Abstract: A manufacturing method employing a robotic assembly system includes first and second fastener system components that are positioned by a robotic assembly on opposite sides of at least two structural pieces that are to be fastened together. The first system component includes a particular tool of a plurality of different types of tools, where the particular tool installs a particular fastener of a plurality of different types of fasteners. Each tool includes a block or base of magnetic material with a passageway opening for the fastener associated with the tool passing through the base. The robotic assembly positions the tool against one side of the structural pieces to be fastened, and positions an electromagnet assembly on the opposite side of the structural pieces. Activating the electromagnet assembly clamps the structural pieces together. With the fastener positioned in a hole through the structural pieces, the tool is activated to install the fastener between the structural pieces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for inserting angle plates in transverse duct flanges. The apparatus is especially useful in inserting angle plates into transverse duct flanges of duct fittings. Packages for holding angle plates are also described.

Abstract: A device for connecting a framework of lengths of timber includes a number of upper and lower frame sections, as well as a number of diagonals or struts wherein at least one press tool is disposed to fixedly press at least one nail plate over joints between the lengths of timber, and that the press tools are disposed in a portal with a number of upper beams and a number of lower beams on which the press tools are adjustable reciprocally across the framework between a position in which the press tool collects a pair of nail plates, and a position over a joint for fixedly pressing one of the nail plates on the upper side and the other on the under side of the joint.

Abstract: A system for assembling a wrap-around type binder includes a riveting apparatus including a riveting station, for assembling a ring/shield/frame/hinge plate assembly to binder covers. The ring assemblies are moved to the riveting station along one path, and the binder or notebook covers are fed to the riveting station along another path. The riveting station includes locating and forming pins and at least one magnet for holding the hinge plates, and a carriage for holding rivets and for driving them through the covers and expanding the rivets on the forming pins to securely mount the hinge plates and associated rings, shields and frames to the binder covers.

Abstract: A fastener delivery and installation system is provided that comprises an end effector mounted on an automated machine and operable to drill a hole through a workpiece and insert a fastener through the hole, and a fastener feed unit operable with the automated machine to deliver the fasteners through the end effector and into the workpiece. Further, a hand-held tool is operable against a second surface of the workpiece and is aligned with the end effector. Once the hand-held tool is positioned properly, a magnetic field is generated and the workpiece is clamped to enable the end effector to drill a hole through the workpiece and insert a fastener therethrough. Additionally, a detector is located on the hand-held tool for generating guidance information to inform an operator where to move the hand-held tool so as to align the hand-held tool with the end effector.

Abstract: A tool for applying clip fasteners which are bent around thin objects to tie them together. The tool has a housing that presents a load opening through which the clip fasteners are loaded. A retractable clip follower is urged by spring action against the fasteners to feed them toward a receiver having a slot for holding the fasteners one at a time. A jaw mechanism operated by a handle is moved toward a fastener held by the receiver and initially bends the fastener about two elbow joints. After a jaw plate carrying the jaws reaches the limit of its motion, continued movement of the jaw mechanism causes the jaws to pivot closed and make a final bend at a center hinge joint of the clip fastener.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element, a holding substrate holding the semiconductor element, a frame body provided on the holding substrate so as to surround the semiconductor element and having a hole which communicates to a space formed between the holding substrate and the frame body and the frame body and the holding substrate form a housing, a plurality of leads having inner lead portions connected to the semiconductor element and outer lead portions extending outside the frame body, and a resin filling the space and encapsulating the semiconductor element and the inner lead portions. All of the outer lead portions extend outside the housing from one side of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the handling of rods such as drilling rods, roof bolts, or rib bolts, so that they can be removed directly from a storage cradle near a drilling rig or other mining operation machinery. The invention removes the need to manually load rods into drill rigs or other machinery, by a system of transportation mechanisms made up of straps and/or hydraulic actuators, and gate mechanisms to control the entry and exit of the rods from a storage cradle. Gripping mechanisms are also included to deposit the rods to and from a desired location on the drill rigs or other machinery.

Abstract: The clip clamping machine comprises a clip dispensing and clamping mechanism, a pneumatic piston and cylinder mechanism mounted to one end of the clip dispensing and clamping mechanism, a magazine track mounted to the other end of the clip dispensing and clamping mechanism and a pusher member in the magazine track. The magazine track is made of thermoplastic material to reduce the weight of the machine. Likewise, the pusher member is a one piece plastic pusher member. A lower end of the magazine track has a boss extending outwardly therefrom and having a throughbore which receives a bolt that also extends through sidewalls of a housing of the clip dispensing and clamping mechanism and through bifurcated arms of a stationary anvil mounted to the housing.

Abstract: In order to achieve a disturbance-free and accurate supply of elements to be conveyed to a metal sheet and/or panel, with a minimum mounting height, a device is disclosed for a tool mounted in a press for fastening bolt-shaped elements, in particular screws, on a metal sheet or panel. The device has a punching head, a fixed member for supplying the elements arranged in opposite rows to the punching head, and a rigid connection between the tappet channel of the punching head and the concatenating station (loading device). A loading bushing acts as a loading device, taking up the elements individually in a fixed orientation and then concatenating them in the head station.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for feeding and tightening threaded parts, such as bolts or nuts. The apparatus incorporates a holding member longitudinally movable while holding a threaded part at the front end thereof, and a rotary feed rod having an engaging head at the front end thereof adapted to engage the threaded part. A retractable detecting member is used to detect the presence of a threaded part in the holding member. The rotary feed rod is longitudinally movable wherein, first, the holding member holds the threaded part at or adjacent the end of a part feeding passage and is then longitudinally moved to a position where the threaded part is coaxial with the feed rod. The engaging head of the feed rod is then advanced, and substantially at the same time as the engaging head engages the threaded part the holding member is moved backward to allow the feed rod to be advanced. Thus, the threaded part is fed to a mating part, such as a threaded hole or a bolt, and tightened.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of a device for detaching portions of a planer workpiece of cardboard used in the folding box industry. The workpiece contains at least one blank for a folding box and adjoining waste pieces which are removed from the plane of the workpiece by the device. The device is formed of a plurality of breaking out pins inserted into a breaking out plate, the pins corresponding in position to the positions of the waste pieces of the blank. The apparatus includes a pressing element for pressing each breaking out pin into the breaking out plate and a magazine device for feeding the pins to the pressing element. A guide piece is associated with the magazine device and the pressing element which acts to guide each pin from the magazine. The guide piece is provided in the feed path of the of the magazine and is provided with a recess for receiving each individual breaking out pin.

Abstract: A device for feeding apertured parts by inserting a guide rod for a feed rod into the aperture of a part in the temporarily secured state. This device is characterized in that the feed rod has a flat cross-section and the amount of removal of its material on one side thereof is greater than on the other side, and in that a part locking section is provided on the ceiling of the temporarily securing chamber on the side where the amount of removal is greater. Further, a guide member is provided which extends parallel with the guide rod for preventing rotation of parts. The length of the guide rod is less than that of the guide member to provide a rolling space for parts.

Abstract: A machine for attaching hinges to a door and jamb member in an automatic or semi-automatic manner with the door edge and jamb face positioned in a generally vertical plane. The machine comprises a framework with a movable and longitudinally positionable carriage on which the following elements are integrated.1. An apparatus to hold a magazine of approximately 12 hinges (or butts) with fingers to move one hinge upward and position it on a receiving block, the fingers being retractable and movable downward to a ready position.2. A second apparatus to hopper feed screws from above apparatus number 1, wherein the screws move downward into apertures through the receiving block positioned for alignment with screw holes in the hinge leaves of the hinge positioned on the opposite side of the block.3. The third apparatus has means for rotating the loaded receiving block 90 degrees to a generally vertical plane, moving it against door edge and jamb face and engaging individual screwdriving motors to attach the hinge.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling a grommet and a wire ring for forming a peripheral reinforcement of an engine head gasket opening. Grommets and wire rings are supplied one by one on different supply devices and retained at first and second article retaining positions, respectively. A movable head moves toward the second retaining position and picks up a wire ring. The head then conveys the wire ring to the second retaining position, where the wire ring is placed overlappingly on the grommet. Thereafter, another movable head having a deforming die is moved against the overlapped grommet and wire ring and deforms a flange of the grommet radially outwardly, whereby the grommet prevents separation of the wire ring therefrom. The thus assembled grommet and wire ring are conveyed to a machine for attaching them to the gasket.

Abstract: A method for assembling an assembled shaft from a tubular or bar-shaped base member (R) and individual slid-on elements (N), especially a camshaft, with the elements being for example cams, gears or bearing bushes. In the method, the elements (N) are slid on to the base member (R) and are held in the required angular position to be fixed on the base member by magnetic forces. An apparatus for carrying out this method comprises a guiding device (13) for guiding the elements into their axial positions and magnetic holding means (5) operable to hold the elements in the required angular position.

Abstract: In an apparatus for producing a device for detaching portions of workpieces in plate, sheet or leaf form, in particular sheets of cardboard which are used in the folding box industry and which each include at least one blank for a folding box or the like, and adjoining waste pieces, a plurality of individual breaking-out pins are to be releasably fixed at a radial spacing (e) from each other on an elongate conveyor member, at the path of movement of which is disposed a piston or the like pressure element which is directed substantially parallel to at least one of the breaking-out pins and which is adapted to be moved towards a breaking-out pin and which is guided substantially at a right angle to a breaking-out plate to be fitted with breaking-out pins, wherein the conveyor member passes between the piston and the breaking-out plate.

Abstract: A magnetic means for centering a flexible elongated mandrel within a vertical passage (chute) without any physical connection between the mandrel and the passage surface. The mandrel carries a tapered nose piece that includes an elongated magnetized rod. An array of cooperating magnets is arranged around the perimeter of the passage, so that the magnetic circuits of the rod and perimeter magnets interact to produce a radial repulsion of the rod to a position on the passage axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the automatic removal and supply of needles in needle boards intended for the densification of fiber webs or non-woven fabrics into needle felts in which, in conformance with a prior art method intended only to supply needles and a corresponding apparatus, the needle bores of the needle board are addressed individually, a needle is held available in front of each addressed open needle bore and this needle is driven into the open needle bore, with the tricks of the needles being oriented in the proper position for installation.

Abstract: A machine that takes screws out of a hopper and delivers them to a screw driving station where they are driven by motor operated screw driver members to secure a hinge to a door and a jamb. Inside the hopper, a screw lifting member engages, lifts, aligns and delivers individual screws to a hopper discharge station. Pressurized air blows the screws from their respective discharge stations onto tracks, there being one track associated with each discharge station. Elongate transfer tubes positioned at the discharge end of the tracks deliver the screws to a movable head member which upon receiving a charge of screw members moves downwardly and inwardly to a fixed position screw driving station where a door and jamp are positioned. Screw driver members are brought into driving relation to associated screws by horizontally inward movement of a motor that rotates the screw driver members.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding a plurality of rigid steel elongate spacers into each of a plurality of travellers 22, the apparatus including the holding station 16, a retractable holding member 24, 25 which can be used to feed a single traveller into the holding station. A linear guide 30 is provided for guiding the spacers 62 to the holding station in a lengthwise direction and the first feed mechanism 32 is provided for feeding the spacers individually and separately along the guide to position with the leading edge of the spacer adjacent the holding station. A second feed mechanism 40 to 46 pushes a spacer 62 so positioned positively into and through a co-operating slot in the traveller 22 held in the holding station and a discharge member 68 discharges the traveller and its associated spacer from the holding station, when the holding member has been retracted.

Abstract: A machine that takes screws out of a hopper and delivers them to a screw driving station where they are driven by motor operated screw driver members to secure a hinge to a door and a jamb. Inside the hopper, a screw lifting member engages, lifts, aligns and delivers individual screws to a hopper discharge station. Pressurized air blows the screws from their respective discharge stations onto tracks, there being one track associated with each discharge station. Elongate transfer tubes positioned at the discharge end of the tracks deliver the screws to a movable head member which upon receiving a charge of screw members moves downwardly and inwardly to a fixed position screw driving station where a door and jamb are positioned. Screw driver members are brought into driving relation to associated screws by horizontally inward movement of a motor that rotates the screw driver members.

Abstract: An improved method of forming and assembling two-part merchandise display hooks, including new design features of the hook itself, enable two-part hooks to be manufactured and assembled at extremely low cost. Wire from a continuous length is gripped and bent to form the outer portion of the hook. The wire is then severed and bent in a single operation to form a hook-mounting portion. While the severed wire remains gripped by its shaped outer end, a preoriented and guided base member is applied over the just-formed mounting portion of the wire. A retractable bend-forming member is withdrawn when the base member is applied to the wire, to enable the bent portion to be fully received within the plastic base. Major manufacturing economies are realized.

Abstract: A machine that takes screws out of a hopper and delivers them to a screw driving station where they are driven by motor operated screw driver members to secure a hinge to a door and a jamb. Inside the hopper, a screw lifting member engages, lifts, aligns and delivers individual screws to a hopper discharge station. Pressurized air blows the screws from their respective discharge stations onto tracks, there being one track associated with each discharge station. Elongate transfer tubes positioned at the discharge end of the tracks deliver the screws to a movable head member which upon receiving a charge of screw members moves downwardly and inwardly to a fixed position screw driving station where a door and jamb are positioned. Screw driver members are brought into driving relation to associated screws by horizontally inward movement of a motor that rotates the screw driver members.

Abstract: An integrated and automated multistation machine is provided for placement and attachment of electrically conductive interconnectors onto solar cells and the like. The machine comprises a rotatable turntable for supporting a plurality of solar cells in respective association with a corresponding plurality of operating stations and then for indexing the solar cells to the next operating stations in sequence. More particularly, the machine includes a cell loading station for transfer of a solar cell from a loading magazine and for precision placement onto one of a plurality of cell-supporting fixtures carried by the turntable. The turntable indexes the solar cells one at a time on the fixtures from the cell loading station first to a flux station whereat a liquid flux material is applied to predetermined points on the cell.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method and apparatus for substantially automatically setting needles of needle boards of machines for the production of textile needle-felt webs, with needles of which the rear shaft end is bent by 90.degree.

Abstract: Two spaced stacks of magnetically soft E-cores, (17 and 18) are supported in spaced relation by pairs of magnets (38 and 39) on opposite sides of each stack. A pair of shuttles (41 and 47) move alternately toward and away from each other and under the stacks to pick off the lower core in each stack. The shuttles alternately advance the cores into a transformer frame (10) where a pair of magnets (66 and 67) are effective to hold the cores in an assembled position within the frame while the shuttles return for another E-core feeding operation. Entry of the cores into the frame is facilitated by a pair of rotating drums (71 and 72) having staggered arrays of magnets (78 and 79) which act to rapidly vibrate the E-cores (17 and 18) and thus prevent lodging of the cores against the frame.

Abstract: Hanger bolts are delivered one-by-one from a hopper and each is picked up by a reciprocating holder which shifts the bolt laterally and broadwise into alinement with a power-rotated chuck. The bolt then is pushed endwise into the chuck by a furniture leg and is threaded into the leg as an incident to being turned about its own axis by the chuck. A shelf, a gate and an escapement coact to effect delivery of the bolts from the hopper to the holder in timed relation with the reciprocation of the holder.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing at least one washer-shaped component, e.g., washer and the like, on an elongated object, e.g., nail, screw, rivet and the like comprises:Moveable carrier having at least one receptacle aligned with the groove therein; elongated object inlet to supply elongated objects to the carrier; magnetic elements located at least partially within the groove for attracting and holding elongated objects; inlet means to supply washer-shaped components to the receptacles; assembly plane to urge the elongated object held by the magnetic element through the hole in the washer-shaped component in the receptacle; and an exit for removing and recovering the elongated object and washer-shaped component combination from the carrier.An improved method for placing washer-shaped components on elongated objects has also been discovered.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing lamp envelopes for axial-geometry incandescent lamps comprises a plurality of magazines for receiving stacks of lamp envelope components and a transport moveable with respect to the magazines and having component-receiving platforms alignable with ends of the magazines. The platforms are supported on rotatable hubs and the hubs have axial bores through which components are pushed onto the platforms by pusher means. The hubs are supported at one end of a transport arm, the other end of the arm being supported for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the hubs so that the transport arm may be moved relative to the magazines. An arrangement of holding magnets and spring-biased slotted plates associated with the platforms controls the holding and release of components.