Abstract: The handle mechanism for operating the bike brake cable has a ratchet-pawl controlled cable drum built into it for automatically adjusting for brake shoe wear.

Abstract: A programming apparatus for use with a machine applying successive wraps of rubber on a tire surface during a retreading operation. The contour of the layers to be deposited is translated upon a template device by positioning of select metallic contacts. In turn, the number of wraps for a given arcuate distance are more finely defined upon a second template device. The second template being indexed with a series of metallic contacts. The entire operation is controlled electrically such that successive movement of the tire surface is correlated to arcuate distance.

Abstract: The method and apparatus therefor for separating paper particles from reclaimed shredded tobacco comprising propelling shredded tobacco with paper particles randomly mixed therein into a path of flight above an endless belt coneyor and in the direction of movement of the conveyor so that the shredded tobacco showers down and forms a blanket on the conveyor and the longer flying paper showers down atop the tobacco blanket, the conveyor moving the tobacco past scanning means and propelling the tobacco along a path of flight to receiver means, the scanning means detecting paper particles atop the tobacco, and pneumatic reject means responsive to the scanning means for diverting detected paper particles from the path of flight from the conveyor to a receiver for reject particles.

Abstract: In a tobacco cutting machine where tobacco is cut by knives mounted on a rotating drum, the knives are advanced as they are worn away. In order to prevent the knives being advanced too far, and becoming damaged by contact with other machine parts, a safety device is provided. This includes a blade positioned near the path of the knife edges to be struck by a knife if the latter is advanced too far. The resultant movement of the blade is amplified by a lever system and is used to trigger a microswitch in the cutter drum drive circuit, whereby when a knife is advanced too far the cutter drum is stopped. The advancing mechanism for the knives includes a ratchet device driven by pulses of compressed air via a piston and cylinder device.

Abstract: The 10-speed bicycle has a single manually movable control member for all 10 speeds.

Abstract: Inspection and conveyor apparatus have a pair of laterally spaced, substantially parallel endless belt conveyors engaging the top and bottom ends of cigarette packs and moving the packs through an inspection station and past a rejection station to a delivery station, electro-optical means programmed to inspect selected portions of the packs passing through the inspection station to detect faults and provide signals synchronized with incremental movement of the packs, the optics and light source of each electro-optical means being off-set within a range of 20.degree. to 70.degree. from a position normal to the surface being inspected, means for receiving signals from the electro-optical means and for providing a reject signal when a fault is detected and release means for laterally moving at least one of the endless belts away from the other when a reject signal is received to release a defective cigarette pack at the reject station.

Abstract: A momentary contact push switch comprising a thin terminal board having spaced stationary contacts on a narrow intermediate region thereof. A bridging contact is positioned on the underside of a unitary plastic housing member. The housing member includes integral yieldable side skirts that extend downwardly from opposite sides and below opposite side edges of the intermediate region of the terminal board. Inwardly extending barbs or latch elements on the bottoms of both side skirts snap under the edges of the terminal board and hold the housing on the terminal board. Spring means extending between the terminal board and the bridging contact hold the bridging contact and housing member above the stationary contacts. A downward force on the housing member overcomes the spring force and brings the bridging contact into contact with spaced stationary contacts.

Abstract: A momentary contact switch is comprised of an insulator base member having a plurality of aligned dome shaped contacts extending upwardly from the top face. First and second pairs of notches or voids extend through the base member beyond opposite ends of the aligned stationary contacts. An elongated plastic actuator is disposed above the stationary contacts and extends both transversely and longitudinally beyond the aligned contacts. The actuator has four yieldable legs at or adjacent its four corners which extend downwardly and each leg is inserted through a respective notch. One pair of legs is shorter than the other pair. Each leg has a barb or wedge shaped element at its bottom for releasably engaging the under side of the base member to maintain the actuator and base member in operative relationship. A movable spring contact member is disposed between the base member and actuator.

Abstract: In a rotary lawn mower the engine on the deck is completely shielded by an engine shroud, and the engine exhaust is below the mower deck.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for separating lighter and heavier portions of threshed tobacco by creating two adjacent vortices circulating in opposite directions the turbulence of which separates the threshed tobacco; the vortices coacting to form rising column of high velocity air for carrying off lighter portions of tobacco while heavier portions of tobacco drop to a pneumatic take-off.

Abstract: In a rear bagging mower the rear discharge is automatically closed by a door unless the bag is locked in grass catching position, and the bag and door cooperate with an engine kill switch so that the engine will run only if the door is closed or the bag in grass catching position.

Abstract: A sewing head employing twin needles for use with a material feed assembly at a sewing station, employing a linkage drive configuration enabling original rotary motion to be converted into linear rather than arcuate during formation of tacks. The same drive source is employed for both longitudinal and lateral motion, with a movable link added into the main feed link assembly. By means of a guide member, one portion of the main drive is confined to longitudinal motion only, while the other portion is free to go through the lateral motion separately. By employing an additional movable link and designing the main feed link as a two part link, while at the same time employing the same drive source for longitudinal and lateral motion, it is possible to achieve the necessary linear parallel motion. By the aforementioned arrangement, the drive link achieves linear motion and provides for a uniform tacking pattern for both needles.

Abstract: A snow ski having a plastic foam core formed in situ between preformed top and bottom subassemblies.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cut tobacco braid in a cigarette maker including a duct of T-shaped cross-sectional configuration having a rectangular inlet and outlet disposed orthogonal to each other; the arms of the T-shape being symmetrically tapered from the inlet to the outlet and the leg of the T-shape being tapered from the outlet to the inlet.

Abstract: As film is being drawn off a rotatable supply reel, an apparatus indicates the presence of a predefined amount of film material remaining on the reel. In the absence of a designated quantity present on the film reel, a sensing device in proximity to the reel imparts a signal to a reel braking device for de-energizing the film roller. When the braking device moves to engage the film reel, an additional sensing device responds to the angular displacement between the brake and the film reel during braking action to monitor film tension.

Abstract: Apparatus for successively projecting a light beam through articles of produce on a moving conveyor. The apparatus is useful in an internal quality produce grader for grading agricultural products according to one or more internal characteristics.The apparatus is comprised of two cylinders positioned on opposite sides of a conveyor which carries uniformly spaced articles of produce in a single row past an inspection position. The cylinders have a plurality of equiangularly spaced apertures in their walls. The apertures are at the same vertical height as the produce on the conveyor. A bellows-like, tubular light shield of opaque, flexible, elastomeric material is disposed in each aperture and extends radially therefrom. The cylinders rotate in synchronism with the movement of the produce on the conveyor and when each article of produce is at the inspection position a pair of light shields, one from each cylinder, is aligned along an axis with the article. The light shields yieldingly engage the article.

Abstract: A modular time sequence controller having multiple timing cams and switches. Modules of switches and cams may be added and removed without disturbing other modules. Clip means for retaining a switch in a module facilitates easy insertion and removal without disturbing other elements of the assembly.

Abstract: A cylindrical button to be fitted on the end of the push rod of a push-push switch. Outer end of button has lens for viewing indicator having thereon two indicia representing respective switching positions of switch. Indicator is pivotally held on support means and is spring biased to indicate one switching position. Plunger extends from interior of cylindrical button through end of cylinder and is engagable with pivotally supported indicator. When switch push rod is activated to change switch to second switching position, plunger contacts switch housing and is moved further into the cylindrical button to pivot the indicator and expose second indicia through lens.