Abstract: A deployable bleacher arrangement has deployed and un-deployed states and is provided with a plurality of seating level members, each arranged in sequentially elevated relation to one another. Each seating level member is disposed beneath an immediately superior seating level member in stacked relation when in the un-deployed state. In the deployed state, each seating level member is disposed beneath and forward of an immediately superior seating level member. A plurality of seats are disposed in side-by-side relation on a seating level member. Each of the seats has a bottom portion coupled to the associated seating level member for accommodating a user. The seat bottom has forward and rear portions and is arranged parallel to the associated seating level member.

Abstract: A deployable telescopic seating structure employs a backstop arrangement to prevent users and operators from coming into contact with structure that may cause injury, such as interengaging metal elements that limit the extent of deployment The backstop portions are arrangement in the aisle region of the telescopic seating structure and have an overall height that is responsive to the height of one seating level above another, or in another embodiment, to the difference between such height and an intermediate step. The backstop arrangement has an engagement portion with an edge portion that precludes a discontinuity on the walking surface of tile seating structure. Structural integrity and strength of the riser portion is enhanced by forming same as a multi-fascia structure having a reinforcing corrugation therebetween. A curved back portion along the lowermost edge serves as a termination and additionally adds strength to the backstop arrangement.

Abstract: An arrangement for variably mounting an illumination device in an enclosure, such as a safety sign, is provided with a longitudinal track having a longitudinal engagement portion. One or more illumination devices are provided with associated mounting feet for engaging slidably with the longitudinal engagement portion of the track. The track then is fixed onto a pair of stanchions having a respective plurality of engaging portions so that any of several heights can be achieved with respect to a base portion of the stanchion. Engagement of the mounting feet and the longitudinal track is effected by a longitudinal bent portion of the track that defines a space therewithin that accommodates the mounting feet. In addition, the longitudinal track accommodates the engagement portions of the stanchion for supporting the longitudinal track at the desired height.

Abstract: A deployable seating arrangement employs a plurality of seating level members that are arranged in sequentially elevated relation to one another. When the deployable seating arrangement is in an undeployed state, the seating level members are disposed substantially directly beneath one another in stacked relation. When in a deployed condition, each seating level member is disposed beneath and forward of an immediately superior seating level member in stepped relation. Each of the seating level members has associated therewith a plurality of L-shaped frame elements that are formed of vertical and horizontal portions. A roller is installed at the upper end of the vertical portion for engaging with the underside of the horizontal portion of an immediately superior seating level member. A drive arrangement having a wide track motor drive urges the seating level members, which are installed on a plurality of respective wheeled frame arrangements, into deployed and undeployed states.

Abstract: A lighting system for installation on a mounting surface employs a lighting fixture having a housing with a lamp therein, a roof, and sides. Each side is provided with an integrally formed receiver that defines a receiver aperture. A coupler has a mounting portion for coupling with a mounting surface and an engagement portion that resiliently engages with the receiver aperture. The mounting portion of the coupler mounts directly onto a mounting surface and engages with a metal bar of the type used in metal furniture, or mounts on a track that is interposed between the roof of the lighting fixture and the mounting surface. Track-mounted embodiments use a threaded fastener engaged with the coupler to exert a locking force on the inside surface of the mounting track. In a dual-mount arrangement, a fixture mounting arrangement formed of substantially planar portions offset from one another permits engagement with a track, or facilitates mounting on a surface.

Abstract: A deployable telescopic seating structure employs a backstop arrangement to prevent users and operators from coming into contact with structures that may cause injury, such as interengaging metal elements that limit the extent of deployment. The backstop portions are arranged in the aisle region of the telescopic seating structure and have an overall height that is responsive to the height of one seating level above another, or in another embodiment, to the difference between such height an an intermediate step. The backstop arrangement has an engagement portion with a flange element that extends transversely therefrom and which engages with a top surface of the seating level. Preferably, the engagement portion forms a forwardmost edge termination. A fastening portion is arranged intermediate of the engagement portion and the riser portion of the backstop member.

Abstract: A flexible lighting system and method of making same. The flexible lighting system includes a flexible translucent rod and an attachment flange. Preferably, the outer casing and the attachment flange are integrally formed to facilitate installation. The flexible translucent rod includes an outer casing and a lighting core. The lighting core is disposed within an axial aperture defined by the outer casing and contains a series of lighting elements. In the preferred embodiment, a texture, such as axial grooves, is applied to a surface of the flexible translucent rod. This texture is applied to the outer surface of the lighting core or the inner surface of the outer casing to diffuse the light emitted by the discrete lighting elements, thereby providing an appearance similar to a solid bar of light. A mounting arrangement is provided for engaging the flexible translucent rod, or a coupler portion thereof, and is arranged to facilitate coupling of the flexible lighting system to a mounting surface.

Abstract: A flexible lighting system and method of making same is disclosed. The flexible lighting system includes a flexible translucent rod and an attachment flange. Preferably, the outer casing and the attachment flange are integrally formed to facilitate installation. The flexible translucent rod includes an outer casing and a lighting core. The lighting core is disposed within an axial aperture defined by the outer casing and contains a series of lighting elements. In the preferred embodiment, a texture, such as axial grooves, is applied to a surface of the flexible translucent rod. This texture may be applied to the outer surface of the lighting core or the inner surface of the outer casing to diffuse the light emitted by the discrete lighting elements, thereby providing an appearance similar to a solid bar of light.

Abstract: A cooling tower water treatment system removes contaminants include chlorine, calcium carbonate as calcite, and microorganisms from water in the system with redox media in a fluidized bed. The treatment system includes a treatment bed, in the form of a column, having a reaction chamber of a first diameter and a retention chamber of a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter. Redox media, in the reaction chamber, is fluidized by water flowing in a direction countercurrent to gravity and is held in place, without the use of screens or filters, by a reduction in flow rate of the fluidizing media resulting from the larger diameter of the retention chamber. Preferably, the treatment system includes a physical filtration unit, such as an automatic backwashing sand filter, to prevent entry of particulates and scale into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A cooling tower water treatment system removes contaminants include chlorine, calcium carbonate as calcite, and microorganisms from water in the system with redox media in a fluidized bed. The treatment system includes a treatment bed, in the form of a column, having a reaction chamber of a first diameter and a retention chamber of a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter. Redox media, in the reaction chamber, is fluidized by water flowing in a direction countercurrent to gravity and is held in place, without the use of screens or filters, by a reduction in flow rate of the fluidizing media resulting from the larger diameter of the retention chamber. Preferably, the treatment system includes a physical filtration unit, such as an automatic backwashing sand filter, to prevent entry of particulates and scale into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A horizontal rail assembly (10) on which a plurality of storage components (50) are hung is secured between vertical support members (34). The rail (10) carries hanger clips (24) which secure the rail in place on vertical supports. Flanges (32) on the clips are received by the vertical support members (34) to install the rail 10 at the desired height. The clips (24) are slightly loaded in tension between the rail (10) and the vertical members (34) to provide for a secure fit. The support system is provided with a cam surface (19) and screws (40), (42) for adjusting the angular orientation of the rail to level the storage components (50).

Abstract: A rotary heat exchanger (10) for a furnace or incinerator has a gap face seal structure which is adjustable during operation of the heat exchanger. A rotary wheel (40) is disposed between adjacent face seals (32, 34) in a housing (15). The face seals (32, 34) are spaced from adjacent side surfaces of the wheel (40) by a predetermined gap. The wheel (40) is carried on a shaft journalled in bearings (48, 54) mounted to a first section (11) of the housing (15). The bearings (48, 54) are coupled to the shaft (41) to permit axial displacement of the shaft (41) relative to the housing (15). The first section (11) of the housing is joined to a second section (12) by an adjustable coupling (26) to permit relative displacement therebetween. In this way, the gaps between the wheel (40) and the face seals (32, 34) can be adjusted while the wheel is hot to maintain the gaps at a minimum to reduce the thermal gradients across the wheel which may induce stresses and cracks in the wheel.

Abstract: A furnace (10) has a preheater zone (12) into which exhaust gases of a combustion chamber (14) are recycled for preheating of articles passing through the furnace. The exhaust gases are supplied to the preheater zone (12) through jet pipes (18) which create a turbulent flow about the articles in the furnace (10). The exhaust gases are withdrawn by a fan (30) which is disposed in a duct (34) adjacent to the furnace entrance (13). To prevent the introduction of ambient air into the furnace (10), a pressure chamber (56), which is maintained at an elevated pressure relative to the ambient air, is provided within the preheater zone (12), with the chamber (56) pressurized by gases supplied by the jet pipes (18). A sealing arrangement defined by the pressure chamber (56) and the articles passing through the furnace prevents the introduction of cool air through the preheater zone (12).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling integrated circuits to a printed circuit board wherein integrated circuits with protective carriers are selectively dispensed from a rotary magazine, are removed from the carriers and positioned by the leads on magnetic holders on a continuous conveyor which moves the integrated circuits, thus mounted on the holders, to a lead-forming and trim assembly wherein the leads are bent downwardly and outwardly to form feet and trimmed. Thereafter the integrated circuits are moved, thus mounted on the holders, to a flux-applying assembly wherein flux is applied to the lead feet, then to a solder-applying assembly wherein solder is applied to the lead feet, and then to a program activated X-Y axis table which mounts the printed circuit board. The integrated circuits, with tinned leads, are transferred through magnetic fingers to the printed circuit board wherein electrodes solder the leads to pads on the Board.

Abstract: A drawer glide assembly has a positively actuated locking mechanism which prevents accidental disengagement of the drawer (10) from the cabinet rails (12). The locking mechanism includes a lever arm (20) pivotally mounted on a bracket (18) on the drawer rail (11). The lever arm slides along the lower wall (14) of the cabinet rail (12) and is received within a slot (25) in the rail (12). The locking mechanism includes a handle (32) which pivots upwardly to disengage the stop member (30) from the slot (25), allowing easy removal of the drawer (10) from the cabinet (8). Additionally, the rails are provided with an offset guide track in which rollers (21), (22) are guided in order to facilitate movement of the drawer (10). The use of such an offset guide track permits the rails (11), (12) to be mounted to the drawer (10) or cabinet (8) by means of pan-head screws (50).

Abstract: A showerhead which provides for a reduced flow volume through the showerhead includes a replaceable decorative cover. The showerhead has a skirt housing (24) which is swivelably mounted on a ball joint (10) connected to a water supply pipe. A generally cylindrical spray director (32) is welded to the skirt member (24) to provide a spray pattern emitting from the showerhead. An orifice plate (44) which reduces the flow volume and a face plate (50) which defines a spray pattern are disposed within the spray director (32) downstream of the ball joint (10). The face plate (50) is axially adjustable in order to vary the spray pattern as well as provide for a self-flushing showerhead. The decorative cover includes an annular shell (58) coaxially disposed about the spray director (32) and an end plate (64) which is snap-fit into the outlet of the spray director. In this way, decorative covers of different styles can be used with the same functional assemblies.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension for connecting an axle to the frame wherein the suspension has a spring which is mounted between the axle and the frame and a reaction bar is connected between the axle and the frame to dampen vibration of the axle with respect to the frame, the reaction bar having an annular end portion with an articulating pin concentrically mounted in the annular end portion with an annular resilient elastomeric spring which allows universal rotation and axial articulation of the pin with respect to the central axis. The reaction bar is connected to the frame at one end through an articulating pin and at the other end to the axle through another articulating pin similarly mounted in the other end of the reaction bar.

Abstract: A folding container construction has a wooden reinforcing framework which is attached to the side (74, 75) and end walls (98, 99) of the box. The side walls (74, 75) of the box are provided with vertical struts (82, 84, 86) disposed at the peripheral edges of the walls and a single, horizontal brace (79, 80) disposed adjacent to the top of the wall. At least one horizontal reinforcing member (104, 105) is provided on each end wall of the box with the horizontal members being received by slots defined by the struts on the side walls and the horizontal brace to maintain the box configuration. The end walls (98, 99) are maintained on the base (60) of the container by the bottom surfaces of the vertical struts which seat against a bottom flap (92, 93) on the end walls when the box is constructed. In this way, the need for separately attaching the end walls to the container base is eliminated.