Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling a sheet material discharging apparatus with a sheet binding device, wherein the absence or shortage of binding materials is detected and the sheet discharging operation continues even after the absence or shortage of binding materials is detected. When a given discharge sheet materials is one which, together with other sheet materials, constitutes a set of sheet materials, and when the set contains at least two and no more than N sheet materials, the binding device is operated after the last of the sheet materials of the set is discharged, but when the set contains more than N sheet materials, the binding device is operated to bind the sheets of the set N at a time until no more than N sheets remain unbound.

Abstract: A closed center-load sensing system, capable of varying a pump discharge volume easily and with a high degree of accuracy, includes a power source having an indicator for indicating a rotational speed, a variable volume hydraulic pump driven by the power source, actuators driven by pressure oil discharged from the variable volume hydraulic pump, change-over valves for controlling the flow of the pressure oil, an indicator for setting the rotational speed of the power source in a load sensing system in which the pressure difference between the pump pressure and the actuator load pressure is maintained at a predetermined pressure and the rate of flow of a discharge from the variable capacity hydraulic pump is varied when the pressure difference between a pump pressure and an actuator load pressure varies, a controller for computing and outputting a command signal for the rotational speed of the power source in response to a command signal from the indicator, and an electronic proportional control governor for c

Abstract: A tentacle-like manipulator has a resiliently longitudinally extensible, laterally bendable elongate member, e.g. an inflatable bellows or a helical compression spring-like member, with an end effector mounting on one end thereof. Tendon-like tension members extend along said elongate member and are spaced apart from one another around said elongate member, one end of each of said tension members being to said elongate member at said one end thereof. Guides spaced apart along and secured to said elongate member and slidably engage said tension members for guiding said tension members relative to said elongate member. Further tension members extend along only a portion of the length of the elongate member and are secured to the elongate member at a location intermediate the ends of the elongate member. Winches are used to wind and unwind the tension members to correspondingly control the length and the bending of the elongate member.

Abstract: A rodless cylinder prevents leakage of fluid through a sealing belt and thus increases the freedom in the design of the edge of its seal lip. The rodless cylinder has a piston and a driven table reciprocating over a cylinder which are connected by a piston yoke through a slit extending along a cylinder bore. A sealing belt to seal the slit in the cylinder has a sealing lip which comes in contact with the wall of the cylinder bore at each end of the inner wall that constitutes a part of the wall of the cylinder bore, a sealing projection near the edge of the sealing lip whose edge comes in contact with the inner wall of the slit, and another seal projection that comes in contact with a sealing seat projecting from the inner wall of the slit.

Abstract: An air-operated combination diaphragm spring brake has a tamper-resistant connection between a head (46) and a spring side of a flange case (18) which together form a spring chamber (16) housing a power spring (66). The head (46) has an annular rim (70), and the flange case has an annular flange (78) with a diaphragm (48) sandwiched therebetween. A plurality of tabs (102) on one flange rotate into L-shaped channels (94) to lock the head to the flange case with a bayonet style engagement. An alternative embodiment employs threads (112, 114) on the head and adapter flanges to seal the spring chamber. A further embodiment seals the head to a cast flange case using a threaded hoop 116 fitted over the flange case to engage the threads on the head flange.

Abstract: Apparatus for stitching and folding sheets of material, especially paper, comprising an in-feed unit, a wire-stitching unit, a sheet-folding unit and an out-feed conveyor. The sheets are maintained in a downward linear path from entry into the in-feed unit until initiation of the folding by a folding blade. Removal of the folded sheets is substantially perpendicular to the previous downward linear path. The sheets abut a first stop for the stitching, and abut a second stop for the folding. The in-feed unit and the wire-stitching unit are pivotable relative to the rest of the machine in the manner of a clam-shell. All units remain engaged with a main drive in both the closed and opened positions.

Abstract: An improved system for segregating and identifying separate job sets from a commonly stacked output of plural job sets of copy sheets sequentially generated by a printer and sequentially outputted into a sheet stacker in which they may be superposed commonly stacked. A control system selects which standard size sheet supply tray of the printer will feed the copy sheets for a selected job set, and can automatically feed and print a cover sheet of a larger size or different orientation before or after the job set copy sheets are fed. The sheet stacker may desirably stack the copy sheets of the job sets commonly edge aligned but so that at least one edge area of the cover sheets extends substantially from at least one edge of the stack of copy sheets of the job sets to provide an exposed printed banner strip for clear job sets segregation and separation even if the commonly stacked plural job sets of copy sheets are misaligned in subsequent handling.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for monitoring a document assembly system. Assembly is initiated of a set of documents according to multiple document types. At least one of the document types is selected. After initiating assembly of the set of documents, assembly is initiated of at least one supplemental document according to at least one selected document type.

Abstract: A torque converter has an axial type reactor that is disposed between a turbine and an impeller at an inner end to form a toroid. The reactor blades have leading edges that slant toward the turbine in the radially inward direction and form an angle with an inner shell ring that varies between 60.degree. and 90.degree.. The leading edges also slant circumferentially so that radial lines intersecting the respective connection points of the leading edge with the inner shell ring and an outer core ring form a central angle that varies between 5.degree. in one direction and 12.degree. in the other direction.

Abstract: Trackable response devices such as redeemable coupons are prepared by forming multiple sets of response devices. Each set might comprise a book having multiple pages of coupons. A tracking code is printed on least some of the response devices of each set. The tracking code for the response devices within a particular set is the same, and the tracking code for each set is different. After the sets are formed, each set is printed with an address, and the address of each set and the tracking code of the set is stored.

Abstract: A cylinder apparatus capable of effectively restraining a loss of energy with a simple structure at a low cost. When a piston 16 of a main cylinder 11 cuts off a communication between a subchamber 20 and a supply/exhaust passage 32, a pressure of the subchamber 20 is pushed by the piston 16 and thereby increased. However, an exhaust fluid from the subchamber 20 having the increased pressure is fed to a subcylinder 62. A piston 48 is moved while controlling a velocity by a flow rate control valve 70 in synchronization with the piston 16. This arrangement eliminates a necessity for a special position detector, etc.. The structure is therefore simplified, and the cost decreases. Simultaneously, the energy can be effectively utilized because of employing the exhaust fluid.

Abstract: The tool includes a housing having two substantially semi-cylindrical members. An air motor in the housing has motor end members located adjacent each end thereof. Two O-rings, respectively disposed between the motor and the end members, are squeezable axially so as to be forced radially outwardly to abut the housing. A manifold includes a chamber of a size that dampens Helmholtz frequencies in the exhaust air. A bearing block includes an outer surface configured to transfer operating loads from a crank shaft extending through the bearing block to the housing. Each of the members of the housing has an arm with a cylindrical opening for receiving a rotatable drive body. The drive body has a knob including a shaft having an ear cooperating with an O-ring in the drive body for preventing the knob from inadvertently rotating between operating positions while the tool is in use. An O-ring between the knob and the drive body isolates the housing from shock to the knob resulting when the tool is dropped.

Abstract: An optical pickup can be inverted accurately and smoothly regardless of the skew operation of the optical pickup. The present invention is directed to a disc player in which a single optical pickup (37) is inverted in an opposing relation to both surfaces of a disc (D) at the same time when it is elevated so that both surfaces of the disc (D) can be reproduced. As an inverting mechanism (79) of the optical pickup (37), an inverting gear (80) is attached to a supporting shaft (53) on which the optical pickup (37) is supported. On the other hand, an inverting rack (81) which is meshed with the inverting gear (80) so as to invert the optical pickup (37) is attached through a supporting frame (82) to a lower chassis (4) which is skewed.

Abstract: A three element fluid torque converter has a variable pitch stator. The stator blades have two principal orientations, closed and open. The blades are biased toward the closed position by a spring loaded annular piston. In the closed position, the blades block approximately 75% to 90% of the annular area between a stator core and a stator shell. An inlet angle for the stator blades is between 30 degrees and 70 degrees in the closed position. This combination reduces creep torque without any significant increase in driveline noise and vibration when the engine is idling. As engine speed and torque are increased, the blades overcome the spring bias to rotate to the open position thereby increasing the torque transmitted to effectively propel the vehicle.

Abstract: A return spring (40,60) operable with piston means (30) for use in fluid operated friction torque transmission devices (11) including relatively rotatable members (12,13) carrying a plurality of torque plates (18,22), one of the members providing a fluid chamber (34) in which the piston means is reciprocable. Such a spring comprises flexible base means (41,61) carried within a recess (50,51) provided in the rotatable member and spring tab means (43,66) extending from the flexible base means and engageable with a wall (52) of the piston means; the tab means being movable with the piston means upon movement thereof in and out of the chamber in response to activation of the piston means.

Abstract: A control arrangement for regulating the speed of a pressure cylinder increases the controllable flow volume through a proportional-action (control) valve, while avoiding a larger valve or two valves of the same type that must be connected in parallel. A control valve is used which has at least two flow paths connected in parallel. At least one controllable valve is connected in series with a first of the flow paths for the blocking or release of the delivery pipe. The connected first flow path and the controllable valve are connected in parallel to the second flow path.

Abstract: A device for folding sheets of paper for placement in envelopes. The device has a center planar member and two side planar members connected with hinges so that the two side members can be rotated over the center member. A laminar member with beveled edges and coextensive with the center member is attached to the center member in such a way that a sheet of paper can be inserted between them so that it extends in part beyond the center member to each side members. The user rotates each side member in turn over the center member, thereby enabling the laminar member to crease the paper. Indicator lines on one of the side members allows the alignment of the paper with respect to the laminar member so that creases are made in desired locations.

Abstract: A folder assembly for a sheet fed printing machine utilizes a collect cylinder that is capable of operating in collect or non-collect modes. A first cross-stitching cylinder and a second cross-stitching cylinder are placed adjacent the collect cylinder. A transfer and jaw cylinder receives cross-stitched signatures and forwards them to a delivery unit.

Abstract: An hydraulic piston and cylinder unit with a piston rod and first and second cylinders. The piston rod extends into the first cylinder, and the first cylinder extends into the second cylinder. The piston rod is connected to a first piston which divides the first cylinder into first and second chambers. A second piston, connected to the first cylinder, divides the second cylinder into first and second chambers. The second chambers of the first cylinder, and the first chamber of the second cylinder are in fluid communication such that an extension of the first cylinder causes a proportional extension of the second cylinder. A similar effect occurs during retraction of the cylinders.

Abstract: A sorter includes a sheet processing device, a plurality of bin trays arranged in a vertical direction, each bin tray having a specified width and length and adapted for bearing a sheet, shifting means for shifting the plurality of bin trays in the vertical direction, and moving means for moving the bin tray in a predetermined position in a lengthwise direction of the bin tray so that the sheet on the bin tray is processed by the sheet processing device. The bin tray can be moved to a position where sheet processing is to be applied by the sheet processing device.