Abstract: A crimp tool calibration system for crimping a prepared wire into a corresponding contact wire barrel includes a computer, a positioner having a memory chip storing positioner data, and a tool frame. The tool frame includes a head having a receiving port therethrough, and configured for the positioner to be removably engaged with the receiving port during a crimping operation. The tool frame also includes a plurality of crimping dies positioned around a periphery of the receiving port, an adjustment device to adjust a crimp depth, and a positioner interface coupled to the tool frame. The positioner interface includes a tool memory for storing tool data, a reader, and a transmitter, where the reader is configured to read the positioner data stored on the memory chip or the positioner, and the transmitter is configured to transmit the positioner data and the tool data to the computer.

Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning, terminating and cutting a cable lacing tape includes a housing, a shaft having a first end and a second end, a sliding worm gear coupled proximate the first end of the shaft, and a motor coupled proximate the second end of the shaft and configured to rotate the shaft. The apparatus also includes a biasing element coupled to the shaft between the sliding worm gear and the motor to exert a biasing force on the sliding worm gear and a capstan rotatably engaged to the sliding worm gear. In addition, the apparatus includes a cutting mechanism configured to cut the lacing tape when a predetermined torque on the capstan is exceeded. The biasing force is configured to prevent translation of the sliding worm gear until the predetermined torque on the capstan is exceeded and the translation of the sliding worm gear activates the cutting mechanism.

Abstract: A crimp tool calibration system for crimping a prepared wire into a corresponding contact wire barrel includes a computer, a positioner having a memory chip storing positioner data, and a tool frame. The tool frame includes a head having a receiving port therethrough, and configured for the positioner to be removably engaged with the receiving port during a crimping operation. The tool frame also includes a plurality of crimping dies positioned around a periphery of the receiving port, an adjustment device to adjust a crimp depth, and a positioner interface coupled to the tool frame. The positioner interface includes a tool memory for storing tool data, a reader, and a transmitter, where the reader is configured to read the positioner data stored on the memory chip or the positioner, and the transmitter is configured to transmit the positioner data and the tool data to the computer.

Abstract: A crimp tool calibration system for crimping a prepared wire into a corresponding contact wire barrel includes a computer, a positioner having a memory chip storing positioner data, and a tool frame. The tool frame includes a head having a receiving port therethrough, and configured for the positioner to be removably engaged with the receiving port during a crimping operation. The tool frame also includes a plurality of crimping dies positioned around a periphery of the receiving port, an adjustment device to adjust a crimp depth, and a positioner interface coupled to the tool frame. The positioner interface includes a tool memory for storing tool data, a reader, and a transmitter, where the reader is configured to read the positioner data stored on the memory chip of the positioner, and the transmitter is configured to transmit the positioner data and the tool data to the computer.

Abstract: A system for multi-stage crimping of a contact to a wire includes a first crimping die having a first portion of a selected shape defined therein, and a second crimping die having a complementary second portion of the selected shape defined therein. The system also includes the first and second crimping dies being operable to be displaced towards each other and along a first axis during a compression stroke. The first and second crimping dies are also operable to be displaced along a second axis during a closing stroke subsequent to the compression stroke, where the second axis is generally perpendicular to the first axis. In addition, the system includes the first and second crimping dies cooperating to crimp the contact into the selected shape to the wire upon completion of the closing stroke.

Abstract: A powered banding device includes a housing and a plurality of gripping rollers within the housing that are configured to pull a tail end of a band through a feed slot as the gripping rollers rotate. The device also includes torque circuitry coupled to an electric motor driving the plurality of gripping rollers, which the torque circuitry is configured to calculate a torque on the band using a motor current to determine when to stop pulling. A roller pin is configured to move through a roller slot after the electric motor stops pulling to form a fold in the band as the roller pin moves to an end of a downward curved portion of the roller slot. A cutter blade behind the roller pin follows the roller pin and cuts the band above the roller pin and flattens a cut end over a buckle of the band.

Abstract: A system for multi-stage crimping of a contact to a wire includes a first crimping die having a first portion of a selected shape defined therein, and a second crimping die having a complementary second portion of the selected shape defined therein. The system also includes the first and second crimping dies being operable to be displaced towards each other and along a first axis during a compression stroke. The first and second crimping dies are also operable to be displaced along a second axis during a closing stroke subsequent to the compression stroke, where the second axis is generally perpendicular to the first axis. In addition, the system includes the first and second crimping dies cooperating to crimp the contact into the selected shape to the wire upon completion of the closing stroke.

Abstract: A crimp tool calibration system for crimping a prepared wire into a corresponding contact wire barrel includes a computer, a positioner having a memory chip storing positioner data, and a tool frame. The tool frame includes a head having a receiving port therethrough, and configured for the positioner to be removably engaged with the receiving port during a crimping operation. The tool frame also includes a plurality of crimping dies positioned around a periphery of the receiving port, an adjustment device to adjust a crimp depth, and a positioner interface coupled to the tool frame. The positioner interface includes a tool memory for storing tool data, a reader, and a transmitter, where the reader is configured to read the positioner data stored on the memory chip of the positioner, and the transmitter is configured to transmit the positioner data and the tool data to the computer.

Abstract: A powered banding device includes a housing and a plurality of gripping rollers within the housing that are configured to pull a tail end of a band through a feed slot as the gripping rollers rotate. The device also includes torque circuitry coupled to an electric motor driving the plurality of gripping rollers, which the torque circuitry is configured to calculate a torque on the band using a motor current to determine when to stop pulling. A roller pin is configured to move through a roller slot after the electric motor stops pulling to form a fold in the band as the roller pin moves to an end of a downward curved portion of the roller slot. A cutter blade behind the roller pin follows the roller pin and cuts the band above the roller pin and flattens a cut end over a buckle of the band.

Abstract: A wheel deployment apparatus having a retractable wheel assembly. The wheel deployment apparatus includes a deployment cable functionally coupled to and extending from the wheel assembly. The apparatus includes a retractable handle assembly having a primary tube telescopically nested with a secondary tube. The wheel deployment apparatus includes a shuttle slidably coupled between the primary tube and the secondary tube and coupled to the deployment cable through a slot in the retractable handle assembly. The wheel deployment apparatus includes a shuttle cover functionally disposed over the slot having a hole through which the deployment cable extends.

Abstract: A wheel deployment apparatus having a retractable wheel assembly. The wheel deployment apparatus includes a deployment cable functionally coupled to and extending from the wheel assembly. The apparatus includes a retractable handle assembly having a primary tube telescopically nested with a secondary tube. The wheel deployment apparatus includes a shuttle slidably coupled between the primary tube and the secondary tube and coupled to the deployment cable through a slot in the retractable handle assembly. The wheel deployment apparatus includes a shuttle cover functionally disposed over the slot having a hole through which the deployment cable extends.

Abstract: A retractable wheel assembly includes a bracing member and a wheeled arm pivotally coupled to the bracing member. The wheeled arm is sized and positioned such that the wheeled arm rotates through an aperture of the bracing member. The wheeled arm includes an arm member, a wheel, and an aperture cover shaped and positioned such that when the wheeled arm is in a retracted mode, the aperture cover covers a majority of the aperture, but not substantially all, thereby forming a wheel gap. The wheel assembly includes a deployment arm and a trap member operationally coupled to the deployment arm, including a trap flange sized and positioned to cover the wheel gap when in a closed mode and to substantially uncover the wheel gap in an open mode. The retractable wheel assembly includes a handle operationally coupled to the trap member.

Abstract: A retractable wheel assembly includes a bracing member and a wheeled arm pivotally coupled to the bracing member. The wheeled arm is sized and positioned such that the wheeled arm rotates through an aperture of the bracing member. The wheeled arm includes an arm member, a wheel, and an aperture cover shaped and positioned such that when the wheeled arm is in a retracted mode, the aperture cover covers a majority of the aperture, but not substantially all, thereby forming a wheel gap. The wheel assembly includes a deployment arm and a trap member operationally coupled to the deployment arm, including a trap flange sized and positioned to cover the wheel gap when in a closed mode and to substantially uncover the wheel gap in an open mode. The retractable wheel assembly includes a handle operationally coupled to the trap member.

Abstract: A retractable wheel assembly includes a bracing member and a wheeled arm pivotally coupled to the bracing member. The wheeled arm is sized and positioned such that the wheeled arm rotates through an aperture of the bracing member. The wheeled arm includes an arm member, a wheel, and an aperture cover shaped and positioned such that when the wheeled arm is in a retracted mode, the aperture cover covers a majority of the aperture, but not substantially all, thereby forming a wheel gap. The wheel assembly includes a deployment arm and a trap member operationally coupled to the deployment arm, including a trap flange sized and positioned to cover the wheel gap when in a closed mode and to substantially uncover the wheel gap in an open mode. The retractable wheel assembly includes a handle operationally coupled to the trap member.

Abstract: A retractable wheel assembly includes a bracing member and a wheeled arm pivotally coupled to the bracing member. The wheeled arm is sized and positioned such that the wheeled arm rotates through an aperture of the bracing member. The wheeled arm includes an arm member, a wheel, and an aperture cover shaped and positioned such that when the wheeled arm is in a retracted mode, the aperture cover covers a majority of the aperture, but not substantially all, thereby forming a wheel gap. The wheel assembly includes a deployment arm and a trap member operationally coupled to the deployment arm, including a trap flange sized and positioned to cover the wheel gap when in a closed mode and to substantially uncover the wheel gap in an open mode. The retractable wheel assembly includes a handle operationally coupled to the trap member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an optical scanner comprises a mirror, a coil, a magnetic circuit, and a support connected to the mirror. The mirror has a reflective surface and a periphery. A coil of electrically conductive material consists of a plurality of windings around the periphery of the mirror. The magnetic circuit comprises a magnet having opposite poles generating a magnetic flux therebetween. A support is connected to the mirror, the support rotatably supporting the mirror in the magnetic flux with the magnetic flux intersecting the coil.

Abstract: A lens aperture of an autostereoscopic camera is moved in a parallax scanning pattern through a plurality of disparity positions offset from the optical axis of the camera lens. Images of a scene being photographed, as viewed through the lens aperture in its various disparity positions, are recorded for subsequent display, which produces a three dimensional illusion when viewed on a conventional display with the unaided eye. The size of the lens aperture and the parallax scanning pattern are adjustable to suit conditions. The lens aperture may be defined by a through-hole in an opaque card, a plurality of interleaved leaf elements, or a planar array of cells switched between transparent and opaque states. In addition to stereoscopic imaging, the moving lens aperture principle of the present invention may be utilized in range-finding and camera image stabilization applications.

Abstract: A lens aperture of an autostereoscopic camera is moved in a parallax scanning pattern through a plurality of disparity positions offset from the optical axis of the camera lens. Images of a scene being photographed, as viewed through the lens aperture in its various disparity positions, are recorded for subsequent display, which produces a three dimensional illusion when viewed on a conventional display with the unaided eye. The size of the lens aperture and the parallax scanning pattern are adjustable to suit conditions. The lens aperture may be defined by a through-hole in an opaque card, a plurality of interleaved leaf elements, or a planar array of cells switched between transparent and opaque states. In addition to stereoscopic imaging, the moving lens aperture principle of the present invention may be utilized in range-finding and camera image stabilization applications.

Abstract: A lens aperture of an autostereoscopic camera is moved in a parallax scanning pattern through a plurality of disparity positions offset from the optical axis of the camera lens. Images of a scene being photographed, as viewed through the lens aperture in its various disparity positions, are recorded for subsequent display in three dimensional illusion when viewed with the unaided eye. The size of the lens aperture and the parallax scanning pattern are adjustable to suit conditions. The lens aperture may be defined as a through-hole in an opaque card or a planar array of cells switched between transparent and opaque states. In addition to stereoscopic imaging, the moving lens aperture principle of the present invention may be utilized in range-finding and camera image stabilization applications.

Abstract: An image stabilizing apparatus for film and video cameras includes a lens aperture positioned adjacent the camera lens, such that image light of a scene passes through the lens and the lens aperture to an imaging plane. A motion sensor, mounted to the camera, generates signals indicative of spurious camera motion, which are utilize to produce movements of the lens aperture transversely to the lens axis in directions opposite to spurious camera motions, thereby to stabilize scene images focussed on the imaging plane.