Abstract: A sanitary butterfly valve including a closable disc member carried by a resilient valve seat. The valve seat is compressed between a housing and clamp plate while being retained by a first acute lip and a second acute lip. The compression of said valve seat causes its central portion to collapse inwardly to seal against the closed disc. This mounting of the disc member by the valve seat along with an axial biasing means provides a self-centering disc sealing arrangement. This butterfly valve is adapted to be actuated by an external means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the automatic on-demand conveying of stacks of nested lids to a lid placer employing two powered sections for first elevating the stacks of nested lids placed on a platform assembly then, shuttling the elevated nested stack interior of a guide assembly from a first position to a second position, the guide assembly then acts as an extension of the magazine of the lid placer until a predetermined quantity of lids have been separated and placed.

Abstract: An expandable water-proof pouch which is adapted for holding articles contained therein in a dry condition. This pouch being adapted for threading or attaching a belt through a belt attaching means. The pouch includes a first panel, second panel, and a bottom panel, all being made of a thin flexible waterproof material. A bead type closure means is provided in and on the first panel. A cover flap is provided to protect the closure means from unwanted opening. This pouch is also adapted to be folded and fastened to further protect the closure means.

Abstract: A modular butterfly valve includes a disc member which is selectively rotated between an open and a closed position, a housing, a resilient valve seat, and a clamping ring which are held together by a hinged coupling ring. The disc member is resiliently suspended in this valve by the valve seat, which provides for a self-centering of the disc-member. The hinged coupling ring may include an integral actuation means which is keyed into alignment during assembly. This modular butterfly valve assembly is adapted for being attached to an adjacent apparatus by a quick coupling means.

Abstract: A safety device for a lifting apparatus, said lifting device having a carriage member (12) guided in a column (14) said carriage member (12) selectively positioned with respect to said column member (14) by a flexible tension member (20) connected to a drive means (22); a pawl member (34) is disengaged from an elongated rack (62) by a predetermined tension in the tension member (20); A reduction in the predetermined tension in the flexible tension member (20) will automatically engage the pawl member (34) into the rack member (62) by the urging of a biasing member (56) preventing any uncontrolled movement of the carriage relative to the column.

Abstract: A steerable and self-powered attachment for wheelchairs. This attachment is free-standing and includes a powered coupling means which is adapted for simultaneous attachment while the front of a wheelchair, carried thereon, is lifted to provide three wheel contact with the surface. The attachment includes a auxiliary frame, a drive means, a steering means, and the powered coupling means. The attachment is adapted to be coupled to the wheelchair by the occupant by actuation of a switch.

Abstract: A drum, container and the like of a flowable material is placed and retained on a container support assembly of a lifting and tilting apparatus. This lifting and tilting apparatus includes a telescoping column attached to a base support. Interior of the column is a hydraulic cylinder for lifting the sliding portion of the tubular column. As the sliding portion is lifted the container support is lifted at twice the lift rate of the column. The container support is independently tilted at any convenient height between the lifting extent of the apparatus. The tilting of the container support is provided by an air operated gear-motor carried on a moveable carriage. The moveable carriage and gear-motor are fully contained interior of the telescoping column. A slot is provided in the telescoping column to allow the independent lifting and tilting of the container support by an operator.

Abstract: A prefabricated building covering system having an arrangement of support members selectively arrayed on a building under-structure, said under-structure adapted for supporting the walls and roof of the building including a plurality of panel members, a first support member, a second support member, and intermediate support members. Said intermediate support members are used as and when needed. Said second support member and intermediate member having a leaf spring mounted there-on for allowing installation or removable of said panels as and when desired without disturbing adjacent panels.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for producing fully air-cushioning dunnage from two sources of flexible thermoplastic film. This improved apparatus and method provides a fully air-filled dunnage by maintaining a forming roller (16) at a cold temperature. The outer surface (33) has a thermo-resistive layer (32) completely convering its periphery absent a plurality of cavities (30) formed therein. A first film (12) is heated then thermoformed into said cavities (30). The thermoformed portions of the film contact the cold cavities in the forming roller to cool both the film and the air in the cavities to a cold temperature. The heat welding surface of first film (12) is kept at an elevated temperature by the thermo-resisitive layer. A second film (20) is heated and welded to said first film by and with an adjustable heated pressure roller (24). The heat traveling through the second film and the first film is delayed for a predetermined amount of time by the thermo-resistive layer.

Abstract: A stand for receiving and stabilizing a shade umbrella. The stand includes a collapsible bag attached by its base portion to a rigid tubular sleeve member. The sleeve member is adapted for receiving and retaining various sizes of umbrella shafts passing therethrough. The collapsible bag may be charged, by way of its mouth, with sand, soil and the like to provide additional weight to the umbrella during windy conditions. After use the bag is emptied so that the stand may be collapsed for easy transport and storage.

Abstract: A gas accumulator and blaster apparatus including a pressure tank (12) and a quick release valve (14). The quick release valve includes an elongated outer sleeve (22), an end cap (28), a check valve (32), a shouldered guide member (38), a cup shaped piston (56), and an annular seat member (68). The tank is filled with a gas by means of a conduit (36). The gas accumulated in the tank is quickly exhausted through a second end (26) of the quick release valve and into a storage bin as and when gas is exhausted from interior of the piston, guide member, and conduit. The piston quickly returns to a closed position as and when the flow of air from said tank stops.

Abstract: An automatically operated feeding and reorienting apparatus for vertically oriented stacks of nested preformed containers including a continuously advancing infeed conveyor 10 for advancing individual vertical stacks of nested containers to a transfer means assembly 12, whereat a single stack of containers 84A is separated and transferred to a tilting carriage assembly 14, whereupon the nested stack is reoriented by tilting to a substantially horizontal disposition, upon completion of said reorientation the now horizontally oriented stack of containers is advanced onto a denesting conveyor assembly 16 by a stack advancing assembly 66.

Abstract: A dressing tool for form dressing of a grinding wheel comprising a cylindrical body 22 having an open groove 32 formed at one end; said open groove 32 adapted for insertion, seating, and clamping of a chisel-edge diamond 36; said chisel-edge diamond being clamped in said open groove in a substantially centered alignment with an axis of said cylindrical body 22, and said chisel-edge diamond simultaneously clamped in said open groove at a negative angle B by a clamping means 42; said centering alignment and negative angle adjustment provided by an associated matching and removable centering gage.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for the feeding and placing of a preformed cover(44) on a linearly advancing preformed container(130), said improved apparatus being automatically operated in response to an "on-demand" condition, said improved apparatus including a frame assembly(12), an inclined hopper assembly(14), a cover separating assembly(16), a transfer chute assembly (18) an infeed conveyor assembly(20), and a cover seating assembly(22). This improved apparatus may also provide selective orientation of a pour spout or bung located in a circular cover.

Abstract: A retractable sling assembly for mounting to coaster-type vehicles including an enclosure adapted for carrying a storage member within, said storage member arrayed for winding and holding a selected portion of a flexible sling thereon, said flexible sling having a free end to which an attaching member is secured; and a connecting member mounted to the vehicle for engaging the attaching member thereby holding the flexible sling in a more or less extended condition as and when desired.

Abstract: An enclosed adjustable servo-actuator is provided. This servo-actuator includes an elongated hollow cylinder; a first closed end member; a second closed end member; a through passageway is provided in each closed end member; an enclosed housing attached exterior of the hollow cylinder at or near the center of the cylinder, said housing adapted to comunicate with the interior of the hollow cylinder; an elongated piston assembly is slidably carries interior of said hollow cylinder; A torque arm is arrayed to engage said piston assembly by means of a closed-end transverse groove provided in said piston assembly; an output shaft is journaled in said enclosed housing, said output shaft engages said torque arm for converting the linear displacement of the piston to an arcuate rotation of said output shaft; and an adjustment means is provided to selectively limit the arcuate rotation of the output shaft.