Abstract: The present invention relates to seals and, in particular, to a seal that retains lubrication between the interface of a spline shaft and a sleeve shaft, which move relative to each other. The seal body has a flexible body with an axis and alternating projections and recesses aligned with the axis. A wiper element on at least one of the rows of projections and alternating recesses includes a tapered surface extending away from the axis, and an engagement face substantially perpendicular to the axis and adjoining the tapered surface.

Abstract: A horizontal ball return mechanism for propelling a bowling ball from one end of a bowling alley to the other includes a generally horizontal track with compression and decompression sections and a generally flat horizontal section therebetween. Two pulleys and an endless belt move a bowling ball along the track. The compression, decompression and a flat horizontal section lift a bowling ball upwardly against the belt, maintain the belt under compression as the ball moves along the generally flat section and lowers the ball before it passes under a second of the pulleys.

Abstract: A bowling alley ball return and storage rack includes an infeed track and a pair of parallel generally horizontal storage racks disposed on opposite sides of the infeed track. An S-shaped member acts as a stop for directing a first bowling ball to a first of the storage racks and for positioning the ball therein so that a subsequently returned ball will be deflected by the first ball into the opposite storage rack. The ball return and storage rack includes an infeed track which is generally parallel to and forms a part of the storage racks. This infeed track has a slight downward slope of about 1.degree. from horizontal to bring the bowling balls toward the opposite end thereof. The storage racks also include inner and outer rails, i.e., metallic tubular members which are covered with a nylon 6 coating.

Abstract: An easily changeable bowling alley masking unit provides a visual barrier that covers a forward portion of a pin spotter in a first position and provides ready access to that portion of the pin spotting mechanism when in a second position. The unit includes a generally rectangular frame, a cartridge adjacent to the frame and a pair of rollers disposed within the cartridge. The unit also includes a pair of masking members with one of the masking members attached to each of the rollers. Each of the masking members includes a display of one side thereof and is adapted to be rolled upon a roller for storage within the cartridge and unrolled to cover a portion of the pin spotter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle tracking and security system which allows immediate response in case of vehicle theft, an accident, vehicle breakdown, or other emergency. Guardian and tracking functions are provided through Mobile Units installed in hidden locations in vehicles to be monitored. The Mobile Units communicate with a Control Center. Preferably, the Mobile Unit provides vehicle theft and intrusion protection using an in-vehicle alarm and security system linked to the Control Center by a transceiver in the Mobile Unit. Also, a keypad or other human interface device is provided, allowing a vehicle driver or occupant to signal the Control Center that a particular type of assistance is needed. The vehicle's location may be automatically transmitted to the Control Center along with any automatic alarm signal or manually entered request, the location being precisely determinable anywhere in the world through use of Global Positioning System (GPS) information.

Abstract: A static dirt exclusion element is arranged in a unitized housing to contact a rotating exclusion element so as to provide a primary barrier to dust and airborne contaminants. A secondary barrier is provided in the housing in the form of a porous filter element formed of a foam or felted material to further exclude and entrap contaminants.

Abstract: A dust excluder (12) for a seal assembly (10) such as utilized with a vehicle air conditioning compressor is disclosed as having an annular inner portion (36) that mounts on a rotatable compressor shaft (20) and as including an outer portion (38) that seals with an annular support (24) of the seal assembly axially outward from a shaft seal (30) in a manner that excludes dust to prevent seal abrasion without increased heating of the compressor shaft. The inner portion (36) of the dust excluder is preferably embodied by an annular body (56) having opposite axial ends (58,60) and the outer portion (38) is preferably embodied by a sealing section (62) having a disc (64) extending outwardly from the annular body (56) and by a sealing lip (66) extending outwardly from the disc for slidable engagement with the annular support (24). The sealing lip (66) is preferably inclined and has an edge junction that provides an annular line contact (68) with the annular support (24).

Abstract: A fluid seal unit for high pressure sealing applications. The seal has a rigid casing and an annular elastomeric sealing lip body which includes a primary seal band contacting a shaft in sealing engagement when the fluid in the sealed region is under a first pressure. The air side surface of the lip body also has auxiliary sealing ribs and fluid retaining grooves of progressively increasing diameter. When the pressure in the sealed region increases, one or more additional ribs will contact the shaft to provide increased seal band contact area and to entrap additional fluid near the shaft.

Abstract: An oil seal unit including an elastomeric sealing lip portion and a casing portion made from a rigid material and having a mounting flange, a radially extending, offsetting flange, and an annular inner mounting bead formed by folding at least two thicknesses of the casing material upon each other so as to form first and second inclined flange portions connected to each other by a bight portion, one of the thicknesses terminating in an edge portion and with the bight portion presenting a rounded exterior surface portion directed generally toward the sealed region and the inner diameter of the seal, the sealing lip portion having air and oil side surfaces meeting each other along a circumferential locus to define a seal band, and having another portion bonded to and completely surrounding an inner margin of the radial casing flange and the exterior surfaces and edge portion of the material thicknesses forming the bead, to provide a bonded area adapted to resist failure under the application of high pressure.