Abstract: Disclosed is a tilt cab truck in which the weight of the cab is partially supported by the tilting cylinder while the cab is in the over-the-road position. A fluid-by-pass circuit is provided to permit the cab to perform limited up-and-down movement relative to the frame of the truck.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cabtilt system comprising conventional hydraulic tilting cylinders, a cock sensing member, and a synchronizing valve which causes one of the hydraulic tilting cylinders to slow or stop its motion until the other cylinder catches up with it if the cock sensing member senses that the cab is cocking as it tilts.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for permitting hydraulic lost motion between the push chamber and the pull chamber of the tilt cylinder(s) for a tiltcab truck. The apparatus comprises a pilot-operated check valve having a through passage (a) which is part of a hydraulic connection between the push chamber and the pull chamber and (b) which is only shut off when hydraulic pressure is applied to the push chamber(s) of the tilt cylinder(s).

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 of the damper piston on the upstroke and, to a lesser extent, on the down stroke as well.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tilt-cab truck including apparatus to secure uniform advance and retraction of the tilt cylinders. The system employs a single pilot-operated check valve instead of the conventional two pilot-operated check valves, but it employs two extra check valves to provide the same system safety as is conventionally provided with two pilot-operated check valves.

Abstract: Disclosed is a latching mechanism comprising (a) a plunger adapted to be mounted on a truck body or similar structure, (b) first means for extending and retracting the plunger, (c) a latch hook pivotally mounted on the truck body or similar structure in position to contact the plunger when it is retracted but not when it is extended, (d) a catch adapted to be mounted on a truck cab or similar structure in position to be engaged by the latch hook when the latch hook is contacted by the plunger, but not when the latch hook is not contacted by the plunger, and (e) means biasing the latch hook towards contact with the plunger.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compact rotating hydraulic drive comprising (a) a housing, (b) a pumpshaft mounted in the housing for both linear translational and rotational movement, (c) a plurality of pumping units operated by rotational motion of the pumpshaft, (d) a valve spool mounted on the pumpshaft but rotatable relative to the pumpshaft, and (e) means selectively operative upon linear translation of the pumpshaft to rotate the valve spool back and forth between a first angular position in which the output of the pump is directed in one manner and a second angular position in which the output of the pump is directed in another manner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a safety latch cylinder for a tiltcab truck. The safety latch cylinder comprises a hydraulic cylinder extension of which unlatches a cab latch mechanism and a bypass to tank through the hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder is in hydraulic series with the tilt cylinder(s), and, when the hydraulic cylinder is prevented from extending to unlatch the cab latch mechanism, hydraulic fluid is returned to tank through the hydraulic cylinder, preventing extension of the tilt cylinder(s).

Abstract: Disclosed is a flow sensing check valve comprising an outer shell; an inner sleeve mounted in the outer shell and having a first port at one end, a second port at the other end, and a third port axially located intermediate the other two near the first port; a poppet valve urged into valving engagement with the first port, the poppet valve being in sealing engagement with the interior of the inner sleeve between the second and third ports and having a pilot flow control passageway therethrough; and a velocity fuse mounted in the second port. When the velocity fuse senses a pre-selected difference in flow, it causes the poppet valve to seat.

Abstract: A measuring bridge for determining the orientation of reference points on a motor vehicle including a single bending resistant measuring bar and a plurality of measuring vehicles mounted respectively on first and second tracks disposed on the opposite sides of the measuring bar and extending longitudinally therealong. Each measuring vehicle is movable longitudinally along the tracks independently of the other vehicles and each extends normally therefrom so that their outer ends are spaced from the tracks. Additional tracks are formed on each vehicle and extend perpendicularly to the measuring bar for supporting measuring devices for lateral movement relative to the bar. Supporting means extend downwardly from at least a pair of vehicles on each side of the measuring bar so that the bridge may be oriented relative to the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle frame alignment apparatus comprising a pair of substantially parallel tracks upon which a vehicle may rest, at least one transversely extending beam suspended beneath the tracks, the beam being longer than the spacing between the tracks and having an upright pillar at each end thereof, the pillars being respectively on opposite sides of the pair of tracks and provided with anchorage means for attachment of straining members for applying a plurality of variously directed loads to the vehicle, the beam being suspended beneath the tracks by a pair of suspension units, each suspension unit comprising a top and bottom carriage mutually interconnected by a substantially vertical shaft so as to be relatively rotatable about the axis of the shaft, each of the tracks having fixedly associated and extending substantially parallel therewith a pair of longitudinally extending track rails spaced one from the other along which top carriage rides, the transverse beam having fixedly associated and extending substan

Abstract: A gear shift connecting apparatus of the type operable to latch and release a gear shift rod of a tiltable tractor cab to a chassis portion of the tractor. The gear shift connecting apparatus includes a housing operably connected to the tractor chassis and a connection member fashioned on the lowermost portion of the gear shift rod. A hydraulically actuated connecting/release assembly is mounted within the housing and includes a cylindrical cup operable to receive the connection portion of the gear shift rod. In a connection mode spherical locking members carried by a cylindrical sleeve radially engage a connection portion of the gear shift rod. A locking/disabling sleeve is telescopically mounted about the cylindrical sleeve and is biased in a posture to retain the spherical locking members in contact with the gear shift rod. In a release mode a hydraulic chamber is actuated which slides the locking/disabling sleeve out of backup contact with the spherical locking members.

Abstract: An apparatus for reforming and straightening damaged bodies and frames of vehicles whereby corrective forces are applied to the vehicle through one or more elongated force transmission elements. A force is imposed on the elongated elements respectively by means of a uniquely mounted hydraulic ram which is freely pivotable sideways and limitedly pivotable in a backward direction. Each of the hydraulic rams are attached to a frame situated beneath the vehicle to be straightened whereby the frame further supports a measuring bridge coupled to the vehicle so that the progress of a straightening operation can be readily determined. The measuring bridge includes vertical indicators or gauges which are coupled at datum points on the vehicle so that an operator can readily determine the deformity of the vehicle longitudinally, laterally and vertically with respect to its center line.

Abstract: Disclosed are two embodiments of a locking cylinder. In both embodiments the locking cylinder comprises a housing, a working piston, a pilot piston, and a counter balance valve to substantially smoothen the operation of the working piston, particularly when an induced pressure is applied to the working piston. In the first embodiment, the pilot piston slides as a unit, although it may be formed in two axially separate parts. In the second embodiment, the pilot piston is formed in two axially separate parts, communicating bores are formed in the two parts, a ball valve is located in the bore in one of the parts, a free floating pin is disposed in the bores between the ball valve and an abutment surface in the other part, and the ball valve is biased shut. The pin is sized to unseat the ball valve when the two parts are in contact, but the two parts are biased apart by the action of the biasing means, which is transmitted through the pin to the abutment surface.

Abstract: A support for a tool used to straighten the metal portions of a vehicle supported on a support floor. The tool includes a chain adapted to engage the vehicle and the support floor and a hydraulically actuated cylinder having an extensible plunger adapted to engage the chain intermediate its ends. The other end of the cylinder is mounted on a base for pivotal movement about an axis substantially parallel to a support floor. The base has a bottom surface for engaging the support floor and a pin extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface and adapted to be received in a complimentary hole in the support floor.

Abstract: A measuring bridge coupled to a vehicle by means of a plurality of vertical elements attached to datum points on undamaged portions of the vehicle to properly orient it to the vehicle. In addition, vertical measuring elements attached to datum points in damaged portions of a vehicle are supported on the bridge for movement in two perpendicular directions and a plane parallel to the vehicle and extend along their length to follow and monitor the reforming of the vehicle during the application of force. The measuring bridge is supported by a plurality of air pressure cylinders to maintain proper orientation of the bridge with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: A single piece self-supporting shoe of generally oblong shape for use in a conduit bender. The shoe has oppositely disposed arcuately shaped outwardly facing grooves on opposite side portions and is capable of bending either thin or thick wall conduit of varying sizes, all with the same shoe by employing different radii in the opposed grooves of the shoe.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPreviously shoes for conduit benders for bending thin wall tubing or conduit and intermediate and rigid conduit depended for their operation upon either an internal pivot point support or upon internal access permitting the application of a sizable force therein such as is often produced by a hydraulic ram to drive the shoe. These internal structures of such shoes were integral with their function and tended to limit their design.

Abstract: The tire spreading and inspecting machine of the present invention includes a frame for supporting a tire in an inspection position. Drive rollers are provided on the frame for rotating the tire about its axis and specially designed spread arms are arranged for engaging the beads of the tire and spreading them apart to permit inspection of the tire carcass. An offset in the spreading arms prevents the rollers from jumping out of the tire as the tire is rotated. Sidewall support rollers are also provided on the frame for contacting the sidewalls of the rotating tire to prevent the tire from collapsing before sufficient spread is achieved. This feature is particularly important when the machine is used for inspecting radial tires whose characteristics make inspection on conventional equipment impractical. Finally, a tire lift attached to the frame includes a lock and roller for applying pressure to the tire to prevent it from coming off the rollers during rotation.

Abstract: A measuring bridge coupled to a vehicle by means of a plurality of vertical elements attached to datum points on undamaged portions of the vehicle to properly orient it to the vehicle. In addition, vertical measuring elements attached to datum points in damaged portions of a vehicle are supported on the bridge for movement in two perpendicular directions and a plane parallel to the vehicle and extend along their length to follow and monitor the reforming of the vehicle during the application of force. The measuring bridge is supported by a plurality of air pressure cylinders to maintain proper orientation of the bridge with respect to the vehicle.