Sucker rods include end fittings having an outer wedge portion proximate to an open end, an inner wedge portion proximate to a closed end, and an intermediate wedge portion between the outer and inner wedges. Each wedge includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, and an angle between the leading and trailing edges. The triangular configuration, length of the leading edge, the length of the trailing edge, and size of the angle in each wedge portion cause distribution of force, such that compressive forces distributed to the rod proximate the closed end exceed compressive forces distributed to the rod proximate the open end. An automated installation procedure installs the end fitting through the use of multiple chucks, positioned by servo motors along a fitting table.

The present invention, in a non-limiting example embodiment provides a locking apparatus and method for securing locking hardware without the use of a key. In an example embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least a keyless insertion rotatable disk-style, barrel locking apparatus that, in a locked state can be inserted into a securing device without first unlocking, and then, thereafter, locking after insertion. In a nonlimiting example embodiment, unlocking and re-locking requires a key. The present invention, in an example embodiment, also provides features that allow the locking apparatus to enter and exit multiple apertures without requiring a key.

The present invention provides a device (10) for inserting a tool (18) into a tool receptacle (14), said device comprising a first holding means (12), which is configured to hold a tool receptacle (14), a second holding means (16), which is configured to hold a tool (18), a linear guide (20), by means of which the second holding means (16) is able to move in relation to the first holding means (12) in an axial direction running along or parallel to a main axis (X) in order to move the tool closer to the tool receptacle and insert it into the tool receptacle, a sensing arrangement (40), which is able to move in an axial direction and is configured to sense in a contact-free manner an axial position of a first reference point (R1) associated with the first holding means and to sense in a contact-free manner an axial position of a second reference point (R2) for a tool held by the second holding means, and a measuring arrangement, which measures an axial displacement path of the sensing arrangement. The invention furthermore relates to a method for inserting a tool as well as a device having a clamping arrangement for holding the tool.

The present invention provides a device (10) for inserting a tool (18) into a tool receptacle (14), said device comprising a first holding means (12), which is configured to hold a tool receptacle (14), a second holding means (16), which is configured to hold a tool (18), a linear guide (20), by means of which the second holding means (16) is able to move in relation to the first holding means (12) in an axial direction running along or parallel to a main axis (X) in order to move the tool closer to the tool receptacle and insert it into the tool receptacle, a sensing arrangement (40), which is able to move in an axial direction and is configured to sense in a contact-free manner an axial position of a first reference point (R1) associated with the first holding means and to sense in a contact-free manner an axial position of a second reference point (R2) for a tool held by the second holding means, and a measuring arrangement, which measures an axial displacement path of the sensing arrangement. The invention furthermore relates to a method for inserting a tool as well as a device having a clamping arrangement for holding the tool.

The present invention, in a non-limiting example embodiment provides a locking apparatus and method for securing locking hardware without the use of a key. In an example embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least a keyless insertion rotatable disk-style, barrel locking apparatus that, in a locked state can be inserted into a securing device without first unlocking, and then, thereafter, locking after insertion. In a nonlimiting example embodiment, unlocking and re-locking requires a key. The present invention, in an example embodiment, also provides features that allow the locking apparatus to enter and exit multiple apertures without requiring a key.

A method of attaching a tip to a pipette, which is executed in a robot system, includes: making an end effector of a robot hold a pipette; bringing a vicinity portion of a distal end of the pipette into contact with or close to an edge of an opening formed in a base of a tip while tilting an axis direction of the pipette by a predetermined angle with respect to an axis direction of the tip; attaching the tip to the pipette by inserting the distal end of the pipette and the vicinity portion of the distal end of the pipette into the tip while raising the pipette such that the axis direction of the pipette is aligned with the axis direction of the tip; and separating the pipette and the tip attached to the pipette from the predetermined spot.

A method of attaching a tip to a pipette, which is executed in a robot system, includes: making an end effector of a robot hold a pipette; bringing a vicinity portion of a distal end of the pipette into contact with or close to an edge of an opening formed in a base of a tip while tilting an axis direction of the pipette by a predetermined angle with respect to an axis direction of the tip; attaching the tip to the pipette by inserting the distal end of the pipette and the vicinity portion of the distal end of the pipette into the tip while raising the pipette such that the axis direction of the pipette is aligned with the axis direction of the tip; and separating the pipette and the tip attached to the pipette from the predetermined spot.

Alignment tools and methods are provided for assembling a planetary gear sets. The alignment tools include a handle, and an elongated pin having a tip configured to be inserted through a mounting hole of a housing of the planetary gear set, through a first hole in a first washer, through a bore of a pinion gear between pinion needle rollers arranged in a tubular pattern within the bore, and through a second hole of a second washer. The elongated pin is configured to align the first washer, the pinion gear, the pinion needle rollers, and the second washer during insertion therethrough. The elongated pin is retractable relative to the handle in response to a force being applied to the tip in a first direction along a longitudinal axis of the elongated pin.

This fastening method is a method for fastening a plurality of types of fastening members stored in a cartridge, the cartridge includes a plurality of attachments, the attachment has one end in which a first fitting part that fits to a fastening force receiving part of a corresponding fastening member of the plurality of types of fastening members is formed and another end in which a second fitting part that fits to a fastening force working part of the fastening means is formed, and the cartridge is supplied in a state in which the plurality of types of fastening members and the plurality of attachments are arranged based on the order of fastening the plurality of types of fastening members to the object to be fastened.

This fastening method is a method for fastening a plurality of types of fastening members stored in a cartridge, the cartridge includes a plurality of attachments, the attachment has one end in which a first fitting part that fits to a fastening force receiving part of a corresponding fastening member of the plurality of types of fastening members is formed and another end in which a second fitting part that fits to a fastening force working part of the fastening means is formed, and the cartridge is supplied in a state in which the plurality of types of fastening members and the plurality of attachments are arranged based on the order of fastening the plurality of types of fastening members to the object to be fastened.