Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a rake spline separator for minimizing or preventing movable or adjustable rake splines from getting damaged and/or from being moved or bent to inefficient raking positions during raking tasks. As a non-limiting embodiment or example, the rake spline separator includes a first end, a second end, an elongated body extending from the first end to the second end, a first or front side, a second or rear side, and a plurality of holes. Another aspect of the present invention is a rake-assisting apparatus that includes a rake spline separator and a rake scoop device. A further aspect of the present invention is a rake that includes a rake spline separator and that may also include a rake scoop device.

Abstract: An electron microscope stage is manually movable in three orthogonal axial directions and two orthogonal rotational directions by corresponding motion transmission systems. Four of the transmission systems employ telescopic rods and a connecting pin having three resilient independently compressible sections. The pin transmits torques from one rod to the other about their longitudinal axes. One section is resiliently secured to an aperture in the inner rod, the other sections are resiliently secured to mating axial slots in the outer rod to permit relative axial displacement of the rods. The independent resilient compression of each section compensates for wear or differences in dimensions between mating surfaces while maintaining tight resilient torque coupling without backlash between the pin and the rods.