Abstract: It is an object of this invention to provide a cylinder device for a disc brake which facilitates the installation of thick ring portions of a dust boot into an inner circumferential groove in a cylinder bore and which also reduces the weight of a caliper. In this invention a piston is slidably received in the cylinder bore at an actuating portion of the caliper, one thick ring portion is installed into an outer circumferential groove of the piston and another thick portion is installed into an inner circumferential groove adjacent to the open end of the cylinder bore. The dust boot has an intermediate flexible portion received in a stepped large diameter bore stepped up from the cylinder bore. A cutout is formed on a peripheral portion of the stepped large diameter bore surrounding/covering said intermediate flexible portion of the dust boot.

Abstract: In the inventive arrangement of a cover strip (27) on a linear guide, the cover strip (27) is supported through its flat inner surface (32) on a flat support surface (28) of a guide rail (26), which flat support surface delimits a longitudinal groove (25) of the guide rail (26) in inward direction. Two recesses (31) made in the inner surface (32) of the cover strip (27) in the regions of the long sides of the cover strip (27), extend in longitudinal direction and lead to the formation of resilient retaining ledges (33) which serve to fix the cover strip (27) on the guide rail (26).

Abstract: An automated electronic brake control device comprises an upright enclosure having a separable cover, the enclosure containing an energy source, a breakaway safety switch, a controller comprising a grade and motion detection device, timer, relay and circuit breaker and means for connecting the electronic brake control device to the electrical circuity of a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle. Preferably, the brake control device is mounted upon the towed vehicle and the controller has capabilities of sensing a change of velocity in at least one direction. Electric circuitry connects the braking circuitry of the towing vehicle to the braking system of the towed vehicle such that when towing vehicle brakes are applied, the brake control device supplies power to the braking system of the towed vehicle proportional to the sensed change in velocity.

Abstract: A vibration control apparatus designed specifically for use on space vehicles includes a stator for mounting in the vehicle, a lower flotor, magnetically levitated on the stator, an upper flotor nested in and magnetically levitated on the lower flotor, and position, orientation and motion sensors carried by the stator and flotors. When any changes in position, orientation or movement, i.e. vibration of apparatus is detected, magnetic force actuators are energized to compensate for such changes to keep a work platform on the upper flotor virtually vibration-free. Moreover, controlled and induced vibration of the work platform and an experiment carried thereby can be effected using the lower flotor as a reaction mass, i.e. without feedback to the vehicle.

Abstract: A latch assembly comprising a latch mechanism and latch housing wherein the latch assembly is useful for containers such as coolers in which it is desired that the cooler lid be secured to the container to keep the contents in the cooler while allowing the cooler lid to be opened and closed without having to change the position of the latch mechanism securing the cooler lid to the body of the cooler. The latch mechanism is mounted to the body of the cooler. The latch housing is mounted to the cooler lid and comprises a receptacle member and a clip which applies pressure to the receptacle member. The latch housing is designed to fit the latch hook and to automatically align the latch hook as it is rotated into the latch housing. The latch housing may also be part of the cooler lid handle used for gripping the cooler lid when opening or closing the lid.

Abstract: A self-pumping hydropneumatic spring strut with internal leveling for motor vehicles includes a working cylinder filled with damping medium. The working cylinder is under the pressure of at least one gas cushion arranged in a high-pressure chamber and acting as a spring. A piston divides the working cylinder into two working spaces and is connected to a hollow piston rod. Valves are arranged on the piston so that the two working spaces are in communiction through the valves. A piston pump is driven by the spring movements and pumps oil out of a low-pressure chamber into the working space connected to the high-pressure chamber and comprises a pump space formed by the hollow piston rod, a pump rod connected to the working cylinder. A further pressure generator acts upon the damping medium in the high-pressure chamber and/or the working space connected to the high-pressure space.

Abstract: The precharging device is part of a hydraulic brake system of a vehicle and serves to impose brake fluid under pressure selectively on a brake assembly, by means of a charging unit. To activate the imposition of brake fluid, the charging unit is operatively connected to a fuel supply system. The charging unit is preferably embodied as a piston unit.

Abstract: An automated twin-clutch multi-speed transmission is disclosed for use in a four-wheel drive vehicle. The transmission includes a first engine clutch operable to establish a releasable drive connection between the engine and a first input shaft, a first motor/generator connected to the first input shaft, a second engine clutch operable to establish a releasable drive connection between the engine and a second input shaft, a second motor/generator connected to the second input shaft, a mainshaft, and a geartrain for selectively establishing a plurality of forward and reverse speed ratio drive connections between the input shafts and the mainshaft.

Abstract: A visual display system comprising: a base; a first vertical front surface connected to the base; an angled back surface connected to the first vertical front surface having an angle of incidence from the first vertical front surface of between 10 and 40 degrees; a vertical back surface connected to the angled back surface having a top edge; a second vertical front surface secured to the top edge forming a first slot between the second vertical front surface and vertical back panel for holding product information; and an angled front panel connected to the second vertical front surface forming a second slot between the angled back surface and the angled front panel for holding product information.

Abstract: A transfer for a four-wheel drive vehicle of simplified structure in which speed-reducing and center differential functions are implemented by a single planetary gear set includes an input shaft; a first output shaft disposed coaxially with respect to the input shaft; a ring gear which co-rotates with the input shaft; a first pinion meshed with the ring gear; a second pinion in mesh with the first pinion at all times; a carrier for axially supporting the first and second pinions; a sun gear which, by being slid, selectively meshes with the first pinion or the second pinion; a brake for locking the sun gear when the sun gear and the first pinion mesh (the low position of the transfer); a driving gear which meshes with the sun gear when the sun gear and the second pinion mesh (the high position of the transfer); a sleeve mounted on the first output shaft and shifted for engaging the driving gear with the first output shaft in the direction of rotation; a second output shaft disposed in parallel with the first o

Abstract: A shock absorber for mounting between a first frame member and a second frame member of a bicycle includes a first member adapted to couple to the first frame member and a second member adapted to couple to the second frame member, wherein the first member and the second member rotate relative to each other. The first member includes a first member protrusion extending inwardly from an inner surface thereof and forming a first border surface at a junction of the first member protrusion and the inner surface. Similarly, the second member includes a second protrusion extending outwardly from an outer surface thereof and forming a second border surface at a junction of the second member protrusion and the outer surface. The first member protrusion faces the second member protrusion in a circumferential direction. An elastic member is disposed between the first member protrusion and the second member protrusion and contacts at least one of the first border surface and the second border surface.

Abstract: A bearing that includes a first bearing support member; a second bearing support member spaced from the first bearing support member, the first and second bearing support members each having a first end and a second end; and a resilient member between the first and second bearing support members, the resilient member having a radial thickness, the radial thickness varying between the first and second ends of the bearing support members, and whereby the bearing wears substantially constantly during its useful life.

Abstract: A torque limiting mechanism for transmitting power from an external drive source to the drive shat of a compressor. A pulley, which is coupled to the external drive source, has elastic members. A hub, which is attached to the drive shaft, has engaging portions. A coupler member is located between the pulley and the hub. The coupler member is engaged with the elastic members and with the engaging portions such that power is transmitted from the pulley to the hub. The urging members urge the coupler member such that the coupler member is disengaged from the engaging portions. When power is transmitted from the pulley to the hub, the elastic members maintain the coupler engaged with the elastic members and the engaging portions. When load generated due to power transmission exceeds a predetermined level, the elastic members are deformed such that the coupler member is disengaged from the elastic members. When disengaged from the elastic members, the coupler member is disengaged from the engaging portions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a preferably bistable magnetic brake, which is intended in particular for locking an actuating device of an electromechanical wheel braking device in its braking position at a given time. To enable releasing the magnetic brake even in the event of a defect, the invention proposes embodying the magnetic brake with two redundant electromagnets for its actuation.

Abstract: An hydraulic shock absorber with progressive braking effect comprising a cylinder (1,2) full of fluid and a piston (3) sliding axially into said cylinder. The piston (3) divides into two sequential chambers (8) and (9) the cylinder compartment (1). In the extension and/or compression operation, the piston (3) slides in the cylinder causing the fluid to move from the lower chamber (9) to the upper chamber (8) and viceversa, through ports (10) and compression (16) and extension (12) valves, with regulated and progressive opening/closing, with passages with calibrated and/or variable geometry.

Abstract: A custom display storage system includes storage and display assemblies. The storage assembly includes an album or scrapbook containing pages for mounting graphic works and other generally planar objects. The display assembly includes a display unit joined at the edges with a backing to form a pocket. The display unit includes openings for display of custom character strings as well as graphic images. The backing includes a slot providing access to the pocket. A base sheet having a guide grid for mounting images, including a string of preprinted character units may be slid through the slot and into the pocket in alignment for display via the front display unit openings. Alternatively, the system may include a container for storing three dimensional items as well as graphic works. The custom display storage system may also comprise a kit with a selection of character units and an album or storage container with a variety of display units.

Abstract: Inner door handle for automobiles comprising a lever privotably supported within a housing, a driving connection interconnecting the lever and a door lock, a return spring engaging the lever and biasing the lever towards a basic position if the lever is pivoted from the basic position to an opening position, the lever being adapted to be pivoted into an oppositely located locking position, characterized in that the return spring and the lever are structured such that the lever in the opening position is biased towards the basic position, the return spring, however, does not act on the lever in the locking position, a dead point spring being provided which biases the lever towards the locking position if it exceeds a dead point position upon movement from the basic into the locking position, the dead point spring biasing the lever towards the basic position on the opposite side of the dead point position of lever, the dead point spring being ineffective upon displacement of the lever into the opening position.

Abstract: Friction clutch plates have a first face exhibiting a surface finish of about Ra 0.5 to 0.9 and a second face having friction material secured thereto. The clutch plates are manufactured by rolling steel to a thickness of about 0.030 inches (0.76 mm) which exhibits a mill finish of about Ra 0.64 to 1.14. The rolled steel is then stamped to form circular clutch plate blanks. One surface is then smoothed, preferably by polishing, so that peaks and sharp points are flattened or removed. The resulting surface finish includes irregular relatively flat and smooth regions interspersed with and separating irregular recesses or pits and exhibits a surface finish of about Ra 0.5 to 0.9. Friction material is then secured to the opposite face of the clutch plates. The clutch plates are used in multiple plate friction clutch packs which are intended for use in dual clutch front and rear axle assemblies and motor vehicle transfer cases.

Abstract: Spring strut with a pneumatic spring and an oscillation damper which can be adjusted as a function of the support pressure. The pneumatic spring has a spring space bounded by a U-type bellows, which spring space is pneumatically connected to a damping device which can be adjusted as a function of a support pressure. A component which having a duct connects the spring space and the damping device is embodied without a hose and is integrated in the spring strut in such a way that it does not form any essential surface change in an unrolling piston associated with the U-type bellows and the unrolling piston forms at least a part of this duct.

Abstract: A composite cord assembly is used to fabricate high performance structures. In one form the cord assembly is composed of an inner composition of structural fibrous material and an external cladding. Resin is impregnated into the fibrous material. The external cladding functions as a containment device for liquid resin material during the fabrication of structural parts. The cured resin surrounds the fibrous material, and provides support to the fibers, as well as load transfers between the fibers. In addition, the cord assembly may contain an inner core and other enhancements to promote resin flow through the assembly during the resin infusion/injection process used for part fabrication. Applications for composite cord assemblies of this type include composite coil springs, structural fencing, golf club shafts, fishing rods, and other products composed of structural rods and tubes of simple or complex shapes.