Abstract: A spacer block for a tow bar which has a central support having an opening therethrough to receive the tow bar and a plurality of faces disposed around the central support. Each face has a different configuration adapted to conform to the shape of support elements provided on the underside of a vehicle. The faces are connected to the central support by a plurality of webs which absorb impact, forces which would otherwise be transmitted to the automobile by the towing apparatus while the vehicle is being towed.

Abstract: A structural bearing for example for use in supports for pipelines. The bearing comprises a center plate 21 having a PTFE bearing layer insert 22 and above this a co-operating sliding plate 23 with a stainless steel mating plate 24. The center plate 21 is located with respect to a support 25 by a retaining ring 26. Between the center plate 21 and the support 25 there is a deformable feature 27 which deforms when the bearing is subjected to an uneven load, thereby spreading the load more evenly over the support 25.

Abstract: A barbell exercise rack that includes a support base with a support stand upstanding therefrom to which are secured a pair of cantilever support arms. Each arm has a rack which holds the barbell while allowing the barbell to be lifted therefrom. The cantilever arms are mounted so that the outer ends are adjustable to be selectively converged and diverged in order to adjust the racks to various weight lifters. Preferably the height of the cantilever arms is also adjustable while the stand may include either one or two upright support elements.

Abstract: A golf cart with battery-operated auxiliary drive is composed of a hand golf cart and a tractor apparatus, which are both releasably coupled together by a connecting element.

Abstract: A pickup truck derrick assembly includes a base frame, a derrick A-frame pivotally mounted on the base frame, a derrick frame erection subassembly, a frame support and locking subassembly and a cable compensation system. The frame erection subassembly includes an elongated track. A roller or carriage subassembly rides on the track and engages the A-frame. Movement of the carriage along the track raises and lowers the A-frame. The A-frame is held in an erected position by support braces pivotally connected at one end to the base frame. Each brace slidably engages a sleeve mounted on the A-frame. A locking mechanism automatically secures the braces to the sleeves when the A-frame is erected. A pulley and cable arrangement including a compensation pulley on a support arm fixed to the A-frame compensates for hoist cable slackening when the A-frame is pivoted to its storage position.

Abstract: The specification discloses an improved self-closing drawer slide including integral scales to facilitate installation. More particularly, separate scales are provided on the cabinet channel assembly and the drawer channel assembly, and each scale indicates the height to which one end of the channel assembly must be elevated above the other end of the channel assembly to mount the channel at a desired inclination from horizontal.

Abstract: An expansion joint for a structure such as a bridge or roadway comprising a pair of elongate tubes 14, 16 each having a longitudinal slot 24, 26 and a relatively wider channel 32, 34 and a folded strip 22 of polymeric material. The tubes 14, 16 are fixed to the structure by means of anchors 18, 20. The strip has bulbous edge portions 36, 38 which are located in the channels 32, 34. The strip 22 and tubes 14, 16 are located below the level of the structure surface.

Abstract: A method for producing an ozone gas and an apparatus for producing the same are disclosed, in which a gas to be ozonized is fed to an ozonizer having a dielectric interposed between a pair of electrodes which are respectively connected to a high-frequency high-voltage power supply and thereby an ozone gas can be produced efficiently. The density of the gas to be ozonized which is fed to a silent discharge generating region in the ozonizer is made higher than the density of the same gas in the standard state. To that end, the temperature at the silent discharge generating region is lowered, and/or the pressure at the same region is increased.

Abstract: A refrigerant monitor and alarm includes a sensor positioned to detect the level of liquid state refrigerant in the system and provide an electrical output signal therefrom, a digital display for displaying the refrigerant level, a circuit coupling the digital display to the sensor for actuating the digital display, and a heat reclaim system lockout circuit coupled to the sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the level display is a bar-graph LED-type display incorporated on a control panel also including a refrigerant level alarm and other parameter alarms.

Abstract: A three dimensional digitizer is provided for determining and digitizing the coordinates of a three dimensional object. A hand-held stylus is used for tracing and determining points of interest on the surface of the object. A plurality of antennas for radiating electromagnetic energy are provided, the antennas being embedded in a table having a work surface upon which the object is placed. The radiating antennas have independent components which define a reference coordinate frame. A transmitter applies electrical signals to the radiating antennas which generate a plurality of distinguishable radio frequency electromagnetic fields. The stylus is provided with a projection for defining a point of contact between the stylus and the surface of the object of interest. A plurality of receiving antennas are disposed in the stylus. The receiving antennas have a known relationship with the projection and the point of contact on the object.

Abstract: The specification discloses a computerized monitor for a coreless induction furnace. The monitor includes a first potential transformer connected across the coil and a second potential transformer connected between one end of the coil and an electric ground. The relative location of a ground fault along the length of the coil is approximated by computing the ratio of the transformer outputs. An impedance variation look-up table is included to provide correction factors for the approximated location to compensate for variations in impedance along the length of the coil. The monitor further includes a first current transformer in the coil power line and a second current transformer in the melt bath ground. Internal ground faults are detected by computing the phase difference between the coil and ground currents. A graphic representation of the furnace is also generated to illustrate the location of the ground fault with respect to turns and yokes of the coil.

Abstract: A coil spring assembling machine with a row of clamp fittings for clamping coil springs in a row, and first sets of upper and lower coil drive planetary rollers at the infeed end of the row of clamps for infeeding upper and lower helical coils to connect the row of coil springs, at least one of the upper and lower clamps being replaced by a novel combination coil spring clamp and helical coil feeding unit with coil drive planetary rollers within the clamp jaws, for feeding the helical coils, the clamping jaws and feed rollers being simultaneously separable to allow release of the wire coils with release of the springs; a set of clinching units on the rear end of the row of clamps and a set of cutting and clinching units at the infeed end of the row of clamps, these units each having a rotational spindle with laterally offset, axially extending finger projections and an abutment surface for cooperatively clinching the ends of the helical wires, and the cutting and clinching units also having fixed cutoff blade

Abstract: A hook keeper is provided to protect and reinforce belt lacings of the type having a plurality of hooks clenched in opposite ends of a belt, with the loop ends of the hooks meshed together and interconnected by a pin. The hook keeper has a rigid body with at least two side-by-side slots therethrough. The hook keeper is positioned between the connecting pin and an associated end of the belt, and preferably reinforces one of the two outermost hooks in the lacing. The selected outermost lacing hook is closely received in one of the keeper slots, and another one of the lacing hooks is closely received in the second keeper slot. Forces acting on the outermost hook are transmitted to and resisted at least partially by the second hook to improve the strength and longevity of the lacing.

Abstract: A structure bearing assembly comprising a retaining plate housing a circular center plate the upper surface of which has a PTFE bearing layer and a number of lubricant grooves which may be straight or circular. The grooves each have an opening at both ends for the introduction and/or removal of lubricant.

Abstract: A rigger for trolling a fishing lure at a desired depth includes an elongated arm having a free end and an end pivotally secured to a mounting base. A trolley is slidably mounted on the arm for movement towards and away from the free end of the arm. A downrigger line pulley is secured to the trolley for movement therewith. A downrigger line reel is mounted on the base and a downrigger line or cable extends over the downrigger pulley. An elastic cord has ends fixed to the trolley for biasing the trolley towards the free end of the arm. A latch is provided to secure the arm in a vertical or tipped up position.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing skin from the meat of a poultry part, such as a turkey thigh, includes an elongated conveyor supported on a frame in spaced relationship to an elongated loading and stretch bar. The conveyor moves the poultry part along the bar. A rotary cutter is positioned below the bar for cutting the skin of the part. Two pairs of counter-rotating, helical skinning rollers are positioned below the bar and downstream of the rotary cutter. Each pair of skinning rollers defines a nip. The rollers engage the skin on the poultry part and pull the skin from the part.

Abstract: A controller is provided for vehicle sunroofs and the like, of the type having a retractable door or closure. The controller comprises two tracks mounted in a main frame portion of the sunroof, along opposite sides of the closure. Guides project laterally outward from the sides of the closure, and are matingly received in the tracks to slidingly support the closure for fore-to-aft translation between open and closed positions. A seal is located between the closure and the frame to form a weathertight seal therebetween. The guides include cams or eccentrics that are positioned in the tracks, and are shaped so that rotation of the eccentrics raises and lowers the closure in the main frame. When the eccentrics are rotated to a locked position, the closure is raised into abutting, compressive contact with the seal to sealingly close the opening. When the eccentrics are rotated into an unlocked position, the closure is lowered out of abutting contact with the seal to permit the closure to be freely opened.

Abstract: A shoulder belt positioner is provided for vehicles, and the like of the type having safety belt restraint systems. The positioner comprises a flexible strap having a hanger bracket at one end, and an open hook at the other end. The hanger bracket releasably supports the positioner on the door of the vehicle, preferably by an inverted U-shaped clip that is closely received in the window slot of the vehicle door. The positioner hook has a generally V-shaped configuration to releasably engage the shoulder belt in the extended, locked position, and pull the same slightly off of the user's shoulder to provide improved comfort. The positioner hook automatically releases the shoulder belt when the belt is moved to its retracted, storage position. The positioner preferably moves with the door as it is opened to an out of the way location to permit unobstructed exit from and entry into the vehicle.