Abstract: An anti-skid brake control system has a brake pressure control unit for producing a release signal to trigger the release of brake pressure and a subsequent re-apply signal to trigger the re-application of brake pressure in successive brake pressure release/re-apply cycles; and a change-over control unit for producing a change-over signal to trigger a change from a first, rapid re-apply stage, in which brake pressure is re-applied rapidly, to a second, slow re-apply stage in which brake pressure is re-applied slowly, during the re-apply period of each cycle; the change-over control unit including a storing device responsive to the duration of the re-apply period in successive cycles so that the change-over point in each cycle is controlled in a manner dependent on the duration of the re-apply period in the preceding cycle, whereby the duration of the re-apply period is dynamically adjusted to assume a preset value.

Abstract: A spring support of the constant spring force type suitable for supporting pipes in installations where the pipes are liable to move laterally while in use, as for example in the case of pipes through which steam is conveyed, is arranged so that the pipe or other load which the support has to carry in use can be attached to a pivoted lever of the support at various positions at different distances from the pivot. The load is attached through load connecting means to a carrier which is variably positioned on the lever. By adjusting the position of the carrier the turning moment produced on the lever by any one of a range of loads can be arranged to be equal and opposite to the turning moment produced by the spring force which acts on the lever. The facility for adjustment has the manufacturing advantage that a standard form of lever can be produced for supporting a range of loads.

Abstract: It is known for sports shoes, particularly golf shoes, to have carriers anchored in their soles for receiving replaceable studs provided with screw-threaded connecting portions. The invention provides a carrier of plastics material having an internally-threaded tubular body open at at least its lower end. The sole is moulded around the preformed carrier. The carrier has retaining formations to anchor it in the sole. The retaining formations comprise outwardly directed fins. That part of each fin adjacent to the body extends lengthwise, while the outer parts are less extensive and are interconnected by integral linking means, such as an annulus. The body portion extends beyond the linking means. In use the sole material envelopes the fins and the linking means.

Abstract: In a two-pedal hydraulic braking system for vehicles the pedals are operable independently or simultaneously to apply two sets of brakes and both pedals actuate a common master cylinder to apply fluid under pressure to the brakes. Two normally closed selector valves are operable independently to direct the fluid to either of the sets of brakes when one pedal is operated, and the valves are operable simultaneously to direct the fluid to both sets when the pedals are operated simultaneously. Each valve is urged directly into its closed position by its respective pedal, and each pedal in turn is urged by a return spring into a retracted position in which the valve which it operates is closed.

Abstract: A nailing machine for use in the manufacture of wooden pallets made from deck boards and stringers. The machine comprises a conveyor operable to convey pallet components to a nailing station at which they are nailed together. The conveyor comprises locating means by which stringers are located on the conveyor and operation of the conveyor draws deck boards out of feeding means therefor on to the stringers for nailing thereto.

Abstract: A brake control unit for a vehicle hydraulic braking system is adapted for incorporation between the master cylinder and the rear wheel brakes, with the front wheel brakes being applied by pressure from the master cylinder. The control unit incorporates an outlet connected to the rear wheel brakes, and an inertia-controlled valve, which closes when the deceleration of the vehicle is excessive, to ensure by means of a metering valve that any subsequent increase in pressure applied at the outlet occurs at a rate less than the rate at which the master cylinder pressure increases. The unit also incorporates an override responsive to front wheel brake pressure which is operative, following closure of the inertia-controlled valve and reduction in front wheel brake pressure, to override the effect of the inertia-controlled valve.

Abstract: Mesh structure comprises an array of interconnected members of which some are pre-formed. At least some of the pre-formed members comprise or contain single elongate components of synthetic plastics material of which the molecular structure has been orientated in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis of said members.

Abstract: Drive and support structure for magnetic disc stores comprising a drive spindle which is adapted for direct connection to a disc pack, a pair of self-acting air bearings which support the spindle with its axis vertical, and an alternating current synchronous motor comprising a rotor which is connected to the spindle between the bearings and carries permanent magnets, and a stator which surrounds the rotor and produces a rotating magnetic field which interacts with magnetic poles provided at the periphery of the stator by the magnets. The air bearings are each of the inward pumping zero flow herringbone type.The upper end of the spindle is adapted for connection to a disc pack, and the weight of the spindle is supported at its lower end through a self-acting fluid thrust bearing of the grooved hydro-dynamic oil type. A cooling chamber is provided around the thrust bearing to cool recirculated oil.

Abstract: In a control valve assembly for a vehicle dual hydraulic braking system separate brake-applying valves in a common body are operable independently or simultaneously to cause hydraulic fluid from a distributor chamber to be supplied to one or both of a pair of outlets for connection to brakes on wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle. Each brake-applying valve comprises a valve member which is urged into engagement with a seating surrounding a respective outlet by means of a spring. An operating member for moving the valve member away from the seating in a brake applying direction is coupled to a respective brake pedal, and the operating member is also coupled to the valve member through a lost-motion connection.

Abstract: In an hydraulic system an unloader valve is located in a line between a pump and an hydraulic accumulator. The unloader valve is operative to prevent the accumulator from being overcharged and to allow the pump to re-charge the accumulator should the pressure stored therein fall below a desired minimum value. The unloader valve incorporates a control valve comprising a spool, and a pressure responsive slave which is operated by fluid pressure under the control of the control valve. Two springs bias the spool into a first position in which pump pressure can be supplied to the accumulator, and the second spring is inoperative when the spool is moved into a second position in which fluid pressure from the accumulator can act on the sleeve to reduce the pump pressure to that of the tank for the pump.

Abstract: A work holder for locating a workpiece of arbitrary or irregular shape during treatment comprises a flat horizontal table in which is mounted a two-dimensional array of vertically disposed spaced-apart rods which protrude upwards through the surface and can be moved upwards individually, either manually or by springs or by fluidpressure means such as rams, then clamped in position so that their tips form a cradle conforming to the shape of the workpiece, in which the workpiece rests.

Abstract: In a disc assembly for a vehicle disc brake, the assembly comprises a rotor, with brake rings secured to one or both of a pair of opposite faces of the rotor by bolts passing through clearance openings in the rotor. Each brake ring comprises at least two segments, with clearances provided between adjacent radial ends of the segments. The segments are coupled by pivotal links, and a single pivotal connection is provided between each segment and the rotor. The pivotal connection is located to one side of a radius of the disc bisecting the segment, and the segments, links, and pivotal connections are constructed and arranged to maintain the disc assembly in balance irrespective of centrifugal, shock, or expansive forces.

Abstract: A shaft sealing device for turbocharger wherein the outer peripheral surface of a piston or shaft sealing ring and its mating surface of the shaft bore of a bearing casing are axially tapered or diverted at the same positive angle toward the high pressure side, whereby wear of the ring may be avoided and the leakage of gases from the turbine into the bearing casing and the leakage of oil from the bearing casing to the turbine may be prevented.

Abstract: A shaft sealing device for a turbocharger wherein seal rings are disposed between a shaft and a bearing casing and in order to lower the high pressure gas which passes through the seal ring to a low pressure, a small chamber in communication with the exterior is formed, whereby the gas leakage into the bearing casing may be reduced as much as possible.

Abstract: Apparatus for preparing and seeding ground in which seeds from a seedbox mounted on a frame assembly for connection to a towing vehicle are delivered through seed tubes to slits which are cut and opened in the ground by a plurality of disc mounted on the frame assembly for rotation about generally transverse axes and, at least one roller mounted on the frame assembly in a position rearwardly of the disc for rotation about a transverse axis is adapted to compact the ground and close the slits after seeds have been implanted therein. Each seed tube includes a rigid lower end carrying a coulter for holding open a slot cut by a disc adjacent to which the coulter is located and, the coulter is adjustable with respect to the disc to ensure that the coulter engages in the slit and the seeds are deposited therein.

Abstract: A hopper for supplying food to a livestock feeding trough has a food levelling device at its outlet which comprises a downward extension of the outlet with side and end walls which is supported from the main body of the hopper by spring-loaded means which allow the extension to move vertically relative to the outlet and normally urge the extension downwards. The spring-loaded means may comprise guide rods which are slideable in brackets mounted on the main body, are secured to the extension and are fitted with compression springs which act between the brackets and the guide members. When the hopper is mounted over a trough for use the extension is urged by the spring-loaded means to rest on the trough at all times as the hopper travels along the trough. This ensures that a constant level of food is discharged into the trough as the hopper travels along it regardless of any variations in the heights of the trough and the main body of the hopper during the travel of the hopper along the trough.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for multi-strand continuous casting wherein a plurality of strands may be spaced apart from each other by a distance only dependent upon the dimensions of a copper plate and water-cooling jacket of a mold because a multi-strand mold oscillation mechanism may be installed independently of the spacing between the adjacent strands and the amplitude of oscillation of each mold may be suitably adjusted depending upon the casting conditions but independently of each other. Cast products emerging from the molds are withdrawn through a multi-strand roll apron or bending unit, a multi-strand casting bow, a multi-strand straightener and a multi-strand table by a multi-strand-pinch-roll stand consisting of a plurality of coaxial multi-pinch-roller assemblies, the individual pinch rollers in each assembly being driven independently of each other.

Abstract: A rail clip assembly for securing for example a crane rail to a girder, comprises a first part to be securely attached, e.g. by welding or bolting, to the planar surface of the girder adjacent the rail, and a second part to be fixed to the first part independently of attachment of the first part to the girder. The second part has a lateral surface for abutment with a lateral face of the rail and the parts have laterally directed cooperating surfaces by which forces applied by the rail to the clip assembly are transmitted via the second part to the first part of the clip assembly. The cooperating surfaces are inclined to the direction of extent of the rail and the second part has an elongate aperture for receiving the fixing means which is elongate in the same direction to permit relative adjustment movement between the parts while maintaining the cooperating surfaces in contact.

Abstract: In a disc brake such as a sliding caliper disc brake, the caliper is mounted for movement with respect to a torque plate by pin assemblies extending into aligned openings in the caliper and torque plate. The pin assemblies are of multi-part construction, parts of the pin assemblies which provide for movement between the caliper and torque plate being able to remain undisturbed when the caliper is removed from the torque plate.Another feature is that the openings in the caliper or the torque plate are oversize, so that the pin assemblies are received as a free fit, and the pin assemblies are clamped in the oversize openings by interengagement of screw threaded portions. Sliding surfaces are provided either directly by the shanks of pins or by separate bushes which may be resilient.The construction is such that the pin assemblies are relieved of clamping forces and drag forces when the brake is actuated.