Abstract: An in-line wire drawing machine includes a power-driven capstan rotatable about a horizontal axis and operable to unwind wire from a coil and to pull the wire through a drawing die for reducing the diameter of the wire. In order to conserve floor space, the coil is supported on an overhead turntable located above the capstan and rotatable about a vertical axis to enable unwinding of the coil. Wire unwound from the coil is directed rearwardly therefrom to a pair of guide rollers, proceeds downwardly alongside the rear of the machine and then travels forwardly to the die. A tangle detector is located upstream of the die and automatically shuts down the machine if the wire in the coil becomes tangled or snagged and fails to pay off of the coil in a free manner.

Abstract: A process for producing hollow one-piece elements having a highly curved lateral wall from metal, in particular copper or copper alloy, pipes. A cylindrical pipe is widened via permanent deformation between two appropriately shaped dies, by simultaneously applying hydraulic pressure directly inside the pipe and axial pressure on the opposite ends of the pipe; the required finished shape being achieved in successive stages, by inserting inside the dies molds having a predetermined profile and of gradually increasing size.

Abstract: The present invention is a tool for repairing damaged pneumatic lines. The tool is small and compact, and is capable of being moved to the line to be repaired. The device has multiple rollers which may be adjusted to various line interior diameters and to various angles desired for the flange. When the tool is rotated, the rollers reform the flange in the subject line.

Abstract: A leveling machine for slit steel which removes bends and bumps in the steel prior to recoiling. The leveler includes top and bottom sets of rollers of varying sizes to accommodate varying gauges of steel. The top of rollers is attached to a frame which pivots relative to the bottom frame to ensure proper roller orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus method for bending channel cross-section strip or panel material in which the material is passed between an infeed roller set 10, 16, 18, an intermediate roller set 12, 20, 22 and an outfeed roller set 14, 24, 26. At least one of the rollers of each roller set has two axially spaced annular projections which define an accommodation space for the flanges of the strip material. The axial spacing between these annular projections is reduced between the infeed and outfeed roller sets to enable the panel cross-section to be retained over a wide range of panel materials and curvature.

Abstract: Continuous extrusion apparatus in the form of a rotatable wheel having a peripheral endless groove for material to be extruded. An abutment having a die orifice protrudes into the groove. The sides of the abutment and of the groove are of complementary stepped form to inhibit the egress of material from between the sides of the groove and of the abutment.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of bending a sheet metal piece by means of a bending apparatus. The bending apparatus comprises a bending bar, a bending bar holder, a bottom die comprising an adjustable die bottom and a bending bottom die holder. The method of the invention is particularly suitable for bending sheet metal pieces which are shorter than the bending bar and the bending bottom die. In order to compensate for irregularities during the bending, the regions of the bending bar and bending die, respectivley, which are not influenced by the reactive forces of the sheet metal piece to be bent, are under the influence of compensating members bridging the air gap resulting between bending bar and bending die. Thus, the bending press is evenly loaded and the sheet metal work piece can be bent into an exactly predetermined bending angle.

Abstract: Shifting apparatus for use in a transfer press having moving die bolsters. The shifting apparatus includes transfer rail sets that are located on the bolster and on the fixed bed that are interconnected during the normal transfer of the work pieces between dies. Transfer fingers are carried by both transfer rail sets that serve to engage the work pieces and move the work pieces through the positions of the transfer press. Transfer finger shift apparatus extends between the two rail sets and includes a shaft carrying a shift base member which has transfer fingers connected thereto. An elevating device is provided on the fixed bed to raise the transfer fingers sufficiently to pass over the top of the transfer fingers located on the bolster. A piston rod, which is secured to the transfer fingers, is retracted into an air cylinder which is attached to the transfer rail set of the bolster, causing the transfer fingers to move from the fixed bed to the bolster.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining sliding resistance between a surface of a portion of a glass section and a surface of a strip of resilient material, such as an elastomeric weatherstrip, which defines a channel having a longitudinal axis. The apparatus includes a plate which is slidably engaged with a platform and structure for rigidly securing at least one strip of weatherstrip to the plate. Further included in the disclosed apparatus is a device for exerting on the glass section a plurality of forces relative to gravity so that the portion of the glass section passes at a selected rate through the channel along the channels longitudinal axis. Friction between the surface of the glass section and surface of the strip of resilient material results in a portion of the exerted force being transmitted to the plate. A force measuring device, which is coupled to the platform, measures the portion of the force exerted on the glass section that is transmitted to the plate.

Abstract: An automated condom airburst testing apparatus is disclosed which utilizes a deformable elastomeric ring which operates, in conjunction with a collar, to form a temporary, yet secure, airtight seal around the flexible condom membrane. A multiple stage series regulated inflation gas supply system provides a substantially fluctuation-free flow of gas to inflate a condom. A differential pressure measuring system, which is separate from the inflation supply system, determines the difference between the pressure within the condom membrane and atmosphere. The apparatus also provides the maximum pressure and volume within the condom just before the condom is destroyed by bursting.

Abstract: A novel method for detecting phase transitions depends on an observed sharp drop in the amplitude of vibration of a vibrating tube containing test material when phase transitions occur. Combining phase equilibria detection with conventional density measurement permits the exploration of pressure, volume, temperature and composition at phase boundaries. The method is especially useful at high temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: A system and method for testing a specimen such as a vehicular power transmission (e.g., an automatic transmission) and analyzing an engine output characteristic of an engine connected to the power transmission in which at least a first revolutional speed on an input or output shaft of the power transmission and a first output torque of the power transmission are measured when the engine operating parameters indicate a predetermined value with the power transmission connected to the engine. A second revolutional speed on the input or output shaft of the power transmission and a second output torque of the power transmission are measured when a low inertia driving unit having the same characteristics as the engine is connected any driven with a power transmission under the same operating parameters described above.

Abstract: An apparatus for judging of a catalyst of a catalytic converter provided in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine so as to purify an exhaust gas generated from the internal combustion engine. The apparatus is arranged to be responsive to the output signal of a gas concentration sensor provided downstream of the converter to detect a concentration of a specified component of the exhaust gas. Included in the apparatus is a judgment unit responsive to the output signal therefrom so as to judge the catalyst of the catalytic converter on the basis of the output signal therefrom. The judgment unit compares a predetermined judgment threshold with an amplitude of the output signal therefrom to detect, on the basis of the comparison result, whether the catalyst of the converter is in a deteriorated state.

Abstract: Automobile wheel hub comprising a bearing with rolling elements in a housing in said hub and a device for sensing information, the coding element of which moves integrally with the hub and rotates in front of a stationary sensor, characterized in that the coding element is integrated into the bearing seal and that the sensing element, integral with a support which is stationary with respect to the wheel, is coaxial to the coding element in a radial position essentially equal to the value of the radius of the coding element and longitudinally shifted by a maximum value corresponding to the air gap allowed by the technology of the sensor.

Abstract: Automobile wheel hub comprising a bearing with rolling elements in a housing in said hub and a device for sensing information, the coding element of which moves integrally with the hub and rotates in front of a stationary sensor, characterized in that the coding element is integrated into the bearing seal and that the sensing element, integral with a support which is stationary with respect to the wheel, is coaxial to the coding element in a radial position essentially equal to the value of the radius of the coding element and longitudinally shifted by a maximum value corresponding to the air gap allowed by the technology of the sensor.

Abstract: A capacitive probe for use in a system for remotely measuring the level of fluids. The probe is continuously charged and discharged. The discharge current from the probe is measured and converted to a corresponding voltage rerepresenting the level of fluild. The voltage is then supplied to an indicating device. One embodiment of the probe includes first and second spaced supports which maintain a plurality of spaced parallel wire electrodes which form two capacitive plates. In a further embodiment of the probe, the wire electrodes are positioned on an integrally formed support.

Abstract: The adjustable measuring device of the present invention has a housing containing an arcuate chamber guide having movable plates attached to it so as to define a metering chamber of variable size. The housing has a housing inlet at the top, communicating with a chamber inlet, and a housing outlet at the bottom, communicating with the metering chamber. An amount, predetermined by the size of the metering chamber, of material to be ground leaves a hopper, and enters the metering chamber through the housing inlet and the chamber inlet. The housing is slid, thereby closing the hopper, until the housing outlet is positioned over a grinding area. Then, the material is discharged into the grinding area to be ground.

Abstract: A gauge protector provides a shield device for the protection of the lenses of skin diving gauges and related articles. The device comprises one or more crossbar elements extending between crossbar base portions, of a size and shape to fit over the gauge lens, and is releasably captured between the dive gauge body and its associated flexible protective boot member. The crossbar base portions preferably include downwardly-extending peripheral flange portions for releasable capture of the sides of the gauge body.

Abstract: A device for taking measurements of the various component elements of the movement of a moving body includes a support having an arch with two branches so as to straddle, for example, the withers of a horse. The support has a high point and two low points, symmetrical relative to the longitudinal median plane of the support. The support carries six accelerometers of which, in use, three are disposed so that their axes are parallel to a longitudinal axis X, two are disposed so that their axes are parallel to a vertical axis Z, and one accelerometer is disposed so that its axis is parallel to the transverse axis Y.

Abstract: A vibrating gyro operating on the principle of vibration waves traveling along a curved elastic surface transverse to the surface and being subjected to coriolis forces on rotation of the surface such as to shift the phase of the signal. The surface is provided by a spiral strip of metal having a vibration generator and detector at each end. Vibration waves are transmitted in both directions simultaneously and the phase difference between the received signals is determined. This gives a measure of the rotation rate. The gyro has great sensitivity and is particularly suited to gimballed systems. It therefore complements the vibrating gyro of U.K. Patent No. 2164749.

Abstract: An ultrasonic rotational speed sensor in which all of the various electronic devices of the sensor are arranged compactly on one side of a rotational member to be measured, while maintaining a high precision in a rotational speed measurement. In this sensor, the transmitter microphone and the receiver microphone as well as other electronic devices associated with them are arranged on the same one side of the rotational member, where the rotational speed of the rotational member is determined from a period of the ultrasonic signals transmitted from the transmitter microphone, reflected at non-notch portions of the rotational member, and received by the receiving microphone, while a direct transmission from the transmitter microphone to the receiver microphone without an interaction with the rotational member is prevented by the use of a high frequency ultrasonic signals at MHz level.

Abstract: An ultrasonic measuring system including a transducer having a plurality of row electrodes on one surface thereof and a plurality of column electrodes crossing the plurality of row electrodes on the other surface thereof and made of an electrostrictive material in which piezoelectricity is induced by a bias electric field applied thereto to thereby obtain sectional images sequentially. A row position selector is connected to the row electrodes to select several row electrodes and apply a direct current bias voltage to the selected electrode and to shift the position of the selection sequentially. An electronic B-mode image scanner is connected to the column electrodes to shift the directivity of the transmission/reception ultrasound beams sequentially widthwise of the column electrodes (in the direction of row extension) to obtain echo signals indicative of an acoustic reflective response.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flash gauge is disclosed that provides a profile of a weld area in order to determine inside flash conditions in a pipe. The flash gauge is capable of operating at high temperature conditions adjacent to a electric resistance welder, thereby permitting real time control of the inside flash trimming operation. A focused ultrasonic transducer is employed in order to obtain the resolution required for detecting the profile of the flash. The flash gauge is constructed to uniformly maintain a water column between the transducer and the pipe surface to prevent boiling or air bubble entrapment which would interfere with the operation of the transducer.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the vibration of a plurality of shrouded turbine blades carried by a rotor and configured in a row includes a stationary sensor for inducing eddy currents in each shroud segment as each shroud segment passes the sensor. A target is located on each shroud segment for causing variations in the induced eddy currents. The sensor is responsive to the induced eddy currents to produce an output signal containing information corresponding to the time of arrival of the target at the sensor. Another sensor is provided for producing a pulse once per rotor revolution. A blade vibration monitor is responsive to the output signal and the once per rotor revolution pulse to extract blade vibration information therefrom.

Abstract: The differential pressure measuring apparatus comprises a single chamber differential pressure sensor filled with a fluid and having two measuring capacitors whose capacitances vary in opposite senses in response to the differential pressure to be measured and in the same sense in response to the temperature said capacitances being transformed by means of associated capacitance measuring circuits into measurement signals which are supplied to a calculation circuit for calculating the temperature and the differential pressure. A temperature measuring means which comprises a temperature sensor mounted on the differential pressure sensor and a temperature measuring circuit connected to the temperature sensor measures directly the temperature of the single chamber differential pressure sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing the stiffness of fabrics comprises a box defining a space that is free of air currents, the top wall being movable to permit access to the space, the rear wall having a planar inside surface and the front wall being planar and parallel to the inside surface of the rear wall and being transparent to enable the space and the inside of the rear wall to be viewed from outside the box. A shelf mounted within the space and having a planar top surface bounded by a straight edge that is aligned substantially perpendicularly to the front wall supports a portion of a fabric sample. The remainder of the sample drapes freely from the edge of the shelf. A plate is placed on the portion of the sample on the shelf to hold it flat and stationary. Indicia marked on the inside face of a mirror on the rear wall of the box indicate the amount of drape of the portion of the fabric draping from the edge of the shelf.

Abstract: A steering torque detecting apparatus capable of being simplified in structure and readily assembled. Potentiometers each are actuated in association with the movement of a cable wire to generate an output signal. Steering control is carried out depending upon the output signal.

Abstract: An engine starter where a pinion, which is engaged or disengaged with a ring gear of the engine to be started, is formed as an integral part of a drive shaft at an end of the drive shaft which is movable in the axial direction thereof while being rotated by an electric motor. The engine starter has no restriction of the root thickness of the pinion or the number of teeth of the pinion, and has a large gear ratio to the ring gear.

Abstract: A guide carriage is guided on a rail track. At the two ends of the rail track, cross-members are mounted. Between the cross-members there extends a drive device. A drive element of the drive device is drivingly connected with the guide carriage. The resultant driving force of the drive device lies outside the longitudinal axis of the rail track. For achieving better acceptance of tilting moments, the guide carriage is guided on the rail track by ball circuits. The rows of supporting balls of the ball circuits bear against rolling tracks, which are formed symmetrically on either side of the longitudinally central plane of the rail track on this track. The force transmission planes of the supporting rows of balls diverge towards the longitudinal plane of symmetry and each make an angle with this plane of approximately 45.degree.. The drive device may, in particular, be mounted laterally of one flange of the U-shaped guide carriage, or above the web of this guide carriage.

Abstract: A gear shift transmission for a motor vehicle has a transmission housing which comprises an axle housing, an intermediate plate and a housing bell. The input shaft and the output shaft of the gear shift transmission are supported in three places, specifically in a front bearing plate of the axle housing, in the intermediate plate, and in a rear bearing plate of the housing bell. The reverse gear and the lower forward gears are arranged in the axle housing, and the higher forward gears are arranged in the housing bell.

Abstract: An intermittent driving apparatus having input and output shafts disposed in perpendicular but nonintersecting relationship, and joined together by an intermittent drive coupling for transmitting rotation of the input shaft intermittently to the output shaft. The input shaft extends through an eccentric opening formed on a ring which is disposed within an opening formed in the housing. The ring can be angularly adjusted relative to the housing to vary the position of the axis of the input shaft. The ring is fixed to the housing by a securing pin, and a ring-shaped cover is press-fit into the angular gap between the ring and the housing.

Abstract: A device for a bicycle comprising a drive transmission which is coupled to the drive wheel of the bicycle and includes a gear change mechanism with a number of different size chain sprockets, a shifting device coupled to the gear change mechanism and a freewheel coupling arranged between the drive wheel and the chain sprockets. Moreover, the device comprises a disengage mechanism (34-37) which is coupled to the shifting device (20) of the gear change device by means of a friction element (19) and a drive member (23) for enabling simultaneous disengagement of the freewheel coupling and change of gear.

Abstract: In order to have a sufficiently large elongation at fracture in conjunction with high strength values, a pressure-diecast steering wheel skeleton consists of an aluminum alloy which is composed of______________________________________ 2.5 to 3.5 % by weight magnesium 0.10 to 0.30 % by weight silicon 0.40 to 0.60 % by weight iron 0.25 to 0.45 % by weight manganese 0.015 to 0.05 % by weight copper 0.035 to 0.085 % by weight zinc balance aluminum.

Abstract: A flywheel device is provided which includes a drive side flywheel, a driven side flywheel rotatable relative to the drive side flywheel, and a plurality of springs which connect the drive side flywheel and the driven side flywheel on arms defined on the driven side flywheel. The arms are provided so that all springs engage the arms at the same time during acceleration while only some of the springs engage the arms during deceleration. Finally, the deceleration side spring constant of the flywheel device is smaller than the acceleration side spring constant of the flywheel device.

Abstract: A viscous liquid damper in which a projection (27) protruding in a notch (20) of a flange (2) is formed on a side plate body (3), so that a liquid chamber in the notch (20) is partitioned into circumferential front and rear divided-chambers (28 & 29) and a main choke (A1) is formed. In order to allow absorption of vibrations of different kinds without mutual confrontation in such a damper; a slider (23) is mated with a bottom edge of the notch (20) in such a manner as slidable in a rotation direction, the main choke (A1) is formed between the slider (23) and the projection (27), stoppers (25) able to mate with the projection (27) are formed on circumferential both ends of the slider (23), and a movable sub-choke (A2) having a flow sectional area smaller than that of the main choke (A1) is formed in the slider (23).

Abstract: In an automatic transmission including a main gearing with an overrunning clutch and a complementary one-way clutch and an auxiliary gearing with a reduction brake and a complementary one-way clutch, the reduction brake is engaged before the overrunning clutch is engaged upon selecting an engine brake running range, namely a III range or II range.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of a mechanical transmission start control system are provided which employ a central processing unit (10) operative to process signals indicative of throttle foot pedal position (26); engine speed (20); transmission input speed (14); and transmission output speed (16), and to control either or both the degree of clutch or friction coupling and brake engagement in a manner predetermined to provide smooth start-up when vehicle speed is less than a predetermined value "K".

Abstract: A shift control system for shifting an automatic transmission of a vehicle up or down by supplying an actuator of the transmission with a shift control signal provided according to a predetermined shift control schedule. The shift control system includes a retarder for delaying the shift control signal for a predetermined time when current vehicle speed is lower than a specified speed and a shift canceling arrangement for canceling the shift control signal when the vehicle slows down with a throttle valve near or in its idle position. The control system further includes a delay canceling arrangement for disabling the retarder so as not to delay the shift control signal when current vehicle speed is higher than the specified speed within the predetermined time.

Abstract: A shift control system for an automatic transmission comprises: a gear train including a plurality of planetary gear sets having rotary components, an input shaft and an output shaft; a plurality of clutches for selectively connecting either the rotary components of the planetary gear sets with each other or the rotary components and the input shaft; and a plurality of brakes for holding the rotary components selectively in immovable states, any one of the planetary gear sets being adapted to take no part in the transmission of torque at one gear stage.

Abstract: A scalloped cutting edge is formed on a knife blank by disposing the blank between corresponding faces of a punch and die assembly, whereby a resilient face of the punch compresses the blank into a plurality of scallop-shaped depressions formed in the face of the die, thereby imparting a corresponding scalloped configuration to the edge portion of the blank is then sharpened by partially removing the convex side of the scallops by beveling the blank edge portion.

Abstract: A method of forming a jaw for biopsy forceps with a very sharp edge. An initially flat metal plate is first relieved to form a recessed area extending along an edge. The edge is then honed sharp. Finally the plate is folded to bring the relieved areas into facing relationship to form a cup whose sharp edge extends along the edge of the cup, including around the bight formed by the bend.

Abstract: A device for removing caps from bottles, jars, etc. The device includes a pair of handles with a pivot therebetween and a gripping band connected to the handles for tightly gripping the cap to be removed. The handles include gripping portions to tightly grip the cap in combination with the gripping band. The device may be provided with an adjustable length gripping band in combination with a band locking retainer to accommodate various size caps.

Abstract: A wrench body pivotally connected to an end of a reciprocating power source, a tool head assembly attached to the opposite end of the reciprocating power source, which would include a tool head, having an aperture for the work piece, tracking arm attached to the tool head and for being matingly slideable into a surface of the wrench body; a retainer ring having at least two retainer grooves; at least two roller drive pins positioned within each of the retainer grooves, and biased away from the retainer rim by a leaf spring inserted between the wall of the rim and each drive pin; a ratcheting gear operative attached to the tool body and positioned in the aperture for connecting the work piece, the ratcheting gear having a plurality of axially aligned and beveled channels along the perimeter of the gear so that one of the drive pins are received into at least one of the channels, in order to achieve the ratcheting function, and through a movement of 15.degree.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting up thick layers of fibrous material, the apparatus comprising a base to which a blade is fixed. The end of the blade carries a nozzle which emits an ultrafast fine water jet when fed with water under pressure via a duct. On each cutting pass, an additional thickness (H) of the layer is cut while the flanks of the cut that has already been made are held apart from each other by the blade, thereby ensuring that the jet is not disturbed by the flanks and retains its full cutting power.

Abstract: A numerically controlled device such as a numerically controlled slitter device has a plurality of units. Intervals between the units are numerically controlled to desired values by moving the units. The numerically controlled device comprises an endless belt and a stationary belt provided through the respective units, driving means for driving the endless belt under a numeral control to move the respective units and a clutch provided at the respective units. The clutch includes a forward path clamper for selectively clamping the forward path of the endless belt, a backward path clamper for selectively clamping the backward path of the endless belt and a stationary belt clamper for selectively clamping the stationary belt to positively hold the respective unit.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for safely cutting cordage has central frame members 11 that defines a cord working space 17 in which a cutting blade 33 having an elongated cutting edge 34 is mounted. Spring biased blade guards 40 are mounted on each side of the blade which are movable between a position shielding the blade cutting edge and a position exposing the blade cutting edge. A length of cordage is manually cut by drawing it against the blade guards and forcing them from their blade edge shielding position to their blade edge exposing position and then drawing the cordage over the exposed blade edge.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for neutralizing the punching reaction forces in an open frame punch press in which inclined primary links mounted on the upper and lower frame members are stressed by linkage actuators during punching so as to counteract the punching reaction force. In one embodiment, a charging cylinder mounted to be acted on by the punch ram actuator generates hydraulic pressure used to operate linkage actuators. In that embodiment, the primary links are combined with secondary links to form toggle linkages to enable mechanical force multiplication of the force applied by the linkage actuators. In another embodiment the primary links converge and are pivotally connected at their rear ends to each other and a single secondary link, with a single cylinder at the forward end of one of the primary links, placing the primary links in tension during punching operations to neutralize the punching reaction forces acting on the press frame.

Abstract: A cut food piece formed in the shape of a helical split ring (10) having a predetermined number of spirals by means of first piercing a series of slots in the whole food product by penetration blade assembly (248) prior to urging the whole food product into engagement with cutter blade assembly (200) having wheel plate (202) rotating about central axis (206). Said cutter blade assembly (200) further having a plurality of ring cutters (208) attached to and extending normally out from wheel plate (202) for cutting continuous concentric helical spirals in the whole food product. Shear blade (210) extends angularly out from wheel plate (202) for cutting concentric helical spirals of food product off the whole food product.

Abstract: A tuning device includes a tuner housing extending from a string instrument, such as a guitar, with an integral orthogonal threaded mounting portion mounted in a peg head aperture. A tuner rod extends concentrically through the tuner housing and has a distal end with a transverse interior passageway extending at the end of the housing. A loose clamping pin or screw extends concentrically in the tuning rod to the transverse passageway. After a string end is pushed through the passageway and drawn taut a lock knob or the hex-headed screw at the tuner rod opposite end is threaded into the tuner rod forcing a separate or integral clamping pin against the taut end of the string and to clamp the string in the transverse passageway. An internally threaded tuning knob adjacent to lock knob or hex-headed screw is rotatable on outer threads of the tuner rod at its proximal end to move the tuner rod longitudinally inward in the tuner housing pulling with it the clamped string.

Abstract: A tuner apparatus and methods for use thereof for harmonically tuning a variety of stringed instruments. More particularly, an apparatus and methods which provide a guitar or other chordophone with an alternative or supplemental nut secured to the headstock of the instrument, without requiring permanent modification or defacement of the instrument's structure. The supplemental nut is positioned to raise a particular string from a preexisting nut, thereby extending the effective scale length of the string. Alternative use of the supplemental nut and the preexisting nut allows the musician to selectively increase and decrease the effective scale length of the string to obtain a variation of sound. Thus, this invention enables the generation of deeper or lower notes on preexisting strings than would otherwise be available on such an instrument.