Abstract: An improved swiveling wheel assembly comprising a brake member including a toggle lever mechanism comprising a first and a second element rotatably connected together. The first element is rotatably fastened to the upper end of a rod-shaped locking member and the second element is rotatably connected to a vertical fastening member. A coupling means is also included and used for coupling one of the first and second elements to a cam member whereby, when the cam member rotates from a first or second position into a third position, the toggle lever mechanism is brought from an unextended position into essentially an extended position, wherein a line drawn between the axes of rotation of the toggle lever mechanism is essentially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the locking member and the locking member is displaced downward against a spring member with respect to the first and second positions whereby a lower edge of a locking disk is pressed against the wheel.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced metal alloy comprising a metal matrix and a fibrous reinforcement which is constituted by refractory fibers having a high tensile strength. The fiber reinforced metal alloy is manufactured by the use of a centrifugal casting method.

Abstract: A continuous casting apparatus comprising a tubular die, a cooler associated with the tubular die, and opposed pairs of drawing rolls associated with the outlet of the die for drawing the cast product from the die. One set of rolls is mounted for rotation about stationary axes and the other set of rolls is mounted for rotation about axes movable radially with respect to the cast product. A starting bar includes a starter tip dimensioned to fit within the die. The starter tip and starter bar are interconnected for adjustment radially relative to one another such that when the starting tip is inserted into the tubular die upon start up of the casting apparatus, the movable drawing rolls can be successively moved radially inwardly or outwardly with respect to the center line of the cast product to maintain the center line of the cast product aligned with the center line between the opposed sets of rolls.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced metal is made by introducing an array of fibers into a die, charging the die with molten metal by vacuum infiltration and then applying pressure by means of an inert gas to improve the penetration of the molten metal into the fiber array. Apparatus for producing a reinforced metal cylinder comprises a cylindrical former (2) onto which a composite fiber (3) of boron, silicon and carbon is wound. The former (2) forms an inner closure member for the die defining a cylindrical die cavity (8) with an outer die body (4). A central cavity (15) within the former (2) is for insertion of a heating element to facilitate the flow of metal through the cavity (8). The die cavity is evacuated via conduit (16) and molten metal is then drawn into the cavity via the passage (7). After charging the die with molten metal the conduit (16) is connected to a source of high pressure nitrogen.