Abstract: An impact cutoff device for a progressive high speed cold former having a low mass rigid cutter carriage, a torsion spring for carriage return, and an articulated, oil lubricated and dampened carriage drive block on a pivoting drive lever serving to reduce impact induced vibration otherwise leading to fatigue failure and wear of the various cutter parts and consequent loss of cutoff accuracy and quality.

Abstract: A support structure for supporting a semiconductor device during a bonding operation is provided. The support structure comprises a body portion defining an upper surface configured to support a semiconductor device during a bonding operation. The upper surface defines a constraining feature for constraining at least a portion of the semiconductor device during the bonding operation.

Abstract: A curtain cutting aid includes a curtain holder including two hollow holder blocks arranged in parallel and defining therein a respective insertion space in communication with each other for a insertion of a curtain, a bearing plate connected between the two hollow holder blocks and a cutting groove defining between the two hollow holder blocks for the insertion of a cutter to cut off the inserted curtain, and a stop rod selectively and detachably mounted in the insertion space of one of the two hollow holder blocks to stop the inserted curtain in place for cutting. Thus, the curtain cutting aid can effectively enhance the convenience and precision of the cutting operation.

Abstract: A catheter is provided for medical ultrasound imaging that can be effectively used in combination with other imaging modalities to detect medical structures of interest as well as the catheter. Markers are added to the catheter which allow more precise location identification of the catheter in the merging of the images from different modalities. Using a template, apertures for marker placement are formed in the catheter after creating the catheter housing. The ultrasound array may be used for accurate positioning of the template. Alternatively or additionally, a rigid insert with markers connects with the array. The insert holds the markers in place and may reduce artifacts in ultrasound scanning due to flexing of the array.

Abstract: A milling block fitted with, or directly milled into said block at least one orthodontic auxiliary. These auxiliaries include but are not limited to orthodontic fasteners, buttons, cleats, tubes, brackets, springs, tad fastening clamps flex fit modules (FFM) or flex fit wafers (FFW) to be placed within the mouth and attached to teeth after custom milling of the block to conform to the anatomy of a tooth/teeth and/or TADS or other orthodontic appliances such as RPE screw and/or other orthodontic hardware.

Abstract: A tool including a first section and a cutting block, where said first section is essentially an extended hollow member with a longitudinal aperture, wherein said first section further includes a flange extending from each peripheral edge of the longitudinal aperture; a second section; a third section; a lengthwise pivotable link which connects the second section and third section; and a plurality of parallel first slots, where each said first slot is a transaxial aperture through at least the second and third sections; such that, when the first section is in a closed position, the combination of the cutting block and the first section are configured to maintain a food product in a predetermined shape as it is manually cut into sections.

Abstract: A heart valve prostheses crimping apparatus and method for deducing the diameter of stents containing heart valve prosthesis. A medical prosthesis catheter loading apparatus, including a crimping assembly for reducing the diameter of a prosthesis; and a catheter clamp for holding a catheter adjacent to the prosthesis. Also disclosed is an apparatus for reducing the diameter of a medical prosthesis, including a base, a crimp head connectable to the base, and an actuation mechanism connected to the base and connectable to the crimp head to actuate the crimp head. Also disclosed is a method of loading a medical prosthesis into a catheter, including the steps of reducing the diameter of a prosthesis from its normal deployed state to a diameter less than that of the lumen of the catheter; holding a catheter adjacent to the reduced diameter prosthesis; and moving the prosthesis into the catheter lumen.

Abstract: A fixture includes a router guide portion having a router support surface and a workpiece support surface, a drill guide portion having a drill bit member, an opening adjacent the router guide portion and the drill guide portion for accepting a workpiece, and a clamping portion. The clamping portion includes a clamping member for securing the workpiece to the router guide portion.

Abstract: A jig intended to in use hold a set of blanks (11) during machining of the blanks where the blanks have a rod-like portion, the jig having a body adapted to be mounted to a drive shaft to cause rotation of the body about an axis of rotation, the body having an outer portion (15) and an inner portion (17) wherein the outer and inner portions are capable of angular displacement relative to each other, the portions having opposed faces which are concentric and define clamping faces which in use are intended to support the rod-like portions of a set of blanks such that their central axes are substantially parallel to the axis of rotation and at least one end extends axially beyond the body, the drive member shaft being capable of causing relative angular displacement between the outer portion and the inner portion and causing the joint rotation of the jig about the central axis.

Abstract: A bow vise for clamping an archery bow at three spaced contact points between first and second relatively pivotable bow clamping assemblies movable about a common pivot axis includes a bracket on each assembly spaced from the pivot axis and a pin rotatable in each bracket. One pin has a smooth bore aperture and the other a threaded aperture. A coiled spring biases the assemblies away from each other. A threaded rod passes through both apertures, threads into the threaded aperture and includes a knob at one end for rotatably moving the rod clockwise and counterclockwise. As the rod threads through the threaded aperture, the knob applies a force to one of the brackets to pivot the assemblies toward each other. The bow is configured for rotating the bow about three mutually perpendicular axes and for microadjusting the position of the bow about two such axes.

Abstract: Cutting assemblies are disclosed that include an entrance portion and a receiving portion, with the receiving portion defining a receiving opening configured to be axially aligned with an entrance opening of the entrance portion when mounted to the surface of a cutting apparatus. Cutting assemblies are also provided that include a material carriage configured to be borne by a cutting apparatus. Cutting assemblies that include a material receiving portion configured to be slidably mounted to a surface of a cutting apparatus are also disclosed. Cutting methods are also disclosed that can include rotating a piece of material around the materials longitudinal axis and delivering the material to a cutting tool while the longitudinal axis of the material is aligned substantially opposite the direction of rotation of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A gap set device for an electronic component handler is provided. The electronic component handler includes a linear bearing having a test accessory mounted to it. The test accessory is movable between a first position away from a tool and a second position closer to the tool. A setting post is extendable from the test accessory such that when the test accessory moves from the first position to the second position the setting post can fix a gap between the test accessory and the tool.

Abstract: Provided is a hanger for installing a workpiece on a structure, and the method of installing the workpiece using the hanger. At least one embodiment of the hanger includes a first part adapted for removably attaching the hanger to a structure; a second part adapted for supporting a second workpiece in position for installation on the structure; and a third part adapted for properly spacing the second workpiece in relation to a previously positioned first workpiece that is already installed on the structure, wherein the third part is adapted to be moveable in relation to the second part.

Abstract: Siding installation apparatuses and methods for engaging a first siding piece and supporting a second siding piece are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a support member having a support surface to support the second siding piece, an engagement member projecting from the support member, and a securing assembly coupled to the support member to releasably restrict the support member from moving relative to the first siding piece. The engagement member is configured to engage the bottom portion of the first siding piece by contacting the back surface. It is emphasized that this Abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b).

Abstract: A bagel slicing device for safely and effectively slicing bagels comprises a holder having a slotted base, upwardly extending end portions at each end of the base and side members attached to the base at their lower end and being pivotal about an edge to engage a bagel therebetween and extending between the end portions. The end portions include a knife slot which cooperates with the base slot to permit cutting a bagel completely through. The side members include gripping ribs on both surfaces thereof and the end portions include ribs to locate the bagel properly between the sides.

Abstract: A method of cutting a stem to be whip grafted, comprising: securing the stem in a bore of a hand-held grafting tool that includes an angled end, with a portion of the stem extending out from the angled end; drawing a knife across a face of the angled end to thereby cut the stem; and removing the cut stem from the grafting tool. In one respect the hand-held grafting tool comprises a housing having a bore and at least one angled end, a holding member, and moveable connectors attached to the holding member, wherein the moveable connectors protrude through and bisect the housing.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer pod includes a measurement sensor configured within a housing. The sensor faces towards a surface of a wafer being accommodated in the pod. The pod can be connected to the conventional load-port of a semiconductor wafer manufacturing tool. Thereby, measurement data can be collected immediately after wafer processing without a need to transport the wafer. The invention enables the cost-effective development of tool-integrated metrology.

Abstract: A tooling plate for installation into a probe station and being formed of a rigid plate defining a major aperture having a rim. The plate also defines a set of peripheral apertures fitted with spring loaded, retained screws adapted to facilitate fastening to mating threaded holes. In one embodiment, a set of dowel locator holes defined by the bottom surface and being precisely positioned with respect to the location of the major aperture. Another embodiment includes docking equipment adapted to permit connection to a predetermined tester attached to the top of the rigid plate.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for preparing a high performance BGA board and a jig applicable to the method. The method comprises pre-bonding an adhesive to a BGA board laminated structure or a heatsink by use of a jig; and main-bonding the BGA board laminated structure or the heatsink to which the adhesive is previously stuck in the pre-bonding step to the heatsink or the BGA board laminated structure, respectively, by use of a jig. A high performance BGA board can be prepared by use of an individual heatsink and a strip-type jig without a strip-type heatsink, and in which the Ni-plated side of the heatsink can be prevented from being contaminated.

Abstract: A cutting frame for holding an object to be sliced into two pieces. The object, such as a bagel, has a bottom surface, a peripheral edge, and a top surface. The cutting frame has a base which holds a support stem, which in turn holds a ring shaped guide member. The guide member has a knife blade guide slot extending through it to guide a knife downwardly through the guide member and through a bagel or other object held in the guide member. The process of using the cutting frame includes holding a bagel against a closed side of the compartment formed within the guide member so that the user's fingers press the bagel against the closed surface of the compartment. A knife is then placed in the knife blade guide slot and drawn back and forth downwardly through the bagel to form an accurate slice parallel to the bottom of the bagel. The guide blade knife slot extends completely through the guide member so that the bagel is always cut into two separate pieces.

Abstract: A rotating log saw clamp having a clamp infeed section and a clamp outfeed section located adjacent a log saw blade. The clamp infeed section and clamp outfeed section are coupled for rotation together with the log during sawing of at least a portion of the log by the log saw blade.

Abstract: A holder is provided for holding a pan or other article during the process of applying a coating, such as a non-stick release coating, to the article's surface. The pan holder includes a pan holding member for holding the pan in position on the pan holder, and a pan holder chuck attached to the pan holding member. The holding member may include a bottom support piece and a plurality of pan support rods extending from the bottom support piece. At least one of the support rods is preferably movable and biased in an inward radial direction for holding the pan in position against the other support roads. The movable support rod may also include therefor for engaging a handle stud extending from a pan. The pan holder chuck includes a downward extending shaft for mounting the pan holder on a conveyor chain in a chain-on-edge spray line, and a pulley adapted to be engaged by a drive belt for rotating the pan holder while a coating material is sprayed onto an article held by the pan holder.

Abstract: A caulking tool (20) comprises mechanisms (24, 25, 26, 27) for temporarily securing the tool to a filter plate and a pivotally operable caulking body (29, 30, 31) which urges a caulking rope into a groove in the filter plate so as to capture a part of the filter cloth therein. This secures the filter cloth to the filter plate.

Abstract: A bagel, roll, and bun holder device for holding a bagel, roll, bun or other similar object which provides a safe and stable device for slicing the bagel, roll, bun or other similar object with a hand-held knife is provided. The bagel, roll, and bun holder device comprises a base element and a first and a second holding element. The base element has a first and second edge. The first and second holding elements each have a marginal side edge, each have an inside surface and an outside surface, each have a stop element on their inside surface, and each have a frictional element on their outside surface. The first holding element is pivotally attached to the first edge of the base element at its marginal side edge. The second holding element is pivotally attached to the second edge of the base element at its marginal side edge. The first and second holding elements are pivotally movable from an opened position to a closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting includes a blade guide for guiding a cutting instrument and a tray having an adjustable height with respect to the blade guide. The item to be cut rests on the tray in the path of the blade guide. A blade, such as a knife, is passed through the blade guide and the item on the tray. A blade stop positioned adjacent the blade guide stops the passage of the blade at the appropriate position. A cover assists in holding the item in place, and the plane the blade guide is suitably tilted to facilitate a natural cutting motion.

Abstract: A device for severing flexible polymeric tube, pipe, or tubular extrudate, such as flexible light pipe, reproducibly, cleanly, and safely is described. The device comprises a block with two specially aligned cylindrical devices for holding the pipe and a slot between the devices for guiding the severing blade with minimum deviation from its path, and a pivot and mounting upon which a blade in a holder is mounted to give even more accurate and uniform control of the path of the severing action.

Abstract: A cove base cutting guide provides a stable guide for holding a cove of soft material, such as rubber or synthetic rubber, achieved in a bottom, top, ends and front and back sides with a cove-shaped chamber within, the integrity of the guide breached only by fully-contained slits on the front side within the front side and by a narrow opening the size and shape of a cove base in the ends for receiving and discharging a cove end piece cut from cove stock in the guide. To maintain the knife in alignment within the slit, the guide includes a chamber groove opposite each slit into which the end of the knife passes. The front slitted side is thin such that a conventional utility knife of length typically only about 1-inch reaches from the front side through the chamber into the guide grooves. In an alternative embodiment, a stabilizing block is attached to the guide back side to maintain guide structural stability when the chamber grooves are extended as slits through the guide back side and stabilizing block.

Abstract: An improved clamping ring apparatus is disclosed comprising a clamping ring means for yieldably engaging a generally circular semiconductor wafer to peripherally clamp the wafer to a support pedestal to provide a peripheral seal between the wafer and the surface of the pedestal facing the wafer, adjacent the generally circular end edge of the wafer by providing a central generally circular opening in the clamping ring and a series of slots which radially extend outwardly from the central opening in the clamping ring means to thereby divide the inner portion of the clamping ring means into a series of yieldable fingers inwardly extending toward the central opening in the clamping ring means.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for holding a workpiece which, according to one aspect of the invention, has a pair of clamping members configured to securely hold a workpiece in which a mortise is to be formed. The clamps are mounted on a frame which has generally parallel longitudinal members that allow the workpiece to be operated on from opposite sides without repositioning the workpiece. The frame and clamping members are particularly configured for receiving and holding workpieces having a rounded cross-section.

Abstract: A method for preparing cross-sections of yarn samples along the plane perpendicular to the yarn's longitudinal axis is disclosed. This method involves the steps of passing the yarn through a hollow capsule so that the axes of the yarn and the capsule are aligned in parallel, tensioning the yarn to remove any crimp, forming a solid stub inside the capsule to fix the position of the tensioned yarn, and then cross-sectioning the stub perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A device for facilitating the attachment of decorative objects to an outer surface of a balloon comprises a plate-like base member, a first plate-like side wall member rigidly attached to the base member and oriented substantially perpendicularly thereto, and a second plate-like side wall member opposable to the first plate-like side wall member. Hinges pivotably secure the second plate-like side wall member to the base member so that the second plate-like side wall member can pivot from an open position for loading and unloading to a closed position wherein the second plate-like side wall member is opposed and substantially parallel to the first plate-like side wall member. A plurality of rods attached at one end to the first plate-like side wall member extend substantially parallel to the base member and to each other and cooperate with the base member, the first side wall member and the second side wall member to hold the balloon in the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling tubing as the tubing is fed to a severing blade for severing into cut sections of predetermined length. The tube handling apparatus includes clamping jaws positioned at the location of the severing blade and a feed tunnel which is arranged rearwardly of the clamping jaws. The feed tunnel includes fingers at its front end which are telescopically received in drilled slots formed on the internal periphery of the clamping jaws so that even very short remnants of tubing occurring after the last full length section of tubing is cut will be maintained in alignment with the tube feed axis by the fingers of the feed tunnel to preclude movement of the remnant tubing into a position of disorientation or dislodgment where it would interfere with the operation of the tube handling apparatus.

Abstract: A cutter guide fixture for use in removing a top nozzle from the guide thimbles of a fuel assembly includes upper and lower plates coupled to one another for movement of the upper plate relative to the lower plate between upper and lower positions. The plates include aligned pairs of holes within which are mounted a plurality of cutters such that the cutting elements of the cutters are disposed in a common cutting plane. A pair of expansion locking pins are provided at a pair of diagonal corners of the lower plate for releasably attaching the fixture to the top nozzle and positioning the cutters in general alignment with a plurality of passageways defined in the adapter plate of the top nozzle and with a plurality of hollow upper end portions of the guide thimbles inserted and attached in the passageways.

Abstract: Radial cutting of a flat workpiece having any shape can be accomplished in a facile manner with the provided holding device. The holding device has two holding blocks and an attachment means to attach the holding blocks in matched configuration. Each holding block on its inner face has a depression which begins at a peripheral surface of each holding block and extends to the interior of the holding block but not to the outer face of the holding block. The depression has a shape comparable to a workpiece so that when the holding blocks are attached to hold a workpiece in the depressions, the two depressions form a cavity to contain the workpiece with pressure to securely hold a vertical portion of the volume of the workpiece. Each depression holds a horizontal portion of the volume of the workpiece and the remaining horizontal portion of the volume of the workpiece not contained in the depression of the first holding block can be contained in the depression of the second holding block.

Abstract: A test assembly for determining the weldability of sheet metal includes (1) a base having a flat side surface with an annular groove in the side surface, a counterbore being formed in the outer wall of the groove and the surface portion of the base circumscribed by the inner wall of the groove being substantially coplanar with the bottom of the counterbore, (2) a test disk of sheet metal the periphery of which is positioned in the counterbore and the outer surface of which is coplanar with one side of the base, and (3) a clamp ring overlying the side surface of the base and the edge portion of the test disk and a plurality of clamp screws which extend through the clamp ring for holding the periphery of the test disk against the bottom of the counterbore.

Abstract: A device for holding and cutting a thin plate of sheet material such as glass or plastic into a plurality of smaller rectangular plates with a hand-manipulated tool. A rigid base is formed with a recess which forms a depressed platform for receiving and firmly holding a plate therein. A pair of spaced posts are mounted on the base and are located at opposite sides from each other. A template is removably mounted on the base by the posts which extend into a selected pair of a plurality of holes formed in the template. A plurality of spaced, linearly extending grooves are formed in the template for guiding a cutting tool in a straight line when cutting the plate which is mounted between the base and template. The template is rotated 90.degree.

Abstract: A jig with multiple units each for assembling and slicing two sandwiches at a time has a base with four upstanding walls for each unit surrounding a generally rectangular volume shaped to receive two pairs of bread slices and a filling between each pair. At two diagonal corners of the walls there are narrow, aligned slits receiving and guiding a knife for slicing the two sandwiches into two symmetrical pairs of stacked halves. The other diagonal corners are relatively widely spaced to form finger accesses for gripping the sliced sandwiches. A hollow in the base at these other corners further facilitates finger access. A removable cutting slab lying between the walls permits lifting both sandwiches at once.

Abstract: A kit for making O-rings from cord stock material essentially includes a holding fixture for securing the material, a container of bonding liquid and a heating mold. The holding fixture allows the cord material to be cut diagonally in such a fashion that the magnitude of the angle is smaller for cord materials having a smaller diameter. Therefore, there is a larger bonding surface for smaller diameter materials. The O-ring heating mold includes two flat separable heat conductive blocks having a common flat interface. Apertures are located across the interface having cross-sectional diameters that are slightly less than the tube stock cross-sectional diameters. Since the central axis of each aperture is not located directly at the interface one portion will include more than 180.degree. of arc whereas the other portion will correspondingly include less than 180.degree..

Abstract: Set out herein is an improved conduit cutting guide including a longitudinally hinged handle formed in the manner of a trough and lined with segments of rubber or plastic for grasping the surfaces of a spirally wound flexible conduit therein. One end of the handle is attached to a first set of J-shaped end plates, each end plate being respectively fixed to one of the hinged portions of the handle, the first set of end plates extending above the handle trough to form two outwardly and downwardly directed end tabs. A second set of J-shaped end plates is attached to the respective first set, the second end plates being similarly conformed in plan form and include an offset for receiving the hacksaw blade therebetween. Thus, a conduit may be placed into the interior of the hinged handle and may be grasped thereat by the user. A hacksaw is then insertable into the space between the first and second sets of end plates for cutting the conduit.

Abstract: A kitchen implement for evenly slicing meats, breads and other foods; the implement including a wooden base upon which a sheet metal frame is mounted, the frame having vertical opposite sides and a horizontal top with a series of parallel slits close together extending around the frame so a knife blade can be guided therein as it slices through a food placed upon the base; the food being firmly held from sliding between a pair of separate end plates during the slicing operation.

Abstract: There is disclosed woodworking apparatus which is handpowered but permits accurate cuts by unskilled persons comparable to those which might be made by a radial arm or table saw. The apparatus includes a guide in which a handsaw is retained and restrained for cutting motion along the straight line, a supporting surface to support a workpiece in relation to the handsaw, and guides which co-operate with rulers to permit presetting of the apparatus for a desired cut, together with clamping devices which hold the workpiece to the table securely against the motion of the handsaw, at the same time avoiding interference of the clamps with the handsaw as it passes through the workpiece. The guide for the handsaw is formed of very rigid structural material such as steel angle iron which is faced with a plastic material of moderate hardness that resists abrasion or cutting by the handsaw to a considerable degree but is not so hard as to rapidly dull or distort the teeth of the handsaw.