Abstract: There is disclosed a driver including an elongate shaft and at least one drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a housing which has an orifice for receiving the elongate shaft, and a drive wheel which is located at least partially within the housing. The drive wheel has a bore with a cross-section shaped so that the internal surface of the bore contacts the circumference of elongate shaft when the elongate shaft is inserted into the bore. The bore has at least two fulcrum surfaces so that the drive wheel is pivotable about the elongate shaft. The housing is slideable relative to the elongate shaft.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing paper toweling. The dispenser including a towel support that is positionable in a first dispensing position when a drive roller rotates in a first direction, and that is positionable in a second auto-loading position when the drive roller rotates in a second direction. Rotation of the drive roller in the first and second directions automatically loading the paper toweling for subsequent dispense.

Abstract: A splicing tape feeding device is disclosed which is adapted for supplying a splicing tape for joining a magnetic tape to a leader tape. The splicing tape feeding device includes a stationary base member and a movable member displaceable relative to the base member. The base member and the movable member have splicing tape transport paths with a lateral width not less than that of the splicing tape. Parallel flanges are formed on opposite sides of each of the tape transport paths and prevent a lateral displacement of the splicing tape. Engageable mating portions are formed on the base member and the movable member to eliminate a distance in the feeding direction of the splicing tape between the base member and the movable member.

Abstract: A paper shifting apparatus for toilet seats includes; a supply mechanism with a pair of rollers pivotally installed in a supply case which is adapted to be fixed at a proper place close to one side of a toilet bowl; a take-up mechanism with a pair of rollers pivotally provided in a taki-up case to be positioned at a place close to another side of the toilet bowl; a continuous toilet-seat covering paper prepared in a stack in the supply case having a feed portion and a running portion movably arranged between the supply mechanism and the take-up mechanism for being rotatably moved piece by piece over the toilet seat; a fine adjusting device fixed at an axial end of the take-up mechanism; and a locating and driving device installed in the take-up case and mechanically coupled with the take-up mechanism; so that, by starting the locating and driving device, the take-up mechanism will be driven to effect the replacement of one piece of the continuous toilet-seat covering paper.

Abstract: A yarn dispenser having upper and lower rollers feeding yarn from a skein. The upper roller is pivoted to the side for insertion and removal of yarn. The upper roller has a part of its central circumference recessed so as to free yarn one time in each rotation of the upper roller, to thereby prevent balling of the yarn. A miniature, 1.5 V battery powered motor powers the rollers via an O-ring belt drive. A foot controlled switch is used in the electrical circuit. The yarn dispenser can be mounted in a briefcase sized receptacle by snap fasteners or may be removed, in which case the dispenser can be supported above a supporting surface on a removable cover on which the base rests.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which serves to move a carriage in one direction over a predetermined distance at a substantially uniform velocity and to return the carriage at a varying velocity so that a film web delivered at a constant velocity is intermittently advanced relative to a welding device fixed to a frame. The apparatus comprises a lever, which is adapted to be pivotally oscillated by a drive and which by virtue of a first guide provided on the lever and a slider or roller cooperating with the guide imparts a motion to the carriage. The carriage is movable on track rods in a plane which is parallel to the plane in which the lever is pivotally movable. In order to provide an apparatus which is compact and space-saving, the lever is driven by a crank, which revolves in a plane parallel to the plane in which the lever is pivotally movable.

Abstract: An intermittent web feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding fixed length of a web of material during one cycle of a feeding operation by the cooperative operation of a pair of feed rollers for unwinding a web of material from a roll of web material and feeding the web of material to a web processing machine such as a bag-forming and packing machine, and for feeding the web of material to a processing position within the web processing machine, is disclosed. The intermittent web feeding apparatus is equipped with a single servomotor for driving the feed rollers through means of a first transmission mechanism, and the feeding units through means of a second transmission mechanism.

Abstract: A fluid operated stock feed apparatus for intermittently advancing stock along a feed path. The feed apparatus includes a stationary body having fluid operated stock holding clamps mounted thereon. A stock feed head is mounted for reciprocation relative to the body and has fluid operated stock feed clamps mounted thereon and a feed piston is mounted in the body for extending and retracting the stock feed head. A main control valve is provided in the body for controlling the application of fluid pressure to the fluid pressure operated stock holding and stock feed clamps and a pressure operated auxiliary valve is provided in the body and is responsive to the pressure from the main control valve for controlling the application of fluid pressure to the feed piston.

Abstract: A fluid operated stock feed apparatus for intermittently advancing stock along a feed path. The feed apparatus includes a stationary body having fluid operated stock holding clamps mounted thereon. A stock feed head is mounted for reciprocation relative to the body and has fluid operated stock feed clamps mounted thereon and a feed piston is mounted in the body for extending and retracting the stock feed head. A main control valve is provided in the body for controlling the application of fluid pressure to the fluid pressure operated stock holding and stock feed clamps and a pressure operated auxiliary valve is provided in the body and is responsive to the pressure from the main control valve for controlling the application of fluid pressure to the feed piston. The main body is formed with a bore therethrough and the feed cylinder is provided in one portion of the bore.

Abstract: A pneumatic feeder for punch presses and the like wherein a novel circuit and arrangement is incorporated in the feeder control system for causing the stock gripping means on the reciprocating feed slide to be released in response to the completion of each intermittent stock feeding stroke of the slide. This circuit and control arrangement includes a fluid motor means that is controlled by a pilot operated supplementary valve means which in turn is controlled by an air jet means that is arranged and adapted to sense the arrival of the feed slide at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A tape feeding apparatus is provided for preventing the feeding of successive strips of tape unless and until the manual activator for the tape feeding mechanism has been allowed to return to its manual in operative position. There is a tape feeding apparatus, a drive apparatus for driving the tape feeding apparatus, and a clutch interposed there between. A latching mechanism normally maintains the clutch disengaged to prevent the driving apparatus from driving the tape feeding apparatus. A second clutch is interposed between the latching mechanism and a manually movable actuator for normally engaging and providing a direct connection between the movable actuator and the latching mechanism so as to disable the latching mechanism when the actuator is moved to the actuating position, and thus allowing the first clutch to engage and cause the driving apparatus to drive the tape feeding apparatus.

Abstract: A cradle straightener feeder for feeding sheet metal to an accessory unit comprising a bottom payoff cradle feeder, driving the coil at the outer periphery thereof, a straightener feeder having an output which feeds sheet metal to an accessory unit, a mechanism for directing sheet metal from the cradle feeder to the straightener feeder, and a mechanism for cross-feeding said sheet metal to said accessory unit which may cross-feed the sheet metal simultaneously with the forward feeding of the output of the straightener feeder. The directing mechanism may include a pivoted threader bar mechanism which is an instrumental part of a loading cushioning mechanism, a coil peeler mechanism and a dekinking or decurling mechanism. The straightener feeder may also include a powered mechanism for adjusting the pass line height of the straightener feeder to the correct height needed for a selected accessory unit.

Abstract: A method and a mechanism in and for a fastener dispensing operation, by which a plurality of fasteners individually comprising a filament having a head and an anchor bar at one and the other ends thereof and altogether integrally formed to a fastener assembly can be fed to a fastener-severing position in a fastener dispensing device one at a time of the fastener dispensing operation by the dispensing device even in case of an irregularity or a change in the inter-fastener pitch in the fastener assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously forming a plurality of terminals from a plurality of lengths of wire and inserting the terminals simultaneously into preformed openings in a plastic part. The apparatus includes a mechanism for simultaneously moving a plurality of lengths of wire which are held in spaced relation to one another to a severing position. The wires may be arranged in both horizontal and vertical planes. In one embodiment, wires from different planes are brought together in a common plane at a severing position. At the severing position, a shears is provided for simultaneously severing end portions from the lengths of wires to form a plurality of short wire terminals. The shears and an anvil support the terminals and maintain them in spaced relation to one another after severing for insertion into the preformed openings in the plastic part. The apparatus further includes a tool which supports the plastic part.

Abstract: An improved pneumatic feeder for a punch press or the like wherein the operation of the feeder is adapted to be slaved in a semi-automatic manner to the operation of the punch press. The feeder is provided with a stock advancing feed slide and a control valve therefor whereby the stock advancing slide is normally positioned in a rearward or indexed position, and is adapted, when the feeder is triggered in response to the operation of the press, to execute a feed stroke and immediately thereafter automatically execute a non-feed stroke so as to return to said normal indexed position where it will remain until said feeder is again triggered in response to the next operation of said press.

Abstract: A tape trip mechanism is featured that is easily retro-fittable to postage tape dispensing machines in the field. The tape trip device is automatically operative in response to electrical control signals generated by a digital scale, a computer, or other electrical-type mail equipment. The tape trip mechanism is mounted within the postage tape dispensing machine by fastening the mechanism into existing holes in the inside frame. A flexible cable of the mechanism actuates the machine dispensing system by rotating a shaft supporting a manual trip lever. When the manual lever is exercised, the flexible cable is caused to collapse, and therefore, the cable does not interfere with the manual operation. Thus the automatic electrical control is independent from the manual control, allowing the user a greater flexibility in machine operation.

Abstract: A postage meter conversion apparatus is disclosed that will convert a mechanical, lever operated postage meter into an electrically controlled postage meter. The conversion apparatus is easily assembled to and disassembled from a standard lever operated postage meter. Each lever of the meter is operated simultaneously. The conversion apparatus is so constructed that all the levers of the meter can be actuated at once. Optical monitors are provided to control the operation of the conversion unit so that the setting of the postage amount may be achieved. The conversion apparatus can be used to make the mechanical meter compatible in an electrical environment containing equipment such as a computer, a digital scale, and other postage system processing devices.

Abstract: A ticket issuing machine is constructed with a ticket wheel rotatably mounted adjacent a ticket supply for feeding tickets by means of pins which engage in holes in the ticket web and a wheel advancing mechanism including a manually operable means engageable with the ticket wheel for rotating the same through a first portion of the ticket issuing stroke, and a spring-operated detent mechanism causing the ticket wheel to advance through the remainder of the ticket issuing stroke. The ticket issuing machine is also provided with a full stroke mechanism for insuring a complete ticket issuing stroke and an anti-spin mechanism for arresting the ticket wheel at the end of the ticket issuing stroke.

Abstract: Document feeding apparatus for feeding original documents of varying length to the copying station of a copier machine. If the document is less than or equal to a predetermined length, the document is moved to the copying station, a corresponding copy is made, and the original document is then transported to an exit stacker. If the original document exceeds the predetermined length, which length is slightly less than the length of a copy document, then the feed moves the original document to and through the copy station in increments slightly shorter than the length of the copy document, until the entire length of the original document has been copied. A particular use of the invention is in connection with the copying of adding machine tapes.

Abstract: A ticket dispenser is provided which includes a housing having a chamber therein for locating a roll of tickets to be dispensed therein. A roller means is provided having gripping means thereon for gripping tickets on the roll of tickets to effect a positive displacement of a ticket from the chamber when said roller means is rotated. An actuating means is provided for effecting rotation of said roller means to thereby dispense the ticket. The actuating means includes a plurality of tabs thereon which are adapted to engage with a plurality of projections disposed on the roller means to sequentially rotate the roller means a first predetermined amount and then positively stop rotation of said roller means in a predetermined first position and then effect rotation of said roller means a second predetermined amount and then positively stop rotation of said roller means in a predetermined second position.

Abstract: A paper feeding mechanism for selectively advancing paper a predetermined distance past a printing station of an electronic business machine. The paper feeding mechanism is adapted to utilize a supply of fan folded paper, e.g., housed in a disposable cartridge, which may be readily inserted within the paper feeding mechanism to place the electronic business machine in readiness for operation. During the printing cycle, a contact mechanism maintains a portion of the paper in contact with the printing station of the electronic business machine. After the printing occurs, an actuation mechanism is energized to move the contact mechanism away from the printing station to free the paper for advancement. At the same time, the actuation mechanism moves an advancement mechanism to advance the paper a predetermined distance past the printing station of the electronic business machine.

Abstract: A stamp dispensing mechanism has a cylindrical feed wheel, with axially-parallel rows of projections, rotatably mounted on a front portion of a vertical support plate that is constructed to rotatably support a roll of stamps on its rear portion. A Geneva star wheel, rotatably mounted on the plate, is operatively connected to the feed wheel for its step movement with the star wheel. A Geneva driver assembly, rotatably mounted on the plate, has a driver pin on an arm rotated by a motor also mounted on the plate. During one rotation of the arm, the pin moves into and out of a slot of the star wheel for its step movement. An arcuate part of the arm is in a recess in the periphery of a tooth of the star wheel, when the pin is not in the slot, to lock that wheel.

Abstract: A tape feeding apparatus for perforators or reader of punched tape in which a circular cam continuously rotates in a slot machined in a first lever. A second lever, selectively activated by an electromagnet, enables the first lever to be operated by the cam for jogging a saw tooth wheel integral with a sprocket pulley, feeding the paper.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of feeding record webs or sheets and apparatus for carrying out the method. The record feeding apparatus is shown in conjunction with a printing apparatus having a print head assembly, platen structure, a mechanism for severing a printed record from the remainder of the record and an inking mechanism. The record feeding apparatus includes an edge guide, a rotatable feed wheel having a planar frictional surface which engages one face of the web to exert a resultant drive force on the record when driven, the resultant force being comprised of a force vector of large magnitude extending in the longitudinal direction for feeding the record longitudinally and a force vector of small magnitude extending in the lateral direction for causing the record to be driven laterally to cause its side edge to be in guided contact with the edge guide.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously forming a plurality of terminals from a plurality of lengths of wire and inserting the terminals simultaneously into preformed openings in a plastic part. The apparatus includes a mechanism for simultaneously moving a plurality of lengths of wire which are held in spaced relation to one another to a severing position. The wires may be arranged in both horizontal and vertical planes. In one embodiment, wires from different planes are brought together in a common plane at a severing position. At the severing position, a shears is provided for simultaneously severing end portions from the lengths of wires to form a plurality of short wire terminals. The shears and an anvil support the terminals and maintain them in spaced relation to one another after severing for insertion into the preformed openings in the plastic part. The apparatus further includes a tool which supports the plastic part.