Abstract: The disclosed invention comprises novel prefabricated tunnel sections comprising generally open channel configured, reinforced concrete, opposing lower and upper channel members with mating elements along opposing leg edges of the channel for forming a generally rectangular, tubular, assembled tunnel section having opposite ends with rectangular edges grooved for interlocking engagement with a generally matching, grooved adjacent assembled tunnel sections and containing metal tying plates for holding the sections together in an assembled tunnel. A system is also disclosed for on site assembly of a vehicular tunnel comprising the sections.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved, low profile, lightweight, durable, expandable bicycle stand, which holds one or more bicycles, having a wide variety of tire sizes, securely in an upright position. The device of the invention provides one or more optionally interlocking, unitary hollow bodies having bicycle wheel retaining slots vertically disposed therethrough, which retaining slots are tapered, at one or both distal ends to accept and hold a resilient tire therebetween. The hollow bodies have a filling means, and can be at least partially filled with fluid and/or particulate material to weight the stand and increase its stability.

Abstract: A gasket and method for detecting the status of an installed gasket is disclosed, wherein the gasket comprises a series of protruding projections which vary from a visually detectable, defined direction when installed improperly. This invention has particular utility in manufacturing operations where improper gasket installation is difficult to detect during assembly, particularly in the automotive heat exchanger industry.

Abstract: An improved lacing system for footwear which features a novel flat or rectangular cross section lace, an improved eyelet construction having an essentially straight lace bearing edge which ensures threading of the lace in a flatwise or untwisted manner, a parallel slot frictional engagement means for releasably securing the lace at the toe portion of the footwear and a releasable means for securing the lace at the ankle portion of the footwear.

Abstract: This invention is to an improved method for reducing crevice corrosion in assembly joints of aluminum fluid handling devices, the improvement comprising, providing a series of spaced ribs at the assembly joint configured to intermittently resist engagement of components along an elongated assembly crevice sufficient to segment the crevice into a plurality of minor assembly crevices dimensioned to permit substantial mixing of fluid within the minor crevices with fluid being handled by the device. The invention has particular utility in automotive heat exchangers wherein crevices at joints where polymeric tanks are assembled to aluminum metal headers are susceptible to crevice corrsion.

Abstract: A portable ultrafiltration device is disclosed comprising a prefilter, pump, membrane filter cartridges, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, process interdiction and control means placed to detect temperature and pressure variations of a feed mixture being processed by the device, and means cooperating with said temperature and pressure means to interdict the operation of the device to prevent damage to the components. Provision is also made for an improved feed mixture pick-up tube comprising a sliding gate means for interdicting liquid pick-up from an oil/water feed mixture.

Abstract: Furniture having a top or the like supported for vertical movement by telescopic leg supports is provided with a counterbalance mechanism for exerting a relative uniform counterbalance force on the top throughout its range of vertical movement, a latch mechanism for releasably latching the top in selected vertical positions, and an adjustable roller guide mechanism for coupling telescopic elements of the leg supports.

Abstract: An improve microtomy device is disclosed comprising a microtome and a thermostatically controlled refrigeration means controllable by a microprocessor and accommodated in an instrument cabinet, the improvement comprising, providing an upper part of the instrument cabinet in the form of a movable cover, which cover encloses a slidable transparent pane arranged above the microtome to define an inspection window disposed in a front portion of the cover. The pane is heatable and can be removed from the cover and/or shifted into a rearward portion of the cover to open the inspection window for cleaning purposes. The improved device provides convenient accessibility to the interior of the instrument and improved control of operations.

Abstract: An over center load binder assembly is disclosed comprising a crank member, a clevis type draw bar with leg elements pivotally connected to a first portion of the crank member, a pull link pivotally connected to a second portion of the crank member and a lever handle, pivotally connected to the crank member and comprising a cam surface, radial to the axis of the lever handle pivotal connection, having a maximum lobe swell sufficient to displace the pull link from an alignment between the leg portions of the clevis type draw bar to release the assembly from tension.

Abstract: There is disclosed a marine vessel which is particularly suited for mine hunting operations or the like because of improved survivability characteristics in the presence of multi-directed underwater transmitted excessive shock or vibration forces, such as are generated by a nearby exploding mine or the like. The ship is of the propeller driven type having a propeller shaft driving engine and gearbox unit mounted inboard of the vessel hull upon a rigid sled-like platform which in turn is resiliently supported relative to rigid structure of the vessel by spring means sandwiched therebetween. The spring means are of such nature as to resiliently yield in response to excessive compression, tension, shear or roll forces encountered from any direction. The spring means comprises an array of spaced apart spring devices, and back-up blocks of non-resilient compression-deformable material are provided in association therewith.

Abstract: An automotive condenser is disclosed as having vertically upstanding first and second headers communicating with inlet and outlet connections, respectively, and generally horizontally disposed tubes connected into such headers, wherein the second header is dimensioned to permit refrigerant gas to separate from refrigerant liquid to provide an upper volume of refrigerant gas and a lower volume of refrigerant liquid. The condenser may be provided with at least one horizontally extending subcooling tube placing the lower volume in flow communication with the outlet.

Abstract: A blade sharpener features a blade supporting ramp pivotally adjustable relative to a motor driven abrasive belt for purposes of accommodating the sharpener for use with a wide range of blade widths and shapes. The sharpener incorporates a protractor scale, a ramp scale and a compensating scale adapted for use in measurement of the blade or edge angle of a blade to be sharpened and in setting of the ramp in a desired pivotally adjusted position required to effect proper sharpening of such blade.

Abstract: A mass flow meter probe having an upstream tube and a downstream tube that extends into a main gas flow conduit is disclosed. The sensor for the mass flow measurement is located in the bore of a housing connecting the tubes and by incorporating the sensor into a valve that can block flow between the tubes, the mass flow meter can be calibrated in the field. The probe can be used as differential pressure device for flow measurments, when the valve is closed. A means for cleaning pressure ports is also disclosed.

Abstract: A punch and die system is disclosed as comprising punch and die templets serving to positionally locate punch and die assemblies relative thereto solely adjacent the region at which punching of a workpiece occurs in combination with guide assemblies for positionally locating the punch and die templets one to the other. The punch and die assemblies are designed to utilize interchangeable punch guide and die members and in a preferred construction a punch element is removably attached to its associated driver and shaped to permit opposite ends thereof to be employed in the punching operation. One or more punch elements may be loosely attached to their associated drivers.

Abstract: A punch and die system is disclosed as comprising punch and die templets serving to positionally locate punch and die assemblies relative thereto solely adjacent the region at which punching of a workpiece occurs in combination with guide assemblies for positionally locating the punch and die templets one to the other. The punch and die assemblies are designed to utilize interchangeable punch guide and die members and in a preferred construction a punch element is removably attached to its associated driver and shaped to permit opposite ends thereof to be employed in the punching operation. One or more punch elements may be loosely attached to their associated drivers.