Abstract: A modular fixture plate system includes fixture plates and docking stations for securing the fixture plates to a worksurface. Fixture plates include recessed corners for receiving keystones. A keystone may be used as a docking station in addition to or instead of a corresponding rail system. Fixture plates include magnets for providing a secure attachment to keystones, rails and other fixture plates to allow for rapid loading of parts and plates on any CMM or manufacturing system. Fixture plates are designed to be stacked multiple wide to fill the table and maximize coverage of a work surface. The keystone design allows a user to create L configurations or T configurations of plates from a single docking location.

Abstract: A tool for disassembling a pipe or tube from a push-to-connect fitting and a method is provided. The tool includes a first body and a second body pivotally coupled to the first body. A pair of first fingers are pivotally coupled to the first body, each of the first fingers having a first semi-circular surface, the first semi-circular surfaces cooperating to engage the pipe or tube adjacent the collar. A pair of second fingers are coupled to the second body, each of the second fingers having a second semicircular surface, the second semi-circular surfaces cooperating to engage the push-to-connect fitting. Wherein with the first body is rotated from a first position to a second position, the pair of first fingers moves a fitting collar axially relative to the pipe or tube.

Abstract: A locking pin tool to facilitate removal and/or installation of locking pins of a well head assembly includes an elongated shaft and a jaw assembly configured for engaging an end of a locking pin. A hammer body is mounted on the shaft and is movable along the shaft. A hammer stop provided on the shaft engages the hammer body to absorb a striking force from the hammer body as the hammer body is moved along the shaft towards the hammer stop. By moving the hammer body along the shaft, the hammer strikes the hammer stop to impart a force on the locking pin to facilitate removal or installation of the locking pin.

Abstract: A securing tool and methods for its use are described herein. In various embodiments, the securing tool may include a handle and one or more prying members positioned at a first end of the securing tool opposite the handle. The prying member(s) may be shaped to engage a release of a self-tensioned hose clamp to cause the handle to be manipulable to spring the self-tensioned hose clamp. The securing tool may include first and second sensors configured to provide first and second signals, respectively, that are indicative of sensed occurrence of first and second events after the handle is manipulated to spring the self-tensioned hose clamp. In various embodiments, if the first and second signals satisfy a criterion, the hose clamp may be deemed to have been properly installed onto a hose or other conduit.

Abstract: A safety link for linking a high-lift jack to a vehicle may include an upper bracket and a lower bracket. The upper bracket may include one or more slots for securing the link to a vehicle shackle tab. The lower bracket may include one or more slots for securing the link to a jack.

Abstract: A modular workpiece holding system having a top portion of a baseplate member having at least one opposingly facing fixed wedge assembly and dynamic wedge assembly. The dynamic wedge assembly is operationally coupled to at least one spring and piston assembly adapted to draw the dynamic wedge assembly axially towards the baseplate member wherein the dynamic wedge assembly, when the workpiece holding system is in a resting state, imparts a transverse force onto a workpiece member, pressing the workpiece member against the fixed wedge assembly, securing the workpiece to the workpiece holding system. The spring member is releasable when one or more of a gas and hydraulic fluid used to push the dynamic wedge assembly outward is discharged from the spring and piston assembly cavity within the fixture base, whereupon the spring member is adapted to re-impart the traverse force of the resting state of the dynamic wedge assembly.

Abstract: A method for assembling a sensor assembly, the sensor assembly including a cylindrical sensor and a housing, includes inserting the sensor through a circular port in the housing, fixing a concentric gap between the port and the sensor by placing a partially annular tool in the concentric gap, affixing the housing while the tool is in place, and removing the tool after affixing the housing.

Abstract: A method for making a pressure bulkhead assembly of an aircraft includes determining first locations and first orientations of a plurality of first holes, pre-drilled in an aft pressure bulkhead. The method also includes determining a first surface profile of a first interface surface of the aft pressure bulkhead and determining a second surface profile of a second interface surface of each one of a plurality of splice angles. The method also includes determining second locations and second orientations of a plurality of second holes to be drilled in each one of the plurality of splice angles corresponding to the plurality of first holes in the aft pressure bulkhead and drilling the plurality of second holes in each one of the plurality of splice angles at the second locations and second orientations.

Abstract: A mallet hammer tipping-detipping apparatus may include a press weldment. The press weldment may include a press base and a press neck extending from a surface of the press base. The mallet hammer tipping-detipping apparatus may include a press adapter coupled to the press neck. The press adapter may include a central recess such that a mallet hammer head may interface with the press adapter. The mallet hammer tipping-detipping apparatus may include a tip holder coupled to the base of the press weldment such that the press adapter is positioned above the tip holder. The tip holder may include a seating section in which the mallet hammer head may be positioned.

Abstract: A metallic pan having an upper surface including a cavity and an upper lip surrounding the cavity. Paper covers the upper surface including the upper lip of the metallic pan. The paper is attached within folds of metallic foil of the metallic pan.

Abstract: A method of chopping or cutting a food item on a cutting board which involves configuring and holding a flexible cutting board in a U-shaped configuration and chopping or cutting a food item in the bottom of the U-shaped configuration. Particles of the food item that would otherwise traject off a flat cutting board are contained between the side walls of the U-shaped configuration of the flexible cutting board and un-chopped and un-cut pieces of the food item fall downward into the bottom of the U-shaped configuration of the flexible cutting board. Also provided is the combination of a flexible cutting board and a cutting board holder that receives and holds a flexible cutting board in the U-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A rig movement, rotation and alignment assembly. A plurality of lifting jack assemblies are provided, each of the lifting jack assemblies attached to a rig substructure. Each of the lifting jack assemblies has a cylinder housing and a rod movable axially within the cylinder housing. Each rod is engaged with a screw drive in order to rotate the rod with respect to the cylinder housing. Each rod includes a circumferential recess wherein the circumferential recess includes at least one flat segment. A retainer plate attached to each bearing pad is received in and engaged with the circumferential recess and with the flat segment, so that rotation of the rod results in rotation of the bearing pad.

Abstract: A securing tool and methods for its use are described herein. In various embodiments, the securing tool may include a handle and one or more prying members positioned at a first end of the securing tool opposite the handle. The prying member(s) may be shaped to engage a release of a self-tensioned hose clamp to cause the handle to be manipulable to spring the self-tensioned hose clamp. The securing tool may include first and second sensors configured to provide first and second signals, respectively, that are indicative of sensed occurrence of first and second events after the handle is manipulated to spring the self-tensioned hose clamp. In various embodiments, if the first and second signals satisfy a criterion, the hose clamp may be deemed to have been properly installed onto a hose or other conduit.

Abstract: A detonator assembly method wherein a base charge is placed into a tube to abut a closed end of the tube, an electronic module is positioned inside the tube, a displacement member with a stop formation is used to move the module, against a frictional restraining force, to a location at which the stop formation abuts a rim of the tube and wherein the module is held in position by deforming the tube into engagement with the module.

Abstract: A portable welding ground attachment system used to attach a welding ground clamp (also called a work clamp or work cable) of an arc welder to a workpiece to be welded. The system is particularly useful in establishing positive connections between a work cable and extended lengths of pipe.

Abstract: A flag for securing a work piece to an assembly jig comprises a base. At least one positioning member extends outwardly from the base for selectively pivoting about at least one axis. An end effector is connected to the at least one positioning member and defines an interaction point for engaging the work piece. A joining connection secures one of the at least one positioning member to another of the at least one positioning member. The joining connection has a first configuration and a second configuration. One of the at least one positioning member is moveable relative to another of the at least one positioning member in the first configuration. The joining connection defines at least one bore for receiving a dowel to secure one of the at least one positioning member to another of the at least one positioning member to lock the interaction point in the second configuration.

Abstract: A method of making a pressure bulkhead assembly of an aircraft includes determining an optimized position of splice angles such that splice surfaces of the splice angles will form a circumferential splice surface of the pressure bulkhead assembly with an optimized shape. The method further includes performing a virtual fit between the plurality of splice angles, at the optimized position, and an aft pressure bulkhead. The method also includes determining splice-angle-hole positions of splice-angle holes to be drilled in each one of the splice angles such that the splice-angle holes will correspond to aft-pressure-bulkhead holes, pre-drilled in the aft pressure bulkhead. The method further includes drilling the splice-angle holes in each one of the splice angles at the splice-angle-hole positions. The method also includes joining each one of the splice angles with the aft pressure bulkhead such that the splice surfaces form the circumferential splice surface with the optimized shape.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a device for connection to and support of a load wheel so that the load wheel can be easily and safely removed from a crane, and transported about as necessary to repair and/or replace the load wheel. The device includes left and right side-plates, left and right bases, left and right rear walls and along with left and right rear connectors which connect to an upper cross-T of a stanchion which is supported on a sliding rail mount which is attachable to the rail upon which the load wheel rolls. The device bolts directly to the bearing housing of the load wheel so that the axle of the load wheel can be carried on the left or right lower bases of the device. The device is then slidable along the rail upon which the load wheel of the overhead or gantry crane travels.

Abstract: A taper jig that provides a woodworker with multifunctional use for orientating and maintaining a workpiece in order to make a tapered cut in a workpiece at desired incremental angles. The taper jig includes a first track and a second track that operably engages the first track wherein the second track is pivotably moveable relative to the first track. The taper jig also includes at least one measurement scale assembly that operably secures the first track and the second track to one another at a predetermined angle. The taper jig also includes at least one clamping handle assembly that operably engages one of the first track and the second track, wherein the at least one clamping handle assembly being adapted to clamp a workpiece. The taper jig may also include a first sled and a second sled that operably engage with the first and second tracks.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and driving a shaft which extends from a hub, the apparatus incorporating a hub adapter fitted to receive the hub; a plurality of set screws mounted upon the hub adapter for clamping the adapter upon the hub; a half of a releasable fastener attached to the hub; a pair of adapters which are fitted for alternatively receiving the hub adapter; a pair of second halves of the releasable fastener which are adapted for alternatively completing the releasable fastener, wherein each of the second halves of the releasable fastener is connected to one of the adapters among the pair of adapters; a pivoting rotary saw connected to one of the adapters among the pair of adapters; and a shaft driver tool connected to the other of the adapters among the pair of adapters.