Abstract: A seat belt tensioning system for a motor vehicle comprises a locking retractor for a seat belt and a pre-tensioning device for pre-tensioning the seat belt, the pre-tensioning device comprising mounting means for mounting the retractor on a fixed mounting member, the mounting means permitting movement of the retractor in a direction opposite to the protraction direction of the belt. Such movement of the retractor may be caused by a cable coupled to the front bumper of the vehicle.

Abstract: A human shoe sole has a foot engaging surface, that area of the sole immediately underlying the first metatarsal head being designed so that the first metatarsal head is free to plantarflex under load thus permitting and encouraging the first metatarsal to plantarflex as weight shifts from the heel to the toe during walking.

Abstract: An electrical connector particularly adapted for use with an electrical circuit test probe. A collet member having facing gripping jaws on one end is adapted to receive an electrical conductor. A plug housing having first and second cylindrical portions interconnected by a tapered portion is adapted to receive the collet member and squeeze the jaws into electrical connection with the conductor as the collet member is pushed into the plug housing. For use with the electrical circuit test probe, the plug housing has a closed cylindrical inner end adapted to be crimped into the end of a socket tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for tensioning a strap of a vehicle safety belt system, comprises a cylindrical drum, a first roller journaled on a stationary axis parallel to that of the drum and spaced radially outwardly from the surface thereof, a second roller mounted with its axis parallel to the axis of the drum at a radius between that of the surface of the drum and the first roller, and pyrotechnically powered means for causing angular movement of the second roller about the axis of the drum. Guide means are located at a greater radial distance from the axis of the drum than the second roller and oriented so that, prior to detonation of the pyrotechnic charge, the angular position of the second roller about the axis of the drum is between the first roller and the additional guide means. The strap passes between the second roller and the surface of the drum but radially outwardly of the first roller. Prior to detonation of the pyrotechnic charge, the strap does not touch the surface of the drum.

Abstract: A solderless connector for semi-rigid coaxial cable having an elongate annular outer conductor, a center conductor coaxial with said outer conductor and a dielectric material spacing the inner and outer conductors apart, the connector comprising a housing having an annular portion defining a bore adapted to encompass said outer conductor and a bushing defining a bore to engage the exterior of the annular portion to circumferentially compress said annular portion upon telescoping movement of said bushing over said annular portion, said housing bore having, integral therewith, means adapted to engage said outer conductor upon said circumferential compression to provide a mechanical and electrical interface between said housing and said outer conductor.

Abstract: A fluid discharge silencer for steam or other vapors or gases (with or without entrained solids or liquids) has an expansion chamber into which the fluid is passed through an inlet duct which discharges the fluid over an extended region of the chamber, flow deflector means in the chamber gradually redirecting the flow of gas from the inlet duct to change the direction of flow and to permit the gas phase components of the fluid to expand; the expansion chamber has an outlet which in use is connected to a silencer such as a parallel splitter silencer for further attenuating noise in the discharge flow. The inlet duct can be an elongated pipe having a longitudinal discharge aperture arrangement discharging the fluid into a trough-like redirecting structure which removes entrained components and redirects the flow.

Abstract: A protection device, for electronic components of vehicles, having a vehicle battery including a battery terminal with an electrical supply clamp attached thereto, comprising an electrically conductive connector engageable with the battery terminal-clamp combination, a conductor for electrically conductive connector to the electronic components, the device permitting removal of the electrically conductive connector from the terminal-clamp combination, when desired, and an electrically insulative cover to encompass and cover all readily accessible surfaces of the electrically conductive connector and the terminal-clamp combination when the electrically conductive connector is attached thereto.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a toy vehicle with an electric motor.The vehicle has a drive module (110) situated within a case (111). In the interior of the case are disposed an elecric motor (116) provided with a pinion (118), an inertial mass (114) provided with a pinion (115) and a coupling wheel (125, 126) mounted on a pivoting piece (128). When the pivoting piece is in a second position, the motor (116) launches the inertial mass (114). When the pivoting piece is in a first position, the energy stored by the inertial mass is transmitted to the wheel (124) dependent upon the axle of the movable wheels.

Abstract: The invention relates to beverage dispensing apparatus of the kind comprising a tank, heater for heating a liquid contained therein, and container for storing concentrated beverage and dispensing it to a mixing chamber. An object of the present invention is to provide such dispensing apparatus, in which provision is made for dispensing beverages with an alternative ingredient to water, or an additional liquid ingredient, such as milk. The invention is characterized in that a pump is provided for feeding a liquid ingredient (e.g. milk or other dairy product), through the water tank for indirect heat exchange therewith, in that a temperature controlled mechanism is provided for controlling the outlet temperature of the liquid ingredient from the tank, and in that the liquid ingredient is fed in controlled, pre-determined quantities as required, to the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A torque converter has a positive displacement pump (15,16) for charging and for circulating fluid for cooling purposes, which is driven at a speed equal to the difference in speed between the input and the output of the torque converter. The torque converter can be locked-up by stalling the pump flow by means of a valve (36).

Abstract: Expitaxial composite comprising thin films of a Group III-V compound semiconductor such as gallium arsenide (GaAs) or gallium aluminum arsenide (GaAlAs) on single crystal silicon substrates are disclosed. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing, by chemical deposition from the vapor phase, epitaxial composites as above described, and to semiconductor devices based on such epitaxial composites. The composites have particular utility for use in making light sensitive solid state solar cells.

Abstract: A modular hand cart comprising a main frame supporting a load carrying surface and adapted to receive in a plurality of longitudinal positions a single or multi-wheeled undercarriage module. At one end of the main frame is pivotally attached a headboard which may be positioned in a plurality of angular relationships with the main frame. This headboard carries handles which may be angularly adjusted with respect to the headboard. Rear support legs are provided under the main frame, and the end of the main frame remote from the support legs carries a pair of attachment mounting brackets suitable for the carriage and control of a plurality of different attachments.

Abstract: A valve actuator is disclosed which comprises only two housings, namely a first housing defining a single enclosure for a reversible electric motor, electrical control gear associated with the motor and torque control means and travel limit switch mechanism, and a second housing comprising a gear box containing reduction gearing.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic servo valve of two-stage type including a beam mounted for swinging movement with respect to the casing of the valve. One portion of the beam is engaged with the second-stage displaceable element of the valve and another portion of the beam carries an electrical sensor through which an electrical current is caused to pass. Magnet means are housed in the casing adjacent the other portion of the beam. As, on controlled movement of the displaceable element, the beam swings, the positional relationship of the sensor with respect to the magnetic fields of the magnet means changes, thus to so vary the electrical potential across the sensor that an electrical feedback signal is emitted by the sensor which is proportional to the displacement of said displaceable element.

Abstract: A desired picture or pattern such as a wiring pattern may be recorded on a recording surface bearing a photosensitive material coated thereon by sweeping a light beam obtained from a light beam source and then scanning, with the thus-swept light beam, the recording surface. Sweep position pulse signals are obtained by branching out the thus-swept light beam and detecting same with a photosensor. The light beam output from the light beam source is modulated in accordance with the sweep position pulse signals. The levels of the sweep position pulse signals are changed to a predetermined constant level in accordance with the types of their corresponding picture signals, in other words, the sweep position pulse signals are attenuated where they correspond to picture-bearing portions of the picture or pattern or are amplified where they correspond to picture-free portions of the picture or pattern, so that the synchronization between the sweeping speed and the picture signal reading-out speed is ensured.

Abstract: A swing link suspension of a four-wheeled rail vehicle has respective pivotal mountings for permitting relative lateral and longitudinal movements of the wheelsets and vehicle body. Those pivotal mountings permitting longitudinal movement are provided with separately formed linings of a material providing a controlled frictional restraint to the longitudinal movement. Longitudinally extending traction rods incorporating resilience in their lengths are connected between the wheelsets and the vehicle body to provide a resilient yaw restraint on the wheelsets.

Abstract: A driving mechanism, specially for use as tractor motor or servomotor, is made specially compact and makes possible the use of a simple, flat main wheel such as a sprocket. The compact construction is obtained by a few structural parts mostly made of one piece such as a hollow wheel for torque delivery and assembly of the main wheel driven by the mechanism and a hub support for carrying the hollow wheel and gear cap with simultaneous support for part of the gearing. A sound-insulated hydromotor is accommodated in the interior of the driving mechanism, a safety brake surrounds part of the hydromotor so as to result in a space-saving construction. Since the driving mechanism is axially not longer than the width of a tractor chain, it remains well protected when it serves as driving motor in a caterpillar vehicle.

Abstract: A drill pipe rotary drive mechanism for an earth drilling apparatus comprises a housing, a drive member mounted in the housing for rotation therein about a rotary axis and having an axial bore opening at each end to the exterior of the housing, and a drive mechanism in the housing for rotatably driving the drive member. A drive coupling tool is adapted to be readily removably mounted in the drive member so that the drive mechanism can be used for rotatably driving different types of earth drilling tools, the coupling tool having a tubular body portion telescopingly removably mounted in the axial bore of the drive member, the body portion having an axial opening extending therethrough for reception of a portion of the length of the drill pipe, a flange at one end of the body portion for abutting engagement with one end of the drive member for axially locating the coupling tool in the drive member, the coupling tool being adapted to be non-rotatably coupled to a drilling tool and to the drive member.

Abstract: A drive apparatus which in first place is intended for moving vehicles comprises a transportable carriage which has two wheels (3) and a drive roller (2) driven my means of a motor. Spring elements (7) normally keep the drive roller (2) and the support wheels out of contact with each other but by load, for instance when the carriage is pushed in under a vehicle wheel (8) a friction contact is established between the drive roller (2) and the support wheels (3) causing the carriage to move upon rotation of the drive roller at the same time causing the vehicle to be moved and the wheels (8) thereof are rotated. The carriage further has a handle (6) which preferably houses cables, hoses or the like for power supply to the motor and which has control means (5) such as switches or the like.

Abstract: A multi-speed transmission (4) driven by an engine (1) and is connected to drive an intermediate gearbox (16) that drives an axle drive (17). To obtain creep speed drive, a motor-dependent P.T.O. shaft (14) drives upon a variable displacement pump (18), which is connectable to a hydromotor (22) through pipes (20, 20A and 21, 21A). When the clutch (26) is connected and in the neutral position of the variable gear (2), the hydromotor (22) acts upon an output shaft of intermediate gear box (15) that in turn drives the axle drive (17). When changing to a garbage pressing operation in the stationary state of the vehicle, the variable displacement pump (18) is shifted by a change-over valve (28) to drive the pressing cylinder of the accessory hydraulic power system (30).