Abstract: A disposable ear piercing device is prepackaged in a sterile condition and is ready for immediate use. The device includes a pair of spaced jaws which receive the earlobe therebetween. One jaw is preloaded and carries a piercing pin and the other jaw is preloaded with and carries a lock nut. The jaws are squeezed toward each other in a manner which first causes the earlobe to be gripped and then causes a drive member carried by the first jaw to rupture when the jaws are squeezed under a predetermined force and to transfer the squeezing force directly to the pin to drive it through the earlobe and into the lock nut.

Abstract: A surgical suturing instrument including a first jaw carrying a capsule which contains a suture having needles attached to its ends, a second jaw for receiving the needles and cooperating with the first jaw to clamp tissue to be sutured, a plunger in the first jaw for transferring the needles from the capsule to the second jaw through the clamped tissue, an actuator arm for successively moving the first jaw to closed position and operating the plunger, a common pivotal mounting for the jaws and the arm, and a latch member pivotally mounted on the first jaw for selectively interconnecting the first jaw with the arm and with the second jaw in succession as the arm is moved in a jaw-closing direction, so that such movement of the arm first closes the jaws and thereafter operates the plunger while the jaws are interlocked. The capsule has a notched bobbin for holding a U-shaped suture with the bight of the suture received in the notch.

Abstract: A method, and typically a pair of treatment electrodes energized at opposite electrical polarity, for applying electricity to the human body. At least the area of the negative electrode in contact with the skin is covered with felt-like material, preferably moistened, and having a thickness in excess of three millimeters. Compliance with a current-time limitation according to the method essentially avoids iontophoretic burns. Electively, this negative electrode structure allows increasing the size of the positive electrode, permitting a larger treatment current with reduced discomfort. Intermingled positive and negative electrodes may be used.

Abstract: A device for automatically indicating a rate failure condition in a pacer monitoring the intrinsic pacer rate in both demand and fixed rate modes, including a first limit circuit preset at a low level of activity coupled to the monitoring means, and a second limit circuit preset at a high level of activity coupled to the monitoring means. A first switch is connected to the first limit circuit, and a second switch is connected to the second limit circuit. The first limit circuit responds to the combined rate of pacer and spontaneous activity falling below a preset level by placing the first switch in a switched condition, and the second limit circuit responds to the rate of pacer activity exceeding a preset level by placing the second switch means in a switched condition. Indicating means converts the switched conditions to distinguishable marking pulse signal for later clinical electrocardiogram detection.

Abstract: An absorbent pad for nursing brassieres with a cap-shaped part proportioned to the shape of the breast and with an absorbing apron attached to the cap-shaped part which apron increases the absorption volume of the pad as a whole.

Abstract: A portable cigarette making machine which has a horizontal conveyor belt adapted to support a continuous strip of cigarette paper, paper forming means which engage the conveyor belt and cause it to fold the cigarette paper into a concave trough, a conveyor feed adapted to feed tobacco vertically into the cigarette paper trough, a rotary compactor adapted to roll the tobacco into a generally cylindrical rod in said cigarette paper trough, an adhesive applicator engaging one side edge of the cigarette paper, a final paper forming means which engages the conveyor belt and causes it to fold the cigarette paper around the tobacco rod to form a cigarette rod, and cut-off means for cutting the cigarette rod into cigarette lengths.

Abstract: An automatic smoking device includes a beverage can having a smoking bowl seated in the top centered above a platform beneath a fan chamber carrying a flat rotating fan blade about 11/4" long by 1/2" high facing a stem at the same height that fits in an opening in the can wall and is an alligator clip insulating boot. The platform separates the flat rotating fan blade above from an electric motor below whose shaft carries the flat rotating fan blade. The compartment below the platform also encloses a battery for powering the motor and a push-button switch for coupling current from the battery to the motor when the switch is pushed to rotate the fan blade.

Abstract: An integral cigarette holder and sheath or cover for a cigarette is disclosed in which the sheath or cover is formed of telescoped members. The cigarette is inserted within the holder and the telescoped cover is extended to permit a portion of the cigarette to be smoked. As the cigarette is smoked down to the distal end of the telescoped members, insufficient oxygen is present to permit the continued burning and smoking of the cigarette.

Abstract: In a coin processing apparatus, the flow rate of coins fed into a coin passageway from a rotary disk is detected so as to change the rotation of the rotary disk according to the flow rate thus detected thereby keeping the flow rate of the coins in the coin passageway constant at all times.

Abstract: A portable device for covering vehicles comprising attaching clamps for connecting to the front and rear of the vehicle, extendable rods attached at one end to the clamps and extending above the vehicle, and a waterproof covering extendable over the vehicle and attachable in a fixed position at either end to the rods.

Abstract: An arrangement for metering a blast of air delivered to a driven machine, particularly a sheet separation device of a sheet feeder. A control slide is connected via an air intake opening to a pressure source, and the control slide has an air discharge opening connected to the driven machine and leading into the open. The latter opening is controlled or disconnected during upward movement or stoppage of the machine coupled to the driven machine by means of a control element actuated as a function of the machine speed. The air intake opening and the air discharge opening leading to the driven machine, face each other coaxially, and upon reaching a set final speed, these openings are connectable by means of a coaxial recess passing through the control element. A rotary valve plug with a through-bore is provided to form the control element.

Abstract: A governor for controlling a hydraulic transmission including a housing, a flyweight assembly rotatable within the housing, an axially movable hydraulic transmission control valve within the housing connected to the flyweight assembly for axial movement in one direction within the housing in response to rotation of the flyweight assembly within the housing, a spring axially biasing the valve for axial movement in the opposite direction within the housing, means for sensing an underspeed condition of the transmission and including hydraulic elements responsive to the underspeed condition in excess of a predetermined condition for axially shifting the valve.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a valve body having a flowway therethrough and a seating surface extending radially into the flowway from the valve body. A disc type valve element has a sealing area engageable with the seating surface and is mounted in the flowway for movement of the sealing area toward and away from the seating surface. A fluid passageway extends through the valve body and includes inlet means opening externally of the valve body and outlet means opening internally of the valve body and generally radially into the flowway and positioned such that a fluid may be directed against the seating surface through the fluid passageway.

Abstract: A fuel pressure regulator assembly comprising, a housing, a diaphragm separating the housing into a first and second chamber, the housing has a radial inlet extending to the first chamber and a connector having an axial outlet is mounted in the housing and extends axially into the first chamber. The connector has an annular groove adjacent its inner end that faces radially outwardly and a sealing ring is positioned in the groove. The sealing ring includes an integral retainer portion which engages an annular groove spaced from the end of the connector to retain the sealing ring in the groove. The diaphragm supports a valve member that is adapted to engage the sealing ring, and a spring in the second chamber urges said valve member against the sealing ring.

Abstract: A closing plate for a ring valve, in particular a suction or pressure valve of a piston compressor, which is intended to be arranged on a valve seat with arcuate-shaped through-flow passages and comprises at least one concentric ring and at least one concentric sectioned ring which control the through-flow passages, and at least one concentric ring and at least one concentric sectioned ring are connected with each other through radial arms. One of the rings is continuous and adapted to be clamped on the valve seat at at least two points, while at least one other ring is split by radial slits between the radial arms to form the at least one concentric sectioned ring.

Abstract: In a mixing valve assembly a rotatable control valve is provided for mixing in a desired ratio the fluid from two separate sources such as hot and cold water inlets. The valve porting is arranged such that full water pressure will be maintained as a result of at least one control outlet being substantially fully open at all times. A separately actuated volume control valve is included in the assembly. A visual indicator provides a scale indicative of selected water mix ratio.

Abstract: The flow of fluid from a constant output positive displacement pump entering an outlet line directed to a consumer may be varied by periodically interrupting this flow and directing the flow instead into a zero pressure pump reservoir. This interruption is accomplished by a rotary shutter which periodically and alternately opens and closes the line to the reservoir. The line from the pump flows into two nozzles opening into opposite sides of the rotary shutter and directed toward one another. The rotary shutter comprises a shaft with two raised ribs thereon positioned to simultaneously open or close both of the nozzles, thus hydrostatically balancing the shaft. The edges of the raised ribs have cutting angles thereon for milling the opening of the nozzles during operation to produce an optimum gap between the rotary shutter and the nozzles. Only when the nozzles are closed is the flow directed into the outlet line to the consumer.

Abstract: A cap of resilient material such as rubber or the like has a generally cup-shaped form for covering at least the head portion of a bleed screw which is mounted on a body of a hydraulic component such as a hydraulic actuator or the like to normally close an air bleed passage formed in the component. The cap comprises a generally cylindrical skirt portion depending integrally from the cup-shaped portion to abut with the surface of the body of the hydraulic component, and a projection formed on the inner circumference of the cap for engaging with a small diameter portion formed on the bleed screw, whereby the lower end of the skirt portion is urged resiliently against the body of the hydraulic component.

Abstract: A pressure tank includes a hollow container which has an outlet for discharging fluid therefrom. The outlet is provided with a valve seat, for receiving a valve member which is slidably mounted in the container above the valve seat for respective movement between an open position, so that fluid in the container can flow therefrom through the outlet and a closed position so as to prevent discharging of fluid out of the container. A flexible partition is provided in the container, subdividing the interior thereof into a gas-containing compartment and into a liquid-containing compartment. The partition is displaceable on expansion of gas in the gas compartment, into an extended position immediately adjacent the outlet. An element is connected to the valve member, which element cooperates with the partition in the extended position of the same so as to prevent premature movement of the valve member into the closed position until the container is empty.

Abstract: A weld-joint in a segmented sheath of a large diameter, high voltage, compressed gas insulated transmission line includes longitudinal, radially aligned outer margins forming a longitudinal seam of joined sheath sections, an internally disposed recess offset from the joined margins, a longitudinal tongue overlapping the joined outer margins and mating with the recess, and a longitudinal sealing gasket, preferably an elastomeric tube, disposed in the region between the tongue and the tongue-receiving recess. A hollowed cutaway section is provided within the joint and aligned with the radial margins to form an enclosed cavity. A longitudinal ridge is provided along the sealing gasket for spacing and protecting the gasket. The end of the tongue and the adjacent walls of the internally disposed recess form together a Vee grove for trapping loose particles internal of the tubular enclosure formed by the joined sheath sections.

Abstract: An apparatus for cyclically dosing bulk goods for filling sequentially advanced receptacles has a dosing auger; an electric disc rotor motor connected to the auger to rotate the same and arranged to be electrically braked; a blocking device having an actuated state in which it prevents rotation of the auger and an idle state in which it permits rotation thereof; and a control device for setting the blocking device in the actuated state for blocking rotation of the auger after being brought at least approximately to a standstill by electric braking and thereafter maintaining the blocking device in the actuated state until the beginning of a successive dosing cycle.

Abstract: A device for filling the interstices of multi-stranded cable with powder, comprising an outer cylindrical housing and a concentric inner tube with a closed annular chamber between them. A hopper opens into the chamber and the chamber opens into the tube. A feeder in the chamber pushes the powder from the opening of the hopper to the opening into the tube.

Abstract: A tree processing machine for felling and processing standing trees into predetermined lengths which includes generally a prime mover capable of turning in a short radius with a relatively short support frame as compared to the prior art mounted on the prime mover, a carriage frame pivotally mounted on the support frame about a roll axis generally vertically aligned with and parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the prime mover, a main support bed pivotally mounted at its upper end to the forward end of the carriage frame for pivoting from a vertical position in which the lower end thereof is near the ground to a horizontal position above the prime mover, a set of traversing drive assemblies mounted on the support bed for holding a tree against the bed and for moving the tree longitudinally with respect to the bed, a cutting assembly mounted on that end of the bed opposite its pivoted end and movable with the bed as well as with respect to the bed for selectively felling trees and cutting them into selec

Abstract: A tree and stump splitter having a vertical edged splitting blade, a horizontal cut off blade, and quick attachment means to secure the splitter to a bulldozer blade.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting portions having defects therein from lengths of timber includes determining an aligning distance for a given one of the lengths of timber as the timber length moves along a conveyor, the aligning distance being defined by the distance between a cutting line located next to the defect and one of a series of parallel lines which extend in the conveying direction, indexing the timber length in a direction transverse to the conveying direction to align the cutting line with one of the parallel lines and then incrementally moving the timber length in a direction transverse to the conveying direction a member of incremental distances determined by the particular one of the series of parallel lines with which the cutting line is aligned and cutting the timber length along the cutting line.

Abstract: An apparatus that facilitates the manufacture of wooden stairs of the type having treads and risers extending between and affixed to side housings or stringers. The apparatus provides multiple, parallel guides for the router used to cut the grooves in the stringers into which are fitted the treads and risers. By using a parallelogram construction for the multiple guides, the apparatus can be quickly adjusted and set to produce almost any size of stairs. An index bar used with the apparatus allows the apparatus to be quickly set for the particular stairs desired so that the grooves for both the treads and risers can be cut quickly and accurately in the stringers. The router is moved along each of the parallel guides to cut the grooves for all of the treads, and then the apparatus is quickly and easily reset and locked into position to set the guides for cutting of the grooves for the risers.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a "run-flat" capability, is disclosed. The tire is in the form of a substantially toroidally shaped carcass having a pair of bead-reinforced sidewall regions and a crown region annularly bridging the sidewall regions. Internally of the carcass, there is provided an expandable nail-deflector for deflecting a nail that punctures, for example, the crown region. The nail deflector has a releasably constrained normal condition when the crown region is puncture-free that is annularly spaced from the interior of the crown region, and is circumferentially self-expandable into engagement with the interior of the crown region upon puncture of the latter by a nail to deflect such nail harmlessly away from its path of entry.

Abstract: A solid industrial polyurethane tire and a wheel assembly comprised of such a tire adhered to a rigid central core, or hub. The hub is generally adaptable to fit onto an axle of an industrial vehicle. Said polyurethane tire is prepared by reacting 2,2'-dithiodianiline with a prepolymer of selected diisocyanates and selected polymeric polyester and polyether polyols and their mixtures.

Abstract: A strand guiding roller to be used for a continuously cast strand includes a plurality of roller bodies designed as exchangeable wear sleeves and arranged on a drivable shaft at a distance from each other, a plurality of bearings distributedly arranged over the length of the roller to rotatably accommodate the drivable shaft therein, and catch connections provided between the exchangeable wear sleeves and the drivable shaft to secure the exchangeable wear sleeves against rotation.

Abstract: Heat is transferred from a hot reservoir to an intermittent user such as a domestic appliance through an intermediate heat exchanger. Heat storing material maintains a substantially constant temperature at its phase transition point. When the intermittent user is operating, a heat exchange fluid such as NaK transfers heat from the heat storing material to a thermally degradable organic thermal exchange fluid through the intermediate heat exchanger to the intermittent user at substantially the temperature of the heat storing material. When the intermittent user is not operating, circulation of the fluids stops which allows the thermal exchange fluid to cool thereby reducing its thermal degradation. The heat storing material is selected for a high latent heat of phase transition, the heat exchange fluid is selected for thermal stability, and the thermal exchange fluid is selected for intermittent user needs such as mobility in a liquid phase at hot and cold temperatures.

Abstract: A heat exchange device for a heat transmission apparatus utilizing a heat carrier liquid, comprising a U-shaped tube provided with an inlet at one end and with an outlet at the other end thereof for the passage of the heat carrier liquid; a tubular casing extending into each arm of the U-shaped tube, which casing is closed at one end to prevent heat carrier liquid entering the casing and which forms an annular flow passage between the casing and the arm of the tube; and heat transfer means disposed within each casing for regulating the temperature of the heat carrier liquid flowing through the annular flow passage.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises an array of tubes, a perforated end plate defining a plurality of holes, a support sleeve in each hole for holding an end of a respective tube in a respective hole, each support sleeve fitting the respective hole, the exterior and interior surface of the support sleeve each defining a groove, a toroidal gasket in each groove, and a clamping portion on each support sleeve. The clamping portion is affixed to the outer face of the perforated end plate and has an end projecting beyond the end of the respective tube held in the support sleeve, and has an inwardly extending abutment at the projecting end for limiting any movement of the tube beyond the abutment.

Abstract: Cooling tower having an outer peripheral wall provided with blowers spaced about the periphery thereof at a lower region thereof, the blowers being formed with annular inlet openings for cooling air, the cooling tower further including means defining closable openings disposed between the annular inlet openings.

Abstract: In a water injection well, in place of corrosion inhibitors, the internal surface of a lower section of the casing is protected from corrosion by one or more galvanic sacrificial anodes placed in the section of casing. The anodes are mounted on a metal member which is connected to or suspended from the tubing or a well packer. The metal member extends below a certain point in the well into the section of casing. The metal member may be a tail pipe or it may be a wireline retrievable member specially prepared for this purpose. Anodes made of an aluminum alloy are especially suited to this corrosion protection system.

Abstract: A soil cultivating implement has soil working members mounted for rotation about corresponding upwardly extending axes. A soil working tool, preferably one or more tines, is connected to a support of the soil working member by at least one quick release fastener. The tool or tine can be a torsioned spring steel strip or a rod that has a spring coil. Each tine can have one or more operative soil contacting ends that are spaced apart from one another. When the operative ends are located one above the other, the soil working member can work deep in the soil. The fastener can be a pin that extends horizontal and at right angles to the axis of rotation of the soil working member so that the operative ends can pivot to some extent about the fastener. The ends of each tool or tine can extend in different directions from one another and tines in pairs can be mounted on the same support. The support can include arms pivoted to the fastening portions of the tines by spaced apart pins.

Abstract: An implement has rotatable soil working members that include tines mounted on supports. Each support is formed by resilient interengaging strips that are clamped between an upper hub flange and a lower locking plate, the latter being connected to an upwardly extending driven shaft. The strips are bent to form rectilinear bases and outwardly extending arms of inner and outer pairs of strips. The outer ends of the arms are secured by respective upper and lower clamping plates which, together with the strip ends, form holders for tine fastening portions. When the soil working member is rotated about an axis defined by the shaft, the tines can deflect in directions tangential to the shaft and mitigate damage if any obstacle is encountered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling the minimum and average weights of a product prior to packaging so as to assure that no charges are below a given minimum weight and to assure that the average weight of the charges is maintained at a predetermined level over the entire operating period of the machine producing the charges. After weighing, any charges under the minimum weight are brought up to weight by adding product. The deviation of the final weight of the charges from the average is then determined and an indication provided of the amount and direction of each deviation. All of these indications of the deviation from the average are summed to produce a running tally representative of the total net deviation from the average. The production of charges is correctively controlled when the summation exceeds a preselected level in either direction. An alarm may be energized and the system shut down when a further higher level is exceeded.

Abstract: The temperature of a glow plug mounted on an epitorocoidal engine housing on a leading side of the torocoid minor axis of a rotary piston engine in the direction of the rotor rotation is sensed. When the sensed temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature within a temperature range which allows the ignition of air-fuel mixture, power to the glow plug is stopped whereby the life of the glow plug is extended and the power consumption is saved.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has an engine equipped with an oil sump which is secured in a body-sound-insulated manner to the engine block, and a fan-cooled water radiator, a frame-mounted elastic membrane being provided between the oil sump and the vehicle body components so that the membrane completely encircles the oil sump at its upper edge and provides an acoustic separation between the spaces respectively situated above and below the oil sump, the upper space comprising a sound suppressing encapsulation which is closed relative to the vehicle interior by appropriate wall panels, partitions and sealing sections provided in the vehicle body. The outflow of hot cooling air from the radiator completely by-passes the encapsulation, the sealed upper space of the encapsulation being cooled by the forced draught of a further fan, and sound absorbing silencers being provided at inlet and outlet openings for the cooling air in the encapsulation.

Abstract: A moveable mass is part of a resilient spring system, in which the spring is a leaf spring restrained in a housing. Strain gauges are applied to the leaf spring, the outputs of which are integrated in a bi-polar integrator. Vibration of the leaf spring will cause sequential integration in reverse direction and, accordingly, a low output signal; deflection of the mass, for example upon on impact, will cause the integrator to provide a strong integrating signal which can trigger a collision safety system. The inherent, or characteristic frequency of the system is so selected that it is above the frequency occurring upon an impact of the sensor, or upon collision, but below the frequency occurring due to concussions to which the vehicle, or the mounting post of the apparatus on the vehicle, is subjected in use, or repair.

Abstract: A high pressure seal is formed between a stationary piston and a reciprocating cylinder. The seal includes a sleeve which has an inner diameter dimensioned to permit the cylinder to slide freely over the piston rod, the sleeve being in rigid contact at one end to the cylinder and the other end to an end plate surrounding the piston and closing the end of the sleeve. A bleeder port communicates with the outer surface of the piston rod, through the piston rod, and terminates at a low pressure supply. Bleeder grooves are formed around the inner wall of the sleeve. A first bleeder groove is positioned in the inner wall of the sleeve at the mid-stroke position of the piston with second and third bleeder grooves positioned at each extreme position of the piston stroke in the inner wall of the sleeve. A plurality of pressure drop grooves is formed along the inner sleeve diameter such that the hydraulic fluid passing from the cylinder into the sleeve will gradually drop in pressure as it moves toward the end plate.

Abstract: Baffle formed with a plurality of molded elastomeric plates within a housing for lining the interior of sound-absorbing ventilators, each plate having a central aperture and grooves in the broad sides of the plates which extend from the aperture to the edge of the plate; the apertures form a channel when the plates are stacked within the housing and the grooves form canals from the channel to the outside of the stacked plates.

Abstract: For dampening exhaust gas noise a muffler contains two portions, of which one is adapted to take care of high frequency noise and includes dampening material, and the other is adapted to take care of low frequency noise and is devoid of such material. The latter portion includes an inner, perforated tube, a surrounding casing and wall means for subdividing the casing axially as well as transversely. The length of the tube is compatible with the lowest frequency of the noise to be divided, and the location of the wall means is selected as to form chambers of varying lengths compatible with other frequencies within the low frequency zone.The high frequency portion may be fitted concentrically around the low frequency portion, or may be located so as to form an axial extention thereby.The means communicating the low and the high frequency portions may include a radial diffusor.

Abstract: Apparatus for installing a universal muffler in a vehicle exhaust system including resizing the length and/or diameter of the inlet and outlet tubes of a muffler, the inlet and outlet tubes being fabricated from treated steel having suitable temperature and molability characteristics, and directly coupling these tubes to existing pipes in the vehicle exhaust system.

Abstract: One or more elongated roller assemblies may be selectively mounted at a variety of positions along the inner edge of a scaffold platform. The inner and outer edges of the platform each include a series of correspondingly spaced apertures therethrough which receive the support rods or shafts of the roller assemblies. When the roller assemblies are emplaced the rollers lie between the inner edge of the platform and the vertical wall of the building along which the scaffolding is moving, and the mounting or support rods extend entirely through the platform and act as reinforcement of the assembly.

Abstract: A safety bracket for securing a ladder in place against a building structure, the bracket having two extending arm members interconnected in crossing relation intermediate the respective ends thereof with each arm member being slidable with respect to the other. Each arm member includes an intermediate portion and two end portions pivotally joined to the intermediate portion, the two end portions of each arm member including, respectively, a hook shaped portion which may be hooked around an upright member of a ladder and an eyelet for receiving therethrough a projecting member secured to the building structure.

Abstract: A bracket member which connects an axle shaft housing to the chassis of a fork lift truck and supports a tiltable mast, is formed with a circular recess into which fastening bolts and flanges of the axle shaft housing project for reducing the fork lift truck tread width.

Abstract: A system for indicating the stop levels for an elevator car in a hoist shaft so as to transmit signals to the elevator machinery when a selected stop level is approached. Vertically aligned pins are provided projecting from the wall of the hoist shaft; at least one pin being provided for each stop level. The pins extend into the path of the arms of the a cross, fixed to one end of a shaft journaled in a box which is attached to the outside wall of the elevator car and cause the cross and shaft to rotate a quarter turn each time one of the arms of the cross engages one of the pins. The other end of the shaft carries a pinion gear which engages a movable rack connected to a linearly movable slide mounted on the elevator car. One end of the slide ends in a stairstep-like configuration, each step serving to actuate one microswitch in a transverse row of microswitches as the slide moves.

Abstract: An automatic clearance adjuster for a cam actuated vehicle brake. The adjuster is disposed in a pivotal lever and includes a worm and worm gear, an adjusting mechanism for effecting a clearance decreasing rotation of the worm during the brake apply stroke, a torque limiting ratchet clutch which slips to prevent rotation of the worm by the adjusting mechanism when the shoes are in contact with the drum during the brake apply stroke, and a roller clutch which prevents clearance increasing rotation of the worm by the adjusting mechanism during the brake release stroke.

Abstract: A water and dust shield for protecting the interior of vehicle brake assemblies provides a resilient and flexible flanged disc which is centrally apertured and partially split transversely to provide for its installation on an axle to enclose a rotating brake drum on a wheel carried by the axle. A plurality of arms attached to the shield about the central aperture enable a clamping band to secure the shield to the axle in slightly spaced relation thereto.