Abstract: The disclosure is of a metal panel forming part of a solar heating system, having interconnected longitudinal and transverse passages through which the heat exchange fluid flows.

Abstract: A disc brake comprises a rigid caliper which straddles the peripheral edge of a rotatable disc, and friction pads for engagement with the disc are located in the caliper. One pad is applied directly to the disc by an actuator which is provided in adjacent limb of the caliper, and the other pad is applied to the disc by the reaction on the caliper which causes the caliper to move with respect to the disc and a relatively stationary drag-taking part from which the caliper is carried by a drag-transmitting arm. The arm is connected at one end to the stationary part by a single pivot pin which pivots the arm for movement about an axis normal to the axis of the disc, and the arm is coupled to the caliper by of a spherical joint.

Abstract: The preferred endoprosthetic joint herein described is an elbow prosthesis of hingeless form comprising (1) a humeral component having an internal fixation surface means, and an external sellar-shaped, bearing surface and (2) an ulnar component having an internal sellar-shaped bearing surface complementary to that of the humeral component and external fixation surfaces, the bearing surfaces of the humeral and ulnar components being in rotatably sliding engagement when implanted and having throughout their respective lengths transversely curved complex concave and convex configurations which are complementary to each other. The form of endoprosthesis herein described may also be utilized as a knee, ankle and wrist joint.

Abstract: A sample tube for obtaining a column of liquid of predetermined height in laboratory applications comprises a simple and effective construction, with a local restriction in internal diameter a predetermined distance from an inlet end and a movable valve member such as a lead shot disposed in the tube between the restriction and the opposite end, for co-operating with the restriction to retain a column of liquid at the level of the valve member and restriction by surface tension effects. In operation, liquid is drawn into the tube by suction to a level substantially above restriction, then the suction is removed and the liquid is allowed to drain out of the end, passing the lead shot owing to an imperfect seal between the lead shot and the restriction. When the liquid reaches the level of the lead shot and restriction, it is retained at this level by surface tension effects interacting with the lead shot and restriction.

Abstract: An opening roof comprises a frame which surrounds an opening in a roof of a vehicle and a rigid panel movable with respect to the frame to expose portions of the opening for ventilation purposes. The frame includes a flange which projects outwardly from a depending web to overlie a portions of the roof surrounding the opening. The frame is secured in position by clamping strips which act between the outer face of the web and the lower face of the roof remote from the flange, and screws which project through openings in the web to urge the strips into engagement with the web and the flange into engagement with the roof.

Abstract: A helical thrust bearing (14) is arranged between two rotatable cam components (12 and 13) of a brake actuator. The cam component (13) is turned first while the brake slack is being taken up and the brake-applying force is relatively low, the reaction to such force being transmitted to the body (10) at a plain axial thrust bearing (17,18). Only the cam component (12) is turned when the brake is actually being applied with the relatively high brake force which is transmitted to a thrust member (15) at a roller axial thrust bearing (16). This enables the pneumatic force motor or the prime mover to be used more efficiently. Also a greater angular displacement at the helical thrust bearing (14) is obtained for a given angular displacement of the cam components (12 and 13) relative to the body (10).In a modification, the plain thrust bearing (17,18) is replaced by another helical thrust bearing.

Abstract: A master cylinder and reservoir assembly comprises a reservoir (2) having a depending foot portion (13). For ease of assembly of the reservoir on the master cylinder (1), the foot portion (13) has opposed laterally extending projections which slide in complementary longitudinal recesses (12) at the top of the master cylinder. The reservoir may be held in place by friction, or some arrangement for positively retaining the reservoir may be provided.

Abstract: A master cylinder assembly for a vehicle braking system having two pressure circuits, comprises a master cylinder having two separate pressure chambers associated with respective pistons one chamber being arranged for connection to one of the pressure circuits, generally the circuit to the front wheel brakes, and a control valve arrangement fast with the master cylinder. The control valve arrangement has an inlet for connection to the other of the chambers and an outlet for connection to the other of the pressure circuits, usually the rear wheel brake circuit, a normally-open valve for controlling communication between the inlet and the outlet, and an auxiliary piston assembly movable to open and close the valve to control the pressure applied to the rear wheel brakes as compared to full braking pressure applied to the front wheel brakes.

Abstract: A handle-cutting device comprises a conveyor in the form of a horizontal table arranged to be rotated step-by-step to bring handle holders in turn to a handle-cutting station where the handle is lightly clamped. While the holder is stationary at the handle-cutting station, a rapidly rotating cutter (for example, rotating at 3,000 r.p.m.) having a contoured blade representing the profile of the wall of a cup bowl to which the handle is to be attached is progressively advanced towards the holder to remove surplus clay in thin slices from the handle. The blade is unconfined along those parts of its length which effect the cutting, being mounted on spaced apart supporting portions of a carrier, so that the small pieces of clay sliced away by the blade can escape from the cutter. The device ensures a high degree of conformity of the attaching surface of the handle to its intended configuration.

Abstract: A servo booster assembly comprises a housing having a fixed part and a movable part defining a chamber therebetween, a control valve for communicating the chamber alternately with vacuum and ambient air, and an input member movement of which operates the control valve. In response to operation of the control valve the movable housing part moves relative to the fixed part between an inoperative position and an operative, brake-applying position, the movable part being connected to an output member. The housing parts are interconnected by a tie bar the ends of which extend outside the housing and are adapted respectively for connection to a master cylinder and a vehicle bulkhead.

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 foot pump comprises a base member and an operating member pivotally connected to the base member. A piston-and-cylinder assembly is connected between the members. In use the user depresses the operating member with his or her foot, thereby causing air to be compressed in and expelled from said assembly. A return spring returns the operating member to its raised position. The base and operating members have complementary pivot pin and hook means which are hooked together to form the pivotal connection between the members. The members are preferably made as unitary plastics mouldings, the pivot pin and hook means being resiliently clipped together.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a friction pad assembly and disc brake incorporating such an assembly, wherein the friction pad assembly comprises a backing plate and a pad of friction material secured thereto, a wire spring being secured to the backing plate. The wire spring comprises a coiled region from which two arms extend in generally opposite directions. The coiled region of the spring is located in a recess in the backing plate with the arms extending from the recess on opposite sides of the backing plate. Thus the spring arms are the only parts of the spring extraneous to the dimensions of the backing plate so that in a simple manner the optimum amount of design space for constructional strength, is available in a brake incorporating such a friction pad assembly. Also, by virtue of the spring arms extending one on each side of the backing plate, stable spring biassing of the friction pad assembly is achieved in the brake.

Abstract: A key-operated device, for example for controlling access to switch gear or potentially dangerous machinery, has a rotary motion with an axially inserted key but departs from the usual barrel lock construction which is sensitive to foreign matter. Instead it has a faceplate in front of a stationary body with a cylindrical member rotatable in it and having a recess for the key and circumferentially spaced notches in a flange close behind the plate and prevented from direct access through the keyhole by a fixed axially extending wall on the back of the plate but accessible by appropriate lugs on the key when the latter is inserted. The rotatable member is connected through a spindle to a switch, valve or latch or other actuated device.

Abstract: An arrangement for varying a pre-load on a control valve of a vehicle braking system in dependence upon vehicle loading includes a low frequency vibration sensor or an accelerometer for sensing the oscillation frequency of a sprung part of the vehicle and providing an output signal, preferably an electrical signal, indicative of the frequency, a signal processing circuit for processing the signal, the circuit including a filter which filters components of the signal which are not indicative of a frequency within the normal oscillation frequency range, and an arrangement for altering the pre-load in dependence upon the processed signal.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a game apparatus in which two players manually move counters on a board having specific figures. The object of the game is to have five of a player's pieces placed colinearly along a diameter of the figure.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a comb to be used for fluff combing hair.

Abstract: In a servo booster in which the rear part of the valve body is slidably guided in a guide in the rear end of the booster housing, the rear part and the guide have non-round cross-sections to prevent the valve body from turning relative to the housing. This is of particular benefit when a tie extends through the movable wall for transmitting braking reaction forces. Such a tie has to be sealed to the movable wall by a suitable seal, and any turning of the movable wall might damage the seal.The interior of the valve body is of circular cross-section so that, due to the non-round external shape, a radially thickened portion of the valve body is formed to carry a fluid conduit.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a machine for removing the meat from the prepared body of a crab, lobster or other crustacean by means of a jet of compressed air.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a portable device for use in energizing an electrically operated tool or the like from a remote electrical outlet, having a fixed support on which a short electric cord is wound, and a rotatable reel on which a long electric cord is wound and from which it may be unwound.