Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a medical device is formed of at least three coupled movable blades which are disposed about a reference circle to form an aperture whose size may be varied. The aperture capable of being sized to contain a medical device. Each blade is in communication with an actuation device which is capable of moving the blade to alter the size of the aperture. Each blade includes a single radial point which a) lies on the circumference of the reference circle prior to movement of the blade, and b) may be moved only along a radius of the reference circle on movement of the blade.

Abstract: An apparatus for crimping a stent by segmental radial compression, comprising a stationary base member; a rotatable drive hub which is moveable in relation to the stationary base member; and a crimping head aligned with respect to the stationary base member and to the rotatable drive hub. The crimping head includes at least ten segments. The segments each have a proximal end and an angled distal end with at least one angled side face terminating in an edge of a predetermined length, each segment having a centerline between the proximal and distal ends, each segment having a proximal point and a distal point, the distal point being disposed on the centerline and the proximal point being disposed off the centerline, and the proximal point being pivotally coupled by pins to the stationary base member and the distal point being pivotally coupled by pins to the rotatable hub member.

Abstract: A process and system for manufacturing a built-up camshaft by which the operational safety of the camshaft is ensured in a simple manner in any engine operation and the camshaft can arbitrarily be adapted to abutments which have different positions because of the individual engine construction. At least one cam is pushed onto a hollow shaft, after which the hollow shaft is expanded between the two faces of the cam which extend transversely with respect to the longitudinal course of the hollow shaft and at the respective bearing point by means of a highly pressurized pressure fluid. This fluid is delivered by a lance-shaped probe introduced into the hollow space of the shaft. On the one hand, a press fit occurs between the cam and the hollow shaft and, on the other hand, a bulging of the bearing point of the hollow shaft occurs which bridges the distance between the hollow shaft and the abutment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clinch joiner (1) for clinch joining ductile layers of material (7,8), such as metal sheets, and in particular to and a joiner including a die (4) and a punch (2).

Abstract: A crimper tool for use in attaching lugs to the metallic sheath covering on fiber optic cables includes a pair of blocks, with a trough formed in each block to accommodate the cable when one block is placed on top of the other. Each block includes at least one slot for positioning a proper-sized die to perform the crimping action. The use of this block crimper tool is particularly advantageous when a hand-held crimper is too small to accommodate a large diameter fiber cable.

Abstract: Described herein is an integrated clamping and clinching device for sheet-metal panels which simultaneously performs a clamping operation on two or more panels in the precise assembly condition, and application of at least one clinching point for obtaining joining of the panels. The device is provided with at least one pair of clamping elements and at least one pair of clinching elements which are controlled by one and the same fluid cylinder in such a way that the pair of clamping elements reaches a closed position immediately before the pair of clinching elements.

Abstract: The crimping head (2) is hinged, at the upper part, on a horizontal pin (4) mounted at the end of a connecting rod pivotally bearing on a central vertical post (12).

Abstract: When connecting two elements that are moveable with respect to one another, someamount of clearance, i.e., spacing between the elements, is included to minimize friction between the elements. The present invention is directed to setting the clearance within a desired range, regardless of manufacturing tolerances of the two elements. In particular, the present invention is directed to power cutting tools wherein it is necessary to set the clearance between one or more reciprocating blades and a blade support member.

Abstract: An assembly is provided which can crimp or compress an intraluminal device or measure the radial strength of an intraluminal device. The device includes a stationary disk and a drive disk for imparting movement to a number of wedges attached to linear sliders on the stationary disk. As rotational movement is imparted by the drive disk to the wedges, the wedges move in a linear direction to form a crimping motion for use in crimping an intravascular intraluminal device onto a catheter or a mandrel. Alternatively, the same motion of the wedges is used to measure the radial strength of an intraluminal device.

Abstract: A crimping tool according to the invention includes a cylindrical C-5 carbide rod having a plurality of laser cut pyramid points on one end. An adapter sleeve is also provided for attaching the tool to an existing pneumatic press. The pyramid pattern on the end of the tool provides several unexpected benefits. First, the points engage the eyelet and prevent the tool from slipping off the eyelet during the crimping operation. Second, the crimps produced by the tool have a greater surface area than the conventional crimps, exerting more pressure on the wick core without shearing fibers. The pressure exerted on the wick is 25-35% greater than a conventional crimp. Further, the carbide material wears much slower than the conventional crimping tools. This assures a consistency in crimping over a long period of time. An exemplary embodiment of the crimping tool according to the invention is approximately 1.625 inches long and approximately 0.090 inches in diameter.

Abstract: An assembly technique and device for enclosing an open end of a movable socket (10) comprised of fully hardened materials with an expanding cover-plate (66) and for controlling the expansion of the cover-plate (66) to provide a central orifice (67) of predetermined dimensions to facilitate the installation of a grease fitting. During assembly, various internal components of the movable socket, including the pressure plate, are installed within a housing (12) through a posterior opening (16) with the cover-plate positioned over the components. A two-stage ram (100) having a contact surface and a concentric pivot punch (142, 158) is brought into engagement with the cover-plate. Pressure exerted by the two-stage ram is transferred to the cover-plate through the contact surface, expanding the cover-plate to conform to the contact surface and enclosing the internal components within the socket housing.

Abstract: An anchoring system including an anchor including a shank with an expandable portion and a wedge arranged to wedge against the expandable portion, the expandable portion having a first portion thicker than a second portion thereof. There is also disclosed an anchoring system including an anchor including a shank with an expandable portion and a wedge arranged to wedge against the expandable portion, and a biasing device adapted to exert an outwardly directed expanding force against the expandable portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for connecting overlapping flat parts in a mechanical joining process, for example for connecting panels, using a mould stamp (1a) and a matrix which is provided with a recess, the parts to be connected being placed between the mould stamp and the matrix. The invention is characterized in that the active axial advancing movement of the mould stamp (1a) is impressed with a tumbling motion throughout the entire joining process or during a part of the joining process and will a variable stamping force (F) which is dependent on said tumbling motion, in or to produce a flow of material that is oriented towards the undercut (6). The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the inventive method.

Abstract: An apparatus for crimping a stent by segmental radial compression, comprising a stationary base member; a rotatable drive hub which is moveable in relation to the stationary base member; and a crimping head aligned with respect to the stationary base member and to the rotatable drive hub. The crimping head includes at least ten segments. The segments each have a proximal end and an angled distal end with at least one angled side face terminating in an edge of a predetermined length, each segment having a centerline between the proximal and distal ends, each segment having a proximal point and a distal point, the distal point being disposed on the centerline and the proximal point being disposed off the centerline, and the proximal point being pivotally coupled by pins to the stationary base member and the distal point being pivotally coupled by pins to the rotatable hub member.

Abstract: A forming die includes a base and at least two die segments. At least a first one of the die segments is moveably mounted to the base for shifting between closed and opened positions. The die segments together define a cavity having an opening when the first die segment is in the closed position. A punch is moveably mounted to the base for shifting between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the punch crimps a part positioned within the cavity. A powered actuator is connected to at least the first one of the die segments, and shifts the first die segment between the closed and opened positions such that a part positioned within the cavity can be removed after crimping by shifting of the first die segment to the open position. The forming die is particularly well-suited for crimping electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A device separates a needle from a syringe before subsequent separate handling of the needle and the rest of the syringe. The needles are accumulated in a container made of stainless steel which is then put into a smelting furnace, thereby preventing the worker from being pricked and thus infected by the used needles. The plastic portions of the syringes are accumulated in another container for further handling.

Abstract: An assembly for retaining a work piece and fitting together for placement in a swage machine. The assembly includes a die and a collar to keep the work piece from moving during the swaging process. The collar includes two clamping sections that are connected together, such as by a hinge. The collar is placed about the work piece and then clamped in place by a retaining bolt at the opposing end of the clamping sections. The die includes a recess for holding the collar and a recess for the tube. The assembly includes an anti-rotation feature to minimize rotation of the collar within the recess. One example of an anti-rotation feature is the formation of the recess and the collar in corresponding hexagonal shapes. The die may also include a recess for retaining a fitting to be swaged to the work piece. The die and collar assembly eliminates the need for nylon inserts and eliminates work piece rotation and axial movement during the automated swaging process.

Abstract: A swaging device for connecting suspension assemblies to an actuator block of a disc drive. The swaging device includes an expandable member which is designed for insertion into channels of tubular stakes coupled to suspension assemblies to swage the tubular stakes relative to a hole of an actuator arm. The expandable member is expandable between an insertion dimension and a swaging dimension. In the insertion dimension, the expandable member is sized for insertion into the channels of the tubular stakes. The expandable member is inserted into stake channels and is expanded to the swaging dimension to impart a swaging force to connect tubular stakes to actuator arms.

Abstract: To readily perform a repairing work for a deformed portion of a rim without any adverse effects given by a rim shape of a wheel or a kind of the wheel, and to enhance the precision of the repairing work and the simplification of the apparatus by devising a receiver for a reactive force of a pressing jack, a wheel repairing apparatus includes a base (2) on which the wheel H is to be mounted with its axis vertical, a support frame (3) provided on the base, supporting means (A) provided between the support frame and the base for rotatably supporting the wheel about the vertical axis and pressurizing means (B) for pressurizing the deformed portion of the rim (R).

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 mechanical assembly process and device for sheet metal parts (30) are disclosed. The material of the metal sheets is displaced and upset out of a sheet metal plane by a forming energy applied by means of a tool set comprising at least one male die (6) and a female mould (4) fitted with an anvil. The forming energy is generated by impact in the form of short, successive strikes.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a medical device is formed of at least three coupled movable blades which are disposed about a reference circle to form an aperture whose size may be varied. The aperture capable of being sized to contain a medical device. Each blade is in communication with an actuation device which is capable of moving the blade to alter the size of the aperture. Each blade includes a single radial point which a) lies on the circumference of the reference circle prior to movement of the blade, and b) may be moved only along a radius of the reference circle on movement of the blade.

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 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: A pipe crimping apparatus comprises a holding device to externally engage and hold a joint to be crimped. The holding device has a concavity in which a part cylindrical plate member is secured, the concavity and plate member defining a part cylindrical clamping zone. One pair of crimping arms is pivotally mounted on the holding device. Each arm is movable relative to the clamping zone. Handles are provided to cause movement of the arms relative to the clamping zone wherein the arms, in a crimping movement, extend radially into the clamping zone to engage a joint, and impress by indentation portions of an outer socket end onto an inner spigot end to secure the same together.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are for use in the manufacture of self-sealing reinforcement tie rods for reinforcing HVAC ducts, of the type including an elongated threaded rod having fastened inwardly of each end thereof an abutment structure comprising an elongated hollow tubular body having a bore therethrough for coaxially receiving the rod, the tubular body having a longitudinally inwardly located tubular crown portion for attachment to the rod, and a longitudinally outwardly located, radial outwardly protruding annular flange portion for abutting and bracing a duct wall. The apparatus includes a work plate having in the upper surface thereof a slot having a lower wall which slopes downwardly and radially inwardly towards the center of the work plate, on which are positioned a single file line of abutment structures, flange down.

Abstract: A forming die includes a base and at least two die segments. At least a first one of the die segments is moveably mounted to the base for shifting between closed and opened positions. The die segments together define a cavity having an opening when the first die segment is in the closed position. A punch is moveably mounted to the base for shifting between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the punch crimps a part positioned within the cavity. A powered actuator is connected to at least the first one of the die segments, and shifts the first die segment between the closed and opened positions such that a part positioned within the cavity can be removed after crimping by shifting of the first die segment to the open position. The forming die is particularly well-suited for crimping electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A stent crimping tool for firmly and uniformly crimping a stent onto a balloon catheter is constructed from a crimping section holding the stent and the balloon catheter therein, wherein the crimping is actuated by a shaft having an input end and an output end, engaging the crimping section at the output end. The shaft has a detent formed into the input end. A gripping member has an internal cavity to receive the input end, and includes a hole proximate to the shaft, wherein a ball bearing and a compression spring are located within the hole to bias the ball bearing toward the shaft and to engage the detent. When a torque is applied to the gripping member, it is transmitted through the ball bearing to the shaft; if the torque exceeds a predetermined magnitude, it overcomes the force of the spring on the ball bearing causing the bearing to slide out of the detent thereby disconnecting the applied torque from the shaft. The crimping section can be a rubber tube having a lumen holding the stent and catheter.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for mechanically joining metal sheets, which lie flat one upon the other, by metal forming, having a tool set comprising at least one punch and one die which bounds a cavity in which the joining operation takes place, it being the case that at least one of these two tool parts can be driven via a driving force, produced by fluid supply, such that the punch displaces sheet-metal material out of a sheet-metal plane, and upsets it, under the action of deformation work, and the driveable tool part has a stop which is moved along with it and limits its penetration depth.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a medical device is formed of at least three coupled movable blades which are disposed about a reference circle to form an aperture whose size may be varied. The aperture capable of being sized to contain a medical device. Each blade is in communication with an actuation device which is capable of moving the blade to alter the size of the aperture. Each blade includes a single radial point which a) lies on the circumference of the reference circle prior to movement of the blade, and b) may be moved only along a radius of the reference circle on movement of the blade.

Abstract: Two or several overlaying sheet formed members are joined together using an essentially coaxial arrangement of a punch, a die with a die cavity, and an anvil.

Abstract: A device for enabling substantially uniform and tight crimping of an intravascular stent onto a balloon catheter assembly. The stent crimping device includes at least one compressible and resiliently expandable loop portion, that is expandable radially outwardly to enable supporting of the stent and catheter assembly thereon, and compressible radially inwardly to substantially uniformly and tightly crimp the stent onto the balloon catheter assembly.

Abstract: A swaging tool for use in swaging axially swaged fittings for joining together pipes. The present invention provides a radially balanced axial force, for uniformly pushing a ring of an axially swaged fitting over a sleeve, to swage the fitting to the pipe. The swaging tool of the present invention includes a tubular housing, having an inner surface, which defines a bore. The bore is configured to receive a pipe section having an axially swaged fitting placed thereon in preparation for swaging. Preferably, the housing may be split lengthwise into two opposed sections, such that when the two sections are brought together, the sections completely surround a portion of the pipe section and the fitting. Each housing section is provided a plurality of pusher assemblies, each pusher assembly may preferably be connected to a source of hydraulic pressure, which when activated moves the pusher assembly axially to provide the axial force necessary for swaging the fitting.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and a method for mechanically joining metal sheets, profiles and/or multi-sheet joints lying on top of each other, wherein joining tools are moved by power means towards the parts to be joined and a joint is made between the parts to be joined by the force effect of the joining tools. To make the joining tools easier to handle and widen the range of application for joints, it is proposed to reduce the reaction forces of the joining process by the fact that one joining tool applies the joining force to the joint at an exciting frequency which is above the characteristic frequency of the opposite joining tool, and the mounting of at least one joining tool is isolated from vibrations. The vibration isolation can also be arranged exclusively or in addition in the excited joining tool or the parts to be joined.

Abstract: A method whereby one or more occluders are inserted in the housing of a prosthetic heart valve by compressing the housing of the prosthetic heart valve at four discrete locations, thereby causing the housing to deform sufficiently for insertion of occluders between diametrically opposed pivot supports on the inner surface of the housing. The appropriate locations for application of the compressive forces are identified. Compression force is then applied using either pin blocks or v-shaped blocks. One or more occluders are inserted in the pivot supports. The compressive forces are released, allowing the housing to return to its unstressed generally annular shape and securing the occluders in the housing.

Abstract: A handle for a mattress border is anchored with spaced grommets in the border against which anchors on the handle ends may bear. The anchors are designed to allow a leading end of the handle to be drawn through grommet opening. A back strap between the grommet openings is shaped to allow clamping to move the grommet opening to aligned position. To allow the drawing of the anchors through the grommet opening, at least one of the anchors is provided with first couplings. A puller rod is designed to be inserted through at least one of the grommet openings. The puller rod is provided with second couplings, designed to cooperate with the first couplings to achieve the pulling function.

Abstract: A sterile tool for crimping a stent onto a balloon catheter is disclosed. The stent crimping tool includes two major components, a cylindrical body having external threads and a rotating collar with internal threads engaging the external threads. The collet end of the cylindrical body is split into segmented jaws that are biased to flare outward in an open state. A stent loaded onto a balloon catheter and situated inside the open segmented jaws can undergo a crimping operation when the collar is rotated and advances toward the flared open segmented jaws. When the collar engages the segmented jaws, the jaws are forced to converge and close onto the stent-catheter assembly thereby crimping the stent onto the balloon catheter.