Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for making sheets from reinforced elastomeric ribbon. The apparatus has a lead-in mechanism on which the ribbon is received for preliminary orientation. The apparatus also employs a transfer mechanism that incorporates a shuttle head which is supported by a primary carrier disposed over the assembly mechanism. The shuttle head is capable of being protracted from its normal position over the assembly mechanism to a position over the lead-in mechanism where it is also engaged by a stabilizing carrier which assures precise orientation of the shuttle head during its operative movements with respect to the lead-in mechanism. So stabilized the shuttle head: engages and grasps the ribbon presented by the lead-in mechanism; raises the ribbon off the lead-in mechanism; retracts to position the ribbon above the assembly mechanism; and, accurately deposits the ribbon on the assembly mechanism.

Abstract: A spectroscopic refractometer has a plurality of resonant cavities through which the environment to be sampled may pass, including a first resonant cavity constructed and tuned to resonate at a transition frequency of the resonant material of interest and a second resonant cavity constructed and tuned to resonate at a nontransition frequency closely associated to the transition frequency to which the first resonant cavity is tuned. The resonant cavities are excited by electromagnetic oscillations corresponding in frequency to the transition and the nontransition frequency. A corrrelating parameter, such as frequency difference, is determined between the signals within the first and second resonant cavities, which in the absence of the resonant material of interest has a constant value.

Abstract: A reversible valve for selectively delivering a pressurized gaseous mixture to and exhausting it from a reversible air motor or other pressure operated device. The valve has a perforate piston actuated by introducing the pressurized gas to a through flow position closing off lateral exhaust ports and actuated by the pressurized gas and a spring to a position fully opening the exhaust ports when flow to the valve is reversed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spooling apparatus that can be threaded on the fly to anchor, controllably twist and wind filament onto a receiving spool. A receiving spool is non-rotatably mounted on a spool shaft for axial reciprocation. A lead-in pulley, whose rotational axis is perpendicular to the receiving spool axis, is spaced axially outboard with respect to the receiving spool. A flier is mounted to rotate concentrically about the receiving spool and presents a pick-up head adapted to engage the feed run of the filament as it passes between the lead-in pulley and an orienting pulley located in proximity to the inboard end of the receiving spool. The orienting pulley is canted such that the tailing run of the filament cannot be engaged by the pick-up head as it rotates with the flier although the canting of the orienting pulley disposes the feed run such that it will be engaged by the rotating pick-up head when the spool reaches a predetermined position along its range of axial reciprocation.

Abstract: A platform hand truck having an integrally formed rectangular platform preferably of synthetic resin with a planer top deck and a depending rim flange. The deck is reinforced on its underside with a patterned rib structure provided with a plurality of recesses for receiving caster-mounting adapter blocks of synthetic resin in selective arrangements. The adaptor blocks are designed to embrace reinforcing angles supporting caster plates carrying the platform. A removable cover of plastic material is preferably provided for enclosing the platform.

Abstract: A tapered tubular chair base leg is formed from a tube of uniform cross section throughout its length by deforming the bottom wall and adjoining portions of the sidewalls of the tube inwardly to produce an interior rib which is inclined throughout its length relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The smaller end of the formed tube is then formed to close the end and provide a downwardly open bore for frictionally embracing a tubular caster-mounting bushing.

Abstract: A mount having a clamp for mounting the motor tube of a fishing motor on the transom of a boat for swinging between a vertical operating position and a horizontal stowed position over the boat. A yoke for holding the motor tube is swiveled on the clamp and a manually releasable catch bracket pivoted on the yoke locks the yoke to the clamp in the operating position. A biased clip on the clamp releasably locks the yoke in the stowed position.

Abstract: A tiered letter tray comprising at least two trays detachably stacked one upon another by rectangular plastic riser plates and a vertical file comprising at least one L-shaped trough having means at one side of its base for selective attachment to the side of the bottom letter tray, said trough adapted at the other side of its base for selective attachment to one side of a like trough, and an end cap adapted for selective attachment to said one side of the base for using said trough detached from said letter tray.

Abstract: A pipeline shutoff control actuated by movement of a pressure responsive element connected to the pipeline and having a predetermined restraining force applied thereto, said restraining force adapted to release said element in response to a predetermined rate of pressure drop in said pipeline whereby to actuate said control.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unitary bracket for holding down an antenna mounted on a vehicle. The bracket includes an elongate body portion having one end configured to be readily clipped onto the gutter strip of the vehicle. The other end of the body portion is configured to receive and hold the antenna in a position generally paralleling the roof line of the vehicle. Because different styles of vehicles have different sized gutter strips, the end of the body portion which is clipped onto the strip can be made universally adaptable to the various sized strips.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for absorbing the energy of a vehicle and protecting the same in the event of a collision with a relatively immovable hazard along a highway such as a bridge abutment or the like. The device includes a network of toroidal members, such as tires, including at least two rows of upright tires and a line of tires between the row of tires. The rows of tires extend in a direction generally transverse to the expected direction of impact with the tires of the line of tires extending in a direction generally longitudinally of the expected direction of impact. A plurality of stanchions are preferably located generally between the first row of tires and the hazard. A cable or the like extends from each stanchion and through the tires in the rows of tires to hold them down. The tires in each row are connected to each other and to the tires in the lines of tires to form an integral network of tires to absorb the energy of the impact.

Abstract: A quick disconnect device for connecting a flexible tube to a poppet valve comprising a valve actuator inserted in the end of the tube, an outer sleeve screwed onto the valve and having an inner recess for receiving an O-ring surrounding the tube behind the valve actuator, the sleeve when tightened being adapted to constrict the O-ring on the tube and open the valve and when loosened to allow withdrawal of the tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modified striking mechanism for use in pianos and related instruments having strings or their equivalent to produce musical notes and keys to select the notes. The mechanism includes a hammer assembly, a lever driving the hammer, coacting gear means for imparting motion to the hammer and features a novel escapement action for use therewith. Additionally disclosed are improvements including an escapement action adapted for use with conventional piano striking mechanisms, a novel damper assembly, a mechanism for activation by the soft pedal of the piano, a tension adjustment mechanism for varying the amount of force necessary to strike a key, and novel balance rail and capstan lever assemblies.

Abstract: A flexible hollow fishing rod shaft of improved strength to weight ratio with respect to both bending and crushing strength, having an outer layer of longitudinally extending fiber glass filaments bonded together with a flexible plastic resin, and an inner layer of graphite filaments wound in a tight helix and impregnated with a plastic resin bonding agent.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying an elastomeric cover stock to an annular tire bead including a lower carriage for supporting the tire bead, an upper carriage mounted for movement to clampingly engage the tire bead against the lower carriage, a drive roller for rotationally moving the tire bead, rollers on the upper carriage for adhering the cover stock to the tire bead adjustably positioned with respect to the tire bead and adjustably resiliently biased thereat, and a stock feed and severing mechanism supplying a length of the cover stock sufficient for wrapping about the circumference of the tire bead.

Abstract: A wheel disk display and placard holder adapted to be mounted within the bead portion of a pneumatic tire having a decorative surface extending generally radially and to an extent axially outwardly of a central projecting hub, a circumferential flange positioned outwardly of the decorative surface to selectively receive a generally flat placard, and retainers on the circumferential flange to maintain a placard in place within the wheel disk after its insertion into the confines of the circumferential flange.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for accurately indexing a worktable which carries a workpiece thereon upon which work operations are to be performed. The worktable is moved intermittently to successive locations by a pneumatic cylinder under the direction of a program device movable with the worktable. A control device, in its preferred form being a pneumatic logic circuit, reads the program device to actuate the cylinder in accordance with the program, locks the worktable at the desired position, actuates the machine operations, and otherwise directs the entire operation on the workpiece.

Abstract: A connector to provide a fast-make coupling by which releasably to interconnect a control device to a push-pull control cable assembly. The control device has at least a sheath member and a plunger movable longitudinally within a passage through the sheath member. A connector housing is substantially permanently secured to the casing of the push-pull control cable assembly and releasably attached to the sheath member so as to be longitudinally aligned with the passageway therein. A shuttle plug, which is secured to the core of the push-pull control cable assembly is slidably received within the connector housing and the passageway in the sheath member to which the connector housing is releasably attached. A lug is presented from the plunger and interacts with a socket in the shuttle plug to effect an interconnection that is readily engaged and released, but only when the connector housing is not attached to the sheath member.

Abstract: An appurtenance may be lockably secured to a decoratable wall by the disclosed device. The decoratable wall includes a decoratable panel with a resilient edge, at least one spline with a plurality of slots therein, and a frame supporting the panel and spline. The device includes a bracket to which the appurtenance may be attached having at least one hook member for removable insertion into a first slot in the spline, and a safety lock carried by and movable with respect thereto into engagement with a second slot of the same spline. The safety lock ensures the hook member may not be disengaged from the spline while the safety lock is engaged with the second slot.

Abstract: A display stand for generally toroidal articles capable of being folded into a single plane for convenient storage or transporting having two sides, with a first side member being formed as an integral enclosed wire loop and the other side member being similarly configured and pivotally attached to form a hinge about a common leg with the first side member, base legs of the sides which engage a resting surface for the display stand, riser posts incorporated in the sides to vertically displace the article to be displayed up off of the resting surface, carriage arms formed in the sides at a convenient angle for visual observation of the displayed article, dogleg offsets in the arms which engage the article to insure its retention, and a crossbar for locking the sides in spaced relation and forming a generally triangular resting zone for the article to be displayed.