Abstract: An article carrier for mounting on a substantially flat exterior surface of a motor vehicle. The article carrier has two slat assemblies fixedly secured to the motor vehicle surface in a spaced apart, parallel relationship. Each slat assembly has at least one longitudinal rib. At least two pairs of brackets are provided, two brackets being removably and slidably fastened to the rib of each of the slat assemblies. A locking mechanism depending from the bracket is provided for securing the bracket in a fixed position along the slat assembly by clamping the rib between the bracket and a clamping member. One rail is supported by each pair of brackets to extend transversely therebetween above the surface.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a temperature responsive servo-mechanism adapted to combine hot and cold water under pressure to produce a constant preselected temperature of water at an outlet.The valve assembly comprises a housing having a valving cavity, a hot water inlet leading to the valving cavity, a cold water inlet leading to the valving cavity, and a mixed water outlet passageway leading from the valving cavity. A valve member translates in the valving cavity and divides the cavity into two auxiliary chambers. A passageway through the valve member allows fluid to flow from each of the inlets to the outlet passageway at a rate that varies as the valve member translates. Passageways in the valve member permit a portion of the mixed water to flow into the auxiliary chambers. An auxiliary passageway is provided between each of the auxiliary chambers and the outlet passageway. A temperature responsive element is provided within the outlet passageway.

Abstract: A valve assembly has a first ceramic valve member having a flat valving surface. An aperture open to the valving surface is provided through the valve member. The valve assembly further has a tubular valve member having an aperture therethrough, and an annular valving surface adjacent to the valving surface of the other valve member. The apertures through the respective valve members are moved into and out of registry with each other by relative movement therebetween. Preferably, a valve body is provided having a large bore accepting the first valve member and a small bore accepting the tubular valve member. The apertures are movable into and out of registry by rotation of the first valve member within the large bore.

Abstract: An article carrier for mounting on a substantially flat surface of a motor vehicle. The article carrier has two parallel slats fixedly secured to the motor vehicle surface in a spaced apart and parallel relationship. Each slat has at least one longitudinal rib. At least one pair of brackets is provided, one of the brackets being fastened to the rib of each of the slats. A locking mechanism depending from the bracket is provided for securing the bracket in a fixed position along the slat by clamping the rib between the bracket and a clamping member. At least one transverse rail is provided, each end of the transverse rail being fastened to one of the brackets.

Abstract: A vent assembly adapted for venting into the atmosphere hot burner exhaust gases from the flue exhaust port of a heating appliance within an enclosure, such assembly including an exhaust duct and a relief duct. The exhaust duct is connected at one end to said flue exhaust port and is opened at its other end to the ambient atmosphere outside of the enclosure. A selectively responsive closure device, such as a thermally controlled damper, is disposed within the exhaust duct. The relief duct is connected to the exhaust duct at a point along the flow of exhaust gases upstream of the closure device and has a relief aperture disposed at a height between that of the exhaust port and that of the burner.

Abstract: A quiet water closet rim and a method for venting air from a rim cavity of a water closet. The rim has a horizontally oriented annular cavity and is selectively supplied with pressurized water by a flush mechanism. A series of perforations in the rim permits the pressurized water within the rim cavity to exit the rim in the form of a spray. The rim is also provided with a vent passageway having an inlet open into an upper portion of the cavity and an outlet open into the atmosphere. As pressurized water fills the cavity, a portion of the air within the upper portion of the cavity is vented through the vent passageway.

Abstract: A faucet for controlling the rate of discharge of a fluid under pressure. The faucet has a housing having a passageway therethrough with an inlet port coupled to a fluid supply line. The passageway further has an outlet port open to the ambient atmosphere. A valve seat is formed intermediate the inlet port and the outlet port. A slideway is provided in the housing adjacent to the seat. A flat cantilever spring has one of its ends secured to said housing, the other of its ends overlying said seat, and its intermediate portion disposed within the slideway. A movable element is disposed within the slideway and engages one surface of the spring. The movable element is selectively movable within the slideway along the surface of the spring to regulate the rate of discharge of fluid by varying the distance between the end of the spring and the seat.

Abstract: A retaining device suitable for removably interconnecting a battery with the housing of an electrical apparatus. The retaining device has a bracket connected to the housing. The bracket is provided with two stanchions adapted to receive the battery in a battery retention channel therebetween. A small latching channel facing outside of the battery retention channel is formed on one of the stanchions. A clamp having a latch is pivotably connected to the bracket at a location near the other of the stanchions. The assembly is operated by inserting a battery in the battery retention channel, pivoting the clamp until the latch is near the latching channel, and temporarily elastically deflecting the clamp until the latch can be engaged with the latching channel.

Abstract: An emergency stop mechanism for a lifting device capable of moving a load along a predetermined path against and with the force of gravity using a winch-operated primary cable, and wherein the primary cable accomplishes a lifting function by pulling the load in the direction of increased potential energy. The emergency stop mechanism comprises a secondary cable suspended stationary and parallel to the path of movement of the load. A braking device fastened to the load is actuated by a decrease in tension in the primary cable below a predetermined minimum amount of tension and responds to such decrease by gripping the secondary cable.

Abstract: An enclosed article carrier for mounting to an exterior surface of a motor vehicle. The article carrier has a pair of open hollow shells. One of the shells is fastened by a removable fastener to the surface of the motor vehicle. The removable fastener preferably is a quick-release fastener requiring simultaneous application of a rotational force and a force normal to the axis of application of the rotational force for engagement and disengagement. The second of the shells is preferably hinged to the first shell and swings over the lower shell to form an enclosed storage compartment. The second shell may be disengaged from the first shell, rotated one hundred and eighty degrees, and nested within the first shell to form an open article carrier.