Abstract: A drive line apparatus has a pair of tubular shafts configured to fit telescopically. The outer shaft has internal splines and the inner shaft has outer splines so that the shafts rotate in unison. Each of the outer and inner shaft has one partially closed end for coupling to a universal joint, wherein the joint connected to the partially closed end of the inner shaft is disposed within the inner shaft for further reducing the length of the drive line apparatus.

Abstract: A pin box for connecting a trailer to a tow vehicle includes a hollow receiver tube attached to a pair of support beams positioned on opposite sides of the receiver tube. A forward mounting bracket for attaching the pin box to a frame of the trailer is disposed between the two support beams. The mounting bracket is fixedly attached to both support beams. A second mounting bracket is attached to the ends of the support beams opposite the receiver tube. The pin box also includes a hitch connector that is slideably engageable with the receiver tube. The hitch connector may be positioned within the receiver tube at a plurality of discrete predetermined locations. An attaching means is provided for securing the hitch connector to the receiver tube at each of the predetermined locations. The hitch connector may be configured to include a king pin connector or a gooseneck connector. Differently configured hitch connectors may be interchangeably connected to the receiver tube.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a method for operating a vertical accumulating conveyor system is disclosed. The method includes loading of a workpiece onto a pallet assembly of a conveyor system. The workpiece may be either loaded manually or automatically using a robotic loader or other similar apparatus. The pallet assembly carrying the workpiece is moved by the conveyor system to a workstation where the pallet is stopped to allow a manufacturing operation to be performed on the workpiece. Rather than removing the workpiece from the conveyor system in order the perform the manufacturing operation, the operation is performed with the workpiece loaded on the conveyor system. Upon completion of the manufacturing operation, the pallet assembly is released from the workstation and allowed to be transported by the conveyor system to the next workstation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing bent spring rails from an endless spring band. The method is characterized by the following steps: continuous bending of a section of spring band; cutting the bent section of spring band into a spring rail; discontinuous reverse bending to reduce the internal stresses of the bent, cut-to-length spring rail by subjecting the spring rail to at least one reverse bending force and/or heat-treating the cut-to-length spring rails, the heat treatment being a low-temperature treatment in this case, preferably at a temperature of less than 200 *C.

Abstract: An assembly line data communication system using wireless transmissions between access point transceivers along a plant data network and a mobile transceiver temporarily physically associated with each product proceeding down an assembly line served by the network. The unique identity of the product is communicated to the assembly line network controller at the entry end of each series of work cells and correct product order in a queue is maintained so that the specific identity and specification of the product is known at each of several subsequent and serially arranged work cells through which the product passes. Each work cell can talk to one or more access point transceivers in the network to communicate data to the mobile transceiver on the vehicle and to receive information back from it.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming continuous webs of paperboard material into multiple box blanks having dual-faced printing.

Abstract: An insulation package to reduce the transmission of heat and/or noise between the outer skin and the cabin lining of an aircraft composed of an insulating material enclosed by an encapsulating membrane. The encapsulating material has a vapor diffusion resistance (sd value) at least partially dependent on the ambient humidity, and for a gradient of relative humidity across the encapsulating membrane of 3% to 50% it has a vapor diffusion resistance (sd value) of at least 0.8 m and for a gradient of relative humidity across the encapsulating membrane of 50% to 93% it has a maximum vapor diffusion resistance (sd value) of 0.3 m.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a workpiece carrier with respect to a workstation can include an encoder reader located in a fixed position at a workstation for generating a signal in response to interaction with at least one encoder strip, a workpiece carrier movable along a path of travel through the workstation, and having an encoder strip connected thereto, the encoder strip operably interacting with the encoder reader located at the workstation, and a non-direct drive or friction drive engaging the workpiece carrier for moving the carrier along the path of travel through the workstation, the non-direct drive or friction drive responsive to the signal from the encoder reader in a closed loop feedback control system. The encoder reader can be selected from a group consisting of an optical encoder reader, a magnetic encoder reader, and any other absolute positioning encoder reader.

Abstract: A fluid quick connector is mountable onto the threads of a threaded fluid component in a sealed fluid connection. A retainer element carried by the fluid quick connector is engagable with the threads on the second fluid component. In one aspect, the retainer element is at least one tab projecting inward into a bore in the quick connector body for engagement with the threads on the fluid component. In another aspect, the retainer is a resilient member carried within an expanded chamber in the quick connector body which has resilient legs positioning a tip end into engagement with the threads on the fluid component.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously bonding and/or welding material webs by means of ultrasound, having an ultrasonic horn configured as a rotating roller, an anvil radially opposite the rotating roller, an amplitude transformer set axially on the rotating roller, an ultrasonic converter attached to the amplitude transformer with an energy supply, where the length 1 of the rotating roller equals a ?/2 wave or a multiple thereof (1=x·?/2).

Abstract: A device and method is provided whereby application is made to at least part of the sole of a suitably positioned foot for inverting or everting the foot. The device (1) (FIGS. 1 and 2) comprises a member or plate (20) having a planar surface (21) for pressure application to the sole by a handle (28) and in one arrangement is hingedly mounted (22, 24, 26) about horizontal axes from a leg rest (10) which lies in use on a seat or couch for the patient. This enables the surface (21) to be brought against the sole and also tilted for required contact with the latter. The plate (20) is also shown mounted for angular movement about a vertical axis X for additional tilting of the surface (21). An electronic unit (30) on the plate (20) has an LCD display (32) for showing angles of tilt. With the surface (21) in appropriate contact the sole can be manually palpated or manipulated e.g. for contact of the surface (21) with metatarsal joints or points, and/or the subtalar joint palpated for the neutral condition etc.

Abstract: A deflector disposed immediately above and outboard of a rotating vane wheel in a pulverizer/classifier is protected from wear and abrasion by side-by-side abutting high-hardness wear plates having an alloy content of approximately 15 percent chromium and three percent molybdenum by weight. The abutting edge surfaces of the wear plates are mitered. For pulverizers/classifiers having discontinuous deflectors, end plates are disposed over the end surfaces of the deflector segments and are serrated. Inside threaded fasteners are used to hold the wear plates in place over the lower surface of the deflector.

Abstract: A flat-panel projection display comprises a slab waveguide having a preferably embossed diffraction grating on one face, a lens for directing light into an edge of the waveguide, and in the focal plane of the lens a liquid-crystal modulator for modulating the intensity of the light as a function of lateral position and elevational direction of travel. The light is ejected from the slab waveguide by the grating at angles corresponding to the input angles, giving a virtual display. The light from the modulator can be expanded in one dimension by passing through a magnifying waveguide, followed by scattering in the plane by a screen and projection by a lens at the other end of the waveguide. Head-up and 3-D displays can be constructed using this principle.

Abstract: An electrode element for plasma torches and a production method for such electrode elements. The electrode element for plasma torches includes at least one core made of a metal or a metal alloy having a smaller work function that forms the actual electrode connected as a cathode. This core is enclosed by a shell part, which is made of a metal or a metal alloy having a greater work function than the core and a greater thermal conductivity. Between the core surface and the shell part there is provided a boundary layer in a graded form, which is made up of solid solutions of the two metals or metal alloys, or an intermediate layer toward the core surface and toward the shell part, which is made of another metal or a metal alloy having a work function greater than that of the core material wherein the boundary layers of the intermediate layer form a graded transition.

Abstract: A modular adjustable hoist has a winch and a cable for hoisting an object. An electric motor is coupled to the winch for winding and unwinding the cable. An adjustable frame is used for securing the winch to a support or in a free standing position. The support can include a door frame, a wall, and an automotive vehicle. Legs can be attached to the adjustable frame for providing stability to the hoist for use with or without the structural support.

Abstract: Valve assemblies for the color change valve arrangement of a coating plant, for example for the production coating of vehicle bodies, wherein various measures are proposed to miniaturize the needle valves forming the valve body of the color changer based on the principle of optimizing the drive device acting on the valve needles to open the valve against the force of a pressure spring.

Abstract: A false ceiling having flexible material connected to an elongate U-shaped beam or rail, the beam fixedly connected to existing trusses via clamps. The U-shaped beam has a pair of vertical flanges with inner surfaces for receiving an end portion of the flexible material. Strips of hook-and-loop material are fixed on the inner surfaces of the vertical flanges for gripping corresponding hook-and-loop material strips on the end portions of the flexible material. Lightweight foam blocks are sized to tightly fit between the pair of vertical flanges to assist the connection of the hook-and-loop material strips on the flexible material to the vertical flanges. A decorative cap is connected to the beam to cover the connections of the beam to the truss and to the flexible material.

Abstract: A high frequency signal transmission apparatus includes a transmitter for transmitting received signals from a signal source as a modulated signal on a high frequency 900 MHz carrier to a remote receiver. The remote receiver converts the high frequency carrier in at least one conversion step to a lower frequency carrier signal. The lower frequency carrier signal carrying the modulated signal is then converted to an audio output or to another carrier signal and retransmitted as a modulated second signal to another remote receiver capable of demodulating the signal and broadcasting the audio sounds or video images. The oscillators in the transmitter and receiver are selectable to operate at discrete frequencies. Automatic fine tuning control is provided in the receiver to accommodate drift of the oscillator in the receiver.