Abstract: Disclosed is a shift control (60) for operating an automatic engine transmission from a remote location preferably by means of a flexible cable (12) that is adapted to prevent an operator from shifting from and through a neutral position (N) while the engine speed is above a predetermined value. Shift control (60) has a control arm (2) that when moved in opposite directions in a plane along a frame (3) to various gear positions is operable to rotate a plate (26) having an arcuate extension (28) having an opening (32) therethrough through which a pin (34) is able to extend and prevent movement of arm (2) when the engine speed is above the predetermined value and which in a retracted condition preferably maintains a sliding contacting relationship with extension (28).

Abstract: An automatic slack adjuster (60) employs a drive member (22) having a helical groove (28) into which a pin (42) extends from a fixed frame (10) to transfer a rotational torque to a reaction member (30) secured to an adjustment nut member (12) for rotating and enabling nut member (12) upon application of the brake to advance a thrust member (2) threadingly engaged with nut member (12) a distance sufficient to maintain a substantially constant clearance between a frictional layer (5) and a surface (6) to be braked. An engagement means such as frictional layer (33) is disposed between drive member (22) and reaction member (30) and groove 28 is provided with an inclination angle (.theta.) such that the combination enables slippage to occur between members (22) and (30) upon engagement between surface (6) and frictional layer (5).

Abstract: A holographic method for determining rotational effects upon either gear of gears (1, 2) of a gear set having respective mutually orthogonal rotational axis (C.sub.1, C.sub.2). Particularly, a holographic recording medium or element 12 is secured to gear (1) so that is rotates in synchronization therewith about axis (C.sub.1). Gear (2) is illuminated by a pulsed collimated light beam (L) emitted from a source (14) such as a laser. Beam (L) is reflected from gear (2) as object beam (0) substantially parallel to axis C.sub.2 and means such as a semi-reflective mirror 16 having a slit (18) is provided for directing a reference beam (R) and object beam (0) towards element (12). Development of element (12) after exposing it to beams (R and 0) at two different rotational conditions provides interference lines (f.sub.1, f.sub.2) enabling a viewer of the holographic image of gear 2 to determine the effect of rotation thereupon.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic brake adjustment assembly (50) for maintaining a desired disengaged clearance (c) between a frictional brake lining (17) and a moveable object to be braked. Assembly (50) includes a cam member (2) that is moved in opposite axial directions upon the respective engagement and disengagement of the brake by the operator causing a cam follower (10) to move a nut (16) in corresponding opposite axial directions which in turn is threadingly engaged with and operates to move a piston (18) in opposite axial directions along a frame (24) and accordingly cause brake lining (17) to move towards and away from the object to be braked.

Abstract: A tactile load sensing transducer for providing a continuous electrical readout indicative of the contact and the location of the load on a load receiving plate substantially simply supported by a plurality of reaction supports on the member. Each reaction support includes a member having a preferably integrally formed connecting portion of reduced transverse section so as to be substantially incapable of resisting moments generated by load plate deflection. Each support preferably has a generally "L" shaped configuration with the preferably integrally formed plate connecting portion formed adjacent the free end of one leg of the "L" so as to create bending strains in the support. Strain gages are provided on each support to sense the bending strains therein and, the gages on each support are connected in a common Wheatstone bridge to provide an indication of the reaction load on the support.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic slack adjuster (50) for maintaining a substantially constant clearance (C) between a braking member and a rotatable braking surface in a brake released condition between a braking member (8) having a frictional layer (1) and a rotatable braking surface (12) of the type including an elongate power screw (2) having threads (4) threadingly engaged with threads of a rotatable nut member (6). Clearance (C) is maintained upon application of the brake by an operator by means of an adjustment member (16) that is preferably in splined engaged relationship with nut member (18) and causes nut member (6) to rotate and advance braking member (8) in a clearance correcting direction upon application of the brake of an operator by means of a drive train driven by power screw (2) preferably comprising a first drive means (20) integral with power screw (2), rack means (22), second drive means (24) and third drive means (34) operably engaged with adjustment member (16).

Abstract: Disclosed is a stroboscopic method of determining the quality of meshing between respective teeth of two or more gears. By way of example, a method is disclosed by which a standard is established by directing an adjustable pulse rate light beam (L) from a stroboscopic light source (18) towards a region (R) generally encompassing the location of meshed engagement between respective teeth (6; 8) of a pair of gears (2, 4) rotating at a predetermined rpm that are selected on the basis that they possess degree of mesh engagement quality desired for such gear pairs.

Abstract: A load plate is rigidly supported by a central pedestal strain gaged for bending about a central axis. In one embodiment, the pedestal is mounted to the center of a yoke bar supported by two legs strain gaged for comprehensive loads only the sum of which is indicative of the magnitude of the plate load. The legs are supported by base webs strain gaged for bending about a central axis orthogonal to the axis of pedestal bending. The output of the bending strain gages enables determination of the coordinates of the load location on the plate from the central axis axes.In a second embodiment, the pedestal is supported by a block rigidly attached to the end of a cantilevered member extending at right angles from the pedestal. The cantilever member is strain gaged at two longitudinal stations for reading the differential of the bending strain to thereby determine the shear loading, or plate tactile load.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical shifter (80) for use with a hydraulic transmission (62) of the type employing a clutch and having first and second valve members (C, D) that in the same and opposite open and closed conditions provide at least one range of gear ratios for driving an output member such as an engine drive shaft (64). Shifter (80) includes a control arm (9) positionable by an operator along a frame (10) that includes a pin (24) operated by an actuator (32) which extends into an arcuate cam opening (22) in frame (10) operative to prevent arm (9) from being moved from a highest gear ratio of a first range of gear ratios beyond a lowest gear ratio of a second range of gear ratios without disengagement of the clutch.

Abstract: An improved rotary transducer (60) featuring a rotary member (2) rotatably mounted in a housing (4). Member (2) is preferably provided with a section (8) adapted to enhance measurement of stresses or other parameters of interest imposed upon member (2) under operating conditions preferably by means of one or more strain gages (32) forming one or more legs of a wheatstone bridge preferably mounted on member (2). Excitation voltage for the wheatstone bridge and/or the output voltage therefrom is delivered across an electromagnetic field between a magnetic stator member (16) fixed to housing (4) and a rotor member (18) secured to member (2).

Abstract: Enclosed is a removable fastening assembly (80, 82, 84, 86) that can be secured to and removed from the same side of an opening in an article such as a plate (10) or the like into which an externally threaded member such as a screw ("S") is to be received by compressing opposed spaced-apart contracting means (18, 18', 58, 72) towards each other exposed on the side of the fastener facing away from the article opening (38) to cause a compressible member (16, 16', 56, 68) disposed on the side of the fastener facing towards the opening to contract sufficiently to be received into the opening with at least a portion thereof pressing against opposite sides of the wall of the fastener surrounding the opening with sufficient force to secure the fastener to the article upon release of the compressive force.

Abstract: An improved lash adjuster assembly (100) of the type featuring a plunger member (20) reciprocally moveable within a bore (44) of a body member (2) and operable to reduce back lash in a drive train of an engine valve member wherein assembly (100) includes a retainer member (66) having a side wall (74) secured to body member (92) and having radially inwardly projecting section (76) having at least a portion thereof dimensionally adapted and of sufficient resilience to minimize impact between a shoulder (68) of plunger member (20) as well as enabling plunger member (20) to be removed from body member (2) without having to remove retainer member (66) from securement thereto in addition to enabling greater reciprocal travel of plunger member (20) relative body member (2) during operation of assembly (100) particularly due to softening of at least section (76) of retainer member (66) at elevated engine temperatures.

Abstract: Disclosed are two embodiments (40, 50) of a self-locking prevailing torque fastener featuring a common base portion (2) having an aperture (4) therethrough for receiving a threaded member that is at least partially surrounded by means such as a warped helical edge (6) for engaging the threads of the threaded member. Fasteners (40, 50) are provided with a pair of spaced-apart resilient torque arms having respective sections (8) that respectively extend downwardly from opposite edge of base portion (2) to sections (10) that extend upwardly to sections (12) that extend through respective openings (14) in each to respective free-ends (16) that are adapted to press against opposite sides of the threaded member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a brake shoe assembly (40) for frictionally braking a moveable member such as a wheel of a motor vehicle. Assembly (40) includes a frictional liner (8) that is removeably secured to a support member (2) that is adapted to move liner (8) towards and away from the member to be braked. Liner (8) is removeably secured to member (2) by means of at least one retainer (34) having a base portion (10) in embedded securement in liner (8) from which at least one pair of spaced-apart legs (12) extend towards support member (2) and through corresponding openings (4) therethrough to respective ends (14) thereof that are adapted to facilitate removal of liner (8) for replacement or repair.

Abstract: A reservoir height extender for a lash adjuster assembly (150) comprising an inverted hollow insert member (60) disposed in fluid reservoir chamber (42) within a plunger member (40) of assembly (150). Plunger member (40) is reciprocally moveable within a bore (38) of a body member (36) having a first fluid passageway (48) adapted to receive fluid from a fluid source and which communicates with a second fluid passageway (46) in plunger member (40) adapted to enable the fluid to flow into fluid reservoir chamber (42). Insert member (60) is displaced from a wall of plunger member (40) surrounding chamber (42) for a distance sufficient to provide a third fluid passageway (68) therebetween which communicates between passageway (46) and an opening (64) through insert member (60) that is higher than passageway (46) and which enables a substantial increase in the level of fluid within reservoir chamber (42).

Abstract: A strain gage type load sensor having a central disc with a plurality of radially outwardly extending spokes each having the ends thereof flexurally attached to an outer annular reaction portion by means of a pair of oppositely directed beams extending from the spokes at right angles thereto for flexually suspending the central disc from the annular portion. A plurality of upstanding posts supporting a common block. The beams and posts are strain gaged for sensing bending loads. In another embodiment, two central discs are stacked axially with each suspended by connection of the spokes to the annular reaction portion. A first group of strain gages is disposed at mid-radius of the spokes for sensing radial tension and compression strains in the spokes. A second group strain gages is disposed at the inner and outer spoke ends for sensing bending strains in the spokes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-contacting liquid measurement system (60) preferably adapted to provide an averaged measurement in suitable units of measure of liquid (2), such as fuel, in a pressurized or unpressurized tank (4), such as a vehicular fuel tank, having an irregular shape such as irregular shaped bottom (6). The irregularity of bottom (6) results in variations in depth of liquid (2) across tank (4) that are accounted for by disposing a plurality of conduits (10, 12 14) in an array across tank (4) predetermined to provide the accuracy of measurement desired. Conduits (10, 12, 14) have respective ends (16, 18, 20) immersed in liquid (2) as close to bottom (6) as practical and are operable to provide respective liquid pressure signals (P.sub.1, P.sub.2 and P.sub.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for controlling both cruising speed and engine idling speed of a vehicle. The system includes an electronic control module that controls an actuator (100) having a moveable member preferably in the form of a gear rack (6) that is pivotably mounted to an intermediate member (8) that is operably connected to the engine throttle and adapted to move in opposite directions along a frame (2) of the actuator. The actuator is provided with means, preferably in the form of an idle speed control switch (34), for sensing when the throttle is being controlled by the operator and causing the control module to switch its output from a second control signal to a first control signal and feedback means, preferably in the form of a differentiating switch (47), for determining an idle speed pick-up position for the moveable member that is more than the desired regulated engine idle speed position but not more than the operator selected cruising speed position.

Abstract: A system for calibrating a strain gage transducer mounted on a rotating member comprising a mechanical switch capable of making contact from a stator to selected terminals on the rotor to provide both positive and negative shunt calibration of the transducer. In a first embodiment, calibration is carried out while the rotor is stationary, providing a simple, cost effective calibration system for most applications. In a second embodiment, special terminals permit contact while the rotor is in motion. In a third embodiment, simultaneous calibration and gage measurements are possible while the rotor is in motion providing a means of continuous correction which is especially advantageous in applications where the rotor is subject to a rapidly changing environment.

Abstract: The performance and condition of a tool, workpiece or machine tool is sensed during machining operations by securing a single or plural strain gages to the tool holder. To increase the sensitivity of the strain gages on stationary tool holders, the tool holders are contoured to provide locations of higher strain in which the strain gages are attached. A single or plural strain gages are positioned to sense the combined effect of different strains such as axial thrust and torque and are electrically connected to provide a single Wheatstone bridge output "signature" which may be monitored to detect a defective operation. In rotating tools, the single "signature" output greatly reduces the coupling equipment such as rotary transformers and also reduces the monitoring equipment. A unique arrangement of a single strain gage or alternatively a plurality of gages enables monitoring of both torque and thrust simultaneously.