PAUL E HOLLIS
Engineers in Harrisburg, PA

5493772, Feb 27, 1996

Aug 10, 1994

8/288535

Paul E. Hollis - Harrisburg PA

The Whitaker Corp. - Wilmington DE

H01R 4326, H05K 1302, H05K 1304

29747

A machine (10) for inserting metal hold down clips into a connector housing (26) is disclosed. An improved positioning mechanism (14) is provided for accurately positioning the housing (26) with respect to the parts to be inserted. The positioning mechanism (14) includes a track (64) for receiving and guiding the connector housing along a feed path and through an insertion workstation (60) where the hold down clips are inserted. The track (64) is vertically movable by a servo motor (100) while an adjacent feed mechanism (160) positions the connector housing along the track. The adjacent feed mechanism (160) is coupled to the track so that it moves vertically with movement of the track but moves horizontally by means of a second servo motor (190) independent of movement of the track. Both servo motors are mounted to the frame (12) structure and, therefore, do not contribute to the mass of the moving mechanisms.

5407184, Apr 18, 1995

Oct 28, 1993

8/144268

Paul E. Hollis - Harrisburg PA
Edward N. Meyers - Hummelstown PA

The Whitaker Corporation - Wilmington DE

B23Q 318

269 60

A mechanism for rotating a machine element and in particular for rotating a mandrel which holds a workpiecein a machine comprises a first frame member having a substantially linear road surface. A machine element is rotatably secured to a carrier on an axis extending transverse to the road surface. The machine element includes a wheel member having a substantially circular wheel surface adapted to engage the road surface, and may include a mandrel adapted to hold a workpiece. A first drive mechanism is operable for moving the carrier and the first frame member relatively together for engagement of the wheel surface with the road surface, and for moving or at least permitting movement of the carrier and the first frame member relatively apart for disengagement of the wheel surface from the road surface. A second drive mechanism is operable to produce relative movement of the carrier parallel to the road surface. Actuation of the second drive mechanism when the road surface is engaged with the wheel surface causes rotation of the machine element, and thereby rotates a workpiece held in a mandrel of the machine element.

5579885, Dec 3, 1996

Jun 17, 1993

8/078532

Paul E. Hollis - Harrisburg PA
Michael G. Kiapokas - Lancaster PA

The Whitaker Corporation - Wilmington DE

B65G 1100

193 40

A fixture for handling an article comprises a body which defines a track having a length which extends between upstream and downstream ends. The track is configured for confining the article to sliding movement along the length of the track. The track is open to an outside of the body along at least a portion of its length so as to provide access for performing an operation of the article. The body has a first finger mechanism disposed relatively upstream along the track for permitting the article to pass along the track in a downstream direction and for preventing the article to pass the first finger mechanism in an upstream direction. A second finger mechanism is disposed downstream from the first finger mechanism for preventing inadvertent downstream movement of the article.