Abstract: A mechanism for preventing premature opening of a tool having two elongate handles comprising a carrier having a row of teeth at one edge and a spring-affected, pivotable pawl co-operating with the row of teeth. The pawl operates as a bistable rocker swingable by end stops at both ends of the row of teeth from a first lateral position for engagement with the row through an instable middle position into a second engagement-free lateral position. The two ends of the spring affecting the pawl and a pivot pin on which the pawl is mounted lie along one straight line when the pawl passes through the instable middle position.

Abstract: A slatted bed system comprising an articulating frame, a power unit, concave slats, a sculptured mattress and free standing support means. The articulating frame is in four sections to facilitate the independent raising of the head end and the portion under an individual's knee by two independently operable linear actuators. The slats are filament wound fiberglass epoxy of a downwardly concave shape and are sized in thickness and width to provide a predetermined spring rate. The number of slats, slat spacing and spring rate of each slat may be tailored for the body weight distribution of the individual for whom the bed is designed, as may the cross-sectional dimensions of the slats. The mattress is molded from high resiliency foam and is sculptured at the frame pivot points. While the mattress spans the slats, the feel, comfort and body support are provided by the slat system.

Abstract: A method and hum neutralization circuit for a grounded grid triode radio frequency amplifier in which the hum signal is detected and a portion thereof related to the amplification of the amplifier applied to the cathode to oppose, when amplified, in amplitude and phase, the effects of the hum signal on the output signal of the amplifier.

Abstract: An arming device is interposed in the electrical circuit between the electrical switch at a control site and a remote explosive. The arming device is physically located near the explosive and is connected by a fluid pressure line to a pressure source at the control site. Until such time as the arming device is activated, the danger of premature detonation of the explosive from current induced in the conductor between the explosive and the switch is eliminated, and the fluid-pressure controlled arming device is not susceptible to such induced current. Both piston and diaphragm-type arming devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A dual fuel system for use with internal combustion engines comprising (a) a manually actuated dual fuel valve, (b) a liquified gas to gaseous fuel converter combining a liquified fuel lock-off valve responsive to engine vacuum and a fuel metering valve responsive to a predetermined positive pressure modulated by engine vacuum, and (c) a positive pressure gaseous fuel and air mixer having a compact plunger structure in which the fuel valve is located within the air valve structure. In one embodiment, the mixer employs a relatively large piston which travels a relatively short distance to meter the flow of air between the lower surface of the piston and a coaxial annular surface. A second embodiment of the mixer utilizes a smaller diameter piston which travels a relatively longer distance, but which utilizes a relatively flat plunger to meter air flow. The fuel valve carried by the plunger structure may be of the needle valve or slotted tube type and may serve as a guide for the air valve structure.

Abstract: A compressed single side band communication system and method in which the audio signal is compressed prior to pre-emphasis and thereafter summed with a pilot tone for further compression prior to transmission. Initially, only the pilot tone is transmitted at full rated power to aid in acquisition of the signal by the receiver. Thereafter, the transmitter ALC is disabled and the pilot tone is attenuated. The receiver adjusts the frequency characteristics of the pilot tone filter and phase lock loop filter in the detector as a function of lock-on. The delay after loss of lock-on in reverting to wide band pilot tone and wideband loop filters is varied as a function of signal strength. The pilot tone may be modulated for tone coded squelch. The modulating source is located in the return end of the phase lock loop filter. A unique filter is provided to insure acquisition of the pilot tone.

Abstract: A system of forms for facilitating the pouring of concrete into slabs, including a single "universal" screed stake with four vertically spaced pairs of fingers for selective use with screeds of four different vertical dimensions, each of the pairs of fingers receiving the lower edge of one of the screeds with the top of the stakes being received in a downwardly opening pocket formed by a hem on the upper edge of the screed. A novel stake configuration including the shape and location of the fingers and the curvature of the stake at the upper end thereof is dislcosed as is a novel screed construction including the pocket formed at the upper edge thereof and the skirt at the bottom edge thereof. Together, the screed and stakes cooperate to retain the screed on the stakes.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus is an electro-optical fingerprint photocopier to copy fingerprints of a person.This apparatus uses a camera with one or more lenses to photocopy the impression made by the ridges on the tips of the fingers and thumbs. These impressions are useful as means for identification since no two persons have the same ridges pattern.This apparatus also includes an automatic chart feeder, positioning and releaser, an automatic shutter control and concave-convex lenses to position the fingers. The features make possible the processing of an accurate fingerprint chart in a very short time.The apparatus shall be especially used in the identification of persons, in the military, naval, police and immigration services, and in various commercial transactions. Also, shall be used by schools and other learning institutions for the proper identification of students.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated reciprocating three-way valve having particular application to a double diaphragm pump. The valve is operative without a lubricating oil mist or the inefficiency resulting from air leakage between the valve piston and cylinder. Sticking and stalling of the valve piston are prevented by deformation of the cylinder under pressure to provide leakage of selected cavities within the valve. The pump also avoids the use of a deicer mist by an adjustable bleed of high pressure air to provide a two-step exhaust.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing pallets or freight externally of a tractor trailer truck. The pallet storage apparatus generally comprises a planar rigid support frame dimensioned for disposition under the trailer of a tractor-trailer truck against the underside thereof forward of the rear wheels and members for suspending the frame from the trailer at a selectively variable but substantially uniform distance from the underside of the trailer between a first position adjacent the underside of the trailer when it is desirable to carry pallets internally of the trailer and a second position spaced from the underside of the trailer when it is desirable to carry pallets on said support frame externally of the trailer to thereby free the space internal of the trailer for cargo.

Abstract: In an apparatus for cooling of cooling water trickler plates are arranged essentially in parallel. Along one side of each trickler plate water sprayed from the top trickles down, while the other side is kept dry. Thus a pair of adjacent trickler plates each forms a duct through which the cooling air flows. The trickler plates are provided with depressions in the wet side protruding from the dry side in order to increase the dry cooling effect with respect to the wet cooling effect.

Abstract: This cold-proof water-proof garment is designed to be worn by someone working in cold seas, or aboard a ship in distress at sea, to protect the life of the wearer if he should fall into the sea.

Abstract: A frequency hopping radio frequency communication system and method in which keying (at Time T.sub.1) of a transmitter (Tx) automatically initiates the transmission of a predetermined number of cycles (C.sub.1 -C.sub.8) of a sync acquisition signal (W, X, Y and Z) at each of a number of different frequencies (A-G). The receiver (Rx) is being tuned through the same frequencies (A-G) at a relatively slower rate so that the sync acquisition signal is received at each of the receiver frequencies. Upon recognition of the sync acquisition signal and the cycle in which it is received, the receiver anticipates the end of the last cycle of the sync acquisition signal in synchronism with the transmitter and initiates tuning of the transmitter and receiver in accordance with a predetermined pseudorandom code. Additionally, a synchronization maintenance signal is sent approximately every ten seconds to insure that the synchronization between both radios is precisely maintained.

Abstract: The invention provides a shape of a wall surface of a direction changing path of a roller bearing for an endless linear motion. The outer wall surfaces of the direction changing path are formed convex outward. This convex outward outer wall surface can be formed as a spherical band with its center of curvature lying on the axis of revolution of the direction changing path. Such outer wall shape allows a minimum play of the rollers of the roller bearing for an endless linear motion during the direction changing motion through the direction changing path. As a result, stick-slip motion as well as the resistance of the rollers during the direction changing motion are reduced. Accordingly, the total the resistance of the roller bearing for an endless linear motion is reduced, producing an improved roller bearing for an endless linear motion as a whole.

Abstract: A communications system including a central station and a plurality of remote stations, for example, a mobile telephone system, is disclosed in which communications channel establishing signalling transmissions between the central and remote stations are conducted in a clear (unenciphered) mode and subsequent voice transmissions between the central and remote stations are conducted in a secure (enciphered) mode. Each remote station has a unique code assigned thereto which is used by it to at least decipher incoming enciphered voice transmissions from the central station and by the central station to encipher outgoing voice transmissions to the remote station. The unique code may also be used by the remote station to encipher outgoing voice transmissions and by the central station to decipher incoming voice transmissions from the remote station.

Abstract: A cooling tower is provided with a crown inwardly tapered towards the upper discharge opening defined by the upper rim of the crown to create a pressure differential greater on the inside than on the outside of the crown to inhibit cold air break-ins in still air or winds of low velocity. The cooling tower shell is tapered inwardly in the crown region and the angle between the tangent to the internal contour and the vertical in said crown region of the shell is preferably chosen to be not smaller than results from the following equation: ##EQU1## in which .alpha. is the angle in question, g is the acceleration due to gravity, .rho..sub.a and .rho..sub.i are the gas densities inside (i) and outside (a) of the cooling tower, z is the vertical coordinate, d.sub.o and d(z) are the diameters of the internal shell contour at the level z=o and z, respectively, and w.sub.o is the gas velocity at the level z=o.

Abstract: The hygroscopic breather cap for a fluid such as a liquid petroleum tank in which air enters the bottom of an elongated cylinder, passes through a knitted fabric filter to remove dust particles, passes through a desiccant along the entire height of the cylinder to remove moisture, passes through a second knitted fabric filter to remove desiccant fines, and then passes into the opening of a standpipe for passage downwardly along the axis of the cylinder into the petroleum tank. A window may be provided in the top of the cylinder to view the condition of the desiccant, or alternatively, the body of the cylinder may be made transparent. A number of reduced strength areas may be provided at the bottom of the cylinder so that the effective size of the opening to the atmosphere may be selectively varied. A removable cap permits a recharging of the cylinder with desiccant.

Abstract: In a method of determining the direction of a target by means of an optical square and passing on this direction to a magnifying sight for warfare tanks the exit window (4) of the optical square is provided with a vertical line of sight (8) and the entry window (1) with a sight aid (11). Marked areas (5, 10) in the exit window (4) have the effect that upon adjustment of the sight to the direction defined by the sight aid (11), the marked area positively will lie within the field of view of the magnifying sight.

Abstract: A cooling tower is provided with a crown inwardly tapered towards the upper discharge opening defined by the upper rim of the crown to create a pressure differential greater on the inside than on the outside of the crown to inhibit cold air break-ins in still air or winds of low velocity. To reduce the effect of side winds of high velocity, the crown may carry a wind-deflector ring with an upwardly-inclined deflecting surface to inhibit the creation of a vortex over the tower. The tower may be suspended by cables from a central mast, and the wind-deflector ring may be suspended by separate cables from the mast, these latter cables being tensioned between the masthead and the lower part of the crown by means of a support ring arranged at the base of the wind-deflector ring.

Abstract: A compressed single side band communication system and method in which the audio signal is compressed prior to pre-emphasis and thereafter summed with a pilot tone for further compression prior to transmission. Initally, only the pilot tone is transmitted at full rated power to aid in acquisition of the signal by the receiver. Thereafter, the transmitter ALC is disabled and the pilot tone is attenuated. The receiver adjusts the frequency characteristics of the pilot tone filter and phase lock loop filter in the detector as a function of lock-on. The delay after loss of lock-on in reverting to wide band pilot tone and wideband loop filters is varied as a function of signal strength. The pilot tone may be modulated for tone coded squelch. The modulating source is located in the return end of the phase lock loop filter. A unique filter is provided to insure acquisition of the pilot tone.