Abstract: A method of shipping and installing a hydraulic system such as a motor vehicle clutch hydraulic release mechanism comprising a driver-operable hydraulic master cylinder, a hydraulic slave cylinder and a conduit connecting the outlet of the master cylinder to the inlet of the slave cylinder. Prior to shipment and installation on a motor vehicle, the hydraulic system is filled with hydraulic fluid and bled or purged of atmospheric air, and installation on a motor vehicle is therefore greatly simplified as the requirement of filling with hydraulic fluid and bleeding or purging the hydraulic system after installation is entirely eliminated.

Abstract: A compound engine having at least one internal combustion cylinder operating in a conventional manner, and an air or external combustion cylinder associated therewith. The external combustion cylinder operates according to the same cycle as the internal combustion cylinder, namely through consecutive intake, compression, expansion and exhaust strokes of the piston associated therewith. The charge taken by the external combustion engine is not fired and is caused to expand by transferring the heat of the exhaust gases from the internal combustion cylinder to the charge in the external combustion cylinder, at the end of the compression cycle thereof, so as to cause the gaseous fluid charge therein to expand to apply motive power to a driven output common to both the internal combustion cylinder and the external combustion cylinder.

Abstract: A machine for processing foodstuffs comprising a tank whose position on a support base is determined by a finger projecting from the tank and engaged in a socket in the support base. The support base is part of a housing in which is disposed a drive motor driving a shaft vertically projecting in the tank and supporting appropriate cutters. The tank is covered by a removable cover, and interlocks are provided for preventing the drive motor from being started unless the tank is correctly positioned, the removable cover is locked over the tank and appropriately positioned relative to the tank.

Abstract: A travelling wire EDM apparatus wherein a workpiece is cut by electrical discharges by a travelling wire electrode, relative motion of the workpiece and the wire electrode being controlled by a numerical control unit which, in addition, controls transverse oscillations of the electrode wire relative to the workpiece along the cutting path. The energy of the electrical discharges is varied as a function of the amplitude of the transverse oscillations of the electrode wire relative to the workpiece such as to obtain maximum electrical discharge energy when the amplitude of vibration of the electrode wire is at a minimum and minimum energy when the amplitude of vibration of the electrode wire is at a maximum.

Abstract: A mouthpiece for a musical wind instrument. The mouthpiece has a casing and a reed attachment assembly mounted in a recess at the top of the casing. The reed attachment assembly has a bridge member pivotably connected to a frame. The foot of the reed is clampable against a plate portion of the pivotable bridge member such that the blade of the reed protrudes from the attachment assembly and extends above the top surface of the casing with the tip of the reed being disposed proximate the leading edge of the casing. An adjustment is provided for adjusting the inclination of the plate of the pivotable bridge member relative to the frame such that the distance between the tip of the reed and the leading edge of the mouthpiece casing can be adjustably varied.

Abstract: A medication ointment applicator comprising a length of plastic film to which is attached a backing made of a length of elastic mesh material. The ointment is applied to the surface of the plastic film which is engaged with the skin of the user, the elastic material backing being wrapped around, for example, the user's ankle or wrist such as to hold the plastic film in firm engagement with the skin for absorption of the medication ointment through the skin. Preferably, the plastic film is provided with a scale enabling the user to measure the amount of ointment being applied as a result of measuring the length of a ribbon of ointment expelled from a dispenser tube, and the surface of the plastic film to which the ointment is applied is textured, for example, by ridges being formed on the surface, to help contain the ointment within the edges of the plastic film.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring parts travelling in a single row on a first conveyor to a receptacle travelling on a second conveyor, the parts being placed in the receptacle in consecutive rows of a plurality of the parts. A part loader, comprising an elbow-joint arm having a pivotable first arm and a second arm mounted on the end of the first arm pivotable relative to the first arm, supports a part pick-up member mounted on the end of the second arm which picks up a row of parts from the end of the first conveyor and transfers the parts to the receptacle on the second conveyor. The part pick-up member is adapted to pick up a row of parts from the first conveyor and to place the row of parts in the part receptacle in the same position, or to rotate the parts about 90.degree. or 270.degree. during transfer from the first conveyor to the part receptacle on the second conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displacing a linear output member by wrapping at least a pair of flexible strands around the periphery of the linear member. The flexible strands are each attached at each end to spaced-apart rotatable members. Rotation of the rotatable members in opposite direction causes engagement of the flexible strands with the linear member as a wrap around the periphery of the linear member. After a grip is effected on the linear member, rotation of the rotatable members in the same direction causes the linear member to be linearly displaced.

Abstract: A transmission testing apparatus having at least one inertia flywheel having a shaft capable of being coupled to the output shaft of the transmission being tested. The transmission is mounted on a removable plate on one side of an adjustable bulkhead supporting an internal combustion engine on the other side. The engine has an output shaft coupled to the input shaft of the transmission. The bulkhead is pivotally and adjustably positionable such as to align the transmission output shaft with the inertia flywheel shaft. The engine is maintained in an appropriate upright normal position providing correct carburetion and lubrication by being supported by a mounting plate rotatable relative to the bulkhead and held in substantially the same angular position relative to horizontal and vertical reference axes, irrespective of the position of the bulkhead, by a strut pivotally attached to the engine mounting plate at one end and pivotally attached to the support base of the apparatus at its other end.

Abstract: A motor vehicle theft deterrent device comprising a supply of oil or other oily fluid introduced into the motor vehicle engine intake through one of the engine suction lines upon operation of the engine while a hidden switch is closed and turns on a valve disposed in the line connecting a reservoir containing the oil or oily fluid to the engine intake. The excess oil or oily fluid being ingested by the engine causes a telltale cloud of smoke at the exhaust and causes malfunction of the engine.

Abstract: A modular structure for a hydraulic cylinder permitting the cylinder to be used in combination with a reservoir of hydraulic fluid either installed on the cylinder itself or at a remote location with a conduit connection to the cylinder. The cylinder is provided with a peripherally threaded portion over which a tubular member formed integral with the reservoir, or in the alternative, provided with a connector for connection of the cylinder to a remotely located reservoir is fitted. The tubular member-fluid reservoir assembly and the tubular member-connector assembly are interchangeable.

Abstract: A support device including a hook for suspending a person wearing the support device on a rope. The person may be fastened into the support device by means of a transverse belt attached to the upper torso, with the transverse belt extending through slots provided in the support device. The support device includes a spreader bar whose length corresponds approximately to the width of a human chest, with the rope-retaining hook being attached to the spreader bar at a point midway between the ends thereof. The spreader bar is made of a substantially rigid material and serves, when the belt is applied to the person, to support said person in the area defining the width of the chest. Accordingly, for all practical purposes, no lateral forces are transmitted to the person by the pulling of the rope and, consequently, no discomfort through chest constriction is caused by the support device.

Abstract: A heat transfer tube assembly comprising a pair of fluid circulation tubes disposed co-axially one within the other, the inner tube being held substantially concentric within the outer tube by a plurality of pairs of diametrally opposed depressions or dimples formed in the peripheral surface of the outer tube at regular intervals. Each depression or dimple projects inwardly such as to engage and indent the peripheral surface of the inner tube and to cause a corresponding portion of the inner tube to bulge inwardly during forming of the dimples in the periphery of the outer tube by forming punches or, preferably, by two pairs of diametrally opposed rolls, each provided with an appropriate dome-shaped protuberance on its peripheral surface for roll forming the dimples as a result of longitudinally feeding the outer tube, with the inner tube disposed within the outer tube, between the rotating rolls.

Abstract: A dust cover for a concentric slave cylinder installed in a motor vehicle transmission train surrounding the input shaft from a friction clutch to the gearbox. The dust cover is in the form of a cylindrical or tubular member, preferably made of plastic, having a flanged lip in sliding engagement with the peripheral surface of the concentric cylinder outer wall and attached at its other end to the clutch throw-out bearing reciprocated by the slave cylinder piston. The outermost concentric tubular member forming the peripheral wall of the slave cylinder is provided with a pair of outwardly projecting diametrically disposed lugs limiting the outward travel of the throw-out bearing after assembly of the slave cylinder under the action of a pre-load spring as a result of engagement of the dust cover lip with the lugs.

Abstract: A shipping and installation restraining strap for the output member of a clutch operating hydraulic slave cylinder disposed concentric to an input shaft driving a motor vehicle gearbox from a friction clutch. The output member takes the form of the clutch throw-out bearing, and the restraining strap comprises a generally annular portion attached to the throw-out bearing and a pair of integrally formed strips having a portion of reduced strength terminating in a lug engaged in a T-slot in the slave cylinder casing. The slave cylinder, the conduit connecting the slave cylinder to a master cylinder operated by a clutch mechanical control, and the master cylinder are prefilled with hydraulic fluid prior to shipment to a motor vehicle manufacturer for installation on a motor vehicle. Upon first actuation of the slave cylinder, the strips are broken at their portion of reduced strength such as to permit normal operation of the slave cylinder for actuation of the throw-out bearing.

Abstract: A hydraulic control mechanism for the friction clutch of a motor vehicle. The mechanism comprises a master cylinder, actuated by the motor vehicle clutch pedal, connected by a flexible line to a slave cylinder actuating the throw-out bearing of the clutch. The slave cylinder is mounted between the clutch bell housing and the transmission shaft concentric to the transmission input shaft. The slave cylinder casing is made of a single piece casting having a radially outwardly projecting portion or lug sandwiched between the mounting face of the bell housing and the mounting face of the transmission casing in a groove or channel formed in the face of the bell housing, and the concentric outer and inner cylinder walls are cast integrally rather than being made of two separate joined tubular members. The clutch hydraulic control mechanism is filled with hydraulic fluid after assembly and prior to shipment to a motor vehicle manufacturer for installation on a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A slave cylinder disposed concentric to a shaft connecting a motor vehicle friction clutch to the input of the motor vehicle gearbox or transmission and comprising an annular cylinder disposed concentric to the shaft, the cylinder walls being formed by a pair of tubular members spaced apart and disposed concentric to each other. The inner tubular member projects beyond the end of the outer tubular member and slidably support the clutch throw-out bearing. An annular piston is disposed in the cylinder and actuates through a throw-out bearing carrier which is formed as a sleeve in sliding engagement with the periphery of the inner tubular member. The carrier is made of plastic and has at its end directed toward the throw-out bearing a flexible lip urged constantly at its tip in engagement with the peripheral surface of the inner tubular member such as to wipe the surface clean of dirt and prevent the introduction of dirt beyond the lip.

Abstract: There is disclosed a paper money discriminating method comprising the steps of scanning and detecting magnetism contained in a print portion in a predetermined area of paper money, and checking number of pulses in a pulse signal converted from a magnetism detection signal. An apparatus for carrying out this method is also disclosed, which comprises a magnetic head, a pulse output means, and counters.

Abstract: A method for treating a single side surface of a metallic strip by applying two strips back to back with an insert disposed between the strips in engagement with the back surfaces of the strips for preventing introduction of the treatment solution between the strips. The insert may be a magnetic pliable band in arrangements where the metallic strips are magnetizable, or it may be non-magnetic and provided with adhesive on its surfaces in engagement with the strip backs, or it may be held between the strips under pressure being applied to the strips forcing them toward each other.

Abstract: A linear electric motor having an oscillating linear armature disposed in proximity to a stationary stator and provided with an output member which can be directly coupled to a load. A power supply and control circuit is provided for matching the power input to the linear motor according to changing load conditions at the output.