Abstract: The present invention relates to a disc brake for use on a railway vehicle. The brake includes a service brake for normal brake applications and an auxiliary or parking brake which is spring applied and hydraulically or pneumatically released. The disc brake includes a caliper supporting a service brake actuator and an auxiliary brake actuator arranged to apply opposed friction pads to opposite sides of a braking disc. The auxiliary brake actuator consists of one or more spring elements which engage around outer peripheral regions of the caliper and grip the caliper to apply spring force to the pads from the exterior of the caliper, the spring elements being releasable by a hydraulic or pneumatic piston such that the spring force of the spring elements is then reacted through the caliper. By this arrangement of spring elements, the spring elements being preferably located in grooves on the outer surface of the caliper, a compact disc brake construction is achieved.

Abstract: The gas generator comprises an electrolysis unit 10 in which gas is generated for subsequent mixing with fuel in an engine assembly. The engine assembly comprises an engine 17, a fuel container for the engine, the aforesaid electrolysis unit 10 and a mixing chamber 26 in which the generated gas is intermixed with the fuel from the fuel container prior to combustion in the engine.

Abstract: Corkscrew of the type having folding tools (2,3) in a handle (4), such as a screw-type means of insertion in a cork (2) and a fulcrum lever extension means such as counter-lever (3) having a slot seat for crown caps as well, and the additional function of supporting by a notched end on the inside ledge of the bottle's neck together with said means of screw insertion (2), both hinged to one end of the handle at a convenient distance from each other, characterized in that:the handle (4) is in plastic material, andthe fulcrum lever extension means such as counter-lever (3) is of a semitubular form having a slot seat (3") through its back with an undercut to engage a crown cap, and the handle (4) being equipped with a hollow complementary with the slot so as to make it actively usable whether the counter-lever is closed or is completely open in alignment, or nearly so, with the handle (4).

Abstract: There is disclosed a single-use disposable impregnated dry cloth which can be presented dry to a user for use as a hair and body shampoo and wash cloth for use when showering. It comprises a high wet-strength non-woven material impregnated with a surfactant composition. The preferred surfactant composition includes a fatty alcohol polyglycol ether sulphosuccinate, a foam booster, a super fatting agent and a fungicide.

Abstract: A shaft subject to orbiting motion as it is driven in rotation is directly connected to the prime mover driving the shaft so that the prime mover follows the orbiting motion of the shaft. The housing associated with the prime mover is connected to a fixed structure through a universal coupling, which may be a gimbal, capable of preventing the housing from rotating relative to the fixed structure while permitting it to follow the orbiting motion of the shaft.

Abstract: A moisture absorbent is sealed between an elastic material and a moisture-permeable film to thereby provide a dehumidifying material having an elastic layer or bed therein. The dehumidifying material may be used in the fields of packing articles such as precision machines and dehydrated food and of dehumidification of beds, cushions, seat covers, lockers and the like.

Abstract: A brake pad (34) has a rear surface (46) for support on an actuating member (32,64) of a disc brake and a braking surface (56) constituted by friction material (38). At least one hole (48) is arranged in the brake pad (34) at right angles with respect to the rear surface (46) to guide the brake pad (34) on a guide pin (60). A protective sleeve (54) for the guide pin (60) extends coaxially with the hole (48) in a direction towards the plane of the braking surface (56). The protective sleeve (54) is made of a material which wears down together with the friction material (38) and it is embedded, at least for part of its length, in the friction material (38).

Abstract: A lipopolysaccharide characterized by a polysaccharide portion composed of D-arabinose and D-mannose in a 1:3/4 ration and 37 to 47% of a fatty acid portion having 14-19 carbon atoms bonded to the polysaccharide through an ester linkage. This lipopolysaccharide has physiological activities such as antitumor activity, immunizing activity, cell juvenescent activity, phagocyte activating activity, and infection preventing activity.This lipopolysaccharide is prepared by culturing a Mycobacterium or a Propionibacterium and extracting the lipopolysaccharide from the culture with a non-ionic surface active agent and purifying the extract with a molecular sieve.

Abstract: A disc brake comprises a pair of brake pads (34) each associated with either side of a brake disc (10). At least one brake pad (34) comprises a backplate (36) having at least one projection (40) which is free of friction lining and by which it is guided on a guide pin (46) for displacement towards the brake disc (10). The guide pin (46) is fastened at a brake carrier member (12), extends through the corresponding projection (40) into a protective sleeve (56) fixed to the same, and has a free end (54) adjacent the brake disc (10). The protective sleeve (56) is designed to be elastic in longitudinal direction and has an end (60) remote from the corresponding projection (40) of the backplate (36). This end (60) is fixed tightly at the free end (54) of the corresponding guide pin (46). The fastening of the guide pin (46) at the carrier member (12) is releasable.

Abstract: A dynamic electron emitter includes a cold cathode in a cathode chamber emitting electrons in a focussed beam at and through a small orifice into a receiving chamber containing an anode and which may be the chamber of an ion gun. The orifice size is critical in that it must be small enough to ensure a higher pressure in the cathode than in the receiving chamber yet large enough to pass therethrough a sufficiently large flux of electrons to accomplish the intended purpose of the electron stream.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel bis-dioxopiperazine derivatives, process for their preparation, antitumor agents comprising them and compositions containing them.The bis-dioxopiperazine derivatives are represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a group of ##STR2## R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, which are respectively independent and are the same or different, represent respectively a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 7 carbon atoms or a heterocyclic radical selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted piperidino, substituted or unsubstituted piperazino, substituted or unsubstituted morpholino and substituted or unsubstituted thiomorpholino, or R.sub.3 and R.sub.

Abstract: An anti-freezing coating material for application to the exposed surfaces of plants subject to freezing. The material consists of a foam composed of a fluid matrix surrounding gas bubbles and having viscosity permitting the foam to be spread by a tool or by spraying onto the plant. A specific foam is a mixture of egg whites and fruit pectin beaten to a stiff foam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a brake actuation and adjuster system comprising means for applying brake actuation pressure both to a brake actuator member and to a pump. The pump is arranged to pump pressure fluid to an adjuster control valve and an adjuster actuator, and the brake actuator member is arranged to be moved by said brake actuation pressure to then open the adjuster control valve against the pressure of the pressure fluid after the brake actuator has moved to a predetermined release position. Thus, in one embodiment, brake actuation pressure primes the pump causing the pump to force pressure fluid to the adjuster actuator. If adjustment is necessary, it is effected until the adjuster control valve is opened to release the pressure fluid. Thus a simple, independent adjuster arrangement is provided which does not affect available brake performance.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension strut 1 comprising a telescopic hydraulic damper 2 and coaxial main suspension spring 3 is fitted with a brake pressure control valve 23. The control member 22 of the valve is acted on by a lever 20 pivotally mounted on a bracket 18 fast with the damper body. The lever 20 supports the end of a tubular support 7 which is movable axially of the damper body and which carries the support plate 9 for the main suspension spring. A compensating spring 12 acts between a ring 13 supported on bracket 18 and an adjustable collar 14 mounted on the tubular element. The compensating spring 12 reacts part of the main suspension spring load onto the damper body, and the remaining suspension spring load is transferred to the body via the lever 20 which distributes the force equally between the bracket 18 and the control member 22.

Abstract: A reaction mixture handling device comprises a chamber for containing a reaction mixture having an open upper end for introduction of the mixture or components thereof, and an outlet at its lower end. Below the inlet a body of filter material is located together with reaction mixture retaining structure for retaining the reaction mixture in the chamber and which is rendered inoperative on application of a positive pressure to the chamber or a negative pressure to the underside of the filter material. The reaction mixture retaining structure may comprise an impermeable or hydrophobic member which is positioned between the outlet and the filter material and closes the outlet, part of the filter material which is made impermeable or hydrophobic and closes the outlet, or an openable member located beneath the filter material. Application of the differential pressure either causes the filter material to move away from the outlet to open the outlet, or opens the member to permit liquid to flow.

Abstract: A brake carrier (12) straddling the edge of a brake disc (10) guides two brake pads (24,26) disposed at one side each of the brake disc (10). The brake comprises an actuator (22) having an actuating axis (B) defining a radial center plane (C) together with the axis (A) of the brake disc. Two guide bolts (18,20) are arranged at the brake carrier (12) at least approximately parallel to the axis (A) of the brake disc at that side of the center plane (C) which is the trailing side, based on the direction of rotation (D) of the brake disc (10) during forward travelling. A caliper (16) is guided for displacement at the brake carrier (12) by means of the guide bolts (18,20). The actuator (22) acts directly on the one brake pad (24) and by way of the caliper (16) on the other brake pad (26). The brake carrier (12) has guide faces (34,36) for the brake pads (24,26) effective upon braking during forward travelling at the trailing side only.

Abstract: A component having an externally engaged actuating member which effects an internal change at what is required to be a closely repeatable position in the movement of the member, e.g. a micro-switch actuated by a push button, is calibrated by progressively moving the actuating member while sensing for the internal change then, when the change occurs, clamping the actuating member (e.g. the push button) and cutting it to length.

Abstract: A device carrying air reservoir means and a compressor is adapted to be mounted on a conventional four cycle internal combustion engine to convert it to operation by air pressure. The device has air pressure reservoirs, valves and conduits for delivering air pressure to the cylinders of an engine in timed sequence. After each power stroke air is exhausted to the inlet of a compressor carried by the device which delivers the compressed exhaust air back to the reservoirs and in doing so adds to the exhaust air energy substantially equal to the useful work output of the engine.