Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism for use as a continuously variable transmission that includes an input shaft, a cam member, a torque-splitting mechanism cooperating with the cam member, and a torque output assembly for coupling the torque splitting mechanism to an output shaft when there is substantially zero relative velocity between the moving parts to be disconnected to minimize torque feedback to the input shaft.

Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a transmission case, a parking gear fixed to the transmission case, and a meshing mechanism, such as a synchromesh mechanism. The meshing mechanism includes a coupling sleeve to engage with the parking gear and hold a transmission output member unrotatable in a park lock state when the coupling sleeve is shifted axially toward the parking gear.

Abstract: A gear rack for a rack-and-pinion steering system for a motor vehicle is distinguished in that the bearing surface is configured as a recess situated within the circular gear rack. These bearing surfaces being are borne against by roller-mounted guide rollers with corresponding bearing surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric motor having a motor shaft on which motor pinion is or can be placed, to such a motor pinion, and to a method for fastening the motor pinion to the motor shaft. The starting point is a motor pinion having a shaft accommodating section for placement on and fastening to a motor shaft in rotationally rigid fashion, the shaft accommodating section having a wall for encompassing the motor shaft. The advantageous fastening comes about in that at least a part of the wall is fashioned so as to be constrictable for restraining the motor shaft. In mounting, the wall is compressed against the motor shaft by a nut, the wall advantageously having an increasing external circumference.

Abstract: An electrical bicycle shift control assembly is provided that includes at least one electrical bicycle shift control device. The shift control device includes a handlebar mounting portion configured to be clamped onto a handlebar and an electrical shift control switch portion. The electrical switch portion has an operating member arranged to move relative to the handlebar mounting portion between a neutral position and an actuating position. Preferably, the electrical switch portion is detachably coupled to the handlebar mounting portion via a mating mounting structure to be removable from the handlebar mounting portion without removing the handlebar mounting portion from the handlebar. Preferably, a bicycle computer unit including a display screen is supported by the handlebar mounting portion. The operating member can include a dial-shaped element or a lever-shaped element that is configured to rotate about an operating axis.

Abstract: A steering handlebar apparatus for a vehicle includes a rod-shaped steering handlebar having a hand grip at a distal end thereof, and also includes both a clutch lever and a hot start lever mounted thereon at a position proximal to the hand grip. A switch holder for holding various switches is mounted to the steering handlebar at a position proximal to the hand grip. The hot start lever is journaled on the lower surface of the switch holder so that the user can operate the hot start lever with the thumb of the hand which is holding the hand grip, and can simultaneously turn off the clutch lever with other fingers of the same hand. The inventive arrangement provides a steering handlebar apparatus for a vehicle which facilitates simultaneous operation of a handle lever and a hot start lever using the hand which is holding a hand grip of a steering handlebar.

Abstract: A manufacturing system for a microstructure includes a rough motion stage having predetermined positioning accuracy and a large stroke length, a fine motion stage disposed on the rough motion stage and having higher positioning accuracy than the rough motion stage and a small stroke length, and the like collectively as a stage device disposed in a vacuum container, laser length measuring machines for measuring a distance to a mirror disposed on the fine motion stage, a stage control device for driving the fine motion stage by a result of measurement by the laser length measuring machines, and the like collectively as a stage control unit, and a pressing rod 44 for holding a pressure-contacting target member disposed opposite to a pressure-contacted member held by the stage device and pressure-contacting and separating the members, a pressure-contacting drive mechanism for applying a pressure-contacting force to the pressing rod 44, and the like collectively as a pressure-contacting mechanism unit.

Abstract: A brake assembly has a frame configured to mount to a vehicle. A link is pivotally mounted to the frame. A pedal is pivotally mounted to an end of the link, defining a pedal pivot point. A latch is mounted on the frame and is operable to selectively engage and disengage the link. The link is able to move selectively between an operational position and a crash position. When the link is in the operational position, the link supports the pedal and positions the pedal pivot point for normal operational movement of the pedal through a normal operating range to operate braking of the vehicle. When the link is in the crash position, the latch is released and the pedal pivot point moves to allow the pedal to move beyond the normal operating range minimizing risk of injury to the driver.

Abstract: A lock/release mechanism for the crank handle of a winch consists of a set of one or more pins that are captured within the drive head of the handle. Within the drive head is an actuation rod, which acts on these pins. Depending on the position of the rod, the pins are either moved or pushed outward (lock position), or retracted into the drive head (unlock position). The actuation rod is moved by means of a lever that enables removal of the crank handle with one hand.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel has a skeleton (10) and an insert (16), housed in a receiving space (14) in the skeleton (10), to increase a mass moment of inertia. The accommodation space comprises walls (20, 22). The insert (16) is elastically bent by the walls (20,22) of the receiving space (14) abutting against it and is thereby tensioned clamped in the receiving space (16) and held therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a highly efficient pedal crank for bicycles, comprising an elongated body defining, at one end portion thereof, coupling means for coupling the pedal crank to a central drive hub and, at the other end thereof, fixing means for fixing the elongated body to a pedal supporting pin. The main feature of the invention is that the elongated body comprises moreover, at said first end portion thereof, an attachment portion extending on the opposite part of the hub, with respect to the other end portion of the pedal crank.

Abstract: A sound proof structure is provided at the engine main body of a power unit in which the transmission case forming the storing chamber storing a transmission covers a part of the engine main body from a side part and is cooperatively arranged to extend toward the driving wheel, and the sound-proof cover covering the outer face of the transmission case is fixed to the transmission case, and noise released from the transmission case is sufficiently restricted by a simple structure.

Abstract: A method of using scrap rubber, such as tires or parts of tires, to manufacture or melt steel and other metals includes inserting into a furnace at a more precise and controlled rate, time, and location the scrap rubber. The controlled rate of insertion into the furnace, as opposed to batch feeding them, permits the use of larger quantities of scrap rubber. The net benefit includes reducing the amount of scrap rubber, such as tires, to be sent to a waste disposal facility or landfill, thereby improving the environment. In addition, by increasing the use of scrap rubber as a source of energy for steel or the metal production, less energy is required from other sources. The invention further allows the scrap rubber to be put into the furnace separate from the scrap metal that is also to be put into the furnace, thereby eliminating the known methods and techniques of combining of the scrap rubber with the steel or scrap metal prior to the placement of the scrap rubber and scrap metal into the furnace.

Abstract: A nanotube of which basic skeleton is made of a noble metal element is provided. The skeleton of the nanotube is made of (1) a single noble metal element of gold (Au), silver (Ag), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), or iridium (Ir) as noble metal elements, of (2) a mixture in which (Ru) is added to the above (1) in any proportion, or of (3) a mixture in which a base metal element is added to the above (1) or (2) in any proportion, and the noble metal nanotube has a tubular form of about 5-7 nm in outer diameter, about 2-4 nm in inner diameter, about 1-2 nm in thickness, and 10 nm or more in length.

Abstract: A method of making a material for use as a steel-making slag comprises mixing sufficient lime and/or magnesia containing materials with combustion ash until the so-formed composition has a basicity ratio appropriate for use in steel making.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber reinforced ceramic filter for molten metal filtration that comprises a bonded network of graphitized carbon and a method for producing such filters.

Abstract: A method for the formation of regular-shaped silver crystals through a wet chemical reaction (Tollen's reaction) is presented. The growth of the Ag crystals (size, morphology and aggregation) can be controlled via adjusting reaction conditions such as temperature and reducing agent concentrations before and during the reactions. The smaller Ag crystals (50-200 nm) were generated under the condition of limited reductive reagent (glucose), and the larger sliver crystals (˜5 ?m) were the aggregated silver nano-particles (100-200 nm) produced at higher reducing agent concentrations. Most of the larger crystals were in the shape of cube or rectangular cube, and rarely, they were in clusters. The smaller crystals (aggregation of Ag atoms) were shaped in cube or/and cone, and both single crystals and clusters were formed. The presence of impurity (TiO2 nano-particles, 25-50 nm) as crystal seeds enables the 3-D growth of large, irregular-shaped Ag clusters (˜5 ?m).

Abstract: Systems and methods for use in processing raw material (e.g., iron bearing material) include a linear furnace apparatus extending along a longitudinal axis between a charging end and a discharging end (e.g., the linear furnace apparatus includes at least a furnace zone positioned along the longitudinal axis). Raw material is provided into one or more separate or separable containers (e.g., trays) at the charging end of the linear furnace apparatus. The separate or separable containers are moved through at least the furnace zone and to the discharging end where the processed material is discharged resulting in one or more empty containers. One or more of the empty containers are returned to the charging end of the linear furnace apparatus to receive further raw material.

Abstract: A method of introducing a solid particulate reagent into a bath of metallurgical liquid comprises a step of introducing a solid particulate reagent into a main supersonic gas jet. The main supersonic gas jet is directed at the surface of the bath and is surrounded with a jet of shrouding gas, preferably of a burning hydrocarbon fluid fuel, provided at a supersonic velocity. The main supersonic gas jet is formed at a velocity which is in the range of minus 10% to plus 10% of the velocity at which the jet of shrouding gas is formed, preferably in the range of Mach 2 to 3.

Abstract: A hand-held jar opener first stores rotational user energy in a clock spring while progressively closing a grip means to engage lids of different sizes. Next it grips the lid and provides mechanical advantage to the user to initially loosen it. Lastly it releases said stored rotational user energy to further unscrew the lid without additional user effort.

Abstract: A ratcheting wrench includes a handle, a head extending from an end of the handle and having a hole communicated with a compartment in the end of the handle, a drive member rotatably mounted in the hole of the head, and a ratcheting mechanism. The drive member includes an inner periphery for securely holding a fastener-driving member, allowing joint rotation when the drive member is turned. The drive member further includes a flange formed on an end of an outer periphery thereof and located outside the head for manual rotation of the drive member. The ratcheting mechanism is mounted in the compartment of the handle and engaged with the teeth of the drive member, allowing the handle to selectively move in a ratcheting direction for tightening/loosening a fastener and in a free turning direction reverse to the ratcheting direction in which the fastener is not turned.

Abstract: A low profile locking socket drive universal joint uses a compact locking mechanism with a control bar and a transverse actuator assembly connected to a sleeve to lock a socket to a drive stud with dual function tensioning springs, flexing clevis arms, movable spring seat and closely spaced universal coupler axes all contributing to a short, fatigue resistant universal joint that additionally supports sockets close the drive axis at rest to operator advantage and limits movement skewed to the drive axis to substantially 45°.

Abstract: A simple and robust collapsible toolkit is disclosed. The collapsible toolkit includes a first frame, a second frame connected with the first frame and at least one tool of a first type pivotally connected with the first frame between a collapsed position in the first frame and an extended position outside the first frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine intended for the machining of profiled elements (10), of the type comprising a longitudinal frame (1) provided with holding dollies (11, 13) for holding the profiled element to be machined (10). This machine is characterized in that it comprises at least two holding dollies (11, 13) capable, in the machining, of securing the slide-holding of the profiled element (10), and at least one drive dolly (15, 17), in which the profiled element (10) is slide-mounted, this drive dolly (15, 17) being provided with means securing its temporary fixed connection to the profiled element (10) such that the relative displacement of the latter relative to the machining head (9) in the longitudinal direction (yy?) is secured, at least in part, by the displacement of this drive dolly (15, 17).

Abstract: A cutting apparatus 400 has a first cutting device 410 located so as to face a first substrate and a second cutting device 420 located so as to face the second substrate. A cutting unit 411 includes a cutter wheel 412 for forming scribing lines on the first substrate and a breaking roller 416 which let the scribing lines penetrate through the thickness direction of the first substrate. The second cutting device 430 also includes a cutter wheel 412 for forming scribing lines on the second substrate and a breaking roller 416 which let the scribing lines penetrate through the thickness direction of the second substrate. The first cutting device 410 includes a back up roller 414 which opposes the breaking roller 416 of the second cutting device 430 and is pressed onto a surface of the first substrate. The second cutting device 430 also has a similar back up roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a lifetime of a cutter for cutting a sheet comprising: a detector for detecting a value of a parameter representing a cutting resistance during sheet cutting; a comparator for comparing the detected value of the parameter with a predetermined reference value; and an output element for outputting a result based on the comparison.

Abstract: A miter saw includes a base, a table rotatably attached to the base, a support housing connected to the table, a saw assembly connected to the support housing, the saw assembly comprising a pivot arm, an upper blade guard connected to the pivot arm, a motor attached to the upper blade guard, and a blade driven by the motor, and a dust collector having a main body, wherein at least one slot is disposed on the main body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of severing netting is disclosed. Pressurized air is heated to a temperature sufficient to sever netting. The hot, pressurized air is directed through a nozzle at a neck of gathered netting to sever the netting. A controller controls a motor to move the nozzle through an arc to direct the hot, pressurized air at the neck, and controls a valve to release the hot, pressurized air at the proper time. The nozzle can direct a jet of hot, pressurized air at the netting or can form a chamber having an aperture, wherein the hot, pressurized air contacts the neck of gathered netting in the aperture.

Abstract: A process to produce alternately concave and convex grooves that are evenly spaced inside a tube, wherein said process comprises the following steps: at least one simultaneous broaching stage for all said grooves of said tube using at least one roughing tool and/or at least one finishing tool, said being tools made integral with a handle bar using linking means, said different roughing tools being implemented successively and having a convex profile that gradually approaches the concave profile of said grooves, at least one finishing tool having a concave profile to make the convex profile of said grooves.

Abstract: A cutting device hygienically cuts a lemon into wedges with a crosscut for hanging the wedges on glasses as served with beverages, such as ice-tea, or cocktails in restaurants or bars. Simple mechanism: the cam mechanism and the gear-rack assembly are driven by two separate manually operated handles that attach to the machine to achieve the slicing actions. Cutting a lemon into wedges with crosscuts is accomplished by simply placing the lemon into the center of the machine and adding pressure in sequence to the two handles by the operator.

Abstract: A miter saw includes a base, a table rotatably mounted on the base, and a extension arm rigidly connected to the periphery of the table and extending radially away from the axis of rotation of the table. The angular position of the table relative to the base may be fixed via a locking member mounted on the extension arm. The locking member can be linearly moved relative to the extension arm between a locked position where the angular position of the table is fixed relative to the base, and an unlocked position. The locking member is also pivotable between a locked position where the angular position of the table is fixed relative to the base, and an unlocked position.

Abstract: A machine (100) for slitting a metal sheet has a number of knife assemblies (112) each containing a rotary knife (110). The knife assemblies (112) are mounted for movement along upper and lower arbors (104, 106) which rotate the knives (110) during a slitting operation. Upper and lower knife assembly positioning devices (114) are operable to releasably grasp the knife assemblies (112) for movement of the knife assemblies (112) to predetermined positions along the upper and lower arbors (104, 106).

Abstract: A pre-biasing device includes a bolt which threadedly extends through a connection member and is connected to the movable member which is slidably matched with the fixed base. A plurality of springs are mounted to the bolt and are biased between the connection member and the movable member so as to apply a pre-set force to bias the movable member to the fixed base. The movable member is less likely to shake by the pre-set biasing force.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure A cutting tool for belts has a zigzag cutting structure with at least three cutting edges. Respectively two adjacent and transverse cutting edges are joined at a common end.

Abstract: An information flow out preventing punch for easily punching a hole in an address portion and a magnetic recording portion of a direct mail so that a third person cannot read those portions. The punch is small in size and light in weight and can be put into a drawer of a desk. The punch can punch not only paper but also a plastic card. Resources such as postcards after punched can easily be collected. This information flow out preventing punch includes an operation section and a punch blade group consisting of two or more punch blades. The punch blade group is moved by the operation section so as to punch a plurality of holes in a punch object. In the punch blade group, adjacent punch blades of n-th blade and n+1-th blade are in such a proximity that understanding of the information presented on the punch object becomes difficult.

Abstract: A punching apparatus includes a base, a punching structure, a transmitting shaft and a handle member. The base is used for placing thereon an object to be punched. The punching structure is mounted over the base for digging into the object to create at least one hole. The transmitting shaft is coupled to the punching structure and rotated to actuate the punching structure to move between a punching position and a releasing position in response to first and second external forces, respectively. The handle member is attachable to and detachable from any of a first end and a second end of the transmitting shaft, and transmits the punching structure to move between the punching position and the releasing position in response to the first and the second external forces exerted thereon, respectively.

Abstract: There is provided a sheet cutter capable of cutting a sheet into a rectangle, the side lengths of which are different, with two cutting blades, characterized in that: the cutting blade elevating section is downsized; the cutting accuracy is high; and the cutting speed is increased. A transmission change-over device is provided so that one of the pair of cutting blade elevating bodies 2, 2, which are provided being put on each other in the longitudinal direction, can be connected to the elevation driving body 10 elevating by the rotation of the feed screw shaft 11. The transmission change-over device includes: an engaging piece 13 provided in an upper portion of the cutting blade elevating body 2; a connecting pin 15 for connecting the elevation driving body 10 with the engaging piece 13; a push-out pin 17a for moving the connecting pin 15; a push-in pin 17b for moving the connecting pin 15; and a holding member 19 for holding one of the cutting blade elevating body 2 which is not elevated.

Abstract: A cutting accessory, more particularly for a manual vegetable cutter is constituted by a holding body of a synthetic material, in which is inserted a first principal edge of a straight metal blade the rectilinear or undulating opposite principal edge of which constitutes the cutting edge, the cutting accessory, on the one hand, being produced by the implementation of an injection-moulding process in accordance with which the cutting blade is positioned in the injection-moulding machine and the holding body is moulded around it and, on the other hand, comprising, at the level of the connection between the holding body and the cutting blade and on either side of the blade, two coinciding rectilinear lips extending substantially parallel to the principal edges of the blade, characterized in that the cutting blade is equipped with a series of holes which are aligned along the connection lips and at the level thereof to allow the synthetic material constituting the holding body to pass through the blade during the

Abstract: A system and method for assigning visual markers to the output of a filter bank to establish a visual correspondence between octave equivalent outputs. The system includes an analyzer module and a graphic processing module. The analyzer module receives filter outputs from the filter bank, which has received as input a wave signal spanning multiple octaves. The graphic processing module generates a graphic image including displays of the filter outputs. The analyzer module assigns display sets to the filter outputs, assigns octave equivalence classes to display sets, and assigns visual markers to octave equivalence classes. The graphic processing module generates the displays of the filter outputs in the graphic image based on the assigned visual markers, the assigned octave equivalence classes, and the assigned display sets.

Abstract: Endless rope containing primary strands, the primary strands containing laid-up secondary strands, the laid-up secondary strands containing rope yarns, wherein the primary strands have been laid up from 3, 4 or 6 secondary strands, wherein the rope contains a splice in at least every primary strand and wherein the rope preferably has been laid up from 3, 4 or (1+6) primary strands or, alternatively, has been braided from 8 or 12 primary strands.

Abstract: A composite system to provide protection against radiation, blasts, biological and/or ballistic attack is provided. The system comprises at least one first aluminum panel, with tubes, tiles, additional layers, hence/or the like being disposed at least in part against the first panel to provide protection against one or more threats. Such a threat protection device can also be sandwiched between panels.

Abstract: A hand firearm, in particular a pistol, with an insert, a breech movably guided on the insert, a barrel and a control mechanism for controlling the locking and unlocking of the breech with the barrel. In order to simplify the control mechanism, it includes a control spindle replaceably arranged on the insert and further an associated open control cam on the barrel.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder, in particular a master cylinder for a hydraulic clutch actuation system for motor vehicles, comprises a housing having a cylinder wall, in which housing a piston is received in a longitudinally displaceable manner. The piston, together with the cylinder wall, delimits a pressure chamber and has a running surface for a housing-side sealing element which in an operating position of the piston co-operates with the running surface thereof in order to seal off the pressure chamber, whereas the pressure chamber in a rest position of the piston is connected to an after-running region by equalization grooves of an after-running device. The cylinder wall of the housing is provided with profiled cut-outs on its piston-side end at least in a lower region in the installed position of the cylinder, which cut-outs each have an upper boundary surface which in the installed position of the cylinder rises up to the equalization grooves of the after-running device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piston having a valve arrangement for a vehicle hydraulic brake system comprising a piston channel penetrating the piston, a valve seat formed around an opening of the piston channel, and a valve element, which is displaceable relative to the piston and which for sealing the piston channel is positionable in a fluid-tight manner against the valve seat, wherein the valve seat takes the form of an annular projection on a sealing component, which comprises an elastic sealing element and a support element, which stabilizes the sealing element, and wherein the support element is designed in a region close to the sealing projection with a corresponding annular recess.

Abstract: An asymmetric volume booster assembly includes an actuator movable in a first direction and a second direction, a first booster in fluid communication with the actuator, and a second booster in fluid communication with the actuator. The first booster includes a first supply passage and a first exhaust passage, wherein the first supply passage supplies fluid to the actuator and the first exhaust passage exhausts fluid from the actuator. The first exhaust passage is configured to produce a first fluid flow resistance. The second booster includes a second supply passage and a second exhaust passage, wherein the second supply passage supplies fluid to the actuator and the second exhaust passage exhausts fluid from the actuator. The second exhaust passage is configured to produce a second resistance to fluid flow. The first fluid flow resistance is greater than the second fluid flow resistance, such that the actuator moves substantially symmetrically in the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: A pneumatic cylinder designed to convert compressed air into mechanical output is disclosed. The pneumatic cylinder includes a piston and rod assembly with supporting components coaxially disposed and arranged to achieve a linear mechanical force in accordance with a differential pressure across the piston. A cylindrical sleeve, secured to end caps on both openings, encircles the piston and rod assembly and helps guide the piston during travel. Additionally, a manifold, which serves as a conduit for airflow between each individual cylinder volume and an external air control device, is disposed such that the cylindrical sleeve and end caps are nested, in a concentric manner, within the manifold. This arrangement results in a dynamic relationship between airflow and differential pressure that is conducive to precision force and motion control.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for removing particles from an air-flow. An air-flow containing microscopic particulate matter is passed through a filter that rotates or oscillates at a high rate of speed relative to the speed of the air-flow and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the air-flow. The filter in motion impacts and thereby removes particulate matter from the air passing through it, yet the far smaller air molecules pass unimpeded through the mesh in the filter. The filter and filtration system maintain consistent operational performance despite changes in the condition of the filter and/or changes in the operational environment by adjusting the filter's speed and/or by cleaning the filter on a periodic or continuous basis. The effective life of a filter is extended, thereby increasing the period of time between filter replacements and reducing life-cycle man-power and material costs without any sacrifices in performance.

Abstract: A membrane separation process for the enrichment of at least one gas component in a gas flow, especially for the oxygen enrichment of the air and/or for the enrichment of carbon dioxide using a membrane separation device (10), which is a part of a membrane separation unit (2) and includes at least one membrane. The gas is separated into a retentate (8), which is discharged on the retentate side (12) of the membrane, and a permeate (9), which is discharged on the permeate side (11) of the membrane. To allow the separation of gases or the enrichment of a gas component in a gas flow at a low energy consumption rate and at low investment and production costs, the pressure of the gas stream is lowered before entering the membrane separation unit (2) so that pressure on the permeate side (11) is lower as compared with the inlet pressure.

Abstract: A DDR type zeolite membrane formed on a substrate includes silica as a main component. The DDR type zeolite membrane separates at least one type of a gas component from a mixed gas containing at least two types of gases selected from a group consisting of carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen (H2), oxygen (O2), nitrogen (N2), methane (CH4), normal butane (n-C4H10), isobutane (i-C4H10), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), ethane (C2H6), ethylene (C2H4), propane (C3H8), propylene (C3H6), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen monoxide (NO). Each single gas permeance at room temperature and 100° C. are different, respectively, in order to separate at least one selected gas component from the mixed gas.

Abstract: Contaminant laden gas streams from wood product dryer operations, and other sources, are purified. The gas stream first is saturated with moisture by contacting the gas stream with fine liquid droplets which entrain particulates. The gas stream then is subjected to a plurality of separate particulate and liquid droplet removal steps before a droplet-free gas stream having substantially reduced particulate contaminant levels is passed to a burner for removal of volatile organic compounds from the gas stream.