Abstract: A spring system for providing an elastic force between two machine parts, including concentric compression and tension springs disposed in parallel within a housing, with one pair of corresponding ends of the springs being connected by a movable coupling piece, and the other pair of corresponding ends being connected to a stationary stop and a connecting element, whereby a movable stop permits variation of the effective point of connection between the compression spring and machine part connected therewith.

Abstract: A flipper is described for a fuse of the type having a generally cylindrical fuse tube, a fusible element within the tube and a fuse leader, the fuse leader having two ends with one of the ends connected to the fusible element disposed within the tube and with the other end of the leader adapted to be connected to a fixed terminal such as one of the two terminals of a power factor capacitor. In one embodiment, the flipper has two elongated arms disposed adjacent one another, a helical torsion spring at one end of each arm, an eyelet connecting together the other end of the arms and adapted to pass through the fuse leader, and a hook or similar connection carried by the springs to mount the flipper assembly to the associated terminal to which the free end of the fuse leader is joined. The flipper assists in the extraction of the leader from the fuse tube and provides positive restraint of the leader after the fuse has blown.

Abstract: A drafting table having spring-balanced lifting and tilting movement features is provided with an anti-snap device which prevents the table top from tilting so quickly to the full-vertical position that it hits its stops and rocks the entire table over. The anti-snap device comprises a flexible strap which is wrapped about and fixed to cylindric members on which the table top lifts and tilts. The flexible strap becomes tight as the table top reaches its fully vertical position, but tightening of the strap is resisted by the tilt springs, which are pulled to one side by the strap. Resistance to the tightening of the strap requires more force to tilt the top to its full vertical position, increasingly slowing the tilting movement near the end of tilting travel.

Abstract: A device for storing and later releasing mechanical energy has an elongate body, preferably cylindrical, at least one elastic strip or band wound helicoidally about the body and fastened thereto at each end thereof. A rigid rod extends longitudinally through and supports the body. The strips are wound about the body by rotating one end of the body on the rod. The strips of elastic material are subjected only to tensile stress and can be greatly deformed to accumulate a large amount of energy. The dimensions of the device are relatively small and need not be varied to accumulate a large amount of energy. The device is useful for starting an internal combustion engine, a rechargeable element as a substitute for a motor or as an accumulator of braking energy of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for metering particulate material from a source and transferring it to another location. The metering apparatus is primarily designed to supply a supplement or supplemental component to animal feed to obtain accurate control over the quantity of supplement and uniform distribution of it. The apparatus includes a bin with a gate which can be reciprocated across a discharge opening with the stroke of the gate being variable. The apparatus has an improved drive arrangement and improved controls for regulating the amount of feed which are more reliable and less subject to malfunction than those heretofore known.

Abstract: The improved drive system for linearly translating the sample platform of a mensuration stage along two axes comprises two drive bars, each bar having one tapered lontitudinal edge. The X-Y position adjustment of the sample platform is controlled by two manually operable, coaxial controls which are coupled to V-grooved drive wheels. Leaf springs formed in the ends of each drive bar urge the tapered edge of each drive bar into enhanced, frictional engagement with a drive wheel. Each end of the drive bars are also formed to cause the drive bar to frictionally disengage from the drive wheel as the sample platform is driven to its limit in either direction along either axis.

Abstract: The typical helical springs used to support the bed within the frame of a trampoline or the like are modified to incorporate adjustable hooks threadedly anchored within the springs at one end so that their overall length, and thus the tension on the bed, can be varied and overstretching accommodated. Two principal versions are disclosed, the more preferred one including an additional inner spring biasing the adjustable hook to a retracted position.

Abstract: A travelling cable support system for cranes, in which a cable is fixedly secured between successive sleds, is discussed. The sleds are connected together by resilient tension elements which stretch elastically on acceleration and subsequently give up their stored potential energy as kinetic energy. Non-elastic traction cords are also provided in conjunction with the cable and elastic elements for limiting the extension of the elastic elements.

Abstract: A retainer to restrain pieces of a coil spring from scattering when the spring breaks under tension makes use of two mutually slidable elements located within the interior of the coil spring. Adjacent ends of the elements have a sliding engagement with each other and include a yieldable cushion inherent in the structure to absorb the impact when the spring breaks. The respective opposite ends of the elements are attached, one to the spring keeper at one end of the spring and the other to the spring keeper at the opposite end of the spring.

Abstract: A line tensioning device for maintaining a resilient sinuous bend in an elongated flexible line includes a pair of opposed semi-circular sections forming a rigid tube clamped coaxially about a portion of the length of the line and a pair of parallel elongated springs directed respectively between the opposite ends of the member and points along the line.