Abstract: Leveling and aligning device by which the distance at which a member is supported with respect to a base may be altered and firmly locked in the given adjustment without creating stresses in either the body of the member and the base or the device by itself. The leveling and aligning device allows continuation of the adjustment process even in case of inadvertent disengagement of components of the device.

Abstract: A coupling arrangement has a housing, a cylindrical supporting element having a center axis, which at least partly axially overlaps with the housing and contacts it at a first axial end area to disable movement at least in one direction along the center axis, the supporting element has at least a first protrusion, a connecting element with at least a second protrusion, which at least partly axially overlaps with the supporting element and which is arranged along the center axis facing away from the first axial end area, and a spring arranged and designed such that a first and a second axial end rest on the first protrusion and the second protrusion, respectively. The spring, the supporting element with its first protrusion and the connecting element second protrusion are designed and arranged such as to provide an axial force along the center axis at the first axial end area.

Abstract: A connection system including a self-adjusting mount for coupling various furniture components together. The connection system can aid in coupling furniture components together with differing manufacturing tolerances. The self-adjusting mount is adapted to receive a connecting member and is capable of simultaneously moving in a first and second directions to couple with the connecting member. The self-adjusting mount may also secure the connecting member, thereby fixing the location of the connecting member.

Abstract: A part positioner according to the present invention is used for fixing a part having a first pair of opposite portions extending along a mounting surface to the mounting surface by use of a clamping fixture. The part positioner includes a pressing member for pressing the part against the mounting surface with a clamping force of the clamping fixture. The pressing member includes a pressing portion (tapered projection) for pressing the first pair of opposite portions in opposite directions in a position apart from the clamping fixture, owing to a clamping operation of the clamping fixture.

Abstract: A fastening element for a joint forming device includes an elongate dowel and a sleeve for the dowel. The dowel has a head portion at one end thereof which is engagable in use with a tightening element. The dowel is adapted at the other end thereof to co-operate with the sleeve to cause radial expansion of an expandable end section of the sleeve upon relative axial movement between the sleeve and dowel. The expandable end section of the sleeve is insertable axially into a mounting hole in a first panel. The head of the dowel is insertable axially into a mounting hole in a second panel whereby to enable engagement with said tightening element. The sleeve is configured to allow the position of the dowel within its mounting hole in the second panel to be adjusted to enable insertion of the expandable end section of the sleeve into its mounting hole in the first panel, in use, even if the axes of the two mounting holes are out of axial alignment.

Abstract: A butt connection of divided hollow profile members, which is suitable in particular for rotor blades of wind power installations, comprises a multiplicity of straps which are arranged along the joint and which bridge over same and which are respectively fixed with their ends to one of the profile members to be connected. In this respect the arrangement is preferably such that one of the two bolts fixing the strap at the ends thereof has a wedge-shaped flattening, by means of which a tensile prestressing can be imparted to the strap.

Abstract: A two-part, high-density card retention system includes a tapered channel in a chassis or housing and a mating wedge that runs the length of the housing, with the lead wedge being cammed towards a flat channel surface by drawing the wedge inwardly and locating the edge of the board to be mounted between the wedge and the opposing straight channel wall. The mounting provides continuous high-pressure contact between the board and the straight channel wall for maximal thermal transfer and robust anti-vibration and anti-shock mounting of the board to the chassis. Because no additional assemblies are mounted to the edge of the board, the boards may be spaced apart by a fine pitch, thus to minimize the size of the module into which the boards are mounted.

Abstract: A rotational supporting mechanism, which supports a main body and a cover, includes an eccentric cam. The main body and the cover are superposed in a closed position. From the closed position, the cover is rotated 180 degrees and stopped at a 180-degree rotational position in an open position. The eccentric cam rotates eccentrically. The pressing means presses a cam surface of the eccentric cam in a direction of a line connecting a portion of the eccentric cam corresponding to the closed position and a portion of the eccentric cam corresponding to the open position when the main body and the cover are superposed in the closed position. Rotation of the cam is stopped in the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fixture for attaching a profile rail having an undercut longitudinal groove to another component, the invention includes the arrangement of the fixture.

Abstract: Fastening systems for parts that endure high vibration shear loads have traditionally been difficult or expensive to produce. This application describes a fastening system with multiple conical surfaces and eccentric offsets. The novel conical fastener system allows parts to be assembled with reduced tolerance controls at interface features while improving alignment precision. The eccentric conical fastening system is particularly well suited for assemblies with high shear loads in high vibration/shock environments, and/or for systems that have extremely precise pointing requirements.

Abstract: A force-fitting clamping connection comprises a first metal clamping surface, a second metal clamping surface, and a clamping element for clamping the clamping surfaces against one another. The first clamping surface forms a hardened fine surface structure with microreliefs and microdepressions. The second clamping surface has a lower hardness than the first clamping surface. Preferably, the first clamping surface is surface-treated by sand-blasting, shot-blasting or embossing before the hardening operation. This allows permanently high friction values between the clamping surfaces. Also described is a flange connection comprising such a clamping connection for transmitting high torques, and also a production method.

Abstract: A transparent component portion includes a first weld surface and a first taper locking surface formed opposite from the first weld surface. An absorbing component portion includes a second weld surface and a second taper locking surface formed opposite from the second weld surface. The first and second taper locking surfaces cooperate to force and lock the first and second weld surfaces into abutting engagement for laser welding.

Abstract: Various apparatus and methods are disclosed wherein a wedge member and a support engage one another to lock a first structure and a second structure to one another along an axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shaft-hub connection for fastening a grinding tool on a grinding tool driveshaft and the use of a shaft-hub connection for fastening a grinding tool on a grinding tool driveshaft. To simplify the mounting of a grinding tool on a grinding tool driveshaft, the peripheral surface of the shaft or the internal surface of the grinding tool hub has a number of circular wedge faces and the other of the two components has a number of counterparts working together with the circular wedge faces, by which a friction lock is producible by twisting the shaft and hub in relation to one another. Furthermore, a rotational lock is provided for blocking and releasing the relative twisting of shaft and hub, the rotational lock being implemented to release the twisting at least in a predetermined shaft-hub position.

Abstract: A fastening device for attaching an object to a support structure, comprising at least one locking member on the object or the support structure and adapted for insertion in an aperture running through the support structure or the object. A transverse hole in the locking member which, at the time of fitting the object, is adapted to be partly masked by the material surrounding the aperture. An engagement device having a cross-section with a varying distance between its center point and its periphery is inserted in the unmasked portion of the transverse hole running through the locking member and is turned thereafter from one position to another position to bring about a clamping action between the object and the support structure. Also a method for attaching an object to a support structure using the above device.

Abstract: A floating guide device provides increased thermal conductivity between a printed wiring assembly and a heat sink chassis. The guide device includes an elongated thermally conductive rod and a wedgelock used in conjunction with the rod that can be attached to the rod. The guide device can be used in an electronic assembly comprising a chassis having at least one slot, and at least one printed wiring assembly with a printed wiring board disposed in the slot. At least one integrated circuit package is electrically attached to the printed wiring board. The printed wiring board provides a thermal path to the chassis. The guide device provides one or more additional thermal paths between the printed wiring board and the chassis.

Abstract: Apparatus which is capable of providing efficient cooling of rack mounted electronic modules while accommodating relatively large tolerances in the mounting of the modules. A plurality of thermally conductive sliding wedge blocks are interposed between the lower surface of each module and the upper surface of the cold plate base of the rack. The mechanism for clamping a module to the rack also pulls the wedge blocks together to fill in the gap between the lower surface of the module and the upper surface of the cold plate so as to provide a complete thermal path therebetween.

Abstract: A chair comprises a seat, legs for supporting the seat, a backrest frame connected to the legs, and a backrest attached to the backrest frame. The backrest includes a backrest panel and backrest inserts. The backrest panel has slots extending inwardly from peripheral edges of the backrest panel. Each insert is configured for sliding insertion into a corresponding one of the backrest slots. The backrest is secured to the backrest frame by fasteners that pass through the backrest frame and into a corresponding one of the backrest inserts. The backrest inserts may be formed of a sturdy plastic to provide a secure anchor point for the fasteners. This provides a significant advantage for chairs having backrest panels constructed from relatively soft materials, such as pressed wood fiberboard.

Abstract: An arrangement has a first component, a second component, and a connecting element for connecting the first component to the second component at a distance from one another, the first component, at least at an end that is to be connected to the second component, being in profiled section, in particular tubular, form. The connecting element has an axially moveable spacer piece for bridging the distance between that end of the first component which is to be connected and the second component, and also has at least one clamping piece, that can be brought into contact in a clamping manner with a wall of the first component, and furthermore an actuating mechanism that is operatively connected to the spacer piece and the clamping piece in such a manner that when the actuating mechanism is actuated, the spacer piece moves in the axial direction until it comes into contact with the second component and the clamping piece is brought into clamping engagement with the wall of the first component.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus serve to secure a gripper tool detachably to a movable crossbar of a transfer press. The gripper tool has two saddles, with spacing between them, which are brought into engagement with two bearings mounted on the crossbar and locked in a defined engagement position. To attain faster, simpler assembly, the gripper tool is introduced in an inclined position relative to the crossbar, by at least one protrusion of rounded longitudinal section or tapering in wedgelike fashion, on the first saddle, into a correspondingly rounded or V-shaped narrowing recess in the first bearing. The second saddle is then pivoted toward the crossbar. In the process, wedge faces on the second saddle and on the second bearing press the protrusion axially against the wall of the recess by the force of gravity. In the end position, the second saddle is locked to the second bearing.

Abstract: A cultivator sweep assembly having a sweep adapted for releasable attachment to a shank of a mobile agricultural apparatus. The sweep assembly includes a sweep having a more narrow profile, and a coupling attached to a tapered end portion of the shank and disposed between the sweep and the supporting shank. The sweep includes a stem portion that defines a housing configured to frictionally receive and engage the tapered end portion of the shank. The end portion of the shank having the coupling attached thereto is slidably received within the housing until a projection of the coupling is received through a top opening of the housing. The projection received through the top opening indicating that the end portion of the shank is sufficiently received within the housing of the sweep, and that the sweep is mounted to the shank with sufficient force.

Abstract: A connecting device for tubular elements (1), for assembling the tubular elements into modular structures, includes a plurality of inserts (22), each insert having an expandable portion (2) and a head (3). Shells (9) are provided, each shell having a plurality of housings (10) having a shape approximately complementary to a shape of the head (3). The head may be fixed to a related housing (10). The insert (22) is locked into an end of the tubular element (1), when the expandable portion (2) is inserted into the end of the tube, and expanded. The tubular element (1) is connected to the shell (9), when the head (3) is in the locked condition, the tubular element (1) being engaged in a related housing (10) of the shell, and fixed to the shell by a fixing device.

Abstract: A coupling device for an artificial model includes a male joining part, a female joining part and an insertion member. The male and female joining parts have a base disk attached with a front positioning plate and a rear lock plate respectively. The insertion member further includes an insert head, an adjustable bolt, a first elastic body, a cap, a pin, a ball, a second elastic body and a setscrew. The insertion member is inserted into the male and female joining parts such that the male joining part can open any angles with respect to the female joining part smoothly.

Abstract: A device (1) for detachably connecting two abutting structural parts (2, 3) comprises a tie member (4), adapted to be at least partially inserted in a recess (5) formed in a first (2) of the structural parts (2, 3), and a locking element (6) operable to be disposed in a second (3) of the structural parts (2, 3) and to cooperate with an engagement surface (14, 45) of a rod member (10), slidably housed in a body (8) of the tie member (4), to pull the same towards the second structural part (3). The body (8) is provided with a first, expandable, portion (9) adapted to frictionally engage the recess (5) and with an engaging zone (13) cooperating with an expander region (12) of the rod member (10) operable to expand the first, expandable, portion (9) of the body (8) upon displacement of the rod member (10) relative to the same.

Abstract: A fastener assembly comprising a first wedge portion having an angled end, a second wedge portion having an angled end, and a fastener extending through the first wedge portion and the second wedge portion, wherein a portion of the fastener protrudes from one of the first and second wedge portions for interfacing with a component to be mounted, wherein the angled end of the first wedge portion and the angled end of the second wedge portion are interfaced when the fastener is extended through the first wedge portion and the second wedge portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for releasable fastening and for modifying the relative position of two components (1, 1?, Bf, G; 2, 2?, Bk, Br), which have a common connecting surface forming a contact surface (5, 5?), comprises two screws (3), which in coaction with specially configured V-shaped notch zones (9a1, 9a2; 9b1, 9b2; 9a3, 9a4; 9b3, 9b4) permit a relative positioning in zero-backlash and accurately aligned fashion, and serve as the fastening means. It is thereby possible to perform a linear displacement and/or a rotation and/or a tilt in simple fashion.

Abstract: An internal slip connector useful for attaching tools or other devices to the inside wall of a conduit, the connector having a mandrel with a head end, a threaded end, a reduced-diameter shaft section disposed between the head end and the threaded end, two abutting slip segments loosely disposed around the mandrel between the head end and an upper extending portion of the threaded end, and a nut threaded onto the mandrel below the slip segments. When tightened following insertion of the slip segments into the conduit, the nut causes the slip segments to slide radially outward along an oblique interface between them. Gripping surfaces disposed on the outside of the slip segments are thereby pressed into engagement with the inside wall of the conduit. The internal slip connector can be used with coiled tubing of various wall thicknesses and is easily released after loosening the threaded nut.

Abstract: A structural glass panel railing includes glass panels supported on a floor by a base assembly including a railing support assembly. The railing support assembly includes a shoe fastened to the floor, a base member locked to the shoe by a cam lock lever and a channel member having a pocket receiving the panel. The base member may be attached directly to the floor. The channel member is received in a groove of the base member and is held by a wedge system. The wedge system can be formed by mating tapers on the channel member and the groove or by a wedge member inserted into the groove. A handrail assembly includes a handrail channel member receiving the top edge of the panel. The handrail channel member is received in a groove in a handrail.

Abstract: An assembly for automatically compensating variations of the spacing between first and second structural members due to manufacturing and/or mounting tolerances. The assembly comprises a mounting bolt, a base element, and an adjustment sleeve. The adjustment sleeve has a drive portion adapted to be engaged with the nut by frictional drag and rotatable relative to said mounting bolt when said frictional drag has been overcome. The drive portion comprises an internal annular plastic portion which projects from the wall of the adjustment sleeve radially outwards sufficiently so as to frictionally engage the threads of the mounting bolt to provide for said frictional drag.

Abstract: An attachment assembly, useful in quickly attaching an object to a panel, is provided with a base assembly having a shaft member extending therefrom and an expandable member having a plurality of fingers disposed on one side of the panel such that, during installation, the fingers radially outwardly expand to clamp the object to the panel. A process of mounting an object to a panel is also provided. The object is attached to the base of the attachment assembly and the shaft member is positioned in an aperture in a panel. The panel is clamped between the fingers and the base upon installation of the attachment assembly.

Abstract: A releasable connection is provided between two adjoining components, particularly body shell parts of a vehicle body. A releasable connection ensuring an exact positioning of the two parts as well as a fast and simple mounting is provided. The releasable connection includes at least one base plate which is held in position on a first body shell component and has at least one projecting pin. A receiving device is fastened to an opposite second body shell component and has a rotatable slotted sleeve part. An end-side profiled head section of the at least one pin is guidable through openings of the second component, of the receiving device and of the sleeve part. As a result of radial rotation of the sleeve part about an angle ?, a fastening of the first and second body shell components with respect to one another takes place.

Abstract: A coupling device for connecting members, including: a coupling case that has a plurality of connecting slots which respectively receive the members; and wedges that are inserted into the spaces between the coupling case and each of the members perpendicularly to the direction of external pressure given to each of the members. Each of the wedges have one side and another side out of at least a couple of slope sides contacting the coupling case in opposite directions and have a higher coefficient of friction on a bottom side surface that touches one of the members than on the slope side surface that touches the coupling case.

Abstract: A vehicle tie down rail conjoinment structure comprised of a first connector and a second connector each having a mounting surface at one extremity and an oblique slip-thrust surface formed at the opposite extremity. A threaded fastening component is utilized to conjoin the first connector and the second connector into a single physical entity, wherein the first connector is inserted into the inner diameter at the end section of the curved anchor footing of a vehicle tie down rail and the second coupling section is inserted into the inner diameter of the straight, thin long pipe member at the end section of the vehicle tie down rail.

Abstract: A bicycle stem may include a body portion and a handlebar clamping portion connected thereto, and a handlebar clamping member cooperating with the handlebar clamping portion to clamp the bicycle handlebar. The handlebar clamping member and the handlebar clamping portion may each have a cavity in a respective medial portion thereof to accommodate an enlarged diameter portion of the handlebar. The handlebar clamping member may have a generally rectangular shape with a recess therein defining with the cavity a pair of spaced apart contact areas for contacting the handlebar. The handlebar clamping member may also be completely removable from the handlebar clamping portion in some embodiments, to facilitate installation of the handlebar. The handlebar clamping portion may also have a recess therein defining with the cavity a pair of spaced apart contact areas for contacting the handlebar.

Abstract: A bicycle stem includes a steering tube clamp with a pair of cooperating clamp members defining an imaginary cylinder and a recess therein for the steering tube. Each clamp member may also have at least one fastener receiving passageway therein offset a predetermined distance from an axis defined by the imaginary cylinder. The stem may include a body portion having opposing first and second ends, a handlebar clamping portion connected to the first end of the body portion, and a steering tube clamping portion connected to the second end of the body portion. The steering tube clamping portion may have a tubular shape defining a steering tube receiving passageway therethrough, and a clamp receiving passageway transverse to the steering tube receiving passageway and in communication therewith.

Abstract: A deformable wedge clamp assembly includes a body having first and second apertures formed therein, the first aperture being suitable for receiving a fastener and the second aperture being suitable for receiving a member to which the body is to be attached and a wedge assembly disposed in the body adjacent to the first and second apertures, wherein insertion of a fastener into the first aperture is capable of deforming the body for moving the wedge assembly against a member received in the first aperture to clamp the body to the member.

Abstract: A fall arrest anchorage system for use with a female retaining receiver having grooves or side apertures for engaging connector. The system uses an elongated male connector having a first end and a second end that extend along a connector axis, and a first section of a first dimension and a second section of a second dimension. The first dimension is larger than the second dimension, and the first section will be positioned closer to the first end than the second section. The male connector also includes at least one of a first retractable protrusion on the first section and at least one of a second retractable protrusion on the second section, the first retractable protrusion being positioned along the male portion such that the first retractable protrusion will cooperate with the first groove in the receiver when the second retractable protrusion engages the first groove.

Abstract: A coupling having slots for receiving drive tabs of an associated driving shaft and a driven shaft, wherein the tabs of the driving shaft and the driven shaft are tapered to militate against rotational play between the driving shaft and the driven shaft which results in undesirable wear and damage to the drive shafts and coupling.

Abstract: A fitting for releasably connecting two plates, particularly furniture plates, includes a clamping part rotatable between a released position and a locked position and a tightening bolt having a head received by the clamping part. The clamping part has gripping arms configured to engage behind the head of the tightening bolt when the clamping part is in the locked position. At least the surfaces of the gripping arms acting in the locked position of the clamping part against the head of the tightening bolt have a deformable intermediate layer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a rigid link (10) between a first member and a second member, including a means for adjusting the distance between both members, said link including a yoke (20) with a transversal stud (40), co-operating with a fastening tab on the first member. It is characterised in that the stud (40) is mounted on the yoke (20) by bearing-forming means (42, 44), each inside a recess (23, 25) laid out on the yoke, whereas the axis (40A) of the stud and the axis (42A, respectively 44A) of the bearing-forming means are not confused, whereby the link (10) includes stopping means (22B, 24B) in order to lock the stud in at least two different positions, relative to the yoke.

Abstract: A frame assembly for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The frame assembly includes a rigid outer frame, an inner grid comprised of a plurality of lengthwise and crosswise extending bars, and a plurality of clamp devices attaching the bars to the outer frame. Each clamp device includes an upright plate member in which is formed a substantially U-shaped upper cavity. A wedge is disposed within the cavity for sliding movement between clamped and released positions to rigidly hold the ends of the bars of the inner grid to the outer frame. In an alternate embodiment, the clamp has an upper and lower cavity together with upper and lower wedges which are simultaneously moved between clamped and released positions.

Abstract: A clamping device for a wire or cable (2), the end of which has to be attached in a housing (10) includes two clamping bodies (7, 8) with interacting conical surfaces. One clamping body (7) is arranged for receiving and passing through the cable (2), which has to be secured. The second clamping body (8) is arranged to exert pressure against the first clamping body for frictional securing of the cable. The clamping bodies are arranged in such a manner that when the tension in the cable increases the clamping bodies enclose the cable more tightly. The invention is particularly suitable for tools that have to be lowered into a well by the cable.

Abstract: A circuit card module to be received in a card chassis includes a host card assembly and a mezzanine card assembly carried in spaced relation by the host card assembly. The host card assembly includes a host card heat sink having an end to connect to the card chassis to conduct heat thereto, and a host circuit card mounted on the host card heat sink. The mezzanine card assembly includes a mezzanine card heat sink, and a mezzanine circuit card mounted on the mezzanine card heat sink. The mezzanine card heat sink has an end to connect to the card chassis to conduct heat thereto in parallel with heat conducted from the host card heat sink to the card chassis. The mezzanine card heat sink may comprise a body adjacent the mezzanine circuit card, and a flexible strap extending outwardly therefrom to connect to the card chassis.

Abstract: A profile-connecting device for connecting two profile bars. The first profile bar has an end side which abuts a longitudinal side of a second profile bar. At least the outer longitudinal side of the second profile bar which is directed toward the end side of the first profile bar and at least one outer longitudinal side of the first profile bar has an undercut groove.

Abstract: A mount locking plate with the mount locking plate including plate members for fixedly securing to a support surface and a pair of longitudinally displaceable complementary members that can be laterally positioned proximate the plate members. The complementary members can be longitudinally displaced with respect to one another to bring the displaceable complementary members into interlocked and aligned engagement with the plate members. A fastener allows the positioning of the displaceable complementary members into interlocked and aligned engagement from a position laterally removed from the mount locking plate.

Abstract: A position-adjustable fastening apparatus capable of maintaining a position of a first member with respect to a second member includes a cam receiver disposed in a bore of the first member, a cam disposed in a bore of the cam receiver, and a fastener disposed in the bore in the cam. A method for fastening a first member and a second member positioning the first member with respect to the second member, orienting a cam receiver with respect to a bore in the first member, and placing the cam receiver in the bore of the first member. The method further includes orienting a cam with respect to a bore in the cam receiver, placing the cam in the bore in the cam receiver, and engaging the fastener with the second member through the bore in the cam.

Abstract: A spacer includes a first cam having an inclined cam surface and a second cam having an inclined cam surface. The overall length of the two cams can be changed by contacting the cam surfaces together to move the cams relative to each other.

Abstract: A one-piece elastomeric furniture coupling device for securing a first furniture panel to a second furniture panel, the coupling device comprising a top head portion and a downwardly-extending stem portion. The top head portion comprises a front face plate and a body portion extending rearwardly from the front face plate. The front face plate is molded in the shape of an inverted truncated pyramid, with a lower edge of the face plate being shorter in width than an upper edge. The body portion conforms in shape to the front face plate resulting in a truncated frusto-conical shape. The body portion has a plurality of securing ridges along its surface, for secure attachment within a mortise drilled into a first furniture panel. The stem portion is substantially cylindrical and has a plurality of barbs along its outer surface for secure attachment within a hole drilled into a second furniture panel to be assembled with the first furniture panel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coupling device having two coupling parts and clamping means for releasably axially clamping both coupling parts. A plurality of circumferentially spaced non parallel grooves are cut into the surface of one of both coupling parts for having a reference in a plane perpendicular to the clamping direction. Pins project from the surface of the other coupling part each pin having two opposing parallel lateral surfaces for obtaining alignment of the grooves with the pins upon clamping. At least one of the lateral surfaces of each pin forms an angle with the associated flank of each groove upon axial alignment of the coupling parts. For improving the repeated precision of the positioning of one of the coupling parts relative to the other coupling part even upon high stress on one of the coupling parts in circumferential direction a clamping plate is provided between the lateral surface and the associated flank which is axially elastic and is mounted to one of the coupling parts.

Abstract: A hydraulic fastening device for securement of two components, each component having an orifice at least partly therethrough adapted to be coaxially aligned, the fastening device including a body member adapted to be inserted within the orifice of each component when coaxially aligned. The body member includes a main body section and a hydraulic manifold section with a fluid conduit within at least the manifold section and containing a fluid therein. The device further includes at least one moveable protrusion in fluid contact with the fluid, adapted to protrude from the manifold section; and control means to control the movement of each protrusion means. The arrangement is such that, upon operation of the control means, each protrusion is moved between a protruding position and a retracted position and when in the protruding position, the two components are adapted to be fastened together.