Abstract: A shovel formed of a blade member, two side members, a handle retaining member, and a handle. In one embodiment, each of the blade member, two side members and handle retaining member is formed as a metal blank, which is stamped, punched and bent to the desired configuration, with the metal blanks of the sides and handle retaining member having formed therein interlocking coacting detenting elements for enabling adjustment of the angle of the handle relative to the blade portion. Welds and a rivet complete the assembly of the shovel. In an alternate embodiment, a single metal blank is used to form the blade and the two side members as a unit, thus avoiding welding or other fastening of the sides to the blade. A foot pressure rest is provided with the blade, with the side members generally parallel and spaced the width of the blade. The handle is attached at an angle which enables effective application of force during use.

Abstract: A fastener unit for use on a composite nonmetallic surface which includes a channel of composite nonmetallic material, which may be bonded or riveted to the supporting surface, and has at least one opening through it, and a fastener assembly which includes a basket having an opening in its center and slotted deflectable end walls, a retainer member, including a flat portion with tabs projecting into openings in the side flanges of the channel and a tubular portion extending into the opening in the central web of the channel, and a nut having a base portion with tabs received in the openings in the end walls of the basket. Clearances are provided so that the nut has limited lateral floating movement. The nut is removable from the remainder of the unit by deflecting the end walls of the basket, which permits the nut to be replaced.

Abstract: A through-door security intercom that clamps on the free edge of a door of any conventional thickness. Clamping is effected by constant-force flat springs, which springs also provide current paths. The springs are pre-bent at acute angles at predetermined points, to aid in mounting of the outside unit on the door. The inside unit is mounted on the door due to the force created by the constant-force springs which are coiled on spools. Brushes in the inside unit engage the springs and complete the electric circuit.

Abstract: The butt of a deep-sea fishing rod is adapted to be manually held by a fisherman while the fisherman is standing near the rail, transom or bow of a fishing boat. Then, when the fisherman becomes tired, he telescopes the butt into a reel-raising rod-lengthening extender socket in nonrotatable relationship, following which he sits down in a fishing chair and inserts the lower end of the extender socket into the chair gimbal. The construction of the butt and the extender socket are such that even large axial forces directed downwardly toward the bucket harness as the fisherman grips the rod between the reel and the tip while fighting a fish, does not shorten the combination of the butt and extender socket.

Abstract: A windmill is provided which automatically compensates for increased wind velocity, causing the blades to feather and rotate at a substantially constant velocity rather than overspeeding. This is accomplished by pivotally mounting the blades so that they are rotatable between positions of relatively high angle with respect to the direction of the wind and positions of relatively shallow angle, with a resilient means biasing them to the former position. Tabs projecting forwardly at obtuse angles from the outer ends of the leading edges of the blades cause the blades to be pivoted to the feathered position when wind velocity increases.

Abstract: For use in combination with a system for separating water from pressurized fuel in a filter-separator tank, there is provided a float valve and weight device that prevents fuel from leaving the tank if the interface between fuel and water is at an undesirably high elevation. The float of the float valve is associated with a weight, the relationships being such that the float floats at the interface. To test the float for waterlogging, and to test the entire system, the association between float and weight is discontinued. The float then floats up unless waterlogging has occured.

Abstract: A parachute deployment actuator incorporating an aneroid with a relatively long strike results in a significant diminution in the degree of precision with which the associated parts have to be made. A spring is provided externally of the aneroid in such relationship as to augment the natural spring force tending to expand the aneroid, such spring operating not only to keep the aneroid off its internal stop at sea level but also to cause the overall system to have a desired spring rate. A variable lever system inter-relates a preprinted scale and associated altitude cam with the aneroid in such relationship that the parachute actuator will release the chute very near a pre-set altitude.

Abstract: A film-type cylindrical resistor in which the end caps fit over the environmentally protective coating. Both the resistive film and the environmentally protective coating are applied by screen printing. Termination films are provided at the ends of the resistive film, and are electrically contacted by the end caps. The method comprises screen printing the resistive and termination films, and the environmental coating, and then mounting the end caps by interference-fit connections.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic piston device the housing of which has a cylindrical internal wall in which is mounted a piston. A pyrotechnic device is disposed adjacent the piston. A metal-to-metal seal is formed between the piston and the cylindrical wall to prevent blow-by of products of the explosion. Two types of constructions are provided to prevent bounce-back of the piston after it has reached the forward end of its stroke.

Abstract: A method for training and warming-up baseball pitchers, using an apparatus comprising a closed loop of stretchable cord having a baseball or a simulated baseball mounted thereon. In accordance with one aspect of the method, the cord is secured to an anchor point spaced above the ground, and the pitcher slowly performs a simulated pitching movement while standing with his back to the anchor point and at a distance therefrom determined by the desired tension in the cord. In accordance with another aspect of the method, the pitching motion is performed without turning the pitching arm and wrist, and it is ascertained whether turning has occurred by sensing whether or not the upper fingers of the gripping hand of the pitcher engage portions of the cord at the baseball.

Abstract: Apparatus for rotating a tubular well element about its longitudinal axis. There are first and second elongate casing sections pivotally connected to each other at a pivot. First and second driven sprockets are mounted, respectively, on the casing sections at locations remote from the pivot. A drive sprocket, mounted on the first casing section, is driven by a motor-gear assembly. A continuous chain is mounted around the drive sprocket, and around the first and second driven sprockets, having an inverse internal portion adapted to receive and directly contact the tubular well element to be rotated. Cylinders are connected between the casing sections to pivot them toward and away from each other and thus alternately clamp the inverse internal portion around the wall element, and release such element from the inverse internal portion. One end of each cylinder is pivotally connected to the first casing section at a point between the pivot and the first driven sprocket.

Abstract: A combination shipping container and garment support. The shipping container is adapted to have garments hung in it while the garments are supported on garment hangers. A hanger bar assembly is mounted in the container, and supports at least several of the hangers. The hanger bar assembly has end holders mounted on opposed walls of the shipping container, and a hanger bar extended between the end holders. The hold-down bar holds the hangers on the hanger bar, being pivotally mounted on the hanger bar at a location intermediate the end holders. The ends of the hold-down bar are held in the end holders when the hold-down is in a position substantially parallel to the hanger bar.

Abstract: A hand-held orbital automobile polisher of the type having a housing with handle means close-coupled to it so that the operator grasps the polisher very near the housing, and moves the polisher to different regions of the automobile. An electric motor is mounted in the housing, and a counterweight is mounted on the motor shaft. A pad assembly is connected to the counterweight at a point offset from the shaft, the axis of rotation of the pad assembly relative to the counterweight being substantially parallel to the shaft axis. The overall weight of the polisher is in the range of about four pounds to about eight pounds. The rotational speed of the motor, and the constructions and masses and mounting points of the counterweight and the pad assembly, are such that the net centrifugal force generated by the counterweight and the pad assembly is in the range of ten to eighteen pounds.

Abstract: A parachute release apparatus having a spring powered release mechanism for coupling to the ripcord of the parachute, with a latch retaining a spring powered piston of the release mechanism against the force of the spring. A spring powered timing mechanism is locked out above a preestablished altitude by an aneroid assembly, but operative thereafter. A manually settable interlock coacts with a catch arm to set the spring of the timing mechanism upon winding, with an arming cable assembly actuating the interlock to a release position upon separation of the parachute wearing aviator from the seat or the aircraft. The timing mechanism includes a timing disc viewable through a window only when the release mechanism has been set and when the timing mechanism has been wound.

Abstract: A tremolo bridge for an electric guitar has a fine tuning mechanism installed thereon. Fine tuning screw heads 43 have coplanar top surfaces 44 which do not rise or fall as tuning is effected. When actuated, heads 43 move screws 47 vertically to act on strings 29 through string securing levers 35. With this structure, the tuning heads form an essentially flat surface providing a seat or rest for the hand or forearm of the guitarist.

Abstract: A high-voltage cylindrical film-type resistor has cup-shaped end caps that receive the ends of the cylindrical substrate, each end cap having a convexly-radiused rim that has a radius of at least 1.5 mils in a plane containing the substrate axis. In accordance with the method, the stated radius is achieved by abrading, preferably tumbling.

Abstract: A venetian blind incorporating a wand having an operator thereon at any desired position. The operator is nonrotatably associated with the wand, and the wand and operator are so constructed that longitudinal shifting of the operator rotates the wand about its axis. Resilient frictional drag prongs are incorporated in the operator to prevent undesided movement thereof, as by gravity. A stop and bearing element is mounted on the end of the wand.