Abstract: A versatile mounting is provided for a bearing cup or race located in a yoke arm of a universal joint. The mounting includes an adapter sleeve which receives a bearing cup and enables it to be located in a larger bore of an existing yoke arm. The adapter sleeve has an annular flange which extends inwardly and contacts a closed end of the bearing cup. The sleeve also has at least one locating surface by means of which it can be located in a predetermined position in the yoke arm bore by means of a mounting fastener which engages the sleeve locating surface and a locating surface on the yoke arm adjacent the bore.

Abstract: A seal is for a universal joint of the type comprising a cross having trunnions with annular shoulders therearound and with a bearing cup for each of the trunnions with the bearing cup having an interior shoulder adjacent the open end thereof. The seal is substantially recessed within the bearing cup at the open end. The seal comprises a sealing member having a lip which engages a portion of the trunnion at the shoulder thereof and an oppositely extending lip which engages the shoulder of the bearing cup. The sealing member has additional lips extending inwardly and outwardly for engaging the trunnion and the bearing cup. The sealing member has a deep annular groove between the lip which engages the shoulder portion of the trunnion and the outwardly-extending lips, the groove opening outwardly away from the bearing cup. The latter lips can have discontinuities in the form of slits or notches extending generally radially from outer extremities toward base portions thereof.

Abstract: A friction-weldable stud is provided. The stud includes an elongate body having a collar or skirt located around the body and extending outwardly therefrom. The collar has a first surface facing in one direction toward one end of the body, with the surface having an engagable configuration for engagement by a cooperating configuration of a chuck of a welding tool. The tool can thereby rotate the stud and also apply an axial force to it through the chuck and collar. The collar has a second surface facing away from the first surface preferably with an annular groove which helps shape the weld material and control flash during the welding. The body also has a friction-weldable nose or end extending outwardly from the collar in the direction of the axis of the elongate body by means of which the stud can be affixed to a workpiece by a friction-welding technique.

Abstract: A low-friction, boat-type, cold-formed rocker arm is provided. The rocker arm is of generally U-shaped configuration in transverse cross section throughout most of its length. An intermediate portion of the rocker arm has a concave interior surface extending there-across with a central opening through which a shank of a pedestal extends. One end portion of the rocker arm has a concave recess facing downwardly to receive the upper end of a push rod. The other end portion of the rocker arm has a rectangular opening in the bottom thereof. An axle extends between side walls of the rocker arm above the rectangular opening and a roller is rotatably mounted on the axle and has a circumferential portion exposed at the rectangular opening. The roller engages an end of a valve stem with rolling, rather than sliding, contact, resulting in lower friction during operation of the rocker arm.

Abstract: A fluid-operated, time delay control and system embodying same are set forth. The time delay control includes an accumulator chamber communicating with a source of fluid under negative pressure or vacuum and a second chamber having a partition dividing it into two parts, a first of which communicates with the accumulator chamber. The second part communicates with a vacuum-sensitive switch which is energized when sensing a vacuum of a predetermined value. The partition has a check valve for maintaining the vacuum switch in communication with a vacuum after the vacuum is released at the source and the pressure rises in the first part of the second chamber. An adjustable flow control valve in the partition slowly releases the vacuum which the switch senses. The switch then reverts to a de-energized condition when a predetermined value is reached. A filtering system incorporates the time delay control with the control controlling a vacuum break valve and a motor for moving a strip of filter media.

Abstract: Shift mechanism is provided for a gearbox, such as a transmission or transaxle, of a small vehicle. The shift mechanism has three functions. It shifts or changes the gear-engaged condition of the gearbox. It moves a clutch between engaged and disengaged positions. It also actuates a brake of the vehicle to move it between a braking position and a release position. Further, the shift mechanism achieves all three of these functions through a single shift lever which is manipulated by an operator. The shift mechanism also causes the brake to be moved to its braking position at any time the gearbox is moved between a forward speed condition and a reverse speed condition, to avoid extreme, lurching movements of the vehicle.

Abstract: A supporting frame is provided for a light-transmitting ceiling panel, which panel extends to a vertical wall or other surface. The supporting frame is particularly designed for lighted ceilings in which light transmitting panels extend from wall to wall in a room and have sources of light thereabove. The supporting frame includes a side frame member having a horizontal flange which supports an edge of the light-transmitting panel and a vertical flange extending along a surface of the wall or vertical surface. The frame member is affixed to the vertical wall by suitable means extending through the vertical flange and the vertical flange also has indentations and/or openings to aid in affixing joint compound or the like thereto. In a preferred form, the supporting frame member has a shoulder formed at the junction of the vertical and horizontal flanges to which the joint compound or the like is spread when it is applied to the vertical flange and over the adjacent vertical surface of the wall.

Abstract: A scaffolding platform is provided which is stronger and more resistant to damage. The platform includes two longitudinally-extending parallel rails and transverse, parallel cross rails affixed at least to end portions of the longitudinal rails. Mounting hooks for mounting the platforms on scaffold frames are affixed to end portions of the longitudinal rails by fasteners which are located on both sides of one of the transverse rails for each hook, there preferably being four fasteners for each hook. One end of each of the transverse rails has a notch to straddle the body of one of the mounting hooks between its two pair of fasteners.

Abstract: An elongate, arcuate mirror is provided with a lightweight, aerodynamic back support and is particularly designed for use with school busses. One of the mirrors is located above each front fender of the school bus to enable the driver to have visual access to the area in front of the bus hood as well as to the sides of the bus. The mirror has a transparent sheet with a generally convex surface and a generally concave surface, with a reflective coating preferably on the concave surface. The back support includes a thin, lightweight sheet having a generally convex side and a generally concave side with a backing rim conforming to the size and shape of a rim of the transparent sheet and being affixed thereto. The convex side of the back support provides a streamlined effect for the mirror, particularly when mounted on a front fender.

Abstract: A unique structure is provided for supplying goods and services to customers. The structure includes a ground level building having an openable window or the like by means of which goods or services can be dispensed to customers outside the building. Preferably, the building has at least one vehicle path extending along the side thereof for customer's automobiles. The structure also includes an underground container under the building in which workers can perform operations relative to the goods or services being dispensed. A stairs connects the underground container and the ground level building and a conveyor can be connected between the container and the building for supplying items which are to be dispensed to customers from the container to the building.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for welding a stud to a workpiece and maintaining the area around the weld substantially free of smut. The existence of the smut detracts from the appearance of the workpiece and, if the workpiece is to be painted or otherwise covered with a coating material, the smut must first be removed. A spark shield assembly has an outer end which is placed in contact with the workpiece around the stud. Anti-smut liquid is first deposited from the assembly on the weld area around the end of the stud where the weld occurs thereby to eliminate the deposit of a coating of smut. Air is then directed through the spark shield assembly toward the outer end thereof after the weld is completed to aid in removing the anti-smut liquid from the spark shield assembly.

Abstract: A low-friction, boat-type rocker arm assembly is provided. The boat-type rocker arm is designed to roll on a fulcrum of a supporting pedestal during operation, rather than slipping or sliding thereon. The rocker arm has a recessed intermediate area of a predetermined radius which is greater than the radius of the fulcrum of the pedestal. The rocker has a rectangular opening in the recessed portion with opposite, transverse edges tapering downwardly and inwardly which fit closely with the pedestal to limit travel of the rocker arm relative to the pedestal. The pedestal also has rounded surfaces at those portions positioned near the tapered edges of the rocker arm opening.

Abstract: A one-piece, cold-formed rocker arm of the cam follower type is provided. The rocker arm includes a one-piece metal body cold formed from a metal blank and being of U-shaped cross section substantially throughout its length. The body has a bottom wall with upstanding, structurally-integral side walls. An intermediate, convex portion of the bottom wall has a rectangular opening therein extending therethrough. A cam-contacting roller is rotatably mounted on an axle carried by the side walls above the rectangular opening. The roller has a circumferential surface positioned to engage a cam above the rocker arm. The rocker arm body has a downwardly-extending pin with a rounded end to receive a lifter post on which the rocker arm can pivot. The pin is affixed to the bottom wall at one end portion of the rocker arm body. The bottom wall has a shorter convex surface at another end portion with an elongate opening therein to receive an end of a valve stem.

Abstract: A sealing system and sealing composition are provided for inflatable articles containing air under pressure. The sealing composition includes particles or particulates of shapes having sharp corners thereon which tend to dig into the article around the opening and wedge themselves therein. The sealing composition also includes fibers, at least some of which are fibrillated. The fibers tend to wrap around the particles and further plug the leak opening. The particles and the fibers are in a liquid carrier which also tends to form a bond of the particles and fibers in the leak opening. The particles in the composition are of particular ranges of sizes for different articles, the larger particles being used in larger articles, such as large tires for construction machines, for example.

Abstract: A modular platform assembly is provided. The assembly has a multiplicity of deck sections of rectangular shape which are connected together or interlocked to produce a platform of desired size. The deck sections are supported on legs which can be used in telescoping relationship to support the deck sections at various desired heights. Certain inner deck sections need only be supported on one leg, which facilitates assembly of the sections. Guard rails can also be employed around edges of the platform and supported by the legs. The legs can be supported on adjustable feet to provide a uniform level for the deck sections. Modular stairs are also provided for easy access to and egress from the platform. The stairs are designed to accommodate platforms of various heights.

Abstract: A fluid transfer module is provided with multiple flow paths for transferring multiple fluids. The module is particularly useful in downhole pumps for passing oil upwardly through a central passage and for passing gas up or down through concentric passages around the central passage. The module also can be used for water or fuel, particularly for downhole steam generation. The module includes an elongate housing or production tubing with an inner coupling having an attached, elongate inner tube which together form a central passage extending substantially the length of the housing. An outer coupling with an attached, elongate outer tube form an inner concentric passage with the inner coupling and tube and an outer concentric passage with the housing. The concentric flow paths are less restrictive to the flow of fluids therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a breakaway conveyor section includes an actuating means positioned below a lower edge of a fire door adapted to move vertically downward along an outside wall of a building to close an opening. A breakaway conveyor section is pivotly connected to an end of a fixed conveyor section outside the building and extends adjacent to an end of a fixed conveyor section inside the building and extending into the opening in the wall. The actuating means includes an actuating plate positioned below a lower edge of the fire door and pivotally connected to a pair of generally vertically extending slides by a pair of lever arms. The slides are maintained in an upper position by a pair of link arms pivotally connected to form an over center mechanism attached between the slides and the conveyor inside the building. A lower end of the slides is slidingly attached to horizontal slides which extend through the opening in the wall to support a free end of the breakaway conveyor section.

Abstract: A one-piece, cold-formed rocker arm of the cam-follower type is provided. The rocker arm includes a one-piece metal body cold-formed from a metal blank generally in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The rocker arm has a rounded recess formed at one end portion of the metal body to receive a lifter post having an end on which the rocker arm can pivot. An opening flaring upwardly and outwardly from the rounded recess extends through the metal body for lubricating purposes. The metal body also has an additional recess at another end portion to receive an end of a valve stem. An intermediate portion of the body is convex, facing away from the recesses and has a shallow recess in which is received a hardened metal insert to be engaged by a cam. The side of the body opposite the shallow recess has a shallow rectangular projection extending outwardly.

Abstract: An elongate, arcuate mirror with generally convex surface portions is provided, particularly for school busses. One of the mirrors is preferably provided at each front corner of the school bus to enable the driver to have visual access to the area in front of the bus hood as well as to the sides of the bus. The mirror has a transparent sheet with a generally convex surface and a generally concave surface with the sheet having a reflective coating on the concave side. The sheet has a constant radius in a longitudinal direction of predetermined value throughout a central portion of the mirror with the central portion being about one-half the peripheral length of the mirror. The sheet has a constant radius of predetermined value in a transverse direction throughout the same central portion of the mirror which exceeds the value of the longitudinal radius.

Abstract: A ceiling frame is provided for a lighting fixture. The ceiling is of the type made of plaster panels commonly known as dry wall, wallboard, plaster board, or gypsum board. A rectangular opening is made in the plaster panels between rafters and the lighting fixture is suitably mounted on the ceiling above the panels. The ceiling frame includes side frame members having vertical flanges positioned adjacent the edges of the ceiling panels at the rectangular opening and horizontal flanges extending outwardly from the opening along the lower surfaces of the panels. The horizontal flanges are affixed to the panels by pop rivets or the like which also extend through upper horizontal flanges or brackets adjacent the upper surfaces of the panels. The ceiling frame also includes two end frame members of similar design but affixed to the ceiling panels adjacent the end edges of the opening by rivets and brackets.