Abstract: Large hole boring equipment is used for boring a large diameter blind pilot hole. Then such equipment is removed from the hole and a room is blasted at the closed or blind end of the hole. Then the large hole cutterhead is replaced by a reamer and the equipment is inserted back into the hole. The reamer is an adjustable diameter type and its diameter is increased once it is within such room. A wrench carried by a drive head of a drilling machine is used to rotate a small diameter shaft which extends downwardly through the drill string to a lead screw which is a part of the reamer. Rotation of the lead screw causes axial travel of a lead nut. As the lead nut travels it moves a plurality of links which in turn swing a plurality of cutter carrying arms outwardly from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A variable reluctance transducer assembly for measuring the strain deflection in a structural member includes an elongate housing which is mounted to a first lug extending transversely outwardly from the structural member. The housing supports a pair of magnetic cores in spaced parallel relationship to each other. Each core in turn supports a wire coil. The coils are wired to each generate a magnetic field when energized by an electric current. The transducer assembly is also composed of an elongate target mounted on a second lug extending transversely from the structural member at a location longitudinally spaced from the other lug. The target includes a plate portion which extends longitudinally toward the housing to lie nominally between the two spaced apart cores and their corresponding coils to form a portion of the path along which the magnetic lines of flux eminating for each of the two coils travels.

Abstract: A locking clutch associated with a standard size wheel having a pilot hole opening therein, the clutch being of the type comprising a housing having the clutch mechanism therein including manual means for locking or unlocking the clutch means, the clutch housing comprising an outer body adapted to fit coaxially within the wheel pilot hole opening and having an annular flange at one end with a plurality of wheel stud openings matching the stud openings in the wheel, said annular flange being disposed between the vehicle wheel hub and the wheel and secured to both by the same mounting studs and stud nuts that secure the wheel to the wheel hub.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for planting seed are disclosed. The apparatus comprises frame carried by a plurality of ground engaging wheels. Carried on the frame is a means for raising and lowering the frame with respect to the ground. A planter bar having a plurality of seed dispensing boots for penetrating the ground and insertion seeds therein when the frame is lowered is carried by the frame. Means on the frame oscillates the planter bar laterally as the ground engaging wheels move across the ground.

Abstract: An apparatus for planting seed is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a wheel hub having an annular cam. A ground engaging seed box is spaced apart and rotatable around the cam. A plurality of seed holders are carried by the seed box and are slidable around the cam. Each seed holder extends within the seed box to obtain a seed and is urged out of the seed box to penetrate the ground and deposit the seed in the ground as the seed box rotates around the cam.

Abstract: A slide fastener is provided with flanges projecting forwardly of the front or diverging end portion of a slider body to form a V-shape. The flanges define a pair of diagonal guide faces for guiding foreign matter inwardly toward the central bridge portion of the slider body. Fastener element-receiving openings are formed by the edges of the flanges which also form the guide faces. If foreign matter, such as waste thread, is lodged between teeth of the fastener elements, it is guided along the slider guide faces from the outer edge of the slider to the central bridge thus removing the foreign matter. As a result, jamming of the slider is prevented.

Abstract: A plurality of perforated individual seed germinating and sprout growing bags are suspended from sets of portable racks which are placed on circular tray structures. The tray structures are supported in spaced vertical relationship by an upright mast located within an enclosed housing and adapted to rotate about its longitudinal axis. The rack sets of each tray structure are arranged about the longitudinal axis of the mast to form circular tiers. Periodically, filtered and anti-bacterially treated irrigation water is supplied to each bag at a fast enough rate to thoroughly mix the seeds located therein. Water draining from the bags is collected in a storage tank and subsequently recycled after first being filtered and purified. Once the seeds have sprouted, artificial light is provided so that substantially all the sprouts in each bag receive a uniform amount of growing light.

Abstract: A loop circuit interface module enabling a plurality of data terminals remote from each other and from a central controller to communicate with each other and the central controller over a plurality of data channels interconnecting same is disclosed. The loop circuit interface module comprises a plurality of data ports for inputting data from either the loop controller or another loop circuit interface module. The data ports also output data to the loop controller or another loop circuit interface module. The module has a plurality of signal ports for inputting data from the data terminal and for outputting data to the data terminal. A bridging means provides a matched impedance between the loop circuit interface module, the loop controller, and the data terminals. The bridging further provides gain to the data at the plurality of ports.

Abstract: A magnetic base adapted to be secured to a magnetic substance attractively, wherein a permanent magnet 20 having a small reversible permeability .mu. is employed as a rotary magnet housed in a magnetic block 18 and rotated for switching magnetic active surfaces 24 of the block from an unexcited state to an excited state, thereby effecting a light and smooth rotation.

Abstract: A pair of embroidery hoops especially adapted to be used with a sewing machine including an inner hoop of fixed diameter and an outer hoop composed of substantially quadrantly related, arcuate hoop segments adjustably interconnected by circumferentially acting screw type connectors, permitting one-handed adjustment of the outer hoop without distortion of the work material. Each of the two hoops is notched along its upper edge to facilitate movement of the hoops under and out from under the presser foot and needle of the sewing machine. Opposed lug members extend inwardly of the inner hoop and provide surfaces to be contacted by the user's thumbs or forefingers for ease of manipulation of the hoops while doing embroidery.

Abstract: A main frame includes an annular beam by which the cutterhead is mounted onto an earth boring machine for a rotation about an axis of rotation. A plurality of radial spoke beams extend generally vertically at the front of cutterhead and curve rearwardly to intersect with the annular beam. Each radial spoke beam is constructed from a pair of spaced apart side plate members which define spaces between them for receiving a plurality of roller cutter mounts therebetween. Roller cutters, including gauge cutters, can be installed and removed from their associated cutter mounts from the rear side of the cutterhead. A plurality of generally radially elongate cut-ground-material passageways extend through the cutterhead in the regions between the radial spoke beams.

Abstract: A dent straightening tool having a manually graspable handle affixed to one end of an elongate shaft and a work piece engaging, helically threaded member affixed to the opposite end of the shaft. The threaded member has a substantially constant radius root with a blunt tip provided at the distal end of the root. The thread begins from a minimum radius at the blunt tip and then progressively increases in radius along the length of the root to attain a size substantially larger than the radius of the root so that the depth of the thread is substantially deeper than the radius of the root. Also, the flat length of the thread, as measured along the root, is at least one-half of the pitch length of the thread.

Abstract: A nonmagnetic conductive material separating apparatus designed for separation of conductive material from non-conductive material, comprising a drum composed of nonmagnetic substance and rotated in one direction around its longitudinal center axis, and means for generating a magnetic field rotated in the direction reverse to that of the drum. Composite input material posterior to previous removal of magnetic substance therefrom is introduced into the cylinder, and the nonconductive material contained in the entire input material is directed to the rotational direction of the drum along the inner wall thereof, while the conductive material is directed to the reverse direction by the electromagnetic force of the rotating-field generating means.

Abstract: An indicating device including an indicator having a plurality of information bearing surfaces adapted to be movable from a first position to a plurality of second positions. The indicating device includes an armature member coupled to the indicator and adapted to pivot about an axis with the armature member having a plurality of radially extending armature pole pieces disposed at its opposite ends. A stator member having a plurality of pole pieces disposed adjacent each armature pole piece and in a spaced apart relation therefrom such that when the armature member pivots about is axis, one of the armature pole pieces rotates toward one of the stator pole pieces, and the other of the armature pole pieces rotates away from the other of the stator pole pieces.

Abstract: Game apparatus comprising a first polyhedronal body suitably in the form of a tetrahedronal pyramid and a second polyhedronal body suitably in the form of a tetrahedronal pyramid are interconnected in spaced parallel relationship by an elongate member which extends through the vertices of and which is aligned with the axis of the two pyramids. Either pyramid can serve as the base for the other during play. The side surfaces of both pyramids are divided into a plurality of areas formed by lines intersecting the mid-points of the adjacent edges of the surfaces of each pyramid. Either pyramid can be used individually or they both can be used together during play. Also, a third pyramid can be placed on top of either of the two pyramids to alter the game apparatus for other types of games. A plurality of markers, suitably magnetic in character and divided into two individually distinct sets, are selectively positionable within the spaces of the first and second pyramids.

Abstract: A semi-automatic roller type locking clutch for use between concentric rotational driving and driven members comprises a semi-automatic locking means and a manually activated locking means. The semi-automatic locking means is adapted to displace a plurality of rollers each disposed within a plurality of grooves circumferentially disposed on one member up onto one edge of the grooves and into contact with one edge of each of a plurality of grooves disposed on the other member whenever the driving member rotates faster than the driven member. The manually activated locking means is adapted to urge a clutch ring member slidably splined to one member into splined engagement with the other member when the members are nonrotational with respect to each other.

Abstract: A panel adapted for mounting on a building, the panel being formed from a plurality of thin panels of a selected stone facing material, such as granite or marble, backed and interconnected by fiberglass-strengthened concrete underlaying the plurality of thin panels and covering and engaging anchor means mounted in the backs of the stone panels. The method of forming the building panel involves placing the granite or marble panels face down in a form, mounting anchor means in the backs thereof, and overlaying both the plurality of thin panels and the anchor means with a fiberglass-strengthened concrete mixture, and curing the mixture both within and without a support form.

Abstract: A variable position friction joint, including a housing defining a housing cavity receiving therein a relatively soft lining material defining a lining cavity. A joint member has a rounded end which is received with a snug friction fit within the lining cavity, said joint member and said housing being selectively movable relative to each other. The joint member and said housing may be tipped relative to each other and/or they may be selectively moved rotationally relative to each other relative to the axis of said joint member. The rounded end of the joint member may include a plurality of valleys in the surface thereof to prevent squeaking of the joint when said joint member and said housing are moved relative to each other. The lining material may comprise either a tubular member defining a cylindrical lining cavity or another member which defines a generally spherical lining cavity.

Abstract: A clutch adapted for use in a four-wheel drive vehicle or the like and between concentric driving and driven members having a plurality of axially extending grooves opening radially toward the other member. A plurality of rollers are disposed within the grooves. Torque responsive means moves the rollers radially out of the grooves to one edge thereof and into contact with the driven member, thereby locking the driven member to the driving member whenever the driving member rotates faster or slower than the driven member. Means responsive to the driven member rotation displaces the rollers from one edge of the grooves to a position on the opposite edge of the grooves and into re-engagement with the driven member, thereby locking the driven member to the driving member whenever the driving member attempts to rotate slower than the driven member.

Abstract: A pulsed electric discharge gas laser driven by a folded Blumlein transmission line with liquid dielectric. A method of preionizing and firing the laser discharge utilizing the Blumlein voltage pre-pulse for preionization and the subsequent main voltage pulse for gap switch breakdown. A spark gap switch construction with first and second elongate electrodes, with the first electrode presenting a generally rounded surface to the second electrode which incorporates a thin continuous edge facing the first electrode. An elongate apertured cathode at the lasing chamber, with an elongate preionization electrode positioned behind the cathode, and a power supply providing a preionization electrical pulse across the cathode and preionization electrode producing ions and electrons in the lasing gas prior to the main discharge between the anode and cathode.