Abstract: The present invention provides a successive screw fastener which enhances a screw fastening function and improves operability and rapidness of each element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a screw feeding apparatus to deliver a screw from a screw feeder having a vibrating rail to a screw guide tube. The screw feeding apparatus comprises a first actuator having a pocket and a second actuator having a screw pickup. The first actuator is moveable between a detection position and a retracted position, wherein the first actuator is configured to detect a screw in the pocket received from the vibrating rail of the screw feeder in the detection position and to then move to the retracted position. The second actuator is moveable between a pickup position and a drop position, wherein the screw pickup of the second actuator is configured to pick up the screw from the pocket of the first actuator in the pickup position and to move to the drop position to drop the screw into the screw guide tube.

Abstract: A dental instrument comprising a handpiece with a threaded extension and a working tool for attachment to the extension includes a wrench mounted on the distal end of the handpiece for use in attaching the tool to the extension. The wrench comprises a nose piece mounted on the front end of the handpiece, said nose piece rotateable radially about the front end of the handpiece as well as longitudinally slidable forward of the distal end of the handpiece so that an opening in a front end of the nose piece extends over the hub of the tool. Rotating the extended nose piece radially around the front end of the handpiece causes the hub of the tool to rotate, attaching the tool to the threaded extension. The nose piece is then retracted to a storage position during use of the tool.

Abstract: A tong assembly having a powered tong mounted over a backup tong is supported at its rear by a post with torque measuring means. The powered tong is supported at its front, near its throat, by one or more struts that extend downwardly to the backup tong. Such strut (s) provide support for the powered tong when the assembly is placed on a support surface for storage. The struts each have a joint with a retracted condition in which the joint is rigid when the tong is placed on a support surface, and an extended condition in which the joint allows a degree of lateral displacement when the tong assembly is applying torque to a pipe string. This maximizes the amount of torque passing through the rearward post, and therefore ensures a more accurate sensing of applied torque by the torque-measuring device.

Abstract: A handheld screw driving gun (1) has a handle (17) extending essentially perpendicularly relative to the motor axis (3--3) and a screwing axis (6--6) which is off-set below the motor axis. The handle is connected approximately at the center of gravity of the screw gun (1). A screwing bit (5) is also off-set from the motor axis (3--3) and is rotatably supported in a guide head (7) between the motor axis (3--3) and the handle (17). In this arrangement, the index finger of an operator's hand on the handle approximately aligns with the axis of the screwing bit (5) so as to assure a screwing direction perpendicularly to a work surface without applying any tilting forces to a screw. The arrangement of the drive motor behind the handle and the screwing unit in front of the handle provides a balance that reduces fatigue while holding and operating the screw gun with one hand.

Abstract: Two vibratory feeders are coupled to a switching mechanism for feeding screws to a robotically operated screw driver. The feeders include screw sensors which cause a control to switch feeders in case of a sensed jam in the feeder then in operation. An operator is alerted to correct the jam and place the cleared feeder in stand-by.

Abstract: A supply aparatus for supplying screws, rivets, or the like includes a chute for supplying screws or the like to a predetermined position, a detecting means for detecting that one of screws or the like has been taken out from the predetermined position, and a vibrating means for vibrating the chute. When the detecting means detects that one of the screws, or the like, has been taken out from the predetermined position, the vibrating means temporarily vibrates the chute, so that the following screws or the like can be smoothly supplied to the predetermined position.