Abstract: An end fitting for an inflatable tube motor comprising plates each having a convex portion intermediate flat end portions, a resilient bushing having an elongated body with an enlarged central portion intermediate two substantially flat portions and a tubular fluid coupling having an elongated stem inserted in a throughbore in the enlarged portion of the bushing. The elongated body of the bushing is inserted into the end of an inflatable tube while one end of the tube abuts against a raised rib on one end of the bushing. A connector portion of the fluid coupling extends outwardly from the ribbed end of the bushing with the body portion of the bushing inserted in the end of the tube. The plates are placed over opposite sides of the tube end and pressed together to form a sealing engagement between the bushing and the tube end as well as the bushing and the fluid coupling, thereby permitting fluid communication with the interior of the tube only through the fluid coupling.

Abstract: A delivery system is provided for use in conjunction with the metallurgical furnace of the type having an elongated furnace chamber with an access door at one end for delivering a coffin containing parts into the interior of the furnace chamber. The delivery system comprises a plurality of rollers which are secured to the bottom of the furnace chamber so that axes of the rollers extend transversely with respect to the axis of the furnace chamber. In use, the rollers frictionally engage the bottom of the coffin and guide the coffin into the furnace chamber. Preferably, the coffin includes upwardly extending channels on its bottom, and which the rollers are positioned.

Abstract: A popcorn popping and coating machine comprising a hot air popcorn popper having a discharge chute in communication with a rotary driven receptacle. The device includes a pivoting gate which blocks passage through the chute until the popper becomes filled with popped kernels so that the kernels continue to be heated until their introduction into the coating receptacle. The coating receptacle includes a cap which is rotatably secured within a yoke and frictionally engaged against a drive wheel which is rotatably driven by a motor within the housing. A confectionary preparation receptacle is secured to the chute so that the popcorn is coated as it falls into the receptacle and tumbles against both the sidewall and bottom wall of the coating receptacle. The receptacle and the chute are positioned so that the receptacle receives every kernel as well as the confectionary preparation, passing along the chute from the popper.

Abstract: Irrigation apparatus comprising a vehicle to be moved between a pair of fixed positions spaced apart on the ground to be irrigated; a hose drum mounted for rotation on the vehicle; a hose wound on the drum and having an inlet end attachable to a fixed hydrant positioned between the two fixed positions and an outlet end connected to a water-discharging device mounted on or movable with the vehicle, the hose being unwound from the drum when the vehicle is moving away from the hydrant and rewound on the drum when the vehicle is moving towards the hydrant; a taut cable extending between the fixed positions and defining a straight path along which the vehicle is to move between the fixed positions and steering means mounted on the vehicle and responsive to deviation of the vehicle to either side of the cable and operable to restore the vehicle to said straight path defined by the cable.

Abstract: A starter motor housing comprising a tubular housing formed by an annular wall having a thickened wall portion adjacent the stator winding of the starter motor. The stator cores abut against and are secured to the inner periphery of the thickened wall portion to increase the flux path and, thus, the effective flux energy produced by the stator windings. However, the thickened wall portion is disposed intermediate radially reduced wall end portions to reduce the weight and size of the motor housing. Preferably, the tubular housing is an iron casting.

Abstract: A clamp for sharpening chain saws does not require removal of the saw chain from the saw prior to the sharpening operation. The clamp comprises a supportive backing plate, a threaded member for fixing the saw blade into position relative to the plate, and a stop for preventing movement of the saw chain teeth along the saw blade during the sharpening operation. Preferably, the stop comprises a pivotable arm which is engageable with any one of the saw teeth.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for the controlled supply of loads, in particular portable devices, for example dry razors and electronic flash devices, or also fluorescent lamps or the like, on virtually any d.c. and a.c. systems of different frequencies and voltages, without switching over. For that purpose, the arrangement uses a blocking converter (5) which is controlled by means of two controllable semiconductor switches (T1, T2) in dependence on the current (I1) flowing through the primary winding (n1) of the converter (5) and in dependence on the input voltage (U1) of the supply, in such a way that the output power supplied follows a desired characteristic curve and in particular is constant. If the load to be supplied is an accumulator (2) with a motor (1) connected in parallel, the circuit arrangement can supply either the full motor power or, when the motor is switched off, a charging current for the accumulator (2).

Abstract: A closure cap for a bottle comprising a tubular housing adapted to seal the neck of the bottle includes a chamber having one end in communication with the interior of the bottle. A displaceable plug closes the other end of the tubular housing and includes an elongated stem having a valve formed on its lower end. Further insertion of the plug closes the valve against the tapered end wall at the open end of the housing so that sediment which has settled in the chamber when the bottle is inverted becomes trapped within the cap and remains separated from the contents of the bottle.

Abstract: A unique boring bar is disclosed which comprises a body having a generally radially extending formed through it at one end. A slide member is axially slidably positioned within the body throughbore and a standard cutting tool is secured to the slide member. In addition, one end of the slide member is externally threaded and threadably cooperates with an annular dial. The dial is locked against axial movement with respect to the body so that rotation of the dial axially displaces the slide member with its attached cutting tool.

Abstract: An improved panel or wallboard fastener for securing a panel to a framing member. The wallboard fastener comprises a substantially planar base having a single impaling flange secured to it at a midpoint. The impaling flange includes a first leg which extends substantially perpendicularly outwardly from the base and a second leg secured to the first leg and which lies in a plane substantially parallel to but spaced from the base. The second leg of the impaling flange forms a point which is insertable into an edge of the panel, typically a sheet of wallboard.

Abstract: A device for automatic adjustment of the frequency of activation of a motor vehicle windscreen wiper driven by a motor is described. The main characteristic of the device lies in the fact that it comprises circuit means which control the frequency of activation as a function of the quantity of water present on the surface which is wiped by the windscreen wiper.

Abstract: A bypass valve assembly is disclosed for use with a fluid flow meter of the type having a housing, an inlet, an outlet, a fluid passage which fluidly connects the inlet to the outlet and a flow rate responsive member within the fluid passage. The bypass valve assembly comprises a tubular body open at one end in which is secured to the flow meter housing so that the open end of the tube registers with the flow meter inlet. A valve member is contained within the tube and is urged to a closed position by a helical spring. In its closed position, the valve member directs all of the influent to the flow meter through the passage. When the fluid flow rate into the flow meter exceeds a predetermined amount, the valve member moves to an open position against the force of the helical spring thus bypassing the influent directly to the flow meter outlet.

Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed which comprises a housing having at least two fluid ports which are adapted for connection to a fluid system. A piston is slidably mounted in the housing and movable between a first position in which the fluid ports are fluidly connected and a second position in which the fluid ports are fluidly disconnected. A seal is carried by the piston and engages a sealing surface in the housing when the piston is in its second position. A scraping member is also carried by the member so that the scraping member passes across and engages the sealing surface as the piston is moved from its first and to its second position thereby cleaning the seal surface. Preferably an eccentric cam is employed for moving the piston between its first and second positions.

Abstract: A guitar pick includes a pick element having a top edge thereon, and a band attached to the pick element adjacent its top edge. The band is relatively stiff but deformable and comprises two angularly disposed band portions meeting at a juncture 50. The thumb-adjacent portion subtends a 90.degree. circular arc and is disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the pick element, and 45.degree. relative to the axis of the pick element. The other band portion subtends a 225.degree. circular arc and is disposed in a plane 135.degree. relative to the pick element. The pick element is thereby movable from a playing position to a position where it does not interfere with the player's hand.

Abstract: A transformer for electric welders, especially welders having a welding gun secured to a robot arm, comprises a small lightweight loop core having first and second substantially C-shaped sections abutted together at their free ends with primary and secondary windings coaxially wrapped about one pair of abutting shanks. The secondary winding comprises an elongated flat sheet wrapped around abutting shanks of the core and has projecting tabs extending from opposite sides of the sheet. A primary winding comprising a plurality of coil sections is coaxially wrapped about the secondary winding whereby the secondary winding is substantially entirely coupled to the primary winding. The windings are encapsulated in a dielectric material such as a synthetic polymer resin. The transformer is preferably connected to a high frequency electrical power source.

Abstract: A filter assembly for detachable connection with a housing, comprising an elongated tubular filter element; and a holder assembly for the filter element, which includes a closure plate which engages one end of the filter element and an annular retainer which engages the other end. An elongated rod extending axially through the center of the filter element connects the closure member and annular member together so that the filter element is entrapped therebetween. The filter assembly is insertable through the open end of the housing and into the filter chamber so that the housing inlet is open through the annular retainer to the interior of the filter element. The filter element is spaced radially inwardly from the walls forming the filtering chamber thus defining an annular chamber which is fluidly connected to the housing outlet. A closure cap is then secured to and closes the end of the housing.

Abstract: A plural fluid coupling comprising a plurality of fluid connectors each of which has a male and female part which are movable with respect to each other between a fluidly connected and an unconnected position. The male parts of the fluid connectors are attached to a first plate while the female parts are attached to a second plate so that, with the plates positioned adjacent each other, the male and female parts of the fluid connectors are aligned with each other. A clamping assembly is pivotally connected to one plate and, upon actuation, moves the plates together and the fluid connector part to their fluidly connected positions.