Abstract: A three-dimensional wire bending jig is disclosed. The jig includes a tubular body having an outer diameter and an inner diameter. The body has a plurality of through-openings formed therein. The plurality of through-openings form a repeating pattern around the body. A kit including the jig, a plurality of pins, and a retaining member is also provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns a window including a window pane with one or more glass panes, a window frame in which the window pane is provided, at least one temperature sensor arranged in or at the periphery of the window pane, and an electric circuit connected to the temperature sensor mounted on or in the window frame. The electric circuit is configured to be connected to an operation unit which is configured to regulate the incident light through the window pane. The invention furthermore concerns a method for controlling a window wherein the electric circuit controls the means configured to regulate the incident light through the window pane based on a set of parameters. The parameters are determined on the basis of the orientation and geographical position of the window whereby the supply of free energy is optimized and the amount of energy supplied from energy sources in the room is reduced.

Abstract: An electric cartridge type heater (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000) has at least one the tubular metallic jacket (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901, 1001), at least one electric heat conductor (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002) arranged in the interior space of the tubular metallic jacket with two ends for electrically contacting the electric heat conductor, wherein the at least one electric heat conductor is electrically isolated from the tubular metallic jacket by an electrically insulating material (103, 203, 303, 403, 503, 603, 703, 903) arranged in the interior space of the tubular metallic jacket (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901, 1001). The electric heat conductor is self-supporting. A method is also provided for manufacturing such an electric cartridge type heater.

Abstract: An assembled heatable media line having a media line having at least two heating elements arranged on the exterior of the media line and at least one line connector. In order to heat the at least one line connector, only one of the heating elements is arranged at or on said line connector and at least partially surrounds the same. A method for producing a heatable media line comprising the media line, at least one line connector and at least two heating elements is disclosed. The media line is pre-assembled, the heating elements being continuously wound around the media line. The heating elements are fastened or fixed on the media line by at least one fastener.

Abstract: The section bar (1) for a fluid flow heater for coffee machines has a longitudinal development with two opposing ends and a first tubular cavity (A), that is accessible at the opposing ends of the section bar (1), and a second cavity (B) having an opening (O) that extends along the longitudinal development of the section bar (1). A heater (10) having an encased resistor (2, 3) integrated in the first cavity (A) of the section bar (1) and a tubular fluid circulation conduit (4) inserted into the second cavity (B) of the section bar (1) and fixed by means of bending at least one lug (B1, B2, B3) around the tubular fluid circulation conduit (4), so that the opposing ends of the tubular fluid circulation conduit (4) emerge with respect to the opposing ends of the section bar (1).

Abstract: A crushable ceramic heater core for an electric heater device which has a cylinder-like body of crushable ceramic material and grooves along the periphery of the body, the grooves being key shaped and adapted to receive a conductive pin in a groove. The invention also includes an electric heater device where such a core has been wound with heater wire and the conductive pin has been inserted in a core groove in contact with the wire, and the wire wound core has been installed in a sheath which has been filed with electoral insulting material. The sheath and its contents are swaged to create a compacted unitary heater assembly. The invention also includes the process for making the wire wound grooved core having a conductive pin therein in contact with the wire winding, and a method for making a heating device having such a core and which has been compacted to a theoretical density. The heater assembly and the method may also include installation of temperature sensing devices.

Abstract: A device for controlling an electric field at a high voltage component including a resistive layer for field control, an insulating layer arranged on the resistive layer and a semi-conducting or conducting layer arranged on the insulating layer. The three layers meet at a triple point where the insulating layer ends. An interface between the resistive layer and the insulating layer makes in the triple point an angle to the semi-conducting or conducting layer of 60°-120°.

Abstract: In manufacturing a stator coil for rotary electric machine having phase windings, plural conductive shaped wire members are integrated mutually to form an integrated body. Each shaped wire member has plural straight portions and plural turn portions alternately connecting adjacent straight portions at each of both ends of each straight portion. The body has plural straight superposed portions each formed by mutually superposing the plural straight portions. A wound-up body has plural straight stack portions The straight portions are fitted to respective fitting grooves of an alignment member, the fitting grooves being formed in the alignment member at intervals each corresponding to the size of a gap between adjacent straight stack portions. The integrated body is wound about a core member together with the alignment member, with the straight portions being fitted to the alignment member to form the wound-up body.

Abstract: There are proposed a manufacturing method of a winding assembly of a rotating electrical machine using a rotation block and a fixed block and a manufacturing apparatus used for the same. The rotation block includes a rotation surface rotatable around a rotation axis, and the fixed block includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other and a shaping surface. The shaping surface is formed between end parts of the first and the second surfaces, is made to have an almost semicircular shape with the rotation axis as the center, and extends along the rotation axis. Plural wire rods are simultaneously fed from the first surface of the fixed block to the rotation surface of the rotation block, and the wire rods positioned on the rotation surface are bent by rotation of the rotation block.

Abstract: A method of applying a physical barrier to suppress thermal decomposition near a surface of a thermoelectric material including applying a continuous metal foil to a predetermined portion of the surface of the thermoelectric material, physically binding the continuous metal foil to the surface of the thermoelectric material using a binding member, and heating in a predetermined atmosphere the applied and physically bound continuous metal foil and the thermoelectric material to a sufficient temperature in order to promote bonding between the continuous metal foil and the surface of the thermoelectric material. The continuous metal foil forms a physical barrier to enclose a predetermined portion of the surface. Thermal decomposition is suppressed at the surface of the thermoelectric material enclosed by the physical barrier when the thermoelectric element is in operation.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a substrate heating device comprises forming a base plate having a substrate heating surface in which a resistance heating element is buried, forming a tubular member, joining the tubular member to the base plate, measuring temperature distribution in the substrate heating surface by supplying power to the resistance heating element, and grinding the tubular member according to a grinding condition based on a measurement result of the temperature distribution.

Abstract: There are proposed a manufacturing method of a winding assembly of a rotating electrical machine using a rotation block and a fixed block and a manufacturing apparatus used for the same. The rotation block includes a rotation surface rotatable around a rotation axis, and the fixed block includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other and a shaping surface. The shaping surface is formed between end parts of the first and the second surfaces, is made to have an almost semicircular shape with the rotation axis as the center, and extends along the rotation axis. Plural wire rods are simultaneously fed from the first surface of the fixed block to the rotation surface of the rotation block, and the wire rods positioned on the rotation surface are bent by rotation of the rotation block.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing surge arrestors, the method including stacking varistors; and forming a coating of composite material on the stack. Between these steps, also included is placing a bead of flexible, adhesive, and dielectric material on the previously formed stack in register with the various interfaces between each pair of adjacent varistors.

Abstract: Method for production and application of a heating element for heating in vehicles where the heating element consists of heating wire defining at least one electric heating loop extending in a predetermined pattern including positioning the heating wire onto one side of a carrier; applying adhesive over the carrier, at least over areas where the heating wire is lying and over the heating wire, so the heating wire adheres to the surface of the carrier; transporting the carrier with the heating wire to a substrate, wherein the heating wire is adjacent to the substrate; pressing the heating wire against the substrate; heating and melting the adhesive to separate the heating wire from the carrier leaving the heating wire adhered to the substrate; and, removing the carrier, so the heating wire is released from the carrier and adheres to the substrate, to form the heating element for heating in the vehicle.

Abstract: A surface mountable electronic device comprising a body incorporating an electronic device and having a substantially planar mounting surface and another surface extending from the mounting surface, at least one electrical lead extending from the device, and a terminal of conductive material having a first portion fixedly received in the body and extending through the other surface, a second portion extending from the first portion and electrically connected to the lead and a third portion extending along the mounting surface for providing electrical connection to a circuit. A recess preferably is provided in the other surface of the body for receiving the first portion of the terminal.

Abstract: A multi-chip module or other electronic semiconductor component (1) contains a multi-layer substrate (9) whose bottom surface, the bottom of the bottom layer (15) of that substrate, serves as the bonding surface for bonding the multi-chip module or component to a printed wiring board (8) using a thermally sensitive adhesive, such as a thermally sensitive adhesive or solder. The bottom layer (15) of that multi-layer substrate integrally includes a plurality of electrical heaters (16-28), arranged side by side. When energized with appropriate current, the heater generates sufficient heat to weaken the adhesive bond, allowing the MCM to be pulled away from the printed wiring board and removed, without weakening the bonding of the multiple layers of the laminate substrate or weakening the MCM component's bond to that substrate.

Abstract: A coil type, noise suppressing high voltage resistor wherein, without applying a releasing agent to the coil core, the adhesiveness of the fluorocarbon polymer in its unvulcanized state is reduced sufficiently so that unwinding of the unvulcanized core, followed by winding of the resistance wire, can be smoothly carried out. On the coil core covered by extrusion coating with a fluorocarbon polymer mixed with ferrite powder, the resistance wire is helically wound. The coil core to which the resistance wire has been applied is then covered in sequence with an insulating layer, a braid for reinforcement, and a sheath. The fluorocarbon polymer is a blend polymer mixture including a reinforcing polymer, preferably an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, which is compatible with the fluorocarbon polymer and can be co-vulcanized therewith. The blend ratio is 5% to 25% by weight of the EVA, based on the total mixture.

Abstract: An electrofusion coupler, for connecting plastics pipes end to end, is formed using a mandrel 10 having at spaced apart locations therealong first and second terminal holder 14. Each terminal holder 14 receives a malleable metal terminal pin 30, and has a diametral slot 26 for receiving an electrical resistance wire 20 which is extended across one terminal holder 14, wound in a plurality of turns around the mandrel 10 and is extended across the other terminal holder 14. Malleable terminal pins 30 are driven into the terminal holder, along the axis of the pin, so that the inner end of the pin is crimped onto the wire to grip it firmly. The mandrel 10, is then placed in an injection mould, an electrofusion sleeve injection moulded around the wound mandrel 10, terminal pins 30 and holders 14, the terminal pin holders 14 are withdrawn radially into the mandrel 10 and the electrofusion coupler stripped axially from the mandrel.

Abstract: The fixing process according to the invention of a winding to one or more electronic circuits permits elimination of an important manufacturing step of the processes according to the prior art, whether the positioning, then the gluing or the precise fixing of the winding or of the core to be wound on the electronic circuit or circuits. By a suitable arrangement of the electronic circuit or circuits and of the possible core, independently of one another, on a holding tool according to the invention, a semi-finished product is obtained, also according to the invention, made up of the circuit or circuits and the winding, the mechanical connection between them being ensured solely by the copper wires producing, moreover, the electrical connecting between the two elements. The finished component according to the invention will be obtained by disposing the preceding semi-finished product on a support ensuring a permanent mechanical connection between the two elements.

Abstract: A telephone line surge protector module with fast-acting, high resistance heat coil assembly includes a plurality of turns of resistive heating wire having a conductive core, a heat-resisting insulative coating, and a relatively high tensile-strength serving for resisting manufacturing stresses. The serving permits a number of turns of the wire to be tightly wound about a bobbin, without being damaged due to stresses encountered in the manufacturing process. The heat resisting insulative coating prevents shorting between the turns at high temperatures, yet is thin enough so that inter-turn thermal conductance is not degraded. The serving is preferably formed of a material that softens or liquifies at high temperatures to enhance inter-turn thermal conductance. The module with fast-acting coil is suitable for protecting sensitive electronic digital switches.

Abstract: An apparatus for winding a heating wire on a core for forming the inner periphery of an electric melt-bonding joint which comprises a core in a generally cylindrical shape which is capable of rotating around its axial center, the core being relatively moved in the axial direction with respect to a heating wire, an engaging piece mounted on the core, which has a holding portion for holding a heating wire, and a fixing means to fix a terminal pin to the leading end of the heating wire, wherein the engaging piece has a holding portion for holding the terminal pin, whereby the heating wire is wound on an outer peripheral portion of the core by rotating the core.

Abstract: A balanced wire resistor has two interconnected windings with different temperature coefficients. The electrical resistance of the wire resistor is determined only by the resistance values of the two windings. In a process for the production of the wire resistor, the wire length of a first winding of the newly to be wound wire resistance is calculated by using the measured wire length, as well as measured resistance values of the previously wound wire resistor. The wire length of a second winding of the newly to be wound wire resistance is determined by using the two measured wire lengths of the two windings, as well as measured resistance values of the previously wound wire resistor.

Abstract: A multipolar electrode lead, of the type used to deliver electrical energy in vivo to tissue as part of a system for medical electrotherapy, contains at least first and second conductors, with at least the first conductor being provided with an insulating coating which electrically separates the conductors from each other. The risk of the insulating coating being worn off and a short-circuit developing are reduced by forming the insulating coating of a material having a high electrical resistance and a resistance to abrasion.

Abstract: An automatic resistor coil winding apparatus comprises a core holding portion for holding both axial end portions of a cylindrical core of a resistor, in such a manner that the core is rotatable in the direction of the peripheral surface thereof, a resistor wire supply portion having a resistor wire supply nozzle for supplying a resistor wire, a welding electrode portion for welding the resistor wire to the leading end and the trailing end of the core, and a slide base carrying the resistor wire supply portion and the welding electrode portion. The resistor wire supply portion has a resistor wire fixing mechanism and a resistor wire supply nozzle advancing/retracting mechanism, and the resistor wire supply nozzle is disposed on the slide base so as to be located at the same position as the welding electrode portion.

Abstract: A mold, having a mold cavity commensurate with the shaping, forming or welding to be made, includes an RF energized heater in close proximity to the mold cavity for heating plastic tubing placed within the mold cavity to a temperature sufficient to shape, form or weld the plastic tubing. An RF generator, electrically connected to the RF energized heater, monitors the power applied as a function of the temperature of the heater to heat the plastic tubing to a precise temperature. The mold is of thin wall construction with minimal thermal inertia to expedite both heating and cooling. Various configurations of the mold may be made to form tip shaping, forming or welding, butt welds, annular welds and the like to weld single thermoformable elements or join multiple thermoformable elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing coils made of resistance wire, wherein the coil's electrical resistance can be preselected despite variations in the resistance of the wire being used, or changes in the ambient temperature of the wire during manufacturing. The wire is supplied to a winding device through an electrically controlled wire braking element which has an electrically adjustable braking force. The resistance of at least one coil wire section is measured; the measuring signal is supplied to an evaluating configuration, wherein the actual measured resistance value is compared to a preselected desired value; and a signal is transmitted to the braking element to decrease the braking action when the measured resistance value exceeds the desired resistance value, and a signal is transmitted to the braking element to increase the braking action when the desired value is undershot.

Abstract: A modular electrical assembly is enclosed in an elastomeric weathershed housing, and has a plurality of electrical components aligned in a row with terminals at the row ends. The electrical components and the terminals are in electrical connection with one another via their axially-directed ends and are axially compressed by a non-conductive filament winding. The filament winding has axial end portions wrapped about the terminals and extending axially beyond the terminals in a direction opposite to the electrical components. The winding end portions are prestressed in axial compression to increase cantilever strength and to decrease cantilever deflection.

Abstract: A winding (12) is wound around a core (10) having a circular cross-section. The wound core (10) is then deformed by pressure between flat surfaces (14, 16) until a flat contact surface is created which allows the use of sliding brushes, for example.

Abstract: The invention relates to electroweldable sockets. Previously the predominant method of manufacture has been by injection molding which while producing a socket of acceptable quality it is expensive and relatively slow.

Abstract: A resistance element causing less sliding noise for use in wound-type variable resistors and a method of making the same are disclosed. A resistance element obtained by winding a metallic resistance wire on a core is subjected to etching treatment. With this etching treatment, the metallic oxides, chlorides and sulfides considered acting as insulators, and organic molecules, adsorbed gases and other contamination forming the surface layer of the resistance wire are dissolved and removed. Furthermore, by immersing the etched resistance element in an ammonia solution, etc., the copper precipitated on the surface of the resistance wire is dissolved.

Abstract: A method of providing a sensor probe which includes the steps of providing a core which has a circumferential wall. The circumferential wall has one or more channels which position one or more conductors in the channel or channels and retain the wire or wires in the channel or channels.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved heated nozzle for injection molding and an improved method of manufacturing it. The nozzle has an elongated body with a melt bore extending generally centrally through it. The cylindrical outer surface of the body has a variable pitched spiral channel extending around it along its length. A helical electric heating element is embedded in the channel to form an integral structure by which the temperature of the hot melt can be maintained within a narrow range as it flows through the bore. The nozzle is manufactured by forming the body with the channel and bore either by investment casting or machining. The heating element is wound in the channel and a bead of nickel brazing paste is run along the top of it. The nozzle is then heated in a vacuum furnace to braze the heating element in the channel. The highly conductive nickel completely covers the heating element and is fused to both the heating element and the walls of the channel.

Abstract: A fuse manufactured in multiple by insertion of pairs of fuse pins in rows in a base block or in discrete fuse bases supported by a plate which aligns them in rows; winding fuse wires successively along the pins and securing the fuse wires to the pins with the fuse wire between adjacent pairs of pins constituting the fuse link; removing the remaining fuse wire from between pins which are to form adjacent fuses, placing a body member with a cavity over each fuse link and placing a cover thereon. Where a single base block is used, the laminated structure is cut apart into a multiplicity of fuses. Where needed, an extinguishing powder may be sifted on prior to placement of the cover to complete the structure. Where desired, the fuse body and the cover sheet may be vented with an additional cover strip over the vent which will yield to excess pressure. Fuse blocks with multiple fuses of the same or different values may be thus created.

Abstract: An electric heater assembly for tools having a removable heated tip includes a tubular metal base having an open end adapted to removably receive and hold the end of the tool tip. A coating of ceramic electrical insulation material is provided on a portion of the exterior of the base and a length of Nickel-Iron alloy resistance wire is wound on the ceramic coated portion. Electrical lead wires are connected in lapped relationship to the respective ends of the resistance wire. Each lead wire includes a first portion lying between several turns of resistance wire and the ceramic coating on the base and a second portion bent back and overlaying the several turns of resistance wire. The second portion is wrapped with at least one additional turn of the resistance wire. A coating of ceramic electrical insulation material is provided over the resistance wire and the terminals to seal the same from the deliterious effects of the atmosphere.

Abstract: The method of the present invention is used to make a multiconductor coil having an outer diameter equal to the diameter of a winding mandrel plus the diameter of wires being coiled while preserving homogeneity of the insulating coating and of the insulation between the wires. The method includes the steps of: winding a first uninsulated wire conductor on a winding mandrel with a predetermined spacing between adjacent turns of the coil of wire conductor; coating the uninsulated coil of wire conductor with an insulating coating; repeating the above two steps for each additional wire conductor to be included in the multiconductor coil; and, after the insulating coating on each wire conductor coil has dried and/or solidified, screwing each additional coil into the first coil to form a multiconductor coil having a desired homogeneity of the insulating coating and of the insulation between adjacent turns in the multiconductor coil.

Abstract: A first and a second clamp member 25, 35 are shaped onto a coil former 1 to be provided with a coil and together with first and second clamping bodies 26, 36 permit the clamping and holding of the wire 10 during the winding and/or separation of the wire. For separating the wire 10 a separating apparatus 45 having a separating mandrel 46 and a separating sleeve 47 is placed on the coil former 1, so that the separating sleeve is moved relative to the separating mandrel and as a result the wire is separated. The winding apparatus can form a station C of an injection moulding machine on which it is possible to produce arc welded sleeves 4 made from thermoplastic material.

Abstract: There is provided a flexible electric heater element and a process for making such a heater element.The flattened ends of two lead wires are disposed on a first layer of material which includes a vulcanizable elastomer. The ends of a resistance wire are placed in electrical contact with the flattened ends of the two lead wires. A second layer of material, which includes a vulcanizable elastomer, is placed over the first layer sandwiching between the layers the resistance wire in electrical contact with the flattened ends of the two lead wires. The other ends of the two lead wires extend externally to the first and second layers of material.The elastomer is vulcanized and the flattened ends of the lead wires are held in permanent electrical contact with the ends of the resistance wire by forces exerted by the vulcanized elastomer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing wound items from coaxial microwire by the use of a device executing said method, which essentially consists in determining frequency f.sub.1 of a generator at which a phase shift between current vector in a sheath and voltage vector between the sheath and conductor of a microwire of the item being manufactured equals 180.degree. when the item being manufactured has a parameter exceeding a corresponding rating. When the parameter of the item fully complies with the corresponding rating, frequency f.sub.2 of a second generator is set so that a phase shift between the current vector in the sheath and the voltage vector between the sheath and the conductor of the microwire is 180.degree.. A frequency changer is then used to convert voltages at f.sub.1 and f.sub.2 into a voltage at f.sub.X which is fed to the sheath of the item.

Abstract: A microminiature palladium oxide gas detector and its method of manufacture. The detector comprises an extremely small coil of extremely fine wire such as platinum which is retained, sealed and insulated with an amorphous ceramic binder. The detector further comprises a catalyst applied to its exterior surface. The detector is manufactured by winding the wire about a mandrel which is desirably molybdenum. The coil is then coated with the binder composition which preferably comprises reduced chromic and phosphoric acids. The binder is then cured to retain the coil and the mandrel is removed by etching or oxidation. The catalyst is then applied which is preferably palladium nitrate in a weakly acidic hydrolyzed solution which has been adjusted to a pH of about 3 with tertiary octyl amine. The catalyst is then dehydrated and calcined desirably using an automatic electronic pulse controlled machine to precisely adjust and control processing temperatures and times.

Abstract: A method of mounting heating wire coils on ceramic fiber insulation walls. A ceramic fiber cement bead is applied in a desired pattern to the surface of a ceramic fiber wall, either directly to a flat surface or in a groove. An elongated iron-chromium-aluminum alloy heater wire coil is pressed into said cement so that the cement flows up and over the coil loops which contact the wall and the cement is cured. Because of the non-scaling (adherent Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 skin) characteristics of this heater wire alloy, the cement adheres tenaciously to the wire even under severe thermal shock and temperature cycling.

Abstract: A heater band formed of an extruded metal channel member and a heater plate assembly received within a slot extending along the length of the channel. The heater plate assembly and the extrusion are compressed together to provide a heater band having a dense cross section resulting in improved heat transfer characteristics. The heater band in accordance with the present invention has a longer life and higher heating capabilities than heater bands known to the prior art.

Abstract: A coil heater of a heater-type tube comprises a main portion for generating heat and a pair of leg portions supporting the main portion. Lead wires are connected to the ends of the legs. At least a part of the leg portion, including its terminal part, comprises a triple-layer coil. The main portion comprising a single-layer coil and the leg portion except its terminal part covered with an insulating coating. The main portion and leg portions are formed by continuously winding a heater wire about a core alternately in opposite directions.

Abstract: A precision resistor wherein the resistor wire is deposited in a sinuous pattern on the adhesive surface of a thin, flexible tape of electrical insulating material. In winding the tape onto a multibobbin coil form the intermediate flanges of the coil form have a flat portion of reduced radius. A coil of tape is wound on one bobbin with the adhesive side against the bobbin and is passed over the flat portion of an intermediate flange. At the crossover the tape is pressed to conform to the shape of the flange and then passed around the axial body of the adjacent bobbin to commence the winding of the next coil of tape on the adjacent bobbin.

Abstract: Small electrical resistors, such as are used in circuits of comparatively low power, are automatically fabricated on a winding machine including a chuck assembly for facilitating the start and finish of a winding operation. The chuck assembly consists of a first jaw rotatably mounted with respect to a second jaw from a wire receiving position to a wire gripping position. The chuck is closed to grip a resistance wire at the start of a winding operation and an automatic welder operates to weld the wire to a metallic terminal cap positioned at one end of a resistor core. Upon completion of the welding operation, the jaws of the chuck assembly are opened and a winding head operates to rotate the resistor core to begin a winding operation. The winding operation continues for a preset number of turns at which time the jaws of the chuck assembly are moved to a closed position to clamp the resistance wire.

Abstract: A power resistor including a resistance element of metal ribbon formed into an edgewound helix, and an internal three-point support structure axially disposed within the interior of the helix. The support structure includes three insulating assemblies each having a plurality of insulators secured by longitudinal compression springs to a support bar. The support structure also includes a pair of spreaders located at opposite ends of the helix, each having three radially extending arms. Assembly of the resistor includes the steps of inserting the insulating assemblies into the interior of the helix, radially spreading the insulating assemblies against the interior of the helix, and welding the ends of the support bars to the extending arms of the spreaders.