Abstract: A reversible control rod mechanism adapted for selectively and repeatedly rotating a shaft bidirectionally and thereby moving an attached load bidirectionally.

Abstract: Modified-profile metal strips, and annular and spiral metal pipes and other products formed from such strips. The strips comprise a plurality of spaced longitudinal ribs of size and transverse location selected to increase the strength of a given thickness or gauge of the strip and the associated strength of a product formed from the strip.

Abstract: Window cover systems include window cover material in the form of pleated panels or slats. The window cover material is suspended from a traverse track and is traversed along the track for opening and closing the window system. Arrangements for maintaining spacing and alignment of pleats or slats are provided. The alignment maintaining arrangements include traverse tapes which are substantially rigid in longitudinal and lateral directions in the plane of the tape, and are flexible in a direction perpendicular to the tape. The arrangements also include attaching the window cover material to vertical edge members and providing foldable spacer-members between adjacent edge-members. In one arrangement, a box-pleated panel of window cover fabric is suspended from a traverse track on slide-members. The slide-members are each attached to a spacer-tape at regular intervals along the spacer-tape.

Abstract: A reversible pull cord mechanism adapted for rotating a shaft in one direction when the pull cord is pulled in a first direction and rotating the shaft in the opposite direction when the pull cord is pulled in a second direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a plastic attachment on an article includes clamping mechanisms which position the article and form a mold surrounding the appropriate section of the article. During the process of molding the plastic attachment, the article may be moved through the mold to facilitate forming the attachment along a length of the article. The apparatus is illustrated by an annular mold for forming mating plastic couplings around the ends of tubes such as corrugated and smooth-walled metal pipes.

Abstract: A plastic coupling for joining two metal pipe sections end-to-end to form a pipe assembly. A first plastic spigot cuff is formed along the periphery of the end of the first pipe and a mating second plastic bell cuff is formed along the periphery of the end of the second pipe, such that the first and second cuffs form a bell and spigot joint with the first, spigot cuff inserted into and joined to the second, bell cuff.

Abstract: A coupling for joining metal pipes or pipe sections end-to-end to form a pipe assembly. A plastic cuff is formed on one of the pipe ends and a mating, second plastic cuff is formed on the other pipe end. In one embodiment, a wire hoop is mounted over each pipe end, the hoops are rotatable around the associated pipe ends to align the hoops, and bolt assemblies spanning the two hoops are used to tighten the hoops axially, to thereby clamp the pipe ends and compress the cuffs between the pipe ends and provide a leak-proof joint. The cuffs are selected from configurations including tongue-and-groove and bell-and-spigot. The cuffs can be formed on the pipe ends in the shop, then the pre-cuffed pipe sections can be readily assembled into stable, leak-proof, corrosion-resistant lengths of pipe in the field.

Abstract: A spring drive system useful for window covers is disclosed, which comprises one or more coil spring drives or flat spring drives and the combination whose elements are selected from one or more of a group which includes (1) a band or cord transmission which provides varying ratio power transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) gear means comprising various gear sets which provide frictional holding force and fixed power transfer ratios; (3) a gear transmission which provides fixed ratio power transfer as the cover is opened or closed; (4) crank mechanisms; (5) brake mechanisms; and (6) recoiler mechanisms. The combination permits the spring drive force to be tailored to the weight and/or compression characteristics of an associated window cover such as a horizontal slat or pleated or box blind as the cover is opened and closed.

Abstract: A spring drive system useful for window covers is disclosed, which comprises one or more coil spring drives or flat spring drives and the combination whose elements are selected from one or more of a group which includes (1) a band or cord transmission which provides varying ratio power transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) gear means comprising various gear sets which provide frictional holding force and fixed power transfer ratios; (3) a gear transmission which provides fixed ratio power transfer as the cover is opened or closed; (4) crank mechanisms; (5) brake mechanisms; and (6) recoiler mechanisms. The combination permits the spring drive force to be tailored to the weight and/or compression characteristics of an associated window cover such as a horizontal slat or pleated or box blind as the cover is opened and closed.

Abstract: A hinge for assembling window covers is disclosed, along with associated window cover systems, including single blind systems and dual blind systems.

Abstract: Window cover systems include window cover material in the form of pleated panels or slats. The window cover material is suspended from a traverse track and is traversed along the track for opening and closing the window system. Arrangements for maintaining spacing and alignment of pleats or slats are provided. The alignment maintaining arrangements include traverse tapes which are substantially rigid in longitudinal and lateral directions in the plane of the tape, and are flexible in a direction perpendicular to the tape. The arrangements also include attaching the window cover material to vertical edge members and providing foldable spacer-members between adjacent edge-members. In one arrangement, a box-pleated panel of window cover fabric is suspended from a traverse track on slide-members. The slide-members are each attached to a spacer-tape at regular intervals along the spacer-tape.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming tapered spiral tubes from strips, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a spiral tube forming system for forming a strip into a spiral tube; a strip infeed system adapted for feeding a strip to the pipe forming system; and computer-controlled means for continuously varying the angular orientation of the tube forming system relative to the strip infeed system to selectively vary the diameter of the forming tube. The selective variation of the diameter includes linearly tapered and curved profiles, as well as constant (unchanging) diameter profiles and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A coil spring drive unit for window covers is disclosed, which comprises a coil spring drive and the combination whose elements are selected from (1) a band shift transmission which provides varying ratio power transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) gear means comprising various gear sets which provide frictional holding force and fixed power transfer ratios; and (3) a gear transmission which provides fixed ratio power transfer as the cover is opened or closed. The combination permits the coil spring drive torque to be tailored to the weight characteristics of the window cover such as a horizontal slat or pleated or box blind as the blind is opened and closed, and permits the length of the blind and the distance between the open and closed positions of the blind to be altered for a given rotational distance of the coil spring.

Abstract: A spring drive system for window covers is disclosed, which includes a so-called flat spring drive and the combination whose elements are selected from a group which includes (1) a band transmission which provides varying ratio power transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) a gear system selected from various gear sets which provide frictional holding force and fixed power transfer ratios; and (3) a gear transmission which provides fixed ratio power transfer as the cover is opened or closed. The combination permits the spring drive force at the cover to be tailored to the weight and/or compression characteristics of the window cover such as a horizontal slat or pleated or box blind as the cover is opened and closed.

Abstract: A metal driver golf clubhead comprises a first member comprising the sole, toe, heel and rear of the clubhead; a second member comprising the face of the clubhead and joined to the first member along a generally vertically plane behind the face; and at least a pair of elongated grooves extending in the rear-to-front along the sole of the first member, terminating at the leading edge of the sole for reducing drag in the sole area. The runners which extend to the leading edge reduce the area which strikes the ground and allows the club to release from the initial dig into the turf. The hosel has an internal bore into which the golf club shaft is inserted and mounted, and a reverse tapered surface for securing the hosel and the club shaft in a mating bore in the clubhead. This increases the weight in the head, increases resistance to twist/torque, and imparts a more solid feel, including during the striking of a ball.

Abstract: A hinge for assembling window covers is disclosed, along with associated window cover systems, including single blind systems and dual blind systems.

Abstract: Window cover systems include window cover material in the form of pleated panels or slats. The window cover material is suspended from a traverse track and is traversed along the track for opening and closing the window system. Arrangements for maintaining spacing and alignment of pleats or slats are provided. The alignment maintaining arrangements include traverse tapes which are substantially rigid in longitudinal and lateral directions in the plane of the tape, and are flexible in a direction perpendicular to the tape. The arrangements also include attaching the window cover material to vertical edge members and providing foldable spacer-members between adjacent edge-members. In one arrangement, a box-pleated panel of window cover fabric is suspended from a traverse track on slide-members. The slide-members are each attached to a spacer-tape at regular intervals along the spacer-tape.

Abstract: A clamp is disclosed, which prevents penile leakage. The clamp includes a generally convex lower bow; a generally concave upper bow; and a hinge which pivotally joins the bows at one end. A releasable, preferably removable latch at the opposite end is used to hold the bows closed about the penis. When the clamp is closed, the bows form an enclosure having center and side regions which together approximate the area of the uncompressed penis. The bows are spaced apart a small distance at approximately their center, for compressively closing the urethra. The musculus expands into the side regions of the enclosure to permit blood circulation to the head. One or both of the bows may be a one-piece member of rigid, yet flexible material. Preferably, the hinge and latch are adjustable, to provide spacing between the bows and adjustable compression of the penis. Alternatively, one or both of the bows may comprise a frame member and a tubular cover.

Abstract: The useful life of a dry abrasive blasting head is greatly extended by two design features. First, the tube on which the rotating nozzles are mounted is protected from abrasion by an easily-replaced wear tube which is a sleeve-like liner. Secondly, the relatively expensive nozzle holder is protected by providing it with a cup-shaped cavity facing the incoming abrasive particles. The cup-shaped cavity soon becomes at least partially filled by the particles, so that later-arriving particles strike the particles contained in the cavity and do not directly reach the nozzle holder, thereby prolonging its life. Taken together, these structural features of the present invention result in a high-performance blasting head that can operate for more than 1,000 hours without interruption.

Abstract: A system for notifying passengers waiting for public transit vehicles of the status of the vehicles, including the arrival times of vehicles at stops. The system includes global position determining devices located in the vehicles for determining the location of the vehicles along their routes. A central processor or computer is coupled to the global position determining devices for receiving the locations of vehicles therefrom. The processor is programmed to compute and update from the present location of the transit system vehicles and electronically stored information a transit data table which includes status information for all the vehicles in the system, including the location of scheduled stops, connections to other transit vehicles at the stops, and the arrival times of vehicles at their stops.