Abstract: A wye-delta open transition motor starter provided with a leading phase monitor and a method of using the same such that transient currents during the open transition are limited to acceptable magnitudes.

Abstract: An easy to use pill safety dispenser having few parts and which are easily manipulated even by persons with digital disabilities such as arthritis and paralysis. The dispenser consists of a axially arranged cylindrical pill container having a pill dispensing aperture in its sidewall and a row of slots or notches positioned at one end of the outer rim of the container. One notch is deeper than the others. A corresponding sleeve with a pill dispensing aperture is adapted to fit over the container which is rotatable and slidable and has a tang positioned near one of its ends which, when correctly rotated and slid into position, aligns both pill dispensing apertures and allows one or more pills to pass through.

Abstract: A seat belt webbing adjuster having a base frame provided with a moveable elongated load bar of unique shape having a substantially planar transverse surface and having multiple transverse rounded edges displaced therefrom and about which seat belt webbing is wrapped, the load bar being adapted to pinch the webbing against the body frame at the planar surface and to frictionally engage the webbing at the rounded edges. Inasmuch as said webbing is pinched only along the planar surface of the load bar, jamming of the webbing as it is adjusted is avoided and the webbing adjuster assembly can be made to loose tolerances, thus decreasing the manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A strap for securing luggage to a collapsible luggage cart, the length of which is preliminarily adjusted with a buckle for securing particular pieces of luggage to the cart, and which may thereafter be used to secure the same pieces of luggage to the cart without further adjustment of the length of the strap by the buckle. The strap, which is formed of a flat web material is provided with a buckle at one end, a hook fastener provided with a slot for receiving the strap is place on a loop of the strap formed by the buckle, and spaced segment of mutually engageable material are provided on one side of the strap at the other end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved hatcher structure which is more efficient than conventional hatchers and which is easier to construct, operate and service. In particular, the hatcher of the present invention utilizes a restricted area, high pressure zone of air to control the exhaust of air from within the chamber and, in turn, control the intake of cooler external air into the chamber and the mixing of that air with the internal air. To achieve this control, the hatchet of the present invention further utilizes a mobile environmental adjustment system and an alignment mechanism which ensures precise and consistent placement of the environment adjustment system within the chamber. In addition, the present invention employs an improved frame post and doorway seal which facilitate construction, operation and maintenance and which promote internal environmental consistency.

Abstract: A food preparation appliance for cutting generally spherical food items into two portions, with the complimentary cut edges being of a fanciful design. The appliance adjustably supports the food item with respect to a cutting head, such that the cutting head may be moved toward and into the food item to cut it at a desired location. A drive mechanism is provided to rotate the food item in response to the cutting head being moved toward the food item, after being retracted therefrom, such that successive cuts will normally form a continuous cut around the food item to separate the food item into two portions, each of which has a fanciful cut edge.

Abstract: A three phase saturating reactor is constructed of thin E and I shaped laminations that are interleaved to minimize the effects of air gaps. The laminations include apertures that are in alignment and four identical frame members are secured thereto by means of insulated bolts that pass through the apertures in the core and corresponding holes in the frame members. The taps of the electrical phase coils that encircle the legs of the core are of heavy conductors that are self-supporting. The saturating reactor design is such that the core is driven into saturation at a small percentage of the rated current of the reactor to rapidly develop a back EMF when in a motor starting circuit.

Abstract: A holder for a removable plug-in circuit element is disclosed. The holder comprises an insulated base, an electrical bus member, and a plurality of terminal members which are formed from the same blank of metal as the metal bus member. The bus member comprises a plurality of branches joined to a common trunk with each branch having at its free end an integral terminal. Each terminal member has at one end an electrical terminal and, at an opposite end, an integral terminal which is aligned to the free end of one lateral branch. In one embodiment of the invention, the holder includes an insulated cover which is carried by the base and which has a plurality of apertures which aligned to the terminals of each branch so as to receive the ends of a removable plug-in circuit element therein.

Abstract: A material finishing line including a essentially linear array of work stations is disclosed. A stationary support beam extends over the work stations and substatially encloses a transmission, and supports at least one crane body and a drive means to selectively propel the crane body along the support beam. The crane body is an assembly of components arranged to raise workpieces from the work stations towards the support beam. A `U` shaped cart supports lift means to provide power to raise a lift arm and supports the lift arm and a lift arm guide. The vertical extensions of the support beam and of the cart are reduced and nearly overlap, and the vertical extension of the lift arm may be lifted into substantially overlapping relationship with the vertical extension of the cart.

Abstract: A microprocessor based recloser control has a microcomputer for causing trip and close operations of a recloser in response to the conditions of the power distribution lines being protected and operator commands. The microcomputer may be overridden by a mechanical switch in the recloser control. If power to the recloser control is lost, the microprocessor will continue to function with power storage means for a limited duration. Towards the end of that duration, this microcomputer will power down the microprocessor in an orderly manner allowing automatic return to its functions when power is restored. After the microprocessor is no longer functioning, a secondary overcurrent trip circuit is relied upon to cause a trip operation of the recloser for extended durations of power outage. The secondary overcurrent trip circuit can be disabled by the microprocessor.

Abstract: A high-current shunt is disclosed for carrying current between relatively fixed and movable terminals in a mechanism for controlling the transfer of electrical energy. In one embodiment a plurality of generally oval, flexible, ribbon-like electrical conductors are used to bridge the gap between two spaced apart coaxial base members. Each ribbon-like conductor is suspended between the two base elements so as to have a generally U-shaped configuration. By connecting the conductors to each base element at a single point, the two base elements may be rotated relative to each other to a limited degree. Stacking and nesting of the ribbon conductors increases the current carrying capability. Good electrical contact is established within a relatively small volume and relatively little force is required to rotate the two elements relative to each other.

Abstract: The power theft detector circuit (10, 110 and 210) detects when current is being diverted around a line conductor (20 or 220) passing through a meter housing (14 or 214). The circuit (10, 110 or 210) includes a current transformer (12, 112 or 212) coupled to the line conductor (20 or 220) within the meter and defines a primary winding (20 or 220) of the current transformer (12, 112 or 212). A secondary circuit (23, 123 or 224) includes a secondary winding (22, 122 or 226) of the transformer (12, 112 or 212) and sensing circuitry (24, R.sub.m, R.sub.1, and S; 124, R.sub.m, R.sub.1, S and 126; 232, R.sub.m, and 240) for sensing a change in the impedance reflected from the primary circuit into the secondary circuit (23, 123 or 224) when a low impedance jumper (26, 260) is connected in parallel with the line conductor (20 or 220) in the meter thereby to sense a power theft condition.

Abstract: A liquid propane gas fuel system includes a propane fuel tank. A two stage pressure regulator defined by a housing with a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet is also included. A first fuel conduit extends from an outlet in the fuel tank to the fuel inlet in the pressure regulator. The system supplies fuel to an engine that includes an exhaust gas manifold. A thermoconductive mounting bracket is secured to the housing of the pressure regulator and manifold to transmit heat from the manifold to the regulator in proportion to the load imposed on the engine. A chokeless carburetor is also included in the system and is in fluid communication through a second fuel conduit with the outlet of the pressure regulator. In an alternative embodiment, a heat exchanger is included in the first fuel conduit. In a second alternative embodiment, an electric heating element is positioned within the housing of the pressure regulator.