Abstract: A non-fragmenting surge arrester with a staged pressure relief mechanism includes a liner with outlets formed in the walls thereof, a gas expansion chamber within the liner and a housing having weakened-wall regions adjacent to the outlets in the liner. Ionized gas formed by an internal failure is vented from the expansion chamber through the outlets and, upon generation of sufficient pressure, fractures the housing at the weakened-wall regions. In this manner, the generated gas forms a lower impedance path for the current which is thereby shunted around the failed internal components, preventing the generation of further internal pressure which could cause a catastrophic failure of the arrester.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for cutting cloth or the like, including a lower substantially fixed blade and an upper movable blade pivotal with respect to the fixed blade. A handle extends at an acute angle with respect to the fixed blade and substantially transverse to the pivot axis of the blades. A lever is pivotally disposed within the handle, and the lever contacts a cam attached to the movable blade such that pivoting the lever effects pivoting of the movable blade. A trigger mechanism is disposed in the handle and manipulation of the trigger mechanism effects pivoting of the lever, and thus the movable blade.

Abstract: Disclosed is a retaining band for the magnetic core loop of an electrical transformer. The retaining band includes a locking mechanism to hold it in place around the core. The locking is accomplished by overlapping the ends of the band, cutting a pair of incisions in the overlapping region which extend from the sides of the band inwardly, and then bending the resulting tab(s) inwardly. If desired, the tabs can be spot welded to provide added locking force.

Abstract: An automated system for growing plant material includes an first length of membrane material having a plurality of open growing chambers and a second length of membrane material having a plurality of growing chambers filled with the plant material. A media preparation unit mixes measured amounts of individual stock solutions for dispensing media into the open growing chambers by a fill unit. A fill check scanner unit determines that a sufficient amount of media has been dispensed within each growing chamber. A sterilization unit sterilizes the media filled open growing chambers which then pass to a cooling and storage unit for cooling and storing the media-filled open growing chambers until ready for planting with plant material. The second length of plant-filled growing chambers are housed in a plant culture room where the plant material is permitted to grow. A growth detection scanner determines the extent of growth of the plant material.

Abstract: The breakaway assembly includes a cast aluminum base having a collar for supporting a wrought aluminum standard and a base flange for securing the breakaway assembly to a plurality of anchor bolts projecting from a concrete foundation. The base flange includes a plurality of apertures for receiving the anchor bolts. Grooves are provided in the base flange adjacent the anchor bolt apertures. Upon impact, the standard creases and bends causing the heel of the base flange to lift. This lifting motion shears the base flange at the grooves to permit the base to lift away from the anchor bolts.

Abstract: The boot jack includes a generally rectangular base having two bores in one end. A rod-like member forms a V-shaped stirrup having portions extending vertically and horizontally with respect to the base so as to form a loop. The ends of the horizontally extending portions are inserted into the bores for attaching the rod-like member to the base. The base is maintained horizontally while the rod-like member provides an incline for the V-shaped stirrup. The rod-like member is preferably made of mild steel so as to provide a spring action in gripping the heel of the boot.

Abstract: A universal adjustable cover 20 for a lighting fixture 10. Universal cover 20 has openings for mounting on a conduit 50 parallel to the ceiling, and additional openings 22 for angle mounting and 24 for mounting on a vertical conduit. Universal adjustable cover eliminates need for stocking a large number of lighting fixtures for only one mounting configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cutting head, suitable for use in cutting wire or sheet metal. The cutting head includes two jaws, and a cutting blade on each jaw. A spring, which is preferably a split cylinder, is disposed in a hole at the pivot point between the jaws. The spring expands in the hole, forces the jaws apart, and stabilizes the jaws during use while correcting for any minor deviations which occurred in machining of the functional parts of the cutting head. In a preferred embodiment, the two jaws are held together by one or more straps which are bolted to each of the jaws.

Abstract: A trigger for a dual element time delay fuse includes a paper cap and a heater strip having locating ears thereon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a retaining band for the magnetic core loop of an electrical transformer. The retaining band includes a locking mechanism to hold it in place around the core. The locking is accomplished by overlapping the ends of the band, cutting a pair of incisions in the overlapping region which extend from the sides of the band inwardly, and then bending the resulting tab(s) inwardly. If desired, the tabs can be spot welded to provide added locking force.

Abstract: A beverage server has a divided fluid container comprising a pair of isolated chambers. The container has mounted thereon a closure cap of a cap assembly which locks to the top of the container. The closure cap has filler caps on its upper face for alternately exposing the chambers to permit filling them with beverages to be dispensed, and closing off the chambers from the outside. The cap assembly houses a chamber selection mechanism for alternately selecting one or the other of the chambers from which to dispense a beverage. The chamber selection mechanism includes a trigger housed in the handle which actuates a rack and pinion assembly housed in the closure cap. A pinion rod and chamber plug carrier arm mounted thereon rotate as the pinion gear is engaged by the rack. A chamber plug carried by the arm is rotated as desired into position for alternately opening up or closing off one of the two chambers.

Abstract: A tubular pin member is received within a tubular box member. The pin member includes a reduced diameter portion forming a shoulder having an annular groove in the shoulder. A metal seal ring of aluminum bronze is shrink fitted onto the outer diameter wall of the annular groove. The tubular box member and the tubular pin member have cooperable connection means connecting the tubular members. The metal seal ring sealingly engages the box thereby establishing a metal-to-metal seal between the tubular members. Pressure in the flow bore of the tubular members applies a force to the inner diameter of the metal seal ring to enhance the metal-to-metal sealing engagement between the seal ring and the outer diameter wall and the box.

Abstract: The measuring tape includes a measuring scale on both sides of the metal tape. The upper surface of the tape is scaled from zero to a number equal to the length of the tape, and the underside of the tape is scaled from the length of the tape of a measurement equal to twice the length of the tape. Thus, the tape can be used to measure a distance equal to twice its length.

Abstract: The power-operated tool, preferably a screw driving implement, includes a switching clutch which transfers the torque from the drive shaft to the output shaft. Upon reaching the given reactive maximum torque, the switching mechanism is activated to turn off the drive. The clutch components are still engaged, so that one torque is transferred to the screw after the unit is turned off. This allows for unsupervised motion upon the output shaft. One should be able to interrupt the torque transfer to the output shaft completely and to return the switching clutch to its original position with certainty and ease. The switching mechanism maintains the valve body of the on-off valve in the open position, with the clutch component of the separating clutch separated by at least one buffer.

Abstract: A retracting screw assembly 10 for maintaining a screw 12 in the retracted position so that flame proof surface 28 is not scratched during opening and closing cover 18. Retracting screw assembly is comprised of a screw 12 with a threaded portion 34, washer 14, conical spring 16. When threaded portion 34 is disengaged from body portion 26, conical spring 16 pulls screw 12 into a retracted position so that threaded portion 34 rests against shoulder 20.

Abstract: A distribution class recloser comprises puffer type, compressed-gas circuit interrupters and a spring stored energy operating mechanism. The interrupter includes a single pair of elongated and axially aligned contacts, one of which is moveable and includes a plurality of flexible contact fingers for engagine the stationary contact. The contacts include arcing tips formed on the terminus portions thereof for conducting arcing current. Additionally, the contact fingers on the moveable contact include raised, wedge-shaped electrical connections. When the moveable contact engages the stationary contact, the raised connections flex the fingers outward so as to cause the arcing tips of the moveable contact to move out of contact with the stationary contact to allow the raised electrical connections to carry the continuous current.

Abstract: A tap selector anti-arcing system is used with rotary tap selectors to prevent arcing as the selectors move from one tap to the other. A lockout mechanism includes a pair of lever arms located adjacent two Geneva gears. The Geneva gears include pins disposed on opposed sides thereof to actuate one lever arm to thereby move the other lever arm to interferingly engage the pin on the other gear if the gears move simultaneously to engage the neutral and eighth taps. An interrupter is opened by linkage connected to a cam disposed on the drive mechanism for the Geneva gears to open the circuit during the movement of the Geneva gears from one tap to another.

Abstract: A split pulley made of a resilient material which is held together by a circumferentially extending strap carried wholly within the body of the pulley.

Abstract: A system and method for controlled directional drilling utilizes a system approach to design the hardware for drilling according to the well plan. The bend angle of a bent housing, connected between the bit and downhole motor, the diameter of a plurality of stabilizers and placement of the stabilizers with respect to the drill bit are selected and predetermined on the basis of the desired well plan. With the use of an MWD, the direction of the progressing borehole is tracked from the surface. Direction changes as required are controlled from the surface simply by controlling rotation of the drillstring. For curved path drilling, only the downhole motor is rotated, causing the borehole to travel along the curve determined by the bend angle in the bent housing and the diameter and location of the concentric stabilizers. When straight hole drilling is required, both the downhole motor and the entire drill string are rotated, effectively nullifying the effect of the bend angle in the bent housing.

Abstract: A rejection-type fuse block is disclosed for use with Class CC cartridge-type fuses having ferrules at opposite ends, the ferrule at one end having a cap of smaller diameter than the ferrule. An insulated rejection collar having a rejection opening sized to allow the cap to pass therethrough while preventing passage of the ferrule is positioned between the fuse and an electrically conductive terminal. A leaf spring located at the end of the fuse opposite the cap end serves to axially press the fuse towards the insulated rejection collar and the cap into contact with the terminal. Fuse clips are provided for releasably securing the clip in proper position.