Abstract: An axle and wheel assembly particularly adapted for railcar usage is disclosed as having a metal-foam construction that is light in weight but of a relatively high strength. The axle includes an elongated hollow steel outer axle member and an elongated hollow steel inner axle member received within the outer axle member with the foam injected therebetween so as to cure and bond to the members and function as a load bearing element therebetween. Adhesion between the axle members and the foam is increased by applying an adhesive to the members prior to the injection of the foam. An intermediate portion of the outer axle member between ends of the axle includes outwardly deformed ribs that increase the cross-sectional area thereof without increasing the weight to enhance the lightweight and high strength characteristics of the axle.

Abstract: A planar magnetron cathode target assembly is formed from a plurality of individual target tiles arranged in end-to-end abutting relationship so as to form a continuous and enclosed length of consumable metal. In use, the individual targets are eroded so as to define a continuous annular track or trough having a curved V-shape or double-convex cross section with the deepest part of the trough being generally intermediate the width of each target tile. At this time, each target tile in the longitudinal rows is severed along the deepest part of the trough and reassembled with the thickets or least eroded parts of the several target segments in transversely abutting relationship. Each of the end tiles is also rotated 180.degree. to position its non-eroded portion in abutting relationship with the endmost severed and reassembled targets.

Abstract: An abrading tool (20, 20a, 20b) is disclosed as having a tapered arbor (22) and an abrasive insert 24 including a helical element (28) with a plurality of coils (30) that receive the arbor in an axially incompressibly mounted relationship. An abrasive strip (32) of a helical shape on the coils performs a machining operation upon tool rotation. The abrasive strip on each coil is spaced from the abrasive strip on adjacent coils. Nuts (40, 44, 46) threaded on the arbor provide a means for adjustably positioning the abrasive insert axially along the arbor to control the diameter of each coil in order to initially size the insert and to subsequently compensate for wear of the abrasive strip.

Abstract: A storage unit of the disclosure includes vertical posts on which beams that connect the posts are adjustably supported at selected heights. Each post has an elongated shape of a T-shaped cross section including an imperforate outer wall, imperforate side walls that extend inwardly from the outer wall in spaced relationship to each other, inner walls that extend from the side walls toward each other in spaced relationship to the outer wall, and flanges which extend inwardly from the inner walls and are connected to each other. Mounting openings are provided in each inner wall of the post along the length thereof for use in securing the beams to the post. Each beam has an elongated shape between the posts and opposite ends which include respective notches. At least one attachment tab is mounted within each beam notch for protection when the beam is not being used and for use in securing the beam to the post by projecting through one of the post mounting openings.

Abstract: An auxiliary firing mechanism (26) used to actuate a tripper for a gun trigger includes a remote actuator (28) connected to the tripper by an elongated connector such as a cable (30) that is moved by the cooperable action of a control member (68) and a rotatably and axially movable actuator member (74) of the actuator. Camming surfaces (90,92) of the control member and the actuator member of the actuator move the control member from a first position to a second position against a spring bias (76) thereof in order to actuate the tripper and thereby trip the gun trigger whereupon the camming surface (92) of the actuator member moves out of engagement with the camming surface (90) of the control member in order to allow the control member to be moved back to the first position by its spring bias. Axial and rotational movement of the actuator member then again engages the camming surfaces of the control and actuator members in preparation for another actuation of the tripper.

Abstract: A plunger valve nozzle has a nozzle body with a constant diameter bore extending therethrough, one end of which is open to receive fluid under pressure and has a hollow plunger extending thereinto with a direct acting piston portion slidably fitting the bore and exposed to the fluid pressure through the open end of the bore, there being orifices connecting the interior of the plunger to the periphery of the piston portion which are uncovered by the bore when the fluid pressure is sufficient to move the plunger further inwardly of the bore a predetermined distance, which movement is opposed by a spring connected to the plunger and reacting against the nozzle body.

Abstract: A gun sight positioning mechanism (22) disclosed includes a parallelogram linkage for moving a gun sight positioning shaft angularly with a trunnion shaft (32) on which a gun is supported and has a slip clutch (44) that connects the linkage to one of the shafts so that the sight can be aimed downwardly at the target area while the gun remains aimed upwardly along the projectile path. Preferably, the slip clutch connects the linkage to the gun sight positioning shaft and includes a stop (56) that allows the sight to be aimed upwardly back into alignment with the gun after viewing the impact. First and second links (46,52) of the linkage are respectively connected to the trunnion and sight positioning shafts and interconnected by a connecting link (54) whose length is adjustable to insure the proper angular movement of each shaft with the other.

Abstract: A unitary axle of an elongated tubular construction preferably made from heat treated steel so as to be light weight with high strength. Two embodiments of the axle each have a first vehicle mounted end and a second wheel supporting end as well as an intermediate portion having an I-beam section whose combined height and width is less than the combined height and width of the intermediate axle portion adjacent the second axle end. Upper, lower, and spaced side walls of the intermediate axle portion have a uniform thickness and the side walls are deformed inwardly to form the I-beam section preferably so as to have inner sides thereof engaged with each other. First and second bends in the axle adjacent the first and second ends thereof allow it to be used in an overlapping relationship with another bent axle. A rectangular section of the intermediate axle portion is located between the I-beam section and the second axle end.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention there is provided a bed frame with end rails of adjustable length, each of the end rails including an inner rail member having horizontal and vertical flanges in nested relationship with an outer rail member having horizontal and vertical flanges, the vertical flange of the inner rail member having a plurality of spaced openings arranged in a line longitudinally of the inner rail member and the vertical flange of the outer rail member having a projection adapted to fit into any one of said openings, the outer rail member also having secured thereto a lock member pivotable to a lock position or to an unlock position, the lock member having a U-shaped portion adapted to straddle and hold together the vertical flanges of the inner and outer rail members when the projection is in one of said openings and the lock member is in its lock position, the lock member also including a portion for preventing accidental movement of the lock member from its lock position to its unlock positi

Abstract: An expandable abrading tool (20, 20a, 20b) disclosed includes a rotatable arbor (22) and an abrasive insert (24, 24a, 24b) having stacked washers (26) which receive the arbor and are mounted thereon in a clamped relationship. Each washer has a round outer edge including an abrasive (32) secured thereto for performing a cutting operation upon tool rotation. The washers each have a frustoconical shape that points toward one axial end of the insert. A threaded clamp (38, 40, 42, 44) which provides a means for clamping the ends (34, 36) of the insert is adjustable to increase the clamping force in order to flatten the washers and thereby control the washer diameters. The insert can thus be initially sized for use and can be adjusted to compensate for wear of the abrasive.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for burnishing gears incorporating a pair of gear racks having opposed forming faces with teeth spaced therealong for meshing with a toothed gear received therebetween to provide the sole support for the gear as it is rotated by rack movement while the rack teeth burnish the gear teeth. A loader is positioned on one lateral side of the gear racks and includes a movable gripper mechanism that positions the gears to be burnished between the racks for meshing engagement therewith as the racks are driven by a reciprocal drive mechanism of the apparatus. Grippers of the gripper mechanism grip the gears during loading and have pushers that push the burnished gears to a delivery guide on the opposite lateral side of the gear racks from the loader.

Abstract: An engine valve operating mechanism for operating the poppet valves controlling the intake and exhaust ports of each cylinder independently of each other and independently of the crank shaft speed. The mechanism includes an extendable and retractable fluid actuator having first and second members telescopically engaged with each other, one of which members is rotatable with respect to the other. An expansible and contractable fluid chamber is defined between the members, and the flow of fluid into and out of the chamber is controlled in accordance with the angular position of the members with respect to each other. When fluid flows into the chamber, the chamber expands causing the actuator to extend. When fluid is exhausted from the chamber, the actuator contracts. The actuator is mounted on a support member and engages a poppet valve operator to cause a poppet valve engaged by the operator to move in opening and closing directions in response to extension and retraction of the actuator.

Abstract: A multiple spindle honing machine of the disclosure includes automatically controlled feed cylinders for initially expanding honing tools driven by the spindles and also includes a constant rate feed mechanism that continues to expand the tools after the initial expansion actuated by the feed cylinders. Each spindle includes a connector that extends between one of the feed cylinders and its associated honing tool. Mechanical locks respectively lock first threaded members of the connectors after the initial tool expansion. Second threaded members of the connectors are unthreaded from the first members thereof by an actuating member, preferably embodied by the gear rack, of the constant rate feed mechanism so as to continue the tool expansion and completion of honing operation. Electrical and hydraulic circuits control operation of the pressure feed cylinders, the constant rate feed mechanism, and the mechanical locks.

Abstract: Torque transmitting apparatus (10) including a shiftable sleeve member (12) having locking and guiding splines (26a and b) for coupling a first toothed member (14) having external teeth (34) to either one of a pair of toothed members (16), having external teeth (20), and spaced on axially opposite sides thereof. Each locking spline (26a) has working faces (40) whose ends include recesses (38) for axially holding the sleeve member during the transmission of torque to prevent undesirable disengagement during the transmission of torque. The recesses at each end of each locking spline (26a) are spaced from each other with substantially the same minimum chordal relationship as the end of each of the other locking splines. Each guiding spline (26b) has working faces (44) which are spaced so that the chordal thickness therebetween is substantially equal to or less than the corresponding minimum chordal thickness between the recesses at the ends of each locking spline.

Abstract: A switching circuit is disclosed for eliminating the effects of contact bounce in a movable contact switch connected between a voltage source and the input of a switching transistor. When the movable contact switch is closed, bouncing of the contacts undesirably produces a momentary voltage pulse which may produce false switching of the switching transistor. To avoid false switching, a coupling circuit is connected between the movable contact switch and the input of the transistor switch and includes a time constant circuit which has a different time constant for a positive going control voltage than for a negative going control voltage. The time constant circuit has longer time constant for a pulse of the polarity of the aforementioned momentary pulse than for the opposite polarity pulse whereby the transistor switch is prevented from responding to the momentary pulse.

Abstract: A wave simulator including an enclosed receptacle filled with non-mixing liquids so that tipping of the receptacle simulates wave action and incorporating at least one flexible diaphragm that flexes to prevent excessive liquid pressure buildup within the receptacle while also maintaining the interior of the receptacle completely filled by the liquids. The receptacle has a two-piece construction injection molded from clear polycarbonate plastic and includes a unitary bottom wall and an upper wall member having unitary top, side, and end walls. Edges of the bottom wall are secured to the side and end walls of the upper wall member and an intermediate portion thereof includes a pair of openings which respectively receive a pair ofthe diaphragms. One preferred construction of the diaphragm includes annular steps that extend upwardly so as to be flexible downwardly to accommodate for liquid expansion.

Abstract: A cleaning kit for magnetic tape type sound reproducing equipment is disclosed as including a rectangularly shaped receptacle for receiving and storing cleaning tools. The size of the box is such that the kit can be conveniently stored along with or in the space normally provided for tape cassette boxes of a conventional size. In its preferred embodiment, the receptacle includes a base member injection molded from opaque plastic and a cover which is also injection molded from clear plastic and pivotally connected to the base member for movement between open and closed positions. A tool rack on the base member secures the tools which comprise a brush, an elongated probe holder, and a mirror. A compartment of the cover receives a bag of cleaning probes and a bottle of cleaning fluid for use in cleaning magnetic tape type sound reproducing equipment in cooperation with the tools.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine control system in which intake and exhaust valve deactivators are controlled in response to both engine throttle position and output speed in order to affect split engine operation. Voltages responsive to both throttle position and engine output speed are compared to generate a variable signal that controls the valve deactivators. Each deactivator includes a rotatable first cylindrical member axially fixed on an elongated engine support and also includes a second cylindrical member defining an enclosed cavity with the first member while positioned on the support between the engine and the first member. A helical spring of each deactivator encircles the cylindrical members thereof and has a first end axially fixed relative to the support and a second end that biases a rocker arm bearing toward the engine.

Abstract: A rotatable cutting tool (10) of the disclosure includes an expandable cutting section (40) and a leading end having an expandable pilot (16) for properly aligning the tool during use. The trailing end of the tool preferably also has an expandable pilot (18) for aligning the tool during movement back through a bore which has been machined. A unitary body (20) of the tool has a helical slot (24) extending axially therethrough and has an inner tapered surface (26) for mounting the tool on a tapered arbor (12) such that movement therealong by nuts (34, 36, 38) engaged with axial end surfaces of the pilots controls the size of the cutting section and the pilots. The expandable tool construction is particularly adaptable for abrasion tools and is disclosed with abrasive particles (22) secured to the cutting section.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine control system in which intake and exhaust valve deactivators are controlled in response to both engine throttle position and output speed in order to affect split engine operation. Voltages responsive to both throttle position and engine output speed are compared to generate a variable signal that controls the valve deactivators. Each deactivator includes a rotatable first cylindrical member axially fixed on an elongated engine support and also includes a second cylindrical member defining an enclosed cavity with the first member while positioned on the support between the engine and the first member. A helical spring of each deactivator encircles the cylindrical members thereof and has a first end axially fixed relative to the support and a second end that biases a rocker arm bearing toward the engine.