Abstract: Improvements to a waistband end folding and stitching apparatus of the type in which the open terminal free end portion of an unfinished waistband having opposed fabric plies is presented to a folding station where the end portion is (1) inverted into the space between the spread plies to form an inturned edge; (2) the multiple plies of fabric are flattened by the application of pressure from a pair of opposed feet to facilitate sewing; (3) automatically transferred laterally in a horizontal plane to a seaming or stitching station, and (4) positively positioned in alignment with the sewing head for the application of at least one row of stitches parallel to and adjacent the inturned edge. The moving parts of the apparatus are hydraulically and pneumatically operated responsive to the predetermined program.

Abstract: Water is sprayed onto the surface of a bank of conduits or tubes extending through a heat exchange compartment, which conduits carry the hot exhaust gases from a diesel engine at a temperature of approximately 950.degree.-1100.degree. F. The water is sprayed at such a rate that a substantial portion of the water is reformed into a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gas and steam. The hydrogen is then mixed with air to form hydrogen enriched air which is introduced into the combustion chamber. When the hydrogen enriched air is compressed, the diesel fuel is introduced with a resulting improvement in fuel efficiency and maximized combustion of the fuel. The water is delivered to the hydrogen generator responsive to the activation of the accelerator pedal at a controlled rate in which the percentage of water to diesel fuel is substantially in the range of 5% to 10%. Air from the engine turbosupercharger is delivered to the hydrogen generator to pick up and carry the hydrogen gas back to the air intake of the engine.

Abstract: A pair of fabric members having proximate abutting margins preliminarily united by a row of basting stitches are then fed through a folder device and folded into a three-ply, Z- or S-shaped construction in preparation for a finished seaming operation. As the members pass through the folder device one of the fabric members is folded along a line on one side of the row of basting stitches to underlie the united margins and the other of the fabric members is reverse folded along a line on the other side of the row of basting stitches to overlie the united margins. The aforesaid folder includes a base plate having an upstanding guide rib or scroll and a generally horizontal guide plate. The guide plate is spaced above the base plate and includes a longitudinal edge forming the line about which the one fabric member is folded to underlie the united margins.

Abstract: An improved exercise device of the type attached to wheelchairs includes a frame having vertical and horizontal portions which support operatively connected, rotating handlebars and foot pedals for imparting movement to the arms and legs of a patient. The weight and height/length dimensions of the device are balanced with those dimensions of standard wheelchairs to create stability. The device further includes means for rendering the guide wheels of the chair stationary, and an improved lift mechanism for lifting or lowering the front wheels of the chair off/on the floor so that the device can be utilized in a stationary position or to drive the chair. The lift mechanism includes an externally threaded rod operatively mounted in an internally threaded shaft. A handle is attached to the upper end of the rod and a swivel-mounted rotation wheel or caster is mounted to the opposite end.

Abstract: The tape restraining shoe for a shuttleless loom includes an arcuately shaped body member having a replaceable polymeric wear strip in the sole portion thereof. The tape restraining shoe is adjustably mounted to maintain the wear strip at a prescribed distance from the underlying rapier or flexible inserting tape. The shoe is mounted on the stationary plate of the oscillating wheel by means of bolts extending through a pair of elongated slots in the upper portion of the body of the tape restraining shoe, which slots extend perpendicular to the sole portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting sheet material or textile fabric between the mating male and female rings of an embroidery hoop. The female ring is placed in a cutout in a support plate or template and the fabric to be embroidered is positioned thereover. The corresponding male ring carried by a reciprocating head is then activated to insert the male ring into the female ring with the fabric therebetween completing the assembly.

Abstract: A pair of uniquely designed spring clips are snapped onto existing elements of a visual indicator such as the dial of a utility meter. An encoder having attachment elements with a spacing therebetween corresponding to the spacing between the clips is attached to the clips to quickly, easily, and precisely attach the encoder to the dial in properly aligned position.

Abstract: A light source, which is releasably attachable to a 12-volt battery, is mounted in floating housing. A plurality of pivot arms are attached to the housing, each of which arms includes a buoyant block or float attached to the free end thereof. When the arms are extended there is formed a stable floating platform which supports the light on the surface of a body of water. When the arms are retracted there results a compact configuration for storage and transportation.

Abstract: An improved accordion-like folding cover for open truck beds includes a flexible waterproof canvas cover overlying a plurality of elongated metal panels hingedly joined to form a cover assembly. The cover assembly is foldably mounted between a pair of guide tracks which are attached to the upper surface of the side walls of the truck bed; the tracks being attached to the side walls by bolts which are concealed from the exterior of the closed truck bed. An improved locking mechanism comprises a handle and a pair of attached locking arms which extend perpendicularly to and selectively into engagement with the tracking components. By turning the handle, the locking arms are retracted or extended into selected ones of a plurality of slots in the side walls of the tracks for holding the cover in a plurality of positions including fully opened, partially opened, or completely closed. The handle may be locked by a key and the locking arms are concealed beneath the cover assembly for security.

Abstract: An inner, generally circular plate secured to the end of an engine cam shaft is connected by means of a linking spider through a toggle linkage to an outer, annular plate driven directly by the engine crankshaft. The drag on the cam shaft during normal operation urges the inner plate toward a normal or "retard" position as no outward bias in the opposite direction is exerted on the spider. However, during selected phases of crankshaft operation, such as during low engine speeds, pressure sufficient to overcome the engine drag is brought to bear against a relatively large surface of the linking spider and biases the spider to an axially extended position. The axial movement of the toggle linkage then causes the inner plate to rotate relative to the outer plate to an "advance" position in which it remains so long as the outward bias remains on the spider. When the outward bias against the spider is eliminated, the engine drag draws the spider back to the normal or "retard" position.

Abstract: A single main air jet nozzle includes an outer portion secured to a central body. The central body includes one main orifice which delivers yarn to the main nozzle, and a plurality of weft thread introducing feed orifices. Each feed orifice includes a feed nozzle at the entrance thereto. There is thus provided for the selection of one or more weft threads to be introduced through the introductory or feed nozzles and into the main orifice, and then to the main nozzle from which the yarn is blown into the weaving compartment of an air jet loom. The unselected yarns are held back by a braking or reversing apparatus until selected.

Abstract: An antimicrobial additive is incorporated into the binding agent of a heavy-duty, kraft-type paper having the characteristics of substantial density, air impermeability, and improved printability. The antimicrobial additive migrates from within the binding agent onto the paper fibers to substantially eliminate growth of micro-organisms thereon.

Abstract: In a carrier tape for shutttleless looms the juncture of the carrier with the tape upon which it is mounted is strengthened to resist breakage by reducing the flexing stresses in the area of the tape where the tails of the carrier are joined to the tape. The aforesaid flexing stresses are reduced by tapering the tails of the conventional carriers to a contour that provides a more gradual angular convergence with the tape, and secondly, by filling the conventional bubble in the tape with a tin alloy to stiffen the bubble area of the tape and thus move the flexing stress from the area behind the carrier to the area behind the bubble where the tape is stronger.

Abstract: A work table is divided at least into a spreading station and a cutting station, has a flat, substantially smooth upper surface and a plurality of apertures extending through the top of the table for passage of air currents therethrough. A reversible pump generates and delivers the air current to said apertures through a plurality of separate conduits connected to each of the apertures. A spreading device, which spreads, cuts, and stacks individual layers of fabric is provided with a plurality of air jets for selectively applying a thin film of air over the top of the fabric layers as they are spread. While the stack is being formed, the pump draws air through the fabric stack and down through the work table surface to hold the stack in place. When the stack is completed the pump is reversed so that a positive air pressure creates a cushion of air between the stack of fabric and the work table to move the stacked material to the cutting station.

Abstract: Logs which have previously been de-limbed are placed onto and removed from a loading deck one at a time and delivered to an aligning trough or mechanism where one end of all logs are moved to a common point. The logs are then conveyed one at a time by a feed conveyor in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the logs and presented to a sawing mechanism where each log is sawed simultaneously into a plurality of shorter firewood pieces. The sawing mechanism includes a plurality of circular saws spaced longitudinally along a common axis which is, in turn, spaced above the level of the feed conveyor and extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the logs. Each saw is individually mounted for ease of removal and adjustment. A spring device urges the log downwardly, while lugs on the feed conveyor at the same time urge the log forwardly through the sawing mechanism.