Abstract: Vibrating screening apparatus in which one or more screen panels are supported between spring-mounted side plates on crosstubes and the several parts of the apparatus are connected primarily by bolting, the crosstubes by U-bolt and tube saddle clamps to framing for attaching the screen panels to the apparatus, the bolted connections by avoiding initial and residual stress and yielding as needed to operational stress imposed by vibrating mechanism of the apparatus, not only enabling the apparatus to operate for extended periods without fracture of parts but, should a fracture occur, permitting and facilitating selective removal of the fractured part for repair or replacement.

Abstract: A vehicle convertible top side rail linkage assembly (46,46') is disclosed for providing foldable interconnection of front and intermediate rail members (40,42) of a convertible top side rail (28). The linkage assembly (46,46') includes: a hinge link (80) having opposite ends respectively pivoted to the front and intermediate rail members (40,42); an operating linkage (62) including first and second operating links (64,66) having first ends respectively pivoted to the front and intermediate rail members (40,42) and having second ends connected to each other; a connecting link (80) that interconnects the hinge link (52) and the operating linkage (62); and an actuating member (90) connected to the side rail (28) and to the operating linkage (62) to actuate folding and unfolding movement of the front and intermediate rail members (40,42) as the convertible top frame is moved between use and storage positions.

Abstract: A tensioning arrangement for a top cover of a motor vehicle includes a tensioning device arranged in loop-shaped longitudinal edges of the top cover which, on the one hand, is connected with a forward, transversely extending frame part and on the other with a pivotal support of the foldable top. In order to be able to compensate relatively great length changes of the top cover conditioned on weather and/or manufacture, the tensioning device of the tensioning arrangement cooperates at its one end with a tensioning spring and at its other end with a spring-loaded pivot lever, whereby a clamping bolt arranged at the pivot lever is supported in a closing position of the foldable top at a free end of a lateral longitudinal girder of the foldable top and tensions the tension spring by way of the tensioning device.

Abstract: An improved strain sensor is disclosed utilizing a linear variable displacement transducer (LVDT) to precisely output the linear strain over a structural member. The LVDT is mounted utilizing a position apparatus having a similar coefficient of thermal expansion as the structural member, and effectively integrates the strain over the entire longitudinal dimension of the member by precisely measuring displacement under load. This assembly is readily incorporated in locomotive couplers and crane structures having a void or hollow coinciding with the neutral bending axis of the member being tested, as well as over relatively large spans, in pairs or singly, having bending moments present. A locomotive control system for increasing the strain on a locomotive coupler by monitoring the draw bar force with an associated generator speed and maximizing the draw bar force by manipulating the generator speed.

Abstract: A sun screen for placement inside an automobile or truck windshield to reflect sunlight defines a triangular central panel and a pair of wing panels foldable into the vehicle. The sun screen can be folded into a storage configuration with only four folds. A large display area is provided in the storage configuration. A tear away coupon is provided at the location at which the rear view mirror may interfere with the sun screen.

Abstract: A space divider for partitioning a surface and for restraining items located thereon against movement including a block of foam rubber covered by a rubber coating and the hook portion of a hook and loop fastener for securing the space divider to a fibrous mat located on a floor of an automobile trunk. The space divider may be of any shape and the loop portion of a hoop and loop fastener may be affixed to the top of the space divider to provide the ability to stack a plurality of dividers like building blocks around an item to be secured against movement within the trunk.

Abstract: Transportation equipment having at least one deck for supporting and transporting four-wheel vehicles such as automobiles and trucks; at least one track secured to the deck; the track having a pair of substantially upwardly extending spaced apart surfaces; chock blocks for a vehicle transported on the deck to secure the vehicle against longitudinal movement; each chock block having a horizontal first member which nests with the track and is quickly removable from such nesting arrangement by upward displacement; each chock block having a second member substantially horizontally positioned and permanently laterally joined to the first member; the second member having a sufficient length to extend along, and terminate beyond, the tread face of a tire of a vehicle located along side the track; and the chock block having a lock for removably securing the first member to the track, when in nesting position therewith, to prevent the chock block from horizontal movement along the track and upward movement from the tr

Abstract: The present invention provides a railway truck bolster with an improved brake attachment assembly. The top web section of the bolster has outer walls extending downwardly therefrom, which outer walls terminate in the lower section of the bolster. A centerplate is located on the top section of the bolster intermediate the ends thereof. Two bolt receiving openings are located to one side of the centerplate in one of the bolster walls. The bolt receiving openings are laterally spaced from each other and are located just below the top section of the bolster. A flange extends upwardly from the wall of the bolster and is located generally laterally between the two bolt receiving openings in the wall. The flange extends upwardly above the top section of the bolster and includes a bolt receiving opening. A recess extends longitudinally from the flange across at least a portion of the top section of the bolster. Furthermore, the underside of the top section of the bolster is reinforced below the recess.

Abstract: A drive wheel unit for moving equipment inside a pipe. A housing is connected to associated equipment by U-joints on either side of the housing. A drive wheel which extends above the top edge of the housing is driven by a drive motor and gear reducer mounted in the housing. A brake connected to the drive motor allows precise positioning of the equipment. A hydraulic cylinder and piston arrangement and wheel attached thereto are provided at each end of the housing and are used to lift the housing into a driving position where the drive wheel is in driving engagement with the top inside surface of the pipe.

Abstract: An installation for processing of photograph envelopes intended to equip a large photography processing laboratory. The installation includes a picking station, a bar code reading station, a thickness detection station, a station for recognition of shapes and characters, a manual input and introduction station, a marking station, and finally a station for feeding a traditional sorting machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor-vehicle sun visor installation. The installation includes visor panels (10) which are configured in a manner to provide a complete screen across the upper part of the vehicle windscreen in combination with a box (13) located around the rear view mirror (2) of the vehicle. The outer edge surfaces (19) of respective visor panels are inclined to conform with the inclination of the windscreen posts (20). The visor panels are mounted for lateral movement, so as to enable the panels to be raised fully against the ceiling of the vehicle.

Abstract: An automatic disk testing apparatus and method for testing flexible disks is disclosed. The apparatus includes a gravity feed disk hopper and vacuum disk plate which sequentially present a series of disks for test. Each disk drops by gravity from the vacuum disk plate to a test position including a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism rotates the disk, in its disk jacket, at a predetermined rotational speed for testing. Each disk is tested and the test results are stored in memory. After testing, the disk is automatically sorted and moved to an output location based on the test results. The sorting is accomplished by dropping the tested disk into a motor driven shuttle which conveys the disk to the proper output location and drops the disk at that location.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting tires and the like. A series of tire transport apparatus are utilized to each selectively draw from a conveyor containing tires of a variety of types and sizes a specific tire type and size which is then transported to a storage apparatus wherein all tires of that particular type and size which have been sorted from the supply conveyor are stored. A series of tire transport apparatus are also utilized to remove the tires from the storage apparatus.

Abstract: A plurality of screen brackets are provided for attaching a bug screen or winter screen to a bug shield. Each screen bracket includes a first leg for mounting the screen bracket to the support leg of the bug shield and a second leg having a male snap thereon for receiving a corresponding female snap on the bug screen. The male snaps do not penetrate the shield member of the bug shield and therefore do not weaken or otherwise deface the bug shield.

Abstract: A take-apart wheel rim and disc assembly for use in a safety tire and wheel assembly which includes a pneumatic tubeless tire. The wheel includes an inboard rim part, a wheel mounting disc having an outer marginal flange telescoped into and secured to the inboard rim part, the disc flange having an outer surface protruding axially outboard beyond and clear of the inboard rim part. An outboard rim part telescopically received from an axially outboard direction over the disc flange, an O-ring seal disposed between the disc and opposing surfaces of the inboard and outboard rim parts, and a clamp ring for axially clamping the outboard and inboard rim parts together with the O-ring captured in compression between the disc and the opposing surfaces of the rim parts to seal against air leakage. The disc has an air bleed vent structure outboard of the O-ring and normally sealed from the tire cavity by the O-ring.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a spare tire on the exterior of a motor vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a support base which is capable of being rigidly affixed to the frame of a motor vehicle. The support base supports a swing down spare tire mounting bracket having means for mounting the spare tire. The spare tire mounting bracket is pivotally attached to the support base so that the mounting bracket can be pivotally swung about a generally horizontal axis between a first upright vehicle operating position and a second generally horizontally disposed vehicle access position. A catch means is also disclosed for releasably locking the swing-down bracket in its first upright position. In addition, bumper means affixed to the support base are disclosed for protecting the vehicle spare tire mounting apparatus. The mounting apparatus is capable of supporting a table for holding food and drink when the mounting apparatus has been pivotally swung down to its second horizontally disposed position.

Abstract: A truck bed divider is provided and consists of two arm members extending axially outwardly from a connector in which each of the arm members has a suction cup on outer end to engage with sidewalls of a rear deck of a pickup truck to restrain cargo therein.

Abstract: An adaptor assembly for use with studs used to mount a wheel to a hub of a truck or other vehicle. The adaptor comprises a cylindrically shaped, partially hollow member which is initially screwed onto the wheel stud having one end abutting the hub or brake drum of the vehicle and completely surrounding the protruding wheel stud. The adaptor assembly having a diameter larger than the diameter of the wheel stud and sized to be slightly less in diameter than the corresponding wheel holes. The wheels of the vehicle are placed over these adaptor assemblies mounted on the wheel studs and a spring washer is then placed over each adaptor. Finally, a wheel nut, being screwed onto the exterior threads of each adaptor, is used to force the spring washer against the wheels being mounted to secure the wheels to the hub of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a package handling and sorting system which sorts small packages according to destination, segregating those with the same destinations for combined shipments. The system depends on a unique combination of conveying equipment automatically controlled by programmed data processing units which utilize data obtained by scanning electronically readable package labels, as well as other information and detection equipment, to examine packages introduced into the system, and to transfer those consigned to the same location to vehicles routed to such locations. The system also generates an electronic trail of package movements, thus providing the capability to trace packages lost in transit.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire ("NPT") is integrally molded from a stiff, resilient elastomeric material with particular specifications, to form a unitary structure comprising outer and inner cylindrical coaxial and coextensive members ("hoops"). The outer hoop is supported and cushioned by a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart, planar rib members (ribs) and a planar central web member (web) which connects the hoops at their circumferential center lines. The web lies in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the NPT. The ribs extend axially along the inner and outer hoops, connecting them, and the edges of the ribs lie along the opposite faces of the web. The ribs are angulated in the range from 15.degree. to 75.degree. to radial planes which intersect them at their radially inner ends. A rubber tread is secured to the outer surface of the outer hoop.