Abstract: A die assembly for clinching a fastener such as a pierce nut to a panel. In the clinching operation, a pilot portion of the fastener is driven through the panel and into an aperture in a die body. Step portions of the die body deform the fastener pilot and interlock or clinch the fastener and panel together. After the clinching operation, the fastener and panel are stripped from the die assembly. In order to facilitate release of the fastener pilot from the die aperture, the die body is segmented so that its segments can separate in a radial direction to enlarge the aperture. The die body segments have sloping outer surfaces received in a complementary die holder so that the segments are cammed together during the clinching operation and are separable during the stripping operation.

Abstract: Adjustable stowable securement apparatus for use with flatbed carriers for providing both lateral and longitudinal chocking of heavy, oversized tracked or wheeled vehicles, wherein the lateral and longitudinal chocking components are operable to adjust from a stowed, flush-with-carrier-deck position to an adjustably raised position for forcibly abutting the vehicle's tires or tracks to effect positive chocking and securement of the vehicle to the flatbed carrier.

Abstract: Pierce nuts are provided in finished form as similarly oriented and spaced parts of a strip, held together by metallic connectors which are sufficiently flexible to permit coiling the strip for purposes of feeding the pierce nuts in an uninterrupted and predictable sequence severing and applying the end nut of the strip to a panel. In a preferred form flanged pierce nuts are completely formed from a rigid metal bar having laterally extending flanges of reduced thickness on opposite sides of the bar, the nuts being separated by slots extending across the strip into the flanges to reduce the cross-section of the connecting material and thus impart flexibility to it. The strip is sufficiently rigid in a longitudinal direction to permit pushing the strip into the severing and applying tool.

Abstract: A wasp excluder and exhaust port protector for railway air brake systems. A housing adapted to be screw connected to the exhaust port of an air brake system has a cylindrical bore in the outlet end portion. A valve having a unitary body of rubber-like material is wholly contained within the bore to provide mechanical protection for it. The body has a ring portion slidably fitted within the bore and sealed against a seat within the housing. The valve body has a disc portion integral with the ring and formed with a plurality of internally concave, externally convex, radially extending hollow ribs. The ribs have radial slits extending along the middle portions of the ribs and meeting in the center of the disc portion to define a plurality of elastic sectors connected to the ring portion.

Abstract: A speed-limiting accessory drive system and apparatus therefor for the transmission of torque and diversion and dissipation of excess energy from a prime mover, such as liquid-cooled internal combustion engine, to a cluster of accessories associated therewith utilizing a speed-responsive mechanism wherein the mechanism is comprised of two drum-shaped driving and driven members which simultaneously provide bearing journalling support and frictional engagement one with the other. One form of the invention utilizes a centrifugally partially disengaging speed-responsive mechanism so that regardless of the driving members speed above a predetermined control speed, the driven member is substantially maintained at that control speed thereby driving the accessories at a desired maximum speed.