Abstract: A system for controllably compressing a plurality of microfiche in a file tray comprises a flat compressor having a rigid upper transverse portion and a flexible, resilient lower transverse portion. A mounting mechanism mounts the compressor to a pair of rails extending lengthwise of the tray on either side of the microfiche for sliding motion lengthwise of the holder and permits the compressor to be inclined for access to the units. Cam means on the mounting mechanism releasably clamp the mounting mechanism to the rails when the compressor is rotated into a vertical position.

Abstract: A device employing the optical autocorrelation method for automatically comparing the fingerprint of an individual with a previously identified exemplar utilizes a pair of multifaceted mirrors rotating about mutually perpendicular axes to sweep an image of the fingerprint over the surface of the exemplar in a raster. To maintain the image in focus, a pair of independent identical relay lens systems are positioned in the light path and arranged symmetrically with respect to a common intermediate image plane. The mirrors are positioned so that as they rotate their reflective facets coincide successively with the aperture stop locations of the respective lens system. To compensate for possible angular misalignment of the fingerprint and the exemplar, novel independent optical means are provided for effectively rotating the image about the principal axis of the light path.

Abstract: The sound produced by the movement of the teeth of an idling circular saw or band saw blade in air is substantially reduced by exposing the blade to a radiation impedance which is effectively imaginary, thereby subjecting a preselected portion of such sound to propagation cut-off. Propagation cut-off is achieved by providing a cover including a pair of closely spaced parallel acoustically hard-wall plates positionable on both sides of the blade. Preferably the plates are spaced apart by a distance less than 21 millimeters, and extend beyond the tips of the teeth by a distance several times the space between the plates. Portions of the plates may be moveable to expose the teeth during the cutting operation.

Abstract: A pair of plates each having an internally threaded boss in its base and upturned flanges along its sides are fixed to the upper surface of adjacent segments of a segmented ski. A pair of lips formed on a rigid slide bracket loosely engage axially aligned lips formed on the flanges. A resilient shim is interposed between the lips on the slide bracket and those on the flanges. A pair of screws carried by the slide bracket and registering with the threaded bosses secure the slide bracket to the plates, thereby rigidly joining the ski segments.

Abstract: The seat of this camp chair has a downwardly projecting support at its forward end and a pair of wheels at its rear end. A back support having a load-bearing platform extending forwardly of its lower end is pivotably mounted to the seat forwardly of the wheels with the platform positioned below the seat. The seat limits the upward movement of the platform, thereby maintaining the back support in an upright position. Rotation of the forward end of the seat upwardly and rearwardly while the back support is held in a rearwardly inclined position exposes the platform and brings the seat into supporting contact with the back support.

Abstract: A unitary protective envelope device for packaging fragile articles has an outer wall and a conformable inner wall. A mass of compressed resilient open-celled cellular material is enclosed in the space between the walls and held in compressed condition under vacuum. The material upon exposure to atmospheric pressure expands, forcing the inner wall conformingly against articles in the envelope and converting the envelope into an impact-absorbing pod embracing and conforming closely to its contents. In one preferred embodiment a compressed slab of open-celled foam held in compressed condition in a vacuum-sealed sack positioned between the walls expands to embrace the contents of the envelope when the sack is punctured.

Abstract: An improved arming and firing device especially suited for rocket motors. An explosive donor charge is packed against a bulkhead formed in the body of the device. Shock energy generated by the donor charge and transmitted through the unruptured bulkhead sets off a shock-responsive receptor charge, which in turn initiates a pyrotechnic or explosive rocket motor-actuating output charge. The bulkhead prevents blow-by or leakage of the rocket's combustion products. The donor charge is ignited by an electrically activated detonator. The detonator is carried by a moveable holder. The holder is moved against a return spring by electromechanical driving means. Arming the device is accomplished by moving the holder to position the detonator in firing train with the donor charge, thereby simultaneously bringing electrical contacts on the detonator into contact with electrical leads on a switch plate located adjacent the holder and thus closing the firing circuit.

Abstract: A pair of thin-walled hollow partially liquid-filled cushions are enclosed in cavities formed in the sole of a shoe. The first cushion is positioned to coincide with the plantar pads on the lower sides of the wearer's metatarsals; the second to coincide with the tuberosity of the wearer's calcaneum.

Abstract: A horizontal padded body-supporting bar is rigidly mounted to a pair of spaced, parallel, upright floor-standing stanchions and supports the weight of the user's body with the head, torso and upper limbs hanging inverted on one side of the bar and the legs on the other. Mounting brackets permit a pair of arms, carrying a leg restraining cross member, to be mounted to the stanchions extending either horizontally rearwardly or vertically upwardly of the body-supporting bar. For rigidity the stanchions may be provided with a pair of rails at their lower ends, or with mounting brackets adapted releasably to engage mating brackets attached to the jambs at the opposite sides of a doorway.

Abstract: A multi-portion ski fitted together with numerous shaped two-part metal coupling devices one part, usually forward, has two or more threaded metal ferrels protruding upward into which metal screws are fastened. The bottom plate on the connection portion slips over the ferrels forming a tight fit. The top plate, of about one half the size, adjustably locks the bottom plate into place by interacting with slots in the sides of the ferrels. An adjustable screw controls the tension of the locking portion of the coupling device which should always tightly lock the portions together without deformation of parts.

Abstract: A thin-walled hollow partially liquid-filled cushion is permanently enclosed in a cavity formed in the sole of a shoe. Preferably, the cushion is produced by vacuum-forming a pan, having a continuous circumferential lip, from a sheet of durable, flexible, resilient, non-porous thermoplastic material, heat sealing a sheet of similar material to all but a small region of the lip, partially filling the pan with a low-viscosity liquid by means of a fine tube inserted between the unsealed lip and sheet, and sealing the sheet to the previously unsealed region of the lip. A critical feature of the invention resides in the formation of the cavity in the shoe sole to contain the cushion with the cushion walls, top and bottom in intimate contact with, and the contents of the cushion under pressure exerted by, the walls, top and bottom of the cavity.

Abstract: Either a pyrotechnic-powered needleless injector or (with spacer adapters) a conventional syringe is held in firmly abutting alignment with a dispensing orifice of a special storage vial. A flexible perforated seal forms a plug in the dispensing orifice, opens under liquid pressure to dispense medicament from vial to injector, and seals around the dispensing path between vial and injector against loss of the medicament. The liquid medicament is forced through the orifice under the action of a plunger forming one wall of the vial. The plunger in turn is driven by a micrometer-type screw whcih is calibrated in terms of dispensed volume.

Abstract: A system for apportioning the operating costs of a central, constant-temperature, constant-pressure, variable-volume air conditioning or heating system among its multiple users. Meters at each unit measure the cumulative volume of air received on thermostatically controlled demand by each user's unit during a given period, and the total operating cost for that period is prorated among the users in the proportion that the total volume of air received by each unit bears to the total volume of air used by all of the units during the same period. The total volume used by all of the units may be measured by metering the total volume of air put out by the central delivery system, or determined by taking the sum of the volumes received by all of the units.

Abstract: Novel structure within the squib provides an internal spark gap for discharge of radio-frequency as well as static electricity, and isolation of the spark gap from the pyrotechnic charge. The preferred structure is in the form of a cup mounted inside the squib case and containing the pyrotechnic material; the bottom of the cup is partly cut away to permit the igniting filament to contact the pyrotechnic material, while the remainder of the cup bottom is welded to a terminal lead. The top of the cup is flanged outward toward the inside of the case, forming an annular spark gap. This invention is particularly advantageous in a two-pin squib with an electrically floating case, but under certain circumstances is also beneficial in a single-pin or "coaxial" squib.

Abstract: A compression-type spray device employing a single nozzle can be used to spray materials varying widely in density, composition and particle size. The device incorporates an air-and-material mix control using variably exposed slots in the nozzle to regulate the flow of high-pressure air through the nozzle.[., and a.]..Iadd.. A .Iaddend.material supply control .[.using.]. .Iadd.having .Iaddend.variable restrictions .Iadd.may be provided .Iaddend.in the material supply tube inlet to regulate the flow of material to the nozzle.