Abstract: An improvement for a thermostatic control system of the type in which a heater having two electrical terminals is turned on when a conductive path is established between the two terminals and is turned off when the conductive path is opened, and in which first thermostat is used to open and close the conductive path. The improvement is a series combination of a remotely controlled electrical switch and a second thermostat, the series combination being connected to the heater terminals in parallel with the first thermostat. The second thermostat is normally set to a temperature greater than the temperature to which the first thermostat is set. The first thermostat controls the heater to standby temperature until a signal is applied to the remotely controlled electrical switch. Upon receipt of a predetermined signal, control is passed to the second thermostat which thereafter maintains a higher temperature.

Abstract: A separation device comprising a tank in which a plate separator assembly is positioned at an angle in respect to the horizontal plane. The tank is subdivided into a supply chamber and a discharge chamber by means of a transverse partition joining the oblique upper wall of the plate assembly near its lower edge. The partition and upper wall of the plate assembly define a triangular space, the supply for the liquid to be treated in the device opening into this space near its lowest point. A plurality of substantially vertical plates is arranged in this triangular space and defines a plurality of passages for the liquid flowing from the supply to the intake end of the separator plate assembly. The vertical plates bring about a transverse velocity gradient in the liquid flowing in these passages, causing coalescence of the particles suspended in the liquid.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a continuous sequence of horizontal vectorcardiograms from an ambulatory patient throughout a 24-hour period. A simplified five-electrode ECG lead system is affixed to the patient and the ECG signals are recorded on a portable magnetic tape recorder attached to the patient. Thereafter, the tape is removed from the recorder and taken to a processing station for playback, display, and analysis. The tape is played back at high speed to permit rapid scanning of the tape for anomalies in the vectorcardiograph. Anomalies can then be studied in detail by playing back the tape at a reduced speed. The vectorcardiographs exhibit high correlation with those obtained by use of the more common, but more complex, Frank lead system.

Abstract: A hydraulic positioner for maintaining a given separation between its attachment points and having a bidirectional detenting action whereby the given separation can be altered only by application of a sufficiently large overriding force. A closed cylinder is divided into two closed fluid-filled chambers by a slidable piston. Motion of the piston requires transfer of fluid between the chambers. The transfer flow is determined by preloaded check valves in the transfer flow path. The check valves are preloaded in opposite directions to achieve the bidirectional detenting action. A reservoir supplies fluid under a small positive pressure to one of the closed fluid-filled chambers to replace fluid lost through leakage.

Abstract: The vehicle locking apparatus is used in a vehicle having a motor compartment, a motor therein, a hood for the compartment and a starting system for the motor. A safe compartment is positioned within the passenger compartment, and includes a lockable door. A switch within the safe disconnects the starting system from the motor when the door is closed. A hood lock has an actuator within the safe which is positioned to lock the hood when the door is closed. The safe compartment has an outer shell of heavy gauge metal interconnected with an inner shell of heavy gauge metal. The door is locked by a locking cam which is received in a slot on the inner shell and a slot on an inwardly extending projection of the door. When the door is closed the motor cannot be started and the hood is locked. The slots provide a double locking action making it difficult to force the door open when the safe compartment is locked.

Abstract: An externally screw threaded fastener body is bored longitudinally to form a bore having a reduced inner axial portion and an outer axial portion of enlarged diameter and a noncircular mandrel is forced into the bore to expand the reduced inner portion thereof and thereby form at least one radially outwardly protruding lobe for local increase in the pitch diameter of the external screw thread. The fastener body may then again be drilled longitudinally, the final result being a fastener, at least a portion of which is tubular with a relatively thin resilient circumferential wall having at least one radially outward lobe.

Abstract: A quick disconnect dual stud type of track tie-down fitting for use with a track having slots and lips includes an insert having a generally U-shaped body and including spaced integral legs arranged in parallel alignment. Cooperating with the insert is a retainer having apertures therein which receive the legs of the insert, the ends of the legs carrying studs which pass through the slots of the track and which can engage the lips of the track. Carried by the retainer and located between the studs is a locking nub which secures the tie-down fitting in the track by being received within a slot thereof while the studs are engaged with lips of the track adjacent to the slot. The retainer is biased into the locking position by springs cooperating with the legs of the insert to urge the retainer into the locking position. By forming the insert as an integral U-shaped member, the cost of the unit is substantially reduced while the overall-structure is vastly simplified.

Abstract: A multi-speed ECG magnetic tape scanning device for processing and observing in a relatively short interval of time large quantities of ECG signals from two pairs of ECG leads. The ECG information is recorded on a miniature recorder which the patient carries to record the information for a long period of time, such as 24 hours. The recorder includes a built-in clock with a visible display. The recorder also includes an event marker, which is activated by the patient when the patient experiences an event. The play-back of the ECG information is in real time or at multiple high speed play-back speeds of 30, 60 and 120 times real time. During play-back at high speed, a multi-speed multi-channel paper writer reproduces analog trend data, digital printed data and event marking. The trend information is usually heart rate and ST segment level, so as to produce a scanning of an entire 24 hour information tape in as short a period as 12 minutes.

Abstract: A single article vending machine having a chamber for storing a plurality of articles in stacked relation and an opening which provide an adjustable opening in communication with the articles. An adjustment mechanism is provided to adjust the opening to a dimension which corresponds with the thickness of one of the articles and locking assemblies are provided to lock the opening. The locking assemblies to lock the adjustable opening include a plurality of locking members which are movable into the opening to block the opening. An actuating assembly is provided to move the locking members out of the opening such that the opening is unlocked to permit the withdrawal of one article through the opening. Stop members which are actuatable by the movement of one of the articles through the opening function to move the locking members into the opening as the article is moved through the opening.

Abstract: A compound separation device including at least two separators each comprising a plurality of inclined separation passages defined between inclined corrugated plates or the like, connecting means being provided to interconnect said separators selectively in series or in parallel.

Abstract: A coin sorting and access control mechanism for a vending machine comprising a central wall member having chute-forming members pivotally mounted on either side thereof and biased toward the central wall. Each chute is provided, at the upper portion thereof, with a funnel located so as to receive coins inserted through a slotted coin plate by a consumer wishing to gain access to the product being vended. The coin mechanism includes a funnel having multiple-apertured coin contacting surfaces which lead to coin transfer chutes. The coin transfer chutes, and the central wall therebetween, are provided with elongated slots extending therealong. The chute walls are also provided with surfaces which minimize coin surface area contact. Thus, the funnels, slots, and coin contacting surfaces minimize any surface tension which might arise in moisture between the mechanism and coins inserted into the machine.

Abstract: For obtaining coalescence of particles suspended in a carrier liquid, a plurality of relatively small bodies are circulated in a closed cycle together with a part of the suspension, and in the narrower interspaces between said bodies and on the surfaces thereof the probability of particles meeting one another is increased. Carrier liquid with suspended coalesced particles is continuously withdrawn from the closed cycle, and fresh liquid is continuously introduced therein, the circulating movement of the bodies being maintained either by the kinetic energy of the introduced liquid or by injecting an auxiliary driving medium into the liquid flow.

Abstract: A cage comprising one or more wire grids for supporting corrugated plates in a device for treating suspensions.

Abstract: An housing for protecting a coin sorting and control mechanism and a coin storage box for use with a vending machine, such as a newspaper stand. The housing comprises a body in which a coin sorting and control mechanism may be mounted, and into which a vending machine door latch may move for cooperation with the control mechanism to lock the door in the closed position until coinage of a preselected value is inserted into the housing. A coin return chute is in the body to return rejected coins and foreign matter to the consumer. Proper coinage will fall through a funnel and past a baffle system into a coin storage box. The body is a five-sided structure enclosed by a cover which fits closely over its top. The cover encloses the sixth side of the body. The cover and body are provided with heavy steel flanges through which a padlock can be passed to lock them together.

Abstract: An apparatus for bringing about coalescence of particles suspended in a liquid by means of a transverse velocity gradient in the liquid flow in a substantially vertical duct caused by friction against the walls defining said duct, the latter being formed by one or more tube or hose sections, consecutive sections being interconnected by bends, and the cross-section of said duct increasing either gradually or step-wise from the inlet towards the outlet end of said duct.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a self-locking patch type fastener which includes carrier means for moving a plurality of threaded metal fasteners along an arcuate path, clamping means associated with the carrier means to clamp the fasteners to the carrier means, movable resin transfer means having a fastener contact surface, and the transfer means being positioned to move the contact surface into contact with the fastener as the fastener is moved in an arcuate path past the transfer means. The speed and direction of movement of the contact surface relative to the carrier means during contact between the contact surface and the fastener is such as to provide an even transfer of resin from the contact surface to deposit a plastic patch thereon. Unclamping means are positioned with respect to the carrier means to unclamp the threaded fasteners after deposit of the plastic patch thereon and conveyor means then convey the fasteners away from the carrier means.

Abstract: A low profile, low center of gravity walking aid cane construction with a central support member having its lower end rigidly connected to four legs. The four legs each have a body portion and a foot portion with the body portions positioned generally transverse to the support member and with the foot portions of the legs depending downwardly from the outer ends of the body portions for contact with a supporting surface. The extremities of the foot portions lie in a plane that is generally transverse to the support member and the extremities are positioned generally at the corners of a rectangle within this plane. The inner legs which terminate at the inner corners of the rectangle are shorter than the legs which terminate at the outer corners and support means provide support for supported lengths of the body portions of the legs. The support means is shaped and positioned to provide unsupported lengths of the body portions of the legs which have a substantially equal resistance to bending forces.

Abstract: A device for filtering the smoke commonly associated with cigarettes and cigars includes an ashtray which supports a shroud for confining the smoke. The shroud in turn supports a motorized fan which creates a flow of air to carry the smoke through a filter. A motor for driving the fan is removed from the flow of air to prevent contamination of the motor by the smoke fumes. An elongated filter and a cylindrical filter are both provided with cartridge configurations to facilitate the removal and replacement of the filters. An absorbent material is impregnated with a perfume to enhance the fragrance of the flow of air through the device.

Abstract: For the production of screw fasteners with plastic patches thereon, the fasteners are preheated to a high temperature. Each heated fastener pauses at a processing station where a predetermined increment of a plastic strip is severed and dropped onto the hot fastener and as the plastic melts a pressure shoe forms the plastic to the curved cross-sectional configuration of the fastener. The fasteners are then quenched. For high production a number of the fasteners are processed simultaneously on each of the repeated cycles of operation. The apparatus is readily adjustable to handle fasteners of different sizes.