Abstract: A spring clip for clamping a heat sink module which has a plurality of upwardly extending cooling elements to an electronic module. The spring clip includes a horizontal grid like foot portion which engages the upper surface of the heat sink module a vertical leg portion which extends along the side of the heat sink module and the electronic module and a bendable and resilient connecting portion which extends from the inner end of the foot portion to the upper end of the leg portion. The electronic module has a first latching element at its side surface for engaging a complementary second latching element which forms part of the vertical leg portion of the spring clip. The spring clip is rendered from a non-clamping position in which the latching element of the clip is above the latching element of the electronic module to a clamping position by bending the connecting portion downwardly from its inner end to lower the vertical leg portion so that the first and second latching elements are engaged.

Abstract: A manually operable press for installing fasteners in flexible material comprises a one piece relatively rigid frame of generally C-shape having a vertically extending back portion and a pair of laterally extending and vertically spaced upper and lower legs. A ram is carried in the upper leg and is guided for reciprocating movement along a path toward and away from the lower leg. The ram is driven toward the lower leg by a drive assembly comprising first and second drive levers mounted for pivotal movement in the upper end of the frame. The first drive lever has a first end in driving engagement with the ram and a second end drivingly connected by a toggle link to a first end of the second drive lever. A second end of the second lever constitutes a manual drive handle and is arranged to extend generally parallel to the back portion of the frame when the second lever has been moved to a position wherein the ram member is driven to generally the maximum extent of its movement toward the lower leg.

Abstract: A tack button assembly includes a solid, deformable button body having an anchoring socket with first and second ends. The socket extends along the longitudinal axis of the body and is adapted to retainingly receive the shank of an associated tack through the socket first end. A thin cover wall which is integral with the button closes the socket first end. The construction is such that the tack penetrates a material to which the assembly is intended to be secured before breaking through the cover wall and entering the anchoring socket. Such relationships prevent the tack from creating an enlarged hole in the material and/or causing puckering of the material. A cap member is disposed in close surrounding relation to the hub portion of the button body.

Abstract: A tool is provided for applying adhesive material to a surface. The tool utilizes a cartridge of heat-softenable, thermoplastic material which is positioned in a chamber of the tool. Air under pressure at the rear end of the chamber is applied directly to the rear of the cartridge to urge it toward a heat block located at the forward end of the chamber. That portion of the adhesive material in contact with and near the heat block is softened and flows through passages in the block and past a check valve to a nozzle from which the softened adhesive is directed to the surface. The heat block has a plurality of radially-extending fins which are designed to concentrate heat at the center of the cartridge. The tool features a sleeve of plastic material in the cartridge chamber adjacent the heat block, which sleeve is isolated from the rear portion of the chamber to minimize the conduction of heat toward the rear.

Abstract: A tool is provided for applying adhesive material to a surface. The tool utilizes a cartridge of heat-softenable, thermoplastic material which is positioned in a chamber of the tool. Air under pressure is applied directly to a rear portion of the cartridge to urge it toward a heat block located at a forward end of the chamber. That portion of the adhesive material in contact with and adjacent the heat block is softened and flows through a central discharge passage in the block and past a check valve to a nozzle from which the softened adhesive is directed to a surface to be bonded. The heat block is designed to apply more heat to a central portion of the forward end of the cartridge than to a peripheral porton, in order to promote flow of the heat-softened material toward the discharge passage from the peripheral portion of the cartridge.

Abstract: A welding tool is set forth for end welding studs to workpieces. The tool is primarily designed to end weld small studs having precisely-formed tips. The stud is held by a chuck connected to a chuck leg with an electrical coil holding the chuck leg in a retracted position prior to welding. When the coil is deenergized, a plunge spring plunges the chuck leg, the chuck, and the stud back toward the workpiece. With a high voltage imposed between the stud and the workpiece, the stud tip vaporizes when reaching the workpiece and adjacent portions of the stud and workpiece melt to securely weld the stud. To initially move the chuck and chuck leg to the retracted position, a retraction mechanism is provided. This includes a lever pivotally mounted at the front of the tool and engagable with a portion of the chuck leg to retract the chuck leg when the lever is manipulated by an operator. This reduces the retraction effort to increase the rate of welding and to reduce operator fatigue.

Abstract: An improved welding tool for end welding studs to workpieces is set forth. The tool includes simplified and inexpensive means for removably connecting a chuck to a chuck leg of the tool. The tool further includes a welding foot for holding a floating spark shield which can move toward and away from the tool body to assure that the shield will be in contact with the workpiece during welding. The tool has threaded spacing means for accurately positioning the welding foot at selected distances from the tool body to control the plunge stroke of the stud during a welding cycle. The rear of a chuck leg of the tool has a coil plunge spring thereon and a seating shoulder engaging an end of the spring to plunge the chuck leg and the chuck toward the workpiece when the spring is under compression. An adjustable seating sleeve is located around the rear portion of the chuck leg, but separate therefrom, and engages the other end of the spring.