Abstract: With an automatic or semi-automatic weapon or gun, an improved component coupling arrangement for providing interlocking component assemblies of the receiver and barrel groups of the weapon, where, with a single screw coupling only in conjunction and interaction with a connector-less receiver top strap, the barrel and receiver groups are rigidly joined together, maintaining a cartridge feed block therewith that has a throat for receiving cartridges fed therethrough, which throat is in alignment with and between a barrel breech and in a cartridge discharge of a magazine juxtaposed thereto positioned to and between the barrel and receiver groups.

Abstract: A heating element includes a sealed chamber containing hydrogen gas and a source of high energy light adapted to direct such high energy light into the hydrogen in the chamber to cause disassociation of the hydrogen molecules into hydrogen atoms whereby when the hydrogen atoms recombine to produce hydrogen molecules, heat is generated to heat the container. In addition, a method of heating a container comprises the steps of filling the container with hydrogen gas, directing high energy light into the hydrogen gas to cause disassociation of the hydrogen molecules into hydrogen atoms, and allowing the hydrogen atoms to recombine to form hydrogen molecules thereby giving off heat.

Abstract: A method of reducing charging time of batteries and increasing power and torque of electric motors includes the step of repeatedly applying to the battery to be charged or the motor to be operated a series of relatively short pulses of relatively high voltage followed by a continuation of the high voltage pulse which is of relatively long duration and of relatively low voltage. The relatively high voltage is substantially greater than the normal charging voltage of the battery or the rated voltage of the motor while the relatively low voltage is the normal charging voltage of the battery or not greater than the rated voltage of the motor. The duration of the relatively short pulse is such that excessive heating due to current flow does not occur.The device of the invention includes a first pulse generator and a second pulse generator with a timing clock to control operation of each pulse generator.

Abstract: A towel support for a standard, preferably large, bath-type towel, consisting of at least one slot formed through that towel at a minimum distance from a towel corner and cut on the bias to the towel weave.

Abstract: A solid state electrode that includes a graphite core as both the internal reference and the electrical conductor that is preferably formed of graphite threads maintained as a bundle that in one embodiment, has an end thereof coated with a mixture of antimony and antimony oxide as a sensor element, the graphite junction forming the internal reference to that sensor element, and in another embodiment, the graphite core is wrapped tightly around a sensor formed from section or "shot" of a mixture antimony and antimony oxide, the graphite junction forming the internal reference thereto. The connected graphite core and antimony/antimony oxide sensor are then covered with an impermeable non-conductive plastic sheath, leaving a section of the antimony/antimony oxide sensor surface exposed, and the junction of that sheath to the antimony/antimony oxide sensor is preferably sealed as with an epoxy.

Abstract: An electric continuous flow water heater for domestic appliances, such as coffeemaking machines, has a water heating assembly comprising a tubular electric resistance heating element disposed in side-by-side heat exchange relation with a water flow pipe. The assembly is bent into a generally horseshoe-shaped configuration and a heat conductive bridge member extends across the heating element and water pipe substantially centrally of the length thereof and is in contact therewith. A temperature dependent switching means, such as a thermostat or a PTC element, and a thermal safety fuse are electrically connected in series with each other and the heating element are carried on the bridge member with the switching element secured on one side of the heating element-water pipe assembly and the safety fuse secured on the other side of the assembly.

Abstract: A continuous flow heater assembly for an electrically heated apparatus for producing an infusion beverage comprises a generally dish-like mounting plate carrying a tubular heater of generally annular configuration and, inside that annular configuration, a water pipe which is also of a generally annular configuration. The underside of the tubular heater and the water pipe are in heat-conducting contact with the mounting plate while the underside of a support plate for supporting a container containing a beverage bears against the tubular heater but not against the water pipe. A raised edge portion of the dish shape of the mounting plate extends at a small spacing from the adjacent side wall of the tubular heater, to a position close to the underside of the support plate. Alternatively, a guard ring may be fitted onto the space between the mounting plate and the support plate outwardly of the tubular heater to partially close the space between the plates.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying rotational pressure to one or more selected parts of the body of a patient includes at least two separate casts placed about portions of the patient's body so as to hold such portions against substantial rotation relative to such casts and interconnections between the separate casts adapted to hold the casts at selected angles of rotation to one another to thereby put rotational pressure on the selected parts of the body. A method for applying rotational pressure to one or more selected parts of the body includes the steps of casting portions of the body, rotating the casts with respect to one another, and locking the casts together in rotated position to thereby place rotational pressure on the selected portion of the body.

Abstract: A sweat-collection device formed as a solid body having a shallowly concave, sweat-collecting surface at a face thereof defining a concavity with a rim lying wholly within a common plane for firm placement over an iontophoresis-stimulated area of a person's skin to collect sweat from the skin area and pass it through a bore at the center of the concavity. The concavity is so shallow that no dead space occurs between the collecting surface and the skin and flesh bulged into the concavity when the device is applied to a patient whose sweat is to be collected for testing. Optionally, the concavity may be modified without introducing dead space thereinto, to incorporate barrier means for preventing unusually soft skin and flesh of infants and some adults from bulging into and closing the bore.

Abstract: Flowable materials such as slurry explosives are transported down a mine shaft by providing a pipeline from the surface to the level in the mine where the material is needed. A plug is slidably and sealingly positioned within the pipeline and connected through a cable to a winch whereby the plug can be raised or lowered within the pipeline. With the plug near the top of the pipeline, material is loaded into the pipeline on top of the plug. The plug and material are then lowered to the desired depth in the mine and the material drained from the pipeline.

Abstract: A system for pulverizing and burning solid fuel, such as coal or other fossil fuel, characterized by a possible turndown ratio of up to at least fifteen to one, includes a unique pulverizer capable of both impact and autogenous pulverizing of the fuel so that about 80% will be no more than 40 microns in size, and a unique burner which includes a valved firing nozzle having a firing conduit with firing orifice and internal turbulating means for a mixture of primary air and pulverized solid fuel, and a controlled secondary air supply. A movable valve element, preferably in the form of a double-taper-ended diffuser positioned downstream from the firing orifice, controls outflow of a turbulent stream of the mixed primary air and fuel from the firing orifice into an ignition chamber and controls flame shape.

Abstract: A cross-country ski boot, ski binding, and ski combination includes a boot having a thick sole which is recessed beneath the toe of the boot upper to receive a toe-fitting of the binding which has a transverse forward portion provided with a transverse bore therethrough. A toe plate secured to the ski has upstanding cheek plates at respectively opposite sides thereof, which are provided with mutually registering holes and between which the transverse forward portion of the boot toe-fitting is placed, with its bore in registry with the cheek plate holes. The bore of the transverse forward portion of the boot toe-fitting is located back of the tip of the toe of the boot upper and, with the cheek plate holes, receives a pivot pin which provides a pivot axis transversely of the ski. Resilient means bearing against the front of such transverse forward portion of the boot toe-fitting is preferably provided to keep the ski tip down when in the air during cross-country jumping.

Abstract: An agricultural implement adapted to be passed over and along windrows of hay, grain, and other crop vegetation lying cut in a field, for fluffing such windrows without turning them upside down or displacing them in the field, has a rotary pick-up device with preferably spring-loaded pick-up teeth that progressively withdraw from the picked-up mass of material as such material is carried backwardly, and a discharge arrangement that minimizes hang-up of the discharging material. Provision is preferably made for driving the pick-up device at infinitely variable speeds independently of the speed of travel of the implement along the lengths of the windrows, and for adjustably determining the width and height of the fluffed windrows.

Abstract: A record and playback apparatus for use with magnetic tape cassettes and the like can be switched between the normal two track cassette format for either record or playback or single track format for either record or playback. The apparatus provides optimum record and bias signals to the record head gaps being used regardless of whether two record head gaps are used for standard format or a single record head gap is used for single track format. The apparatus also preferably includes motor speed switching and regulating circuitry so that the apparatus can be satisfactorily operated at normal cassette speed or at a reduced speed, preferably one quarter that of normal speed. Switching of play and record equalization as well as record bias is also preferably included with the speed switching.

Abstract: A multipli-layered tamper-proof wrap consisting of a number of over-layed thin plastic sheets bonded around the outer edge to contain one or a number of chemical layers therein, appropriately separated, whose penetration or puncture will result in a visual indication at the puncture, and including distinct seals fixed at spaced intervals to the outer or external wrap sheet that indicate wrap or product origin and are to discourage wrap substitution. The wrap is for encapsulating a consumer product so as to provide a continuous wrap surface therearound that will give a visual indication of a breach in wrap integrity at a point of penetration or puncture.

Abstract: A double-chambered exhaust manifold with individual chambers that are connected edge to edge so as to independently pass exhaust gas flows through each. The first chamber is connected to receive an exhaust gas flow through exhaust ports of an internal combustion engine and connects to an inlet side of an exhaust driven turbine air compressor. The exhaust gas flow turns a turbine wheel that is connected to an impeller to compress the fresh air flow for passage to the engine air intake system. Exhaust from the turbine then passes to the second chamber that vents the exhaust gases into the vehicle exhaust system. The separate double-chambered exhaust manifolds are bent or otherwise contoured appropriately to fit within the space available within the vehicle engine compartment.

Abstract: A gas compressor has at least one closed container with gas inlet means for filling the container with a gas to be compressed and gas outlet means through which compressed gas can leave the container. When the container has been filled with gas to be compressed, a fluid is forced into the container to compress the gas therein and force it out of the container. After the container has been filled with fluid and the gas forced therefrom, the fluid is drained while gas again enters and fills the container. The output of the container is generally connected to a gas storage tank and the cycle of filling the container with gas and then expelling it is repeated until a desired pressure of gas is obtained in the storage tank.The compressor is particularly suited to filling a storage tank, such as a natural gas storage tank in a vehicle, over an extended period of time of several hours.

Abstract: A pipe-supporting device adapted to receive and support an exposed pipe on a building roof has a base with a substantially flat bottom for resting on a roof and an upwardly tapered structure secured on and rising from the base to provide an upwardly divergent, substantially V recess having divergent line contacts for receiving the pipe and supporting it above the base. The structure is configured to distribute the weight of the supported pipe substantially equally over the flat area of the base in contact with the roof, and the single line contacts of the V provide this substantially equal distribution of weight regardless of whether the roof is flat or sloped, or regardless of whether the pipe being supported is parallel to the roof or sloped with respect to the roof. Further, the line contacts provide a minimum of resistance to pipe movement so that pipes can easily slide on the device when they expand and contract.

Abstract: An engine which can operate satisfactorily on sources of relatively low heat, such as waste heat given off by steam generating plants, includes a heating tank operably positioned with respect to a source of heat so that fluid within the tank is heated. The fluid in the tank is selected so that its boiling point is below the temperature of the heating tank. In this way the fluid is pressurized in the tank. The pressurized fluid flows to a turbine having a hollow central shaft with hollow vanes extending radially therefrom. The pressurized fluid flowing from the ends of the vanes cause the turbine to rotate. A housing about the turbine collects the fluid expelled from the vanes. The fluid then flows through a conditioning means into a storage tank where it is then introduced back into the heating tank to be recirculated. Electronic circuitry is provided to monitor and control operation of the engine.