Abstract: A portable toilet is provided with a bowl having an outlet port in its bottom, this being closed by a yoke shaped, pivotal valve member movable between a first position in which it closes the outlet port and a second position in which it uncovers the port. An actuation member moves relative to the valve member and cooperating cam surfaces on the valve member and actuation member urge the valve member upwardly to seal the outlet port upon such relative movement.

Abstract: Electrical discharge machining apparatus in which a plurality of generally parallel electrodes are moved during machining and during refeed in generally parallel paths. A drive roller assembly is provided for refeeding the electrodes after each machining cycle to compensate for erosion of the electrodes that occurred during the preceding machining cycle. The drive roller assembly consists of a plurality of rollers arranged on opposite sides of the electrodes so that the electrodes are drivingly engaged between the rollers. The apparatus is further equipped with a movable gage member having an electrode engaging surface. After each machining cycle, the gage member is moved to a predetermined position between the location of the workpiece and the electrodes. The electrodes are refed into engagement with the electrode engaging surface which defines a reference surface between the workpiece and the electrodes. Refeed of the electrodes is terminated when the electrodes engage the gage member.

Abstract: A die lubricant central system which will distribute a diluted material to individual die casting machines, and which includes apparatus for the concentrate holding function, the mixing or proportioning function of the concentrate with a diluent, the diluted material holding function, and the pumping of the diluted material function, all in one integral system.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having seat and back members pivotally connected to each other and movably mounted on a frame for movement between a seat-defining position in which the seat member is generally horizontal and the back member is upright and a bed-defining position in which the members are in general horizontal side-by-side positions. The seat member is slidably mounted on the frame by a pair of track portions that enable the horizontal reciprocal movement of the seat member between a rearward location in the seat defining position of the vehicle seat assembly and a forward location in the bed defining position of the vehicle seat assembly. A link member connects the rear member with the frame so that in response to forward movement of the seat member, the link member serves to pivot the back member rearwardly and downwardly to the horizontal position.

Abstract: A portable sanitation unit is disclosed of the type having two vertically stacked sections, the lower section being a holding tank and the upper section including a toilet bowl, a water tank for storage of water for flush purposes, and an improved pump apparatus for flushing the toilet bowl, said apparatus comprising an electrically operated pump that can be energized from any suitable electrical source, such as a portable battery, an electrical receptacle in a motor vehicle, a cottage, a marine vessel, or the like.

Abstract: A solenoid operated directional valve with detent means for retaining the spool of the valve in either of two selected positions, the detent means being operatively associated with the solenoid pins for holding one or the other of the pins in a selected position and thereby for retaining the spool in a selected position in the absence of any direct connection between the detent means and the spool, the detent means further being located out of the flow-passageways of the valve so as to preclude interference with fluid flow and being constructed and arranged to provide detent disengagement forces of uniform low limits and with no side loads applied on the spool, and to contain no loose parts and to have a near infinite life.

Abstract: A process for converting a length of wire into a spring which is then heat treated and exposed to a fluidized bed for coating, the quality of the resulting coating being indicative of the quality of the heat treatment.

Abstract: Toilet apparatus that has a plurality of improved features including: a sealing mechanism for closing the bottom opening of a toilet bowl so that the effectiveness of the seal is maintained over extended periods of time, a flushing circuit that has a water reservoir that assures proper depth is achieved in the pool of water that is formed after the sealing mechanism is closed, an over flow tube which assures that the water seal therein is maintained, and a control valve which has an inlet fitting that assures that damage to the valve or related parts does not occur during installation of the toilet apparatus.

Abstract: A caster adapted for use in hygienic environments consisting of a caster body rotatably supporting a caster wheel and having an upright bore which receives a spindle member to provide for the rotation of the caster body with respect to the spindle member. A spindle-locking mechanism is positioned within the bore and is movable between a release position enabling rotation of the caster body with respect to the spindle member and a lock position in which the caster body is maintained in a fixed position relative to the spindle member.

Abstract: An improved grip for articles such as tools and sport equipment adapted to accommodate the natural physiological characteristics of the human hand. The grip consists of front, intermediate, and rear portions having upper, lower, and side surfaces wherein the upper surface of the rear portion is located below the upper surface of the front portion a distance that is substantially equal to the shortest distance between the distal transverse palmar crease and the proximal transverse palmar crease of the human hand. The upper surface of the intermediate portion connects the upper surfaces of the front and rear portions. The index finger and the thumb grasp the front and intermediate portions of the grip, while the middle, ring and little fingers grasp the rear portion of the grip.

Abstract: A portable toilet that has a lower holding tank with an inlet port in the top wall, and removably supported thereon an upper unit that contains a toilet bowl with an oulet port in registry with said inlet port, a flush water storage tank and flush means for discharging flush water from the storage tank into said bowl. Improved features include apparatus in the adjacent top and bottom walls of the holding tank and upper unit for releasably clamping them together, a discharge spout for the holding tank located between the adjacent walls so that the outlet of the spout is in a cavity in the bottom wall of the upper unit above the liquid level of the holding tank, and a valve-and-nozzle assembly and associated flexible conduit from the flush pump which is constructed and arranged to press fit all of the components together and mount them in proper location with respect to the toilet bowl.

Abstract: Apparatus for contacting contaminated water with ultra-violet light to eliminate potentially harmful organisms as well as to provide air cooling necessary for efficient operation of the UV lamp and simultaneous production of ozone in the apparatus for secondary disinfection of the water, the water after treatment by the ultraviolet light being discharged into a water storage tank, and the irradiated air that contains the ozone being discharged into the tank into contact with the water for carrying out the secondary disinfection.

Abstract: At each winding station of a winding machine a ball of stranded material, for example yarn, is lifted from a winding mandrel to a position above a conveyor which has cups for receiving the balls. Pointed ends of curved take-off members engage horizontally into each ball from each side, and when the ball is released it pivots downwardly into a conveyor cup about those pointed ends thereby ensuring alignment of the balls on the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for construction of a bicycle path on the berm of roadways, or the like, and includes standard components such as rails, runners, shim members and spikes whereby the path can be constructed either on existing berms or as part of new construction projects, and a smooth surface for bicycle travel will be provided by endless runners that have side boundaries defined by rails.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling a complete modular valve system, including modules containing manifold blocks in which are mounted valves, such as flow controls, checks, pressure reducers and reliefs, the modules being sandwich mounted between a directional valve and a standard subplate for use in conjunction with hydraulic cylinders and the like, and the valves being arranged in the manifold blocks so that multiple-function modules can be provided.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed providing for the semi-automatic operation of a milk flow sensor having a chamber in which a valve supported by a float is disposed for controlling the flow of milk through the sensor. An externally actuated arm member serves to elevate the float and valve to enable the initial flow of milk through the sensor. Means is provided for the automatic return of the arm member to its original position in which it does not affect the movement of the float and valve after a sufficient amount of milk has been supplied to the chamber to support the float and valve in their elevated positions.

Abstract: A safety-brake control system for a vehicle for the automatic actuation of the parking-brake valve to the brake-applied position comprising a lever arm connected at one end to the actuator of the valve and at the other end to a flexible connector element which in turn is connected to the moving arm of a solenoid. Energization of the solenoid pulls the flexible connector element to move the lever arm to actuate the valve to the brake-applied position. The valve thereafter can be actuated to the brake-released position by manual movement of the valve actuator.

Abstract: A probe for measuring the amplitude of high frequency pressure pulses in a high or low temperature fluid environment comprising a hollow housing structure having an open end covered by a flexible metallic diaphragm member. A transducer is located in the housing and is forcibly maintained in direct engagement with the diaphragm member. Pressure pulses in the high or low temperature fluid medium deflect the diaphragm member, which is in contact with the transducer, causing it to produce electrical signals representative of the pressure pulses impinging against the diaphragm member. These electrical signals are transmitted to electronic recording and analyzing equipment to provide an accurate reading of the sensed pressure pulses.

Abstract: A cap for a fuel tank such as is used with gasoline engines for chain saws, power mowers, snowmobiles, and the like, which require venting of the tank without danger of fuel leakage resulting from return flow through the vent passageway. The cap has an improved top wall assembly that provides the passageway that is utilized for the venting purposes and in which a check relief valve is housed.

Abstract: Apparatus for extruding a plurality of tubes of plastics material simultaneously for blow molding purposes comprising a plurality of extrusion heads, each having an accumulator chamber from which plastics material can be discharged intermittently to form the tubes, and a mechanism operatively connected to discharge means associated with each accumulator chamber for synchronizing the filling and discharging of the accumulator chambers so that a single source of plastics material can be used to fill the accumulator chambers at a substantially uniform rate and the mold halves of a single blow mold can be opened and closed on the extruded tubes which are discharge simultaneously and will be of uniform length.