Abstract: A splice rail assembly for joining two adjacent panels in a coplanar relationship having two parallel tongues extending perpendicularly therefrom, the first of which tongues is located substantially in the mid-portion of the splice rail, the second being offset therefrom a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the first tongue. When two such rails are appropriately positioned with their tongues facing each other, the mid-portion tongues of each can be inserted into the space between the two tongues of the opposite rail in an interlocking relationship. The sides or ends of two panels fit, respectively, into the spaces formed between two such interlocked splice rails outwardly of the tongues and the resulting assembly can be fastened together with suitable fastening members.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved auxiliary circulation system for vehicle heaters in which the engine coolant is circulated through the vehicle heater after the engine is shut off. The improved system includes a voltage monitor coupled between the power source and an auxiliary electric pump to monitor the voltage of the power source and prevent the system from being actuated unless the power source voltage exceeds a predetermined level and to open the circuit between the power source and the pump when the power source voltage drops below a predetermined level.

Abstract: An improved trolley structure for a freight bracing bulkhead assembly. The sprocket wheels of the trolley structure are designed to cooperate with the same apertures in supporting tracks located in a cargo area as cooperate with the locking pins of the bulkhead assembly. The sprocket wheels are mounted on the trolley shaft by means which permit the axis of each sprocket wheel to shift relative to the axis of the trolley shaft. A safety member is provided to prevent vertical disengagement of the sprocket wheels from the tracks.

Abstract: A freight bracing bulkhead assembly having a bulkhead with easily removable freight engaging panels. The bulkhead is adopted to be suspended from a trolley system cooperating with overhead tracks in a cargo area for movement along the tracks. Locking means cooperating with the overhead tracks and with cooperating plates on the floor of the cargo area are actuated between a locked position and a released position by a linkage assembly located exteriorly of the modular panels.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a microporous sheet by forming a blend of a polyolefin, silica and a water insoluble plasticizer, forming a sheet from the blend, and contacting the sheet with water for a time sufficient to render the sheet microporous. The plasticizer, being essentially insoluble in water, is easily separated therefrom and recycled. The preferred plasticizers are dialkyl phthalates and dialkyl adipates having between about two and about eleven carbon atoms in the oxo-alcohol moiety.

Abstract: A thermostatically operated dual action control mechanism for controlling fluid actuatable devices such as the shutter and the fan clutch in the cooling system of a diesel engine in vehicles. A valve rod is provided and movable between first and second positions. In the first position, the valve rod seals off communication between a source of fluid under pressure and one of the fluid actuatable devices. In the second position of the valve rod communication is established between the fluid source and the fluid actuatable device. A hollow passageway is provided in the valve rod, and in the first position of the valve rod is open to allow fluid to flow through to the other fluid actuatable device of the devices. In the other position, the passageway is closed off by a reciprocating needle valve and simultaneously permits fluid to be exhausted from the other fluid actuatable device. A thermally responsive sensor element actuates the valve rod between the first and second positions thereof.

Abstract: A fluid actuatable fan clutch having an energy absorbing internal caliper action, including a pulley or sheave rotatably mounted on a fixed shaft; an annular friction facing connected to an internal surface of the sheave; a fan blade hub rotatably mounted on the shaft adjacent the sheave, the hub having an annular piston cavity or cylinder having a piston located therein facing the friction facing, the piston being normally urged out of contact with the friction facing by a suitable spring member; an annular thrust cap located on the side of said friction facing opposite the piston, the thrust cap being connected to the fan hub and being normally out of contact with the friction facing; and suitable passageways for supplying air or other fluid to the back side of said piston for urging the piston into contact with said friction facing and against said thrust cap to thereby engage the fan hub with the sheave.

Abstract: A battery separator having ribs on at least one side thereof and formed of a sintered resin, the rib tops having a coating thereon consisting of a low-density polyethylene wax.

Abstract: A thermostatically operated dual action control mechanism for controlling fluid actuatable devices such as the shutter and the fan clutch in the cooling system of a diesel engine in vehicles. A valve rod is provided and movable between first and second positions. A hollow passageway is provided in the valve rod, and in one position of the valve rod is open to allow fluid to flow through to one of two exhaust ports in the valve housing to actuate one of the devices. In the other position, the passageway is closed off by a reciprocating needle valve. A thermally responsive sensor element actuates the valve rod between the first and second positions thereof. A limit switch is provided and actuated by the needle valve in the second position of the valve rod and opens up a solenoid valve to allow fluid to flow to the other device.

Abstract: A battery separator comprising a microporous sheet formed substantially of a mixture of polymeric constituents. One of the polymeric constituents is an ultra high molecular weight polyolefin having a standard load melt index of substantially 0 and an intrinsic viscosity greater than about 3.0. The other polymeric constituent is either a copolymer of an olefin and an ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, or a blend of a low molecular weight polyolefin and a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming envelopes from thermoplastic sheet material including means for feeding said sheets at predetermined intervals along a conveyor means, means for heating the thermoplastic sheet along a narrow transverse zone, means for moving the heated sheet into contact with a curved surface which is of such a configuration that the sheet is folded along the heated zone into an envelope, and means for heat sealing the envelope along the side edges thereof.

Abstract: An electrode cooling apparatus for an electric furnace which permits easy changing of the electrode holder and water tight seals. The electrode cooling apparatus has a cylindrical body with an inner and outer sealing assembly. The sealing assemblies are easily removed with a special tool which is used for assembling and disassembling both the inner and outer sealing assemblies.

Abstract: A thermostatically operated air valve having a valve body, a valve chamber located within the body, a thermal sensor having a push rod extending therefrom into said valve chamber at a first end thereof, a reciprocal valve rod located in the valve chamber with an axial opening therein communicating with a supply of air under pressure, said axial opening of the valve rod communicating with a cylinder located at the second end of said valve chamber, a piston located within said cylinder and slidably mounted on the valve rod for rapid reciprocal movement thereon, an exhaust port in said cylinder having a retractable valving member seated in sealing relationship within said exhaust port, said push rod being in abutting relationship with said valve rod, said push rod extending at a predetermined actuation temperature to push said valve rod into contact with said valving member thereby sealing said axial opening in the valve rod and unseating said valving member from said exhaust port, whereby air in said cylinder i

Abstract: A universal frame member for use in the easy assembling of frames for cabinet doors, mirrors, pictures, etc. The frame body has a decorative surface or face. The under side of the frame body has a pair of end walls and a pair of side walls extending therefrom. The end walls have a mitered angle with respect to the side walls. A flange extends from a first end wall having a lug which permits snap locking onto the second end wall of an adjacent frame body member during assembly of the frame. Screw bosses are located adjacent the second end wall to permit permanent fastening together of an assembled frame body member together with a panel member. A plurality of screw receptacles are optionally provided in a pattern for easy attachment of hinge means.

Abstract: A saw guard for a circular saw having a saw blade and a work piece holder which moves relative to the saw blade to cut the work piece, the saw guard being mounted on the leading edge of the work piece holder and having means for moving the saw guard into a shielding position adjacent the cutting edge of the saw blade while the work piece holder is in a restocking cycle.