Abstract: A skate including a boot having a toe portion and a heel portion and wherein a first skate frame is attached to the heel portion and a second skate frame is attached to the toe portion wherein the frames move independently of each other from flexural movement of the boot.

Abstract: A locking device includes a cylinder chamber that is filled with a working medium and is divided by a piston into two working sections. A flow connection between the working sections is controlled by a check valve and a gate valve, which are arranged in parallel. When the check valve opens, dynamic pressure of the working fluid flowing through the check valve from one working section acts on a fluid contact surface of the gate valve and opens the gate valve. After it opens, the gate valve is kept in the open position by a pressure in a bypass past the check valve so that working fluid can thereafter flow through the fluid connection, regardless of the state of the check valve.

Abstract: In a brake hydraulic controller for controlling a hydraulic pressure from a master cylinder operative to a wheel brake, the controller includes a base, a normally open electromagnetic valve for connecting the master cylinder and the wheel brake, a reservoir, a normally closed electromagnetic valve for connecting the wheel brake and the reservoir, a return pump for returning hydraulic fluid received from the reservoir to the master cylinder, a damper, and a cover for covering the normally open and closed electromagnetic valves, the reservoir, and the damper with a surface of the cover. The cover includes a seal groove and a sealing member fitted to the seal groove for elastically contacting the surface. The brake hydraulic controller can minimize the number of parts required for waterproofing and reduce the number of manhours required for assembling.

Abstract: A brake shoe assembly includes a brake lining and a brake lining wear sensor. The brake lining has a predetermined thickness which gradually wears away as the brake shoe assembly is used to brake a vehicle. The brake lining wear sensor has a pair of spaced electrical conductors and an electrical resistance located across the pair of spaced conductors for indicating the thickness of the brake lining. The brake lining wear sensor is positioned to wear away concurrently with the brake lining, thereby continuously changing the electrical resistance across the pair of spaced conductors. In this manner, the electrical resistance across the pair of spaced conductors is used to determine the thickness of the brake lining. The brake lining wear sensor can be assembled in alternative embodiments as disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method for producing aluminum MMC rotors. The method comprises the steps of initially casting an aluminum MMC rotor casting having a central pilot aperture, cold forming the friction section, cold forming the mounting section, punching the central pilot aperture to remove excess aluminum MMC material, and then forming fastener apertures in the mounting section. In the step of cold forming the friction section a plurality of cylindrical rollers are pressed against each side of the friction section and the rollers are moved in a circumferential direction around the friction section to finish the friction section to the desired dimensions. In the step of cold forming the mounting section a plurality of cylindrical rollers are pressed against each side of the mounting section and the rollers are moved in a circumferential direction around the mounting section to finish the mounting section to the desired dimensions.

Abstract: An air actuator has a rigid piston at one end and a rigid housing and end cap at the other end with an intervening elastomeric flexible sleeve extending therebetween which forms a fluid pressure chamber. The rigid piston, elastomeric flexible sleeve, and rigid housing are all injection or blow molded as one integral piece of preferably a thermoplastic elastomer, while the end cap is injection or blow molded as a second integral piece of preferably a thermoplastic elastomer that is thereafter welded to the rigid housing to define an internal chamber that is pressurizable. The first piece consisting of the piston, flexible membrane and housing, is configured such that the walls of the housing and piston are thick and rigid while the walls of the flexible membrane are thin and thus flexible, thereby allowing the membrane to roll and bend such that the piston may axially move in relation to the housing.

Abstract: An improved braking apparatus having a jaw type clutch coupled to an electrical solenoid through a ball spline mechanism provides significantly greater braking capacity in a given volume than other types of braking devices. The ball spline is configured to significantly reduce the internal friction load which the electrical solenoid must overcome to apply or release the brake, resulting in a smaller physical size and current draw of the solenoid. The jaw clutch and ball spline are also configured to reduce or absorb shock loads on various internal components of the braking apparatus when the brake is engaged. By configuring the ball spline and jaw clutch to function as shock absorbers in addition to performing their primary functions, the need for separate elastomeric shock absorbers, etc., is eliminated.

Abstract: The noise created by a vehicle rotor is reduced by adjusting the natural or resonant frequency at which the rotor tends to vibrate. The resonant frequency is moved away from the frequencies of excitation of such sources as the brake pads and vehicle drive train components. The resonant frequency of the rotor is adjusted by manipulating the geometry and mass of the rotor by adjusting the number, size, shape, spacing and location of cooling vents formed in the hat section of the rotor. The resulting rotor exhibits improved vibrational control.

Abstract: A braking system for a drive mechanism for a hoist and similar operating motors used on heavy equipment. A rotor is fixedly mounted to a shaft of the drive mechanism. Actuators having brake shoes are mounted strategic to the rotor. The brake shoes are forced against the rotor by springs of the actuators to produce a braking action. The shoes are released from the rotor by hydraulic pressure compressing the springs of the actuators. Controls are provided to coordinate the action of the actuators with the function of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A spring and strut mount assembly for an automotive vehicle including a strut in the form of a shock absorber having a piston reciprocable within a cylinder, and a piston rod extending axially outwardly from the piston through a cap on an end of the cylinder. The assembly also includes a strut mount adapted to be secured to rigid frame structure of the vehicle. The piston rod is secured to the strut mount. A spring unit resists retraction of the piston rod into the cylinder. A jounce bumper of flexible compressible material is sleeved on the rod between the strut mount and the end of the cylinder. The jounce bumper is compressed axially by contact with the end of the cylinder when the piston rod strokes. A cup is provided to limit radially outward expansion of the jounce bumper when it is compressed by the end of the cylinder. The cup includes a side wall of plastic material surrounding the jounce bumper. The base of the cup is a metal washer.

Abstract: A steering gear housing part (112) has a tubular portion (184) with an annular inner end surface (188). The housing part (112) is constructed with reference to a corresponding hydraulic fluid power cylinder (114) so as to be receivable in an installed position in which the tubular portion (184) extends inward through an open end (182) of the power cylinder (114) in an interference fit with the power cylinder (114). When the housing part (112) is in its installed position, the inner end surface (188) of the tubular portion (184) abuts an annular hydraulic fluid seal (162) in the power cylinder (114).

Abstract: A brake mechanism is provided for use in braking an axle within an axle housing on an associated vehicle. The brake mechanism includes a brake stack, an actuation plate, a pressure plate, gears means for operatively connecting a brake pedal to the actuation plate and for indicating the wear condition of the brake mechanism.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle includes a fluid-filled cylinder having a closed end, a shaft extending partially into the cylinder, a valve attached to the first end of the shaft, and a power supply. The valve includes a valve piston and a bender. The valve piston includes at least one orifice extending therethrough. The bender is seated adjacent the orifice in the piston. The bender includes a piezoelectric material embedded therein. The piezoelectric material includes sides with conductive material disposed thereon. The power supply is attached to the conductive material across the piezoelectric material in the bender to apply a voltage across the piezoelectric material to change the stiffness of the bender. A sensor is also included for monitoring the displacement and velocity of the piston within the fluid-filled cylinder. The biasing force on the bender is changed on sensor readings according to predetermined logic sequence.

Abstract: A child's cycle is provided which is adaptable, as the child grows, between a tricycle configuration and a bicycle configuration, the cycle comprising a frame 4, 13, 14 with, in the bicycle configuration, a bicycle axle mounted on the frame and able to carry a rear wheel 8; and in the tricycle configuration, additionally a tricycle axle able to carry a second rear wheel, adapted to be coupled to the bicycle axle to form an axle 9 carrying two wheels, the axle being mounted on the frame. For this, one end of the bicycle axle is adapted for coupling it either to the frame or to the tricycle axle.

Abstract: A rigid reinforcement member extends longitudinally along the neck portion of the skate blade holder, to reduce stress and improve force transfer. The blade holder has a longitudinal slot running along the bottom thereof to receive a blade or runner, which is secured in the slot. At least one rigid reinforcement member runs along at last the neck portion, within the slot and above the runner, the slot being enlarged at the location of the reinforcement member(s) in order to accommodate the member(s). Preferably, the reinforcement member is in one piece, including an upper web portion and an integral channel with a cross section in the form of inverted U-shape beneath the upper web portion. The arms of U-shape run alongside the runner, one on either side of the runner, and the base of the U-shape lies against the top of the runner and follows the shape thereof. Preferably, the rigid reinforcement member is of a reinforced plastic composite material, although a metal could also be used.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing the unwanted extension of a hydraulic lock when the lock is subjected to relatively high dynamic loads. The lock includes a hydraulic cylinder having a piston slidably mounted therein. The piston is secured to a piston rod which passes outwardly through one end wall of the cylinder. The lock is placed in tension when the piston rod is being extended and in compression when the rod is being retracted. A flow channel is formed in the piston through which fluid is exchanged from one side of the piston to the other. A manually operated spring biased control valve is mounted in the flow channel which is normally held closed by a set spring. Fluid is allowed to flow when the valve is manually opened or when the lock is placed in tension by some external force that overcomes the biasing force of the set spring. A velocity sensitive restrictor is also mounted in the flow channel that closes the channel when the lock is placed in tension by a dynamic force above a predetermined velocity.

Abstract: A disc rotor for a disc brake which is designed to make it difficult to cause brake squeal includes inner and outer discs, and first and second radially extending long holes formed in the outer and inner discs. The angular intervals between the long holes are made to differ between the outer disc and the inner disc, and two vibration modes are produced to interfere with each other during braking operation by which the occurrence of a steady-state vibration mode is restrained. In addition fins are provided between the two discs, with the fins including several fins arranged to reinforce both the inner and outer discs.

Abstract: A damper mount assembly includes a lower plate that is substantially rigid and has a main body with a first end and a second end. The main body includes a first engagement surface near the first end and includes a support surface between the first and second ends. An upper plate is fixed relative to the lower plate and includes a central opening and a second engagement surface engaging the first engagement surface. A single attachment stud extends through the central opening connecting the mount to a vehicle body tower. A resilient cushion assembly is compressed between the upper plate and the lower plate and engages the support surface. The resilient cushion assembly carries a rigid structural insert that has a mounting opening and the rigid structural insert is movable relative to both the upper plate and the lower plate by deformation of the resilient cushion assembly.

Abstract: A gas spring/shock absorber unit (2) or so-called gas spring strut includes a gas spring (4) having a gas spring resilient member (6), a gas spring piston (8) and a gas spring cover (10). The gas spring strut also includes a shock absorber (12), which is arranged coaxially within the gas spring (4) and has a damper cylinder (14), a damper piston (16) and a piston rod (18). The gas spring strut is so configured that wear of the mutually movable parts (16, 26) is substantially precluded. For this purpose, an impact disc (20) is disposed within the damper cylinder (14). The impact disc (20) partitions the volume of the damper (12) into two component spaces (22 and 24). Pass-through openings (28, 30) for the piston rod (18) of the shock absorber (12) are provided in the impact disc (20) and in the piston plate (26) of the gas spring piston (18), respectively. The pass-through openings (28, 30) provide respective connecting gaps (32, 34) between the gas and hydraulic liquid spaces (6a, 22 and 24).

Abstract: A novel elastic bumper assembly put on an automotive vehicle or the like which includes an elastic bumper member adapted for repetitive cushioning against impacts, wherein the elastic bumper member is formed of a material selected from at least one of the group consisting of solid and foamed elastomeric materials. The elastic bumper member assembly further includes an insert member generally having a cup shape, the insert member having locking holes and dimples. The insert member is molded within the elastic bumper member. The insert member includes a locator projection which extends from the elastic bumper member. A fastener extends from the insert member through the elastic bumper assembly.