Abstract: A wheelchair frame for flexing to accommodate irregularities in the ground consists of a generally rectangular structure having side rails joined by front and rear cross members. One of the cross members is rigid, and receives the side rails through apertures which permit rotation of the side rails within the cross member. The second cross member consists of a tube in tube arrangement or other such coupling for permitting rotation of the cross member relative to the side rails. The rigid cross member may be slidably displaced along the side rails for changing the wheelbase of the wheelchair. A wheelchair seat from may be mounted to the rectangular frame by means of fore and aft struts which permit movement of the seat frame relative to the lower rectangular frame to accommodate flex of the lower frame, while also providing a tilt function for the seat frame.

Abstract: A passenger evacuation arrangement for emergency use in aircraft, and in particular for evacuating passengers from an upper deck or decks of a multi-deck aircraft safely to ground level, which is compact when stowed and which safely, rapidly and effectively evacuates passengers to ground level. The evacuation arrangement consists of a marine-type evacuation chute, and a frame for suspending the chute overboard of an aircraft in a vertical orientation, wherein the frame is relatively compact when in a stowed position. In another version, an evacuation system combines an upper chute portion and a lower slide portion.

Abstract: An adjustable duct assembly for the collection of fumes, dust and the like comprises two duct sections connected end to end by a duct support system comprising two elongate arms pivotally connected, the arms attached to the adjacent ends of the ducts, externally. A counterbalance arm extends from the duct support of a lower or outer duct section beyond the pivot point of the elongate arms, to counterbalance the lower or outer arms. A filter arrangement may be associated with the duct assembly, consisting of a generally planar filter element within a housing. A travelling nozzle arrangement directs a stream of air in a direction countervailing the normal flow through the filter, for backwash cleaning of the filter. First and second drives propel the nozzle simultaneously across and along the filter, to provide full backwash cleaning coverage of the filter.

Abstract: A conveyor for transporting grain or the like consists of three or more sections foldable about two axes of rotation displaced from each other. Separate retractors operate to fold the conveyor about the two axes. A link connecting the first and second retractors permits a single actuator to fully fold the conveyor about the two axes. The first and second axes may be rotationally displaced from each other by about 90.degree..

Abstract: A plant enclosure for outdoor use has a hollow body with open upper and lower ends and ventilation and drainage openings. In order to permit a desired amount of water to be conserved within the base of the enclosure, the openings are positioned such that a portion of the body may be buried in the soil, with the openings spaced above the soil surface. The base of the body has plant root openings, positioned to be buried beneath the soil surface. These openings are sized to permit plant roots to grow laterally outwardly close to the soil surface, beyond the perimeter of the enclosure. A lid is engageable to the upper rim of the body. The lid have a recessed portion on its upper surface to that capture rain or sprinkler water. Apertures within the lid permit the captured water to drain into the enclosure. Preferably, the body and lid are clear or translucent to create a greenhouse effect during daylight hours.

Abstract: The invention consists of an assembly for capping one or more exposed ends of a moulding, in particular where two elongate moulding pieces meet at a corner. The assembly consists of upper and lower rims and a web portion extending between the rims. The rims each incorporate snap-lock engagement members to releasably engage an underlying linear moulding in a sliding-type engagement. The engagement members each consist of a curved elongate flange extending from the rim, having a generally hook-shaped cross section adapted to mate with a corresponding rib extending from a linear moulding. The assembly may consist of two generally platelike separable portions that mate at the midline of the assembly to form a generally L-shaped member for installation at a room corner. The invention also consist of a combination of the corner assembly and a linear moulding having sliding engagement members adapted to mate with corresponding engagement members within the corner member.

Abstract: An inflatable life raft incorporates upper and lower canopies that are raised automatically above the upper or lower sides of the raft, respectively, depending on which side of the raft is facing upwardly when the raft is floating. The canopies each form a tent-like enclosure when raised to protect the raft occupants. The canopies are selectively raised by a generally vertically-oriented pillar slideably joined to the raft body, each end of the pillar being joined to corresponding upper and lower canopies. Preferably, the pillar is capable of floating to permit it to elevate above the raft body. The pillar may comprise an inflatable elongate member that slides disposed within an aperture within the floor. A skirt joins the pillar to the floor and provides a reversible waterproof seal between the pillar and the floor and limits the range of vertical travel of the pillar. One or more drain holes may be provided within the base of the skirt to allow the occupants to drain water from within the raft.

Abstract: The invention is a decorative molding characterized by an elongate channel recessed into its front face and adapted to releasably retain an elongate strip-like panel in either a concavely-flexed position or a flat or convex position. Retention means for the releasable retention of the panel are incorporated into the channel. The retention means comprise two pairs of elongate, spaced-apart flanges that extend towards the floor of the channel and partly occlude the mouth of the channel. The flanges are shaped to retain a panel in a concave position within the channel by means of the upper and lower side edges of the panel being retained between respective pairs of flanges, or in a flat or convex position by means of retention between the free edges of the flanges and the floor of the channel.

Abstract: The device is a footrest support structure for attachment to the frame of a wheelchair. A footrest is carried on the end of a telescoping leg pivotally engaged to a wheelchair frame. The telescoping leg automatically extends as it is elevated, by means of a folding link that engages the two parts of the leg. The link is engaged as well by a lever lock that permits the first arm to slide freely in a first direction but not in a second direction until the lock is actuated. The first arm of the folding link is pivotally engaged to the upper leg at a first pivot point intermediate the ends of the first arm and the leg, respectively, for pivoting the arm in a generally vertical plane. The second arm is pivotally engaged at its lower end to the lower leg at a second pivot point. The distance between said first and second pivot points extends as the footrest support structure is elevated, thus causing the leg to elongate.

Abstract: Apparatus comprises a probe for measuring snow pack movement, comprising a mobile element adapted to contact and be displaced by the snow pack, a static element linked to the mobile element by linkage means and adapted to remain stationary relative to the ground, and measuring means to measure relative movement of the two elements. The mobile element comprises a wand (16; 166) adapted to be placed in contact with a snowpack and having tilt means (20(a); 20(b); 168) that permit the wand to tilt away from the vertical in response to lateral movement of the surrounding snow pack. The measuring means comprises a movement sensor (50; 170) connected to the wand that measures the resulting movement of the wand. Data relay means transmits electronic signals generated by the movement sensor to a remote data collection and storage means.

Abstract: The invention is a decorative valance, consisting of a box-like structure made up of rigid front and side panels. The panels are canted outwardly an upwardly away from the vertical by about 45 degrees. The panels may each consist of generally channel-shaped retainer member adapted to releasably receive a decorative insert within the channel. The corners of the structure may be each capped with a corner cap that snap locks to the retainer members. The invention further consists of mount for the valance, adapted to mount the valance to a window blind support bracket, with the mount being slideably engaged to a corresponding panel.

Abstract: A masonry tie is provided for engaging a masonry veneer to an underlying support wall. The tie includes a rod and a stud engagement member engageable to the rod. The stud engagement member comprises first and second clamp members that clampingly engage a face plate of the stud. A sealing member may be engaged to the rod to sealingly engage the sheathing of the building wall. The sealing member may include a resilient sleeve encircling the rod that expands radially when compressed axially to grip the hole within the sheathing. A further aspect of the invention includes a tool for the installation of the stud engagement member. The invention further includes a method for installing a tie rod as described above in a retrofit application. The method requires the steps of drilling first, second and third coaxial holes through the brick veneer, sheathing and stud face plate, respectively.

Abstract: A boom-mounted grappling and manipulating apparatus is provided that may be rotatably mounted on a vehicle, comprising an articulated boom with a grappling and manipulating head rotatably and pivotally mounted thereto. The head is provided with opposable jaws comprising jaw members that apply an even pressure to an object being gripped. A drive coupling may be provided to provide a continuous rotary link between hydraulic lines on the boom with lines the head. The coupling comprises a coupling body rotatably housed within a sheath with a groove between the coupling body and the sheath. The groove permits fluid to be transmitted from the body to the sheath while they are rotated relative to each other. The boom may be provided with a link joining two of the segments, provided with dual articulated cylinder mounts on opposing sides and capable of permitting approximately 360 degrees of rotation between the segments.

Abstract: A cord retractor is provided to take up the dangling cords of a window blind. The retractor comprises a sliding cord engagement member housed within a hollow wand. The wand has an axial slot extending the length of its sidewall. A handle outside the wand is linked to the engagement member by an arm connecting the respective members and extending through the slot. A cord fastening means fixedly engages an end of the window blind cord to the wand. The sliding engagement member retracts a loop of cord into the interior of the wand when the handle is displaced downwardly along the wand to retract the cord into the wand. The wand may be removably engaged to the head rail of a window blind when not in use by means of a hook.

Abstract: An ultraviolet-based or dual mode water purifying system operates under household water pressure to provide a batch treatment of contaminated water. Treated water is stored in a pressurized reservoir, from which it may be released for use. A treatment cycle is initiated by a drop in pressure within the system, which occurs when sufficient water has been withdrawn from the reservoir. The pressure drop is detected by a pressure gauge linked to a UV lamp dimmer, which causes the UV lamp to change from a reduced-output standby mode to an operative mode. The dimmer may be further linked to a thermostatic switch positioned adjacent the lamp, to reduce the output of the lamp when the temperature exceeds a predetermined level, and to a backwash event control, to increase the lamp output to the operative level during filter backwash.

Abstract: A tester is provided for measuring the dielectric integrity of a rope, on a continuous basis. The device incorporates a pair of rope contact and retention members, that may comprise pair of spring-loaded clamps, adapted to make electrical contact with the rope, while permitting the rope to be drawn longitudinally through the device. The contact or retention members may either be adapted to make a sliding contact with the rope or may employ wheels or roller members to facilitate the movement of the rope through the device. The contact members are linked to an electrical testing circuit for measuring the conductivity of the rope segment under test. The contact and retention members may also comprise an iris having an array of flexible leaves extending inwardly from an annular retainer, with the leaves being linked to the testing circuit and adapted to press against a rope inserted within the retainer. Some or all of the leaves are connected to the testing circuit.

Abstract: A rotary board inverter is provided for use in a conveyor for a lumber processing machine, with the motive force to invert the boards being provided by the forward motion of the boards themselves as they are transported along the conveyor. The device comprises a rotatable hub with regularly spaced, co-planar arms radiating outwardly from the hub. Each of the arms incorporates a board retainer adapted to sequentially receive boards from the board transporter of the conveyor; to releasably retain a board as the arm rotates about the hub; and to redeposit the now-inverted board on the conveyor downstream of the inverter. Rotation of the device is driven by the forward movement of the boards as they sequentially engage the inverter. The inverter is particularly adapted for use in a conveyor having an array of evenly spaced, longitudinally-displaceable lugs extending upwardly from the conveyor to transport the boards along the conveyor.

Abstract: A clip-on label holder and cover is provided for insertion in a price ticket channel member of a shelf. The cover comprises an elongate clear plastic strip, having a clear plastic display panel and an integral clip. A label, such as a data strip, may be inserted between the panel and the channel member. The panel is biased towards the channel, to grip the card between the panel and the channel member. The clip is comprised of a generally hook-shaped member, when seen in cross-section, that comprises the lower edge of the cover. The clip defines an interior region, within which a lip of the channel member may be snap-fitted. The clip is provided with first and second shoulders to grip opposing sides of the channel member, to bias the panel towards the channel.