Abstract: A device for overcoming the problem of restarting an internal engine while it is still hot, in which means are provided for blowing air into the air filter of the engine each time it is restarted in order to purge the filter of non-combustible gases trapped inside the filter which prevent the engine from starting immediately.

Abstract: Electroless copper deposition solutions, and method of electrolessly depositing copper onto a workpiece using these solutions, are disclosed. The solutions contain, in addition to water as the usual solvent, a soluble source of copper ions, a complexing agent or mixture of agents to maintain the copper in solution, and a copper reducing agent effective to reduce the copper ions to metallic copper as a deposit or plating on a prepared surface of a workpiece brought into contact with the solution.

Abstract: An endoscope deflection control is described whereby enhanced one-hand control of the tip of a polydirectionally deflectable endoscope is obtained. The deflection control is mounted external to the head of the endoscope in such manner that convenient single-hand manipulation of deflection control wheels mounted on the head provides tip deflection in either a freewheeling deflection mode or an incremental mode characterized by discrete stable incremental tip deflections. Single-hand operation of the endoscope deflection control is obtained by locating incremental deflection position elements in a compact structure which is wholly or partly external to the head while the control wheels remain within manipulatable reach of the single hand's fingers.

Abstract: A cross bow pistol is disclosed having a release mechanism comprising a wheel having pairs of notches spaced equidistantly around its periphery. One of each pair of notches is adapted to receive the bow string and its associated notch is adapted to receive a trigger sear. Each sear notch also is engaged by a safety hook adjacent the bow string notch at the top of the release wheel. There is also disclosed an arrow holder of resilient deformable material at the front end of the cross bow which has a central opening for holding the front end of an arrow in position for firing. The arrow holder is split into two portions to permit the arrow vanes to pass through the holder. There is also disclosed a vertically adjustable rear sight and a slot and screw holding configuration for the bow.

Abstract: Relatively light gauge thermoplastic sheet material is pierced by a hot punch to provide a bearing aperture. The hot punch is held in sheet-penetrating position long enough to cause plastic flow of displaced material and formation of a collar-like hub surrounding the aperture. The hot punch is withdrawn and replaced by a cool punch to retard further plastic flow of the displaced material, thereby fixing the aperture in desired size and shape. There results a bearing aperture having an axial length greater than the starting thickness of the sheet material, and consequently a larger bearing surface integrally formed locally in the sheet material. Apparatus for forming the bearing aperture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A return-spring assembly for slide-type automatic pistols in which an inner spring and an outer spring are coupled together so that they work in tandem.

Abstract: A stove or furnace in which the products of combustion are recirculated inside the combustion chamber by means of a V-shaped partition or baffle, the apex of which extends downward directly above the primary fire zone, so that the combustion products rising from the fire are deflected outward and then flow downward back into the primary fire zone. Secondary air may be mixed with the unburned combustion products above the primary fire zone to form a combustible mixture which is burned on re-entering the fire zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating railroad rails such as those forming a railroad switch to prevent obstruction of the switch by ice and snow includes an elongate, bendable, high temperature heating cable disposed lengthwise against and along a side of the rail web. The cable comprises an electrical resistance heating wire encased in a high temperature resistant electrically insulating material confined inside a thermally conductive deformable metal sheath. An elongate, pliable heat insulating mat is disposed lengthwise against and along a length of the cable and portions of the rail web laterally adjacent thereto to prevent heat losses by convection or radiation from the cable length. An elongate substantially rigid casing member is fitted lengthwise over the mat and bears against the web side to confine the mat in place, and is held tightly in place against the rail web.

Abstract: A lighting system for an open vehicle such as a motorcycle or snowmobile incorporating the main headlight which is rigidly secured to the vehicle, and an auxiliary headlight detachably mounted on the safety helmet worn by the vehicle operator and detachably connected, by electrical circuit connecting means to a mutual power source carried on the vehicle and simultaneously operable by the main lighting switch located on the vehicle for easy access by the vehicle operator, to project an auxiliary beam of light in conjunction with the beam of light projected by the main headlight. The auxiliary headlight is capable of projecting the auxiliary beam of light in a plurality of directions independent of the direction of the beam of light of the main headlight. The main headlight and the auxiliary headlight are spaced apart so as to project two distinct separate sources of light when viewed from a remote location.

Abstract: A replaceable pipette tip is described which forms a tight sealing engagement with the working end of a pipette. In one embodiment for a pipette tip a cam surface is provided to enable a slight tip rotation when the working end of a pipette is inserted in the tip. A particularly effective and reliable seal is obtained when a pipette tip having integrally molded ring seals and a cam surface is employed with a pipette working end having a resilient insert located to form an effective seal with the molded rings.

Abstract: A quick-release system is disclosed for mounting a faucet assembly that includes a valve positionable on and operable from one side of a wall structure which is connected to a source of fluid on the other side of the wall structure through an opening therein. The quick-release system comprises an escutcheon, mounted in fixed relation with the valve on one side of the wall structure, that is configured to prevent its passage through the opening and an elongate, substantially inextensible stem mounted in fixed relation with the valve and the escutcheon that provides fluid communication between the valve and the fluid source. The stem is configured to extend through the opening with its free end spaced from the other side of the wall structure and is formed with at least one groove intermediate the free end and this other side.

Abstract: The diffuser has outwardly flared lower side walls and an upper vertical wall portion adapted to receive primary air from a supply source. The vertical portion includes a lower extension into the space defined by the lower flared side walls, and the lower extension includes vertically elongated horizontally oriented orifice openings at horizontally spaced positions therein. A damper device is provided which is adjustably positionable at different elevation positions and operable to vary the open area of the elongated orifice openings by variably masking and unmasking said openings. The air flow through the orifice openings is effective to provide induced flow of secondary air from the room.

Abstract: Relatively light gauge thermoplastic sheet material is pierced by a hot punch to provide a bearing aperture. The hot punch is held in sheet-penetrating position long enough to cause plastic flow of displaced material and formation of a collar-like hub surrounding the aperture. The hot punch is withdrawn and replaced by a cool punch to retard further plastic flow of the displaced material, thereby fixing the aperture in desired size and shape. There results a bearing aperture having an axial length greater than the starting thickness of the sheet material, and consequently a larger bearing surface integrally formed locally in the sheet material. Apparatus for forming the bearing aperture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A valve is described capable of rapid actuations. The valve includes a drive element disposed to pinchingly engage a collapsible tube at a high reciprocating speed. A follower is disposed on the other side of the tube and effectively coupled for reciprocation and cooperative movement with the drive element to maintain the tube pinched off. Control means and holder are provided to open the valve by retaining the follower at just that time when the follower is at a favorable reciprocated position so that further reciprocation by the drive element can open the tube. A normally open valve is also described and a control for operation of a plurality of valves is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for performing ultrasonic inspection of a length of test material with ultrasonic transducing means emitting a beam of ultrasonic energy from within sealed wheel means containing a coupling fluid therein and having a flexible cylindrical surface member transparent to the ultrasonic beam and arranged for rolling contact along the test material. The system and method are characterized by spaced leading and trailing wheel means arranged for rolling contact along the length of test material. Ultrasonic transducer means in each of the leading and trailing wheel means are oriented so that a beam of ultrasonic energy emitted from the transducer means in one wheel means will enter the test material, be reflected from the bottom surface thereof, and be directed to and received by the transducer mean in the other wheel means.

Abstract: A cylinder lock for a cartridge cylinder of a revolver in which an actuator is mounted on the trigger in such a way that when the trigger is pulled, the cylinder lock is retracted from locking engagement with the cylinder by means of a toggle action, thereby providing great mechanical advantage in overcoming a heavy cylinder-lock spring which holds the lock in engagement with the cylinder. The actuator is also arranged so that the cylinder-lock spring is not compressed during the return stroke of the trigger.

Abstract: There is disclosed a non-throttling, anti-leak, manually reciprocated, plunger pump for attachment to a consumer-type liquid dispensing container to provide drip-free dispensing of liquid therefrom. The pump has a hollow-stemmed skirted plunger which is reciprocable in a pump chamber to draw liquid through an inlet into the chamber from a container, and to discharge it from the chamber to atmosphere through the hollow stem of the plunger. A check valve is positioned in the chamber inlet to allow liquid to enter but prevent its return flow. A differential force-actuated control element is nested in the plunger, for reciprocation therewith but having capability for axial movement independently thereof. The control element includes valve means for blocking discharge through the plunger stem and the valve is normally biased to blocking position.

Abstract: A system and method for performing ultrasonic inspection of a length of test material with ultrasonic transducing means emitting a beam of ultrasonic energy from within sealed wheel means containing a coupling fluid therein and having a flexible cylindrical surface member transparent to the ultrasonic beam and arranged for rolling contact along the test material. The system and method are characterized by spaced leading and trailing wheel means arranged for rolling contact along the length of test material. Ultrasonic transducer means in each of the leading and trailing wheel means are oriented so that a beam of ultrasonic energy emitted from the transducer means in one wheel means will enter the test material, be reflected from the bottom surface thereof, and be directed to and received by the transducer means in the other wheel means.

Abstract: Reinforced panel structures include a panel core formed from a cementitious composition that has controlled bleed characteristics. For example, the cementitious composition may comprise hydraulic cement, a dispersing agent, a gelling agent, and water. At least one woven, fabric reinforcing layer in the form of a sheet is laminated in the panel core closely adjacent at least one of its faces. The controlled bleed characteristic of the core composition insures that the reinforcing layer is bonded tightly thereto. The fabric from which the layer is made has a tensile strain that is compatible with the compression strain of the panel core to permit the panel to be cold formed.