Abstract: Bag sealer and cutter having a guide for directing a portion of flexible tubing which has been gathered together along a predetermined path in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the axis of the tubing, a pair of tape applicators positioned side-by-side for simultaneously applying bands to the gathered together portion of the tubing as the tubing travels along the path, and a knife disposed in the path of the tubing after the applicators for cutting the tubing apart between the bands of tape.

Abstract: A tool for unbraiding a horse mane including a handle for easy gripping, a shank that extends from the handle, and a hook-shaped portion that includes a blade on its inner side for cutting the yarn that secures the braids in the horse mane. The configuration of the hook-shaped portion allows a user to cut the yarn by simply pulling the tool in a downward motion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for padding and cushioning an equine saddle for use between the saddle and the equine's back. The apparatus consists of a pad that includes an inner layer resistant to moisture and an outer layer for contacting the equine's back and the underside of the saddle. The pad includes a pocket for receiving an inflatable/deflatable cushion that enhances the animal's comfort.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus is provided for a pivot assembly on a disc mower incorporating a disc cutterbar to sever standing crop material by impact action. A first circular labyrinth seal has a T-shaped cross-section and fills a correspondingly-shaped groove between the pivot support arm and the gearbox housing. The combination of the T-shaped groove and corresponding labyrinth seal creates a labyrinth path for the entrance of dirt into the pivot assembly. A second circular face seal is constructed with a deformed inner diameter to create a lip that engages the face of the gearbox hubs. The deformed inner diameter lip of the face seal creates an inner cavity underneath the seal that can be filled with grease to provide a further deterrent to the entry of dirt into the pivot mechanism.

Abstract: On an automatically-steered cotton harvester, a sensor follows a crop row of cotton plants and sends a signal to a computer controller when the crop row changes its position relative to a row unit on the harvester. The computer controller calculates the amount of deviation between the crop row and the center of the row unit, and sends a control signal to a solenoid valve to actuate a hydraulic cylinder, or to a relay to actuate an electric motor, to laterally move the row unit along a tool bar on which it is mounted to more closely align the row unit with the crop row.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lawn mower blade spindle assembly which can be easily serviced in the field, which includes a blade height adjustment feature which allows a blade to be replaced or be adjusted without removing the blade spindle bearings. An improved stress loading arrangement is further provided which reduces spindle stress and lessens the opportunity for spindle assembly failure upon catastrophic blade impact with an immovable object such as with a rock.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for the production of stranded wire from copper wire, whereby the stranded wire is wound upon a spool by means of a transfer mechanism. A control arrangement is provided, which regulates the rotation of the spool, the motion of a transfer element which is a component of a transfer mechanism and a separate drive for the transfer mechanism.

Abstract: Convective cooling of turbine hot parts using a closed loop system is disclosed. Preferably, the present invention is applied to cooling the hot parts of combustion turbine power plants, and the cooling provided permits an increase in the inlet temperature and the concomitant benefits of increased efficiency and output. In preferred embodiments, methods and apparatus are disclosed wherein air is removed from the combustion turbine compressor and delivered to passages internal to one or more of a combustor and turbine hot parts. The air cools the combustor and turbine hot parts via convection and heat is transferred through the surfaces of the combustor and turbine hot parts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for bleeding off and cooling hot air in an aircraft engine, including:at least one hot air take-off at the outlet of the compressors of the engine,a cold air take-off downstream of the fan of the engine,a precooling heat exchanger between said hot air and said cold air.According to the invention, said precooling heat exchanger (18) comprises at least one (12A) of said linking arms (12) between the engine body (2) and the fan shroud (9), the said linking arm or arms (12A) acting as the exchanger, exhibiting a hollow structure traversed longitudinally by at least some of the hot air bled off at the outlet of the low pressure and/or high pressure stages of the compressors (3) of the engine.

Abstract: A link for supporting a core engine within an outer shell of a gas turbine engine is described. The link, in one form, includes an elongate rod having a first end and a second end, and first and second rod end bearings are secured at the first second ends, respectively. Each end bearing includes a bearing head and a threaded stud extending from the head. The elongate rod includes a first threaded socket located at first rod end and sized to be engaged to the first rod end bearing stud, and a second threaded socket located at second rod end and sized to be engaged to the second rod end bearing stud. The first and second tapered jam nuts are located at the first and second ends of rod. Each tapered jam nut includes a nut end having, for example, a hexagonal head and a tapered portion extending from the nut end. A bore extends through each tapered jam nut, and the bore is sized to have the stud extend therethrough. The bore has internal threads at least at the location of nut end.

Abstract: A miniture liquid-fueled turbojet engine for powering remote control model aeroplane or light pilotless aircraft includes a plural number of tiny pressure-swirl type atomizers for thoroughly atomizing liquid fuel and a V-gutter flame holder. High combustion efficiency and satisfactory outlet temperature pattern factor can be obtained in the present combustion system of the engine. This is because the system possesses the characteristics such as fine spray of liquid fuel, long residence time of fuel droplets, efficient flame holding mechanism and good mixing in the dilution region. As a result, safety and maneuverability of the present engine can be enhanced in comparison with the engines of prior art.

Abstract: A quench cooler for cooling a hot flowing gas essentially comprises a cylindrical shell (10) which is connected to a hot-gas line (7) and to a cold-gas line (9) and which has means (30) for injecting water. The water injection means (30) are pressure-atomization nozzles to which water and steam are admitted. The steam is generated in an evaporator (17) which is arranged in the hot-air line (7).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to transfer all of the exhaust heat from the topping gas turbine cycle and thereby improve the overall efficiency (i.e., the efficiency of the topping cycle plus bottoming cycle).

Abstract: A middle layer (22) having partitioned cavities (28) is sandwiched between an imperforate sheet (24) and an optional perforate sheet (26) to form a low resistance acoustic liner (22). A preferred method of manufacture of the low resistance acoustic liner (20) uses aspects of the buried septum technique including placing an uncured imperforate septum (36) between a support layer (32) and a partitioned cavity middle layer (22), pressing the middle layer into the imperforate sheet (24) and through the support layer (32), curing the imperforate septum 36 to form the imperforate sheet (24), removing the support layer (32), and attaching a perforate sheet (26) of roughly at least 15% open area to the top side of the middle layer. A preferred embodiment of inner and outer linings (47), (49) is provided. Each lining includes a combination of annuluses of absorptive and/or low resistance liners (51), (53).

Abstract: A hydrostatic drive comprises a motor and a gerotor pump having its annulus or its rotor axially split into two parts of unequal length, one of the two parts being angularly shiftable relative to the other to enable the drive to be shifted between forward, reverse, and neutral conditions.

Abstract: A Stirling cycle engine and drive mechanism therefor which may be configured in a Beta, Alpha or Gamma configuration for providing increased power output. The drive mechanism provides a dwell of the displacer piston at its top and/or bottom dead center positions of the displacer stroke. The drive mechanism includes adjustable regulatory linkages in order to adjust the dwell and stroke of the displacer piston as well as the phase angle between the displacer and power pistons.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for continuously removing nitrogen oxides in exhaust gases of internal combustion engines containing an excess of oxygen by feeding a reactive nitrogen-containing plasma jet into the exhaust gas stream, wherein the plasma jet is generated by electromagnetic high-frequency fields.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a failure occurring in an exhaust secondary air supply system of an internal combustion engine. A conduit is connected to the exhaust pipe to supply secondary air to the exhaust pipe to promote oxidization of the emissions in the exhaust gases. A valve is provided in the conduit for opening/closing it. The failure of the valve is detected by operating the air pump to supply the air in the conduit, while closing the conduit by the valve. The air/fuel ratio is detected by an oxygen sensor installed downstream of the conduit to be compared with a desired air/fuel ratio. If the detected air/fuel ratio is leaner than a desired air/fuel ratio, the air flows to the exhaust pipe so that the valve is considered to be stuck to open. Alternatively, a pump current is detected and is compared with a reference value indicative of the current at no air flow. If the detected current is less than the reference value, the valve is considered to be in failure.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold of an engine is connected to a three way (TW) catalyst, and the TW catalyst is connected to an NH.sub.3 adsorbing and oxidizing (NH.sub.3 -AO) catalyst, such as the Cu-zeolite catalyst. The engine performs the lean and the rich operations alternately and repeatedly. When the engine performs the rich operation, the TW catalyst synthesizes NH.sub.3 from NO.sub.x in the inflowing exhaust gas, and the NH.sub.3 is then adsorbed in the NH.sub.3 -AO catalyst. Next, when the engine performs the lean operation, NO.sub.x passes through the TW catalyst, and the adsorbed NH.sub.3 is desorbed and reduces the inflowing NO.sub.x. When the rich operation is in process, or is to be started, the exhaust gas temperature flowing into the NH.sub.3 -AO catalyst is detected. If the temperature is equal to or higher than the upper threshold representing the rich endurance temperature, the lean or the stoichiometric operation is performed.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine with at least two groups of cylinders of which each has an exhaust pipe with a catalytic converter and of which one group can be shut down so that it is inoperative during part-load engine operation, the exhaust pipes are joined downstream of the catalytic converters by a common pipe section, and vacuum generating means are provided for subjecting the exhaust pipe of the inoperative cylinder group upstream of its catalytic converter during part load operation when the one cylinder group is shut down to vacuum for pulling exhaust gas from the common pipe section into the catalytic converter of the inoperative cylinder group.

Abstract: In a honeycomb catalytic converter having a metal case, a honeycomb catalyst mounted in the metal case, and a securing member used for mounting the honeycomb catalyst in the metal case and arranged between an outer surface of the honeycomb catalyst and an inner surface of the metal case, at lest one of an inlet portion and outlet portion of the honeycomb catalyst has a double cone structure in which an inner cylindrical member is arranged in the metal case. The honeycomb catalytic converter mentioned above can mount the honeycomb catalyst stably in the metal case for a long period of time even when exposed to high temperatures.

Abstract: One or more hose clips may advantageously be used to rout and releasably secure a hose assembly such as those included in a vacuum manifold assembly, to a fixed structure of a motor vehicle. The hose clip has a main body which is circumferentially open-sided, partially defining a hose-receiving space which has an inside, free stat cross-sectional dimension and attachment means extending from the main body for attachment into an opening in the firewall of the motor vehicle. The attachment means may preferably be a christmas tree stem. The main body of the hose clip has an opening sized to receive hoses of varying diameters. On one side of the main body of the opening is a flange and on the other side of the main body is a tab. Extending from the flange is a hook with serrations which engage corresponding serrations on the tab to close the opening and retain the hose. The clip may preferably have a pair of hooks, each angled with the flange so as to lockingly secure hoses of different diameters.

Abstract: To provide a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission including a constant displacement type swash plate hydraulic pump and a variable displacement type swash plate hydraulic motor, wherein a thrust load generated between an input cylindrical shaft of the hydraulic pump and a motor swash plate anchor of the hydraulic motor is not transmitted to an output shaft of the transmission. An input cylindrical shaft and a pump cylinder are axially fixedly connected by a first angular contact bearing interposed therebetween, and a cylinder block and a motor swash plate anchor are axially fixedly connected by a second angular contact bearing interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A control arrangement for a turbocharger for an internal combustion engine with a variable turbine geometry which includes a control unit for controlling a turbocharger output pressure according to engine operating parameters when the engine is operating in a first engine load range with regulated exhaust gas return and a pressure controller for controlling the turbocharger output pressure when the engine is operating in a second engine load range with the exhaust gas return switched off including allowance for a precontrol by the control unit.

Abstract: Water is flowed down into heat transfer tubes from their inlet ports to form flowing water films. The flowing water is evaporated from the flowing water films, thereby cooling combustion air of a gas turbine that flows in the channel. Water vapor generated in the heat transfer tubes is absorbed by an absorber by using an aqueous lithium bromide solution. Water vapor contained in the aqueous solution supplied from the absorber is extracted. The extracted water vapor is condensed to water by a condenser through which cooling water flows. The obtained water is supplied to the water tank. A condensed aqueous solution from which the water vapor has been removed by the generator is supplied to the absorber.

Abstract: A refrigerated countertop snack container that can be styled in the form of a lidded cookie jar utilizes a Peltier effect thermoelectric element as the cooling module located beneath the main interior compartment formed by a hygienic thermally-conductive liner that is thermally insulated from the container's outer shell and is held at 38.degree. F. nominal for optimal food refrigeration. The liner is specially designed with tapered thickness to minimize bottom-to-top temperature difference. Heat generated by the refrigeration process is dissipated from a finned aluminum heat sink that is cooled by forced air from a quiet "muffin" fan drawing in air from a first set of air vent openings configured around a lower region of the container, and exhausting air, warmed by the heat sink and fan motor, through a second set of air vents located above the first set. A high frequency type switching power converter located in the bottom region of the container converts 115 volts a.c.

Abstract: A helium cooled superconducting magnet assembly with helium gas recondensing apparatus to return liquid helium to the helium supply in the helium vessel in which the recondensing apparatus positioned within the space between the vacuum vessel and surrounding vacuum vessel in thermal contact with a cryocooler within a fixed cryocooler sleeve in the vacuum vessel with the cryocooler positioned to minimize magnetic disturbances to the magnet assembly magnetic field and the recondenser connected through thin corrugated steel tubing to the helium vessel with the tubing sized to provide thermal and vibration isolation of the helium vessel.

Abstract: A cryopump includes a two-stage refrigerator, a primary pumping surface, and a radiation shield. The radiation shield is in thermal contact with the first stage of the refrigerator. The primary pumping surface is surrounded by the radiation shield and is in thermal contact, through a direct conductive link, with the second stage of the refrigerator. The refrigerator, however, is external to the radiation shield.

Abstract: Numerous embodiments and related methods for generator-absorber heat exchange (GAX) are disclosed, particularly for absorption heat pump systems. Such embodiments and related methods use, as the heat transfer medium, the working fluid of the absorption system taken from the generator at a location where the working fluid has a rich liquor concentration.

Abstract: To exercise control so that, when power is restored in the case of there having been a prower cut, the motor does not run simultaneously with other devices which reqire large amounts of power when starting to run. This invention there is provided improved freezer control unit, which exercise to ccntrol by providing power cut detector 10, which detects that the power source which drives freezer 5 has undergone a power cut, and stopping the signal of signal holding circuit 4, which outputs the `Run` signal, by the signal of this power cut detector 10 when a power cut occurs so that freezer 5 does not restart automatically when power is restored.

Abstract: A method for controlling an absorption system, comprising the step of performing slow open control for opening a control valve of a heat-source fluid feeding pipe connected to a regenerator at a predetermined speed and controlling the heat input at the time of start; wherein said control valve is quickly opened up to a predetermined opening degree at the time of start and thereafter, said control valve is opened at said predetermined speed is provided. There is no loss in the starting time by improving an operation delay of a heat-source fluid control valve at the start of operations and it is prevented that the heat-source fluid is excessively supplied to the absorption system itself which has still a low temperature to affect an equipment-side boiler even after the valve fully opens.

Abstract: A refrigerant metering charge board that accurately meters a refrigerant and an associated synthetic compressor oil into a product, preferably a refrigerator, is provided. Metering is accomplished by way of servo motors coupled to ball screws which are in turn connected to hydraulic cylinders. Calibration of the refrigerant, preferably R134a, is maintained using a temperature sensor, a programmable logic controller (PLC) and a density/temperature equation that has been empirically fit to saturation data. The preferred equation is a modified Benedict-Webb-Ruben (MBWR) equation of state. The refrigerant charge amounts are entered into the PLC using either a fixed bar code scanner or a hand-held bar code scanner that reads a bar code on the refrigerator. An operator interface, preferably a touch-screen display is also provided.

Abstract: In a heat pump system operating in the heat cycle mode, a sensor is provided for sensing either the pressure or temperature of a refrigerant. A speed controller receives an output of the sensor so that the speed (including cycle rate) of an evaporator fan is controlled, resulting in control of the pressure or temperature of the refrigerant. The temperature or pressure of the refrigerant is controlled for a heat pump system comprising one refrigeration circuit and more than one refrigeration circuit. A separate speed control is provided for a fixed speed motor, a sleeve bearing fan motor, and a variable speed ball bearing fan motor.

Abstract: An automotive air conditioner which conditions air making use of radiation of heat of a condenser and absorption of heat of an evaporator effectively. The evaporator 207 and the condenser 203 are disposed in a duct 100. A bypass passageway 150 is provided sidewardly of the condenser 203 in the duct 100, and a flow rate of air bypassing the condenser 203 is controlled by pivotal motion of an air mixing damper 154. Another bypass passage is provided sidewardly of the evaporator 207 in the duct 100, and a flow rate of air bypassing the evaporator 207 is controlled by pivotal motion of a bypass damper 159. Air is conditioned to an optimum blown out air temperature by varying the cooling rate at the evaporator 207 and the heating rate at the condenser 203 and is blown out to a room of an automobile from spit holes 141, 142 and 143.

Abstract: A control arrangement for the superheat temperature of at least one evaporator of a refrigeration system having a refrigerant circulation, in which at least one compressor, a condenser, an electronically controlled expansion valve and the evaporator are arranged in series, contains a measuring device connected to the evaporator, which device produces a measurement signal Tu that is a measure of the superheat temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator, a comparator to which the measurement signal Tu and a desired superheat temperature signal Tu.sub.s are arranged to be supplied, and a PID controller arranged between the comparator and the expansion valve. For rapid compensation of changes in the superheat temperature, a control signal S proportional to the evaporation temperature T.sub.o of the refrigerant is arranged to be supplied additionally to the PID controller.

Abstract: An integrated air conditioning and hot water supply system for conditioning air and supplying hot water to a building is described. The system incorporates a hot water tank in the system which feeds a heat exchanger to heat air which is recirculated from the building when required during cool weather periods. A combined air dehumidification device and cooling device are also provided to dehumidify and cool return air from the building in a recirculation circuit when required by the building during warm weather periods. The cooling devices incorporate coils connected to the city water supply whereby to preheat a supply of water to the hot water tank. The combined circuit also cools fresh air and treats it to provide a source of heated air to regenerate a desiccant wheel which is used as the dehumidification device. A heat recovery ventilator is also incorporated in the integrated system to treat exhaust air from the building during cool weather periods and to admit warmed fresh air thereto.

Abstract: In a kitchen appliance including a refrigerator and a cooker 7 and being intended and suitable for installation in camping vehicles, boats and the like, the cooker 7 is fixedly mounted on the upper side of the refrigerator including at least one gas burner 8 and the relating fittings 12, while the cover plate 13 of the cooker 7 can be assembled and disassembled. The burner 8 and the thermosensors 26 of the cooker 7 are movable in height in limited manner for bearing on a relating opening in the cover plate 13 from bottom and for being connected or screwed, respectively, to a burner head to be put thereon from top. The construction permits simple and quick installation and removal of the refrigerator together with the cooker 7.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a freezer compartment, a refrigerator compartment, a warmer compartment, a machine compartment having a compressor and a condenser for cooling the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment, and a heat transmitter for transmitting heat from the machine compartment to the warmer compartment. The heat transmitter includes a heat transmitting member for transmitting heat from the machine compartment to the warmer compartment. A heat conducting member is attached to the heat transmitting member for conducting heat from the machine compartment to the heat transmitting member.

Abstract: A costume jewelry item comprises a length of flexible transparent tube into which is loaded a flowable decorative material, such as sand. The nature of the flowable material is preferably varied, as by color, along the length of the tube to provide a pleasing design or appearance which can be viewed through the tube. Closures seal the ends of the tube and allow their interconnection to allow bracelets, necklaces and the like to be formed.

Abstract: A springless jewelry finding (25) includes an hinge plate (26) and an ear-wire (28) having one marginal end portion (34) secured to the hinge plate, having an intermediate arcuate portion (35) and having a distal marginal end portion (36). A lever-paddle (29) has one marginal end portion (38) pivotally mounted on the hinge and has another marginal end portion (39) mounted for arcuate movement toward and away from the ear-wire distal marginal end portion. The lever-paddle other marginal end portion has a concave surface that is adapted to selectively embrace the ear-wire distal marginal end portion and has a detent (40) that is so configured and dimensioned with respect to the ear-wire distal marginal end portion as to require that the ear-wire distal marginal end portion be forcibly passed through the detent as the lever-paddle is moved between opened and closed positions relative to the ear-wire.

Abstract: A dispenser 100 for dispensing a chemical product that is dissolved by diluent. The dispenser includes a package 170 having a diaphragm, or fingered collar 180 attached to its opening. The diaphragm 180 has a plurality of flexible members or flexible fingers 185. The dispenser may utilize an injection manifold 109 that is sized and configured to be positioned on a washing machine top proximate the gap between the washing machine's top and lid. Still further, the invention includes a low level chemical product indicator. The indicator includes a focused light source 98a and 98a. The focused light source is a high intensity light emitting diode having a viewing angle of less than 6.degree. and an intensity of above 10,000 mcd. The dispenser also includes an apparatus and method in which a dispensing time of a dispenser is dynamically varied in response to diluent temperature during operation of the dispenser.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a spin basket rotatable about a vertical axis and having a dynamic balancer mounted thereon. The balancer includes coaxial annular passageways arranged horizontally next to one another. Each passageway contains oil and a group of freely movable balls. The heights of the passageways increase in a radially outward direction, and the sizes and weights of the groups of balls increase in a radially outward direction.

Abstract: A rotary drum washer having an abrasive structure therein for treating fabrics or garments in a wash medium and a method of abrading fabrics or garments employing the abrasive structure to produce a controlled abrasion of the fabrics or garments are disclosed. The abrasive structure is formed with a multiplicity of protrusions and abrading tumbling ribs.

Abstract: A siphon break for a washing machine comprises a siphon body and a reservoir. The siphon body includes first and second openings arranged to receive fill water, a third opening arranged to direct fill water from the first opening to a tub of the washing machine, a fourth opening arranged to siphon overflow water from the siphon body, and a siphon body mounting device arranged to mount the siphon body to the washing machine. The reservoir includes a first opening arranged to receive a chemical, a second opening arranged to spill a mixture of water and the chemical to the siphon body, and a reservoir mounting device arranged to mount the reservoir to the washing machine so that the reservoir is mounted separately from the siphon body and so that the reservoir receives water from the second opening of the siphon body.

Abstract: A combination lock is composed of a lock body, a locking mechanism, an unlocking mechanism, and a cover. The locking mechanism is located in a horizontal slot of the lock body such that the arresting rod of the locking mechanism can be directly actuated by the unlocking mechanism, and that one end of a shackle of the lock body is separated from a press portion of the unlocking mechanism by a distance capable of preventing a finger pressing the press portion from obstructing the shackle to be fastened With an object intended to be disabled.

Abstract: A multi-point locking system (10) has a lock case (11) with a door front edge (20), a latch (65), a blocking bolt (80) and two longitudinally movable push rods (30, 31) connected to one another by a connecting element (40) with locking elements such as eccentrically mounted roller pins (33) engaging in striking plates (34). The connecting element (40) has an engagement recess (46), is arrestable by a spring-loaded engaging element (52) against a compression spring (48) in a pretensioned opening position, and is releasable from this arrested position by direct operation of the locking elements (33) in the longitudinal direction of the door front edge. The striking plates (34) in the entry area (36) of the locking elements (33) have inclined stop surfaces (37) exerting a force (F) on the roller pins (33) in the closing direction (Y). The slidingly guided bolt (80) blocks the locking system (10) indirectly via a flexibly mounted rocker (91) using a closing element (81), for example a locking cylinder.

Abstract: An anti-theft device is provided for use with semi-trailers of the type which have a Dolly-Leg, a Dolly-Leg crank, and a Dolly-Leg crank handle. The anti-theft device includes a housing, a locking bar, and a lock. The housing has a top, an end panel, a first side, a second side, and a notched bottom, with the first side and the second side each having formed therein a first side aperture and a second side aperture respectively. The notched bottom has downwardly depending therefrom at least two lock chain guide harnesses. The locking bar has formed therein at one end thereof a locking bar aperture. The locking bar extends through both the first side and the second side of the housing, such that the locking bar passes through both the first side aperture as well as the second side aperture. The lock is secured to the locking bar by attachment thereto through the locking bar aperture. The device also preferably includes a chain, with the chain also being secured to the locking bar.

Abstract: A full wheel cover steering wheel lock and protector prevents access to an air bag in the steering wheel hub when an inner semicircular shell segment is swung out of an outer semicircular shell segment to completely enclose the steering wheel. A locking bar can be pulled into an extended position from a tunnel on the outer segment and has an arm engaging in a slot of the inner segment to lock the segments in the outwardly swung position while a shoe on its arm can engage the inner periphery of the steering wheel. The device largely fabricated of reinforced polycarbonate is of compact construction and light weight.

Abstract: A mechanical anti-theft device for motor vehicles which includes, essentially, gripper means capable of engaging the cross section of a tire and a wheel rim of a wheel of the motor vehicle so that it closes on a pivot around the tire and the wheel rim; a support bar for the gripper means; an actuator rod, connected to the gripper means, which slides with relation to the bar in such a way that it can be moved, manually, between a first, unlocked, position, when it controls the opening of the gripper means and a second, locked, position, when it controls the closure of the gripper means around the tire and wheel rim; elastic means are also envisaged, placed between the bar and the rod, capable of holding the rod in the unlocked position, and also items, associated with the rod and capable of engaging with the bar in order to lock the rod with respect to the bar in the closed position.

Abstract: A door lock, preferably operable both by a mechanical key with a key cylinder and by an electronic signal and having inside and outside handles mounted on inside and outside hollow spindles, for mounting on a door having an inside face and an outside face, has a cylindrical lock chassis with a provision for retracting a latch bolt in response to rotation of either of the hollow spindles; a member for selectively locking the outside spindle against rotation; a reversible electric motor mounted coaxially within the inside spindle, the motor being secured against rotation but free to slide axially against resistance provided by a biasing member, and having a motor shaft extending through the cylindrical lock chassis to operably engage the member for locking the outside spindle; a power supply for the motor; and a mechanism for selectively moving the member between locked and unlocked positions.