Abstract: A spring arch system for a shoulder pad, such as a football shoulder pad. The spring arch system comprises inner and outer arches of generally inverted U-shape as viewed from the side. The outer arch extends substantially over the inner arch from a forward portion of the inner arch to a rearward portion of the inner arch. The spacing between the arches is such that the arches form a generally wedge-shaped configuration at least in the area of the top of the inverted U-shape. Impact on the outer arch causes deformation thereof relative to the inner arch, and thus some of the energy of the impact is absorbed through such relative deformation.

Abstract: A shoulder pad truss arch system for a shoulder pad. The shoulder pad has a generally inverted U-shape arch member adapted to fit over a shoulder of a wearer, and the arch member has chestplate and backplate portions interconnected by a curved shoulder portion. The shoulder pad truss arch system comprises a first truss extending from the chestplate portion of the arch member to the shoulder portion of the arch member, a second truss extending from the backplate portion of the arch member to the shoulder portion of the arch member, and a truss bridge. One end of the truss bridge is attached to the first truss, and the other end of the truss bridge is attached to the second truss so as to suspend the truss system and thus the shoulder pad on the shoulder of the wearer such that impact on the shoulder portion of the arch member causes the chestplate and backplate portions to be pulled toward one another.

Abstract: The present application discloses a liquid mixing method and apparatus which can mix two or more liquids in selected proportions. Each constituent fluid is introduced in a chamber provided with liquid level controlling devices that establish a liquid free head space which is connected to a source of pressure gas operative to pump or displace liquid from the chamber through a metering device prior to the introduction to a chamber where the constituent fluids combine.

Abstract: A ball winding apparatus is described for winding string on a core to form the inner baseball including a ball spinning mechanism against which the core is held by a free spinning holding device where the spinning device imparts a wobble pushing the ball from side to side which is augmented by or opposed by transverse air pressure cylinders moving the holder first to one side and then to the other where the forces are balanced such that the ball holder oscillates in position to produce a random wind and a string conveyance system including hollow tubes transporting the string from the coil supply to a tension producing device feeding string to the winding ball.

Abstract: A stand alone oxygen supply system associated with a mask assembly of the type including a face mask (28) and an inflatable head harness (26). The mask assembly is normally stored in a stowage box (10) which also includes a reservoir (20), a relatively large chemical oxygen generator in the form of a chlorate candle (18) and a plurality of relatively small oxygen supply devices in the form of small chlorate candles (38). The small candles are caused to be sequentially fired to maintain an oxygen supply under pressure within the reservoir (18) during storage and/or tests.

Abstract: An inflatable padded game ball, such as a football, having an outer carcass, a padding inside the carcass, a liner inside the padding and a bladder inside the liner. The liner is so dimensioned relative to the carcass that the liner establishes the final dimensions of the ball when the bladder is inflated within it. The bladder is air impervious and is formed of multiple layers to increase strength and durability. The liner is also formed of multiple layers including inner and outer woven fabric reinforcement layers and a plastic sheet middle layer for establishing the shape of the ball. The method of constructing such a ball includes a mold of smaller dimensions than the final dimensions of the ball which molds the shape of the inner liner. When the ball is removed from the mold the carcass and padding expand to the final size of the ball.

Abstract: A capping machine for applying plastic screw-on caps (10) having a tamper evident band 38 to flexible sided round containers (12) having a neck provided with a radially extending flange (24) adjacent the open top of the container. The capping machine includes a portion (114) rotatable about a stationary portion (58), the rotatable portion including a plurality of operating stations (116). Each operating station has a chuck (118) and a novel gripping structure (120) capable of firmly engaging the flange (24) on the container to prevent the container from rotating when a cap is being screwed onto the container. The chucks and gripping structures are each provided with cam followers (122, 124) which engage cams (126, 128) and, as the rotatable portion (116) rotates about the stationary portion (58), the chucks and gripping structures will be shifted vertically in time with each other.

Abstract: An improved wrist strap construction for a baseball glove, comprising a wrist strap extending transversely with respect to the glove on the back wall of the glove generally adjacent the bottom of the glove, and an elastic web securing the inner end of the wrist strap to the glove at one side of an extension of the hand opening at the bottom of the glove extending up toward the finger stalls of the glove.

Abstract: A self-contained portable single patient ventilator/resuscitator of the type which has a timed cycle of operation, but which a patient can override in response to his physiological needs. The ventilator/resuscitator has a power source in the form of a chemical oxygen generator (132), fluid operated delivery means associated with the oxygen source, and control means. The delivery means includes pump means (122) associated with an ambient air filter (120), a two position valve shiftable between inspiratory and expiratory modes, an output tube (130) and a mask (10 and 110) and head harness (112). When the delivery means is in the inspiratory mode at least a portion of the oxygen output is delivered to the patient (114), and whethe delivery means is in the expiratory mode at least a portion of the oxygen output is delivered to an accumulator (124).

Abstract: A method of surgically implanting a human knee prosthesis is provided where (i) the postoperative ratio of the adjusted patellar tendon length to the prosthetic patellar height (APL/PH') is from about 1.2 to about 0.9; and (ii) the tibial component of the knee prosthesis is implanted so that the postoperative anterior/posterior center line of the tibial component is located posterior with respect to the preoperative anterior/posterior center line of the tibial plateau by an amount equal to or greater than about 5% of the anterior/posterior distance of the tibial plateau. An implanted prosthetic human knee joint is also provided having either or both the normalized APL/PH' ratio or the 5% posterior placement.

Abstract: A shock attenuation structure having a breadth greater than its thickness and a breadthwise cross section comprising a series of layers arranged side-by-side. The series of layers comprises a first plurality of layers of shock-absorbing material having a relatively high resistance to compression and a second plurality of layers of shock-absorbing material having a lower resistance to compression, the layers of the second plurality alternating with the layers of the first plurality across the breadth of the structure and providing lateral support to the layers of the first plurality. The structure is adapted to be mounted with its breadth generally perpendicular to the direction of impact force for broadside loading of the structure during an impact, the layers in the area of impact being adapted to deform for attenuating the shock resulting from the impact.

Abstract: An improved acoustic signal recognition system, suitable for speech or other acoustic pattern recognition, features data compression of original signal data to reduce requirements for data storage and comparison, as well as reduce recognition errors, the data is compressed by discarding signal spectral samples which do not vary from previously stored spectral samples by a threshold amount, using difference-gating.

Abstract: A single patient ventilator/resuscitator of the type which has a timed cycle of operation, but which a patient can override in response to his physiological needs. The ventilator/resuscitator has a source of oxygen, for example a chlorate candle (26), the oxygen source being associated with a filter (32) capable of filtering toxic or harmful contaminants from the atmosphere. Fluid operated delivery and control means are associated with the oxygen source and includes an air oxygen delivery means (20) shiftable between inspiratory and expiratory modes. When the delivery means is in the inspiratory mode at least a portion of the oxygen output is delivered to the patient (14), and when the delivery means is in the expiratory mode at least a portion of the oxygen output is delivered to an accumulator (54). The fluid operated control means (24) will cause the delivery means to cycle between its inspiratory and expiratory positions in a timed cycle established by timing modules (88, 89).

Abstract: A helmet assembly (10) provided with either single or dual visor mechanisms (14, 16) and low profile right and left side pivot assembly (18, 20). A low profile visor actuating arm assembly (36, 38) is associated with each visor and the left hand pivot shaft (46) of the left side pivot assemblies (20). Each visor actuating arm assembly is capable of being readily manipulated by the left hand of a pilot so that the associated visor can be moved between fully raised and completely down positions, the visor actuating arm assembly also cooperating with the pivot shaft (46) to positively lock the visor in either of its fully raised or completely down positions. A pivot hub assembly (47) is also disclosed for securing the pivot shaft (46) to the helmet (12).

Abstract: A helmet shell assembly wherein a helmet shell is provided with a covering of normally flat thermoplastic material which is disposed on the shell in such a manner as to have a minimum number of seams. The assembly is made by inserting a support member (44) into a helmet shell (12), positioning the shell and support into a cavity (50) of a forming fixture (46), then draping a sheet of softened thermoplastic material (16) [which is supported by a frame (48)] over one side of the shell, vacuum forming the sheet (16) about the side of the shell, and then trimming the sheet after it has set. The other side of the helmet shell is then covered by repeating the above steps, and then a tape is applied over the length of the helmet to cover the exposed seams. A protective coating and an edge roll may then be applied. The shell may initially be covered with a surface finish.

Abstract: A module including control valves, actuators and racks for effecting, selectively, accumulating and conveying in a belt driven live roller conveyor. A master control valve is connected in a discharge zone to control accumulation or continuous conveying with load separation. By means of standard modules, a typical belt driven, live roller conveyor is converted to a belt driven, live roller zero pressure accumulating conveyor.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly (44) for a filling machine, the nozzle assembly controlling foaming and dripping of the product during and after the filling operation. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle body (46), a fixed filling tube (48), a movable tube assembly (50), and movable cam structure (52). The movable tube assembly is provided with a sealing foot (80) through which a bore extends, the body being interconnectable with a vacuum line (66) after the completion of the filling of a container (16) to prevent dripping on the container. The movement of the movable tube assembly (50) is controlled by gear structure (100) associated with a valve (38) which controls the discharge of material through the nozzle assembly, in such a manner that the nozzle assembly will be closed when the valve is closed.

Abstract: A combined pressure compensated exhalation and anti-suffocation valve assembly of the type which may find utility in an aviator's breathing mask. The valve assembly (14) includes a valve body (20) provided with an exhaust port (44) and a compensated pressure chamber (62) in communication with the mask cavity through an orifice tube (72). Disposed within the valve body (14) are a movable diaphragm assembly (22) and an exhaust port plate (24) supported by and movable toward and away from the diaphragm assembly.

Abstract: A speed and direction control apparatus for a skid steer vehicle of the type having right and left driven wheels which are caused to be operated by variable displacement pumps. The control apparatus is similar to that found in normal highway vehicles in that a steering wheel is provided for controlling the turning of the vehicle and a foot pedal is provided for controlling the speed of the vehicle. One end of each of a pair of push-pull control cable assemblies is used to move the control arms of the variable displacement pumps and the other end of the pair of control cables are in turn secured to a rotatable element which is in turn supported for rotation on a portion of a rotatable steering column. The rotatable element can be rotated by the steering wheel to cause one control arm to be displaced with respect to the other control arm to effect turning of the vehicle.

Abstract: A knee pad comprising an upper resilient pad which may be secured on the leg at a point above the knee and a lower resilient pad which may be secured on the leg at a point below the knee. A cover holds portions of the two pads in overlapping relation at the front of the knee for protecting it. The pads are freely movable with respect to one another inside the cover when the knee is flexed.