Abstract: For measuring the current cost of an appliance, current cost-measuring apparatus includes a line voltage unit, which plugs into an electric outlet and into which the appliance is plugged, and a remote light-weight portable cost-measuring unit. It is adapted to measure varying current utilization in a lower range or in a range eight times as great. A current transducer within the line voltage unit delivers both signals of both levels to the remote unit, which includes a high speed voltage-to-pulse converter, which has a somewhat limited straight line range of operation, and a low speed calculator unit. Their inconsistency is resolved by feeding the pulse output to a multi-stage binary divider at whose eleventh and fourteenth output stages are output taps. Since the division at the fourteenth stage is eight times that at the eleventh stage, selecting the higher divisor output compensates for selecting the higher level of signal of current used.

Abstract: A molded plastic swing seat has a pair of fully encapsulated thin flexible steel straps. To maintain the straps from warping or buckling under the forces exerted by inflow into the shallow mold of plastic material under high pressure, the straps are retained flat in a plane by the tips of closely spaced pairs of pins. Molding pressure forces a film of plastic material in the clearance beneath each tip, leaving the straps protected against corrosion. Since the embedded straps spread the force applied by ejection pins, the molded part may be ejected from the mold without waiting for it to harden, thus increasing production capacity.

Abstract: For supporting heat and vibration producing machinery on grouted foundations, high-strength plastic chock halves, which may be glass-polyester laminates, are used beneath machinery conventional steel sole plates resting on conventional plastic grout. The plastic material is characterized by a greater flexibility and much lesser thermal conductivity than steel, so they serve as barriers to the transmission of heat, while their flexible resiliency protects the foundation from vibrations attendant to operation of the machinery so supported. Leveling steel shims inserted between the chock halves do not impair the uniformity of the flexible resiliency they afford at each support point. Fretting wear of the machinery bed plates appears to be completely eliminated.

Abstract: A valve monitoring switch is operated by an adjustable length rod whose end senses the position of a valve, for example, a water supply valve. The rod, enclosed by an assembly-mounting nipple, is so pivot-mounted as to be capable of movement in a planar arc, whose plane is substantially coincident with or parallel to the component of valve movement as between its open and closed positions. When the rod is pivoted through a small arc of movement, against the bias of conventional electrical switches, they signal the valve position or its change. To effect installation without damage to the switch assembly, an angularly adjustable mounting socket for the nipple is provided; also, the rod length is adjustable, so that during installation it may be retracted alongside the electrical switch assembly; and after installation may be extended to and fixed in a position in which it will sense the state of the valve.

Abstract: An integrated factory system affords precision machining and inspection of aircraft turbine blades, as well as other metal parts having two generally opposite principal surfaces. It uses only two stages of chucking by the meltable matrix method. After embedding one of the surfaces in the first chuck, which positions the blank relative to a plane of reference, the other surface is machined and inspected according to programs relative to that plane. Without release from the first chuck, the part is transferred to a second chuck for embedding the machined principal surface relative to a second parallel plane of reference a precise distance from that of the first chuck. Machining and inspection is now completed relative to this second plane of reference.Improved matrix chucks are provided, as well as new chucking apparatus which establishes the planes of reference.

Abstract: A fraud-resistant manually-fed reader-writer is especially suited for debit card use, in which a credit balance is read into the memory of the reader. When the card reaches the end of its insertion-reading movement, a validity indication encoded on the magnetic stripe of such card is automatically eradicated by energizing a de-gaussing coil. If, after effecting transactions which debit the memory, the card is removed by some artifice without re-writing it with a reduced balance, such removed card will lack a validity indication and hence be incapable of re-use. Provisions are made to time the re-writing and to avoid forfeiture of the balance if the card should be withdrawn too slowly or too rapidly.

Abstract: A heater and limit switch assembly, particularly useful for installation in the conditioned air duct of a rooftop air conditioner. The loop of a rigid-loop heater, mounted on a vertical plate by two parallel legs, is modified to provide an inward offset portion leading to the second leg. Radiation, from the offset portion and its bend into the second leg, is received at close range by a simple disk-type limit switch, positioned on the plate outward of the second leg and facing the offset, inducing prompt response to any increase over design temperature.

Abstract: A fin-and-tube heat exchanger designed for one-way airflow, in which louvers, formed from the fin stock, progressively increase in length from the fin leading edge to its trailing edge. Their end walls channel air into stagnant air spaces behind the tubes. The tube collars may be offset somewhat toward the fin trailing edge, further reducing the stagnant air zones. In those bent heat exchangers in which air flows in from outside the curve, offsetting the collars also lessens the angular convergence of fin trailing edges inside the curve and presents less resistance to airflow.

Abstract: A low profile ceiling duct assembly to be used with rooftop air conditioners. The unit combines an octagonal sheet metal ceiling plate which provides the upper portion of a plenum chamber; this extending into the roof space above a ceiling opening. The lower plenum portion is provided by the molded plastic octagonal air distributor box, mounted against the edges of the plate and extending into the room space sufficiently to afford air flow sidewardly outward from the plenum. The air distributor box has outlet grilles at alternate sides of the octagon. They discharge air in four directions along the ceiling line while return air is drawn centrally upward.

Abstract: A hydraulic clamp embedded in a T-slot of a machine tool bolster plate, has a T-slotted piston rod end which fits continuously within the T-slot of the bolster plate. Using a T-configured member secured to the underside of a die shoe, and slid into the T-slot, actuating the hydraulic clamp draws the shoe downward, firmly clamping it against the bolster surface. If, instead of a T-configured member, and I-beam member (in effect, a double T) is used in a die shoe having a T-slotted undersurface, the clamping force is extended over the entire length of the I-beam. The effect is to avoid distortion of the die shoe. In addition to the surface friction attendant to the present distortion-free clamping, positive resistance of sideward displacement of the shoe is provided by the T-slot edges. When the present invention is not employed for clamping, the T-slotted surfaces of the bolster plates are unencumbered and may therefore be used and cleaned in an ordinary manner.

Abstract: A wood slatted sofa-bed requires no mechanism. Slanting slots are provided in side edge rails of the seat section, starting spaced away from its head rail, to receive the lowermost back section cross-slats. When the back section is raised and its lowermost slat is inserted in these slots, back section side rail supports, located out of correspondence with the side rails of the seat section, extend backward to and rest on the seat section head rail. For the bed configuration, the same back section rail supports hold the back section at the level of the seat section. Skids on the seat section facilitate moving it away from a wall, to provide space for the back section when so lowered to bed configuration.

Abstract: A subplate for installing a low-voltage electric receptacle plate onto a wall opening includes tab portions extending inward from clearance holes located centrally on the subplate frame. The tab portions each have two parallel lines of bend, a screw-engaging hole, and a clamping end. During installation, the tab portions are bent inward into the wall opening along the first bend lines and then backward along the second bend lines to position the tabs' clamping ends against the inner wall surface. The receptacle plate is then screwed to the subplate through the clearance holes and the inner screw-engaging apertures, tightening the clamping ends of the tab portions against the inner surface of the wall.

Abstract: A three-member molded plastic housing for rooftop air conditioners, including base and intermediate members having molded portions which together provide component lower and upper compartment walls and blower scrolls. The third member, an outer shroud, abuts sealedly along a roof ridge of the intermediate member to prevent recirculation within the shroud of condenser blower outlet air. The base member has downwardly molded projections for facilitating positioning the unit over a roof opening and resisting sideward forces.

Abstract: A two-piece plastic duct utilizing snap-together latch tongue and complementary engaging provisions together with overlapping sealing flanges to make adequately airtight duct assemblies. The duct walls consist of narrow trimming flats with measurement indicia; these flats are divided by narrower molded separators, which make it easy to trim the unassembled duct to desired length.

Abstract: For use in photographic package printing, selected negatives are cut from the film rolls and mounted in individual paper negative carriers, imprinted with bar-coded order details. A novel reader-feeder reads the bar-coded order on each of the carrier and stores the order in the memory of its microprocessor. When photoprinting of a prior order has been completed, the reader-feeder withdraws the prior negative carrier, feeds the newly-read negative carrier to the package printer, and inputs its stored order to a conventional printer-controller, which directs the photoprinter in the same manner as if an operator was key-inputting the order into the printer-controller.The paper negative carriers are supplied in manifold form, for computerized imprinting. These consist of die-cut front sheets having an adhesive backing on a waxed manifold web. Aligned rectangular cut-outs, the larger of which is in the web, provide an adherent mounting frame when the cut-out portions are removed.

Abstract: A composition suitable for scavenging oxygen from aqueous systems, for example those used in well drilling, is provided which comprises a mixture of an oxygen-reactive sulfite and/or bisulfite (sulfite component) and an amount of iron oxide particles sufficient to catalyze the reaction between oxygen and the sulfite component. These particles have certain properties as further described herein. These compositions also serve as corrosion inhibitors in aqueous systems, such as drilling muds, to protect steel components from corrosion. A method is also provided for using such compositions in aqueous systems to scavenge oxygen from such systems, and also H.sub.2 S, if present.

Abstract: Supplemental ventilation apparatus is provided for manufactured housing whose window and door openings are tightly sealed when closed. Exterior air is drawn in by the furnace's room air circulating blower through a flexible duct flattened wideningly at its base to fit removably on the upstanding flange of a dampered inlet to the furnace's upper air inlet chamber, which is installed in the narrow top wall surface of the furnace forward of its accessory-mounting portion. When combined with an adequately powered attic exhaust system, negative pressure, which such exhaust system creates in the attic, acts through openings in the ceiling to draw off positive room air pressure. Thus stale room air is withdrawn and exhausted through the attic, without any increase in capacity of the room air circulating blower.

Abstract: An integrated factory system affords precision machining and inspection of aircraft turbine blades, as well as other metal parts having two generally opposite principal surfaces. It uses only two stages of chucking by the meltable matrix method. After embedding one of the surfaces in the first chuck, which positions the blank relative to a plane of reference, the other surface is machined and inspected according to programs relative to that plane. Without release from the first chuck, the part is transferred to a second chuck for embedding the machined principal surface relative to a second parallel plane of reference a precise distance from that of the first chuck. Machining and inspection is now completed relative to this second plane of reference. Improved matrix chucks are provided, as well as new chucking apparatus which establishes the planes of reference.

Abstract: A compact secondary heat exchanger, installed in the path of room air through the casing of a gas furnace, utilizes a unitary condensing coil having parallel upper, middle and lower sets of tubes through which the flue gas passes sequentially to a collector manifold, exhausted by a blower. The coil is slanted downwardly from the hot gas manifold. Condensate formed in the first and second sets of tubes flows downward to an intermediate manifold between the first and second sets of tubing, condensate from this intermediate manifold is drained downward to a collector manifold beneath.