Abstract: A novel instrument for automatic sampling or removal of tissue percutaneously from a patient. In a disclosed embodiment the instrument comprises a housing, a means for excising tissue from a target site within a patient's body extending from the housing, a means for impelling the excising means into a target tissue site in response to an impelling force, and a rotatable handle.

Abstract: An air actuator has a rigid piston at one end and a rigid housing and end cap at the other end with an intervening elastomeric flexible sleeve extending therebetween which forms a fluid pressure chamber. The rigid piston, elastomeric flexible sleeve, and rigid housing are all injection or blow molded as one integral piece of preferably a thermoplastic elastomer, while the end cap is injection or blow molded as a second integral piece of preferably a thermoplastic elastomer that is thereafter welded to the rigid housing to define an internal chamber that is pressurizable. The first piece consisting of the piston, flexible membrane and housing, is configured such that the walls of the housing and piston are thick and rigid while the walls of the flexible membrane are thin and thus flexible, thereby allowing the membrane to roll and bend such that the piston may axially move in relation to the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for curing a tapered airsleeve has a bladder curing chamber into which a rigid tapered sleeve cartridge is inserted to form the airsleeve thereon. The bladder curing chamber is formed by a rigid bladder support tube positioned between upper and lower plates and joined by strain rods. A straight cylindrical bladder is positioned within the bladder support tube and the ends are sealed by flipping them from the inside of the bladder support tube 180.degree. over each end of the tube for sealing the curing chamber. The hollow tapered sleeve mold or cartridge is inserted into the bladder curing chamber and will be dimensionally similar to the airsleeve to be molded therein. A preshaped uncured green sleeve is positioned over the tapered sleeve cartridge before inserting it into the curing chamber. The straight cylindrical bladder is inflated and expands radially outwardly causing the uncured sleeve to conform against the tapered sleeve cartridge.

Abstract: A one-piece attachment device for mounting an end of a fluid actuated member on a support component. The attachment device has a plurality of first flexible fingers which terminate at a tip provided with an outwardly extending shoulder and a tapered camming surface. The fingers are moved inwardly by engagement of the camming surfaces with the support component as the fingers pass through an aperture formed therein, and thereafter attempt to return toward their original position. The finger shoulders engage the support component to secure the attachment device to the support component. A second plurality of inwardly and upwardly extending flexible fingers are also provided on the attachment device and define an interior opening.

Abstract: An air spring suspension system which provides a variable rate for an air spring of a vehicle, has an auxiliary air reservoir formed by a second air spring in fluid communication with the vehicle air spring. One end member of the auxiliary air spring is mounted on a frame and the other end member, preferably a piston, is moved with respect to the other end member to vary the volume of the air chamber formed by a flexible sleeve extending between the end member and piston. An actuator motor moves the piston with respect to the fixed end member, via a linearly movable shaft to change the volume of the air chamber and consequently the rate of the vehicle air spring.

Abstract: An annular clamping band is concentrically engaged in an interference force-fit relationship with the outer annular surface of the sidewall of an end cap of an air spring primarily intended for use for motor vehicles. The band restricts outward movement and creep of the sidewall and retains an open end of a flexible sleeve which forms the fluid pressure chamber of the air spring, in a compressed state between an annular internal sealing ring and an annular recess formed on the inside surface of the sidewall, to maintain the airtight sealing engagement therebetween. The clamping band is forced axially about the outer surface of the end cap sidewall and is restrained from axial movement therealong by a plurality of retaining ribs projecting outwardly from the top surface of the end cap and by an annular outwardly extending rib on a lower end of the end cap sidewall.

Abstract: An air spring formed by an axially spaced end member and a piston member with an intervening elastomeric flexible sleeve therebetween which forms a fluid pressure chamber. An annular clamp ring having a recess on the inner diameter thereof coacts with a corresponding annular projection on the outer diameter of the rigid piston member to positionally locate the ring on the piston member. A pair of clamping surfaces are located on opposite sides of the projection and are separated therefrom by expansion grooves. The projection and clamping surfaces form a series of pinch areas with the intervening sleeve, which sealingly clamp the sleeve therebetween. The expansion grooves receive portions of the sleeve and change the direction of reinforcing cords within the sleeve. Another radially extending groove traps a partially compressed end of the sleeve therein and provides an additional material expansion area.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle having a shock absorber strut with a reciprocal rod located within a cylinder and an air spring having a fluid pressure chamber wherein the piston rod and cylinder extend through the chamber. The air spring includes a rigid annular canister and a flexible sleeve, one end of which is sealingly connected to the cylinder and the other end connected to the open bottom of the canister. An elastomeric isolator is bonded to a lower side of an end cap which is adapted to be secured to the vehicle. The isolator also is bound to and encloses the open upper end of the canister to close the pressure chamber of the air spring and to resiliently mount the air spring to the vehicle. An opening is formed in the isolator for sealingly receiving the upper end of the piston rod therethrough. The bonding of the end cap to the air spring canister by the isolator provides the fluid seal for the piston rod and dual path isolation for the suspension unit with a reduced number of parts.

Abstract: An air spring for motor vehicles including first and second end members, at least one of which is a piston, with an intervening flexible sleeve forming a fluid pressure chamber therebetween sealingly connected to the end members. A continuous annular sealing band clamps at least one end of the flexible sleeve within an annular recess formed on the inside surface of an annular wall portion of one of the end members within an open end of the end member by compressing the sleeve material between the band and wall, and without deforming the band or wall of the end member beyond their elastic limits. In one embodiment, the annular wall of the end member is formed of plastic and is deformed outwardly but maintained within its elastic limits upon insertion of the band within the open end.