Abstract: A filter cartridge for filtering impurities and the like from a swimming pool or other body of water is provided. The filter cartridge is positioned in a receptacle for receiving water and for recirculating it back to the pool. The filter cartridge includes a core communicating with the recirculating system and having a plurality of openings therein communicating with a supporting frame located around the core and affixed thereto. The frame has a multiplicity of openings therein and a plurality of undulations extending therealong. A flexible sleeve is located around the frame and is of sufficient size to assume the contour of the frame when water is supplied from the exterior of the sleeve to the interior of the core, thereby providing a maximum filtering surface. The sleeve has elastic bands around both ends for drawing the ends together around the core beyond the ends of the frame. The sleeve can be easily removed for cleaning or replacement.

Abstract: A conveyor for and method of transporting workpieces along a path having a straight portion and a curved portion are provided. Workpieces during certain operations must be maintained a minimum distance apart during transportion. The workpieces, on the curved portion of the conveyor path, are moved outside the conveyor path to enable them to travel greater distances and maintain a minimum spacing without the necessity of spacing them an extra distance apart on the straight portions of the conveyor path. This enables a larger number of workpieces to be handled on a given conveyor or enables a shorter conveyor to be employed for a given number of workpieces.

Abstract: A soft-touch pneumatic drive unit for welding is provided. The drive unit includes a first section, a second section, and a third section. A piston rod extends substantially throughout these sections and contains a drive piston in the second section and a second drive piston in the third section. Pressurized fluid is supplied through the first section and into the second section to provide a driving force on these pistons. Cushioning fluid is supplied through the first section to the second section to cushion and slow the piston rod as an electrode carried thereby is moved toward a workpiece. A floating piston in the second section then blocks the flow of cushioning fluid from the first section with fluid pressure in the second section then decreasing to atmospheric pressure to enable full welding force to be applied through the drive pistons and the piston rod to the electrode. The cushioning fluid also aids in returning the piston components to the retracted position upon the completion of a weld.

Abstract: A temperature-measuring assembly indicates temperatures in a cold space subject to relatively rapid changes in air temperature from time-to-time. The assembly includes an elongate, tubular container having an open end. A cap with an opening therein is located on the open end of the container. A thermometer with a temperature-sensing stem extends through the opening and through a substantial distance of the container. The thermometer has a temperature indicator on the stem outside the container. An antifreeze liquid substantially fills the container, surrounding the stem. The temperature of this liquid is sensed by the stem and indicated on the temperature indicator outside the container. The liquid changes temperature much more slowly than changes in the air temperature in the cold space.

Abstract: A gutter screen is provided to be placed over the open top of a gutter to enclose the top to enable water to enter but to keep debris out. The gutter screen has a longitudinally-extending front portion, a longitudinally-extending rear portion, and an intermediate longitudinally-extending portion. A front edge of the front portion has divergent legs to engage a front lip of the gutter to help hold the gutter screen in place. The intermediate portion is perforate over substantially the width thereof from the back portion to the front portion of the gutter and being convex as viewed from above. The back portion preferably has two longitudinally-extending, directly opposite grooves near the intermediate portion. These enable the back portion to be bent upwardly or downwardly to fit a particular installation. The back portion can be bent upwardly or downwardly to engage a fascia behind the gutter.

Abstract: A slip joint for a driveshaft having first and second universal joint yokes includes a first shaft extending rearwardly of the first yoke and rotatable therewith and a second shaft extending rearwardly of the second universal joint yoke and rotatable therewith. The shafts have external and internal splines to enable slidable but nonrotatable movement between the shafts. A sleeve extends rearwardly from the first yoke around the first shaft and a portion of the second shaft. The second shaft has two seals extending therearound and engagable with the interior surface of the sleeve. The first shaft has a bore extending completely therethrough and communicating with passages at both ends of the shaft. A lubricant is applied to the splines prior to assembly and a vent opening is plugged with the yokes in the middle position after assembly. The slip joint is completely maintenance free, never needing lubrication.

Abstract: Apparatus for aiding in the manipulation of a tool by supporting the weight thereof is designed particularly for a resistance welding tool. The apparatus includes an overhead support, a curved bar hanging below the support, a trunnion connected to a lower end of the curved bar and a generally horizontal arm rotatably held by and extending out from the trunnion. In particular, the apparatus includes a bail having a circular frame affixed to an outer end of the generally horizontal arm. The bail has two plates affixed together and rotatably carried by the circular frame. The plates have central openings therein to receive the tool and have holes spaced around the central openings to receive fluid fittings to aid in operating the tool. The plates can have manifolds therein to reduce the number of lines required to operate the tool.

Abstract: A universal joint seal is symmetrical about a transverse plane taken centrally therethrough. In this manner, the seal can be properly and correctly inserted into a bearing cup from either end. This eliminates the requirement for sorting for orientation of the seals after they are made. Either a mechanical sorter is eliminated or an operator for sorting the seals is eliminated.

Abstract: A table assembly for use with seating apparatus has a base plate of sufficient size to fit under supports on at least one side of the seating apparatus. The seating apparatus stabilizes and supports the base plate which has a sleeve or the like at a forward portion thereof. An elongate member or post extends upwardly from the sleeve to support an end portion of a table. The elongate member can be of a telescoping design with a clamp for holding the table at a desired height. A track arrangement is affixed to an upper end of the post and to the bottom of the table to enable the table to slide between an out-of-the-way position and an operating position over the seating apparatus.

Abstract: A table assembly for seating apparatus has from one to four base assemblies positioned under one to four corner support portions of the seating apparatus. A first elongate base plate of the first base assembly extends under a first support portion on one side of the seating apparatus and extends toward a second side, projecting beyond the first side. A receptacle is affixed to the projecting portion of the first base plate and extends rearwardly toward a second base assembly, when used, under a second support portion. A rigid member connects the receptacle and the second base assembly which has an adjustable stop abutting an end of the second support. A third base assembly, when used, has a base plate under a third support portion of the seating apparatus on the second side and has an attached rigid member connected to the first base plate. A fourth base assembly, when used, is under a fourth support portion and also has an adjustable stop.

Abstract: A conveyor has an overhead rail with a generally horizontal portion and an angled portion. Rollers are rotatably supported on the rail and have supports extending therebelow and rotatably connected to the rollers. At least two elongate load bars are spaced apart from one another and located in end-to-end relationship. Loops at adjacent ends of the load bars are supported by the supports. The load bars have a plurality of angular openings spaced uniformly apart to receive hangers for carrying articles and especially panels. The hangers can be placed in any of the angular openings to accommodate panels of various widths. The angular relationship of the hangers and load bar cause the panels to turn when on the angled portion of the conveyor so that they can be placed closer together.

Abstract: A table assembly for use with seating apparatus has a base plate of sufficient size to fit under supports on at least one side of the seating apparatus and has an elongate member or post extending upwardly from a forward portion of the base plate to support an end, portion of a table. A linkage connects a lower surface of the table with the elongate member and the linkage can be manipulated to enable the table to be swung down along the side of the elongate member when not in use. The table can also pivot in a horizontal plane relative to the base plate to be swung to an out-of-the-way position. The elongate member or post can also be of telescoping design with a clamp for holding the table at a desired distance from the base plate for height adjustment. The base plate can also be in a prestressed, curved condition for greater stiffness. The elongate member can be received in or over a sleeve mounted on the base plate with the sleeve being adjustable to place the elongate member in a vertical position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resistance spot welding aluminum comprises polishing the electrode tips periodically after a number of welds. During the spot welding, a coating or dust builds up on the electrode tips and this has been generally assumed to be pure aluminum. However, it has been found that the coating or dust is aluminum oxide which is nonconductive. Consequently, when power is applied to the electrodes there is a slight spitting or explusion at the electrode tips which are in contact with the aluminum surfaces. The electrodes thus become pitted or arced out after a few welds. To overcome this problem, the electrode tips are polished intermittently after a predetermined number of welds. This can be accomplished by a polishing wheel which is moved between the electrodes when they are in an open position.

Abstract: A universal joint has a primary seal and a secondary seal. The universal joint includes a cross and a bearing cup with the cross having a body and a trunnion and an annular shoulder with an adjacent surface of circular cross section at the juncture of the body and the trunnion. The open end of the cup has at least one leg extending outwardly therefrom. The primary seal comprises a resilient sealing member having spaced lips engaging the cup and the cross. The secondary seal is spaced outwardly from the primary seal and has a ring with a leg extending outwardly therefrom. The leg of the secondary seal is in overlapping relationship with the leg of the cup. The ring has a tight fit with the adjacent surface of the cross body, with a top of the ring engaging the shoulder of the cross. The secondary seal is spaced slightly from the cup to enable lubricant flushed past the primary seal to escape.

Abstract: A lubrication system is set forth for a universal joint. A cross of the universal joint has four trunnions extending therefrom along two mutually perpendicular lines. Bearing cups are rotatably received on the ends of the trunnions and the cups, in turn, are held by universal joint yokes. Lubrication passages extend from a central portion of the cross outwardly to cavities located at the ends of the trunnions. A passage extension extends substantially through each cavity from the lubrication passage toward the end of the trunnion. A lubricant retainer is of generally inverted U-shaped configuration and extends over the passage extension. The retainer has openings near the bottom of the cavity and is centered in the cavity by a flange on the passage extension or by an outer flange at the edge of the retainer. The retainer prevents air from being trapped in the bottom of the cavity so that the cavity will always be filled with lubricant.

Abstract: A fixed constant velocity universal joint having direct spherical contact and support between inner and outer race members to prevent axial movement has inserts which can be replaced, when worn, with new inserts. The universal joint includes an inner race member having a plurality of recesses and an outer race member with a plurality of recesses, each containing one of the inserts. Bearing balls are located in grooves in the inserts which are so arranged that they require axial support in one direction only by a retainer which is fully enclosed in the universal joint and abuts the bearing balls. A seal engages the inner and outer race members on the side of the bearing balls opposite the retainer. The seal includes a base held in an annular recess in the outer race member and at least one resilient finger engaging a partially spherical surface on the inner race member.

Abstract: A high capacity universal joint has a larger cross with larger bearings surfaces. The cross has a heavier main body with four legs, the diameters of which are larger than those of a standard cross used with yokes of a given size. The cross can also have longer trunnions to provide larger bearing surfaces. The yokes have two arms with bores and with locating surfaces adjacent the bores. The cups for races can be deeper and extend beyond outer surfaces of the arms with the cups having recessed locating surfaces in coplanar relationship with the yoke locating surfaces and held in position by machine screws. Closed ends of the cups have lubricating fittings with standpipes extending into recesses in the ends of the trunnions. Two rows of bearings separated by an annular ring are located between the trunnions and the cups, and seals in the open ends of the cups urge the bearings toward the closed ends thereof.

Abstract: A change cart for gambling casinos includes a box-like housing mounted on wheels. The housing has an upper compartment accessible from the top for containing rolls of coins and a compartment accessible from the back containing a drawer for dollar bills. A larger, lower compartment is also accessible from the back and contains supplies. The wheels include two large wheels rotatably mounted near the rear of the housing and two casters which are mounted under forward corners of the housing. A push handle extends above the rear of the housing to manipulate the change cart. The push handle can be vertically adjusted to accommodate the particular casino worker. Tubular outriggers extend outwardly below the housing behind the large wheels to prevent tipping of the cart and similar outriggers extend outwardly in front of the large wheels to serve as foot guards. Heavy corner bumpers can also be located at forward corners of the cart.

Abstract: A mobile salon station comprises a cart having two generally upright frame members which are vertically adjustable. The cart further has wheels and feet and two horizontal shelves. Two supporting rods are mounted on the frame members and support a basin having tubes received on the rods. The basin can be removed from the rods so that the salon station can be used with the basin supported on the rods for a patient in a wheelchair and can be removed and used on a bed for a bedridden patient. The basin has a convex central portion so that the patient's head can be supported thereon while the hair is being shampooed, etc. The rods are pivotally mounted so as to be swung into the plane of the upright frame members when the station is being transported.

Abstract: A conveyor has an overhead conveyor rail with a horizontal portion and an angled portion. A receptacle is carried by supports below the rail with the receptacle positioned transversely to the rail. A two-piece rack hanger has an upper part with an upper angular end portion pivotally connected to the receptacle by a bracket. The hanger has a lower part affixed to a rack for parts or articles and a pivot connects the lower part and the upper part of the hanger. The pivot is separable so that the lower part of the hanger and the rack can be separated from the upper part of the hanger. Stops are associated with the receptacle and upper angular end portion of the hanger to limit transverse movement of the racks as they move on the angled portion of the conveyor. When the racks reach a limited transverse position, they are held in horizontal dispositions by the pivot between the lower and upper parts of the hanger.