Abstract: A shock absorber and air spring assembly particularly adapted for use in a tilt cab suspension system. It provides the capability of remotely adjusting the amount of damping on the down stroke of the damper piston.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control valve includes a spool which has a first end having a first cross-sectional area. The opposite end of the spool has a reduced cross-sectional area. Modulated pressure is provided to a chamber at the first end of the spool and when it increases beyond the force of a biasing spring, an inlet port is connected to an outlet port. Feedback pressure acts on the differential area between a full cross-sectional area of the spool and a reduced area portion of the spool located within the outlet port. The feedback force on the spool is in proportion to the changing control force. A sleeve is provided at the end of the valve adjacent the reduced area portion of the spool, such portion and sleeve cooperating to provide a sliding seal. The outlet port will be coupled to tank whenever the modulated pressure falls below the combination of the spring force and the feedback pressure.

Abstract: A powered work clamping device includes a housing having an upper chamber and a lower chamber, and a piston in the lower chamber connected to an index rod which projects into the upper chamber. The index rod is axially movable but not rotatably movable, and is biased to an upper position. A plunger extends from the housing and has a work engaging member at one end with a piston at its other end disposed within the upper chamber. The plunger is mounted on the index rod for axial and rotative movement, and is biased to a retracted clamped position. To unclamp a workpiece, hydraulic fluid is directed to a valve assembly within the device which sequentially delivers fluid first to the upper chamber to extend the plunger and then to the lower chamber to axially move the index rod and its piston to swing the plunger.

Abstract: A support for the drive components of a front wheel drive vehicle includes a frame adapted to be mounted on a jack, a pair of saddle beams mounted on the frame and being adjustable vertically and horizontally relative thereto for supporting the vehicle engine and transmission. An arm is pivotally mounted at each end of the frame and includes a vertically extending portion which is adapted to be secured to the front wheel hubs for holding the transaxles and wheel struts in position as the engine, transmission, drive axles and struts are removed simultaneously from the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tilt lockout system for tilt-cab trucks which extends the shock absorber and spring assemblies adjacent the tilt axis to their maximum strokes prior to initiation of the tilt cycle and locks them in that position throughout the tilt cycle.

Abstract: A support base has an attachment device for being secured in a predetermined position on a frame. A first coupler is mounted on the support base for movement in two mutually perpendicular directions and a first elongate member, is mounted in the first coupler and extends in a direction normal to the plane defined by the directions in which the the first coupler is movable. A universal coupling is disposed at the remote end of the first member and includes a second coupling and a clamp for securing the second coupling in any angular orientation relative to the remote end of the first member. A second elongate member is longitudinally adjustable and is fixed to the second coupling so that the remote end of the second member may be three-dimensionally adjusted relative to the remote end of the first member.

Abstract: A portable electric driven conduit bender which accommodates rigid, IMC and thinwall conduit of various sizes in a single setup includes a rotatable, cone-shaped bending shoe, and a roller assembly for supporting conduit during bending. The bending shoe has a pair of arcuate-shaped die portions positioned diametrically opposite one another for shaping rigid and IMC conduit, and thinwall conduit, respectively, and each die portion has a plurality of bending grooves formed therein for accommodating various conduit diameter sizes. The roller assembly includes a roller unit for larger diameter conduit that has a split forming roller and a solid backup roller located side-by-side which cradle the conduit during the bending operation. One of the halves of the split roller is adjustable in its axial direction between a closed position for supporting thinwall conduit and a separated position for supporting rigid conduit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a seal for a rotary hydraulic valve having an inner surface which is concave and spaced from the recess in the rotary core in which it is received. Two parallel troughs are formed in the inner surface between the edges thereof and the central flow passageway. In use, fluid under pressure enters the trough and distorts the seal both radially outwardly against the valve body and circumferentially outwardly against the sides of the seal recess.

Abstract: A pressure regulator includes an inlet adapted to be connected to a pressure source and a chamber in which the pressure is to be regulated. An orifice is provided between the inlet and the chamber for metering the flow of hydraulic fluid therebetween. In addition, regulating means is provided adjacent the orifice and is movable in a timed relation in response to a series of pulse signals for changing the effective flow area of said orifice whereby the pressure in the chamber varies with the integral of the voltage pulses.

Abstract: A motor vehicle datum locating fixture includes a base adapted to be secured in one of a plurality of discrete locations on a frame which supports the vehicle and first, second and third bars. A first clap is mounted on the base to fix the first bar in any one of an indefinite number of perpendicular and rotational positions relative to the base. A second clamp is disposed adjacent the end of the first bar for securing the second bar in any one of an indefinite number of perpendicular and angular position relative to the first bar. The second bar also includes a support for supporting the third bar at a fixed perpendicular position relative to the second bar.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for measuring deviations in vehicle bodies or frames in connection with inspection of damage or alignment of deformed vehicles. The measuring apparatus comprises gripping means which are attached to reference points on either side of the vehicle, transverse beams having graduated scales thereon, a center beam, a measuring beam and at least one measuring rod for direct or cross measurement. The device is relatively light weight and compact, and the beams are provided with quick couple attachments so that the measurement can be performed in a relatively short time period.

Abstract: A control system for varying the volume of fluid discharged from a variable displacement hydraulic pump having a plurality of reciprocating pistons. Each piston includes an inlet check valve which controls the flow of fluid from an inlet supply line to the piston chamber, and an outlet check valve which controls the flow of fluid from the piston chamber to a discharge line. The displacement of the pump is controlled by a series of actuator members which regulate the working pressure developed by each piston by controlling the positions of the inlet check valves. Each actuator member is movable between a first position wherein it permits an inlet check valve to close and enable its corresponding piston to develop working pressure in the piston chamber, and a second position wherein it opens the inlet check valve to prevent the development of working pressure in the piston chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a suspension system for a tilt cab truck in which the shock absorber assemblies adjacent the tilt axis are collapsed to their minimum stroke prior to the initiation of the tilt cycle and held there by hydraulic lock throughout the tilt cycle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a latch mechanism for a tilt-cab truck including a latch pin and a latch locking assembly adapted to engage the latch pin. The latch locking assembly includes a housing, a sliding latch assembly disposed in the housing for sliding movement in a direction generally perpendicular to the motion of the latch pin, a spring which biases the sliding latch assembly into engagement with the latch pin, a hydraulically actuated piston which forces the sliding latch assembly out of engagement with the latch pin, and a latch locking member which releasably holds the sliding latch assembly out of engagement with the latch pin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tilt cab truck having a shock absorber assembly in which a path of fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the interior of the shock absorber assembly is automatically blocked both when the brake is applied and when a roll-angle sensing device senses a roll angle greater than a predetermined value, thereby strengthening the shock absorbing function. Two embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tilt cab suspension system comprising integral shock absorber and air spring assemblies located between the truck frame and the cab. The shock absorber assembly comprises a hydraulic circuit which provides for circulation of hydraulic fluid during an upstroke and/or downstroke of a piston within a cylinder. A selectively adjustable control valve is located in the hydraulic circuit and may be regulated by the vehicle operator to control the stiffness of the shock absorber sub-assembly and, consequently, the hardness of the ride.

Abstract: A single cylinder, tilt-cab tractor including a chassis, a cab pivotably mounted about an axis near the front of the chassis, a suspension assembly mounted at each of the forward corners of the cab and a single hydraulic cab tilting cylinder wherein the improvement comprises an auxiliary cylinder mounted between the cab and chassis opposite to the single cab tilting cylinder and hydraulic means to extend the auxiliary cylinder upon pressurization of the cab tilting cylinder to extend the suspension assembly opposite to the single hydraulic cab tilting cylinder prior to tilting of the cab.

Abstract: A tilt-cab tractor including a chassis, a cab pivotally mounted about an axis near the front of the chassis, a suspension cylinder mounted at each corner of the cab, at least one hydraulic cab tilting cylinder, an accumulator, and a first conduit connecting the accumulator to the suspension cylinders wherein the improvement comprises; a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid for delivering hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic tilting cylinder and the shock absorber suspension cylinders, a second and third hydraulic conduit for delivering hydraulic fluid to the cab tilting cylinder and for delivering hydraulic fluid to the first conduit respectively, a control valve and means for selectively blocking flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the accumulator when the tractor brakes are applied.

Abstract: A measuring bridge for determining the degree of motor vehicle damages includes a main frame and a plurality of vehicle supports adjustable three dimensionally relative to the main frame. A first elongate guage is pivotally connected to a magnet coupler securable to the frame and having a pair of longitudinally and vertically adjustable measuring elements for the successive location of a plurality of datum points on the bottom of the vehicle. In addition, a plurality of tram gauges are supported on the main frame above the vehicle and are adjustable three dimensionally for locating datum points located on upper portions of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for resiliently supporting a load at a reference height includes a hydraulic cylinder for resiliently supporting a load about a reference height and an accumulator which cooperates with the cylinder for flowing hydraulic fluid therebetween in response to varying loads imposed on the cylinder. A valve is provided for dampening the rate of fluid flowing between the cylinder and the accumulator and a metering valve coacts with the cylinder for adjusting the reference height about which the load is supported.