Abstract: A connector device (10, 214) for transferring a nonelectric blast initiation signal from a donor line (26, 224) to an acceptor line, e.g., an input stub (24, 217) has donor line retaining means (20a, 20b, 229) for disposing a donor line (26, 224) in signal transfer relation to the input stub (24, 217). An anvil member (27, 130, 226) is provided to support input stub (24, 217) at the point where it is in signal transfer relation with the donor line (26), preferably in conforming contact with the donor line (26). In a particular embodiment, the connector device has a body portion (10a) on which is retained a detonator cap (22). Cap (22) detonates upon receipt of a detonation signal from an input stub (24), optionally after a delay period if delay elements are incorporated into the cap 22. The connector device (10) has retainer spring clips (20a, 20b) for retaining the donor line (26) in signal transfer relation to the input stub (24).

Abstract: A connector block (10) includes a clip member (30) which cooperates with the signal transmission end (12a) of body member (12) to define therebetween an arcuate line-retaining slot (32) within which one or more signal transmission lines (40) are received in explosive signal communication with the output end (16a) of a detonator (16). Clip member (30) is of decreasing thickness as sensed moving from the proximal end (30b) thereof towards at least its mid-point and is preferably of undiminished width from the proximal end (30b) thereof to the open end (32b) of the line-retaining slot (32). These features and the configuration of the entryway (34) cooperate to facilitate lateral insertion of signal transmission lines (40) into the line-retaining slot (32) and their retention therein over a broad temperature range of use, and provide excellent shrapnel shielding.

Abstract: An initiation fitting (10) includes a sleeve member (12) having a first end to which a fuse (18) or other initiator is connected and a second end to which an initiating charge (38) is connected for initiating a connected device such as a rocket motor and to hinder the venting of gases from the device through the fitting (10). The sleeve member (10) includes an internal passage (14) extending therethrough and a malleable internal flange (48) which protrudes into the internal passage (14). The internal flange (48) is dimensioned and configured so that when the initiating charge (38) detonates, the internal flange (48) collapses into the internal passage (14) to hinder the flow therethrough of explosive gases from the second end of the fitting.

Abstract: A tree stand system for supporting the trunk of a previously cut a tree in an upright position, and for removal therefrom. The tree stand system has a ground-engaging base, a jaw assembly for supporting the tree trunk, a rod passing through guide supports and attached to the jaw assembly and at least two spring-biased locks on said rod. The spring-biased locks are adapted for movement of the rod and jaw assembly to retain a tree, to retain the rod in a selected position and further to permit release of the rod to effect removal of the tree trunk from the tree stand system. The tree stand system is particularly useful for display of Christmas trees outdoors.

Abstract: An enclosure for a cable splice assembly has an elongated tubular casing, within which the cable splice assembly is enclosed, and end walls, at least one of which has an orifice therein through which the cable passes. The tubular casing comprises a first section and a second section which are joined by an integral hinge, and has a latch for retaining the first and second sections together in a closed position. The casing preferably has at least one projection therein juxtaposed to each of the end walls, the projections being spaced apart by a distance that is greater than the length of the cable splice assembly in order to retain the cable splice assembly spaced away from the end walls. A water repellent gel is contained within the casing and the enclosure is freely rotatable around the cable splice assembly.

Abstract: A slider (36) has a base fixture (40) and a shielding tube (42). The slider (36) is used to operably couple a detonator (44) to a detonating cord (62) that passes through a booster device (10), i.e., to prevent the detonating cord (62) from directly initiating or fracturing the booster (10). The base fixture (40) includes input lead-retaining means for disposing the input lead (47) of a detonator (44) in signal transfer relation to the detonating cord (62). Optionally, the slider (36) has a detonator retainer (38) for carrying the detonator (44) on the slider (36). Preferably, the detonator retainer (38) is able to hold detonators of various lengths in proper position to initiate the booster device (10). By disposing the shielding tube (42) on the slider (36) a booster device (10) can be used with various detonating cords (62) and a slider (36) having a shielding tube (42) suitable for the chosen detonating cord (62) can be inserted into the booster device (10).

Abstract: A connector device (10) for disposing a detonator (12) in signal transfer relation with a signal-receiving line (30) receives the detonator (12) in a sleeve member (14). A line-engaging member (24) is connected to the sleeve member (14) and cooperates with sleeve member (14) to define a slot (26) therebetween within which the signal-receiving line (30) is disposed. The slot (26) is dimensioned and configured to dispose the signal-receiving line (30) therein in an undulate configuration. The device (10) may be used alone or in conjunction with a tail connector (56) to secure a donor line (74) in signal transfer relation with the input lead (13) of the detonator (12).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operably connecting electronic devices through a closed container is achieved by securing one end of a laminate connector (28) to a first electronic device, e.g., a fireset circuit (22). Device (22) is placed in a housing (12) which defines a housing closure surface (16). A cover (14a), which defines a cover closure surface (18) dimensioned and configured to engage the housing closure surface (16), is placed on the housing (12) to define a housing-cover joint (20a), and the laminate connector (28) is disposed within the housing-cover joint (20a). The housing-cover joint (20a) is sealed with an adhesive and the second end of the laminate connector (28) is connected to a second electronic device. The thinness of the laminate connector allows it to pass through the housing-cover joint (20a) without significant adverse affect on the seal therein or on the pressure-bearing ability of the housing (12) or the cover (14a).

Abstract: A hydrodynamic fluid film bearing has a stationary retaining member (12) having a cylindrical opening (14) to receive for rotation therein a rotatable shaft (16). The inner surface (20) of the opening (14) is lined by a generally cylindrical-shaped foil assembly (18) comprised of a plurality of foil sub-assemblies (24) each comprised of spring foils (26), contact foils (30) and, optionally, inner foils (32). Each foil sub-assembly (24) subtends a rotational segment, less than all, of the inner surface (20), e.g., from about 45 degrees to 120 degrees of rotation. The spring foils (26) and contact foils (30) are affixed to the retaining member (12) in such a way that sliding travel of the spring foils (26) along the inner surface (20) is in the opposite rotational direction of sliding travel of the contact foils (30) along the inner surface (20). The foil sub-assemblies (24) may be affixed to the retaining member (12) by means of keyways (22a-22e) within which the foil sub-assemblies (24) are mounted.

Abstract: An isolation member (34) for use in a non-electric detonator cap (10) has an interior passageway (40) extending therethrough and defining a positioning region (44) and a discharge port (56). Positioning region (44) provides a series of interior shoulders (46), (48) and an entry shoulder (52) respectively sized to receive and seat therein signal transmission lines of different outside diameters, thereby longitudinally orienting and spacing the signal-emitting end (30a) from the receptor charge (14). The isolation member (34) is preferably made of a semi-conductive material to bleed off to the shell (12) any static electricity charges transmitted through the signal transmission line (shock tube 30) so as to prevent static discharge initiation of the receptor charge (14).

Abstract: A programmable timer circuit (18) includes a counter (22) that contains a plurality of sequentially arranged counter stages (22a, 22b). A toggle logic gate (25) is disposed between each sequential pair of counter stages to accept the output signal from the preceding stage and to issue an input signal to the succeeding counter stage. The logic state of the input signal is determined by the logic state of the preceding output signal and the logic state of a program stage signal from an associated program stage. The logic state of the program signal is determined by the state of a fuse (F) associated with the program stage. Selected fuses can be blown by a programming routine to adjust the time delay between the initiation signal and issuance of the output signal. This sets the counter stages at power-up to a predetermined logic state in which the output signal will be produced with a predetermined time delay when the initiation signal is applied to the integrated circuit.

Abstract: An accessory charge (20) for mounting on a booster explosive device (10) is preferably of toroidal configuration including a hub opening (29) dimensioned and configured to engage the accessory charge (20) with the booster device (10). The booster device (10) may have exterior threads (32) which are engaged by the interior threads (34) of the accessory charge (20). The outer peripheral surface (26) of the accessory charge (20) may be concave in cross section so that the accessory charge (20) comprises a shaped charge facing radially outwardly thereof. The accessory charge (20) may be combined with the booster device (10) to provide a charge assembly (30).

Abstract: A signal transmission fuse (10, 20) such as shock tube has an outside diameter (OD) not greater than about 2.380 mm (0.0937 inch), for example, a tube outside diameter (OD) of from about 0.397 to 2.380 mm (about 0.0156 to 0.0937 inch), and the ratio of the inside diameter (ID) of the tube to the radial thickness of the tube wall (T) is from about 0.18 to 2.5. The inside diameter (ID) of the tube may be from about 0.198 to 1.321 mm (about 0.0078 to 0.0520 inch). The powder surface density of the reactive material contained within the bore (16, 30) of the fuse (10, 20) may, but need not, be significantly less than that which the prior art considers to be a minimum acceptable powder surface density.

Abstract: A universal joint comparable in construction to a ball and socket joint in that it comprises a ball member (14) attached to a first shaft (10) and a socket member (16) attached to a second shaft (18), wherein the ball member (14) and the socket member (16) are both equipped with slots (A.sub.b, B.sub.b ; A.sub.s B.sub.s) at their adjoining slotted surfaces and are disposed so that the slots at least partially overlap to form pin passageways. A pin (22a, 24a) is disposed in each pin passageway to transfer rotational motion without variation from one shaft to the other. In preferred embodiments, the ball member and the socket member each have three slots (A.sub.b, B.sub.b, C.sub.b ; A.sub.s, B.sub.s, C.sub.s). In some embodiments, the ball member may be hollow and the pins may be interconnected within the ball member to form a pin mechanism 42. In other embodiments, the ball member may be solid, and there may be a girdle member 26 surrounding the socket member, into which the pins extend.

Abstract: A parting composition for facilitating the release of foodstuffs from cooking utensils contains an edible oil, lecithin, water, a carbonaceous, non-soap fluidizing agent. The water is present in an amount sufficient to partially, but not fully, hydrate the lecithin so as to render the partially hydrated lecithin insoluble in the edible oil. The composition, which may further include a suitable normally gaseous propellant to discharge the composition from a conventional aerosol spray can, provides a substantially clear and smooth spray coating on cooking utensils at ambient temperatures, without the need for ethyl alcohol in the composition. The composition may optionally include conventional modifying agents such as suspending agents, anti-oxidants, preservatives, flavorants, etc. The fluidizing agent, is either a glycerol ester of a fatty acid or a free fatty acid material, fluidizes the lecithin so that if the lecithin settles, it can easily be re-dispersed in the oil.

Abstract: A porous prilled product, particularly ammonium nitrate, and its method of preparation, which includes encapsulated microspheres, particularly polymer microballoons, which serve to reduce the density of the product.The invention also extends to an explosives composition particularly ANFO and heavy ANFO, including such ammonium nitrate of reduced density.

Abstract: An improved detonator includes a housing having an open end and an opposite, closed end and defining an axially-extending channel of the housing. A cushion element containing at least one aperture is disposed within the channel and is provided with a resilient, pliable and shock absorbent surface for contacting and retaining explosive material at the closed end of the detonator housing. The cushion element has a signal communicating membrane covering its at least one aperture for passage therethrough of an initiating signal to the explosive material. A method for assembling the detonator includes inserting explosive material into the axially extending channel of the detonator housing, inserting a cushion element having a signal communicating membrane into the channel, and pressing the cushion element towards the closed end of the housing for compacting the explosive material between the cushion element and the closed end of the housing.

Abstract: Signal transmission devices contain within a housing (12) at least a pair of signal transmission lines, e.g., signal transmission tubes (16, 18) having respective tube ends (16a, 18a) disposed within the housing to provide at least one input tube and at least one output tube. Delay train means (22) are interposed between at least one of the tubes and a detonator charge (20) contained at the closed or active end (12a) of the housing. Alternatively, both the input and output tubes may have a delay train (22', 22'') interposed between it and the detonator charge. In another embodiment, a signal transfer charge (28) may connect the input and output tubes (16'', 18'') in signal transfer relation to each other. In operation, selected delays may be attained between initiation of the detonator charge and one or both of ignition of the delay train means and generation of an output relay signal in the output tube.

Abstract: A liner (30) for a shaped charge (10) has a hemispherical apex and a skirt portion (38) which terminates in a circular skirt edge (40) having a skirt edge diameter (D). The apex (36) has a radius of curvature which is less than the skirt edge diameter (D) and the thickness (Tac) of the liner at the center of the apex (36) is greater than the thickness (Ts) of the liner at the skirt edge (40), with the thickness tapering between the apex and the skirt edge in a smooth, curvilinear transition. The liner (30) may be employed in a shaped charge (10) which includes a shaped explosive (26) which has been compressed to at least 95% of its theoretical maximum density and is contained in a housing (12) and cover (20) made of a pulverable material such as a ceramic.