Abstract: A protective sleeve for covering the handles of a dentist's light is formed of two flexible plastic panels joined at four edges and having an aperture cut therein to allow access to the interior of the sleeve. The T-shaped handle of the light is inserted into the aperture, which is preferably elliptical in shape, and the sleeve pulled onto the handle. The sleeve is pulled off the handle after completion of a procedure on a patient and a new sleeve is put on before treatment of the next patient, thus avoiding possible transmission of disease from one patient to another from contact with the light handle.

Abstract: The method of bending relatively thin wall tubing to form a tubular heat exchanger that has relatively tight bends with controlled wrinkles. For example, 1.75-inch outer diameter stainless steel tube may have a wall thickness of 0.035 inches and be bent using a controlled-wrinkle bend die to a 180.degree. bend having a centerline radius of 2.5 inches.

Abstract: A gripping assembly for a manipulator for plate sheets of the type which comprises a vise having two superimposed jaws disposed around a vertical axis, the jaws being capable of gripping a single plate along its thickness, the plate having borders, the jaws being also adapted to rotate around the axis whereby each border of the plate to be folded is brought in front of the press machine. The assembly has a pair of clamps (5) disposed laterally with respect to the vise. The clamps grip firmly the plate along its thickness and permit the simultaneous displacement from jaws in the area corresponding to the vise towards the folding machine.

Abstract: A roller assembly or caster for an article of luggage has a casing or housing set into the bottom wall of the article and a stirrup affixed to an upper wall of that housing in which a roller is rotatable. The roller projects through an opening in a generally spherical convex cover and projects in part beyond this cover so that the cover will limit impact of obstructions against the stirrup and roller and will shield the interior of the housing from the incursion of foreign materials. The convex cover is affixed to the stirrup and, when the latter can swivel, swivels together therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a portion of a member to a predetermined reference position includes a sensor which locates the actual position of the member. A positioning device positions first and second panel holding members into position to engage the member at the actual located position of the member. A drive unit moves the first and second holding members into engagement with the member to hold the member in a fixed position. The drive unit also moves a forming member into engagement with the member to form a portion of the member between the holding members to the predetermined reference position. A pierce pin, also operated by the drive unit, optionally punches an aperture in the formed portion of the member. A method of forming a portion of a member to a known reference position employs the above-described elements.

Abstract: A coating is applied to the outside diameter surface of a bushing used to coldwork in a hole in a work piece. The bushing having the coating is positioned and fixed axially with respect to the hole and then expanded by an expansion mandrel with the coating on the outside diameter surface of the bushing coming into contact with the walls of the hole and the hole being coldworked. The coating reduces fretting of the coldworked joint thereby increasing the fatigue life of the joint. The bushing having the coating can be easily removed, and then replaced, by boring out the old bushing since the coating provides a margin of machining error and thereby protects the walls of the hole.

Abstract: A frame and ram for terminal applicators is described which can be used for applicators for ladder strip terminals and can be used for applicators for in-line strip terminals. The frame has first and second mounting sites for strip feeders, the first mounting site being used when a ladder strip applicator is being produced. The second mounting site is used for the feeding mechanism for an applicator for in-line strip. The applicator ram has first and second slots or grooves therein in which racks can be mounted. A rack is mounted in the first groove for cooperation with the strip feeder for a ladder strip and a rack is mounted in the second groove or channel for cooperation with a strip feeder for in-line strip.

Abstract: A hand hold utilizes joining mechanisms which comprises two different mounting brackets that are permanently fastened to a supporting structure. A slide plate is disposed at one end of the hand rail or hand hold which mates with one of the mounting brackets. A securing member is disposed at the opposite end of the hand rail/hand hold which connects with the other mounting bracket by means of a locking device. The slide plate has a central tapered tongue with two matching slots disposed on each side thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing metal objects, particularly non-ferrous metal objects, by means of extrusion. According to the invention a casting with a cast structure is conducted at or about ambient temperature to the extrusion device, and the casting is subjected to extrusion, at a reduction ratio of at least 80%, within its recrystallization region. The extrusion is carried out according to the Conform method.

Abstract: The self-orientatable twin castor has a support made of plastics for a pair of coaxial wheels. The support is constituted by a tubular hub with which a substantially semicircular wall, arranged in the median plane of the castor, is rigidly associated in a perpendicular manner. A semi-cylindrical casing made of metal is associated with the edge of the wall and has wings for positioning and retaining it on the edge of the semi-circular wall.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for removing a very open shell (28) from a forming mandrel (76), the mandrel being configured so that when the shell is released from the mandrel, the shell springs to an open form. The apparatus includes a fixture (44) for receiving the shell from the mandrel after the shell has been formed and clamped in place, the fixture comprising a pair of spaced claw elements (308,310) having aligned openings (426) through which the mandrel and the shell can pass with the shell formed and clamped in place on the mandrel, the openings being sized to hold the shell in its open form due to the spring force of the shell, and a support (394) connected between the claw elements for maintaining the alignment of the openings. A universal mount (394,424) for the fixture enables it to be positioned accurately to receive the shell from the mandrel.

Abstract: A tailgate guard apparatus is arranged for securement to the confronting hinge plate walls defining a gate opening between the spaced side walls of a conventional pickup truck bed to effect covering of the various tailgate linkage typically deposed on removal of a conventional tailgate for securement of a gate opening flexible web within the gate opening defined between the spaced hinge plates.

Abstract: In a method for forming a barrel for a two-piece can, before the step of draw-forming the bottom, a taper portion having an inner diameter gradually decreasing toward the bottom surface is formed on a lower part of the side wall of a flat-bottom barrel, corresponding to the outer circumferential frustoconical portion of the bottom of the final barrel or an upper portion contiguous to the outer circumferential portion, and at the step of draw-forming the bottom, at least an upper part of the taper portion is outwardly expanded by insertion of the cylindrical punch. According to this method, a two-piece can having a bottom having a good appearance, a high pressure-resistant strength and an excellent corrosion resistance can be prepared at a high productivity and with a good operation adaptability.

Abstract: A door positioning device comprising a housing concealed in a door jamb and a mechanism mounted in the housing for holding the door open in one or more selected positions. The mechanism comprises a cylinder mounted in the housing wherein a slidable piston is mounted. Linkage connects the piston to linkage mounted onto the door, in such a way that when the door opens, the linkage forces the piston upward in the cylinder. A shaft integral with the piston depends from the piston and is moveable with it. The shaft has a plurality of vertically spaced roller receiving recesses formed thereon. The housing has a movably mounted roller biased toward the shaft so as the door opens, the shaft moves upward in the cylinder until the roller moves into one of the vertically spaced recesses whereby the door is held open at a selected position. In this way when a slight pressure is exerted on the door it overcomes bias holding the roller in a recess formed in the shaft, allowing the door to close.

Abstract: An impact tool for dressing metal sheets, particularly for repairing damaged vehicle bodies, has a tool carrier, in a bore of which there are guided at least two jaws separated from each other in the rest position of the tool by resilient elements, e.g. springs or rubber elements. The jaws are guided for a limited stroke between a rigid abutment formed by the front face of the tool carrier and a stop formed by a bolt fixed to the tool carrier and intersecting holes of the stems of the jaws with play. The jaws are loaded by at least one resilient element, e.g. a helical spring, abutted with its one end against the end of the bore of the tool carrier and with its other end against the inner end of each jaw. Surfaces having portions diverging in direction to the outer ends of the jaws force the jaws radially inwardly when the jaws hit the metal sheet to be treated.