Abstract: Article handling apparatus for use in conjunction with a glassware forming machine is effective to remove finished ware from a dead plate where it has been placed to cool and transfer it to a moving conveyor. An electronic control synchronizes the movements of the apparatus with the cycle of the forming machine and deposits the ware on the moving conveyor with a component of velocity in the direction of the conveyor movement which effects smooth transfer to the conveyor irrespective of variations in conveyor speed.

Abstract: Friction clutch release apparatus for a motor vehicle comprises a driver-operable master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a conduit which connects the master outlet to the slave cylinder inlet. A liquid reservoir communicates with the bore of the master cylinder between the piston and the outlet when the piston is retracted and has a vent port. The apparatus is assembled, filled with liquid and bled before being installed on the motor vehicle. The vent port may be closed temporarily for convenience of transport and storage after the apparatus is bled, for example by use of a suitable removable closure device which would be removed after installation of the apparatus on the motor vehicle, or may include a movable wall within the reservoir chamber by which liquid within the chamber is separated from that part of the chamber with which the vent port communicates.

Abstract: A wire wrapping tool comprises a head which is formed integrally with a shaft. The head includes a frusto-conical portion which has a chordally extending portion cut away to define a cutting edge. A blade portion is formed on the head, the blade having a slot through which a wire can pass. The head also has an axially extending bore into which a wire wrapping post can be inserted. In use the shaft is attached to a pistol gun to rotate the head. Wire from which the insulation is to be stripped is passed over the edge, through the slot and around a wrapping post. As the wire passes over the edge a longitudinal slit is formed in the insulation which is then stripped away from the conductive core as the wire passes through the slot.

Abstract: An arc chute for a circuit breaker includes a plurality of arc splitter plates 2, each plate having a pair of spaced parallel limbs 4,6 merging into a block portion. The arc chute also includes a pair of insulating barriers each containing a row of spaced channels arranged normally to a major longitudinal edge of the barrier, each channel encompassing one of the limbs 4,6 of each of the arc splitter plates. The insulating barriers may include a plurality of insulating members 12 each member having a protruding platform 28 and a stepped recess 17 such that two similar members may be engaged by superimposing one with the other with the protruding platform 28 of one engaging the stepped recess 17 of the other so as to provide a channel. The arc chute also includes a pair of arc conductors 32 which extend axially in register with respect to each other intermediate the barriers.

Abstract: A clutch release mechanism for a pull type friction clutch for automobiles having a gearbox with a sleeve surrounding its input shaft. The mechanism comprises a release bearing assembly, a release fork and an automatically connectable and disconnectable coupling operably connecting the release fork to the bearing assembly. The coupling is caused to engage or disengage a shoulder on the bearing assembly depending upon the axial position of the gearbox sleeve relative to the coupling so that the coupling is automatically engaged or disengaged as the gearbox is respectively located in its operable position, or is withdrawn.

Abstract: A seal for producing a liquid-tight closure between a rotary component and a partition separating two chambers, where the rotary component penetrates the partition, said seal includes a retaining means which may be secured to the partition so that it surrounds the rotary component. The retaining means locates an annular floating member, so that it is free to float radially. The annular floating member has a small clearance about the rotary component and is provided with sealing means which will close the gap between the floating member and the rotary component to form a liquid-tight closure, upon exposure to liquid, following the flooding of one of the chambers.

Abstract: A vehicle automatic clutch control comprising an engine speed sensor that produces a signal V.sub.1, an electrical reference signal generator that produces a signal V.sub.R and a comparator that processes the two signals V.sub.1 and V.sub.R to produce an error signal E. The error signal E is utilized for controlling a clutch actuator that operates the clutch to vary the state of engagement of the clutch to alter the engine speed and equalize the two signals V.sub.1 and V.sub.R and thus maintain a substantially constant engine speed until the clutch is fully engaged.

Abstract: A duct motor for carrying drawing ropes and the like through cable ducts consists of two inflatable gripper bags and a telescopic section. The duct motor is driven by compressed air, and operates by one gripper bag inflating, telescopic section extending, the other gripper bag inflating and the one gripper bag deflating, telescopic section contracting and the cycle being repeated. Compressed air is distributed within the duct motor by a distribution valve and a pair of inflation and deflation valves associated with each gripper bag. One distribution valve is not located between the gripper bags and this valve has a valve stem which is hollow, and is used for conveying compressed air from an input orifice to the remote end of the duct motor i.e. the other gripper bag.

Abstract: A tire building machine including a building drum for receiving a belt-tread assembly and a pair of coaxial shafts having disc members freely rotatable thereon for receiving and supporting a tire carcass. The disc members and shafts are pivotally movable as a unit and the disc members are also movable with respect to one another for engaging annular beads formed on said carcass to effect a seal therewith and permit the introduction of air to inflate said carcass to assume a toroidal shape. A radially expansible and contractable transfer ring, that is axially movable, engages the belt-tread assembly and transfers same from the drum to the carcass prior to the pivoting of the carcass, belts and tread stock into engagement with a rotatably driven stitcher apparatus.

Abstract: An internal shoe drum brake automatic adjuster comprising a strut extending between one brake shoe and a wedge mounted between the strut and an abutment on the other brake shoe. The wedge is spring loaded to increase the spacing between the adjacent end of the strut and the abutment. The abutment is pivoted to the shoe and spring loaded against the wedge to maintain a clearance `S` between the abutment and a stop secured to the shoe.

Abstract: The liquid reservoir tank of plant spraying equipment of the haversack type is pressurized by a pair of foot pumps worn by the operator under his shoes. Each pump comprises a resiliently compressible hollow cushion which is compressed by the operator's weight as he places the relevant foot on the ground and which expands when he lifts that foot from the ground, air being drawn into the cushion as it expands and being displaced from it into the tank as the cushion is compressed.

Abstract: An engine analyzer, to analyze a parameter of a spark ignition internal combustion engine, has a separate probe for connection to each spark plug or lead feeding only that spark plug, so that engines in which ignition pulses pass to the plugs only along separate leads, can be analyzed.

Abstract: A release bearing assembly for a pull type clutch and which includes a stem attached to the stationary race of its bearing and which is accommodated between two arms of a release fork. The stem has a flange against which the arms abut during release of the clutch. The stem has a polygonal cross section, preferably hexagonal, providing pairs of diametrically opposed flats engagable with the fork arms, and the flange is also polygonal in shape, preferably hexagonal, and is angularly offset relative to the stem so that engagement of the arms with any pair of flats on the stem causes the stem to rotate on the bearing and thereby align the corners of the polygonal flange with the fork arms.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted booster having an input rod with a thrust member thereon, an output rod with a piston head thereon, and an elastomeric disc located between the thrust member and the piston head. The piston head has an axial bore therein and the thrust member has an axial projection that extends through the elastomeric disc into the bore. The projection is anchored to the piston head by a cap fitted to the head and which allows some forward movement of the thrust member to apply a load to the elastomeric disc but limits axial separation of the piston head and thrust member on the return stroke.

Abstract: A power plant forced-flow boiler operative with water letdown wherein the letdown water is arranged to deliver heat to partly expanded steam passing through a steam reheater connected between two stages of a prime mover. The heating of steam in the reheater by letdown water will partly or wholly replace the use of live steam for such purpose so that the live steam will be available for driving the prime mover.

Abstract: In a glass molding machine, for example, of the type known in the industry as I.S. machines, an apparatus for shearing molten glass into gobs as the glass issues from a feeder includes mechanisms for independently adjusting both the horizontal and vertical position of the shears with respect to the feeder nozzles, as well as the distance between the two halves of the shear blades and the length and time duration of the cutting stroke. All adjustments are possible without shutting down the entire forming operation and can be effected merely by supplying energy to adjusting motors.

Abstract: A shaft seal including a sealing element and a drive ring assembly for mounting the sealing element with respect to a shaft, for rotation therewith; the drive ring assembly comprising a pair of concentric rings one mounted within the bore of the other, a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial clamping screws in screw threaded engagement with the outer ring, so that they may be tightened against the outer surface of the inner ring, the abutting surfaces of the screws and the inner ring being mutually inclined, so that tightening of the screws against the inner ring, will cause the inner ring to move axially towards a shoulder on the bore of the outer ring, so as to compress a sealing ring positioned between the shoulder and the opposed end of the inner ring, thereby causing the sealing ring to expand radially into sealing engagement with the opposed surfaces of the shaft and the outer ring, while at the same time said screws deform the inner ring into clamping engagement with the shaft.

Abstract: Co-operating formations (28 and 29) are provided within the chamber formed by a resiliently deformable air pump body (13) which has concertina sidewalls (23) so that the enclosure surrounded by the sidewalls (23) is substantially filled by the formations (28 and 29) when it is collapsed.

Abstract: In an electronic amplifier having a floating output stage (42), a demand signal modulates a high frequency carrier (e.g. 20MHz) and the modulated carrier is applied to the floating output stage through a capacitance (10) of very low value (e.g. 1pf) and is then demodulated. The amplifier is preferably a bridge amplifier and each arm of the bridge may comprise a number of floating output stages, each supplied with the modulated carrier through a low-value capacitor (10). As described, the amplifier drives a crystal (40) for modulating electromagnetic radiation from a laser.

Abstract: A nether garment of the bifurcated underwear type having mounted on the crotch segment rearwardly of the central portion thereon a pair of spaced parallel pockets. The pockets are configured to receive pads or blocks of suitable cushiony material capable of supporting the garment wearer's body in certain desired areas. The pocketed pads or blocks tend to relieve or restrict pressure that would normally be applied to the areas of the wearer's body located between said pads or blocks.