Abstract: It is difficult to bend materials for forming beyond 180° in terms of bend angle due to the entrant nature of prior press forming arrangements including a press tool with a press recess of a static nature. By providing a press recess which is formed from actuators allowed to dynamically shift about a deflection member it is possible as a press tool engages and forces a material to be formed into the press recess to envelope the press tool and therefore achieve greater than 180° bending angles. The actuators are formed in a stack with alternate left right presentation of shaped receiving apertures which include an actuator surface 34 engaged by the material to be formed in order to cause the necessary deflections during the pressing process.

Abstract: A displacement amplifier 10 comprises first and second longitudinally extending elements 12, 22, each having a free portion 14, 24 and a constrained portion 16, 26. The constrained portions 16, 26 of the first and second elements 12, 22 are constrained to move together such that longitudinal displacement of a free portion 14 of one element with respect to the free portion 24 of the other element results in an amplified displacement of the constrained portions 16, 26 relative to a resting position.

Abstract: Structural components are traditionally made by rolling or extruding to define a desired shape. Such processes lead to extra costs and inflexibility with regard to bespoke design. By providing a structural component (28) comprising plates (1, 8, 9 having edges (2, 3, 16) extending regularly in a cruciform appropriate structural components (28) can be provided. The plates (1, 8, 9) are secured together through lock tabs (13, 18) passing through lock apertures (4a) and twisted into locking engagement. Either side of the locking tabs (13, 18) respective orientation tabs (14, 19) are provided to engage orientation apertures (4b) to facilitate local stability in the plates (1, 8, 9) for robust locking location. Components (28) can be formed from sheet materials and the outer profile of the components. (28) specifically shaped for particular requirements.

Abstract: Provision of appropriate fixtures for locating components for fabrication, machining and installation purposes is important. Traditionally, solid fixtures have been utilised but these have limitations with regard to consistency of orientation particularly if the fixture is removed from a base support or workbench regularly. By providing sheet elements for sides 2, 3 and spacers 4, 5 a robust structure can be achieved when these sheet elements are secured at corners to a base support 8 and to each other at top portions. In such circumstances the fixture 1 can present location plates 41, 42 upon a locator 43. The locator 43 comprises cross secured plates which extend through at least one cross hole to limit movement of the locator upon which the location plates 41, 42 are presented to axial displacement. Rigidity of the fixture is further reinforced by integrating its structure with its base-plate support.

Abstract: Provisions of shields for protecting welds as well as providing heat treatments are advantageous. Previously such shields were bespoke constructions produced iteratively and empirically for particular applications and uses. By utilisation of accurately cut sheets of material within which labyrinths are created it is possible to produce an output flow which is even and incorporates no vortexes. In such circumstances problems with regard to edge entrainment of oxygen causing possible oxidation problems in output flows as well as variations in heat treatments can be avoided. The shield also avoids use of welds which may become distorted during welding or heat treating processes. For reproducibility the shield is formed from accurately produced reproducibility components such that shields can be made at a number of sites to provide the same shield function.

Abstract: A fastener arrangement 22 for fastening two or more articles 62 together, the two or more articles 62 having a first length, the fastener arrangement 22 comprising: a fastener 24 including an elongate clamping member 36 for being received in an aperture 64 of the two or more articles 62, the elongate clamping member 36 being movable between a contracted configuration in which the elongate clamping member 36 has a length which is less than the first length and a lengthened configuration in which the elongate clamping member 36 has a length which is greater than the first length, the elongate clamping member 36 being resiliently biased towards the contracted configuration; and an actuator 50 for moving the elongate clamping member 36, while in the aperture 64 of the two or more articles 62, from the contracted configuration towards the lengthened configuration to enable the elongate clamping member 36 to protrude through the aperture 64 and to engage the articles 62 in a clamping manner.

Abstract: There is a requirement to provide bearings in relatively low speed non continuous situations such as with regards to turnover stands for engine and winding assembly. Previous bearings incorporating rolling elements are relatively expensive and over specified for such activities. By providing annulus members in a bearing cluster upon rocker members such that the annulus members can articulate in order to provide an appropriate bearing. Lubricating oil generally passes between the annulus members in a laminar stack such that the members can radially slide past each other to accommodate for eccentricities in a shaft supported by the bearing.

Abstract: Traditional nut and bolt fasteners are generally acceptable but will normally be over specified for particular applications. Thus, in situations where weight is important such traditional nut and bolt fasteners are not optimised. By providing a fastener in which splayed arms are created with ridges in respective receptor members and insert arm members it will be understood that multi point stabilised contact points for a nut are provided. Thus, the nut can move along the ridges defining a screw path for tightening of the fastener in use. The engagement between the receptor members and the insert arm members is typically through a slot forked end or a closed slot with the slots presenting the splayed arms perpendicular to each other in a cruciform configuration.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a component, the arrangement including a bolt (10) with a head (14), shank (16) and an underhead blend portion (18) therebetween, and a substantially cylindrical hole (24) in a face of the component (12) into which hole (24) the bolt shank (16) is locatable, the hole (24) having a diameter such that the bolt shank (16) is slideably locatable therein and the underhead blend portion (18) can be wholly contained therein. Three or more spaced projections (26) are provided extending generally radially into the hole (24) from the circumference thereof, the projections (26) being configured such that the underhead blend portion (18) is engageable therewith when the shank (16) is fully located in the hole (24).

Abstract: It is difficult to bend materials for forming beyond 180° in terms of bend angle due to the entrant nature of prior press forming arrangements including a press tool with a press recess of a static nature. By providing a press recess which is formed from actuators allowed to dynamically shift about a deflection member it is possible as a press tool engages and forces a material to be formed into the press recess to envelope the press tool and therefore achieve greater than 180° bending angles. The actuators are formed in a stack with alternate left right presentation of shaped receiving apertures which include an actuator surface 34 engaged by the material to be formed in order to cause the necessary deflections during the pressing process.

Abstract: In a number of practical situations it is desirable to provide consistency with regard to a metering material presentation. For example, with regard to welding and shape metal deposition it is desirable to provide a homogenous vortex free cloud of gas shielding about a work piece prior to and subsequent to processing. Unfortunately, metering meshes are subject to distortion through thermal gradients. By providing a support matrix arrangement comprising a first planar member and a second planar member incorporating ribbon elements and deflector portions bilateral deflection in the plane of the metering mesh can be accommodated whilst outward buckling is avoided. In such circumstances there is consistency with regard to metering mesh presentation and therefore gas flow through shielding.

Abstract: A fastener 10 for fastening a welding nozzle to a gas output device, the fastener 10 comprising: a first clamping member 12 and a second clamping member 14, moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and which define an aperture 24 for receiving the welding nozzle, the first clamping member 12 including: a member 34 for resiliently engaging the welding nozzle, wherein the member 34 is arranged to be progressively deformed by the welding nozzle as the first clamping member 12 and second clamping member 14 move from the open configuration toward the closed configuration, and is arranged such that the degree of deformation of the member 34 by the welding nozzle achieved when the first and second clamping members 12, 14 reach the closed configuration is equal to, or less than, the maximum resilient deformation of the member 34.

Abstract: An inverted ?-shaped clip (10) comprises first and second C-shaped clamping members (12,14) interconnected by an interconnecting member (16). The interconnecting member (16) has attachment means (22) whereby the inverted ?-shaped clip (10) is rotatable between a first position in which the attachment means (22) of the inverted ?-shaped clip (10) is insertable and/or removable from an aperture (42) in a support member (40) and a second position in which the attachment means (22) of the inverted ?-shaped clip (10) is secured in the aperture (42) in the support member (40).

Abstract: A joint (40) for joining a first metal sheet (10) to a second metal sheet (30) comprises a plurality of deformable projections (14) on an edge (12) of the first metal sheet (10). Each deformable projection (14) has an aperture (16) therethrough to form two sides (18,20) and a deformable head (22). The sides (18,20) have dogs (24,26). A plurality of slots (32) are provided through the second metal sheet (30). The deformable projections (14) extend through the slots (32) in the second metal sheet (30). The deformable projections (14) are deformed such that the head (22) of the deformable projection (14) expands the dogs (18,20) of the deformable projections (14) beyond the sides (34,36) of the slots (32) to prevent withdrawal of the deformable projections (14) from the slots (32) in the second ductile sheet (30).

Abstract: A thrust reverser cascade flow directing element (28) for a gas turbine engine (10) comprises a plurality of plates (30) and a plurality of flow directing vanes (40). At least one vane (40) extends between each pair of plates (30), the plurality of plates (30) are formed from sheet material and a single integral piece of ductile sheet material (32) forms the plurality of flow directing vanes (40). The single integral piece of ductile sheet material (32) has a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart apertures (36) and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart sheet material portions (38) between the apertures (36) and the ductile sheet material (32) is bent at a plurality of longitudinally spaced positions such that each sheet material portion (38) defines one of the plurality of flow directing vanes (40).

Abstract: A thrust reverser cascade flow directing element (28) for a gas turbine engine (10) comprises a plurality of plates (30) and a plurality of flow directing vanes (40). At least one vane (40) extends between each pair of plates (30), the plurality of plates (30) are formed from sheet material and a single integral piece of ductile sheet material (32) forms the plurality of flow directing vanes (40). The single integral piece of ductile sheet material (32) has a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart apertures (36) and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart sheet material portions (38) between the apertures (36) and the ductile sheet material (32) is bent at a plurality of longitudinally spaced positions such that each sheet material portion (38) defines one of the plurality of flow directing vanes (40).

Abstract: An inverted &OHgr;-shaped clip (10) comprises first and second C-shaped clamping members (12,14) interconnected by an interconnecting member (16). The interconnecting member (16) has attachment means (22) whereby the inverted &OHgr;-shaped clip (10) is rotatable between a first position in which the attachment means (22) of the inverted &OHgr;-shaped clip (10) is insertable and/or removable from an aperture (42) in a support member (40) and a second position in which the attachment means (22) of the inverted &OHgr;-shaped clip (10) is secured in the aperture (42) in the support member (40).

Abstract: A thrust reverser cascade flow directing element (28) for a gas turbine engine (10) comprises a plurality of plates (30) and a plurality of flow directing vanes (40). At least one vane (40) extends between each pair of plates (30), the plurality of plates (30) are formed from sheet material and a single integral piece of ductile sheet material (32) forms the plurality of flow directing vanes (40). The single integral piece of ductile sheet material (32) has a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart apertures (36) and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart sheet material portions (38) between the apertures (36) and the ductile sheet material (32) is bent at a plurality of longitudinally spaced positions such that each sheet material portion (38) defines one of the plurality of flow directing vanes (40).

Abstract: A joint for joining a first metal sheet (10) to a second metal sheet (30) comprises a plurality of projections (18) on the edge (12) of the first metal sheet (10). The projections (18) are symmetrical about a plane extending perpendicularly to the plane of the first metal sheet (10). The symmetrical projections (18) are rotatable about an axis (X), the axis (X) is arranged in the plane of the first metal sheet (10) and in the plane extending perpendicularly to the first metal sheet (10). A plurality of slots (32) are provided through the second metal sheet (30). The symmetrical projections (18) extend through the slots (32) in the second metal sheet (30) and the symmetrical projections (18) are rotated such that the symmetrical projections (18) are arranged in the plane perpendicular to the plane of the first metal sheet (10) to clamp the second metal sheet (30) between the edge (12) of the first metal sheet (10) and symmetrical projections (18).

Abstract: A joint (40) for joining a first metal sheet (10) to a second metal sheet (30) comprises a plurality of deformable projections (14) on an edge (12) of the first metal sheet (10). Each deformable projection (14) has an aperture (16) therethrough to form two sides (18,20) and a deformable head (22). The sides (18,20) have dogs (24,26). A plurality of slots (32) are provided through the second metal sheet (30). The deformable projections (14) extend through the slots (32) in the second metal sheet (30). The deformable projections (14) are deformed such that the head (22) of the deformable projection (14) expands the dogs (18,20) of the deformable projections (14) beyond the sides (34,36) of the slots (32) to prevent withdrawal of the deformable projections (14) from the slots (32) in the second ductile sheet (30).