Abstract: In an open-atmosphere powdered flame spray gun and method of spray application, a plurality of passageways extending through the gun body delivers a powderized thermoplastic, combustion air, and a fuel into an open mixing and combustion chamber defined by a hood about the body. The resultant mixture ignites melting the plastic, which is then expelled from the chamber by a source of propelling air so as to provide a plastic coating about a desired object.

Abstract: An instrument for promoting oral hygiene particularly with patients having orthodontial appliances. An elongate handle includes a short hollow post at the distal end thereof disposed generally transverse to the handle. Flossing material is threaded through and out the post. In operation, the post is disposed by means of the handle between the orthodontial band and adjacent the spacing between teeth which are desired to be cleaned. The floss protruding out the post is then forced between the spacing to effect flossing thereof.

Abstract: Power tongs are described for making up and breaking apart joints of pipe. The hydraulic system of the tong comprises a tandem fluid motor which enables both forward and reverse operation of the tong in one of several selected speed/torque ranges by operating a pair of control handles. The open throat tong includes a door latching mechanism for automatically locking and unlocking the tong door when activating the tong hydraulic system. The tong dies come into gripping engagement with the pipe over a large composite arcuate angle to increase the pipe gripping ability of the tong.

Abstract: An impact vibrator for electrostatic precipitators and the like having a vibrator means interconnected in coaxial alignment with a mounting means adapted to receive a conventional rod member, the mounting means being interconnected to the vibrator whereby relative movement therebetween is restricted in the axial direction while permitting relative rotational movement therebetween about the axis. In a preferred embodiment, the vibrating piston disposed within the vibrator means directly engages a portion of the mounting means also disposed within the vibrator during the impact stroke.

Abstract: A valve manifold is provided of the type commonly referred to as an instrument manifold and used in systems designed to detect pressure differential. The manifold includes first and second passageways interconnecting a pair of input ports and a pair of output ports. Removable flanges are provided on the input and/or the output ends of the manifold. Each flange may be structurally secured to the valve manifold body by special nipples, and is provided with apertures for receiving bolts to mount the flanges to related process-side or instrument-side equipment. A threaded end of the nipple is adapted for sealing engagement with the manifold body, while the other end of the nipple is adapted for sealing engagement with elliptical-shaped flanges or a differential pressure transmitter. The versatility of the valve manifold is substantially increased, since the removable flanges allow the same manifold body to be used for either direct or remote mounting.

Abstract: Improved apparatus is provided for examining large quantities of documents and, particularly, x-rays, positioned in front of a viewing station. The present invention utilizes an elongate sheet of plastic which can be power controlled to move in a generally horizontal direction across the viewing station. In the area of the viewing station, the plastic sheet is tilted backward, so that gravity assists in retaining the documents on the plastic sheet. Novel means are provided for retaining the film on the plastic sheet between the idler rollers and drums. Improved methods are disclosed herein for viewing large quantities of documents such as x-rays.

Abstract: A door lock mechanism is provided for positioning on the inside of the door and preventing the opening of the door. The mechanism comprises a main plate which slips over the doorknob handle, and a modified strike plate having an aperture structurally arranged for receiving a portion of the main plate. A simplified method is provided for easily and effectively securing a door, since the modified strike plate may be permanently secured to the doorjamb while the main plate may be quickly and easily positioned for locking the door. The method and apparatus of the present invention is well adapted for both commercial and residential use, since its components do not materially detract from the aesthetic qualities of the door.

Abstract: A powered back-up assembly is provided for securing a pipe against rotation. A plurality of heads are supported by a cage plate assembly, and are brought into gripping engagement with the pipe by rotating the cage plate assembly relative to a cam ring fixed to the body of the tong body. The cage plate assembly is rotated by a pair of hydraulic cylinders each connected at one end to a bar pivotably connected to the tong body. A third hydraulic cylinder interconnected between adjacent upper and lower tong bodies may be employed to achieve a reliable scissors tong, whereby the body of the upper tong is rotatable relative to the body of the lower tong.

Abstract: Energy saving temperature and humidity sensing and control processes, system and apparatuses operate effectively in response to signals received from occupants and to dynamic responses of building and its heating, ventilating and air conditioning system. The disclosed processes, apparatuses and system utilize thermostats equipped with a drift ramping and hold time to save energy; the thermostats only need resetting to a neutral/comfort set point which is accomplished by means of a push button or touch plate.The disclosed systems are pre-programmed and set so that occupants will be confortable although the temperature within the building drifts because the rate of drift is controlled to a gradual and normally unnoticed change.

Abstract: A valve is provided with an improved seal between the valve body and the rotatable valve stem. A high pressure fluid seal is formed by a pressure-responsive lip seal. A spring positioned between the lip seal and the valve stem sealing surface provides a substantially axially directed force to a metal O-ring, which biases the lip seal into sealing engagement with the valve body and stem under relatively low pressure.

Abstract: Animal restraint apparatus for use in restraining domestic animals having an elongate uniformly stretching elastomeric member, a selectively releasable eyelet attached thereto at the distal end adapted for interconnection to a dog collar or the like, and a quick release strap means interconnected at the proximal end of the elastomeric member.

Abstract: A board game comprising a board having a first and second plurality of triangular areas and a plurality of opposing sets of playing pieces movable on the board. Each playing piece has at least two substantially flat sides so that it may be moved or flipped from one triangular area to another triangular area. When two playing pieces from the same set are positioned in adjacent triangular areas, they may unite to form a single, larger playing piece. The size of the game board may be varied to accommodate different numbers of players by adding or removing player set up areas or strategy areas or by folding unused portions of the board underneath the portion of the board to be used.

Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating visual reading of meters, and more particularly for reading of water meters or the like disposed beneath the ground. A center tube assembly is provided comprising a cylindrical center tube and a light guide assembly carried internal of and adjacent to the inner wall of the center tube and selectively positionable relative thereto. Disposed at the proximal and distal ends of the center tube are respective end cap assemblies each carrying a respective lens fixedly mounted therein transverse to the center line of the center tube. Each end cap further includes an outer end spacer portion which spaces the lens surfaces inward along the center line of the tube away from the outermost ridges formed by the spacers. In operation the center tube is aligned vertically over the meter face which is then viewed through the center tube upon activation of the light assembly.

Abstract: An improved grease fitting of the type generally referred to as a blowdown fitting is provided, including a plurality of sealing means which enables lubricant to be safely injected into the lubricant supply system. An upper body is rotatable with respect to the main body, and pressure may be vented through a cap threaded to the upper body. A stinger assembly is rotatable with respect to both main body and the upper body, which enhances the life of the seal between the stinger and the main body. A sealing ball is provided between the stinger assembly and the cone, and is biased toward its seating surface by a spring adapted to enable a lubricant/polyester plasticizer mixture to pass through the fitting.

Abstract: A custom prototype membrane switch panel, kit, and method for construction. Two membranes, an insulative spacer for use therebetween, and a plurality of conductive elements disposable between each membrane and spacer are provided. Spacer apertures in registry with the elements permit electrical contact therebetween upon displacement of one membrane toward the other. The elements are comprised of conductive ink bonded to an insulated backing in any desired geometric shape or shapes, and may be provided individually or plurally in sheet form separable therefrom for disposition between the spacer and membranes. Elements of different colors facilitate tracing different conductive paths created thereby in the resultant switch panel, and the backing automatically electrically insulates crossovers between the elements.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for matching the power output of a high slip motor to the demand requirement of a pumpjack unit. The stators of the high slip motor are automatically connected in various different configurations to provide the optimum torque as required by the pumpjack unit due to the downhole pumping conditions. A novel control circuitry is connected between the motor starter and the motor stators. The control measures the power drawn by the stators and selects the most optimum configuration thereof for the load required by the pumpjack. This selection operates the motor in the lowest possible torque mode, which is considered the best electrical and mechanical operation of the pumpjack apparatus.

Abstract: A ram-type valve assembly for well blowout prevention applications and the like. Opposing ram assemblies disposed in ram guideways transverse to the valve bore are each provided with two pistons extending outward of the valve housing having internal passages communicating with respective passages internal of the housing terminating in respective closing and opening ports. A cylinder assembly with interconnected cylindrical chambers is slidably disposed about respective pistons. Pressurizing the closing or opening ports transmits pressure through the pistons to the chambers, effecting cylinder assembly movement along the pistons inward toward and outward from the bore, respectively. Each cylinder assembly is interconnected to its respective ram, transmitting cylinder movement to the ram. The hydraulic circuits are isolated from the bore preventing hydraulic circuit contamination and accidental ram opening from bore pressure leaks into the hydraulics.

Abstract: An improved open throat power tong assembly is provided of the type useful for making up and breaking apart threaded pipe joints. The power tong assembly includes a cage plate assembly with a plurality of pipe gripping heads and a partial ring having a plurality of internal cam surfaces. The heads are forced into gripping engagement with the pipe by relative rotational movement between the cam surfaces and the heads mounted in the cage plate assembly. The cage plate assembly may be both supported by and rotationally guided by a plurality of ball bearing assemblies mounted to the cage plate assembly. The bearing balls are biased into engagement with an arc-shaped groove provided in the upper and lower surfaces of the partial ring. During operation of the tong, the ball bearing assemblies ride in the deepest depression track of the groove, but may purposefully ride up the groove sidewall during the final make-up and initial break-out operation.

Abstract: A general purpose pneumatic-digital converter system and method for process control or the like. A chassis includes a plurality of pneumatic connectors interconnected to pressure lines to be monitored and a pc motherboard carrying a plurality of electrical connectors. At least one pressure-digital module assembly has pneumatic and electrical connectors disposed thereon whereby simultaneous connection is made to corresponding connectors on the chassis when the module is plugged in. Each module may contain a pressure transducer, analog-digital converter, and E.sup.2 PROM wherein data is stored to compensate for non-linearities, offsets, gains, etc. of the transducer and converter. An additional electrical connector is provided on the motherboard proximal to each of the electrical connectors which are intended for a corresponding module assembly connector, whereby additional pc boards for signal processing, communication, memory, or the like may be plugged into the motherboard.