Abstract: Apparatus for GPC/TREF and TREF/GPC characterization of a polymer sample. The apparatus provides for the automated and integrated use of multiple TREF columns and a GPC system employing a multiple flow through detectors. In addition, a method for TREF/GPC characterization of a polymer sample by GPC analysis of TREF fractions at increasing TREF elution temperatures from multiple TREF columns operated in a coordinated and synchronized temperature cycle for increased sample throughput. Also, a method for GPC/TREF characterization of a polymer sample by GPC fractionation followed by TREF fractionation of the GPC fractionations.

Abstract: An assembly determines an analyte concentration in a sample of body fluid. The assembly includes a test sensor having a fluid-receiving area for receiving a sample of body fluid, where the fluid-receiving area contains a reagent that produces a measurable reaction with an analyte in the sample. The assembly also includes a meter having a port or opening configured to receive the test sensor; a measurement system configured to determine a measurement of the reaction between the reagent and the analyte; and a temperature-measuring system configured to determine a measurement of the test-sensor temperature when the test sensor is received into the opening. The meter determines a concentration of the analyte in the sample according to the measurement of the reaction and the measurement of the test-sensor temperature.

Abstract: An inspection vehicle structured to inspect a portion of the turbine disk, preferably the blade attachment hubs, while the turbine disk is disposed within a turbine housing assembly is provided. A turbine disk is generally planar but includes a inner hub and an outer blade attachment hub. The inner hub is coupled to a shaft and the blade attachment hub provides a surface to which removable blades are attached. The area between the inner hub and outer blade attachment hub is substantially planar. The inner and blade attachment hubs are the “inspection areas” that the inspection vehicle is structured to inspect. The inspection vehicle travels over, and is magnetically coupled to the planar surface between the two hubs.

Abstract: Provided is an SCR sensor that does not degrade a measurement accuracy of a quality sensor even when a remaining amount of a urea tank is reduced. A quality sensor 122 is installed between a minimum remaining amount liquid level S and a bottom portion 105b of a urea tank 105; a drop pipe 131 is installed from a ceiling portion of the urea tank 105 to a top space in the urea tank 105; a support 174 is installed from the bottom portion to the ceiling portion of the urea tank 105; the quality sensor 122 and the drop pipe 131 are integrated through the support 174; and a bubble diffusion region B caused by the urea aqueous solution dropping from the drop pipe 131 is out of a sensitive region F of the quality sensor 122.

Abstract: A system may monitor a vibration isolating connection between a first part and a second part. The system may include a light source, an optical sensor mounted to receive light from the light source, and a processing unit for providing an output indicative of the deformation of the vibration isolating connection based on the output of the optical sensor.

Abstract: An external tire pressure sensing device and a sealable venting member thereof are provided. The sealable venting member is placed inside the external tire pressure sensing device. The venting member is of an integral part and includes a supporting platform for tightly contacting with a sensor, a communication portion located at one side of the supporting platform and used to lift of a gas outlet valve of a gas nozzle, and a communicating hole for interconnecting the gas nozzle and a sensing portion of the sensor located on the top portion of the supporting platform. The sealable venting member has the advantages of small axial dimension, good sealability, reliable connection and high safety, thus further reducing the size of the external tire pressure sensing device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for operating the apparatus provide a modular unit of hardware to make measurements in a well. The modular unit may include a housing arranged for placement in a drill-string element, where the housing includes a sensor and is structured such that the housing is transferable to another drill-string element without a calibration during or after the transfer. The drill-string elements associated with the transfer may be of different sizes.

Abstract: A level detector 100 includes a sleeve 210 mountable to a vessel and extendable through a wall 212 defined by the vessel 212A and into an interior area 214 defined by the vessel. The sleeve 210 is mountable at an angle A of less than forty-five degrees relative to the vessel wall 212. The level detector 100 includes a level sensing probe 230 extending into a bore defined by an inside surface 218 of the sleeve 210. The level sensing probe 230 is configured to measure a plurality of foam and aerated slurry levels in the vessel 212A. One or more connectors 232, 244 are positioned outside 212B of the vessel 212A to removably support the level sensing probe 230 within the bore. The level sensing probe 230 is in communication with the interior area 214 via one or more openings 254, 258 extending into the bore.

Abstract: A liquid sensor system can detect whether liquid is present at a location within a tank or other container, such as an aircraft fuel tank. The system can include a sensor that has a heated negative temperature coefficient (NTC) element and a temperature compensator element. The sensor may be located within the tank. The elements can be polarized by voltages from separate voltage sources. The voltages can be compared to detect a presence or level of liquid within the tank. Only two wires may be needed to connect the sensor with components outside the tank. The system may be able to detect liquid using less than twenty five milliamps and a sensor temperature that is less than two hundred degrees Celsius.

Abstract: An accelerometer includes an enclosure and a flowable material disposed in the enclosure, A signal representing a shape of a surface of the flowable material in the enclosure is developed and a circuit is responsive to the signal for deriving an indication of acceleration.

Abstract: An integrated microelectromechanical structure is provided with: a driving mass, anchored to a substrate via elastic anchorage elements and moved in a plane with a driving movement; and a first sensing mass, suspended inside, and coupled to, the driving mass via elastic supporting elements so as to be fixed with respect to the driving mass in the driving movement and to perform a detection movement of rotation out of the plane in response to a first angular velocity; the elastic anchorage elements and the elastic supporting elements cause the detection movement to be decoupled from the driving movement. The elastic supporting elements are coupled to the first sensing mass at an end portion thereof, and the axis of rotation of the detection movement extends, within the first sensing mass, only through the end portion.

Abstract: A micromachined gyroscope is disclosed comprising a substrate, three masses m1, m2, and m3, configured to oscillate along a first direction x or y, whereby the first mass m1 is mechanically coupled to the substrate, the second mass m2 is mechanically coupled to the first mass m1 and to substrate, and the third mass m3 is mechanically coupled to the second mass m2, whereby the weight and the spring constants k1, k2, k3 of the respective masses m1, m2, and m3 and mechanical couplings k12, k23 are selected, such that, during operation mass m2 oscillates at a frequency substantially above the resonance frequencies of mass m1 and mass m3. The resonance frequency of mass m2 may be at least 2 times, or even 2.5 times, higher than the resonance frequency of mass m1 or m3.

Abstract: A method for producing a capping wafer for a sensor having at least one cap includes: production of a contacting via extending through the wafer, and, temporally subsequent thereto, filling of the contacting via with an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an acceleration measuring apparatus and an acceleration measuring method. The acceleration measuring apparatus includes: an acceleration sensor including a first output terminal and a second output terminal; a first switch of which an end is connected to the first output terminal; a second switch of which an end is connected to the second output terminal; a first resistor of which an end is connected to the other end of the first switch; a second resistor of which an end is connected to the other end of the second switch; a logic element connected to the end of the first resistor and the end of the second resistor; and a Time-to-Digital Convertor (TDC) converting a signal output from the logic element into a digital value.

Abstract: A sensing unit for a bicycle speedometer is disclosed. The bicycle speedometer has a meter body and the sensing unit for detecting pedaling and generating a signal related to bicycle pedaling. The sensing unit includes a sensor mounted on a bicycle frame and a fixture for carrying a sensed member. The fixture has a fixing end coupled with a bicycle crank and a coupling arm for carrying the sensed member. The fixture allows positional adjustment of the sensed member with respect to the bicycle crank, thereby facilitating aligning the sensed member with the sensor, so as to ensure proper sensing of the sensor to the sensed member.

Abstract: A defect detecting system and method thereof are disclosed. Wherein, the defect detecting system comprises: a laser device (10) for generating a pulse laser; an optical path adjusting device (20) for adjusting the optical path of the pulse laser generated by the laser device (10) and then projecting the pulse laser on a workpiece's surface to be detected to conduct a pulse laser scanning; a signal receiving device (30) for capturing a thermal excitation ultrasonic wave signal caused by the pulse laser scanning the workpiece; an imaging device (40) for generating a dynamic waveform image based on the thermal excitation ultrasonic wave signal received by the signal receiving device (30).

Abstract: This invention employs an object information acquiring apparatus including a probe for receiving, as a received signal, an acoustic wave which is generated within an object irradiated with light and propagates on an object surface, and a processor for generating object information, which is information based on an internal optical characteristic value of the object, by using intensity of the received signal. The processor corrects the intensity of the received signal by using the reflectance upon the acoustic wave entering the probe which is calculated based on the angle of the acoustic wave entering the probe, and on the acoustic impedance and acoustic velocity of the object and the probe.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interior trim part of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a composite having a carrier (30) and a decorative element (10) on one side of the carrier, the decorative element comprising a viewing side (11) visible to an observer from the interior (100) of the vehicle comprising a substantially continuously closed surface at least in a partial region (B1), characterized in that the composite is thinner within the partial region (B1) facing away from the viewing side perpendicular to the viewing side, and is capable of ultrasonic vibration in the thinned region (B1), and by an ultrasonic sensor having an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is connected to the side of the composite facing away from the viewing side (11) over the entire surface of the thinned area (B1).

Abstract: An angular velocity detection circuit is connected to a resonator for making excited vibration on the basis of a drive signal and detects an angular velocity. The angular velocity detection circuit includes: a self-vibration component extraction unit that receives, from the resonator, a detection signal including an angular velocity component based on a Coriolis force and a self-vibration component based on the excited vibration and extracts the self-vibration component from the detection signal; a direct-current conversion unit including an integration unit that integrates an output signal of the self-vibration component extraction unit; and a temperature characteristic compensation unit that compensates for a variation due to a temperature in an output signal of the direct-current conversion unit.

Abstract: A pressure sensor device and its use for confirming achievement of a selected pressure in a high pressure process (HPP) for sanitizing food is disclosed. The device includes at least a base and a sheet, each of which is substantially impermeable to the working fluid of the HPP and is deformable at the selected pressure. Microcapsules interposed between flat overlapping portions of the base and sheet contain a color former and burst upon pressurization of the environment surrounding the device. Release of the color former is detected to confirm that the pressurization occurred. The device can be associated with one or more foodstuffs (e.g., a packaged food product or a group of such packages) and remain associated therewith to continuously indicate that the foodstuff(s) have been subjected to the selected pressure and are therefore sanitized.

Abstract: The invention provides a shock test device suitable for an expansion slot of a computer system. The shock test device includes a mainboard, a structure unit and a detection module. The mainboard has a connecting finger electrically connected to the expansion slot. The structure unit is disposed at the mainboard for simulating a weight and a supporting structure. The detection module is coupled to at least one pin of the connecting finger for detecting a touch condition between the connecting finger and the expansion slot so as to produce a warning signal. In this way, the shock test device can detect whether or not a link plug-in in a host computer (for example, the link between the expansion slot and the connecting finger portion of the shock test device) is disconnected due to shocking or unseen disconnected and then reconnected again.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing structural tests on wind turbine blades are disclosed herein. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a test stand positioned to carry a test article that includes at least a portion of a wind turbine blade. The system can further include first and second reaction anchors movably positioned relative to the test stand. A first generally horizontal force link is attached to the first reaction anchor and coupleable to the test article to apply a first horizontal load to the test article. A second generally horizontal force link is attached to the second reaction anchor and is coupleable to the test article to apply a second horizontal load to the test article. The test stand can be positioned to apply a test stand force to the test article equal and opposite to the sum of the first and second horizontal loads.

Abstract: An air mass flow meter, includes a housing made of plastic having an electrically insulating effect. A flow channel is formed in the housing. The air mass flow motion also includes a sensor element which is arranged in the housing and detects the air mass flowing in the flow channel. Conductive paths are arranged in the housing and connect the sensor element to connection pins. In order to provide a mass air flow meter which is cost-effective to produce and allows precise measurement of a mass air flow, the entire housing is made of plastic and at least one part of the flow channel has electrostatically dissipative properties.

Abstract: A method for operation of several adjacent magnetic-inductive flow meters, each of which has a measurement tube through which an electrically conductive medium flows, a magnetic field generating apparatus for permeating the medium with a magnetic field having a component perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the measurement tube, and a measurement apparatus for measuring the voltage induced into the medium and for determining the flow rate from the induced voltage. Each flow meter has a control apparatus. In order to prevent variations of mutual influences on the flow rate measurements by the magnetic fields of adjacent flow meters, measured flow rate values from individual measurement processes and synchronous measurement processes are used to determine the mutual influences on the flow rate measurements, and influences that are free of variations are compensated by the magnetic fields of the adjacent flow meters being synchronized.

Abstract: Provided is ultrasonic flow measuring unit including: measurement path through which fluid to be measured flows; a pair of ultrasonic transducers disposed respectively upstream and downstream of measurement path and operable to transmit and receive an ultrasonic signal; and ultrasonic transducer attachment unit disposed in measurement path. Each of ultrasonic transducers includes piezoelectric element, terminal for applying a voltage to piezoelectric element, and acoustic matching layer adhered to a transmitting surface of terminal. Ultrasonic transducer is fixed to ultrasonic transducer attachment unit using an elastic coating material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device for a portable ultrasonic flow measuring system, which measuring device comprises two sensor heads. Each of the sensor heads comprises a sensor housing on which there is provided a sensing surface intended to be placed on or against a measuring tube. An ultrasonic transceiver is provided in each sensor housing for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves through the sensing surface. Additionally, the measuring device comprises a control and evaluation device for measuring a transit time difference for ascertaining the velocity of flow of a medium flowing through a measuring tube. Provision is made for each ultrasonic transceiver in the sensor head to be disposed therein parallel to the sensing surface in the sensor housing. The invention further relates to a measuring tube adapted for use with the measuring device of the invention and an information carrier that contains information concerning the measuring tube.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods and apparatus for monitoring fluid flow along a conduit such as a well bore or a pipeline. A sensor optical fibre is disposed along the conduit, and an optical interrogator is used to launch probe light pulses into the fibre and to determine optical properties of probe light backscattered within the fibre, the properties being indicative of vibration as a function along the fibre. An analyser is used to detect one or more vibration features moving along the conduit and to determine a measure of fluid flow based on the detected movement.

Abstract: A measuring element for measuring forces that includes a first measuring element part by which at least one force to be measured is received, a second measuring element part by which at least one force to be measured is received, the second measuring element part being spaced from the first measuring element part, and a plurality of sensors extending between the first measuring element part and the second measuring element part and configured to measure the at least one force received by the first and second measuring element parts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure detecting circuit, which is electrically connected to a coil to receive an induced electromotive force from the coil, including a movement detecting unit electrically connected to the coil to receive the induced electromotive force from the coil and find a distance of the movement of the magnetic device according to the induced electromotive force; and a converting unit electrically connected to the movement detecting unit to generate the voltage signal to indicate the distance. In addition, the present invention further provides a pressure gauge incorporated with the pressure detecting circuit.

Abstract: A force sensor comprising a substrate, a semiconductor body, and a piezoresistive element provided on a top surface of the semiconductor body. The semiconductor body is connected to the substrate in a force-fit manner, and includes a first wing which is provided on the top surface of the semiconductor body and being connected to the semiconductor body in force-fitting manner. A first force application area is provided on the first wing. A second wing has a second force application area provided opposite the first wing. The piezoresistive element is disposed between the first wing and the second wing. A force distribution component is connected to the first force application area and the second force application area in a force-fit manner. The force distribution component having a first surface which is oriented away from the top surface of the semiconductor body and includes a third force application area.

Abstract: A pumpless electronic nose sensing apparatus includes a cavity for holding a volume of the sample to be tested, and a port disposed on an outer wall of the cavity for enabling transfer of the sample into the cavity. A precise, controllable air current assembly is operatively connected to the cavity for producing an air flow within the cavity for uniformly distributing the sample. The air current assembly is expansible, and by axial expansion and contraction of the air current assembly in response to a load applied to an axial end thereof an air flow is created within the cavity. An at least one sensor array disposed within the cavity is used to test the sample and produce an output. By operative association with the expandable air current assembly, the cavity itself is indirectly expandable (and contractible) in response to the expansion and contraction action of the air current assembly.

Abstract: A sample test automation system which is capable of reducing the workload of an operator and precisely carrying out necessary processes of each of samples without stagnation. In the sample test automation system, a sample tray 120 on which a plurality of samples 150 can be installed is prepared, an identifier for distinguishing the sample tray 120 is attached to the sample tray 120, a sample introducing unit 10 is provided with an identifier reading apparatus 111 which reads the identifier of the sample tray 120, and information about the samples 150 is switched based on the read identifier of the sample tray 120.

Abstract: Provided is a pipette, including: a cylinder (1) having a distal end portion (1a) to which a pipette tip (3) is removably fitted; and a piston (7) fitted to be freely advanced and retreated in a cylinder chamber (6), the piston (7) being retreated to suck liquid and advanced to eject the liquid thus sucked. The piston (7) includes, on an outer periphery thereof, a communication groove (17) for communicating an inside of the cylinder chamber (6) and an outside of the cylinder chamber (6) to each other when the piston (7) is advanced by an amount corresponding to a dimension larger than a predetermined dimension, the communication groove (17) being located on the outside of the cylinder chamber (6) when the piston (7) is located at a retreated position.

Abstract: A robot (1) having a workpiece mass measurement function for measuring the mass of a workpiece that is held, includes a force measurement unit (5) that measures the force that is applied to the tip part (2) of the mechanism part of the robot (1), and a mass estimation unit (11) that estimates the mass of the workpiece that is held by the robot (1), based on information about the force acquired by the force measurement unit (5) while the robot (1) is moving.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a structure comprises providing an inspection apparatus, engaging the inspection apparatus with an access system coupled to a structure, inspecting the access system using the inspection apparatus, and inspecting a portion of the structure using the inspection apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus/device for the contained inspection and possible transportation of a potentially dangerous object, the apparatus including: an inspection unit (10), the inspection unit (10) able to open to receive the object and then close to provide a sealed environment for manual inspection of the object, the inspection unit (10) also including at least one glove member allowing a user external to the sealed environment of the closed inspection unit (10) to manipulate the object within the closed inspection unit (10); and, a transportation unit (80) adapted to wholly receive the inspection unit (10) and provide a further sealed environment containing the inspection unit (10) containing the object; whereby, the combination of the inspection unit (10) and the transportation unit (80) safely contain the object for possible transportation.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a plurality of primary transfer rollers, a second link member and a regulatory member. The regulatory member restrains the second link member from moving further than a predetermined position toward the second direction. The second link member causes the primary transfer rollers to be displaced as it moves. The second link member is split into a plurality of link arms of which overall length is variable within a predetermined range; and its joint portion includes an elastic member urging the plurality of link arms toward a direction to which the overall length gets longer in a state where the second link member is most separate from a cam shaft, and a first locking section and a second locking section engaging the plurality of link arms with one another for the overall length not to get longer beyond a maximum value.

Abstract: Provided are an object processing apparatus and a financial apparatus. The object processing apparatus comprises a motor, a shutter configured to close and open an object-entrance space, and a power transmission. The power transmission is configured to open or close the shutter according to operation of the motor and allow the shutter to be opened or closed by an external force when the motor is not operated. The power transmission transmits a driving force of the motor to the shutter without any electronic control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an opening/closing device including a fixed plate, a moving plate that can be moved relative to the fixed plate, a slide plate that is formed having a slide groove, a hinge arm including a first shaft part rotatably connected to the fixed plate, a third shaft part rotatably connected to the moving plate, and a second shaft part provided between the first shaft part and the third shaft part, and configured to move the moving plate between a closed position and an open position relative to the fixed plate by centrally rotating about the first shaft part, a slide arm including a fourth shaft part rotatably connected to the moving plate and a fifth shaft part connected slidably along the slide groove of the slide plate, and configured to move the moving plate between the closed position and the open position relative to the fixed plate by rotating about the fourth shaft part, a link arm having one end part connected to the second shaft part and another end part connected to the fi

Abstract: A dual clutch transmission for a motor vehicle which comprises at least two part-transmissions each of which has at least one input shaft and an output shaft arranged as the drive output shaft of both part-transmissions. The at least one input shaft and the output shaft are arranged on a main axis and/or a secondary axis and at least one intermediate transmission with at least one countershaft is provided, the at least one countershaft is designed as the secondary axis relative to the main axis, and at least one of the input shafts can be connected to the output shaft by at least two gearwheel planes and/or by way of at least one shifting element. A plurality of shifting elements N in number are provided with N being an integer larger than or equal to two such that N-1 shifting elements are arranged on the main axis.

Abstract: A bevel gear drive (1) comprises a spur bevel gear (2) and a pinion which both mesh with one another. The spur bevel gear and the pinion are arranged within a housing (3). An abutment plate (4) is provided so as to avoid displacement of the spur bevel gear (2), under high operating loads. The abutment plate (4) is integrated in the housing (3) and supports the spur bevel gear (2) when forces, that can cause displacement of the spur bevel gear (2), act upon the spur bevel gear (2).

Abstract: In the helical gear, an opening perimeter wall includes a first arc side face located at the leading end side in the direction of rotation, concave towards the leading end side in the direction of rotation, and having a distance from the arc center as a first radius. The first arc side face includes a side face at a side of the rotation center of the hub, located at position with a distance from the arc center differing from the length of the first radius, on a verge of a virtual arcuate line centered about the rotation center, and passing through the arc center.

Abstract: A gear assembly includes a single piece gear body having a first axis of rotation and including opposing first and second surfaces each having spiroid gear teeth formed therein. The gear teeth radially extend outward from the first axis of rotation. The gear teeth on the first surface also extend from the first surface toward the second surface and the gear teeth on the second surface also extend from the second surface toward the first surface. The gear teeth on the first surface and the gear teeth on the second surface are configured to concurrently engage teeth of a pinion such that rotation of the pinion is translated to rotation of the gear body around the first axis of rotation.

Abstract: Electronic shifting systems, mechanisms and methods of using the systems to operate a bicycle that allows front and rear gear changer mechanisms to be controlled with only two switches. The switches can be arranged so that each hand is only required to operate one switch to shift the bicycle.

Abstract: A latching shifter mated with a shift-by-wire transmission in which the gear cam includes a momentary shift lever position which is spring biased toward the drive gear notch. A driver is enabled to shift the transmission into a desired gear by passing the shift lever into and out of the momentary shift lever position in the event of autonomous shifting by the transmission or to otherwise provide a selected gear of the transmission. Preferably a dynamically changeable gear shift display is provided, the indicia of which is responsive to the gear status of the transmission.

Abstract: A balancing mechanism for a robot configured for lifting heavy weights comprises a hollow balancing body comprising an opening; an elastic assembly received in the balancing body and a pulling rod assembly received in the balancing body and hinged to a robot arm of the robot. One end of the pulling rod assembly resists the elastic assembly, and another opposite end of the pulling rod assembly extends out from the balancing body through the opening, the pulling rod assembly is movably assembled with the balancing body via the elastic assembly to make the elastic assembly capable of producing a balancing moment against the gravity moment of the robot arm.

Abstract: A robot arm mechanism includes a drive arm, a support arm, a transmission assembly and three tool portions. The support arm is rotatably connected to the drive arm. The three tool portions are rotatably mounted on the support arm. The transmission assembly includes a first bevel gear, a second bevel gear and a transmission belt. The first bevel gear is mounted on the drive arm, the second bevel gear is mounted on the support arm and engages with the first bevel gear. The transmission belt is driven by the second bevel gear and imparts rotary motion to the plurality of tool portions simultaneously.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a face robot which is operated similarly to the motion of a human head and a multi-joint manipulator which supports a robot's face, and more particularly, to a structure which may compensate an influence caused by the gravity and exerted on rotation parts rotating about its axes. A manipulator with a weight compensation mechanism of the disclosure is provided, the manipulator having rotation parts connected to a plurality of axes rotating about their axes, the manipulator including: a weight compensation mechanism that supports wires connected to the rotation parts receiving gravity in a rotation state by a spring and compensates an influence of gravity exerted on the rotation parts.

Abstract: A ball joint mechanism includes a ball joint member, a ball socket member and a plurality of elastic assemblies. The ball joint member has a head portion. The ball socket member defines a spherical engaging socket and a plurality of mounting holes communicating with the spherical engaging socket. The head portion of the ball joint member is assembled into and pivotally engages with the corresponding spherical engaging socket of the ball socket member. The plurality of elastic assemblies are assembled within the mounting holes of the ball socket member, respectively, and elastically resist against a periphery of the ball joint member. One or more kinematic chains and a parallel robot using the ball joint mechanism are also provided.

Abstract: An anchoring device including a support member having a slot open out at one edge thereof for receiving a first cylindrical portion of the sheath terminal, a retainer for receiving and retaining a second cylindrical portion of the sheath terminal, and a guide for guiding the retainer as the second cylindrical portion of the sheath terminal is received therein, the guide including guide members that are formed integrally with the support member.