Abstract: A bag assembly for a vacuum cleaner of the type having a housing defining a bag-receiving compartment, and a lid for closing an opening in the housing above the bag-receiving compartment. The bag assembly comprises a bag having a side wall with upper edge margins defining a bag mouth, and an annular bag support of synthetic resin material. The bag support has an annular wall with a generally vertical central axis, and an annular sealing formation adjacent the top of the wall. The upper edge margins of the bag are stitched to the annular wall of the bag support to provide a seal between the wall and the bag around the mouth of the bag. The bag assembly is placed in the bag-receiving compartment of the vacuum cleaner and the lid moved to a closed position in which the annular sealing formation on the bag support is sealingly engageable with the housing.

Abstract: A microphone circuit control mechanism which is utilized to control the output of a microphone (20) disposed in a breathing mask (12) the microphone circuit extending to a communications device (22) and wherein the microphone circuit control mechanism includes a switch (86) in the microphone circuit, which switch can be toggled between "on" and "off" states in response to a drop in pressure within a pressure sensing chamber (44). The switch (86) is a single-pole double-throw magnetic reed switch which is disposed within the pressure sensing cavity (44), which cavity is in a demand regulator (14). The regulator includes a valve (27) capable of admitting air under pressure into the pressure sensing chamber when required. The magnetic reed switch (86) is toggled in response to movement of a magnet (112) carried by a portion (64) of a valve operating means (30) which portion moves in response to a drop in pressure in the sensing chamber (44).

Abstract: A shoulder pad comprising a left-hand member which fits over the left shoulder and a right-hand member which fits over the right shoulder. Each of the members is of generally inverted U-shape as viewed from the side and has a chestplate portion, a backplate portion and an arch connecting the plate portions, the arches being laterally spaced to provide an opening for the neck of the wearer. Each of the members is fabricated from lightweight synthetic resin sheet material having a corrugated central layer formed with parallel corrugations, and a pair of generally parallel outer layers forming opposite exterior surfaces of the sheet material. The corrugations are resiliently deformable upon application of an impact load to the sheet material to attenuate the shock of the impact load on the wearer.

Abstract: Standard platforms are integrated into a mason's scaffold to reduce manufacturing and assembly costs. The standard platforms having hooks on both ends. The hooks are supported on lower horizontal members of respective rectangular frames. Platform fasteners are secured to each lower horizontal member with the standard platform hooks therebetween, thereby retaining the standard platforms to the frames to form a working deck. Each platform fastener comprises a metal sheet to which is welded an L-shaped bar that engages a hole in the frame lower horizontal member. A pin slides within the metal sheet and cooperates with the bar to positively secure the platform fastener to the frame lower horizontal member. Similar standard platforms and platform fasteners are assembled to upper horizontal members of the frames to form a protective canopy. Hatches with selectively openable doors may be used for some sections of the canopy.

Abstract: An article diverter is oriented between two belt conveyors and has several pivoted carriages, each mounting two flat powererd diverter belts. A drive belt powers the diverter belts of each carriage from a common drive roller slaved to a power take off from the upstream conveyor, which also drives the next downstream conveyor. The diverter carriages are pivoted by a draw bar, which is selectively reciprocated by a rotary actuator, to divert articles from an initial conveyed direction to or toward another diverging direction at a divert or sort location, diverging conveyor, spur line, orient station or the like. The upstream and downstream conveyors on either side of the diverter can be of different conveyor types, and driven at different speeds. The carriages are vertically and angularly adjustable in incline for tuning the diverter to a wide range of articles and conveying speeds.

Abstract: A quick-donning protective hood assembly for respiratory protection from smoke and noxious gases. The assembly consists of a clear "TEFLON" film hood (12) having a scrubber canister (20) and an exhaust valve (42) supported thereon. A neck seal (14) is connected to the lower marginal edge of the hood. A springlike hoop (16) is connected to the lower marginal edge of the hood. A bib (18) is carried by the springlike hoop and supports an oxygen generator (22) which is interconnected with the scrubber canister by an oxygen supply line (24). Waist straps (54) extend from the sides of the bib and may be adjusted to secure the bib about the wearer. The assembly can be stored in a cylindrical storage container with the hoop being collapsed. When the assembly is withdrawn from the storage container, a lanyard (62) will initiate the operation of the chemical oxygen generator.

Abstract: A guard fence system is useful for preventing persons from falling off bleachers. The guard fence system comprises at least two upright posts mounted to the bleachers. Each post has a lower U-channel and an upper U-channel spaced a predetermined distance apart. The lower and upper U-channels have respective slots that open into the top ends of the U-channels. A guard fence member comprises a rectangular frame covered with a grill material. Upper and lower pins extend oppositely from the frame vertical members. The lower pins of the guard fence member are inserted into the slots of the lower U-channel. The guard fence member is pivoted to a generally vertical attitude such that the guard fence member upper pins are proximate the upper U-channels on the posts. The guard fence member is lifted and further pivoted until the upper pins thereof are vertically over the slots of the corresponding upper U-channels on the posts.

Abstract: A bottle filling apparatus is provided in which a non-contact choke valve is employed. The choke valve comprises a disc having an outer cylindrical wall which is received within a valve seat having an inner cylindrical wall. The cylindrical walls have a close tolerance fit, preventing flow therebetween by molecular action and surface tension. Additionally, the bottom surface of the seal and the top surface of the seat have similar tapers such that, with the seat below the seal in a normal dispensing operation, beverage flow is directed into the bottle without turbulence and the resultant foaming action.

Abstract: A quick-donning head harness assembly (10) used in combination with a respirator face mask assembly (12) of the type including a rigid facepiece (14) and a flexible face seal (16), which head harness assembly and face mask assembly may be quickly donned and adjusted without becoming entangled with the wearer's hair. The head harness assembly includes a cap (24) provided with a lower strap casing (24.2) and an upper strap casing (33). A lower elasticized strap passes through the lower casing, the forward ends of the strap passing through adjusting buckles (46) supported by lower corners of the facepiece. Rings (38) are connected to the upper corners of the facepiece (14) and an upper adjustable strap (48) has right and left temple portions (48.2) passing through the ring, the strap being folded back upon itself, the end portions (48.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying closures to containers, and capable of applying stake-on caps having generally rectangular cross-sectional exterior surfaces to container whose bodies are also of the same general cross-section, the parts being delivered in random orientation, and each cap being applied to a container in such a manner that it is in proper orientation with respect to the container when finally assembled. The apparatus includes a turret (54) provided with a non-rotatable cam (108), an interrupted drive gear (114), and an alternate continuous drive gear (124). Mounted on the turret (54) for rotation about the centerline of the turret are a plurality of spindle assemblies (90). When applying a rectangular closure (14) to a container (12) designed to receive the closure in only one position of orientation a novel chuck assembly (130) is employed which has an engagement portion which may be held in one of two detent positions spaced 180.degree. apart.

Abstract: A protective pad for body parts comprising an elongate protective outer plate of a substantially stiff but flexible material having a concave inner surface, and an inner ply of padding extending across the inner surface of the plate. A closed loop of stitching secures the inner ply to the marginal edges of the inner surface of the outer plate to suspend the inner ply taut and spaced inwardly from the central portion of the inner surface of the plate.

Abstract: A conveyor or case drive mechanism includes a continuous chain loop having two or more drive motors positionally spaced there along. A sensor is associated with the motors for sensing slack in the chain at the associated motor. When a predetermined amount of slack in the chain is no longer present at the motor, the sensor presents an output signal which, through a speed control device, increases the rotational speed of the associated motor until generation of the requisite slack in the chain has been achieved. Each motor in the chain drive loop has a sensor structure associated with it such that each motor provides a motive force to the chain.