Abstract: An air suspension system for each rear wheel of van-type vehicles features a seven-point articulated system. A pair of rearwardly diverging torque rods are pivotally attached to the axle hanger to provide a modified parallelogram linkage. The angle of divergence is set by an adjustable torque rod pivot point and an automatic pneumatic height restoration feature to dispose the torque rods at optimum orientation to provide, among other things, a measure of anti-rise action on braking. A pair of air springs mounted on articulated carrier arms carries the weight of the vehicle without the use of assisting springs. Anti-sway is provided by specification of elastic rates of bushings in pivots providing the articulation of the system.

Abstract: A snow removal implement includes a polygonal main body having a scraping edge at one end and a hand gripping means adjacent an opposite end with a foot engageable means intermediate opposite ends so that the operator can be in a generally upright position and use leg power rather than back muscles for manipulation.

Abstract: A laminating machine includes a heated laminating roller (22) and a back-up roller (26) that are driven at different speeds to produce a controlled reduction in the peripheral surface speed of the back-up roller in relation to the peripheral surface speed of the laminating roller through a brake (90) to control curling in the laminated product. The laminating machine also includes pull rollers (100 and 102) that are driven by the back-up roller and are angularly adjustable to control the path of movement of the product along with dewrinkling mechanisms (44) for removing wrinkles from the film as it enters the laminating stations.

Abstract: A motionless mixing device includes a conduit having a mixing element therein which is formed by deforming flat stock material. The mixing element includes two substantially identical segments or halves that each having a sinuous cross-section between opposite ends and are interconnected along the center of the conduit with the two segments being axially staggered with respect to each other.

Abstract: A bag made of thin pliable plastic film, including panels having slits formed therein, the slits of the bag being formed to extend in a first direction, and the slits on a relatively facing panel having slits formed to extend in a direction transverse to said first direction.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a vessel or bowl that has a plurality of openings circumferentially-spaced around a central vertical axis with the support structure for the bowl including a plurality of identical legs and an ash catcher. The ash catcher is designed such that one end portion of each leg is received into a slot and the other end portion is received into the opening and receives wing nuts so that the unit can be assembled without the use of any tools.

Abstract: A lens system for variable refraction comprising a solid housing having a single internal chamber completely filled with a plurality of imiscible liquids of preselected densities and refractive indices. The chamber is of a form such that the amount and distribution of each liquid in the optical portion of the system is altered when the system is tilted, producing a change in refractive power. The system may be incorporated into spectacle lenses or contact lenses to provide a continuous spectrum of refractive power, or into contact lenses to provide bifocal capability.

Abstract: A seat suspension system includes a seat frame movably supported on a base in a fore and aft direction by guide rollers supported on the base and received into rails on the seat frame. A seat attenuating device supported on seat frame includes a rod rotatably supported on spaced brackets and having a lug extending rotatably therefrom between the supports with first and second coil springs telescoped over the rod and located between the lug and the respective supports. An accumulator is connected at one end to a rod and at the opposite end to one of the brackets, while a plate is supported on the base and has notches for receiving at least a portion of the lug to define a plurality of adjusted positions for the seat frame on the base. A lock-out member cooperates with the lug on the rod and is supported on the seat frame to fix the seat frame with respect to the base when desired.

Abstract: A check-out counter assembly includes a cabinet that has an open space with guide rails located adjacent opposite edges of the space to receive a conveyor module which is completely self-contained and includes a power source as well as all of the removable components of the conveyor system. In addition, the respective rollers which support a conveyor belt are also designed as modular units which can be removed from the frame without any special tools. The conveyor module is designed so that power is automatically interrupted when the module is removed from the cabinet and the cabinet also has a safety plate which automatically interrupts the electric motor when an obstruction enters the space between the surface of the moving conveyor belt and the adjacent fixed surface of the cabinet.

Abstract: A laminating machine consists of a feeding mechanism for continuously supplying sheets along a path towards a laminating roll which also receives a continuous supply of laminating film. The laminating film is fed from a continuous supply and a dewrinkling mechanism is disposed along the path to remove any wrinkles prior to being received into the laminating rolls. The laminating machine also incorporates a decurling mechanism downstream of the laminating rolls for removing any tendency of the laminated material to curl between opposite ends. The sheet feeding mechanism also incorporates novel means for delivering the sheets and accurately controlling the flow of the sheets during the laminating process.

Abstract: A cable pulling apparatus includes a winch line on a drum supported on a bed of a vehicle and driven by a motor with a clutch between the motor and drum and a brake associated with the drum. A boom defines a guide for the winch line into a manhole into alignment with an underground conduit and a mandrel is attachable to the winch line. An air gun has one end received into the underground conduit and is expansible into engagement with the conduit and a compressor assembly is attached to the opposite end to propel the mandrel and winch line through the underground conduit. A cable is then attached to the winch line and is drawn through the conduit by driving the drum. A blower and a water pump are also supported on the bed to remove gases and water from the manhole.

Abstract: A container for vacuum packaging of products includes an outer container and an inner liner which conforms generally to the configuration of the outer container and is secured to the upper open end thereof while the remainder of the container and liner are unattached. A vent is provided between the atmosphere and the space between the container and liner so that the liner can expand and collapse as differential pressures are applied to the product sealed in the liner by a plastic film secured open end thereof.

Abstract: An automatic mounting apparatus for electrical chip components comprises a parts feeder including a plurality of hoppers with the chip components therein, and a parts applicator including means for picking up the chip component and movable in orthogonal directions in programmed sequence to transport the chip components successively from the parts hopper to a printed circuit board for automatic mounting thereon within a minimum time.

Abstract: A container for vacuum packaging of products includes an outer container and an inner liner which conforms generally to the configuration of the outer container and is secured to the upper open end thereof while the remainder of the container and liner are unattached. A vent is provided between the atmosphere and the space between the container and liner so that the liner can expand and collapse as differential pressures are applied to the product sealed in the liner by a plastic film secured open end thereof.

Abstract: A rack for use with a grill having a cooking surface defined by spaced rods is formed by bending two wires that define a base and an upright article-receiving support extending above the base. The base has spaced, generally L-shaped projections that are inserted between two spaced rods and under one rod to secure the rod on the cooking surface.

Abstract: A cooking grill consisting of a bowl and a cover includes a support mechanism for supporting the cover on the bowl. The support mechanism includes diametrically-opposed T-shaped brackets that support the cover generally perpendicular to the rim in an open position and provide a partial shield for the cooking surface.

Abstract: A container end formed from metal having an approximate thickness of 0.0120 inches which is capable of withstanding at least 90 psi buckle pressure and at least 60 psi rock pressure is disclosed herein. A container end panel includes a peripheral curl surrounding a substantially flat center panel with a countersink therebetween. The countersink has inner and outer substantially flat walls that are interconnected by an arcuate portion that has a radius of approximately 0.030 inches and the inner wall is connected to the periphery of the center panel through an arcuate portion that has a radius of approximately 0.025 inches. The outer flat wall has a length which is greater than the length of the inner flat wall and the outer flat wall defines an angle of less than five degrees with respect to a plane that extends perpendicular through the center flat panel. The inner flat wall has a length to locate the lower edge of the countersink about 0.

Abstract: A precoated stock material for use in forming a drawn and ironed container and a method of forming such container is disclosed herein. The stock material initially has a layer of lubricant applied to one or both surfaces of the metal base with the lubricant consisting essentially of a fatty acid ester of a mono or polyhydric alcohol and having a distribution of less than 3 mg./in..sup.2. The method contemplates applying the layer of lubricant to a metal stock, such as aluminum, black plate or tinplate, cutting a disc from the metal stock, and transforming the disc into a drawn and ironed container without additional lubricant being applied to the tooling.

Abstract: A drawing and ironing assembly including a punch movable along a path having a plurality of spaced ironing die assemblies with the last of the ironing die assemblies having twin spaced lands, the diameter of the second twin land is slightly greater than the diameter of the first land to produce a very small amount of ironing.