Abstract: A snap-action one-piece clamping device, made of spring steel, plastic, or the like, includes an endless member and a tongue. The endless member is a frusto-conical or frusto-spherical band having inner and outer rims of generally oval or rectangular configuration. The tongue projects transversely from either the inner or outer rim, depending upon the embodiment. The endless member has two stable positions on opposite sides of a reference plane defined by its outer rim and can be snapped to either position from the other by finger pressure applied toward the reference plane proximate the longitudinal mid-point in the endless member. The tongue is positionally slaved to the endless member and likewise has two stable positions. In one embodiment the tongue projects from the inner rim and clamps sheet material or a tube against the inner rim. In another embodiment the tongue projects from the outer rim and extends along a pen or the like to clamp a pocket against the pen.

Abstract: A lengthwise adjustable gas spring consists of a housing containing gas under pressure, which is formed by an outer tube 2 and a coaxially disposed inner tube 3 with an annular channel 4 therebetween. A closed piston 5 sealed against the inner tube and axially movable within same, is connected to a piston rod 9, which extends through a seal formed by a plug 10 at one end of the housing. A valve 23 is disposed at the other end of the housing and is used for the regulated connection via the annular channel 4 of two partial housing chambers 20a and 20b disposed on either side of the piston within the inner area of the housing. A valve lifter 22 is embodied within the valve body and is sealed against the valve body and opens or closes gas transfer ports. The valve body 23 and the plug 10 are axially supported against the inner tube 3 and are sealed against the inner surface of the outer tube 2. In order to avoid use of separate seals, the valve body e.g.

Abstract: Athletic shoes with removable outsoles are disclosed. Each upper is designed to fit an individual foot and ankle of a particular wearer and such upper is provided with an insole securely and permanently connected therewith. Each insole terminates along its peripheral margin with one part of a bead-and-recess mechanically detachable locking member. A removable outsole is provided with a surface contacting tread which is selected to not only best match the surface of a particular sports area but also the condition of such surface at a particular time of use. A flexible member is permanently connected with the outsole and terminates along its peripheral margin with the other part of the mechanical locking member. The outsole and the insole are further connected together by mating Velcro and Duallock members, tongues and grooves carried by the outsole and insole in paired relations, and other interlocking means.

Abstract: A gas-to-gas energy exchanger utilizing a commutator repetitively diverts a jet of a first pressurized gas between an energy exchange conduit and an exhaust outlet. Upon entering the energy exchange conduit, the first gas creates a pressure wave which traverses the conduit at sonic velocity and, in so doing, compresses a second gas in the conduit. The now pressurized second gas opens a first check valve and egresses through a primary outlet. When the first gas is diverted to the exhaust passage, a rarefaction wave is created in the energy exchange conduit and traverses the conduit at sonic velocity plus the velocity of the first gas still in the conduit. The energy exchange conduit length may be selected such that the rarefaction wave reaches the downstream end of the conduit before the previously entered slug of first gas to thereby prevent mixing of the first and second gases in the primary outlet; alternatively, the conduit length may be selected to permit any desired degree of such mixing.

Abstract: A dispensing pump is characterized by an elastomer bulb configured as a cup and having a tubular neck portion extending from its base. The cup portion is inverted in a pump housing with the neck extending upwardly from the center of the cup base into a stem member where it concentrically and resiliently engages a nipple. The rim of the cup portion is positioned to overlie a dip tube inlet into the housing. In its quiescent position the bulb is slightly longitudinally compressed by forcing the stem, neck and center of the cup portion into the bulb chamber, thereby forming a convolution at the periphery of the cup base. The convolution provides a positive seal of a vent passage which is open only during pump actuation. Actuation is effected by pushing the stem further into the cup, which action is aided by a spring snapping effect in the bulb, thereby forcing fluid from the pump chamber up through the neck and around the nipple.

Abstract: In a clothes washer, liquid pulses are delivered to a bucket or tank of water to create continuously re-circulating flow therein in a vertical plane. Air is introduced into the water pulses and forms air bubbles in the tank which attract dirt particles and carry them to the surface where they are removed as part of a continuous surface overflow. In a preferred embodiment the liquid pulses are delivered by a novel fluidic oscillator of the feedback type in which air is continuously entrained by the power stream from each feedback passage in alternation. In one form, the oscillator utilizes scoop-type feedback passages between respective outlet passages and control ports, each feedback passage communicating with an air passage. In a second form of oscillator the feedback passages are of the suction type which are aspirated by the liquid outflow through respective oscillator outlet passages.

Abstract: The invention relates to conveyor apparatus, particularly for use in conveying large quantities of heavy bulky and/or dry materials over a long distance. Moreover, the apparatus of the invention may be constructed in out-of-the-way areas over deteriorated or difficult courses, such as rubble. This is achieved by the use of a tube-like elongated passage through which a plurality of joined conveyor cars pass. The elongated passage has openings in the bottom for receiving therealong spaced apart primary windings for a linear electric motor. The cars, in turn, have mounted in the bottom surface thereof the secondary of the motor. The apparatus includes air vents for accommodating air movements ahead of and behind the cars switching arrangements and provision for loading and unloading.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for assembling fluidic spray devices wherein a fluidic element formed on the surface of a body member is expeditiously sealed to form the device. The essence of the invention is the injection molding of plastic around or through the body and a cover plate, or into a prefabricated housing into which the body member is inserted, to preload the parts and force them into a permanent sealed assembly. In one embodiment the preloading is achieved by shrinkage tension of injected plastic material surrounding or penetrating the parts. In a second embodiment the preloading is achieved by injecting plastic material into a gap or gaps in a product housing containing the body member so as to force the element surface against a sealing surface.

Abstract: A cylindrical vessel is provided with inlet and outlet tubes extending axis parallel, excentrically and diametrically opposed into the vessel from the top. The tubes have radial apertures and are closed on the bottom. A gamma ray detector sits also on the bottom. Blowing directly against the wall of the vessel is avoided and the resulting flow pattern is vortex-free and laminar to avoid stagnation zones.

Abstract: Transfer of energy from a relatively high pressure flowing first fluid to a relatively low pressure second fluid is achieved with a master commutator (10) driven solely in response to the flowing first fluid and which separates the first fluid into discrete slugs. Compression waves generated by the pressurized first fluid pressurizes the second fluid in a flow passage (11). The second fluid and first fluid are separately removed from the flow passage by a slave commutator (13) which is synchronized in frequency to the master commutator. In a preferred embodiment the master and slave commutators are fluidis oscillators (20, 21) having no moving parts. The technique has particular utilization as a supercharger for diesel engines.

Abstract: Athletic shoes with removable outsoles are disclosed. Each upper is designed to fit an individual foot and ankle of a particular wearer and such upper is provided with an insole securely and permanently connected therewith. Each insole terminates along its peripheral margin with one part of a bead-and-recess mechanically detachable locking member. A removable outsole is provided with a surface contacting tread which is selected to not only best match the surface of a particular sports area but also the condition of such surface at a particular time of use. A flexible member is permanently connected with the outsole and terminates along its peripheral margin with the other part of the mechanical locking member. The outsole and the insole are further connected together by mating Velcro members, tongues and grooves carried by the outsole and insole in paired relations, and other interlocking means.

Abstract: The fluidic oscillator consists of a resonant fluid circuit having a fluid inertance and a dynamic fluid compliance. The inertance is a conduit interconnecting two locations of a chamber on each side of a working fluid jet issuing into one end of the chamber, the inertance conduit serving to transfer working fluid between the two locations. Through one or more output orifices located approximately at the opposite end of the chamber, the fluid exits from a chamber exit region which is shaped to facilitate formation of a vortex (the dynamic compliance) from the entering fluid. The flow pattern in the chamber and particularly the vortex in the chamber exit region provide flow aspiration on one side and surplus of flow on the opposite side of the chamber, which effects accelerate and respectively decelerate the fluid in the inertance conduit such as to cause reversal of the vortex after a time delay given by the inertance.

Abstract: A fluidic oscillator flowmeter employs a fluidic oscillator wherein the frequency is proportional to flow through the oscillator. The oscillating flow is divided into two discrete paths, facilitating the counting of the frequency and the transduction of the frequency into a flow measurement indication. In one embodiment the flowmeter may be inserted into a large flow stream, wherein it utilizes only a small portion of the measured flow and presents a streamlined profile to the flow to minimize pressure losses. Alternatively, the entire measured flow may be passed through the flowmeter.

Abstract: The fluidic oscillator consists of a resonant fluid circuit having a fluid inertance and a dynamic fluid compliance. The inertance is a conduit interconnecting two locations of a chamber on each side of a working fluid jet issuing into one end of the chamber, the inertance conduit serving to transfer working fluid between the two locations. Through one or more output orifices located approximately at the opposite end of the chamber, the fluid exits from a chamber exit region which is shaped to facilitate formation of a vortex (the dynamic compliance) from the entering fluid. The flow pattern in the chamber and particularly the vortex in the chamber exit region provide flow aspiration on one side and surplus of flow on the opposite side of the chamber, which effects accelerate and respectively decelerate the fluid in the inertance conduit such as to cause reversal of the vortex after a time delay given by the inertance.

Abstract: In a clothes washer, liquid pulses are delivered to a bucket or tank of water to create continuously recirculating flow therein in a vertical plane. The flow carries the clothes in a tumbling action and the pulses agitate the clothes passing the pulse source. Air is introduced into the water pulses and forms air bubbles in the tank which attract dirt particles and carry them to the surface where they are removed as part of a continuous surface overflow. In a preferred embodiment the liquid pulses are delivered by a novel fluidic oscillator of the feedback type in which air is continuously entrained by the power stream from each feedback passage in alternation. In one form, the oscillator utilizes scoop-type feedback passages between respective outlet passages and control ports, each feedback passage communicating with an air passage.

Abstract: A fluidic oscillator nozzle is formed in the top inside surface of a cap for a container of sprayable fluid and is sealed by a gasket which is urged against that surface when the container is pressurized. Alternatively, the nozzle may be formed in the gasket surface so that the inside surface of the cap serves the sealing function. The nozzle is particularly suitable for use with squeeze bottle type dispensers in that the nozzle does not require any additional parts.

Abstract: A spray device comprises a fluidic element formed as recesses in a first surface of one member and sealed by abutting a second surface of another member against the first surface and pressing the two members together in a forced-fit arrangement. In order to prevent leakage of fluid, the power nozzle of the element is spaced from the edges of said surface, and the supply fluid is conducted to the nozzle via a passage which intersects the nozzle from out of the plane of the element.

Abstract: A fluidic oscillator includes a chamber having a common inflow and outflow opening into which a jet is issued in a generally radial direction. After impinging upon the far chamber wall the jet is redirected to form a vortex on each side of the incoming jet. The vortices alternate in strength and position to direct outflow through the common opening along one side and then the other of the inflowing jet. A spray-forming output chamber is arranged to receive the pulsating outflows from the aforementioned or other fluid oscillator and establish an output vortex which is thereby alternately spun in opposite directions. An outlet opening from the output chamber issues fluid in a sweeping spray pattern determined by the vectorial sum of a first vector, tangential to the output vortex and a function of the spin velocity, and a second vector, directed radially from the vortex and determined by the static pressure in the chamber.

Abstract: A windshield washer comprises a nozzle in which a liquid jet is formed and repetitively transversely swept before egressing from the nozzle body. The swept jet breaks up into liquid droplets which impinge upon a wide area of a windshield. In a preferred embodiment the nozzle is an oscillator, preferably a fluidic oscillator, in which the jet is swept oscillatorily between two extreme positions. In still another form of the invention discrete slugs of liquid are alternately issued in at least two directions from a common nozzle body.

Abstract: A dispensing pump having no check valves includes upper and lower mechanically-joined pistons which are moveable together through respective upper and lower cylinders. As the pistons are moved in one direction toward a rest position the cylinders are initially pressure-isolated and the upper piston aspirates spray liquid into the upper cylinder while the lower piston aspirates air into the lower cylinder. Before reaching the rest position the pistons unblock flow communication between the cylinders to permit liquid from the upper cylinder to fall into the lower cylinder. During movement of the pistons in the opposite direction the cylinders are again pressure-isolated and the lower piston forces liquid from the lower cylinder through a spray outlet under high pressure.