Abstract: A bed side guard that is rotatable between an elevated and lowered position is provided with means for controlling remote electrical devices such as radio, television, room light, nurses' call station, room environment control and intercommunication system. Thus, a variety of remote devices can be operated and controlled by control means that are always immediately accessible and viewable by the occupant of the bed.

Abstract: A device for mixing and dispensing a flow of liquid concentrated beverage ingredient from a constant volume pump with a pressurized diluent supplied from a source at a preselected flow rate through a flow control device. Diluent flow and liquid concentrate flow intersect and converge into a common fluid passageway which, in turn, flows into a fluid chamber formed by a housing. A tubular spout containing first and second restrictive orifices extends into the chamber formed by the housing and is sealed thereto by a pair of seal rings. The tubular spout can be rotated to a first or second position dependent upon the consistency of the liquid concentrate desired to be dispensed, thereby selectively permitting fluid to flow through the first orifice or both orifices. The unmixed diluent and liquid concentrate in the fluid chamber flow through the orifices and are mixed therein resulting in a homogeneous and uniformly mixed beverage.

Abstract: A dispensing assembly for discharging a flowing fluid into which a desired amount of an additive liquid has been inserted includes a container for the additive liquid which may be removed from a dispenser body. The container is normally positively biased to a closed condition to prevent escape of the additive liquid. Opening of the container is effected upon establishment of a predetermined minimum pressure by the flowing fluid in the dispenser body. Additive liquid is forced from the container into the flowing fluid by a metered amount of flowing fluid inserted into the container to cause a flexible pressure member to force the additive liquid from the container. Opening of the container is not achieved until after the pressure member is exerting a force on the additive liquid.

Abstract: A percussive tool, such as a tamping tool used with railroad bed tamping apparatus, has a replaceable work bit, such as a tamping foot. The removable tamping foot is secured to a shank by a tapered force fit. A repulsive force is generated between the shank and the tamping foot when it is desired to remove the tamping foot from the shank. Production of the repulsive force is achieved by pumping a fluid into an expandable chamber between the shank and the tamping foot. Preferably, a hand-operated grease gun drives grease into the expandable chamber to produce the repulsive force.

Abstract: A more even distribution of heat in a building is achieved by preventing incident solar radiation from unequally heating the building. The heat component of incident solar radiation is entrapped and conveyed to other portions of the building requiring heat. In warm weather the entrapped heat may be vented to the atmosphere. One form of the invention involves the use of two spaced panes of glass for a window, with the heat component of the incident solar radiation being entrapped in the chamber between the panes and then conveyed either to other parts of the building or to the atmosphere.

Abstract: This specification discloses a seal for a threaded shaft which reciprocates relative to a housing. The seal includes radial reinforcing means to provide an interference sealing fit with the housing and a thread on its internal surface which mates with the shaft. An axial reinforcing ring together with a hard rubber permits the seal to accept large axial forces.

Abstract: A safety box, such as a safe or small vault adapted for mounting in the wall of a building, is provided with a removable cover or door. A rotary latching arrangement is key-actuated to cause the cover to be selectively secured to the box at a plurality of points to effectively seal an opening to the interior of the safety box. Opening of the safety box is achieved by utilizing the key to rotate the latching arrangement in order to release the cover for removal from the box.

Abstract: A recirculating carbonator and beverage dispenser requires only one pump. The system's function can be enhanced by the use of a two position spool valve having a fresh water inlet port, a carbonated water inlet port, and a fluid outlet port commonly connected with a central bore. A spool member is slidably disposed within the bore to selectively interrupt fluid communication between the carbonated water inlet port and the liquid outlet port during the presence of a low water signal generated by a level sensing device within the system's carbonation tank. During the interruption, fresh make-up water is added to the system. The level sensing device includes a body with a longitudinal bore therethrough, an inlet for the constantly flowing fluid, and a venturi tube depending from the body.

Abstract: A recirculating carbonator and beverage dispenser requires only one pump. The system's function can be enhanced by the use of a two position spool valve having a fresh water inlet port, a carbonated water inlet port, and a fluid outlet port commonly connected with a central bore. A spool member is slidably disposed within the bore to selectively interrupt fluid communication between the carbonated water inlet port and the liquid outlet port during the presence of a low water signal generated by a level sensing device within the system's carbonation tank. During the interruption, fresh make-up water is added to the system.

Abstract: A vacuum pump assembly has a conventional electric motor, a mounting plate centered with respect to the drive shaft of the motor, and a self-contained, replaceable modular pumping apparatus. The module has a stator, a rotor, and axially opposite end plates enclosing a pumping chamber, and is detached easily, quickly mounted onto the mounting plate as a unitary assembly, and operatively connected to the drive shaft of the motor by a shock-absorbing self-aligning coupling. It is enclosed by a pump housing containing lubricant for lubrication and sealing purposes during pump operation. The pumping module has a double seal to maintain lubricant and to allow the shaft connected to the rotor to center itself relative to the mounting plate and the motor.

Abstract: This specification discloses a mechanical bellows seal in which torsional forces acting upon the bellows unit are opposed and minimized by a circumferential biasing device. Through appropriate structure, the biasing means constrains the opposite ends of the bellows for joint rotation, minimizing vibrational forces and slip-stick phenomenon of such seals in highly viscous fluid sealing environments.

Abstract: Railroad bed scarifying apparatus employing a digging or scooping action along the direction of the rails is provided. A movable frame mounted on a vehicle which travels along the rails has three digging plates pivotally mounted thereon. A first digging plate extends between the rails, while the other two digging plates each extend outwardly from an associated one of the rails to the end of the ties. Each of the digging plates has a digging ridge located on the end thereof, the digging ridge being located at an obtuse angle with respect to the front surface of the digging plate. By appropriate control of suitable driving arrangements, the digging ridges and digging plates form a trench of the appropriate dimensions to receive a tie and place the removed ballast on an adjacent tie for return after insertion of the new tie.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a die for forming metal piece parts and includes two progressive die sections which partially form metal piece parts and transfer same to a rotary die section which nest the parts and rotates same through a series of work stations for finishing operations.

Abstract: A nut cutter for cutting through nuts that are rusted or otherwise frozen to bolts or other threaded fasteners. The working end section of the chisel-like nut cutter includes a pair of bifurcated sharpened tines. The central notch separating the bifurcated tines is shaped to facilitate cutting nuts that are relatively inaccessible using the nut cutter held either coaxially with or at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the nut.

Abstract: A box spring assembly having a rectangular frame mounting a plurality of lateral support slats, formed wire torsion springs affixed to said slats and a metal grid interconnecting said springs. To minimize sag resulting from body weight, the support slats adjacent the lateral center line of the frame are first reinforced with U-shaped metallic bars which rest the wooden slats. In addition, the number or density of lateral slats adjacent this center line are increased leaving a lower density of slats adjacent the head and foot ends of the assembly. This arrangement of lateral slats permits reorientation of the formed wire spring units which further results in greater lateral stability of the box spring unit. The assembly is then completed by adding one or more insullating pads for cushioning and a fabric cover.

Abstract: To join two pipe sections carrying fluids that may be at relatively high pressures, a coupling body into which the ends of the pipe sections are inserted has a gasket seal at each end thereof. In order to electrically insulate the sections of pipe from one another, an insulating sleeve is located along a length of the internal surface of the coupling body. An insulating stop member is slidable within the sleeve to separate the ends of the sections of pipe, the stop member being prevented from entering the length of the coupling body that does not have an insulating sleeve. Threads for coupling nuts utilized in achieving the fluid tight seal are formed in the outer surface of the coupling body at each end thereof.

Abstract: A device for use in making biomechanical or orthopedic evaluations of the lower leg and foot employs a heel stationing arrangement to automatically provide a reference line parallel to the vertical bisection of the calcaneus bone. A forefoot measuring device is utilized to measure the angular deformity of the forefoot (varus or valgus) by determining the angular deviation of the plane of the ball of the foot with respect to a plane perpendicular to the heel reference line. The forefoot measuring arrangement is adaptable to measure either the plane of the ball of the foot as determined by all five rays or as determined by any desired grouping of rays, such as the second through the fifth rays. A rearfoot measuring arrangement measures the angular deformity of the rearfoot (varus or valgus) by determining the vertical bisection of the lower leg with respect to the heel reference line. Further, the device has an attachment to measure the dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the foot about the ankle.

Abstract: A vacuum pump, having a pumping chamber with intake and exhaust ports communicating therewith, is provided with an arrangement to insert a liquid lubricant into the pumping chamber. A sensing device is utilized to detect the pressure at the exhaust port, the sensing device permitting operation of a deactivating unit when the pressure at the exhaust port falls below a predetermined value, pressure below the predetermined value being indicative of improper pumping action in the pump. The deactivating unit acts to render inoperative the lubricant introducing arrangement when the sensing device detects a pressure at the exhaust port below the predetermined value, thus precluding the insertion of lubricant into the pumping chamber upon the occurrence of defective pumping action in the vacuum pump.

Abstract: Beds, such as hospital beds, in which at least some portion of the bed is movably actuated by an electric motor (or motors) are provided with a control circuit to determine proper energization of the motor from an AC power source. Since the AC signal from the power source could be harmful to the person selecting a desired direction of travel of the movable portion of the bed, the selecting portion of the control circuit is isolated by appropriate transformers from the power portion that supplies the motor. Bidirectional switching devices, such as triacs, are utilized to convey the power to the motor. Other bidirectional switching devices, such as triacs, are used to gate the power handling triacs through appropriate gating transformers. A phase shifting arrangement is utilized in connection with the gating transformers to provide proper commutation of the power handling triacs.

Abstract: A mold for forming O-ring seals free of flash at their inside and outside diameters. The mold includes a first mold section having a frustrum extending from a surface thereof and a second mold section having a cavity for receiving said frustrum, said frustrum and recess having annular grooves juxtaposed to define a mold cavity for an O-ring seal. Mating surfaces of the frustrum and recess act to seal one side of the cavity while spaced surfaces on the opposite side of the cavity define an annular orifice extending into said mold cavity. The mold further includes a loading chamber and means for injecting a seal composition through said orifice into said mold cavity for curing.