Abstract: A bi-directional metering valve assembly is provided to selectively direct hydraulic fluid under high pressure to a load. The assembly includes a valve block defining a first port that receives hydraulic fluid from a source, and a second port that directs hydraulic fluid toward a load. A rotatable valve member defines first and second apertures in an axial face that may be placed in selective communication with the first and second ports, respectively, to direct hydraulic fluid from the source to the load. At least one metering sealing assembly provides an interface between the valve block and the valve member. The metering sealing assembly includes a gasket that surrounds one of the first and second ports and defines a flange that is sized to completely overlap and seal the corresponding aperture. The valve member is operable to control the direction of fluid flow, and make fine adjustments to the hydraulic fluid flow rate.

Abstract: A first aspect of the invention relates to a hydraulic pump unit (1) for feeding a hydraulic cab-tilting mechanism, comprising a casing (3) having at least two connecting ports (4,5) for the hydraulic cab-tilting mechanism, provided with a reservoir (6) for hydraulic fluid (7) and a hydraulic pump (8) which is connected to the reservoir and which can deliver hydraulic fluid to the connecting ports under working pressure required to operate the cab-tilting mechanism, a hydraulic circuit (9), fitted in the casing and connected to the connecting ports, the pump and the reservoir, and a hydraulic control valve (10) fitted in the hydraulic circuit, the hydraulic circuit further being provided with a mechanically-operable shut-off means (11), which, in the closed state, prevents the flow of hydraulic fluid under working pressure to the cab-tilting mechanism, which flow leads to operation of the cab-tilting mechanism.

Abstract: A hoist for positioning a load (40) includes a plurality of lift cylinders (15), a plurality of position sensors, a plurality of electronically controlled valves, a user input device (22), and a hoist controller (20). Each of the hydraulic hoist cylinders is coupled at one end to the hoist and at an opposite end to the load at a lifting point (45). Each of the position sensors is associated with one of the hoist cylinders and operable to provide position data for the associated hoist cylinder. The electronically controlled valves are hydraulically coupled to the hoist cylinders for extending and retracting the associated hoist cylinders. The user input device is operable by a user to specify load data. The hoist controller is operable to receive the load data from the input device and the position data from the position sensors and in response thereto to control the electronically controlled valves so as to position the load according to the load data.

Abstract: A hand tool and an accessory which provide an alarm signal to a user as the tool or accessory approaches a live electrical wire are disclosed. The hand tool or accessory include a non-contact voltage sensing circuit. As the tool or accessory approaches a live electrical wire, the non-contact voltage sensing circuit detects the voltage, triggering an alarm circuit. The alarm circuit provides a visual or audio signal to the user. The hand tool can be selectively coupled to the tool head.

Abstract: A hydraulic synchronization system for a slide-out portion of a recreational vehicle has at least two cylinders spaced apart and reversed in orientation with respect to one another. The bore sides of the cylinders are connected and the rod sides of the cylinders are connected such that hydraulic fluid is pumped from the rod side of one cylinder to the rod side of the other cylinder and from the bore side of one cylinder to the bore side of the other cylinder upon extension and retraction of the slide-out portion to keep the slide-out portion synchronized.

Abstract: A cargo slide-out for a vehicle includes a drawer slideable within a guide frame. Glides, such as rollers or sliders, are mounted to two sides of the drawer and to the associated sides of the guide frame so that at each side of the drawer at least one glide extends toward the guide frame and at least one extends toward the drawer. A sliding double-run track is disposed between the drawer and the guide frame at the two sides of the drawer. Sliding engagement of the tracks and glides connect the drawer to the guide frame and allow the drawer to slide out fully from the guide frame so that the user can access the back of the drawer. Preferably, the tracks each define a pair of v-shaped grooves and a pair of v-shaped rails matable with v-shaped surfaces of the glides.

Abstract: A mechanism for raising and lowering an appliance, such as a video display, in an interior of a vehicle has a carriage supporting the appliance that slides or rolls vertically up and down in tracks of a guide frame between stowed and elevated positions. A force assist manual lift or an automated lift can be used to raise (and lower) the appliance. The force assist lift can have one or more pivotally and over center mounted gas springs to assist raising the appliance. The automated lift can have a motor driving one or more cables, wound through sheaves, to raise and lower the appliance. The entire assembly is preferably concealed in a furniture quality container until it is raised through a top opening for use.

Abstract: The invention provides an articulating mount for an in-vehicle video display. A support member mounts the display to a guide fixed to a vehicle wall. The guide has a pair of vertically spaced horizontal tracks on which a pair of carriages travel on slides or rollers. The carriages mount at pivots to the top and bottom of one end of the support member. At one end of the tracks are two swing arms that pivotally mount to the top and bottom of the support member at an intermediate location between its ends. The support member and display can thus articulate with respect to the guide by the carriages translating one end of the support member along the tracks and pivoting the other end of the support member out away from the plane of the tracks.

Abstract: A fish tape reel has an ergonomic pistol grip and ergonomic hand grips at an inner periphery of a hollow housing. Fish tape is wound into the housing cavity by rotating the housing with respect to the pistol grip. This can be done manually by grasping the interior handle(s) or using a ratcheted winder that fits into the housing opening and has a lever handle for ratcheting the housing. The reel is held with the housing beneath the pistol grip which has a retainer shoe slidably sandwiched between halves of the housing. The pistol grip is positioned behind a vertical center line of the reel so that the weight of the reel is balanced in a neutral position in which the pistol grip can be grasped with the user's wrist being essentially straight and horizontal. A method of assembling the reel is also disclosed in which the fish tape is attached and wound after the housing is assembled.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle with one or more slide-out sections and a compact operating mechanism for moving each slide-out section between extended and retracted positions. In one form, the vehicle has a primary slide-out section and a secondary slide-out section mounted to extend and retract relative to the primary slide-out section. In that case, the vehicle has at least two operating mechanism, at least one for each sliding section. Each operating mechanism has two slide modules, one module is mounted to the slide-out section and the other is mounted to a stationary part of the vehicle. One module includes a drive and the other includes a drive member, such as a drive screw, that interact to extend and retract the slide-out section. A track and glide arrangement can be used to facilitate relative sliding between the modules.

Abstract: A compound motion travel lock secures a slide-out section of a vehicle in a retracted position. A lock arm moves in a compound pivoting and translating movement as a manual or power driven actuator provides a linear input to a cam pin and slot arrangement. The rotational input is converted to a linear force acting on the lock arm, which pivots out from a collapsed position by engagement of the cam pins in the cam slots. The pivoted out lock arm is then translated to an engaged position in which the lock arm clamps against an interior surface of the vehicle to retain the slide-out section retracted within the vehicle. When the lock arm is collapsed the slide-out section can be moved freely between retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator is provided for supporting a load. The actuator includes a cylinder, a lower end closed by a base, and an annular side wall connected between the base and the upper wall. A piston is disposed partially within the cylinder, and includes a rod extending through the upper end of the cylinder, and a piston head that defines a hydraulic chamber with the base. A cylinder chamber is disposed between the base and the piston head and communicates with a fluid source and a fluid return to correspondingly extend and retract the piston. A support member is connected to the cylinder wall, and can be raised to support a tilt saddle member between the piston rod and the load after the piston has been extended.