Abstract: An automobile hub fixture includes a fixture body and a positioning apparatus. The fixture body includes a fixed platform and a plurality of clamping claws arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction of the fixed platform. The clamping claws are configured to clamp an outer rim of a hub. The plurality of clamping claws are connected to a driving member by using a linkage, and the driving member drives the clamping claws to radially move along the fixed platform. The positioning apparatus includes a movable platform slidably connected to the clamping claws. A positioning module configured to position an inner rim or the outer rim of the hub is mounted to the movable platform. The machining device includes a fixture, a machine tool, and a minimal quantity lubrication apparatus. The production line includes a machining device, a loading system, a loading and unloading manipulator, and a catching table.

Abstract: Provided is a clamp that can be attached to a tripod or other piece of equipment and which can hold rails for firearms, sights, scopes, parts, and the like, therein. The clamp is self-adjusting due to a compressible cam lever that enables an amount of give or play when clamping onto a rail or other object. The clamp also includes a scroll gear assembly that enables the compressible cam lever to drive opposing jaw plates toward and away from each other thereby clamping and releasing rails and other objects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising supports (3, 4) which can be moved relative to each other and on the mutually facing walls of which toothed profiles (6, 7) are provided. Each said toothed profile interacts with opposing segments (31, 32) of a rotatable gear (2), by means of the rotation of which the supports (3, 4) can be moved in opposite directions simultaneously in a synchronized manner. The gear (2) has a varying tip circle diameter (d) along the gear circumference, wherein the tip circle diameter (d) increases along a segment (31, 32), and an effective outer diameter (dw) of the gear (2) is arranged between the supports (3, 4) in a clamped rotational position, said effective outer diameter (dw) matching a target diameter.

Abstract: A self-centering vial clamp (100) is provided. The self-centering vial clamp (100) includes a clamp body (101) including a vial aperture (110) and two or more jaw slots (111) spaced around the vial aperture (110), two or more clamp jaws (211) spaced around the vial aperture (110), with a clamp jaw (211) including a vial contact face (213) and one or more jaw projections (231) configured to engage a jaw slot (111) of the clamp body (101), and two or more lever arms (220) coupled to the two or more clamp jaws (211). A lever arm (220) is configured to be manually pivoted, wherein the lever arm translates the pivoting motion into a sliding motion of the corresponding clamp jaw (211). Interacting lever gears (224) formed on the lever arms (220) constrain the two or more clamp jaws (211) to move substantially in unison.

Abstract: The spindle for fitting vehicle wheel rims on workshop machines, particularly tyre-changing machines or the like, comprises a frame associable in rotation around a work axis with a workshop machine, at least three gripping adapters of the rim of a wheel associable with the frame and moving along respective approach and away movement directions with respect to the work axis, at least a fluid-operated actuator cylinder associated with one of the gripping adapters and suitable for moving the adapter along the corresponding approach and away movement direction, at least three racks, each of which is associated with one gripping adapter and extends substantially parallel with the corresponding approach and away movement directions, and a pinion meshed with the racks.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a bitting pattern of a key comprising a housing used for optically outlining at least the profile of the blade of the key so as to form an image. The image is digitized and information created therefrom, including information about the width of the blade of the key at a plurality of selected longitudinal positions along the length to include the width of the blade at the location of at least one cut of the bitting pattern. The information about the bitting pattern of the key digitized can then be used to cut the bitting patten into a key blank. Alternatively, the information can be compared to stored information and the detected width of the blade adjusted at a location of at least one cut to be one of a plurality of predetermined widths from the manufacturer, thereby creating a regenerated bitting pattern of the key.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a bitting pattern of a key comprising a housing used for optically outlining at least the profile of the blade of the key so as to form an image. The image is digitized and information created therefrom, including information about the width of the blade of the key at a plurality of selected longitudinal positions along the length to include the width of the blade at the location of at least one cut of the bitting pattern. The information about the bitting pattern of the key digitized can then be used to cut the bitting patten into a key blank. Alternatively, the information can be compared to stored information and the detected width of the blade adjusted at a location of at least one cut to be one of a plurality of predetermined widths from the manufacturer, thereby creating a regenerated bitting pattern of the key.

Abstract: A fluid power gripper which contains a receiving space, in which two pistons are located able to be moved axially by fluid power in opposite drive directions, such pistons being kinematically coupled by a synchronization means. The synchronization means comprises first mesh means, which are provided on opposite mutually facing side surfaces of two mutually overlapping axial tails of the pistons. Furthermore the synchronization means comprises second mesh means provided on a body of revolution arranged between the two axial tails and having an axis of rotation extending athwart the longitudinal axis of the receiving space.

Abstract: The food holder has two vertical plates, mounted on a base vertically and parallel to each other. The two plates create a gap between the plates where food is held. Knife guides with vertically extending guide slits are provided at both ends of the gap. The two vertical plates are connected to the base in a manner allowing their translational motion in directions which can change the gap size. Additionally, a centering mechanism insures the distance moved by each plate is equal.

Abstract: ICs with leadframes can be efficiently transferred, stocked and positioned without the need for preparing jigs for each kind of IC.A cassette 4 accommodating a stack of ICs is inserted into a cassette space 35 and held in the center thereof. A moving table 9 is driven to move by a servomotor 21. A lifting member 67 of an IC lifting mechanism 60 raises the ICs in the cassette 4 from the bottom by an amount corresponding to the thickness of one IC at a time. A pulling-over device 70, which is disposed above the cassette space 35, centers the IC in both the lateral and longitudinal directions to thereby effect positioning.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus for a coil can exactly position a plurality of pre-assembled U-shaped wires at predetermined locations and clampingly hold their positions in a precise manner with extreme ease to thereby ensure smooth insertion of the wires into an iron core while avoiding inadvertent deformations of or damage to the wires upon assembly. A plurality of clamp pins are disposed on the support disk for rotation relative thereto and spaced from each other with predetermined circumferential intervals, each of the clamp pins being movable in a radial direction of the support disk and having a tapered tip end directed toward the central axis of the support disk. Each of the tip ends has two pairs of engagement grooves formed therein. A first drive mechanism drives the clamp pins to move in a direction radially of the support disk by a predetermined radial distance whereby the tapered tip end of each clamp pin is adapted to move into or out of adjacent ones of the U-shaped winding wires.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for centering and aligning a semi-rigid material, preferably a vehicle headliner, relative to a centering apparatus, is disclosed for mounting thereon a locating feature about the actual center line of the headliner. The method and apparatus is also suitable for use with an automotive backwall, shelf panel or carpeting. The apparatus includes a support, a centering device comprising a rack and pinion assembly driven by a low air pressure drive means, a sensor including a limit switch or the like to detect when the headliner is aligned relative to the apparatus, and a hinged arm and nest assembly for placing the locating feature on the vehicle headliner.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler for printing and applying labels and for printing tags. The labeler has a keyboard, a display, a scanner, and a battery-containing handle. The labeler is user-friendly and compact. The labeler can be easily loaded with label and tag webs of different widths. The labeler has a discharge chute for the carrier web which can be slid to a position outside the labeler for easy cleaning.

Abstract: A plastic pipe butt fusion machine has a base, a clamp on the base for securing a first length of plastic pipe, a second clamp mounted on the base for securing a second length of plastic pipe to be fusion welded to the first in axial end-to-end alignment, the second clamp being moveable relative to the base, a spring positioned between the second clamp and the base so that when the spring is tension loaded the second clamp is urged in the direction toward the first clamp to thereby resiliently urge the plastic pipes held by the first and second clamps into axial abutted relationship during fusion.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for folding lengthwise and clamping a flexible binding, while leaving the edges of the clamped binding free to be separated such that the edge of a length of extensible netting may be inserted between the free edges. A progressive linear clamp is provided for progressively clamping the combined netting and binding material as the netting is inserted to thereby permit an operator to obtain a substantially uniform stretch of the edge of the netting material, and to apportion the netting evenly along the binding. With the netting material thus inserted and clamped between the edges of the binding, a feed mechanism is positioned to engage the combined binding and netting and feed it to a sewing machine to permanently secure the materials together.

Abstract: A clamping fixture (10) for releasably clamping a workpiece (12) to avoid damage to the workpiece comprises a support (40) having a pair of arms (60,62) mounted thereto for rotation to and from each other. Each arm has a jaw assembly (68,70) spring-biased thereto opposite the jaw assembly on the other arm so that each jaw assembly can "float" along each of the x, y and z axes. When the arms are rotated together, the jaw assemblies conformally grip the workpiece therebetween with a reduced incidence of damage.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a reciprocating motion. The apparatus has a housing block that contains twin piston guides in spaced apart relationship to one another. The piston guides each contain a piston that has a gear rack. The gear racks are connected by a pinion gear so that the movement of one piston will cause an equal and opposite movement of the other piston. The movement of the pistons is controlled by the application of a fluid pressure to one or both of the pistons. The travel of the pistons is limited by a mechanical stop at one end and a fluid cushion device at the other end. Tools for the altering of a workpiece may be attached to one or both ends of the pistons. In one embodiment, the apparatus is subjected to a rotary displacement achieved through the linear motion of one of the pistons.

Abstract: An improved mechanism for automatically clamping a die tool to a press bed or press ram. The automatic die clamp is self-locking and self-compensating to provide a failsafe operation in the clamped position and thus the mechanism retains the clamp in the clamped position. A ramp is provided to guide the movement of a wedge which wedge movement controls the movement of a clamping member. A spring bias may be provided as an optional feature to assist in the self-locking. Release of the clamp requires the application of an external force to overcome the locking of the teeth.

Abstract: A racket stringing machine comprises a support frame, a tension head assembly, a lateral clamp head and a longitudinal clamp head. Movement of the tension head assembly is controlled by a brake motor which is controlled by the signals transferred from a limit switch. The limit switch is normally pressed by a contact element and released when a string clamp head pivoted on the tension head assembly is spring biassed to pivot away from the clamping frame and a contact element fixed on the string clamp head is separated from the limit switch. The lateral clamp head comprises two lateral clamp arms for clamping the lateral sides of a racket frame to be strung by a pivotal movement accomplished by an actuating block sliding along a rotating bolt. The longitudinal clamp head comprises a clamping sheet with a rack extending downward from the bottom surface for meshing with a sector gear so as to be rotated by a handle in order to clamp the upper surface of the racket frame.

Abstract: A template and workpiece holder including template and workpiece centering mechanisms. The workpiece centering mechanism includes a rack and pinion gear arrangement. Toggle clamps are provided for clamping the holder, template and workpiece assemblage together. The holder includes handles for grasping by an operator for guiding the assemblage through a router, shaper or the like.

Abstract: A device for removing pipe attached to a fitting includes cutting apparatus for removing the pipe disposed within the fitting. A wrench apparatus is connected to the cutting apparatus for gripping the fitting to prevent its movement when the cutting apparatus is activated. Alternatively, this device may be used as a reaming device which permits radial movement of the cutting blades into engagement with a pipe after the cutting blades have been inserted within the pipe.

Abstract: A chuck mechamism for holding a workpiece during a machining operation comprising a frame, a stop block secured to the frame and an annular jaw slidably mounted within an annular channel in the frame. The jaw is movable between a clamping position in which a workpiece is held between the jaw and the stop block, and a nonclamping position. Preferably, the jaw includes a first sector and a second sector secured together by interlocking but spaced apart flanges. The flanges permit limited annular movement between the sectors.

Abstract: A one hand clamping device which is flexible and reversible in operation, comprises a hand held main unit having mounted thereon a C-shaped clamping structure which is also changeable in relative position with the main unit, an actuating grip together with quandrant segment gear actuated thereby, rack bar driven from the gear action driven from the quandrant segment gear and integral with a slidable receptacle for supporting one-way drive structure for an actuating drive gear for in turn an elongated clamping screw which is mounted so as to be movable in and out of the hand held unit. The elongated clamping screw is provided with a slot therein for reception of a guide plate also mounted in the main unit to prevent rotation of the screw but to permit longitudinal movement thereof in and out of the main unit.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for automatically positioning a piece on a worktable. A worktable (4) supports a reference system (3) constituted by three rollers (G1, G2, G3). The piece such as a substrate (2) is placed on the table (4) in the neighborhood of the rollers. A first pivoting arm (21) comes into contact with a side (C3) of the substrate (2) to bring the opposed side (C1) in contact with the rollers (G1, G2). A second pivoting arm (20) comes into contact with the side (C4) of the substrate (2) to bring the opposed side (C2) in contact with the roller (G3). The arms (20, 21) are controlled by a single means such as a jack (22) of which the body (23) and the rod (24) are floatingly mounted and are respectively associated with the two arms (20, 21). The invention is primarily useful for positioning of a support for integrated circuits in a serigraphic machine.

Abstract: Workpiece clamp assembly adapted to engage a T-slot of a work table to provide horizontal, vertical, or a combination of horizontal and vertical clamping for a workpiece positioned on said work table.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting large, bulky work objects, particularly articles of furniture undergoing upholstery work, such that they may be tilted or rotated for easy access to any part of the work object by a stationary operator. The apparatus consists of a base which is firmly connected to the floor or work surface, a central support column rising out of the base, and a table which is firmly supported by the support column while being free to tilt approximately 45.degree. from horizontal and to rotate 360.degree. about its tilted position. The table member is expandable such that it may fit various sizes of work objects, and firmly hold the work object in place by outward pressure of the table against the inside surface of the work object. The operator may firmly maintain the table and work object in any desired tilt or rotation position by manual movement of the object to that position and foot-controlled brake mechanisms to hold the object in such position.