Abstract: The present invention is directed to a shearing machine which is provided with two pairs of upper and lower blades in a manner such that the upper and lower blades of one pair are connected to the upper and lower blades, respectively, of the other pair at right angles to shear right-angled blanks out of sheet-like workpieces. The two upper blades are connected with each other at a right angle on a ram member in a manner such that their shearing edges are originally inclined downward from their intersecting point to their respective free ends. The ram member carrying the upper blades is connected to the machine frame by means of a pivot means which is horizontally disposed higher than the top level of the lower blades. Also, one of the two pairs of upper and lower blades are located outside of the vertical plane of the outer side of the machine frame together with related parts.

Abstract: An automatic key programming and connector transfer system and method for electrical connectors (10) having keying means (40) thereon includes a supply station (56) for storing a plurality of connectors (10) having keys in an unprogrammed orientation; a programming station (57) for receiving connectors (10) from the supply station (56) and for programming the keys, the programming station (57) including a programming device (100) responsive to programming instructions applied thereto; and an output station (58) for receiving connectors (10) having keys programmed to a desired orientation, the output station (58) including a plurality of output station sections (80a-80f) each of which are adapted to receive connectors which have keys programmed to a predetermined one of the plurality of possible programmed states; and monitoring means (60) for monitoring each section (80a-80f) and for controlling the programming device (100) to program the keys of connectors (10) to maintain an adequate supply in each section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating leaded packages, including protection of the leads during various processing steps. The packages are mounted in special carriers such that the leads are shielded from loads which might otherwise cause damage to the leads.

Abstract: Mehtod and apparatus is disclosed for use in a machine which collects and assembles needle bearings in an annular array and uses a mandrel to insert the array into a cylindrical opening in a receiving member. The mandrel is centered within the bore of a recover block to define an annular space into which a discrete number of needle bearings are singularly fed from an especially configured track which holds a vertical, serpentine column of needle bearings. A push rod engages the column to positively force a discrete number of bearings into the space while a grease packing is inserted about the bearings as they fill the space.

Abstract: Automatic crimping apparatus for crimping contacts of different sizes on electrical wires is positioned at the side of a conveyor that moves successive wires to and from alignment with a crimping station which includes a shaker bowl furnishing contacts to a sender station. The sender station sends the contacts one at a time via a pneumatic line through a hollow chuck and collet to seat the barrel end of the contact end upon a contact locating seat that is precisely positioned within a cam operated multi-pin crimper. The contact end receiving seat is apertured and recessed in one end of a funnel assembly and locating structure having a wire receiving and guiding funnel at the other end to define a wire guide path in alignment with the apertured contact end receiving seat. With a contact end positioned on the receiving seat, a portion of the wire receiving barrel of the contact is in the operative region of the crimper, with the other end being firmly grasped in the collet.

Abstract: An electrical harness comprising a plurality of harness subassemblies is assembled by locating the subassembly leading ends of all of the subassemblies in a staging zone. The subassemblies are moved in succession along a transporting path which extends away from the staging zone in a succession which locates the subassembly leading ends of the several subassemblies at the required locations along the length of the harness. Bindings for the conductors in the harness subassemblies are applied where required. A fully automatic apparatus is disclosed for carrying out the process comprising individual transporters for each of the harness subassemblies which move the subassemblies individually along the transporting path.

Abstract: A system for indexing releasably bound numerically categorized textual material provides a high degree of convenience. A plurality of dividers is provided each of which corresponds to and separates alpha numerical categories and each divider has a tab associated therewith. Each tab includes means for displaying indicia which include at least the last digit of the respective alpha numerical category. The releasably bound assembly of textual material has an edge-face portion which is divided into a number of fields equal to the number of possible last character of alpha numerical categories. Each field corresponds to the last character of a numerical category and contains a bank of tabs arranged sequentially in superposed relationship. Each tab in a respective bank of tabs has the same last character, e.g., digit.

Abstract: A commutator alignment fixture includes a cylindrical bore having a plurality of axial circumferentially spaced blades extending inward from a side wall thereof. The circumferential spacing of the blades is determined according to the circumferential spacing of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced slots in a commutator wherein the alignment fixture blades coact with the commutator slot to axially slidably support the commutator in known circumferential orientation to the armature winding and core location when the commutator assembly is press-fit onto an armature shaft so that the commutator slots are in circumferential orientation with respect to the slots on the armature.

Abstract: This invention relates to catalyst supports, such as are used in catalytic converters for vehicles, and in other applications, such as diesel particulate traps. The invention discloses a novel composition for a catalyst support, and a method of making it. The support includes a base material, such as a stainless steel. If the base material is a metal, it can be rolled down to the thickness of a foil and then coated with a layer of aluminum. The coating is done by a vapor deposition technique, so that the aluminum coating is thin and substantially uniform. The base material can be almost any substance capable of withstanding the high temperatures expected in the catalytic converter or other application. Because the material is already of foil thickness when it is coated, it is not necessary to select a material which is capable of being rolled down after being coated with aluminum. Thus, the invention makes it possible to use a much wider variety of materials than have been used in the prior art.

Abstract: Routing a circuit board from the bottom side allows board removal from areas not generally accessible from the top side, such as board areas which are overhung by top side, such as board areas which are overhung by electrical connector "headers", as well as variable potentiometer and capacitor controls which may not be easily accessible from the top side. One embodiment combines such routing with shearing to merge their respective advantages.

Abstract: Electronic components are adhesively held by a flexible, expansible and contractible adhesive sheet, and pressing pins pressing one of the electronic component on a position to be mounted on a printed circuit substrate with penetrating the adhesive sheet. Then, electronic component is separated from the adhesive sheet by bringing up the adhesive sheet and at that time the electronic component is fixed on the printed circuit substrate by the pressing pins.

Abstract: A single piece fastener and a method of using this fastener to secure connectors to a printed circuit board comprised of a longitudinal member with a top section which rests on top of the connector and a bottom section with an inclined surface is described. The fastener is inserted through the connector and through the circuit board. When turned, the inclined surface interacts with the bottom of the circuit board, wedging the connector to the circuit board.

Abstract: A compliant S-shaped lead for resiliently supporting an integrated circuit chip package in spaced relation generally parallel to a printed circuit board. The S-lead bends and twists to absorb forces which would otherwise be exerted on solder joints due to temperature cycling and vibration. The symmetrical S-lead self-centers on both the package and PC board to provide minimum stress. The leads are held by a support strip for connection to the chip carrier. Thereafter, the support strip is removed and the carrier positions the leads for connection to the circuit board.

Abstract: A method of preparing a substrate such as a semiconductor chip or ceramic thin film having vias for soldering to a substrate requires that a first metal that is resistive to solder bonding be deposited on the backside of the semiconductor device. The deposited metal is removed from the surface of the semiconductor device, leaving the vias of the semiconductor device having the first metal deposited through them. This technique is useful in any requirement requiring a solder or brazing barrier. That is a photolithographic process in conjunction with a refractory or nonsolderable metal deposit is used to achieve an alloy or solder barrier.

Abstract: An automatic covered wire cutting and stripping method and an apparatus used for the method. The method comprises the steps of transferring a covered wire by a transfer mechanism toward a cutting mechanism disposed opposite to the transfer mechanism so as to protrude the covered wire from the cutting mechanism by a specified length in the direction away from the transfer mechanism, cutting a cover of the covered wire by the cutting mechanism to prepare the specified length of a cover part to be stripped, transferring the covered wire toward the transfer mechanism, gripping the cover part to be stripped off the covered wire by a grip mechanism, and transferring the covered wire toward the transfer mechanism such that the cover part to be stripped off the covered wire is gripped by the grip mechanism thereby stripping the specified length of the cover from the covered wire.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an electrical energy distribution system as a track having a multitude of parallel insulating strips and interspersed conductor bars with gaps between adjacent conductor bars to receive conductive blades of outlets or jumper cables for receiving power from the system as well as fixedly supporting a set of blades for power input to the system. During fabrication, the elongated insulating strips and conductor bars are passed through at least two spaced apart transverse multi-apertured separators so that the conductor bars define therebetween blade receiving gaps. As thus fabricated, the system is modular and may be assembled without the need of tools or specially trained electricians.

Abstract: An improved lead insertion apparatus for randomly inserting crimped wire leads one at a time into a multicircuit connector includes a pair of elongate insertion jaws for longitudinally surrounding and gripping a crimp terminated wire lead. The insertion jaws are actuable by a gripper control between a first open position, a second intermediate gripping position wherein the jaws are axially slideable along the gripped wire lead and a third closed position wherein the jaws firmly grip the lead in a non-slideable manner. The jaws and their gripper control are mounted for axial movement along the wire lead into the insertion station. A drive for the jaws moves the jaws in their intermediate wire gripping position along the wire segment until a proximity sensor senses the tips of the jaws abutting the rear end of the crimp terminal. In response to the sensor the gripper control changes the jaws to their closed position on the wire prior to insertion.

Abstract: Fabrication of an electronic circuit board is carried out by forming a predetermined number of resistors having various resistances based on a circuit design stored in a memory on a nonconductive substrate and dividing the nonconductive substrate into discrete resistors, then mounting the discrete resistors on a circuit board and testing operation characteristic thereof; and when some resistors having resistances which are not suitable to obtain a predetermined operation characteristic exist in the above-formed resistors, the resistances are corrected, and electronic circuit board having corrected accurate electric constants is obtained; and thereby a complete electronic circuit boards are fabricated by repetition of above-mentioned respective steps.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multiwire lead assembly for a flexible connector between thin film elements and other electronic circuitry during manufacturing thin film heads for computer disc drives includes the process of supporting the multiple wires in spaced locations on retainers, such as terminal boards, and fixing the wires to such terminal boards. The terminal boards are spaced apart a desired distance for making the lead assembly. The wires are separated from the source reel and then the two terminal boards are a supported assembly and the center portions of the multiple wires are twisted together while the end portions are held separated and oriented by the terminal boards. The twisted wire portion of the wires then can be insulated at desired locations, including for example the full length of the twisted portion. The ends of the wires are stipped of their normal insulating coating utilizing a laser stripper in a known manner.

Abstract: The method of affixing a fastener to a panel, said fastener comprising a body portion and a flange portion, said body portion comprising a thermoplastic material and being of a length greater than the thickness of said panel, comprising the steps of: inserting said fastener into and through said panel opening, whereby an end of said body portion of said fastener extends beyond the plane of the surface of the opposed side surface of said panel; and applying ultrasonic energy to said end of said fastener body portion for reshaping said end into a flange, said ultrasonic energy causing said end to flare over and contact said adjacent panel surface thereby sealing the panel against moisture entering the core space via the fastener installation hole.