Abstract: An adjustable mounting bracket for secure mounting as by adhesive attachment onto an exposed edge of a substrate, wherein the mounting bracket is adapted for quick and easy subsequent mounting of a selected structure such as tubing, wire bundles, etc., relative to the substrate. The adjustable mounting bracket includes a pair of slidably interfitting, generally L-shaped bracket members which cooperatively define a slidably overlying pair of mounting plates and an associated pair of slidably separable clamp jaw plates. The slidably interfitting mounting plates accommodate adjustable spaced-apart separation of the clamp jaw plates to seat firmly against opposed surfaces of the substrate edge, such as mounting onto a rib protruding from the substrate or mounting onto an inner diameter edge of an opening formed in the substrate.

Abstract: A standoff attachment for bonded fixation to a substrate includes a standoff post with internal nut for engaging a mating fastener used to mount a support element such as a line clamp substantially at a distal end thereof. The standoff post extends from an enlarged bond-on base and defines a hollow slotted channel of noncircular cross-section which terminates at the distal end in an in-turned flange defining an open fastener-receiving port. The nut includes a keyed rib sized and shaped for axial slide-fit reception into the slotted channel at an inboard side of the distal end flange, wherein this rib mates with the slotted channel shape to preclude substantial nut rotation. An elongated slotted plug is secured within the slotted channel to retain the nut, preferably with a minor degree of axial freedom, axially between the plug and the distal end flange.

Abstract: A bond strength tester unit is provided for testing adhesive bond strength of a nutplate or the like attached to a substrate, such as by adhesive bonded attachment to a blind side of the substrate in substantial alignment with a substrate opening. The nutplate may be constructed according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,391, and carries a fastener element such as a threaded nut or the like for subsequent connection with a mating fastener element such as a threaded bolt or the like passed through the substrate opening. The tester unit includes a tool tip having a reaction head for engaging the substrate, in combination with an actuator pin for applying a test force of selected magnitude against the adhesively bonded nutplate. In the event of inadequate bond strength, the actuator pin will separate the nutplate from the substrate.

Abstract: An improved cable tie is provided for securely bundling one or more wires or the like. The cable tie includes a buckle formed by a buckle housing having a double-ended barbed insert mounted therein. The buckle housing defines an anchor slot open at one end for seated reception of a first end of a flexible cable strap, with the barbed insert gripping and retaining the strap therein. A through channel is also formed in the buckle housing and accommodates unidirectional slide-through passage of an opposite or free end of the strap, with the barbed insert gripping and retaining the strap free end against withdrawal relative to the through channel. This flexible strap can be formed from a high strength material such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK) suitable for use in a relatively high temperature environment.

Abstract: A self fixturing adhesive attachment is provided for securely mounting an attachment component such as a threaded stud on the surface of a substrate. The self fixturing attachment includes a base fixture carrying the attachment component and defining a base surface for receiving a selected curable bonding agent thereon. A resilient pressure sensitive adhesive member has a first portion carried by the attachment component at a blind side thereof, a second portion secured to the base fixture, and a third portion extending therebetween. Following pressed mounting of the base fixture with bonding agent thereon onto the substrate, the attachment component is movable to press the first portion of the pressure sensitive adhesive member into adherence with the substrate, resulting in stretched elongation of the third portion thereof to pull the base fixture with a positive force toward the substrate for the duration of the bonding agent cure time.

Abstract: An adhesive attachment assembly is provided for mounting an attachment member such as a threaded stud or the like onto a substrate, wherein the attachment assembly includes a heat source for rapidly curing a selected adhesive bonding agent. The adhesive attachment assembly includes a first attachment component defining a base surface for receiving the curable bonding agent thereon, and a second attachment component adapted for temporary connection to the substrate. Upon pressed mounting of the first attachment component with bonding agent thereon onto the substrate, the second attachment component is movable into temporary engagement with the substrate, and a spring member reacts between the first and second attachment components to apply a positive force urging the first attachment component toward the substrate for the duration of the bonding agent cure time. A heat source is carried by the first attachment component for activating and/or rapidly curing the bonding agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing multi-part reaction materials under a vacuum comprises a container including a mixing chamber sized to contain a reaction material. An agitator for mixing the reaction material to form a mix includes both rigid blades and flexible paddles. The rigid blades are substantially non-deflected during mixing and cut the mix, and the flexible paddles are deflected and knead the mix. The combined action of the rigid blades and the flexible paddles under vacuum throughly mixes reaction materials and removes entrapped gases from the mix. The mix can be dispensed directly from the mixing chamber. The apparatus can be used to mix viscous materials such as bone cement.

Abstract: An adhesive bonded nutplate assembly is provided for mounting onto a substrate, particularly such as a composite substrate having an opening therein for passage of a fastener such as a bolt or screw. The nutplate assembly includes an integral liner sleeve to project through the substrate opening when the nutplate assembly is mounted thereon. An installation tool includes a tapered nose in combination with a pulling mandrel to pull and separate a fixture pin from the nutplate assembly while flaring a leading edge of the liner sleeve to lock the nutplate assembly in place.

Abstract: A flush mounted panel fastener is provided for use in aircraft or the like of the so-called stealth type designed to avoid detection by radar. The panel fastener comprises a fastener element such as a threaded bolt having a head and shank for fastening a panel onto a substrate or frame. The head is sized for recessed seating within a counterbore formed in the panel, and a fastener cap is mounted and magnetically retained on the head of the fastener element. The fastener cap has a surface coating or finish thereon disposed substantially coplanar with an outer surface of the panel, wherein the surface coating is formed from a suitable nonreflective radar material and cooperates with the panel to present a substantially uninterrupted surface of low radar signature.

Abstract: A dual component dispenser gun is provided for controlled dispensing of flowable dual component materials, such as adhesives, sealants and the like. The dispenser gun is designed for use with a dual component cartridge having dual barrles respectively filled with the two flowable components, in combination with a mixing nozzle through which the components can be mixed and dispensed. The cartridge is supported on top of a main pressure cylinder adapted for controlled connection to a pressurized fluid source, such as compressed air, for displacing a power piston in a first direction. The power piston is connected to a pair of flexible piston rods which extend through curved guide channels in a guide head and are connected in turn to a pair of piston plungers receivable into the cartridge barrels to dispense the dual components.

Abstract: An improved adhesive mounted nutplate assembly and related installation method are provided for secured mounting of a nutplate or the like onto a substrate, particularly at a blind side of the substrate in alignment with an access opening. The nutplate assembly includes a nut member having a resilient fixture pin received therein, with the nut member being adapted for adhesive mounting onto the blind side of the substrate with the fixture pin extending through the access opening. A pulling force applied to the fixture pin draws the nut member with a positive force against the substrate. The fixture pin is sized to bind within the access opening when released to maintain this positive force for the duration of an adhesive cure period, after which the fixture pin can be forcibly drawn through and removed from the nut member. A preferred nut member comprises a nutplate having a floating nut carried by a base which is adapted for adhesive mounting onto the substrate.

Abstract: Improved adhesive attachments and related mounting fixtures and methods are provided for secure mounting of an adhesive attachment to a substrate. In one preferred form, the adhesive attachment comprises an enlarged attachment base locked in sandwiched relation between multiple laminations of prebonded composite material to define an enlarged composite footplate with an extended composite material surface for secure bonding onto a substrate of composite material. The attachment is pressed against the substrate with an appropriate bonding agent at the attachment/substrate interface by a mounting fixture which is connected at least temporarily to the substrate and includes a spring member applying a positive force pressing the attachment toward the substrate. Alternative adhesive attachments formed from multiple components are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved attachment fixture is provided for securely mounting an adhesive attachment such as a threaded screw, patch, or the like onto a substrate. The improved fixture, which is adapted for construction as a one-piece plastic molding, is temporarily secured to the substrate in a first position with the attachment substantially out of bearing engagement with the substrate and then switched to a second position applying a positive force urging the attachment into bearing engagement with the substrate. The fixture is allowed to remain in the second position for a period of time sufficient for curing of an adhesive material applied to the attachment/substrate interface, after which the fixture may be removed. In some forms, the improved fixture maintains the orientation of the attachment during movement into bearing engagement with the substrate thereby preventing uneven distribution of or uneven application of forces to the adhesive material.

Abstract: A musical tea kettle is provided for playing a selected tune or the like when water within the kettle is heated to a boiling condition. The tea kettle includes a kettle body having an upper opening within which is mounted a steam driven whistle unit having a steam powered shuttle valve assembly for supplying steam to a plurality of steam whistles. When water within the kettle is boiled, the shuttle valve assembly drives a rotatable valve plate having valve ports therein for discharging steam to the plurality of steam whistles mounted on the shuttle valve assembly, wherein the valve ports are arranged in position and size to operate the steam whistles in a timed pattern to play the selected tune.

Abstract: Improved adhesive attachments and related mounting fixtures and methods are provided for secure mounting of an adhesive attachment to a substrate. In one preferred form, the adhesive attachment comprises an enlarged attachment base locked in sandwiched relation between multiple laminations of prebonded composite material to define an enlarged composite footplate with an extended composite material surface for secure bonding onto a substrate of composite material. The attachment is pressed against the substrate with an appropriate bonding agent at the attachment/substrate interface by a mounting fixture which is connected at least temporarily to the substrate and includes a spring member applying a positive force pressing the attachment toward the substrate. Alternative adhesive attachments formed from multiple components are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved attachment fixture is provided for securely mounting an adhesive attachment such as a thread screw, patch, or the like onto a substrate. The improved fixture, which is adapted for construction as a one-piece plastic molding, is temporarily secured to the substrate in a first position with the attachment substantially out of bearing engagement with the substrate and then switched to a second position applying a positive force urging the attachment into bearing engagement with the substrate. The fixture is allowed to remain in the second position for a period of time sufficient for curing of an adhesive material applied to the attachment/substrate interface, after which the fixture may be removed. In some forms, the improved fixture maintains the orientation of the attachment during movement into bearing engagement with the substrate thereby preventing uneven distribution of or uneven application of forces to the adhesive material.

Abstract: An improved freezeproof valve assembly is provided for a water hydrant, such as an outdoor drinking fountain or the like. The valve assembly comprises a sump housing for installation below the ground frost line and for connection between a water supply pipe and a standpipe, the latter being coupled in turn to a fountain bubbler head or the like. A control valve within the sump housing is opened pneumatically upon depression of an actuator button on the fountain to permit water flow from the supply pipe through a main jet pump which draws an induced water flow from within the sump housing through an induction port thereby providing a combined water flow through the standpipe to the bubbler head. This combined water flow is maintained substantially constant by a float-activated refill valve which permits a refill water flow from the supply pipe into the sump housing sufficient to maintain the housing water level above the main jet pump induction port.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for separating and lifting units, such as insulated glass window or door units, one at a time from a stack of units. The apparatus comprises a frame which supports a movably mounted suction platen for vacuum engagement with an upwardly presented surface of the uppermost unit in the stack and a push block for bearing engagement with a peripheral edge of the unit immediately below the uppermost unit. A pneumatic cylinder assembly reacts between the frame and the suction platen to displace the platen and the engaged uppermost unit with respect to the push block and the underlying units in the stack whereby the uppermost unit is separated from the underlying units. The suction platen remains in vacuum engagement with the separated unit to permit lifting and carrying thereof to an alternative location. Controls facilitating operation of the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus making use of that method for applying pressure to an element to be adhesively or comparably secured to a substrate. An example of such an apparatus is found in an adhesive patch and means for applying the patch to a surface which may have been ruptured.