Abstract: A pump-drive device of a power-assisted vehicle steering system, comprising a motor operative to drive a steering pressure pump, a first sensor for detecting vehicle speed and producing an output signal representative of the detected vehicle speed, a second sensor for detecting the motor output speed and producing an output signal representative of the detected motor output speed, a current control circuit responsive to the output signals from the first and second sensors, a main current supply line connected between a power source and the motor through the current control circuit, a bypass current supply line bypassing the current control circuit between the power source and the motor, the current control circuit being operative to produce an output signal to vary the current to be passed through the main current supply line on the basis of the output signals from the first and second sensors, a detecting unit responsive to a predetermined operative condition of the steering system and operative to produce a

Abstract: An automatic vehicle height-adjusting system is applied to a vehicle including a sprung mass and an unsprung mass in contact with a road surface, the sprung mass being supported on the unsprung mass via a spring or the like. The system includes a sensor, which senses the distance between the sprung mass and the road surface and generates a distance signal indicative thereof. In response to the distance signal, a first discriminator or comparator determines whether or not the distance is less than a first predetermined value, and generates a first comparison signal indicative thereof. In response to the distance signal, a second discriminator or comparator determines whether or not the distance is greater than a second predetermined value, and generates a second comparison signal indicative thereof. The second predetermined value is chosen to be greater than the first predetermined value.

Abstract: A clutch disc has at least two kinds of torsion damper springs arranged circumferentially around a hub of the clutch disc. First damper springs have a spring constant smaller than that of second damper springs. The first springs and the second springs are not arranged in series, end to end, in a circle, but the first springs are arranged in parallel with the second springs. The first springs are wound around an annular wire guide concentric with the hub. In one embodiment, the annular wire guide extends through the second springs, and the first springs are inserted in the second springs, respectively. In another embodiment, the annular wire guide is mounted on the outer periphery of a flange of the hub outside the second springs.

Abstract: A vortex flow hydraulic shock absorber for damping relative displacement of two components comprising a piston provided with a fluid passage therethrough including a pair of vortex chambers formed in a movable valve body disposed between a pair of resilient annular discs in a valve chamber in the piston. The valve body moves against the force of the resilient annular discs in response to an increase in the pressure difference of the working fluid on opposite sides of the piston to positions in which the fluid is permitted to bypass one or both of the vortex chambers as it traverses the piston, thereby varying the damping force of the shock absorber.

Abstract: In a seat sliding device comprising a stationary rail, a movable rail slidable on and along the stationary rail to carry a seat, and a plastic slide block moulded on the movable rail in a manner to be disposed between these two rails to improve the sliding characteristics of the movable rail relative to the stationary rail, there is proposed a measure in which the slide block is divided into two sections in the longitudinal direction of the movable rail, leaving a predetermined clearance between the two sections.

Abstract: An air conditioning system comprising a duct structure, an evaporator unit positioned downstream of an air inlet end of the duct structure, an air heater unit positioned downstream of the evaporator unit, an air entrance chamber formed between the evaporator unit and the air heater unit, an air distribution chamber formed between the air heater unit and an air outlet end of the duct structure, an air-flow proportioning door positioned between the air entrance chamber and the air heater unit and movable between a position fully shutting of a flow of air from the air entrance chamber to the air heater unit and a position allowing the air heater unit to be fully open to the air entrance chamber, a bypass passageway bypassing the air heater unit, an air-flow guide vane positioned aside the bypass passageway and movable between a position withdrawn from the bypass passageway and a position in the bypass passageway, and a vane drive mechanism intervening between the air-flow proportioning door and the air-flow guid

Abstract: A speaker for use in an automotive vehicle audio system has a vehicle panel oscillating to produce audio frequency sounds. The vehicle panel is driven by a driver of the speaker at a frequency and amplitude corresponding to frequency and amplitude of an audio signal. Such a speaker is especially adapted to reproduce relatively low-frequency sounds.

Abstract: A steering control apparatus for a power-assisted vehicle steering system for a vehicle, comprising a steering pressure pump, a power cylinder, a pressure control valve operative to direct fluid under pressure from the pump to the power cylinder to develop in the cylinder a differential fluid pressure to produce a controlled degree of hydraulic steering assistance, and a fluid flow control valve bypassing the pressure control valve between the suction and delivery ports of the pump, wherein the differential fluid pressure to be developed in the power cylinder or the flow rate of the fluid to be discharged through the flow control valve is variable in two or more different basic modes in each of which the differential fluid pressure or the fluid flow rate is further continuously variable so that the vehicle driver is enabled to steer the vehicle with a manual steering effort continuously variable with, for example, the vehicle speed.

Abstract: A vehicular seat arrangement for use in an automotive vehicle, comprising at least two seat assemblies positioned on the floor panel in parallel with each other laterally of the vehicle body, each seat assembly having a seat cushion portion and a seat back portion upstanding from the seat cushion portion and rockable with respect to the seat cushion portion about a pivot axis in a lateral direction of the seat assembly, a seat reinforcing device including an elongated reinforcement member extending in a lateral direction of the vehicle body between the side wall portions of the vehicle body and passed in part through the seat back portion of one of the seat assemblies and in part through the seat back portion of the other of the seat assemblies, and tilt regulating means permitting the seat back portion of one of the seat assemblies to tilt with respect to the seat cushion portion of the seat assembly about the pivot axis independently of the seat back portion of the other of the seat assemblies.

Abstract: A vertical pressure die casting apparatus comprising a stationary member, an air-permeable die detachably mounted on the stationary member and formed with a cavity including a downwardly open runner portion and a casting cavity portion communicating with the runner portion, a die clamping member to clamp the die vertically between the stationary member and the die clamping member, a sleeve held in position with respect to the stationary member and having a bore upwardly communicating with the runner portion of the cavity in the die, and a power cylinder provided below the die and having a cylinder body fixedly held in position with respect to the stationary member and a piston rod extending upwardly into the sleeve and vertically slidable in the sleeve.

Abstract: A leak indicating conduit for conveying fluid includes an inner tube and an outer tube, in which the inner tube is separated from the outer tube by a space maintained at a pressure having a predetermined value from the range of values less than the pressure of the conveyed fluid and the ambient pressure, and greater than the pressure of the conveyed fluid and the ambient pressure. A leak indicating device is in continuous communication with the space for indicating a change of pressure in the space from the predetermined value. The indicating device includes a chamber in which an expansible bellows is mounted in communication with the space. The expansible bellows includes a movable plate supporting an indicating element for movement between a concealed first position, thereby indicating no change of pressure from the predetermined value, and a second, visible position, thereby indicating a change of pressure.

Abstract: Gears are formed from annular blanks in a gear-forming apparatus including a die block formed with an axial bore and teeth radially projecting into the bore, a cylindrical punch sleeve axially movable toward and away from the bore in the die block, a mandrel movable with the punch sleeve into and out of the bore in the die block, and a backup sleeve axially movable into and out of the bore in the die block in opposite directions to the directions of movement of the sleeve punch and mandrel, wherein gears are formed by preliminarily forcing at least one of the blanks into the bore in the die block until the blank is partially deformed by the teeth of the die block; placing another blank on the preceding blank so that the subsequent blank is received on the preceding blank; causing the mandrel to extend through the respective center holes in the preceding and subsequent blanks; pressing the preceding and subsequent blanks between the end faces of the punch and backup sleeve and forcing the two blanks through th

Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a torque converter with a direct drive clutch and at least one planetary gear unit, and is controlled electronically. The engagement of the direct drive clutch is controlled, independently of a first relation between the vehicle speed and the engine torque to perform shifting, on the basis of a second relation between the vehicle speed and the engine torque. The direct drive clutch can be engaged in each forward running shift postion, and is disengaged at the time of shifting for a predetermined time. Line pressure from a main regulator valve is modulated when the direct drive clutch is engaged.

Abstract: The output of a fuel pump of an internal combustion engine is controlled by the duty cycle of its power supply circuit, which is in turn controlled in accordance with engine and fuel conditions. Sensor signals indicative of the engine and fuel conditions are processed to derive a DC voltage level suitable to the conditions. The derived voltage and a triangular voltage signal of fixed frequency and amplitude are compared by a comparator which outputs a train of pulses. The frequency of the pulse train is that of the triangular wave and the duty cycle thereof is determined strictly by the derived voltage. The pulse train from the comparator is amplified to drive the fuel pump.There may be many different kinds and combinations of engine and/or fuel condition sensors. In addition, sensor signal processing to derive the DC voltage level may take a number of different forms and may include feedback from the fuel pump power supply circuit in order to suppress transient fluctuations.

Abstract: A device for opening ampoules comprises a hollow cylindrical body, the peripheral wall of which has slits forming two halves which can flex relatively apart or together at an open end of said body to enable entry of an ampoule head portion and for ejection of a broken head portion respectively. The body is dimensioned to accommodate an ampoule head and an inwardly-directed annular bead is provided at the open end against which the neck of an ampoule can be broken. A cutter protrudes from the bead. The bead is provided at the convergence of an outwardly-directed peripheral flange and an inwardly-directed annular ramp. A plunger whose piston is hollow is provided in the body to eject broken ampoule heads.

Abstract: The rotational speed of a hydraulic pump motor for a fork lift hydraulic control system is varied basically in accordance with the displacement of spools of manual control valves to allow the pressure supplied to servo cylinders to be smoothly increased. The rotational speed may also be varied in response to additional parameters such as the load to be moved by the servo cylinders, the amount of displacement of the load and the rate at which the spools of the manual control valves are moved to provide improved start free safe load handling characteristics.

Abstract: A game apparatus representing space travel between the earth and moon. The game apparatus comprises a game board having a representation of the earth and moon wherein a plurality of concentric orbits are positioned about the earth and one orbit is positioned about the moon. A plurality of movement paths are provided that connect the earth and its closest orbit, the earth orbits themselves and the moon and its orbit. Movement paths are utilized that connect the outer earth orbit to the moon orbit. The game also includes certain orbit escape spaces and orbit change spaces that allow players to move from one movement path to another. A chance device, instruction cards and player pieces are also provided.

Abstract: A door lock/unlock system for an automotive vehicle having a safety means for preventing a driving unit for electrically driving a door lock mechanism between a door lock position and an unlock position from being damaged by mis-operation. The safety means inhibits power supply to the driving unit when the door locking operation is made while the door lock mechanism is in the lock position and when the door unlocking operation is made while the door lock mechanism is in the unlock position.

Abstract: In a system for controlling the flow of paper work of a multiplicity of documents by a multiplicity of individuals, the documents are stored electronically in the memory of a central data processor and are electronically transmitted to remote processors to be displayed by display devices of terminals connected to the remote processors when the paper work tasks are performed. Schedules of tasks are stored in the memory of the central data processor, each schedule comprising a plurality of data packets and each data packet containing the identification of a document, the task to be performed on the document, the individual who is to perform the task, whether the task has been completed, whether the task must await the completion of a preceding task identified in the data packet in the schedule and, if so, which preceding data packets have tasks which must be first completed.

Abstract: The car cigar lighter of the present invention has such construction that it can easily be mounted on the panel nearby the driver's seat of a car and is superior in the operating ease and safety. Namely, it is characterized in that a holder and a positioning projection are formed on a socket by processing and on the other hand, at the center of a plug housed into said socket, a circular groove is formed and at the skirt portion of said plug, a ringed projection is formed respectively to enable controlling the sinking action of the knob by engaging the component members mentioned above with each other and also, with a base holder fixed into the cavity of the knob, a push nut secured to the base shaft of shaft body is press-fitted into the base holder to stick the knob easily to the shaft body. Further at the opening edge of a flange, a heat insulating resin ring is fitted to cover the edge, whereby any person who uses the cigar lighter can be prevented from getting burned.