Three Coacting Work Grippers Patents (Class 269/156)
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Patent number: 6644636Abstract: An adapter for modifying a spring clamp for use as an edge clamp. The adapter is essentially a flexible intermediate section with pockets attached at each end. Each pocket slips over one of the jaws of the spring clamp. When the clamp is forced open, the intermediate section extends from jaw to jaw across the jaw cavity of the clamp. When the clamp is placed over a workpiece, the intermediate section of the adapter deforms elastically around the contour of the workpiece that extends into the jaw cavity. The edge clamp exerts an edge-clamping force against the workpiece in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the clamping forces exerted by the jaws and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spring clamp.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Inventor: M. Terry Ryan
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Patent number: 6517063Abstract: A holder for an oil filter includes a container having an open top and a base having an upper surface. An upwardly opening socket is disposed upon the upper surface. The socket is shaped and dimensioned to receive the head portion of the oil filter. Once the oil filter is inserted into the holder, retaining means hold the oil filter firmly in place. The holder and oil filter may then be placed in a vice, and the filter cut open in accordance with established procedures.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Inventor: Donald J. Beyer
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Publication number: 20020074705Abstract: A dual force rapid action lever clamp provides clamping forces essentially perpendicular to each other for accurate alignment of face frame stiles of adjacent cabinet units. The clamps are used to tightly draw together stiles of adjacent cabinets while at the same time providing pressure at the front of the stiles resulting in a tight and flush installation of the cabinets. While in a clamped position holes can be drilled and countersunk and installation screws can be driven through a drill guide hole assembly which is built into one jaw of the clamp. A short, quick, one-handed motion enables immediate adjustment and application of this clamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2000Publication date: June 20, 2002Inventor: Frank Marusiak
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Patent number: 6386533Abstract: A laser processing fixture is formed to allow for facet processing of cleaved laser bars, either individually, or allowing for multiple bars to be processed simultaneously. The fixture holds the bars at a precisely-controlled distance with respect to a predefined reference plane, and holds the bars rigidly enough so as to minimize the possibility of vibration, but not so forcefully as to cause damage. The fixture comprises a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, with a pair of spaced-apart support members extending between the jaws. One or more laser bars may then be positioned between the jaws such that the front and rear facets will be exposed above and below the jaws. Therefore, each facet may be processed without unloading and re-loading the bars in the fixture. The support members, which may comprise a pair of wires, are spaced a sufficient distance so as to be disposed beyond the location of any active device region.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1998Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Agere Systems Guardian Corp.Inventors: Utpal Kumar Chakrabarti, David Reese Peale
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Patent number: 6254077Abstract: A clamp and V-block apparatus for improving the use and structure of a V-block.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2000Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Inventor: William Robert Riley, Jr.
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Patent number: 6244581Abstract: A wedge clamp for clamping a plurality of planar members in a side-by-side disposition for work such as gluing to be performed thereon. The wedge clamp includes a rail unit which defines a track having two opposing side walls and an end wall disposed in a U-shaped configuration to closely receive the ends of stock members. The side walls are spaced apart to define a throat for closely receiving a selected thickness of stock. A base member is provided at one end of the rail unit, a second end of the base member extending away from side walls a distance at least as great as the width of the throat. The side walls and the end wall define a series of slotted openings for receiving a wedge block. At least one spacer is used to reduce the width of the throat and accommodate close receipt of the stock material defining a thickness less than that of the throat. The spacer defines an L-shaped cross section, with the first leg defining a first thickness and the second leg defining a second thickness.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2000Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Inventor: William J. Arnhold
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Patent number: 6226849Abstract: A wall panel including a rectangular frame, a pair of wall members and a thin decorative sheet covering the wall members. The frame includes two spaced apart, generally parallel vertical frame members and spaced apart, generally parallel horizontal lower and upper frame members. The horizontal frame members are connected to the vertical frame members at opposite ends thereof to form the rectangular frame. Each of the frame members includes a core member and a pair of sidewall members attached to opposite sides of the core member. The wall members are attached to the sidewalls on opposing sides of the frame members. A decorative sheet covers the outer surface of each wall member. A method for manufacturing the frame members includes providing a fixture with spaced apart first, second and third surfaces. A hanger bracket is mounted to the vertical frame core member and is positioned in the fixture such that the hanger bracket engages the first surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2000Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Beck, Richard Weise
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Patent number: 6220589Abstract: A two-way dual action clamp for accurately clamping together two or more workpieces. The clamps are particularly useful in temporarily clamping together two European style wall cabinets prior to permanently joining the units together with a plurality of screws. Each clamp has two jaws, one L-shaped and one I-shaped which, when assembled form a U-shape. The jaws are manipulated by a hand operating screw so as to clamp together workpieces such as abutting sides of frameless cabinet units. A second hand operating screw carries a pressure plate and extends transversely through a threaded opening in the bight portion of the U-assembly. The pressure plate acts to bring edges of the cabinet units into flush relationship. The distal ends of the jaws are provided with spring actuated workpiece engaging and retaining cams which are spread apart to a limited extent when workpieces are inserted between them.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Adjustable Clamp CompanyInventors: Eugene L. Smith, III, James J. Gurule
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Patent number: 6206355Abstract: A clamp (10) having at least one clamping assembly (11) comprising a base plate (17) and a pair of tension elements (14, 15), the base plate (17) including a pair of oblong holes (16) which converge towards a central line, each of the two tension elements (14, 15) being fully or partially curved at its peripheral face, the peripheral face being made of a skidproof “non-slip” material, a respective tension element (14, 15) being mounted in a respective one of the two oblong holes (16) and positioned such as its axis is substantially perpendicular Lo the base plate (17), the tension elements (14, 15) furthermore being arranged, such that the curved peripheral faces thereof are exactly opposed to each other, and the tension elements (14, 15) being slidable in their respective oblong holes (16) by means of a common slider (155), and wherein they are rotatably seated by means of ball bearings (20), such that they can freely rotate about their own longitudinal axis, wherein, on one hand, the distance beType: GrantFiled: June 14, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Inventor: Wilfried Lichtenberg
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Patent number: 6189878Abstract: A workpiece clamp is disclosed for pressing first and second workpieces into engagement by a chucking tool (6) and a counter-holding device (7) supported by a frame (5). A pair of clamping jaws (11,12) with spiral shaped clamping surfaces (13,14) are pivotally mounted on the clamping jaw support (8) of U-shape having two spaced apart support members. First and second pivot pins (21,22) are mounted opposite and parallel to each other on the support members. The clamping jaws squeeze and hold one workpiece therebetween when the chucking tool (6) is moved against the other workpiece to force the workpieces into engagement. The spaced apart support members provide a clearance space to allow one of the workpieces to be inserted between the jaws at any angle for engagement with the other workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Meese Spanntechnik GmbHInventor: Ludwig Meese
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Patent number: 6176479Abstract: A clamping device for allowing the user to easily attach two objects together.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2000Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Inventor: Charles A. Hicklin
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Patent number: 6098972Abstract: In order to provide an edge clamp, in particular, for pressing edge parts onto edges of workpieces extending between an upper side and an underside, comprising a clamp body, a first clamping jaw adapted to abut on the upper side of the workpiece and a second clamping jaw adapted to abut on the underside of the workpiece for fixing the clamp body on the workpiece and a means for generating clamping pressure actuatable by means of an actuating element for acting upon an edge pressure element acting on the edge part, which is as simple as possible to handle and can be fixed securely in position on the workpiece it is suggested that the clamp body have guide means, along which the clamping jaws are guided for displacement towards one another and away from one another and that a securing in position of the clamp body on the workpiece can be achieved by displacing the clamping jaws in the guide means in the direction towards the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1998Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: Bessey & Sohn GmbH & Co.Inventors: Horst Klimach, Hans Roesch
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Patent number: 6098866Abstract: A diffusion bonding apparatus for pipes that are supplied downward from above comprising a lower block for holding a lower pipe and an upper block for holding and pressing an upper pipe against the lower pipe. In the apparatus, three or more hydrraulic cylinders are provided in a lifting member of the upper block about a joint where the upper pipe is held in such manner that the cylinders are located in a circumference of a circle.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1998Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: Daido Tokushuko Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaki Tsuchiya, Takao Shimizu
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Patent number: 6062933Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for a cathode ray tube attaches an electron gun to a neck of a glass valve while grasping the neck with a chuck apparatus. The chuck apparatus has at least three chuck members, a chuck member holding unit and an interlocking unit. Each chuck member has a neck contacting surface that lies on a single plane that is parallel with a central axis of the neck. The chuck member holding unit holds the chuck members so as to allow movement of the neck contacting surface of each chuck member from a periphery of the neck toward the central axis of the neck. The interlocking unit causes an interlocked movement of the chuck members so that the neck contacting surface of each chuck member moves with an equal displacement toward the central axis of the neck.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1999Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Kasukawa, Akihiko Fukuyama, Koji Takahashi
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Patent number: 5975405Abstract: A diffusion bonding method has a step of adjusting ends of material to be bonded before bonding the material after setting the materials in the diffusion bonding apparatus, whereas a diffusion bonding apparatus has a mechanism for finishing ends of materials to be bonded so that both ends face parallel to each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Daido Tokyshuko Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaki Tsuchiya, Takao Shimizu, Hiroaki Suzuki
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Patent number: 5941515Abstract: A universal locating fixture for machining various sizes of engine connecting rods. In one embodiment, the fixture includes locating pads, opposed clamps and a crank bore-engaging equalizing locator on a fixed part of the fixture for locating and clamping the crank end of a connecting rod forging for machining. A single locating pad and opposed clamp and a pin end-engaging V locator are mounted on an axially adjustable slide of the fixture for locating and clamping the pin end of a connecting rod for machining. The clamps may be made to accommodate differing widths of connecting rods and the equalizing locator has two locating points spaced to accommodate various crank bore diameters without adjustment. Adjustment of the fixture to machine connecting rods of different lengths requires only axial adjustment of the slide to position the pin end locating pad, clamp and V locator in proper position for the new length.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1998Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Robert Frederick Salow
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Patent number: 5911413Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the position of a motor and for preventing the motor from being inclined when a belt is assembled to a motor assembly. The apparatus has a pulling section for pulling the motor and a pushing section for pushing the motor. The pulling section has a finger which grips the motor and pivots by a pneumatic cylinder. The pushing section pushes the motor against a pulling force of the pulling section so that the pivot movement or inclination of the motor can be prevented. The belt is easily assembled to the motor assembly, and the productivity of the motor assembly is increased.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1998Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hee-il Jun
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Patent number: 5876026Abstract: A pair of clamp pliers comprises an upper clip plate, a lower clip plate, a torsion spring disposed between the upper clip plate and the lower clip plate, a pivot pin passing through the torsion spring to fasten the upper clip plate and the lower clip plate together, a first recess hole formed on a front portion of the upper clip plate to receive a first compression spring and an upper mount, and a second recess hole formed on a front portion of the lower clip plate to receive a second compression spring and a lower mount.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1996Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Inventor: Jenn-Hwang Chen
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Patent number: 5816568Abstract: A lightweight component holding system which is simple to use, and in which an irregularly component may be readily positioned and repositioned for light assembly or inspection is disclosed. The system comprises: a side assembly having an elongated base having opposite ends and having; a carriage laterally slidable and lockable on the base, said carriage having; an upright column rotatably and lockably mounted on the carriage, said column having; a slide vertically and lockably slidable on the column, said slide having; an advancing shaft having a front projecting end having a component holding means attached thereto. At least three, and preferably four side assemblies have their opposite end portions interconnected so that they together form a stable planar component holding system, having a base center opening. In a preferred embodiment the advancing shaft comprises a holding means screw having a turning wheel on a rear end portion thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1996Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Inventor: Phillip S. Fox
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Patent number: 5810968Abstract: A device for assembling ends of optical fibers into a sheet. Each of the ends is stripped of any resilient coating and has a flat terminal face. A grooved substrate is supported on a cradle means. An adhesive dispensing means deposites adhesive into the grooves. A gripping means grips the optical fibers to form the ends into a sheet and positions each of the optical fibers into the grooves of the substrate. A portion of each of the optical fibers, including the ends, extends beyond an edge of the substrate. A means holds a plate, having a flat surface, against the substrate where the plate covers the grooves to hold the optical fibers in the grooves and where the plate bonds to the substrate. The flat surface extends beyond the edge of the substrate to cover the portion of each of the optical fibers extending beyond the edge of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1996Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventor: Thierry I. Dannoux
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Patent number: 5765820Abstract: A three-way spring clamp is provided that is useable as an edge clamp for applying clamping forces to workpieces in three directions. The clamp includes two lever arms, each having a jaw end and a handle end. The lever arms are pivotally connected to each other at a pivot point located between the jaw ends and the handle ends such that the lever arms can be moved between a closed gripping position in which the jaw ends are proximate to each other, and an opened position in which the jaw ends are spaced apart. A coil spring is provided for biasing the lever arms toward the closed gripping position. A spring engagement member is mounted between the lever arms. The engagement member includes a central body portion engageable with a surface of an article to be clamped. The body portion is positioned between the pivot point and the jaw ends and may have a generally concave configuration from the perspective of the pivot point when the lever arms are in the closed gripping position.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1995Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Inventor: Frank Marusiak
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Patent number: 5697601Abstract: A two-way dual action clamp for accurately clamping together from directions at right angles to each other, two or more workpieces. The clamps are particularly useful in clamping the stiles of the face frames of cabinet units which are to be joined together during installation. Each clamp has two jaws, one L-shaped and one I-shaped which, when assembled together, form a U-shape. The jaws are manipulated by a hand operating screw so as to clamp together workpieces such as frame face stiles from opposite sides. A second hand operating screw carries a pressure plate and extends transversely through a threaded opening in the bite portion of the U-shape assembly. The pressure plate acts to clamp workpieces in a front-to-rear direction which are clamped in a side-to-side direction. If desired one of the jaws can be provided with a drill guide so that a hole for a screw can be accurately drilled in stiles or other workpieces that are clamped together and a screw installed while a clamp or clamps remain(s) in place.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1996Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Assignee: Adjustable ClampInventor: James J. Gurule
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Patent number: 5681638Abstract: A substrate includes a flat principal member having a surface, and at least three first holding portions projecting from the principal member. Each of the first holding portions includes a pair of horizontal contact surfaces which are parallel to the surface of the principal member and which are disposed facing opposite to each other. At least three second holding portions are also disposed on the principal member, each of the second holding portions including a pair of vertical contact surfaces which are perpendicular to the surface of the principal member and are disposed facing opposite to each other. Method and apparatus for holding such a substrate includes structure and steps for grasping the at least three first holding portions and the at least three second holding portions. The structure and functions provide a platform for stably gripping a substrate.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1995Date of Patent: October 28, 1997Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Nobushige Korenaga
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Patent number: 5658181Abstract: A die is disclosed for applying radial force to an eccentric workpiece. The die includes a set of faces that are each inclined from an orthogonal relationship with a different radial plane of the workpiece by an offset angle. The die also includes wedges that are positioned on the faces. They each have a jaw surface and a slide surface that are inclined from a parallel relationship with each other by a wedge angle that equals the offset angle of their respective face. The wedges can move over the faces to abut the workpiece along each of a plurality of transverse planes. In each of these planes, their movement can accommodate the workpiece's eccentricity in that plane. In addition, each jaw surface abuts the workpiece in a tangential relationship.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1995Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: Hughes Aircraft CompanyInventor: Richard A. Brown, II
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Patent number: 5556085Abstract: Work holder comprising a first adjustable jaw having spaced holding surfaces thereon and a second jaw comprising a pair of arms pivoted in the housing and having holding surfaces on their distal ends, the arms adapted to be drawn together by a threaded adjustment rod having right-hand and left-hand portions. The housing is swivelly positioned on a suitable weighted base.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1995Date of Patent: September 17, 1996Inventor: Adelard N. Cyr
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Patent number: 5415659Abstract: A spinal fixation system is provided with pedicle clamps having multiple hooks for engagement with selected portions of a patient's vertebrae. The pedicle clamp includes three hooks which may be slidably positioned relative to each other to securely engage exterior surfaces of the lamina. A surgical tool is also provided to securely position the hooks with respect to each other on the exterior of the lamina. The surgical tool includes a fork for engaging the movable hooks of the pedicle clamp and a wrench for locking the movable hooks relative to each other and the pedicle clamp.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1993Date of Patent: May 16, 1995Assignee: AMEI Technologies Inc.Inventors: Casey K. Lee, Erik J. Wagner
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Patent number: 5391230Abstract: An apparatus for capturing and holding a solid compact medicament, such as a caplet, has first, second and third members each having a surface having at least one throughole therein. Througholes have a diameter somewhat greater than the thickness of the solid compact medicament and the interior wall of the througholes 1as an axial length smaller than the length of the solid compact medicament. First and third members are fixed relative to one another. Second member is displaceable between first and third members between a first position wherein the througholes in members are aligned thereby defining an open gripping jaw for receiving and subsequently releasing the solid compact medicament, to a second position wherein the second member firmly engages a circumferential portion of solid compact medicament thereby engagingly capturing solid compact medicament in partially closed gripping jaw for processing.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1993Date of Patent: February 21, 1995Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Peter A. Pastecki, Thomas C. Reiter, Charles W. Pierson
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Patent number: 5387287Abstract: An apparatus for holding a solid compact medicament has relatively displaceable, substantially planar first and second members having opposed edge portions. Each edge portion has at least one notch having an interior wall. Housing is provided for holding members in a substantially co-planar relationship. When members are displaced, preferably along a fixed axis, to a first position, the interior walls of the opposed, aligned notches define an open gripping jaw for receiving and subsequently releasing the caplet. Further, when members are displaced to a second position, the open gripping jaw then partially closes, thereby capturing the caplet securely within the notches in the gripping jaw for processing.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1993Date of Patent: February 7, 1995Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Thomas C. Reiter, Peter A. Pastecki, Charles W. Pierson
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Patent number: 5377963Abstract: A machine vise for securing a workpiece adjacent a cutting tool has a body with a variety of clamping recesses milled therein. The body of said vise has an aperture therethrough for slidably accepting a jaw bar. The jaw bar includes a moveable jaw and a guide channel which is slidably mounted within the aperture for positioning the movable jaw adjacent a stationary jaw for gripping a workpiece therebetween. A movable stop block sets the height of the workpiece and includes ratchet teeth for engaging a rack milled into the body. A fastener tightens the stop block in a selected position on the rack. Bolts having oppositely extended sections adjacent the moveable jaw with respect to the stationary jaw. The height of the workpiece is accurately set by the stop block.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1993Date of Patent: January 3, 1995Inventor: Lynn D. Lehman
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Patent number: 5350163Abstract: A clamping member (11) for a wood clamp (10) is provided and comprises two spaced engaging elements (14, 15), each shaped as right oval cylinders. The engaging elements are rotatably mounted to a support plate (17) and are arranged to slide relative to support plate in respective slots (16) which converge. A workpiece is arranged to be clamped between the engaging elements when it is moved in the direction in which the slots converge as movement of the workpiece causes the engaging elements to slide in the converging slots thus further gripping the workpiece and also rotate until such time as the engaging elements clamp the workpiece and prevent further movement of the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1992Date of Patent: September 27, 1994Inventor: Wilfried Lichtenberg
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Patent number: 5328317Abstract: A stick feeder comprising a stick for carrying a plurality of semiconductor devices housed therein, a holding block for receiving and holding semiconductor devices discharged sequentially from the stick; and a plurality stop members selectively detachably mounted to the holder for stopping semiconductor devices discharged from the said stick to the holding block, the width of the holding block being adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece feeding direction, and the mounting position of the stop member being adjustable with respect to the holder so that the stop position of a semiconductor device can be adjusted in the workpiece holding portion by varying the mounting position of the stop member.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1992Date of Patent: July 12, 1994Assignee: Tenryu Technics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mituhalu Masui, Kouzou Ohta
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Patent number: 5313986Abstract: The method and apparatus are useful in positioning components, for example two half shells of a clamp for a pipeline or other cylindrical member (10). One half-shell (12) is clamped by studs (56) to brackets (52) on a carriage (16) which can then traverse about the member (10) by engagement of sprockets (30, 28) with chains (18) encircling the member (10). A second half-shell is then lowered by crane onto the member (10). The two half shells are clamped together by studs and the brackets (52) released and swung clear. The apparatus can then be removed if desired. Drive to the carriage (16) is through a flexible shaft (70), gearbox (34) and sprockets (30) connected together by drive shaft (33). Wheels (26) roll on the member (10).Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1992Date of Patent: May 24, 1994Assignee: British Gas plcInventor: Dennis W. Jude
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Patent number: 5305557Abstract: A block having first and second permanent cavities. The first cavity includes a first vertical, continuous V-groove from the rop of the block to a pocket which has a permanent horizontal bottom wall. The second cavity includes a second V-groove that is parallel to the first V-groove, and which is continuous from the top of the block to a second permanent horizontal bottom wall that is at a predetermined height with respect to the bottom wall of the first cavity. Each cavity includes a bar pivotally attached to the block, which includes a flat surface for pressing normally to the bottom of the V-groove, along a vertical line of contact with the vertical cylindrical portion of a tool in the V-groove when the bar is positioned horizontally across the V-groove and is drawn to the block.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1992Date of Patent: April 26, 1994Inventor: Lee A. Warncke
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Patent number: 5201501Abstract: A unit is provided for grasping and clamping generally circular shaped parts such as lenses, comprising a central body on which three grasping and clamping elements are mounted adapted to bear tangentially on said part at three points or regions of tangential contact forming, pairwise, angles greater than 90.degree., one of the grasping and clamping elements being arranged to lie on the axis of said central body at one end of a movable central push rod, the other two said elements being arranged symmetrically with respect to said axis at the distal end of two levers, the push rod being urged by at least one clamping spring in the axial clamping direction, and the other two elements being urged to rotate in the direction of clamping by at least one lever-action producing spring, release of clamping being obtained by application of fluid pressure to a piston adapted to operate in opposition to said clamping spring.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1992Date of Patent: April 13, 1993Assignee: Essilor International Compagnie Generale d'OptiqueInventor: Georges Fassler
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Patent number: 5137263Abstract: An eyeglass frame holder is provided in the form of a variable contour vice. The vice incorporates a series of parallel slideable jaw elements in two banks that may be locked in position by a single clamping means.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1990Date of Patent: August 11, 1992Assignee: Ocean Optical Ltd.Inventors: Marc Y. Savoie, Charles R. Smith
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Patent number: 5108080Abstract: An improved machine vise, particularly well suited for use on milling machines and the like, having an improved arrangement for securely holding workpieces of irregular shapes or several different, diversely sized workpieces simultaneously. The vise is provided with a fixed jaw and two movable jaws mounted in a side by side relationship such that each jaw is free to move back and forth into and out of a gripping relationship with the object being clamped. The two movable jaws are yoke driven on a shaft such that a single forward thrust of the yoke exerts a forward and downward pressure to move both jaws forward while at the same time allowing for a translational motion between said adjacent jaws. These jaws can thus simultaneously grip and secure individual workpieces of different dimensions or differently sized portions or cross-sections of the same workpiece. Each jaw may also be provided with individually mounted fingers that pivot into the best gripping relationship with the object being clamped.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1990Date of Patent: April 28, 1992Inventor: Lawrence W. James
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Patent number: 5097600Abstract: A support device for eyeglass frames whereby the contour of one or both rims or surrounds of the frame can be read comprises a plurality of retaining means on a plate and on a flap pivoted to the plate. The retaining means are adapted to hold an eyeglass frame above a hole in the plate. The flap is pivoted to the plate and its inclination relative to the plate is adjustable.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1989Date of Patent: March 24, 1992Assignee: Essilor International Cie Generale d'OptiqueInventors: Francois Brule, Jean-Pierre Cuvilly
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Patent number: 5090217Abstract: A mounting for a gem that tapers to a bottom tip has a base with an opening for receiving a tiny bit of the end of the tip and arms for engaging and holding the gem below its uppermost surface. The peripheral shape of the mounting may correspond generally to the largest peripheral shape of the gem. The mounting displays the gem in a manner that makes essentially the entire surface of the gem visible for viewing.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1991Date of Patent: February 25, 1992Inventors: Jacque S. Beber, Richard A. Beber
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Patent number: 5033724Abstract: A machine vise for holding workpieces on a milling machine or the like comprises a pair of movable jaws arranged to move in parallel and to cooperate with a fixed jaw for holding workpieces for machining. A yoke is pivotally mounted with respect to the jaws and operates to provide equal pressures for gripping with equal pressure separate workpieces or different parts of the same workpieces.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1989Date of Patent: July 23, 1991Inventor: Lawrence W. James
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Patent number: 5031303Abstract: A roller segment (14) is held for the purpose of machining a spherical internal bearing surface (10). Its toric external surfaces (18) is supported against two fixed seats (17), immobilized with respect to rotation about an axis (VV') passing through the centers (c) of the profiles of the fixed seats (17) by a third seat (19), which is radially movable. Claws (21) hold the segment against the seats and circumferentially position the segment about the axis (UU') of its toric surface (18).The bearing surface (10) is ground with a slight eccentricity (e) relative to the toric surface, and by grinding a surface suitable for hydrodynamic lubrication is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1989Date of Patent: July 16, 1991Assignee: Glaenzer SpicerInventor: Michel Orain
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Patent number: 5026222Abstract: A pin for use in a chuck for clamping a discoid portion of a workpiece, the chuck including a base, at least to fixed clamps secured on a front end surface of the base, a movable clamp adjacent to the front end surface of the base and the pin secured to the front end surface of the base. The pin is adapted to fit in a hole formed in a discoid when the discoid is mounted on the chuck wherein the hole has a larger diameter than the pin. The pin has generally rhombic transversed section with a long diagonal and a short diagonal. The pin is truncated by a predetermined amount at each end along the long diagonal to allow the workpiece to move a limited distance relative to the pin along a line formed by the short diagonal. The limited distance may be a function of an initial clearance between the discoid portion and the chuck or a function or a variation between the diameter of the discoid portion and its design diameter, or a function of both.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1990Date of Patent: June 25, 1991Assignee: Sanden CorporationInventors: Satoshi Kawano, Yoshio Kimura, Eiji Fukushima
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Patent number: 4987808Abstract: A system for handling a flexible thin wall tubular extrudate of an elastomeric material of the type used as a body ply element for the manufacture of tires, and for cutting-off a predetermined length sleeve of the extrudate and delivering the sleeve to a discharge station. A pair of grippers is movably mounted on carriage assemblies which move the grippers horizontally and transversely with respect to the axis of the extrudate. The leading gripper provides tension to the extrudate and pulls it along a production axis. The trailing gripper engages the extrudate and moves in unison with the extrudate and the leading gripper along the production axis. The grippers completely circumferentially envelop the length of sleeve to be cut from the extrudate and retain the shape of the extrudate by applying a vacuum thereto. A cutting mechanism having a fixed motor driven blade and a pair of similar pivotally mounted blades moves vertically down into contact with the extrudate between the pair of grippers.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1988Date of Patent: January 29, 1991Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.Inventors: Richard W. Sicka, Dale A. Tompkins, Peter Kundig
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Patent number: 4982939Abstract: There is disclosed a clamp device for clamping a workpiece, e.g. a ceramic shaped body having a surface curvature. Support members are mounted on the base frame to support the workpiece thereon, and are adapted to swing about predetermined rotational axes. First clamp members are mounted on a base frame and adapted to swing about predetermined rotational axes. Second clamp members are mounted on a sub-frame, which is movable relative to the base frame, and are adapted to swing about predetermined rotational axes. The second clamp members can be moved toward the first clamp members to clamp a workpiece therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1989Date of Patent: January 8, 1991Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.Inventors: Akira Yoshikawa, Tsunezo Takeuchi
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Patent number: 4962918Abstract: A "C" type clamping assembly comprising first and second legs and an adjustable length main body therebetween. A first clamping assembly is adjustably movably received on the main body; the first clamping assembly being a bifurcated strap having two legs and a plurality of teeth on each leg. A U-shaped slide blocks straddles the bifurcated strap and has teeth which cooperate with the teeth on the bifurcated strap. A threaded clamping rod is received in the slide block and the slide block may be moved laterally across the bifurcated strap to a desired position such that the clamping rod may engage a workpiece. A second and a third clamping assembly are adjustably mounted on the ends of the respective first and second legs such that the clamping assemblies may extend outwardly from the ends of the respective legs as desired. The second and third clamping assemblies each have a threaded clamping rod received therein.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1989Date of Patent: October 16, 1990Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
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Patent number: 4957257Abstract: A compound clamp comprises a first clamping component defining a plane and having a clamping arrangement presenting a force along a first clamping axis in that plane and a second clamping component having a second clamping axis, the second clamping axis being perpendicular to the second clamping axis. The clamp also includes a further arrangement for attaching the second clamping component to the first clamping component so that the second clamping axis is in the plane of the first clamping component and is translationally adjustable along the first clamping axis independent of the clamping arrangement of the first clamping component.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1989Date of Patent: September 18, 1990Inventor: Luis M. Gonzalez
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Patent number: 4938489Abstract: A holder for an optical device such as a lens includes a frame and a plurality of arms pivotably attached to the frame. A resilient member urges the arms toward a closed position in which the arms meet at a common center within the frame. Linking members insure that the arms move simultaneously. The arms are moved away from the common point to accept and secure the optical device.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1988Date of Patent: July 3, 1990Assignees: Robert Nemirovsky, Joseph DeutschInventor: Robert Nemirovsky
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Patent number: 4930955Abstract: A chuck for clamping a discoid portion of a work piece includes a base, at least two fixed clamps secured on a front end surface of the base, a movable clamp adjacent to the front end surface of the base and a pin secured to the front end surface of the base. The pin is adapted to fit in a hole formed in the discoid when the discoid is mounted on the chuck wherein the hole has a larger diameter than the pin. Furthermore, the pin is positioned radially inwardly of the movable clamp toward the chuck center and oriented so that the two fixed clamps are equiangularly spaced about and equidistantly spaced from the pin. As a result, the discoid may move relative to the pin and toward the two fixed clamps, without rotation thereof. Accordingly, the centroidal axis of the discoid may be aligned with the rotational axis of the chuck so that precision machining may be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1989Date of Patent: June 5, 1990Assignee: Sanden CorporationInventors: Satoshi Kawano, Yoshio Kimura, Eiji Fukushima
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Patent number: 4924738Abstract: A bar puller is provided having adjustable jaws comprising fingers made of a resilient material. The fingers extend forward from a housing adapted to be mounted at a tool station of a computer numerically controlled lathe having a turret. Front and side guiding surfaces are provided on the ends of the fingers to cause the jaws to deflect outwardly and grip a bar when forcibly engaged therewith. The lathe chuck releases the bar allowing the bar puller to withdraw the end of the bar a desired distance out of the chuck. The chuck is closed while the turret continues moving away from the chuck causing the bar to be withdrawn from between the jaws of the bar puller, readying the machine for its next cycle.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1988Date of Patent: May 15, 1990Assignee: Hue Nguyen CheInventor: Hue N. Che
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Patent number: 4877228Abstract: A clamp for fitting to a conveyor in an automatic cabling machine, said clamp comprising two pairs of jaws which are symmetrical about a plane and which are separated by an intermediate space containing a piston which is urged out from the clamp by a spring and whose outer face includes a flared notch.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1988Date of Patent: October 31, 1989Assignee: Automatisme et Robotique Appliques -A.R.A.Inventor: Victor L. Ripert
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Patent number: 4858901Abstract: A device for holding an end portion of a band-like material comprising a frame, a suctional attraction roller rotatably supported by the frame and having a suctional attraction part at the periphery of the roller, and a pincher which is supported by the frame and can be moved toward and away from the peripheral surface of the roller. The end portion of the band-like material is attracted by the suctional attraction roller through suction. The roller is thereafter turned so that the end portion of the band-like material is wound upward. The pincher is then moved toward the suctional attraction roller so that the end portion of the band-like material is surely held by the pincher and the roller.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1988Date of Patent: August 22, 1989Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventors: Kouji Okuyama, Hiroki Touya