Abstract: A surface maintenance machine includes a cylindrical brush mounted in the machine for rotation about a generally horizontal axis extending transverse to the direction of machine movement. A recirculation flap is attached to the machine and extends generally coextensively with the brush and parallel thereto. The recirculation flap is normally yieldingly urged toward the brush, with contact between the flap and a floor obstacle causing the flap to move, against the force of its mounting springs, away from the brush.

Abstract: A unique fluid connector is disclosed that quickly connects a tube within a housing bore, while providing a strong, fluid tight seal. The tube has axially spaced radially greater diameter upset portions with a sleeve and a locking member trapped between the upset portions. The locking member includes resilient arms which secure it within the housing bore. The sleeve has a notch at an inner axial end which abuts the inner upset portion to retain the tube within the bore. An O-ring is positioned axially inwardly of the upset portion. The sleeve and the inner upset portion both abut the O-ring to provide a fluid tight seal between the tube and the housing. In a unique method, a tube unit is assembled by forming the outer upset portion on the tube. The locking member and sleeve are then moved onto the tube. The inner upset portion is then formed on the tube to secure the locking member and the sleeve on the tube. An O-ring retaining portion is then formed on the tube, and the O-ring is positioned onto the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the opening pressure of a relief valve has a clamp removably secured to the bonnet of a relief valve. The clamp has four upstanding bolts slidably held in T-shaped slots. The bolts mount the base plate of a frame which carries a lifting cylinder and transducer. The cylinder connects to the relief valve stem and applies a lifting force thereto. The transducer measures the amount of force needed to open the valve. The frame is removable from the clamp which provides access to the relief valve adjustment nut. Adjustments in the relief valve opening pressure can be made without requiring removal of the clamp. A calibration adaptor fits on the frame to allow testing of the transducer in situ.

Abstract: A trip-free operating mechanism for a load break switch of the type having a fixed contact engageable by a movable contact between a fully closed position and a fully open position. The operating mechanism includes an operating lever connected to the movable contact and rotatable about a shaft to move the contact between its open and closed positions. A follower rotates with the shaft into and out of contact with the operating lever. A closing spring biases the operating lever and the follower towards each other. An opening spring drive connects to the follower to drive the follower to its switch contact open position. A first latch holds the operating lever and follower apart against the force of the closing spring when the operating lever is in its switch contact closed position.

Abstract: A hinge for removably attaching a cover member to a container member. The hinge includes a first plate affixable to one of the members and a second plate affixable to the other of the members. A first tubular socket is formed integrally with the first plate and a second tubular socket is formed integrally with the second plate. The first and second tubular sockets are aligned when the first and second plates are affixed in alignment to the container and cover members. A J-shaped rod is formed with a longer leg and a shorter leg joined by a integral bail. A cap is formed on the end of the longer leg which is located away from the bail. The J-shaped rod is mounted on the first plate with its longer leg extending through the first tubular socket. A coil spring telescopes over a portion of the longer leg of the J-shaped rod with the spring engaging the first tubular socket and the cap to bias the bail against the opposite side of the first tubular socket and to seat the shorter leg in the second tubular socket.

Abstract: A fluid connection includes a valve which blocks flow into or out of the housing until a tube is fully received within the housing. The valve preferably has structure which is biased against the valve seat in the housing until the tube is moved into the housing. The valve seat is preferably in a plane which is perpendicular to the central axis of the housing. Further, the valve preferably has surfaces which guide fluid between the radially outer surface of the valve and the interior of the tube. In one embodiment, the valve includes a forward ring which contacts a tube and which has two ribs connected to the main valve body. The valve surface is preferably a conical surface spaced axially inwardly from the forward ring. Preferably, additional conical surfaces are disposed between the ribs and guide the fluid between the valve surface and the interior of the tube. In another embodiment, the valve may have an X or Y-shaped cross-sectional ribs which contact the tube.

Abstract: The room heating arrangement is provided with a radiation tube, connected to a pressure and mixing chamber casing 1, a pipe line system arranged above the room to be heated, the radiation tube being connected, on the one hand, to a return flow chamber 19 with fan 10 and, on the other hand, to a mixing chamber 20 with a flame tube 14 surrounding a burner 2. The pressure and mixing chamber casing 1 is constructed in double-worm form, two cylindrical parts 26, 27 forming the casing and a front and back plate 3, 4 presenting the double-worm form, while the connecting tubes 18, 21 for the radiation tube are connected to the back plate 4. The burner 2 and the drive unit 5 for the fan 10 are arranged on the front plate 3.

Abstract: A dual switch actuator for coordinated actuation of two high-current switches, each having a switch operator with a shaft. The switch operator shafts are aligned paraxially with a main shaft of the actuator. A Geneva drive plate having an arcuate bearing surface and two drive pins is affixed to the main shaft. A modified Geneva follower plate is affixed to each of the switch operator shafts. Each follower plate has a drive slot for receiving a drive pin and a bearing surface complementary to the drive plate bearing surface. In a neutral position of the main shaft, each drive pin is positioned at a follower plate drive slot entrance and both follower plates bearing surfaces engage the main drive plate bearing surface. Rotation of the main shaft in either direction from neutral causes one guide pin to move inwardly of the follower plate drive slot, rotating the follower plate and its associated switch operator shaft to actuate one switch without actuation of the other.

Abstract: A snap action switch has a base and cover enclosing upper and lower electrical terminals. A spring blade disposed between the terminals is movable by a cover-mounted actuator between engagement with one terminal or the other. The spring blade has only one stable position to which it returns upon release of the actuator force. The spring blade includes an anchor mounting the blade in the base and defining a generally planar junction portion. A pair of wings extend out of the plane of the junction portion. An elongated center beam connects at a fixed end to the junction. Outer beams on either side of the center beam connect to the wings. The free ends of all three beams are joined at a contact portion. Crimps in the outer beams place them in tension and the center beam in compression.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for practice in an over-the-road vehicle to determine whether effluent water released in an operating water treatment system (plant installation) can be adequately treated to remove contaminants so the effluent may be reused at the plant rather than discharged to the environment with inimical effect. The frame of the vehicle supporting a plurality of clean holding tanks, a plurality of functionally different water treating units, an analysis laboratory, a pilot cooling tower simulator, and a pilot boiler simulator. The effluent is transferred from one of the holding tanks to at least one of the water treating units to reduce the contaminant level. When the contaminant level has been reduced to a level appropriate for reuse at the plant, the effluent is transferred to one of the simulator apparatus for evaluation of the treated water in the corresponding plant process.

Abstract: A connector assembly for electrically connecting or splicing multiple pairs of insulated conductors comprising a feeder circuit, and providing a tap connection through an integral and easily accessible fuse for each phase of the circuit. The assembly comprises a multi-piece housing typically of thermoplastic material, and includes various caps and plugs which when assembled provide a watertight seal for the entire connection. The tap connection, commonly referred to as the load side, comprises a male plug assembly consisting of two blades within a housing which in turn is seated within an elastomeric boot; this entire assembly is mated with a female receptacle on the main housing, coming into intimate contact with the female receptacle, insuring a submersible watertight seal. This tap connection can be readily disconnected and re-connected without interruption to the main feed circuit, by simply unplugging the load side plug from the line side housing.

Abstract: In a control device (S) for a hydraulic motor (V) which is adapted to be ed upon at both sides, there are provided working conduits (4, 5) which are alternately connectable via a directional control valve (C) to a pressure source (P) and a tank (T), a load holding valve (H) which is hydraulically openable in a controlled way and is arranged in at least one working conduit (4), as well as a control pressure conduit (13) which is connected to the opening side (16) of said load holding valve (H), with pressure variations arising during the controlled opening of the load holding valve, and the amplitudes of the pressure variations being adapted to be dampened in the control pressure conduit (13) at least via a damping throttle (D).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring film formers in an opaque process stream by immersing a segment of a transparent eccentrically mounted rotatable disc in the fluid stream, allowing time to accumulate film formers, then rotating the disc to expose the previously immersed section to optical monitoring by which a sample transmittance may be compared to a reference transmittance; the disc may have a segment presenting a hydrophilic surface and another segment presenting a hydrophobic surface so that different kinds of film formers may be monitored.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette has an improved reel spring, slack limiter and tape guide. The reel spring has a generally rectangular shape with first and second parallel edges extending substantially along its entire length. A flat, central base portion of the spring is bounded by a pair of transition portions which extend at an angle out of the plane of the base. A pair of outer end portions set at a sharper angle to the base complete the spring configuration. A polypropylene slack limiter applies a preloaded tension on the magnetic tape. The polypropylene eliminates the need for laminating a separate bearing material to the slack limiter. The tape guide has a semi-cylindrical, stainless steel insert attached to a plastic mounting core. The core is fastened to the cassette housing.

Abstract: A connector assembly has a metallic female housing socket. The female housing socket has a pair of flanges substantially perpendicular to the axis of the socket to retain sealing rings and a conduit retainer within the socket. The socket also has one or more barb corners on its stem to enhance retention of a conduit onto the stem.

Abstract: In a hydraulic control device (S) comprising a double-acting hydraulic consumer (V) which is actuable by pressure via two working conduits (4, 5) and secured in at least one working direction by a load holding valve (H) which is hydraulically openable and closable in a controlled way, further comprising a control pressure conduit (12) which is connected to a control connection of the load holding valve and selectively actuable, as well as a damping throttle (13) arranged in control pressure conduit (12), there is provided a valve (15, 15', 15", 15'", 15.sup.IV) which during the controlled closing movement of load holding valve (H, 6) is automatically responsive to a delay of the controlled closing movement which is caused by the instantaneous viscosity of the pressure medium and/or a too tight setting of damping throttle (13) and is critical as to the after-running of hydraulic consumer (V) under a load (F), with the valve switching in such a case to passage and bypassing damping throttle (13).

Abstract: A floating grab installation for recovery of sand and gravel is disclosed. The installation includes a catamaran-type float or pontoon having a gripper and gripper support thereon. The gripper transfers the sand and gravel to an underwater tank having an endless bucket dredge which plunges to its lowest point.