Abstract: A crawler frame has a crawler frame outer surface that is opposite to a surface via which the crawler frame is attached to a traveling body main part in the left-right direction. A bracket includes an attaching part, a circuitous part, and a crawler lifting section. The attaching part is attached to the crawler frame outer surface. The circuitous part is partially arranged below and above a crawler belt on an outer side thereof in the left-right direction, and extends around the crawler belt. The crawler lifting section is connected to the circuitous part and arranged above the crawler belt for receiving the crawler lifting tool.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to a robotic gripper to hold a writing and object creation device for writing and object creation. The robotic gripper includes clamping unit, spring loaded slider unit and outer housing unit. The clamping unit include a finger collet with three or more flexible finger positions equispaced within 360 degrees with two areas of contact on each finger in front part for firm gripping. The spring loaded slider unit include a middle housing to transfer a force from the writing and object creation device to a force sensitive resistor (FSR). A micro actuator induces a required force to the writing and object creation device based on feedback from the force sensitive resistor. The middle housing includes a plunger shaft connected with a preload spring. The outer housing unit configured to hold a micro actuator, cotter pins, locator pins to the micro actuator, and a push pull key.

Abstract: A chuck for holding a mounting component including: multiple claw units each having multiple claws configured to contact a section to be held of a component to be mounted on a board, the claw units being arranged at predetermined positions separated from each other; and a claw unit opening and closing mechanism configured to open and close each of the multiple claw units.

Abstract: A tool chucking device, especially an oscillation tool chucking device, includes at least one chucking unit which has at least one pin-type chucking element for clamping a treatment tool in an axial direction and at least one grip head arranged on the chucking element. The tool chucking device further includes at least one movement conversion unit which is designed to displace at least the grip head at least substantially along the axial direction into at least one direction different from the axial direction depending on the movement of the chucking element.

Abstract: In one aspect, an elastically averaged alignment system includes a first component having an interior cavity and an alignment member positioned at least partially within the interior cavity, a second component having an inner wall defining an alignment aperture, the alignment aperture configured to receive the alignment member to couple the first component and the second component, and a third component seated within the interior cavity. The alignment member is an elastically deformable material such that (a) when the third component is inserted into the interior cavity, the alignment member elastically deforms to an elastically averaged configuration to facilitate aligning the third component and the first component in a desired orientation, and (b) when the alignment member is inserted into the alignment aperture, the alignment member further elastically deforms to an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate aligning the first component and the second component in a desired orientation.

Abstract: A tubular handling apparatus including a tubular member running tool adapted to provide load-bearing, and preferably torquing, capacity upon the gripping of a tubular is provided. The running tool includes a slotted member having a plurality of elongated slots, a recessed member associated with the slotted member and having a plurality of recesses, and a plurality of gripping elements disposed between the slotted member and recessed member. Each such gripping element is adapted to move with an engaged tubular so as to grip the tubular. A tubular member elevator associated to the running tool, as well as related floor slips, are also encompassed. Methods of casing running are also included.

Abstract: A fastener comprises a housing, a pintle and a locking feature. The housing includes a shaft, a central bore that extends axially at least partially through the housing and a ball lock aperture extending from the bore radially out through the shaft. The pintle is positioned within the bore and includes an actuation end and a rod that extends axially from the actuation end. The rod includes a ball transitioning surface and a ball locking surface. The pintle is moveable axially within the bore between a designated lock position where the ball locking surface of the pintle is aligned in register with each ball lock aperture urging a locking ball through the ball lock aperture, and a designated unlocked position where the ball lock surface of the pintle is moved axially away from each ball lock aperture allowing the locking ball to recess into the housing.

Abstract: A system for handling an object comprises a guide plate, a center hub rotatable relative to the guide plate, a plurality of slots disposed in the guide plate, and a plurality of arms each having first and second ends. The first end of each of the plurality of arms is coupled to the center hub, and the second end of each of the plurality of arms is coupled to an associated slot of the plurality of slots. Rotation of the center hub in a first direction causes the second end of each of the plurality of arms to move radially outward within the associated slot in an extended state. An outer surface of a first arm of the plurality of arms may be nested against an inner surface of a second arm of the plurality of arms in a retracted state.

Abstract: A robotic claw includes a sleeve, a rod, a plurality of balls and a plunger. The sleeve comprises a mounting portion and a clamping portion. A mounting hole defined at an end of the mounting portion. A plurality of receiving through holes defined in the clamping portion, and an assembling hole communicating with the receiving through hole, and is defined at an end of the clamping portion. The balls are movably received in the receiving through holes correspondingly. The rod comprises an urging portion movably received in the sleeve to push the balls toward the receiving through holes. The plunger seals the assembling hole to prevent the balls from dropping out of the receiving through holes, and the balls can be mounted in the receiving through holes through the assembling hole.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a tire and a wheel is disclosed. The apparatus includes a single-cell workstation including a device that retains a wheel, and a plurality of sub-stations. The device moves the wheel to each of the plurality of sub-stations, without releasing the wheel, to assemble a tire-wheel assembly. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A power-driven hand tool is disclosed comprising a housing, a work spindle for driving a tool, which tool can be located between a tool end of the work spindle and a fixing mechanism, further comprising a displacing mechanism with a clamping lever, adapted to pivot about a pivot axis for displacing the fixing mechanism between a releasing position, in which the fixing mechanism can be released from the work spindle, and a clamping position in which the fixing mechanism is clamped on the work spindle by a spring. An impeding mechanism is provided that interacts with the clamping lever for impeding the pivoting movement of the clamping lever between the releasing position and the clamping position.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a tire and a wheel is disclosed. The apparatus includes a single-cell workstation including a device that retains a wheel, and a plurality of sub-stations. The device moves the wheel to each of the plurality of sub-stations, without releasing the wheel, to assemble a tire-wheel assembly. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vial conveyance device which includes, in order to hold and release a vial, at least two arms that can be opened and closed, an urging member that urges the arms in an opening direction, a frame body for opening and closing the arms, and a frame body stopper that stops the frame body in a state in which the arms are closed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connection system for use with an active or passive protection device that minimizes weight. In accordance with the present invention, a single stem connection system for use with an active protection device includes a single bent cable that is attached to the single cable terminal of the active protection device. A stem tube is fitted over a portion of the bent cable giving the appearance and benefits of a single stem. However, a portion of the bent cable is left separated thereby automatically forming a clip-in point for the entire active protection device. Unlike conventional single stem connection systems, the single stem system in accordance with the present invention only requires coupling the cable to the cable terminal thereby reducing manufacturing cost and minimizing overall weight. Alternatively, a similar connection system can be used with a passive protection device to provide many of the same benefits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connection system for use with an active or passive protection device that minimizes weight. In accordance with the present invention, a single stem connection system for use with an active protection device includes a single bent cable that is attached to the single cable terminal of the active protection device. A stem tube is fitted over a portion of the bent cable giving the appearance and benefits of a single stem. However, a portion of the bent cable is left separated thereby automatically forming a clip-in point for the entire active protection device. Unlike conventional single stem connection systems, the single stem system in accordance with the present invention only requires coupling the cable to the cable terminal thereby reducing manufacturing cost and minimizing overall weight. Alternatively, a similar connection system can be used with a passive protection device to provide many of the same benefits.

Abstract: An assembly system includes an electronic component, a gripper, and a socket. The electronic component has sides and a top face, the top face has a top-face peripheral area and a top-face central area. The gripper has a gripper head, the gripper head being movable to an open and closed position. The gripper head has an extension configured to contact opposing sides of the electronic component when the gripper head is in the closed position, and a surface configured to contact the top-face peripheral area of the electronic component when the gripper head is in the closed position. The socket has a top peripheral surface. An insertion depth guide is associated with the gripper head and has a depth guide with a bottom surface configured to contact the top peripheral surface of the socket. A method for assembly is also included.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for applying tags with attached elastic anchor bands onto the tops of objects such as bottles in a high speed packaging application. The apparatus includes an infeed assembly for feeding a web in which multitudes of tags and bands are defined by score lines along which the tags and bands are detachable from the web. A conveyor assembly receives the web and conveys it along a path in an upstream direction. A rotating selector wheel bearing peripheral vacuum cups is disposed above the path and a rotating placing assembly is disposed below the path. The placement assembly includes an array of radially arrayed openable and closable jaw assemblies having extendable and retractable pins at their distal ends. As the web approaches the selector wheel and placing assembly, the adjacent pins of a pair of adjacent closed jaw assembles rotate up through the elastic band of each tag to capture the elastic band.

Abstract: A gripping element (1) for gripping plastic containers with mouths, and in particular preforms, comprising a carrier (2) on which there is arranged a gripping head (4) which can be introduced at least partially into a mouth of the plastic container. According to the invention, arranged on the gripping head (4) is at least one holding element (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e) which is at least partially movable in a radial direction (R) in relation to the gripping head (4) to secure the container relative to the gripping head (4).

Abstract: A mooring connector or pipeline recovery tool comprising a mandrel (10) around which is concentrically disposed a ball cage (11) having balls (12) protruding therefrom so that relative longitudinal movement of the mandrel (10) and ball cage (11) causes the balls to ascend ramped surfaces of the mandrel (10) thus to protrude outwardly through the ball cage (11). The conventional arrangement of balls in regular rows and columns is replaced by helical rows or random arrays of the balls thus to avoid excessive grooving and deformation of the wall of a receptor into which the connector is inserted.

Abstract: An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals, particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled container, applying a closure to the filled, labeled container, and offloading the container to a designated location. Preferably, the tablets are dispensed with high speed dispensing bins that employ forced air to agitate and singulate the tablets. The other functions within the system are typically carried out at stations designed to offer speed, flexibility and precision to the dispensing operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an exchangeable tool having a tool body with a receiving end for holding the tool in a receiving structure, wherein a connector is arranged in the tool body for providing a substantially non-rotatable connection with a manipulator for manipulating the tool into and out from the receiving structure, to a combination of such tool with a manipulator for manipulating the tool into and out from a receiving structure, and to a method for manipulating such tool into and out from a receiving structure.

Abstract: A tubular handling apparatus comprising a slotted member having a plurality of elongated slots each extending in a direction, a recessed member slidably coupled to the slotted member and having a plurality of recesses each tapered in the direction from a shallow end to a deep end, and a plurality of rolling members each retained between one of the recesses and one of the slots, wherein each rolling member partially extends through the adjacent slot when located in the shallow end of the recess, and wherein each rolling member retracts within an outer perimeter of the slotted member when located in a deep end of the recess. The apparatus may further comprise a plurality of biasing elements each biasing a corresponding one of the rolling members towards the shallow end of the corresponding recess.

Abstract: A manipulator for servicing tubes extending through a tube sheet having three major components: a base member, a block member, and a foot member. The base member has a holder for supporting tooling or inspection devices. The base member also has at least one gripper for releasably gripping a tube extending through the tube sheet. The block member is connected to the base member for linear movement and rotation relative to the base member. The foot member is connected to the block member for linear movement relative to the block member. The foot member has at least one, and preferably two grippers, for releasably gripping a tube extending through the tube sheet. The manipulator supports itself using the two sets of expandable and translatable grippers that anchor into the tube ends and can move from tube to tube by alternately engaging each set of grippers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual stem active camming device including a plurality of compression springs independently coupled to a plurality of cam lobes. The compression springs are positioned between the trigger and the clip-in point of the cam to protect the springs from damage and allow the trigger to compress the springs upon retraction. A flexible stem tube is positioned over the portion of the dual stem between the trigger and the cable terminals. The flexible stem tube shields the trigger wires from debris and abrasion. A rigid yoke is also positioned over the dual stem between the stem tube and cable terminals. The rigid yoke prevents uneven lateral bending on the head of the camming device that may otherwise cause the device to pull out of a placement. The cable terminals are positioned between the outer cam lobes and on either side of the inner cam lobe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an active camming device including a plurality of non-flat camming surfaces. In accordance with the present invention, the opposing camming surfaces are shaped to include substantially concave and convex surfaces respectively. In one embodiment, each individual cam lobe is shaped in a substantially concave or convex manner to form a cam surface. In another embodiment, a plurality of cam lobes disposed on a single side of a device, are shaped to provide a combined substantially concave or convex surface. The convex surface or surfaces are always disposed opposite of the concave surface or surfaces to provide an increased stability in uneven recesses. Non-flat camming surfaces increase the stability of a camming device in irregular recesses by increasing the number of connection points between the device and the recess.

Abstract: A substrate dual-side processing apparatus has a processor to apply a specific process to a front surface and a rear surface of a substrate, a reversing unit to reverse the substrate and a substrate-transfer mechanism to transfer the substrate between the processor and the reversing unit. The reversing unit has a holder for holding the substrate when the substrate is being transferred to and from the substrate-transfer mechanism and a rotating mechanism for rotating the substrate, thus the substrate being reversed while held by the holders. The reversing unit may have a pair of holders for holding the substrate at the front and rear surfaces, a drive mechanism for driving the pair of holders so that the holders become close to or apart from each other and a rotating mechanism for rotating the substrate, thus the substrate being reversed while held by the holders.

Abstract: An object manipulation system is provided including a plurality of objects arranged in an object plane, an X-Y positioner, and an object manipulator. The X-Y positioner is arranged to move within an X-Y plane displaced from and parallel to the object plane. The object manipulator is coupled to the X-Y positioner so as to be movable with the X-Y positioner. The object manipulator comprises a rotary turret assembly and a plurality of gripper assemblies. The rotary turret assembly defines a plurality of gripper assembly stations and a gripper pick/place position. The rotary turret assembly is arranged to rotate the gripper assembly stations about a turret axis so as to position a selected one of the gripper assembly stations in the pick/place position. The gripper assemblies are arranged in respective ones of the gripper assembly stations.

Abstract: A gripper, has a frame for movably guiding four radially movable gripper jaws in four shafts which extend radially outwards. An arbor is disposed centrally between longitudinal carriers of the frame in parallel relationship thereto, whereby the arbor, at least over a portion of its length, is conically tapered downwardly and can be shifted longitudinally by a piston-cylinder unit. The gripper jaws are spring biased radial against the arbor, whereby the contact surfaces of the gripper jaws are configured in conformity with the outer arbor surface. Each gripper jaw includes a plate-shaped central element and at least two parallel plate-shaped lateral elements which are laterally disposed to the central element and include a depression directed towards the outer side of the gripper jaw and having a cross-section, which, as viewed in the direction of the lateral surface of the lateral element, may have the shape of an isosceles triangle.

Abstract: A gripper, has a frame for movably guiding four radially movable gripper jaws in four shafts which extend radially outwards. An arbor is disposed centrally between longitudinal carriers of the frame in parallel relationship thereto, whereby the arbor, at least over a portion of its lengths, is conically tapered downwardly and can be shifted longitudinally by a piston-cylinder unit. The gripper jaws are spring biased radial against the arbor, whereby the contact surfaces of the gripper jaws are configured in conformity with the outer arbor surface. Each gripper jaw includes a plate-shaped central element and at least two parallel plate-shaped lateral elements which are laterally disposed to the central element and include a depression directed towards the outer side of the gripper jaw and having a cross-section, which, as viewed in the direction of the lateral surface of the lateral element, may have the shape of an isosceles triangle.

Abstract: A method of handling containers, for instance beverage containers, such as bottles, flasks, cans, etc. that shall be distributed to retailers in shallow trays suitable for display purposes. The trays are constructed to enable several container-loaded trays to be stacked one upon the other. Container-loaded trays are lifted by moving a number of carrier-supported grippers (9) into a corresponding number of upwardly open holes (6) provided in the tray in interspaces between the containers. The lifting devices are brought into engagement with the walls defining the holes and the tray can then be lifted and handled with the tray suspended by the carrier (8).

Abstract: Device to grip and manipulate bobbins of textile thread, used to grip, move and transport cops (10) after the textile thread has been wound on, the cops (10) having an inner cavity (10c) and flanges (10b) at the ends, the device being suitable to cooperate with at least one end of the cop (10), the end of the cop (10) including toothed clamping means (18) protruding therefrom and facing outwards, the gripper device including at least a central body (13) suitable to be inserted at least partly inside the inner cavity (10c) of the cop (10) and cooperating with the wall of the inner cavity (10c), the central body (13) being associated with an elastic type clamp/release device governed by the activation of at least a drive button (14), the clamp/release device including a first position of elastic clamping and a second release position.

Abstract: A hoist assembly having a swiveling head with a pivoting shackle. A lift swivel is captured by a housing and is rotatable relative to the housing. A shackle assembly including a hoist ring is fastened to the lift swivel. A lift bolt is threaded into the housing opposite the shackle assembly. The lift bolt includes an axially extending shaft for threading into a corresponding hole in a structure to be lifted. The end of the shaft in the hole is expandable to lock the shaft in the structure hole. A retainer such as a snap ring, or a jam ring and setscrews may be provided to securely lock the lift bolt to the housing. The lift bolt is threaded into the housing by a tool extending through the lift swivel or from the opposite end.

Abstract: Prior lifting probes automatically release from the core of the paper roll as soon as the roll is placed on a surface and the lifting pressure from the cable is released. In some situations that can be undesirable, since some adjustment or juggling of the paper rolls may be required by the crane operator after the roll has first been placed on a surface. It is preferable that the release of the probe can be made remotely at the discretion of the operator to avoid the danger of a worker in close proximity to the cable, lifting probe and paper roll. The present invention provides a power-actuated cylinder to remotely release the lifting probe from the paper roll.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a robot that can transfer a workpiece, such as a silicon wafer, at increased speeds and accelerations/decelerations. More particularly, the present invention provides a robot wrist for mechanically clamping a workpiece to a workpiece handling member of an extendable robot arm. The wafer clamp selectively applies sufficient force to center the workpiece and prevent slippage and damage to the workpiece during rapid rotation and radial movement of the handling member. In one embodiment, a clamp for securing silicon wafers uses two independent clamp fingers to position and hold the wafer with minimal particle generation and wafer damage. The clamp is designed so that wafers are normally clamped except during full extension of the wafer handling member to deliver or pickup a wafer.

Abstract: A compact disc coating apparatus includes a first station for dispensing a quantity of lacquer on the disc surface and for spinning the disc to distribute a coating of lacquer over the disc surface, a second station, and a transfer assembly. The transfer assembly includes a pickup head for loading the disc into the first station and a gripper for transferring the disc from the first station to the second station. The gripper includes a rotatable disc gripping mechanism which clamps the disc during spinning at the first station. As soon as the disc stops spinning, the gripper lifts the disc from the first station.

Abstract: A clamping arrangement employs a rotatable element, such as a ball, driven by a cam to apply a biasing force to an article desired to be clamped. The ball is contained within a housing having first and second through-holes arranged substantially orthogonal to one another. An elongated cam enters through one of the through-holes, and urges the ball to protrude through the other through-hole. The ball is larger than the through-hole through which it protrudes, and therefore does not exit the housing. In one embodiment, the cam is urged into communication with the ball by the application of air pressure to a pneumatic cylinder. The air pressure can be controlled to ensure that the biasing force applied by the ball is applied gently and resiliently to avoid jarring the article to be clamped, and displacing its contents. A position sensor is employed to provide an indication of the location of the pneumatic piston.

Abstract: The carrier opener system has a channel and guide pins for retaining and accurately positioning a carrier which has a component captured therein. A driver moves from a first to a second position and moves a carriage from a first to a second position where guide pins positively locate the carrier and release fingers enter the carrier. Motion of the driver from the second to the third position does not move the carrier, but moves the release fingers to engage in the carrier to uncaptivate the component for its subsequent removal. In this way, a carrier is accurately positioned and its component is precisely released.

Abstract: The lower part (31) of the pole (10) carries an expansible bush (40) engaged and fixed on the outer surface of the part (31) by one of the ends (41) of the bush and comprising longitudinally extending slots defining resiliently bendable strips. A group of balls (39) mounted to be radially movable in openings (38) in the lower part (31) of the pole (10) and bearing against the bendable strips of the expansion bush are movable between a retracted position and a position for expanding the bush (40), by a cylindrical cam (36) connected to an actuating rod (20). The device permits inserting the locking sleeve (8) in the guide tube (13) without risk of deformation of the end strips of the guide tube (13).

Abstract: There is disclosed a chuck assembly for engaging the inner surface of a hollow substrate comprising: (a) a fluid impermeable elastic membrane including a substrate engaging portion, wherein the inner surface of the membrane defines an interior space; and (b) a plurality of radially movable members at least partially disposed in the interior space, wherein the membrane is dimensioned to provide a radially inward force on the members, wherein the members in a radially expanded position push the substrate engaging portion of the membrane against the substrate inner surface, and wherein the peripheral dimension of the elastic membrane decreases when the members are in a radially contracted position.

Abstract: A device for gripping and handling objects with a hole, such as compact discs, comprises a hollow carrier to be placed against the object at the hole, which carrier has an extremity directed toward the object which extremity is internally provided with at least two gripping fingers, which can be displaced relative to each other in radial direction of the hole to be engaged, in order to grip a peripheral edge of the hole with outwardly directed barbs at free extremities of the fingers and which can be displaced in axial direction to move the fingers out of the extremity of the carrier. The fingers are controlled by cooperating cams on both the carrier and fingers. These cams are fixedly connected to the carrier and the finger respectively and have such a shape that during the first part of displacement of the fingers from the extremity, the barbs define a first radius and during a second part of the displacement, the barbs define a second radius smaller than the first radius.

Abstract: A robotic system for inserting cylinder liners into the cylinder block from an internal combustion engine includes an articulated robot arm for cycling an end effector between a dunnage unloading position and a cylinder insertion position. The end effector, which is attached to the robot arm, picks liners from dunnage and places the liners in the cylinder bores of the cylinder block. The end effector includes remotely deployable combination teeth for gripping the liners to permit removal from their dunnage and for aligning the end effector and liner into the cylinder bores to permit insertion of the liners.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling concentric cylindrical members through the selective radial enlargement of one of the coupling components comprising a fixed collar having a cylindrical interior bore of a common diameter and with an exterior cross section of varying diameters. The apparatus further includes an adjustable component which has an upper half and a lower half and a central bore extending therethrough with an inboard end forming a flange of an intermediate diameter positionable over the intermediate section of the collar and having a enlarged diameter thereadjacent for being positioned over the outboard section of the collar and having an outboardly tapering intermediate section with its greatest diameter at the outboard end and its smallest diameter at its inboard end joining at its inboard end with the enlarged diameter.

Abstract: Prior lifting probes are heavy and awkward to manipulate and operate, and require that the paper roll be destroyed if the probe is jammed in the core of the roll. The present invention allows the main body of the device to be removed if the probe jams to have access to the core, and release the load automatically when the load is set down.

Abstract: An improved tool for removing the highly contaminated inner filter from a control rod drive during a maintenance operation. The tool may also be used to install the inner filter by pushing the inner filter on and locking the spring clip onto flats of the center lug of the control rod drive stop piston. The tool has a collet with flexible fingers which are inserted inside the inner filter while flexed radially inward. After the collet is inserted, a retractable cam with a conical bearing surface is retracted to a position whereat it urges the collet fingers radially outward to clamp the collet onto the inner filter. The locked filter must be rotated before removal. With the inner filter coupled to the collet, the tool is then pulled out to remove the inner filter from the control rod drive.

Abstract: An end effector for a robotic assembly for acquiring and manipulating articles having a substantially cylindrical aperture therein. The end effector has a cylindrical gripping portion having radially expandable fingers and a collar portion adapted to bear on the article. When the fingers are inserted into the aperture in the article and expanded the object is gripped over a large portion of the circumference of the aperture. The article is then translated from a vertical to horizontal position. The gripping portion is provided with a flat portion to allow the article to be contacted against a stop for easy withdrawal of the fingers. The entire cylindrical gripping portion is flexibly mounted to the robotic assembly to allow acquisition of an article presented to the gripping portion of the end effector in an off vertical alignment.

Abstract: An improved tire lift mechanism is disclosed in which a drive tube selectively rotates a driven shaft to raise and lower a cable fixed to a spare tire. The drive tube is connected to the driven shaft through a connection formed of a plurality of circumferentially-spaced pins which are received within notches in the driven shaft. Spaces are provided between the drive pins. Liquids in the area of the connection drain outwardly of the spaces and do not freeze in the area, which could prevent use of the tire lift mechanism. A spring is disposed between the driven shaft and the drive tube to eliminate looseness, and resultant rattling. Finally, a method of assembling the tire lift mechanism is disclosed in which the drive tube is formed of a pair of telescopic tube members. The members are telescopically moved relative to each other to a collapsed position, and the mechanism is fixed to the underside of a vehicle.

Abstract: A lifting device for lifting and releasing a compact disk. The lifting device including a pair of fins extended by a plunger and retracted by an O-ring contacting the fins at their outer edge.

Abstract: An improved clamping mechanism for removably clamping an object having at least two jaws that clampingly engage surfaces upon the object. This clamping mechanism utilizes a housing that has a chamber and a plurality of passages that lead radially from the chamber through the housing walls. A camming member is disposed within the chamber and is engaged with a plurality of follower members that are partially disposed within the radial passages. An actuating member actuates this camming member axially within the chamber to cam the follower members radially inward or outward, thereby radially displacing the jaws which are attached to the follower members. Since the follower members are shaped to correspond with the radial passages, the follower members slidingly engage with the radial passages. This engagement between the follower members and the passage walls restricts the displacement of the follower members, and thus the jaws, to purely translational displacement, radially inward and outward.

Abstract: A wheel handling apparatus has an upright frame movably supporting a carrier connected to a wheel holder and a power unit for operating the wheel holder. A winch mounted on the carrier is used to move the carrier along the frame. The wheel holder has a body rotatably mounted on the carrier and a cone head connected to the power unit. The body supports arms that are moved into engagement with a wheel when the head is moved by the power unit into the body.

Abstract: A recovery head for use in retrieving a submerged pipeline to the water surface. The recovery head includes a center of gravity arm attached to one end of the recovery head by a connecting pin. The center of gravity arm maintains the recovery head in a level orientation to allow divers or an ROV to more easily insert the head into the pipeline. After insertion into the pipeline, the center of gravity arm is removed from the recovery head. With the center of gravity arm removed, the recovery head does not obstruct or interfere with any steps involved in the actual retrieval and securing of the pipeline on the lay barge. The rear portion of the recovery head includes two T-posts which connect to oval links attached to the end of a retrieving cable. The links are such that, when placed over the T-posts and the retrieval cable is pulled to retrieve the pipeline to the surface, the links rotate.