Abstract: The invention provides an impacting device capable of , crushing or drilling work with reduced noise or vibration, with high crushing efficiency, high energy efficiency, increased output and prolonged durability A super magnetostrictive material (1) is arranged in the center of an exciting coil (4) to which a pulse voltage is applied, a rod (12) is arranged in tight contact with the front end of the super magnetostrictive material (1), a reaction-receiving plate (3) is provided in tight contact with the other end of the super magnetostrictive material (1), and a power unit (6) is provided for repeatedly applying a pulse voltage to the exciting coil (4).

Abstract: An aircraft vent and cargo door locking mechanism for ensuring the opening, closing, and locking of a cargo door in a cargo door opening formed in an aircraft fuselage. A latch assembly latches the cargo door to the fuselage, and the latch assembly moves between a latched position, wherein the cargo door is closed, and an unlatched position, wherein the cargo door may be opened. A locking assembly locks the latch assembly by moving between a locked position, wherein the latch assembly is maintained in the latched position, and an unlocked position, wherein the latch assembly may move to the unlatched position.

Abstract: A window seal testing machine for seals of the type used in powered automotive windows, the testing machine comprising an adjustable frame simulating a portion of a powered automotive window, the frame being adapted to receive one or more sets of window seals and a piece of window glass therein to simulate the sealing relationship between the seals and window glass in an actual automotive window. The testing machine further includes a drive mechanism for repetitively cycling the window glass through the frame and seals to simulate actual window operation over hundreds or thousands of cycles. The entire machine is preferably self-contained and portable, and the frame is further adjustable to be adapted to test different sets of seals and types of window glass.

Abstract: A two-stage hemming machine has a centrally located press station with an anvil extendable along a vertical axis, and a loading station and an unloading station located on opposite sides of the press station. Separate first and second dies slide on horizontal tracks mounted above the press, the first die movable therealong between the loading station and the press station, and the second die movable between the unloading station and the press station. The dies shuttle back and forth, in unison, between the press station during a production cycle wherein a component to be hemmed is loaded into the first die in the loading station, is carried into the press station along with the first die where the first stage of the hemming operation occurs, and remains on the anvil as the anvil is lowered. The first die then returns to the loading station as the second die moves into the press station.

Abstract: A motor vehicle door handle assembly for actuating a door latch of the vehicle. The assembly includes a housing adapted to be mounted on the vehicle door, a handle mounted on the door on the housing for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position, and a latch actuator mounted on the housing, operated by the handle, and operative to unlatch the vehicle door in response to opening movement of the handle. The handle and housing define coacting detent structures operative in response to closing movement of the handle to catch the handle on the housing in the closed position of the handle and thereby resist inadvertent opening movement of the handle in a side impact scenario while allowing forceful opening movement of the handle by an operator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor device, including a conveyor belt for transporting workpieces out of a cutting or stamping device and a placement star wheel for putting upright the workpieces, which are delivered horizontally upright. The placement star wheel is mounted downstream of the conveyor strip. Conveyor bands which grip the workpieces on top and/or at the bottom are provided between the conveyor belt and the delivery star wheel. The conveyor bands move at essentially the same speed as the conveyer belt and the placement star wheel and are arranged in such a way to guide the workpieces into the receiving elements of the placement wheel.

Abstract: A load transducer for measuring vertical and fore/aft forces on a rotatable vehicle wheel includes a rim adapter attachable to a wheel rim and a hub adapter attachable to a wheel hub. The rim adapter and the hub adapter are connected in a force transmission path. A plurality of beams extend between inner and outer ends of the hub adapter. At least one sensor is mounted on each beam for measuring force exerted on each beam. The sensor may be mounted on the inner and outer surfaces of each beam as well as on the opposed side walls of each beam. The sensors are interconnected in a bridge configuration for generating outputs corresponding to vertical force and fore/aft force exerted upon the wheel. The hub adapter may be formed as a unitary hub adapter and interior load transducer when constructed as a one-piece unitary body. Alternately, the hub adapter may be separate from an interior transducer body and coupled thereto for mounting on different wheel lug bolt configurations and wheel rim/hub dimensions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device and a method for carrying out fluorescence immunoassays, wherein from at least one light source light is directed onto a surface at one end of a light waveguide and with the light coupled into the light waveguide by evanescent field excitation at the surface of the light waveguide fluorescence of at least one labelling substance bound to a chemical or biochemical partner of a general receptor-ligand system is excited. The solution according to the invention is here to provide a possible way of carrying out fluorescence immunoassays with high accuracy of measurement at low cost and within a short time. To achieve this object, the fluorescent light is decoupled from the light waveguide and directed via an optical system onto an optical detector with which the intensity of the fluorescent light is measured.

Abstract: An adapter for rotatably connecting a sprinkler head to a water-transporting standpipe having a cylindrical upper end. The adapter includes three parts: a cup-like base adapted to rest on the upper end of the standpipe in sealed fashion, a male stem adapted to rotatably and scalingly seat in the cup-like base, and an oversleeve adapted to fit over the stem and the base and to be locked to the upper end of the standpipe by threaded connection such that a portion of the male stem protrudes from the oversleeve to be secured to the sprinkler head for rotation therewith. The adapter is sealed at several points internally to positively prevent water leaks, and is easily disassembled for replacement, repair, or cleaning, by hand or with simple hand tools, since no permanent connection is required between the adapter, the standpipe, and the sprinkler head.

Abstract: The present invention provides a controller for a model toy train set. In a first aspect of the invention, the controller includes a plurality of input connectors for receiving supply power from one or more remote power supplies and providing such power to a plurality of output connectors. In a second aspect of the invention, the controller includes an input device for producing an input signal to limit the amount of output power supplied from the controller to a toy train set when the controller is remotely operated from a remote transmitter. In a third aspect of the invention, the controller includes a programming circuit having a first mode for controlling a plurality of output channels from separate sets of inputs and a second mode for controlling the plurality of output channels from a single set of inputs.

Abstract: A plurality of robots are positioned on a rotatable table for transporting parts to be processed through a plurality of work stations positioned around the periphery of the table. Each robot can carry a workpiece from one work station to the next. The rotation of the table moves the robot from one workstation to the next while carrying a part to be processed. Each robot can be independently movable relative to the other robots and each robot can be independently movable relative to the table. Each robot can include a welder for processing the workpiece independent of the workstation or during movement between work stations. Each robot can carry a plurality of differently configured workpieces between the work stations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for automatically tuning a stringed instrument including the steps of inducing a signal on a string under tension to generate a resonance signal having an amplitude from the string and adjusting tension of the string in response to the amplitude of the resonance signal. The present invention also provides a system for automatically tuning a stringed instrument including a string, tensioning means operably attached to one end of the string for tensioning the string, and a processor for driving the tensioning means to induce a signal on the string and generate a resonance signal having an amplitude from the string and for adjusting tension of the string in response to the amplitude of the resonance signal.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly for a pickup truck including an outer tailgate assembly, an inner tailgate module, and attachment means for securing the inner tailgate module to the outer tailgate assembly to form the completed tailgate. The outer tailgate assembly is formed in a metal forming operation of sheet metal material and the inner panel module is formed in a molding operation of a plastics material. The inner panel module mounts the handle assembly, the latch devices, and the linkage devices for actuation of the latch devices. The latch devices are initially positioned on the inner tailgate module but, following assembly of the inner tailgate module to the outer tailgate assembly, the latch devices are fixedly secured to the outer structural sidewalls defined by the outer tailgate assembly.

Abstract: An adapter assembly for mounting a hollow glass ornament such as a blown glass gazing ball onto a support structure, for example an upright sprinkler. The adapter assembly includes a cylindrical plastic body having a first end adapted to mate with a base opening in the glass gazing ball, and a second end adapted to fit into the support. A bolt is rotatably inserted through the adapter body, and its threaded tip engages a flexible retaining piece comprising an elongated strip of rubber-like material having a nut held therein for receiving the bolt. The flexible retaining piece is pre-assembled to the tip of the bolt, and then inserted endwise into the gazing ball opening until the adapter assembly can be rotated downwardly and then pushed axially into the opening while the second end of the flexible retaining piece is bent against the adapter assembly and pushed through to the interior where it unfolds.

Abstract: A connection between a fluid conduit and an air flow port mounted on an air flow device includes a housing having a through bore which receives a flange on an end form of the conduit. One end of the port is disposed in the bore in the housing in sealed engagement with the end form. A transverse bore in the housing receives a retainer to lock the port in the housing preventing axial separation of the port from the conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing spark plugs and ignition coils. An apparatus includes a power supply for supplying power to an ignition coil to generate a spark across a spark plug. A capture circuit captures an energy signal reflected from the ignition coil in response to the spark. A comparator circuit compares the captured energy signal to a predetermined signal. A method includes the steps of supplying power to an ignition coil to generate a spark across a spark plug, capturing an energy signal reflected from the ignition coil in response to the spark and comparing the captured energy signal to a predetermined signal. The predetermined signal represents one of a distinct group of reflected energy signals which indicate various defects in the coil or plug. Preferably, a match between the captured energy signal and the predetermined signal is used to indicate to the user a defective coil or plug.

Abstract: The invention provides novel adsorbents for use in the separation of unsaturated hydrocarbons from a mixture of gases containing such hydrocarbons. The preferred adsorbents comprise metal compounds supported on high surface area carriers. The adsorbents of the invention are usable in pressure swing adsorption or temperature swing adsorption processes.

Abstract: A working machine includes a cutting machine, a tool holder which can be installed to or removed from the spindle of the cutting machine, a transmission and reception mechanism installed in the tool holder, and a controller for performing radio communication with the transmission and reception mechanism via electromagnetic waves. An antenna configuring the transmission and reception mechanism is installed in a radio wave transparent material and a cover material at a distance from the circumference of the tool holder for radio communication between the tool holder and the external controller.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus includes a housing and a pivot pin mounted for pivoting movement about an axis of rotation with respect to the housing. A clamp member is connected to the pivot pin and is moveable between a clamped position and a released position in response to rotation of the pivot pin. The pivot pin has an arm extending radially outwardly from the axis of rotation. A drive member is mounted for linear reciprocal movement along a fixed path with respect to the housing, and a linkage connects the drive member to the arm of the pivot pin for converting reciprocal movement of the drive member into pivoting movement of the pivot pin. An electric motor is connected to an output shaft with an axis of rotation, and an adjustable converting mechanism connects the drive member to the electric motor for adjustably converting the rotary motion driving force into a linear reciprocal harmonic motion of the drive member.