Abstract: Variable differential pressure control apparatus is used in a hydraulic system including a pump, an accumulator for receiving hydraulic fluid under pressure from the pump and for discharging hydraulic fluid to a work device, and an unloading valve in the circuit between the pump and the accumulator for regulating pressure of the fluid to the accumulator. The control apparatus is connected with the unloading valve for opening and closing the latter and is adjustable (1) for selectively setting the maximum fluid pressure to the accumulator and (2) for selectively setting the variation between the maximum pressure to the accumulator, at which pressure the unloading valve will open, and the minimum pressure to the accumulator at which pressure the unloading valve will close for recharging the accumulator.

Abstract: A box spring assembly having a rectangular horizontal frame, a wire grid displaced vertically above the frame and yieldably supported thereon, transverse cross rails secured to the frame and foam bodies on the cross rails and supporting the wire grid for providing yieldable resistance to downwardly directed loads placed on the grid. Each cross rail has a pair of horizontal end portions, a vertically displaced horizontal support portion and connecting portions extending between the end and horizontal support portions. The cross rails have generally inverted U-shaped cross sections and at least the horizontal support portions of the rails are embedded in the undersides of the foam bodies. The wire grid includes a network of criss-cross wires with torsion bar spring end and edge portions supporting the grid on the frame.

Abstract: A caster including a pair of diametrically opposed rollers having axes of rotation which are angled with respect to the supporting surface on which the caster travels. During movement of the caster, the rollers exert opposing transversely-directed forces on the caster thereby enabling the caster to be moved in its directed path without the creation of forces on the caster by the rollers which would tend to deflect the caster from its path.

Abstract: A vertical-axis windmill of the Darrieus type, having much improved power output for a given rotor diameter. The rotor is surrounded by fixed upper and lower contours separated by radial stator vanes. These fixed elements cause an increase in speed of the wind as it impinges on the rotor, with a consequent power increase. The stator vanes and the airfoils of the rotor are easy to manufacture, being straight and untwisted, with constant symmetrical cross sections. The base of the rotor provides a large diameter surface of high peripheral speed for mounting magnets or coils to generate electricity efficiently.

Abstract: A theft prevention starter system for a motorized vehicle is disclosed which operates to thwart unauthorized attempts at starting the vehicle's engine. The system includes a starter circuit having a starter switch, a bridge circuit, and an anti-theft switch disposed in series with each other. A key is provided having a pair of resistors mounted thereon that are connected to other resistors when the key is inserted into the vehicle's starter lockswitch to form the bridge circuit. A sensing branch of the bridge circuit is coupled to the anti-theft switch and in the event current flows through the sensing branch, the anti-theft switch will be opened to prevent the activation of the starter motor. Current flow in the sensing branch circuit will be absent if resistors having the proper value of resistance are matched when the key is inserted in the lockswitch.

Abstract: A wall mounted storage locker comprising an upright hollow body having rear, side, top, and bottom walls, and upper and lower front wall panels that are removably mounted on the body. Each of the front wall panels has side flanges which overlap the body side walls and are spring urged by the resiliency of the panel material toward the side walls. Coacting stop shoulders are formed on portions of the panels and on the body side walls, the shoulders being engageable in positions of the panel flanges sprung toward the side walls, so as to releasably retain the panels on the body.

Abstract: An alarm system for a cycle comprising an electrically conductive cable adapted at its ends to be secured to a housing assembly that is in turn mounted at a suitable location on the frame of the cycle. Control circuitry connects the cable to a warning device and is operable in response to detection of an electrically conductive contact with the cable to activate the warning device for a preset length of time. The housing assembly includes a hollow casing body and a closure plate that is secured to the casing body by screw members which are connected to the control circuitry and which function as switches. In response to a removal of any one of the screw members a predetermined distance the control circuitry activates the warning device.

Abstract: Apparatus for a transfer case that has a multiple path drive system including a neutral position, a first drive path of one speed range and a second drive path of a different speed range, the apparatus including (1) a hydraulic cylinder assembly having piston means movable to three positions and a rod connected to the piston means and to a shift mechanism of the transfer case for moving the shift mechanism of the transfer case selectively to one of the three positions of the drive system, and (2) a hydraulic control valve means for selectively controlling from a remote location operation of the hydraulic cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A tie-down winch is provided for use in a vehicle tie-down system to hold a vehicle on the deck of a transport. The tie-down winch cooperates with a longitudinally extending channel that is secured to the deck of the transport to place in tension a tie-down member that is connected to a vehicle to secure the vehicle on the transport. The channel has opposed upright wall members, one of which has a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings formed therethrough. A fixed position pin member extends transversely of the winch and projects into one of the channel openings to position the winch in a selected position in the channel. The winch can be pivoted to withdraw the pin.

Abstract: Apparatus for venting a sealed holding tank of a portable toilet to equalize the atmosphere and tank pressures before opening and closing the inlet port of the holding tank, said holding tank including a valve assembly for opening and closing the inlet port of the tank, and a vent port means in the tank associated with the valve assembly so that when the valve assembly is moved toward its open position, the vent means will be opened immediately prior to opening of the inlet port and when the valve assembly is moved toward its closed position, the vent port will be closed immediately after closing of the inlet port.

Abstract: An automatic control for a grinding system is disclosed for controlling the advancement of a grinding wheel into a workpiece to provide a substantially constant time span between the termination of the operation of the feed means which advances the grinding wheel and the attainment of the final size of the workpiece for each workpiece machined. The control generates a reference time span and if the actual time span deviates by more than a preselected time period from the reference time span, the control develops a control signal adjusting the advancement of the grinding wheel during the grinding of the following workpiece.

Abstract: A latch unit for a pair of rectangular telescoped bed frame rails having overlapped side walls with aligned openings therein. The latch unit consists of a hollow rectangular body of one-piece, non-rigid construction, preferably yieldable plastic material, telescoped over the telescoped rails.

Abstract: Steering apparatus for a trailer vehicle is disclosed providing preselected turning characteristics for the vehicle. A pair of wheel assemblies are mounted at the front of the vehicle and are each pivotal about an associated vertical axis. A tie member having a plate with a longitudinal slot formed therein extends between and connects the front wheel assemblies to provide for the simultaneous pivoting of the front wheel assemblies. A tow bar is pivotally connected to the vehicle between the front wheel assemblies and is provided with a pin that extends into the slot in the plate. During pivoting, the pin is displaced both transversely and longitudinally of the vehicle, but since the pin slides in the slot only the transverse component of displacement of the tow bar is transferred to the tie member.

Abstract: A wire grid unit cooperating with a box spring assembly to support a mattress. The box spring assembly has a mattress support framework defined by spaced apart longitudinally and transversely extending main springs having generally straight body portions. The grid unit, which consists of a plurality of generally straight wire members secured to each other in criss-cross fashion, is supported on the mattress support framework so that some of the grid wire members extend midway between adjacent pairs of transversely extending spring body portions and other grid wire members extend midway between adjacent pairs of longitudinally extending spring body portions.

Abstract: A system for securing vehicles to a rail car for transport thereby, with the system including a bi-directional tie-down assembly and a ratchet assembly, or the like, separate therefrom and with the bi-directional tie-down assembly having a double chain in a triangulated configuration for restraining the associated vehicle at the point of engagement. A pivotable hook assembly is provided which allows the selection of one or more hook configurations.

Abstract: An improved method of blow molding bottles of thermoplastic material wherein intermittent extrusion apparatus is employed to produce bottles with finished necks free of external blemishes, the method including the steps of intermittently extruding tubular parisons from an annular orifice, enclosing the first tubular parison in a mold that has an interior cavity that defines the bottle and also defines a dome radiating outward from the upper end of the bottle neck, immediately blowing the parison essentially to the shape of the cavity, but as an incident to the blowing of the parison and to the interruption of the extrusion, causing the thermoplastic material to be severed at the extrusion orifice, and immediately shifting the mold enclosed article to a shaping station while the article is still at a temperature sufficient for subsequent shaping operations, and at the shaping station finish blowing the article while trimming and at least partially compression-molding the neck.

Abstract: A light-weight sheet metal door for mobile homes, recreational vehicles, marine vessels and the like in which the bolt-edge of the door has a camber for maintaining a weather tight seal with the door frame. The edges of the door are defined by extruded metallic channel members, and the channel member defining the bolt-edge has been deflected beyond its elastic limit to provide the desired camber. The method of making the door includes the step of feeding the assembled door between forming elements to deflect the bolt-edge beyond the elastic limit of the associated channel member while maintaining the hinge-edge straight.

Abstract: A computing circuit is disclosed for producing a digital representation of the ratio between a reference analog signal and successive analog signals that are successively supplied to a single input of the computing circuit. The computing circuit comprises storage means in which a digital representation of the reference analog signal is retained. For each successive analog signal that is supplied to the input of the computing circuit, a digital output is generated that is commensurate with the values of the supplied successive analog signal and the digital representation of the reference analog signal retained in the storage means. The digital output is displayed in numerical form representing the ratio between the reference analog signal and the successive analog signal.

Abstract: A system for storing and transporting flat board-like elements of predetermined thickness, such as printed circuit boards, comprising a rack for storing and transporting the boards and apparatus for feeding boards to and removing boards from the rack. The rack comprises a plurality of upright partition members mounted on a frame in a uniformly spaced relation so as to define a plurality of side-by-side stalls each of a width adequate to accommodate a board-like element in an upright storage position. Supports associated with the partitions support a plurality of board-like elements in the stalls so that the rack can be moved without the board-like elements falling off. The elements are edgewise accessible in the stalls and a pivoted body member is on the rack in a novel manner which enables it to function as a ratcheting apparatus movable successively from stall to stall for the purpose of moving the elements therein in directions to facilitate removal thereof from the stall.

Abstract: A box spring assembly is disclosed in which a plurality of main wire springs and intermediate wire springs are mounted on a generally rectangular frame. Each wire spring has a generally straight body portion and relatively short depending end portions, each of which is formed to a generally fish-mouth configuration. The end portions are secured to the frame and provide a substantial resistance to downwardly directed loads.