Abstract: A continuous fiber reinforced composite panel and a one-step method of molding it using a high viscosity, thermoplastic matrix. The high viscosity, thermoplastic material is in the form of fibers and the fibers are commingled with reinforcing fibers producing a dry woven matte. The dry woven matte is placed in a mold and heated under pressure around a pin mandrel forming part of the mold. The method of forming the panels is a one-step method using a two-piece mold, one-half of which includes a pin mandrel having formed thereon a plurality of permanent die pins corresponding in number to the number of holes to be formed in the perforated composite panel. The other half of the mold has holes or cavities formed therein corresponding in number to the number of pins and into which these die pins are received when the mold is closed. The method simply is to place the dry woven matte over the die pins in the mold and to then close the mold. The mold is placed in a press and heat and pressure is applied to the mold.

Abstract: A automatic locking and unlocking device for effecting the locking engagement of a lock stud within a stud receiving fixture. The lock device of the present invention is adapted for locking a movable closure member relative to a stationary member, such as a vending machine door to a cabinet, and provides a quick open and quick close locking feature. The locking device includes a lock stud fitted with a t-handle at its outer end, and a nose portion inner end, the nose portion having a pair of opposed pin engagement ledges formed therein adjacent the nose portion, and provided with male threads positioned adjacent to and forwardly of the pin engagement ledges. The stationary member is provided with a stud receiving lock housing which contains a stationary cam sleeve, a rotatable cam sleeve which reciprocates relative to the stationary cam sleeve, and a coupling which is positioned anteriorly of the rotatable cam sleeve.

Abstract: A hybrid metal/composite spinner cone used in aircraft applications. The spinner cone has a metal outer shell which is bonded during the molding process to an inner structural member of thermoplastic composite. The metal shell imparts several desirable characteristics to the spinner cone such as impact resistance, erosion resistance, appearance, and supplying a lightning strike material to protect the composite structure. The thermoplastic composite has significant property advantages over metal or thermoset systems. The hybrid metal/composite spinner cone is manufactured using a ceramic mold which is less expensive and more readily available than a steel mold. The metal shell provides a barrier between the thermoplastic composite and the ceramic mold and allows the finished spinner cone to be easily released from the mold.

Abstract: A tool to be mounted to smooth wall tubes. The tool has an entry for the tube end, a split collet member cooperating with an annular seal within the tool, and a piston or ram element which is translated to sealing by fluid pressure acting on the piston element. This force provided by the piston element causes the split collet to engage the tube and to provide the force necessary to compress the seal around the tube. The tool may be provided as a dead head, or may be coupled to a second conduit for conveying fluids therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an automatic locking device for effecting the locking engagement of a lock stud within a stud receiving fixture adapted for locking two complimentary structures together formed by a lock mechanism of the type provided with a lock stud mounted on one of the complimentary structures, the lock stud having a predetermined diametric dimension and threaded along the exposed end thereof, the outer exposed end being terminating in a nose portion which has a diametric dimension slightly in excess of the diametric dimension of the lock stud. A stud receiving locking means is mounted on the opposed complimentary structure and in substantial linear alignment with the lock mechanism. The stud receiving locking means is provided with at least two movable members being normally biasingly urged together and having an apreture formed by the members diametrically sized to be complimentary with the diametric dimension of the lock stud when the members are in the rest position.

Abstract: An improved bulkhead assembly intended for use in connection with the transportation of materials on a flat rack container, and an improved material transport system employing such bulkhead assembly is shown. The improved material transport system is of the type which includes a flat rack container having at least one open ended rail mounted on the flat rack which includes at least a pair of opposed flat bars mounted in spaced apart relation extending along the length of the rack container. The improved bulkhead assembly is formed by a base including an upper plate which rides along the upper support surface of the rail, and a lower locking plate adapted for riding along the lower surface of the rail. Devices are interposed between the upper plate and the lower locking plate for lockingly engaging the base onto the rail at any fixed position along the length thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed a variable tip writing instrument for imprinting characters, lines or segments of lines of variable diametric dimensions, to be used manually or incorporated into the designs of computer related printers, plotters, or typewriter devices with computerized controls, the writing instrument being of the type having a storage end and a writing end opposed from the storage end, and a barrel adapted to contain a supply of ink which is in communication with the writing tip, formed by a writing tip positioned at the writing end of the instrument, the writing tip having an expandable diameter thereby to vary between the smallest diametric dimension and the largest diametric dimension thereof, and control means associated with the writing tip having a control end in operative relationship with the writing tip and an opposed manipulative end positioned along the length of the instrument and adapted to permit the manipulative control of the writing tip to control the diametric dimension of the writing t

Abstract: An instantaneous fluid heater having a fluid heating chamber including therein a plurality of electrical heating elements. The supply of electrical power to the respective ones of the electrical heating elements is controlled by a solid state switch which is gated by a zero crossing trigger device to supply power to the heating elements. Each of the trigger devices includes means for comparing a control potential and ramp signal potential coupled to them to selectively gate the solid state switches to energize the heatiing elements in response to the comparison of the potentials. In this fashion, all of the heating elements are not turned on at the same time, and undesirable light flickering and unacceptable disturbances in the line voltage is eliminated.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved spindle construction for use in connection with harps of the type having a linkage assembly associated with foot pedals for controlling the action of harp strings. The improved spindle is designed to eliminate friction between the spindles and the action plates which are connected to the two ends of the spindle. The spindle is formed by a cylindrical body portion having a reduced diameter shaft at one end and proportioned to extend into a bore of one of the pair of action plates and to be rotatably retained therein. A bearing sleeve is press-fitted onto the cylindrical body portion at the other end thereof, the sleeve having a chamfered outer peripheral surface which corresponds with a chamfered bore formed in the other one of the pair of action plates into which the sleeve seats.

Abstract: A lawn dart which is of a two-piece construction and is molded of plastic. One piece of the lawn dart comprises a shaft having a plurality of fins formed on it (three as illustrated) for guiding the lawn dart in flight, and a blunt end which is formed to snap-fit into a tip for the dart which forms the second piece thereof. The tip for the dart is generally cup-shaped, and the free edge thereof is generally scalloped so as to provide an attractive appearance to the lawn dart when the two pieces are assemblied. Preferably and advantageously the tip is formed such that the blunt end on the shaft will snap fit into it for assembly, and further is formed to receive a weight within it.

Abstract: A revolving door including a plurality of door leaves extending radially outwardly from a center shaft in angularly spaced positions. The door leaves are mounted in a door opening for rotation about said center shaft by upper and lower bearing means. The door also includes upper and lower collapsing mechanisms which are adapted to normally maintain the door leaves in their radial positions, but to permit pivotal movement of each door leaf about the center shaft between its normal radial position and a collapsed position in the event that the door leaf is subjected to abnormal forces. One of the upper and/or lower collapsing mechanisms has associated with it a locking assembly having an electromagnet which normally is operated to prevent the collapsing mechanism from functioning so that the door leaves can be collapsed.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved foldable marine fender and cushion combination device which is formed by a base formed by an enlarged rectangular pliable sheet having opposed side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge, a plurality of paired cushioning pads mounted on the base in a patterned spaced apart orientation which consists of at least a first pair of cushioning pads mounted along the opposed side edges of the base, a second pair of cushioning pads mounted on the base inwardly from the first pair of cushioning pads a distance equal to the overall width of one of the cushioning pads, a third pair of cushioning pads mounted on the base spaced inwardly from the second pair of cushioning pads and spaced a distance equivalent to the overall width of two of the cushioning pads.

Abstract: An improved axial split pin tumbler type lock is provided. The improvement consists in providing a cylinder having a lock head formed with a square-shaped keyhole defining a front face on the lock head, and a three-part plug assembly inserted in the cylinder. One of the three-part plug assemblies consists of a cylinder head having a forward end provided with a square-shaped cut-out section formed therein, the square cut-out section radially traversing the tumbler bores formed therein. A tubular key is provided having an inner circular core, and an outer square-shaped face adapted to matingly engage within the square-shaped keyhole in the lock head and the square-shaped cut-out section in the cylindrical head portion. The square-shaped front face of the lock head includes a series of thickened face sections alternating with a series of thinner face sections.

Abstract: A vehicle support assembly for maintaining a vehicle in a stationary position during body straightening operations. A housing supports a horizontally extending arm and a shaft extends through and is supported by the housing. A clamping assembly within the housing includes a clamp with plural spaced-apart hooks which are located beneath a T-shaped tie down track. A lever is supported at one end of the shaft. A C-shaped cam is coupled to the clamp and the lever so that when the lever is operated the C-shaped cam raises the clamp and the spaced-apart hooks are clamped beneath the track thereby securing the vehicle support assembly to the track.