Abstract: An igniter electrode assembly for gas ignition of an oven burner includes a pop-in and pop-out feature that allows for the easy installation, removal, and replacement of an igniter electrode. The feature allows maintenance access to the igniter electrode without any tools or the need to disassemble the burner assembly. A bushing surrounds the igniter electrode and is held in position by set screws. Ball plungers screwed into the burner plate guide the bushing along keyways in the bushing surface. The ball plungers securely snap into recesses located at the end of the keyways. The invention allows for precision positioning of the igniter electrode tip and repeatability of positioning without having to readjust the igniter electrode or the bushing.

Abstract: A spring loaded or mechanically activated detent for a microphone stand that allows for quick disassembly and re-assembly. The microphone main shaft (102) is terminated at the lower end with a circumferential raceway or slot (44). The base has a coaxial matching cavity that accepts the lower end of the microphone shaft. At a depth to match the raceway, a spring loaded ram, positioned radially, extends into and mates with the raceway to secure the shaft to the base. In another preferred embodiment a spring clip or a stiff clip can be mechanically inserted through a radially extended opening in the base to engage the slot in the lower end of the shaft. There may be other such rams distributed around the circumference of the shaft. In another preferred embodiment the raceway may extend only partially around the circumference of the shaft. The raceway will be of a uniform depth for some arc length ending with a lip and a ramp up to the surface.

Abstract: A lock including a lock bolt (12) equipped with a locking body (14) of cylindrical overall shape intended to be locked by snap-fitting into a locking orifice (16) of complementary shape made in a striker plate (18). The lock bolt (12) additionally includes an anti-hammer ring (76) surrounding a region of the locking body (14) which, when the lock bolt (12) is locked, is in contact with the periphery of the locking orifice (16). As a preference, the body (14) is equipped with a releasable snap-fitting mechanism including bearing limits (40) for axial bearing which are intended to interact with a first face (36) of the striker plate, and at least one retractable locking ball (42) intended to interact with a second face (38) of the striker plate. When the lock bolt (12) is locked, the anti-hammer ring (76) extends axially between the bearing elements (40) and the ball (42), lying adjacent to the first face (36) of the striker plate.

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: A tool bit retaining assembly for a tool of a type having a tool bit receptacle and a spring receiving region with a hole opening into the receptacle and a tool bit insertable into the receptacle. The tool bit has a transverse groove proximate an insertion end thereof, and includes a ball bearing with a diameter only slightly larger than that of the hole such that upon being pressed against the hole the ball bearing extends through the hole into the receptacle and engages the transverse groove in said tool bit. A split ring spring having a split extending from one end to the other with a portion transverse to the axis thereof is positionable around said spring receiving region such that the transverse portion of the split is opposite the ball bearing.

Abstract: A retainer apparatus is used to releasably retain a socket wrench member on the plug of the driving head of a rotary lever. The retainer apparatus includes a connecting rod, a control rod and a sleeving ring. The connecting rod has an bore formed in an end surface thereof, in which the control rod is disposed. A retaining pin is passed through the position limiting hole of the connecting rod to interconnect the sleeving ring and the control rod, so that actuation of the sleeving ring can rotate the control rod relative to the connecting rod. The control rod has a circumferential extending retaining groove which is gradually deepened from a narrow end portion to a deep end portion. A retaining ball is positioned in the narrow end portion of the retaining groove and extends through a retaining hole of the connecting rod and into one of four retaining holes of the socket wrench member, so as to retain the socket wrench member on the connecting rod.

Abstract: The invention features a universal harness board for wiring harnesses of different configurations. The board is of box-like construction. A plurality of pins are disposed inside the board. The pins are spring biased to extend above the work surface of the board. Each pin has a locking mechanism to hold it in a retracted position until a plunger is depressed to release it to its extended position. The release of certain ones of the pins will provide the desired wiring pattern.

Abstract: A printwheel detent disengaging mechanism enables low-torque high-speed automatic printwheel setting. In the engaged position spring-loaded ball in a rotatable shaft bears on a detent ball disposed in a bore in a sleeve surrounding the shaft to cam the detent ball into detent vees of the printwheel. When the shaft is rotated so that the spring-laded ball no longer bears on the detent ball, the detent force is removed and low torque printwheel setting may be accomplished. When setting is completed, the shaft is rotated back into position where the spring-loaded ball bears on the detent ball.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool for compressing a helical spring of the type typically used in a MacPherson strut suspension system. The tool comprises a pair of spaced apart shoes each having a helical groove formed therein for engaging a portion of the coil of the spring. Each shoe also includes a latchable locking device extendible over the respective helical groove for maintaining the coil of the spring within the groove during the compression operation. The two shoes are maintained in a spaced apart relationship with the associated grooves in facing relationship to one another by a threaded shank member. The threaded shank member includes a separate tool engaging configuration on each end thereof and is employed to effect movement of the spaced apart shoes toward and away from one another during the operation of the tool.

Abstract: A ball locking mechanism for the releasable locking of a movable part comprises a locking or arresting ball arranged in at least one bore of a stationary or fixed part or component and can be pushed, by means of a slide member, into one of a number of bores of the movable part or element, so that such movable part can be locked in place. For unlocking, the slide member is displaced until a bore thereof comes to lie essentially coaxially with respect to the remaining bores. Then, the ball moves out of the aforementioned one bore of the movable part. The movable part can then be displaced until a further similar bore thereof comes to lie essentially coaxially with respect to the bore of the fixed part. By means of the pressure of a spring, exerted upon the slide member, the ball then is again pushed into this further bore.

Abstract: A turbocharger comprising a center housing and a compressor housing. The compressor housing is fixed onto the center housing in such a way that the cylindrical inner wall of the compressor housing is fitted onto the cylindrical outer wall of the center housing. A single ring groove is formed on the cylindrical inner wall of the compressor housing. A snap ring and an O ring are fitted into the single ring groove for fixing the compressor housing onto the center housing while sealing therebetween.

Abstract: A releasable latching mechanism for a checkrein having a body fixed to a harness and in which is removably accommodated an anchor secured at one end to a checkrein. Locking balls are accommodated in openings formed in a wall of the body, the balls being of larger diameter than the thickness of the body wall. An operating sleeve is mounted on the body for sliding movements between positions in which the anchor member is latched and released. When the operating sleeve is in its anchor latching position the inner surface of the sleeve bears against the locking balls and forces them inwardly of the body so that portions of such balls project into an annular groove formed in the anchor member, thereby preventing separation of the anchor member from the body.

Abstract: A roller comprising an elongated shaft and a roller assembly mounted for rotation on the elongated shaft. The roller assembly is retained on the shaft by a detent which is resiliently urged radially inwardly so that a portion of the detent is received in an annular groove on the shaft. This does not interfere with the rotation of the roller assembly on the shaft and it facilitates rapid installation and removal of the roller assembly. A roller of this type may be used, for example, as one of the rollers for a label applicator of the type which feeds labels carried by a backing strip.

Abstract: A telescoping-type connector comprising outer and inner telescoping members, the inner telescoping member defining an outer circumferential groove, and adapted to sealingly fit in telescoping relation within an aperture of the outer telescoping member. The outer telescoping member includes retention means for releasably projecting into the outer circumferential groove, to retain the inner and outer members in the desired sealing, telescoping relation. In accordance with this invention, the inner telescoping member defines, between the circumferential groove and the forward end of the inner member relative to the outer member, a recessed portion on its outer surface for facilitating molding and the like. Ribbed members are positioned within the recessed portion, to prevent the retention means from projecting therein and providing inadequate locking of the connector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool for compressing a helical spring of the type typically used in a MacPherson strut suspension system. The tool comprises a pair of spaced apart shoes each having a helical groove formed therein for engaging a portion of the coil of the spring. Each shoe also includes a latchable locking device extendible over the respective helical groove for maintaining the coil of the spring within the groove during the compression operation. The two shoes are maintained in a spaced apart relationship with the associated grooves in facing relationship to one another by a threaded shank member. The threaded shank member includes a separate tool engaging configuration on each end thereof and is employed to effect movement of the spaced apart shoes toward and away from one another during the operation of the tool.