Abstract: For use in replacing a bearing in a machine that has a body, a shaft extending from the body, a bearing by which the shaft is mounted to the body, a wheel mounted on the shaft outside the body for rotation with the shaft, and a belt passing circumferentially around the wheel and exerting on the wheel a force that is perpendicular to the shaft, a fixture that includes a base, first means for attaching the base to the body of the machine, second means connected to the base for applying a counterforce to the wheel equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force exerted by the belt, and third means connected to the base for supporting the wheel in a fixed position with respect to the body of the machine after the counterforce has been applied and while the bearing is being replaced.

Abstract: Perlite particles, after being expanded and treated with a silicone have the ability to selectively absorb hydrocarbons while rejecting water on or in which the hydrocarbons may be present. A carefully designed cartridge having an apertured top and an apertured bottom permits runoff water to percolate through a body of particulate perlite so that the desired separation can be accomplished. The cartridge in which the perlite is contained is easily removed from a catch basin when the perlite has become spent. The cartridge may then be opened and the spent perlite removed, after which the cartridge may be refilled with fresh perlite and replaced in the catch basin.

Abstract: The interface is an apparatus that is attached to the outlet of a hopper to assist and control the discharge of particulate material onto the loading surface of a feeder, such as a moving belt. The interface results in a saving of 50 to 75 percent in the power required to drive the feeder. Three structural innovations contribute to this saving in power. First, a plate that extends vertically and in the direction of movement of the feeder is introduced into the stream of material within the interface to reduce downward pressure on the loading surface of the feeder. Second, the lower edge of the strike-off plate is arched upwardly, which reduces the power required for maintaining the shearing action. Third, the interface is provided with vertical skirts that prevent lateral spreading of the material so that a narrower feeder can be used.

Abstract: It is frequently observed that when a real locomotive starts up, the front set of drive wheels commences to turn before the rear set of drive wheels begins to turn. The present invention is a simple device that permits this effect to be simulated in a model locomotive. The electric motor of the model locomotive drives a worm which turns a first gear. A second gear is mounted on the same shaft as the first gear but is not otherwise connected to the first gear. From the side of the first gear that faces the second gear, a pin extends at a particular radius. Similarly, two pins extend at the particular radius from the side of the second gear that faces the first gear. When the motor starts, the first gear turns immediately, but rotation of the second gear is delayed until the pin on the first gear strikes one of the pins on the second gear. In this way a delayed rotary motion is imparted to the second gear.

Abstract: A container for a stack of coins is formed from a length of flexible plastic lay-flat tubing. The container has the form of a hollow cylinder that is open at both ends. The coins are prevented from falling out of the retainer by toggle retainers formed at both ends of the tube by cutting and scoring or perforating operations performed on the container while it is in the flattened condition. These operations can conveniently be carried out on a flexographic converting system. The toggle retainers can readily be opened for removal of the coins, after which the flexibility of the walls of the container permit it to be flattened, thereby saving space during transport and storage of the empty containers. This encourages reuse, which makes the container attractive from the standpoint of both economics and ecology.

Abstract: The lid is adapted for use with a container the mouth of which has a particular size and shape. After the lid has been placed on the mouth of the container, the air or other gas within the container is evacuated by manual operation of a pump actuator. The actuator is repeatedly pushed toward the bottom of the container. The pump includes a bellows and two check valves, and the pump is removably installed in the lid by inserting a resilient plug on the pump into a first hole in the lid. The vacuum may be released by pushing once on an actuator that operates a vacuum release valve. The vacuum release valve is removably installed in the lid by inserting a resilient plug of the valve into a second hole in the lid. When the container is evacuated, the pump actuator and the vacuum release valve actuator are flush with the upper face of the lid to facilitate stacking of the containers.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a multi-stage system in which a fluid being treated is passed in succession through a first stage A, a second stage B, a third stage C, etc. includes a controlled system of valved interconnections that permits the direction of flow within each stage to be reversed while preserving the original sequence ABC . . . in which the fluid progresses from stage to stage. The stages may be reaction chambers in which chemical or photo-chemical reactions are carried out or the stages may be filters that need to be reverse-flushed at intervals. In accordance with the invention, a second set of inter-stage connections is provided, in addition to the original connections used for forward flow. In the second set, the inlet and outlet ports are located at opposite ends of each stage from the inlet and outlet ports used in the original connections.

Abstract: A quick-release skewer that secures the frame of a bicycle to the hub of the rear wheel in the usual manner and that includes provision for pivotally attaching the frame of a trailer to the rear axle of the bicycle. Both the nut and the cam housing of the quick-release skewer include integral posts that extend axially outward from the center of the rear wheel of the bicycle. A sleeve is mounted for rotation on each of the posts, and a trailer fork member is retained on each of the sleeves. In a preferred embodiment the sleeves are bobbin-shaped and low-friction bushings are interposed between the sleeves and the posts.

Abstract: A termination system for a solar panel of the type in which the photoactive material and a silver terminal pad are covered by a protective layer of an insulative material includes a hole through the protective layer exposing a portion of the silver pad and further includes a terminal body having a base that is bonded to the protective layer and having a bore extending through the terminal body and concentric with the hole in the protective layer, and further including a compression spring inserted into the bore in the terminal body and bearing against the silver pad and urged against the silver pad by a sphere that is moved toward the silver panel through the bore in the terminal body by advancing a set screw. The sphere ensures that as the set screw is turned no torque is imparted to the spring. The resulting termination is inexpensive and easy to make, and it provides a good solderless contact with the silver pad and is mechanically robust and hermetically sealed.