A spot-joining apparatus comprises a motor, a punch for driving a fastener or performing a clinching or friction stir spot welding operation, a first transmission, a second transmission and a transmission control apparatus. The first transmission is configured to transfer rotary motion of the motor to the punch when engaged. The second transmission is configured to convert rotary motion of the motor to linear motion of the punch, and thereby drive the punch towards a workpiece, when engaged. The transmission control apparatus is arranged to selectively adjust the degree of engagement of at least one of the first and second transmissions. Further apparatus for spot joining, and methods of spot-joining, are also disclosed.

A swing door actuation system for moving a door about a pivot axis between open closed positions relative to a vehicle body. The system includes a power swing door actuator having a housing connectable to one of the swing door and the vehicle body, an extensible member that moves relative to the housing, and connects to the other of the swing door and the vehicle body, a motor connected to a gear train, and a normally engaged clutch. The motor is operatively connected to a clutch input end through the gear train. The output end is operatively connected to the extensible member. The clutch is disengageable to disconnect the motor from the extensible member. The clutch has a slip torque that is sufficiently high to prevent movement of the door when the door is exposed to less than a selected external torque and the motor is stopped.

A motor assembly for reclining furniture includes a motor having one or more first fittings that correspond to one or more second fittings within a reclining furniture actuation mechanism. The first and second fittings are configured to be mutually connectable without tools or fasteners. Linkage members are pivotally connected at one end to a moveable trolley, and at a second end through a bracket to a transverse drive tube in the actuation mechanism, so that movement of the trolley causes the transverse drive tube to rotate.

A steering mechanism may comprise an actuation system for one-fingered operation by a user, the system configured to move at least a distal portion of the medical device such that 360 degree articulation is achievable, and a housing coupled to the system, the housing having proximal and distal ends. The system may comprise a first lever rotatable about a first axis, the first lever coupled to a first cam and configured to move the first cam from a first position to a second position when rotated about the first axis to deflect the distal portion; and a second lever rotatable about a second axis, the second lever coupled to a second cam and configured to move the second cam from a first position to a second position when rotated about the second axis to deflect the distal portion, wherein the first lever is coupled to the second lever.

An actuator for a surgical instrument. The actuator including: a sliding tube; and a rotor arranged in said sliding tube; wherein the sliding tube has at one end a receiving cavity for a rotor positioning key, the receiving cavity being configured such that after the rotor positioning key has been positioned in the receiving cavity, and after the rotor positioning key has been twisted in the receiving cavity, the rotor positioning key is releasably locked.

An actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a fixed member and a free member. The free member is operatively engaged with the fixed member so that the free member is moveable with respect to the fixed member. The actuator also includes means for moving the free member with respect to the fixed member. An elastic element operatively associated with the free member and the fixed member is operable to store energy without a change in an overall length of the actuator.

A steering mechanism may comprise an actuation system for one-fingered operation by a user, the system configured to move at least a distal portion of the medical device such that 360 degree articulation is achievable, and a housing coupled to the system, the housing having proximal and distal ends. The system may comprise a first lever rotatable about a first axis, the first lever coupled to a first cam and configured to move the first cam from a first position to a second position when rotated about the first axis to deflect the distal portion; and a second lever rotatable about a second axis, the second lever coupled to a second cam and configured to move the second cam from a first position to a second position when rotated about the second axis to deflect the distal portion, wherein the first lever is coupled to the second lever.

A drive mechanism for a medication delivery device is presented having a housing, a rotation member that rotates in a first direction with respect to the housing during setting of a dose of a medication and rotates in a second direction with respect to the housing during delivery of the dose, the second direction being opposite to the first direction. The device also has a piston rod that is displaced in a distal direction with respect to the housing for delivering the dose, a drive member which follows rotational movement of the rotation member in the second direction during delivery of the dose, and a stop member which prevents rotational movement of the drive member with respect to the housing in the first direction during setting of the dose.

A mechanical reducer case for converting a motor torque into a drive torque for an opening is provided, the case forming a guide rail guiding the opening into a closed position or into an open position. Also disclosed is a motorized system for driving an opening including the preceding case and a method for manufacturing the preceding case including a half-shell.

A compact gear motor pump assembly is disclosed. The gear motor pump assembly includes a motor driving a gear train and an output shaft in a first direction and a second direction, creating a pumping action. The present gear motor pump assembly offers an efficient and quiet operation through incorporation of springs within the assembly. The present assembly is designed for use with devices, specifically medical devices requiring a pumping action, for example, breast pumps.