Abstract: In a two cycle air cut-off press having a bed plate, guide posts, a top plate upon the posts and a ram plate guidably mounted upon the post defining with the bed plate a die set area an improved power mechanism for the ram plate including first and second cylinder assemblies mounted upon the top plate including piston rods. A bell-crank is pivotally mounted upon the top plate and pivotally connected to the piston rods. A toggle linkage including a plurality of pairs of pivotally interconnected upper and lower links at their outer ends are connected respectively to the top plate and to the ram plate. A horizontally reciprocal control arm is connected to the toggle linkage and to the bell-crank whereby on alternate reciprocal movements of the piston rods and reciprocal pivotal movements of the bell-crank, the control arm is reciprocated and through the linkage effects reciprocal vertical movements of the ram plate.

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: An operator restraint system for a front end loader which requires an operator to rotate a pair of opposed restraint arms in front of him when he is seated before the loader may be operated. Each restraint arm is pivotally mounted to a cab surrounding the operator. A park latch cable is attached to each pivotal restraint arm and the cable is additionally attached to other components including a parking brake assembly and loader control lock. The restraint arms are biased to normally assume a generally vertical inoperative position which prevents operation of the loader. After the operator is seated, he rotates the restraint arms to an operative position in front of him wherein the arms are securely stationed and cannot be rotated back to their generally vertical inoperative position until the operator releases them. The loader is incapable of being operated until the restraint arms are locked into position for securing the operator in his seat.

Abstract: In an automotive power plant including an electric motor having a drive shaft connected to a transmission and a battery pack connected to the motor for vehicle speeds up to 30 miles per hour approximately, the improvement comprising an alternate power source including an electric generator connectable to the drive shaft having output leads connected to the battery pack and to the motor. An air compressor having a drive shaft is coupled to the motor drive shaft and has a pressurized air outlet connected to a reservoir. A boost pump is connected to the reservoir or air compressor to a combustion chamber having an electric ignition and a connection to a pressurized fuel source and includes a high velocity exhaust gas outlet. A turbine receives exhaust gases for driving an impellor secured upon the compressor shaft.

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 cartridge type directional control valve assembly within the base plate controls the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid in respective manifold passages so that manual actuation of the pump effects a quick lift of the frame when it is unloaded, effects an additional application of lifting force through the lift cylinder when the frame is loaded, bypasses pressurized hydraulic fluid to the reservoir when the frame is overloaded, and provides a release of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pump cylinder and the lift plunger and returns it to the reservoir for lowering the frame and forks.

Abstract: A portable toilet cabana is formed of four relatively resilient, sheet plastic walls joined together along their vertical edges by an impact protective and structural stiffening corner joint. The adjacent vertical edges are formed with parallel, narrow flanges bent about 45.degree. out of the planes of their sheets and an extruded T-shaped connector is arranged with its stem between the flanges and its head overlapping the free edges of the flanges. Mechanical fasteners extend through, and laminate together, the pairs of aligned flanges and the connector stem. Narrow, vertical, bumper forming channels are integrally formed in each of the sheets adjacent their corner flanges and extend outwardly of the walls a sufficient distance to protect the corners against impacts to the sides of the cabana and yet, are close enough together so that the pair of adjacent bumpers can be grasped in one hand for moving the cabana.

Abstract: A CRT magnifying lens attachment and glare reduction system for use with a computer display screen. The attachment supports the magnifying lens and glare reduction system adjacent the display screen. The magnifying lens and glare reduction system includes at least on fresnel lens positioned adjacent an optical element, the optical element reduces glare and enhances the image produced by the screen.

Abstract: A power operated elevator ramp for use 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 ramp having a solenoid controlled valve, air cylinder assembly and related linkage mechanism, for selectively deflecting a dolly onto the top plates for movement thereover and for advancing the vehicle tire thereon. An elongated flexible belting overlies the framework throughout its length and protectively covers the top plates, roller dollies and conveyor chain and provides a protective cover for personnel. A deflected roller dolly forms a transverse wave in the belting for operative pushing engagement with the vehicle tire.

Abstract: An edge blending masking tape dispenser has an upright support plate and a base with a tear off edge above the base. A roll of adhesive coated masking tape is journaled and yieldably retained upon the support plate and passes over a tape edge folding and forming die which has a cam surface so as to constrict and upwardly deflect and form the leading one edge portion of the tape. The tape further passes over and around the tape support in tension with the upwardly deflected one edge of the tape folded down upon the adhesive side thereof. This provides a non-stick free floating edge along the tape to permit feathering and blending of new paint with an existing tape finish, when the masking tape is adhered thereto.

Abstract: The present invention is a pressure compensated directional control valve. The present invention allows the flow rate to a given hydraulic implement to be constant regardless of the load imposed upon the hydraulic implement or the hydraulic pressure supplied by the hydraulic pump. Pressure compensation is achieved by a piston mounted within a sleeve valve insert wherein the piston moves to create a variable orifice to control the amount of hydraulic fluid supplied to the hydraulic implement. The desired flow rate is maintained regardless of changes in the supply pressure and the implement load pressure. The present invention eliminates the need for two separate valves for directional flow control and pressure compensation, without increasing the casing size of the flow control auxiliary valve.

Abstract: A fish landing net has a tubular handle with a circular coplanar frame at one end. A conical netting has an apex and an open end secured to the frame. A tension spring biased pulley journaled within the handle has a cord wound thereon, at its free end secured to the netting apex holding the netting collapsed against the handle when not in use. The weight of a fish in the net extends the netting and unwinds the cord against spring tension, the netting automatically collapsing on unloading.

Abstract: In a gas-metal-arc welding process, a stable plasma formation is produced by a shielding gas mixture whose flow is focused to steadily maintain the plasma formation in central alignment with the arc. Thus, the plasma energy and arc energy are combined and concentrated to yield a higher, more stable welding heat. The process is of the type that utilizes a welding gun having a consumable wire electrode that is continuously advanced towards the weld deposit as its end melts and is transferred to the weld deposit. The gas is a mixture of major proportions of each of argon and helium and minor proportions of each of carbon dioxide and oxygen, which produces a stable, approximately dome-like plasma formation in the arc gap between the electrode melting end and the weld deposit.

Abstract: A hollow, thin wall, generally rectangular shaped corner connector key forms the frame corner and connects together the adjacent ends of tubular screen frame members. The legs of the L-shaped key form a hollow box-like corner portion, against which the frame ends are abutted. Integral leg extensions telescopically fit into and are frictionally locked against the interior wall surfaces of the frame members. The hollow, tubular cross-section shape of the key, whose box-like corner portion corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the exterior of the frame members, and whose leg extensions correspond to the interior cross-section of the frame members, coupled with the frame member abutments and the frictional locking, substantially rigidifies the frame corner and resists out-of-plane twisting or bending of the frame.

Abstract: A power operated clamp includes a cylinder having a reciprocal piston rod. A hollow body is aligned with and connected to the cylinder and mounted upon a support. The body includes a pair of spaced side plates at their one ends secured to the cylinder. The piston rod extends into the body. A clamp arm is pivotally mounted upon the body and in one position is adapted to retainingly engage a workpiece relative to a workpiece support. A linkage is pivotally connected to the clamp arm; the improvement which comprises a series of vertically spaced pairs of longitudinally spaced transverse mount holes extending through the side plates. The mounting of the body includes an upright riser extending between the side plates and has a series of longitudinal similarly spaced apertures corresponding to some of the side plate apertures. Pivot bolts extend through some of the side plate apertures and riser, whereby the body may be mounted in one of a plurality of longitudinal locations relative to the riser.

Abstract: A unitary garment selectively covers the front upper torso of a female and the back upper torso of a male and comprises a front torso engaging panel. A pair of tapered sleeves have front portions which at their inner ends are of maximum height and extend from and merge with opposite sides of the panel as a continuation thereof. Rear portions of the sleeves are open at their inner ends and at their upper and lower boundaries merge respectively with the top and bottom edges of the panel.

Abstract: A collet assembly for releasably holding a tool shaft of the type having an indexing depression in the surface thereof includes an elongate core having a bore in one end thereof for receiving the tool shaft. A retainer extending transversely through the core is shiftable into a locking position within the depression in order to prevent rotation of the shaft relative to the core. A tapered sleeve longitudinally slidable over the core engages and drives the retainer into the core. A collar threadably mounted on a core draws the sleeve in one longitudinal direction over the core in order to maintain the sleeve in a position locking the retainer in place.

Abstract: A quick change locator wedge clamp assembly for a plastic molding machine ving opposed stationary and movable platens adapted to receive, mount and support a sectional die having stationary and movable clamp plates which comprises laterally spaced pairs of opposed locator wedge clamp assemblies mounted upon and projecting from the platens. Similarly spaced pairs of opposed wedge clamp guides are mounted upon the clamp plates on one side of the molding die and have similarly spaced opposed pairs of locator slots. Each clamp assembly includes a locator key mounted upon a platen of a shape to snugly receive the corresponding wedge ramp slot for locating the molding die in a predetermined position relative to the platen. A wedge is yieldably mounted upon and extends transversely of a key and has a tapered undersurface adapted for operative retaining engagement with the adjacent wedge ramp guide.

Abstract: A measuring gage for internal and external splines of a workpiece employs a pair of opposed aligned gage pins with hardened balls respectively on their outer ends for registry with internal splines of a workpiece and upon their inner ends for registry with the external splines of a workpiece and with the balls lying in a single plane for operative engagement with the workpiece splines. Longitudinal movement of one of the gage pins is adapted to control axial movement of a plunger upon a dial indicator directly or through a linkage for comparing the dimensions of the workpiece spline with respect to a set master size. In gaging external splines, one of the gage pins forms a part of the dial indicator plunger.

Abstract: A rotary engine including a housing having a special planetary curved surface opening and including a drive shaft interconnected with a belt by a plurality of drive rollers. Chambers are formed between rotating planetary rollers which move within the opening and the belt. The belt has segmented lobes formed thereon which are moved about the drive rollers to compress the fluid in the chambers cyclically to perform work. An internal combustion rotary engine is disclosed in which a spark plug is secured to the housing at the point in the cycle where maximum pressure is developed in the chambers.

Abstract: A cartridge type directional control valve assembly includes an elongated housing having a bore and a plug threaded in the outer end of the housing adjacent the bore. A changeover, spring biased piston forming a load senser or pressure sensor is provided in the bore with a sealing O ring therebetween. A coil spring is interposed between the plug and the changeover piston. The plug has a vent passage for venting the chamber of the coil spring. A valve retaining screw located in the housing, is centrally apertured and loosely receives the shank of the cone or flow control valve. A coil spring is nested within the valve retaining screw and bears against the flow control valve which is normally seated with respect to a central aperture within the cone valve insert seat. A floating ball check valve is nested within the cartridge assembly and is axially aligned with and opposite from the flow control valve. The control valve and ball check valve control flow across their respective valve seats.