A clamping system for a component, especially for an article of footwear or a sports article, may include: (a) a first member; (b) a second member, (c) a pivot about which the first member and the second member are rotatable relative to each other; (d) a first bracket slidably movable along a first path on the first member and a second path, by a first distance, on the second member, when the first member and the second member are rotated relative to each other from a first angle to a second angle; and (e) at least a second bracket slidably movable along a third path on the first member and a fourth path, by a second distance, on the second member, when the first member and the second member are rotated relative to each other from the first angle to the second angle.

A chuck configured to be operably coupled to a power driver having a rotatable drive spindle is provided. The chuck (100) may include a body (130) having a center axis (50) and a plurality of clamping jaws (101) configured to clamp onto a working bit. The clamping jaws (101) may be configured to angularly translate relative to the center axis towards or away from a clamping jaw point of convergence (154) to close or open a working bit opening defined by the clamping jaws (101). The clamping jaw point of convergence (154) may be on the center axis. The chuck (100) may also include a plurality of bit alignment jaws (150). The bit alignment jaws (150) may be configured to maintain the working bit within the working bit opening by being configured translate towards or away from a bit alignment jaw point of convergence (153) that is on the center axis (50) and disposed rearward of the clamping jaw point of convergence (154).

A universal machining system capable of accommodating multiple small-batch or one-off machining jobs, involving workpieces of different diameter and composition, comprises a rotating chuck having multiple jaws that may be adjusted positionally inward or outward towards the longitudinal centerline of the workpiece or removed entirely, and a tool turret capable of holding a variety of socketed tools. System also comprises a measurement sensor, which may be separate or comprise one of the socketed tools. A control program collects machining instructions for a series of workpieces, and directs the chuck, the tool turret, the measurement sensor, and at least one robot to load/unload workpieces and tools from the chuck and turret, respectively, measure workpieces and tools for quality control, and track available storage, overriding or skipping individual machining instructions as dictated by safety parameters and the availability of raw materials and tools.

An improved tool for use with a potter's wheel is provided, and the tool configured to attach to the spinning potter's wheel and hold a workpiece in the center thereof. The tool comprises an upper plate and a lower plate that are rotatable with respect to each other. A holding arm can extend through an arm slot in the upper plate to engage a spiral ridge of the lower plate. Relative rotation between the upper plate and the lower plate causes the holding arm to move inward or outward in a radial direction to engage a workpiece. The lower plate comprises fish-shaped apertures to engage fasteners on the potter's wheel in a manner to reduce chatter and improve the longevity of the tool.

A chuck configured to be operably coupled to a power driver having a rotatable drive spindle is provided. The chuck (100) may include a body (130) having a center axis (50) and a plurality of clamping jaws (101) configured to clamp onto a working bit. The clamping jaws (101) may be configured to angularly translate relative to the center axis towards or away from a clamping jaw point of convergence (154) to close or open a working bit opening defined by the clamping jaws (101). The clamping jaw point of convergence (154) may be on the center axis. The chuck (100) may also include a plurality of bit alignment jaws (150). The bit alignment jaws (150) may be configured to maintain the working bit within the working bit opening by being configured translate towards or away from a bit alignment jaw point of convergence (153) that is on the center axis (50) and disposed rearward of the clamping jaw point of convergence (154).

A portable pipe threader includes a stand upon which a pipe is supported, a carriage supported by the stand upon which at least one pipe threading tool is supported, a spindle including a plurality of chuck jaws for clamping the pipe, the chuck jaws configured to move radially inward along a travel path toward an outer surface of the pipe, and a sensor system configured to determine a location of the chuck jaws along the travel path and relative to the outer surface of the pipe, the sensor system configured to output a signal corresponding to the location of each of the chuck jaws when engaged with the outer surface of the pipe. The portable pipe threader further includes an electronic controller in communication with the sensor system configured to determine an outer diameter of the pipe in response to the signal output from the sensor system.

A hybrid holding device used in a milling machine, comprising a base with mounting structures for detachably fastening the hybrid holding device securely onto a workbench of the milling machine in a fixed stationary position. The hybrid holding device further includes moveable multi-jaw assembly that includes at least three jaws that directly receive and securely hold a workpiece without an adapter.

Disclosed is the shape of a curvature of two or more pathways for a device having moving parts that cause movement of an object along those pathways, such that the device can locate or hold the object. In the embodiment, an apparatus is described that centers and optionally locks an object at a desired location. The applications for such a device are varied and can range from chucking a workpiece of varying diameters in a lathe, to centering a drone on a landing zone, to medical and scientific devices to capture and center objects to study, to moving atomic level objects using an electromagnetic field. The scope of this disclosure is the mathematics that defines the mirrored curvatures of each curved pathway and the positioning of the curvatures relative to each other, and the relative movement of the mirrored curvatures to cause the desired effect.

A clamping system for a component, especially for an article of footwear or a sports article, may include: (a) a first member; (b) a second member, (c) a pivot about which the first member and the second member are rotatable relative to each other; (d) a first bracket slidably movable along a first path on the first member and a second path, by a first distance, on the second member, when the first member and the second member are rotated relative to each other from a first angle to a second angle; and (e) at least a second bracket slidably movable along a third path on the first member and a fourth path, by a second distance, on the second member, when the first member and the second member are rotated relative to each other from the first angle to the second angle.

A portable pipe threader includes a collapsible stand, a housing supported by the collapsible stand, the housing supporting a battery-powered drive assembly, a first set of guide rails extending from a first end of the housing and supporting pipe threading tools, and a second set of guide rails extending from a second end of the housing and supporting a roll groover. The roll groover is configured to swing about a first one of the second set of guide rails to selectively engage a second one of the second set of guide rails.