Abstract: Launchers of the type that are extensible when readied for use contain projectiles the efficiency of the propellants of which varies directly with their temperature. Prior to the extension of such launchers, they are water resistant and their interiors are thermally insulated and when extended, the rear and front sights become erected. The front sight, prior to launcher extension includes a sight housing in support of a sighting member having a central sighting post. One end of the sight housing is pivotally connected to the interior of the launcher housing and is under the influence of an erecting spring. The sight housing has a slideway extending to an opening through its free end and intersecting a lengthwise chamber in the sight housing.

Abstract: Launchers of the type that are extensible when readied for use contain projectiles the efficiency of the propellants of which varies directly with their temperature. Prior to the extension of such launchers, they are water tight and their interiors are thermally insulated and when extended, the rear and front sights become erected.The front sight, prior to launcher extension is within and thermally insulated by a housing sealed to the launcher and having a chamber in which one end of a bimetallic element is anchored. Above the chamber, the sight housing slidably supports for vertical movement a sighting member having a sighting post and a depending supporting post extending into the chamber and is there connected to the other end of the element.

Abstract: A domestic trash compactor is provided with electromechanical means operable on a predetermined stroke of its compacting head to control a circuit, in the disclosed embodiment, a signal circuit providing a warning that the compacted trash in the receiver should be inspected.

Abstract: A trash compactor has a compacting head supported by two sets of links, each set having a pair of links pivotally interconnected by a member common to both pairs and spacing the two sets of links apart. Corresponding ends of the links are pivotally connected to the head and means connect the other ends of the links to the compactor in a manner enabling the linkage to be unfolded to extend the head into a compacting position or retracted therefrom. Vertical screws, rotated by a reversible drive are threaded through the pivot member to effect such folding and unfolding of the linkage. The ends of the pivot member are within vertical guides and the linkage includes stabilizing links connected to the head.

Abstract: The trash compactor has a throat above the chamber in which the trash receiving unit is located. The trash receiving unit consists of a pan and a container, both dimensioned so that their walls are shielded by the throat. The pan fits the chamber with its walls spaced from the walls of the housing and receives a trash bag within it. The container is open at the top and bottom with its walls upwardly and inwardly tapering with its lower end fitting within the bag and holding it bottomed against the pan. Both the pan and the container are of a plastic having a good memory and they are detachably interconnected. A carrying strap enables the unit or the pan with the bag therein and with the container removed, to be carried to a pick-up or disposal site.

Abstract: A trash compactor has a trash compacting head supported by linkage of a type that can be unfolded to extend it and folded to retract it. The linkage consists of first and second sets of links connected to the head in a spaced apart relationship. A pair of parallel, laterally spaced operating members are connected to the linkage and are operable to fold and unfold the linkage to raise the compacting head into its inoperative position or to force it downwardly into an operative position. A reversible drive supported by the structure includes means connecting it to the operating members and is operable to effect their movement in the same direction and to the same extent in both linkage folding and linkage unfolding directions, in the latter direction, even if the resistance to the head is unequal in the direction defined by the connection of the two sets of links with the compacting head.