Abstract: A photographic mounting system correlates photographs with height by providing a vertically mountable ruler configured to adjustably receive and hold photograph frames at various adjustably selected heights on the ruler. The frames, in turn, hold the photographs, thus allowing placement of the photographs at selected heights on the ruler. Various locking mechanisms are disclosed to secure the frames to the ruler and prevent inadvertent or unauthorized removal. Also disclosed is a virtual equivalent of the physical system, the virtual equivalent having a greater variety of possible modifications and a greater amount of information linked to various growth indicia.

Abstract: A method of installing a belt driven accessory on an internal combustion engine in which consists in an OEM dual alternator installation having two OEM alternator mounting brackets, each bracket configured to receive an alternator. The accessory is attached to an adapter. The adapter is attached, with the accessory attached thereto, to one of the two alternator mounting brackets, in place of an alternator which might have otherwise been attached to said one bracket; and a single drive belt is placed in operative position to drive the accessory attached to one OEM alternator mounting bracket and an alternator attached to the other OEM alternator mounting bracket.

Abstract: A device for preventing access to a nut or bolt fastening a valuable item such as an outboard motor on a boat, a riding lawnmower to a burglar cable, or the like. The device is independent of the nut and bolt, and includes a body that receives the bolt head or nut in a chamber, with the shaft protruding to the exterior where it is threadedly fastened to the valuable item. At a second aperture the chamber receives a flanged plug that prevents access to the head of the bolt. A locking pin threadedly engaged through a third aperture in the body engages an annular indented region on the plug to prevent its removal. A unique head on the locking pin is matched with the same style key to thread and unthread the locking pin from the body. An optional slotted chamber design permits securing of a cable to the nut and bolt combination by including a slot in the body that is occluded by the plug when it is inserted into the chamber and locked by the locking pin.

Abstract: A simple sturdy multiply adjustable hand scraper has a knurled cross handle mounted on a shaft and an obliquely mounted blade on the other end of the shaft, the handle being adjustably set at an angle relative to the blade.

Abstract: A simple sturdy needlework stand, preferably metallic. The stand comprises a base, a leg projecting upwardly from the base, a horizontal arm cantilevered from and attached to the leg, a spring connected to the arm and leg for yieldably resisting downward movement of the arm relative to the leg, and a workpiece attachment adapter at an outer end of the arm.

Abstract: A copper based alloy and method for the manufacture thereof having improved properties. The copper alloy contains iron and zirconium with the iron being present as a uniformly dispersed second phase of the dispersoids. The dispersoids have a mean particle size of from about 0.1 micron to about 1.0 micron. The iron is present in the amount of from about 0.25 to about 5.0% by weight.

Abstract: An industrial gun which has an autofire mechanism which automatically pulls its own trigger in response to continued movement of a breech closing handle in the closing direction and the method of use of such a gun.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the casting of metal onto a moving horizontal surface in which the solidification of the casting occurs from the top to the bottom. The surface on which the metal is cast comprises a material having a low thermal conductivity of 10 or less watts/meter.degree. Kelvin. If desired, the casting may be cooled by cooling the top of the casting at a point downstream of the feeding system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming and attaching a preform to a metallic workpiece, particularly an epoxy preform for use in electronic packages. The epoxy preform is stamped from a strip and maintained in an upper die assembly. The metallic workpiece is indexed underneath the upper die assembly whereupon the epoxy preform is deposited onto the metallic workpiece and the metallic workpiece removed from underneath the upper die assembly.

Abstract: A unitary propellant charge module for use in separate ammunition comprises a combustible container having a generally hollow cylindrical shape, a generally cylindrical charge body of interconnected compacted spheroidal propellant grains disposed within the container, each of the grains having an uncompacted propellant grain diameter of at least 100 mils, and at least one generally tubular center core igniter body of interconnected compacted spheroidal propellant grains having an unrolled grain size between about 20 to less than 100 mils in diameter. The igniter body is disposed within a central bore extending along the longitudinal axis of the charge body.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a copper based alloy and the alloy produced thereby having improved mechanical properties. An alloy containing a dispersoid ingredient and a precipitating ingredient are spray cast so that during spray casting the dispersoid ingredient forms a second phase as a uniform dispersion of relatively small dispersoids. After solution treating and aging, the solid state precipitating ingredient precipitates as a third phase of a solid state precipitate.

Abstract: A method of casting metal wherein molten metal is deposited on a moving planar substrate to form a strip thereon. The strip is removed from the moving substrate onto an open mesh support prior to the strip becoming completely solidified throughout its thickness. Ideally, the strip is removed as soon as it forms a solidified shell on its bottom which is thick enough not to fracture under the weight of the remaining molten metal. This arrangement overcomes the problem of cooling the bottom surface of the cast metal due to an air gap forming between a solid supporting substrate and the cast metal.

Abstract: A full metal jacket hollow point bullet is disclosed which has a portion of the jacket extending within the hollow open front end of the bullet. The portion of the jacket in the hollow front end has a plurality of radial slits and reinforced pointed prongs therebetween. A rearwardly extending completely empty blind bore extends from the tips of the prongs axially rearwardly into the bullet core. The base of each of the prongs is reinforced at the mouth of the front end by a fillet on each side between the ogive portion of the jacket and the base of the prong in the hollow front end. These prongs project generally radially outward upon upset of the bullet in soft tissue after passing through barrier materials such as clothing and deer hide.The jacket has a coating of copper oxide on its inner and outer surfaces which bonds the soft lead core to the jacket and minimizes lead wash.

Abstract: A multiple module EFP warhead comprises a tubular body having a central axis with a plurality of explosively formed penetrator modules arranged tandemly within the body along the axis. Each of the modules includes a curved, dish shaped support disk having a unique forwardly convex curvature. The support disk is focused on the axis at a point behind the module. Each module has a set of circumferentially spaced apertures therethrough, each having a central aperture axis intersecting the central axis. Each aperture supports a separate ductile metal disk therein and an explosive charge behind and against the metal disk. Each of the aperture axes forms an acute angle of inclination with the central axis which is uniquely offset from the axes of the other modules so that each EFP travels along a unique forward path.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for propelling a subscaliber penetrator through a gun tube which has a portion of the propellant charge contained in an annular cavity surrounding the sabot is disclosed. The annular cavity is defined by the scoop shaped front bourrelet, the aft bourrelet which has three radially extending support posts and bore riding shoes, and a combustible tubular case extension over the aft bourrelet extending forward to the front bourrelet. The assemlby includes cartridge case having a multistrand ignition system having a plurality of flexible combustible ignition strand. The strands extend through the propellant charge in the case and extend between the posts of the aft bourrelet into the annular cavity to simultaneously ignite the propellant charge contained therein with the portion of the charge in the cartridge case.

Abstract: The cartridge assembly of the present invention comprises two or more combustible cartridge case segments, the front of which is fastened to the projectile assembly and the rear of which contains a primer assembly and a charge of propellant. The two segments are automatically joined together during loading into a gun chamber via velcro rings at a butted interface between the segments. Extending axially throughout each of the segments is a distributed plurality of flexible combustible ignition strands which, when ignited, propagate the ignition flame front at an extremely high rate, on the order of between 3 to 6 thousand feet per second, ensuring virtually simultaneous ignition of the propellant in each segment.

Abstract: An electrothermal-chemical propulsion apparatus and method for propelling a projectile through a gun tube. The apparatus comprises a vaporizable energy coupling device between a projectile and at least one chemical propellant module. Vaporization of the coupling device creates a plasma which augments the gas expansion behind the accelerating projectile at a predetermined time after ignition of the chemical propellant. The coupling device is preferably a pair of concentric extensible sleeves telescopically folded and collapsed behind the projectile, each having one terminal end connected to the rear of the projectile and the other terminal emd connected through the propellant module to electrodes in the breech of the gun and in turn to an electrical power supply.

Abstract: A process for imparting tarnish resistance to copper and copper alloy materials, particularly copper foil. The material is first treated with an acidic chromium-containing solution to deposit chromium ions on said foil. Thereafter the material is treated with a basic zinc ion containing solution to deposit zinc ions thereon. Finally, the material is rinsed in distilled water to remove any residual basic solution.

Abstract: The spray casting of metal wherein an atomized spray of metal droplets is caused to be deposited upon a moving metallic foil substrate. The metallic foil substrate is maintained under tension as it passes in a position to receive the deposit such that thermal distortion is eliminated without causing tensile failure. In the second embodiment, the leading edge of the spray is positioned such that it does not contact the foil whereby the low mass density thereof does not contribute to deposit helping to eliminate bottom porosity.