Abstract: Disclosed is a polar crane supported by a rail and having a bridge and a bridge-supporting end truck at each end of the bridge. Each end truck has, for either direction of revolving bridge motion, a leading wheel contacting the rail. In the improvement, the leading wheel of each end truck has a single flange and the flange is inward of the rail. Skewed crane "lock-up" is thereby substantially prevented. A related method for modifying a polar crane includes raising the first end truck away from the rail, removing a two-flange wheel (the leading wheel) from the first end truck and installing a one-flange wheel in place thereof.

Abstract: The method substantially removes a soil spot (resulting from a beverage spill or the like) from a carpet by using a particular type of brush. The brush has (a) a detachable handle, (b) a body with a pair of holes therein for attaching the handle to the body at either hole, and (c) first and second brush portions on first and second brush faces, respectively. The brush portions have differing stiffnesses and either portion may be used to "de-spot" carpet by inserting the handle in the appropriate attachment hole. The method includes the steps of identifying the tuft and pile characteristics of the spot-soiled area of carpet and selecting one of the brush portions for use in removing the spot on carpet having such characteristics. The handle is attached to the hole related to the selected brush portion, a granular cleaning product is deposited on the spot and such product is "worked" across and through that portion of the carpet which includes the spot.

Abstract: A photo/photo cartridge delivery/storage packet for the products of Advanced Photo Systems (APS) processing, comprising a first and second sheet-like cover members disposed in spaced, substantially parallel planes and each having a spine-adjacent edge, a sheet-like spine interconnecting the cover members along said spine-adjacent edges, a plurality of sheet-like photos interposed between the cover members and removably/replaceably secured to the spine by adhesive, and a means on the second cover member for securing thereto the APS photo cartridge associated with said photos. In the most preferred embodiment, the free edge of the second cover member of the packet extends past the free edge of the first cover member thereby forming a cover extension. The APS photo cartridge can be secured to either surface of the second cover member in a variety of ways that allow the cartridge to remain on the cover or be removed for storage elsewhere while the cover extension is used as a locking flap.

Abstract: The disclosed bifurcated (fork-like) device is for use in a tube coupler to hold male and female members in sealing contact with one another. Each rail of the device has a laterally-outwardly-extending "hook-like" projection. When used in a coupler, such projections engage retention shoulders to retain the device on the coupler. Guide members help urge the projections toward such shoulders. A related tube coupler has a locking mechanism which is biased toward and automatically engages the device when such device is pushed into the de-coupling position. The coupler also has a trip surface which urges the mechanism to its unlatch position when the male member and the female member are moved to sealing contact with one another. Unlatching the mechanism permits the device to return to its coupling position.

Abstract: The power supply, well suited for powering a metal halide lamp, includes a rectifier with an AC input and a DC output. A power transformer has its primary winding connected to the DC output and its secondary winding connected to the lamp. A pulse-width-modulated (PWM) controller is coupled to the primary winding for controlling the flow of power therethrough. A smoothing circuit is connected to the lamp for reducing the rate of change of the current flowing through the lamp. Avoiding filtering of the rectifier output, maintaining a constant pulse width of the PWM controller throughout the period of the AC input power and filtering switching-frequency current components from the input to the rectifier provides a sinusoidal input current to the power supply which is substantially in phase with the input voltage. Such supply has a power factor of over 99%.

Abstract: An adjustable furniture device having at least one adjustable longitudinal support element including a female section and a male section in telescoping engagement, with positionally-adjustable devices interposed between the male and female members to permit longitudinal adjustment of the support element, and thereby adjustment, for example, of height.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for binding together sheet-like articles such as photos or documents. The system includes a back cover, a front cover and a spine member attached to one cover. Such spine member has an "edge-binding" medial portion and a cover-adhering strip. Such strip attaches to the other cover after the articles are placed between the covers for binding. The cover-adhering strip and the medial portion (both overlaid with a protective release liner removed just prior to strip use) are divided by a lateral cut into at least two portions. With one hand, a user of the system may securely hold the covers and articles aligned and using the other hand, remove the release liner and in sequence, fold over the slit-divided medial portion and the strip portion to contact the article edges and the other cover, respectively. The system adheres to and secures the articles and the covers together. A method for binding sheet-like articles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bearing assembly has first and second trunnions supporting a bearing and defining a trunnion pivot axis. In the improvement, each of the trunnions is mounted in and supported by a separate cushion member of annular shape. The assembly permits bearing pivoting about the trunnion pivot axis (i.e., about the X axis) and the cushion members permit limited freedom of movement of the trunnions in axes (i.e., the Y and/or Z axes) which are angular to the pivot axis. The new bearing assembly is ideal for use on an earth-working implement such as a disc harrow.

Abstract: A new creeper drive system has a hydraulic motor with first and second flow lines connected thereto. A directional valve apparatus is connected in the flow lines and the system has a flow control valve operable independently of the directional valve apparatus. The creeper drive system is particularly useful on a mobile construction machine. The machine hydraulic circuit needs but a single pump for powering the creeper drive motor and an auxiliary attachment motor and creeper direction and speed functions are independently adjustable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting apparatus of the type having a retainer, a lamp holder held by the retainer, and a lamp secured with respect to such holder. In the improvement, the lamp holder has a pair of support edges spaced from one another by a first dimension. The retainer includes first and second notches, each having a pair of notch edges spaced from one another by a second dimension which is greater than the first dimension. So configured, the holder may be removed through the notches without having access to the rear of the apparatus. In a specific embodiment, the lamp holder is a sphere truncated along two planes to form an "eyeball-like" structure which may be moved in the retainer for adjusting the position of the light beam. A new method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a machine for comminuting lawn refuse and having a vacuum characteristic which is enhanced when organic debris is being fed into the machine grinding chamber through an opening other than that in the tube used to feed in small branches. The tube mouth has a substantially smooth sealing lip and a removable cover is fitted snugly to the lip to substantially prevent air from flowing between the lip and the cover. An embodiment of the machine has a U-shaped nozzle portion attached thereto by a hose. Such portion removes leaves and other debris from an eaves trough. A method for comminuting organic lawn debris is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a remote-control apparatus having a base and a first slider supported with respect to the base. A first cable includes a first conduit and a first core coupled to the slider and movable in the first conduit. An output cable includes a clamped conduit supported with respect to the base and having an output core movable in the clamped conduit. In the improvement, the apparatus includes a second slider supported with respect to the base. A second cable has a second conduit and a second core coupled to the second slider and movable in the second conduit. The first core and the output core are coupled to the first slider and the second core is coupled to the second slider. A new method for remotely controlling a mechanism, e.g., a boat outboard engine throttle or clutch, is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preselected extension of the dough rise period for dough products prepared in an automatic breadmaker. The method includes the step of selecting an extended final dough rise period from a group of predetermined times programmed into the breadmaker controller. The selection may be made before initiating the kneading/degassing and rising cycles or during what would otherwise be the final dough rise period.

Abstract: An apparatus for attenuating sound in a HVAC system has an inlet mouth aria a tube downstream of the inlet mouth. In the improvement, the inlet mouth defines a surface of revolution formed by rotating a segment of an ellipse about the long axis aria at a fixed distance therefrom. The new apparatus has an air flow transition chamber which permits air flow to "normalize" after air enters the apparatus at its inlet end but before such air enters the inlet mouth. The apparatus also has a baffle between the entry portion and the apparatus outlet end and positioned to occlude the enclosed cavity between the interior tube and the outer housing. The apparatus thereby more effectively attenuates sound in the third octave band. Optionally, the apparatus (either alone or in combination with a VAV terminal unit) has exterior insulation for preventing moisture condensation and further reducing objectionable sound.

Abstract: A battery connection apparatus for gang-connecting batteries together includes a terminal on a battery and a connector coupled to the terminal. The connector and terminal are resiliently snap-fitted to one another. The apparatus employs what may be termed a "ball-and-socket" arrangement in which a male portion (whether on the battery or on the connector) snap-fits into a female portion. Resiliency is provided by "springy" split finger pieces or by a compressed resilient core-like component. Using the new apparatus, batteries may be gang-connected horizontally or vertically and, essentially, without the use of tools.

Abstract: The new "universal" mounting bracket is used to couple a hydraulic steering cylinder to one of first and second brands of outboard engines. Such bracket has first and second groups of holes, the holes comprising each group positionally corresponding to a bracket attachment hole in the first or second brand of engine. The cylinder has first and second spaced mounting faces that are angled with respect to a cylinder axis. The bracket has first and second end members contacting the first and second faces, respectively. A mounting face and its respective end member are in compression when resisting steering force.The bracket optionally includes at least one cutout area (and preferably two or more cutout areas) for fitting the bracket around a Zerk fitting on a particular brand or brands of engine.