A method for producing a connector, in particular for repair, in particular in the field of aviation and aerospace, including the steps of: providing a base layer; attaching a first layer of fiber composite material having a first rigidity to the base layer; attaching a second layer of fiber composite material having a second rigidity to the first layer, offset therefrom, the second rigidity being greater than the first rigidity; and riveting the first layer to the base layer and riveting the second layer to the first layer and to the base layer.

Provided are a method for splitting longitudinally an end part of a metal plate or a metal rod having a rectangular, polygonal, or elliptical shape, in which the length of incision in the split portion can be freely adjusted and smooth split face can be formed; a metal part manufactured by such method; and a method for bonding such metal part. The present invention is characterized by the process comprising the steps of securing a metal plate by pinching both sides thereof with a clamping device, or securing a metal rod by pinching at least two opposite-facing portions on the periphery thereof with a clamping device; splitting longitudinally by slitting or cleaving the metal plate, or the metal rod, by pressing a slitting punch or a cleaving punch against the face of one end of the metal plate, or the metal rod; and advancing the splitting further by repeating the same operation of pressing the same punch stated above against the cleft of the splitting; and is characterized further in that, in each time of the press-splitting operation, the position of the clamping device on at least one side is moved in advance of the next pressing by a stroke corresponding to the distance from one end of the metal plate, or the metal rod, to the distal end of a split-desired portion.

Fastener delivery apparatus for automatically selecting and delivering fasteners such as rivets to a setting tool. The fasteners are pre-loaded in a package and dispense via at least one fastener delivery tube that interconnects the setting tool to a fastener feeder device. The fastener feeder device releases selected fasteners from the package into the delivery tube. The fasteners are transportable individually or in groups in the tube from the feeder device to the tool. A transfer station attached to the tool or the delivery tube transfers a fastener from the delivery apparatus into the tool, transfer station is adjacent to the tool so that a delivered fastener may be inserted by the transfer station into the tool and a second position in which it is clear of the tool so as to permit the tool or a portion thereof to move towards a workpiece to insert a smooth, rapid and reliable delivery of fasteners of various sizes and types to the nose of a setting tool in any particular order and provides all the fastener types for any particular work cycle.

A system and method determine a size and a shape for identical geodesic modules that are used to form a structure. The system and method may include analyzing input data regarding a size and a shape of the structure to be formed, and determining the size and the shape for each of the identical geodesic modules based on the size and the shape of the structure to be formed. The structure may include a framework including the identical geodesic modules. Each of the geodesic modules has a size and a shape that are the same as all of the other of the geodesic modules. A forming system and method position a framework and a covering skin of the structure in relation to a mandrel, and drill and rivet the framework to the covering skin with a plurality of operating heads.

A method of manufacturing a custom sized plastic tote lighter in weight than heretofore known custom sized plastic totes is provided. The method comprises separating an injection molded tote into upper and lower portions by cutting the injection molded tote. A sleeve or middle portion of plastic material is secured to the upper and lower portions of the injection molded tote to create a custom sized plastic tote of a desired height. Alternatively, portions of different injection molded totes may be used to create a custom sized plastic tote. The sleeve may be made from different materials and may be made of multiple pieces.

A protective cover for a shaving cartridge, a shaving assembly including a cartridge and a protective cover, a razor having a razor handle and such a shaving assembly, a method of shaving with such a razor and a method of manufacturing such a protective cover. The protective cover includes a housing extending longitudinally along a longitudinal axis (A) and is provided with a comb and a trimming blade, the trimming blade having an elongated cutting edge and the comb having several teeth projecting obliquely to the longitudinal axis (A) and protruding forwardly with regard to the trimming blade.

A contact assembly is for a vacuum switching apparatus. The vacuum switching apparatus includes a vacuum envelope. The vacuum envelope has an interior. The contact assembly includes: a number of electrical contacts located in the interior of the vacuum envelope, at least one electrical contact having a hole; and a number of electrodes each engaging a corresponding one of the number of electrical contacts, at least one electrode including a base and a protrusion. The protrusion extends from the base into the hole of the electrical contact in order to secure the electrical contact to the electrode.

A self-piercing rivet (10) for forming joints in stacked sheets of high or low strength, light alloy metals such as aluminium and magnesium. The rivet (10) comprises a head (11) and a substantially cylindrical shank (12) that is at least partially hollow so as to define a bore (13) that extends along at least part of its length. The outside diameter (D1) of the shank (12) is at least 6 mm, the effective length of the rivet is at least 1.3 times the diameter of the shank and the bore (13) has a volume that is at least 38% of the effective solid volume of the rivet (10). The rivet geometry is such that it has enhanced column strength to withstand the high insertion forces required and a high bore volume to accommodate displaced sheet material.

A method of forming a fastener includes inserting a blank precursor into a bore of a forming die having an enlarged bore portion, applying a first axial compression force to the blank precursor, and forming a cold-worked head section and an enlarged shank portion on the blank precursor corresponding to the enlarged bore portion. The enlarged shank portion has a nominal shank portion extending therefrom. The method additionally includes inserting the nominal shank portion into a bore of a final reduction die, applying a second axial compression force to the enlarged shank portion, and urging the enlarged shank portion into the bore of the final reduction die. The method includes reducing a cross-sectional area of the enlarged shank portion by approximately 2 to 5 percent to form a cold-worked shank section.

A contact assembly is for a vacuum switching apparatus. The vacuum switching apparatus includes a vacuum envelope. The vacuum envelope has an interior. The contact assembly includes: a number of electrical contacts located in the interior of the vacuum envelope, at least one electrical contact having a hole; and a number of electrodes each engaging a corresponding one of the number of electrical contacts, at least one electrode including a base and a protrusion. The protrusion extends from the base into the hole of the electrical contact in order to secure the electrical contact to the electrode.