Abstract: A multi-member, variable configuration template (100) is provided as an aid for determining acceptable brake assembly mounting variables for an air operated, cam actuated brake assembly to be mounted on a vehicle of known configuration. The template comprises a first member (102) corresponding to the brake spider, a second member (104) corresponding to the air chamber mounting bracket, a third member (106) corresponding to the air chamber and a fourth member (108) corresponding to the slack adjuster. The second and fourth members are pivotably connected to the first member about a point (110) corresponding to the axis of the brake actuating cam, the third member is slidably mounted on the second member and the third member is removably connectable to the fourth member at a series of points on the fourth member. Various arrays (112, 116, 120 and 124) are provided to determine the brake assembly mounting variables corresponding to a particular template configuration.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly is provided for controlling the recirculation of exhaust gases in an internal combustion engine. The assembly includes a fixed body portion having an exhaust inlet and an exhaust outlet port and an adjustable exhaust back-pressure transducer portion movable within the valve. A diaphragm is attached to the body and to the upper and lower housing shells of the transducer to define in the body portion a vacuum chamber on one side and an atmospheric chamber on the other side. A second atmospheric or air bleed chamber and an exhaust chamber are provided by portions of the diaphragm in the transducer portion. The transducer has an air bleed valve responsive to exhaust back pressure which controls the vacuum in the vacuum chamber for effecting movement of a valve for controlling flow between the inlet and outlet.

Abstract: An annular tire building drum having an infinitely variable width for use in a tire building machine includes a hub rotatable about an axis of rotation and an annular fluid expandable tube supported on the hub. The tube includes support means disposed on the exterior surface thereof. A plurality of pairs of shoe members are supported on the support means for movement in a radial direction upon expansion and contraction of the tube. The shoe members define an annular tire building surface. One of the shoe members of each pair of shoe members is movable in a first direction parallel to the axis of rotation and the other shoe member of each pair is movable in a second direction opposite the first direction to infinitely vary the axial width of the building surface. The support means includes guideway means and each of the shoe members includes a guide member attached thereto.

Abstract: An engine valve control mechanism for varying the amount of opening and/or timing of a cylinder valve in a valve gear train of a multi-cylinder, internal combustion engine having an overhead camshaft which actuates the valve via a rocker arm pivotally bridged between the valve stem and a hydraulic lash adjuster. In one engine embodiment of the invention, the valve gear train portion for each intake valve is provided with a valve control mechanism of the invention by providing a camshaft having a high lift lobe and two low lift lobes for actuating the valve and by providing a valve rocker arm including a rigid link defining a first cam follower for following the low lift lobes and a second cam follower pivotally connected to the rigid link for following the high lift lobe.

Abstract: A load sensing hydraulic system is disclosed of the type in which a load signal is communicated from downstream of a main flow control orifice to a device which is operable to vary the fluid delivery rate in response to changes in the load signal. Disposed in the load signal conduit is a load signal modulating valve which, in one position, communicates the load signal, substantially unchanged, to the variable fluid source. In another position of the modulating valve, the load signal chamber of the variable fluid source is drained to tank, while in intermediate positions of the modulating valve, a portion of the load signal is communicated to the variable fluid source, and a portion is bled to tank. Modulation of a load signal permits flow control in an hydraulic system, independent of the position or movement of the main spool valve. The input to the modulating valve may be manual or electric, and if electric, may be remote, or may be automatic in response to certain predetermined system conditions.

Abstract: An improved, one-piece, sheet metal fastener for threadably receiving and lockingly engaging an externally threaded fastener at relatively low clamping forces is provided. The improved fastener comprises a generally arcuate leg having members for engaging external threads formed therein. The arcuate leg, in the non-deformed position thereof, defines an arc section having a radius and a chord, the ratio of said radius to said chord being in the range of 1:1.4 to 1:1.8 and preferably in the range of 1:1.5 to 1:1.7.

Abstract: A valve assembly of the type providing bypass flow through a branch channel when the movable valve member is in the closed position to block flow through the main flow channel outlet. A venturi device is disposed in the main channel upstream of the movable valve member, and the venturi has secondary ports provided through the wall at the throat section. When the movable valve member is in the closed position, flow into the venturi exits at the flow ports and flows through the bypass channel. When the movable valve member is in the open position, flow discharges from the venturi, through the main channel outlet port downstream of the movable valve member, thereby causing reduced pressure at the venturi throat and preventing flow through the secondary ports to the bypass channel.

Abstract: A device for disabling a poppet valve in an internal combustion engine. The engine includes a valve actuating drive train having an overhead camshaft, a hydraulic lash adjuster, and a rocker arm which pivots at one end about the lash adjuster. The disabling device is secured to the valve stem and is drivingly interposed between the valve and the other end of the rocker arm. The disabling device includes a cap and drum or first drive means moveable with the rocker arm and relative to the valve stem, first and second springs concentric to the valve stem and respectively apply a biasing force to the first and second drive means and a rotatable latch. The latch is moveable between a valve enabling position and a valve disabling position. The valve is enabled for normal opening and closing when the latch is in the valve enabling position; in this position the latch prevents relative movement between the first and second drive means and both springs bias the valve closed.

Abstract: A brake assembly for a vehicle includes a stamped spider member, an air chamber mounting bracket attached to one end of the stamped spider member, a cam shaft supported in the air chamber mounting bracket having an S-cam member affixed to one end thereof, cam spacer selectively locatable on the cam shaft for adjusting the relative position of the S-cam and the spider member, and an anchor pin supported on the spider member opposite from the air chamber mounting bracket with the anchor pin being supported in a cantilevered fashion at one end thereof by the spider member. A pair of brake shoes are provided having an anchor pin end engaging the anchor pin and an S-cam end engaging the S-cam member. Rotation of the S-cam effects pivotal movement of the braking shoes about the anchor pin to brake a vehicle associated therewith. An anchor pin spacer is selectively locatable on the anchor pin to selectively adjust the relative position of the brake shoes and the spider member.

Abstract: An adjustable flow control valve having a rectangular flow control member selectively positionable within a fluid passageway. The flow control member is mounted transversely to the flow passageway in a guide slot integrally formed in the valve housing with the longitudinal edges of the control member extending outwardly from the slot. A closed end cylindrical adjustment nut having a tubular portion surrounding one end of the mounted control member is guided for rotation in a housing bore. The internal diameter of the adjustment nut is threaded and engages corresponding external threads located on the longitudinal edges of the rectangular flow control member. Selective rotation of the adjustment nut is effective for positioning the flow control member into the fluid passageway transversely to the direction of fluid flow therethrough, thereby varying the effective fluid flow area.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for controlling the recirculation of exhaust gases in an internal combustion engine. The assembly includes a fixed body portion having an exhaust inlet and an exhaust outlet port and a moveable transducer portion. A diaphragm is attached to the body and transducer portions to define a vacuum chamber and an atmospheric chamber in the body portion and a second atmospheric or air bleed chamber and an exhaust chamber in the transducer portion. Passages integrally formed in the diaphragm at its point of attachment to the transducer portion provide fluid communication between the two atmospheric chambers. Valve means are provided between the transducer atmospheric chamber and the vacuum chamber and between the exhaust inlet and outlet ports.

Abstract: An adjustable support structure for a motor vehicle steering column. The steering column is attached to a first tube which is telescopically received within a second tube attached to the vehicle frame. A releasable wedge member acts between the two tubes to lock the steering column in any one of an infinite number of positions within a selected adjustment range.

Abstract: A fibrous reinforced flexible hose for conveying fluids such as paint under pressure is provided with a composite core tube preferably simultaneously co-extruded from two or more synthetic polymers which are in intimate contact with each other. The inner layer of the composite core tube is nylon or other chemical resistant polymer which may or may not be cross-linked and the outer layer is a cross-linked electrically semi-conductive synthetic polymer layer which serves as a ground for static electricity. In the process of making the hose, the semi-conductive layer is preferably cross-linked by irradiation as a means of improving its higher temperature performance capabilities and to minimize changes in the electrical resistance of the semi-conductive layer that might arise from dynamic use of the hose.

Abstract: A pressure and liquid tight compression fitting particularly adapted for attachment to a beverage container. An externally threaded body portion of the fitting is inserted through a wall of the container and is clamped to the wall by means of a nut. A first pressure seal is effected by an O-ring received in a groove formed in the face of the nut in contact with the container wall. A first liquid seal is effected by a thin lip formed at the outer edge of the nut, beyond the O-ring. A combined second pressure seal and second liquid seal is effected by interfitting tapered sections of the body portion and the nut beyond the threaded connection between the body and the nut.

Abstract: An improved, blocked, change gear transmission having an input shaft driven by a prime mover through a normally engaged, selectively disengageable, master friction clutch is provided with means for decelerating and positively reverse rotating the transmission input shaft. The means for decelerating and positively reverse rotating the transmission input shaft may be selectively operator actuated and/or automatically actuated. The means for decelerating and positively reverse rotating the transmission input shaft is preferably only actuatable upon disengagement of the master clutch and may be selectively or automatically actuated by the master clutch control.

Abstract: An auxiliary transmission unit is connected to the input of a power divider, which power divider is connected between a pair of pinion shafts for respectively driving the front and rear axles of a tandem axle construction. The power divider includes at least one pair of meshing axle gears drivingly interconnected between the pinion shafts for transmitting torque to each of the axles. The auxiliary transmission unit includes a single pair of meshing transmission gears, one thereof being associated with the transmission input shaft and the other being associated with a parallel countershaft. The output of the transmission unit comprises one of the shafts of the power divider.

Abstract: A housing assembly for a wedge type disc brake in which the wedge actuator is housed in a radially disposed aluminum housing member which is clamped between the inboard end of a ferrous caliper housing member and a ferrous end plate by axial bolts passing through the end plate and the aluminum housing member for threaded engagement with bores in the inboard end of the caliper housing. The inboard face of the aluminum housing member has an opening opposite the wedge actuator which is closed by the end plate so that the inboard rollers of the roller bearing assembly interconnecting the wedge actuator and the push rod bear directly on the outboard face of the end plate. The braking force generated at the interface of the wedge actuator and the push rod is thus transferred to the end plate and absorbed by tensioning of the bolts, thereby relieving the aluminum housing of any significant tensile loading.

Abstract: Elongate, deformable, composite tubing for use in maintaining or controlling the temperature of a fluid conveyed therethrough comprising one or more tubular fluid conveyance lines or one or more tubular fluid conveyance lines disposed in heat transfer relationship with one or more heating lines and having disposed in encompassing relationship thereabout an improved flexible thermal barrier. The improved thermal barrier comprises one or more flexible, flame resistant, low chlorine bearing, sheet-like layers of low bulk fibrous glass elements having a density of less than about 20 lb./cu. ft. providing improved thermal insulation characteristics in combination with improved flexibility and reduced outer diameter.

Abstract: A fluid expandable drum for building portions of tires in a tire building machine includes an annular supporting drum and an expandable annular tube element having an inner peripheral surface supported on the annular drum. The tube element includes an outer peripheral surface upon which support means is secured for movement therewith. A plurality of shoe members are connected to the support means for movement therewith with the shoe members defining an annular building surface thereon which is movable in a radial direction toward and away from the annular support drum upon contraction and expansion, respectively, of the tube element. The tube element is expanded to expand the diameter of the building surface to enable a tire portion to be built thereon and retracted to decrease the diameter of the building surface to enable a build tire portion to be removed therefrom.

Abstract: An improved, blocked, change gear transmission having an input shaft normally driven by a one-way prime mover and an output shaft normally connected to a driven device is provided. The improved blocked transmission utilizes at least one improved blocker and jaw clutch assembly which allows engagement of a selected ratio gear under static conditions, i.e., when the driven device is at rest and the blocked transmission is in neutral.