Abstract: An end effector assembly of a surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic blade adapted to receive ultrasonic energy from a source of ultrasonic energy to vibrate the ultrasonic blade. A jaw member is movable relative to the ultrasonic blade from a spaced-apart position to an approximated position for clamping tissue. A jaw liner is engaged with the jaw member such that the jaw liner contacts the ultrasonic blade when the jaw member is in the approximated position. The ultrasonic blade is adapted to receive electrosurgical energy from a source of electrosurgical energy. The ultrasonic blade defines a distal tip. The distal tip of the ultrasonic blade is configured to direct electrosurgical energy.

Abstract: An end effector assembly of a surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic blade. A jaw member is movable relative to the ultrasonic blade from a spaced-apart position to an approximated position. The jaw member includes a structural body. The structural body defines a first side facing the ultrasonic blade and a second side facing away from the ultrasonic blade. A jaw liner is engaged with the first side of the structural body such that the jaw liner contacts the ultrasonic blade when the jaw member is in the approximated position. An electrode is engaged with the second side of the structural body. The electrode is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. The electrode defines a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the electrode is in contact with the structural body and the second portion of the electrode tapers to a pointed edge.

Abstract: A surgical end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a jaw member. The blade is adapted to receive ultrasonic and electrosurgical energy and defines a distal face. The jaw member is movable relative to the blade from a spaced-apart to an approximated position for clamping tissue and includes a structural body having a body portion and a distal cap portion. The distal cap portion defines an electrode that receives electrosurgical energy. The jaw member further includes a jaw liner engaged within the body portion and extending therefrom towards the blade such that, in the approximated position, the jaw liner contacts the blade to define a gap distance between the electrode and the distal face to facilitate bipolar electrosurgical tissue treatment upon conduction of bipolar energy between the electrode and the distal face and through tissue in contact therewith.

Abstract: A retainer apparatus configured to releasably retain an article, comprising a face plate member each having a front face, a plurality of vacuum cups and a plurality of support pins each extending distally relative to the front face, respectively, wherein the vacuum cups and the support pins are laterally spaced from one another, wherein the plurality of vacuum cups retain the article to the retainer apparatus in a presence of vacuum, wherein the plurality of support pins are extendable/retractable relative to the face plate member, wherein each of the support pins have a longitudinal axis, respectively, and are configured to contact the article to support the article against movement along the longitudinal axis and support the article against movement transverse to the longitudinal axis, and a locking mechanism configured to inhibit the support pins from being retractable and extendable when the locking mechanism is engaged.

Abstract: A retainer apparatus configured to releasably retain an article, comprising a face plate member each having a front face; a plurality of vacuum cups and a plurality of support pins each extending distally relative to the front face, respectively; wherein the vacuum cups and the support pins are laterally spaced from one another; wherein the plurality of vacuum cups retain the article to the retainer apparatus in a presence of vacuum; wherein the plurality of support pins are extendable/retractable relative to the face plate member, wherein each of the support pins have a longitudinal axis, respectively, and are configured to contact the article to support the article against movement along the longitudinal axis and support the article against movement transverse to the longitudinal axis; and a locking mechanism configured to inhibit the support pins from being retractable and extendable when the locking mechanism is engaged.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes one or more probes, a tip, a pin, and a measurement device. The one or more probes may be configured for insertion through an aperture in a component. The tip may be slidably engaged with the one or more probes and include a first end configured to contact a first surface of the component. The first end of the tip may be conically shaped. The pin may be slidably engaged with the one or more probes and include a first end configured for insertion into the aperture in the component such that the one or more probes are configured to contact a second surface of the component. The pin may be configured to move between a first position and a second position. An axis of the pin may be substantially aligned with an axis of the tip. The measurement device may be coupled to the tip and configured to measure a value indicating a grip length.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes one or more probes, a tip, a pin, and a measurement device. The one or more probes may be configured for insertion through an aperture in a component. The tip may be slidably engaged with the one or more probes and include a first end configured to contact a first surface of the component. The first end of the tip may be conically shaped. The pin may be slidably engaged with the one or more probes and include a first end configured for insertion into the aperture in the component such that the one or more probes are configured to contact a second surface of the component. The pin may be configured to move between a first position and a second position. An axis of the pin may be substantially aligned with an axis of the tip. The measurement device may be coupled to the tip and configured to measure a value indicating a grip length.

Abstract: An adhesive tape application device of a case sealing machine for sealing cases automatically and folding over the end of the adhesive tape to form a grippable non-adhesive tape end portion for easy peeling.

Abstract: A brake actuator apparatus is provided for an air disc brake of a vehicle air braking system. The apparatus comprises a bridge housing having (i) a first end portion, (ii) a second end portion distal from the first end portion, (iii) a vehicle outboard surface extending between the first and second end portions, and (iv) a vehicle inboard surface extending between the first and second end portions. The apparatus further comprises a first tappet having a longitudinal central axis and disposed at the first end portion and extending between the outboard surface and the inboard surface, and a second tappet having a longitudinal central axis and disposed at the second end portion and extending between the outboard surface and the inboard surface. The apparatus also comprises a gear train disposed on the outboard surface and including a plurality of gear wheels operatively coupled to the tappets.

Abstract: A drum brake shoe has first and second webs, with the first web including a first end section to be located adjacent a brake shoe actuation element, a second end section to be located adjacent a brake shoe anchor element, and a central section extending between the first and second end sections. Similarly, the second web includes a first end section to be located adjacent the brake shoe actuation element, a second end section to be located adjacent the brake shoe anchor element, and a central section extending between the first and second end sections of the second web. At least one lining table is disposed at circumferentially outer portions of the first and second webs, and a pin or other return spring mounting is provided by at least the first web.

Abstract: Disclosed is an exemplary strain relief device. The strain relief device includes a tubular body having a central bore, a plurality of cable passages disposed around the central bore, and a plug to block the central bore and secure the one or more telecommunication drop cables in the cable passages. the central bore defines a longitudinal axis and an interior surface of the tubular body. The central bore has a perimeter that is larger than a perimeter of each of the plurality of cable passages.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coupling assembly for use in a telecommunication enclosure. The coupling assembly comprises an optical coupling mounted within the enclosure, a parking lot adapter, and a first optical fiber connector having a key on its housing. The parking lot adapter is axially aligned with and fitted to a first side of the optical coupling. The first optical fiber connector is inserted into the parking lot adapter and is movable between two stable positions. The two stable positions consist of a connected position and a disconnected position.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating characteristics of an S-cam are provided. The inventive method includes the step of obtaining angle values and displacement values indicative of an angle of rotation of the S-cam and displacement of a cam follower caused by rotation of a lobe of the S-cam. The method further includes the step of determining a profile for the lobe of the S-cam responsive to the angle values and the displacement values. The method further includes the steps of computing a deviation of the profile from a desired profile for the lobe of the S-cam and determining a rate of change in the deviation of the profile. In addition, the system and method may evaluate characteristics such as the concentricity of the S-cam and power transfer characteristics of the S-cam.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating characteristics of an S-cam are provided. The inventive method includes the step of obtaining angle values and displacement values indicative of an angle of rotation of the S-cam and displacement of a cam follower caused by rotation of a lobe of the S-cam. The method further includes the step of determining a profile for the lobe of the S-cam responsive to the angle values and the displacement values. The method further includes the steps of computing a deviation of the profile from a desired profile for the lobe of the S-cam and determining a rate of change in the deviation of the profile. In addition, the system and method may evaluate characteristics such as the concentricity of the S-cam and power transfer characteristics of the S-cam.

Abstract: Disclosed is an exemplary strain relief device. The strain relief device includes a tubular body having a central bore, a plurality of cable passages disposed around the central bore, and a plug to block the central bore and secure the one or more telecommunication drop cables in the cable passages. the central bore defines a longitudinal axis and an interior surface of the tubular body. The central bore has a perimeter that is larger than a perimeter of each of the plurality of cable passages.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coupling assembly for use in a telecommunication enclosure. The coupling assembly comprises an optical coupling mounted within the enclosure, a parking lot adapter, and a first optical fiber connector having a key on its housing. The parking lot adapter is axially aligned with and fitted to a first side of the optical coupling. The first optical fiber connector is inserted into the parking lot adapter and is movable between two stable positions. The two stable positions consist of a connected position and a disconnected position.

Abstract: A drum brake shoe has first and second webs, with the first web including a first end section to be located adjacent a brake shoe actuation element, a second end section to be located adjacent a brake shoe anchor element, and a central section extending between the first and second end sections. Similarly, the second web includes a first end section to be located adjacent the brake shoe actuation element, a second end section to be located adjacent the brake shoe anchor element, and a central section extending between the first and second end sections of the second web. At least one lining table is disposed at circumferentially outer portions of the first and second webs, and a pin or other return spring mounting is provided by at least the first web.

Abstract: An improved dough-rolling apparatus and method for rolling sheeted dough. The proposed invention comprises a dough-rolling apparatus having a dough sheeter, a sheeting conveyor having a ramped section, a roll-initiating curtain positioned above the ramped section, and a roll-completing curtain positioned above the conveyor and downstream from the roll-initiating conveyor. Sheeted and cut dough pieces are deposited onto a steel mesh, partially-ramped sheeter belt, where two wire-mesh rolling curtains are draped onto the sheeter belt to induce rolling of the dough pieces.

Abstract: A containment apparatus for a multi-pass oven consisting of guide rails and tapered guide chutes having side rails. A tapered guide chute directs product pieces from one conveyor to the center of a receiving region of an underlying conveyor. Guide rails are placed along the sides of the receiving region of an underlying conveyor and maintain baking product pieces on the conveyor. Diverters on the distal end of each guide rail further move product pieces toward the center of the conveyor. Such diverters help ensure that pieces reach a subsequent guide chute or subsequent conveyor without falling off of the conveyor. Such guide rails, diverters, and guide chutes help prevent damage to, and loss of, product pieces while pieces pass through the oven. Guide rails, diverters, and guide chutes are particularly effective at maintaining round or cylindrical pieces within a multi-pass oven.

Abstract: A wheel end assembly is provided that allows venting of pressurized air from a chamber defined by the hubcap, but prevents entry of contaminants into the chamber. The wheel end assembly includes a hubcap that is configured to be coupled to a wheel and defines a chamber for retaining lubricant for wheel bearings for the wheel. One wall of the hubcap has an aperture in fluid communication with the chamber and a plug is disposed within the aperture. The plug defines a valve for releasing pressurized air from the chamber. The assembly finally includes a cap that is supported on the body of the plug and extends in an outboard direction. The cap is disposed over an outlet of the valve and defines a first fluid chamber in fluid communication with both the outlet of the valve and ambient air. The cap and plug can be inserted into and removed from the aperture as a unit.