Abstract: A circuit for controlling the operability of an electrically-operated fuel system, for a vehicle, and particularly for controlling a fuel injection system. The circuitry includes a timing network and a concealed switch the position of which is only known to an authorized operator of the vehicle. When the concealed switch is closed by an authorized person an associated relay is energized and the timing network is inhibited which in turn maintains a main control relay in its enabling position permitting normal operation of the fuel system. In this authorized mode of operation the timing network is essentially maintained in a state where it is not permitted to time-out. When an unauthorized person gains entry to the vehicle, by-passing the ignition switch, the concealed switch is not closed, nor is the associated relay energized.

Abstract: Thermal insulation comprised of fiberglass boards or batts having relatively small diameter fiberglass fibers either bound or unbound is wound about the lading container pressure vessel of a tank truck, trailer or rail car. As the insulation is wound about a longitudinal section of the vessel, the insulation is squeezed from its free height to a lesser height to increase the density of the insulation and also permit passage of the outer jacket. The squeezing is preferably accomplished by wrapping each layer of insulation with a continuous wire mesh. The tension is maintained with the use of a long rod intertwined in the wire mesh, which rod is withdrawn after a section of the outer jacket is over a section of the vessel thereby permitting the insulation to expand and substantially fill the void between the vessel and outer jacket.

Abstract: A control switch has a switch shaft mounted for reciprocal rotational movement about its axis. A cam profile is fixed to the shaft and has first and second opposed cam surfaces. A driver is mounted to selectively engage the first or second cam surface to drive the switch shaft into a first clockwise position or a second counterclockwise position by remote actuation. The driver is connected to a rotary solenoid which allows uni-directional drive translated into two directional drive by the driver.A control circuit provides rapid actuation and slow release of the rotary solenoid along with operation of a linear solenoid when desired to select between first and second directional movement of the cam profile. The control circuit permits charging a capacitor while rapidly actuating a relay to actuate the rotary solenoid. A resistor provides for slow discharge of the capacitor to maintain the relay actuated over a slow release period after disruption of the charging circuit.

Abstract: A wall vent preferably for use in a high-rise building is releasably opened for venting a fire in the building. The vent comprises a frame, a window or venting panel that is pivotally supported on one of its sides, means for biasing the venting panel to an open position and latch means for maintaining the panel in a closed position. The latch means may be either manually or electrically released or released upon detection of heat or smoke, and may be released either at the panel or remotely. Each wall vent is also preferably releasable to an open position from a story of the building therebelow.

Abstract: A device for use with equipment such as a telephone answering machine whose operation can be controlled by on hook busy signals transmitted to the equipment. Included in the device are switching means which, when actuated, cause transmission of the outgoing signal from the telephone answering machine to be terminated and actuation of a busy signal detector. If an incoming busy signal is present, the detector generates a predetermined output signal which disconnects the telephone answering machine from the phone lines. The switching means may be actuated by sensing means which detect when the amplitude of the outgoing signal falls to a value below a predetermined level and stays at that value for a short time, within a continuing outgoing signal, or for a long time at the end of an outgoing signal. Alternatively, the switching means may be actuated periodically during transmission of an outgoing signal.

Abstract: A sensing means is connected to the input of an electronic circuit for triggering a signalling means. The electronic circuit includes a continuous differential amplifier whose two inputs (-) and (+) are connected to the terminals of the sensing means. The input terminals are also connected by means of at least two switches to voltage sources in such a way that, by closing one of the switches, the polarity of the input terminal in question is reversed, to disable the detection device, and, by closing the other switch means, there is an increase, with the same sign, in the polarity of the input in question, for triggering the signalling means.

Abstract: A pulse controller for a reversible d.c. series motor is provided, in place of the conventional freewheel diode across the armature and field and plugging diode across the armature, with a unidirectional current path connected across the armature and field and containing sufficient impedance to prevent build-up of motor current in interpulse periods when the motor is in a plugging mode, and switch means for shorting out the impedance during normal motoring.

Abstract: An electrically controlled valve is arranged to be mounted on a printed circuit without requiring any fasteners other than the terminals which provide electrical connections to the coil of a solenoid. The valve has three ports arranged to permit one of the ports to be selectively connected to either one of the other two ports. The plunger of the solenoid is disposed in a receiver that extends into the central longitudinal passage of the solenoid coil which establishes a magnetic field when the coil is electrically energized. A spring causes the plunger to seal off one port when the coil is unenergized. In that position of the plunger the other two ports are connected by channels in the plunger. Upon electrical energization of the coil, the plunger moves to a new position where it seals off a different one of the three ports while opening a connecting passage between the remaining two ports.

Abstract: Seamless flooring comprising layers of an acrylic polymer applied from a latex including one or more layers of intermediate plastic chips, the method of making the same, and film-forming latex compositions for making the same consisting of an aqueous emulsion of a methacrylic polymer in combination with a solvent.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in a uniform cap having a frame sized to fit the head of a user, a flexible replaceable cover, releasable means for aligning and fastening said cover to said frame, an adjustable stretching band to stretch said cover into its deployed condition and a braid band. The adjustable stretching band has a fanged loop means attached to one end thereof and through which the other end threads. A slidable releasing means brings said fangs into engagement with said other end to secure said stretching band at one side. Said cover has a lower portion formed of elastic material so that said cover may be used with frames of different sizes. Said frame has a male snap, facing outwardly, located front and center to engage a male-female snap in said cover. When the male-female snap is so engaged its male portion is aligned front and center of the cap.

Abstract: An electrical transducer for measuring changes in the size of crack openings. The device is designed to operate at temperatures up to and exceeding 1500.degree. F., is portable, compact, easy to use and reuseable. The device comprises a differential capacitive sensing assembly, arm-like members each including an arm assembly for transmitting the change in crack opening from the crack to the sensing assembly, a flexural pivot to facilitate movement of the arm-like members with changes in the crack opening and means for anchoring the device in the crack. The differential capacitive displacement assembly comprises a plurality of capacitor plates, with the reference excitation plates coupled to one arm assembly and the movable sensing plate coupled to another arm assembly. A bridge circuit couples to the differential capacitive sensing assembly for electrically sensing capacitive variations occasioned by crack opening displacements.

Abstract: A cup carrier having a band made of resilient plastic material and having a plurality of cup engaging sections, each of which is intended to surround more than half the circumference of a cup. A web for supporting the cups from the bottoms is suspended beneath the band by a plurality of downwardly converging strips. The carrier is nestable with other identical carriers.

Abstract: A band for securing a catheter or similar device to a limb of a human comprising a stretchable primary strap adapted to encircle the limb. A part of the strap is made of a soft looped fabric and the strap also carries a male Velcro-type fastening material which cooperates with the looped fabric to enable the strap to be secured in place about the limb. A secondary strap made of a flexible material is secured at one end intermediate the ends of the primary strap. That end of the secondary strap also carries a clip having an eye. The other end of the secondary strap, made of a male Velcro-type fastening material, may be threaded through the eye of the clip and engage the looped fabric so that the secondary strap forms a closed loop for encircling the catheter or similar device and holding it securely in place on the limb.

Abstract: A rotatable ceiling hook for plants and the like. The hook is shaped in the form of a helix which is secured to a support at a point midway between its ends by a suitable means such as a screw to provide a strong and balanced ceiling hook. Interposed between the screw and the helix is a base and a washer separated by a rigid cylindrical spacer. The helix rotates around the spacer, thus providing easy rotation even when the screw is firmly attached to a support and the hook is heavily loaded.

Abstract: Decorative plastic welt has an elongated, decorative, arcuate, bead portion formed of a first plastic material. An integral elongated plastic flange extends from said bead along its length to an outer flange edge and defines a first flange portion adjacent the bead and a second integral flange portion extending from the first portion to the flange edge. The second portion is an elongated see-through plastic strip which permits the flange to be aligned with sheet materials on either side so that positioning notches in the sheet materials can be matched by visual observation through the strip.

Abstract: Electric feedthrough for use in gastight enclosures has a generally cylindrical, molded body with a molded housing head carrying screw-type electrical connections. An O-ring is situated between the head and a nut threaded to mate with the threads on the housing body so that the nut can be screwed up to form a hermetic seal in the barrier wall of an opening. The screw-type terminations are located at radial distances from the center of the body at least as great as the radius of the body passing through the barrier wall.

Abstract: A battery powered drive system for vehicles comprising a pair of electrical storage batteries designed to be connected alternately to an electric motor which propels the vehicle. A steam engine having a shaft drives a generator also designed to be alternately connected to the storage batteries for recharging, and a steam boiler supplies the steam engine and itself receives energy either from a solar heater, burner or electrical heaters provided for that purpose.

Abstract: A food serving system for delivering prepared meals to locations remote from the point of preparation which includes a mobile cart having its own low voltage rechargeable power pack that may be utilized to make the cart self powered. The cart has a tier of shelves for carrying removable, generally flat, individual, food serving trays. Each shelf is provided with one or more thermally isolated heat transfer devices which may be energized when a tray is placed on the shelf in the cart. The heat transfer devices are intended to maintain the food in selected dishes and bowls at the desired serving temperature for extended periods without affecting the temperature of the foods and beverages in other dishes, bowls and cups on the trays, so that the food remains at the proper serving temperature.

Abstract: A sheet cutting, folding and stacking machine having in series a cradle for supporting the rolls of sheet material to be processed by the machine; a printer; a scray for temporarily storing the sheet material drawn from the roll before it is processed by the other assemblies of the machine; a hot wire cutter which cuts the sheet into sections of a selected length and seals the cut edges; a folder for quarter folding the cut section of the sheet; and a stacker assembly for taking the folded sections and stacking them on top of one another into bundles of a selected number.

Abstract: A tennis racket cover having a pair of sheets sized and shaped to cover the opposite faces of tennis rackets. A third sheet covers and is secured at its periphery to the lower half of one of the pair of sheets to form a pocket designed to receive flat wallet-shaped objects. An elongated slot in the third sheet forms an opening which is closed by a zipper.