Abstract: A system for stroke identification of an internal combustion engine, comprising first sensor means for detecting given angles of a drive shaft; second sensor means for detecting given angles of a distributor shaft; third processing means for receiving signals from the first and second sensor means and for identifying the strokes on the engine; and on which the aforementioned second sensor means comprise a single sensor element.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for varying the inflation pressure in the tires of a vehicle in order to obtain an operator selected tire deflection. The system includes a source of pressure which is fluidly connected through an inflation valve to the tires which, upon actuation, increases the tire pressure. Conversely, a deflation valve is also connected to the tire and, upon actuation, exhausts fluid from the tires thus decreasing the tire pressure. A pressure sensor detects the pressure representative of the pressure within the tires and a further sensor detects the vehicle load while a switch arrangement allows the operator to select between at least two different tire deflection levels. An electronic control unit receives input signals from the pressure and further sensors as well as from the switch arrangement and selectively actuates the inflation or deflation valves until a tire pressure corresponding to the desired tire deflection is obtained.

Abstract: A system for feeding production and/or packing material onto manufacturing lines, which system has compartment for storing the material; guide tapes for mobile trucks traveling between a storage area and manufacturing lines. The guide tapes define routes selectively traveled along, in use, by the mobile trucks for transporting and feeding the material to the manufacturing lines. A computer controls the position and operation of the mobile trucks; and a number of mobile trucks having an independent electricity supply and designed to supply operating-arm units are connected at least temporarily to the mobile trucks.

Abstract: A non-linear position transducer for detecting the position of a valve controlling the rate of flow of air inducted to the cylinders of a heat engine comprising a first means for detecting the position of this valve, and second means coupled to the first means and operable to provide an electrical output signal in non-linear relationship with the position of the valve, and in which these second means comprise an electrical circuit having only passive components.

Abstract: A compound bearing consisting of an outer and an inner member movable relative to each other and between which are disposed load carrying annular members. The load carrying annular members comprise a pair of elastomeric rings held between the outer and inner members under compression, and a metallic ring insert disposed between and separating the two elastomeric rings. A narrow clearance is provided between the peripheral surface of the metallic ring insert and the inner surface of the bearing outer member, and between the metallic ring inner surface and the inner member peripheral surface. Normal loads are taken and absorbed by the elastomeric rings, while overloads and shock loads are taken by the metallic ring insert.

Abstract: A planetary gear type forward and backward drive switching apparatus, comprising a sun gear mounted on an input transmission shaft, a carrier mounting planetary gears meshing the sun gear and rotatable about the transmission shaft, a ring gear meshing the planetary gears and rotatable about the transmission shaft, and a friction brake mechanism for selectively braking rotations of the carrier and the ring gear, including a ring-formed main brake body having braking faces for acting on side faces of the carrier and the ring gear, the main brake body being shiftable axially of the transmission shafts for selectively braking the carrier and the ring gear, a clutch mechanism for selectively transmitting rotational outputs of the carrier and the ring gear to an output transmission shaft, and a control lever for controlling the forward and backward drive switching apparatus.

Abstract: A polarized signal receiver waveguide assembly, or feedhorn, for receiving a selected one of linearly polarized electromagnetic signals in one waveguide of circular cross-section and for launching or transmitting the selected signal into a second waveguide, the axes of the waveguides being disposed at right angle. The first waveguide has a closed end wall, formed as a hemispherical cavity having a hemispherical concave surface. A probe comprising a signal receiver portion disposed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the first waveguide and a launch or re-transmitter portion having its axis perpendicular to the axis of the second waveguide has its launch or transmitter portion mounted in a controllably rotatable dielectric rod, such that rotation of the rod causes rotation of the signal receiver portion for alignment with a selected one of the polarized signals.

Abstract: The device of the present invention discloses an electrical circuit which is electrically connected to a telephone line or data line between the telephone line or data line and the telephone set. In operation, the device continuously measures various electrical properties of the telephone or data line while a signal is passively generated on to the telephone or data line by simulating an on-hook to off-hook and back again condition of the telephone handset.

Abstract: There is disclosed an automotive floor mat having an integral retainer with retaining means provided substantially over the entire underside thereof mounted to a piece of automotive carpet which, in the preferred embodiment has only the scrim and tuftlock layers, with the bottom layer of latex (or other material) being eliminated, and thus being much lighter than previous constructions.

Abstract: An electrothermal printer having a print head provided with a plurality of wire electrodes, an ink ribbon, and a heating ribbon separate from the ink ribbon. The heating ribbon is in the form of a layer of material which is a poor conductor of electricity and a layer of electrically conductive material. The current passing between one or several of the electrodes in the print head to the heating ribbon conductive layer which is in contact with an appropriate sliding contact or electrode heats a localized area, or localized areas, of the heating ribbon which in turn transfers heat to corresponding localized areas of the ink ribbon for transferring ink on a sheet of paper. The ink ribbon and the heating ribbon are displaced at the same speed past the print head. The printer of the invention permits high rate printing at a relatively low cost of supplies. With the ink ribbon omitted, printing can be effected directly on thermo-sensitive paper.

Abstract: A wheeled mechanism which may be used as a trolley or a walking frame for the disabled comprises a frame carried on at least two ground wheels on a single axis so as to be turnable about the said axle; the frame includes an operating handle, and pivotally mounted to the frame is a rigid leg frame or member pivoted at or adjacent one end thereof to the main frame so as to be tunable about a second axis substantially parallel to the said wheel axle; the length of this leg frame or member is such that the end remote from the second pivot axis is engageable on the ground in a first relative orientation of the leg frame or member and the main frame, and can be raised from the ground upon relative turning movement of the leg frame or member and the main frame about the second axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining grain size distribution patterns of particles for selected measuring ranges, wherein a specimen cell (15) is arranged in a convergent monochromatic light beam (4) and the produced diffraction patterns (5a, 6a, 7a) are received by a photo detector. By altering the spacing of the specimen cell (15) from the photo detector (44), the measuring range can be selected for differing grain sizes.

Abstract: A polarized signal receiver waveguide assembly, or feedhorn, for receiving a selected one of linearly polarized electromagnetic signals in one waveguide of circular cross-section and for launching or transmitting the selected signal into a second waveguide of rectangular cross-section, the axes of the waveguides being disposed at right angle. A probe comprising a signal receiver portion disposed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the first waveguide and a launch or transmitter portion having its axis perpendicular to the axis of the second waveguide has its launch or transmitter portion mounted in a controllably rotatable dielectric rod, such that rotation of the rod causes rotation of the signal receiver portion for alignment with a selected one of the polarized signals. The transmission line between the probe signal receiver portion and launch or transmitter portion consists of a pair of bifurcated branches forming a rectangle disposed along the axis of the first waveguide.

Abstract: A fluid applicator system includes a fluid containing jar, an applicator sponge attached to a lid, and a perforated plate for maintaining the sponge in a compressed state against the closed lid to regulate the amount of fluid which it can absorb. The sponge is compressed by inserting it into the jar so that it abuts the perforated plate while the lid simultaneously seals the jar. The extent of compression of the sponge, and thereby the amount of fluid which it can absorb, is regulated by adjusting the level of the perforated plate within the jar prior to exposing the fluid to the sponge.

Abstract: In a displacement measurement system using waves in the sonic to ultrasonic range, a constant wavelength of the sonic or ultrasonic wave is established by driving the wave transmitter by a variable frequency oscillator whose frequency is varied as a function of a control voltage. The control voltage is varied as a function of the phase differential between the wave transmitted by the transmitter and the wave received by reference receiver to maintain both waves in phase.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument has a plurality of strings stretched between two fixed points and over a bridge. The strings are of substantially circular cross section and made from an elastomeric material such as silicone rubber; all strings are monolithic. The bridge incorporates one or more piezo-electric or other transducers each mounted as a bimorphic element in a simple beam mounting between fixed supports on the bridge and in acoustic contact with the body of the instrument through a resilient baffle pad in contact with the face of the piezo-electric element remote from the supports. That is, mounted in a manner in which the transducer can be considered to be a beam extending between load bearing or supporting members at its two ends, the fixed supports, while it is loaded transversely between its two ends by the baffle pad.

Abstract: A mounting pedestal adapted to support an electrical meter and power box, and other utility service devices, in a compact and safe arrangement for their provision to a mobile home. A hollow, plastic post is supported in an upright position in the earth, and the power box and meter are attached to an L-shaped mounting bracket on the top of the post. The meter, power box and other devices are connected to a common ground, the common ground being at least partly embedded in the plastic post. In one preferred embodiment, the common ground includes a flat plate extending substantially throughout the length of the plastic post and is embedded therein. In a second preferred embodiment, the common ground includes a plurality of conductors extending through the plastic post, the conductors being connected by a common ground wire extending between them, which is disposed interiorly of the post.

Abstract: A front loading picture frame made of joined lengths of flanged molding forming the perimeter of a window opening. A face plate and a back plate are urged apart and against opposing inside surfaces of the molding flanges by a spring. By exerting pressure on the face plate, the spring is compressed thereby allowing movement of the face plate away from the inside surface of the front flange of the molding. A picture or other document having a perimeter greater than that of the window opening is inserted in the window opening with its marginal areas into the space between the face plate and the inside surface of the molding flange. When pressure is removed from the picture, the spring gently urges the face plate forward to retain the edges and marginal areas of the picture under the front flange of the molding.

Abstract: In a travelling wire EDM apparatus having orientable swivelling wire guide and support members, or wire guide heads, the orientation of each wire guide head is effected by a pair of hydraulic slave cylinders each connected to a master cylinder. Each master cylinder has an input member displaceable along one direction and the desire inclination of each wire guide head is the resultant of the composite motions of the output members of the corresponding slave cylinders.

Abstract: A transmission system for a vehicle comprising a main transmission, a bypass transmission line, an auxiliary transmission, and a rear wheel drive line. The main transmission includes a multistep change speed mechanism, a first output gear for outputting a maximum speed provided by the multistep change speed mechanism, and a second output gear for outputting other speeds provided by the multistep change speed mechanism. The bypass transmission line is operatively connected to the first output gear, and the auxiliary transmission is operatively connected to the second output gear. The rear wheel drive line is operatively connected to the bypass transmission line and to the auxiliary transmission. The first output gear, bypass transmission line and front wheel drive line constitute an overtop drive transmission line.