Abstract: In a conveyor work-piece processing system, transport carriages move along a work path, each carriage carrying a plurality of work-piece articles. In the disclosed embodiment, the path is folded back upon itself forming two parallel paths, one above the other, with transport carriages moved vertically from the lower path to the upper path, so that the entrance to the track and the exit from the track are positioned in close proximity to each other. Each transport carriage has a long dimension and a relatively shorter dimension, and each carriage can be reoriented selectively so that the long dimension or the short dimension can be aligned parallel to the work path. Changing the alignment of the two dimensions relative to the direction of the path permits a work piece to remain for a longer time within a given process stage or area along the work path while achieving a system flow-rate of one carriage-in-one carriage-out.

Abstract: A bed headboard assembly that is entirely independent of support associated with any other part of a bed structure such as the mattress, spring or bed frame, embodies a generally soft, panel-like member having length and width dimensions that are substantially greater than its thickness. A fabric container encloses the panel and has an access opening for inserting and removing the panel. The access opening can be dosed with a zipper or hook-and-loop closure device. A rigid support member is coupled to the panel member parallel to one edge, so that the panel can be suspended from the support when said support is hung on a wall next to a bed. Decorative patterns on the outer surface of the fabric container and pocket recesses in either the fabric or the panel or both, enhance the functions of the headboard for visual appeal and for the convenience of a user of the bed.

Abstract: A pouring spout for hand-held portable fuel tank incorporates a float valve to automatically shut off fuel flow through the spout when the fuel level in a receiving reservoir reaches a given spatial relationship with the outlet end of the spout. An axially displaceable locking magnet within the spout locks the valve in the closed position. The locking magnet is released from its locking position by an unlatching magnet incorporated in a sealing cap. The unlatching magnet cancels the magnetic force that holds the magnetic valve in the closed position, thereby allowing it to move to its open position only when the closure cap is in position to seal the spout. The locking mechanism includes an axially displaceable magnet of given axial length, that is captured within a sealed container positioned in the pouring spout. The sealed container has an axial length greater than the length of the magnet.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for lifting up and down of window glass for a vehicle and method thereof that is controlled by a switch called a shuttle switch to move the window glass automatically to a desired position according to the rotation of the shuttle switch without visually checking the movement of the window glass and without taking eyes away from the road by a user. The present invention includes a reversible motor for moving the window glass, a controller for moving and stopping the window glass to the desired position corresponding to the rotation of the shuttle switch, and a motor sensor providing feedback to the controller for stopping the movement of the window glass.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a seat testing machine that accurately tests the durability of the seat element, which includes a twisting assembly for providing both rubbing and impact engagements with the seat element, one common power source to activate a first mechanism to reciprocate the seat element along a first axis, and activate a second mechanism to reciprocate the twisting assembly about a rotary axis; and vertical loading and lifting mechanisms to repeatedly engage and disengage the twisting assembly from the seat element under a gravitational loading while simulating the varying weight of the occupant.

Abstract: Variable-displacement, single-acting vane pumps in which the cylindrical cam member is adjustably supported within an outer annular cam housing to enable the cam member to be adjustably-rotated relative to the housing to adjust the geometric center of the cam chamber relative to the center of the rotor member and thereby adjust the displacement capacity of the pump between zero-flow maximum flow values. The annular housing for the cam member comprises a roller bearing assembly between its inner race surface and the cylindrical outer surface of the cam member, which minimizes the friction when the cam member is rotated during adjustment and enables the adjustment to be actuated remotely, such as by means of a small motor gear assembly.

Abstract: A variable displacement vane pump comprising a durable rotor member having journal ends at each side of a larger diameter central vane section comprising vane slots having well areas which slidably-engage a mating vane element. The present vane pump comprise novel cylindrical ring seal elements having a unitary body which seal the faces of the cam member, and which overlap the central vane section and vane slot extensions. The seal elements include first fuel inlet passages in the inlet arc segment thereof, and fuel discharge passages in the discharge arc thereof, both of said passages being open to the vane slot extensions and to the cam chamber for the continuous supply and pressure discharge of fuel.

Abstract: An improvement that enhances hay rakes or forks of the type used in the cleaning of horse stables, includes a wall assembly having a rear wall and two spaced-apart side walls extending from the rear wall, that are positioned relative to a hay fork of conventional design so as to restrict unintended displacement of hay/manure mixtures over the peripheral edges of the hay fork. The bottom edge of the rear wall has a U-shaped indentation and includes a mounting flange of U-shaped cross section aligned with and extending from the indentation for straddling the handle of a conventional hay fork so that the wall assembly is retained and positioned properly relative to the fork portion of the hay fork. The rear wall and the side walls are formed with interlocking rails and slots so that the side walls may be readily attached to and detached from the rear wall by a sliding motion. An opening through the mounting flange receives a fastener to secure the wall assembly to the handle of a hay fork.

Abstract: A breakaway strap assembly for tethering a domestic animal such as a horse, employs two elongate straps separably attached by mating hook-and-loop surfaces. The mating hooks and loops resist longitudinal separation of the two straps. The hooks and loops are formed of resilient plastic material that permits them to unbend elastically so as to disengage from each other. Anchor clasps at one end of each strap allow the straps to be attached, respectively, to a fixed structure, such as a building and to a movable point such as the harness worn by a horse. The axial force resisting separation of the two straps can be varied from a low value to a relatively higher value by varying the longitudinal overlap of the two straps.

Abstract: A variable displacement vane pump comprising a durable rotor member having journal ends at each side of a larger diameter central vane section comprising vane slots having well areas which slidably-engage a mating vane element. The present vane pump comprises an outer cylindrical cam enclosure or spacer loaded against ring seal elements to support the faces of the seal elements closely spaced from the cam faces and reduce the actuation force required for adjustment of the displacement capacity of the pump. The cam faces include a biased segment seal in the high pressure discharge arc area. The seal elements include first fuel inlet passages in the inlet arc segment thereof, and fuel discharge passages in the discharge arc segment thereof, both of said passages being open to the vane slot extensions and to the cam chamber for the continuous supply and pressure discharge of fuel.

Abstract: A novel single acting variable displacement vane pump (VDVP) incorporating novel vanes and undervane venting which produce selective regulated pressure-loading of the vanes against the cam surface and more positive tracking in the incoming seal arc and the outgoing or discharge seal arc of the pump rather than uniform pressure balancing of the vanes throughout the 360.degree. cam chamber. The vanes incorporated into the present pumps preferably are sectional two-piece vane assemblies comprising an upper vane section which slidably supports a lower vane section and incorporates a fluid pressurizable cavity between said vane sections which, when pressurized, forces the vane sections in opposite radial directions, and which enables the vane sections to come together and integrate when the cavity is depressurized. The vane cavity is open to the fluid pressure on one side of the vanes while the undervane area of the vane slots, below the vanes, is open to the fluid pressure one the opposite side of the vanes.

Abstract: A variable displacement vane pump having a vaned rotor adjustably contained within a cam member for rotation between fuel inlet and fuel discharge arcs. Adjacent vanes form enclosed fuel bucket areas which are expanded and axially-supplied with fuel in the fuel inlet arc and are contracted and axially-discharge the fuel in the fuel discharge arc. Fuel circulation is improved by providing a central recess at each vane tip and/or a central groove in the cam surface to prevent trapping, stagnation and overheating of fuel at the centerpoints of the bucket areas, which overheating can result in expansion of the vane tips, scoring of the cam surface and pump failure.

Abstract: An armature has an inner chamber which becomes effective to delay the otherwise full fluid force against such armature thereby enabling the armature to more readily move closer, in a shorter period of time, to the associated pole piece.

Abstract: A throttle valve actuator for an internal combustion engine includes a throttle body for defining at least one aperture or passageway extending therethrough to deliver a charge to a combustion chamber in communication with the aperture. At least one valve is mounted on a shaft for rotating within the aperture of the throttle body to control the internal combustion engine. A crank arm is connected to the shaft for driving the valve in rotation between a first position and a second position. A pliant cable is connected to the crank arm at an anchor point adjacent one end of the pliant cable. The pliant cable transmits a force to the crank arm to control rotation of the valve connected thereto.

Abstract: A lift valve communicating with a compression chamber of a variable capacity screw compressor is set forth including a valve housing, a piston reciprocally received within the valve housing, a shaft having a first end connected to the piston and a second end extending from the housing. The valve further includes a valve element connected to the second end of the shaft having a valve surface exposed to the compression chamber and a reciprocation mechanism for reciprocating the piston within the housing. The reciprocation mechanism includes a first pressure passage communicating with the housing adjacent a side of the piston, and a second pressure passage communicating with the housing adjacent and opposed side of the piston, wherein the valve surface is positively displaced toward and away from the compression chamber of the variable capacity screw compressor in response to the application of fluid pressure to at least one of the first and second pressure passages to vary the capacity of the screw compressor.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for engines and, in particular, internal combustion engines used on marine vessels, is disclosed including a fuel injection system having a supply port for receiving fuel at a rate in excess of the controlled rate, an injection port for discharging fuel into the engine at the controlled rate and a return port for conducting fuel in excess of that discharged from the injection port from the injection system. The fuel injection system also includes a pump having an inlet directly connected by a first conduit to a return port and an outlet directly connected by a second conduit to the supply port, a third conduit system for conducting fuel from the supply tank into the first conduit at a first location between the return port and the inlet, and a pressure regulating system for maintaining the pressure at the return port at a predetermined substantially constant super-atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A durable, single action, variable displacement vane pump capable of undervane pumping, components thereof, and pressure balancing method. The pump comprises a cylindrical barstock rotor member having large diameter journal ends and central vane slots uniformly spaced therearound. The vane slots are elongate and have a central vane-supporting portion of maximum depth surrounded at each end by extension portions having depths which decrease axially to the surface of rotor member. The vaned rotor is rotatably supported within a unitary cam member having opposed faces and a circular bore therethrough forming a cam chamber having a continuous interior circular cam surface. The vane slot extensions in the rotor project outwardly beyond the cam chamber.

Abstract: A pump comprising a durable rotor member having large diameter journal ends at each side of a central vane section comprising vane slots having well areas which slidably-engage a mating vane element. The present vane pumps comprise novel cylindrical floating ring seal elements having a support body which continuously seals the face of the cam member, and have a movable inner ring assembly which becomes pressure-loaded against the rotor journals during use, to minimize or limit axial pressure leakage while balancing or minimizing bearing load.

Abstract: A particle exclusion assembly designed to operate in an inclined position and to protect an associated sealing assembly. The assembly includes radially inner and outer relatively rotatable walls and axially inner and outer baffles and a rotary, controlled porosity, open-celled element which substantially fills the cavity between the two walls and the two baffles. The open-celled element controls the rate of movement of particulate material and restricted annular opening is provided to control ingress and egress of particulate material from the open-celled element.

Abstract: A regenerative or toric pump adds energy to a fluid using an impeller having an axis of rotation and axially spaced, radially extending first and second surfaces. A casing encloses the impeller and has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet separated by a stripper. The casing has axially spaced, radially extending first and second sidewalls facing the first and second surfaces of the impeller respectively. Axially and radially extending blades or vanes are formed on an outer radial periphery of the impeller for driving fluid from the inlet toward the outlet as the impeller rotates about the axis of rotation. A fixed surface is formed in at least one sidewall of the casing for directing fluid back toward the impeller. Improved operating characteristics and extended range are accomplished through modification to the vane configuration of the impeller and/or by modification of the side channel configuration of the pump chamber in an asymmetrical fashion.