Abstract: A lightweight, flexible coupling is provided by the present invention for transmitting torque and accommodating axial and angular misalignment between drive and driven shafts. The coupling includes at least one reinforcing ring disposed between a pair of hubs or plates having projecting pins to which are secured elongated filaments that are coated or impregnated with a flexible matrix. The filaments are wrapped from the hub or plate on one side of the reinforcing rings(s), to and across the reinforcing rings(s) and then to the hub or plate on the opposite side of the reinforcing ring(s) following a geodesic path. Torque applied to the coupling is thus transmitted between the hubs or plates solely through the filaments.

Abstract: The spindle assembly is of the type having a spool upon which coils of strand material are formed preparatory to doffing of a strand package from the assembly. The coils are formed without overlapping them upon one another, and preferably without permitting their transverse engagement and possible mutual attachment. First and second oppositely directed helical grooves are respectively provided upon upper and lower portions of the spool. The first groove prevents overlapping and transverse attachment of the strand material as the coils are formed. Both grooves position strand material at a location favorable to clearance from the spool.

Abstract: Axial loads and motions upon a unitary body of elastomer of the mount effects compressive deflection and bi-direction bulging of a first ring-like portion of the body, and shear of deflection of a second, tubular portion of the body. The second portion of the body also imparts lateral stability to the mount. The mount can be economically manufactured and installed.

Abstract: An active pneumatic mechanism and a passive hydraulic mechanism of the apparatus are so connected with each other and with a driven member that movement imparted by the pneumatic mechanism to the driven member produces, and is controllable by restriction of, hydraulic fluid flow within the hydraulic mechanism. Restriction of the fluid flow to any desired extent is accomplished by command signals directed by a control computer to a valve that preferably is of the type actuable by a torque motor. The command signals produced by the computer are based upon a correlation of data supplied by a computer program with data supplied by a monitor of the positions of the driven member along its path of travel. Precise control of the speeds, accelerations and positions of the driven member are realized.

Abstract: A tactile sensing system is provided which consists of essentially four components including a touch surface having a plurality of mechanically and electrically isolated sensitive sites, transducer means associated with each of the sensitive sites for converting a mechanical response to an electrical signal, first signal processing means for scanning the signals produced by the transducer means and converting such signals to digital format, and second signal processing means including a computer for interpreting and displaying the data. The system of this invention is capable of providing high contrast, high normal load resolution, moderate spatial resolution and high sensitivity to determine such mechanical contact parameters as presence, pressure, pressure pattern, texture, hardness and topography of an object contacting the touch surface. In addition, separate means are included enabling the system to detect the location, magnitude and direction of shear forces applied to the touch surface.

Abstract: The assembly includes a plurality of linear actuator modules or units capable of being readily interconnected in various transversely extending orientations relative to each other. The units are so constructed as to effect internal conduction of electrical and fluid energy sequentially between each other and to an energy consumer affixed to the terminal one of them. Each unit includes a pair of elongate and reciprocatorially moveable support members having energy conducting passageways extending therethrough and alignable with desired ones of a plurality of energy receiving openings provided within the frame of the next unit.

Abstract: The material is formed of a compressed and substantially homogeneous mass of randomly extending stainless steel wires which, prior to compression of the mass, contain helical coils and are substantially free from stress risers. The material is highly durable, and under compression loading has substantially isotropic and linear stress/strain properties at significantly differing strain levels.

Abstract: The seal includes a substantially rigid annular base member and a generally C-shaped unitary body of elastomeric material having an inner section overlying and bonded to the outer surface of the base section, a pivot section extending outwardly from the outer surface of one end portion of the base section, and an outer section mounted by the pivot section for movement toward and away from the other end portion of the base section. During use of the seal its connector section and part of its outer section are under bending stress, and engaged portions of the outer and inner sections are both under compression stress. The outer section is biased outwardly toward the periphery of the bore of a grease-containing housing by the combined tendency of each of the foregoing body sections to return an unstressed condition.

Abstract: The fluid flow of the passive hydraulic damper is regulated by a command responsive valve so as to in effect disable the damper at those times when it would amplify rather than attenuate movement of the vehicle component whose motion is to be minimized. The command responsive valve, along with all other valves of the system, preferably is carried and protected by an accumulator which receives hydraulic fluid from the damper during both extension and retraction thereof. The control valve is of an improved voice-coil type capable of exceedingly rapid response to command signals directed thereto from an electronic controller receiving input data from motion detecting sensors associated with the vehicle components interconnected by the damper.

Abstract: The tool includes a rotatable shank having a guide member releasably mounted upon its lower portion and adapted to be closely received within the muzzle portion of a gun barrel, and further includes a file member projecting radially outwardly from a medial portion of the shank and rotatable in unison with it. The file member overlies and engages the muzzle end surfaces of the barrel and, upon rotation of the shank of the tool, it "squares" and otherwise finishes such surfaces. The means by which the file member is mounted preferably is of a releasable type that includes a supportive backing member. The extent of the radial projection of the file member from the shank preferably is such that when the tool is used in association with a double-barreled firearm, it simultaneously finishes all of the muzzle end surfaces thereof.

Abstract: Annular envelope-sealing members are permanently affixed to and carried by the rim means upon which an envelope-enshrouded tire is mounted preparatory to its treatment within a heated pressure chamber. Mounting of the tire upon the rim means automatically brings the annular members into axial alignment with the tire and into overlying relationship with its opposite sidewalls. Each annular member is independently mounted for axial movement away from the rim means and is biased toward it so as impose a sealing force of desired non-excessive magnitude upon the tire, upon inflation thereof, notwithstanding possible variations in its sidewall width dimensions. The annular members may be so constructed as to effect sealed relationships with respective ones of the marginal edge portions of the envelope upon the tire in either of two alternative ways, at the option of each particular retreader.

Abstract: Sliding movement of the trigger guard of the firearm controls desired aspects of the operation of its firing and breech-locking mechanisms. Improvements are provided in a firing mechanism of the type that is maintained in a cocked condition by a toggle linkage; and in the breech-mounting, shell-extracting, cocking and breech-locking mechanisms of a firearm of the side-opening type.

Abstract: The servicing apparatus is mounted for running movement along, and for pivotal movement laterally of, a path of travel having a first section extending adjacent spinning units of the spinning machine and a second section extending adjacent an end cabinet of the spinning machine. During movement of the apparatus from the first and to the second section of its path of travel, it is pivoted laterally of such path to provide clearance between interfering components of the apparatus and the cabinet of the machine that would otherwise preclude movement of the apparatus along the second section of its path of travel. Pivotal movement of the apparatus is realized by a cam means so located as to not impede traffic adjacent the machine or access to the interior of its end cabinet, and as to minimize the magnitude of the force required to produce the aforesaid pivotal movement.

Abstract: During servicing of a spinning machine station by the piecing apparatus, the yarn positioning means establishes a generally U-shaped yarn line and brings the lowermost bight section of such line into desired association with the yarn delivery rolls at the spinning machine station. Rotatable members form the bight section of the yarn line and then transport the same, while the members occupy rotative positions effective to prevent lateral movement of the bight section, to a location closely adjacent the delivery rolls. The members then are rotated to other positions wherein they permit and guide lateral movement of the bight section toward a free end of one of the delivery rolls. When a piecing-aid device is present at the spinning machine station, the piecing apparatus includes a mechanism for imparting movement to a movable component of the device, and the positioning means of the apparatus includes means for associating parts of the U-shaped yarn line with the foregoing and other components of the device.

Abstract: A link-type insertion compliance device is provided to accommodate misalignment between mating parts to be assembled in which a series of aligning links attached to pivot means are concentrically disposed within an envelope mounted to a machine operable to vertically translate one mating part into engagement with another in an assembly operation. Adjustment means is provided in at least one of the pivot means to permit adjustment of the center of compliance of the device to a point at or near the insertion end of a part to be assembled. Parts of varying lengths may thus be accommodated by the subject insertion compliance device with minimal wedging and jamming during the insertion operation.