Abstract: A self-centering spring assembly which is a column located between first and second vertically spaced frame members including a first end on the column movably secured to the first frame member, a second end on the column secured to the second frame member, a member having a first end movably mounted on the column and a second end in movable engagement with the first frame member, and a liquid spring connected between the second end of the movable member and the column.

Abstract: A trailer hitch guide system comprising a trailer hitch having an inboard end coupled to a truck and having an outboard end with an upstanding ball. The trailer has a central extent for receiving a boat and an inboard end with an associated coupling component adapted to receive the ball and with an associated locking component. An attachment assembly interfacing between the ball and guide assists the driver of a truck in positioning the ball into position with respect to the guide. The assembly includes a rod with an upstanding vertical section and with a flag marker at the top thereof and a C-shaped section adjacent to the bottom thereof. A short vertical section at the bottom of the attachment assembly is coupled at its central extent to the bottom of the rod and has a contact plate therebeneath and an associated sphere thereabove. The sphere has a cylindrical aperture extending upwardly from the bottom of the sphere with a coil spring within the ball.

Abstract: A nestable cart, of the type guided by a walking attendant, for conveying a material such as luggage. The cart has a frame and is supported by two rear wheels and a front rotatable caster. A brake is contained within each rear wheel. The brake is automatically engaged when the cart is left unattended. Movement of the handle disengages each brake. A cable connected between the handle and brake linkage disengages the brake shoe, allowing each wheel to freely rotate.

Abstract: A magnetic brake, particularly a linear eddy-current brake for rail vehicles, having a magnet yoke which extends substantially along the whole eddy-current brake, has a concave shape with respect to a plane rail in its installed position.

Abstract: A method of cooling a brake fluid using a brake operating unit which comprises a first and a second flow channels connected to a cylinder of a brake element at one ends thereof comprises a step of setting the absolute value of a difference between the amount of brake fluid supplied to and that discharged from the cylinders in the first flow channel to apply and release brakes respectively equal to the absolute value of a difference between the amount of the brake fluid supplied to and that discharged from the cylinder in the second flow channel to apply and release the brakes respectively, so as to circulate the brake fluid in the cylinder using both of the first and second flow channels by repetition of applying and releasing the brakes.

Abstract: A brake liquid pressure device includes a piston valve for increasing brake liquid pressure instantly, by augmenting a front stage brake liquid pressure at first, and then augmenting the front stage and the rear stage liquid pressure evenly at the same time so as to perform braking on the front wheels first, and then on all the front and the rear wheels evenly at the same time, moving the center of gravity of a car to the front stage so as to shortening a brake distance.

Abstract: An air spring has a pair of axially spaced end members and an intervening elastomeric sleeve extending therebetween which forms a fluid pressure chamber. An annular clamp ring having a smooth inner diameter coacts with an annular wall on the end members, which has an outer diameter with annular indentations formed therein to clamp the ring thereto. The clamp ring is of a tear-drop shape which corresponds to the general conical shape of the end members so as to provide greater fabric displacement, ring/component interference as opposed to clearance, larger stress area, and a self-locking mechanism.

Abstract: A system equipped with elastic vibration absorbers whose elastic elements, capable of absorbing engine rotational vibrations, are placed and affixed between the supports of the engine main body along the same axis as that of the output axle and the structure for fastening the engine main body to the airframe, and with a vibration absorber-damper equipped with an arm affixed on the support of the engine main body and another arm coupled to the structure for fastening one of the aforementioned elastic vibration absorbers in such a way that these arms, separable and opposing, are positioned and pivoted at the axis of the output axle in a plane perpendicular to this axis, and with a damping member, installed between these arms, for absorbing engine vibrations and recoils occurring in the elastic bodies.

Abstract: A low force actuator that is used in conjunction with semi-active and passive suspension systems to provide for improved suspension and ride control for vehicles, and which overcomes stiction and provides limited active capability. The low force actuator is sized to counter the small, high frequency forces (caused by road input disturbances and stiction effects) that act on, or are transmitted between sprung and unsprung masses of the vehicle. The present invention provides for two low force actuators. The first comprises a proof mass low force electromagnetic actuator that may be connected to either the sprung or unsprung mass. In either configuration the proof mass provides an extra degree of freedom for the suspension system that decouples ride and holding control actions of the vehicle. The second comprises a differential force actuator that uses an electromagnetic actuator to provide a force between the sprung and unsprung masses of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electronically controllable brake actuating system for automotive vehicles includes a master brake cylinder operable by an actuating pedal and having at least one piston, at least one braking pressure generator actuatable by an electronic control unit, to which braking pressure generator wheel brakes of the vehicle are directly connected and which is connectable to the master brake cylinder by hydraulic connections closable by valve assemblies, at least one sensor device to identify the driver's wish for deceleration, and a simulator chamber which interacts with the master brake cylinder. The reliability of the system may be improved by providing a simulator chamber that is connected to a hydraulic chamber and which is bounded in the master brake cylinder by a second piston, by way of a closable connection.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing device includes a first crank member, a buffering unit and a second crank member. The first crank member has a first hole formed therein. The buffering unit is inserted into the first hole, and has a cylindrical hollow outer wall, a cylindrical hollow inner wall coaxially mounted in the outer wall, an annular rubber cushion disposed between the inner and outer walls, and a shaft extending through and engaging the inner wall. The outer wall engaging the first crank member. The second crank member is connected to and is rotatable about and together with the shaft. The rubber cushion is deformed by the outer and inner walls in order to retard pivotal movement of the first crank member relative to the second crank member about the shaft.

Abstract: A brake system for automotive vehicles includes a pneumatic brake power booster with a control valve which is operable by a solenoid irrespective of the driver's wish. A control structure having a position controller which influences the position of the control valve provides the signals representative of voltage which are supplied to the solenoid. To achieve a comfortable, exactly controllable independent operation of the brake power booster, the position controller is provided by a comparator, connected upstream of which is a second summer wherein the output quantity of the deceleration controller is compared with a weighted signal representative of the speed of the armature. The output quantity of the deceleration controller corresponds to the position of the armature relative to the housing of the solenoid, and the travel signal which corresponds to the actual condition of the control valve represents the actual position of the armature relative to the housing of the solenoid.

Abstract: A brake having multiple actuators is provided. In one embodiment the brake includes a torque transmission assembly centered about a longitudinal axis, a hub that is rotatable about the axis, and first and second pressure plate assemblies that are axially movable relative to the torque transmission assembly and each other. The brake also includes a drive plate assembly responsive to axial movement of the first pressure plate assembly for braking the rotation of the hub relative to the torque transmission assembly. Springs urge the second pressure plate assembly in a first axial direction towards the first pressure plate assembly and the first pressure plate assembly towards the drive plate assembly thereby setting the brake. One actuator is used to urge the second pressure plate assembly in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction and away from the first pressure plate assembly, to thereby release the brake.

Abstract: A locomotive brake control system including train brake and bail-off with hold and/or blending features. A preliminary brake cylinder pressure control signal is provided to the propulsion system which provides a blending signal as a function of the preliminary brake control signal and dynamic braking. Holding and blending reservoirs are computer simulated.

Abstract: By controlling the thickness of the nitrization layer formed on the surface, the coil spring made of spring steel may be made highly resistant to permanent set and fatigue. By carbonitriding the material of the coil spring to a depth of 20 to 50 .mu.m from the surface thereof so as to have an internal hardness of Hv 540 or higher, the coil spring can be made to endure 10.sup.7 cycles of repeated high stress without suffering any significant permanent set.

Abstract: A crankcase for a motorcycle is divided into an upper half and a lower half. A crankshaft, a main shaft, a counter shaft, and a pivot portion are arranged substantially on a straight line along a parting plane P of the crankcase. An eccentric cam and a pivot collar are disposed in the pivot portion, and a rear swing arm is connected to the pivot shaft. The upper half and lower half are vertically mated to each other in front of and behind the pivot portion and then vertically fastened to each other. The center of the pivot collar is offset downwardly from the parting plane P.

Abstract: A braking system includes a wheel brake, a master cylinder, and a modulator interposed in the braking system and interconnected with the wheel brake and the master cylinder so that fluid pressurization effected in the braking system by the master cylinder is communicated to the wheel brake through the modulator. An isolation valve is positioned in the modulator normally permitting an unrestricted fluid flow and pressure exchange between the master cylinder and the wheel brake through the modulator. The isolation valve is operable to isolate the wheel brake from the master cylinder by the repositioning of a moveable element in the isolation valve. A solenoid valve is associated with the modulator and is normally closed. The solenoid valve is openable so that fluid pressure is released from the wheel brake through the solenoid valve and substantially simultaneously, the moveable element of the isolation valve moves to close the isolation valve to isolate the wheel brake from the master cylinder.

Abstract: A motorbike stabilizing device consisting of outriggers extending on both sides of the bike and connected pivotally and independently to the frame of the bike. A wheel is mounted near the tips of both structures which runs along the ground. An actuating lever located on the handlebars allows the rider to control the lean angle of the bike as it goes through a corner at various speeds and corner radii. The lever actuates a pneumatic cylinder which is connected to both structures keeping them firmly planted on the ground and allows the lean angle of the bike to be selected.The invention assists the rider to overcome the natural fear of steep lean angles, the fear of quick or sudden turns and the fear of losing traction. The rider learns to lean his body with the bike in a turn, thus lowering the center of gravity of the bike/rider combination which creates the most stable conditions.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve with pressure control function, has on a magnetic core an extension which extends in the direction to valve face. A valve rocker is guided in the radial direction in extension. This yields good guidance of valve rocker which favors flow, outside of the audio spectrum.

Abstract: A self-lubricating cylinder assembly for use in a press operable in an upright orientation and in an inverted orientation. The cylinder assembly contains a working fluid under pressure and lubricating oil. The cylinder assembly includes a cylinder body that has sidewalls that terminate in an opening at a first end and an end wall at a second end. The cylinder assembly further includes an interior wall assembly that connects to the cylinder body and has walls that extend within the cylinder body to the end wall. The wall assembly walls are preferably formed of a cylinder liner in connection with an insert. The cylinder liner has a piston mounted for reciprocal motion therebetween. A variable volume wall assembly space is defined as a space between the piston, the wall assembly walls and the housing end wall. An expansion reservoir is defined as a space between the side walls of the cylinder body, the wall assembly walls and the cylinder body end wall.