Abstract: A rapid warm-up and cool-down pressure roll assembly is provided and includes (a) a rotatable pressure roll including a cylindrical sleeve having an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a hollow interior to the rotatable pressure roll; (b) a thermoelectric assembly sheet positioned within the hollow interior and having a first substrate facing the inner surface of the cylindrical sleeve, a second substrate, an electric current flow path therethrough, and electric current input and output terminals associated with the electric current flow path; and (c) an electric current input switching device connected to the electric current input and output terminals for enabling selective reversing of a direction of electric current flow through the electric current flow path, thereby reversing which of the first substrate and the second substrate of the thermoelectric assembly sheet is hot and which is cold, and therefore selectively enabling a rapid warm-up or rapid cool-down of the cylindrical sleeve of the pr

Abstract: A cleaning method and cleaning device including a cleaning unit to clean a moving surface of a cleaning target by contacting a portion thereof with the moving surface of the cleaning target and moving the portion so that an unused portion thereof contacts the moving surface of the cleaning target, a detection unit to detect a moving speed of the moving surface of the cleaning target, a setting unit to set a plurality of setting times, and a control unit to select a setting time from the plurality of the setting times based on information detected by the detection unit. The control unit includes a cleaning time measurement unit to measure a cleaning time in which the portion of the cleaning unit contacts the moving surface of the cleaning target, and a determination unit to determine whether or not the cleaning time exceeds the selected setting time.

Abstract: Techniques for remanufacturing a toner cartridge include providing the toner cartridge comprising an end plate secured to an end of the toner cartridge, removing the end plate from the toner cartridge, attaching an anchoring fixture to the end of the toner cartridge, and securing the end plate to the anchoring fixture of the toner cartridge.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including a positioning portion, a rotatable urging member taking an urging position for urging the cartridge to the positioning portion, and retracted and stand-by positions. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a process device actable on the drum, a positionable portion, a displacing portion moving the urging member from the stand-by to the retracted position by contacting a portion-to-be-displaced disposed at a position remoter from the rotation axis of the urging portion than the urging portion when the cartridge advances along an axial direction of the drum in the main assembly, the displacing portion moving the urging member to the retracted position by contacting the urging member when the cartridge advances in the main assembly, and an urgable portion urgable by the urging portion when the cartridge is set in the main assembly.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes a drum, first and second guidable portions guidable by first and second guides when the cartridge enters or advances in the main assembly, first and second regulatable portions provided at leading and trailing sides of the cartridge with respect to the advancing direction and regulated by a first main assembly regulator when the process is advancing in the main assembly, first and second positionable portions to be positioned at first and main assembly second positioners, respectively, by the urging force of a main assembly urging member after the first and second regulatable portions pass the first and second regulators, respectively. The cartridge is mounted to the main assembly with the first and second positionable portions at the first and second positioners, respectively, by the urging force of the urging member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing roller, a spacer movable between spacing and contacting positions for spacing apart and contacting the roller and member, and a receiver receiving a force spacing the roller from the member. The apparatus includes a mounter detachably mounting the cartridge, an abuter retracting the spacer from the spaced position when the mounter mounts the cartridge with the spacer at the spaced position, and a function member movable between a first position spacing the roller from the member by abutting the receiver with the cartridge mounted to the mounter and a second position contacting the roller to the member. When the mounter mounts the cartridge with the spacer at the spaced position, the abuter abuts the spacer retracting it from the spaced position after insertion so that the function member taking the first position abuts the receiver.

Abstract: A cartridge that can be detachably mounted in an image-forming device includes: a first wall; a second wall opposing the first wall with a gap formed therebetween, the first wall and the second wall defining therebetween a developer-accommodating section that accommodates a developer; and a reinforcing part spanning between the first wall and the second wall.

Abstract: A process cartridge in which before use, the separation of a predetermined distance between a charging roller and a photosensitive drum can be maintained, and in use, the separation state of the charging roller can be released without increasing the burden of a user. The process cartridge includes a charging roller separation member moveable between the first position to hold the separation of the charging roller from the photosensitive drum and the second position to abut the charging roller on the photosensitive drum. One of a photosensitive member unit and a developing unit includes a hook portion holding the separation member in the first position, and the other includes a hook portion that releases the separation member from the hook portion to move the separation member to the second position when the developing unit is pivoted.

Abstract: A process cartridge including: a photosensitive drum; a photosensitive unit rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum; and a protecting cover mountable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, for protecting the photosensitive drum exposed outside of the photosensitive unit, the protecting cover including: a guide portion for guiding the process cartridge to an inside of the apparatus main body along a longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum; a positioned portion provided at a leading end of the protecting cover so as to be abutted against a positioning portion of the apparatus main body, for positioning the protecting cover in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction; and an engaged portion provided at the leading end so as to be engaged with an engaging portion of the apparatus main body, for regulating coming off of the protecting cover from the apparatus main body to an upstream side in the insertion direction.

Abstract: A transfer unit and an image forming apparatus having the same. The transfer unit includes a transfer unit body to accommodate a printing medium conveyor, which makes a printing medium receive an image while moving the printing medium, a body handle used to mount the transfer unit body in an image forming apparatus and to separate the transfer unit body from the image forming apparatus, and a locking and releasing unit to lock the transfer unit body to the image forming apparatus and to release a locking connection therebetween. The locking and releasing unit is disposed to carry out a releasing operation by grasping the body handle.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is described. The image forming apparatus may include a casing, developing agent carriers, an image carrier, and a transferring unit anteroposteriorly detachably mountable to the casing on a front side of the casing. The transferring unit includes a projection at a rear end portion thereof and the casing includes a restricting portion that is arranged lower than the projection of the transferring unit midway through mounting and is engaged with the projection at completion of the mounting of the transferring unit. At least one of the casing and the transferring unit includes a first guide portion for guiding the transferring unit by inclining the transferring unit so that the rear end portion of the transferring unit midway through the mounting is more downwardly inclined than the rear end portion at the completion of the mounting of the transferring unit.

Abstract: Discrete disturbance features are included in a process member drive train coupling mechanism to prevent the mechanism from remaining in a disengaged position. The mechanism may include a rotatable drive receiver operative to rotate an electrophotographic imaging process member and a coupler including a driver. The driver and drive receiver may include respective mating drive features to transmit rotary drive forces to the process member. The coupling mechanism includes one or more disturbance features located at discrete radial positions relative to a rotation axis of the coupler at an interface between the driver and the drive receiver. As the coupler rotates, the disturbance feature disrupts the position of the coupler to align the driver and drive receiver and move the coupler towards an engaged position in which the first and second drive features are engaged.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The main assembly includes first and second transmission members. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum coupling member, provided on one axial end of the drum, for engaging the first transmission member and transmitting a first rotational driving force to the drum, when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, and a shaft coupler, provided on one axial end of the developing roller, for transmitting a second rotational driving force with a deviation permitted between an axis of the second transmission member and an axis of the developing roller. The shaft coupler includes an engaging portion for engaging the second transmission member and receiving the second rotational driving force, when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a drum unit, containing a drum, movably connected to a developing unit containing a developing roller between a contact position where the roller contacts the drum and a spaced position where the roller is spaced from the drum, a drum coupler engaging a first main assembly drive transmitter transmitting a first rotational driving force to the drum, when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, a shaft coupler transmitting a second rotational driving force, with a deviation permitted between an axis of a second main assembly drive transmitter and an axis of the roller, from the second main assembly drive transmission member to the roller when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly.

Abstract: This is a magnetic developer purification structure that is used along with other stations positioned in the path of an electrostatic moving belt or drum in an electrostatic marking system. This purification structure may be a separate station or may be part of the development station provided it supplies purified developer to the development station prior to developer contacting the latent image on the drum or belt. The purification structure will agitate the developer mix to form a homogenous mixture of toner and carrier. This mixture is magnetically treated to separate less magnetically attracted contaminants from the remainder of the mixture. The contaminants are removed from the mix and substantially pure developer is then available for contact with the latent image.

Abstract: This is a test procedure for detecting contaminants or a method for removing contaminants from toner to be used in an electrophotographic marking system. The method simulates the mixing and separation of contaminants that occur in an actual development system. It has been determined that contaminants in toner have tribo properties that prevent strong adherence of these contaminants to the carrier whereas purified toner has tribo properties that permit stronger adherence to the carrier. A separation procedure and method is thereby used to remove or identify contaminants.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes: an agitating chamber agitating a developer; a developing chamber provided with an inlet to which the developer is supplied from the agitating chamber and an outlet from which the developer is returned to the agitating chamber; a developer carrying member; a rotatable developer supplying member supplying the developer to the developer carrying member; a developer conveying member, provided above the center of rotation of the developer supplying member in the developing chamber, for conveying the developer in a longitudinal direction of the developer carrying member, wherein, in a vertical cross-sectional area of a region vertically above the center of rotation of the developer supplying member of the developing chamber, excluding a developer conveying region by the developer conveying member, a cross-sectional area S1 upstream in the developer conveying direction and a cross-sectional area S2 downstream in the developer conveying direction satisfy a relationship of S1<S2.

Abstract: A container for a toner cartridge includes a hollow main body defining a longitudinal central axis. The main body has a rear end, a front end with an opening, an inner circumference, a first section with a first guiding surface at the inner circumference, a second section with a second guiding surface at the inner circumference, a connecting section between the first section and the second section, and a guiding rib disposed at the inner circumference. The first guiding surface defines with the central axis a distance gradually increasing toward the opening and the second guiding surface defines with the central axis a distance gradually increasing toward the opening. The guiding rib extends from the first section to the second section via the connecting section and is unparallel to the central axis. The container has the advantages of being easy in manufacturing and hard to deform.

Abstract: The present invention provides an endless belt containing a conductive agent and a polyimide resin whose imidation ratio at an outer circumference surface of the belt and that at an inner circumference surface of the belt are mutually different, and a method of producing the endless belt, an intermediate transfer belt having the endless belt, and an image forming apparatus having the endless belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image carrying member for carrying a first toner image; a second image carrying member for carrying a second toner image in a maximum amount, of the second toner image carried on the second image carrying member, larger than a maximum amount of the first image carried on the first image carrying member; a first transfer member for electrostatically transferring the first toner image onto a transfer medium in a first transfer nip formed by bringing the transfer medium into contact with the first image bearing member; and a second transfer member for electrostatically transferring the second toner image onto the transfer medium in a second transfer nip formed by bringing the transfer medium into contact with the second bearing member so that a length of the second transfer nip with respect to a movement direction of the transfer member is longer than a length of the first transfer nip with respect to the movement direction.

Abstract: A temperature-changing pressure roller assembly is provided and includes (a) a rotatable pressure roller including a cylindrical sleeve having an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a hollow interior to the rotatable pressure roller having a first end and a second and opposite end; (b) a vortex tube assembly for simultaneously producing a hot air stream and a cold air stream, the vortex tube assembly being connected to the hollow interior of the rotatable pressure roll; and (c) control device connected to the vortex tube assembly for selectively controlling flow of the hot air stream and the cold air stream thereof through the hollow interior of the rotatable pressure roller, thereby selectively changing a temperature of the cylindrical sleeve of the pressure roller.

Abstract: A fixing device including a heating roller; a fixing roller facing the heating roller; a fixing belt wound between the heating roller and the fixing roller, and including, a cylindrical substrate, and a elastic layer provided on or above the substrate except at end parts of the substrate; a pressure roller configure to press the fixing roller through the fixing belt; and a separation part configured to separate media from the fixing belt.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a fixing member to be heated and a pressure-contacting member for pressure contacting the fixing member. The fixing apparatus directs and conveys a recording member through a nip formed between the fixing member and pressure applying member in such a manner that a toner image carried on a recording member contacts the fixing member in order to be fixed thereto with heat and pressure. The fixing apparatus is configured to direct a tip margin of the recording member toward the pressure applying member across a virtual linear extension line drawn from a downstream end to upstream end of the nip when only the tip margin exits from the nip. A fixing member side separation device may be separately provided from the surface of the fixing apparatus so as to separate the recording member exiting from the nip. A gap formed between the downstream end of the nip and the tip of the fixing member side separation device is set smaller than the width of the tip margin.

Abstract: The present invention related to an endless belt conveying apparatus and toner image heating apparatus having spring members (thermally responsive members) composed of a shape memory alloy are disposed to both the edges of a pressure fixing belt (pressure belt) in the belt width direction thereof. When the pressure fixing belt offsets to one side in the belt width direction while it travels, one of the spring members, which is heated by the edge of the pressure belt approaching it, is deformed in response to the heat. A roller swing support frame on the belt edge side, which approaches the above spring member, is lifted upward in a gravity direction using a swing pin as a fulcrum in a gravity direction by the operation force generated by the deformation of the one spring member. The swing operation is alternately repeated between the one spring member and the other spring member to thereby correct the inclination of the pressure belt.

Abstract: A fusing member rejuvenating method and apparatus for cleaning and rejuvenating an external surface of a fusing member of a toner image producing machine. The fusing member rejuvenating method and apparatus include (a) a cleaning cartridge including a movable cleaning material movable at a first speed for contacting and removing residual toner and dirt from an external surface of the fusing member; (b) a first articulating device connected to the movable cleaning cartridge for selectively moving the movable cleaning cartridge into and out of contact with the external surface of the fusing member; (c) a scouring cartridge including a movable scouring material movable at a second speed for contacting and scouring the external surface of the fusing member; and (d) a second articulating device connected to the movable scouring cartridge for selectively moving the movable scouring cartridge into and out of contact with the external surface of the fusing member.

Abstract: A fuser cleaning apparatus and method of operating a fuser cleaning apparatus for use with an image forming device. Heat is efficiently transferred to a guide member of a fuser, thereby allowing for relatively easy performance of a cleaning operation of the fuser, since a heating roller of the fuser is heated by a heater while the heating roller is not in motion. It is also possible to prevent melted toner remnants from contaminating the heating roller since a sheet of paper which has waited at an entrance of the fuser is conveyed and passed between the heating and pressure rollers of the fuser after the heating roller is heated while it is not in motion.

Abstract: A self-loading belt fusing apparatus is provided and includes (a) a frame; (b) a first rotatable roller having a first outer surface and a first mounted position on the frame; (c) a second rotatable roller having a second outer surface, and a second mounted position on the frame spaced from the first mounted position of the first rotatable roller, the second outer surface and the first outer surface being spaced a first dimension from each other and defining an operating gap therebetween; and (d) an endless resilient belt hoop having an inner surface, an external surface, an unloaded external diameter, and a loaded external diameter that is less than the unloaded external diameter, the endless resilient belt hoop being pinched-loaded into the operating gap by the first outer surface of the first roller and the second outer surface of the second roller, and the endless resilient belt hoop, as pinch-loaded, forming a self-loading fusing nip with at least one of the first roller and the second roller.

Abstract: A heater element is provided adapted to heat a belt in a fuser assembly. The heater element comprises laterally spaced-apart first and second features. The first feature may have a first inner surface and the second feature may have a second inner surface facing the first inner surface. Preferably, at least a majority portion of at least one of the first and second inner surfaces is positioned at an oblique angle relative to a reference line extending substantially perpendicular to a path a substrate moves along as it passes through the fuser assembly.

Abstract: A fusing device that is provided on a printing passage of an image forming apparatus and fuses an image transferred to a print medium, the fusing device including: a heating roller; a pressure roller to press a print medium fed along the printing passage against the heating roller; a separation roller to separate the print medium from the heating roller; a fusing pressure belt that winds around the pressure roller and the separation roller; a first elastic member to pressure the pressure roller towards the heating roller along a first line; and a second elastic member to pressure the separation roller towards the heating roller, wherein the first line passes through a center of the pressure roller and forms an angle towards the separation roller with a second line that passes through a center of the heating roller and the center of the pressure roller.

Abstract: A fusing device and an image forming apparatus including the fusing device fuses a toner image formed on a printing paper. The fusing device includes a pressure roller which axially rotates, a fusing belt which forms a nip portion with the pressure roller where a printing paper is nipped, and which rotates by a rotational force transmitted from the pressure roller, a heater supplied with a power source to generate heat and to transmit at least a portion of the generated heat to the nip portion, and a phase changing portion which includes a material having a phase varying in a heating temperature range of the heater, accumulates latent heat from heat of the heater, and provides the nip portion with the accumulated latent heat.

Abstract: A protecting layer is formed on a surface of an image carrier with a protecting agent that contains at least an organic compound having melting property of which penetration at 25° C. ranges from 3 millimeters to 30 millimeters, and organic compound particles having thermal decomposition property of which a weight average particle size ranges from 2 micrometers to 20 micrometers. A melting temperature of the organic compound is lower than a decomposition temperature of the organic compound particles, and a volume ratio of the organic compound to the organic compound particles ranges from 99/1 to 50/50.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a cleaning device, a waste toner bottle, a connecting unit, and a regulating unit. The cleaning device removes waste toner remaining on an intermediate transfer belt. The waste toner bottle has an intake opening for collecting the waste toner therein. The connecting unit conveys the waste toner from the cleaning device to the waste toner bottle, and has a discharge opening that is configured to engage the intake opening to discharge the waste toner into the waste toner bottle through the intake opening. The regulating unit regulates the position of the waste toner bottle in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the waste toner bottle before the discharge opening comes in contact with the intake opening.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly comprises a housing structure and an air circulator apparatus attached to the housing structure. The housing structure has an interior space therein, a key opening within a housing wall thereof and at least one key movably extending through the key opening whereby a gap is provided between the key opening and the at least one key. The air circulator apparatus includes an air circulation device having an air inlet portion and an air outlet portion. The air inlet portion receives substantially an entire portion of air circulated by the air circulation device from outside of the housing structure and the air exits the air outlet portion into the interior space of the housing structure such that the interior space of the housing structure is pressurized thereby causing the air to flow though the gap provided between the key opening and the at least one key.

Abstract: An ambiguous keyboard which is sufficiently typable and similar to conventional keyboards to both expert and novice users. The layout of the key involves reduction in the number of keys (5101-4523) and placing several letters on each of the key (5101-4523) to accommodate reduction in size of the keyboard without overly compromising text-entry capacity.

Abstract: A keyboard having improvements to the combination wave and curve keyboards of the prior art. In one embodiment, the invention provides a wave shape on a keyboard palm rest. In another embodiment, the invention provides a unique combination of a QWERTY keyboard, with both a wave and a curve, where the D and K keys are the low points of the wave. In another embodiment, a combination of more than one lateral waves and a constant radius curve is provided. Yet another embodiment provides the combination of a curved keyboard and a straight number pad.

Abstract: Images are printed on surfaces of discrete objects that are loaded onto an upstream end of a production path passing through a plurality of treatment stations and taken off a downstream end the path. The path passes through a plurality of treatment stations and is split at least one of the stations into a plurality of generally parallel lanes each having a respective treatment device or printer. At the one treatment station the objects are split up and fed to the lanes from the path, the images are printed on the objects in the lanes with the respective printers, and all the objects are returned to the path after printing. The objects move single-file downstream along the path upstream and downstream of the one station. Instead of printers, each lane can have some other type of treatment machine and the operations performed by these treatment machines in the lanes can be the same or different.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an applicator for applying a makeup composition. The applicator includes an applicator element configured to apply the makeup composition to one of nails, eyelashes, eyebrows, skin and lips, and a vibration source causing the applicator element to vibrate. The applicator is configured to be fastened onto a receptacle containing the composition to be applied, and/or further comprises a reservoir containing the composition to be applied.

Abstract: A capless writing tool comprising a refill adapted to slide longitudinally through the interior of a barrel, an inner tube adapted to move through the interior of the barrel together with the refill, and a lid mounted pivotably in a front portion of the inner tube to open and close a front opening of the inner tube, the lid having a retaining projection for engagement with the barrel or a front piece.

Abstract: Nail Works is a nail polish bottle's cap acting as an application tool to aid in the process of polishing. Nail Works includes a nail polish bottle filled with paint, a lid with depending wand having a brush and the lid with an attached nail. The attached nail may slide into a position that is appropriate for use and then retract into its original position. The nail bearing the color of paint within the bottle is thin and concave in nature and acts as a scraping device to rid the cuticles of excess paint. Its sleek dimensional design allows it to lye flush against the customer's nail bed facilitating in correct color choice based upon skin tone and not just looks.

Abstract: A writing instrument comprising: a main body having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction through the first and second ends; a writing tip disposed at the first end of the main body; an ink-containing cartridge; a rear body comprising an elongate housing having a first end a second end and an access opening at the first end allowing the ink-containing cartridge to be inserted into or removed from the housing, the housing extending in a loading direction between the first and second ends of the elongate housing; and an articulation means connecting the main body and the rear body. The articulation means allows the rear body to pivot with respect to the main body about an axis of articulation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, between a loading or open position in which the access opening is rotated away from the longitudinal axis of the main body and a closed position in which the longitudinal direction and the loading direction substantially coincide.

Abstract: A disposable paint masking product/item/tool consisting of an aqueous based paintable, peelable liquid solution contained in a hand held applicator intended for the purpose of masking any window glass, door glass, or other conducive surface when painting muntins, sash, rails, stiles or any trim that might be adjacent to such window or door glass. The solution, which air dries, acts as a paint barrier on above mentioned surfaces to protect from stray paint when adjacent surfaces such as muntins, sash, etc. are intended to be painted, then peels off upon completion. The solution resides in a disposable cylindrical-like container of resilient material (squeeze tube, aerosol can or other) and is despensed through a detachable head cap (threaded or friction attached) of molded plastic material or other having an affixed porous applicator pad at the end surrounded on all four edges by non-porous material so as to prevent the application of the masking solution onto the muntins, stiles, etc.

Abstract: A pump dispenser has a large ergonomic actuator designed to ergonomically deliver a composition to a substrate in the consumer's hand without the consumer having to pick up the pump dispenser. The ergonomic design allows the composition to be delivered in a proper aspect ratio to the substrate. The composition can be delivered in such a way that the composition is not aerosolized into the air or delivered to an unintended surface. The method of delivery can be made intuitive to the consumer by providing an actuator skirt that suggests the pumping mechanism or by providing a depiction of a hand or substrate over the pump dispenser. The pump dispenser is also useful for compositions or substrates that are not stable together.

Abstract: A pump dispenser has a large ergonomic actuator designed to ergonomically deliver a composition to a substrate in the consumer's hand without the consumer having to pick up the pump dispenser. The ergonomic design allows the composition to be delivered in a proper aspect ratio to the substrate. The composition can be delivered in such a way that the composition is not aerosolized into the air or delivered to an unintended surface. The method of delivery can be made intuitive to the consumer by providing an actuator skirt that suggests the pumping mechanism or by providing a depiction of a hand or substrate over the pump dispenser. The pump dispenser is also useful for compositions or substrates that are not stable together.

Abstract: A cosmetic case capable of solving the problem that the oily or watery tint-care cosmetic is unnecessarily leaked out and hardened when it is carried or maintained is provided. An elastic ratchet projection 16, which is provided on a connecting part 23 of a nozzle tip 20, is engaged with ratchet projection 33, which is provided on a opening portion 31 of a container 30, so that loosening cannot happens even though rotating force in the screw-loosening direction at the installed nozzle tip 20 is occurred.

Abstract: The present invention is a tool for the containment and dispensing of materials on a work site. It comprises a containment body with an orifice and at least one tubule for dispensing contained material on the site. In the preferred embodiment, the tool terminates with a plurality of tubules forming a brush for the distribution of the dispensed material. Fibrous filaments may be intermingled with the tubules for increased brushing effectiveness.

Abstract: In an adjoining expansion structure for coupling adjacent devices together in a coupling direction, the adjoining expansion structure includes grooves which penetrate the adjacent devices in the coupling direction, respectively, and coupling members which are inserted in the grooves and fixed to the adjacent devices, respectively. The coupling members are adapted to engage together in the coupling direction. Each of the coupling members may includes a hook projectable from and retractable into a corresponding one of the adjacent devices and a receiving portion having a form adapted for receiving the hook in the coupling direction.

Abstract: A shrink disc unit comprising: a rotating body with a peripheral outer surface; a hub, surrounding the rotating body with a peripheral inner surface, which together with the peripheral outer surface form a separating line between the rotating body and the hub at an angle to a rotational axis of the rotating body in the longitudinal section of the shrink disc unit, whereby the hub may be shrunk onto the rotating body along the separating line, or is shrunk over the separating line; a fluid channel, leading through the rotating body or the hub, for pressurisation of the separating line with a pressure fluid; and a fixing device, formed from one of the rotating body or the hub, alone or in combination with the other and by means of which a tool for the assembly or disassembly of the hub may be either supported on the rotating body or the hub and which may be fixed at a given angular position on the rotating body and/or the hub.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an adjustable arm rest with a support face (1), an operating lever (3), a joint apparatus adapted for being secured to an arm rest carrier (7) and a locking apparatus. The joint apparatus allows pivoting of the arm rest about three axis, and the at least one operating lever (3) locks or re-leases the joint apparatus and thereby the placement of the apparatus in relation to the arm rest carrier (7) in the three axes. Furthermore, a lockable joint apparatus is described.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint for a motor vehicle, especially for a rocker pendulum of a motor vehicle, has a housing (1), which is open on at least one side, and into the interior space of which a bearing shell is inserted, which in turn accommodates a joint ball of a ball pivot in a slidingly movable manner. According to a first variant, the interior space has elevations along its inner jacket surface, which said elevations mesh with the bearing shell in a positive-locking manner. The elevations are designed as triangular webs (13). According to a second variant, the interior space has depressions along its inner jacket surface, which said depressions mesh with the bearing shell in a positive-locking manner, said depressions being designed as undercuts.

Abstract: Socket housing has a hemispherical ball socket and a plurality of circumferentially spaced retaining tongues which extend toward an insertion opening, the tongues being radially pivotable to engage over the equator of a ball head. An outer part has an insertion region and a receiving opening into which the socket housing can be inserted in an insertion direction via the insertion region, the insertion region having an inside surface defining an opening with a cross-sectional area which is larger than a cross-sectional area defined by an inside surface of the receiving opening. The retaining tongues are in contact with the inside surface of the receiving opening when the socket housing is in the installed position. A locking device prevents movement of the socket housing counter to the insertion direction When the socket housing is in the installed position.