Abstract: A probe deployment mechanism of a coordinate measuring machine provides for extending and retracting a probe. The probe is displaceable with respect to the actuator body connected to the measuring machine. A locator coupling secures the probe to the actuator body at the extended position for taking measurements. A drive coupled to the probe displaces the probe between the extended and retracted positions but at the extended position, the drive is releasable from the probe for kinetically isolating the locator coupling.

Abstract: An actuator for selectively extending and retracting a probe in a measuring instrument comprises an actuator body, a carriage having a first aperture slidably attached to the body, and a second aperture receiving a probe holder having a probe. The first aperture of the carriage, which surrounds the actuator body, includes a first plurality of magnets disposed around an inner circumference of the aperture. The actuator body includes a lead screw, a round lead screw nut mated with the lead screw, and a second plurality of magnets arranged on a periphery of the lead screw nut, generally aligned with the first plurality of magnets. The magnets are arranged so that the carriage may be displaced with respect to the actuator body a sufficient amount that the magnets do not significantly restrain the further movement of the carriage.

Abstract: An actuator for selectively extending and retracting a probe in a measuring instrument comprises an actuator body, a carriage having a first aperture slidably attached to the body, and a second aperture receiving a probe holder having a probe. The first aperture of the carriage, which surrounds the actuator body, includes a first plurality of magnets disposed around an inner circumference of the aperture. The actuator body includes a lead screw, a round lead screw nut mated with the lead screw, and a second plurality of magnets arranged on a periphery of the lead screw nut, generally aligned with the first plurality of magnets. The magnets are arranged so that the carriage may be displaced with respect to the actuator body a sufficient amount that the magnets do not significantly restrain the further movement of the carriage.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling incorporates several improvements including the combination of several functions into a single component. A single stop member provides a structure for holding a check valve spring, and also provides a stop for the check valve. The single component further provides positioning for an o-ring. The coupling also includes a pilot which includes compressible ribs at its outer peripheral surface such that the pilot is self-centering preventing excessive off-centering of the tube. In addition, the position of an o-ring relative to a retainer is tightly controlled such that upon insertion of a tube into the connector, the tube will initially encounter a resistance force by compression of the seal. Once this resistance force is overcome, the tube will immediately begin to encounter a resistance force from the retainer. Thus, an installer does not see two separate resistance forces, but rather sees a continuous single resistance force.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling for tubing. The coupling includes a tubular male connector member adapted to be telescopically received within a tubular female connector member assembly. The female assembly includes a first member defining a seal bore and a cylindrical socket portion forwardly of the seal bore. A second female member includes a cylindrical portion which plugs into the socket of the first member and is held in position relative to the first member by sonic welding. A plurality of circumferentially spaced feet on the inner end of the second member are positioned proximate the seal to hold the seal in the seal bore and further engage the outer periphery of the pilot portion of the male member to minimize cocking of the male member relative to the female assembly.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling including a tubular male connector member and a female connector assembly. The male connector member is tubular and defines a front pilot portion and an external bead positioned rearwardly of the pilot portion. The female assembly comprises a tubular housing, a cap which is snap fit over the front end of the housing, a seal which seats in a seal bore defined by the housing, and a seal retainer which is positioned against the front end of the housing and acts to maintain the seal in position within the seal bore.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling for tubing. The coupling includes a tubular male connector member adapted to be telescopically received within a tubular female connector member. The female connector member includes a tubular housing and a tubular retainer cap which is permanently bonded to the housing utilizing a sonic welding technique and which defines prong portions for latching coaction with an annular bead on the male member. The coupling further includes a unitary elastomeric seal positioned in a bore of the female member housing and defining a series of axially spaced, radially inwardly extending seal ribs slidably and sealingly engaging the outer circumferential surface of the male connector member.

Abstract: A resilient marine fender for protecting a boat from damage resulting from inpact against a boat dock, piling or other marine structure includes a fender body having an elongate bumper portion on one side of sufficient resiliency to cushion normal impact of the boat and mounting surface on the opposite side thereof of sufficiently frictional character with respect to the piling for generally non-slipping engagement therewith. Selectively engagable and disengagable strap means at the lateral sides of the fender body encircle the pilling for selectively securing the fender body to the piling such that the mounting surface is held in frictional facing contact against the piling. A number of elongate bumper portions can be disposed in side-by-side relation to one another on the fender body and a plurality of strap assemblies can be provided.

Abstract: A barbell assist device which is characterized by a frame fitted with a horizontal housing for enclosing a motor-driven yoke assembly which is provided with cables that extend around sheaves and downwardly from each end of the housing to support a barbell over a weight bench. A kick plate is located in close proximity to the weight bench and is wired into the motor through electronic circuity which facilitates raising and lowering the barbell responsive to contacting the kick plate. The barbell assist device is useful in "spotting" a barbell containing free weights and in performing weight lifting repetitions and negative stress exercises.

Abstract: A knock-down wardrobe cabinet comprises a back panel; two side panels; a first front frame member and a second front frame member; and a first back frame member and a second back frame member; wherein each back frame member has two substantially orthogonal channels, one of the orthogonal channels being dimensioned to receive a side edge portion of the back panel and the other orthogonal channel being dimensioned to receive a back edge portion of one of the side panels; and wherein each front frame has a channel dimensioned to receive one of the side panels. One side panel extends between and is received within channels of the first front frame member and the first back frame member, and the other side panel extends between and is received within channels of the second front frame member and the second back frame member when the cabinet is assembled. The back panel extends between and is received within channels of the first back frame member and the second back frame member when the cabinet is assembled.

Abstract: A flue for cooling the flow of reaction product from the high temperature oxidation of a metal halide to the metal oxide in the presence of oxygen, said flue comprising a first section of a given cross-sectional area and a second section wherein the cross-sectional area is decreased thereby increasing the velocity and turbulence of the flow.

Abstract: A flue for cooling the flow of reaction product from the high temperature oxidation of a metal halide to the metal oxide in the presence of oxygen, said flue comprising a first section wherein the cross-sectional area is increased thereby decreasing the turbulence of the flow and a second section wherein the cross-sectional area is decreased thereby increasing the velocity or turbulence of the flow and the process for using said flue to produce an agglomerate of TiO.sub.2 particles that are readily filterable and easily ground.

Abstract: Polyol is recovered from polyurethane based polyurethane foam by a process which includes first dissolving the foam in a saturated alcohol, preferably diethylene glycol, having a boiling point between about 225.degree. C. and 280.degree. C. at a temperature between about 185.degree. C. and 220.degree. C. under a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The solution is reacted with water in the presence of an alkali hydroxide catalyst, preferably sodium hydroxide, under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, such as nitrogen. This may be done by refluxing the solution at a temperature between about 175.degree. C. and 220.degree. C. until all the carbamates produced during dissolution have been hydrolyzed to amines and alcohol. Water remaining in solution after hydrolysis is removed. A high boiling alkane is used to extract the polyol from the solution still under a non-oxidizing atmosphere and then the extracted polyol is subjected to vacuum purification at a temperature of less than about 230.degree. C.

Abstract: Door holder is adapted to work with conventional door closer. Holder comprises a shoe moving along a track and connected to the closer operating arm. A latch, when device is activated, holds shoe with door in open condition. Latch is attached to a frame near the track and which may be moved away from latching engagement with shoe either by forcible closing of the door manually or by de-activating closer.