Abstract: A powered hinge for adjusting the position of inclination of a vehicle's seatbacks has a planetary gear train in which are fixed to the vehicle a pair of bifurcated internal gears between which is coaxially supported for relative bidirectional rotation a driven internal gear attached to the seatback and driven by the second of a pair of compounded external gears, the first of which is bifurcated axially and disposed on either side of the second to form a satellite which is driven eccentrically with rolling, planetary motion within the fixed pair of internal gears by means of an eccentric cam rotated bidirectionally by, e.g., a shaft driven by an electric motor. The gearing, in which the number of teeth in corresponding external and internal gear pairs differs by only about one tooth, permits extremely large gear train values to be achieved within a very compact package and the use of relatively low-torque electric motors.

Abstract: The present invention provides for single, double or multiple row display systems for easily and clearly displaying products, such as bug shields. The display system includes a rigid frame extending from the wall at a distance above the floor, and a rigid retainer assembly extending from the wall between the frame and the floor. The frame and retainer assemblies define upper and lower compartments for receiving and holding the product, which rests upon the floor. Optional peghook assemblies can be attached to the frame for displaying different, smaller-sized products, such as bug shield trim kits. The display system can be assembled quickly and easily without the use of tools.

Abstract: An opener for a tab-top container has a base adapted to be mounted to a supporting surface. Opposing camming surfaces convergently extend from the base to a juncture. An initiating edge formed at the juncture is used to be positioned under the edge of a tab so that when the container is pushed generally toward the base, the tab is cammed away from the end wall causing the closure to responsively open. A method suggested by use of the tab opener is disclosed.

Abstract: A shelf unit for visibly storing an assortment of elongated, generally cylindrically shaped articles, such as packaged syringes and syringe needles and the like shaped articles, is formed by a rear wall and opposed side walls, with a rearwardly tilting lower shelf, a rearwardly tilting intermediate shelf and a forwardly tilting upper shelf extending between the walls. A short, front wall extends between the side walls and the front lower edge of the upper shelf so that the front of the shelf unit is open below the shelf unit. Spaced apart vertical dividers are located in the spaces between the shelves to form separate, forwardly opening compartments of predetermined sizes adapted to receive and separate articles of different sizes within the compartments. A series of vertical dividers extend between the front short wall and the rear wall at the upper shelf to form upwardly opening compartments upon the upper shelf adapted to receive articles arranged generally parallel to the front wall.

Abstract: A safety strap assembly for removably interconnecting a pair of engaging molds for a plastic molding or die cast die for retaining the molds against accidental separation and wherein a pair of laterally spaced shoulder bolts are secured to the molds respectively. A strap assembly comprises a locking plate spanning the dies and having a pair of spaced apertures terminating in keyhole slots adapted to receive the shoulder bolts and the bolts retainingly engaging the locking plate when in locking position. The locking plate is rotatable to an unlocked position disengaging the shoulder bolts from the locking plate. A locating cover overlies and pivotally mounted upon the locking plate and has a pair of spaced apertures receiving the shoulder bolts. The locking plate is rotatable relative to the locating cover until its apertures are in registry with the shoulder bolts.

Abstract: The subterranean treatment apparatus and methods disclosed herein are useful for treating various waste streams, including municipal and industrial streams. The disclosed apparatus and methods are particularly useful in determining and controlling the temperature of the reaction zone in a deep well reaction apparatus while avoiding fouling of thermocouples and permitting easy service and replacement. In the disclosed embodiment, a fluid quiescent zone is created in the heat exchanger of the treatment apparatus located within the reaction zone and the temperature is used to control the system by operation of the heat exchanger or control of the C.O.D. of the influent.

Abstract: A tool for grasping and manually removing a number of the pin bones from fillets of large fish, such as whitefish, lake trout, haddock, scrod and the like, is disclosed. A pair of pinching members, formed of flat, springy, sheet metal plates arranged in overlapping relationship, are attached to the ends of a forcep-type body portion. Manual forces applied to the body portion move adjacent free edges of the plates together to grasp pin bones between them. The free edge of one of the pinching members is bent inwardly towards the adjacent free edge of the other member to fit around and grip the curved end portions of the pin bones which are adjacent the surface of the fish fillet. A method for deboning the fish is also disclosed, whereby a number of pin bones may be removed simultaneously from a fish fillet.

Abstract: A high pressure manifold brake hose end fitting used in a brake system to reduce the number of wet fittings required in the brake system. The manifold brake hose end fitting has a crimped sleeve connection to a reinforced rubber brake hose on one end, a first receptacle for a hydraulic fitting on the opposite end and a second receptacle formed in the side of the fitting between the one end and the opposite end. A conduit is provided for hydraulic fluid flow through the fitting and in one embodiment, the conduit is preferably eccentrically located away from the side of the fitting including said second receptacle. An end fitting providing three or more receptacles in a single fitting that may be part of one or more fluid systems is disclosed. A brake system and a method of installing brake fluid conduits are also disclosed which use the end fitting to reduce the number of wet fittings in a brake system and reduce the number of steps required to install a brake fluid conduit on a vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is a steering system for an articulated vehicle which has at least one axle mounted for wagon-wheel steering with respect to the vehicle, a hydraulic actuator for pivoting the axle with respect to the vehicle and a pair of hydraulic actuators for causing articulation of the vehicle. The improved steering system includes sensors for providing signals dependent on the degree of axle pivot relative to the vehicle, the degree of articulation of the vehicle and the desired direction of the vehicle travel. These signals are detected by a controller which in turn controls actuation of the axle and articulation hydraulic actuators. The actuators are operated in a sequential manner so that small directional changes of the vehicle are achieved solely through pivoting of the axle.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is constrained for adjustable movement in two degrees of freedom, viz., tilting and longitudinal sliding by an apparatus which includes three longitudinally-extending, laterally-parallel tracks in the outer two of which are retained a pair of followers attached to the bottom edge of the seat for guiding the seat longitudinally and for tilting it vertically thereabout. A carrier slides along the center track and is lockable in a plurality of longitudinal positions. A tilt-adjustment-arm is pivotally attached to the carrier at one end and has a second end pivotally attached to the seat generally rearward of the front edge and is lockable in a plurality of tilt positions relative to the carrier to permit the seat to be locked in one of a plurality of independent tilt positions.

Abstract: A trailer for hauling and for delivery to a number of different delivery sites, automotive exhaust system parts, such as mufflers, pre-bent tail pipes and the like packed in large shipping containers, and, also, bundles of numerous straight tube lengths, is provided with a normally closed cabinet attached beneath its floor between its rear road wheels and its forward tractor connecting fifth wheel. The cabinet is divided into longitudinally elongated bins, each of about the same length as the straight tubes, for receiving and holding the bundles of straight tubes in longitudinal arrangement relative to the trailer axis. The sides of the bins are openable so that the tube bundles can be inserted and removed in a transverse direction relative to the trailer axis. A fork truck is releasably mounted upon the rear end of the trailer for use in unloading tube bundles in a transverse direction out of the bins at different delivery sites.

Abstract: A toy is formed of an elongated, resilient tube with an elongated leather thong-like strip passing through the tube and extending outwardly of the ends of the tube. A knot is formed at one end of the strip to abut the adjacent tube end and to form a stop. The end portion of the strip that extends from the knot is bent back into the inner tube to provide a double thickness strip within a portion of the length of the inner tube. An outer tube formed of a fur-like material, formed of an inner cloth-like sheet with outwardly extending fibers, covers the inner tube. The elongated opposite end of the strip extends outwardly of the inner and outer tubes a considerable distance. The toy is resiliently bendable and compressible, with the amount of compression limited by the contact between the inner tube and the strip so that the portion of the tube which has the double thickness strip within its comprsses to a lesser double thickness strip within it compresses to a lesser amount than the remainder of the tube.

Abstract: A wheelchair construction particularly adaptable for collapsible wheelchairs and which may be formed of all nonmagnetic material, wherein the major components are skinned polymeric foam wheels and panels. The seat and back panels are hingedly supported on side panels, wherein the back panels include a downwardly opening V-shaped channel adjacent the center hinge which receives the upwardly foldable seat panels as the wheelchair is collapsed and the seat panels are supported in an overcenter hinge position on transverse foldable panels. The side panels include openings at their upper rearward corners forming integral C-shaped handles and the footrests are supported in a horizontal use or angled non-use position in configured slots formed in a support block.

Abstract: A sensitized laser glass which includes a primary lasing dopant and auxiliary dopants which absorb in regions of the flashlamp emission spectrum away from the absorption bans of the primary dopant and transfer the energy absorbed to the primary dopant, thus improving the efficiency and sensitivity of the laser glass. The auxiliary dopant comprises the combination of cerium and chromium as Ce.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 and the primary dopant is a rare earth metal, preferably neodymium or erbium as Nd.sub.2 O.sub.3 or Er.sub.2 O.sub.3. Th auxiliary dopant consists essentially of 0.1 to 5% by weight Ce.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 0.025 to 0.1% by weight Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3, however the preferred concentration of the auxiliary dopant is 2 to 4% by weight Ce.sub.2 O.sub.3 plus 0.03 to 0.07% by weight Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3. The experimental data establishes that such auxiliary dopants are particularly suitable for phosphate laser glasses.

Abstract: A tool box designed to be size adjustable and for disassembly for easy storage and shipment. It has a removable center compartment and a pair of preferably identical end storage compartments adapted for conforming, straddle bed fitting in the bed of a pickup. The center section may be used for wide bed tool boxes, and may be removed for narrow bed tool boxes, and as well may be removed for storage. Thus, significant advantages of the three-piece straddle bed tool box are achieved.

Abstract: A flashing for a roof top vent pipe includes a frusto-conical shield member to enclose a portion of the vent pipe and a support base with a central longitudinal axis extending lateral longitudinaly thereof for mounting and securing upon the roof top. An annular upper portion of the shield member sealingly engages around the vent pipe. A pair of laterally spaced elongated stiffener beads extend along the under side of the base upon opposite sides of the longitudinal axis in engagement with the rooftop for stiffening and reinforcing the base at its exposed forward edge against upward bending and flexing under wind pressure to exclude water and debris.

Abstract: A method for oxidation treatment of waste water material containing organic solid particles includes forming a discrete batch of waste water material, adjusting the pH of the entire batch to close to 7 or acid-alkaline neutral, and then flowing the batch through a reactor along with chlorine gas. The chlorine produces hypochlorous acid, which produces nascent oxygen and hypochlorite ions, for chemically oxidizing the organic solid particles and also forming minute gas bubbles, including nitrogen and carbon dioxide, which adhere to the particles. The treated material is flowed into a separation receptacle, where the gas bubble buoyed particles float to the surface of the water. The clear water is rapidly gravity-drained from beneath the particles, leaving the particles coalesced into a relatively dry, disinfected or stabilized sludge.

Abstract: A retainer for securing a flangeless cargo liner within a truck bed compartment such that the top rail of the truck bed compartment is unobstructed. In a first embodiment, the retainer includes a cup-shaped insertable portion having an outwardly extending rim around the periphery of its open end. A series of adjustment openings are located on one of the sides of the insertable portion for receiving a fastener. The retainer is inserted through an aperture in one of the liner walls and the fastener is inserted into one of the adjustment openings for engagement against a ledge wall of the truck bed compartment. In a modified form, the insertable portion of the retainer is generally triangular in cross-section to permit easier access between the installation tool and fastener.

Abstract: A precast composite plastic reinforcement insert, method of making the reinforcement insert and method of reinforcing a structural member. The insert includes pellets which are formed of a mixture of a thermoplastic polymeric resin and a blowing agent. Polymeric resins disclosed include a one-part epoxy with a thermal curing system or a thermoplastic polyester resin. The pellets in one embodiment are retained within a matrix of expanded polystyrene and in combination form the insert. The insert is formed in a mold cavity which receives the pellets and unexpanded polystyrene which is expanded during the process by heating the same within the mold cavity. The insert is used to reinforce a structural member by placing it in the structural member prior to a thermal paint curing operation.

Abstract: A radial saw blade is formed of a flat disc having peripheral edge including circular peripheral portions and recessed stepped peripheral portions. The peripheral edge includes spaced apart, radially inwardly extending notches. Each notch has a flat, plate-like insert brazed to an L-shaped seat in the notch facing the direction of rotation. Each insert has cutting edges formed on side edges of the inserts which extend axially from both sides of the disc and on a crown edge extending radially from the peripheral edge of the disc. The side and crown edges each have beveled surfaces extending away from the direction of rotation to define a relief angle. A first set of the notches are positioned about the circular peripheral portion of the peripheral edge. The inserts in the first set of notches make the primary cut in both linear and non-linear passes.