Abstract: A sand removal apparatus for use with an oil pumping apparatus in which a first sand remover is attached between a valve rod and a plunger of the oil pumping apparatus and a second sand remover is attached to a bottom of the plunger within the working barrel of the oil pumping apparatus. The first sand remover has a body with an interior passageway extending longitudinally therethrough. The body has a first threaded end attached to the plunger cage associated with the valve rod of the oil pumping apparatus and a second threaded end attached to the plunger. A circumferential groove extends around the body between the ends. A wiper is positioned within the circumferential groove so as to have an edge extending outwardly of the groove so as to be in wiping contact with the working barrel. The second sand remover has a body with an interior passageway extending longitudinally therethrough and having a first threaded end attached to the bottom of the plunger.

Abstract: Aluminum silicate-containing cement slurries for cementing wellbores in deepwater and cold environments, or in wellbores susceptible to fluid intrusion. The aluminum silicate-containing slurries may also be used as high strength, low density cements for wellbore cementing applications under a variety of conditions. The cement slurries typically comprise a mixture of a reactive aluminum silicate and hydraulic cement, and may include one or more other additives. The cement slurries may optionally be foamed using a foaming agent and energizing phase.

Abstract: A wellbore service fluid comprising polymers having cross-linking groups capable of forming chemical bonds with other polymers without additional monomeric cross-linking agents is described, and related methods, particularly applicable to water control operations.

Abstract: An assembly, mountable below a whipstock, for engagement into an anchor packer is disclosed which has a valve member as a principal component. The assembly is stabbed into the anchor packer in a manner that isolates the main wellbore from the lateral to be created using the whipstock. An equalization feature facilitates the stabbing in of the assembly into the anchor packer. Upon concluding the stabbing in, the equalization opening closes and locks in the closed position. Thereafter, the lateral is created by milling a window (in the case of a cased wellbore) and drilling the lateral. Liners may be used within the lateral and are insertable by use of the whipstock. At any desired time when production is to resume from below the whipstock, the valve member is actuated while the anchor packer remains in position to hold the whipstock. The valve member can be actuated by mechanically shifting a sleeve or by dissolution with chemical attack of a dissolvable plug or by other techniques.

Abstract: A caisson gate valve (10) fitting within an outer casing (12) extending downwardly from a subsea wellhead below the sea floor is disclosed. The gate valve (10) includes a valve body or block (14) having an axial bore or flow passage (16) therethrough and a transverse cavity (18) in body (14) which extends through the body (14) to provide open ends (19) for cavity (18). Covers (60, 66) are mounted over the open ends (19) of cavity (18). A gate carrier (24) has an oval opening (26) which receives a gate member (28) having a gate opening (30) therein for movement between open and closed positions relative to the flow passage (16). A pair of opposed stems or pistons (32, 34) extend from gate carrier (28) for actuation of gate carrier (24) and valve member (28) between open and closed positions relative to flow passage (16). Fluid chambers (36, 38) adjacent pistons (32, 34) provide pressurized fluid for actuation of gate carrier (24) and gate member (28) therein.

Abstract: A circulating valve and associated methods of using same provide control of fluid flow within a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, a circulating valve includes a fluid pressure storage chamber in fluid communication with the exterior of the valve. When positioned in a wellbore, fluid pressure in an annulus between the valve and the wellbore is stored in the storage chamber. A subsequent, relatively rapid, increase in the annulus fluid pressure causes the valve to operate.

Abstract: A dual string well tree isolation apparatus includes two assemblies each having a high pressure valve and a high pressure tubing which are respectively inserted into the vertical passage of a dual string well tree, and a swedge for connection to the dual string well tree for supporting one of the assemblies. The swedge vertically offsets one assembly from the other. The apparatus further includes a hydraulic cylinder for inserting the high pressure tubings and cylinder support rods for removable attachment of the hydraulic cylinder to the dual string well tree. The hydraulic cylinder and the support rods are removed after each insertion of a high pressure tubing into a respective vertical passage to provide easy access to the high pressure valve of each assembly. The advantage is a safe, economical apparatus for simultaneous stimulation of a dual string well completion.

Abstract: A technique is provided for retaining a cable assembly in a length of conduit, such as coiled tubing. The retaining assembly is secured to an end of the coiled tubing and to tensile members of the cable assembly. A retainer element may be secured directly to conductors of the cable assembly for holding the cable assembly adjacent to the retaining structure. The retainer may include a flat plate-like structure which abuts against a surface of the assembly, such as against an upper surface of a connector to prevent re-entry of the cable into the coiled tubing. Following attachment of the cable and coiled tubing, the submersible equipment coupled to the coiled tubing may be retracted or withdrawn from the well. Certain of the conductors may be coupled to monitoring circuitry for continuously monitoring well parameters during such repositioning. The technique may be used during initial installation of coiled tubing deployed systems, or during subsequent removal or servicing of the equipment.

Abstract: A pressure balanced, slow actuating device and method for manipulation of an auxiliary tool within a subterranean well in which the hydrostatic pressure within well fluids in the well are utilized to meter and extend the timing of actuation of a component or auxiliary tool within a subterranean well.

Abstract: Anti-combuation safeguarding of fuel and other combustible material confined in contact with a pre-existing overlying ambient atmosphere supportive of combustion. Such atmosphere is displaced by an underlying blanketing layer of heavier-than-air gaseous carbon dioxide evolving from solid non-combustible carbon dioxide located at a nearby site, from which it is distributed to site(s) of fuel or other combustible material. Such a method, together with apparatus to implement it, is applicable to fuel or other combustible material not only when stored at a fixed location, but also in a transport vehicle or craft of whatever type, and wherever located. Distributive flow of carbon dioxide to fuel sites in air, land, or marine craft may be accelerated in accordance with fuel consumption, and also in the event of occurrence of a spark or other hazard, as by applying radiation to the solid carbon dioxide so as to increase its existing rate of conversion into carbon dioxide gas.

Abstract: A soil sampling apparatus comprising a cylindrical body having an upper end, a lower end, and an egress aperture located along the cylindrical body proximal the lower end. The apparatus further includes a handle connected to the upper end of the cylindrical body for manual positioning and securing the apparatus while in use. The apparatus further includes a base plate with an aperture therein for receiving the cylindrical body at the lower end. The cylindrical body is secured to the base plate and extends a distance through the aperture of the base plate, thereby defining a probe. A shaft may be connected to an auger and positioned within the cylindrical body for upward and downward movement therein. A drill may be used for rotating the shaft and auger. The apparatus further includes a receptacle comprising an ingress aperture. The receptacle may be joined to the cylindrical body, the ingress aperture juxtaposed the egress aperture.

Abstract: A process and device for boring holes in soil or rocks, in particular for percussion or rotary percussion boring. A bore hole is formed by an annular drill bit mounted on boring rods and at the same time a jacket tube which surrounds the boring rods with a certain gap is introduced. The annular drill bit is flushed during boring by a flushing medium fed into the annular gap defined between the boring rods and the jacket tube. When boring is completed, a setting suspension is fed into the annular gap to form an anchorage with the boring rods. An anchorage can thus be obtained in a simple and reliable manner immediately after a bore hole is completed, in particular in loose or slack material, by a device having a simple design.

Abstract: A downhole tool catcher which includes a bottom hole assembly formed of an inner tubular in an outer tubular, an external housing connected to the outer tubular, and a washpipe extending from the inner tubular into the external housing, the washpipe having an external shoulder located uphole of an internal shoulder on the external housing, the external shoulder and internal shoulder being configured to engage each other upon movement of the external housing in an uphole direction in relation to the washpipe. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom hole assembly includes a mud motor.

Abstract: An extension drilling system for use with a semiautomatic drilling rig. The drilling system includes a plurality of extension rods constituting a drill rod string and having cooperating male and female threaded couplings therebetween, and being right-hand rope threaded couplings. A reversible drive chuck of a drilling rig drives (either directly, or via an adaptor), the outside of the female threaded end of an associated extension rod. A gripper grips one of the extension rods to hold the drill rod string stationary when the chuck is driven in reverse. The gripper is located such that only one threaded coupling is disposed between the chuck and grippers and to ensure that when the chuck is rotated in reverse, only the desired coupling is uncoupled. The drill rods have axial passages therethrough in communication with each other and through which flushing fluid is delivered to an associated drill bit and a non-return valve is incorporated in the passage through at least one of the drill rods.

Abstract: Core machine intended particularly to the oil prospection field, comprising a core crown (2), an external tube (3) for the rotational driving of the core crown (2), and an internal tube (4) having a free front end element (7) intended to receive a core (5), and a revolution surface (8) of the free end element (7) on the crown side (2), arranged to cooperate with an internal surface (9) thereof, or optionally of the external tube (3), so as to adjust between the two a predetermined passage for the core drilling fluid, the free end element (7) being mounted in the core drilling machine (1) so as to slide coaxially on an extremity section (13) of the internal tube (4), between a position wherein the revolution surface (8) is in contact with the internal surface (9) of the crown (2), or respectively of the external tube (3), and an extreme position away from said internal surface (9).

Abstract: A rotary rock drill bit includes a bit body and three conical roller cutters rotatably mounted thereon. Each roller cutter has at least first, second, and third circumferential rows of buttons spaced apart in the direction of rotation of the roller cutter. The three rows of buttons are arranged successively from a rear end toward a front end of the roller cutter. The buttons of each of the first and second rows have lengths of attack which are longer in a direction of rotation of the roller cutter than in a direction perpendicular thereto. Those longer lengths of attack are also longer than a length of attack of the buttons of the third row in the rotational direction.

Abstract: A rotatable cutting bit for engaging earth strata wherein the bit comprises an elongate bit body rotatable about a central longitudinal axis. The elongate body has an axially forward end and an axially rearward end. A cutting insert is affixed to the elongate body at the axially forward end thereof. The cutting insert comprises a pair of top surfaces which intersect to form a chisel edge, and a pair of concave surfaces wherein each one of the concave surfaces is adjacent to and intersects its corresponding one of the top surfaces. The cutting insert further includes a pair of end surfaces and a pair of arcuate surfaces. One of the arcuate surfaces intersects the one top surface and further intersects the one end surface whereby the one arcuate surface joins the one top surface and the one end surface. The other of the arcuate surfaces intersects the other top surface and further intersects the other end surface whereby the other arcuate surface joins the other top surface and the other end surface.

Abstract: A preform cutting element, for a rotary drag-type drill bit, includes a facing table of polycrystalline diamond having a front face, a peripheral surface, and a rear surface bonded to the front surface of a tungsten carbide substrate. The facing table has at least one peripheral locking portion projecting rearwardly from the rear surface of the facing table into the substrate, the inner surface of the locking portion and the adjacent part of the substrate having interengaging formations whereby part of the substrate overlies at least one part of the locking portion. With this arrangement, forces acting on the facing table tending to lift it from the front surface of the substrate are resisted by the portion of the substrate which overlies the part of the locking portion.

Abstract: A superhard cutting element having a polished, low friction, substantially planar cutting face with a surface finish roughness of 10 .mu.in. or less and preferably 0.5 .mu.in. or less. A chamfered cutting edge and side surface of the superhard material table of the same surface finish roughness are also disclosed. The surface roughness of the aforementioned superhard material table portions may be reduced by mechanically smoothing and polishing according to one of several variations of the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention comprises at least one cylinder, such as a hydraulic cylinder connected between a vehicle or machine upper structure frame and a dual track undercarriage which is used to shift the weight of a tracked vehicle so that the vehicle or machine turns easier, suffers less componentry wear, and inflicts less damage on a surface under the tracked vhiicle or machine. A simple electronic control can be used to permit an operator to indicate the desired direction of turn, which then actuates a sensor which signals an electric solonoid operated hydraulic valve which then directs hydraulic fluid to the cylinder which shifts the weight as required for the direction of turn.

Abstract: For machinery it is often desirable to change the gauge of the track or wheels. Variation of gauge is commonly accomplished by hydraulic cylinders which act through telescopic cross beams (3) to, for example, move tracks (2) of the machinery apart. Apparatus is disclosed to guide movement of the structure to change gauge and to lock the structure in place to prevent relative movement while the machinery is operated. Remote control (30) may be used to control these operations.

Abstract: A computerizable robotic automated bogie is provided including a drive motor and a main drive shaft extending downwardly from the drive motor. A rotatable plate is rotatably coupled to a bottom of a platform and further rotatable with respect to the main drive shaft. A gear mechanism is operatively coupled to the drive shaft. At least one wheel has an axis coupled with the gear mechanism thereby effecting rotation of the at least one wheel about a horizontal axis upon the actuation of the drive motor. The axis about which the at least one wheel rotates is fixed with respect to the rotatable plate. Further included is a rotating mechanism operatively engaged with the rotatable plate for selectively rotating the horizontal axis about which the at least one wheel resides.

Abstract: A wheelchair battery mounting system comprises a battery box assembly and a battery support assembly for supporting the battery box assembly. The battery box assembly includes battery box bottom and lid. The battery support assembly includes a battery cage and a handle pivotally mounted to the battery cage. The handle has two ends. Each end is provided with an interference member. Stops are mounted on wheelchair side frames. The interference members are engageable with the battery stops when the battery support assembly is installed on the wheelchair and the handle is rotated downward.

Abstract: An agricultural or industrial utility vehicle includes a vehicle body, an operator's platform and a pivot assembly, by means of which the operator's platform can be pivoted on the utility vehicle about an essentially horizontal pivot axis. The pivot assembly includes at least two guide arms of differing lengths and/or extending in non-parallel directions. Each guide arm has one end which is coupled at a joint to the operators platform and another end which is coupled at another joint to the vehicle body. The connecting joint axes of the guide arms are essentially parallel to each other and are spaced apart from each other. Such a pivoted operator's platforms permits access for maintenance, repair or cleaning of vehicle components which are arranged under the operator's platform.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle of the present invention includes: a first differential mechanism for distributing engine drive force to front drive wheels and rear drive wheels; a second differential mechanism for distributing engine drive force to left and right main drive wheels (the main drive wheels get more drive force than other drive wheels); first differential-limiting device for operating differential-limiting control by the first differential mechanism; second differential-limiting device for operating differential-limiting control by the second differential mechanism; rotational speed detection device for detecting rotational speed of each drive wheel; turn direction detection device for detecting the direction of a turn that the vehicle is making; and control means for, based on detection signals from the rotational speed detection device and the turn direction detection device, controlling differential-limiting force provided by the second differential-limiting device according to a difference betwee

Abstract: A drill string assembly containing a section of tube with a first end. The first end directly, mechanically links a drill pipe to a drill bit and transmits rotational forces from the drill pipe to the drill bit during drilling. A spring is connected to the section of tube at a point remote from the first end of the section of tube. A mass is connected to the spring such that the mass can vibrate on the spring in an axial direction relative to the section of tube and drill string. The value of the mass and the stiffness of the spring being selected such as to cause them to act as a mechanical filter and damp longitudinal compression waves at a predetermined frequency of frequency band and received at the first end of the section of tube.

Abstract: An acoustic chamber for a compressor, wherein the compressor has a cooling fan and a fan opening. The acoustic chamber has a floor, a ceiling and first and second side walls, defining first and second ends of the chamber, one of the ends being open for flow of air into the chamber. An acoustic choke at the second end faces the open end of the chamber and extends between the first and second side walls and between the floor and ceiling. An acoustic channel disposed adjacent the open end of the chamber directs sound in a channelling direction from the open end of the chamber towards the acoustic choke. The floor, ceiling and first and second side walls have sufficient permeability to permit flow of air into the open end of the chamber without negatively affecting the functioning of a compressor cooling fan.

Abstract: A kit for reducing noise in motor vehicles having at least one areal vehicle part, the kit having a sound-insulating assembly package having several layers and an at least partly interlaying air layer. This assembly package has at least one porous cushioning layer, a microporous reinforcing layer which is lightweight, stiff and openly porous, an air flow resistance between R.sub.t =500 Nsm.sup.-3 and R.sub.t =2,500 Nsm.sup.-3, and a surface area of mF=0.3 kg/m.sup.2 to mF=2.0 kg/m.sup.2. The reinforcing layer has a stiffness of B=0.05 Nm to B=10.5 Nm. This permits replacing the weight of classic spring-mass-systems for noise reduction in vehicles with a system at least 50% lighter. In addition to the dampening effect on oscillations, this kit absorbs sound and provides thermal insulation. Preferably, this multifunctional, ultralight kit is used to insulate the floor or firewall, or as a door lining or roof inner lining.

Abstract: A ladder system comprises first and second rails with at least one rung connected between and perpendicular to both rails. First and second non-linear rail slots are located adjacent the bottom of the respective rails. Also, the ladder system comprises first and second ladder shoes. First and second bolts extend through the first and second shoes, respectively, and the first and second slots, respectively, to moveably connect the first and second shoes to the first and second rails, respectively, with both slots of a shape so that each shoe can move about the bottom of each respective rail and each respective rail can rotate relative to each respective shoe inside each respective shoe without interference occurring between the rails and shoes.

Abstract: A personnel basket for attachment to a boom or ladder of a rescue vehicle is provided, the basket having a pair of handrails extending along the perimeter of the personnel basket walls, the handrails are adapted to readily fold into a position that reduces the height of the basket and permits the basket to be stored on the cab of a rescue vehicle.

Abstract: A height adjustable work support assembly to be used primarily as an integral part of a stepladder. It includes a work support tube (1) with interchangeable platform bases (10). The work support tube extends downward through the top of the ladder (2), and is held in position and guided by a pivoting lock plate (3) attached to the top of the ladder by a supporting plate (4). A pivoting guide bushing assembly located at a lower level, supports the tube (1) in the vertical position. The lock plate (3) and guide bushing assembly can be pivoted upward/downward with the closing of the ladder, permitting the work support tube (1) to be pivoted and held within the confines of the folded ladder. When the work support tube is pivoted, the spring loaded locking washer (6) locks the work support tube in the reverse direction, preventing it from sliding out of the ladder while storing or transporting.

Abstract: A foldable ladder suitable for boarding a boat from the bow end thereof having laterally spaced side rails each with upper and lower portions. The upper and lower portion of one side rail are hinged together or pivoting in an outward direction and the upper and lower portions of the other side rails include a releasable connection. A plurality of steps extend between the side rails and are connected at their ends to the adjacent side rail by hinges. A releasable latch mechanism interconnects the side rails for holding the ladder in its unfolded condition.

Abstract: A fluid change system (10) for use in changing fluid, i.e. motor oil from machinery. The system has a portable "suitcase" unit (12) and a unit (14) for recharging the suitcase unit. The suitcase unit (12) has a used fluid tank (22) for collecting and storing used fluid under vacuum, a new fluid tank (20) for storing and delivering new fluid, and a compressed air tank (18). A four-way valve (56) controls the inflow of used fluid into and new fluid out of the suitcase unit (12). The suitcase unit (12) has recharge ports (58, 60, 62, 64, and 66) through which the new fluid tank (20) will be refilled with new fluid and recharged with pressurized inert gas, the used fluid tank (22) will be emptied of used fluid and placed under a vacuum, and the compressed air tank (18) will be refilled with compressed air. A venturi operable by air from the compressed air tank (18) permits the user to put extra vacuum on the used fluid tank (22) as the need arises.

Abstract: An apparatus for draining oil from a side-draining crankcase, the crankcase having an oil outlet, the crankcase being supported on a chassis defining edge portions distal from the oil outlet. The apparatus includes a flexible fluid conduit having a first end and a second end and forming a fluid passageway there between, the apparatus being defined by a length along an axis of fluid flow, which length is greater than a shortest distance from the oil outlet to an edge portion of the chassis nearest the oil outlet. The apparatus further includes a first coupling secured to the first end of the flexible fluid conduit and configured to be threadably and removably connectable to the oil outlet, a sealing element removably connectable to the second end of the flexible fluid conduit, and a securing mechanism configured to removably secure the second end of the apparatus proximate the first end of the apparatus.

Abstract: The grease coupling of this invention is made from three elements that are conventional and readily available: a nut; an externally threaded tube; and a grease fitting. These three elements are integrated to define an effective grease coupling to lubricate a steering cable that extends through an outer sheath from the steering wheel to the outboard motor of a boat. The method of making the grease coupling enables a competent mechanic to custom-make an efficient grease coupling, and also minimizes the cost of mass producing the grease coupling.

Abstract: A lubricator for delivering grease lubricant to lubricating locations of a machine is coupled to a grease container and has a work chamber in which a delivery piston reciprocates. To ensure that a compressible medium, such as air which has been drawn into the work chamber is rapidly expelled therefrom, the work chamber is divided by a grease return device into a compressing portion and a delivery portion. Triggered by a sufficiently high pressure level which prevails in the compressing portion and which is present only during grease delivery, an otherwise blocked return connection is established between the compressing portion and a supply port which couples the grease container to the work chamber, as long as the head of the delivery piston, in the course of its grease delivery stroke (forward stroke) is situated in the compressing portion.

Abstract: A system for the delivery and control of an air/oil mixture used to lubricate large bearings in heavy duty applications such as steel mills is provided. The system includes a mixing module for mixing air and oil and delivering the air/oil mixture through a plurality of connecting lines to a plurality of bearing housings. Each of the connecting lines or the outlet leading to the connecting line is, in turn, connected to its own individual solenoid. Each solenoid is connected to a common pressure transducer which is connected to a controller. The controller sequentially opens the solenoids one at a time thereby establishing communication between one of the connecting lines and the common transducer at a time. The transducer receives pressure signals fr6m each connecting line converts the pressure signals to analog signals before transmitting the analog signals to the controller.

Abstract: A pressure fluid-driven apparatus includes a zero point position-determining mechanism, including an oil supply-adjusting knob formed with an arrow-shaped recess for indicating a zero point position, an insert member internally fitted into a hole of the oil supply-adjusting knob, a stopper for setting an assembled state of the oil supply-adjusting knob and the insert member to be at a zero point position, and a first spline section and a second spline section fitted to one another to determine the position so that the zero point position of the recess corresponds to that of a holder.

Abstract: A food and drink conveying system includes a conveying path for circulating a plurality of containers each having food and drink, and a plurality of tables arranged along the conveying path. The food and drink conveying system also includes a conveying container which holds one of the containers and which is placed on the conveying path, and noticing devices for letting an orderer know an arrival of his/her order proximate the orderer's table, so that the order can reliably be received by the customer, without any fear of the order being taken away on the way to the order's table by another person.

Abstract: A method of operating a self-service checkout terminal having a weight scale associated therewith includes the step of generating an item-entered control signal when a user enters a first item for purchase with a code entry device. The method also includes the step of monitoring output from the weight scale in response to generation of the item-entered control signal and generating an entered-item-detected control signal if the weight scale detects that the user placed the first item for purchase in a shopping container. In addition, the method includes the step of operating the self-service checkout terminal so as to allow the user to enter subsequent items for purchase in response to generation of the entered-item-detected control signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved sliding entrance door assembly for an elevator and to the method of installing the assembly. In one embodiment, the elevator sliding entrance door assembly comprises, viewed from the hallway, a sill, a left vertical post having a top portion, a right vertical post having a top portion and positioned parallel to the left post, a header formed with an open notch connected to the left and right posts, a door frame consisting of a strike jamb, head jamb and return jamb attached to the header, one post and sill. An elevator door track is attached to the header. The assembly also includes a sliding elevator door having rolling means to rollingly suspend the door from the track, the door being adjustable after being suspended through the opening formed in the header. In addition, the slide sill having a groove therein which defines a lower track for the door extends between the left post and the right post.

Abstract: A group-supervising control system for an elevator includes a cage position prediction unit for predicting cage positions after a predetermined time period based on the present positions, a service available time period distribution calculation unit for calculating the time periods until the service is available (predicted arrival times of a cage capable of responding to a hall call earliest) based on the predicted cage positions, and an assignment correction value calculation unit for calculating assignment correction values for correcting assignment estimation values based on the distributions of the time periods until the service is available. Unevenness in the time periods until the service is available with regard to the respective floors is decreased.

Abstract: In a vehicle wheel hub bearing unit and brake arrangement, the bearing forms a rotating radial flange (11) adapted for securing to a radial flange (12) of a brake member and rotate fixedly therewith. The brake member flange (12) is located substantially in the same radial plane of the bearing flange (11) and secured directly to the peripheral portion thereof. A form or splined connection (13, 14) couples the flanges (11, 12) in non-rotatable manner. The hub bearing flange (11) has a shoulder (15, 135) radially protruding from the axially inner side thereof so as to provide an axially inner abutment for the brake member flange (12). The brake member flange (12) is axially restrained from axial outward motion by the wheel rim (16, 21).

Abstract: An actuating device for machine elements that are subject to wear play, especially for brakes of railborne vehicles. The actuating device has a piston-cylinder unit operated by a pressure medium. The piston-cylinder unit has a piston rod engagable with an adjusting device configured as an adjusting nut/spindle assembly, for wear play compensation. The adjusting nut/spindle assembly has a sleeve-type adjusting nut with external toothing engagable with an automatically actuatable actuating drive. An electronic control unit generates an actuating signal for wear play compensation in dependence on the position of a brake piston connected to the piston rod. The brake piston position is measured by a sensor. The actuating signal is transmitted to the actuating drive.

Abstract: In an electrically-operated disc brake assembly for a vehicle in which a friction member (10) is applied to a brake disc by a brake-applying means including an electric motor (5) which forms part of the assembly and a linear actuator (15) in the form of a screw device apply an axially directed brake-applying force to the friction member (10) in response to operation of the motor (5), the linear actuator (15) comprises differential screws (16, 19) which translate rotation of the motor (5) into axial movement of the friction member (10) in a brake-applying, direction.

Abstract: A brake assembly for a shaft including a series of brake disks interconnected to the shaft by rectangular tabs with the interleaved reaction disks interconnected to the housing by accurately positioned pins, which pins are located in grooves in the reaction disks and radially surrounding the housing respectively.

Abstract: A ventilated rotor to be disclosed has a first slide board, a second slide board which faces the first slide board and N-numbered (N: natural number, not less than 2) ribs provided between the first and second slide boards. The first and second slide boards have a common central axis, and the N-numbered ribs include ribs, which are in reference providing positions separated from each other at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction and are elongated in a radial direction perpendicular to the central axis, and N/n-numbered (n: natural number, not less than 2, N/n: natural number) ribs, which are shifted from the reference providing positions by a prescribed angle in one direction of the circumferential direction and are elongated in the radial direction. In another way, the N-numbered ribs includes N/n-numbered ribs which have divided portions divided with separation from each other in the radial direction.

Abstract: A steering damper particularly for mountain bicycles of the type having a steer-tube including a cylinder having closures at the ends filled with oil of high viscosity. Within the cylinder there are a dam and vanes. The steering damper is integrated with the steer-tube and with the handlebars and steer-stem. The vanes of the steering damper are connected to the frame and are fixed. The housing and dam connected internally to the housing are disposed in, and connected to, the steer-tube so that when the handlebars are rotated, the housing and dam are rotated relative to the vanes. When the handlebars are being displaced from center, pressure is applied to the oil between the dam and a vane and the movement is damped. On the return stroke of the handlebars, the one-way valve in the vane involved is open, the oil between the dam and the vane is discharged, pressure is reduced and the damping is suppressed.

Abstract: An adjustable installation includes a body and a member carried by the body for adjustment among a plurality of positions by movements substantially in tandem of two spaced-apart locations on the member. A controllable locking gas spring is coupled between the body and the member at one of the locations, and an emergency locking gas spring is coupled between the body and the member at the other of the locations. The emergency locking gas spring normally acts like a non-locking gas spring and is thus in a follower relationship to the controllable locking gas spring but is locked automatically in either of two ways, depending on its design. In some designs, the emergency locking gas spring locks when a force greater than a predetermined force is imposed on it. In other designs, the emergency locking gas spring is locked in response to a signal generated by an acceleration detector upon detection of an acceleration of the installation greater than a predetermined acceleration.

Abstract: A bag for carrying a guitar stand. The bag comprises a box shaped pouch having four walls, a bottom, an openable flap on top for a lid, and an interior compartment defined by the walls, bottom and lid. The flap and front wall of the pouch are provided with mating fasteners for securing the flap shut. The exterior surface of the front wall is provided with two loops, located on the lower portion of the wall approximately perpendicular to each other. The loops removably receive a folded down base of the guitar stand and a bar provided on the stand, respectively, in order to removably secure the stand to the outside of the bag. The bag is provided with a carrying strap by which the bag may be carried.