Abstract: A friction stir welding apparatus (120) brings end faces (1, 2) of a plate material (W1), having fingers (7a through 7d) at corners thereof, into abutment against each other to form a hollow cylindrical body (W2), and friction-stir-welds the end faces (1, 2) to each other. The apparatus includes a base (122), a first support device and second support device which are mounted on the base (122), a support core (32) spaced from the base (122) by the first support device and the second support device, for insertion into the hollow cylindrical body (W2) and for supporting the hollow cylindrical body (W2), and a first gripping member (238) and a second gripping member (268) disposed on the support core (32) for gripping respective protrusions (8, 9), which are formed when the fingers (7a through 7d) are held in abutment against opposite ends of abutting regions of the hollow cylindrical body (W2), and which extend along a joining direction.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wheel rim by bringing end faces of a workpiece into abutment against each other to form a hollow cylindrical body and forming a circumferential recess which is depressed from an outer circumferential wall of said hollow cylindrical body toward an inner circumferential wall thereof, including providing protrusions disposed near ends of a joined area of the hollow cylindrical body and extending in a joining direction, and then pressing the outer circumferential wall of the hollow cylindrical body to form the recess.

Abstract: A first channel is formed in the side of a first diffusion plate which is on that side of a gas inlet tube and a recess is formed in the side which is on that side of an electrode plate. The first channel and the recess communicate with each other through a plurality of inlet ports. The first channel and the inlet ports form a gas flow passage L which leads to the recess from the gas inlet tube. As a process gas supplied from the gas inlet tube passes through the gas flow passage L, it is supplied, dispersed, to a hollow portion formed between the recess and the electrode plate.

Abstract: A friction stir welding apparatus (120) brings end faces (1, 2) of a plate material (W1), having fingers (7a through 7d) at corners thereof, into abutment against each other to form a hollow cylindrical body (W2), and friction-stir-welds the end faces (1, 2) to each other. The apparatus includes a base (122), a first support device and second support device which are mounted on the base (122), a support core (32) spaced from the base (122) by the first support device and the second support device, for insertion into the hollow cylindrical body (W2) and for supporting the hollow cylindrical body (W2), and a first gripping member (238) and a second gripping member (268) disposed on the support core (32) for gripping respective protrusions (8, 9), which are formed when the fingers (7a through 7d) are held in abutment against opposite ends of abutting regions of the hollow cylindrical body (W2), and which extend along a joining direction.

Abstract: A gearwheel unit includes a gear body and a clutch gear. The gear body includes a gear part and a positioning part. The gear part is configured and arranged to transmit rotation of a rotational shaft with a prescribed change gear ratio. The positioning part is integrally formed with the gear part at a position spaced apart from the gear part by a prescribed distance in an axial direction so that a prescribed open space is formed between the positioning part and the gear part. The clutch gear is fixedly coupled to the gear body as being positioned with respect to the gear body by the positioning part so that at least a part of the clutch gear overlaps the prescribed open space formed between the positioning part and the gear part of the gear body when viewed in a radial direction.

Abstract: An elastic coupling capable of sufficiently absorbing a shake of a steering shaft in its axis direction to prevent a driver from feeling uncomfortable due to the shake is provided. A rubber elastic body including lubricant is provided between an outer circumference of an inner casing having a roughly cross shape in section and an inner circumference of an outer casing while the outer casing and the rubber elastic body are enabled to slide in their axis direction so as to absorb a shake in the axis direction from a steering gear box side.

Abstract: In a friction stir welding method for friction stirring and welding a material by using a rotating tool 2 having a shoulder 4 and a pin 5 at a front portion of a shaft portion 3 and injecting a cooling agent Ac from a cooling nozzle 11 to the tool to be cooled thereby, the cooling agent is injected to a middle portion in an axial direction of the tool 2 to thereby prevent thermal expansion in an axial direction of the tool.

Abstract: A rim (10) is produced by a production process including a step (A) of bending a workpiece (11) to bring end faces of the workpiece into contact with each other, a step (B) of forming a circular cylinder body (12) by joining the end faces brought to be in contact with each other, a step (C) of inspecting a joint portion (13) of the circular cylinder body (12), a step (D) of forming a drop portion (16), subsiding toward the inner peripheral wall (15) side, in an outer peripheral wall (14) of the circular cylinder body (12), a by bending both end portions of the circular cylinder body (12), a step (F) of forming hump portions (20) by pressing the circular cylinder body (12) from the inner peripheral wall (15) side to raise the outer peripheral wall (14), and a step (G) for forming a valve hole (22) and water drain holes (24) in the drop portion (16) and the curl portions (18). The rim (10) and a disk (102) that is separately produced are welded to form a wheel (122).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cylindrical body, comprising the step of forming the cylindrical body by bending a plate-like work having first projected finger to fourth projected finger at four corned parts and allowing the end faces thereof to abut on each other, wherein the main surface of the cylindrical body on the side where sags are present is formed in an outer peripheral wall surface and the rear surface thereof on the side where the burrs are present is formed in an inner peripheral wall surface, and a first projected part is formed of the first projected finger and the third projected finger and a second projected part is formed of the second projected finger and the fourth projected finger. After the cylindrical body is held by friction stir welding devices, the probe of a friction stir welding tool is buried from the direction of either of the first projected part and the second projected part, and scanned in the direction of the other of the second projected part and the first projected part.

Abstract: An elastic coupling capable of sufficiently absorbing a shake of a steering shaft in its axis direction to prevent a driver from feeling uncomfortable due to the shake is provided. A rubber elastic body including lubricant is provided between an outer circumference of an inner casing having a roughly cross shape in section and an inner circumference of an outer casing while the outer casing and the rubber elastic body are enabled to slide in their axis direction so as to absorb a shake in the axis direction from a steering gear box side.

Abstract: A first channel is formed in the side of a first diffusion plate which is on that side of a gas inlet tube and a recess is formed in the side which is on that side of an electrode plate. The first channel and the recess communicate with each other through a plurality of inlet ports. The first channel and the inlet ports form a gas flow passage L which leads to the recess from the gas inlet tube. As a process gas supplied from the gas inlet tube passes through the gas flow passage L, it is supplied, dispersed, to a hollow portion formed between the recess and the electrode plate.

Abstract: A pedal device (1) for an automobile includes a supporting frame (2); an accelerator pedal arm (3) made of a rigid metal and supported by the supporting frame (2) in such a manner as to be rotatable about an axis A in directions R; a spring means (4) for rotatively urging the accelerator pedal arm (3) toward an initial position of its rotation; a damper (5) for imparting a resistance force to the rotation in the directions R of the accelerator pedal arm (3); and a stopper for stopping the rotation of the accelerator pedal arm (3) at the initial position of its rotation.

Abstract: A pedal device (1) for an automobile includes a supporting frame (2); an accelerator pedal arm (3) made of a rigid metal and supported by the supporting frame (2) in such a manner as to be rotatable about an axis A in directions R; a spring means (4) for rotatively urging the accelerator pedal arm (3) toward an initial position of its rotation; a damper (5) for imparting a resistance force to the rotation in the directions R of the accelerator pedal arm (3); and a stopper for stopping the rotation of the accelerator pedal arm (3) at the initial position of its rotation.

Abstract: In a zoom lens device, the mechanism for guiding lens groups for achieving a composite focal length for the zoom lens function is used also for positioning the lens groups for the macro lens function. In particular, the position for the macro lens function is defined in a region near the wide end of the zoom lens function so that the interference with the convenience of the zoom lens function may be minimized. The mechanism for the zoom lens function can be thereby used additionally for the macro lens function so that the mechanism for achieving the two functions can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be minimized. This device is suitable for use in compact cameras.

Abstract: The close-up photographing apparatus includes a range determining frame having a guide plate at a front end thereof. A frontal opening defining a photographic object area is formed in the guide plate. The range determining frame allows a photographic object placed in the frontal opening to be at an optimum distance for a best photographing result. The guide plate allows the apparatus to be placed flat on a table or the like supporting a photographic object. The apparatus further includes a strobe light for lighting the object in the frontal opening, and an aperture member defining a small aperture opening which achieves a large depth of field and a proper photographic exposure in cooperation with the strobe light.

Abstract: In a wide range focusing camera, a cooperating engagement members are provided in moveable parts of a focusing mechanism and an aperture opening selecting mechanism so as to force the latter into selecting a smaller one of the aperture opening areas when the focusing mechanism is actuated into moving the lens to the position suitable for a close range shot. At the same time, a strobe light is enabled. Thus, the focal depth can be increased, and a clear picture of a close range object can be taken without regard to the condition under which the object is placed in relation with the surrounding objects. Also, a three-dimensional object having a depth can be photographed at close range with a satisfactory result. Because a number of settings required for such close-up shots are instantaneously set either manually by hand or automatically by an auto-focusing mechanism, it is possible even for an inexperienced photographer to take clear pictures of objects at close range.

Abstract: In order to prevent an electrode tip 8 from being burred during dressing process, thereby attaining high quality and stability of the electrode tip, a tip dresser features a screw-threaded circumference 5 formed around the rotatable cutter holder 1 for securing a one- or two-piece formed cutter element 2, for permitting the holder 1 to be rotated in one direction A manually or by a suitable driver. Frusto-conical recesses are symmetrically formed in both sides of the holder 1 for receiving the electrode tips, allowing the cutter element 2 to be mounted so as to slightly extend by a predetermined amount beyond the conically recessed surface.

Abstract: An improved tip dressing process is provided wherein the pressure between the electrode tip of a resistance welder and the cutter of a tip dresser is varied during the tip dressing process. A pressure controller is also provided for controlling the pressure between the electrode tip and cutter during the tip dressing process. The pressure controller may be applied to independently control the tip dressing process of several resistance welders simultaneously.

Abstract: In an electrode tip dressing apparatus, a relatively weak pressure is applied on an electrode tip at the electrode setting, then a strong pressure is applied at finishing, and finally a lowered pressure is applied after a predetermined time period. The blade holder is provided with a clearance over the entire length of the blade for discharging the chips produced during machining of the electrode tip, thereby preventing blinding of blades caused by cutting chips.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to presenting rotative cutting tool of tip dresser. The blade to cut and repair side surface and/or edge surface of welding electrode tip is mounted in the holder with first tapered portion having the same angle of the blade to cut side surface of the electrode tip and second tapered portion having angle a little different from the first tapered angle in a recess of frustconical shape of the holder, said holder being provided with empty space so as to expel every cut powder of electrode tips generated in cutting and repairing operation from the recess of frustconical shape of the holder and tip of the blade has a small roundness or chamfer finishing.