screw magazine from which the screws are pressed under spring tension into an arcuate screw guide, where they are held between two retaining jaws until the screwing tool has taken them up and has released them for insertion purposes by swinging the retaining jaws apart. The apparatus is particularly suitable for self-tapping screws and has a narrow front cross-section, so that it can also be used at otherwise inaccessible points.The easily replaceable screw magazine comprises a plastic profile with screws guided parallel to one another and at right angles on the heads. The screws can be constructed with plastic heads and jamming ribs provided thereon.

Abstract: There is disclosed an automatic fastener driving system suitable for robotic applications utilizing a modified fastener driver having a unique detection mechanism in the head of the driver working in combination with a pneumatically operated advance and retract mechanism, and control circuitry, to detect when a fastener is present in the driver, to advance and drive the fastener into the workpiece, and to then automatically retract therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for laying a pneumatic tire around a wheel rim by a mounting unit which is moved along the wheel rim.According to the invention at least one pair of mounting units is moved with equal speeds along the wheel rim in opposite directions through angles, which together form an angle of substantially 360.degree..The invention further relates to an apparatus for laying a pneumatic tire around a wheel rim using the method wherein a mounting unit is movable along the wheel rim.According to the invention at least one pair of mounting units is provided, which are movable with equal speeds in opposite directions along the wheel rim and which together cover an angle of substantially 360.degree..

Abstract: A tool for opening the ends of cans or metal containers which are used to store and ship welding rods or electrodes, the can having four elongated rectangular sides closed over by two opposite ends which are attached to the sides by beads; the tool being made from a relatively thin sheet of metal and having a forward flat triangular shaped portion terminating in a forward point, a pair of spaced legs extending rearwardly away from the triangular shaped portion and away from the point, a handle connected to the outer ends of the legs, a portion of the trianglular shaped section between the point and the handle being bent upwardly at right angles to form a protective shield for the operator of the tool, whereby the tool can be applied to the can adjacent one of the ends so that the point is just behind the bead, the triangular portion of the tool being wider than one of the sides of the can such that it can be pushed entirely into the side so as to cut the corners of the can adjacent the side being cut.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed that is useful for manipulating the cotter keys that secure the connections between insulators in a high voltage transmission line. In a preferred embodiment, the tool (10) comprises an arm (12) having a first end (14) adapted for connection to a handle (40), and a second end (16) that includes an insert (30) projecting towards the first end. The insert is adapted for insertion into the passage in an insulator so as to engage the split end of a cotter key for partial removal of the cotter key. In a further embodiment, the second end of the tool includes a flange (32) having a concave surface (34, 36) adapted to engage the rounded end of a cotter key and push it back into an insulator.

Abstract: A device for holding delicate workpieces, particularly optical lenses, includes a membrane having a clamping surface. To receive a workpiece, the membrane is pressurized and bulges in such a manner that the clamping surface is enlarged and becomes funnel-shaped. In order to clamp the workpiece, the pressure in the membrane is decreased so that the membrane assumes a shape in which the clamping surface is constricted and holds the workpiece with a force which is evenly distributed over its entire periphery, through which deformation and destruction of workpieces is safely avoided.

Abstract: An especially configured angle plate apparatus having a workpiece holder mounted thereon for precision positioning of the workpiece holder relative to a supporting surface. The angle plate and workpiece holder are cooperatively adapted so that the workpiece holder may be precisely and selectively positioned in parallel relationship with the supporting surface, perpendicular relationship with the supporting surface and angular relationships with the supporting surface and all at adjustable distances relative to the supporting surfaces. The angle plate apparatus is also provided with fixed V-block structures and an adjustably movable V-block structure for holding and supporting workpieces and a special grind stone dressing tool for precision dressing of a grind stone.

Abstract: A folding pocket tool and knife of the type having paired handles pivotal to a blade for enclosing or extending the blade depending on pivoted position has an improved implement holding tool block that passes through an implement and co-acting with this, blade centerers on each handle hold the implement centrally between them. An economical liner-free aluminum handle embodiment has reinforcement and scarring-preventing spacers adapted for press-fit assembly. Clip-on attachment and other structure provide plier sections. A container provides advantageous "T"-handle facility for boring with the system, protrusive head pivotal fasteners facilitate scraping operation, and novel storage provisions are described.

Abstract: An automatic feed screw driver for continuously driving a plurality of screws and adaptable for mounting on a conventional drill and which includes a stationary tube mounted on the drill housing, a stationary sleeve mounted on the barrel of the drill, a spring pressed slide sleeve biased outwardly within the stationary sleeve, a gravity feed tube in communication with the slide sleeve and is slidably mounted on the stationary tube. A spring loaded knife is disposed in the slide sleeve for separating the screws from a tape attached thereto. An element is provided for varying the spring pressure on the slide sleeve.

Abstract: A locknut key including a key body, a key shroud mounted on the key body and a key member mounted on the key body within the shroud, the shroud extending for a substantial distance beyond the key to guide the key over the outer surface of a locknut which is to be turned by the key. A wrench-locknut key combination including a wrench having a shank, a U-shaped spring clip secured to the shank, a groove on the locknut key for receiving the U-shaped spring clip, and an elongated tie member for attaching the locknut key to the spring member.

Abstract: A socket for a socket wrench set, having a magnet in the bottom thereof, releasably held therein by a C ring. The nut, or bolt head, fitted in the socket is held by the magnet, and the C ring spaces it slightly from the magnet for a cushioning effect. The socket has a bottom hole for insertion of the wrench shank, and the magnet serves also to hold the socket on the wrench. The socket is made of an alloy that counteracts the magnetic field in lateral direction.

Abstract: Described is a novel "bevel tool" and associated technique for holding prescribed magnetic head workpieces and placing them in prescribed constant angular relation with a rotary lapping means; this tool preferably including a workpiece-receiving pocket adapted to be spread apart and to resiliently grip the work, with one or more guide-faces surrounding this pocket and adapted to indicate a prescribed orientation of the work against a prescribed "lapping plane".

Abstract: A tool for opening cans of the type having a weakened portion of the can top engagable by a lever and hinged downwardly into the can comprising a sleeve sized to receive the lever to a predetermined depth and operable to bend the weakened portion downwardly in a swinging action, the tool having tapered ribs within the sleeve that engage the lever in a wedging action securing the lever within the sleeve.

Abstract: In order to constructionally simplify a cork screw having a bell-shaped housing with which a cork can be lifted out of the bottle neck without reversing the turning direction of the cork-screw blade, the cork-screw blade projects in a known manner with one of its ends out of the closed end of the bell-shaped housing and is firmly connected to a tommy handle. A telescopic tube is arranged between the bell-shaped housing and the tommy handle and encompasses a section of the cork-screw blade, said telescopic tube being firmly connected with one of its ends to the bell-shaped housing and with its other end to the tommy handle.

Abstract: A device for quickly aligning a punch tool for grinding a surface of it comprising a punch tool holder having a spheroidal outer surface; at least two adjustable jaws in a rotatable chuck which jaws are movable into and out of clamping engagement with the spheroidal outer surface of the tool holder; and an abutment device movably or removably attached to the grinding machine for abutting against a face of a punch tool to align it perpendicular to the axis of chuck rotation when the jaws are in the clamped position so that the punch tool face can be ground by a spinning grinding wheel moved perpendicular to the chuck rotation axis.A method of aligning a punch tool for grinding a surface thereof on a grinding machine.