Abstract: An apparatus for teaching a person a technique for striking a volleyball. The apparatus has a chute with first and second side walls for directing volleyball toward a pivotable arm attached to the chute. A passage in the arm connects a cone thereon with a source of vacuum while the weight of a valve on the arm positions the arm in a vertical position. An indexing member sequentially retains volleyballs in the chute and sequentially presents a volleyball to the cone. An input acts to release a lock on the indexing member and thereafter allow a volleyball to roll from the chute toward the cone where the vacuum sucks the volleyball onto the cone. The weight of the volleyball causes the arm to pivot from the vertical position and rotate the volleyball to a position for a player to spike the volleyball.

Abstract: A disc brake for a vehicle having a housing with a cavity therein that is divided by a thrust plate into a fluid chamber and an atmospheric chamber. A converter located in the fluid chamber includes a fixed reaction plate and a sliding plate that are separated by a plurality of balls located in variable depth grooves in the sliding plate and a reaction plate. A rotary input applied to an input shaft caused the sliding plate to rotate and move linearly as the balls move within the grooves to provides a force that acts through the thrust plate to moves a piston that is located in the atmospheric chamber to effect a mechanical brake application. Pressurized fluid supplied to the fluid chamber acts on the thrust plate that moves thrust plate and moves the piston to effect a hydraulic brake application.

Abstract: A pedal box for a motor vehicle, comprising clutch (1), brake (2), and accelerator (3) pedals that are mounted to respectively rotate about a corresponding pivots (X1, X2, X3) between a rest position and a position of maximum actuation after passing through a multitude of intermediate positions. A link (4) located between the accelerator pedal (3) and the brake pedal (2) places the brake pedal (2) in an intermediate position or a rest position depending on whether or not the accelerator pedal (3) is in a rest position.

Abstract: A control valve of a hydraulic brake booster for use in a brake system. The control valve is characterized by a shuttle member having a stem on a first end and an annular projection on a second end. The stem has an annular surface thereon that is matched with an orifice from an supply chamber such that metered pressurized fluid is uniformly presented to an actuation chamber to effect a brake application while the annular projection is matched with a flange on an actuator piston such that the pressurized fluid present in the actuation chamber is uniformly metered to a reservoir.

Abstract: A mechanically and hydraulically actuated brake cylinder for a motor vehicle having a body with a chamber for receiving an axially movable piston (4) that is connected to a pivoting shaft (11) that has a part that is located outside of the body. Pressurized fluid is presented to the chamber to hydraulically actuate a brake application while a rotational torque is applied to the shaft (11) to mechanical actuate a brake application through a ball-ramp mechanism that converts the rotational torque into translational movement for the piston. The ball-ramp mechanism is defined by a rotary plate (28) fixed to the shaft (11) with a first ramp ribs (31), second ramp ribs (32) on the piston (4) and balls (33) housed in the ramp ribs.

Abstract: A tank intended for an electrohydraulic braking system comprises, according to the present invention, a first chamber (7) for the supply of a primary hydraulic circuit of a master cylinder with brake fluid, a second chamber (9) for the supply of a secondary hydraulic circuit of the master cylinder (not shown) with brake fluid, a third chamber (11) for the supply of a hydraulic pump with brake fluid, and a fourth chamber (13), a measuring one, which accommodates a detection device, indicating when the brake-fluid level inside the tank is too low. The tank has a flow path for the interconnection of the first chamber (7), the second chamber (9) and the third chamber (11) when the hydraulic-fluid level is higher than a safety level, and for the fluid-tight separation of said chambers when the hydraulic-fluid level is lower than the safety level.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake booster has an actuator arrangement for a control valve that includes a ball that is located in a first sleeve retained in a stepped bore of a cylindrical member and a pin that is retained in the cylindrical member. The pin has a first end that is located in an actuation chamber and is connected with a first input member and a second end that extends into the stepped bore to engage the ball. The first end on receipt of a first input force initially moves the pin and ball from a position of rest to interrupt fluid communication between the actuation chamber and a reservoir and thereafter moves the sleeve to selectively initiate metered communication of pressurized fluid to the actuation chamber that acts on a first piston to effect a first brake application of a wheel brake. A second sleeve that surrounds the pin has a lip on a first end that engages the cylindrical member to position a second end thereon in an auxiliary actuation chamber within the housing of the brake booster.

Abstract: This invention relates to a master cylinder (10), inside a bore (14) of which two axial primary and secondary pistons (16, 18), are slidingly fitted, and in which at least one sealing means (48, 50) is disposed in contact with each piston, defining a supply chamber (56, 60) and a pressure chamber (58, 62). Each piston (16, 18) comprises a bore (78, 80), open in the direction of the front pressure chamber (58, 62), and the piston (18) comprises a valve-forming through-hole (88), opening into its periphery and into its bore (80), in order to isolate the front pressure chamber when it passes beyond the sealing means so as to produce a braking pressure, characterised in that the front pressure chamber (62) associated with at least one piston (18) comprises at least one tubular cylindrical element (90) extending axially outside the piston (18) and rearwards of the sealing means (50) for the obturation of the through-hole (88) according to a reduced stroke (Cm2).

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a pneumatic brake booster comprising an envelope in which a skirt (2) slides in a sealed manner, a pneumatic piston (8) rigidly attached to the skirt, a three-way valve (20) actuated by a control rod (22) operated at a first end by a pedal, a plunger (32) mounted at a second longitudinal end which is the opposite end and slideably mounted in the body of the piston, the control rod and the plunger forming a brake control (33), characterized in that the said booster comprises means (68) of damping the relative and in particular oscillatory movement between the brake control (33) and the pneumatic piston (8).

Abstract: A method of positioning a seal in a groove of a bore in a housing comprising the steps of: placing a cylindrical seal on a plurality of projections that extend from a cylindrical body; radially moving at least one of the projections to deforming the cylindrical seal into a C-shape; inserting the cylindrical body into the bore until in the deformed cylindrical seal is in radial alignment with the groove; and axially retracting at least the one projection to allow the cylindrical seal to radially expand from the C-shape to a circular shape and fill the groove to complete its placement in the housing.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a disc brake that retains a clamping force that holds first and second friction members into engagement with a rotor to sustain a brake application. The locking mechanism is characterized by a first threaded member integrally attached to a piston located in a bore. The piston is moved within the bore to establish a clamping force and is prevented from rotating with respect to the bore by means of anti rotation members associated with the piston. A second threaded member rotates on the first threaded member with movement of the piston. A third member is moved into contact with the second threaded member to prevent rotation of the second threaded member and retaining clamping force on the friction members to affect a parking brake application.

Abstract: A control valve for a brake booster having a first member with a first bore, a second member located in the first bore and having a second bore, a plunger located in the second bore and connected to an input member. A gear fixed to the second member with teeth that engage a first rack retained in the first body and a stationary rack within the brake booster. A force applied to the input member controls the development of a pressure differential that moves a wall during a brake application. Movement of the wall causes a rotative torque to be transmitted from the first rack into teeth such that the gear moves with respect to the second rack and the second body to separates from the first body and as a result the travel of input member is less than the travel of the wall during a brake application.

Abstract: A chair for transporting a person from a first location to a second location along a rail in response to an input provided to a control for a hoist and motorized conveyor by the person. The chair includes first and second seat portions that are pivotally attached to a frame and connected by a linkage arrangement to a lever arm. The hoist moves the chair toward a fixed surface while surrounding the person and as the person moves the lever arm from a first position, the first and second seats portions move from a vertical position to horizontal position under the person. Thereafter, the lever is locked in a fixed position and the hoist activated to raise the chair to allow the chair to be moved by the motorized conveyor along the rail.

Abstract: A reaction arrangement for a brake booster having a control valve selectively activated by a manual input force or an electromagnetic force to allow air to create a pressure differential with vacuum and produce an output force that is transmitted through an output member in effecting a brake application. The output member encounters resistance during the brake application that is defined by a reaction force transmitted through a disc. A first shaft engages the disc and communicates the reaction force to balance the manual input force while a second shaft engages the disc and communicates the reaction force to balance the electronic force such that a resulting output force to effect a brake application is similar whether initiated by an operator or an electronic control unit.

Abstract: A ladder system through which a ladder is retained on a deck of a watercraft by a track arrangement and positioned at a first location in an opening for an enclosure where the ladder is substantially vertical to the side of the watercraft to permit ingress/egress of a person between a body of water and the deck. The ladder is connected to a rail of the track arrangement by a first and second hinges that permits the ladder to be rotated from the vertical position along the side of the watercraft to a position inside of the enclosure. The ladder may thereafter be moved from the opening to a location adjacent the gate and behind the enclosure to conceal and stow the ladder such that the exterior surface of the watercraft along the enclosure is substantially uniform from stem to stern.

Abstract: An armrest retained a first pin that extends from a back member that is rotatable with respect to a base for a seat. A first lever located within the armrest defines a cantilevered beam with teeth thereon that mesh with teeth on a plate secured to the first pin. A second lever located on a second pin within the armrest positions a ball held in an opening therein in tangential engagement with the armrest and in contact engagement with the first lever. The second lever responds to an input force by pivoting on the second pin and apply a force through the ball to laterally move the teeth out of meshing engagement and permit the armrest to pivot on the first pin into a desired alignment with the base. On termination of the input force, the cantilever beam returns the teeth to meshing engagement to sustain the desired alignment.

Abstract: Braking device including a master cylinder (2), a primary piston (3), a control member (4), a booster (6) coupled to the control member (4), and an assist valve (VA) defined by a reaction piston (17) with a bore (18) therein for receiving a ratio control member (24). The control member (24) has a piston (29) with a head (25) located in a chamber (26) between the reaction piston (17) and a bushing (27) retained in the bore (18). The bushing (27) has an axial passage (28) that receives a head (25) of piston (29) to form a valve (36) for closing an inlet to a passage (30) in the piston (29). The bushing (27) slides within bore (18) to limit a pressure difference between the chamber (26) and a front part (18a) of the bore (18) to a value below a pressure difference that causes the valve (36) to open.

Abstract: A rotor assembly with a cylindrical body having a radial disc that is perpendicularly aligned with a hub of a vehicle and an exciter ring through which a sensor detects rotation of the radial disc. The exciter ring is concentrically installed within the cylindrical body to define a gap between a flange thereon and the radial disc. Reluctance sections on the flange are axially aligned with the sensor to generate a signal indicative of rotation. Friction members engage the radial disc and generate thermal energy that is conducted a mounting flange. Thermal energy level may cause the rotor assembly to expand and change the alignment of the radial disc from perpendicular and non-perpendicular with respect to the hub. The gap allows the radial disc and exciter ring to independently move such that the reluctance sections remain axially aligned with the sensor and sensed information is an accurate indication of rotation.

Abstract: A hydraulic braking apparatus for a motor vehicle having a service braking system (A) fed by a central hydraulic unit (3) and an emergency braking system (B). A simulator (M) resists a forward motion of an actuator member (D, 16) for a master cylinder (17) to define a reaction corresponding to the progress of a braking operation. Admission solenoid values (9a-9d) and exhaust solenoid values (14a-14d) connected to the wheel brakes (2a-2d) modulate pressurized fluid supplied by a central hydraulic unit (3) in effecting the braking operation. Sensors (8, 13a-13d, 24, 29) in the motor vehicle detect various braking parameters that are communicated to a computer (C) to control the solenoid valves (9a-9d; 14a-14d) such that the braking operation is a function of the travel of the actuator member (D, 16).

Abstract: A ventilator in a cover for a deck on a boat. A base of the ventilator has first openings therein through which the deck is connected to a chamber formed by the first intermediary member and the base. A motor retained in the first intermediary member has a fan that is located in the chamber to expel air from the deck to the surrounding environment by way of second openings therein and third openings in a second intermediary member. A projection in the first intermediary member receives a connector from a solar panel that is located in an end member. The end member is joined to the first intermediary member to align the second and third openings with the chamber and the connector with the motor such that the fan is activated when light is received by the solar panel and air is continually thereafter drawn from the deck.