Abstract: An alignment tool (10) for use in the correct alignment of two planar members such as glass sheets, comprises suction means (12) for securing to a first sheet, roller means (16) for bearing against and positioning a further sheet, and adjustment means (19, 20, 22) for adjusting the relative positions of the two sheets.

Abstract: A seat assembly machine includes an independently adjustable alignment mechanism. A seat holding mechanism secures a seat frame in place relative to a fabric cover that is supported on another portion of the machine. An independently moveable alignment mechanism includes support posts that are received through openings in the cover and into corresponding receiver portions of the seat frame to properly align those components. After proper alignment is verified, the seat frame is inserted into the cover. The adjustment mechanism is normally biased toward the seat frame holding mechanism and movement of the seat frame holding mechanism overcomes the bias on the alignment mechanism so that the alignment mechanism selectively moves with the seat holder mechanism during an assembly process. The independently positionable alignment mechanism facilitates assembling a variety of seat types using a single machine.

Abstract: A pipe fitting apparatus includes first and second connector units for releasable connection to respective first and second pipe sections adjacent pipe ends to be coupled, so as to hold the pipe sections relative to one another in the desired relative orientations during welding. Each connector unit has a groove on one face for location against the outside of a pipe, with the longitudinal groove axis extending parallel to the axis of a pipe to which it is secured. The units are adjustably secured together by a pivot coupling having a pivot axis extending transverse to the groove axis for pivotal adjustment of the orientation of the second connector unit relative to the first connector unit, whereby the relative orientation of the first and second pipes to be coupled can be adjusted. A releasable locking device releasably secures the second connector unit at a selected orientation relative to the first connector unit.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is aligned to its mounting plate by using cutouts already cut for electronic components. A top plate with a notched location block and two edge locators is placed on top of both the printed circuit board and the mounting plate so that the notched block straddles two cutouts on the board and the mounting plate. At the same time, the two edge locators are placed inside the two matching cutouts. An eccentric cam is used to move a pressure plate that slides on top of the top plate and pushes both the circuit board and the mounting plate with spring action. The cam is turned until the edge locators hit the edges of the cutouts, aligning the printed circuit board to the mounting plate.

Abstract: A border retainer for retaining a decorative wall border segment on a wall after the border segment is pasted on the wall, to prevent the applied border segment from inadvertently curling up and detaching from the wall during the border-hanging operation when it is necessary to temporarily release the border segment before the border application paste dries. The border retainer is characterized by a retainer body typically fitted with a handle. A pair of wall inertion spikes extends from fixed or removable attachment to the retainer body for insertion in the wall and removably attaching the retainer body to the wall, and a retainer flange is provided on the retainer body. After the border segment is applied to the wall typically begin at one end and progressing to the opposite, extending end of the border segment, the extending end portion of the border segment initially remains unpasted to the wall and is retained by the retainer flange of the retainer body.

Abstract: In assembling a vehicle body frame for a motorcycle by welding front and rear frame subassemblies to each other, the following steps are carried out: a step of positioning left and right rear portions of the front frame subassembly by a pair of front positioning device movable at least in a widthwise direction of the vehicle body frame, a step of clamping a head pipe by a front clamp device which is capable of being moved in vertical and longitudinal directions of the vehicle body frame and is capable of being tilted longitudinally, a step of positioning left and right rear portions of the rear frame subassembly by a pair of rear positioning device movable in the longitudinal, widthwise and vertical directions of the vehicle body frame, a step of clamping left and right front portions of the rear frame subassembly by a pair of rear clamp means movable in the longitudinal, widthwise and vertical directions of the vehicle body frame, and a step of welding the front and rear frame subassemblies to each other.

Abstract: An assembly platform for supporting the various parts and sub assemblies of a ceiling fan while other parts and sub-assemblies of the ceiling fan are attached prior to installing the ceiling fan. The assembly platform includes a round, cylinder shaped, open-ended, plastic support tube, a fan part support shelf, and a number of insert structures.

Abstract: Three-dimensional large scale bodies such as jumbo aircraft fuselages (14) are assembled in body sections around a longitudinal central assembly core (1) which itself is mounted at its ends and accessible all around along its length. Robots carrying tools for holding, transporting and precisely positioning preassembled wall sections, are movable along the central assembly core (1). First, at least one floor support grid (2 or 3) is releasably mounted to the central assembly core. Then, side wall sections (4, 5) are first secured to the floor support grids. Then, top and bottom wall sections (10, 8) are secured to the side wall sections (4, 5) to form a body section (BS) of the large scale body (14). Neighboring body sections are secured to each other along cross-seams. Upon completion, the floor support grids are released from the central assembly core (1) and the core is removed preferably withdrawn longitudinally from the assembled large body.

Abstract: A lightweight windshield wiper installation system is provided wherein the system includes a re-usable mounting device in combination with a lightweight windshield wiper assembly which does not require a connecting member. The mounting device includes a mounting arm having a first end and a second end, a first retaining means, a second retaining means. The lightweight windshield wiper installation system may further include an arm linkage, and a release handle. The mounting arm is operative to position a lightweight windshield wiper system onto a vehicle which is removably attached to the mounting arm via the first retaining means and the second retaining means. The release handle cooperates with the first retaining means and the second retaining means via an arm linkage to hold and release the lightweight windshield wiper system.

Abstract: A method of making car bodywork, the method including a step of assembling body sides (4a, 4b) to an underbody (1), the underbody (1) including a rigid engine compartment (2) at one end and being placed in an assembly station in a precise position determined in an orthogonal frame of reference having directions X, Y, and Z, the method consisting: in putting the body sides (4a, 4b) into position and holding them in position in the frame of reference of the station by means of two parallel tools (13, 14) each co-operating with a respective body side (4a, 4b), and at least one transverse tool (11) extending transversely to said parallel tools, the three tools being connected to one another and to the X, Y, Z frame of reference of the station in such a manner that the transverse tool (11) is placed and held in a position that is precise and locked in the frame of reference and that it forms a spacer and bracing tool in the Y direction for the two parallel tools (13, 14) in a zone that is remote from the engine co

Abstract: A ferromagnetic spring transfer apparatus employs a movable magnet residing outside of an enclosed pathway, magnetically aligns and holds the ferromagnetic spring while pneumatic cylinders move the spring within the enclosed pathway to a position where another pneumatic cylinder ejects the spring from the enclosed pathway into an assembly location.

Abstract: A framing system and framing device for assembling and welding a body-in-white. The framing system utilizes completely separate framing and welding operations, which are typically intermixed in conventional framing systems. The framing device is a unitary frame structure within which an underbody, side frames and other body components can each be supported and accurately positioned with respect to each other prior to the welding operation. The framing device includes a cart which serves as the base and main support for the framing device, and an upper body support member. Using an appropriate number of clamping devices, the net positions of the body components which constitute the body-in-white are properly established and maintained, such that gate fixtures are unnecessary during the welding operation.

Abstract: A workpiece support apparatus includes an elongate primary body having several height adjustable primary support columns which extend vertically from the primary body. One or more arms extend radially from and are pivotally secured to the primary body. The arms pivot about a substantially vertical axis for angular adjustment on a substantially horizontal plane. At least two height adjustable secondary support columns extend vertically from each arm. The workpiece support apparatus is particular adapted for use by welders when welding pipe to form complex branch structures.

Abstract: A device for holding sintered cams during their binding on a tube by expansion of the tube, including, for each cam, two blocks intended for enclosing the cam in housings complementary to the cam contour. The dimensions of the housings are chosen so that the play between the housings and the largest cam within a predetermined tolerance range is as close to zero as possible by excess, the two blocks being provided to bear against each other whatever the dimensions of the cam within the tolerance range.

Abstract: A system for mounting a slab substrate in a three-dimensional modeling machine includes two parallel rails positioned on opposite sides of a modeling platform. A blade extends along each rail, each blade having an inward-facing knife edge. A slab substrate having a width which approximates the distance between the two rails and having slits in its sides is loaded in the machine by lining up the slits, respectively, with each blade and pushing the substrate towards the rear of the platform as the knife edges cut into the substrate. Preferably, the platform includes a rear stopper to stop rearward motion of the substrate. The platform preferably also includes a retaining means at its front edge that is actuated to lock the substrate into place on the platform during modeling. The substrate is removed from the platform by deactuating the retaining means, if any, grasping the substrate, and sliding the substrate towards the front of the platform.

Abstract: To produce a flanged pipe unit, a separate flange is put on a pipe and then the pipe is subjected to a punching to achieve an interlocked connection between the flange and the pipe. The flanged pipe unit produced by the method of the invention comprises a metal pipe including a larger expanded portion, a smaller expanded portion and a raised portion which are axially aligned so that the smaller expanded portion is placed between the larger expanded portion and the raised portion; and a metal flange having a through bore through which the pipe passes, the through bore including a larger diameter portion, a smaller diameter portion and a tapered end portion which are axially aligned so that the smaller diameter portion is placed between the larger diameter portion and the tapered end portion.

Abstract: A vertical assembly table is designed to automatically assemble an insulated glass window structure consisting of two identical glass lites and an edge seal. The seal is added to one glass lite after washing, but prior to conveying to the vertical assembly table. The vertical assembly table includes two independent conveyor tables, each having a plurality of conveyor rolls. A pivotable subframe is associated with each roller table, with each subframe having a plurality of support arms coupled to a common pivot shaft. Each support arm is positioned between the rolls of the associated roller table. Each subframe is moved between a retracted position below a pass line of the roller table and a transfer position adjacent the other subframe in the transfer position. A transfer mechanism is provided for transferring a glass workpiece from one subframe to the adjacent subframe when the subframes are in the transfer position.

Abstract: A clamping device for fixing plastic molded parts during welding is proposed, comprising a flange-like fastening part for fastening on a plastics welding device, the fastening part having at least one first annular recess for receiving a clamping element and the fastening part having at least one second recess for receiving spring elements acting radially on the clamping element, the clamping element having at least one projection on an inner surface which is arranged opposite the outer surface of the plastic molded part. The clamping element allows good fixing of the plastic molded parts in a very confined space.

Abstract: A novel back stop gauge for determining accurate and safe positioning of work piece material in a machine tool, such as a press brake, wherein a linear stop has an axially stiff, but transversely flexible coil spring intermediate end portions, one end portion being engaged by work piece material and the opposite end portion being anchored to a cooperating support. Misplacement of work material either over or beneath the stop, while normally destructive of the work piece upon closure of the press brake, does not result in damage to the machine tool or the press because of the flexible nature of the back stop, which permits movement of the stop out of the path of the machine tool.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and device for fitting wheel heads on a vehicle chassis. The chassis and wheel head are first brought into a reference position relative to one another. Wheel guide elements which have not yet been finally fitted are used to determine the securing positions for the reference position and secured.

Abstract: A device for assembly of a flexible conduit element consisting essentially of a flexible ring-corrugated or helical-shaped bellows body which is displaced over an inner arbor in order to introduce a jacket into the corrugations of the bellows body, has an the inner arbor comprising actuating elements for engagement into the corrugations of the bellows body at an inner side thereof. The inner arbor has an axial length which can be adjusted.

Abstract: An aircraft engine shipping system includes a frame assembly for supporting the aircraft engine, and a cradle assembly mounted on the frame assembly for securing the aircraft engine to the frame assembly. The frame assembly includes shock absorbers to provide continual shock absorption to an aircraft engine loaded thereon. The shipping system may be configured in either a truck or air transport mode. In the truck transport mode, the aircraft engine is secured to the cradle assembly by an aft ring which attaches to the aft portion of the aircraft, and a pair of cradle arms which attach to the forward portion of the aircraft engine. In the air transport mode, the aircraft engine is attached to the cradle assembly by the aft ring, and a forward ring which attaches directly to the fan of the aircraft engine. In the air transport mode, the cradle arms are disconnected from the aircraft engine and rotated away from the engine in a stowed position.

Abstract: A device for holding sintered cams during their binding on a tube by expansion of the tube, including, for each cam, two blocks intended for enclosing the cam in housings complementary to the cam contour. The dimensions of the housings are chosen so that the play between the housings and the largest cam within a predetermined tolerance range is as close to zero as possible by excess, the two blocks being provided to bear against each other whatever the dimensions of the cam within the tolerance range.

Abstract: An aircraft engine shipping system includes a frame assembly for supporting the aircraft engine, and a cradle assembly mounted on the frame assembly for securing the aircraft engine to the frame assembly. The frame assembly includes shock absorbers to provide continual shock absorption to an aircraft engine loaded thereon. The shipping system may be configured in either a truck or air transport mode. In the truck transport mode, the aircraft engine is secured to the cradle assembly by way of an aft ring which attaches to the aft portion of the aircraft, and a pair of cradle arms which attach to the forward portion of the aircraft engine. In the air transport mode, the aircraft engine is attached to the cradle assembly by way of the aft ring, and a forward ring which attaches directly to the fan of the aircraft engine. In the air transport mode, the cradle arms are disconnected from the aircraft engine and rotated away from the engine in a stowed position.

Abstract: A system for assembling a railway car body includes an openable-and-closeable rotating cage for receiving and aligning car components, and rotator mechanism coupled to the rotating cage for selectively rotating the rotating cage and components therein. The openable-and-closeable rotating cage may include a plurality of ring members, each ring member including a first portion, second portion, and third portion with the first portion pivotably coupled to the second portion, and the second portion pivotably coupled to the third portion, a plurality of cross members coupled to the plurality of rings, a first end assembly mechanism at a first end of the rotating cage, the first end assembly for holding and aligning an end assembly component, a second end assembly mechanism at a second end of the rotating cage, the second end assembly for holding an aligning an end assembly component, and a locking mechanism for selectively locking one or more of the plurality of ring members in a closed position.

Abstract: A method of connecting the free end of an elastomeric cord to the hook of a connector, that is attached to a loop on the other end of the cord, to form an endless drive belt to connect a pair of rotary drive members, which utilizes a novel tool. The tool has a retainer segment and a contact segment comprising a pair of curved contact arms flanking a finger and forming an opening, and a handle. The tool contact segments are placed on one of the rollers with the finger in the roller drive groove and the handle resting on an adjacent roller. The connector and attached cord end loop are placed in a retainer pocket on the finger. The cord free end is then grasped and pulled around both rollers, which clamps the tool to the roller, and onto the hook to form the endless belt. The handle is grasped to raise the tool, pivot it around the roller to unclamp the tool, and slide the tool to disengage it from the drive belt.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing an aluminum alloy and steel railway car includes an aluminum alloy-body-manufacturing subsystem for producing an aluminum alloy railway car body, a steel-underframe-manufacturing subsystem for producing a steel car underframe, and an underframe-and-body combination subsystem for mating and attaching an aluminum alloy railway car body from the aluminum alloy-body-manufacturing subsystem and a steel underframe from the steel-underframe-manufacturing subsystem. The aluminum alloy-body-manufacturing subsystem of the system may include an openable-and-closeable rotating cage for receiving and aligning car body components and a rotator mechanism coupled to the rotating cage for selectively rotating the rotating cage and components therein.

Abstract: A machine tool for the cutting process of work pieces and having at least one horizontally lodged work spindle, preferably for high speed and/or high precision processing. The work spindle displaces on and/or inside a frame-like tool carrier vertically placed on a machine support having slides moving along x-, y- and z-axes. According to the invention, the frame-like tool carrier (3) has an associated frame-like work piece holder (2), which is also placed vertically on the machine support (1). The work piece holder (2) and the tool carrier (3) are interconnected as one single stable unit by one or several connecting elements (8) in the area of their upper horizontal traverse (4, 6).

Abstract: A blade removing tool for rotary lawn mowers includes a central support assembly forming a guide adapted to be positioned over a bolt holding a rotary lawn mower blade in position and to allow the passage of a socket wrench there through. An elongated handle has an interior end coupled to the support assembly and an exterior end adapted to held by a user. A pair of projections extend downwardly from the lower plate parallel with the handle and adapted to be positioned on opposite sides of a blade to contact the blade when a socket wrench tends to turn a bolt and the blade.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inner plug easily removable from a neck of a container, and a cap for covering the inner plug. The inner plug comprises an engaging portion to be fitted to a neck of the container, a threaded cylinder, and a lip cylinder connected to said threaded cylinder. The engaging portion comprises an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder, and a shoulder wall. The threaded cylinder is arranged on the inner cylinder. The cap has a side cylinder to be engaged with said threaded cylinder of said inner plug, and a cover cylinder covering said shoulder wall and said outer cylinder. The cover cylinder has a diameter larger than a diameter of said side cylinder. The outer cylinder is provided with a cut portion. The shoulder wall is provided with a cut portion connecting to said cut portion of the outer cylinder. The shoulder wall is provided on a lower surface thereof with a tear off groove along the outer cylinder. The groove is connected to said cut portion of the shoulder wall.

Abstract: A weld seam opening regulator for use in constricting cylindrical structures, including a frame, first and second wheels for riding on a first edge of a band of metal, a third wheel for riding on a first edge of a cylindrical portion of the structure, and a fourth wheel for riding on an inner surface of the cylindrical portion and maintaining a minimum weld spacing between the band and cylinder. Also, an adjustable bottom roller rides on a second edge of the metal band urges the metal band toward the cylindrical portion of the structure.

Abstract: A bending plate for use in adjusting a lie and/or loft of a golf club head. The bending plate comprises means for minimizing or reducing mechanical stresses within a face region and face insert plate of the golf club head, when the golf club head is placed in a clamping apparatus. Thus, the bending plate protects the face insert plate of the club head during a lie and/or loft adjustment of the club head. The bending plate also includes means for establishing proper positioning of the bending plate over the face insert plate and/or face region of the golf club head.

Abstract: The invention refers to an auxiliary assembly element for automatic mounting of machine parts, such as housing sealing covers for combustion engines, where the auxiliary assembly element, which may be attached to the machine part and easily removed, receives the mounting devices for the connection of the machine parts with the machine into supports where they are position-oriented and arrested, so that the mounting devices, together with the machine part, may be supplied to and moved directly into the connection position with the machine via the auxiliary assembly element with the use of an industrial robot or similar.

Abstract: A battery jig for facilitating the soldering of battery bars between adjacent pairs of batteries held in a line. The group of batteries is used to power small electrical devices, such as racing cars. The frame has a front and a back and sides which secure the batteries in a side by side relationship. A spring loaded arm may be positioned between the batteries to hold down a battery bar so that it may be soldered to adjacent terminals.

Abstract: A fixture, process and kit allow a user to construct game calls at home with little effort and at low cost. A kit that includes the fixture, call frames, and reeds provides the materials a person needs to construct game calls to custom specifications. The fixture includes a base block that is placed on a flat surface, such as a table. The base block includes a reed recess where one or more reeds are placed flat, one atop the other. Once the reed or reeds are in place, clamps are used to secure each end of the reed or reeds to the base block. Once the ends are secure, a tensioning rod is used to stretch the reed or reeds to the desired tension. Once the reed or reeds are to the desired tension, the bottom portion of a call frame is inserted into a frame recess in the base block by sliding the call frame under the reed or reeds.

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.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of surfacing at least one wide side of a board-like substrate, in which method at least one wide side of the substrate board and at least one sheet or web of the surfacing material are placed opposing each other. In the method, the surfacing material (1) and the board-like object (2) of the substrate material are transferred into a positioning station so that the at least one aligned edge of the surfacing material (1) and the board-like substrate (2), respectively, are made to desiredly overlap or underlap the respective edge of the opposed element surface, or alternatively, that at least one of said edges is placed essentially aligned with other respective edge of the opposed element surface, irrespective of the initial position or alignment of the surfacing material (1) and/or the board-like substrate (2) to be transferred into the positioning station.

Abstract: A precision assembly table and method includes a plurality of rigid bars connected to adjustable support members which can individually adjust the position of the rigid bars above a surface and a frame to create a desired contour. The structure to be assembled, such as a magnetic levitation guideway, is positioned and held in place on top of the rigid bars which have been positioned so as to define a desired contour of the structure and to which the structure will mechanically conform. The position of the rigid bars is monitored and adjusted by a computer to maintain the desired contour while the structure resting on the rigid bars is being assembled.

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: An aircraft engine shipping system includes a frame assembly for supporting the aircraft engine, and a cradle assembly mounted on the frame assembly for securing the aircraft engine to the frame assembly. The frame assembly includes shock absorbers to provide continual shock absorption to an aircraft engine loaded thereon. The shipping system may be configured in either a truck or air transport mode. In the truck transport mode, the aircraft engine is secured to the cradle assembly by means of an aft ring which attaches to the aft portion of the aircraft, and a pair of cradle arms which attach to the forward portion of the aircraft engine. In the air transport mode, the aircraft engine is attached to the cradle assembly by the aft ring the aft ring, and a forward ring which attaches directly to the fan of the aircraft engine. In the air transport mode, the cradle arms are disconnected from the aircraft engine and rotated away from the engine in a stowed position.

Abstract: Apparatus to semi-automatically cover the opening in a chair with a two-way stretch fabric which does not require extensive manual operation by an operator. The fabric is automatically clamped and stretched over the chair opening prior to the clamping thereof by an operator.