Abstract: A telescoping member comprising an inner tubular member nested in an outer tubular member and movable between a retracted position and an extended position in telescoping relation, in which the inner tubular member is releasably lockable to the outer tubular member in the extended position by a resilient ledge cooperating with a fixed ledge, the resilient ledge being disposed within a longitudinal channel defined between an inner surface of the outer tubular member and an outer surface of the inner tubular member. An enlarged lower portion of the inner tubular member engages against an inwardly directed lip at the top of the outer tubular member such that the inner tubular member is prevented from being pulled out of the outer tubular member. Upon the application of axial force to the inner tubular member the resilient ledge is depressed, allowing the resilient ledge to travel past the fixed ledge so that the inner tubular member can move to the retracted position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing unrelated reference signals originating from two or more sources at different locations, which signals may be in different signal formats and/or subject to different delays at the receiving station. A master generator having an absolute time input from a highly stable time source generates a master reference signal having a frequency that is a common multiple of the frequencies of the unrelated reference signals. A counter is implemented from an arbitrary initial time point and the time elapsed from the initial time point to a synchronizing event is periodically encoded into the master reference signal as time code data. A slave generator associated with each information signal is genlocked to the master reference signal, and the time code data is encoded into the slave reference outputs.

Abstract: A mechanical lifting jack with a locking mechanism that arrests upward motion of the handle if the handle is suddenly released by the operator while raising or lowering a load. A latch on the pivot attachment of the handle to the lifting assembly is actuated by a lever disposed at the distal end of the handle, and engages into a toothed safety link when the lever is released. In the event that the operator suddenly releases the handle accidentally, the latch engages the safety link to arrest the upward motion of the handle. The invention can also be used to lock the handle into an upright position alongside the vertical support for compact storage.

Abstract: A system and method for recycling a waste glass cullet includes a first screening station for separating large glass shards of approximately one inch in diameter from smaller glass shards in the cullet, a crusher to reduce the large glass shards to smaller glass shards smaller than approximately one inch in diameter, a second screening station to separate remaining large contaminants having a diameter of approximately one inch or greater from the cullet, a series of vacuum inlets disposed along a conveyor to remove light contaminants, a presoaking apparatus comprising a holding tank partly filled with a presoaking solution, a rotary washing apparatus comprising a drum with vanes disposed along an inner wall of the drum to toss the cullet in the washing solution, the vanes being oriented so that the cullet is tossed progressively forwardly toward a discharge outlet of the drum, to remove buoyant contaminants from the cullet, a dewatering apparatus to remove excess water from the cullet, and a dryer for reducin

Abstract: An electrical receptacle adapted to be recessed into a work surface, having a concealed compartment containing electrical ports for connection to a remote power supply and communications devices and an exposed compartment for connecting electrical cables to the ports. The ports are mounted on a partition plate isolating the exposed compartment from the concealed compartment, which is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the work surface to facilitate the connection and detachment of electrical cables and reduce clutter in the work space. The receptacle housing is preferably formed from components which are longitudinally linear, and are thus able to be extruded from aluminum and formed to interlock so that the housing can be assembled without welding. In the preferred embodiment the front portion is engaged to the rear portion along a slip-fit interlock and the partition plate is engaged between the front and rear portions in snap-fit relation.

Abstract: A device for repairing a pipe internally includes a body and a drill assembly mounted on the body. The drill assembly has upper and lower arms, pivotable between a closed position in which the arms occupy a radial area not substantially greater than a diameter of the body and an open position in which the arms bear against substantially opposing points of the pipe wall to stabilize the drill assembly within the pipe. In the preferred embodiment for repairing pipe joints a hydraulic drill head bears against the pipe wall when the arms are in the open position and drills a hole for a sealant nozzle mechanism mounted on the upper arm, which swings into position in front of the drill head to inject a sealant into the pipe joint through the drill hole and seal the joint.

Abstract: A rotary coin mechanism is provided with a braking system in which one end of a stationary brake arm is anchored to the frame of the mechanism. The other end of the brake arm provides a breaking ring which surrounds the hub of the drive gear and applies a compressive force thereto, to frictionally restrain the drive gear and thus prevent the coin mechanism from free-wheeling rotation. In the preferred embodiment the braking ring is open at one end and merges into a bifurcated stem which provides an adjusting screw to adjust the compressive force applied by the braking ring.

Abstract: A harmonic mitigating device connected between the power distribution system and the load provides a flux shifting multiple-winding reactor with a capacitor bank connected between the reactor windings. At least one line winding is oriented in a first polarity on a core, and at least one compensating winding oriented in the opposite polarity on the core and connected between the output of the first winding and the load. The opposing fluxes generated by the line winding and the compensating winding cancel and thus reduce the through-reactance of the device between the load and the power supply. The input of a cross-link circuit comprising a capacitor is connected between the line winding and the compensating winding. The reactance through the cross-link circuit to the neutral (or another phase) is lower than the reactance through the line winding. Harmonic currents thus flow through the cross-link circuit, and are largely prevented from penetrating the power distribution system.

Abstract: A picture hanging system comprising a rod from which one or more pictures are suspended by a pair of wires or cables. In the preferred embodiment the cables are each suspended from a link comprising turnbuckle or the like having a nut affixed to a bolt, so that the picture may be levelled merely by rotating the nut relative to the bolt (or vice versa) to reduce or increase the spacing between the rod and each side of the picture.

Abstract: A warning system for a multi-passenger vehicle such as a school bus which prompts the driver to inspect the vehicle for passengers when shutting down the vehicle. In the preferred embodiment the system is activated when the vehicle safety flasher system is activated. Following activation an alarm sounds when the vehicle electrical system is deactivated by shutting off the engine unless the bus driver activates an alarm delay switch and within a preset time interval activates a disarming switch located near the back of the passenger compartment. Thus, in order to deactivate the warning system of the invention the bus driver must walk through the passenger area of the vehicle at least twice, inspecting the passenger area of the vehicle in the process. The time taken to inspect the vehicle serves as a cool-down period for the vehicle engine, which is desirable in the case of turbo charged vehicle engines.

Abstract: A retractable boat line for mooring a boat is wound about a payoff reel contained within a stationary housing, which my be mounted beneath the exterior surfaces of the boat, for example within the hull, transom or gunnel. The invention provides a locking mechanism that latches into a guide wall of the payoff reel at a point remote from the edges of the guide wall to rotationally lock the payoff reel relative to the housing. The mooring line can thus be selectively extended to a desired length and remains locked to the selected length until the locking mechanism is disengaged.

Abstract: Footwear is provided with a series of removable insoles, each being adapted to be detachably installed to the outsole. The insoles have a wearing surface which conforms to the shape of the user's foot, the wearing surface of each insole being configured to accommodate a progressively larger foot size, increasing the useful life of the footwear and optionally eliminating the sockliner. In the preferred embodiment the footwear comprises decorative lights of as many different colors as there are insoles in the series, and each insole is provided with an actuator positioned to activate a specific color of light. Each insole may be colored or color coded to match the color of the lights activated thereby, and can be identified by the color code applied to either the lights or the insoles. The insoles may alternatively be integrated into a single insole with tear-away layers.

Abstract: A dynamic braking system for a motorized lifting mechanism such as a crane, hoist or the like allows the load to be lowered at a controlled rate during a power failure. An auxiliary power source is activated to apply an excitation current to the stator windings, creating a static magnetic field. When the brake is released the rotor rotates in the static magnetic field, generating an A.C. voltage that is rectified and applied to the stator, thereby increasing the strength of the static magnetic field. An equilibrium is reached, and the load is lowered at a controlled rate. In the preferred embodiment the A.C. voltage is supplied through an adjustable resistor, allowing the lowering rate to be selectively controlled.

Abstract: A coin mechanism for a vender includes a blocking member biased to a rest position retracted from the coin slot, and pivotable between the rest position and a blocking position in which the blocking member substantially covers the coin slot. The blocking member cooperates with a rotatable member which forces the blocking member into the blocking position upon rotation of the handle.

Abstract: The invention provides a flotation device for a snowmobile including a plurality of preferably self-contained air bag modules having inflatable bladders affixed to the exterior of a snowmobile and adapted to inflate when a water detection device such as a float sensor is exposed to water. The inflated bladders supply sufficient buoyancy to maintain the snowmobile afloat and stable, and in the preferred embodiment are configured to provide an escape means for the occupants of the snowmobile who can use the bladder as a buoyant platform to escape to solid ice.