Abstract: A combination stringed musical instrument, such as a four string electric bass and a six string electric guitar, is described. The combination stringed musical instrument includes a single neck portion with opposed fret boards formed or disposed on either side or major face of the neck portion. Accessibility to either stringed musical instrument may be accomplished by neck portion rotation, relative to the body portion, facilitated by an ergonomically placed and designed handle assembly. User initiated neck portion rotation may be facilitated by an internal shaft and bearing set, interconnecting the neck portion and the body portion. Manipulation of the handle may cause a positive neck portion position placement and neck portion fixation via retention hardware. The combined instrument presents a conventional-appearing electric guitar/bass guitar.

Abstract: A combination stringed musical instrument, such as a four string electric bass and a six string electric guitar, is described. The combination stringed musical instrument includes a single neck portion with opposed fret boards formed or disposed on either side or major face of the neck portion. Accessibility to either stringed musical instrument may be accomplished by neck portion rotation, relative to the body portion, facilitated by an ergonomically placed and designed handle assembly. User initiated neck portion rotation may be facilitated by an internal shaft and bearing set, interconnecting the neck portion and the body portion. Manipulation of the handle may cause a positive neck portion position placement and neck portion fixation via retention hardware. The combined instrument presents a conventional-appearing electric guitar/bass guitar.

Abstract: An air spring suspension system for vehicle axles reduces the dynamic force on the system's air springs during braking and acceleration of the vehicle and thereby prevents the diving of the vehicle chassis toward the road surface on application of the vehicle's brakes or acceleration of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system comprises a beam mounted for pivoting movement to a hanger and securely to a vehicle axle where the beam is constructed with a laterally widening base as it extends longitudinally from the pivot mounting to the vehicle axle and with an axle shell securing the beam to the axle where the shell connection to the axle reduces stress on the vehicle axle.

Abstract: A glass cullet separator utilizes a multi-element optical sensor to detect when an opaque particle in a group primarily composed of transparent particles moving along a plane passes a first line lying in that plane, and the particular location of the particle along the first line. A signal from the optical sensor is fed to a microprocessor. After a delay equal to the time it takes for a particle to pass between the first line and a second line, which is parallel to and separated from the first line, the microprocessor causes a valve to open and emit a jet of high velocity air from a nozzle aimed toward the plane along the second line. The jet of air blows the opaque particle out of the plane where it is captured and separated from the remainder of the particles. A plurality of nozzles are located in a manifold which extends across the extent of the second line. The manifold also supports the valves and fluid conduits that interconnect the valves and the nozzles.

Abstract: A method of making a belt tensioner system, in which the system comprises a support unit, an endless transmission belt construction carried by the support unit and arranged to move in an endless path, an arm pivotally mounted to the support unit, a pulley rotatably carried by the arm and being in engagement with the belt construction, and an actuator carried by the support unit and having opposed ends is provided. The actuator has a movable piston projecting out of one of the opposed ends thereof and being in engagement with the arm to pivot the arm in a direction to urge the pulley into the belt construction as the piston is extended outwardly from the one end of the actuator, the other of the opposed ends of the actuator being pivotally mounted to the support unit whereby the actuator pivots relative to the support unit as the piston thereof extends and retracts at the one end thereof.

Abstract: A suspension system incorporating upper and lower torque rods pivotally connected between a hanger and an axle seat. The upper torque rod is preferably a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly, the length of which is adjustable between extended and retracted conditions. In the extended condition, the upper torque rod pivots the axle to a forward pitch at which it is self-steering when the vehicle is driven forward. In the retracted condition, the upper torque rod pivots the axle to a negative pitch condition in which it is self-steering when the vehicle is operated in reverse. The hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly can be operated by the driver such as when the gears are shifted between forward and reverse. A lift spring is mounted between a plate on the hanger and a plate on the lower torque rod. The lift spring is positioned within a pocket defined on the hanger.

Abstract: An elevating, reversible self-steering suspension system incorporates upper and lower torque rods pivotally connected between a hanger assembly and an axle seat assembly. The upper torque rod of the parallelogram linkage is pivotally connected at one end to the axle seat assembly, and is pivotally connected at its opposite end to a pivot lever that, in turn, is pivotally connected to the hanger assembly. An end of the pivot lever opposite its pivot connection to the hanger assembly is connected to a selectively extended and retracted piston cylinder assembly. By extending the piston rod from the piston and cylinder assembly, the pivot lever is rotated relative to the hanger assembly, and the upper torque rod connecting the pivot lever to the axle seat causes the axle seat to be displaced. The displacement of the axle seat adjusts the orientation of a vehicle axle supported by the axle seat to a negative caster.

Abstract: A belt tensioning system, tensioner and parts therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the system comprising a support unit, an endless transmission belt construction carried by the support unit and arranged to move in a certain path, an arm pivotally mounted to the support unit, a pulley rotatably carried by the arm and being in engagement with the belt construction, and an actuator carried by the support unit and having opposed ends, the actuator having a movable piston projecting out of one of the opposed ends thereof and being in engagement with the arm to pivot the arm in a direction to urge the pulley into the belt construction as the piston is extended outwardly from the one end of the actuator, the other of the opposed ends of the actuator being pivotally mounted to the support unit whereby the actuator pivots relative to the support unit as the piston thereof extends and retracts at the one end thereof.

Abstract: A belt tensioning system, tensioner and parts therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the system comprising a support unit, an endless transmission belt construction carried by the support unit and arranged to move in a certain path, an arm pivotally mounted to the support unit, a pulley rotatably carried by the arm and being in engagement with the belt construction, and an actuator carried by the support unit and having opposed ends, the actuator having a movable piston projecting out of one of the opposed ends thereof and being in engagement with the arm to pivot the arm in a direction to urge the pulley into the belt construction as the piston is extended outwardly from the one end of the actuator, the other of the opposed ends of the actuator being pivotally mounted to the support unit whereby the actuator pivots relative to the support unit as the piston thereof extends and retracts at the one end thereof.

Abstract: A quick change tool holder of the block tool type wherein a tool nose assembly is releasably secured to a drive member at an interface plane. A bayonet subassembly extends coaxially from the drive member by some predetermined distance and is receivable in an axially extending socket in the tool nose. The bayonet subassembly is selectively rotatable relative to the drive member between engaged and disengaged conditions with the tool nose socket. The distance that the bayonet subassembly extends from the drive member is selectively adjustable for insuring that the bayonet securely engages with the socket.

Abstract: A quick change tool holder having a cutting head on which a cutting member is attached for attachment to a shank. A lockpin/locknut arrangement provides for quick and safe removal of the cutting head from the shank. The lockpin has radial projections that rotate in response to manual rotation of the lockpin in and out of recesses contained in the opening of the locknut. The lockpin is secured within a bore in the cutting head and extends out of that bore into a bore in the shank in which bore the locknut is secured. A spring and plunger combination is located in the bore of the shank in order to urge the cutting head away from the shank when the radial projections are not within the recesses of the locknut. The shank and the cutting head have corresponding mating teeth in order to prevent rotation of the cutting head relative to the shank when the cutting head and shank are attached.

Abstract: A quick change tool holder of the block tool type wherein a tool nose assembly is releasably secured to a drive member or holder. The tool nose includes a bayonet portion extending axially outward from the rear end thereof which is receivable by an axial opening in a locking assembly housed in the drive member. The bayonet portion is positioned behind a locking ring in the locking assembly, and this locking ring is selectively shiftable axially of the drive member between disengaged and engaged conditions against and under the influence of spring biasing means. In the disengaged condition, the bayonet portion is insertable into and removable from association with the locking assembly. In the engaged condition, the spring biasing means acts against the locking ring to, in turn, act against the bayonet portion for moving the tool nose axially toward the drive member to place teeth on these two components in cooperative engagement to thereby effect a secure interconnection therebetween.

Abstract: A machine for continuously punching, shearing and forming sheet material comprises a frame and punching, shearing, and forming stations. Rollers are provided for continuously feeding sheet material through the stations. A cam periodically engages the tools of the respective punching and shearing stations to actuate the respective punching and shearing operations and simultaneously to advance the respective punching and shearing stations in unison with the direction of feed of the sheet material. The forming station includes adjustable rollers which permit adjustment of the space between the rollers. The method of the present invention comprises continuously feeding the sheet material through the punching, shearing, and forming stations. At the punching and shearing stations, the tools for punching and shearing the sheet material move in unison with the sheet material during the time that they are performing their punching and shearing operations, respectively.