Abstract: An adapter to permit a ladder to placed in an operating position on a vehicle, wherein the vehicle acts as a base for the ladder. The adapter is engaged to the hitch of the vehicle. The adapter includes a first removable shaft that is slid through a tubular rung at the bottom of the ladder. The adapter includes peripheral devices. One peripheral device is a tether that is engaged between the vehicle and the upper end of the ladder. The tether includes a ratchet mechanism for shortening and lengthening the tether and for changing an angle of the ladder relative to the ground. Another peripheral device is a second removable shaft for being slid through an upper rung of the ladder and for being engaged by the tether. Still another peripheral device is a leg for being placed between the adapter and the ground to minimize the chances of the front end of the vehicle from being raised when a user is on the upper end of the ladder and when the ladder has been extended.

Abstract: A hinge structure applied to folding ladder, stool and chair is provided, wherein the hinge structure is formed of a sleeve and two wings and is applied to a front frame and a back frame of the ladder, stool and chair so as to fixly secure a connecting hinge of the front frame connected to the hinge and a central of a rivet hole connected to the back frame, and the vertical length between the hinge and a axis of the frame is not smaller than the sum of the radiuses of the front frame tube and the back frame tube, thereby the folding chair is able to be opened easily and the folding volume thereof is reduce.

Abstract: A load lowering descent controller having a fixed cylindrical body or capstan about which a rope or cable is turned. The descent controller allows for lowering of the load at a controlled rate by adjusting the amount of friction between the controller and the rope or cable as a function of rope or cable turning and relative contact with rope or cable engagement surfaces in the controller.

Abstract: An apparatus for permitting the draining of liquid such as oil from a small internal combustion engine is provided. The apparatus consists of two separate components so as to allow for its easy use and inexpensive manufacture. Additionally, the apparatus is constructed so as to not to require costly or complex valve assemblies so as to remove the potential for leaking and associated undesirable effects.

Abstract: In a method of garment selection, a customer enters a retail outlet having a sales display including (a) a plurality of articles of clothing of a given type in different standard sizes and (b) a plurality of first sizing markers each corresponding to a respective one of the standard sizes and disposed in physical proximity to respective ones of the articles of clothing. The articles of clothing and the first sizing markers are disposed in an arrangement facilitating perception of the first sizing markers and selection of appropriate sizes of the articles of clothing by prospective customers.

Abstract: Merchandise is marketed from the premises of a merchant from which the merchandise is normally transported in bags supplied by the merchant. This may, for example, be a grocery store. The merchant provides customers with re-usable bags for transporting their purchases. These bags may be sold to the customers or they may be given away as a promotion. Each customer who returns to the store with the re-usable bags receives an award on the acquisition newly acquired merchandise. The award may be a discount on the newly acquired merchandise, a reward in a reward program or any other product or service that will attract customers. The newly acquired merchandise may be restricted to selected products identified by displays or advertising. Where a particular manufacturer's or supplier's product is selected as a product triggering a discount or is being offered at a discount, the manufacturer or supplier may pay the merchant or provide some other consideration.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention includes rail and carriage assembly combination that provides improved efficient operation. A rail is provided that has an inside surface that includes a straight back surface and an angled front surface. A carriage assembly is provided that includes upper rollers that are canted. Preferably the upper rollers are canted to match the angle of the angled front surface of the rail when a load is applied to the carriage assembly. As to fore/aft loads, the present invention provides a rail and carriage assembly design that causes the upper rollers of the carriage assembly to contact the front inside surface of the rail.

Abstract: An actuating device for an elevator having a gearless drive having a motor, a traction sheave over which support ropes are passed and a motor braking device is in the form of a hand drive adapted to be engaged with the motor shaft for emergency elevator operation with a handwheel for manual motor shaft activation. The hard drive may include a gear coupling the handwheel and an output coupling in the form of a grooved hub. The braking device of the elevator is mounted to a pedistal having a cover with an opening through which the hub may be inserted to engage the motor shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a building equipment managing method using a history database for recording the conditions of building equipment, a display device installed in public spaces of a building, and an input device installed in the public spaces of the building for inputting a request for the indication of necessary information, the method comprising the steps of: recording a change in a condition of the building equipment in the history database; and in response to receiving a request for indicating a content which is recorded in the history database from the input device, indicating on the display device the content which is recorded in the history database.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide an elevator system, in which data communication between a first transceiver provided at a fixed portion in an elevator shaft and a second transceiver provided at an elevator cage is made by means of a millimeter wave in a reliable manner.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an elevator system for the vertical transport of payloads in an aircraft.

Abstract: Bicycle brake including a brake mechanism and several brake blocks disposed in the brake drum and the hub cover. The brake mechanism includes a power disc driven by the brake cord, a pressure adjustment ring, an equalizer and at least one linking member. The power disc drives at least one linking member to displace and outward push the brake block to contact with the brake drum for creating a first stage of braking effect. When the power disc further rotates and the rotational force is greater than the set resilient pressure value of the resilient member between the equalizer and the pressure adjustment ring, the resilient member is collapsed, whereby the linking member is rotated and displaced to strongly outward push the brake block and further create a second stage of braking effect.

Abstract: A foot-operated bicycle braking system comprises a fixation plate having a mounting arm and two retaining arms. The mounting arm is provided with a mounting hole for mounting the fixation plate on a support shaft of the braking system. The two retaining arms are provided with a retaining portion and a receiving hole. The bicycle rear fork is retained by the fixation plate such that the rear fork is retained securely between the mounting arm and the two retaining portions of the retaining arms, and that the rear fork is located by a locating bolt which is received in the receiving holes of the retaining arms.

Abstract: A screwer test bench comprises a coupling (12) designed for coupling with the head of a screwer and a controlled braking unit (14). A sensor unit (15) detects mechanical magnitudes transmitted between the coupling and the braking unit. The braking unit (14) comprises a brake with carbon friction surfaces (11) in an oil bath.

Abstract: A vehicle has a park brake system, which has set a set operational state for holding the vehicle in a parked position, and a released operational state in which the vehicle may be driven. The park brake system includes a park brake actuator and connecting linkages which are driven by an operator of the vehicle in an engaging direction in order to effect the set operational state of the park brake system. The park brake system further includes a return spring engaged to the connecting linkages in such a manner to drive them and the park brake actuator in a disengaging direction and to ensure maintenance of the released operational state of the park brake system after it is effected by an operator. The park brake system also includes an impact-reduction energy absorber such as a spring, damper, or some combination thereof for absorbing some of the energy transferred to the connecting linkages when the return spring drives the connecting linkages and the park brake actuator in their disengaging directions.

Abstract: The invention entails a motor saw which includes a brake system for braking the motor, and which further includes a brake-system actuation arrangement comprising a lever and a positioning element which lever is held by the positioning element in a defined position and can be deflected in order to actuate the brake system. The positioning element of the actuating system engages with parts of the brake system, the positioning element limits the movement of the lever in a non-actuated brake system with a first force and the positioning element limits the movement of the lever with a second force in an actuated brake system by engaging with the brake system.

Abstract: The brake assembly includes a motor shaft connected to a friction disk assembly. Springs housed in a field cup assembly, frictionally link a clapper plate assembly and friction disk assembly against a mounting plate to activate the brake. To disengage the brake, the field cup assembly magnetically attracts the clapper plate thereto and the friction disk assembly is free to rotate. For manual release, rotation of a lever arm against a reaction plate compresses a wave spring to generate an opposing force which overcomes the springs, thereby forcing the clapper plate assembly away from the friction disk assembly to allow rotation thereof.

Abstract: Drum brake linings having an integral surface texture on the friction side surface of a drum brake shoe are described. The surface texture may be achieved by spraying metal droplets onto the surface, fusing a metal pattern onto the surface, or creating a series of protrusions by scraping or cutting the surface. The surface textures have excellent shear strength and retention profiles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a brake shoe formed of sheet metal and allowing a brake lining to be firmly bonded, and a method of simply and inexpensively producing the brake shoe. The brake shoe is comprised of a shoe rim 11 formed in a cylinder having a circumference partially notched and an outer surface with a brake lining 10 bonded thereto, a pair of shoe ribs 12 extending from a vicinity of an inner, axially center circumference of shoe rim 11 radially inward toward each other, and an attachment plate 13 extending between paired ribs 12 radially inward, wherein shoe rim 11 has an outer surface knurled 14.

Abstract: A brake system includes a friction coupling having organically or inorganically bound metal-containing, sintered-metal-containing and/or CFC-containing brake linings and a brake disc of fiber-reinforced C/SiC ceramic composite material. A friction layer and/or a surface of the brake disc subject to friction has a proportion of SiC greater than 65% and material compositions in a core region and a surface region of the brake disc are different. The brake system may be used in motor vehicles, rail vehicles or aircraft.

Abstract: In a dust cover mounting structure of a hydraulic shock absorber (10), a spring seat (15) is formed in a non-annular outer shape, a standing-up rib (34) is provided in an outer edge thereof, and a mounting portion (51) of a dust cover (50) is formed in a non-annular outer shape profiling an inner periphery of the rib (34) of the spring seat (15) and is received in the inner periphery of the rib (34).

Abstract: A hydraulic dashpot with a cylinder (1) full of shock-absorbing fluid, with a piston (3) mounted on the end of piston rod (2), traveling back and forth inside the cylinder, separating the cylinder into two compartments (4 & 5), and provided with ports and shock-absorption valves, and with a variable bypass system accommodated in an axial bore (13) in the piston rod provided with lateral radial openings (11 & 26) extending through the rod. The object is to allow fixed independent establishment of the cross-section of the bypass system available for the fluid to flow through as the piston rod travels in the direction associated with the suction phase and of the cross-section of the bypass system available for the fluid to flow through as the piston rod travels in the direction associated with the compression phase.

Abstract: A composite includes at least one structural part and a deformation element, in particular for the absorption of kinetic energy in the event of a crash of a motor vehicle. The deformation element can be deformed in a deformation direction to a residual block length. The deformation element includes a honeycomb-shaped matrix body. The matrix body and the structural part are connected to each other by an additional fastening, in such a way that the connection can resist forces transverse to the deformation direction.

Abstract: An expandable case includes a top portion including a rectangular top having four edges, and four top side walls hingedly connected to the top at its four edges, respectively, the top and the four top side walls each having an outside surface and an inside surface, and a bottom portion including a rectangular bottom having four edges, and four bottom side walls hingedly connected to the bottom at its four edges, respectively, the bottom being smaller than the top, the bottom and the four bottom side walls each having an outside surface and an inside surface. The top portion and the bottom portion are positioned relative to each other such that the inside surface of each of the four top side walls faces the outside surface of a corresponding bottom side wall.

Abstract: A handle structure includes a body extends through a passage defined in a base of an outer casing. The base has a recess defined in an outer periphery thereof and the passage communicates with the recess. A cap is engaged with the recess by engaging lugs on the cap with the notches in the base.

Abstract: A luggage shell is formed of a top plate, a bottom plate, and two side plates, which are all provided with a number of pits for reducing the weight of the luggage shell. The pits are arranged at interval in rows. The top plate, the bottom plate and the side plates are further provided with a plurality of ribs which are located between two adjacent rows of the pits for reinforcing the structural strength of the luggage shell.

Abstract: A mechanical overrun clutch drive and driven assemblies are disengaged in an overrun situation by a magnetically biases pawl and ratchet assembly. The ratchet assembly is disposed between the drive and driven assembly, and is operative upon an overrun condition of the clutch driven assembly relative to the drive assembly to disengage the clutch drive and driven assembly and allow the driven assembly to freely rotate. Permanent magnets magnetically biased the pawls mounted on the drive assembly into unidirectional engagement with the saw teeth of an internal ring gear mounted to the clutch driven assembly. The magnets are isolated from physical contact with the pawls they bias by an air gap or airspace, to prevent the pawls from mechanically impacting the magnets during operation of the clutch.

Abstract: A vent system for use in a driveline component of an automotive vehicle. The driveline component includes a housing and a bi-directional clutch rotatably supported within the housing. The driveline component includes a vent system which has a vent that is secured to the housing and an orifice within a top portion of the housing. The vent system also includes a recessed pocket formed on an inner surface of the housing at or near the vent. The vent system also includes a grounding element that is arranged within the recessed pocket adjacent to the orifice in the housing of the rear driveline module. The vent system is used to allow for venting of high pressures developed during high speed rotation of driveline modules within a drivetrain system of a automotive vehicle without allowing the expulsion of a lubricating fluid from the oil housing.

Abstract: A yaw damper for a front wheel drive vehicle provides torque transfer between the two non-driven wheels and generates a damping yaw moment in opposition to the current vehicle yaw condition. The yaw damper is passive and includes a mechanical clutch or fluid connection between the two non-driven wheels which transfer yaw correcting torque. The mechanical clutch includes first and second pluralities of interleaved friction disks which are coupled by shafts to respective non-driven wheels. A spring compresses the clutch pack and limits torque transfer between the shafts and wheels to a pre-selected maximum torque. In another embodiment, positive displacement pumps driven by each of the non-driven wheels are connected in series and transmit torque in proportion to the speed difference. A pressure relief valve limits the maximum pressure in the fluid lines and thus the maximum torque transfer.

Abstract: A power transfer system is provided and equipped with a torque transfer coupling which includes a clutch and a ball-screw actuator. The ball-screw actuator functions to axially translate an apply plate via a closed hydraulic system to operatively engage the clutch and vary the frictional engagement thereof.

Abstract: Hydraulically operated double clutch with first and second piston-cylinder devices for engagement and disengagement of the respective clutch unit. The cylinder chamber (17) of the first piston-cylinder device is delimited between its piston (18) and a first wall (4) of the clutch housing (1), while the cylinder chamber (24) of the second piston-cylinder device is delimited between its piston (25) and the first mentioned piston (18). First and second peripherally spaced helical springs bias the pistons in the disengagement direction. The piston (18) of the first piston-cylinder device is provided with axially directed fingers, which are arranged between the springs (19) at substantially the same radius (r) as the mean radius of the pressure plate (8) of the first clutch unit and which, upon supply of pressure medium to the cylinder chamber (17) press against the pressure plate to engage the first clutch unit.

Abstract: An improved clutch drum and input shaft assembly or intermediate shaft for the transfer of torsional force in a vehicle transmission having a fillet or concave groove structure and a hardened steel shaft. The improved clutch drum and input shaft has additional material in the spline portion of the shaft as well as improved fillet and transition surfaces between the spline and the first bearing element as compared to existing transmission shafts. The strength and durability of the improved transmission shaft is also modified with materials and hardening beyond the existing transmission shaft steel and hardening grades. Additional welds to attach a clutch drum to the shaft are employed instead of a single laser electron beam weld.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique of improving an apparatus for sheets discrimination with accuracy. Ultraviolet rays are illuminated to a sheet, such as banknote, and a light-receiving sensor 4 and 5 receive fluorescence emitted by a sheet using the light reflected from a sheet and ultraviolet rays as an excitation light. Moreover, the light-receiving sensor 5 receives the diffused and reflected light irradiated to a reflector 1 installed under a sheet conveyor 17. Correcting the reflective light and fluorescence detected based on strength of the irradiating light in the state without a banknote enables the discrimination with a high degree of accuracy even if an error is included in the irradiating light caused by the problems such as an aging of illuminant.

Abstract: A coin sensor is provided including a method and apparatus for providing adaptive operating point (AOP) control. The AOP control is provided using circuits and associated methods and algorithms connected between measurement circuits of the coin sensor and the coin sensor oscillator. The AOP control automatically monitors and controls the quiescent voltage levels of four signals used by the coin sensor to discriminate coins. The four signals represent coin size and coin composition. In addition, the AOP control automatically performs calibration and adjustment functions both during manufacture of the coin sensor system and during its operational life. The automatic monitoring and control functions provided by the AOP control result in a significant increase in the dynamic range of the coin sensor response. This reduces the coin false-reject rate while improving the coin discrimination precision.

Abstract: A transport conveyor particularly for grain in piles on the ground has a trailer mounted on ground wheels for towing by a tractor in a direction of travel. The trailer can be driven forward while the tractor remains stationary either by a hydraulic cylinder on an extendible hitch or by a drive at the ground wheels which moves the trailer while the hitch and the tractor remain stationary. An auger tube is carried on the trailer by a support post which allows the auger tube to swivel about a vertical axis from a longitudinally extending transport position to an operating position in which the tube extends generally transversely of the direction of travel with a feed end of the tube projecting outwardly beyond one side of the trailer, with a discharge end projecting outwardly beyond the opposite side of the vehicle and with the discharge end raised for discharge into a transport truck on that side. The tube can also pivot about a horizontal axis at the post allowing the feed end to float up and down.

Abstract: An articulating cabinet support assembly for a moving conveyor system includes a base assembly, fixed to the conveyor, and a movable support arm. A cabinet traveling down an assembly line is arranged on the support arm as the cabinet proceeds through various assembly stations. The support arm can articulate relative to the base assembly from a home, normally horizontal position to a position angled with respect to the direction of travel in order to enhance assembly procedures. An adjustable arm assembly including a cam roller and roller guide structure are provided to establish the home position and to counterbalance the weight of the cabinet. A tilt stop mechanism is employ to enable adjustments in the degree of pivoting of the support arm and provisions are made to automatically reposition the cabinet in the home position following various assembly stages.

Abstract: In the case of a plant for transporting textile fabrics (1), with at least one permeable and suctioned conveyor belt (4) for the transport of a textile fabric (1) delivered by a textile machine onto the conveyor belt (4) at a delivery point (5), it is provided that on the side of the conveyor belt (4) facing away from the textile fabric (1), several air guiding means (6) extending transversely to the conveyor belt (4) are arranged, said air guiding means deflecting the air entrained by the conveyor belt (4) on the side facing away from the textile fabric (1).

Abstract: A conveyance apparatus of the present invention holds and conveys a group of items, and includes conveyors and driving devices. The conveyors include first and second conveyance belts, items-group holders, and detaching/attaching devices. The first and second conveyance belts operate around a circulating path. The detaching/attaching devices support the items-group holders, which include a plurality of partition members that partitions and holds the group of items. The plurality of partition members is connected to one another. The detaching/attaching devices render the items-group holders detachable from and attachable to the first and second conveyor belts. In this manner, replacement of the plurality of partition members can be performed easily and quickly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor system for transporting at least one linear entry stream of a product into exit streams of said product which are laterally offset in relation to the entry stream. The conveyor system is provided with two successive conveyor units (5, 6) whose adjacent downstream (7, 8) or upstream ends can be displaced in opposite directions in relation to each other, transversally to the direction of transport.

Abstract: An interlocking transfer system includes a workstation having four or more sides, each of which is positioned at 90° angles from the next adjacent side. A cam lift assembly is provided on each of the sides and a means for moving the pallets horizontally. The cam lift assembly is actuated by a reciprocating cylinder which operates to lift and lower the pallets. While pallets are lifted, they are also advanced horizontally using either an external reciprocating cylinder, a motor or by hand. The interlocking transfer system of the present invention provides high efficiency and low transfer rate. It also eliminates the need for lift and locate devices, transfer space due to traffic control, and end-to-end cross transfers. The interlocking transfer system of the present invention also provides for interchangeable fixtures.

Abstract: A modular conveyor belt formed of rows of belt modules pivotally interlinked by transverse pivot rods and specially adapted for following a curved conveyor path. The modules include a top, product conveying surface and a bottom, sprocket-driven surface. The belt modules have a plurality of first link ends disposed in the direction of travel of the conveyor belt and a plurality of second link ends disposed in the opposite direction. Transverse holes in the link ends are aligned to accommodate a pivot rod. When the link ends of the consecutive rows of side by side modules are intercalated, the pivot rod serves as a hinge pin in a hinged joint between consecutive interlinked rows. To permit the belt to flex sidewise, the openings in the first link ends are slotted longitudinally in the direction of belt travel.

Abstract: When elastic driver (13) tilts, elastic pressing portion (13B) thereof depresses the upper face of flexible insulated substrate (15), thereby bringing circular-ring-like upper resistor layer (16) on the bottom face of flexible insulated substrate (15) into partial contact with lower conductor layer (17) opposed to the upper resistor layer. In this state, a computing unit (not shown) recognizes the tilt direction and the tilt angle of elastic driver (13) according to information from leads of upper resistor layer (16) and lower conductor layer (17).

Abstract: In a switch, a pad bottom is provided on a rubber switch. The pad bottom has a first opening and a second opening. A pad top is operable to move the pad bottom so as to depress the rubber switch. The pad top includes a first leg portion which has a hook and a second leg portion which has a screw hole. The hook is engaged with the pad bottom through the first opening. A screw threads in the screw hole through the second opening to fix the pad bottom to the pad top.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a pusher assembly (105) for use with an operator. According to one aspect of the present invention, a pusher assembly generally comprises a body portion (208); first window (216) formed in the body portion; second window (218) formed in the body portion adjacent to the first window, the second window being wider than the first window. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for assembling a pusher assembly comprises the steps of inserting (602) a movable contact into a first position in a first window; moving (608) the movable contact to a second window; and rotating (610) the movable contact to a second position within the second window.

Abstract: A lockable rocker switch apparatus suitable for use with or without an electrical switch includes a rocker switch actuator that is movable between at least two positions. The rocker switch apparatus also includes a locking element that is biased to a position so as to automatically lock the rocker switch actuator in a position. Once the rocker switch actuator is locked, the lock may be manually disengaged and held against the bias before the rocker switch actuator can be moved to a different position.

Abstract: A combination of a switch which is controllable via a grip (5) and comprises a receiving means for fuses (4) in which the fuses (4) are held in a swivelable flap (2), with a switch (1) being provided on the mains side of the receiving means for the fuses (4) which is covered by a housing (9) and the flap (2) which is provided for receiving the fuses (4) is locked with the grip (5) of the switch (1) in its closed switching position. In order to provide a simple arrangement it is provided that the grip (5) of the switch (1) is held in the flap (2) of the receiving means for the fuses (4), with the grip (5) being insertable on an actuating shaft (11) of the switch (1) merely in its opened position.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a switching contact arrangement and a drive apparatus which operates it, with the connection between the switching contact arrangement and the drive apparatus being designed such that it is detachable. For this purpose, a contact support of the switching contact arrangement contains a coupling bolt, which produces a hinged connection to a lever arrangement for the drive apparatus. A holding piece allows a actuating shaft of the drive apparatus to be rotated to a position, and to be fixed in this position. This allows the switching contact arrangement to be removed without any problem, and subsequently to be replaced by another switching contact arrangement. Once the control panel for the circuit breaker has been removed, the holding piece can be placed on the actuating shaft and can be attached to a front housing body of the circuit breaker where the control panel would otherwise be located.

Abstract: A switch that can be installed within an aperture in a housing of an electronic device without obstructing the aperture via a port through the switch. In a particular application, the switch can be utilized in connection with a port of a microphone in a hearing aid. The switch is capable of being installed within an aperture in a faceplate of a hearing aid. The switch comprises a base having an aperture therein and two base electrical contacts, and an actuator having an aperture therein and an actuator electrical contact. The actuator is adapted to cooperate with the base to permit movement of the actuator to an open switch position and a closed switch position, wherein the actuator contact makes contact with the base contacts when the actuator is in the closed switch position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety switching apparatus having a first and a second input switch, whose respective switch settings define an input-side manipulated variable redundantly with respect to one another. The safety switching apparatus furthermore has at least one output switching element which is arranged in an output circuit. In addition, an evaluation and control unit is provided, which drives the at least one output switching element as a function of the defined manipulated variable. Switching contacts of the first and of the second input switch are coupled with one another, in terms of their switch positions, via a common actuating member. According to one aspect of the invention, the switching contacts of the first and of the second input switch are spatially arranged in one plane.

Abstract: A power switch apparatus is disclosed wherein the switch apparatus is applicable in an electronic product comprising a switch device capable of being switched between ON and OFF conditions. The power switch apparatus comprises an active element and a flexible arm. The active element installed inside the electronic product comprises a first connector and is coupled to the switch device. The ON and OFF conditions of the switch device correspond to the different positions of the active element. The flexible arm comprises a second connector and a contactor. The second connector is used to clip with the first connector at the ON condition. The electronic product is configured such that the contactor is not covered and remains accessible. The movement of the contactor is able to transform the shape of the flexible arm and to release the clipping relation between the first connector and the second connector.