Abstract: There is provided a moisture-responsive system for protecting the interior of an enclosure such as a motor vehicle which includes an opening; a closure for the opening; a moisture sensor for providing a moisture signal in response to sensing of moisture in excess of a predetermined threshold; a circuit coupled to the closure and the moisture sensor for providing a signal to actuate the closure in response to receipt of a moisture signal and for sensing obstructions of the closure and temporarily terminating the actuation of the closure in response thereto.There is also provided an improved moisture sensor comprising conductive plates separated by and supported on an insulating layer with a raised bulbous portion which extends above the plates to predetermine the amount of moisture necessary to electronically bridge the gap between the conductive plates and therefore the level at which the sensor commences to sense moisture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved wear compensating stem sealing apparatus. The elements thereof include a unitarily formed or separably formed O-ring separator disposed upon a valve stem. A first, or "wiper" O-ring is disposed on the stem in a space provided on the O-ring separator. A second (and in some embodiments, a third) O-ring is disposed about the stem in a similar space on the O-ring separator above the level of the first O-ring. The second and/or third O-ring provide a subsequent sealing of the stem from pressurized fluid migrating upwardly upon wear of the first O-ring. The first O-ring may be made of a material which will wear more rapidly and/or wipe more efficiently than the second and/or third O-ring, or provide less radial squeeze, such that the second and/or third O-ring is subjected to increased compressive pressure from the pressurized fluid upon the wearing of the first O-ring.

Abstract: A hypodermic jet injector includes a resuable, spring-powered gun and a disposable unitary cartridge filled with a substance to be injected. The unitary cartridge has an interrupted flange which cooperates with a shoulder on the gun to releasably affix the cartridge to the end of the gun for use. A predetermined amount of sterile medicament is readily injected from the sterile end of the cartridge without the need to sterilize the gun. This is particularly useful for self-administration of drugs and medicines by the patient.

Abstract: The improvement of the present invention is directed to an endplate which is disposed at the end of a gaseous fuel burner body forming the flame-containing space. Such endplate has a portion which extends substantially above the top edge of the mixing plates. The endplate may have lateral sides which extend beyond the lateral extent of the endplate body to shield and protect the apertures disposed within the longitudinal extent of the mixing plates also to shield the flame on the lateral sides of the mixing plates disposed near the endplate. The endplate improvement of the present invention serves to substantially reduce secondary air from chilling the flame near the end of the burner, and thereby substantially reducing the formation of carbon monoxide, which is formed preferentially to carbon dioxide in reduced temperature flames.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously machining three circumferential surfaces of a circular workpiece. The device includes a frame having a support for securing the workpiece thereto. A center tube rotatably supported by the frame extends into the interior of the circular workpiece and supports diametrically opposed spindle arms. One spindle arm supports a pair of rotatable grinding wheels disposed to grind parallel horizontal surfaces on the workpiece. The other spindle arm supports a rotatable grinding wheel for machining the interior radial surface of the workpiece. The position of the grinding wheels may be accurately controlled by dovetail slides and handwheels. The grinding wheels are rotated with respect to their spindle arms and the center tube is rotated so as to move the grinding wheels about the circumference of the workpiece to simultaneously machine each of the three surfaces of the workpiece.