Abstract: A feed conveying apparatus is disclosed for use in a poultry or livestock feeding system (503). The feed conveying apparatus has a housing (509) having a feed inlet (515) which receives feed from, a feed supply (BFT) and a feed outlet (517). A feed conveyor (508) extends through the housing. The conveyor has a conveyor tube (511) with a feed auger (513) therein. The feed auger has a multiplicity of substantially equally spaced flights (62) and is driven within the conveyor tube for picking up feed from the housing and for conveying it through the conveyor tube. A regulator (521 ) is provided for regulating the amount of feed within the conveyor tube downstream from the housing to an amount less than will totally fill the conveyor tube so as to form a partial void (V) within the conveyor tube and to prevent overcompaction of the feed within the conveyor tube.

Abstract: Vehicle wheel alignment apparatus includes a storage device for storing vehicle wheel alignment angle specifications, wheel alignment sensors, and ride height sensors. A controller is responsive to the acquired wheel alignment angle data and to the measured ride height for determining whether, taking into consideration the vehicle ride height, a measured wheel alignment angle falls within specifications. Apparatus for diagnosing vehicle wheel alignment and suspension problems also includes a jack for vertically moving the body of the vehicle with respect to the wheels to temporarily change the ride height of the vehicle. The controller is responsive to changes in measured wheel alignment angles with changes in measured ride height to diagnose vehicle alignment and suspension problems.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for performing ultrasonic flaw testing of a material (M) or assembly. A pulser (28) generates an electrical pulse having defined characteristics. A transducer (12) converts the signal to an ultrasonic pulse, propagates the pulse through the material or assembly, receives an echo the characteristics of which include reflections off flaws or discontinuities in the material or assembly, and converts the echo into an electrical reply signal. The transducer is selectable from among a number of transducers. A processor (32) processes the reply signal to produce a visual display representing the amplitude of the reply signal for a range of propagation times (distances) into the material. A visual display (16) displays the processed electrical signal. A correlation module (42) generates a gate signal which is visually displayed (at 38) with the processed electrical signal. The gate signal corresponds to a maximum amplitude value which represents the maximum flaw size allowable for the test.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dimming the white light received by an optical fiber. The apparatus is a cover having a thin edge and a flat surface for application to the optical fiber commencing at the fiber rim.

Abstract: An attachment for a shoe or boot includes a wishbone or spur element that fits around the quarters (or foxing or outer counter portion, depending upon its construction) of the shoe or boot. The element carries lamps that are visible when viewed toward the back of the shoe. The lamps are electrically connected to a source of current, generally a battery, which is carried either by the element itself, or by a casing to which the element is adjustably attached. The wishbone or spur element is preferably mounted by or aided in its mounting by a hook and loop fastener of the type sold under the trademark VELCRO.

Abstract: A plastic ceiling panel is mounted in a grid of T-rails. The ceiling panel is shaped complementarily to the space defined by facing edges of the T-rails, and includes a central web and sidewalls extending upwardly from the central web. The sidewalls include a lower part that projects halfway across a lower surface of the T-rail, to butt against the corresponding lower part of contiguous panels in spaces surrounding the first panel, so as to give the impression of a continuous, uninterrupted ceiling. The sidewalls are stiffly flexible and are provided with a channel into which the facing edge of each of the T-rails forming the grid space in which the ceiling panel is seated, is received.

Abstract: A window guard is provided for a window which may be removably mounted in a window frame to protect the window from storms. The window includes a window frame having frame members, two of which have holes formed on inwardly facing surfaces. The window guard includes a board sized to fit within the window frame and a brace or mounting mechanism pivotally mounted on the board which cooperates with the window frame holes to mount the window guard in the frame. The mounting mechanism includes a cross-member pivotally secured to the board and rods telescopingly received in the cross-member. The cross-member is made of two elongate pieces which are pivotally connected and which have blind bores formed in their ends which telescopingly receive the rods. The rods can thus telescope to a position in which they extend from the cross-member into the holes formed in the window frame and be retracted to a position in which they do not extend beyond the edges of the board.

Abstract: A gravity outlet (10) for discharging lading from a railway car (C). An outlet assembly is attached to a discharge opening in the railcar. The assembly includes an upper end attached to the discharge opening, and sidewalls (14a, 14b) and endwalls (16a, 16b) sloping downwardly and inwardly from the upper end. A bottom portion of the sidewalls and endwalls define a discharge outlet (D) through which lading flows, by gravity, when it is discharged from the railcar. An outlet gate (22) is positioned beneath the assembly and is movable relative to the discharge outlet between respective open and closed positions to open and close the outlet. A latch assembly (26) latches the outlet gate in its closed position, when the gate is closed, to prevent inadvertent opening of the gate and spillage of lading. A gate operating mechanism (34) moves the gate between its open and closed positions. The mechanism automatically unlatches the latch when the gate is to be moved from its closed to its open position.

Abstract: A receptacle and plug assembly for connecting a plurality of optical fibers to a single light source. The receptacle contains a plurality of individual sockets. The receptacle is generally cylindrical and the sockets are generally pie shaped and arranged within the receptacle about a focal point. The light is focused on the focal point. Each socket has a spring biased shutter that remains in the closed position when not in use. Each plug is configured to fit into any one of the sockets and to open the shutter when introduced into the socket. The receptacle has guides between the individual sockets to facilitate introduction of the plug. Each plug has an axial bore containing one end of an optical fiber. When a plug is inserted into a socket, the end of the optical fiber is positioned at the focal point and exposed to the light. When more than one plug is inserted in the receptacle the light effectively illuminates all of the fibers simultaneously.

Abstract: A self contained limit switch assembly includes a gear box containing gears which mesh with a gear mounted on the shaft of a rotor. The gear box gears drive a cam. Limit switches, which are operatively connected to the motor's control circuit, are placed in the path of the cam to be actuated thereby. The limit switch assembly includes a housing which may be applied to an end shield of the motor, allowing the limit switch assembly to be applied optionally to any motor which may be incorporated into a product which requires use of a limit switch in the product's operation.

Abstract: In a quick disconnect between a driving shaft and a driven shaft, in which a first annular bracket is mounted on an end of the driving shaft and a second annular bracket is mounted on an end of the driven shaft facing the first bracket but spaced substantially from the first bracket, each of the brackets having radially inwardly, axially extending splines, and a spool having annular flanges at each axial end extending radially outwardly and having radially outwardly extending splines complementary to the inwardly extending bracket splines, the spool having an annular channel defined by spaced radially outwardly extending annular walls, a yolk is provided having two substantially diametrically opposite, radially outwardly extending arms and a roller-carrying section connected to the arms, the roller-carrying section extending around the channel and extending radially between the channel walls and carrying two, diametrically opposed rollers within the channel the rollers projecting axially beyond sides of the r

Abstract: A hangable, collapsible doll display which may also be used as a doll swing is provided. The doll display includes a generally circular top frame, at least two doll supporting levels below the top frame capable of supporting a doll, netting which collapsibly connects each of the levels of the display to each other and to the circular top frame, a conical section of netting above the top frame having an apex; and a ring secured to the apex to enable the display to be hung from a stand, ceiling, etc. The levels of the display may include seats in which dolls may sit, a solid platform on which dolls may sit or lie, a solid platform which will support the dolls in a standing position, or a mesh platform on which the dolls may lie. The seats used in the swing may be made in various sizes to accommodate various sized dolls. The seats of the swing are preferably removably mounted in a seat frame. A platform is positioned adjacent the seats to provide an area where doll accessories may be placed.

Abstract: A leg for a cross bar for king and queen size beds which leg is nested in the cross bar for shipping and movable to an erect position to support the cross bar above the floor. The leg has an integral bracket on its free end which is formed from the leg and defines a substantially square opening which retains a plastic bushing and a threaded foot which can be adjusted toward and away from the leg bracket to raise or lower the cross bar.

Abstract: A plastic, disposable, easy-to-assemble dental angle is provided. The angle includes a one-piece hollow body having a head at its front end which is angled with respect to the body. Both the head and the body have a bore therethrough. The head has an aperture which is centered with respect to the bore of the body to allow insertion of a drive gear through the head of the angle. A driven gear is inserted in the head from above. A snap cap fits within the head over the driven gear to lock both the drive gear and the driven gear in the angle. A sheath on the cap covers the aperture. A latch on the cap is received in the aperture to lock the cap to the head to hold the angle together. An elongated slot in the body permits the body to be force-fit on a dental handpiece.

Abstract: A method of assembling a speed reducer assembly including a housing having a front wall or side defining a bearing shoulder having an inner surface, a back wall or side defining an opening and having an outer face; a bracket having an inner surface which rests against the back wall face to close the back wall opening and defining a second bearing shoulder having an inner surface, a worm and a worm gear held in meshing contact in the housing, and front and back shims which align the center of curvature of the worm gear with the axis of the worm. The method of aligning the worm and worm gear includes the steps of predetermining the width of the shims and then assembling the speed reducer assembly. To predetermine the width of the shims, the distance from the center of curvature of the worm gear to an axially outer surface of the worm gear assembly is determined. A gauge is provided to determine this distance.

Abstract: A display frame work is described in terms of a display header, with upper and lower horizontal tubes and vertical end tubes to define a rectangular frame to which a flexible cloth, paper or plastic header panel is attached. Each of the horizontal members has a central hinge with a horizontal pintle from which leaves extend in opposite directions when the device is assembled. One of the leaves is fixed in a central tube; the other is constructed to permit the tube to which it is mounted to slide toward and away from the pintle. The fixed leaf has a locking tab projecting beyond the pintle, and the sliding travel of the tube that is slidably mounted is from a position clear of the locking tab to one embracing the locking tab. Outboard end sections of the horizontal members are hinged to the central tube members in a way similar to that of the two central tubes, but on hinges pintles of which are oriented perpendicularly to the central member hinge pintle. The tubes are hollow and open ended.

Abstract: An inflatable cushion having a series of separately inflatable zones with tubular conduits leading from each zone beneath or on top of the cushion within the periphery of the cushion to a common manifold spaced outwardly from the front edge of the cushion with a fill tube connected to the manifold and individual cut-off valves or a means to buckle the tubes for each conduit whereby the zones can be filled and bled simultaneously or selectively.

Abstract: A roller bearing has working surfaces, that is surfaces where its rollers and races contact each other, which have extremely shallow irregularities that are nondirectional and thus render the working surfaces isotropic. Moreover, the isotropic surfaces have very low average asperity slopes and likewise a very low plasticity indexes. To derive the high quality working surfaces, the races and rollers are first ground or otherwise mechanically machined to provide the working surfaces with the proper profiles. Then the races and rollers are immersed in a liquid chemical which reacts with the metal at the surfaces and contemporaneously forms a protective coating which inhibits further reaction. Abrading elements within the chemical come against the races and rollers as they are agitated and continuously remove the coating from higher elevations of the working surfaces, so that the chemical continues to react with the metal at those higher elevations.