Abstract: A low-cost heat sink-mounted power film resistor having a high power rating for its footprint size, and not incorporating any housing. The resistor is bolted or otherwise secured tightly to an external heat sink in high heat-conduction relationship, the external heat sink being contacted flatwise by a rectangular internal heat sink. The footprint size and shape of the internal heat sink correspond substantially to those of commercially-marketed power film resistors having molded synthetic resin housings. The internal heat sink is bonded in high heat-conductivity relationship to a ceramic chip having a resistive film on the side thereof remote from the heat sink. Over such resistive film is a thin environmental coating. The leads are provided and connected to spaced portions of the film, on metalization pads.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cutting gift-wrap paper, which comprises an elongate straight V-sectioned element that is easily hand-held by one hand of an operator. The element has a cutting edge along one side, which cuts the paper after the desired amount thereof has been pulled off the roll.

Abstract: A telephone resistor combination and method, that is formed by a ceramic substrate having a resistive film on it, and pins on one edge of the substrate and connected to the film. A U-shaped cold region is provided on the substrate around at least much of the film, and is so constructed that application of common high overload voltages to the pins causes vertical fracture of the substrate. The resulting substrate pieces are held by the pins to the circuit board.

Abstract: A root-control barrier apparatus and method employing living hinges, such hinges forming parts of various types of root-control barriers including single-elongate, closed-loop polygonal with different numbers of sides, and curved.

Abstract: A dual path static control garment is formed of a garment material having a continuous grid of conductive fibers throughout the body section and sleeves. One elastic wrist hugging cuff is formed of an electrically conductive material and thereby connects one wrist of the wearer, through the garment itself, to a first grounding terminal secured to a body section of the garment. A second and independent grounding path is provided from the second cuff to a second grounding terminal on the body section. The second path is provided by a cuff assembly having an inner conductive wrist hugging cuff and an outer nonconductive cuff connected to the garment sleeve. A conductive ribbon encased in an insulating sheath electrically interconnects the inner conductive cuff to the second grounding terminal and is insulated from the garment and its sleeves to provide the second independent grounding path.

Abstract: A line guide-fishing rod blank combination, having a fin or rib that defines pockets into which epoxy wicks to thereby increase greatly the strength of the guide-blank connection.

Abstract: An apparatus by which both tremolo action and string clamping and string intonation adjustment are achieved effectively and in a very small space. Adjustment screw shanks are threaded into bores in the inertia bar or block of the tremolo, and bear against the heads of pull screws that are connected to string-clamping saddles. The heads of the pull screws are received in recesses in the inertia bar; the inertia bar is connected to the bridge plate by several screws that do not interfere with the screw shanks. To adjust intonation, the bridge plate is pivoted upwardly and a wrench is employed to rotate the screw shanks, which in turn bear against the heads of the pull screws. Furthermore, the pull screws are rotated to release positions while the bridge plate is in its upwardly-pivoted position. After intonation is adjusted, the pull screws are rotated to lock the saddles in their desired positions.

Abstract: Apparatus for making and breaking joints in drill pipe strings has three jaws each of which is adjustable to an infinite number of settings. The jaw-adjustment means are symmetrical about a central plane, and incorporate a spherical section. Different portions of the spherical section operate relative to closing and self-energizing of each jaw, the particular operative portion depending upon the exact set or adjusted position of the jaw. Each jaw is constructed for stable clamping of a drill type portion, with only one side of each jaw having a die element that is rotatably mounted. The jaw-adjustment mechanism effects both opening and closing of the jaw, there being no necessity to manually pull on a jaw portion at any time.

Abstract: A synthetic resin frame, having a single foot extending laterally from it, has a roller mounted for rotation about a bearing element that extends into holes in the sides of the frame. A combination line guard and bearing-retaining element is snapped over the frame. The ends of the line guard and bearing-retaining element hold the bearing in position, while openings in the line guard guide the line and substantially prevent it from contacting the synthetic resin. The line guard and bearing retainer is formed of material more wear resistant than that of the frame.

Abstract: The root-control planter has a thin-walled frustoconical body that is open at the top and bottom, and that has vertically-spaced ledges that lie in planes perpendicular to the axis of the frustum. Internal ribs or ridges are provided integrally with the body, and have vertically-spaced hook or notch portions that hook not only over the top of another identical planter but also over the ledges thereof. At the bottom of the frustum is a radially-outwardly extending flange. At circumferentially spaced points about the bottom region of the body, and adjacent the flange, are relatively small openings through which certain tree roots will grow and lock the planter in the ground despite the upward forces exerted by other tree roots that pass beneath the flange. At the top of the planter body is a continuous rim that is bent-over in an inward direction, hooking or bending over the upper ends of the ribs.

Abstract: A balancing resistor and thermistor network for telephone circuits, and combination with an external relay, which reliably handles all three levels of adverse conditions, automatically resets under certain conditions, is physically small in size, and is strong. It is a flat ceramic substrate on both surfaces of which are screen-printed thick-film balancing resistor films. Also screen-printed on both surfaces are termination traces having portions so located that when the substrate substantially instantaneously fractures it reliably and substantially instantaneously breaks the circuits through the resistive films, the fracture occurring in response to a sudden high-voltage overload. Accordingly, there is no damage to, or melting or burning of, small wires in the telephone circuits at points near to or remote from the balancing resistor network. A thermistor film is screen-printed directly onto the substrate at a central region where there is no resistive film.

Abstract: A method of soldering leads to electrical elements, such as resistors, in which a ribbon of solder, having a coating of flux, is sandwiched between a plurality of electrical elements and a plurality of leads. Hydrogen flames then cut the ribbon at points between the electrical elements and also between the leads. The hydrogen flames are then directed at the leads to melt the solder and cause extending portions of the ribbons to be drawn towards the leads.

Abstract: A method of locating properly and comfortably a protective helmet on the head of a person. A fit, locating and comfort band is mounted around the persons head, namely adjacent the ears and the back of the head and over the forehead. Thereafter, a protective plastic helmet having a foam lining is mounted over the band as a separate and distinct operation. The method further comprises employing a harness above the band to aid in keeping it in place while the helmet is subsequently mounted, and to protect the top of the head from discomfort caused by a central foam element of the helmet. The apparatus comprises the band and harness and helmet employed in combination with each other, but with no need for the band or harness to be connected to the helmet. In accordance with another aspect of the method and apparatus, an inflatable bladder is employed to aid in maintaining the band and helmet in the desired positions.

Abstract: A backpack spray apparatus for applying insecticides and fertilizers comprises a large tank in which is mounted a pressure vessel. A pumping assembly is connected with the bottom portion of the pressure vessel and also with the bottom portion of the container tank. It consists of a double-acting piston assembly, a valve, and passages to connect a portion of the cylinder chamber above the piston assembly to the pressure vessel and to the container tank, so that upon reciprocation of the piston there is pumping of liquid from the container tank to the pressure vessel. There is also a connection between the portion of the cylinder chamber below the piston assembly and the lower portion of the container tank, so that upon reciprocation of the piston assembly there is pumping of the liquid back and forth. An operator-actuated handle reciprocates the piston assembly. There is no diaphragm associated with the pumping assembly--all pumping being done by the pumping assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hand-held percussion musical instrument in the form of a rigid tubular ring, which includes a plurality of elongate hollow tubes, the tubes having rigid tubular walls and opposite end walls defining closed hollow tube interiors. Steel shot is loosely contained within the hollow interiors of the tubes, whereby the ring may be hand manipulated to cause the shot to impact the walls to create audible percussion sounds.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding down workpieces in milling machines and other machine tools. A hollow receptacle has undercut regions that receive lugs on the lower end of a stud. The stud thereby connects to the receptacle, and disconnects from it, by being turned only a fraction of a turn. A nut on the stud is friction related to it by an adjustable friction generator. The receptacle, nut and stud cooperate with a strap clamp and heel block, to very quickly and easily mount and demount parts in milling and other machines.