Abstract: A practice round and firearm system wherein the round [10] includes a casing [11] forming a cavity [16] to receive a movable insert [20]. The insert forms a recess holding a projectile [30] and by detonation of a primer cap [36], the resulting expanding gases propel the insert and projectile forward toward the barrel passage until the insert strikes the chamber forward wall [46 to allow the projectile to continue through the barrel passage. The casing and insert thereafter move rearward with the slide [50 for automatic extraction of the spent casing from the chamber [44].

Abstract: The method of presenting events such as audio and video instructions to a computer user including the recording instructions in the form of an audio soudtrack 15 on a recording tape 10, assigning coded indicia 16 to the various instructional events of a computer program recorded in a memory 31 and recording the coded indicia and instructional events in a table lookup 29, recording a mulitplicity of each indicia on the recording tape adjacent the soundtrack portion the computer program event is to occur, and reading back the recording tape while feeding the audio signal to an audio output 36 and the indicia signal to the table lookup to cause the events or instructions to occur in synchronism.

Abstract: The combination of a body surfboard (10) and a pair of floats (20) and (21) attached together by fasteners (30), (31) and (32) passing through holes (35), (42) and (44) in the float members and similar holes in the board. A reinforcing web (50) bonded to the outer surface of a portion of each float and a reinforcing rod (52) inserted into a hole drilled from the end of each float serve to reinforce each float against breakage while allowing limited bending of the rear extension (27).

Abstract: A practice round [10] for use in firearms including a casing [11] holding a projectile [16]. A standard primer cap [20] is detonated to propel the projectile forward. A vent hole [40] in the casing limits the pressure buildup in the casing cavity [17].

Abstract: In a produce peeler a plurality of rolls (14) are mounted in a "U" configuration around an auger (26) and are individually rotated by hydraulic drive motors (16) to peel produce passing through. The rolls are positioned in a hyperbolic configuration to enhance the produce tumbling and thereby improve the peeling action. The rolls are also interchangeable with separate speed controls for each.

Abstract: A parts manipulator formed by a head and a robot (10) for attachment to a robot arm and rotatable therewith, the head including a rotatable mount (26) attached to the robot arm (19) and a plurality of gripper mechanisms (21) secured about the mount (26). Each gripper mechanism includes a set of finger portions (51), each selectively and independently of each other shiftable between first and second orientations on the mount to extend either parallel to and downwardly from, or outwardly from the mount (26), allowing flexibly programmed handling of a part.

Abstract: A part feeder (29) for moving individual parts (34) held on rolls (21) of tape (37) to a pickup point, as for handling by a robot arm (25) inserting parts (34) into PC boards (26) at a work station, the part feeder (29) including a cassette (30) having a housing portion (30a) to hold the roll (21) and side walls (85) having guide members (48,33,104) affixed to position the parts (34) for capture by a parts advancing mechanism (52) to be transferred into a part dressing assembly (43) where the parts (34) have their leads (35,36) straightened and cut to a desired length preparatory to presentation for pickup. (FIG. 7).

Abstract: A work holding device for holding a work fixture [11] so that it can be removably attached to a workbench [12] including a base member [30] attached to the work bench, a pivotable ball [48] fixed to the work fixture, a second member for receiving the base member and pivotable ball, and a clamp [40] for holding the base member and pivotable ball rigidly together.

Abstract: A cover [20] for a vehicle body [11] including a hood [21] fixed to a bag [29] by a strap [28], which bag can be placed inside a vehicle door [18] and the door closed to prevent unauthorized removal. The bag is also sized to contain the cover for storage. Additionally, a hook assembly [32] including a semipliable member [34] is fixed to the strap [24] and used to hold the hood on the vehicle while allowing easy adjustment of the strap length.

Abstract: A shuffle feed apparatus for removing slivers and comprising first and second shuffle feed members (26, 27) supported respectively between frame members (31, 32) for oscillatory motion to advance articles in rows. To adjust the size of slivers that are removed from the article mainstream, the feed members (26) are adjustable in thickness to allow the spacing between adjacent feed members to be varied. Each feed member (26) comprises a pivotally connected outer shell member (45) and inner shell member (46). The inner shell members are connected by a rail (50) attached to a lever (55) for adjusting the relative positions of the inner and outer shell members to vary the thickness of the feed members (26).

Abstract: A lighter-than-air craft [10] having an outer envelope [11] divided into an inner envelope [25] and a plurality of compartments [40,41,42]. The compartments are filled with lifting gases such as helium and hydrogen and the overall lifting force of the craft is regulated by supplying hot air to the inner envelope.

Abstract: A book holder including a backing strip (24) formed to extend along the covers of an open book (12) with ends (19, 20) bent back toward each other to overlap and clamp open the book pages. A non-skid surface (35) on the backing strip assists in maintaining the holder in place on the open book and on a supporting surface.

Abstract: A device [9] for supporting the end of a firewood stack and the like including a first pair of elongated members [14,15] fixed together by a first cross piece [16] and fixed to a base [19] by a hinge [17] with a third elongated member [27] extending between and fixed to the first cross piece and one end of the base.

Abstract: A part feeder capable of moving individual parts to a receiver from a storage tube having an internal track therein generally conforming to at least a portion of the vertical cross-section of parts stored within the tube to permit the parts to freely slide along the track within the tube. The part feeder comprises a base; a horizontally movable support member slidably mounted on the base; a tiltable arm member pivotally mounted on the support member; and a receiver on the tiltable arm member. An air cylinder is provided for releasably securing one end of the tube on the arm member against the receiver. Another actuator is provided for tilting the arm member so that the end of the tube adjacent the receiver is sufficiently lower than the remainder of the tube to permit one part to slide out of the tube onto the receiver. The tube is then returned to a horizontal position.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly including a slider (15) for supporting a magnetic transducer (12) adjacent the surface of a recording media (14) on an air film, said slider including an air bearing member (26) having a peripheral wall (38) extending toward said media and presenting a substantially equal cross sectional area to the air film moving with the media as the head is skewed slightly relative to the oncoming air film.

Abstract: An ice generating system including an ice generating assembly (160) including a plurality of plates (28) having internal coolant passages (28A) with the plates clamped together by tension bolts (51) with spacers (54) between adjacent plates to space the plates and allow the formation of ice therebetween. Water is pumped into weirs (37) positioned above each plate and permitted to flow over both plate surfaces for forming ice. The spacers serve to prevent the flow of water over the plate edges so the ice will not mechanically lock on the plates. The ice is released from the plates by pumping warm gases through the coolant passages and transporting the released ice by screw conveyors (55) positioned beneath each plate bay.

Abstract: A heat dissipating assembly for solid state component and control circuitry therefor including a first printed circuit board [45] having a printed circuit thereon for making connections with electronic components [47], fixing the components to the first circuit board, bending the conductors [49] attached to the components to receive a second circuit board [52] that includes control circuitry for the components, and assembling the joined boards into a housing [40].

Abstract: A jack for raising and holding articles such as wallboard, comprising a base [15] with a pivotally attached lever assembly [16] mounted on the base in a manner that downward pressure on one end will raise the other end. Releasable ratchet means [35] is connected for holding the lever in the raised position.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for providing a storage enclosure in a personal computer housing (9) comprising a box structure (25) having at least one side wall (28) with threaded openings (32) for receiving screws (35) passed through a side panel (36) to hold the box structure in the position normally occupied by a disk drive. The open end is closed by a panel (41) held in place by one or more tongues (56) which interfit in openings (58) in the box structure and which are actuated by a handle (51).

Abstract: A color detecting device comprising a head (14) supported on an arm (30) for oscillatory motion over the product (11) being color measured to render a signal responsive to the average color of the product. A height detector (44) provides a signal indicating the distance between the product and head and is used to modify the color signal accordingly. A temperature sensor (39) in the head indicates an overtemperature condition for causing movement of the head away from the product. The screen (17) transparency is measured by the indicator (47, 48) to indicate when the screen is dirty.