Abstract: A vehicle seat support assembly including an overcenter locking mechanism with a flexible metallic band wrapped about a floor mounted support tube and connected to a seat support frame pivotal on the tube such that tensioning of the band in an overcenter manner selectively prevents pivotal seat frame movement. A locking member of the mechanism is pivotally supported on the frame for rotation about a first axis and pivotally supports one end of a link about a movable second axis with another end of the link connected to one end of the band. In a locking position of the mechanism, the ends of the link are overcenter with respect to the first axis to provide the band tensioning and consequent prevention of seat frame pivoting. A curved intermediate portion of the link between its ends extends around a pin that supports the locking member on the frame.

Abstract: A slat assembly for automobile luggage racks comprises a slat and a mounting pad and is provided at each end with an endcap. The slat and mounting pad are configured to interengage securely. The slat comprises an extruded member forming an upper, partially dove-tailed central channel, and two parallel, downwardly open channels. The mounting pad is formed from a non-corroding material and is provided with mounting flanges for interengaging with the downwardly open channels of the slat. The slat assembly may further comprise a rub strip, contoured to nest securely within the central channel of the slat.

Abstract: The invention provides a hard, strong ceramic body and a ceramic raw batch and method for manufacture whereby the body, after being formed of the raw batch in the shape and size desired, can then be fired to monolithic structure without any shrinkage or distortion during the firing operation. The raw batch contains aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, glass frit and a silicone resin, these constituents being present in a ratio such that after the firing operation the resulting monolithic body contains from about 70% to 95% by weight crystalline material and the remainder interstitial glass, the crystalline material consisting predominantly of magnesium aluminate spinel and alumina. The ceramic and method have particular utility for making dental crowns and other dental appliances where a precise fit along with high strength and wear resistance are desirable.

Abstract: A pipe-bending apparatus comprises an elongate structure having a longitudinal work surface at, or adjacent to, opposite ends of which clamping means and a former are respectively mounted. The former is held fast on the work surface, and the clamping means is power-driven towards and away from it by a double-acting hydraulic ram. A series of formers are provided, each having, in plan, a semi-circular anvil mountable to face the clamping means. The anvils are each of concave vertical cross-section and of different radius from one another, with peripheral walls to locate a pipe in position in the anvil during a bending operation. The ram is supplied from a tank containing a hydraulic fluid tank which--together with the necessary hydraulic pump and electric motor--is mounted beneath the work surface.

Abstract: A weld nut for use in securing a fastener to a sheet of supporting material. The weld nut comprises a triangular-shaped plate with truncated vertices. The plate has a mating surface from which are raised first, second and third integral projections. Each of the integral projections has a frusto-conical body with a rounded top and is surrounded by an annular channel to contain the flow of the material forming the projection when the nut is welded to the supporting material. Each channel preferably intersects an adjacent truncated end to permit the formation of an external fillet.

Abstract: A bracket for association with an article carrier, such as a luggage carrier is adapted for sliding adjustment or positioning in a carrier track. The bracket includes a ratcheted disc for locking the bracket anywhere along the length of the track. The ratcheted disc prevents unintended loosening of the bracket and resultant movement of the bracket along the track. The bracket also includes suitable projections for detachably mounting a cross-strap thereto for supporting skis, bicycles, and other articles.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention there is provided a bed frame which is adjustable in width to king size and which at any width has great strength to the end that it has utility not only for beds with conventional bedding but also for water beds. The bed frame has longitudinal side rails and a longitudinal center rail, transverse end rails and a transverse center rail, the end rails and transverse center rail all being of adjustable length so as to enable adjustment of the bed to different widths and all being substantially coplanar with the longitudinal side rails and center rail, the bed having nine support legs one of which is directly underneath the connection between the transverse and longitudinal center rails and the other eight of which are adjacent the other connections between the transverse and longitudinal rails.

Abstract: A calibration system for automatically and sequentially calibrating a plurality of electrical measuring systems of a gauging machine is provided. Each measuring system is of the type having a gain circuit, a zero circuit and a combination circuit connected to the preamplifier of a transducer and the zero circuit for combining the output signals of the preamplifier and zero circuits to obtain unamplified compensated electrical input signals which are amplified by the gain circuits and indicated on an indicator. Each of the measuring systems produces an electrical measurement in a predetermined range defined by upper and lower bounds equal in magnitude but opposite in polarity. The calibration system includes a plurality of negative voltage references and a plurality of positive voltage references corresponding to the lower and upper bounds, respectively.

Abstract: A coupling for a pipe lap joint is disclosed in which a sleeve has a larger diameter at one end and a smaller diameter at the other end with means for stretching the sleeve around the pipes. The sleeve has a radially projecting channel-shaped sector and force applying means engages the sector to stretch the sleeve around the pipes. The channel-shape sector is uniform in cross section along the length of the sleeve and the larger end of the sleeve is axially offset from the smaller end. An improved method for making the pipe coupling is disclosed in which a sleeve blank is disposed in an external die and stretched outwardly by an expanding mandrel.

Abstract: An adjustable and removable ski rack for association with an automotive vehicle carrier is adapted to be releasably attached to a bracket slidingly positioned in a carrier track. The ski rack includes a removable key-operated lock for lockingly detachably pivoting an end of the rack to enable insertion or removal of skis. The bracket includes a disc for releasably locking the bracket anywhere along the length of the track. The disc is ratcheted in a preferred embodiment to prevent unintended loosening of the bracket and resultant movement of the bracket along the track.

Abstract: An extensible table (10) has one or more pivotal leaves (11) movable between an upper use position and a lower storage position. Each leaf is pivotally supported by a pair of hinges each of which includes a journal (34) which is connected to the pivotal leaf and is received within a journal block (30) formed in the frame of the table. One hinge of each pair is a positioning hinge and the journal thereof has first and second recesses corresponding to the use position and the storage position, respectively. A locking pin (42) disposed in an aperture extending transversely through the journal block of each positioning hinge and engages one of the recesses in the journal when the pivotal leaf is in one position and engages the other of the recesses when the leaf is in the other of its positions. The locking pin also has a recess formed in its shaft which can be oriented to initially register with one of the recesses on the journal to thereupon permit pivotal movement of the end leaf.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding fibres, and particularly worsted fibres to a carding machine that may be a conventional worsted card or conventional cotton card. The apparatus comprises a stationary feed plate (1), a rotatable feed roller (2) and a rotatable takerin (3) for carrying fibres from the feed roller and transferring them to the surface of a carding cylinder. The surface of the takerin is furnished with pins at a pin density of not more than 36 pins per square inch (5.58 pins per square centimeter) and the distance (B) between the feed plate and the envelope of the tips of the pins on the takerin is from 0.3 to 0.75 inch (0.76 to 19.5 mm). Using this low pin density and wide spacing between the feed plate and the envelope of the pin tips effects excellent cleaning of worsted and other long staple fibre before it passes to the carding cylinder.

Abstract: A control circuit for a speed governor is disclosed which provides governing action at a preset governed speed by means of a reversible electric motor. An engine speed signal generator is coupled with a logic circuit which controls a pair of driver transistors for the motor. An acceleration logic circuit is operative to invoke governing action before the governed speed is reached if the acceleration exceeds a predetermined value. Also an overspeed logic circuit is operative to allow the motor to be driven in the close throttle direction beyond its normal reference position so long as an overspeed condition exists.

Abstract: An air deflector blade for vehicles and the like is pivotally movable between a substantially vertical orientation and a substantially horizontal orientation in response to the wind velocity created thereupon. The pivotal mounting enables the blade to rotate selectively between the vertical and horizontal positions in proportion to the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: Integral pneumatic tire and wheel assembly wherein the tire is molded upon and bonded to wheel to eliminate need for decorative separate wheel cover and also provides a limited and non-destructive run-flat capability.

Abstract: A control valve unit (10) disclosed supplies hydraulic fluid to an actuator (12) in a manner that controls both acceleration and deceleration of the actuator movement. A supply valve (14, 22) of the unit is movable from a central closed position in opposite directions to open positions and back to the closed position by a servomechanism (16) and a control circuit (18) that operates the servomechanism to cooperatively control the supply of the hydraulic fluid to the actuator in a manner which controls both acceleration and deceleration of the actuator movement. A control member (62) of the servomechanism operates the supply valve and is moved in a controlled manner by cooperative operation of a pair of hydraulically operated pilot pistons (88a, b), a pair of acceleration control pistons (90a, b), and a pair of deceleration cams (84a, b). Directional and flow control valves (89, 92) of the control circuit operate the pilot pistons and the acceleration control pistons in cooperation with each other.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (10) disclosed functions as a grate for an enclosed stove and includes a front hearth section (14) of an upwardly opening U-shape including tubing for carrying a fluid to be heated. An open end of the front hearth section allows an associated stove to be stroked through a front door opening thereof as well as through a top opening of the stove. A rear flue section (20) of the heat exchanger includes tubing for carrying fluid to provide preheating thereof by flue gases prior to passage to the hearth section. Inlet and outlet tubes (24, 26) of the heat exchanger respectively supply the fluid to be heated to the flue section and receive the heated fluid from the hearth section. A central connector tube (28) preferably extends between the flue and hearth sections with grate tubes (30) of the hearth section extending from the connector tube to define the U-shape thereof and with a pair of the outlet tubes communicated with upper ends of the grate tubes.

Abstract: The method of making a reinforced composite structure utilizing an initially amorphous foam core element containing a high volume of macro and micro spheres mixed in a thermosetting resin with said core element being contained between resin-impregnated, fibrous reinforcing layers such that the resin of the core element remains in the core element when the composite is molded under heat and pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air suspension system uniquely disposed and mounted between the vehicle underbody and the wheel-supporting sub-frame to facilitate minimum clearance between the vehicle floor and the ground, to enhance vehicle roll stability, and to enable the front end of the vehicle to be more efficiently lowered or tilted to facilitate passenger ingress and egress.

Abstract: An intrusion detection system is disclosed for safeguarding an operator of an industrial machine such as a press brake. A light screen barrier (420) comprises sequentially pulsed beams (422) which are spaced far enough apart to permit penetration by a work piece (144) without obstructing more than one beam whereas penetration by the operator's hand will obstruct at least two adjacent, successively pulsed beams. A pulse train of regularly spaced signal pulses (BRS) with each pulse corresponding to a light beam is produced when none of the light beams are obstructed. A missing pulse detector (600, 40') with a logic circuit (502) produces a control signal for stopping the machine only when two or more adjacent light beams are obstructed causing two or more successive missing pulses in the pulse train.