Abstract: An actuator has a linearly elongate frame, side, end, and top covers detachably and selectively mounted on side surfaces of the frame, a table mechanism displaceable in the axial direction of the frame in response to energization of an electric motor, and a ball screw for transmitting drive forces from the electric motor to the table mechanism. The operator can select various actuator configurations depending on the environment in which the actuator is to be installed and the application in which the actuator is to be used. In the preferred embodiment, the ball screw is used in combination with a piston/cylinder arrangement for moving the table mechanism in a linear direction. The piston/cylinder having a magnetic coupling for coupling the piston to the table mechanism.

Abstract: A damped latch mechanism 116 is provided for a telescoping structure 10 including an inner tubular member 114 slidingly received within an outer tubular member 112. A first latch member 122 is coupled within the one tubular member 114 and a second latch member 126 is coupled to the other tubular member 114 so as to selectively interfere with the first latch member 122 to prevent the inner tubular member 114 from moving in an axial first direction relative to the outer tubular member 112. A fluid chamber 134 is provided on one of the first and second latch members 122, 126 opposite the other of the first and second latch members 122, 126. A magneto-rheological fluid 136 is disposed within the fluid chamber 134 to absorb shock between the first and second latch members 122, 126.

Abstract: An improved rotary lobe pump has a pumping chamber (1) having a housing (2) closed by a front wall (3)and a rear wall (6). The front housing wall (3) is secured to the housing (2) by bolts (4) and is sealed with a gasket (5). The housing (2) comprises a rear housing wall (6) running parallel with the front housing wall (3). The rear housing wall (6) includes an orifice designed in the form of a sealing hub (7) through which a drive shaft (7) enters the pumping chamber (1). A rotor in the form of a rotary lobe piston (10) can be slidably placed on that end (9) of the drive shaft (8) which projects into the pumping chamber (1). Provided on the rotary lobe piston (10) and integral therewith is an axial extension in the form of a sleeve (13) which surrounds the drive shaft (8) and passes through the sealed hub (7) the seal (20) surrounding the hub (7) is thus in contact with the sleeve (13).

Abstract: A breakaway unit for a tool mount of a robotic positioner, the breakaway unit having a magnetic coupler mechanism and a mechanical coupler mechanism for omnidirectional collision contacts of the tool and/or tool mount, the magnetic coupler mechanism having an adjustably positioned magnetizable disk in one coupler component and a fixed position magnet member in the other coupler component and the mechanical coupler mechanism having an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the force of release in the +Z direction of contact by the tool.

Abstract: A strand winder has three individual component pieces joined together at right angles by cooperating metal inserts and magnet inserts. Once assembled, the strand winding apparatus provides four arms for winding skeins of yarn, in preparation for knitting. In addition, an optional carrying case stores and transports the various components of the strand winder. The strand winder transportable, easily disassembled, and convenient to use in many situations where other, more conventional yarn-winding devices are cumbersome and bulky.

Abstract: A device for holding two structural parts (1, 2) in a spaced relationship with respect to each other, having a spacer for filling the distance between the two structural parts, the spacer having a support part (3) which can be brought into a position fixed for rotation with respect to the first structural part (1) and a rotary drive part (4) which can be displaced axially with respect to the support part (3) by rotation, the support part (3) and the rotary drive part (4) resting on a helical engagement surface (7, 8) which has a slope which is opposite the slope of a thread of a screw (5) which, upon being screwed into an axial opening (11) in the rotary drive part, carries the latter along in rotation. The support part (3) and rotary drive part (4) are magnetically attached to each other, the support part (3) and/or the rotary drive part (4) being of permanently magnetic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer aided design and manufacturing system. The system comprises a platform suspended by means of three pairs of supportive legs which are coupled at triangularly spaced-apart locations by means of three universal joints, each of which couples to one end of each of the two legs of a respective pair.

Abstract: An endoscope coupler apparatus and method includes a sealed chamber and a lens assembly movable within the chamber for optically adjusting an image to be received by a video camera. The optical adjustment may be, for example, a focus adjustment or a zoom or orientation adjustment, etc. In a preferred embodiment, spaced permanent drive magnets located in an outer rotatable frame situated outside of the chamber are magnetically coupled with respective permanent driven magnets secured to an inner rotatable frame within the sealed chamber. The outer frame is rotatable but not longitudinally movable about the chamber and rotates the drive magnets and, therefore, the driven magnets. The inner frame is secured to a rotatable cylindrical housing which engages a lens assembly. Rotation of the driven magnets and the cylindrical housing moves the lens assembly longitudinally in response to rotation of an adjustment ring attached to the outer frame.

Abstract: A magnetic gripper provides a support for releasable attachment to a ferromagnetic surface. A magnet adheres the gripper to the ferromagnetic surface. A frame is rotatably attached to the magnet where the frame defines cam surfaces to raise and lower the magnet from the ferromagnetic surface. An ear extends from the magnet to engage the ferromagnetic surface at a location spaced from the cam surfaces so that an end of the magnet near the ear can be first disengaged from the ferromagnetic surface, causing an air gap between the magnet and the ferromagnetic surface. The remainder of the magnet is sequentially disengaged from the surface as the cam surface is rotated. A foot support may be rotatably mounted to the frame so that a user can stand on the gripper to perform maintenance and repairs on the structure defined by the ferromagnetic surface.

Abstract: A device for preventing an accelerator from being erroneously operated when an accelerator pedal of a motor vehicle is erroneously pushed down includes a magnetic coupling device comprising an accelerator interlocking member interlocking with an accelerator pedal and a throttle interlocking member connected to a throttle cable. When the accelerator pedal is pushed down during normal operation the throttle cable is operated through the magnetic coupling device to cause the motor vehicle to be accelerated. When the accelerator pedal (14) is erroneously pushed down in spite of the brake pedal being intended to be pushed down, the magnetic coupling device decouples and prevents the throttle valve from being operated and the motor vehicle from being accelerated.

Abstract: A coupling has a first coupling part comprising a holding rod which is provided with a groove for the engagement of locking balls. The locking balls are radially movably arranged in transverse bores of a holding element arranged on a second coupling part. In a non-operative position of the rollover bar, the locking balls are pressed by a cone surface of a locking member into the groove of the holding rod. If the locking member is displaced in a sensor-controlled manner axially against the effect of a spring by an electromagnet, the holding rod is released. To achieve a construction which is as compact as possible and which permits a housing of the coupling also in the very limited space conditions in a motor vehicle, the holding element with the locking balls and the locking member are arranged inside the electromagnet.

Abstract: There is disclosed a mannequin or form for displaying clothes accessories or other articles, comprising at least two parts which are separable at a respective joint to allow the mannequin or form to be dressed, the or each joint comprising a joint-surface on each part, at least part of which joint-surfaces engage each other when the joint is assembled, magnetic material being contained in or behind both of the joint-surfaces, the magnetic material in at least one of the parts comprising, or being magnetised by, a permanent magnet sufficient to hold the joint together in use. This arrangement is much simpler to assemble than the prior art arrangements. The two parts of the joint merely need to be brought into proximity and magnetic forces then draw them together. There is no necessity to rotate one part relative to the other, with a resultant reduction in the likelihood of damage to the clothes.

Abstract: A magnetic shaft guard for use with a rotating shaft has a permanent magnet to hold the guard in place on the rotating shaft. Sufficient clearance is present between the shaft and an inner diameter of the guard so that the guard will cease rotation freely relative to the shaft should external contact with the guard occur. The magnet is loosely mounted within a cavity near the tip of the shaft guard so that the magnet is able to cant and thereby adhere better to shafts with tips which are not squarely cut. A spiral or other design may be placed on the guard to visually alert persons in the vicinity that the shaft is rotating.

Abstract: A locking-unlocking mechanism is disclosed which is capable of realizing firm and reliable connection between pipes when a plurality of pipes telescopically arranged are extended, and capable of disconnecting the connected pipes rapidly and precisely.

Abstract: In a magnet arrangement for the fastening of prostheses, in which a magnet which can be inserted into a prosthesis and a magnet to be implanted or to be fastened on an implant are provided, there is provided, to achieve a reliable mounting during a displacement movement of the prosthesis, a guide, by which the two magnets are guided on one another in such a manner that they are displaceable telescopically relative to one another in the holding direction of the prosthesis.

Abstract: First and second tubes (16, 18) extend between first and second housings (12, 14). A magnet assembly (52) is slidably received in the first tube (16) which is formed of non-magnetic material. A timing belt (38) is attached to one side of the magnet assembly (52) and extends through tube (16) to the first housing (12) around timing pulleys (24, 26) through second tube (18) into second housing (14), around pulleys (28, 30) back into the first tube (16) and is attached to the other end of magnet assembly (52). A carriage (20) is slidably received on the first tube (16) and mounts thereon a second magnet (70) magnetically coupled to the magnet assembly (52). A wheel (74) or a block (92) having a bore therethrough rides on the second tube (18) to maintain the selected orientation of the carriage. First and second proximity switches (76, 78) are mounted in the housings adjacent the ends of the second tube (18) which respond to a sensor element (80, 81) attached to the timing belt (38).

Abstract: A toy figure includes a hollow body having coupling openings formed in its upper side walls and bottom wall, the openings having inwardly tapered conical faces with peripherally spaced longitudinal channels. A magnet slab housed in the body is sandwiched by yoke plates which closely confront each opening. A coupling member having a circular base section with a ribbed conical face engages each opening and includes an inner portion of magnetic material engaged by the yoke plates to releasably retain the coupling members in the openings. An arm is attached to each coupling member for angular movement about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the coupling member base section.

Abstract: A transporter which allows a single motor/magnetic coupler assembly to be coupled to one of a plurality of agitator tanks. The transporter includes an arm which is pivotally connected to a frame. The arm supports a motor and an outer magnetic mixer assembly that can be coupled to an inner magnetic mixer assembly located within the inner cavity of an agitator tank. The arm is adapted so that an operator can move the outer magnetic mixer assembly between a first position and a second position. The outer assembly is coupled to the inner assembly when in the second position and decoupled from the inner assembly when in the first position. The transporter has wheels so that the operator can move the outer assembly and motor from one agitator tank to another agitator tank.

Abstract: A magnetic shaft guard for use with a rotating shaft has a permanent magnet to hold the guard in place on the rotating shaft. Sufficient clearance is present between the shaft and an inner diameter of the guard so that the guard will cease rotation freely relative to the shaft should external contact with the guard occur. A spiral or other design may be placed on the guard to visually alert persons in the vicinity that the shaft is rotating.

Abstract: An endoscope coupler includes a sealed chamber and a lens assembly longitudinally movable within the chamber for focusing an image to be received by a video camera. Spaced permanent drive magnets located exteriorly of the chamber are magnetically coupled with respective permanent driven magnets secured to the lens assembly in the chamber for moving the lens assembly simultaneously with movement of the drive magnets. A focusing ring is rotatable but not longitudinally movable about the chamber and translates the drive magnets and, therefore, the driven magnets and lens assembly longitudinally in response to focusing ring rotation. Frictional retaining rings disposed between the chamber and the focusing ring resist movement of the focusing ring to provide enhanced tactile response when the focusing ring is manually moved by an operator.

Abstract: In order to offer a linear working unit which is a linear working unit capable of accurately driving two movable members in mutually reverse directions, i.e., leftward and rightward, with a single driving means and yet formed in a construction highly accurate in performance but compact and moderately priced, according to the present invention, a left-hand thread part and a right-hand thread part are formed on a single feed screw, with a nut block being joined independently with each of the left-hand thread part and the right-hand thread part and with the respective nut blocks being installed on a guide rail, and rolling elements are set in the space between the rolling groove formed for the rolling elements in the guide rail and the rolling grooves formed in the nut blocks, so that the nut blocks are kept free to slide in the axial direction by the effect of the rolling motion of these rolling elements.

Abstract: An electrical supply system (10) for use with low current loads (12) disposed in hazardous areas, is described. Electricity is supplied to the low current load (12) from a local source (46) in response to mechanical energy from a fluid medium supplied from a remote pressure source (24).

Abstract: A collapsible, dish shaped assembly, for example, for use with a satellite. The dish shaped surface is assembled from two sets of rigid panels. The first set of panels is rotated into position on hinges, which attach the panels to a base. The second set of panels is then rotated into position, also on hinges at the base, such that the second set of panels fill in the spaces between the panels of the first set. A latch connects each pair of adjoining panels. The latch comprises a protrusion which slides into a corresponding cavity. The resulting latch is resistant to lateral force. The latching process is facilitated by magnetic forces, which also add to the final latching force. The latches can be disengaged by jacking screws.

Abstract: A fire hydrant locking arrangement which is intended for utilization on a conventional fire hydrant. Moreover, also disclosed is a method of producing a fire hydrant locking arrangement through a heat-meltable locking ring which will inhibit the unauthorized opening of fire hydrants while facilitating the ready servicing of the internal components of the fire hydrant.

Abstract: A drive control system for an automobile which has a heel support pivot on the floor of the automobile at a position opposite to the brake pedal in front of driver's seat. The brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are placed on the circle drawn by the ball of the foot when the foot is rotated about the heel on the heel support pivot, thereby permitting the driver to selectively operate the brake pedal or the accelerator pedal by rotating the foot about the heel.

Abstract: A climbing apparatus is provided for climbing ferromagnetic surfaces, such as storage tanks and steel frame structures. A magnet assembly is rotatably mounted in a frame assembly. The frame assembly provides a pair of cam surfaces having different dimensions so that, when the frame is rotated, the cam surfaces contact the ferromagnetic surface to separate the magnet assembly from the surface. The different cam dimensions enable one side of the magnet at a time to be detached from the surface to reduce the effort needed to disengage the climbing apparatus. The cam surface also provides for smoothly attaching the apparatus. A hardened dowel pin is also attached to the frame and the pointed end of the dowel engages the surface when the magnet is attached to the surface to prevent downward sliding movement of the assembly under the weight of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for correcting misalignments in a robotic assembling devices has a first shaft (102) having a ferrous material (120) and a second shaft (104) having a magnetic material (122). The first and second shafts (102, 104) are magnetically coupled, and a motion on the first shaft (102) is provided to the second shaft (104) which corrects misalignments between the magnetic coupling (112) of the first and second shafts (102, 104).

Abstract: A paddle shaft assembly having adjustable-pitch paddles for use in a magnetic stirring apparatus. The paddle assembly is particularly useful for magnetic stirring apparatus used for suspending cell, or tissue, cultures in a growing medium. The paddle shaft assembly includes an upper support shaft lockable to a lower support shaft for allowing the assembly to be mounted within a magnetic stirring vessel closure. The lower shaft includes a bore for accommodating removable stirring magnets. The paddle shaft assembly further includes removable paddle members having a hollow body sized and configured to be positionable within a 360 degree arc upon end portions of stirring magnets.

Abstract: A device for positioning objects within a sealed vacuum chamber (112) comprises a stationay housing (114), which is sealingly attached to the vacuum chamber (112). Located within the housing (114) is a tubular body (158) capable of rotating and translating within the stationary housing (114) through the interaction of an outer magnet (116), which slides and rotates on the surface of the stationary housing, and an inner magnet (118), which is attached to the tubular body (158). A shaft (198) is located inside the tubular body, but cannot be shifted axially with respect to this body. The front end of shaft (198) extends into the vacuum chamber (112) and may carry a specimen or any other object to be treated or tested in the vacuum chamber. The shaft (198) is driven from an external drive mechanism (124). Rotation of the shaft can be converted into opening and closing movements of the jaws (218 and 220).

Abstract: An electromagnet for a nuclear reactor shutdown system, which comprises upper and lower cores disposed in an axially symmetrical arrangement and capable of latching with and delatching from each other. When an ambient temperature increases, the upper and lower iron cores are delatched from each other and a control rod connected to the lower iron core falls down into a reactor core. The lower iron core is provided with a plurality of slits to form a plurality of fins therebetween. A temperature sensitive magnetic material (TSMM) is disposed in the outer circumferential lower corner portion of the lower iron core. An interface between the TSMM and an iron core material takes the form of a side surface of a cone whose central axis is coincident with the symmetry axis and whose apex angle lies in the range of 60.degree. to 120.degree..

Abstract: A guide rail has an axially extending recessed groove opening upwardly to guide a nut block to move rectilinearly along the recessed groove when a ball screw shaft is rotated. A pair of strip-shaped magnets are secured to upper surfaces of both side walls of the guide rail. A flexible seal plate made of steel sheet is fixed to the guide rail with its opposite ends fastened to opposite ends of the guide rail. The seal plate slidably engages a guide recess formed in the upper surface of the nut block and crosses axially over the nut block forming an expanded portion along the outer surface of the nut block. A seal pressing member is attached to the nut block to press the expanded portion of the seal plate downwardly, and also to guide the seal plate towards the belt-shaped magnets at front and rear portions of the expanded portion so that the seal plate is attracted by the magnets at portions located before and behind the expanded portion, i.e., the nut block, to cover the recessed groove of the guide rail.

Abstract: Improvements relating to fire hydrant closures are disclosed in which a cap-shaped cover for the outflow port from a fire hydrant, and a tool for locking and unlocking the cap on the hydrant, is provided. The cap includes a septum-like strong plate which is freely rotatable with the cap, but which is fixed against axial movement relative to the cap. Such septum-like plate, including means for mating engagement with corresponding means at the outflow spigot. The plate further includes means constructed to become engaged by the tool; the tool having a grip portion and a mating portion with a corresponding portion provided on the cap.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for releasably connecting first and second objects, wherein a magnetic end effector may include at least one elongated pin member (10) a proximal end of which is connected to the first object (1) and the distal end of which may be inserted into a receiving portion (4) in the second object (2). Latch members (16) are carried by the pin member (10) for radial movement between retracted and expanded positions for releasing and locking, respectively, first and second objects (1, 2). A plunger member (20) carried by the pin member (11) is axially moveable between first and second positions. In the first plunger position, the latch members (16) are located in the expanded (locked) position and in the second plunger position the latch members (16) are released for movement to retracted or unlocked position. Magnetic end effector (30) is provided for releasable attachment to the first object (1) and for moving the plunger member (20) to the second position, thereby releasing the first object (1).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining building panels, such as portable partitions, walls, floors, ceilings, or roofs. A cam device is located in one panel or member and is magnetically operated to engage a mating element located in an adjacent panel or member.

Abstract: A robotic apparatus for positioning a tool or work hand that incorporates a compliant wrist effective to adjust to delicate but misaligned portions of the workpiece, comprising (a) structure for magnetically supporting a positioning member carrying a gripper tool; (b) pneumatic structure for selectively separating and floating the positioning member from said supporting structure to permit lateral adjustment of the positioning member in response to small forces received from the gripper tool as it carries out gripping; and (c) structure for locking the positioning member to the supporting structure upon completion of the desired lateral adjustment.

Abstract: A robot tool changer and overload device has first and second separable plates adapted to be respectively connected to a robot arm and to an end of arm tooling device (EOAT) for the robot; a magnet is connected to one of the plates and a steel insert is connected to the other of the plates for providing a magnetic attraction therebetween for holding the first and second plates together; a pair of frustoconical bearing surfaces are formed on the first and second plates at an angle and a depth to interconnect the plates during normal operation and operative to produce pivotal release movement between the plates when an overload force is applied thereto; a flange on one of the plates is adapted to be removably received within a tool cage to cooperate with structure for applying a pneumatic release force between the first and second plates to allow separation therebetween along a Z axis without imposing an overlaod force on the robot arm.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for manipulating and precisely positioning devices, such as micro-injectors, in relation to small (less than 100 micron diameters) organisms and objects in order to conduct various research activities thereon. The invention has a high degree of flexibility and stability due to its method of construction to include the use of magnetic force to attach certain of the appratus' components to each other.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling for translatorily movable bodies that is made in one position, is arranged so that it can be broken, without external control, in another position. For this purpose the first body has a coupling element of permanently magnetic or magnetizable material, the second body has at least one complementary coupling element of permanently magnetic or magnetizable material, and a third body has a coupling element of permanently magnetic or magnetizable material cooperating with the second body. Arranged between the complementary coupling element of the second body and the coupling element of the third body that is a spacer which can be moved as desired between the working positions.

Abstract: An assembly having a capsule containing a permanent magnet housed in a casing which is closed by a cover. The cover and the casing are both of ferromagnetic material. The bottom of the casing and the wall thereof are connected to each other by a narrow peripheral partition forming a saturable zone having high magnetic reluctance. The lines of flux developed by the magnet are thus concentrated through the base of the wall of the casing. The assembly is useful inter alia for the retention of dental prostheses.

Abstract: An improved hitch pin assembly for releasably connecting a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle is disclosed. The hitch pin assembly includes a shaft and a generally C-shaped retaining arm, one end of which is pivotally supported at the top of the shaft for rotation between a first position in which it locks the pin in place in service and a second position in which it does not interfere with the removal of the pin. A magnet is positioned on the pin to retain the arm in the first position under most service conditions. The other end of the C-shaped arm includes a foot portion or guide bars to restrict that end from lateral movement relative to the shaft.

Abstract: The supporting bar, which could serve as a supporting arm for an articulated table lamp, is constituted by a plurality of thin, flat straps of elastic material which are juxtaposed in close contact and held pressed together within an outer cover, with sufficient force that when the bar is flexed, the frictional forces from cover and strap to strap maintain the bent shape, against the elastic forces tending to restore the unbent shape of each strap. One of the straps can be made of magnetized material and the others of ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: A device and system for connecting a car-mounted apparatus comprising a fixing plate installed to part of a car body for supporting the car-mounted apparatus, a female part formed in either the car-mounted apparatus or the fixing plate, and a male part extending from either the car-mounted apparatus or the fixing plate that can be freely engaged with and disengaged from the female part. The invention also relates to a device for supplying power to a car-mounted apparatus by electrically connecting a connector on the car-body and a connector on the car-mounted apparatus, where either of these connectors is installed so that it can freely move and integrally vibrate with the other connector when in an engaged condition.

Abstract: A turning device for electrical axial components which utilizes a transport element (8) that is mounted on a machine support (9) to rotate about a shaft (10). Mounted on the transport element (8) are a plurality of receivers (11, 11') for holding the electrical axial component (2). Each receivers (11, 11') is rotatable about a shaft (14, 14'). Each receivers (11, 11') has a pair of magnets (17, 17') arranged about shaft (14, 14'). The transport element (8) has a magnet arrangement therein which is also oriented about the shaft (14, 14'). Machine support (9) has a rolling surface (24) for rotating receivers (11, 11') about shaft (14, 14'), rolling surface 24 being movable between a rest position and an operating position.

Abstract: A device is provided, designed to prevent unauthorized operation of fire hydrants by completely concealing the hydrant operating nut and weather shield within freely rotating sleeves, thereby rendering the hydrant inoperable. The hydrant is made operable by the use of a specially designed self-contained magnetic operating wrench. The hydrant again becomes inoperable when the magnetic wrench is disengaged. The device is externally mounted for easy, quick field installation with common tools, and requires no modification of the internal hydrant mechanism. The device is designed to be used on all hydrant makes and models having an operating nut extending vertically above the hydrant bonnet.

Abstract: A press apparatus for magnetic injection molding machines in which only the portion of a movable table in close contact with a lower metal mold is made ferromagnetic material and the other portion of the movable table is made of non-magnetic material, thereby fully utilizing the magnetic flux generated by magnetic coils with high efficiency and reducing the magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit.

Abstract: A pushrod assembly including a carriage mounted on a shaft for movement therealong and carrying a pushrod engageable with a load to be moved. A magnet is mounted on a supporting bracket for movement along such shaft. Means are provided for adjustably spacing said magnet away from said carriage to obtain a selected magnetic attractive or coupling force therebetween. Movement of the supporting bracket and the magnet carried thereby pulls the carriage along with it until the selected magnetic force is exceeded by a resistance load acting on the carriage.

Abstract: A cylindrical canister is used within the bottom of a hockey goal post to retain the post in place against a keeper. A magnetic arrangement in the canister, possibly involving the post itself, draws the post downwardly against a keeper, and the keeper has a frusto-conical central portion which requires the post to ride up and over it in order to be dislodged by a lateral force.

Abstract: A robot wrist for introducing a male part into a bore, the end of the part and/or the opening of the bore being chamfered, and which has an arm connected to the robot, an end piece adapted for carrying the part and connecting elements fixed to the arm and the end piece allowing free movement of the end piece with respect to the arm, and ensuring self centering of this end piece. The connecting elements are magnetized in the direction of their axis and are interposed between the arm and the end piece, disposed so as to attract each other mutually and separated from each other by balls.

Abstract: A surface finish, displacement and contour scanner is disclosed which effectively protects its stylus from damage even if the stylus meets an obstacle, such as a wall, a major ridge or a crack. The surface finish, displacement and contour scanner further includes a unique transducer designed to provide true displacement transducer operation with or without traverse, a magnetic attach-release mechanism disposed median between the stylus and a transducer, and a ball-and-notch seating structure formed about the point of flexing of the stylus support.

Abstract: The present invention provides an uncomplicated quick disconnect rotor assembly for peristaltic pumps. The assembly includes a magnetic carrier mounted on the pump drive shaft which has a mating configuration with a recess in the rotor. The rotor includes at least one magnet, preferably with segments on opposite sides of an axial drive shaft alignment passageway. The carrier and rotor are assembled and held in operation only with the magnetic force therebetween, which eliminates tools and mechanical moving parts from the assembly.