Abstract: Method and apparatus for etching light-sensitive photopolymerizable surfaces of printing plates. The apparatus includes a bath of etching fluid (32), a conveyor (38,40,42,52) for conveying printing plates (10) in a prescribed path (54), and transducers (46) mounted above the plates as they are conveyed within the bath and capable of forming longitudinal waves in the etching fluid at generally right angles to the surface of the printing plates. The invention is characterized by directing cleaning fluid between the acoustical radiating surface of the transducers (46) and the surface of the plates (10) in such a manner that the surface to be etched is swept with cleaning fluid of a sufficient velocity and volume as to prevent substantial cavitational erosion of the surface to be etched.

Abstract: Apparatus for lifting a cutter track guide or cloth alignment bar extending across the top surface of a cloth cutting table. On each side of the surface there is a section including a supporting frame in fixed relation to the surface, a lifting member near the frame and movable longitudinally, pivotally and substantially perpendicular to the surface, a guiding arrangement carried by the frame and in guiding contact with the lifting member, and a weight balancing arrangement carried by the frame and connected to the lifting member for applying thereto a force substantially equal and opposite to the weight associated with the track or bar acting on the lifting member. A force transmitting and equalizing arrangement includes a belt and pulley combination connected to the frame of each section and associated with each of the lifting members and with the track or bar.

Abstract: In a building block having two spaced supportive parts separated from one another by a quantity of insulating material positioned between the parts, the block supportive parts and insulating material engage one another over relatively large areas so that the engagement therebetween contributes effectively to the structural integrity of the block as a unit. The block insulating material is exposed at such locations around the block that when the block is installed in a block wall construction, the exposed locations are hidden from view by adjacent blocks.

Abstract: An eight-sided container (10) formed from a single blank which can be machine glued, partially manually erected, and fully opened by the insertion of its contents. The container includes eight side panels (12-26) a side glue flap (28), a large octagonal top (34) and a bottom formed of three pairs of flaps (54) being machine glued to an adjacent flap (56). The third pair of flaps (58) are substantially larger than the other pair of flaps and are adapted to overlie and interlock with each other to provide a strong bottom.

Abstract: A ballistic resistant armor panel and a method of constructing the same utilizes a first layer of resin-impregnated fabric, a second layer of flexible woven fabric, a border layer of resin-impregnated fabric bordering the second layer, and a third layer of resin-impregnated fabric. The percentage by weight of resin in the first layer is such that the first layer distributes the impact of a projectile which strikes its surface over a large area of the panel and effectively contributes to the ability of the panel to stop and/or slow the projectile. Furthermore, the second layer of flexible woven fabric is encapsulated by the first, border and third layers. Such a construction minimizes blunt trauma in body armor in which the panel is utilized and preserves the dry ballistic resistance of the woven fabric comprising the second layer. The panel of the invention is particularly well-suited for utilization in a helmet, and a helmet which includes such a panel possesses very good ballistic resistance.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a cylindrical shell divided into upper and lower chambers. A tube bundle may be disposed within the lower chamber, the tube bundle having spaced apart inlet and outlet sides which can be disposed either to one side or the other thereby permitting greater placement of the inlet and outlet ports on the shell. To this end the structure which divides the shell into upper and lower chambers includes a generally horizontal longitudinally extending plate assembly provided with openings to either side of a vertically extending barrier wall used for controlling the flow of air. Longitudinally extending guide bars are secured to the lower surface of the horizontal plate. The tube bundle includes upper and lower longitudinally extending shrouds, each of which is provided with a mounting bracket which extends away from the shroud along a longitudinally extending vertical plane which bisects the center of gravity of the tube bundle.

Abstract: A high efficiency particulate air filter assembly (10) having low air flow resistance. The filter assembly (10) includes a radially pleated filter element (20) having a number of pleats generally equal to 14 times the numerical value of the diameter in inches plus 5 times the numerical value of the diameter divided by the square root of the pleat height, thus ##EQU1## The filter element (22) is mounted within a canister shell (24) having an end face (42) so designed that a negative fit test may be readily performed.

Abstract: A sorbent type filter assembly (10) which is made by sequentially placing a first resilient perforated plate (40), a first retention filter (36), a sorbent bed (34), a second retention filter (38), a second resilient perforated plate (42), and a cover (14) within the cylindrical portion (16) of a canister shell (12). The cover (14) is forced downwardly to compress the sorbent bed (34) and to resiliently spring bias or stress the first resilient perforated plate (40). While the parts are held together under compression, an annular edge portion of the cylindrical shell is rolled into a circumferentially extending groove on the canister cover to hermetically and mechanically hold the parts together in their assembled and compressed relationship.

Abstract: A musical instrument mallet includes an improved arrangement by which the mallet playing head is attached to the mallet shaft. The mallet includes a shaft having handle and head portions, an apertured playing head, and a sleeve with flanges at opposite ends. The sleeve is fixedly attached to the head portion of the shaft and the playing head is tightly retained upon the sleeve between the end flanges. Steps included in making the mallet are forming one sleeve flange, placing the sleeve over the handle head portion, fixing the sleeve to the head portion, placing the playing head over the sleeve and forming the second flange to retain the playing head firmly on the sleeve and handle.

Abstract: A method of employing the thermal energy from essentially limitless sources, such as the ocean or the atmosphere, to produce mechanical work or electricity by power plants wherein; the fluid from the limitless heat source is used to heat the working fluid of a prime mover through a heat exchanger; the effluent cooled fluid from the said heat exchanger may be employed directly or indirectly to extract the exhaust heat of the prime mover; and the said effluent cooled fluid from the said heat exchanger may also be used simultaneously or successively for the conversion of saline water into fresh water, or dirty water into usable water.

Abstract: A fluid coupling assembly which is capable of interconnecting an oil cooler 26 disposed within a radiator header with an oil line 200 or 300 terminating outside of said header. The coupling includes a tubular fitting 204 or 304 which has a first portion brazed about a port 32 in the oil cooler and a second portion which is adapted to be secured to a header wall 37 or 70. The tubular fitting is provided with a bore and the tubular connector end portion 202 or 302 of the oil line is adapted to be telescoped within the bore to an assembled position. A seal 206 or 306 is mounted within the bore. Coupler means 208 or 308 are provided for holding the tubular fitting and the tubular connector end portion in their assembled position, the coupler means including a radially outwardly extending surface 246 or 346 on the tubular connector end portion and a spring wire clip 248 or 348 received within a groove 242 or 342 on the tubular fitting.

Abstract: A balloon target game apparatus including an inflated balloon and a throwable article for throwing at the inflated balloon utilizes a grit-covered, abrasive surface for bursting the balloon upon contact with the balloon when the balloon is struck by the throwable article. In one aspect of the invention, the abrasive surface is defined by a surface of the throwable article. In another aspect of the invention, the game apparatus includes a backing article, and the abrasive surface is defined by a surface of the backing article. The backing article is positionable in relationship to the inflated balloon so that when the balloon is struck by the throwable article, the balloon is moved into contact with the abrasive surface.

Abstract: An effluent receiver 32 associated with a mask 12 of the type provided with a face portion 22 adapted to be spaced away from the face of the wearer to provide a breathing cavity 26 between the wearer's face and mask. Sealing means 24 associated with the face portion 22 provides a seal to prevent the ingress or egress of gases into or out of the breathing cavity 26. The effluent receiver 32 can be readily assembled to the face protion and is normally associated with a one way valve 42 which prevents the backflow of effluents and/or ambient gases from the receiver 32 to the mask. The parts are so designed that the effluent receiver can be readily assembled. The overall design provides protection for the wearer from ambient gases while permitting a controlled elimination of effluents.

Abstract: A beam member for use in a suspended ceiling system for retaining removable panel sections includes at each longitudinal end an integral tongue and a tongue-receiving recess for joining the beam member in end-to-end relationship with another beam member having an end of corresponding configuration. The tongue is characterized by inwardly diverging sidewalls, and an outwardly offset and a rearwardly extending detent. The detent has an edge defining a circular arc, and the recess includes an arcuate central portion for abutting the edge of the arcuate detent of another beam member when the beam members are joined and outwardly diverging sidewalls. Interlocked tongues of such configuration are capable of withstanding large tensile separating forces.

Abstract: A pool entrance and supporting structure which will both provide an entrance or exit from an above-ground pool and will also provide a support for both a skimmer and a return. The pool entrance and supporting structure (40) includes an entrance structure (42). The entrance structure includes a pair of spaced apart ladders (44, 46) and a platform (48) which extends between upper end portions of the ladders. The pool entrance and supporting structure (40) further includes skimmer support means (50) and return support means (52).By employing the novel pool entrance and supporting structure of this invention improved circulation is achieved within the pool reducing the need for vacuuming, chemicals, and filtering. In addition, the problems encountered with through wall skimmers and returns will be eliminated. Additionally, it will be easier to winterize the pool as the skimmer and return can readily be removed from the pool and stored in an area which will not subject the various components to freezing.

Abstract: An expansion joint of the bellows type for installation between the end portions of two aligned pipes utilizes two stop members within the bellows being movable relative to one another and each being supported by opposite end portions of the joint for limiting the axial extension of the joint. Each stop member includes a tubular sleeve being fixed at one end to a respective end portion of the joint and a ring at the sleeve end opposite its attached end. When the joint extends axially a predetermined amount, the rings engage one another and prevent any further joint extension.

Abstract: A data processing system comprising an active and intelligent main store including a main memory, a main store controller for accessing the main memory in a manner allowing different address and data structures, and a main store bus connected to the controller. At least one processor of a first type is connected to the main store bus, this being an auxiliary processor for performing input-output and other operations. At least one processor of a second type also is connected to the main store bus, this being an execution processor for fetching, decoding and executing instructions. All or some of either or both of the auxiliary processors and execution processors may be different. A supervisory processor for initiating configuring and monitoring the system is connected to the main store bus. A communication bus is connected to the processors of the first and second types and to the supervisory processor. A diagnostic bus connects the supervisory processor to each of the processors of the first and second types.

Abstract: A furniture construction for seating use which includes a rigid frame and a plurality of removable, hollow, generally rectangular members adapted to be slipped over the arm and back portions of the frame to permit quick and inexpensive removal and replacement of soiled or damaged members. Additionally, the furniture includes easily removable and replaceable front cover panels.