Abstract: An air control damper assembly for mounting in an air duct comprising a damper blade pivotally mounted within the air duct and means for rotating the damper blade from an open position to a close position. A drive system rotates the damper blade such that the system exerts a high torque and low speed at the beginning and end of the rotation of the blade from one position to the other and a low torque and high speed in the middle of the rotation of the blade between positions. The damper blade is locked in the open and close positions by means of a motor and gear unit. Electrical switches interfacing with a drive disk in the drive system partially controls the energization of the motor.

Abstract: A automatic locking and unlocking device for effecting the locking engagement of a lock stud within a stud receiving fixture. The lock device of the present invention is adapted for locking a movable closure member relative to a stationary member, such as a vending machine door to a cabinet, and provides a quick open and quick close locking feature. The locking device includes a lock stud fitted with a t-handle at its outer end, and a nose portion inner end, the nose portion having a pair of opposed pin engagement ledges formed therein adjacent the nose portion, and provided with male threads positioned adjacent to and forwardly of the pin engagement ledges. The stationary member is provided with a stud receiving lock housing which contains a stationary cam sleeve, a rotatable cam sleeve which reciprocates relative to the stationary cam sleeve, and a coupling which is positioned anteriorly of the rotatable cam sleeve.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for determining the proper sealing of a hermetically sealed package. The method consists of the steps of providing a pressure source for effecting a movement of air mass, providing an enclosable vacuum chamber suitable for accommodating a hermetically sealed package therein being enclosable in sealing tight engagement. An air flow path is provided from the vacuum chamber to the pressure source, the air flow path having a valve interposed to isolate the vacuum chamber from the pressure source. The air flow path is provided with a mass flow transducer and a pressure differential measuring device. A hermetically sealed package is placed in the vacuum chamber and by activating the isolating valve to connect the vacuum chamber to the source of pressure, a flow of gas is effected through the air flow path activating the pressure differential measuring device to determine the rate of mass flow of gas through the mass flow transducer as a function of time.

Abstract: A hybrid metal/composite spinner cone used in aircraft applications. The spinner cone has a metal outer shell which is bonded during the molding process to an inner structural member of thermoplastic composite. The metal shell imparts several desirable characteristics to the spinner cone such as impact resistance, erosion resistance, appearance, and supplying a lightning strike material to protect the composite structure. The thermoplastic composite has significant property advantages over metal or thermoset systems. The hybrid metal/composite spinner cone is manufactured using a ceramic mold which is less expensive and more readily available than a steel mold. The metal shell provides a barrier between the thermoplastic composite and the ceramic mold and allows the finished spinner cone to be easily released from the mold.

Abstract: An improved bulkhead assembly intended for use in connection with the transportation of materials on a flat rack container, and an improved material transport system employing such bulkhead assembly is shown. The improved material transport system is of the type which includes a flat rack container having at least one open ended rail mounted on the flat rack which includes at least a pair of opposed flat bars mounted in spaced apart relation extending along the lengh of the rack container. The improved bulkhead assembly is formed by a base including an upper plate which rides along the upper support surface of the rail, and a lower locking plate adapted for riding along the lower surface of the rail. Devices are interposed between the upper plate and the lower locking plate for lockingly engaging the base onto the rail at any fixed position along the length thereof.

Abstract: A utility tray for supporting medical paraphernalia and guiding hollow tubing which is adapted for mounting to an upstanding vertical pole used for supporting intravenous solution containers. The tray has a plurality of varying diameter circular openings for receiving and supporting cylindrical objects. A clamp along one edge of the tray is used to attach the tray to the upstanding vertical pole. Slots cut along an edge of the tray have a gradually diminishing width to receive hollow tubing. By pushing the tubing into the slot, the flow of fluids through the tubing is stopped. Tube guides also cut along the perimeter edge of the tray are used to keep several tubes from becoming intertwined.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an automatic locking device for effecting the locking engagement of a lock stud within a stud receiving fixture adapted for locking two complimentary structures together formed by a lock mechanism of the type provided with a lock stud mounted on one of the complimentary structures, the lock stud having a predetermined diametric dimension and threaded along the exposed end thereof, the outer exposed end being terminating in a nose portion which has a diametric dimension slightly in excess of the diametric dimension of the lock stud. A stud receiving locking means is mounted on the opposed complimentary structure and in substantial linear alignment with the lock mechanism. The stud receiving locking means is provided with at least two movable members being normally biasingly urged together and having an apreture formed by the members diametrically sized to be complimentary with the diametric dimension of the lock stud when the members are in the rest position.

Abstract: A hanger for use in suspending articles from an overhead suspended ceiling in which the ceiling comprises beams and ceiling panels. The beams may be T-shaped supports or L-brackets. In one embodiment, the hanger has a horizontal portion which is supported by the beam and two vertical projections. One of the vertical projections engages the edge of the ceiling panels and the other receives the object which is to be suspended. An installation tool holds the hanger while lifting the ceiling panels up and away from the beams. After the hanger is placed in position on the beam, the ceiling panel is dropped in place and locks the hanger between the edge of the ceiling panel and the beam. In an alternate embodiment the hanger is provided with clips which engage the T-shaped beam when the hanger is rotated.

Abstract: There is disclosed a variable tip writing instrument for imprinting characters, lines or segments of lines of variable diametric dimensions, to be used manually or incorporated into the designs of computer related printers, plotters, or typewriter devices with computerized controls, the writing instrument being of the type having a storage end and a writing end opposed from the storage end, and a barrel adapted to contain a supply of ink which is in communication with the writing tip, formed by a writing tip positioned at the writing end of the instrument, the writing tip having an expandable diameter thereby to vary between the smallest diametric dimension and the largest diametric dimension thereof, and control means associated with the writing tip having a control end in operative relationship with the writing tip and an opposed manipulative end positioned along the length of the instrument and adapted to permit the manipulative control of the writing tip to control the diametric dimension of the writing t

Abstract: A portable exercise device for exercising and strengthening a user's arm and leg muscles which utilizes a spring mechanism connected to an adjustable lever arm which the user must pivot in the exercise routine. The adjustable lever arm is connected at a pivot point to a support bar which is designed to rest against the back of the user's triceps. A shoulder harness extends from the top of the elongated support bar and supports the device on the user's shoulder. There is a hand grip at the end of the shoulder harness to be grasped by the user's hand on the non-exercising arm. At the end of the adjustable lever arm opposite the pivot connection is a hand grip which is grasped by the user and pulled on in the exercise routine. The spring applies the counter force to the adjustable lever arm and is the force which the user must overcome during exercising the muscles. With a leg strap the device can be strapped to the top of the user's leg between the hip and knee.

Abstract: A coupling device for connecting a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle in which the towed vehicle has a towing bar. There is a telescopic arm received within the towing bar with an end of the telescopic arm pivotally connected to an articulating arm. The other end of the articulating arm has mounted to it a trailer hitch adapted for connection to a trailer hitch ball. There is an anti-pivot collar which encircles the point where the telescopic arm and the articlulating arm are pivotally connected. By selectively extending the telescopic arm and moving the anti-pivot collar to permit articulation between the pivotal and telescopic arms, the coupling device can simplify connection between a towed and towing vehicle. There is further provided locking means for securely locking the coupling device in its locked position.

Abstract: An apparatus for covering the top of a monitoring well with a lockable, weathertight cover which can be easily removed to allow ready access to the monitoring well so that water samples can be taken as desired. The device is positioned over the monitoring well casing in such a manner that when installation is complete, the monitoring well cover is mounted flush and level with the surrounding terrain.

Abstract: A combination lunar and planetary transport having habitable quarters. The space vehicle has a substantially cylindrical body which is divisible into semi-cylindrical halves. There is a collapsible building construction system received within the cylindrical body which has a series of horizontally disposed collapsible floor slabs which stack one on top of the other in a collapsed storage position and assume a spaced parallel relationship when in an open position. Pivotal columns connect the floor slabs to provide for a scissors-like movement between the floor slabs and the pivotal columns. A flexible canopy structure is deployed from the space vehicle and encompasses the opened semi-cylindrical halves and fully erected floor slabs. The canopy is filled with ground regolith to create a radiation shield to protect the inhabitants.

Abstract: A duct type air conditioning system with a variable capacity blower in which the maximum blower capacity is established at initialization of the system at the optimum blower capacity. The optimum capacity is established by varying the capacity of the blower and measuring the air flow volume and air flow noise. The optimum capacity is inputted into the control system through a central thermostat which has a liquid crystal display associated therewith. The system installer interfaces with the control system by a dialog which occurs through the liquid crystal display. The optimum capacity of the blower is stored in a memory device, and the control system variably controls the capacity of the blower so as not to exceed the optimum capacity.