Abstract: A noise-damping composite is formed by providing a laminate of two metal layers separated by a much thinner viscoelastic layer which has an initial thickness of at least 1 mil., and then cold rolling the laminate to proportionally permanently reduce the thickness of each layer, until the thickness of the viscoelastic layer is less than 1 mil. and preferably less than 0.5 mil. The cold rolling may be through a set of adjustable rollers, and may be done in multiple passes with the rollers adjusted for each pass to further reduce the thickness. Alternatively, the laminate may be fed successively through a series of roller sets designed to successively reduce the thickness of the laminate.

Abstract: A container lid locking ring is provided to secure the lid of a container to the container and lock one container on top of another. The locking ring comprises a cylindrical ring having a first projection for engaging a recess in the lid of a first container and a second projection, having a finger-like projection, for locking about the rim bead of the container. The locking ring further comprises a seat on which an over disposed container may be placed and a third projection, having a finger-like projection, for locking about the bottom rim bead of the over disposed container. The locking ring may further comprise a fourth projection, providing added locking support and sealing capabilities. In the use of the locking ring, containers may have their lids securely locked onto the container and containers may be securely stacked one on top of another for transportation, storage and display.

Abstract: A tester for power transformers and capacitors includes a pulse generator for applying a pulsating test signal to a pair of test leads which may be connected across the terminals of the device to be tested. Also connected across the test leads are a capacitor detector, an inductor detector and a continuity detector. If the connections to the transformer or capacitor in the device to be tested are good, the capacitor detector and inductor detector will distinguish one from the other and indicate that its condition is good. If the connections to the device are not good, the continuity detector will indicate whether there is a short circuit or open circuit condition. The detectors are coupled through control logic circuitry to an indicator circuit including a horn and blinking lights for providing unique indications of capacitor okay, inductor okay, short and open conditions. The capacitor detector provides a discharge path for a capacitor and detects the discharge current flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode material for potentiometric or amperometric electrochemical sensors with the chemical composition Ln.sub.1-2 A.sub.1-x B.sub.x O.sub.3, where Ln is at least a lanthanide cation or a mixture of rare earth cations, A is at least a trivalent transitional material, and B is at least a trivalent or bivalent redox-stable cation.

Abstract: An exhaust emissions analyzer for an automotive internal combustion engine has sensors for detecting constituents of the exhaust emissions, including a nitric oxide cell which receives the emissions and outputs an electrical signal indicative of nitric oxide in the emissions. An R-C circuit is interposed between the output of the nitric oxide cell and processing circuitry for enhancing the response time of the nitric oxide cell, reducing the rise and fall times of the cell output of signal. A temperature-responsive switching circuit disconnects the R-C enhancement circuit above a predetermined ambient temperature.

Abstract: The tank-filling system includes a manifold for coupling to tanks to be filled, a pressure transducer coupled to the manifold and a temperature transducer coupleable to at least one of the tanks. The controller receives inputs from the pressure transducer and the temperature transducer and controls a vacuum pump, a filling pump, valves for the pumps and venting valve. A computer routine executed by the controller comprises portions to cause the venting valve to open and vent the tanks, the vacuum pump to evacuate the tanks to a selected point and the fill pumps to fill the tanks at a selected pressure. The routine also comprises a portion to provide reports on the identity of the compressed gas, the number of tanks and the volume of each tank.

Abstract: A palm driver has a rotatable drive member and an ergonomic handle body connected to the drive member through a ratchet mechanism and covered by a cushioning grip. The handle body is asymmetrically curved and is substantially continuously convex along portions engageable in use with the user's hand, having a generally flattened top surface opposite the drive member and receivable in the user's palm, and a peripheral side surface which has a plan outline which is continuously convex and has a generally flattened heel portion and an opposed, much smaller radius finger portion, respectively engageable with the heel and fingers of the user's hand in use.

Abstract: A ratchet tool has a ratchet body carrying a ratchet mechanism including a gear and a pair of pawls resiliently urged into engagement with the gear by spring-loaded balls. A handle is releasably received on a post which projects from one end of the ratchet body and is retained thereon by a spring-loaded ball receivable in a circumferential groove in the handle bore to accommodate free spinning thereof. A latching pin in the handle is selectively insertable in any of a plurality of recesses in the ratchet body to lock the handle to the body. A reversing sleeve is rotatably carried by the other end of the ratchet body for engaging the pawls to selectively control the direction of the ratcheting movement. The reversing sleeve has a tubular post which forms a part of an axial push-pull quick-release coupler for releasably retaining a bit in engagement in an axial bore of the ratchet gear.

Abstract: A ratcheting electronic torque wrench has an input beam in the form of a hollow housing with a handle end and a work end, a ratchet head disposed within the work end of the housing and rotatable relative thereto and a reaction beam disposed within the housing and having one end fixed to the ratchet head for pivoting therewith about the axis thereof and an input end resiliently urged to a neutral position relative to the housing by two bias springs respectively engaging opposite sides of the reaction beam. A Hall-effect sensor carried by the input end of the reaction beam is disposed between two permanent magnets and is powered by a battery for producing an output indicative of reaction beam movement, which is proportional to applied torque. A display circuit can display the applied torque or a predetermined torque level set by a preset circuit. An alarm signal is generated when the applied torque reaches the predetermined level.

Abstract: A stackable pallet for transporting gas containers is provided. The pallet includes a frame structure for supporting the gas cylinders. The structure includes a lower end having a lower locking structure. The upper end has an upper locking structure shaped and dimensioned to be mateable with the lower locking structure of another like pallet to lock the pallets in a stacked arrangement. The pallets may form part of a stackable pallet system which includes a plurality of pallets, some of which may be locked together in a stacked arrangement to the bed of a trailer or other vehicle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automotive tire condition and other article assessment is based upon radiation analysis of a rotated tire. Analysis of reflected radiation on the basis of intensity sensing provides a measure of tread depth and sidewall profile, together with tread location and other data. By positional analysis of the tread depth locations there is provided complementary information on the tread wear pattern. Sidewall profile determination enables identification of other tire condition factors. Tread depth and sidewall profile are also determined by laser or other radiation line image displacement techniques and a mounting system is provided for the apparatus enabling determinations to be made without the use of a roller bed. Proper positional alignment of the wheel to the apparatus is determined by means of a reference datum derived from reflected radiation within the apparatus.

Abstract: A pneumatic tool includes a housing defining an air inlet and first and second exhaust passages and an air motor fluidly coupled to the air inlet and disposed in the housing. The motor produces exhaust air in operation and is fluidly coupled to the first and second exhaust passages. The tool also includes an exhaust valve carried by housing for selectively opening and closing only the second exhaust passage.

Abstract: A rolled or folded terry cloth dog teething toy which can be saturated with water and frozen. The frozen teething toy provides relief for teething pain and gum soreness and is enticing to a dog.

Abstract: A shoe hanger for displaying a pair of shoes and prominently indicating information regarding same in retail stores includes a central elongated base member, a hook, two shoe support elements and a label support area. The base member terminates at its upper end with the hook, and at its opposite sides with the two shoe support elements onto which a pair of shoes can be fitted. Each shoe support element is generally U-shaped and lies in the same plane as the base member and includes an inside leg and an outside leg, the outside leg angling upwardly toward the inside leg such that the outside leg and inside leg are spaced apart at their respective bottom ends by a bight portion and have their respective upper ends closely adjacent to each other to act as clips to constrain movement, rotational or otherwise, of the shoes fitted thereon. The label support area, which lies in the same plane as the central elongated body and hook, is integral with and located directly above the hook.

Abstract: A materials handling device comprising a cascade of vibrating conveyors (61, 71, 81), each upstream conveyor (61, 71) being nestable in an adjacent downstream conveyor (71, 81) with clearance, and at least one of any two adjacent conveyors being movable relative to the other conveyor from a nested condition in which product is conveyed from the upstream conveyor to the adjacent downstream conveyor to a separated condition in which product falls from the upstream conveyor into a gap formed between the upstream and downstream conveyors. The invention avoids mechanical gates which are noisy, unreliable and are liable to trap the product being conveyed.

Abstract: A caster mounted weighing system comprised of at least three caster assemblies mounted to the bottom of a bed, container, or other surface suitable for weighing, a control unit, a junction box, and a means for transmitting signals to and from the caster assemblies, junction box, and control unit. The caster assembly may be comprised of a caster, which rests on the floor, a load cell attached to the caster, strain gauges or other means for measuring the load applied to the load cell, and a stem or other attachment means which permits the caster assembly to be mounted to the bottom of a bed frame, container, or other surface suitable for weighing. In alternate embodiments, each caster assembly may be comprised of a plurality of casters centered below a caster plate, or the caster assemblies may be secured to the bed or container by a collar or clamp, rather than by a stem.

Abstract: A caster mounted weighing system comprised of at least three weigh modules mounted to the bottom of a bed, container, or other surface suitable for weighing, a control unit, a junction box, and a means for transmitting signals to and from the weigh modules, junction box, and control unit. The weigh module may be comprised of a caster, which rests on the floor, a load cell attached to the caster, strain gauges or other means for measuring the load applied to the load cell, a stem or other attachment means which permits the weigh module to be mounted to the bottom of a bed frame, container, or other surface suitable for weighing, and a circuit board or other data storage means.

Abstract: A dryer for drying dental models includes a solid base member, a top member, a variable plurality of modular drying units, each of which includes a frame and a slidable, foraminous tray, an air blower and an articulated support arm. In use, the modular drying units are positioned in an over-and-under stacked relation, such that the slidable trays therein form a column of trays. Each slidable tray contains a central aperture and a duct extending upward from the perimeter of the central aperture. The aperture and duct in the center of each tray collectively form a channel running through the center of the column of trays. The base member is fixedly connected to the articulated support arm, which supports the dryer. The top member, which is positioned on top of the uppermost modular drying unit, includes a central aperture with an inlet tube inserted therein and exhaust vents around the perimeter of its top surface for the release of air.

Abstract: An emergency shower apparatus comprising a deluge shower positioned in the vicinity of a wall, a removable access panel, a valve located behind the access panel having an open position and a closed position, and a shower control lever movable between an open position, in which the valve is open, and a closed position, in which the valve is closed, wherein the shower control lever does not project substantially from the wall when the shower control means is in the closed position.

Abstract: A shoe or boot manufactured with the Goodyear welt system and a method for manufacturing same which increases the comfort and flexibility of such shoe or boot to levels which were previously unattainable in a shoe or boot manufactured according to the Goodyear welt system. The shoe or boot comprises a rigid innersole board which is pre-cut to incorporate two detachable pieces at the two key impact areas, the heel and forepart, of the shoe or boot, and maintains its structural rigidity while the Goodyear welt stitch is being applied. Once the two detachable pieces of the innersole board are detached, two cushioning pads are attached to provide maximum cushioning and comfort for the user at the key impact areas.