Abstract: A cleaning sheet for cleaning and removing particles from a surface is disclosed. The sheet includes a particle retention layer including an electret material for collecting and retaining the particles. The sheet also includes an outer layer covering at least a portion of the particle retention layer. The outer layer comprises a low dust retention material and includes a surface having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough.

Abstract: A windshield wiper has a wiper arm (10), which is driven via a drive shaft and is made up of a fastening element (12) and a hinge element (14), pivotably connected to it via a swivel joint (18). The hinge element has a wiper rod (36) to which a wiper blade (42) is pivotably connected, and at least one spray nozzle (42) is disposed on a pivotable part (10, 22), the spray nozzle communicating with a water pump via a water line (48). An electric resistance heating line (50, 60) in wire form is guided through the water line (48) and has two insulated current-carrying leads (64, 66), which on one end are electrically connected to one another and on that end, with the spray nozzle (42, 54) of a heating-conducting material, form a contact point (62, 68) with good heat transfer.

Abstract: The invention is based on a wiper installation, having at least one wiper bearing (10), in whose hearing housing (12,126) a wiper shaft (18) is supported and axial fixed, and which on its end (20) protruding from a vehicle body (24) carries a wiper arm (60). The wiper shaft (18) is displaceable into the vehicle body (24) when an axial force (40) that exceeds a predetermined magnitude is exerted from outside on the end (20).

Abstract: A carpet cleaning system that delivers heated cleaning water from a truck to a carpet cleaning apparatus and an improved waste disposal tank designed to receive the waste water and deposit it into the toilet or sewer drain when the disposal tank is full. The disposal tank is divided into an upper primary recovery tank and a lower recovery tank. A main vacuum line and waste water return line are connected to the primary recovery tank. Disposed between the primary and secondary recovery tanks is a first check valve that controls the flow of waste water therebetween. Connected over the outlet port on the secondary recovery tank is a second check valve that operates in opposite direction to the first check valve. Attached to the secondary recovery tank is an air control valve that controls the flow of air from the primary recovery tank or the outside air into the secondary recovery tank. A timer or a float valve is connected to the air control valve to selectively control its operation.

Abstract: A carpet extractor includes a solution distributor, such as a spray bar 90, which delivers cleaning solution to a floor surface. A housing 10 selectively receives a recovery tank 22 for collecting dirty cleaning solution from the floor. A first tank 14 for concentrated cleaning fluid and a second tank 15 for clean water supply cleaning fluid and water to a reciprocating pump 420 through first and second fluid lines 412, 410. The pump includes a piston 428, which reciprocates between first and second ends of a cylindrical bore 430. A fluid line 432 interconnects the first and second fluid lines. As the pump reciprocates, a portion of the water is drawn into the interconnecting line during a downward stroke, where it mixes with the entering cleaning solution. As the pump moves on its upward stroke, the mixture is drawn back into the water line and is pushed onward by the pump toward the spray bar with each successive downward stroke.

Abstract: An inlet hose feeds a tank that may be placed in a household sink which is too high above a floor for a conventional wet vacuum to lift a column of water. One or more inlet hoses each have a water pickup tube at the distal end. The hoses are connected to the tank chamber which has a vacuum created by a vacuum cleaner apparatus. An air inlet aperture in the pickup tube at the distal end of the inlet hose is kept above the water level. An air stream is drawn into the aperture of the pickup tube by the vacuum, which causes turbulence in the water stream in the pick up tube and breaks the water into droplets. This enables the vacuum of a given magnitude to lift the droplets to a higher elevation than a solid water column. Air inlet and water discharge valves are provided on the tank to control the water fill rate into the tank. An interior hose or channel stops the vacuum to the pickup hose when the fluid in the tank gets too high. A window in the tank permits observation of the fill rate.

Abstract: A suction cleaner nozzle has a nozzle body enclosing an agitator chamber, which has an elongated suction inlet opening. An agitator is disposed in the agitator chamber such that the agitator extends partially through the suction inlet opening for agitating a surface to be cleaned. A duct is connected to the nozzle body and located adjacent the agitator chamber. The duct extends parallel to the rotative axis of the agitator. A turbine rotor is rotatably connected to the nozzle body and operatively connected to the agitator.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a length of a suction pipe of a vacuum cleaner includes a sleeve connected to one end of an outer pipe, and having a pair of limiting projections formed on an outer circumference of the outer pipe, a slot defined between the projections, and a guide projection formed on the inner circumference of the sleeve; a locking plate inserted in the slot of the sleeve, and having a pair of locking projections inserted in a pair of neighboring locking recesses; a pair of arc-shaped pressing plates connected between the pair of projections, the pressing plates having cam grooves; and a sliding cover securely positioned by elastic means, the sliding cover having operating projections which are movably inserted in the cam grooves of the pair of pressing plates.

Abstract: A vacuum nozzle or suction head for efficiently and effectively removing standing liquid from fabric surfaces such as carpeting. The nozzle is formed by a nozzle body defining an internal enclosed vacuum chamber and an upper vacuum source port opening into the chamber. A sleeve adapted to receive a vacuum source tube is affixed to the nozzle body and opens into the port. The nozzle body has a bottom plate defining an outer bottom surface with a plurality of vacuum suction ports opening between the chamber and the bottom surface. Each port has a throat portion opening into the chamber and an outer enlarged portion opening into the surface. Moving the nozzle, when connected to a suction source, across a liquid saturated, typically water saturated surface effects removal of water therefrom.

Abstract: A checkstrap assembly is provided for a door of a vehicle. The checkstrap assembly includes an arm passing inside a channel. The arm has a first end rotatably mounted to the vehicle frame such that the door may be selectively moved relative to the arm. A roller is rotatably mounted on a second end of the arm and is received in the channel. A wedging device is disposed in the channel in association with the roller. The wedging device and roller engage one another under low boards to provide a locked condition at an infinite number of positions within the channel, and which can be overcome by application of a larger load.

Abstract: An adjustment assembly enables lateral adjustment of the position of a pivot connection of a first member relative to a second member in a window assembly having a first member, a second member, and a rotatable pivot-mounting element. The pivot-mounting element includes a first pivot-mounting section with a first pivot axis operatively connected to the first member and a second pivot-mounting section operatively connected to the second member. The second pivot-mounting section has a second pivot axis that is generally parallel to and offset from the first pivot axis. An engager section is located intermediate the pivot-mounting sections. Finally, a locking member is provided to cooperate with the engager section and is movable relative to the engager section between a retention position and a release position.

Abstract: A hinge is provided at an edge of a container and a cover of the container. The hinge is designed such that the edge of the container can be both lifted off from the edge of the container and folded away. The pivoting movement of a second member (4) is limited by two stop positions I and II, of which the stop position I defines a stable position of the cover of the container on the edge of the container, fixed by the inner part (8) and the outer part (9). The closed container can be opened from the stop position I by lifting off the cover of the container, and the other stop position II defines a stable position of the cover of the container folded away from the edge of the container with the container opened, likewise fixed by the inner part (8) and the outer part (9).

Abstract: A hinge is provided for hinging the top cover of an appliance to the remaining cabinet. The hinge body includes an upper end, a lower end, first and second opposite lateral edges, a front face, and a rear face. The hinge body includes one or more appendages protruding outwardly from the front face of the hinge body. The hinge body also includes a hook formed therein and protruding upwardly from the upper edge of the hinge body. The hook is adapted to fit within a hook-receiving opening in the top cover and the appendages of the hinge body are adapted to fit within openings in the cabinet.

Abstract: A friction hinge comprising a shaft and a band including a spring portion which is rotatable relative to the shaft and wrapped tightly about the shaft for providing frictional torque between the shaft and spring portion is provided. The shaft includes a contact member for engaging the spring portion when the spring portion is rotated in one of two rotational directions and reaches a selected rotational position with respect to the shaft. Further rotation of the shaft in that direction causes the spring portion to loosen about the shaft.

Abstract: A plastic handle structure of a clamp tool, wherein, a hard plastic layer is provided on the two lateral edge areas of the bottom plate thereof with two lateral edge portions for a fitting-over portion, and the opening of the fitting-over portion per se is provided with two lateral edge portions, the top of the hard plastic layer is cut to open. A transversely directed die block for shaping the fitting-over portion fills soft plastic material in the lateral edge portions for the fitting-over portion, the lateral edge portions of the fitting-over opening and the top cut portion during a soft plastic layer enveloping process, enveloping and filling processes of the soft plastic layer are thus completed, and the structure of the fitting-over portion can be shaped. In the entire operation for the plastic handle, the hard plastic layer can be molded from an upper and a lower die in order to reduce the waiting time to do the enveloping process of the soft plastic layer.

Abstract: A handle of a trowel, comprising a penetrating hole disposed longitudinally within, with one end rim thereof extending to form an arcuate bearing piece permitting a narrow rod of a blade to insert in the penetrating hole and to press against onto a concaved arc-plane on the front rim of the bearing piece, is characterized that the circumferential side of the penetrating hole of the handle is disposed longitudinally with a plurality of ribs to enable the inserted narrow rod at the distal end of the blade to have preferred tightness; a disposed sealing cover and the bearing piece have corresponding shapes, both interlock correspondingly by means of a concave and a convex fastening members to sheath and firmly seal the narrow rod of the blade.

Abstract: An operating knob (1) includes an upper knob portion (11), a lower knob portion (12), and a neck portion (13) connecting the upper knob portion with the lower knob portion. The upper knob portion is hexagonal in shape and defines a first recess (111) in each of six side edges (112) thereof. The lower knob portion defines a plurality of second recesses (122) in a side edge (124) thereof. A screw hole (14) is axially defined through the lower knob portion into the upper knob portion. The number of second recesses is greater than the number of first recesses. When turning the knob, two to four fingers (21, 22) of the user rotate the upper knob portion in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction and a thumb (23) of the user pushes the side edge of the lower knob portion in the clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fastening device for a mobile telecommunication unit, including means for coupling said device to the unit and means for fastening the device to a garment or a belt. According to the invention, the unit includes an orifice with at least one connector for connection to an external automobile vehicle antenna and the coupling means are conformed to be able to cooperate with the orifice and cover the connector.

Abstract: The closing device for a closing and a repeated closing of a bag consists of a strap which is bent to form a loop by a permanent connection. The strap has an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion and the outer portion are connected to each other by a design rupture line and a permanent connection. The strap may be opened by partial serving of the inner portion from the outer portion and by folding out the inner portion so that an opening is produced in the outer portion. In order to close the strap again, the inner portion is inserted into the opening in the outer portion.

Abstract: Traditional tie clips usually clipping a necktie from only one side, resulting in a biased look when the tie is clipped. This may affect the overall look of the wearer. Further, the tie may be slipped away relatively easily. A tie clip (10) of the present invention provides two tie fasteners (12,14) for fastening the tie from two opposite sides. The two tie fasteners (12,14) are connected by a connector (16) that may have a recess (24) for accommodating the narrower end of a necktie. The tie fasteners (12,14) are slidably attached to the connector (16) such that the separation between the two tie fasteners (12,14) may be adjusted for use with necktie with different widths, or in a case when the wearer wishes to clip the tie clip (10) at different positions of the lower end of the tie.

Abstract: A termination device for terminating a flexible flat tension member includes a socket and two opposing wedges mounted therein. One of the wedges is preferably pinned within the socket while the other wedge is removable. The invention provides a reliable termination with a safety back-up to retain the tension member even if friction in the device is reduced due to soiling with a friction reducing material.

Abstract: An easily employed, highly efficient, multi-product holding and retaining member is achieved which engages the apertures of a plurality of blister package product bearing support cards, maintaining the plurality of independent cards in a secure, fully integrated compact configuration, preventing movement and unwanted damage during shipping. In addition the holding and retaining member enables a stock clerk to place the plurality of blister package product bearing support cards directly onto the elongated rod or hooks simultaneously in a single operation, enabling rapid transfer of the product for sale and distribution.

Abstract: A retainer clip is shown for retaining a device through an opening in a panel such as a printed circuit board, enclosure wall or similar structure. The clip surrounds the portion of the device projecting through the aperture and by a single longitudinal motion engages cooperating portions of the device to secure the device at the panel opening. The clip includes means for detenting in the assembled, locking position to prevent accidental release of the device from the secured, mounted condition.

Abstract: A belt connecting device having a female member and male member engagable with each other; an engaged/disengaged portion of the female member having a substantially U-shaped pinching resilient portion open at a side of a belt connecting portion, having a narrow portion in the middle thereof, and extending substantially on one plane from the other end; an engaging/disengaging portion of the male member having a protruded portion projecting substantially from a rear middle portion of said plate shaped body and at least a belt connecting portion side end face portion thereof having a configuration to be circumscribed by a pinching surface of the pinching resilient portion of the female member; and a substantially C-shaped attachment flange, having a gradually increasing projection, whose rear face engages with a surface attachment face of the pinching resilient portion at an upper end of the protruded portion.

Abstract: A buckle assembly configured to receive a tongue and selectively engaging the tongue with a fixed latch. The buckle assembly includes a release button, a frame and an urging member. The release button receives the tongues and also slidably retains two ejectors. The frame has two fixed lathes that engage the latch receiving slots on the tongues when the tongues are at least partially inserted into the release button. In one embodiment, insertion of the tongues into the release button causes the displacement of two ejectors such that the urging member is able to urge the release button into a closed configuration in which the release button is flush with the frame. When the release button is urged into the closed configuration, the latch receiving slots are engaged by the fixed latches.

Abstract: A fastening system for an article of apparel, advantageously a bra, including first and second coupling members attached to ends of a hemband. The coupling members are movable between an engaged or locked state when the bra is worn and a disengaged state to remove the bra. The coupling members are integrally molded and each includes a stitch plate and a plurality of locking members. The locking members on one coupling member are hooks while the other are loops. The coupling members have a flex groove formed therein between their locking members to make the coupling members more flexible. The flex groove may optimally extend across the stitch plates to further enhance flexibility. The ends of the hooks are angularly displaced from their stitch plates. This raises the interlocking locking portions away from the back of the wearer to increase comfort. Additionally, the hooks include opposed angled guide surfaces. The opposed angled guide surfaces each have a parallel guide surface on an adjacent hook.

Abstract: A cordage for threading through an opening. An elastic cord is provided with an elongated shank component and at least one outwardly expandable component. When the cord is under tension, the expandable component shrinks to a diameter which is sufficient to enable its movement through an opening, such as an eyelet of a shoe. In response to the tension being released, the expandable component enlarges to a diameter which is sufficiently large to resist movement through the opening.

Abstract: A process for lacing shoes, for use with any shoe with lace-holes and any shoelace. The process results in shoelaces that follow a path that describes a double-helix, resulting in reduced friction and faster and easier tightening and loosening.

Abstract: A color photographic element comprising at least three light-sensitive units which have their individual sensitivities in different wavelength regions, at least one of units comprising a light-sensitive silver-halide emulsion, binder, and a coupler represented by formula I: COUP—(T)m—L—DYE′  (I) wherein COUP is a coupler parent group capable of reacting with an oxidized developer to form a first cyan dye and is bonded at a coupling position to a releasable group that forms a second dye of the same hue, as described in the specification.

Abstract: In a method of producing a microgripper including a grip finger 100 which has a coupling portion 100g that commonly owns one ends of three V-shaped edges 100v on an open end side, other ends of the V-shaped edges 100v being connected to a case 14, and in which the coupling portion 100g is connected to a moving portion of a translational driving section 12, and the coupling portion 100g is pulled on the basis of translational movement, whereby displacement amounts of the tip ends of the V-shaped edges 100v are inwardly magnified more than an amount of the translational movement, the method comprises the steps of: in a state where the grip finger 100 has three edge portions 101a in which the V-shaped edges 100v having the coupling portion 100g are developed in a substantially flat plane, outwardly bending the edge portions 101a at a substantially center; and inwardly bending the edge portions 101a at a vicinity of the coupling portion 100g.

Abstract: A method of producing plural device chips from a thin plate of a pyroelectric material comprises the following steps. First, plural device-forming regions each having an electrode and a circuit pattern for electrically connecting the electrodes are formed on each of front and rear surfaces of the thin plate to obtain a device substrate. By making an electrical connection between the circuit patterns, and grounding it, all of the device-forming regions on the device substrate are at the same potential. Next, a blast treatment is performed to the device substrate to remove a required region of the pyroelectric material, while leaving a bridge portion extending between adjacent device-forming regions and having the circuit patterns thereon, so that a device-chip aggregate is formed, in which adjacent device chips are coupled through the bridge portion. Subsequently, by removing the bridge portion, the device chip is separated from the device-chip aggregate.

Abstract: An insulation displacement stand includes: a fixed rack in which a first surface for receiving a pressure-receiving surface of a connector housing and a second surface escaping from a locking portion are formed with a difference in level in a heightwise direction; a movable rack in which a third surface for receiving a connection surface having contact connection portions opened in the connector housing and a fourth surface for receiving the surface having electric wire insertion holes opened in the connector housing are formed; and a braking unit provided in the fixed rack and pressing the connector housing against the third surface by pressing a surface of the connector housing from which electric wires are drawn out. In the insulation displacement stand, the movable rack is provided so that the movable rack can be apart from the fixed rack in the heightwise direction.

Abstract: An alignment tool for aligning two individual conduits, the conduits having flanged ends with bolt holes passing therethrough. The tool includes an adjustable brace for stabilizing the tool in use against a part of one of the conduits.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacement of a starter cord in a small motor starter cord assembly. A spindle is mounted within a hub with a handle at one end and a tool fitting at the other end. The hub includes at least two arms. The arms attached to the hub are of a size to fit within a pull cord apparatus that is removed from a small motor and inverted. The arms extend to secure against the side of the pull cord apparatus. At the end of the spindle opposite a handle, a variety of tools can attach to the spindle to fit within or fit over the spring-mounted reel in a starter cord apparatus. The tool is placed within the starter cord apparatus. The arms extend to secure it in place. The tool is fitted to the reel and the handle rotated to wind the reel to a fully wound position so that a new starter cord can be threaded into the reel and tied off. The tool is then released to allow the spring to unwind hence, winding a replacement cord onto the reel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for extracting a fiber from connector. In accordance with our method the extraction does not compromise any failure evidence located within the ferrule of the fiber connector. The method comprises the steps of metallic etching, followed by adhesive etching, and a final step of heating and applying a load to the ferrule and/or fiber.

Abstract: A method for making a frustro-conical ring collar by providing a metal band, helically winding the band, cutting off a length of the band which corresponds to one lead of the helix, axially acting on the two ends of the band length to place them in facing positions, welding together the aligned ends to form a cylindrical ring, an conferring a frustro-conical shape to the ring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of attaching an electronic identification device having an electronic identification means to a vehicle body, which comprises the following steps: a) prior to at least one of the steps painting and galvanizing the body, the identification device is attached to the body by means of a spacer in such a way that the identification device is spaced away from the body; b) following painting and galvanizing, the identification device is permanently arrested on the body without being detached in the meantime from the body. The invention further relates to an electronic identification device for being attached to a vehicle body by means of the method proposed.

Abstract: A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes positioning the side panels on side panel transfer devices. The side panels move perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices. The side panels can include refastenable fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening components closer together in the cross-machine direction or maintain the fastening components at a constant cross-machine position while the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices.

Abstract: A synchronous tilt control mechanism is provided for a chair. The chair includes a base, a seat, a back, a torsion spring, a first slide member and a second slide member. The base further includes a tilt control housing mounted thereon. The back includes a forwardly extending support member. The seat and back are pivotally attached to the tilt control housing. The torsion spring has a forwardly extending leg and a rearwardly extending leg. The forwardly extending leg is mounted to the tilt control housing. The seat slidably engages the support member by way of the first slide member, which is disposed on one of the seat and the support member. The support member slidably engages the rearwardly extending leg of the torsion spring by way of the second slide member, which is disposed on one of the support member and rearwardly extending leg. A downward movement of the seat causes the back to move downwardly and rearwardly against an upward force provided by the torsion spring.

Abstract: A tubing centralizer for borehole drilling disclosed. The centralizer includes a retaining collar and an outer sleeve. In a method for installing the centralizer onto a joint of tubing, the retaining collar is mounted onto the joint of tubing and the outer sleeve is installed thereover.

Abstract: A belt fabrication method includes the steps of tailpiece formation procedure, keeper and belt head formation procedure, belt body formation procedure, and final fixation procedure. During the keeper and belt head formation procedure, a split is formed in one end of the headpiece, so that the front end of the belt body can be engaged into the split of the headpiece and then fixedly fastened to the headpiece by stitches.

Abstract: A method of covering a flower pot with a floral grouping disposed therein. In the method, a sheet of material with a sheet extension connected to the outer peripheral edge of the sheet of material and extending a distance therefrom is formed about the flower pot to a position wherein the sheet of material extends about substantially the entire outer peripheral surface of the flower pot to provide a decorative covering and the sheet extension is formed about the floral grouping to a position wherein the sheet extension extends about a portion of the floral grouping to provide a protective covering. A portion of the sheet of material is then crimped to form a crimped portion in the sheet of material.

Abstract: A film made of a single crystal of potassium lithium niobate is formed on a substrate made of a single crystal of potassium lithium niobate-potassium lithium tantalate solid solution. In this film formation, a temperature of the substrate is maintained in a range of 700° C.-850° C. and the film is formed by a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition method. By utilizing the film structure mentioned above, it is possible to generate a second harmonic wave in the optical waveguide with high efficiency.

Abstract: A method for forming metrology structures on a wafer on which magnetic transducers are being fabricated is disclosed. The metrology structures have a measurable electrical resistance which is an accurate surrogate for a physical dimension of a structure of the magnetic transducer, such as a pole piece tip. The metrology structure is preferably a resistor with pads usable with a four point probe. The resistor is preferably formed by creating a sacrificial pole piece structure over a pad of resistive material. The narrow dimension of the pole tip is then used as a mask to replicate the width of the pole tip in the resistive material through a milling process which removes resistive material outside of the masked area of the resistor pad. Control structures with unmilled pads of resistive material are formed along with the metrology structures to provide the sheet resistance of the pads prior to milling.

Abstract: A method for forming a perpendicular magnetic read/write head having an air bearing surface and comprising a substantially planar top pole and a shared pole is disclosed. The steps include forming a top pole, a shared pole, and a yoke wherein the top pole and shared pole are connected distally from the air bearing surface by a yoke. A conductive coil is formed that wraps around the top pole and is positioned adjacent to the air bearing surface, with a lower portion of the coils extending between the top pole and the shared pole.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to facilitate processing and to obtain sliders as many as possible when the sliders for thin-film magnetic heads are manufactured through the use of a circular-plate-shaped wafer in which a plurality of rows of sections to be the sliders are aligned. The circular-plate-shaped wafer includes the rows of the sections to be the sliders aligned in one orientation. Each of the sections to be the sliders includes a thin-film magnetic head element. Three types of slider materials having different widths are cut out from the wafer. Each of the three types of slider materials includes rows of the sections to be the sliders. Processing including lapping is performed on a surface to be medium facing surfaces of each of the three types of slider materials. The materials are then separated to form slider aggregates each of which includes one of the rows of the sections to be the sliders. Rails are formed in a surface to be the medium facing surfaces of the slider aggregates.

Abstract: A core-coupling unit includes a top cover and a bottom cover each having a U-shape. The core-coupling unit clamps a pair of core members in a coupled state with the top cover and the bottom cover being coupled with each other. The top cover is provided with apertures formed in respective legs of the top cover, and the bottom cover is provided with projections formed on respective legs of the bottom cover, the projections mating with the apertures so as to prevent removal. Play-gaps are provided between each projection and respective front and rear edges of the aperture. Lips are provided on the covers for maintaining the positions of the core members in the backward and forward directions. The top and bottom covers are moved backward and forward relative to each other while the core members are clamped, whereby the core members are moved together with the respective top and bottom covers, thereby performing core-rubbing.

Abstract: The system includes stationary assembly jigs for supporting mechanical structures during assembly thereof, and a plurality of mobile, modular workstations that travel from one assembly jig to another. Each workstation interfaces with the assembly jigs and is configured to facilitate a unique set of work operations on the mechanical structures. The workstations can include worker platforms, parts storage modules, drill and fasten modules, tooless component indexing modules, self-contained cleaning modules, functional testing modules, and others. Docking members on the workstations and the assembly jigs enable the workstations to dock with the jigs for indexing the workstations to the jigs. The assembly jigs can include utility ports and the workstations can include couplers that engage the ports so that electrical, pneumatic, water, vacuum, and/or data communication can be established between the workstations and the jigs.

Abstract: A vertical pipe expander to be used to expand the pipes assembled with fins of finned heat exchangers comprises, on a supporting frame, supports for rods of pipe expanding cones, performing vertical translational motion and arranged above a seat for a heat exchanger to be subjected to pipe expansion. At least one cone supporting rod magazine is further provided that is arranged vertically with the cones directed downward, for arrangement, during machine setup, at the seat, the supports for the rods being constituted by a rod engaging and supporting device. The rod engagement and support device is associated with a device for selecting the rods of the magazine to be engaged or released.

Abstract: The component handling tool (14) is moved linearly up and down on a moving mechanism (11) by feedback control of a linear motor (16) for performing pickup and mounting actions of components (3). The linear motor is controlled to effect a downward movement of the component handling tool for bringing the component handling tool or the component held thereby closer to the component or to a mounting object, and upon detecting changes in control information when contact is made with the component or the mounting object, control of the linear motor is switched to a pressing operation, whereby the holding or mounting of the component in a prescribed pressed condition is accomplished.