Abstract: In a relaxation-heating method and an apparatus therefor, relaxation-heating is performed by a heating apparatus which is provided between a yarn supply roller (5) and a take-up roller (7) having a speed lower than that of the supply roller (5) and which is constituted by a heating roller (6a) and an auxiliary bobbin (6b). In the relaxation-heating method and an apparatus therefor, the size is compact, the heat conductivity is high and yarn can be made to run at a high speed.

Abstract: The piston ring compressor tool system comprises a compression skirt. The skirt has an interior surface and an exterior surface. It also has an upper edge and a lower edge. The tool system has a hollow, generally tapered, cylindrical tubular form and is further configured in a shape of an upper frustroconical funnel. The funnel forms a planar inlet within the interior of the upper edge. The funnel further forms a lower cylindrically shaped outlet within the interior of the lower edge. The outlet is parallel to the plane of the inlet and is for discharging the piston and ring assembly into a bore. The compression skirt has a generally outwardly curved upper horizontal portion. The lower horizontal portion is generally plumb to the plane of the opening of the lower edge. The middle horizontal area is a transition area between the radian outward curve of the upper horizontal portion and the generally plumb surface of the lower horizontal portion.

Abstract: A forming die includes a base and at least two die segments. At least a first one of the die segments is moveably mounted to the base for shifting between closed and opened positions. The die segments together define a cavity having an opening when the first die segment is in the closed position. A punch is moveably mounted to the base for shifting between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the punch crimps a part positioned within the cavity. A powered actuator is connected to at least the first one of the die segments, and shifts the first die segment between the closed and opened positions such that a part positioned within the cavity can be removed after crimping by shifting of the first die segment to the open position. The forming die is particularly well-suited for crimping electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A glow plug pulling device including an elongated shaft having a threaded inner end portion and a smooth outer end portion. The smooth outer end portion has a hammer stop fixedly secured thereto. A collet is coupled with respect to the threaded inner end portion of the elongated shaft. The collet has an outer end having an internally threaded aperture for coupling with the threaded inner end portion of the elongated shaft. The collet has a hex shaped open inner end for engaging the hex shaped outer free end of the glow plug. The collet has a compression sleeve secured thereto intermediate the outer end and inner end thereof. A slide hammer is slidably disposed on the smooth outer end portion of the elongated shaft. The slide hammer has an open inner end dimensioned for receiving and engaging the compression sleeve of the collet therein. The slide hammer has a knurled outer surface.

Abstract: A device for removing formlockingly anchored dowels including an anchor rod and an expansion sleeve (31) displaceable along the anchor rod, the device including a sleeve-shaped support member (2) having, at one of its ends, a support shoulder, an indexing projection (4) extending beyond the support shoulder (3) and provided with a load application element (5) movable in a tensile operational engagement with the load application element (32) of the dowel sleeve (31); and a through-bore provided with an inner thread for receiving a shaft (7) having an outer thread (8) cooperating with the inner thread of the through-bore (6) to provide for a relative axial displacement of the shaft (7) with respect tot he support member upon rotation of the shaft (7), the shaft (7) having identical coupling elements (11) provided at its opposite longitudinal ends, and an adaptor (12) including an elongate section (13) having at its free end connection element (14) corresponding to the coupling element (11) of the shaft (7) and

Abstract: An apparatus for elevating a workpiece includes a transfer bar movable between a first position and a second position, and a support member having a cam surface with a first end and a second end. The cam follower is engageable with the cam surface for supporting the transfer bar with respect to the support member as the cam follower moves along the cam surface between the first end and the second end. When the transfer bar is in the first position, the cam follower is adjacent the first end of the cam surface. When the transfer bar is in the second position, the cam follower is adjacent the second end of the cam surface. A driving mechanism is provided for moving one of the cam follower and the cam surface relative to one another between the first end and the second end of the cam surface. The elevating apparatus can be used in a multi-station machining line where at least one workpiece to be machined is transported on at least one transfer bar from one station to another.

Abstract: When any of facilities of a film producing and packaging system suffers a failure, a film processing controller shuts off the film producing and packaging system. The operator repairs a failing facility and manually discharges a length of an elongate film which may possibly be defective. After the failing facility is repaired, the film processing controller is restarted to operate the film producing and packaging system, which then automatically discharges a length of the elongate film corresponding to a preset number of sized films. It is possible to easily and quickly discard a portion of the elongate film which has been made defective by the facility failure.

Abstract: An angular-position and torque sensor assembly includes a low-hysteresis coupling for an assembly including a plurality of shafts. The coupling comprises an inner member, an outer member, and a base member disposed outside the outer member. The inner member and base member are coupled to the shafts. First rails connect the inner member to the outer member, and the first rails allow the inner member to be readily displaced relative to the outer member only in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first rails. Second rails connect the outer member to the base member, and the second rails are aligned perpendicular to the first rails. The second rails allow the outer member to be readily displaced relative to the base member only in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second rails.

Abstract: A support assembly for supporting a rotating shaft relative to a structure in which a first magnetized member is attached to the shaft for rotation therewith, a support member is connected to the structure and at least one damper member connects the support member to a second magnetized member for supporting the second magnetized member in a portion relative to the first magnetized member. The respective magnetic fields of the first and second magnetized members are such that radial deflective movement of the shaft, and therefore the first magnetic member, causes corresponding radial movement of the second magnetized member which is dampened by the damping member.

Abstract: Method of forming a compression coupling between a fitting and a tube inserted into the retaining section of the fitting. The method involves use of a shaped part formed so that, during insertion of the tube into the fitting, the sealing ring set into an annular retaining groove of the fitting is not damaged by the sharp, outer edges at the front end surface of the tube. Before or during the insertion of the tube into the fitting, the sealing ring is elastically outwardly deformed from the inner contours by means of at least one installed shaped part. The tube end is then inserted up to a contact surface, which forms the interior boundary of the retaining section of the fitting. There upon, the parts are pressed together by cold deformation of the parts. The method and the shaped parts are installed preferably in sanitary engineering and are used wherever liquids or gaseous media are carried through tubes.

Abstract: A print engine chassis for supporting an imaging drum (14) and a printhead translation assembly (40) is fabricated by joining the interlocking rigid members using tab (36) and slot (38) junctions to form a sheet metal frame (12) and then coating the sheet metal frame with a plastic (39) to bond the rigid members in place. Additionally, a the rigid members may be predipped in plastic prior to joining.

Abstract: With reference to FIG. 3 the present invention relates to a method of manufacture of a product from a first component (4) of deformable material and a second component (5), the method comprising the steps of: inserting a portion of the first component (4) through an aperture predefined in the second component (5); and subsequently deforming the material of the first component (4) to form a pair of spaced apart shoulders (50) integral with the first component (4), the spaced apart shoulders (50) holding therebetween the second component (5) and thereby preventing the second component (5) sliding along the first component (4); wherein: each shoulder (50) is formed by applying tool means (20, 21) to a surface of the first component (4) to create a recess in the surface and to form the shoulder (50) adjacent to the recess with the shoulder (50) being formed by displacement of the deformable material of the first component (4) during the creation of the recess.

Abstract: A control system and method for automatic fastening machines wherein a multi-axes motion controller is utilized in place of the conventional PLC or CNC control to provide for virtually an immediate change in system response when the systems feedback devices indicate the need for variance. The major advantage of the process control approach of the present invention is that all system feedback information is controlled via a single on board processor thus eliminating any communication lag associated with multi controller applications. This also provides for an improvement in fastener installation cycle time. An additional advantage to the approach of the present invention is the elimination of many mechanical hard stops and their respective electrical position switch indicators, which in turn reduces the chance for machine breakdowns resulting in a greater increase in productivity.

Abstract: When a movable member (14) is moved from a gripping position in which a circuit board (2) was gripped by the movable member (14) and a stationary member (13), a separation mechanism (7, 12) forcibly separates the circuit board from the stationary member (13), to thereby prevent the occurrence of a state in which the circuit board (2) is stuck to the stationary member.

Abstract: A magnetic position and orientation determining system uses magnetic fields, desirably including uniform fields from Helmholtz coils positioned on opposite sides of a sensing volume and gradient fields generated by the same coils. By monitoring field components detected at the probes during application of these fields, the position and orientation of the probe in the field can be deduced. A representation of the probe can be superposed on a separately acquired image of the subject to show the position and orientation of the probe with respect to the subject.

Abstract: A coil component and a manufacturing method for producing the same permit a wire terminal to be bonded to an electrode with high reliability by implementing thermal compression bonding using a heater chip. The coil component comprises a bobbin around which a wire is wound, the wire having a solder layer on the outer peripheral surface of a core conductor and an insulating layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the solder layer. The wire terminal is secured to the electrode provided on the bobbin by thermal compression bonding. A heated heater chip is applied to the terminal to break the insulating layer and to melt the solder layer at substantially the same time. Then, pressure is applied to the heater chip to provide intermetallic bonding between the core conductor and the electrode. Melted solder solidifies and covers the area around the core conductor, thereby securely bonding the wire terminal to the electrode.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rotation sensor is provided. In the method, an insert conductor having a predetermined shape and having at least a connector terminal and a conversion device terminal is provided. The insert conductor is insert-molded in a resin base such that at least the connector terminal and the conversion device terminal of the insert conductor remain exposed from the resin base. A resin connector part is molded such that the resin connector part encircles the connector terminal. Also, a magnetoelectric conversion device is connected to the conversion device terminal of the insert conductor, and positioning parts are provided at a tip of the resin base. In addition, the magnetoelectric conversion device is sandwiched between the positioning parts to securely hold the magnetoelectric conversion device, and a press fit part is formed at the tip of the resin base.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for assembling a device including a base and a main board assembly in a hard disk drive including an actuator having a magnetic head; a base having a spindle motor mounted thereon, the spindle motor rotating at high speed a disk on which the magnetic head is suspended to conduct data writing and reading; and a main board assembly assembled to a lower surface of the base. The device comprises a guide section for establishing a vertical assembling position of the base and the main board assembly and for allowing the main board assembly to be capable of a sliding movement to a predetermined location on the base; a stopper section for stopping the sliding movement of the main board assembly on the base; and a locker for locking the main board assembly stopped by the stopper section to the base in a vertical direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a disc storage system includes a base having a number of subassemblies. A disc pack subassembly is mounted on the base and is configured to support a disc pack and an actuator subassembly is mounted on the base and is configured to support an actuator assembly. A drive mechanism merges the disc pack subassembly together with the actuator subassembly whereby transducer heads in the actuator subassembly are positioned on disc surfaces of the disc pack. At least one of the subassemblies is releasably mounted to the base and the subassembly can be replaced for assembly differing disc storage systems or upon failure of the subassembly.

Abstract: A method for protecting magnetic read/write head assembly against electrostatic discharge during disk drive manufacturing are disclosed. The magnetic head assembly is supported on a substrate having a magnetoresistive sensor element disposed in spaced relationship between several magnetic shield elements. Before a focused ion beam fabrication operation, at least a portion of an air bearing surface of the magnetic head assembly is coated with a thin and transparent layer of conductive material. This layer of conductive material is subsequent removed after the focused ion beam fabrication operation.

Abstract: A pallet-storing block of an electronic component-mounting apparatus stores a plurality of pallets each carrying thereon a tray containing a large number of electronic components. A desired pallet selected from the pallets is moved along a transfer path, in a manner such that the desired pallet is advanced to be introduced into a pickup area which extends to cover almost all of the transfer path or withdrawn from the pickup area into the pallet-storing block. Desired electronic components are sequentially picked up from the desired pallet introduced into the pickup area and mounted on a circuit board. The desired pallet is moved to a desired position within the pickup area.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly system automatically decks and automatically fastens body components to chassis components. The system uses an automatic decking and fastening unit that includes a base with an elevatable platform repositionable relative to the base by at least one actuator. A slidable unit carries a fastener driver, is supported on the elevatable platform, and is repositionable relative to the elevatable platform by at least one other actuator. The slidable unit also carries an arm that is repositionable relative to the slidable unit by yet another actuator. A pair of conveyors are positioned away from the base, are movable relative to the base and carry a pair of vehicle components. The conveyors are cycled so that the vehicle components are positioned relative to one another in a predetermined position, and the actuators are operated to reposition the fastener driver to a position determined by engagement of the slidable unit with one of the vehicle components.

Abstract: A registration mechanism has a datum unit and a bolster movable toward and away from the datum unit. First, second, and third pins are mounted to the bolster. At least one spring resiliently biases the pins outward from the bolster. A pallet is supported by the pins between the bolster and datum unit. The pallet has first, second, and third sockets aligned with respective pins. The pallet has a registering face facing the datum unit. The registering face is disposed opposite the sockets. The pallet is movable by the bolster toward the datum unit from a lowered position. In the lowered position, the registering face is spaced from the datum unit and respective pins and sockets are spaced apart. In a first intermediate position, the registering face is spaced from the datum unit, and the sockets rest freely on respective pins. In a second intermediate position, respective sockets and pins are pressed together in partial counteraction of the resilient biasing.

Abstract: A method is provided for connecting two conductive layers in an electronic circuit package comprising the steps of forming dendrites on selected regions of a first conductive layer, forming dendrites on selected regions of a second conductive layer, applying an epoxy adhesive material over the first conductive layer, and compressively attaching the second conductive layer to the first conductive layer such that the dendrites on the first conductive layer contact the dendrites on the second conductive layer. Also claimed is an electronic circuit package incorporating the dendrites used for electrical interconnection manufactured in accordance with the present invention. An alternative embodiment of the invention utilizes an intermediate surface metal with dendrites in place of a “through via.

Abstract: A multilayer thin film structure having defined strap repair lines thereon and a method for repairing interconnections in the multilayer thin film structure (MLTF) and/or making engineering changes (EC) are provided. The method comprises determining interconnection defects in the MLTF at a thin film layer adjacent the top metal layer of the structure, defining the top surface metallization including a series of orthogonal X conductor lines and Y conductor lines using photoresist and lithography and additive or phototool to selectively expose the photoresist to define top surface strap connections needed to repair the interconnections and/or make EC's, and forming the top surface metallization.

Abstract: A printed circuit board or card having plated through-holes is provided wherein plated through-holes are filled with a photocured polymerized composition. Also, a method for fabricating these printed circuit boards or cards is provided. Also provided are compositions and methods of providing carrier films coated with the compositions for use in filling vias or plated through-holes.

Abstract: A connecting rod is formed by cold forging in a single pressing cycle at a good accuracy without separately preparing a large-end cap, to thereby reduce the manufacturing cost. A double-action type of forging apparatus is made up of an upper die, a lower die, and a large-end portion punch and a small-end portion punch, both being movably provided in each of the dies. The upper die is closed to the lower die while forging a preform, to thereby roughly form a connecting rod. Then, the large-end portion punch and the small-end portion punch are protruded into a forming space between both the upper and lower dies to forge the parts to be pierced, thereby filling underfilled parts with material. Then, the large-end portion punch and the small-end portion punch on the side of the upper die are pushed out of the forming space to reach the lower die. The underfills left in the parts to be pierced are blanked or punched away to form a large-end hole and a small-end hole.

Abstract: The cooling scheme of a gas turbine engine component is modified to improve local cooling without redesigning the investment casting. The modification includes forming at least one channel in the component such that the channel is in fluid communication with a cooling medium source associated with the component. The channel is then partially filled with a removable material, and the removable material is covered with a patch material so as to completely fill the channel. Lastly, the removable material is removed from the channel so as to create an internal cooling passage in the component that is in fluid communication with the cooling medium source.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for producing a one-part vehicle wheel are provided, in which a substantially disk-shaped, undercut-free pre-form is cast. Immediately after casting the pre-form is conveyed to a flow-forming machine, while maintaining a residual heat and is fixed therein. The circumferential area of the fixed pre-form is split and, by subsequent spinning and flow-forming, is constructed as an intermediate form with a rim, which already substantially has the wall thickness of the rim of the finished vehicle wheel. The intermediate form is cooled, sized, and undergoes a final end-working.

Abstract: A method for forming a hub having blind bore is provided. The blind bore hub is formed integrally with a solid circular disc by displacing metal radially inward from the upper surface toward the center of the disc to form a hub, and then punching a bore opening through the center of the hub to provide a blind bore therein. A blind bore hub formed by the foregoing method is also provided.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing apparatus comprises at least a pair of hydrodynamic bearing surfaces that face each other in the radial direction which are formed with an outer circumferential surface of a shaft unit and an inner circumferential surface of a shaft fitting unit relatively and rotatably attached to the shaft unit. Hydrodynamic pressure generating grooves of a predetermined shape are produced on either one of the hydrodynamic bearing surfaces of the shaft unit and shaft fitting unit. A lubricant coating is formed by electrodeposition on either of the hydrodynamic bearing surfaces of the shaft unit and shaft fitting unit. A method for manufacturing a hydrodynamic bearing is also disclosed.

Abstract: A slitting and shaving tool for separating a coaxial cable with a curved outer surface from an adjacent cable connected to it with a web of insulating material. The tool includes a slitting blade for cutting through the web to separate the cables and a shaving blade with a curved cutting edge for shaving off excess web material to leave a smooth cylindrical outer surface on the coaxial cable. The tool is hinged to swing open, allowing the tool to be used at intermediate locations along the length of a messengered cable. A cable guide surface on the tool body has a double radius to accommodate cables that have a slight bend. The shaving blade is adjustable towards and away from the cable being shaved. A relief hole allows the shaved excess web material to exit the tool. The relief hole is specially shaped to make it easy to position the curved cutting edge of the shaving blade correctly by locating it in alignment with the apparent perimeter of the relief hole.

Abstract: The kitchen peeling tool which includes a clip type controlling handle bar having an upper and a lower shanks pivoted to it, a blade holder, and an direction turning mechanism for fruits of various sizes to be inserted in. The upper shank is detachably coupled with the blade holder, while the lower shank is screw combined to the all direction turning mechanism turnable in all directions thereby peeling the fruit smoothly and finely with the blade closely touching on the surface of the fruit.

Abstract: A knife-and-sheath combination includes a knife with a blade having two opposing broad faces and an opening through the blade extending between the broad faces, and a handle extending from the blade. The combination also includes a sheath including a sheath body having a receptacle sized to receive the blade therein, and a positive lock operable to lock the knife to the sheath. The positive lock includes a locking element engagable to the opening in the blade of the knife, and a lock release accessible to a user of the knife-and-sheath combination, the lock release being operable to disengage the locking element from the opening in the blade of the knife.

Abstract: A folding knife having a blade pivotally connected to an end of a handle so that the blade is rotatable about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the blade is extended away from the handle. In the closed position, the blade is at least partially received within the handle. The knife also has a locking mechanism that is movably secured to the handle so that it may be moved into a locking position. When in the locking position, the locking mechanism blocks a protruding member extending transversely outward from a surface of the blade to prevent the blade from being rotated from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: A folding knife having a locking member which is moved by a plunger and coil spring into a locking position, engaging a shoulder on the tang portion of a blade to prevent pivotal movement of the blade away from the fully open position. The locking member is pivotally mounted at one end in a recess in one of the handle members and extends across the cavity between the members to a manually engageable end in a through opening in the other handle member.

Abstract: A clamping member disassembling device is disclosed in which a clamping member comprising a head portion and a body portion and clamped to base metals, with the body portion being inserted into clamping holes formed in the base metals and the head portion being in contact with a peripheral edge portion of the clamping hole in one of the base metals, is disassembled from the base metals. The disassembling device comprises a cutting means for cutting off the body portion of the clamping member in a direction nearly perpendicular to an axial direction of the body portion, a moving means which causes the cutting means to advance and retreat in the axial direction of the body portion, and a motion changing means which actuates the cutting means in a direction nearly perpendicular to the axial direction of the body portion with an advancing or retreating motion of the cutting means which motion is induced by the moving means.

Abstract: A hair cutting device for providing the user with greater control when trimming around person's neck, ears, and forehead. The hair cutting device includes an elongate housing having a front end and a back end; and also includes a cutting assembly including a cutting head assembly being movably attached to the front end of the elongate housing; and further includes cutting head attachments being removably mounted to the cutting head assembly.

Abstract: Pair of scissors, in particular hair-cutting scissors, consisting of two scissor halves (1, 2), each comprising a scissor blade and a tang (3) with a grip eye (4, 5, 6, 7), where the grip eye (4, 5, 6, 7) of at least one scissor half (2) is mounted such that it can slide essentially parallel to the tang (3) and be locked in position. The inventive activity consists in the fact that the sliding grip eye (4, 5, 6, 7) is integrally molded on a first handle section (8), and a second handle section (9)is mounted on the tang (3), where the first handle sect-ion (8) can be slid onto the free end of the second handle section (9) and, in this position, can be snapped onto the second handle section (9) in releasable fashion without any adjusting elements, and where the two handle sections (8, 9) form a uniformly closed handle with smooth transitions without disturbing adjusting elements.

Abstract: An electrical metal cutting device including a housing having a generally L-shaped configuration. The housing has a hollow interior. The housing has a horizontally disposed upper portion and a vertically disposed lower portion. The upper portion has an open outer end. A motor is disposed within the upper portion of the housing. The motor is couplable with an outside power source. A power cylindrical bore is disposed within the upper portion of the housing inwardly of the open outer end thereof. The power cylindrical bore has a shaft extending inwardly therefrom. The shaft has a free end coupling with the motor. The power cylindrical bore has an open outer end. A power piston is slidably positioned within the open outer end of the power cylindrical bore. The power piston has an outer end extending outwardly of the open outer end of the upper portion of the housing. The power piston has an opening in its outer end. A cutting blade is secured within the opening in the outer end of the power piston.

Abstract: The invention provides a portable knife holder having a mounting plate embedded with at least one magnet for holding a knife on a top surface of the mounting plate, and a strap attached to the mounting plate for mounting the mounting plate to a user or to an object.

Abstract: A cutting attachment for use with a vegetation cutting device. The cutting attachment has a body with a generally planar coupling portion and a central axis of rotation. In one embodiment, the body further includes a conical central wall portion extending radially outwardly and in a first direction from the coupling portion and the axis and a circular outer wall portion adjoining the central wall portion and extending generally radially outwardly therefrom. The central wall portion defines a conically-shaped self-cleaning inner cavity disposed symmetrically about the axis. The outer wall portion has a generally smooth outer surface which serves as a skid plate. An outer self-cleaning cavity is formed by an outer surface of the central wall portion and an inner surface of the outer wall portion. A coupling assembly, which can include an adapter having first and second clamping elements, is carried by the coupling portion for coupling the body to the cutting device to cause rotation about the axis.

Abstract: A guide bar for a chain saw is provided having an elongate substantially planar main body portion made from a first material and having an opening extending therethrough. An elongate insert made from a second material is configured to fit closely in the opening in the main body portion. The main body portion has a holding mechanism for retaining an end portion of the insert to inhibit release of the end portion of the insert laterally of the main body portion.

Abstract: A pencil sharpener includes a casing secured in a housing and having a groove for receiving a pencil to be sharpened and having a cutter blade for sharpening the pencil. A device has a slide slidably received in the housing and has an extension extended from a resilient arm and engaged into the groove of the casing for determining the engagement of the pencil into the groove of the casing and for controlling the sharpening operation of the pencil. The slide may be adjusted relative to the housing for adjusting the engagement of the extension into the casing.

Abstract: A drawing compass including a body having a pivot point and a longitudinal slot formed therein, the longitudinal slot defining a first inner surface. The drawing compass further includes a carriage received in and movable along the longitudinal slot. The carriage has a guide to receive a writing instrument therethrough and a movable arm biased against the first inner surface. The compass also includes means for releasably coupling the arm to the body.

Abstract: Surface characteristics of a surface of a three-dimensional object, such as surface area, surface area enhancement (i.e., the ratio of the actual surface area to an area of that surface projected onto an X-Y plane), and surface roughness parameters can be calculated based solely on line-based measurements and without performing the calculations required to actually create a three-dimensional image of that surface. Because a true three-dimensional image is not created, interline registration and low frequency noise limitations are eliminated from the measurement, and data can be acquired by scanning bidirectionally without adversely affecting the results. Likewise, the analysis time required to determine surface parameters is a fraction of that required by image-based techniques. This technique, being line-based rather than image-based, can be performed by any probe-based instrument, optical-based instrument, or any other instrument capable of measuring a sample surface in either digital or analog fashion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the calibration of vehicle wheel alignment sensors or optical targets and for the detection and correction of wear or damage to no-compensation type wheel adapters to which the vehicle wheel alignment sensors are attached during a vehicle wheel alignment procedure. A first aspect of the present invention is a method for electronically storing separate calibration values associated with a vehicle wheel alignment sensor or optical target for a variety of types of vehicle wheel adapters. A second aspect of the present invention is a method and apparatus for detecting and compensating for wear or damage to no-compensation type wheel adapters by utilizing a known flat surface against which the contact points of the adapter are placed, any misalignment of the sensor mounting shaft axis from the plane is detected and corrected for, either by adjustment of the contact points or by adjustment of the sensor mounting shaft.

Abstract: A line transfer instrument and method for aligning a pipe laser's laser beam are disclosed wherein the instrument includes a base, a self-leveling scope rotatably mounted to the base so that it is capable of looking downward and slightly backward, a horizontal dove-tail slide for horizontally translating the base perpendicular to the line of sight, and a spotting laser for illuminating the pipe laser so that the scope can be centered more easily on it. The method includes positioning the scope over the pipe laser using the spotting laser and slide to illuminate the center of the pipe laser and center the scope over the pipe laser.

Abstract: A slope block assembly having a bubble level with an eccentrically mounted slope block detachably carried on one end of the level. The slope block has an offset turning axis with a plurality of supporting surfaces, all located at different distances from the turning axis. The support surfaces cooperate with an undersurface or support point on the level to direct a laser beam at a desired angle with respect to a round or flat reference surface. Grooves are provided on the slope block support surfaces as well as on the level undersurface to support the level and slope block assembly on a round or curved reference surface.

Abstract: An electronic compass is described for use in vehicles. The compass employs a magnetoresistive sensor for sensing the earth magnetic field and the sensor is operated in alternate set/reset bias modes. In a first embodiment, the compass is provided with deviation compensation by a closed loop system including measurement of the sensor output signals and an offset current strap for nullifying the vehicle deviation field. In a second embodiment, deviation compensation is provided by operation in an initial calibration mode and by operation in a normal compensation mode to adjust compensation, as needed, on a long term basis during normal operation of the compass. In the initial calibration mode, while the vehicle is being driven, the signal peak values are adjusted to a nominal earth field level by changing the offset current. Then, compensating signal reference values for each axis are determined as each peak for that axis is determined.