Abstract: A handheld air injector apparatus that is to be used in conjunction with an airtight closeable container where the injector apparatus is to connect with a container and supply air within the container to a preselected level.

Abstract: Device by means of which a supply container subjected to positive pressure is connected in a sealed manner to a consumer element with the aid of a sealing element, sealing in the direction of the surroundings taking place before an opening element opens the valve of the supply container. This is realized by a sealing element which, as measured in the longitudinal direction (L) from the base of the cutout, is wider than the opening element, and by an amount of play, which allows the sealing element to accommodate the full displacement.

Abstract: A custom color spray paint can includes a removable and reattachlable lid that penetrates a replaceable gas cartridge as it is attached to a container holding the custom-mixed paint. The released gas pressurizes the container and forces paint through a nozzle when a release valve is opened.

Abstract: A self-piercing radiator drain valve which is implemented in a radiator requiring the coolant therein to be drained, particularly a radiator having no integrated drain valve. A radiator foot has a blind bore. A self-piercing valve body including a piercing tip and a resilient seal is threadingly driven into the blind bore to cause the piercing tip to penetrate the bore end wall and enter into a coolant reservoir tank, thereby providing a valve orifice for draining the tank. The seal provides coolant tight sealing with respect to the valve orifice for the remaining life of the radiator. At any time in the future, coolant draining and refilling can again be performed by unthreading and then rethreading the self-piercing valve with respect to the blind bore, as recounted.

Abstract: The inflator (10) for inflating a pneumatic protective article or gear comprises a gas-containing bottle (17) with a sealing cap (19) applied thereto, an inflator housing (12), a striking member (13) contained in the inflator housing (12) and capable of moving lengthwise therein and provided at a first end thereof with a protruding piercing pin (16) adapted to make a hole in the sealing cap (19), a coil compression spring (21) contained in the inflator housing (12) and adapted to urge the striking member (13) at a second end thereof, opposite to the first end carrying the piercing pin (16), and to drive the striking member (13) against the sealing cap (19) of the bottle (17), a gas outlet port (20) provided in a wall of the inflator housing (12) for permitting the gas contained in the bottle (17) to flow from the inflator (10) into the pneumatic protective article or gear, holding means (24, 25) associated with the inflator (10) and co-operating with the striking member (13) in order to releasably hold it in

Abstract: The invention provides an improved structure of a piercing drain device used on a sealed chamber mainly comprising a first component, a second component, a piercing component, a first arc pad and a second arc pad. Because the first component and the second component are pivoted on their end portion, increasing the force arm, the force of clamping is then increased to improve the gastight. Without any pad or only with the first arc pad or with both the first and the second arc pad, the improved structure is used on three different sizes sealed chamber, and has wide range utilization.

Abstract: A pill for insertion into a bobbin of a bobbin assembly of an automatic inflator, the pill including a distal surface and a proximal surface, at least one of the surfaces including an undulating configuration.

Abstract: A dispensing adapter for connecting pressurized containers to other valved systems such as automobile air conditioners is provided. The housing has a dispensing end, a receiving end, and fluid flow channel communicating between the dispensing end and the receiving end. The receiving end sealingly engages a first valve of a pressurized container, and the dispensing end sealingly engages a second valve such as a service port of an automobile air conditioner. When the dispensing end is attached to the service port, the core depressor opens the service port. A button, when depressed, pushes down and thus opens the valve on the pressurized container. The housing may be angled or straight.

Abstract: A material disposal system ideally suited for use in container filling operations and includes a cover member and a hopper having a lower door operable relative to the hopper by pneumatic or other actuating means for opening and closing the passage disposed above a drum or other container to be filled. The cover member and hopper are fixedly attached to each other. The cover member forms a seal around the inside of the container opening such that air and other gases escaping from the container by the filling or other material handling operation are directed through filter means which separate airborne particulates therefrom. The material disposal system is adaptable for covering and sealing a wide variety of containers. The filter means is adaptable for filtering a wide variety of materials and particulate sizes for removal of noxious gases, vapors and other airborne effluents.

Abstract: A refrigerant charging tool. In a described embodiment, a refrigerant charging tool has two separately formed handles pivotably attached to each other. One of the handles has a container piercing member mounted thereon. Interchangeable spacers are configured for attachment to the other handle, so that a selected one of differently shaped containers may be biased against the container piercing member when the handles are pivoted toward each other.

Abstract: A dispensing adapter for connecting pressurized containers to other valved systems such as automobile air conditioners is provided. The housing has a dispensing end, a receiving end, and an interior volume communicating between the dispensing end and the receiving end. The receiving end sealingly engages a first valve of a pressurized container, and the dispensing end sealingly engages a second valve such as a service port of an automobile air conditioner. A reciprocatable core depressor is disposed inside the housing. When dispensing end is attached to the service port, the core depressor is moved toward the receiving end of the housing, and the proximal end of the core depressor engages a stem of the first valve and opens the first valve. The housing maybe angled or straight, and the core depressor may have a piercing pin to open puncture valve containers.

Abstract: A quick inflation device includes a body having a compartment for removably receiving a gas container containing pressurized gas. A gas outlet is defined in the body and has an end communicated with the compartment. A safety device comprises a first end and a second end. The second end of the safety device is releasably engaged with the body when in a safety position. The first end of the safety device is movable between a non-actuating position and an actuating position. A piercing member mounted in the body is not actuated by the first end of the safety device when in the non-actuating position. The piercing member is actuated by the first end of the safety device to unseal a sealing member in the gas container when in the actuating position.

Abstract: An automatic inflator having a status indicator that indicates whether a fully-charged, unspent gas cylinder has been installed to the automatic inflator, whether a fully-operable bobbin has been properly installed within the automatic inflator and whether the threaded cap of the automatic inflator has been fully installed, including an indicator window that displays the color “green” when the automatic inflator is fully operational automatically or the color “red” when the automatic inflator is at least partially inoperable automatically due to the removal of the gas cylinder, due to at least partial removal of the threaded cap, or due to the firing of the inflator resulting in a spent bobbin or gas cylinder.

Abstract: A war games land mine includes a fluid supply mechanism, a housing and a sealing device. The fluid supply mechanism is configured for containing and selectively releasing therefrom a pressurized fluid. The housing has an interior surface, a first orifice and a second orifice, the first orifice of the housing being fluidly coupled with the fluid supply mechanism. The sealing device is movably mounted within the housing, the sealing device having a first side and a second side. The first side and the interior surface of the housing define a first chamber therebetween, the first chamber being fluidly coupled with the first orifice. The second side and the interior surface defining a second chamber therebetween, the second chamber being fluidly coupled with the second orifice and configured for being substantially filled with a marking agent.

Abstract: A device of the present invention includes a closure plug for a drink bottle. The plug is provided with an inlet and an inlet valve which is arranged therein and is embodied as a reflux valve that is closed in a rest position. The device also comprises a filling device which is provided with or can be connected to a filling head. The closure plug can be coupled to the filling head in a communicating manner. Gas can be inserted into the drink bottle by the filling device via the filling head and through the inlet valve of the closure plug. The filling head opens the inlet valve when the closure plug is coupled. The closure plug is provided with an outlet and an outlet valve that is arranged therein and is embodied as a reflux valve in the rest position.

Abstract: A gas generator includes an ignition charge, at least one ignition element for igniting the ignition charge, a storage chamber containing a compressed gas, which storage chamber is closed by a closure element, and an impact element destroying the closure element under pressure. A piston is provided as the impact element, which piston, after the destruction of the closure element, forms an exit gap with the opening closed by the closure element. The cross-sectional area of which exit gap changes in according to the position of the piston.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device in which at least two liquid or semi-liquid reagents can be stored separately. When used, the inventive device enables precise, chronologically defined, sequential reagent discharge in a reaction chamber by means of a linear movement without any prior mixing of said reagents.

Abstract: Apparatus for puncturing an aerosol can's valve, draining its contents through the puncture, and for drawing any remaining contents from the can should there be insufficient pressure in the can for it to be fully evacuated when punctured. When the valve is replaced, the can is reusable. The puncturing apparatus has a stationary compartmented piercing tube and a housing that is free to move up and down relative to the piercing tube. The housing is spring-loaded to offer resistance to movement so that a seal is achieved between the housing and the can before the piercing tube makes contact with the can, and to return the housing to its rest position after each piercing cycle. An air cylinder is used to apply pressure to the bottom of the aerosol can so that it will move downward to engage the piercing tube and release its contents into a first compartment.

Abstract: A cork removal apparatus in the invention has an exterior barrel, a interior barrel mounted inside the exterior barrel, a telescoping barrel engaged between the exterior barrel and the interior barrel, a needle, a partition plate attached inside the telescoping barrel and extended through by the needle, and a cover with a press-in member. The needle fixed at a bottom of the interior barrel has a gas inlet, a gas passageway and a gas outlet. Place a gas container into the interior barrel with its release nozzle downwardly aligned to the gas inlet, combine the cover on the exterior barrel and penetrate the needle through a cork so that a depressing of the press-in member can force gas of the gas container to flow through the needle into the bottle to extract the cork upwardly from the bottle to achieve a rapid, convenient, laborsaving and safe removal of a cork.

Abstract: An inflation device (5) for an inflatable article (such a life jacket), includes a housing (8) for holding a container of pressurised fluid (6), a displacement means (12) including a piercing means (15) displaceable so as to penetrate the container (6) and allow the release of said pressurised fluid, and actuation means (23, 27, 28, 29) having engaging co-operating elements (17, 25) which engage to retain the displacement means (12) in an unactuated configuration. The actuation means (23, 27, 28, 29) release the displacement means (12) both through the presence of water or by manual operation. The co-operating elements (17, 25) are substantially radially arranged. The line along which the displacement means (12) acts may be coaxial with the radii of the co-operating elements (17, 25). One of the co-operating elements (17) is capable of inward radial movement, and the actuation means (27, 28, 29) operates to prevent that co-operating element's (17) radially inward movement.

Abstract: A gas cartridge introduced into the housing of the invention is punctured by a pin moved by an arm designed to show through a series of windows whether the cartridge is full or empty. A pulling on a tab rotates the arm to action, in puncturing the cartridge and a spring then locks the visual displays in position. The pin is provided with a cone-shaped head which prevents any re-arming of the arm from changing the display to show that the cartridge is full, when in fact the cartridge has been spent. The amount of pull needed to activate the arm can be selectively controlled.

Abstract: A gaseous-material evacuation system includes a filter assembly (44) with a housing (56) containing filter material (58) with a downstream porous filter member (60) at a downstream side of the filter material. The filter assembly includes a valve (64) with a movable valve member (66) for moving in a direction of gas flow and having a breadth area dimension that is at least as great as that of the downstream surface of the downstream porous filter member. In a preferred embodiment, a spring member (68) presses the movable valve member (66) against the porous filter member (60), thereby stopping gaseous flow, but yields when gaseous materials are driven through the filter at a predetermined pressure. The valve member is mounted in a sub-compartment (72) of the housing, which is of a single-piece housing member.

Abstract: A quick inflation device comprises a body having a compartment for removably receiving a gas container containing pressurized gas. A gas outlet is defined in the body and has an end communicated with the compartment. A safety device comprises a first end and a second end. The second end of the safety device is releasably engaged with the body when in a safety position. The first end of the safety device is movable between a non-actuating position and an actuating position. A piercing member mounted in the body is not actuated by the first end of the safety device when in the non-actuating position. The piercing member is actuated by the first end of the safety device to unseal a sealing member in the gas container when in the actuating position.

Abstract: A tool for removing water from a window frame for using forced air to remove water from behind a false window frame. The tool for removing water from a window frame includes a tubular member. The tubular member is elongate and has a first end and a second end. Each of the first. and second ends is open. An intermediate wall is positioned between the first and second ends. The intermediate wall has a plurality of holes extending therethrough. A spike is securely attached to the intermediate wall and has a pointed end extending towards the first end of the tubular member. A canister for holding a pressurized gas is positionable in. the cylinder such that the spike may puncture the canister. A valve is securely mounted in the tubular member and positioned between the intermediate wall and the second end of the tubular member. An actuating member actuates the valve such that gas from the canister may flow outward of the second end of the tubular member.

Abstract: A gun barrel cleaning shell uses a pressurized cartridge alone or within a shell casing to propel cleaning material through the bore of the firearm. Inside the cartridge is a strike pin that when the firing pin of the firearm is actuated will cause the strike pin to puncture a rupturable end of the cartridge to release the compressed fluids therein to force the cleaning material toward and through the barrel of the firearm.

Abstract: A threaded connecting assembly includes a first threaded connecting member having a body portion, an end portion, a bore extending axially from the end portion enabling the passage of a fluid through the body portion, and a plurality of spaced apart three sided threads defining grooves therebetween projecting along an exterior surface of the body portion at the end portion, and a cap member having a plurality of complementary three sided threads adapted to mate with the plurality of the three sided threads of the first threaded connecting member by seating in the grooves, and an opening configured for engagement with the bore of the first threaded connecting member to provide a passageway for the flow of the fluid therebetween.

Abstract: An initiator (50) for rupturing a burst disk (36) in an air bag inflator (10) includes a body of ignitable material (112) for, when ignited, generating combustion products. A base (52) supports the body of ignitable material (112), and an electrically energizable member (80) for igniting the ignitable material, on the inflator (10). The initiator (50) also includes a cap (90) sealed to the base (52). The cap (90) encloses the ignitable material (112) and maintains the ignitable material in position on the base (52). At least a first portion (94) of the cap (90) is releasable from the base (52) under the force of the combustion products of the ignitable material (112) to enable movement of at least the first portion of the cap away from the base and into engagement with the burst disk (36) to rupture the burst disk.

Abstract: A carbon-dioxide pump for tires which comprises a dispensing head which is provided with a nosepiece for coupling to the tire valve which is connected to a threaded hole for the hermetic fixing of a bottle of carbon dioxide and to a sliding hole for a needle-equipped pin for piercing the membrane of the bottle which is rigidly coupled to a flow control element of the frustum-shaped type which can be actuated manually so as to rotate in order to hermetically close the bottle after piercing the membrane, a shell for containing the bottle which is screwed hermetically onto the head and on which a handgrip is slidingly fitted with the interposition of guiding and sliding sealing elements which are suitable to provide a short manual pump in which the air compressed by the movement of the handgrip flows between the shell and the bottle and is fed to the nosepiece through a nozzle which is closed by a valve system provided in the head.

Abstract: A raft inflation valve includes a one-piece valve body which is connected to a pressure vessel and which has an inlet communicating with the pressure vessel, a recess for receiving a cartridge having a puncture disc, and a passage which connects the inlet and the recess and which is covered by the puncture disc. The cartridge includes a disc retainer holding the puncture disc in position to block the passage in the valve body, and a bayonet having a cuffing edge which is biased by a spring toward the puncture disc but prohibited from such motion by a ball/link pin held in place by the pull cable ball until the cable is pulled. Once the cable has been pulled to remove the ball, the bayonet is driven by the bias force toward the disc to clearly cut and puncture the disc and permit flow of gas from the pressure vessel through the inlet passage through the disc to the outlet passage in the outlet of the valve.

Abstract: An inflation device is provided which is inflatable upon impact by water for marine flotation life preservers, wherein the tip of a striking pin is moved by means of a plunger which is driven by igniting a pyrotechnic charge in the direction of the sealing membrane of a pressure gas cartridge and against the force of a spring, and wherein the tip of the striking pin and the sealing membrane are of electrically conducting material, and wherein during a ready position of the device, the tip of the striking pin bears against the sealing membrane of the pressure gas cartridge and wherein the tip and the sealing membrane are in electrical connection with an indicator unit to form a closed electrical circuit, whereby the presence of an intact sealing membrane of the pressure gas cartridge, or the absence thereof, is detectable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas generator for an air bag (11) including a cartridge (3) containing a gas-generating charge of solid material (5) and a storage reservoir (9) containing a storage gas (10). To trigger gas production the charge of solid material (5) is ignited. The resulting gas pressure tears off the front face (13) of the cartridge (3) along a peripheral notch (6). A sliding element (7) connected to the front face (13) pierces a sealing element (8) of the storage reservoir (9). A guiding channel (23) in which the front face (13) is guided in the manner of a piston, opens into a flow zone (12). When the front face (13) has reached the flow zone (12), reaction gas flows around the front face (13) into openings (16) in the tube-shaped sliding element (7). The reaction gas then flows into the storage reservoir (9) where it is mixed with the remaining storage gas.

Abstract: An air valve connection head is designed to work with an inflation device comprising an air storage bottle in which the compressed air is kept. The air valve connection head comprises a housing which is provided with a receiving compartment, an elastic annular block disposed in the receiving compartment, and a press member disposed in the receiving compartment such that the press member urges the annular block. The housing is further provided with an insertion hole and an air hole extending from the insertion hole to the receiving compartment. A valve member is movably disposed in the insertion hole for obstructing the air hole. A handle is pivoted to the housing such that the handle is swiveled to push the press member to cause the elastic annular block to deform to lash the air valve of an inflatable object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-lethal projectile. The projectile (1) comprises a longitudinal body (5) having internally a longitudinal striker (55) suitable for perforating a container (47) of fluid under pressure in controlled manner, in particular by impact of the projectile (1) on a target. The striker (55) has an internal passage (59) opening to the outside of the body (5) via channels (60) made through a rigid wall (35) secured to the body (5) such that the outlet offered to the fluid under pressure remains disengaged even if the impact is accompanied by the deformation of the container (47). The fluid contained in the container (47) can thus escape and spread over the target even in such a case.

Abstract: A hand pump includes a cylinder, a head mounted to a first end of the cylinder and including a compartment communicated with a bore of the cylinder, and a piston rod including a first end reciprocatingly received in the bore of the cylinder and a second end beyond a second end of the cylinder. The piston rod includes a chamber for receiving a gas container therein. An automatic inflation device is attached to the second end of the piston rod and includes a valve engaging arrangement to be optionally engaged with a valve of an object to be inflated. A pin is provided to open the gas container in the chamber of the piston rod such that gas from the gas container is guided to an outlet of the automatic inflation device. A manual inflation device is mounted in the head for optionally engaging with the valve of the object to be inflated. The automatic inflation device is capable of acting as a handle to proceed with manual inflation to the valve of the object to be inflated via the manual inflation device.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a collision comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) and an inflator (14, 114). The inflator (14, 114) has a source of inflation fluid (48, 148) in a chamber (46) of the inflator (14, 114) for inflating the protection device (12). The inflator (14, 114) includes a passage (68) through which inflation fluid flows from the chamber (46) into the protection device (12). The inflator (14, 114) also has a burst disk (44) which blocks the passage (68). An actuatable source (90) of laser light, when actuated, emits laser light which impinges on the burst disk (44) to cause the burst disk to rupture and release the inflation fluid from the chamber (46).

Abstract: A fire extinguisher including a gas cylinder filled with an extinguishing gas and installed in a cylindrical main casing that has a nozzle head at one end and a spring-loaded bottom cover at another end. The gas cylinder is retained in the main casing by way of a locking pin that extends radially and engages an actuation hole of the main casing; and when the locking pin is manually disengaged from the actuation hole, the gas cylinder is rapidly moved by an expanding spring of the bottom cover in the direction of the axis of the main casing, so that the sealing plate of the gas cylinder is ruptured by a firing pin of the nozzle head, allowing the gas to jet out of the gas cylinder so as to put out a fire. The locking pin can be automatically disengaged from the actuation hole by the use of a temperature sensor.

Abstract: A gas generating apparatus for emergency refuge implements includes a gas generator body, a gas cartridge arrange in the gas generator body, a firing pin disposed opposite to the gas cartridge in the gas generator body, and a slider disposed slidably in the gas generator body. A movable ball-shaped pin is inserted through an opening formed in the gas generator body into an arcuate recess formed in the slider to maintain the slider at a standstill position. A pulling rope with a knob is connected to the movable ball-shaped pin to release the movable ball-shaped pin from the arcuate recess of the slider. A spring always presses the slider. When the movable ball-shaped pin is released from the arcuate recess of the slider, the firing pin and the gas cartridge are impacted to each other by moving the slider due to the pressure of the spring, thus to discharge the gas from the gas cartridge.

Abstract: An inflation system with pneumatic assist for a life raft or other inflatable article includes a puncture pin that is mounted to a slideably mounted piston. The puncture pin makes a small initial puncture in the membrane of a gas cartridge to start a trigger flow of compressed gas from the cartridge. That trigger flow travels through a gas passageway formed in the puncture pin and enters a cylinder within which the piston is mounted, driving the piston toward the membrane. A primary membrane cutter is carried by the piston, and the primary membrane cutter bursts through the membrane and unleashes a high volume flow of compressed gas into the article to be inflated. In a second embodiment, the primary membrane cutter is integrally formed with the puncture pin.

Abstract: The present invention is an attachment that can pressurize a beverage container with carbon dioxide or other suitable pressurized gaseous fluid. The attachment has a first threaded opening that can be screwed onto the container and a second opening which can be coupled to either a pressurized gas cartridge or a pressurized gas tank. Extending from the carbonator is a button that is coupled to a valve which controls the flow of gas into the container. The button and valve are coupled to a spring that functions as a regulator which controls the gas pressure within the container. When the button is depressed, the valve is opened and gas flows into the container until the gas pressure overcomes the spring force and closes the valve. Varying the displacement of the button varies the spring force and the gas pressure within the container. The user can thus vary and control the gas pressure of the container by manipulating the button.

Abstract: An evacuating kit (10) having a puncturing device (14) for evacuating aerosol cans into a drum (12), on which the puncturing device is mounted at a first bung hole (36), also includes a filter canister (16) for being coupled to a second bung hole (77) of the drum by a flexible transfer hose (20) so that the filter canister can be supported by a floor supporting the drum. The puncturing device further includes a valve at a second end (32) of a tubular wall (23) of a housing (22) of the puncturing device with a valve poppet (50) positioned beyond the second end for opening and closing a second-end opening (28) using the second end of the housing as a valve seat. The valve has a valve stem (48) mounted for linear movement in a web (44) of the housing extending across the second opening. The stem includes circumferentially spaced stem fingers (56) for contacting a pressurized container being punctured to open and close the valve poppet.

Abstract: This invention provides an easy to carry unit that contains a water filtration and a water carbonation chamber. The water after filtration more easily absorbs CO.sub.2 and allows for a more readily provided source of filtered carbonated water. The unit utilizes off-the-shelf carbonation cartridges and has a simple hose attachment to a conventional home faucet.

Abstract: An inflator device uses a compressed gas cylinder or cartridge for inflating a tire or the like having an inflator valve. It has an internally screwthreaded supply bore adapted to have screwed into it the neck of the cylinder or the cartridge closed by a capsule and at the bottom of which is provided a perforator surrounded by a supply seal. The supply bore communicates via an axial hole with a distribution bore, the communication being controlled by a selectively operated valve carried by a distributor moveable axially. The device further includes a cavity adapted to receive in sealed fashion the inflator valve of the tire or the like and communicating with the distribution bore. The seal is assured by a valve seal which has two coaxial circular parts joined by a transverse annular part. The valve seal is placed in the cavity with the annular part facing outwards and held in the cavity by a cap provided with a passage for the valve of the tire or the like.

Abstract: A device for puncturing aerosol cans has an enclosure having an aerosol can receiving cavity therein, an aerosol can cradle, for supporting aerosol cans, mounted within the aerosol can receiving cavity, and an aerosol can puncturing mechanism mounted within the aerosol can receiving cavity. The aerosol can cradle and the aerosol can puncturing mechanism are mounted in sliding cooperation wherein a selectively rotatable cam member is selectively rotatable by rotation of a handle, rotatably mounted to the enclosure, in a first direction of rotation. Rotation of the handle in the first direction slidingly engages the aerosol cans held in the aerosol can cradle in puncturing engagement with the puncturing pins on the aerosol can puncturing mechanism. Rotation of the handle in a second direction, removes the puncturing mechanism from puncturing engagement from the cans.

Abstract: An improved ignition system for inflators such as those used in airbag passive restraint systems is disclosed. A breakable seal is provided in a storage chamber for a combustible fluid. Upon activation of an initiator the breakable seal is opened and the combustible fluid flows from the storage chamber into a combustion chamber where it is ignited to provide an enhanced volume of heated gas. The heated gas may be used either to directly inflate an associated inflatable apparatus or it may be used to first heat a further compressed gas and the combined gases used to inflate an inflatable apparatus. The breakable seal may be opened by a piston driven plunger. The design of the components of the ignition system provides control over the inflation characteristics.

Abstract: A new heat wrap for carbon dioxide tanks for improving performance of a paint ball gun by increasing length of use of a carbon dioxide tank. The inventive device includes a blanket having a generally rectangular configuration. The blanket has an inner surface and an outer surface. The blanket wraps around a carbon dioxide tank. A heating element is disposed interiorly of the blanket and being disposed around a substantial area of the blanket. The heating element has a power source. A cylindrical cap is secured to an upper short edge of the blanket. The cylindrical cap has an open upper end and an open lower end with a flow channel therebetween. The open lower end is dimensioned for coupling with an upper end of the carbon dioxide tank. A pressure switch is disposed within the cylindrical cap. The pressure switch is in communication with the heating element whereby a reduced pressure of carbon dioxide will activate the heating element to provide heat and increase the pressure of the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: An aerosol can disposal apparatus having an inlet chute provided with a retractable puncturing member which punctures the side of the aerosol can and a waste container which receives the punctured aerosol can via the inlet chute. The waste container is lined with a removable refuse liner having placed therein an absorbing material for removing harmful ingredients from the evacuating contents of the punctured aerosol can. The waste container is dimensioned to accumulate therein a large number of aerosol cans before the need to remove the accumulated aerosol cans and replace the removable refuse liner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (2) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of sudden vehicle deceleration. The apparatus (2) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (4) and an inflator (10, 110) having a chamber (42, 142). A stored inflation fluid (44, 144) for inflating the restraint (4) is disposed in the chamber (42, 142). A device for controlling flow of the inflation fluid (44, 144) from the chamber (42, 142) to the restraint (4) is provided. The device includes a member (40, 200) which has a first mechanical strength when no electric current is applied to the member and a second mechanical strength lower than the first mechanical strength when electric current is applied to the member.

Abstract: A new single-use personal defense device for warding off, and marking, potential and actual attackers. The inventive device includes a housing containing a sealed container therein which contains a supply of pressurized attack-repellent chemical. The container includes a frangible surface which is pierced by a sharp piercing end of a hollow tube when the tube is actuated by a trigger. The chemical then flows through the hollow tube to a dispensing end where the chemical is discharged to the exterior of the housing. The chemical is an indelible dye and/or an odoriferous scent material, so that when sprayed onto an attacker, the attacker is marked by the chemical so that the attacker can be easily identified.

Abstract: A pressurization and regulating device uses a CO.sub.2 cartridge for pressurizing a fluid container such as the fuel tank of a gasoline lantern or stove, a garden or lawn sprayer, and the like. The device includes an elongated body having an open end for receiving the cartridge and a cap for forcing the cartridge toward the body. The other end of the body is provided with a fluid outlet opening. An outlet cap is mounted on the second end of the body. A piston is reciprocably mounted in the outlet opening of the body, and a seal on the piston is engageable with a valve seat in the outlet opening for closing the outlet opening. A spring in the outlet cap biases the piston away from the valve seat. An eccentric shaft is rotatably mounted in the outlet cap and engages the piston. The eccentric shaft is rotatable between a first position in which the seal engages the valve seat and a second position in which the spring moves the seal away from the valve seat.

Abstract: A device for rapidly inflating an airbag. The airbag is accommodated in a steering wheel. The device has a housing, a compressed-gas container, a pyrotechnical propellant, a primer, a thruster, and a rupture disk. The propellant and the primer are accommodated in the housing. The housing also accommodates a gas-combining chamber with an outlet to the airbag and a part between the compressed-gas container and the gas-combining chamber and closed off by the rupture disk. The thruster destroys the rupture disk when the propellant ignites, allowing the combined gaseous products of the combustion of the propellant and the gas to escape into the airbag. The compressed-gas container is tubular and can be accommodated coaxial with or inside the steering-wheel column. The outlet to the airbag and the port in the housing comprise bores in the housing that essentially parallel the axis of the steering-wheel column.