A connector and associated system. In a first aspect, the connector comprises a patterned surface and a primary track. The patterned surface comprises a surface aperture pattern that is configured to receive at least one protruding element, the protruding element being configured to connect the connector to a first modular component. The primary track is connected to the patterned surface. The primary track can slidably engage a protruding element of a second modular component, thereby connecting the first modular component and the second modular component. In a second aspect, a system can comprise the connector, the first modular component and the second modular component.

A positioning structure includes a positioning aiding member attached to a horizontal beam of a sheet feeder and having a positioning hole formed at an opposed portion thereof opposed to the horizontal beam. The positioning aiding member has a guide part that, when an image forming apparatus is installed onto a top of the sheet feeder, guides a horizontal beam of the image forming apparatus such that a positioning hole formed in a lower surface of the horizontal beam of the image forming apparatus approaches a first positioning pin coupled with the positioning aiding member as viewed in an extending direction of the horizontal beam of the sheet feeder.

A positioning structure includes a positioning aiding member attached to a horizontal beam of a sheet feeder and having a positioning hole formed at an opposed portion thereof opposed to the horizontal beam. The positioning aiding member has a guide part that, when an image forming apparatus is installed onto a top of the sheet feeder, guides a horizontal beam of the image forming apparatus such that a positioning hole formed in a lower surface of the horizontal beam of the image forming apparatus approaches a first positioning pin coupled with the positioning aiding member as viewed in an extending direction of the horizontal beam of the sheet feeder.

The telescoping adjustable leg comprises a tubular housing, a tubular toe, a cylindrical toe, a base and an externally threaded rod. The adjustable leg 10 is expandable from a fully retracted position to a fully extended position by rotation of the housing and cylindrical toe relative to the tubular toe.

An accessory device is provided with one or more physical interlocks for mating with a slot provided along an accessory mounting track, or alternatively, with discrete physical mating interlocking features provided along an accessory mounting track, such as along opposing sides of the slot. In this way, the accessory device can be mounted along the slot in a lengthwise direction of the accessory mounting track or perpendicularly or transversely to the lengthwise direction of the accessory mounting track. When mounting in a lengthwise direction of the accessory mounting track, the accessory device is prevented from moving along the accessory mounting track when sufficient frictional forces are applied. When mounting perpendicularly or transversely to the lengthwise direction of the accessory mounting track, the interlocks mate with the interlocking features to prevent movement of the accessory device along the accessory mounting track.

A camshaft phaser includes a stator, a rotor rotatable with respect to the stator, and a connector configured for being nonrotatably fixed to the rotor. The connector is configured for being nonrotatably connected to an outer circumferential surface of a camshaft. A method of constructing a camshaft phaser for an internal combustion engine includes providing a stator and a rotor rotatable with respect to the stator; and providing a connector configured for nonrotatably fixing to the rotor, the connector being configured for being nonrotatably connected to an outer circumferential surface of a camshaft.

A camshaft phaser includes a stator, a rotor rotatable with respect to the stator, and a connector configured for being nonrotatably fixed to the rotor. The connector is configured for being nonrotatably connected to an outer circumferential surface of a camshaft. A method of constructing a camshaft phaser for an internal combustion engine includes providing a stator and a rotor rotatable with respect to the stator; and providing a connector configured for nonrotatably fixing to the rotor, the connector being configured for being nonrotatably connected to an outer circumferential surface of a camshaft.

An interconnect system for coupling first and second frame members includes female and male interconnect members. The female interconnect is secured to the first frame member and has defined therein a receptacle. The male interconnect member is secured to the second frame member and defines a protrusion configured for selective axial insertion into, and mating engagement with, the receptacle. The receptacle extends axially between a receptacle opening through which the protrusion is axially received and a receptacle rear wall at which the receptacle terminates. The protrusion terminates at a protrusion tip. The receptacle and protrusion are furthermore configured such that at least one of (a) the receptacle and the protrusion are complementarily keyed in order to prevent relative rotational displacement of the male and female interconnect members when they are in mutual mating engagement, and (b) the protrusion tip is magnetically attracted toward the receptacle rear wall.

An interconnect system for coupling first and second frame members includes female and male interconnect members. The female interconnect is secured to the first frame member and has defined therein a receptacle. The male interconnect member is secured to the second frame member and defines a protrusion configured for selective axial insertion into, and mating engagement with, the receptacle. The receptacle extends axially between a receptacle opening through which the protrusion is axially received and a receptacle rear wall at which the receptacle terminates. The protrusion terminates at a protrusion tip. The receptacle and protrusion are furthermore configured such that at least one of (a) the receptacle and the protrusion are complementarily keyed in order to prevent relative rotational displacement of the male and female interconnect members when they are in mutual mating engagement, and (b) the protrusion tip is magnetically attracted toward the receptacle rear wall.

A metallic/composite joint may comprise a composite member extending along a centerline axis and a metallic member. The composite member may comprise a cylinder having a flared end. An outer surface of the flared end may be oriented at a first angle relative to the centerline axis. An inner surface of the metallic member may be oriented at a second angle relative to the centerline axis. The inner surface of the metallic member and the outer surface of the composite member may be separated by a first gap at a first location and may be separated by a second gap at a second location. In various embodiments, the composite member may comprise a cylinder having an angled end, an inner surface of the angled end oriented at the first angle and an insert having an outer surface oriented at the second angle.