Abstract: An apparatus for the variable machining of workpieces is described which consists of a central module, which is constructed as a hollow carrier unit and which takes over the functions of the machine housing, and also of a plurality of horizontal and vertical modules which can be selectively connected with this central module and with one another via predetermined mechanical and electrical interfaces. The central module has an outwardly disposed and rotatably mounted carrier sleeve which can be axially displaced by a restricted amount, which can also be clamped, and which has mounts for tool support units, with the mounts extending over only part of the height of the carrier sleeve and being distributed around its periphery. The inner chamber of the central module is provided with fitted guide surfaces for a vertical module which is constructed as a columnar unit with a base end connection surface and with external guide surfaces complementary to the guide surfaces of the central module.

Abstract: A package for a plurality of stacked rolls or reels of recording media in tape form is provided with central holding means for the rolls or reels, and consists of a bottom member and a cover member which together have the shape of a cylindrical cheesebox, the cover member having a handle for carrying the closed container, and the bottom member having a handle for carrying it with or without tape rolls or reels. The cover member and bottom member may be provided externally with matching projections and depressions to enable a plurality of packages to be stacked in a virtually gap-free and interlocking manner.

Abstract: An annular flangeless winding hub for strip materials which is stackable due in particular to its plate form that is produced by an appropriately shaped circular projection and depression. As additional locking means protrusions and recesses may be provided in the depression and in the projection respectively. Apart from asymmetrical embodiments, a symmetrical design with respect to the median plane of the winding hub can be achieved by the use of upwardly and downwardly protruding ridge members which fit into one another when a plurality of hubs are stacked one upon the other. Such a winding hub can be used for any kind of material having a ribbon-like configuration, such as magnetic tape, strips of film and punched paper tape.

Abstract: A digital indicating installation for vehicles which selectively reproduces several function values within an indicating field; by actuating one of several switches, the reproduction of a first function value is interrupted for a predetermined time and a further function value coordinated to the switch is reproduced in the meantime within the indicating field.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting an automated exchange of a tool in hobbing machines. At least a pair of gripping devices are mounted on a shaft for relative sliding movement therealong and for selective locking engagement with the shaft so that a rotation of the shaft will effect a rotary movement of a selected one of the gripping devices. The rotary movement of the selected gripping device is between a storage position and a working position. The gripping device is capable of holding a tool which is to be exchanged for a worn out tool. The other gripping device is generally empty and is first moved into the working position to extract the worn out tool from the milling spindle. Thereafter, the gripping devices are shifted to bring the appropriate device having a new tool therein into a position so that it can be rotated with the shaft to bring the new tool into the working position and inserted onto the milling spindle.

Abstract: An electrostatic matrix printer has a movable print head (1) in which a row of selectively energizable needles (2) is fixed for printing dots on a surface to be printed by selective energization of the needles in response to binary coded electrical signals having a number of bits, equal or less than the number of needles in the row. The binary signals, as well as determining the state of a group of consecutive needles in the row, to print different character columns, also include at least one further bit which determines the position of the said selected group of needles in the row, enabling characters of different height and vertical position to be printed.

Abstract: A portable electro-mechanical printer has a platen (1) over which electro-sensitive paper is advanced, relative to a print head (6) having a few row of selectively energizable needles (8) which is movable by an electric motor transmission (18,19,21,24) parallel to the platen in a scanning direction transverse the row of needles. A timing disc (25) is driven by the drive transmission, the disc being subdivided into sectors and cooperating with two relatively displaced photocells (26,27) which produce two periodic signals upon rotation of the disc, these signals being utilized to provide clock pulses controlling successive energizations of the print head needles as the latter is scanned across the paper.

Abstract: In order to test at least one of the operating and capacitating conditions of an automotive vehicle, plural parallel circuits are included in a test circuit associated with sensors for each condition to be tested. These parallel circuits contain at least one pilot lamp and at least one switching unit. The switching unit may have simple switch contacts or may contain an electronic switching element. During normal operating conditions, the switching units are closed to provide a conductive path therethrough. During non-normal operating conditions and/or capacity conditions, the switching units open. For testing any condition, an individual test switch, which energizes each pilot lamp in the plural parallel circuits, is connected in series with the switching contacts and/or the conductive electronic switching elements of the switch units and with the pilot lamps in the plural circuits.

Abstract: An electrically driven vehicle, especially a passenger motor vehicle with an electric power source taken along in the vehicle which is arranged in the area of the vehicle floor and is connected therewith by way of mounting supports, whereby the latter are provided with means that effect a detachment of the electric power source, especially of a storage battery, from the vehicle in case of an impact of the vehicle beginning with a predetermined impact strength.