Abstract: A downhole condition sensing apparatus and method which provide a surface readout of a sensed condition includes and utilizes a downhole tool having a housing defined by a control section, a gauge section, an accumulator section, and a tester section. The control section includes electronic circuit elements for controlling the operation of the tool and for conveying electrical signals to the surface. The gauge section includes a pressure sensing element for sensing pressures in a well in which the tool is located and for converting the sensed pressures into corresponding electrical signals. The accumulator section includes a pressurizing fluid chamber, a driving fluid chamber, and an accumulator chamber. A pressurized driving fluid contained in the driving fluid chamber for controlling a valve located in the tester section is switchably communicated to the tester section by means of a solenoid valve located in the accumulator section.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the length of web wound on a bobbin. The apparatus detects the amount of rotation of the bobbin and the amount of feed of the web and detects the amount of roll by an operation on the basis of the detected amounts. The amount of rotation of the bobbin is detected by the pulses generated in response to the rotation of the bobbin and counted by a first counter. The amount of feed of the web is detected by the pulses generated in response to the feeding of the web and counted by a second counter. The amount of roll is calculated by an operation device on the basis of the count values of the first and second counters.

Abstract: The flexible force sensor having an electrical conductor releasably attachable to a test site and a plurality of relatively spaced electrical contacts supported for varying contact with the conductor such that when a force is applied to the force sensor, the electrical contacts and electrical conductor move into and out of varying areas of electrical contact to produce electrical resistances therebetween corresponding to the extent of such contact and as a function of the applied force.

Abstract: A device for measuring the thickness of an ice layer comprises a hollow, watertight body formed by two cones joined at their bases. The interior of the device is provided with a medium which acts as a ballast and allows the device to float on the surface of the water. The device is anchored in place by an elastically deformable line secured to a weight such that the device is pushed upwardly by the pressure exerted when an ice layer is formed. The device is provided with indicia on the surface thereof to indicate the thickness of the ice layer being formed.

Abstract: In a mechanical sector scanner, a first bevel gear is mounted on the end of an output shaft of a motor, and an ultrasonic transducer is rotatably supported for rotating about a scanning axis transverse to the output shaft. A second bevel gear engaging the first bevel gear is mounted on the back surface of the transducer. The output shaft oscillates about an output axis. Oscillations of the output shaft are coupled to the transducer by the bevel gears. The second gear has a plurality of teeth arranged in an arc less than completely around the scanning axis, and the second gear is so disposed that the back surface of the transducer is nearer to the scanning axis than the teeth.

Abstract: The amount of previously applied torque to a fastener is measured by analyzing a series of digital torque values generated during a test of the fastener.

Abstract: A system for sampling material from a remote location which selectively collects a predetermined quantity of material in a valve disposed inside a container. This measured amount of material is transferred to a movable receiving carrier while the receiving carrier is in a sealed relationship with the valve to prevent leakage of the sample material outside the receiving carrier. The movable receiving carrier is transported via an elongated tubular structure to a location remote from the container.

Abstract: Structural elements of an inertial sensor are fabricated from molded plastic materials. The structural elements are characterized by relatively, small cross-section areas, and further incorporate keys and keyways, as well as guide and alignment slots, molded into the elements for coupling various structural elements.

Abstract: A clutch pedal pivoting a fore and aft shaft mounted in a fire wall for transmission of the clutch actuating force through the fire wall for disengaging and engaging a vehicle clutch.

Abstract: A transmission has a gear mechanism which is selected between speeds by selective engagement of a brake including first and second friction plate elements. A piston is driven by pressure in a fluid pressure chamber so as selectively to squeeze the friction plate elements together and engage them. A return spring for releasing this engagement is mounted parallel to the axis of rotation of the brake in a cavity formed in the transmission housing, radially outside the brake, and biases the piston in the release direction. This allows the transmission to be axially shorter than when the return spring is mounted radially inwards of the brake.

Abstract: A coupling for operatively connecting a rotary turbine having a hub carrying a plurality of wires with a driven shaft. An external sun gear is formed on the turbine hub and a planetary gear carrier is mounted on the shaft for rotation with the shaft. The planetary gear carrier supports a plurality of planetary gears mounted for individual rotation which mesh with the sun gear on the hub. A ring gear carrier is mounted for rotation about the shaft and is formed with an internal ring gear which meshes with the planetary gears. A brake band surrounds the external periphery of the ring gear carrier and may be tightened to embrace the external surface of the ring gear carrier to lock it. When the internal ring gear is locked by the brake band, rotation of the planetary gears rotates the planetary gear carrier which rotates the shaft. When the brake band is loose, the ring gear carrier is rotated about the shaft by the planetary gears which are rotated by the sun gear on the shaft.

Abstract: A machine for serrating the flanks of the teeth of a gear-like tool for shaving gears in which a generating, relative motion equivalent to rolling the tool on a rack is provided and in which one of a plurality of serrating tools are positioned for cutting serrations in the flanks of the teeth.

Abstract: An automatic swage machine is disclosed which includes an indexing mechanism for indexing a saw along a table enabling a swaging mechanism to sequentially swage each tooth of the saw. The indexing mechanism includes a pair of magnets connected to an indexing arm for pulling the saw forwardly and then move the saw rearwardly enabling the next tooth to be swaged to engage the swaging mechanism.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench having a top housing and a first handle cooperating with the top housing; a bottom housing with a cooperating second handle, a ratchet drum disposed within the top housing and the bottom housing and provided with exterior splines and a pair of side bevel gears rotatably mounted on a horizontal shaft in opposed relationship inside the ratchet drum; a top bevel gear attached to the inside of the top housing and extending inside the ratchet drum to engage the side bevel gears; a drive bevel gear engaging the side bevel gears and rotatably positioned on the bottom housing interior, and carrying a socket drive extending from the bottom housing; top and bottom ratchet means mounted on the first and second handles, respectively, and selectively cooperating with the ratchet drum; and a handle lock means for selectively allowing the first and second handles to be manipulated as one handle, or separately to operate the ratchet wrench in a more efficient manner.

Abstract: A tool for removing an in situ tamper-proof fastener of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,037,515 and 4,225,165 includes spikes located and oriented on a body to snag the head of the fastener so that rotation imparted to the body is transferred to the fastener.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting the positioning between a first rotating member and a second fixed or rotating member in a rotary machine comprises controlled thermal elements positioned on the frame supporting the members and/or on the rotating member(s) itself to counteract the effects of centrifugal force on the rotating member(s) to thereby approximately maintain the setting between the members. The temperature of the frame controlled by the thermal elements can be maintained in proportion to the speed of rotation of the rotary member(s) to maintain the setting of the rotary machine throughout its operating speed range. A predefined temperature may be set by the thermal elements prior to the manual setting of the rotary machine so that the temperature of the frame and/or rotating member(s) can be controlled to compensate for wear of the rotating member(s) in machines wherein such member(s) encounters wear over operating time.

Abstract: A registration control method for a printed label cutoff machine controls both the location of the cut by performing a phase adjustment and the length of the individual labels by performing a base speed adjustment. A strip of labels have eyemarks printed thereon for defining the location at which the individual labels are to be cut. An optical scanner is positioned adjacent the labels and generates a scanner pulse upon detection of an eyemark. A control circuit includes a setup control for automatically running the machine into registration from an initial setup position. The setup control functions to generate a reference pulse a predetermined distance before the scanner is expected to see an eyemark. When the eyemark is detected within a designated window area the control utilizes the scanner pulse and the reference pulse to calculate the phase error for each label and generate a phase correction signal proportional to the actual phase error.

Abstract: Gas burners; particularly, apparatus for punching holes or ports in gas burner tubing. The apparatus includes a base and superposed frame, a press head with punch, which is reciprocally mounted in the upper part of the frame and a rotatably driven eccentric shaft which engages, so as to reciprocate the press head. As the press head reciprocates, the punch engages the receiving end of a gas burner tubing which is supported in a tube collar positioned within the lower part of the frame. The trailing end of the tubing is supported upon a tube arbor which is advanced incrementally towards the tube collar, as the punch is reciprocated. The apparatus is characterized by its capability of rapid punching of a longitudinally aligned series of ports in a gas burner tubing, with precise adjustment of port size and distance between ports.

Abstract: To provide better performance for a saw chain by enhancing the life and performance of side cutter teeth, this invention discloses a novel side cutter tooth which includes a cutter element having either a continuously curved portion attached to the body of the cutter tooth or a substantially straight portion extending outwardly from the body of the tooth. The continuously curved portion or substantially straight portion causes the cutter element to bend substantially at the intersection between the body and the cutter element when the cutter element is exposed to inwardly directed forces which tend to flatten the curved or substantially straight portion out of its half-space into the plane defined by the body of the cutter tooth. Removal of the complex curve ordinarily used in the center-mounted cutting teeth of saw chain greatly enhances the performance of the cutting teeth, reduces breakage of the teeth, and improves the efficiency of a saw chain using the improved cutting teeth.

Abstract: A cutter employing two heated eccentrically mounted rollers adapted to coact with each other in order to sever a material by means of a crushing action is utilized in conjunction with a transport member to cut predetermined lengths of material from a continuous roll of said material. The cutting action of the heated rollers provides cut ends of the material which may be readily spliced together without the use of gum strips.

Abstract: A key-speed-responsive volume control apparatus for a keyboard-type electronic musical instrument includes a key switch associated with a key of the instrument, wherein a movable contact of the key switch moves out of engagement with a break contact and into engagement with a make contact upon depression of the key. A capacitor is charged following the movement of the movable contact out of engagement with the break contact and before engagement with the make contact. The capacitor is made to discharge at a first prescribed rate immediately after charging until the movable contact comes into engagement with the make contact, and then at a second prescribed rate until the movable contact disengages the make contact upon release of the key.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument in which harmonic coefficients stored corresponding to tablet signals are read out and synthesized by using a discrete Fourier transfer to form a desired musical sound. The format of cut back by a combination of a tone to be cut back, a key number and harmonic coefficient is predetermined, and based on the predetermined tone and key number respectively detected by tone detecting means and key number detecting means, the harmonic coefficient of the predetermined combination is read out, thereby to effect cutting back of the predetermined tone.

Abstract: Waveform data for converting attack, decay and release status sections of a musical sound envelope into an exponential function waveform is obtained from an envelope generator wherein exponential function waveform data is read out from a ROM or obtained through calculation based upon an exponential function in a digital logic processing circuit, and it is used for the envelope control of a tone signal from a digital wave generator.

Abstract: An improvement in the action for a harpsichord type of keyboard musical instrument which uses a pneumatic piston to provide a variable pluck loudness. The improvement comprises a new pick-body design which allows several strings to be plucked at once for any single note or key, thus increasing the loudness of the instrument. The invention involves the use of a crank arm which, being restrained by a pneumatic piston, tilts the pick-body and the picks into the strings, the loudness resulting therefrom being proportional to the key-lever velocity.

Abstract: A sizzler construction which is usable in combination with a conventional cymbal element and the like to provide a sizzle effect in the sound produced upon impact of the cymbal element. The sizzler includes a chain which overlies the upper surface of the cymbal and which preferably comprises a plurality of loosely interconnected independent metallic ball elements. When the cymbal element is impacted with a drumstick or the like the ball elements independently bounce or vibrate on the upper surface of the cymbal element to provide the desired sizzle effect in the sound produced.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument is provided with an automatic self-tuning device which tightens or loosens those of the instrument's strings which may be out of tune. Each string is provided with an independent automatic tuning device and all of the devices are operated simultaneously on demand to instantly and automatically reset the tension of the strings as required. Each of the devices includes means for sensing the tension of its associated string and means for comparing the sensed tension with a reference tension corresponding to the desired tuning for the string. Means are provided for increasing or decreasing the string tension in response to the nature and magnitude of the compared tensions.In an alternate version, string tension is sensed and a visual indication is given of an out-of-tune condition. The instrument is tuned in this embodiment manually.

Abstract: An elastic tension member comprises a jacket surrounding a core, the latter comprising a non-stretchable line in working relation with at least one elastic member. The line may comprise a cord, the terminal portions of the elastic member being fastened to the cord at spaced mounting joints. Tension forces applied to the elastic member are transferred to the non-stretchable line as soon as a predetermined maximum tension load value has been reached. This characteristic contributes to rendering the elastic tension member suited for towing purposes, or as a start-cord for surf boards, or as a tieing device for tieing up goods.

Abstract: A shock suppressing device adapted to be attached to the aft end of a shoulder fired rocket launcher. The device comprises an elongated, flexible, tubular member formed of a compressible, permeable fabric. The member has an expanded diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the exhaust opening in the aft end of the rocket launcher tube. In one embodiment, the rear of the member is covered with fabric so that the member forms a bag covering the exhaust opening of the rocket launcher. The member has a sufficient expanded volume to contain the exhaust gases generated by a launched rocket thereby confining these exhaust gasses and their associated flash, smoke and blast wave. The blast wave is dissipating by forcing it to penetrate the member. In another embodiment, the rear of the member is open thus causing the generated shock wave to be accelerated rearwardly while being dissipated. The full expansion of the shock wave is not allowed until the shock wave has been reduced significantly.

Abstract: A man portable shoulder fired rocket weapon system including a two section tubular launcher, sections of which are hingedly foldable one over the other to reduce the launcher length for storage and transport, and permitting the launcher to be holster carried in the manner of a sidearm. A lock and seal coupling connects the unfolded launcher tube sections to extend the launcher for firing and also serves as a safety element in the firing circuit. Two tubular blast shields are mounted concentrically upon the launch tube sections and are extendable therefrom to further lengthen the launcher and provide protection for the user against rocket motor exhaust. A compatible rocket round is carried in the folded launcher as a ready round. A waist worn holster and reload pack complete the weapon system elements.

Abstract: An electric stepping motor, operated by command pulses from a computer or microprocessor, rotates a rotary control member of a distributor valve, for sequencing hydraulic pressure and flow to the cylinders of one or more axial piston hydraulic motors. A group of the cylinders are subjected to pressure and flow and the remaining cylinders are vented to a return line. Rotation of the rotary control member sequences pressurization by progressively adding a cylinder to the forward edge to the pressurized group and removing a cylinder from the trailing edge of the pressurized group. The pistons of each new pressurized group function to rotate a wobble plate into a new position of equilibrium and the hold it in such position until another change in the makeup of the pressurized group. An increment of displacement of the rotary pressurized group. An increment of displacement of the rotary hydraulic motor occurs in direct response to each command pulse that is received by the stepping motor.

Abstract: Apparatus for the continuous adjustment of the stroke amplitude of the piston of a jack, the latter having a control member of which at least part is in the form of a rod, which is movable in rotation and in translation and cooperates with the said piston, wherein said rod has an extension in the form of a differential piston which is movable in translation and in rotation within a cylinder and defining also in the latter a chamber with a large cross-section and a chamber with a small cross-section, the latter being permanently connected to a pressurized fluid source, said differential piston having an inner cavity in which is located a second rod immobilized in translation and which can be angularly oriented, said second rod being provided with a cam having two opposite edges which can cyclically uncover and cover, during the rotation of the differential piston, at least two openings respectively connected to the two chambers.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic temperature control system for automobiles and improved components thereof. The control system operates on the proportional stroke principle and comprises an in-car air sensing tube biased with ambient air; a sensor in an aspirator at the end of the tube; a moving pivot operated directly by the output of the sensor; and a feedback valve operated by the moving pivot for driving a vacuum-assist motor, the output stroke of which operates the various electrical and vacuum functions of the heater-air conditioning system.

Abstract: An improved fluid pressure energy translating device of the axial piston type including a cylinder barrel mounted on a drive shaft. The cylinder barrel is centered on the drive shaft by a crowned bearing on the drive shaft and coupled through a splined connection which includes crowned male splines on the drive shaft. The crowned bearing and the crowned male splines on the drive shaft have centers located to either side to the center of bending of the drive shaft under load so as to eliminate tilting of the barrel.

Abstract: A servomotor which actuates the throw-out device of a clutch, particularly in an automotive vehicle, has a piston which is reciprocable in a housing and is adapted to be coupled to a reciprocable motion transmitting rod for the throw-out device by a compensating device having cylindrical rollers which establish a motion transmitting connection between the piston and the rod as soon as the piston leaves its starting position in response to evacuation of air from the housing at one side of the piston. The rollers are automatically disengaged from the rod when the piston returns to its starting position so that the rod can be moved by the clutch in a first direction to compensate for wear upon the parts of the clutch or in a second direction to compensate for expansion of one or more friction discs in the clutch.

Abstract: The present invention converts longitudinal motion into rotary motion. A reciprocating piston (that may receive a motive force from any desired means) oscillates longitudinally on a drive shaft. Extending through the piston parallel to the drive shaft is at least one ratchet pin that has a sprague clutch attached thereto by a ratchet arm for turning the drive shaft in one rotary direction. Also extending through the piston is at least one angle pin anchored in each end of a housing for the piston, which angle pin is at a slight angle with respect to the drive shaft and the ratchet pin. The slight angle causes the ratchet pin to arcuately move back and forth as the piston oscillates longitudinally. The arcuate movement of the ratchet pin causes the sprague clutch to turn the drive shaft. An adjustment of the slight angle may be provided to infinitely vary ratios of longitudinal movement to arcuate movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and apparatus for conditioning the atmosphere of a space, in which ventilating air of the space 3 is mixed with heated or cooled air by induction round clusters of jets 8 which are fed with heated or cooled air from an independent source of air including a fan 5 and a heater or cooler 6.

Abstract: A proportioning air diffuser system, and an air diffuser therefor, for venting air from a dynamic plenum having areas of relatively greater and lesser static pressure. Each diffuser has a plurality of selectively adjustable vent openings, and a corresponding plurality of air extractors extending into the plenum to divert air through the diffuser. The effective venting area is selectively adjustable, but only within limits that prevent the diffusers from being completely closed. The diffusers are distributed along the plenum, with their effective vent areas progressively increasing from plenum areas of greater to areas of lesser static pressure. The volumetric rate of air flow through the diffusers can thereby be balanced.In a preferred embodiment, two plates having alignable vent openings are positioned over each other. One of the plates is slidable over the other, thereby functioning as a damper to control the alignment between plate vent openings, and thus the effective vent area.

Abstract: An automatic brewing apparatus having a reservoir of water heated by a thermostatically controlled heater which is pumped via flexible conduit to a movable head which temporarily seals and communicates with a special packet of coffee or other brewable substance and produces a beverage by rapid infusion. Packets are mounted upon a tape which threads through a brewing basket where infusion takes place while the tape is initially wound upon a supply reel which feeds a take-up reel after passage through the brewing basket. The cooperation of these features is brought about by a control circuit which is activated by a momentary switch and consequently causes, through a drive means, the passage of the tape through the brewing basket until a packet is centered. The control circuit then stops tape passage, activates the movable head to communicate with the packet and activates a pump to force water through the grounds, brews the beverage and then shuts the apparatus off.

Abstract: An improved coffee or tea brewer having mounted within a casing a cold water tank and infusing arrangement with a water heater connected between the two and mounted under the tank, the heater having a cover for cleaning the water fed interior of the heater, the cover opening rearwardly and shielded from electrical components by a shield so that only the rear of the heater can be accessed from a rear access opening in the closing; the heater cover preferably has the heater inlet and outlet mounted thereon so that the heater can be more effectively cleaned.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing bran from cereal grains, particularly rice, wherein dehusked cereal grains to be debranned are fed under controlled pressure through a chamber wherein they are laterally confined by an apertured screen while being worked by a special bladed rotor providing pockets of grain which rotate with the rotor within and relative to the confined grain body so that the debranning action is effected mainly by grains rubbing together whereby to produce high grade unbroken polished grains efficiently and economically.

Abstract: A vertical frictionally abrasive roll rice polishing machine in which a vertical rotary shaft extended in the vertically axial direction of a framework assembly, a vertical frictionally abrasive roll is mounted at the upper end of the shaft, a polishing cylinder surrounds the abrasive roll in coaxial and peripherally spaced relationship to the roll to define an annular polishing chamber therebetween, the polishing cylinder rotates and moves depending upon load applied thereto, the abrasive roll rotates but does not move vertically, a material supply passage is formed above the polishing chamber and a polished rice discharge passage is formed below the polishing chamber.

Abstract: A storage device for processed foods comprising a sealed storage chamber, an air passage provided in the storage chamber so as to extend along an inner surface thereof and having a suction port and a discharge port at upper and lower sections thereof, respectively, to permit the air to be circulated in the storage chamber, a fan provided in the air passage, an air heater provided in the storage chamber, a steam generator opened into the storage chamber, a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor provided in the storage chamber, and an electric circuit. The temperature in the storage chamber is regulated by the electric circuit to a predetermined level and thereby maintain the temperature therein substantially at a required level automatically. The humidity in the storage chamber is also regulated by the electric circuit to a predetermined level and thereby maintain the humidity therein substantially at a required level automatically.

Abstract: An apple coring apparatus (10) includes a first arm (16) which is pivotally connected to a base plate (12). A lever arm (20) is pivotally connected to the first arm (16). A sliding tube (36) is mounted on a guide rod (38) which is mounted normal to the base plate (12). A tubular knife (30) is pivotally connected to the lever arm (20). A blade (34) is rigidly connected to the tubular knife (30) and to the sliding tube (36). A blocking arm (54) is pivotally mounted to the plate (12) and rigidly connected to a handle (58). The blocking arm (54) includes a notch (54a) which is positioned to receive a pin (24) mounted longitudinally on the lever arm (20). When the lever arm (20) is forced downward, the pin (24) is received in the notch (54a) and the downward travel of the lever arm (20) is blocked.

Abstract: Equipment for compacting trash, in particular cardboard cartons or the like, in upwardly open containers, characterized in that a compacting roll (4) moving to-and-fro on the trash (2) in the container (1) is provided which is rotatably supported from the free end of a pivot arm (5) mounted in articulating manner to a post (6) and of which the telescoped length (L) is adjustable.

Abstract: A belt for large round baler has a roughly textured, crop-engaging surface formed by a plurality of continuous, uniform height walls defining a plurality of recesses therebetween. The walls may be arranged in a variety of polygonal shapes. The height of the walls is less than the maximum spacing between adjacent walls. The thickness of the walls decrease from the base toward the tip. The textured surface of the belt provides reduced levels of noise and dust, a self-cleaning action, lateral stiffness and longitudinal flexibility.

Abstract: A device for use with waste containers wherein the waste is packed, compressed and held in its compact state within the container until the container's capacity is reached. The device comprises a frame consisting of a pair of cross bars with the opposite ends of certain of the cross bars received in vertical channels carried by confronting interior wall surfaces of the wall container. The channels are provided with yieldable locking members projecting inwardly of the channels and adapted to retain the cross bars in a depressed position against the compacted waste material within the container.

Abstract: A compactor particularly for junk vehicles, has a flatbed supporting a pair of opposed, hinged compaction doors. Each door has a linkage hydraulically operated to open and close the door for compaction of the vehicle against the flatbed. A winch disposed on the front of the compactor has its tow line extending beneath the doors and connects to the end of the vehicle opposite the flatbed to progressively advance the vehicle over the flatbed for compaction by the doors. A sequence control circuit is also provided which automatically opens and closes the compactor doors and automatically operates the winch to sequentially advance segments of the vehicle into the compactor. Additionally, the compactor can easily be made portable facilitating its transportation from one location to another.

Abstract: A numbering device for use in an offset printing machine includes a numbering-impression cylinder which is swingably disposed beside a transfer drum in order to perform a numbering operation simultaneous with an ordinary printing operation and to concurrently perform vertical and/or lateral perforation operations. The offset printing machine comprises a transfer drum positioned beside a main impression cylinder which confronts a blanket cylinder to perform ordinary printing operation; a numbering-impression cylinder; a numbering box supporting cylinder positioned beside the numbering impression cylinder so as to form numbers on a printed sheet, an ink supply in contact with the numbering box supporting cylinder; a perforating device positioned in confrontation with the numbering impression cylinder to provide vertical or longitudinal perforations in the printed sheet; and a synchronous mechanism connected between the cylinders in order to cooperate with a numbering box advancing device.

Abstract: A compact band printer system incorporating an inverted character band and a hammer bank assembly in which the hammer bank frame serves as the main support frame for the printer. Ribbon, band pulley and tractor drive assemblies are all supported by the hammer bank frame. A platen is secured to the frame and serves to increase the rigidity of the structure.

Abstract: Device for keeping a lower covering layer of a two-layer covering on the cylindrical surface of a printing-press cylinder, the two-layer covering also including an upper covering layer covering the keeping device for the lower covering layer, the keeping device for the lower covering layer comprises a keeper rod having a substantially circular cross section and extending along the length of the printing-press cylinder, the keeper rod being braced at one end and at two axially parallel contact locations against the printing-press cylinder so as to position the keeping device in register and in inherently stable condition in circumferential and lateral directions, and locking pins disposed on and distributed in register-maintaining positions along the length of the keeper rod, the locking pins having respective head ends with different length-to-width ratios in the cross section thereof, the head ends being in cooperative engagement in correspondingly shaped holes formed in the lower covering layer.