The present invention relates to a system consisting of a connection node and at least one first connection body, wherein: the connection node comprises a connection node central body, a first connection element for joining with the connection body, and at least one second connection element for joining with a second connection body; the first connection element and the second connection element are connected or may be connected to the connection node central body; and at least one portion of the connection node central body and/or of the first connection element and/or of the second connection element is manufactured by means of an additive process, for example 3D printing, or by means of a casting process.

A method of forming a dielectric barrier and torque transfer member between a drive shaft and a driven shaft of a torque transfer assembly. The method includes assembling the drive shaft and the driven shaft in axially adjacent relationship to one another, the drive shaft and the driven shaft each having a recess formed therein such that when the shafts are assembled, the recesses cooperate to define a chamber extending across the interface between the drive and driven shaft and into the interior of both the drive and the driven shaft. The method further includes injecting a dielectric adhesive or resin material into the chamber to fill the chamber and to extend across the interface between the drive and the driven shaft, and curing the dielectric material to form a dielectric barrier between and to provide torque transfer between the drive and the driven shaft.

The invention relates to a bicycle saddle having a saddle shell, on the underside of which a frame is arranged. A saddle pad is arranged on the upper side of the saddle shell. According to the invention, the saddle pad has two padding elements for improved comfort, wherein in a preferred embodiment the inner padding element is made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane).

The invention relates to a bicycle saddle having a saddle shell, on the underside of which a frame is arranged. A saddle pad is arranged on the upper side of the saddle shell. According to the invention, the saddle pad has two padding elements for improved comfort, wherein in a preferred embodiment the inner padding element is made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane).

Water-responsive actuators and methods for creating water responsive actuators are disclosed. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a first layer, for example a plastic tape, and a second layer, for example bacterial spores and cured adhesive. The second layer can be created in a pattern. The pattern can include joints, which can contract when exposed to dry air and can thereby bend the actuator, and can expand when exposed to humid air and thereby return the actuator its original position.

A joint member is formed of a composite including reinforcement fibers and resin. The joint member is configured to be joined with another joint member to form a joint structure capable of enduring a tensile load in a load direction in which the joint member and the other joint member are separated from each other at a joined portion of the joint structure in a longitudinal direction of the joint member. The joint member includes a main body part and a joint part connected with the main body part at an end part of the main body part in the longitudinal direction of the joint member. The joint part has an orientation pattern having anisotropy such that fiber directions of the reinforcement fibers included in the joint part include a fiber direction different from the longitudinal direction of the joint member.

A bonded object manufacturing apparatus is for manufacturing a bonded object in which a first object and a second object, which is more flexible than the first object, are bonded by a bonding agent, viscosity of which is variable, and includes: a bonding agent supplier that supplies the bonding agent to a first or second bonding surfaces; a thickening unit that increases the viscosity of the bonding agent; and a loading unit that applies a load to and deforms the second object against the bonding agent that closely adheres to the first bonding surface and becomes harder than the second object. In a method for manufacturing a bonded object, the first and second bonding surfaces are brought close to each other to hold the bonding agent therebetween, the bonding agent closely adheres to a required portion of the first bonding surface, and the second object is loaded and deformed against the bonding agent that closely adheres to the first bonding surface and is harder than the second object.

A frame is injection molded onto a group of panels to form a container. The panels extend at least partially around, and at least partially define, a cavity of the container.

A method for joining two objects by anchoring an insert portion provided on a first object in an opening provided on a second object. The anchorage is achieved by liquefaction of a thermoplastic material and interpenetration of the liquefied material and a penetrable material, the two materials being arranged on opposite surfaces of the insert portion and the wall of the opening. During the step of inserting the insert portion in the opening and/or during anchorage a clamping force is applied to opposing surfaces of the second object to prevent the second object from cracking or bulging.

A method for joining two objects by anchoring an insert portion provided on a first object in an opening provided on a second object. The anchorage is achieved by liquefaction of a thermoplastic material and interpenetration of the liquefied material and a penetrable material, the two materials being arranged on opposite surfaces of the insert portion and the wall of the opening. During the step of inserting the insert portion in the opening and/or during anchorage a clamping force is applied to opposing surfaces of the second object to prevent the second object from cracking or bulging.