Did You Know...
...that several people are credited with the invention of the flush toilet? Most people have heard of Thomas Crapper (1837-1910), the sanitary engineer who invented the valve-and-siphon arrangement that made the modern toilet possible. Another claimant to "the throne" was British inventor Alexander Cumming who patented a toilet in 1775. Then there's a nameless Minoan (a native of ancient Crete) who lived 4,000 years ago who supposedly was ahead of his time and created the first flush toilet!
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7237663 | Bi-directional release mechanism for a torque fuse device A torque fuse device having a bi-directional release mechanism that releases the torque carrying capability of the shafts upon torque overload is provided. The torque fuse device includes a sleeve, a hub positioned within the sleeve, and a hydraulic torque coupler. ... | 07/03/2007 |
| 7090060 | Bi-directional release mechanism for a torque fuse device A torque fuse device having a bi-directional release mechanism that releases the torque carrying capability of the shafts upon torque overload is provided. The torque fuse device includes a sleeve, a hub positioned within the sleeve, and a hydraulic torque coupler. ... | 08/15/2006 |
| 7017438 | Hydraulic gear selection drive means and associated transmission assembly In a transmission of the constant mesh type a number of gear selectors are driven by using a hydraulic coupling between input and output pistons. The hydraulic coupling functions as a hydraulic spring and force multiplier. A hydraulic actuator (23) is receive... | 03/28/2006 |
| 6993991 | Gear selector device for a motor vehicle A gear selector device for a transmission of a motor vehicle in which at least one gear wheel 2, 3 and one sliding sleeve 4 are situated upon one transmission shaft 1. For axial displacement of the sliding sleeve 4 upon the transmission s... | 02/07/2006 |
| 6974011 | Directional clutch A bi-directional clutch permits the unidirectional transfer of torque between inner and outer races in either direction of rotation, depending on how the clutch is set. The outer race has a cylindrical raceway presented inwardly toward the inner race, whereas the in... | 12/13/2005 |
| 6761256 | Clutch device for fast declutching of two elements in a transmission A clutch arrangement for rapid disengagement of two elements in a transmission system when a chosen torque is exceeded. The first element is a conical shaft end that carries a corresponding sleeve which, in turn, carries externally at its ends two mutually separated... | 07/13/2004 |
| 6186298 | One-way clutch having lock-up function A one-way clutch having a lock-up function, comprises an outer race, an inner race radially spaced apart from the outer race and disposed within the outer race concentrically for relative rotation, a cam surface provided on an inner peripheral surface of ... | 02/13/2001 |
| 6056659 | Multiple-ratio automatic transmission with multiple-function roller clutches and brakes A multiple-ratio automatic transmission having plural torque delivery paths that are established and disestablished by a roller clutch and brake system. The clutch and brake system establishes and disestablishes torque flow paths while preventing simultan... | 05/02/2000 |
| 5918510 | Rotary indexing apparatus A rotary indexing apparatus includes a base, a table rotatably supported on the base, a drive unit for rotating the table, and a clamp ring fixed to the base to surround the table. Interference fit is established between the clamp ring and the table in or... | 07/06/1999 |
| 5909788 | Coupling assembly component A coupling assembly includes an annular base which is connected with the first annular friction surface. An annular fluid extensible tube is disposed between the annular base and the first annular friction surface. A fitting is connected with the base and... | 06/08/1999 |
| 5873443 | Shiftable device acting as a brake or clutch, such as a frictional brake or a frictional clutch A shiftable device which acts as a brake or coupling, such as a frictional brake or a frictional clutch, includes a first component and a second component and a pressure ring arranged between the first and second components, wherein the pressure ring is c... | 02/23/1999 |
| 5797473 | Winder shaft Winder shaft for clamping one or more cores onto one or more core carriers, which are arranged on the winder shaft alongside one another in the axial direction, and transmitting producing a torque to the core carriers for winding material to be wound, hav... | 08/25/1998 |
| 5638929 | Controllable one-way clutch for a vehicle A controllable clutch includes a plurality of piston members, a plurality of oil passages communicating with the piston members and a plurality of grooves for receiving a roller from the piston members. The piston members are disposed in one of an inner r... | 06/17/1997 |
| 5366055 | Coupling assembly component A coupling assembly component includes an annular base. A first annular friction surface is connected with the base and is movable into engagement with a second annular friction surface. An annular fluid extensible tube is inflatable to move the first fri... | 11/22/1994 |
| 5230414 | Coupling assembly component A coupling assembly component is used in a coupling assembly to transmit force between driving and driven elements. The coupling assembly component includes an annular tube which is radially extensible and retractable to move a friction surface into and o... | 07/27/1993 |
| 5107974 | Revolving force transmission/revolution stopping device A revolving force transmission/revolution stopping device which supports rotatably one of two shafts or both and connects/disconnects a revolving force of one of the two shafts to/from the other or stops one of the shafts from revolving. At least a portio... | 04/28/1992 |
| 4958713 | Thermal barrier for clutch (brake) actuation element (tube) A fluid operated coupling which includes an inflatable annular tube element of an elastomeric material moves a plurality of aligned friction shoes in a radial direction to effect a torque sustaining clutching or braking engagement. A thermal barrier is pr... | 09/25/1990 |
| 4946011 | Shaft-turning device with hydro-mechanical overrunning clutch A shaft-turning device includes a driving element in the form of a hydraulic motor having a first pressure fluid inflow line, and an element for connection with a shaft to be turned in the form of a clutch having a second pressure fluid inflow line commun... | 08/07/1990 |
| 4877094 | Rock drilling machine, especially for underground mining A rock drilling machine, particularly for underground excavations comprises a drilling carriage, and a rotary drilling drive arranged in a longitudinally displaceable manner on the drilling carriage, the rotary drilling drive having a drive shaft, an adap... | 10/31/1989 |
| 4795013 | Coupling assembly and friction shoe therefor A coupling assembly which includes an inflatable annular tube, a plurality of friction shoes removably attached to the tube so that the shoes move radially as the tube is inflated and deflated. The shoes include a friction pad bonded to one side of a back... | 01/03/1989 |
| 4729463 | Radial friction coupling with shoes The invention concerns a radial coupling with shoes, of a simple structure, eliable in operation, and which is engaged and disengaged without delay. The coupling comprises a body in which are provided several chambers. The chambers are connected by means o... | 03/08/1988 |
| 4579043 | Hydrostatic machine with fixed or variable displacement A hydrostatic machine, in particular of bent axis design comprises a clutch which is provided between the drive shaft and the pistons. The force necessary for clutch engagement is produced by hydraulic pressure forces which are either applied to the pisto... | 04/01/1986 |
| 4557506 | Dual-rotary union, rotational isolation adapter A dual-rotary union, rotational isolation adapter according to the teachings of the present invention is disclosed bridging between a rotary union in fluid communication with a source of fluid pressure and a rotation control apparatus portion rotatable wi... | 12/10/1985 |
| 4537293 | Hydraulic cylinder assemblies A drum brake hydraulic wheel cylinder assembly comprises a pair of piston assemblies and an abutment member. The piston assemblies are of the kind comprising an adjustable variable length tappet assembly having interengaged screw-threaded components. To e... | 08/27/1985 |
| 4497398 | Fluid operated clutch or brake A brake or clutch having two relatively rotatable members and a hollow fluid-distensible resilient annular tube frictionally engaging one of the members. The tube is split and the ends butted together. And at the butt ends of the tube means are provided f... | 02/05/1985 |
| 4459887 | Rotary shear of variable cut lengths The drum drive in a rotary shear includes a pair of driving and driven surge gears and a coupling of which the driving and driven companion members are drivingly connected with the driven surge gear and with one of the drums. The shear is adjustable for v... | 07/17/1984 |
| 4457415 | Adjustable shoe clutch and brake assembly In a fly wheel power press having a rotatable drive shaft mounted in a housing and with an H-shaped yoke to which pivot pins are mounted and from which a pair of clutch shoes and brake shoes depend, an adjustment mechanism having a knurled portion on the ... | 07/03/1984 |
| 4428737 | Friction coupling and coupling sleeve In a friction coupling comprising a shaft, a hub surrounding the shaft, a coupling sleeve disposed between the shaft and the hub, the coupling sleeve having an elastic hollow wall defining an internal cavity and comprising radially inner and outer periphe... | 01/31/1984 |
| 4411347 | Pneumatic clutch An inflatable flexible gland clutch has a gland secured to one of a pair of cooperating clutch elements. The gland mounts friction shoes and includes inflatable chambers which, when subjected to air under pressure, will move the gland to a position where ... | 10/25/1983 |
| 4369863 | Internal shoe drum brakes for vehicles An internal shoe-drum brake is disclosed in which a pair of arcuate shoes can be applied to a rotatable drum by an hydraulic actuation system for normal service braking when the brake acts as a brake of the "two-leading" shoe type and a mechanical actuati... | 01/25/1983 |
| 4363387 | Wheel cylinder and torque plate construction A wheel cylinder and torque plate construction is provided for a drum brake. The wheel cylinder comprises a molded plastic cylindrical member in a steel shell. The steel shell can be part of a torque plate which can be stamped in two parts which are subst... | 12/14/1982 |
| 4341484 | Hydraulically expandable friction coupling In a hydraulically expandable friction coupling for connecting a shaft to a hub there are two concentrically arranged cylindrical sleeves between which a pressure medium is enclosed. The pressure of said pressure medium against the sleeves is adjustable b... | 07/27/1982 |
| 4339022 | Film wrapping dispenser having a fluid pressure actuated, controlled drag shaft A film wrapping dispenser having a fluid pressure actuated, controlled drag shaft is disclosed. It comprises a cylindrical, hollow tube wall which is formed of an extensible material which envelopes a fluid pressure-tight cavity. The tube wall rotatably e... | 07/13/1982 |
| 4264229 | Coupling A coupling includes at least one thin-walled sleeve which forms an axially extending defining wall of a substantially annular chamber. The chamber is arranged to be supplied with a pressure medium to elastically deform said sleeve in a radial direction in... | 04/28/1981 |
| 4203508 | Wheel cylinder attachment A drum brake includes a wheel cylinder which cooperates with a pair of brake shoes to urge the latter to a braking position. In order to attach the wheel cylinder to a backing plate, a flange is disposed in abutment with the backplate and the wheel cylind... | 05/20/1980 |
| 4121472 | Eccentric drive In an eccentric drive system including a rotatably mounted driven shaft, at least one primary eccentric mass fixed to the driven shaft for rotation therewith, an additional eccentric mass mounted for rotation with the shaft in a manner to permit periodic ... | 10/24/1978 |
| 4081063 | Overload release clutch An overload release clutch mechanism which includes a housing member and a rotor member mounted for relative rotation and means associated with said members for effecting transmission of rotary movement from one of said members to the other end being effe... | 03/28/1978 |
| 4050560 | Fluid pressure actuated clutch for starting multi-stage turbine A fluid pressure actuated clutch for connecting concentric, rotatable shafts in a multi-stage turbine includes a plurality of pivoted pawls mounted on one shaft for engagement with a plurality of gear teeth mounted on the other shaft upon rotation of the ... | 09/27/1977 |
