Abstract: A vacuum pump assembly has a conventional electric motor, a mounting plate centered with respect to the drive shaft of the motor, and a self-contained, replaceable modular pumping apparatus. The module has a stator, a rotor, and axially opposite end plates enclosing a pumping chamber, and is detached easily, quickly mounted onto the mounting plate as a unitary assembly, and operatively connected to the drive shaft of the motor by a shock-absorbing self-aligning coupling. It is enclosed by a pump housing containing lubricant for lubrication and sealing purposes during pump operation. The pumping module has a double seal to maintain lubricant and to allow the shaft connected to the rotor to center itself relative to the mounting plate and the motor.

Abstract: This specification discloses a mechanical bellows seal in which torsional forces acting upon the bellows unit are opposed and minimized by a circumferential biasing device. Through appropriate structure, the biasing means constrains the opposite ends of the bellows for joint rotation, minimizing vibrational forces and slip-stick phenomenon of such seals in highly viscous fluid sealing environments.

Abstract: Railroad bed scarifying apparatus employing a digging or scooping action along the direction of the rails is provided. A movable frame mounted on a vehicle which travels along the rails has three digging plates pivotally mounted thereon. A first digging plate extends between the rails, while the other two digging plates each extend outwardly from an associated one of the rails to the end of the ties. Each of the digging plates has a digging ridge located on the end thereof, the digging ridge being located at an obtuse angle with respect to the front surface of the digging plate. By appropriate control of suitable driving arrangements, the digging ridges and digging plates form a trench of the appropriate dimensions to receive a tie and place the removed ballast on an adjacent tie for return after insertion of the new tie.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a die for forming metal piece parts and includes two progressive die sections which partially form metal piece parts and transfer same to a rotary die section which nest the parts and rotates same through a series of work stations for finishing operations.

Abstract: A nut cutter for cutting through nuts that are rusted or otherwise frozen to bolts or other threaded fasteners. The working end section of the chisel-like nut cutter includes a pair of bifurcated sharpened tines. The central notch separating the bifurcated tines is shaped to facilitate cutting nuts that are relatively inaccessible using the nut cutter held either coaxially with or at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the nut.

Abstract: A box spring assembly having a rectangular frame mounting a plurality of lateral support slats, formed wire torsion springs affixed to said slats and a metal grid interconnecting said springs. To minimize sag resulting from body weight, the support slats adjacent the lateral center line of the frame are first reinforced with U-shaped metallic bars which rest the wooden slats. In addition, the number or density of lateral slats adjacent this center line are increased leaving a lower density of slats adjacent the head and foot ends of the assembly. This arrangement of lateral slats permits reorientation of the formed wire spring units which further results in greater lateral stability of the box spring unit. The assembly is then completed by adding one or more insullating pads for cushioning and a fabric cover.

Abstract: To join two pipe sections carrying fluids that may be at relatively high pressures, a coupling body into which the ends of the pipe sections are inserted has a gasket seal at each end thereof. In order to electrically insulate the sections of pipe from one another, an insulating sleeve is located along a length of the internal surface of the coupling body. An insulating stop member is slidable within the sleeve to separate the ends of the sections of pipe, the stop member being prevented from entering the length of the coupling body that does not have an insulating sleeve. Threads for coupling nuts utilized in achieving the fluid tight seal are formed in the outer surface of the coupling body at each end thereof.

Abstract: A device for use in making biomechanical or orthopedic evaluations of the lower leg and foot employs a heel stationing arrangement to automatically provide a reference line parallel to the vertical bisection of the calcaneus bone. A forefoot measuring device is utilized to measure the angular deformity of the forefoot (varus or valgus) by determining the angular deviation of the plane of the ball of the foot with respect to a plane perpendicular to the heel reference line. The forefoot measuring arrangement is adaptable to measure either the plane of the ball of the foot as determined by all five rays or as determined by any desired grouping of rays, such as the second through the fifth rays. A rearfoot measuring arrangement measures the angular deformity of the rearfoot (varus or valgus) by determining the vertical bisection of the lower leg with respect to the heel reference line. Further, the device has an attachment to measure the dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the foot about the ankle.

Abstract: A vacuum pump, having a pumping chamber with intake and exhaust ports communicating therewith, is provided with an arrangement to insert a liquid lubricant into the pumping chamber. A sensing device is utilized to detect the pressure at the exhaust port, the sensing device permitting operation of a deactivating unit when the pressure at the exhaust port falls below a predetermined value, pressure below the predetermined value being indicative of improper pumping action in the pump. The deactivating unit acts to render inoperative the lubricant introducing arrangement when the sensing device detects a pressure at the exhaust port below the predetermined value, thus precluding the insertion of lubricant into the pumping chamber upon the occurrence of defective pumping action in the vacuum pump.

Abstract: An apparatus for enlarging the diameter of an existing bore within a turbine shaft or the like along a desired linear portion of the shaft having a boring head mounted on a drive shaft for rotation therewith after insertion within the existing bore. The boring head has a pair of opposed matable cutting tool means pivotally mounted within it which are radically advanced or retracted toward or away from the walls of the existing bore by operation of a cam assembly also mounted in the boring head for axial movement therealong and engaging an end of the tool means opposite the cutting head. The cam assembly is mounted for movement on a threaded transmission member which is rotated to move the cam assembly by an adjustment shaft positioned for calibrated angular movement within an interior passageway formed in the drive shaft. The boring assembly is rotated for cutting by a drive means engaging the exterior surface of the drive shaft and is linearly moved within the turbine shaft by a driven feed table.

Abstract: A mold for forming O-ring seals free of flash at their inside and outside diameters. The mold includes a first mold section having a frustrum extending from a surface thereof and a second mold section having a cavity for receiving said frustrum, said frustrum and recess having annular grooves juxtaposed to define a mold cavity for an O-ring seal. Mating surfaces of the frustrum and recess act to seal one side of the cavity while spaced surfaces on the opposite side of the cavity define an annular orifice extending into said mold cavity. The mold further includes a loading chamber and means for injecting a seal composition through said orifice into said mold cavity for curing.

Abstract: Beds, such as hospital beds, in which at least some portion of the bed is movably actuated by an electric motor (or motors) are provided with a control circuit to determine proper energization of the motor from an AC power source. Since the AC signal from the power source could be harmful to the person selecting a desired direction of travel of the movable portion of the bed, the selecting portion of the control circuit is isolated by appropriate transformers from the power portion that supplies the motor. Bidirectional switching devices, such as triacs, are utilized to convey the power to the motor. Other bidirectional switching devices, such as triacs, are used to gate the power handling triacs through appropriate gating transformers. A phase shifting arrangement is utilized in connection with the gating transformers to provide proper commutation of the power handling triacs.

Abstract: A flame guard assembly for mounting a handle upon a cooking vessel in a manner to facilitate assembly and to preclude relative rotation of the handle and the vessel. The assembly includes a tubular member with shaped ends for interfacing with the handle and the vessel and a safety interlock plate inserted over the handle attaching stud of the vessel and within the tubular member.

Abstract: An improved control and locking device for a hospital bed such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 496,212, filed on Aug. 9, 1974. The locking device is utilized to provide a positive lock of the hospital bed in a Trendelenburg or reverse Trendelenburg position and eliminate the capability to manualy or inadvertently remove the bed from such position. As depicted herein, the locking device is a pivotal abutment which normally precludes release of a hook holding the bed in a Trendelenburg position. Yet, when the entire bed is raised by its electric motor, the abutment is automatically withdrawn from its abutting, locking position to permit the bed to lower under electric power.

Abstract: A flame guard assembly for mounting a handle upon a cooking vessel in a manner to facilitate assembly and for precluding relative rotation between the handle and the vessel. The assembly includes an out of round tubular flame guard having contoured ends for mating with the handle and the vessel and a locking plate interlocked to a bracket welded to the vessel. This locking plate receives a bolt extending through the handle and tubular flame guard for fastening the handle and has a non-annular external circumferential dimension for engaging the internal circumference of the tubular flame guard for precluding relative rotation between the handle and the vessel.

Abstract: An inflatable patient lifting device for a hospital patient. The disclosure includes an inflatable pad having a control pocket formed thereon for receiving a hospital attendant's arm. In use the pad is inserted underneath the patient with the control pocket and attendant's arm being positioned above the inflatable pad and in contact with the patient's body.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a primary-secondary vehicle combination toy having means for first propelling the combination for a predetermined distance after which the secondary vehicle is projected into flight for further travel. The combination is preferably propelled along a surface by a portable spring launch while the secondary vehicle is ejected from the primary vehicle by a mounted propulsion unit. This latter propulsion unit may comprise a spring actuated by a distance measuring unit such as an axle drive shaft which controls release of the spring and ejection of the secondary unit for flight away from the primary unit.

Abstract: A device for cutting lengths of tubing from a longer tube utilizes an external pair of cutting dies and an internal pair of punches. An eccentric relative motion ("shimmy") of the cutting dies results in the desired cutting of the tube. The punches are inserted into the tube from the end of the tube from which the length of tubing is to be cut. A restraining arrangement prevents the punches from moving farther along the tube than is desired, while a punch positioning mechanism prevents movement of the punches toward the open end of the tube. Thus, the internal punches are accurately positioned with respect to the external cutting dies. A centering arrangement is utilized to insure coaxiality of the punches.

Abstract: A door for a mailbox that has an open end to be selectively closed by the door, the mailbox being of the free standing type most frequently encountered in rural areas, is pivotally mounted on the mailbox by an improved hinging arrangement. A solid flat bar is secured to the door by an appropriate fastening arrangement, such as rivets. Transversely extending supporting arms, one at each end of the flat bar, are pivotedly connected to opposite sides of the mailbox by an appropriate mounting structure, such as rivets that are not completely tightened. The supporting arms may be integrally formed with the flat bar, and a transversely extending flange may also be integrally formed with the bar to provide additional strength.

Abstract: This specification discloses an electrically heated container, container jacket and method of making same. The container and jacket each include at least three layers of fiber glass mat having resistance heating elements disposed between the first and second mats and a heat dissipating metallic sheet between second and third mats. The mats are separately impregnated with thermosetting polyester resin and cured together to form a rigid, fluid impervious laminated structure.