Abstract: An improved machine and method for automatically proportioning-out or measuring-out a predetermined quantities of a variety of selected products and feeding the predetermined quantities of product into the individual chambers of a multiple-chamber dispensing container. The multiple-chamber dispensing containers are fed by a conveyor that is driven by a stepper-motor, to the filling location. The filling cycle begins when an empty container is recognized by a sensing mechanism. The machine and method causes the measured products to be deposited simultaneously into all of the individual chamber of the multiple-chamber dispensing container. The cycle is completed at a predetermined time period after the container was recognized. When a cycle has been completed the conveyor is energized. The next cycle begins when the next container is recognized.

Abstract: A suspension unit for mounting an axle to the body of an automobile or a handle-bar to the fork of a bicycle or motorcycle. A pair of pistons (15, 29) operate in tandem in separate chambers (17, 31) having a compressible gas in spaces (21, 35) on one side of the piston and an uncompressible hydraulic fluid in spaces (19, 31) on the other side of the piston. One of the pistons (15) responds to external disturbances (caused by e.g. road bumps) to drive the other piston (29) against the compressible gas which responds resiliently to return the pistons to normal intermediate placements, thereby maintaining or recovering proper height of the automobile or′cycle parts. The hydraulic fluid spaces are communicated via constrictor passage to provide suitable dynamic dampening.

Abstract: Both limbs of the clamp (2, 3), which are pivotally arranged on the axis of a bearing, are rotated from a closing position into an open position and vice versa by an actuating device (12). The actuating device (12) can be displaced from a top end position (13) to a lower end position (14). The actuating device (12) exerts a closing or clamping force on the outer side (22, 23) of the limbs of the clamp (2, 3) in said lower end position (14). When the actuating device (12) is displaced to the top end position (13), an expanding element (15) arranged between the limbs of the clamp (2, 3) comes into contact with the inner side (24, 25) of the limbs of the clamp (2, 3) and exerts an opening force on the limbs of the clamp (2, 3) so that said limbs (2, 3) are swung at a large angle (&agr;) in their open position.

Abstract: The conveyor line (1) of a conveyor has a branching point (6) with a switch (7). This switch has a pivotable switching member (8) which in one position lies in this conveyor line (1) and in the other position connects this first conveyor line (1) with a second conveyor line (10). Preceding the branching point (6) is a retaining member (11) that can be inserted into the path of movement of the transport elements (2) conveyed along the conveyor line (1). This retaining member (11) can be used to hold back the transport elements (2) approaching the branching point in order to create room for changing over the switching member (8). The transport elements are independent of one another, which makes it possible, selectively and as required, either to move the oncoming transport elements (2) along the first conveyor line (1) or to divert them into the second conveyor line (10).

Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine in which a heated longitudinal seam sealer continuously forms a longitudinal lap seam along lapped edges of the tube being formed. This longitudinal lap seam sealer can be used in machines having conventional cross sealing jaws as well as in machines in which the cross sealing jaws move in the direction of the moving film during the cross sealing operation. The heated longitudinal seam sealer includes a wafer thin internal hot air dispenser that discharges hot air from both surfaces on the surfaces to be fused together. The heated longitudinal seam sealer also includes an external hot air dispenser that includes a plurality of hot air discharge jets through which hot air is discharges on the outer surface of one of the overlapped edges that not only provides necessary heat to cause fusion but also exerts sufficient pressure on the overlapped edge to insure proper sealing.

Abstract: Erosion or collapse of a stream or a river is prevented by mooring timber, stones, or the like with a longitudinal cable (steel cable) (1). Barrier-like members (3) such as timber and stones moored by using the longitudinal cable (1) are arranged substantially stepwise or parallel to each other on the ground near the eroded or collapsed place to prevent mountain landslides.

Abstract: A vehicle hood of the type disposed to open forwardly of said vehicle and pivot about a horizontal axis to expose an engine compartment thereof has a plastic composite exterior skin defining a portion of the engine compartment and including a forwardly located ambient air inlet to said engine compartment, and a generally vertical front reinforcement member bonded within the skin adjacent the ambient air inlet and having grillework integrally formed therein within the ambient air inlet, the grillework preferably being the only grillework. The front reinforcement further includes vehicle light housings integrally molded therewith and extending laterally to the fender area of the hood, the hood skin being bonded to the light housings. The light housings preferably receive both the headlight and the turn signal which are inserted through apertures in the exterior skin of the hood.

Abstract: A fluid conduit system especially for high pressure fuel connections in engines comprises an elongate tube having a fitting asssembly mounted at each end thereof. Each fitting assembly is identical to the other and includes a stepped outer diameter sleeve member having a larger diameter distal portion and a narrower proximal portion. A nut is slidably received about the tube and has a threaded bore therein which is of a diameter greater than the diameter of the larger diameter portion of the sleeve member and a proximal flange surrounding a reduced diameter bore having a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the narrower portion of the sleeve member but less than the diameter of the larger diameter portion of the sleeve member.

Abstract: A system for alerting the operator of a vehicle to potentially damaging motoring of the engine before such motoring actually occurs so that corrective action can be taken. A speed sensor senses rotational speed of the counter/input shaft of a manual transmission and operates an indicator that presents the alert to the driver. The alert is given with the clutch disengaged as soon as the transmission is placed in a gear that causes the counter/input shaft to operate at a speed that will cause potentially damaging motoring of the engine. Because the alert is given before the clutch is re-engaged, an opportunity is given to prevent the potentially damaging motoring.

Abstract: A speedometer/tachometer assembly for an automotive vehicle, such as a heavy truck, has a ten section DIP switch for calibrating the speedometer and a like switch for calibrating the tachometer. When set to all "0's", each switch causes the corresponding meter to be driven by a variable frequency signal from a corresponding sensor, as calibrated by a corresponding calibration factor that has been preloaded in the non-volatile memory of a microprocessor that operates the meters. When set to all "1's", each switch causes the corresponding meter to be operated from pre-calibrated data appearing on a data link. When set to any other setting, the setting determines the calibration factor that is applied to the uncalibrated signal, and this is used to drive the corresponding meter.

Abstract: A jump start stud assembly comprises a tin plated brass stud having a plastic insulating body molded around a medial portion thereof for mounting to the vehicle. The stud assembly includes a cylindrical cap which covers a jumper cable contact end of the stud and releasably engages an adjacent end portion of the insulating body. The stud assembly also includes a boot member which has one end thereof sealed against an insulator of a cable extending therethrough into electrical communication with the other end of the stud with the other end of the boot member engaging an adjacent end of the insulating body. The stud assembly thus formed provides a stud which may be completely isolated from the ambient environment when not in use.

Abstract: A passive mechanical damping system, particularly for the suspension of a cab from a truck frame, provides a minimal level of damping force to impede the free movement of a truck cab about its nominal height and also provides higher levels, progressively or in discrete steps, of damping as the movement of the cab exceeds preset limits of displacement defined by a lost motion connection to provide maximum vibration isolation while providing additional damping to control cab movement when the preset displacement limits are exceeded. The system provides a low rate viscous damper continuously connected between the cab and the truck frame and a high rate viscous damper connected therebetween through a lost motion connection.

Abstract: A device for sensing the speed of a rotating element in a vehicle replaces the practice of using magnetic wire coil pickup devices placed in close proximity to a rotating element, such as a gear. The main speed sensing component is a conventional three lead Hall effect device which produces a voltage each time it is exposed to the presence of a magnetic force which exceeds a predetermined value. The adoption of a device which produces the Hall effect introduces the complication of harmonizing the connection of the three leads of the standard Hall effect device with the connections conventionally found in existing installation of only two leads between the sensing unit and the controlled element. Transistor diode and resistive components mounted in the same housing as the Hall effect device provide a configuration entirely compatible with existing two lead systems.

Abstract: A hood tilt control mechanism includes a hood support brakcet having one hinge leaf attached to the chassis including a longitudinally extending slot for slidably receiving one end of a telescoping hood tilt assist mechanism and a second hinge leaf attached to the hood and providing a pivotal mount for the other end of the assist mechanism. The assist mechanism telescopes or extends respectively against the bias of opening or closing springs disposed adjacently on the assist mechanism so that when the hood is closed, the closing spring exerts a counterbalancing force on the hood to assist its opening. As the hood opens the closing spring force goes to zero and, as the hood moves to the open position, the opening spring is engaged by the mechanism to dampen the motion of the hood, ultimately stops the hood by interference of the spring coils, and counterbalances the hood weight in the open position to assist closing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an automotive vehicle having an engine and a modular air conditioning system wherein all of the receiver-drier, evaporator, and interconnecting refrigerant tubes, are mounted on the engine as discrete components to form a complete refrigeration loop, tested, and repaired, if necessary, prior to the installation of the engine and refrigerant loop together in the vehicle. The vehicle radiator is also mounted to the engine to facilitate the condenser mounting.

Abstract: The electrical system of a vehicle includes a primary voltage source for starting and operating the engine of the vehicle and an auxiliary voltage source for operating the electrical accessories of the vehicle, particularly when the engine is not operating, and a voltage differential monitor circuit for warning the vehicle operator of the existence of a low voltage condition of the auxiliary battery, such as resulting from an auxiliary battery charging system failure which could result in the inability of an electrical accessory to operate even when the engine is operating.

Abstract: A side view mirror adjusting system for vehicles of the type having inner and outer semispherical segments nested one within the other for restricted movement one relative to each other is provided with an electromagnet secured to the mounting bracket and operably coupled to the outer segment, an electrical power source coupled to the electromagnet, and an electrical switch arranged between the power source and the electromagnet operable to energize and deenergize the electromagnet for controlling the relative movement of the inner and outer semispherical segments so that the semispherical segments are locked against relative movement upon the energization of the electromagnet.

Abstract: In a hood for a conventional highway truck, induction air for the engine of the truck is drawn by the engine vacuum into the hood through air inlets therein at the upper corners of the grille opening defined by the front hood reinforcement to avoid the more severe road splash contamination. The air is drawn through several turns of ninety degree or smaller angle, including the inlets disposed perpendicularly to the path of travel, through a vertical duct adjacent the front reinforcement, a horizontal duct adjacent the fenders, a rear vertical duct, and the duct-defining rear reinforcement to a connection with the engine air cleaner. Both of the vertical ducts are provided with small drain holes adjacent their lower ends to permit heavier particles and water to drain therefrom. The ducts have been provided with large cross-sectional areas which, in addition to reducing air flow restriction, provide lower air flow velocity which further enables water and heavier particles to drop out of the air stream.