Abstract: A disposable shipping and installation clip holding in an extended position the input member of a linear actuator, such as the input member of a hydraulic master cylinder operating a remotely located slave cylinder connected to the master cylinder through a conduit, the apparatus being filled with hydraulic fluid prior to shipment and installation on a utilization mechanism. The clip has a generally U-shaped channel body having sidewall portions elastically spreadable apart from each other such as to permit clipping the channel body over the input member. The clip body is preferably provided with outwardly extending projecting portions, finger-graspable, to facilitate removal. In the alternative, the clip is in the form of a U-shaped flat washer disposed in a groove in the input member periphery.

Abstract: A winch operating a drum around which a control cable is wound, the control cable controlling the opening and closing of shutters and smoke exhaust vents. The drum is driven by a gear train which may be immobilized by an electromagnetic brake or lock, such that the shutters or vents may be held closed or open, or in any intermediary position. In addition, the drum is provided with a ratchet wheel which can be immobilized by a solenoid operated rod. The electromagnetic brake or lock and the solenoid operating the ratchet wheel rod are controlled by push-buttons, and an emergency control is provided for releasing simultaneously the ratchet wheel and the electromagnetic brake or lock, such as to operate the drum for instantaneously opening the shutters and air vents to evacuate smoke and gases from the building.

Abstract: A variable transparency window assembly comprising a plurality of polarizing window elements, the first and second of said elements being fixedly secured to supporting structure with their respective principal axes of polarization mutually aligned and a third of said elements being located intermediate said first and second elements in axially spaced relation thereto and being mounted for rotation with respect to the first and second polarizing elements. The third and rotatable element may be manually or motor driven, and in the latter instance this element may be secured to a partially toothed or geared ring member actuated for rotation through a limited arc under control of connecting motor and gear means, limit means and actuating cam means and a three-position electric switch means.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder, such as more particularly the master cylinder of motor vehicle hydraulic brake system or of a motor vehicle clutch hydraulic control system, provided with a relatively thin plated coating, autocatalytically or electrolessly deposited, of nickel phosphorous matrix containing sub-micron particles of a polyfluorocarbon resin, preferably polyfluoroethylene. The plated coating provides a good wearing surface having self-lubricating properties provided by the exposed polyfluorocarbon resin particles smearing the surface of the coating, and reducing considerably squeaking noise during operation of the master cylinder. Alternatively, or additionally, the surface of the pistons may be provided with a plated coating.

Abstract: A wear indicator for knuckle or swivel joints of the ball and socket type wherein the spherical surfaces in swivelling engagement are urged in bearing engagement by a retainer member accomplishing the double function of holding the ball and the socket in assembly and of applying a pre-load force to the ball to prevent vibration and rattle and to compensate for wear of the bearing surfaces. The wear indicator is in the form of an elongate member attached to the pre-load retainer member at a portion thereof which is progressively movable in the direction of wear of the bearing surfaces of the joint for maintaining the pre-load pressure upon the bearing surfaces.

Abstract: In a travelling wire EDM apparatus, the location of an electric discharge along the portion of the electrode wire in the machining zone between the electrode wire and the workpiece, in the course of a cut being effected on the electrode workpiece by electrical discharges, is measured by measuring the currents flowing through each of the two lines connecting one output of the pulse generator associated with the EDM apparatus to the electrode wire on one side and the other of the machining zone. The measured currents are added and subtracted and the position, or location, of an electrical discharge is determined by a signal proportional to the quotient of the difference by the sum of the currents.

Abstract: Sealed ball and socket joints having a spherical member capable of swiveling relative to a socket member. A bearing ring disposed with or without clearance in a housing has a concave spherical surface portion in swiveling engagement with the ball member, and a pair of symmetrically disposed resilient rings installed between the bearing ring and the inner surface of the housing constantly urge the bearing surface of the bearing ring in engagement with the spherical member surface to prevent rattle and to compensate for wear. A bellows seal, formed integrally with one of the resilient rings or, alternatively, formed separate, is fastened at one end in the shell. The bellows seal is held elastically at its other end around a portion of the spherical member.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for compensating uneven gravity filling with powder material of a die cavity formed on the top of a punch reciprocable in a bore in a die plate, the punch having an end face normally parallel to the surface of the die plate. The punch is mounted on an adjustable support member split into portions having each an end face disposed parallel to the end face of the other portion. The two portions have a common surface of junction disposed in a plane at an angle to the parallel end faces. The two portions are rotated together to orient the surface of junction in the direction of inclination of the punch, and the two portions are independently rotated the same amount in opposite directions as a function of the desired angle of inclination of the punch.

Abstract: A storage and display case having an open top enclosure formed of two portions hingedly connected at the middle of the enclosure. The hinged relation between the enclosure portions permits the enclosure to be supported in a V-shaped configuration between the sidewalls or end walls of an enclosure cover. One of the enclosure portions is provided with means for holding elongated objects, such as paintbrushes, in the form of a slotted frame affixed between the sidewalls of the enclosure portion and a row of clips or grippers. The slots in the frame progressively increase in width from one end of the frame to the other end thereof and the distance between the consecutive grippers in the row progressively increases in a corresponding manner.

Abstract: This invention improves upon enclosing-type fishing pole carriers for holding and protecting fishing poles in their assembled conditions. The fishing pole carrier of the invention has a plurality of parallel spaced-apart tubular members having open-ended slots at their entry ends so as to slidably receive therein the posts for the reels of the respective fishing poles held in the tubular members so that all of the fishing poles are held firmly against movement, ready for immediate use. A water-proof flexible hood is provided for covering the upstanding reels and a closure cap is fitted over the entry end of each tubular member. An arrangement is provided for locking the closure caps to the tubular members to prevent unauthorized access to the fishing poles.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring elongated parts travelling on a first conveyor to a receptacle travelling on a second conveyor, the parts being placed singly in consecutive rows in the receptacle in a substantially vertical position. The apparatus comprises a part pick-up unit having a part pick-up member mounted on a slide. The part pick-up unit is positioned such as to enable the part pick-up member to pick up a part at the end of the first conveyor, and the part pick-up member, mounted on the output shaft of a rotary actuator, is rotated such as to rotate the part from a horizontal position to a vertical position during travel of the part pick-up unit and of the slide from the part pick-up position to the part-loading position.

Abstract: An apparatus for exercising the rotator muscles of the leg of a person. The apparatus has a frame supporting an adjustable seat, a rotatable knee support cradle in which the knee of a user is securely strapped for preventing flexion of the leg at the knee joint, the ankle of the user resting on a rotatable ankle support cradle. The ankle cradle is adjustable in distance relative to the knee cradle. Rotation of the knee cradle is opposed by suspended weights or by any other appropriate energy absorbing device.

Abstract: A clutch release bearing and bearing carrier assembly comprising a support flange proximate an end of the carrier member, and a pair of resiliently flexible lugs on the bearing housing face in engagement with the carrier flange disposed each in a pocket formed in the peripheral surface of the carrier proximate the flange such as to retain the bearing in assembly with the carrier while permitting limited radial motion of the bearing relative to the carrier for self-alignment, and preventing rotational motion of the bearing housing relative to the carrier. An elastomeric cushion is preferably disposed on the surface of the carrier flange for permitting limited angular axial alignment of the bearing with the axis of rotation of the clutch.

Abstract: A hand held device for personal defense provided with a piercing member mounted on the end of a handle. The piercing member is normally sheathed by a tubular protective sheathing housing reciprocable against spring bias from a finite position shielding the piercing member to a position wherein at least the tip of the piercing member projects beyond the tubular housing, such that by a straight stabbing action of the handle, the end of the tubular housing engaging the flesh of an assailant causes the tubular housing to retract such as to expose the end of the piercing member for causing wounds to be inflicted upon the assailant. The piercing member may be in the form of a straight prong permanently attached to the end of the handle, in the form of a double-prong barbed member, or a combination of both, the double-prong barbed member being resiliently and frictionally held in a bore on the end of the handle normally surrounded by the tubular protective sheathing housing.

Abstract: A travelling wire EDM apparatus having a pair of support and guide arms for an electrode wire effecting a cut on an electrode workpiece mounted in a tank filled with machining liquid fluid and capable of being displaced along two directions, relative to the support and guide arms, by a cross-slide table. At least the lower arm passes through an opening in one of the walls of the tank, such wall being formed by two parallel panels, a plate being slidably mounted between the two panels and having a tubular member through which the arm is disposed. Flexible joints are mounted between the plate and the two panels and at least one annular seal provides a sliding leakproof connection between the interior of the tubular member and the arm.

Abstract: A transfer sheet with a color pattern having metallic luster comprising at least a transparent or semi-transparent base film, a mold-removing film layer on one side of the base film, a transparent coloring agent layer in the form of a desired pattern on the mold removing film layer, and an aluminum vapor-coated layer on the transparent coloring agent layer.A method of manufacturing such transfer sheet.

Abstract: A tool changer for an EDM apparatus provided with a reciprocable machining head having a tool holder mounted on the end of the machining head. The tool changer comprises a rotatable indexable turret supporting a plurality of electrode tools each integrally provided with a support member for attachment of the electrode tool/support member assembly to the turret. Successive machining operations are effected by the machining head carrying an appropriate electrode tool, and at the end of each machining operation the electrode tool/support member assembly is attached to the turret.

Abstract: An oiler for depositing oil, in the form of a fine mist or fog, on articles traveling on a conveyor belt, and more particularly eggs in an in-line egg processing apparatus. The oiler is in the form of an enclosure disposed above the conveyor. A nozzle disposed within the enclosure sprays a fine fan-shaped spray of oil impinging upon the bottom floor of the enclosure. An air blower supplies a flow of turbulent air to the interior of the enclosure for slightly pressurizing the interior of the enclosure and creating a fine oil mist or fog which is exhausted from the enclosure through slots at the bottom of the enclosure for coating the shells of the eggs traveling below the enclosure on a conveyor belt.

Abstract: A tool for operating the bolt mechanism of a cylinder lock without the use of a key. The tool comprises a slender steel rod provided on its end with at least one hingedly pivotable knuckle member or portion constantly urged by spring bias means to a pivoted position at a right angle to the axis of the shank. The tool is inserted through the plug key slot until the jointed knuckle member or portion projects beyond the end of the key slot and is automatically extended to a 90.degree.-angle such as to operate the bolt mechanism in the same manner as the conventional lock cam.

Abstract: A shipping and installation restraining strap for an actuator such as the hydraulic slave cylinder of a motor vehicle clutch actuating apparatus. The strap comprises a retaining member in the form of a cylindrical cap installed on the end of the actuator output rod and having a substantially hemispherical end portion engaged in a corresponding partially spherical concave recess in the member operated by the actuator, such as the clutch release lever. The other end of the strips is attached to a non-movable portion of the actuator. Each strip has a portion of reduced strength such as to break upon first operation of the actuator. The cylindrical cap is optionally provided with a radially extending disc-like flange seal resiliently engaged with the surface of the clutch actuating lever beyond the edge of the recess, such as to prevent introduction of dirt in the recess.