Abstract: A towing assembly includes a mounting member fixed to the frame of a towing vehicle. The mounting member includes two support bars in spaced relation that are fixed perpendicularly to two cross bars that are in turn fixed to the frame of the towing vehicle. Both the support bars and the cross bars take the form of angle irons, with the horizontal legs of the support bars fixed to the horizontal legs of the cross bars. A motion assembly is coupled to the vertical legs of the support bars. The motion assembly comprises a first vertical tube coupled to the support bars and a second vertical tube associated with the first vertical tube for uniform vertical translation. A pair of roller assemblies facilitate the uniform vertical translation of the second tube. The roller assemblies are offset from one another both in a vertical plane and a horizontal plane. A horizontal tube is coupled to the second vertical tube and vertically translates therewith.

Abstract: A mounting bracket includes a cover plate, a back plate and a deflecting strip depending from the back plate. The deflecting strip directs water cascading down along the back plate away from the wall of the building structure. The bracket further includes a connecting projection formed on the cover plate and a receiving socket formed on the back plate. When mated with each other, the projection and socket allow the cover plate to be positioned in any one of an infinite number of positions, within the connection range, relative to the back plate. The connecting projection and receiving socket are each formed in a position on its supporting component that is laterally offset from a center line bisecting the component. This design placement allows the connecting projection and the receiving socket to be matingly aligned when the cover plate and back plate are brought together for assembly in a working mode.

Abstract: A combination level has a rectangular housing and liquid-filled vials each having an entrained gas bubble to indicate horizontal level and vertical plumb at a local location. A scope element is incorporated within the housing and utilized to ascertain level at a remote location. A lens system within the scope element allows the user to focus the image and cooperates with the horizontally disposed vial to indicate level at a distance. Alternatively, a sighting bead is incorporated into a sighting groove on the top of the housing to viewably align an object at a distance. A flip-out mirror assembly associated with a horizontally disposed vial allows the user to evaluate the horizontal level at a remote location through cooperation with the sighting bead. A recess with fixed bearings allows the housing to be mounted on a makeshift stand.

Abstract: A foldable rake implement includes an elongated handle having a proximal end to be grasped by the user and a distal end. An articulated frame structure is attached to the handle at the distal end. The articulated frame structure includes a central axis of articulation dividing the frame structure into two mirror-image first and second frame halves. The axis of articulation is coaxial with the handle and defines an axis about which the articulated frame structure moves between an unfolded position whereat the first and second frame halves of the frame structure symmetrically project outwardly to opposite lateral sides of the handle and a folded position whereat the first and second frame halves are moved toward each other and into generally mutual overlaying relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting an item into a closed container includes a body and an implement for forming an entrance point into a surface of the closed container. The implement takes the form of a blade member, or a rotary member having saw-teeth or cutting abrasive on a leading edge thereof. A delivery passage is associated with the implement so the item may be delivered therethrough into the hole formed in the wall of the container by the implement. The apparatus has a stacked magazine feed. Alternatively, the items are fed on a carrier web and punched or severed from the carrier web to be placed in position for delivery. The item is forced through the delivery passage with a ram member that is driven by air pressure or a solenoid. For containers that have a pre-formed slit or opening, the apparatus has a projection that slides into the opening.

Abstract: A foldable rake implement (commonly referred to as a garden or lawn rake) suitable for smoothing the ground or gathering debris, such as leaves and grass clippings from the ground. The rake includes an elongated, preferably cylindrical, rod handle having a proximal end to be grasped by the user and a distal end. An articulated frame structure is attached to the rod handle proximate the distal end. The articulated frame has axes of articulation defining folding axes parallel to the rake rod handle about which the articulated frame articulates or moves between an unfolded position whereat the opposite sides of the articulated frame symmetrically project outwardly to opposite lateral sides of the rod handle and a folded position whereat the opposite sides of the articulated frame are moved toward each other and into generally mutual overlaying relationship. A plurality of spaced-apart tines are mounted to the articulated frame.

Abstract: A bathtub which, when installed in a bathroom, is selectively tiltable between a horizontal position and a tilted position for ease in getting into and out of the bathtub. The tiltable bathtub can be positioned in a conventional bathtub bay of a bathroom without significant modification to the bathtub bay.

Abstract: A gravity conveyor system is disclosed including a device for actively stopping the rotation of the conveyor rollers following disengagement with a conveyed article after it passes thereover and in advance of a next succeeding article. This allows each article to accelerate an engaged roller from a rest position so that precise transport control is effected without the use of positive drive mechanisms. Accurate control for throughput and accumulation results from cooperation between brake assemblies associated with each conveyor roller, a sensor assembly and a pneumatic control assembly, each combination of which acts in an operational zone. The rotation of the rollers is preferably stopped as a function of the sensed position of articles along the system.

Abstract: A drive socket for imparting torque loads to a fastener element includes a body with a cavity opening to a distal end for receiving the fastener element. The cavity has protuberances projecting inwardly toward the central axis from the cavity surface to engage the fastener element. The protuberances have a frusto-pyramidal shape and are uniformly spaced circumferentially around and longitudinally along the cavity surface. The protuberances thus form a cross-hatched or knurled pattern. The cavity is tapered to further assist in fastener engagement. The protuberances firmly engage the fastener element at longitudinally intermittent points to apply torque loads and facilitate rotary displacement.

Abstract: A slat sorter comprises a main line conveyor with a transport surface on which pusher elements are mounted. The main conveyor is driven by a bearing chain that cooperates with a sprocket that is in turn driven by an electric motor. The pusher elements are selectively diverted by a divert switch from forward travel in a straight-through mode to diagonal travel across the transport surface in a divert mode to engage and direct articles to a takeaway conveyor. The divert switch comprises a switch arm that is positively actuated to both a home position for straight-through mode and a divert position for divert mode by a brushless torque actuator that generates rotary driving operation, but without linear-to-rotary motion conversion. A crossover switch is provided to guide the pusher elements in the proper diagonal path. A gate is driven to pivot between limit positions by a brushless torque actuator to facilitate unobstructed pusher element travel along the desired diagonal path.

Abstract: A slat sorter comprises a main line conveyor with a transport surface on which pusher elements are mounted. The main conveyor is driven by a bearing chain that cooperates with a sprocket that is in turn driven by an electric motor. The pusher elements are selectively diverted by a divert switch from forward travel in a straight-through mode to diagonal travel across the transport surface in a divert mode to engage and direct articles to a takeaway conveyor. The divert switch comprises a switch arm that is positively actuated to both a home position for straight-through mode and a divert position for divert mode by a rotary solenoid. A mechanical crossover switch is provided to guide the pusher elements in the proper diagonal path. Two one-way, spring biased fingers are pivotable between a rest position and a through guide position. The pusher elements engage and pivot the appropriate guide finger to its though position to facilitate travel by the pusher elements in the divert mode.