Abstract: A halogen bulb lamp assembly manufactured by mounting a previously aligned halogen bulb unit in a one-piece molded plastic rectangular reflector with a mirrorized paraboloidal inner surface. The halogen bulb unit has a pair of spaced connector pins that are coated with an epoxy adhesive and inserted into a pair of stepped through bores in the reflector. The pins are shaped to force epoxy uniformly into the larger portions of the reflector bores, and the ends of the pins project from the rear of the reflector and are spot welded to terminals that have barbed projections pressed into the rear of the reflector.

Abstract: A soap saving device for pressure bonding two or more pieces of wet soap comprising a rack particularly adapted for hanging in a shower or bath stall. The rack carries two or more soap trays with at least one tray being fixedly supported on the rack and another tray being moveable relative the rack. An elastic element, such as a rubber band or spring, can drive the moveable tray toward the fixed tray when an operate latch is disengaged in a first species. If two or more pieces of wet soap are stacked between the two trays, a pressure bonding force can be applied to the soap pieces to mold the several pieces into a single bar. The operate latch is dispensed within a second species, and the elastic element is manually extended momentarily to enable the moveable soap tray to be separated so that the two or more pieces of wet soap can be placed on the moveable tray for pressure bonding.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching the wheels of a dual wheel caster to its axle with annular plastic bushings ultrasonically welded to the wheels that have three integral curved spring fingers that snap into annular recesses in the axle as the wheels are pushed onto the axle.

Abstract: A battery-powered alarm and reset circuit for a conventional electromechanical countdown timing mechanism which drives a set of cam-actuated main contacts. The circuit renders both a visual and an audible alarm at zero countdown time. The rotation of a timer knob closes the main contacts which readies the digital NAND gate logic of the circuit to a state preliminary to oscillation. At zero countdown time, one of the NAND gates goes into oscillation to generate a sequence of relatively low-frequency pulses in response to the opening of the main contact at zero countdown time. The low-frequency pulses activate an LED light to render a visual blinking alarm and an electrical horn to render an audible beeping alarm. Both alarms continue indefinitely until momentary manual closure of a reset switch stops the NAND gate from oscillating.

Abstract: A rectangular lamp unit and an integral bracket, replaceable as a unit upon bulb burn-out, including a one-piece plastic reflector closed by a rectangular lens with an integral peripheral mounting flange on the reflector adjacent the lens so that the unit can be mounted substantially flush on a mounting panel. The unit is manufactured by applying an epoxy adhesive to a lens recess in the reflector, joining the lens thereto, and then heating the assembly to cure the epoxy. During heating, evolved gases are released from the reflector through a vent hole that is sealed by a vent plug immediately after heating by inserting the plug coated with a silicone rubber sealant into the vent hole to form a thick seal ring and push sealant into irregularities in the hole. The sealant is cured by residual heat from the epoxy curing step.

Abstract: A self-housed rectangular lamp assembly with a replaceable halogen bulb lamp unit. A cup-shaped housing, having a pivotal mounting bracket, receives a lamp unit that has a pair of integral threaded bosses on its rear surface receiving fasteners extending through the rear of the housing to releasably attach the lamp unit within the housing.

Abstract: A hubodometer having a wide range of selectable gear ratios so that the same basic structure can be used to indicate distance traveled by wheels of greatly different wheel diameters in either miles or kilometers. The hubodometer has an elongated bore extending through a frame and centered on the axis of rotation of the hubodometer. An odometer helical drive gear and shaft is mounted on the frame transversely to the axis of rotation and removed from the bore in the frame. In assembly of the hubodometer, if a first gear ratio is desired, a support shaft carrying a gear is located within the bore and is fixed to rotate with the casing on its axis of rotation. This gear engages the odometer helical drive gear at a first locus so that the odometer reading is responsive to the rotation of the casing with a first gear ratio. If a second gear ratio is desired, a support shaft having no gear is located within the bore and is fixed to rotate with the hubodometer casing.

Abstract: A soap saving device for pressure bonding two or more pieces of soap, comprising a one-piece structure which is an elongated, thin, flexible plastic strap. The strap includes a central section which serves as a supporting base for the pieces of soap which are to be bonded together, and a locking handle section extending from each side of the supporting base. When the handle sections are locked together so as to envelop two or more pieces of soap placed on the supporting base, the force exerted on the soap pieces by the tensioned strap pressure bonds these pieces into a usable bar. In a modification, a plastic soap retaining dish having a hinged clamping tab is substituted for one of the locking handle sections.

Abstract: A soap saving device for pressure bonding two or more pieces of wet soap comprising a pair of soap dishes which may be nested together to pressure bond two or more pieces of soap located between the nested soap dishes, or alternatively each may be employed as independent and separate soap dishes. The different species are disclosed for developing a soap bonding or compressing force between the dishes. An elastic band is employed in a first species using identical nesting soap dishes. In the second species, a pair of tension bars, each formed with a series of surface locking ridges or grooves, is hinged to one soap dish so that they may pivot into locking alignment with a pair of slots each having a set of flexible locking tabs for engaging the locking ridges. In the third species, the sidewalls of a base soap dish are formed with several sets of exterior locking ridges which adjustably engage mating sets of locking ridges formed on the interior of the skirt of the top soap dish which nests over the base dish.

Abstract: A dual halogen bulb rectangular lamp assembly with a one-piece plastic reflector having two adjacent paraboloidal mirrorized inner surfaces. A halogen bulb unit is mounted in each of the mirrorized surfaces and they are electrically connected in series for simultaneous bulb energization.

Abstract: An automatic lubrication assembly that dispenses grease under pressure to machinery which requires frequent lubrication, including a spring biased one-piece rigid plastic molded plunger that has a flexible thin walled sealing lip eliminating the requirement for any seals, slidable in an open ended plastic grease cup covered by a removable cap that permits the biasing spring to be easily changed. The grease cup is formed integrally with a plastic base that has a metal outlet fitting insert molded therein that extends into the cup a substantial distance beyond a transverely positioned inlet fitting in the base to absorb side loads on the plastic cup and base.

Abstract: A leaf spring diffuser for use in an aeration tank of a water treatment system. An amplitude-limiting stop is mounted on each vibrating extremity of the diffuser leaf spring to project into the diffuser air chamber. Each stop engages the diffuser body to prevent the leaf spring from being subjected to an excess bending moment which would otherwise deform the leaf spring and promote clogging of the diffuser parts.

Abstract: An illuminated membrane switch assembly lighted by a contained rearwardly positioned bulb unit. A membrane switch is actuated by a small reciprocable transparent plunger with an illuminated graphics bearing overlay on its forward surface. Light is transmitted axially from the rear of the switch around the periphery of conductive areas on the membranes to the transparent plunger without any shadowing.

Abstract: A paving breaker for the construction industry of the type having a vibrating moil point or tool steel impacted by a pneumatically reciprocated piston including a double walled cylinder slidably receiving the piston designed so that the space between the inner and outer walls of the cylinder forms a passageway for delivery of piston return air to the lower cylinder chamber and the space also forms an accumulator for air compressed by the piston during the lower part of its power stroke. In one embodiment an outer cylinder sleeve is mounted on an elastomeric member surrounding an inner cylinder sleeve, and is free to reciprocate a limited distance in the housing to partly balance the reaction forces of the piston. This double walled cylinder is surrounded by rectangular polyurethane covers that form an air exhaust space around the cylinder so that exhaust air assists in cooling the cylinder.

Abstract: A tool for manipulating beverage bottle closures in which a prior art recapper cup for applying press-fit bottle caps is modified to include an elongated slot to engage thereby a lift tab for opening a flap closure for a tab-top container. The recapper cup is further modified to include a set of four ribs so that screw-type bottle caps can also be operated on by the recapper cup.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic insert tube for a tire adapted to be mounted upon a circular rim. The insert tube is an elongated resilient plastic cylinder having a thin wall defining a continuous bore which extends throughout the entire tube length. A sequence of spaced partial cuts extends through the thin wall of the tube with the sequence of partial cuts being symmetrically centered about the outer periphery of the tube when formed into a single coil hoop for insertion into a tire and with an uncut portion of the tube being symmetrically centered about the inner periphery of the tube which is to be seated adjacent the rim. In certain species a reinforcing web, having a single web or a web of two or more intersecting cross legs, is disposed within and extends across the bore of the tube from sidewall to sidewall and is integrally joined to the opposite sidewalls. The single web and all cross legs are usually placed in tension in response to vertically applied loads.

Abstract: Two embodiments of a toylike aerial flight device having a simulated rocket configuration are described. The first embodiment is manually powered and the second embodiment is powered by a solid-fuel propellant cartridge having a thrust charge and a retro-fire charge. Both embodiments follow similar flight paths, namely, a substantially linear elevating launch to the crest of flight followed by a slow gyrating descent. Both embodiments have a head projecting forwardly from the body, a pair of swept-back wings symmetrically disposed relative the body, and a pair of weight segments whose position relative the center of gravity of the flight device is fairly critical. In the solid-fuel powered device, the retro-fire charge is ignited at about the crest of flight to tilt the head about a pivot hinge. This tilting action promotes gyrating flight.

Abstract: A piston accumulator having a piston-poppet assembly to equalize substantially the liquid-gas pressure appearing across a piston seal. The assembly projects into the hydraulic chamber from its housed position within a socket recess formed in the piston. In response to an excess pressure differential between the gas chamber and liquid chamber of the accumulator, the assembly prematurely seals off the hydraulic passage which communicates with the hydraulic chamber of the accumulator. This premature sealing operation traps and pressurizes a small portion of hydraulic liquid within the reduced hydraulic chamber so that the pressure differential which would otherwise appear across the piston seal is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A gearbox drive that adapts the drive train ratios of vehicles to standard speedometers, including an input gear, an intermediate gear and an output gear rotatable about axes defining an equilateral triangle, arranged so that upon rotation of the input shaft in either direction, the reaction forces on the intermediate gear will be substantially balanced. The gears are supported in mating cup-shaped input and output gear cases with the input gear case member having an input gear bearing and two secondary bearings each of which selectively supports either the intermediate gear or the output gear. The output gear case member has an output gear bearing and two secondary bearings each of which selectively supports either the intermediate gear or the input gear.