Abstract: A ball/roller-lock cable tie for holding an article or group of articles together in a bundle including a elongate strap body capable of being deformed to encompass the article or group of articles; a locking head disposed adjacent one end of the strap body for receiving a second end of the strap body; and a ball or cylindrical pin, positioned within the locking head, for lockingly engaging the second end of the strap body. The tie further includes a strap body extension attached to and extending from the locking head such that the extension is sandwiched between the article or articles being bundled and the second end of the strap body upon insertion into the locking head.

Abstract: An electrical switch with connector interlock apparatus having a reusable clip-on anti-vibration retaining clip assembly used to retain the spring biased operating member in the "on" position for high vibration application. In heavy high vibration environments, the clip assembly prevents the pushrod/operating member from vibrating out and tripping the circuit breaker. The clip assembly includes a clip preferably formed from 16 gauge pre-galvanized steel. One end of the clip is generally U-shaped to Fit into a groove formed in a bushing mounted in the wall. The opposite end of the clip extends over and engages the knob of the operating member thereby acting as the stop for the pushrod knob. With a plug inserted into the module, the pushrod must be pushed in to a second position in order to actuate the circuit breaker thereby compressing a pushrod spring. This results in stored energy in the spring.

Abstract: A card edge type electrical connector including dual-beam ground contacts each having splayed pre-loaded tips and a realignment twist enabling a plurality of such contacts to be gang inserted into the insulator housing of the connector. To adjust the pitch of the pre-loaded tips, a predetermined twist is added to the bottom of the contacts during the stamping operation which re-aligns the tips with the correct contact receiving apertures. The re-alignment twist disappears once the contact(s) are fully seated in the insulator housing, thus allowing the pre-loaded tips to reach their ultimate position within the insulator housing relative other adjacent contacts.

Abstract: A one piece integrally formed liquid tight connection or "whip" assembly for electrically interconnecting electrical appliances, such as air conditioning units, hot tubs, swimming pools and outdoor lighting fixtures, to one another and/or to a power source junction box or control box. The connection assembly includes a flexible tubular conduit, preferably constructed from a composite of full rigid PVC and flexible plasticized PVC, having first and second end portions and an outer surface with a plurality of surface irregularities. A pair of end fittings are integrally attached to the first and second end portions of the tubular conduit, respectively, using either a solvent welding or temperature welding technique. When using the solvent technique, the plurality of surface irregularities operate to hold additional localized amounts of solvent which further reacts with the plastic in the end fittings and conduit to yield a superior weld.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting optimum protein crystallization conditions and for growing protein crystals in either 1g or microgravity environments comprising a housing defining at least one pair of chambers for containing crystallization solutions. The housing further defines an orifice therein for providing fluid communication between the chambers. The orifice is adapted to receive a tube which contains a gelling substance for limiting the rate of diffusive mixing of the crystallization solutions. The solutions are diffusively mixed over a period of time defined by the quantity of gelling substance sufficient to achieve equilibration and to substantially reduce density driven convection disturbances therein.The device further includes endcaps to seal the first and second chambers. One of the endcaps includes a dialysis chamber which contains protein solution in which protein crystals are grown.

Abstract: An ampoule failure system for use in material processing furnaces comprising a containment cartridge and an ampoule failure sensor. The containment cartridge contains an ampoule of toxic material therein and is positioned within a furnace for processing. An ampoule failure probe is positioned in the containment cartridge adjacent the ampoule for detecting a potential harmful release of toxic material therefrom during processing. The failure probe is spaced a predetermined distance from the ampoule and is chemically chosen so as to undergo a timely chemical reaction with the toxic material upon the harmful release thereof.The ampoule failure system further comprises a data acquisition system which is positioned externally of the furnace and is electrically connected to the ampoule failure probe so as to form a communicating electrical circuit. The data acquisition system includes an automatic shutdown device for shutting down the furnace upon the harmful release of toxic material.