Abstract: A ball trap comprises a carrier about which is spaced a number of suspended flaps so as to be positioned, in use, about the surface on which the ball travels and which are configured, so that when a—or the—flap is impacted by a ball, the flap is pushed aside to a position where, provided the impact force is sufficient, the ball passes underneath the flap and the flap falls back to its position of rest to prevent the ball from escaping; characterised by the feature that the flap region which the ball pushes aside on impact is spaced sufficiently, radially outward from the carrier that the same region can subsequently come down behind the ball and act as the escape-preventing means.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprises a housing (1) defining a conduit (2) through which fluid may flow and a butterfly plate (8) rotatably mounted within the housing (1) so as to control the flow of fluid through the housing; the plate incorporating oppositely located projections which extend beyond the conduit; the plate and projections being of one piece and wherein each of the projections extends beyond said conduit into a respective one of two end recesses (9) located in oppositely facing rotatable shafts (7) so that the plate rotates within the housing together with the rotatable shafts; characterised in that the projections are held in place within the recesses, solely by the interfit between the valve components once the valve is assembled for use (e.g. with no screw of other auxiliary clamping means securing the projections to the shafts).

Abstract: A ball trap comprises a carrier about which is spaced a number of suspended flaps so as to be positioned, in use, about the surface on which the ball travels and which are configured, so that when a—or the—flap is impacted by a ball, the flap is pushed aside to a position where, provided the impact force is sufficient, the ball passes underneath the flap and the flap falls back to its position of rest to prevent the ball from escaping; characterised by the feature that the flap region which the ball pushes aside on impact is spaced sufficiently, radially outward from the carrier that the same region can subsequently come down behind the ball and act as the escape-preventing means.

Abstract: A rotary pump which is suitable for use as the pump for a vehicle power steering system has an integral motor. The pump includes a housing 16 through which a rotatable shaft 4 extends having at one end a pump rotor assembly 5. The pump rotor assembly 5 is in fluid communication with an oil cavity 15 which is in good thermal contact with the housing 16. The housing 16 functions as a heat sink. Mounted on the radially outer wall of the housing 16 is the stator 20 of the motor with the stator 20 also in good thermal contact with the housing 16. The rotor 26 of the motor is located radially outside of the stator 20 and has axially arranged magnets 27. The rotor 26 is connected to the rotatable shaft 4 by means of a radially extending wall 26b. The integral rotary pump and motor is very compact and straightforward to construct and is also capable of withstanding the heat generated by the motor components during the high demands of a vehicle steering system.