Abstract: A ticket issuing system for facilitating processing and printing of citations. The ticket issuing system includes a housing being designed for being held in a hand of a user. An information assembly is positioned in the housing. The information assembly is designed for gathering information about a vehicle and the violation. A printing assembly designed for printing the citation to be issued to the motorist. The printing assembly is operationally coupled to the information assembly whereby the printing assembly gathers information from the information assembly to print the citation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fiber optic media thickness sensor used in a print media or document processing device. The invention is further directed to a method for measuring media thickness in a media processing device using a fiber optic sensor.

Abstract: An arrangement for printing a print image having regions of different print image resolution onto a moving postal item in a mail processing device has a microprocessor, a pixel memory, a read-only memory and a print data controller for pixel data editing while printing with a printhead. The microprocessor is programmed to operate from data in the read-only memory, a number of data strings having a switchable number of data words and to store them in the pixel memory. A maximum number of data words per data string is downwardly transgressed when the pixel data are stored compressed. The print data controller undertakes pixel data editing while printing with the printhead and is equipped to decompress the compressed pixel data per data string and to supplement the pixel data missing due to the compression such that the reduction of the number of data words per data string corresponds to the reduction in the resolution during printing.

Abstract: In the impact dot print head of the present invention there is used an armature spacer having side yoke portions which extend away from cores of a yoke and confront armatures. With such an armature spacer, when a magnetic circuit is formed by a magnetic flux generated by a coil which circuit passes from the associated core in the yoke, then through to-be-attracted members and the armature spacer successively, and reaches the yoke, the magnetic flux generated by the coil is prevented from flowing directly from the core to the armature spacer without flowing through the armature, whereby it is made possible to form a satisfactory magnetic circuit which permits the magnetic flux generated by a coil to flow from the associated core to the armature spacer through the associated to-be-attracted members.

Abstract: Disclosed is a “keyboard overlay” that sits on top of a touch-sensitive display screen of a computing device. After aligning the overlay on the display screen, the user types on the overlay. When the user presses a key on the overlay, the pressure is transmitted to the display screen below. That pressure is registered by the display screen as a touch. The keyboard overlay is formed to provide tactile finger-position feedback so that a user can keep his fingers oriented properly over the keyboard. The overlay may be opaque with keycap information displayed in the key areas. The overlay may be transparent, allowing a user to see a virtual keyboard painted on the display screen below. The computing device can detect the presence and type of an overlay. Applications may respond differently to different types of overlays. Different applications may be invoked depending upon the type of overlay detected.

Abstract: A keyboard housing for a key array of a depressible-key keyboard. A parallel guide for multi-wide keys is configured in such a way in the keyboard housing that a swiveling crank arm is limited against longitudinal displacement at both ends and, by two support ribs, is positioned in a vertical direction that its position corresponds precisely to that of the depressed multi-wide key. If the complete set of keys is inserted into the housing and pressed as far as the end stop, the swiveling crank arm latches into snap-in apertures of the multi-wide key, thus becoming functional. The keyboard housing can be used for keyboards produced by automation.

Abstract: An applicator for applying a coating composition to a substrate. The applicator includes a point applicator and a brush applicator connected to a body having a reservoir holding a coating composition. The point applicator includes an application element movable relative to the body. The brush applicator includes a shaft with a brush extending therefrom. The shaft extends into the reservoir.

Abstract: A device for applying a product defines a height and includes a first compartment defining a reservoir for containing a product. The first compartment may include a variable volume. The device may include a second compartment defining an opening and being in one of selective and permanent flow communication with the first compartment via at least one orifice. The second compartment may be configured to at least partially receive an applicator for applying the product, and may define a volume which is substantially fixed. The device may include a closure element configured to close off the opening of the second compartment. The device may be configured so that the height of the device diminishes as the volume of the first compartment becomes reduced, and at a last use of the device, the axial height of the device may be less than the axial height of the device at a first use of device.

Abstract: A removable insert adapted for use with a spiral or other ring-type binder includes a thin body member, a hooking element connected to, or integral with, the body member which defines a longitudinally extending recess configured to receive at least a first page retaining member, and a fastener connected to, or integral with, the body member configured to detachably secure the body member to a second page retaining member. The hooking element includes a journal bearing about which the first page retaining member may be rotated. The fastener includes a constricted channel adjacent to the edge of the insert and an enlarged portion disposed inwardly from the edge.

Abstract: A retaining device comprises a holder for receiving an object and a clamp 4. The holder comprises a cylindrical sleeve 1 with three longitudinal cut-out slits 3 spaced 120° apart and a base 2 secured at one end. The inner surface of the clamp 4 has three lobes 11,12,13 also spaced 120° apart. The portions midway adjacent lobes contact the portions of the sleeve midway adjacent slits 3, resulting in a symmetrical force being applied to the circumference of the sleeve 1 when the clamp 4 is tightened. The clamp 4 is free from the base 2 of the holder and is not rigidly attached to the sleeve 1 and thus does not apply unequal forces to the holder when the clamp is tightened. Alternatively the sleeve 1 may have a thin continuous wall which deforms when forces are applied to it by the clamp 4. The object inserted into the sleeve may have a spherically shaped portion to allow is to be angularly adjusted in the sleeve before the clamp is tightened.

Abstract: A ball joint which uses spherical rollers to reduce the torque friction which tends to inhibit the rotation of the ball within a ball joint assembly. Two sets of spherical rollers are captivated between the ball and two liner rings in the ball joint housing. The ball has two annular raceways which act as the inner raceways for the spherical rollers. Two liner rings have internal diameters which match the configuration of the spherical rollers and which act as outer raceways for the spherical rollers. The two liner rings have external threads and are installed into the housing which has matching internal threads.

Abstract: Proposed is a connecting point between two tool parts with a device, comprising an elastic element, for effecting a defined angular position of rotation between the tool parts. Said connecting point is characterized in that the elastic element (23) in a first area (43) is clamped to the first tool part (3) in such a manner that in connecting the tool parts (3, 7) a second area (25) projects into the path of motion of the second tool part (7) so that it is deflected by said tool part and is deformed reversibly.

Abstract: A vehicle has a storage compartment latch that includes a moveable detent member and a release actuator for moving the detent member to a release position that is operated from inside the storage compartment. The release actuator has a handle that pulls a cable to move the detent member. The cable is attached to the detent member by a cable attachment that comprises a retention slot in an end portion of the detent member and an end length of the cable that has a ferrule attached to it. The end length of the cable is loaded into the retention slot in a transverse manner via a loading slot and transition slots in the end portion of the detent member.

Abstract: A retro-reflective pavement marker includes a body, a base and a plurality of retro-reflective members. The body has two recesses in two opposite sides for the retro-reflective members to fit therein from inside. Stuffing material is filled in a gap between the body and the base after the both are combined together, combining the body, the base and the retro-reflective members together to make up the retro-reflective pavement marker. The retro-reflective pavement marker is kept very stable on a road after a foot or feet of the base are implanted in the ground of a road.

Abstract: A paving stone system for producing aesthetically pleasing paving stones. The paving stone system includes positioning a tile member within a container, applying a bonding agent to the tile member and filling the container with concrete. The tile member is comprised of a flat portion having an upper surface and a lower surface, a first side wall extending from the lower surface and a second side wall extending from the lower surface. The first side wall and the second side wall are preferably curved inwardly toward one another to lock within the concrete. A unique pattern may be applied to the upper surface of the tile member providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Abstract: A roadway paving system for chipsealing a roadway surface comprising a novel roadway paving vehicle and a novel supply truck is provided. The roadway paving vehicle comprises an asphalt binder material dispensing system and an aggregate material dispensing system. The asphalt binder material dispensing system includes an asphalt tank and a sprayer that sprays a first layer of the asphalt binder material over the roadway surface. The aggregate material dispensing system comprises an aggregate hopper and conveyor mechanism that discharges a second layer of aggregate material over the roadway surface. No wheels run over a freshly laid surface. Supply trucks are linked to the roadway paving vehicle to refill the roadway paving vehicle on a continuous basis without the need of stopping the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for concretizing vertical shafts having a depth of e.g. 500 m or more. The concrete is conveyed to a low-lying application site (20) in the shaft by a concrete column that is situated in a downpipe (30). Delivery of concrete is guaranteed without separation (demixing) or clogging of concrete. The concrete is removed in portions of from the succeeding concrete column at the output end of the downpipe (30), is separated from the concrete column, is depressurized and it subsequently conveyed to the application site.

Abstract: A method of deploying a communications cable below the surface of the body of water includes loading the cable around a reel within a housing, lowering the housing and the reel into the body of water, retrieving the connector of the cable from the housing, moving the connector and the attached cable to a position away from the housing, and connecting the connector to a subsea communications connection. An umbilical line is extended over a crane structure extending over the side of an offshore structure. The umbilical line is electronically connected to the communications cable. A remotely operated vehicle or a diver will intercept the connector and deliver the connector to the subsea communications connection.

Abstract: A method for j-laying a pipeline from an offshore vessel to the floor of the ocean comprising a multiplicity of winches for supporting the upper end of the pipeline at its natural hanging angle, a mast in a fixed angle to the vessel, holding new pipe section in the mast for welding to the upper end of the pipeline, and flexing the lower end of the new pipe section into alignment with the upper end of the pipeline to allow welding to the pipeline and flexing the remainder of the new pipe section to remain within the mast.

Abstract: A material collecting apparatus includes a frame with an upper supporting panel, weighing device sets hung on the panel, barrels hung on a respective weighing device set, dust collectors above a respective barrel, drawing devices connected with a respective one of the dust collectors for providing sucking force, feeding conduits connected with a respective one of the barrels, a material tank having separate compartments for containing different materials therein, and control valves each having a conduit; the feeding conduits are connected with first ends of respective plural ones of the control valve conduits while the control valve conduits are connected with a respective compartment at second ends; thus, different dry materials can be conveyed from the compartments into the barrels, and collected according to respective intended weights of the materials when the apparatus is in operation; the dust collectors prevent the materials from passing out of the barrels.

Abstract: A power feed attachment that has a coupling structure to couple it to a hand held drill. A double-acting cylinder, which has a piston and a rod, and is fixedly coupled to the coupling structure. A two-position valve assembly is configured for directing a pressurized fluid to the double-acting cylinder. When the two-position valve assembly is in a first position is directs a fluid to a first side of the piston moving the piston to a first position. When the two-position valve assembly is in the second position it directs the pressurized fluid to a second side of the piston to move the piston to a second position. An arm is coupled to the piston. A control mechanism having a housing and a control rod, wherein the control rod is movable within the housing of the control mechanism between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: An elliptical vibratory cutting apparatus includes a control mechanism which applies a sinusoidal voltage having a predetermined phase difference to piezoelectric elements. Flexure vibrations are accordingly generated in X and Y directions. The vibrations in the X direction cause interference with the vibrations in the Y direction and vice versa. An amount of interference, caused by vibrations in one direction, with vibrations in another direction, is correctively eliminated by the control mechanism (interference eliminating unit. A workpiece is thus cut by means of a cutting tool through elliptical vibrations with high precision.

Abstract: A wheelchair restraint has four primary components: a base assembly, two pivot members or arms, hinges and belt assemblies. The base assembly is used to mount the restraint to a vehicle. The arms are connected to the base assembly and each retain a belt assembly via a respective hinge. The arms pivot from a horizontal operating position about a horizontal axes to a vertical storage position. The vehicle restraint allows an operator to quickly and easily secure or release a passenger in a wheelchair, while maintaining the integrity of the straps/belts and prolonging strap/belt life by storing the straps/belts out of the range of the elements that would otherwise deteriorate them. In the storage position, the area can be used by other passengers not requiring securement and remain out of the way during wheelchair ingress and egress.

Abstract: An improved structure of an anti-burglar screw bolt having a pad and a nut, the bolt including a bolt head and a bolt shaft, characterized in that the bolt head is hexagonal with the inner edges being arranged with equal angle and provided with sloping faces continuing from one to another, and connection region of each of the sloping faces being a blocking face having a high-low depression, the pad being flat and circular having a diameter equivalent to the largest diameter of the bolt head, the center of the pad being provided with a through hole having a hole diameter larger than that of the bolt shaft, one face of the pad being formed into a continuing sloping face corresponding to the sloping face of the individual bolt head, the other face of the pad being provided with a plurality of equally arranged sharp engaging straps, each of the strap having an upright face and a sloping face, the sloping direction of the sloping face being similar to that of the continuing sloping face of the pad, the nut being h

Abstract: An assembly for automatically compensating variations of the spacing between first and second structural members due to manufacturing and/or mounting tolerances. The assembly comprises a bolt, a nut and a compensation sleeve. The compensation sleeve has left-handed external threads adapted to be threadingly engaged with mating left-handed internal threads of the nut, and a clamping portion adapted to be connected to the nut via frictional drag and rotatable relative to the bolt when said frictional drag has been overcome, such that the bolt when being rotated causes the compensation sleeve to rotate so as to be unthreaded from the nut. When the compensation sleeve has engaged the first structural member, the frictional drag will be overcome, and the bolt can be threadingly engaged with right-handed internal threads of the nut or the compensation sleeve for clamping the first and second structural members together.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a valve/sensor assembly is provided that includes a door assembly. The door assembly has (1) a first position adapted to seal an opening of a chamber; (2) a second position adapted to allow at least a blade of a substrate handler to extend through the opening of the chamber; and (3) a mounting mechanism adapted to couple the door assembly to the chamber. The valve/sensor assembly also includes a sensor system having a transmitter and a receiver adapted to detect a presence of a substrate and to communicate through at least a portion of the door assembly. Systems, methods and computer program products are provided in accordance with this and other aspects.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for use in the treatment of waste and/or organic materials which includes a main body having a treatment chamber therein having a base which when the apparatus is in a harvesting mode is arranged with a space there below. The base includes a plurality of generally parallel spaced apart support elements, the support elements being spaced apart at a distance sufficient to support the material within the chamber during the treatment process and enable extraction of the treated material through the spaces between the support elements during a harvesting process. There is also disclosed a harvesting device comprising a plurality of extraction elements which are adapted to project through the spaces between the support elements to dislodge and extract the treated material through the base. The apparatus and harvesting device is particularly useful for removing worm casting in vermiculture.

Abstract: A self-unloading grain cart having a horizontal auger and a vertical auger for unloading grain from the cart. The cart having a plurality of gates for accessing a portion of the auger at one time so as not to overload the auger. The cart also having a clutch for engaging or disengaging the horizontal auger so that the vertical auger can be turned independently from the horizontal auger. The starting and stopping of the movement of grain when unloading the cart is thereby enhanced to prevent spillage and for quicker restarts with lower power requirements.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus comprising a charging hopper having an upper first opening through which material can be loaded into the charging hopper and a lower second opening through which material can be discharged from the charging hopper. The apparatus includes a control member having a work head having one or more sections which is mounted for movement within the charging hopper about a pivot axis which extends generally laterally with respect to the normal upright operative position of the apparatus. The control member is pivotally movable about the pivot axis between a first position in which the work head is spaced from and disposed above the second opening, and a second position in which the work head is adjacent or within the second opening. The control member has a plurality of arms for pivotally mounting control member. A pivot bar is coupled to the mounting arms for maintaining stability between the mounting arms and to ensure proper movement of the control member.

Abstract: The invention relates to affixing adapter plates to the back of commercially available forklift implements to enable the rapid connection of a forklift to the end of the hydraulic booms of backhoes. The attachment is accomplished either by substituting the bucket of the backhoe with the modified forklift or by engaging the modified forklift with a modified bucket connector which allows the forklift implement to be connected without removing the bucket.

Abstract: For stacking flat articles (2), a stacking shaft (10) including a pusher (11) for removing stacks from the shaft is used and for supplying the articles (2) into the stacking shaft (10) a supply support (12) is used. The supply support (12) is oriented towards the opening of the stacking shaft (10) at an inclination from above and the completed stacks (1) are pushed out in a direction opposite the supply direction. With this arrangement, it is possible to resume the supply operation after an interruption necessary for the pushing-out, before the stack (1) is pushed out of the stacking shaft (10) completely, and thereby results in very short cycle times. The stacking method is suitable in particular for stacking folded printed products being supplied in the supply stream parallel to their folded edges.

Abstract: A flange covering a disc of a turbine blade to allow ventilation. A diverted face of the disc is provided with a labyrinth seal with lickers to form a seal. Cutters of the lickers are inclined axially and staggered axially and radially, to off-set the center of gravity of a flexible web of the disc and to encourage deformation of the web towards the disc under the effect of centrifugal forces, to reinforce the contact of a bearing face with a pressure plate of the disc. Thus, hooks usually used to unite the periphery of the web to the disc become superfluous.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine in which a turbine wheel is mounted to rotate about a pre-determined axis within a housing. A sidewall is displaceable relative to a surface of the housing to control the width of a gas inlet passage defined adjacent the wheel between the sidewall and the housing surface. The sidewall is supported on rods extending parallel to the wheel rotation axis, and the rods are displaced to control the displacement of the sidewall relative to the housing. The housing defines a chamber into which the rods extend such that one or more piston and cylinder arrangements are defined. The pressure within the chamber is controlled to control the axial position of the piston, the sidewall being displaced as a result of displacement of the piston.

Abstract: A pump employing a nutating plate within a chamber impels fluid flow from an axial inlet to a peripheral outlet. The chamber extends 360° and the plate has holes about the axis thereof such that both sides of the plate can operate to impel fluid through the chamber. A dynamic balancing system which may include two dynamic balancing rings with multiple weights therein act to overcome eccentricities and vibrational moments.

Abstract: A blower for forcing hot air out of a computer is disclosed. The blower includes a hollow body having an air inlet and an air outlet, with a turbofan arranged in the hollow body to cause hot air to flow from the air inlet to the air outlet. Additionally, a mounting piece is provided for installing the hollow body in place in the computer.

Abstract: A method of assembling a steam turbine includes positioning a sealing member in a leakage path defined between a first stage nozzle diaphragm and a packing casing, wherein the first stage nozzle diaphragm has a first coefficient of thermal expansion, and the packing casing has a second coefficient of thermal expansion, and coupling the first stage nozzle diaphragm and the packing casing such that the sealing member is fixedly secured between the first stage nozzle diaphragm and the packing casing.

Abstract: Small winglets placed at the outer end of each fan blade substantially reduce the vortices created in conventional fans by the pressure differential between the low pressure and high pressure sides of the blade. The winglet acts as a barrier, which substantially blocks leakage around the blade tip, thus suppressing vortices. Technical advantages include noise reduction, because there are no shedding vortices to create noise as the blades pass the struts; increased aerodynamic efficiency of the fan, providing higher air flow for the same fan speed, size, and power, because less energy is lost in vortices; and minimal cost impacts, because housings currently used for fans can still be used with standard finger guards and because winglets and blades can be formed integrally of injection molded plastic.

Abstract: A fan comprises a fan body and a handle secured to the fan body. The fan body is made of a transparent sheet. An LED is provided in the handle for illuminating the fan body. Batteries are mounted in the handle for operating the LED.

Abstract: A variable edge rotor blade adapted to be driven by the rotor hub includes an airfoil section; a movable edge section coupled to the airfoil section, and an actuator device operating independently of the hub, disposed in the blade proximate the movable edge section, fixed to the airfoil section and coupled to the movable edge section for oscillating it between an increased lift and decreased lift position.

Abstract: A method of connecting a starter ring gear connected with a converter cover, and a torque converter including a starter ring gear connected with a converter cover by the method. The method includes setting the starter ring gear at a corner portion of the converter cover in alignment with each other, and producing a plastic flow of metal at the corner portion thereof, the plastic flow of metal forming an engaging member disposed on an outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical wall of the converter cover and engaged with an engaging member disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the starter ring gear, to thereby connect the starter ring gear with the converter cover. The starter ring gear and the converter cover are rotatable about a rotation axis. The corner portion of the converter cover is formed between the cylindrical wall and a disk wall connected therewith.

Abstract: A turbine moving blade operated by a working fluid and having a blade profile formed so that a pressure distribution curve defined by a pressure on a blade surface of a suction side of the moving blade drops in two stages in an area from a leading edge to a minimum pressure point.

Abstract: A damper pin for a bucket damper slot in a turbine includes slot insertion ends shaped to fit into the bucket damper slot, and at least a first scallop section formed or machined between the slot insertion ends and shaped to receive a bucket shank pocket radial contour at bucket Hi-C. A second scallop section may also be formed or machined diametrically opposed and anti-symmetrical to the first scallop section between the slot insertion ends.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a centrifugal pump is operating within its normal flow operating range includes the steps: of determining a motor torque/TDH relationship over a range of speeds for a minimum flow rate in order to obtain a minimum flow operating range for the centrifugal pump; determining a motor torque/TDH relationship over a range of speeds for a maximum flow rate in order to obtain a maximum flow operating range for the centrifugal pump; determining the actual operating motor torque and TDH of the centrifugal pump at a given operating point; and determining whether the actual operating motor torque and TDH of the centrifugal pump fall within the minimum flow and maximum flow operating ranges of the centrifugal pump.

Abstract: A control valve for installation in a wobbleplate compressor with a changeable working volume is provided with an inlet for a connection to a pressure chamber, a first outlet for connection to a crank chamber, and a second outlet for connection to a suction chamber. A closing element cooperates with the second outlet and is acted upon by a device for controlling the gas mass flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-stage vacuum pump which includes: a housing in which a plurality of pumping chambers are formed, the pumping chambers being arranged in series and being in fluid communication with one another, one of the pumping chambers which is at one end of the series acting as an initial stage pumping chamber, another of the pumping chamber which is at the other end of the series acting as a final stage pumping chamber, the housing being provided with an inlet port for sucking a gas from a space to be evacuated into the initial stage pumping chamber, the housing being provided with an outlet port for exhausting the gas from the final stage pumping chamber; a Roots-type pump section occupying each of the pumping chambers; and a device for decreasing a temperature differential between the initial stage pumping chamber and the final stage pumping chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piston arrangement for a dual-stage piston compressor, comprising a cranksbaft and several cylinders which house the operating piston. Said arrangement allows two or more low-pressure stages and at least one high-pressure stage to be formed. The invention is characterized in that the two or more low-pressure cylinders are arranged in relation to the high-pressure stage in such a way that said two or more low-pressure cylinders are in phase or are offset by less than ±15° and compress in a position which is offset by 180°±20, in relation to one or more high-pressure cylinders.

Abstract: A dry compressing vacuum pump (1) has a continuous or graduated inner compression. A gas ballast device (8) selectively adds a ballast gas to a pumped gas. The gas ballast device has an isolating valve (11), a non-return valve (12) which prevents the escape of gases from the pump through the gas ballast device to the outside, and a pressure differential valve (13).

Abstract: A reciprocating piston compressor having a suction muffler and a pair of discharge mufflers to attenuate noise created by the primary pumping frequency in the primary pumping pulse. The suction muffler is disposed along a suction tube extending between the motor cap and the cylinder head of the compressor. The discharge mufflers are positioned in series within the compressor to receive discharge gases from the compression mechanism and are spaced one quarter of a wavelength from each other so as to sequentially diminish the problematic or noisy frequencies created during compressor operation. The motor/compressor assembly including the motor and compression mechanism is mounted to the interior surface of the compressor housing by spring mounts. These mounted are secured to the housing to define the position of the nodes and anti-nodes of the frequency created in the housing to reduce noise produced by natural frequencies during compressor operation.

Abstract: Dynamo electric machines and stators for use in such machines are provided. The stators comprise plates configured to be substantially flat and a plurality of spaced apart projections or teeth extending away from the plate and, together with the plate defining a plurality of slots therebetween. The stators comprise masses of metal particles. Using stators made from such metal particles provides enhanced machine efficiency, which is believed to be because of reduced eddy current effects in the stator. Motors including rotors having generally flat arrays of permanent magnetic poles and such stators which are spaced apart from and generally facing the permanent magnetic poles and have a plurality of magnetic windings, and pumps powered by such motors are included within the scope of the present invention.

Abstract: A membrane pump (1) having a membrane (24) which can be actuated by a crank drive (32), which membrane bounds, together with a concave pump body surface (8), a pump chamber (38), an inlet channel (4) and an outlet channel (17) which open out at an inlet opening (9) and an outlet opening (20) in the pump body surface (8), the membrane (24) having a membrane core (25) and an elastically deformable membrane ring (26) and the membrane core (26) having a convex surface adapted to the pump body surface (8). The inlet opening (9) is arranged in the region of the pump body surface (8) which the membrane (24) first approaches upon an expulsion stroke of the crank drive (32), and the elastically deformable membrane ring (26) closes the inlet opening (9) before the attainment of top dead center of the crank drive (32).