Abstract: A shim for insertion between the base of a machine and a support for the machine to adjust the spacing therebetween, which machine and support are secured together by bolt means extending between the base and the support, includes a body portion and a pair of leg portions integral with the body portion and extending forwardly therefrom to a front end of the shim. The leg portions define between them a bolt-means receiving slot extending rearwardly from the front end of the shim. Each of the leg portions has a front edge at the front end of the shim, which is inclined inwardly toward the slot and rearwardly. When the shim is inserted between a machine base and a support, and advanced toward bolt means extending therebetween, engagement of either one of the front edges of the leg portions with the bolt means causes the shim to move into a position of alignment of the slot and the bolt means for reception of the bolt means in the slot.

Abstract: A caliper assembly for a sliding caliper disc brake of the open back type wherein the brake pad assemblies are positioned on opposite sides of the brake disc by a pair of washerhead bolts which pass at their free ends through bores in one side wall of the caliper for threaded engagement with nuts and which pass adjacent their head ends through radially outwardly opening slots in the other side wall of the caliper with the washerhead portions of the bolts received in counterbores which are formed in the outer face of the other caliper side wall and which communicate with the slots in that side wall.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for adjusting the relative position of at least two parts. A first movable member has two bores formed therein with a frusto-conical portion formed at one end of the bores. A second fixed member has a pair of threaded apertures formed therein. The apertures in the fixed member have a distance between their axes different from the distance between the axes of the bores. Threaded cams are disposed within the bores and apertures so that rotation of the threaded cams causes an adjustment force to be applied to the movable member.

Abstract: An expansible support for supporting a heavy industrial machine or the like on a foundation. The support comprises base and support members engageable with the foundation and machine, respectively, and an expansible annular member connecting the base and support members and defining an enclosed expansible chamber therebetween. Pressurized fluid is pumped into this chamber via an inlet port to expand the support to bring the base and support members into load-bearing engagement with the machine and foundation. The annular member is designed to permit the base and support members to move out of parallel with respect to one another for full face-to-face contact with nonparallel surfaces on the foundation and machine.A method of using a plurality of such expansible supports to support a heavy industrial machine or the like is also disclosed.

Abstract: The caliper (52), in the form of a closed frame surrounding the fixed support (50), incorporates at least one axial reinforcing member (3) joining two axially separated zones (1, 2) of the caliper by passing through them and extending radially beyond the periphery of the disc (53). The reinforcing member incorporates a head (4), which is received within a complementary recess in the first zone of the caliper (1), and a threaded end cooperating with first and second locking and tightening elements, cooperating with each other (for example a locking nut 5 and a removable washer 10) of which the first elements is lockable on the threaded end so as to give, together with the second element, a predetermined tension to the reinforcing member, the second element being capable of being selectively disengaged to allow the reinforcing member to be separated (by tilting or longitudinal displacement) from the second zone (2) of the caliper.

Abstract: A non-displaceable, self-righting shim for use in any application where critical alignment is required of adjacent vertical elements. The shim presents an elongated central opening including a large upper portion and a small lower portion, and a slot having an exit end communicating with the central opening and an entrance end at the perimeter edge of the shim. The weight distribution of the shim relative to the large upper portion is such that the shim will hang in a normal upright position with the small lower portion and the slot below the large upper portion. The arrangement assures positive placement of the shim once installed; avoids loosening and fall-off of the shim which may be caused by thermal expansion and contraction of the shimmed element and/or by vibrations associated with the adjacent vertical elements; and eliminates the need for holding the shim in position while securing the fastener.

Abstract: The invention disclosed and claimed herein relates generally to a new and improved X-ray beam apparatus having an adjustable collimator device and more particularly to an X-ray apparatus in which the collimator device can be readily removed from the X-ray tube device of the apparatus and relatively easily adjusted relative to the X-ray tube device.

Abstract: A brake wear adjuster is mounted within the bore of an actuator piston having a snap ring at the entrance of the bore. The adjuster includes a spring holder having a uniquely configured washer that is seated in a groove in the outer surface of the holder. A spring is carried about the holder between the washer and a flange at the opposite end of the holder. A pin having a mounted swage and a deformable swage tube are carried within the bore of the spring holder, the swage tube being movable with the holder while the pin and swage are stationary. Upon hydraulic fluid pressure being applied to the piston, the snap ring engages the washer and it in turn compresses the spring as it moves through the distance established in the groove. An occurrence of disk wear in the brakes causes the piston and holder to move further drawing the swage tube over the swage. Upon release of the pressure, the spring moves the washer and snap ring and thus also the piston to a retracted position to disengage the brake disks.

Abstract: A screw member having a plurality of heads by providing one or more thin neck portions to be sheared at a predetermined torque, in which a collar having a skirt portion with its one part being cut away is fitted on the thin neck portion from the lateral side to expose the outer head part alone and to engage the cap member fitted from the side of the bearing surface of the inner head part of the screw member, and the cap member is inserted between the skirt of the collar and the inner head part to thereby prevent the collar from slipping out.

Abstract: A nut and washer unit for attachment of a plumbing faucet or fixture permits rapid and easy mounting at a supporting structure. The nut is placed on the shank before the faucet or fixture is dropped through the mounting hole. A C-shaped washer is positioned from below, between the nut and the mounting structure. An axially separable coupling between the nut and washer achieves initial placement of both parts at the mounting structure by simple hand rotation of the nut. Final clamping is achieved by engagement of wings formed on the washer, rotation of the washer causing corresponding rotation of the nut and, hence, advancement of both parts into clamping position.

Abstract: A two-piece complementary retaining clip is used to locate and position the end of a shaft passing through a housing. One portion of the clip features a hollow interior including an edge used to engage the shaft. The second portion of the clip fits within the first part of the clip and included edges complementary with the interior edges of the first part of the clip. The second clip also engages the shaft. A removable fastener, attached to the housing, is inserted between the first and second parts of the clip. The fastener anchors and holds the two clips in place.

Abstract: An assembly which may be mounted on a shaft such as a rod, bolt, or the like. The assembly includes a first member which comprises at least two segments and a retainer or locking member which interlocks with the segments when the segments are placed around the shaft to retain the segments on the shaft. The retainer also comprises at least two segments such that the first member can be used on a shaft on which the ends are non accessible.In the illustrated embodiments, the first member is a nut, and, after positioning on the shaft, the nut can be rotated and tightened in the manner of any conventional nut.