Abstract: An apparatus for balancing bodies of rotation in which the body is mounted for rotation while supported at two points. Two load cells are located at each point for producing an unbalance signal. One load cell at each point is connected to measuring electronics which indicate the amount of unbalance while the other cell is connected to processing electronics which indicate amount and location and transmit a signal to a processing machine.

Abstract: A procedure and apparatus for determining the characteristic values of tires and rims and/or the attitude of the endurance limit of the same by rolling a wheel on a drum drive machine and measuring the forces and/or moments with a torque indicator. The measured forces are then transformed to the forces at the area of contact between the wheel and the drum. The forces applied to the wheel may then be readjusted by altering the slip angle, the camber angle and/or the contact pressure of the wheel on the drum.

Abstract: A front panel for a balancing machine in which the adjustment buttons and operational elements, including digital controls and displays are neatly and compactly grouped. This reduces the risk of improper operation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for testing the nonuniformity of rotating bodies, and especially motor vehicle tires, in which the rotating body is pressed against a test drum and the radial and lateral reaction forces are measured at several locations on the drum. At each location a value proportional to the radial force is added to the lateral force to correct for the inductive disturbance of the lateral force measurement caused by the radial force. The corrected lateral force can then be used to determine the cone and angle effect.

Abstract: A two-pillar, above floor elevating platform for vehicles having lift trucks disposed in each of the two pillars respectively. A three-phase AC motor in each pillar drives each lift truck vertically along the pillar. Apparatus which synchronizes the movement of the two lift trucks is located in a base platform upon which the two pillars are mounted. One of the motors may be disconnected when the torque necessary to lift the vehicle can be developed by the other motor. A one-phase to three-phase converter may be used to power the vehicle elevating platform in areas where only one-phase power is available.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically inspecting and moving tires through an inspection system. The tire is placed in a pan of sand and is rotated by a device grasping the bead of the tire so that the tire becomes embedded in the sand in order to stabilize its position. A covering hood, with an attached mirror, is aligned upon lowering with the aid of conical centering guides. After the tire has been inspected and removed, a rotary shovel smooths the sand so that the pan is ready to accept another tire for inspection.

Abstract: A circuit and process for eliminating unbalances on a rotor which permits equalization of unbalance only in constructionally predetermined equalization planes and component angles in which conventionally produced balance signals indicating the amounts and angles of unbalance are rectified and applied to an arithmetic circuit which produces output signals indicating the amounts of unbalance in equalization planes and, where balance in a given equalization plane is not possible, the amount of unbalance in a substitute plane. To permit balancing of different type workpieces having different dimensions, potentiometers are connected to the arithmetic circuit and to a longitudinal positioning circuit for applying signals indicating locations of the planes.

Abstract: A locking device for a lift having an arm pivotably mounted for horizontal movement about a lifting carriage with two tubular members each pivotably connected at one end to the arm. One of the tubular members extends into a cylindrical housing and is locked thereto by balls mounted in ball cages urged by a spring to a locking position. The other tubular member is locked to the first tubular member by similar balls, cages and spring. A sleeve longitudinally slidably exterior to the two tubular members includes pins for engaging the ball cages to release the two tubular members.

Abstract: A safety unit for latching against upward movement a spindle driven lift of the type having a lifting nut on which a lifting carriage guided in a column is supported and a safety nut mounted for movement on the spindle for guiding the column in the event of lifting nut failure with a pawl rotatably mounted adjacent the tooth spindle for rotating, urged by a spring, to a locking position preventing rotation of the spindle in one direction when a guide bolt extending through one of a pair of contiguous bores in the pawl having different diameters is shifted axially in response to lifting nut failure, the bolt having different diameter portions along its axis so that the shifting permits rotation of the pawl into its locking position.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining static imbalance of a test body with a receiving plate mounted gimbal-fashion in antifriction bearings with data receivers connected to the receiving plate whereby the receiving plate is supported radially, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the gimbal axes, by antifriction bearings and axially, i.e., in the plane, by axially rigid torsion rods.

Abstract: A method and appartus for measuring forces of reaction of a wheel rim and tire so as to minimize smooth road vibrations whereby the wheel and rim are rotated together in a first measuring run, the wheel and rim are rotated with respect to each other by a predetermined angle, and the wheel and rim are rotated together in a second run. The offset angle which minimizes vibrations can then be determined from the reaction forces of the two runs and the wheel and rim rotated with respect to each other to that offset angle.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a grinding wheel of the type having a spindle which is rotated by a motor or the like and on which is mounted a grinding wheel and a machine housing between the wheel end drive. A balancing structure includes a first annular housing mounted on the spindle adjacent the wheel and means mounted on the machine housing for injecting a balancing fluid into the annular housing and a second housing mounted on the spindle adjacent the spindle drive.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping and centering bodies during rotation for balancing with a body receiving plate which is mounted on a spindle and which has a pair of concentric flexible rings or gaskets mounted on the upper surface thereof to define, when the body rests on the rings, a vacuum chamber from which air is removed to lock the body in place by channels which extend through the plate and communicate with the vacuum chamber. A housing extends about and is connected to the spindle by bearings with the space between the housing and spindle communicating with the vacuum chamber and with a connection extending through the housing for removing air from the vacuum chamber. Extensions of the spindle and vent holes between the housing space and the bearing prevent a vacuum from being developed in the area of the bearings.

Abstract: An electrical circuit for digitally displaying an input electrical signal to minimize fluctuations in the output and maximize the speed of response to changes in the input signal whereby the input signal is applied to a first low pass filter and a second low pass filter having both a lower threshold frequency and a slower response time to changes in the input signal than the first filter. The outputs of the two filters are applied to a differential amplifier to produce a differential signal which is applied via a pair of serially and oppositely connected Zener diodes to the output of the second filter, which is also connected to the digital display, to cause rapid response to signal changes. The frequency of a unijunction oscillator is also controlled by the differential signal to increase the measuring rate of the digital display whenever the input signal charges by more than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing the uniformity of a rotary body whereby an electrical analysis signal is produced by travel measuring or force measuring transducers having an amplitude which varies as a function of the non-uniformities, multiplied by a direct current signal which varies as a function of the speed of rotation of the body to produce a further signal which is then integrated to provide the Fourier coefficients of the Fourier development series of the analysis signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively measuring oscillation components and vectors in a spectrum, particularly produced by detecting unbalance of a rotary body, with a transducer which includes a pair of coils which move in an alternating magnetic field having an adjustable frequency and an integrating circuit connected to the transducer output so that the desired components are selected in the transducer and integrating circuit.

Abstract: A method and circuit for use in determining unbalance of a rotary body having structurally predetermined compensation planes and restricted angular regions thereof in which the unbalance signals of the respective compensation planes are produced and applied to respective first and second inverting amplifiers if the compensation cannot be carried out in the compensation planes and a substitute plane is required. The outputs of the first and second amplifiers are added in a third amplifier whose output value varies as a function of the distance of the substitution plane from a compensation plane so that the output of the second amplifier, with the output of the first amplifier applied to its input, indicates the compensation in the substitution plane and the output of the third amplifier indicates the compensation in the other compensation plane.

Abstract: A tool for driving balance weights of the type having the shape of a slotted bushing which is attached to a spoke nipple by a press fit, the tool having a handle at one end and a weight receiving opening at the other. A lateral slot communicates with the opening for receiving a spoke and a crowned anvil is provided between the ends for hammering the weight in place against the rim without deforming the weight.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing shock absorbers installed on vehicles whereby one tire of the vehicle is placed on a supporting plate of a test stand which is oscillated. The velocity of the plate during oscillation and the dynamic tire pressure on the supporting plate are detected and corresponding signals produced. The signals are divided, one by the other, after being peak rectified to produce a quotient which represents tire quality signal. Resonance is detected by differentiation of the velocity signal and the tire quality signal transmitted to an indicator only during resonance.

Abstract: A joint for connecting a drive unit to a measuring arrangement connected to a wheel. The measuring arrangement comprising a wheel shaft rotatably supported by a measuring hub having deformable beams for measuring moments and forces acting on the wheel and the joint comprising a diaphragm flexible in the axial direction but rigid in the peripheral direction connected between the wheel shaft and one end of a cylindrical tube which is radially resilient and axially rigid, the other end of the tube being coupled to the drive unit.