Abstract: A machine for arranging flat articles in a stack and for placing the stack in a case. The machine includes endless flight supports mounted on opposite sides of a stack forming station and opposed flights mounted on the flight supports for supporting a stack of the articles therebetween. The stack is formed on the flights. The flights are lowered as the stack builds up thereon until a complete stack has been formed. The complete stack is lowered onto stack supports. First pusher means advance the complete stack from the stack supports onto a turntable having a pile face. A second stack starts to form on second flights as the first pusher means advances the complete stack from the stack supports and returns to a position for engaging the second stack when the second stack reaches the stack supports. The turntable can be turned 90.degree. and the stack is discharged from the turntable crosswise of the path of stack advance from the stack supports to the turntable.

Abstract: A discriminator supporting assembly for a discriminator plate which is mounted above a conveyor belt course. The assembly includes a lengthwise adjustment screw for moving the discriminator plate lengthwise of the conveyor belt toward and away from patter members, an upright adjustment screw for moving the discriminator plate toward and away from the conveyor belt course, and a plate swinging adjustment screw for swinging the discriminator plate with relation to the plane of the conveyor belt course.

Abstract: A display cart assembly which is built on and supported by a shopping cart. Upright side panels are releasably supported on opposite sides of a basket of the shopping cart. Upright end panels span opposed end portions of the side panels. A container is mounted between the side panels. A chamber of the container extends into the interior of the basket and can contain ice for refrigerating food articles in the chamber. Springs connect the side panels to urge the side panels against the end portions. Other springs link each of the side panels with one of the end panels to hold the side panels in engagement with that one of the end panels.

Abstract: A machine for opening and inspecting a folding carton to break improper glue spots and to demonstrate that the carton opens properly. Vacuum cups engage opposite side panels of the carton as the carton advances through an inspection section. The vacuum cups advance with the carton and diverge from the path of the carton to separate the panels. As the carton reaches an inspection station, photocell devices inspect the carton to determine if the carton is properly opened. The carton is advanced to the inspection station by a conveyor which picks up the carton from an accelerator device. The accelerator device in turn picks up the carton from the bottom of a stack and accelerates the carton to conveyor speed. Before the accelerator device initiates advance of the carton in conveyor direction, a carton releasing device engages a side of the carton and advances the carton transversely of the direction of conveyor advance to free the carton from other cartons in the stack.

Abstract: A pneumatic control system for a press which includes a pair of start switches. The system is constructed so that the press can only be started if both of the start switches are actuated within a predetermined time interval. If one of the start switches is released during a down stroke of the press, the press is stopped. A cam operated switch permits continued operation of the press after the press has reached its bottom position even though start switches are released after the press has passed full down position. A brake cam operated switch prevents operation of the press if the press fails to stop at its full up position.

Abstract: A shield for a radiation piping rod is formed by shrinking a length of plastic resin tubing on a rod or on a mandrel having a portion conforming to a portion of the rod to be shielded. The shrunken tubing is provided with a lengthened slit to permit stripping from the rod or mandrel to form the shield. The shield is mounted on the rod after stripping, and an air interface is formed between the rod and the shield to minimize loss of radiation caused by the shield.

Abstract: A male safety plug unit which fits a female unit to form a connection between contacts of the female unit. The male unit includes a body having sockets in end portions. A U-shaped connector member has arms which extend through bores which connect the sockets and includes a central portion exposed in a first one of the sockets. End portions of the arms are exposed in the second socket. An end cap is mounted in said first socket and engages the central portion of the U-shaped connector member to hold the U-shaped connector member in position. A chain socket in the end cap receives a chain link, a fastener extends through walls of the first socket and through walls of the chain socket to hold the chain link, the body, the end cap, and the U-shaped connector member in assembled relation.

Abstract: A walker which comprises a pair of interconnecting side frames. Each of the side frames includes a pair of upright legs and a hand grip bar connecting upper end portions of the legs. A caster is adapted to support each leg. A spring is mounted in association with each caster to urge the leg associated therewith to a raised position in which the lower end of the associated leg is spaced above a surface on which the casters run. The springs yield when weight is applied to the bars to cause the lower ends of the legs to engage the supporting surface to lock the walker in position.

Abstract: A flower container having a bottom and an annular wall terminating in an upwardly opening mouth. A plurality of lugs is mounted on the wall adjacent the mouth, there being upright sockets in the lugs. Plugs are mounted in the sockets. Flexible straps span opposed plugs. The straps hold a block of flower holding material in the container.

Abstract: A self-fertilizing pot which includes outer and inner cup-shaped members which are attached together with a space therebetween. Timed release encapsulated plant food is mounted on one of the cup-shaped members inside the space. Water is introduced into the space to release the plant food. The water passes through openings in the inner cup-shaped member to provide water and plant food for contents of the inner cup-shaped member.

Abstract: A mounting structure for a wheel mounting assembly such as a caster assembly having a mounting plate. Mounting blocks of viscoelastic rubber-like material are mounted on corners of the mounting plate. Each mounting block includes flanges which define a slot in which an edge portion of the mounting plate is received. Brackets attached to a support panel of a cart or the like supported by the caster assembly hold the flanges in compression against the faces of the mounting plate and against the panel so that the panel and the cart or the like are viscoelastically supported in spaced relation to a surface on which a wheel of the assembly runs.

Abstract: Steering mechanism for a boat motor having a shaft which turns to turn the boat motor. A plurality of first contacts is spaced circumferentially around the shaft. A sweep contact mounted on the shaft sequentially engages the first contacts as the shaft turns. A pivotally mounted pedal swings a contact plate. A plurality of second contacts, each of which is connected to a respective one of the first contacts, is engageable with the contact plate. Upon movement of the pedal power is supplied to the steering motor until the sweep contact engages one of the first contacts which is connected to a second contact that is free of the contact plate. The contact plate can include two contact plate portions, one of which is connected in series with the steering motor when the pedal is moved in one direction and the other of which is connected in series with the steering motor when the pedal is moved in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A cable connector assembly in which connector bodies carry spaced parallel cable contact members. Each cable contact member of one connector body is engageable with one of the cable contact members of the other connector body. A male ground contact is mounted in one of the connector bodies parallel to the cable contact members thereof and a female ground contact is mounted in the other cable connector body parallel to the cable contact members thereof. A latch in the connector body which has the female ground contact is movable transversely of the female ground contact and can engage in a slot in the male ground contact when the connector bodies are in assembled relation.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for an outboard motor which can be mounted on a boat to support an outboard motor in upright operative relation to the boat outboard thereof and to support the motor in substantially reclining stowed relation to the deck of the boat. The mounting has an index pan member secured to the deck and a base resting in and substantially filling the pan, the base being secured on the deck by a plurality of members extending through the base, index pan and deck cantable relative thereof and spring-biased to urge the base to seat flatwise in the pan but permitting tilting of the base relative to the pan and deck with one or more points of the base in contact within the pan. A main link is pivoted to the base, swingable inboard to motor-stowing position and into horizontal overboard extending relation in which it is also latched in fixed relation to the base.

Abstract: A service indicating device which includes a casing and a drawer slidably received in the casing. The drawer has a transparent front panel. Indicator element blocks are mounted in the drawer tandemwise with a front face of one of the indicator element blocks adjacent the front panel of the drawer to be viewed through the front panel. Top faces of the indicator element blocks are exposed when the drawer is open. There is indicia on front faces of the indicator element blocks to indicate the time for a service operation. Indicia on top faces of the indicator element blocks indicate the order for the blocks.

Abstract: A spray dispenser including a hollow casing, having sockets in each of which a pair of O-ring seals is mounted. A ball valve is urged toward one of the O-ring seals of each socket. A housing is removably mounted in the casing. Hollow lugs on the housing each having a cylindrical outer face are received inside O-ring seals in sealing relation therewith. Each lug unseats the associated ball valve. When the housing is removed, the ball valve seats against one O-ring seal when the housing is removed from the casing while the lug is in sealing engagement with the other O-ring seal. Compressed air and liquid under pressure are directed through the sockets to a dispensing valve member on the housing, and the pressure need not be released when the housing is removed.

Abstract: A mount for a damper which is inserted between duct sections. An assembly of bent plate spring duct seal members forms a seal assembly mounted on each duct section at adjacent ends of the duct sections. The damper plate advances between the seal assemblies in sealing relation with the seal members. An enclosure surrounds the seal assemblies to form a chamber surrounding the seal assemblies. Air is blown into the chamber to prevent escape of contents of the duct sections at the damper plate. Access openings are provided in the enclosure. Adjoining edges of the spring seal members are bridged by angle-shaped bridge members.

Abstract: A two-stage pump which includes a pair of reciprocating pump members operating in opposed pump chambers and a connecting rod connecting the pump members to cause the pump members to operate in unison. Air under pressure is supplied to the chambers by a spool valve member which operates in a guide sleeve. The spool valve includes four outwardly extending portions defining a central pressure slot and a pair of exhaust slots. Ports in the sleeve communicate with the pump chambers. The spool valve is moved by pressure in pressure chambers at opposite ends of the sleeve member. The sleeve is mounted in a bore, and metering air passageways are formed between the valve sleeve and the bore and connecting the pressure chambers with the exhaust slots.

Abstract: An operating table bracket which includes a body having a face which overlies an upper edge of a support bar of the operating table and a locking member mounted for swinging movement and for up and down movement with relation to the body and for engaging an underside of the support bar. A cam operates the locking member. The locking member is mounted on a pivot which is slidable up and down with respect to the body. Initial operation of the cam swings the locking member from a released position to a bracket retaining position in which the locking member loosely engages the support bar but the bracket can be slid along the support bar. Further advance of the cam causes the locking member to rise against the underside of the support bar to lock the bracket on the support bar. An instrument holding means on the body includes a yoke member which is rotatably mounted on the body for swinging about a transverse axis and an instrument support releasably attached to the yoke member.

Abstract: A device for removing water from hydraulic fluid of a machine tool having a coolant system. The hydraulic fluid is passed through a tower to be exposed to a vacuum inside the tower. A first jet ejector is powered by coolant from a coolant circulating pump and draws a vacuum on an upper portion of the tower. A second jet ejector is powered by hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic fluid circulating pump and draws hydraulic fluid from a lower end of the tower. The ejectors impress a vacuum on the interior of the tower to cause vaporization of water carried by the hydraulic fluid and the water is returned to the coolant system through the first ejector.