Abstract: A flat bed vehicle such as a tilt bed car carrier vehicle has side rails which may be positionable either in a raised position disposed above the bed platform and a lowered stowed position wherein the tops of the rails are disposed coextensive with the platform. The caps or tops of the rails are supported on posts and the ends of posts remote from the caps have cam followers which are positioned within respective cam tracks extending transversely beneath the bed floor. The cam tracks are configured so that the followers may be moved between first and second ends of the cam tracks selectively. At one end of each track the follower is located such that the respective post may be either in the upstanding operative position at the side of the bed, and at the other end of the track the follower is located such that the post is in the stowed position extending transversely beneath the floor of the bed with the cap of the rail positioned on a shelf of a longitudinally extending bracket at the edge of the side.

Abstract: A tufting machine has an adjustable needle stroke mechanism including an adjustable variable eccentric drive. The output of the drive is applied to a transversely extending oscillatable mainshaft by means of a fixed length rocker arm adjustably clamped to the mainshaft. The mainshaft is adapted to carry rocker arms at each push rod for reciprocating the push rods and thus the needles. The variable eccentric drive includes a circular cam eccentrically disposed between a pair of drive plates mounted on and rotatably driven by a cam shaft. The cam drives a connecting rod for driving the fixed length rocker arm. The cam is connected by bolts to the drive plates extending through holes in the cam and elongated slots in the drive plates. The eccentricity of the cam may be adjusted by moving the cam relative to the cam shaft and securing the bolts at different locations within the drive plate slots.

Abstract: A display sign and a method of retrofitting a display sign has a number of conventional structural frame members about which a flexible facing material is attached. The frame members have rods fastened to surfaces thereof remote from the front of the facing. For larger signs adjacent frame members may be connected together by the facing material and have cooperating adjustment members which permit adjacent frame members to be moved apart to expand the size of the frame members and simultaneously stretch the facing. The frame members and the facing material are positioned within a display sign cabinet having an opening just slightly greater than that of the margin of the frame members, and the border of the frame members may be adjustably moved apart by a pivotal movement about the rods as a fulcrum on the frame is secured to framework within the sign housing to snuggly fit within the opening.

Abstract: A fluid swivel joint coupling has first and second body members pivotably connected together for pivoting about a swivel axis. The first body member includes an inlet portal, an outlet portal, a diverted fluid passageway opening into the outlet portal and a channel communicating the inlet portal with the diverted passageway. The second body member is pivotably mounted in flow communication with the outlet portal and has a second diverted passageway communicating through a second channel to a third portal. Each channel has an axis of elongation offset from the swivel axis so that fluid may enter the diverted passageway in the first body member tangentially from the first channel and flow therethrough in vortex fashion along the swivel axis into the second diverted passageway and leave the second diverted passageway tangentially to flow out the second channel.

Abstract: A tensile force actuated quick disconnecting coupling device for a fuel line having a vapor return has a pair of body members including interlocking elements which cooperatively couple and provide fuel and vapor passageways through the body members, and uncouple when a tensile force above a predetermined limit is interposed on the line. The interlocking elements are in the form of a mortise and tenon connection having a detent type infrangible locking member for interconnecting the elements together. The interlocking elements pivot one relative to the other so that a combination swivel joint and quick disconnecting coupling device is provided. Valving is disposed within each body member so that when the body members uncouple respective valves close the fuel passageways therein. The valving may include cylindrical stems which abut and open the fuel passageways when the body members are coupled and additionally permit pivoting of one body member relatively to the other.

Abstract: An accessory spindle for boat trailers or the like for mounting onto a damaged wheel mounting axle spindle of the trailer. The accessory spindle has an exterior surface substantially identical to that of the axle spindle, and has an open end opening into a hollow. The hollow has bores formed therein which mirror the exterior surface of the axle spindle so as to be mounted thereon. Threads on the free end of the axle spindle are threadedly received in a threaded bore within the hollow corresponding to that of the axle spindle free end. Set screws may extend from the exterior of the axle spindle into the hollow adjacent the free end for securely gripping the axle spindle.

Abstract: An air flow control system for the dampers of the individual offices or rooms in a group of offices or rooms sharing a common air supply duct with a thermostatic control in but a single one of the offices or rooms. The system includes a motor operated damper in each room or office, the motor being controlled to shut the damper when a signal from a remote transmitter is received by a receiver in a control circuit with the motor. The transmitter is selectively actuated by the individual occupying the particular room or office. The control circuit is activated when the signal is received by the receiver, and after a delay period automatically sends a signal to drive the motor to reopen the damper. The occupant may thus control the closing of the damper when the temperature of the air through the supply duct causes the room to be uncomfortable, and need not be concerned about reopening the damper.

Abstract: A truck axle grasping attachment for use with towing vehicles for lifting a truck by its front axle. The attachment is in the form of a cradle having a pair of spaced apart upstanding tangs, one of the tangs, that being the front tang, being fixed, and the other of the tangs, that being the rear tang, being mounted for movement so that the attachment may be slidably positioned for receipt of the truck axle within the cradle without interference of the axle by the rear tang. In one embodiment the rear tang is pivotably mounted on the base of the cradle and has an integral arm adapted to be contacted by the axle as the attachment moves into axle capturing relationship, and when so doing moves the rear tang into operative position. In other embodiments the rear tang is removably carried by the base of the cradle.

Abstract: A tufting machine having a pair of rows of spaced apart needles which are independently selectively reciprocated in a path toward and away from a base material fed in a direction longitudinally from one row to the other through the machine. The machine includes drive mechanism including push rods which reciprocate during each cycle. A yoke is secured to each push rod and has a pair of downwardly depending limbs spaced apart longitudinally and corresponding to a respective row. The limbs for each row carry an air cylinder latching bar including latches which are controlled in accordance with a pattern. The needles are each carried by a respective needle holder mounted between the limbs and each needle holder may be coupled to the latch bar corresponding to that row selectively.

Abstract: An indexing mechanism for a tufting machine for indexing a needle bar or a backing material feed roller has three oscillating input gear sectors, a drive transmission corresponding to each gear sector, an output member and a programmable selector mechanism for each drive transmission for periodically selectively coupling the corresponding drive transmission with the respective gear sector. The drive transmissions include a pair of epicyclic gear assemblies having planet gears mounted within a common planet cage. The sun gear of one of the assemblies is connected to a flywheel coupled to a transfer gear which may be selectively moved to receive motion from a first sector. The ring gear of one epicyclic gear assembly is coupled to a second transfer gear which may be selectively moved to receive motion from a second gear sector. The other epicyclic gear assembly has its ring gear coupled to a third transfer gear which may be selectively moved to receive motion from the third gear sector.

Abstract: A bar hanger having an elongated head and an elongated tail extending downwardly from the head. The tail has a first portion normal to the head, a second portion inclined relatively to the first portion, and a third portion inclined relatively to the second portion so that the first and second portions are parallel. The third portion has a free end with a threaded connecting element. The tail and the head lie substantially in a common plane and may be slipped through the space between a pair of elongated chords of a building joist such that the head is above the tops of the chords. The hanger may then be rotated 90.degree. so that the head rests on both chords and the free end of the third portion is off-set from the space between the chords for attachment to a conduit hanger so that the conduit can be carried by the joist. The bar hanger permits rapid installation of the conduit hangers and spreads the load over both chords.

Abstract: A combination spherical swivel joint and quick disconnect coupling device for a fuel supply line or the like permits universal swiveling of a spherical member within a socket member while the members are connected together in flow communication, and has interconnectable means for uncoupling when an external tensile force above a predetermined limit is applied to the fuel line. Valving is disposed within the spherical member and within the socket member so that when the members uncouple the passageway within each member is closed. A retaining member positioned within the socket member maintains the coupling relationship during normal operation.

Abstract: A bearing pad readily attachable to a brassiere strap for positioning between the strap and the skin of the wearer of the brassiere to prevent the strap digging into and irritating the wearer's shoulder. The pad is an elongated member having two plies of dissimilar material, the upper ply being a rigid stiff material relative to the lower ply which is a soft cushion-like material. The upper ply may be a high density polyethylene synthetic plastic, and the lower ply a non-woven polyester fabric. The upper ply includes a first pair of tabs spaced from a second pair of tabs, each pair of tabs being adapted to be lifted from the surface of the upper ply for permitting the brassiere strap to be received between the tabs and the surface of the ply in adjustable fashion.

Abstract: An individually controlled needle tufting machine having loopers with beaks pointing in the same direction as the backing material being fed through the machine so as to form loop pile has means for laterally shifting the backing material continuously first in one direction and then in the other. The method is disclosed utilizing this apparatus for forming zig-zag backstitches with selective needles by stitching during each cycle of the machine, while in other selective needles linear backstitches are formed by driving those needles during alternate cycles. Fabrics are produced utilizing this method wherein the loop density produced can be selectively chosen for various portions of the fabric so as to provide patterning effects. By foregoing the shifting of the backing material similar, but less pronounced patterning effects may be attained.

Abstract: A fluid swivel joint coupling has a body member, a first connecting member and a second connecting member. The body member includes an inlet portal, and outlet portal and a diverted fluid passageway connecting them. The first connecting member is pivotably mounted in flow communication with one of the portals for rotation about a first swivel axis, and the second connecting member is pivotably connected in flow communication with the other portal for rotation about a second swivel axis. The second connecting member has a diverted fluid passageway opening onto a third portal, a longitudinal axis extending through the third portal and a portion of the passageway. The first connecting member is operatively connected to a rigid conduit while the second connecting member is operatively connected at the third portal to a flexible conduit.

Abstract: A tufting machine has a needle mounting construction including a multiplicity of needle support carriages, each carriage being slidably mounted in guides for controlled movement in a direction normal to the path of reciprocation of the tufting machine push rods. Pneumatic cylinders are operatively connected with each carriage to effect movement in accordance with a predetermined pattern. A pair of needle holders are mounted within each carriage, each holder supporting a needle. The holders have slots for coupling onto a detent reciprocating with the push rods. The carriage may be moved so that one or the other or neither needle holder is coupled to the reciprocating push rods. When a needle holder is coupled, the needle attached thereto reciprocates and may cooperate with a hook to form pile. Each needle of a pair may be threaded with different type yarn so that unique patterning affects may be obtained.

Abstract: A system for restraining the lower limbs of a prisoner being conveyed in a vehicle, such as a police car, to preclude injury to persons and to property by violent kicking action of the prisoner. The system utilizes a laminated strap having synthetic hook and loop fastening elements formed on one ply of the laminate and a reinforced vinyl backing formed on the other ply. One end of the strap is fastened to a grommet through which the other end of the strap may be drawn and folded over so that hook elements and loop elements may be engaged to adhere while the vinyl portion of the strap is tightly engaged about the lower limbs of the prisoner. A belt having a catch in the form of a buckle at one end of the belt is attached to the strap at the other end. The catch is tossed out the door of the vehicle and is lodged against a portion of the door and the adjacent door frame. The catch has a magnet bonded to a flat surface thereof so that it can adhere to the vehicle and not fall away.

Abstract: A tensile force actuated fuel line quick disconnecting coupling device has a pair of body members including interlocking elements which cooperatively couple and provide a fuel passageway through the body members, and uncouple when a tensile force above a predetermined limit is interposed on the fuel line. The interlocking elements may be in the form of a mortise and tenon connection having a detent type infrangible locking member for interconnecting the elements together. The interlocking elements may pivot one relative to the other so that a combination swivel joint and quick disconnecting coupling device is provided. Various types of interlocking members are disclosed as are both infrangible and frangible locking means. Valving is disposed within each body member so that when the body members uncouple respective valves close the flow passageways therein.