Abstract: A mixing valve having a mixing passage formed by a tapered concentric reduction member for forming a venturi, a pair of baffles supporting the reducing member to form a mixing chamber where liquid from secondary inputs is metered by the venturi into an axial flow of liquid. The mixing valve is particularly adapted for use with a method of hydrating concentrated polymer and mixing in recycled polymer from an eductor. The method includes passing water through a venturi, metering a flow of neat polymer and a flow of recycled polymer from the eductor into the mixing chamber by the venturi effect.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided to reciprocate an element with a motor rotating in one direction to produce forward and reverse motion by a drive wheel in contact with the obverse and reverse faces of the element. The element can take various forms such as a sliding door covering a vanity mirror in a vehicular sun visor, a sliding drawer or a pivoting door.

Abstract: An improved universally actuable robot assembly including a pedestal support base and a body which is swivelably mounted and rotatably driven around the base. A main support arm extends substantially horizontally from the body at a generally centralized location and terminates in a first universally swivelable member which is mounted to a first face of a vertically orientated intermediate plate member. A selected number of linearly actuable driving arms extend from the body in parallel fashion relative to the main support arm and at preselected spaced apart distances. The driving arms each include a linearly actuable cylinder for adjusting an overall length of an associated driving arm. A linearly extending engaging member is secured to and extends from a second face of the intermediate plate member and the plate member is responsive to manipulative motion of the driving arms in a universal manner about a pivot point established by the main support arm to universally position the engaging member.

Abstract: A cable holder is disclosed for use in conjunction with a boat having a deck handrail and at least one support rail extending downwardly from and supporting the handrail. A cable holder includes an elongated body having a first and second end. A first hook is formed on the first end of the body which is dimensioned to fit over and be secured to the top rail of the boat. A second hook is formed on the second or opposite end of the body and is dimensioned to receive and support electrical cables of the type commonly used to electrically power boats when they are docked. A third hook is secured to a midpoint of the body and is dimensioned to releasably lock onto the support rail of the boat to prevent dislodgement of the cable holder from the boat rail. A fourth hook is optionally secured to the body to carry still further electrical lines, such as telephone lines and television cables.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for forming metal tubing and, more particularly, brake tubing. The system includes a mill for rolling a metal strip into a tube so that at least a portion of the strip overlaps itself. The strip is then brazed so that the overlapping portions of the strip fuse together and form the tube. Thereafter, the tube passes through a cooling tunnel which cools the tube to a temperature such that the tube can be coated with a corrosion resistant material, such as a zinc based material. An inert gas, such as argon, and/or a reducing gas, such as hydrogen, is introduced into the cooling tunnel to prevent or remove oxidation of the tubing as it passes through the cooling tunnel.

Abstract: A threaded tamper indicating closure-container package provides an indication of initial opening by how far the closure threads onto the container neck. In the original package condition the bottom of the closure skirt is adjacent a shoulder on the container. After the package has been initially opened and the closure reapplied, the bottom of the closure skirt is noticeably above the container shoulder. A word message such as "opened" can also be exposed on the container neck between the shoulder and the bottom of the closure skirt when the closure is reapplied.

Abstract: An air freshener assembly is disclosed comprising a rigid housing having an interior cavity, an exterior surface having a substantially planar portion and also having a plurality of apertures formed in the substantially planar exterior surface of the rigid housing. An insert containing a volatile fragrant material is disposed within the interior cavity of the rigid housing. A substantially rigid cover member having an upper decorative surface is attached to the substantially planar exterior surface of the rigid housing such that the cover member is supported substantially parallel to and spaced from the housing surface to permit volatilized aromatic gas emitted from the apertures to mix with ambient air.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machining apparatus is disclosed having a frame with a base and a vertical support secured to and extending upwardly from the base. A tank adapted to contain an electrolytic liquid is secured to the vertical support by an adjustment mechanism which enables the vertical position of the tank to be varied. A work holder is optionally pivotally secured to the top of the vertical support and movable between a work position in which the work support and work are aligned with the tank and an inspection position in which the work holder is laterally spaced from the tank. Electrical discharge electrodes are contained within the tank while a servo motor vertically moves the work support with its attached work against the electrodes to perform the machining operation. The electrical discharge apparatus is particularly suited for dental prosthesis applications.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus for atomizing fluid in a gas flow. The apparatus has a nozzle which fluidly communicates with a source of liquid, and a gas passage which surrounds the nozzle. The nozzle is formed such that it directs the liquid into the surrounding passage as a continuous, radial emanating sheet. The gas flowing through the passage impacts with the liquid sheet to produce a uniform cloud of atomized liquid droplets downstream of the nozzle. The apparatus may further have a reduced cross-sectional area of the passage in the vicinity of the nozzle to increase the gas velocity and enhance the atomization of the fluid. The nozzle may have a valve arrangement to selectively open and close the nozzle, and the passage may have a valve arrangement. A swirl mixing of the atomized liquid and gas may be provided downstream of the impact atomization of the fluid sheet in the passage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a diet earring for stimulating acupuncture points located on the human tragus used in a simple procedure to eliminate disadvantages of the conventional needle puncture process. The earring has a pressing member 1 and a retaining member 2 for engaging the outer surface and the opposite surface of the tragus 9, respectively, and a connecting member 3 provided with an appropriate resilient urging spring for connecting the above-mentioned members, thereby the earring being retained on the both surfaces of the tragus with a suitable pressure with the tragus interposed between the pressing and retaining members.

Abstract: This is a top-lifting rotary loader and system for cargo containers and is especially suited for loading and unloading double-stacking container well cars and single level railway cars, semitrailers, etc. This loader has a vertical pivot post about which turns a parallelogram linkage connecting a mast vertically supported on one or more wheels to revolve about the post and a second parallelogram linkage extending from the mast out to support a depending parallelepiped linkage frame pivotally supporting a loadspreader having depending aligning columns adjustable to align transversely both a railway and a highway vehicle, and cylinder or cam track means for lifting or lowering the the second parallelogram linkage arms to transfer a load. The loader can be automated to various degrees with cam tracks.

Abstract: A device helps prevent contamination from reaching the inner workings of a computer trackball assembly, thereby prolonging intervals between maintenance. A circular ring attaches to the exposed surface of the panel through which the trackball protrudes for use, preferably to the retaining ring typically used to hold the ball in place. In cooperation with this ring, means are provided for preventing contamination from migrating below the panel surrounding the ball, thereby helping to keep clean the inner workings of the trackball assembly. In one embodiment, the means cooperating with the circular ring includes a second ring of material having an aperture with a diameter dimensionally configured to wipe against the outer surface of the trackball during use. In an alternative embodiment, the means cooperating with the circular ring includes a flexible dome of material entirely covering the externally exposed surface of the trackball.

Abstract: For the purpose of decreasing the tightening torque necessary for a fastening nut in use for conduit coupling, the coupling assembly comprises a gripping member 40 formed as a conical spring member having a central opening formed as a waved circle, a plurality of gripping tabs formed away from each other by an equal angle such as 60.degree. along the inner periphery of the opening, each of the tabs formed as a curve having a curvature convex toward the center of the gripping member, and an end edge 44 of each tab in engagement with the periphery of a conduit with a minimum contact area therebetween.

Abstract: A wireless transmitter associated with a switched electrical connection and a receiver therefor, adapted for connection in an electrical path between the source of power and a load, enables the load to be controlled by the switch originally used to control the switched electrical connection. The communication between the transmitter and receiver may be realized only when power is applied or removed from the switched connection, or, alternatively, this communication may be carried out on a per-cycle basis, enabling a phase-delay type of control over the relocated load, including dimming of the relocated load without requiring modification to a previously installed dimmer switch. The signal radiated by the transmitter may be of acoustic or electromagnetic origin, though IR transmissions are used in the preferred embodiment.

Abstract: A linear actuator is used in an adjustable seat back recliner mechanism to provide infinitely adjustable operation. The actuator rod is maintained in its locked position by the contact of a lower friction surface of the rod with a friction surface on a lower clamp member. Upper clamp members are further seated against an upper surface of the actuator rod. When a sudden force is applied such as in a vehicle collision, an inertial locking element is swung upwardly into contact with the actuator rod to positively lock the actuator rod to the body of the actuator preventing any relative movement.

Abstract: A method of positioning the read/write head onto a desired data track in a multi-track recorder/player utilizes a plurality of registration stripes to find the central axis of a data track. In one embodiment, each registration stripe has associated with it a recorded identification pattern or tone which may be sensed and used for identification purposes. Then, based upon the read amplitude output of the read head, the appropriate edge of a registration stripe may be detected and, from there, the read/write head moved directly onto the desired data track without any subsequent open-loop movement. In an alternative embodiment, multiple edges are sensed and used in a calculation to determine the lateral displacement associated with the longitudinal centerline of a desired data track.

Abstract: A continuous play broadcast system having a central computer with a master digital storage drive(s) containing a plurality of digitized files which represent a master library of musical selections and announcements. A plurality of end user computers are in communication with the central computer and contain respective subset quantities of digitized files which represent remote libraries. Each of the end user computers includes a display means, a digital to audio conversion means and an audio output means. Each end user computer further includes the ability to customize a continuous play output and to send requests to the central computer via the communication link. The central computer further includes an interface/update means and a compression circuit which is capable of updating the digitized audio files in the remote libraries of the end user computers at reduced time over desired intervals.

Abstract: A fastener clip assembly for securing in a non-rotative fashion a first material to a second material includes a substantially planar and polygonal shaped base member and a plurality of four engaging members. The engaging members extend substantially upwardly from associated sides of the base. A laterally projecting angled tab portion extends from each engaging member to a next succeeding engaging member and both the angled tab portions and engaging member faces are provided with aligning apertured portions. Seating portions extend from the engaging members and secure the extending tab portions with their associated engaging member so that, in combination, the fastener clip exhibits an outwardly directed and resilient bias. The engaging members of the clip are resiliently biased so as to insert through a central opening in the second material and to locking engage the second material in a non-rotative fashion.

Abstract: A child-resistant closure and container package having push tabs formed in the closure to prevent rotation relative to the container until the push tabs are deflected radially inwardly to disengage from lock members on the container to permit unthreading rotation of the closure relative to the container. Simultaneous squeezing of the push tabs and rotation of the closure permit removal of the closure from the container. Also, a tamper indicating feature is associated with the push tabs.