Abstract: A counterbalancing assembly and a non-vertically hinged door assembly incorporating the same include a first pair of torque rods directly connected between the door and a frame which produce a partial counterbalancing torque. A second pair of torque rods acting through cams produce an augmenting counterbalancing torque such that the sum of the partial and augmenting torques fully counterbalance the door throughout its arc of motion.

Abstract: A refrigerant precooler device, connecting into the Freon line of an existing air conditioning unit, and directing this freon through a finned cooling coil, and having a downdraft fan blowing air downward onto a supply of water in the bottom of the precooler device, and the fan blades being surrounded at a strategic location by a venturi shroud, which tends to disperse some of the air from the fan outward, and over the fins of the cooling coil, thereby causing an accelerated evaporation effect, with the added cooling of the Freon. A controlled supply of water in a reservoir at the bottom of the device is pumped upwards through a tubing device and into a pipe which is located onto the top of the cooling coil, and the pipe has a slot cut lengthwise of its bottom longitudinal dimension, and the pumped water drips out of the slot in the pipe, and drains downward over the fins of the cooling coil.

Abstract: A counterbalanced door assembly particularly suited for heavy-duty load bearing applications such as sidewalk access doors, and for precasting into concrete slabs, comprises a door, a frame surrounding the door, a hinge connecting the door to the frame for rotation about a first axis, a torque rod arm mounted to rotate about a second axis displaced from the first axis, and one or more torque rods. One end of the torque rod arm is connected to the torque rod to twist the torque rod as the torque rod arm rotates about the second axis thereby generating a counterbalance force. A force control mechanism, which may be a cam with a properly shaped cam surface or a link hinged at either end, receives the counterbalance force from the torque rod arm and applies it in a controlled direction over a controlled effective moment arm relative to the first axis to generate the desired counterbalance torque.

Abstract: A counterbalanced door assembly particularly suited for heavy-duty load bearing applications such as sidewalk access doors, and for precasting into concrete slabs, comprises a door, a frame surrounding the door, a hinge connecting the door to the frame for rotation about a first axis, a torque rod arm mounted to rotate about a second axis displaced from the first axis, and one or more torque rods. One end of the torque rod arm is connected to the torque rod to twist the torque rod as the torque rod arm rotates about the second axis thereby generating a counterbalance force. A force control mechanism, which may be a cam with a properly shaped cam surface or a link hinged at either end, receives the counterbalance force from the torque rod arm and applies it in a controlled direction over a controlled effective moment arm relative to the first axis to generate the desired counterbalance torque.

Abstract: A control system for a magentic submarine mine adapted to be fired automaally upon the approach of a vessel and in which the possibility of premature detonation of the mine by a minesweeper is substantially reduced. For example, some of the magnetic mines being laid in a particular mine field may be set so that after several actuations by a minesweeper a few of the mines will be exploded, the remaining mine field requiring a larger number of signals before detonation. By varying the number of signals before a mine is detonated the particular mine field after being swept is still considered lethal because many of the mines are left in the armed condition and others awaiting to be armed by subsequent minesweeping or the passage of vessels, as the case may be.

Abstract: A safety post assembly for assisting entry to or exit from the upper portion of a wall having mounted thereon a series of rungs forming a ladder, the assembly comprising a tubular support sleeve; adjustable mounting means for securing the sleeve to the rungs in an upstanding position; an elongated extension rod having a tapered lower end portion for sliding insertion into the tubular sleeve and an opposite upper end portion adapted to extend above the upper portion of the structure and provide grasping means during the entry and exit; a projection extending outwardly from the extension rod, and adapted to rest against the upper end of the sleeve for limiting insertion of the rod lower end portion into the sleeve to a predetermined distance sufficient to support the weight of a person grasping the rod upper end portion during the entry and exit; and a step member extending transversely on opposite sides of the extension rod between the upper and lower end portions and positioned to provide a foothold in the vi

Abstract: A multilayer film for coating an exterior of a scintillation detector bar includes a pressure sensitive adherent layer containing a percentage of a light-diffusing material therein for affixing to an external surface of the bar. A clear plastic layer separates the adherent layer from a specularly reflecting layer. A protective layer is disposed atop the specularly reflecting layer. The light-diffusing material and the specularly reflecting layer cooperate to retain light within the bar, direct light in random directions within the bar and block optical crosstalk between adjacent bars. A preform consisting of a single piece of film may be used for covering five sides of the bar.

Abstract: An extendable railing for use in stairwells, hallways and the like. The railing comprises an elongated moveable member nonrotatably but slidably mounted inside an elongated fixed, hollow member. The moveable member is supported on at least one friction reducing spacing means for movement from a first retracted to a second extended position with counterbalance means. The railing further comprises means for stopping said movement and for locking said moveable member in the extended position.

Abstract: A safety extension is adapted to be mounted by various adjustable means to the upper rungs of a ladder or the inside of a manhole. The safety extension comprises a rod which is moveable in a sleeve between extended and retracted positions. A counterbalance means mounted in a particular manner is optionally provided to facilitate moving the rod to the extended position with maximum ease and safety. Adjustable mounting means are provided to accommodate ladders of differing rung spacing and rung diameter.

Abstract: A cup-shaped support member for a lift-cylinder in a horizontal door structure, such as a hatchway, in which the lift-cylinder counter-balances the weight of the door. The base of the lift-cylinder is pressed against the bottom of the cup by its spring in the usual manner, and tilts about a flange on the foot as the door is swung open or closed. One or more clean-out holes are provided in the cup bottom, and an inturned lip is formed on the edge of the cup so that it overlaps the flange on the foot of the lift-cylinder. Foreign matter, such as dirt or ice, which heretofore has built-up under the foot of the lift-cylinder until the foot of the cylinder is lifted out of the cup, is forced through the clean-out holes in the support cup by engagement of the lip with the flange on the cylinder foot, preventing it from being lifted off the bottom of the cup while still allowing the cylinder to tilt freely.

Abstract: A metal stairway stringer with horizontal slots at each tread level, into which the treads are inserted laterally for supporting them at one end, the other ends of the treads being similarly supported in like manner by a second stringer. The slots for the treads each taper from adjacent the open end at the edge of the stringer toward the back, so that the treads must be wedged into position and are therefore held rigidly by the stringer.

Abstract: Mounting means for a door-check for a hatchway door hinged to swing between an elevated open position and a closed position and having torsion bars which serve not only as springs for counterbalancing the weight of the door, but also as the hinge pins for the door. Each torsion bar has a terminal portion which is bent backwardly into parallel relation with a straight portion, the terminal portion extending through the hinge and forming the hinge pin. The straight portion is secured at its other end to the hatchway frame and is twisted about the terminal portion by the hinge as the door is closed. The door-check member is mounted on the hatchway frame and is connected to a bracket mounted across the crook formed in the torsion bar where the terminal portion bends backward. The bracket therefore pivots about the hinge pin with the main portion of the torsion bar when the door is closed and provides a crank arm for actuating the door-check.