Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for forming up-standing expanded metal from high carbon steels or high carbon alloy steels. The steel is induction heated to a hot forging temperature prior to being formed into expanded metal, and the expanded metal may thereafter be hardened to a hardness greater than that of the base metal from which it was made.

Abstract: A technique for protecting an optical fibre breakout particularly from a cable 1 comprising a core 2, a plurality of loose fibres 3 and a jacket 5. The jacket 5 and core 2 are stripped back and the fibres encased in protective tubes 7. This may be done one fibre at a time by removing a portion of cable jacket remote from the end and withdrawing each fibre from under the remaining end portion of jacket. The cable may be held in a holding tool and the fibres inserted into their protective tubes by means of an insertion tool.

Abstract: A robot intended to the assembly of constitutive parts of objects comprises at least one working head (4) provided with a tool (8) effecting above a working area (9) motions controlled by a program according to at least three degrees of freedom and, within said working area (9), a device (14) providing for the accurate positioning of the parts to be manipulated in predetermined positions and orientations. It is characterized in that it comprises at least one removable preformed receptacle (17) providing for the collective transport of parts to be assembled to or from the working area (9), said receptacle being configured to maintain with a certain tolerance said parts in relative positions and orientations similar to those determined by the device (14) and arranged to cooperate with the latter. Assembly process implementing a robot such as hereabove defined and its application to the assembly in series of constitutive parts of objects.

Abstract: A device for unfastening and lifting a top nozzle subassembly from the guide thimbles of a reconstitutable fuel assembly includes hollow gripper tubes having open lower ends, spaced yokes mounting the gripper tubes, pull rods disposed in the gripper tubes, end plugs attached to lower ends of the pull rods and disposed at the open lower ends of the gripper tubes, stop plugs stationarily disposed in the gripper tubes spaced above their open lower ends, elastomer blocks disposed in the gripper tubes between the end and stop plugs, and inner tubes disposed within the gripper tubes about the elastomer blocks. Lower end portions of the gripper tubes are capable of insertion into sleeves of the top nozzle subassembly to positions therein located adjacent to threaded lower ends of the sleeves.

Abstract: Method for fabricating thermo-insulated compound profiles for windows, doors and facades, wherein two metal profiles (8, 11) to be joined to the compound profile (13) are provided with longitudinal grooves wherein are inserted clamping battens (7) forming together with the metal profiles (8, 11) an insulation chamber (9) and which are secured at the base portion thereof engaged in the longitudinal grooves by deformation of the retainer bars (10, 12) limiting the longitudinal grooves.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a vehicle wheel rim and disc assembly with controlled lateral runout characteristics. The apparatus of the invention contemplate fixturing of a preformed rim so that the average plane of the rim bead seats is at preselected orientation with respect to the axis of interference press-fit of a preformed disc therein, and thus at preselected orientation with respect to the wheel mounting plane defined by the inboard disc surface. In one implementation of the invention, the average bead seat plane is made nominally parallel to the wheel mounting plane by selective adjustment of the fixturing bead seat locators, so as to minimize lateral runout of the resulting wheel. In another implementation of the invention, the average bead seat plane is intentionally angulated with respect to the disc mounting plane so as to locate a peak of the first harmonic of lateral runout circumferentially adjacent to a selected location on the wheel rim, such as the rim valve hole.

Abstract: Device for inserting hair pin springs with two legs astride a plate having windows for locally welding the legs against one another. It comprises movable modules which receive one plate at a time in the vertical position and move it in the lengthwise direction for bringing it into successive positions each corresponding to the arrival of one of the spring reception zones in an insertion position where centering means temporarily hold the plate in said successive positions. A vibrating rail guides the springs to a take up position where a gripper takes each spring in turn by the end of one of its legs, then moves in a plane perpendicular to the plate along a path for introducing the other leg of the spring in the plate.

Abstract: Metal articles are shaped by contacting a metal blank with a diaphragm of plastically deformable metal which may be superplastic aluminium and urging the diaphragm against the blank and against a mould so that the diaphragm and body are deformed. The mould may be male or female. Thin metal articles of complex shape may be made easily and cheaply.

Abstract: For mounting the optical components of optical apparatus in an adjusted manner, the optical components are either adjusted and permanently fixed in or on shaped component bodies having accurately defined dimensions, or are produced on such bodies at an accurate location and with accurate alignment. Then, the shaped component bodies are assembled in a defined manner, so that the optical components assume the precisely correct location relative to one another.

Abstract: The method of making a replacement flooring for a dump truck having a body upon a frame, the body including front and side walls and a damaged, punctured flooring plate, comprising the steps of superimposing a metal replacement floor over the damaged flooring plate, peripherally welding it thereto defining a sealed chamber between the plates. Further steps include drilling a vent and fill opening through the replacement plate, thereafter injecting under pressure a two-stage thermosetting copolymer filling the chamber and thereafter curing the copolymer providing a hardened spacer filler between the plates. Replacement flooring for the damaged flooring plate comprises a replacement floor plate superimposed over the flooring plate and peripherally welded and sealed thereto defining a sealed chamber between the plates. A hardened cured filler spacer of a thermosetting copolymer material is snugly interposed between the plates.

Abstract: A method for producing a connection between at least one metal part having at least one longitudinally extending groove formed at one surface thereof and a thermoplastic part of plate, strip or bar configuration at least a portion of which, to be disposed in said groove, is adapted to soften or melt on the application thereto of a predetermined level of heat, wherein knurling is provided on at least a portion of the groove wall surface and heat is applied to soften or melt a portion of said thermoplastic part disposed in said groove to have at least a part of the softened or melted portion thereof serve to cap and dispose in spaces about raised and projected portions of said knurling and set thereabout to produce a fixed interconnection of said parts. Preferably there is a use of one or more contact pressure elements comprising a portion of electrolyte copper through which current is applied to produce said melting or softening of the thermoplastic part.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a loose screen-stencil-roller showing at its cylindrical outer surface a pattern of indentations, comprising the steps of starting with a smooth-walled support cylinder being either a hollow thick-walled roller or a massive roller, upon which a thin-walled sieve is pushed, after which the sieve is clampingly secured upon said cylinder: the invention also deals with an apparatus for applying this method comprising a support cylinder with fluid passages enabling the mounting and removal of the sieve around its outer periphery.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new threaded joint for steel tubes, usable in particular in the petroleum industry, which contains a female element equipped with conical threads having an internal screw stop mating and a male element correspondingly threaded with a screw stop having a form corresponding to the female element. The male element stop and the female element stop are each manufactured by cold working using a tool capable of engaging in or on the threads of the corresponding element.

Abstract: A tool for removing a locking tube from a locking position in the upper end portion of a guide thimble inserted within a passageway in a removable top nozzle of a reconstitutable fuel assembly includes an inner tubular member attached at its upper end to a bail assembly and at its lower end to a tubular extension having an expandable and collapsable lower end. Also, an actuatable shaft assembly of the tool is mounted for axial movement within the inner tubular member and lower tubular extension and has a conical nose disposed on its lower end which extends beyond a rim formed on the lower end of the tubular extension and an actuating knob coupled to its upper end. Rotation of the knob in one direction causes insertion of the conical nose into the lower end of the tubular extension and thereby increase in the circumference of the rim such that it will engage a lower edge of the locking tube when the tool is forced in an upward direction.

Abstract: A stringer combining apparatus includes a stringer combining guide section. The guide section has an outer guide member located at the junction of guide groove portions which in combination constitute a Y-shaped guide groove, the member being made resiliently movable in the outward direction, thereby allowing the passage of even members other than fastener elements attached to a stringer. The apparatus further includes a conveyor device for conveying the stringers through the guide section. The guide section is made movable in the direction parallel with the moving direction of the stringers. The guide section is moved by a fluid-pressure cylinder device.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a threaded fastener is automatically attached to an article. The apparatus positions the threaded fastener in contact with the article and applies a torque thereon. A signal is generated indicating the torque level. The signal is compared to preset limits. Different preset torque limits are set for tapping threads in a hole in the article and securing the fastener thereto.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method and apparatus for making venetian blinds. The apparatus discloses the ability to make more than one blind at a time in order to increase the output of the apparatus.

Abstract: Fabric flypieces are placed randomly on a top plate of a unified flypiece feed apparatus which orients the flypieces and feeds them in succession to a sewing station at which they are united with a zipper chain either in end-to-end abutment or with a slight predetermined gap between the flypieces. A somewhat angled flypiece belt conveyor and a cooperative variable tension drag device above the conveyor orients the flypieces longitudinally and feeds them to the sewing station at a substantially greater speed than the united flypieces and zipper chain leave the sewing station. A photo-optical device senses the presence or absence of flypieces on the top plate and stops the sewing machine if the operator fails to load a flypiece within a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: The present invention comprises attaching a floor plate to the supporting surface or floor of a vehicle. The floor plate includes a raised horizontal portion having a plurality of elongated bayonet slots therein. A pedestal assembly adapted to support the chair includes a base plate and an upstanding pedestal member. The base plate has a plurality of bayonet members arranged to fit within the bayonet slots in the raised portion of the floor plate. Each bayonet member has a downwardly extending portion and a forwardly extending finger. To mount the device to the vehicle, the bayonet members are inserted into the bayonet slots and the base plate is moved forwardly until the downwardly projecting portions of the bayonet members engage the forward ends of the slots. The base plate is then secured against rearward movement with respect to the floor plate.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a thin-walled, elongated member having superior strength properties from an age hardenable copper base alloy is described herein. A slug or billet of a slurry cast, age hardenable copper base alloy is formed into a semi-solid slurry having about 10% to about 30% of the alloy in a liquid phase. The semi-solid slurry is then thixoforged to form the thin-walled, elongated member. Thereafter, the member is age hardened to provide a product having desired strength properties. The process and apparatus of the instant invention may be utilized to form cartridge casings.