Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning the hooked portion of hook and loop fasteners includes a body member defining a curved surface on which is mounted a strip of hooked fastener material. A debris collecting surface of sticky, resilient material is disposed adjacent one edge of said hooked fastener material in substantially tangential alignment therewith. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sticky surface is disposed on a replaceable, rotatable cylindrical roll. The repeated stroking movement of the hooked fastener material over the surface to be cleaned effects a loosening of debris which is collected on the sticky surface.

Abstract: A valve assembly for relieving intracraneal pressure includes a valve housing adapted for implantation and having an inlet port for connection to a ventricular catheter and an outlet port for connection to a venus or peritoneal catheter. The valve housing includes a fluid passage, the flow through which is controlled by a first pressure responsive valve of relatively high resistence and a second pressure responsive valve of relatively low resistence spaced downstream of said first pressure responsive valve. An attitude responsive valve is disposed in said fluid passage in parallel with said first pressure responsive valve. The valve assembly is implanted in a patient with the attitude responsive valve in a closed position when the patient is in an upright position and in an open position when the patient is in a horizontal position. The employment of pressure responsive and attitude responsive valves in parallel provides ventricular pressure relief regardless of the patient's position.

Abstract: An over center tensioning and locking control for a cable actuated mechanism includes a control bracket on which an actuating lever is pivotally mounted. The cable to be controlled is connected to said actuating lever and rides on an arcuate cam surface thereon. A spring linkage pivotally connected at one end to the bracket and at the other end to the actuating lever passes over center to lock the actuating lever in a cable tensioning position.

Abstract: A modular construction of an interface board for mounting electrical connectors comprises a plurality of interlocked modular blocks on which the connectors are mounted. Each side face of each block comprises one or more sets of locking elements which engage with a mirror-image set of locking elements on another of said blocks to prevent relative lateral motion between the blocks or structures. Motion of the blocks or structures away from each other, in a direction normal to their mated side faces, is prevented by providing a tapered mortise in each of said side faces, the adjacent mortises of adjacent interlocked blocks or structures being in mutually confronting, aligned relationship to each other so that the tenons of a double dovetail wedge can be inserted into both mortises simultaneously to hold them in fixed position.

Abstract: A mechanism for driving the upper ends of a pair of tine arms of a turf aerating apparatus comprises an engine-driven crank shaft having a pair of cranks extending in diametrically opposed relation therefrom. A pair of pitman arms are each pivotally connected at one end to the upper end of one of the tine arms and at the opposite end to an oscillating link suspended from the aerator frame. A crank is pivotally connected to each of said pitman arms at a point intermediate its end attachment points. Rotation of the crank shaft produces an elliptical motion of each of the tine arm upper ends with the major axis of the ellipse lying in a substantially vertical plane, thereby maintaining a substantially vertical attitude of the tine arms.

Abstract: The high pressure of a gas transport network must be reduced before the gas is admitted to a distribution network to which consumers, e.g. household appliances are connected.This reduction is carried out by a gas pressure control installation. If this installation fails, conduit failure, appliance failure, explosion and fire may occur.A known safety device has a closing spring, which closes a valve if the gas pressure unacceptably rises which causes release of the spring by the gas pressure. The movement releasing the spring is influenced by friction which may have an uncertain value. The invention eliminates friction in that the reduced gas pressure acts on the valve via spring loaded membranes, namely a measuring membrane and an actuating membrane.

Abstract: A security device including a sleeve adapted to fit over the body portion of a padlock and provided with slots or apertures to permit closing or locking of the sleeve with the sleeve enveloping the padlock body. An internally accessible pocket is provided in one internal face of the sleeve to receive a key or other object to be secured. The presence of the padlock body in the sleeve prevents access to the pocket. A window may be provided in one of the sleeve walls to provide access to the padlock release mechanism such as a combination mechanism or keyhole.

Abstract: A tine holder for turf aerating equipment includes a horizontal tine arm having a plurality of spaced apertures therein having a diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the upper ends of the tines. The hollow tines are substantially cylindrical at their upper ends and abut the tine arm in alignment with the tine arm apertures. A tine holding bar disposed beneath the tine arm includes a plurality of tapered apertures aligned with the apertures in the tine arm. The tines pass through the tine holding bar apertures and are secured in position by split collets having frusto-conical exterior surfaces which seat within the tapered apertures of the tine holding bar. A plurality of bolts passing through aligned bolt holes in the tine arm and tine holding bar provide a tightening of the split collets to secure the tines in position against the tine arm.

Abstract: A pilfer-proof closure has an inwardly threaded side wall (7) terminating (at 10) at or just below an annular flange means (17) on the neck of the container (14). Shrunk-in below the flange means (17) is a tamper-evident band (9) joined by a small number (usually 3) of bridges (11, 12, 13). One of the bridges (13) is preferably made weaker than the others.

Abstract: A security device for providing a detachable and adjustable connection of a workman's safety belt lanyard to a safety line or the like. The device includes a pair of vertically spaced pivotally mounted cams having serrated cam faces directed into a vertical channel adapted to receive a safety line. The cams are joined by a link to maintain their parallel relation and are spring loaded toward a line engaging position. A pivoted eye connected to the link provides an attachment point for a lanyard. The frame of the device includes pivotally connected front and rear frame portions which may be opened to apply the device to or remove it from a safety line. A latch mechanism provides a secure locking of the frame portions in their closed line clamping position, but may be readily released to allow removal of the device from a line.

Abstract: An improved die casting process for the production of castings which include metallic inserts. The process comprises the use of inexpensie non-metallic inserts in place of the metallic insert during the initial warm-up casting shots, said substitute inserts preferably being made of cardboard. The process is particularly well suited for the casting of die cast engine blocks wherein cardboard sleeves are substituted for the cast iron cylinder sleeves during the die warm-up casting shots.

Abstract: A container closure, adapted for the formation of a sealing gasket of synthetic plastics material in situ, includes an end wall, a continuous side wall upstanding from the end wall and enclosing an inner surface of the end wall, and a plurality of spaced-apart retaining members upstanding from the inner surface of the end wall within the boundary of the side wall, each of the retaining members having a retaining surface obliquely inclined above the inner surface of the end wall. Gasket material, or a pre-cursor material, in liquid state can be introduced into the closure and can flow at least partly around the retaining members and beneath the obliquely inlined retaining surfaces to be retained, upon solidification of the gasket material, in the closure.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump having a single pumping roller mounted on an eccentric portion of a drive shaft for compression of an elastomeric tube wrapped at least one revolution therearound. The peripheral surface of the roller around which the tube is disposed comprises a frusto-conical surface. A tube compressor includes a central bore having a frusto-conical surface coaxial with the drive shaft and corresponding to the surface of the roller. Means are provided for selectively adjusting the axial position of the tube compressor to either increase or decrease the degree to which the tube is compressed upon rotation of the roller, thereby providing selective control of the output pressure of the pump. The output of the pump may be selectively varied by variation of the speed of the drive shaft.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for scrubbing effluent gases arising during the production of mineral fibers and particularly during the production of glass fiber insulation blankets or mats. The scrubbing is effected by the use of opposed jets of water, the interaction of which produces a planar dispersion of water droplets across the path of the effluent gases. The jets are preferably located within the gas collecting ducts closely adjacent the region of gas emergence to prevent buildup of glass fibers and binder on the duct walls. The water is separated from the gas, following which the water and gas are both subjected to further treatment before being recycled or released.

Abstract: An amalgam capsule includes two chambers separated by a piston detachably formed as a part of the capsule end cover. One compartment is formed in part by a resilient flange portion of the capsule which is deformable to provide communication of the chambers and to permit a mixing of the contents of the chambers in the larger of the chambers. Delivery of the mixed amalgam is accomplished by removing a cap from one end of the capsule to expose an aperture therein, and connecting the opposite cover end of the capsule to a syringe, the plunger of which detaches the piston from the capsule cover and drives the piston through the mixing chamber to eject the amalgam therefrom.

Abstract: A fuel gauge for locomotives comprises a block adapted for attachment to the locomotive fuel tank near the bottom thereof, preferably by connection with a tank drain plug. First and second chambers in the block are joined by a passage connecting the lower ends thereof and serve as a reservoir for an indicator liquid having a density greater than that of the fuel to be gauged and being immiscible with respect thereto. Valve-controlled passage means connects the interior of the tank with the upper end of the first of said chambers, permitting fuel to enter the first chamber and form an interface with said indicator liquid. A gauge glass connected with the upper end of the second of said chambers in conjunction with a gauge scale provides a visual indication of the quantity of fuel in the tank.

Abstract: Glass fibers for insulation uses are produced by means of a centrifugal spinner which introduces glass streams into an annular attenuating blast adjacent the periperhy of the spinner. An improved product quality and/or production rate as well as prolonged spinner life are obtained by selection and utilization of a novel combination of structural and operating parameters characterized in particular by a spinner diameter and peripheral speed substantially greater than conventionally employed. The present technique further provides reduced turbulence in the receiving chamber and hence an improved distribution and orientation of the fibers on the collecting conveyor.

Abstract: A device for training athletes in gymnastics, acrobatics and the like comprising a spotting rig wherein the slack in the gymnast's suspension lines is automatically removed by a take-up mechanism. In a preferred form, the take-up mechanism includes a pair of connected swinging arms having sheaves at their free end. The arms are spring loaded so as to urge their ends away from each other, and the suspension line slack is accumulated between the sheaves. A brake mechanism is provided to slow or stop the motion of the arms and thereby retard or arrest the downward movement of the gymnast.

Abstract: A device for collecting animal wastes comprising a harness adapted for attachment to the hind quarters of the animal and a collection bag detachably connected to the harness. The fasteners connecting the bag to the harness are of a type permitting the use of any flexible bag and in particular permit the use of inexpensive disposable plastic garbage bags. The preferred form of fastener for securing the bag comprises the loop and stud type fastener commonly used for hosiery garters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for the manufacture of fibers from attenuable materials, such as glass making materials, by centrifugation. In a process in which the attenuable material is directed onto the peripheral surface of a centrifugation wheel which is enveloped by a gas current produced by a blowing crown, the invention comprises the projecting onto the fibers of a liquid composition from a centrifugation element, the projection being carried out close to the wheel in the form of drops which penetrate and are atomized by the gas current. The apparatus of the invention includes a projection element rotating with the centrifugation wheel for centrifugal delivery of the drops of liquid composition. The invention provides a very uniform treatment of the fibers, particularly by means of liquid binder compositions.