Abstract: Vibration damper, in particular a shock absorbing strut, with an essentially U-shaped decompression stop boundary bracket, which bracket is fastened to a container tube, and in the event of a rebound of a vehicle axle comes into contact with a chassis-side support surface. The bracket includes a base plate with side walls, and the entire decompression stop boundary bracket is formed from a single bent component. The base plate is realized in a seamless manner and has a cutout which is adapted to the diameter of the container tube and acts as a positioning stop for the entire decompression stop boundary bracket.

Abstract: A brake lining wear indicator is attached to a drum brake shoe backing plate adjacent the brake lining. The indicator provides a visual gage dimension that assists in the determination of when the brake linings should be replaced. This determination can be made in a very short period of time without requiring a physical measurement of the thickness of the brake lining on each brake shoe.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a swing-away hitch for trailers, in particular the boat trailer market. Boat trailers are longer than the boats itself for towing purposes. When having to store the boat and trailer in a small space, the tongue with the hitch of the trailer becomes an obstacle. This invention allows a trailer to be parked in spaces that could only hold the size of the boat by swinging the hitch to the side. The design of this invention consists of sandwiching a tube (tongue of the trailer) between two plates with holes that align with tubular sleeves welded on opposite sides at the end of a hitch cover to convert it to a swing-away hitch. Pins are inserted to mount the swing-away hitch onto the swing-away hitch assembly. In a towing position, both pins stay in their sleeves. In a stowaway position, one pin is removed and the swing-away hitch swivels via the remaining pin away to the side of the trailer.

Abstract: In order to obtain a brake caliper for a disk brake which is light and at the same time resistant to bending, the caliper is manufactured from a metal-matrix composite material having embedded ceramic particles. In order not to have to carry out the necessary subsequent machining steps in the hard composite material, it is provided according to the invention that, at least in the area of the brake cylinder and the supply connection, the caliper housing is provided with one or several inserts made of an easy to machine material, preferably an aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A wheelbarrow contains a tray, a frame, two legs, two handles, two axle brackets, a wheel axle, and a wheel. The wheelbarrow also contains two spaced apart roll bars extending from the frame in a forward and downward direction to a point forward of the forward edge of the tray, then curving upward and extending vertically for a distance of at least about six inches. The upward curve of the roll bar is located below the wheel axle. The upward curve of the roll bar contacts the ground and forms a fulcrum when the wheelbarrow is raised at an angle of not greater than about 40.degree. and so that the wheelbarrow will balance in a vertical resting position on the vertical extensions of the roll bars if the wheelbarrow is released after being raised at an angle of not greater than about 70.degree..

Abstract: A mechanical actuator (40) for a disc brake assembly (10) to effect a parking brake application. The mechanical actuator (40) includes a housing (62) for retaining an end plate (56) which is rotationally retained in a bore (60) and connected to an end plate (48) which is axially retained in the bore (60). End plate (56) is connected to end plate (48) by a plurality of pivotal connecting rods (50,52,54). The connecting rods (50,52,54) each have an end retained in indentations (74,76,78) in end plate (56) and indentations (75,77,79) in end plate (48). An input applied by lever (46) causes end plate (48) to rotate about an axis (70) of bore (60) and connecting rods (50,52,54) to pivot about indentations (74,76,78) and since end plate (56) is rotationally restrained the force from connecting rods (50, 52,54) is translated into an axial force component which moves end plate (56). The force component varies as a function of angle of rotation of end plate (48).

Abstract: A security apparatus for a shopping cart having a plurality of casters has a braking member rotatably mounted on a wheel axle of one of the wheels. The braking member is movable between a raised position spaced above the ground surface and an operative position contacting the ground surface, and has a portion projecting radially outwardly from the outer peripheral rim of the wheel at least in the operative position so as to lift the wheel from the ground and impede rotation of the wheel. A locking device releasably locks the braking member in the raised position, and is released by a trigger device in response to a signal from a signal system extending around an area in which carts are to be retained, at which point the braking member rotates into the operative position.

Abstract: A controllable vibration apparatus having an electrical connection to a controllable valve made through a single-strand electrical conductor. In one embodiment, the piston and rod are preferably used as the source of ground or return electrical path. An axially compressed sealing element provides radial sealing against the conductor. An accumulator including a flexible diaphragm provides separation of fluid and accumulator chambers. In magnetorheological (MR) fluid dampers, a special sealing system including a relationship between piston rod surface finish and particle size is provided. A surface treated metal bushing is used with a lip seal to prevent escape of fluid and support side loads. The controllable valve can be formed from top and bottom pole pieces spaced from an outer ring to define a passageway. The pole and ring are preferably secured together by non-magnetic bridging elements. Preferably, the coil assembly is configured with integral axially-extending pins for ease of connection.

Abstract: An Alpine pair ski (1) comprises a flat first sliding surface (2) and lateral surfaces (6a, b) provided with an approximately continuous concave sidecut between a first transition line A-A' defining the transition from a main section to a front section (3) and a second transition line E-E' defining the transition from the main section to a rear section (5), the course of a lower lateral edge (7a, b) between the transition lines A-A' and E-E' approximating a continuous curve. The sole on both sides of first sliding surface (2) comprises additional sliding surfaces (4) which extend upwards from the edge of the first sliding surface (2) to the lower lateral edges (7a, b) of the ski with an uplift (H.sub.s) whose value at a point on the lower lateral edge (7a, b) of the ski is given by the length of the perpendicular from this point to plane of the sole.

Abstract: A hydraulic bearing, having a working chamber filled with a damping fluid and a compensating chamber. The chambers are separated from one another by a dividing wall and are in fluid communication with one another via a damping channel, to damp low-frequency vibrations. The damping channel is formed by two subchannels which, in terms of technical function, are arranged in a series connection. The subchannels are arranged axially on both sides of a diaphragm that is capable of vibrating. The diaphragm forms a component of the dividing wall, and the diaphragm is provided with a channel separation and has at least one opening within the channel separation for fluid communication of the subchannels with one another.

Abstract: A container with an inside surface and a mass mounted for oscillation in the container with a pair of bellows in the container each having a bias spring therein and a removable end to expose the interior of the bellows to exchange the spring for easy tuning of the damping characteristics and a plurality of balls, one each positioned in a plurality of troughs around the periphery of the mass proximate the ends there to bear against the inside surface so as to provide low friction oscillation of the mass in the container.

Abstract: An electromagnetic hysteresis brake is provided with a two-part pole ring with an inner and an outer pole ring part (5, 6) and a field coil (10) and further provided with a rotating ring (3) made of a permanent-magnetic material, the ring (3) projects into an annular air gap (11) of the pole ring which is formed between the inner and the outer pole ring parts (5, 6), at least one of the air gaps (12) of the brake is adjustable.

Abstract: A dolly type apparatus, which would include a body portion having four wall portions, and defining a substantially rectangular opening therein, into which a typical spine board may be slid into the opening.

Abstract: A foldable mechanism for use in a stroller enables a user to fold the stroller by only a single foot while both of the user's hands are not available. In addition, the user is also able to fold the stroller by a single hand with a switch mounted on a handle of the stroller through a traction element which is securely connected to a retainer of the foldable mechanism, thus while either the switch or the foldable mechanism is being operated by the user, the other one will also be moved because the traction element is connected therebetween.

Abstract: A board for sliding over snow, or snow board, incorporating a non-plane synthetic top layer with elevated central part. The snow board is provided with lateral reinforcing members whose height is less than that of the board. The reinforcing members receive the multiple feet of a rigid platform in the form of a low table and intended to receive the bindings. At those spots, the lateral edge elements preferably present wider portions. Corresponding recesses are made in the shell, each adapted to receive a conjugate foot of the platform. The feet of the platform are preferably high enough for the platform to rest on the edge elements of the snow board only by its feet.

Abstract: A brake actuator having a mechanical actuating member (3) with an automatic adjusting device (5) to compensate for wear associated with friction members (6a,6b). The adjusting device (5) has a variable length created by an elongated nut (7) and a screw (9) which are urged in an unscrewing direction by a force from a spring (16) which is prestressed within a retention member (17). The retention member (17) has a first end which engages a second plate (14) and a second end which engages spring (16) to define a caged structure, The spring urging the elongated nut (7) into engagement with a first plate (12) and the first plate (12) into engagement with the second plate (14). A cylindrical sleeve (18) has a radial collar (18a) which is trapped between the spring (16) and second end of the retention member (17) to slidably engage the second end (7b) of the elongated nut (7) for guiding the second end (7b) into alignment with screw (9).

Abstract: A vehicle having a horizontal transport platform or bed with steps mounted within the horizontal platform. The vehicle comprises a horizontal platform supported three to four feet above ground by wheels. The platform is reinforced by longitudinal I-beams. In accordance with the present invention, a rectangular opening is provided at the rear of the platform. The opening is positioned between adjacent longitudinal I-beams. The opening contains one or more steps that descend from the level of the horizontal platform to just above ground level. The steps are within the perimeter of the platform. To maximize transport area on the horizontal platform, a cover is provided for the platform opening. The cover is attached by a hinge along one side of the rectangular opening in the horizontal platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling two hydraulic transmission lines to one another is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first coupling member and a second coupling member. The first coupling member comprises a body having first and second passages. The first passage extends from the connection to the first line to the second passage. A plug is movably positioned in the first passage for selectively opening and closing the first passage between the first line and the second passage. A first and second passage similarly extends through the second coupling member, and a plug is movably positioned in the first passage for selectively opening and closing the first passage between the second line and the second passage. The first and second coupling members are selectively joinable via a sleeve extending between the second passages thereof.

Abstract: A braking system for an automotive vehicle is provided which comprises, in combination, a wheel having a specifically-defined wheel rim for mounting a tire thereon, and a specifically-defined disc carrying the wheel rim for mounting the wheel upon a wheel support of the automotive vehicle. A cylindrical support is secured to the wheel. Radially-inwardly facing arcuate brake lining structures are secured to the cylindrical support. Brake shoes are mounted upon a non-rotatable part of the automotive vehicle in spaced positions around the rotational axis of the wheel support. A pressurized-fluid operating system of a specifically-defined structure is provided for moving the brake shoes in a braking action radially-outwardly from inactive positions towards, and frictionally-engaging, the brake lining structures, and for returning the brake shoes radially-inwardly to the inactive positions upon termination of said braking action.

Abstract: Axial and rotational movement of the torque tube foot of an aircraft's disc brake assembly is restrained to substantially dampen or eliminate the short interval high frequency vibration previously experienced on brake application. Restraining means is employed to restrain the torque tube foot and includes an annular flange member mounted to the axle by an axle sleeve and positioned adjacent a first side of the torque tube foot to stop lateral movement of the torque tube foot in the direction of the first side. Wheel spacer means is also provided containing a cylindrical passage for mounting the wheel spacer means to the axle opposite the annular flange member and on the opposite side of the torque tube foot.