Abstract: A valve assembly for receiving a fluid under pressure and comprising a plurality of valves in a single valve block. The assembly may include a plurality of check valves and including a counterbalance generating valve and a 3-way valve and including a method of use. The assembly may include an adjustable counterbalance valve, a pilot-operated check valve and a 3-way valve or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A valve assembly for receiving a fluid under pressure and comprising a plurality of valves in a single valve block. The assembly may include a plurality of check valves and including a counterbalance generating valve and a 3-way valve and including a method of use. The assembly may include an adjustable counterbalance valve, a pilot-operated check valve and a 3-way valve or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a check valve element in an output chamber. The check valve element opens to permit forward flow of fluid under pressure in the output chamber from an input port to an output port. The check valve element closes to block back flow of fluid under pressure in the output chamber from the output port toward the input port. The back flow of fluid under pressure exerts a closing force upon the check valve element from within the output chamber. A counter force generating element, or pilot element, communicates with the valve element, to selectively open the valve, even in the presence of back flow pressure. The counter force generating element may apply a counter force to the check valve element, which urges the valve element toward the opened condition. The counter force may be less than the closing force, so the check valve element remains closed.

Abstract: A dual locking valve assembly includes two check valve elements in two cartridge bores. Each check valve element opens to permit forward flow of fluid under pressure in the cartridge bore from an input bore to an output bore. The check valve element closes to block back flow of fluid under pressure in the cartridge bore from the output bore towards the input bore. The back flow of fluid under pressure exerts a closing force upon the check valve element from within the output chamber. A counter force generating element, or pilot element, communicates with the valve element, to selectively open the valve, even in the presence of back flow pressure. The pilot element exists as a fluid crossover path from one cartridge bore to the other.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a check valve element in an output chamber. The check valve element opens to permit forward flow of fluid under pressure in the output chamber from an input port to an output port. The check valve element closes to block back flow of fluid under pressure in the output chamber from the output port toward the input port. The back flow of fluid under pressure exerts a closing force upon the check valve element from within the output chamber. A counter force generating element, or pilot element, communicates with the valve element, to selectively open the valve, even in the presence of back flow pressure. The counter force generating element may apply a counter force to the check valve element, which urges the valve element toward the opened condition. The counter force may be less than the closing force, so the check valve element remains closed.

Abstract: A sleeve carries a check ball valve assembly to form a valve cartridge. The cartridge is insertable into a manifold to communicate with a control valve to extend or retract a piston cylinder in response to pneumatic or hydraulic pressure. The manifold may be contained within a piston end block. The cartridge is selectively removable from the manifold.

Abstract: A toggle clamp includes a movable first pin having an axis and a stationary second pin. An arm is carried by the first pin for rotation in a first direction applying pressure to a load and a second direction releasing the pressure. An exterior spring element is coupled between the first and second pins. The spring element exerts a spring force that biases the first pin toward the second pin. The spring element is releasable for exchange with another spring element to change the spring force.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a check valve element in the output chamber. The check valve element opens to permit forward flow of fluid under pressure in the output chamber from a source toward a load. The check valve element closes to block back flow of fluid under pressure in the output chamber from the load toward the source. The back flow of fluid under pressure exerts a closing force upon the check valve element from within the output chamber. A counter force generating element is located within the output chamber and coupled to the valve element. The counter force generating element applies a counter force to the check valve element, which urges the valve element toward the opened condition. The counter force is, by purpose, less than the closing force, so the check valve element remains closed.

Abstract: A handcuff includes a pair of arcuate cuff bow arranged to encircle a human wrist. A locking mechanism on one of the cuff bows releasably engages the other bow to secure the bows around a wrist. A fluid actuated cylinder coupled to the locking mechanism releases the locking mechanism when pressurized fluid, such as air, is applied. The fluid actuated cylinder avoids the use of keys, resulting in a more enclosed structure that is more difficult to pick than prior key-based mechanisms. Use of the fluid actuated cylinder further improves security by making ordinary handcuff keys, which are frequently possessed by or available to prisoners, ineffective to open the handcuffs.

Abstract: A clamp has a clamping arm pivotally mounted to a base frame for swinging between clamping and unclamping positions. An actuator, such as a pneumatic cylinder, provides bidirectional forces for swinging the arm. The arm is driven by the actuator by way of an articulated linkage system including at least one spring link and one rigid link. The spring link preferably has a C-shape.

Abstract: A mechanical clamp for releaseably clamping a workpiece against a supporting surface. The clamp engages workpieces of differing thickness without adjustment and applies substantially uniform clamping force on the workpieces despite differences in thickness of the workpieces.

Abstract: A flexible retainer for coupling an inner polygonal stud and an outer tubular member includes an elongated arm from which a pair of spaced fingers transversely extend. The outer tubular member includes a polygonal bore into which the inner stud is inserted in a telescoping manner. The inner stud includes a transverse hole which when aligned with diametrically positioned lateral apertures in the outer tubular member forms a generally transverse channel in the telescoping member combination. With the arm of the retainer positioned around a portion of the periphery of the outer tubular member, each of the fingers positioned thereon may be inserted within a respective lateral aperture of the outer tubular member so as to extend into the transverse hole of the stud in securely coupling the two telescoping members.

Abstract: A mechanical clamp for releaseably clamping a workpiece against a supporting surface. The clamp includes means for releaseably locking the clamping member in a clamping position without use of an overcenter movement of the clamp toggle links.

Abstract: A magnetic drill holder is comprised of a nonmagnetic housing and a magnetic back plate. The housing is fabricated as a series of adjoining longitudinal channels, each having one closed end. A common magnetic back plate encloses the channels longitudinally, thus forming longitudinal receptacles. The channels may be of varying lengths and areas, making them suitable for holding a series of tools, such as drill bits. Magnetic tools placed in the receptacles are retained in them by magnetic attraction. The tool holder further includes a pocket that utilizes the magnetic back plate and a housing rib to hold a selected tool, such as a drill chuck key, in the tool holder.

Abstract: A first signal at a first frequency which is a selected harmonic of the resonant frequency of a bolt in a first loaded condition is determined. Then there is determined a second signal at a second frequency being the same harmonic of the resonant frequency of the bolt in a second loaded condition. Both frequencies are multiplied by a factor M. The up input of a counter receives one of the signals for a predetermined duration, and the down input receives the other signal for the same duration. The number of pulses remaining in the counter is representative of the difference in load between the first and second loaded conditions.