Abstract: A device for monitoring the air pressure of a wheel. The device prevents a decrease in the transmission level of radio waves caused by impedance mismatch between an antenna, which radiates the radio waves, and a circuit, which produces signals that are to be radiated as the radio waves. The device includes a valve stem through which air is charged. The valve stem extends through a vehicle wheel. A transmitter is secured to the wheel to transmit a signal representing the air pressure of the wheel to a receiver installed in the vehicle. The device further includes a case attached to the wheel. The case is connected to the valve stem. An electric circuit is accommodated in the case to detect the air pressure and convert the detected pressure to an electric signal. An antenna radiates the signal produced by the electric circuit and is arranged about the valve stem. A conveying mechanism conveys the signals produced by the electric circuit to the antenna.

Abstract: In an in-ground vapor monitoring device for use with a conventional, hollow stemmed drill rig including a novel swivel assembly which attaches to a drill rod and which has a central passage formed therethrough. A fluid outlet port and an outlet channel joining the outlet port and central passage are formed in the swivel assembly. The device further includes an auger having an inlet port formed on its operational end which is connected by an inlet channel to a central passage. A vapor filter is disposed in the inlet channel. By applying an external vacuum source, vapor from a borehole is drawn off through the inlet port and filtered by the vapor filter. A gas chromatograph or other vapor analyzer is connected to the outlet port to analyze the drawn off vapors. The novel features of the auger portion of the device may be provided in the form of an auger plug engageable with a conventional auger.

Abstract: A sensor has a thin film element, the thin film element having a temperature-dependent electrical resistance. The thin film element includes a platinum layer, which is doped with zircon or zircon oxide. The thin film element can be arranged on a membrane to create a mass airflow sensor.

Abstract: Switching member SW20 which receives detection signals for detecting capacitance outputted from a control part 35, controls each of switches so as to measure capacitance between electrodes positioned adjacently (an electrode TE1 and an electrode TE2, and so on) before measuring capacitance of measuring object. Capacitance initially measured between the adjacent electrodes are stored in a storing circuit 30. The initial capacitance are averaged to calculate an averaged initial value. Upon calculating the averaged initial value, correction values which represent difference between the averaged initial value and the initial capacitance are calculated. Actual measured values are corrected using the correction values when level of measuring object is measured. It is therefore possible to measure level of measuring object without influence of floating items or the like with stability, because level measurement is conducted by utilizing capacitance measured between adjacent electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-destructive method for measuring the ratio of gold in carats or the ratio of other components in a cast material. The invention also relates to a method for measuring a specific weight of a cast body including a repeated flooding of the body in a tank with baskets and liquid.

Abstract: In a balancing apparatus, for determining the compensation position and the magnitude of a compensation weight to be attached to the automotive wheel on the basis of the measuring values obtained during the balancing process, the respective radius and the respective compensation plane for the compensation position at the automotive wheel are sensed via a sensor arm, an electronic device determines the magnitude of the compensation weight to be attached to the automotive wheel. The sensor arm is supported extendably and pivotally. Two string assemblies are attached to the sensor arm. The strings of the sensor arm are mechanically lockable at one or the other compensation position, respectively. One of the string assemblies on the sensor arm comprises an extendable spring and a stop which runs through a locking block attached to the housing of the balancing apparatus and and also comprises, at the other end an extendable spring.

Abstract: A method of centering a disk pack on a base rotatably supporting the disk pack includes performing a series a steps while the disk pack is rotating. A reference timing signal is generated. A first imbalance in the rotating disk pack is detected, and a first imbalance signal is produced. The first imbalance signal is correlated with the reference timing signal to produce a first correlation value, which indicates a location of the first imbalance relative to the reference timing signal. Based upon the first correlation value, a first impact is applied to the base, causing the base to shift relative to the disk pack. As a result of the first impact, the first imbalance moves to a second imbalance. The second imbalance is detected, and a second imbalance signal is produced. The second imbalance signal is correlated with the reference timing signal to produce a second correlation value, which indicates a location of the second imbalance relative to the reference timing signal.

Abstract: A mounting device for use with a washing machine to mount a cantilevered piezoelectric film accelerometer to a circuit board. The invention includes a housing structure having a cavity formed therein, with the accelerometer extending inwardly into the cavity from a first wall of the housing structure. The invention also includes a means for flattening the cantilevered piezoelectric film proximate the first wall of the housing structure.

Abstract: A method of improving an output characteristic of an angular rate sensor including, for example, a fork oscillator and an improved structure of an angular rate sensor are provided. The improvement of the output characteristic is achieved by adjusting a physical structure of the oscillator to minimize unwanted vibrations of the oscillator or noises of a sensor output. The adjustment of the physical structure is achieved by trimming away an edge portion of the oscillator or a supporter for supporting the oscillator on a base.

Abstract: In the present invention, a detection coil and a cancellation coil are closely provided and electrically connected in series to cancel induction noise. The cancellation coil may be disposed at a position not to sense the rotation. An axis of the cancellation coil may be provided in parallel to an axis of the detection coil. The numbers of turns for the cancellation coil may be the same as those for the detection coils. The cancellation coil may be disposed coaxial to the detection coils.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for advantageously modifying the texture or character of a plastic work material by applying acoustic energy at the work material's natural resonant frequency via a transducer assembly including vibrating the transducer assembly in air to determine the natural resonant frequency of the transducer assembly; determining the natural resonant frequency of the work material and the transducer assembly together; subtracting the natural resonant frequency of the transducer assembly from the natural resonant frequency of the work material and the transducer assembly together to determine the natural frequency of the work material; and applying acoustic energy to the work material at the determined natural frequency of the work material. The transducer assembly includes piezoelectric actuators which provide the acoustic energy.

Abstract: A method of determining the quality of insertion of an electrical terminal includes the steps of capturing the sound associated with insertion of the terminal. The terminal is typically inserted into a connector associated with a wire harness. By capturing the sound, the system is able to compare the captured sound to an expected sound. If the captured sound differs from the expected sound then a determination is made that the terminal is not properly inserted.

Abstract: The recreation of vibration levels at certain points in a stationary vehicle interior that are representative of realistic road conditions are achieved using road measurements in conjunction with a technique known as "reciprocal filtering." The reciprocal filtering technique consists of using an inverse transfer function, or impulse response in the time domain, between an excitation transducer and an accelerometer to calculate the excitation signal needed to recreate the vibrations measured on the road when squeak and rattle are present in a component of the vehicle. A set of excitation signals may be recorded for each component in the vehicle which is suspected of producing squeak and rattle noise. When a complaint is made that a vehicle is producing squeak and rattle, a service technician may reproduce noise by inducing vibrations through a kit having a CD player, an amplifier, a bass shaker and a CD with the set of excitation signals stored on separate tracks thereof.

Abstract: A semiconductor pressure sensor includes a substrate with a semiconductor pressure detecting element mounted thereon. The pressure detecting element includes a pressure detector, having two terminals, which generates a small potential difference between the two terminals in proportion to a pressure applied to the pressure sensor, and a peripheral circuit for differential amplification of the small potential difference based on a reference voltage applied thereto. Reference voltage setting resistors are used to set the reference voltage to a predetermined value. Also, temperature compensating resistors compensate for an error produced in the pressure detector as a result of change in temperature and an error caused in the peripheral by a change of the reference voltage resulting from the change in temperature, respectively.

Abstract: A method for measuring strain on a structure having a bore and an untethered fiber-optic strain gauge embedded in the bore, which includes the steps of inserting a coupler portion of a fiber-optic cable into the bore in operative relationship to the fiber-optic strain gauge, and using an optical cavity length measurement device attached to the distal end of the fiber-optic cable to measure the strain on the structure. The coupler portion of the fiber-optic cable is removed from the bore after the strain on the structure has been measured. In an illustrative embodiment, the structure is a fastener, e.g., a rivet, used to join together the aluminum skin and the airframe of an aircraft, the bore being provided coincident with the central, longitudinal axis of the rivet.

Abstract: These substitution kits are provided for field-installed volumetric differential pressure flow sensors (101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106) comprising bores (111, 121) for sensing the fluid pressure and an orifice plate (13) of standard thickness which is fixed fluid-tight between two pipes (1, 2) conducting a fluid to be measured. A first variant of the kit comprises an annular disk (23) which replaces the plate (13) and whose thickness is equal to that of the plate as well as whose opening has a diameter equal to the inside diameter of the pipes. A single bluff body (2311, 2312, 2313, 2314, 2317, 2318, 2319) is arranged in the lumen of the annular disk. The bore (111) of the pipe (1) is fluid-tightly closed by a device (18) after removal of the pressure sensor of the bore (111). A vortex sensing element (19) is inserted fluid-tightly in the bore (121) of the pipe (2) after removal of the sensor of this bore. Acc.

Abstract: Atmospheric Samplers are disclosed using aerogel filter material. The samplers include one or more cascaded impact sample stations with discs of aerogel as the targets. Ambient air carrying particulate matter is introduced into the sampler and the particles are captured by the aerogel in its pore structure. In certain embodiments, the aerogel filter is next transported to a position where it is fragmented by a spray of water. The fragmented aerogel and the captured particles are transported in the fragmenting water from the sampler for analysis. In one embodiment, the sampler is segmented with alternate nozzle and filter segments for easy assembly, sampling and disassembly for analysis of the captured particles in aerogel filters positions below the nozzles.

Abstract: A windshield wiper drive mechanism comprises a casing housing a motor and a reciprocating mechanism for converting the rotary motion of the motor to a reciprocating motion of an output shaft. Damping mechanism are provided for damping the rotation of the shaft comprising a cam and a resilient element for applying a radial damping force to the shaft at least towards the limits of its reciprocal movement. The resilient element can act directly on the cam or alternatively it may be part of the cam itself.

Abstract: A driving member (15) of piston type has an upper side, on which an annular holder (28), upper and lower cams (31), (32), and a transmission sleeve (33) are arranged in order. An annular wedge space (35) is defined between the upper and lower cams (31) and (32). A plurality of wedging members (36) are inserted into the wedge space (35) and peripherally spaced apart at a predetermined distance. When the driving member (15) is driven upward, first a plurality of engaging balls (41) supported by the transmission sleeve (33) engage with a lower portion of a pull rod (12) and then a pushing surface (38) of the driving member (15) vertically separates the cams (31),(32) from each other through the wedging members (36). Thus the lower cam (32) drives the pull rod (12) downward through the transmission sleeve (33) and the engaging balls (41).

Abstract: A ball screw and nut linear actuator has a motor and a ball nut and screw assembly in side by side disposition. Gearing connects with the motor shaft to drive the screw and a housing for the gearing and ball nut and screw assembly includes an elongate housing tube within which the screw assembly is housed. The nut incorporates an extension sleeve assembly for extending movement out of the housing tube which anchors the screw against axial movement while jounaling it for rotation. A pin and axial track connection between the extension sleeve assembly and the housing tube guides the extension sleeve assembly in axial movement and prevents relative rotation of the housing tube and sleeve assembly.

Abstract: A gear shifting apparatus includes a fork shaft, a plurality of shift forks, an operation lever, a received member, a receiving member and a groove. The received member is fastened on the fork shaft. The receiving member is disposed in a housing, and slidably receives an end of the received member. The groove is formed in one of the received member and the receiving member, and engages with the other one of the received member and the receiving member so as to define the movement of the fork shaft in the selecting direction. Thus, the shift forks can be slid smoothly on the fork shaft, because no load is applied to the shift forks in the selecting direction which results in the torsion between the shift forks and the fork shaft and finally in the excessive sliding resistance therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting a rotational motion into an axial motion, includes a threaded spindle (9), a sleeve (10) in concentric surrounding relationship to the spindle at a spacing thereto, and a plurality of axis parallel rollers (1, 5) arranged in the spacing, with each of the rollers being provided with a circumferential profile and meshing with the threaded spindle (9). According to the invention, each roller (1, 5) is axially supported with both its end faces via rolling bodies (19) on housing plates (14, 15) which are arranged in fixed rotative engagement within the sleeve (10).

Abstract: A gearing system which includes a pair of gears. The tooth profile of the first gear has three portions: a concave portion lying within the dedendum of the first gear, a convex portion lying within the addendum of the first gear, and a transition zone disposed between the concave and convex portions. Similarly, the tooth profile of the mating gear has three portions: a concave portion lying within the dedendum of the mating gear, conjugate to the convex portion of the tooth profile of the first gear; a convex portion lying within the addendum of the mating gear, conjugate to the concave portion of the tooth profile of the first gear; and a transition zone disposed between the concave and convex portions. The pair of gears may be designed such that no contact between meshing teeth is made along the transition zones. The tooth profiles of the gear pair have constant, or nearly constant, relative curvature.

Abstract: A multidimensional handle controlled without displacement is used for precisely positioned control and input. The actuating rod is selectively and simultaneously subjected to lateral pressure and to bending by a surrounding fist. The third dimension is controlled without displacement by the thumb, which acts on an additional sensor lever.

Abstract: A safety device for supporting a pedal in a motor vehicle and which includes a bearing support for supporting a pedal shaft of the pedal and arranged between a wall portion of a front wall of the motor vehicle, which is noticeably deformed inward into a passenger compartment during a frontal collision of the motor vehicle, and a cross-member which is located in the passenger compartment in a spaced relationship with respect to the front wall, is secured to a motor vehicle body, and does not substantially change a spacial position thereof during the frontal collision, the bearing support including radially open bearing slot in which the pedal shaft is supported, and an element for lifting the pedal shaft of the bearing slot of the bearing support in case of the frontal collision.

Abstract: A rotatable handgrip for a twist-grip shift control device includes a rotatable member and a flexible grip disposed over the rotatable member. One or more spaces are defined between an inner peripheral surface of the grip and an outer peripheral surface of the rotatable member so that the grip bends radially inwardly in response to pressure from a hand part (palm, finger, thumb, etc.) so as to generally conform to the hand part. The space may be formed by a recess formed on the inner peripheral surface of the grip, on the outer peripheral surface of the rotatable member, a combination of recesses on the grip and the rotatable member, or through some other structure.

Abstract: A pedal arm and switch assembly (40) for use in a vehicle (10) wherein a switch housing (62) is integral with the plastic pedal arm (50) and supports the switch (60). The switch (60) is normally spaced apart from an adjacent surface (66) when the pedal (50) is in a normally biased position (P). The surface (66) may either be a pedal assembly bracket portion (47) or a firewall (14). The switch (60) has a pin (64) that extends from the housing (62) and is actuated when the pin (64) contacts the surface (66). The switch (60) produces an electronic signal upon actuation in response to the pedal arm (50) reaching one of a first (P1) and second (P2) predetermined positions. The electronic signal may control a cruise control system (34), brake lights (42), or a transmission gear shifter (20).

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch assembly for motor vehicle transfer cases and the like includes an electromagnetic operator and a disc pack clutch assembly disposed on opposite sides of a chain drive sprocket. The clutch pack assembly is driven by a primary output shaft of the transfer case and transfers energy to the chain drive sprocket and thence to a secondary output shaft. The disc pack clutch assembly is actuated by the clutch operator which generates a compressive force which is transferred to the clutch pack assembly by a plurality of axially disposed pins received within complementary passageways in the chain drive sprocket.

Abstract: A knife and scissors sharpener with a guard for the former. The scissors sharpener has an opening for each blade of the scissors with a cylindrical sharpening stone extending across them. The stone may rotate about an axis perpendicular to the openings to allow its positioning parallel to the cutting edges of the scissors to effectuate the sharpening of the blades. A spring normally keeps the cylindrical stone in one position, but the force exerted on the scissors' handles will cause the stone to move to its proper orientation. The knife sharpener employs two tungsten carbide sharpening elements crossed to form two V's. The sharpening elements in one V have a configuration for effectuating knife sharpening. In the other V, the elements will hone a previously sharpened knife blade. A circular disk holds the crossed sharpening elements in the handle. Rotating the holder 180.degree. permits a change between the sharpener and the honer.

Abstract: An electrically powered corkscrew has an inclined handle of high ergonomic character to enable convenient and effective use when standing or seated, while ensuring a corkscrew of compact arrangement. The corkscrew has a de-briding cutter concealed in the butt of the handle for removing the usual foil seal from the cork. The cork extracting mechanism includes a dual purpose cork-stabilizing arrangement, including a pair of compression springs and guide posts to assist in countering rotation of the cork, and in assisting reverse operation of the corkscrew auger when discarding the cork.

Abstract: A corkscrew assembly contains the combination of a body, a corkscrew and a lever, in which the lever has a lever extension slidably nested within a recess therein, the extension being movable between a first and second position and the extension extends beyond the free end of the lever in the second position.

Abstract: A reversible ratchet wrench utilizing two pawls that mesh with teeth inside a housing. The design allows for engagement of all the teeth on a pawl with all the teeth in the housing. The invention provides for reduced stress on the individual teeth of the pawl as compared with a traditional reversible ratchet wrench. Smaller components of less expensive material may subsequently be utilized, allowing for a reduction in housing size.Both a round head reversible ratchet wrench and a pear head reversible ratchet wrench are contemplated. The wrenches of the present invention share several common components. Interchangeability is desirable due to the reduction in required components, and the reduced costs associated therewith.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench including two clamping panels, a base seat, a rotary member, an engaging member, a pressing member and a resilient member. The two clamping panels are respectively formed with two circular holes opposite to each other. The rotary member is rotatably disposed in the circular holes. A middle portion of an outer periphery of rotary member is formed with multiple teeth. Two end portions of the outer periphery are two fitting sections for fitting into the holes of the two clamping panels. One of the fitting sections is formed with a through hole in which the pressing member and the resilient member are disposed. The inner wall face of the circular hole of the clamping panel serves to stop the pressing member and the resilient member from dropping out. Therefore, the pressing member can be pressed against a nut or a socket to facilitate operation. Also, the structure is simple, easy to be assembled and firmly engaged.

Abstract: A strap wrench includes a molded plastic handle with teeth molded into the handle to engage the outside surface of a flexible strap which includes an elastomeric layer of material.

Abstract: An improved flange removal tool is provided to facilitate the installation and removal of pipe flanges from a receiving pipe fitting. The flange tool includes a body portion with an upper surface which includes a central opening for receiving an engagement head of a socket wrench. A continuous frame is attached to the body portion by spaced arms such that the continuous frame is suspended in spaced relation from the lower surface of the body portion by a distance which is greater than the thickness of a pipe flange to be rotated. The pipe flange is positioned between the body portion and the frame so upon rotation of the flange tool, facilitated by engagement of a socket wrench with the central opening, side walls of the spaced arms contact the edges of the pipe flange to urge rotation thereof and threading onto its receiving pipe fitting.

Abstract: A hook screw driver includes a main body including at least one compartment defined therein. A disc is slidably, removably received in the compartment. The disc has a retaining section with a pattern formed thereon, the pattern being constructed by a number of spaced blocks that constitute a plurality of grooves adapted to securely retain a hook portion of a hook screw. The retaining section of the disc is movable between a first position outside the main body for receiving the hook portion of the hook screw and a second position in the compartment of the main body for retaining the hook portion of the hook screw in position.

Abstract: An adjustable spanner having a releasable engagement securing mechanism is provided. The spanner comprises a spanner handle, a first holding portion, a second holding portion, a third holding portion, an adjustment member, a push rod, and at least one resilient element. Each of the first, second, and third holding portions defines respective contact surfaces. The first holding portion is fixedly coupled to one end of the spanner handle, while the second holding portion is displaceably coupled to the spanner handle. The third holding portion is displaceably coupled at the given end of the spanner handle. An adjustable U-shaped region is collectively formed by the three contact surfaces. A push rod disposed in displaceable manner within the spanner handle is coupled to the third holding portion for actuating the displacement thereof between a clamping position and a releasing position. The push rod is provided with an actuation button by which it may be displaced relative to the spanner handle.

Abstract: An interference fit joint is provided and includes a first member having a plurality of internal splines separated by valleys and defining a splined aperture having a first axis. Each of the internal splines has a crest and first and second internal sides and is symmetrical about a plane which includes the first axis. This joint also includes a second member having a second axis and an exterior surface having a plurality of external splines separated by valleys and engageable with the internal splines to form an interference fit therebetween. Each of the external splines has a crest and first and second external sides and is symmetrical about a plane which includes the second axis. The first and second external sides are respectively shaped differently from and engageable with first and second internal sides of adjacent internal splines, there being no engagement at the crests and valleys. An indexable head ratchet wrench employing the joint is also disclosed.

Abstract: Self-adjusting pliers, consisting of a male handle member and a female handle member with toothed jaws, sliding against each other by means of a pawl which connects them and slides in an elongated racked slot inserted in one of the toothed jaws, both handle members being joined together by a coupling link consisting of two sleeves (1), (2) which move against each other telescopically, one of them (2) pivoting on the male handle member (6) and the other on the female handle member (11); one spring (3) connecting both sleeves (1), (2) and a second spring (5) connecting one (1) of the sleeves with one (11) of the handle members.Suitable for application in the manufacture of hand tools.

Abstract: A rotary tool comprises a longitudinally extending tool part (2) determining the axis of rotation of the tool, and a grip part (1) which is pivotable relative to the tool part (2) about an axis extending substantially perpendicularly to the tool part. The grip part (1), on the side facing away from the tool part and on the end intended to be positioned between thumb and index finger, comprises a knob-shaped support portion (8). A spatial pivot (4, 5) may be arranged between the tool part (2) and the grip part (1).

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting tubes has at least one cutting tool that contacts an anvil of a counterstay. The anvil is arranged relative to a cutting point of the cutting tool within the interior of a tube. The cutting tool can be fed in towards the counterstay during the cutting operation and can be limited in its cutting movement by the counterstay at the end of the cutting operation. The anvil is arranged in a yielding manner in the counterstay in the infeed direction of the cutting tool.

Abstract: An on-car disc brake lathe system for resurfacing a brake disc of a vehicle brake assembly includes a lathe body with a driving motor, a cutting head operably attached to the lathe body, and a drive shaft. The system also includes an alignment system having an electronic controller, input and output adaptors configured to rotate with the drive shaft, one or more adjustment discs, and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment disc is positioned between the input adaptor and the output adaptor, and an axial alignment of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor may be varied based on a rotational orientation of the adjustment disc. The adjustment mechanism is configured to change the rotational orientation of the adjustment disc in response to commands from the electronic controller.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a moving substrate includes a cutter nozzle connected to a movable support. A supplying mechanism provides a cutting fluid to the cutter nozzle at a pressure which provides for a fluid flow rate from the cutter nozzle which is sufficient to cut the substrate in a selected cut pattern. A designating mechanism identifies a plurality of selected article lengths along the substrate, and a transporting mechanism moves the substrate at a predetermined speed along the machine direction during the cutting of the substrate. An actuating servo moves the cutter nozzle along a selected cutting path, and a regulating mechanism controls the actuating servo by employing a selected, electronically stored data set. The data set is configured to move the actuating servo in a selected sequence, and the sequence has a predetermined correspondence with the movement of the substrate to thereby direct the cutter nozzle along the selected cutting path and provide the selected cut pattern on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cutting a piece of meat into a predetermined number of steaks. To allow the piece of meat to be cut in a rapid and simple manner with small losses of raw material, the piece of meat is placed in a mould whose bottom, cover and side walls substantially enclose the piece of meat, the piece of meat is subjected to a pressure in such a way that the bottom, the cover or at least one of the walls is movable and at least partly pressed into the mould until the piece of meat is so compressed as to fill substantially the entire space between the bottom, side walls and cover of the mould. The cutting elements are inserted into the mould through slots provided in the side walls, cover and/or bottom of the mould, whereby the piece of meat subjected to pressure is cut into a predetermined number of steaks by the cutting elements. The invention also relates to a cutting apparatus.

Abstract: A compound miter saw has a unique locking system for locking the bevel angle support housing to the table assembly once the desired bevel angle has been set. The locking system includes a cam and a handle each with an angular cam surface. When the two cam surfaces are aligned, the support housing is free to pivot around a supporting shaft. When the handle is rotated on the shaft, the two cam surfaces are moved to a non-aligned position. This non-alignment of cam surfaces causes axial movement of the cam along the shaft which in turn forces the support housing against the table assembly to lock the support housing in the desired bevel angle.

Abstract: A case trimming apparatus is provided having a hollow, longitudinally extending housing which is open at both ends, receiving and securing a cutting tool at one end and enclosing the cutting edge of that tool while rotatably receiving the open end of a case at its other end and retaining the case in alignment with the cutting edge. The end of the housing which receives the open end of the case includes a ledge to engage the shoulder of the case rather than engage the case by its diameter. The ledge can be removably mounted in the housing. The housing includes a chamber for retaining shavings and may include an opening from that chamber to remove shavings during trimming. Manual actuation is accomplished by rotation of the case relative to the housing while applying pressure to the case toward the cutting edge. An adapter is provided for connecting the housing to a standard power tool, such as a conventional electric hand drill, in order to provide an alternative rotary power source.

Abstract: A system for aiding the clearing of mines includes an equipment assembly composed of a portable processing unit (10) having multimedia capabilities, a helmet (12) with projection by overprinting, at least one position sensor (13) integral with the helmet and a camera for taking shots (14), capable of recording the actions of the operator. The system further includes a software assembly composed of software for the management of a data base of the various existing mines, software for the creation of synthesis and animation images, software for retouching an image which allows the images to be improved, and vocal command software.

Abstract: A turret drive assembly fixedly secured to a turret causes rotation of the turret via rotation of an aiming wheel fixed to the turret drive assembly. The turret drive assembly comprises a drive mechanism which is operatively coupled to an aiming wheel and a first sprocket wheel so that rotation of the aiming wheel rotates the first sprocket wheel. Rotation of the first sprocket wheel rotates a second sprocket wheel which rotates a drive gear which is engaged with a fixed ring gear secured to a vehicle. Rotation of the drive gear, when engaged with the ring gear, rotates the turret. The drive gear and ring gear may be disengaged from one another and held in such a position.

Abstract: An accelerating assembly effectively to increase the cyclic rate at which the trigger of a semi-automatic firearm can be actuated to discharge the weapon. The firearm has a supporting device, a receiver housing supported from the supporting device, a trigger and trigger mechanism secured to the receiver housing. The accelerating mechanism incorporates structure that permits the receiver and the trigger to translate rearwardly a predetermined distance with respect to the supporting device in response to the recoil imparted by the discharge of the semi-automatic firearm. A biasing arrangement continuously urges the receiver, and trigger, to translate forwardly with respect to the supporting device substantially that same predetermined distance. A locating stop is mounted on the supporting device. The locating stop is disposed to be engaged by the shooter's finger after the trigger has been actuated to fire the semi-automatic weapon.

Abstract: A sleeve made of spring plate is positioned between the mushroom head and the breechblock carrier of a locked firearm. The sleeve is supported in the expanded state between the mushroom head and the breechblock carrier and, thus, prevents their being pushed together. During closure of the breechblock, the sleeve enters a fixed cone which compresses it radially in elastic fashion so that the sleeve can be inserted into an annular space in the mushroom head and/or the breechblock carrier. The radial compression of the sleeve permits the mushroom head and the breechblock carrier to be pushed together and, thus, permits relative rotation between the mushroom head and the breechblock carrier.