The present invention, in a non-limiting example embodiment provides a locking apparatus and method for securing locking hardware without the use of a key. In an example embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least a keyless insertion rotatable disk-style, barrel locking apparatus that, in a locked state can be inserted into a securing device without first unlocking, and then, thereafter, locking after insertion. In a nonlimiting example embodiment, unlocking and re-locking requires a key. The present invention, in an example embodiment, also provides features that allow the locking apparatus to enter and exit multiple apertures without requiring a key.

The present invention, in a non-limiting example embodiment provides a locking apparatus and method for securing locking hardware without the use of a key. In an example embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least a keyless insertion rotatable disk-style, barrel locking apparatus that, in a locked state can be inserted into a securing device without first unlocking, and then, thereafter, locking after insertion. In a nonlimiting example embodiment, unlocking and re-locking requires a key. The present invention, in an example embodiment, also provides features that allow the locking apparatus to enter and exit multiple apertures without requiring a key.

An apparatus for securing an insert in a hole, the insert having an axis, a section comprising a thread disposed around the axis and a section comprising a plurality of splines, and the hole having a section comprising a corresponding thread and a section comprising a plurality of grooves corresponding to said splines, the apparatus comprising a driver arranged to rotate the insert, a torque measurement device arranged to measure the driving torque applied by the driver, and a controller arranged to cause the driver to drive the insert into the hole until the splines are level in the axial direction with the grooves by rotating the insert in a first direction, and align the splines with the grooves by causing the driver to further rotate the threaded insert whilst measuring the driving torque using the torque measuring device, and stopping the further rotation based on the measured driving torque.

An apparatus for securing an insert in a hole, the insert having an axis, a section comprising a thread disposed around the axis and a section comprising a plurality of splines, and the hole having a section comprising a corresponding thread and a section comprising a plurality of grooves corresponding to said splines, the apparatus comprising a driver arranged to rotate the insert, a torque measurement device arranged to measure the driving torque applied by the driver, and a controller arranged to cause the driver to drive the insert into the hole until the splines are level in the axial direction with the grooves by rotating the insert in a first direction, and align the splines with the grooves by causing the driver to further rotate the threaded insert whilst measuring the driving torque using the torque measuring device, and stopping the further rotation based on the measured driving torque.

A tooling system for assembling a hybrid vehicle transmission includes a positioning device, support structure, gripper, clutch actuator, rotational actuator, and controller. The positioning device positions a hybrid module relative to a transmission housing. The gripper grips an input shaft of the hybrid module. The clutch actuator actuates the clutch of the hybrid module. The rotational actuator rotates the gripper about an assembly axis. The controller controls operation of the clutch actuator, positioning device, gripper, and rotational actuator such that an operation is performed that includes the clutch actuator actuating the clutch, the gripper gripping the input shaft of the hybrid module, the rotational actuator rotating the gripper to rotate the input shaft of the hybrid module relative to an input shaft of the transmission module, and the positioning device translating the hybrid module toward the transmission module to seat a housing of the hybrid module on the transmission housing.

The disclosure relates to a system and method for changing location pins on a pallet for an assembly line. The system may include a plurality of pallets, each pallet including at least a first and second sockets configured to receive a location pin. The system may include a pin changing unit located between a top assembly line and a lower return line. The pin changing unit may include a pin grabber configured to engage the location pin within the first socket. The pin changing unit may include a horizontal linear actuator configured to move the pin grabber and the engaged location pin into alignment with the second socket. The pin changing unit may include a vertical linear actuator configured to extend the pin grabber into engagement with the location pin and retract the pin grabber away from the location pin.

The disclosure relates to a system and method for changing location pins on a pallet for an assembly line. The system may include a plurality of pallets, each pallet including at least a first and second sockets configured to receive a location pin. The system may include a pin changing unit located between a top assembly line and a lower return line. The pin changing unit may include a pin grabber configured to engage the location pin within the first socket. The pin changing unit may include a horizontal linear actuator configured to move the pin grabber and the engaged location pin into alignment with the second socket. The pin changing unit may include a vertical linear actuator configured to extend the pin grabber into engagement with the location pin and retract the pin grabber away from the location pin.

A device for handling a shaft forming a pivoting link between two parts, including a body configured to be inserted into the shaft, and blocked in translation with respect to the shaft along a longitudinal axis in a first direction, a compression nut screwed onto a threaded outer portion of the body along the axis in a second direction opposite the first direction, a bearing member positioned against one of the parts, and a return member configured to be compressed between the compression nut and the bearing member by the screwing of the compression nut and to be decompressed in the second direction under the action of the compression nut. This device allows the shaft of the pivoting link to be handled rapidly, and makes it possible to control the load applied onto the shaft during the handling thereof.

A system for manufacturing a string of pocketed coil springs comprising: a coil-forming subsystem that produces two coil springs; a spring transporter subsystem that receives the two coil springs at a first position and conveys the two coil springs to a second position; a spring compressor subsystem that compresses the two coil springs; a fabric-folding subsystem that receives a piece of fabric and folds the fabric to create an open side; a spring inserter subsystem that receives the two compressed coil springs and inserts the two compressed coil springs between top and bottom surfaces of a folded piece of fabric; two welder subsystems that form first and second welds between top and bottom surfaces of the folded piece of fabric, the first welds and the second welds forming a plurality of pockets in the fabric, each of the plurality of pockets comprising a compressed coil spring.

A system for manufacturing a string of pocketed coil springs comprising: a coil-forming subsystem that produces two coil springs; a spring transporter subsystem that receives the two coil springs at a first position and conveys the two coil springs to a second position; a spring compressor subsystem that compresses the two coil springs; a fabric-folding subsystem that receives a piece of fabric and folds the fabric to create an open side; a spring inserter subsystem that receives the two compressed coil springs and inserts the two compressed coil springs between top and bottom surfaces of a folded piece of fabric; two welder subsystems that form first and second welds between top and bottom surfaces of the folded piece of fabric, the first welds and the second welds forming a plurality of pockets in the fabric, each of the plurality of pockets comprising a compressed coil spring.