Abstract: A winch assembly is provided including a single mounting bracket for mounting the winch assembly directly to a frame (for example beams) of a vehicle having a front and rear. The mounting bracket has a winch mounting area provided therewith, and a tire carrier and cooperative flexible member outlet area spaced from the winch mounting area towards the front of the vehicle. The mounting bracket is adapted to bolt directly to the frame members (for example beams) of a vehicle. The mounting bracket for the winch therefore obviates the need to provide welded or fastened reinforcing plates with the vehicle proximate the locations wherein the winch assembly is to be mounted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resistance spot welding aluminum comprises polishing the electrode tips periodically after a number of welds. During the spot welding, a coating or dust builds up on the electrode tips and this has been generally assumed to be pure aluminum. However, it has been found that the coating or dust is aluminum oxide which is nonconductive. Consequently, when power is applied to the electrodes there is a slight spitting or explusion at the electrode tips which are in contact with the aluminum surfaces. The electrodes thus become pitted or arced out after a few welds. To overcome this problem, the electrode tips are polished intermittently after a predetermined number of welds. This can be accomplished by a polishing wheel which is moved between the electrodes when they are in an open position.

Abstract: A pressure intensifier drive unit has walls that form a cylinder with an intermediate divider plug separating a working chamber and a pressure intensifying chamber aligned in the cylinder. The working chamber has a working piston and a working piston rod extending from an end of the cylinder. A carrier piston is located between the working piston and the divider plug and has a cylindrical recess receiving the working piston, a hydraulic fluid chamber, and a bore. A locking piston is movably mounted on the carrier piston and locks the carrier piston in place when the working piston rod initially contacts a workpiece. A pressure intensifier piston in the pressure intensifying chamber has a pressure intensifier piston rod extending through a bore in the divider plug and through the bore in the carrier piston into the hydraulic fluid chamber.

Abstract: A cover assembly is provided for electrical connections of a portable transformer. The cover assembly includes an inner cover plate of a size and shape to fit on an input end of the transformer. The inner cover plate has a large opening to provide easy access for connecting leads to terminal posts. An outer cover plate attaches over the portion of the inner cover plate having the large opening with the two plates having matching grooves which engage and firmly hold an outer insulating sheath for the leads. The cover assembly is compact so as to add minimal additional length to the transformer. It is also rugged and can take considerable physical abuse.

Abstract: Apparatus for resistance welding is provided. The apparatus includes a transformer, to an output face of which resistance welding electrode holders are connected. The output face has two terminal blocks with threaded openings to receive fasteners for several different designs of electrode holders. The welding electrode holders, being directly connected to the transformer, eliminate the usual heavy cables located between the welding electrode holders and the power source, thereby increasing efficiency through reduction of impedance and secondary loss. The transformer and electrode holders are essentially one unit which can also be moved about to different locations. The welding apparatus is also versatile and compact to meet various applications.

Abstract: Resistance welding apparatus with a compound electrode holder is provided. The apparatus is more effective in resistance welding members of U-shaped cross section than apparatus heretofore known. The compound electrode holder enables its electrode to travel in one arcuate path throughout most of its travel or stroke and to move in a second arcuate path as it approaches the workpiece. The compound electrode holder achieves a large path of travel of its electrode and at the same time accurate alignment of the electrodes and reliable welds are attained.

Abstract: Welding apparatus is provided for moving a welding tool in a controlled path at a controlled speed relative to a workpiece to produce a uniform weld bead. The apparatus includes a base carrying a workpiece support and a drive and control housing located behind the workpiece support. A welding tool mounting member is located under the drive and control housing and extends toward and over the workpiece support. A driven member in the drive and control housing is connected through a slot therein with the welding tool mounting member. The mounting member is guided by the driven member for movement in a linear path toward and away from the workpiece support to move a welding tool carried thereby back and forth over the workpiece support. Drive means moves the driven member and causes the mounting member to travel at a controlled, constant rate of movement toward said housing and away from the workpiece support.

Abstract: A knock-down press is provided which includes a high pressure intensifier cylinder and a knock-down frame. The overall frame includes two generally C-shaped frame members which are held in parallel relationship by a lower work-supporting bar affixed to lower portions of the frame members and by an upper cylinder-supporting bar affixed to upper portions of the frame members. The pressure intensifier cylinder has a lower end portion affixed to the cylinder-supporting bar. The lower and upper bars are affixed to the C-shaped frame members by shoulder screws having cylindrical shanks extending through bores in the bars and into aligned bores in the C-shaped frame members. This assures accurate alignment of the frame components.

Abstract: Apparatus and controls are provided for resistance welding one workpiece or body to another. A movable electrode is driven by a cylinder and a piston which are positioned in tandem with a second cylinder and a second piston. The design enables a small pressure applied to the second piston to result in a large force applied by the electrode to the bodies to be welded, with a back-up electrode located on the opposite side of the bodies. Controls for the apparatus enable the force applied by the movable electrode to the bodies to be changed almost instantaneously so that the force applied can be raised and lowered during the actual resistance welding cycle. In some intances, by way of illustration, the pressure is raised while the welding current is on, and, in other instances, the force is decreased and then increased again during the welding cycle.