Abstract: A device for perforating packaged cigarettes, or the like, including a first housing member provided for defining a receiving area having an opening for receiving a package of cigarettes. A plurality of piercing needles are provided which are moveable relative to the first housing member to pierce the cigarettes. A safety plate member is provided covering the opening of the receiving area. The safety plate member is effective at a first position to block the movement of the piercing needles into the receiving area and at a second position to allow the package of cigarettes into the receiving area. The safety plate member is supported by at least two spring members for biasing the safety plate member towards the first position. The spring members are positioned on a central longitudinal axis of the safety plate member and have spring properties effective to allow steady and smooth movement of the safety plate member.

Abstract: A shock absorber testing device wherein the vehicle body is raised relative to the vehicle wheels, and is then released. The vehicle wheels are not raised. Upon releasing of the raised spring-suspended body of the vehicle, the resulting oscillations of the movement of the body is sensed, and various quality factors (h.sub.1, h.sub.2, h.sub.3) are determined and displayed to display the dampening proficiency of the shock absorber. The damping proficiency of a pair of shock absorbers located opposite each other on the vehicle (the pair of front shock absorbers, for example) may have their damping proficiencies displayed simultaneously and compared, and the difference therebetween also displayed to indicate uneven wear or imbalance of the shock absorbers of the vehicle.