APPARATUS FOR APPLYING VIBRATION TO WIRE

摘要

Flexure means are provided for holding a tip member of an ultrasonically reciprocating element against lateral movement while freely permitting its longitudinal movement. The reciprocating element is held fixed at a nodal point distant from the tip member. The flexure means having a natural frequency substantially the same as the reciprocating element so as to resonate in concert therewith. In one embodiment, a flexible disc fixed around its periphery is centrally pierced to receive and engage the reciprocating element. In another embodiment, a plurality of elongated resonant supports are mounted at spaced radial positions on a fixture provided with a central opening through which the reciprocating element extends so that free ends of the resonant supports are directed at and engage the reciprocating element. In this embodiment, at least two of the resonant supports are adjustable toward and away from the longitudinal axis of the reciprocating element so as to properly position it. Also, at least one other of the resonant supports is biased into engagement with the reciprocating element thereby holidng the reciprocating element against the ends of the other resonant supports.