Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaning assembly including at least one generally transversely extending cleaning device, engaging, in an operative position, a conveyor belt surface to be cleaned. The cleaning device includes a plurality of wear resistant scraper elements supported by a flexible tension member and resilient spacer coils coupled between the tension member and scraper elements for compressively engaging and yieldably maintaining the scraper elements at separate scraper positions along the tension member. Cable strand damage caused by pinching engagement of the scraper elements in response to deflection movement is reduced by mechanically decoupling the spacer coil end turns with respect to the cable. The scraper elements are mechanically engaged by oversized compression coils and spacer sleeve combinations, with scraper element deflection forces being reacted by axial compression of the spacer coils.

Abstract: A jacking apparatus having a quick release mechanism for disengaging the main shaft of the jack from the jacking gear to allow the main shaft to be selectively raised and lowered as desired without operating the jacking gear. The main shaft has a plurality of teeth disposed thereon in facing relationship with the jacking gear, which is preferably a worm gear mechanism. A stop bar is disposed between the shaft and the jack housing to hold the shaft in alignment with the worm gear mechanism when it is desired to operate the jacking gear. A spring-biased pin member extends through a diagonal slot disposed in the jack housing to engage the stop bar. When it is desired to disengage the shaft teeth from the jacking gear teeth, the user exerts upward pressure on the pin member to move the pin member and stop bar diagonally upward along the axis of the slot, thereby retracting the stop bar from the shaft and allowing the shaft to be rotated to disengage the shaft teeth from the jacking gear teeth.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus for use in surgical operating procedures and the like comprising a universal positioner which may be adjustably positioned along a support bar suspended from and substantially rigidly connected to an operating table or the like. The positioning apparatus includes a ball and circular jaw coupling including spaced apart clamp blocks having upper and lower clamp rings for forcibly engaging the ball in response to the urging of a plurality of compression springs. A lever actuated cam connected to a foot pedal is operable to release the biasing force on the support blocks whereby the position of the support arm connected at one end to the ball may be finely adjusted over a wide range of positions.

Abstract: A mist generating nozzle has a cylindrical bearing member in which a plurality of distribution slots are formed. A cylindrical sleeve member is concentrically disposed about the bearing member, with an annular chamber defined therebetween. The sleeve member has a plurality of orifices communicating with the annular chamber and which extend transversely with respect to the radius of the sleeve member for imparting rotational motion to the sleeve member in response to the discharge of water through the orifices. The centrifugal force acting on the water discharged through the orifices particulates the water droplets into a fine mist or fog, in a substantially spiral pattern around the nozzle. In another aspect of the invention, the mist generating nozzle is incorporated into a firefighting tool, which includes a piercing member for penetrating a building structure.

Abstract: A gravitometer prover for measuring the density of a fluid for proving the accuracy of a gravitometer including an inner chamber member formed having an inner chamber for receiving fluid therein and an outer shell mounted about the inner chamber member in sealable relation thereto forming a cavity between the outer surface of the inner chamber member and the inner surface of the outer shell and a vacuum source in communication with the cavity for selectively imposing a vacuum in the cavity. A siphon tube removes solid particles entrained in test fluid as the inner chamber is charged. An orifice aperture vents gas components from the inner chamber.

Abstract: An offshore oil platform (1) is provided with an improved riser handling system for making a subsea connection of a riser (6) to the platform, without the need for divers or boats to move the riser into position. A first coupling part (7) on the riser (6) is releasably coupled to a second coupling part (8) which in turn is releasably connected to a third coupling part (9) mounted in a submerged position on the platform. The second coupling part (8) is used as a guide to position the riser. The part (8) is coupled to cables (12,14) wound by winches (13,15). In use the riser can be released from the position shown in FIG. 1 to fall to the sea bed. To reconnect the riser, it is raised by davit (16) onto a platform (17), where the second coupling part (8) is fitted onto the part (7) on the riser. The cables (12,14), are then adjusted to draw the second coupling part (8) and hence the riser to the third coupling part (9) for connection therewith.

Abstract: A container for storing items, such as guns and knives in a secure environment so that such items are not accessible to small children. The container has an open top and a cover member which is slidable along the major axis of the container to selectively open and close the container. A child safety latch is provided to prevent the cover member from being moved substantially from a closed position until the latch is disengaged. An alarm system is also provided so that if the cover member is moved a substantial distance from the closed position, an audible alarm will sound to indicate that the container has been opened. An electric switch is positioned inside the container to enable one to selectively activate and to deactivate the alarm as desired. The container according to the present invention permits an authorized person to gain quick access to the contents to the container when desired, while preventing children from getting access to the contents.

Abstract: An auxiliary rig is used in combination with a primary drilling or workover rig. The primary drilling rig typically includes an elongated upstanding drill tower, a base and a crown block. The auxiliary rig of the present invention includes a racking tower detachably mounted with the upper end of the drill tower to form an extension to the drill tower for receiving interconnected pairs of tubular members to reduce the tripping time of the tubular members into and out of the well. A movable slip and controller therefor of the auxiliary rig are operably guided by the racking tower for releasably supporting the pairs of tubular members.

Abstract: A tubing retrievable completion assembly includes a surface-controllable, safety control valve interposed between the production tubing string and a production seal unit. A gas-lift safety valve is carried within a side pocket mandrel connected in the upper production string. The upper production string, production flow safety valve and gas-lift safety valve are run in and removed as a single unit from a single-bore hanger packer which is releasably anchored within the well casing. Separate concentric flow passages are provided through the packer bore for the upward flow of formation fluid through a production stinger conduit which extends through the packer bore, and for downward flow of lift gas through the annulus between the packer bore and the stinger conduit. The completion assembly is locked into place below the hanger packer by a latch having fixed and movable collets.

Abstract: A well screen centralizer with a longitudinal flow passage therethrough which has a well screen insert that increases the producing area of the well screen by reducing the amount of blank non-producing tubing length usually used to accommodate non-well screen insert centralizers. A method for constructing a well screen centralizer and a method for inserting well screens into a well bore that includes welding the couplings to the well screens and using a well screen assembly and support stand.

Abstract: A dynamic display system in which a visual display is changeable in accordance with the vertical movement of an elevator. The display system is adapted for use in combination with a conventional elevator assembly having an elevator shaft, an elevator cab which is moveable within the shaft, and an elevator well at the bottom of the shaft. A display banner or the like is coupled at one end thereof to the underside of the elevator cab and at the other end thereof to a drum within the elevator well. As the elevator cab rises within the shaft, the display banner is pulled out from the elevator well so that the information printed on the display banner is gradually exposed as the banner ascends from the well. As the elevator cab descends, the banner retracts into the elevator well. In another embodiment, a bank of light generating devices, such as lasers or the like, housed within the elevator well, emits light beams into the elevator shaft.

Abstract: An improved adapter is provided for an interchangeable robot end-of-arm tooling system. The quick change adapter is made from modular components including a body, an interface package, and a robot adapter plate with locator system.

Abstract: A jack bolt assembly for separating joined first and second flange members of a flange assembly including a longitudinally extending, generally rod-shaped jack bolt member adapted to extend between first and second flange members of the flange assembly and a thrust member, the jack bolt member having a primary threaded portion for threadedly engaging at least one of the openings formed in the first flange member, a radial engaging surface, and a thrust member receiving portion in axial alignment with the primary threaded portion, the thrust member mounted with the thrust member receiving portion and between the first and second flange members for separating the flange members of the flange assembly upon rotation of the jack bolt member with respect to the first flange member of the flange assembly. The jack bolt assembly further includes an improved tool engaging adapter for removable mounting with the jack bolt member.

Abstract: Continuous display of pitch attitude beyond normal limits of plus or minus 20 degrees is provided by an extended pitch indicator whose operation is coordinated with a primary pitch indicator which provides pitch information through primary ascent and descent ranges (plus or minus 20 degrees). Operation of the extended pitch indicator is coordinated with operation of the primary pitch indicator in such a manner that the extended pitch indicator is hidden from view during flight maneuvers within the primary climb and dive ranges, but which is automatically exposed during flight maneuvers outside of the primary climb and dive ranges. In the preferred embodiment, the extended pitch indicator element is attached to the pitch gimbal and a horizon mask 15 interposed between the extended pitch indicator and the primary pitch indicator scale.

Abstract: An activity zone of a house is selectively isolated with respect to a sleeping zone during nighttime intervals by selectively blocking the flow of conditioned air into the activity zone, while allowing the usual flow of conditioned air into the sleeping zone. The air flow passage in each supply duct is blocked by an inflatable air bladder disposed within the air flow passage. An air compressor is coupled to the bladder for inflating it to cause it to expand against the sidewall of the duct and seal the air flow passage during the isolation mode of operation, and for drawing air from the bladder to cause it to collapse and open the air flow passage during the conditioned air supply mode of operation.

Abstract: A conveyor belt scraper assembly includes an array of transversely extending, flexible scraper members engaging, in an operative position, a conveyor belt surface to be cleaned. Each flexible scraper is resiliently biased in frictional engagement with the curved surface of the conveyor belt by a tension spring. The scraper members are supported in the operative position by upper and lower crossbar support members. In the preferred embodiment, the upper crossbar support member is articulated or segmented. The separate crossbar portions are independently rotatable from a nominal resting position in which the associated scraper member is held in helical engagement with the conveyor belt. The segmented crossbar portions are pivotally mounted onto an axle and are rotatable through an arc of approximately 90.degree.

Abstract: A paper shredder includes a stator housing on which stator blades are adjustably mounted and a rotor assembly on which rotor blades are securely attached. As the rotor turns within a comminuting chamber, the rotor blades and the stator blades provide a scissors-like cutting action. The stator blades are fixed onto the stator housing with their cutting edges aligned in parallel with the axis of rotation of the rotor assembly. Each rotor blade lies in a plane which is skewed with respect to the axis of rotation, and the cutting edge of each rotor blade is substantially concentric with the axis of rotation. In the preferred embodiment, the rotor and stator blade assemblies are enclosed by three sizing screen quadrant sections. One quadrant section remains open for receiving paper into the comminuting chamber. The paper remains inside the comminuting chamber until it is small enough to pass through the openings of the sizing screen.

Abstract: A lid support rod for holding open the lid of a storage container is comprised of a first plate member, second and third plate members and a central pin member disposed between the first plate member and the second and third plate members. The second plate member is pivotally mounted on the pin member so as to be rotatable about the axis thereof and cooperates with the stationary first plate member to form a hinge. An elongated support rod is pivotally attached at one end thereof to the second plate member and is free to rotate relative to the second plate member so that the rod has three degrees of freedom of movement to engage the container lid at essentially any desired position thereon.