Abstract: A modular portable stage and floor system uses a small number of standardized modular components to construct a temporary or permanent platform that is easily adaptable to a wide variety of platform designs. The modular standardized components include a series of modular vertical and horizontal supports and a light-weight modular deck panel. The modular vertical and horizontal supports can be detachably coupled together in a slidably interlocked manner using a universal connector mechanism in to a support frame structure for supporting a plurality of modular deck panels. By using a small number of modular supports and a universal connector mechanism that is similar for all structural interconnections required to build the support frame structure, the modular portable stage and floor system is strong and stable, yet easily transported, assembled and disassembled.

Abstract: A modular portable stage and floor system uses a small number of standardized modular components to construct a temporary or permanent platform that is easily adaptable to a wide variety of platform designs. The modular standardized components include a series of modular vertical and horizontal supports and a light-weight modular deck panel. The modular vertical and horizontal supports can be detachably coupled together in a slidably interlocked manner using a universal connector mechanism in to a support frame structure for supporting a plurality of modular deck panels. By using a small number of modular supports and a universal connector mechanism that is similar for all structural interconnections required to build the support frame structure, the modular portable stage and floor system is strong and stable, yet easily transported, assembled and disassembled.

Abstract: A cross-scavenged, two-cycle internal combustion engine has a low-pressure, cylinder wall fuel injection system that is practical for multi-cylinder marine engines. It also reduces the amount of unburned hydrocarbons in exhaust emissions when compared to a conventional carbureted two-cycle, cross-scavenged engine. The fuel injectors are mounted through the cylinder walls so that the fuel spray contacts a deflector on the piston crown. The fuel vaporizes upon contact, and scavenging air flow from the deflector towards the spark plug electrode convects the vaporized fuel towards the spark plug electrode, thereby reducing the likelihood of short circuiting of unburned fuel through the exhaust port before the exhaust port closes and compression begins. All fuel is injected into the piston cavity before the exhaust port closes.

Abstract: A loop-scavenged, two-cycle internal combustion engine has a low-pressure, cylinder wall fuel injection system that is practical for multi-cylinder marine engines and also reduces the amount of unburned hydrocarbons in exhaust emissions when compared to conventional carbureted two-cycle engines. The fuel injectors are mounted through the cylinder wall so that fuel spray contacts the piston crown underneath a zone in which incoming air flow through the transfer ports converges. The converging air flow helps to convect vaporized fuel from the piston crown upwards towards the spark plug electrode in the combustion chamber and away from the exhaust port, thereby reducing the likelihood of short circuiting unburned fuel through the exhaust port before the exhaust port closes and compression begins. All fuel is injected into the piston cavity before the exhaust port closes.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising a crankcase adapted to rotatably support a crankshaft having an axis, the crankcase defining a plurality of crankcase chambers and including a generally flat manifold mounting surface including therein a first series of inlet openings aligned in the direction of the crankshaft axis, and a second series of inlet openings aligned in the direction of the crankshaft axis, the first and second series being laterally offset with respect to the direction of the crankshaft axis, and each of the inlet openings of the first and second series being respectively adapted to feed air to one of the crankcase chambers and having a minor dimension parallel to the crankshaft axis, a major dimension transverse to the crankshaft axis, and a portion overlapping the inlet openings of the other of the first and second series.

Abstract: A cast iron sleeve liner for an internal combustion engine cylinder, or other reciprocating piston apparatus, is provided with external screw threads on its outer diameter along substantially its entire length. The screw threads engage complementary internal screw threads that are formed in a cylinder opening. One end of the sleeve abuts against a shoulder in the cylinder as the sleeve is threaded into the cylinder to force the cooperating threads into contact to take up the backlash, or clearance, between the threads. The clearance between the threads may be filled with a sealant. The sleeve can be produced wholly apart from the cylinder by first forming a raw cylindrical casting, then forming the exterior screw threads, and then machining the cylinder bore in the sleeve while the sleeve is held in a fixture which simulates the cylinder opening.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising a crankcase adapted to rotatably support a crankshaft having an axis, the crankcase defining a plurality of crankcase chambers and including a generally flat manifold mounting surface including therein a first series of inlet openings aligned in the direction of the crankshaft axis, and a second series of inlet openings aligned in the direction of the crankshaft axis, the first and second series being laterally offset with respect to the direction of the crankshaft axis, and each of the inlet openings of the first and second series being respectively adapted to feed air to one of the crankcase chambers and having a minor dimension parallel to the crankshaft axis, a major dimension transverse to the crankshaft axis, and a portion overlapping the inlet openings of the other of the first and second series.

Abstract: An electronic totalizer countrol for a coin sorter allows the user to assign and change fractional and whole-number coin values for denominations sorted at ten coin sorting stations in the sorter. The totalizer has a liquid crystal display (LCD) that integrates several cursors with the usual digits for displaying totals. A keyboard includes a BAG COUNT key operable to select a particular coin sorting station as indicated by one of the cursors. The keyboard also has DISPLAY keys operable to display monetary totals that has been accumulated by counting signals generated at the coin stations and adding a user-entered coin value for each signal to the total for the respective denomination. Coin data is stored in display data structures in a coin station data table for advantageous operation of the LCD.

Abstract: A coin sorter is disclosed in which a flexible rotating disc opposes a stationary plate that has surfaces which form a series of guide surfaces which are spaced from the disc a distance less than the thickness of coins to be sorted. Coins are deposited on the rotating disc through a central opening in the plate. The guide surfaces form the coins into a single layer and single file at the periphery of the disc. The coins in the single file are pinched between the disc and plate with their inner edges against an outwardly facing spiral shoulder and with their outer edges projecting beyond the perimeter of the disc. The coins in the single file are engaged, in descending order of diameter, by a series of stationary plows spaced about the periphery of the disc. When engaged by a plow, each coin is removed from the pinch between the rotating disc and the plate and is sorted off from the disc at that point.

Abstract: A coin sorter has a hopper in which mixed coins are deposited. A resilient horizontal disc is disposed at the bottom of the hopper and a stationary sorting plate overlies the disc. Coins are carried by the rotating disc between the disc and plate and formed into a single file and single layer and carried to an exit at the perimeter of the sorting plate. A diverter plate engages the coins at the exit and tips them to a position in which they are upright against the peripheral edge of the rotating disc. The upright coins are carried by the edge of the disc past a series of sorting stations formed as openings in curved walls. The coins fall through an opening appropriate to their particular size and into drawers that are suspended beneath the openings on a rotatable collar.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of fabricating an integrally cast engine block including a plurality of cylinders, exhaust passage portions which respectively extend from the cylinders and which form portions of exhaust gas passages of equal length, and a water jacket cavity including respective water jacket cavity portions in encircling relation to the exhaust passage portions, which method comprises the steps of providing a mold cavity which defines the exterior surface of the block, locating one or more disposable cores in the mold cavity so as to provide for the exhaust passage portions and for the water jacket cavity, filling the mold cavity with molten metal to provide a unitarily cast engine block, permitting soldification of the block with the cores contained therein, and removing the disposable cores from within the engine block to provide the hollow exhaust passage portions and the water jacket cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a reed valve comprising a reed plate having apertures therein defining a first port and a second port together with seats respectively extending along the periphery of each of the ports. The reed valve also includes a first reed member having a first port closing portion and a second reed member having a second port closing portion. The reed members are mounted on the reed plate for respective movement of the first and second port closing portions relative to the first and second ports, which reed members have different natural frequencies when mounted on the reed plate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process of compression stressing a metal workpiece having a body with a central bore so as to produce a residual compressive stress in the workpiece to increase the fatigue strength of the workpiece. The process includes the steps of forcing the workpiece onto a mandrel to induce an initial tensile stress in the body, thereafter inducing a compressive stress in the surface of the workpiece by shot blast treatment of the surface of the workpiece, and thereafter separating the workpiece from the mandrel to increase the compressive stress in the surface of the workpiece.