Abstract: The bait locating device for accurately positioning bait adjacent a particular fish to be caught. The device comprises a floatation member for causing desired floatation of the device, an attachment member for attaching the device to a suitable weighted member, via fishing line, to drag or sink the device to the bottom of the body of water and a spacer for spacing the bait a sufficient distance away from the floatation member. A method of locating bait adjacent fish is also disclosed in this application.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for electronically controlling an automatic transmission in which the torque transmission is reduced when the engine throttle setting and vehicle speed are below a threshold. The transmitted torque causes the vehicle to creep slightly, warning the driver that a gear is engaged. The slant and load of the vehicle are taken into account for controlling the drive torque.

Abstract: A bridging coupling is actuated by an annular piston to which the converter's internal pressure is applied on one side thereof in an opening direction and a closing pressure is applied in the closing direction. The closing pressure is controlled by a precontrolled regulating valve depending on the output pressure of the converter and on a control pressure that depends upon further operating parameters. With the coupling open, the closing pressure in the closing pressure chamber remains below the internal pressure of the converter by a specified value. This ensures that the bridging coupling responds quickly and can be precisely regulated within narrow tolerances. In addition, only relatively little power is needed for the regulation.

Abstract: An illumination device for illuminating an object to be observed, by a machine vision camera of the like for example, with a continuous diffuse wide angle light which is supplied both along the viewing axis of the machine vision camera and off axis. The diffuser of the present invention is tilted with respect to the observation axis so that the diffuser is not viewable by the object to be observed. This provides better uniformity of the light which illuminates the object. A second diffuser may be utilized to provide illumination of the object with light of reduced intensity.

Abstract: A container (1) for a lubricant has a cap (31) for sealing of one end (50) of a cylindrical tube (2). The cap shows a bottom (32), from the periphery of which extends in an axial direction a circumferential interior collar (36), which abuts the inside of the tube end and has a double function, namely a sealing function and a second function as a plunger for feeding out the tube contents by the use of a device such as a plunger rod of a pistol-like tool as known per se. To this purpose, the delimitation edge of the interior collar (36) which is turned away from the bottom connects to a bridge (39) located within a radial plane and leading to an exterior collar (40) which is concentric with the interior collar and surrounds the tube end together with the interior collar and the bridge. This cap is provided with a groove-like circumferential weakened part (38) permitting release of the bottom (32) during the transition to a plunger function.

Abstract: The invention provides a dispensing module for dispensing multi-part adhesive from a multi-component cartridge utilizing a standard caulking gun. The dispensing module comprises a piston actuator and a module housing which when assembled with a standard multi-component cartridge and inserted into a standard caulking gun allows the components from the multi-component cartridge to be dispensed.

Abstract: An automatic performing system includes a performance information transmitting unit and a performance information receiving unit. Performance information is transmitted from the performance information transmitting unit to the performance information receiving unit. The transmitting unit waits for returned performance information from the receiving unit and compares the returned information with the transmitted information. If the returned information is determined to be unequal to the transmitted information, a retransmission command is transmitted to the receiving unit, thereby prohibiting the receiving unit from using incorrectly received performance information and ordering the receiving unit to wait for the next transmission from the transmitting unit. Thus, correctly received performance information is processed on a real time basis.

Abstract: A damper unit for a piano is provided in which the position of a hammer stop rail for contacting the hammer shanks before the hammers strike the strings can be changed from an inoperative retracted position to a stop position with a relatively small drive force and the hammer stop rail is firmly and reliably positioned at the stop position. Stop rail support arms for supporting the hammer stop rail are connected, via linkage mechanisms composed of links and lever arms, to a rotary shaft. By pulling a wire that is connected to the rotary shaft, the rotary shaft is rotated, such that the hammer stop rail can be positioned, via the linkages, at the stop position and the retracted position, in which the hammer stop rail does not contact the hammer shanks. As compared with the conventional damper unit, the position of the hammer stop rail can be changed with a relatively small drive force.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved blasting media which has a lattice fiber structure which is used as a carrier for other desired components. Desired abrasive component(s), polishing component(s) and/or absorptive component(s) are attached to the strands of the carrier components in order to form a plurality of individual, discrete granules which are readily propellable by conventional blasting equipment against the surface to be treated. The latticed fiber carrier component has improved integrity over prior art media carriers as it is not prone to readily break down during use and thereby facilitates regeneration of the blasting media once the effectiveness of the media has been substantially reduced.

Abstract: In a servo steering unit which is designed particularly for motor vehicles, a pinion in a steering housing meshes with a steering rack. A steering valve which serves to control the pressure medium for the servo steering unit has two inlet seat valves (10, 11) and two outlet seat valves (12, 13) whose closing members (14, 18) are displaced by actuating tappets (16, 17) depending on the rotation of a steering spindle. The outlet seat valves (12, 13) are open in the neutral position of the steering valve. The inlet seat valves (10, 11) can be actuated by the force of pressure springs (15) in the closing direction and are not opened until after closing of the associated outlet seat valve (12, 13). The pressure springs of both inlet seat valves (10, 11) on one side press against the actuating tappets (16, 17) and on the other side press constantly on the closing member (14).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing supported conductive networks which can be flexible or rigid, having densely packed circuits. The process and apparatus for making the conductive network involves forming a conductive material supported on a "dynamic pressure cushion" into a non-planar pattern defining the desired conductive circuits in relation to a fixed reference plane. The "dynamic pressure cushion" is a material having suitable viscosity and flow characteristics to flow out from under the conductive material as it is being formed and fill up any voids. To ensure that the "dynamic pressure cushion" properly flows without deforming the desired circuits, the die used to form the conductive material is provided with a material flow control grid and material expansion troughs. After forming the unwanted material is then mechanically removed in dimensional relation to the reference plane leaving the desired conductive circuits.

Abstract: A fluid spray jet drive system for a rotatably mounted turntable is described which includes a plurality of closely spaced. radially extending vanes depending from the turntable. A fluid spray jet is disposed below the turntable. The spray jet is substantially vertically aligned thereby directing a jet of fluid substantially vertically at the vanes. The fluid jet drive system, as described, provides a positive drive for slow rotation.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an ergonomical and practical, handle-equipped universal striking tool with exchangeable tool bits for use when center-punching, driving cotter pins and nail heads and driving in clips of various kinds, i.e. for such activities where today a hammer is used for striking a separate thumb-grip held object or separate, thumb-grip held tools. The problems with the earlier known technique are a.o. inferior accessibility, tool instability, inferior view, impact injury risks and overloading of the hand, and the problems of looking after a complete tool kit. This object is achieved in accordance with the present invention by a handle (1), which at least at one end is equipped with an at least in one plane pivotably arranged driver head socket (2), to which a driver head (3) is attached, said driver head socket being pivotably and lockably arranged in said handle.

Abstract: A conductive network, which can be flexible or rigid, can have self-aligning conductors which connect with corresponding conductors of other networks. The conductive network can be fabricated into densely packed contact clusters for use as electrical interconnectors or circuits. The contact clusters, which can be configured to substantially any shape, are the essential components of high density connector assemblies. The methods and apparatus for making the conductive network and cluster contacts are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for hydro-forming desired features into the walls of thin-walled objects such as small tubes. A mold is provided having an internal surface that is sized and shaped to support the wall of the tubing or other workpiece and defines cavities that correspond to the desired features. A fluid filled hollow needle having no O-rings or seals thereon is provided that has at least one opening therein for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to the inside surface of the tubing. The needle has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the tubing to form a small clearance therebetween when the needle is in the tubing. The clearance is sized to prevent any substantial leakage of fluid from the needle and provide a pressure drop in the clearance sufficient to maintain the pressure of the fluid, at the portions of the wall to be deformed, high enough to deform the wall, while also facilitating insertion and removal of the needle into and from the tubing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-stage reversing gear (1) that is changeable under load, especially as used in construction machines. The gear has a four-speed transmission (3) preferably fitted downstream of a changing set (2). The gear ratios can be changed via synchronous clutches (24, 25). To achieve compact construction, idler gears (11, 12) of the changing set (2) permanently engage with a fixed gear (14) of the transmission (3). The fixed gear (14) is fitted on a countershaft (15). The drive pinions (16, 17 or 20, 21) of the gear ratios are arranged to the left and right of the fixed gear (14) in relation to the longitudinal section of the reversing gear (1).

Abstract: A child safety seat has a seat body, a support structure, a first releasable coupling for connecting the support structure to a motor vehicle and a second releasable coupling for connecting the seat body to the support structure. The support structure includes an upwardly facing abutment surface positioned above the seat portion of an adult vehicle seat and in front of the backrest portion thereof, when the first coupling is engaged. The second coupling is arranged to hold the seat body in rigid abutment with the abutment surface on the support structure either so that the seat body is facing forwardly in the vehicle or so that the seat body is facing rearwardly in the vehicle.

Abstract: In a piano mechanism, the sound volume can be effectively controlled without changing the feel of the key or tone quality. A hammer regulating button projecting from a hammer rail contacts the upper face of a catcher just before a hammer strikes a string. By restricting the string striking movement, the volume of string striking sound is controlled, irrespective of the mechanical operation of a jack or other associated transmitting components responsive to the key depressing. No cushioning material is required between hammer and string. In a piano having an electronic sound source built therein, even when the keys are depressed, the hammer can be stopped from striking strings by the provision of a hammer shank stop rail and a catcher regulating button. Therefore, without generating a string striking sound, sounds are generated from the electronic sound source. By manually turning an adjusting screw of the catcher regulating button, the position of the hammer when stopped can be adjusted.

Abstract: A vehicle driveline including a control system subject to operator demand, and a continuously-variable-ratio transmission including a variator of the torque-controlled type in which the control system includes a performance "map" of optimum relationships between engine torque and speed over a range of values of those two quantities, and in which the control system regulates both the energy input to an engine and also the reaction torque at the variator so as to seek a state in which the mapped optimum relationship between engine torque and speed is maintained. The variator may be of the toroidal-race rolling-traction type, reaction torque within it being regulated by controlling the operating force applied to the variator rollers.