Abstract: A vehicle braking system is provided having alternate, automatically selected actuating fluid circuits, either hydraulic or air circuits, interconnected between a master brake cylinder actuated by a vehicle operator and a brake actuating cylinder that operates the brake shoes at a wheel of the vehicle. A first actuating fluid circuit is normally connected in communicating relationship between the master cylinder and actuating cylinders by fluid-pressure responsive valves. Failure in buildup of fluid pressure in the first circuit when the master cylinder is actuated, such as would be due to a break or leak in the primary actuating fluid line, results in automatic operation of the valves to interconnect a second circuit in bypass relationship to the first circuit. The pressure responsive valves are not operational unless the brake master cylinder is being actuated.

Abstract: A chess game apparatus is provided having a playing board of tray-like construction and a number of playing pieces of cube-shape which are cooperatively and selectively interarranged to form both the playing surface and the game pieces. The apparatus game board includes a supporting surface having a peripheral upstanding edge wall and a spring biased retainer bar for securing the several playing pieces in relatively fixed array on the board. A number of the playing pieces are provided with the indicia of the several chess pieces. Three of the six sides of each cube-shaped playing pieces are of one color background while the other three sides are of a different color, such as black and white, so that the playing pieces can simulate and function as the alternately colored squares of a playing board. Several selected pieces function as the actual game pieces with two or more sides of each of these cubes provided with appropriate indicia for the respective indicia of a particular game piece.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the application of grated cheese to pizza shells is provided including mechanism for the automated feeding of cheese to a grating apparatus, intermittent grating of cheese in a predetermined quantity and deposit thereof onto a transfer conveyor, and the intermittent operation of the transfer conveyor for subsequently transferring the cheese particles onto a pizza shell carried by a continuously moving conveyor. The apparatus provides for the automated application of grated cheese to pizza shells in a continuously moving, assembly-line production system in which the pizza shells are transported on an elongated continuously moving conveyor belt. The grating apparatus for the cheese is vertically disposed in superimposed relationship to the pizza shell conveyor and is located immediately above an intermediate transfer conveyor.

Abstract: A modular type building panel for either vertical or horizontal positioning is provided having a hinge element incorporated to facilitate assembly of the panels. The building panels are of a double walled construction having tongue and socket edge configurations adapted to mechanically interlock when placed in assembled relationship with an adjacent panel. The hinge elements comprise a hinge socket and a hinge pin formed with the respective tongue edge portion and the socket edge portion. The hinge socket is disposed adjacent the upper end of the panel as is the hinge pin which permits interfitting of the two elements during the initial stage of panel assembly thereby providing a support pivot facilitating swinging of two panels into assembled relationship. In one embodiment the hinge socket opens at the longitudinal end of the panel for panels designed for vertical walls.

Abstract: A therapeutic chair is provided having angularly displaceable seat bottom and seat back positioned on a supporting base for pivotable movement relative thereto. The seat bottom and seat back include longitudinally extending sidewalls having inwardly facing surfaces which may be selectively displaced inwardly to effectively provide support for the occupant of the chair. Selective displacement of the inner sidewall surfaces is achieved through incorporation of selectively inflatable air cells which are restrained against the respective side walls. These cells are inflated to expand inwardly and provide the proper size adjustment and support of the occupant in maintaining the desired body position for comfort and avoidance of the involuntary extensor thrust positioning.

Abstract: An electrical power generating system is provided for supplementing an electrical power distribution network. The supplemental system of this invention is devised to utilize available sources of energy that are otherwise unused and converting that energy to power which is added to and utilized in the normal or primary electrical power distribution network. The system of this invention includes electrical generation means of a type that is adapted to be powered by a specific energy source and develops electrical energy which is stored for intermittent or periodic transfer into the primary power system. An electrical circuit is provided for sensing of the electrical power that is stored and includes a switching circuit that is responsive to the stored electrical power for connecting an electrical energy storage device to the primary electrical network and affect a transfer of electrical power.

Abstract: A rear screen optic projection apparatus is provided having a multiple mirror reflection system mounted in a supporting enclosure and adapted for utilization with photographic projection equipment such as slide projectors and motion picture projectors. The reflector-type optic system of this apparatus includes three mirrors which are angularly displaced with respect to each other for providing a substantially long optical path from the projector to a viewing screen. The supporting structure is designed with a viewing screen and an entrance aperture for an image to be projected along the optical path. A plurality of the apparatus in a stored configuration by covering the viewing screen and closing the entrance aperture.

Abstract: A tractor mounted log splitting apparatus is provided having a log splitting tool and log stop bar and support assembly which are adapted for mounted interengagement with power drive means attached to the tractor and projecting laterally outward from a frame structure thereof. The tractor includes a frame engine power unit and driving wheels mounted thereon with power drive means extending axially forward of the frame. This apparatus also includes a rear stabilizing support adapted to be secured to a rear portion of the tractor frame. The log splitting tool includes a conically shaped splitter head provided with a spiral auger surface and an axial mounting and drive shaft which extends from the base of the splitter head and which shaft is mechanically interengageable with the power drive means.

Abstract: A carrier and storage binder for fabric samples is provided having a structure advantageously designed for convenient display of fabric samples as well as portability and to also be structurally self supporting for storage in an upright position on shelves or other supporting surfaces. This carrier and storage binder is fabricated from a one piece sheet of plastic material having rear and front covers or panels that are integrally hinged through a spine member to provide the necessary thickness for a stack of fabric samples. The back cover is provided with a header support element which is also integrally hinged for relative swinging movement along an axis transverse to the hinge axis of the front and rear cover elements.

Abstract: A hammer is provided for pulverizing and comminutating apparatus of the hammer mill-type with this hammer including both tearing and shearing edges for enhanced effectiveness in obtaining size reduction of both friable and non-friable materials. This pulverizer hammer includes a relatively narrow tearing edge which is disposed in spaced parallel relationship to the pivot bearing of the hammer. A side edge surface of the hammer associated with that tearing edge is formed in arcuately curved, receding relationship thereto for directing and urging particles of waste material radially outward toward the tearing edge where they will be subjected to further pulverizing action. A shearing edge is also formed along one corner of the side edge surface of the hammer and extends radially in receding relationship to the tearing edge. The arculately curved and contoured surface is also configured to extend in receding relationship with respect to the shearing edge.

Abstract: A flexible sheet rollup window structure used in conjunction with a conventional window sash frame as an auxiliary or storm window. The invention includes an elongated sheet of thin, flexible plastic material (vinyl) which is designed to be supported and stored or dispensed by means of elongated spring rollers. An auxiliary guide roller is provided to direct the film into a straight-line plane. A lower end of the sheet of material is provided with a structurally rigid edge lockable structure, with the support roller and guide roller being mounted at the upper end. A horizontal sealing element is secured to a surface of the film and is automatically brought into sealing engagement with the upper end of the window frame when the sheet is placed in a closed position with respect to the window frame. Additional sealing of the sheet of material is effected by longitudinally extending, vinyl sealing strips or ribs that are dielectrically welded to one surface of the sheet adjacent each longitudinal edge thereof.

Abstract: A golf putting practice device is provided including an elongated base sheet of material forming a putting surface and a pair of retaining walls adapted for assembly with the putting surface sheet. The putting surface or base sheet is formed with slots configured to maintain the retaining walls in a desired relative position to the putting surface. Each of the two retaining walls is formed from a flexible material that can be formed into the desired configuration and include an integrally formed upstanding wall member and base flange. When the retaining walls are assembled with the base sheet, the base flange underlies the putting surface and the walls project upwardly through the respective slots. The one retaining wall is of a key-hole type configuration providing a degree of retention for a golf ball and thus simulates the cup of a putting green.

Abstract: A document microfilming system for information retrieval is provided having photographic apparatus for recording of series of documents on microfilm and identifier indicia printing means for applying an identifying number to the documents or sets of documents. The photographic apparatus comprises means auxiliary to that forming images of the documents on the film strip for forming a designator image on the film strip in adjacent, proximate relationship to images of selected documents. The identifier indicia imprinting means applies an identifying number to each primary document and also applies the same number to all sub-documents associated with that primary document.

Abstract: A lathe for generating spherical surfaces of selected radiis on workpieces in the usual manner but which is provided with curve-selecting adjustable means for generating aspherical surfaces which deviate from the spherical surfaces in a predetermined relationship. The lathe is provided with a spindle which carries the workpiece for rotation about its axis and a feed carriage which carries a suitable surface forming tool for swinging about a fixed pivot in contact with the face or surface of the workpiece. The feed carriage for supporting the tool includes means for supporting it for axial floating movement into contact with the surface of the workpiece. The curve-selecting adjustable means for causing deviations from spherical in the surface produced on the workpiece includes a mechanical linkage having a link pivotably interconnected to the feed carriage along its centerline which passes through the fixed pivot, and to a mount positioned in predetermined relationship to the fixed pivot.

Abstract: A reference index is provided for dial type instruments and includes an indicator selectively positioned on the face of the instrument for operation in either of two functional modes. The reference index includes a mounting pivot which is adapted to be secured to the face of the instrument and carries a mounting block that is relatively rotatable about a pivot axis projecting from the face of the instrument dial. Carried by the mounting block is an indicator having an elongated arm which has one end pivoted in the mounting block for relative rotational movement in a plane parallel to the face of the instrument, or perpendicular to the pivot axis. Formed with the outer end of the arm are first and second reference tabs which are adapted to overlie the circular indicia ring of the instrument. The two tabs are perpendicularly disposed to each other and project transversely to the longitudinal axis of the arm.

Abstract: A heating system is provided for residential buildings in which heat is recovered by an auxiliary water heater. The heating system is of a heat pump type which includes a refrigerant fluid compressor and two heat exchanger units disposed in series connected relationship. The two heat exchanger units are those normally associated with respective fan and coil unit located within the interior of the residence and a condenser or evaporator located exteriorally of the building. A control valve is interposed in conduits connecting the two heat exchanger units with the compressor with this valve being selectively operable to control the system for operation in either a heating or a cooling mode. In accordance with this invention, an auxiliary water heater is interposed in heat recovery relationship to the heating system and includes a heat exchanger that is interconnected in the refrigerant fluid conduit.

Abstract: A spray nozzle is provided for producing predetermined spray patterns of fan shaped configuration characterized in having an internal body configuration which is uniquely capable of effecting a very wide angled dispersion pattern of uniform density. The body of this spray nozzle is of disc shape having an outlet or a discharge end-face disposed transversely to a fluid flow axis through the body. An elongated, channel-shaped recess is formed in this discharge end portion and opens outwardly from the end face in transversely oriented relationship to the flow axis. A spray pattern control chamber is formed in the body along the flow axis thereof having an inlet at an end-face opposite the discharge end of the body and an outlet disposed interiorally of the body and in fluid communicating relationship with the channel-shaped recess. This spray pattern control chamber is formed with axially extending sidewall portions that are laterally spaced and are relatively convergent at the outlet end.

Abstract: An adjustable eye shade is provided which includes a headband and detachable visor element. The detachable visor element and headband are provided with hook and loop connecting elements secured at cooperative edge portions which may be selectively interengaged to mount the visor element on the headband at a desired elevation, angled inclination and curvature. The headband may be formed from, or provided at the interiorly facing surface thereof, an absorbent fabric material thereby forming a sweatband for participants in athletic games, such as tennis or golf. The visor element is structurally self-supporting and formed from a flexible material which may be bent or curved into the desired configuration and secured to the forward facing portion of the headband to obtain the desired angle of inclination and curvature for obtaining the most advantageous degree of protection from the sun, the most comfortable position of the headband on the forehead and cosmetic appearance.

Abstract: A swivel mounted pump apparatus for a mine crane is provided having an integral fluid-flow control valve incorporated in the swivel mounting structure. The pump mechanism is a hand operated fluid pump which is mounted on an upright supporting spindle for selective swiveling movement to a desired operating position. Fluid interconnection of the pump mechanism to a fluid reservoir and actuating ram of the associated apparatus is achieved through internal passageways formed in the supporting spindle to permit operator control of fluid flow through the system. This valve may be selectively operated to enable either actuation of the ram by the mechanism or a reverse fluid flow in the system and to also provide protection to the apparatus from excessive fluid pressures that may build up through incorrect or improper use of the associated ram mechanism.

Abstract: Rotary valve apparatus is provided for internal combustion engines. The rotary valve apparatus includes separate valve elements for each cylinder of a multicylinder engine with exhaust and intake valves mounted in the engine head for rotation in selectively adjustable, predetermined timed relationship. The valve elements, both intake and exhaust, are disposed in respective isolated valve chambers to prevent direct interaction therebetween.