Abstract: A system for connecting a panel to a support comprises a mesh panel defined by at least one length portion and has a border connected to the length portion of the mesh panel. The border and has a first end capable of being connected to a support and a second end adjustably connectable to an opposite support. A tensioning means is associated with the border second end for pulling the border in tension between the supports. The second end of the web is connectable to the tensioning means for tensioning the mesh panel material.

Abstract: An active armor for protection against shaped or hollow charge projectiles (1) is formed by a front and a rear sandwich arrangement (2) and (3). The front sandwich arrangement (2) has a splinter jacket as a front outer layer (5), in order to render the main shaped charge of a twin shaped charge ineffective. The rear sandwich arrangement (3) serves in cooperation with the front sandwich arrangement (2) for rendering single shaped charges ineffective.

Abstract: A brake power booster is equipped with a device for determining an input force introduced at a brake pedal. According to the present invention, the device which uses a pressure generator for measuring the input force is interposed between the end of an actuating rod, connected to the brake pedal, and a valve piston that actuates a control valve of the brake power booster. The pressure generator is exposed to the effect of a pressure which develops in a pressure chamber and is built up in an elastic substance or an elastomer.

Abstract: The assembly for use in a coffee machine comprises a container having a bowl-shaped inner space bounded by a bottom having at least one outlet opening and at least one vertical sidewall. The assembly further comprises a pill-shaped pouch manufactured from filtering paper and filled with ground coffee, accommodated in the inner space of the container. The pouch extends over the bottom to a position adjacent the vertical sidewall. In the bottom, a number of channel-shaped grooves are provided, extending in radial direction of the container to the outlet opening. The grooves extend from a position located at a distance from the sidewall in the direction of the outlet opening. This prevents bypass.

Abstract: A filter holder including a scoop (1) provided with a handle (2) and designed to hold a filter (3) that consists of a housing (4) and a perforated bottom wall (5) and is movably mounted in the space defined by the housing (4) via a height adjustment device (6). This device (6) includes a stack consisting of at least one ring (8) adjacent to the bottom wall (5) and an opposed ring (9) coaxial with the ring. The respective side surfaces (10-11) of the rings include an alternated series of staggered angled (12) and horizontal (13B-13H) surfaces, and an alternated series of staggered opposed angled (14) and opposed horizontal (15B-15H) surfaces, as well as an actuating member (16) movably mounted on the cup (1) for causing relative movement of the ring (8) and the opposite ring (9).

Abstract: A lift truck having horizontal arms straddling the kettle it is to lift, carry, and tilt. On the outer end of each arm is a tilting unit, one being a drive unit, and on the other an idler unit. These units grip the handles of the kettle. They are symmetrical, but otherwise identical. Each includes a swinging pendant latch, which yields on engaging the kettle handle, and then swings back into latching position. The units in the arms have interengaging elements preventing sliding of the kettle when it is in tilted position. Two sets of proximity switches are included for shutting off the tilting driving motor when the movable parts of the gripping units are not in safe position.

Abstract: A spit riser mount for mounting a rotating spit to a tabletop grill. The spit riser mount includes an annular spit mount that has a plurality of pieces. Each of the pieces has opposite first and second ends. The first end of a piece removably engages the second end of an adjacent piece. A first of the pieces has a slot downwardly extending from an upper edge of the piece. The slot is adapted for receiving a spit therein. A second of the pieces has a first aperture positioned towards its upper edge. The first aperture is adapted for receiving a spit therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus prepares food products using high velocity air flow. The apparatus includes a cabinet for holding food products and a blower for supplying an air flow to the cabinet in order to heat the food products to a preparation temperature and to maintain the food products at a holding temperature. The cabinet includes a plurality of air inlet ports through which a portion of the air flow enters the cabinet, and a plurality of air outlet ports from which the air flow exits the cabinet. The air flow is controlled at a rate within a range of about 1800 to about 2000 cubic feet per minute during a preparation period and within a range of about 810 to about 930 cubic feet per minute during a holding period.

Abstract: A tray for warming food has a tray body of double cup shape formed of a plastics material base structure with an aluminum top diffusion layer attached to the base structure in the part to receive a cloche. The cloche has a plastics material outer jacket fastened to an aluminum bottom diffusion layer in contact with an intermediate member made of a material that can be heated by magnetic induction. The top diffusion layer of the tray body comes into contact with the bottom diffusion layer of the cloche at the periphery of the interior space along peripheral contact rims. This provides a meal tray assuring fast heating of food placed in the interior space of the first part, the second part being intended to carry food that is to remain cold.

Abstract: A device for strapping a plurality of packets with a band includes a frame and a lying conveyor belt supported by the frame for moving the packets forward. A pair of band clamping and guiding jaws move toward and away from each other transversely of the belt. A band supply reel is associated with the jaws. A welding device coacts with the jaws for welding band portions together. Each jaw has a clamping surface that runs transversely relative to the forward direction and coacts with a counter-surface of an intermediate body carried by one of the jaws. A portion of the clamping surface and the counter-surface extend obliquely relative to the forward direction. One of the surfaces has tooth-like protrusions.

Abstract: A trash compaction apparatus, specifically a waste paper baler, incorporating an improvement in the controls for the apparatus whereby proper identification from a proposed operator is required to start a compaction operation. In particular, the compaction apparatus has associated therewith a magnetic stripe card reader and a computer. In the computer memory, data is stored which may be compared with data read by the card reader from a would-be operator of the apparatus to determine if such person is an authorized operator. An input-output unit is provided for inputting the data for the authorized operator ID function. A calendar and a clock in the computer enables a log to be created in computer memory with date, time and identification data for each attempted operation of the apparatus. The computer calendar routine can also optionally determine if a would-be operator has attained an age required for safe and legal apparatus operation.

Abstract: The fan-out effect of a paper web, passing through a web-fed printing press having a plurality of printing units, is corrected by providing control assemblies before selected ones of the printing units. The control assemblies each have a number of control elements and counter control elements. The number of control and counter control elements in each assembly varies with the moisture content of the paper web passing through the web-fed printing press.

Abstract: A shaped charge for use in perforating formation adjacent a wellbore includes a liner having a substantially non-conical shape (also referred to as bowl-shaped). The liner has first and second layers, with a first layer contacting the main explosive charge. The second layer (made of such materials as copper, silver, gold, and so forth) contributes primarily to formation of a perforating jet while the first layer contains a material that substantially disintegrates upon detonation such that formation of a slug is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A manifold (130) is configured to have a body portion (131) having at least one initiation port (132) for receiving an initiation device and at least one tapered boss (138) mounted on the body portion (131). The boss (138) has an elliptical cross-sectional configuration and a boss bore (140) for receiving a fuse or linear explosive charge (16) and it communicates with the initiation port (132). There is a clamp member (160) having an aperture (164) dimensioned and configured to generally conform to the boss (138), and tension means such as a set of bolts (166) for urging the clamp member (160) towards the manifold (130). There may be a bushing material (121) on the boss. The manifold (130) may be coupled to a separation device (23) that includes a frangible joint (24) through which is disposed an expansion member (110).

Abstract: A penetrator having a plurality of stacked penetrator segments is disclosed. Each penetrator segment has a nose portion and a rear portion. The rear portion of each penetrator segment has a rearwardly opening cavity therein and a plurality of fins pivotally mounted thereon. The penetrator segments are stacked such that the cavity of the forwardmost penetrator segment secureably contains the nose portion of the following penetrator segment such that there is a press-fit between the cavity and the nose portion. The following penetrator segments are similarly positioned such that the nose portion of each following penetrator segment is secureably positioned in the cavity of the immediately preceding penetrator segment. The fins of each penetrator segment are restrained in a stowed position when the cavity of the respective penetrator segment contains the nose portion of a following penetrator segment. An explosive element is located between each of the penetrator segments.

Abstract: A machine for compacting and shaping a ballast bed comprises a machine frame supported on undercarriages on a track for mobility in an operating direction, a vertically adjustable track stabilization assembly including a vibrator for generating horizontal oscillations extending transversely to the longitudinal direction and flanged rollers engaging, and running on, the track rails, drives linking the track stabilization assembly to the machine frame for vertically adjusting the track stabilization assembly, and a vertically adjustable plow for profiling the ballast, the plow being affixed directly to the track stabilization assembly to form a structural unit therewith.

Abstract: A two-axle undercarriage for track-bound transport systems carrying freight and passenger traffic, especially for inseparable train units, is divided into two parts, each part housing a wheel set. The two undercarriage frame halves are connected to each other in an adjustably articulated fashion on the plane of travel and are axially movable relative to each other to a limited extent in the direction of travel. To provide a tensilely-strong connection of two adjacent car bodies of the track-bound transport system, a connecting rod is used that permits adjustment of the undercarriage frame halves. The connecting rod is arranged between the adjacent car bodies so that cardanic movement is permitted between each of the two adjacent car bodies so that cardanic movement is permitted between each of the two adjacent car bodies and the connecting rod.

Abstract: An improved self-propelled mobile track vehicle (MTV) capable of traveling by road at normal highway speeds and traveling by rail after conversion at a narrow railroad crossing by producing a device for rotating the vehicle 90 degrees. The vehicle is powered by a diesel engine driving through a power shift transmission to the roadway and railway axles. A significant advantage over other types of road/rail vehicles is that 100 percent of the vehicle's weight is carried on the rail wheels, which are powered and braked, thereby allowing higher and safer rail speeds. One way to convert the vehicle from roadway travel to railway travel is to maneuver it into a position parallel to the track at a road crossing. The rail axles are then extended and road axles retracted. In addition, a turntable mounted at the vehicle's center of gravity also allows the vehicle to convert at a narrow road crossing. While at railway/roadway crossing the unit raises and rotates 90 to align with the desired roadway or railway.

Abstract: A stand for supporting and securing an item such as a portable computer comprises a hinged leaf assembly with adjustably positionable clamping members. The clamping members are slidingly secured along outer edges of hingedly connected leaves of the leaf assembly to permit sliding advancement of the clamping members relative to and along the edges of the leaves to which they are attached. An articulated arm is secured at an upper end to the underside of the leaf assembly and at a lower end to the surface relative to which the item is to be supported such as the floor of a vehicle.

Abstract: A load-handling pallet includes a load bearing platform, a base member, and a plurality of block elements. The block elements are arranged to interconnect the load bearing platform to the base member. In one embodiment, snap-fit connections are provided between the block elements and both the platform and the base member. The snap-fit connections are arranged to be engaged by a movement perpendicular to the plane of the platform. The snap-fit connection is facilitated by inserting spigots, projecting from opposing sides of the block elements, within apertures formed in the platform and base member.

Abstract: Provided is a vertically adjustable desk lifting device having a plurality of gas pressurized cylinders for urging a desk in an upward direction, thereby facilitating the raising and lowering of a desk by a single user. The desk can be locked into a multitude of vertical positions and easily released via a foot pedal. The lifting device comprises a pair of spaced-apart gas pressurized cylinders positioned on both sides of a desk. The gas pressurized cylinders are chosen or calibrated to provide an adequate upward force to slightly urge the desk in the upward direction, depending upon the weight of the desk and the distribution of such weight. Additional gas pressurized cylinders can be easily inserted adjacent any one of the four standard gas pressurized cylinders to counterbalance the weight distribution of the desk if needed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heat treating of hazardous waste by heating the waste in a pyrolyzing chamber and forming an off-gas, heating the off-gas for a sufficient time to destroy dioxins and furans, then reducing and cooling the off-gas in a secondary treating chamber having a graphite stack and recovering metallics by distillation.

Abstract: An improved Cyclone furnace particularly suitable for retrofit applications to an existing boiler incorporates a Cyclone furnace and an integrated de-slagging chamber as a single manufactured piece. The Cyclone furnace and the de-slagging chamber are provided with a water cooling circuit which is separate from a water cooling circuit of the existing boiler to which it may be coupled, permitting the improved Cyclone furnace to be easily retrofitted to existing boilers or furnaces, even those not originally designed for Cyclone firing.

Abstract: An apparatus for temporarily storing products at the exit of a quilting machine comprising an inclined guiding element along which at least one carriage, provided with an element for gripping the product manufactured by the quilting machine, can slide by gravity, a first and a second stop elements for the carriage being arranged along the guiding element, and actuation elements, which act on the grip element to release the removed product, being associated with the stop elements. The carriage released by the second stop element is transferred onto a vertical lifting unit, which is provided with retention and release elements for retaining the carriage at the lower stroke limit and releasing it at the upper stroke limit to insert the carriage on the guiding element.

Abstract: A reversible patchwork having patterns in the surface and the reverse thereof. It is constructed by continuously stitching together units of motif M. Each of the units of motif M is constructed so that a circular or polygonal foundation cloth 1 is folded to the surface of the unit of motif M and encloses a domett core 3 therein and is stitched to an upper cloth 2. One of the foundation cloth 1 and the upper cloth 2 or both of them consist of different patterned cuttings for making diverse designs of the unit of motif M.

Abstract: An upper thread-hooking method for industrial sewing machines uses an upper thread-hooking device installed above one side of the needle and the presser foot for hooking the thread and cutting with a cutter by means of an electronic component moving a main sway arm and an auxiliary sway arm. The hooking device is located between the needle eye and the needle point behind the needle, performing a hooking thread process so that the hooking member never occupies the gap between the needle point and the presser foot. Then the sewing machine may have the highest rising level for the presser foot for comparative thick cloth to be sewn, without possibility of the hooking member colliding with the needle or the presser foot.

Abstract: Buoyancy unit comprising a body (14) in which there are formed a buoyancy chamber (20) and a chamber (22) which is intended to become filled with water. According to the invention, the wall of the chamber (22) has at least two openings (24, 28), at least one opening of which comprises a nozzle (24, 28) allowing the passage of water between the chamber (22) and the outside, the nozzle being dimensioned in such a way as to appreciably slow the flow of water. The unit may form a buoyancy column intended to hold the deck of a floating rig up out of the water.

Abstract: A fender for a personal watercraft includes a hook portion shaped to hook under the bond flange of the personal watercraft for quick and easy attachment. The fender includes at least one flex region enabling the fender to conform to either of the front hull and the rear section of the personal watercraft. An attachment member such as a suction cup and/or a securing line is disposed adjacent an end of the fender opposite from the hook portion for attachment to the personal watercraft. In the method of manufacturing the personal watercraft fender, a hook portion, one or more flex regions, and a channel for receiving the attachment member are formed via rotationally molded PVC, and the attachment member is secured in the channel in a second step. The fender may also be provided with a gas chamber filled with a pressurized gas such as air to provide added cushioning and longer life.

Abstract: An improved float drum for marine structures which includes a controllable buoyancy device in the interior of the float drum to control the buoyancy of the float drum. The float drum can include a valve to control the type and/or amount of fluid in the interior of the float drum, and/or to check the integrity of the float drum. The float drum can include a stabilizer to dampen the movement of the float drum in a liquid medium. The float drum is made of a corrosion-resistant, puncture resistant material to enhance the like of the float drum.

Abstract: A ballast weight system for releasably attaching a ballast weight to an urwater vehicle is disclosed where the system comprises a ballast weight, a housing disposed about the ballast weight, a fairing connected to the ballast weight to facilitate a flush connection of the ballast weight to the underwater vehicle, and a bolt coupler where one end of the bolt receives a lanyard pin therethrough and the second end connects a spring loaded bolt connected to the ballast weight. A linear actuator is connected to the lanyard pin. The lanyard pin placed through the bolt maintains the spring loaded bolt in spring compression such that when the pin is removed, the spring compression propels the ballast weight away from the housing.

Abstract: A method of fabricating boat hulls is provided. A first piece of molding material is contoured on a concave mold in a particular position dependent on predetermined desired hull parameters to form a first hull half panel. The concave mold has a compound surface, which constitutes a portion of the surface of a torus having a constant radius and an elliptical cross-section. The first piece of molding material is allowed to set and is then removed from the concave mold. A second piece of molding material is contoured on the concave mold in substantially the reverse profile of the first piece of molding material to form a second hull half panel, the second hull half panel being a substantially mirrored image of the first hull half panel. The second piece of molding material is allowed to set and is removed from the concave mold. The first hull half panel and the second hull half panel are then bonded together to form a boat hull.

Abstract: A retractable ladder assembly for a watercraft has a rotatably mounted ladder which is attached to the craft by brackets. The ladder is pivotably mounted to the brackets. There is a plate biased to engage and rotatably retract the ladder from a use position to a storage position is also attached to the bracket. The bias is provided by a torsion spring. In one embodiment, the bracket mounts to the top of a rear platform of a boat and in another embodiment the ladder mounts to the underside of the rear platform of the boat. In both embodiments, the ladder may have a telescoping second ladder which retracts, due to gravity, when the torsion spring rotates the ladder assembly to a sufficient amount above the horizontal. There is also a stopper mechanism for each embodiment.

Abstract: This invention pertains to personal watercraft and to brace assemblies for use on personal watercraft. The brace assembly enables a rear-facing rider to be stabilized so that the rider is not uncomfortable and does not readily fall from the watercraft. Such rear-facing rider spots for a water skier being pulled by the personal watercraft. The brace assembly includes an engagement structure, a support column supporting the engagement structure, and a support housing supporting and containing the support column. The support column raises the engagement structure to a first raised position and retracts into the support housing at a second lowered position. Height adjustment apparatus controls moving the engagement structure between the raised and lowered positions. Mounting apparatus, including a mounting bracket, mounts the brace assembly to the personal watercraft. Fasteners preferably mount the brace assembly to a boarding handle of the personal watercraft.

Abstract: A book mark is provided for marking a selected line, column, and page of a book. The book mark includes a flat elongated member, first and second page indicators, a line marker, and a column indicator. The flat elongated member has a first end, a second end spaced apart from the first end, and a middle region situated between the first and second ends. Each of the first and second page indicators includes an indicia positioned on the flat elongated member. The line marker marks the selected line, is fixed relative to and spaced apart from the first and second page indicators, and is situated in the middle region of the flat elongated member. The column indicator indicates a specific column in a book having dual column pages.

Abstract: An electromechanical food preparation apparatus comprising a turntable and base for supporting a food product while it is being prepared, a weight sensing circuit for determining the weight of the food product supported by the turntable and for outputting a voltage signal proportional to the weight of the food product as it is being prepared, a signal processing circuit for receiving the voltage signal and for converting the voltage signal into display information which can be displayed on a digital display, and a digital display for receiving the display information and for displaying a digital number which corresponds to the weight of the food product supported on the turntable.

Abstract: A plasma beam is directed towards a hearth to flow electric current of the plasma through the hearth during formation of a thin film on a substrate. The plasma beam is directed towards an auxiliary anode to flow electric current of the plasma through the auxiliary anode during the period after completion of the formation of the thin film on the substrate and before beginning of the formation of a thin film on the subsequent substrate.

Abstract: An improved electrode contact system for metal vaporization electrodes or rods which are electrically and supportively connected to a movable carriage which also receives and supports objects such as parts and components in a vacuum chamber during metal vapor deposition. A metal such as aluminum, chromium, or nickel-chromium, etc. is vaporized centrally in the chamber by contact with electrically energized electrodes or elongated rods in a well known fashion after the chamber has been substantially evacuated of air molecules for uniform vapor deposition of the vaporized metal atop exposed surfaces of the objects. The electrode contact system provides an automatic, self-aligning plug-in assembly for each electrode rod so that, as the carriage, loaded with parts and components to be metal vapor coated is rolled into position within the vacuum chamber, each two-part contact system automatically fully engages.

Abstract: A modular animal boarding system has a lower section divided into plural lower runs, each lower run sharing a joint rear wall with a second lower run and doors that open outwardly away from the joint rear wall. Plural upper sections are supported above the lower section. The upper sections have doors that open inwardly generally toward the lower joint rear wall onto a catwalk. The upper sections are provided with a plumbing system so that each upper run has a drain through which waste can be washed, the waste from each run then draining into a single drainpipe, and, thereafter, draining into a floor gutter connected to any suitable waste collection system.

Abstract: A portable animal carrier is disclosed which permits the transportation of a small animal, such as a cat or dog, in the passenger compartment of an airplane, by securely and safely containing the animal, but permitting placement below the airplane seat. In addition to providing manual carrying of the portable animal carrier, wheels are provided to permit smooth, quiet, and reliable movement, thereby relieving the user from carrying the weight of the animal carrier.

Abstract: A cylindrical or conical rolling cat scratching device which provides a series of corrugated cardboard surfaces, to which catnip may be added.

Abstract: An adjustable width livestock working alley for handling various size animals including a stationary support frame supporting a first arcuate-shaped stationary outer wall and a second arcuate-shaped moveable inner wall including multiple sections, pivotally joined together at the ends of the sections so that the effective radius of the overall inner wall can be changed. A series of connecting links, connecting the support frame to the multiple arcuate sections at their pivot joints with each connecting link starting with the first link having the shortest length with the links of each additional section being proportional to the accumulated changes in the circumferential length of the wall sections as the effective radius of the inner wall is changed and power means connected to the multiple sections for moving those sections radially and longitudinally to change the effective radius of the inner wall.

Abstract: A steam generator achieves an especially high efficiency when biomass is used as a fuel. The steam generator contains a first combustion chamber for generating a gaseous working medium by burning a first fuel and a second combustion chamber for burning a second fuel. The second combustion chamber is connected downstream of the first combustion chamber in flow direction of the working medium. Bituminous coal may be fed as the first fuel to the first combustion chamber and/or biomass, in particular straw, may be fed as the second fuel to the second combustion chamber. The working medium generated in the first combustion chamber during operation of the steam generator serves as combustion air in the second combustion chamber.

Abstract: A new fuel lead additive device for adding lead to fuel for combustion engines. The inventive device includes a housing having an interior, an inlet, and an outlet. The inlet of the housing is fluidly connectable to the fuel line such that fluid may pass from a fuel tank into the interior of the housing through the inlet of the housing. The outlet of the housing is fluidly connectable to the fuel line such that fluid may pass from the interior of the housing through the outlet of the housing to a combustion engine. A plurality of lead beads are provided in the interior of the housing so that fuel passing through the housing mix with the beads such that lead is added to the fuel.

Abstract: An engine having an annular cylinder formed about an opening which utilizes an arc-piston reciprocally positioned in the annular cylinder with a partition secured within the annular cylinder separating the annular cylinder into an air intake compression chamber and a gas combustion chamber such that in use upon reciprocation of the arc-piston one of the chambers is expanding while the remaining of the chambers is contacting is disclosed. Within the opening a conventional gas turbine may be positioned and the rotational power of the arc-piston engine is combined with the rotational power of the gas turbine.

Abstract: A fluid coupling assembly (11) in which the fluid coupling (43) is disposed within a coolant cavity (C) defined by an engine block (B) of an internal combustion engine. The fluid coupling includes an input coupling assembly (45) and disposed therein is an output coupling member (55), the input and output cooperating to define forward (61,65) and rearward (63,67) viscous shear areas to optimize torque capacity of the coupling. The input coupling assembly (45) includes a rearward body member (49) disposed within the cavity (C) and which includes impeller blades (73), such that the member (49) also serves as the water pump for the engine.

Abstract: A control arrangement for a planing-type boat having an engine powering a water propulsion device is disclosed. The engine has at least one combustion chamber, an exhaust port leading from the combustion chamber, and an exhaust timing valve cooperable with the exhaust port. The exhaust timing valve is moveable between a first retracted position and a second extended position, where in the second position a flow of exhaust through the exhaust port has a shorter duration than when the valve is in the first position. A drive unit is associated with the exhaust timing valve. The control is arranged to move the exhaust timing valve with the drive unit from the second position towards the first position at a predetermined high engine speed. The control is arranged to prevent the rapid movement of said exhaust timing valve between its first and second positions when the engine speed fluctuates about the predetermined engine speed.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for actuating a charge cycle valve having an electromagnetic actuator which has an opening magnet and a closing magnet between which an armature is arranged in a coaxially displaceable manner which acts upon a valve stem. A spring acts upon the valve stem and is arranged between an upper driving element facing away from the charge cycle valve and a lower driving element facing the charge cycle valve. The driving elements are connected for joint movement with the armature. The spring is displaceable between an upper path boundary and a lower path boundary and is supported in the open position of the charge cycle valve in the upward direction on the upper driving element and in the downward direction on the lower path boundary. In the closing position of the charge cycle valve, the spring is supported in the upward direction on the upper path boundary and in the downward direction on the lower driving element.

Abstract: A finger lever (1) is made as a sheet metal part without chip removal and, seen in transverse cross-section, it has a U-shaped profile opening downwards. An upper crosswall of this finger lever (1) comprises an opening (10) of essentially rectangular shape as viewed from above, a roller (3) which can be contacted by a cam (6) being arranged in the opening (10). Side walls (8 and 9) which extend downwards from the crosswall (7) receive a pin (5) which serves to mount the roller (3). Upper edges (11 and 12) of the side walls (8 and 9) have a convex shape. The rigidity of such a finger lever (1) is increased by the fact that the vertical extent of the side walls is increased to such an extent that the roller (3) is situated entirely within this vertical extent of the side walls (8 and 9).

Abstract: A hydraulic valve lifter for use between a cam and a valve in an engine valve train includes a hydraulic lash adjuster element of varying length for acting in the valve train between the cam and valve, an expansion spring for extending the length of the lash adjuster to take up lash in the valve train between valve opening events, and a lash spring stronger than the expansion spring but weaker than a valve spring of an associated engine valve. The lash spring biases the adjuster element against the expansion spring and shortens the effective lash adjusting length of the valve lifter a small amount to maintain a sufficient amount of lash in the valve train between valve opening events to prevent holding open of the valve during cold engine operation. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle heater which is independent of the engine, has a burner head (9) and a flame tube (8) and is surrounded by a heat exchanger casing (10) through which a heat transfer medium can flow. The heat exchanger casing has connections (A; B) for inflow and outflow of the heat exchanger medium, and regulating sensors (20; 20'; 22) arranged in the region of the connections are connected to a control device which regulates the operation of the vehicle heater in relation to the heat transfer medium temperature measured. The aim of the invention is also to have the alternative of the heat transfer medium being able to flow through the heat exchanger casing (10) in the opposite direction, the connections (A; B) for the inflow and the outflow of the heat transfer medium subsequently being interchanged, and the regulating values of the existing regulating sensors being adapted.