Abstract: A holding and sealing material for a catalytic converter for disposition between a cylindrical catalyst carrier and a metal shell covering the outer periphery of the catalyst carrier. The holding and sealing material includes a fiber aggregate mainly formed of alumina-silica based ceramic fibers having a mullite crystal content of 10 wt % or less, and the fiber aggregate is subjected to a needle punch treatment. Owing to the improved holding and sealing material, a catalytic converter having excellent durability and assemblage and having extremely low pollution characteristics is provided.

Abstract: A holding and sealing material (1) for a catalytic converter is disposed between a cylindrical catalyst carrier (3) and a metal shell (2) covering the outer periphery of the catalyst carrier (3). The holding and sealing material (1) comprises a fiber aggregate mainly comprised of alumina-silica based ceramic fibers having a mullite crystal content of 10 wt % or less, and the fiber aggregate is subjected to a needle punch treatment. Owing to the improved holding and sealing material, a catalytic converter having excellent durability and assemblage and having extremely low pollution characteristics is provided.

Abstract: A walking apparatus having an appearance similar to a real insect and capable of taking movements similar to those of a real insect is provided. A walking apparatus comprises a body and at least two of leg portions provided in the left and the right sides of the body. A power source and a plurality of gear wheels rotated by the power source are provided inside the body. The leg portions have rear parts mounted in the body, which are mounted in the rotational centers of the gear wheels and are made to be rotated on their axes. The leg portions can be bent and are formed such that they can retain the bent posture.

Abstract: A walking apparatus having an appearance similar to a real insect and capable of taking movements similar to those of a real insect is provided. A walking apparatus comprises a body and at least two of leg portions provided in the left and the right sides of the body. A power source and a plurality of gear wheels rotated by the power source are provided inside the body. The leg portions have rear parts mounted in the body, which are mounted in the rotational centers of the gear wheels and are made to be rotated on their axes. The leg portions can be bent and are formed such that they can retain the bent posture.

Abstract: The invention provides a muffler for an internal combustion engine having excellent durability (resistance to scattering) even when being exposed to a high-temperature exhaust gas and capable of maintaining a high sound absorption coefficient over a long period. Such a muffler comprises a metal tube provided with a plurality of small holes, an inorganic fiber sound-absorbing material arranged on the outer periphery thereof and a metal shell covering the outside of the sound-absorbing material, in which a scattering prevention member is disposed between the metal tube and the sound-absorbing material. The sound-absorbing material is a laminated structure of crystalline alumna fiber mat and glass fiber mat. As the scattering prevention member, there is used a stainless woven wire cloth, a woven fabric made from inorganic fiber and a metal roll.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for the purification of exhaust gas including a catalyst carrier, a heat-insulating seal layer and a cylindrical metal shell is manufactured by providing an assembly including the catalyst carrier, a crystalline alumina fiber mat as the heat-insulating seal layer and a sheet-shaped article and pressing the assembly into the metal shell through a funnel-shaped fixture to render a bulk density of the crystalline alumina fiber mat in use into 0.25-0.60 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: A coin stacking cylinder is assembled from three wall members and has a coin stacking space of a substantially circular cross section and variable diameter defined by a substantially semicylindrical concave surface formed by contiguously joined, arcuately recessed surfaces respectively of first and second, mutually displaceable wall members and defining a cavity and by an arcuately recessed surface of a third wall member, which is adjustably moved toward or away from the cavity to vary the diameter of the stacking space to suit any selected one of a plurality of different kinds of coins.