Abstract: An illuminated, box-type telephone sign having an integral display box supported by a rigid member at only one end of the box. The support member is in the form of a rectangular trough made of resin formed by a cold casting process. The display box have five sides and an open end that fits over and is secured to edges of the supporting member. Support for electrical lamps such as concentric fluorescent bulbs and other electrical components is provided by a bracket connected to the support member and without any connection to the display box. A U-shaped sleeve that slides over front, back, and end faces of the box is also disclosed. The structure avoids the use of a peripheral metal frame for the box and braces connected to such frame, thus providing easier installation and more ready access for maintenance. The lack of a peripheral frame also makes additional faces of the sign available for graphics.

Abstract: A wrench having a specific configuration which permits it to be used in tightening a nut which secures a yoke of a yoke/universal joint assembly with the end of a shaft of a drive shaft assembly of a vehicle. The nut is generally seated in a recessed opening in the body of the yoke between a pair of extending trunnions and is secured to a threaded shaft on a stub shaft which extends into an opening in the recess of the yoke. The wrench includes an elongated handle, neck, and a nut engaging head. The neck is provided with specific curvatures which permit the wrench to be inserted into the yoke and a handle having cutout side surfaces which permit the handle to be rotated in a wider arc than could be achieved with a handle having straight sides. The head is provided with an extending portion having an internal nut engaging portion for engaging the nut.

Abstract: A simple and compact device is disclosed for enabling the boresight alignment of the bore and optical sight of a firearm. An optical assembly, beam splitter, and illumination source assembly are integrated into an enclosure. The firearm bore is referenced mechanically to the enclosure. The illumination source provides visible light which is directed by the beam splitter into the firearm bore. The bore is illuminated from the muzzle to the chamber. This is observed when viewed through the firearm optical sight. Azimuth and elevation adjustments are made in order to bring the images of the muzzle and chamber into coincident alignment. Once this is accomplished, the cross hair of the firearm optical sight is adjusted to bring the cross hair into alignment with the muzzle, bore, and chamber images. The bore and optical sight are boresighted.

Abstract: A self-retracting bomb suspension lug assembly for being releasably supported by a hook or the like of an airplane bomb rack. The lug is mounted within a housing for axial movement and has an outer surface conforming to the shape of the bomb so as to eliminate aerodynamic drag when the bomb is released. Springs, such as a stack of Belleville springs, are disposed for biasing the lug inward when the bomb is released and the weight of the bomb no longer bears on the lug. Finger springs and pawls engagable with a groove in the bottom surface of the lug are provided to maintain the lug in partially extended loading position wherein the top of the lug is accessible for being grasped. To cock the lug, it is moved slightly inward against the force of the lug biasing spring, and the finger springs are forced radially inward to engage the groove.

Abstract: A fishing rod jigging apparatus includes features for imparting repeated normal cycles of up and down motion to the rod and for rapid upward movement overriding the normal cycle in the event of a bite on the line is sensed. The apparatus has an arm connected to a rod holder and rotatably secured on an axis transverse to the arm. A motor drives an inner shaft defining the axis of rotation, and an outer shaft connected to the arm is disposed around and concentric to the inner shaft. Movement of the arm though a portion of the revolution such as 30 degrees is obtained by actuating the inner shaft so that a radially extending pin on the shaft engages the end of a partial circumferential slot in the outer shaft. Switches engageable by the outer end of the pin are connected to circuitry that turns the motor off and on as required. Rapid upward movement responsive to increased line tension is provided by a solenoid-actuated shaft that engages a radially extending tab on the outer shaft.

Abstract: An unvented fireplace heater assembly for directing heated air into an enclosure such as a room. The fireplace heater includes a combustion chamber mounted in spaced relation in enclosing panels. A plenum chamber is disposed in the panels adjacent to the unvented combustion chamber, and insulation may be selectively provided between the panels and the plenum chamber.

Abstract: Rupturable microcapsules made up of very small droplets or globules of perfume oil encapsulated with an inert polymeric wall are stabilized by providing ethyl cellulose in the perfume oil. This measure prevents escape of higher volatility components of the oil, which would otherwise occur during the preparation process. The stabilized microcapsules may be prepared by a liquid bath encapsulation method wherein ethyl cellulose is first dissolved in the starting oil, and the resulting solution is emulsified by mixing with a gelatin solution in water. The emulsion is then combined with a coacervant and cross-linking agent. Upon cooling the system, a gelatin-based wall coating is deposited around the emulsified particles. Fragrance characteristics of the starting perfume are preserved by this means.

Abstract: A boresighting system including an optically pumped target member for correlating the boresight between a plurality of components such as a laser rangefinder/designator (LRF/D), a thermal imager such as a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) device, and a video system. The laser rangefinder is used as a reference with which to align the thermal imager and the video system. The target member and a visible source generator of the boresighting system provide multispectral capability without using any driving electronics. Both the target member and the visible source generator are located at the geometric focus of collimating optics used with the system, and, since, by definition, the geometric focus is equivalent to infinity, a point souce of radiation by the optically pumped target and the visible light generated by the visible source generator will appear to be extended sources from infinity.

Abstract: A rural mailbox and post assembly enabling the front end of the mailbox to be pulled forward and up to or inside a window of a motor vehicle for retrieval of the mail. The post is made up of upper and lower portions, pivotally joined so that the upper portion may be pulled forward around a pivot pin at the top of the lower portion, which is affixed to the ground or a base. Biasing means such as a spring is provided to maintain the upper post and attached box in upright position until pulled forward. When the box is released, the spring urges the box back into upright position. A handle at the front of the box enables it to be grasped and pulled from within the vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus for excavating ballast from a railroad bed and for cleaning the excavated ballast for return thereof to the railroad bed. The apparatus includes a vehicle for supporting a pair of excavating assemblies on opposite sides of the support vehicle and thus on opposite sides of the railroad track and a discrete cleaning station for each of the separate excavating assemblies. Each cleaning station is disposed for receiving and cleaning the ballast excavated by the associated excavating assembly. Each excavating assembly includes, in spaced, serial relation, a forward excavating wheel, an undercutter, and a second or rear excavating wheel.

Abstract: A sample of a normal data communications stream producing an error is thereafter employed via a loop back arrangement as a test sample data stream for error detection.

Abstract: A glove for securely retaining an object, such as a racket, in the clenched, gloved hand of a user. The glove includes a strap-like member extending from the fingertips of the glove and disposed for partially wrapping around the wrist of the user. The distal end of the strap is temporarily adhered to the back side of the glove to retain the user's hand in clenched position around the object.