Abstract: A latch mechanism for a pallet dispensing machine. A plurality of pallets are positioned in an upright movable frame positioned in a stationary frame in the pallet dispensing machine. The latch mechanism holds the stack of pallets as the movable frame is lowered and sets of the stack on a feeder conveyor. Further downward motion of the movable frame causes the latch mechanism to retract out of engagement by gravity. Thereafter the movable frame moves upwardly and the latch mechanism reengages the remainding pallets above the bottom pallet to lift the stack about an inch so that the feeder conveyor can feed the bottom pallet out of the machine.

Abstract: A gripper device for holding a flexible flat sheet around an elongated form such as a cord, rope, protruding edge or the like. The device is formed in the preferred embodiment with an inner hinged gripper which is positioned around the elongated form such as a protruding edge on a bed mattress. An outer clamp is formed in a C-shaped configuration and slides over the inner hinged gripper. To apply a force or pressure on the gripper, a tapered surface is formed on the outer side of the inner gripper and on the inner side of the outer C-shaped clamp.

Abstract: A battery heat seal machine and method for sealing a top cover to a battery container. The machine has a one-piece heating platen with thermal expansion features which eliminate stress on the platen bearings that support the platen. A new type of top cover holder and pickup device is also employed in the machine to positively grasp the top cover around the center line of the cover and to lift it up and return it as desired. The pickup device design may be used with small automotive batteries and with large commercial batteries. A mobile platen transfer device is used with the machine to quickly and safely remove an outgoing platen and replace it with an incoming platen when changing battery sizes and types on the battery assembly line.

Abstract: A plastic pipe fitting for use in an underground water sprinkler system. The fitting design uses multi-thread internal pipe threads on various types of fittings such as elbows, T's, side outlet 90.degree. fittings and side outlet T's among other types. The multi-thread design permits at least two sizes of sprinkler heads to be connected as desired into the fitting. An improved inlet barb connection may also be used on the above fittings and on other types of pipe fittings used in the entire water sprinkler system to prevent improper clamping of connecting pipe on the inlet barbs.

Abstract: A palley dispensing machine with latch mechanism for the same machine. A plurality of pallets are positioned in an upright movable frame positioned in a stationary frame. The latch mechanism holds the stack of pallets as the movable frame is lowered and sets the stack on a feeder conveyor. Further downward motion of the movable frame causes the latch mechanism to retract out of engagement by gravity. Thereafter the movable frame moves upwardly and the latch mechanism reengages the remaining pallets above the bottom pallet to lift the stack about an inch so that the feeder conveyor can feed the bottom pallet out of the machine.

Abstract: An elongated tray designed to support a plurality of tubular objects such as fluorescent tubes when positioned in an outer package. The tray is formed with a plurality of cavities which have a plurality of tubular supporting surfaces contained therein. Each supporting surface is formed in a generally sinusoidal shape having a series of reversing curved configurations forming peaks and valleys. Each peak and valley contains approximate equal thickness material from the resilient type plastic used. As a result, controlled deformation with a controlled resilient return is obtained in the peaks and valleys to thereby result in a vastly superior tray which has improved resistance to breakage of the fluorescent tubes. The resilient plastic may be an HDPE or PP having a density ranging between 0.898-0.965 grams per cubic centimeter.

Abstract: An improved gun trigger unit for a rifle or the like. The unit uses at least two spring biased moving members positioned one above the other. The members are pivotably mounted in relation to each other and pivot from a first engaged position to a second disengaged position. At least one of the members has rotatably mounted thereon a bearing in engagement with the other of the moving members. A movement of the trigger lever will pivot one of the members to activate the other of the members by the bearing rolling from a first engaged position to a second disengaged position thereby releasing the rifle bolt to fire the rifle.

Abstract: A one-piece structural member with integral fastener prongs for joining to a separate penetrable plate such as plywood or the like. The structural member is formed with at least one web section and with at least one continuous perpendicular flange section having the fastener prongs formed therein. The continuous flange section with the integral web section permits a large variety of prong sizes, spacings and structural configurations to be obtained thereby producing a large variety of panel and beam stiffness and span lengths. The method disclosed herein permits the construction of novel composite structural panels and beams at a job site using the one-piece structural member which is pressed together with a penetrable plate such as plywood, wood studs or the like by means of a pair of pressure rollers, a press brake or other means.

Abstract: A self-contained cleaning system using a truck mounted cleaning unit. The cleaning unit has a dual water tank system which is used to recirculate water through a propane hot water unit until the desired water temperature is obtained. The dual water tanks also permit the operator to bring his own supply of water to the job site. A dual pressure water unloading system allows quick switching from high to low water pressures while quick disconnects on the unloading system permit rapid removal for maintenance and/or replacement of the dual water pressure regulators used. The cleaning system is totally self-contained and may be operated without using the utilities of the customer.

Abstract: A bulk bag discharge unit having a discharge hopper with an inner liner support. The inner liner support is used to retain, in the hopper, the inner liner discharge spout and a portion of the bulk bag inner liner as the bulk bag is emptied. A plurality of splitter fingers hold the inner support in the inside of the hopper and form openings which allow bulk product to pass out of the hopper but also prevent the liner spout and a portion of the liner from passing out of the hopper. A method of preventing the dropping out of the liner during discharge using the liner support is also disclosed.

Abstract: A single chip programmable microcomputer timer for use in car washers, air dispensing machines, pay showers, suntan salons, vacuum equipment and the like. The timer unit is designed with a 4,000 bit microcomputer chip and contains a large scale integrated (LSI) circuit comprising a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM) for program storage and a random access memory (RAM) for general data usage. The microcomputer functions to display a friendly message to the user of the timer and to display a diagnostic message on the timer's visual display when an error is recognized by the computer. The computer will flash the visual display at a predetermined time near the end of the cycle. Two programming buttons on the timer permit the coin inventory to be examined and/or cleared in conjuction with a nonvolatile memory designed in the computer. The computer also performs other functions all of which make the timer a very useful device for its many possible applications.

Abstract: An air pollution prevention device that is designed in the preferred embodiment to operate downstream from an existing muffler. The device comprises an oil filled lower chamber with turbulence causing means such as plastic netting through which the exhaust gasses pass. Two upper chambers having turbulence causing means such as steel wool receive the gasses and oil from the lower chamber. The particulate matter in the gasses is coated with oil and being heavier than the exhaust gas will drop out of the exhaust gas and run into the lower oil chamber where it can be periodically removed along with the oil when clean oil is added to the device.

Abstract: An automatic retractable shade unit for an automotive vehicle. The unit uses a pleated shade section with a solar reflective coating on at least the outside facing portion of the shade. A thin mounting case is used to removably mount the case in close proximity to nonparallel side posts of the automotive vehicle. A spring bias in combination with retractable cord means allows the shade to be opened and closed against the bias of the spring. The removable fastener mountings used with the invention permit the entire unit to be removed from the front windshield of the vehicle and to be repositioned on another window in the vehicle as desired. The pleated shade section may be closed over the windshield to allow the bottom of the shade to expand more than the top because of the nonparallel sides. The novel construction and positioning of the applicant's shade unit provides a device that has the advantage of quickness and ease of use over prior art devices.