Abstract: In securing a missile to an aircraft, a socket-like recess is formed in the missile housing, a coupling head is releasably secured within the recess by a device including releasable locking members. In addition, an explosive charge is located in the device or the coupling head for displacing the coupling head out of the socket-like recess in the housing when the locking members have been disengaged from the coupling head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for sealing of the aperture in a weapon cupola for the barrel of the weapon and which permits elevation movements of the barrel. The device comprises an elongate bellows made of plastic material which is divided into two halves which are in contact with each other along the center line of the barrel aperture. The barrel extends out between and presses the two halves of the bellows apart. Because of the bellows-shaped elastic material, this pressing apart can easily take place, and the bellows resumes its shape and covers the barrel aperture both below and above the barrel. In order to cover the gap which arises just above and below the barrel a protective plate is adapted to the bellows and thus participates in the elevation movements of the barrel.

Abstract: A lightweight armored vehicle and method of making the same is shown. The interior of a standard automobile to be equipped with lightweight armor is first stripped of its interior furnishings. Doors and window frames are rebuilt to rigidly mount a bulletproof transparent window therein. The passenger compartment is bulletproofed by placing lightweight woven polyester glass sheets about it to form a continuous protective layer. Where appropriate the sheets are rigidly formed with a resin-catalyst mixture. Additional bullet resistant strength may be provided by multiple layers of ballistic nylon, aromatic polyamide material, or by similar such materials woven together into composite units.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for a semiautomatic hand gun simultaneously prevents the firing pin from moving forward and the hammer from impacting the firing pin.

Abstract: An expandable cushion plunger for use with a fluid pressure driven piston and cylinder device includes a cushion sleeve mounted on a piston rod in floating relation thereto, and having a skirt, the interior of which is exposed to the cushioning fluid within the cylinder. As the piston nears the end of its stroke, the sleeve begins to enter a fluid exit port, trapping fluid between the piston and the cylinder head, which will slow and cushion the piston travel as it approaches the cylinder head. As the sleeve continues to enter the fluid exit port, the pressure of the trapped fluid increases due to the smaller size of the annular orifice between the sleeve and the port as compared with the port size. The cushion sleeve may expand under influence of increased pressure, further restricting the flow of pressurized fluid through the annular orifice to provide smooth deceleration of the piston as it reaches the end of its stroke and comes to rest against the cylinder head without undesirable impact.

Abstract: The invention relates to a positive control especially radial piston motors for hydrostatic motors. Such control, while permitting a large range of rotational speed, is capable of avoiding disturbances in the oil flow occurring during coverage of the edges of includes slide valves and provides optimum smoothness of operation of the hydrostatic drive. It is the object of each slide valve to control the connection between an associated working cylinder and the inflow and outflow of the pressure medium. It is a further object of the slide valve to establish connection between the associated working cylinder and a pressure equalizing conduit, at least during coverage of a first pair of control edges, i.e. in a phase during which the working cylinder is cut off both from the pressure medium intake and from the pressure medium outlet. For this purpose the slide valve is provided with a second pair of control edges.

Abstract: A single-acting operating cylinder assembly includes a cylinder and piston of rectangular cross section and a spring arrangement for initially forcing the piston into one operating position. The piston has an axial recess with transverse end walls. A stop block is located within the recess and securable to the cylinder for movement of the piston with respect to the stop block. The spring arrangement is formed by a plurality of side-by-side lying helical compression springs supported between the stop block and the recess end wall opposite the stop block. In one embodiment, the stop block is positioned with respect to the cylinder by an eccentric disk adjustable for adjusting both end positions of the piston in the same direction while retaining a constant piston stroke. In a second embodiment, fixed pins and an adjustable disk connect a modified stop block with the cylinder for adjustability of the length of the piston stroke with one of the piston end positions held constant.

Abstract: In an electronic method and apparatus for an air conditioning system, an electrically operated switch door and an electrically operated air purifier are selectively activated in response to the respective degrees of pollution in the air within a passenger compartment and pollution of the outside air flowing into the compartment in consideration with the position of the switch door, thereby to enhance the elimination effect of the polluted air in the compartment and to avoid frequent operation of the air purifier.

Abstract: A prefabricated vehicle maintenance apparatus is disclosed, including a housing having bottom, side and end walls, which housing is adapted for insertion within a pit formed in the ground. A horizontal platform is arranged in the housing for supporting a mechanic beneath a vehicle arranged in straddling relation above the pit, the platform normally having effective width and length dimensions corresponding generally with the spacing distances between the housing side and end walls, respectively. The vehicle maintenance apparatus further includes a platform lifting device for vertically displacing the horizontal platform between upper and lower levels relative to the housing bottom wall, at least one of the effective width and length dimensions of the horizontal platform being variable to define an opening affording access to the portion of the housing bottom wall arranged beneath the platform.

Abstract: A linear air diffuser is disclosed for the delivery of conditioned air to the interior of a passenger vehicle such as a bus, railcar or the like. The diffuser consists of a frame structure characterized by a pair of open ended longitudinally extending delivery channels situated in a generally parallel side-by-side relationship. Each of the channels is turned to extend laterally outwardly in opposite directions and is provided with a curved interior surface on one wall to intercept input air so as to induce eddy current turbulence in the flow characteristics of the delivered air. The input openings to the channels are partially closed by a common longitudinal plate releasably affixed to the frame structure. The lateral peripheral edges of the plate serve to determine the width of a narrow longitudinal input orifice for each of the channels.

Abstract: A frying pan with a removable grease catcher which will prevent the accumulation of hot cooking oil or grease and which can be used to fry various types of food without washing the frying pan. The frying pan includes a base with a frying surface, a flared side wall, a bottom annular flange, a handle, a handle brace which is secured to the flared side wall, a flanged lip, and a grease catcher. The grease catcher is removably secured to the bottom annular flange by the interaction of two spaced screws secured to the bottom annular flange and two keyhole openings in flanges located on each side of the container of the grease catcher. The keyhole openings face in the same direction and are spaced so that its wide portion is in registry with the two screws. The flanged lip extends from the bottom of the grease opening into the grease catcher. The grease opening and the grease catcher are centrally located with respect to the handle.

Abstract: Whole beets are graded by size and fed one at a time to a bank of beet cutting assemblies. The whole beets are cut into a cylindrical plug member and a plurality of segment members. The plug members and segment members are separated by a suitable grading mechanism. The segment members are removed from the apparatus for further processing. The plug members are transported to a beet plug heating apparatus wherein they are heated to approximately 160.degree. F. The heated beet plugs are transported to a beet slicing apparatus wherein they are sliced into circular disc-shaped slices. The slices are removed from the apparatus for further processing.

Abstract: A screen printing machine has a carrier for an article to be printed, comprising first and second carrier members interconnected by a transverse connecting member. The carrier is reciprocal along the stencil between an article-receiving and an article-discharge station. The connecting member is adapted to pivot to a position beside the carrier, at at least one of the stations, for access to the carrier.

Abstract: The selector pin for a tow truck is comprised of first and second tubes aligned end to end with a spring confined within the tubes and under tension to maintain the tubes in end-to-end alignment, while permitting one tube to pivot relative to the other tube through an arc up to 90.degree..

Abstract: In an overhead-rail materials-conveyance system including an endless drive chain juxtaposed to an endless rail for driving hanger-type carriers suspended therefrom by means of wheels, a coupling assembly for carrier entrainment comprises a plurality of jaws pivotably mounted on the drive chain for swinging about respective axes parallel to the transport direction. The jaws are each provided with beveled edges for cammingly engaging coupling and uncoupling heads projecting vertically from front and back ends, respectively, of the carriers; the jaws have recesses of a breadth greater than the width of the coupling heads and less than the width of the uncoupling heads for forming locked engagements with only the coupling heads upon spreading of the jaws thereby. Upon the approach of a train of carriers towards a standing carrier, the uncoupling head thereof spreads the jaws entraining the first carrier in the train, thereby releasing this carrier.

Abstract: A miniature roadway system of the support type for vehicles such as cars and the like. The roadway consists of an elongated flat strip or length of plastic extrusion having flat thin flexible metal conductors slidably located in flanged recesses, molded longitudinal in one flat side of strip or length. The coilable and flexible roadway of relatively long length is uncoiled and flat-mounted on flat surfaces with the conductive bands exposed in the flanged channel recesses extending the length of the traction surface and is self-supporting.In use, the long sections of highly flexible roadway are combined with turn sections and are set up in an unlimited number of endless configurations and elevations.In use, the roadway is arranged either in a self-supporting configuration on the floor, patio, grass lawns and the like or utilizing special supports which engage recessed channels, molded into each side of roadway strip.

Abstract: To provide an apparatus for suspending, moving or fastening a load or locating a member which is loaded in use and where in each case the load or loaded member may be required to be movable in use, the invention provides a mesh for location in a desired position for suspending or locating the load. An attachment device for the load comprises a wheel having a number of spaced recesses and a co-operating location member mounted on a peripheral part of the wheel with relatively rotatable bearing members therebetween to allow the wheel to rotate relative to the location member. The wheel is engaged with the mesh with its plane generally perpendicular to the mesh such that elements of the mesh are received, guided and passed in the recesses on the wheel as the wheel moves through the mesh while being located with respect to the mesh by the location member.

Abstract: A rail car includes substantially flat plate extensions interposed between upper and lower sections of the shell of the car to increase the internal volume of the car. The extensions are supported by lateral supports which extend laterally in the interior of the car and by longitudinal support beams also in the car interior which extend longitudinally of the extensions, are intersected by the lateral supports, and substantially prevent internal pressure in the car from being applied to the extensions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for fluidized bed incineration of waste containing phosphorus wherein the bed comprises lime or limestone which negates heretofore existing problems incident to the presence of phosphorus.

Abstract: A sewing machine is provided with a needle thread cutting device for severing the free end of the needle thread extending through the eye of the needle at the beginning of a sewing operation to prevent entanglement of the free end with the stitches being formed. A cutter element is mounted for oscillating movement in conjunction with the raising and lowering of the presser foot. The lower end of the cutter element is provided with a transverse leg extending across the upper surface of the presser foot in close proximity thereto rearwardly of the needle. The transverse leg portion is provided with a cutting edge on the side thereof remote from the needle.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for stitching selected characters on material along a desired arc. A plurality of characters are stored in a character memory. The character memory communicates with a microprocessor which controls the operation of the apparatus. The microprocessor executes predetermined instructions stored in an EPROM while a RAM temporarily stores data required for proper apparatus operation. The characters selected for stitching along the arc are provided to the apparatus by the user. The radius of the arc along which the selected characters are to be stitched is also provided to the apparatus by the user. Each selected character has a reference position and is defined by a plurality of stitch locations having x, y coordinates. The mircroprocessor, in conjunction with the EPROM and RAM, rotates the stitch locations of the selected characters from the reference position to a rotated position using known and determined parameters of the selected characters and the inputted radius.

Abstract: The invention provides a keel comprising two mutually inclined fins 1, 2 which are movable relative to a hull on which the keel is mounted and means such as releasable ratchet devices 31, 32 for locking the fins in any of a plurality of positions relative to the hull. The keel may thus be selectively positioned asymmetrically with respect to the hull to give improved performance and to provide a stable base on inclined surfaces.

Abstract: Cleat has a base for mounting on deck or dock, with cleat head pivotably mounted to rock on the base. The horns on the head coact with the base to reliably and releaseably clamp line therebetween for secure cleating of the line. The spacing between the horns and the base is adjustable by adjustment of the pivot axis of the head on the base.

Abstract: This mast and boom carrier combination consists primarily of a bow member and a stern member, having a multiple number of openings, for receiving different sizes of masts and booms, and it is designed for wheeled carrier use in transporting a sailing vessel.

Abstract: A knock-down pulpit for a boat comprising a first brace connectable to the front deck of a boat, a body support platform, a frame for holding the body support platform which is connected to the first brace, a railing connected to the frame, a second brace connected to the bow of the boat and a support structure having one end connected to the second brace and the opposite end connected to the frame. The pulpit is designed such that the components may be compactly packaged at the factory for easy shipment, and then installed at the location of the boat with minimal effort. Once installed, the pulpit extends from the front deck of the boat past the bow.

Abstract: A bunny feeder is disclosed, removably mounted to a rabbit creep feeder and adapted to be secured to a rabbit hutch. Both feeders have feed storage hoppers communicating with open feed troughs. The troughs and hoppers are mountable through a small opening in the screen wall of a hutch so the troughs project inside the hutch and the hoppers project outside. An edge of a front wall on the bunny feed through projects forward of a similar lip on the creep feed trough. The bunny feed trough is situated below the creep feed trough so any doe feed that may spill over the lip of the creep feed trough will be caught by the front wall of the bunny trough and be guided into the bunny feed trough. The hopper of the bunny feeder cooperates with the hopper of the doe feeder to define a restricted opening, communicating with the bunny feed trough, that effectively prevents bunnies from escaping by crawling through the hopper.

Abstract: An animal litter device which includes a shell having a removable lid and an access aperture in the side of the shell, a disposable bag disposed in the shell and held in place within the shell by the lid, a ring secured to the bag in the vicinity of the aperture and having the inner portion of the bag within the ring cut away, and clips for securing the ring to the shell at the location of the aperture.

Abstract: A system for producing superheated steam includes a waste heat boiler, a steam drum and a superheater. A process stream is utilized to provide the heat necessary to produce the steam and superheated steam. A floating head design is employed in both the waste heat boiler and the superheater.

Abstract: An engine-cooling system has each of the vent pipes connecting a geodetic high point with the expansion tank provided with a hydrodynamic flow-controlling throttle which provides substantially unobstructed flow to air and provides increasing flow resistance with increasing liquid flow throughput of the coolant-circulating pump.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in a two-stroke internal combustion engine with opposed cylinders of different diameters which communicate by way of a combustion chamber of bell configuration for radially stratifying the rich mixture charge fed tangentially into the minor cylinder and the air charge fed into the major cylinder.

Abstract: A valve operating mechanism of an internal combustion engine comprises a first cam rotatable about an axis in timed relation to the engine speed, a rocker arm operatively engaged with the valve of the engine and rockable to open and control closing of said valve, a second cam rockable about an axis parallel to the axis of said first cam and interposed between the first cam and the rocker arm to provide an operative connection therebetween, the first and second cams having mating cam faces which taper axially thereof, and means for shifting one of the first and second cams axially thereof relative to the other thereby varying the angular position of the second cam independently of that of the first cam in response to variation of the engine operating condition whereby valve lift, valve timing and the period during which the valve is open are varied in accordance with the varying operating conditions of the engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine with M cylinders having an electronic ignition system, a pistons position sensor having a set of M+1 identical conductive members, which are synchronous with rotation of the engine's crankshaft. M of the conductive members are regularly spaced. Two fixed detectors adjacent the rotating members sense the members and supply identical electrical signals. The detectors are spaced to provide the signals out of phase by an amount that is substantially higher than the maximum ignition advance of the engine. Electronic circuits process the signals from the two detectors, include a first circuit that supplies a synchronization signal for the cycle igniting the engine, and a second circuit, which supplies two representative synchronization signals of the static advance and of the maximum dynamic advance during ignition.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a carburetor of an internal combustion engine for controlling the air-fuel ratio to a value providing satisfactory cold engine operating performance. The system comprises an automatic choke device having a heater operative in response to the temperature of the device to close the choke valve, an oxygen sensor for detecting the content of the exhaust gases, an air-fuel ratio controlling means, and an electronic control means selectively operative to the signals from the oxygen sensor and the automatic choke device. The heater of the automatic choke device is a PTC heater, the resistance of which increases with the increase of the temperature thereof. The air-fuel ratio control means comprises an electromagnetic valve for controlling the fuel supply or air flow rate.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a carburetor of an internal combustion engine having an induction passage, engine cooling water and a device supplies an air-fuel mixture to the induction passage. A converter converts the temperature of the engine cooling water to a first voltage signal. A choke valve is disposed in the induction passage and a bimetal actuates the choke valve. A positive temperature coefficient heater heats the bimetal. A heater circuit produces a second voltage signal dependent on the resistance of the positive temperature coefficient heater. An air-fuel ratio controller controls the air-fuel ratio of the mixture supplied by the air-fuel mixture supply device. A calculating circuit combines the voltage signals from the converter and the heater circuit respectively and produces an electronic control for controlling the air-fuel ratio control.

Abstract: A soccer ball practice machine includes a pair of juxtaposed, oppositely rotating wheels for propelling a soccer ball toward a soccer player to facilitate the practice and instruction of a wide variety of soccer skills. The orientation of these wheels can be selectively varied to permit the soccer ball to be propelled in an infinite number of directions. In addition, the distance separating the rotating juxtaposed wheels can also be adjusted to accommodate soccer balls of varying diameters and can be automatically increased to prevent damage to oversized balls due to engagement by the wheels. A large hopper includes a rotating auger which successively feeds soccer balls in the hopper into a flexible feed tube and down a rigid ball chute where they are engaged by the wheels and propelled outwardly.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for use in a restaurant having a forced air input air conditioning and/or heating system and a grill with an exhaust fan operating therewith. The invention includes an exhaust fan sensor means for monitoring the operative condition of the exhaust fan. A grill control means is provided for controlling the on/off operation of the grill. An air input sensor means senses the operative condition and the air flow of the air conditioning and/or heating system. A controller is connected for monitoring the sensors and for inhibiting operation of the grill upon an inoperative condition of the exhaust fan. The controller further inhibits operation of the air conditioning and/or heating system upon an inoperative condition of the exhaust fan thereby insuring the correct temperature within the restaurant. The invention may optionally include a stand-by power supply, a line voltage monitor and programmable thermostatic controller.

Abstract: The subject invention involves equipment for tracking the sun by utilizing its energy. Otherwise expressed, the invention is directed to what may be termed a solar collector assembly which is operated by the rays of the sun for automatically maintaining the assembly correctly positioned on the sun in order to substantially obtain the maximum amount of energy therefrom when it is available.

Abstract: Each of two channels has a sine wave oscillator, an electronic key, an amplifier and a pair of electrodes, electrically connected in series. A pair of threshold circuits are provided. Each of the threshold circuits has an input electrically connected to the amplifier of a corresponding one of the channels and an output. A first coincidence circuit has a pair of inputs each electrically connected to the output of a corresponding one of the threshold circuits, and an output. The output of the first coincidence circuit is electrically connected to a first input of a second coincidence circuit. The second coincidence circuit has a second input to which signals are fed from the output of a first time delay element. The output of the first time delay element is also connected to the input of a second time delay element. The output of the second time delay element is electrically connected to the control inputs of the electronic keys of the channels.

Abstract: A head gear manipulator for an invalid comprises a helmet, an arm carrying a gripper, an electro-motor operating the gripper in response to muscle movements of the invalid wearing the helmet, wherein the helmet consists of a blank of thermoplastically deformable sheet material having a center portion and a plurality of arms radiating from the center portion, and a longitudinally adjustable circular band mounted over the free ends of the arms and connecting the same. A mounting is affixed to the center portion for holding the arm carrying the gripper.

Abstract: A respirator comprising a hood and visor adapted to protect a wearer against an undesirable substance and so closely to fit and envelop the wearer's head as to be susceptible of being worn underneath a helmet, the visor being formed to accommodate an oronasal mask and the respirator having purge gas supply means for maintaining a positive pressure within the respirator and for washing over the visor in visual regions thereof as well as breathing gas supply means.

Abstract: A winged retention needle comprising a hollow needle having a beveled edge, a rigid cylindrical hub for fixing and supporting the needle, a flexible winged cylinder for rotatably supporting the hub inserted thereinto, and a means for restricting the rotation of the hub inserted through the winged cylinder so that the hub can rotate only 180.degree.. The rear end portion of the hub protruding from the rear end of the winged cylinder is inserted into a flexible tube as used in blood dialysis or continuous fluid administration so as to prevent forward and backward movements with respect to the winged cylinder, and edge surface facing up of the hollow needle inserted in a blood vessel is easily and surely faced down by 180.degree. rotation of the hub.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having an absorbent batt with an intermediate portion of reduced width and elastic means adjacent to each side of the batt and generally parallel therewith. The intermediate portion of the batt preferably is offset toward one end of the diaper, and may include relatively short rectilinear batt side segments. Further batt side segments extend outwardly at an angle from the ends of the rectilinear batt side segments, and still further rectilinear batt end segments extend outwardly from the ends of the inclined batt side segments.

Abstract: The garment has a body portion with an internal pouch which is adapted to receive an absorbent pad. The pouch is formed of a liquid impervious panel situated adjacent to the body portion and a liquid penetrable panel secured along its sides to the body portion. The sides of the liquid impervious panel extend from the body portion toward the liquid penetrable panel, to which same are attached, so as to form a liquid retention barrier along the sides of the pouch. The body portion is formed of a knitted fabric including interlocked courses of a staple fiber yarn and of a bulked continuous filament yarn. The liquid impervious panel includes a knitted fabric coated with polyurethane. The liquid penetrable panel comprises a polyester yarn knitted into a fabric with a semi-cardigan stitch.

Abstract: Timed diathermocautery comprising the combination of a conventional diathermocautery and a timer sufficiently precise for short duration interventions, free of electromagnetic disturbances, wherein the timing capacitor is charged directly because of a drive switch with limitation of the charge duration, in said timer all of the electronic circuits being operated at higher current levels.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for effecting anastomotic procedures. A deformable annular member has two operative modes, a deformed mode in which the member is shaped to be inserted through an opening in the wall of a hollow body member and a normal mode in which the member is retained within and around the opening. A tubular elastic membrane is attached in one open end to the annular member and extends through the opening to the exterior of the body member. A split ring attached to the other end of the tubular membrane radially tensions the membrane and sealingly engages it with the edges of the opening in the body member.

Abstract: An essentially dry, disposable biomedical electrode is disclosed having an improved electrically-conductive material at the interface between the electrode and the skin. The conductive material comprises a dermally-nonirritating cohesive, conformable, synthetic hydrophilic polymer containing at least 5 mole percent of monomer units containing a salt of a carboxylic acid.

Abstract: An electrode for a body implantable lead having a semiconductor surface for the coupling of electrical signals to the body tissue. A first approach uses several materials of differing conductivities. These materials are arranged in layers such that the material having the lowest conductivity is in direct contact with body tissue. The layers are then added in increasing order of conductivity. The intersection of two materials may be abrupt or may be a smooth transition fashioned by a combination of the two materials. The second approach provides an abrupt transition from the highly conductive materials within the lead body to a semiconductor material having direct exposure to the body tissue. The conductor within the body implantable lead is preferably fabricated using drawn brazed strand coils arranged in multifilar fashion. The conductor coils are insulated using a polyurethane sheath.

Abstract: A dental appliance cleaning device which includes a housing having at least one chamber therein, wherein a receptacle can be removably inserted into the chamber of the housing such that at least one dental appliance is receivable into the receptacle, wherein a mechanism for rotating the receptacle within the housing can be provided. A mechanism for cleaning the dental appliance within the receptacle is provided, wherein the cleaning mechanism is a mechanism for spraying a cleaning liquid on the dental appliances disposed within the receptacle.

Abstract: A novel tent apparatus and method, the tent apparatus including a first tent shell having sidewalls and a floor. The support structure for the tent shell includes a plurality of interconnectable pole structures and an external, umbrella-type rib structure for placing the tent poles in an outwardly directed tension. The tent pole structure is integrally joined to the tent shell so as to provide a unitary, man-portable and erectable tent structure.

Abstract: A portable, collapsible bicycle storage assembly for protecting bicycles from weather and theft when left outside. The storage assembly is lightweight and easily disassembled thereby rendering it highly portable. The storage assembly includes a framed structure having at least one bicycle support for supporting bicycles in an upright position. The bicycles may be locked to the bicycle support and thereby locked to the frame structure. Further, a collapsible cover is mounted on the frame structure for entirely covering and enclosing bicycles when they are in place in their respective bicycle supports. The cover includes easily disassembled lightweight cover supports and a lightweight plastic cover to thereby enhance the portability of the storage assembly.