Abstract: A collection game apparatus includes a random selection assembly which includes a base portion, a distributor pipe assembly supported by the base portion, and a funnel-shaped perimeter wall supported by a top portion of the distributor pipe assembly. A plurality of objects are provided to be collected, and the objects are grouped into color coded sets. The objects to be collected are randomly distributed by the distributor pipe assembly of the random selection assembly. A plurality of containers are provided for storing and carrying objects that are collected. Preferably, the random selection assembly and the objects to be collected, which are balls, float in water. The base portion of the random selection assembly is inflatable. The distributor pipe assembly includes a pipe-support body supported by the base portion. The pipe-support body includes a riser portion supported by the base portion and a baffle plate supported by a top part of the riser portion.

Abstract: A target attaching apparatus, which provides for the attachment of a target to any available structure, includes a spring-biased clamp connected to a mounting member. The clamp includes an attachment end opposite a handle end, wherein the attachment end is mounted onto a structure, such as a tree branch, and wherein the handle end is employed to open and close the attachment end. The mounting member, which is secured to the clamp, includes a cross-piece having opposed ends with a target secured to each end. In one embodiment, the mounting member is secured to the clamp by an adhesive and the target is secured to the cross-piece also by an adhesive. The user manipulates the spring-biased clamp to open the attachment end for securing the same to an available structure. This provides a variety of angles at which the target can be shot at. The apparatus is primarily of a wooden construction to withstand the impact of multiple bullets or projectiles which are directed toward the target.

Abstract: A sealing configuration for a passage through a stationary casing having a shaft leading through the passage and an inner space being enclosed by the stationary casing for receiving a fluid and from which the shaft emerges, includes at least one vapor chamber surrounding the shaft, having two sides and being open to the surroundings. Seals are disposed adjacent the vapor chamber on both of the sides along an axis of the shaft for admitting the fluid to the vapor chamber through at least one of the seals. A suction device is connected to the vapor chamber. A method for operating the sealing configuration includes extracting the fluid from the vapor chamber with the suction device, except for a residual quantity of the fluid being led away to the surroundings.

Abstract: A compliant seal apparatus for sealing a high pressure area from a low pressure area. The compliant seal device comprises a housing including a first wall positioned proximate the high pressure area, and a second wall positioned proximate the low pressure area. A cavity is formed between an inner surface of the first wall and an inner surface of the second wall. A finger having a free end extends from proximate the first wall toward the low pressure area. A member extends from an upper surface of the finger into the cavity to form a sealing engagement with the second wall inner surface. This sealing engagement is located closer than the free end of the finger to the first wall inner surface.

Abstract: A seal ring fitted into ring grooves provided in the outer peripheral surface of a shaft has side surfaces and an inner circumferential surface which receive hydraulic pressure supplied to the ring groove. The side surfaces of the seal ring are made tapered surfaces so that the width of the seal ring on its inner circumferential side is made smaller than the width of the seal ring on its outer circumferential side. The seal ring has an outer circumferential surface which is arcuate in form. Hydraulic pressure which acts upon one side surface of the seal ring causes the other side surface of the seal ring to come into sliding contact with the side wall surface of the ring groove. As a result, loss torque due to sliding contact is reduced. The tapered surfaces of the seal ring contact the edge of the side wall surface of the ring groove at all times so that there is no leakage of oil.

Abstract: A sealing ring of relatively large diameter made from an elastomer material, particularly for fitting into a gastight valve is presented for the purpose of preventing and/or alleviating stresses that cause tearings in and on the surface of the sealing ring. This is accomplished by modifying the cross-section of the sealing ring relative to the cross-section of a receiving channel such that the cross-section of the sealing ring forms a central foot which lies in bearing contact with a base surface of the receiving channel and is radially limited by two concave indentations. The two concave indentations are dimensioned so they form, with the corresponding boundary surfaces of the channel, a respective cavity, into which a substantial part of the elastomer material can yield whenever a surface load is applied to the exposed sealing surface without substantially altering the concave configuration of the indentations.

Abstract: A convertible golf bag having a club-receiving carry bag detachably securable to a staff bag component with a portion of the exterior of the carry bag forming a part of the exterior of the assembled bag. When secured together, the resulting bag has the appearance and convenience of a large staff bag. The carry bag may be used separately as a light-weight bag. Various accessories including a pull cart, rain cover and personalized panels may be incorporated.

Abstract: A portable cart assembly for use in tile or marble installation and for transporting mortar, water, tiles, marble, and associated tools. A low elevation platform carries a mortar pail just above floor level such that the top of the mortar pail is at the lowest possible level. The low level minimizes the amount of bending required from a tile worker to reach the mortar during installation of tiles or marble. The device has offset wheels which are attached to the perimeter of the platform such that the wheels allow mobility but do not increase the clearance between the low elevation platform and the floor. The wheels can be attached to an optional raised perimeter ring that provides auxiliary storage for tools. Multiple carts can be attached in train like fashion and pulled to the work site by a handle assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a three piece snowmobile dolly system that during use is secure in placement under a snowmobile and during nonuse may be compactly nested together. The dolly system is comprised of two forward ski dollies and a rearward track dolly. Each of the forward dollies have a planar base portion with two sidewalls for receiving one of the skis and a V-shaped depression in the planar base for receiving and engaging the wear bar on the bottom of the ski. The rearward dolly has a planar base with four castors for stability. The planar base portions with the sidewalls of the forward ski dollies mesh together and the rearward dolly nests intermediate the castors of either forward ski dolly resulting in a compact package for storage.

Abstract: A wheel chair system including a pair of levers mounted to each side of an operator seated in the wheelchair, each lever having a handle which the operator can articulate between a position aligned with the levers and a position normal to the levers. The levers are each connected to a planetary gear system and a double ratchet assembly and are movable by the operator forwardly and rearwardly through an arc. Each double ratchet assembly is connected to two chains, one of which is driven when the lever is rotated in one direction and the other of which is driven when the ratchet is rotated in the opposite direction. The handles, levers, ratchets and gears are configured and interconnected such that when the operator moves the handles and levers through a rowing motion, the wheel chair is powered in a forward direction. The gear set can be chosen, and modified, to be compatible with the strength characteristics of the upper body musculature of the operator.

Abstract: An adapter mechanism converts a manual throttle control to a powered manuy overidable throttle control. The manual control has a housing element, a post rotatable in the housing element and a control lever connected to the post. A first rotor plate engaged by the lever swings on the post to rotate a second rotor plate in one direction so as to translate a cable. The manual control has a return spring biassing the second plate in another direction toward a position where the cable closes the throttle. The adapter mechanism has a block-like cap on the housing element and the cap has a cavity open to the housing element. An actuator motor on the cap rotates a paddle in the first and second directions. A flange of the paddle engages a tab of the first rotor plate such that the paddle's rotation in the first direction moves the rotor elements but the paddle's rotation in the second direction exerts no force on the rotor elements.

Abstract: A self-latching trailer coupler for use with a ballhead coupling post is disclosed. The coupler includes a housing having a forward portion that forms a receiving socket, and a rear portion. A latching member is disposed within the rear portion of the housing and is adapted for movement between a latched and a released position, the movement of the latch member being controllably guided along a complex path by guide pins and guide slots. The latching member has a socket which engages the ballhead when the coupler is positioned over a ballhead. Downward force on the coupler, as would be due to the load on the tongue of a trailer, automatically translates and rotates the latch member to a fully engaged locked position. A self-actuating locking device is provided for locking the latching member in its latched position. In connection with the locking device, a lever for releasing the locking device is also provided.

Abstract: A rotary actuator having a cylinder and a motor shaft as well as end caps which define a working area, a number of ribs on the inside surface of the cylinder and an equal number of vanes on the motor shaft which divide the working area into work chambers, and seals inside grooves in the ribs and the vanes. The work chambers are alternately supplied with hydraulic medium, and the seals hydraulically separate the working chambers from one another. The seals are in the form of one-piece gasket members and there is a space between the seals and the side walls of the groove in the static rest position. The gasket member, via its end surfaces, its surfaces which define the height of the gasket member, and one side wall, perform a sealing function during operation of the rotary actuator.

Abstract: A method for allowing enhanced driver selection of suspension damping and steering efforts for a motor vehicle includes the steps of presenting to a driver of the motor vehicle a plurality of suspension damping modes and steering efforts modes for the motor vehicle, allowing the driver to select only predetermined combinations of the suspension damping modes and steering efforts modes, and adjusting the suspension damping and steering efforts of the motor vehicle based on the predetermined combination selected by the driver, and automatically adjusting the modes based on predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A trailer the spring for boat trailers the spring being readily fabricated from corrosion resistant materials and in particular aluminum, stainless steel and polymeric materials. The trailer spring has a base which is secured to a frame component. An elongated beam is pivotly attached to one end of the base such that the other end of the beam can pivot in relation to the base in a vertical fashion. Positioned between the pivoting end of the beam and the base is a section of an elastomeric material which may be compressed between the pivoting end of the beam and the base. The section of elastomeric material may be retained in a holder. In the preferred embodiment the beam has a U shaped cross section which has upstanding sidewalls which project around the base and the horizontal frame component when the spring is compressed. The projection of the beam around the base and frame component tends to increase the transverse stability of the trailer. Integral with the subject trailer spring is the trailer axle.

Abstract: A pressure vessel (10) includes a tank (12) containing fluid under pressure, and includes a closure cap (14) for closing the tank (12). The closure cap (14) is a unitary part made entirely of a homogeneous material. The unitary part (14) includes a rupturable closure wall (20) which, when ruptured, permits fluid to flow outward from the tank (12). The unitary part (14) also includes a conduit (74) for directing fluid to flow outward from an outlet opening (120) when the closure wall (20) is ruptured. The closure wall (20) has oppositely facing inner and outer side surfaces (98,100) and includes a stress riser (96). The side surfaces (98,100) have contours which direct the fluid pressure to maintain the stress riser (96) under compressive stress and shear stress, rather than tensile stress, so as to resist creep throughout the time that the fluid is contained under pressure in the tank (12).

Abstract: An air bag module (14) includes an air bag (12) and an inflator structure (20) with a mounting stud (32). The air bag (12) has a compartment (63) for the inflator structure (20), and has a wrapped condition in which it retains the inflator structure (20) within the compartment (63). The air bag (12) includes first and second panels (72,74). An aperture (94) formed in the first panel (72) communicates with the compartment (63). The first panel (72) is fixed to the second panel (74) at a seam (134) located between the aperture (94) and an end (66) of the first panel (72). Another aperture (88) extends through the first panel (72) at a location between the seam (134) and the end (66) of the first panel (72). The apertures (94, 88) are aligned to receive the mounting stud (32) on the inflator structure (20) when the air bag (12) is in the wrapped condition.

Abstract: A flexible support has one fixed end in a vehicle interior, and another end projecting freely into the passenger compartment on which an impact protector is fixed. In a flexing direction, the flexible support has spaced upper and lower belts, which are connected with each other by ribs to form hollow spaces. One belt extends along a straight line and the other belt is configured with protrusions and/or depressions between adjacent ribs in the direction toward the straight belt.

Abstract: A rail frame assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a rearward frame module having a pair of generally parallel rearward frame rail members interconnected by a rearward cross-member assembly. A central frame module includes a pair of generally parallel central frame rail members interconnected by a central cross-member assembly, the central frame members each having a generally U-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration including a vertical base wall portion and a pair of outwardly extending generally parallel horizontal wall portions extending from opposite ends of the base wall portion. The U-shaped central frame members are each bent between two spaced positions thereof, and one of the horizontal wall portions extending from one end of the base wall portion has metallic grains therein substantially stretched at a location between the spaced positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle, such as a truck, comprising a chassis having flexural strength but being torsionable, on which a non-torsionable assembly is arranged above an intermediate frame, the assembly comprising a central tube at its lower side extending in the center of the vehicle, the tube being connected to the intermediate frame at several locations by means of bearings. Such a truck is especially characterized in that the intermediate frame is formed having flexural strength but being torsionable and in that a single three-point bearing is provided between it and the central tube, which comprises a rear, in axial direction fixed, pivot bearing as well as two lateral slide bearings at a transverse beam of the central tube, said pivot bearings having spherical bearing surfaces to which horizontal supports are associated at the intermediate frame.

Abstract: An internationally useful kit for advising a waiter of dietary restrictions comprises a plurality of cards and an organizer. Each of the cards is associated with a respective dietary restriction and contains both an internationally recognizable graphic representation of the respective dietary restriction, and translations of the respective dietary restriction into a plurality of languages. Thus, each card identifies a respective dietary restriction both graphically and in a plurality of languages. The organizer releasably receives and maintains the plurality of cards, preferably in such a manner as to enable different sets of the plurality of cards to be used at different times to advise a waiter of the then applicable dietary restrictions.

Abstract: An identification card-carrier combination is produced in a simple yet effective manner so that first and second cards are disposed side-by-side but are not directly connected to each other though positively positioned with respect to each other on a top face of the carrier, and readily releasable from the carrier. The combination includes a paper substrate having first length and width dimensions and a top face, the first and second identification cards disposed side-by-side and immediately adjacent to each other (e.g. abutting each other) and having a predetermined position with respect to each other, but unconnected directly to each other (the identification cards collectively have second width and length dimensions much less than the first dimensions), and an adhesive substrate common to the cards affixing the cards to the substrate web top face to hold the cards to the substrate web during printing and mailing while allowing removal of the cards from the substrate without damage to the cards.

Abstract: Fastening coupling for a ringed tube, comprising at least one sleeve (18), the inside diameter of which is at least equal to the largest outside diameter of the ringed tube, inside which one end of the ringed tube becomes housed, as well as a fastening ring (10), in which the sleeve (18) includes at least two circumferentially aligned orifices (28), each comprising a wide part (30) and a narrow part (32), these parts being adjacent and intercommunicating; the ring (10) is circumferentially discontinuous and radially deformable and is provided with at least two tenons (12) projecting inwards, each one comprising a narrow base (13); the ring (10) can be applied around the sleeve (18) so that each tenon (12) passes through the wide part (30) of an orifice (28) and engages in the ringed structure of the tube (48) so as to retain it axially inside the sleeve (18); it being possible, by rotating the ring (10), to fit the narrow base (13) of each tenon into the narrow part (30) of an orifice (28) so as to prevent an

Abstract: A coupling is provided between a flex hose and a rigid pipe by a lap joint with an end of the rigid pipe inserted into an end of the flex hose to form an overlap region. The flex hose has at least one slot through its wall extending axially of the flex hose and spanning the helical strip in a convolution which is in the overlap region. The slot is spaced inwardly from the end of the flex hose. A clamp disposed around the flex hose covers the slot and clamps the flex hose and pipe together collapsing the overlap region of the flex hose by circumferential slippage of adjacent convolutions of the helical strip to cause close engagement of the flex hose with the pipe and with the band clamp.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a juvenile safety gate latch and housing which is handily mobile, its function being to render the existing gate secured, for intermittent passage of an adult through a gateway. It is especially useful for swinging such a gate from its open to closed position, and vice versa. It has specific utility for gates which are extendible and retractable. In their extended, closed position they compress against walls of a passageway for fixation against dislodging forces. The latch housing may be mounted upon a door stop or balustrade separately from the gate, but it is ideally portable with the gate from one passageway to another. It is characterized by its portability and versatile mounting without the use of any screws or other fixing devices. Once mounted it permits the adult to open and close the gate with one hand.

Abstract: A latch device for use with a vehicle trunk lid comprises a base plate and an actuator unit mounted on the base plate. The base plate has a latch adapted to engage with a striker and a ratchet arranged to engage with the latch for maintaining engagement between the latch and the striker. The actuator unit has a motor, an output gear turned by means of the motor, a cam lever connected to the output gear with a lost motion coupling and a connection shaft which rotates together with the cam lever as one body. The cam lever is adapted to make the ratchet leave the latch when turned. The latch device further has an open lever engaged with a rod leading to a key cylinder of a trunk. The open lever is secured on the connection shaft. The connection shaft and the cam lever are formed from synthetic resin in such a manner to be integral with each other.

Abstract: A motor vehicle door handle (1) with a base body (2) and a handle flap (18) which in its starting position partially covers an external handle recess (17), with the handle flap (18) being connected to one lever end (21) of each of two swivelling levers (6) which are pivotally mounted in an interior (3) of the vehicle door. In order for the handle flap (18) to fold back easily into an actuating position which favors gripping in a second end position (pull-out position) when the door is opened without the danger of injury in the hand area of the individual opening the door, the handle flap (18) is connected to each of the swivelling levers (6) by a respective lever-shaped arm (20) which can preferably be swivelled, only after reaching the pull-out position, against the direction of rotation of the swivelling lever (6) into an actuating position which favors gripping. In this case the swivelling motion of an arm (20) is preferably caused or supported by a pre-stressed torsion spring (23).

Abstract: A ratchet for a vehicle closure latch that mounts on a vehicle closure so as to engage and retain a striker mounted on a vehicle body when the vehicle closure is closed. The ratchet comprises a metal substrate and a plastic covering, the metal substrate having a primary latching tooth for engaging a pawl to retain the ratchet in a latched position and a striker tooth for engaging a striker when the ratchet is in an unlatched position, and the plastic covering having a bumper with a series of spaced apart cantilevered fingers to reduce the noise generated by contact of the ratchet with another portion of the closure latch, the fingers being joined to an integral base and being inclined with respect thereto.

Abstract: An auxiliary protection device is attached to the rear of a semitrailer wh resists the tendency of passenger vehicles to go under a trailer upon impact in order to provide an increased measure of safety. In addition, the device to will absorb energy incrementally so as to minimize vehicle damage at low speeds but have sufficient energy absorption to safely prevent incursion at moderate speeds. The device can be moved to a retracted position to allow the trailer to back up a ramp or into a plane with the protection device retracted so as to avoid injury to the ramp.

Abstract: A hang-up including a sleeve that has a top end with an opening, a bottom end that is sealed, and a slot spaced from the bottom end. Included is a holder that has a pair of sides with a gap. The holder is fixedly attached to the sleeve adjacent the top end, and capable of allowing a hanger to be inserted. A lift rod is positioned within the sleeve and has a lever that is positioned through the slot. The lever moves the lift rod and has a top edge that extends beyond the opening. Lastly, a push tip is fixedly attached to the top edge of the lift rod and lifts a tile of a tile ceiling, when the sleeve is raised. The push tip allows the hanger to be positioned between a metal track of the tile ceiling.

Abstract: A motor vehicle having a passenger compartment provided with pair of passenger seats and a luggage compartment behind the seats and having a floor has a cargo-restraining apparatus provided with a support defining a horizontal pivot axis at the floor in the luggage compartment immediately behind the seats. A rigid panel has an inner edge pivoted at the pivot axis on the support and an outer edge and has oppositely directed faces extending between the edges. The panel is movable between an erect position in which it is substantially vertical with its outer edge level with upper ends of the seats and a recumbent position lying on the floor with one of its faces directed upward and forming a cargo-support surface in the luggage compartment. An elongated housing on the panel normally contains a flexible retaining sheet that is extensible from the housing to restrain cargo in the luggage compartment.

Abstract: A mobile seat is used in a motorized vehicle to permit a user person seated thereon to displace itself to a desired position and wherein the seat is locked and unlocked at the desired position by the user person in a hands-free mode. The seat comprises a seating member which is displaceably secured between front and rear guide rails. A pivot connection is provided rearwardly of the seating member. A braking element is connected to the seating member for displaceable engagement with the front guide rail by pivoting motion of the seat member about the pivot connection. The braking element is actuable by the position of the user person seated on the seating member whereby to arrest the seat member at a desired position without the use of the user person's hands.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for removably mounting a cover to a bed on a truck comprises a mounting assembly and a hinge element. The mounting assembly clamps to the bed and has a guide pin protruding therefrom. The hinge element attaches to the cover and has a guide slot into which the guide pin fits. The guide slot in the hinge element allows the cover to pivot between a closed position, in which the cover overlies the entire bed, and an open position, in which the cover is inclined relative to the bed. The guide slot has an opening so that the hinge element can be detached from the guide pin, thereby allowing the cover to be detached from the bed.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the position of a sliding roof cover is provided. The cover is capable of moving in a sliding motion and can also be raised between a closed position and an open position relative to an opening in a roof. The device includes transportation carriages which permit sliding of the cover on guide rails. The transportation carriages are arranged on both sides of the opening in the roof. The device comprises a generally triangular shaped lifting lever which is pivotably mounted at the transportation carriage about a first pivot and pivotably connected to a connecting element at a second pivot. The lifting lever is connected to the cover by an intermediate lever, the intermediate lever is pivotably mounted to the lifting lever at a third pivot. The transportation carriage and the connecting element move relative to one another between the closed position and the open position of the cover and the connecting element extends laterally along the transportation carriage.

Abstract: A combination chair including a plurality of chairs which can be separately used or can be combined together as one to be used. Each of the plurality of chairs comprises a seat portion supported by legs and a backrest provided on the seat portion. These chairs are designed so that the backrests thereof are jointed to be adjacent to each other at one side in the width direction when the seat portions of the chairs are stacked up in the up-and-down direction, and the lengths of the legs are set so that the lower ends thereof coincide when the chairs are combined together.

Abstract: A reclining device for a vehicle seat is composed of first and second arm members connected with each other for relative rotation about a hinge center axis line. The second arm member is formed with a semi-circular internal tooth portion concentrical with the hinge center axis line. A slide pawl is slidably supported on the first arm member to be moved in a radial direction with respect to the hinge center axis line and has a semi-circular external tooth portion engageable with the internal tooth portion of second arm member. A release shaft is rotatably supported on the first arm member coaxially with the hinge center axis line and is loaded by a spring in a rotational direction. A release arm is integrally formed with one end of the release shaft to rotate the release shaft against the load of the spring.

Abstract: A seating structure including fabric support webs is provided. The seating structure includes a webbed support surface formed from a warp knit fabric with weft insertion of an elastomeric yarn. The stretch in the warp is substantially linear over a full range of applied stress from zero pounds to failure. The stretch in the weft has two substantially linear components wherein the first linear component operates over the range of zero to about 10 pounds applied force and the second linear component operates over the range of 10 pounds applied force to failure.

Abstract: A tool and a method for performing at least one of removing and treating high strength surfacing. The tool includes a plurality of cutting spikes including sintered-carbide tips, and a common carrier for transmitting at least one of striking and vibration forces to the cutting spikes. The cutting spikes are disposed on the common carrier, and can be arranged on the common carrier in a plurality of rows, the rows being offset relative to one another in a longitudinal direction of the common carrier. The common carrier may be a chisel including a striking pin and a chisel shank merging into the striking pin. The tool can further include a plurality of blunt spikes distributed among and set back relative to the cutting spikes on the common carrier.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel with tire consisting of a rim and a pneumatic tire, in which an encircling disk-type ring which extends the clinch in the radial direction is arranged on the clinch that points toward the middle of the vehicle. A divided rim ring is movably arranged on the inner side of the clinch and has an inner diameter which is less than the apex of the standard shape of the rim. The free ends of the rim ring, in order to form a ring closed by positive connection in the circumferential direction, have cross-sectional forms which fit complementary to one another.

Abstract: A plated vehicle wheel having non-plated tire bead seats and a process for forming same. The process includes masking a portion of the tire bead seats before plating the wheel. The process also includes forming the tire bead seats with an oversized diameter. Following plating, the tire bead seats are machined to a final diameter. The process can further include thermally depositing a layer of a ceramic material over a portion of the tire bead seat surface. The plating does not adhere to the ceramic material.

Abstract: An electronic braking system for a multi-axle road vehicle, having a foot-operable braking transducer which generates electrical braking demand signals representative of a driver's braking demand, load transducers which generate electrical load signals representative of the respective load on different axles of the vehicle, and in electronic controller which receives the braking demand signals and load signals and generates electrical output signals for controlling the operation of braking devices for the wheels carried by axles, the controller including adaptive load compensation device which acts to modify the output signals of the controller to the various braking devices so as to take account of prevailing loads on the respective axles.

Abstract: To determine the pedal force as a control quantity for a brake system with anti-lock control, the drive motor of a hydraulic pump is switched over to generator operation during braking with anti-lock control, and the magnitude of the generator voltage and its fade-out behavior is evaluated. The hydraulic pump serves to return the pressure fluid which was discharged from the wheel brake for pressure reduction, or it serves for the supply of auxiliary pressure. The approximate supply pressure depending on the pedal force can be determined by the generator voltage and the fade-out behavior.

Abstract: An anti-skid control apparatus which can be manufactured at low cost by reducing the number of valves that control the flow of brake fluid has a master cylinder, a first conduit which includes a first branch conduit and a second branch conduit, a cut-off valve, a first control valve installed in the second branch conduit, a second control valve installed in the second branch conduit and connected to a second wheel cylinder, a second conduit connecting the second control valve and a reservoir, a third control valve installed in the second conduit, and a pump connected in parallel with the third control valve. This arrangement permits flexible anti-skid braking operations using a reduced number of components.

Abstract: A fault controller for a brake system has a control display with a plurality of identifying labels displayed thereon which correspond to predetermined brake system fault options. A plurality of switches corresponding to the identifying labels and selectively setable to activate and deactivate conditions are on the control display. Fluid control valves are disposed along brake lines between the master cylinder and the wheel brakes. There are electrical connections between the switches and the fluid control valves wherein setting one of the switches to the activate condition activates a corresponding fault mode of the anti-lock brake system.

Abstract: An electric-powered vehicle having a drive system which includes at least one electric motor which is controlled and monitored by an electric control system for driving at least one vehicle wheel in a traction mode of the motor and also for selectively providing a contribution to overall braking torque when operated in a braking mode, and which also provides a hydraulic braking system which is actuated by the vehicle driver and which operates on at least the front wheels of the vehicle. The hydraulic braking torque produced by the driver by way of the hydraulic braking system, is adjusted in such a manner that, for the purpose of modulating the overall braking torque effective at the vehicle wheels the variation of the electric torque is arranged to stay within the "regenerative range" of operation of the electric motor, at least under predetermined operating conditions of the vehicle.

Abstract: A dynamic rear proportioning system is integrated with an existing vehicle anti-lock braking system (ABS) and performs the function of the rear brake pressure proportioning where ABS is not required. The rear brake hydraulic channel(s) are isolated from the master cylinder by activating the rear isolation valves, provided in the ABS, to provide the optimum brake force balance, regardless of vehicle loading, without the use of a load sensing mechanism. The system estimates vehicle and wheel deceleration, vehicle speed, and lateral acceleration as well as the rear wheel slip to dynamically control the rear brake force. By continually updating these control parameters, the system can further increase or decrease the rear brake pressure to maintain the optimum brake force balance throughout the braking maneuver.

Abstract: A plastic double-lock member (40) with guide grooves (44) extending in a mating direction for guiding ribs in a matable connector. Integral end walls (48) are formed to close inner walls of the guide grooves (44) at end portions of the guide grooves (44). The end walls (48) are formed with latching lances (50) to engage with an insulating housing (20). The provision of the end walls (48) minimizes the non-uniformity of cooling of the plastic material which comprises the double-lock member (40), thereby reducing undesirable deformation of the double-lock member (40) caused during contraction of the plastic material after molding.

Abstract: A crawler belt for use on a crawler motor vehicle has an elongate belt body drivable in a predetermined direction, and a plurality of ridges mounted on a ground contact side of the belt body, each of the ridges having at least one sipe defined in a free end thereof for allowing the ridge to be flexibly deformable in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction. Each of the ridges has a plurality of sipes defined therein and extending longitudinally thereof or substantially perpendicularly to the predetermined direction. The ridges comprise a plurality of chevron-shaped ridges pointing toward the predetermined direction and succesively arranged at predetermined spaced intervals in the predetermined direction. The ridges are divided into a plurality of groups each including a plurality of ridges by grooves extending transversely of the belt body, and divided into a plurality of segments by at least one longitudinal groove extending longitudinally of the belt body.

Abstract: A drive system for a caterpillar track (30) comprises a drive wheel (1) with rubber-mounted drive bodies (10) fixed thereto, the drive bodies (10) engaging the guide tooth root (65) of the chain link member (52). The flank (51) of the guide tooth (32) is of a particular geometrical configuration in order to provide a long operating life for the rubber mounting means (21) of the drive body (10) by virtue of a small angle of rotational movement of the rubber casing (21).

Abstract: A storage device for thin, flat objects, includes a housing for supporting the device on a support surface, a stationary magazine mounted in the housing, the stationary magazine having a plurality of parallelly oriented storage spaces, a wall structure for retaining the objects in the storage spaces, the wall structure including a wall having an opening, the wall being at least partially slidable relative to the storage spaces so as to selectively align the opening with a desired storage space for insertion and removal of an object, and a removal assembly attached to the wall for removing objects from the storage spaces through the opening.