Abstract: A high-accuracy wheel spacer is used in an off-vehicle wheel servicing machine. The servicing machine includes an elongated mounting shaft operatively connected to a drive motor and extending outwardly from a motor housing. A face plate is fixed to the mounting shaft proximate the motor housing and cooperates with a clamping assembly to sandwich and dynamically center the vehicle wheel on the shaft. The wheel spacer includes a base having first and second opposing major surfaces. A plurality of outwardly-projecting spacer pins depend from the first major surface of the base, and are adapted for engaging a limited surface area of the face plate.

Abstract: A wheel centering adapter for being applied to an elongated mounting shaft designed for extending through a center hole of a vehicle wheel. The centering adapter cooperates with a clamping assembly to align and center the wheel relative to the shaft. The centering adapter includes an adapter body defining a cylindrical through-bore designed to receive the mounting shaft. A protective liner is formed adjacent the through-bore of the adapter body and has a non-abrasive surface for protecting the mounting shaft from wear upon application and removal of the centering adapter.

Abstract: A wheel centering adapter for being applied to an elongated mounting shaft designed for extending through a center hole of a vehicle wheel. The centering adapter cooperates with a clamping assembly to align and center the wheel relative to the shaft. The centering adapter includes an adapter body defining a cylindrical through-bore designed to receive the mounting shaft. A protective liner is formed adjacent the through-bore of the adapter body and has a non-abrasive surface for protecting the mounting shaft from wear upon application and removal of the centering adapter.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel balancer obtains data relative to the imbalance of a vehicle wheel. The wheel balancer includes a rotatable shaft having a free end adapted for extending through a center hole of the wheel, and a proximal end opposite the free end. A locating hub is carried on the shaft, and is adapted for engaging a first side of the wheel to locate the wheel on the balancer. A centering sleeve is carried on the shaft adjacent the locating hub, and is adapted for extending through the center hole of the wheel to center the wheel relative to the shaft. The centering sleeve is releasably locked onto the wheel balancer, such that the centering sleeve remains secured to the wheel balancer upon removal of the wheel from the shaft.

Abstract: A high-accuracy wheel spacer is used in an off-vehicle wheel servicing machine. The servicing machine includes an elongated mounting shaft operatively connected to a drive motor and extending outwardly from a motor housing. A face plate is fixed to the mounting shaft proximate the motor housing and cooperates with a clamping assembly to sandwich and dynamically center the vehicle wheel on the shaft. The wheel spacer includes a base having first and second opposing major surfaces. A plurality of outwardly-projecting spacer pins depend from the first major surface of the base, and are adapted for engaging a limited surface area of the face plate.

Abstract: A wheel mounting member is adapted for use in a vehicle wheel balancer to secure a vehicle wheel in a centered position relative to a centering shaft of the wheel balancer during wheel-balancing rotation of the wheel. The mounting member includes a base constructed of a polymeric material, and defining a center hole for receiving the centering shaft of the wheel balancer. A plurality of elongated wheel-engaging centering studs depend from the base, and are adapted for engaging the vehicle wheel to mount the wheel on the balancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heating system of the type in which a radiator in a room has the flow of a heated fluid thereto from a central source such as a boiler controlled by a thermostatic valve. The valve normally has a sensor associated therewith to which the valve reacts which senses room temperature. An electrical heating resistor is positioned in close proximity to the sensor. A solar cell positioned as in a window so as to be impinged upon by rays of the sun is electrically connected to the heating resistor and the resulting current developed by the solar cell is utilized to effect a heating of the resistor which is related to the intensity and angle of the sun's rays. The heat generated by the resistor supplements the sensed room temperature so that the valve is operated in a way which takes into account the radiant energy to which a room is subjected by the sun.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermostatic valve assembly of the type in which the working element containing the vapor-liquid filling is housed in the temperature setting control knob. A threaded adjusting connection between the knob and an axially moveable unit which controls the compression of the setting spring provides rugged and simple construction.