Abstract: An energy-absorbing headband assembly to be worn with protective headgear. The headband assembly comprises a headband, a vertex pad, and a nape pad which coact to apply clamping pressure between the crown of the wearer's head and the back of the wearer's neck for securing the headband assembly in place and for absorbing and distributing forces within the headband assembly. The vertex pad may have multiple fluid-filled chambers and is held in position on the crown of the wearer's head by a flexible front support band fixed to the front of the headband. Nape bands are fixed to the sides of the headband and extend upward transversely to the vertex pad and extend downward and rearward to the nape pad to effect the clamping pressure.

Abstract: A pulpwood harvesting system for cutting and transporting trees upon a fragile terrain so as to have a dispersed and minimal impact on the terrain. A rail network is supported above the surface of the terrain upon spaced vertical pilings. Trees are cut and reduced to bulk by a mobile tree harvester and transported to the rail network by a mobile forwarder. The tree harvester and forwarder move upon tracks or other means to disperse their weight. The rail network is progressively installed by a mobile rail layer supported upon previously installed rails. Automated lorries receive the bulk pulpwood and transport it upon the rail network to a distant unloading site.

Abstract: A trash collection, management and disposal system for an office area including covered trash collector containers positioned at heights substantially equivalent to the height of a standard desk top and adapted to receive trash generated in the area. Some of the trash collector containers are mounted on wheels and are equipped with tongue-and-hitch assemblies enabling a plurality of these trash collector containers to be coupled together in a train for towing to a dump site. Dump mechanisms at the dump site pick the trash collector containers up and invert them to empty the trash contained therein. The cover on each collector container is pivotally mounted by a hinge assembly enabling the cover member to be moved to an over center position when it is opened to inhibit its return movement to the closed position. Also, the hinge assembly operates to maintain the cover in an upright position when it is opened, allowing the cover to serve as a backstop for deflecting thrown trash into the container.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor adapted to advance articles from station to station comprising an elongated support along which the stations are longitudinally spaced apart, a transfer bar movable forwardly and rearwardly longitudinally of the elongated support, independently movable feed units on the transfer bar, and means for moving the feed units to feed positions so that upon an initial rearward movement of the transfer bar from a start position all feed units behind an empty station are moved to their feed positions. A work transfer cycle then is completed by moving the transfer bar forwardly to advance the articles behind the empty station to their next adjacent stations and then returning the transfer bar to its start position.

Abstract: A ballcock assembly adaptable for use in a variety of sizes and types of toilet flush tanks. The ballcock assembly comprises a standpipe having a ballcock valve at its upper end and having an adjustable height mechanism for varying the height of the ballcock valve in a toilet flush tank. The ballcock valve is a positive closing valve which includes a valve element movable to an open position against the pressure of the supply water by means of a valve actuating member that is pivotally connected to the standpipe and that is also connected to a float unit which surrounds the standpipe unit. The standpipe includes a hush tube which conveys water to the bottom of the toilet flush tank. The hush tube carries water distribution control means which functions to control the proportion of water delivered to the toilet flush tank and to the bowl refill.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a recliner chair having a chair frame, a seat unit, and a linkage mounting the seat unit on the chair frame for back and forth movement between a seating position and a reclining position located forwardly of the seating position. The actuator assembly includes a handle pivotally mounted on the side of the chair frame and connected through a link to an activator member which is pivotally mounted on the chair frame and provided with an abutting portion that is located in the path of movement of the seat unit. When the seat unit is in the seating position, a pivoting movement of the activator member in response to manipulation of the handle causes the abutting portion to engage the seat unit to move the seat unit forwardly toward its reclining position. The actuator assembly operates to move the seat unit only from the seating position toward its reclining position.

Abstract: A lubricating system for machining apparatus having a transmission unit for driving a work-performing tool. The lubricating system includes a housing in which the transmission unit is located and which forms a reservoir for lubricating fluid so that those portions of the transmission unit submerged in the lubricating fluid are continuously lubricated. A passage is formed in the housing and a threaded member is positioned in the passage in close fitting relationship therewith. The passage has an inlet in fluid communication with the reservoir and an outlet in fluid communication with a conduit for conveying lubricating fluid from the passage to selected components of the transmission unit requiring lubrication. The threaded member is rotated by the transmission unit to force lubricating fluid from the reservoir through the passage and the conduit onto those selected components of the transmission unit as it operates.

Abstract: A first part 34 of the protection device 32 is mounted on the tiltable saw assembly, embraces the saw blade 24 from behind, and extends to the lower peripheral region of the blade 24. A second part 36 forms a cover which engages over the blade 24 and which, in the starting position of the saw assembly, surrounds the blade 24 at the upper peripheral portion and at the peripheral portion presented to the operating side, as far as the vicinity of the lower peripheral portion or the cutting location. A cam 74 on one part cooperates with a follower 78 on the other part so that, as the saw assembly is tilted, the covering part 36 remains at substantially the same horizontal level.

Abstract: A fluoresceable composition in dosage unit form and method for determining fluid or blood flow are provided for medical, surgical or diagnostic purposes, using 6, 7-dihydroxycoumarin 6-glucoside which in vivo is invisible in natural light and is highly visible as a blue-white color in ultraviolet light. The composition and method enable "reading", visualization, diagnosis, demarcation, assessment, etc., of adequacy of blood supply, vasculature and fluid flow; loss of fluid; viability of tissue, skin and organs or aspects thereof; and the like.

Abstract: A ballcock assembly adaptable for use in a variety of sizes and types of toilet flush tanks. The ballcock assembly comprises a standpipe having a ballcock valve at its upper end and having an adjustable height mechanism for varying the height of the ballcock valve in a toilet flush tank. The ballcock valve is a positive closing valve which includes a valve element movable to an open position against the pressure of the supply water by means of a valve actuating member that is pivotally connected to the standpipe and that is also connected to a float unit which surrounds the standpipe unit. The standpipe includes a hush tube which conveys water to the bottom of the toilet flush tank. The hush tube carries water distribution control means which functions to control the proportion of water delivered to the toilet flush tank and to the bowl refill.

Abstract: A box spring assembly which includes a generally rectangular frame, a plurality of upwardly extending wire springs mounted on the frame, and a wire grid supported on the upper ends of the springs so that the grid and springs cooperate to yieldably resist downwardly directed bedding loads. Each of the springs is formed at its upper end with an attaching portion that is structured so that it can be connected to the grid merely by moving it from an initial position to an interlocked position. This structure enables assembly of the grid and the springs without the requirement for the usual attaching clips.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel identification card, sensor, and system using fingerprint or thumbprint pattern identification to confirm the user's identity. The preferred embodiment of identification card contains a sliding transparent window which is concealed when the card is not in use. When the card is used, it is inserted into a sensor and the window is slide to a visible position where the user can impress his or her thumbprint or fingerprint thereon. The sensor scans the thumbprint or fingerprint and transmits the pattern to a central file for comparison with a record thumbprint or fingerprint of the individual who is authorized to use the identification card. An account number can be located on the card enabling the sensor to scan and transmit to the central file, information to identify the record thumbprint or fingerprint against which the user's physical thumbprint or fingerprint is being compared.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a door edge guard of the type particularly suitable for protection of the edge of an automobile door from paint chips. The method is an improvement over the technique of using separate manufacturing procedures to produce a plastic U-shaped inner channel (liner) configured to mate with a U-shaped metal outer channel. The method of the invention comprises the steps of roll-forming a metal element of an edge guard into a U-shaped channel element and bonding a plastic material to at least a portion of the inner surface area of the U-shaped metal element prior to completion of the roll-forming operation. The bonding may take place before roll-forming is begun.

Abstract: Centrifugal blasting apparatus comprising a rotatably supported blasting wheel having a plurality of radially extending impeller blades positioned adjacent the periphery of the wheel. The blades are relatively short and have their inner ends spaced a uniform and substantial distance short of the axis of rotation of the wheel so as to define an abrasive supply space between the inner ends of the blades. A tubular member extends into the abrasive supply space for delivering abrasive onto the impeller blades and comprises a main passageway portion having an axis generally parallel to and spaced radially outwardly from the axis of rotation of the blasting wheel and a discharge extension on the inner end of the main portion extending radially outwardly and terminating in a discharge opening adjacent to and in a closely spaced relationship with the inner ends of the blades. Pressurized air propels the abrasive through the tubular member onto the impeller blades.

Abstract: A rapid-response water heating and delivery system for quickly and accurately heating water to a selected set point temperature within a predetermined temperature range, and for maintaining the selected set point temperature of the water for a wide range of volumetric flow rates and for a wide range of initial water temperatures. The heating and delivery system includes a water vessel containing electrical heating elements for heating the water flowing through the vessel and a control unit automatically operable to control the supply of electrical energy to the electrical heating elements, taking into account the actual temperature of the water being discharged from the vessel, the selected set point temperature called for, and the rate at which the actual temperature of the water being discharged from the vessel changes with respect to the selected set point temperature so that the temperature of the water flowing through the vessel quickly approaches the selected set point temperature.

Abstract: An ornamental and protective vehicle door edge guard comprises a metallic strip of generally U-shaped cross section which is self-retaining on the door. Disposed on either, or both, free longitudinal edges of the metallic strip is a non-metallic strip of generally U-shaped cross section which serves to protect the door paint from being scratched or marred when the edge guard is applied to the door. The non-metallic strip further serves to insulate the metallic strip from the metal of the door.

Abstract: A recliner chair having a chair frame with side frame portions defining armrests, a seat structure consisting of a seat and backrest, a linkage mechanism supporting the seat structure between the side frame portions for movement between an upright seating position and a reclining position, and a reclining actuator assembly connected to the seat structure and to the chair frame operable when actuated to move the seat structure between the seating and reclining positions. The actuator assembly includes a handle positioned between one side of the seat and the side frame portion adjacent to that side of the seat for movement between a generally concealed inoperative position in which the handle is located substantially below the top surface of the seat and an operative position to move the seat structure from the seating position to the reclining position.

Abstract: Centrifugal blasting apparatus comprising a throwing wheel that rotates and forcefully projects a directional stream of particles for impingement against work pieces that are to be cleaned, peened, or otherwise treated by the particles, and a feed spout for supplying the particles continuously to the wheel. The feed spout terminates in an outlet section that has a conical surface formed with a discharge opening for the particulate material and is located concentrically within the particle impeller blades which form part of the wheel. The blades have inclined inner ends that are positioned in a closely spaced relation with the conical surface to provide for a discharge of particles from the discharge opening under the combined forces of gravity and suction induced by movement of the blades past the discharge opening.

Abstract: Water is fed into a high temperature pressurized vessel containing hydrated zeolite material loaded with a metal cation in its highest oxidation state. The high temperature causes an endothermic redox reaction to occur that produces oxygen gas and, as a solid reaction product, hydrated zeolite material containing the metal cation in a lower oxidation state and protons. The solid reaction product is passed through a heat exchanger, where it is cooled, and then into a second pressurized reaction vessel at low temperature. Carbon dioxide is fed into the low temperature reaction vessel whereby an exothermic redox reaction occurs that produces a mixture of hydrocarbons and water and that oxidizes the cation back to its highest oxidation state. The oxidized-cation containing hydrated zeolite material generated in the second reaction vessel is passed through the formentioned heat exchanger, where it is heated, and then passed back to the first reaction vessel for recycling.