Abstract: A device for determining the deviation of a target provided with a retrorector from a predetermined location in three spatial directions has a laser and a quadrant detector arranged next to it, which can be displaced jointly in the three spatial directions X, Y, Z. In this arrangement, the Z-setting is readjusted with the aid of a range measurement, so that the target is optimally illuminated. On the basis of the signal in the quadrant detector a displacement in the X-direction and Y-direction is effected in order to obtain a zero signal from the quadrant detector. The readjustments in the three directions are a measure of the deviation which can be displayed on a display via control electronics.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for transferring flanged articles from a vibratory feeder to a discharge station which features a pair of feed rails one of which has a curved external hearing surface for providing point bearing contact with a flange of the article being transferred.A method is disclosed for discharging and orienting flanged articles for delivery from a vibratory feeding device which includes the mounting of one of a pair of feed rails above the other feed rail at an entrance end of a discharge device for supporting the flanged article with its body portion tilted away from the other rail and supporting an outlet end of the discharge device such that its rails position the body portion of the flanged article in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: A machine for assembling a button shell and button back which features a pair of feeders for advancing shells and backs to a locating and closing station and a mandrel movable from a locating jig to an overlying locating head for registering a shell within a die therein, and power means for driving the die and shell into a closing die of the jig for crimping the shell about a button back to form a finished button. A method of assembling buttons is disclosed including steps of nesting a button shell and button back, engaging the shell of a nested shell and back within a shell locating die in precise registration therein, and then closing the shell onto the back by compressing the nested shell and back between the shell locating die and a closing die.

Abstract: An optical fiber cleaving tool is disclosed having a frame with means for holding a fiber optic connector installed intermediate the length of an optical fiber against lengthwise movement, thereby providing a fixed fiber axis. A pair of selectively operable clamps are supported on the frame for engagement with the fiber at a location spaced from the connector, the clamps are further supported for slideable movement parallel to the fiber axis for placing a tension along the fiber axis to slightly enlongate the fiber. A pair of opposed, selectively operable fiber engaging members are supported on the frame for opposed engagement with the fiber, at least one of the members having a sharpened blade for scribing the fiber, the force placed on the fiber by one member being equal and opposite to the force placed on the fiber by the other member during scribing of the fiber for subjecting the fiber to zero torsion and zero bend stress.

Abstract: A jewelry clasp having a catch box and a catch insertable into the catch box to a locked position releasably joining the catch and the catch box. A resiliently deformable interlocking segment of the catch engages a locking member of the box in a locked position. A tab is formed on the interlocking segment for engagement with a human finger to unlock the catch and catch box.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming ice crystals for seeding an air-water mixture in making snow comprising an aspirator in communication with a first chamber, a second chamber connected to the first chamber through a first mixing tube, and a second mixing tube leading from the second chamber to an outlet. Low pressure air is introduced to the second chamber, and high pressure water is supplied to the aspirator to provide a high speed jet of water for evacuating air from the first chamber and driving a mixture of air and water droplets along the first mixing tube and into the second chamber wherein the mixture is accelerated by the flow of low pressure air through the second chamber and along the second mixing tube.

Abstract: A device for preparing hot drinks is disclosed having a liquid-storage vessel 3, an electric heating element 14 arranged therein, a current supply circuit 17 and a collecting vessel 1 for the prepared drink. This device can be used very advantageously, particularly in vehicles. It is characterized in that the storage vessel 3 is designed as a unit separate from the current supply circuit 17 and closed by valve 10-13 which opens irreversibly at a predetermined pressure inside the storage vessel 3, and is provided with contacts 16 for the supply of electrical current which are connected to the heating element 14 via an electric line 15 which is interrupted when the valve 10-13 is opened. The storage vessel 3 is insertable into the collecting vessel 1 in such a way that in an operative position of the storage vessel 3, a collecting space of the collecting vessel 1 is situated essentially below the storage vessel 3.

Abstract: A tamping tool having a pushing member configured for insertion into a hopper throat of a chipper/shredder device. An operator engageable handle is formed to an end of the pushing member, and a stop is formed intermediate the length of the pushing member for engagement with a hopper of the chipper/shredder to limit the distance the member may be inserted into the hopper throat, the position of the stop being selected to prevent the engagement of the tool with the pulverizing elements of the chipper shredder. A hook is provided on the handle for convenient storage of the tool on the hopper.

Abstract: A delay train ignition buffer (45) is positioned between a transmission tube (11) and a delay train (25) in a detonator housing (15) or a signal transmission tube housing. The buffer controls the rate at which the transmission tube temperature/pressure pulse is applied to the delay train pyrotechnic surface, attenuating the effects of the pulse with a resulting improvement in delay timing precision. The buffer also attenuates the effects of sudden depressurization within the detonator resulting from the rupture of the transmission tube or ejection of the tube from the housing, thereby preventing separation of the reacting pyrotechnic which could otherwise cause the reaction to cease at the point of separation, thus causing failure of the delay train to continue combustion of the pyrotechnic through its length.

Abstract: A transmission tube initiator comprises a body having a passageway formed therein for receiving and retaining an initiator charge. A holder holds a side of a transmission tube in close proximity to the charge. The charge provides an initiation signal which penetrates the transmission tube and initiates a reactive substance contained in the transmission tube.

Abstract: A connection between the ends of two discrete signal transmission devices allows signal propagation between the ends of the devices. The ends of the devices are axially aligned at a close distance from one another within an alignment sleeve. A length of heat-shrink tubing having a sealant on its inner surfaces is placed over the alignment sleeve and the ends of the devices. The tubing is heated and provides axially compressive and radially compressive forces on the alignment sleeve and device ends thereby providing a high tensile strength connection between the device ends.

Abstract: A shut-off valve 50 is disclosed including annular grooves 54 and a valve sleeve 26 including openings 36 which are configured and located relative to each other to define an orifice of variable flow area for supplying fluid from supply passage 16s to motor 16m, the variable orifice having less than maximum flow area when valve 50 is in a normally open position and the variable orifice expanding to maximum flow area during a portion of the travel of valve 50 from the normally open position to a shut-off position.

Abstract: An adjustable dose dispenser having a measuring chamber of constant cross-section defined in a housing wherein an end of the chamber is selectively placed in communication with a reservoir containing flowable material to fill the chamber and with a passage to discharge material from the dispenser, and including a piston movably mounted in the housing and having an end face located in the measuring chamber so as to define the measuring volume between the piston end face and the end of the chamber. A manually operable drive mechanism is movably carried by the housing and has formations thereon operatively engaging formations on the piston so that upon movement of the drive mechanism the piston end face is moved along the measuring chamber to vary the volume thereof and so that dimensional control of the volume of the measuring chamber is determined by tolerance associated with misalignment of the formations on the piston and drive mechanism.