Abstract: A vehicle suspension member such as a spring leaf or plate (50) is provided with at least one discontinuity therein that extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis ("L/A") extending therealong between opposite ends thereof and is effective to divert crack propagation in a direction generally parallel thereto. The the discontinuity(s) are provided by methods that include compressing an elongate member (10,12) having enclosed voids (12,16) extending along its central region in one embodiment or by compressing an elongate member (26) having a plurality of enclosed voids (28) extending along its length in another embodiment or by compressing an elongate member (41) having opposite sides (43,43') that, in cross-section, have a concave shape, in yet another embodiments.

Abstract: A wireless taillight system is provided having a taillight module (150) removably mountable on a vehicle such as a wagon (125) being pulled by a farm tractor (100). Module (150) has at least one signal lamp illuminable by a wireless control signal transmitter module (200) having a power source carried thereby that along with module (150) is preferably operable to transmit a feed-back signal to transmitter module (200) to provide the operator with information concerning one or more of: (i) the condition of the signal lamp; (ii) the condition of the power source powering the signal lamp and; (iii) whether a function selected by an operator has in fact occurred.

Abstract: Processes are provided that in one embodiment provide scribe or scratch marks (16) in the outer surface of an internal combustion engine valve stem (12) that are oriented at an acute angle (alpha) to the central longitudinal axis ("C") of valve stem (12) to promote stress planes that reduce the amount of stress arising in valve stem (12) from bending and reciprocating tensile forces "F" acting thereupon during operation of the engine. In another embodiment two sets of such scribe or scratch marks (26 and (28) are produced that intersect each other to provide a cross-hatch pattern and in yet another embodiment circumferentially spaced scribe or scratch marks (40) are produced in the outer surface of valve stem (36) that are substanially parallel to axis "C" and effective to reduce surface area engagable with a surrounding surface (60) of an insert (58) through which valve stem recirprocates during operation of the engine and to enable maintenance of an elastohydrodynamic lubrication film therebetween.

Abstract: A gear retainer (200) is provided that features a thrust washer (54) that is secured in a transverse groove (40) in a transmission mainshaft (3) for rotation therewith and extends outwardly therefrom into a groove defined between a radially outwardly extending second surface (50) and a retainer ring (58) disposed in a slot (47) in an axially extending first surface (46) defining a recess (42) in a floating mainshaft gear (20encircling mainshaft (3). Gear retainer (200) is operative to limit axial movement of gear (20) and to transmit axial thrust to mainshaft (3) that may have been imparted thereto by a clutching mechanism (24) during the process of clutching gear (20) to mainshaft (3). In another embodiment a gear retainer (300) is provided that includes a spacer (62) between ring (58) and thrust washer (54) that is secured for rotation with gear (20) and is operative to increase contact surface area between ring (58 ) and thrust washer (54).

Abstract: A single seal fluid control valve (100) is provided that has a guide member (12) secured within a chamber (34) of a body member (2) such that an outer portion of a sealing member (18) secured to an annular securement surface (21) of guide member (12) is compressed against an annular sealing surface (17) of a shoulder (26) extending from body member (2) into chamber (34) to prevent fluid leakage therebetween. An inner exposed portion of sealing member (18) is engagable by an enlarged head (16) of a pin member (31) that is guided by and reciprocally movable relative guide member (12) and operative to compress the exposed portion of sealing member (18) sufficiently to prevent fluid leakage therebetween when urged thereagainst by a biasing spring (20) when fluid pressure at an inlet (6) of body member (2) is less than required to overcome the biasing force.

Abstract: A combined hole cutting and chamfering tool is provided that in a preferred embodiment referenced by numeral (100) features a body member (2) having a lead section ("A") to which is secured a cutting bit (4) having a machining element such as a hole cutting edge (6). Spaced axially from section ("A") is a chamfering section ("B") having at least one chamfer machining element such as cutting edge (12) of a cutting bit (14) facing towards section ("B") and at least one chamfer machining element such as cutting edge (8) of cutting bit (10) facing away from section ("A") and closer thereto than cutting edge (12). Tool (100) is operative to cut a hole (18) through a workpiece such as a plate and then chamfer edges surrounding the hole on opposite sides of the workpiece from one side without having to remove tool (100) from hole (18).

Abstract: An improved braking mechanism (100) is provided for use in conjunction with a change gear transmission (50) that is selectively engagable with a vehicle engine (4) by a clutch (3). Mechanism (100) has a piston (22) slidably received in a primary fluid chamber (34) that is operative to cause mechanism (100) to act as an inertia brake upon establishment of a first set of predetermined operating conditions. Piston (22) is also slidably received in a secondary fluid chamber (36) that is operative to cause mechanism (100) to act as a hill holding brake upon establishment of a second predetermined set of operating conditions.

Abstract: A motor vehicle countershaft type transmission (100) is provided in which a rotary shim member (200) is employed to rotationally advance through a threaded opening (39) in an external cover plate (38) to engage and minimize end-play of the countershaft to the extent desired and then be releasably locked at the selected rotational position by a retainer (40) having one end that engages a depression (30) in the exposed end of shim member (200) and an opposite end that is releasably secured to cover plate (38).

Abstract: A system is provided for conveying fluid lubricant forwardly to lubricate a forward bearing support member (26) of a vehicular tandem axle assembly (100). The system includes a first open-sided trough (38) in to which the fluid lubricant is deposited by a differential gear assembly (14). Trough (38) is in fluid communication with a second open-sided trough (40) that slopes forwardly and downwardly to the center line of bearing member (26) and is effective to enable the fluid lubricant to flow towards and lubricate bearing member (26) while the vehicle is ascending an incline.

Abstract: Provided is an improved multi-speed compound change gear transmission having an auxiliary section (14) that includes a conventional single fluid chambered splitter gear piston assembly (46) for selectively coupling either a range gear (6) to an output shaft or a splitter range gear (62) to an input shaft of section (14). Section (14) also includes a range piston assembly (48) for selectively coupling a splitter gear (78) or the splitter range gear (62) to the input shaft. Assembly (48) features a pair of tandem fluid chambers (66 and 68) that enable a reduction in the diameter of the fluid chambers from the diameter of the singular chambered piston chamber heretofore used so that at least range piston assembly (48) is able to be protectively enclosed by an auxiliary section housing (50).

Abstract: A vehicle suspension member such as a spring leaf or plate (50) is provided with at least one discontinuity therein that extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis ("L/A") extending therealong between opposite ends thereof and is effective to divert crack propagation in a direction generally parallel thereto. The discontinuity(s) are provided by methods that include compressing an elongate member (10,12) having enclosed voids (12,16) extending along its central region in one embodiment or by compressing an elongate member (26) having a plurality of enclosed voids (28) extending along its length in another embodiment or by compressing an elongate member (41) having opposite sides (43,43') that, in cross-section, have a concave shape, in yet another embodiment.

Abstract: Provided is a hill holder system operative to prevent a vehicle such as a truck having a fluid operated brake system from rolling backward down an incline or to assist an operator in braking when descending an incline. The system utilizes a control signal (C) provided by a central processing unit (10) operative to instruct a brake control valve (22) to close the brake balve exhaust port(s) (27) to maintain the brakes in an engaged condition whenever a selected speed condition such as vehicle ground speed is below a predetermined value. In other embodiments, selected vehicle drive train conditions such as either or both throttle and clutch position are processed in combination with the selected speed signal to effect braking in the manner desired.

Abstract: A process (50) is provided that operates to convey a contaminated oil/water emulsion metalworking fluid (2) under pressure through an ultrafilter membrane (12) to separate a substantial amount of oil (14) therefrom that is then emulsified with a predetermined amount of water having an electrical volume resistivity of at least about 3000 ohm-cm to provide a reconditioned oil/water emulsion for use as a metalworking fluid.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for machining processes involving the generation of frictional heat in which the workpiece is contacted by a coolant whose viscosity progressively increases with decreasing temperature and by a pressurized fluid that, upon expansion while undergoing a reduction in pressure, absorbs heat and cools the coolant and increases its viscosity to provide a consistency that enhances its lubricity to minimize the generation of frictional heat during the machining process while enhancing conductive heat transfer into the machining tool.

Abstract: A push-in fastener (50) is provided having a base portion (4) having a threaded aperture (11) for receiving a threaded member (8) therethrough and from which a pair of spaced-apart resilient legs (14,14') extend that are configured to contract towards each other sufficiently to be received through an opening (16) through a workpiece (12) and then expand to secure fastener (50) thereto yet have respective free-ends (18,18') that are lockingly engaged together by a tab (20) in one of legs (14,14') to prevent warpage and undesirable movement in the legs (14,14').

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of a mechanical transmission start control system are provided which employ a central processing unit (10) operative to process signals indicative of throttle foot pedal position (26); engine speed (20); transmission input speed (14); and transmission output speed (16), and to control either or both the degree of clutch or friction coupling and brake engagement in a manner predetermined to provide smooth start-up when vehicle speed is less than a predetermined value "K".

Abstract: A ring gear (50) is provided with a plurality of substantially evenly circumferentially spaced posts (10) that extend radially inwardly and are adapted to carry rotary differential pinion gears (12) whose teeth are adapted to meshingly engage the teeth of side gears (18) and (18') respectively secured to the ends of axially aligned spaced-apart axle shafts (20) and (20') to provide a motor vehicle differential gear assembly (100) that enables ring gear (50) to float relative axle shafts (20) and (20') in the space therebetween.

Abstract: An anchor bracket (100) is provided for securing return springs (36) and (36') in close proximity to a cam (32) of a rotary drum brake assembly (200). Bracket (100) has an inverted "U" type configuration comprising a bridging portion (40) from opposite sides of which extend legs (42) and (42') that are spaced apart from each other and have a height sufficient to enable the close proximity between cam (32) and bracket (100) that operates to increase mechanical advantage in enabling return springs (36) and (36') to move a pair of brake shoe assemblies (20) and (20') towards each other upon release of the brakes by an operator.

Abstract: A pivot assembly is provided for providing a pivot point for positioning a vehicular headlight mounted on a movable frame relative to a fixed frame. The assembly comprises a ball stud (50) that is secured to a selected one of the fixed and movable frames by a retainer clip (60) that has an edge (28) that engages a transverse annular groove (10) in ball stud (50) to prevent axial movement and has at least one resilient arm (24) having a free-end 26 that engages one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced grooves (14) that are in substantial transverse relationship to annular groove (10) and that cooperate with free-end (26) to prevent ball stud (50) from rotating.

Abstract: Provided is an improved fluid operated clutch control system having a latch member operable to lock the clutch in a selected condition of engagement or disengagement when the fluid pressure falls below a predetermined minimum value. In one embodiment a system (100) is provided in which a latch member (26) is controlled by fluid pressure in a channel (36) in a stationary wall housing (10). In another embodiment, a system (200) is provided in which a latch member (62) is controlled by the combination of fluid pressure sensed by a sensor (64) and the energization and de-energization of a solenoid (60) and, in yet another embodiment, a system (300) is provided with a latch member (62) that is controlled by the energization and de-energization of a solenoid (60).