Abstract: The brake application of a spreading disc brake is effected by moving pressure plates in opposite directions into engagement with friction discs. This can be achieved hydraulically by pressurization of a pressure space between an annular cylinder in the plate and an annular piston in the plate and which works in the cylinder. Also this can be achieved mechanically by a brake-applying pull rod which is connected to a cranked lever pivotally connected to the plate and acting on the plate. The lever may act directly on the plate or it may act on the plate through an automatic slack adjuster.

Abstract: A hydraulic control valve provides controlled fluid supply for two hydraulic services having different flow and pressure requirements, as for example a lift service of a lift truck for lifting loads vertically and a tilting service for tilting loads forwardly and rearwardly. Two landed spools operate in parallel adjacent bores each joining a plurality of chambers and connected to fluid pressure supply and tank service ports. The supply to port communicating with one of the bores through two of the chambers, so that flow area is increased and the pressure drop of fluid flowing through them is reduced, and is connected through the bore and chambers to the tank port when the respective spool is in a neutral position and selectively to the service ports by movement of the spool.

Abstract: In an anti-skid braking system a brake is applied in response to the pressure of a supply of hydraulic fluid passed through a first variable orifice from a pump rotatable with rotation of a wheel to be braked so that the wheel is automatically prevented from locking. The system incorporates a second variable orifice in combination with a pre-loaded spring against which a shuttle provided with the orifice is adapted to be displaced to reduce the pressure of the supply from the pump.

Abstract: An hydraulic anti-skid system incorporates a pump having a piston assembly. The piston assembly comprises a pump plunger which is reciprocable in a bore of a drive mechanism, a signal piston coupled to the pump plunger, and a spring for urging the pump plunger out of engagement with the drive mechanism. The signal piston has a first area which is exposed to the pressure from a master cylinder or the brake when the brake is applied to urge the signal piston in a direction such that the pump plunger can engage with the drive mechanism. A dump valve is provided for controlling fluid in a stop chamber to which the piston assembly is exposed at least after the brake has been applied.

Abstract: A cover for a box comprising a base and a pivotal lid, e.g. a box for a tape cassette, comprises a base panel for overlying the base of the box, a cover panel for overlying the cover of the box and connected to the base panel by a spine panel for overlying a side wall of the box. The cover is made from sheet material, e.g. cardboard, and each of the cover and base panels comprises two thicknesses of sheet material with the inner layers of the cover panel connected only along an edge to the other layer. The spine panel may also be made of two thicknesses of sheet material, the inner layer being connected to the inner layer of the cover panel and free to move relative to the outer layer of the spine panel in flexing the cover. Alternatively the inner layer of the cover panel may be shaped to be inserted into the box to underly the lid of the box.

Abstract: A flywheel mechanism incorporates a pivotally-mounted lever for operating a pressure control valve when relative angular movement between a thrust member and a flywheel rotatable with a shaft attains a predetermined value. The lever is urged in one direction by a spring and in the opposite direction by axial movement of the thrust member with respect to the flywheel. The effective strength of the spring is responsive to the pressure in a brake line applied to the spring through a connection so that this, in turn, reflects the optimum braking pressure for a particular road surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for adding materials, especially powdered or granular materials, to a flowing stream, e.g. of molten metal, comprises a nozzle for compressed gas, blowing the additive into the stream, and a detector that detects the stream and switches the flow of additive on and off according to whether the stream is present or absent. The detector is preferably of a non-contact type, sensing radiation from the stream, preferably visible light. The rate of flow of additive can be adjustable. There can be a fail-safe optical detector arrangement monitoring the flow of additive and signalling an alarm if the flow fails or if the nozzle is blocked. The timings of the start and end of the flow in relation to the detection of the metal stream are independently adjustable to ensure that the additive and metal coincide.

Abstract: A hydraulic control device including an assembly of two or more pistons connected to move together within the same or different cylinders. The movement of the piston assembly causes each piston to displace corresponding amounts of hydraulic fluid from the associated cylinder, the fluid being used to operate hydraulic units, the latter being operated to the same extent irrespective of the loading thereupon.

Abstract: A drum brake is disclosed in which at least two, and preferably four, friction pad assemblies are symmetrically arranged with respect to the drum. The pad assemblies are slidably guided for movement towards and away from the drum in a substantially radial direction on drag-taking abutments in a relatively stationary drag-taking member, and the pad assemblies are applied to the drum by levers upon which actuators act.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an anti-skid brake control system of the kind which senses the presence of skid conditions at a hydraulically braked wheel and then automatically relieves the brake pressure at that wheel by expanding the volume of a chamber connected to the wheel brake. In the system disclosed, a regulator is connected in a high pressure fluid supply line so as to control the rate at which the volume of the chamber is reduced on cessation of the skid conditions, thereby controlling the rate at which the brakes are re-applied. In the particular embodiment described, the regulator comprises a cup-shaped piston reciprocable within a cylinder bore. A first restriction of predetermined size is defined by the end wall of the piston and a second restriction of variable size is formed between a number of radial ports in the bore wall and an annular recess in the outside of the piston, this recess being permanently connected to the inner space of the piston.

Abstract: A cover for a box comprising a base and a pivotal lid, e.g. a box for a tape cassette, comprises a base panel for overlying the base of the box, a cover panel for overlying the cover of the box and connected to the base panel by a spine panel for overlying a side wall of the box. The cover is made from sheet material, e.g. cardboard, and each of the cover and base panels comprises two thicknesses of sheet material with the inner layers of the cover panel connected only along an edge to the other layer. The spine panel may also be made of two thicknesses of sheet material, the inner layer being connected to the inner layer of the cover panel and free to move relative to the outer layer of the spine panel in flexing the cover. Alternatively the inner layer of the cover panel may be shaped to be inserted into the box to underly the lid of the box.

Abstract: A friction lining wear indicator for shoe-drum brakes comprising a sensor mounted on a brake shoe, which actuates an indicator when the thickness of a friction lining carried by a platform of the shoe for engagement with a drum is less than a predetermined value. In order to locate the sensor at the most effective position without machining the lining or fastening the sensor permanently to the shoe, the sensor is located by a mounting device located in a depression in an edge of the platform, and co-operates with the shoe to retain the sensor adjacent the lining. The mounting device comprises a plastics plug, or a resilient clip, and the retaining device is releasable. The sensor comprises a wire loop or a pressed insulation-coated metal strip, and may be integral with the mounting device. The sensor and the drum are connected in a circuit with the indicator which is actuated when the sensor touches the drum.

Abstract: A shearing device wherein a shear main body including an upper and a lower blades one of which is moved toward or away from the other for shearing an ingot is provided with an eccentric so that when the shear main body swings in synchronism with an ingot to be cut which is continuously moving, the upper and lower blades may be moved substantially horizontally in the direction of the passage of the ingot especially when the shearing of the ingot occurs, thereby preventing the "nose bending" of the ingot. A plurality of upper and lower blades are provided for shearing a plurality of ingots in side-by-side relationship wherein the drive mechanism for each upper and lower blade pair includes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders aligned in the direction of ingot movement in order to reduce spacing between ingots.

Abstract: A friction pad assembly for rail vehicle brakes comprises a pad of friction material carried by a rigid backing plate, and the backing plate is detachably mounted on a shoe. A keeper is provided which includes a clamping member pivotally mounted on one end of the shoe. The clamping member has a clamp face which acts on one end of the backing plate to urge the backing plate into engagement with the shoe. The clamping member is urged into an operative clamping position by a wedge which is releasably driven between the clamping member and a relatively stationary surface in a block which is either integral with, or releasably attached to, the shoe.

Abstract: A reinforced earth structure comprises a mass of particulate material and stabilizing members, the members being arranged in vertically spaced layers separated by layers of particulate material. The stabilizing members are made of flexible material which is relatively unresilient and each layer of stabilizing members is tensioned while the succeeding layer of particulate material is laid thereon.

Abstract: The present specification describes and claims a twin-pin sliding caliper disc brake comprising a caliper and a torque taking member, the caliper being slidably mounted on the torque taking member on two parallel pins. One pin is fixedly and immovably secured in position on the torque taking member and the other pin is secured to the torque taking member so as to be movable to a limited extent. Thus, during brake assembly, the said other pin can be adjusted to provide for positive drag sharing between the pins during normal braking.

Abstract: A connection between the handlebars and the steering fork of a bicycle wherein the handlebar stem is positioned within the steering fork. The connection includes a contractile clamping ring surrounding and connected by threads to the upper end of the fork stem. The clamping ring has an internal unthreaded surface surrounding the adjacent part of the handlebar stem and a frusto-conical external surface. A locknut loosely surrounds the handlebar stem and is connected by threads to the clamping ring. The locknut has a frusto-conical internal surface which engages the frusto-conical external surface of the clamping ring for causing engagement of the unthreaded internal surface of the clamping ring with the fork of the handlebar stem. The clamping ring has a plurality of radial cuts, and the internal surface of the upper part of the locknut is provided with a circumferential series of spaced notches which may be aligned with the cuts.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly comprises a fixed carrier or torque member 2 upon which is mounted by way of pins 14 a clamping or caliper member 13. The opposite sides 16,21 of the caliper 13 are interconnected by integral webs of metal 19,20 which are disposed symmetrically with respect to the central plane of clamp of the assembly and which are the circumferentially extreme of the parts of the assembly which span the periphery of the disc. This enables a relatively large diameter disc to be used and enables the caliper to be made from low grade or light weight material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spring assembly for retracting a spirally wound seat belt to retracted condition after extension in use, and provides means for locking the spring in pre-wound condition prior to assembly with the seat belt.

Abstract: The invention is a spring device which is connected to the shaft on which a seat belt or the like is spirally wound and which is operable to retract the strip to a wound condition after it is extended and released, in which means are provided for holding the spring in pre-wound condition prior to installation in a seat belt assembly.