Abstract: A warning system for a hair dryer to warn the user when the air inlet of the dryer has become clogged with hair or other particles, the dryer including an air filter in the inlet, an air-actuated whistle having an air inlet end and an air outlet end, the whistle being mounted in the air inlet with the air inlet end outside the filter and the air outlet end inside the filter. Air will pass through the whistle when the inlet has become clogged, causing it to blow, and thereby warning the user that the inlet has become clogged. This occurs when the air pressure differential between the two sides of the filter reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: A ratchet block comprised of a frame, moveable sheave assembly, ratchet assembly and cam wherein the ratchet automatically engages under load permitting rotation of the sheave in only one direction, and disengages when the load is removed permitting rotation in both directions. This automatic engagement and disengagement of the ratchet to increase or reduce friction when a rope or wire is run through the sheave does not require the user to disengage the ratchet mechanism with a conventional switch.

Abstract: A fiber optics cable raceway is formed of main channel members and telescope members. The main channel members have a generally U-shaped cross-section with a base, sides, and, at the top, inwardly extending lips. The telescope members have the same cross-section, but are slightly larger so they can fit about the main channel members for a longitudinally sliding fit. By alternately, interfitting main members and telescope members and adjusting the length by telescopic sliding, a raceway of the desired length can quickly be assembled. Small locking clips can then be fitted about the respective overlapping lips of two members to prevent further sliding. The raceway can be installed below the floor by the use of brackets hanging on pre-existing floor-supporting pedestals. It can be installed above a dropped ceiling by the use of hangers clamped to the grid struts of the ceiling. The locking clips serve to electrically interconnect the channel members and the telescope members.

Abstract: An expandable display including a central member and two end pieces, the central member including fingers extending laterally from each side, the end pieces each having fingers extending laterally towards the central member, the fingers of the end pieces slidingly engaging the fingers of the central member, permitting the width of the display to be varied by relative sliding movement between the central member fingers and the end piece fingers. Each of the end pieces may include a hinged back for receiving and holding a display card. The central member may include a clamp at the rear for securing the display to another structure.

Abstract: A display formed of two colorless, transparent plastic cylinders mounted concentrically with a vertical axis upon a base. The space between the two cylinders forms a tank which is filled with liquid and some plastic snowflakes having a slightly greater specific gravity than the liquid. An object to be displayed is positioned within the inner cylinder and, so, is not in contact with the liquid. The object and the liquid are illuminated by a light within the base. A motor operates a pump having an uncased spiral rotor projecting vertically downwardly into the liquid. Rotation of the pump causes a diffuse upward flow of the liquid and the snowflakes in the vicinity of the pump. Though this causes the snowflakes to move upwardly in a gentle and diffuse manner, this motion isn't particularly noticed by an observer. When the snowflakes reach the top of the liquid, they are diffused sidewardly and begin dropping, creating a snowfall effect.

Abstract: A testing device for single-pole voltage testing comprises, between a test electrode (1) and a ground electrode (2), a high impedance dropping resistor (R1) and a measurement resistor (R2) connected in series. The ground electrode (2) is capacitively coupled to earth through the body of the user. The value of the dropping resistor (R1) is at least 10 times greater than the maximum variation which occurs in the capacitively coupled reactance (C1, C2) of the user relative to the ground, so that the total impedance is almost constant. The voltage drop across the measurement resistor (R2) is amplified, rectified and compared in a comparison circuit with predetermined reference voltages in order to control a light emitting diode indicator (D2, D3, D4, D5) corresponding to the measured voltage. The test device can also be constructed for contactless voltage testing or can also be used as a continuity tester.

Abstract: A fiber optics cable raceway is formed of main channel members and telescope members. The main channel members have a generally U-shaped cross-section with a base, sides, and, at the top, inwardly extending lips. The telescope members have the same cross-section, but are slightly larger so they can fit about the main channel members for a longitudinally sliding fit. By alternately, interfitting main members and telescope members and adjusting the length by telescopic sliding, a raceway of the desired length can quickly be assembled. Small locking clips can then be fitted about the respective overlapping lips of two members to prevent further sliding. The raceway can be installed below the floor by the use of brackets hanging on pre-existing floor-supporting pedestals. It can be installed above a dropped ceiling by the use of hangers clamped to the grid struts of the ceiling. The locking clips serve to electrically interconnect the channel members and the telescope members.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine ducted to have the air pass sequentially through a single stage axial-flow compressor, a single-stage hybrid axial-radial centrifugal compressor, a burner, an inward flow radial turbine, an axial-flow, high-pressure turbine, and then exit nozzles. The axial compressor and axial turbine are on a common core shaft. The centrifugal compressor and the radial turbine are on a common porous hub and form an integral, modular unit in which forces on the radial turbine blades drive the centrifugal compressor. The porous common hub permits air to transpire from the compressor to the turbine, serving to cool the turbine. Fuel is burned in annular, "folded-comma" shaped burners with multiple fuel-injection and ignition zones (two-stage combustion).

Abstract: A lock for front-mounting through a panel opening in a panel, the lock having a face plate, a barrel extending transversely from the face plate, and a shaft extending from the barrel to receive a cam. The lock has a retaining spring with a base and two legs, the base and legs being formed of spring steel and being integral with one another, the base having a central opening receiving the shaft and being so dimensioned as to be able to pass through the panel opening when the base is mounted on the shaft, each of the legs having two sides of different lengths so that the outer ends of the legs are angular. The legs extend generally transversely of the base with the outer ends being spaced apart a greater distance than the size of the panel opening, so that when the lock is pressed through the panel opening the face plate will engage with one side of the panel and the outer ends will engage with the other side of the panel, securing the lock in position.

Abstract: A pre-assembled front-loading lock having a first cam fixedly mounted on its shaft, a second cam parallel to the first cam and rotatably mounted on the shaft, and a locking member fixedly mounted on the shaft to secure the second cam against rotation with respect to the first cam when the second cam has been rotated about the shaft a predetermined amount. As a result, the lock with the cams can be pressed through a panel opening and the cams thereafter be readily moved into operating position. A stop is provided on the locking member to prevent the second cam from being rotated in the wrong direction.

Abstract: A wallboard adaptor bracket formed of sheet metal defining a plate with a central opening therein, holes in the bracket for receiving retaining screws, the holes having been formed by coining the material to form an opening and to form a collar around the opening on one surface of the sheet metal. The retaining screw holes and collar are so dimensioned as to hold the retaining screws perpendicular to the bracket.

Abstract: An air diffuser for attachment to a hair dryer, with a housing containing an air inlet, a hood, and an air outlet from the hood, a face plate having a front side and a rear side and being pivotally mounted in the air outlet so that alternately one or the other of the sides can face outwardly. The face plate has air orifices passing through it and presents a different pattern of orifices on the two sides. One side has fingers mounted extending from it, the fingers including an air passages running within the fingers and through to the other side. That side also has a skirt along its periphery. As a result, the air diffuser provides for a different air diffusion pattern when the front side faces outwardly than when the rear side faces outwardly.

Abstract: A self-adjusting lock has a keeper stud with a base that is mounted in a recess in a keeper assembly so that it can slide in four directions. As the bevelled keeper stud is pressed into an opening in a latch assembly, the stud self-adjusts in the necessary direction to achieve alignment. A spring pressing the base against a surface causes the base, and so the keeper stud, to be frictionally held in its new position. The keeper stud has a series of spaced ratchet teeth, axially separated from one another, any of which can interengage with the latch mechanism. Thus, the lock is adjusted in this direction each time the lock is closed, resulting in a lock self-adjustable in six directions.