Abstract: This invention prevents a circuit breaker from being re-set for a time sufficient to insure safe dissipation of ionized gases. Current monitors and rectifiers generate a reduced voltage direct current output which is fed into an auxiliary rectifier circuit. That direct current output is proportional to current in power conductors controlled by a circuit breaker. A holding circuit has an electrical power source derived from the power conductors and connected to a release coil for the main power contacts in the circuit breaker. A holding relay has a holding coil in the rectifier circuit, and normally closed holding contacts in the holding circuit. A time switch is connected in shunt with the holding coil. When the direct current output reaches a value corresponding to an overcurrent condition in the power conductors, it energizes the holding coil to open the holding contacts and cause the release coil to trip open the main contacts. Concurrently, the time switch activates; after a predetermined time (e.g.

Abstract: Safety apparatus for indicating a live alternating current voltage condition in an insulated electrical conductor having a central conductor wire comprises: an electrically conductive external sheath extending along a predetermined length of the insulation forming with the central conductor wire a capacitive alternating current path across the insulation; and a signal generating circuit including a full-wave rectifier connected directly between the sheath and ground. A capacitor and a neon or other gas discharge bulb characterized by avalanche breakdown at a predetermined voltage are connected in parallel with the rectifier. Optionally, a piezo electric or other sound-generating device may be in series with the neon bulb. When the central conductor wire is energized at 1000 volts AC or above, the bulb flashes, and the optional sound generator activates, at a frequency dependent on the length of the external sheath along the insulation.

Abstract: A four piece bottom pivot assembly for undersupporting the lower end of a pivotally mounted door panel in a bi-fold door assembly in which a bottom pivot pin is non-rotatably locked into a tubular sleeve extending into a socket formed in the bottom end of the door panel. The pivot pin is formed with a threaded shank having a guide portion at its upper end which slidingly cooperates with guideways in the sleeve to prevent rotation of the pivot pin. An adjustment wheel is threaded onto the threaded shank of the pivot pin and is rotatably coupled to the bottom end of the sleeve such that rotation of the wheel threadingly actuates the pivot pin coaxially of the sleeve to adjust door height. A detent system removably holds the wheel in selected rotational positions.

Abstract: Safety apparatus for indicating a live voltage condition in an insulated electrical conductor having insulation surrounding a central conductor wire, comprises: a layer of semi-conducting tape on the outer surface of the insulation; an electrically conductive sheath consisting of a plurality of turns of wire on the outer surface of the semi-conducting tape; a layer of stress-relieving tape wrapped about each end of the semi-conducting tape and an adjacent portion of the insulation; and an outer layer of electrical insulating tape covering all the previously-described tape layers and the turns of wire which are connected to ground through a fluorescent tube. When the insulated electrical conductor is subjected to live alternating current energization at 7000 volts or more, a capacitive alternating current path is established across the insulation, between the central conductor wire and the turns of wire acting as capacitor plates, to light the fluorescent tube.

Abstract: Frame for a bicycle type apparatus such as a bicycle type exerciser or a bicycle, having a closed, rectangular box beam cross section reach tube oriented with the major axis of the cross section in a vertical plane secured between a handlebar head tube and a seat mast. The reach tube has an angular configuration including a rear horizontal section extending along the chain guard, and an upwardly and forwardly extending diagonal section.

Abstract: A one piece, mechanical, flexible coupling for interconnecting driving and driven shafts, which is capable of accommodating separate or combined angular, skewed or parallel shaft misalignments and axial shaft movements while permitting limited torsional or radial deflection thereof. The coupling is fashioned from a single piece of metal or other rigid material and includes a plurality of parallel, axially spaced, annular discs lying normal to the coupling's longitudinal axis and integrally interjoined with one another and with two shaft connector hubs by intervening spacers. The discs and hubs operate as flexible, zero back lash coupling portions at opposite ends of an integrally intervening midsection which operatively permits limited radial or torsional shaft deflection and is made up of a selected number of elongated flexible vane elements lying parallel to and radially displaced from the central longitudinal axis of the coupling.

Abstract: A drawer organizer consists of a pair of glides and a tray movable on the glides. The glides are extrusions of low-friction plastic material. Each glide comprises a pair of side walls interconnected by a top wall defining a downwardly open groove and is assembled without tools by pressing the downwardly open groove onto the upper edge of a corresponding drawer side. The glides have generally transverse longitudinal flanges inside the drawer at levels below the tops of the drawer sides and support opposite flanges of a tray for movement within the drawer. At least one of the side walls of the glide is diagonal to enable the downwardly open groove to elastically grip the drawer sides fit to different drawer side thicknesses.

Abstract: A direct current power supply circuit converts an unregulated direct current input source such as an automobile battery to a regulated direct current output voltage for a device such as a mobile telephone requiring a fixed operating voltage. The circuit has an improved input to output voltage rating of less than two volts, enabling it to supply a load reliably with direct current power from an unregulated direct current source as low as ten volts. The circuit operates in a linear mode at low power levels and in a switching, pulse width modulated mode at higher output power levels. The circuit employs a three-terminal linear voltage regulator as a control element. It has input, output, and ground pins and is effective in response to current input through the input pin to maintain a predetermined, fixed voltage differential between the output and ground pins. In the example disclosed, the linear voltage regulator maintains a 5-volt differential between the output and ground pins.

Abstract: A monochromator utilizing a single light source productive of a uniformly intense, single beam, single wavelength coaxial beam output or alternatively, a single beam selected dual wavelength coaxial beam output.

Abstract: An automatically operable compact disc record holding mechanism for accurately depositing and positioning a magnetic holder coaxially over the central record centering hub of a compact disc record turn table such that the magnetic holder is guided into a record holding position along a circular arc and released at a point of tangency with the central vertical axis of the turn table hub while in a substantially horizontal attitude for effecting reliably accurate positioning of the magnetic holder to insure proper holding operation thereof.

Abstract: A wheel mounting tool for a wheel assembly including a hub with a plurality of bolt studs and a wheel with bolt holes registerable with the bolt studs comprises an elongated, rigid straight shank with a cylindrical open-ended socket on at least one end. The socket has an inside cylindrical surface with a diameter larger than the diameter of the bolt studs and an outside cylindrical surface with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bolt holes. In a preferred embodiment, a shallow internal thread extends circumferentially around the inside cylindrical surface adjacent the open mouth end of the socket. The inside diameter of the internal threads is larger than the outside diameter of the bolt studs enabling the socket to be assembled onto and removed from the bolt studs by relative axial movement. Alternatively, the internal threads may be substituted by a helical array of thread segments or internal protuberances having a pitch angle matching the pitch angle of the threads on the bolt studs.

Abstract: A burglar bar assembly for establishing a security barrier across a door or window opening composed of a plurality of horizontal cross bars held in vertically spaced relation by intervening and transversely related vertical members. Certain of the vertical members are fixed rigidly to certain of the cross bars, but slidably joined to others in a manner to provide for extension and retraction adjustment of the barrier to accomodate variations in door or window dimensions. The bar assembly is hingedly connected at one end to a window or door frame to provide for swinging opening and closing operation of the barrier. A safety latch is mounted adjacent one end of the bar assembly and comprises a spring loaded cam member pivotally moveable against spring bias by a remotely operated cable. The cam member serves to capture and lock the unhinged end of the barrier to a rigid locking channel secured to the window or door frame; such channel having spaced angulated slots receptive of the cross bars.

Abstract: A torque control tool driver having a torque responsive clutch which holds a rotatable ring gear of a motor driven reduction gear train stationary to effect rotation of a tool driving spindle and which is operable in the presence of pre-determined torque output of such spindle to automatically release the ring gear for rotation whereby to disconnect the spindle from the driving motor. Following spindle disconnect, the driving motor is automatically deenergized in response to rotational movement of the ring gear.

Abstract: A storage magazine for use in coin operated automatic vending machines composed of a plurality of side-by-side vertical storage columns or magazine sections, each having at least two back-to-back aligned serpentine tracks which store a plurality of cylindrical articles and gravitationally feed the same to an underlying discharge ramp common to both tracks. The ramp cooperates with a wedge feed system for operatively integrating articles discharged from each of the tracks into a single column in which the articles from the individual tracks are arranged in alternating order for first-in, first-out vending by a single coin operated vend mechanism.

Abstract: A multiple-task end effector attachable to the articulatable head of a computer controlled robotic machining center or "robot" operable to impart multiple linear and rotational axis movements to the end effector which comprises a tool head attachable to the mobile head of the robot for carrying a plurality of working tools held by a power actuated shuttle. The shuttle is selectively operable to position or index each tool carried thereby to a position of coaxial alignment with the central axis of the robot's mobile head and the end effector's tool head. In operation two robots are positioned on opposite sides of fixture held work pieces so that end effectors attached thereto are coaxially aligned and operable to clamp work pieces therebetween with measured, balanced forces.