Abstract: Apparatus for applying connector terminals to a plurality of leads including tensioning means capable of individually tensioning the leads with a predetermined tension, while being gripped and advanced by clamping means for advancing the leads into a terminal. Also, the clamping means may define a forward end which carries a wire guide plate which, in turn, is adapted to be longitudinally slidable back and forth in the direction of advancement, and is spring-biased into an outward position. The leads pass through apertures of the guide plate for precise positioning, relative to the terminal or terminals. The guide plate is thus retractable to permit the free ends of the leads to project into the terminal. Also, a lead-lengthening probe may be provided.

Abstract: An electrical connector for mounting on the edge of a printed circuit board, the connector having a plurality of terminals which engage against electrically conductive contact fingers formed on the printed circuit board adjacent the edge thereof, and the connector being designed to clamp over an edge portion of the circuit board so as to permit a high contact pressure between the connector terminals and the circuit board fingers without requiring a high insertion force to interconnect the connector with the circuit board.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrical backplane comprising providing an initially oversized ground and potential plate, forming discontinuous slots in a staggered relationship near the edges of the top surface of one of the plates and the bottom surface of the other plates, laminating the plates together by filling the slots with insulative material and trimming the edge portions off by cutting through the filled slots and webs connecting the slots whereby exposed backplane edges lie opposite insulation in the slots of the plates.

Abstract: An improved type "E" railway coupler with a top and bottom shelf is provided for reducing the possibility of derailments of railroad cars caused by accidental disengagement of interlocking couplers. The improved coupler has a top planar surface for fixedly carrying the top shelf and has a bottom planar surface for fixedly carrying the bottom shelf. The top shelf includes an upper abutment surface limiting the upward vertical movement of a mating coupler and has a set of downwardly-extending coplanar pads seated upon the top planar surface. The bottom shelf includes a lower abutment surface limiting the bottom vertical movement of a mating coupler and has a set of upwardly-extending coplanar pads positioned against the bottom planar surface.

Abstract: An electrical male connector assembly including a header or male connector having an insulator body member and a plurality of parallel pins which project through opposite sides of the insulator body. The connector includes two separate insulator body members mounted on a common set of parallel pins, and may further include an intermediate mounting member disposed on the same set of pins between the two body members.

Abstract: The disclosed connector has a housing and a terminal interfitted in a channel in the housing, and special exposed jaws are formed on the terminal between which a wire of the type having a conductive core and an insulation overwrap can be forced to establish a mechanically secure and an electrically sound solderless type connection. One pair of jaws are rigid and have cutting and gripping edges that cut through the insulation overwrap to establish electrical contact with the conductive core. These same edges are used to axially restrain the wire relative to the terminal. The second pair of jaws are flexible and have inwardly sloped tabs presenting adjacent edges that are angled transversely of the wire and are spaced apart approximately by the diameter of the insulation overwrap. The wire thus can be forced past the tabs spreading apart the second set of jaws which then spring back and overlie the wire and thereby transversely restrain the wire relative to the terminal.

Abstract: The disclosed shank slot dial has two equi-diameter cylindrical members each having a like plurality of axial notches equally spaced around the circumferential surface of the member. Mating helical thread means formed on the members concentrically of the notched surfaces allow for relative rotation of the members, which adjustably varies the axial spacing between the surfaces for proper support of the shanks to be fixtured in the dial. Keying means in the form of an axial grove on one member and a radially movable set screw on the other member nonrotatably hold the members at selected axial spacings and with the notches longitudinally aligned. The shank components supported in the dial thereby are abutted only at their end sections in corresponding aligned pairs of notches and bridge across at their intermediate sections the spacing between the notched surfaces.

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 comprises 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 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 are driven conjointly from a common drive motor, and the plurality of rotatable reflectors 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: The overall length of boom assembly can be increased by the use of a pair of boom extension sections. When the boom extension sections are not required, they are supported at storage locations adjacent to one side of a main boom assembly. When the overall length of the main boom assembly is to be increased, a first one of the boom extension sections is pivotally connected with the outer end portion of the main boom assembly and the second boom extension section is pivotally connected with the outer end portion of the first boom extension section. The two boom extension sections are swung outwardly together around the outer end of the main boom assembly. After the first boom extension section has been firmly connected with the outer end portion of the main boom assembly, the second boom extension section is pivoted about the outer end portion of the first boom extension section.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is used on a crane to prevent engagement of a block with the outer end portion of a boom. When the block comes within a predetermined distance of the outer end portion of the boom, a detector assembly provides a danger signal. In response to this danger signal, an audio-visual alarm is activated and all control valves which are actuated to a position to cause the block to come in contact with the boom are moved toward to neutral positions. A linkage between a manually actuatable control lever and a control valve for a particular crane function includes a hydraulic cylinder. This cylinder is normally pressurized to a fully extended position, but when a danger signal is received indicating that the block is too close to the boom, the cylinder is retracted. This shortens the linkage and shifts the control valve to a neutral position.

Abstract: A plastic bucket lid is adapted for removable attachment adjacent its periphery to a bucket. The lid defines an annular open depression adjacent its periphery, and, positioned outwardly from the depression, an annular locking slot for receiving and holding the lip of a bucket. In accordance with this invention, radially-positioned reinforcing fins are carried by the lid within the annular, open depression to restrict the flexing of its outer wall. This, in turn, has been found to reduce the tendency of the lid to be knocked off of a bucket upon being dropped or the like. Preferably, an outwardly positioned annular projection is placed in the locking slot which defines an angle of 80.degree. to 100.degree. to the plane of the annular walls defining the locking slot for improved retention of the lid to the bucket.

Abstract: The following specification describes a paint can mold in which a pair of concentric ring members and cores at diametrically opposed positions create concentric mold cavities for forming projecting bushings on the pail, each having a concentric handle bearing. The plastic for forming each bearing and a handle interconnecting the bearings passes through a gate in each ring member. Withdrawal of the ring member severs the plastic in the gate from between the bushing and bearing so that the handle is free to rotate on the bushings. Means are provided to prevent disassembly of the handle from the can.

Abstract: A modular housing assembly for housing a vehicle warning light system and intended for mounting across the roof of a police car or other vehicle on which warning lights are required. The housing comprises a plurality of transparent plastic panels of modular construction, there being provided a plurality of front modular panel sections interconnected in side-by-side relation and a plurality of rear modular panel sections interconnected in side-by-side relation, the front and rear panel sections being connected to one another and to a common base member.

Abstract: A child car seating apparatus and method for assembling the same are disclosed to form a seat to protect a child riding in an automobile from infancy until he is old and large enough to use the automobile seat belts. The child car seating apparatus comprises an outer shell usable in two positions to form either a reclining seat for an infant or an upright seat for a toddler or small child, an infant insert insertable in the outer shell to form a seat for the infant, a shield attachable to the outer shell to form a seat with an impact surface for a toddler, the outer shell, itself, forming a seat for the small child, various belts and straps, and, optionally, a booster to raise the height of the outer shell when used as a seat for the toddler or small child.

Abstract: A stop boss formed on the handle of a pail may be simultaneously molded along with the pail and its handle by means of a pair of pivotable members which have free ends abutting together in a first pivoting position, and which are spaced from each other in a second pivoting position. The free ends cooperatively define between them a mold cavity for forming the stop boss on the rotatable handle. The pivotable members are adapted to occupy their first pivoting position while the mold assemblies close, and to pivot into the second, open pivoting position upon opening of the mold assembly and removal of the molded part to facilitate removal of the stop boss.

Abstract: A pusher bar transfer mechanism supporting the pusher bar on a suspension capable of oscillation in mutually perpendicular planes and guided to move the pusher bar in a transfer of a row of articles with a component of motion parallel to the row and a component transverse thereto in the transfer direction.

Abstract: A portable derail for installation on railway track to prevent a railcar or locomotive from passing beyond a fixed point, thereby protecting workmen and equipment against accidents, the derail being lightweight and portable so a workman can carry it from one location to another, and yet being designed to function effectively under severe loading conditions and resist any tendency to slide along the rail when subjected to impact.