Abstract: An inflator adapted to be heat-sealed directly to an inflatable article thereby obviating the need for inflation manifolds and the like. The inflator of the invention comprises a housing having an integrally formed mounting flange composed of a plastic material such as polyurethane, polyester or polyether capable of being easily sealed to the materials conventionally used in the manufacture of inflatable articles such as personal floatation devices, rafts, buoys and emergency signaling equipment. A pierce pin assembly is reciprocatably mounted within a bore in the housing. A firing lever is pivotably connected to the rear of the housing in alignment with the rearward end of the bore and is operatively configured such that upon pivotable movement by means of a lanyarded ball, the pierce pin assembly is forced forwardly within the bore to pierce the frangible seal of the gas cartridge.

Abstract: An autoinflator for automatically actuating a gas cartridge upon sensing of water. The autoinflator includes a fusible link actuator assembly positioned within a longitudinal bore. The fusible link assembly includes an actuator housing with a blind link hole, an actuator cap, and a pair of retaining balls protruding from the sides of said actuator housing which engage into a corresponding slot in the longitudinal bore to retain the actuator housing in a cocked position. A slidable link, positioned within the blind link hole, includes an annular groove positioned about its circumference at a rearward portion thereof and a taper positioned at a forward position thereof. A fusible link interconnects the actuator cap and the slidable link for retaining the slidable link rearwardly in a cocked position within the blind link hole.

Abstract: An electric autoinflator for inflating inflatable devices such as personal flotation devices, life rafts, buoys and emergency signalling equipment. The electric autoinflator comprises an actuator assembly including a fusible link. A water-sensing electrical circuit and battery supplies electrical current to the fusible link actuator assembly upon immersion in water for a predetermined period of time. Upon fusing of the link, the actuator assembly forcibly causes a firing pin of the inflator to pierce the frangible seal of a compressed gas cartridge. The escaping gas then inflates the inflatable device.

Abstract: A check valve having a presettable cracking pressure. The check valve employs a spring-loaded valve element in which the compression spring and valve element are held into position in the valve body by means of an apertured plug.

Abstract: An oral inflation and relief tube for connection to an inflatable article. The oral inflation and relief tube includes an elongated tube having an oppositely positioned first opened end and second opened end, with a flanged opening positioned therebetween at ninety degrees for connection to the inflatable article. The flanged opening comprises a mounting flange and boss integrally formed through a wall of the elongated tube. The oral inflation and relief tube also includes an inflation valve sealingly positioned within the first opened end as well as a relief valve sealingly positioned within the second opened end. The elongated tube comprises an in-line configuration.

Abstract: A squib inflator adaptor for operatively connecting a conventional electrically actuated squib to the threaded neck of a compressed gas cartridge such that upon actuation of the squib, a pierce pin in the adaptor pierces the frangible seal of the gas cartridge allowing the gas therein to escape and inflate the inflation article.

Abstract: A water-activated, squib-powered inflator for fracturing a frangible seal of a gas cartridge allowing the gas therein to flow into an inflatable drive.

Abstract: A flow control valve to regulate the bleed flow rate of a pressurized vessel at one of only two available bleed flow rates. The flow control valve comprises an axial main gas flow passageway with an integral check valve that allows pressurization of the vessel, a bleed passageway for depressurization of the vessel, and a threaded bleed passageway cap that allows bleeding of the vessel at one of only two rates available, based on the counter-rotated position of the bleed cap.

Abstract: A measuring device (60) measures the value (t) of a chosen parameter (thickness) of what has been lifted by a lifting assembly (40) from a stack of sheets (1) of material and allows the lifted material to be moved from the stack when the value is in a predetermined relationship to a reference value (T). One (45a) of a plurality of selectively releasable members (45) on the lifting assembly (40) is moveable in two horizontal directions to locate a sheet attached to the one releaseable member (45a) against locating pins (5, 6) on the work table (3) of the punch press (4). The entire system may be operated automatically by a controller (90).

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for bonding a pair of molds shells (28a, 28b) into a mold includes a first workstation (24) for applying adhesive to one of the shells (28b), and a second workstation (26) having a press (104, 106, 108) for pressing together the shells (28a, 28b) after adhesive has been applied thereto. A base (42) includes a pair of spaced apart base portions (42a, 42b) which are pivotally mounted so as to alternately rotate between the first and second workstations (24, 26). The first workstation (24) includes an adhesive applicator (58) carried on a carriage (88) which is slidably mounted on guiderails (94) so as to shift to a standby position providing access to a mold shell (28b) located on a base portion (42a) so as to allow the shells to be loaded and unloaded at the first workstation (24). A motor driven drip tray (80) is provided on the adhesive applicator (58) to prevent unintended dripping of adhesive onto mold shells or fixtures.

Abstract: Self propelled pallet vehicles (12a) are guided along a track network (10) by downwardly projecting guide pins (350, 352) carried by each pallet vehicle (12) which engage slots (354, 358) in the track network and steer the pallet vehicle (12) along the track network (10). The track network has main (20) and branch (22) track sections, and selective delivery of the vehicles to various destinations along the track network (10) is achieved by controlling the position of the guide pins (350, 352) between alternate rotated raised and lowered positions. In the lowered position the guide pins (350, 352) interact with the track network (10) to guide the pallet vehicle (12) into a branch section (20) of the track. In the raised position, the guide pins (350, 352) cause continued movement of the vehicle (12) along the main track section (22) and past a junction (38). The guide pin position may be controlled by a photoemitter (364) at the junction (38), or by various other alternatives.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneously injecting forming material (14) and a curing additive into a form (22). The apparatus (10) includes a container (12) of forming material (14) interconnected by a conduit (20) to a forming cavity (22). Forming material (14) is discharged into cavity (22) through conduit (20). An integrally formed chamber (36) is provided for simultaneously supplying additive to the discharging forming material (14). Forming material (14) is forced into cavity (22) while simultaneously forcing the additive into the path of the discharging forming material (14).

Abstract: A foundry machine for forming molds or cores from a molding material such as sand provides completely automated loading and unloading of tooling elements (24). The tooling elements (24) comprising a sand magazine (36), blow plate (34), combined gassing manifold and top ejector unit (32), upper mold box (30), lower mold box (28) and bottom stool (26) are automatically transferred, in stacked, separable relationship, by tracks (40) to a vertically displaceable, work table. Vertical displacement of the work table (42) sequentially elevates the tooling elements (24) to positions within a mainframe (10) where automatically operated clamping means secure the appropriate tooling elements (24) in respective operating positions. The gassing manifols (32) includes an ejector pin assembly (274, 280) mounted therewithin.

Abstract: A machine and method for making molds and mold cores (126) includes a pair of mold boxes (42a, 42b) removably mounted on a frame (60) for rotation between an upright, molding position in which molding material is introduced into the mold cavity of the mold boxes (42a, 42b) by a carrier (26) and an inverted discharge position in which the mold (126) is removed from the boxes by a mold receiving assembly (76). A pressure head assembly (46) both compresses molding material within the mold cavity and introduces a catalyst gas into the cavity for curing the molding material. A system for removing the spent gas from the mold cavity includes a pair of gas receiving chambers (122a, 122b) integral with the frame (60) which receives gas through the bottom of the mold boxes (42a, 42b) and an exhaust assembly (68, 70) which is selectively coupled with exhaust ports (124a, 124b) in the chambers (122a, 122b).

Abstract: A measuring device (60) measures the value (t) of a chosen parameter (thickness) of what has been lifted by a lifting assembly (40) from a stack of sheets (1) of material and allows the lifted material to be moved from the stack when the value is in a predetermined relationship to a reference value (T). One (45a) of a plurality of selectively releasable members (45) on the lifting assembly (40) is moveable in two horizontal directions to locate a sheet attached to the one releaseable members (45a) against locating pins (5, 6) on the work table (3) of the punch press (4). The entire system may be operated automatically by a controller (90).

Abstract: A snap-on valve sleeve for a check valve designed to be rigidly and sealingly secured within the end of an elastomeric tube. The sleeve includes a plurality of inwardly disposed barb segments positioned in mating alignment with an annular protrusion positioned about the outer surface of the valve body. The annular protrusion comprises an upward rearwardly sloped surface and a flat step surface perpendicular to the outer surface of the valve body. The check valve is inserted into the end of the tube. The outer edge of the end of the tube slides over the step surface positioning the tube along a partial length of the valve body. The sleeve is positioned over the forward end of the valve body and forced along the length of the valve body until the barb segments ride up the upward rearwardly sloped surface and then snap over the sloped surface to compress and seal the tube between the valve body and sleeve.

Abstract: A foundry machine for forming molds or cores from a molding material such as sand provides completely automated loading and unloading of tooling elements (24). The tool elements (24) comprising a sand magazine (36), blow plate (34), combined gassing manifold and top ejector unit (32), upper mold box (30), lower mold box (28) and bottom stool (26) are automatically transferred, in stacked, separable relationship, by tracks (40) to a vertically displaceable, work table. Vertical displacement of the work table (42) sequentially elevates the tooling elements (24) to positions within a mainframe (10) where automatically operated clamping means secure the appropriate tooling elements (24) in respective operating positions. The gassing manifold (32) includes an ejector pin assembly (274, 280) mounted therewithin.

Abstract: A drain closure valve is disclosed having a wide mouth body member including a substantially cylindrical body annular wall portion with a fluid passageway therethrough and having a cap for sealing engagement therewith. The cap includes a substantially cylindrical cap annular wall portion and a bottom wall portion, a stepped annular ridge which defines a ridge upper annular wall portion and a ridge lower annular wall portion joined by a ridged upper horizontal wall portion, and threads affixed to the annular wall portions of the cap and the body member allowing the cap to threadably engage the body member. The seal comprises a protrusion extending outwardly from the cap annular wall portion which sealingly engages against the lumen of the body annular wall portion.

Abstract: A flow control valve operable to bleed pressure from a pressurized source. The flow control valve includes an integral body, a bleed cap, a bleed valve element and a check valve assembly formed of a valve housing and a valve element.

Abstract: A machine for making molds and molding cores (126) includes a pair of mold boxes (42a, 42b) removably mounted on a frame (60) for rotation between an upright, molding position in which molding mateiral is introduced into the molding cavity of the molding boxes (42a, 42b) by a carrier (26) and an inverted discharge position in which the mold (126) is removed from the boxes by a mold receiving assembly (76). A pressure head assembly (46) both compresses molding material within the molding cavity and introduces a catalyst gas into the cavity for curing the molding material. A system for removing the spent gas from the molding cavity includes a pair of gas receiving chambers (122a, 122b) integral with the frame (60) which receives gas through the bottom of the mold boxes (42a, 42b) and an exhaust assembly (68, 70) which is selectively coupled with exhaust ports (124a, 124b) in the chambers (122a, 122b ).