Abstract: A rotating latch assembly includes a lift housing extending between a first opened end and a second opened end and defining a chamber extending therebetween. A support tube is slidably disposed in the chamber and extends between a first end and a second end. The lift housing is movable along the support tube between an extended position and a lowered position in response to a movement provided by an actuator wherein the extended position is the lift housing being adjacent to the first end and the lowered position is the lowered position being adjacent to the second end. A retaining member is disposed between the lift housing and the support tube and attached to the support tube and the lift housing for maintaining the lift housing in the extended position as the lift housing moving from the lowered position to the extended position.

Abstract: An adjustable transition duct support system for a transition duct that channels hot gases from a combustor exit to a gas turbine inlet of a turbine engine. The adjustable transition duct support system includes an adjustable forward transition flexible support assembly in contact with a transition duct body, whereby the forward transition flexible support assembly may be formed from a base extending toward the transition duct body and first and second side support arms extending from the base to the transition duct body. The first and second side support arms may be formed from a plurality of flex plates spaced from each other with spacers that provide rigidity in circumferential and radial directions and flexibility in an axial direction. The number of flex plates used may be varied to accommodate different turbine engines. The adjustable transition duct support system may have natural frequencies for circumferential and radial modes above two engine orders.

Abstract: A pneumatic fore-aft vibration isolator lock system (and method) is provided. The innovation provides a locking action through the use of pneumatically-actuated spring pressure to lock or unlock the isolation system. In one aspect, to unlock, air pressure is applied and the spring pressure is overridden by the air pressure. By overriding the spring pressure, plates are moved thereby unlocking the isolator. The system can allow for one touch, fingertip locking and unlocking of the fore/aft isolation system.

Abstract: Load stabilizing inserts for a motor vehicle. The inserts include a base plate, a top plate spaced apart from and angularly pivotable with respect to the base plate, and one or more contact plates. The insert is sized and shaped for insertion between an overload spring and a spring pack in a motor vehicle such as a pickup truck. Four load stabilizing inserts may be installed to provide stable operation of the pickup truck when loaded at or near the maximum design gross operating weight of the vehicle. During those periods when the truck is not loaded, such as when a truck camper is not installed, the load stabilizing inserts may be angularly adjusted and secured in an open, non-working position, to provide a relatively soft ride during such position.

Abstract: A curved portion, with a curved cross section, is formed at the recess of the pad. The curved portion has a contact portion which contacts the leaf spring's tension surface, which faces the curved portion. The curved portion's thickness decreases from the contact portion to an end portion of the curved portion, thereby being spaced from the leaf spring's tension surface. In the pad, the height of the curved portion of the recess is set such that contact of the leaf spring's tension surface and the corner portion of the end portion of the curved portion can be avoided when the stroke length of the leaf spring's end portion is at maximum. Thus, the tension surface of the leaf spring is not worn by the corner portion of the end portion of the curved portion. As a result, breakage of the leaf spring caused by wear can be prevented.

Abstract: A suspension assembly includes at least one leaf spring with first and second spring ends that are adapted for mounting to forward and rearward vehicle frame portions, respectively. A center portion of the leaf spring is clamped to an axle beam with a clamp. The suspension assembly includes a brake torque reactor that has one end mounted to the center portion of the leaf spring at the axle beam and an opposite end that cooperates with only one of the first and second spring ends to provide resistance for the leaf spring from deforming due to wind up generated during braking applications.

Abstract: It is provided a support and guide device for small machine tools, in particular for rotating-mass balancing machines, comprising: a base element (2), at least one moving element (3) in engagement with the base element (2), support elements (4) for the moving element (3), and drive members (5) controlling shiftings of the moving element (3), the support elements (4) comprising at least one elastically deformable thin sheet (7) oscillatably supporting the moving element (3), and the drive members (5) being active on the moving element (3) to shaft the latter against the action of the elastically deformable thin sheet (7).

Abstract: An anti-roll suspension stabilizer for a vehicle having a leaf spring suspension system. The device features an elongated stabilizing spring communicating roll resistance to the attached axle of the vehicle at a center section and concurrent force at each of two ends of the stabilizing spring to the leaf spring of the vehicle through an attachment thereto using a shackle. Adjustment of the device is achieved by use of a plurality of mounting apertures for the shackles located at varying distances from the center of the stabilizing spring thereby allowing for adjustment by the user for desired performance characteristics. Further force adjustment is achieved using one or a combination of an optional axle spacer which can be made from one or both of solid rubber like material, or a pneumatic pillow which can vary in dimension, which would be located at the center section of the stabilizing spring where it communicates with the axle.

Abstract: A load assistance device for increasing a vehicle's ability to carry loads by stabilizing a multi-leaf vehicle spring connected to the axle of the vehicle including a unitary length of metallic spring material adapted to be connected directly to the multiple-leaf type vehicle spring at opposite ends thereof forwardly and rearwardly of the axle connection. The length of spring material has a raised area at generally the midpoint thereof spaced from the uppermost leaf of the vehicle spring when mounted thereto and a plurality of springs of varying lengths mounted between the unitary length of spring material and the vehicle spring configured similarly thereto. The plurality of springs also have a raised area conforming to the raised area of the length of spring material forming space between the uppermost leaf of the vehicle spring and the lowermost one of the plurality of springs when coupled to the vehicle spring.

Abstract: A vehicle spring stabilizer has a leaf spring with a connector pivotally secured to each end eye thereof, the connector in the form of a rigid yoke to embrace a vehicle spring assembly and having anti-friction structure in the form of a sleeve on a spacer mounted on a bolt connecting the arms of the yoke.

Abstract: A leaf spring suspension device for stabilizing a multi-leaf type vehicle spring connected to the axle of the vehicle including a unitary length of metallic spring material adapted to be connected directly to the multiple-leaf type vehicle spring at opposite ends thereof forwardly and rearwardly of the axle connection. The length of spring material has a raised area at generally the midpoint thereof spaced from the uppermost leaf of the vehicle spring when mounted thereto and a plurality of springs of varying lengths mounted between the unitary length of spring material and the vehicle spring configured similarly thereto. The plurality of springs also have a raised area conforming to the raised area of the length of spring material forming space between the uppermost leaf of the vehicle spring and the lowermost one of the plurality of springs when coupled to the vehicle spring.

Abstract: A vehicle spring suspension system comprising a primary spring and a secondary spring attached to the primary spring for aiding the primary spring to restore vehicle height and to carry increasing loads placed on or in the vehicle. The secondary spring is connected at one end by an assembly which can have serveral different arrangments for varying the load supporting function of the secondary spring on the primary spring, depending on the need for more or less load carrying cooperation between the primary and secondary springs.

Abstract: A suspension system in a motor vehicle has a suspension including at least a resilient member extending transversely of the motor vehicle and having one end operatively coupled to a knuckle, the resilient member supporting a vehicle body of the motor vehicle, and a detector disposed on the resilient member for detecting at least one of a change in a load and a change in the height of the motor vehicle from the ground due to an external force applied to the suspension. The resilient member comprises at least a leaf spring, and the detector is attached to the leaf spring for detecting a strain of the leaf spring due to flexing thereof. A calculator is provided for calculating at least one of a vertical load applied to a road wheel coupled to the knuckle and a displacement of the road wheel with respect to the vehicle body based on a change in the strain detected by the detector.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes an elongate dual leaf spring assembly mounted at each end thereof to a vehicle frame member and which is adapted to be engaged over an axle of the vehicle at an approximate midpoint along the length thereof. A brake torque reaction beam comprising a thick, planar half leaf spring member has one end thereof engaged between the leaf spring assembly and the axle. The other end of the reaction beam member extends rearwardly away from the midpoint of the leaf spring assembly a predetermined distance which is slightly less than to greater than the distance the leaf spring assembly extends rearwardly. In a preferred embodiment, an air bag is suspended from the vehicle frame member and interposed between the frame member and the leaf spring assembly at the approximate midpoint thereof and is engaged to the leaf spring assembly.

Abstract: The arrangement comprises mounting supports for the spring slats, insertable in the longitudinal beams of the bedstead, with two upper spring-slats serving as a support for the mattress and undulating spring-slats situated below them. A tiltable holding part having four receptacles for the spring-slats is fitted on a plug of the mounting support. Below the plug there is a resilient bearing pad enabling the holding part to deflect vertically. The upper spring-slats are bent convexly upward and have a broadened cross-section in the middle. By means of the undulating lower spring-slats, a progressive spring action is achieved. There is no sagging of the mattress in the region of heavier parts of the body, optimum spring action being ensured nonetheless. It is possible to divide the bedstead into zones of differing degrees of firmness by selectively providing mounting supports with only upper spring-slats or with additional lower spring-slats.

Abstract: A railway track working machine is equipped with a device for blocking the suspension of its axles, which device comprises, for each axle box a movable support sliding in a vertical guide fixed to the machine chassis and vertically displaced by a rod of a jack. Restoring springs ensure that the movable support bears against the rod of said jack. The movable support comprises a vertical stop, a transverse stop and two longitudinal stops intercepting during and at the end of the travel of the jack bearing members integral with the axle box in order to immobilize the latter in the vertical, transverse and longitudinal directions with respect to the chassis. This device is suitable for machines whose tools are generators of reaction forces which are capable to displace the machine chassis with respect to the railway track in the three aforementioned directions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sporting and exercising unit which includes a foot receiving member and a spring member attached to and disposed at the bottom of the foot receiving member. The spring member includes a spring-leaf-like portion which forms a closed loop and is shaped to permit backward and forward rocking of the user. The spring member may be oval shaped, circle shaped, or in the shape of a parallelogram. The foot receiving member is adjustable to receive different sizes of feet and legs by having opening flaps extending therealong and openings for receiving laces in the flaps whereby to adjust the sizes of these portions by adjusting the sizes of the openings and to adjustably close the openings.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the friction between the leaf springs of a laminated leaf spring assembly comprises a clamping mechanism, a hydraulic cylinder mechanism, a hydraulic control mechanism and a detecting mechanism. The clamping mechanism includes a guide member and a press member. The guide member and the press member hold and clamp the laminated leaf spring assembly. The detecting mechanism detects the values of the predetermined factors of a body supported by the laminated leaf spring assembly and supplied signals representative of the values to the pressure reducing valve. According to the signals from the detecting mechanism the pressure reducing valve controls the pressure of the liquid supplied to the cylinder of the hydraulic cylinder mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the spring constant of a laminated leaf spring assembly includes a clamping mechanism mounted on the laminated leaf spring assembly for clamping the laminated leaf spring assembly in the direction of thickness thereof. The clamping mechanism includes a fixed spring-supporting member on which a helper spring unit of the assembly is attached to be separated a determined distance from a main spring unit of the assembly. A movable press member positioned to face the helper spring unit and press the main spring unit against the helper spring unit is also provided. The controlling apparatus further includes a piston arrangement for pressing the press member to urge the main spring unit against the helper spring unit.

Abstract: The universal spring stabilizer of the present invention includes a unitary spring stabilizer which is universally adaptable for use with most passenger car multi-leaf type rear springs. The spring stabilizer includes integral mounting constructions which facilitate securing the stabilizer to the car spring. The universal spring stabilizer acts to add a leaf to the rear spring and by virtue of its design, functions in a manner to work against the arch of the spring. The length of spring steel of which the stabilizer is fabricated is bent to overfit the spring suspension and includes front and rear riveted cross plates which function with U-bolt connections to secure the stabilizer to the passenger car rear spring. The stabilizer is formed front and rear with two spaced pressure points to apply the effects of the stabilizer to the existing spring at four spaced pressure points, two forwardly of the axle suspension and two rearwardly of the axle suspension.

Abstract: A device supported by a vehicle frame for engagement with a leaf spring, attached to the rear axle of the vehicle, to increase the resistance afforded by the spring in supporting the rear part of the vehicle frame and the load carried thereby.

Abstract: A leaf spring formed of a stack of spring leaves which are connected only at the spring ends and the spring middle, is provided at each spring end with a device which presses together several spring leaves with a preset, constant and load-independent force normal to the large faces of the spring leaves.

Abstract: A loading bar is mounted on a leaf spring of a racing vehicle rear axle suspension system to increase traction on the vehicle tires during acceleration. Strut tube and strap members are mounted in a spaced relationship on the vehicle leaf spring rearwardly and adjacent to the vehicle axle by a pair of U-bolts and reinforcing plates. The tube and strap members extend rearwardly from the axle and are joined at their extended ends by a wheel bracket and a strut tube adjusting channel. The strut tube extends in an upwardly angled direction between the adjusting channel and axle, with the strap member being generally parallel with respect to the ground or racetrack. A wheel or roller is mounted on the wheel bracket and is spaced above the ground when in static condition. The loading bar is readily adjustable on the leaf spring to change the traction aiding effect thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle shock absorber is provided and includes a cylindrical shaped housing rotatably mounted on a central sleeve on a shaft on a vehicle body. A shock absorber band which assumes a circular shape in the form of a leaf spring is disposed around the inside of the housing periphery. One end of the shock absorber leaf spring may be fixedly attached on the housing inner periphery; the other end of the shock absorber spring is connected to a flexible chain passing around a roller in the housing and connecting with a rotatable sleeve which has a cam surface about which the chain can be wound. An elongated steel leaf spring is connected by a flexible belt to both the outer periphery of the housing and to a wheel and axle means. The chain winding sleeve is rotated about its associated shaft for adjusting the tension on the belt for proper shock absorber cushioning effect. The cylindrical shaped housing is held on the supporting sleeve by an adjusting and locking nut.