Abstract: A balance suspension system for a vehicle having a body and at least four wheels (FR, FL, BR, BL) independently supported for movement between upper and lower positions relative to the body, the suspension system includes a balance mechanism adapted to support suspension forces in the vehicle and a plurality of actuating elements (73, 74, 78, 79) which are responsive respectively to the positions of the wheels relative to the body and are operable on spaced apart points on the balance mechanism. The system also includes control means for controlling relative movement between the balance mechanism and the body. The control means act to redistribute suspension forces between the body and the wheels, thereby to induce predetermined suspension behaviour.

Abstract: The invention is related to a tie device for use between two structural elements (10, 20) of a civil engineering structure, such as, for example a bridge. The tie device allows the two structural elements to be displaced relative to each other during slow movements, and prevents the two structural elements from being displaced relative to each other during rapid movements. In one embodiment of the invention, the tie device comprises a cylinder (30) which is stationary relative to the first structural element (10), and which defines two chambers (31, 32) that contain a fluid and that are interconnected via an orifice (39). The cylinder (30) includes a wall (33) that separates the two chambers. Each chamber is defined at its end remote from the wall (33) by moving pistons (37, 38) that are secured to the second structural element (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for a gas spring. The arrangement comprises a cylinder (1). At its one end, this is delimited by a fixed end wall (2), and at its other end there is a first guide (3) sealed against the inner wall of the cylinder (1) and against a piston rod (4) capable of axial movement within the cylinder (1). The piston rod (4) has a second guide (8) mounted in such a way as to be capable of sliding against the inner wall. An annular piston (9) sealed against the inner wall and against the piston rod (4) is mounted on the piston rod (4) between the guides (3; 8) in such a way that it is free to slide. This divides the inner space of the cylinder (1) into a first and a second part space (12; 13). In an initial position, in which the gas spring is unaffected, there is present in the first part space (12) a pressure which is greater than the pressure present in the second part space (13).

Abstract: A gas spring (602) is used as a buffer device in a resin sealing apparatus for applying a compressive force to a plunger (15). In the gas spring (602), the compressive force at which a compression displacement starts is easily established as required, and the increasing degree of the compressive force with increasing compression displacement is established slowly without difficulty. Any errors in applying resin injection pressures to a plurality of plungers, due to variations in the amount of resin of tablets and in length of plungers, are absorbed in a wide range of the compression displacements thereof so that the resin injection pressures in practice are substantially equalized.

Abstract: Apparatus especially useful for centering an electronic component on a surface for subsequent pickup and placement on a circuit board. The apparatus includes a pair of jaws which are driven in unison toward and away from each other by a lead screw or similar mechanism, each of the jaws having a part adapted to engage a respective side of a component to be positioned. The engagement part of each jaw is resiliently loaded such as by a spring or air cylinder and is in a normally outward position. The jaws are pre-aligned so that they drive in unison toward a predetermined center line. A component place between the jaws is contacted by the engagement parts of the jaws when the jaws move toward each other, and is moved into alignment on the center line. The jaws over-travel the aligned position against the spring pressure of the jaws, this spring pressure providing an intended over-travel force which prevents excessive force on the component by the engaged jaws.