Abstract: A gas cooker is described which includes a gas hob having a number of gas burners 1 each having a hob tap 3 for controlling the supply of gas thereto, a lid 7 movable between an open position giving access to the burners and a closed position in which the lid covers the burners, and a gas control valve 10 controlling the supply of gas to the hob taps 3, the gas control valve 10 being operatively connected to the lid 7 whereby when the lid is closed the gas supply to the taps 3 is cut-off and when the lid is open the gas supply is restored, the gas control valve 10 being further provided with a pressure operated valve 16, 19 for preventing the restoration of the gas supply to the hob taps 3 on movement of the lid 7 to its open position unless all the hob taps are "OFF" (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Abstract: A method or apparatus whereby the primary windings of a multi-coil ignition system may be connected to a common terminal to provide a composite signal identifying the start of each cylinder ignition sequence. Means may also be provided for inhibiting the generation of ignition pulses by selected coils.

Abstract: A multicolor engraving system includes a plurality of identical engraving presses mounted in line in a common frame. Each press is hydraulically operated and includes a high speed hydraulic motor for reciprocating its shuttle assembly. A work transfer mechanism moves each workpiece sequentially to the presses and accurately aligns it with the die in each press.

Abstract: A vehicle brake pressure proportioning valve in which a stepped plunger in a stepped bore shuttles in first and second opposite directions when inlet hydraulic pressure from a master cylinder increases to a predetermined value. The aforesaid shuttling causes a ball valve, in which the ball is loaded by a spring, to close and open a bore through the plunger leading to an outlet to the brake so that during the shuttling the outlet brake pressure increases at a lower rate than the inlet pressure. Eventually the increasing inlet pressure attains another predetermined value sufficient to hold the ball valve closed against the spring loading so that the ball blocks the bore no matter which direction the plunger moves and thus the brake pressure cannot be increased any further.

Abstract: The assembly includes a first sleeve connected to a releasing mechanism of a clutch and having a screw threaded surface. A second sleeve is movable relative to the first sleeve and is operatively connectable to a release member. A collar is in threaded engagement with the first sleeve and clutch release forces are transmitted through the collar from the second sleeve to the first sleeve. The collar is prevented from rotating relative to the first sleeve during clutch release. An abutment is provided on the clutch for releasing the collar when the second sleeve reaches a predetermined position to allow the collar to rotate and allow the first sleeve to move axially relative to the second sleeve. A spring for urging the second sleeve towards the clutch acts between the second sleeve and part of the abutment on the clutch. A locking ring may be provided for locking the collar to the second sleeve during clutch release.

Abstract: A friction clutch for a vehicle includes a clutch release mechanism comprising a first member, a second member, a detent arranged to locate the first member relative to the second member on assembly by moving the first member in one direction relative to the second member whereby a clutch release force subsequently applied to said first member in an opposite direction will be transmitted to said second member to release the clutch, and a detent release sleeve which enables the detent to be released by urging said first member further in said one direction relative to said second member so that the first and second members can thereafter be separated. The detent is carried by one of the members and the detent release sleeve is carried by the other of the members whereby on separation of the members following release of the detent the detent and detent release sleeve disengage and remain on their respective members.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly comprising a cover, a pressure plate, a diaphragm spring acting between the cover and pressure plate to urge the pressure plate outwardly of the cover, and drive straps in the form of leaf springs attached to the cover and pressure plate to retract the latter into the cover when urging by the diaphragm spring is relieved. Latches formed by spring clips on the cover engage the pressure plate to hold it in a partially retracted state after its manufacture and during shipment, to prevent free outward movement of the pressure plate overstressing the drive straps. As the clutch cover assembly is bolted to a driving plate with a clutch driven plate between the driving and pressure plates, the pressure plate eventually comes to an axially stationary position pressing the driven plate against the axially stationary driving plate while the cover moves axially relative to the pressure plate as the bolts are finally tightened.

Abstract: A friction clutch driven plate has an internally splined hub, and externally a circular radial flange to rotate with the hub about the hub axis. The flange has teeth in its outer periphery which are in driving meshed engagement with teeth in the inner periphery of an annulus of friction material. That annulus is formed by separate successive arcuate sections or sectors of friction material. The sections of friction material can, axially of the hub, each move relatively to one another by a limited amount to improve the axial compliance of the friction annulus when in a clutch and clamped between a drive plate and a pressure plate. A holding strap extends around the outer periphery of the annulus to hold the sections thereof on the flange against centrifugal force.

Abstract: The clutch release mechanism includes a fluid actuator having an actuator member movable by fluid pressure in a clutch release direction to release the clutch, a release bearing assembly for connection to part of the clutch, and a coupling for connecting the release bearing assembly to the actuator member. The coupling is fluid operable whereby in one condition it prevents axial separation of the actuator member and release bearing assembly by engagement of pins and a groove and, in another condition, it allows axial separation and coupling of the release bearing assembly and the actuator member by disengagement of the pins and groove.

Abstract: The clutch comprises a clutch plate which can be retracted by a release mechanism to release a driven plate. The release mechanism includes first and second members and an intermediate detent. The detent is located between the members by urging the first member in one direction relative to the second member. To separate the first and second members, the first member is initially urged further in said one direction to release the detent.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper primarily for use in a friction clutch driven plate has a hub with a radial flange. An outer member includes two generally annular side plates, one each side of the flange joined by stop pin rivets and mounted for limited relative angular movement with respect to the hub. Compression springs act between the hub and the outer member in mutually aligned circumferentially directed apertures in the flange and side plates to control the relative rotation. A generally annular control plate is mounted for angular movement with respect to the hub and the outer member and has tabs which engage a side plate to limit relative rotation between the control plate and the hub to less than the relative rotation available between the hub and the outer member.

Abstract: A friction clutch driven plate comprises first and second disk-like carrier plates rivetted together and having first and second flat spokes respectively on their peripheries. A single integral annulus of friction material is held in place by the first spokes in a first recess in a first face of the annulus and by the second spokes in second recesses in an opposite second face of the annulus. The carrier plates are also connected together by stop rivets passing through arcute slots in a third disc between the carrier plates. In known fashion torsional vibration damping springs are disposed in windows in the carrier plates and the third disc. The third disc has a central hole lined by splines to engage similar splines on a shaft. First and second bearing bushes are disposed in the central openings of the carrier plates.

Abstract: To forge billets, the billets are fed end-to-end along a path which leads to a coating tank containing a lubricant and then through a heating station to a forging station. Within the coating tank, the line of billets is made to undergo a change of direction for example by passing over a hump in the feed path, such that an angular separation is created between adjacent end faces of successive billets. In this way, a better coating of the end faces of the billets is achieved.

Abstract: A friction clutch for a vehicle utilizes a snap connection and self indexing to insure accurate presentation during installation. The release mechanism of the clutch includes a first member for applying release forces to a second member which releases the clutch.

Abstract: Small plug-in electrical fuses, e.g., for automotive use are formed with a fusible link portion which is partially cut but with the walls of the cut in substantial electrical contact with each other and opposite ends of each link rigidly supported. Initial heating of the link due to current flow in excess of the fuse rating causes bending of the link to open the cut, reducing the available cross-section for current flow and therefore greatly shortening the time necessary to open the link and minimizing the total heat generated in the process.

Abstract: A diaphragm spring clutch cover assembly having a cover to be secured to a driven plate or flywheel and a pressure plate attached to the cover and urged by a diaphragm spring to press a driven plate against the driving plate in an assembled clutch. The diaphragm spring acts between a first fulcrum arrangement on the pressure plate and a second fulcrum arrangement on the cover. The first fulcrum arrangement comprises arcuate spaced lands in a circle on the pressure plate, a resilient wire fulcrum ring engaged by the lands and spanning the spaces between the lands, and U-shaped saddles straddling the ring at those spaces. The saddles are pressed axially of the clutch by the diaphragm spring so that during clutch re-engagement the axial deformation of the spanning portions of the ring in a first axial direction creates a first stage of cushioning.

Abstract: A demountable frame, for example for furniture, storage or display systems or for space frame construction, in which a structural member extending between two fixed spaced members can be fitted in place by the extension of projections at the ends of the structural member into the spaced members without moving the latter apart, and can be removed by reversing the process.

Abstract: A diaphragm spring clutch cover assembly having a cover to be secured to a driven plate or flywheel and a pressure plate attached to the cover and urged by a diaphragm spring to press a driven plate against the driving plate in an assembled clutch. The diaphragm spring acts between a first fulcrum arrangement on the pressure plate and a second fulcrum arrangement on the cover. The first fulcrum arrangement comprises arcuate spaced lands in a circle on the pressure plate, a resilient wire ring engaged by the lands and spanning the spaces between the lands, and sleeves on the ring at those spaces. The sleeves are pressed axially of the clutch by the diaphragm spring so that during clutch reengagement the axial deformation of the spanning portions of the ring creates cushioning.

Abstract: A mechanism for transmitting rotational motion from a drive shaft such as a crankshaft of an engine to one or more parallel shafts such as camshafts comprising a triangular link connected to the crankshaft by an eccentric crank and connected to the camshafts by internal gears which engage with sprockets connected to the camshafts. The gear ratio between the crankshaft and camshafts is determined by the radii of the internal gears and the sprockets. The link can also be used to drive auxiliary components such as an alternator or a water pump, or to transmit drive from a starter motor to the crankshaft when the engine is started.

Abstract: A one-time-use form for concrete footings comprises a hollow plastic molding with a step-tapered upper portion, sections of which are removable to receive different sizes or shapes of one-time-use pier forms. Use of the two forms in concert permits substantial economy in foundation work because only one excavation, backfill and concrete pouring is required to construct both footings and piers.