Abstract: Flush mountable latches and locks for industrial cabinets, tool carts, electrical equipment enclosures and the like utilize versatile housings of novel configuration together with pivotally nestable and extensible handles that are movable relative to the housing to effect latching and unlatching movements of a resilient foot that is movable by the handle between clamped and released engagement with a keeper, and that is movable with a latch arm between latched and unlatched positions. The lock-type embodiment has a locking mechanism that is mounted on the housing to selectively permit and prevent unlatching movements of the resilient latch member. The resulting arrangement provides sturdy latch and lock assemblies that employ a small number of relatively movable parts that can be assembled and serviced with ease.

Abstract: An identification device for a necked container includes a ring-like base structure that is installed about a container neck, and indicia that is carried by the base structure for presenting container data. Preferably the indicia includes presentations of container data that are manually and machine readable. Preferably the indicia is protected from harm by a transparent cover. In one embodiment the identification device has inwardly extending fingers to establish a secure mounting about the neck of the container on which it is mounted. In another embodiment, locking pins are used to establish a secure mounting.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining spatial characteristics of an object such as the size, shape and relative locations of selected portions of the object, by utilizing a noncontact gage system that directs light from a source such as colliminated a laser beam to illuminate a small area on selected portions of the object. Light that is reflected from the illuminated area is focused along a path that is intercepted by a light sensitive detector. The size of an illuminated spot that is formed on the detector is a function of the location of the reflecting surface portion of the object. An electrical signal is provided by the detector, with the signal having a characteristic which is representative of a feature of spot size, and hence is also representative of the location of the reflecting surface portion of the object. By determining relative locations of various features of an object, size and shape may be deduced.

Abstract: A convection diffuser and charge support system for an annealing furnace utilizes a diffuser base assembly that includes a vane-carrying center casting which underlies a charge support plate, and which is perimetrically surrounded by a pair of outer and inner cooling rings. The components of the diffuser base assembly cooperate to define an array of horizontally extending gas circulation passages that are shielded from above by the charge support plate. The horizontal passages extend among a plurality of upstanding heat exchange fins that are carried by the inner cooling ring, and terminate in upwardly extending outer end regions that are defined by grooves formed in the outer cooling ring. A centrifugal fan draws hot gases through a central opening in the charge support plate and conveys the gases radially outwardly through the horizontally extending gas flow passages.

Abstract: A valve system is provided for enriching a flow of one gas with flow of another gas, with the mixing of the gas flows being conducted so as to maintain a constant ratio of the two gases in the resultant flow. The system of the present invention is particularly well suited for use in enriching a flow of pressurized combustion air with a flow of oxygen. A mixing valve is utilized that has a body which extends into a supply line through which combustion air is ducted under pressure to a burner. The mixing valve provides an injection location at the center of the combustion air supply line where relatively movable valving components are positioned for introducing oxygen into the flow of combustion air. The introduction of oxygen into the combustion air flow is regulated in accordance with the flow rate of the combustion air as it is sensed at the location of the mixing valve. The body of the mixing valve defines a chamber that is divided into segregated portions by a flexible diaphragm.

Abstract: A rotary drive member such as a gear or pulley has a hub portion that can be mounted on a shaft for rotation about the axis of the shaft, a rim portion that can be engaged by another drive member such as a gear, chain or belt as the rotary drive member rotates about the axis of the shaft, and a radially extending web that rigidly interconnects the hub and rim portions. The rotary drive member is formed by injection molding plastics material to provide a unitary, one-piece plastics member that envelops selected portions of a pair of inner and outer insert members that extend concentrically about the shaft rotation axis and that are formed from metal. The inner insert takes the form of an elongate, tubular metal sleeve that defines inner diameter portions of the hub portion of the rotary member. The outer insert takes the form of an annular metal disc that extends radially with respect to the shaft rotation axis to define portions of the radially extending web.

Abstract: A clamping type cabinet lock that is mounted on a cabinet door includes a link-and-lever type of operating assembly which moves a vertical bar. End regions of the vertical bar are connected to pivotally mounted latch members. The latch members have latch formations that enter between and move behind keeper formations that define channels in which the latch formations are moveable. As the latch formations are moved in the keeper channels, the door is caused to be clamped toward a closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for blow molding glass articles uses a mixture of cryogenic fluid and ambient air as a blowing fluid. The apparatus includes gas inlet means positioned to direct a flow of blowing fluid into the center of a blow mold, insulated manifold means to mix ambient air and a cryogenic fluid as the blowing fluid, means to feed the mixture into the gas inlet means, means to pressurize the ambient air, conduit means for directing ambient air into the insulated manifold, and injector means for introducing cryogenic vapor into the conduit means.

Abstract: A rotary handle operated lock includes a pan-shaped housing member that has a back wall at the base of a forwardly facing recess. A guide member is welded to the rear face of the back wall and cooperates with the back wall to define a sturdy guide channel which slidably mounts a control member form movement between locked and unlocked positions. A shaft extends through aligned holes that are formed in the back wall and in the guide member, and through a keyhole shaped slot that is formed in the control member. The shaft has a front end region that carries a pivotally mounted, nestable operating handle, and a rear end region that carries a latching arm. The operating handle and the latching arm rotate with the shaft between latched and unlatched positions.

Abstract: A rotary latch has a U-shaped housing that is formed as a metal stamping having a base wall that connects spaced, parallel-extending side walls. A pair of opposed jaw members are housed between the side walls, are mounted for rotation betwen latched and unlatched positions, and are arranged to embrace and latchingly retain a striker as the striker is moved into a pair of aligned notches that are defined by the side walls. A "primary" one of the jaws is biased toward its unlatched position by a housing-carried spring. A "secondary" one of the jaws is arranged to engage a resilient bumper that cushions the action of the latch as the jaws rotate to their latched positions. When the jaws are latched, the primary jaw can be rotated in opposition to the action of the spring to a release position to initiate unlatching of the latch.

Abstract: A computer communications control system is provided for authenticating the authorization of a user of computer equipment such as a terminal of a computer network, more specifically communicating data terminal equipment that is connected through a communications link to other computer equipment such as a host computer. The system utilizes a security unit that is associated with and connected to the user's terminal. The security unit operates in conjunction with the other computer equipment to which the user's terminal is linked, for example a host computer, to check the authorization of the user to access the host computer by requiring that an encryption device which has been assigned to the user be received in a port that is defined by the security unit in order that the security unit can respond properly to query signals which are sent along the communications link from the host computer.

Abstract: A security control system is provided for interactively identifying and authenticating the authorization of a user of a communications terminal, and optionally providing a means for decoding and encrypting communications signals transmitted to and from the terminal. The system utiizes a security unit that is associated with the terminal, and requires that an encryption device which has been assigned to the user be received in a port that is defined by the security unit in order that the security unit can respond properly to query signals which are sent along a communications link that couples the terminal to other communications equipment. Communications units at both ends of the communications link operate in synchronization such that each new authentication query signal that is sent from one of the units will be answered by an appropriate, newly calculated authenticating signal from the other, whereupon the unit that has sent the query signal checks the received response for correctness of calculation.

Abstract: A cabinet lock has an elongate body. An operating handle is connected to the body for pivotal movement about an axis that extends transverse to the length of the body. The body slidably mounts (1) a spring-projected latch bolt for linear movement along a path of travel that substantially parallels the axis of pivotal movement of the handle, and (2) an operating member for linear movement along a path of travel that substantially parallels the length of the body. The handle has a formation that drivingly engages the operating member for moving the operating member from a latched position to an unlatched position in response to pivotal movement of the handle from a nested position to an operating position.

Abstract: A cabinet latch has a generally cylindrical body that is mountable on a closure panel or the like. A passage is formed through the body along a center axis, and opens through forward and rearward end regions of the body. Operating components are protectively nested within the body passage, including a primary operating element that is formed as a three-piece assembly including a generally cylindrical tool-receiving core and a pair of semi-circular sleeve halves that are journaled for rotation within the forward end region of the body passage. An elongate shank has a portion that projects from the rearward end of the body passage and carries a pawl. The shank and the pawl are rotatable about and movable axially along the center axis to position the pawl among unlatched, latched and latched-clamped positions for selectively releasing, retaining, and securely clamping the closure in a closed position relative to an associated cabinet or the like.

Abstract: A control button assembly for positioning an operating rod to "lock" and "unlock" a vehicle door lock includes a sleeve member and a button member. The button member has a hollow stem portion for threading onto an upper end region of the operating rod. The sleeve member is a tubular part that surrounds the stem of the button member. The sleeve member is mountable on a window sill of a vehicle door structure, with portions of the sleeve member extending through a sill opening to surround the threaded upper end region of the operating rod. The sleeve member has a plurality of integrally formed, resilient fingers that depend from the sill as they extend alongside the stem of the button. The fingers have inwardly turned tip portions that frictionally grip outer surface portions of the stem. The frictional grip of the fingers on the stem acts as a detent to assist in holding the button in its lowermost or "locked" position.

Abstract: A cabinet latch has a generally cylindrical body that is mountable on a closure panel or the like. A passage is formed through the body along a center axis, and opens through forward and rearward end regions of the body. An assembly of operating components is protectively nested within the body passage, including an operating element that is journaled for rotation within the forward end region of the body passage, and an elongate shank that has a portion which projects from the rearward end of the body passage and carries a pawl. The shank and the pawl are rotatable about and movable axially along the center axis to position the pawl among unlatched, latched and latched-clamped positions for selectively releasing, retaining, and securely clamping the closure in a closed position relative to an associated cabinet or the like. Movement of the pawl is effected in response to rotation of the operating element, and is controlled by the assembly of operating components that is carried within the body passage.

Abstract: Pressurized cylinders are rapidly filled with acetylene gas and solvent in a staged process that is closely monitored by a control unit to assure that filling progresses with all critical variables maintained within safe bounds. An operator performs certain preliminary cylinder hookup tasks as monitored and prompted by the control unit. The control unit conducts the actual filling of the cylinder, carrying out this procedure in distinct filling stages with alternate injections of solvent and gas into the cylinder. The improved system enhances the safety and efficiency with which acetylene cylinders are filled.