Abstract: An automatic mechanism is provided for cutting-off water flow to a plumbing system of a house, an apartment, a business or the like, while at the same time draining water/plumbing systems when subjected to low/freezing ambient temperatures. The mechanism includes a valve body housing a reciprocal valve which is operative to place an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication while cutting off a drain port, and in a second position the inlet is closed and the outlet and the drain port are placed in fluid communication to drain the water system when the valve is shifted automatically under the influence of biasing means in reaction to low temperature sensing.

Abstract: A sand trap and flow controller mechanism for a bathtub includes an outer housing defined by an externally threaded peripheral wall having an upper outwardly directed peripheral flange and a lower inwardly directed peripheral flange with a pair of diametrically opposite openings, an inner sand trap housing defined by an outer peripheral wall, an inner peripheral wall and an annular wall therebetween collectively defining a sand trap chamber, and a flow controller mechanism having diametrically oppositely directed wings which are received in channels for guiding a valve of the flow controller toward, in sealing engagement upon and away from an upper peripheral edge of the inner peripheral wall of the inner sand trap housing.

Abstract: A latch socket is provided for reinforcing the lock achieved between the door and a door frame utilizing a deadbolt lock or a key lock. The latch socket includes a relatively rigid elongated metallic one-piece homogeneous cast metal member having an exterior cylindrical surface with a coarse thread cast therein which is adapted to be threaded into a relatively large diameter drill hole of an associated door frame. The member includes opposite tubular end portions with a wall therebetween having a socket for receiving a drive tool for imparting axial and rotational drive force to the member for threading the same into or unthreading the same from an associated door frame drill hole.

Abstract: A dynamic mechanical system is driven at its resonant frequency by a drive system which maintains the vibrational amplitude of the system constant. A displacement transducer senses the mechanical displacement of the system and provides a displacement signal which is used to generate a control signal related to the energy necessary to maintain the mechanical system in resonance. The zero crossover points of the displacement signal are shifted in-phase 90.degree. and used to selectively switch the control signal to provide an in-phase drive signal for the system. An offset correction system senses any asymmetry present in the displacement signal and adjusts the drive signal to compensate for such asymmetry so that the mechanical system operates about a zero point of the displacement transducer.

Abstract: An instrument for determining the complex mechanical response of samples incorporates two parallel sample arms each pivotally mounted at their central portion by flexure pivots of precisely known spring constants. The sample is mounted on one end of each. An electromechanical driver acts on the other end of one arm to maintain the arms and sample in mechanical oscillation about the pivots. A displacement transducer senses the mechanical motion. A feedback amplifier between the displacement transducer and the driver maintains the oscillation at a constant amplitude and at a resonant frequency determined primarily by the sample. With this arrangement the driver and displacement sensor are removed from the sample and its usual thermal chamber. This improves the stability of the instrument. At the same time the arms are dynamically balanced about the pivots and hence are relatively insensitive to vibrational upset.