Abstract: A fire protection system of the type having a plurality of electrically activatable, parallel coupled fire suppressant units each having a bridge wire type initiating element, produces significantly improved reliability by providing each of the units with an electrically active portion for continuously monitoring the electrical continuity of the associated bridge wire and a discrete capacitive portion for storing an independent, electrical supply of the actuating power therefor, thereby eliminating the dependency of the units on a single, central electrical power supply source while also allowing continuity monitoring of each bridge wire, even though the latter are continuously coupled in parallel relationship with each other.

Abstract: A production system for correcting distortions in a workpiece within tolerance requirements including for each distortion a gauge for determining direction and magnitude automatically employed to control corrective deflection beyond yield point under a program which increases with gauged distortion. Two specific applications of the system are disclosed for straightening axle shafts relative to a central axis and for straightening distorted caliper and steering arms of an automotive steering knuckle.

Abstract: An instantaneously actuatable, field-serviceable valve unit for pressurized fire suppression systems which allows extremely fast, essentially uninterrupted flow of extinguishant upon operation thereof and is constructed for permitting easy recharging and periodic servicing of the system in the field. The unit includes an elongated flow tube connected to a supply of extinguishant and having a pair of removably mounted rupture discs respectively located across the end of the tube and received in an aperture through the sidewall thereof, so that both discs experience the pressure of the extinguishant; a detonator is removably installed outside of the tube adjacent the sidewall-mounted disc for ready replacement thereof in the field, and is electrically actuatable in response to combustion conditions to explode and create a pressure sufficient to instantaneously burst the discs so that the pressurized extinguishant is released and allowed to flow uninterruptedly for quickly suppressing a fire.

Abstract: A thin flat strip of laminated material is directed through a die which forms it into a tubular member. The longitudinal margins of the tubular member are overlapped and sealed together. Thereafter, the tube is severed from the strip and fed on to a spindle extending outwardly from the face of a rotatable plate. The plate is then rotated through a series of stations in which the outer end of the tube is precisely formed with a series of equally spaced flutes, the flutes are twisted to produce a neck and shoulder configuration, an outsert having the shape of the neck and shoulder of a collapsible container is slipped upon the twisted portion of the tube and sealed thereto and a closure cap is threaded upon the outsert neck. The completed container is then unloaded from the spindle.

Abstract: A screen door is provided having a spring-loaded adjustable bonnet on the top side or bottom side thereof, or both, and which includes two adjustment means which permit the bonnet to be set at any desired displacement from the top side or bottom side of the door to fit the door to a variety of doorway heights. Each adjustment means includes a serrated corner lock member which fits into the door frame and which serves firmly to lock the adjacent corner of the door frame, the corner lock member including an integral bushing which fits between two aligned holes in the door frame. Each adjustment means also includes an internally-threaded, headed sleeve which extends through one of the holes from one side of the door into the bushing, and an externally-threaded bolt which extends through the other hole from the other side of the door into the bushing, the bolt being threaded into the sleeve.

Abstract: A flexible, low-mass, non-fragmenting burst member or panel is provided which is extremely predictable and essentially instantaneous in operation, even at low burst pressures, in order to safely vent and protect pressure vessels such as bag houses or the like from the potentially catastrophic effects of internal explosions or adverse high-pressure conditions. The panel structure preferably includes a thin metallic substrate having a pattern of tape directly applied thereto, with a coating of epoxy paint over the tape pattern and substrate; sharp-breaking, shear burst lines are thereby produced along the edges of the tape pattern which ensures that the panel will instantaneously vent a pressure vessel through essentially the entire area of full vent opening, thus giving a degree of operational predictability impossible to attain with conventional burst-type venting structures.

Abstract: A supporting base for a rack formed of four "c" channel members joined end to end defining a rectangular frame. The "c" channel members have an open side facing the center thereof into which the free edges of an expanded metal member corresponding in size to the frame extends and is secured to the bottom side of an upper flange thereof as by welding. Cross braces are carried below the expanded member and terminate within the "c" channel members with the expanded metal member being supported on an upper surface thereof. In one particular embodiment, the expanded metal member slopes towards an axis extending between opposed sides so that when articles are positioned thereon, such will also slope towards said axis.

Abstract: An improved metal button assembly adapted to be attached to a fabric by an automatic sewing machine without producing a pucker in the fabric in which a stamped sheet metal shell is formed with thread-receiving holes and with a peripheral flange for retaining an unperforated plastic blank swaged into the shell, the blank being formed with a central area of reduced thickness which is pierced by the sewing needle in the course of attaching the button to the garment, the blank having an undersurface lying generally in the plane of the flange edge and being sufficiently rigid to avoid puckering of the fabric.