Abstract: An expansion box heat regulator for an electric cooker, using a switch housing containing both a control circuit snap switch and a mains switch in respective recesses in the housing, and permitting the switch terminals to be mounted on the housing to extend therefrom on each lateral side of the expansion box parallel with the axis of the box, thus providing a low-profile structure requiring minimal installation dimension in the axial direction of the expansion box.

Abstract: A temperature limiter used as part of, or otherwise in combination with, an electric cooking plate. An improved switching hysteresis is enabled by a unique construction in which a laterally open recess is formed in a one-piece housing to receive a snap switch, the counter-contact of which is fixidly secured in slot structure adjacent said recess. A transmission rod is arranged within an expansion sleeve and is positioned to be spring biased through engagement with the spring of a snap switch.

Abstract: A fuel control system for an internal combustion engine, including a fuel flow control sensitive to one or more engine operating parameters and controlling the rate at which fuel is introduced into the engine, an exhaust gas sensing device for producing an output signal corresponding to the exhaust gas composition, feed back means for feeding back to the fuel flow control, a signal derived from said output signal to correct the fuel flow, said feed back means including a signal storage device, the signal stored in which is altered in accordance with variations in the output signal of the exhaust gas sensing device, and overrun detection means connected to said feed back means and arranged to prevent alteration of said stored signal by the exhaust gas sensing device during overrun.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for permanently and sealably connecting two duct sections, the duct sections having peripheral flanges forming opposite and corresponding halves of a composite, T-shaped peripheral flange extending outwardly from the duct sections. The composite flange has an upper cross-piece portion and a lower upright portion, the lower upright portion of the T-shaped flange containing a continuous reservoir of deformable gasket material.

Abstract: A yarn adjuster positioned adjacent tufting needles in a tufting machine for engaging yarn in close proximity to the tufting needles and moving it a predetermined distance to thereby control the length of the yarn on each side of the needles which controls evenness of tufts particularly when dual tufting needles are utilized to tuft U-shaped tufts. The yarn adjuster may be driven by an improved coupler point drive featuring long dwell and fast rise.

Abstract: Safety belt retractors are disclosed in the form of spring driven belt rewinding mechanisms. In some arrangements, a pair of spiral springs act in series or in parallel, one spring applying a constant rewinding torque to a belt storage shaft, the other storing energy when the belt is withdrawn. A ratchet maintains the stored energy and is disengaged by a screw threaded actuator, which moves coaxially to the storage shaft, when the shaft rotates through a number of revolutions. The stored energy is released to supplement the rewinding torque of the first spring. In another arrangement, the ratchet is replaced by an over center spring assembly. An epicyclic gear box drives a coil spring anchorage through a given arc to give an over center action.

Abstract: An apparatus for the weighing of mass produced articles, especially highly-tempered glass products shortly after their formation, which are transferred with the interposing of a balancing device, by means of a weighing conveyor belt from a delivery conveyor belt on to a removal conveyor belt which runs at an angle to the delivery conveyor belt. The apparatus aids quality control by monitoring article weight. It operates dependably even in dirty, turbulent, high temperature environments.

Abstract: An electric hot plate assembly including an electrically heated hot plate having one or more electrical conductors disposed therewithin for heating an annular zone of the plate when energized and a device for limiting the operating temperature of the hot plate. A bimetallic element is disposed in a first portion of a housing of the temperature limiting device which projects into an enclosed space located immediately beneath the annular zone of the hot plate. The enclosed space is closed by a cover. A switch, which is adapted to be actuated by the bimetallic element, is located on a base portion of the housing disposed externally of the enclosed space, the first portion and base portion of the housing being thermally insulated from each other. The base portion of the housing carries connecting terminals for connecting the hot plate conductor or conductors to an electrical supply.

Abstract: A cutter mechanism for use in a tufting machine or the like featuring a stationary blade having openings through which yarn strands project, the stationary blade being positioned in the path of travel of yarn strands from yarn creels to bit-applying elements with the cutter mechanism further featuring a series of reciprocable blades which are biased against the stationary blade whereupon reciprocation the reciprocable blades will pass over the openings and because of their biasing effect, penetrate the plane of the stationary blade passing into the openings thereby severing the yarn strands.

Abstract: A device for spreading glue on articles such as the abutting ends of stacks of sheet paper or book backs, comprising a rotatable glue-spreading roller which projects from above into a glue supply in a glue tank and is wetted with glue, wipers arranged to act on the surface of the roller in the regions where the roller enters and leaves the glue tank and a level regulating device for maintaining a desired glue level in the glue tank.

Abstract: A telephone adapter for hands-free telephony, adapted for use with a telephone handset having structure including an earpiece, comprising: a transmit signal path comprising, in series, a microphone, amplification means, disabling means and a transducer; a receive signal path having means for amplifying sound energy from said earpiece, said receive path comprising, in series, a coupler, amplification means, disabling means and speaker means; bias means for maintaining said transmit path in an active state when no signals are present; and, means for interrupting said circuit paths in a complementary manner.

Abstract: A towing apparatus for bicycles or the like, comprising a first member; means for attaching the first member to a towing bicycle; a hitch member attached to a towed bicycle; an intermediate member for connecting the hitch member to the first member, adapted to slideably rest on the first member; first means for pivotally and detachably connecting the first member and the intermediate member; and, second means for pivotally and detachably connecting the hitch member and the intermediate member, such that the towed bicycle is towed in an inverted position, with only its rear wheel resting on the ground and its front wheel pivoted and clamped in a rearward position.

Abstract: Yarn clamping means for clamping tufting yarn featuring shield means secured to said yarn clamp which is cooperatively associated with the tufting needle means to prevent impalement of the yarn by the tufting needles.

Abstract: A tufting machine malfunction detection device comprising a laser detection system adapted to monitor for the existence of yarn within a chamber adjacent the needle station with detection indicating the presence of a malfunction.

Abstract: A gas-cushion vehicle is provided with one or more fans for supplying cushion air to the cushion space beneath the vehicle, and an additional, "passive" fan, the outflow of which varies according to changes in cushion pressure, whereby additional air is supplied to the cushion space as cushion pressure tends to decrease, and a backflow of cushion air takes place through the additional fan as cushion pressure tends to increase.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a fanned, gaseous fuel-burning appliance, such as a water boiler for a domestic central heating system; the control apparatus includes electrical circuitry comprising first and second changeover switches each having a normally-closed pair of contacts and a third, normally-open contact, and a third switch; the switches are connected in a particular way to actuate gas valves and the fan of the appliance in a manner which provides improved safety features.

Abstract: An intermittently operable switch assembly comprises an electrically insulating base having mounted on one surface thereof a first electrical terminal for connection to a power supply, a second electrical terminal for connection to an apparatus to be operated intermittently, and a third electrical terminal for connection to an indicator lamp. On the opposite surface of the base are mounted a first support carrying an armature at one end thereof which is engageable with a first fixed contact and having an electrical winding thereon, a second support including a mounting flange and having a snap action circuit breaker mounted thereon, and a third support having a second fixed contact thereon with which the circuit breaker is arranged to engage. The first, second and third terminals are secured to the base respectively by means of three rivets with which they are respectively electrically connected.

Abstract: The present specification describes and claims an apparatus for the folding of paper webs or similar materials for the formation of a stack made up of folded layers. The apparatus has a laying arm adapted to perform a reciprocating motion while laying out the layers to form the stack, and at least one folding screw which, in use, is located in the region of a corner of the stack. The folding screw is arranged with its axis extending substantially vertically to the plane of the layers and with its leading edge entering from the side of the stack between layers to be folded. The at least one folding screw is adapted to rotate twice for each reciprocating cycle of the laying arm and a pressing-down element is arranged to, in use, act upon the top layer succeeding the last fold, so as to be effective on the top layer in the region where the leading edge of the folding screw enters in between the layers.

Abstract: Impurities or unwanted by-products are distilled off from an oily liquid by means of an ancillary stripping agent. The vaporization temperatures of the impurities and of the ancillary stripping agent lie below that of the oily liquid. Spontaneous distillation takes place in a decompressor to which the materials to be treated are supplied from a mixer or contactor. The decompressor comprises two nozzles arranged in series. In the decompressor the materials to be treated are subjected to a pressure considerably below the mixer pressure and somewhat below the separator pressure. Decomposition of the oil stream occurs in the decompressor into a non-volatile liquid phase and a vapor phase containing the ancillary stripping agent and the impurities originally in the oil feed. The mixed vapor/liquid stream enters the separator which is at a pressure which lies considerably below the pressure obtaining in the mixer.

Abstract: A positively positionable ruler including an elongated body member having suitable measurement indicia thereon and a plurality of apertures therethrough, a plurality of surface engaging elements adapted to be slideably disposed within the plurality of apertures, the upper surface of the surface engaging elements for engaging the user's fingers and the lower surface thereof for engaging a supporting surface, and means for slideably affixing the surface engaging element within the apertures.