Abstract: A pair of elongate, segmented gripping members are carried by the lifting member of a refuse collection vehicle. Each of the gripping members includes an inner arm movably carried by the lifting member and an outer arm movably extending from the inner arm. The gripping members are movable between a retracted position in which the inner arms extend in generally opposite directions, fore and aft along the side of the vehicle, and an extended position in which the inner arms extend in generally the same direction laterally outward from the vehicle. Each outer arm is inwardly movable relative the respective inner arm to draw a container into the embrace of the gripping members. A pair of elongate flexible members engage the container to supplement the grip of the gripping members.

Abstract: An indicia device for displaying indicia on a turnstile, including an arm couplable to the turnstile, a tubular sleeve containing indicia, received about the arm and secure thereto by a first collar at one end and a second collar at an opposing end.

Abstract: A fishing tackle system adapted to attach to a seat bottom. The fishing tackle system includes a fishing tackle box and a member coupling the fishing tackle box to the seat bottom. The fishing tackle system desirably includes a removable tray adapted to individually contain fishing lures in compartments integral to the removable tray. The fishing tackle system also desirably includes a beverage container receptacle adapted to accommodate a beverage can or bottle in a substantially upright position.

Abstract: A toilet bowl ventilating and deodorizing apparatus comprises an odor collector for extracting air from a toilet bowl, a filter assembly for deodorizing the air extracted from the toilet bowl, and a neck coupling the filter assembly to the odor collector, with the odor collector and the neck supporting the filter assembly adjacent the toilet bowl. The odor collector includes a base attachable to the toilet bowl, an air intake carried by the base and positionable adjacent an interior of the toilet bowl, and a sleeve carried by the base in gaseous communication with the air intake. The filter assembly includes an air duct, an impeller assembly for providing air flow through the apparatus, the air duct is coupled to the filter assembly, and a filter is carried between the impeller assembly and the air duct.

Abstract: In a motorized vehicle having an electrical system, a common ground, a horn, a battery, an electronic control module, and a key switch, an antitheft device, and a method of installing the same, the device including a first switch connected to the vehicle engine, a momentary switch for disengaging the vehicle engine, and a first relay for energizing the first switch when the momentary switch is in a closed position such that the vehicle engine can only be engaged after the User has closed the momentary switch.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle including a collection towing vehicle having a refuse loading mechanism for loading a semi-trailer coupled to a fifth wheel, the semi-trailer having a refuse collection body for receiving refuse from the refuse loading mechanism and a hoist mechanism for tilting the refuse collection body. The refuse collection system also includes a refuse transport vehicle which includes a transport towing vehicle having a fifth wheel for receiving a semi-trailer, and a dolly which may be coupled to the semi-trailer for towing additional semi-trailers. A control assembly is coupled to the refuse collection vehicle and the transport towing vehicle including the dolly, having control couplings for interconnection of control assemblies and control umbilicals for providing control to the various devices.

Abstract: A fabricated building including a pair of metal sidewalls positioned in an upright spaced apart relationship with a plurality of metal purlins engaged with an upper edge of one of the metal sidewalls so that the plurality of metal purlins extend between the metal sidewalls and maintain them in the upright position.

Abstract: A container handling apparatus having a mounting platform a lifting arm extending from the mounting platform and terminating in a gripper mechanism, mounted on top of a body of a refuse collection vehicle and configured to include three four-bar linkages which interact to produce a reach cycle and a hoist cycle.

Abstract: A non-rotational, air filtering, head cleaning, and head cushioning device for a disk drive comprising a member and rigid support structure adapted to allow insertion of the device into a disk drive. The member, preferably comprising urethane-impregnated felt cloth, has a central aperture to avoid contact with a drive spindle of the disk drive when seated within the disk drive. When left in the disk drive, the device filters air entering the drive, cleans the heads whenever the drive checks if a disk is present, and cushions the heads whenever the drive is moved.

Abstract: A primary device placed at the upstream end of a duct and a relay device placed at an access point pull a cable through respective duct segments. The pulling speed of the primary device is controlled by an operator. The pulling speed of the relay device is variable in response to movement of the cable by the primary device to maintain equilibrium between the pulling speeds of the devices. The pulling tension exerted upon the cable by each device is monitored and discontinued upon reaching a predetermined maximum value. At the inlet to the second segment, lubricant is supplied to the cable at a quantitative rate which is proportional to the pulling speed.

Abstract: A variable distance marker system includes a display mounted in a housing and attached to electronics circuits having a light detector for receiving externally generated light signals. A rechargeable battery and a solar cell array are interconnected for supplying power to the display and circuits. An antenna is mounted in the housing for receiving RF signals and a remote RF transmitter is controllable to transmit an actuating signal to the antenna for altering the display. A remote hand-held light generator is controllable to generate a beam of light onto the light detector for controlling the digits displayed.

Abstract: A connector (20, 90) for securing the end of a coaxial cable (30, 140) to a selected device in a cable transmission system includes an outer member (40, 60, 92), a coupling member (23, 107) attached to an end thereof, and a securement means for mechanically and sealably engaging coaxial cable (30, 140).

Abstract: A hoist mechanism including a hoist subframe, a body subframe, a dump linkage pivotally coupling the body subframe to the hoist subframe such that the body subframe pivots about an instant center which moves continuously as the body subframe pivots and an actuator for moving the body subframe between a lowered position and a raised position. The instant center is positioned at a point below the hoist subframe with the body subframe in the lowered position, and progresses to a point above the hoist subframe as the body subframe is lifted to the raised position.

Abstract: A refuse collection and storage body is carried by the frame of a truck chassis having a cab at the forward end thereof. A hopper having a rotatably reciprocal platen therein resides at the forward end of the body. Refuse within the body is discharged through an openable tailgate assembly at the rear of the body. A fixed length arm is pivotly connected at one end thereof to a carriage which is reciprocally movable along a transverse support beam. The arm, having refuse container gripping arms at the free end thereof, is rotatably elevatable for dumping the contents of the container into the hopper. The several movable components are responsive to a control apparatus located within the cab.

Abstract: An attachment for a pick-up truck bed including a plurality of vertical supports having a lower end attached to the pick-up truck bed, a flat bed affixed to upper ends of the vertical supports, racks pivotally attached adjacent edges of the flat bed for movement between an upright and a lowered position, horizontal tracks affixed to the vertical supports, and a bed engaged in the tracks for movement between a stored and an extended position.

Abstract: A thermal actuator, also known as a heat capacitance motor, derives its energy from the physical expansion of paraffin wax as it changes from solid to liquid when heated within an enclosure such as a cylinder. This energy is converted into mechanical force which causes translation of a piston slidably mounted within the cylinder, thus creating hydrostatic pressure which is converted to work. The thermal actuator may be utilized in various drug delivery systems in which the hydrostatic pressure created by the actuator is used expel the contents of a syringe.

Abstract: An automated system is disclosed for folding vehicle air bags so that a small folded-bag profile and a desirable bag deployment pattern results. A machine having numerous moveable arms is controlled by a controller. An edge folding assembly (EFA) of the machine has five arms, including a center arm, two outer blades, and two outwardly facing U-channel forks, which reside between respective outer blades and the center arm. The EFA moves forward so that all of its five arms engage an unfolded air bag. The forks then raise upward to a level at which the outer blades are aligned with a gap between tines in the forks. The outer blades mesh with this gap causing two pleats to be formed in the edge of the bag. Pleat clamps then move inwardly sideways to engage the two pleats and form a third pleat. Then, the EFA is removed from the bag. The pleat clamps clamp top and bottom sections of the bag together while tightly gripping the pleats.