Abstract: The mechanical cable control, including an automatic adjustment device (4, 5, 9/7) between a first portion (2) of the shielding conduit of the cable and an outer ferrule structure (6) comprises at least one electrical path mechanism (I; II) incorporating a pair of cooperating electrical contacts (12, 11; 12', 11'), attached to the outer ferrule structure (6) and, via a disengageable connection, to an extension of the first conduit portion (2). The cable control typically incorporates a pair of contacts (11, 12) for detecting the operation of the control and a pair of contacts (11'; 12') for indicating the wear of the component to be actuated (C) by the cable control.

Abstract: A vehicle antilock braking system comprises a servo for varying the effort applied by a brake on a wheel of the vehicle, a valve being provided to selectively connect the servo to a source of relatively high pressure or a source of relatively low pressure, via passageways of relatively high or relatively low restriction, so that the servo may be controlled to reduce or reapply braking effort at relatively slow or fast rates, depending on the acceleration or deceleration of the wheel.

Abstract: Optical fibre based cables 1 and 2 are jointed by fixing their axial strength members 3 to a perforated connecting member 9. Fibre tails to be joined are stored on the connecting member by winding around guides 16 engageable with perforations 11. Fibre end parts are joined and positioned in ferrules 24 also engaged with perforations 11.

Abstract: Mounted slideably on an outer connector structure (6), in which is received slideably an inner connector structure (5) having a toothed zone (8) for interaction with at least one locking member (13) mounted so as to be radially displaceable in the outer connector structure (6), is a tubular actuating member (14), on which bears an axially biasing spring (18) and which forms, together with the locking member (13), at least one pair of cooperating ramp surfaces (21, 23; 22, 24) controlling the radial displacement of the locking member (13).

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly includes a diaphragm spring acting on a pressure plate through a fulcrum ring which encircles the clutch axis and is disposed in a groove in the pressure plate. The fulcrum ring is a resilient tube. During clutch re-engagements, the cross-section of the tube is resiliently deformed by the load of the diaphragm spring to provide cushioning. The resilient tube can have a slot in its outer periphery. In a first stage of cushioning the tube is deformed so as to close the slot. Thereafter, further deformation of the tube is harder and creates a second stage of harder cushioning.

Abstract: A reciprocating internal combustion engine comprises a cylinder block having at least one bore formed therein and a cylinder liner fitted into each bore. The cylinder liner defines a cylinder in which a piston is slideable, with a combustion chamber being disposed to one side of the piston and a crank mechanism to the other side. An annular groove is provided at the mating surfaces of the cylinder liner and the cylinder block, for example in the outer surface of the liner, and at least one lubricant discharge nozzle is provided in the cylinder liner in communication with the annular groove and opening on the crank side of the piston when the piston is at the combustion chamber end of its stroke. The nozzle is angled towards the combustion chamber such as to discharge lubricant onto the crank side of the piston.

Abstract: A capacitive switch is formed of a dielectric layer having a first electrode disposed on or adjacent one surface and a second electrode and a conductive pad, such as a touch pad, disposed on the opposite side of the dielectric layer. The conductive pad and the second electrode are in superimposed relationship to the first electrode. The conductive pad and second electrode may be side by side, with a small gap between or they may be superimposed on one another with a further dielectric layer between. Such switches may be formed into an array and may be combined with a display by being superimposed over a display medium, such as an electroluminescent layer, having a display electrode on one side and the first electrode on the other side. In this arrangement all the components, except the display medium and the display electrode, are of transparent material.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a synchronizing signal for a selected cylinder of a multi-cylinder engine having a double ended coil ignition system, including a comparator for identifying a real ignition pulse on the ignition device associated with the selected cylinder and a discriminator for identifying a real ignition signal on the coil energizing that ignition device and circuitry to produce a synchronizing signal only when the two coincide.

Abstract: A fire-resistant enclosure comprises a casing, a hollow internal compartment defined by said casing, a door opening defined in said casing and providing access to the internal compartment and a door fitted into and closing said opening. Both the door and at least that part of the casing defining the door opening are constructed primarily from rigid fire-resistant intumescent material comprising a resin incorporating a blowing agent such that when subjected to heat the material of the door and the material of the casing at the door opening swell towards each other and provide a heat and water resistant seal between said door and said door opening.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, and a method of operating an internal combustion engine, of the kind in which recycled exhaust gases are reacted with a hydrocarbon fuel in a combustion space to produce a reformed fuel of enhanced calorific value by cracking molecules of the hydrocarbon fuel, the invention providing for means for the supply of air to the combustion space in the cylinder and separate means for the supply of the cracked and reformed fuel enabling an efficient engine operation to be achieved with economical use of fuel.

Abstract: An inertia valve includes a valve member which is free to move axially in a cylindrical bore and a valve seat which may be closed by the valve member is provided at one end of the cylindrical bore, said valve seat being supported on a support member so that it surrounds a port defined by the support member, the seat being spaced from the support member at its inner periphery so that it provides a flexible inner peripheral portion which may be deformed by the valve member.

Abstract: A preassembled set of embossing rolls is shown. The embossing roll assembly is completed and tested at a work station away from a press line and thereafter the assembled set of rolls is transported to the press line for installation whereby down time on the press is avoided while the precision assembly of the matched pair of rollers is accomplished elsewhere.

Abstract: Attachment of a scraper member--such as a flight bar 14 (FIG. 8) to a scraper conveyor chain 2 moving in pans 12 is effected by means of a land 42 formed on an extension 36 of the flight bar seating in a chain link 44. The driving force of the chain is transmitted to the flight bar through the land and no loading is transmitted to a retaining finger piece 50 bolted to the flight bar using a square headed bolt 34 captive against a shoulder on the flight bar. The retaining finger piece is symmetrical and hence reversible. In another embodiment, a short saddle piece serving as a race cleaner and chain support may also be secured to the chain by means of a land co-acting with the chain and retained on the chain by means of retaining pins.

Abstract: A brake actuating mechanism includes a housing defining a cylinder and a tubular piston, slidingly sealed within the cylinder. A pull-rod passes through the piston and is provided at one end with member for connection to a brake linkage mechanism. The other end of pull-rod is provided with abutment member which engages one end of a guide spool, the other end of the guide spool engaging the end of the piston. A pivot member is provided between the guide spool and the piston to permit rocking of the guide spool and pull-rod relative to the piston. A lever mechanism may act on the guide spool to provide for mechanical actuation of the brake.

Abstract: A cheque book assembly comprises carrier leaves arranged one above another and bound together at their right hand ends. Cheques making up a sub-set are bound detachably to each carrier leaf at their left hand ends with a staggered overlap between the cheques. A pressure sensitive strip causes an inscription on an elongated field of a first cheque to be reproduced on a corresponding field on the first carrier leaf to provide a journal entry for the first cheque. Other pressure sensitive strips cause inscriptions on the other cheques to be reproduced on other fields of the carrier leaf, these fields being offset from one another by the stagger of the cheques to form a journal for the sub-set of cheques.

Abstract: A oil well reciprocating piston pump is fluid pressure operated from a source at the earth's surface. The piston is hollow and serves also as a sealed cylinder for a free piston which is gas biased downwardly. The underside of the free piston is in contact with a body of oil displaceable from the sealed cylinder into the annular space between the hollow piston and its cylinder to bias the hollow piston toward the bottom of its stroke.

Abstract: A motor cycle disc brake has a disc secured by an outer peripheral portion to the rim of a wheel which is rotatable about an axle held by a pair of fork legs. A brake caliper is secured to a fork leg and straddles the inner periphery of the disc. The disc is secured to the wheel rim by bolts which allow the disc some axial play relative to the rim to compensate for any run out of the rim. The caliper is fixed to the fork leg by a pair of securing members one of which engages in a recess in a lug on the fork leg so that the caliper can be released quickly from the fork leg.

Abstract: A friction clutch driven plate for rotation about a central axis and having an intermediate disc with a central opening lined by axial splines to engage external splines on a rotary motion output shaft. A first annulus co-axial with the intermediate disc has axial projections which key into bores in the disc so the annulus and disc rotate in synchronism. On the other side of the intermediate disc and co-axial therewith is a second annulus. The disc has axial projections keying into notches in the inner periphery of the second annulus so the latter also rotates in synchronism with the disc. A carrier carrying annular friction facings comprises first and second axially spaced plate arrangements between which are sandwiched the intermediate disc and the annuli. There is some allowance for relative rotary motion between the carrier and the intermediate disc against torsion damping springs.

Abstract: Apparatus for printing any line of characters comprises printing wheels on a common shaft, the wheels on the shaft together defining a printing line over a hammer. Each printing wheel is rotated by a respective stepping motor through a respective setting wheel. An aligner bar is inserted into notches in the wheels, prior to printing, to verify the alignment of the characters in printing position. The stepping motors are bi-directional and take the shortest path from a preceding printing position to the next printing position. The pulsing frequency may be ramped to give a higher stepping rate in the intermediate portion of each printing wheel movement.