Abstract: A brake system for a towed and towing vehicle combination allowing for application of the brakes of the towed vehicle in proportion to application of the brakes of the towing vehicle. The combination utilizes a signal from the towing vehicle to generate a proportional braking signal in the towed vehicle. In particular, the towed vehicle braking system includes a proportional relief valve that controls the braking pressure on the towed vehicle in response to an electrical signal from the towing vehicle. The system utilizes a control program that signals a power unit in operable communication with the towed vehicle brakes to operate at full power for a first period of time and at a reduced power for a second period of time.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system configured for use with a towed vehicle hydraulic brake system controls the pressure of the hydraulic fluid provided to the brake as a function of an operator-selected input. A hydraulic pressure control manifold is coupled between a pump and the towed vehicle brake and controls the pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied to the brake with a plurality of pressure relief check valves interconnected in a parallel hydraulic circuit between the pump and the brake. A plurality of on-off valves are connected in a series hydraulic circuit with the check valves. The pressure relief levels of the check valves correspond to a plurality of towed vehicle braking forces. An operator of a towing vehicle chooses a desired one of the plurality of braking forces through a selector switch.

Abstract: A power-assisted hydraulic steering system for use in connection with a vehicle having a steering linkage which couples a steering wheel to a vehicle steering actuator, an electrically actuated hydraulic pump, and a tank of hydraulic fluid. The steering system includes a boost cylinder connected to the steering actuator, a hydraulic spool valve fluidly coupling the pump and tank to the boost cylinder, and a switch coupled to the pump. A spool which is mechanically coupled to the steering actuator is mounted within the valve for reciprocal motion between neutral, extended and retracted positions, and is biased to the neutral position by a centering spring which establishes a power-assist threshold. The switch senses the position of the spool, and switches the pump on when the spool is in the extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A brake system for use in connection with a vehicle including a hydraulic internally boosted master cylinder, a hydraulic pump, and hydraulic brakes wherein the master cylinder controls hydraulic fluid pressure to the brakes and has a primary or sensing piston, a modulator stem, and a secondary pistons, with the sensing piston responsive to a mechanical input force to urge the secondary piston forwards increasing the hydraulic fluid pressure applied to the brakes. In a second embodiment, the internally boosted master cylinder further includes a tertiary piston movable by hydraulic pressure between retracted and extended positions and biased toward the retracted position by a tertiary piston return spring. The tertiary piston controls hydraulic pressure applied to one or more brakes independent of the brakes controlled by the secondary piston.

Abstract: A brake system with a hydraulic pilot brake valve for use in connection with a vehicle requiring finite brake control with high volume pressure control. The brake system includes the hydraulic pilot brake valve, a main hydraulic system, a control hydraulic system, and hydraulic brakes. The main hydraulic system includes a belt-driven hydraulic pump, a tank of hydraulic fluid, and an accumulator. The control hydraulic system includes an electrically actuated hydraulic pump and a tank of hydraulic fluid. The pilot brake valve is designed to control the flow of hydraulic fluid from the main hydraulic system to the hydraulic brakes, and includes a modulator chamber and a primary chamber. The modulator chamber houses a modulator piston valve, and the primary chamber houses a primary input piston which extends into a sleeve chamber of a sleeve. The modulator piston valve controls a modulating fluid flow from the control hydraulic system to generate amplified input forces on the input piston in the primary chamber.

Abstract: A machine and process for producing bags from roll stock of bag material are disclosed. The machine includes four subassemblies, a folding and cutting subassembly, a transport and first sewing subassembly and a second transport and sewing subassembly and a stacking subassembly. The folding and cutting subassembly, preferably includes a drum or reel with a plurality of peripheral clamps which are successively opened to receive the bag material and a blade positioned to force the bag material into an open clamp to define a fold. The adjacent closed clamp holding folded bag material tensions the bag material. A cutter severs adjacent folds between the adjacent clamps. Transfer and transport means are present to advance the folded cut bag blank past two sewing machines and then to the stacker subassembly.

Abstract: Cloth stitching apparatus and method for forming a rectangular cloth having stitched rounded corners, such as a wash cloth. Blank pieces of rectangular cloth material are aligned with an overlock sewing machine on the table of the apparatus. The sewing machine trims the cloth edges, folds over the trimmed edge and sews or stitches along one side of the cloth. Each piece of cloth is moved along X and Y axis. Thus, as the cloth is moving along an X axis at a predetermined surface speed, the sewing machine trims, and sews along one side of the cloth. When the cloth is moved along its X axis to a point where the sewing machine is adjacent a corner of the cloth, a switch is activated which starts turning the sewing machine. The cloth stops while the sewing machine turns at the same surface speed of the cloth on the actual radius of the corner of the cloth. The cloth then starts and goes in the opposite perpendicular direction Y while the sewing machine continues at the same surface speed.

Abstract: Cloth stitching apparatus and method for forming a rectangular cloth having stitched rounded corners, such as a wash cloth. Blank pieces of rectangular cloth material are aligned with an overlock sewing machine on the table of the apparatus. The sewing machine trims the cloth edges, folds over the trimmed edge and sews or stitches along one side of the cloth. Each piece of cloth is moved along X and Y axes. Thus, as the cloth is moving along an X axis at a predetermined surface speed, the sewing machine trims, folds and sews along one side of the cloth. When the cloth is moved along its X axis to a point where the sewing machine is adjacent a corner of the cloth, a switch is activated which starts turning the sewing machine. The cloth stops while the sewing machine turns at the same surface speed of the cloth on the actual radius of the corner of the cloth. The cloth then starts and goes in the opposite perpendicular direction Y while the sewing machine continues at the same surface speed.