Abstract: Electrolytic treaters for treating highly conductive liquid media include a conductive housing structure which is fluidically sealed and has inlet and outlet fluid connections, a conductive electrode structure positioned within the housing structure, and a DC power supply connected to components of the housing and electrode structure in such a manner that the output voltage of the power supply is applied across a substantial portion of the liquid media to be treated to control the current flow from the power supply. In a preferred embodiment, the electrode structure is formed by a center electrode rod with a plurality of ring electrodes positioned coaxially between the center electrode rod and the housing. Each ring electrode is formed by a plurality of circumferentially spaced rod elements extending parallel to the center electrode. The rod elements in a given ring electrode are held in place by a plurality of annular spacer baffles which additionally affect the flow of liquid media through the treater.

Abstract: A light panel for highlighting flaws and imperfections in the surface of an automobile body or the like includes a pair of lenses with one lens positioned on each side of a light source. The lens on one side of the panel is yellow with a painted black stripe thereon with the black stripe irregularly "bleeding" into the yellow to create diverse shadow lines. The lens on the opposite side of the panel is white with a similar black stripes. Each black stripe includes a narrow centerline of white or black, respectively which serves as a reference. A fluorescent lamp is positioned between the lenses to project a shadow line light pattern onto the surface to be inspected for dents or imperfections. The white and black shadow line pattern is more effective at highlighting flaws in darker colored surfaces while the yellow and black shadow line pattern is more effective at highlighting flaws in lighter colored surfaces.

Abstract: A low profile parallel railcar discharge adaptor is designed for connection between a discharge gate of a center discharge railroad hopper car and a pneumatic conveyor for unloading pulverulent and granular material, such as sugar and the like, from the car. The adaptor includes low profile, parallel double airlocks in a single housing mounted on a frame with an attached pair of main wheels, each of which is attached to a hydraulic jack. The frame includes members which perform the dual function of support and air passage, thus helping to minimize the profile height of the adaptor. A handle is connected to the adaptor frame, extending therefrom upward at an angle and terminating in a comfortable operating position. A pair of drive motors and a corresponding pair of gear housings are attached to the handle, with each drive motor and gear driving a respective one of the rotary airlocks via an angled universal joint. A control for the hydraulic jacks is located on the handle proximate a handle grip.

Abstract: A siding attachment system includes a bracket and a clip for use in securing conventional siding panels to a wall. The bracket comprises a vertical extending web having legs extending rearwardly from a rear surface of the web at upper and lower ends of the web. A shoulder extends forwardly and downwardly from the front surface of the web at the lower end of the web. The shoulder is insertable in a channel formed in a rear surface of conventional siding. The shoulder supports the siding panel but permits the panel to slide longitudinally with respect to the bracket. A plurality of nail holes are uniformly spaced in linear alignment across a top portion of the web along its entire length. Nails or related fasteners may be selectively driven through the nail holes for securing the bracket to a wall. The siding clip generally comprises a rectangular sheet having a height corresponding to the height of the web and having at least one nail hole extending through an upper portion thereof.

Abstract: A portable dent highlighting unit for inspecting a surface of an automobile or other structure for imperfections includes a light box and a power supply unit. The light box comprises a framework having an open front face and a fluorescent lamp secured therein. A lens is removably securable to the framework to extend across the open front face such that the lamp is positioned therebehind. Opposed front and back surfaces of the lens are painted or formed with alternating areas of light and dark colors. On one side, the light areas are yellow, and on the other they are white. The light box is supported on support arms which are magnetically securable to automobile body panels. The power supply unit includes an internal battery, a converter, an electrical connector connectable to an outside power source and a switch. The lamp in the light box is selectively connectible to the internal battery or an outside power source through the converter.

Abstract: An insulation system for metal buildings, having a roof structure formed by roof panels supported on parallel, relatively narrowly-spaced purlins which are, in turn, supported on parallel, relatively widely-spaced main support beams, comprises a plurality of adjacently positioned strips of insulating material suspended below the roof structure so as to form a relatively flat and continuous surface. The strips of insulating material are supported on a system of insulation support tube strings suspended from and extending in parallel spaced relation to selected purlins. Each insulation support tube string runs the entire length of the building in spaced and transverse relationship to the main support beams.

Abstract: A curved ergonomic pen which facilitates writing on vertical surfaces comprises a housing having a barrel portion and a web portion. The barrel has curved inner and outer edges and substantially flat sides. The web is substantially flat and extends along the curved inner edge of the barrel. A curved channel is formed in the barrel in communication with openings in opposite ends of the barrel. A pair of ink cartridges each comprising an ink tube and a tip secured to one end thereof are retractably secured within the channel such that the respective tips generally extend toward opposite ends of the barrel. The pen tips are selectively extendable and retractable through the associated openings in the opposite ends of the barrel. In one embodiment, a note pocket for receiving relatively small sheets of paper is removably securable within a slot extending into an outer edge of the web.

Abstract: A steam cabinet includes a base assembly with a water pan and an electrical resistance heater subassembly mounted in thermally conductive relationship therewith. The water pan includes a water inlet and a water outlet. A cabinet assembly is mounted on the base assembly and includes front, back and opposite side walls. A roof structure is mounted on top of the side walls. The cabinet assembly front wall includes an opening which receives a door for providing access to the cabinet interior. The cabinet body side walls include receivers for mounting hanging rods extending therebetween and adapted for supporting multiple garments on hangers. A control system includes multiple float switches in the water pan which are activated by various water level conditions in the water pan. A microprocessor is provided for controlling the heater and water supply operation and timing the steam cabinet operation.

Abstract: A hammermill includes a pair of rotors to each of which are attached a plurality of relatively long and relatively short hammers. In one embodiment each long hammer on one rotor is arrayed opposite a short hammer on the other rotor such that, as the rotors rotate, a circular path described by an end of each long hammer is in close proximity to a circular path described by an end of a corresponding short hammer on the other rotor. The long hammers are interleaved and a plurality of impact plates are shaped and positioned in close proximity to the hammer circular tip paths so that materials being reduced by the hammermill impact the impact plates until the materials are reduced to a desired size. The inventive hammermill is particularly effective in reducing tough and pliable materials such as automobile tires as well as light materials such as paper and aluminum cans.

Abstract: A mouth-to-mouth barrier for facilitating mouth-to-mouth resuscitation of a heart attack or accident victim or the like while protecting a rescuer, includes a transparent shield and a breathing tube extending through an opening in the shield. Within the tube, an air passage is defined by a generally cylindrical inner wall. The inner wall forms an upper cylinder of a first diameter and then the inner wall then tapers outward toward an outer wall to form a lower cylinder of a second diameter which is larger in diameter than the upper cylinder. A retaining ring is snapped into place within the lower cylinder which ring serves as a keeper to hold a generally conical valve member in place within the lower cylinder. The valve member is thus movable between a rest, open position atop the ring and a closed position in which it abuts the tapered portion of the inner wall.

Abstract: An end cap device for dressing room divider paneling and a method of forming the same are disclosed. The end cap device functions as a panel corner trim dressing capable of bending 90 degrees in either direction so as to accommodate various panel end configurations or combinations thereof. The end cap device also operates as a locking device which can lock into adjacent panel edge caps and the corner channel of the panel to be dressed. In one embodiment, the end cap device includes a pair of symmetrically opposed end cap members of rectangular shape joined by a hinge member. In another embodiment, a single end cap member without a hinge is employed, for use such as at a three or four-way juncture of panels.

Abstract: A craft hoop assembly for securing material on which a craft is to be performed comprises an inner hoop or ring having an outer surface and a split outer hoop or ring having an inner surface which is positionable in circumscribing alignment with the inner ring such that the inner surface of the outer ring generally abuts against the outer surface of the inner ring. An elastic band or o-ring positioned within a groove formed in and extending circumferentially or in circumscribing alignment with the outer surface of the inner ring. A portion of the elastic band, in the form of a loop, is extended through a hole in the ring along the groove. A pin is inserted in the loop to prevent the loop from retracting back through the hole which secures the elastic band to the ring. Material to be secured between the rings is positioned over the inner ring and the outer ring is then positioned over the inner ring.

Abstract: An escape apparatus is designed for placement adjacent to an exterior entrance of a multi-story residence or other building. The escape apparatus includes an escape platform and cage which is attached to and supported by a sleeve which extends around the periphery of a vertically oriented stationary hollow column. The sleeve is movable upward and downward along the column exterior. A pair of cables are connected to the sleeve and extend from the sleeve upward and over a respective pair of sheaves positioned atop the vertical column and then into the column interior where they are connected to a speed control piston-counterweight. The column is preferably filled with liquid, such as a water and anti-freeze mixture, and the piston-counterweight has an aperture extending therethrough from top to bottom to allow liquid to flow from one side of the piston-counterweight to the other and a valve operating within the aperture to further regulate the rate of ascent of the piston-counterweight.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a seal crossover system which includes two seal plates adjacent to slot crossover portions of separate respective conveyor loops as they diverge (or converge) past a switch in a power and free conveyor system. The seal plates are driven by respective pneumatic cylinders which are pneumatically linked to a switch cylinder such that the seal plates are automatically extended or retracted depending upon the condition of the switch. Thus a respective slot crossover portion of each conveyor loop is selectively and alternately sealed or opened to allow unimpeded passage of a load carriage and a drive trolley, respectively.

Abstract: A lighting system includes a string of light units connected by electrical wiring and a holder assembly for receiving the light units at spaced intervals. The holder assembly includes a base and a pair of sidewalls extending therefrom, which collectively form a channel or passage extending longitudinally and receiving the electrical wiring. The holder assembly has a closed configuration with the sidewalls converging at a relatively closed mouth and an open configuration with a light unit received between the sidewalls. The holder assembly comprises a resilient, flexible material which accommodates closed configurations of the holder assembly between respective light unit locations. The light system can be mounted on a supporting structure by a suitable fastener attached to the holder assembly base.

Abstract: An improved airflow delivery system wherein a primary conduit extends from a source of a stream of breathable gas to a patient or wearer. The primary conduit is rotatably connected to a manifold positioned on the top of the wearer's head. The manifold distributes the stream of breathable gas through at least two secondary conduits extending on generally opposite sides of the wearer's head to an airflow entrance structure for directing airflow into the nostrils of a wearer. This airflow entrance structure is a nasal mask or alternatively a nasal puff assembly. The secondary conduits are preferably secured to or integrally formed with straps connecting the airflow entrance structure to the manifold and used for securing the device to a user's head.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning flexible printing plates and for accurately drilling pin register holes therein includes a three-way adjustable table top assembly which can be selectively adjusted in X and Y directions and rotated about an axis. A pneumatic clamp is positioned on the table top assembly for clamping a pre-marked flexible printing plate to be drilled in place thereon. A movable stereomicroscope viewer is slidable above the table top assembly to view the flexible plate for position adjustment via the adjustable table top assembly. A drill assembly is also positionable over each location at which a pin register hole is to be drilled. The drill assembly includes a movable hollow core drill bit surrounding a stationary rod. Once the flexible plate is aligned via the viewer, the drill assembly is sequentially positioned above the flexible plate at each point to be drilled with a pin register hole and operated to drill each hole therein.