A boot band for fixing a boot that is mounted to a constant velocity universal joint is clamped. The boot band and the constant velocity universal joint are aligned in phase with each other in a circumferential direction. An axial position of a clamping portion is thereafter aligned with an axial position of the boot band. Then, the boot band is clamped by the clamping portion.

An automated grommet installer and methods of installing a grommet. The installer and methods are capable of seating a grommet in an aperture of a window and facilitating correct alignment of the grommet within the window. Grommets are used to support and seal around a window wiper attached to a window. Typically, grommets are asymmetrical to match the curvature of the window. Embodiments of the described installer maintain grommet orientation while inserting the grommet in the window, quickly and efficiently installing the grommet. In embodiments the installer includes a system for identifying an incorrectly loaded grommet prior to installation and alerting an operator. In other embodiments, the installer includes a positioner that positions the grommet proximate to the window for installation and a gripper having one or more fingers reach through the window aperture, engage the grommet, and draw it into position, seated in the window.

A method of mounting an elastic ring, e.g., sealing ring, on a body via a mounting unit is presented, having at least three fingers which are movable relative to each other. The method comprises holding and clamping the ring on the exterior side of the fingers which extend into a cross-section framed by the ring, moving at least one finger along a circle or a plurality of fingers along a common circle or a plurality of concentric circles such that the elastic ring is stretched and the cross-section thereof is increased, moving the ring and the component relative to each other so that the component projects into the cross-section and the ring extends around the component, moving one or more fingers relative to each other so that the ring contacts the component in sections between adjacent fingers, and moving the fingers out of the ring. Also disclosed are a mounting unit for executing the method, and a ring mounting device including such a mounting unit.

The present invention relates to a retained member configured to prevent centrifugal force from disassociating a retaining ring provided with lugs from a groove located on a rotatable shaft when securing the retained member to the rotatable shaft and rotating with the shaft. The retained member includes a substantially annular portion and a retention lip provided with a cutout portion. The substantially annular portion defines an opening sized to receive the rotatable shaft so that the retained member is rotatable with the shaft. The cutout portion is configured to accommodate the lugs when in an installing position as the retained member is snap fit into the groove.

The present disclosure provides radial springs that control radial forces between adjacent concentric components. The radial springs may be configured for placement between the adjacent concentric components. The radial springs may include a base member, support members extending from the base member, and resilient members extending from the base members. The resilient members may extend radially, axially, at an angle relative to the axis, or a combination thereof, and may be radially deformable. The resilient members may exert radial forces substantially uniformly radially inward or outward in use. The resilient members may be leaf type members or cantilever type members. The support members and resilient members may be provided on a radially inward or outward side of the base member. The methods of installing and uninstalling radial springs may include engaging the resilient members with a tool and radially deforming the resilient members to engage or disengage the radial spring from an adjacent concentric component.

A cable bushing fitting machine includes: a fitting region; a mandrel disposed at said fitting region, said mandrel being hollow to receive a cable therethrough; a first rotatably mounted stripping jaw arranged in the fitting region; a second rotatably mounted stripping jaw arranged in the fitting region; a drive configured to mount cable bushings onto cable by successively disposing respective ones of the cable bushings onto the mandrel, feeding the cable through the mandrel, and executing a relative movement between the mandrel and the first and second rotatably mounted stripping jaws to locate the respective cable bushings onto the cable; a camera directed toward the fitting region to capture images of the respective cable bushings located on the cable; and at least the first rotatably mounted stripping jaw having a rotation axis, the first stripping jaw rotation axis being laterally offset from an optical axis of said camera by a distance sufficient to permit the camera unimpeded views of cable bushings in the fitting region when the first stripping jaw is at least to a first selected extent opened.

A method for fitting a cable bushings bushing onto a cable includes: providing a fitting region; providing a mandrel at the fitting region, the mandrel being hollow to receive a cable therethrough; pushing a cable bushing onto the hollow mandrel; directing a camera towards the fitting region; providing at least two stripping jaws to grasp the cable bushing, the providing step including the step of providing at least rotatable one of the stripping jaws in rotatable manner to rotate on respective a stripping jaw rotation axes axis that are is laterally offset from a camera an optical axis of the camera; rotating the at least one of the stripping jaws towards closing to grasp the cable bushing with the stripping jaws; pushing a cable into the hollow mandrel; executing a relative movement between the hollow mandrel and the stripping jaws to push the cable bushing onto the cable; and rotating the at least one of the stripping jaws to open them to an a selected open extent that permits the camera to have an unimpeded view of the fitted cable bushing.

An O-ring mounting device has an O-ring support unit capable of supporting an O-ring from its inside at at least three support points, an O-ring pressing-in unit for pressing-in the O-ring from its outside between two support points of the at least three support points; and an pressed-in state releasing unit for releasing a pressed-in state of the O-ring made by the O-ring pressing-in unit. An O-ring mounting device which is applicable in a wide range without being restricted by a dimension of the O-ring or the like can be provided.

Machines for fitting cable bushings on a cable have a hollow mandrel (11) for receiving cable bushing (12) and a cable in a fitting region (A). Rotatably mounted stripping jaws (8a, 8b) arranged in the fitting region (A) fit the cable bushing (12) on the cable. A camera (9a, 9b) is directed towards the fitting region (A). A rotation axis of at least one of the stripping jaws (8a, 8b) is at a lateral distance from ray-of-view (D) originating from the camera (9a,9b) and running through the fitting region (A). The stripping jaws (8a, 8b) may be opened to an extent that makes it possible for the camera (9a, 9b) to have an unimpeded view of the fitted cable bushing (12). Related methods for operating such machines (1) are also disclosed.

Processing O-rings in an automated mass production system includes advancing an O-ring retainer toward a loading position in alignment with an output end of a feed device, discharging a leading O-ring from the output end in electronic synchronization with advancement of the O-ring retainer to the loading position to initiate loading of the O-ring into the retainer prior to the retainer arriving at the loading position, after loading the O-ring into the retainer, advancing the retainer away from the loading position toward an unloading position, and moving an end effector in electronic synchronization with advancement of the retainer to the unloading position to synchronize arrival of the retainer at the unloading position with arrival of the end effector at a pick-up position in alignment with the O-ring at the unloading position for pick up of the O-ring by the end effector.