Abstract: A joint mechanism has a leg frame part and a thigh frame part pivotally connected to each other, a one-way clutch connected to the leg frame part and the thigh frame part so as to lock turning between the leg frame part and the thigh frame part and allow the turning in one direction only, and a connecting/disconnecting part to connect and disconnect the connecting state between the one-way clutch and the thigh frame part.

Abstract: A frictional-force variable compact of the invention includes: a first surface; a second surface; insulation portion; and an electroconductive portion electrically conducting the first surface to the second surface.

Abstract: A frictional-force variable compact of the invention includes: a first surface; a second surface; insulation portion; and an electroconductive portion electrically conducting the first surface to the second surface.

Abstract: A holding apparatus, a conveying apparatus, and a rotation-transmitting apparatus are provided that are capable of stably holding an object while suppressing an influence of a change in shape of the object and a fluctuation of a holding form. A conveying apparatus according to one form of the present invention includes a hand and a holding body provided on the hand. The holding body includes a holding member that includes a holding surface that comes into close contact with a holding object, the holding member being capable of holding a conveying object on the holding surface, and a viscoelastic member that is formed of a viscoelastic material and bonds the hand to the holding member. By the viscoelastic member being elastically deformed and the entire surface of the holding member being brought into close contact with the holding object, the conveying apparatus is capable of holding the conveying object on the hand.

Abstract: A holding apparatus, a conveying apparatus, and a rotation-transmitting apparatus are provided that are capable of holding an object in a tiltable manner. A conveying apparatus according to one form of the present invention includes a pad supported by a supporting member on a hand. A concave portion is formed on the pad, and by the concave portion engaging with the supporting member fixed to the hand, a pad is supported in a tiltable manner. A conveying object is held by an adhesive layer of the pad adhering thereto. By tilting with respect to the hand , the pad follows the shape or vibration of the conveying object, with the result that the conveying object can be conveyed stably.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fluid clutch device for controlling transmission of motive power of a vehicular engine to accessory equipment such as an oil pump for a power steering mechanism or an air compressor for an air conditioner. The clutch device includes first and second members arranged for relative rotation about a common axis. The first member is operated by the vehicular engine while the second member is constructed to operate the accessory equipment. The first and second members are accommodated in a hermetically sealed clutch casing which is filled with an electroviscous fluid. A source of high voltage potential is provided for applying a voltage to the electroviscous fluid, and various units for generating information regarding driving of the accessory equipment are also used.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the pneumatic pressure of a tire according to the invention calculates the pressure difference between the specified pneumatic pressure entered therein through an input section and the actual pneumatic pressure of a tire measured by a pressure sensor and operates its air charging or discharging valve by specifying an extent of openness of the valve and a time for keeping the valve open as a function of the obtained pressure difference. Thereafter, it calculates the rate of change in the pneumatic pressure of the tire from the actual pneumatic pressure of the tire measured for the second time during the valve is kept open and, at the same time, the pressure difference between the specified pneumatic pressure value and the actual pneumatic pressure of the tire measured for the second time.