Abstract: The press is of the type including a pair of tool holders mounted in a frame and carrying cooperating tools (die and punch). At least one of the tool holders is motor driven and is movable towards the other tool holder. According to the invention, the press includes a first driver arranged to make one of the tool holders travel a fairly long distance towards the other tool and a second driver, distinct from the first, for making this same tool holder or the other tool holder perform, a subsequent, fairly short working stroke to bend the sheet metal and to effect any coining of the bend. Preferably both of the tool holders are movable, the second driver being arranged to make the respective tool holder complete a fairly short bending stroke, and the press includes a third driver, distinct from the first and second, arranged to make the same tool holder and the other tool holder complete a vertical stroke for coining the bend.

Abstract: This invention discloses a hand tool for bending a flange along an edge of a metal sheet. The tool can bend flanges of selected widths up to a maximum width and does not require that the metal sheet be marked or scored. A bending slot is formed by spaced apart forming plates having parallel bending edges at the boundary of the bending slot and a spacer between the plates. The spacer includes abutment edges spaced apart from bending edges. The abutment edges contact an edge of a metal sheet in the bending slot positioning the bending edges adjacent to the metal sheet and parallel to the edge of the metal sheet. Width-gaging openings through a forming plate communicate with the bending slot at locations spaced apart along the direction of the bending edges. Each width-gaging opening has a boundary with identifiable locations at selected distances from the bending edges.

Abstract: A small moisture addition apparatus which regularly, through use of a counterflow, adds a controlled amount of moisture to a sample gas analyzed by an hygrometer to reduce the response time of the hygrometer and to provide automatic verification that the hygrometer is functioning. A method of using that apparatus is also disclosed. The apparatus and method of the present invention can be applied to gas components other than moisture and to the detectors of such components.

Abstract: A method and test chamber for leak testing a container with a substantially flexible wall portion wherein the container is introduced into a test cavity so that the wall portion of the container is spaced from an inner adjacent wall portion of the test cavity with a gap being defined between the wall portion of the cavity and the flexible wall portion of the container. A pressure difference is installed as an initial value between the interior of the container and at least the gap by applying a pressure at least to the gap which is smaller than a pressure inside the container. The flexible wall portion is supported form its exterior side within the test cavity so as to prevent the flexible wall portion from bending outwardly into contact with the wall portion of the test cavity as a result of the pressure difference. The time course of a pressure prevailing within the gap is measured as a leak indicative signal.

Abstract: A can testing device for measuring pressure and temperature in a sealed container wherein a strap encircles the body of the container circumferentially and a probe affixed to the strap penetrates the sidewall of the container to allow instruments for measuring the temperature and pressure of the container contents to come into physical contact with said contents.

Abstract: A shear stress sensor is fabricated using wafer bonding technology. The shear stress sensor is a floating element shear stress sensor designed to measure shear stresses of about 1 kPa-100 kPa over a wide range of operating conditions (temperature, humidity), as well as for a large variety of fluids. The sensor employs a silicon plate suspended about 1.4 microns above the surface of a silicon substrate by piezoresistive arms. The arms are directed parallel to the flow of interest and are loaded in tensile or compressive stress. The piezoresistive arms convert the strain to an electrical output which can be configured in a half bridge circuit with appropriate wiring. Fabrication of the sensor includes bonding a substrate silicon wafer and a device wafer which has an epitaxial silicon layer grown on top of a p+ dopant layer. The device wafer is etched back using the p+ layer as an etch stop. After selective removable of the p+ layer, ohmic contacts are formed through implantation and metalization techniques.

Abstract: An ultrasonic unipolar pulse/echo instrument uses active switches and a timing and drive circuitry to control electrical energy to a transducer, the discharging of the transducer, and the opening of an electrical pathway to the receiving circuitry for the returning echoes. The active switches utilize MOSFET devices along with decoupling circuitry to insure the preservation of the unipolar nature of the pulses, insure fast transition times, and maintain broad band width and time resolution. A housing contains the various circuitry and switches and allows connection to a power supply and a movable ultrasonic transducer. The circuitry maintains low impedance input to the transducer during transmitting cycles, and high impedance between the transducer and the receiving circuit during receive cycles to maintain the unipolar pulse shape. A unipolar pulse is valuable for nondestructive evaluation, a prime use for the present instrument.

Abstract: A device for controlling the temperature of a resistor used for measuring purposes is adversely affected in its measuring accuracy as the result of deposits on the resistor (8). To establish the degree of contamination and to initiate a free-burning operating, in the case of a device associated with an internal-combustion engine, the air volume (m), respectively the fuel quantity (k), is determined and compared to a specific limiting value (m.sub.Max or k.sub.Max). When the limiting value is exceeded, a trigger signal is emitted to initiate the free-burning operation in order to burn free the resistor (8).

Abstract: The axial force on the valve stem of a large valve can be related to the output of a strain sensor mounted on the yoke of the valve, but accuracy can be achieved only if the strain sensor is first calibrated by applying a known axial force to the valve stem. This can be done conveniently by using the invention, which includes two loading beams juxtaposed on opposite sides fo the valve stem, elongated in a direction perpendicular to the valve stem, and including a split nut or a collet for gripping the valve stem. Legs extend from the ends of the loading beam assembly parallel to the valve stem, and one or both of these legs includes a hydraulic ram for applying force to one or both ends of the loading beam assembly. This applied force can be measured independently of the yoke-mounted strain sensor.

Abstract: A conventional pressure transducer is provided on an adaptive connector wh fits either of two "wet side" bulkhead fittings on the breech door of a torpedo tube. The transducer is electrically connected to a recording device in the submarine by means of a cable with an adaptive connector that is configured to be received on either of the two "dry side" bulkhead fittings.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for determination of pressure in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, particularly for motor vehicles has a housing, a membrane associated with the housing, a sensor element, a plunger supplying a pressure to be determined to the sensor element and located in the housing. The housing has at least one housing opening and a shaft and the membrane closing the opening of the housing and is connected with the shaft of the housing in the region of a side wall so that a bottom of the membrane is flexible and a pressure to be determined is transferable to the plunger, a counter bearing for the plunger. A support is provided for a hybrid and composed of ceramic material and located on the counter bearing for the plunger. The sensor element is a piezoresistive measuring element and located on the hybrid so as to produce an electrical signal corresponding to the pressure.

Abstract: A technique for in a thermo-dynamic material testing system for optically measuring changes in specimen size that occur during material testing. Specifically, a pair of jaws, one movable and one fixed, engage opposite ends of the test specimen and are controllably moved with respect to each other in order to impart a desired tensile or compressive force to the specimen. A fixed light source emits a planar light beam, typically collimated laser radiation, that is directed at the specimen by two mirrors mounted to the jaws and on one side of the specimen. One of these mirrors is secured to and moves with the moving jaw and directs the light beam toward the specimen along a transverse path; the other mirror is mounted to the fixed jaw. A fixed light receiver receives the light beam after it has passed over the specimen and has been reflected by a similar pair of mirrors mounted to the jaws but on the other side of the specimen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining the strain developed in a coated surface. A beam with a coating on a surface thereof is mounted as a cantilever and a force is applied to the free end of the beam to cause deflection of the beam until the coating on the beam fails. The strain in the beam, and hence in the coating at the point of failure, is determined based on the dimensions of the beam, the point along the beam where failure of the coating occurs and the amount of deflection of the beam, and this determination is made independently of the temperature of the beam and the material from which the beam is made. The determination is made based on the equation E=1.5.sub.x /1.sup.3, where E is strain, h is the beam thickness, d is the beam deflection, x is the distance from the free end of the beam to the point where failure of the coating occurred, and l is the length of the beam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring flow in a closed conduit under both full and less than full conditions is disclosed. The method and apparatus incorporate a tubular Venturi metering device. The cross section of the throat of the device is configured relative to the upstream section of the meter so that the throat will fill with liquid substantially simultaneously with the upstream section's filling with liquid. The present method and apparatus incorporate an improved pressure transmitting and sensing means, a data logger/controller and a data converter. The pressure transmitting and sensing means is designed to overcome the limitations of prior art means of transmitting and sensing pressures. One embodiment involves using submersible sensors to measure invert liquid pressures and a single bubbler system to transmit the throat (reference) pressure to the ends of the sensor vents (in the instrument case), thus allowing differential pressures to be measured.

Abstract: An automatic power generation type flowmeter generates a measuring signal through measuring of a flow rate of fluid flowing through a passage and transmits it to a receiver at a remote location. The flowmeter includes a power generator coupled to a detection shaft rotated under an action of a fluid flowing through the passage and outputting an electric signal. The power generator includes a permanent magnet having S- and N-poles, an electromagnetic coil having a core around its axis and arranged adjacent to the magnet with the axis of the coil located in a direction substantially perpendicular to a rotation shaft, a first stator magnetically coupled to the core and having its magnetic induction portion arranged opposite to the N-pole of the magnet, and a second stator magnetically connected to the core and having its magnetic induction portion arranged opposite to the S-pole of the magnet.

Abstract: A sensor mount is disclosed for use in a fluid volume measurement structure forming part of a fluid measurement system for feeding fluid in controlled amounts. The sensor mount includes a tubular body having first and second sensor mounting sockets whereby functionally different fluid sensors may be mounted to the tubular body. As fluid enters or exits the tubular body, a fluid sensor mounted in one or the other of the sensor sockets produces a signal to be used by a control portion of a fluid measurement system. The first sensor socket is provided as a through hole whereby a sensor may be mounted in fluid contact with the interior of the tubular body. The second sensor socket is provided as a blind hole for receiving a capacitance sensor out of fluid contact with fluids within the tubular body.

Abstract: In a starter unit, the internal gear frame of an epicycle reduction gear is set rotatable with respect to the front bracket, and a first over-running clutch is made up of a clutch outer fixed to the front bracket, and a clutch inner which is the front end portion of the internal gear frame, and a second over-running clutch which is a conventional over-running clutch is mounted on the output shaft. The provision of the two over-running clutches eliminates the difficulty that, when the start switch is turned on during the inertial rotation of the engine or starter unit, the pinion is reengaged with the ring gear, so that abnormal shock is applied to the side of the starter unit to damage the rotation transmitting members.

Abstract: A driving device for a cable type window regulator. The device has a housing, a drum for winding and unwinding cables for actuating a window glass and a balance spring for urging the drum. The device further has a rotatable member which is separated from the drum, and a set of gears for transmitting a torque between the drum and the rotatable member, and the spiral spring is arranged concentrically with the rotatable member so as to directly urge the rotatable member in a rotational direction.

Abstract: An auxiliary transmission section (14) shift control system (230) method is provided which includes control members (246) to prevent auxiliary section synchronized clutch (92, 128) damage if the main transmission section (12) is engaged during an auxiliary section shift. Upon sensing (254, 256) synchronized jaw clutch assembly blocked position during a shift into the auxiliary section high-speed ratio, the force used to engage the high speed ratio is gradually reduced from a first (p*a.sub.224) to a considerably lower second (p*(a.sub.224 -a.sub.222)) level.

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuated auxiliary transmission section (14) shift control system (3230/270)/method is provided which includes a control member (246) to prevent auxiliary section synchronized clutch (92, 128) damage if the main transmission section (12) is engaged during an auxiliary section shift. A range synchronizer protection valve (246) is effective to exhaust at least the high speed ratio chamber (224) of the piston actuator (220) whenever a main section engaged condition is sensed.

Abstract: In an automatic selector device of a motor vehicle change-speed gearbox, a frictional connection (i.e., a clutch or brake) which can be engaged and disengaged by a gear retention control valve is held in the instantaneous position on the occurrence of a fault in an electronic control unit. An auxiliary control force for actuating the gear retention control valve is obtained from a magnetic force of an electromagnetic control valve for the gear change. The electromagnetic valve is dependent on the control unit.

Abstract: Shift control system (300)/method for a splitter type auxiliary section (14/102) is provided which includes control members (328) to prevent auxiliary section synchronized clutch (92, 136) damage if the master clutch (C) is engaged during an auxiliary section shift. Upon sensing master clutch engagement during a shift into the auxiliary section high-speed ratio, the force is used to engage the high speed ratio is reduced from a first (p*a.sub.224) to a considerably lower second (p*a.sub.224 -a.sub.222)) level.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus to control the modulation pressure in a fourth gear clutch pack. This apparatus comprises a modulation solenoid having a passage extending therethrough, a throttle member having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough, a hollow cylindrical body, and a hole through a wall of the cylindrical body, and a seal member. This apparatus is mounted to a fourth gear valve body with the throttle member mountably engaged in an end bore of the fourth gear valve body. The modulation solenoid is mounted to an end wall of the fourth gear valve body, and the seal member is mountably engaged between the throttle member and the modulation solenoid to prevent fluid from leaking out between the modulation solenoid and the throttle member.

Abstract: A multiple-speed gearbox for motor vehicles with synchronization of all gears, includes driving and driven shafts journaled in a gear/differential case, a reverse gear axle and a differential/axle drive with axle driving shafts. The driving shaft carries fixed and loose gearwheels that engage with corresponding loose and fixed gearwheels on the driven shaft. Synchronizing units are arranged between respective pairs of loose gearwheels. The synchronizing unit for the first and second gears is arranged on the end remote from the input of the driving shaft. Loose gearwheels for the first and second gears are arranged on the driving shaft (4), and the corresponding fixed gearwheels are formed on the driven shaft.

Abstract: A forward and reverse power shift transmission (10) with an enclosed gear se (38) and a torque converter housing (44) is adapted to be connected to an engine bell housing (12). An input shaft (46), a lay shaft (146) an output shaft 36 and a pump driveshaft (280) are rotatably journaled in the gear case. A clutch cylinder and gear (78) secured to the input shaft is in mesh with a clutch cylinder and gear (178) secured to the lay shaft 146. A clutch gear (100) rotatably mounted on the input shaft (46) and a clutch gear (200) rotatably mounted on the lay shaft (146) are both in mesh with an output gear 240 on the output shaft 36 and in the front portion of the gear case (38). A pump drive gear (248) is journaled on the input shaft (46) and is adapted to be driven by the torque converter housing (262). The pump drive gear (248) is in mesh with a driven pump gear (290) on the pump drive shaft. The pump drive shaft (280) drives a lubrication pump (291) and is also a power take off.

Abstract: A crankshaft and connecting rod assembly, and method of assembling same, including a crankshaft having a tapered end, a crankpin, and a one piece connecting rod having a large end that is slipped over the tapered end of the crankshaft and onto the crankpin. A radially protruding portion is formed on the crankpin such that a leading face of the bearing assembly of the large end abuts the protruding portion. Thereafter, a retaining pin is inserted into a radially extending hole in the crankshaft such that the retaining pin retains a second and opposite bearing surface of the large end of the connecting rod, thereby preventing the connecting rod from excessive axial movement along the crankpin. The retaining pin is preferably a spring-like roll pin that is resiliently and frictionally press fit into the hole.

Abstract: A device capable of pivotally and axially adjusting by a single operation a steering shaft having a steering wheel. The device includes fixed tilting brackets having descending portions positioned on both sides of a slidable inner cylinder connected to the steering shaft, and a raising/lowering bracket which is attached to the fixed brackets so as to pivotally adjust the steering shaft, and which can ascend and descend together with a steering column. The raising/lowering bracket is attached to the fixed tilting brackets by tightening a screw bar, whereas it can ascend and descend by loosening the screw bar. When the screw bar is tightened, a pressing piece supported by the screw bar pushes the slidable inner cylidner, thereby controlling the movement of the steering shaft in the axial direction of the shaft. On the other hand, when the screw bar is loosened, pressing force is released to permit the steering shaft to move in the axial direction.

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) of the type for transmitting motion in a curved path by a flexible motion transmitting core element (20). A conduit (12) comprises an outer jacket (14), an inner sheath (16), and support wires (18) disposed therebetween. A flexible motion transmitting core element (20) is slidably disposed within the inner sheath (16). A conduit anchor device securely clamps opposing surfaces on the support wires (18) between an inner ferrule (26) and an outer ferrule (24) to anchor the conduit (12) against loads placed thereon.

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control cable assembly (10) includes a core element (12) with a terminal body (14) fixed to one end. A sliding member (20) slides within the terminal body to extend the effective reach of the core element. The sliding member (20) includes one way ratcheting teeth (22) which engage teeth (18) disposed on the terminal body (14) to provide incremental adjustment of the sliding member with respect to the terminal body. The sliding member (20) includes a camming surfcae (24) disposed at its operative end for translating reciprocating linear motion of the core element (12) into reciprocating linear motion of a button (26) which moves in a path perpendicular to the motion of the core element.

Abstract: A handlebar structure including a sleeve formed on a stem, a handlebar including two halves each including a free end engaged on a coupler and engaged in the sleeve, two stubs formed on one end of the coupler, two slots formed on the free end of one half of the handlebar and engaged with the stubs when the half of the handlebar is engaged on the coupler, whereby, the handlebar is easily secured to the sleeve.

Abstract: Apparatus for fixing a member at any angular position to the non-circular cross section of a shaft has an insert formed of a relatively soft material and a clamping element fixed to the member. The insert has a central bore whose cross section matches the shaft section cross section, a circular periphery, and a slot between the periphery and the central bore. The clamping element is formed of relatively hard, rigid material, and has a bore in surrounding relation to the periphery of the insert and conforming to it so as to permit rotation of the member with respect to the insert while the clamping element bore is undistorted. There is at least one tooth on the periphery of the clamping element bore projecting radially inward toward the insert. Preferably the periphery of the clamping element bore is completely knurled instead of having a single tooth.

Abstract: A pedal assembly for bicycles, velocipedes, and the like is disclosed wherein the pedal is adjustably attached to the crank arm at a predetermined angle of inclination to or perpendicular to the crank arm. Rotation of the crank arm varies the angle of inclination of the pedal; the predetermined angle of inclination is the sum of first incremental angle provided by a beveled cam and a second incremental angle provided by an inclined pedal platform.Also disclosed is a quick-release pedal-and-cleat structure in the pedal assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electronic actuator for use in a vehicle transmission such as a four wheel drive transfer case. In one preferred embodiment, the transfer case includes two separate electronic actuators, a range shift actuator which is utilized to effect shifting of the transfer case between high range, neutral, and low range drive positions, and a clutch actuator which is utilized to control engagement of a clutch between two wheel drive, automatic ("on demand" four wheel drive), and "part time" four wheel drive operating modes. The range shift actuator includes a rotary electric motor coaxially mounted relative to a rear output shaft of the transfer case, and a linear screw for translating the rotational movement of the motor shaft to selective axial movement of a range shift sleeve.

Abstract: In an automobile equipped with an engine, an automatic transmission including hydraulically actuated friction engaging means for shifting stages of the transmission, and an oil pump driven by the engine to provide a pressurized oil for actuating the friction engaging means, the capacity of the oil pump is so minimized as to be only enough for shifting the stages of the transmission, if the idle speed of the engine is temporally increased, when the temperature of oil of the transmission is above a threshold value.

Abstract: A radiator cap loosening and removal tool includes a generally U-shaped handle pivotally attached to a base, which is in turn fastened to the depending skirt portion of a radiator cap by self-tapping sheet metal screws. An alternative embodiment comprises a U-shaped handle whose legs embrace the skirt of the radiator cap and are pivotally fastened thereto by screws or rivets. Another alternative embodiment comprise a crossbar fastened to the skirt of a radiator cap by threaded fasteners, which serve as pivots for a U-shaped handle.

Abstract: The method of processing wire to cut the wire into sections and to strip sheathing from the wire to expose wire ends at opposite ends of the sections, and by operation of wire feed mechanism and cutter blades, the steps that include operating the feed mechanism and cutter blades to displace the wire endwise along an axis to a first position; sever the wire thereby to form wire forward and rearward sections, the forward section having a rearward end portion; and, the rearward section having a forward end portion, and; stripping sheathing from the forward section rearward portion and from the rearward section forward portion thereby to expose wire ends at the portions; the cutter blades including three blade pairs, each pair including two blades located at opposite sides of the axis, both blades of one pair being displaced toward the wire to sever the wire, and both blades of the remaining two pairs being displaced toward the wire sections to strip sheathing from the rearward and forward portions during control

Abstract: A handle has a box end with an internal wall that confines a through-bore to receive movably a pair of identical rollers. The rollers has an eccentric shaft fixed between them and a central rectangular opening that extends through the eccentric shaft. An annular space formed around the eccentric shaft and confined by the internal wall of the box end includes a widest portion with a first length on one side of the eccentric shaft and a narrowest portion with a second length formed on the other side of the eccentric shaft. A plate is fixed perpendicularly between the rollers. A compression spring has one end secured to the plate. A cylindrical member with a diameter that is smaller than the first length but larger than the second length is disposed between the rollers.

Abstract: A reversing ratchet wrench especially suited for mass production and having few easily machinable parts. The pawl and driver are provided with overlapping covers which retain the pawl and protect the engaging teeth. The driver cover is flush with the wrench head for added convenience, yet makes no contact because the driver is supported on a driver skirt. Hence, the wrench is highly impact resistant. A unique retaining clip for retaining the driver allows convenient replacement of the pawl cap/reversing lever without removal of the pawl. Likewise, the wrench can be completely disassembled without special tools, thereby facilitating point-of-sale repair.

Abstract: A drain plug remover for vehicle engine oil pans includes a drain plug holding socket, a shield member and a handle. The socket, made of a resilient material, is formed having an open end which is slightly smaller than the head of the drain plug and includes longitudinal slits in its side wall, wherein, when the socket is pressed upon the drain plug, the socket expands to grasp the plug. An alternative means of holding the drain plug is by use of a magnet located within the socket. A shield member extends outwardly from the base of the socket, preferably in the form of a plate having an outer lip which curves towards the open end of the socket, thereby forming a concave, saucer-like receptacle to initially catch and subsequently deflect the flow of dirty oil away from the hand of the user. Extending from the shield member, opposing the socket, is a handle which the user grasps during removal and replacement of the drain plug. The handle includes longitudinal ridges to aid grasping and rotation of the tool.

Abstract: A socket wrench with an ejector for severed collars of frangible fasteners has a conventional box ratchet wrench with a socket sleeve distally carried on the wrench body. The sleeve has a through aperture having internal flats and an internal lip at one end. The ejector member has an external diameter closely conforming to the internal diameter of the sleeve and slidably received therein. The cylindrical ejector has an annular shoulder intermediate its length and a ring permanently secured to its opposite end, with the sleeve lip captured between the ejector shoulder and ring. As the ejector is slidably mounted in the sleeve, it can be depressed into the socket, ejecting the threaded collar of the frangible fastener.

Abstract: A socket wrench specially adapted to engage a tie rod end of an automobile steering system for rotating the tie rod end either for loosening or for tightening purposes. The socket is of a configuration wherein the tie rod end, comprising a ball joint and a pintle upstanding from the ball, can be securely wedge-gripped by the socket to apply a turning moment to the tie rod end even if the pintle has been broken off from the ball.

Abstract: An accessory (10) for a wrench socket (12) is disclosed including a generally cylindrical magnet (32) secured to a generally cylindrical, nonmagnetic, compressible disk (26). The disk (26) has a shape having at least portions extending over the inner periphery of the well (14) of the socket (12) and is deformable under force to pass into and snuggly fit within the well (14) and magnetically insulate the magneti (32) from the socket (12). The magnet (32) has a size smaller than the well (14) and is secured to the disk (26) generally concentrically within the well (14), with an air space being created between the magnet (32) and the well (14) for magnetically insulating the magnet (32) from the socket (12) in the most preferred form.

Abstract: A locking flex-head wrench has a handle pivotably connected to a tool head, and an improved locking mechanism comprising a unitary locking spool seated within the handle and conveniently manipulated to lock or unlock the tool head at a desired angular position with respect to the handle. The locking mechanism is of simple design and can be manufactured, assembled, and repaired at minimum expense.

Abstract: A turn-counting setting screwdriver, on the stem of the blade of which there is movably mounted a tubular part which can move in the recess in the handle accommodating the stem of the blade. The handle is graduated over its periphery at the inlet to the recess and the movable part bears double graduations over at least part of its length, each graduation extending in the opposite direction relative to the other.

Abstract: A tire splitting apparatus for splitting tire casings circumferentially into segments which includes a frame having a generally horizontal tire support table. Tire casing drive means are associated with the support table such that the drive means drivingly engages the outer crown of a tire casing and rotates the tire casing on the support table. Also included are at least two opposing guides for engaging the outer crown of a tire casing such that a tire casing situated on the support table rotates substantially over the center of the support table. A tire casing situated and rotated on the support table may be cut circumferentially with slicing means mounted on the support table generally opposite the drive means. Finally, adjustment means are provided for selectively engaging tire casings of varying diameters.

Abstract: A collision avoidance system for program controlled punch presses which position the ram at a low "hover" height during work piece movement in which a switch is located to be tripped by inward movement of the workpiece gripper carriage to a degree in which a punch-gripper collision is possible, with the ram elevated to a safe height whenever the switch has been tripped.

Abstract: A semi automated hole punch translates a punch and die assembly across the end of an H beam or the like to punch each of a plurality of holes in accordance with an interchangeable template. The punch and die assembly travel across the H beam in response to operation of a power source until a manually operated pivotable arm supporting a pin is brought into engagement with a hole in a template. Upon engagement, the translatory movement of the punch and die assembly ceases and an operator can actuate the punch. Upon lifting the handle to disengage the pin, translatory movement of the punch and die assembly will continue until the pin becomes engaged with a succeeding hole in the template.

Abstract: Apparatus for trimming and ejecting articles integrally thermoformed in a sheet of thermoplastic material from the sheet including a pair of opposed trim dies which will trim parts out of a web of thermoplastic material. Apparatus is provided for pushing the trimmed parts out of the trimming station at a greatly accelerated rate. The apparatus includes a pusher member reciprocally movable in a to-and-fro path of travel between a retracted position and a forward ejecting position. Apparatus is provided for moving the ejector mechanism in the to-and-fro path and includes a toggle linkage mechanism which engages a cam for movement between relatively folded positions on one side of a plane and relatively oppositely folded positions on the opposite side of the plane to rapidly advance and even more rapidly retract the pusher member.

Abstract: A gap cutting sheeter having controls to adjust the cutting position of the first and second flying shears relative to each other to set the gap size to a particular printed sheet. The downstream flying shear can be set up to cut the leading edge or the following edge of while the web is moving. When cutting the leading edge, a flexible flipper is provided just ahead of the flying shear to contact and push successive cut chips toward a vacuum chip removal system. Alternating vacuum removes the chips, and pulsing positive air pressure against the underside of a leading, trimmed edge guides it over the chip removal vacuum chamber to the downstream conveyor. A knockdown vane is provided just after the flying shear to press the leading edge of a cut signature against the downstream deck plate to prevent wrinkling of the cut signatures.

Abstract: To cut or separate a workpiece, having a plain or curved surface, a jet-like fluid cutting medium is used. The cutting medium is ejected from a nozzle under high pressure and is directed towards the workpiece. In order to achieve an exact cut edge, even if a high cutting speed is selected, the cutting medium is directed towards the surface of the workpiece not exactly perpendicularly, but with an angle deviation of between 0.1 and 0.3 degrees. An apparatus for performing such a cutting operation comprises a tube with a nozzle at its end through which the cutting medium is ejected. The nozzle is swivelably supported and the tube may be adjusted in X- and Y-direction such that the desired cutting angle may be controlled.