Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor (10) and method for detecting the presence of water or glycol in an oil system. The water/glycol sensor includes a water/glycol concentrator (12) which concentrates the water and glycol in a concentrating zone (84). A water/glycol detection probe (14) is located in the concentration zone (84) such that minute quantities of water or glycol in the system may be detected.

Abstract: A recoil counter-vectoring gun (10) is shown having a gun barrel assembly (14, 16, 20) slidably mounted on a frame (12). A counterweight assembly (26) is also slidably mounted on the frame (12) and is shifted forwardly by rearward recoil of the gun barrel assembly (14, 16, 20) by means of cables (38, 40) and pulleys (28A, 28B and 36A, 36B) to move forward substantially twice the distance that the gun barrel assembly recoils rearwardly. The counterweight assembly (26) preferably includes at least one throwweight (58) which is shifted from a rearward to a forward position along a declining path as the counterweight assembly reaches its forwardmost position on the frame (12). The counterweight assembly (26) is automatically returned by springs (52) and the throwweights (58) are reset and cocked by return of the counterweight assembly (26).

Abstract: A display holder (10) having first (14) and second (16) central panels joined together along an outer side edge of each panel to form a main body section (12) that substantially is V-shaped in cross-section. The first and second central panels (14, 16) are joined in a manner allowing the panels to be angularly deflected. The first and second central panels (14, 16) also each include a back side edge (22), wherein angular deflection of the panels (14, 16) causes the back side edges (22) to move toward and away from each other. A mounting bracket (26) is provided at the back edge (22) of each central panel (14, 16) for securing the panels to lateral sides of an upright structural member. The mounting brackets (26) are each secured to the back edges (22) of the panels (14, 16) in a manner so that the mounting brackets (26) can be angularly deflected relative to the panels (14, 16).

Abstract: A bicycle towing apparatus (10) for towing a second bicycle (82) behind a first bicycle (90) comprising a frame structure (12,14) including a front connector (16) for securing the bicycle towing apparatus to the first bicycle, and a rear connector (68) for securing the bicycle towing apparatus to the front fork (80) of the second bicycle, a pair of outrigger wheels (20) rotatably attached to a lower portion of the frame structure (12,14) and spaced apart to provide lateral stability to the bicycle towing apparatus. The frame structure also includes a horizontal cross bar (22), a pair of parallel towing bars (30,32), and a pair of angled upright braces (40,42).

Abstract: A hydraulic power drive unit (36) including a linear hydraulic piston cylinder unit (64) with a set of longitudinally spaced gear teeth (84) in the form of a rack. A pinion gear (86) is operatively engaged and driven by the rack (84). A differential which may include a carrier (102), planet gears (108, 110) and sun gears (120, 122) may be driven by the pinion gear (86) to selectively transfer drive power to two separate rotary drive outputs (38, 40). A switching valve (160) may be provided which is responsive to a reversal of hydraulic supply pressure. Operation of the switching valve (160) may be limited by mechanical interference between an inhibit dog (181) and a cam surface (196) on the carrier (102). The carrier (102) may also include a separate cam surface (140) positioned for actuation of separate electrical switches (146, 148) in order to monitor position of the drive outputs (38, 40).

Abstract: An improved frame piece (300) for a display holder (334) including a pair of inner ridges (320) extending along the outer edges of center rails (316') of flanges (304, 306). Frame piece (300) works in conjunction with an elongated opening (326) in the upper region of center panel (324), wherein ridges (320) project into opening (326) to securely hold frame piece (300) to center panel (324).

Abstract: A latch pin actuator (34) for use in connection with an aircraft (10) having folding wings or wing tips (12). The actuator (34) includes housing (38) mountable to a wing portion (12, 16). A latch pin (21) in the form of a hydraulic cylinder is slidably mounted within the housing (38) and on a piston (44) which is fixed to the housing (38). Variable volume fluid chambers (46, 48) are defined in the cylinder body of the latch pin (21). A primary lock member (58) is movable between locked and unlocked positions such that retraction of the latch pin (21) is prevented when the primary lock (58) is in a locked position. In preferred form, a hydraulic actuator (78) is used to move the primary lock member (58) between locked and unlocked positions and to operate a sequencing valve which delivers hydraulic pressure to a chamber (48) of the latch pin (21) after actuation of the primary lock (58).

Abstract: A display holder (10) is formed from a main frame member that is a single extrusion. The main frame member includes opposite edge frame portions (28, 30) and a center panel (10). Frame portions (64, 66) snap onto the ends of a center panel (10) to complete a frame that extends entirely about the periphery of the display holder (10). The display holder (10) may be mounted by a mounting member (44) which includes a hinge strip (92). Hinge strip (92) and a pair of mounting member flanges (42, 90) may be made by a co-extrusion process. A rigid structural plastic is used to form the flanges (42, 90). A bendable, resilient plastic is used to form the hinge strip (96). The hinge strip (96) will bend in response to a side force applied to the display holder (10). Hinge strip (92) will act as a spring and will swing the display holder (10) back to its at rest position when the force is removed.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for overhead storage of elongated objects. The apparatus includes an elongated track (10) having first and second ends (14, 36) and being attached to an overhead support surface (12). A slidable support member (18) is slidably mounted on the track (10) and includes a carriage (20) with a downwardly-extending support arm (22). The slidable support member (18) is movable along the length of the track (10). A fixed support member (16) is adjacent the track's first end (14). An elongated object (24) may be supported adjacent opposite ends thereof (28, 32). A first end (28) is supported by the fixed support member (16) and a second end (28) is supported by the slidable support member (18). The elongated object (24) may be placed on the apparatus by placing the object's second end (28) on the slidable support member (18) when the slidable support member (18) is adjacent the track's first end (14).

Abstract: A sleeping bag with a flexible mesh ventilation panel. A removable and adjustable ventilation panel spans an elongated access opening of the sleeping bag and attaches to edge portions of the opening via an adjustable closure device, such as a zipper.

Abstract: Shown is a direction control valve (16) for use in a hydraulic control system having a source of hydraulic pressure (P) and a return passageway (50). The control valve includes a first hydraulic flow pathway (140, 142) and a second hydraulic flow pathway (144, 146). A two-position valve (38) includes four ports (48, 58, 64, 74). First and second pilot-operated poppets (88, 90) each have a pilot chamber (84, 86). When the valve (38) is in its first position, the source of hydraulic pressure (P) is provided to the pilot chamber (86) of the first poppet (88) and the pilot chamber (84) of the second poppet (90) is connected to the return pathway (50). As a result, one hydraulic flow pathway (140, 142) is open and the other hydraulic flow pathway (144, 146) is closed.

Abstract: A safety line anchor (20) is installed on a peaked roof (12) to provide safety line connection points (36) for a worker (10) working on or near the roof. When installed, a first leg (24) and a second leg (26) of the safety line anchor (20) extend down either side of the peaked roof (12). The anchor (20) is installed by use of attachment means located on the legs (24, 26) of the anchor (20).

Abstract: An inexpensive rodent trap (10) is provided which may be set and emptied without a user contacting the trap (10) near a striker portion (36) of the trap (10). The trap (10) is effective for trapping a rodent (8) without bait since the trap (10) is configured such that the rodent (8) will enter the trap (10) as the rodent (8) moves along a floor (26) near a wall (14).

Abstract: An internal check valve for use in a linear hydraulic motor in the form of a piston-cylinder unit including a cylinder body (38) reciprocally slidable on a piston component (40). The piston component (40) includes a tubular piston rod (52) and a piston head (60) defining first and second working chambers (136, 140) within the cylinder body (38). The tubular piston rod (52) includes a center tube (102) located within the piston rod (52). The center tube (102) provides a fluid passageway (134) through its center which communicates with a first working chamber (136). An annular second passageway (142) is formed by and radially between the piston rod (52) and the center tube (102). A spring biased check valve (116) is positioned within the piston rod (52, 54) and is operatively connected with one of the passageways (134, 126, 130). The check valve (116) has a valve member displaceable from a valve seat (120) by hydraulic pressure to overcome the spring bias (122, 124) and allow flow in one direction.

Abstract: An end of stroke cushion for a linear hydraulic motor. A piston-cylinder unit includes a cylinder body (42) reciprocally slidable on a piston rod (40) having a piston head (64) which defines working chambers (82, 84) within the cylinder body (42). The piston rod (62) is tubular and includes a plurality of sidewall ports (P1-P7). A radially-expandable annular valve ring (106) normally snugly surrounds the piston rod (62) and during axial movement of the cylinder body (42) relative to the piston rod (62), the valve ring (106) will move axially relative to the sidewall ports (P1-P7) in the piston rod (62). Pressure introduction to the working chamber (84) through the sidewall ports (P1-P7) of the piston rod (62) and against the valve ring (106) radially expands the valve ring (106).