Abstract: An apparatus for depositing and spreading ballast between and exteriorly of railroad rails and cross ties. A hand pushed or motor driven ballast spreader has a ballast hopper supported by a frame mounted on wheels engageable with the railroad rails. The hopper has an open top and an open bottom with converging lower walls. Ballast may be deposited between the rails through a door mounted horizontally beneath the frame and through a slot in a fixed chute. Ballast may also be deposited exteriorly of the heads of the cross ties by passing through the fixed chute and through a pivotally movable chute which is pivotally mounted near each lateral end of the fixed chute. Resiliently mounted blades clear excess ballast from the ties between the rails and from the heads of the ties exteriorly of the rails.

Abstract: A plurality of information carrier holders, each having flat, transparent pockets, are connected together selectively along mutually perpendicular axes so that they can be longitudinally connected or stacked into a predetermined pattern to display in correct positional relationship information carriers, e.g. elongated cards held in the pockets. Connecting means which may be the information carriers themselves between individual pocket-containing elements permit them to be replaced or added. In another embodiment the connection means is by interlocking ribs of adjacent elements.

Abstract: A rotary magazine assembly for holding information bearing cards and the like having support pins attached along one of the sides of the cards, includes a stand with spaced apart plates for supporting the cards for rotary movement about the central axis of the stand, and a device mounted on the stand adjacent one of the plates for maintaining a pair of cards separated from one another when it is desired to retrieve information therefrom, the device including a stop element moveable into and out of engagements with sides of the separated cards.

Abstract: A weapon which can be simply and quickly converted for use as either a firearm or as an airgun is disclosed. Removable chamber devices and bolt faces are adapted for different types of projectiles, such as pellets or cartridges. A number of bolt faces and chamber devices are provided for each type of projectile used. A conventional pressurized gas assembly provides the pressurized gas needed to propel the pellet. A hammer and trigger assembly mounted below the bolt housing releases a hammer to fire the weapon. When in the firearm mode, the hammer strikes a firing pin extending from the cartridge bolt face. When used in the airgun mode, the hammer strikes a gas pin which allows pressurized gas to enter into the pellet chamber device forcing the pellet out of the barrel. After each shot, the bolt assembly is drawn rearward to recock the weapon by either a firing pin in the firearm mode or by a hammer puller in the airgun mode, each extending into the path of the hammer from the corresponding bolt face.

Abstract: A device for the trapping of snakes and similar animals having a sheet of netting to be placed on the ground shaped so that a plurality of areas of the netting are substantially non-horizontal to the ground. A snake attempting to traverse the sheet will pass into an interstices until its body size prevents forward motion. The scales of the snake will catch on the strands of the netting preventing the snake from retreating from the netting.

Abstract: An aerial device in the form of a disc which can be "sailed" in the air by throwing it in a manner to impart rotation to the disc. Vanes, holes and/or conduits are provided in the disc to force air from the top side or perimeter or other location to the underside thereof. By such means, increased lift is imparted to the device. Also, air cavities are provided to collect and maintain the air on the underside to provide an air cushion, further enhancing the lift imparted to the device.

Abstract: It is a question of bringing resiliently and successively the arms of a turnstile to their position obstructing a passage to be controlled, and for this a rotary cam 1 in the shape of a star is used interlocked with the rotary assembly of the turnstile and a roller 2 resiliently applied against this cam.To avoid lifting-off between the roller and the cam, a second contact is used between a second roller 2 connected to the first roller or merging therewith and a second cam 10 connected to the first cam or merged therewith, the directions of application of the two roller-cam contacts being opposite.The invention applies to controlling access to urban rail networks.

Abstract: This disclosure is an automated method of opening and closing thermal insulation shutters used in combination with glass windows, glass sliding doors, glass walls or solar panels and the like disposed, in large buildings such as green houses, high rise commercial buildings, super markets, auto show rooms Etc.

Abstract: A weathertight door assembly having a first sealing means on an outer frame for sealing the gaps between the outer frame and the periphery of a pair of doors when the latter is closed, and a pair of coacting second and third sealing means on one of the doors for sealing the gap between inner vertical frame members of the doors when the latter are closed. A projection extends on and along one of the inner vertical frame members for covering the gap between the doors when the latter are closed. The second sealing means is supported on the projection and coextends with the length therewith. The third sealing means is supported on the said one inner vertical frame member and coextends with the length thereof. As the doors are closed, the third sealing means is sandwiched partly between the second sealing means and the other inner vertical frame member and partly between the latter and the first sealing means.

Abstract: A window frame assembly is disclosed for facilitating the installation of new or replacement windows. The assembly includes a pair of opposed frame sections each having a generally rectangular configuration and appropriate dimensions to conform to the window opening. Each of the sections include opposed top and bottom components interconnected by opposed end components. In one form, locking means are carried by at least the top and bottom components of each of the frame sections so that they may be slid together and snapped in place in the window opening to form a frame assembly about the frame of the window itself. The top, bottom and end components also carry sealing means which are intended to abut and engage the window frame so as to provide a firm seal with the window itself. In one form, at least a portion of the sealing means are also adjustable to accommodate variations in window thicknesses while in another form the sealing means also serve as a thermal barrier.

Abstract: A self-aligning door hinge having a pin and sleeve bearing and a spherical bushing and socket bearing to minimize the effect of any misalignment of the hinges and simplify door assembly.

Abstract: A sliding window with a frame provided with a glazing adapted to be mounted in a wall of masonry, wood, or the like. The frame is composed of frame profiles joined at the corners and contains glass panes inserted therein. The glass panes are guided in grooves of the frame profiles and are horizontally displaceable. The frame profile members are constructed of an extrudable synthetic resinous material, with the profile members having a U-shaped cross sectional configuration made up of two projections fashioned as hollow chambers. An undercut mounting groove is arranged between the two projections and a web, connecting the projections, is formed of two juxtaposed hollow chambers. One of the juxtaposed hollow chambers facing a weather side of the window is provided with perforations for draining the mounting groove, with a second of the juxtaposed hollow chambers containing, if desired, an inserted reinforcing profile.

Abstract: A door seal for a room shielded against electromagnetic radiation in which the door is mounted on a frame to move between open and closed positions. The door may be slidable or hinged. The door seal is formed of peripheral flexible plates that are welded together on their outer edges. Spaced between the plates and between the frame and the door there is a peripheral tubular bladder which when expanded with compressed air, for example, forces the plates outwardly against the door and the frame to form a seal. A seal is also formed within the plates by the bladder forced thereagainst. There are a series of peripherally spaced magnets adapted to hold the door sealing plate away from the door, when the bladder is not expanded. When the bladder is expanded, the plate is moved off of the magnets by the force of the expanding bladder.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a new and improved center weatherstrip is provided.The weatherstrip comprises a resilient base portion of a substantially L-shaped section, a resilient lip portion and a substantially rigid core member embedded in the base portion. The weatherstrip enables to attain a refined appearance as well as an assured seal for a vehicle body.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for sealing the edge of a window glass comprises a metal channel mounted at least partially around the window opening so as to be open towards the direction along which the edge of the window glass approaches in closing the opening. A hollow rubber tube is secured within this channel. Two flocked leaves are integral with the tube and extend longitudinally along the surface of the tube which faces the distal edge of the window glass. These leaves are parallel to each other and spaced slightly apart so as to define a longitudinally extending open mouth facing the glass edge. The approaching window glass partially flattens the tube and thereby causes the facing surfaces of the leaves to press against the sides of the window glass immediately adjacent its distal edge.

Abstract: A machine for grinding toothed cutting tools comprises an emitter capable of emitting a light or an ultrasound ray and an optoelectronic or an ultrasound receiver respectively. The receiver is associated with a circuit for controlling the movement of a table of the machine on which a tool to be ground is supported. The positioning of the table is effected by the interception of the light or sound ray by the teeth of the tool, which causes the receiver to act to stop movement of the table.

Abstract: A working pressure control mechanism for lapping, honing, and grinding machines having a rotatably mounted shaft bearing the tool within an axially translatable housing such that the shaft is carried along by the housing in the direction of the tool advance, comprising a spring capable of axially translating the housing, a signal producer capable of producing a signal corresponding to the magnitude of axial displacement caused by the workpiece and connected to the spring, and a mechanism advance control capable of receiving a signal from the signal producer, and advancing the housing to compensate for the degree of axial displacement.

Abstract: A universal abrasive cleaning apparatus comprising a plurality of arms which are rotatably connected in series with one another is provided. A plurality of nozzles are connected to the distal end of the series of arms by means of a nozzle support. Conduit apparatus interconnecting the nozzles to the source of abrasive and fluid are disposed within the interior of each arm thereby protecting the conduits from damage during manipulation of the arms. The proximal end of the series of arms is connected to a drum rotatably disposed within a housing. The drum is powered by a motor. A brake mechanism is connected to the housing for braking the drum during operation of the motor. An actuator is connected to each of the arms for rotating the arms about their respective axis of rotation. The actuator is controlled manually or by a microcomputer.

Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed, which allows the control of the radiation and vibration (light, heat, sound) transmission properties of one or more panels each comprising at least two spaced apart glass sheets mounted in a supporting frame. The arrangement allows the control of the flow of solid particles to and from the inner space comprised between both glass sheets. There are also disclosed practical structural means for connecting the several conduits of the control equipment and of one or more corresponding particle reservoirs to said inner space of the panels. Moreover, there are disclosed such connection means for any particularly known types of fixed or movable panels of this kind and, in the case of movable panels, for panels capable of rotating about a horizontal axis or a vertical axis and for panels capable of sliding in their frames in a horizontal or a vertical direction.

Abstract: A curtain wall or paneling system for concealing and beautifying an existing structural wall features a pair of elongated, upper cap and lower sill-forming channel members which are attached in predetermined, vertically spaced relation on the existing wall and which support and hold a plurality of transversely spaced apart, vertically elongated metallic studs or pilasters and decorative wall panels. The length of the studs and wall panels are correlated to the spacing between and depth of the upper cap and lower sill channel members, so that they may be easily lifted into and out of engagement with the cap and sill channel members.

Abstract: A pool, such as a swimming or ornamental pool, has a bottom of sheet material and a vertical wall section of pliable sheet material, both of which may be of vinyl-coated sheet steel. A flexible extruded junction member is grooved to receive the edge portion of the pool bottom, and also the bottom edge portion of the wall section, each of which is held in sealed manner in the junction member by a resiliently deformable sealing strip driven into the junction member adjacent to the bottom and/or walls section.

Abstract: An anchor assembly for supporting an insulation panel or blanket on furnace walls which includes an extension member adapted to be fastened to an existing anchor member in order to extend the length of the anchor assembly to accommodate insulation of greater thickness. The extension member has attaching means which engage notches in the existing anchor to hold to extension in position. Different species of the attaching means are disclosed.

Abstract: A connector assembly comprising at least a pair of first members for connecting two panels edge to edge and to a building frame with a joint opening between such adjacent panel edges and a second member for covering the joint opening. Each of the first members includes a base having a first portion adapted to be held in a groove extending along the edge of a respective one of the panels and a second portion adapted to be secured to the buildingframe. Each first member further includes a retainer means formed on the second base portion integrally therewith and adapted to be disposed adjacent to one face of the joint opening that is to be covered. The second member has at least one leg extending into the retainer means and engageable therewith.

Abstract: A kit for convenient repair patching of a panel whose access thereto is from only one side, such as in the situation of a drywall panel of a usual wall or ceiling. In various embodiments, a body member is provided with adequate support, by installation procedures wholly from the one accessible side of the panel, the body member itself providing a large area of the repair surface and/or providing a supportive body substantially bridging across the area of the hole to be repaired, and to which patching mastic may then be applied.

Abstract: In a wall construction comprising a pair of top plates, a bottom plate and plurality of parallel joists connected between the top and bottom plates, a wall brace is secured in a plurality of aligned saw kerfs to increase the load carrying capability of the wall structure. The brace includes a substantially U-shaped base portion and a pair of side flanges extending normal to the base portion such that the brace is substantially T-shaped in cross section. The brace is specifically designed so that the moment of inertia about the major axis (an axis aligned in the direction of the base) is greater than the moment of inertia about the minor axis (an axis aligned in the direction of the flanges). The preferred construction of the wall structure assures that failure of the brace upon overloading of the wall structure is caused to occur within the plane of the wall.

Abstract: From a row of objects which are conveyed on an intermittently movable feeding conveyor, every second object is deposited on lines of wrapping materials at a first station, which lines are advanced continuously under the feeding conveyor, and the remaining objects are deposited on the same lines of wrapping materials at a following station. In connection with one or both depositing steps, the objects are shifted transversely of the direction in which said lines are advanced. Thus, the number of lines of wrapping material is only half the number of objects in each row, whereas the distance between the lines will be increased so much that the lines may be sealed lengthwise and crosswise by means of rotating sealing means.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for closing a bag mouth of a bag formed from a heat weldable material after filling the bag through the open mouth thereof. The bag mouth is supported from within the mouth by flat elements held apart across the mouth to draw the mouth into an elongate form and then the sides of the mouth are pressed together between an elongate heating element and an elongate anvil and the heating element is activated to heat weld the sides of the mouth together to close the mouth.

Abstract: A gang mower typically having five or seven gangs which are raised and lowered by a single piston and cylinder. Lifting arms are fixed to an actuating shaft at each side of the machine and the piston and cylinder are connected between opposed lifting arms to rotate them in opposite directions. An equalizer link connected by cranks to the actuating shafts ensures that the shafts always rotate to equal extents in opposite directions. Chains are connected from the lifting arms to the mowers, the chains and lifting arms being dimensioned so that lifting occurs sequentially, with some of the mowers being lifted before others. The sequential lifting spreads the load more evenly throughout the lifting sequence, thereby permitting a single piston and cylinder to lift all of the mowers.

Abstract: A grape harvesting apparatus has a portal-type chassis adapted to travel along the ground in a predetermined direction and having two vertical supports elongated in the direction and at least limitedly horizontally movable on the chassis. These supports normally flank an upright median plane extending in the chassis travel direction. Respective pluralities of vertically spaced and horizontally extending beater wires on the supports each have relative to the travel direction a front wire end attached to the respective support, a forward wire portion inclined inward and backward toward the plane, a rear wire portion generally parallel to the plane, and a rear wire end attached to the respective support behind the respective front end. A drive is provided on the chassis for synchronously and oppositely displacing the supports with the respective beater wires transverse to the travel direction while maintaining the supports generally parallel. Thus grapes will be shaken from grape vines between the beater wires.

Abstract: In a roll baling machine, a portion of the bale chamber is tapered in width from top to bottom or from rear to front to facilitate bale ejection.

Abstract: A stranding machine for winding a plurality of wires on a winding drum is disclosed. In the stranding machine, a first and second sun gear are coaxially mounted on first and second shafts, with the winding drum mounted on the second shaft. Power from the driving shaft is transmitted to the first shaft and also to the second shaft via a pair of planet gears meshing with the first and second sun gears, the planet gears being mounted on a shaft fixed to a rotating disk, rotatably mounted on the second shaft. In addition, a stepless variable ratio transmission means also provides rotational motion transmission from the first shaft to the rotating disk. By varying the ratio of the stepless variable ratio transmission means, the rotating speed of the winding drum can be changed.

Abstract: Tension is reduced in the unwound length of roving remaining between the drafting mechanism and the package after the frame has been brought to a halt. This can be done by additional feed from the drafting mechanism after stopping of the other elements of the frame. A tension adjusting means is coupled into the drive to the rollers of the drafting mechanism to advance the mechanism the desired amount. The degree of feed may be different depending upon whether the stoppage is due to a break at one of a group of flyers, or to a doffing operation.

Abstract: A yarn false twisting apparatus is disclosed which comprises a pair of cooperating friction discs which define a twisting zone between opposed friction surfaces thereof. One of the discs is composed of a thin flexible material, and a pressure applying member is mounted adjacent the back side of the flexible disc for biasing the disc toward the other disc locally at the twisting zone to firmly engage the yarn passing therethrough. The discs are laterally movable with respect to each other, and the pressure applying member is movable in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the discs, such that the ratio of twist insertion to yarn speed may be varied.

Abstract: A yarn false twisting apparatus is disclosed which comprises a support bracket which mounts a pair of twist imparting circular discs, and drive means including a whorl rotatably mounted to the support bracket so as to be tangentially contacted by a drive belt mounted to the central frame of a twisting machine. The support bracket is mounted to the central frame for pivotal movement through 180 degrees to thereby permit selective operation in a first position wherein S twist is imparted to the yarn, and a second position wherein Z twist is imparted to the yarn. Preferably, one of the discs is composed of a thin flexible material, and a pressure applying member is mounted on the support bracket for biasing the flexible disc toward the other disc locally at the twisting zone.

Abstract: A yarn false twisting apparatus is disclosed which comprises a pair of circular discs which are mounted for rotation about generally parallel spaced apart axes, and such that portions of the surfaces are disposed in opposing face to face relation and define a twisting zone therebetween. One disc is mounted to its supporting shaft by means of an elastomeric body member, which permits the disc to resiliently incline with respect to the axis of the shaft. A pressure applying member acts upon the back side of such disc to resiliently bias the same toward the other disc at the twisting zone.

Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling the flow of a liquid fuel. The assembly includes a spring-biased movable valve member made of tungsten carbide, a captured sleeve member also made of tungsten carbide, and a readily accessible filtering screen member disposed in the fuel duct inlet of the assembly. In assembled form, the housing comprises two releasably connected constituent portions which integrate to form a one-piece unit. The structure of the unit, and the extreme hardness of the tungsten carbide material of which the valve member and the sleeve member are made, prevent corrosion and/or galling (such as by sand particles) and/or other normally-expected wear of the valve assembly, and thereby result in continued accuracy and reliability of the valve assembly, while maintaining simplicity and compactness of it.

Abstract: A muffler for a portable engine for a chain saw or the like including separable dish shaped members having mating peripheral edges which, when interfitted one within the other, form a hollow shell. Exhaust gas inlet and outlet openings are formed in an end wall of one of the members and a deflector member is mounted exterior of the shell and is adapted to redirect the flow of exhaust gas leaving the muffler outlet openings so that the exhaust gas flows generally in the same direction as engine cooling air flow over the engine and the muffler. A shield is mounted on the shell and has a major portion spaced from the muffler shell to form a cooling air flow passage. The separable shell members, deflector, shield and a tubular diffuser disposed within the shell are held in assembled relationship on the engine by removable threaded fasteners.

Abstract: An arrangement is described for controlling a winch used in mining machinery, wherein the direction of operating a winch and speed thereof are controlled by changing the position of a control element of a fluid pump for supplying a fluid into a fluid pressure recirculating circuit, by a device incorporating the fluid pressure recirculating circuit and a control circuit. The arrangement is characterized by feeding ON/OFF signals for giving instructions of a position to a control element, by a bi-polar pulse generator. Pulse from the bi-polar pulse generator are fed to a reversible BCD counter by pressing push buttons, and comparing a voltage generated via a D/A converting circuit from the reversible BCD counter with a voltage generated from a potentiometer coupled to the control element according to the position of the control element to be selected, thereby controlling the instruction of the position of the control element; and setting a speed of the winch by pressing the push buttons.

Abstract: An air driven vehicle utilizes pressurized air contained in storage tanks for actuating double-acting cylinders which in turn transmit a driving force to an axle of the vehicle. The compressed air in a first air tank under high pressure is fed to a first actuating cylinder so as to drive a crank which operates a main drive gear in communication with an axle gear attached to the vehicle axle. Upon a reversal of movement of the piston contained in the first actuating cylinder, a supply of exhaust air is directed from the cylinder to a second air pressure tank in which the exhaust air is collected under a lower pressure than the air contained in the first air pressure tank.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for using the vapor fraction of geothermal or geopressured fluid to produce useful work and for using the solid fraction of the fluid for producing minerals of commercial value while providing protection from scaling. The fluid is directed into a first chamber in which the fluid flashes to generate the vapor fraction. A circulatory flow through the first chamber occurs as a result of the flashing of the vapor fraction, causing the vapor fraction to separate from the solid and liquid fractions and allowing the vapor fraction to pass to a fluid-actuated, work-producing apparatus. The solid and liquid fractions gravitate into a second chamber adjacent to the first chamber and extending below the first chamber. The second chamber permits at least a portion of the liquid fraction to separate from the solid fraction by clarification. Crystal growth continuously occurs in the first and second chambers as the circulation of the fluid continues through the first chamber.

Abstract: Water is raised from a lower to a higher level by creating an air/water-droplet environment which is effective to establish a pressure head that imparts an upward velocity to the air in excess of the downward drift velocity of the droplets whereby the latter are carried upwardly by the air. Such an environment is created by introducing droplets of relatively warm water into relatively cool air at the lower end of a vertically oriented lift tower thereby heating the air which rises in the lift tower with a velocity sufficient to carry the droplets to the upper end of the lift tower. By directing the flow at the upper end of the lift tower toward the horizontal, the upwardly directed velocity component of the droplets is lost and they follow a ballistic path into a reservoir from which water is returned to the lower level through a hydraulic turbine.

Abstract: Power is generated from a body of hot brine by injecting a liquid operating fluid, such as butane or Freon, into the brine at a depth where the hydrostatic pressure of the brine is approximately equal to the vapor pressure of the operating fluid at a temperature of the brine for producing a bubble regime in a vertically oriented lift tube whose lower end is immersed in the brine whereby working fluid is raised in the lift tube as the bubbles rise therein. The gaseous operating fluid is separated from the liquid working fluid which is returned to the body of brine, and the gaseous operating fluid is condensed in a condenser and returned in a liquid state for injection into the hot brine at the inlet of the lift tube. The working fluid that is raised in the lift tube is passed through an hydraulic turbine.

Abstract: A system for heating or cooling articles conveyed in a vertical helical path is defined by an endless conveyor belt driven at its inner edge by contact with a rotating drum and a circulating heat exchange fluid propelled horizontally onto the articles by axial flow fans rotating in a vertical plane. The system features a novel arrangement employing scroll means for confining the circulating heat exchange fluid to a substantial portion of the helical path and location of fan means such that the heat exchange fluid is propelled in push-pull manner from the discharge side of one fan means to the intake or suction side of a second fan means. In the preferred embodiment directed to refrigeration of conveyed articles, more particularly foodstuffs to be frozen, the conveyor is located within an insulating housing. Further featured novelty includes location of the driving means for the rotating drum externally of the housing and directing of refrigerant, such as liquid CO.sub.

Abstract: Method for freezing a slug of water to form an ice plug in a section of a pipeline for hydrostatic testing purposes. The ice plug is formed by transferring thermal energy from the slug of water through the walls of the pipeline to a cryogenic cooling fluid such as liquid nitrogen. A section of the pipeline is filled with water and is enclosed by an insulated chamber. The chamber is filled with liquid nitrogen to form a pool around the pipeline. The liquid nitrogen is agitated by discharging a stream of nitrogen vapor through the pool. Heat exchange occurs as a result of heat transfer directly from the surface of the pipeline to the liquid nitrogen by the action of convection currents produced by the vigorous agitation of the liquid associated with the motion of the nitrogen vapor. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid nitrogen is diffused over the surface of the pipeline by means of a permeable layer of material which is easily wetted by the liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for circulating condenser cooling air through the condenser section of an air conditioner used in dusty and windy environments. The condenser section includes an air cooled fin-tube type condenser secured across a straight duct extending vertically through the horizontal housing of the air conditioner. During operation of the air conditioner, an axial flow fan mounted within the duct draws ambient air into the duct through an opening in the bottom of the housing in a direction generally perpendicular to the natural wind flow in the vicinity of the air conditioner and directs the air through the condenser whereafter it is discharged to atmosphere.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling a fluid coolant is disclosed. Cooling water, not under pressure, is circulated in a container. The coolant is passed under pressure through cooling pipes immersed in the cooling water.

Abstract: An apparatus, made in accordance with the present invention, comprises an ice-making unit for making pure ice using a refrigeration system, an electric heater for melting into fresh water the ice produced by the ice-making unit, a tank for storing the fresh water resulting from the melting, a sensor for sensing the water temperature prevailing in the tank, and a control responsive to a signal from the sensor to actuate the heater for maintaining the water temperature at a predetermined value. The apparatus further comprises a sensor for sensing the water level in the tank, and a control responsive to a signal from the water level sensor to control the operation of the ice-making unit for maintaining the water level at a predetermined value.

Abstract: A multiband refrigerated display case having: an outer cabinet, an inner cabinet having an open product display space therein, and a divider between the inner and outer cabinets for dividing the space between the cabinets into adjacent first and second conduits. The divider comprises a first relatively fixed bottom panel member and a second removable panel member. The first bottom panel member has a U-shaped region for loosely receiving one end portion of the second panel member. Support legs are located on the underside of the second panel member for supporting the second panel member on the bottom portion of the outer cabinet in spaced relation thereto. Inlet grill means are loosely supported on the second panel in a position to cover the first and second conduit inlets; and a removable bottom shelf defining the bottom of the inner cabinet and display space is loosely supported on the removable second panel.

Abstract: An open top refrigerated display case having an ambient air defrost system and a method of operating such display case, at least one air conduit extends in a U-shaped formation along opposing side walls and a bottom wall of the refrigerated display case. Each of the air conduits has an opening at both ends with such openings being located at upper portions of the side walls and in alignment so as to direct air across the access opening for recirculation through the air conduit during a refrigeration cycle of operation. Arranged within the primary air conduit is a set of refrigeration coils and at least one reversible fan for circulating air through such air conduit. During a refrigeration cycle of operation, the fan circulates air through the air conduit in a first direction through the refrigeration coils. During a defrost cycle of operation, the fan circulates air through the air conduit in the opposite direction and draws in ambient air from outside of the display case.

Abstract: A distributor for feeding the liquid-vapor mixture of refrigerant from the expansion valve to the core elements of an evaporator of an air conditioning system to provide equal distribution of both the liquid and vapor components. The distributor involves either a single header with separate orifices for the liquid and vapor in each core element or a pair of distribution headers to carry the separated component phases from a separator with an orifice for each phase in each core element where the phases would be recombined to pass through the core elements to a common outlet.