Abstract: A pump, characterized by flexible tubes which are cyclically expanded and contracted to cause fluid to be pumped, comprises a pair of liquid filled cylinders each containing a flexible tube connected to inlet and outlet valves, a liquid filled control cylinder communicating at its opposite ends with respective ones of said pump cylinders, and a piston reciprocable in said control cylinder for alternately transferring fluid to and from said pump cylinders for alternately and cyclically expanding and contracting said tubes to cause fluid to be pumped in a double acting pump action. The pump is especially well suited for pumping abrasive and corrosive slurries, heavily pigmented and/or metal filled coating materials and the like. The pump is characterized by improved piston means, improved sealing and retaining means for both the piston and the tubes, and means for detecting leakage across the piston, whereby to increase pump reliability and longevity of service, and to monitor internal pump conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for edging the periphery of an article, such as an ophthalmic lens to a predetermined outline or edge configuration, is characterized by a work holder for supporting and rotating a lens while moving an edge of the lens against a cylindrical grinding wheel. During grinding, the lens is engaged with only a portion of the grinding wheel, and to prevent a groove from being formed in the wheel successive lenses are automatically and periodically engaged with different portions of the wheel. In consequence, the wheel wears evenly, it retains a substantially cylindrical shape, all portions of its grinding surface are effectively used in grinding lenses, and the formation of a groove in its surface is prevented, whereby the wheel does not require retruing or reshaping and its useful life is significantly increased.

Abstract: An improved echo suppressor for use at intermediate points in a telephone transmission facility, whereat both speech signals and single frequency signaling tones may simultaneously be present, provides voice-switched echo control without affecting network signaling. In one mode of operation, during periods of critical signaling tone transmission and while high level or augmented tone is present, such as during dial pulsing, the echo suppressor is automatically disabled and completely transparent to the tone, whereby the signaling tone may pass therethrough completely without distortion. In another mode of operation, during periods of continuous low level signaling tone, the tone is blocked from an attenuation control portion of the echo suppressor and is reinserted into the transmission facility thereafter, irrespective of the presence or absence of speech energy in the facility.

Abstract: A device for aligning and clamping in position a pair of plates in side by side coplanar relationship, with adjacent edges of the plates closely spaced from one another, in order that the plates may be joined along their edges, is characterized by a lower plate clamp extendable through the space between adjacent edges of the plates and under the plates into engagement with lower surfaces thereof for aligning the lower surfaces in coplanar relationship, and an upper plate clamp movable into engagement with upper surfaces of the plates for gripping the plates between the clamps. When held by the device the plates are in position to be joined along their edges, whereafter the device may be removed from the plates through the space therebetween.

Abstract: A device for holding a pair of metal pipes, in order that the pipes may be joined end to end, clamps the pipes in coaxial relationship with adjacent ends thereof in close proximity with one another. The device is adjustable to accommodate pipes of differing outer diameters, and holds the pipes in aligned relationship for initially being joined at one or more points around their juncture. After the pipes have initially been joined, the device is then removable from the pipes to permit the same to be joined completely around their juncture.

Abstract: An improved paint spray gun assembly of the syphon type having a vented paint supply container, is characterized by a conduit connectable either between the container vent and a compressed air inlet to the gun, or between the vent and a fitting remote therefrom and open to atmosphere. With either connection, the conduit prevents dripping of paint from the vent upon manipulation of the gun by an operator, and with the connection of the vent with the compressed air a positive pressure is generated within the container to increase the paint flow rate from the gun.

Abstract: An improved paint spray gun assembly of the syphon type having a vented paint supply container, is characterized by a conduit connectable either between the container vent and a compressed air inlet to the gun, or between the vent and a fitting remote therefrom and open to atmosphere. With either connection, the conduit prevents dripping of paint from the vent upon manipulation of the gun by an operator, and with the connection of the vent with the compressed air a positive pressure is generated within the container to increase the paint flow rate from the gun.

Abstract: A portable washer of lightweight and economical construction is characterized by a body portion having a handle for being held by a user thereof. The body is connectable with a supply of water, and a flexible conduit at an end of the body supports a brush for scrubbing articles such as dishes and the like, and enables the brush to be variously positioned to contact all surfaces of an article being cleaned, irrespective of the configuration of the article. A compartment within the body stores a supply of soap, and a valve on the body is operable by a user of the washer to control both a flow of water through the body and from the brush and introduction of soap into the water, whereby either a soapy washing solution or clear rinse water may be applied to the article being cleansed.

Abstract: A dispenser for sheet material having stations for primary and reserve rolls of the material is characterized by improved mechanisms for transferring feed of the sheet material from the primary roll to the reserve roll upon complete exhaustion of the primary roll.In the disclosed embodiments the dispenser is a roll paper towel dispensing cabinet, and a feed mechanism initially receives and delivers paper from the primary roll to the exterior of the cabinet. The transfer mechanism senses the presence of the primary roll web at the feed mechanism and, irrespective of the tension of the web between the feed mechanism and the roll, automatically transfers the beginning of the web of the reserve roll to the feed mechanism only upon movement of the very end of the primary roll web past the feed mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a battery grid is characterized by a molding die for molding a lead conductor with a plastics frame. The die has runners or channels defining the grid structure, and valves are positioned at the intersections of the channels for the lead conductor and the channels for the plastics frame. The valves are actuable to selectively block the channels for the plastics frame from the channels for the conductor. In the use of the die to form a battery grid, with the valves actuated to block the channels for plastics from the channels for lead, molten lead is injected into the channels therefor and is confined therein to form the conductor. The valves are then actuated to unblock the channels for plastics and hardenable plastics are injected therein to form the plastics frame, with the frame being molded around the conductor at intersections therewith.

Abstract: A sailboat swivel base for supporting a block and a rotatable arm includes a central rotatable post for supporting the block and a separate annular bearing system, located axially outwardly of the post, for rotatably supporting the arm against bending movements that would otherwise cause distortion, undue wear, and sloppiness in the base. The separate bearing system comprises annular sets of rotary bearings in the base that confine and support opposite sides of the end of the arm, the bearing sets being carried in annular recesses between the arm and the base.

Abstract: A circuit for generating an indication in response to the occurrence of a predetermined condition is characterized by means for detecting the occurrence of the condition and for generating the indication after the condition has existed for a selected time. In a preferred embodiment of the circuit, the condition to be detected is a warning signal preceding a radio broadcast of a severe weather report, and the circuit includes an input stage for receiving the signal and for generating a control voltage which increases in value with increasing duration of the signal. The control voltage is applied to an input to a multivibrator, and after a first period of time increases to a value sufficient to place the multivibrator in an oscillating state.

Abstract: A traveling paint spray booth is movable on rails beneath a stationary exhaust duct extending longitudinally of the rails. The bottom of the stationary duct is formed by a plurality of dampers pivotable to open and closed position on a hinge having its axis extending longitudinally in the duct and protected by an air deflector. The booth is provided with damper openers which engage the body portion of successive dampers to open them as the booth passes therebeneath.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus is characterized by a housing having a bore extending therethrough, which is supported with one end of the bore communicating with the interior of a liquid containing vessel and with an opposite end of the bore being outside of the vessel. A plunger or cylinder rod is positioned in the bore and has an annular recess intermediate its ends of a length longitudinally of the plunger which is less than the length of the bore. A pneumatic cylinder is connected with the plunger at the opposite end of the bore for reciprocating the plunger in the bore to project the recess into the vessel to receive a sample of liquid therein, and to then move the recess from the vessel and to an intermediate point in the bore whereat a housing outlet port receives the sample.

Abstract: Apparatus for supervising the energy level of a battery is characterized by circuitry for periodically loading the battery, monitoring the change in voltage across the battery from the condition prior to loading to during loading, and generating a signal whenever the change in voltage is at least equal to a predetermined magnitude. In one embodiment the apparatus is used with a fire detector powered by the battery, and the signal operates an alarm to indicate impending battery failure.

Abstract: A normally closed valve is characterized by an integral valve body forming a fluid passage between an inlet thereto and an outlet therefrom, and a flow barrier within the passage integrally joined with the body to hermetically seal the passage. The barrier is movable or rupturable by a fluid coupler, inserted into the outlet end of the passage, to open the passage between the inlet thereto and the coupler.Preferably, the valve is economically formed of a plastic material, such as polyethylene, and connects at its outlet with a fluid coupler having a normally closed, movable seal at its inlet. In the use of the valve, upon movement of the inlet end of the coupler into the outlet end of the passage, the valve passage forms a fluid seal therewith prior to engagement of the barrier thereby.

Abstract: An improved a.c. voltage powered warning device for detecting the occurrence of predetermined phenomena, is characterized by battery backup for providing power to the device in the event of interruption of the a.c. voltage. In the disclosed embodiments the warning device is a fire detector having circuitry for supervising the energy level of the backup battery and for providing a warning upon the energy level decreasing to a predetermined value, and for testing a combustion detecting and alarm generating portion of the detector.

Abstract: An improved warning device having a sensor responsive to predetermined phenomena to generate a signal which changes in value upon the presence of the phenomena, and means for comparing the signal with a reference potential and for generating an indication upon a predetermined difference therebetween, is characterized by integrated circuit components which may economically be manufactured and assembled, and which maintain substantially constant the sensitivity of the device to the phenomena despite changes in the level of power supplied thereto. Where the warning device is a battery powered fire detector, the phenomena to be sensed is products of combustion, circuitry supervises the power level of the battery, and means are provided for readily testing the entire combustion detecting and indication generating portion of the detector, whereby a user of the detector may be assured of proper operation of the detector in response to combustion.

Abstract: Oleaginous protein is first converted to acid soluble polypeptides by hydrolysis with a proteolytic enzyme. The hydrolyzate is then acylated to produce an acid soluble protein concentrate having a bland flavor and substantially no objectionable odor.

Abstract: A sampler for obtaining small samples of material from a flow of bulk material as it is transported past a sampling station, is characterized by a sample collecting scoop which is rotated in an arcuate path through the material about an axis inclined at an angle with respect to the major plane of the material. The scoop moves through the material generally in the direction of material flow and at a speed slightly greater than that of the flow, and by virtue of its inclined axis of rotation has components of motion therein both vertically and transversely of the material. In consequence, even if the material is segregated the sample obtained by the scoop is a true representation of the material. After leaving the material, the scoop is then rotated to a sample collection point above and transversely to the side of the material, whereat the sample is deposited in a container.