Abstract: A method and apparatus by which selected pile across the face of a web of pile fabric such as carpet may be raised or lowered in accordance with a pattern as the fabric passes through shearing apparatus so that certain pile of the pile may be sheared more than other pile to provide a sculptured affect. Nozzles extend across the width of the fabric and apply jets of air from controllable valves to impinge on the pile in its path to compress or raise selected pile in accordance with a pattern controller which controls the valves. Locating the nozzles so that jets of air impinge on the pile upstream from the shearing apparatus in a direction downstream toward the shearing apparatus will raise the pile while locating the nozzles so that the jets of air impinge upon the pile prior to the shearing location in an upstream direction will compress the pile. The pile which is raised is cut further than pile which is not raised and cut even further than the pile that is compressed.

Abstract: A vented wood or gas-log fireplace is formed from a sheet metal member bent to form side and rear panels. A pair of spaced apart sheet metal plates are connected between the side panels and have rear edges spaced from the rear panel. The rear edges of the plates are bent to form lips extending in a direction toward the opposite plate. Bracket members are secured to the plates adjacent the side panels. A rear refractory member is positioned between the plates in engagement with the lips, and side refractory panels are positioned in abutment with a respective side sheet metal panel and held in place by the bracket members, the side ceramic panels abutting the rear ceramic panel at the sides thereof. A top panel is fastened to the top edges of the side panels above the top plate and a conduit extends through the top plate with the top panel to communicate the combustion chamber with an exhaust pipe or chimney.

Abstract: Stretcher supporting and lifting apparatus normally stowed beneath the body of an ambulance has a frame in the form of a plurality of telescoping members fastened to and extendable lengthwise relative to the chassis of the vehicle and carries a lifting device on which a platform is mounted. The frame may be extended and tilted downwardly from a stowed position to the ground with the platform in its lowest position. The platform has guide tracks for the wheels of a transportable stretcher and the stretcher may be rolled onto the tracks and a patient supporting litter lowered onto the platform. The lifting device is then actuated to lift the platform and the stretcher to the desired height so that the wheels may roll onto the floor of the ambulance. After the stretcher has been moved thereon, the lifting device is lowered to lower the platform, and the frame may be tilted back to the horizontal position and retracted to its stowed position beneath the ambulance.

Abstract: A seat cushion with a carrying handle has a multi-cellular foam interior structure for holding and releasing air encased within an air impermiable covering and at least one valve member secured to the covering and having a conduit extending through the covering into the foam. The handle may span a front indented portion in which the valve is located so as to span the valve. The cushion may have a second valve permitting air to enter into but not exit from the foam so as to re-inflate the cushion gradually. The first valve permits air to exit the foam when it is open while a compressible force is applied to the foam. Thus, when a person sits on the cushion and opens the valve, air within the cellular structure of the foam is expelled in accordance with the force applied and the foam is shaped to that of the user's compression applying members. The second valve permits re-inflation of the cushion gradually if the user fails to open or actuate the first valve when removed from the cushion for an extended time.

Abstract: An underfed burner has an elongated cylindrical body closed at both ends and a feed tube connected between the ends for feeding an air and gas fuel mixture into the burner through an entry portal. A pressure dispersing baffle is formed within the entry portal integral with the body of the burner and deflected downwardly into the interior of the burner. The baffle is in the form of two flaps supported by a rib integral with the body of the burner and extending across the entry portal. The baffle is formed by a die and a punch carried by the die. The die forms a depression about the opening created by the deflected baffles to define the portals and extends gradually longitudinally away from the flaps while the punch cuts the material to form the portal, the rib and the baffle flaps. A pair of mandrels enter the body of the burner from respective ends to provide support for the die and punch.

Abstract: A novel, bipolar, electrosurgical instrument is provided with one metal and one ceramic end effector. Current is passed through the metal end effector and through an insulated conduit to the distal tip of the ceramic end effector. A connection at the distal tip of the ceramic end effector allows the current to return along exposed conductive strip which is spaced apart from the metal end effector in cutting action by a gap of approximately 0.020 inches when the ceramic and metal blade supports are brought into contact with tissue, a current flows from the exposed metal strip on the ceramic blade through to the metal blade thereby effecting cauterization, preferably slightly in advance or at the point of cutting between the ceramic and metal blades.

Abstract: An atmospheric, low emission gas burner within the combustion chamber of a hot water heater in which the combustion chamber is sealed against entry of air except for the air/gas mixture entering through the burner. The burner comprises a venturi through which gas and air enter and a diffuser disposed about the venturi, the diffuser and venturi constructed to take advantage of the high thermal buoyancy within the water heater. The burner operates at low manifold pressure and creates low emissions of NOx and CO. The burner diffuser has a multiplicity of small slots disposed on the upper surface which is covered by a course mesh fabric material having relatively large openings designed to keep the flame front above and off the diffuser while maintaining a stable flame that does not flashback.

Abstract: This invention involves the solidification of aqueous waste with neutralized cross-linked polyacrylates prior to landfill disposal and to further minimize leachate treatment from landfills through the direct application of a neutralized cross-linked polyacrylate throughout the land filling and disposal process.

Abstract: A multiple product display stand is disclosed which is free-standing and generally rectangular in shape with a rearwardly inclined open front to more openly display the products to the consumer. The display stand has a means for presenting additional packaging to consumers so that they will be able to select and package a desired selection of the products being displayed upon one or more vertically spaced, rearwardly inclined shelves.

Abstract: A pallet-based shipping container and display stand is disclosed which is free-standing and generally square in shape. The container comprises a pallet base, a lower tray, a medial divider within the tray and a plurality of boxes stacked on either side of the divider within the tray. The divider has one or more packaging containers to hold packaging which can be used by consumers. In the shipping configuration, the container is braced and topped with a cap. In the display configuration, the cap is removed and discarded and a display board erected in the divider. A method of shipping and displaying small products using a pallet-based shipping container and display stand.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a mattress having a core formed from a plurality of elongated rows of interconnected coil spring containing fabric pockets, each row having a plurality of spaced apart pockets with a spring encased in each pocket and having an elastic strip of material between adjacent rows. A first row of spring encased pockets is placed in a tray in a horizontal position and held in the tray by fingers which engage the fabric of the pockets at the ends of each spring, there being a finger at each end of each pocket. The elastic strip of material may thereafter be bonded to the row and adhesive may be placed on the upper surface of the elastic material. The tray is mounted on a pivotable plate which is then rotated to a vertical position and moved linearly toward a table containing prior rows of the core to bond the elastic strip carried in the tray to the last row on the table.

Abstract: A pallet constructed from paperboard has longitudinally extending runners formed from paperboard cylindrical cores and connected to a deck formed from a number of elongated arcuate segments of cylindrical paperboard cores. The deck members have arcuate slots extending transverse to the direction of elongation, the slots being of a configuration conforming to the cylindrical configuration of the exterior of the runners. Each deck member is positioned on each of the runners with the runners received within the slots and is secured thereto by a fastener. The uppermost portion of the deck members lie in a common plane. The runners remote from the deck members have a pair of transversely extending grooves and have slats secured adjacent the grooves extending across all of the cores to form a base.

Abstract: An improved, under-counter flammable material storage cabinet which complies with all present fire codes and which overcomes problems associated with access to the utility conduits behind the storage cabinet is provided. The cabinet is self-closing in the presence of internal or external heat to either contain a fire within the cabinet or to keep materials inside the cabinet from combusting from an external fire. The cabinet advantageously utilizes a wooden storage container insert which may be removably affixed within the cabinet frame to provide a storage area wherein flammable materials can be safely stored while at the same time allowing access as necessary to utility conduits installed behind the cabinets.

Abstract: A trocar is formed from a cannula and an interfitting obturator for penetrating body cavity walls in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The obturator is provided with an improved piercing tip having a pointed blade and an improved double locking blunt nosed shield design. Hydrophilic coatings or components are also employed on the shield and cannula to facilitate quicker shield action covering the pointed blade and ease of entry of the cannula tube through the body cavity wall. The improved shielded trocar is provided with an improved shield having a dolphin-nose shape at its distal end.