Abstract: A transfer apparatus for receiving the chair seat of a wheelchair and supporting the chair seat in the base of a washing enclosure. The transfer apparatus has a chair support member including a chair support track section that can be positioned in the washing enclosure base, a bridge portion with a bridge track section that is movably mounted to the chair support member. The transfer apparatus includes a lock system usable to secure the bridge portion in an in-use position and engaged with the wheelchair. A first lock inhibits rotational motion of the bridge portion. The first lock includes a retractable locking member that is biased to an extended, locking position. A second lock is usable to prevent longitudinal separation of the bridge portion and the wheelchair. The first and second lock can be automatically engaged when the bridge portion is moved to the in-use position.

Abstract: A tilting mechanism for a chair that has a seat frame, a seat and a chair back. The tilting mechanism has a track path along which the seat tracks between an upright sitting position and a reclined position. The chair back tracks concurrently between a first position when the seat is in the upright sitting position and a second inclined position when the seat is in the reclined position. The inclination of the chair back increases at a greater rate than the inclination of the seat as the seat moves between the upright sitting position and the reclined position.

Abstract: A safety grip system comprises first and second support structures wherein the second support structure extends transverse to the first support structure. The first support structure is provided with a first longitudinally extending safety grip at one end thereof. The first longitudinally extending safety grip on the end of the first support structure has an opening therethrough through which the second support structure extends, whereby the first longitudinally extending safety grip is non-rotatably secured to the first support structure. A second longitudinally extending safety grip is provided on the first support structure and has engagement members that inter-engage engagement members provide don the first longitudinally extending safety grip, whereby the second longitudinally extending safety grip is non-rotatably secured to the first support structure.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for receiving the chair seat of a wheelchair and supporting the chair seat in the base of a washing enclosure. The transfer apparatus has a chair support member including a chair support track section that can be positioned in the washing enclosure base, a bridge portion with a bridge track section that is movably mounted to the chair support member. The transfer apparatus includes a lock system usable to secure the bridge portion in an in-use position and engaged with the wheelchair. A first lock inhibits rotational motion of the bridge portion. The first lock includes a retractable locking member that is biased to an extended, locking position. A second lock is usable to prevent longitudinal separation of the bridge portion and the wheelchair. The first and second lock can be automatically engaged when the bridge portion is moved to the in-use position.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for receiving the chair seat of a wheelchair and supporting the chair seat in the base of a washing enclosure. The transfer apparatus has a chair support member including a chair support track section that can be positioned in the washing enclosure base. The transfer apparatus also has a bridge portion including a bridge track section that is movably mounted to the chair support member. The bridge portion transitions between a storage position and an in-use position. In the in-use position the bridge portion is engaged with the wheelchair and the bridge track section is aligned with the chair support track section. The chair seat can be translated from the wheelchair along the bridge track section to the chair support track section when the bridge portion is in the in-use position and engaged with the wheelchair.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for receiving the chair seat of a wheelchair and supporting the chair seat in the base of a washing enclosure. The transfer apparatus has a chair support member including a chair support track section that can be positioned in the washing enclosure base. The transfer apparatus also has a bridge portion including a bridge track section that is movably mounted to the chair support member. The bridge portion transitions between a storage position and an in-use position. In the in-use position the bridge portion is engaged with the wheelchair and the bridge track section is aligned with the chair support track section. The chair seat can be translated from the wheelchair along the bridge track section to the chair support track section when the bridge portion is in the in-use position and engaged with the wheelchair.

Abstract: A tilting mechanism for a chair that has a seat frame, a seat and a chair back. The tilting mechanism has a track path along which the seat tracks between an upright sitting position and a reclined position. The chair back tracks concurrently between a first position when the seat is in the upright sitting position and a second inclined position when the seat is in the reclined position. The inclination of the chair back increases at a greater rate than the inclination of the seat as the seat moves between the upright sitting position and the reclined position.

Abstract: A safety grip system comprises first and second support structures wherein the second support structure extends transverse to the first support structure. The first support structure is provided with a first longitudinally extending safety grip at one end thereof. The first longitudinally extending safety grip on the end of the first support structure has an opening therethrough through which the second support structure extends, whereby the first longitudinally extending safety grip is non-rotatably secured to the first support structure. A second longitudinally extending safety grip is provided on the first support structure and has engagement members that inter-engage engagement members provide don the first longitudinally extending safety grip, whereby the second longitudinally extending safety grip is non-rotatably secured to the first support structure.

Abstract: A safety grip system comprises first and second safety grips that are mountable to a support structure. Each safety grip comprises a main body sized to overlie at least a portion of the support structure and have a textured exterior surface. The first and second safety grips are interlockable such that when the first safety grip is non-rotatably mounted to the support structure, the second safety grip is also non-rotatably mounted to the support structure.

Abstract: A safety grip system comprises first and second safety grips that are mountable to a support structure. Each safety grip comprises a main body sized to overlie at least a portion of the support structure and have a textured exterior surface. The first and second safety grips are interlockable such that when the first safety grip is non-rotatably mounted to the support structure, the second safety grip is also non-rotatably mounted to the support structure.

Abstract: A safety grip having a textured exterior surface that is luminescent, the textured exterior surface defining a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart raised bands that are separated by finger receiving bands, the finger receiving bands being recessed inwardly with respect to the raised bands.

Abstract: A boat mooring device designed to be used with a second similar mooring device to hold a boat away from a dock while allowing up and down movement of the boat in response to water level changes. In a preferred embodiment, each mooring device has an arm that extends out from the dock and is coupled to a base for movement about both a generally horizontal axis permitting lateral swinging of the arm, and a vertical axis permitting up and down movement of the arm. The two movements are cushioned by a tension spring that is connected between the base and the inner end of the arm so that the spring is tensioned whenever the arm moves down or swings laterally from a rest position.

Abstract: A fire damper or the like having butterfly-type gas flow control blades includes a heat responsive blade release assembly that incorporates a standard fusible link accessible from externally of the assembly. The fusible link holds together pivoted side plates of a housing from which extends a pair of arms normally holding the blades in their open positions. When the link melts, the side plates move apart, allowing the arms to open and release the blades. The assembly is also adjustable to vary the extent to which the blades open.

Abstract: A fire damper having a temperature-sensitive link assembly designed to permit ease of maintenance of the damper. In one embodiment, the link assembly includes a fusible link that extends across and holds the blades folded. At each end, the link is coupled to a bracket embracing the blades by a pivot pin and an associated latch that is manually releaseable. During maintenance of the damper, either latch can be released and the link will then swing down about the pivot pin at the opposite end of the link, permitting the damper blades to close. In normal use, the blades will also close in response to an over-temperature condition causing the fusible link to break. In an alternative embodiment, a plain non-fusible link is used and one of the latches is released by a temperature-sensitive actuator made of memory metal.

Abstract: An air control damper is provided with an actuator coupled to a shaft for operating the blades of the damper. The actuator includes an electric drive motor that turns the shaft by way of a lever that is coupled to the shaft. The lever has a pulley at an outer end and a cable extends from the drive motor around the pulley and back to a fixed point adjacent the motor. When the motor is operated, the cable is wound around the motor drive shaft, pulling the lever towards the motor and turning the shaft. The arrangement provides a mechanical advantage in transmitting the motor output force to the blade actuating shaft.

Abstract: Fire dampers are disclosed for use in air ducts to arrest the flow of gases and flame through the ducts in the event of a fire. The dampers each include a frame defining a generally rectangular central opening and a plurality of blades which are normally disposed in a folded position at one side of the frame but which can be moved by spring means to an unfolded position in which they extend across the opening of the frame in the event of a fire. A fusible link means normally retains the blades in their folded position. Locking members are provided for retaining the blades in their unfolded position after they have been released by the fusible link means. In one embodiment, the locking members engage integral tabs formed on the endmost blade. In another embodiment, the endmost blade has an end portion which is deflected at an acute angle with respect to the remainder of the blade and which engages over locking brackets secured to the frame.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to one piece frames for fire dampers and the like. The frames are formed from elongate sheet metal blanks each of which is folded into a centrally open, generally rectangular form. In one embodiment, ends of the blank are secured together by a central tab on one end which extends through a T-shaped slot formed at the opposite end of the blank. In another embodiment, the blank is secured in its folded form by an angle shaped end bracket and the frame is provided with at least one corner bracket forming a gusset. The blanks have inwardly directed flanges which are formed with V-shaped notches to permit folding of the blank. In one embodiment, the notches each define an angle of less than 90.degree. and portions of the flange on each side of the notch are overlapped when the blank is folded to provide for frictional engagement between the overlapped portions. In another embodiment, the notches each define an angle of 90.degree.