Abstract: A conical gear drive comprising an input element that interacts with a truncated conical gear via which an output element can be driven. A number of different output elements or variably selectable output elements should be able to be connected to the truncated conical gear drive.

Abstract: A gear mechanism comprises a first gear which has a portion with no teeth and rotates, a second gear which engages the first gear and a cam mechanism which includes a cam portion provided on one gear of the first gear and the second gear and a cam contact portion provided on the other gear of the first gear and the second gear and making contact with the cam portion. When the second gear moves from a position in which the second gear engages the tooth portion of the first gear to a position in which the second gear opposes the portion with no teeth of the first gear, the cam mechanism acts to bring the axes of the first gear and the second gear away from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for urging components of power steering system into engagement includes a rack including gear teeth, a pinion including gear teeth engaged with the gear teeth of the rack, a yoke bearing contacting the rack, a spring for resiliently contacting the yoke and urging the rack into engagement with the pinion, a source of variable hydraulic pressure communicating with the yoke bearing and applying to the yoke bearing a force that urges the rack into engagement with the pinion, and a valve that opens a connection between the pressure source and the yoke bearing at a first speed in response to a first pressure magnitude at the pressure source and that closes said connection at a second speed slower than the first speed when pressure at the pressure source decreases relative to the first pressure magnitude.

Abstract: In a device for pressing a steering rack against a pinion, having a thrust member and a setting element, it is provided that the thrust member and the setting element each have contact faces aligned with one another which, in a basic position, abut against each other, at least one of the contact faces being flexible. The thrust member has a thrust-member body and a pin which projects in the direction of the setting element and whose exposed end takes the form of a contact face. The setting element has at least a two-part configuration, made up of an adjusting screw and a spring washer. The spring washer is disposed between the adjusting screw and the thrust member, and forms the contact face for the exposed end of the pin.

Abstract: A selector fork operating device is provided, for the selective operation of at least two selector forks in a gearbox with a blocking device for blocking a selector fork which is not to be operated and with a driver for driving a selector fork for operation in an axial direction. The selector fork operating device has a bearing axle arranged in the axial direction, which supports at least one blocking part of the blocking device or at least one driving part of the driver. A gearbox, in particular, a motor vehicle gearbox with such a selector fork operating device is also provided.

Abstract: An upper rod having a guide groove at its lower end portion and a lower rod having a guide groove at its upper end portion are provided, a protrusion and a slit are provided on the lower rod and a lever main unit, respectively, and a lower rod position regulator which regulates a rotational position of the lower rod and a position thereof along a direction of a central axis to a position that matches a position pin insertion hole is provided. The upper rod, the lower rod, and a spring are inserted into a rod insertion hole of the lever main unit, a position pin attached to an insertion jig is inserted from the position pin insertion hole of the lever main unit, and the insertion jig inserted is entered in both guide grooves of the upper rod and the lower rod to push and separate the upper rod and the lower rod from each other, so that the position pin is interposed into a position between the upper rod and the lower rod.

Abstract: A parking brake control system for a vehicle has a pedal and a brake release handle that are operatively connected to one another by a linkage. The pedal has an arm and a pedal pad. An operator depresses the pedal to simultaneously engage a parking brake and cause the release handle to move from a position generally flush with an instrument panel, to a position extending from the instrument panel. The parking brake is disengaged by pulling the release handle farther out of the instrument panel, and then releasing the handle to permit the handle to return to its generally flush condition while allowing the pedal to move to an undepressed position.

Abstract: A padding tape for use on handles of sport tools, particularly bicycle handlebars, comprising a main body (2) formed by at least one substrate (3) of polymeric material having a top surface (4) and a bottom surface (5). The bottom surface (5) is designed to contact a handle (B). The polymeric material is a viscoelastic material having a high adhesive properties. The top surface (4) of this substrate is at least partly coated with a layer of paint (6) having high anti-adhesive properties, so that the padding tape only sticks with the bottom surface 5. A grip assembly for use on handles of sport tools, particularly bicycle handlebars, comprising at least one padding tape as described above, and at least one fibrous wrapping tape (8), designed to cover such tape. A process for making the above tape.

Abstract: The finishing process is applied to a surface of a roller 8 constituting a cam follower unit by the barrel finishing. When a position of a highest portion out of fine roughnesses existing on the surface is assumed as an outermost surface position, an occupation ratio of a sectional area of a virtual plane in a plane direction at a portion that is positioned at a depth of 2.0 ?m from the outermost surface position to an area of an overall surface of a portion that contacts the other member is set to 90% or more. With this configuration, a tough oil film can be formed between the surface of the roller 8 and the other member, and also the improvement of durability of a member such as the roller 8, or the like, which contacts the other member via a rolling contact or a sliding contact, can be achieved at a low cost.

Abstract: An automatic balancing device for counterbalancing an out-of-balance mass includes a plurality of counterbalancing masses, each of which is movable in a circular path about the axis so as to generate a balancing force. The balancing forces combine to produce a resultant balancing force which varies between minimum and maximum values. At a first speed of rotation of the body about the axis, the movement of at least one of the counterbalancing masses is restrained so that a substantially constant, non-zero resultant balancing force is produced, the resultant balancing force being freely movable about the axis. At a second speed of rotation of the body about the axis, the counterbalancing masses are free to adopt a position in which the out-of-balance mass is counterbalanced. The device allows at least partial counterbalancing of the out-of-balance mass at speeds below the critical speed of the system in which it is used.

Abstract: A multi-mode vibration damper includes a hub comprising radially projecting spokes, an inertia mass defining recesses for receiving the hub spokes and a damping member between the spokes and recess sidewalls. The damping member is configured to provide vibration damping via substantially compressive stress in the damping member between the hub and inertia mass. An exemplary vibration damper provides vibration damping in a plurality of damping modes and at a plurality of damping frequencies. Exemplary embodiments of the vibration damper provide reduced parasitic inertia and a rocking mode below the torsional mode of the damper.

Abstract: A hollow crank arm for a bicycle comprising a body of elongated shape, at the ends of which are formed, respectively, an area for connection of the bottom bracket spindle and an area for connection of the pedal. The body includes a cavity of elongated shape and two solid end portions which are the aforesaid connection areas for the bottom bracket spindle and for the pedal. The crank arm is preferably formed through a forging process.

Abstract: A wrist driving structure for an industrial robot having: a first wrist element supported in cantilever fashion rotatably about a first axis; a second wrist element pivotally supported in cantilever fashion at a distal end side of the first wrist element with a proximal end as a supporting point about a second axis intersecting the first axis; a third wrist element supported in cantilever fashion at a distal end side of the second wrist element rotatably about a third axis intersecting the second axis; two driving motors provided in the first wrist element for driving the second wrist element and the third wrist element, respectively; and two gear sets for reducing a rotational speed of the two driving motors in predetermined reduction ratios. Each of the gear sets has a driving gear driven by one of the two driving motors and a driven ring gear which meshes with the driving gear. Two driven ring gears of the two gear sets are disposed coaxially with the second axis.

Abstract: Processes for the production of metal nanoparticles. In one aspect, the invention is to a process comprising the steps of mixing a heated first solution comprising a base and/or a reducing agent (e.g., a non-polyol reducing agent), a polyol, and a polymer of vinyl pyrrolidone with a second solution comprising a metal precursor that is capable of being reduced to a metal by the polyol. In another aspect, the invention is to a process that includes the steps of heating a powder of a polymer of vinyl pyrrolidone; forming a first solution comprising the powder and a polyol; and mixing the first solution with a second solution comprising a metal precursor capable of being reduced to a metal by the polyol.

Abstract: To degas a molten metal, a receptacle containing the molten metal and a layer of slag over the molten metal is positioned in a chamber, and the chamber is evacuated. As the pressure in the chamber reduces, gas is generated at the interface between the molten metal and the slag, which causes the slag to foam. To inhibit overflowing of slag from the receptacle, a gauge outputs a signal indicative of the level of the surface of the slag, and the rate of evacuation of the chamber is reduced to reduce the rate of gas generation.

Abstract: A method is described for reclaiming an Al—B4C composite scrap material. The method involves heating a liquid pool of molten aluminum while also pre-heating the scrap material. The scrap material is then added to the molten aluminum and a predetermined melt temperature is maintained in the liquid pool until all of the scrap material melts into the molten aluminum to form a resultant composite melt. Finally, the resultant composite melt is stirred to promote uniformity. A method is also described for preparing a B4C-contaliing aluminum cast composite products that involves preparing a mixture of free-flowing B4C particles and molten aluminum and stirring the mixture to wet the aluminum to the B4C particles. The mixture is then cast into a cast composite material and processed to form the cast composite product and Al—B4C composite scrap material. The scrap material is then reclaimed by the method described above.

Abstract: The invention proposes tweezers (12) and a grasping system (10) for grasping and assembling at least one component (14) in a timepiece, comprising first and second branches (16, 18), which are joined at a first end (20) of the tweezers (12) and which form a grasping pincer (22) at the second end of the tweezers (12) in order to allow the component (14) to be grasped by the pincer (22), via a manual manipulation of the tweezers (12), characterized in that the first branch (16) includes at least one electrostatic grasping surface (24) provided for grasping, via electrostatic attraction, a component (14) made of conductive or semiconductor material.

Abstract: A hydraulic screw tensioning device for tightening and loosening highly stressed screws or bolts comprising a cylinder supported on a machine part that is to be clamped by a threaded bolt and nut. A change sleeve is threaded onto a threaded end of the bolt. A first annular piston is guided in a sealed manner in a cylinder element, is disposed on the change sleeve, and is supported against an inclined surface of a monolithic collar of the change sleeve. At least one second annular piston is guided in a sealed manner in a cylinder element, is disposed on the change sleeve, and is supported against the first annular piston. Respective, facing inclined axial annular surfaces on the annular pistons and on the cylinder elements or annular shoulders thereof are inclined in the same direction and are pressure-remote. Annular surfaces on the second annular piston or pistons and on the annular shoulders of the cylinder elements extend perpendicular to the cylinder axis and are pressurized.

Abstract: A wrench has a handle integral with a ratchet head that defines a chamber having a generally circular sidewall. An annular rotor has radial teeth about an outer surface thereof and is located in the chamber. The rotor teeth engage a single set of teeth extending radially inward from the chamber sidewall. Preferably, the sidewall teeth will be configured to have substantially equal height. Additionally, the two sides of each sidewall tooth that engage the rotor teeth will be configured to be substantially parallel.

Abstract: A basin wrench includes a body having a hand gripping portion being configured such that a hand of a user of the basin wrench can grip the body and provide sufficient torque to rotate the body to tighten an associated basin nut. The body can include a longitudinal slot generally parallel with a longitudinal axis of the body. The basin wrench can also include an insert configured to engage an associated nut and/or an associated water shut-off valve. An additional insert can be provided to engage a strainer basket and/or be engaged by an associated wrench or rod. A method for rotating a basin nut is also provided.

Abstract: A tool member includes an indicator device applied onto the tool member for indicating a type or model or standard or size or dimension of the tool member. The tool member may include a neck portion having the indicator device applied on the outer portion, and arranged for allowing the indicator device to be clearly seen by the users, such that the users may easily and quickly find and select or fetch the tool member having the required type and/or the required size or dimension, without rummaging the tool boxes.

Abstract: A driving tool includes a tool stem having a non-circular spatial engaging member and having one or more flat surfaces, a tool shank having a non-circular socket opening and having one or more curved surfaces for pivotally receiving the spatial engaging member of the tool stem and for allowing the tool shank to be selectively tilted relative to a longitudinal axis of the tool stem. A control ferrule is slidably engaged onto the tool shank and slidable and engageable onto the tool stem for retaining the tool shank in line with the longitudinal axis of the tool stem and for preventing the tool shank from being tilted relative to the tool stem to other angular position.

Abstract: A non-slip screw of the type having a threaded shank and an embedded slotted head, including a locking surface defined in the screw head by a central transverse slot which extends into the top of the head for engagement with the driver blade tip. The locking surface includes a pair of off-set blades outwardly extending walls extending downwardly from each end of the transverse slot. A river having its exterior blade tip configured complementary with the pairs of off-set blades outwardly extending inclined walls is engageable with the locking surface, so as to rotate the screw head in either direction.

Abstract: The laser guide comprises a housing that houses the laser, power source and an on/off switch. A centrally located aperture is formed in the housing and is dimensioned to receive a first size arbor. An annular insert is provided that fits into the aperture to reduce the aperture size from the first size to a second smaller size. The laser guide is provided with an integrated flange to support the blade. The flange spreads the load on the blade caused by the tightening of the retaining member over a larger area to prevent deformation of the blade.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device, wherein a first blade-carrier head (13) is rigidly secured in an axial direction and counter to rotation to an axially fixed blade shaft (2), a second blade-carrier head (14) is arranged on an axially displaceable, play-free blade shaft (3) which is connected to the axially fixed blade shaft (2) by a drive connection such that the blade-carrier heads (13, 14) are disposed in an aligned manner on a plane enabling the blade gap adjusting device (4) to be displaced to a zero position from the blade shaft (3) which can be axially displaced in only one direction. The second blade-carrier head (14) is adjusted by rotating on the blade shaft (3) in such a manner that both of the blade-carrier heads (13, 14) form a gap which is equal to zero and that the second blade-carrier head (14) is axially secured to the blade shaft (3), in said position, and counter to rotation.

Abstract: A sizing center for and a method of sizing different styles of window coverings includes at least two sizing mechanisms disposed on a sizing center in which each sizing mechanism is adapted to size a different style of window covering. Each window covering includes a color marking. At least two measuring scales are disposed on the sizing center, each measuring scale being associated with a sizing mechanism and having a different color, and each color associated with a sizing center being associated with a color marking of a window covering.

Abstract: Improvements in a cut-off miter saw for floor, wall, crown molding, wood, plastic, metal and the like are disclosed that includes an automated or manually fed cut-off saw where measurements are dynamically entered into a wireless communications device. The measurements are organized and sent to a cut-off saw where the material is cut with a first angle, indexed and cut at a second angle. The parts are further marked or organized and routed to the installer. This offers a tremendous improvement and reduction in the amount of time presently required to perform these operations in a serial order. It is particularly useful in measuring, cutting and nailing floor molding in houses, or other buildings where each room has slightly different dimensions and each length is custom fit.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming brochures has a pair of front cutting blades and a transport apparatus for guiding the brochures to the pair of front cutting blades. For an operator-friendly changeover of the apparatus which is associated with little expenditure, in the event of a change of the distance between the front edges of the brochures and their respective setpoint cutting line, the transport apparatus can be locked at adjustable distances from the pair of front cutting blades.

Abstract: A rotary cutting unit for trimming sheet material has a support plate for receiving the sheet material. The rotary cutting device comprises a guide bar with a knife carriage guided displaceably. A rotary knife is rotatably mounted on the knife carriage. The guide bar is guided in guidance devices between an initial raised position raised and a lowered clamping position. The guide bar includes a clamping surface for contact against sheet material. The guide bar has a force impinged upon it by a spring device, in the direction toward the initial position. An actuation device moves the guide bar out of the initial position into the clamping position. The guide bar is clamped in vertically movable fashion between the spring device and a further spring device. The second spring device has a spring action directed oppositely to the first.

Abstract: A punch device for producing a partial cutout in a sheet medium capable of being folded over an axis of symmetry for a unique decorative effect is disclosed. The punch includes a seat body formed with a horizontal fissure and a vertical chamber communicated with the fissure. A cutting block is disposed in the chamber. One face of the cutting block is disposed with a cutter, while the other face of the cutting block is disposed with a channel passing through the cutting block. A pressing lever is pivotally disposed in the channel of the cutting block. In use, a paper or a sheet is pushed into the fissure of the seat body and then the pressing section of the pressing lever is depressed to force the cutting block downward with the die punching the paper or the sheet placed in the fissure. The sheet is perforated along half of an outline of a geometric shape or a design, such that the interior portion circumscribed by the perforation can be folded over the shape's axis of symmetry for a unique effect.

Abstract: A connecting link (4, 34) for a saw chain (1) of a motor-driven chain saw has an areal base body (24) which has two rivet openings (12, 15). The connecting link (4, 34, 44) has a longitudinal center axis (11) which intersects the axes (13, 16) of rivet openings (12, 15) and runs in the base body (24). The functional regions of the connecting links (4, 34, 44) are mirror symmetrical to planes (32, 36), which contain the longitudinal center axis (11), and are unsymmetrical to each plane perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis (11). In this way, the connecting link (4, 34, 44) can be arranged on both longitudinal sides of the saw chain (1).

Abstract: A bridge for an acoustic guitar including a body and a neck extending outward from the body. The bridge includes a base fixed to the body, and a saddle support for supporting a saddle. The saddle support has a support surface for supporting a side surface of the saddle that is closer to the neck. The saddle is supported with its upper surface protruding from an upper surface of the saddle support. The saddle support has a plurality of grooves extending in the direction of the corresponding strings. The strings are supported by the upper surface of the saddle in the corresponding grooves.

Abstract: A bridge system for connection to the instrument body of a stringed instrument, the bridge system including at least one bridge piece configured to contact at least one string of the stringed instrument and a ramp-shaped height and tone adjustment bar between the bridge piece and the instrument body. An adjustment mechanism translates the height and tone adjustment bar with respect to the bridge piece to raise and lower the string and to provide contact between the bridge piece and the instrument body.

Abstract: One aspect of the present patent application is a musical instrument comprising a body, a bridge, a plurality of strings, a plurality of separate cables, a single cable, and a saddle. The plurality of strings extends from a first side to a second side of the bridge. Each of the plurality of strings is connected to one of the plurality of separate cables on the second side of the bridge. All of the plurality of separate cables are joined into the single cable. The single cable extends over the instrument's saddle along one path.

Abstract: The method provides luthiers of fretted instrument with a novel approach for installing frets with increased accuracy. The method is an improvement in calculation of fret placement over the “Rule of 18” because it relies on the length of the vibrating string. This method is more pronounced at the end of the fret board closest to the bridge due to the angle formed by the string when depressed with respect to the axis of the fret board. With respect to the twelve-step octave, the scale length is multiplied by the constant of the twelfth root of 0.5 to calculate the length of the string from fret contact to saddle contact for the next tonal step.

Abstract: The subject invention is an improved conical piccolo that has a new fingering mechanism and an additional tone hole opening. The improved conical piccolo allows a user to easily play all six standard trills, including the third octave G to A trill. The improved conical piccolo simplifies the fingering required by a user to play the third octave G to A trill.

Abstract: A drum having a resonant chamber for producing a range of sounds and at least one device for allowing the sound so produced to be altered, which includes a plurality of internal snares which can be brought into contact with the internal surface of the external surface of the resonant chamber which is struck by the player. The drum may also include a bass drum stick mounted within the chamber and adapted for movement to be able to selectively strike the inner surface of the drum which is struck by the player. The bass drum stick may include a pedal, or other device, operable by the player and external to the drum for effecting movement of the bass drum stick.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conga drum stand comprising a supporting ring, away from which extend upwards at least three holding attachments having a concavely curved inside surface for receiving the conga drum and away from which extend downwards stand legs, in which the radius of curvature R1 of the concavely curved inside of the holding attachments is greater than the radius of curvature R2 of the supporting ring or of the conga drum to be received.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for simulating the sound of a specific percussion instrument. A first stored waveform representative of the impulse response of the specific percussion instrument is convolved with a second waveform representating of the vibrations produced when a playing surface is struck, scraped or rubbed by a hand-held implement manipulated by a human player. A control interface produces a control signal indicative of a desired audio effect, and a signal processor modifies the spectral components of the output waveform produced by the convolution in response to the control signal to produce a modified output waveform that manifests the desired audio effect.

Abstract: When a first bar-division determination section determines that the bass note changes in a bar or when a second bar-division determination section determines that the degree of change in the chord in the bar is large, a chord-name determination section divides the bar and detects chords. This operation allows correct chords to be detected even when the chord changes within a bar, while the bass note is maintained.

Abstract: A user is asked to perform tapping at beat positions by using a tapping detection section while listening to the beginning of a waveform from which beats are to be detected. When a fluctuation calculation section determines that tapping fluctuation falls in a predetermined range, a beat interval close in number to the tempo of the tapping is selected from among beat-interval candidates detected by a tempo-candidate detection section, and a tapping position where tapping becomes stable is determined to be the starting beat position. Tapping by the user for just some beats allows beats to be detected in the entire musical piece more correctly.

Abstract: There is provided a musical tone control apparatus that enables a user to easily play a musical instrument without spoiling the user's feeling that he is actually playing a musical instrument. A storage device stores musical piece data containing interval data indicative of intervals of musical tones constituting a musical piece. A motion of an operator is detected. A controller provides control so as to instruct a musical tone output device capable of outputting musical tones to adopt the intervals as one of characteristic amounts relating to musical tones to be output from the musical tone output device, according to the interval data, and instruct the musical tone output device to adopt at least one of the characteristic amounts other than the intervals according to the detected motion of the operator.

Abstract: A programmable/semi-programmable pickup and transducer switching system includes a control, a plurality of switches communicatively interconnected to the control, an encoder communicatively interconnected to the control, a memory/buffer/drive with switching element options for passive or active pickup switching, said memory/buffer/drive being communicatively interconnected to the control, and a display system communicatively interconnected to the memory/buffer/drive. The display system includes at least one transparent fastening screw with an associated light emitting diode configured to provide a visual indication of an associated pickup activity.

Abstract: A perforating system, including a shaped charge assembly comprising a charge case, a liner, and a main body of explosive. The material of the perforating system components, including the gun body, the charge case and the liner may be comprised of an energetic material that conflagrates upon detonation of the shaped charge. The material may be an oxidizer, tungsten, cement particles, rubber compounds, compound fibers, KEVLAR®, steel, steel alloys, zinc, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An automatic clutch is integrated in a weapon system between an ammunition feed system and a cannon. A feeder feeds ammunition into the cannon. The clutch mechanism includes an actuator, a locking pin with an assisting spring or the like, and locking cams. The clutch mechanism allows the drum shaft of the cannon to be disengaged from the gear of the feeder between the cannon and the ammunition supply system and thus from the conveyance mechanism of the feeder.

Abstract: A protection device for the floor of a land vehicle against mines, said device comprising at least one caisson with a convex external surface oriented towards the ground wherein said caisson incorporates a median part arranged between two lateral walls and extending over the full length of said caisson, the median part of said caisson being of a thickness (E) greater than that (e) of said lateral walls and being designed so as to transmit the stress, when a mine detonates, towards said lateral walls.

Abstract: A stabilizing mount system for cameras, sensors and weapons. This invention stabilizes payloads such as cameras sensors and weapons on moving vehicles such as HMMWV's, (military Humvees) off-road vehicles, boats aircraft and unmanned vehicles. The stabilizing mount system allows hands-on control of the payload device such as the camera or weapon while the stabilization is active. This includes allowing a gunner of a crew served weapon to free-gun or have hands-on control to operate the weapon while the weapon is being actively stabilized. The invention has various modes including target lock. Cameras and sensors are also stabilized and provide a useable output for a remote operator or artificially intelligent computer.

Abstract: A camblock assembly with a camblock and a guide rod is employed in a firearm having a frame constructed of synthetic polymer material. The camblock has a front flange with flange surfaces that engage corresponding bearing surfaces of the frame to distribute forces and energy to the frame during recoil of the firearm. A shelf member is positioned at a front end of the camblock and a coiled flat wire buffer spring is positioned about the guide rod to resist movement of a reciprocating slide. A detent mechanism positioned within the camblock contacts a surface of a slide stop pin to hold the slide stop latch in place. The interior of the slide stop latch contains an elongated wire having an end that engages the frame such that the slide stop latch is biased in a down position.

Abstract: In a hydraulic unit (A) including a hydraulic pump configured to be driven by a motor (2) and a hydraulic cylinder (3) for actuating a chuck, a fixed displacement hydraulic pump is combined with an adjustable speed motor (2) for driving the pump. In order to concurrently provide rapid movement of the cylinder (3) and reduction in the surge pressure, upon the cylinder (3) actuating the chuck, after a teaching movement is imparted to the cylinder (3) to determine an operating stroke of the cylinder (3) based on the number of rotations of the motor (2), the motor (2) is rotated at a high rotational speed for movement until a preset deceleration start point short of the end of movement of the cylinder (3) within the determined operating stroke and then rotated at a low rotational speed for deceleration from the deceleration start point to the end of movement of the cylinder (3), thereby allowing the chuck to chuck a work with a soft touch.

Abstract: A valve assembly controls fluid flow between first and second ports of a hydraulic actuator and each of a supply line and a return line. A first electrohydraulic proportional valve is connected between the supply line and the first port, and second electrohydraulic proportional valve is connected between the supply line and the second port. A first counterbalance valve couples the second port to the return line and operates in response to pressure created by the first electrohydraulic proportional valve and the first port. A second counterbalance valve couples the first port to the return line and operates in response to pressure created by the second electrohydraulic proportional valve and the second port. Thus operation of the first counterbalance valve is slaved to the first electrohydraulic proportional valve, and the second counterbalance valve is slaved to the second electrohydraulic proportional valve.