Abstract: An apparatus which is attachable to and operable for unlocking existing, adjustable suspension systems. The apparatus comprises: a housing; a securing member for securing the housing on a suspension system actuating member; a spring member positioned in the housing and having a secured first end such that the first end of the spring is prevented from rotating in the housing; and a tensioning member associated with a second end of the spring. The tensioning member includes a tensioning member arm such that, by pivoting the tensioning member arm to a tensioning position with respect to the housing, the second end of the spring rotates with respect to the first end of the spring whereby the spring is tensioned. When the housing of the apparatus is secured on a suspension system actuating member and the tensioning arm is pivoted to its tensioning position, the apparatus will impart a force to the actuating member such that the suspension system locking member(s) is/are thereby urged to move to unlocked position.

Abstract: A multiphase load control system has switches in electrical series within each of several split sources of phase voltage. In each phase of one implementation, two contactor poles are in series between split sections of a secondary winding of a transformer. The contactor poles are part of one or more contactor units, each of which can have a voltage rating significantly less than the phase voltage provided by the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure surge resistant rupture disk assembly adapted to be sealingly clamped across a pressurized fluid containing passageway. The assembly basically comprises first and second rupture members having predetermined rupture pressures and means disposed between the first and second rupture members for providing a space for containing pressurized fluid within the assembly and for supporting the second rupture member against the first rupture member during a momentary pressure surge. The second rupture member faces the pressurized fluid and has at least one opening therein for allowing a restricted pressurized fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: A hydraulic jar device for use in connection to coil tubing which consists of an elongate tube having an upper hammer sub, a kelly cylinder and a hydraulic cylinder with central restrictor. A lower sub connects to the bottom end of the hydraulic cylinder. The sliding interior components are an upper mandrel secured to an anvil sub which, in turn, is fastened to an axial plunger, all of which are slidable down within the elongate tube. A guide means prevents relative rotation between the mandrel and the elongate tube consisting of hammer sub, kelly cylinder, hydraulic cylinder and lower sub. A metering ring retained on the plunger interacts with the central restrictor of the hydraulic cylinder to control force effected up and down jars that occur when the mandrel strikes the hammer sub on the down stroke, and when the anvil sub strikes the hammer sub bottom on the up stroke.

Abstract: A device for storage and display of photographs consisting of a housing with front frame and a spindle containing photo envelopes supported mid-way across the front frame. The spindle is formed in unique manner to carry a large plurality of photo envelopes by heat welding each envelope to the spindle in close spacing. Each envelope contains two photos back-to-back, and rotation, either manually or motor controlled, indexes intermittent display of the successive photos with two photos always in view in the frame.

Abstract: A bed assembly for preventing the occurrence of bed sores on long term patients includes a bed frame which has a structural perimeter framework. An inflatable mattress has a bottom supported on the bed frame. The mattress has a top and a mattress periphery surrounding the top. A covering overlies the top of the inflatable mattress. The covering has a covering periphery. A plurality of tensioning devices are placed about the covering periphery and connected between the covering and the structural perimeter framework for holding the covering taut and smooth over the top of the inflatable mattress, and for holding down the mattress and preventing the mattress periphery from bending upwardly when a patient lies on the inflatable mattress.

Abstract: A device and method for venting a conduit and allowing fluid flow through the vented conduit includes an upstream conduit, downstream conduit, and a support for holding the upstream and downstream conduits with their upstream and downstream passageways aligned and maintaining a gap between the adjacent ends of the conduits. The upstream passageway includes an acceleration nozzle for accelerating the velocity of the fluid flow so that the pressure exerted by the fluid on the walls of the upstream passageway is substantially reduced and the reduced pressure is maintained across the gap. The downstream conduit includes a downstream passageway which maintains the accelerated velocity of the primary fluid and which conducts accelerated fluid to a deceleration nozzle. A plurality of the devices may be connected in series and/or multiple gaps may be created between the conduits using intermediate conduits in order to create multiple gaps.

Abstract: A direct forced draft counterflow cooling tower apparatus is provided with a dual layer drainage collection system. Preferably, the lower layer of collection plates is formed of hollow plates having interiors which receive the warm water collected on the upper layer of plates. This provides a thermal charging or warming of the lower plates so as to prevent icing of the lower layer of plates of the drainage collection system during cold wintertime operating conditions.

Abstract: A modular cooling tower apparatus is formed from a plurality of pultruded fiberglass structural members. Four hollow beams are joined together to form a combined liquid basin and support frame structure. A dual-layer drainage collection system rests upon the hollow beams and collects liquid and drains it into the hollow beams. A five-foot-thick body of fill material rests upon the drainage collection system. The overall height of the assembly from the bottom of the basin to the top of the unit is less than eleven feet thus allowing transportation on conventional trucking equipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure surge resistant rupture disk assembly adapted to be sealingly clamped across a pressurized fluid containing passageway. The assembly basically comprises first and second rupture members having predetermined rupture pressures, the second rupture member facing the pressurized fluid and having a predetermined rupture pressure equal to or lower than the rupture pressure of the first rupture member. At least one opening is provided in the second rupture member for allowing a restricted pressurized fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: An interface for a peer-to-peer communications network, such as a token ring network, uses a master-slave serial communications controller and an adapter to enable the interface to operate in a peer-to-peer mode on the network.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sending, receiving, and displaying textual and/or graphic data via an alphanumeric paging system wherein source data in binary form is converted to an alphanumeric code for transmission via the paging system; a paging receiver with storage capability used in combination with a computer then receives the transmitted data and downloads the alphanumeric code data for reconversion to binary data and subsequent display of the text and/or graphic data.

Abstract: A cooling system, a cooling method utilizing the inventive cooling system, and a chicken product formed using the inventive method. The inventive cooling system comprises: (a) a tunnel-type cooler housing; (b) a first treatment zone provided in the housing for treating articles by injecting carbon dioxide into the first treatment zone toward the articles and by circulating carbon dioxide in the first treatment zone; (c) a second treatment zone provided in the housing for further treating the articles by injecting carbon dioxide into the second treatment zone toward the articles and by circulating carbon dioxide in the second treatment zone; and (d) a conveyor assembly for conveying the articles through the first and second treatment zones. The carbon dioxide injected into the second treatment zone impinges on the articles to a greater degree than does the carbon dioxide injected into the first treatment zone.

Abstract: A wrist support device for alleviating repetition-induced limb soreness and agitation consisting of an adjustable position roller assembly secured adjacent a manipulable control panel for the purpose of supporting the operator's wrists and/or forearms in a natural but operative position. The device uses a slide rod and linear bearings to provide the support element.

Abstract: Methods of producing electrically fusable sleeve connectors for connecting large diameter thermoplastic pipe sections and the sleeve connectors produced by such methods are provided. Methods of sealingly connecting adjacent ends of a pair of large diameter thermoplastic pipe sections by electric fusion are also provided. The methods of producing electrically fusable thermoplastic sleeve connectors broadly include the steps of winding a tape of molten thermoplastic material onto a large diameter core drum whereby adjacent windings are fused and upon being cooled a solid sleeve is formed, embedding an electric resistance heating wire in a surface of the sleeve while the thermoplastic material is still in the molten state and removing the sleeve after cooling with electric resistance heating wire embedded therein from the core drum.

Abstract: An improved portable, large volume cement mixer that includes a self-supporting inclined plane secured atop a wheeled main frame that provides basic structural support without the need for ancillary lifting equipment. The inclined plane is constructed in upper and lower hinged truss beams, upwardly hinged for operation and downwardly hinged for transport. A trolley carrying a cement mixer drum is then movable along the length of the inclined plane during operation, whereupon large batches of cement may be mixed and dispensed into waiting local carriers or trucks.

Abstract: Improved nautical clock apparatus and methods are provided. The nautical clock apparatus is basically comprised of a clock base and a tide state indicator attached to the base. Means are attached to the tide state indicator and to the base for causing the indicator to indicate the tide state based on a time of about 12 hours and 25.235 minutes between high tides and a continuous correction to such time which lengthens and shortens such time on a cycle whereby it is longer during one or more portions of each lunar month and shorter during one or more other portions of each lunar month.

Abstract: Provided are: (a) a poultry carcass processing method; (b) an apparatus which is ideally suited for use in practicing the inventive method; and (c) a poultry product provided by the inventive processing method. The inventive processing method comprises the steps of (a) pivoting a first poultry carcass section (e.g., a forward carcass section) with respect a second carcass section (e.g., a rearward carcass section) such that the outer side of the backbone structure included in the first section is rotated toward the outer side of the portion of the backbone structure included in the second section and (b) with the sections retained in pivoted relationship, pulling one of the sections directionally away from the other section such that a portion of the meat provided on the outer side of the forward portion of the backbone structure is detached therefrom and is retained in attached relationship to the rearward section of the carcass.