Abstract: A surge arrester of the gas tube type for protecting telephone lines has a primary arc gap and a secondary arc gap electrically coupled in parallel. The primary arc gap is wider than the secondary arc gap and both arc gap are exposed to the inert gaseous medium of the arrester. The gas pressure and the width of the gaps are such that the breakdown voltage of the primary arc gap is less than the breakdown voltage of the secondary arc gap so that in normal operation the arrester discharges through the primary arc gap. However, if the inert gas leaks from the tube and becomes replaced with air at atmospheric pressure, the arrester will discharge through the secondary arc gap to provide a backup protection for the line.

Abstract: An electrical bus includes a receptacle for mating with an external electrical connector. This receptacle defines an entrance and a tapering inner wall portion diverging inwardly of the entrance. A connecting adapter member comprises a first portion whose external periphery presents flat surfaces for engagement by a tool, and a second portion comprising a plurality of elongate tapered segments. The elongate tapered segments define a central bore and a peripheral surface generally congruent with the inner wall surface of the receptacle. The segments are resiliently inwardly compressible to effect mating with the receptacle, so as to hold the adapter member rotatably in captive relation therein. The central opening is threaded to receive a complimentarily threaded stud as for example, a transformer connector stud. Upon inserting the adapter member in captive relation in the bus receptacle, a tool is applied to the tool receiving portion thereof and the adapter rotated to threadingly engage the stud member.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for use with a pottery kiln or the like includes a plurality of tubes for carrying air aligned by and arrayed in groups in a vertical array from the cool end to the hot end of the flue of the kiln. Connecting passageways are provided vertically between successive groups of tubes, for directing air from each group of tubes through the next hotter group, to heat the air gradually and in stages as it passes therethrough. As many sets of progressively hotter tubes may be used as required for raising the air therein to a desired temperature. Also, the number and size of tubes may vary overall as well as from group to group, according to the size of kiln and temperature to which the air is to be raised. The final group of tubes is provided with a connection to the combustion chamber of the kiln for mixing therein with fuel to provide flame to the firing chamber thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for drawing a rolled film's end out of its cartridge by inserting a film drawing member into the cartridge, said member being formed of a resilient steel sheet and provided with a hook on one side of said member for catching the roll of film by the selected one of its perforations within the cartridge, and then drawing said member together with one end of the roll of film out of the cartridge, and also provides a device including said member and means for operating said member.

Abstract: A LSI (large scale integrated circuit) device is disclosed which generates 12 output frequencies related to each other by a multiple of the twelfth root of two from a common time base without the use of parallel divider or shift register strings. The output frequencies comprise the top octave, or a multiple thereof, of the frequencies of an electronic musical instrument. A binary counter serves as a common time base and encodes each wave form period in a form of a binary code. A binary processing circuit associated with each output frequency stores the count position of the next desired wave form transition and updates the stored code after each transition has occurred. The binary processing circuitry comprises a latch circuit, a binary full adder or ROM (read only memory), a digital comparator or ROM, and a J-K flip-flop circuit. The outputs can be easily modified in both actual frequency and waveform symmetry.

Abstract: A calibrated tuneable monitor for use with multi-row planting apparatus includes means for sensing the number of seeds delivered to furrows formed in a field and controlling an indicator to give a visual readout to the operator of the planting apparatus as to whether the number of seeds planted is at least equal to a predetermined minimum value which is preset by a selector dial. The seed monitor system has a DC coupled monostable circuit for producing a pulse of given pulse width for each pulse produced by a seed sensor. The pulse from the DC coupled monostable circuit is then integrated and formed into a voltage which is proportional to the rate at which pulses are received. This voltage is then compared in a voltage comparator circuit to control the operation of an indicator.

Abstract: A multiphase full-wave rectifier assembly comprises positive and negative plates and an electrically insulating body which are stacked together in spaced apart relationship. The positive and negative plates carry first and second sets of three power diodes respectively while the electrically insulating body has three recesses therein. A field diode is mounted in each recess and a respective electrical connector connects one terminal of each field diode with a respective terminal of one of the power diodes in each of the first and second sets. A common electrical connector mounted on the body serves to interconnect the other terminals of the field diodes and also has portions which engage against the bodies of the field diodes to hold the latter in their respective recesses. The common connector is secured to the electrically insulating body by means of rivets which are disposed adjacent the diode-engaging portion of the common connector.

Abstract: There is disclosed a carrier for a multiplicity of articles such as boxes, cans or other containers and comprising a flattened tube of plastic sheet material which is transversely slit partially therethrough at successive locations to present successive sections thereof to be unfolded to provide interconnected annular sections or rings for encircling the articles.

Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis comprises cooperating femoral and tibial components and a coupling which is arranged to make a hinged connection therebetween. Interdisposed hinge knuckles and a cooperating pintle define a lateral-medial pivot axis that is located posteriorly of the intersection between the intermedullary femoral and tibial axes. A pair of transverse confronting plateaus transmit vertical load forces between the elements of the prosthesis. A proximal-distal axle and a cooperating tubular bearing afford rotational motion, and this motion is limited by a stop system, which system is also arranged to permit restricted distraction.

Abstract: An aerosol carbonator is provided for charging a fluid, such as an alcohol-based fluid, with a carbon dioxide propellant for later placement in aerosol-style valved cans. The aerosol carbonator comprises a vertically elongated vessel having inlet means at the vessel top, an evaporative cooler in the vessel mediate portion, and a sump and fluid outlet means at the vessel bottom. Recirculating means are provided for returning to the carbonator vessel fluid amounts in excess of those fluid amounts required to be fed into down-stream filler devices to satisfy the source of variable fluid demand in the devices.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is provided with separate groups of leads extending to opposite margins and a plurality of individual terminal clips or elements preassembled with and permanently secured to the leads for facilitating assembly of the display in an end product such as a clock, meter or other instrument.

Abstract: A film dryer is provided primarily for use in the graphic arts in which relatively large sheets of film must be processed and dried. A part of input rollers is of sufficiently hard rubber as to squeegee off most of the surface moisture which drops into a drip pan where it may be emptied. Subsequent guide rollers are of short axial extent and spaced apart. Air jets are slightly warmed and blow generally toward one another and against the surface of the film, and back toward the entrance, whereby to carry moisture back into the area of the drip tray for collection. O-rings or other resilient guides are positioned over suitable supporting structure to prevent the film from wrapping up about the various rollers.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve actuator includes at least one piston mounted for reciprocating movement in a cylinder for bidirectionally rotating a valve shaft mounted in the housing. A resilient spring member is held in compression between one side of the piston and an end wall of the cylinder for yieldably urging the piston to rotate the shaft in one direction, in the absence of a sufficient opposing hydraulic pressure. A hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor selectively drives the piston against the force of the spring member for rotating the valve shaft in the opposite direction. An electric solenoid operated valve is connected with the cylinder at either side of the piston, to provide a selectively openable path for hydraulic fluid, by-passing the pump to relieve the pressure applied thereby.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a trailer for carrying military tanks and convertible for carrying general cargo. The carrier is provided with a floor which has the rear portion raised about a front pivot for loading of tanks, which rear floor portion then is lowered about said front pivot to carrying position in order that the carrier might be stable with a tank in place and in order that the carrier and tank together might provide a low profile. A removable floor bolts in place for the carrying of general cargo.

Abstract: The invention provides for the retreading of tires in which the tire casing is stressed by fluid pressure inside the casing so that the casing is in a stressed condition when a new tread is applied thereto. The tire casing is stressed by positioning it on a rim and providing fluid pressure in the cavity between the rim and the casing with or without employing an expandible tube in the cavity.

Abstract: An earth-working and fluid distribution apparatus is disclosed including a plow having a frame and a shank connected thereto. The apparatus further includes a, shovel for breaking the earth and creating a furrow connectable to the shank, a fluid supply source attachable to the plow frame, fluid distribution means connectable to the plow shank and having connecting means to the fluid supply means, means for suppressing the soil connectable to the plow shank to seal the fluid into the soil following the distribution of the fluid, and means connectable to the plow shank for removing weeds during the plowing operation.

Abstract: A combination fluid power disc brake and one-way clutch unit is offered. An inner shaft is journalled in a stationary housing, and an outer shaft is journalled upon the inner shaft. A one-way clutch between the shafts causes the inner and outer shafts to rotate together as a unit when the inner shaft is rotated in one direction, but permits the inner shaft to rotate independently of the outer shaft when the inner shaft is rotated in the opposite direction. A disc brake assembly operates upon the outer shaft to selectively retard its rotation. The disc brake assembly is of a failsafe design, and permits outer shaft rotation when a positive hydraulic pressure is applied to the unit. If pressure is lost or removed, the brake is activated, and outer shaft rotation is halted.

Abstract: A surge arrester for providing overvoltage protection for communications lines and the like comprises a pair of electrodes having opposed faces to define the arc gap therebetween. The opposed faces include a pair of facing annular, concentric ridges, a valley opening radially inside of the annular ridges and an annular space or opening radially outside of the annular ridges. The valley opening and annular opening extend axially of the ridges to provide a maximum of relief or cavity space for particles that erupt from the electrodes during discharge regardless of the polarity of the electrodes. The cavity space is used for venting erupted particles away from the arc gap.

Abstract: A perforated filing strip is provided and has a self-adhesive strip thereon for attachment to a document to be filed. The perforations in the filing strip receive locating pins or the like for filing. The perforations are on an outer part of the strip and the self-adhesive strip is on the inner part of the filing strip, the inner and outer parts being defined from each other by a fold line.

Abstract: Heavy lifting gear for upending large heavy loads, comprising a crane for lifting one end of the load and a carriage for supporting the other end of the load, the carriage consisting of two bogies which can move along a track under the control of a stepping hydraulic ram. Each bogie has a bearing pivot and a frame attached to the lower end of the load with two co-operating bearing bosses, one at the lower corner and one at the center line of the load. During the first part of the lifting movement, the load rocks on the corner pivot and before it reaches the vertical the bearing elements on the center line engage.