Abstract: An actuator having good interlayer adhesion at a lamination interface, good conductivity of an electrode layer, and good smoothness of the electrode layer is provided. The actuator includes a plurality of elastomer layers and a plurality of electrode layers, and the elastomer layers and electrode layers are alternately laminated. The electrode layer contains carbon black, a content of the carbon black in the electrode layer is 10% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less, and a specific surface area of the carbon black is 380 g/m2 or more and 800 m2/g or less.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a transducer capable of providing a high degree of freedom in deformation and suppressing a risk of breakage and a method of producing the transducer. [Solving Means] In order to achieve the above-described object, a transducer according to an embodiment of the present technology includes an elastomer. The elastomer extends along a predetermined axis direction, and has both end portions in which at least two electrodes having followability are disposed on both sides around a predetermined axis in the predetermined axis direction, the both end portions being elongated to be folded in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined axis. This makes it possible to provide a high degree of freedom in deformation and to suppress a risk of breakage.

Abstract: A stapler for use with sheet metal staples each having an ornament joined to a bridge interconnecting a pair of parallel legs. The staples are bonded together to form a staple bar, with the ornaments placed in overlapping relation to one another so that the bridges of the joined staples form an obtuse angle with each pair of staple legs. The stapler has an elongate staple magazine which is shaped to accommodate the ornamented staple bar and which is pivoted at its rear end on a base so that the front end of the staple magazine is movable into and out of engagement with an anvil or matrix on the base. Pivotally coupled to both the base and the staple magazine, a handle has an ejector for driving the successive ornamented staples out of the front end of the staple magazine against the anvil on the base.

Abstract: A working combination of a stapler assembly (10) for fastening together sheets of paper or the like with U-shaped wire staples (S) one at a time and a punch assembly (12) capable of simultaneously perforating two holes. The stapler assembly is per se of conventional make including an elongate base (14) carrying a matrix (16) against which successive staples are forced out of a staple magazine (18) by a handle (20) having an ejector (22). The punch assembly comprises a platen (50) permanently or removably fastened to the stapler base, and a bed (54) hingedly coupled to the platen for relative pivotal motion about an axis extending longitudinally of the stapler base. A pair of perforating punches (52) are formed on either of the platen and the bed, and bores (58) for receiving the punches are formed in a die or dies (56) mounted to the other of the platen and the bed.

Abstract: In a hand-operated punching device such as that incorporated with a stapler to enable the same both to staple and perforate sheets of paper or the like, an improved punch element is provided which is movable into and out of a hole in a die for perforation. The punch element has three or more sharp-edged cutting teeth formed peripherally on one end thereof in order to improve the perforating or cutting ability of the device. The axis of the pivot pin connecting the base, lever and staple magazine lies in a plane extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the punch element intermediate between the distal end thereof and a location thereon to which the punch element is allowed to advance relative to the inlet of the hole. Numerous variations are possible in the structural details of the punch element.

Abstract: A directory casing comprising a base supporting an unbound stack of tab-indexed cards thereon, and a top cover pivotally coupled at its rear end to the base, with the tabs of the cards projecting forwardly out of the top cover. Upon manual depression of any selected tab, the top cover opens automatically with the card or cards overlying the card having the selected tab. In the directory casing of this general character, the invention provides means for holding the stack of cards in rearwardly declining disposition on the base, whereby when any selected tab is depressed, a comparatively great spacing is formed between the card having the selected tab and the overlying card or cards, and failure-proof opening of the top cover is assured.

Abstract: A hand-operated stapler of the type comprising a base having an anvil die adjacent its front end, an open-top staple magazine pivotally coupled at its rear end to the base, and a lever also pivotally coupled to the base to depress the staple magazine onto the anvil die of the base whereby the foremost one of the staples within the magazine is dispensed therefrom to penetrate sheets of paper or the like and is further clinched by the anvil die to hold the sheets together. The stapler is characterized in that the staples within the staple magazine are urged forwardly by a feed element slidably mounted therein and a helical tension spring extending between the front end of the feed element and the front end of the lever, in such a manner that the spring is substantially folded over the rear end of the feed element.