Support Resiliently Urged Upwardly Patents (Class 269/310)
  • Patent number: 7377505
    Abstract: A housing (15) fixed to a reference block (1) is provided with a guide hole (20) into which a plug portion (3) of a movable member (2) is allowed to be inserted. Inside this guide hole (20) is arranged an outer sleeve (21) vertically movably, and this outer sleeve (21) is advanced upward by a predetermined advancing stroke by a coned disc spring (25). An inner sleeve (31) which is allowed to fit outside the plug portion (3) is wedge-engaged with the outer sleeve (21) from above, and this inner sleeve (31) is adapted to be diametrically expandable and diametrically contractible. The inner sleeve (31) is moved vertically by an output member (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Kosmek, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keitaro Yonezawa, Yosuke Haruna
  • Patent number: 7367552
    Abstract: The clamping apparatus comprises a first coupling element and a second coupling element that can be releasably attached thereto. The first coupling element is provided with four at least partially conical centering pins that are adapted to engage four grooves correspondingly arranged on the second coupling element. Both coupling elements have stop surfaces serving as Z references, cooperating upon clamping together the two coupling elements to determine the position of the second coupling element with regard to the first coupling element in Z-direction once they are clamped together. The centering pins are, in relation to the grooves, designed such that each centering pin rests only on one flank of the associated groove. Thus, a gap remains between the centering pin and the other flank of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Erich Greber
  • Patent number: 7325798
    Abstract: A central pillar (20) is projected upward from a reference block (1), and an inner sleeve (21) is fitted to an outer periphery of the central pillar (20) vertically movably. The inner sleeve (21) is pushed upward by a coned disc spring (25). An outer sleeve (31) to be inserted into a socket hole (3) of a movable block (2) makes a tapering engagement with the inner sleeve (21) from above. The inner sleeve (21) and the outer sleeve (31) are adapted to be diametrically expandable and contractible. An output member (36) is inserted into the central pillar (20), and an upper portion of the output member (36) is connected to the outer sleeve (31). A driving mechanism (D) in the reference block (1) moves the outer sleeve (31) downward for locking via the output member (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Kosmek Ltd
    Inventor: Keitaro Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 7303186
    Abstract: A housing (6) is provided in a reference block (1). An annular plug (9), which is to be inserted into a positioning hole (3) of a work pallet (2), is projected upward from the housing (6). An output member (13) is inserted into a guide hole (10) of the housing (6) vertically movably. An upper end of the output member (13) is inserted into the annular plug (9), and a plurality of pressing members (56) are supported on a peripheral wall (9a) of the annular plug (9) radially movably. An annular aligning space (31) is formed between a guided portion (21) of the output member (13) and the guide hole (10). A shuttle member (41), which is diametrically expandable and contractible, is inserted into the aligning space (31). The shuttle member (41) is urged upward by a spring (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Kosmek, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keitaro Yonezawa, Tsutomu Shirakawa, Yosuke Haruna
  • Patent number: 7219886
    Abstract: A clamping device for a machine table comprises a clamping plate having a receptacle into which a draw-in bolt is insertable through an opening. A clamping mechanism immobilizes the draw-in bolt in the receptacle. A closure cap is movable inside the receptacle between a closed position and an operating position in which the closure cap is pushed into the receptacle by the draw-in bolt. The draw-in bolt is inserted into the receptacle and immobilized with the clamping mechanism. A centering surface is implemented on the end surface of the closure cap facing toward the outer side of the clamping device and/or on the end surface of the draw-in bolt facing toward the inner side of the clamping device. The centering surface pre-centers the draw-in bolt when it is inserted into the receptacle and its end surface thereby comes into contact with the end surface of the closure cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Vischer & Bolli AG
    Inventor: Ernst Etter
  • Patent number: 7168695
    Abstract: A supporting face (1a) is provided on a base plate (1), a face (2a) to be supported is provided on a work pallet (2), and an engagement hole (3) is opened in the face (2a) to be supported. A core column (11) is projected upward from a housing (9) fixed to the base plate (1). An elastic sleeve (12) that fits in the engagement hole (3) is supported in a space at the outer periphery of the core column (11), on the upper face of the housing (9). Wedge spaces (W) narrowing downward are circumferentially arranged at an substantially equal intervals between the core column (11) and the elastic sleeve (12). Wedge members (15) are vertically movably inserted in each of the wedge spaces (W). Input portions (20) of the wedge members (15) are connected to an output portion (44) of an upper rod (43) of a piston (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Kosmek Ltd.
    Inventors: Keitaro Yonezawa, Yosuke Haruna
  • Patent number: 7028391
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing operations on at least one surface of an electronic substrate having a first surface and a second surface includes a frame, a transportation system that moves the substrate through the apparatus, a substrate support system, coupled to the frame, having a non-rigid portion that contacts and supports the substrate during an operation on the substrate, wherein the non-rigid portion allows flexure of the substrate before and during the performance of an operation on the substrate, and a device coupled to the frame that performs an operation on a surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Speedline Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Pham-Van-Diep, John E. Morini
  • Patent number: 6997448
    Abstract: A device for holding workpieces in a releasable manner is proposed, comprising a mounting plate (2) with a clamping pin (3) for mounting a workpiece and an end plate (5) for connecting in a supporting manner to a machining apparatus for machining the workpiece, a hydraulically or pneumatically movable piston (11), a ball sleeve (15) with balls (16), which are arranged in such a way that they can be moved with respect to the clamping pin into the ball sleeve by the piston, and at least one spring (19) acting against the clamping force being provided between the mounting plate and the end plate as means which transmit the clamping force, and the mounting plate (2) having a centring region (21) which interacts with the clamping pin (3) and is designed in one piece and in an annular-disc shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Mecatool AG
    Inventors: Walter Roth, Rudolf Kuratli
  • Patent number: 6988720
    Abstract: A clamping device 2 is provided with a hydraulic cylinder 7 for biasing a collet member 5 upward via a collet supporting member 6 and driving a pull rod 4 downward. A piston member 30 has a greater pressure receiving area than the collet supporting member 6 in the circular hydraulic chamber 31 of the hydraulic cylinder 7. Therefore, the hydraulic cylinder 7 can drive the pull rod 4 downward while the collet member 5 is biased upward. Meanwhile, the collet 5a of the collet member 5 is resiliently deformed in a diametrically expanding manner to engage in the vertical bore 1b of a workpiece 1 while slightly moving downward, ensuring a secure locking of the workpiece 1 to a workpiece receiving surface 3a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 6886822
    Abstract: The abutment of the rod to the work piece is accomplished in a stable manner by providing an air passage in the inside of the work support for supplying pressurized air for detecting the abutment between the rod and the work piece. Work support is equipped with case, rod, sleeve that elastically deforms to reduce its diameter, hydraulic cylinder for driving rod in an advancing direction, spring for elastically energizing rod in advancing direction, detection nozzle for ejecting pressurized air, air passage connected to detection nozzle, sensor for detecting abutment between the tip of rod and work piece based on air pressure, and a control unit. Work piece is supported by the tip of rod abutting work piece while ejecting pressurized air from detection nozzle, and locks rod by elastically deforming sleeve to reduce its diameter after detecting the abutment of rod by a pressure sensor and control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 6860477
    Abstract: The invention concerns a clamping device for retaining a draw-in bolt (11) on a machine table, a clamping plate, or the like, having a receptacle (10) into which the draw-in bolt (11) is insertable, and having a clamping mechanism in order to retain the draw-in bolt (11) in the receptacle (10), the clamping mechanism having a collet chuck having several clamping tongues (13) which at their one end are retained on a holding element (14) arranged in the receptacle (10), and at their free end are movable between a radially inner clamping position and an outer release position, and are lockable in the clamping position by way of a piston (5). The clamping device according to the present invention is characterized in that the holding element (14) with the clamping tongues (13) is axially displaceable, and is arranged in the receptacle (10) with radial clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Vischer & Bolli
    Inventor: Ernst Etter
  • Patent number: 6698739
    Abstract: An apparatus for retaining objects on surfaces includes a body, a lock pin extending from the body, and a pin extending through the body and engageable with the lock pin so that movement of the pin causes movement of the lock pin so that the apparatus is secured to the surface. The pin may be slidably moved into and out of the lock pin and thereby cause the lock pin to secure and release the apparatus from the surface. The apparatus may also include an engagement member that contacts an object and provides additional retentive forces. The apparatus provides clamping forces on the object so that the object may be forged or otherwise machined. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: Mark D. McKim
  • Patent number: 6691994
    Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder (4) moves a rod (3) in the direction of the axial center. The interior of a casing member (2) has an annular pressure booster (7) for pressurizing the oil in an external hydraulic chamber (6). The casing member (2) has a pressurized oil feed port (27) for feeding pressurized oil to the rod-moving hydraulic cylinder (4) and the input oil chamber (16) of the pressure booster (7). A throttle valve (8) is interposed in an oil supply channel extending from the pressurized oil feed port (27) to the input oil chamber (16). An oil discharge channel, extending from the input oil chamber (16) to the pressurized oil feed port (27), is provided with a nonreturn valve capable of discharging pressurized oil from the input oil chamber (16). The nonreturn valve (9) is opened when the pressurized oil is discharged through the pressurized oil feed port (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Pascal Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 6644641
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a locating pin assembly for use in precision applications that locate a manufactured part such as gauging or machining. The interchangeable locating pin assembly has: a locating pin housing having a body with an interior portion, and a flange; a locating pin having a tapered head for engaging the manufactured part at a single contact point, and a shank complementary in shape to the interior portion of the housing body; means for axially moving the locating pin relative to the housing between a first extended position, a second partially retracted position, and a third fully retracted position; and means for preventing movement of the pin relative to the housing. The assembly eliminates the need to custom-make a locating pin tailored to each part. The assembly can be made using standard commercial locating pins for use in many manufactured part precision locating applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Randy Phillips
    Inventor: Randy Stuart Phillips
  • Patent number: 6641128
    Abstract: In a clamping apparatus for fixing a work piece carrier with a clamping pin in a clamping chuck, the clamping chuck is provided with a central opening for receiving the clamping pin and with a clamping mechanism firmly keeping the clamping pin in the central opening. The central opening has a conical inserting portion, and the clamping pin comprises a rear section with exposed aligning surfaces, engaging the conical inserting portion, to align the clamping pin with regard to the clamping chuck in X- and/or Y-directions. Circular seat portions on top of the clamping chuck constitute the Z-stop for the work piece carrier. For pneumatically cleaning the exposed aligning surfaces, the conical inserting portion is provided with gas outlet openings, located corresponding to the arrangement of the exposed aligning surfaces. The surface areas of the work piece carrier that will rest on the seat portions are pneumatically cleaned by gas outlet openings located in the center of the seat portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Karl Fries
  • Patent number: 6641127
    Abstract: Two positioning devices (4, 5) are horizontally spaced apart from two clamping devices (6, 6) at a predetermined interval. Each of the positioning devices (4, 5) includes a positioning hole (23) provided by opening a work pallet (2), a plug portion (27) projecting from a clamp pallet (1), and an intermediate member (30) vertically movably supported by the plug portion (27). The intermediate member (30) is urged upwards by a coned disk spring (31) and has a tapered surface (33) which makes a tapering engagement with the positioning hole (23). The clamping device (6) fixes the work pallet (2) to the clamp pallet (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kosmer
    Inventor: Yosuke Haruna
  • Patent number: 6619646
    Abstract: A housing (4) has a cylinder bore (10) into which an annular hydraulic piston (11) is inserted vertically movably. The piston (11) has a tubular bore (11a) into which a driven rod (6) is inserted. The driven rod (6) is provided with an input portion (6a), around which a plurality of transmission members (15) are arranged peripherally side by side. The transmission members (15) swing to a disengaging position (Y) through a push member (30) by a lowering spring (31). When clamping, the piston (11) is driven upwards. Then, first, a slant cam (27) swings the transmission members (15) to an engageable position (X), thereby enabling engaging portions (17) to face the input portion (6a). Next, the piston (11) upwardly drives the input portion (6a) through the engaging portions (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kosmek
    Inventor: Keitaro Yonezawa
  • Publication number: 20030146556
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a locating pin assembly for use in precision applications that locate a manufactured part such as gauging or machining. The interchangeable locating pin assembly has: a locating pin housing having a body with an interior portion, and a flange; a locating pin having a tapered head for engaging the manufactured part at a single contact point, and a shank complementary in shape to the interior portion of the housing body; means for axially moving the locating pin relative to the housing between a first extended position, a second partially retracted position, and a third fully retracted position; and means for preventing movement of the pin relative to the housing. The assembly eliminates the need to custom-make a locating pin tailored to each part. The assembly can be made using standard commercial locating pins for use in many manufactured part precision locating applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Randy Stuart Phillips
  • Patent number: 6558489
    Abstract: Actuators for handling furniture parts to be coated are provided. For this purpose, a feeder device is provided which has a plurality of lifting bolts arranged in a grid-like manner and which can travel vertically in a simplified manner thereby that all lifting bolts of a row can be locked by common locking means and that all lifting bolts of a line can be acted upon by common actuating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Burkle GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Dölker, Markus Heintel, Wolfgang Renz
  • Patent number: 6527266
    Abstract: A clamp pallet (2) is fixed to a table (1) of a machining center. A work pallet (3) has a positioning hole (12) and an engaging hole (13) formed in order from a lower side. A plug portion (21) projects upwards from the clamp pallet (2). A shuttle member (23) is vertically movably fitted onto the plug portion (21). A coned disc spring (24) urges the shuttle member (23) upwards. The shuttle member (23) has a tapered surface (28) with which the positioning hole (12) makes a tapering engagement. A pull rod (31) is inserted into the plug portion (21). The pull rod (31) pushes engaging balls (34) to the engaging hole (13), thereby driving the work pallet (3) downwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kosmek
    Inventors: Keitaro Yonezawa, Tsutomu Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 6296240
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a connector holder for holding a connector during wiring of the connector which facilitates accurate positioning of protection material about wires of a cable. The connector holder includes a support member such as a pillar for mounting the invention to the wiring board. The connector holder includes a holder portion which houses a connector in an insertable and removable manner in such a condition that the wires can be connected thereto, and a positioning member is integrally provided with the holder portion and assists in the positioning of protection material about cable wires connected to the connector. The positioning member may also include an adjustable pin capable of positioning protection material arranged around the periphery of a cable in such a condition that the plurality of wires of the cable connected with a connector is arranged on both sides of the positioning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Nakai, Yukio Shimomura, Hiroshi Kawamura
  • Patent number: 6264186
    Abstract: A top load threaded bolt assembly (60) for restraining a workpiece (36) on a operating surface (32) of a tooling fixture (50) is provided. Top load threaded bolt assembly (60) includes a housing (66) having a bolt cavity (75) and a bolt passage (76) disposed within housing (66). A bolt (64) having a first threaded portion (70) is disposed within bolt cavity (75) such that first threaded portion (70) extends above a operating surface (32) of tooling fixture (50). The top load threaded bolt assembly (60) may be disposed in the operating surface (32) of tooling fixture (50). Top load threaded bolt assembly (60) may further include a conical spring (62) to bias bolt (64) in an extended position. Bolt (64) may be secured in a non-extended position by threading a second threaded portion (72) into a threaded passage (58) which is adjacent bolt cavity (75) and opposite bolt passage (76).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Benny R. Hill
  • Patent number: 6249955
    Abstract: A coating fixture adapted to extricate a jammed connector web is described. The coating fixture includes a pair of vertical supports. Each support has a first portion spaced apart from a second portion. Springs are placed between the first and second portions to allow movement of the first portions relative to the second portions. The second portions may be anchored to prevent their movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Agere Systems Optoelectronics Guardian Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Freund, George John Przybylek, Dennis Mark Romero
  • Patent number: 6219897
    Abstract: An electronic component mounting apparatus is provided with a plurality of support blocks for supporting boards. A support block is automatically selected from among the plurality of support blocks and exchanged in accordance with the switching of the kind of boards to be supported by the support block, so that the time required for switching the kind of boards is reduced, thereby improving the productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoji Inutsuka, Kunio Ohe, Tomoyuki Nakano, Yoshiyuki Nagai, Hideo Sakon
  • Patent number: 6161826
    Abstract: A unit for releasably attaching parts of a palletizing system comprises two coupling elements to be fastened together between which a connection arrangement is provided for clamping the coupling elements in the direction of a clamping axis as well as an elastic radial orienting arrangement. The elastic radial orienting arrangement includes a springy device allowing relative displacement between the coupling elements transversely to the clamping axis, but provides centering forces in radial direction with respect to the clamping axis which act upon the coupling elements when they are clamped together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Parotec AG
    Inventor: Fritz Forrer
  • Patent number: 6152436
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for a machining tool is proposed that serves for mounting a work piece in a torsionally fixed manner. The work piece is received on a pallet that is located on a pallet support member. The pallet and the pallet support member are provided with cooperating means for exactly positioning the pallet on the pallet support member in the horizontal as well in the vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Mecatool AG
    Inventors: Peter Sonderegger, Walter Roth
  • Patent number: 6022009
    Abstract: A top load threaded bolt assembly (60) for restraining a workpiece (36) on a operating surface (32) of a tooling fixture (50) is provided. Top load threaded bolt assembly (60) includes a housing (66) having a bolt cavity (75) and a bolt passage (76) disposed within housing (66). A bolt (64) having a first threaded portion (70) is disposed within bolt cavity (75) such that first threaded portion (70) extends above a operating surface (32) of tooling fixture (50). The top load threaded bolt assembly (60) may be disposed in the operating surface (32) of tooling fixture (50). Top load threaded bolt assembly (60) may further include a conical spring (62) to bias bolt (64) in an extended position. Bolt (64) may be secured in a non-extended position by threading a second threaded portion (72) into a threaded passage (58) which is adjacent bolt cavity (75) and opposite bolt passage (76).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Benny R. Hill
  • Patent number: 5957443
    Abstract: An improved hydraulic work support (10) having a plunger (18) that is shifted between retracted and extended positions by hydraulic fluid is disclosed. The work support includes a base (12); a tubular housing (14) partially received in the base and having a central bore (40); a tubular sleeve (16) received within the central bore; a general cylindrical plunger (18) positioned at least partially within the sleeve, the plunger being movable within the bore along the longitudinal axis; and a piston cylinder assembly (20) positioned within the central bore for selectively shifting the plunger along the longitudinal axis of the bore between a lowered, retracted position and a raised, extended position under the influence of hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Vektek, Inc.
    Inventor: James V. Mascola
  • Patent number: 5918870
    Abstract: Device for detachable fastening of workpieces to be machined on a processing machine having a pallet on which the workpieces are detachably fastened, and which can be connected detachably via this pallet to the processing machine, wherein the locking between the pallet and one or more quick-clamp cylinders is effected through at least one pull-in bolt which are fastened on the pallet and which engage in clamping manner in corresponding receptacles on the quick-clamp cylinder, and wherein the clamping connection is maintained through tension springs, and for unlocking a hydraulic piston can be actuated which overcomes the clamping force of the tension springs, wherein in the quick-clamp cylinder the space between the central pull-in bolt and the tension springs arranged to the side of the latter is sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: Emil Stark
  • Patent number: 5897108
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a substrate such as a printed circuit board (PCB) having various electronic components installed on one side with that side down so that other components can be installed on the opposite side. An assembly of three perforated plates has deformable, typically rubber-like, pins projecting through the perforations. Springs below the assembly bias the pins to a position extending above the plate. When a PCB is laid on the pins with mounted electronic components downward, the components with pres the pins down distances corresponding to component thickness. The pins provide uniform support while working on the opposite side. The center perforated plate of the three is moved to the side, clamping the pins in position, so that the PCB can be removed and replaced with another identical PCB. Different devices for causing the plate clamping action and devices for indexing PCB position and for maintaining the PCB flat and level are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventors: Thomas A. Gordon, Douglas Farlow, Kathleen Farlow
  • Patent number: 5887862
    Abstract: A support rod (3) vertically movably inserted into a housing (2) is urged upward by an advancing spring (4). An annular piston (6) is inserted between a barrel portion (2c) of the housing (2) and an outer peripheral surface of the support rod (3). A collet (10) externally fitted onto a holding and fixing portion (C) of the support rod (3) is received by a lower end wall (2b) of the housing (2). A tapered transmission member (17) externally fitted onto the collet (10) is urged downward by a holding spring (22). The urging force clamps the support rod (3) at a predetermined height through the collet (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kosmek
    Inventor: Keitaro Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 5885142
    Abstract: A liquid crystal (LC) panel cleaning device of the present invention includes a work table and a terminal seat located above the work table. While the cleaning device is in operation, the terminal seat sustains a terminal portion included in an LC panel against a pressure acting on the terminal portion. The terminal seat is connected to ground. This successfully protects the terminal portion from damage and prevents devices built in the panel from being damaged by static electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5803683
    Abstract: A very high speed adiabatic face milling machine whose configuration and operation provide a highly efficient machining process suitable for production manufacturing conditions. The milling machine preferably operates at speeds of approximately 15,000 sfm and at efficiencies of approximately 7 cubic inches per minute per horsepower. The preferred milling operation is conducted without the use of cooling liquids, instead employing a chip removal system which enables the milling machine to operate truly adiabatically such that no heat is transferred to the workpiece or the cutter. The efficiency of the chip removal system is such that chip recutting is nearly eliminated and tool life is improved. The milling machine also includes an improved cutter structure, fixturing, and transfer devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Manuel C. Turchan
  • Patent number: 5713564
    Abstract: Support device having a support shaft and a housing formed with guide surface sections form-lockingly surrounding the support shaft, the support shaft being guidable rectilinearly in a longitudinal direction thereof along the guide surface sections, includes a chucking device supported by the housing, the chucking device serving for converting a therewith engageable adjusting force into a pressing force between at least one part of the guide surface sections and the support shaft, the chucking device being formed as a force-transmitting device which increases the effect of the adjusting force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Schindler
  • Patent number: 5687962
    Abstract: A work support incorporating an improved bearing locking mechanism comprises a body having a first and second end and a body bore defined by a body inner wall; a pin defining a pin ramp and slidably positioned within the body bore to receive a work piece load; a plurality of roller bearings circumferentially spaced about the body bore; a nose cap closing the first end, and a cage assembly to engage roller bearings, close the second end and form a barrier to receive fluid back pressure. Introduction of fluid back pressure and work piece load rotates the roller bearings toward the pin ramp and urges the pin in an opposing direction, locking the roller bearings, pin ramp and body inner wall. The work piece load and fluid back pressure are both introduced and then both removed to respectively cause locking and unlocking to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Inventor: Lloyd D. Goodrich
  • Patent number: 5494269
    Abstract: A workpiece is clamped to a machine table while being machined, but a cantilevered portion of the workpiece is subject to vibrations. The cap of a vibration damping unit is supported on the machine base and spring-loaded upwardly against the workpiece. A support spring acting on a seat forces a damping element against the cap which, in turn, is impressed against the cantilevered workpiece. Vibrations are suppressed by horizontal shearing motion of the ring damping element. The entire damping assembly comprising the cap, ring damping element, seat and spring are retracted from the workpiece by means of a central rod connected to a manually actuated toggle clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Cincinnati Milacron Inc.
    Inventor: Paul E. McCalmont
  • Patent number: 5490664
    Abstract: A jig is provided which is capable of being selective locked in place to support a work piece and quickly dropped out of place to allow the work in progress to pass by. The jig includes a plurality of fingers which can be selectively configured to support a variety of work pieces. The fingers can be easily reconfigured to handle a variety of work pieces without requiring modification of the basic jig structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: George L. Justus, Vladimir Karasik
  • Patent number: 5478060
    Abstract: A guide jig (1) for a wiring harness assembly plate comprises a support tube (3) mounted and fixed on a plate member (2), and an electric wire guide rod (4) having an electric wire guide portion (4c) for guiding a bundle of electric wires (15) and supported by the support tube (3) for extension and retraction along the axis thereof. The support tube (3) and the electric wire guide rod (4) are supported non-rotatably on their axes relative to each other. The electric wire guide rod (4) is operable to change the positions thereof between a guide extended position in which the electric wire guide portion (4c) guides and holds the bundle of electric wires (15) and a guide retracted position in which the electric wire guide portion (4c) is retracted to a level lower than the height of the bundle of electric wires (15) being laid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Sugimoto, Satoru Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 5338014
    Abstract: A wiring guide bar extending vertically through a protector case and projecting from the upper end thereof is vertically movably supported by an elastic member. In installing a protector cover on the protector case, the elastic member is compressed to locate the upper end of the wiring guide bar below the upper end of the protector case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Kitamura
  • Patent number: 5226211
    Abstract: A combination of a workpiece support means and a workstation allow a workpiece to be positioned for machining. The support includes a precision way and a transfer fixture slidable along the way. The transfer fixture has precision ground datum markers for locating a workpiece in the vertical sense, and supports means providing an upright surface against which the workpiece can be urged, thus establishing for the workpiece a limit position in one horizontal direction. Locator devices are provided to clamp the workpiece into a predetermined position in the horizontal direction at right angles to the direction established by the upright surface, and a transfer bar or the like moves the transfer fixture. At the workstation there is provided a clamping device for urging the workpiece downwardly against the datum markers, a further clamping device for urging the workpiece firmly against the upright surface, and a third clamping device for clamping the transfer fixture against the precision way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Tri-Way Machine Ltd.
    Inventor: Joel W. Jones
  • Patent number: 5215297
    Abstract: A guide jig for an assembly plate for assembling a wire harness has a support sheath extending through the assembly plate, a guide lever axially movably inserted in the support sheath and a support plate secured to the support sheath. The guide lever can be held in its pulled-up position unrotatably relative to the support sheath. The support plate protrudes below the assembly plate by a smaller length than before.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Sato, Kazutaka Yada
  • Patent number: 5186705
    Abstract: An approved method and apparatus for forming clasp envelopes. The apertures extending through the top and bottom panels of the envelope body and the clasp receiving aperture extending through the top flap are formed after the envelope has been completely assembled save for the folding of the top flap for shipping. This ensures that the apertures extending through the top and bottom panels of the envelope body are in perfect registration. Reinforcement tape is applied on the top flap of the envelope, through which the aperture in the top flap extends, after the envelopes have been cut from the continuous strip of envelope blanks. This ensures that the cutting device used to sever the continuous strip into individual envelopes must cut only paper, thus improving longevity of the cutting device, and allows a single punch device to be used to form the hole and the apertures. Additionally, the method and apparatus employ an improved device for applying the clasp to the back panel of the envelope body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Winkler & Dunnebier
    Inventor: Alfred Doderer-Winkler
  • Patent number: 5085557
    Abstract: A roll-over device includes a roll-over frame which pivots about a horizontal axis and includes a counterweight mounted at the end of a counterweight beam, a support plate and a plurality of roller sections, each with a plurality of standard conveyer rollers. Each roller sections is spring-mounted on the support plate. A pair of part clamping mechanisms are mounted on the support plate. Each part clamping mechanism includes a pair of pneumatic cylinders which are bolted to the support plate. The cylinder rods are attached to opposite ends of a clamp bar. Upon actuation of the clamping mechanism the part to be clamped moves the roller sections towards the support plate until the part engages an abutment member which projects from the support plate so that most of the clamping force is absorbed by the abutment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Sarkis A. Koltookian
  • Patent number: 5005814
    Abstract: The invention relates to a product carrier for circuit boards (23), which are subjected on this carrier to an operation, more particularly to a component mounting operation. The circuit boards (23) are provided for this purpose with location holes (21), into which location pins (5) engage, which can be arranged on the base plate (1) of the carrier in order to fix the circuit board (23) on the product carrier in a given position and at a given height with respect to the base plate (1). The location pins (5) are arranged on the base plate (1) so that they can be individually lowered. Between the location pins (5) there are provided mounting areas (27) for supporting pins (29), from which these pins (29) extend vertically up to the lower side (35) of the circuit board (23) between components which may already be provided at said side to additionally define a supporting plane (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Hans Gumbert
  • Patent number: 4934672
    Abstract: A hydraulic work support apparatus includes a plunger that is axially movable between a loaded position and an unloaded position and that is adapted to support a compressive load at one axial end thereof. The apparatus also is provided with structure for retaining the plunger in the loaded position, the plunger retaining structure including a tubular sleeve provided with a plunger-engaging segment having a first end adjacent the one axial end of the plunger and a second end remote from the first end. The plunger-engaging segment may be forced radially inward into pressing contact with the plunger to exert a friction force on the plunger which prevents the plunger from moving while in the loaded position. The friction force experienced by the sleeve when pressing contact exists between the sleeve and the plunger has a minimum magnitude at the first end of the plunger-engaging segment and a progressively larger magnitude toward the second end of the segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Vektek, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger L. Craft
  • Patent number: 4932642
    Abstract: An improved workpiece support tooling for a balancing machine is disclosed having a unique two point contact system for the workpiece. The two point contact system provides extremely accurate centering and leveling of the workpiece with respect to the unbalance detection plane of the balancing machine. The support tooling of the present invention is also easily adaptable to various weights and geometric of workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Hines Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard J. Salenbien, Larry J. Ketola
  • Patent number: 4838533
    Abstract: The device for reproducible coupling of two objects, specifically of a workpiece (WS) or a tool with a machine tool, attaches the workpiece (WS) or the tool for precise positioning to one of two coupling parts (1,2) in a position precisely defined in reference to a reference system of all machine tools through which the workpiece must travel. The attachment surface of one coupling P(2) has rigid profile pieces (4,1). These can be engaged with the attachment surface of the other coupling part (1) without relative motion of the two coupling parts (1,2), with the help of an appropriate number of suitable and at least partly elastically deformable transfer elements (3,3') for power transmission. The elastically deformable transfer elements (3,3') are integral parts of the latter coupling part (1) (FIGS. 1 and 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Buchler B-Set AG
    Inventor: Rene Buchler
  • Patent number: 4799658
    Abstract: A clamp (16) has movable and fixed ledges (58, 82) extending forwardly towards one another from posts (38, 40) on the clamp's halves (34, 36). The movable ledge receives a door whose weight moves the ledge in a generally gravitaionally downward direction to move post (38) towards post (40) and to clamp the work piece therebetween. The fixed ledge is positioned in the path of movement of the door and the movable ledge to limit the movement and any excessive pressure which otherwise might be exerted on the door by the clamp halves. The clamp is mounted on a base (14) which comprises angled piping (20, 22) to form a two-dimensional support for the clamp and the door. Insulated electrical wires (22) extend through the piping. Sockets (26) are secured at one or more ends (24) of the piping, save for one, to provide electrical outlet connections for power tools. The insulated wire extends from the remaining piping end (32) for connection to a conventional electrical outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Inventor: Felix C. Ponce
  • Patent number: 4750405
    Abstract: In a sensitive analytical instrument having an optical bench carried by a base member, new and improved vibration and shock isolation apparatus which includes three spaced pneumatic mounts interposed between the optical bench and the base member to provide vibration and shock isolation therebetween, each of the mounts having a preselected optimum linear range of operation, a source of pressurized gas, apparatus for individually controlling the inflation and deflation of each of the mounts with pressurized gas to maintain actual operation of each of the mounts within its preselected optimum linear operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer Corporation
    Inventor: Charles F. deMey, II
  • Patent number: 4750723
    Abstract: An adjustable device for supporting workpieces having two sets of relatively movable interleaved friction plates, one set attached to and movable with a work supporting plunger, the other being relatively stationary with respect to the plunger. The plunger and associated plates are moved into work supporting engagement by air pressure; the two sets of plates being clamped together by a hydraulic piston operated at right angles to the plates, to hold the plunger in the desired work supporting position of adjustment until the sets of plates are unclamped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Barry Wright Corporation
    Inventor: Paul G. Pace