Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for movably securing a radially expandable sand-control screen jacket assembly to a base pipe. The screen jacket assembly is connected to the base pipe with a longitudinally moveable, sand-controlling joint. In use, the joint slides maintain a sand-controlling seal after radial expansion of the sand-control screen jacket assembly.

Abstract: A new sign post driver comprises a piston which rests upon a post, well pipe or piling to be driven into the ground and a weighted cylinder which reciprocates vertically to impact the piston on the downstroke. The cylinder is raised pneumatically for each stroke and falls by force of gravity to strike an anvil on the piston. An optional spring assist on the downstroke adds to the impact thus adding to the impact for a given weight of cylinder. The result is an exceptionally light and simple post driver for its capabilities.

Abstract: An assembly for a percussion power tool includes a carrying handle (5) and a flush head (4) which is connected with the power tool chuck (3) for flushing a working tool receivable in the chuck and which has an inlet opening (12) for a flushing fluid and communicating with the working tool stem (2), the carrying handle (5) and the flush head (4) forming a functional unit.

Abstract: A drill/driver is provided that includes a housing, a collar mounted at a front portion of the housing, a side handle mounting area provided forward of the collar, a handle mounted to the side handle mounting area, and a chuck mounted forward of the side handle mounting area. With the side handle mounted in front of the collar, easier access to the adjusting collar and easier reading of the collar settings is achieved.

Abstract: An electrical hand-held power tool including a percussion assembly (3) with a percussion mechanism (2) and displaceable, substantially vibration-free, in an outer housing (6) provided with a plurality of aeration openings (4) and at least one cooling conduit (7) connecting the aeration openings (4) with a cooling ventilator (5) and securable on the percussion assembly (3).

Abstract: A portable area monitoring system for use with a horizontal directional drilling machine and adapted to produce a composite of the positions of a beacon and a fixed object. In a preferred embodiment the sensor assembly is supported by a hand-held frame and adapted to detect signals emanating from each of a beacon and a fixed object. The sensor assembly transmits the detected signals to a processor which simultaneously processes the signals to produce a composite of relative positions of the beacon and the fixed object to the frame. The composite of the relative positions of the beacon and the fixed object to the frame is communicated to the operator using a portable display.

Abstract: The present invention is for a drill string stabiliser tool (18) used in borehole drilling. The tool includes a symmetrical body (20) with a plurality of external recesses (22). The recesses (22) have internal opposite surfaces (23) which converge inwardly from the outer surface of the body. A pad assembly (24) is disposed in each recess (22) and includes a wedge block (28) with converging radially inwardly opposite side surface (29) complementarily abutting said recess surfaces. Each wedge block (28) has a bolt (30) securing said wedge block (28) to said body (20) and is slightly larger dimensioned than the recess (22). The angles of the wedge blocks and the recesses are so chosen to effect an interference fit so that when the wedge block (28) is forced into the recess (22) by use of the bolt (30) it is held there by an interference fit.

Abstract: A four wheel drive carrier having a frame and a carrier body secured to the frame. The carrier body has brake and movement control apparatus secured therein. A pair of wheels and a pair of wheel tracks are secured to the frame for forward and reverse propulsion. A drive engine is operably mounted on the frame and is communicatively linked to the pair of wheels, and to the pair of wheel tracks by a hydraulic drive mechanisms. A throttle mechanism is operably engaged to the drive engine and one or more swing arms are operably secured to the frame.

Abstract: An industrial truck has a tiller that can pivot around a horizontal axis and a traction drive motor that can be controlled by an operator by a traction drive switch. The maximum speed of travel of the industrial truck can be set by an electrical control unit as a function of the pivot angle of the tiller. The maximum speed of the industrial truck is a function of the pivot angle of the tiller. At least one segment of the pivoting range of the tiller is provided with variable maximum speed, in which the maximum speed of travel varies continuously with the pivoting angle. The division of the pivoting range of the tiller into the segment with variable maximum speed and at least one additional segment is made by the control unit as a function of the signal of a continuous or incremental sensor.

Abstract: A straddle-type four wheeled all terrain vehicle include a vehicle body with a seat which a rider straddles. A handle is placed forward of the seat for being steered by the rider straddling the seat to operate the vehicle body. A container is provided at a portion of the vehicle body that is situated between the handle and the seat, for accommodating a small article.

Abstract: A device for locking a steering column of a vehicle has a force-loaded locking member and a control device for adjusting the locking member relative to the steering column between a locking position preventing rotation of the steering column and a release position allowing rotation of the steering column. The locking member has one or more clamping jaws having a smooth friction surface without profile. A smooth counter friction surface without profile is provided on the circumference of the steering column. A force generator is connected to the control device and exerts in a locking situation, where the locking member is in the locking position, a clamping force onto the locking member directed against the counter friction surface and turns off the clamping force in a release situation, where the locking member is in the release position.

Abstract: The present invention involves a steer-by-wire actuating system and method of actuating road wheels of a vehicle with the steer-by-wire actuating system. The system includes a steering linkage assembly including an input shaft, an output shaft, and a gear unit linking the input shaft and the output shaft for linear movement of the output shaft to rotate the road wheels of the vehicle. The system further comprises a microcontroller for controlling an actuation strategy including normal and fault detection modes. The microcontroller is configured to receive a steering signal indicative of steering input at a steering interface. The system further includes first and second power electronic drivers in electrical communication with the microcontroller for electric power supply. The system further includes a first motor and a second motor for simultaneous operation with the steer-by-wire steering device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electric power steering apparatus in which an electric motor for producing a steering assist force is provided in a steering column. Vibration from the electric motor is transmitted to a member such as a knee protector, for example, supported on the steering column through a bracket. A dynamic damper for restraining resonance of the member to which the vibration is transmitted is provided in the bracket.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering servo for motor vehicles, with a drive unit arranged coaxially with the rack arrangement, which comprises a combination of a tubular electrical motor (9, 10, 12), with a recirculating-ball spindle drive. A particularly compact and cost-effective steering servo arrangement with few components is permitted, whereby the ball nut (7) of the recirculating-ball drive is mounted coincidentally with the rotor (9), which is arranged as an external rotor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for attenuating waves in a bore hole, and seismic surveying systems incorporating the same. In one embodiment, an attenuating device includes a soft compliant bladder coupled to a pressurized gas source. A pressure regulating system reduces the pressure of the gas from the gas source prior to entering the bladder and operates in conjunction with the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid in a bore hole to maintain the pressure of the bladder at a specified pressure relative to the surrounding bore hole pressure. Once the hydrostatic pressure of the bore hole fluid exceeds that of the gas source, bore hole fluid may be admitted into a vessel of the gas source to further compress and displace the gas contained therein. In another embodiment, a water-reactive material may be used to provide gas to the bladder wherein the amount of gas generated by the water-reactive material may depend on the hydrostatic pressure of the bore hole fluid.

Abstract: A method of generating seismic waves in a rock mass surrounding a well comprises the steps of: (a) providing a packer and a fluid withdrawal line within the well, wherein the packer is located below the weathering zone and defines the upper limit of a working volume within the well, and the fluid withdrawal line is adapted to withdraw fluid from the working volume; and (b) providing and detonating an air-fuel mixture in the working volume to generate seismic waves, combustion products of the detonation being withdrawn from the working volume via the fluid withdrawal line.

Abstract: A muffler for an internal combustion engine having: (a) a housing including: (i) an inlet opening formed for a flow of exhaust gas into the housing, (ii) an outlet opening formed for a discharge of exhaust gas from the housing, and (b) inner workings disposed within the housing, including: (i) a dome-shaped partition with a first end of the surface pointing toward the inlet opening, and widening out at a second end to form a base, the dome-shaped partition having at least two partition openings disposed between the first end and the second end of the exterior surface, wherein the dome-shaped partition is disposed within the housing such that substantially all of the exhaust gas is directed through the partition openings and into an interior of the dome-shaped partition, before being discharged through the outlet opening.

Abstract: An acoustic blanket system for use in attenuating acoustic energy. The acoustic blanket system including an acoustic blanket and apparatus for mounting the acoustic blanket to a structure. The acoustic blanket includes first and second cover materials heat-sealed around at least a portion of their perimeter. At least one acoustic attenuating panel is disposed within the heat-sealed cover materials to form a fully encapsulated acoustic blanket. The system for mounting the blanket includes a plurality of fastener assemblies that connect the blanket to a structure to define a tunable air gap of pre-determined dimension between the blanket and the structure. The mounting system also provides dimensional control of the blanket relative to the structure to control the air gap and prevent slumping and/or deformation during maximum loading environments.

Abstract: The disclosed safety apparatus for the erection of structure and method for erection thereof comprises a first substantially vertical support, a second substantially vertical support and a supporting cable extending between said first and second supports, wherein said vertical supports are configured to be adjustable in length and each includes a first fixing means and a second fixing means such that the length of a support may be adjusted by releasing said first fixing means and then re-fixing said first fixing means after said adjustment has been made.

Abstract: A safety net (1) for an opening (11), eg. an open stairwell in a construction site, where the safety net (1) comprises a plurality of straps (2) in a grid arrangement. The straps (2) consist of seat belt webbing or a similar material. The safety net (1) also comprises adjustable anchoring means (4, 14, 25) for anchoring ends of the straps to the perimeter (10) of the opening (11).

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for monitoring characteristics of a fluid lubricant contained within a lubricant chamber formed in a wheel hub mounted for rotation about a stationary wheel axle. The apparatus includes an annular bearing spacer configured for mounting on the wheel axle between axially opposed inboard and outboard bearings, the annular bearing spacer forming an interior lubricant reservoir between an inner surface of the spacer and the wheel axle, a guide vane for directing lubricant from the lubricant chamber to the interior lubricant reservoir during rotation of the wheel hub assembly about the wheel axle, and a sensor operatively associated with the interior lubricant reservoir for determining a condition of the lubricant.

Abstract: An oil feeding device for vehicles is disclosed. This oil feeding device is designed to draw oil from an oil pan through a plurality of suction branch pipes placed in depressions formed at the corners of the oil pan's bottom. Therefore, the oil feeding device reliably feeds a desired quantity of lubrication oil from the oil pan to the desired parts of a vehicle, such as the parts of a transmission, even when the oil level inside the oil pan is below a predetermined level due to consumption of oil, or excessive incline by the leaning of oil to one side due to inclination of a vehicle running on a slope.

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

Abstract: The object of the invention is to achieve a new solution for allocating landing calls to the elevators in an elevator group so that the control call received by each elevator changes as seldom as possible. This is achieved via genetic allocation by using the allocation option selected in the preceding instance of allocation as one chromosome in the starting chromosome population in a new instance of allocation.

Abstract: A device can indicate the total load of a brake disk made of carbon-fiber-reinforced ceramic material. In order to create such a device, which can be used for brake disks and other friction elements made of carbon-fiber-reinforced ceramic material, an indicator element can be provided in the brake disk starting from the friction surface. The oxidation stability of this indicator element is reduced with respect to the material of the brake disk.

Abstract: A brake stroke sensor is disclosed. In particular, a digital brake stroke sensor capable of indicating a position of pushrod linear displacement is disclosed. The brake stroke sensor includes a prism attached to the pushrod. The prism includes a number of markers to code position information. Sensors read the coded position information and electronics convert the position information to a form useable humans.

Abstract: A brake device for cycle includes two brake arms pivotally secured together, and each having a brake shoe attached to one end for braking purposes, a brake cable coupled to the other ends of the brake arms for forcing the brake shoes to brake the cycle, and a spring member having one end attached to the cycle. One of the brake arms includes an extension having a depression for receiving the other end of the spring member. A cushioning member may be received in the extension and engaged with the spring member for cushioning the other end of the spring member.

Abstract: A unitized railcar brake equipment can have a relatively small, integrated air supply and can be controlled electronically. The equipment can have a brake cylinder portion and a control valve portion. The brake cylinder portion can have a brake cylinder housing a piston head with a rod end of the piston connected to a railcar brake member. A pair of air chambers communicate on opposite sides of the piston head and an air reservoir can be integral with the brake cylinder housing. Selective coupling of the air chambers and the air reservoir to each other, a source of pressure, or to the atmosphere can be controlled by appropriate valves to control the pressure in the brake cylinder.

Abstract: A two-stage piston has a twin piston design where one piston produces a high damping force and the second piston produces a low damping force. At specified positions along the pressure tube, by-pass passages are formed to allow fluid flow around the high damping force piston to provide a low damping force or a soft ride. In the areas of the pressure tube where there are no by-pass passages, the high damping force piston provides a high damping force or a firm ride. In the area of the pressure tube where there are no by-pass passages, the high damping force piston and the low damping force piston both contribute to the high damping force.

Abstract: A piston-cylinder unit, in particular a gas spring, comprises a substantially cylindrical casing with a central longitudinal axis, the casing having a first end with an edge that is bent inwards, a closed second end, and an interior space that is filled with a working fluid; a guide unit which is disposed in the casing in the vicinity of the first end and supported outwards by the inwardly bent edge; a piston rod which is coaxial to the central longitudinal axis and which is displaceably passed through the guide unit and which has a piston on the end of the piston rod that is on the side of the interior space; the piston-cylinder unit is characterized in that a plastic sleeve is mounted on the edge, enfolding the edge on the outside of the casing.

Abstract: The traveling case with an erectly expanded case body consists of one case body, one adjustable shaft pair, one positioning and binding base and one wheel and foot base. The outer shaft of the adjustable shaft pair passes through the shaft installation hole on the positioning and binding base and gets fixed at the rear insdie the body. A stretchable and foldable mezzanine is installed on the body that expands horizontally against the moving direction of the adjustable shaft. That is, the zipper opens and closes vertically against the movement of the adjustable shaft. Therefore, when the above case body is stretched, the inner space is increased and the traveling case will not topple and fall, which enhances the steadiness of the traveling case.

Abstract: A slipping friction clutch which has at least on a pair of wet-running friction areas, especially a slipping converter bridging clutch for the hydrodynamic torque of a motor vehicle automatic transmission. In the state under the action of pressure, the two friction areas seal off the radially outward lying high pressure chamber against the radially inward lying lower pressure chamber, whereby at least one of the friction areas has oil-conducting depressions whose ends spaced from one another are directly hydraulically connected with the one of the two pressure chambers and which are configured such that, with a slipping friction coupling, the friction area sliding peripherally exerts a drag action owing to which an oil through flow is induced as a function of the slippage rotational speed which cools the friction area.

Abstract: A starter having a one-way clutch connects with an output shaft via helical spline. A braking member is provided in a bearing portion of a center case adjacent to an end of the center case away from the motor. The clutch moves toward the rear via a lever when the starter is stopped, and a flange portion, provided at a rear end of a barrel portion, presses against the braking member. As a result, the rotation of the clutch stops within a short time period.

Abstract: An assembly for use in a vehicle driveline comprises a housing with an inner surface and an outer surface for a vehicle driveline component, a retention element disposed in the housing, and at least one deformation formed on the inner surface operatively in contact with the retention element to retain the vehicle driveline component in the housing. This design and method of manufacture eliminates the need for differently sized spacers because the location of the deformations and the retention element can be tailored relative to the actual location of the components to ensure proper distance between components and the retention element. Moreover, because the spacer may be used as the retention element, the need for a snap ring is eliminated.

Abstract: Drive system for an all-wheel driven motor vehicle having a first and a second driven axle (3, 9), which drive system has a differential-speed-dependent clutch (6) for driving the second driven axle, and an at least partially lockable differential (8) between the wheels of the second driven axle (9). The differential-speed-dependent clutch (6) comprises a pump (10) which, when a differential speed occurs, produces a pressure which leads to the transmission of a torque to the second driven axle (9). In order to ensure that the differential lock responds in a manner coordinated neatly in terms of time and taking account of the driving state, a connecting line (18) leads from the delivery side (11 or 12) of the pump (10) to an actuating member (27) of the lockable differential (8), with the result that, when a differential speed occurs, the pressure produced by the pump (10; 67) makes it possible to at least partially lock the differential (8) by means of a positive locking clutch (26).

Abstract: A wet friction material and its manufacturing method are provided. The wet friction material has a substrate having a surface and a very superficial layer. The very superficial layer is provided on the surface of the substrate and contains resin and fibers. The resin and the fibers are heated by one of a laser beam, a heating plate and a heating roller so as to thermally change the very superficial layer in a short period of time. Such manufacturing method is capable of evenly carbonizing the resin and the fibers of the very superficial layer of a friction surface of the wet friction material so as to flexibly deal with a variety of size of products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor device for transporting and expelling material to be conveyed, especially flat postal items. The inventive device comprises vertically pivotable conveying modules that are arranged one behind the other. The aim of the invention is to reduce the closing time required by the pivoted conveyor module component to go back to the level of the succeeding conveyor module component. The component of the conveyor modules is designed in such a way that said component can also be driven in the vertical direction, whereby said component is the front component when seen in the conveying direction. Immediately after a material to be conveyed (3) has been expelled and when the next material to be conveyed (3) is transported further, said front component of the conveyor module (1) that succeeds the expelling conveyor module (1) is pivoted against the component that is pivoted for expelling.

Abstract: An egg transfer apparatus is configured to distribute eggs substantially evenly with reduced breakage on a moving conveyor. The egg transfer apparatus includes a conveyor having opposite first and second ends and a plurality of elongated, flexible guides extending between the conveyor first and second ends in adjacent, spaced apart relationship with each other. The guides define a plurality of channels that are configured to evenly distribute eggs placed on the conveyor. The guides are elevated above the conveyor by an amount that decreases in a direction towards the conveyor second end. In addition, the guides converge toward the conveyor second end.

Abstract: The invention described here concerns a unit for automatic container returns systems, with a conveyor device for transporting the containers in the direction of their longitudinal axis, with two rotary-driven rollers arranged along the conveyor path and which can be transferred from a neutral position into an identification position in which they release the container from the conveyor device and rotate said container, and with a sorting means for the selective, lateral removal of the container from the conveyor device according to the identification. It is the object of the invention to provide a generic unit for automatic container returns systems that is characterised by a simple construction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a belt guidance unit for centring a conveyor belt, which during operation is susceptible to lateral displacement away from a neutral position in its longitudinal direction. According to the invention the belt guidance unit can be employed on conveyor belts that move in one direction as well as in two opposite directions with only very slight alterations and the basic constructional features of the belt guidance unit are substantially identical in the two operational situations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a jewelry box, and more particularly to a jewelry box that may be used as a display and storage case by a retailer, and then converted into a picture frame which holds photographs or pictures by a customer. A storage box is provided having first and second lid sections. Together the lid sections define a case body. The case body has an interior cavity which receives an item of jewelry. A hinge means is oriented along an horizontal axis for pivotably connecting the first and second lid sections for opening and closing the case body. An interior frame border is insertable within the interior cavity of the first lid section so that when the hinge means is oriented along a vertical axis, the interior frame border secures a picture within the first lid section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a case for storing and retrieving a disk such as an optical compact disk and accompanying printed material. More particularly, the invention relates to a compact disk case (CD case) from which the disk can be extracted using only one hand without opening the lid, although the case can be made out of a single part.

Abstract: A case for storing and displaying spools of thread is disclosed. The case comprises two trays preferably connected by a plurality of hinges. Inside each tray are elongate spines that extend longitudinally. Pins connected to the spine extend in a direction perpendicular to the spines. Spools are placed on the pins when stored. The pins are sized to provide a friction fit with the hollow inside portion of the spools. A tab is connected to each pin. When the tab is depressed, the pin is raised, allowing easy access to the desired spool. The pins are connected to the spine by a resilient U-shaped joint. The entire case is preferably made of transparent plastic material, such as polypropylene.

Abstract: A releasable case for oral breath strips having a base including a cavity, a cover closing the base but having an opening in a top surface for accessing the cavity, and a lid for opening and closing the cover, with the cover closing the base in a non-easily openable fit and with the lid snugly overlying the cover when closed in a substantially air-tight fit.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to facilitate separate waste disposal of blister packs by consumers. To achieve this object, a blister pack has been provided, which comprises a sheet-like thermoformed body having a number of protrusions extruded from a surface of the body; and a laminated film made from a synthetic resinous material, which closes openings of recesses on a reverse face of the thermoformed body after to-be-packaged matters have been placed in the recesses, each recess forming an interior of each protrusion, wherein the laminated film is bonded to the thermoformed body with a small bonding strength to be capable of peeling, and a cut is formed in a position surrounding the opening of each recess such that the cut penetrates the laminated film in its thickness direction from its reverse face but does not penetrate the body in its thickness direction.

Abstract: A system for conserving a liquid substance (L) in a flexible receptacle (1), the substance being liable to be degraded and/or contaminated on contact with ambient air. The system includes a solid insert (3) whose outer envelope substantially matches the inside shape of the receptacle (1) in which the insert is immersed at least in part. The insert has bactericidal and/or chemical, especially antioxidant, activity and provides protective treatment by making contact with substance (L) over a large interchange area.

Abstract: Water-soluble films suitable for water-dissolvable packaging comprising a polyurethane polymer having defined amounts of poly(ethylene oxide) (and optionally poly(propylene oxide)) groups and acid (preferably carboxyl) groups at least 50% neutralised with a base, at least a proportion of which is of the non-volatile type, the polyurethane being made by chain extension of a urethane prepolymer. Also water-soluble packaging (sachets, capsules, bags) made from the films and their use in packaging various materials, and a process for the production of aqueous polyurethane solutions which may be used for making such films.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved product holding and dispensing package and an improved method for providing, holding and storing products, especially consumable products. The package includes a housing, a product insert and a wrapper that initially seals the outside of the housing. The housing includes an opening that enables a consumer to remove and reinsert the insert from and into the housing. When the consumer removes the insert from the housing, the consumer can remove one or more products from the insert. A compartment that holds the one or more removed products is constructed to hold its shape even after the product is removed so that the insert as a whole maintains its shape even when the insert is partially or substantially empty. The insert in a preferred embodiment slightly press-fits or biases against a number of the walls of the housing.

Abstract: A wafer carrier for transporting or holding wafers in a horizontal axially aligned arrangement has minimal four point regions of wafer support at the edge portion of the wafers. A preferred embodiment is an H-bar carrier with a plurality of slots defined by elongate wafer guides on the carrier sidewalls. Upwardly extended protrusions support the wafers with minimal contact with the carrier. The protrusions are sufficient in number and configuration to preclude contact with the top surface of the guides.

Abstract: A device which is capable of selectively containing or displaying an article. The article container and display device of the present invention may include a case/stand having first and second case units for removable attachment to each other and containing a display frame which holds the article. The case/stand defines a container configuration when the display frame is contained in the case units and the first case unit removably engages the second case unit. Alternatively, the case/stand defines a display stand configuration when the first case unit and the second case unit are placed in adjacent, semi-facing relationship to each other and the display frame is supported by the case units. A latch mechanism may be provided on one or both of the case units for removably engaging the other case unit.