Abstract: A concealment holster which fits an article such as a firearm to be carried in complete concealment. The holster is provided by an elongated pouch having a rounded bottom and an open top, so as to contain a handgun in butt-inverted position. The pouch is detachably connected to the shirttail of a wearer so that the pouch and its contents are hidden behind and/or beneath the wearer's trousers waistband.

Abstract: An automatically controlled exercise machine which is intended to produce optimal development of skeletal muscle strength for athletic purposes and in physical rehabilitation. The mechanical configuration of this machine is based on a linkage comprised of a series of links connected together so as to allow movement of each link relative to another. Each link is provided with a separate powering device which drives it relative to another link. This linkage interacts with the user by means of various removable attachments located on the outermost link. These independent powering devices are controlled by a feedback control system, so that the user interaction point moves along any specified path in response to forces exerted by the user, and simultaneously provides resisting forces which vary in any desired manner according to position, speed, time, and user-exerted forces.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing carpet samples one on top of the other in a neat, uniform stack to minimize the need for human involvement in the stacking process and to minimize the time required in stacking operations by quickly and automatically bringing samples individually into the apparatus along a conveyor belt, sliding the samples out over adjustable bars, dropping the samples from the bars one on top of the other to form a stack on a movable platform, lowering the stack by lowering the platform in response to the size of the stack and then removing the stack by a conveyor to a point where it can be easily picked up.

Abstract: A cassette substitution apparatus for use with a cassette central dictation recording system. Messages are recorded on interchangeable record members such as conventional tape cassettes. Apparatus is provided for detecting a condition of only a predetermined amount of recording time remaining on a cassette. Substitution of a second cassette for the first cassette then takes place a predetermined amount of time after detection of this condition independently of whether the dictator attempts to operate the recorder subsequent to detection of the predetermined amount of remaining tape.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing glass objects includes a pressing operation after a rough shaping operation in a blank mold comprising two separable chill-mold halves and tongs forming the base of the mold. Two spades move toward and away from the mold position without movement of the tongs.

Abstract: Two elongated chicken houses are placed in parallel, side-by-side relationship with an egg room there between. A pair of U-shaped overhead conveyor rails extend through the eggroom and chicken houses, with each conveyor rail having one leg extending along the length of one end of a chicken house, its middle lateral leg extending through the eggroom, and its other end leg extending along the length of the one end of the other chicken house. An adjustable egg carrier is mounted on and is movable along each conveyor rail, and includes a vertically adjustable framework with an egg support platform swingably supported beneath the conveyor rail. A cable and winch are used to raise and lower the egg support platform, to lower the platform to a convenient working level while in the chicken houses and to raise the platform so that it clears the platforms at the sides of the chicken houses when being moved through the elevated side doors of the chicken houses to the eggroom.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a radar clutter suppressor and target classifier that compares two or more video signals. Various signal conditioning and processing means are used for enhancing echo differences between targets and clutter caused by differences in polarization, carrier frequency, pulse length, antenna beamwidth, and antenna pointing direction. Signals are processed as if due to targets if the ratio of the video amplitudes are within a band of ratios and signals are suppressed as if due to clutter if the ratios are not within the band of ratios designated for targets. The invention includes methods for suppressing clutter caused by rain, land and sea.

Abstract: Prior to the receipt of a charge of molten metal, a ladle is heated by a direct flame, by applying a seal to the rim of the ladle and directing air through a heat exchanger and to the ladle, mixing fuel with the air and igniting the mixture and directing the flame in to the ladle chamber, and exhausting the gases of combustion from the ladle chamber back through the heat exchanger. The seal applied to the rim of the ladle comprises a network of refractory fiber modules mounted in a common plane. Each module comprises a rectangular block formed of a web of refractory fibers in an accordion folded arrangement, and the modules are mounted with their folded edges exposed, and with the folds of each module extending at right angles with respect to the folds of the adjacent modules.

Abstract: Bed sheets are moved in an unfolded condition along their lengths on a horizontal conveyor, grasped at the opposite sides of their leading edge, stretched at their leading edge and fed into a nip roll of a folder. The nip roll progressively moves the sheet down an inclined guide plate toward a first clamp assembly. The first clamp assembly holds the leading edge of the sheet, and the sheet is spread away from the first clamp assembly into a second, facing clamp assembly. The second clamp assembly grasps the sheet and the first clamp assembly releases the sheet, and the sheet is spread away from the second clamp assembly toward the first clamp assembly, the first clamp assembly regrasps the sheet as the second clamp assembly releases the sheet, and the progressive, alternative spreading and clamping functions continue to draw the sheet into the clamp assemblies and fold the sheet in an accordion fold.

Abstract: A placket forming system comprises a double needle sewing machine with a cutter which cuts between the lines of stitching and a positioning apparatus including mechanically movable arms with gripping surfaces which operate in conjunction with the sewing machine and cutter apparatus. The positioning apparatus grips a work piece such as a shirt front placket assembly at the sewing machine work surface after the work piece has been sewn and cut and moves the work piece a predetermined distance along the work surface to a proper position under a cutting blade, and the cutting blade is actuated to make a crow's foot cut in the work piece at the end of the line of stitching in the work piece.

Abstract: An improved device for securing a toilet to a soil pipe flange includes a flange fastening nut comprising a guide member and a retaining member connected by a shaft for slidably engaging a slot in the flange, the guide member being above the slot for guiding an opening in the base of the toilet into proper position over the fastening nut, the guide member including a tapped hole into which a bolt may be screwed from above the base of the toilet to secure the toilet to the flange. The invention may also be embodied in a soil pipe flange having a plurality of guide members each including a tapped hole fixedly attached to the upper surface of the flange in positions matching the openings in the base of the toilet.

Abstract: A marine depth sounding apparatus including a floatable housing carrying a sonic transducer for emitting sound waves toward the bottom of a body of water and for detecting the reflections of such sound waves, and a sound transmitter for emitting an audible signal when the information provided by the sonic transducer indicates that the depth of the water is less than a predetermined depth. The apparatus may be cast away from the vessel to provide information concerning the depth of water at locations remote from the vessel. A circuit is disclosed for comparing the time period required for sound waves to travel a distance corresponding to the predetermined depth with the actual time elapsed between the emitting of the sound waves by the sonic transducer and their detection by the sonic transducer.

Abstract: Cloth moves from a reel along its length, a first "right-handed" edge treatment system positioned at one edge of the path of movement of the cloth treats one edge of the cloth, the cloth is turned over and a second "right-handed" edge treatment system positioned at the edge of the path of movement treats the opposite edge of the cloth. The cloth then moves into a cutting station where the cloth is cut into smaller sections. The cut sections are moved along an L-shaped path by a conveyor system with the cut edges extending along the path, and a third "right-handed" edge treatment system positioned adjacent the first leg of the L-shaped path treats one cut edge of the sections, the sections are turned over as they move into the second leg of the L-shaped path, and a fourth "right-handed" edge treatment system treats the opposite cut edge of the sections. The sections are then stacked.

Abstract: A system for heating ladles prior to the receipt of a charge of molten metal therein, including heating said ladles by direct thermal transfer from the output gases of a heat source, and including waste heat recuperation and controls for maximizing the efficiency of combustion and for maximizing the rate of heating of said ladles without use of excess fuel. The system of the invention includes a heat exchanger defining an opening in its side to directly receive a ladle supported on its side, the heat exchanger including fuel burners for projecting flame and combustion gases directly into the ladle and a heat exchange chamber for directly receiving the hot combustion gases from the ladle for use in preheating inlet gases to be mixed with fuel for combustion in the burners. Means is provided for transporting the heat exchanger horizontally into and out of engagement with the ladle.

Abstract: As a strip of material is intermittently moved along its length from a reel, it is heated so as to remove its curl, it is cut into segments in the form of collar stays, and adhesive is applied to one surface of the collar stay segments. The individual collar stays are then moved laterally into alignment with spaced collar template elements, and then moved into overlying relationship with the pointed portions of the collar template elements, and a worker manually inserts a partially completed collar structure about the template elements. The worker presses the collar material against the adhesive on the collar stay and lifts both the collar and the collar stays from the templates, with the adhesive carrying the collar stays with the collar material. The collar stays are subsequently sewn into the collar with top stitching about the edge of the collar structure.

Abstract: A carpet tube dispensing apparatus, used in combination with a carpet roll-up machine, comprises a large hopper for holding a number of tubes therein and an outlet from which tubes can leave the hopper for use in the roll-up machine. A tube collecting and dispensing device is located at the outlet opening to regulate the dispensing of tubes and provide only one tube at a time for use in the roll-up machine, and a tube stirring device stirs the tubes within the hopper to loosen entangled tubes and insure that tubes flow freely to the outlet opening.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring out material from a cold feed bin for use with a drum mix plant. The apparatus comprises a plurality of cold feed bins supported on a plurality of legs above a frame. Each leg of the bins rests upon a load cell which thereby measure the weight of the bin and material contained therein. Control circuitry connected to the load cells regulates belt feeders disposed below each bin which adjust the rate at which material is dispensed from each bin in response to the weight measured by the load cells to maintain a desired rate of weight reduction. A belt conveyor disposed below the belt feeders transports the dispensed material to the input of a mixing plant.

Abstract: Satellite cooling tubes are mounted about a cylindrical rotary kiln, and funnel-shaped couplings connect one end of each cooling tube to the cylindrical kiln. A pair of cylindrical discharge spouts and connecting sockets are connected between the kiln and each of the funnel shaped couplings. The discharge spouts are arranged in an equally spaced annular array about the rotary kiln in two annular rows with the spouts of one row being offset circumferentially with respect to the spouts of the other row.

Abstract: A reel of flexible sheet material of a width wider than the space between adjacent ones of the purlins in a roof structure is mounted on a support framework over a space between adjacent ones of the purlins. The framework is moved along the purlins and the reel of sheet material is progressively unrolled and the sheet material is formed and guided by the framework down into the space between the adjacent purlins to create a trough in the space between the adjacent purlins. Insulation material is placed in and supported in the trough of sheet material and additional hard insulation can be applied to the upper and lower flanges of the purlins and also can be applied to the purlins to span the space between adjacent ones of purlins. Hard sheets of roofing material are applied to the purlins to cover the roof structure.

Abstract: A system for providing input electrical ;signals, for processing the electrical signals to provide digital information, and for recording the processed electrical signals so that they may be retrieved from the system and the information recorded digitally visually presented by the system. The system is particularly well adapted for use with a multiple station dictation system in which the digital information embodied in the processed electrical signals includes the station from which a particular piece of dictation originated and the identification of the person who dictated it, the recorder upon which the dictation was recorded, information relating to the chronological order in which the dictation has been completed, and the length of the dictation. The system further provides means for recording this information on the tape at the end of each piece of dictation and for storing this information in a central storage.