Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing an ignition device or connector for an internal combustion engine and the ignition device or convection obtained by such process. The ignition convector, in use, creates a plasma for igniting lean mixtures. Said device an insulator 2 containing a central electrode 3 and a metal shell 4, in which the insulator is fixed. The ground electrode of conventional spark-plugs is replaced by a circular capsule 17 welded to the shell base, after having been subjected to a hard chromizing treatment. The shell comprises an annular recess 14 provided in the thickness of its wall, and is welded to the ceramic insulator 2 by brazing.

Abstract: An electrical connector for a conductor that is printed on a dielectric strip, such as an electrode lead, comprises an insulating housing having a terminal therein and an opening into the housing for receiving the dielectric strip such that the printed conductor engages the terminal. Opposed jaws are pivotally supported in the housing on opposite sides of the terminal, the jaws being joined at corresponding ends by a resilient member to bias the jaws for releasable engaging notches in the dielectric strip. A novel strain relief member in which the resilient means is embedded may be used to prevent separation of the terminal from a connector lead wire.

Abstract: A roller apparatus is provided for a flexible web such as a map, chart, window shade or the like which is provided on at least one free margin thereof with an elongated holder element of predetermined cross-sectional dimensions which are substantially greater than the thickness of the flexible webbing material. The roller apparatus comprises a rigid, elongated tubular roll for internally receiving the holder element and including in a peripheral wall thereof a longitudinal through slot of a cross-sectional dimension smaller than that of the holder element and greater than the thickness of the web. An end cap is non-rotatably attached to either end of the tubular roll.

Abstract: A spacer with an h-shaped cross section and having a void in the lower part thereof is provided on the vertical wall of a frame-like depression formed in an automobile body for the mounting of a pane of glass. The spacer has a number of appropriately spaced slits communicating with the void provided therein. The insertion member of a clip consisting of an insertion member and an operating member is inserted through the slit and the clip is thereafter slid in a predetermined direction to attach the clip to the spacer. Finally, the edge of a molding is engaged with the operating member to fix the molding to the automobile body.

Abstract: The invention provides a mechanism which is simpler in construction, cheaper and easier to assemble. The derailleur mechanism is of the type comprising a movable device for guiding or shifting the chain connected to a support in such manner as to be displaced in translation with respect to the support by means of an actuating device. The movable device is connected to the support, on one hand, by a link and, on the other hand, by a pin-and-slot connection. The slot has the shape of an arc of a circle whose radius is equal to the distance between the two pivot pins of the link.

Abstract: The pulley comprises an annular portion which extends radially beyond a grooved ring around which a belt for driving the recorder extends. In order to permit fixing this pulley to a wheel hub flange of variable diameter by means of nose portions, each nose portion is formed at the end of an arm whose other end is pivotally mounted on the ring and can be retained in any of a plurality of angular positions which are defined by steps provided on the edges of slots in which studs formed on each of the arms are guided.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a preselected concentration of non-condensible gases in a condenser is disclosed. A compressor supplies the condenser with compressed ammonia. The compressed ammonia includes non-condensible gases. At least a portion of the compressed ammonia condenses, forms condensed ammonia and exits the condenser. A pressure controller operates an automatic valve to vent at least a portion of the non-condensible gases from the condenser. A temperature element senses the condensed ammonia temperature and sends a signal, based upon the condensed ammonia temperature, to the pressure controller. The pressure controller uses the signal to reduce the pressure of the condenser from a predetermined value to a computed value estimated to be necessary to maintain the preselected concentration of non-condensible gases in the condenser.

Abstract: A herbicide spreader is provided for pulling by a farm tractor over a tilled field. The herbicide spreader is provided with a pump for projecting water spray from nozzles down against the surface of the earth. Further nozzles and an air compressor apparatus air provided forwardly and rearwardly of the water jets for projecting air jets against the surface of the earth forwardly of the herbicide laden jets to clear rubble from the path of the water jets, and trailing air jets blow the herbicide laden water down into the earth.

Abstract: A sea anchor is disclosed which comprises a generally cylindrical body of cloth or the like material open at the forward end. The opposite end is provided with a hem through which a rope or the like is passed to draw the opposite end more or less closed. Tow members are secured to the periphery of the sea anchor at the open end of the body, and a single control line is connected adjacent the opposite end of the body. Pulling on the control line independently of the tow members partially inverts or turns inside out the body of the sea anchor, thus reducing the maximum depth thereof, and greatly reducing the drag, thus to limit the anchoring effect, and to facilitate return of the sea anchor to a boat or the like.

Abstract: A potentiometer comprising a casing having a short height relative to its diameter and constituting a receptacle for a resistor element and a sliding contact for contact with the latter, the resistor element being supported on the bottom of the casing and the sliding contact being arranged in permanent mechanical and electric contact therewith, being of annular and laminar shape and having a diameter substantially equal to that of the resistor, the shape of which constitutes an incomplete circular annulus having a zone of discontinuity exhibiting a small angle, corresponding to a projection formed on the bottom of the casing and serving as a travel-limiting stop in either direction in order to limit the rotational travel of the axial actuating element, the manipulation of which produces the rotation of the sliding contact on the resistor element.

Abstract: A carriage assembly and a base therefor, are disclosed. The base comprises a pair of elongated feet, a bi-ended stiffening member and mounting means. The mounting means are located on each of the feet for mounting a portion of a leg of an upstanding, bi-legged frame member. Each foot defines a longitudinal axis between respective ends thereof. Each end of the stiffening member is carried by a respective foot to keep the longitudinal axis of one foot in parallel relation with the longitudinal axis of the other foot thereby providing the base with structural rigidity. Each foot includes respectively a wheel at one end thereof and a pad at an opposite end thereof. As to an individual foot, the wheel is aligned to provide the foot with mobility in the direction of its longitudinal axis, and each such mounting means is superimposed intermediate a certain pair of load-bearing regions of the foot thereby providing the base with stability.

Abstract: An improved bolt which has a head with a plurality of sharp projections extending in the direction of the shank so that the head can bite in and lock the bolt to a workpiece. A second embodiment utilizes a plastic encapsulation over the head, for example, for use with buildings wherein the openings through which the shank passes is to be sealed and in this embodiment the sharp projections cut through the plastic encapsulating material so as to bite into the workpiece and such cuts are spaced so that the edge of the encapsulating material is not completely separated from the main portion of the encapsulating material.

Abstract: A roller-type drive somewhat similar to epicyclic gearing is provided wherein one of the three rollers present is a wedging roller which produces a tighter wedging action for all three planetary rollers in response to increasing torque. A stud or axle about which the wedging roller turns limits movement of the wedging roller and applies a drag thereto when a predetermined maximum torque is reached so that the drive begins to slip and does not exceed the predetermined torque desired.

Abstract: A reuseable plastic cap is disposed over a seal closure on a vial neck to retain the seal closure in place thereon, the cap comprising a body of resilient material having a base overlying the seal closure, opposed jaws on the base for gripping a bead on the vial neck, gripper flanges for manual engagement to spread apart the jaws so as to install or remove the cap on the vial neck, and a releasable locking bar to hold the gripper flanges spread apart and thereby retain the jaws in a locked condition on the vial neck.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating a lobular polygonal form comprises a first device rotatable about an axis, a second device including a member eccentric to the axis and movable in an orbit thereabout, and a third device responsive to said combined movement of the first and second device for tracing a lobular polygonal form (1) which has an odd number of sides capable of maintaining approximate tangency with two parallel planes upon rotation of said form or (2) which has an even number of sides capable upon rotation of the form of maintaining approximate tangency with three circles of equal diameter and having equidistant centers. The generated lobular form may be traced by a metal-working tool that forms a die cavity in a workpiece. A novel lobular screw blank may be formed in the die cavity.

Abstract: A clutch throwout bearing assembly comprises a bearing, a carrier plate, and a carrier sleeve upon which the carrier plate and bearing are mounted. The mounting arrangement permits the bearing to be radially shifted, axially shifted, or tilted to adapt the plane of the bearing to the plane of the clutch fingers in situations involving misalignment of the bearing and clutch fingers due to tolerance build up between the clutch fingers and the bearing.

Abstract: A load monitoring arrangement for a vehicle axle comprises a bolt which in use is fixedly mounted on a vehicle body and is connected with a resilient suspension part so that the body is connected with the suspension part through the intermediary of the bolt. A transducer is secured to the bolt so as to monitor the effect of loading forces acting thereon.

Abstract: A feeder for poultry and the like is disclosed. The feeder includes pan means for retaining and presenting delivered feed, and hollow drop tube means adapted to extend from a conveyor to a distal end adjacent the pan means. A first feed gate defined between the drop tube distal end and the pan permits feed to pass from the drop tube to an inner pan area for consumption by relatively mature poultry. A brood gate opening defined in the drop tube above its distal end permits feed to flow from the conveyor through at least part of the drop tube and out the brood gate opening to an outer portion of the pan for consumption by relatively immature poultry.