Abstract: A system to prevent a crane turret and the boom carried thereby from rotating about the axis of the turret beyond a predetermined angular disposition, thereby to prevent the crane boom from being brought too close to high-tension wires or some other structure in the vicinity of which the crane is being operated. Means are provided for locked-in disposition at at least one, and preferably, two points about the 360.degree. arc circumscribing the turret with such means including projections adapted to trip limit switches extending radially outwardly from the rotatable turret. Each limit switch is connected into an electromagnetic circuit with the first switch to be tripped serving to actuate an audio and/or visual warning system, and the second switch to be tripped, an electromagnetic control of the fluid flow in a hydraulic or compressed air driving system.

Abstract: Plastic pipe is belled under pressure by inserting what is, in effect, a telescoping mandrel into a heat-softened pipe end with great axial force immediately after two mold halves with cavities defining the desired bell configurations have been brought together under pressure. The softened pipe end is not only expanded to a bell configuration by the mandrel, but is compressed by the radial annular end wall of a sleeve which slides axially over the mandrel into the spacing between the mandrel and the mold halves defining the bell-shaped cavity. Thereby, not only may the heat-softened pipe end be molded to assume an exact configuration to a high degree of tolerance, but the normal thinning of the walls of the pipe end which occurs with its belling may be re-thickened by the axial compression of the sleeve to the original pipe wall thickness.

Abstract: A process for forming low-emission combustion gases. A lean mixture of fuel and air provides a substantially homogeneous mixture within the combustion zone. The fuel is preferably vaporized and, alternatively, may be introduced into the burner as microscopic droplets. Combustion temperature is maintained below about 3,000.degree. F. to reduce nitrogen oxides and combustion is conducted under stable conditions which sufficiently exceed lean blowout to reduce formation of carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons. The flow velocity into the burner is higher than the turbulent flame velocity.A dilution zone may be provided downstream from the combustion zone. To control performance, input air may be split into a first stream to the combustion zone and a second stream to the dilution zone. A quantity of water may be admixed with the fuel and be prevaporized to form water vapor containing fuel droplets.A method of operating a gas turbine with a burner operated as above, generating combustion gases to the turbine.

Abstract: A thin disc, preferably of plastic, having an outer annular area which is upwardly convex and an annular inner area integral with the outer annular area and which slopes downwardly toward the disc axis to terminate in an annular edge which defines a coaxial circular opening. The radius of the opening may vary from a quarter of an inch up to almost one-half of the radius of the complete disc. In one embodiment of the invention, where the central opening is of the larger size, a plurality of dihedral vanes may be provided to extend between an object centrally disposed in the orifice and the inner edge of the disc defining the central opening. Such vanes may either extend radially from the centrally disposed object, or may spiral outwardly therefrom, with their leading edges being thickened and similarly disposed to provide added lift to the disc when it is pitched in a spinning motion.

Abstract: Stabilization of a truck or tractor for a semi-trailer to eliminate or at least minimize, jarring and vibration of the truck or tractor frame and cab during its operation without load is accomplished by securing a transverse member preferably over a differential housing, to each of the longitudinal truck frame members to bridge the same, and by interposing between the center point on this bridging element, and the top of the differential housing an expandable and contractable air bellows. The truck's pressurized air is connected to this bellows through a manual control valve, preferably in line with an air gauge. A warning indicator may also be connected with the valve to indicate to the truck operator when the air bellows is inflated. Inflation of the air bellows is normally only to be effected when the truck is being operated without load.

Abstract: An accelerograph for recording strong earthquake motion in three mutually perpendicular directions is disclosed. An electromagnetic starter is provided for use particularly with the accelerograph to initiate recording and to continue recording for an adjustable period of time of from 6 to 15 seconds after the last shock. The starter may comprise a single magnetically activated element which is disposed to respond to the first and subsequent P-waves, or it may comprise three such elements, one vertically oriented to respond to movements in the Z-axis, and two horizontally oriented to respond to movements in the X and Y-axes. Such starters may also be employed to open or shut off switches for any type of equipment or apparatus which should or should not be operating during an earthquake or immediately thereafter.

Abstract: A machine for removing a precut length of plastic pipe from an extrusion line, providing a bell on one end thereof, and providing a chamfer on the opposite end thereof. The pipe is received in a V-shaped trough along which it is longitudinally moved as it is delivered from the extruder. At predetermined intervals, a plurality of hydraulic pushers are actuated to move the pipe laterally from the trough onto a conveyor. The conveyor is indexed to a first position in which the axial location of the pipe is corrected and the end to be belled is heated. In a predetermined sequence of events, the conveyor is then indexed to a second position in which a belling plug is inserted into the heated end of the pipe; simultaneously, the opposite end of the pipe may be provided with an internal or external chamfer. When the conveyor is again indexed, the pipe is deposited onto a suitable system so that it may be conveyed to a shipping point.

Abstract: In a Bourke type engine wherein at least two cylinders are disposed coaxially and oppositely so that the free ends of piston rods extending from pistons reciprocable in said cylinders may be connected by a yoke in coaxial alignment with each other and with the cylinders to reciprocate concurrently as a unit, with the yoke having means rotatably to engage a rotating crank by which the force developed by reciprocation of the pistons is converted to rotating driving motion, the improvements wherein the inner end of the piston rod is placed in abutment with the underside of the piston head and the yoke is modified to house a block slider instead of a rolling bearing to provide better bearing surfaces and lubrication thereof.

Abstract: A piston is provided to operate in a horizontally disposed cylinder, into one end of which cylinder, air may be admitted under pressure and through the other end of which cylinder, a piston rod, connected to the piston to move therewith, slidably extends to support a plurality of sprockets at the outer end of the piston rod. Additional sprockets are mounted outside the end wall of the cylinder through which the piston rod slidably extends, and a chain, one end of which is fixedly anchored near such cylinder wall, passes back and forth between and around the piston rod-supported sprockets and the stationary sprockets. The chain finally passes around a further sprocket disposed below the cylinder from which the other end of the chain then depends downwardly. The downwardly pending end of the chain may be connected with the upper end of an elongated element, the lower end of which is provided with means for attachment to an article to be hoisted. The last said element is provided with annular grooves.

Abstract: An air-powered gun adapted to be loaded with a plastic material such as a caulking compound from a bulk container thereof, and to dispense the same through a nozzle wherein the gun is comprised of a forward loading and dispensing barrel and an oppositely extending coaxial piston-driving rear air barrel, both of which barrels are held in back-to-back receptacles in a body gripping member provided with a handle. A piston slidable in the forward barrel is connected by a shaft to a piston in the rear barrel, which shaft extends coaxially through an orifice in the body gripping member passing through the bottom of both receptacles. Two plunger valves are provided in the handle, one to direct air into the receptacle for the forward barrel, and the other, to that for the rear barrel. A removable nozzled dispensing cap is provided for the outer end of the forward barrel.

Abstract: An energy converting exercise device comprising a housing and a shaft extending therethrough for frictionally resisted axial movement of the shaft relative to the housing. The housing includes adjustable braking means to allow the user to vary the level of resistance to such relative axial movement, and operatively associated with the shaft are readout means to indicate to the user in units of applied force the instantaneous level of resistance effective as he moves the shaft axially relative to the housing.

Abstract: A single and/or continuing event calendar which particularly lends itself to computer print-out. The calendar is in the form of defined rectangular spaces arrayed in the manner of a conventional monthly calendar with the definition of the spaces accomplished both vertically and horizontally by a series of dash lines spaced from each other, but with the horizontal lines defining each space being interrupted by the name of the day and the date applicable to such space. The calendar provides desired information in summary form concerning a plurality of single and/or continuing events in a given field of interest and which may occur concurrently and/or sequentially during the period of a particular month (or any part thereof).

Abstract: The improvement in a rotary vacuum or suction sweeper of the type wherein vacuum of suction is created underneath the carriage body of a wheeled vehicle by the driven rotation of blower impeller means, within a blower housing comprising a part of the carriage body. Thereby as the sweeper is moved over an area to be cleaned by an operator pushing or pulling a handle extending angularly upwardly from the vehicle in the manner in which one pushes a rotary lawn mower, dirt and debris are sucked up below the carriage body and delivered into a catch bag disposed over duct means extending rearwardly from the rotor impeller housing. With the present invention, a plate valve is interposed in such duct means, which valve, when closed, diverts the air flow from its normal path back into the catch bag, to a forwardly facing duct to which is attached a hoselike element having an open discharge end. Articulated control means are provided to extend downwardly and adjacent the machine operating handle.

Abstract: A medical identification, information and emergency medication packet adapted for wearing or carrying by a patient, said packet comprising an envelop--preferably transparent; a foldable information card slidably insertable in said envelope; and a frame comprehended within the card when so folded; said frame with the inside of the folded card defining at least one space within which is housed a dosage quantity of a medication to be administered to the patient in an emergency in accordance with instructions printed on said card.

Abstract: A washing-aid composition suitable for removal of stains and soil from delicate fabrics which are deleteriously affected by alkaline pH conditions which contains a phosphate ester surfactant, an alkali metal salt of an aminopolyacetic acid in an amount sufficient to essentially neutralize the surfactant to a pH of about 7, a water miscible organic solvent in an amount sufficient to solubilize organic borne stains and dirt, and water in an amount sufficient to solubilize the aminopolyacetic acid salt.

Abstract: A combination including a packet having a space therein containing a tablet formed of a solid fabric softener composition which is partially water soluble. The packet is formed from a pair of flexible porous open-celled sheets which are joined together in face-to-face relation. A flexible opening formed in the packet leads to the space defined between the pair of flexible porous open-celled sheets. The opening has a normally closed position when the sheets which form the packet are in their expanded condition. However, the opening is expandable to an open position by squeezing the sides of the packet in a direction along the axis of the opening.The sheets forming the packet have a thickness that is sufficient to reduce flow of water through the sheets to a level which prevents complete solution of the tablet during a single use while, however, permitting partial solution of the tablet with migration of dissolved fabric softener composition from the interior to the exterior of the packet.

Abstract: An articulated swivelling boom combination adapted to carry on one of its extremities a device, such as a camera, which it is desired to be able to move about smoothly in any direction of 360.degree. in a given plane within a predetermined area. The combination comprises an elongated rigid member mounted intermediate its ends for swivelling about a vertical axis in a predetermined arc of rotation with a secondary rigid element similarly swivellingly mounted in the vicinity of each of the ends of the rigid member. The device is mounted on the free end of one of the secondary rigid elements and counterweighting is provided on the free end of the other of the two secondary rigid elements. The two secondary rigid elements may be oppositely directed and their swivelling mounts interlocked by a gear and belt arrangement. Thereby, any movement of the device on the free end of its secondary rigid element produces a compensating counterweighted movement of the other element.

Abstract: A plastic material squeeze tube dispenser comprising an elongated conical housing having an opening at one end through which is passed in a sealed manner the nozzle end of a squeeze tube containing a plastic material to be dispensed therefrom. A handle body is attached to the housing and includes a trigger actuatable valve means whereby gas under pressure from a source connected to the handle body may be admitted into the housing to apply pressure to the squeeze tube. Upon release of the trigger, the gas then in the housing is vented to the atmosphere to reduce the pressure within the housing to the ambient level. The valve means is constructed so that when operated, no gas from the pressure source can escape directly through the vent, but only after it has been utilized within the housing.

Abstract: A multiple station plastic pipe belling machine in which an endless conveyor periodically receives one of a series of plastic pipes as each pipe is dumped from a V-trough receiving such pipes in sequence after their extrusion and cutting into predetermined pipe lengths, disposes the pipes so received parallel to, but spaced from, each other and advances the thus-disposed pipes in predetermined increments; positions the pipes in such a manner that their ends to be belled are first passed in such increments through a heater adjacent the edge of the endless conveyor, while the pipes are continuously rotated until each pipe passes out of the heater and is then carried in such increments by the endless conveyor into the first of a plurality of belling stations where a pair of semi-circular clamps encircle the pipe end and a mandrel or plug is inserted therein.