Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrical clip-like connector of low profile including an electrical cable having plural insulated electrical conductors, and at least one connector body including therein plural electrical contacts having contacting portions for engaging respective leads of an electrical device and coupling portions electrically connected to respective conductors of the cable, comprising the steps of simultaneously urging the coupling portions of the contacts into mechanical and electrical engagement with respective conductors of the cable to form electrical junctions therebetween, using a premolded insert of electrically non-conductive material placed within a cavity of a mold in supporting engagement with the mold to support the contacts in proper position in relation to the mold cavity, and after having closed the mold, flowing molten plastic material into the mold cavity to form the balance of the connector body about at least a portion of each of the contacts, cable, electrical junctions an

Abstract: A TLD card reader comprising infeed and outfeed carousels for sequentially indexing cartridge holders for stacks of TLD cards to infeed and outfeed stations, and a shuttle transport for sequentially transferring TLD cards from the infeed station to a card read station and then to the outfeed station. At the read station plural photomultiplier tubes are mounted in opposition to respective hot fingers which are independently adjustable along three axes as well as independently biased for engagement with respective TL elements in a TLD card. For photomultiplier tube calibration a shuttle assembly is operable to move reference lights into the path of the shuttle transport for alignment with respective photomultiplier tubes. A light seal of star-like cross-section also is provided to seal the shuttle passageway at the read station.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for performing radial keratotomy refractive eye surgery. A plurality of blades are supported in predetermined relation to the cornea of a patient's eye. The blades are simultaneously moved along predetermined paths to simultaneously make radial incisions in the cornea. The blade paths are carefully and precisely controlled, so that the cutting depth and the length of the radial incisions can be precisely made.

Abstract: A tire press of the slideback type has mounted on the press head beam a precision loader for the uncured tires. The beam moves vertically and then laterally or horizontally while maintaining the top mold section in parallelism with the bottom mold section for concurrent opening, loading of the uncured tire and discharge of the cured tire from the press. The invention includes a pair of tire chucks mounted on a loader beam for precise vertical movement through an electric motor driven rack and pinion drive. The loader beam is in turn mounted on the press head beam but through a lost motion connection. In this manner the loader is uncoupled from the press head during the final loading horizontal travel thereof to allow independent movement of the loader and press head. The loader is biased toward the press head by springs.

Abstract: A point of purchase display including a sign and a fastener made of a flat formable strip of clear vinyl or like bendable plastic material with adhesive surface portions on each side which may attach to the sign or to surfaces such as a shelf, wall or a window. The fastener may be bent to form a loop around a wire or rod and the ends attached to either side of a sign, without any surface adhesive connection to the rod or wire. Alternatively, the sign may be supported from such wall or window with the respective end secured to the wall or window and the sign to form a wobbler. For convenience, the strips may be manufactured by scoring a continuous sheet transversely which sheet may be coiled for packaging.

Abstract: This invention relates to a construction fastener and more specifically to a clamp or clip for securing a horizontally extending channel to another hoizontally or vertically extending construction element of miscellaneous configuration. The fastener is formed from a strip of resilient metal or spring steel and at least one end includes a notched portion for engaging a horizontally extending channel. The notched portion is oriented with respect to the horizontal channel such that the longitudinal planar surface of the notched portion is normal to the horizontal axis of the channel. The notched portion includes a cam-like spring tab adapted to spring out of the way and to snap back and lock behind the channel when the channel is inserted into the notched portion.

Abstract: A collector shoe assembly for transmitting current from an electrified rail to a mobile unit such as a trolley, crane, conveyor, or the like. In a preferred embodiment the electrical collector comprises an electrically conductive shoe for slidably engaging an electrified rail, and a bracket assembly to support and guide the shoe along the rail. The bracket assembly comprises a parallel pair of pivotally supported brackets with a transversely extending support and pivot pin extending between the outer ends. Supported on the pin between the brackets is the shoe which includes a U-shape top channel adapted to receive the pin. The pin is loosely captured within the channel by a pair of readily removable bolt and washer assemblies which are threadedly secured into the top of the shoe.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of preparing a silver salt of an organic acid comprising the steps of:(A) preparing a mixture of:(1) at least one organic carboxylic acid,(2) a hydrocarbon solvent, and(3) a mineral acid; and(B) adding a source of silver cation while maintaining the temperature of the resultant mixture between about 60.degree. C. and below the decomposition temperature of the components and product for a period of time sufficient to form the desired silver salt.

Abstract: A cable termination assembly, includes a multiconductor electrical cable having plural electrical conductors and insulation, electrical contacts for effecting electrical connection between a respective conductor of said cable and a further member, said electrical contacts having a connecting means for connecting with a respective conductor of said cable and having contacting means for contacting with such further member, a separation between two adjacent parts of said insulation for exposing a portion of plural conductors along the major axial extent thereof, at least one of said conductors including at said separation a knuckle bent out of the major axial extent of the conductor for connecting with the connecting means of a respective electrical contacts, and at least a second of said conductors being generally continuous in the major axial extent thereof at said separation, at least one of said insulation parts having been slid along said second of said conductors to close the axial distance of said separat

Abstract: A method is described for improving the compatibility of pigments and, optionally, stabilizers in the polyol-containing component of two- and three-component polyurethane systems. The method comprises(A) preparing a dispersion comprising at least one pigment in at least one glycol, and(B) blending said dispersion with the polyol component.In a preferred embodiment, the glycol of the dispersion is identical to the glycol used as the chain extender in the polyol component of the urethane system. The pigment dispersions also may contain at least one stabilizer for the urethane including heat stabilizers and ultraviolet light stabilizers. Compositions are described which comprise at least one pigment and at least one heat and/or ultraviolet light stabilizing compound dispersed in a glycol. Such dispersions exhibit improved compatibility with the polyol component thereby minimizing settling of the pigment resulting in a reduction in the clogging of filters used in the urethane reaction.

Abstract: A screw extruder of the elastomeric material type includes a feed section with a power driven feed roll in a feed box running adjacent and counter the rotation of the screw. The roll is journaled for rotation on a frame which may easily be moved to and from an operative and an open position to facilitate service or cleaning. A quick release mechanism secures and releases the feed roll in the operative position. The roll frame is mounted for easy movement on horizontally extending guide rods which may extend and be journaled for sliding movement over or under the feed section. The feed box includes an insert which is adjustable and incorporates roll end lip seals and also a separately adjustable roll face scraper or seal thereby to reduce clearances as wear occurs without disturbing the proper relationship of such seals.

Abstract: A strain relief and a cable termination assembly using the same. The strain relief includes tapered beams for minimizing stress applied to a cable during relative movement, particularly angular movement, namely bending, of the cable and a cable termination; the tapered beams undergo controlled bending according to a prescribed function, a securing mechanism secures the tapered beams to the cable termination, and a holding mechanism holds the beams with respect to the cable to control the bending thereof. A low profile cable termination assembly and a printed circuit termination assembly also are disclosed.

Abstract: A driving and steering system for a vehicle having at least two propelling tracks or wheels driven by output shafts from within a housing containing respective planetary gear sets, each planetary gear set including a sun gear element, a planet gear-carrier element, and a ring gear element. A power-driven shaft between the planetary gear sets has driving engagement with both of the sun gear or the planet gear-carrier elements, and the respective output shafts are driven by the other one of the sun gear or planet gear-carrier elements. A steering shaft is operatively engaged with the ring gear elements to hold them against rotation for straight line propulsion of the vehicle or to rotate them in opposite directions for steering of the vehicle.

Abstract: A collation strip for use in conjunction with a power actuated tool having a plurality of cylindrical housings interconnected by narrow webs. The housings, each of which is adapted to receive an axially extending fastener, include a plurality of inwardly protruding circumferentially alternating ridges and arms. The ridges include at each axial end a pair of steps adapted to surround and receive the head of a fastener. The arms, which are somewhat flexible, are located towards the center of the housings and are adapted to engage, stabilize, and align the shank of the fastener. The ridges and arms cooperate to form a plurality of fracture zones between the ridges and arms.

Abstract: A spring finger ply down for a tire building machine comprising an annular array of spring fingers, an annular support for the fingers and a constrictable clamp for securing each finger to the support at an axial interference between each finger and the support. The constrictable clamp includes an elastic band stretched circumferentially around the fingers and/or a clamping ring of relatively inextensible material that is adjustably constricted or cinched around the fingers or, if used, the elastic band for holding rigidly or relatively rigidly the fingers to the support. The elastic band is locally radially deformable to permit radial release of the axial interference for easy insertion and removal of a finger without disturbing adjacent fingers.

Abstract: A composite pressure vessel includes retaining rings at opposite ends of a side wall structure having circumferentially spaced oppositely facing tabs thereon about which longitudinal tension windings are progressively wrapped back and forth in a continuous manner around the circumference of the vessel. Between the tabs at opposite ends of the vessel are oppositely tapered ramp surfaces providing a transition for the longitudinal tension windings from a first diameter axially inwardly of the retaining rings to a second, smaller diameter adjacent the axial outer ends of the tabs, which places the retaining rings in compression in a circumferential direction. Each of the retaining rings has a generally cylindrical support surface adjacent the axial outer ends of the tabs for supporting the generally circumferential extending portions of the longitudinal tension windings thereon. The tabs have sides which taper toward each other in the direction of the axial outer ends of the tabs.

Abstract: An improved method of producing a tin/palladium catalyst for use in electroless plating baths is disclosed. The method comprises the steps:(a) preparing a mixture of stannous halide, an alkali metal halide and water,(b) reacting said mixture with a palladium halide salt at an elevated temperature,(c) adding a stannous salt of an organic carboxylic acid to the reaction mixture obtained in step (b), and(d) continuing the heating of the reaction mixture to complete the reaction.The catalysts so produced exhibit improved activity and resist decomposition.