Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a depending pair of fingers may be caused to grip a component on an inside surface by spreading the fingers apart or to grip the outside surface of a component by closing the fingers upon the component, with the relative orientation of the gripping faces of the fingers depending upon sliding displacement of the tool posts supporting the fingers. The fingers are driven into positive engagement with the surface to be gripped, for both inside and outside gripping, via positive displacement and spreading of cam followers by a cam which, in turn, is displaced by a fluid cylinder. Alternatively, the fingers may be biased into engagement with the surface to be gripped, for both inside and outside gripping, with disengagement of the fingers being provided by positive displacement and spreading of the followers by the cam.

Abstract: One end of an upper frame carrying an occupant station of a simulated vehicle is mounted on a base frame to pivot about a vertical axis, and a dummy steering wheel at the occupant station is linked to pivot the upper frame. Combined rotary and translation bearings support the other end of the upper frame on a shaft carried on the base frame to accommodate the pivotal movement about the vertical axis and also to provide a small upward pitching of the upper frame during pivoting of the upper frame in either direction from a central position, so that gravity acts to restore the upper frame and the steering wheel to centered conditions.

Abstract: A simulated floor-mounted gearshift lever for use in driver trainers to simulate either automatic or manual gearshift operation moves magnets to operate reed switches on a circuit card. Simple and economical mechanical linkage means provides realistic "feel" upon operation of the lever and allows ready conversion between "automatic" and "manual" simulation modes.