Abstract: A ventilation heat recovery system is mounted in a livestock building or the like. The system includes a counterflow shell and tube heat exchanger with an outer sleeve axially surrounding the shell along a substantial longitudinal portion thereof. Air is drawn from the ambient atmosphere into the shell for heat-exchanging flow counter to exhaust air that is drawn from the building atmosphere and forced through the exchanger tubes for exhausting to the ambient atmosphere. An annular-shaped distribution channel is formed between the outer sleeve and the shell, and the sleeve has a plurality of distribution orifices therealong for distributing incoming air to the building atmosphere. The channel is in flow communication with the shell through a transition zone defined between the end of the shell and a transition manifold which supports the tubes. Alternatively, the shell is in flow communication with a remote distribution duct having a plurality of distribution orifices.

Abstract: A descent control device is provided for lowering a person, animal or object from a first position of height to a second position substantially lower, especially as during escape from fire. The device comprises an assembly of three interacting parts including a strap, a brake block, and a friction ring. The strap, brake block, and friction ring interact and cooperate causing frictional engagement among themselves when the device is assembled. The resulting friction is used to control the descent from the place of height. The device may be utilized in two modes of operation: in the first, a descender utilizes the brake block and friction ring to slide downward upon the substantially stationary strap; in the second, the strap is used to lower a person, animal or object by attaching same to one end of the strap and utilizing the brake block and friction ring as a brake to control the lowering of the strap.

Abstract: An infrared collimator uses a barrel and an infrared energy emitting source mounted at one end of the barrel. A reticle mask over the emission source produces a reticle beam pattern which is concentrated and collimated by a mirror assembly including a convex reflector mounted at a front end of the barrel and a concave concentrator with a central through bore and mounted in the barrel between the emission source and the convex reflector. The collimator produces infrared energy in a coherent, collimated beam pattern for instrument calibration and testing purposes.

Abstract: A convertible sofa-bed arrangement includes a main mounting frame in the form of a sofa and a mattress supporting frame extensible and retractable relative to the main mounting frame on track members mounted on inner portions of the main mounting frame side arms. The mattress supporting frame has opposite side frame members with front portions thereof rigid and rear portions thereof comprising pivotally interconnected link sections for curving upwardly and retracting into an elongate cavity within the sofa backrest. The mattress supporting frame is driven inwardly and outwardly of the main mounting frame by a cable and motor arrangement utilizing a plurality of gripping arms, pulleys and a winding sheave driven by the motor to draw the mattress supporting frame inwardly to a sofa position and outwardly to a bed position. A switch is connected to the motor for stopping, starting and reversing actions.

Abstract: A sectional rack including hanger, vertical and shelf sections. The vertical section is releasably attached to the hanger section. The shelf section foldably attaches to one of the hanger and vertical sections and includes a pair of arms interconnected by a front bar. The shelf section is adapted to receive a cap on its arms with a visor thereof extending under the front bar.

Abstract: A computerized video imaging system is provided which includes a target mount for supporting a target photographic transparency. A lamphouse is positioned to pass light through the transparency and includes light sources for a set of primary colors. An image sensor is positioned to receive light passing from the lamphouse through the transparency and generates video signals representing hue and intensity of the light. Image storage means are provided for storing color reference representations of the reference transparency. A color video monitor receives signals related to the reference representations and the target video signals. A computer interfaces with the light source and the image storage to calculate photographic color correction values for the target transparency.

Abstract: A safety pressure relief assembly of the rupture disc type guards against pressure differentials, beyond a predetermined range in a vent system, and includes a relief disc perforated to permit reverse flow without rupture, a sealing disc positioned adjacent the relief disc and blocking positive flow through the perforations, a support member with a stay structure positioned to support the sealing disc nested within the relief disc, and a cutting member positioned to cut the sealing disc at a predetermined vacuum within the vent system. The relief disc has a concave surface and a convex surface. When a predetermined vacuum pressure differential is applied to the assembly, the sealing disc and the support structure are inverted to project away from the relief disc.

Abstract: A submersible mixer apparatus for circulating liquid in a body of water, such as a sewage lagoon, includes an upright beam member closed to form an air reservoir chamber and upper and lower supports holding the beam member in the body of liquid. A submersible motor and propeller are connected to the beam member by a bracket movable up and down on the beam member and a square tubular support arm affixed to the bracket and to which the submersible motor and propeller are mounted. The support arm is hollow and pressurized air is routed through the upright beam member and the support arm to an outlet of the support arm positioned substantially at the propeller to inject air into the flow area created by the propeller. A selectively engageable and disengageable connector arrangement is positioned between the upright beam member and the support arm which, when engaged, routes the air from the upright beam member into the support arm.

Abstract: An automatic latching assembly is provided for retaining vehicle bodies upon conveyor carriers during conveyance into and out of treatment baths. The assembly includes a carrier having latches mounted thereon which selectively engage the vehicle body securing it to the carrier. The latches comprise pivoting hooks rotatably mounted upon the carrier. Generally, gravity actuates pivoting of the hooks, biasing them into latching orientations. Unlatching orientations are achieved by a stationary, upward biasing cam operating upon the hooks. A downward biasing cam aids in the gravity actutation of the hooks into the latching orientation. The assembly selectively, automatically secures the vehicle body to the conveyor carrier, or releases it therefrom, as desired during transport of the vehicle body by the conveyor.

Abstract: A selectible beam/plane projecting laser is particularly useful for vehicle frame and body alignment. A lens contained in a holder mechanism mounted on a laser projector housing flips into and out of the laser beam path and when in the path, changes the beam to a plane. When used for vehicle frame and body alignment, the plane of the laser generated light allows the operator to spot targets any place in the plane of light and makes easier determination of alignment conditions.

Abstract: A vehicle towing mechanism adapted to be utilized in conjunction with a truck for towing a wheeled vehicle. The towing mechanism includes an elongate main support member which is pivotally connected to the truck and extends rearwardly therefrom. The main support member has vertical, spaced side walls formed of a prestressed high tensile metal and is constructed to have an upwardly bowed configuration; such configuration is retained by an upper wall fixedly attached thereto. A vertical riser member is adapted to be vertically slidable relative to the truck rear end and is connected to the main support member to inhibit lateral movement. The main support member is connected to an apparatus which supports laterally spaced wheels of the vehicle and includes wheel-engaging devices for each wheel. Each device has a rotating section and a fixed section. Wheel retainers are adapted to secure the wheels within respective devices and securely lock the wheel-supporting apparatus in a selectively fixed position.

Abstract: A connector for mounting a vehicle measuring system to a vehicle fixture hole includes spaced arms with projecting end lugs which evenly and symmetrically open and grip the material defining the hole so that the connector is centered with respect to the hole. Rotation of a thumb wheel operates a wedge arrangement to evenly spread the arms and securely tighten the connector to the material defining the hole. A bushing on the connector is connectible to the vechicle measuring system and is longitudinally adjustable to set a precise distance from the measuring system to the fixture hole.

Abstract: An exercising device for conditioning the dorsal flexor muscles includes a fixed frame having inclined foot rests mounted adjacent one end and an arm arrangement swingably attached to the fixed frame at an opposite end. The arm arrangement includes a lever arm pivotally connected to the fixed frame and with foot engaging bars extending transversely from the lever arm generally adjacent the foot rest. The user places his feet between the foot rest and the foot engagement bars and flexes the feet upwardly to reduce the tendency toward the strained muscle condition known as shin splints. Provision is made for extra weights to be attached to the arm arrangement.

Abstract: A personal mobility vehicle includes a floor pan with a rear drive unit at one end and a steerable front wheel at the other end. The drive unit is separable from the floor pan and includes spaced apart, differentially connected rear wheels, an electric motor, and belts and pulleys drivingly connecting the motor to a differential unit. The front wheel is steered by a tiller. A seat with a folding back is removably connected to the floor pan toward the pan rear end to concentrate the weight of the driver over the rear wheels to aid in traction. A brake is provided on the front wheel and is lockable for parking purposes. Each of the drive unit, seat unit, a battery, and a floor pan unit weighs less than thirty pounds such that the separated components can be easily lifted and manipulated for transportation of the vehicle between sites of use.

Abstract: A power-driven conveyor which includes a bed with opposite front and back ends, front and back pulleys extending transversely across the bed ends, and an endless belt trained over the pulleys. A plurality of cleats are attached to the belt in spaced relation and extend transversely thereacross. A drive mechanism for the conveyor includes an actuator with an extensible and retractable rod and a pawl mechanism connected to the rod. The pawl mechanism has a push configuration in engagement with one of the cleats for advancing the conveyor belt and a retract configuration disengaged from the cleats. The conveyor is cycled and monitored by a control system.

Abstract: A drag-type road grader including a skewable frame and a plurality of blade assemblies extending transversely across the frame. A tongue assembly is mounted on the frame and includes hydraulic cylinders for skewing the frame to alternative parallelogram-shaped configurations whereby the blade assemblies are angled with respect to the direction of travel. Retractable wheel assemblies are provided for transporting the grader in a non-working mode.

Abstract: A mirror assembly is provided adapted for use with a vehicle and includes a mirror housing, a mirror, a support bracket for mounting the mirror housing on an associated vehicle and an expandable ball and socket arrangement associated with the mirror housing and support bracket for selectively retaining the mirror in a desired rotational position relative to the vehicle. The ball and socket arrangement comprises a partially spherical socket formed in the mirror housing, a thin-walled socket liner retained therein and an expandable ball securely connected to the mounting bracket. The expandable ball comprises a plurality of partially spherical segments each attached to a shank and resiliently deformable outwardly from an axial bore therethrough. A draw bolt is received in the axial bore and when drawn therethrough, engages the spherical segments biasing same outwardly to resistably engage the socket liner.

Abstract: A two-way envelope includes a front panel with a window opening and a back panel connected to the front panel along a lower fold line. A pair of side flaps extend from the front panel and are secured to an inner surface of the back panel. An initial seal flap extends from an upper edge of the front panel and is demarcated therefrom by a perforated tear line. A return flap extends from an upper edge of the back panel and is demarcated therefrom by a fold line. An extension is integrally connected to the return flap along an extension fold line. The return flap and the extension are folded with respect to each other and placed within a pocket formed by the envelope for an initial mailing. For a return mailing, the return flap and the extension are placed over the front panel with the extension covering the window opening. The extension has a return address thereon.

Abstract: A foldable drill implement has a supply hopper mounted on a center frame section and a rearwardly mounted broadcast hopper extending onto wing frame sections. Various augers connect the supply hopper to the broadcast hopper and maintain a level of fill in the broadcast hopper. Recycling augers return accumulated excess material from outer ends of the broadcast hopper for redistribution to planter drills. Folding of the wing section relative to the center frame section utilizes swing plates and spacer plates to dampen oscillation of the wing sections. Controls regulate flow of material by sensing accumulated excess material and deactuating the augers.