Abstract: An anesthetic vaporizer comprises a housing having a gas inlet and outlet, a vaporizing chamber, a vaporizing passage for passing carrier gas from the gas inlet to the vaporizing chamber and withdrawing gas enriched with vaporized anesthetic therefrom for passage towards the gas outlet via a flow control valve, a gas bypass passage for passing gas from the gas inlet via a bypass control valve for mixing with anesthetic enriched gas adjacent the gas outlet, wherein the bypass control valve is operated by a Teflon control rod in response to the temperature within the vaporizing chamber. The control rod is physically isolated relative to the vaporizing chamber, but disposed in intimate thermal contact therewith.

Abstract: A post office locker allows for delivery and safe storage until pickup of packages in one or more storage compartments each fitted with an access door provided with a custodian lock under the sole control of a mailman and an access lock adapted to be operated for access door opening purposes by a key supplied by the mailman to an intended recipient of a package. The access lock features an improved latch device arranged to cooperate with the custodian lock for defining two separate latch positions in which the custodian lock is constrained against rotation towards its door locked position.

Abstract: An assembly for connecting a sanding pad or the like to a driver having an axis of rotation, wherein the sanding pad is adapted to undergo free rotational movement about a second axis disposed parallel to the axis of rotation, as such sanding pad is caused to orbit about such axis of rotation. The assembly features a bearing assembly for supporting the sanding pad for rotation about the second axis, wherein an improved seal is provided to prevent ingress of abrasive materials into the bearing assembly during operation of the sanding pad, so as to prolong the useful life of the bearing assembly.

Abstract: There is disclosed for use in a machine for shredding scrap automotive tires or the like of the type comprising a pair of oppositely rotating rotors having interdigitated tire cutting discs keyed thereon and replaceable abrasion resistant wearing plates at opposite sides of said disc, an improved means for locking said plates in operative positions on said discs, whereby worn plates may be replaced by new plates from externally of the rotors without requiring costly disassembly and reassembly thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed a rotary/linear actuator, wherein a power driver rotary component imposes a strain wave upon a flexible sleeve member, which is flexed into screw engagement with a rotationally fixed member for purposes of imparting linear movement to the sleeve member. The extent of linear movement of the sleeve member is preferably controlled by a rotational limit control device associated with the rotary component.

Abstract: There is disclosed a rotary/linear actuator, wherein a flexible sleeve member having a screw thread on its outer surface is arranged to surround a rotary component and a drive motor therefor; the rotary component resiliently deforming the screw thread of the sleeve member outwardly into engagement with an internally threaded outer sleeve member for purposes of imparting linear movement to the sleeve member incident to driven rotations of the rotary component. The actuator incorporates a potentiometer for producing a signal indicative of the position of the sleeve member.

Abstract: A coin holding mechanism is adapted for use in new coin operated lock units and in retrofitting previously installed lock units of the type adapted for "free" service in order to prevent return of a coin deposit to a patron until the lock unit is in a condition wherein a key operated patron lock cannot be placed/returned to locked position in which the key of the patron lock can be removed in the absence of another coin being properly placed on deposit within the lock unit.

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 an dide 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 closely wound, coil type tension spring of one hand having an initial tension exceeding that obtainable by prior spring forming techniques is formed by reverse winding an open-wound compression spring of the opposite hand. Alternative methods and apparatus for forming the tension spring are disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved stern seal construction for air cushion surted operating type marine vessels which consists of an array of inflatable, vertically oriented inverted truncated open-ended cones or fingers. These fingers are individually attached to and mounted to depend in side-by-side relation from the bottom of an inflatable bag which in turn is mounted upon and extends transversely across and below the bottom of the stern end of the vessel's hull. The fingers are arranged in side-by-side pressed together relationship, and thus assume in horizontal section generally rectangular forms. In side view sectional profile the finger and bag contours are so balanced that a minimum load at the bottom ends of the fingers will permit them to raise to allow for passages over rough objects. The front or leading panels of the fingers are stiffened somewhat toward their bottom ends, and are extended under the open bottoms of the fingers beyond their trailing panel portions.

Abstract: A retainer for positionally locating a shoulder strap of a handbag or the like relative to the shoulder of a user includes a base member carrying an adhesive for removably attaching the retainer to the skin on the shoulder of the user and a retainer member arranged to upstand from the base member and provide a recess for receiving the shoulder strap.