Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of protecting the finished surfaces of a sanitary fixture against damage during installation and construction at an installation site. In general, the method involves installing a removable protective covering over substantially all the finished surfaces of a sanitary fixture, prior to delivering the sanitary fixture to the installation site. Thereafter, the sanitary fixture and the installed protective covering, as a single unit, are delivered to the installation site. After, completion of installation and construction, and removal of the protective covering from the finished surfaces of the sanitary fixture, the finished surfaces thereof are free from damage.

Abstract: A shower stall booth is converted into a bath by supporting an integral sheet of waterproof material against the upstanding walls of the shower stall. Support components extend across the open side of the shower stall to further support the waterproof sheet. A second embodiment enables the waterproof insert to extend outward from within the stall shower to any desired length and breadth. A third embodiment enables the waterproof tub insert to extend upward to any desire height. Fourth and fifth embodiments accomplish the shower stall bath conversion by means of affixing either a watertight wall or a partial tub insert to the open side of the shower stall.

Abstract: The present seat has a fixed, lower, first frame and a pair of second frames on top on opposite sides of the centerline of the first frame and each angularly adjustable between a retracted (sofa) position and an extended (bed) position at a right angle to the retracted position. Each second frame has a downwardly-projecting lock member for releasable engagement with an outer rail of the first frame on that side of its centerline when the second frame is in its retracted position. Rings of rubber-like material are sandwiched vertically between each second frame and the first frame to enhance the locking action when a person sits on that side of the seating device. A pair of back rests are removably mounted in sockets on the back ends of the outer rails of the first frame. Each back rest has a pillow-supporting frame that is angularly adjustable against the back of a person leading against that back rest.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-functional bed for a patient or a fairly aged person. The bed performs multiple functions. It is provided with a lower capsule supported by a metallic supporting frame, an upper capsule mounted on the lower capsule, a movable and rotatable portion which is supported by the metallic supporting frame, a plurality of removable cushions placed on the movable portion, and a net which can be wound or unwound by a winding portion disposed on the underside of said movable portion. The bed includes a stool, bath tub, shower, dryer and heat lamp. The use of the multi-functional bed allows the patient or the like to excrete lying in bed and also to take a bath by way of having his body lowered in the net into the bath tub, with the consequence that the nurse or attending person can keep the patient in good hygienic condition.

Abstract: The adjustable hospital and nursing home bed, has a three-part support frame for mattresses, the head, middle and foot part of which are pivotably connected to one another via pivot shafts and are supported in a suspension frame of a bed frame such that they are pivotable in height directly by means of a force provider, preferably a gas spring and indirectly via a lever linkage. The suspension frame is embodied such that it is divided transversely to the longitudinal direction of the bed and such that it can be taken apart, and is retained removably on head- and footboards of the bed frame. The headboard and footboard are embodied such that they telescope within one another and are continuously adjustable in height along with the suspension frame and the support frame, by means of gas springs.

Abstract: A patient transfer device adapted to be a component of a patient transport stretcher, chair or gurney is disclosed. A rigid articulated support having a head portion and a lower portion hinged to one another is adapted to be attached to a stretcher having a Fowler mechanism. A self locking reversible gearbox which can be manually driven from either side of the transport device is attached to the support. The gearbox drives an articulated output shaft to which rollers are attached. The rollers drive an endless belt beneath the support. The endless belt has finite lengths of low friction webbing attached. The low friction webbing wraps around the support and across the top thereof between the support and a flexible semirigid transfer sheet. The low friction webbing is attached to the semirigid sheet such that when the gearbox is activated the transfer sheet is moved across the rigid support to extend outwardly from either side of the rigid support.

Abstract: A stretcher for conveying a patient in an immobilized condition has a body support within a perimeter frame, and elongated flaps connected to the body support to define a tapering body support zone between the flaps. The upper side of one flap and the underside of the other flap each carry several parallel strips of hooked pile fabric, extending in perpendicular directions on the two flaps, so that by folding the flaps across, the patient can be immobilized in a tube formed by the body support member and the flaps. Longitudinal restraint is provided to shoulder and foot straps, free ends of which are secured by being laid between the flaps. An auxiliary pelvic harness may be used, and a head restraint is provided.

Abstract: A bi-motional cradle has a base with rollers affixed along each of two sides. A motor mounted on the base drives a crank arm which imparts to and fro translational motion to a cradle frame which rests upon the rollers of the base. A mediate frame member which lies within the cradle frame supports a second motor. The second motor has a crank arm rotably attached thereto. A cradle is suspended from the cradle frame by means which allow the cradle to hang freely and oscillate. The second motor's crank arm engages the cradle during a part of that crank arm's rotational motion. As the second motor's crank arm engages the cradle, it imparts a motion to the cradle that causes the cradle to swing, or oscillate. A baby lying in the cradle is soothed by a gentle, steady, two-directional motion.

Abstract: Portable, lightweight apparatus for beach use is provided in which a generally tubular housing holds a wound up beach blanket on a convolute, spring-actuated roller wind-up mechanism. The housing has means for anchoring it into sand, pockets affixed thereto for carrying various items needed at the beach and handle means for ease of carrying. A user can carry the apparatus to the beach, anchor it into the sand, pull the towel out of the housing for use during sunbathing, use the various and sundry items carried in the pockets and, when finished, the user can roll the blanket back into the housing, detach the anchor and carry the apparatus away for use another day.

Abstract: The present invention entails a wedge shaped multi-sectional back rest pillow unit wherein at least one section of the unit is movable such that the overall structure may be manipulated such that it can assume numerous different configurations. By selectively moving and repositioning one section of the back rest and pillow unit, the entire structure may assume: (1) an upright back rest configuration, (2) an intermediate back rest configuration, (3) a horizontal wedge configuration, or (4) a pillow configuration.

Abstract: A mattress and foundation bedding system having a knock-down capability for ease of assembly and disassembly, and for shipment and storage. The foundation has a core of honeycomb cells enclosed in an outer box and dressed with ticking material to resemble conventional bedding. The mattress has interlocking foam sidewal rails suitably reinforced to maintain its shape. The sidewall rails define a central cavity into which a sleep support system may be placed. The sleep support system may be fluid filled, or foam, or a conventional spring set, or other suitable supporting medium and is enclosed in a liner.The entire mattress is enclosed in a removable ticking enclosure.

Abstract: A fitted sheet includes a hem which completely surrounds the sheet along the perimeter thereof and two drawstrings located in that hem. The drawstrings exit the hem on each side of a transverse centerline of the sheet. Stitching can be included to attach the drawstrings to the sheet.

Abstract: A shoe support (18) for use in a machine for operating progressively onside wall portions of a lasted shoe upper comprises a last pin (722) and a toe support (792) both of which are movable heightwise to bring a shoe supported thereby to a heel seat height datum and toe end height datum as determined respectively by a holddown (450) and toe abutment (806). Heel end centralizing means (390) and toe end centralizing means (822) are also provided.

Abstract: A washer for balls such as golf balls including an entry tube having an open entrance end and a second end joined at an angle to an adjoining end of an exit tube thereby forming an elbow-shaped housing. The exit tube has an inner wall lined with brushes near the adjoining end and sponges near the exit end. A rotatable helical (spiral) array of brushes, or/and sponges, is arranged inside of and concentric with the exit tube. The washer is supported with the entrance and exit above the joining ends so that the housing will hold water up to a level that is determined by a weep hole to keep the brushes submerged. The helical array of brushes can be turned manually by a crank extending from the central shaft of the helical brush array to function as a lift mechanism. Balls are inserted into the entrance end of the housing and as the handle is turned, the ball is scrubbed as it is lifted by the helical brush array toward the exit end of the housing onto a sponge-lined tray having weep holes therein.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning under water structures that comprises a cylindrical brush having a plurality of bristles that extend radially outward, a sealed electric motor for axially rotating the cylindrical brush and a winch and cables to raise and lower the cylindrical brush as it cleans the under water structure. A substantially rectangular trough is displaced below the cleaning apparatus to collect debris that is removed from the underwater structure as the structure is being cleaned.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically cleaning magnetic tape in a cartridge, and in particularl a 3480 type cartridge, has a cartridge nest for receiving and retaining the cartridge, a rotatable take-up hub, a load arm, cleaning apparatus and control apparatus. The load arm swings between a first position, where the arm engages the cartridge load block, and a second position, where the arm and the load block are at the take-up hub. In moving from the first to the second position, the load arm strings the tape through the cleaning apparatus. The cleaning apparatus has tissues for wiping the tape and a scraper for scraping the oxide surface of the tape. The tape is cleaned as it is wound out to the take-up hub and also as it is rewound into the cartridge. The control apparatus provides automatic operation of the load arm, and the wind out and rewind operations.

Abstract: A unitary, substantially flat scraper (10,20,30,40) having a handle portion (11,21,31,41,42) adapted to be grasped with one or two hands through an opening (13,25,33,44) for the fingers, and a wide blade portion (12,22,32,43) which is semi rigid so as to conform to the curvature of the surface to be scraped, as the user strokes the scraper.

Abstract: A cleaning device (10) for bathtubs, shower enclosures, and the like comprises a sponge block having an outer surface which substantially defines a rectangular polyhedron in shape and which has a cavity (34) cut into a top surface thereof which is similarly shaped and oriented correspondingly as is the outer surface of the sponge block. A rigid support block (14), having an outer surface with length and breadth dimensions which are approximately the same as the size and shape of the length and breadth dimensions of a cavity surface, is adhered in the cavity by a chemical (cleaning), detergent, and water resistant, elastic, adhesive (18) and an elongated handle (16) is attached to a top surface of the support block. The sponge block is constructed of reticulated sponge material and distances between side, end, and bottom surfaces of the support block and the sponge outer surface fall in a range from 1/2 inch to 2.5 inches.

Abstract: An adaptor for fitting a small diameter wiper arm pin to a large diameter hole in a wiper superstructure comprises at least one element of which the inner surface defines a cavity to receive the small diameter pin. The outer surface of the pin adaptor defines an outside diameter which exceeds the diameter of the pin and is adapted to fit the large diameter hole. Preferably, a pair of complementary elements are provided to encase the pin and the outer surface further defines a groove to receive a leaf spring of a conventional wiper connector assembly. An aligning flange cooperable with a slot in the wiper assures correct alignment of the adaptor in the superstructure.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with retractable windshield wiper installations for vehicle, having a foldable wiper arm.The installation according to the invention includes a wiper arm comprising a blade carrier and a support arm, in which the blade carrier is moveable between a deployed position and a position in which it is folded back against the support arm. The wiper arm is driven in rotation by a drive spindle mounted on a support plate. A deployment mechanism is actuated by a deployment motor so as to move the blade carrier from its folded back position to its deployed position and vice versa. The deployment motor is fixed on the support plate so that it is not driven in rotation by the drive spindle. In this way, the inertia of the assembly which is driven in rotation during the wiping operation is very much reduced by comparison with installations in which the deployment motor is carried by the blade carrier support arm.

Abstract: An arrangement for reducing the noise generated by the exhaust air flow of a vacuum cleaner includes a two part cartridge internally formed with interleaved sets of baffle plates. This cartridge may be selectively installed within the vacuum cleaner housing in the exhaust air flow path, the housing being formed with an internal compartment adapted for receipt of the cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved synthetic resinous formulation utilized to form a substrate for retention of carpet while securing tack and pre-nail elements in strip form, and with the pre-nails being adapted to secure the substrate in place along the edge surfaces of the floor and with the tack elements being adapted to retain the edge portions of a carpet in place thereon. The substrate is characterized in that it is formed essentially of a filled polyurethane compound which possesses unusual mechanical properties particularly desirable in the formation of carpet retaining strips. These properties include the flexibility to permit the strip to conform to an irregular floor surface, and furthermore can be readily cut and notched to allow it to be bent to conform to an inside or outside corner. Because of the excellent plastic memory, the carpet retaining tacks are held at a desired angle even when subjected to substantial lateral tension caused by the stretched in-place carpet.

Abstract: The apparatus for trimming a layer of back fat off a pork shoulder butt comprises a frame as well as a flat, flexible and arcuate cutting blade with two ends respectively attached to a pair of blade holders pivotally mounted onto the frame. A conveyor, a set of upper gripper belts, and a rotative roller pass the shoulder butt through the blade to trim off the layer of fat. The rotative roller has a diameter gradually decreasing along its longitudinal axis from each end of the roller toward the center thereof to define an annular, concave outer surface. This roller is mounted onto the frame adjacent the arcuate blade on the outside of the curve this blade defines but with a distance separating the annular surface and the blade to enable passage of the layer of fat between them. The annular outer surface of the roller is formed with teeth to engage the fat whereby rotation of the roller forces the shoulder butt through the blade.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting up carcasses in an abattoir, and in particular for cleaving them in two, comprises: a support beam securely mounted on a cleaving carriage via a pivot mount enabling the beam to pivot angularly about a pivot axis extending parallel to the cleaving direction; and adjustment means interposed between the cleaving carriage and the support beam to adjust the angular position of the beam about its pivot, and also to lock it in position. The apparatus is suitable for cutting up or cleaving in two the carcasses of slaughtered animals.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to various aspects of automated excision of undesirable material (and optionally excision of bone) from meat, and automated production of starting material for restructured meat, including: (a) an apparatus and method generally drawn to, optical detection of the location of undesirable material in meat, communication of information regarding the location of the undesirable material to a control means, and excision of the undesirable material from the meat using a high pressure water jet controlled by the control means; (b) a bone location sensor and method of bone location sensing, each employing a plurality of needles, and; (c) a multiple blade slicer.

Abstract: A stuffing method and apparatus is disclosed which produces a stuffed log having a front end portion which is larger in diameter than the remainder of the log. This is accomplished by spacing the sizing disc and pressure ring apart when food product is first introduced into the casing and the immediately pressing the sizing disc and pressure ring together while stuffing the front end portion of the casing and then moving the sizing disc and pressure ring to a set predetermined distance apart and holding them in this position while stuffing the remainder of the product.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing textile fibers is disclosed which includes a carding machine (14) and a batt former (A). Batt former (A) includes an air circulation loop which includes a plenum (B), fiber compacting chamber (C), air separating means (72, 74), acceleration channel (30), duct (46), and fan blower (54). Fan blower (54) has an adjustable angle of incidence "a"to direct a jet of fiber-laden air into plenum (B) against a splash plate (66) to cause fibers to be deposited in fiber compacting chamber (C) in a cross-directional profile so that fibers at side walls of the plenum may have increased residence time in the fiber compacting chamber compensating for side wall friction. A first separated air flow (5) is divided by side friction. A first separated air flow (5) is divided by side channels (92a, 92b) and combined with a second air flow (4) to form supercharged air flow regions at the sides of the air flow passing through acceleration channel (30).

Abstract: A clamp for clamping a golf cart accessory 11 to an elongated element 21 on a golf cart. The clamp includes a resilient tubular member 22 (FIG. 6) attached to the accessory 11 (FIG. 2) that can be pressed onto elongated element 21. A locking clamp 31 (FIGS. 7 and 8) is slid over and around the ears 26 and 27 of the tubular member 22 to provide a secure fit.

Abstract: A fastener for securing a circuit board to a chassis or another circuit board of an electronic appliance in a spaced relationship by a predetermined fixed distance. The fastener comprises a plunger having an inverted pyramid-shaped head and a rod extending downwardly from said head, and a fastener body including an isolating member having at the center thereof an opening for receiving said plunger therein and a pair of locking members located at the opposite ends of said isolating member with a pair of support plates interposed therebetween. When the plunger is inserted into the fastener body, the locking members are expanded outwardly by the plunger so that a circuit board and a chassis or another circuit board are secured to each other in a predetermined spaced relationship.

Abstract: An article securing device consisting of two parts, a block with a hole in it and an article holding portion having two arms which can be inserted into and locked onto the block. The arms have notches on their ends for engaging the block and locking the article holding portion thereon. The article holding portion has an oblong shaped looped portion. When one said of the oblong loop portion is squeezed one arm rides up on and is depressed into a depression on the other arm, unlocking the arms from the block and allowing th earticle holding portion to be withdrawn from the block for inserting articles on the article holding portion.

Abstract: An improved hook-type speed fastening device with an optional, integrated, adjustable width, adjustable tension capacity is disclosed. In the main, the fastening device includes an inner eyelet-bearing head with a novel communicating outer loop, and a lace receiving slot. In an additional embodiment, a substantial linear format with serialized eyelets is disclosed.

Abstract: A machine for processing textile tubes with yarn residue and comprising a device for removing the yarn residue from the textile tubes and including jaws, an element for opening the jaws, and an element for closing the jaws into the yarn residue with respect to a diameter and conicity of the textile tubes so as to minimize a pressure exerted by the jaws on the textile tubes. The machine further comprises a guide for guiding the textile tubes and an element for moving the guide member of the guide in opposite directions between the jaws. The opening element is formed to open the jaws in response to the guide member being moved in one of the opposite directions, and the closing element is formed to close the jaws in response to the guide member being moved in the other of the opposite directions.

Abstract: A machine tool having pallets each being movable between machining region and non-machining region. At the machining region, there are provided a movable column which supports a spindle head, and a stationary table confronting the column. In front of the stationary table, a workpiece handling station is provided which defines the non-machining region. When one of the pallets is positioned at the machining region for machining to the one of the workpieces, another pallet is brought to the non-machining region, where already machined workpiece is replaced by a new workpiece, and the another pallet is again introduced into the machining region while the first workpiece is still subjected to machining. Machining to the new workpiece is achievable by simply moving the column within the machining region.

Abstract: A button includes a female element and a male element engageable with each other. A hole with a pawl is formed in the female element. The male element includes a base portion and a pin integrally formed together. The pin has a free tip end and one or more recesses. The pin is insertable through the hole and the pawl is engageable with one of the recesses.

Abstract: A heatable controlled deflection roll contains hydrostatic support elements, each of which is supported in a pressure chamber and displaceable in a predetermined support or pressing direction. Heating of the rotatable roll shell or jacket of the controlled deflection roll is accomplished by infeeding a heated hydraulic heat carrier medium to bearing pockets of the hydrostatic support elements. This infeed of the heated hydraulic heat carrier medium is effected operationally separate from the provision of the pressure chamber with hydraulic pressurized fluid medium colder than the heated hydraulic heat carrier medium. The infeed of the hydraulic heat carrier medium and the infeed of the hydraulic pressurized fluid medium are thus accomplished via separate lines without thermal stressing of associated regulating valves and pumps and without a viscosity reduction of the hydraulic pressurized fluid medium, such viscosity reduction resulting in a loss of hydraulic pressurized fluid medium.

Abstract: A stainless steel roller for conveying a web has a surface prepared by blasting the surface of the roller with steel shot to create on the surface a deep texture with well rounded down features and sharp up features with peaks. The blasted surface is finished with a grinding action for removing the peaks to produce plateaus surrounded by interconnected channels. The interconnected channels of the surface allow air entrained between the roller surface and a web to be vented through the channels while the web is in contact with the roller.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cylinder having scavenging passages for a two-cycle internal combustion engine is disclosed which comprises the steps of forming bulged portions protruded radially outwardly in a portion of a cylindrical liner, and surrounding the liner by casting through a high pressure diecast method, thereby form a main part of the cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat-exchanger (10) incorporating circulation tubes (16) for conducting a first heat-transfer medium, end plates (12), and surface-enlarging plate-like fins (14) secured to the outer peripheral surfaces of the circulation tubes and arranged to be contacted with a second heat-transfer medium, the fins being firmly secured to a plurality of circulation tube sections, which extend through registering holes (18) formed in the fins (14). The fins are secured to the tube sections by expanding the tubes so as to enlarge the periphery thereof. The contact surfaces of the fins about the inside periphery of the holes (18) which engage against the circulation tubes (16) are cylindrical and extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the circulation tubes over at least a greater part of the axial extent of the holes, which affords stable attachment and good heat-transfer properties.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing the spherical ball from a support shaft in a joint assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing defining a pair of orthogonally directioned, intersecting channels therein. The channels form a recess well configured to receive a ball to be removed. A drive shaft inserted in a third channel defined in the housing provides a means of applying force to the ball's support shaft, thereby causing the housing to abut against the ball and disengage it from its support shaft mounting.

Abstract: The wafer alignment fixture is provided with a pair of upstanding walls for mounting of a wafer cassette thereon as well as with a roller parallel to the walls to engage with the wafers of the cassette. Rotation of the roller causes the wafers in the cassette to rotate so as to move the notches of the wafers into alignment with the rollers. Upon coming into alignment with the roller, the wafers drop down onto a pair of support surfaces while being spaced from the roller so that further rotation is precluded. The roller may be tensioned in order to eliminate sag due to the weight of the wafers. Also, a second roller may be provided for rotating the aligned notches of the wafers into a different angular position within the cassette.

Abstract: On a track for electromagnetically levitated vehicles, to adjust and secure side guide rails on a beam-like support member forming the track, after stators are adjusted and fixed to the support member, the side guide rails are held in position relative to the support member. Initially, the guide rails are positioned relative to the track and then are adjusted with respect to a datum plane determined by the lower surfaces of the stators. Next, the guide rails are adjusted horizontally transversely of the track with respect to measuring points fixed to the surface of the support member. Finally, the guide rails are attached to the support member. Apparatus for installing the guide rails includes a plurality of installation truss frames mounting assembly arms for holding the guide rails. Each assembly arm has a holding device for a guide rail and an abutment positionable against a lower surface of the stators.

Abstract: A plurality of phase insulators are inserted in the cavities of the stator of a dynamo-electric machine by means of an insertion device which includes a plurality of guide blades displaced circumferentially around a central axis and an insertion member slidable between the series of guide blades and having a circumferential series of axial grooves in its outer surface in which the various blades are engaged. The insertion member is disposed initially in a rest position in which it allows a phase insulator to be positioned above the guide blades, after which it is moved to an operative position so as to cause the phase insulators to slide along the guide blades and to be inserted in the cavities of the stator.

Abstract: A plurality of frequency selective limiting units are prepared on a common substrate. A plurality of generally linear signal carrying conductors are formed in spaced relation on a first ferrite member, the opposite side of which contains a lower ground plane. A second ferrite member is bonded to the first ferrite member with a nonconductive adhesive to form a layered structure. Grooves are formed in a free surface of the structure to a depth sufficient to cut through the first and second ferrite members and to expose the lower ground plane. The structure is metallized in a conformal manner so that the metallization is in contact with the lower ground plane. The units are separated by dicing to thereby provide a plurality of individual FSL's.

Abstract: A stationary induction electric apparatus and a method for manufacturing the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a reinforcement frame to be mounted on an inner peripheral surface of a rectangular core, a protective cover for covering both of the rectangular core and the reinforcement frame, a reinforcement band to be wound on an outer peripheral surface of the rectangular core on which the protective cover is mounted, and windings to be fitted on the leg portion of the rectangular core on which the reinforcement frame, the protective cover, and the reinforcement band are mounted.

Abstract: Apparatus (30) includes means (28,29) to position a block (12) having multiple apertures (14) with a given aperture positioned along a loading axis (IA); a series of linear driving motors (32,40,56,112) are sequentially operated to grasp, hold and transport a terminal wire (24) and insert the terminal (16) thereof into a selected block aperture (14) in a sequence with an inverse cam (90) and roller mechanism (80,94) driven by a lever (96) to convert linear motion into a particular curvilinear movement to cause the terminal to clear the wires previously loaded in apertures in the block in a high speed insertion cycle.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a rotary jaw assembly which is movable along a first axis between two rows of connectors and along a second axis to grasp a selected connector and then to retract, after which the jaw assembly is rotatable about a third axis to change the endwise orientation of the connector grasped by the assembly. This connector is then passed by a push rod to a cover separating station at which the cover is separated from the body of the connector. Further push rods transfer the connector body and the cover to a turntable to rotate them about a vertical axis, and yet further push rods transfers the connector and the cover to an application station at which they are applied to a cable. Each connector can be thus applied to cable in four different orientations connector and the cover to an application station at which they are applied to a cable. Each connector can be thus applied to cable in four different orientations.

Abstract: A device for removing IC chips from a PC board. The device includes a hold unit, a rectangular base, an adjusting member and a jaw unit. The hold unit and the jaw unit are pivotally joined to the rectangular base. The adjusting member is vertically disposed through the base for vertical upward and downward movement through the rectangular base. The length of the adjusting member can be adjusted in order to adjust the length of the jaw unit so as to accomodate the size of the IC chip to be removed by gripping of the hold unit and jaw unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in the so-called flip-chip method for electrically connecting bonding pads of a semiconductor device, e.g., IC chips, and electrodes of a circuit board. In place of the conventional bumps formed of a solder alloy on the bonding pads, the bonding pads in the invention are formed of a material having electric conductivity and rubbery elasticity so that the reliability of the electric connection can greatly be improved.

Abstract: A process plate for the manufacture of molded electronic packages such as plastic pin grid array packages is provided. The process plate is a single fixture which is used to position terminal pins, align the pins for electrical interconnection and form the base of the mold during encapsulation. In one embodiment, the process plate comprises a support plate which is used for all standard terminal pin configurations and a thin cover plate which is specific for each terminal pin configuration. The process plate reduces the number of fixtures required to mold an electronic package reducing both cost and assembly error.

Abstract: A precision apparatus for controllably shearing a thin workpiece of material to make devices such as electrical contacts of the character having specially configured spaced apart tongues adapted to mate with plug connectors of standard design. The apparatus is designed to rigidly support the workpiece except in the precise area of the shear during the entire shearing step.