Abstract: Apparatus for use in a transfer system for causing movement in first and second orthogonal directions includes a ball screw for moving a carriage in the first direction a predetermined distance and then moving a primary lever and concurrently a second lever to cause movement of the carriage in the second direction.

Abstract: A locking device for locking an article to an external structure is provided. The locking device deters theft of the article by being structured so as to cause significant damage to the article, preferably to the point of inoperability, if the article is pulled or jerked away from the external structure. In general, a locking member is threaded, for example, through an opening provided in a critical operating component of the article (such as a circuit board). The opening in the critical operating component is preferably surrounded at its periphery by wiring or other elements which contribute to the operability of the article. The locking member extends to an exterior of the article housing and is secured to an external structure. If the article is pulled or jerked, the locking member generally rips through the circuit board and the wiring thereon, for example, thereby causing significant functional damage to the article and preferably rendering the article inoperative.

Abstract: A cam clamp includes a swing clamp arm and multiple options for driving the clamp. The movement of a locking cam within a clamp header influences a central shaft having a clamp member attached thereto to rotate from a first rest position to a second clamping position, then causes the central shaft (with the clamp member mounted thereon) to move axially downwards to exert a clamping force. In a second embodiment, the rotational movement of a locking ring causes a central shaft, having a clamp member attached thereto, to rotate with it from a first rest position to a second clamping position. At the second position, the shaft is restrained from further rotation, but the locking ring continues as before. An appropriately inclined upper surface of the locking ring comes into sliding contact beneath the clamp member, causing the clamp member to pivot downwards with steadily increasing clamping force.

Abstract: An improvement in a system for transferring parts between work stations wherein the system has part grippers movable along three orthogonal axes, the first being the opening and closing movements of the grippers, the second being the transfer movement of the grippers between stations and the third being the lifting and lowering movements of the grippers at a station. The improvement resides in the mechanism which effects movements along the first and third axes. This mechanism includes two linearly movable bushings connected with a lost motion and separated by a compression spring with the first bushing being movable by the action of a cam. In their closing movement, the grippers are moved by the bushings until the second bushing is stopped by an abutment.