Abstract: A machine tool comprises a spindle stock and a worktable provided in front of the spindle stock to support workpieces thereon and capable of up-down movement and swivelling movement about a vertically extending center axis. Also employed in the machine tool is a splash guard arrangement which spatially divides the worktable into a machining region disposed in proximity to the spindle stock and a mounting region positioned distal to the spindle stock. The splash guard arrangement includes a rotary guard rigidly attached to the worktable for movement as a unit with the worktable, a stationary guard provided above the rotary guard and a sealing slider elevationally movably held by the stationary guard. The sealing slider remains in pivotal engagement with the rotary guard so that the slider can be subjected to up-down movement together with the rotary guard, while allowing the swivelling movement of the worktable and the rotary guard independently of the slider.

Abstract: A carbon--carbon composite for friction products comprises an outer friction part and a load bearing structure part supporting the friction part. The friction part contains a mixture of carbon fibers, pitch powder and graphite powder, whereas the structure part is comprised of a pack of alternating layers of the mixture and layers of one member selected from the group consisting of carbon fabrics, carbon-based prepregs and carbon-based, segmented prepregs.

Abstract: A synchronized chaotic system and a communication system using the synchronized chaotic system is disclosed. The synchronized chaotic system comprises a master chaotic part and a slave chaotic part, and a first synchronizing part connected to the master chaotic part and a second synchronizing part connected to the slave chaotic part. The first and second synchronizing parts preform operational functions to synchronize a chaotic signal output of the master chaotic part with a chaotic signal output of the slave chaotic part. Each of the first and second synchronizing parts includes a first scaler, a subtracter, a second scaler, and an adder. Each output of the adder is fed back to the main and slave chaotic parts. The synchronization occurs when the synchronized system consisting of the variable differences of the master and the slave chaotic parts generates infinite period of laminar phase which is connected with on-off intermittency.

Abstract: A pump motor control apparatus is adapted to control a pump motor of a forklift truck by using a driving transistor connected between a battery and the pump motor. The pump motor control apparatus includes a current detection circuit for detecting a current flowing through the pump motor to generate a current detection signal representing the current. A controller is employed to determine the load condition based on the current detection signal to thereby generate a control signal for use in the control of the driving transistor. The control signal is a pulse width modulation signal whose on-duty ratio is controlled depending on the load condition so as to decrease the torque and speed of the pump motor during the unloaded condition but to increase the torque and speed of the pump motor during the loaded condition.

Abstract: A method of producing a wear resistant mechanical component is disclosed which enables the crown value of a wear resistant tip to be controlled at one's desire. A component preform is provided by placing the wear resistant tip on a metal body with a brazing material interposed between them. The wear resistant tip has a smaller coefficient of thermal expansion than that of the metal body. The component preform is heated up to a brazing temperature selected from the temperature range between an austenite transformation starting temperature at which the metal body begins to undergo austenitic transformation and an austenitic transformation ending temperature at which the metal body terminates the austenitic transformation. The heated component preform is cooled down to the normal temperature so that the wear resistant tip is deformed into a crown shape having a crown value corresponding to the brazing temperature.

Abstract: A mast assembly for forklift trucks improves the vehicle operator's front visibility by way of widening the window provided at the center thereof. The mast assembly includes a first hose sheave rotatably attached to the top of an intermediate mast and a second hose sheave rotatably secured to the intermediate mast at a location immediately below the first hose sheave and having a diameter smaller than that of the first hose sheave. First and second fluid hoses wound respectively around the first and second hose sheaves, each of the fluid hoses having a rear end anchored to the outer mast and a front end affixed to the carriage assembly which can slide along an inner mast. The carriage assembly is capable of holding first and second attachment actuators in fluid communication with the first and second fluid hoses.

Abstract: An automatic pallet changer is used to change an inner pallet lying inside a cutting compartment of a machine tool with an outer pallet located outside the cutting compartment. The pallet changer includes a housing and an arm base elevatably and rotatably fitted to the housing, the arm base having a rotary shaft and a support head mounted on the top of the rotary shaft. A first pair of split gripper arms are pivoted at their proximal ends to the support head of the arm base for swinging movement between an idle position wherein the first pair of arms lie side to side and an acting position wherein the first pair of arms are placed end to end. Likewise, a second pair of split gripper arms are pivoted at their proximal ends to the support head of the arm base in a diametrically opposed relationship with respect to the first pair of arms for swinging movement between an idle position wherein the second pair of arms lie side to side and an acting position wherein the second pair of arms are placed end to end.

Abstract: A loader includes a seat bar swingable between a lowered, operator protective position and a raised, non-protective position. A pedal is movable between an operative position and a neutral position and has a plate member with a slot opened at it's top end. A pedal side crank is provided adjacent the pedal for rotation between a locking position and an unlocking position. Normally biased into the locking position, the pedal side crank has a lug member and is operatively coupled to the seat bar by virtue of a connecting rod and a seat bar side crank. Movement into the raised position of the seat bar causes the lug member of the pedal side crank to engage with the slot of the plate member of the pedal, thus locking the pedal in the neutral position.

Abstract: A vehicle levelling device includes a vehicle body with a rear section and a rear axle carried under the rear section of the vehicle body to provide support therefor. A support yoke is hingedly mounted to the vehicle body for pivotal movement about a transverse axis in a vertical plane. The support yoke holds the rear axle in a manner that the rear axle can rotate about a longitudinal axis. A hydraulic cylinder is attached to the vehicle body at a first end and to the support yoke at a second end so that it can be operated to lower or raise the rear section of the vehicle body with respect to the rear axle to thereby bring a tilted forklift into a horizontal position. Operation of the hydraulic cylinder is controlled by an electronic controller which in turn receives a tilt signal from a tilt sensor.

Abstract: A machine tool transmission for use in changing the torque and speed of a spindle rotatingly driven by an electric motor comprises a transmission casing, input and output shafts mounted on the transmission casing in a spaced-apart, parallel relationship for rotation at different speeds from each other, a movable gear axially displaceably fitted to the input shaft for sliding movement between first and second shift positions, first and second stationary gears fixedly secured to the output shaft for rotation in unison therewith, and a gear shifting device for causing the movable gear to be shifted either into the first shift position so that the movable gear can be meshed with the first stationary gear or the second shift position so that the movable gear can be in meshing engagement with the second stationary gear.

Abstract: A splash guard device is utilized in a machine tool to prevent chips and coolant from flying to the outside of a cutting compartment, while permitting smooth pallet changing operation. The splash guard device includes a splash guard door capable of up/down movement and swivellable about a vertical swivel axis in the course of pallet changing operation and an elevationally movable top sealing member having a lowered position in which it remains in contact with the top edge of the splash guard door and a raised position in which it is spaced apart from the top edge of the splash guard door. Responsive to the upward movement of the splash guard door, a linkage mechanism is adapted to cause the top sealing member to move from the lowered position into the raised position. A pair of fixed side splash guard walls extend in a spaced-apart parallel relationship with respect to the corresponding side edge of the splash guard door.

Abstract: A motor direction control device id used for electromotive vehicles which has an electric motor adapted to cause the vehicles to move forwards and backwards. The motor direction control device includes a direction control level shiftable from a neutral position into forward or reverse position. Operatively connected to the direction lever is an elongated pliable strip which is slidable along a predefined moving way by the shifting operation of the direction control lever and carries a permanent magnet. First and second magnetolectric sensors are arranged in a spaced-apart relationship with each other along the moving way of the elongated strip, each of the magnetoelectric sensors capable of generating, when left deactivated, a position signal of first logic level and activatable by the permanent magnet to produce a position signal of second logic level as the direction control lever is shifted into the forward or reverse position.

Abstract: A lathe carriage unit displaceably mounted on a bed for carrying and moving a tool post in a z-axis or x-axis direction comprises a saddle body having a guide slot extending along the length thereof and first and second bearing housings spaced apart from each other. A cross slider is slidably fitted to the guide slot of the saddle body for movement between an extended position and a retracted position. The cross slider can be caused to move by a drive mechanism into the extended or retracted position along the guide slot of the saddle body. The drive mechanism includes a ball screw rotatably supported at its opposite ends on the first and second bearing housings of the saddle body, a ball nut threadedly engaged with the ball screw and fixedly attached to the cross slider and a servo motor operatively connected to the ball screw for causing forward or reverse rotation of the ball screw.

Abstract: A synchronized chaotic system and a communication system using the synchronized chaotic system is disclosed. The synchronized chaotic system comprises a master chaotic part and a slave chaotic part, and a synchronizing part. The synchronizing part preforms operational functions to synchronize a chaotic signal output of the master chaotic part with a chaotic signal output of the slave chaotic part. The synchronizing part for preforming the operational functions includes a subtractor, scaler, and an adder. The output of the adder is is feedbacked to the slave chaotic part. The synchronization occurs when the synchronized system consisting of the variable differences of the master and the slave chaotic parts generates infinite period of laminar phase which is connected with on-off intermittency. Also, the synchronized chaotic system is applied to a communication system for encryption.

Abstract: A vertical machining center is usable in combination with a horizontal machining center in a flexible manufacturing system with no incompatibility of their pallets. This should be attributable to the provision of a vertical pallet designed to clamp a horizontal pallet thereon. The vertical pallet includes, inter alia, a pallet base with a cylinder recess, a pallet saddle provided above the pallet base and removably holding the horizontal pallet therealong, the pallet saddle movable between an up position wherein the horizontal pallet remains unclamped and a down position wherein the horizontal pallet is clamped against the pallet base, and an actuator for causing the pallet saddle to move between the up position and the down position.

Abstract: A fuel tank mount for forklift trucks is adapted to hold a fuel tank over the top of a counterweight in a manner that the tank may be easily lifted up and lowered down. The fuel tank mount includes a swing arm replaceably carrying the fuel tank and mounted to the counterweight for swinging movement about a tilted pivot axis between a home position wherein the fuel tank is held over and laterally across the counterweight, a neutral position wherein the fuel tank remains at its highest elevation and a tank changing position wherein the fuel tank is oriented substantially vertically. The pivot axis remains tilted both forwards at a first tilt angle, e.g., 26 degrees, and outboards at a second tilt angle, e.g., 25 degrees, with respect to a vertical axis. A latch is provided to keep the swing arm in the home position against unwanted swinging movement into the neutral and the tank changing positions.

Abstract: The inventive steering system is of the type having an engine, a fluid reservoir, a steering valve unit, an actuator control valve unit, a main fluid pump driven by the engine for pumping the fluid in the reservoir to feed pressure fluid to the steering valve unit and the actuator control valve unit and a priority valve for enabling the pressure fluid to be first supplied to the steering valve unit. Characteristically, the steering system includes an electric motor, a battery selectively connected to the electric motor for supplying electric current to the electric motor, an auxiliary fluid pump rotatingly driven by the electric motor to produce emergency steering fluid to be fed to the steering valve unit and a power supply controller for disconnecting the electric motor from the battery while the main pump produces the pressure fluid and for connecting the electric motor to the battery when no pressure fluid is discharged from the main pump.

Abstract: A reach type forklift truck is provided with a vehicle body and a reach leg extending forwards from the vehicle body. The reach leg has a guide rail fixedly attached thereto and provided with a vertical wall, a top flange and a bottom flange cooperating together to define a guide groove. A mast assembly with a base is supported on the reach leg and movable along the guide rail toward and away from the vehicle body. Front and rear support rollers are rotatably attached to the base of the mast assembly in a spaced apart relationship with each other and received in the guide groove of the guide rail. A front vertical clearance compensator is mounted to the mast base adjacent the front support roller for making contact with the underneath surface of the top flange of the guide rail, while a rear vertical clearance compensator is similarly provided adjacent the rear support roller for making contact with the top surface of the bottom flange of the guide rail.

Abstract: A fuel tank mount for forklift trucks is adapted to hold a fuel tank over the top of a counterweight in a manner that the tank may be easily lifted up and lowered down. The fuel tank mount includes a swing arm replaceably carrying the fuel tank and mounted to the counterweight for swinging movement about a tilted pivot axis between a home position wherein the fuel tank is held over and laterally across the counterweight, a neutral position wherein the fuel tank remains at its highest elevation and a tank changing position wherein the fuel tank is oriented substantially vertically. The pivot axis remains tilted both forwards at a first tilt angle, e.g., 26 degrees, and outboards at a second tilt angle, e.g., 25 degrees, with respect to a vertical axis. A latch is provided to keep the swing arm in the home position against unwanted swinging movement into the neutral and the tank changing positions.