Abstract: A laundry machine and a control method thereof are provided in which laundering ability may be improved while also improving efficiency and noise/vibration. The laundry machine employs a plurality of drum motions by varying drum rotational speed, drum rotational direction, and drum starting and stopping point, to provide different motion of laundry items in the drum.

Abstract: A ramp assembly provides a transition surface from a vehicle floor to an alighting surface and includes a ramp portion coupled for reciprocating movement between a stowed position and a deployed position. The ramp portion has a cam surface disposed thereon, and a cam follower that engages the cam surface when the ramp portion is in the stowed position to support the ramp portion. The ramp assembly further includes a panel rotatably coupled to a first end of the ramp portion about an axis. An actuator rotates a drive arm to move the ramp portion through first and second phases of a deployment motion. During the first phase, the drive arm rotates the ramp portion about the axis, which maintains a substantially fixed position. During the second phase, the drive arm moves the second axis in a downward direction.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a support and a cleaning arm partly embedded in the support. The cleaning arm includes a flexible polymer matrix and a carbon nanotube film structure at least partly embedded into the flexible polymer matrix. The carbon nanotube film structure includes a number of carbon nanotubes combined by van der Waals attractive force therebetween.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes an elongated housing bounding a chamber with a motor disposed therein. A drive shaft is at least partially disposed within the chamber of the housing, the drive shaft being coupled with the motor such that during selective operation of the motor the drive shaft is rotated. A head assembly includes an elongated head housing having a head drive shaft and a brush head mounted thereon. The head assembly is adapted to be selectively coupled with the body assembly so that the body drive shaft is coupled with the head drive shaft.

Abstract: A sanitizer for disinfecting substantially the entire outer surface of a handheld instrument comprises a container having a well therein for holding a disinfectant and a passageway by which the handheld instrument may be inserted into the well. The sanitizer may include a first opening and a second opening, the openings being located at opposing ends of the passageway such that the handheld instrument may enter the sanitizer through the first opening, and exit the sanitizer through the second opening. The sanitizer may further include an absorbent material located in the well to disperse the disinfectant on the outer surface of the handheld instrument, and to prevent the disinfectant from leaking from the well during use.

Abstract: A shoe cleaning doormat device is provided for cleaning and disinfecting the soles of shoes and feet prior to a user's entry into a dwelling or building. The device is a doormat having a cleaning assembly having a disinfecting cleaning material surface and drying portions. Both portions are housed within a mat frame and exposed to a user through cutouts in the mat's upper surface. A disposable roll of moist, disinfecting wipe material provides the cleaning and disinfecting surface. An advancing button is operatively connected to the roll so that a user may obtain an unused portion of the roll by depressing the button. After shoes or feet are cleaned, they can be dried by rubbing on the drying portions of the device, which comprise a removable, moisture-absorbing material.

Abstract: An oral care implement is provided with a head platform having a plurality of faces and an insert retention space formed therebetween. The oral care implement can have an insert disposed within the insert retention space. The insert can include an oral care agent that is dispensed through one of the faces. The oral care implement can include a plurality of support members on the plurality of faces from which cleaning elements extend. The oral care implement can further include a fluid-permeable and/or air-permeable support member on one of the faces and an insert containing a fluid-permeable and/or air-permeable agent. The oral care implement can be formed by affixing a first AFT-tufted carrier plate to a first face of the head platform and affixing a second AFT-tufted carrier plate to the second face of the head platform.

Abstract: This invention relates to providing a sweeping system incorporating at least one user-deployable scraper feature within a sweeping apparatus to assist in removing dried-on materials from at least one floor surface. The scraper feature is preferably spring tensioned within at least one housing and deployed through use of a manual extension of telescoping cylinders. Further featured is a rotation blocking mechanism to prevent rotation of the scraper while scraping.

Abstract: A toothbrush includes cleaning element support members that enhance cleaning and user comfort while brushing. The cleaning element support members permit a head of the toothbrush to be comfortably received and manipulated within the user's mouth. The toothbrush head includes a first flexible cleaning element support member positioned at a first end of the head, a second flexible cleaning element support member positioned at a second, free end and an intermediate flexible cleaning element support member. Each flexible cleaning element support member has a flexible stem formed of a resilient material.

Abstract: The mode selection system for a power toothbrush includes a first switch (25) operable to control the ON/OFF condition of the toothbrush and a second switch (29) operable when the first switch is in the OFF condition to select one of a plurality of possible modes of operation programmed in the toothbrush. A pre-established time is set during which the ON/OFF switch must be operated to an ON condition after the mode selection switch has been operated to select a particular mode. The selected mode is indicated by a lit LED on a handle portion of the toothbrush.

Abstract: A single-use, disposable toothbrush offering the dental hygiene benefits of a miswak chewing stick. The toothbrush has a toothbrush body having a recess at one end thereof, and a piece of cut and flared Salvadora persica bristles received in the recess; the length of the bristles is greater than the depth of the recess so that the bristles extend from the toothbrush body. The toothbrush body has a handle at an end thereof opposite the recess; the handle may have a concave portion to provide convenient handling for a user. The bristles are press-fitted into the recess. The toothbrush body may advantageously be formed of a biodegradable material, so that the entire toothbrush is biodegradable. In addition, the bristles may have a flavoring.

Abstract: A scalp washing device includes a base and projections for washing projected from a brush surface of the base. Each of the projections includes a root portion on a side of the base having a circular shape in cross-section, a middle portion including a tip surface having a flattened shape in cross-section, and at least a pair of conical tip projections each having a tip chamfered to have a curved surface and provided on the tip surface. The middle portion has a cross-sectional shape changing from a circular shape to a flattened shape from a side of the root portion to a side of the tip surface.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and materials for making a brush or pad for removing materials, particles, or chemicals from a substrate. The brush or pad includes a rotatable base for supporting a porous pad material. The base include an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of channels in the base for interlocking the porous pad material with the base. A porous pad material covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the base and is used for removing material from various substrates. The porous pad material fills one or more of the channels in the base and interlocks the porous pad material with the base. Preferably the channels fluidly connect said inner surface with the outer surface of the base and aid in the alignment of porous pad nodes and the distribution of fluid within the porous pad.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing ice and snow deposits from a vehicle during winter snow season. A hand-operated device for removing ice and snow deposits from a vehicle generally includes a handle, a blade, and one or more fasteners. A slotted aperture on an end of the handle is adapted to receive a coupling portion of the blade. Fasteners are positioned through the handle and blade at the slotted aperture to secure the handle and blade. The device enables a user to separate ice and snow deposits from a vehicle without damaging the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a wiper blade for wiping a windshield, and more particularly to wiper blade including a spoiler that forms an air flow allowing the wiper blade to be in close contact with the windshield. The wiper blade according to the present invention has a frame, a spoiler receiving the frame therein and forming an upper surface of the wiper blade and a wiper lip extending downwardly from the frame to contact a windshield. The wiper blade includes the following: a frame including an adaptor coupler at a midway portion; a spoiler receiving the frame and provided next to either side of the adaptor coupler, the spoiler having a cross-section including leg sides of a front surface and a rear surface and a topside of a top surface; and an adaptor mounted to the adaptor coupler and connecting the frame to a wiper arm.

Abstract: A vehicle wiper device including a wiper arm, a wiper blade, and a wiping range enlarging mechanism is disclosed. The wiper arm is driven by driving force of a drive source. The wiper blade is coupled to a distal portion of the wiper arm at a constant position relative to the wiper arm. The wiper blade moves back and forth between first and second reversing positions while wiping a wiping surface of a vehicle body when the wiper arm is driven. The wiping range enlarging mechanism drives the wiper arm while moving a basal portion of the wiper arm so that a wiping angle of a basal portion of the wiper arm becomes greater than a wiping angle of a distal portion of the wiper arm at the second reversing position.

Abstract: A windshield wiper assembly including a wiping element adapted to contact a surface to be wiped. The wiping element includes at least one isolation pad formed thereon and wherein the isolation pad defines a portion of increased lateral width of the wiping element. A coupler assembly includes an adapter with at least one claw that corresponds to the isolation pad. The claw has a downwardly extending leg and an inwardly extending retainer portion that cooperates with the isolation pad to interconnect the adapter to the wiping element. The interaction of the isolation pad and the claw acts to securely mount the adapter to the wiping element in a cost-effective manner while reducing noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) associated with the operation of the wiper system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combinational structure of flat blade wiper for vehicle comprising an elastic metal keelson strip, a saddle bracket, two clipping sleeve mounts, two external covers, and an elongated scraping blade. In the saddle bracket and each clipping sleeve mount, an upper accommodating channel and a lower accommodating channel of rectangular cross sections are formed such that the elastic metal keelson strip and the upper wing section of the elongated scraping blade are inserted therein respectively. During operation, all forces of the wiper arm directly relay to the elongated scraping blade to achieve the water-scraping effect. Thereby, the force transmission is consistent throughout the wiping operation, avowing pauses and jerky wiper movement. Thus, not only the service life of assembled components are prolonged but also replacing costs thereof are reduced owing to motive and wearing burdens of the wiper arm are decreased.

Abstract: A cleaning device for shoe soles is disclosed. The cleaning device provides a surface having a plurality of bristles designed to engage the sole of a shoe. The bristles are arranged such that one or more groups of bristles are reciprocated over the length of the surface to dislodge and remove debris on the shoe sole. The debris removed from the shoe sole is also directed away from the bristles and surface into a receptacle for later removal. Thus, the cleaning device provides for effortless removal of debris from shoe soles while cleaning any debris dislodged by the bristles.

Abstract: A vacuum assembly having a housing and a motor and motor shaft secured within the housing; a fan coupled to the motor shaft and an air intake port and an air exhaust port located within the housing; a circuit board mounted in a cooling air path in the housing, wherein the cooling air path is located between the air intake port and the air exhaust port such that the fan causes cool air to flow across the circuit board; a pulley assembly coupled to the motor shaft and including a disposable belt, the pulley assembly located in the housing in such position that the circuit board blocks access to the disposable belt; a first connector portion secured to the circuit board; a second connector portion coupled to a plurality of wires coupled to at least the motor; the first and second connector portions configured to mate in a single direction.

Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus includes a housing having a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. The nozzle assembly includes a suction inlet. Both a suction generator and a dirt collection assembly are carried on the housing. The dirt collection assembly includes a dirt cup, a shroud concentrically received within the dirt collection chamber defined by the dirt cup and at least one rib projecting from the shroud toward the bottom wall of the dirt cup. The rib is positioned so as to reduce air turbulence in the dirt collection chamber between an airflow guide on the shroud and the bottom wall of the dirt cup.

Abstract: A surface cleaning head, such as an auxiliary cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner, has a rotary brush associated with a dirty air inlet and driven by an air turbine. A dirt tray is positioned in the airflow path downstream of the rotary brush. In one embodiment, the air turbine is in an air turbine chamber that is not downstream from the dirty air inlet.

Abstract: A vacuum accessory tool comprises a housing that defines a suction nozzle and an agitator assembly located in the suction nozzle and driven by an air turbine. The agitator assembly comprises an agitating element having a plurality of resilient blades configured to reduce hair wrap around the agitator assembly.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising a receptacle having a working air inlet and an associated filter, the filter in communication with and downstream from the working air inlet, is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner further includes a housing containing a motor and having a cooling air outlet from the motor and a working air outlet, the working air outlet in communication with the working air inlet of the receptacle through a working air impeller, wherein the cooling air is directed to the receptacle, and the cooling air passes through the filter before exiting the working air outlet of the housing.

Abstract: A flexible accessory tool for a vacuum appliance is described, comprising an elongated body with a body portion having an attachment end, a nozzle end spaced apart from the attachment end and having an opening formed therein, and a flexible intermediate region for imparting flexibility to the accessory tool during use. The flexible intermediate region is made up of a rigid skeleton portion having a one or more ribs and support struts, over which a layer of non air-permeable flexible material is applied. During use, the flexible accessory tool may be bent to extreme angles in order to reach and clean debris from hard to reach areas, while not suffering from a decrease in vacuum air flow through the tool as it flexes.

Abstract: A ball wheel assembly including a wheel ball is provided. The assembly further includes first and second legs. The legs include a mounting portion and a ring-shaped leg cover. The legs are secured together proximate to the mounting portions. The legs further include a leg ball bearing retaining ring and leg ball bearings. The leg ball bearing retaining ring and leg ball bearings are positioned between the leg cover and the wheel ball. The assembly further includes a top housing. The top housing includes a top housing cover, a housing ball bearing retaining ring, and housing ball bearings. The top housing is secured to the legs, and the housing ball bearing retaining ring and housing ball bearings are positioned between the top housing cover and the wheel ball.

Abstract: Coil springs are incorporated, with a longitudinal direction oriented vertically, into the top and bottom end parts of hinge pieces provided on side surfaces of opposing door panels of a folding door and that connect the doors panels together. A portion of a pin plate is inserted into the coil springs at the top and bottom end parts of the coil springs and attached to the coil springs. The pin plate that is inserted into the top end part of the coil spring incorporated into the top end part of the hinge piece and the pin plate that is inserted into the bottom end part of the coil spring incorporated into the bottom end part of the hinge piece are fixed to the hinge pieces by brackets. The folding door is closed by the restoring force generated by the twisting of the coil springs.

Abstract: The present application discloses means for vertically mounting curtains for easy traverse utilizing an easily mountable bendable track for providing an adjustable path for traverse and flexible carriers which are readily affixable to the bendable track at any point in its length and traverse the bendable track under the load of a supported curtain with a minimum of noise. It discloses a bendable track with both a top and a bottom rib, each of which has a horizontal ledge and a curved profile extending from each ledge away from the main body of the rail and a roller free carrier which can be elastically expanded to snap over the lower horizontal ledge of the track. It further discloses that the surface of the horizontal ledge as well as the ends of the carrier are made of materials having a low coefficient of sliding friction such as exhibited by ABS, nylon, PVC and polyacetal and that the ends of the carrier have a surface with an arcuate surface which is adapted to ride on the lower horizontal ledge.

Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with an improved latching mechanism for the hinged section of a ceiling track for traveling curtain. The latching mechanism is designed to make a readily audible sound when it is locked. It is based upon a generally oval shaped lock knob which passes through a generally oval shaped aperture in the bottom wall of a receiver for the lock knob. The aperture is designed so that when the lock knob is rotated its long axis no longer aligns with the long axis of the aperture it can no longer pass through the aperture. The bottom wall of the receiver carries two upwardly extending side walls that must be pushed outward to allow the passage of the lock knob as it rotates and that carry gaps that accommodate the tips of the lock knob and allow the side walls to move back toward their undeformed position.

Abstract: A grab handle mounting assembly securable to a mounting surface includes a first mounting arm assembly securable to a mounting surface. The first mounting arm assembly defines a first male pin. A second mounting arm assembly is securable to a mounting surface and defines a second male pin. The assembly further includes a first tube having first and second open ends, wherein the first male pin is mateable within the first open end of the first tube and the second male pin is mateable within the second open end of the first tube. When the first and second mounting arm assemblies are secured to a mounting surface with the first and second male pins mated with the first and second open ends of the first tube, the first and second mounting arm assemblies impose a torsional force on the first tube.

Abstract: A spring hinge for spectacles is described, comprising two hinge parts (1, 2) which are connected with each other by a hinge axis (3), of which one forms a bearing bracket (4) for the other hinge part (2) which is displaceably guided in a housing (7) with the help of a sliding element (6), and comprising a coiled spring (14) which rests on a web (8) of the sliding element (6) on the one hand and on an abutment (13) fixed to the housing on the other hand, which abutment is inserted into the housing (7) through a through opening (16) in the hinge part (2) with the sliding element (6) coaxially to the coiled spring (14). In order to achieve a short overall length it is proposed that the abutment (13) comprises a sleeve (15) accommodating the hinge-side end of the coiled spring (14), which sleeve protrudes beyond the housing (7) into the region of the hinge axis (3).

Abstract: The hinge for wings or doors, in particular of electrical appliances, comprises a first box-shaped body, a second box-shaped body, a connecting element between the first and second bodies, and a damper cylinder for applying on the second body an action damping its movement towards the first body.

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a first member, a second member, two rotary members, a resilient member, and a main shaft. The first member includes a cam surface. The two rotary members engage with the second member to constitute a latching cam surface engaging with the cam surface. The resilient member provides an elastic force for the first member to abut against the second member. The first member, the second member, the resilient member are placed around the main shaft. After the rotary members are rotated, the first member automatically rotates relative to the second member.

Abstract: A swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device includes first and second hinge members, a guide portion, an elastic member, a shaft and a support cover portion. The first hinge member is bent. The second hinge member is inclined and coupled with the first hinge member to rotate while facing the first hinge member. The guide portion is positioned between the first hinge member and the second hinge member to guide rotation of the second hinge member. The elastic member is positioned on a side of the first hinge member to provide an elastic force for allowing rotation and linear movement of the first hinge member and the second hinge member. The shaft has a cylindrical housing protrudes therefrom, with the cylindrical housing being coupled with the first hinge member, the second hinge member, the elastic member, and the support cover portion by passing through them.

Abstract: A rope crossing secures rope lines on each other as well as rope play equipment which has at least one rope crossing. The rope crossing includes at least two crossing rope lines and a ring, wherein the ring has an inner opening with twice the number of essentially radially extending receiving regions in relation to the number of rope lines to be secured. A corresponding line segment of a rope line forming a bulge is received in two corresponding receiving regions that face one another, so that the bulges of crossing rope lines are arranged on respective opposite sides of the ring. The ratio of the unobstructed width LW of a receiving region to the diameter of the rope line D, which forms the bulge in this receiving region, is LW/D=0.8 to 0.98.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for an automatic zipper. An apparatus for an automatic zipper includes a first placket tab and a second placket tab located on opposing sides of a zipper. The zipper also includes a slider body. The apparatus also includes a zipper connector permanently coupling the slider body to an anchor location on the first placket tab. The zipper connector is substantially non-stretchable and has a length such that the zipper connector maintains the distance between the anchor location and the slider body to be substantially the same or less than the distance between the anchor location and the slider body in the closed position.

Abstract: A holding element for fastening in a hole of a carrier part has a central shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, a supporting part fastened to the far end of the shaft and projecting laterally, and at least one arm, a fastening end of which is fastened movable to the shaft. The arm extends transverse to the longitudinal axis and for some distance from the shaft and in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis is supportable on the supporting part and in the opposite direction is supportable on a guide part fastened to the front end of the shaft.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, program, and storage medium, for managing a network device by communicating with an information processing device and the network device via a network and managing the network device in response to a request from the information processing device. If a request for execution of a process, which needs particular authorization, upon the network device, is received from the information processing device, it is determined whether a command to invalidate a password of said network device has been received together with the process execution request. When the password of the network device is to be invalidated, a password invalidation request is transmitted to the network device. This technique makes it possible for an administrator of a network device to use it even when the administrator forgets the device password assigned to the network device without having to perform initialization which would cause all setting data to be lost.

Abstract: An assembly tool for assembly of a first component of a prosthesis to a second component of the prosthesis for use in joint arthroplasty. The tool includes a first member operably associated with the first component and defines a first member longitudinal axis thereof. A second member is operably associated with the second component and defines a second member longitudinal axis thereof. A washer system is coupled to the second member. A drive mechanism is coupled to washer system, such that as the drive mechanism is activated, the washer system rotates about the second member longitudinal axis and expands along the second member longitudinal axis, wherein such movement further causes the second member to move relative to the first member along the second member longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A holding device for holding a stud, which includes a radially projecting flange in a securing position, comprises a collet component including a hollow tubular insertion section defining an insertion axis, and a clamping section operable to exert a radially inwardly directed clamping force for clamping the stud. A securing device is arranged on the insertion section and includes a securing sleeve formed of plurality of separate securing-sleeve sections that are radially movable relative to one another. A clearance space is defined between a bottom end of the securing-sleeve sections and a top end of the clamping section, and the clearance space is operable for holding a flange of a stud in the securing position.

Abstract: A method for changing a chain wheel, a first chain wheel being on an axle, the method comprising (a) positioning a hydraulic cylinder at least partially within the axle. In addition, the method comprises (b) moving the first chain wheel off the axle with the hydraulic cylinder. Further, the method comprises (c) connecting the first chain wheel to a conveying device while the first chain wheel is held in position by the hydraulic cylinder. Still further, the method comprises (d) connecting a second chain wheel to the hydraulic cylinder while the second chain wheel is held in position by the conveying device. Moreover, the method comprises (e) moving the second chain wheel onto the axle with the hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: Process for producing a pressure vessel having an enveloping body which occupies an arch shape in its predetermined installation position. The enveloping body has pillow-shaped portions which are connected to one another by stamped transitions at the inner diameter area of the enveloping body. The enveloping body for the intended installation position is placed with its inner diameter area one-sidedly on a die having a raised wedge-shaped profile. A designated outer diameter area of the enveloping body contacts a supporting surface, and the enveloping body is filled with a pressure medium so that the enveloping body is tensioned on the die and, in so doing, is plastically deformed in the area of the wedge-shaped profile.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a medical device is formed of at least three coupled movable blades which are disposed about a reference circle to form an aperture whose size may be varied. The aperture capable of being sized to contain a medical device. Each blade is in communication with an actuation device which is capable of moving the blade to alter the size of the aperture. Each blade includes a single radial point which a) lies on the circumference of the reference circle prior to movement of the blade, and b) may be moved only along a radius of the reference circle on movement of the blade.

Abstract: A method of use of a conduit coupling system, sealing device, and bell are disclosed herein. The method comprises positioning a sealing device inside a bell coupled to one end of a first conduit, inserting a spigot of a second conduit through the sealing device inside the bell, wherein the sealing device is adapted to move axially within the bell in the direction of the insertion of the spigot and in a radial direction from a centerline of the conduit, and partially removing the spigot from the bell, wherein a segment of the sealing device engages the outer surface of the spigot end as the spigot end is partially removed from the bell. The bell comprises a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first conduit. The bell has a concave annular inner surface and a diameter of the annular inner surface adjacent to the first end of the bell is greater than a diameter of the annular inner surface adjacent to the second end of the bell.

Abstract: A method of installing temporary construction elements for an event without damaging a floor is disclosed. The method includes creating a digital file of an architectural template illustrating the construction elements. The method further includes printing the digital file as a full-scale architectural template. The full-scale architectural template comprises one or more sheets capable of protecting the floor during installation of the temporary construction elements, each sheet being a portion of the full-scale template. The method further includes placing and aligning the sheets on the floor so that the markings are positioned in the same location as the corresponding temporary construction elements should be and attaching the sheets to the floor. The method further includes installing the temporary construction elements on the sheets in accordance with the markings. The method further includes removing the sheets after installation of the construction elements.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the attachment of a fastener element to a component, for example a sheet metal part, wherein the fastener element is a nut element and has an axis of symmetry, a head part having a contact surface which enters into contact with the component, a threaded bore and also at least one undercut which receives the material of the component, and wherein the material of the component is pressed against the contact surface and into the undercut by means of a first tool having a die button shape matching the design of the nut element. A local force is exerted on the head part of the nut element or onto the tool to the side of the axis of symmetry and is moved circularly around the axis of symmetry while simultaneously carrying out a relative feed movement between the tool and the nut element between which the component is arranged in order to press the material of the component into the undercut.

Abstract: A coin assembly and a medal assembly which have triple-structures, respectively, and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed. The coin assembly includes an internal ring; an external ring coupled to an outside of the internal ring; an insert coupled to an inside the internal ring; a first recess formed in an outer surface of the internal ring, to have a predetermined portion of an outer surface of the external ring inserted therein, when the internal ring and the external ring are assembled with each other; and a second recess formed in an outer surface of the insert, to have a predetermined portion of an outer surface of the internal ring therein, when the insert and the internal ring are assembled with each other.

Abstract: A manually actuated robotic tool changer includes a rapid coupling mechanism. The tool changer includes a master unit having a piston moveable along its axis between an unlocked position and a fully locked position, and a tool unit that is coupled to the master unit when the units are adjacent and the piston is moved to the fully locked position. A piston movement control mechanism selectively allows free axial motion of the piston between the unlocked position and a nearly locked position, when the control mechanism is actuated. The piston may be biased toward the locked position, allowing the master and tool units to be rapidly coupled by positioning the units adjacently, actuating the control mechanism to allow the piston to rapidly advance to a nearly locked position, releasing the control mechanism to restrict free axial motion of the piston, and manually advancing the piston to a fully locked position.

Abstract: The invention includes a fastening method and a fastening tool which can stably fasten a nut to a bolt securely and with a small dispersion at a desired axial force. A fastened member is fastened by inserting a bolt through the fastened member, thereafter temporarily positioning a nut and the bolt together, pulling a leading end of a shaft portion of the bolt in an axial direction of the bolt, rotating the nut so as to screw the nut into the bolt while elastically deforming the bolt so as to generate an axial force, and thereafter canceling the pulling of the bolt.

Abstract: A device (1) for assembling panels using riveting which includes a riveting system (6) together with a drilling system (4). According to the invention, the device includes components for setting the riveting head (38) in motion relative to a carriage (34) of the riveting system, where these components are designed to be capable of moving this riveting head (38) between an at-rest position in which the drilling head axis and the riveting head axis (16, 40) are distinct, and a working position in which the same axes (16, 40) coincide.