Abstract: A self-punching functional element serves for the fastening to a workpiece and comprises a head part that has an abutment surface for introducing a punching force directed in a punching direction into the functional element and a rivet section that extends away from the head part in the punching direction and that comprises a free end that is provided with a first punching edge for punching a slug out of the workpiece. The functional element further comprises a functional section that has a punching pilot that is radially surrounded by the rivet section, that extends away from the head part in the punching direction, and that has a second punching edge for punching a hole into the slug. The second punching edge is set back with respect to the first punching edge in the punching direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pole socket for an energy storage system, having a connecting element with a first end region and with a second end region, a connection element which is arranged on the first end region and which is configured to make electrical contact with electrical consumers, and a contacting element which is arranged on the second end region of the connecting element and which is configured to make electrical contact with a pole shaft. The connection element extends in a first direction of extent proceeding from the connecting element, and wherein the contacting element extends in a second direction of extent proceeding from the connecting element. The second direction of extent runs parallel and in the opposite direction with respect to the first direction of extent, such that the contacting element is arranged offset from the connection element.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying viscous material to workpieces has at least two material outlets. A needle valve is assigned to each material outlet, the valve needle of which being able to close the respective material outlet on a valve seat. Each valve needle is assigned a cylinder, in the piston chamber of which a piston is movable by pressure applied by a fluid, and which cylinder has a piston rod for impingement on the respective valve needle, the piston rod being connected to the piston, being guided out of the piston chamber on an end face facing the valve seats and extending longitudinally. The cylinders are arranged one behind the other longitudinally and the piston rod of at least one of the cylinders is guided in a sealed manner through the piston chamber of at least one further cylinder arranged closer on the valve seats.

Abstract: A coupling between lead and extension pile segments of a driven piling. The extension segment has a formed end, an opposite driven end and a body extending therebetween. The formed end has an inner diameter equal to an outer diameter of an exposed end of the lead segment and greater than an outer diameter of the extension segment's body. The formed end has an initial length prior to coupling the extension and lead segments; the formed end undergoes secondary end forming when a driving force is applied, such that the formed end has a final length exceeding the initial length after the extension and lead segments are coupled. In some embodiments, the extension segment has an external ring portion positioned upstream of the formed end, and the exposed end of the lead segment is cold extruded into and through the external ring portion of the extension segment.

Abstract: Fastening collars, multi-piece fastening systems, and methods of fastening are provided. The fastening collar comprises a first end, a second end, and an elongate portion intermediate the first end and the second end and defining a longitudinal axis of the fastening collar. The elongate portion comprises a first region adjacent the first end, a second region intermediate the first region and the second end, and a cavity. The first region comprises a first diameter and is configured to be received by a bore of a structure. The second region comprises a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The cavity extends through the elongate portion and is configured to receive at least a portion of a shank of the multi-piece fastening system. The elongate portion is configured to at least partially deform onto the shank responsive to forcible contact between the second region and an installation tool.

Abstract: Embodiments of a combination piston and piston ring to reduce the volume of a crevice defined between the circumferential wall of a cylinder and a portion of the outer wall of a piston within the cylinder, the portion extending down from the top of the piston. The combination piston and piston ring is configured such that pressurized fluid within the cylinder reliably urges a radial face of the piston ring to sealingly engage the circumferential wall of the cylinder, even as the piston reciprocates within the cylinder.

Abstract: A grip ring can include a ring body defining an inner surface facing radially inward, a first tooth, and a second tooth; each of the first tooth and the second tooth extending from the inner surface of the ring body, each of the first tooth and the second tooth defining a cylindrical end surface facing radially inward, a first side surface of each of the first tooth and the second tooth extending from the end surface of the respective tooth and towards the inner surface, and a second side surface of each of the first tooth and the second tooth extending from the end surface of the respective tooth and towards the inner surface; each of the first side surface and the second side surface of the respective tooth being angled in cross section with respect to the end surface.

Abstract: A small space fire extinguisher includes: a tube open from one side thereof to the other side thereof and made of a synthetic resin so that a portion thereof bursts by the heat generated when a fire breaks out to allow a fire extinguishing agent accommodated therein to spout; cylindrical blocking members coupled to both sides of the tube to prevent the fire extinguishing agent accommodated in the tube from leaking to the outside; coupling members located on the outer peripheral surface of the tube, in the state where packing members are fitted to installation grooves of blocking member bodies, and then compressed thereagainst by means of a compression device; and blocking members fitted to both side ends of the tube to prevent the coupling members compressedly fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the tube to which the blocking members with the packing members are fitted.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for fastening a lockbolt, the device comprising: a lockbolt gun including a body unit having a grip therein for pulling the lockbolt and a gripping unit protruding from a lower portion of the body unit and having an operation switch installed on the outside, wherein a hydraulic supply flow path for supplying hydraulic pressure for driving the grip, a hydraulic discharge flow path for discharging hydraulic pressure supplied to the grip, and an air supply flow path for supplying pneumatic pressure to the operation switch are installed in the gripping unit, and a discharge hole is formed outside the gripping unit to discharge air from the air supply flow path when the operation switch is operated; a driving force supply unit having a hydraulic supply pump that supplies hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic supply flow path, a hydraulic recovery pump that recovers hydraulic pressure discharged from the hydraulic discharge flow path, and an oil tank that supplies oil to the

Abstract: A semiconductor device is detachably mountable on a measurement target that includes sensors provided on a predetermined surface thereof. The semiconductor device includes a wiring board having a first surface, and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a semiconductor integrated circuit mounted on the first surface of the wiring board, measuring spring terminals mounted on the second surface of the wiring board, and projections provided on the second surface of the wiring board. Each of the measuring spring terminals makes contact with a terminal connecting to a corresponding one of the sensors to electrically connect the terminal and the corresponding one of the sensors, and each of the projections makes contact with the measurement target, in a state where the semiconductor device is mounted on the measurement target so that the predetermined surface of the measurement target opposes the second surface of the wiring board.

Abstract: Presented are protective covers for weldable fasteners, methods for making/using such cover-protected weldable fasteners, and motor vehicles with such covered fasteners welded to load-bearing structural members. A weldable fastener assembly includes a fastener, such as a weld-on nut or clip retainer, that is fabricated with a shank and a flange. One end of the shank has a fastener hole that receives therethrough a mating fastener, such as a bolt, screw, stud, or clip. The flange is formed, in whole or in part, from a weldable material for welding to a load-bearing panel or other structural support member. The flange may be integrally formed with and project radially outward from the shank. A protective cover is attached to the flange and covers the fastener hole. The protective cover is frangible and formed, in whole or in part, from a material designed to withstand the temperature at which the weldable material melts.

Abstract: An endgate striker assembly engageable with an endgate latch, wherein the endgate striker assembly has a striker and an overmolded-annular shoulder. The striker has an attachment portion at one end, a head at the opposite end and a cylindrical shaft between the attachment portion and the head. The overmolded-annular shoulder is between the cylindrical shaft and the attachment portion. The overmolded-annular shoulder has an annular damper and an annular shoulder. The annular damper is molded over the surface of the annular shoulder facing the cylindrical shaft and at least part of the outer circumferential surface of the annular shoulder.

Abstract: A method for the magnetic pulse soldering of an item having a stack of sheets consisting of a metal material. At least one hole through a thickness of the stack is formed. The first and second plates, both consisting of a metal material, are arranged on either side of the stack. A covering area covering at least one through-hole is formed. The plates-stack assembly is positioned opposite an active part of a coil such that a working area of the covering area faces the active part of the coil and the working area covering at least one hole. The working area is subjected to a magnetic field until the assembly is joined. While the working area is subjected to the magnetic field, pressure is exerted on the first plate, in the region of at least one hole, pressing the first plate against the second plate.

Abstract: A rotor for an electric motor includes an axis, a rotor carrier a plurality of rotor segments, a first end plate, a second end plate, and a spring element. The rotor carrier has a tubular portion with a cylindrical surface and a radial wall extending radially outwardly from the cylindrical surface. The plurality of rotor segments circumscribe the cylindrical surface. The first end plate is disposed at a first axial end of the plurality of rotor segments adjacent to the radial wall. The second end plate is disposed at a second axial end of the plurality of rotor segments. The spring element presses the first end plate, the plurality of rotor segments, and the second end plate against the radial wall. The spring element includes a ring portion and a plurality of segments extending axially from the ring portion.

Abstract: An insulating glazing includes a first a second pane, a spacer between the first and second pane that is fixedly connected to the first and second pane in a water-vapor-tight manner in each case, which spacer has two parallel pane contact walls, an outer wall, and a glazing interior wall and an interior, and a water-tight sealant strip running around the outer wall between the first and second pane. A pressure-equalizing element is inserted into the sealant strip and the spacer, which pressure-equalizing element is open to the surrounding atmosphere and to the interior of the spacer or to the glazing interior between the first and the second pane and is implemented such that it provides a gas connection having a pressure-equalizing function between the atmosphere and the interior of the spacer or the glazing interior which gas connection is temporally limited due to aging and/or atmospheric influences.

Abstract: An improved fastener comprising a fastener body orientated about a central axis and having a tool-engaging portion, a threaded fastening portion and a shroud-receiving portion; a shroud concentrically mounted in the shroud-receiving portion to rotate relative to the fastener body under an applied external torque and having an outwardly extending annular shoulder; the shroud-receiving portion comprising an inwardly deformed stop radially overlapping the outwardly extending annular shoulder of the shroud; and the deformed stop of the shroud-receiving portion and the annular shoulder of the shroud forming a shroud-retaining element restraining the shroud from movement in at least a first axial direction along the central axis.

Abstract: A hitch system is described for coupling an object to a vehicle hitch. The hitch system can have a connector adapted to connect to a vehicle hitch having a connector channel that passes through the connector and has an internal threaded section; a lock rod having, a first section wherein at least a portion of the first section is threaded wherein the internal threaded section of the connector are adapted to receive the threads of the first section of the lock rod and a second section; and a locking member having a first locking member channel having an inside diameter and an outside diameter wherein the inside diameter of the locking member channel is smaller than the diameter of the second section and a lock to move between a locked position and an opened position wherein the second section of the lock rod is secured to the locking member when the second section is disposed within the locking member channel and the lock is in the locked position and is removable when the lock is in the opened position.

Abstract: A hybrid drive module, comprising an annular diaphragm spring having an inner surface and one or more fingers protruding radially inward from the inner surface and a carrier hub concentric with the diaphragm spring and connected to a rotor of an electric motor and a cover of a torque converter, the carrier hub having an outer surface with one or more retention grooves configured to interlock with the one or more fingers of the diaphragm spring to inhibit axial movement of the diaphragm spring relative to the carrier hub.

Abstract: A swage collar includes a shank, a flange, and a through bore. The shank includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an outside diameter, and an overall length between the first end and the second end. The flange extends from the first end of the shank. The through bore extends longitudinally through the shank from the first end of the shank to the second end of the shank. The through bore defines an inside diameter. The inside diameter and the outside diameter together define a wall thickness of the shank. The wall thickness of the shank is in a range of about 0.1 times the overall length of the shank to about 0.16 times the overall length of the shank.

Abstract: Described herein is a mirror apparatus comprising: a reflective substrate; and an anti-fog complex comprising: an adhesive layer atop the substrate; a first polymeric layer atop the pressure sensitive adhesive layer; and a second polymeric layer atop the first polymeric layer. Methods of making the mirror apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A suspension module for the suspension systems of vehicles, which is easily removed and replaced in a repair mode. The suspension module comprises a suspension module, a bearing housed in the suspension module wherein the bearing is comprised of a spherical bearing in a housing, the spherical bearing being fixed in the suspension module housing by a crimp in the housing. There is a set of two adapter tubes and a retainer ring mounted on the distal end of the suspension module housing to retain the suspension module in a suspension knuckle of a vehicle suspension system. There is also disclosed a crimping tool for placing a crimp in the housing to retain the spherical bearing therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite component comprising an element with an opening into which extend stressed resilient means confined within a volume of an at least partially amorphous metal alloy, said composite component comprising a passage that, is centered with respect to said stressed resilient means.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates a rivet body, including a rivet head and a rivet shank, composed of a different material than a mandrel used for insertion into a workpiece(s), the mandrel including a mandrel shaft and a mandrel cap. The rivet body receives the mandrel shaft, including the mandrel cap, through the rivet shank. The mandrel shaft is received by the installation tool, which rotates the rivet body, and the mandrel cap locally deforms workpieces(s) through friction riveting to install the rivet body. During the friction riveting, the fast-rotating rivet body is pushed into the workpiece(s) causing local deformation/melting where the mandrel cap contacts the workpiece(s). The mandrel cap creates a cavity which progresses through an upper surface and a lower surface of the workpiece(s).

Abstract: A metal pipe having at least one smooth portion and at least one grooved portion is obtained by progressive deformation of its wall in at least two consecutive phases. Each phase is carried out using a tool assembly including a grooved female die that accommodates the portion of pipe being deformed, and a grooved male punch that moves axially in order to give the pipe a cross section with an undulating profile, defining longitudinal ribs distributed around the pipe. The majority of the ribs each have a width in the circumferential direction that is less than the distance in the circumferential direction from one rib to the next. The pipe is subjected to a further deformation step in order to force the flanks of each rib into contact with each other using a tool assembly that includes radially movable sectors or a bushing that supports a plurality of radial rollers.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes an input shaft and an input side fifth speed gear that is relatively rotatably mounted on the input shaft. Axial one end face of the fifth speed gear is so disposed as to neighbor a stepped face between a large and reduced diameter portions in the input shaft. At a root portion continued to the stepped face in an outer peripheral surface of the input shaft, an escapement is formed so as to be recessed radially outwardly. A chamfered portion is formed in an angled portion at one end on the stepped face side in the inner peripheral surface of the fifth speed gear. The axial distance (b) from one end of the fifth speed gear to a terminating end of the chamfered portion is chosen to be greater than the axial distance (a) from the stepped face to the terminating end of the escapement.

Abstract: A metal member coupling structure and a metal member coupling device that can perform high-strength and high-precision coupling are provided. A shaft-like portion of the second metal member is fitted in an annular portion of the first metal member, a restraint ring is disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the annular portion of the first metal member, and the annular portion is pressed to be plastically deformed, whereby the annular portion is made to flow into a coupling groove of the shaft-like portion and the first metal member and the second metal member are coupled to each other through mechanical engagement therebetween.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a double-wall tube with braided wires at its interface in which the braided wires are interposed between an outer-wall and inner-wall blank tubes and then a drawing process is applied so as for the braided wires to be brought into close contact with the inner surface of the outer-wall tube and the outer surface of the inner-wall tube, the method comprising: polishing the inner surface of the outer-wall blank tube and the outer surface of the inner-wall blank tube so that a surface roughness thereof satisfies Ra<1.0 ?m, followed by interposing the braided wires between the outer-wall and inner-wall blank tubes; performing a sinking drawing process so that the difference of the outer diameter of the resulting double-wall tube relative to a die bore diameter is 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm; and subsequently performing heat treatment. The double-wall tube produced is suitable as a heat-transfer tube.

Abstract: A coupling for attaching to an end of a tube, pipe, conduit or other round solid or hollow section. The coupling includes an inner body and a collar to be provided around the inner body. The inner body has an interior bore passing through at least a portion thereof to receive a tube and the bore has one or more interior annular protuberances extending into the bore. When the collar is provided around the inner body it applies a circumferential compressive force to deform the inner body such that the one or more annular protuberances engage the tube to seal with it.

Abstract: A closing device, particularly for closing channels conducting pressure medium in a valve receiving body, has a rotationally symmetrical closing element (6) that is fastened in a seating bore (1) of a housing (14), having a calking site (2) that is provided on the circumference of the closing element (6) and that permanently fixes the closing element (6) in the housing (14) as a result of the plastic displacement of housing material. The seating bore (1) includes a transition area in the form of a bore step (4) between the calking site (2) and a centering cone surface (3). The bore step is recessed into the seating bore (1) by the plastic displacement of the housing material in the form of a bulge surrounding the closing element (6).

Abstract: A coupling assembly for use with a wire-reinforced elastomeric hose member includes a stem member defining at least one groove and the groove includes first and second walls, a bottom portion and a pair of shoulder portions separated by a width and a shell member at least partially enclosing said stem member and defining at least one axially extending barb member. The barb member includes a tip portion having first and second edge portions. The tip of the barb member is sized relative to the shoulders in said groove to transfer force developed by deflection of the reinforcement wire to compress a liner of the hose at the shoulders through the barb edge portions corresponding to a swaged state of the shell and stem members.

Abstract: A method of anchoring a joining element to a hollow core board with the aid of mechanical vibration. The hollow core board has a first and second outer layers and a middle layer disposed between the outer layers. An opening, including a mouth, is provided in the hollow core board, the opening penetrating the first outer layer and the middle layer. The joining element includes a wall anchoring portion situated between a proximal end and a distal end thereof. A distal end of the wall anchoring portion is positioned into or onto the mouth with a sealing portion on a proximal end of the wall anchoring portion. The wall anchoring portion is forced through the mouth by applying mechanical vibration and a force parallel to the joining element axis, whereby thermoplastic material of the wall anchoring portion is liquefied and pressed into the first outer layer.

Abstract: Described is a press-in element for pressing into a non-pierced or pre-pierced component. The press-in element has a head part having a ring surface confronting the component and a neck part which projects away from the ring surface, i.e. from the component contact side. The head part further has a ring-like projection surrounding the neck part with a radial spacing and projecting away from the ring surface. The neck part has a radially outwardly projecting ring bead, which can be formed as a continuous ring bead or as a ring bead interrupted at points. The apex of the ring bead has an axial spacing from the ring surface which is larger than the axial spacing of the apex of the ring-like projection from the ring surface, which lies radially within this projection and together with it and the ring bead forms a pocket which receives material of the component.

Abstract: A fitting and method of use that includes a tubing channel to receive tubing. The fitting includes a fitting body having the tubing channel to receive the tubing and having exterior threading to engage internal threading of a CPI type port. The fitting includes a first ferrule that receives the tubing. The fitting has a cap with a closed end and an open end. The cap has internal threading to engage the exterior threading of the fitting body and a hole to receive said tubing. The fitting has a second ferrule that receives the tubing.

Abstract: A glow plug (1) has a housing (2) and a heater (3). The housing (2) includes a thread portion (5), a tool engagement portion (6), a press contact portion (7) brought into press contact with a plug seat surface of an engine upon screwing the thread portion (5) into a mounting hole of the engine, a front body portion (9) located between the press contact portion (7) and the thread portion (5) and a rear body portion (8) located between the tool engagement portion (6) and the thread portion (5). At least one of the front body portion (9) and the rear body portion (8) has a thickness smaller than or equal to a predetermined value and includes a plurality of reinforcing parts (9A, 8A) provided intermittently in a circumferential direction of the housing (2) in the form of protrusions or recesses extending in the direction of an axis CL1.

Abstract: A fastening device for preassembling structural members includes a hollow cylindrical body; a bearing ring provided at a proximal end of the hollow body and against which one of the structural members is intended to bear in a fastening position; a pulling threaded rod extending through the hollow body to be inserted into the structural members; a tightening means connected to the pulling threaded rod for maintaining the structural members against each other, the tightening means including a removable tubular end piece for mounting on a proximal threaded end of the pulling threaded rod that can be locally axially compacted under the action of a force applied on the pulling threaded rod in order to form a radial bead for sandwiching the structural members between the latter and the bearing ring; the fastening device including a sheath.

Abstract: A method for assembling a metal collar to a resin component includes: inserting the metal collar into a mounting hole of the resin component, and setting them so that a flange of the collar abuts a jig; inserting a screw mandrel of a fastening tool into a through-hole in the collar, and rotating the mandrel so that the male threading of the mandrel engages the female threading of the jig; abutting a nosepiece of the fastening tool against the collar, and stopping the rotation of the mandrel; withdrawing the mandrel so that the nosepiece presses against one end of the collar with sufficient force to enlarge the outer diameter of that end of the collar to form an enlarged portion, thereby securing the resin component between the enlarged portion and the flange; and (e) rotating the mandrel in the reverse direction to disengage the respective threading.

Abstract: A method for improving conductance on hydraulic fittings by incorporating a soft metal interlayer between the fitting and a hydraulic tube, wherein the soft metal interlayer is located in an area where the fitting engages the hydraulic tube upon swaging or installation under pressure.

Abstract: A heart valve prostheses crimping apparatus and method for deducing the diameter of stents containing heart valve prosthesis. A medical prosthesis catheter loading apparatus, including a crimping assembly for reducing the diameter of a prosthesis; and a catheter clamp for holding a catheter adjacent to the prosthesis. Also disclosed is an apparatus for reducing the diameter of a medical prosthesis, including a base, a crimp head connectable to the base, and an actuation mechanism connected to the base and connectable to the crimp head to actuate the crimp head. Also disclosed is a method of loading a medical prosthesis into a catheter, including the steps of reducing the diameter of a prosthesis from its normal deployed state to a diameter less than that of the lumen of the catheter; holding a catheter adjacent to the reduced diameter prosthesis; and moving the prosthesis into the catheter lumen.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; an expandable device releasably attached to the catheter near the distal end; a generally tubular constraining sleeve extending around and compressing the device to an outer peripheral dimension suitable for endoluminal delivery; a tip fixedly secured to the distal end of the catheter; and a bridge member disposed between the tip and the expandable device so as to fill a gap therebetween as the catheter assembly is bent during endoluminal delivery of the expandable device to a treatment site.

Abstract: A force-transmitting element for non-detachable workpiece connections includes a flange portion and a transmitting portion, wherein the transmitting portion has a substantially cylindrical inner peripheral surface and wherein the wall thickness of the transmitting portion tapers at least in sections from the end close to the flange portion to the end remote from the flange portion. An operationally reliable non-detachable workpiece connection can be obtained despite relatively small dimensions of the force-transmitting element. The end of the transmitting portion which is close to the flange portion has at least one latching depression on the outer peripheral surface.

Abstract: A method of assembling a member made of a first material in a part made of a second material having no plastic domain, including forming the part with an aperture; inserting an intermediate part, which is made of a third material and includes a hole into the aperture without any stress; introducing the member into the hole without any stress; elastically and plastically deforming the intermediate part by moving two tools towards each other axially, respectively on the top and bottom parts of the intermediate part, so as to exert a radial stress against the member and against the wall of the part surrounding the aperture by causing the elastic deformation of the part, in order to secure the assembly in a manner that is not destructive for the part. The member can be a time piece.

Abstract: A method of assembling a member made of a first material in a part made of a second material having no plastic domain, includes forming the part with an aperture, inserting a radially flared portion of the member into the aperture, without any stress, and elastically and plastically deforming the flared portion of the member in the aperture by moving two tools towards each other axially, respectively on the top and bottom parts of the flared portion, so as to exert a radial stress against the wall of the part surrounding the aperture, causing the elastic deformation of the part, to secure the assembly in a manner that is not destructive for said part. The member can be a timepiece.

Abstract: In addition to the pressure for swaging applied when swaging is performed, a pressure in the direction the same as the direction of the holding force exerted by a swaged portion is applied to a pressure receiving edge portion of a bearing holder by the pressure applied by a swaging roller. As a result, the elastic deformation in a circumferential wall portion that is not bent is advanced and the amount of elastic deformation of the bearing holder in the axial direction is reduced, so that it is possible to increase the difference in the amount of elastic deformation between the bearing holder and an outer race. Thus, the axial residual stress in the bearing holder is increased after the swaging is completed, as compared to the case of the ordinary swaging. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the holding force for holding the outer race.

Abstract: A punch includes a first caulking surface and a second caulking surface caulking margins of which axially differ in depth and sequentially formed in a peripheral direction, and includes a regulating surface opposing an outer peripheral surface of a caulking process portion to the first caulking surface of the first and second caulking surfaces, which has a deeper caulking margin, wherein the regulating surface regulates radial fillet movement by caulking of the caulking process portion to promote the fillet movement to the second caulking surface of the first and second caulking surfaces, which has a less deep caulking margin.

Abstract: Intravascular implant systems and methods of positioning and detaching implants are described. One such system carries an implant by retaining an engagement member in a position proximal to an aperture at a distal end of the delivery system. The engagement member is retained proximal to the aperture by an elongate member that is coupled to the implant. Once the implant is in a desired implant position, the elongate member is released from the engagement member, and the implant is allowed to move away from the delivery system.

Abstract: There is provided an assembling method of a bearing unit which has a bearing having an outer ring and a retainer plate having a retainer hole for holding the outer ring. The assembling method has pressing a plurality of portions in a circumferential direction of a circumferential edge of an inner circumferential portion of the retainer hole of the retainer plate in an axial direction so as to form engagement pawls and moving the engagement pawls of the retainer plate from one axial end of the outer ring to a engagement groove formed on an outer circumferential surface of the outer ring so as to engage the engagement pawls of the retainer plate with the engagement groove of outer ring.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide a method and apparatus for forming materials that may comprise a body having a channel and an insert. The channel may extend to a first opening in the body and a second opening in the body. The embodiments may also provide a mandrel disposed in the channel of the body and the insert of the body. The mandrel may have a shaft, a head on the shaft, and a compressible material disposed between the head and the insert of the body. The embodiments may also provide a collar. The collar may have a diameter smaller than a diameter of the body. The embodiments may also provide a biasing system configured to guide the collar in a first direction to a first position and then to a second position and configured to apply force to the body in a second direction.

Abstract: A method for repairing a crushing device or other device configured to comminute material includes the steps of removing at least one first insert from a portion of a crushing body such that at least one opening is formed in the portion of the crushing body, positioning at least one second insert in the at least one opening formed by the removing of the at least one first insert, positioning a force application mechanism adjacent to the at least one second insert and the portion of the crushing body, and actuating the force application mechanism to deform the portion of the crushing body to attach the at least one second insert to the portion of the crushing body. The one or more first inserts may be damaged and the one or more second inserts may be used to replace the one or more damaged first inserts. The force application mechanism is preferably explosive material. A method of forming a wearable surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heart valve prostheses crimping apparatus and method for deducing the diameter of stents containing heart valve prosthesis. A medical prosthesis catheter loading apparatus, including a crimping assembly for reducing the diameter of a prosthesis; and a catheter clamp for holding a catheter adjacent to the prosthesis. Also disclosed is an apparatus for reducing the diameter of a medical prosthesis, including a base, a crimp head connectable to the base, and an actuation mechanism connected to the base and connectable to the crimp head to actuate the crimp head. Also disclosed is a method of loading a medical prosthesis into a catheter, including the steps of reducing the diameter of a prosthesis from its normal deployed state to a diameter less than that of the lumen of the catheter; holding a catheter adjacent to the reduced diameter prosthesis; and moving the prosthesis into the catheter lumen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a connection between a corrugated tube and a further body, wherein the further body has a bore having a bore diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of the corrugated tube, with the method including the step of drawing or pressing the corrugated tube into the bore.