Abstract: A quick disconnect system for use in rapidly changing die shoes in a press. The system is adapted for use with a fastener installation head. The system includes a receptacle connected to a supply of fasteners and a power outlet connected to a power means, both mounted in the press, and a fastener plug and power inlet connected to the installation head and mounted in the die shoe. The die shoe is adapted to be mounted adjacent the receptacle and inlet. Upon engagement, fasteners and power are supplied to the installation head. In the preferred embodiment, there are several receptacles located in the press to accommodate any number and location of plugs. In this manner, the die shoes act as a unit and, by fastening a die shoe to the press, fastener supply and power supply are automatically connected to the installation head regardless of the position of the installation heads.

Abstract: A method of removing scale from the surfaces of a fluid treatment apparatus by directing a base solution and an acid solution through the fluid treatment apparatus. The fluid treatment apparatus cleaned by the method of the present invention is a vertical tube wet oxidation treatment apparatus in which an aqueous slurry of organic materials is oxidized in a tube which extends deep into the surface of the earth. Water rinses are performed between the steps of circulating the aqueous base solution, circulating the aqueous acid solution, and operating the fluid treatment apparatus. The water used for separating the sequential steps is preferably buffered water. The aqueous acid solution is preferably a mineral acid and most preferably nitric acid. The aqueous base solution is preferably potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. The method also contemplates a sectional wash of the apparatus by directing a base or acid solution partially into the apparatus.

Abstract: A high speed tire uniformity testing device which is constructed to prevent mechanical resonances in the tire load frame during high frequency testing, thereby permitting undistorted measurements of higher harmonic force variation signals from the tire. A test tire is mounted to a rotatable spindle within a housing for selective engagement with a road wheel. The housing is supported and maneuvered by a plurality of vertical and horizontal members, each member including universal joints at its opposite ends to prevent bending moments from being applied to the members. Since only tension and compression forces are applied to the members, a very stiff load frame is provided for the test tire. One of the members comprises a linear actuator which is spaced substantially away from the longitudinal axis of the housing to provide additional stability to the housing during testing.

Abstract: A breast compression plate is connected to a cartridge sleeve for containing a mammographic film cartridge with adjustable tension in a range of positions with detachable straps. The plate is a semi-rigid planar member having a plurality of perforations disposed in a matrix for locating a needle used to determine the position of breast lesions. The plate has spaced buckles which are secured to the straps. The straps have a series of loops formed on one side which are gripped by a plurality of closely spaced hooks secured to spaced ends of the cartridge sleeve. The series of loops extend along the length of the straps to permit changing the length of the straps extending between the plate and the cartridge sleeve, thereby permitting lateral positioning and tension adjustment. The plurality of hooks extend across the cartridge sleeve generally perpendicular to the length of the straps on opposite ends of the sleeve to permit positioning of the plate perpendicularly relative to the length of the straps.

Abstract: The seawall extends along and retainingly engages the ground and at its top extends above the ground level and at its bottom is projected and anchored down into the ground, below the water level. The seawall includes a series of laterally aligned elongated corrugated bulkhead strips made from a plastic material. Each strip has along one side an undercut grooves edge and along its other side a similarly shaped tongue edge, with the tongue and groove edges of adjacent bulkhead strips interlocked. The strips are of such lightweight that each strip may be lifted and assembled manually relative to an adjacent anchored strip and driven into the ground and into lateral alignment with an adjacent strip and a longitudinal interlock. A cap overlies and is secured upon a bulkhead strip. Spaced anchor strips are embedded into the ground and spaced from the seawall and connected to corresponding bulkhead strips by a series of tie rods and flexible walers.

Abstract: In an automobile conveyor having an endless conveyor chain within a framework having top plates to support the tire of an automobile, and a plurality of roller dollies spaced along the length of the chain normally positioned for movement within the framework, the improvement which comprises a split collar clamp having first and second sections that are clamped around the driven shaft of the conveyor. The first section of each clamp is angled with respect to the vertical so that the shaft is cradled against the pulling force of the drive sprocket. The second section of the clamp is removably attached to the first section so that the clamp is accessible from the top plate of the conveyor for easy access and removal of the driven sprocket, bearing members and transverse sprocket shaft through the top plate.

Abstract: A security striker plate mounted with the rail of a door frame which includes a peripheral door stop and interior framing studs. The striker plate comprises a mount plate inset within the rail against an inner surface and secured thereto by a plurality first wood screws extending into the studs. A right angular apertured strike plate bears against a right angular surface of the rail and is secured thereto by a plurality of spaced second screws which extend into the studs. A right angular door stop lip extends from the strike plate to reinforce the door stop and a right angular anchor plate extends from the lip and bears against outer portions of the rail and is secured thereto by a plurality of tamper proof security screws which extend into the studs. The hook plate is secured to the studs and has apertures therethrough to supportively receive the second and third screws.

Abstract: In a signal transmission system whose transmission line (16) is connected to a line side component (66, 68) of a respective transmitter (12) and receiver (14) and is electrically isolated from the operating side, the line side component (66, 68) of the respective transmitter (12) and receiver (14) is powered from the operating side over through an isolating DC/DC-transducer (10).

Abstract: With a device for pressing at least one magnetic read/write head (16) against a recording medium (14) in motion relative to it with a swivel-mounted pressure lever (52) carrying the read/write head (16) that runs in the recording medium's (14) direction of motion and is pressed to the recording medium (14) by means of spring force and with stationary guide elements (76, 78) that limit read/write head (16) movement at right angles to the recording medium's (14) direction of motion. The read/write head (16) is equipped with pivot pins (90, 92) that, in the pressed operating position of read/write head (16), define a swivel axis lying approximately parallel to recording medium (14) as well as its direction of motion and that are held in the position at pressure lever (52) as well as by means of guide elements (76, 78) that are displaceably directed in the direction of pressure of the read/write head.

Abstract: A treadmill assembly of the type including a frame, an endless generally horizontally disposed belt positioned generally at the base of the frame, a motor for driving the belt at varying speeds and a handle at the front end of and spaced above the belt so that a user running on the motorized belt may grasp the handle with his hands. A safety harness is provided for use with the treadmill assembly and includes a pair of straps adapted to be supported from support means over the treadmill and each including a loop portion at its lower end adapted to pass through the groin of the user. The safety harness further includes a catch band extending transversely between the rear sections of the loop portions of the straps at a vertical location such as to position the band behind the user generally in the central region of the user's back.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power assembly and fluid supply system for use in a two cycle air cut-off press. The power assembly includes a bell crank having first and second arms extending outwardly at an angle from a fulcrum with the bell crank being pivotally mounted opposite the fulcrum. The arms have rollers connected to them and are positioned beneath guide bars which are alternately reciprocated by power cylinders. Due to the rollers, there are no lateral forces, reducing wear. A link interconnects the bell crank with the ram plate of the press. As the bell crank oscillates about its pivotal mount, the link transfers the oscillatory movement to the ram plate as reciprocal movement. The fluid supply system of the present invention includes an adjustable three-way valve connected to a source of pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A combination seat for use as a stroller and a safety car seat for children. The combination seat has telescoping legs with wheels and pivotable telescoping handles which may be extended to function as a stroller or retracted and pivoted to became a child safety car seat. The seat is a one piece molded impact resistant plastic shell to which the telescoping legs and pivotable telescoping handles are attached. The seat has seat belt receptacles for securing the seat in an automobile when used as a child safety car seat. A combined armrest or canopy is disclosed for use either as a stroller or as child safety car seat. The canopy/armrest is comprised of material wrapped about spindle which functions as a armrest. The material may be unwound from the spindle and attached on one end to the seat to function as a canopy. The canopy/armrest may also be moved to a non-interfering position for placing a baby and removing a baby from the combination seat.

Abstract: A module for selectively deploying a reciprocable tool, such as a hole punch, which is reciprocated by a press. The module includes a housing which is attached to the ram of the press. The housing retains a reciprocable tool within a bore for movement between an extended position and a retracted position. The reciprocable tool is connected to the housing by means of a telescopic linkage comprising a cone clutch having resilient fingers that selectively grip a pin. The housing includes a conical surface which engages beveled portions of the resilient fingers holding them in a closed position. A spring biases the cone clutch to its closed or gripping position unless air pressure is supplied to an air chamber which counteracts the biasing force of the spring to open the resilient fingers. When the resilient fingers are open, a shifting means comprising a spring, or alternatively a solenoid, is effective to shift the pin between an extended position and a retracted position within the cone clutch.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing vehicles having pivotable arms secured to bearings formed of high molecular weight plastic which are mounted on a shaft. The bearings are formed from a unitary block of high molecular weight plastic and have cylindrical bores which are adapted to receive the shaft. The bearing is mounted on the pivotable arms of the apparatus for washing vehicles by means of a plurality of fasteners which are received in fastener bores located symmetrically about the cylindrical bore. The fastener bores are lined with a sleeve. The symmetrical location of the fastener bores permit remounting of the bearing to change the portion of the bearing bore which receives the most wear.

Abstract: A nestable, open-top container has a cover formed of two separate, co-planar pieces, each covering one-half of the open top. Each cover piece is hingedly connected to one side of the upper edge of the container and extends toward and overlaps the opposite side, that is, the side to which the other cover piece is hinged. The cover pieces' adjacent edges engage each other and their remote edges overlap and are supported upon their adjacent container upper edge portions. Each cover piece may be slid sidewise upon its hinge so that it can be spaced from the container upper edge portion which it otherwise overlaps wherein it can be swung either inside or outside of the container. When the cover pieces are arranged in co-planar covering positions, a number of boxes can be stacked, and when they are swung outwardly or inwardly of the container, the boxes may be nested.

Abstract: A method of managing and controlling stress in a person engaged in a goal oriented, cognitive task involves simultaneous measurement of a physical parameter of the person which varies in accordance with the level of the person's stress and the productivity of the person performing the task. A programmed computer calculates the stress point for the person beyond which productivity decreases and provides a visual display of the physical parameters and stress point on a cathode ray tube.

Abstract: A method of optically scanning a plurality of optical density patterns, such as blood samples or the like is provided wherein the samples are arranged in rows and each include a plurality of optical density segments extending along a first axis, and wherein the segments generally form columns of like segments along a second axis. The optical densities of a row of segments are first scanned along the first axis, following which the centerlines of each segment in the scanned row is determined along the first axis. Then, the segments of each column are scanned along the corresponding, previously determined centerline. The centerline of each segment is determined by displacing a scanning head relative to the sample along the first axis, measuring the optical density of each segment and correlating the magnitude of the measured optical density with the relative displacement between the head and the samples.

Abstract: In a device for friction-driven conveyance of a card-shaped recording medium (14), such as an I.D. card, relative to an evaluation device (16) which is situated on an extended linear transport path (36) between an inlet (38) and an outlet or reversal point (40), the linear transport path (36) is bordered on the one side by a section of a closed-loop conveyor (26) and on the other side by a pressure strip (28) which runs approximately parallel to the path (36) and is stressed toward the conveyor (26) with the aid of a pressure device (52). Rollers as active transport elements are thereby eliminated, insuring error-free transport of even deformed recording media.

Abstract: A cushioned clamp cylinder with proximity switches includes a cap of square shape defining a plurality of right angularly related end faces with a cushion chamber in the cap and a sensing port in each end face communicating with the cushion chamber. A normally open proximity switch is selectively positioned in one of the sensing ports adjacent the chamber; one sensing port is connected to a pressure conduit and the other two sensing ports are plugged. A piston rod mounting a piston is positioned within the cylinder and mounts an inductive sleeve movable into the cushion chamber to activate the proximity switch. A flexible annular insert ring is positioned within the cap and has a wiping bead which extends into the cushion chamber and seals over the sleeve sealing the cushion chamber providing a pressure build-up and bringing the piston to a smooth stop as it bottoms out within the cylinder. A bleed screw is adjustably threaded into the cap and communicates with the cushion chamber.

Abstract: A combustion initiation system includes an initiating device for producing, containing and propelling a combustion initiating plasma having an energy density approaching that produced by combustion of the fuel itself, and is suitable for initiating combustion in relatively lean mixtures of various types of fuels. A high voltage power supply delivers electrical energy by a coaxial cable to the initiating device which communicates with a fuel mixture in a combustion area such as the combustion chamber of an ordinary internal combustion engine. The initiating device includes a capacitive portion for storing a large quantity of electrical energy therein derived from the power supply, and an electrode portion integral with the capacitive portion which comprises a pair of concentric, rod shaped electrodes for producing a high energy, umbrella shaped plasma discharge, using the inverse pinch technique.