Abstract: An overdrive attachment of the type employing an epicyclic gear train features an improved arrangement for selectively providing direct drive and overdrive connections between the input and output drive shafts of the attachment.

Abstract: A mechanism for use in counterbalancing the weight of a lid or closure incident to movements thereof between closed and open portions is in the form of a spring pressurized, hydraulic piston-cylinder arrangement. The mechanism preferably includes means providing hydraulic damping characteristics for both the fully extended and contracted conditions of the mechanism.

Abstract: A pair of guide wheels (6) for a hand held abrading device (1) of the endless abrasive belt (2) variety for preventing slewing, side slipping and gouging of the surface of a workpiece (8) when a raised imperfection (9) such as a weld bead is abraded to be flush with the surface (10). The guide wheels (6), mounted on the axle (5) of the contact wheel (3) of the device, are circumferentially adjustable to compensate for different radial dimensions of the sum of the thickness of the abrasive belt and the radius of the guide wheel and include a resilient tire guide ring (11) and a circumferentially round guide surface (12) having different radii at different lateral positions.

Abstract: A hand tool useful for shifting snow or other flake or granular material is disclosed. The device resembles a conventional metal rake with a blade attached to the ends of the tines. Alternating tines or strips are deflected in opposite directions and are fastened to the blade so as to form a construction which lends stiffness to the tool.

Abstract: An adapter is disclosed for use in playing reel-to-reel magnetic tapes on a conventional tape cartridge player. The adapter includes a mounting portion whose configuration is generally complimentary to the configuration of a conventional tape cartridge and adapted to be inserted into a tape cartridge receiving recess of the player in place of such tape cartridge; and a supporting portion adapted to support a pair of tape reel mounting spindles. The mounting portion is designed and the reels are driven in a manner permitting the reels to alternatively function as supply and take-up reels incident to inversions of the mounting portion when inserted within the recess of the player.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle skid support includes a pair of skids suspended beneath a vehicle in an operative position in which they are disposed slightly above a road surface, when tires of the vehicle are properly inflated, and adapted for movement in fore and aft directions relative to the direction of vehicle travel. The skids are individually fixed against rearwardly directed movement by a link chain, and resiliently constrained against forwardly directed movements by a coil spring.

Abstract: In a load system which involves a powered chain hoist wherein raising or lowering of a load is effected by a rotating drive sprocket over which the chain is trained, the amplitude of motion due to resonant response of the load system as a consequence of coincidence between the natural frequency of the load system and the frequency of oscillatory excitation produced by the chain/sprocket drive is significantly reduced by providing an energy dissipation device in series with the load. This device involves a spring mechanism which permits a limited motion at the resonant condition, in combination with a controlled damping factor. The spring compliance of the device normally will lie in the range of about 1/2-3 times the spring compliance of the active length of the chain at the resonant condition and the relation between the spring rate of the device and the effective damping factor is perferably such that the spring rate divided by the damping factor will be at least about 0.006 seconds.

Abstract: A skirt-like device attached to the exit end of a rocket engine nozzle is fabricated of thin sheet heat resistant metal; which when extended in operative condition is in frustoconical form, but which prior to engine firing is pleat-folded inwardly into a stowed position relative to the exit end of the rocket engine nozzle. Thus, prior to engine firing the device adds little or nothing to the engine/nozzle occupancy space; but incident to engine firing the device deploys to provide an effective engine nozzle/skirt combination of increased length and exit diameter/area; such combination having an inner surface of constant slope.

Abstract: A shade roller assembly features a roller having a tubular end portion formed with a plurality of circumferentially extending lines of weakness serving to define a plurality of ring elements, which may be selectively torn from the tubular end portion when desired to decrease the overall length of the assembly.

Abstract: A rapidly reversible air propeller shroud system is provided for operating an air cushion vehicle more efficiently both in forward and reverse direction travel and maneuvering modes. The shroud includes a sectionally rigid portion of aerodynamically efficient form for operating the vehicle in one direction of travel; and in combination therewith an otherwise inoperative inflatable collar which may be rapidly inflated to expand so as to modify the aerodynamic characteristics of the shroud for operation of the propeller efficiently in reverse direction thrust mode.

Abstract: A two coin operated lock unit for effecting locking of a cabinet door, the improvement featuring the utilization of an improved coin selector mechanism adapted for adjustment to accommodate coins of differing denominations and for permitting free discharge of coins from the lock unit when of a diameter smaller than the diameter of a coin of a given denomination for which the selector mechanism is set, regardless of whether such coins are deposited before or after a first deposited coin of such given denomination.

Abstract: A bent wire link type chain wear inspection apparatus for measuring the section thickness of a chain link to determine the limit of permissible wear thereof comprising a device (1) having a plurality of slots (5-14) therein uniquely identified with respect to chain size and used to establish the continued serviceability of chains from a wear standpoint. Each of the slots has an opening smaller than the identified chain size and which is preferably equal to the minimum acceptable link section size. Acceptable chain links are therefore excluded from fitting into the opening whereas worn chain links which have been worn to a degree which equals or exceeds the limit of permissible wear slide into the opening thereby indicating that the chain should be removed from service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a superplastic metal sheet features the utilization of a plunger movable within a chamber filled with finely divided particulate material to create a column of material arranged to bear against the metal sheet and effect mold forming thereof within a mold cavity heated to required superplastic forming temperature. The material additionally aids in minimizing loss of heat from the mold cavity and insures against non-uniform heating of the metal sheet.

Abstract: A hoist brake unit having a shading coil mechanically locked into the core of the brake unit's electromagnet. The mechanical lock is achieved by passing the coil through a cavity in the core having intervening core material between the cavity and an external surface of the core.

Abstract: A conveyor system adapted to receive a random flow of discrete items from a plurality of sources at its infeed end and to discharge an evenly distributed flow of items to a multiplicity of stations at an output end. Provision is made for skipping one of the multiplicity of stations if it is not capable of accepting additional items. Provision is also made for avoiding interruptions of the flow of distributed items when the inflow of items from one of the plurality of sources is interrupted.

Abstract: A window shade in combination with a slat made easily adjustable in length by the inclusion of regularly spaced transverse lines of weakness in the ends thereof. The window shade slat preferably consists of a flattened, convolutely or spirally wound, thickwalled, small diameter paper tube.

Abstract: A conveyor with laterally deflectable article transporting pallets is disclosed in which the pallets are mounted on a carriage-like structure having wheels which run in and are guided by heavy duty channels.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing fiber material to chip form including an anvil assembly defining an anvil bearing surface of generally U-shaped configuration having leg portions joined by a connecting portion, at least one knife blade and carrier means for moving the knife blade in surface-to-surface bearing engagement with the anvil bearing surface in a direction extending from adjacent the ends of the leg portions towards the connecting portion to effect cutting or severing of the material into chip form.

Abstract: A filing system features a novel compressor in combination with a three rod filing tray. The compressor includes a first compressor part having a first bearing means adapted to releasably engage a centralmost of the rods and mounting an anti-tilt bar removably disposed above and to bridge across the rods; a second compressor part pivotally connected to the first compressor part and having a second bearing means normally biased for engagement with the centralmost rod for releasably retaining the compressor in desired position lengthwise of the rods. The compressor parts may be employed to alternately engage with file material arranged adjacent front and rear ends of the tray.

Abstract: In a two coin operated lock unit having a coin operated patron key lock adapted to effect locking of a cabinet door, the improvement featuring the utilization of a coin selector adapted to adjustably accommodate the lock for operation by coins of differing denomination.