Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining valves in a water distribution system is the subject matter. A description is prepared of each valve in the system. An individual identifying symbol is assigned to each valve. The identifying symbol and the valve individual description and location, is loaded into a computer database. A group of valves in the system is selected to define an inspection route. A portable computer is loaded with the information regarding each valve along the inspection route. A valve turning machine is positioned adjacent to a selected valve. The valve turning machine includes an identification reader, a timer and the portable computer. A reader identifies a select valve by means of its symbol and the symbol is recorded in the portable computer. The turning machine is connected to the stem of the selected valve to turn the stem in a selected direction. The number of revolutions of the valve stem is counted and recorded in the portable computer.

Abstract: An internally illuminated sign is capable of being mounted on a lighting track. The sign includes an adapter for mechanical and electrical connection to the lighting track. A display housing is connected to the adapter. The housing has a substantially vertical face with a message window in the face. A translucent message assembly is removably mounted in the housing adjacent to the window. The housing has a movable section selectively relocateable relative to the message window to provide access to the interior of the housing for selective insertion into or removal from the housing said message assembly. An illumination source is mounted in the housing adjacent to the side of the translucent message assembly positioned away from the window to enhance visibility of a message on the message assembly through the message window.

Abstract: An internally illuminated sign includes an adapter for mechanical and electrical connection to a lighting track. A display housing is connected to the adapter. The display housing has a face with a message window in the face. A translucent message assembly is removably mounted in the housing adjacent to the window. An illumination source is mounted in the housing adjacent to the side of the translucent message assembly positioned away from the window to enhance visibility of a message in the message assembly. The display housing has a separable portion selectively relocatable relative to the remainder of the housing. Relocation of the separable portion away from the remainder of the housing provides access to the interior of the housing for selective insertion into or removal from the housing the message assembly. A lock releasably secures the separable portion to the remainder of the housing.

Abstract: An improved lock used with a recessed lighting fixture is the present subject matter. The fixture is adapted for installation in a mounting aperture in a ceiling. The fixture includes a frame which has a retainer ring for connection to the outside or bottom of the ceiling. A lock is pivotly mounted in the frame and is also movably mounted in the frame. The lock is engageable with the interior or upper surface of the ceiling to hold the frame in the mounting aperture. The lock includes a latch which releasably engages the frame to hold the lock in one position relative to the frame and thereby hold the frame in the mounting aperture. The lock includes a shipping notch engageable with the frame to retain the lock in the frame during shipment of the frame to a site for installation in a ceiling.

Abstract: An improved unitary steel tie which is positionable in ballast of a railway track system includes an elongated channel body. The channel body includes an elongated web and a pair of sidewalls formed integral with opposite edges of the web. The channel body has a pair of opposed ends. An integral rail seat is adjacent to each of the opposed ends. Each rail seat is formed on the web and is adapted for connecting a rail to the web. An indentation is formed in each sidewall adjacent to each end of the body. The indentations at each end are opposed to each other forming a reduced section between the sidewalls at each end of the body to restrict movement of ballast toward the respective end and along the length of the body between the sidewalls. An apex is formed in the web above each reduced section and each apex is substantially the same height as the other apex. The apexes are the high points of the web. A flared spade is formed integral with each end of the body.

Abstract: A telecommunications electric circuit having a low return loss and low crosstalk is adapted for use with unshielded twisted pairs of connecting wires. The circuit includes a pair of elongated circuit conductors parallel to each other over a substantial portion of their respective lengths. Each circuit conductor being a trace having a uniform width over a substantial portion of the length of the trace. Each circuit conductor trace having a width equal to the width of the other trace of the pair. Each of the circuit conductor traces has a uniform thickness. The circuit conductor traces are spaced apart a uniform distance which distance is determined from the center of each trace to the center of the other trace. The uniform distance being no greater than twice the width of one of said traces. A compensation trace is spaced from, parallel to and aligned with a portion of each of the respective circuit conductors.

Abstract: An adjustable connector is used for positioning a track lighting fixture in a track lighting system. The adjustable connector releasably locks a track lighting fixture housing to an adapter. The adapter is connected to a track of the track lighting system. The adjustable connector includes an arcuate mount fixed to the track lighting fixture housing. A lock is releasably secured to the arcuate mount to secure the arcuate mount to the adapter to determine the selected position of the housing. Release of the lock allows the housing to be moved into another selected position. The lock secures the position of the lighting fixture housing relative to the track at a selected vertical position and a selected horizontal position simultaneously.

Abstract: A conduit stopper used with a nozzle sealingly mounted on an elongated conduit for selectively interrupting the flow of a fluid through the conduit. The conduit has an aperture communicating with the nozzle for receiving a portion of the conduit stopper. A plug holder is connected to the linear actuator. A retainer cap is secured to the plug holder for movement therewith in the nozzle. A deformable sealing element has one end secured to the retainer cap and an opposite end is adapted to be forced into sealing engagement in the interior of the conduit to interrupt the flow of the fluid through the conduit.

Abstract: A plate closure for use in an internally illuminated sign having a plurality of wiring ports to provide access to the interior of the sign for connecting wires from a power source including a housing made up of a pair of interlockable halves. Each of the halves has a peripheral sealing lip opposed to the peripheral lip of the other half to form a peripheral housing wall. The housing wall has a pair of substantially parallel opposed end walls, a top housing wall and a bottom wall. A top wiring port is formed in the top wall. A left wiring port is formed in one of the end walls, and a right wiring port is formed in the other of the end walls. Each of the wiring ports provides a selective access to the interior of the housing to provide wiring for a light source. Each of the walls, having one of the wiring ports, has a mounting groove in a portion of the housing wall defining the wiring port. Each mounting groove extends into the respective wall and opens into the respective wiring port.

Abstract: A vertical organizer is mounted between a pair of telecommunication relay racks. Each rack has a backside which is in substantially the same plane as the backside of the other rack. Each rack has an upright defining a side positioned adjacent to and spaced from an upright of the other rack which upright of the other rack defines an adjacent side of the other rack. The vertical organizer includes a vertical trough having opposed sides fixed to adjacent uprights. The trough has a open side on the same side as the backside of the relay racks to provide a channel for positioning a plurality of telecommunication cables between the racks.

Abstract: A telecommunication relay rack for mounting on a floor includes a pair of uprights. A horizontal member is secured to the top of the uprights and a base is secured to the bottom of the uprights. The base includes a pair of identical half bases. Each of the half bases is a single unitary member including a squaring plate. A pair of feet is formed integral with opposed ends of each of the squaring feet. Each foot has a toe pad positioned below the bottom of the respective upright. Each upright has a pair of vertically spaced aligning apertures adjacent to the respective bottom on opposite sides of the upright. Each squaring plate has a pair of vertically spaced base apertures aligned with the respective aligning apertures. A base fastener in the base aperture and aligning aperture secures the respective squaring plate to a respective side of each upright to hold the uprights in a substantially vertical attitude parallel to each other. The toe pads are mounted on a floor whereupon the relay rack is supported.

Abstract: An internally illuminated sign having opposed directional indicating arrow openings including a housing. A light source is mounted in the housing. The housing has a flat stencil with letter openings forming a message. A first directional indicating arrow opening is positioned adjacent to one end of the message and a second directional indicating arrow opening is positioned at the other end of the message. The two arrow openings indicate direction in opposite directions, each away from the message. A first arrow cover is positioned in the first arrow opening and a second arrow cover is positioned in the second arrow opening. A stiff resilient translucent sheet diffuser is mounted on the stencil between the stencil and the light source. The translucent sheet holds the arrow covers in their respective arrow openings.