Abstract: A saddle support for bicycles or the like. The support comprises a saddle stem terminating in a head portion, and a cradle adapted to be located below the head of the saddle stem. The head of the saddle stem is provided with projections having arcuate grooves and the longitudinal members of the saddle frame are intended to be introduced and clamped in such grooves and also in corresponding recesses in the cradle. The cradle is adapted to be fixed below the head of the saddle stem by fore and aft screws which may be used to adjust the saddle.

Abstract: A rotary valve for controlling the flow of fluids, and especially the gases in an internal combustion engine. A rotatable valve member is housed in a bore defined by a two-part housing interconnected by an element serving as a hinge to allow relative movement between the housing parts about an axis parallel to the rotary axis of the valve member. The element also allows the two housing parts to move relatively to adjust differentially the separation thereof at the two ends of the bore housing the valve member. The element may be in the form of a pair of semi-circular pins, or in a ball-and-socket joint.

Abstract: A coupling for use between two rotating shafts in a high-temperature, high-vacuum environment is described. The coupling includes a socket having two closed loop, axially spaced, interior bearing surfaces and a roller having two closed loop, axially spaced, exterior bearing surfaces for rolling contact with the interior bearing surfaces of the socket. The interior and exterior bearing surfaces make rolling contact at two radially opposed and axially spaced locations, and the second shaft is disposed at a desired angle with respect to the first shaft. Means are provided for preventing disengagement of the roller and shaft as they rotate. In a preferred embodiment, the angle between the shafts is constant as they rotate and the roller is sized so that it is easily removed from the socket when the axes of the shafts are approximately aligned.

Abstract: A rotary fluid pressure device of the type including a gerotor gear set having an externally-toothed rotor orbiting and rotating within an internally-toothed stator. An intermediate shaft has one end in splined engagement with the rotor and the other end defining a large set of internal splines. The device includes an output shaft assembly, also defining a large set of internal splines, with a large dogbone shaft transmitting torque between the intermediate shaft and the output shaft assembly. A portion of the housing disposed between the gerotor gear set and the end of the intermediate shaft defining the internal splines is engaged by the enlarged portion of the intermediate shaft, resulting in large and random axial forces being exerted by the intermediate shaft. To absorb such thrust forces, a wear ring is seated within a recess formed in the housing portion and includes an annular wear surface defining an axis substantially coincidental with the axis of the internally-toothed stator.

Abstract: Coupling structure for artificial stone parts such as concrete plates etc., have an anchoring member partially embedded in the stone with a head projecting therefrom and releasably inserted in a coupling member of C-shaped cross-section e.g. for suspension but permitting limited turning on an axis longitudinal to the C-groove of the coupling member, so that lateral forces are reacted into the anchoring member. Additional features include support flanges on the anchoring member; bent off portions of the anchoring member with additional members; wire loops for improving anchoring; and special bayonet-like insertion and locking of the head in a particular type coupling member.

Abstract: An improved compression pivot and support combination as for remote control rearview mirrors and the like, having an arcuate lobe integrally depending from a bar and the bar including integral spherical extensions at the ends thereof and wherein the connecting bar has a triangular cross section configuration intersecting the spherical profiles of the spherical extensions. The support sockets or dimples into which the spherical extensions are inserted are spaced apart in the support face and one of such dimples is elongate.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the rolling contact joint that is particularly useful as a prosthetic joint such as a knee joint. The basic joint may take a variety of forms depending upon the particular situation, but in essence, includes at least two bodies that have surface portions in contact, with the bodies being movable relative to one another and constrained in this movement by the nature of the surfaces in contact and flexible straps positioned about and also in contact with the bodies. Since the shape of the bodies and the positioning of the flexible straps determines the particular type motion, various possible combinations have been described. A particular embodiment of a rolling contact joint is described for use as a prosthetic knee joint.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for a rolling contact joint that is particularly useful as a prosthetic joint such as a knee joint, as well as other applications requiring relatively movable sections having mechanical joints. The joint may take a variety of forms depending upon the particular situation, but in essence, includes at least two bodies that have surface portions in contact, with the bodies being movable relative to one another and constrained in this movement by the nature of the surfaces in contact and flexible straps positioned about and also in contact with the bodies. Where a basic configuration including a pair of cylinders is utilized, the flexible straps may be wrapped completely or partially around each of the cylinders to provide a joint having substantially no restraint of motion with very low friction due to the rolling contact between the contacting surfaces of the cylinders.