Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming a seal within a ferrule having a compression ring disposed therein. The apparatus comprises a frame assembly for crimping a portion of the ferrule, and a push rod assembly coupled to the frame assembly. The push rod assembly is capable of independent articulation with respect to the frame assembly and is configured to compress the compression ring within the ferrule.

Abstract: An assembly method includes a step of press-fitting a second valve 27 to a valve shaft 29 to which a first valve 25 is press-fitted and secured while measuring and adjusting a distance L2 so that it becomes equal to a distance L1. Thus, the first valve 25 and second valve 27 are press-fitted to the valve shaft 29 and those components are swaged together so that the first and second valves are secured to the valve shaft, and oil is placed in a press-fitted portion. When components, such as the first valve 25, are sintered parts, oil contained in the sintered parts themselves is used for increasing a joining force that occurs in the press-fitted portion.

Abstract: A guidewire having an embedded matrix polymer construction and methods of making and using the same. The guidewire may include a core wire or member having a proximal region and distal region, a jacket disposed over the distal region, and a coil disposed over the jacket. The coil may include a coating and may be embedded within the jacket.

Abstract: Process for fabricating an axle that includes a cross-member and arms which are assembled to extremities of the cross-member, wherein the process includes forming a cross-member, forming at least one arm, arranging the cross-member and the at least one arm in a fastening position, and fastening together in a rigid manner the cross-member and the at least one arm using a magneto-forming process. Wherein the fastening occurs while the cross-member and the at least one arm are in the fastening position and at least one of the cross-member and the at least one arm include at least one metallic material. This abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A compression connector assembly for securing a cable has a bushing insert and a gripping sleeve. The bushing insert includes a tubular bore, an exterior surface, a conductor receiving end, and a conductor engagement end. The gripping sleeve has an inner recess and an outer surface, and is adjacent to the conductor engagement end. The tubular bore and the inner recess are substantially coaxial, defining a cable securing passageway.

Abstract: Placing unit and method for placing locking ring bolts. The placing unit includes a gripping jaw housing in which at least two gripping jaws are arranged, a housing that surrounds the gripping jaw housing, a tip with an opening is arranged on a front face of the housing, and an opening element that limits an axial movement of the gripping jaws in one direction, while allowing the gripping jaw housing to move further in the one direction. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a medical device, such as an endoprosthesis, includes reducing the size of the medical device, and vibrating the device. In embodiments, the device is vibrated ultrasonically.

Abstract: A positioning assembly for automatically positioning a first cylindrical member for crimping to a second cylindrical member has a first plate and a second plate. The first plate has a nest to accommodate at least a portion of the first cylindrical member and/or at least a portion of the second cylindrical member. The second plate has a nest to accommodate at least a portion of the first cylindrical member and/or at least a portion of the second cylindrical member. The first plate is constructed and arranged to be separated from the second plate in a first position. In a second position the first plate is immediately adjacent to the second plate. When in the second position, the first plate and the second plate are situated such that the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member would be in proper placement for joining.

Abstract: A ferrule securing assembly including a die set assembly for reducing a cylindrical ferrule. The die set assembly having a female die and a male die. The female die having a female die opening sequentially defined by a tapered section, a parallel section, and a concave seat. The male die having a concave die face with at least two lateral edges, a medial area, and a radius of curvature. The male die is receivable in the female die opening to move the ferrule through the tapered section so as to forge the ferrule into a substantially oval shape, to move the oval shaped ferrule through the parallel section, and to compress the oval shaped ferrule between the concave die face and the concave seat to forge the oval shaped ferrule into a substantially cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A method of making a medical device includes compressing a prosthesis, e.g., a therapeutic agent-carrying stent or stent-graft, to a catheter without contacting an outer surface of the prosthesis, e.g., by electromagnetically compressing the prosthesis.

Abstract: A coiled tubing connector for connecting tools together when they are inserted into a well bore. The connector includes a disposable element that may be severed along with the connected portion of the coiled tubing. This provides for quick disconnect and reuse of the remainder of the connector.

Abstract: Alternative designs, materials and manufacturing methods for medical devices. Some embodiments disclosed deal with attachment of an elongated structure, such as a wire or ribbon, or a tubular member, such as a coil, to an elongated member in an elongated device. For example, an elongated core member having defining an outer surface, and an elongated structure including a first portion and a second expanded portion along the length thereof can be provided. An attachment member, such as a centering ring, or the like, is disposed about a portion of the elongated core member and a part of the first portion of the elongated structure. The attachment member defines a lumen and having an inner surface. Part of the first portion of the elongated structure is disposed between the inner surface of the attachment member and the outer surface of the elongated core member.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming armed sutures has a swaging station for receiving, holding and swaging needles that are deposited therein. A linear motor drives a suture insertion gripper, which pulls suture from a supply reel and inserts a cut end thereof into a needle held in the swaging station. A ganged needle transfer assembly with a plurality of spaced needle gripper units carries needles along a line substantially at right angles to the suture line and transfers them to and from the swaging station and other needle processing stations. A precisor orients needles prior to placement in the swaging station and a pull test assembly tests armed sutures in both destructive and non-destructive modes. Both ends of the production line may be automated, e.g., by robots which load and offload needles prior to and after swaging, respectively. The apparatus is capable of forming double armed sutures by using a rotatable mount for the suture insertion gripper and a secondary, loop gripper.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for attaching filamentary members to a substrate are disclosed. The substrate includes a plastic layer and the apparatus includes an anvil, a needle and a swaging tool movable relatively to the anvil. The method includes the steps of penetrating the substrate with the needle to create an opening, positioning the filamentary member in the opening, and compressing the substrate between the swaging tool and the anvil so as to deform the plastic layer and swage the filamentary member to the substrate. The needle is heated to melt the plastic layer so that it fuses with the filamentary member upon swaging. Motion of the needle and swaging tool is controlled by cams under the command of a microprocessor control unit. A substrate to which filamentary members are swaged is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the stent delivery system comprises an inner catheter. A handle is disposed at the proximal end of the inner catheter, and an enlarged tip is disposed at the distal end thereof. A stent engaging sleeve coaxially surrounds and is secured to a portion of the inner catheter proximally contiguous to the tip. A stent is mounted over the stent engaging sleeve in a longitudinally stretched state and is maintained, until deployment, in the stretched state by a stent restraining sleeve. The stent restraining sleeve, which coaxially surrounds the stent and is appropriately sized to maintain the stent in its stretched state, is a braided tube formed directly over the stent. The system also includes an outer catheter that surrounds much of the distal end of the inner catheter up to its tip, the outer catheter being adapted for axial movement relative to the inner catheter.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a center electrode for a spark plug, a core member is press-fitted into a metal cup and, thereafter, a cold-forging process is performed to form a small-diameter portion at a closed end of the metal cup. The small-diameter portion is completely free from deformation which may occur during press-fitting operation. Thus, the small-diameter portion has excellent accuracy in shape. Furthermore, since the press-fitting is performed before the cold-forging of the small-diameter portion, it is possible to increase the press-fitting load or pressure to the extent that the core member and the metal cup are joined together with a sufficient degree of adhesion which will insure the a center electrode to have good thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A stabilizer bar assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a stabilizer bar, a bushing mounted to the stabilizer bar, and a support ring mounted onto the stabilizer bar adjacent the bushing to provide a stop to prevent the bushing from moving axially along the stabilizer bar. The support ring has a plurality of inwardly extending projections. Each of the inwardly extending projections has a distal end in contact with an outer surface of the stabilizer bar. The distal ends of the inwardly extending projections are welded to the outer surface of the stabilizer bar to secure the support ring onto the stabilizer bar.

Abstract: A section of heat treated solid steel rod receives a phosphate solution treatment and is inserted into a blind cavity of a first die member within a cold forging press. A punch is forced axially into the rod section in successive steps to cold-forge a first bore and a tubular first end portion of a coupler body. A second end portion of the coupler body is also cold-forged in successive steps after treatments and is either reduced in diameter to receive external threads or is formed with a second bore. Each of the first and second bores receives an end portion of a concrete reinforcing bar after which the tubular end portion of body is compressed or swaged inwardly to secure the body to the reinforcing bar. The second bore may also be machined with internal threads for receiving the external threads on another coupler.

Abstract: A method of forming a slip joint includes providing a forming mandrel having a plurality of axially extending external splines, placing an inner tube circumferentially about the mandrel, and applying radially inward pressure on the inner tube to deform the inner tube and cause it to conform to the shape of the mandrel. The deformation step forms splines on the outer surface of the inner tube. A circumferential seal is then applied around the inner tube, and an outer tube is placed around the inner tube and the seal. Radially inward pressure is applied on the outer tube to deform the outer tube and cause it to conform to the shape of the inner tube, and thereby forming splines on the inner surface of the outer tube. The splines on the outer surface of the inner tube and the splines on the inner surface of the outer tube are configured to cooperate together to form a slip joint.

Abstract: A housing for receiving a bearing component is presented, which has a shaft projection, which can be inserted into the recess of the end area of a hollow section and can be pressed together with the end area, wherein the shaft projection is provided with a groove profile, in which the groove profile is prepared by a deformation process or an original shaping process. Notch effect and consequently a weakening of the cross section on the highly stressed shaft projection is avoided by the said processes. The present invention pertains, moreover, to such a groove profile located at a shaft projection of a housing.

Abstract: A method is required in which a plate-like flange member may be firmly secured at the front end of a hollow shaft member through a plastic working treatment by virtue of caulking combination, so as to manufacture a hollow shaft having a flange at one end thereof.

Abstract: A process for producing a catalyst by providing a monolith with a polygonal cross section, tightly enclosing the monolith with a single part jacket made of metal sheet or plate, placing a layer of expanded matting between the jacket and the monolith, bending the jacket with at least one of a bending and a clamping device into a proper final shape so that edges of the jacket which extend at least essentially in a longitudinal direction of the monolith at least contact each other, and undetachably joining the edges to each other.

Abstract: A piston-rod assembly with a piston rod having at least one attachment at one end. The piston rod is fabricated of fiber reinforced composite. The piston rod has a body of fiber-reinforced ceramic with a basic matrix of carbon fibers or ceramic fibers or both wherein at least silicon carbide is embedded and with an open porosity, at least at the surface layer, of no more than 3% of the volume of that layer admitting lubricants into the pores. The at least one attachment (2, 18a, 19, or 22) includes at least one component of a non-ceramic material that fits into and/or interlocks with the piston rod.

Abstract: A method of securing at least two workpieces, which includes inserting a bolt shaft through a bore hole formed in each of the workpieces, and applying a sealant to the workpieces. Further, the method includes engaging a locking collar with the bolt shaft such that the locking collar is securely deformed in a locking manner thereby forcing the sealant to uniformly distribute and form a thin surface sealant layer on the bolt shaft.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, a flexible conduit, and at least one control member axially movable in the flexible conduit. The handle assembly includes a body member configured to be coupled to the flexible conduit. An actuator is movable on the body member. The actuator includes at least one projection member. The assembly further includes a reinforcement tube having an interior passage sized to accommodate the control member. The reinforcement tube includes a least one bend configured to engage the at least one projection member such that movement of the actuator with respect to the body member causes movement of the reinforcement tube. Methods of manufacturing the handle assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An expandable implantable device is provided having a very small introductory profile. The small introductory profile is achieved by de-coupling the forces necessary to initially constrain the expandable device from the forces necessary to achieve full compaction of the device. As a result, the device can be made from more delicate materials that do not have to withstand overly aggressive compaction forces in order to achieve a fully compacted introductory profile.

Abstract: A shock absorbing type steering shaft comprising a tubular outer shaft having a female serration and a solid inner shaft having a male serration. After the outer diameter surface of the outer shaft is pressed inwardly in the radial direction to plastically deform an inner portion thereof, the inner shaft is inserted into the outer shaft so that the inner shaft is pressure-contacted and fixed to the plastically deformed portion of the outer shaft.

Abstract: To develop a method for installing an end member to a hollow shaft member for an office equipment in which a high degree of coaxiality and a high degree of vertical state can be attained, its manufacturing stages are simple and they can be realized under a less-expensive cost. The present invention is constituted by the steps comprising (1) using a hollow shaft member made of soft metal; (2) inserting the end member made of hard metal formed with a fitting groove satisfying some requirements into the hollow shaft; (3) forming round holes at the central part of each of the split dies and preparing a molding machine having more than three pressing members toward the center of each of the round holes; and (4) installing the end member to the shaft member with the pressing force of the pressing member.

Abstract: A method is required in which a plate-like flange member may be firmly secured at the front end of a hollow shaft member through a plastic working treatment by virtue of caulking combination, so as to manufacture a hollow shaft having a flange at one end thereof.

Abstract: A fastener system for multi-piece swage type fasteners, including a pin and a collar, and providing a stump type fastener constructed to be set as a pull type fastener with the fastener pin having a threaded gripping portion and including a compact installation tool having a swage anvil and a rotary threaded member adapted to be threaded onto the threaded pull portion of the pin whereby a relative axial force is applied between the pin and the collar via the rotary threaded member and swage anvil to cause the anvil to radially overengage the collar to swage it into locking grooves on the pin and the pull portion remaining on the pin after installation and with the swage anvil being connected to a piston rod of a piston for axially reciprocating movement for swaging the collar with the rotary threaded member being axially fixed and with the swage anvil and rotary threaded member being offset from the remainder of the tool whereby the tool can be used to install such fasteners in applications of limited clearan

Abstract: A method and apparatus of assembling a joint of an endless track chain for track-type machines to prevent endplay in the joint is disclosed. The joint includes a pair of links and a cylindrical pin. Each link includes a outwardly offset outboard end collar having a boss extending outwardly therefrom and a bore therethrough. Each boss has an outer surface. The pin includes opposite end portions. Each end portion is pressed and non-rotatably mounted into respective one of the bores of the outboard end collars. The method comprises the steps of forming an annular groove about each of the end portions, placing a swage tool against the outer side surface of the boss in axial alignment with the pin, and applying a sufficient force on the swage tool to form at least one mechanically formed nodule protruding from the outer side surface into a respective ones of the grooves. The nodule having a cross-sectional configuration substantially conforming to the groove.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention a reactive multilayer foil is fabricated by providing an assembly (stack or multilayer) of reactive layers, inserting the assembly into a jacket, deforming the jacketed assembly to reduce its cross sectional area, flattening the jacketed assembly into a sheet, and then removing the jacket. Advantageously, the assembly is wound into a cylinder before insertion into the jacket, and the jacketed assembly is cooled to a temperature below 100° C. during deforming. The resulting multilayer foil is advantageous as a freestanding reactive foil for use in bonding, ignition or propulsion.

Abstract: A shock absorbing type steering shaft comprising a tubular outer shaft having a female serration and a solid inner shaft having a male serration. After the outer diameter surface of the outer shaft is pressed inwardly in the radial direction to plastically deform an inner portion thereof, the inner shaft is inserted into the outer shaft so that the inner shaft is pressure-contacted and fixed to the plastically deformed portion of the outer shaft.

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 shock absorbing type steering shaft comprising a tubular outer shaft having a female serration and a solid inner shaft having a male serration. After the outer diameter surface of the outer shaft is pressed inwardly in the radial direction to plastically deform an inner portion thereof, the inner shaft is inserted into the outer shaft so that the inner shaft is pressure-contacted and fixed to the plastically deformed portion of the outer shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of assembling a joint of an endless track chain for track-type machines to prevent end play in the joint is disclosed. The joint includes a pair of links and a cylindrical pin. Each link includes a outwardly offset outboard end collar having a boss extending outwardly therefrom and a bore therethrough. Each boss has an outer surface. The pin includes opposite end portions. Each end portion is pressed and non-rotatably mounted into respective one of the bores of the outboard end collars. The method comprises the steps of forming an annular groove about each of the end portions, placing a swage tool against the outer side surface of the boss in axial alignment with the pin, and applying a sufficient force on the swage tool to form at least one mechanically formed nodule protruding from the outer side surface into a respective ones of the grooves. The nodule having a cross-sectional configuration substantially conforming to the groove.

Abstract: To develop a method for installing an end member to a hollow shaft member for an office equipment in which a high degree of coaxiality and a high degree of vertical state can be attained, its manufacturing stages are simple and they can be realized under a less-expensive cost. The present invention is constituted by the steps comprising (1) using a hollow shaft member made of soft metal; (2) inserting the end member made of hard metal formed with a fitting groove satisfying some requirements into the hollow shaft; (3) forming round holes at the central part of each of the split dies and preparing a molding machine having more than three pressing members toward the center of each of the round holes; and (4) installing the end member to the shaft member with the pressing force of the pressing member.

Abstract: A tool for forming a high strength reinforcing bar coupling driving self-locking wedge sleeves over each end of a contractible jaw assembly bridging the abutting ends of the bar to be joined. The sleeves are seated in collars engaged by the distal ends of arms driven for closure by a piston-cylinder power unit and a cam on at least one arm. In one form the cam on one arm is engaged by a roller connected by a tension link to the other arm. In another form cams are provided on each arm driven by rollers fixed with respect to each other. The collars include self-releasing collets seating the sleeves. The tool has other uses such as bar shearing or forming.

Abstract: A first sleeve and a second sleeve are put onto the shaft at a predetermined axial distance apart and are pressed radially. The shaft is encapsulated between the first and the second sleeve with a thermoplastic in such a way that a vane body, which has at least one aperture, is formed. The vane body is encapsulated with a sealing compound in such a way that a sealing lip is formed on the vane body at the margins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading deposit material, such as an embolic coil, into a shape memory polymer (SMP) gripping/release mechanism. The apparatus enables the application of uniform pressure to secure a grip by the SMP mechanism on the deposit material via differential pressure between, for example, vacuum within the SMP mechanism and hydrostatic water pressure on the exterior of the SMP mechanism. The SMP tubing material of the mechanism is heated to above the glass transformation temperature (Tg) while reshaping, and subsequently cooled to below Tg to freeze the shape. The heating and/or cooling may, for example, be provided by the same water applied for pressurization or the heating can be applied by optical fibers packaged to the SMP mechanism for directing a laser beam, for example, thereunto. At a point of use, the deposit material is released from the SMP mechanism by reheating the SMP material to above the temperature Tg whereby it returns to its initial shape.

Abstract: A metal fiber of titanium or titanium alloy has given equivalent area diameter and specific surface area and is produced by a bundle drawing method wherein mild steel is used as a material for covering layer and outer housing and a composite wire is subjected to a heat treatment at a given temperature.

Abstract: The reliability of a gas pressure regulator is ensured through the use of the disclosed integrated crimp bias apparatus and method for biasing and crimping components of a diaphragm subassembly for the regulator. Omission of crimping of the components after biasing during forming of the diaphragm subassembly for the regulator is avoided by automatically locking at least one of the components of the subassembly in the apparatus before biasing and automatically releasing the locking only after crimping of the biased components. A pincerlike crimper of the apparatus includes a pair of pincers working on a pivot, each pincer having a handle to which a force can be applied and a grasping jaw for exerting a crimping pressure on the components. Grasping jaws each have two crimping elements which oppose respective ones of the crimping elements on the opposing grasping jaw during crimping. A fixture holds the components to be biased and crimp connected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle steering shaft with two shaft sections which are telescopically guided in one another and have corresponding profile cross-sections, between which at least one row of balls is fitted in. The row of balls are each arranged in the axial direction and are used as a driver element operating in the rotating direction. According to the invention, one axial stop respectively is assigned to the first and the last ball of the ball row. The stops are positioned on opposite shaft sections and at least one of these stops being plastically deformable.

Abstract: A semi-automated machine for preparing double-armed sutures, i.e., a suture with a surgical needle at either end of the suture, from a bulk supply of surgical needles and an indefinite length of suture material is described. Each of the surgical needles has a suture receiving opening formed therein for receiving a suture. The machine includes a needle singulation station, a precise positioning station, a suture feeding and cutting station, a swage station, a pull-test station and an off-load station. A universal gripper mounted on a rotary indexing device automatically receives each individual needle in a predetermined orientation and conveys the needle for sequential processing from station to station to form the needle-suture assembly. A suture drawing and cutting station automatically inserts an end of the indefinite length of suture into the first of the pair of needles that form the double-armed suture.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a remote control assembly having a conduit (12) movably supporting a core element (14) with an end fitting (16) disposed on the conduit (12) for mechanical engagement with a ferrule (18) and a slug (20) disposed on the core element (14). The method comprises the steps of selecting a ferrule (18) for supporting the conduit (12) on a support structure (22) from a plurality of ferrule (18) configurations and snapping the ferrule (18) into mechanical connection with the end fitting (16) while inserting the core element (14) through the conduit (12) and ferrule (18). A terminal member (38, 138, 238), having a slug pocket (40) therein and a connector for connection configurations and it is placed on the core element (14) with the slug (20) in the slug pocket (40). A collar (42) is placed over the slug pocket (40) as the collar (42) is mechanically connected to the terminal member (38, 138, 238) to cover the slug pocket (40) and retain the slug (20) in the slug pocket (40).

Abstract: A method of securing a termination element to an end portion of a wire rope, the termination element having an elongated, ductile tubular sleeve portion, including the steps of positioning the end portion of a wire rope within the tubular sleeve portion, positioning the sleeve portion between co-acting dies, the dies having an opening that is non-circular in cross-section, closing the dies a first time to deform the sleeve portion about the wire rope and into a non-circular external cross-section shape opening dies rotating the sleeve portion less than 180° closing the dies a second time to form the sleeve portion into a final external non-circular shape and opening the dies to remove the termination element.

Abstract: A semi-automated machine and method for singulating individual surgical needles from an bulk supply and attaching a suture to the surgical needle is described. Each of the surgical needles has a suture receiving opening formed therein for receiving a suture. The machine includes a singulation station having a sliding surface that assists an operator in singulating needles and depositing them in a pair of drop locations for subsequent automatic handling. Indexing conveyors, an articulated robot and a precision conveyor are used with a precise positioning station for orienting each needle for automatic handling. A universal gripper mounted on a rotary indexing device automatically receives each individual needle in a predetermined orientation and conveys the needle for sequential processing from station to station to form the needle-suture assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting an indefinite length suture strand to uniform lengths for subsequent threading and swaging to a surgical needle includes a drawing tower having at least one guide member defining a drawing axis parallel thereto. First and second gripping devices are provided to grip the indefinite length suture strand and draw it along the drawing axis; each gripping device mounted for reciprocal movement on at least one guide member. A retractable cutter for cutting the indefinite length suture strand is also provided for cutting the strand at a start position along the drawing axis. The indefinite length suture strand is fed to the drawing axis and drawn a predetermined distance beyond the location of the retractable cutter for positioning within a suture receiving opening formed in the surgical needle, while the second gripping device reciprocates to a start position along the drawing axis.

Abstract: A wire shielding method which achieves electromagnetic shielding and reduces the number of component parts so as to enhance the efficiency of an assembling operation. In the wire shield structure, wires are covered with a shield member formed by laminating a metal foil layer and insulating layer together. The wires are led out of the shield member and connected to desired equipment. An extension portion of the shield member is folded, with the metal foil layer disposed at the inner side to form a lead wire portion. A distal portion of the lead wire portion is folded back with the metal foil layer exposed to form an earth terminal for grounding purposes. Therefore, without the use of a separate lead wire, the shielding effect can be enhanced and the number of component parts can be reduced.

Abstract: A method of making a small metallic fishing lure with an encapsulated lead core weight is disclosed comprising the steps of inserting a piece of lead wire into a precut piece of tubing and then pressing said tubing flat, trimming or shaping it, punching holes and attaching a hook and snap ring thereto.