Abstract: Running rails for securing a motor vehicle seat to a motor vehicle and permitting fore and aft movement of the seat in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, including cooperating upper and lower rails each consisting only one profiled member, the lower rail having a generally U-shaped cross section with upwardly extending limbs having upper ends which are bent over forming inwardly extending arcuate parts which define first portions of first and second ball bearing raceways, the upper rail having a wedge shaped portion defining second portions of the first and second ball bearing raceways, and bottom web portions of the upper and lower rails being spaced apart defining a track for roller bearings.

Abstract: A hot-fill plastic container includes a plurality of elongated vertically oriented vacuum absorption panels in its sidewall, each of the panels having an outwardly projecting center portion which is divided into upper and lower panel portions by a transversely extending rib, the panel portions being connected to the top and bottom of the vacuum panel by outwardly curved connecting portions which reverse the curvature of the vacuum panel adjacent to its upper and lower edges to reinforce the vacuum panels to prevent the sidewall from taking a permanent set which deflected inwardly, the corners of the vacuum panel having a relatively large radius of curvature to provide stiffening of the panels at their corners. Annular reinforcement ribs located in the sidewall above and below the vacuum panels provide additional support for the upper and lower edges of the vacuum panels.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing seal members for use in an oxygen-rich environment. The test apparatus operates and is constructed to replicate the service environment as closely as possible. The test unit includes a hull with an interior test portion, with connections for gaseous or liquid oxygen and nitrogen and having a reciprocating actuator shaft extending into the hull interior. A valve seal member is carried on a retainer and bears against sealing surfaces on a nozzle to test valve sealing operations, while a dynamic O-ring bears against a liner element carried within the hull. Pressure sensors determine whether an effective seal is maintained, while a temperature sensor insures that the dynamic O-ring temperature does not exceed specifications. The retainer and the nozzle can be changed to permit testing a variety of valve seals.

Abstract: An enclosure for a film-type humidity sensing element includes identical enclosure members which snap together to form an enclosure with the humidity sensing element sandwiched between the members, each of the members including a lead mounting area on its inner surface for mounting the mounting ends of electrical leads, the leads being connected to contact portions of the humidity sensing element interiorly of the enclosure by a metal-filled conductive adhesive which is introduced into the enclosure through access openings after the enclosure members have been assembled together. The enclosure is adapted for mounting on a circuit board in both horizontal and vertical orientations and independently of the lead structure of the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A container of a heat set plastic material adapted for hot fill applications includes a plurality of elongated vertically oriented vacuum panels in its sidewall and first and second circumferentially extending inwardly directed reinforcement ribs which are located in the label mounting areas above and below the vacuum panels and which cooperate with upper and lower label bumpers of the container to support the upper and lower edges of the vacuum panels permitting the center portions of the panels to flex inward during filling and sealing the container with a hot liquid, but resisting deformation of the container sidewall in compensating for the hot-fill vacuum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for emulating a perimeter induction unit, in which the perimeter induction unit is replaced by an emulation unit carried in a plenum above the space to be heated or cooled. A temperature sensor is mounted within the space, and a computer provides programmed control, either centrally or locally. The emulation unit is connected to the primary air ducts and secondary liquid source formerly used for the perimeter induction unit. It includes a primary air inlet for accepting and regulating a flow of ventilated, preconditioned primary air from the primary air ducts, and a secondary air inlet for accepting a flow of return air from the space as well as filtering the return air and passing it over a heat exchanger carrying secondary cooling liquid at a preselected temperature. Primary and secondary air is mixed within a mixing chamber and delivered to the space by a blower at a preselected combined air volumetric flow rate.

Abstract: A float switch for sensing a liquid level and switching between "on" and "off" states in response to the same. Overall, the device is carried within a hollow housing, with its movement restrained by the tethering action of a power cord. "Snap action" switching is achieved by the interaction between an actuator having camming surfaces formed on its exterior, and a spring-loaded switch mechanism. The switch mechanism includes a thin, flexible E-shaped snap member, having two legs bowed to form a leaf spring and having a bearing point located on the central leg. The actuator is carried in a tube within the housing and the switch mechanism is positioned adjacent the actuator's path of travel, so that a camming surface of the actuator can make contact with the bearing point. As the water level rises, an increasing proportion of the actuator's weight is carried by the bearing point, until the vertical component of the actuator weight exceeds the spring resistance of the snap member.

Abstract: An output torque sensing and limiting mechanism, for preventing the continued application of torque to a load when the torque exceeds a selected value. The mechanism is positioned at the end of a gear train, meshed with the final gear and adapted to transmit the output torque to the load, through an output adapter. An input gear assembly includes a sector gear, meshed with the gear train, for receiving the input torque. A housing assembly is rotationally carried on the input gear assembly, with wing members extending to define a wing angle. The sector gear lies in the wing angle, with vertical gear ends adjacent each wing member. A torque sensor subassembly is carried in each wing member, consisting of a bearing button positioned in registration with the sector gear end, biased into position by a wave spring and adjustable by means of a retainer button. Microswitches are carried on the sector gear, located with the switch elements extending into the gap between the sector gear and each wing member.

Abstract: A flat, rigid sheet of predetermined configuration is provided for insertion between each end cell element and the corresponding container end wall of a battery during production line manufacturing. The battery is thus protected from the harmful effects resulting from the flexing of the container end walls due to oscillating hydraulic pressure of the electrolyte contained within the outermost cells of the battery.

Abstract: An array of plate-like elements is retained by endless filaments looped on the elements to form migrating hinges between individual elements and other elements adjoining same. Grooves are formed in the surfaces of each plate, the grooves being in two groups, with the members of each group being mutually parallel, and the grooves of each surface being in overlying registration. The filaments lie within the grooves in a selected pattern, with filaments forming anchor points at plate sides at which the filament wraps around the side of the plate to enter a groove from the other group of grooves on the opposite side of the plate, and hinge points at plate sides where the filament passes from one plate to an abutting plate, proceeding from one surface to the opposite surface in doing so. Manipulation of the resulting array allows two such plates to rotate mutually about an axis defined by hinge points lying on their abutting sides.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for slitting an endless strip of material having substantially planar surfaces by forming a pair of adjacent grooves in each surface of the material with corresponding grooves in each surface of the material being orthogonally aligned and applying a force normal to the planar surfaces of the material and between adjacent grooves and of sufficient magnitude to shear the material along a line connecting corresponding grooves. For this purpose a pair of scoring knives for each slit are mounted in relative orthogonal alignment with respect to the planar surfaces of the material with one on each side of the material. The knives form the adjacent grooves in each surface of the material.

Abstract: A string remover for breaking and removing encircling string or twine bale securing members, is disclosed. A plurality of generally parallel fingers are placed straddling the string and are caused to rotate. The string wraps about the fingers and is tensioned to the point of breaking. After it has broken, it continues to be wrapped about the fingers. A slideable push-off plate is then moved axially along the fingers and forces the wound up string off the fingers so that it can be disposed of. The string remover can be driven by a portable power source such as a hand held electric drill.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing packages for leaks. Selected values of suction and positive pressure are supplied to a testing position, which may be a test head. A package to be tested is held in the testing position by the suction, and positive pressure is introduced into the package through a puncture, which may be made before or after the package is placed in position. Values of suction and positive pressure are chosen such that a package meeting leakage specifications will contain sufficient positive pressure to overcome the suction, causing the package to be ejected from the testing position. If the package does not meet specification, leakage will cause the suction to hold the package in position. Thus, a rapid and visible indication of package quality is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to cut sheet material into quadrilateral pieces. The sheet material first is slit lengthwise into ribbons; then a swing assembly lays the ribbons onto a cutting bed, where circular knives cut them transversely into quadrilateral pieces. The swing assembly has a fixed end adjacent the slitting apparatus, and a free end that describes a reciprocating arc over the cutting bed.