Abstract: The dressing system of the present invention provides, in one aspect, a composite dressing that allows a wound to be dressed in one easy step and redressed without disturbing the wound. The composite dressing comprises a contact component having a bottom side facing a wound, and a top side. A dressing component is releasably attached to the top side of the contact component such that the dressing component can be readily separated from the contact component if pulled relative to the contact component. The contact component can remain on the wound to prevent disturbance, and another composite dressing or dressing component can be applied to the contact component.

Abstract: A semiconductor device soldered to a conical mounting pedestal of a metal substrate reduces the lateral shearing stress created by temperature changes. An angle between the bonding surfaces of the semiconductor device and the metal substrate can be selected as a function of the coefficients of thermal expansion of the device and substrate material.

Abstract: A telephone line protection module having a printed circuit board base with conductive paths connected to pins of the module. Overvoltage sensitive semiconductor devices are soldered to the ends of a conductive bridge, and the bridge is spring-biased between a module cover and the conductive bridge. The semiconductor devices are thus forced into electrical contact with the printed circuit paths. In addition, in the event the semiconductor devices are thermally destroyed, the conductive bridge is forced by the spring into direct contact with the printed circuit paths.

Abstract: Call completion equipment (10) is disclosed for use with a switching system (14) for assisting callers to complete telephone calls thereto. If a primary destination telephone set (16) is busy or does not answer, a message is transmitted from a message storage unit (54) to the calling party. The message relates to the selection by the caller of secondary destinations including a switchboard attendent 18, an alternate destination telephone set, a camp-on option or voice messaging facilities. A processor complex (72) processes the digits dialed by the caller in response to the message, using various look-up tables (85-87), and transfers corresponding information to the switching system (14). The switching system (14) completes the call to the secondary destination according to the information. The invention (10) provides automatic camp-on features (87) with regard to predefined telephone sets of the switching system (14).

Abstract: A video system is disclosed having a weapon-mounted video camera (12) transmitting video signals to a remotely located video display (14). The video display is mounted to the helmet (40) of a soldier (36), and includes a sight reticle (50) superimposed on the image of the target (46) so that the soldier (36) can aim the weapon (38) by moving it until the target object (46) as displayed by the video display (14) is aligned with the sight reticle (50). A low probability of transmission interception of the video signals is accomplished by using a nonvisible light carrier wavelength in free space, which wavelength is characterized by a high degree of absorption due to atmospheric water vapor.

Abstract: A draw/emboss work station (18) of the invention includes emboss punch apparatus (86) moveable by a lever (340) and a hydraulic system under control of a press slide (34). Pressure sleeve apparatus (92) is slideable with respect to the emboss punch apparatus (86) and is responsive to force applied to it by the press slide (34). An emboss punch head (96) is moved downwardly into a cup-shaped article (14) to bring the article into a draw/emboss die (146) having an interior reduced diameter part (148). The emboss punch head (96) then remains stationary and spaced from the reduced diameter part a predetermined distance to define an annular opening. The pressure sleeve apparatus (92) incuding a pressure sleeve (130) is then forced downwardly into engagement with a shoulder (64) on the cup (14), and forces the cup (14) through the annular opening to thereby simultaneously draw the sidewalls of the cup (14) and transfer the design of the emboss punch head (96) to the inside surface of the cup (14).

Abstract: Perforating gun automatic release mechanism wherein the perforating gun is linked to the drilling string by a coupling member. The coupling member includes a plurality of collet fingers, by which said coupling member is attached to the drilling string. The heads of the collet fingers, when inserted into the bottom of the drilling string engage a circumferential groove therein. A slidable locking sleeve, coaxially disposed within the coupling member prevents the inward radial movement necessary for the collet finger heads to disengage the groove. The locking sleeve sits on a slidable piston, which is contained inside the coupling member on top of the explosive charge which detonates the perforating gun. Upon detonation, the resulting shock wave traveling upward pushes the piston and locking sleeve to a position where the collet finger heads are free to disengage the groove, which the weight of the perforating gun then causes, dropping the gun, coupling member and all attachments away from the drilling string.

Abstract: An interface (10) is disclosed for coupling a conventional pay station telephone (12) to a telephone switching system (16). The interface (10) provides supervision signal detection functions normally provided by a switching system, and thus can be connected thereto by a less costly business line (28). The interface includes processor controlled tone generators (72, 76) and detectors (73, 74, 81, 106, 108) for detecting tones and voltages transmitted by either the telephone (12) or the switching system (16). The interface (10) further includes a detector (106) and a procedure (FIG. 8) for providing an answer call indication. Coin collection or return is controlled by the interface (10) depending on the status of the call which is also determined by the interface (10).

Abstract: A pistol-shaped frame (26) houses a fluid distribution assembly (58), including a plunger (46) operated by a trigger (30) for discharging fluid from a reservoir (60) through an outlet check valve (68). On return of the spring-loaded trigger (30), an inlet check valve (80) allows fluid to be drawn into the reservoir (60). A thumb-operated valve assembly (96) provides a fluid passage between an output (12) of the device and the outlet check valve (68) in one position, and in another position provides a vacuum passage between a vacuum inlet port (104) and the output (12). Trigger graduations (136 ) provide a visual indication of measured amounts of fluid dispensed by the device (10).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for firing perforating apparatus in a borehole. A pressure actuated firing assembly is run into the borehole on th eend of a cable and latched onto a perforating apparatus. The cable is removed and pressure is applied to the tubing annulus. At a predetermined pressure the firing asembly is armed. After arming pressure is released from the tubing annulus during a time delay period before the firing assembly impacts a percussion firing head to thereby detonate the perforating apparatus.

Abstract: A headgear cushion (18) having a closed-cell foam core coated with a non-allergenic vinyl/nitrile composition. A powdered carbon is mixed with the vinyl/nitrile composition to provide a dark color. Pressure responsive material (28, 30) is adhered to the coated foam core (20, 26) and made removably attachable to a headgear (10).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cold retreading or recapping of the running surface of a vehicle tire. A rubber, rope and cloth sectioned mold is produced utilizing a new tire male mold covered with perforated polypropylene film, uncured rubber with nylon rope at its edges and highly stretchable cloth enclosed in an envelope and cured by application of pressure and heat. A male mold is used to make the final female mold directly, or to make an intermediate mold which is used to produce a tread ring that is stretched to form a larger diameter male mold from which a final mold is prepared. The final mold is then sectioned to form one discontinuous section or two or more sections. Conveniently, one section from one size tire may be fitted with a section or sections from other size tires to form a mold to recap a third size tire. Additionally, radial inserts having the radial cross sections of the mold sections may be added to accommodate various tire sizes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spare tire carrier adapted for supporting a spare tire on an underside of a vehicle. The carrier comprises a pair of fixed track members attached to the vehicle underside for pivotably and slidably mounting a carriage adapted to receive the spare tire. Each of the tracks members has an inclined guide slot for receiving rollers and guide pins of the carriage. The rollers and guide pins are disposed in the guide slots and secured to the carriage approximately intermediate the front end and rear end of the carriage. The carriage is movable relative to the track members in the guide slots between a retracted elevated position and a projected lowered position enabling convenient access to the tire. An improved locking mechanism is disclosed comprising a rotatable carriage locking bar.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hub replacement device for use in vehicle tire retreading processes. An envelope is sealed against the tire carcass sidewalls to provide an environmental seal of the new tread on the carcass crown during the vulcanization process. Three arcuate rigid plates, each with a pair of ribs, are installed between the carcass beads, for supporting the beads, a predetermined distance apart along a majority of the bead circumference. Integral with each support plate are pairs of opposing toggle clamps with hooked ends. A pair of annular discs are located on each side of the tire for applying a compressive force on the envelope against the carcass sidewalls. The annular discs are each equipped with pairs of anchor loops to which the hooked ends of the toggle clamps are releasably engaged.

Abstract: A circuit for automatically removing battery power from a night vision goggle (10) upon its detachment from a headgear (12) or when subjected to excessive light. A magnet (34) on the headgear (12) is magnetically coupled to a magnetic reed switch (36) fixed to the goggle (10). On detachment of the goggle (10) from the headgear (12), the reed switch (36) switches battery current to a goggle location monitor (75) for drilling on/off control logic (79) to remove power from an image intensifier tube (40). A high intensity light monitor (80) senses when the ambient light exceeds a predefined intensity, for a predetermined period of time, and also drives the control logic (79) to open a switch (86) in series with the battery (38) and the image intensifier tube (40). A low voltage monitor (82) provides a visual indication (84) of reduced battery voltages.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dual transistor flyback converter having a pair of synchronously driven switching transistors (20, 36) for switching voltage to a primary (12) of a flyback transformer (10). When driven into a cutoff state, transistor (36) isolates switching transistor (20) from the supply voltage (V1), thereby preventing a transformer reflected voltage from being superimposed on the supply voltage and imposing such voltage across the transistor (20). Clamp diodes (40, 42) maintain the switching transient voltage across the flyback transformer primary (12) between prescribed limits. Capacitor (48) allows the switching transient to pass and be clamped by the diodes (40, 42), but prevents the reflected secondary voltage from being clamped when the input voltage is low.

Abstract: A medical instruments sterilization container (10) includes a housing (12) and a removable lid (14). A removable tray (16) is adapted to hold various medical instruments to be sterilized. The container is formed of a polymer of relatively low thermal conductivity, with a material having a relatively high thermal conductivity being added thereto in order to substantially increase the overall thermal conductivity of the container to absorb radiant heat and rapidly conduct that heat throughout the container to reduce condensate within the container.

Abstract: A missile launcher and missile snubbing apparatus (32) includes a pair snubber blocks (34, 36) slideable along angled side edges of a wedge (38). The snubber blocks (34, 36) are biased by respective springs (48, 50) in a first direction, while the wedge (38) is biased in an opposite direction by a spring (84). A spring biased cam (86) is operative to move the wedge (38) in a direction to reduce the effective width of the snubber block assembly (32) so that a missle can be downloaded from the rear of the launcher (10). A spring clip (85) is engageable with a rod (43) attached to the block (38), and responsive to the action of the cam (86) for locking the wedge (38) in a first position. The spring clip (85) is shaped so as to be responsive to the downloading of the missile (12) for releasing the locked wedge (38).

Abstract: Disclosed is a hub replacement device for use in vehicle tire retreading processes. An envelope (30) is sealed against the tire carcass sidewalls (22, 24) to provide an environmental seal of the new tread (54) on the carcass crown (50) during the vulcanization process. Three arcuate rigid plates (16, 18, 20), each with a pair of ribs (56, 58), are installed between the carcass beads (12, 14), for supporting the beads (12, 14), a predetermined distance apart along a majority of the bead circumference. Integral with each support plate (16, 18, 20) are pairs of opposing toggle clamps (32, 40) with hooked ends (36). A pair of annular discs (26, 28) are located on each side of the tire for applying a compressive force on the envelope (30) against the carcass sidewalls (22, 24). The annular discs (26, 28) are each equipped with pairs of anchor loops (42, 44) to which the hooked ends (36) of the toggle clamps (32,40) are releasably engaged.

Abstract: Disclosed is a missile launcher (142) which includes frontal electrical access to electrical apparatus mounted in the aft portion of the luncher. A connectorized extender electrical cable (66) is connected to the aft-mounted electrical apparatus (50). The other end of the cable (66) is routed internal to the launcher (142) and exits a frontal sway brace (24). A hole (108) is bored at a 30-inch launcher mounting location (28), and a connector (90) of the extender cable (66) is mounted therein. Aircraft pylons utilizing 14-inch mounting centers and frontal electrical umbilical connections can thereby utilize existing launchers modified according to the invention.