Abstract: A foot operated control for electrical circuits that includes a foot rest, and at least one switch that is housed and mounted in a recess formed in a selected portion of the foot rest. The foot rest having a selected profile defining a horizontal portion and at least one inclined portion. A pivoting axis is formed at an intersection of the horizontal portion and the inclined portion adjacent thereto. The switch is actuated as and when the foot rest portion is tilted in a selected direction about the pivot axis so that an operator of the switch contacts a supporting surface or floor. The foot control may be configured for controlling multiple distinct circuits by way or a corded or cordless operation. This foot control may include elastomer boots or an elastomeric covered bottom cover for providing environmental protection. Preferably, the foot control includes a safety interlock, for minimizing the accidental actuation of the circuits when an operators foot is not present.

Abstract: An on demand useful life indicator (10) and method providing a uniform visual change. The indicator (10) attachable to goods or worn. This indicator includes a base (12); indicator material (14), impermeable adhesive (16), and a co-layered covering (18). The indicator material (14) provides a visual indication when exposed to a selected component of an ambient fluid.. The indicator material (14) is intimately fixed to one side of a second layer (22) of the covering (18) in a selected pattern. The adhesive layer (16) is applied in a selected pattern between the base member (12) and the covering material (18). A permeable second layer (22) of the covering (18) is adhered to the adhesive layer (16) allowing an impermeable first layer (20) to be selectively removed therefrom. The useful life indicator remains in a selected state of dormancy until removal of the first layer (2).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the cordless remote control of a filling function of a mobile vehicle that includes a signal transmitter (12) and a liquid level sensor (14) that is mounted on a tank (18) of a mobile vehicle (16). The liquid level sensor (14) transmits a full signal to a remote signal receiver (22) by way of the signal transmitter (12). The full signal closes a control valve (26) interupting the flow of the fluid to the tank (18) by way of a conduit 28. An adjustable timer (44) provides a system safety back-up signal that closes the valve (26) if the full signal is not received within a preset time period. This apparatus and method can be operated in a semi-automatic mode or an automatic mode by the addition of an adjustable delay clock/timer (42). Audible and/or visual indicators are provided for monitoring the status of the filling operation.

Abstract: A self-propelled and reversible compactor 10 includes a motor 12, a motor mounting plate 14, a tamper plate 16, a vibrator assembly 30, a driven pulley 38, a drive pulley 48, and a directional control arm 54. The vibrator assembly 30 is pivotally attached for selective pivotal positioning of a vibrator housing 36 of the vibrator assembly 30 at a first end 26 or a second end 28 of the compactor. The driven pulley 38 is mounted on a shaft 34 of the vibrator housing 36. The directional control arm 54 provides a manually operated control for providing the selective pivotal positioning of the vibrator housing 36. An endless flexible belt transmits the power from the drive pulley 48 to the driven pulley 38. Components mounted on the engaging end 58 of the directional control arm 54 engage one of the two tangential strands of a flexible endless belt 52 for pivotally displacing the vibrator housing 36 from the first end 26 to the second end.

Abstract: A method for treating or reducing excess stomach acidity by ingesting a predetermined dose of a flour or meal made from dried fava beans. The predetermined dose may be incorporated into edible food products such as a chewable wafer, cookie, biscuit, drink mix etc. The minimum recommended dose is at least 1000 mg. The treatment of the present invention may be taken in anticipation of excess stomach acidity or after its occurrence.

Abstract: A method of transporting an article through a processing housing while minimizing the loss of a controlled atmosphere from the process housing. This method includes the steps of placing an article on a first carriage member, then vertically displacing the article from the entry level through an entry opening of entry housing to a processing level. The article is then transferred from the first carriage member to an endless conveyor for transporting, horizontally, through the process housing. The article is then transferred to a second carriage member which moves the article vertically through a exit housing to and through an exit opening near an exit level. The processed article is then removed at the exit level. The vertical distance between the process level and the entry opening and the exit opening separates the controlled atmosphere from the ambient atmosphere exterior of the housings.

Abstract: A foot operated control apparatus for randomly selecting any function and subsequently activating that function of a multi-function device that includes a base assembly and a foot operator assembly. The foot operator assembly is capable of being articulated in at least distinct three directions of travel with respect to the base assembly. The foot operator assembly may be selectively moved by the foot of the user in any of the directions, separately or in combination, to provide a floating-like movement. This apparatus includes indicating means for providing physical sensory indications to the user during the random selection and activation of a function.

Abstract: An improved on demand useful life indicator that may be attached to or placed in manufactured goods at a selected time. This indicator includes a base member; an indicating material layer, an adhesive layer, and a co-layered covering material. The indicating material layer is formulated to provide a visual indication when exposed to a selected component of an ambient fluid. The indicating material is applied to one side of the impermeable base member in a selected pattern. The adhesive layer is made of an impermeable material and applied in a selected pattern over the indicating material layer so that at least one selected portion of the indicating material is exposed to the ambient fluid. An inner layer of the co-layered cover member has a greater adhesion to the adhesive layer when an impermeable outer layer is removed. The inner layer is permeable to the ambient fluid. The useful life indicator remains in a selected state of dormancy until the outer layer of the co-layered cover member is removed.

Abstract: A modular butterfly valve for interupting the flow of particulate articles such as tablets, capsules, pills, and the like that includes a disk member which is selectively operable between an open position and a closed position. The disk member is pivotly carried by a pair of tranverse apertures of an elastomer valve seat. The elastomer valve seat also includes an outside diameter, and a seat portion. The seat portion includes a pair of sealing lips that are cantilevered at a selected angle from one end of the elastomer valve seat. The sealing lips form a first throat portion and a second throat portion. In the closed position, a first of the sealing lips abuts one side of the disk member while a second of the sealing lips abuts a peripheral edge of the disk member. The valve seat is retained between a housing and a removable clamping ring. The housing is configured for a quick connect coupling arrangement with a delivery end of a supply bin.

Abstract: A hydraulically driven rotary vibrator that includes a motor body and a pair of opposed housings. Each housing includes a shaft, and an eccentric weight that are journalled by a pair of anti-friction bearings. The shaft of each housing extends a selected distance beyond a first end of the housing. A gear is attached to the extending end of the shaft. The gears associated with each of the housings are aligned and meshed with each other interior of the motor plate. The gears and their associated shafts are rotated when a hydraulic fluid is introduced into a motor chamber formed in the motor plate. The eccentric weights may be selectively phased for producing a determined vibratory output.

Abstract: A cordless control system for actuating selected functions of a mobile X-ray unit. This cordless control system comprises a transmitter and a receiver. The portable transmitter is hand held and includes a first control switch, a second control switch, and an infrared emitting circuit. The infrared emitting circuit includes a plurality programmable encoding switches. Each of the programmable encoding switches are user switchable for emitting at least one binary coded infrared signal. The receiver includes a plurality of infrared sensors and a receiving circuit. The receiving circuit includes a plurality of programmable decoding switches. Each of the infrared sensors is arrayed for receiving each binary coded signal being sent by the transmitter.

Abstract: A fixture for holding and aligning a blade of a hand tool during sharpening with a sharpening apparatus which includes a base member and a clamping plate. The base member includes a front side, rear side, a clamping surface, a bottom surface and a guiding means. The guiding means is selectively positioned along the bottom surface between the front side and rear side. The base member further includes an aligning means which projects above the clamping surface for positioning the blade at a predetermined angle with respect to an axis of the guiding means. The clamping plate is removably attached to the base member by a pair of clamping means. The guiding means is configured for easy removal and seating in an elongated mating recess in a support plate attached to the sharpening apparatus. The guiding means allows fully guided pivotal and linear movement of the blade with respect to an abrasive surface of the sharpening apparatus.