Abstract: A tool for manually rotating the star wheel of a brake adjuster is provided having an elongated body with two spaced projections extending substantially normal to the axis of the body and preferably in opposite direction. The projection carry at their ends opening or similar arrangement for engaging individual teeth and the tool is slotted between the projections to accomodate the width of the star wheel. The tool provides an alternative for manually turning a resisting star wheel by the tedious one-tooth-at-a-time turning required by the use of so-called adjusting spoons.

Abstract: An electronically controlled braking system for a vehicle in which vehicle load measurements, made dynamically, as used to modify the braking demand, individually for each axle of the vehicle and in which, under predetermined conditions of vehicle speed, braking level and operating gradient, the deceleration error formed between braking demand by the driver and measured actual vehicle deceleration is used gradually, over a number of vehicle stops, to form an adaptive factor for correcting the braking demand in order to restore expected braking performance. No correction to the adaptive factor based on the deceleration error is made during a given stopping operation of the vehicle, but a summation of previous errors is arranged to cause a small increment in correction to be made after each stop until, over a number of vehicle stops, the error formed under the predetermined conditions falls to zero.

Abstract: Cycloartenol ferulate/cyclodextrin complex is prepared by including cycloartenol ferulate, which is a component of .gamma.-oryzanol and hardly soluble in water, with cyclodextrin to thereby elevate its solubility in water and improve its absorption through digestive tracts. Thus various pharmaceutical and physiological effects of cycloartenol ferulate are further improved.

Abstract: A load conscious brake pressure reducing valve assembly comprises a piston (2A) mounted on a piston rod (2) and movable to control a valve (6) for controlling the connection between an inlet (4) and outlet (3). The valve body (1) is mounted on a sprung part (7) of a vehicle and the piston rod (2) is coupled to an unsprung part (9) by a position sensing lever (10) and springs (32,20) nominal separation of the sprung and unsprung parts the sensing device (8) exerts no force on the piston rod. For greater spacings of the sprung and unsprung parts the spring (20) exert a force on the piston rod which opposes the force of an internal spring (5), and for lesser spacings the spring (32) exert a force on the piston rod which enhances the force of the internal spring. As a result the net spring force acting on the piston always decreases as the separation of the sprung and unsprung parts increases.

Abstract: An adjusting device (24,34) of an automatically adjustable shoe drum brake has an at least prartly movable locking member (46) associated with it which cooperates with a heat sensitive spring element (50) and prevents pivoting of an adjusting lever (34) and consequently variation in length of a strut (24) in response to the magnitude of a predeterminable brake actuating force and/or a temperature. A loss distance caused by the movement of at least part of the locking member (46) is reduced by a change in rigidity and/or shape of the spring element (50) at rising temperature, in response to the temperature, and completely cancelled . . . reaching a predeterminable value of the temperature.

Abstract: A cutter wheel for a cutter wheel type dredge has a pair of axially spaced wheel parts each carrying peripherally mounted scoops and a centrally mounted hopper. The scoops have open sides, bottoms and rear ends and the hopper has open sides with which the open sides of the scoops align. As the wheel rotates spoil is flushed laterally from the scoops into the hopper by the flow of water into the suction pipe at the bottom of the hopper. The rear of the scoops are elongated and have open ends to permit sticking soil to be flushed into the following scoop as the scoops are moved through water and scraper arms remove whatever spoil might remain in the scoops, thus ensuring the removal from the scoops of all spoil without the necessity of utilizing power to jet flush away sticking soil or stopping operations to remove spoil by hand.

Abstract: The disc brake comprises a cup-shaped disc carrier (20) which has a base member (22) secured to a wheel hub (14) and a drum-type member (24) extending axially inwardly at a small radial spacing from a wheel rim (30) and being firmly connected to the radially outer edge (48) of a brake disc (50). A stationary wheel bearing box (10) supports a brake caliper (54) which straddles the radially inner edge of the brake disc (50), supports brake pads (60) disposed at either side of the brake disc, and comprises an acutating device (62) at least at one side of the brake disc (50). The base member (22) of the disc carrier (20) is designed as a web of the wheel. The wheel rim (30) has a foot portion (38) which is fixed to the radially outer edge of the base member (22). The vent passages (26) begin at the base member (22) near the wheel hub (14 ) and near the foot portion (38) of the rim.

Abstract: A brake pressure control valve (1) for use on a vehicle having a modulated self-levelling air suspension system comprises a valve body (2) sealingly secured to the wall (4) of a pressure chamber of the suspension system to close an aperture (7) in the wall. A brake pressure apportioning valve set (11) is located within the valve body and has a control member (15) the upward force (A) on which determines the cut-in pressure. Fluid pressure within the pressure chamber (5) is communicated to a control chamber (18) via a small orifice (21) in a steel cup (20) which closes the bottom of the valve body. Pressure within control chamber (18) is applied to a diaphragm (20) which permits pressure transfer to a pressure plate (16) abutting the control member (15) but prevents loss of fluid from the control chamber (18).

Abstract: In a drum brake including three brake shoes (4,22,23) adapted to be pressurized hydraulically and/or mechanically first and second hydraulically operable brake shoes (4,22) are supported trailingly in forward travelling direction (21), while the third brake shoe (23), together with at least one of the other brake shoes (4,22) is pressurized upon mechanical braking such that one each of the brake shoes (23 and 4 or 22) is supported trailingly and one is supported leadingly, both in forward and backward travelling directions.

Abstract: A massaging and scrubbing device for the human back consists of a closed cell foam plastic base member of relatively high density and rigidity and a layer of closed cell foam plastic sheet material adhered to the base member. The sheet material has a mildly abrasive exposed surface and high compressibility and flexibility so that all recesses on a human back are engaged by the sheet as the back is moved back and forth while pressed against the device. The device can be used with or without soap and water applied thereto depending on whether one wants only a massage or a combined back scrub and massage.

Abstract: In a master cylinder of the quick-fill type, communication between the quick-fill chamber (8) and the reservoir (13) is controlled by a valve assembly comprising a pressure responsive valve which opens when the pressure in the quick-fill chamber (8) reaches a predetermined level, and a one-way valve (20, 22) which allows free flow of fluid from the reservoir to the quick-fill chamber. The valve member (20) and seat (15) of the pressure responsive valve have confronting surfaces which define between them, when the valve is closed, a restrictive passage for pressure equalization purposes, and any dirt becoming trapped between the surfaces is washed away by the fluid flow on opening of the valve.

Abstract: A rotatable circular building has at and adjacent the lower edge of its annular wall an inwardly extending annular horizontal flange providing a track which rests on an annular series of ground supported horizontal rollers on which the building rotates, an annular series of vertical rollers also being provided to prevent binding of the relatively movable parts when the building is moved laterally.

Abstract: A conventional frame for a jalousie type window is made secure against passage therethrough by individuals by inserting bars through the openings in the side frame members normally utilized by the jalousie support brackets which are then pivoted on the bars. The ends of the bars where they project through the side frames members of the jalousie frame are rigidly connected as by welding to a respective one of a pair of bars parallel to the outer side of the side frame members. The bar ends extend beyond the second bars for embedment in a masonry surrounding a window opening adapted to receive the frame. The brackets and jalousie slats are controlled in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A short hydraulic master cylinder includes a secondary pressure chamber recuperation valve assembly which is mounted in the side of the master cylinder body and incorporates a center valve operable by a lever which engages the rear surface of the front seal support flange of the secondary piston. Thus, the portion of the secondary chamber defined by the master cylinder bore is devoid of all valve and operating linkage components. Recuperation flow to the primary chamber is via a center valve assembly connected by bores to the space between the seals of the secondary piston, and the passage through which the lever extends.

Abstract: A casing (10) has a bore (14) and a clutch face (48) concentric with the bore. In the bore (14) a tappet (30) of variable length is slidably guided and includes two threaded members (34,36) interconnected by a self-locking screw thread pair (38). A clutch member (50) connected to one of the two threaded members (34) by a non-self-locking screw thread pair (52) is associated with the clutch face (48). A support member (60 ) having an aperture (68) through which the other one of the two threaded members (36) extends is fixed to the casing (10). A clutch spring (70) is inserted between the support member (60) and the clutch member (50) and urges the clutch member (50) into abutment against the clutch face (48). A sealing boot (72) which is disposed outside of the support member (60) with respect to the casing (10) provides an external seal for the screw thread pairs (38,52) and the clutch member (50). The support member (60) and the sealing boot (72) are separately fixed to the casing (10).

Abstract: The signal transmitter (1) includes a casing (10) which, when installed, is positioned opposite a brake member (8) at decreasing spacing as the wear of the brake lining (6) progresses. The casing (10) contains electrical contacts (31,35,37,39) and leads (41,43,45) the switching states of which are adapted to be changed at a certain wear or heating of the brake lining (6). A plug (51) is guided in the casing (10) for displacement out of an inoperative position in parallel with the direction of wear of the brake lining (6). Upon progressed wear of the brake lining (6) the brake member (8) mentioned presses the plug (51) further into the casing (10). In a terminal position of the plug (51) at least one of the contacts (37,39) is held in a switching position which differs from the inoperative position, whereby an alarm signal is released.

Abstract: A riding bicycle normally driven over terrain by foot pedals operating on a sprocket shaft, is provided with hand cranks which operate through a flexible drive on the foot operated sprocket shaft, the flexible drive permitting full use of the steering fork throughout its range without impeding operation of the bicycle by the hand cranks.

Abstract: In a vehicle disc brake of the single sided sliding reaction caliper type the drag on the friction pad assemblies is taken by a drag-taking member. The caliper is slidably mounted for movement relative to the disc on a guide in the form of a single pin which is located on the same side of the disc as that on which an actuator for the brake is located.