Abstract: Several underpinning arrangements are described. In each, a concrete pile is cast in a hole formed adjacent to the structure to be underpinned. The hole is formed from at or near ground level and is vertical or at an angle close to the vertical. At least one supporting limb is also formed. This extends from the pile hole and engages the structure. When the pile is cast in the pile hole, the pile and supporting limb are made to form a unitary element so that forces exerted on the supporting limb by the structures are transmitted to and borne by the pile. Various configurations of supporting limb are described, as are various arrangements for ensuring that the supporting limb is retained in a position in which it supports the structure. A drilling assembly for use in the method is also described.

Abstract: A fishing lure (20) has a body structure (22) with hooks (24) attached thereto. A windup mechanism (80) includes a spool (58) and a spring (90) operating in conjunction with the spool to store energy therin. Appendages, such as legs or fins (26, 28, 224, 226), extend externally from the body for movement upon operation of the windup mechanism. A shaft (60) extends through the spool and windup mechanism and is rotatively secured to the body. A drive train structure is driven by the spring to provide an oscillating movement to the legs or fins.

Abstract: The invention provides a thermodynamically stable fluid system for use in combination with a solid oxidizer to provide an explosive composition. The fluid system comprises 1-70% by weight of water, 5-20% by weight of a surfactant, 0-35% by weight of a cosurfactant, and 5-85% by weight of an organic oil. Any droplet formation within the system has diameter or a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.1 microns. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid system is a microemulsion. When the fluid system is combined with a solid oxidizer, an explosive composition is formed, and the resulting explosive composition has a density greater than ANFO under similar conditions. The fluid system acts to increase the density of the oxidizer.

Abstract: A safety vehicle (10) for passengers includes a horizontally disposed chassis (16) having a front (16a) and rear (16b) portion. The vehicle body (14) is disposed on the chassis (16) and includes a passenger section (20) disposed intermediate the front and rear portions of the chassis (16). The chassis (16) includes three lever arms (44, 46, 48) pivotally interconnected. The first lever arm (44) is disposed adjacent the front portion of the chassis (16). A second lever arm (48) is disposed adjacent the passenger section (20). The third lever arm (46) is pivotally interconnected to the first and second lever arms, such that the first end of the third lever arm is pivotally connected adjacent to the second end of the first lever arm (44) at a first pivot point (60). The second end of the third lever arm (46) is pivotally connected adjacent to the first end of the second lever arm (48) at a second pivot point (62).

Abstract: A telephone maintenance termination unit utilizes a low voltage, bidirectional trigger switch for performing diagnostic functions on a telephone line. The trigger switch provides low voltage, low current triggering in conjunction with a high holding current requirement. The trigger switch may comprise either two silicon controlled rectifiers connected in inverse parallel relationship with their gates connected, a bidirectional diffused PNPN semiconductor device, or an NPN semiconductor device, any one of which is used to trigger a power control TRIAC. In another embodiment, the switching device may be a two-terminal, unitary semiconductor device incorporating the functions of both the TRIAC and the bidirectional trigger switch.

Abstract: A method of forming a support or foundation for a building structure comprises forming a number of upwardly diverging support members interconnected at their upper ends by making correspondingly shaped holes in the ground on which the structure is to be supported thereafter pouring concrete into the holes and allowing it to set to form the foundation. In certain grounds it may be necessary to extend the support structures by driving piles from their base.

Abstract: The invention provides a connector, a transmitter, a bi-directional device, and a method for increasing the reliability of borehole detonation by using the connectors and transmitters provided by the invention. The invention provides connectors, each connector having a well for receiving a blasting cap, one or more ports or channels for receiving a transmission line and/or downline, and means for joining one connector with another connector in a convenient manner. The connectors are constructed so that detonation of a blasting cap in one connector will cause sympathetic detonation of a blasting cap in an adjoining connector. The detonation of blasting caps in the connectors also causes initiation of transmission lines and/or downlines which are inserted in the ports or channels through the connectors.

Abstract: An improved expansion valve (10) is disclosed for use with an air conditioning system (12) for an automobile. High pressure refrigerant flow is modulated through the valve by movement of a valve member (92) in response to the superheat of the low pressure refrigerant flow through a first passage (32) in the expansion valve. The low pressure refrigerant superheat is sensed by a power element (74) containing an adsorbent and gas which deflects a diaphragm (82) to a degree related to the superheat of the low pressure flow. The diaphragm acts on an annular seal retainer (100) to modulate the position of the valve member (92). A cupshaped high pressure seal (104) is provided between the valve member (92) and wall of the passage (54) in which the valve member moves to balance the forces on the valve member exerted by the high pressure refrigerant. The balanced valve member allows use of a compact power element, permitting the body (30) of the valve (10) to be formed of plastic.

Abstract: An electromagnetic applicator (10) is provided for heating internal biological tissue, such as cancerous tumors, where applicators generate an electromagnetic field propagating across a gap (20) for forming a relative maximum power density adjacent the internal tumor volume. Conformable radiating elements (12, 14) are spaced by gap (20) and power is applied at radio frequencies to generate the electromagnetic field which propagates across the gap (20). A plurality of applicators (10) may be placed about a body location to enable the maximum relative power density to be placed at a selected location within the body portion. A radiating dipole antenna (46) may be used to radiate a signal from which transmitted signal parameters are derived for forming a local power density maximum at a location approximated by the radiating dipole antenna (46).

Abstract: A quick connect/disconnect hydraulic coupler is provided especially for connecting rigid hydraulic members where no axial movement of the coupling halves can be achieved. The quick coupler comprises a male connector attached to one hydraulic line and a female connector attached to another hydraulic line. The male and female connectors each include an annular check valve that is spring-biased against a poppet seat to prevent loss of hydraulic fluid when the coupler halves are disconnected. The male connector has an annular coupling nut surrounding and confining the male check valve. When the male and female connector halves are aligned, the coupling nut can be moved axially toward the female connector and rotated to engage threads on the outside circumference of the female connector. Tightening the coupling nut onto the female connector forces the male check valve to extend and to form a seal with the female check valve.

Abstract: A reinforced tube suitable for use in the construction of an explosive signal transmission device. The tube is constructed from a low yield strength plastic material into which has been deposited one or more reinforcing yarns of a high tenacity and low elongation material in a position substantially parallel to the axis of the tube during the extrusion process.

Abstract: A computer includes a memory for storing the machine instructions therein and an arithmetic logic unit for carrying out logical and arithmetic operations. An instruction processing unit is provided for receiving and decoding machine instructions which are received from the memory. The instruction processing unit produces an entry address for the first microinstruction which corresponds to the machine instruction which was decoded by the instruction processing unit. A dispatch control store is connected to receive the entry address and further has stored therein the first microinstruction for each of the machine instructions. The dispatch control store produces a selected one of the microinstructions stored therein upon receipt of the entry address. A main control store is provided for storing therein all of the microinstructions for each of the machine instructions other than the first microinstruction for each of the machine instructions.

Abstract: A foot pedal operated remote control unit is provided as part of a remote control system for operating a video cassette recorder (VCR). The foot pedal is connected to a hand-held, multi-function remote control unit for operating the VCR. The foot pedal is used to control one or more selected playback functions, such as, while viewing video recordings. The foot pedal remote control unit is useful for viewing video segments requiring repeated playback for analysis by a viewer whose hands are occupied in performing other tasks.

Abstract: An operand processing unit (10) carries out processing of operands in a computer. The unit (10) includes a plurality of operation circuits (12, 14, 16, 18, 20). A source bus (22) provides one operand per clock cycle to the operation circuits (12, 14, 16, 18, 20). A destination bus (24) receives one resultant per clock cycle from the operation circuits (12, 14, 16, 18, 20). Within each operation circuit there is provided an operand processing circuit (80) which performs a selected function with the received operands. These functions include, for example, multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, logical AND, and shift. Logical circuitry provides a priority assignment to the operation circuits (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) for sequencing the loading of operands into the highest priority operation circuit (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) which is not busy processing operands within its corresponding operand processing circuit (80).

Abstract: A knife sheath device includes a gripping or cutting type of tool such as a pair of pliers or wire cutters. The device includes a sheath pivotally mounted upon a back plate with the back plate and sheath cooperating to form and operate the tool. Portions of the tool are formed or attached to the sheath and also to the back plate, and the tool is operated by pivoting the sheath in relation to the back plate.

Abstract: High temperature insulated electrical wiring products suitable for use under service temperature classifications of at least 90.degree. C. The product comprises an electrical conductor and a polyvinyl chloride insulation covering on the conductor. The insulation comprises polyvinyl chloride resin having an inherent viscosity within the range of 1.0-1.1 and a polybasic aromatic ester plasticizing system in which the predominant ester component is a dialkyl phthalate ester. Each of the alkyl groups of the ester contains at least 11 carbon atoms. In addition, the insulation contains a higher than normal amount of antioxidant. The insulation should contain at least about 1.5 percent bisphenol A based upon the dialkyl phthalate ester. The plasticizer system may contain only dialkyl phthalate ester or it may contain minor amounts of trimellitate ester.

Abstract: A method of powder coating the inside of tubular goods, such as oil field pipe and the like, by connecting one end of the pipe to a means for producing a flow of compressible gases therethrough. The other end of the pipe is open to atmospheric pressure. A valve means is connected upstream of the pipe between the inlet end thereof and a container for holding a single charge of plastic powder. The charge of powdered plastic is isolated upstream of the pipe inlet. The charge is of sufficient size to coat the entire inside peripheral wall surface of the pipe with a substantial uniform coating of plastic.