Abstract: A machine which drops flat articles such as flattened cartons into a case. The articles are delivered to a basket having a floor which can be opened. The basket is mounted for up and down movement. The case is mounted below the basket with its top open and can be held in position by vacuum cup means. When the stack has been formed, the flow of articles is halted and the basket can be lowered into close proximity to the open top of the case. The basket floor is opened to drop the stack into the case. If desired, two stack sections can be formed and dropped into a single case one after the other. When the stack has been dropped into the case, the basket is raised to free the basket from the case. The vacuum is released, and the case is then advanced laterally out of alignment with the basket. The case can then be raised by a lift table to a convenient height for inspection and, following inspection, can be discharged.

Abstract: A filter assembly which includes spaced first stage resin bound fibrous filter members with a second stage fine filter member spaced between the first stage members to form plenum chambers on opposite sides of the second stage member with the first stage members being dimensionally stable and supporting and protecting the second stage filter member.

Abstract: A sway limiting linkage for a vehicle. A pair of lever members is pivotally mounted on running gear of the vehicle. Inner arms of the lever members are connected to swing up and down together. Outer arms of the lever members are linked to body frame members of the vehicle to cause the body frame members to move toward and away from the running gear in unison.

Abstract: A control circuit for an electrical device which includes a switch that is electrically isolated from other components. The switch is connected in series with a photovoltaic cell and relay means. The photovoltaic cell is illuminated so that closing of contacts of the switch causes actuation of the relay means. The relay means is connected to actuate the electrical device. Voltage at the switch is limited by the voltage produced by the photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A monitor for a patient return circuit of a radiofrequency electrosurgical device in which an interrogation or measurement circuit is powered by a photovoltaic cell. Characteristics of the photovoltaic cell can limit the interrogation or measurement current to a value considered to be safe to a patient.

Abstract: A device for eliminating droplets of water from a stream of compressed air in which compressed air is passed through a plug of porous water absorbent material which absorbs the droplets. Continued passage of the stream of compressed air through the plug evaporates the water from the plug. The plug is held in a tubular container in series with a compressed air line. The container can be transparent. The plug can be formed of a strip of cotton gauze spirally wound with a strip of wire screening.

Abstract: Automobile front end alignment equipment in which a platform comprised of a pair of trucks correlated for like orientation while free for universal movement on a horizontal surface, supports respective carriages for free swinging about respective vertical axes, which carriages engagingly support front wheels of a vehicle in predetermined relation to the wheels of a vehicle, and a bracket attachable to a wheel whereby correlated toe-in toe-out and camber of wheels may be simultaneously measured.

Abstract: An accumulator conveyor of the type that includes a plurality of article accumulating zones extending between the infeed and discharge ends of the conveyor. In preferred form, each of the conveyor's zones includes at least one power transmission assembly, all of those assemblies being powered by a single flexible drive member, e.g., an endless chain. Each power transmission assembly includes a fluid ram which cooperates with a power wheel to move that power wheel into and out of driving engagement with the conveyor's article propelling member(s) within that zone it serves.

Abstract: An accumulator conveyor of the type that includes a plurality of article accumulating zones extending between the infeed and discharge ends of the conveyor. In preferred form, each of the conveyor's zones includes at least one novel power transmission assembly, all of those assemblies being powered by a single flexible drive member, e.g., an endless chain. Each power transmission assembly includes a novel fluid ram which cooperates with a power wheel to move that power wheel into and out of driving engagement with the conveyor's article propelling member(s) within that zone it serves.

Abstract: A solar heating system which includes a heat accumulating structure and a heat storage pit. A roof of the heat accumulating structure includes a backing board and a corrugated metal plate mounted on and overlying the backing board to form air heating channels between the backing board and the metal plate. Air is directed along the air heating channels to be heated when the sun shines on the metal plate. The heated air is directed from the channels of the roof through the chamber to heat rocks in the chamber.

Abstract: A machine for arranging flat articles in a stack and for placing the stack in a case. The machine includes endless flight supports mounted on opposite sides of a stack forming station and opposed flights mounted on the flight supports for supporting a stack of the articles therebetween. The stack is formed on the flights. The flights are lowered as the stack builds up thereon until a complete stack has been formed. The complete stack is lowered onto stack supports. First pusher means advance the complete stack from the stack supports onto a turntable having a pile face. A second stack starts to form on second flights as the first pusher means advances the complete stack from the stack supports and returns to a position for engaging the second stack when the second stack reaches the stack supports. The turntable can be turned 90.degree. and the stack is discharged from the turntable crosswise of the path of stack advance from the stack supports to the turntable.

Abstract: A discriminator supporting assembly for a discriminator plate which is mounted above a conveyor belt course. The assembly includes a lengthwise adjustment screw for moving the discriminator plate lengthwise of the conveyor belt toward and away from patter members, an upright adjustment screw for moving the discriminator plate toward and away from the conveyor belt course, and a plate swinging adjustment screw for swinging the discriminator plate with relation to the plane of the conveyor belt course.

Abstract: A display cart assembly which is built on and supported by a shopping cart. Upright side panels are releasably supported on opposite sides of a basket of the shopping cart. Upright end panels span opposed end portions of the side panels. A container is mounted between the side panels. A chamber of the container extends into the interior of the basket and can contain ice for refrigerating food articles in the chamber. Springs connect the side panels to urge the side panels against the end portions. Other springs link each of the side panels with one of the end panels to hold the side panels in engagement with that one of the end panels.

Abstract: A machine for opening and inspecting a folding carton to break improper glue spots and to demonstrate that the carton opens properly. Vacuum cups engage opposite side panels of the carton as the carton advances through an inspection section. The vacuum cups advance with the carton and diverge from the path of the carton to separate the panels. As the carton reaches an inspection station, photocell devices inspect the carton to determine if the carton is properly opened. The carton is advanced to the inspection station by a conveyor which picks up the carton from an accelerator device. The accelerator device in turn picks up the carton from the bottom of a stack and accelerates the carton to conveyor speed. Before the accelerator device initiates advance of the carton in conveyor direction, a carton releasing device engages a side of the carton and advances the carton transversely of the direction of conveyor advance to free the carton from other cartons in the stack.

Abstract: A pneumatic control system for a press which includes a pair of start switches. The system is constructed so that the press can only be started if both of the start switches are actuated within a predetermined time interval. If one of the start switches is released during a down stroke of the press, the press is stopped. A cam operated switch permits continued operation of the press after the press has reached its bottom position even though start switches are released after the press has passed full down position. A brake cam operated switch prevents operation of the press if the press fails to stop at its full up position.

Abstract: A male safety plug unit which fits a female unit to form a connection between contacts of the female unit. The male unit includes a body having sockets in end portions. A U-shaped connector member has arms which extend through bores which connect the sockets and includes a central portion exposed in a first one of the sockets. End portions of the arms are exposed in the second socket. An end cap is mounted in said first socket and engages the central portion of the U-shaped connector member to hold the U-shaped connector member in position. A chain socket in the end cap receives a chain link, a fastener extends through walls of the first socket and through walls of the chain socket to hold the chain link, the body, the end cap, and the U-shaped connector member in assembled relation.

Abstract: A walker which comprises a pair of interconnecting side frames. Each of the side frames includes a pair of upright legs and a hand grip bar connecting upper end portions of the legs. A caster is adapted to support each leg. A spring is mounted in association with each caster to urge the leg associated therewith to a raised position in which the lower end of the associated leg is spaced above a surface on which the casters run. The springs yield when weight is applied to the bars to cause the lower ends of the legs to engage the supporting surface to lock the walker in position.

Abstract: A flower container having a bottom and an annular wall terminating in an upwardly opening mouth. A plurality of lugs is mounted on the wall adjacent the mouth, there being upright sockets in the lugs. Plugs are mounted in the sockets. Flexible straps span opposed plugs. The straps hold a block of flower holding material in the container.

Abstract: A self-fertilizing pot which includes outer and inner cup-shaped members which are attached together with a space therebetween. Timed release encapsulated plant food is mounted on one of the cup-shaped members inside the space. Water is introduced into the space to release the plant food. The water passes through openings in the inner cup-shaped member to provide water and plant food for contents of the inner cup-shaped member.

Abstract: A mounting structure for a wheel mounting assembly such as a caster assembly having a mounting plate. Mounting blocks of viscoelastic rubber-like material are mounted on corners of the mounting plate. Each mounting block includes flanges which define a slot in which an edge portion of the mounting plate is received. Brackets attached to a support panel of a cart or the like supported by the caster assembly hold the flanges in compression against the faces of the mounting plate and against the panel so that the panel and the cart or the like are viscoelastically supported in spaced relation to a surface on which a wheel of the assembly runs.