Abstract: A tubular fluid conduit which is especially adapted for use in supplying pre-conditioned air to an aircraft being serviced, wherein the tubular conduit may be fabricated as a thermoplastic extrusion having a constant diameter dimension, whereby a first end portion may be fluidically connected to a large diameter supply conduit while a second end portion may be fluidically connected to a small diameter use conduit as a result of spiral wrapping the second end portion around the use conduit. Alternatively, the tubular conduit may be fabricated as a thermoplastic extrusion having repetitive sections with each section comprising relatively large diameter and relatively small diameter portions.

Abstract: An expansible and collapsible tubular conduit, which is especially adapted for use in supplying pre-conditioned air to an aircraft while the aircraft is located upon the ground and is being serviced, comprises a plurality of annular fabric membranes which are connected to the opposite sides of a plurality of annular structural dividers or frame members in a continuously repetitive alternating manner. The structural combination or assembly comprising the fabric membranes and the structural dividers or frame members renders the tubular conduit readily expansible and contractible in the form of a spring or accordion so as to be capable of being easily and rapidly deployed and stowed, as well as to be capable of being stored in a relatively compact state or mode.

Abstract: An installation, insulation displacement, and terminating power tool, for inserting electrical wires into, and for electrically connecting the electrical wires to electrical contact members disposed within, an electrical connector, comprises a piston-cylinder driving assembly for inserting the electrical wires into the electrical connector. More particularly, the piston-cylinder driving assembly comprises a three-chamber pneumatic piston-cylinder driving assembly for developing an enhanced level of driving force necessary for inserting the electrical wires into the electrical connector.

Abstract: A fluid supply assembly. The fluid supply assembly includes a disposable cup and lid, and a reusable shell and outer lid. A flexible, disposable cup, a reusable shell, and a method of preparing a fluid supply assembly for use with a fluid supply applicator are also described.

Abstract: An asymmetrical chute system is for use in a strapping machine of the type for feeding a strapping material around a load, positioning, tensioning and sealing the strapping material around the load. The strapping machine has a feed head, a strap chute defining a strap path through which the strapping material is passed and a sealing head. The chute system includes a base, a stationary guard having an inclined wall extending, at least in part, over the strap path and a movable guard. The movable guard is movable relative to the base and the stationary guard into and out of engagement with the stationary guard inclined wall to open and close the strap path. When the movable guard is open, the inclined wall extends over the strap path so as to form a blind portion intersecting a line normal to the strap path.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices configured and adapted to give a fluid stream the appearance of being lighted. Different colors of light, such as those provided from LEDs, may be used to generate an aesthetically pleasing effect of flowing colored fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid illumination may be accomplished by a light source directed towards a fluid stream from an external angle, for example. Alternatively, the light source may be pointed in the direction of the fluid stream, lighting it substantially internally. In yet other embodiments, the fluid illumination may be enhanced with the employment of reflective surfaces that bounce light around and through the fluid stream. To increase the appearance of being lighted, the reflective fluid surface area may be increased by generating turbulent flow. In certain embodiments, turbulent flow is achieved with the use of a separator to separate a single fluid stream into a plurality of micro-streams.

Abstract: Configurations for a packing container formed from a single, preformed, rigid unit of generally U-shaped cross-section are disclosed. One configuration utilizes three end closures to enclose an object with an elevated end. Another configuration employs three end closures to enclose an object with an elevated mid-section. A third configuration uses two end closures to enclose an object with random elevations. With three end closures, a fourth configuration encloses two or more dissimilar objects in separate compartments. The fourth configuration is especially useful for items that should be prevented from touching or intermingling during shipping. A fifth configuration combines elements of the other four configurations, allowing a user to ship objects with elevated ends, elevated mid-sections, or random elevations in separate compartments. A sixth configuration encloses one or more objects with two end closures that are about equal in length to one another. A device for forming the container is also disclosed.

Abstract: A nut plate includes a weld site provided by a rivet of softer material. In making the nut plate, the rivet is inserted into a rivet hole of the nut plate and retained therein by interference fit. Final nut plate formation and rivet termination occur in a single press stroke. The nut plate and rivet are tempered together.

Abstract: Configurations for a packing container formed from a single, preformed, rigid unit of generally U-shaped cross-section are disclosed. One configuration utilizes three end closures to enclose an object with an elevated end. Another configuration employs three end closures to enclose an object with an elevated mid-section. A third configuration uses two end closures to enclose an object with random elevations. With three end closures, a fourth configuration encloses two or more dissimilar objects in separate compartments. The fourth configuration is especially useful for items that should be prevented from touching or intermingling during shipping. A fifth configuration combines elements of the other four configurations, allowing a user to ship objects with elevated ends, elevated mid-sections, or random elevations in separate compartments. A sixth configuration encloses one or more objects with two end closures that are about equal in length to one another. A device for forming the container is also disclosed.

Abstract: An installation, insulation displacement, and terminating power tool, for inserting electrical wires into, and for electrically connecting the electrical wires to electrical contact members disposed within, an electrical connector, comprises a three-chamber pneumatic driving section for developing an enhanced level of driving force necessary for inserting and terminating the electrical wires into and upon the electrical connector, a quick-release mechanism for mounting a punch or die set holder upon the driving section so as to enable the quick exchange or replacement of the particular punch or die set, a quick insertion system for mounting the driving section-punch or die set holder assembly upon the base fixture or framework, and primary and secondary means for accurately positioning both the electrical connector and an associated pin header upon the base fixture or framework wherein the pin header is also used for integrity verification of the electrical circuits defined between the installed electrical wi

Abstract: Configurations for a packing container formed from a single, preformed, rigid unit of generally U-shaped cross-section are disclosed. One configuration utilizes three end closures to enclose an object with an elevated end. Another configuration employs three end closures to enclose an object with an elevated mid-section. A third configuration uses two end closures to enclose an object with random elevations. With three end closures, a fourth configuration encloses two or more dissimilar objects in separate compartments. The fourth configuration is especially useful for items that should be prevented from touching or intermingling during shipping. A fifth configuration combines elements of the other four configurations, allowing a user to ship objects with elevated ends, elevated mid-sections, or random elevations in separate compartments. A sixth configuration encloses one or more objects with two end closures that are about equal in length to one another. A device for forming the container is also disclosed.

Abstract: Configurations for a packing container formed from a single, preformed, rigid unit of generally U-shaped cross-section are disclosed. One configuration utilizes three end closures to enclose an object with an elevated end. Another configuration employs three end closures to enclose an object with an elevated mid-section. A third configuration uses two end closures to enclose an object with random elevations. With three end closures, a fourth configuration encloses two or more dissimilar objects in separate compartments. The fourth configuration is especially useful for items that should be prevented from touching or intermingling during shipping. A fifth configuration combines elements of the other four configurations, allowing a user to ship objects with elevated ends, elevated mid-sections, or random elevations in separate compartments. A sixth configuration encloses one or more objects with two end closures that are about equal in length to one another. A device for forming the container is also disclosed.

Abstract: A new and improved single tool or jig which is universally useable in connection with the fabrication or trimming of left and right side edge portions of stair tread components, left and right end portions of stair tread side edge plank components, and stair riser components, so as to permit all of such components to be properly mated together in order to impart to the exposed or open stair members a seamless finished appearance.

Abstract: A new and improved method for calibrating workpiece clamping mechanisms such that once a particular clamping mechanism is calibrated with respect to a particular workpiece to be clamped upon a support surface, the clamping mechanism will always clamp the workpiece with a predetermined, precisely repeatable clamping force. In addition, the method of the present invention may be utilized in conjunction with the calibration of a plurality of clamping mechanisms so as to enable the plurality of clamping mechanisms to always generate the same precise clamping force whereby the multiple clamping mechanisms, utilized to clamp a single workpiece upon a support surface, can in fact clamp different regions of the single workpiece with precisely the same predetermined clamping force such that all regions of the single workpiece are in fact securely clamped.

Abstract: A new and improved sealed joint or system is disclosed for securing together the opposite ends of plastic strapping, which is encircled around the package or bale, in order to ensure that the opposite ends of the plastic strapping do not exhibit any slipping or relative movement with respect to each other whereby the predeterminedly formed size or shape of the package or bale is able to be preserved or maintained. In accordance with various different embodiments of the present invention, different arrangements of the sealed joint, with respect to the opposite ends of the plastic strapping, are structured whereby enhanced frictional contact is effectively developed between the sealed joint and the opposite ends of the plastic strapping, or between the opposite ends of the plastic strapping per se, so as to in fact reduce the amount of slipperiness effectively defined between the opposite ends of the plastic strapping.

Abstract: A new and improved semi-automatic machine, for forming slits within side wall members of a packaging structure so as to render successive sections of the packaging structure articulated with respect to each other whereby the packaging structure can be folded into a packaging container, includes a pair of oppositely disposed circular saw blade assemblies which are disposed at a cutting station and which are mounted upon a vertically movable reciprocating carriage mechanism. The carriage mechanism is initially disposed at a first ELEVATED INOPERATIVE position, the packaging structure is fed into the machine and stopped at a predetermined longitudinal position at which it is desired to cut or slit the packaging structure, and the carriage mechanism is moved vertically downwardly toward a second LOWERED OPERATIVE position at which the pair of circular saw blades cut the oppositely disposed dependent side wall members of the packaging structure.

Abstract: A tool system comprises a circular saw blade which is adapted to be moved in a reciprocating manner between an elevated, RETRACTED, INOPERATIVE position and a lowered, EXTENDED, OPERATIVE position so as to repeatedly form slits within side wall members of a packaging structure at a plurality of positions which are located at predeterminedly defined locations spaced along and throughout the longitudinal or axial extent of the packaging structure. A compression implement is movable along with the circular saw blade and has a split, U-shaped or clevis-type configuration so as to define a pair of compression arms or legs.

Abstract: A tool system comprises a circular saw blade which is adapted to be moved in a reciprocating manner between an elevated, RETRACTED, INOPERATIVE position and a lowered, EXTENDED, OPERATIVE position so as to repeatedly form slits within a packaging structure at a plurality of positions which are defined at predeterminedly spaced locations along the longitudinal extent of the packaging structure. A circular saw blade guide member is disposed adjacent to the outer periphery of the circular saw blade and is movable along with the circular saw blade between its elevated, RETRACTED, INOPERATIVE position and its lowered, EXTENDED, OPERATIVE position.

Abstract: A tool for inserting electrical wires into an electrical connector for mating with a plurality of electrical contact members fixedly mounted within the electrical connector comprises a base fixture upon which the electrical connector is to be installed, an insertion die holder upon which a set of insertion dies is mounted for encountering and forcing the plurality of electrical wires into the electrical connector, a driving assembly for moving the insertion die holder toward the base fixture so as to cause the set of insertion dies to force the plurality of electrical wires into the electrical connector and mate with the electrical contact members of the electrical connector, and structure fixedly mounted upon the base fixture for engaging the electrical connector so as to precisely locate and laterally immobilize the electrical connector upon the base fixture such that the set of insertion dies can accurately insert the electrical wires into said electrical connector.

Abstract: An installation, insulation displacement, and terminating power tool, for inserting electrical wires into, and for electrically connecting the electrical wires to electrical contact members disposed within, an electrical connector, comprises a three-chamber pneumatic driving section for developing an enhanced level of driving force necessary for inserting and terminating the electrical wires into and upon the electrical connector, a quick-release mechanism for mounting a punch or die set holder upon the driving section so as to enable the quick exchange or replacement of the particular punch or die set, a quick insertion system for mounting the driving section-punch or die set holder assembly upon the base fixture or framework, and primary and secondary means for accurately positioning both the electrical connector and an associated pin header upon the base fixture or framework wherein the pin header is also used for integrity verification of the electrical circuits defined between the installed electrical wi