Abstract: A ring (10) for arranging around a valve body (21) of a fluid dispenser valve (20) that is mounted by means of a fastener capsule (50), such as a crimpable capsule, on a reservoir (1) containing fluid to be dispensed, said ring (10) being made as a single piece including at least one inner portion (100, 110) that co-operates with said valve body (21), and a radial flange (11) that forms a neck gasket that extends between the neck of the reservoir (1) and the fastener capsule (50).

Abstract: A deconstructable coiled tubing spool is disclosed and includes one or more flange segments, and a core comprising a flange portion that is adapted to couple and decouple from each of the one or more flange segments, wherein the core remains intact when the one or more flange segments are decoupled from the flange portion. One or more of the deconstructable coiled tubing spools can be deconstructed and stored in a standard shipping container for shipment.

Abstract: Processor tray for displaying tubular meat products in an arcuate configuration, and designed to help guide the packer to mold and place curved meat products in the tray. The filled tray is wrapped in film, and the configuration of the filled tray maintains the film taut to avoid leakage. The tray includes a rectangular upper shaped cavity, and a plurality of curved recessed pockets extend below the upper cavity to define a lower cavity. The tray is designed to provide structural rigidity that resists warping and breakage, thus enabling the overwrapped tray to be handled, shipped, and displayed with minimal leakage or breakage. In some embodiments the tray includes features that facilitate de-nesting of a stack of empty trays, and is adapted to facilitate movement of the wrapped package on a moving conveyor line. The tray is easy to manufacture and provides a lightweight and cost effective packaging product.

Abstract: There is provided a container (10) for consumer goods, the container (10) comprising an outer housing comprising a box portion (12) and a lid portion (14) depending from the box portion (12) along a hinge line. The container (10) further comprises a plurality of consumer goods (18) received within the box portion (12) and an inner frame (16) slidably received within the outer housing. The inner frame (16) comprises an inner frame front wall (22) underlying a box portion front wall (17) and a tab portion (28) positioned between a box portion bottom wall and an end of each of a selection of the consumer goods, the tab portion (28) depending along a first weakening zone (30) from the inner frame front wall (22). The tab portion (28) is arranged so that sliding the inner frame (16) away from a box portion bottom wall engages the tab portion (28) with the selection of consumer goods and lifts them away from the box portion bottom wall.

Abstract: A capsule for beverages includes a casing made by forming a sheet of thermoformable plastic material, the casing including: a base wall and a side wall defining a cavity suitable for containing an initial product to be combined with a fluid to obtain a final product in the form of a beverage, a first opening of the cavity opposite the base wall, an edge extending from the side wall and surrounding the first opening and a second opening made in the base wall. The first opening is closed hermetically by a cover element fixed to the edge, said the cover element being perforable by an injection arrangement of a dispensing machine in which the capsule is usable. The second opening is closed hermetically by a closing element) suitable for tearing when pressure inside the cavity exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: The invention refers to a pack (10) for preparing food or beverage products comprising: at least one container (10?) having an inner volume where at least one base ingredient for the preparation of the food or beverage product is stored, said inner volume being defined by sheets of material joined to one another at their edges; a fitment assembly (20) through which the food or beverage product is delivered, and identification means (30) comprising the information on the food or beverage product to be prepared; wherein the identification means (30) are arranged at least on one side of the edges of the container with respect to the fitment assembly (20), the identification means (30) being further arranged in the vicinity of said fitment assembly (20).

Abstract: A capsule for preparing a beverage includes a capsule body made by forming a sheet of thermoformable plastic material, the capsule body having: a base wall and a first portion of side wall defining a cavity suitable for containing an initial product to be combined with a fluid to obtain a final product in the form of a beverage, a first opening of the cavity opposite the base wall, an upper edge extending from the first portion of side wall and surrounding the first opening, a second opening of the cavity made in the base wall, in which the first opening is closed hermetically by a covering element fixed to the edge, the covering element being perforable by a dispensing machine in which the capsule is usable, in which the second opening is closed hermetically by a closing element that is suitable for tearing when pressure inside the cavity exceeds a preset value, the capsule further comprising a chamber located opposite the base wall with respect to the cavity and defined by a second portion of side wall and

Abstract: In some embodiments, a debris bundling device can include a substrate including at least one edge. The substrate may be formed from a flexible material. The debris bundling device may further include a plurality of strings and a plurality of fasteners coupled to the substrate. Each string may include a first end coupled to the substrate and may include a second end. Each fastener may be configured to engage the second end of one of the plurality of strings to secure the substrate in a wrapped state.

Abstract: A configurable cryogenic storage device has a freezer and a rack carrier positioned inside of the freezer. The freezer includes a bearing and a drive shaft though the freezer, the drive shaft being coupled to the rack carrier inside the freezer and adapted to be coupled to a motor assembly. The rack carrier rests on the bearing in a manual rotation configuration and hangs from the drive shaft when the motor is connected. Coupling the drive shaft to the motor assembly lifts the rack carrier and decouples the bearing and enables automated rotation of the rack carrier by the motor. The rack carrier includes rack-mounting features holding a plurality of sample storage racks. The sample storage racks hang from the rack carrier and the rack-mounting features precisely position the end of each sample storage rack.

Abstract: A frame structure for a multi-level container handling and storage facility 11, which is constructed by an array of basic structures comprising of two rows, R1 and R2, of spaced support columns 21 which are weight bearing. The columns in row R1 are joined respectively by one horizontal beam 25 and similarly the columns in row R2 are joined respectively by a separate horizontal beam 25 to form spaced adjacent beams that now define an intermediate level IL. The rows R1 and R2 of spaced support columns 21 are spaced at a distance allowing storage of at least one container therebetween below the intermediate level IL. The spaced adjacent horizontal beams 25 are at a distance matching the dimension of a container allowing storage of at least one container thereon above the intermediate level IL.

Abstract: A variety of vehicle-based and warehouse-based solutions are provided to increase the adaptability, utility, and efficiency of materials handling vehicles in the warehouse environment, such as a materials handling vehicle comprising a hand-held drive unit comprising a user interface and an operational command generator responsive to the user interface. The hand-held drive unit is configured to send operational commands generated in response to user input at the user interface to the vehicular controller(s) to control operational functions of the traction control unit, the braking system, the steering assembly, the mast assembly, the picking attachment, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for operating a warehouse, in which a modular shelving rack warehouse having a plurality of levels and spaces is manually supplied and emptied of goods by order pickers, wherein a placing and removing of goods is possible at at least one central transfer point between the shelves of a level, and wherein the transfer points arranged at different levels are each connected to each other and to a common warehouse entrance and exit in respect of materials handling technology, and a corresponding warehouse.

Abstract: A geological storage system of carbon dioxide according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an injection pipe that extends to a carbon storage reservoir that includes a plurality of rock grains and brine, from the ground surface, and supplies an injection material that includes carbon dioxide (CO2) to the carbon storage reservoir; a plurality of pores that are disposed between the plurality of rock grains; and a storage structure that is connected with a part of the plurality of pores and where the carbon dioxide reaches through the plurality of pores and then stored.

Abstract: A slat for a conveyor where the conveyor has one or more curves. The slat has landing gears carrying wheels set apart from the slat, and the wheels are capable of engaging a surface distinctive from the landing gears.

Abstract: A system to sort packages or parcels into chutes includes a package and parcel transporting component with a plurality of zones, each coupled to an electroadhesive material. The package and parcel transporting component is operable to move the plurality of zones. The electroadhesive material includes electrodes to exert an electroadhesive force and dynamically electrically couple to be energized by an applied voltage on demand. The system includes a controller to determine chutes into which to release packages or parcels and determine zones associated with packages or parcels. The controller selects zones associated with the packages or parcels to transport or release packages or parcels. The controller operates the electrodes to alter the electroadhesive material in the zones associated packages or parcels to transport and release the packages or parcels to one or more chutes.

Abstract: A cable tensioner is provided including a spring having a first position, the spring operatively connectable to a cable conveyor system, and visually apparent indicia corresponding to a force applied to a cable of the cable conveyor system as a result of a spring deflection away from the first position, the force placing the cable of the cable conveyor system in tension.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a workpiece singulator with one or more movable stairs. A first one of the movable stairs may include an outer step member and an inner step member that is positioned between the outer step member and a second one of the movable stairs. The step members may be movable synchronously as a single stair to transport larger workpieces and asynchronously to transport smaller workpieces on the outer step member. Optionally, the workpiece singulator may further include a sensor configured to detect the size and/or position of a workpiece. In some embodiments, the workpiece singulator may be coupled with a controller configured to control the position of the outer step member independently of the position of the inner step member. In various embodiments, a workpiece singulator as disclosed herein may be operable to selectively singulate workpieces of different sizes.

Abstract: An article transport apparatus includes a plurality of supports, a supporting rotator that rotatably supports the supports at a plurality of positions, a driving portion for rotating the supporting rotator, an attitude maintenance mechanism for keeping the plurality of supports in a constant attitude irrespective of a phase of the supporting rotator, an article carry-in portion for carrying an article into the support located at a first position, and an article carry-out portion for carrying an article out of the support located at a second position.

Abstract: A cantilevered screw assembly comprising a speed reducer to facilitate rotation of a screw. The speed reducer may be connected to a torque arm that is adapted to control or limit undesired movement (e.g., wobbling, orbital movement, etc.) of the screw during operation. In effect, one exemplary embodiment of a speed reducer may essentially float on a pivoting torque arm (and the shaft of the screw) such that the torque arm is adapted to limit undesired movement of the speed reducer and screw. As a result, an exemplary embodiment may eliminate the need for alternative drive systems or other means to control undesired movement of the screw. An exemplary embodiment may be particularly useful for light or infrequent duty or other small-scale applications to reduce the likelihood of a breakage of a screw or another portion of a cantilevered screw assembly (e.g., the bearing(s) or bearing assembly, the gears, etc.).

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to systems and methods for emptying and/or cleaning a tray within in an assembly line grow pod. In one embodiment, a sanitizer component for cleaning a tray coupled to a cart in an assembly line grow pod is disclosed. The sanitizer component is coupled to a track such that the cart and the tray are received in the sanitizer component via the track. The sanitizer component comprises a first actuator arm positioned underneath the track and extendable through an opening in the track and an aperture at a bottom end of the cart to contact the tray such that the tray rotates in a first direction. The sanitizer component further includes an actuator motor coupled to the first actuator arm for extending the first actuator arm and a controller. The controller is communicatively connected to the actuator motor in the sanitizer component.

Abstract: A method for placing packets having a length different from the width into and out of storage in a storage rack in which the packet is oriented extending longitudinally and transversely as selected and the orientation can be changed between a distribution path and it being placed into or out of storage. The orientation of the packet can be changed by 90 degrees between a distribution path and the storage rack, for which purpose in each case two incoming paths and/or outgoing paths are disposed in a crossing arrangement between the distribution path and the storage rack, wherein via each incoming path and/or outgoing path at least two storage rack aisles can be reached or emptied, and a 90 degree deflector is disposed at the crossing point in order to change the incoming or outgoing path as selected.

Abstract: A method for transferring pouches for containing products, includes the steps of gripping two corresponding flaps of a pouch with first and second grippers, and transferring the pouch between a first turntable and a second conveyor. One out of the first turntable and the second conveyor include the first and second grippers for gripping corresponding flaps of the pouch, and the other includes third and fourth grippers for gripping the pouch. The step of transferring the pouch between the first turntable and the second conveyor includes gripping the pouch with the third grippers. The method further includes releasing the first grippers that are gripping the pouch, gripping the pouch with the fourth grippers, and releasing the second grippers that are gripping the pouch.

Abstract: A work transferring system includes a hand including a body and at least one attracting part configured to hold a work with a gap maintained between the work and a surface of the body by attracting the work to a distal end protruding from the surface; a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the work to a predetermined transfer destination by moving the hand, a work releasing member disposed above the transfer destination to which the transfer mechanism transfers the work and configured to release the work from the attracting part, and a lifting mechanism configured to move up and down the work releasing member or the work. The work releasing member includes a claw arranged in a substantially horizontal cantilever manner and having a shape that allows insertion of the claw into the gap.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a floating conveyor is configured to convey a substrate while floating the substrate. The floating conveyor includes a lower floating section and an upper floating section with a conveying path of the substrate therebetween. A plurality of floating blocks that constitute at least one of the lower floating section and the upper floating section are arranged to be separated by a space, and a floating block that constitutes the other is arranged to face the space.

Abstract: A plenum of distributing a flow of air from an air source includes ports extending from a face element of a body. The ports are configured to direct the flow of air out of the plenum, and the ports are arranged on the face element in a first row having first length, a second row having a second length, and a third row having a third length. The first row is positioned proximate to the top element, the third row is positioned proximate to the bottom element, and the second row is positioned between the first row and the third row. In addition, the second length is greater than the first length and the third length, and a shape of the face element is configured to accommodate the first length of the first row, the second length of the second row, and the third length of the third row.

Abstract: A method for temporary storage of granular material in a receiver having a horizontally elongated chamber within a housing, the chamber having a convex triangular cross-section and a dump flap defining a bottom vertex of the triangular cross-section, with a horizontal air/vacuum resin material inlet connecting to the chamber, and a horizontal air/vacuum outlet leading from and connected to the chamber.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for removing blockages present within a delivery conduit of a seeder may include a plurality of delivery conduits, a plurality of flow blocking devices, and a plurality of blockage sensors. A controller may be configured to determine when a blockage is present within a first delivery conduit of the plurality of delivery conduits based on measurement signals received from the plurality of blockage sensors. The controller may be further configured to control the flow blocking devices to occlude the flow of air through the other delivery conduits of the plurality of delivery conduits such that an air pressure in the first delivery conduit is increased.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a conveying apparatus and a transmitting system.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for print media buffering and sorting. An apparatus for performing at least one of buffering and sorting during an operation includes an enclosure, a storage section within the enclosure, an input section configured to receive at the enclosure at least a portion of a printed element, a gripper associated with the input section, the gripper configured to selectively transport the at least a portion of the printed element from the input section to the storage section and to selectively transport the at least a portion of the printed element from the storage section within the enclosure, and an output section configured to selectively transfer the at least a portion of the printed element from the enclosure.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a receiving conveyance path branching into a first conveyance path and a second conveyance path. A guide member guides a sheet passing through the receiving conveyance path and is movable between a first position to guide the sheet toward the first conveyance path and a second position to guide the sheet toward the second conveyance path. A rotary member is disposed on the receiving conveyance path and configured to guide the sheet by rotating in contact with the sheet. The rotary member guides the sheet on the same side as the guide member that is on the first position, while guiding the sheet on the opposite side from the guide member that is on the second position. The sheet is conveyed in contact with both the rotary member and the guide member when the guide member is at the first position.

Abstract: A paper feed apparatus comprises a paper feed section, a separation section, a rotating body and a control device. The paper feed section feeds an image receiving medium that is placed. The separation section is arranged at a downstream side of the paper feed section in a conveyance direction of the image receiving medium. If a plurality of the image receiving media fed from the paper feed section is overlapped, the separation section separates the plurality of the image receiving media that is overlapped. The rotating body is arranged at the upstream side of the separation section in the conveyance direction of the image receiving medium. The rotating body is capable of contacting with the placed image receiving medium. The rotating body is rotatable. The control device carries out control to rotate the rotating body at least before an operation of the paper feed section.

Abstract: A device for reducing rotation of an article during singulation of a stack of articles is disclosed. The device may include a torsion element, a rotatable member configured to rotate about an elongated axis of the torsion element between a first position and a second position, and a revolving member coupled to the rotatable member. An outer surface of the revolving member contacts a drive belt in the first position and an article in the second position. The torsion element exerts torque on the rotatable member when it moves from the first position towards the second position. The torque causes the outer surface of the revolving member to apply a frictional force to the article, thereby minimizing rotation of the article. Systems and methods of singulating articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A registration system for a printing device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. For example, the registration system includes at least one sensor to detect a position of a print media, a platform comprising a plurality of cellular omni wheels, and a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and the plurality of cellular omni wheels, wherein the processor calculates a desired movement of each one of the plurality of cellular omni wheels based on the position of the print media.

Abstract: A multipurpose retainer adapted to be used as a roller dispenser and for safely storing scissors or shears is providing in a kit including a base; a tubular element extending from a distal end to a proximal end, the proximal end transversely connected to the base; a plurality of elongated rods perpendicularly extending from a shared base, wherein each elongated rod has a diameter ranging between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, wherein each elongated rod has a length ranging between five and ten inches; and the shared base dimensioned to slide through said tubular distal end so as to be supported by said tubular proximal end so that distal ends of the plurality of elongated rods terminate adjacent to said tubular distal end, wherein the elongated tapered object is slidably received through the tubular distal end and nested within the plurality of elongated rods.

Abstract: A method for arranging a material web on a core. The method comprises providing a sheet of material, arranging the sheet on the core such that a first end of said sheet is not attached but loose from the core, arranging a first end of the material web between the core and the first end of the sheet, and reeling and tightening the rest of the material web on the core, the first end of the material web locating between the core and the first end of the sheet during said reeling and tightening.

Abstract: A medium feeding apparatus includes a roll motor which applies torque for rotating a roll body to the roll body, a storage portion which stores output measured value, which is measurement result of output value to the roll motor for rotating the roll body, and a roll control portion which corrects the output measured values stored in the storage portion to correction value in accordance with stop time of the roll motor, and controls the roll motor based on the corrected output measured values.

Abstract: A length adjusting mechanism of slitter rewinder, comprising a feeding device, a slitting device, a rewinding device, and a control device, the slitting device and the rewinding device including a length adjusting device therebetween which enables simultaneous completion of rewinding strips of material of multiple winding drums installed on this invention.

Abstract: A reel apparatus and method comprising an inner flange assembly, an outer flange assembly, and a bearing assembly coupled to the inner flange assemblies. The inner flange assembly is capable of freely rotating relative to the outer flange assembly. In another embodiment, wire is spooled from a reel assembly comprising an inner flange assembly and an outer flange assembly.

Abstract: A cranking mechanism preferably includes a crank shaft, a one way bearing, a clutch, a reel shaft, a driven gear and at least one reel. The clutch preferably includes a clutch housing, a clutch pack and a pressure washer. The clutch housing includes a clutch pack housing and a drive gear. The one way bearing and the clutch are retained on the crank shaft. A hand knob is threaded on to a threaded end of the crank shaft to exert pressure on the clutch pack. The driven gear is pressed on to the reel shaft. The at least one reel is retained on at least one end of the reel shaft. The hand knob is tightened against the clutch pack to frictionally engage the crank shaft with the drive gear. The drive gear rotates the at least one reel.

Abstract: The invention discloses: —a drive belt safety device (20) including a belt retaining portion (22) and a wedging portion (24) operably coupled to the belt retaining portion (22), wherein the wedging portion (24) includes a geometry configured to wedge between a drive belt (16) and a pulley (12, 14); and —a method of securing a drive belt system (10), the drive belt system (10) comprising a pair of pulleys (12, 14) configured to rotate and a drive belt (16) disposed around each of the pulleys (12, 14), the method comprising the steps of placing at least one drive belt safety device (20) adjacent to a pulley (12, 14), and securing a portion of the drive belt (16) to the at least one drive belt safety device (20).

Abstract: In an elevator system, whether an emergency stopper thereof operates normally can be confirmed by letting a driving sheave run idle even in a case where the driving force of a hoisting machine is not large enough, the elevator system includes a main rope to suspend an elevator car and a counterweight, the emergency stopper to prevent the elevator car from dropping, the driving sheave, with the main rope wound around, to drive the main rope by a frictional force therebetween, the hoisting machine to rotate the driving sheave, and an elevator controller to drive the hoisting machine, wherein the elevator controller drives the hoisting machine, with the emergency stopper kept in operation, to let the driving sheave run idle by exciting vertical natural period vibration of the counterweight.

Abstract: An illustrative example elevator brake device includes a housing that supports a brake member. The brake member has a braking surface. The brake member is moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. A plurality of buckling beams are situated to urge the brake member to apply a braking force.

Abstract: An elevator car includes a car box. The car box includes a frame structure that includes a floor element, vertical beams connected to the floor element, and roof beams connected to the vertical beams. The car box further includes walls, each including wall elements of rectangular shape fixed side-by-side to the frame structure and extending from one edge side of the car box to another. The car box includes a roof including roof elements of rectangular shape fixed side-by-side to the frame structure and extending from one edge side of the car box to another. The car box includes and interior bounded by at least the floor element, the walls, and the roof. At least on set of elements, of the roof elements and the wall elements, includes elements associated with separate, respective integrated functionalities.

Abstract: An elevator component separation assurance system includes a controller, and a brake controller. The controller includes an electronic processor, a computer readable storage medium, a safety motion state estimator, and a safety assurance module. The safety motion state estimator is configured to identify velocity and position of each one of a plurality of elevator components. The safety assurance module is configured to select a separation map from a plurality of pre-pre-programmed separation maps for each one of an adjacent component pair of the plurality of elevator components for initiating a Ustop that maintains elevator component separation. The brake controller is carried by each one of the plurality of elevator components, and is configured to actuate a secondary brake upon detection of a loss of communication with at least a portion of the controller.

Abstract: A passenger conveyor includes a semi-fixing mechanism, which restrains movement of a truss in a direction toward one floor and releases the restraint of the movement of the truss in the direction toward the one floor, and a truss-position recovery mechanism, which moves the truss in the longitudinal direction with respect to the one floor to set a dimension between the truss and the one floor to a preset specified dimension before the truss is moved in the longitudinal direction with respect to another floor when a separating force in a direction in which the truss is separated from the one floor is exerted between the truss and the one floor after the restraint of the movement of the truss in the direction toward the one floor is released.

Abstract: A lifting point for lifting loads having a swivel body with which is associated an attaching loop capable of cooperating with a lifting accessory, and a fixing member for fixing said lifting point to a load, the fixing member and the swivel body being joined together by a swivel linkage allowing the body to swivel relative to the fixing member about an axis. The parts of the fixing member and of the swivel body cooperating in the swivel linkage are each made in one piece, so as to form a linkage which cannot be dismantled, one and/or the other of these parts being manufactured by metallic additive manufacturing.

Abstract: An overhead crane has first and second runway rails that extend parallel to a generally horizontal runway axis and a bridge that extends along a bridge axis that is generally horizontal and perpendicular to the runway axis and that is movable on the runway rails along the runway axis. The bridge includes a first bridge reinforcement member pre-loaded under tension to provide an upward deflection of the bridge rail. The first bridge reinforcement member may have at least two upwardly extending struts and a common upper end where the at least two struts meet, the at least two struts having lower ends mechanically connected to the bridge rail at positions longitudinally spaced apart with respect to the bridge axis. The lower ends of the at least two struts are longitudinally translatable along the bridge rail to adjust the tension on the first bridge reinforcement member to thereby adjust the extent of upward deflection of the bridge rail.

Abstract: Load handling equipment comprises vertical support structures between which transport means are mounted to be moved along a horizontal support structure between the vertical support structures to move a load relative to the support structures, and a distance-measuring device capable of generating distance measurement data is mounted in at least one of said support structures. The distance-measuring device is arranged to generate distance measurement data on at least two of the following objects relative to their mounting position, the objects comprising: a vehicle positioned beneath or on a side of the load handling equipment, the door of a vehicle, a person, a load, a reflector and transport means for moving a load.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to lifting gear such as cranes which use ropes such as high-strength fiber ropes. The invention here in particular relates to an apparatus for monitoring operating data and/or for determining the replacement state of such a rope in use on such lifting equipment having a detection device for detecting at least one rope use parameter that influences the replacement state of wear and having a data store for storing the detected rope use parameter and/or an operating parameter derived therefrom that characterizes the residual service life and/or the replacement state of wear of the rope.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a crane having a multiple-piece longitudinal structural part, in particular a tower or boom, whose pieces comprise corner arms or horizontal beams which can be placed next to one another and which can be releasably connected to one another by a mortise and tenon joint, wherein the mortise and tenon joint comprises a tongue which can be plugged into a tongue receiver and which can be fixed by means of at least one crossbar which can be inserted transversely to the plug-in direction of the tongue. In accordance with the invention, the crossbar of the mortise and tenon joint can be spread apart by a spreading device such that the pieces of the longitudinal structural part to be connected can be clamped to one another by spreading apart the crossbar.