Abstract: A valve assembly has a first ceramic valve member having a flat valving surface. An aperture open to the valving surface is provided through the valve member. The valve assembly further has a tubular valve member having an aperture therethrough, and an annular valving surface adjacent to the valving surface of the other valve member. The apertures through the respective valve members are moved into and out of registry with each other by relative movement therebetween. Preferably, a valve body is provided having a large bore accepting the first valve member and a small bore accepting the tubular valve member. The apertures are movable into and out of registry by rotation of the first valve member within the large bore.

Abstract: An article carrier for mounting on a substantially flat surface of a motor vehicle. The article carrier has two parallel slats fixedly secured to the motor vehicle surface in a spaced apart and parallel relationship. Each slat has at least one longitudinal rib. At least one pair of brackets is provided, one of the brackets being fastened to the rib of each of the slats. A locking mechanism depending from the bracket is provided for securing the bracket in a fixed position along the slat by clamping the rib between the bracket and a clamping member. At least one transverse rail is provided, each end of the transverse rail being fastened to one of the brackets.

Abstract: An escapement device has a latch plate interposed between an input and output shaft. The latch plate is pivotably connected to the input and output shafts. The latch plate has a shoulder which abuts a coaxially mounted gear ring. The output shaft is spring loaded to rotate in one direction. The input shaft can be rotated to disengage the shoulder of the latch from one of the gear ring teeth to allow the output shaft to rotate under its spring bias until the output shaft repositions the latch shoulder to reengage another one of the gear ring teeth.

Abstract: A vent assembly adapted for venting into the atmosphere hot burner exhaust gases from the flue exhaust port of a heating appliance within an enclosure, such assembly including an exhaust duct and a relief duct. The exhaust duct is connected at one end to said flue exhaust port and is opened at its other end to the ambient atmosphere outside of the enclosure. A selectively responsive closure device, such as a thermally controlled damper, is disposed within the exhaust duct. The relief duct is connected to the exhaust duct at a point along the flow of exhaust gases upstream of the closure device and has a relief aperture disposed at a height between that of the exhaust port and that of the burner.

Abstract: A quiet water closet rim and a method for venting air from a rim cavity of a water closet. The rim has a horizontally oriented annular cavity and is selectively supplied with pressurized water by a flush mechanism. A series of perforations in the rim permits the pressurized water within the rim cavity to exit the rim in the form of a spray. The rim is also provided with a vent passageway having an inlet open into an upper portion of the cavity and an outlet open into the atmosphere. As pressurized water fills the cavity, a portion of the air within the upper portion of the cavity is vented through the vent passageway.

Abstract: A faucet for controlling the rate of discharge of a fluid under pressure. The faucet has a housing having a passageway therethrough with an inlet port coupled to a fluid supply line. The passageway further has an outlet port open to the ambient atmosphere. A valve seat is formed intermediate the inlet port and the outlet port. A slideway is provided in the housing adjacent to the seat. A flat cantilever spring has one of its ends secured to said housing, the other of its ends overlying said seat, and its intermediate portion disposed within the slideway. A movable element is disposed within the slideway and engages one surface of the spring. The movable element is selectively movable within the slideway along the surface of the spring to regulate the rate of discharge of fluid by varying the distance between the end of the spring and the seat.

Abstract: An emergency stop mechanism for a lifting device capable of moving a load along a predetermined path against and with the force of gravity using a winch-operated primary cable, and wherein the primary cable accomplishes a lifting function by pulling the load in the direction of increased potential energy. The emergency stop mechanism comprises a secondary cable suspended stationary and parallel to the path of movement of the load. A braking device fastened to the load is actuated by a decrease in tension in the primary cable below a predetermined minimum amount of tension and responds to such decrease by gripping the secondary cable.

Abstract: An enclosed article carrier for mounting to an exterior surface of a motor vehicle. The article carrier has a pair of open hollow shells. One of the shells is fastened by a removable fastener to the surface of the motor vehicle. The removable fastener preferably is a quick-release fastener requiring simultaneous application of a rotational force and a force normal to the axis of application of the rotational force for engagement and disengagement. The second of the shells is preferably hinged to the first shell and swings over the lower shell to form an enclosed storage compartment. The second shell may be disengaged from the first shell, rotated one hundred and eighty degrees, and nested within the first shell to form an open article carrier.

Abstract: An article carrier for mounting on a substantially flat exterior surface of a motor vehicle and a bracket for the article carrier. The article carrier has two slats secured to the surface in a spaced apart, parallel relationship. One bracket is removably fastened to each of the slats. A movable fastening member depending from each bracket selectively secures the bracket in a fixed position along the corresponding slat. The article carrier also includes a transverse rail fastened at each of its end to one of the brackets.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing metallic objects having thin walls and comprised of corrosion resistant materials. The method has the consecutive steps of forming a workpiece in the shape of the desired end product from a metal having a low resistance to an etchant, forming within a surface of the workpiece a metallic alloy case resistant to the etchant and etching the workpiece with the etchant.

Abstract: A disc brake includes a torque member rigidly mounted to an axle of a vehicle wheel. The torque member has arms protruding radially outward beyond the edge of the rotor. A caliper is mounted to the outer periphery of the torque member arms by pins extending through apertures within the caliper and the arms. The pins have a radially enlarged portion which slideably mount an outboard brake shoe. An inboard brake shoe is fitted between the two torque member arms and abuts the side edges of the arms. The caliper houses a piston which when actuated moves the inboard brake shoe into engagement with the rotor such that the caliper reaction portion urges the outboard brake shoe to press against the outboard side of the rotor. Torque stress from the brake shoes is transferred to the torque arms bypassing the caliper.

Abstract: A two-barreled machine gun has two fixed firing chambers, a conveyor, and a feed system mounted within a housing. The feed system transfers ammunition from the conveyor to the firing chamber. The feed system includes a sprocket barrel pivotably mounted about its central longitudinal axis. The sprocket barrel has two receptacle slots and two discharge slots circumferentially spaced thereabout. The sprocket barrel is rotatable between a first and second position. The receptacle slots each have a first position aligned with the conveyor to receive a round of ammunition and a second position aligned with a respective firing chamber. One receptacle slot is in its first position when the other is in its second position. The discharge slots also have a first position aligned with the firing chambers and a second position aligned with an outlet in the housing. One discharge slot is in its first position when the other is in its second position.