Abstract: A device for pet training comprising a rigid tube formed with at least one elbow, and having a cavity in at least the distal end thereof for insertion of edible rewards therein; a handle, attached at the proximal end of the rigid tube, a flexible plunger rod disposed within the rigid tube, comprising a proximal end extending through the handle, and a distal end extending proximate to the cavity in the distal end of the rigid tube; a thumb ring joined to the proximal end of the flexible plunger rod; and a plunger disposed within the cavity and joined to the distal end of the flexible plunger rod, wherein a user of the device may hold the rigid tube by the handle, move the thumb ring, and cause an edible reward to be dispensed from the cavity on the distal end of the rigid tube.

Abstract: A device for pet training comprising a rigid tube formed with at least one elbow, and having a cavity in at least the distal end thereof for insertion of edible rewards therein; a handle, attached at the proximal end of the rigid tube, a flexible plunger rod disposed within the rigid tube, comprising a proximal end extending through the handle, and a distal end extending proximate to the cavity in the distal end of the rigid tube; a thumb ring joined to the proximal end of the flexible plunger rod; and a plunger disposed within the cavity and joined to the distal end of the flexible plunger rod, wherein a user of the device may hold the rigid tube by the handle, move the thumb ring, and cause an edible reward to be dispensed from the cavity on the distal end of the rigid tube.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for terminating the metallic shield of a high speed cable, and including a terminating member used with the method. At least a portion of the outer jacket of the high speed cable is removed to expose a portion of the metallic shield of the cable. The cable is positioned on a conductive terminating member having an opening in registry with the exposed portion of the metallic shield. The shield is soldered to the terminating member through the opening.

Abstract: Automatic brake adjusting mechanism which includes a ratchet member having helical teeth about a cylindrical outer surface, a pawl, structure biasing the pawl into engagement with the helical teeth of the ratchet member and an elongate release pin associated with the pawl whereby the release pin may be moved against the biasing of the structure to disengage the pawl from the ratchet member thereby permitting the brake shoes to be backed away from a brake drum without disassembling component parts of the mechanism.

Abstract: A slack adjuster for a cam actuated brake system is disclosed in which the change of angularity of the brake applying push rod relative to the actuating arm during brake application is used for sensing stroke length and effecting adjustment to compensate for brake wear. The adjusting mechanism comprises a pull rod and a gear rack coupled together by a lost motion connection. The lost motion distance corresponds with the normal stroke length of the brake applying push rod when the brake linings have the normal clearance. A pinion meshes with the gear rack and is coupled to an adjusting shaft through a one-way clutch. The adjusting shaft carries a worm which drives a worm gear to reposition the actuating shaft of the brake system to compensate for brake wear. When the brake is applied, any overtravel of the lost motion represents brake wear and the overtravel is memorized by the position of the gear rack. This movement of the gear rack causes the one-way clutch to overrun the shaft and the shaft is not rotated.

Abstract: An improved trailer braking system for a tractor-trailer configuration is of the type which includes a primary air reservoir on the tractor which supplies an auxiliary air reservoir on the trailer. A pedal brake actuator on the tractor selectively provides control air from the primary air reservoir on the tractor to a relay valve on the trailer which control air causes air from the auxiliary air reservoir to be directed to the brakes on the trailer. The improvement includes a secondary source of control air on the trailer in the form of a control air reservoir having a volume significantly smaller than the volume of the auxiliary air reservoir. The control air reservoir is supplied control air through a first line from the auxiliary air reservoir. A second line from the control air reservoir goes to the relay valve and includes a check valve therein to only allow the control air to be capable of passing from the control air reservoir to the relay valve.

Abstract: An improved brake for a wheel mounted on a spindle is of the type which includes a housing secured to the spindle with a plurality of brake discs carried by the housing for relative rotation therewith. A plurality of reaction plates are carried by the hub of the wheel for relative rotation therewith and the discs and plates are intervened in an alternating fashion to define a pack. A first piston is axially, slidably mounted in a bore with the housing to define a first expandable chamber therebetween. Hydraulic fluid is selectively introduced to and discharged from the first chamber to produce selective movement of the first piston axially relative to the bore to cause it to produce a compressive force on the pack. The improvement includes adding a parking brake feature by providing a different backing plate portion to the housing. An annular cavity in the improved backing plate slidably receives a second piston therein.

Abstract: An improved brake for a wheel mounted on a spindle is of the type which includes a housing secured to the spindle with a plurality of brake discs carried by the housing for relative rotation therewith. A plurality of reaction plates are carried by the hub of the wheel for relative rotation therewith and the discs and plates are intervened in an alternating fashion to define a pack. The housing has a central bore defined by an interior cylindrical surface and a radially, inwardly extending annular wall. A piston has a tubular portion with a cylindrical outer surface and a radially, outwardly extending wall with an annular surface thereon. The piston is axially, slidably mounted in the bore with the annular wall, the interior cylindrical surface, the exterior cylindrical surface and the annular surface defining an expandable chamber between the bore and the piston.

Abstract: A friction brake is for a wheel which is mounted for rotation on an axle spindle and includes a backing plate mounted about an inward portion of the spindle. An annular hydraulic cylinder is removably secured to the backing plate and receives therein, in sliding engagement therewith, an annular piston which combine to form a hydraulic actuating device. A housing is secured to the backing plate for sealed encirclement of the wheel to define a cooling fluid chamber therebetween. An alternating arrangement of non-rotating discs, those mounted relative to the housing and backing plate, and rotating discs mounted relative to the hub are disposed within the cooling chamber between the housing and the actuating device. The selective introduction of hydraulic fluid to the actuating device applies force to the discs as they are entrapped against the housing to produce frictional contact therebetween to prevent rotation of the wheel.

Abstract: A lever and automatic slack adjusting mechanism for a cam actuated brake assembly which includes a worm and shaft rotatably mounted in a bore provided to the lever, a plunger axially movable relative to the bore and having a rotary driving connection with the worm shaft, linkage means operatively connecting the plunger to the lever to effect outward movement of the plunger in response to arcuate movement of the lever in a brake applying direction and detent means carried by the lever. The detent means includes a pawl extending into toothed engagement with a helical toothed surface provided to the plunger. The pawl, following arcuate movement of the lever causing the linkage to move the plunger outwardly beyond a predetermined distance relative to the detent means during the brake applying stroke, rotates the plunger, the worm shaft and a worm gear having a rotary driving connection with a camshaft upon return movement of the plunger.

Abstract: An axle assembly, drive or non-driving, steerable or non-steerable, which is a self-contained unit which can be installed on a vehicle and provide anti-wheel lock braking operation.