Abstract: The stand is of a general hemispheric configuration. It is dimensioned with an adapter to handle a broad range of stem sizes and heights of artificial Christmas trees. A principal feature of the stand is the quick mounting and quick release that is made possible by the adapter which is readily expanded or reduced in its diameter when the tree trunk is inserted or removed.

Abstract: A stand of a generally hemispheric configuration base. A plurality of clamping legs are provided which are arcuately curved and pass through channels formed in the base. The legs will pass through the respective channels into gripping relationship with the tree trunk when it is inserted into a central containing body in the stand. Thus, the weight of the tree itself serves to locate, hold and place into operation the gripping legs of the combination.

Abstract: A wire feed protection system for an electrical discharge machining apparatus and machine tool. The workpiece is supported for movement along two coordinate axes in the "X" and "Y" direction through electrically controlled stepping motors in a manner which is well known to the art. The electrode is of a wire or band configuration and is so supported, guided, and driven that the cutting portion of the electrode which is aligned with the workpiece before and during cutting remains properly oriented and travels without bend or distortion in its path. When the wire breaks, bows or otherwise is caused to lose tension, a switch is operated to interrupt machining power pulses being supplied to the machining gap. For this purpose, a switch is located at one or more critical and predetermined locations in the wire electrode path, with the switch actuator in each case in engagement with the wire during transversal.

Abstract: Driver apparatus for precisely locating and driving nails or other similar pointed fasteners. Included is a base for locating the driver on the workpiece itself including a V slot entrance for locating the driver in driving relationship to a nail which may be already prelocated on the workpiece. The apparatus includes as its basic parts a nail driver, a holder including the base portion and a spacer which is interchangeably fixed to the lower contact end of the nail driver for presetting with precision the depth to which the nail is to be driven.

Abstract: A system for controlling the cutting of a workpiece with a wire electrode. The system provides for inclining the electrode wire in the path of traversal in opposition to the electrode such that a predetermined incline or taper is given to the workpiece during cutting. This is accomplished with precision control and sizing by providing an eccentric device positioned between a pair of orthogonal rollers, each spaced from opposing surfaces of the workpiece, so that a conical cutting path is described with respect to the electrode wire as it traverses in proximity to the workpiece during cutting.

Abstract: A wire feed system for an electrical discharge machining apparatus and machine tool. The workpiece is supported for movement along two coordinate axes in the X- and Y-direction through electrically controlled stepping motors in a manner which is well known to the art. The electrode is of a wire or band configuration and is so supported, guided, and driven that the cutting portion of the electrode which is aligned with the workpiece before and during cutting remains properly oriented and travels without bend or distortion in its path. The improvements in the support and drive mechanism for the wire electrode include a particular arrangement of driving and driven rollers for providing a constant pulling force on the wire and a set of orthogonally oriented guide rollers for holding the wire electrode in a predetermined path proximate the workpiece.