Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting blade for a trimmer. The cutting blade (1) comprises a base body (14) having a central portion (15) as well as end portions (16) adjoining the central portion. Cutting edges (26) are formed on the longitudinal edges (23,24) of the end portions (16), whereby a central fastening opening (21) is provided in the central portion (15) for mounting the cutting blade (11) on a drive shaft. In order to obtain a multiply cutting blade for chopping material, it is provided that the end portions (16) that carry the cutting edges (26) be angled off in the same direction (18) out of the plane (17) of the central portion (15).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the automatic control of lighting devices (16), particularly of a motor vehicle, and a device for implementing the method, the brightness in a specific direction being detected by at least one directional sensor (14) which emits direction signals (SR) to a control device (10), the control device (10) switching on the lighting devices (16) after a minimum time (tb) has elapsed. The minimum time (tb) begins when the direction signals (SR) exceed or drop below a switch-on threshold (SE). The lighting devices (16) are only switched on when the direction signals (SR) lie above or below the switch-on threshold (SE) during the entire minimum time (tb). To that end, the control device (10) is connected to a timer (T).

Abstract: A motorcycle engine capable of being supported within a frame. The engine includes a cylinder head having an upper peripheral edge and a valve cover having an assembled width and a lower peripheral edge substantially corresponding in shape to the upper peripheral edge of the cylinder head. The valve cover includes first and second portions coupled together along an engagement surface that does not extend across the entire assembled width of the valve cover. The second portion is separable from the first portion along the engagement surface to facilitate removal of the first portion from the engine. In one aspect of the invention, the first and second portions are separate castings.

Abstract: In internal-combustion engines with large numbers of cylinders, the rotational speed fractions of the cylinders are superimposed such that, when considering a rotational speed curve, no conclusions are possible any longer with respect to rotational speed fractions of individual cylinders. This requires new analyzing methods. According to the invention, contributions of individual cylinders of the internal-combustion engine to the rotational acceleration are determined by the rotational speed course of the crankshaft by individually cutting off the cylinders successively. From the thus obtained rotational speed course curves, a pulse response spectrum {right arrow over (I)} of an operating cycle is formed at least for the harmonic of the 0.5th order. In normal operation, the rotational speed course of the crankshaft is then continuously recorded above the angle of each operating cycle.

Abstract: A rain sensor (10), in particular for a motor vehicle, is shown, having at least one transmitter (20) emitting radiation in the operating state, and at least one receiver (22) at least partially sensitive to the radiation from the transmitter (20), and a substantially flat light-conducting body (14) that is capable of being coupled nearly parallel to a surface of a wettable window pane (12) of the motor vehicle, and comprising structures (18a, 18b) for directing and catching the radiation from the transmitter (20), whereby the structures (18a) for directing the radiation are different from the structures (18b) for catching the radiation, and they have radiation-concentrating properties.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a portable handheld work apparatus such as a brushcutter, edge cutter or the like. The work apparatus has a drive motor which drives a rotatable work tool via a drive shaft (3) journalled in a guide tube (2). The guide tube (2) is held in a housing (5) of the drive motor by an anti-vibration unit (6). The anti-vibration unit (6) includes a clamp (7) which surrounds the guide tube (2) and elastic damping elements (8, 9) which lie between the clamp (7) and the housing (5). The clamp (7) surrounds the guide tube (2) and is fixed form tight on the housing (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing sorbic acid by cleaving the sorbic acid polyester prepared from crotonaldehyde and ketene, the sorbic acid polyester being distilled and the cleavage being catalyzed by an amine, which comprises separating off the amine from the distillation residue by distillation under reduced pressure and at a temperature which is higher than the temperature of the polyester distillation and recovering it.

Abstract: A fuel supply device is mounted to a motorcycle engine between two substantially identical air intake connections. The air intake connections each include a body portion with a projection and a flange, each extending radially from the body portion. Fasteners inserted through apertures in the flanges hold the air intake connections to the engine. The protrusion is preferably made of a resilient material, such as rubber. The flange is preferably made of a non-resilient material, such as aluminum. An aperture having an annular recess extends through the projection. The aperture is adapted to receive an internally threaded metal sleeve having an annular protrusion that surrounds the metal sleeve. A threaded fastener preferably extends through the metal sleeve and couples the fuel supply device to the projection. In the event that the fastener is excessively torqued during tightening the metal sleeve can spin in the aperture without damaging the projection.

Abstract: An implement is provided and has a drive motor secured to one end of a carrying tube and connected via a drive shaft in the tube with the other end of the tube. A first handle is disposed on the tube in the vicinity of the drive motor and is spaced from a second handle. To support the forearm of an operator, a supporting device is provided that extends in the longitudinal direction of the carrying tube in the direction toward the drive motor. The longitudinal axis of the supporting device forms an angle of less than 90° with the carrying tube and is open toward the drive motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement (10) for rapid securing of an apparatus (12) such as, for example, a car radio or a navigation device, in an installation opening (14) in a motor vehicle. The invention proposes providing the apparatus (12) with laterally projecting brackets (22), over which slide members (30) arranged at the sides of the apparatus (12) engage in a locking position. In a mounting position, the slide members (30) release the brackets (22) so that the apparatus (12) can be pulled out of the installation opening (14) and inserted therein. (FIG.

Abstract: A thermostat housing assembly for a motorcycle engine includes a body portion defining a cavity and an inlet port communicating with the cavity. The inlet port is configured to be directly connected to a water jacket outlet. The thermostat housing assembly further includes a return port communicating with the cavity and configured to be coupled to a return line. A thermally-responsive valve in the cavity selectively prevents and allows communication between the cavity and the return port. Preferably, the thermostat housing assembly further includes a second inlet port communicating with the cavity and configured to be directly connected to a second water jacket outlet. Further preferably, the first and second inlet ports are substantially parallel to each other and the first inlet port is longer than the second inlet port. Each inlet port includes a connector for connecting the inlet port to a water jacket outlet.

Abstract: An inertia locking mechanism used to hold a drawer closed by preventing self-actuated opening of the drawer (10) during an automobile accident includes a heart-shaped slide channel and a cooperating pin (44) arranged on a pivotable rectangular lever (36) that has an additional weight (48). In the event of an accident, the additional weight (48) exerts a moment upon the lever (36) that prevents release of the pin (44) by a heart-shaped pin (52) of the heart-shaped slide channel (38).

Abstract: An overhead cam motorcycle engine includes a cylinder head, a cam cover coupled to the cylinder head, a sealing gasket, and a substantially rigid insert. The cylinder head includes an aperture that is substantially axially aligned with an engine camshaft axis. The resilient gasket includes a sealing jacket that defines an opening. The gasket is positioned between the cylinder head and the cam cover such that the sealing jacket occupies the aperture. The insert is positioned in the opening in the sealing jacket to seal the cylinder head and cam cover interface.

Abstract: A hedge trimmer has a tool that is driven by a drive unit. At least one vibration-dampened handle is secured to the drive unit. The handle comprises a one-piece component having a grip portion and a mounting portion for mounting on the drive unit. To simplify mounting of the handle, the grip portion and the mounting portion are interconnected by a vibration-dampening intermediate portion. The mounting portion along with the intermediate portion and the grip portion form the one-piece or monolithic component.

Abstract: This invention relates to a chain guide rail for an internal-combustion engine, having a body portion and a pin, both made with a first material, an overmolding of a second material which covers both the pin and the body portion, and a longitudinal axis through the length of the guide rail. The pin, inserted into a housing recess in the internal-combustion engine, is restrained from moving perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis but is free to move parallel to the axis. Preferred embodiments of the present invention utilize a fastener to hold the guide rail to the housing. Preferred embodiments also utilize raised portions spaced along the guide rail which reduce the longitudinal shrinkage during cooling of the second material.

Abstract: An automatic decompression device for an internal combustion engine includes a camshaft rotatable about an axis of rotation and having an end face, and a lever coupled to the end face and movable between a first position, wherein the lever is engageable with a valve actuating device to actuate a valve during rotation of the camshaft, and a second position, wherein the lever does not substantially move the valve actuating device. The lever is preferably pivotally coupled to the end face to pivot about a pivot axis that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the camshaft. Further preferably, the automatic decompression device further includes a spring between the end face and the lever to bias the lever toward the first position. In a highly preferred embodiment, the end face of the camshaft includes a slot and the lever is at least partially retained within the slot.

Abstract: A fuel supply device is mounted to a motorcycle engine between two substantially identical air intake connections. The air intake connections each include a body portion with a projection and a flange, each extending radially from the body portion. Fasteners inserted through apertures in the flanges hold the air intake connections to the engine. The protrusion is preferably made of a resilient material, such as rubber. The flange is preferably made of a non-resilient material, such as aluminum. An aperture having an annular recess extends through the projection. The aperture is adapted to receive an internally threaded metal sleeve having an annular protrusion that surrounds the metal sleeve. A threaded fastener preferably extends through the metal sleeve and couples the fuel supply device to the projection. In the event that the fastener is excessively torqued during tightening the metal sleeve can spin in the aperture without damaging the projection.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a portable handheld work apparatus such as a brushcutter, edge cutter or the like. The work apparatus has a drive motor which drives a rotatable work tool via a drive shaft (3) journalled in a guide tube (2). The guide tube (2) is held in a housing (5) of the drive motor by an anti-vibration unit (6). The anti-vibration unit (6) includes a clamp (7) which surrounds the guide tube (2) and elastic damping elements (8, 9) which lie between the clamp (7) and the housing (5). The clamp (7) surrounds the guide tube (2) and is fixed form tight on the housing (5).

Abstract: A motorcycle engine capable of being supported within a frame. The engine includes a cylinder head having an upper peripheral edge and a valve cover having an assembled width and a lower peripheral edge substantially corresponding in shape to the upper peripheral edge of the cylinder head. The valve cover includes first and second portions coupled together along an engagement surface that does not extend across the entire assembled width of the valve cover. The second portion is separable from the first portion along the engagement surface to facilitate removal of the first portion from the engine. In one aspect of the invention, the first and second portions are separate castings.