Abstract: A roller unit for use as a caster for luggage, for example, has a sturdy -piece roller housing formed of sheet metal, the housing comprising a rectangular base with raised pads at opposite ends thereof and a roller-receiving shell defined by a pair of opposed U-shaped walls bent from opposite longitudinal edge regions of the base between the pads. Roller units are manufactured seriatim by metal forming operations that do not require deep-drawing.

Abstract: A multi-zone fire protection system in which each protected zone is provided with a detector for producing an alarm signal in response to the presence of combustion products, a source of fire extinguishing agent, and a pull box station manually operable to induce discharge of the extinguishing agent into the protected zone. Each pull station possesses a signal lamp that can be energized to signal an abnormal condition to personnel present in the area. A signal lamp in a given zone is energized via a central control panel in response to an alarm signal from a detector associated with that zone, thereby clearly indicating to personnel at hand the specific zone in which a fire has been detected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fire protection system including a plurality of suppressor modules, each having a plurality of extinguishing agent filled suppressor units, an activator associated with each of the units and activatable by electrical current flow to induce release of its extinguishing agent, a series circuit connecting the activators in series, and an initiator circuit for initiating electrical current flow to the activators. A detector responds to the presence of combustion products by activating the initiator circuits in a first plurality of the modules. Also responsive to activation of the initiator circuits in each of the first plurality of modules is a response relay that closes contacts to activate the initiator circuits in another plurality of modules. This in turn energizes additional response relays to close contacts that activate the initiator circuits in an additional plurality of the modules.

Abstract: A latch bolt mechanism of the push-pull type which includes a stop lever maintained normally in an inactive position by means of a fusible pin, the lever being adapted to drop into a position where it blocks the movement of the latch-withdrawing mechanism when the pin melts at a predetermined temperature due to a fire condition.

Abstract: The customer terminal in a pneumatic drive-up banking arrangement is provided with an inner chamber into which carriers arrive. The usual valve in the receive tube is replaced with a hinged door at the front of the inner chamber which the weight of the carrier opens, the carrier then rolling down a ramp, formed in part by the door, over the funneled mouth of the send tube to a ledge along the front of the terminal from which it can be picked up by a customer. The teller can independently return the carrier from the ledge by means of a solenoid actuated lever which flips the carrier into the send tube mouth.

Abstract: To reduce the weight of a construction crane boom without materially lessening the lifting capacity thereof where the boom sections have an inverted trapezoidal cross sectional shape, a series of openings is formed in the two side plates of each boom section and such openings are provided with internal reinforcing rings or braces. The bottoms of the reinforcing rings are arranged in stress-transferring relation to the boom section side plates and adjacent longitudinal vertical reinforcing plates or stiffeners provided in the structure. Cooperating side plate brace bars arranged between the reinforced side plate openings have their lower ends attached to the longitudinal side plate stiffeners.

Abstract: A drawbolt for the mating shells of a container has a latch whose spaced e walls are provided with open slots that receive a transverse cross-bar on one end of a loop whose other end is engageable behind a hasp on one of the shells. Outwardly directed lugs on the side walls are received in aligned apertures in spaced guide walls of a frame, such walls having edges defining aligned peripheral cam surfaces which, together with the closed end of the slots in the latch, capture the cross-bar of the loop and establish a pivotal connection between the latch and the loop. By attaching the frame to a plate adapted to be mounted on the other of the shells, the apertures in the guide walls are closed by the plate. The free ends of a pair of upstanding tabs on the plate cooperate with the closed ends of the apertures in capturing the lugs on the latch thus establishing a pivotal connection between the latch and the frame.

Abstract: An after-hours depository entrance of the drawer type employs an inclined passageway down through the drawer to receive a deposit. As the drawer is opened the passageway is "intercepted" by means in the drawer to detect any object trapped in the passageway before the drawer is fully open to receive a new deposit. As the drawer is closed, the new deposit is carried rearwardly in the passageway and finally, when the drawer is fully closed, it drops out through the bottom of the drawer into the vault. Two versions of the invention are disclosed, one for envelope deposits in which, as the drawer is opened, any envelope trapped therein is in effect destroyed or the drawer jammed against further opening by the interceptor means. The other version is for bag deposits in which, as the drawer is opened and if there is a bag trapped in it, the interceptor means likewise jams the drawer against further opening. In both versions the action of the interceptor means also frustrates any fishing attempts.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fuel burner control system with a purge timer having a current responsive control relay that is energized into an active state only by a given minimum input current level but can be maintained in that active state by a substantially lesser input current level. After connection to an electrical supply an activating circuit supplies the given input current level to the control relay only after a predetermined purge time period established by an electrical timer, after which a hold circuit supplies the lesser input current level maintaining the relay in its active state. A blower dissipates any residual fuel vapor in the vicinity of the burner during the purge period and only after its conclusion is fuel flow initiated and ignition attempted in response to contact closures effected in the relay's active state.

Abstract: A flame monitoring circuit in which a storage capacitor is connected between the "hot" line of an a.c. power supply and a flame electrode disposed so as to be bathed in the flame being monitored. Because of its rectification properties, the flame causes a flow of direct current that charges the storage capacitor providing a flame indicating signal voltage. A control circuit powered by the a.c. source is coupled to the storage capacitor so as to respond to either the presence or absence thereon of a d.c. signal voltage. Electrically coupling the storage capacitor and the control circuit is a sampling circuit for periodically sampling the energy level stored in the storage capaitor. The sampling circuit includes a discharge capacitor coupled to the storage capacitor so as to receive charging current therefrom and a complementary silicon-controlled rectifier is periodically activated to dump the energy from the discharge capacitor into the gate circuit of a silicon-controlled rectifier in the control circuit.

Abstract: A latching device for releasibly locking together the two zipper pulls on a ouble zipper type case includes a frame, a rotatable key barrel projecting from the frame for being received in respective openings in the zipper pulls, a latch member pivotally connected to the frame for movement between a lowered position overlying the frame and a raised position, the latch member having an opening therein for receiving the end of the key barrel when the latch member is in lowered position, and a key-actuatable bolt member supported below the key barrel for sliding movement between the locking and unlocking positions to releasibly lock the latch member in lowered position. The frame is mounted at one end of an elongated mounting plate having its other end constructed to engage a rigid reinforcing member of the case.

Abstract: In a latching device having a first push member to be depressed to releasy engage a hasp and a second push member cooperable with the first push member to be depressed to release the hasp, the cooperable parts of the push members comprise flat plate portions which are disposed in and movable in the same plane.

Abstract: A device for indicating the specific gravity and/or the level of the electrolyte in a wet storage battery with the device having a magnetically actuated switch which is energized by a magnet on a floatation member which senses both specific gravity and the electrolyte level. An adjustable bias magnet is provided to modify the magnetic force applied by the first magnet on the switch to accommodate for manufacturing tolerances in the device and also to accommodate for dimensional differences in battery construction.

Abstract: For the purpose of complying with highway vehicle weight limitations, the boom assembly of a mobile construction crane is transferred from the regular crane carrier vehicle to an independent transport vehicle having a carriage means to receive and support the massive boom assembly for transport thereof.

Abstract: A means to maintain the upper wear pads in a multisection telescopic crane boom in contact with the side plates of the circumscribing boom section to reduce the transverse bending moment on the top plate of the boom section, thus reducing the stress thereon, and allowing the use of a thinner top plate so as to provide a lighter and less costly boom structure.

Abstract: A combination lock, including a plurality of dials and associated sleeve ns for each dial, has a plug member which is longitudinally movable to first and second positions and which is cooperable with the sleeve means for being locked in the first position when the dials are off combination. A manually operable latch member formed to engage a hasp is longitudinally movable from a latching position to an unlatching position only when the plug member is not locked in the first position. Longitudinally movable pullers are provided for moving the latch member from latching to unlatching position and from unlatching to latching position, respectively.

Abstract: A programmer clock for use with alarm systems in banking and like institutions employs a diode matrix, day and hour stepper switches and a direct current motor driven clock, the positions and controls of all of which are mounted and visible on a single control panel. The condition of the alarm system and the program can be determined at a glance and the program itself can be readily and accurately altered at any time by authorized persons.

Abstract: The cradle selector controls of a motorized rotary-type file comprise a row f simple, momentary-type pushbutton switches located in a small housing mounted so as to slide along the rear edge of the operator's shelf. The control housing is connected to the file where all other controls are located by an electrical cable, whereby the selector controls can be readily moved back and forth with the operator.

Abstract: .Iadd.A parachute for use in descents over water having upwardly facing pockets some of which fill with water as the parachute is dragged over the water to aid in the deflation of the parachute. .Iaddend.