Abstract: A power transmission device for enabling each of a plurality of separate tools having a respective operating gear and an associated power-transmitting wire connected thereto, to be selectively coupled to a main drive gear. The device includes a housing in which the operating gears and a like plurality of associated gear shifting units are spaced circumferentially about the centrally located main drive gear. Each gear shifting unit includes a stationary tubular column, a non-rotatable but axially displaceable and upwardly spring-biased tubular rod which rotatably supports the associated operating gear at its top end and extends co-axially through the column, and a sleeve freely rotatable about and axially movable with the rod within the column.

Abstract: A continuously varying transmission employs gears only, and includes three gear sets A, B and C, each including first, second and third gears; the first gears of the A and C sets are interconnected to rotate together, and the first gear of the B set is connected to the third gear of the C set to rotate as a unit; and the second gear (or gears) of the A set is connected by carrier structure to the third gear of the B set to rotate as a unit and to allow rotation of the second gear (or gears) relative to the third gear of the B set.

Abstract: In an automatic power transmission for an automotive vehicle, the hydraulic control system has incorporated therein a gearshift timing control arrangement for controlling the overlap and neutral intervals between the timings at which frictional units contributive to predetermined forward drive gear ratios are to be made operative and inoperative, the control being effected depending upon the road speeds of a vehicle.

Abstract: A shift valve arrangement for incorporation into a hydraulic control system of an automatic power transmission, comprising a shift valve including separate switching and control valve elements arranged and movable in series with each other, the control valve element havind different pressure acting areas to be acted upon by a fluid pressure when the control valve element is in upshift and downshift positions, respectively, under kickdown condition and a pressure acting area to provide an upshift pattern of the transmission for part-throttle conditions of the engine, and a downshift valve having pressure acting areas to provide a downshift pattern for the part-throttle conditions of the engine.

Abstract: A water meter wrench adapted to loosen or tighten the meter's box ring or its equivalent while the meter is in its installed location - usually below the ground in a meter box. The wrench comprises a tubular main stem having a torque stabilizing bar attached to its upper end and a pair of water meter engaging forks attached to a support at its lower end, the distance between the forks being selectively adjustable. Within the tubular main stem is carried a socket drive shaft having a head at its upper end and a box ring engager at its lower end. In use, the box ring is engaged by the engager, the separation between the water meter forks is adjusted for the size of the meter, and the forks are engaged with the inlet and outlet portions of the meter. Next, the socket drive shaft is torqued in the desired direction, as with a socket or torque wrench, the drive shaft in turn torquing the box ring engager and hence the box ring.

Abstract: A power tong system for engaging or disengaging threaded pipe sections has an annular rotary member that is supported against lateral thrust and include a hinged portion that is pivotable to permit side access to a pipe. The rotary member is rotated about its central axis by a peripheral drive chain engaging the rotary member through a relatively small wrap angle. The free end of the hinged portion and the opposing end of the principal body of the rotary interlock and become more secure in self-centering fashion under the spreading forces that are exerted during operation. Structurally rigid head plates on opposite sides of the rotary member are slidable relative to the housing, and incorporate spaced apart radial bearing slots that guide oppositely disposed heads that engage the pipe with hardened die elements. Twisting moments on the heads are absorbed in the head plates, such that the heads are subjected only to uniform and symmetrical forces.

Abstract: A wrench which includes an elongated shaft having a device at one end to receive a drive, such as a handle or the like, which drive usually is free to rotate on the elongated shaft, and a device at the other end to receive a socket or similar article. Alternatively, the other end may itself be configured in socket form or other tool, such as a phillips screwdriver head. The elongated shaft includes two swivel points along its length, permitting the tool to take various operating configurations, including straight through, an L form for high torque, and a lazy Z form for high speed.

Abstract: A cutting tool assembly comprises a cutting tool having a plurality of cutting edges which is held in a desired cutting position by a tool holder. The tool holder comprises an elongate body having a bifurcated end defining a pair of spaced tool gripping members and a tool receiving opening between which the cutting tool is releasable clamped in a vise like action. Each of the tool gripping members include a pair of opposed contoured faces each having a retaining wall for complementally abutting certain cutting edges of the tool in order to prevent rotation of the cutting tool relative to the holder. One edge of the cutting tool extends outwardly beyond the holder adjacent one corner of the tool receiving slot so as to be disposed in cutting relationship to the workpiece which is to be cut.

Abstract: A cutter assembly is provided for cutting continuous strips of a dough product, such as potato dough, into a plurality of relatively short strip segments with a variety of lengths and angular end cuts.

Abstract: The device for sharpening and/or forming the profile of a silk screen printing squeegee consists of clamping means for firmly holding squeegee strips 12 without deformation and of a tool movable along the clamped squeegee strip 12 relative to the latter, which is designed as a heated cutting tool 6, namely as a wire or knife.

Abstract: An apparatus which subdivides an adhesive-coated web of paper or imitation cork into a succession of uniting bands which are draped around groups of coaxial cigarettes and filter plugs to form filter cigarettes has two drums rotating in opposite directions about parallel axes. One of the drums is a suction drum and serves to advance the leader of the web toward the nip of the two drums where the leader is severed to yield successive uniting bands. The suction drum has a number of equidistant axially parallel peripheral grooves each disposed in front of a cutting edge. The other drum carries detachable knives with cutting edges extending beyond the periphery of the other drum so that they can penetrate into the oncoming grooves during travel past the nip. The drums are rotated by mating gears and the radius of the cylinder which is formed by the cutting edges of the knives exceeds the radius of the pitch circle of the gear which drives the other drum.

Abstract: A saw-carrying carriage consists of a supporting frame movable along horizontal guides, onto which frame there is vertically movably mounted a structure which carries the circular saw and the electric motor for driving it. The vertically movable structure comprises a pair of vertical rods slidable within vertical tubular guides secured to the supporting frame. The top ends of the vertical rods are conically shaped, and the top ends of the vertical tubular guides have downwardly directed hollow conical seats. The bottom ends of the vertical rods of the movable structure are connected to a bar to which are also secured the stems of two piston-and-cylinder units, the cylinders of each unit being secured to the supporting frame of the carriage. In this manner, retraction of the stems inside the cylinders will promote lifting of the movable unit which carries the saw.

Abstract: Cutting apparatus 20 for severing slices from a comestible product, especially meat bodies, having a rotary knife blade 28 and a rotary magazine 26 for moving comestible products in an endless path across the blade. The magazine has product receptacles 76, 77 constructed for convenient removal from a one-piece molded plastic supporting base 40, all of which facilitates cleaning the machine. The base 40 is received on the end of a drive shaft 30 and is adjustable in height relative to the shaft. A plate 71 secured to the shaft and clamped against the base secures the receptacles and eliminates wobble from clearance between the base and shaft. Projections 122, 123 from the plate 71 transmit rotary force between the drive shaft and base. Pusher plate assemblies 94, 96 slide along the receptacles to urge products through the magazine 26.

Abstract: A plastic body for a solid body musical instrument such as an electric guitar which body consists of a plastic body molded in the shape of the musical instrument body and a structural support member of wood or other suitable material embedded within the plastic body. The structural support member has a profile shape which is substantially a reduced scale version of the profile shape of the body and is so dimensioned and positioned within the body that the thickness of plastic about the structural member at most points along the member is substantially minimized and the mass of plastic material on one side of the member is not substantially greater than the mass of plastic on the opposite side of the member. The body is adapted to have an electric pickup mounted thereon, the support member being exposed in the area thereof adjacent the pickup and the pickup being mounted in close proximity to the exposed portion of the member.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument comprises a main body accommodating a keyboard and electronic parts, and a box-shaped leg structure for supporting the main body and including front, back and two side boards for supporting the body. The leg structure is so constructed that the front and back boards are removably mounted to the main body and the two side boards as well, and that the side boards are mounted to the main body removably or such that they can be folded down toward the main body.

Abstract: An adjustable bridge for a stringed musical instrument is positionable at a selected position longitudinally of the strings of the instrument. The bridge is provided with a plurality of individually adjustable saddles which are mounted for movement in a direction longitudinally of the strings. Each saddle is provided with a dual height and composition insert. The bridge is of varying height laterally of the strings to provide for relatively uniform spacing from the instrument body.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument, of the type in which the strings extend over a bridge which rests on the table of the instrument and are secured to a tailpiece, is provided with a tone improving device for maximising the tone production whatever strings are fitted to the instrument. The device is clamped to the table of the instrument and incorporates a nut to which the tailgut is attached. The nut is mounted on a threaded cylindrical member so as to be movable upwardly or downwardly on rotation of the member to modify the angle between the table and the part of the strings extending from the bridge to the tailpiece thereby to control the force exerted by the bridge on the table due to the tension in the strings without substantially varying the tension in the strings.

Abstract: A fret assembly for a stringed musical instrument having an elongated neck body, comprising a ladder-like structure including a pair of elongated support rods upon which are fixed a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transverse fret bars, and a clamp member for detachably securing the support rods longitudinally upon the top surface of the neck body.

Abstract: An improved capo for fretted stringed instruments has a pressure bar with a series of threaded bores which are arranged transverse to the length of the instrument strings. Individual adjusting screws received within the bores compensate for variations in diameter of the strings. Rotatable pads on the adjusting screw lower ends remain stationary once a string is contacted while allowing the adjusting screw to continue to turn and tighten on the string.

Abstract: A suspension band musical drum system is provided allowing for the free vibration of the shell in response to vibrations from the drum head. A suspension band encircling the drum shell connects the hoops holding the drum heads in place without necessitating any piercing of the drum shell. The suspension band has a spacer ring attached to its inner surface. The spacer ring engages a slotted channel in the drum shell.

Abstract: A light weight brake booster is disclosed having an internal axial tube for transmitting axial forces with a working or boosting piston surrounding the tube and a control piston slideably guide inside the tube. These two pistons are connected by reaction levers extending through longitudinal slots in the tube. The reaction levers are pivotably supported to transmit boosting forces to a master brake cylinder and their inner ends engage the control piston to deliver a reaction force to the brake pedal to give the driver the required "brake feel".

Abstract: A cap for a chimney is provided. The cap comprises a heat resistant cover, having a topside and an underside, extending across the chimney in superposed and spaced relation thereto. A support means is attached to the underside of the cover for supporting the cover in superposed and predetermined spaced relation above the chimney. A plurality of adjustable detachable mounting means are attached to the support means for detachably mounting the cover to the chimney. The mounting means are adjustable to accommodate the opening in the chimney. A particular advantage of this cap is that it can be easily installed in variously sized chimneys, and is of simple and inexpensive construction. Additionally the cap has a novel heat resistant cover.

Abstract: A portable window vent screen that includes a large hole therethrough with a ventilator adjacent its outer side bolted to an adapter on its inner side, and a flexible hose from a gas or electric dryer being detachably attachable to the adapter whenever the dryer is used, so as to move humid air from the dryer outwardly of the house.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus for barbecuing or smoking includes a cooking container, a support collar, and a support base which are removably secured together. The support base and the cooking container are each provided with a central air opening, and the cooking container and the support base are clamped against the support collar by a stud which extends through the air openings. The clamping force provided by the stud is transmitted to the cooking container and to the support base by compressible and resilient spring plates within the cooking container and the support base, and each spring plate is provided with an air passage to permit air to flow from the base, through the central air openings, and into the cooking container. A burner assembly may be removably secured to the spring plate in the cooking container by the stud.

Abstract: The improved food cooking device of the present invention is especially adapted for roasting bulky meat items such as turkeys, hams, chickens, standing ribs and other large heavy cuts of beef, legs of lamb, etc. and for lifting the the same after roasting from the roasting pan or roasting area in accordance with the present method. The device includes a perforated generally flat horizontal rack of aluminum or the like having vertically depending legs adapted to support the rack above the bottom of a roasting pan or the like so as to prevent uneven roasting of the food on the rack and so as to remove the food from direct contact with its drippings. The device also includes means for securing the food directly to the rack and for facilitating lifting of both the roasted food and the rack together from the roasting pan, in accordance with the method. Such securing means include strips of Nylon or the like from which finger loops are formable for lifting of the string/food/rack assembly as a unit after cooking.

Abstract: An automatic make-up machine, in which bakery product, "ANPAN", similar to bun and its inside is filled a scaled lump or ball of jam (hereafter called "jam ball") or the like such as sweet bean paste or minced and cooked meat-green compound paste is produced by using an application of filling and encrusting method in the bakery technology.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing and packaging cheese in which cheese curd which has been milled and salted is fed into four columns mounted on an upright tubular trunk fitted at the lower end with a guillotine blade movable between a closed position in which it closes the bottom of the trunk and an open position in which the blade is wholly clear of the trunk. The columns are maintained at a sub-atmospheric pressure so that air in the curd is flashed off immediately the curd enters the columns. The curd in the columns flows into the trunk and merges with the curd from the other columns to form a pillar of curd supported on the guillotine blade. The walls of the columns are perforated for drainage of whey pressed out from the curd by the weight of superimposed curd. An elevator below the trunk lowers the pillar of curd when the guillotine blade is withdrawn, the blade being subsequently returned to cut off a block of cheese from the lower end of the pillar.

Abstract: Baling press adapted to receive dried ordinary bales of hay and to compress them further, particularly to facilitate shipment of the bales.The press comprises a longitudinally extending compression chamber having substantially rigid lateral walls, an upstream end wall comprising a ram longitudinally movable between upstream and downstream extremes of movement, and a downstream end wall comprising an exit gate.The compression chamber is provided with novel bale ejection means comprising a longitudinally extending endless chain loop with first and second runs, the first run being attached to the ram and the second run being attached to a barbed ejection plate which engages and ejects bales in the compression chamber while moving downstream and which disengages matter within the compression chamber when moving upstream.

Abstract: A baling apparatus of the type which is moved along a windrow of fodder and rolls a large bale in a baling chamber which has side plates to confine the ends of the bale. One side plate is mounted for lateral translatory movement, provided by a hydraulic cylinder unit, so as to reduce the confining pressure on the bale at the time of bale discharge. Bale formation and discharge are also improved by providing the baling chamber with a set of closely spaced, transversely extending rotatable rollers which support the bale during bale formation and discharge.

Abstract: A double belt press comprises two endless steel belts revolving in opposing directions with mutually facing sides thereof pressed against each other and against material passed therebetween by means of stationary, temperature-controlled press plates. The belts are guided by revolving roller chains on the press plates which are speed-coordinated with the roller chains. A heat transfer mechanism is provided along the path of travel of the roller chain of at least one press plate in order to change the temperature of the roll elements of the roller chains.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing tin cans for convenient disposal, the apparatus including an enclosure fitted with a door for placing cans therein, a crank operated pressure plate inside the enclosure for pressing downward against the cans and a stepped conical seat upon which cans are placed so to not slip during crushing operation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a print head for printing two lines of data. Relatively thin spacers separate adjacent drive wheels and adjacent portions of the printing bands. A relatively thick spacer is disposed adjacent sets of printing bands of at least one line so that the printing bands print two spaced-apart fields of data.

Abstract: A printing system is disclosed which permits the printing of indicia on a continuously moving web at a fixed position offset from previously printed, evenly spaced web marks. The fixed position of the printed indicia relative to the web marks is independent of the velocity of the web. A web mark sensor, which may be part of the system to which the present invention is retrofitted, detects the passage of each previously printed web mark past a detection position. A registration circuit controls the timing of the printing of the indicia on the moving web and provides START signals for a servomotor-driven rotary print head which includes one or more peripherally mounted printing elements. A tachometer is mechanically coupled to a web transport mechanism to produce an output voltage which provides the velocity command for the servomotor drive of the rotary print head to match the rotational velocity of the print head to the linear velocity of the web during the printing interval.

Abstract: A mechanism for feeding and transporting printing plates to an exposure table with the aid of transport rollers. The uppermost of the printing plates is stacked in a plate holder. This plate is gripped by a swiveling lifting cylinder and is, after being swung through a semi-circular arc movement, deposited on a suction plate of the exposure table. The transport rollers, which are arranged on either side of the suction plate, are driven by a drive roller in each row via drive belts. Those transport rollers which are the first in each row (from the standpoint of the direction of printing plate travel) are arranged on swivel blocks which are swiveled outwardly from the rows before the printing plate is put down. This enables the forward part of the printing plate to be deposited on the suction plate without jamming.

Abstract: In a transfer cylinder for perfector printing machines having two diametrically opposed sheet-supporting surfaces formed from two groups, respectively, of sheet supports engaging comb-like one within the other, one of the two sheet-supporting groups of one sheet-supporting surface having a device for gripping the leading edge of a sheet, and both of the sheet-supporting groups forming one sheet-supporting surface being adjustable relative to one another about the rotary shaft of the transfer cylinder, each of the sheet supports of a respective sheet-supporting surface being firmly connected to a diametrically opposing sheet support of the other sheet-supporting surface and being disposed on the shaft of the transfer cylinder, the improvement therein includes means for mounting together at least a plurality of the diametrically opposing, mutually firmly connected sheet supports so as to be radially adjustable.

Abstract: A warhead initiation system in which a helical magnetic fluxtrapper explo a copper mesh initiator at a single point, several points, along a line and/or over a surface.

Abstract: A fuse provided with a detonator which is ignited by an electrical ignition signal is described. The detonator has a first terminal normally connected to earth and supported by a rotatable member which can move the detonator from a first position in which it is unable to transmit ignition to the chain, to a second position in which a second terminal thereof is in contact with a contact element at which the ignition signal arrives. The rotatable member is rotated by the centrifugal and inertia forces acting on the fuse and is controlled by a delay device arranged to allow it to rotate in a predetermined time and during at least part of the rotation of the rotatable member, the second terminal of the detonator is maintained in electrical contact with the earth so as to make the detonator electrically inactive during the part of the rotation.

Abstract: A cylindrical primer cup having a top end which may be sealed so as to safely contain granular or liquid explosive matter is disclosed. A cylindrical conduit extends in a straight path through the cup, providing an opening at either end permitting through-passage of detonating cord or blasting caps. The cylindrical conduit additionally has a fixed diameter throughout, facilitating its travel along a detonating cord. A frustoconical conduit extends well within the primer cup for the placement and frictional retention of blasting caps therein. The sidewalls of the two conduits are relatively thin to provide for easier primer detonation. Symmetrically placed columnar-shaped ribs provide longitudinal structural support for the cylindrical conduit.

Abstract: An improved ammunition propellant composition and method for reducing gun member wear, erosion, flash and cook-off through use of an additive comprising a mixture of a super water absorbent starch modified polyacrylonitrile which has been subjected to alkaline saponification and water. The wear reducing additive is preferably formed into sheets which can be used with propellants selected from the group consisting of bagged propelling charges and cartridge cased propellants.

Abstract: A disintegrable projectile is disclosed which utilizes thermal energy obted from the conversion of the kinetic energy of the air moving past the projectile to cause its fragmentation. The projectile employs an air intake nozzle axially disposed in the nose portion of the projectile and a resonance tube located in the body portion of the projectile in thermal contact therewith. The resonance tube develops the thermal energy which is transmitted to the body portion to cause the fragmentation thereof. The projectile of the present invention is intended for use in gunnery training and practice conducted within limited size training and practice ranges, where civilian personnel and property may be in proximate location.

Abstract: A controlled degree of ballast compaction is obtained with a mobile track tamping and leveling machine which comprises a track holding device holding the track at a leveled position under the control of an error signal from a reference system. The ballast is compacted under the points of intersection between the track rails and ties by a pair of opposed vibratory tamping tools arranged for immersion in the cribs adjacent a tie and for reciprocation in the direction of track elongation, with the tie positioned between the opposed tools, and an additional vibratory tamping tool arranged for immersion in the ballast adjacent the end of the tie and for reciprocation in a direction transverse to the track elongation. The ballast is pressed against the held track until it has reached a controlled degree of compaction, a control for regulating the compaction degree regulating the drives for reciprocation and vibration of the tamping tools.

Abstract: Leg structure for portable, height-adjustable gantries is disclosed having an upper, single vertical tubular post member telescopingly received within an open-ended sleeve formed by coupled aligned channel members of lower, break-apart sectional supporting framework. The channel members are supported and elevated by diagonal bracing members and struts giving a generally inverted-Y shaped configuration to the leg so that it can straddle objects and permitting the free, unobstructed downward passage of the post through the lower opening of the sleeve. A locking bolt passes through aligned holes in the post and channels to selectively hold their relative positions, with hand-operated winch means aiding the movement of the post. Post extension members are disclosed which can be added to the leg post while the gantry is assembled. The plate connection between the top of the post and a load-supporting I-beam is externally and internally braced by triangles and post weldment or casting insert elements, respectively.

Abstract: A covered railway hopper car includes a partition sheet assembly, including a plurality of partition sheets compartmentalizing the hopper car. The partion sheets include a construction at their upper end which relieves stress, reduces fatigue and improves partition sheet resistance to fatigue.

Abstract: A table including a top and depending legs anchored relative to the top for support of the latter in elevated position about a floor surface upon which the lower end of the legs rest. The top includes a central vertical opening therein and a pair of upper and lower vertically spaced panels are provided with an upright extending between and interconnecting the panels and supported from the table for vertical shifting relative thereto between a lowered position with the upper panel at least closely overlying the top opening and an upper position with the lower panel received within the opening.

Abstract: An interlocking shelf and shelf bracket construction in which the shelf brackets have an upper shelf supporting surface and forwardly and rearwardly facing abutment faces extending transverse to the shelf supporting surface, and the shelf has forward and rear abutment strips arranged to engage the forward and rear abutment faces on the shelf brackets. The rear abutment strip is mounted on the shelf to have portions resiliently movable relative to the shelf in a direction away from the forward abutment strip to resiliently clamp first and second abutment faces on the shelf brackets between the first and second abutment strips.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a biomass gasifier combustor which operates by gasification and combustion of the biomass to produce a clean effluent gas which can be used directly for grain drying or other applications where thermal energy is required. This biomass gasifier combustor burns crop residue clean enough so that the combustion gases can be used directly for grain drying without the need for a heat exchanger to isolate the combustion gases from the drying air. The biomass gasifier combustor includes a screw feeder tube having a screw feeder disposed therein. The screw feeder forces the biomass into a first combustion chamber. Primary combustion of the biomass produces a first combustion gas. A venturi gas pump creates a negative pressure region in the gasifier, drawing the first combustion gas into a second combustion chamber.

Abstract: Devices and processes are provided for intermittently exploding smoke charges in such a way as to extract thermal energy cheaply and efficiently for various applications.

Abstract: An electronic sewing machine with an electronic memory and electronic circuit for controlling the needle amplitute and the fabric feed in order to form a plurality of stitching patterns includes a plurality of pattern-selecting buttons on the pattern panel of the machine, an inverse memorizing button for inversing a pattern selected by the pattern selecting buttons, a memorizing button which causes the electronic memory to store a plurality of patterns in cooperation with the pattern selecting buttons, a function selector for dropping feed dog means with respect to the needle plate in cooperation with the pattern selecting buttons, and a twin-needle button for reducing the needle lateral amplitude.

Abstract: This invention relates to method for manufacturing composite containers. The containers of the preferred embodiment are especially adapted for dispensing food stuffs.

Abstract: Fixture for attaching a wishbone element to a mast of a sheet of sail on a sail-board comprising a unitary member having a pair of holes or sockets at one end thereof for reception and retention of free ends of a wishbone element to be assembled therewith, a notch with a cylindrical surface extending between and separating the pair of holes or sockets whereby a portion of a mast may be retained in seated relationship against the notch, and a hook extending from one side of the unitary member over which a loop of a semi-elastic strap securing a mast in slip-knot manner may be readily passed and be effectively retained thereby.