Abstract: The hook sheet of a separable hook-and-loop area fastener is formed by weaving, looping or otherwise engaging with a backing sheet a continuous plastic filament, preferably of nylon or the like, which has been permanently crimped into a zig-zagged sawtooth configuration by passing the same between a pair of rotating oppositely sawtoothed forming rolls. The continuous plastic filament loops are preferably formed in a plurality of aligned rows so that a plurality of loops may be engaged by a common elongated knife edge and simultaneously cut. The loops preferably are large enough and the sawtooth formations small enough so that a plurality of sawteeth are provided in each loop. When cut, the zig-zag sawtooth monofilaments stand up perpendicular to the sheet support, and are provided with a plurality of hook-like formations. A loop pile sheet for engagement with the hook sheet may be conventional.

Abstract: A shelf couple assembly for mounting shelves on walls, wall studs, or rafters utilizes a unitary shelf-gripping couple having a protruding cantilever platform with raised rearward and forward portions and downwardly projecting barbs for fixedly supporting a shelf board between these raised portions and barbs. The assembly also incorporates a shelf trim channel that is snapped onto adjoining shelf boards to align them and to provide a visually unitary appearance. Furthermore, the assembly incorporates a rear shelf clip which may be driven into a wall-board, stud, or rafter for supporting the rearward portion of two adjoining shelf boards or for adding support to a section of shelf board that is heavily loaded. In addition, a cover is incorporated in the assembly that fits over the unitary shelf couple and thus conceals it while enhancing the overall appearance of the shelf couple assembly.

Abstract: A cutting system utilizes a cutting blade-holding base that removably holds a number of long razor cutting blades in a corresponding number of longitudinal slots. A replaceable blade knife of the cutting system has a cutting blade-gripping member with a bifurcated lower region extending throughout its length and dimensioned for resiliently gripping one of the long razor blades. The blades are placed within the blade-gripping member of the cutting knife by placing the heel end portion of the bifurcated region over the razor blade at this point and then angling downward so that the remainder of the bifurcated region resiliently grips the cutting blade throughout its entire length. The cutting blade-holding base also serves to store the knife with its cutting blade by insertion of the blade into an empty slot of the base.

Abstract: Visual guidance methods and apparatus are provided for directing the treatment of workpieces, such as the assembly of printed circuit boards, by providing a full-size optical image of each successive treatment step in turn, superimposed on the operator's actual view of the workpiece itself. The workpiece is viewed through a half-silvered mirror which also delivers an image of a programmed mylar film with instructional steps and parts shown as full-size partial images superimposed on the operator's view of the workpiece itself. Simultaneous actuation of parts storage bin trays automatically delivers the required parts for each assembly step. Indexing of the apparatus moves the mylar film to exhibit the next treatment step, aligned with the workpiece, by index code indicia accompanying each partial image to be superimposed on the view of the workpiece, and simultaneously exposes the next parts storage bin for delivery of the next required component part to the operator.

Abstract: A preformed ligature comprises a loop, loop forming closure and an extension which may be pulled to close the loop about a bleeder. One preformed ligature according to the invention is formed of a continuous loop of gut or synthetic suture material tied into a slip knot to form the closure and the extension is the second loop thus formed therein which may be pulled by means of a hook. Another preformed dual loop ligature is formed of a continuous loop of suture material and a narrow enveloping closure. The loop preferably has a ratchet-like surface and the closure a cooperating pawl-like surface to provide a ligature loop that may only slip one way.The loop and the closure, in one embodiment, are each provided with an extension ending in a finger engaging loop. These are grasped and pulled to close the closure around a bleeder or the like. In another embodiment, the loop is provided with an extension and a finger loop and the closure is pushed closed by means of an eyelet mounted on a stick.

Abstract: A shelf couple assembly for mounting shelves on walls, wall studs, apertured wall standards or rafters utilizes a unitary shelf-gripping couple having a protruding cantilever platform with raised rearward and forward portions and downwardly projecting barbs for fixedly supporting a shelf board between these raised portions and barbs. The assembly also incorporates a shelf trim channel that is snapped onto adjoining shelf boards to align them and to provide a visually unitary appearance. Furthermore, the assembly incorporates a rear shelf clip which may be driven into a wall-board, stud, or rafter for supporting the rearward portion of two adjoining shelf boards or for adding support to a section of shelf board that is heavily loaded. In addition, a cover is incorporated in the assembly that fits over the unitary shelf couple and thus conceals it while enhancing the overall appearance of the shelf couple assembly.

Abstract: A sliderless shuttle and wire guide assembly for toroidal coil winding machines provides unusually compact storage for winding wire or tape carried by the shuttle. The novel cross-sectional configuration of the shuttle permits winding of extremely small toroidal cores. An adjustable and retractable wire guide assembly permits the use of different size shuttles for wire or insulating tape having a wide range of sizes, while also providing valuable protection against escaping coils of broken wire or the release of a "flying" empty shuttle from the coil winding machine.

Abstract: Wheel testing apparatus according to the invention comprises at least one search unit positioned "in-track" replacing a portion of a rail so that the gauged wheels of a passing railroad train roll thereover. Each search unit has a thin vertical rail aligned with the gauge edge of the track for supporting each passing wheel adjacent to its flange, and thereby exposing the running surface of the wheel for testing in a zone which does not interfere with the wheel's path.Each search unit has two ultrasonic transducers enclosed in a flexible fluid-filled boot and are positioned adjacent to the thin vertical rail in the test zone under the running surfaces of passing wheels, the fluid-filled boot providing good ultrasonic coupling therewith.The transducers are angled and opposed to send ultrasonic pulses around the wheel in opposite directions. Echoes indicate defects and through transmission times indicate wheel size and wear.

Abstract: A control system for energizing and de-energizing an external load in series with a source of electricity incorporates a rectifying network having inputs in series with the alternating current source and the external load. An electronic switch of the system activates the load by effectively shorting together the inputs to the control system when the combination of externally sensed parameters obtain predetermined magnitudes. The sensed parameters control the activation of the electronic switch by a plurality of control modules which interact with a control logic module, representing a Boolean combination of the control module outputs, so as to activate a trigger module which in turn causes the electronic switch, such as a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) to be triggered. The external load is then energized by the SCR effectively shorting the inputs to the control system and which thus completes the electrical path from the source of electricity through the load.

Abstract: A drag reducer for a gap in a land vehicle moving through air capable of stabilizing the stagnant air in the gap which tends to rotate and form a horseshoe shaped vortex. The vortex directs the surrounding airstream around the stable vortex and thereby reduces air resistance. The drag reducer is a substantially V-shaped plate having concave sides vertically mounted midway in the gap existing between a tractor and trailer on the forward panel of the trailer. The plate stabilizes the rotating vortices and, particularly, prevents side winds from forcing the vortices out of the gap. The drag reducer can take the form of two plates mounted in parallel on one wall or can be mounted on opposite walls substantially in the same plane.

Abstract: A label incorporating a plurality of concentric rings having two different light reflective characteristics provides a binary coded label on which any desired information can be displayed, and which may be secured to various objects. By passing the label in any orientation over a label scanning assembly which provides a scanning light beam, the label code signal is read and transmitted to a label information assembly which converts the label signal to digital signals, determines when the entire label signal has been read, and transmits the complete label information to data storage.

Abstract: By providing a spark wheel with its side, thumb, rotation-inducing discs forming part of a unitary, one-piece member, a unique and extremely useful spark and thumb wheel unit is achieved. Furthermore, this unique construction incorporates mounting pins having varying diameters in order to facilitate and provide for mechanical assembly of the spark and thumb wheel unit in position.

Abstract: A yarn runner-length controller for warp beam knitting machines utilizes information of the yarn unwinding rate from a warp beam section and continuously compares this information to a signal related to the desired runner-length of the yarn. This continuous comparison yields an error signal with a magnitude proportional to the difference between the desired runner-length and the actual runner-length. The error signal is sampled and this sampled error signal activates a control device operating on the angular velocity of the warp beam section so as to adjust this velocity in the direction that reduces the difference between the actual runner-length and the desired runner-length. The magnitude of the sampled error signal is reduced to zero before the next sampled error signal is received by means of a signal from the control device related to the amount of adjustment made to the beam section's angular velocity.

Abstract: By externally mounting a resiliently flexible member about a valve stem so as to biasingly engage the valve stem with the valve housing in the closed position, a unique, self-contained, captured valve assembly is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the flexible biasing member comprises a rubber material which peripherally surrounds the valve stem and the valve housing. This valve assembly is particularly useful in gas lighters of the butane fuel type, since the preferred embodiment provides a seal against leakage and secondary ignition.

Abstract: A programmable printer is provided which is capable of printing alphanumeric internally pre-stored data or data information and alphanumeric externally supplied data or data information either separately or in combination with each other. The alphanumeric printout of the printer may be inverted in a manner to allow its visual reading in what would otherwise be an "upside-down" configuration. The programmable printer incorporates a microprocessor for the proper addressing, interpretation and manipulation of input commands, timing information, paper-sensing information, external data information, and internal stored data information, so as to generate output information that seeks the desired data information, whether external or internal, and that drives a printer logic interface and output status lines and print drive interface so as to print the desired information and to monitor the status of the printer.

Abstract: The rough hewn bench plane attachment of the present invention allows a standard bench plane to be converted into a hewing tool that is able to create hewn lumber similar in shape and design to hand-hewn lumber. The attachment incorporates a chassis assembly mounted under the front knob of the bench plane. An eccentric rolling assembly connects to the chassis assembly and causes an eccentric rolling effect as it rolls over the lumber. This eccentric movement of the wheels causes the bench plane to correspondingly move in an eccentric manner with respect to the workpiece so that a cutting iron of the invention replacing the regular cutting iron of the plane generates varying depth gouges in the lumber workpiece. The cutting iron of the invention has an arcuate cutting edge that enhances the hewing of the lumber by varying the transverse depth of the cutting edge in the lumber workpiece.

Abstract: By providing a suction cup dart or shuttlecock in combination with a hand-held paddle or target which incorporates a dart-adhering or holding zone and a dart-rejecting zone, a unique game is provided. Furthermore, the suction cup portion of the dart or shuttlecock is flexibly mounted to the dart body, thereby allowing the shuttlecock or dart to hit the adhering zone of the paddle or target at angles other than merely perpendicular and adhere to the surface.

Abstract: By forming a plurality of substantially parallel grooves in the peripheral surface of a cylindrical spark wheel blank, and then rolling the grooved spark wheel blank between at least two cooperating dies, an inexpensive, unique spark wheel is rapidly and efficiently formed having a multitude of ramp top surfaces terminating in raised sharp cutting edges and burrs throughout its outer peripheral surface. The spark wheel blank must rotate between the dies sufficiently to impart the desired abrasive characterisic to the spark wheel surface. The dies employed in the process of this invention must incorporate either a plurality of cutting edges which are spaced closely enough to prevent the spark wheel from bottoming out on the die during the rolling step or relief channels at the base of each cutting surface which prevent destruction of the abrasive spark wheel surface.

Abstract: A traffic crossing signal mast for railroad-highway grade crossings incorporates a sturdy cantilever arm extending over the highway and supporting a maintenance catwalk. A short, horizontal jury mast at the end of the cantilever arm is pivotable about its axis parallel to the highway direction through limited angular sectors of one-quarter turn clockwise and counterclockwise. A junction box assembly mounted at each end of the jury mast suspends a pair of warning flasher crossing signal lamps on each side of the catwalk aimed down the highway axis. Pivoting movement of the jury mast from its locked, detent position to a latched quarter-turned position raises one of each pair of signal lamps for initial cable connections, repairs or replacement of flashing lamp heads. A lockable clamping cam lever disengages the detent for jury mast rotation and re-engages it to secure the signal lamps in their aligned position for use.