Abstract: A stretcher roller for spreading out moving flexible strip material such as for example plastics film, paper or textiles, has a cylindrical outer surface of elastomeric material, with inclined incisions which are separated from one another by webs. The transition from the surface into an incision which makes an included angle of less than 90.degree. is of rounded or chamfered form. In this way a sharp-edged transition from the surface into the incision in question is avoided. Such sharp edges can damage the strip material if it enters the incision, which is particularly likely at the ends of the roller. The rounded transition avoids this damage.

Abstract: After the pressure of the gas in a first chamber reaches the maximum value, the cover for the air bag is broken up. The cover is broken at the pressure of the maximum value, and there is almost no waste of the gas energy. Thus, the cover can be broken up by the small amount of the gas energy and the heat losses are extremely reduced, so that the amount of the gas generating agents are made small. Also, the cover is broken by the burning of the first chamber and the air bag is inflated at the first stage by expansion and inertia of the gas. There is provided a mechanical timing for ignition delay, and then the bag is fully inflated by the burning of a second chamber. Therefore, the bag can be desirably inflated.

Abstract: Damage to rotating cylinders in a web-fed rotary printing machine, due to breaks or tears in the material web passing through the machine, is prevented by providing a web guide roller with a directionally switched coupling intermediate two spaced gripping locations. If the web breaks, the web guide roller becomes positively driven and prevents web roll up on one of the rotating cylinders.

Abstract: A flexible printing plate clamping assembly utilizes a printing plate clamping device disposed in a groove in a plate cylinder. A plurality of elbow lever assemblies are used to move a clamping bar between plate clamping and unclamping position. These elbow lever assemblies have pneumatic devices and counteracting springs to place them in either clamping or unclamping positions.

Abstract: A radial ball-and-socket bearing having an elastic outer ring for receiving a ball-shaped element. An annular, axially directed recess is formed in the front surface of the outer ring, and a plurality of axially directed slots extend radially therethrough from the front face. The slots and recess define sets of inner and outer tongues which flex to enable insertion of the ball-shaped element in the bore of the outer ring. At least one of the confronting surfaces of the radially adjacent inner and outer tongues is provided with one or more ribs, which are separated from the facing tongue surface by a gap when the bearing is unassembled and which are nearly or completely closed when the bearing is assembled. The circumferential surface of the outer ring has radial projections in the area of the recess for snapping the outer ring into the bore of a housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning the so-called anode bars of electrodes re-cycled for use in electrolytic smelting comprises a frame with upstanding columns supporting a raisable and lowerable carriage. A table is displaceably supported between the columns on the carriage and a pair of depending swinging arms beneath the table support rotatable cleaning brushes which selectively engage on a bar to be cleaned. The brushes rotate inside extractor cowls from which air is sucked to withdraw dust and particles removed during cleaning. The cowls are urged with springs against the bar to be cleaned independently of the brushes to maintain the cowls in a set position regardless of any wear suffered by the brushes.

Abstract: To prevent corrosion and provide for better relative movement of parts which move only slightly but are exposed to extremes in ambient operating conditions, a tubular piece of plastic material, typically Polyvinylidenfluoride or a polyamide, is drawn over the inner element of a relatively slidable pair, which may, for example be a distributor shaft, the distributor breaker cam, or distributor bearing pins, to cover the surface thereof engaged in slidable contact.