Abstract: A pressure-operated electric switch assembly of the diaphragm type wherein a housing mounted diaphragm actuates a snap action switch adjustable in the housing to vary the switch operating pressure. The pressure setting may be varied externally by the user upon manual rotation of a switch sealing boot and the setting may be visually observed from indicia surrounding the housing that cooperate with a pointer on the boot.

Abstract: A runaway valve for an air-driven material pump that shuts off air flow to the pump when air flow rate exceeds a predetermined setting to prevent pump damage, wherein the valve includes a flow-responsive poppet valve member and an axially movable sleeve finely adjustable about a first position to select flow rate, and movable to a second position to interconnect the upstream and downstream sides of the poppet valve member to effect reset. A closed chamber with a vent hole buffers the upstream side of the poppet valve member from inlet pressure to delay valve closing and compensate for pressure transients. In its reset position, the sleeve isolates this chamber from inlet pressure to achieve faster reset.

Abstract: A pattern tracer and method of tracing in which the movement of a racing element along a pattern is controlled in accordance with an effective forward offset which is selectively less than the actual forward offset to optimize the tracing for speeds less than the maximum tracer speed. The effective forward offset is established by providing control angles which are based on the pattern angles as detected in accordance with a selected criterion depending upon the type of pattern curve detected. The control angles are either calculated from the detected pattern angles or are selected from previously stored pattern angles. A kerf setting for lateral offset of the tracing element from the pattern is partially defined by the actual forward offset, so that changes in the effective forward offset do not cause any corresponding changes to the lateral offset or require changes to the kerf setting.

Abstract: A practically all plastic lever operated grease gun with a flexible plastic link integrally molded with a plastic head, pivotally connecting the lever to the head. A lever reciprocated dispensing piston, slidably mounted in a transverse bore in the head, actually forms the bore in the head as a core pin during head molding.

Abstract: A speed sensor and cable assembly that connects to an opening in automobile transmission housings and includes a one-piece plastic molded ferrule and gear bearing for supporting the cable and a speed sensor gear in the housing opening. This ferrule has a plurality of spaced integral rigid rings that support the ferrule in the housing opening and it also has an integral shaft projecting in the housing for supporting the speed sensor gear.

Abstract: A heavy-duty caster assembly for a corrosive environment having a U-shaped metallic wheel supporting horn with a metal swivel plate rotatably mounted on the horn by a kingpin wherein both the swivel plate and the horn are coated with a permanently bonded fluorocarbon coating. The facing surfaces of the swivel plate and the horn have semi-torroidal recesses that receive a pure torroidal self-lubricating plastic bearing.

Abstract: An illuminated membrane switch assembly lighted by internal bulb units. A membrane switch sub-assembly is finger touch actuated by a small translucent plastic button with a graphic overlay on its forward surface and a light-diffusing textured rear surface. A clear plastic backplate is provided for the membrane switch sub-assembly, and in one embodiment light is transmitted to the button directly through a complex partly opaque conductor area in the membrane switch by a single bulb unit mounted in the rear of an enclosing housing that has a white interior surface, and in another embodiment light is transmitted to the button through the switch conductive area by a bulb mounted inside the transparent backplate.

Abstract: A halogen bulb lamp assembly manufactured by mounting a previously aligned halogen bulb unit in a one-piece molded plastic rectangular reflector with a mirrorized paraboloidal inner surface. The halogen bulb unit has a pair of spaced connector pins that are coated with an epoxy adhesive and inserted into a pair of stepped through bores in the reflector. The pins are shaped to force epoxy uniformly into the larger portions of the reflector bores, and the ends of the pins project from the rear of the reflector and are spot welded to terminals that have barbed projections pressed into the rear of the reflector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching the wheels of a dual wheel caster to its axle with annular plastic bushings ultrasonically welded to the wheels that have three integral curved spring fingers that snap into annular recesses in the axle as the wheels are pushed onto the axle.

Abstract: A rectangular lamp unit and an integral bracket, replaceable as a unit upon bulb burn-out, including a one-piece plastic reflector closed by a rectangular lens with an integral peripheral mounting flange on the reflector adjacent the lens so that the unit can be mounted substantially flush on a mounting panel. The unit is manufactured by applying an epoxy adhesive to a lens recess in the reflector, joining the lens thereto, and then heating the assembly to cure the epoxy. During heating, evolved gases are released from the reflector through a vent hole that is sealed by a vent plug immediately after heating by inserting the plug coated with a silicone rubber sealant into the vent hole to form a thick seal ring and push sealant into irregularities in the hole. The sealant is cured by residual heat from the epoxy curing step.

Abstract: A self-housed rectangular lamp assembly with a replaceable halogen bulb lamp unit. A cup-shaped housing, having a pivotal mounting bracket, receives a lamp unit that has a pair of integral threaded bosses on its rear surface receiving fasteners extending through the rear of the housing to releasably attach the lamp unit within the housing.

Abstract: A dual halogen bulb rectangular lamp assembly with a one-piece plastic reflector having two adjacent paraboloidal mirrorized inner surfaces. A halogen bulb unit is mounted in each of the mirrorized surfaces and they are electrically connected in series for simultaneous bulb energization.

Abstract: An automatic lubrication assembly that dispenses grease under pressure to machinery which requires frequent lubrication, including a spring biased one-piece rigid plastic molded plunger that has a flexible thin walled sealing lip eliminating the requirement for any seals, slidable in an open ended plastic grease cup covered by a removable cap that permits the biasing spring to be easily changed. The grease cup is formed integrally with a plastic base that has a metal outlet fitting insert molded therein that extends into the cup a substantial distance beyond a transverely positioned inlet fitting in the base to absorb side loads on the plastic cup and base.

Abstract: An illuminated membrane switch assembly lighted by a contained rearwardly positioned bulb unit. A membrane switch is actuated by a small reciprocable transparent plunger with an illuminated graphics bearing overlay on its forward surface. Light is transmitted axially from the rear of the switch around the periphery of conductive areas on the membranes to the transparent plunger without any shadowing.

Abstract: A gearbox drive that adapts the drive train ratios of vehicles to standard speedometers, including an input gear, an intermediate gear and an output gear rotatable about axes defining an equilateral triangle, arranged so that upon rotation of the input shaft in either direction, the reaction forces on the intermediate gear will be substantially balanced. The gears are supported in mating cup-shaped input and output gear cases with the input gear case member having an input gear bearing and two secondary bearings each of which selectively supports either the intermediate gear or the output gear. The output gear case member has an output gear bearing and two secondary bearings each of which selectively supports either the intermediate gear or the input gear.

Abstract: A rectangular seal beam lamp unit with a high intensity halogen bulb, particularly adapted for utility vehicles, that is self-supporting without requiring any special mounting fixtures on the vehicle, and includes an entirely plastic reflector having an integral forwardly projecting hood that defines in part a recess that receives a rectangular lens sealed by an epoxy material. The halogen bulb has two rearwardly extending lead wires that are embedded in a synthetic rubber material in a recess in the rear of the reflector to assist in shock mounting the bulb. The bulb is primarily supported by a pair of curved resilient connector rods that are welded to the bulb lead wires at one end and curve downwardly to a connector and terminal assembly at the lower rear of the reflector. A strap surrounds the halogen bulb and is fixed to one of the resilient connector rods to support and shock mount the bulb in the reflector.

Abstract: A method of vacuum brazing large assemblies in an enclosed evacuated furnace with brazing material containing a gettering agent in the area of the joints to be formed, including sensing the temperature of the assembly to be brazed adjacent the joints on the exterior surface of the assembly, and shifting an additional quantity of gettering agent from a cool zone into a hot zone in the furnace as the surface temperature of the assembly approaches the brazing temperature. A furnace adapted to carry out this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicular instrument or gauge of the type that has a sealed housing filled with an inert gas and a pressure responsive drive assembly for an indicating element such as a needle pointer. The housing is provided with a pressure relief valve to relieve excessive pressure within the housing that includes an inwardly facing integral frusto-conical projection with a central aperture in the back of the housing that receives a valve member which is actually a rivet covered by a flexible adhesive such as silicone rubber. The amount of adhesive and the housing wall area covered by adhesive determine, with the diameter of the head of the rivet, the pressure at which the rivet will be blown from the housing relieving internal pressure.

Abstract: A rectangular seal beam lamp and single-point universal support assembly for vehicles that is replaceable as a unit and that has high shock-absorbing characteristics. The lamp includes a rectangular plastic paraboloidal reflector having an integral single polygonal support post that carries a slotted rubber ball member which forms part of the mount for the lamp. The ball is compressed and clamped against the post by a pair of mating semi-spherical cooperating fastener elements that support the lamp unit and permit adjustment of the lamp beam in any direction by a single adjustment.