Abstract: A silver-palladium alloy formulated to provide an alloy with a whiter color and superior casting and fabrication properties as compared to nickel-based white gold and also to impart to an article of jewelry or the like favorable properties afforded by white gold. The alloy generally includes silver and palladium, with silver being the predominant component. In some embodiments, the alloy contains about 75%-85% silver and about 5%-15% palladium by weight.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective device for a fastener located on an article. The protective device includes a body having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior surface defines an interior space sufficient to surround at least a portion of a fastener. The body also includes an aperture which may be moved to an open position by squeezing or moving a portion of the body, and moved to a closed position by releasing a portion of the body. The device protects the interior walls of a washing or drying machine during washing or drying of the article.

Abstract: An earring is provided in the form of a spring ring with two mounting members and a bead with lock-screw. The first mounting member is stationary. The second mounting member remains in a normally closed position actuated by a spring. When the earring is in place, the mounting members pinch the auricle to keep the earring in place. Mounting gap is adjusted by the bead and can be locked or unlocked by turning the bead ninety degrees. This earring can be made in different diameters so that it can be worn in any part of the auricle without the ear being pierced.

Abstract: A swing hinge module bidirectionally swinging a movable body and a portable terminal having the same are disclosed. The swing hinge module includes a rotation cam, a rotation shaft, a fixed plate, and a guide pin. The rotation cam is fixed to the movable body to be rotated with the movable body, and has stopping recesses on an outer circumference of the rotation cam to set a rotation angle of the movable body. The rotation shaft is coupled with a central area of the rotation cam, and the fixed plate is coupled to the fixed body and has a guide hole to receive the rotation shaft. The guide pin is coupled to the fixed plate and contacts the outer circumference of the rotation cam to support the rotation cam.

Abstract: A piece of jewelry to be worn by a wearer, having a spray mechanism mounted on the piece of jewelry, and a reservoir for containing a fluid mounted on the piece of jewelry, to dispense a fluid, such as a fragrance or scent, to the body of the wearer. The manipulation of the reservoir by the wearer actuates the spray mechanism and dispenses fluid from the reservoir.

Abstract: An assemblable jerk handle for a lanyard cord including in one embodiment a base portion having a center channel with interior progressive teeth for receiving the lanyard cord and a cap portion for permanently snap-fitting to the base portion to securely grip and therefore retain the lanyard cord within the base portion. In another embodiment, the assemblable jerk handle comprises a base portion having a center channel positioned therethrough for receiving a bifurcated plug that receives the lanyard cord therein and forcibly closes about the lanyard cord to securely grip and therefore retain the lanyard cord within the base portion.

Abstract: In the invention there is provided a disk brake stack having disks with available wear portions of a first thickness, a second thickness and a third thickness. The disk(s) having an initial available wear portion of a first thickness are of a thickness so that at the first overhaul, the available wear portion of such disks are only partly worn away and disks are about equal to disks having an initial available wear portion of a second thickness. The disks having an initial available wear portion of a second thickness at the first overhaul are only partly worn away and such disks are about equal to the disks having an initial available wear portion of a third thickness. The disks initially having an available wear portion of a third thickness at the first overhaul are substantially fully worn and are replaced by new or refurbished disks having an available wear portion of a first, second or third thickness.

Abstract: A quick release buckle including a female buckle member, including attachment device, having a pocket formed therein accessible through a rear opening formed in the female buckle member and including a first cover having a slot formed therein, a male buckle member arranged for complimentary sliding assembly with the female buckle member through the rear opening, the male buckle member including a leaf spring for insertion into the pocket of the female buckle member, the leaf spring including a clasp for snap locking engagement in the slot when the buckle members are fully assembled, a handle member, slidably assembled with the male buckle member and insertable therewith into the pocket in the female buckle member, the handle member including an independently moveable release device located adjacent the clasp, when all the members are fully assembled, connected to handle extending away from the buckle, the independently moveable release means adapted to move against the clasp during rapid pulling motion of the

Abstract: A chain keeper for retaining a chain operatively connected to a driving mechanism of a chain hoist system. The chain keeper has a support bracket and a pair of plates. The support bracket is mountable onto a fixed structure, and has a substantially vertical longitudinal axis, and opposite top and bottom sections. Each plate has top and bottom portions. The plates project from the support bracket and are slanted with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof. The plates converge towards one another towards the bottom section of the support bracket, a slot being defined between peripheral edges of the plates at the bottom section of the support bracket. The slot is shaped and sized to slidably and removably receive therein a segment of the chain for retaining the same from substantial vertical movement along the longitudinal axis of the support bracket.

Abstract: The present invention provides a balance assembly (10) for use with a sash window assembly (104) slidable within a master frame (110). The balance assembly (10) generally includes a plate (20), at least one coil (40), and a shoe or pivot brake assembly (60). The plate (20) is adapted to be attached to the master frame (110). The spring (40) has a coiled portion (42), an intermediate portion (43), and a free portion (44). The coiled portion (42) of the spring (40) is rotatably supported by a support member (30) extending from the plate (20). The free portion (44) of the spring (40) has a curved configuration with a curved end (46). The pivot brake assembly (60) has at least one slot (76) adapted to receive and retain the free portion (44) of the spring (40). The slot (76) defines a protrusion (83) that engages the free portion (44).

Abstract: Vibration damper comprising a damping medium-filled pressure tube, in which a displacer is installed, where a damping device produces a damping force as a function of the movement of the displacer. A damping force-limiting device, independently of the flow of the damping medium, becomes active above a certain damping force threshold value, which is defined as a function of the vehicle. At least a partial section of the force-limiting device is connected in a fixed manner to the pressure tube below the damping force threshold value and travels an operating distance which is associated with a change in the volume of the pressure tube when the force threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: Door check device for a vehicle door, movable from a closed position in a door frame to a plurality of different open positions and held in the open positions, includes a strip connected to the door or door frame and a braking mechanism connected to the other of the door or door frame to provide relative movement between the strip and braking mechanism when the door is moved relative to the door frame. The braking mechanism engages with the strip at several locations and prevents movement of the strip when the braking mechanism engages therewith. The braking mechanism is preferably biased against the strip. The vehicle also includes an electrical system, e.g., a motor or solenoid, coupled to the braking mechanism to disengage it from the strip to permit relative movement between the strip and braking mechanism and thus movement of the door relative to the door frame.

Abstract: Hydraulic pressure control apparatus for controlling a pressure of a brake cylinder pressure, including a pump device connected to the brake cylinder and including at least one set of a pump for delivering a pressurized fluid to the brake cylinder and a pump operating electric motor, a low-pressure source for storing the fluid discharged from the brake cylinder, a solenoid-operated pressure control valve disposed between the low-pressure source and the brake cylinder and operated with an electric energy applied thereto, for controlling the brake cylinder pressure depending upon the electric energy, and a controller including a pressure increase control device for increasing the brake cylinder pressure by controlling the electric motor, and a pressure reduction control device or reducing the brake cylinder pressure by controlling the electric energy applied to the control valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for compressed-air brakes having a control valve, comprising a housing, a piston rod, a piston, a second piston, a double-seat valve, having a control element, having a supply air reservoir, having a control chamber, having a main air pipe; one side of the piston being connected in a compressed-air carrying manner with the main air pipe; the other side of the piston being connected in a compressed-air carrying manner with the control chamber; one side of the second piston having a compressed-air connection to a brake cylinder or a brake cylinder pilot chamber; the double-seat valve being connected between a compressed-air connection of the supply air reservoir and the compressed-air connection to the brake cylinder or to the brake cylinder pilot chamber.

Abstract: The Protector Sleeve is a grommet, preferably cylindrical or rectangular, made of steel, that would be located in a hole drilled through a stud or joist in wood frame construction. It has anchors on both sides to keep it in place. The anchors, short strips of metal attached to the body, which are bent 90 degrees and can have barbs, or holes for a fastener (nail/screw/tack), will allow the body of the grommet to rest or be suspended in the hole drilled in the stud. When the Protector Sleeve is in place it shields the interior of the hole that was drilled, thereby protecting the wire or pipe that the hole was drilled for from being punctured by any screw or nail that might be driven through the wall and into the stud. The steel of the Protector Sleeve either stops, or deflects, the nail or screw.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for controlling hydraulically or electrically actuated anti-lock brake systems (ABS) on air and land vehicles requiring only measurement of wheel angular speed although brake torque measurements can also be employed if available. A sliding mode observer (SMO) based estimate of net or different wheel torque (road/tire torque minus applied brake torque) derived from the measured wheel speed is compared to a threshold differential wheel torque derived as a function of a “skid signal” also based on wheel speed only to generate a braking control signal. The braking control signal can be employed to rapidly and fully applying and releasing the brakes in a binary on-off manner and, as an additional option, possibly modulating the maximum available brake hydraulic pressure or electrical current when the brakes are in the “on” state in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A damper mechanism for absorbing torsional vibrations in a rotating shaft. The damper mechanism includes a vibration absorbing mechanism and at least one actuator that is controllable to affect the torsional vibration absorbing characteristics of the vibration absorbing mechanism.

Abstract: A valve arrangement is disclosed for controlling the pressure in first and second brake actuation outputs (9, 10). First and second air inlet valves (1,3) supply air to respective ones of the actuation outputs; first and second exhaust valves (2,4) are each associated with a respective one of the inlet valves; and a link valve (11) is between the actuation outputs. The arrangement is such that the pressure in each of the actuation outputs is controllable selectively either in mode a) jointly, with the link valve enabling air flow between the actuation outputs or in mode b) independently, with the link valve blocking air flow between the brake actuation outputs.

Abstract: A cable control which can be mounted in a simple manner in an expanding lock of a braking device for a motor vehicle, a so-called cable slack of the cable end is required in the area of the expanding lock. For eliminating this cable slack again in a simple manner, a holding device is provided in the wheel carrier which comprises a sliding sleeve and of a fixing sleeve, between which locking devices are arranged, so that the cable slack can be eliminated when the sliding sleeve is slid in the fixing sleeve.

Abstract: A hydraulic unit for an electronically controllable brake system of a vehicle includes a housing block with mounting faces for instance for an electric motor and an electronic control unit; a plurality of connections for hydraulically contacting the block; and installation chambers, for pump elements, valves, and damping devices. These damping devices are connected hydraulically downstream to the pump elements, in order to damp operation-caused pressure pulsations and noises. Installation chambers (18i-k) for the damping devices and the installation chambers (18a-h) of the valves extend to a common mounting face of the housing block intended for mounting the electronic control unit. The damping devices protrude past this mounting face.