Abstract: The concern is with reducing the deceleration rate of an over-running flywheel following actuation of an associated camming means, by reducing the torque of an axially biassed clutch, to provide a more reliable wheel speed analogue. In one construction the clutch may consist of two clutch discs engaging with the thrust member of a camming means. The clutch torque is reduced following expansion of the camming means by reducing the frictional engagement force between one disc and the thrust member, this being effected by a change in the mechanical advantage of a lever acting on the flywheel as the lever accommodates expansion of the camming means. In another construction the fluid pressure force on a clutch biassing piston is varied to vary the clutch torque, and in yet other arrangements, a magnetic clutch biassing force is varied.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure regulating valve for an hydraulic vehicle braking system, comprising a housing which has a main cylinder connection and an inlet chamber connected therewith, as well as a wheel cylinder connection and an outlet chamber connected therewith. A piston is arranged between the two chambers and normally leaves open a connection between them. A valve member is adapted to be moved when a certain deceleration force acting upon it is exceeded into a closed position in which it interrupts the connection between the two chambers. Thereupon, when pressure in the inlet chamber continues to increase, the piston enlarges said inlet chamber at the expense of the outlet chamber. A throttle member is arranged in the outlet chamber and normally leaves open the wheel cylinder connection but is adapted to be moved by the flowing brake fluid on sudden brake actuation into a position in which it partially covers the wheel cylinder connection.

Abstract: A seating platform e.g. for domestic furniture or motor vehicle seats comprises at least one moulded elastic element mounted on a frame member and covered by a non-stretch sheet which, upon installation, is only lightly tensioned. The elastic element is of a substantially incompressible material, e.g. a rubber composition high in natural rubber, and includes spaced apart grooves which permit controlled transverse deformation of the element upon loading of the platform.

Abstract: Dust-pressed plates (P) are trimmed to a predetermined peripheral profile by means of three milling cutters rotating at around 12,000 r.p.m. The cutters are uniformly spaced about a central axis and operate simultaneously on the periphery of a plate while the plate is rotated about the axis. The cutters are located during trimming by means of a profile cam which is in registration with the plate mounted on a ware support. To ensure registration with the cam, a plate is centered by a centering unit before being orientated by orientating mechanism and transferred to the ware support. Each plate is delivered to the centering unit with a reference feature at a predetermined position on its periphery, the orientating mechanism being arranged to search for that feature before rotating the plate to bring it into the required orientation for registration with the cam.

Abstract: A game is played by two teams of two players who are positioned about the four sides of a rotatable playing board. The play area of each player is shielded from the others by four vanes which extend radially at 90.degree. spacings from a shaft mounted on the playing board. The board, shaft and vanes are rotatable through 180.degree.. Identical play cards, information cards and pins are distributed to the players and the play cards are provided with holes corresponding to data on the information cards. The players place their play cards on their play areas and each player attempts to insert a pin in each correct hole.

Abstract: Running gear comprises a beam having upwardly directed, aligned, first brackets at or towards each end for attachment of the beam transversely to a trailer, aligned second brackets depending from the beam at or towards its ends, at least one third bracket depending from the beam in alignment with and intermediate the second brackets, arms respectively pivoted at their front ends to a second bracket and the or a third bracket and carrying stub axles at their rear ends on which are brake means and wheel mounting means, and rigid with and extending rearwardly from each arm and stub axle assembly a member having a platform for an air spring. The running gear is fixed as a unit to a trailer chassis by the first brackets. Preferably the beam is tubular of vertically elongated hexagonal cross-section, and upper and lower regions of the section are embraced by the first and second brackets respectively.

Abstract: In the headset of a bicycle in which a clamping ring connected to the fork stem is compressed by a locknut into engagement with the handlebar stem, to thereby connect the handlebar stem to the fork stem, means are provided for locking the clamping ring to the fork stem to prevent undesired movement of the handlebars with respect to the fork stem.

Abstract: A power assisted respirator comprises a facepiece for covering at least the nose and mouth of the wearer which has an outlet provided with a one-way exhale valve which is openable to permit air to flow out of the facepiece when a predetermined pressure P is established within the facepiece. A pump unit supplies air to the space within the facepiece. The pump unit may be connected to an inlet of the facepiece by a flexible hose or may be mounted directly on or in the facepiece. A filter canister is connected to the inlet of the pump means for filtering air supplied to the facepiece. A one-way inlet valve is provided in the path of air flowing from the pump unit to the facepiece and a pressure sensor is provided for sensing the pressure of air in the region of the pump unit inlet for causing deenergisation of the pump unit when the pressure in the region of the pump unit inlet exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: The preparation of the hitherto unknown benzoheterazolo[3,2-a]quinolinium salts via, the photochemically induced cyclization of 2-chlorostyrylbenzoheterazoles is described. The new products show cytotoxic, antitumor and antiviral activity.

Abstract: A strut (40), whose effective length depends on the relative positions of two strut portions (42,44) adjustable with respect to each other is connected in parallel with a brake actuating mechanism (18). One strut portion (44) has at least one part adjustable transversely of the longitudinal direction of the strut (40) and upon actuation of the brake tends to increase the length of the strut (40). This strut portion (44) has an operable connection with an intermediate member (24) which is supported on one of two structural members (128, 136) transmitting the actuating force independently of the strut (40) for rotation around the axis (B) of the brake actuating device (18) and is rotatable against the frictional resistance thereof only as long as this does not surpass a given value. In this way, the strut (40) is prevented from unnecessary or over-adjustment upon particularly forceful actuation of the brake.

Abstract: An insert for an article of footwear is made as a unitary moulding of a flexible plastics material. It comprises a plurality of internally screw-threaded sockets, for receiving externally screw-threaded spigots on ground-engaging studs, and a support interconnecting the sockets. The support may be of laminar form and may be perforate or imperforate. Each socket may be closed at its upper end. At least one of the bearing surfaces of the internal screw-thread in each socket may be shaped so that in a cross-section containing the axis of the screw-thread the bearing surface appears as a straight line at least substantially normal to the axis. The insert may be incorporated in a sole or heel that is moulded around it or may be secured between the layers of a laminated sole or heel.

Abstract: A binder for a foundry core or mould consists of an alkali metal salt of a polybasic organic acid or of a polymerized monobasic organic acid, for example sodium polyacrylate, an alkaline earth metal hydroxide such as calcium hydroxide, one or more polyvalent metal oxides, preferably magnesium oxide, and calcium citrate, together with water. The mixture may also include another polyvalent metal oxide, for example zinc oxide. The inclusion of calcium citrate in the binder composition, particularly in the presence of magnesium oxide, has been found to reduce the problem of `softening back` in which the strength of the core or mould interior deteriorates over storage periods of a few days due to the continued absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in damp conditions.

Abstract: A ballet slipper has a wedge shaped heel the front end of which is beneath the metatarsal arch and the rear surface of which is just behind the heel bone.

Abstract: A riveting apparatus comprises a portable riveting assembly which may be hand held or mounted on a robot arm. The assembly comprises a C-frame having an anvil mounted on one arm and a hydraulic ram mounted on the other arm. Rivets are supplied to a head assembly located between the anvil and piston rod via a flexible tube having a T-shaped cross-section. After a rivet has been supplied it is held positively in position ready for setting within pocket members by air pressure supplied along tube. Thus, the assembly can be moved rapidly and used in various orientations without displacing the rivet. Connections between the assembly and rivet supply and hydraulic power source are by way of flexible connections.

Abstract: The actuator comprises a piston (34) which has a stepped portion (36) formed with an annular groove (38) at its end projecting out of a cylinder (16). An annular protective sheet (50) is slipped on the stepped portion (36) and it comprises at its radially inner edge (52) inwardly projecting, resilient tongues (54) which are arrested in the annular groove (38). An annular elastic sleeve (46) is arranged behind the protective sheet (50), thereby being protected against heat, and provides sealing as against the piston (34), on the one hand, and the cylinder (16), on the other hand.

Abstract: A load conscious brake pressure reduction valve is mounted between the suspension arm (1) and the suspension spring (5) of a vehicle. The control piston (8) of the valve is directly loaded with a force equal to the suspension spring load less the force of a compensating spring (12). To enable the valve to close against this load the area (A) of the control piston is made large. The movement required to effect valve closing is made small by careful control of the projection of the valve opening pin (26) and of the length of the valve seat member (20).

Abstract: Sudden accidental unintended movement of an automatic transmission into reverse with the engine running is prevented by modifying the usual control rod to provide a cam surface so positioned thereon that as the control rod is moved a predetermined distance from reverse towards park a spring loaded member engages the cam surface and both restrains unintended movement of the control rod back to reverse and positively drives the control rod into its full park position as soon as the parking pawl aligns with a space between teeth of a parking gear. The mechanism may be assembled as original equipment in conventional transmissions or added to existing transmissions with little or no modification in design.

Abstract: A product formed of a plurality of unstable layers of textile fiber pleated together with both the layers and the pleats in close contact, forming a stable body the upper and lower surfaces of which are formed by the folds between the pleats.

Abstract: A hearing protecting device comprises a shell defining a hollow enclosure, which may be provided with sound absorbing material, with an open mouth, which is, in use, placed over the ear. A resiliently deformable seal of sound absorbing material is provided along the periphery of the open mouth to seal against the shell and the wearer, and is releasably retained in place by releasable retaining means which cooperate with an inner portion of the sealing means and with an inner edge portion of the mouth of the enclosure. The retaining means may comprise an annular member made integral with the sealing means and which extends round the inner edge of the mouth to overlie and engage an inner surface of the shell, or a member separate from the sealing means which retains an inner portion of the sealing means relative to the inner edge of the mouth of the shell.