Abstract: A single cylinder head design used for a series of engines using different cylinder bore diameters with a small diversity of parts. The cylinder head mounting holes and the valve stem guide openings for the breathing valves 4, 4a are the same for the series of engines. The cylinder head 2 is designed for the internal combustion engine of the series having the largest cylinder, wherein the valve disks 6 extend into the cylinder peripheral region of the part of the cylinder head 2 cooperating with the cylinder in forming the combustion chamber. When the cylinder head 2 is used for a small bore diameter engine of the series, the cylinder head is equipped with valve seat inserts 7a having a small diameter valve seating face and the valves have a corresponding smaller diameter complimentary seating face.

Abstract: A device serves to enable detection of leakages in flange joints in pipelines. Between end faces (22, 24) adjacent, opposing flange pipe ends, a packer (30') has been disposed, the packer being adapted to bear sealingly against seat faces which said end faces (22, 24) exhibit. At each of the opposite side faces of the packer (30'), an annular groove (26', 28') has been formed, said annular grooves being closed and thereafter forming annular cavities when the joint has been established. Between at least one cavity (28') and the surroundings outside the pipeline (14, 16), a fluid connection (38') is established. The packer (30') is formed with a through-going hole (32') establishing fluid-communication between the two annular cavities (26', 28').

Abstract: A tuning peg incorporates an internal planetary gear reduction mechanism so that a stringed instrument, such as the cello, violin or viola, can be easily and precisely tuned. In order to change the pitch of a string, the head of each peg is rotated which in turn rotates the carrier that holds the string. Turning the head drives a toothed input shaft that runs the entire length of peg. The input shaft engages and rotates a plurality of planetary gears that engage a ring gear that is affixed to the peg box. Thus, rotation of the head rotates the carrier that changes the tension on the string, but the number of turns of the head required to rotate the carrier once is a multiple of one so that the carrier can be rotated more easily and the instrument can be tuned more precisely.

Abstract: A grain mill is disclosed comprising a heat-dissipating, stainless steel housing that holds a pair of grinding stones, one of which rotates with a shaft turned by an electric motor. The shaft is journaled on self-aligning bearings. The bearings and the housing cooperate to keep heat buildup from the grinding operation low so as not to damage the grain, even at higher grinding speed. As an additional check on mill temperature, a thermometer is included to provide temperature information, and an ammeter is connected to the electrical motor to provide information about the electrical current being drawn when the motor rotates the shaft as an indication of the stress on the shaft. A small door near the exit spout permits a check of the uniformity and size of the ground product. Finally, magnets on the hopper attract metal particles and hold them so that they do not enter the space between the grind stones, where they could damage the stones and become part of the product.

Abstract: A light socket is disclosed that has a built-in integrated circuit for rectifying the alternating current received from an electrical outlet and limiting the direct current produced. The light socket is specifically suited for low-current, low-voltage applications such as supplying DC to a string of ornamental lights. The integrated circuit has a diode with a modified cathode that acts as a fuse as it is rectifying the alternating current. The cathode is formed of a plurality of electrically parallel conductors. Excessive current blows out at least some of these conductors in the same way a conventional fuse blows. Various embodiments add other current-limiting elements, elements for producing full wave or near full wave rectification, and for opening the circuit when they detect extraneous currents.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for adjusting a luggage handle in relation to a luggage frame utilized to transport luggage by a traveler. The handle is connected to two extendable and retractable slide tube assemblies, the assemblies allow for the telescoping of the luggage handle to multiple positions in relation to a pair of fixed frame tubes connected to a luggage shell with wheels, to accommodate the height and personal stride of traveler. The luggage handle incorporates triggering buttons that allow ambidextrous and single-handed control of the height of the handle and slide tube assembly in relation to the luggage. The handle and slide tube assembly are connected by interior filaments to pulleys and filaments within two concentric light-weight slide tubes, which are inserted respectively into two fixed frame tubes, to allow a multitude of positions for the slide tubes to lock into the fixed frame tubes.

Abstract: A cover for an aperture in a ceiling having a shell and a back panel. The shell includes: a wall; an interior portion; and an exterior portion. The interior portion has a tubular hub extending from the wall; fins extending from the wall and from the hub; and blocks extending from the wall. The hub has a central aperture and a distal end with a flange. The exterior portion has a recess cooperating with the hub on the interior portion. The back panel is nestable within the interior portion of the shell. The back panel has an aperture cooperating with the hub on the shell when the back panel nests within the interior portion of the shell. In such an arrangement, the back panel sits on upper surfaces of the fins and blocks. In order to attach to the ceiling, either the recess on the interior portion of the shell or the recess on the exterior portion of the shell is positioned between the mounting plate and the junction box.

Abstract: An improved magneto optical current transducer for measuring electrical current is taught that significantly reduces birefringence resulting from thermal transients and construction-induced stresses. The transducer includes a housing made of a material that readily transfers heat throughout itself. Inside the housing and surrounding the magneto optical material is a buffer made of a material that does not readily tranfer heat from the housing to the magneto optical material, but rather slows its transference to that material material. The buffer material has a thermal expansion coefficient that is preferably very close to that of the magneto optical material, so that when the magneto optical material responds to changes in its temperature by expanding or contracting, the buffer expands with it at very nearly the same rate to avoid stresses.

Abstract: A mailbox stand comprising a post having a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end capable of ground insertion; a shelf slidably mounted onto the post, the shelf comprising a proximal end, two exterior sides, a bottom side, a top side, a cover and an aperture extending therethrough, the aperture complementary to a shape of the post for engaging the post; and a support structure coupled to the bottom side of the shelf and in communication with the grooved exterior of the post.

Abstract: A hose reel comprising: an outer hub including: opposite ends; a hollow interior extending between the opposite ends; and an opening through the hub and in communication with the hollow interior; a pair of walls, each attached to one of the opposite ends of the outer hub; and an inner hub attached to the outer hub and positioned within the hollow interior of the outer hub. The walls and the outer hub define a first storage area therebetween. The inner hub and outer hub define a second storage area therebetween. The aperture receives the medial portion of the hose so that a first length of the hose resides within the first storage area and a second length of the hose resides within the second storage area.

Abstract: A greeting card is formed to have a pocket for receiving a test kit therein. In one embodiment of the present invention, the greeting card is a fiftieth birthday greeting card and the test kit is a fecal occult blood test kit. The pocket is formed to have a cutout portion for facilitating removal of the kit, and the text and graphics of the greeting card refer to and correspond to the type of kit contained in the pocket. In the example given, competent health authorities recommend use of fecal occult blood test kits annually beginning at age fifty.

Abstract: A device and method of wrapping an electric cable used for grounding a utility vehicle to minimize its electrical impedance to 60 Hz alternating current. Electrical cable is wrapped around an array of four spools that are arranged so as to form two parallel, closely-spaced planes with the axes of the spools defining the planes. The distance between the spools of each plane is larger than the distance between the planes so that the cable, when wound, forms long, parallel segments. By reversing the direction of the cable and keeping the segments parallel and close to each other, electrical currents induced in these segments cancel each other and keep the impedance in the wrapped cable minimal. Preferably the cable wrapping path begins between the two pairs of spools and continues counterclockwise outside both of the pairs of spools. The path then proceeds between the spool pairs and then clockwise outside of both pairs to the starting point.

Abstract: The present invention, a sheet music turning apparatus, comprises a base, a first spindle on one end of the base, and a second spindle opposite the first spindle on the base. A rotation means for rotating the first spindle in a direction is also provided such that a supply of sheet music mounted on the second spindle is transferred to the first spindle by the rotation of the first spindle, thereby causing consecutive pages of sheet music to be viewed.

Abstract: The present invention is a T-rail that is capable of supporting, in the preferred embodiment, a day and night optical sights, image intensifier and thermal imaging device (scope) and an infrared laser designator. The scope is supported on an upper rail while the designator is supported on an extension that extends perpendicularly away from the upper rail. The T-rail supports these two objects in alignment so that when the T-rail is removed from the weapon and subsequently replaced, the two objects remain in alignment. The T-rail is designed to be mounted to a standard Picatinny rail and comprises a jaw and flange along its bottom to facilitate this mounting. The jaw has a top surface and a bottom surface that matingly engage the top and bottom slope of one side of the Picatinny rail, while the flange has only an upper surface that rests along the top slope of the other side of the rail.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for extracting crustacean meat from shells is provided. The extracting method is based on mechanical separation utilizing heated water spray within a rotating drum assembly for removal and separation of meat from shells. The water is collected, pumped to a holding tank, and is flavored with natural crab extract for recycle within the process. The apparatus includes a hammer mill for fracturing shells, a heated water bath for separating fractured shells from meat, an inclined rotating drum assembly having perforated walls and an internally located nozzle dispensing a water spray for separating meat from fractured shells, a tank having at least one water jet for separating meat from shell fragments, a vibrating dewatering apparatus for separating meat from the water, and a recirculation system for collecting, reheating, and reusing the solution of water and crab extract.

Abstract: A kit for the emergency shutoff of a fire hydrant after the hydrant stem has failed and a cap of the hydrant nozzle has been removed so that a jet of water is escaping from the hydrant. The kit comprises a two-part increaser and a shutoff valve. The two parts of the increaser are brought together from opposing sides of the water jet and fastened to the hydrant nozzle. The increaser has a flange that mates with the flange on the shutoff valve. The bottom of the flange of the valve is bolted to the top of the flange of the increaser until secure but not tight. Then the shutoff valve is dropped so that it rotates into position, momentarily intersecting the jet of water. Once in place, the shutoff valve is tightened and the water shut off by closing the valve.

Abstract: A wire connector is disclosed that has a removable cap to provide access to the connected wires for testing purposes. The connector includes a hollow body with a wide end and a narrow end, openings to the interior of the hollow body in each end, an electrically conducting spring inserted inside the body, and a cap threadably receivable on the narrow end of the body. The cap has a plug that fits into the hole in the narrow end of the body to limit the advance of the electrical conductors inserted into the wire connector. The spring in the body has a neck that operates in combination with the cap's plug to limit conductor advance. The cap can be made in colors different from that of the body so that it can serve as a code to identify the circuit to which the wires belong. The cap may be formed with different styled surface features that help gripping. The style of the surface features may be matched to the preference of the user since the caps are interchangeable.