Abstract: An attachment or accessory, for semi-automatic firearm, comprising a housing releasably attached to the trigger guard of the firearm, a rotor member rotatably supported in the housing and having cams or lobes adapted to repeatedly actuate the firearm trigger through the intermediary of a rocker member actuated by the rotor cams when the rotor member is rotated. A lever-supported crank and a meshing pinion arrangement rotates the rotor through a one-way clutch coupling when the lever is displaced in one direction, the one-way clutch coupling disconnecting the rotor from the pinion when the lever is displaced in an opposite direction to a return position.

Abstract: A fuel injection and precombustion chamber arrangement for internal combustion engines comprising a pair of concentric poppet valves. The outermost valve is arranged to open and close the precombustion chamber to the internal combustion engine cylinder. The innermost valve is arranged to open and close a chamber, formed in the outermost valve body, to the cylinder and to place a fuel-filled annular groove on the spool of the innermost valve in communication with the precombustion chamber and the chamber in the outermost valve such as to mix air flowing through the chamber of the outermost valve from the cylinder fuel and inject into the precombustion chamber the fuel contained in the annular groove in an atomized state.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a first elongate member is slidably associated with a second elongate member, and the second member is extendable relative to the first member. The second elongate member is arrestable and securable in various positions relative to the first member.An angle-shaped camera support has tubular members attached to each leg of the support, and selectively each tubular member slidably receives the second elongate member. A camera is mountable on one leg of the support and may be releasably arrested and as desired secured releasably in various locations on the second elongate member.In another embodiment of the invention, a main body portion has an extending arm to which is pivotably mounted a camera support shelf. The main body portion is slidable upon the second elongate member, and it is releasably arrestable and securable as desired in various positions on the second elongate member.

Abstract: In a ball and socket joint comprising a ball and a socket in mutual swivelling sliding engagement with each other, the ball having a stud integrally formed at one end thereof and projecting outwardly through one end of the socket, the improvement consisting in forming the socket with an annular groove circularly disposed at the edge of the open end of the socket for fitting and retaining therein the beaded end of a flexible oil-resistant seal having a bellows type body provided at one end with an annular band stretched over the periphery of the stud.

Abstract: A transmission testing apparatus having at least one inertia flywheel having a shaft capable of being coupled to the output shaft of the transmission being tested. The transmission is mounted on a removable plate on an adjustable bulkhead supporting a prime mover, such as an internal combustion engine, and having an output shaft coupled to the input shaft of the transmission. The bulkhead is adjustably positionable such as to align the transmission output shaft with the inertia flywheel shaft. Alternatively, the apparatus comprises two upright members each provided with a shaft driven inertia flywheel such that each of the output shafts of a transaxle transmission may be coupled each to one of the two inertia flywheels.

Abstract: A winding mechanism for rolling and unrolling an articulated shutter curtain, the winding mechanism comprising a tubular drum with a plurality of integral, spaced-apart arms protruding from its exterior surface. The shutter curtain is attached to one of the arms such that rotation of the tubular drum rolls up the curtain from an extended position or rolls down the curtain from a rolled-up position. More particularly, each arm is alternatively provided at one end with either a rod-like or socket-like projection extending along an edge thereof for slidable interconnection with the rod-like or socket-like projection extending along an edge of the top slat of the shutter curtain. In addition, each arm portion is provided with an arcuate land portion for supporting the shutter in a rolled-up fashion. The tubular drum from which the arms protrude is formed with two half cylindrical elongated members which are slidably engaged by longitudinal bent-over interlocking portions disposed along each edge of the members.

Abstract: A mouthpiece for a musical wind instrument. The mouthpiece has a casing, a reed and a reed attachment assembly mounted in the top of the casing. The reed attachment assembly has a support member pivotably connected to a frame. The foot of the reed is clamped against a plate portion of the pivotable support member such that the blade of the reed protrudes from the attachment assembly and extends above the top surface of the casing with the tip of the reed being disposed proximate the leading edge of the casing. Means are provided for adjusting the inclination of the plate of the pivotable support member relative to the frame wherein the distance between the tip of the reed and the leading edge of the mouthpiece casing can be varied by the adjustment means.

Abstract: A structure for rapid coupling of a housing, such as the housing of a hydraulic cylinder, to a bifurcated support member simply by pushing the housing between the bifurcated portions of the support member. The housing is provided with a generally U-shaped mounting clip having springingly spreadable legs provided each with an abutment engaging a corresponding abutment on each of the bifurcated portions of the support member. As the clip-provided housing is pushed between the bifurcated portions of the support member, the clip legs spread sufficiently to permit passage of each of the bifurcated portions of the support member and, once the housing is properly seated and located, the clip legs snap back to their original position engaging their abutment with the abutment provided on the bifurcated portions of the support member.

Abstract: A remote controlled self-propelled vacuum cleaner comprising a manually held radio transmitter and a radio receiver installed in the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner is provided with a pair of freely rotating wheels driven by friction rollers on the ends of a driveshaft driven by an electric motor through an elastic belt. Each drive roller may be disengaged from the tire of the corresponding wheel by a solenoid operated lever. Lifting of a drive roller from a wheel tire causes the simultaneously application of a brake on the wheel such as to cause the vacuum cleaner to be steered in an appropriate direction. The electric motor is reversed for reversing the direction of motion of the vacuum cleaner. The steering solenoids and the direction of rotation of the electric motor are controlled by servos according to the command signals received by the radio receiver.

Abstract: A system for treating water includes an aerator or degasifier that is fluidly connected to a blower that moves gases released from the water cascading down in the aerator over slat trays or plastic packing media. The released gases enter a gas scrubber and are treated with an iron salt solution that removes undesirable gases and that form a sludge that is removed from the scrubber. The residual gases, mostly nitrogen, argon, and other minor gases found in ambient air, flow into the aerator.In some instances, the gas scrubber also includes, in addition to the iron salt solution treating equipment, equipment for treating the released gases with caustic soda solution.

Abstract: A liquid reservoir for a hydraulic master cylinder, having a body with a detachable cap for refilling the reservoir, and a diaphragm secured in position by the cap and dividing the reservoir into an air chamber, vented to atmosphere via a hole in the cap and a liquid chamber connected to the master cylinder. An inlet port is provided in the wall of the reservoir for initial charging of the liquid into the liquid chamber without removal of the cap, the port being closed by a plug after the liquid reservoir has been filled. The method of filling a hydraulic control system which has such a reservoir is by the application of vacuum to the system via the inlet port, introducing liquid into the system through the port and subsequently sealing the port with the plug.

Abstract: A liquid reservoir for a hydraulic master cylinder, having a body with a detachable cap for refilling the reservoir, and a diaphragm secured in position by the cap and dividing the reservoir into an air chamber, vented to atmosphere via a hole in the cap and a liquid chamber connected to the master cylinder. An inlet port is provided in the wall of the reservoir for initial charging of the liquid into the liquid chamber without removal of the cap, the port being closed by a plug after the liquid reservoir has been filled. The method of filling a hydraulic control system which has such a reservoir is by the application of vacuum to the system via the inlet port, introducing liquid into the system through the port and subsequently sealing the port with the plug.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a gear drive such as the gear drive of a roll-type shutter or awning. One of the gear shafts, preferably the driving gear shaft, is rotatably supported such as to be longitudinally displaceable, and carries at its free end a transverse pin. A stationary member is provided with radial grooves engageable by the projecting end of the pin when the shaft is longitudinally displaced under the action of a coil spring. The gear is coupled to the shaft by a pin transversely disposed through the shaft and projecting in longitudinal grooves formed in a portion of the gear. The locking mechanism is unlocked by introducing the end of a crank handle into a coupling socket mounted on the other end of the shaft, and applying longitudinal pressure with the crank handle, such as to disengage the locking mechanism prior to hand-driving the shaft in rotation by way of the crank handle.

Abstract: A sound attachment for a reed instrument such as a harmonica. A housing is provided having an open end adapted for attachment to the instrument, covering the full width of the portion of the instrument from which sound is emitted, and a closed opposite end. Interior walls of the housing converge from the open end to an area intermediate the length of the housing, defining a sound funnel. A sound absorbing collar is mounted transversely within the housing, located between the intermediate area and the closed end of the housing, and has an electronic sound pick up element mounted therein. The pick up element is located to provide an air chamber on both sides of the collar pick up element assembly which achieves a balanced condition such that when the chambers are filled with air, virtually total sound from the instrument is received by the pick up element with very little or no distortion, and thus may be amplified without distortion.

Abstract: A camera support including an angle-shaped base is releasably mountable to an extendable telescopic tubular leg member. The angle-shaped base includes two legs and a tubular member fixed to each leg. The telescopic member has an upper slide section and a lower base section. The upper slide section being slidably disposed in one of the tubular members of the angular-shaped base. The lower base section is slotted longitudinally and grooved peripherally such that when a clamp is fitted into the grooves and actuated, the base is releasably secured in selected positions along the upper slide section. The base member may be manually arrested when the camera is in a first and a second picture taking attitude and the base member is slidably supported by upper slide section. In some instances the upper slide section may be removed from the lower base section and used independently.

Abstract: A neck garment to be worn with an outer garment, such as a coat or sweater. The garment is provided with a portion for tucking beneath the shoulder portions of an outer garment and with a portion which can be worn in a rolled fashion, covering just the neck, or which can be unrolled to cover not only the neck but portions of the face as well. End-to-end fastening means are provided which permit putting the garment on, or taking it off, without pulling the garment over the head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for threading or rethreading the end of an electrode wire through an aperture in a workpiece in which a cut is to be effected, by electrical discharges in a machining zone between the electrode wire and the workpiece. While the end of the electrode wire is brought in proximity with the inlet of the aperture in the workpiece, the end of the electrode wire is disposed in a pressurized fluid flowing towards the inlet of the aperture in the workpiece such that the end of the electrode wire is automatically centered relative to the aperture, and threading the end of the wire through the aperture.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument that is particularly adapted to lift individual ones of sutures from the skin of a patient and to hold each suture by means of a knot at one end thereof while cutting the suture to free it from the skin. The instrument comprises a longitudinally extended body having a generally straight handle portion at one end and a pair of tines at the other end. Both tines are upturned and are of unequal length with blunt innermost edges defining a narrow slot open at one end to snare the knot of a suture. The tine ends are blunt and rounded, the longer of which is insertable under the suture. A longitudinal sharp, thin cutting edge, which comprises a replaceable steel blade in a polycarbonate plastic embodiment, is disposed along a portion of the outermost edge of the longer tine adjacent the junction of both tines and the body.

Abstract: A bearing assembly having bearing surfaces pre-loaded towards each other, the bearing surfaces being originally made in slightly non-conforming geometry and dimensions over the majority of their surface areas in sliding engagement, the areas of the bearing surfaces in engagement being thus less than the total available areas. During use, and through progressive wear-in of the bearing surfaces in engagement, the bearing surface areas in engagement are progressively enlarged with progressive conformity in geometry and dimension, the conforming surface areas being constantly kept in engagement by the elements in the assembly adapted to provide bearing pre-load.