Abstract: In combination with an actuating unit including a cylinder, a head and a reciprocal piston rod and a gripper head having a body terminating in a mount flange, a pivotal gripper assembly and a reciprocal rod end in the body connected to the gripper assembly. A quick disconnect device comprises an apertured protrusion block mounted upon the cylinder head including a pair of opposed undercut assembly slots. An apertured quick disconnect body of U-shape is secured upon the mount flange and upon its interior has a pair of opposed stop ledges. The disconnect body is projected into the assembly slots with the protrusion block nested upon the stop ledges. The actuating unit and gripper head are aligned with the piston rod axially connected to the rod end. A detent pin is removably projected through corresponding aligned transverse bores in the disconnect body and protrusion block.

Abstract: A pressure relieved piston rod seal for piston-cylinder having tandem seals around the piston rod which are subject to failure when the pressure between the seals is greater than the pressure in the cylinder chamber. The piston rod seal of this invention solves this problem by providing a unidirectional seal between the end or low pressure rod seal and the cylinder chamber which relieves the pressure between the seals while sealing the chamber. The unidirectional seal includes a fluid passage which permits fluid flow into the cylinder chamber when the pressure between the seals is greater than the pressure in the cylinder chamber and seals the cylinder bore when the pressure in the chamber is greater than the pressure between the seals.

Abstract: An improved vent for equalizing the pressure on the roof of a building includes a tube provided with a one-way acting valve therein for allowing air to pass from within the building to the open atmosphere but preventing entry of moisture air into the interior of the building. The valve includes a flexible flapper valve member mounted over an opening in a metal plate secured in face-to-face contact with an annular flange on one end of the tube. Condensation of moisture within the tube is prevented by a thin layer of insulation which lines the tube and which, in one embodiment of the invention, includes an integral annular flange sandwiched between the tube and the valve plate to prevent moisture condensation on the plate. An annular depression in the valve plate surrounding the valve opening diverts condensed moisture from the flapper valve to prevent valve seizure due to frozen moisture.

Abstract: A locking electrical outlet box is positioned over one or a pair of electrical wall outlets having a conventional apertured face plate secured to the wall. The box includes an apertured bottom wall for registry with the wall outlets with the face plate removed and for fastening the box upon the wall and the face plate applied to the bottom all. The box includes a cover hinged thereon with an apertured latch bar and one or a pair of outwardly opening slots adapted to receive an electric cord from an appliance terminating in a plug. A key lock is anchored upon the box and includes a rotatable latch registerable with the latch bar.

Abstract: Transmission monitor/control microprocessor primarily effective to automatically adjust the effective drive reduction ratio of a power train of the type in which such transmission is variable by step change or continuously, such as for use in farm tractors. The microprocessor adjusts the drive reduction ratio so that engine power at all levels is produced at a minimum specific fuel consumption.

Abstract: A system for initiating combustion of fuel, especially for internal combustion engines, employs a very rapid, intense high power electrical breakdown arc to increase the rate of combustion and thereby reduce the need for advanced engine timing. The use of a distribution circuit which has exceptionally low inductance and resistance results in the rapid electrical breakdown and coupling of at least 80% of stored pulse energy to the breakdown arc channel within the first half period of the discharge current cycle. The resulting arc discharge effects detonation of the fuel mixture through the cooperative effects of photolysis, supersonic hydrodynamic shockwave and high temperature thermal plasma. High voltage pulse generation distribution and switching circuits are provided. Several discharge electrode geometries and closely coupled pulse forming networks for the discharge device are disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid operated clutch and brake assembly is adapted to be connected to a motor driven flywheel and a rotatable drive shaft for a press or the like. A fluid operated piston mounted on the flywheel simultaneously engages the clutch and disengages the brake. The brake is spring biased to automatically stop rotation of the shaft when the clutch is disengaged. A first portion of the assembly mounted for rotation with the flywheel includes a fluid cylinder, a piston and a pair of spring biased clutch plates which are axially displaceable by the piston. A second portion mounted for rotation on the drive shaft includes two spline plates and a brake plate and a double splined hub, the spline plates being axially slidable on the splines of the hub. The brake plate is normally biased into frictional engagement with a stationarily mounted brake. Actuation of the piston engages the clutch plates with the spline plates and disengages the brake plate.

Abstract: A pallet truck hydraulic jack has a base plate mounting a lift cylinder with a reciprocal piston or lift rod and a pump cylinder with a reciprocal pump piston. A frame mounts a pair of forks having retractable rollers at their ends and is pivotally mounted upon the base plate and operatively engaged by the lift rod for raising the frame and lowering the rollers. A hydraulic reservoir is mounted upon the base plate. A hydraulic control system includes a pivot axle depending from the base plate having a bore coaxial of the lift cylinder. A plunger piston within the axle shaft bore is connected to the lift cylinder piston rod. There are a plurality of manifold passages formed in the base plate, adapted for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pump to the plunger piston and to the lift rod, which interconnects the reservoir and the pump and interconnects the reservoir and the lift cylinder.

Abstract: A solar energy concentrator and collector having a concentrator made up of one or more anticlastic panels that feature a non-developable doubly curved surface. The panels are concave in the north-south direction and convex in the east-west direction. In one embodiment, the panels are formed to have parallel circular arcs in the north-south direction of increasing radius from the center of the panel to its edges and having a curved cross-section in the east-west direction. The concentrator reflects light to a narrow zone of concentration which moves within a plane in response to changes in the angle of incidence of sunlight thereon. A method for forming the specially shaped reflective fiber reinforced plastic panel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vibratory plow blade which increases the efficiency of the plowing action. The tapered leading edge of the plow blade includes a plurality of saw-like teeth or serrations. The uppermost serration acts as a soil cutter as the plow blade moves along the ground slot formed by the blade during vibration, thereby relieving surface tension created by packed soil or sod. The intermediate serration provides an upward fracturing of the subsoil with each successive up stroke from the vibratory action. This fracturing reduces the amount of work required to move the plow blade through the soil in the direction of plowing. The lower serration also provides an upward fracturing of the deep subsoil directly above the serration. Further, the upper leading edge of the lower serration is sloped to a greater extent than the upper leading edges of the other serrations to provide blade pull for maintaining the proper plowing depth during the plowing operation.

Abstract: A method of making bearings from blocks of high molecular weight plastic. The bearing is made by forming a cylindrical bore in the block and locating one or more sleeves in the block for receiving fasteners. The fasteners are provided to secure the block to a supporting member. The bearing bore is adapted to receive a shaft within the bore. The sleeve may be attached to the outer surface of the block or a plurality of sleeves may be received within one or more bores in the block. A bearing made according to the method and an apparatus for washing vehicles in which the bearing may be advantageously used are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid power circuit providing a selective operation of a trailer brake system, coupleable with a tractor brake system, comprises a pilot operated valve located between tractor and trailer brake system. The pilot operated valve can be put in a fluid flow passing mode from its fluid blocking mode by simultaneous engagement of two tractor brakes. An independent engagement of either of the tractor brakes, which is necessary for sharp turns in the field operation, does not actuate the trailer brake system.

Abstract: A wall ornament for shower and tub enclosures comprises a full scale drawing, print or photograph of a male or female or other print of interest, color imprinted upon a sheet of moisture impervious synthetic paper including a film of polypropylene and is die cut closely around its periphery. A layer of pressure sensitive adhesive is bonded to and secured over the rear of the sheet for snug and supportive engagement with the wall of a shower or tub enclosure.

Abstract: A test kit for preparing a chemical test pad used in testing for the presence of occult blood in a specimen. The test kit is a foil package enclosing an absorbant pad bearing a peroxygen agent and a solution of guaiac in alcohol in a separate packet or compartment from the absorbant pad. The separate packet or compartment being rupturable by applying hand pressure to the outside of the foil package to mix the peroxygen agent powder on the test pad and the guaiac solution prior to removing the absorbant pad from the foil package. The method relates to performing a medical test by activating a test pad bearing one reagent by applying another reagent thereto while remaining wholly within a protective foil package. According to the method a test pad containing the peroxygen agent is wetted with a solution of guaiac in alcohol prior to removal from the protective foil package and exposure to a specimen of fecal material and water in a test for occult blood.

Abstract: A clutching mechanism for a suspended belt driven mower assembly that automatically removes the mower drive belt from the pulley system when the mower assembly is raised. A brake contacts the endless drive belt when the mower is in the raised position to prevent movement of the belt. A belt retainer is positioned about one of the pulleys of the pulley system to retain the belt adjacent the pulleys when the belt tension is released. An electrical interlock system is provided to prevent the motor from being started in any position other than the mower assembly raised position.

Abstract: An automatic air valve assembly for alternately delivering pressurized air to one of a pair of control ports of a reciprocal power unit comprises a valve body having a bore, a plurality of inlet, cylinder, and exhaust ports, with the inlet port adapted for connection to a pressurized air supply, and a valve spool movable between a pair of control positions. A pair of pilot valves are mounted upon the ends of the valve body to move the spool between its control positions. Each pilot valve is connected to a cylinder port and has a normally closed air signal port connected to opposite ends of the valve body respectively whereby a build up of pressure at one cylinder port momentarily moves a spring biased spool in one pilot valve to open its signal port, the spool in the valve body continuously and automatically oscillating.

Abstract: A mower drive mechanism including a clutch-brake assembly, a travel control and neutral lift-off assembly, and a traction sensor assembly for a friction disc transmission having a driven disc engageable with a drive disc. The clutch-brake assembly includes a rockshaft, bellcrank actuator asssembly, and swing plate for raising the driven disc of the friction disc transmission when the rockshaft rotates a predetermined amount. Further rotation of the rockshaft causes a brake arm to come into engagement with a brake hub on the drive shaft for the driven disc thereby effecting a braking action. Also, a spring force is applied to the rockshaft which is transmitted through the bellcrank actuator assembly to the swing plate for biasing the driven disc toward the drive disc in a driving mode. The travel control and neutral lift-off assembly includes a rotatable control member for causing the driven disc to be moved linearly along its drive shaft to a desired speed and direction of rotation setting.

Abstract: An improved glazing system wherein glass panels are secured to a frame member in an edge-to-edge sealed relationship. A first glass panel is bonded to a frame member such as a vertical mullion using a sealant which adheres to the edge of the first glass panel and to the face of the first glass panel adjacent the edge. A portion of the frame is removed to expose a section of the bonded sealant and thereafter a second glass panel is positioned on the sealant such that the two glass panels are in an edge-to-edge, sealed relationship. The edge to edge abutting relationship of the panels may be accomplished without the need for caulking or exterior access to the glass panels.