Ta Mfg Co.

Other

Thomas F Johnson

Robert M Byerly

Richard S DeBenedetto

A hidden heat strip for providing heat at the edge of a roof to prevent formation of ice. Each heat strip comprises a plurality of triangular-shaped assemblies having a heat cable inserted from under the assemblies and positioned adjacent to a notched front panel. Support clips extend from a bottom portion and a vented top panel is disposed above the heat cable. Spaced-apart reinforcement ribs are located between side panels of the assemblies to support shingles and prevent sagging. The heat strip is placed between rows of shingles and is not easily observed from the ground level.

Hidden heat strip for roofs

Apparatus for coupling to an aircraft a high pressure air flow from ground equipment to start engines includes a hollow housing attachable to the ground equipment. A pair of members defining a first valve form a clamshell within the housing. Such members are biased to a closed relationship and are rotatable to an open relationship. A hollow coupling member includes a ring for rotating such valve members equally to the open relationship in response to incremental linear movements of the ring member. The coupling member receives a hollow start nipple in the aircraft. A pair of members defining a second valve form a clamshell rotatable within the housing in a direction opposite to the direction of the first clamshell rotation. The second valve members are biased to close such valve and are rotatable to an open relationship. The coupling member includes prongs which act linearly on the second valve members, in a manner similar to the ring action on the first valve members, to open such valve. Detents on the coupling member and on the start nipple maintain the valves open until the housing and the coupling member are removed from the start nipple. The start nipple configuration facilitates the removal of the coupling member and the housing from the start nipple. When the valves are opened, high pressure air flows from the ground equipment into the aircraft to start the engines. The synchronous operation of both valves provides additional assurance as to the proper operation of the apparatus.

Coupling assembly

A valve assembly provides for a controlled flow of waste material from a toilet in an aircraft under all weather conditions including freezing. The valve assembly includes a first valve disposed within a hollow tube and manually movable between a first position sealing the tube against the passage of waste material and a second position providing for such passage. The valve includes first and second members and a plate manually rotatable within the tube between the first and second positions, the second member and the plate receiving a multiplied force from a further rotation of the first member to pivot to a position sealing the valve to the tube. An energy storage member associated with the second member facilitates the pivotable movement of the second member. Detents in the tube and at the end of the second member retain the plate in sealing relationship with the tube. The valve assembly also includes a second valve mounted externally on the tube downstream from the first valve and manually rotatable between a first position sealing the tube and a second position opening the tube. The second valve includes a member for rotating, and then pivoting, the second member and the plate in the first valve from the second position to the sealed relationship with the tube when the second valve is rotated from the second position to the first position. The second valve includes a retainer in the tube and a mechanism on the valve for latching the second valve to the tube in the first position of the second valve.

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Dana Point, CA, United States of America

Thomas F Johnson