Abstract: The invention provides a van for transporting horses which has fixed side walls which are outwardly bowed longitudinally of the length of the van.

Abstract: An applicator head, for applying a coating of material (e.g. hot-melt adhesive) to a passing ribbon comprises an extrusion slot disposed transverse to the direction of passage of the ribbon and arranged to apply a coating of material in at least one continuous band along the ribbon, and an arrangement for intermittently opening and closing an extrusion slot for applying a coating of material discontinuously in a band contiguous with said one band.

Abstract: A tamper evident retainer to hold a closure and container in closed condition, the retainer having a displaceable extension flange carrying retaining means, in the initial condition of the retainer, before application of the closure to the container, the retainer having the extension flange and retaining means out of the path of relative movement of the closure and container during closing and being displaceable to position the retaining means in the path of relative movement of the closure and container during opening, the retainer having a weakened zone so that access can be had to the container by rupturing the weakened zone to release the retaining means and thereby allow the closure to be removed from the container.

Abstract: The present specification provides a caliper for use in a disc brake. The caliper has at least two body sections which are clamped together by one or more bolts, each bolt having a bore extending axially therethrough, the bores acting as pin guides for the pins secured to the torque taking member, in the complete brake. Thus only a pair of holes are required to be formed in the caliper body sections, improving the strength and rigidity of the caliper and keeping manufacturing costs to a minimum.

Abstract: In a high pressure hydraulic system a source supplies pressurized fluid to a slave unit through a control valve operative to maintain the slave unit in a desired condition. Leakage from the slave unit past the control valve when the source is inoperative is undesirable, but it is difficult to provide durable leakproof seals and to minimize valve operating forces at high fluid pressures. The control valve therefore comprises two solenoid-operated valves oppositely acting and arranged in series between the source and the slave unit, each valve being closed to prevent flow through the valve in a direction from the other valve and opened to permit flow in both directions, under the control of a solenoid and the pressure differential acting across the valve, a seating portion on a first valve is of elastomeric material to provide a leakproof seal when that valve is closed.

Abstract: In a valve assembly for a pressurized dispenser, such as of the kind commonly known as aerosol cans, a novel arrangement is proposed for sealing the spray tip or button to the ferrule or center boss of the mounting cup of the valve during `gassing`. An inwardly directed annular shoulder formed in the top wall of the ferrule or center boss is engaged by an outwardly facing annular surface on the underside of the spray tip and the higher the pressure the better the seal. As the spray tip no longer needs to be as flexible as hitherto it can be made of polypropylene. A complementary outward-facing shoulder on the underside of the top wall helps to locate the rim of the valve shell and thereby to resist displacement of the gasket during gassing.

Abstract: In a master cylinder assembly the pressure spaces in advance of pedal-operated pistons of two separate master cylinders are interconnected by a transfer passage, and each master cylinder incorporates a boost chamber to which hydraulic fluid from a pressure source is admitted to act on the piston and augment the force applied to the piston by the pedal when the master cylinder is operated. Each master cylinder incorporates a control valve having a valve spool which is normally urged by a spring into a retracted position to close a transfer port providing communication between the pressure space and the transfer passage and to close an inlet port to cut-off communication between the pressure source and the boost chamber.

Abstract: A remote display module displays characteristics, e.g. specific gravity and velocity, of a slurry of solids and liquid flowing in a pipeline. The remote display module generates a light spot representative of the coordinates of velocity and specific gravity signals which an operator endeavors to maintain in desired position relative to graphical overlays representative of the weight of solids flow per unit of time for a pipeline of known diameter.

Abstract: A flow detector, for use adjacent a steam trap to detect an unacceptable level of leakage of steam through the trap, comprises a tubular housing substitutable for a standard pipe nipple. The housing comprises a boss which provides a condensate collecting well in which an electrode is exposed. Immediately opposite the well, on the opposite side of a flow passage provided by the housing, is a baffle in the form of a ramp arranged to divert steam towards the well. In normal conditions of use, the presence of condensate in the well is signalled by an electric current passing between the electrode and the housing. Should an excessive steam flow occur in the passage, steam diverted by the ramp displaces the condensate from the well around the electrode and stops the flow of current. A similar detector could be of use in a compressed air line.

Abstract: An anti-skid braking system incorporates a modulator assembly through which fluid from a source is supplied to a brake. The modulator assembly comprises a de-boost piston working in a bore in a housing, an expander chamber connected to the brake and defined in the bore between one end of the piston and a first valve, and a second valve for controlling the application to the piston of support fluid to determine the relative position of the piston in the bore, the second valve being manipulated in response to a skid signal. The operation of the first valve is controlled independently of the piston by a flow-control regulating valve which is arranged to open the first valve upon failure of a supply of support fluid irrespective of the position of the de-boost piston.

Abstract: A waste outlet fitting for a bath, basin, sink or the like comprises a tubular body in which a plug is captively mounted. The plug includes a part-spherical periphery which is complementary to a part-spherical seat formed in the tubular body. The plug may be rotated between the closed position shown and an open position in which the plug member stands up-right within the tubular body by application of finger pressure to the edge of the plug. The tubular body may comprise an outer tubular member and insert member as illustrated, or may be in the form of an integral plastics moulding.

Abstract: A brake circuit for a vehicle having selectively brakeable rear wheels comprises separate master cylinders each connected to one rear wheel brake and separately operable by means of foot pedals. The outputs of the master cylinders are connected to a control valve which in turn is connected to front wheel hydraulic brakes of the vehicle. When either of the pedals is depressed without depressing the other pedal the control valve is effective to isolate the front brakes from the pressurized rear brake circuit. However, when the brake pedals are linked together by a plate so that both rear brakes are operated together with control valve establishes a communication between the output of one master cylinder and the front brakes, thereby allowing four wheel braking.

Abstract: An hydraulic brake actuator comprises opposed pistons which work in bore portions in a housing and fluid pressure in a pressure chamber urges the pistons in opposite directions to separate adjacent ends of a pair of brake shoes. A pressure proportioning valve controls communication between pressure spaces constituted by the pressure chamber. The valve is normally open to equalize the pressure in the pressure spaces but closes at a predetermined pressure so that any further increase in pressure is operative in only one pressure space, the pressure in which space acting to keep the valve closed. In use in a brake of the one-leading one-trailing shoe-drum type the increased pressure acts on the piston which applies the trailing shoe to the drum, in order to equalize the torque.

Abstract: In a master cylinder and servo booster assembly for a vehicle braking system a mounting plate is connected to the rear end of a vacuum operated servo booster. A tubular extension integral with the mounting plate extends sealably through the movable wall of the booster substantially to relieve the booster housing of braking reaction forces. Circumferentially spaced axially extending slots divide the extension into axially extending arms which are secured to the master cylinder housing at their free ends by the engagement of a radially extending projection on the end of each arm with an annular recess in the outer surface of the rear end of the master cylinder housing. A sleeve integral with the front shell of the booster housing encircles the ends of the arms and holds the arm ends in interlocking engagement with the master cylinder housing. Alternatively, projections on the master cylinder housing and recesses on the ends of the arms may be provided to secure the arms to the master cylinder housing.

Abstract: A convertible shoe having a sole and releasable upper strap portions. Anchoring means attached to the sole edge cooperate with ring means at the ends of the strap portions to releasable secure the upper and sole portions.

Abstract: An hydraulic actuator comprises a first piston and a second piston both working in a bore in a housing and the actuator incorporates a pressure proportioning valve. The valve comprises a valve head for engagement with a seating, first and second stems projecting from the head and through the first piston in each of two opposite directions, each stem being of an area smaller than that of the head, a seal between the first stem and the first piston, a first spring acting between an abutment adjacent to the seal and a shoulder on the first stem to urge the head in a first direction away from the seating and into engagement with a stop, and a second spring acting on an enlargement on the second stem also to urge the head in the first direction and to augment the force in the first spring. The second piston is provided with a longitudinally extending recess into which the second stem and the second spring both project.

Abstract: In an hydraulic system a solenoid-operated valve mechanism is used to control delivery of pressure fluid to a part of the system, the fluid being circulated by a pump from a reservoir through the valve mechanism and back. The valve mechanism has a solenoid-operated valve biassed open, and closed when the solenoid is energized to generate pressure fluid, the valve then being operated in response to the pressure and a pressure-responsive valve-opening mechanism, such that when the pressure rises above a first threshold level the pressure acts to keep the valve closed, until the pressure reaches a second threshold level at which the valve-opening mechanism is operative to cause the valve to open provided the solenoid is de-energized. The valve-opening mechanism comprises a valve which opens at the second threshold level to allow pressure fluid into a cavity defined by a piston to cause the pressure to fall and the valve to open.

Abstract: A collet for an automatic bar feed machine tool having an outer sleeve 20 and an inner sleeve 21 reciprocable in the outer sleeve, a spring 26 to bias the inner sleeve 21 away from the gripping region 28 of the outer sleeve. Bar stock 33 is gripped in the collet by the outer sleeve end 22 acting on the end 29 of the inner sleeve, the bar being fed through the collet and short ends 36 falling away from the collet during feeding so that bar can be continuously fed through the collet without having to stop the machine to remove short ends.

Abstract: A friction pad assembly comprises a backing plate having friction material secured thereto, and an anti-rattle spring having a bent portion intermediate its ends, the bent portion seating in a recess in the backing plate. To avoid problems caused by heat when the spring is held in place in the recess by the friction material and located before heat bonding of the friction material, the recess is accessible to secure the spring to the backing plate after the friction material is secured to the backing plate. The bent portion is preferably retained in position in the recess by its own resilience.

Abstract: A seal assembly primarily for use with the stern bearing of a ship comprises inner and outer face seal elements mounted on a rubber body for rotation with the propeller shaft. Any oil from the bearing which leaks past the inner element, or sea water which leaks past the outer element, enters a void space formed by pockets in the rubber body. These pockets are separated by inclined vanes which act as a centrifugal pump to expel the leakage material through a passage in a seat for the seals. The assembly can also be used in other applications where the leakage material is corrosive or is likely to cause blockages.