Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle for moving railroad cars and the like. The vehicle may have weight transfer means for increasing its traction by taking weight from a railroad car to one that is coupled. The vehicle defines a first chassis having wheels carried thereby. In accordance with this invention, a second chassis is carried by the first chassis, with the second chassis carrying means for coupling the vehicle to a railroad car or the like, the second chassis being vertically movable relative to the first chassis. Lift cylinders may be positioned between the first and second chassis to control the vertical position of the second chassis for improved coupling characteristics. Also, the second chassis may be horizontally movable along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, with resilient stop means being present for limiting the horizontal motion of the second chassis in a shock-reducing manner.

Abstract: A bucket lid made of flexible plastic defines a gripping channel for receiving the bucket, and an annular inner channel made of the wall of the lid, projecting outwardly relative to an attached bucket. Manual depression of a point of the inner channel with the finger causes the outer wall of the gripping channel to disengage a bucket lip retained in the gripping channel. This permits the lid to be peeled off of the bucket for opening.

Abstract: A gate for a mold comprises a plunger member mounted in the molding compound inlet conduit and adapted to prevent flow through the conduit in a first longitudinal position and to permit flow through the conduit in second longitudinal positions. The plunger defines an enlarged sealing end which is proportioned to prevent flow through the conduit on the first position. The sealing end defines a mold cavity-facing surface which is of larger cross-sectional area than the surface of the plunger opposed to the mold chamber and subject to contact with pressurized molding compound in the compound. The plunger member is longitudinally expansible and contractible so that even though one end may be rigidly mounted in the conduit, the enlarged sealing end is longitudinally movable to open and close the mold gate in a manner purely responsive to pressures therein. Thus, spontaneous gating of a mold may be provided.

Abstract: A plastic bucket having a lip which defines means for engaging a bucket lid in sealing relation. The interior wall of the bucket defines an annular, inwardly projecting ridge spaced from the lip. The ridge extends around the inner circumference of the bucket, and defines an annular, inwardly pointed apex, to provide increased hoop strength to the bucket adjacent to its mouth and to provide an internal brush wiping member within the bucket.

Abstract: A flashing light system for mounting on the roof of a police car or other vehicle where special warning lights are desired. The system includes a plurality of lights preferably arranged side-by-side across the width of the vehicle roof, each of the lights having associated therewith a parabolic reflector or beam-shaping lens which rotates about a vertical axis approximately coaxial with the axis of the corresponding light source thereby creating a flashing effect. The several parabolic reflectors or beam-shaping lenses are driven conjointly from a common drive motor, and the plurality of rotatable reflectors or lenses may be arranged at predetermined angles relative to one another so as to vary the sequence of the light flashes and thus create an unlimited variety of different flashing effects.

Abstract: A multiple wheeled vehicle in which at least some of the wheels are upwardly retractable by rotation of arms carrying the wheels. Hydraulic cylinders control the rotational position of the arms, and movable rods are connected to the hydraulic cylinder means. Coil springs urge the rods toward a position where the hydraulic cylinders and arm means position the wheel in a relatively downward rotational position, so that the retractable wheels may be alternatingly retracted upwardly and lowered downwardly by the hydraulic cylinder means, while also possessing a spring suspension system. Additionally or alternatively, non-retractable rail wheels may be present, being driven by internal, planetary-type, differential axle means defining internal brake means spaced centrally inwardly from the rail wheels by a distance sufficient to avoid damage to the brakes upon derailment.

Abstract: An improved speaker grille for incorporation in the housing of a light/siren assembly of a type which is mounted across the roof of a police car or other emergency vehicle, the improved grille being designed to significantly reduce the drag coefficient of the light/siren assembly due to the unique location of the grille openings.

Abstract: Mussels and related bottom dwelling creatures may be eliminated from an underwater bed by applying to the zone of at least the bottom 2 feet of water above the bed water-soluble sulfite salt such as sodium metabisulfite to substantially deplete dissolved oxygen in the zone. Thereafter, hydrogen sulfide may be directly added to the zone, being stabilized by the absence of oxygen therein the enhance the mussel kill. Thereafter, as fresh water is added to the zone, the hydrogen sulfide and residual sulfites are oxidized to relatively harmless sulfates.

Abstract: An electrically synchronized rotating light system comprising two or more rotating light assemblies each having an associated drive motor, there being in one embodiment a master light unit including a rotating light and drive motor which rotates the light at a predetermined rate, and one or more slave light units each including a rotating light and a slave drive motor, the master and slave units being electrically wired so the speed of rotation and phase of each slave unit is synchronized with the master unit without need for mechanical connections between the units. In another embodiment, two or more slave lights are provided, each having an associated slave drive motor, in combination with a master drive motor not associated with a corresponding light. In a further embodiment, each rotatable light has an associated motor mounted directly on the lampholder for conjoint rotation with the lampholder.

Abstract: A plastic bucket having a lip which defines means for engaging a bucket lid in sealing relation. The interior wall of the bucket defines an annular, inwardly projecting ridge spaced from the lip. The ridge extends around the inner circumference of the bucket, and defines an annular, inwardly pointed apex, to provide increased hoop strength to the bucket adjacent to its mouth and to provide an internal brush wiping member within the bucket.

Abstract: A gate member for admitting plastic material into a mold which comprises a hollow member defining a bore having a longitudinal axis and an inner wall for separating the bore from a mold chamber positioned between mold halves. Aperture means extends through the inner wall, being peripherally spaced from the longitudinal axis and preferably defining an angle of essentially 30.degree. to 60.degree. to the longitudinal axis, diverging outwardly in the direction of the mold chamber. Also, preferably, the inner wall defines a centrally-positioned peak pointing toward the bore and having sloping sides, to assist in directing molten plastic toward the peripherally spaced aperture means. Also, rib means may be provided, pointing inwardly and extending radially from the central portion of the inner wall toward the periphery thereof, to reinforce the inner wall.

Abstract: A gate for a mold comprises a molding compound inlet conduit for communication of molding compound to the mold cavity. A plunger member is slidably mounted adjacent the inlet conduit and adapted to prevent flow through the conduit in a first sliding position and to permit flow through the conduit in a second sliding position. The plunger defines a slidable shaft and an enlarged end proportioned to prevent the flow through the conduit in the first position. The enlarged end defines a mold cavity-facing surface of larger area than the opposed surface on the enlarged end, which opposed surface communicates with the conduit. Accordingly, pressurized molding compound presses against the opposed surface, to spontaneously open the plunger into a second sliding position to admit molding compound to the mold cavity. Upon essential equalization of the pressures in the mold cavity at the conduit, the plunger is spontaneously moved hydrostatically to its first closed sliding position.

Abstract: A collapsible mold core comprises an inner core member defining opposed first and second ends. The inner core member tapers transversely to a reduced diameter from the first to the second end. A plurality of outer core members are attached to the lateral exterior of the inner core member in longitudinally slidable relation to it between first and second sliding positions. The outer core members define first and second ends corresponding in position to the first and second ends of the inner core member, with the outer core members tapering inwardly in transverse dimension from their second to their first ends to provide an opposite taper to that of the inner core member. The mold core is of lesser transverse diameter in the second sliding position than in the first sliding position. This permits the molding of an object such as a straight-walled bucket having an inwardly-projecting lip about the mold core while it occupies the first sliding position.

Abstract: A rotating signal light for use on police cars, ambulances and other vehicles on which a warning light is required, the light being connected with a variable voltage lamp circuit which provides a higher voltage in predetermined rotational positions of the lamp to produce enhanced light in certain directions while providing a lower voltage in other positions of the light to increase lamp life and reduce wattage requirements.

Abstract: A simultaneously molded threaded port and plug may be produced by a mold which comprises a first cavity for receiving molding compound to form a wall, a second cavity for receiving molding compound to form the threaded plug, and rotatable shaft means carrying external thread forming grooves and extending through the first cavity to define the threaded port. The shaft means terminates at the second cavity, with an end portion of the shaft being shaped to form a separable mechanical linkage between the end portion and the plug molded in the second cavity means. The shaft is rotated after molding to withdraw it from the molded, threaded port, and to rotate the molded, threaded plug into the threaded port for sealing thereof.

Abstract: A rotating signal light for use on police cars, ambulances and other vehicles on which a warning light is required, the light being driven at a non-uniform speed of rotation for the purpose of enhancing light intensity in certain predetermined directions and reducing light intensity in other directions.

Abstract: This disclosure teaches structure for mounting a pressure plate relative to its supporting shaft in such a manner that axial forces are transmitted between the shaft and pressure plate while yet providing that the plate can freely rotate and swivel relative to the shaft even at varying angles of tilt. The mounting structure includes a pair of angular contact bearings arranged in back to back relationship, the inner races thereof being confined on the shaft and the outer races thereof being confined within a housing block. The housing block is nonrotatably keyed to the pressure plate and a single ball bearing is mounted between the pressure plate and bearing block in axial alignment with the shaft and with the pressure plate.

Abstract: An improved float pad mounting is disclosed for releasably connecting the float pad to an outrigger lift jack shaft. The lift jack can be activated to move the shaft between a retracted position for outrigger travel and extended positions grounding the float pad for stabilized outrigger support. The float pad has a base of large area and a central hub upstanding from the base. Cooperating hemispherical surfaces are formed between the shaft and the hub which become engaged in the extended positions to transmit the outrigger load to the float pad base. An annular collar surrounds the shaft, and a pin extended through aligned openings in the collar and shaft secures the collar to the shaft at a location slightly above the load transmitting surface. Two closed links are loosely connected to the collar at 180.degree. spacings around the center axis of the shaft, and two lugs are formed on the float pad hub at like 180.degree. spacings around said hub.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving pins into a printed circuit board and the like which comprises: table means for receiving and retaining a board into which the pins are to be driven; magazine means for holding a supply of the pins in a position parallel to the plane of the table, and receiver means, pivotally movable to receive the pin from the magazine means in one pivotal position and to pivot the pin into transverse relation with the table means in a second pivoting position. Loading means are provided for inserting the pins into the receiver means. Means are also provided for moving the receiver means while in the second pivoting position to drive the pin inserted in it into the board.

Abstract: A building heating system includes a plenum for distributing heated air and returning cool air to the heater. In accordance with this invention, additional heat pump means are provided comprising condenser or heat rejecter means positioned in the cold air plenum, heat absorber means which are preferably positioned in the attic of the building underneath the roof and/or in heat exchange relation with warmed gases from a chimney, and conduit and compressor means for providing heat transfer flow communication therebetween.