Abstract: Apparatus and a method are disclosed for measuring the softening temperature of a specimen of a thermoplastic material such as glass. Pressure is applied through a rod to the specimen as the specimen is heated to at least its softening temperature. When the rod penetrates a predetermined distance into the softened specimen, the temperature of the specimen is measured.

Abstract: An aerodynamic drag reducer for use on a vehicle having two sidewalls, a roof and a floor is disclosed. The drag reducer forms an enclosure on the rear end of the vehicle whereby aerodynamic drag against the vehicle is substantially reduced. The drag reducer forms an integral part of the rear end of the vehicle and is easily collapsed to facilitate low-speed, inner-city driving. In one embodiment of the invention, spoilers are added to the sides of the vehicle.

Abstract: A starting motor pinion gear assembly comprises a powdered metal pinion disposed and retained within a castellated drawn metal cup having axially extending tangs which are staked between adjacent pinion teeth. The tangs are staked against a plurality of fillets or projections which extend radially outwardly from the bottom land of the pinion and form a discontinuous web between the pinion teeth adjacent one end of the pinion. Also disposed within the drawn cup is a splined drive collar which engages a mating spline on the output shaft of the starting motor and a torque limiting friction clutch. The pinion gear assembly mounts on the output shaft of the starting motor and momentarily engages a ring gear on the flywheel of an internal combustion engine to effect cranking of the engine.

Abstract: An improved electronic film transport is disclosed for advancing motion picture film past a light gate in a motion picture projector. The light gate includes a transparent plate which imparts a desired shape to the film and, preferrably, one or more indexing pins which align the film with the plate. A sprocket is driven to advance the film to the light gate, causing a loop to form in the film and the film to move clear of the plate and indexing pins. A second sprocket then is driven to advance the film from the light gate. When the film advances one frame, it is again in contact with the plate and the indexing pin and the newly indexed frame is projected.

Abstract: This invention relates to a magnetic tensioning device comprising a rotatable outer housing and a magnetic assembly positioned in the interior of the outer housing. A space is provided between the outer housing and the magnetic assembly. A plurality of magnetic particles are positioned in the space between the magnetic assembly and the outer housing. The magnetic particles are held in place by the magnetic flux from the magnetic assembly and the magnetic particles magnetically couple the magnetic assembly and the outer housing. Means for varying the size of the space between the magnetic assembly and the outer housing is provided. The varying of the size of the space varies the magnetic flux from the magnetic assembly and changes the magnetic coupling between the magnetic assembly and the outer housing.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump or motor device comprises a rotatable barrel containing a plurality of coaxially aligned pistons operably connected to an adjustably inclinable swash plate. The barrel is connected to a drive shaft through a concentrically disposed torque tube having two pairs of splined couplings which each incorporate a spherically profiled male spline element. In operation, the swash plate, barrel and drive shaft are subjected to unbalanced reaction forces concentrated in the semicircle of barrel rotation corresponding to the pumping strokes of the pistons. These unbalanced forces cause bowing or radial deflection of the drive shaft which is compensated by the motion freedom of the spherically splined couplings.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is disclosed for sequentially electrostatic spraying different ones of a plurality of electrically conductive paints from a plurality of paint sources. Each paint source is connected through a separate electrically non-conductive first hose to a manifold and then through a single second hose to a spray gun. After spraying, at least the first hose which carries the sprayed paint is purged of paint and dried to electrically isolate the source of the first paint from the manifold when a second paint is sprayed.

Abstract: Water and particulate material are placed in the pelletizer and the pelletizer rotated. The size distribution of pellets at the output of the pelletizer is controlled by altering the amount of water, or particulate material injected into the pelletizer. The output of the pelletizer is screened into two or three discrete sized groups. The groups are periodically weighed and the ratios of their weight are compared to a predetermined standard or to the ratios of the weights of a previous set of groups. The amount of water injected into the system is altered responsively to an excess weight of either the smaller or the larger sized pellets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a two-bed oxygen enrichment system is disclosed in which the efficiency of the system is increased by first evacuating and then purging a bed of adsorbed gas using a short period of flow of a high purity gas.

Abstract: An improved system and method is disclosed for compounding batches of a plurality of constituents in accordance with a predetermined formula. The individual batch constituents are sequentially fed into a batch receiving hopper. Feeding of each constituent is controlled in response to the current weight of the constituent in the hopper and the current rate at which the constituent is being fed. Preferably, feeding is accomplished at a plurality of decreasing rates with the fastest rate maintained for a maximum time to minimize the total time required to compound the batch.

Abstract: An extensible slotted upright for mounting cantilever type brackets is disclosed. The upright is comprised of telescoping inner and outer tubes, each tube having a plurality of spaced apart slots along diametrically opposing sides for engagement by the bracket. The tubes are oriented with respect to each other such that each slotted side of the outer tube is adjacent and parallel to a slotted side of the inner tube. A spacer is positioned between the inner and outer tubes such that a bracket may be mounted through the slots of the outer tube without restriction or interference from the inner tube. Means are provided for securing the tubes in a predetermined telescoping position.

Abstract: A device for mounting and supplying electrical power to a luminaire. The device includes three connectors mounted in a housing. The connectors on the device electrically interconnect two cables and a lighting circuit in the luminaire. Power is applied from one cable through the device to the luminaire and to the other cable which supplies power to another luminaire. A bracket on the top of the housing for mounting the device to a building structure is adjustable to compensate for fixture balance and the weight of the cables connected to the device. When the luminaire is releasably attached to the device, one of the connectors on the device engages a mating connector on the luminaire for energizing the lighting circuit. The luminaire can be detached from the device without interrupting power to other luminaires in the same circuit.

Abstract: A device for mounting and supplying electrical power to a luminaire. The device includes two connectors mounted on opposite sides of a housing which is mounted on the luminaire. The connectors on the device are wired to electrically interconnect two cables and a lighting circuit in the luminaire. Power is applied from one cable through the device to the luminaire and to the other cable which supplies power to another luminaire. A bracket on the top of the housing for mounting the luminaire in a building structure is adjustable in a direction extending linearly between the connectors to compensate for fixture balance and the weight of the cables connected to the device.

Abstract: A weight vehicle apparatus useful for calibrating vehicle scales incorporates a unique pivoted suspension system which uniformly distributes the weight contained in the vehicle apparatus over the surface upon which it rests. The suspension system comprises three axle assemblies: a rearward axle having steerable wheels which is pivoted about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, a forward axle position having individually driven wheels which are secured to a bogie-like subframe which is transversely pivoted relative to the vehicle and a third axle positioned between the front and rear axles and pivotally secured to the bogie-like subframe for motion about the longitudinal axis of the subframe as well as about the transverse axis of the vehicle apparatus.

Abstract: An audio signal amplitude detector for applying stereo audio signals above a predetermined amplitude to at least one pair of speakers. The audio signal for each channel is amplified and compared with two reference voltages. When the amplified audio signal is below a lower one of the reference voltages, the signal is blocked to the connected speaker amplifier. As the amplitude of the audio signal increases between the first and second reference voltages, an increasing portion of the audio signal is applied to the connected speaker amplifier until a maximum signal is applied when the amplitude is above the second reference voltage.

Abstract: A pipe insulation is made between an inner and outer mold core from a liquid which foams and then forms a solid. The foaming action may cause movement in the inner mold which is detected and then adjusted accordingly to maintain concentricity between the inner and the outer wall of the pipe insulation. The insulation may be used alternatively as pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for perforating the minor diameter or inner corrugation of a transversely corrugated thermoplastic drainage pipe. A plurality of perforations are simultaneously formed in the inner corrugations of the pipe by reciprocally moving heated punches radially into the pipe, removing the punches and then translating the pipe to another position for the next punching step. In an alternative embodiment, the punches are carried by a rotating ring which positions them opposite an inner corrugation and a cam device drives the punch radially into the pipe.

Abstract: A grass cutting attachment for an electrically powered handyman's drill is disclosed. A length of flexible filament extends radially from a body rotatable by the drill. The rotating filament end is able to cut both edges of lawn and expanses of lawn. A handle attachment which prevents stooping and bending by an operator is also disclosed.