Abstract: A tool for engaging a bolt or nut in confined and obstructed locations. In a first aspect of the invention the tool has an elongated body having a straight portion and an adjoining loop-shaped end portion. A plurality of thin resilient wires are arranged around the loop-shaped end portion and are joined to the loop-shaped end portion with a wire which is tightly coiled around the loop-shaped end portion. A thin plate is joined to the loop-shaped end portion to form a pocket for receiving a bolt or a nut. In the second aspect of the invention, a slender elongated wire body has a straight portion and opposite alternate size loop-shaped end portions. A plurality of thin wires are joined to the body's loop-shaped end portions and extend inwardly toward the centers of the loop-shaped end portions.

Abstract: A tool for non-destructively unlatching the door handle of a vehicle which has been locked with the window upraised. The tool comprises a relatively rigid elongate tube which is insertable into the door cavity, and the tube has a relatively rigid gripping rod slidably positioned therein. At its front end, the gripping rod has an eyelet which is adapted to hook onto a latching linkage rod located within the vehicle door. An operating handle is secured to the rear end of the gripping rod and, by pulling and withdrawing the gripping rod, a positive gripping force is exerted on the latching link rod so that the same may be moved to unlatch the door handle. Two embodiments are disclosed whereby the tool is effective for use with vertically or horizontally oriented linkage rods.

Abstract: A screwdriver including a blade, and a handle at one end of the blade, the blade having a collar raised around the periphery and connected to the handle, the collar having a substantially oval profile through which the blade can be gripped and turned with any one of different sizes of open end wrenches with less effort.

Abstract: Depleted stock feeder tubes, and feed malfunctions, are detected in bar fed machines such as automatic screw machines, CNC lathes and the like, employing reciprocating feed tubes with flexible feed fingers that grip the stock, with a sensor assembly mounted on a pivoted stock feeding lever or other feeder mechanism. The body of the sensor assembly is positioned to press against a roller or other connecting member extending laterally from the feed tube assembly, and retract the feed tube. A plunger or other reciprocating contact member is mounted in and biased to extend from the body. If a feed tube is stocked when the feed tube is retracted, the force required to retract the feed tube is greater than the biasing force on the plunger, the plunger moves, and a proximity sensor or other detector senses the new position or motion of the plunger.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular tool system consisting of a tool holder (10) with a fitting for a cutting insert holder (11) which, when released, is radially movable in relation to the tool holder by means of an adjusting screw (17) fitted in a threaded hole (16) in one of the holders and can be clamped with the tool holder by means of clamping screws (15). To provide an alternative radial adjustment of the tools or centred fitting without facilities for readjustment without a great deal of effort, the stop is a pin (18, 30) releasably securable in the holder, whereby at least one diameter of the pin is the same as that of the pin recess in the other holder and the blind hole in the first holder (20, 29), into which the projecting end of the pin enters and the hold for the adjusting screw opens perpendicularly thereto.

Abstract: An improvement of a valve mechanism used in the booster is disclosed. A first and a second valve seat are formed so as to face forward while a valve element is disposed so as to face rearward in opposing relationship with both valve seats. Thus, the both valve seats and the valve element are disposed in an arrangement which is opposite from that used in a conventional valve mechanism. Such an arrangement allows the atmosphere valve to be located radially outward of the vacuum valve, thus permitting the diameter of the atmosphere valve to be increased as compared with a conventional booster. This enables the operational response of the booster to be improved.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a detent function on a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system includes a hydraulic implement movable between first and second implement positions. The apparatus and method receives a control input signal generated by an electronic control handle in response to operator input, monitors the control input signal, and actives a detent function if the control input signal follows a preset pattern. The preset pattern includes moving the handle to a detent area, between first and second positions, and then back to neutral, within a given time period. There is also a force feedback to the handle, opposing operator movement; which is proportional to the distance moved from neutral, and which has different attributes within and outside the detect area.

Abstract: This invention relates to a piston and a method of manufacturing the same. The piston includes a substantially cylindrical member having a first end and a second end. The cylindrical member includes an open cavity extending axially from the second end to adjacent the first end such that the second end has an inner annular surface defined by an inner diameter. The piston further includes a disk having a radially outer surface defined by an outer diameter fixedly secured to the second end of the cylindrical member. The outer diameter of the disk is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the inner annular surface of the second end of the cylindrical member. A circumferentially extending recessed area for receiving particles produced while fixedly securing the disk to the second end of the cylindrical member is provided on either the radially outer surface of the disk or the inner annular surface of the second end of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A device for brewing fresh coffee or tea from dry ingredients which uses a flexible moveable screen to filter the brewed coffee or tea and dispose of the used grounds at the completion of each cycle.

Abstract: An espresso machine having a filter holder which holds a filter strainer and which can, with the assistance of a handel, be detachably locked to the housing of the espresso machine by way of a bayonet coupling or the like. The espresso machine has a discharge section having a water conduit, there being a chamber in the water conduit and a locking member in the chamber. The locking member locks the filter holder on the housing of the espresso machine when there is a predetermined pressure in the chamber and releases the filter holder as soon as the pressure in the chamber has fallen below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A toaster having a mechanically actuated cover for each of one or more toasting volumes. Each cover at least partially covers a toasting volume within the toaster during toasting, thereby reducing heat transfer (primarily due to convection) away from the toaster and the object being toasted. In preferred embodiments, each cover is a pair of slidably mounted plates. When a carriage (supporting an object to be toasted) is manually lowered by a user, a mechanical linkage attached to the carriage cause the plates to slide together to cover (substantially or totally) a toasting volume. When the carriage springs up (at the end of the toasting operation), the mechanical linkage slides the plates away from each other to allow removal of the toasted object from the toaster. In other preferred embodiments, each cover is a pair of rotatably mounted plates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable hinge apparatus and spacer means for use with a low temperature grill having multiple stacked heating plates and at least one support rod extending across one side of the grill to form a common pivot axis. The hinge apparatus includes an array of adjustable floating hinges formed to be positioned adjacent one another pivotally supported on the support rod. Each hinge includes a hinge block having a slide aperture therethrough sized and shaped for receiving a support arm member extending therethrough in the vertical plane and being slidably supported therein at a selected position in order to support the plates at a selected height. The support blocks also include a pivot aperture therethrough positioned substantially normal to the support arm aperture being sized and shaped for receiving the horizontal support rod therethrough. The support arm members of adjacent hinge blocks are formed with offset bends for attachment with consecutively stacked heating plates.

Abstract: An electric pancake and egg cooker having two spaced cooking surfaces, the pancake and egg cooker having a cooking dish clamped in a pivotable cooking dish ring adapted to rest on the first cooking surface, and a cooking dish cover adapted to rest on the second cooking surface, the dish, ring, and cover being pivotable around a common axis shaft, and a catch means adapted to prevent the ring and dish from being pivoted until the cover is closed on the dish.

Abstract: A gas fired deep fat fryer, typically provided with legs equipped with optional wheels and including a tank for containing a cooking medium and fitted with a drain line and valve for draining the cooking medium from the tank. A single burner tube projects through the tank wall from a vented tube stub which receives an orifice nipple that introduces gas into the burner tube. The burner tube defines a U-shaped heating loop in the tank and terminates at the opposite end from the tube stub in an upward-standing stack that extends through the tank wall. Heat is applied to the burner tube from the orifice nipple and is dissipated through the U-shaped heater loop directly to the cooking medium. A grate is placed over the U-shaped heating loop in the tank to prevent food in the tank from directly engaging the burner and sinking to the bottom of the tank.

Abstract: A recycling/crushing apparatus for cans includes a frame housing having an inlet defined in an upper end thereof. A feeding device is mounted in the frame housing and includes an intermittently rotatable axle, a ratchet wheel mounted on the axle to rotate therewith, and a cylindrical wheel mounted on the axle to rotate therewith and having a plurality of annular recesses defined in an outer periphery thereof for receiving cans. A crushing device is mounted in the frame housing and below the feeding device and includes a fixed plate, a movable plate, and a hydraulic cylinder for actuating the movable plate to move relative to the fixed plate between a first, closed position for crushing a can therebetween and a second, open position at which a crushed can will fall. A linking device is interconnected between the movable plate and the ratchet wheel of the feeding device for urging the ratchet wheel to intermittently rotate, thereby feeding a can into the crushing device.

Abstract: An arrangement of guide elements of the pressure ram of waste material presses for compacting foils, cardboard and similar used packaging material of upright construction, i.e., with vertically acting pressure ram and guidance for support of the pressure ram at the walls of the press shaft in the four corner areas of the cross section of the shaft. The guide elements contacting the rear wall and the side walls of the press shaft are constructed as slide blocks and the guide elements located in the front portion of the press at the inner sides of the front doors of the pressing shaft and filling shaft areas are constructed as roller bodies.

Abstract: In a stencil printing machine, when a printing drum is set at its operating position in the direction of its axis, a drum switch is turned on, and a locking piece is engaged with a groove formed in an engaging rod integral with the printing drum, so that a lock switch is also turned on. In the case where the printing drum pushed into the printing machine is not at the operating position, the drum presence/absence switch is turned on, and the locking piece is not engaged with the groove, so that the lock switch is off. In this case, the locking piece is reciprocated a predetermined distance in both directions. As a result, the locking piece is engaged with the groove of the engaging rod; that is, the printing drum is moved axially to the operating position.

Abstract: A holding device for a chamber doctor blade utilizes spaced holders which support the base body of the chamber doctor blade for sliding movement toward or away from a screen roller. This sliding movement is accomplished by spring forces exerted through a spring loaded pressure element and a pressure cam which oppose each other. The pressure cam can be shifted by an adjusting device through a spring biased tappet.

Abstract: A stencil stamp assembly is formed of: a stencil sheet having a perforation area having an image perforated therein, at least two plate members having lower end portions secured to the stencil sheet at at least two positions with the perforation area sandwiched therebetween and upper end portions connected with each other, the plate members serving as operating portions during printing, an ink holding portion for holding ink on the upper surface of the perforation area of said stencil sheet, and a center member having a plurality of surfaces in contact with at least a part of the inner surface of the plate members and the upper surface of said ink holding portion. The center member is provided in a space between the inner surface of the plate members and the upper surface of the ink holding portion.

Abstract: A hand-held label printer has an integrated label applicator mechanism pivotably and exchangably disposed in opposing side walls of a printer housing and across a front wall opening in the housing. The label applicator mechanism is pivoted into a label applying position in which the applicator mechanism receives and guides a printed label peeled from a web stock by a peeler rod along a label path extending from the peeler rod over a label shelf of the applicator mechanism to a position from which a label applicator roller of the applicator mechanism can engage a leading portion of the label for application to a surface to be labeled. The label applicator mechanism is pivoted into a web stock threading position to provide ready access by a user of the printer to facilitate threading of a leading portion of web stock along a web stock path from a roll past a printing mechanism and over the peeler rod to a web stock transport mechanism and to facilitate clearing of web stock jams or of label jams.

Abstract: A stamping device utilizing a translucent base member having a surface. An imprinting element is fixed to the surface of the base member and is capable of marking items. A handle is also included and possesses a grasping element to allow the user to press downwardly. A translucent connecting structure resiliently links the handle to the base member. The imprinting element is visible through the base member and connecting structure during the stamping process.

Abstract: A cylinder element adjusting device utilizes one or more translatable threaded bolts to adjust the positions of cylinder carried elements such as front lay marks. Each threaded bolt carries a gear wheel which is rotatable in incremental steps by a drive ratchet that is driven from a pulse-controlled work cylinder. No electrical energy is transmitted to the cylinder.

Abstract: A device for tensioning a printing plate on plate cylinders of rotary printing presses, the device including a tensioning arrangement disposed in a gap of the plate cylinder for accommodating the plate rear end. The tensioning arrangement also includes a shaft with tensioning elements mounted thereon, and clamping elements for clamping angular and non-angular plate ends, with spring-loaded upper grippers being fastened on the clamping elements for the clamping of non-angular plate ends of printing plates and printing foils.

Abstract: A paper surface cleaning device for cleaning a surface of a printing paper running before being fed to a printing portion of a printing machine, which comprises a cleaning sheet having a water holding capacity in contact with the surface of the printing paper with a difference in running velocity between the printing paper and the cleaning sheet, a dampening roller which has, at its surface, a wettability so that water is attached to the surface of the dampening roller and which functions to push the cleaning sheet onto the surface of the printing paper, and a water pan into which the dampening roller is dipped partially. An even water film can be formed on the surface of the dampening roller to enable the cleaning sheet to get wet uniformly in its widthwise direction.

Abstract: A method of printing a material web includes the steps of applying ink to the material web, subsequently drying the material web with the use of heat and subsequently drying the material web, and, after cooling and prior to further processing, moistening the material web while simultaneously applying heat to the material web, and subsequently once again cooling the material web. An apparatus for carrying out the method includes, in a travel direction, a printing unit, a drying section following the printing unit, a cooling section following the drying section, a moistening section following the cooling section, and an after-cooling section following the moistening section.

Abstract: Disclosed is the print image treatment device formed of: a contact member on a surface of which an excessive ink removing liquid not dissolving in a printing ink forming a print image and having a lower surface tension than that of the printing ink is applied, the contact member being driven to rotate; a facing member for bringing a printed surface of a printing body into contact with the excessive ink removing liquid on the contact member by nipping and carrying the printing body having been printed between the contact member and the facing member; a supply device for supplying the excessive ink removing liquid to the contact member; and a cleaning device for removing an excessive ink with the excessive ink removing liquid. The nip width formed by the contact member and the facing member, which is defined as the dimension of the part with which the contact member and the facing member are in contact in the direction of the printing body being carried, is specified to be 0.5 mm or over.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a snow and ice melting device (10) comprising a road transport vehicle (12) and a railroad track transport vehicle (14) mounted on a common road transport vehicle chassis (12I). Upon the railroad track transport vehicle (14), a melter (16) is mounted on a melter rotator (16C) functioning to rotate the melter from a rearward (road transport vehicle (12) frontward) direction which is utilized as a propulsion device to a frontward (road transport vehicle (12) rearward) direction which is utilized for melting snow and/or ice. The melter (16) has a melter lift (16E) such that a user can angle the melter (16) to a desired position.

Abstract: A portable eating table is provided for securement to a user's neck whereupon the portable eating table is pendent therefrom and can support and hold articles, such as food and beverage items and eating utensils, thereon so that the user's hands are free for other purposes, and includes a foldable main body member comprising a first article supporting portion which rests against the user's chest and a second article supporting portion attached to the first article supporting portion and which can pivot to or away from the first article supporting portion. In order to provide rigidity and stability to the first and second article supporting portions, flat insert members are insertable into respective insert pocket members of the first and second article supporting portions.

Abstract: Readily assembled and disassembled furniture supported by propping against a wall or other vertical environmental surface. The furniture has vertical legs located on its front side. Shelves or other horizontal members span the legs, and interfit with the legs at grooved joints. The grooves are horizontal, and the shelves slide into engagement with the legs from the rear. The shelves are notched to cooperate with the legs such that the front and side surfaces of a joined leg and shelf are flush. Knobs projecting downwardly from the shelves occupy dedicated grooves formed in the legs. The knobs prevent lateral horizontal displacement of the shelves, while eliminating the need for precision at the notched joints. Assembly is most readily performed with the legs lying on the floor, face down. After the shelves are slid into place, the assembled furniture is tilted into an upright orientation, and propped against the wall. The legs support the shelves vertically.

Abstract: An ash control valve apparatus for use in a system that includes a fluidized-bed system which includes a housing, a seat in the housing for passage of particulate material, a plug dimensioned and configured for mating engagement with the seat, and apparatus for moving the plug from a first position wherein the plug is disposed in seated engagement with the seat to a second position wherein the plug is disposed in spaced relationship to the seat. The apparatus for moving the plug includes apparatus for mounting the plug that includes an elongated tube to which the plug is fixed. The apparatus for mounting includes a plurality of axially extending ribs disposed on the circumference of the elongated tube and a plurality of channels disposed in a bore in the plug.

Abstract: A walk-behind, multi-functional device for use in a nursery is capable cultivating while applying fertilizer and herbicide as desired. An electric clutch assembly combines with a steering assembly to permit easy maneuverability of the walk-behind device.

Abstract: Thread guide devices capable of easily and quickly performing a threading operation with an excellent operability, whereby a thread is hardly come off or entangled, and hence a sewing operation is hardly interrupted when the thread is come off or entangled, leading to an excellent sewing operating performance. Each thread guide device of sewing machine includes a thread guide member disposed between a thread spool and a tension device respectively provided on a body for guiding a thread from the thread spool, and the thread guide member comprises a base end portion attached to one end of a thread guide groove portion which is opened at an upper end of the body, a tip end portion having an inclination portion which is elastically brought into contact with a rear side wall of the body at a front surface of the inclination portion, and a thread accommodation space which is defined in a lower end portion of the thread guide groove portion.

Abstract: A machine for producing a reinforcement for a composite component. The machine includes a stand with a subframe having uprights with slideways for mounting a transverse bar on which is mounted a movable carriage. The carriage has a first movable arm extending in another direction and includes a second movable arm. The carriage is movable in a first direction, X, the first arm is movable in a second direction, Y, orthogonal to the first, and the second arm is movable transversely with respect to the plane defined by the bar and first arm in a third, Z, direction. Motors are provided to producing such movements. The second arm includes a thread-stitching tool which also constitutes a tool for laying down the thread and is mounted on a rotary support at the lower end of which is arranged the needle.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically setting a cuff to a garment piece for a sweat suit or the like. The apparatus includes a holding fixture for holding the cuff in the garment piece prior to sewing. A transfer system then moves the cuff and garment piece together to the sewing machine. The apparatus also includes a cuff setter having an elongated tube for receiving the garment piece over the front end of the tube and a spreader assembly for moving the cuff and garment piece together in the direction of sewing to attach the cuff to the garment.

Abstract: A work station for an operator using two sewing machines that have automatic sew cycles and work piece control and advancing mechanisms for setting sleeves in shirt bodies. Sleeves and shirt bodies are presented to the operator at the work station in a manner that they can be easily and quickly grasped which enables the operator to load the work piece components on one machine while the automatic sew cycle of the other machine being performed. The sewn products in both the intermediate and final stage are automatically removed from the sewing machines and discharged to a completed product tray.

Abstract: The present invention features a trimaran-styled vessel that can recover from capsizing. The recoverable trimaran is made up of a specifically configured main hull with retractable, asymmetrical amas; internal, water-ballast tanks; a raised, buoyant, stern deck; and a specifically located main hatch. These components are sized according to the requirements of the prospective owner, yet within the confines of conventional, naval-engineering practices. The main hull has dead-end sockets in which the beams supporting the amas are attached and can be retracted. The main hull also includes longitudinal hollows in the lower portion of each side to allow the nesting of the amas in close proximity to the main hull. Retracting the beams places the amas adjacent the main hull, within the hollows. With the amas retracted, the cross-section of the main hull and amas resembles a circle.

Abstract: A parachute-type sail is connected with a tethering line to a water going vessel to provide motive power for the vessel. At least one swivel is disposed on the tether line between the vessel and the sail that allows the sail to roll when the vessel moves and the sail is in contact with the water's surface. The tether line may be raised or lowered relative to the horizon and may be moved around the compass to optimize position of the sail and thereby minimize the overturning vector and optimize the thrust balance for movement with neutral or substantially neutral rudder.

Abstract: An improved thrust director unit is provided for discharging a directionally adjustable water jet flow from the hull of a marine vessel to generate a thrust reaction force for close-quarter maneuvering and/or propulsion of the vessel. The unit comprises a thruster housing having an outlet through which the jet flow is discharged, wherein the outlet is defined by diverging fore and aft walls to permit angularly forward or rearward jet flow discharge for vessel propulsion. At least two deflector vanes are movable together within the housing outlet and cooperate therewith to define a directionally adjustable discharge flow path for selective jet flow discharge in a sideward direction to produce a sideward thrust, or in a forwardly or rearwardly angled direction to respectively produce a reverse or forward propulsion thrust. In the sideward thrust position, the discharge flow path has a nondiverging cross section and is isolated from the diverging fore-aft walls of the housing outlet.

Abstract: Inflatable small craft including at least one inflatable tube (1) forming two substantially parallel branches (2) meeting towards the front to form a stem (3), a bottom sheet (5) forming a V-shaped hull held taut by a longitudinal keel (6) which is interposed between a bottom (4) which is rigid in the transverse direction held along the two aforementioned branches (2) and the bottom sheet (5) which is connected to the tube (1) along the peripheral edges of the bottom (4). The craft additionally includes two auxiliary floats (7) running under the bottom (4) substantially parallel to the respective branches (2) while being offset towards the center with respect to these branches. The auxiliary floats extend close to the branches while being physically separate from them.

Abstract: A collapsible boat whose lateral hull walls are retractable to reduce the width of the boat is provided. Port side and starboard side lateral hull walls are pivotally connected along their lower edges to the central hull section of the boat. When extended, the lateral hull walls form a sloping hull wall extending upward and outward from the bottom of the central hull section. When retracted, the lateral hull walls pivot inward to reduce the width of the boat. Port side and starboard side braces are pivotally connected to the upper lateral edges of the central hull section for movement between an engaged position and a retracted position. In the engaged position, the braces connect to the lateral hull walls to keep them in their extended position. In the retracted position, the braces are pivoted inward to allow the hull walls to retract.

Abstract: A squirrel baffler wherein the baffler consists of a conical shaped sheet member supported by a bracket assembly which prevents a squirrel or other unwanted animal from climbing a pole or post supporting a bird house or feeder. The conical shaped sheet member may be disassembled and assembled around the pole by use of interlocking members running the length of the sheet member such that the user does not have to remove the bird feeder from the pole or remove the pole from the ground first.

Abstract: A feeding device for animals, such as poultry, is of a type which is designed to be supplied with feed by a conveyor tube (60) from which it is suspended. The device comprises a plate (10, 110) and a receptacle (20, 120). The inside area of the receptacle can, if desired, be in communication with the inside of the plate (10, 110). The conveyor tube (60) communicates with the inside area of the receptacle (20, 120). The level of feed in the plate (10, 110) can be adjusted when it is in communication with the inside area of the receptacle (20, 120), the plate (10, 110) functions as a trough.

Abstract: A tubular bird feeder includes a self-contained seed scoop comprising a depending portion of a top cap, which includes a rim for seating about the exterior of the side wall of the tubular body. A bent wire hanger is inserted into a pair of opposed apertures near the top of the bird feeder and a channel in one side wall of the scoop portion and the cut-away portion of the scoop itself allow clearance of the hook portions of the hanger. A bottom cap closes the bottom of the tubular bird feeder. A number of apertures in the side wall of the tubular body of the bird feeder allow birds access to the seed and a number of dowels inserted through apertures lying across a diameter of a section of the tubular body of the bird feeder provide perches for the feeding birds.

Abstract: An animal containment system comprising a stationary transmitter including a transmitter for defining a first curtain of energy having a first code to be entered by an animal approaching an off limits area and a second curtain of energy adjacent the first curtain and having a second code, the second curtain to be entered after the animal passes through the first curtain approaching the off limits area, and at least one receiver to be carried by an animal to be contained including a receiver responsive to the first code when the animal is within the first curtain for issuing a warning signal and responsive to the second code when the animal is within the Second curtain for issuing a discipline signal.

Abstract: A thermostat assembly for a marine engine having a closed loop cooling system provides an additional bypass for engine coolant flow. The assembly includes a housing having an inlet that receives engine coolant, a thermostat outlet that is connected to a heat exchanger, and a bypass outlet that is connected directly to a circulating pump that circulates engine coolant to the engine and bypasses the heat exchanger. A thermostat having a restricting plate is mounted in the thermostat outlet in the housing. The housing includes an internal structural standoff around the bypass outlet. When engine coolant enters the thermostat housing and the thermostat is closed, engine coolant passes between the thermostat restricting plate and the bypass standoff and flows through the bypass outlet directly to the circulating pump. This increases the flow of engine coolant to the engine when the engine is cold.

Abstract: A control mechanism (1) for an engine valve (29) comprising two rotatable cams (8, 10) which engage a lever (2) at two follower regions (23, 34) at different positions, the lever (2) having a zone of application (35) linked to the valve (29) whereby rocking movement of the lever (2) consequent on rotation of the cams (8, 10) causes opening and closing of the valve (29), wherein one of the two cams (8) is in constant engagement with the lever (2) and the other cam (10) is in periodic engagement with the lever (2), a gap (26) being provided between the other cam (10) and its respective follower region (23) when the other cam (10) is not in constant engagement with the lever (2), the width of the gap (26) affecting the duration of opening and closing of the valve (29) and its stroke length. Preferably, the zone of application (35) of the lever (2) is movable longitudinally along the lever (2) to thereby vary the stroke length of the valve (29).

Abstract: The invention relates to a rocker arm including a roller, a pair of side walls for supporting the roller, a pivot engaging portion and a valve engaging portion, in which the configuration of the valve engaging portion, and the relative position of the roller, the pivot engaging portion, and the valve engaging portion are set with high accuracy. In the rocker arm, the roller, while being in contact with a cam, is rotatably provided between a pair of side walls forming a rocker arm body. The rocker arm body is of a two-piece structure including a first piece which includes: the pair of side walls adapted to support the roller; and a valve-engaging portion through which, as viewed longitudinally of the rocker arm body, first end portions of the side walls merge with each other; and a second piece which is a pivot engaging member fixedly secured to the remaining second end portions of the side walls.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster for an internal combustion engine, and a method of its construction is disclosed. The lash adjuster has a cylindrical follower body in which a tubular plunger is slidingly disposed. The plunger cooperates with the follower body to define a high pressure chamber therebetween which is supplied with fluid through a valved port. A low pressure chamber which operates to supply fluid to the high pressure chamber through the valved opening, is defined by an axial passage through the plunger. Fluid flows into and out of the low pressure chamber through a port in the wall of the plunger. Intermediate of the port and the valved opening is a radially inwardly extending annular shelf which is integral formed with the axial passage of the plunger using a mechanical shaving step to plow a portion of the plunger material from the wall of the axially extending passage.

Abstract: A heating module for a mixture-compressing combustion engine which is arranged between an induction pipe and a cylinder head of the combustion engine. The induction pipe, the heating module and the cylinder head delimit at least one intake port in which at least one electrically heatable heating element is arranged which constitutes a component of the heating module. The heating module is connectable with connecting terminals to an electric current source and the joining surfaces between the induction pipe, the heating module and the cylinder head are sealed by a sealing device. The heating module includes at least one thin plate made of metallic material. A conductor made of electrically conductive material is secured on the plate. The sealing devices are constructed in one piece with the heating module on the side facing the induction pipe and the side facing the cylinder head.

Abstract: An engine starting system for a vehicle includes a starter, a lead battery, an electric double layer capacitor which is connected in parallel with the lead battery, a starter switch and a control circuit for controlling current to the starter. The electric double layer capacitor is charged by the lead battery and discharge a large current to the starter when an engine is started. According to the construction of the control circuit, it is possible to control current discharged from the electric double layer capacitor so as to reduce damages on switches in the engine starting system. By using the electric double layer capacitor for the engine starting system, not only the burden on the lead battery at the engine starting can be reduced, but also the startingability of the engine can be improved.