Abstract: Drive unit for motor vehicles having an internal combustion engine (1), which, via a first clutch (3) can be coupled to a first input shaft (4) in a gearbox (5), and an electric machine (8), the rotor (10) of which is drivably coupled to a second input shaft (12), and can be coupled, via a second clutch (11) to the crankshaft (2) of the internal combustion engine. The second input shaft is a hollow shaft which can, via a transmission (27, 28, 29) with a third clutch (30), drive the crown wheel (26) in a differential (23) built together with the gearbox.

Abstract: A traction control apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle simultaneously sets an equal control amount &Dgr;VWRL=&Dgr;VWRR for brake devices on the side of rear-left and rear-right wheels if at least one of the rear wheels is driven with a low grip degree. Thereby the slip tendency of the rear wheels is weakened, and the behavior of the vehicle is shifted in a stabilizing direction.

Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle has a selectively engageable four wheel drive system. The system has dedicated rear wheel drive and selectively engageable front wheel drive. The front wheel drive is engaged within the differential housing. A differential input shaft extends into the differential housing. A stub shaft is journaled for rotation within the housing. A sleeve slides relative to the two shafts and couples the two through a coupling configuration. The coupling configuration results from the externally splined ends of the two shafts and the internally splined surface of the sleeve. The positioning of the sleeve is controlled by a shift fork. The shift fork is moved by an actuator in response to a signal produced by a control unit. A switch allows an operator to instruct the control unit when to engage and disengage the front wheel drive system.

Abstract: A rear wheel steering apparatus is disclosed which comprises a pair of threaded members which are threaded in a direction opposite to one another, a pair of slide members engaging with the threaded members, respectively, and movable toward and away from one another due to reverse thread action, a steering shaft for steering a pair of rear wheels, and an electric motor for rotating the threaded members to move the steering shaft coupled to one of the slide members toward one of the rear wheels for thereby steering the rear wheels.

Abstract: A steering damper has a flow passage control valve for switching and connecting among a pump, a tank and left and right chambers in a power cylinder in correspondence to a steering operation, and left and right cylinder passages (3, 4) for connecting to the left and right chambers. The steering damper is provided with left and right damper portions (10A, 10B) having variable throttle valves (6, 7) arranged in the middle of the respective cylinder passages and limiting an inflow to the flow passage control valve from the power cylinder and pilot operated check valves (8, 9) connected thereto in parallel and allowing an inflow from the flow passage control valve to the power cylinder. A pilot plunger (30) arranging them at positions close to the respective passages and sliding between the left and right damper portions is provided.

Abstract: A muffler is provided for use in a pneumatic hand tool having a handle with an exhaust passage. The muffler includes an inner tube, an outer tube, an upper plate, and an end cap. The inner tube is located within the outer tube, with one or more openings being provided in each. The upper plate is located near the inner tube and is provided to close off the exhaust passage so that a majority of the exhaust air is directed into the inner tube during use. The end cap attaches to the handle for closing off the exhaust passage, but for one or more exit openings. During use, exhaust air enters the inner tube, flows out its penguins, flows out the outer tube openings, and flows out the exit opening in the end cap. The tortuous path slows the exhaust air and assists in dampening exhaust noise.

Abstract: A safety ladder stand comprising a generally rectangular base having a front and rear and a center beam, a plurality of stair treads extending upward from the front of said base and means for supporting said stair treads secured to said base, front wheels mounted at the front of said base and beneath the top of said stair treads; center wheels mounted on said center beam of said base, and rear wheels mounted at the rear of said base, and a set of feet mounted on the front of said base; wherein said ladder stand has an activated position wherein said front and center wheel sets are in contact with the ground to enable said ladder stand to roll and said rear wheels and front support feet are not in contact with the ground, as well as a deactivated position wherein the front and center wheel sets are not in contact with the ground and said rear wheels and front support feet are in contact with the ground to prevent said ladder stand from being rolled; and means for moving said ladder stand from said deactivated

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a portable ladder which has essentially parallel side members, the apparatus comprising having a pair of arcuate arms for attachment to the upper end of each side member of the ladder, at least one resilient roller mounted on a corresponding axle or axles located between and/or outwardly from the arms, means to locate each arm on each side member and means to secure the arms to the side member, the width of the roller being at least 50% of the distance between the arms. Also provided is a ladder fitted with the above apparatus. A ladder fitted with the apparatus enables easier working for a workman working at the top of the ladder and reduces possible damage to the surface on which the top of the ladder rests.

Abstract: A scaffolding frame comprising two parallel posts which are connected by two traverses arranged perpendicularly with respect to the posts. The lower traverse is removably suspended on suspension knobs on the posts. The suspension knobs have a connection which is essentially T-shaped in cross section, whereby the lower traverse has angled brackets at its ends, each of which has a recess therein, which in the upper region is the same as or insignificantly wider than the shank of the T-shaped connection, and in the lower region is the same as or insignificantly wider than the head of the T-shaped connection. The connections extend in the mounted state of the traverse through the recesses. The brackets each have on the outwardly facing surface above the recesses a flange which rests on the upper side of the free end of the suspension knob.

Abstract: An elevator control device includes: a convertor which rectifies an a.c. power and converts the a.c. power into a d.c. power; an inverter which converts the d.c. power into an a.c. power having a variable voltage and a variable frequency; an electric motor which is driven by the a.c. power having a variable voltage and a variable frequency to drive an elevator; a power storing unit which is charged with an electric power; a required-power arithmetically operating circuit which calculates a required power of the elevator which is an electric power required for the operation of the elevator or an electric power caused by the operation of the elevator; and a charging/discharging control circuit which controls the charging operation or the discharging operation of the power storing unit based on the required power of the elevator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spot-type disc brake for automotive vehicle with a floating caliper (2) displaceably borne on a vehicle-fixed brake support (1) and bridging a brake disc as well as brake pads (7,8) arranged on both sides of the brake disc, where the brake pads (7,8) are axially displaceably guided in the brake support (1). To achieve a particularly radially rattle-free fixation of the brake pads (7,8) as well as the floating caliper (2) on the brake support (1), it is provided to support the floating caliper (2) on its, with respect to the vehicle, outside on the brake support (1) through the outer brake pad (7). To this end, the outer brake pad (7) is radially locked on the brake support (1), and the outer brake pad (7) itself on the corresponding housing leg (13).

Abstract: The guide member for enabling an associated mechanical part to be slidable and centered, includes a shank extending along a longitudinal axis. A circumferential portion of the external surface of the shank is provided with helical grooves, wherein the crests formed between respective pairs of adjacent turns of the grooves have a flat surface substantially parallel to the axis of the shank.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator subassembly for a vehicle brake with a drive, which is connected to an input side of a lever arrangement, wherein an output side of the lever arrangement is adapted to operate at least one friction element of the vehicle brake. If a vehicle brake of this kind is used as a parking brake, static preloading forces occur at the friction element. In order that these forces may still be taken up within the actuator subassembly, it is proposed that the lever arrangement be changed over from a service brake region, in which it is self-releasing, beyond its force reversal point into a parking brake position, in which it is self-locking. Various operating possibilities for an actuator subassembly of this kind and the use thereof in a vehicle brake are described.

Abstract: A damping device with variable damping force, including a cylinder, in which a piston rod is arranged axially movably, and an adjustable damping valve which is activated as a function of the compression travel of an axle part. The adjustable damping valve is activated by a generator device. The generator device includes an equidirectional device which causes an equidirectional regulating variable to take effect on the adjustable damping valve independently of the compression direction.

Abstract: A containment article, such as a luggage article, is provided which comprises a pair of substantially identical plastic shells which are hingedly connected to each other. The invention also includes an improved telescoping handle assembly for an article, such as wheeled luggage as well as a unique and novel safety latch for a containment article.

Abstract: A full type one-way clutch is provided which is superior in the responsiveness of the clutch without lowering the torque-transmitting capability. Rollers are received in a full type state in the space between an outer ring having inclined cam surfaces on the inner peripheral surface thereof and a rotary shaft. By engaging a spring for biasing the rollers in such a direction as to engage the cam surfaces in a groove formed in the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring instead of being disposed between the rollers, and keeping all the rollers in abutment with one another, it is possible to reliably and instantly transmit the biasing force of the spring to all the rollers without reducing the torque-transmitting ability and improve the responsiveness of the clutch.

Abstract: A clutch device includes a substantially annular input plate connected to a converter cover, a substantially annular output plate connected to a turbine hub so that the output plate is brought into contact with the input plate when the clutch device is engaged. The output plate has an inner toothed portion formed on its inner peripheral portion. A substantially cylindrical flanged portion is attached to the turbine hub serving as an output member. The substantially cylindrical flanged portion has an outer toothed portion formed on its outer peripheral portion and being in meshed-engagement with the inner toothed portion to allow axial sliding motion of the output plate relative to the substantially cylindrical flanged portion and to prevent relative rotation of the output plate to the substantially cylindrical flanged portion. A lubrication hole is formed in a bottom between two adjacent teeth of the outer toothed portion of the substantially cylindrical flanged portion.

Abstract: A thrust plate assembly for a motor vehicle friction clutch with automatic wear compensation includes a housing which is connectable to a flywheel for rotation jointly with the flywheel about an axis of rotation and a pressure plate arranged in the housing so that the pressure plate is fixed with respect to rotation relative to the housing and axially displaceable relative to the housing. An energy accumulator is supported between the housing and the pressure plate. A wear adjustment device having first and second adjustment elements is arranged in the support path of the energy accumulator. The first and second adjustment elements are pretensioned relative to one another for effecting a relative adjusting movement.

Abstract: A money handling method and device capable of automatically stopping the acceptance of old moneys depending on a circulating amount of old and new moneys. In a state that new and old moneys are judged as authentic and accepted by a coin type judgment unit, a switching condition decision unit compares an insertion state of new moneys with a condition stored in a condition value storage unit, and when the insertion state agrees with the stored condition, the coin type judgment unit returns the old moneys as counterfeit.

Abstract: A coin selecting apparatus is set forth which includes detectors adapted to detect a plurality of parameters of diameter, material and thickness of a deposited coin. A processor compares the detected data to stored data for an authentic coin to determine authenticity. The deposited coins are summed and compared to an amount set by a coding switch to be deposited. A display displays the amounts received and authenticated.

Abstract: A coin inspection method and a device which can inspect a coin with a high precision, by extracting a large amount of information from a sensor detection signal waveform. In coin inspection which is performed based on a detection signal waveform of a magnetic sensor disposed along a coin pathway through which the coin passes, a differential waveform of the detection signal waveform is determined, first information indicating a peak position of the differential waveform, second information indicating a value of the detection signal waveform at the peak position of the differential waveform, and third information indicating a value of the differential waveform at the peak position of the differential waveform are extracted, and the extracted first through third information are used to inspect the coin.

Abstract: A high speed manufacturing system for processing articles of manufacture requiring processes to be performed on the articles at a pre-selected processing rate includes a trunk for simultaneously conveying a plurality of the articles of manufacture at the pre-selected processing rate in a first mode of motion from the beginning of the manufacturing system to the end of the system. At least one branch processing station is positioned intermediate the beginning and the end of the trunk wherein the branch processing station during its operation performs at least one process on articles of manufacture conveyed on the branch processing station and where the articles are conveyed in a second mode of motion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for transporting and reorienting items between two locations. The apparatus includes first and second upstanding members each having a first end and a second end. The first and second upstanding members are joined together at the first ends by a third member to form a frame. A track is formed in the first, second and third members which defines a path which spans at least 180 degrees and a set of four sprockets interact with the track. A movable member is positioned within the track and is looped around the set of four sprockets. An integral carrier is secured to the movable member. The integral carrier includes first and second members each having a first end, and a third member affixed to the first ends of the first and second members to form a nonadjustable, approximately C-shaped configuration wherein the first and second members are permanently spaced apart from one another and aligned in a parallel relationship.

Abstract: Separating system for elongated objects provided in bulk such as brush bodies, especially toothbrush bodies, characterized by the combination of a proportioning device that delivers individual objects that have been separated from the group. The separating system according to the invention comprises a selective transport means that conveys several jointly delivered objects at varying speed, thus separating them.

Abstract: For steering a conveyor belt (11) and centring the same relative to the intended path of travel of the belt, use is made of a belt position detecting means (22, 23) and belt readjusting means (24). The belt readjusting means (24) is a belt support roller (24) which is adapted to engage and roll against the belt and which is pivotable relative to the belt. According to the invention, the belt position detecting means (22, 23) and the belt support roller (24) are arranged on a roller cradle (21) which is connected with a frame (29) by means of inclined links (30) for pivoting and setting the belt support roller (24) in a pivoting position, in which the belt support roller by engaging the belt exerts a readjustment force thereon.

Abstract: In a two-position pushbutton switch, a cushioning member is placed on at least one of first and second click springs, and the click spring is pressed via the cushioning member, thereby making a first press stroke long. A guide member is provided to guide the motion of a driving member. The driving member is slid along the guide member in the pressing direction of a key top.

Abstract: A switch device having uniform operability includes an operating member which is rockably stopped by a case, a rubber spring including four spring sections which are disposed at peripheral edges of the operating member inside the case, respectively, and three switches which are disposed in correspondence with three of the four spring sections. The spring sections are selectively actuated two at a time as a result of rocking the operating member in one direction. In the switch device, the spring sections are actuated and buckled by operating the operating member in order to switch the switches. In addition, the click ratio of the spring section which is not provided with a switch is greater than the click ratios of the spring sections which are provided with the switches.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power source breaker which can forcedly and surely isolate a power supply circuit in case of abnormalities such as short circuiting of a wire harness, collision of road vehicles, and also has a structure suitable for miniaturizing itself. Only by changing a rotation angle of the rotary axle 19 on the lock 18 which is assembled rotatable around the central axis of a rotary axle 19 along a plane perpendicular to the sliding direction of said shaft 16, both constraining the shaft 16, pushed by said release spring 17, at the initial position where a pair of the terminals 15a,15b intervened in a power supply circuit is set in the connected state with each other and moving the shaft to the isolated position where a pair of the terminals 15a,15b intervened in the power supply circuit is set in the released state.

Abstract: A push-on switch comprising an insulating resin case 21 which contains a main body 24, viz. a central fixed contact point 22 and an outer fixed contact point 23 fixed on the back wall of a front-open recess 21A; a domed movable contact 27; and an operating body 29 supported by a cover 30. The case 21 has an overhang 25, which is stretching horizontally from the case in the upper part for a size greater than the size of main body 24. The overhang 25 is provided with terminals 26 electrically coupled with the central fixed contact point 22 and the outer fixed contact point 23, respectively. In the above-configured switch, the constituent parts are simple-formed, which can be manufactured through easy mold machining or other processing methods.

Abstract: The pulsating electric field (PEF) treatment system for preserving fluid products by means of a pulsating electric field comprises at least one electric supply source and at least one fluid flow path including at least one fluid treatment unit. The treatment unit comprises at least two electrodes which are each provided with a number of wires composed to form a net. Between the wires of the net fluid flow-through openings are formed. A surface stretched by the net is directed at least substantially perpendicularly to a fluid flow direction of the fluid flow path at the location of the net. The pulsating electric field is highly homogeneous.

Abstract: A system for adjustment of the anode-cathode spacing in an electrolytic cell for the production of chlorine and soda comprises (FIG. 4) a liquid mercury electrode (2) disposed on the bottom (3) of the cell (100) and a plurality of anode electrodes (4) supported in transverse lines by mobile frames or subframes (11), adjustable in height, driven by means of respective lever systems (13) disposed between said groups of anodes (4) and an upper fixed frame (16) of the electrolytic cell (1), the lever system comprising a pair of levers (13) hinged at the fixed frame (16), the point of application of resistance thereof being connected to a respective subframe (11) and the point of application of force being connected to means of application of force (19, 20) supported by the fixed frame (16).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a unique electrochemical cell stack which employs an electrically conductive pressure pad. The pressure pad is composed of material compatible with the electrochemical cell environment and is disposed on the high pressure side of the membrane assembly, in intimate contact with the high pressure side screen pack.

Abstract: A mirrortron sputtering apparatus for sputtering on a substrate includes a vacuum chamber for placing therein a pair of targets spaced apart from each other with inner surfaces thereof facing each other and outer surfaces thereof positioned opposite to the inner surfaces, and magnets respectively disposed closer to the outer surfaces of the targets for forming a magnetic field between said pair of targets. The magnetic field has a magnetic field distribution with a peripheral region having a high magnetic flux density and a center region having a low magnetic flux density. In this arrangement, the substrate is set alongside a space between the pair of targets as facing said magnetic field.

Abstract: An electrodialytic method and device for the simultaneous production of acids and bases of high purity and higher concentration operates by splitting corresponding salts in aqueous solution using an electrolysis cell. The electrolysis cell includes a cathode chamber in which an alkali is formed, a salt chamber for supplying a salt to be split, an acid chamber in which the acid is formed, and an anode chamber through which a mineral acid flows as a proton carrier. The anode is a hydrogen-consuming electrode. The method and device are preferably used in the production of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide solution.

Abstract: A method of plating for filling via holes, in which each via hole formed in an insulation layer covering a substrate so as to expose, at its bottom, part of a conductor layer located on the substrate, is plated with copper, to be filled with the plated metal, the method comprising the steps of forming a copper film on the top surface of the insulation layer covering the substrate, and the side walls and bottoms of the respective via holes, immersing the substrate having the copper film formed in an aqueous solution containing a plating promoter to thereby deposit the plating promoter on the surface of the copper film, removing the plating promoter from the surface of the copper film located on the insulation layer and leaving the plating promoter on the side walls and bottoms of the respective via holes, and subsequently electroplating the substrate having the copper film formed with copper to thereby fill the via holes with the plated copper and simultaneously form a continuous copper film which eventually c

Abstract: The invention relates in general to a method of electroplating substrates where at least a portion of the substrate is coated with a solution containing a flhn forming amine and sufficient acid to produce a pH of less than 6.5. The acid helps to clean the surface of the substrate, and the film forming amine forms a film on the surface of the substrate. Electroplating proceeds with greatly improved speed and efficiency, especially in low current areas.

Abstract: A non-carbon, metal based slow-consumable anode of a cell for the electrowinning of aluminum self-forms during normal electrolysis an electrochemically-active oxide-based surface layer (20). The rate of formation (35) of the layer (20) is substantially equal to its rate of dissolution (30) at the surface layer/electrolyte interface (25) thereby maintaining its thickness substantially constant, forming a limited barrier controlling the oxidation rate (35). The anode (10) usually comprises an alloy or iron at least one of nickel, copper, cobalt or zinc which during use forms an oxide surface layer (20) mainly containing ferrite.

Abstract: An integrally-formed coin holder formed of plastic material has a generally V-shaped structure, in end view, and resiliently flexible arms to permit coins to be packaged in and removed from the coin holders. The coin holder has a series of open pockets, which provide a multiple-point support for the coins in the holder and a perfect coin count every time. The coin holder may also comprise a plurality of coin holders preformed or joined to form a composite unit. A coin collecting tray having a plurality of fins extending upwards from a trough spaced in correspondence with the pockets of the coin holder provides a fast efficient way to collect and sort coins for insertion into the coin holder.

Abstract: A cigarette pack is described which is made from a thermoplastic film. In addition, an opening device for opening cigarette film packs made from thermoplastics and a process for the production of an opening device are described.

Abstract: A protective furniture shipment and storage bag is formed as an envelope comprised of inner and outer transparent film layers with protective cushioning foam elements sandwiched therebetween at opposite ends of the envelope to define a furniture viewing window longitudinally between the foam elements. Such bags are fabricated by sandwiching foam elements in spaced relation between two essentially coextensive transparent film layers, folding the sandwiched components along the longitudinal fold line, and heat sealing or otherwise attaching the folded film layers and foam elements at the opposite ends to form the aforedescribed envelope.

Abstract: A packaging container for photosensitive film has a detent locking and unlocking feature that provides light-tight closure of the container compartment to protect the product from the penetration of light. A protuberance formed in the container compartment interlocks with a notch formed in the closure for preventing axial movement of the closure. The interlocked protuberance and notch form the light-tight packaging container.

Abstract: The cardboard box for containing and dispensing large quantities of wire, especially metal wire for welding, comprises a cubic external container with an open top side, an octagonal-base internal container, fitting snugly into the external container and being destined to contain a coil of wire, and a bag-type wrapper made of a flexible airtight material, which is interposed between the external and the internal containers so as completely to cover the internal container and able to be closed and sealed there-upon.

Abstract: A plant packaging system comprising a combination of a protective sleeve portion and a decorative cover portion having a base and skirt for packaging a potted plant. The protective sleeve can be detached from the decorative portion of the package system once the protective function of the sleeve has been completed, thereby exposing the decorative cover and allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base. The protective sleeve and decorative cover components may comprise a unitary construction or may comprise separate components which are attached together by various bonding materials.

Abstract: A money holder for facilitating the giving of paper currency as a gift includes a body having two covers hingedly connected to a spine. The money holder further includes an arrangement for adhering a stack of paper currency to the body so that a currency stack may be held intermediate the two covers when the body is in a closed condition. The amount and denomination of the currency may be determined by the gift giver. When the body is in an open condition, the receiver of the gift is provided selective access to the paper currency, which may be detached from the body one bill at a time.

Abstract: A stacked container array has at least a first and a second container each having a closure having a recess on which a portion of the other container is seated for nesting. The recess has a dimension that enables the closed base of the other container and a portion of the upright standing side walls supporting the closed base to nest thereon with minimal translation movement.

Abstract: In a storage case 10 for enclosing a memory card, for example, there is provided a storage case which can reliably be prevented from being smudged by dusts and can reliably be prevented from being dropped unintentionally and which is also easy to handle.

Abstract: A process for reducing content of sulphur compounds and polyaromatic hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon feed having a boiling range between 200° C. and 600° C., which process comprises in combination contacting the feed and hydrogen over a hydrotreating catalyst and hydrotreating feed at hydrotreating conditions, cooling the hydrotreated effluent and hydrogen-rich gas from the hydrotreating reactor contacting said effluent and hydrogen gas over a hydrotreating catalyst in a post-pretreatment reactor at a temperature sufficient to lower the polyaromatic hydrocarbon content.

Abstract: A process for transforming a gas oil cut into a dearomatised fuel with a high cetane number comprises at least one first, deep desulphurisation and deep denitrogenation step in which the gas oil cut and hydrogen are passed over a catalyst comprising a mineral support, at least one group VIB metal or metal compound, at least one group VIII metal or metal compound, and phosphorous or at least one phosphorous compound, and at least one subsequent second step, dearomatisation, in which the desulphurised and denitrogenated product from the first step is passed with hydrogen over a catalyst comprising a mineral support and at least one group VIII noble metal or noble metal compound.

Abstract: An electronic parts conveying apparatus reduces damage to electronic parts (e.g., chip-type electronic parts) and stabilizes the positions of the electronic parts during a conveying operation. The conveying apparatus has a conveying table having, on its entire outer-peripheral section, concave storage slots formed with identical pitches that store the electronic parts in series. The conveying table also has air holes, each of which passes through a respective concave storage slot. One end of the air hole terminates in an opening disposed on an inner-circumferential side surface of the concave storage slot. The other end of the air hole communicates through a selector valve with a negative air pressure source, which generates negative air pressure suction applied to suction the electronic part into the concave storage slot. The hole is also connected with a positive air pressure source, which generates air pressure to eject the electronic part from the concave storage slot.

Abstract: A filter device for filtration of fluids with extraction of a filtered sample fluid from containers and tube conduits for measuring purposes, the filter device has a closed fluid circuit including at least one first filter element, a fluid pump, a second filter element arranged so that a sample fluid is suctioned via the first filter element out of a container or tube conduit and via the second filter element is pumped back into the container or tube conduit, or vice versa.