Abstract: A smoke detector operating on the reflected light principle, utilizing a pulsing light source and means requiring several consecutive pulses of light reflected from smoke to actuate an alarm. During normal standby operation, the light pulses at a predetermined slow rate. When smoke is present, the first pulse of light reflected from the smoke causes the pulse rate to increase for a predetermined number of pulses or for a predetermined short time, so that the number of reflected pulses required to actuate the alarm are received in a shorter time. The time to alarm is thereby shortened without increasing the current drain of the device and without shortening the life of the pulsing light source.

Abstract: A lock of the type having an internal plunger with a stem for being gripped by a tool to pull the stem axially to release locking means, the stem being biased to the locking position by a coil spring so dimensioned that when the spring is fully compressed with the coils touching each other, the pin just reaches the unlocking position. Hence if an attempt is made to open the lock by inserting a bent wire or the like into a spring coil and pulling to compress the spring, the pin will not be able to move to the unlocking position.

Abstract: A seal of the type having a housing with internal resilient fingers for receiving a shouldered stud in locking engagement, in which a separate cylinder is provided in the housing for closely surrounding the entire periphery of an end portion of the stud protruding beyond the resilient fingers to maintain the stud centered in the opening and prevent any lateral movement thereof, and thereby prevent attempts to open the stud by the insertion of tools to dislodge the resilient fingers from engagement with the stud. The cylinder surrounding the stud is inserted into the end of the housing remote from the stud-receiving end, and said remote end is then deformed with heat to retain the cylinder in the housing.

Abstract: A locking structure for assembly onto existing electric meter boxes or the like, said structure comprising a bushing for mounting onto the box cover and an apertured bracket for mounting inside the box so that the bracket aperture is aligned with the bushing. The structure is intended to receive a locking cylinder of the type having an enlarged head and an elongated body portion with expansible locking balls near the end remote from the head, and the parts are dimensioned and positioned to retain the cover tightly closed when the locking cylinder is assembled. The bushing completely encloses the head of the locking cylinder so that the other end of the cylinder is recessed in the bushing. Apertures may be provided in opposite sides of the forward end of the bushing to receive a seal transversely across the bushing, so that the locking member cannot be removed without rupturing the seal.

Abstract: A bar stock feeding assembly and a vibration damping support block for use therein. An elongated housing is provided with a plurality of internal blocks to support a bar stock being fed to a machine tool. Each support block is provided with a central opening slidably receiving the bar stock, and a plurality of legs extending outwardly into engagement with the internal wall of the housing to position the block in relation to the housing. At least the legs of the block are formed of resilient material such as rubber or plastic so that vibration of the bar stock, while being acted on by the machine tool, is not transmitted to the housing.

Abstract: A smoke detector of the type utilizing a photo-responsive device to detect light reflected from smoke particles illuminated by a light source and actuate an alarm, in which a second photo-responsive device is utilized to control the intensity of the light source so that it is continuously exposed to a light intensity from the light source such that its thermal co-efficient of resistance is maintained at a value substantially equal to that of the first photo-resistive device when said first photo-resistive device is exposed to the amount of light that causes an alarm. In one embodiment of the invention identical photo-cells are connected into circuitry which includes two level detectors with the same transfer curve and voltage gain, and means causing the two photo-responsive devices to have the desired resistance at the alarm point. Changes in ambient temperature and line voltage are therefore prevented from affecting the alarm point.

Abstract: A locking cover for the ends of an electric meter retaining ring comprising a housing for assembly over the ends. The housing has an internal bracket with apertures aligned with a side aperture in the housing and positioned to be aligned with apertures in the outturned ends of the retaining ring to receive a locking member.The internal bracket retains the housing in position on the meter ring and prevents axial movement of the locking member and is so positioned that the outer end of the locking member when assembled, is spaced at or inside of the outer surface of the housing wall. A collar is assembled into the side aperture and extends outwardly therefrom. The collar is provided with apertures to allow a seal to be assembled across the collar over the end of the locking member disposed therein so that the seal must be broken to remove the locking member, and will provide evidence of attempts to remove the locking cover.

Abstract: A fire detection system of the type utilizing an optical detector with discriminating photo-cells connected in series to form a voltage divider, with the rise in voltage at the junction of the photo-cells being utilized as the input to an amplifier to energize an alarm or actuate an extinguishing system, in which the ground wire to the remote optical detectors is also used as the ground wire between the amplifier and the actuating means for the alarm or the extinguishing system, whereby a break in the ground wire, which causes a rise in voltage at the junction, is prevented from causing a false alarm, since said break also breaks the circuit between the amplifier and the actuating means.

Abstract: A security seal formed of molded plastic which is particularly adaped for use with articles closed by staples and hasps, such as are used on a strap closing the neck of a mail bag. The seal components are arranged so that the loop formed by the assembled seal strap may be tightened to a predetermined dimension and no smaller, with the tightening tension not being applied to the point at which the seal is designed to rupture. A finger loop is provided which extends from the loop formed by the assembled seal in such a manner that when the finger loop is pulled, tension is applied directly to the designed rupture point to facilitate removal of the seal.

Abstract: A detector system particularly adapted for use in installation where the supply voltage is subject to wide variations comprises a detector which produces a voltage in response to a condition to be detected, a supervisory circuit, and an alarm actuator, in which the voltage signal produced by the detector when the predetermined condition exists, varies in proportion to line voltage, the alarm actuating means produces an alarm when the input signal rises to a predetermined percentage of the line voltage, and the supervisory circuit applies to the signal lead a supervisory voltage which also varies in proportion to the variation of line voltage.

Abstract: A locking seal for use on doors of freight cars, trailer trucks and other large doors to prevent casual pilferage by non-professional thieves. In a first embodiment a length of steel cable is provided with means on each end for locking engagement with each other. In a second embodiment of the invention, a length of steel cable is provided with a stop on one end and the other end is provided with an assembly comprising a locking cap and means secured to the cable for receiving the locking cap in non-removable engagement. The locking means of either embodiment is adapted for rapid assembly without the use of special tools, yet the design of the two locking portions thereof gives the assembly a strength of engagement which is greater than the strength of the steel cable connecting the portions. The male portion of the locking means, when assembled, is completely enclosed within the female portion to protect the attachment of the cable to the male portion from physical damage.

Abstract: An article identifying system especially adapted for use in identifying coded containers being transferred from one point to another by means which require that the containers be moved in a vertical direction while being moved in a horizontal direction.A code reading scanner mounted on a vertical carrier is positioned alongside the path of movement of the article. The carrier moves vertically in synchronism with the vertical motion of the container so that at whatever level the container passes the carrier position, the scanner will be at the same level as the container.To move the carrier vertically in synchronism with the vertical motion of the container, the motor driving the carrier is controlled by a signal generated by the vertical motion of the container.

Abstract: A detector of the type utilizing photo-electric detection of reflected light which is almost completely immune to false alarms from changing ambient light and random electrical noise, with a sensitivity that is independent of ambient light, with a power consumption low enough to permit battery operation for a period of over 12 months. The light source is a light emitting diode which is pulsed at a low repetition rate, such as one pulse every two seconds, by an extremely short pulse, such as 20 microseconds. Voltage pulses generated when the reflected pulsed light is received by the photo-generative cell is amplified and applied to a level detector, the output of which is applied to the "set" terminal of a flip-flop circuit. The amplifier is on continuously, however the level detector is pulsed to the on condition simultaneously with the on pulse to the light emitting diode, and for the same period of time.

Abstract: A surgical knife assembly in which a blade is provided with a guard for limiting the depth of cut. The guard is formed of a resilient material such as plastic, and frictionally grips the blade, so that the guard is adjustable on the blade by the application of a predetermined amount of axial force, with the force required for adjustment being considerably greater than the force that is applied thereto during a cutting procedure. An adjustment tool is also provided, the tool and the blade having cooperative engaging portions to permit accurate adjustment of the position of the guard on the blade between incisions during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: An oil barrier for use in the open sea to contain oil on the surface, comprising a flexible barrier provided with a plurality of flotation means only on the outside of the barrier, thereby avoiding churning of the oil and water on the inside of the barrier into an oil-water mixture that could pass under the barrier in rough sea conditions. In one embodiment of the invention, the flotation means is a plurality of inflatable members packaged on the outside surface of the barrier, with a counter weight associated with the flotation means so as to be disposed on the end of the flotation means opposite the barrier when the flotation means is inflated, so that the center of gravity of the assembly is in the desired position in relation to the center of buoyancy thereof.

Abstract: A seal especially adapted for use on a fire extinguisher or other device, said seal providing visual evidence of operability and has means to prevent operation of the device until the seal is removed. The seal is formed of a single piece of molded plastic and is provided with an integral finger loop to facilitate removal. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the means preventing operation of the extinguisher is a rigid bar which extends through suitable locking apertures in the operating handle and handle support, and the seal means is a socket on one end of the bar and a shackle extending from the other end.

Abstract: A portable fire alarm device comprising fire detecting means and alarm means powered from a self-contained power supply. The power to the detector and alarm is through a normally closed switch of the type such as a mercury switch which may be opened by tilting the device to a predetermined angle from the vertical so that the alarm may be shut off.A second normally open switch of the mercury type connects the power supply directly to the alarm device and is so oriented that tilting the device to a predetermined angle from the vertical closes said switch and energizes the alarm to test the condition of the battery.

Abstract: There is disclosed in the application a valve including a body in which is slidably mounted a cam-actuated puncturing pin for piercing the seal of a pressurized gas supply container. The body includes a passage for conducting gas from the supply to an inflatable device and a normally open passage for venting the device while it is in a deflated state. Rotation of the cam is accomplished by a detachably coupled lanyard and the cam includes a restraint against inadvertent rotation and a coupling to the pin to prevent accidental operation until inflation is desired. In addition, a projection of the cam engageable by the pin prevents return motion of the cam once its puncturing tool actuation has started.

Abstract: A pre-formed surgical sponge to be used with or without suction in surgical procedures. The sponge has generally a cup or pouch shape and is formed of porous or sponge-like material such as non-woven cloth, polyurethane foam or other plastic foams. In one embodiment of the invention the sponge is readily detachable from the tip, so that it can be rapidly replaced during a surgical operation.