Abstract: A torque box chassis frame for firefighting vehicles or the like constituting a platform for extendible aerial ladders. The vehicle torque box chassis frame includes elongated lower and upper members significantly spaced from each other having rigid bracing structure interposed therebetween resulting in a rigid elongated box of significant rectangular cross section dimension. The torque box chassis frame rear end is defined by a rigid ladder turntable support including its own vertical rigid columns, and spaced outrigger support tubes for receiving hydraulic outrigger jacks are integrally defined on the torque box chassis frame to provide firm support of the torque box upon the ground eliminating the influence of the vehicle suspension system.

Abstract: A garment for wearing while playing sports having padded portions to absorb impact to protect specific body parts, the impact protection being provided by a shock absorbing pad located within a pocket defined on the garment. The pocket receives the protective pad, usually formed of foam, and while the configuration of the pocket substantially conforms to the configuration of the pad, the pad is only affixed to the garment at a location remote from the pad edges whereby the pad edges are free and may adapt themselves to the configuration of the garment and wadding or extensive pad stressing is prevented, and the pad will automatically accommodate itself to the garment and body configuration.

Abstract: Auxiliary support rails for a removable vehicle seat such as commonly found in mini vans permit the vehicle seat to be removed from the vehicle and used for general seating purposes. A pair of support rails cooperate with the conventional seat retainers including anchor pins which are locked to the retainers. The rail includes large area support flanges for supporting the seat upon all types of terrain. Auxiliary rollers may be attached to the rails to facilitate sea movement.

Abstract: A wall insert to be affixed within an opening in a vertical wall providing a finished recess for accommodating washer and dryer appliance fittings within the wall dimensions permitting the appliances to be mounted close to the wall. The insert is preferably of a molded synthetic plastic configuration, includes mounting flanges and lips, and an appliance fitting support.

Abstract: A grease or splatter shield for kitchen ranges and stoves comprising a flexible vinyl material having an edge mounted upon the range adjacent the burner controls whereby the shield may be extended to overlie and protect the controls during cooking, and retracted to provide access to the controls. In a variation, the shield may be wound upon an auto-wind roller mounted upon the range permitting the shield to be readily extended, and automatically retracted.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for honing and treating the pad engaging surfaces of vehicle brake rotors or discs consisting of engaging the rotor surface with a plurality of moving abrasive elements mounted upon flexible resilient stems wherein a smooth finished surface is formed. The abrasive elements are rotated about an axis which may be coincident with the brake rotor axis of rotation during machining, or may be offset and parallel thereto, to produce a basket weave machining pattern. A plurality of hone holders may be used when the hone axis of rotation is offset relative to the rotor axis whereby both of the rotor's surfaces may be simultaneously finished. The practice of the invention also permits the braking surfaces of aluminum alloy rotors to be oxidized to form a hard, wear resistant finish thereon.

Abstract: A multiple layer hose and fitting assembly for refrigeration circuits particularly suitable for larger sizes of refrigeration conduit wherein refrigerant loss to the atmosphere through the hose material is minimized and flexibility is maintained. An inner tube of thermoplastic material is employed to minimize refrigerant loss due to permeation, and the inner tube is corrugated to provide lateral flexibility. The hose includes pressure reinforcing layers or covers, and a moisture ingression resistant sheath or layer circumscribes the inner tube to protect the inner tube from contamination by moisture. In the preferred embodiment the sheath is located between a braided reinforcing layer engaging the inner tube and a braided cover. The moisture ingression resistant layer is preferably formed of a thermoplastic rubber, and the adjacent hose layers are capable of limited axial displacement relative to each other to assure lateral flexibility.

Abstract: A portable tank particularly suitable for handling recreational vehicle liquid waste of relatively large capacity, i.e. 30 gallons, including a receptacle formed of a synthetic plastic material having wheels mounted upon one end of the receptacle and a handle support is molded into the lower region of the receptacle telescopingly receiving an extendable and retractable handle. The outer end of the handle telescopingly receives a handle extension having a grip mounted thereon for manually handling the tank, or attachment to a vehicle trailer hitch.

Abstract: A natural aerobic biological waste conversion system for the decomposition of human waste particularly suitable for waterless on-site restrooms. A tank includes a chamber having a waste receiving bin defined therein, the bin being formed by baffles and a bulkhead so located within the chamber that air (oxygen) is directed over, under and through the decomposing material and a ventilation duct located at the bin lower region communicating with a vent assures effective oxygen exposure to the waste. The tank bottom is provided with a serpentine liquid waste flow path for extended exposure of the liquid to the circulating air for evaporation purposes, and the tank chamber includes a drying area for decomposed material prior to removal.

Abstract: A nut retention system for nut connected couplings including an end fitting having an outer end wherein interfering abutments are defined upon the end fitting and nut to limit retraction of the nut on the end fitting when the coupling is disconnected whereby the outer end of the nut will always axially extend beyond the outer end of the end fitting to protect the end fitting outer end and seal located thereon.

Abstract: A modular room extender for recreational vehicles, modular homes and the like utilizing a pair of axially displaceable slide rods having outer ends attached to the extendible room. The slide rods are mounted within a bracket which includes spaced parallel guides wherein the bracket slide rods and guides define a modular unit which may be installed as a complete assembly. The slide rod's inner ends are free and not connected to other structure, and a reversible electric motor operates a gear and rack system for extending and retracting the slide rods. A stamped metal rack of economical construction is attached to each slide rod.

Abstract: A dispenser system wherein the dispensed material is supplied to a valved nozzle through flexible hoses. The valved nozzle is located in a dispenser gun usually hand held and a swivel distributor interconnecting the hoses to the dispenser gun structure achieves superior ergonomic characteristics.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a system for the co-extrusion of multiple layers of thermoplastic material. The invention employs a modular system concept which enables a manufacturer to quickly exchange components to accept melt flow from a number of extrusion injectors to provide a number of extrudate layers for shaping by a standard sheet extruder die.

Abstract: A golf ball retriever which can also be used as a trap rake. A head mounted upon an extendible handle includes a plurality of elongated spaced tines extending from pivoted arms. The arms are pivotal between a folded storage position and an extended open operative position and the tines are separated by a distance slightly less than the diameter of a golf ball whereby the retriever head may be "raked" through a water hazard to retrieve the balls. The rake-like orientation of the tines also permits the head to smooth sand traps.

Abstract: An asymmetric luminaire for illuminating large outdoor areas, such as an athletic field, wherein glare and light spillage is minimized and controlled. The luminaire includes a reflecting surface of a generally parabolic configuration, and an arc light source is located within the luminaire, the length of the light source being disposed at approximately 45.degree. with respect to the parabolic axis. A visor is used at the peripheral rim of the luminaire to control vertical and lateral light spillage, and the visor includes light source shields to prevent vertical spillage from the upper region of the luminaire. The luminaire reflecting surface includes a plurality of elliptical light reflecting ridges for restricting the near light beam height, and the upper portion of the reflecting surface can include substantially conical concentric light reflecting flute surfaces for accurately directing the light to target locations remote from the luminaire.

Abstract: An electrostatic and magnetic holder for paper, signs and the like wherein the holder is mounted upon glass or similar dielectric surfaces by electrostatic attraction. The holder includes an electrostatically attractable flexible base, and a folded clip section also preferably formed of flexible electrostatic material which is attached to the base either by electrostatic attraction, heat sealing or an adhesive. The clip section includes a pair of opposed magnets, one of the magnets being mounted upon a movable flap whereby the magnets may move relative to each other, and a thin article such as paper, or paper signs, may be gripped between the magnets for support by the holder.

Abstract: A sweatband and earphone system utilizing a head sweatband preferably formed of an elastic fabric having internal pockets defined therein for receiving earphones connected to a radio or tape player. The sweatband comfortably and securely maintains the earphones upon the wearer's ears, and the sweatband includes stretchable openings permitting the earphones to be readily inserted and removed.

Abstract: A rotary joint for supplying and/or removing a fluid heat transfer medium to/from a rapidly rotating roll or drum supported upon journals. The rotary joint nipple threads into the journal bore and closely fitting complementarily shaped cylindrical surfaces on the journal end and joint nipple interengage to concentrically relate the joint to the journal, and engaging radial surfaces on the journal and nipple further coaxially position the joint with respect to the journal to prevent relative tilting. In an embodiment the joint nipple includes an internal seal ring axially biased against a counterseat to reduce the rotary joint axial dimension and permit utilization of wider spaced bearings which improves stability, balances bearing loads and increases bearing life.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the method and apparatus for forming air flow control orifices in a patient body temperature regulating blanket consisting of an inflated envelope defined by thin plastic film wherein temperature controlled air flows through the blanket orifices upon the patient's body. The blanket side disposed toward the patient is pierced by a sharp pointed punch having a plurality of intersecting facets defining sharpened intersecting edges. The punch apex and facet intersecting edges are related to the moving film in such a manner that the penetration of the punch forms a plurality of flexible valve flaps, and the valve flaps engaging the patient's body will be retained in a closed condition to restrain air flow through those orifices engaging the body to prevent exposure to excessive air temperatures.

Abstract: A hypothermic therapy heater blower control system for use with patient warming blankets flowing warm air over the patient wherein the control system includes a data display indicating the temperature of the supplied air and the circuitry includes audible and visual alarms to indicate overheating or failure modes. The circuitry includes dual safety heater shut-off circuits and also includes a self-testing cycle which tests all of the major safety features and shut-offs, and in the test mode the circuitry simulates an over temperature condition.