Abstract: Exemplary aspects of the present invention are directed to a reconfigurable dolly that may include a base, one or more base plates, that may be removable from the base and nest within the base, and one or more caster wheels connected to the base to allow for movement of the reconfigurable dolly relative to the surface on which the reconfigurable dolly may be positioned. The base of the reconfigurable dolly may be configured to be coupled to a base receiving tube. The base receiving tube may be configured for telescoping receipt of a seat receiving tube. The seat receiving tube may be telescopically positionable within the base receiving tube. The seat receiving tube may be configured for receipt and retention of an adjustable seat.

Abstract: Exemplary aspects of the present invention are directed to a reconfigurable dolly that may include a base, one or more base plates, that may be removable from the base and nest within the base, and one or more caster wheels connected to the base to allow for movement of the reconfigurable dolly relative to the surface on which the reconfigurable dolly may be positioned. The base of the reconfigurable dolly may be configured to be coupled to a base receiving tube. The base receiving tube may be configured for telescoping receipt of a seat receiving tube. The seat receiving tube may be telescopically positionable within the base receiving tube. The seat receiving tube may be configured for receipt and retention of an adjustable seat.

Abstract: A machine slide tool assembly and a drive mechanism that includes a slide plate slideably mounted on guide members connected between opposed end supports and which slide plate is reciprocally driven by a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a piston and cylinder arrangement disposed between the opposed end supports wherein a piston is displaceable within the cylinder by fluid pressure alternatively acting on the opposed ends of the piston, and which piston includes a gear wheel rotatably journaled thereto which is disposed in meshing relationship with a gear rack connected to the slide plate whereby the reciprocating motion of the piston is transmitted to the slide plate for enhancing the linear displacement of the slide plate relative to the linear displacement of the piston within its cylinder.

Abstract: A gripper device particularly suitable for positioning an annular member onto a workpiece that includes a housing having a pair of piston chambers, each of the piston chambers having a piston reciprocally mounted therein. A cover plate, having a plurality of radial slides mounted therein for radial movement, is connected to the housing. A plurality of through holes are also formed in the cover plate. One of the pistons has a piston rod to which each of the radial slides is connected thereto by an interconnecting link. The other piston is provided with a pusher disposed in alignment with each of the through holes to extend therethrough in the operative position. The piston actuating the slides is fluid actuated between operative and inoperative positions and the pusher piston is fluid actuated toward operative position and spring biased toward inoperative position. A gripping finger is adjustably positioned on each of the slides for handling annular members of different sizes.

Abstract: A power gripper for a machine or robotic tool having a housing provided with a cylinder and piston for actuating a pair of finger carriers slidably mounted on the housing to reciprocate between open and closed positions wherein the range of opening is enhanced for a gripper of a given size. This is attained by the piston rod having a rack portion meshing with an idler pinion that is in meshing relationship with a rack formed on one of the finger carriers whereby the latter is synchronized relative to the movement of the piston. The other finger carrier is pinned to the piston to move therewith. In one form of the invention, a fluid pressure acting on the opposed ends of the piston effects the drive of the piston in either direction. In another form of the invention, a fluid pressure is imparted on one end of the piston only and which piston is spring biased to effect the drive of the piston in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A gripper having a housing containing a piston and cylinder assembly and a pair of pinion gears rotatably journalled therein to oscillate in opposite directions. The housing is provided with a cruciform shaped guide way for accommodating a pair of finger carriers having a complementary cruciform shaped cross section slidably disposed within the guide way. A toggle arrangement including a cross-link connected to the piston and opposed connecting links interconnects the piston rod to the corresponding pinion gears so that, as the connecting links distend and extend upon the actuating of the piston, it results in reciprocation of the finger carriers to impart an enhanced closing force on the finger carriers in moving toward the closed position. Guide pins connected to the cross link and riding in slots on a cover plate enhance repeatability.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a power gripper for use with a robotic tool that includes a housing having formed therein opposed pairs of piston and cylinder arrangements to effect the drive of a corresponding finger carrier slidably supported on each end of the housing for movement between and open and closed position. The respective finger carriers are slidably supported relative to the housing by a pair of diagonally disposed support shafts. Operatively connected to each of the respective finger carriers is a synchronizing shaft in meshing relationship with a pinion for synchronizing the movement of the respective carrier fingers between open and closed position. The arrangement is such that the synchronizing shafts are freely slidable within the housing and independent of the support shaft so as to be free of any sliding friction and/or bearing forces imparted to the support shafts during operation.

Abstract: A power gripper for a machine or robotic tool having a housing provided with a cylinder and piston for actuating a pair of finger carriers slidably mounted on the housing to reciprocate between open and closed positions wherein the range of opening is enhanced for a gripper of a given size. This is attained by the piston rod having a rack portion meshing with an idler pinion that is in meshing relationship with a rack formed on one of the finger carriers whereby the latter is synchronized relative to the movement of the piston. The other finger carrier is pinned to the piston to move therewith. In one form of the invention, a fluid pressure acting on the opposed ends of the piston effects the drive of the piston in either direction. In another form of the invention, a fluid pressure is imparted on one end of the piston only and which piston is spring biased to effect the drive of the piston in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A rotary actuator including a housing provided with a fluid actuated drive assembly operatively connected to a rotary plate arranged to effect the drive thereof, wherein the housing and the rotary plate are provided with complementary cooperating stop abutment and groove or track for limiting the angular rotation of the rotary plate in either the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation. An adjustment is provided to adjust the angular rotation of the rotary plate. Also provided is a control or adjustment for independently regulating the speed of rotation of the rotary plate either in the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for use in automated machines or robotics having a piston driven activator for effecting corresponding linear parallel displacement of opposed finger carriers and associated gripper fingers between a retracted and protracted position with improved center repeatability that is achieved by keying or maintaining the piston driven activator firmly centered relative to the gripper housing in a precise and positive manner that is least effected by wear. The gripper assembly may also be rendered fluid tight to operate in a fluid environment by providing seals between the opposed reciprocating finger carriers and the gripper housing as the finger carriers are displaced in a linear parallel manner between a protracted and retracted position.

Abstract: A pull bar gripper assembly having a body member with a pusher slidably mounted thereon arranged to engage the end of a workpiece to be pulled. A collar is connected to the pusher. A pair of gripper arms, each having a gripping pad connected on one end thereof, are pivotally mounted on the body member. A toggle link interconnects the other end of each gripper arm to the collar and a coil spring normally biases the pusher toward an inoperative or non-gripping position. In operation, the gripper arms are pivoted into gripping position onto a workpiece as the gripper assembly is advanced toward the workpiece by the retraction of the pusher upon engaging the end of a workpiece. In doing so, the toggle link compressing the coil spring shifts through dead center to lock the gripping pads onto the workpiece. Release is effected by pulling the gripper assembly away from the workpiece slightly, causing the coil spring to return the pusher and gripper arms to their normal inoperative or non-gripping position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing venous circulation in persons having venous insufficiencies and/or for effecting muscular massage for preventing muscle atrophy. This is attained by a wrap or sleeve adapted to circumscribe the portion of the body to be treated which includes an inflatable flexible tubing or tube which is inflated and deflated for producing a smooth, progressive massaging force on the body portion being treated. In operation, a fluid pressure inflates the respective tubes in a progressive manner whereby a massaging force is progressively applied against the body part as the tubes are sequentially inflated and which massaging force is relieved when the tubes are deflated. A control circuit is provided to control the inflation and deflation of the flexible tubing to effect a repetitive cycle in a predetermined time sequence.

Abstract: A hand operated machine tool for machining a groove about a cylinder bore of an engine block having a body portion adapted to be secured in place within a cylinder bore of an engine block, and having a laterally extending rotating arm provided with a cutting tool for machining the groove as the arm is rotated. In one form of the invention, the arm is provided with a lever which is pivoted at one end to the arm and having its other end disposed in engagement with a threaded handle connected to the free end of the rotatable arm. A fulcrum pin is interposed intermediate the ends of the lever whereby relative rotation of the handle and arm causes the arm and the cutting tool to be progressively advanced toward the engine block to perform the cutting operation as the arm is rotated.

Abstract: A gripper device which includes a piston and cylinder assembly wherein the piston rod extends through one end of the cylinder, and which cylinder end is defined with a concave slot. Connected to the end of the piston rod is a gripper formed as a resilient member defining a pair of opposed finger portions and an interconnecting flexible web portion. The flexible web portion extends transversely of the outer concave slot. The arrangement is such that the actuation of the piston draws flexible web portion toward the concave slot surface of the cylinder causing the finger portions to flex between a gripping and non-gripping position; and whereby the gripper maintains a spring bias on the piston.

Abstract: A launcher for target pigeons of the kind having propellor type wings and which includes a drive unit having a rotating shaft to which a target pigeon is releasably connected. The target pigeon is releasably secured by a retainer head mounted on the rotating shaft and which is actuated by a control rod that is remotely actuated. The drive unit is mounted on a pivot to swivel during a launching operation. In one form, the drive unit is operatively associated with a vane which allows the launcher to oscillate when in operation to launch a target. In another embodiment, the oscillation of the launcher is effected by an eccentric mechanical drive which is connected to the drive unit.

Abstract: An improved target pigeon for simulating the erratic and unpredictable flight of a flushed bird for target shooting which includes a wing member and a detachable cap member. The wing member is provided with blanked out tabs and the cap member is dome shaped and formed of relative thin material wherein the spacing between tabs and the outer diameter of the cap member is such that the cap member is maintained to the wing member under compression and which cap member is provided with a notched flange portion for accommodating the tabs to prohibit relative rotation therebetween and resulting spin off during a launching operation; and which cap member is rendered readily detachable upon a hit when shot at.

Abstract: A tap sharpener has a base defining a base axis and carrying a support which is pivotal on the base about a support axis inclined to the base axis. A tap holder is fixed on the support for joint rotation therewith about the support axis and has a retainer for securing a tap on the tap holder with the central axis of the tap extending parallel to the support axis. A slide between the holder and the support allows for displacement of the holder on the support in a direction passing perpendicularly through the support axis and through the central axis of a tap secured by the retainer in the holder. An indexing stop is provided for angularly positioning the tap relative to the holder in a predetermined angular position relative to the tap axis and to the support. The sharpener allows virtually any type of tap to be sharpened with any type of angular and axial relief angle.

Abstract: A saw blade construction and method of forming such blade whereby the ends of a saw blade are abutted into end to end relationship to define an endless saw blade having a series of teeth formed along one edge to define a cutting edge, and having a back edge which is progressively sloped or tapered in opposite directions from an intermediate point on the back edge so that in a cutting operation the saw blade effects a cut along an edge portion of a workpiece on the down feed stroke of the blade and a progressive cut on the opposite edge of the workpiece whereby the teeth are rendered self-feeding on the progressive cut of the workpiece. In a modified embodiment the saw blade is formed with a plurality of alternately disposed down feed and progressive cutting edges.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of making a continuous saw blade having stepped saw segments whereby the cutting teeth in each segment define a cutting edge which is inclined relative to a back edge so that the respective teeth are rendered self-feeding during a cutting operation. The apparatus includes a moveable carriage having a pair of clamps mounted thereon for gripping a saw blade to be formed therebetween. The clamps are formed to effect the heating of the saw blade clamped therebetween, and operated to impart a lateral offset in the blade as the blade is being formed. The back edge of the respective offset segments are then trimmed to define a back edge which is coincidental for the length of the saw blade and the cutting edge inclined to the back edge in each segment so as to render the cutting teeth of each segment self-feeding during a cutting operation.