Abstract: Apparatus for testing for leaks in flexible packages containing a product such as potato crisps and some air comprises three probing stations. Packages are transferred from station to station by suction cup heads carried on a reciprocable beam. Probes incorporating weights are applied by gravity at each probing station under control of a support plate and cause air to be squeezed out of packages which have substantial leaks. Probe position sensing equipment detects when probes have dropped down and uses this information as an indication of a leak. The specification also describes apparatus for transferring packages to the leak testing apparatus.

Abstract: An inertia stop by which excessive movement between two members may be prevented, includes a unit that may be fixed to one of the members and a further unit that includes a free component and a component that may be fixed to the other of the members, one component being in the form of an externally threaded shaft and the other component being in the form of an internally threaded block that is loosely rotatable on, relatively to, the shaft with the threads engaging so that the free component may rotate relatively to the other between a position in which it is dissociated from the first unit and a position in which is engages with the first unit so that further rotation in that direction is prevented.

Abstract: A friction clutch for a vehicle utilizes a snap connection and self indexing to insure accurate presentation during installation. The release mechanism of the clutch includes a first member for applying release forces to a second member which releases the clutch. A guide member is provided to constrain a projection on one of the members to follow a first path into a recess when assembling the first and second members and to follow a second path out of the recess when separating the first and second members.

Abstract: A hopper discharging material onto an endless conveyor running in a trough positioned below the hopper is provided with a seal movable between two positions by two-position clamp. In one position the seal is effective to close the gap between the hopper and trough and in the other, the gap is exposed to provide access to the conveyor.

Abstract: A transmission comprises first and second input shafts which are drivable respectively from independently operable first and second clutches. Gearing is provided which enables drive to be transmitted from the input shafts to an output via a layshaft. Further gearing is provided on a further layshaft for selection of reverse ratio. In reverse ratio the further gearing is in a drive path which includes the first and second input shafts. The further gearing includes synchronizer means to facilitate selection of reverse ratio.

Abstract: A brake disc assembly with fasteners for securing the disc to a wheel, together with spacers associated with the fasteners for allowing the disc limited axial play relative to the wheel, there being a holder on the disc having surfaces between which the spacers are gripped.

Abstract: A friction clutch comprises a driving member incorporating first and second cover members joined together and forming an enclosure therebetween. Within the enclosure are a first driven plate, an intermediate pressure plate, a second driven plate and a main pressure plate. In the engaged condition these components are all clamped together by a belville spring. A release rod acts on the main pressure plate to move it against the spring and release the clutch. The main pressure plate is driven by straps from the second cover member while the intermediate pressure plate is similarly driven by straps from the first cover member. This arrangement allows the clutch to be handled in two major sub-assemblies. The first of these includes the second cover member, the spring and the main pressure plate. The second incorporates the intermediate pressure plate and the first cover member.

Abstract: An article transfer apparatus for loading rows of hot glass articles such as bottles, from a cross conveyor, through dead plates, to a linear conveyor of a lehr, utilizes a pusher bar mounted on a system of a horizontal parallelogram frame and two pairs of serially coupled vertically oriented parallelogram frames, articulated at their corners and drivingly interconnected in order to impart bilateral, advance and backward, upward and downward movements to said bar--maintaining always its vertical position and perpendicular orientation regarding the rows of bottles advancing on the cross conveyor while sweeping out said rows of bottles.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic control system is intended for the kind of automatic power transmission which comprises at least three forward gear ratios and in which ratio changes are effected under power by releasing one clutch interconnecting the transmission input and output through one engaged gearset simultaneously with engaging another clutch interconnecting the input and output through another engaged gearset. The control system comprises hydraulic gear actuators each for engaging and disengaging a separate gearset. Electro-hydraulic valves control the supply of hydraulic fluid to the actuators in response to ratio selection signals derived in an electronic control. One set of electro-hydraulic valve states is arranged to engage first and second gearsets while a second set of electro-hydraulic valve states is arranged to engage both second and third gearsets.

Abstract: A completely self-contained portable apparatus useful primarily in hospitals and nursing homes for washing, shampooing, pedicuring and manicuring bed-ridden persons is disclosed. A wheeled cabinet, houses clean and waste water tanks as well as heating and pressurizing means for the clean water. Head and foot basins each with drain connections to the waste water tank are pivotally mounted on lining arms which permit them to fold into a non-use position overlying each other and the cabinet and an extended position overlying a bed when in use. The support mounting the basins on the cabinet also provides for vertical adjustment to accommodate different bed heights. Spray nozzles connected to the pressurized, heated and clean water tank are extendible by means of hoses to reach either the head or foot basins when in extended operative position.

Abstract: A release mechanism for use with a clutch release bearing of a pull type clutch comprises an element on which there is a transverse circular groove, and locking members comprising a flexible ring coaxial with a diaphragm and bearing on the circumference of a central aperture therein, and a washer with flexible lugs applied against the face of the diaphragm and coaxial with this latter so that the flexible lugs engage around the ring to render it rigid with the diaphragm. The ring is adapted to snap into the groove in the actuating element at the moment of engagement.

Abstract: A wear adjuster for an internal shoe drum brake of the kind having a strut extending between one shoe and a handbrake lever pivoted on the other shoe includes a spacer between the strut and the one shoe, a screwing mechanism for adjusting the spacing effect of the spacer having an actuating mechanism responsive to service operation of the brake. The brake shoe pull-off spring serves also as a biassing spring for the actuating mechanism.

Abstract: The transmission includes a rotary shaft for transmitting drive to driving wheels of the vehicle, a fixed gearbox casing and a hill holder between the shaft and the gearbox casing. The hill holder, when operative, inhibits reverse movement of the vehicle and includes in series a sprag clutch and a multiplate brake. Fluid is supplied from a fluid operable control system for operating the brake and controls the rate of engagement of the brake.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuous extrusion of metals in which feed is introduced into a circumferential groove 26 (FIG. 3) in a rotating wheel 2 to contact arcuate tooling 22 and an abutment 24. The abutment 4 is spaced from the walls of the groove 26 so that in operation a lining of the feed material is produced. Indentations 52 assist in holding the lining in place. The extrusion is generally in a radial direction through an aperture 58. The extrusion orifices (not shown) may be of part annular cross-section of different area. The extrusion aperture may extend from outside the groove 26 to permit of increased orifice area.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing for leaks in a flexible package containing loosely packaged product and some air includes a first set of gravitational probes at a first measuring station for applying a load to the package and obtaining a first measure of the thickness of the package under this load, a second set of gravitational probes at a second measuring station for applying a corresponding load to the package in a corresponding position and direction with respect to the package and obtaining a second measure of the thickness of the package under the second load and means for comparing the first and second measures of thickness and for indicating the presence of a leak when the second measure is substantially less than the first.

Abstract: A friction material and carrier plate assembly which may be used in the construction of a driven plate of a friction clutch has a flat, metal, disc-shaped, carrier plate integral with spokes co-planar with the carrier plate and radiating from the outer periphery of the plate. The spokes are adhesively bonded and/or riveted to the bases of recesses in one of the radial friction faces of a one-piece annulus of friction material, that face being proud of the spokes. The assembly is centered on an axis relative to which the annulus and spokes can flex axially.

Abstract: The clutch comprises a clutch plate 10 which can be retracted by a release mechanism 20 to release a driven plate 12. The release mechanism comprises first and second members 24, 26 and an intermediate detent 25. The detent is rotatably mounted on member 24. The detent is located between the members in an operative position by urging the first member in one direction relative to the second member. To separate the members, the first member is urged further in the one direction to enable a detent release ring 37 to rotate the detent 25 into a release position.

Abstract: The mechanism includes a release member including a driving element in which is formed a circular groove. A washer which in use is coaxial with a diaphragm of the clutch is provided with clips which pass through a release ring. A flexible retaining ring is gripped resiliently between the release ring and the washer for location in the groove during coupling of the driving element to the clutch. The load derived from the resilient engagement of the retaining ring against the washer and release ring is insufficient to overcome a resilient grip between the clips and the release ring.

Abstract: A brake disc comprises an inner mounting member and outer annular braking member and a driving connection between the two members. The braking member has the usual flat annular braking surfaces. The driving connection comprises a square shaped drive dog which engages in corresponding notches in the outer periphery of the mounting member and the inner periphery of the braking member. The notches have flat driving faces in engagement with corresponding flat faces on the drive dog. Axial location is by stop flanges secured together through an aperture in the drive dog. The axial length of the dog is greater than the thickness of the disc members so the flanges, in engagement with the axial end faces, allow some axial movement. A crinkle washer controls the relative axial positions. There are a plurality of drive dogs spaced equally around the disc.

Abstract: This invention relates to documents, such as banknotes, which are produced and used in large numbers and which, for a given series, are identical one with another except for a unique multi-digit number upon each individual document, the number thus uniquely identifying that document within the series. According to the present invention, to render unauthorized reproduction of the document more difficult, on each document, at least two characters in the identifying number differ from each other (in addition to any differences in the letters or digits which they represent) in one or more visible characteristics. Thus the differing characters may have different heights or widths or be in different styles of type. Preferably, the identifying number appears twice on each document, in diagonally opposite corners, and preferably the variation of physical characteristics of the characters along the length of one of the numbers is reversed in direction in the other of the numbers.