Abstract: A suspension ceiling grid system is disclosed in which cross members are provided with end connectors inserted from opposite sides through openings in runners extending perpendicularly thereto. The end connectors are provided with resilient lock means which interengage when the connectors are inserted into the opening to interlock the runners. Release means provided by a tab formed in the web adjacent to the opening cooperate to define a portion of the opening when in the normal position and are bendable to a release position to enlarge the opening and allow release of the lock means for removal of one or both of the end connectors.

Abstract: A concrete block and hollow insulating insert in which the insert has recesses and cavities formed in the interior thereof for facilitating positioning the insert over reduced height webs interconnecting the walls of the block. In one form of block construction, interconnecting webs in another region of the block are also reduced to permit longitudinal reinforcement placement and/or provide a longitudinal channel for air circulation through that region of the block.

Abstract: Apparatus for insulating a window or other opening in a building includes a plurality of rail means secured to the building adjacent at least one edge of the opening, and at least one insulated shutter panel slidably engaged with the rail means. Several panels may be assembled into a set of panels or opposing sets of panels installed on opposing sets of rail means, if desired. The shutter panel or panel assembly is capable of substantially exposing or completely covering the opening due at least in part to the sliding action of the shutter panel relative to the edge. The interior cover of the shutter panel or panel assembly is capable of carrying decorative matter.

Abstract: A junction device between the delivery duct of a primary pump and a duct joined to the core support of a liquid metal cooled fast neutron nuclear reactor comprises a frusto-conical sleeve (6) widening out towards the inlet (2) of the duct joined to the core support, a connecting member (7) joined to the sleeve (6), a sealing device (18) interposed between the outlet end of the sleeve (6) and the inlet (2) of the duct joined to the core support, and an elastic means (6) interposed between the outlet end of the sleeve (6) and a support member joined to the core support. In its central portion the connecting member (7) carries the movable portion (14) of an articulated connection element the fixed portion (16) of which is carried by the pump. On its periphery this member (7) is connected sealingly and articulatedly to the delivery duct of the pump at the level of a spherical surface (9).

Abstract: A building wall comprising the plurality of stacked logs with flat top and bottom surfaces into each of which is cut a deep slot. A metal bar is received in the aligned slots of vertically adjacent logs and pointed projections penetrate into the wood of the logs to prevent separation. In one embodiment, the projections are spaced clusters of downwardly extending nails which prevent separation of logs placed end to end and upwardly extending nails which prevent shear movement of adjacent logs. In another embodiment, the bar has sharp projections which are punched from the surface thereof to be received in the aligned slots of adjacent logs and penetrate a side wall of said slot.

Abstract: A roof vent includes a plate and a housing integrally formed together. An opening in the plate extends upwardly into the hollow interior of the housing. A partition located within the housing divides the interior of the housing into an upper and lower section. The partition includes a hole allowing for fluid flow between the upper and lower sections. A diaphragm lays on the upper surface of the partition over the hole in the partition. The diaphragm prevents fluid movement from the upper section of the interior into the lower section of the interior, but allows for reverse flow of fluid. A diaphragm positioning member is located in the upper section and maintains the diaphragm in its position on the partition over the hole in the partition. The diaphragm positioning member includes at least one opening in it allowing for fluid passage between the partition and the diaphragm and through the opening in the diaphragm positioning means.

Abstract: The armored vehicle comprises on or in its armored body, a revolving turret and a shieldplate mounted thereon as a bearing for a gun carrier which carries a cartridge magazine designed as a container located laterally (to the left and/or right) or at the top or bottom or behind the gun carrier. The armored body has a closable opening therein, and a horizontal container slideway with a container reloading station is located within the armored body. At an indexed rotational position of the turret and simultaneously at a vertical indexed angular position of the gun carrier an empty container can be guided with the aid of a conveyor downward through the opening into the container reloading station and can be removed then by a loaded container moving up. The loaded container can then be brought by the conveyor upward into the locking position at the gun carrier.

Abstract: A door lock illuminating system disposed in a handle of a door, and, in particular, a door of a motor vehicle. The illuminating system being switchable by circuit elements connected to the handle, the handle is constructed as a unilaterally pivotable pull handle and a light emitting arrangement is disposed in such a fashion so as to be exposed only when the pull handle is pulled to an operative position. Electrical contacts are disposed in such a manner that with the pull handle being pulled to the operative position the electrical circuit of the illuminating system is completed.

Abstract: A linear bearing insert for the slide-receiver ways of a firearm wherein the slide is reciprocably attached to the receiver by a groove and tongue structure. The insert is in the form of a rod, preferably cylindrical, which is disposed in a groove, preferably the receiver groove, and which has a portion of its peripheral surface in sliding engagement with a partially cylindrical groove formed in the side of a corresponding tongue, such that the bearing surfaces in engagement are cylindrical rather than planar. After wear has taken place, causing objectionable play, the insert may be replaced by a larger size insert such as to compensate for wear and eliminate the play.

Abstract: A lighting device operable with solar beams propagating through and emitting from the optical wave guides. A pair of spaced concave and convex reflecting members are provided to effectively diffuse the solar beams issuing from the exit end of the optical wave guides. One of the reflecting members may be constituted by a mirrored electric bulb in order to ensure the lighting device to operate also by electric power.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for decoratively lighting an outdoor tree, the apparatus comprising an elongate tubular member adjustably mounted on the trunk portion of a tree by tree mounting brackets, the elongate tubular member having a light branch receiving bracket mounted at the upper end thereof which removeably receives a plurality of light branches therein in non-rotating relationship therewith, each lighting branches being constructed from an elongate rod member having an electric cord extending therealong with a plurality of light sockets attached thereto with electric bulbs received therein, the electric cord being secured to the rod with tubular conduit and adhesive wrap, each light branch exterior surface being coated with a high strength coating material having glitter therein, each branch electric cord being removeably connected to a central electric cord within the tubular member, the light branches being positioned within the branch area of a tree to provide a lighting pattern therein.

Abstract: An electrical lighting circuit for doll houses or other miniature installations includes, for actual connection in operating relation to a power source, a miniaturized master breaker switch, and a miniaturized master panel, together with a distribution circuit. In addition, for aesthetic appeal, a miniature power line input, including a weather head and a miniature current meter box, is simulated. Each of the separate outputs in the distribution circuit from the master panel leads to an individual doll house room or circuit group. One unique circuit group comprises a series circuit of subminiature bulbs mounted in shrink tubes to simulate candles, which are constructed to serve as miniature christmas tree lights, miniature chandeliers, or in like installations.

Abstract: A device for loading and firing semi-automatic arms, particularly pistols, and comprising a plurality of follower lugs or pins carried in the slide, and a corresponding plurality of inclined grooves carried in the yoke and engaged by the lugs or pins so as to disengage the yoke and the bolt from the barrel when the slide is retracted under the pressure of the gases from a fired cartridge.

Abstract: A light unit assembly adapted to illuminate liquid below a liquid surface (for example of a pool or spa) includes(a) a lamp unit including a metallic housing adapted to be cooled by heat transfer to the liquid, and lamp circuitry,(b) a thermostat coupled to the lamp circuitry to control electrical energization of the lamp, and(c) a heat conductive metallic strip associated with said housing and thermostat to become increasingly heated for changing the conductive state of the lamp in response to diminished cooling of the housing by said liquid.

Abstract: A lighting fixture and lamp mount therefor for use with lamps having prong-type connectors projecting from the back or side of the lamps which includes a lamp housing, a socket carried by the housing and a lamp carrier, the lamp carrier having a threaded connector connected to the lamp so that the lamp and lamp carrier can be screwed into the socket to energize the lamp and can be readily removed for lamp replacement.

Abstract: An illuminating earring includes a light-emitting diode (LED) mounted on a base. A battery-containing case is electrically and mechanically connected to the base through a hollow shaft and conductor coaxial arrangement dimensioned to pass through a hole in a pierced ear so that current flow between the LED and the batteries takes place only through the hole in the ear when the earring is worn and operational.

Abstract: A trigger device for an automatic firearm having a linear action breech block. The device includes a catch lever movable to arrest movement of the breech block and a specially constructed kinematic chain which prevents the occurrence of an ambiguous intermediate position of the catch lever which could allow the breech block to damage the catch lever and/or linkage elements connected thereto.

Abstract: A protractor for determining the elevation angle of a gun by direct measurement of the included angle between a first radius of a trunnionand a second radius of an associated trunnion bearing, includes a linearly extensible measuring device with digital output, pivotally attached to the trunnion and to the bearing at predetermined distances along the respective radii so as to extend between them as the subtense of the included angle, and a digital processor for deriving a measurement of the included angle from the subtense measurement provided by the measuring device. The digital processor provides an output which is particularly suitable for application to a fire control system, the measurements provided by the protractor being less sensitive to centering inaccuracies in the trunnion and its bearing than conventional angle transducers operating at a subsidiary bearing.

Abstract: Action disabling device in a firearm having among its conventional components a spring-closed breech bolt, a tubular magazine, and a pivoted cartridge lifter. The disabling device is in the form of an operating arm pivoted with one end to a fixed part of the action so as to be swingable with its other end into active and inactive positions in which the same is in and out, respectively, of the closing path of the breech bolt, and is normally spring-urged into its inactive position, with this operating arm being, on overtravel of the lifter in lift direction for lack of a cartridge thereon, engaged and taken along by the lifter into its active position to stop the breech bolt on partial closure of the same. The operating arm is one of the arms of a double-arm lever the other arm of which projects to the outside of the receiver and is there accessible to an operator's finger for swinging the operating arm to its inactive position.

Abstract: A high intensity light table, for use with a stereomicroscope having movable rhomboid arms, has an illumination source and a reflector. The table also includes light diffusing members which are rotatably mounted thereto. The diffusing members have: (1) magnets affixed thereto which are responsive to movement of the rhomboid arms of the instrument; and (2) means therein for selectively passing a beam of high intensity illumination.