Abstract: A protective appliance for the hip joint area comprises an annular pad made of a relatively resilient material and carrying adhesive strips on one surface to secure the pad to the skin, and a relatively rigid dome-shaped shield carried in opposed pockets formed on the other, outer surface of the pad. When the appliance is in place, the shield serves to disperse forces directed toward the hip joint area, transferring such forces to surrounding regions which are inherently better protected by body tissue. The shield fits somewhat loosely in the pad pockets to permit it to adjust to changes in body position, thus adding to the comfort of the appliance when it is worn. The sides of the shield disposed between the pad pockets are contoured out of the plane of the pad to add further comfort particularly when the wearer reclines on the appliance.

Abstract: A device for permitting the individual selection any one of a plurality of control cartridges of the type commonly used in conjunction with cartridge controlled apparatus such as a video computer system. A holder holds the cartridges in a plurality of separate storage trays. Switch means, which may be either mechanical or electrical, are actuatable by a user to electrically connect one of the cartridges stored in the holder to an output cable. The output cable, in turn, connects to an adapter that fits in the receptacle of the computer system where the cartridges are normally plugged individually and directly.

Abstract: A Fourier transform infrared spectrometer utilizes a selectable area infrared detector to optimize performance of the instrument depending upon the nature of the sample being analyzed. The detector includes an inner detecting segment and one or more outer detecting segments which extend at least partially around the inner segment and are electrically isolated therefrom. In those cases where a small area detector provides optimal sensitivity and performance, only the inner detecting segment is enabled to contribute to the output of the detector. In those cases where a larger area detector provides optimal sensitivity and performance, one or more of the outer detecting segments are enabled to contribute to the output of the detector, either alone or in combination with the inner segment. Thus, a single detector in the instrument provides optimal sensitivity and performance for a wide range of applications.

Abstract: A sighting device for use with firearms and the like under varied ambient light conditions comprises a base member for mounting relative to a firearm or the like and an upstanding sight member. The sight member includes an intermediate surface that has a reflective finish and that is inclined upwardly and rearwardly so as to reflect ambient light from above rearwardly toward a sighter's eye. The rear end of the sight member defines a through aperture and is dimensioned so that it masks the inclined reflective surface from view from the rear except for that portion thereof that is exposed through the aperture. The aperture and inclined reflective surface combine to present a bright bead contained in the relatively dark border of the rear face of the sight member which is useful in attaining an accurate sight under both bright and dim ambient light conditions. A front sight embodiment having a single aperture and a rear sight embodiment having two spaced apart apertures are disclosed.

Abstract: A timed switch for controlling an electric load has a relay mounted within the switch housing. The relay has a pair of contacts which are connected to the load, a movable core connected to one of the contacts and a holding coil which holds the core in and holds the contacts closed when energized and releases them when deenergized. The switch also has a timer; and a manual actuator for moving the core and closing the contacts, actuating the timer and actuating the relay coil. The timer is connected to the relay coil to deenergize the coil and release the contacts upon expiration of a predetermined interval measured by the timer. The contacts may also be opened by actuation of the manual actuator without having to overcome the holding force of the relay coil on the core.

Abstract: A disposable medical electrode includes a compliant annular support layer having an adhesive surface, a compliant discoid gel pad having a diameter less than the inner diameter of the support layer, an electrical terminal and a holder for maintaining the support layer, gel pad and terminal in relative juxtaposition. The holder includes a pair of mating sections which can be clamped together on opposite sides of the support layer and terminal to retain those components against relative motion. Also, one section includes a central passage through it for snugly receiving the gel pad so that one surface of the gel pad is in intimate contact with the terminal and the opposite surface of the gel pad is exposed at the outer end of said passage and lies more or less in the same plane as the adhesive surface of the support layer.

Abstract: A one-piece spring washer for use with threaded fasteners such as screws has a self-retention feature whereby, once positioned on the screw, it remains firmly in place. The washer comprises an annular body defining a central aperture for receiving the screw shank and a plurality of thread engaging teeth bent up from the body about the aperture for holding the washer in place. Each tooth has a helical thread confronting edge having a pitch that is steeper than, and in the opposite sense of, the pitch of the screw thread so that the teeth extend crosswise of and grip the crest of the thread. A plurality of spring elements are bent up from the washer body outboard of, but in the same direction as, the teeth. The spring elements, which flex downwardly when the screw is tightened against a workpiece, load the screw axially to resist loosening of the screw.

Abstract: A blind spring clip fastener for insertion in a round hole in a work piece has a head portion and a shank portion extending perpendicular to the head portion. The shank portion comprises a pair of spaced-apart mirror image sections extending from opposite side edges of the head portion, each section including a resilient leg and a pair of wings integral with the free ends of the leg and extending toward the head portion at opposite side edges of the leg. Each wing is shaped so that it has a side edge extending upwardly-outwardly beyond the plane of its leg and a free end extending from a point beyond the plane of the associated leg relatively steeply upwardly-inwardly toward the head portion.

Abstract: A self-referencing position switch particularly adapted to respond to the position of an automobile gear shift lever. The switch is responsive to the position of a movable external member relative to a stationary member and includes a pair of housing sections one of which is attached to the stationary member and the other of which defines a track for a movable switch member which follows the movements of the external member and is arranged to close the switch at a selected location along the track. The two housing sections are movable relative to one another in more or less the direction of the track so that by engaging the movable switch member against one or the other end of the track and moving the housing sections relative to one another, the selected location on the track can be correlated with a selection position of the movable member.

Abstract: A timed electric switch in a housing preferably for direct current loads such as for heating elements in vehicle windows, in which manually closable contacts supply current to the load and also to a digital timing circuit, which completes a circuit from said contacts through a holding solenoid for the contacts. After a predetermined count has been achieved in the timing circuit, the current supply through the holding solenoid is interrupted thereby releasing the contacts. Provision is made for allowing the second and subsequent timing periods to differ from the first timing period by independently supplying potential to the timing circuit, such as through the vehicle ignition switch. Reset of the timing circuit to produce the initial timing period once again is effected by switch off and re-operation of the ignition switch. An illuminated indication is provided, preferably by a light emitting diode, which operates when power is supplied to the load.

Abstract: A releasable hose fitting comprises a male member that mounts on the end of a flexible hose and a complementary female member that mounts on a hose receiving nipple. The male member includes a pair of arms that extend along the side of the hose and that include inwardly projecting barbs that grip the hose walls to hold the member on the hose. The male member also includes a pair of relatively resilient wings that extend along the side of the hose and that include outwardly projecting noses. The female member has a cup-like configuration including a wall portion defining an entrance opening in which the male member is received. A locking rim is formed on the inside surface of the wall portion. As the male member is pushed into the female member, the wings deflect inwardly until the noses clear the rim, whereupon they snap outwardly and lock behind the rim. The male member is released from the female member simply by squeezing the wings inwardly sufficiently for the noses to clear the rim.

Abstract: A monitoring circuit for electrically conductive resistive devices such as diesel glow plugs in which the devices are fed through an electrically sensitive path, and the voltage across the electrical devices is sensed with respect to a reference. If the sensed voltage is above the reference indicating the presence of a defective device, a warning is indicated. The circuit includes means allowing warm up of the devices before sensing, and for inhibiting signals, which would otherwise indicate a false warning, after a chosen period for sensing.

Abstract: A finishing disk hub assembly includes a hub section composed of an internally threaded adapter surrounded by a support pad which section is arranged to be screwed onto a rotary threaded shaft. An annular socket is formed in the end of the adapter, a wall of the socket being provided with a set of spaced-apart radial threads. The assembly also includes a locking plate having a set of legs arranged to project through the central opening of a finishing disk into the socket by way of the gaps between the threads. Abutments are provided on the legs which interlock with the adapter threads when the legs are inserted into the adapter socket and the plate is turned through an angle relative to the adapter thereby drawing the plate toward the adapter and clamping the disk between the adapter and the plate.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing composed of two hinged-together housing sections molded of plastic as a single unitary part. One housing section defines a pair of spaced-apart resilient walls with a slot between them and a series of connector locations spaced along the slot. The other housing section defines a series of compartments which are in register with the connector locations when the two housing sections are superimposed. A flexible printed circuit is folded into the slot, the circuit having pairs of conductive paths positioned in the slot at each said connector location, which paths extend out of the slot so that electrical connections can be made to provide electrical power to bulbs removably retained at said connector locations and in electrical contact with the path pairs at said locations.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic fastener that is insertable in a non-circular, e.g., square, panel aperture and that accommodates a screw for securing another article to the panel. The fastener includes a relatively flat head portion defining a central opening, a hollow, open-ended, inwardly flexible shank portion extending from a major surface of the head portion and cross-sectionally matching the shape and size of the panel aperture, and a closed-end barrel portion extending from the major surface of the head portion within the interior hollow space of the shank portion and defining an internal screw receiving and encapsulating bore aligned with the opening in the head portion. Longitudinal protuberances are formed on the external surface of the shank portion that cause the shank portion to flex inwardly as the fastener is pushed into the aperture.

Abstract: Fasteners for securing a shaped embellishing molding across the gap between the peripheral edge of a fixed window panel and fillister support surface in which the panel is mounted in an automotive vehicle. The fasteners are integrally fabricated from a material such as plastic and are adapted to mount in the gap without the need for welded studs or other means secured to the fillister. Each fastener includes a base and pair of projecting resilient wings which are downwardly flexed to fit in the gap. The wings include beveled bearing faces that resiliently bear against the inside corner of the mounted panel and develop a reacting force tending to load and position the fastener flushly against both sides of the fillister. The beveled bearing faces also allow the fastener to take up large tolerances both in the width of the gap and in the spacing of the panel from the inner side of the fillister.

Abstract: A closure switch operates a bulb responsive to the opening and closing of a compartment lid. A bracket carries the switch including three contacts and a hinge, and a striker for a lid latch. The hinge is pivoted from a first to a second position by the latch upon lid closure. The first contact includes an end for connection into an electrical circuit and another end that connects to one bulb contact. The second contact includes an end for connection to ground and another end biasing the hinge into its first position. The third contact includes an end connecting to another bulb contact and another end engaging the second contact to energize the bulb when the lid is open and the hinge is in its first position. Upon lid closure the hinge pivots to its second position disengaging the second and third contacts to de-energize the bulb.

Abstract: A switch operates a lamp bulb in a compartment in response to the opening and closing of the compartment's lid. The switch includes a housing that retains the bulb and mounts in an aperture adjacent the compartment. The housing includes a hinge that is pivoted from a first to a second position when the lid is closed. A pair of contacts on opposite sides of the housing include terminals which connect into an electrical circuit. One end of one contact engages the bulb contact. One end of the other contact engages the bulb base and biases the hinge member into its first position. When the lid is open, the hinge is in its first position and the circuit through the bulb is complete. Closing of the lid pivots the hinge to its second position and moves the end of the other contact away from the bulb to break the circuit.

Abstract: A closure switch operates a bulb that illuminates a compartment in response to the opening and closing, respectively, of the compartment's closure lid. A metal bracket carries the switch and a striker member for a latch carried by the closure lid. The bracket also serves as a current carrying member of the switch and includes a terminal for connection into an electrical circuit, e.g., to ground. A molded plastic housing mounts to the bracket and retains the bulb. The housing includes an integral or "living" hinge that is pivoted from a first to a second position by the latch when the lid is closed. When the lid is open and the hinge member is in its first position, the circuit through the bulb is complete. When the lid is closed, the latch on the lid pivots the hinge to its second position and the circuit is broken.

Abstract: A panel hole closure is composed of a rigid plate having an integral array of resilient fingers projecting from one surface of the plate inboard of the plate rim. A integral stiffener is provided for each finger which stiffens the finger against inward deflection toward the axis of the plate so that once the closure is seated in a panel aperture, it is difficult to dislodge. A plastic sealing ring encircling the plate rim may be melted and flow to provide a fluid-tight seal between the closure plate and panel.