Abstract: A primer feed mechanism for automatically feeding unfired primers to, and extracting fired primers from, an artillery piece. A magazine having a rotatable cylindrical drum carrying a plurality of primer cartridges is detachably mounted adjacent the breach block of an artillery piece. A user actuable release handle controls movement of a reciprocable mounted camplate. Movement of the camplate in one direction indexes the rotatable drum to align a fresh primer cartridge with the firing chamber of the artillery piece. Such movement of the camplate also drives a rearwardly positioned bolt toward the breach block of the artillery piece thereby driving the unfired primer cartridge into the firing chamber. Movement of the camplate in the opposite direction causes the bolt to extract the fired primer cartridge from the firing chamber and back into the magazine drum.

Abstract: A refrigerant purification and recovery apparatus for removing refrigerant from a refrigeration unit includes a compressor, condenser and receiver vessel. Second and third conduits conduct refrigerant flow from the compressor to the condenser and from the condenser to the receiver vessel, respectively. An auxiliary condenser valve may be opened and closed to selectively block flow through the third conduit, and first and second connectors for making fluid communicating connections with the third conduit are located upstream and downstream of the valve, respectively. An auxiliary condenser may be releasably connected to the first and second connectors, and the valve closed, to cause fluid flowing through the third conduit to flow through the auxiliary condenser. The apparatus may include a temperature measurement and signaling device to signal when the temperature of the third conduit is above a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A scissor jack of the type which is mountable on and usable in conjunction with a conventional automotive vehicle lift to permit a selected axle of the vehicle to be elevated relative to the lift. The invention provides a gravity activated locking mechanism which includes a plurality of lock keys of different widths. The keys fall individually into a lock position as the jack rises incrementally in height, to prevent unintended lowering of the jack at any height or any time during the lifting process.

Abstract: An apparatus for rescuing an automatic guided vehicle comprises a pallet lift including a lift body, wheels for a rolling upon a supporting surface, and first and second elongate lift rails extending horizontally forward from the lift body and set apart a distance to allow the rails to embrace an automatic guided vehicle therebetween. First and second lifting tabs extend inward from each of the lift rails and include upper support surfaces for lifting the base of an automatic guided vehicle which lie beneath support surfaces of the first and second rail by a distance greater than a distance and the base of the automatic guided vehicle lies beneath a wheel of a cart being carried piggyback by the automatic guided vehicle. A method of rescuing an automatic guided vehicle and a piggyback cart from an elevator includes rolling the pallet lift onto the elevator to a position in which the automatic guided vehicle is between the lift rails and the rails are beneath the wheels of the cart.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying a heated mixture of propylene glycol based aircraft deicing fluid and water to an aircraft. Propylene glycol based aircraft deicing fluid is heated by means of a directly fired combustion heater. The heated aircraft deicing fluid is mixed with hot water to form a deicing mixture for deicing aircraft. Diaphragm type positive displacement pumps, having controllable volumetric outputs, combine the heated aircraft deicing fluid and the heated water in a desired ratio. The volumetric outputs of the pumps can be varied to achieve a desired proportion of aircraft deicing fluid to water.

Abstract: A tire changer having a vertical wheel hold down shaft rotatably mounted in a base cabinet and extending upward to a wheel mounting end portion above the cabinet. A collar attached to the hold down shaft beneath its mounting end portion and having a frusto-conical section extending upward to a backing flange centered about the hold down shaft. A locking pin which fits into a wheel lug hole extends upward from the flange. An upwardly extending biased centering cone slidably fitted around the hold down shaft. A bead breaker arm pivotally attached to an outside wall of the cabinet to pivot in a horizontal plane. A pneumatic cylinder is provided which is linked to both the hold down shaft and the bead breaker arm to actuate both, thus providing one pneumatic means for two different functions.

Abstract: A refrigerant purification and recovery apparatus for removing refrigerant from a refrigeration unit and for purifying the refrigerant removed from the refrigeration unit includes a compressor, condenser, a receiver-separator vessel having upper and lower end portions, pressure detection means for generating signals indicative of a pressure in the upper end portion of the receiver-separator vessel, liquid detection means for generating a signal indicative of the presence or absence of liquid in the vessel at a position between the upper and lower end portions, means for venting gas from the upper end portion of the receiver-separator vessel, means for draining liquid from the lower end portion of the receiver-separator vessel, and control-signal means for receiving the pressure indicative and liquid-presence indicative signals and generating a drain signal only when the pressure indicative signal is indicative of a pressure greater than a predetermined pressure and the liquid presence indicative signal is ind

Abstract: A supplemental respiratory gas supply control apparatus and method for providing supplemental gas to an in vivo respiratory system includes a pressure sensor adapted to produce pressure indicative signals indicative of pressures sensed, a gas flow control valve, a sensor communication control valve, and a central control unit adapted to receive pressure indicative signals generated by the pressure sensor and to control the gas control valve and the sensor communication control valve in accordance with the signals received. The gas control valve is connected to a source of supplemental gas at regulated pressure and has two positions, a first position isolating the source of supplemental gas from the single hose cannula and a second position communicating the source of supplementary gas with the cannula hose to provide a flow of supplementary gas to the in vivo respiratory system.

Abstract: A superconductor metal matrix composite formable into an electrical current carrying material. A superconductive particulate is intermixed with a normal metal matrix, pressed into form and heated to form the composite. The metal matrix surrounds the superconductive particulate to prevent loss of oxygen from the superconductive particulate so the particulate retains its superconductive properties. The metal matrix also becomes superconductive due to proximity effect.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a photographic camera comprises a lens standard supporting an optical lens and a screen standard supporting an image screen. At least one of the lens standard and screen standard is movable to vary a distance along the longitudinal camera axis by which they are separated, and one of the lens and screen is rotatable about an axis normal to its optical axis. A reel means, including a drum rotatable about a drum axis for coiling a flexible extension member, is fixed in geometric relation to one of the standards. Rotation signaling means generates a rotation signal in response to rotation of the drum means. A distal end portion of the flexible extension member is fixed in relation to the other of the standards such that, when the distance is decreased or increased, the drum means is caused to rotate about the drum axis.

Abstract: A container for viscous materials having volatile components is constructed to have a substantial transparency. The container includes a tubular housing having first and second closing structures at opposite ends. The housing may be entirely constructed of amorphous nylon, but preferably is formed as a laminate having a relatively thin inner lining of high barrier amorphous nylon and an outer sleeve of low barrier plastic, such as polyethylene teraphthalate. The container is adapted for caulking compounds wherein the first closing structure is an end wall, nozzle and snout assembly and wherein the second closing structure is defined by a movable piston slideably received in the housing interior.

Abstract: An assisted breathing interface device for use by emergency care personnel in administering artificial resuscitation of a patient includes a housing unit having an open interior first and orifices communicating with the interior and a vent structure communicating with the interior. The first orifice may be engaged by the mouth of the emergency care administrator and the second orifice may be inserted in and engaged by the mouth of the patient, with the vent structure exteriorly opening to the ambient environment. A valve structure is provided which, when opened, permits passage of air from the first orifice, through the interior and out of the second orifice. When closed, the valve structure prohibits air flow from originating at the second orifice to exit through the interior and out of the first orifice, but permits the air to exit to the ambient environment out of the vent structure. When open, the valve structure preferably restricts air flow from passing out of the interior by way of the vent structure.

Abstract: A reinforcement member is provided for an extendible scissors truss such as may be utilized in a collapsible canopy structure wherein the extendible scissors truss has members pivotally connected to form truss cells. The reinforcement member has first and second end portions joined by a linking portion to form a Z-like configuration. The first and second end portions of the reinforcement member are each attached, at an end point, to one of a pair of parallel members of a cell, and lie laterally adjacent the truss members when the extendible scissors truss is in an extended position. The cell is thereby reinforced against moments resulting from side forces applied to the truss by torsion and bending stress developed in the linking portion of the reinforcement member.

Abstract: An adjustable socket provides continuous sizing from a minimum opening to a maximum opening to accommodate differently sized nut structures. The socket includes a socket body having a head portion and a pair of longitudinal wing portions separated by a channel region defined by a slideway region and a keyway region. A pair of jaw members are provided, each having a slide element received in the keyway region for transverse reciprocal movement and a jaw element projecting longitudinally of its slide element and received in the slideway region. When mounted, the jaw elements have facing interior work faces and oppositely facing, exterior cam surfaces. The wing portions are externally threaded and threadably receive a collar. Biasing springs apply restorative force tending to separate the jaw elements to open the region between the work faces.

Abstract: A protective seat for children traveling in a vehicle is provided with a visor that shields a child from excessive incident light and from flying objects in the event of a collision or sudden stop. Preferably, the visor is constructed of transparent, high-impact plastic that is tinted to reduce the amount of sunlight that can pass therethrough. The visor is U-shaped to have a central portion extending transversely across the protective seat and a pair of downwardly depending end portions mounted by a trunnion pin hinge to the lateral side edges of the child support shell. The position of the visor is pivotally adjustable and position lock elements and limit stops may be provided. The visor may be formed as original structure on the protective seat or as a retro-fit apparatus including mounting brackets that may be fastened to the protective seat thus providing the visor mounts.

Abstract: A portable playing court demarcation apparatus, for marking the bounds of a rectangular playing court, comprises a flexible outer boundary demarcation element the ends of which are joined to one another to form an endless element of a length greater than the perimeter of the playing court to be marked. The demarcation element includes four loop segments, each of the loop segments forming a corner loop of predetermined circumference, the element crossing itself at a corner point at the base of each loop at a generally right angle such that the longitudinal distance along the demarcation element between consecutive loops is alternately equal to the court length and the court width.

Abstract: A pre-wire routing apparatus and method is provided during construction of a building to provide an inexpensive way to later install a wiring interconnect between first and second terminal locations. The apparatus includes a strand of flexible material, preferably string, which has an enlarged tail element at a trailing end and an enlarged head element connectable at a leading end. Fastening structure, such as a cable tie, is secured to the leading end to allow selected connection of the head element to the strand after the strand has been threaded along an interconnect pathway through an interior wall portion of the building. The fastening structure preferably forms a leader to facilitate installation, the tail element is a pull ring and the head element is a waisted rod. Protector sleeves may be positioned in openings, e.g., bores, formed in the internal framing elements, and, in an alternative embodiment, a sheath surrounds the strand.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermoforming articles out of a sheet plastic material includes a female mold having one or more cavities and a male mold including one or more plug assists in one to one correspondence with the female mold cavities. Each cavity of the female mold communicates with a first passageway. A vacuum source communicates with each first passageway, and includes a vacuum switch. Each plug assist is provided with one or more inlets extending through the plug assist and one or more second passageways, the second passageways and inlets each communicating with the respective cavities when the mold is in a closed position. A first air source communicates with the inlet and includes a first heating means and a switch to selectively apply heated air through the inlet into the cavity under pressure.

Abstract: A tool pack has a shape retaining shell enclosing a tool protective compartment. The shell includes first and second door members and a lid member which can pivot from a closed position, backward, to an open position. When the door and lid members are in the open position, the door members can be attached to the lid member to form a rigid structure. When in the open position and attached, the base of the door members prevents the pack from tipping backward and an inside surface of the lid member provides a stable work surface. The tool pack includes a removable shelf member and a small shelf pouch which can be attached to the shelf member. The shelf member may be installed in the tool protective compartment in a first position to form an open-ended cell for confinement of objects stored beneath the shelf or installed in a second position in which the space beneath the shelf is readily accessible.

Abstract: A protective housing structure for underground devices, such as valves, meters and the like includes a base assembly constructed as an upstanding wall with an open bottom and open top. A lid encloses the top and may snap-fit into the base assembly. The base assembly is constructed so that a plurality of housing structures may be ganged together. To this end, opposite endwalls are preferably flat and are oriented vertically of the bottom. Interlock structure is provided on each endwall, for example, one endwall may be configured as a dovetail tongue and the other endwall as a dovetail channel that mateably receives the tongue on an adjacent endwall. The endwalls also may be selectively cut and removed to form a slot for longitudinal conduits, pipes and the like. The sidewalls of the base assembly are formed each of an upper panel and a lower panel.