Abstract: A flat belt type chassis dynamometer includes a pair of rotary drum wound around an endless steel belt. A dynamometer is built into one of the rotary drums. The dynamometer has a rotor oriented outside and adjacent the inner periphery of the rotary drum.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for measuring pressure in a sealed well using a differential transducer. A differential transducer is employed in a number of applications to measure either the pressure in the upper portion of a well or the level of liquid contained in the well. In each application, the back side of the differential transducer is vented to the same pressure as is present in the upper portion of the well. In one embodiment, the present invention is used to determine information relating to the liquid level in a well during a soil vapor extraction procedure. The information is then used to control a pump which maintains a desired liquid level in the well. In another embodiment, the present invention is used to determine information relating to the liquid level in a well during a pneumatic slug test. The information is then used to determine how quickly the well can recover from changes in pressure.

Abstract: A repairable pitot static tube which provides for replacement of the internal heating elements and other components parts. The heating elements may be accessed from either end of the barrel portion of the pitot static tube and repairs may be done either with the pitot static tube in place on an aircraft or removed from the aircraft. The end cap of the barrel portion is also made removable to provide access to the heater from both ends as well as to replace defective end caps to salvage damaged pitot static tubes.

Abstract: Elbow mass flow meter. The present invention includes a combination of an elbow pressure drop generator and a shunt-type mass flow sensor for providing an output which gives the mass flow rate of a gas that is nearly independent of the density of the gas. For air, the output is also approximately independent of humidity.

Abstract: A device for measuring sap flow in a stem region comprises a rigid housing, configured like a clam-shell, and insulated and sealed from intrusion from radiation or water or weather by a collar which circumscribes the housing situated around the stem region being measured. Enclosed within this housing is a substrate preferably constructed from a composite of foam tape and rubber gasket material to provide a means for the electronics to conform to a diversity of stem cross-sections and irregularities. Temperature-sensing electronics measure energy transferred from an internal heater strip to the ambient, to the stem region, and to measure heat flowing up the stem. Heat transfer related to sap flow in a stem region is determined from four signals, two signals provided by two pair of differential thermocouples, a signal generated from a thermopile, and a signal indicative of the millivoltage delivered to the heater.

Abstract: An enclosure for a film-type humidity sensing element includes identical enclosure members which snap together to form an enclosure with the humidity sensing element sandwiched between the members, each of the members including a lead mounting area on its inner surface for mounting the mounting ends of electrical leads, the leads being connected to contact portions of the humidity sensing element interiorly of the enclosure by a metal-filled conductive adhesive which is introduced into the enclosure through access openings after the enclosure members have been assembled together. The enclosure is adapted for mounting on a circuit board in both horizontal and vertical orientations and independently of the lead structure of the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A micromachined capacitor structure having a first anchor (12) attached to the substrate (24), a tether (13) coupled to the anchor (12) and having a portion free to move in a lateral direction over the substrate (24) in response to acceleration. A tie-bar (14) is coupled to the movable portion of the tether (13), and at least one movable capacitor plate (16) is coupled to the tie bar (13). A first fixed capacitor plate (16) is attached to the substrate (24) laterally overlapping and vertically spaced from the at least one movable capacitor plate (16).

Abstract: A monolithic flowtube for use with an electromagnetic flowmeter includes an inner portion formed of an improved purity dielectric material having a reduced number of mobile ions, a pair of electrodes adjacent the exterior surface of the inner portion and capacitively coupled thereto, and an outer layer of ceramic material adjacent the exterior surface of the inner conduit and electrodes. A method of manufacturing the flowtube includes the steps of forming a dielectric material into a substantially tubular conduit, depositing a conductive material, preferably a refractory metal, onto the exterior of the tubular conduit, forming an outer layer of ceramic material over the tubular conduit, and firing all components simultaneously in a reducing atmosphere to form a monolithic flowtube body.

Abstract: A drive roller torque reference cartridge for calibrating a drive force tester. The reference cartridge uses a magnetic hysteresis brake assembly to controllably resist the rotation of the cartridge drive roller. The magnetic hysteresis brake assembly includes a cylindrical permanent magnet within the drive roller and a coaxial remanently magnetizable sleeve surrounding the drive roller. The drag created by the reference cartridge is substantially independent of the temperature and rotational speed of the drive roller.

Abstract: An improved handlebar structure for a collapsible bicycle mainly uses a locking mechanism to clamp and lock the upper tube and the lower tube of the bicycle together. The locking mechanism comprises a bolt, a pressing lever and a U-shaped clamping member. The bolt feeds through the pivotal connection of the upper tube and the lower tube, with its front end being secured to the U-shaped clamping member and its rear end being coupled to the pressing lever.

Abstract: An ultrasonic wave is applied to an anisotropic sample material in an initial direction and the intensity of the ultrasonic wave is measured on an opposite surface of the sample material by two adjacent receiving points located in an array of receiving points. A ratio is determined between the measured intensities of two adjacent receiving points, the ratio being indicative of an angle of flux deviation from the initial direction caused by an unknown applied load. This determined ratio is then compared to a plurality of ratios of a similarly tested, similar anisotropic reference material under a plurality of respective, known load conditions, whereby the load applied to the particular anisotropic sample material is determined. A related method is disclosed for determining the fiber orientation from known loads and a determined flux shift.

Abstract: A method for simulating in real-time the ultrasonic inspection of flaws in power plant components such as piping stores the X, Y and skew data relating to a specific waveform and a specific flaw in a unique format in a multi-disk rotational data storage. The skew angles are respectively stored on one side of a disk with the X-axis data relating to tracks on the disk and the Y-axis data to sectors on the disk. In this manner waveform data of several bytes which represent a defect or flaw can be retrieved and displayed to the user of this simulation system. A RAM is utilized as a cache memory.

Abstract: A transducer sensing element isolation assembly including a pressure housing having a chamber in which the sensing element is disposed, which sensing element communicates with the interior of a bellows through a sealing element disposed between the pressure housing and a base on which the bellows is secured. The chamber, bellows interior and sealing element are filled with a dead volume of low compressibility, low thermal expansion isolation fluid. The bellows is contained in a replaceable bellows capsule which is threaded into a bellows capsule cavity into which the chamber communicates, and the sealing element is maintained in place by the capsule being made up into the cavity.

Abstract: A measuring instrument includes first and second rigid, elongate measuring elements which are interconnected by a flexible element. The measuring elements are supported in a measuring tube inserted in the foundation soil. Whenever a displacement occurs in the foundation soil or construction, the measuring tube is deformed and the second measuring element is pivoted with respect to the first measuring element. The curvature or bending which thereby occurs in the flexible element of suitable dimensioning or configuration is preferably determined by at least one wire strain gage fitted to the flexible element in the plane of deformation, the elongations being converted, for example by use of a Wheatstone bridge circuit, into proportional electrical current or voltage signals. Preferably, wire strain gages are disposed on all four mutually perpendicular outer sides of the flexible element, in order to allow for the detection of displacements in mutually perpendicular planes.

Abstract: A reliable, repeatable, well-characterized, safe technique for testing the mounting integrity of heat sinks adhered to semiconductor packages is disclosed. Generally, a semiconductor package is secured in a tensiometer, the heat sink is clamped and secured to the spindle of the tensiometer, and a stud-pull type test is conducted.

Abstract: A fluid volumetric flow sensor has relaxed dimensional tolerances when compared to prior art devices of the type in which a swirl, imparted to the fluid by channels in a housing, causes a rotor to spin. The rate at which the rotor spins may be measured by allowing the rotor lobes to interrupt an optical beam generated by a clip-on opto-electric module. The swirl-inducing channels that cause rotor motion lead from an inlet chamber into a small volute chamber that is upstream of and separate from the rotor chamber. Fluid impinging on a thrust reverser at the downstream end of the rotor chamber provides a fluid support so that the rotor is entirely supported by flowing fluid at normal flow rates. The thrust reverser may be a bluff body formed on a tension shaft that is attached to and extends downstream from a wall of the volute chamber through an axial lumen in the rotor body.

Abstract: A conduit included in a Coriolis force mass flowmeter has two generally straight end sections with central axes disposed on a first plane and respectively extending from two secured extremities of the conduit, and a curved midsection with central axis disposed intermediate two parallel planes perpendicular to the first plane and respectively including the central axes of the two generally straight end sections, which curved midsection connects the two generally straight end sections to one another, wherein an electromagnetic vibrator vibrates the two generally straight end sections relative to one another, and a pair of motion sensors respectively measure flexural vibrations of the two opposite halves of the curved midsection of the conduit.

Abstract: A gas flow meter includes a cylinder closed at its upper end and slidably supported within a bearing ring. The cylinder side wall is provided with openings. A gas flow is directed into the interior of the cylinder which causes it to rise with respect to the bearing ring and permitting the gas to flow out of the area of the openings exposed above the bearing. During a constant flow of gas through the cylinder the flow rate can be measured by the distance which the cylinder has moved upwardly as indicated on a fixed marker positioned adjacent to the cylinder. An electrical signal is also provided by means of an electrical sensor positioned axially within the cylinder.

Abstract: A load sensing assembly adapted to measure the weight of loads which act with both vertical and horizontal direction force components by resolving such force components solely into a vertical downward force component representative of the weight of the load is disclosed. This assembly comprises a first support member having a generally inclined leg portion fixedly mounted against movement, a second support member moveably mounted with respect to the first support member having a load support portion for supporting the load to be measured, a third member for interconnecting the first and second support members toward first ends thereof formed of elastically deformable material capable of transmitting only tensile force and no other types of force and a fourth member interconnecting the first and second support members toward the opposite ends thereof also formed of elastically deformable material capable of transmitting only tensile force and no other types of force.

Abstract: A radiant energy heating source for heating the sample during purge of analytes to the sorbent trap is disclosed. The radiant energy heat source may be provided with a filter to pass only certain spectra of visible light to the sample. A thermocouple is provided to monitor the temperature of the sample and provide feedback to the radiant energy heating source.

Abstract: A sampling tool or sampling thief having a number of removable sampling dies that can be placed within a receiving rod. These dies have cavities disposed therein defining varying volumes. The receiving rod comes in sections that can be mutually engaged to provide a rod of any length. The rod and the attached dies are then placed within a hollow outer tube containing apertures that are aligned relative to the cavities such that the rod and dies are manipulable into a position where the material to be sampled can enter the cavities through the apertures in the outer tube after the device is inserted into a powder blender or similar apparatus. As an alternative to the variously sized cavities, a die can be provided where the cavity is adjustable through a threaded adjustment or the like. The sampling thief is particularly useful for sampling pharmaceutical powder blends.

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control cable assembly (10) includes a flexible remote control core element (12) and a conduit (14) which slideably supports the core element. The conduit (14) has a jacket (16) defining an outer surface and an inner bore. A liner (18) lines the inner bore and includes a protruding end protruding from an end of the jacket. The conduit (14) also includes a plurality of lay wires (20) having ends protruding from an end of the jacket (16) together with the liner (18). The ends of the lay wires (20) are formed to have an arch-shaped protrusion (22,26) which protrudes radially from the end of the liner (18). Such a protrusion (22,26) forms a mechanical lock between the conduit (14) and an end fitting (24) which is molded over the end of the conduit, preventing axial movement between the end fitting and the conduit.

Abstract: A mechanically programmed indexing turret assembly configured to independently position each of a plurality of mandrels about a central axis of the turret for periodic interaction with a plurality of work stations. A central standard rotates at a substantially constant angular velocity. Each mandrel is mounted about the axis of the standard for rotation about a common axis therewith. The standard selectively transmits torque to the various mandrels in conjunction with cam and linkage elements. The respective periods of angular acceleration, deceleration, and absolute dwell of the respective mandrels are controlled in accordance with a predetermined cam contour associated with the cam track.

Abstract: An automatic tool change mechanism containing a cam shaft linked with a moter and a slotted cam. The cam shaft is driven by the motor to actuate the slotted cam to turn. The slotted cam is provided with a cam-profile groove, which is dimensioned so as to permit a driven roller to roll along the groove. The driven roller is caused to travel along the course of the cam-profile groove so as to cause an L-shaped rod to rock when the slotted cam is rotated by the cam shaft. The L-shaped rod is linked with a planetary gear, which engages a sector gear. The L-shaped rod contains a rocking section which actuates the planetary gear to turn. The planetary gear is connected with an output pitman, which is in turn coupled with a tool change shaft to cause the tool change shaft to engage in a linear motion. The driven roller also causes a turret, which is normal to the cam shaft, to rotate, and the rotation of the turret causes the tool change shaft to engage in a revolving motion.

Abstract: A powershift transmission having input, center and output clutch sections, each section including a plurality of clutches, is arranged to have a high and a low range of input/output speed ratios with some of the lower ratios of the high range being substantially equal to some of the higher ratios of the low range. During upshifting the shift sequence is 1L, 2L, . . . (N-2)L, (N-1)L, NL, 3H, 4H, . . . NH and during downshifting the sequence is NH, (N-1)H . . . 2H, 1H, (N-2)L . . . 2L, 1L wherein ratios (N-1)L and NL are substantially equal to 1H and 2H, respectively, L represents the low range, H represents the high range and N represents the number of gear ratios within each range. The arrangement avoids the need for simultaneous clutch swaps in all three clutch sections and reduces the number of shifts requiring simultaneous clutch swaps in the center and output clutch sections.

Abstract: A shift valve of a hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission system, which ensures safety by maintaining a standard shifting operation when an electronic control system is out of order.

Abstract: A laminated gear and a method of forming the laminated gear are disclosed. The method comprises punching a central hole and a circular array of closely adjacent perforations in a generally planar sheet. The array defines an interior portion having the outline of the gear, and a selvedge portion disposed outboard the perforations. The central hole and the perforations are progressively stamped until they have burnished faces perpendicular to the sides of the sheet. Web portions interconnecting the interior and selvedge portions are then broken to separate the gear from the sheet. A projection and corresponding recess are then stamped on the opposite sides of the gear. A predetermined number of gears are queued and finally arranged into an assembly by frictionally nesting the projections and corresponding recesses. The central holes are thereby aligned to form a bore adapted to be press fit onto a camshaft or crankshaft. The laminated gear formed by this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ball screw comprising a screw shaft and a nut into which the screw shaft is screwed through a multiplicity of balls, the screw shaft having thereon a series of alternate threads and grooves changing partly in pitch, a flexible ball receiver provided integrally within the nut for allowing the balls to move axially of the receiver depending on a change in the pitch of threads on the screw shaft, and a ball return guide provided outside or inside the nut for changing the feed speed or torque of the ball screw automatically.

Abstract: An electronically controlled continuously variable transmission system is provided with a driving belt trained over a primary and secondary pulley. The primary pulley is provided on a primary shaft and the secondary pulley is provided on a secondary shaft. Each pulley has corresponding spaced, conical pulley halves and at least one of the corresponding pulley halves is axially movable by respective primary and secondary moving devices. The transmission further includes a primary electronic control system for controlling the transmission ratio and a secondary electronic control system for controlling the belt tension. The primary electronic control system permits the operator to select from fuel economy, sporting, and maximum comfort performance modes. The primary electronic control means controls the transmission ratio in accordance with the performance mode selected. The moving devices include standby operating valves to permit continued operation of the transmission in case of power failure.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for use in a vehicle which enables smooth starting of the vehicle with a good response. The transmission is intended to eliminate a particular phenomenon in both low-speed and high-speed vehicles provided with the transmission at the time of starting, that is, delay in response and subsequent abrupt rushing out of the vehicles. To this end, the transmission is provided with a variable speed hydraulic transmitting system connected to a hydraulic pump/motor of a variable displacement type acting as a pump and a hydraulic pump/motor of a variable displacement type acting as a motor, and to change the displacement of the hydraulic pump/motor acting as a pump, there are additionally provided a control cylinder, a servo valve, a circuit for detecting the differential pressure of the hydraulic transmitting system, a potentiometer and the like, and a duty control valve.

Abstract: In a system for controlling a gear ratio of a multi-step geared or continuously variable automatic transmission of a vehicle, the gear ratio is determined through fuzzy production rules each having one of an ATF temperature, a steering or an engine coolant temperature. For example, the rule regarding the ATF temperature defines such that the gear position should be shifted down if the ATF temperature is high. With the arrangement, when the ATF temperature is high, the gear position is determined in the downshifting direction so that the amount of torque converter slippage can be reduced, whereby avoiding temperature rise in the transmission. And since the engine speed is relatively high at that situation, motive force could be sufficient even climbing a hill.

Abstract: Tools and dies are made from a master pattern by making a hard chromium electroformed shell from the pattern, supporting the pattern and filling it with tool steel which applied by spray deposition of molten particles, the deposit being continuously densified by peening as it is made.

Abstract: An opener, especially for opening tab-top beverage containers and certain vehicle door handle systems has an essentially flat, rectangular handle portion with a curved tail end and a hook disposed at an opposite end of the handle portion. The inventive opener simplifies the tasks of opening tab-top beverage containers end certain vehicle door handle systems, while protecting a user's hands and fingernails.

Abstract: Apparatus for severing and stripping a portion of a coating material from an elongated member such as an insulated electrical conductor, or the like, utilizing a pair of overlapping blades having cutting edges formed at the junction of two planar surfaces meeting at an acute angle. The blades are moved relative to one another, radially of the conductor, to cause the cutting edges to move radially partially through the layer of insulation. Relative movement of the blades and conductor axially of the conductor completes the severing of a slug of insulation, all in accordance with the prior art. The present apparatus is distinguished by making the planar surface portions immediately adjacent the cutting edges of the overlapping blades and engaged with the portion of the insulation to be stripped, i.e., the portions of the blades which apply the axial severing force, at equal angles, either 90.degree. or an acute angle, to the direction of relative movement.

Abstract: A socket having a plurality of gripping jaws positioned in slots formed in a yoke member, the yoke member in turn being positioned in a cylindrically shaped barrel member. The barrel member has an index window which provides a visual indication to a user of the size of the socket opening. The jaws are positionable laterally inwardly or outwardly to provide seventeen discrete socket opening sizes without varying the external physical dimensions of the socket.

Abstract: A driver for fasteners, and particularly, a power screwdriver is described which is adapted to drive screws having different diameters. The power screwdriver has a removable guide tube and a complementary drive shaft. The guide tube is sized to the diameter of one size of screw. The complementary removable drive shaft is sized to be guided in the guide shaft, reciprocally movable therein to engage and guide a screw located in the guide tube. By removal of one pair of guide tube and complementary drive shaft and replacement with another pair of guide tube and complementary drive shaft adapted for use with screws having a different head diameter, the driver is adapted for driving screws of different head diameters.

Abstract: An automatic screw feeder to be coupled to a conventional electric screw driver so that a plurality of screws may be successively and automatically grasped and relocated from a screw supply to the screw driver bit. The screw feeder includes a swing arm assembly that is rotatable between a screw feeding position, at which the screws are removed from the supply, to a screw installing position, at which the screws are driven into a flat surface, or the like. The swing arm assembly includes a pair of opposing swing arms and a rotatable cam therebetween to control the separation and closing of the swing arms and the grasping and removing of the screws from the supply. The screws are carried on a spirally wound bandolier that is loaded within and removable from a storage drum.

Abstract: An improved screwdriver comprises a hollow cylinder having a plurality of guiding slots therein, each guiding slot receiving a slidable connecting piece having one end connected to a driver bit; a hollow guiding cylinder having a plurality of sliding slots therein is connected to one end of the hollow cylinder, the sliding slots corresponding to the guiding slots in the hollow cylinder for receiving the driver bits; a positioning head is connected to the other end of the hollow guiding cylinder and has an exit end with a hole of the size of the driver bits; a hollow sealing cover is connected to the other end of the hollow cylinder; and an actuator rod is slidably mounted within the sealing cover, and a peg is provided at the center of the actuating rod.

Abstract: An improved torque wrench for procedures requiring the application of precise small torques. The wrench includes a handle pivotally connected to a cam member rigidly attached to a driving head. The handle breaks out of alignment with the extending cam member upon application of an adjustable torque limit. A spring-biased plunger within the handle normally holds a rigid ball within an elliptical indent in the cam member. Application of the torque limit on the handle forces the ball out of the indent and onto an angled surface before a projecting flange of the handle contacts the cam member and limits the further pivot of the handle. The angled surface provides a reaction force to the ball sufficient to maintain the handle in a pivoted position. The handle pivots a noticeably large angle of 30.degree. before the flange contacts the cam member.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates an outfeed lift ramp (24) for use with a male (19) and female (18) combination of blanking dies for separating a diecut paper box blank (21) from an attendant web portion (20). Outfeed lift ramp (24) is appended to the leading edge (33) of female die member (18) adjacent to blanking through holes (32) at preselected points corresponding to a series of naturally occurring or benign box blank slots (31). During the blanking operation, the diecut and partially stripped sheet (17) is interposed over the die through holes and the upper arcuate portion of the lift ramp (38) extends through the through slots (31) of the sheet to be blanked thereby permitting the sheet to lie flush against the female die surface. After blanking, box blanks 21 are forced through female die through holes (32) and all that remains on the female die surface is a flexible and flimsy web (20).

Abstract: A cutter blade assembly for cutting a product, such as a carrot, into a plurality of finished end products, such as carrot sticks, comprises a blade holder and a first and second blade group disposed within the blade holder. The blade holder has a longitudinal passage formed therein. The first blade group comprises a plurality of first blades radially disposed about the longitudinal passage for cutting a first group of finished end products from the product as the product is advanced through the longitudinal passage. The second blade group comprises a plurality of second blades radially disposed about the longitudinal passage and angularly displaced with respect to the first blades. The second blades cut a second group of finished end products from the product as the product is further advanced through the longitudinal passage. Since both the first and second blades produce finished end products, the utilization of the product is maximized, and the amount of waste generated from the product is minimized.

Abstract: A woodworking machinery jig and fixture system includes a track which is attached to a separate plywood fence, auxiliary table or other workpiece support of woodworking machinery such as a table saw, a band saw, radial arm saw, miter saw, a drill press or a router table. A flip stop and an optional microadjuster mount to a T-shaped slot in the track. An angle bracket is also provided for making right angle connections of track to track or track to support. A location stop records the position of a track relative to a flip stop or other jig or fixture and a circle jig can be used in the track to cut circles. A miter guide, optionally having a fixed head, has a longitudinally adjustable auxiliary fence and a miter bar with an anti-play feature in which a bearing is adjusted to slide on the side of a table top slot in which the bar is received. A guideway for the miter guide has a concave bottom wall which adjustably flexes to tighten the guideway around a miter guide bar.

Abstract: The invention concerns a punch block support arm adaptable to a perforating device as well as a process for mounting punches on such a block. According to the invention, the block comprises a narrow slot (12, 20, 23) across the whole block thickness, and extending on the whole length of the punch array. The slot extends, at each of its ends (23), perpendicular to the alignment axis (26) of the punches (20, 22), in order to define a longitudinal bar (14) and two transversal bars (15, 16), the slot being located so that the distortion of the longitudinal bar brings relatively closer the portions of transversal bars so as to immobilize the punches.

Abstract: A new and improved guitar neck apparatus is provided that includes a plurality of convexly curved fret portions and a convexly curved first guitar neck portion underlying and supporting the convexly curved fret portions. The convexly curved first guitar neck portion extends between the guitar body portion and the string-tension-adjusting portion. The convexly curved first guitar neck portion includes a concavely shaped underside portion. A tongue portion extends radially from the concavely shaped underside portion. The tongue portion divides the concavely shaped underside portion into two symmetrical concavely shaped groove portions suitable for receipt of one or more fingers of a guitar player. A reinforcement member is located in the tongue portion of the apparatus and extends from the guitar body portion to the string-tension-adjusting portion. An adjustable balancing assembly is provided that fits onto the guitar neck apparatus.

Abstract: A light weight guitar construction and associated method of manufacture involves the use of a light weight wood core material having deposited thereover a strengthening layer preferably of carbon fiber and a fiberglass sheet layer both impregnated with a high temperature resin. A piezoelectric crystal transducer system is used individually with each string for sensing string vibrations. An improved fret board construction is employed. In one feature of the present invention each of the frets have coupled thereto circuit runs for signal coupling.

Abstract: A musical drum mount including a rigid but flexible band which is independent and disconnected from the drum, and which extends circumferentially therearound to support the drum from a conventional supporting structure. The rigid band carries a plurality of circumferentially adjustable insulating supports which extend radially inward from the band so as to engage the drum and support the same within the band without being physically connected thereto. Each of the moveable insulating supports have a drum bearing surface which insulates the drum from the grounding effect of the floor stand or other supporting structure therefor, and engages the drum to support the same above ground level. The circumferential movement of the insulating supports provides versatility of use with a variety of different conventional drum structures having various placement of head tightening lugs therearound. The rigid band is diametrically adjustable so as to accommodate a number of differently sized drums.

Abstract: A device and system for mounting and supporting drums, percussion instruments and other apparatus (e.g., microphones) during musical performances. The device generally comprises a rack upon which drums, instruments and other apparatus may be mounted. The rack may incorporate first and second parallel bar members disposed in a horizontal plane such that the drums, percussion instruments and other apparatus may be mounted concommitantly to said first and second parallel bar members. The rack may also incorporate means for attaching said rack to the top of a bass drum such that the bass drum will act as a vertical support leg to support at least a portion of the rack a fixed distance above an underlying floor. Attachment brackets are mountable on the rack devices of the present invention to facilitate attachment of drums, instruments and/or apparatus thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for braiding a three dimensional form from individual fibers. The fiber is supplied on a plurality of fiber carriers situated in slots in track members forming a carrier plane at the base of the machine. The carriers are moved in a linear manner with the tracks and are also moved transverse to the track in columns formed by the slots in the tracks. Automatic elements are provided to limit the travel of the tracks and the columns to one, two or three discreet steps and to return the tracks and carriers to their original positions at the end of a braiding cycle. Automatic elements are provided to take up the braided form as it is fabricated. Elements are also provided for compacting the braided form periodically during the braiding process.

Abstract: A countermass for a recoilless weapon which is intended to be placed behind the propellant charge of the weapon projectile and intended to depart together with the propellant gases that exit from the rearward end of the weapon when the projectile is projected forward. The countermass includes a plurality of mutually sequential and separated countermass bodies, each of which has a gas throughflow passage. The throughflow passage in the countermass bodies is sized to have a larger inlet area in bodies at the forward end of the countermass and gradually smaller inlet area in bodies at the rearward end of the countermass.

Abstract: A device for controlling discharge of ammunition units from the barrel of a gun in sequence with muzzle velocities within a large velocity range, enables simultaneous activation of the ammunition units on a target area. The device comprises a plurality of part charges having different predetermined compositions including sizes, types, powder varieties, powder dimensions, and being combinable into plurality of selected combinations defining total charges. A controlling device is provided for receiving information regarding the firing parameters and parameters influencing muzzle velocity including powder temperature of the part charges and pressure in the gun barrel and for calculating relevant velocities from the large range of velocities which allow for plurality of sequentially fired ammunition units to simultaneously arrive at the target area.