Abstract: A device for testing a wrench including a base fixed in a housing, a cylinder disposed in the base and having a piston rod extended upward, a support fixed on top of the piston rod for supporting the handle portion of the wrench, the socket of the wrench is retained in place and the handle portion of the wrench is pushed upward in a repeated action by the cylinder so as to test the working life of the wrench.

Abstract: A gyroscopic rotor has a shaft with opposite ends rotatably supported in a housing on a first or spin axis and capable of rotating around the housing at right angles to the spin axis, comprising a second axis. The support of the shaft in the housing is a circular track concentric with the second axis and positioned on opposite sides of and adjacent the ends of the shaft for rolling contact by end portions of the shaft when a torque is applied to the housing about a third axis at right angles to both the spin and second axis whereby to cause precession of the shaft and rotor about the second axis. The track comprises a circumferential groove with opposed surfaces of a type having a friction engagement with the end of the shaft to provide an improved rolling precessional movement of the shaft and rotor. A ring is supported in the circumferential groove and has notches receiving end portions of the shaft for establishing a drive connection between the shaft and the guide ring.

Abstract: An integrated electrostatically-controlled micromechanical gyroscope with a rotor encompassed within a rotor cavity and electrostatically spun within the cavity. The gyroscope includes a plurality of axial electrostatic rotor actuators above and below the rotor for controlling the axial and tilt position of the rotor within the cavity, and a plurality of radial electrostatic actuators spaced circumferentially around the rotor for controlling the radial and tilt position of the rotor within the cavity. The position of the rotor within the cavity is then resolved to determine the external forces acting on the rotor.

Abstract: A starting system for an internal combustion engine includes a starter motor and solenoid mounted within separate, angularly spaced receptacles of a reduction gear housing. The starter motor drives a reduction gear within a the gear housing, which, in turn, drives a pinion gear on a shaft. The solenoid controls a retractable rod which selectively pivots a cantilever arm within the housing. The pivoted cantilever arm pushes the pinion gear shaft against the action of a coil spring, which urges the pinion gear into engagement with the engine flywheel ring gear, turning the flywheel ring gear. The solenoid also acts as a switch for the starter motor. When the engine is started, power is removed from the solenoid, which causes the rod to extend, pivoting the cantilever arm in the opposite direction, and allowing the spring to withdraw the pinion gear from engagement with the flywheel ring gear. A plurality of strengthening ribs give the housing strength with a minimal weight addition.

Abstract: In a starter for internal combustion engines, a tubular pinion gear support shaft 8 is rotatably supported by a casing, and coupled to a drive shaft of a motor so as to be rotatively driven by the motor, and an annular pinion gear 3 is fitted on the pinion gear support shaft in axially slidable but rotatively drivable relationship. A push rod 9 is axially slidably received in the tubular pinion gear support shaft and provided with a free end engaged with a free end of the pinion gear for transmitting a shifting force for driving the pinion gear into meshing with a ring gear of an engine from a shift lever to the push rod. A shift spring 15 consisting of a compression coil spring is coaxially received in the pinion gear support shaft and interposed between an associated end of the shift lever and a base end of the push rod. Thus, the assembling of the starter is simplified while the action of the shift spring is stabilized, and the design of the starter is made compact.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for converting oscillatory rotation of an input shaft to unidirectional rotation of an output shaft. An input shaft journalled to a frame is rotatable about an input axis, over a range of rotational positions, between a forward limit and a reverse limit. An output shaft journalled to the frame is rotatable about an output axis, which is normal to the input axis. Three bevel gears are employed, namely a first gear coupled to the input shaft, a second gear coupled to the input shaft and spaced axially from the first gear, and a third gear coupled to the output shaft.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a locking mechanism consisting of a guide lever arm (1) and a sliding lever arm (5), in which one end of each of the lever arm pivots about a bearing (10, 11) at a certain distance from the other lever arm, in which the other end of the sliding lever arm (5).is slidingly coupled with a slot (4) in the other end of the guide lever arm (1) by a pin (7) connected with the sliding lever arm (5), and in which the lever arms can be swiveled into two end positions. A force (2) exerted on the guide lever arm (1) in one of the end positions for the purpose of swiveling the guide lever arm (1) into the other end position is compensated in a selflocking way in the slot (4) by a recess in the area of the other end of the guide lever arm (1), and this locking effect can be removed only by a force (6) exerted on the sliding lever arm (5) in the direction of the other end position.

Abstract: A countershaft transmission has an input shaft and a coaxial output shaft which are disposed in parallel with a pair of countershafts. The countershafts position and support a floating bearing support which is positioned to support ends of the input and output shafts. The countershafts each have a selectively engageable clutch disposed thereon which selectively control the establishment of drive ratios between the input shaft and the respective countershafts. A plurality of forward and reverse ratios are selectively established, between the input and output shafts through the countershafts, by selectively engaging a plurality of synchronizers. The synchronizers cooperate with a plurality of ratio gears on the countershafts and output shaft to establish the ratios. The ratio gears that establish the lowest forward ratios are fully disengageable from their respective countershafts.

Abstract: A powershift transmission includes a plurality of clutches, including a final or directional set of clutches. The clutches are controlled by electro-hydraulic direct acting valves and two electro-hydraulic proportional or pressure modulating valves. The pressure modulating valves modulate the pressure supplied to the direct acting valves associated with the three directional clutches. Vehicle deceleration during a shuttle shift is achieved by releasing (unpressurizing) all clutches, then gradually pressurizing only two clutches in the final or directional set.

Abstract: A pair of bracket assemblies for mounting on the handlebars of a bicycle to enable use of a bicycle lock as an auxiliary handlebar. The bicycle lock includes a U-shaped member with spaced parallel legs. Each of the legs is supported in a separate bracket assembly. The bracket assemblies incorporate arm rests and permit longitudinal adjustment of the legs. Various types of release and securing mechanisms are disclosed which enable adjustment and removal of the bicycle lock, including angular adjustments of the legs of the U-shaped member with respect to the handlebar.

Abstract: In a torsional vibration damping device functioning in a torque transmission comprising an input rotation member, an output member, and drive/driven assemblies, viscous damping is effected in a structurally integral fluid chamber. The damping device includes a hydraulic damper essentially consisting in the viscous-fluid containing fluid chamber as formed by respective surfaces of the input rotation member and of the drive and driven assemblies. Torsional vibration damping is thus provided in the connection of the drive and driven assemblies.

Abstract: An automated container closure opener for screw-type bottle or container caps, lids, caps, covers and the like comprising a housing having a base portion and a relatively vertically movable top portion operatively connected thereto by at least one telescoping shaft. A first motorized drive is provided for actuating the telescoping shaft so as to vertically move the top portion of the housing relative to the base portion, and a second motorized drive is provided for rotatably actuating a bottle cap engagement member which depends from the top portion of the opener housing. A circuit serves to actuate the first motorized drive to lower the bottle cap engagement member from an inoperative position adjacent the top portion of the housing into engaging contact with the cap of a bottle and to then deactuate the first motorized drive and actuate the second motorized drive to at least partially remove the cap from the bottle.

Abstract: An improved filter wrench is shown for applying torque to a canister-type oil filter to engage and disengage the threaded end thereof from an engine block. The tool includes a wrench body having a larger and smaller aperture for reversibly receiving smaller and larger relatively sized filter canisters. A separate driver adapter engages the exterior of the wrench body when a filter canister is being received within the larger aperture and is itself received within the larger aperture when a filter canister is being received within the smaller aperture of the wrench body.

Abstract: A combination tool and fastener in which the fastener has a head portion and a threaded screw portion. An aperture is formed in the head portion. The aperture has a first portion of constant dimension recessed inwardly from the head portion A second portion of the aperture is recessed an additional distance beyond the end of the first portion and is increased in dimension The tool is provided with an engaging portion which is insertable through the first aperture portion and lockingly engageable within the second aperture portion so as to enable the tool to rotate the fastener in either direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tool for bar peeling comprising a rotatable cutter head with circumferentially spaced toolholders each of which is provided with a U-shaped recess along one of its side surfaces. A wedge shaped element is longitudinally displaceable in the U-shaped recess so that an insert carried by the toolholder in subjected to radial adjustment upon a longitudinal displacement of said wedge shaped element.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for manufacturing fully mitered step lap transformer cores which are formed from separate sheets which are laid face to face to form the separate pieces of the core. The system includes an X-shaped shear arrangement including four blades lying on an X-shape and meeting at a center point. Upstream of the X-shear is provided a hole punch so the punched hole can be moved to the center point of the X-shear and any two, three or four of the blades actuated to provide a required shape in the material to be cut. The X-shear allows the formation sequentially of all of the five sheets necessary for the core and then these are stacked simultaneously by a lifting carriage which lifts each sheet in turn while orienting it properly relative to the other sheets carried to form a single layer of the core which is then deposited upon a stacking table.

Abstract: A radial saw with independently and jointly operable saw blade guards is disclosed. The independently and jointly operable saw blade guards include an upper blade guard mounted in fixed position relative to a yoke that depends from a supporting arm, the upper blade guard covering at least approximately an upper half of a motor driven saw blade that is mounted on the yoke. A lower rear blade guard is pivotally mounted to the upper blade guard and is configured to cover a lower half rear area on at least one side of the motor driven saw blade, and a lower front blade guard is independently pivotally mounted to the upper blade guard and configured to cover a lower front half area on at least one side of the motor driven saw blade guard. The lower rear blade guard and lower front blade guard are independently and jointly operable and telescopically movable with respect to one another.

Abstract: A key action mechanism incorporated in an upright piano is accompanied with a repetition mechanism having a repetition lever rotatably supported by a butt and pushed by a jack after an escape from the butt for producing a gap between a leading end thereof and a back check, therefore, the butt and, accordingly, hammer assembly can rotate backwardly over a predetermined angle due to the gap, after the striking or after the escape of the jack, and, as a result, the hammer assembly is prevented from double-strike.

Abstract: A musical instrument includes a neck, a body and a quick-release neck clamp adjacent the neck and the body. The quick-release neck clamp includes a neck plate attached to the neck, a body assembly with an elongated body assembly pocket attached to the body and at least one releasable fastener adjacent both the neck plate and the body assembly. The body includes a front surface formed on the body that defines a front surface plane, and the elongated body assembly pocket defines an axis that is parallel to the front surface plane.

Abstract: A mouthpiece for brass-wind musical instruments has at one end a shank (22) that is inserted into the brass-wind instrument, and at the opposite end an enlarged head containing a cavity called the cup, this cup having a rim surface (34) that is adapted to be pressed against the lips of the user. The shank (22) contains an air passageway (24) which extends to the cup for the purpose of conducting air and lip vibrations into the instrument. Incorporated into the cup, rim surface (34) or both is a lip restrictor (28) for limiting the amount that, the users bottom lip enters the mouthpiece. This lip restrictor (28) extends upper register and eases playing effort without affecting tone.

Abstract: A drum having improved acoustic characteristics comprises a rigid annular bridge at one or both ends of a thin resonant annular shell attached to the bridges. A drum head is mounted on the bridge by a tension mechanism attached only to the bridge, and the drum is mounted on a drum stand by mounting hardware attached only to the bridge, leaving the shell free of load bearing and tensive and compressive forces and making the shell resonate more effectively. The bridge is machined from a solid block of wood formed of horizontal laminations. A microphone can be mounted on the inside of the bridge, with electrical leads exiting the drum through the mounting hardware. A snare drum having a thick body instead of a resonant shell is machined in the same way and has internal head tension members that make it possible to have a thicker body.

Abstract: An open-close structure of a slide lid of a keyed instrument which guides the sliding motion of the slide lid includes a pair of inside plates each being arranged at each side of a keyboard and extending into the main body of the keyed instrument. The invention includes a slide lid that is adapted to be guided through an engagement of a pair of pinion-shaped members arranged at each side of the slide lid with a pair of rack-shaped members arranged on the inside plates. Each of the inside plates has a guide path arranged near and extending along the rack-shaped member. The slide lid has a roller arranged near each pinion-shaped member which is adapted to roll on one of the guide paths and support the slide lid so that the pinion shaped members mesh with the rack-shaped members in a condition in which no weight is applied to the rack-shaped members through the pinion-shaped members.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for remotely disassembling a failed high explosive ype mine. The apparatus is mounted on a mobile chassis and has a remote operator shelter for control of the apparatus. The apparatus has a stripper assembly to remove appendages from the body of the mine. A chuck assembly moves the stripped body of the mine to a cutter assembly and rotates the body of the mine so that the electronics assembly is severed from the body of the mine. A puller assembly extracts the safe and arming device from the high explosive filler in the body of the mine. In an alternate embodiment, a rammer assembly has a pressing cylinder to push the electronics assembly and the safe and arming device from the center of the body of the mine as the outer portion of the body of the mine is firmly retained on the frame of the rammer assembly. Video cameras on the apparatus are provided to permit remote control of the disassembly.

Abstract: In a canister carrying a missile having two stages of different diameters, flexible pads are provided to cushion the smaller diameter stage of the missile. The pad is a relatively flexible elastomer folded over on itself which, when the missile is fired, unrolls to a stowed position to allow passage of the larger diameter first stage of the missile.

Abstract: An automatic gun for firing telescoped cylindrical ammunition, the gun comprising a sleeve for supporting a barrel, a breech, and a rear box which are all rigidly connected together by beams, the gun including a chamber disposed between the breech and the barrel and mounted to swing by pivoting about an eccentric shaft, and further including means carried by the breech and the rear box to feed ammunition to the chamber.

Abstract: A circulating magazine including a housing (1) in which mutually articulated parallel ammunition containers (5;5') are disposed so as to accommodate ammunition (6,6') in an endless, two-layer transporting belt (4) driven by a drive (13;13'). To realize a quasi three-layer arrangement, guides (11,12; 11',12') for the ammunition containers (5;5') are provided in oppositely disposed container walls (2,3; 2',3') such that the ammunition containers (5,5') of one of the two layers are folded in an essentially zigzag nested arrangement.

Abstract: Machine gun apparatus for mounting in association with a support element, such as a portion of a hatch assembly of an armored vehicle, wherein the support element has upper and lower sides which respectively correspond to the exterior and the interior of the vehicle, the machine gun apparatus including a machine gun rotatably mounted onto the upper side of the support element; apparatus for operating said machine gun from the upper side of the support element; and apparatus for operating said machine gun from the lower side of the support element.

Abstract: A recoil dampening device incorporating a dynamic braking system and index ring. The recoil dampening device of the present invention is intended for use on weapons, especially heavy caliber weapons, having a recoiling barrel. The recoil dampening device is coaxial with the weapon's barrel and has a constant pressure brake assembly and a dynamic brake assembly. The recoiling barrel and the brake assemblies are carried within a cylindrical tube that is coaxial with the brake assemblies and the barrel. As the weapon is discharged, the force of the recoil causes the barrel to travel rearwardly thus engaging a coaxial spring. The spring engages the dynamic brake assembly and as the barrel travels rearwardly, the force applied to the dynamic brake is increased in a linear fashion, causing an increasing amount of frictional braking pressure to be applied to the inner surface of the tube and the exterior surface of the barrel.

Abstract: A slidably attachable, automated means for opening and closing the die halves of a casting machine. Cylinders are provided having integral vertical side grooves for mounting on said casting machines and the like. The preferred hydraulic cylinder has a hollow piston rod connected to the piston and projecting from one end of the cylinder. A fluid flow line movable within the cylinder projects from the other end of the cylinder and slidably passes through the piston into the piston rod. Separate elements contact the piston at opposite ends of its stroke to move the fluid flow line and switch the fluid flow in the cylinder.

Abstract: A fluid operated device has a high pressure fluid cylinder, a low pressure fluid cylinder and a plurality of control valves which operate to fluidically connect the two cylinders to provide a compound fluidic device. The device utilizes the exhaust of the high pressure cylinder as input to the low pressure cylinder thereby increasing the amount of work obtained from the pressurized fluid. In the preferred embodiment, the fluid operated device is connected to a compressing cylinder which, through operation of the fluid operated device, increases the fluid pressure of a working fluid.

Abstract: In a hydraulic slide valve control for working cylinders with unequal piston speeds, in which the volume stream of the hydraulic working medium that loads the piston is adjusted to the prevailing piston speed and the direction of motion of the piston is set with a pilot-operated distribution valve, it is provided according to the invention that the redirecting valve (S3) is hydraulically pilot-operated with a pilot valve (A), which is adjustable by the control impulses for the working cylinder (1) and that between the pilot control paths (11, 12) from the pilot valve (A) to the redirecting valve (S3) a hydraulically pilot-operated control valve (B) is installed, through which runs one of the two volume streams of the hydraulic working medium, where a piston speed is assigned to each position of the control valve (B).

Abstract: The reliability of a fluid multiplexed actuation system is increased by arranging a pair of fluidic multiplexers in a parallel fluid flow path between a selector valve and several fluid actuators. Position sensors associated with the fluidic multiplexers and with the fluid actuators provide feedback signals to a microprocessor. In the event the feedback signals identify a malfunction in the fluidic multiplexer currently supplying fluid to the actuators, the microprocessor will deactivate the malfunctioning fluidic multiplexer and activate a redundant or back-up fluidic multiplexer by actuating the selector valve.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit, having a four-position closed-center valve (6) controlled by a proportional control valve (22), can facilitate the vertical position control and operating speed control of a blade with a simple structure, while providing that the floating condition of the blade can be precisely recognized by the position of a control lever (20a). The spool (41) of the four-position selector valve (6) has a "hold" position which is given by the closed-center position. Opposite ends of the spool (41) receive a pilot pressure from the pressure proportional control valve (22), one position being obtained by applying pilot pressure to a first end of the spool (41), and two positions being obtained by applying pilot pressure to the second end of the spool (41). One of the latter two positions is a "floating" position, while the other two positions are the "up" position and the "down" position.

Abstract: A compact hydraulic cylinder for use in a recess of a sliding door of a waste processing system. The cylinder includes a housing containing a first cylinder rod extending from one end of the housing and second and third rods extending from an opposite end of the housing and spaced apart such that the first rod is located between the second and third rods. The first cylinder rod is adapted to be connected to a fixed mounting bracket located on the waste processing system and the second and third cylinder rods are adapted to be connected to a removable mount. The removable mount is also located in the recess and is adapted to be connected to the door such that the mount and cylinder assembly can be accessed from the rear of the door without having to disassemble the door.

Abstract: An air-operated combination diaphragm spring brake has a tamper-resistant seal provided between a head (46) and a spring side of a flange case (18) which together form a spring chamber (16) housing a power spring (72). The head (46) has an annular rim (70), and the flange case has an annular flange (74) with a diaphragm (48) sandwiched therebetween. An annular lip (76) on annular rim (70) extends over the annular flange (74). A snap ring (82) is engaged by opposing annular grooves (80), (78) on the outside of the annular flange (74) and inside of the annular lip (76), respectively, to form the tamper-resistant seal.

Abstract: An impact damping element is provided including an annular bumper portion and a seal portion surrounding the bumper portion for engaging an inner wall of a cylinder in sealing contact. The impact damping element is adapted to absorb the impact between a piston and the end of a cylinder wall. In one embodiment of the invention, a primary and a secondary bumper are provided wherein the primary bumper has a greater height than the secondary bumper such that the primary bumper absorbs an initial impact between the piston and the cylinder wall and the secondary bumper absorbs the remaining force to prevent direct contact between the piston and the cylinder wall.

Abstract: A reciprocating mechanism includes two cylinders oppositely extended outwards from a housings a piston slidably engaged in each of the cylinders, a cap fixed to the free end of each of the cylinders, a pair of gears rotatably supported in the housing, a pair of pinions engaged between the gears, and a pair of racks engaged with the gears respectively and secured to the pistons respectively. The pinions and the axles are rotated by the gears and the racks when the pistons move toward each other and move away from each other.

Abstract: A compressible seal member is provided with peripherally distributed and axially spaced lubricant retaining grooves, or with radially extending lubricant channels in communication with a central lubricant reservoir. The sealing member has land portions and groove portions on the outer periphery, with the lubricant grooves or channels located along the groove portions. The seal member is installed within a pharmaceutical container with the tool having a working end received within a central aperture formed in the seal member so that the insertion forced is applied near the bottom end of the seal member to prevent compression during installation. When the pharmaceutical is expelled from the container, a plunger pushes on the accessible end of the seal member to compress the seal member axially and force the lubricant out of the grooves or channels and into contact with the inner wall surfaces of the container.

Abstract: A hot beverage brewing and dispensing machine having a brewing cylinder for receiving a hot liquid and a beverage product for brewing, a base member beneath the brewing cylinder with a brewed liquid outlet through which beverage brewed in the brewing chamber can flow, a seal between the base member and a bottom end of the brewing cylinder with a filter material therebetween for sealing the cylinder during brewing when the brewing cylinder is brought into engagement with the filter material, a filter feed mechanism, a tube for supplying liquid and a chute for supplying beverage product to an upper portion of the brewing cylinder, and a conical dispersing surface disposed at the upper portion of the brewing cylinder upon which the liquid and beverage product impinge from their supply means and which disperses the liquid and beverage product as they fall to a bottom portion of the brewing cylinder washing the cylinder walls.

Abstract: A coffee percolator is provided with an inclined chamber extending upwardly and inclined toward the spout. The coffee basket is positioned away from the inclined surface of the percolation chamber so that coffee as it exits the basket runs uniformly across the surface of the coffee. A laser operated heating unit and a separated warming heater is used in order to enhance the quality of the brewed coffee.

Abstract: A combination heating and cooking apparatus that can be used by campers and sportsmen to provide warmth as well as to provide a convenient means for cooking a wide variety of foods at any selected location within the campground. The apparatus is completely self contained with the heating unit being connected directly to a source of heating gas, such as a small propane tank, and with the cooking accessory being removably connected to the heating unit. The cooking accessory adjustably supports the food being cooked directly in the path of the heat radiating from the burner so that the food can be initially seared to seal in its natural juices and can be progressively moved away from the burner to accomplish slow, uniform, no-flare grilling.

Abstract: A self-sealing door for a steam cooker using a self-expanding resilient tubular gasket to form a seal between the inner side of the door and the sidewall of the cooker. Access to the cooking chamber is provided through a plurality of access ports in the sidewalls of the cooker. Hinged doors cover the access ports during cooking. The gasket is pressed slightly against the wall of the cooker around the access port by the pressure of the closed door. The high cooking temperature of the chamber transfers heat to the gasket, which causes air trapped within the tubular gasket to expand, thereby forming a seal between the inner side of the closed door and the outside wall of the cooking chamber tight enough to prevent the escape of useful steam. The gasket is strapped loosely in place along guides extending from the inner side of the door for easy cleaning and replacement.

Abstract: In a conching device (1), a covering hood (7) is arranged above the opening (6) of the trough (2), which prevents the chocolate paste from being thrown out of the opening (6) during the conching process. The bottom side of the covering hood (7) is continuously cleaned by a wiper (15) by means of a periodic forward and backward movement. An electric motor (18) or a fluidic swivel drive (18) is used for driving the wiper.

Abstract: In an electrical appliance for treating food products, the safety device which prevents access of the user's fingers to the tool mounted in the bowl when the motor is operating, is actuated by a rotating cam which, via a rod and ring, acts on the lid of the bowl. It is the lowering of this bowl which effects actuation of the angular immobilizing mechanism connected to the shaft of the motor and/or to the shaft of the tool, as well as control of the contactor connected to the circuit which supplies the motor.

Abstract: A horizontal baler has a longitudinally extending generally rectangular frame assembly defining a receiving chamber and an adjacent aligned compaction chamber. Each of the chambers has a top, a bottom, and sides. A ram is mounted for reciprocation within the receiving chamber so that material therein may be transferred to the compaction chamber and compacted therein by reciprocation thereof. A first cylinder and piston assembly is longitudinally disposed within the frame assembly and is operably associated with the ram for causing reciprocation thereof. A door defines one of the sides of the compaction chamber. The door is selectively securable and movable relative to an opening communicating with the compaction chamber. A support defines a portion of the bottom of the compaction chamber. The support is reciprocable transverse to the first cylinder and piston assembly and is aligned with the door for moving compacted material through the opening.

Abstract: The invention aims to correctly apply a distinctive mark at a given position of a harness and simplify a construction of a harness producing apparatus. A cable path length adjusting mechanism 100 sets a cable path length from a cutting position of a cutter 141 to a center position of marking tools 220 to be the same as a length of an electrical cable 50 to be cut. A cable feeding mechanism 110 locates the cable 50 with respect to the cutter 141 and marking head 221a and 221b only by a feed of the cable. It is possible to correctly apply the distinctive mark on a given area of the harness without changing a relative distance between the cutting position of the cable 50 and the applying position of the distinctive mark. Further, a marking mechanism 200 is disposed on an upper stream with respect to the cable feeding mechanism 110 and is not disposed in the cable end treating unit in which devices are complicatedly arranged, thereby simplifying the construction of the apparatus.

Abstract: A mailing machine including a base; a postage meter removably mountable on the base; the base and meter respectively including structure for guiding the meter in a path of travel to a predetermined position on the base when mounting the meter thereon; and a disposable inking cartridge having a generally rectangularly-shaped hollow housing movably connected to the base, the housing having opposed side walls and having an elongate perimeter edge wall extending between the side walls, each of the side walls including an arcuately-shaped cam surface oppositely spaced from the cam surface of the other side wall, the cam surfaces and edge wall defining a substantially arcuately-shaped aperture formed in the housing; and a transfer roller impregnated with printing ink and rotatably connected to the side walls so as to extend therebetween and be accessible via the housing aperture, the cam surfaces located in the path of travel of the meter for engagement thereby to move the housing out of the path of travel and carr

Abstract: A stencil apparatus which can be releasably secured to an upper surface of a substrate. The stencil apparatus comprises a stencil material which is deformable to accept impression of indicia and also enables the reproduction of the impressed indicia on another surface. The stencil apparatus further can include a substantially continuous frame which defines an opening and is attached to a marginal portion of the stencil material. The opening is large enough to permit the stencil material to contact the substrate in an unobstructed manner for transfer of the impressed indicia onto the substrate. The present invention is cleanly and releasably secured to the substrate. The apparatus attaches such that objectionable residues do not remain on the substrate and the stencil apparatus after the stencil apparatus is released therefrom. The apparatus is designed to be producible in a roll which is suitable for use on label affixing equipment.

Abstract: A device for coupling and uncoupling inking unit and dampening unit drives in rotary printing machines is actuated with an operator-accessible control knob mounted at a printing unit. A sensor assembly detects a safety rest or safety release movement of the control knob preceeding a switching movement of the control knob. A control shaft is connected to and rotatable by the control knob. A cam member with a cam surface is mounted on the control shaft. The cam surface is followed by sensing devices which continuously sense the cam surface. A traverser bushing is axially movably mounted in the printing unit. Transmission members are connected between the control knob and the traverser bushing for converting a switching movement of the control knob to an axial movement of the traverser bushing. The axial movement of the traverser bushing is between defined positions which cause the inking and/or dampening unit drives to be engaged and disengaged.

Abstract: A printing unit system produces multi-color printing employing a single plate cylinder of a first diameter and a pair of blanket cylinders of a second diameter one-half that of the plate cylinder. The blanket cylinders impact associated impression cylinders, also of the second diameter, at the paper path and, in one embodiment, the two impression cylinders mate with a transfer cylinder. By using blanket and impression cylinders having portions with different diameter, multi-color, superimposed images are printed, two colors at a time. The images for the various colors are produced on a single film under computer control for creation of plates for mounting on the plate cylinder and are not adjustable with respect to one another.