Abstract: An electric motor 10.sub.vi includes a Cockcroft ring 12 for producing a magnetic field having lines of flux extending in the first direction through an air gap 18. A disc 14 capable of at least two dimensional motion in a plane relative to the Cockcroft ring 12 provides a plurality of conductive paths C.sub.A -C.sub.E. Each path C.sub.A -C.sub.E has a segment 16.sub.A -16.sub.E respectively that extends through the magnetic field in a second direction so that interaction with an electric current passing through a particular segment 16.sub.A -16.sub.E, produces a thrust force acting on the disc 14 via that segment 16.sub.A -16.sub.E. A multi phase toroid shaped transformer 40 induces electric currents to flow in the paths C.sub.A -C.sub.E and thus through the corresponding segments 16.sub.A -16.sub.E. One of the segments, for example 16.sub.A is located relative to a second segment for example 16.sub.E, so that their respective thrust forces do not lie in the same axis.

Abstract: A passive-motion having a support surface provided by a plurality of bellows-like or bladder-like cells which are sequentially or independently inflatable and deflatable to alter the configuration of the support surface continuously to cause a person seated on the support surface to continuously and instinctively adjust the additude of his spinal column and associated muscles.

Abstract: A visual inspection system particularly designed for imaging relatively non-rigid materials. In order to identify defects and the position of defects and the position of defects on the material. The arrangement is particularly designed for handling leather hide. Defects in leather hide are presently identified by manual inspection. The present invention provides a visual inspection system for non-rigid materials comprising a mounting means for mounting a sample of the material, tensioning means for tensioning at least an area of the sample, an imaging means (3) for obtaining an image of the area of the sample under tension and processing means for processing the image to provide information on any defects which may exist.

Abstract: An anti-creep device for a trailing arm suspension. The anti-creep device comprises an arm that is extended and retracted relative to a trailer frame and trailing arm of the suspension to prohibit their relative movement. The arm is connected to either the trailer frame or trailing arm by a frangible coupling designed to break at a predetermined load to prevent damage to the trailer or suspension from overloading or operation when the arm is extended.

Abstract: A lightweight hose (80) is disclosed which is formed from a heat seamable material and includes a helically-wound reinforcing member (88). The hose (80) can be formed in a short, definite length and a relatively long, indefinite length by a mandrel and a continuous process, respectively. In one aspect of the invention, a lightweight conduit (80) comprises a tubular wall (82) formed of at least one ply of heat seamable material and at least one helical member (88) whereby the at least one ply is bonded to itself and to the at least one reinforcing member (88) without additional adhesive. The invention also relates to lightweight conduits in the form of connectors such as cuffs (140) and T- and Y-connectors (170) and (180), respectively. The invention further relates to a method for forming a lightweight conduit, including but not limited to, the embodiments of a hose described herein.

Abstract: A spring brake actuator being divided into a first spring brake chamber and a second spring brake chamber by a diaphragm extending across the actuator. A pressure plate is provided in the first spring brake chamber and rests on the diaphragm. A power spring is positioned between the spring brake chamber housing and the pressure plate to urge the pressure plate toward the bottom of the actuator housing. Pressurized air is supplied to the second spring brake chamber to hold the power spring in a compressed state. A normally closed one-way check valve extends through the pressure plate and the diaphragm to provide for temporary fluid communication between the first spring brake chamber and the second spring brake chamber upon the exhausting of pressurized air from the second spring brake chamber to thereby prevent the creation of a vacuum in the first spring brake chamber that might retard the application rate of the spring brake actuator.

Abstract: A coupler for interconnecting a damper blade shaft having a keyed end with an actuator is provided whereby movement of the actuator is imparted to the damper blade shaft via the coupler. The coupler comprises a socket adapted to receive the keyed end of the damper blade shaft in at least two angular positions and a connector adapted to receive a portion of the actuator. The damper blade shaft can thereby be indexed to any one of the at least two positions relative to the actuator without additional fasteners when the keyed end of the damper blade shaft is received in the socket.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus comprises a base module for movement along the surface; an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module; a fluid dispensing system including at least one fluid supply tank mounted to the handle or the base module, a dispensing nozzle mounted to the base module for applying a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, and a heater for heating the fluid to be applied to the surface to be cleaned to a temperature less than boiling; a fluid recovery tank mounted to the handle or the base module for holding recovered fluid; a suction nozzle associated with the base module; a working air conduit extending between the recovery tank and the suction nozzle; and a vacuum source and fluid communication with the recovery tank for generating a flow of working air from the suction nozzle through the working air conduit and through the recovery tank to thereby recovering fluid from the surface to be cleaned through the suction nozzle and working air conduit and into the recovery

Abstract: A handheld liquid extraction cleaner includes a recovery tank mounted to the forward end of a cleaner housing with a suction nozzle and conduit on a front face of the recovery tank connected to an inlet opening in the recovery tank. A vacuum source is connected to the recovery tank through an exhaust conduit, integrally formed in the recovery tank, for drawing liquid and debris through the suction nozzle and the suction conduit and into the recovery tank A removable cleaning fluid supply tank is mounted to a rear portion of the cleaner housing, an adjustable spray nozzle is mounted to the suction conduit and a pump is positioned in a supply conduit between the spray nozzle and the cleaning fluid supply tank for supplying pressurized cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid supply tank to the spray nozzle The pump includes an impeller which is positioned in an outlet opening of a reservoir in which the cleaning fluid is deposited from the cleaning fluid supply tank.

Abstract: A steerable independent front suspension having upper and lower wishbone control arms, each control arm pivotally mounted to a suspension frame which in turn is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle frame. The other end of the control arms are pivotally mounted to an upper and lower end of a knuckle post, which has an opening extending therethrough. A steering knuckle is pivotally mounted to the knuckle post and mounts an S-cam brake assembly having a brake actuator extending therefrom. The knuckle post opening is positioned and sized to receive the brake actuator when the steering knuckle is pivoted to a maximum position to increase the steering angle of the vehicle.

Abstract: An AM/FM/CB/cellular telephone antenna includes a first frequency self-resonant circuit at a position above the lower end of the antenna such that the electrical length of the lower section of the antenna is equivalent to one-quarter wavelength for a frequency in the FM frequency range and a second frequency self-resonant circuit disposed below the first frequency self-resonant circuit. The first self-resonant circuit presents a high impedance in the FM frequency band and the second self-resonant circuit presents a high impedance in the cellular frequency range. The entire length of the antenna is equivalent to one-quarter wavelength in a frequency in the CB frequency band. The antenna wire is wound around a fiberglass core, and the FM self-resonant circuit is formed by a tightly wound, coiled section of the wire together with a thin-walled brass tube extending over the core in the area of the tightly wound section.

Abstract: A spring counterbalanced folding wall bed having a vertically disposed shell including side walls spaced from each other and a bed frame pivotally mounted to the shell for movement between an open position and a closed position. In the open position the bed frame is substantially horizontal; in the closed position the bed frame is substantially vertical and between the side walls. A spring is mounted between a head end of the bed frame and one of the side walls and is biased to retain the bed in the closed position. One end of the spring is secured to the head end by a first pivotal connection and the other end of the spring is secured to the side wall by a second pivotal connection. At least one of the first and second pivotal connections are movable so that the length of the spring can be adjusted, whereby the spring force can be adjusted.

Abstract: A tool for manually dispensing and applying a web of elongated flexible stock material such as a plastic stretch film from a roll of the stock material having a shaft that supports the roll. The tool includes a flexible gripper having a cylindrically shaped body defining an open center, an open upper end and a closed lower end, and a relatively rigid cylindrical sleeve having a hollow center received in the open center and having a length less than the length of the gripper. This assembly has a gripping surface so that the operator can grip the shaft and hold it tightly without affecting the braking force on the shaft. The operator can compress the upper portion of the gripper inwardly onto the shaft when the gripper and cylindrical sleeve are mounted on the shaft, creating a braking mechanism that slows or stops the rotation of the shaft and at the same time apply a differential pressure to the roll to firmly hold the roll as strongly as necessary.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for converting product-specific identification numbers associated with bar code indicia on pharmaceutical products to an industry standard identification number. The process involves reading a bar code indicia, converting the indicia into an input string and standardizing the input string by means of adding or subtracting characters in accordance with rules based on the bar code type and length of the input string. By means of the invention pharmaceutical products of two different sources may be compared to determine if they contain the same drug as determined by the standard identification number. The device can include a removable member for interchanging and updating bar code indicia information rather than reprogramming the device.

Abstract: A fluid-operated brake actuator having a hollow actuator rod between a spring chamber of a spring brake housing and a spring chamber of a service brake housing incorporates a valve within the actuator rod. The valve isolates the two spring chambers from each other in normal operation and releases a vacuum in the spring brake housing spring chamber when the spring brake is activated. A separate one-way check valve mounted in a well of the spring brake housing permits fluid to exhaust from the spring chamber to atmosphere and prevents contaminants in the atmosphere from entering the spring chamber.