Abstract: An adjustable clamp has its main bar formed from flat metal strip with serrations in one edge and a fixed arm may be formed by a bent-around end of this strip. The moving arm can be formed from two flat stampings from strip and a fine adjustment is provided by a screw on this arm, engaging the non-serrated edge of the bar, while the coarse adjustment is provided by a bush or pin between the stampings engaging the serrated edge.

Abstract: A method of making a container, particularly a rectangular tray-like container, in which a blank is provided having side panels which are displaced to form the side walls of the container. The blank is clamped in its container - forming shape between mould tools with adjacent ends of the side panels juxtaposed end corner seams and a lip are injection moulded to seam the side panels and form a peripheral lip on the free edges of the side panels remote from the base panel. The mould tools shape the free edges of the side panels to an internally concave form between the juxtaposed side panel ends before moulding so that shrinkage of the moulding will accentuate the concavity to give a predetermined consistent shape to containers so produced and avoid unpredictable buckling and deformity.

Abstract: A control valve assembly for use in a pump-operated vehicle hydraulic braking system as disclosed in which the output from the pump flows through the control valve, which selectively directs the output to steering gear of the vehicle or to an accumulator for connection to brakes. The valve is also provided with a bleed passage through which a proportion of the output is continuously supplied to the steering gear.

Abstract: In a fluid pressure-operated anti-skid braking system for rail and other vehicles operating fluid from a supply for actuating a wheel brake is supplied to the brake through a fluid-flow control valve interposed in the line between the supply and the brake. Deceleration responsive sensors responsive to a skid signal are incorporated for operating the valve to relieve the brake pressure of the fluid supplied to the brake when the deceleration of the wheel is excessive and exceeds a predetermined value. The valve incorporates a fluid pressure memory chamber for sensing the skid pressure, and the memory chamber provides a datum or changeover point between first and second successive stages of brake re-application following a skid.

Abstract: A screw threaded member having a thread with at least two portions of different form, one portion being of standard form and the other portion, a locking portion, having its root and crest offset from the standard lead, the offset of the crest being in the same direction as and greater than the offset of the root, the flanks of the locking thread being correspondingly displaced and the flank on the side of the thread which is displaced away from the standard pitch line being bulged outwardly. The root offset may be between one third and two thirds of the offset of the crest. The offsets may be in either direction but are preferably in that direction which moves the lead flank away from the standard pitch line.

Abstract: A resectoscope used in performing transurethral operations has a telescope extending longitudinally of the instrument which is supported and stabilized by an elongated metallic tube which at its proximate end is fixed to the block of the electrotome. In accordance with the invention the distal end of the tube is extended beyond the distal end of the telescope sufficiently that there will be no interference with illumination through the telescope and the distal end of the tube is coated for a substantial distance from its extreme distal end with a material which is nonconductive to electricity, resistant to high temperatures and chemicals used in transurethral procedures, and provides an antifriction surface on a surface to which it adheres.

Abstract: In a method of forming foundry sand moulds employing a cold-setting sand mixture pressed around a pattern by the use of pneumatic pressure acting on a flexible diaphragm, the sand is formed into a horizontal layer of approximately uniform thickness in a frame of which the bottom wall is formed by the diaphragm, the pattern is then pressed into that layer of sand, causing the diaphragm to bulge downwards, then the gas pressure (conveniently air pressure) is applied to compact the sand, which thereupon sets to allow separation of the resultant mould body from the diaphragm and pattern. During the initial formation of the layer the diaphragm can be supported by a further, stronger diaphragm, which is perforated to allow the gas pressure through, or by a rigid pad, or both.

Abstract: A self-energizing disc brake is operated by an actuator which moves spreading pressure plates angularly in opposite directions to apply rotatable friction discs to radial surfaces in a stationary housing, and the actuator comprises a wedge for separating lugs on the plates, a spring for urging the wedge in a direction to separate the lugs, and a piston working in a cylinder bore for urging the wedge in the opposite direction when the cylinder is pressurized.

Abstract: In a disc brake of the sliding yoke reaction type the noise due to "squeal" or "twitter" is substantially eliminated by resiliently biassing the yoke in grooves in a stationary member so that it engages an upper face of a groove on one side of the brake and a lower face of a groove on the other side. A dampening assembly may be provided between the yoke and a complementary face of one of the grooves. Alternatively the noise may be reduced by providing an abutment of stepped outline on the yoke which engages a friction pad assembly to apply it to the disc when the brake is applied.

Abstract: The invention provides means for controlling the flow of fluids such as parenteral fluids. It comprises a body and flexing means. The body defines a passageway with opposed flexible walls which can be held in contact throughout their cross-section except for a limited region of which the cross-section varies along the body. The limited region may be formed by tapered grooves in the walls. The flexing means retains the body flexed so that the walls thereof are held in contact over a localized area of limited axial length, due at least partly to the internal stresses set up in the body arising from its flexure. The body is movable lengthwise relative to the flexing means to alter the position of the localized area and thus to alter the rate of fluid flow through the body.

Abstract: In a pressure differential warning actuator for detecting when a differential between the pressure of separate brake circuits of an hydraulic braking system exceeds a predetermined value, at least two separate pistons work in separate bore portions in a common housing and are movable between a neutral position when the predetermined value of the differential pressure is not exceeded and an operative position, in which an indicator mechanism is actuated, when the predetermined value is exceeded, and the pistons act through a deformable assembly to restore them from the operative position to the neutral position when the differential is reduced to less than the predetermined value.

Abstract: In a fluid-pressure operated servo-motor in which an output force applied to an output member is augmented by differential pressures applied to opposite faces of a movable wall, a one-piece reaction plate of corrugated outline is interposed between the input and output members and the movable wall. In use the reaction plate transmits a load from the movable wall to the output member and transmits a reactive proportion of the output load back to the input member.

Abstract: In a modulator assembly for a vehicle anti-skid braking system comprising a housing having a chamber of which the effective volume is variable by an expander piston to modulate the pressure supplied to a wheel brake in accordance with skid conditions, the chamber comprises first and second compartments, and a valve assembly is located in the housing to control communication between the compartments. The valve assembly is closed when the expander piston is in an advanced position in which the effective volume of the chamber is substantially at a minimum so that a first area of the piston is exposed only to pressure in one of the compartments, and the valve assembly is open when the expander piston is retracted away from the advanced position so that a second area of the piston which is greater than the first is exposed to pressure in both compartments.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake actuator having a piston slidable in a cylinder for hydraulic service brake operation also incorporates a mechanical linkage for handbrake operation. The mechanical linkage comprises a cranked shaft journalled in a closed end wall of the cylinder, a linearly displaceable peg and a strut interconnecting the cranked shaft and peg such that rotation of the cranked shaft causes linear displacement of the peg. The cranked part of the shaft of the strut and the peg are preferably contained wholly within a hydraulic working chamber defined by the piston and cylinder so that when the service brake and handbrake are applied simultaneously, movement of the mechanical components does not cause a change in the volume of the chamber and prevailing hydraulic fluid pressure will not therefore affect such movement.

Abstract: A vehicle load sensing arrangement for use with a vehicle braking system comprises an input member operating in a first bore and being subjected to the force of a road spring, a spring, such as a robust helical coil spring, subjecting the input member to a force in opposition to the road spring force, a valve having a valve member in a second bore which has a cross-sectional area smaller than the first bore, the valve member and input member being substantially in alignment, and an elastomeric member located between the input member and the valve member. The arrangement is such that only a proportion of the road spring force applied to the input member in excess of the coil spring force is transmitted by the elastomeric member to the valve member, the remainder of that excess force being transmitted to the sprung part of the vehicle.

Abstract: A butt welding device wherein the trailing edge of a first or preceding strip and the leading edge of a second or succeeding strip are clamped in position, simultaneously cut off, and joined together by flash butt welding and thereafter the flash and upset are removed by machining.

Abstract: The brake is of the type comprising a carrier member for fixing to a vehicle, a caliper member slidably mounted on the carrier member and an actuator for urging a first friction pad onto one side of a rotatable disc to cause the caliper member to slide relative to the carrier member and apply a second friction pad to the other side of the disc. The sliding connection is provided by a pair of pins slidable in openings in one of the members, preferably the carrier member, and releasably secured to the other of the members. To prevent binding of the pins in their openings, at least one of the openings is made diametrically oversized and the associated pin is urged into an eccentric position in direct sliding contact with the wall of its opening by means of a leaf spring which also resiliently urges the pads into position in the carrier member. When both pins extend into radially oversized openings, they are relieved of drag forces which arise on brake application.

Abstract: The invention provides a sliding caliper disc brake in which a caliper carrying an indirectly operated friction pad assembly is slidably mounted on a single pin relative to a fixed torque plate carrying a directly operated friction pad assembly, at least one further pin being provided for retaining the friction pad assemblies in position in relation to the caliper and torque plate respectively and the further pin, or at least one of the further pins when more than one is provided, being arranged to prevent rotation of the caliper about the drag transmitting pin.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ornamental assembly which is securely fastened to a member to be decorated with a bush-like insert having an opening adapted to be snugly fitted over the member to be decorated, the insert being in turn snugly fitted into a groove of a holder formed integral with ornamental members.