Abstract: A cutting instrument includes a pair of pivotally coupled blades and a pair of handles attached to the blades respectively. One of the handles may be adjusted relative to one of the blades by a quick-release latching mechanism, for fitting the users' fingers of various sizes. The handle may include a slot for receiving the blade and may include a cam for locking the handle to the blade. The handle may also include a base and a cap adjustably secured to the base for forming a loop and for receiving fingers of various sizes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting tool assembly which can cut spring wires in either a vertical or a progress tilt direction in coil spring winding machines. This assembly uses a cam seat and a cam center guide seat for the cutting in a vertical direction. To do the cutting in a progressive tilt direction, the cam center guide seat is dismantled and the slide in the cam seat is fixed by screws. The cutting point can also be adjusted for the manufacture of special springs. This assembly provides a cheaper and an easy way for switching the cutting direction.

Abstract: In a fast tool servo, a single-point flexure mechanism amplifies a low force, large stroke range actuator's force while reducing its stroke range to reduce the arcuate motion of the cutting tool. The flexure mechanism bends around a pivot point in the X-Z plane and is very stiff along the Y-axis. The actuator applies force to the unpinned end of a lever arm causing it to move back-and-forth through a large stroke range. In response, the shorter tool arm rocks around the pivot point causing the tool to oscillate back-and-forth along the Z-axis through a very shallow arc thereby superimposing the toric deviation on the base curve while maintaining surface quality.

Abstract: A rotary die-cutter having a planetary configuration for die-cutting paper products such as corrugated and solid-fiber paper board includes a frame in which is mounted a rotatable turret assembly. Rotatably attached to the turret assembly is a first die-cutting cylinder, a second die-cutting cylinder, and an anvil. Various tools or forms are detachably mounted to the exterior of the first and second die-cutting cylinders to cut, score, or crease paper box packaging materials. Each die-cutting cylinder is either in an operational position or a set-up position depending on the orientation of the turret assembly. In order to change the tools or forms of a die-cutting cylinder, the turret assembly is rotated such that the operational die-cutting cylinder moves to the set-up position, while the die-cutting cylinder in the set-up position simultaneously moves to the operational position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an array of individual business forms from a web allow two or more sets of forms from a single web to be formed and integrated in a final array, preferably an in seriatim array with a spacing between the individual forms. A web at least two sheets wide is moved in a first direction and slit to produce at least two web sections. The two web sections are redirected so that they move in different paths, such as by stationary curved surfaces that are vertically spaced from each other and disposed at different angles to the horizontal. Typically the web sections are redirected so that they are substantially vertically aligned with each other. Then the two web sections are cut into individual sheets and the individual sheets are redirected and combined into a single array of sheets with alternating sheets in the array from alternating web sections.

Abstract: A cutting attachment for use with a vegetation cutting device. The cutting attachment has a body with a generally planar coupling portion and a central axis of rotation. In one embodiment, the body further includes a conical central wall portion extending radially outwardly and in a first direction from the coupling portion and the axis and a circular outer wall portion adjoining the central wall portion and extending generally radially outwardly therefrom. The central wall portion defines a conically-shaped self-cleaning inner cavity disposed symmetrically about the axis. The outer wall portion has a generally smooth outer surface which serves as a skid plate. An outer self-cleaning cavity is formed by an outer surface of the central wall portion and an inner surface of the outer wall portion. A coupling assembly, which can include an adapter having first and second clamping elements, is carried by the coupling portion for coupling the body to the cutting device to cause rotation about the axis.

Abstract: A beveled edge fork provides a handle and a head portion. A preferred version of the head provides four tines extending from a base of the head portion, which are strengthened by center, left and right reinforcements. A concave upper surface, enclosed by a U-shaped upper convex perimeter surface mates with a lower beveled edge on a lower convex surface, forming left and right cutting edges, allowing a user to cut food with the side of the fork.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rotatable cutting head for a powered trimmer comprising top and bottom cover members, the bottom member is adapted to be operably associated with the drive shaft of a trimmer and includes at least one pivot member for receiving a pivoting cutting element, a latch mechanism is provided on the top cover for engaging the pivot member when the top and bottom cover members are mated, the latch member is secured against the pivot member by centrifugal forces acting on the latch during operation of the trimmer. The cutting elements comprise blades or molded lines that are readily adapted to be interchanged within the cutting head without the need for tools or complex disassembly.

Abstract: A method and preferred apparatus (10) to cut a preform material which is biodegradable and preferably dispersible in water, to produce a shaped article, is described. The cut is produced without producing harmful fumes or leaving a harmful residue and preferably without charring at the cut. Preferably, only small amounts of carbon dioxide and water are produced at the cut. Shaped articles which are in sheet or block form or which are for 2-D or 3-D shaped article formation can be produced.

Abstract: A method for cutting to length a strip-shaped profiled member of unvulcanized rubber material by a cutting edge includes the step of providing a speed between the cutting edge and the profiled member to be cut of at least 2.5 m/s during the cutting action. The device for carrying out the method includes a carriage and a tool with a cutting edge fastened to the carriage. The carriage has an acceleration path, defined between a rest position of the carriage and a side of the profiled member facing the carriage, of between 0.2 and 1 m. The carriage has a deceleration path, defined between an oppositely arranged side of the profiled member and an end position of the carriage, of at least 0.1 m.

Abstract: A rotary cutter has a handle, a rotary blade having a cutting edge, a protective member for covering the blade, a lock mechanism for locking the protective member, and a brake mechanism for applying rotational resistance to the blade. The blade is rotatably supported by the handle. The protective member moves between a first position, in which the protective member is held to prevent exposure of the cutting edge of the blade, and a second position, in which the protective member permits exposure of the edge of the blade. The lock mechanism moves between a lock position, in which the protective member is positioned in the first position, and an unlock position, in which the protective member is positioned in the second position. The control element is common to both the lock mechanism and the brake mechanism for operating both the lock mechanism and the brake mechanism.

Abstract: An improved outer wall can opener includes a retractable and extendable traction wheel which selectively grips a can to be opened between it and an outer seam wall cutting wheel. The cutting wheel is a ring which is supported by a generally cylindrical stepped bearing which steps outward in increments and also mounts an abutment ring with an outside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the cutting ring. The stepped bearing with the attached cutter ring and abutment ring rotates around a stationary shaft, thus preventing overwear of the cutting ring and allowing wear that does occur to the cutting ring to be uniform and gradual.

Abstract: A novel steel rule die system is provided herein. Such system includes an upper, dimensionally-stable plate (e.g., of steel) which has been laser cut in a series of primary main kerfs. It also includes an intermediate plate of a synthetic plastic material having the property of elastic deformability, e.g., LEXAN.TM., or LUCITE.TM.. The intermediate plate has been laser cut in a series of secondary main kerfs, those secondary main kerfs being originally identical to the series of primary main kerfs, but, in addition, including, in at least one, and preferably in each, of the secondary main kerfs, at least one region which includes an interference kerf. The interference kerf is laterally-offset from a longitudinally-extending axis of the secondary main kerf, and is of substantially the same width as the secondary main kerf and is in direct communication with the secondary main kerf.

Abstract: A paper towel dispensing rack designed for ease of installation and use, the preferred embodiment of the present system configured to be placed within the sink cabinet of kitchen cabinet, in such a manner that the rack is supported by a cabinet beam horizontally situated over the cabinet door. Unlike prior art systems, the rack of the present system supports the sheet to be dispensed such that it is easily accessible through a closed door, upon opening the door, as desired, but without the towel roll and rack blocking access to the cabinet or taking up unwanted space. The preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a c-clamp structure to secure the rack to a horizontal beam commonly found in most kitchen cabinets supporting a sink, mounting the rack in a secure, yet removable fashion.

Abstract: A method for handling or manipulating microelectronic components in manufacturing assembly processes. In one embodiment of handling microelectronic components, a microelectronic component handling system may have a base or a support member, a track or platform attached to the base to rotate about a rotational axis, and a linear drive assembly to rotate the track about the rotational axis. The track may have a first end, a second end spaced apart from the first end along a longitudinal axis of the track, a top surface facing away from the base, and a bottom surface facing toward the base. Additionally, the linear drive assembly may have an actuator and a rod driven by the actuator along a displacement axis spaced apart from the rotational axis. In operation, the actuator moves the rod along the displacement axis to rotate the track about the rotational axis to a raised position at an inclination sufficient to slide a microelectronic component down the track.

Abstract: A shredding apparatus is described which comprises at least one module of a pair of counter-rotating cutting assemblies located in spaced apart parallel relationship wherein each assembly comprises a driving shaft upon which is mounted one or more cutters. The cutters are provided with a pair of cutting surfaces or edges which are located at either end of the cutter. In the one module the cutting surfaces of adjacent cutters mounted on adjacent shafts are in contact with each other over at least a part of the circumference of the cutting surfaces so that when the cutters counter-rotate, material fed between them is cut by the action of the counter rotating cutters. An anti-wrap member is associated with a driving shaft to prevent material being cut from wrapping around the shaft or cutter.

Abstract: A rotatable wire feed drum for use in the assembly of multiple connector wire harnesses includes a rotary drum of a given diameter and an outer circumferential surface which accommodate a plurality of wires. A first wire-clamping assembly is operatively connected to the wire feed drum and selectively clamps the wires to the drum in order to advance them with rotation of the drum. The wire feed drum may be utilized as a wire feed device in a wire harness assembly apparatus between a wire supply device and a wire terminating device. Feeding of selected wires is effected by clamping a set of selected wires to the wire feed drum and simultaneously unclamping a second set of wires at a location spaced from the feed drum and then rotating the wire feed drum.

Abstract: A cutter system for cutting a single ply or multiple plies of limp material, or a lay, into a plurality of parts includes a cutter table for supporting the lay with a cutter head for cutting the lay and a resealer apparatus for sealing the cuts made in the lay. The resealer apparatus includes a first resealer mechanism associated with one end of the cutter table and a second resealer mechanism adjustably attaching onto a cutter head beam and being moveable therewith. The second resealer mechanism includes a pair of adjustable sides that attach the second resealer mechanism to the cutter head beam and that support a resealer roll such that the adjustable sides can be adjusted to vary the distance between the resealer roll and the cutter table support surface and vary the proximity of the resealer roll to the cutter tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for scarfing edge portions of a veneer sheet to produce a joint suited for joining the veneer sheets in an edge to edge relation. A conveyor system aligns, conveys and flattens the sheet. The sheet as it is being conveyed is engaged by tapered anvils provided on each side of the apparatus that deflect edge portions of the sheet at an angle to the plane of the flattened sheet. A diverter directs the edge of the sheet to one side or the other of the anvils. The resiliency of the sheet maintains the deflected edge portion against the anvil. The edge of the sheet when diverted to one side of the anvils is conveyed through scarfing saws that generate a bevel on each of the deflected side edges. The edge of the sheet when diverted to the opposite side of the anvils by-passes the scarfing saws.

Abstract: Adjustable apparatus (20, 20a) is provided, preferably in the form of an impact micrometer, which includes first and second interfitted bodies (22, 24, 22a, 24a) cooperatively defining therebetween an enclosed, constant volume internal fluid chamber (58, 58a). An adjuster (26,26a) is also provided which is connected to one of the first and second bodies (22, 24, 22a, 24a) and has an element (68, 68a) movable within the chamber (58, 58a). Preferably, the adjuster (26, 26a) is threadably coupled with the first body (22, 22a) through fine micrometer threading (36, 62, 36a, 62a). In use, the apparatus (20,20a be adjusted through rotation of the adjuster (26,26a) causing corresponding movement of the element (68, 68a) within the chamber (58, 58a); this in turn results in displacement of the fluid (59, 59a) to change the shape but not the volume of the chamber (58, 58a) and consequent movement of the first body (22, 22a) because of the incompressible nature of the fluid (59, 59a).