Abstract: A fluid-driven power generator having a turbine with several vanes, an exhaust chamber, a device for directing a first fluid towards the vanes of the turbine, a device for directing a second fluid through the generator housing assembly without contacting said turbine, a device for combining the first fluid and the second fluid in an exhaust chamber, and a device for creating a vacuum in the exhaust chamber.

Abstract: A fluid-driven power generator having a turbine with several vanes, an exhaust chamber, a device for directing a first fluid towards the vanes of the turbine, a device for directing a second fluid through the generator housing assembly without contacting said turbine, a device for combining the first fluid and the second fluid in an exhaust chamber, and a device for creating a vacuum in the exhaust chamber.

Abstract: A fluid-driven power generator that contains a turbine within a housing, a device for directing fluid towards the tangential portions of the turbine, and a device for creating a venturi flow of fluid within the housing. The fluid flowing around the turbine is constricted for at least about 120 degrees of its flow around the turbine.

Abstract: A bracket holding an instrument in a latched position is hand releasable by a single hand gripping the sides of the instrument while moving a finger engageable surface to release a latch that is pivoted on the bracket. The latch is biased into a latched position, and the instrument is preferably biased out of a latched position so that the instrument does not rattle when latched and releases to the hand gripping it when the latch is unlatched.

Abstract: A bracket for a hand holdable instrument has a pull release latch with gripper surfaces arranged alongside the instrument so that a grip on the gripper surfaces can first release the latch and then slide into engagement with the unlatched instrument for pulling it away from the bracket. This lets a hand reaching for the instrument straddle the instrument, pull on the grippers to release the latch, and slide smoothly into engagement with the instrument for pulling the instrument in the same direction away from the bracket.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tilt lock jambliner and slidable block used with windows that both slide vertically and tilt inwardly. The window sash slides within the jambliner channel of a window frame. A pivot bar is fixedly attached to the window and is receivable within an opening in the slidable block. The slidable block is slidably mounted within the jambliner channel. The slidable block has a plurality of projections on one side which alternatingly engage a projecting fin of the jambliner channel. The projections cause the projecting fin to assume a wave shape. The interaction between the projecting fin and the lowermost projections creates constant running friction. Running friction is adjustable using a threaded friction adjusting screw mounted in the slidable block. The uppermost projections form a V and have sharp locking corners.

Abstract: A brake mechanism utilizes the tension of a spring acting upwardly and the weight of a window acting downwardly to produce a force couple for applying a frictional force to hold a window sash in a preselected position in a sash run. The mechanism is utilized in combination with a jamb liner defining an elongated sash run provided with a C-shaped guide channel in its plow region. The channel has co-planar, laterally spaced, flanges defining a longitudinally extending slot therebetween. A brake component has a pair of shoe portions disposed in the channel adjacent respective internal flange surfaces. The brake component rotates in the channel to move the shoe portions into frictional engagement with the internal flange surfaces. A columnar element rigid with the brake component extends through the slot and presents means disposed outside the channel for applying a torque to rotate the brake component inside the channel.

Abstract: A sealing jamb liner 10 for double-hung window sash includes a thick and rigid resin extrusion 24 having a pair of sash runs 11 and 12 separated by a parting bead 13. A pair of extruded flange elements 25 formed of a thin, resilient, and low spring rate resin material are mounted along respective outer sash run edges 21 and 22 opposite parting bead 13. Each flange element 25 has a sealing 27 angled obliquely of the adjacent sash run and disposed for resiliently engaging and sealing between a sash and an adjacent trim stop.

Abstract: A nail-bearing sash stop 20 mounts on a jamb liner 10 having a parting bead 11 between a pair of sash runs 12 and 13. Retainer slots 15 in opposite sides of parting bead 11 adjacent sash runs 12 and 13 engage and hold a longitudinal side edge of stop 20 for retaining stop 20 on jamb liner 10 before assembly and for allowing sash stop 20 to move longitudinally of jamb liner 10 during assembly. A preferred embodiment of stop 20 has opposite side edges 41 that can be sprung together for a resilient fit between parting bead 11 and guide wall 14 in a sash run spaced from parting bead 11.

Abstract: A sash holder 10 automatically produces sash-holding friction in a resin jamb liner 12 in which the sash 11 runs. Jamb liner 12 has a track 20 in the sash plow region of each sash run 16 and 17, and track 20 is formed within parallel L-shaped edge guides 21. Sash holder 10 includes an upper component 25 connected to a balance spring 13 and a lower component 26 supporting sash 11 in its sash plow region. Overlapping surfaces 39 and 40 of components 25 and 26 form an interferring wedge that operates when the components move vertically to each other in response to spring force pulling upward against the sash weight. The interferring wedge can be arranged in several ways for pressing runners 27 and 28 against track guides 21 to produce sash-holding friction as a function of the vertical extent of the vertical movement of the overlapping surfaces.

Abstract: A holder 10 for a sash 11 running in a resin jamb liner 12 applies adjustable friction to a track 20 in the sash plow region of the sash run of the jamb liner. Track 20 has parallel edge guides 21 that are L-shaped in cross section to project from the sash run and extend toward each other. Holder 10 includes a carriage 25 that fits within the plow 19 of sash 11, and carriage 25 has a pair of runners 27 and 28 whose lateral edges are trapped under guides 21 to confine the runners to vertical movement along the track. Carriage 25 also has a friction shoe 35 variably pressed against the sash run surface of the track by an adjustment screw 15. Balance spring 13 pulls upward on carriage 25; and platform 26, connected to carriage 25 by adjustment screw 15, straddles plow 19 and supports the lower corner of sash 11. Screw 15 adjusts the friction of holder 10 within the sash run by the pressure it applies to friction shoe 35.

Abstract: A validator checks the identity of the holder of a credit card or check by comparing a secret code number derived from the holder with a number derived from the serial number of the credit card or check. The basic components of the validator are a keyboard, a scrambler circuit and a comparator circuit. The scrambler circuit is responsive to the keyboard for receiving a serial number or other indicia from the card as punched into the keyboard. Then a key is pressed to signify end of the card indicia and to switch the keyboard output to the comparator circuit. A number offered by the user is punched into the keyboard; and if the number is correct, the comparator circuit is actuated to indicate validity. Such a machine can use any existing credit card, check, or identification card having a serial number; can operate on serial number and letter combinations of any length; and can operate in a way that is undecipherable for practical purposes.