Abstract: A stacker (10) for stacking sheets of material (17) is provided which is mounted to the sewing bed (12) of a sewing machine (11). The stacker has a support bed (26), a wheel assembly (29), and a grasping assembly (30). The wheel assembly advances the material over a rearward edge of the support bed to a position wherein a leading portion (19) of the material depends therefrom while a trailing portion (22) is held thereto by a movably motorized wheel (34) and holding finger (37). The grasping assembly includes a pair of reciprocating grasping fingers (46) mounted to a pivotably arm (43). In stacking the material, the grasping fingers grasp the trailing portion of the material while the arm pivots the trailing portion over the leading portion to a stacking position S.

Abstract: An air freshener device disposed in proximity to a ceiling fan by attachment to a pull chain of the ceiling fan for scenting air moved by the fan. The device receives a scented pad in a first dish that defines a pair of opposite slots for receiving links of the pull chain for securing the device in close proximity to the ceiling fan and for overlying the scented pad in the first dish. A second dish joins to the first dish by engaging a flange on the second dish to a groove in the first dish. The groove is defined by a rib which extends outwardly of a thinner distal portion of the skirt and a thicker portion of the skirt. The dishes define a plurality of vent openings for exposing the scented pad to air moved by the ceiling fan. A first tab extends outwardly of the first dish and a second tab extends outwardly of the second dish in partially overlapping relation, whereby the joined dishes are separated by twistingly moving the tabs in opposite directions.

Abstract: A spider for a railroad crossing signal foundation has plastic lined tubular channels extending through it with conical entry sections. In assembling a foundation, upright guide rods are guided into the channels by the entry sections without dislodging the plastic liners. In producing the spider, concrete is poured into a mold about tubular plastic liners so as to form entry sections and channels and to fix the plastic liners in the concrete to line the channels.

Abstract: Batteries in a battery string are provided with shunt circuits that shunt current about a battery when it is charged to an upper charge limit or discharged to a lower charge limit. The shunt circuits include an inductor and a switching network.

Abstract: An air freshener device disposed in proximity to a ceiling fan by attachment to a pull chain of the ceiling fan for scenting air moved by the fan. The device has a unitary clam-shell housing for receiving a scented pad between a first dish and a second dish which join together by an intermediate foldable hinge. The dishes define a plurality of vent openings for passage of air therethrough for scenting. A latch member extending laterally from the first dish defines a channel for lockingly engaging a post that extends radially inwardly on the second dish upon folding the dishes together along the hinge. A pair of oppositely aligned slots in portions of the first dish receiving links of the pull chain for securing the device in close proximity to the ceiling fan and for overlying the scented pad in the housing.

Abstract: An air compressed gun (10) is provided having a stock (11), a barrel (12), a trigger (13) and a manual air pump (14). The gun also has a magazine (18) having a series of barrels (26) for holding several projectiles (P). An actuator (50) indexes the magazine with each shot of the gun. The triggering of the gun is controlled by a voice activated triggering system (215) which includes a microphone (216), a control circuit (220) and a control valve (219).

Abstract: A sealing devise provided for use in sealing flexible bags. The sealing device has a receiving arm (11) and a locking arm (12) each having generally parallel side walls (16, 26) having elongated, seating shoulders (19, 29) for interlocking engagement. The receiving and locking arms are configured to form a hinge (36) for pivotably movement of the arms relative to each other.

Abstract: A method of producing iron powder comprises the step of providing a supply of iron oxide powder of a size less than 1000 microns which is then heated in a reducing agent atmosphere to a temperature between 1000.degree. F. and 2100.degree. F., thus resulting in the iron oxide powder being reduced to iron powder, cooling the iron powder in an inert gas atmosphere to a temperature below 150.degree. F. and milling to a median particle size diameter of less than or equal to 20 microns.

Abstract: A suturing instrument (10) is disclosed having a handle (11) with finger rings (16, 17), a surgical needle (14) pivotably mounted to the handle, and grasping jaws (12, 13) for securing the pivotal position of the needle. The needle has a suture receiving recess (26) and a latch (27) pivotable between a closed position overlying the recess and an open positioning unobstructing the recess.

Abstract: A hair drying curler apparatus (10) for curling and drying a lock of hair is disclosed having a tubular roller (11) and a retaining clip (12). The roller has a tubular support (14), a moisture permeable inner cover material (15) joined to a moisture permeable outer cover material (16), and a mass of hair drying expediting material (18) positioned between the inner and outer cover materials. The outer cover material is quilted to form a linear array of generally axially aligned, annular channels (22) containing the expediting material. Similarly, the retaining clip has a support (26), a moisture permeable inner cover material (27) joined to a moisture permeable outer cover material (28), and a mass of hair drying expediting material (30) positioned between the inner and outer cover material. The outer cover material is quilted to form a linear array of arcuate channels (33) containing the expediting material.

Abstract: Facial wrinkles are reduced by rolling the face and scalp with implements having free wheeling rollers.

Abstract: A liveload assembly for communicating a load to packing material through a flange member of a fluid flow apparatus while pre-stressing a stud holding the flange member with a different loading, in which a first set of compressible belleville washers are received on an open-ended sleeve of a stack guide and rest on a seat defined by a flange at one end of the sleeve, the stack guide and washers received into a recess of a retainer cup having a partially closed end which defines a threaded bore for threadingly engaging the retainer cup to a stud extending from the stuffing box and freely through a gland follower, whereby the first set of belleville washers, being compressed, communicate a load through the flange member to the packing material. A second set of belleville washers are received on the stud and rest on a beveled face of the retainer cap. A nut screwed onto the stud compresses the second set of belleville washers against the beveled face of the retainer cup for pre-stressing the stud.

Abstract: An air compressed gun (10) is provided having a stock (11), a barrel (12), a trigger (13) and a manual air pump (14). The gun also has a magazine (18) having a series of barrels (26) for holding several projectiles (P). An actuator (50) indexes the magazine with each shot of the gun and automatically controls bursts of pressurized air. The magazine has a mounting plate (25) with two concentric annular arrays of opening (28). A sealing plate (38) is configured to seal one opening with each sequential indexing of the magazine.

Abstract: An improved glove for use by persons engaged in sports and work activities the glove having a pair of first pads attached to a back portion, the first pads having surfaces of a first character, and a removable cushion made of an absorbent cloth and having a pair of second pads with surfaces of a second character for gripping detachable engagement with the first pads, whereby engagement of the cushion to the glove provides an absorbent cushion for wiping perspiration from a user wearing the gloves.

Abstract: A device attached to an end of a surgical cutting tool and extendable from a retracted position with a cutting surface of the tool exposed to an extended position with the cutting surface covered by the device to prevent inadvertent contacts with the cutting surfaces.