Abstract: An actuation system used to actuate one or more buttons on a remote control device, such as a key fob, based upon commands that are generated from a mobile device. The actuation system includes an isolation enclosure that prevents RF signals from entering into or leaving an open interior of the enclosure. The enclosure surrounds a controller, a button actuator and the remote control device. The controller receives the command signals from the mobile device and converts the command signals into position commands that are used to activate the button actuator to move the plunger into alignment with one of the buttons on the key fob. The button actuator moves the plunger into contact with one of the buttons which generates an RF signal from the key fob. The controller utilizes a transmitting antenna to communicate a vehicle command signal out of the isolation enclosure for receipt by the vehicle.

Abstract: A device that can house a remote control for activating or controlling one or more features or functions of a vehicle. The device securely holds the remote control and upon reception of a command, operates to control a boom, actuator and pin such that the pin is moved over a particular button of the remote control, and then pressed for a requested period of time. A serious of commands or complex commands can result in causing multiple pressing patterns of the various buttons of the remote control. Thus, the features or functions of the vehicle can be activated remotely.

Abstract: A method of dispensing bolts includes a step of forming a column of bolts on top of one another. The column includes an upper end and a lower end. A shank portion of each of the bolts is oriented toward the lower end. The method further includes steps of moving the column of bolts and dispensing a bolt at a time from the lower end. A bolt dispensing system is provided and includes a dispensing tube and a dispensing section. The dispensing section is located near an end of the dispensing tube and is configured to dispense bolts one at a time from the end.

Abstract: There is provided a powered tacker device for use in installing multiple surgical fasteners through a prosthetic mesh into tissue. The powered tacker device generally includes a handle assembly and a tacker assembly extending distally from the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a motor and self-contained power assembly to rotate the surgical fasteners into tissue. The handle assembly is provided with a drive assembly which allows for rotation, as well as distal longitudinal movement, of a surgical fastener relative to the powered tacker device. The tacker assembly includes an inner tube for containing the plurality of surgical fasteners and a driver which is movable out of alignment with the inner tube so as to install a single fastener at a time into tissue.

Abstract: A tool device includes a frame, a barrel extending from the frame, a first magazine having first passages for containing work or drive bits, and a second magazine having second passages for containing fasteners. A shaft is movable over a path that extends through the barrel. When a second passage is vacant and aligned with a selected first passage, a work bit in the first passage is urged by the shaft through the vacant second passage and through the barrel, to be set at a distal end of the barrel for use on a work object. When a second passage containing a fastener is aligned with a selected first passage, a drive bit in the first passage is urged by the shaft to engage the fastener and advance the fastener to the distal end of the barrel, to enable the bit to drive the fastener into the work object.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for aligning fasteners having radially symmetrical polygonal heads in a device for feeding these fasteners to a processing station. A tubular piece having axially running grooves in its interior is provided in a feed channel for the fasteners, the number of these grooves corresponding to the number of edges on the heads of the fasteners, and the diameter of the groove corners on the inlet side of the tubular piece being greater than the width across the corners of the polygonal heads, the grooves tapering from a large width to a narrow width in the transport direction in such a way that fasteners entering the tubular piece are captured with a great clearance in relation to the grooves and leave the tubular piece with narrow clearance and therefore in the aligned position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for aligning fasteners having radially symmetrical polygonal heads in a device for feeding these fasteners to a processing station. A tubular piece having axially running grooves in its interior is provided in a feed channel for the fasteners, the number of these grooves corresponding to the number of edges on the heads of the fasteners, and the diameter of the groove corners on the inlet side of the tubular piece being greater than the width across the corners of the polygonal heads, the grooves tapering from a large width to a narrow width in the transport direction in such a way that fasteners entering the tubular piece are captured with a great clearance in relation to the grooves and leave the tubular piece with narrow clearance and therefore in the aligned position.

Abstract: A multiple screw dispensing apparatus and method for surgical applications includes a body and a screw set loaded within the body. The screw set includes a plurality of releasably coupled screws. A block is slidably mounted with respect to the body and abuts a head portion of the screw. After driving a screw into a material, another screw may be positioned for use by engaging the block.

Abstract: An automatic screwfeeder is adapted for use with a hand drill. The automatic screwfeeder operates to transfer uncollated screws from a screw holder into a staged position. A driving bit sequentially engages individual fasteners and drives them into a workpiece. The screwfeeder includes a front assembly separable from a rear assembly to allow replacement of the driving bit.

Abstract: A device for driving a part, including a parts driver having a drive axis and a nosepiece including three jaws arranged uniformly about the drive axis and defining an axial drive passage therebetween. The jaws are resiliently biased toward one another and are transitionable between a first configuration to retain the part within the drive passage and a second configuration to allow the part to be discharged from the drive passage by the parts driver. An adjacent pair of the jaws defines a transverse parts feed passage intersecting the drive passage and being oriented at an oblique angle relative to the drive axis. Each of the adjacent pair of jaws defines a substantially symmetrical portion of the feed passage.

Abstract: The present invention is a power-operated screwdriving device configured to be used with a rotary power source and a supply of collated screws. The device comprises a housing structure and a feeding assembly defines a drive track carried by the housing and providing a workpiece engaging surface. The drive track is configured to receive a lead screw from the supply. A rotatable screw engaging bit member is constructed and arranged to be operatively connected to the rotary power source such that the rotary power source rotates the screw engaging bit member during a screwdriving operation. The rotatable screw engaging bit member is movable relative to the drive track and the workpiece engaging surface such that, when the workpiece engaging surface is engaged with the surface of the workpiece, rotation of the bit member and relative movement between the bit member and the drive track drives the lead screw into the workpiece during the screwdriving operation.

Abstract: The present invention is a power-operated screwdriving device configured to be used with a rotary power source and a supply of screws. The screwdriving device comprises a housing structure constructed and arranged to be engaged with the rotary power source. Structure defines a drive track constructed and arranged to receive a lead screw from the supply of screws. A rotatable screw engaging bit member is constructed and arranged to be engaged with the lead screw from the supply of screws during a screwdriving operation wherein the lead screw is driven into a workpiece. A releasable bit locking assembly is disposed in the housing and constructed and arranged to operatively connect the bit member to the rotary power source to enable the rotary power source to rotate the bit member during the screwdriving operation. The releasable bit locking assembly includes bit locking structure constructed and arranged to lockingly engage the bit member.

Abstract: The present invention is a power-operated screwdriving device configured to be used with a rotary power source and a supply of screws releasably mounted on a severable collation. The screwdriving device comprises a housing structure constructed and arranged to be engaged with the rotary power source. Structure defines a drive track constructed and arranged to receive a lead screw releasably mounted on the severable collation. A rotatable screw engaging bit member is constructed and arranged to be operatively connected with the rotary power source such that the rotary power source can rotate the screw engaging bit member. The screw engaging bit member is engageable with the lead screw and movable relative to the drive track such that rotation of the screw engaging bit member and relative movement between the screw engaging bit member and the drive track separates the lead screw from the severable collation and drives the lead screw from the drive track into a workpiece during a screwdriving operation.

Abstract: A main valve and a manual operating valve cooperatively control the compressed air supplied to an air motor and a piston. The main valve is responsive to the compressed air supplied from the manual operating valve via an air passage. An orifice is provided in the air passage to reduce the speed of the compressed air supplied to the main valve so that the shift movement of the main valve is delayed when the manual operating valve is closed.

Abstract: Screw fastener jaws for the driver head of an automatic screw feeding and driving apparatus are disclosed for driving screws in face frame drilled holes. A tubular mandrel communicates with a screw feeding passage and a screwdriver passage at a first end to feed screws into the channel and then drive the screws. Spring action moves a plate to close off the free end of the channel to capture the screw. The plate is wide enough to engage the workpiece surface on both sides of the slanted hole. As the mandrel is advanced into the slanted hole, the plate is forced away from the end of the mandrel, releasing the screw for driving into the workpiece.

Abstract: By advancing a rotatable feed rod (5) with a threaded part (1) such as a bolt or a nut inserted into a socket hole (6) at a front end thereof, the threaded part (1) is supplied and tightened to an object such as a threaded hole or a bolt. In order to prevent the part (1) from dropping off or dislocating on its way of feeding the part (1) is advanced to the vicinity of the object with the part being restrained by, for example, a closure member (31), and then the part (1) is inserted into the socket hole (6) of the feed rod (5). Finally, the feed rod (5) is further advanced until the part (1) arrives at the object and is tightened thereto.

Abstract: An automatic screw driver and a method for controlling the same, characterized by a fluid chamber in which a suction force is developed so as to retain stably a screw at a predetermined position irrespective of kind of material for the screw preparatory to a screwing operation of the driver, and a control circuit including a plurality of timers in order to perform a sequential operation consisting of steps of supplying the screw at the tip end of a bit, perpendicularly retaining the screw there and entering a standby state for the screwing operation, and actuating a driver when the sequential operation is completed, so that the screwing operation is facilitated and stabilized, resulting in a considerable improvement in the efficiency thereof.

Abstract: A roofing washer-dispensing machine having improved features is disclosed. A novel magazine comprises a substantially box-like container with a substantially open face, for housing a stack of circular roofing washers having inserts, and a substantially rigid rod removably mounted within or upon to a top wall of the box so as to extend downwardly into the central apertures of the stack washers, except for the lowermost washer, so as to restrain the remaining washers. The machine comprises a shuttle arranged to displace the lowermost washer from the stack when it is desired to dispense such washer. The shuttle includes a novel arrangement of means overlying and underlying marginal portions of such washer.

Abstract: A machine for fastening one or more layers of roofing material to an underlayment, and a stackable washer therefor. A chute receives a stack of such washers. A shuttle displaces a single washer to a separated position when moved in one direction, to which the shuttle is biased, and releases the single washer when moved in the opposite direction. A gate, which cooperates with camming surfaces defined upon the respective washers, restrains the overlying washer within the stack against being displaced along with the single washer and restrains the single washer from being displaced from the separated position. Various components are provided by linking a stand-up screw gun of a known type to the shuttle. The stackable washer is embossed so that each such washer and like overlying and underlying washers within a stack contact each other at three or more places, which define tangent planes intersecting planes defined by planar areas upon such washers at angles greater than 45.degree. but less than 90.degree.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus accurately and efficiently fasten roofing materials to a roof. A first stroke of a piston both separates a single roofing screw from a roofing screw magazine and delivers it to a premounting position and separates a metal bracket from a metal bracket magazine and delivers it to a metal bracket premounting position. The second or return stroke places the screw and the metal bracket into respective mounting positions. A power screwdriver screws the screw through the metal bracket and the roofing materials placed on the roof and into the ceiling structure. The apparatus is mounted on a mobile frame to allow easy movement of the apparatus from fastening position to fastening position on the roof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of controlling torque in an electric motor driven connector applicator which applies a desired torque to a twist-on wire connector and a plurality of wire ends positioned within the connector. A desired level of torque is first determined by the connector applicator operator. The torque applied by the connector applicator as it turns a wire connector about the wire ends positioned therein is monitored until the desired level of torque has been reached. The connector applicator is stopped and then rotated in a reverse direction to release the connector held therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides an axial flow boltrunner eliminating the side feeding previously required in prior boltrunners. An embodiment of the present invention also provides a boltrunner which can be quickly changed to torque a plurality bolts of different sized heads without extensive modification.

Abstract: A robotic die mounting mechanism can be used to apply or remove fasteners to or from aligned locations such as pre-drilled and pre-tapped holes in a cutting die and backing drum for attaching or detaching the die to or from the drum. The mounting mechanism including a fastener supply magazine with a dispensing chute, a robotic arm, a socket on a rotary driver, and an actuator mounting the driver. The magazine holds a supply of the fasteners and its chute dispenses one fastener at a time from the magazine. The robotic arm movable between a fastener pickup position adjacent the magazine chute and a fastener discharge position remote therefrom and above the die and drum receives one fastener at a time from the magazine chute and transfers the fastener from the fastener pickup position to the fastener discharge position. The socket on the rotary driver engages the fastener at the fastener discharge position.

Abstract: Driver jaws for a driver head of an automatic screw feeding machine are disclosed. A pair of cantilever springs are oppositely disposed on a mandrel or housing. The springs are arranged such that the tips thereof form an opening therethrough which comprises the jaws for holding a fastener during the insertion process. The cantilever springs allow the jaws to open to permit the head of the fastener to pass therethrough after the fastener is fully inserted and to be released from the driver jaws. The cantilever springs permit an exceptionally small clearance spaced around the head of the installed fastener. The tips of the jaws spaced the movable portions of the apparatus away from the work surface so that marring or scratching of the work surface is avoided.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding and positioning disks upon insulation or roofing membrane for attachment to a roof or deck by fasteners driven through the disks into the underlying layer. A support frame is provided with two wheels on only one side to avoid wrinkling a roofing membrane. A disk supply magazine supports a stack of disks. A separating and feeding structure supplies individual disks to an oblique chute which conveys them to a driving position which is laterally offset from the magazine. The disks are attracted by magnet into position upon a pair of resiliently bendable springs which are cantilevered from opposite edges of the bottom opening of the chute.

Abstract: A device adapted to be attached to a power tool comprising a reference sleeve with a telescopically received inner drive spindle which functions to admit to the work region a sequence of fasteners to feed them one-by-one, and to transmit to the lead fastener a torque so as to set the fastener.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a nut installation tool comprising a magazine for storing a plurality of nuts, a rotatable drive spindle having an internal configuration complementary to the external configuration of the nuts so as to slidably accept said nuts yet effect rotation thereof upon rotation of said drive spindle, power driven means for effecting rotation of said drive spindle, and means that function as a stop for said nuts that effects controlled release thereof from said magazine for movement outwardly thereof into said drive spindle.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically rotating screw-on connectors onto the stripped ends of electric wires, including an elongated housing having an inlet opening at one end for the reception of the connectors and an outlet opening at the other end for their discharge. The connectors are received in a rotatable and hollow drive shaft in the housing, and a sleeve is concentric with, around, and rotatable with the drive shaft. A plurality of fingers with a free end are secured to one end of the sleeve, which is axially movable towards the outlet opening by manually operated cam means acting between the housing and sleeve. Upon this axial movement, the fingers engage cam surfaces in the drive shaft and adjacent the outlet opening to cause gripping engagement of those fingers with a connector located adjacent the outlet opening.

Abstract: Automatic driving apparatus which sequentially inserts screws provided with washers into work pieces includes a chute formed with an opening transverse to its axis. Screws are fed sequentially through the opening into the chute. A driver in the chute is shaped for driving engagement with an introduced screw. A drive mechanism axially moves the driver in the chute and rotates the same in a plane transverse to the axis for thereby engaging the driver with the screw and axially moving the screw with the rotating driver. A magazine adapted to hold apertured washers is provided with a slide which sequentially moves the washers transversely to the chute axis from the magazine to a position of alignment of an aperture in the moved washer with an axially moving screw in the chute. A source of motive power is connected with the feeding mechanism for the screws, the drive mechanism, and the slide for transmitting motive power to the feeding mechanism, the drive mechanism, and the slide in timed sequence.