Abstract: A binding machine, such as a strapping machine, for binding a bundle of newspapers or magazines by applying crossed straps around the bundle. Means are provided for conveying the bundle into and from a strapping zone. Means including a strapping head for each strap are provided for applying a transverse strap and a longitudinal strap around the bundle. A transverse chute is provided, which receives the transverse strap, which guides the transverse strap around the bundle, and which releases the transverse strap when the transverse strap is applied. A longitudinal chute is provided, which receives the longitudinal strap, which guides the longitudinal strap around the bundle, and which releases the longitudinal strap when the longitudinal strap is applied. The transverse chute arches from a given side of the strapping zone to its other side.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for applying a fold-over seal about overlapping lengths of strap. The open seal is positioned with the strap lengths between the legs. Opposing jaws are pivoted about axes against the open seal legs toward the strap lengths to bend the seal legs inwardly while decreasing the distance between the seal and the pivot axes of the jaws. The decrease in the distance between the jaw pivot axes and the seal is limited at a predetermined minimum distance, but the jaws continue to be pivoted to fold the seal legs adjacent the strap lengths. As the jaws approach the fully closed position, the distance between the seal and the jaw pivot axes is increased, and this forces the seal crown and legs closer together as the crimping of the seal is completed.

Abstract: An electrical switching device for door actuated operation especially configured for conversion between grounded and non-grounded operation is disclosed. The device includes a housing including a stationary contact and a moveable contact. The moveable contact is actuated by a door operated actuator which moveable contact makes and breaks contact with the fixed contact and completes a circuit to ground through the housing. The moveable contact and fixed contact are configured to receive and cooperate with an insulation member insertable between the two contacts and an additional contact member insertable between the insulation member and the moveable contact to convert the switch to non-grounded operation.

Abstract: A dielectric panel is provided for a keyboard in an electric device, such as a telephone, to block a disruptive high voltage charge of static electricity from passing from a human operator to the device. The panel comprises an electrically non-conductive clear slightly flexible plastic planar member and a dielectric coating or ink layer adhering to the underside of the planar member. The coating is applied by a screening process while in the liquid state and is then heat-dried. The coating comprises a mixture of clear polyester plastic (initially in a liquid state but hardened when dry), powdered aluminum, and a catalyst or agent which causes the powdered aluminum particles to be uniformly distributed and suspended in the plastic while the coating is being applied and hardened. The evenly distributed particles are electrically insulated from one another in the hardened coating to thereby improve the dielectric strength of the coating and panel.

Abstract: A rotary switch convertible from being operable over a smaller range of angular motion, e.g. as a two-position switch, into being operable, in either of two configurations, over larger ranges of angular motion, e.g. as a three-position switch. A rotor and a stator are assembled for relative rotation. Four lugs divide a face of the stator into four quadrants. Two pairs of lugs, each comprising a removable lug and a permanent lug, are provided on a face of the rotor. The faces are juxtaposed such that relative rotation of the rotor and the stator is limited by interference between certain of the lugs on the rotor and certain of the lugs on the stator. Before removal of either removable lug, the rotor and the stator may be assembled for a smaller range of angular motion. After removal of both removable lugs, the rotor and the stator may be assembled in either of two configurations for larger ranges of angular motion.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus is disclosed for making or breaking a plurality of electrical connections substantially simultaneously. The apparatus includes a planar substrate, a first set of electrical terminals arrayed on the substrate in a pattern providing mating pairs of terminals displaced by a distance, an actuator having a contact effecting surface and carrying thereon a plurality of moveable bridging contacts which are in substantial registration each with a respective mating pair of terminals. The actuator response to application of an actuating force toward the substrate to establish bridging contact by the bridging contact between each of the mating pairs of terminals substantially simultaneously. In the preferred embodiment a plurality of such switching apparati are actuated by a common actuating shaft.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic valve assembly comprising a directional valve, such as a spool valve, and a pilot valve of a unique design. The pilot valve comprises a rocker arm, which is controlled by motor means imparting a torque on the rocker arm so as to move a pair of flappers toward and away from associated nozzles controlling pilot pressure to opposite ends of the directional valve. When one of a pair of transducers senses the pressure of hydraulic fluid returning from the directional valve, an opposing torque is imparted to the rocker arm. Equilibrium is achieved when the torques balance each other. The nozzles are provided with annular buffers preventing the nozzles and the flappers from being pressed against each other. The directional valve employs flow restrictors of a unique design wherein annular plates, in a stack, are provided with integral, arcuate, spaced baffles.

Abstract: A valve for pressurized, liquid sprinkler systems which is adapted for flow esting of the valve without activating the sprinkler system. The valve is constructed with a valve body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet connected by a flow passage. The fluid inlet is provided with a supply of pressurized fire extinguishing medium. A cylinder is positioned in the flow passage with a piston slidingly mounted in the cylinder so as to form a chamber with the cylinder. The chamber is pressurized by a sensor-controlled fluid pressure line and controls the position of the piston in the cylinder to open or close the inlet. Pressure in the chamber positions the piston so as to close the fluid inlet. A stem is mounted in the outlet so as to project into the flow passage and through the cylinder to the piston. The stem is attached to the piston on a first end and provided on the other end with a stem extension which projects out of the outlet to a position external to the valve.

Abstract: A method of studying steady and unsteady supersonic gas flow using a two layer hydraulic analogy technique. The method simulates the specific heat ratio of the gas. Two layers of immiscible liquids having different densities and thicknesses are held in a shallow container. The densities are chosen and the layer thicknesses are adjusted to simulate the specific heat ratio of the gas. A model of a device to be studied is submerged in the liquid. Relative flow is caused to occur between the model and liquid simulating steady flow. The depth of the lower layer during the period of relative flow is measured and is analogous to steady state gas flow characteristics. For studying unsteady flow two bodies of liquids each having two layers of liquids of densities chosen, and lower layer thicknesses adjusted to simulate the specific heat ratio of the gas and to simulate a high and low pressure across a gas system, are held in a container separated by a removable gate.

Abstract: A gas flow distribution manifold for distributing oxygen equally to a pluity of burn bar torches allowing large holes to be burned in steel objects is disclosed. The manifold includes a central plenum chamber connected to radial cross passages. Orifices connect the cross passages to outlet chambers wherein the burn bar torches are mounted. Sonic gas flow is maintained through the orifices providing equal flow to the torches.

Abstract: A magnetic holder for pulling in and securing a platform and personnel to e hull of a ship to be serviced is disclosed. A lightweight corrosion resistant body member houses a permanent magnet and has an extension for receiving an elongated tool with which the holder is brought in contact with the ship's hull. A flexible resilient line attaches the platform to the holder and allows the platform to be pulled to the hull. Easy removal of the holder is accomplished by applying an external force to the extension creating a turning moment to overcome the magnetic holding force.

Abstract: An explosive logic safing device for increasing the safety and reliability f a detonation signal from a fuze to an explosive charge. The safing device is provided with an inlet explosive trail which conveys an inlet detonation signal to an outlet explosive trail and the primary explosive charge. A control explosive trail connects the inlet explosive trail and the outlet explosive trail. A failure explosive trail is connected between the control explosive trail and the outlet explosive trail, and is provided with an explosive logic network for conveying the inlet detonation signal from the inlet explosive trail to the outlet explosive trail when a plurality of detonators are properly initiated. The explosive logic network is also provided with a means for registering the successive initiation failures of individual detonators.

Abstract: An improved particle detection tube including a method for applying a radion transparent electrically non-conductive, opaque to ultraviolet light coating to the mica window of the tube. The coating reduces erroneous counts by preventing arcing between the tube anode and window. A purified mineral bituminous hydrocarbon based wax coating is applied to the mica window by cleaning the window with a hydrocarbon or chlorinated solvent rinsing with isopropyl alcohol drying the window dissolving 4 to 20 milligrams of purified bituminous hydrocarbon based wax in 1 to 2 milliliters of a hydrocarbon or chlorinated solvent on the window, and rotating the tube until the solvent evaporates to produce a film of the wax thereon.