Abstract: An improved adjusting device for gas changing valves for use in internal combustion engines comprising a spring system and two electrically-operated, opposed actuating solenoids which are alternately excited to move a reduced mass actuator assembly back and forth therebetween and which is held at two discreet mutually-opposite operating positions. The improved actuator assembly comprises a reduced mass anchor plate which includes integrally attached upper and lower stems, which stems are guided through a co-aligned bore through both electromagnets. The lower stem includes a flange member which engages a flanged stamp end portion of a gas exchange valve stem to move the valve to either an open or closed position in response to the attraction of the anchor plate to a pole surface of an excited electromagnet. The upper and lower surfaces of the anchor plate are tapered from the middle to its outer edges to reduce the thickness and mass of the anchor plate.

Abstract: An improved dual hydraulic, parallelogram arm wheel chair lift assembly for use in commercial vehicles, such as vans or buses. The lift assembly includes a platform connected at one end to a pair of parallelogram linkages, each of which is provided with a power-up, gravity-down hydraulic cylinder for pulling the parallelogram linkages and platform from a lowered loading position to an immediate transfer position, and thence to a folded, generally upright stored position. The pulling action of the hydraulic cylinders with hydraulic fluid working on the rod side reduces side loading on the piston head and wear on pivot pins of the parallelogram linkages. The hydraulic cylinders are self-bleeding of air during gravity down operation to reduce spongy and jerky operation. The lift assembly has an improved base member employing an additional base support plate to form a box structure to increase strength and reduce moment-induced bending of the mounting plate.

Abstract: A rotatable and vertically expandable/contractible merchandise display stand including a base assembly, an intermediate display assembly and a top mounted crown assembly all arranged coaxially about a longitudinally oriented center shaft member. The intermediate display assembly comprises a generally elongated cylindrical hollow shell structure having top and bottom end walls arranged orthogonal to the longitudinal center shaft and a pair of parallel intermediate support members all of which support a pair of overlapping top and bottom half perimeter shell enclosures wherein each perimeter shell enclosure consists of a plurality of vertically oriented, side by side adjacently stacked display panel members. The top end wall is rotatably mounted to the crown assembly and the bottom end wall is rotatably mounted to the base assembly.

Abstract: Vehicle passenger collision protection device comprising an inflatable air bag and an acceleration sensor for determining the event of an impending accident and triggering the inflation of the air bag. The acceleration sensor is connected to the air bag inflation pyrotechnic propellant charge which expansion for the inflation of the air bag whereby the propellant is ignited by the appropriate sensor signal. The sensor activates a fan to run at its maximum power output to remove the combustion gases and particulates which escape from the air bag into the passenger space. The fan may be operated as a blower to force fresh air in or as an exhaust fan to suck contaminated air out of the passenger compartment. The fan is preferably the conventional fan associated with the air conditioning system provided in the vehicle. Alternately, a separate fan is connected to the existing ventilation system and may substitute for or supplement the first fan.

Abstract: Evaporite mineral solution mining process and apparatus comprising the steps of undercutting a bed or massive deposit by in-air jetting with an aqueous solution followed by solution mining of the mineral above the undercut with monitoring and control to cease the solution mining when the roof rock is adequately exposed to maintain a stable roof and stable pillar support. The resulting cavity exhibits steeply angled, nearly vertical sidewalls, flared upwardly and outwardly only 10.degree. to 15.degree. from the vertical plane normal to the edges of the undercut as compared to 45.degree. typical for morning glory cavities. A first plan vertical production well is drilled with a sump provided substantially adjacent to the floor rock. A second horizontal well is developed up dip to intersect and communicate with the production well. The air jet tool mechanism provides horizontal, slightly upwardly inclined jets (0.degree.-15.degree.

Abstract: Circuit and method of glitchless switching between asynchronous data inputs to a digital multiplexer (MUX) by maintaining and conditioning the width of the clock pulse corresponding to a first data input signal so that an output pulse is produced having a pulse width that is never narrower than the narrowest of input signals, i.e., does not produce a narrow-pulse glitch. The circuit comprises select inputs in parallel to both a MUX via a select latch device and to an edge detector having an output pulse triggering a synchronization assembly. The synchronization assembly freezes the output in the last state received from the multiplexer. The select input edge detector freezes the original D0 input at a high state until the new input D1 is cleared through the synchronization assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ex situ remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil, comprising the excavation of the soil from its in situ position and forming a covered pile of loosened soil, at the base of which an array of a plurality of hot air inlet conduits are located. At least one array of a plurality of gas take-off conduits are situated at one or more higher level(s) in the pile. Heated air is injected into the inlet conduits at the base of the pile and allowed to percolate up through the soil to remove the hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds as hydrocarbon vapor entrained process gas. This process gas is drawn off by applying a negative pressure to the take-off conduits. The drawn-off process gases are then passed through a gas burner which thermally oxidizes the hydrocarbons and organic compounds. The heat generated from the gas burner is exchanged with ambient inlet air to provide the hot air used to inject into the base soil pile.

Abstract: A transportable, multi-use, non-corrodible, non-metallic, polyolefin plastic storage container and integral pallet system for all-weather storage, handling and transportation of a variety of liquid or free-flowing solid materials, including hazardous and human consumable materials. A preferred embodiment comprises a rotationally molded vertically-oriented polyethylene container, polyethylene container cushion with reinforcing wood base, and a cup-like polyethylene pallet which receives and is integrally attached by thermal shrinkage or welding to said container by locking and reinforcing ribs. The pallet includes integrally molded two-way access tunnels for handling by a fork lift or pallet jack. The container and integral pallet system can be stacked two or more containers high and is self-aligning when stacked.

Abstract: A vehicle chassis constructed of metal frame elements which are joined together by connecting node elements (connectors). The node elements are configured as upwardly open molded pieces (shells) When assembled, a bottom surface portion of each node element is received in conforming notches disposed adjacent the outwardly facing end surfaces of the joining ends of abutting frame elements in such a manner that no part of the node element forms the inward facing regions of the vehicle frame defining the windscreens and door openings. Each node element is provided with side projections (tangs) which extend beyond the notch portions of the adjoining frame elements to increase surface contact area between the node element and each frame element. A cover plate or the vehicle body skin is provided to cover the upward facing end of the node element.

Abstract: An method and apparatus for damping the impact and noise of the anchor plate against the pole surfaces of the electromagnets in a electromagnetically-actuated, spring biased adjusting device for gas exchange valves wherein the actuator assembly is provided with a perimeter casing member which forms an air tight enclosed gap area between the pole surfaces of the electromagnets. The anchor plate is provided with a sealing member along its perimeter edge such that a fluid cushion is formed as the anchor plate approaches a pole surface of either electromagnet. The inner wall surface of the perimeter casing is provided with overflow openings about its middle region to permit communication of fluid from the chambers in the gap on either side of the anchor plate during its mid-point of travel to reduce resistance to anchor plate movement over a majority of its operating range.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing particulate impurities from liquids wherein the liquid flows upward through a bundle of tubes having a helical shape to present an inclined path where settling of particulates back down the tube occurs. The bundle is preferably formed around a central standpipe. This modular helical tube bundle arrangement provides a compact and inexpensive structure and great convenience for maintenance. The preferred cross sectional shape of each tube is oval to increase settling rate. In order to form the tubes from rigid tubing, a concrete form is made in accordance with a procedure which includes forming a "tent" of strings, sculpting a plasticene negative form using the tent of strings as a guide, casting concrete against the form to produce a mold that resembles a sliding board with an outside drooping edge.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method of packaging hazardous liquids for shipment or containment, and to the structure and composition of the packaging which can be used to practice the method.The method comprises packaging a hazardous liquid for shipment or containment wherein the hazardous liquid, present in at least one sealed container or in a leaking container, respectively, is placed in a package which can be sealed so that the package completely surrounds and isolates the container, wherein the improvement comprises:constructing the packaging material so that it comprises at least two layers, including an interior layer and an exterior layer, wherein the interior layer of the packaging material adjacent to the sealed or leaking container can be penetrated by liquid which escapes from the container, and wherein the exterior layer of the packaging material, the external portion of which is in contact with the external environment, is impermeable by the liquid and by hazardous vapor therefrom.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for an electromagnetically-actuated, spring-loaded positioning system in displacement engines, such as for lifting valves in internal combustion engines. The positioning mechanism comprises a three-spring system and two electrically-operated, opposed actuating solenoids, by means of which the actuator may be moved therebetween, and held at, two discreet, mutually-opposite operating positions. The actuator assembly further comprises an anchor plate having integrally attached upper and lower stems, wherein the lower stem engages the upper flanged end of a valve stem and, upon reciprocation of the anchor plate, transfers movement to the valve stem which moves the valve from a closed to an open position, or vice-versa. The actuator assembly is symmetrically biased by upper and lower halves of the three-spring system. The upper spring system includes a first spring disposed to engage the upper stem and stressed to force the actuator assembly to the open position of the valve head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a CMOS level clock signal from RC components for use in a microcontroller. The emulator includes an emulation chip and an emulation circuit. The emulation chip includes means for supporting RC clock input to accurately produce a sawtooth wave signal at the point of its connection with the RC network. The emulation circuit includes a comparator which transforms a sawtooth waveform produced by the emulation chip into a square waveform which is then inverted for use as a clock signal for a CMOS level microcontroller. The method includes the steps of emulating a clock signal input of an RC network, comparing the emulated RC signal to a reference signal to generate inverted square wave form output, and inverting the square wave form output for transformation into a CMOS level clock input suitable for use as a clock input for microcontrollers.

Abstract: A magnetically levitated spinning axle display apparatus having a base assembly and an axle assembly. The base assembly includes a base platform member having a plurality of base magnets that are disposed spaced apart along an upper surface thereof. The platform member has an upstanding wall forming an axle support member disposed at one end. The axle assembly includes a plurality of disc shaped magnets disposed spaced apart along the rod and coordinate with individual ones of the base magnets when a first or second rod end portion is engaged in abutting contact with the upstanding axle support member. The polarity configurations of the rod magnets and the base magnets are repulsive to one another to permit free floating levitation of the rod above the base and to generate a longitudinal lateral force sufficient to keep a rod end contacted with the upstanding axle support.

Abstract: Passive rotary wheelchair lift that is retrofittable in transit vehicles on either the forward or rearward edge of a side double-door step well. The lift employs in its preferred embodiment a double slide tube having a box frame with a cross header. A hydraulic cylinder actuates a pair of chains, one descending down each lift tube to operate the vertical lift. A manual hand pump is provided in the case of power failure. Secured to the bottom of inner telescoping lift tubes is a plate carrying a power actuator for rotating the lift platform from a deployed horizontal position to a vertical stowed position. In the stowed position the platform is approximately 26 inches in length and 36 inches in width. The platform has one or more slide-mounted extension sections which permit the platform to extend out to a full 51 inches. Manual or power-actuated wheel stops are provided at the rear entry and the forward end, for either one way or two way entry/exit onto the platform.

Abstract: An improved floor configuration for the interior rear portion of a motor vehicle wherein at least one region, made of a fracture-prone material such as plastic and typically the spare tire cavity or foot recess cavity region, is covered by a sealing cover assembly having properties of high ultimate elongation, fluid impermeability (both liquid and gas impermeable), and good crack or tear-resistance. In one embodiment, the sealing member comprises a carpet having a flexible, stretchable backing layer, preferably a plastic sheet having high ultimate elongation, high yield strength and good resistance to hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A fin box adapter for securing narrow based fins in cavity-type sailboard fin boxes comprising a generally trapezoidal block member having an outer surface configuration corresponding to an inner cavity surface configuration of a cavity fin box, and an inner slot-like cavity for receiving a bottom portion of a modified narrow fin base. In use, a narrow based fin is modified by trimming down any excessive length to fit the inner slot-like cavity and one or more press-fit cross-pins are used to secure the fin base within the inner slot-like cavity of the fin box adapter. A template is used to assist the installer in trimming down the fin base. The top surface of the fin box adapter is provided with one or more threaded holes which cooperate with the existing mounting hardware of the cavity fin box of the sailboard. In an alternate embodiment, a single threaded press-fitted cylindrical block is used in favor of the pins to secure the fin within the slot-like cavity.

Abstract: A multi-stage, batch or continuous, manual or automated process and apparatus for safely depressurizing, de-capping (decrimping plus pulling caps), and recycling aerosol cans, propellants, solvents, chemicals, dip tubes, and can tops. The apparatus includes a synchronized sorting and loading unit for guiding the cans onto an advancing line. The cans are first depressurized by a vacuum head unit comprising a vacuum seal and a reciprocable hollow needle which punctures the can recessed top cap and removes the propellants by suction for later reuse or disposal. The cans are advanced to a decapping unit where the cap member is removed by decrimping to crack the seal followed by being vertically pulled off without damage to the can's rolled lip.

Abstract: A leg exercise device for permitting isolated exercises of selected muscle groups of the lower extremity comprising a generally tubular ankle collar or boot having an inner surface conformingly fitted to a user's ankle region. The outer forward facing surface of the ankle boot includes an upturned J-shaped hook member adapted to receive a weight clip member. The weight clip member includes means for retainingly engaging a rod or bar portion of a conventional weight, such as a dumbbell, and is lockable to the hook member of the boot. The boot includes front and back half portions which are hinged together along a first common side and which have an adjustable buckle member for closing the two halves together along their second common side. The front half portion of the boot includes a anti-torsion strap member which is looped under the ball of the user's foot to prevent up and down and side-to-side or torsional movement during use.