Abstract: A vehicle driving force control apparatus is configured to provide a vehicle drive force control apparatus that can expand the operating region within which an electric motor can be driven in a stable manner. The output of an engine is delivered to the main drive wheels through a transmission and also to an electric generator. The output voltage of the electric generator is supplied to the electric motor and the output of the electric motor drives the subordinate drive wheels. When it is determined that the generator output voltage will not be sufficient to meet the requirement of the electric motor, the amount of acceleration slippage allowed at the left and front wheels is increased.

Abstract: A steering system for a small-sized vehicle is capable of coaxially arranging a steering shaft and a power steering apparatus with high accuracy. In the steering system, when the power steering apparatus is connected to the steering shaft, a plurality of bearings support the steering shaft on a vehicle body frame, and where the axis of the steering shaft arranged at a desired position is a reference axis, at least one of the bearings is configured to compensate for an inclination of the steering shaft or further, to compensate for a deviation from the bearing which is centered with respect to the reference axis.

Abstract: A gerotor and bearing apparatus for a whirling mass orbital vibrator which generates vibration in a borehole. The apparatus includes a gerotor with an inner gear rotated by a shaft having one less lobe than an outer gear. A whirling mass is attached to the shaft. At least one bearing is attached to the shaft so that the bearing engages at least one sleeve. A mechanism is provided to rotate the inner gear, the mass and the bearing in a selected rotational direction in order to cause the mass, the inner gear, and the bearing to backwards whirl in an opposite rotational direction. The backwards whirling mass creates seismic vibrations.

Abstract: A muffler with variable acoustic properties. A pressure cell with a diaphragm, a spring, a piston, a piston rod, a closing element on the piston rod, and a pressure connection line are integrated into a housing. The diaphragm is thermally insulated against the piston rod. Another layer of thermal insulation is provided between the closing element and the pressure cell.

Abstract: A sound insulation system for use with a vehicle includes a layer of fibrous padding material having a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first surface includes multiple spaced apart recesses. The second surface includes a substantially flat surface portion that extends over two adjacent recesses. The multiple recesses are configured to define multiple voids when the sound insulation system is mounted in the vehicle, thereby enhancing acoustical performance of the sound insulation system.

Abstract: An improved aerial work apparatus of the type having an aerial work platform attached to the distal end of a boom mounted to a mobile chassis comprising a material-handling device mounted with respect to the platform. Preferably, the material-handling device is either a dual winch device, a fork lift device, or material support feet. An aerial work platform comprising a rail support frame attached to the boom and a work basket is provided wherein the work basket can be interchanged between a basket in front of the boom and a basket positioned alongside the boom.

Abstract: A method and a system for emergency evacuation of building occupants and to a method for modernization of an existing building with the evacuation system. The system is used in a multi-story building having a plurality of floors and with at least one elevator positionable at selected landings of the floors. A first device is provided for measuring the number of persons in the building and a second device is provided for detecting an emergency condition in the building. At least one control unit is provided for determining or for estimating a number of building occupants in the building. The control unit defines at least one evacuation zone in the building during the emergency condition. Based on this information, the control unit defines at least one designated floor in the building during the emergency condition. Then the system evacuates the building occupants with the elevator car and/or a stairway from the evacuation zone to the designated floor.

Abstract: A telescopic ladder apparatus can be deployed from a closed receptacle on the stern portion of a boat. The ladder is formed with telescopic side rails supporting transverse treads that can collapse into a stored position in which the treads are placed adjacent one another. The side rails are mounted to a slide mechanism that is mounted in the receptacle for sliding movement relative to the boat. The slide mechanism supports the side rails for a linear sliding movement to permit the deployment of the ladder externally of the receptacle to be telescopically extended toward the water. The side rails are pivotable downwardly to position the ladder into a generally vertical deployed position from the generally horizontal stored position. The receptacle housing the telescopic ladder and slide mechanism is opened for access to the ladder through a generally vertically oriented door that provides a clean aesthetic appearance for the boat.

Abstract: A foldable step stool includes pivotable front and rear leg units and steps coupled to the front leg unit. A utility tray pivots relative to the front leg unit.

Abstract: A storage device for the bed of a pickup truck has a body with a storage area therein and a scissors lift connected to the body for moving the body between a first position on the bed of the truck and a second position above a side wall of the truck. The scissors lift includes a top plate, a bottom plate, first and second scissors pivotally connected to the top plates and a motor cooperative with the scissors so as to move the top plate relative to the bottom plate. A spring is in tension and extends between the scissors between when the body is in the first position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a brake caster with stroke adjustment mechanism, including a retainer, a king pin, a catch spring, a catch/release button, a plunger block, and a brake pad. The upper part of the king pin is fitted with the spring coil; the catch/release button is fitted with the catch spring; and a threaded polygonal lock nut is placed over the catch/release button in the hollow space of the plunger block, which has the brake pad installed on the bottom end; the plunger block being coupled with the catch/release button is slipped onto the king pin lengthwise along the threads. By twisting the plunger block in and out around the neck of the plunger block, the stroke distance can be adjusted according to different levels of rubber on the wheel, so that the service life of the caster can be effectively prolonged without numerous replacements of the wheels.

Abstract: A walker including a main frame with a main part with a telescopic frame member being slidably adjustable in relation to main part, a handle bar with a brake handle bar for activating a brake via a brake pull wire, a brake wire connected to a brake wire fastener and brake, and a brake tensioner plate arranged in frame member. The brake tensioner plate includes upper, lower and brake tensioner sheaves, one of the brake tensioner sheaves being laterally displaceable and arranged for adjusting the running length of the brake wire, so that the brake wire may be tensioned and the brake activated, for displacement along the brake wire and for telescopic displacement of the frame member, so that tensioning of the brake wire may occur independently from the vertical position of the brake tensioner plate.

Abstract: A bike brake clamp to provide safe and effective braking including a first brake arm, a second brake arm, a joint plate, and a pilot plate adapted with spring, central screw, cable screw, and pivot screw; both brake arms providing synchronous clamping via the pilot plate to correct the application of brake force on single side of the rim; a moment (longer than that of the prior art) between an adjustment screw at the point where brake force is applied and the central screw at the support being used to achieve better mechanical benefits.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a disc brake having a fixed brake disc. On each of the opposing sides of the brake disc at least one brake pad is arranged. Furthermore, the disc brake has an actuator and a clamping device. The clamping device is axially fixed in relation to the brake disc, in order to facilitate that the brake pads are given a symmetrical movement in relation to the brake disc.

Abstract: A drum brake comprising a plate on which at least one shoe having a friction lining is mounted. A lever moves the shoe against a wheel drum in response to a braking command to effect a brake application. A resilient return spaces the shoe apart from the drum when braking ceases. The shoe is mounted to slide along an essentially radial axis between two guide walls secured to the plate The lever for applying the shoe bears against the inside wall of the shoe for exerting a substantially radial force.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly has a hub that is rotatable about an axis and at least a pair of discs supported on the hub for relative axial movement along the axis of the hub with the discs having opposite sides presenting braking surfaces. A non-rotatable support structure supports a plurality of friction elements for relative axial movement into and out of frictional braking engagement with the braking surfaces of the discs. An electric actuator is mounted on the support structure adjacent at least one of the friction elements and is operative when actuated to move the friction elements into frictional braking engagement with the braking surfaces of the discs.

Abstract: A disk brake apparatus with a readily- releasable wear adjuster, including a brake caliper which overlaps a brake disk, a tensioning device for tensioning brake pads and an adjusting system for compensating for brake pad wear, where the adjusting system includes at least one adjusting rotating device with an electric motor drive for adjusting the brake pad clearance and a release device that assists in releasing the adjusting rotating device when the electric motor drive retracts the brake pads to the specified clearance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disk brake, in particular for utility vehicles, comprising a brake caliper, which extends over a brake disk, an application device located in the brake caliper for applying the brake pads on both sides of the brake disk in the direction of the latter, in addition to at least one adjusting system located in the brake caliper for compensating wear and tear on the brake pad and/or disk. The disk brake is characterized in that the adjusting system is configured on one or both sides of the brake disk as a preassembled adjuster module, which has at least the following components: an electromotor, which acts as the drive, or a drive connection to an electromotor and a reduction gear connected downstream of the electromotor, the rotative drive being fitted onto the mounting plate(s).

Abstract: A hydrodynamic brake which comprises a stator and a rotor, arranged to form a toroidal space, and blades on the rotor and the stator extend into the space. A medium which is intended to be supplied to the toroidal space to effect a braking action. A first pipe circuit for transferring the medium from an outlet from the toroidal space to an inlet to the toroidal space. A second pipe circuit for transferring the medium from a storage space to the toroidal space. The second pipe circuit transfers the medium to the toroidal space via a second inlet which is arranged separately relative to a corresponding first inlet to the first pipe circuit.

Abstract: A damper includes a hollow outer elongated body formed of a cylindrical member; a hollow inner elongated body similarly formed of a cylindrical member; a viscous body disposed in a cylindrical gap between an inner surface of the elongated body and an outer surface of the elongated body in such a manner as to be in contact with the inner surface and the outer surface of these elongated bodies, respectively; rectangular attaching plate members which are respectively secured to a closed-side other end portion, in an axial direction, of the elongated body having one end portion on an open end side and to a closed-side one end portion of the elongated body, respectively; and a holding structure for holding the gap between the inner surface of the elongated body at the one end portion of the elongated body and the outer surface of the elongated body.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided for a damping system. The system includes a housing having an inner surface defining a passage therethrough, a first bellows disposed within the passage, the first bellows having an outer surface and spaced apart from the housing inner surface to define a first chamber having a volume, a second bellows disposed within the passage, the second bellows having an outer surface and spaced apart from the housing inner surface to define a second chamber having a volume, a restrictive flow passage in fluid communication with the first and second chambers, fluid disposed within the first chamber, the second chamber, and the restrictive flow passage, and a piston coupled to the second bellows and disposed at least partially within the restrictive flow passage, the piston configured to selectively receive a force to thereby move the piston through the housing passage.

Abstract: A spring strut support bearing, has a top bearing that can be affixed by its inner ring to the front end of an automobile, e.g. to the end of a piston rod of a shock absorber facing a vehicle body. The inner ring is surrounded by an outer ring with radial clearance; at least one elastic spring element made of rubber-elastic material is arranged in a gap formed by the clearance. The outer ring is disposed in a stationary manner with respect to the vehicle body; and only the component of the loading force of the shock absorber extending through the elastic spring element of the top bearing reaches the vehicle body. The inner ring has on each of its two end faces at least one elastically flexible stop buffer for limiting extreme deflection movements in moving direction of the shock absorber, the stop buffers each having the capability of being brought into contact with counter stop faces.

Abstract: A piston rod and a piston are installed with freedom of axial movement in a cylinder filled with a working medium, the piston dividing the working space into a space on the piston-rod side of the piston and a space on the side of the piston facing away from the piston rod. A stop disk is mounted on the piston rod in addition to the piston rests against a retainer provided on the cylinder to limit the outward movement of the piston rod during a fire.

Abstract: The motion damper includes a damper wall, damper stages, and a damper head. The damper wall and damper stages are successively smaller in size and have a nested relationship. The damper wall and damper stages are each flexibly attached to an adjacent damper stage or the damper wall such that the damper stages may deploy in a telescopic fashion away from the damper wall. The damper head is attached to a smallest damper stage. As a result, the damper stages change in position relative to the damper wall and relative to each other to absorb the kinetic energy of objects attached to the damper head and damper wall.

Abstract: A clutch adapted for use to move media in an image forming apparatus having an independently rotatable first race, an independently rotatable second race, and an open central section within the interior of the first and second races. The clutch has a bearing movable between an engaged position in simultaneously contact with the first and second races to transmit a rotational torque from the first race to the second race and a second disengaged position moveable through the open central section. During torque transmission, the bearing simultaneously engages one of a plurality of spaced-apart fins disposed around the open central section on the first race and one of a plurality of spaced-apart catches on the second race disposed outside of the plurality of fins.

Abstract: A drive disconnect device is provided in which a drive transfer element (12) is axially movable with respect to input and output shafts (2, 14) so as to selectively disconnect them. A collar (50) is disposed in spaced apart configuration around the drive transfer element so that they do not touch except when the disconnect device is operated to disconnect the drive. When the disconnect operation is initiated, force is provided from a resilient element (56) to move the drive transfer element.

Abstract: A power transmission device includes a rotary input member receiving drive torque from a source of torque, a rotary output member for providing drive torque to an output device and a torque transfer mechanism for transferring drive torque between the input member and the output member. The torque transfer mechanism includes a friction clutch assembly operably disposed between the input member and the output member and a hydraulic clutch actuation system operable for applying a clutch engagement force to the friction clutch assembly. The hydraulic clutch actuation system includes an electric motor drivingly coupled to the hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator includes a first piston biasedly engaged by a spring, slidably positioned within a housing and operable to supply pressurized fluid to a second piston. Supply of pressurized fluid to the second piston provides the clutch engagement force.

Abstract: A parking lock of an automatic transmission avoiding an undesirable engagement of a lock member (2) in a parking lock gear, during occurring extreme accelerations in normal driving of a motor vehicle. An arrester (7) is provided which, in the driving gear stages of the transmission, retains the lock member (2) with an arresting shape fit.

Abstract: A-way locking rotary drive clutch assembly for actuating an adjuster mechanism on an automotive vehicle seat including a cylinder (30) fixedly secured to the vehicle seat and a mobile flange (40) rotatable journaled to the cylinder and fixedly secured to an input shaft (18) for externally actuating the adjuster mechanism. The cylinder includes a cylindrical bearing surface. The clutch assembly includes a plurality of cams (50, 52) enactable with the bearing surface to prevent rotation of the mobile flange relative to the cylinder. The cams are rotatable assembled to the mobile flange for moving in and out of engagement with the bearing surface. The cams are biased into engagement with the bearing surface. A handle body (60) journaled to the cylinder includes a plurality of teeth engagable with teeth on the mobile flange. Tabs (62) extend from the handle body to move the cams out of engagement with the bearing surface during rotation of the handle body relative to the mobile flange.

Abstract: An optical sensing device for detecting plural optical features of valuable papers is provided that comprises first and second photocoupers 5 and 6 or 9 and 10 positioned in the vicinity of and on the opposite sides of a passageway 13 for guiding the valuable paper 64. Each of first and second photocouplers 5 and 6 or 9 and 10 has a light emitting element 20, 22, 30, 32 for emitting a light, and a light receiving element 21, 23, 31, 33 for selectively receiving the light from the light emitting element 20 so that each light receiving element 21, 23, 31, 33 can receive lights reflected on and penetrating the valuable paper 64 for detection of multiple optical features from the valuable paper 64.

Abstract: A power control circuit used in a vending machine having a bill accepter and vending main units controlled by the bill accepter is disclosed to include a pulse signal generator installed in the bill inlet of the bill accepter and adapted to generate a triggering signal upon insertion of a bill into the bill inlet of the bill accepter, a driver, and a trigger, which controls the driver to drive the bill accepter between the power-saving stand-by mode and the work mode subject to the presence of the pulse signal from the pulse signal generator.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for manufacturing dosage forms, and to dosage forms made using such systems, methods and apparatuses are provided. Novel compression, thermal cycle molding, and thermal setting molding modules are disclosed. One or more of such modules may be linked, preferably via novel transfer device, into an overall system for making dosage forms.

Abstract: A moving table supports a parts conveying member. A fixed table is disposed below the moving table and supports the moving table so as to freely vibrate the moving table through a vibration generator. The vibration generator includes a first elastic member and a piezoelectric element mounted to the first elastic member. One end of the first elastic member is fixed to the moving table and the other end is fixed to the fixed table. A support member includes a second elastic member. One of the second elastic member is fixed to the moving table and the other end member is fixed to the fixed table. Accordingly, the piezo-driven parts feeder can be reduced in height, the stress that acts on the vibration generator can be restricted, sufficient amplitude can be ensured and the stress on the vibration generator can be restricted even during high-frequency driving, and the replacement of the vibration generator and the change and control of the resonance frequency can easily be performed.

Abstract: A wafer carrying apparatus 20 for carrying intermediate products comprises: a conveyer 40 for carrying the intermediate products in the carrying direction; and a plurality of platforms 41 arranged in the conveyer 40 along the carrying direction of the intermediate products on the conveyer 40, each platform 41 being capable of mounting at least one intermediate product at a position in a direction crossing the carrying direction of the intermediate products on the conveyer 40.

Abstract: A conveying device has a support frame and a conveying member with at least two driven conveying belts that circulate in parallel to one another and with a conveying fabric having at least one support surface and being arranged between the at least two conveying belts. The at least two conveying belts have inner sides facing one another; the inner sides have recesses. The conveying fabric has lateral edges inserted into the recesses. Support parts are attached in an overlapping area or an abutting area where the lateral edges of the conveying fabric and the at least two conveying belts overlap or abut one another. The support parts project upwardly past a plane of the support surface.

Abstract: A container for holding a plurality of wafers in an axially aligned, generally parallel spaced apart arrangement includes an enclosure portion having a top, a bottom, a pair of opposing sides, a back and an open front. At least one wafer support is provided in the enclosure along with a kinematic coupling on the bottom of the enclosure. The container has a door for sealingly closing the open front which includes a chassis and an operable latching mechanism on the chassis. The latching mechanism includes a cam selectively rotatable to shift the latching mechanism between a first favored position and a second favored position and at least one vibration dampener for dampening vibrations generated when the latching mechanism is shifted between the first and second favored positions.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing mixtures of material which contain a coarse component (3) and a predominantly cohesive fine component (4). Both the mixture of material (2) and an added material (5) are delivered in continuous streams of material (11, 23) to a homogenizing and separating device (12). The homogenizing and separating device (12) serves to mix the added material (5) and the mixture of material (2) uniformly with one another, so as to put the fine component (4) of the mixture of material (2) into a state such that the fine components (4) can be separated from the coarse component (3). As a result of the continuous delivery of the mixture of material (2) and added material (5) to the homogenizing and separating device (12), intimate mixing of the added material (5) and fine component (4) is achieved so that the separation of the coarse component and fine component can take place directly in the same device.

Abstract: A device for attracting metal particles which comprises a longitudinal member having a first and second end and a first magnet connected to the first end. The first magnet has a surface. The device further includes a housing connected to the second end which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal member. The housing has a second magnet disposed therein. A plate having a surface area is secured to the housing and is positioned within a proximity to the second magnet such that the plate is capable of attracting metal pieces thereto. The surface area of the plate has a substantially larger square area than the surface of the first magnet.

Abstract: A screening system including a vibratory screen separator having a resiliently mounted frame with a low frequency vibratory drive coupled to that frame. A taut screen is rigidly mounted in the frame and a vibration transmitter assembly is resiliently mounted to the frame and fixed to the taut screen. The vibration transmitter includes a planar ring compressed against the taut screen and vibration generators. The vibration generators are air turbines with eccentric weights. The frame includes support elements extending from the cylindrical outer housing sections of the separator to a concentrically mounted support ring. Compressed air is provided to the turbines through hollow structure within the frame. Valves control exhaust from the turbines. The low frequency vibratory drive operates in a range of about 8 Hz to 30 Hz while the vibration generators provided by the air turbines operate in a range of about 275 Hz to 600 Hz.

Abstract: A detector for breaks in screens and filters employed in material separators includes a transmitter of RF signals and a receiver of RF signals located to either side of a screen. The separator includes a chamber having a barrier to RF signals with a path through the barrier being defined through the screen mount. The screen mount receives a screen to extend fully across the path.

Abstract: A rack for holding on its inside multiple electronic devices, which have fans for drawing outside air to inside the devices and exhaust ports for discharging air, including two pairs of support columns, the columns of each pair being placed parallel to one another in the front and the back at a pre-determined distance apart from one another, and air ducts for directing exhaust air from the above-mentioned exhaust ports of these electronic devices positioned between at least one pair of the two pairs of support columns, having a structure wherein there are side covers that cover the side surfaces, and the air ducts are installed between the pair of support columns between the side covers and the inside of the rack and are substantially formed from multiple panels adjacent to one another inside of the rack.

Abstract: A glide (20) includes a base (22), a front member, and a number of walls (26) extending front-to-back. Both the base and the front member are advantageously formed as a number of pieces secured side-by-side to provide expandability. The front member may be secured to the walls via dovetail interaction and different front members may be provided for different wall spacings.

Abstract: An adjustable shelving assembly and a support structure for supporting the adjustable shelf assembly. The adjustable shelf assembly may include at least one extension shelf unit, slidably oriented with respect to a central shelf unit such that the width and/or depth of the shelf may be adjusted. The adjustable shelf assembly may be adjusted without removing the shelf from the accompanying support structure or causing the central shelf unit to be moved. The adjustable shelf assembly may also include structure for receiving advertisements, product identifiers or the like.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a universal rack, comprises a plurality of upright posts and a plurality of cross bars securely joined together via one-way connecting pieces, two-way connecting pieces and three-way connecting pieces. The universal rack of the present invention can be randomly designed and assembled according to the pattern of space to form a storing shelf of all sorts of different shapes. After assembling, said universal rack can be randomly dissembled. Meanwhile, transformation on single layer can be held when the universal rack is carrying things, and said universal rack can be assembled and disassembled without any tools and other attachments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a floating lifting device, using two movable lifting structures (13, 14) which can be alternatively engaged with broaden support members (5, 6, 7) of a cable (4). The cable (4) is stored substantially without tension in the vessel (1), for instance on a drum or in a hawse-hole (10) in a looped configuration. Large loads (9) can be lowered and raised from the seabed at large water depths such as at 3000 m. Preferably, the cable is formed by neutral buoyancy material, such as synthetic cable.

Abstract: A closure assembly includes: a vessel opening; a closure for said opening, the closure having a base portion and a skirt portion; a first screw thread on the opening, said first screw thread having one or more first thread segments; a second screw thread on an inner surface of the skirt of the closure, said second screw thread having one or more second thread segments; said first and second screw threads being configured to enable a user to secure, remove and resecure the closure into a sealing position on the opening by rotation of the closure on the opening; wherein the first thread segments are shorter than said second thread segments; and wherein the second thread segments are each made up of one or more radially spaced projecting portions, each said portion extending radially no more than about 60° around the closure skirt.

Abstract: The container includes a hollow body of plastic material having a lower supporting base, a sidewall extending upwardly from the lower base, and an upper portion extending upwardly from the sidewall. The upper portion includes at least one opening therein. An integral handle is also provided at least in part on the sidewall. A grip portion, as a finger grip, is provided on the upper portion of the container spaced from the handle to provide stability when handling or when dispensing contents.

Abstract: A trash can closure cover to be used in place of existing lids to provide a resilient collapsible cover on the trash can that can be easily removed and retained thereon. The trash can closure defines a flexible sheet cover configuration to be resiliently retained temporarily over the open end of the receptacle trash can container that will be retracted and collapsed on itself as it is removed.

Abstract: A drinking-cup placed on a bottle containing a beverage to be consumed. The drinking-cup has a hollow body pierced by a beverage intake, an air intake, and a mouth, and defined by a wall with an annular cross-section enclosing an axis. A closure wall is arranged obliquely relative to the axis. The air intake and the mouth are in respective connecting zones and form an open angle and a closed angle between the wall having an annular cross-section and the closure wall. The wall with an annular cross-section is a surface of rotation and flares out at some distance from the beverage intake. A mid-plane connecting the air intake to the mouth forms, with the axis, an angle not less than 30 degrees. The cup is particularly applicable to champagne tasting.

Abstract: Sheet dispensers, which provide feedback to a user or provide a unique function to a user, are disclosed. Visual, audio, aromatic, or other types of feedback may be provided to a user by the sheet dispenser. Sheet dispensers suitable for use as a switch, a room deodorizer, a flame-generating device, or a combination thereof are disclosed. A method of activating a switch-controlled object is also disclosed. Further, a method of making sheet dispensers is also disclosed.