Abstract: An adjustable clutched handle for turning the drive shaft of a tuning peg assembly on a stringed instrument, such as a guitar, and a linear extension tightening post. The clutched handle includes a tubular handle element having a transverse hole formed perpendicular to the axis of the handle element. A generally tubular adapted sleeve, keyed to the end of the drive-shaft, includes a pair of flat drive surfaces on its outer surface. A pair of pistons, sized for movement along the axial bore, are biased against the drive surfaces by a pair of springs. The springs are held in place against the pistons by an adjustable cap. When a predetermined tension has been reached, the force of the springs holding the piston against the drive surfaces is overcome to allow the handle to free-wheel about the drive shaft. The provision of a linear extension tightening post reduces the tendency for the instrument to become out of tune.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in firing and cocking mechanism of a breach loading firearm. This invention utilizes a substantially massive pin block disposed in a horizontal track between two counter biasing springs, the main spring and the counter spring. A firing pin extends from the chamber end of the pin block. When the cocked pin block is released, the main spring drives it toward the chamber and the momentum of the moving pin block carries the extended firing into contact with the primer of the cartridge despite the resistance of the counter spring. Lowering the breechblock allows a spring loaded ejector plate to spring backward and pull the spent cartridge casing from the chamber. In addition the ejector plate strikes a projection of the pin block and drives the pin block back to the cocked position. An extension of a lever which operates the action returns the ejector plate to the chamber so that the breechblock is able to rise unobstructed.

Abstract: A multiple flow and direction control valve connectable to a plurality of separate fluid sources, the valve having a fluid power port and a fluid exhaust port and a first movable valve body being operable to add or subtract the flow rates of a plurality of fluid sources to either the power port or the exhaust port. The valve has a directional control member having two power ports and one exhaust port and being operable in a first position to apply power fluid to one of the power ports, exhaust fluid being returned through the second power port and routed out of the exhaust port and in a second position said power fluid being routed to the other power port and returned through the first power port to the exhaust port. The valve includes modified directional control members which may be stacked to sequentially provide directional control for a plurality of outputs.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved proportional gas flow sampler having a combined arrangement of baffles with orifice plates for obtaining proportional flow sampling. Orifice plates may be used alone for this purpose and baffles also may be used alone, but by combining the two, the disadvantages of each are overcome. A spool piece is inserted in the main gas line. In this spool piece a baffle arrangement extracts a fixed fraction of the flow into a bypass line. Downstream of the baffles there are orifice plates in both the main line and the by-pass line. Just upstream of one orifice plate or the other, depending on the gas flow rate, the sample flow is extracted. The sample flow rate typically is a very small percentage of the flow in the main line. The sample flow line also contains an orifice plate. Just upstream of it is a fan and downstream is a control valve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for generating high pressure steam within a well bore for facilitating recovery of hydrocarbon deposits. The steam vapor generator is constructed for receiving high pressure water, fuel and oxidant in a downhole position for select mixing and combustion. High pressure water is received around a combustion chamber in an annular configuration and heated through a thermal wall region forming a lower portion thereof. The combustion chamber utilizes the heat energy of radiation to heat the water in the annular sleeve to the point of steam. The water sleeve further includes orifices for egress of the steam and a plurality of vent tubes within the water sleeve. The vent tubes extend substantially the length of the sleeve for receiving excess water vapor and/or undissolved gases created from the heat of vaporization and out-gassing.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for heating and utilizing fluids by the use of vapor generators of the kind in which a flowing fuel/air mixture is combusted in the presence of a stream of feed water to produce a stream of steam and non-condensibles, preferably at low pressure. This hot stream is then heat exchanged with a stream of the fluid desired to be heated and utilized, to heat it to the level desired for use, including partly or completely vaporizing it, if the use so requires. The fluid may be divided into two or more streams during the heat exchange, with different amounts of heat delivered into each stream. Preferably, the heat exchange is so conducted as to condense the steam from the stream of steam and non-condensibles, and the condensate so formed is selectively recycled to the vapor generator as feed water.

Abstract: An indicia receiving board, such as a chalkboard, or marker board having a writing surface and a longitudinal folding rail hinged at its ends and projecting forwardly from the bottom of the board. The hinged arrangement provides a rail which may be folded upwardly into close proximity to the plane of the indicia receiving or writing surface and thereby permit the use of a much thinner shipping carton with an appreciably reduced internal packaging support. After a board is removed from its carton, the rail is pivoted about its end hinges to an extended transverse position generally perpendicular to the writing surface of the board and thereby provide a ledge or shelf for chalk, erasers, markers, and/or other indicia affixing and removing articles. The rail is supported in its extended position by substantially coextensive foot means projecting from the inner lower margin of the rail to engage the bottom of the board.

Abstract: A folding work surface having self-locking, pivotal support arms for selective support and storage upon a vertical wall. A triangular pivot configuration comprising each support arm permits the work surface to be secured upon a wall with a minimum of effort and a maximum of structural reliablilty. A pair of stationary wall brackets pivotally connect the work surface and support arms one to the other and to the wall. Each pivot arm includes an elongated primary support strut pivotally connected to the wall bracket, and a shorter locking arm pivotally coupled to the support strut. The locking arm pivots inwardly to laterally engage the work surface, resting thereagainst in the open, supported position. In the collapsed position, the triangular pivot configuration permits the support arms to fold against the work surface to facilitate storage.

Abstract: An infeed assembly or mechanism for advancing wood sticks of random length through an end shaping machine or woodworking apparatus that has at least one end shaper and holddown mechanism for preventing displacement of the sticks during shaping of the ends of said sticks, while permitting travel thereof through the machine, is adapted to coact with an underlying table that supports said sticks with their ends extending transversely thereof throughout the advancement of the sticks; said infeed assembly is composed of a feed shuttle mounted for reciprocal movement in a generally elliptical path or rhombic orbit longitudinally of the table and having an upstanding push mechanism for projection above said table and engagement with said sticks during its feed stroke and for retraction below said table during the return stroke of the feed shuttle; a backup mechanism coacts with the holddown and push mechanism to prevent vibration of the end portions of the sticks during shaping thereof as well as with mechanism for

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for insulating a covered patio by supporting insulation upon ceiling panels depending from clamps engaged in the apices of a twin-vee roof. The roof engaging elements of the clamp include a diagonal face plate with a gripping extended edge and a set screw threadedly engaged through said diagonal face plate. These elements are disposed so that the gripping edge of the diagonal plate and the leading edge of the set screw engage opposite vertical faces of the receiving slot at an apex of a roofing panel. The head of the set screw is accessible when the clamp is in place and tightening the set screw secures the clamp to the roofing panels and lodges the clamp in place by establishing sufficient force to the opposing walls adjacent the closed top of the slot. The depending end of the clamp carries mean of connection with the ceiling panels and this connection establishes the cavity into which the insulation is placed.

Abstract: Hub flexures affording beamwise flapping (i.e. flapping perpendicular to the original tip-path plane), mount aircraft propellers through a hub assembly to a drive shaft of a fixed wing aircraft for increasing propulsive efficiency. The hub flexures permit the propeller blades of the fixed wing aircraft to exhibit advantageous beamwise flapping and reach equilibrium positions in response to loading conditions which would otherwise result in efficiency loss. The flexures permit only flapping perpendicular to the original tip-path plane and provide blade rigidity in radial, in-plane and torsional loading. The propeller blades may also be of the variable pitch variety wherein the flexures are advantageously inboard of the blade pitch change bearings. The flexures further facilitate both passive, or responsive flapping in response to actively induced cylic pitch to achieve maximum propulsive efficiency under any given loading conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for the controlled heating and utilization of fluids by the use of vapor generators of the kind in which a flowing fuel/air mixture is combusted for heating a stream of feedwater to produce a stream of steam and non-condensibles, preferably at low pressure. The hot stream is then heat exchanged with a stream of the fluid desired to be heated and utilized, to heat it to the level desired for use, including partly or completely vaporizing it, if the use so requires. The fluid may be divided into two or more streams during the heat exchange, with different amounts of heat delivered into each stream. Preferably, the heat exchange is so conducted as to condense the steam from the stream of steam and non-condensibles, and the condensate so formed is selectively recycled to the vapor generator as feedwater.

Abstract: Disclosed is a displacement pump especially suited for use in very small well bores. The pump includes a piston working in a cylinder, driven by a rotating cam shaft having closed loop cams for effecting reciprocation of the piston. The rotating cam shaft carries spool valves for positive control of liquid flow into and out of the pumping chambers. Also disclosed is a transmission mechanism especially suitable for use in reducing the speed of an electric motor power source to a level suitable for driving the cam shaft. The pump includes a small diameter high speed electric motor, on which is mounted the transmission mechanism, which in turn carries the pumping mechanism. An electrical power conduit runs through the pumping mechanism and transmission mechanism to the motor.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a ceiling-type fan includes a switch or relay for controlling the fan, connectable to the fan. A logic circuit produces an output signal for controlling the switch or relay from an input signal generated by momentarily interrupting the power applied to an input to the logic circuit. A diode and capacitor isolate the power supply connections of the circuit to maintain the supply voltage during the momentary power interruptions.In one embodiment the control circuit controls the on-and-off switching of the fan, as well as its speed, together with on-and-off switching of a light associated with the fan. In one embodiment the forward and reverse directions of the fan are controlled as well.