Abstract: An oil level sensor assembly adapted for installation in an automobile engine crankcase at the level corresponding to "low oil". The sensor assembly utilizes the principle that air is expandable whereas oil is not. Accordingly, when it is desired to sense the oil level, a predetermined amount of fluid is trapped within a chamber sealed by a diaphragm. If the oil level is adequate, then the sensor will be below the oil level and the trapped fluid will be oil. However, if the oil level is low, the trapped fluid will be air. After the fluid is trapped, a spring operating on the diaphragm attempts to expand the chamber. If the admitted fluid is air, the chamber can be expanded and a switch contact will be made, to provide an indication of low oil level. On the other hand, if the chamber is filled with oil, the chamber will not expand and the switch contact will not be made.

Abstract: A pressure switch and transducer arrangement combines into a single unit both a power contact switch for providing power to an automobile fuel pump in response to a predetermined minimum oil pressure and a magnet/Hall effect sensor for providing an analog signal indicative of the oil pressure for use by the automobile on-board microcomputer. The arrangement includes an actuator rod movable by a diaphragm in response to oil pressure. The end of the rod remote from the diaphragm is coupled to a contact washer for providing the power switching function and also to a magnet which cooperates with a fixed Hall effect sensor, which sensor provides an output corresponding to the air gap between the magnet and the sensor. The magnet and the washer are coupled to the actuator rod in such a manner that even after the washer makes contact with the power switching terminals, the actuator rod and magnet are free to continue moving as the oil pressure continues to increase.

Abstract: A bevel gear backlash adjusting mechanism is disclosed in which a bevel gear is carried by a bearing and is rotatably carried by a stationary shaft so as to be axially shiftable therewith. The stationary shaft includes a supporting portion carried by the frame of a power tool, the supporting portion having a section slotted at an angle to the axis of the shaft. An adjustable slide is also supported by the frame and extends into the angled slotted section of the stationary shaft with an edge thereof formed as a ramp at an angle corresponding to the angle of the slotted section and in engagement therewith. Motion of the adjustable slide normal to the shaft will influence axial motion of the stationary shaft and the bevel gear carried thereon so as to allow an adjustment of the mesh between the bevel gear and its associated bevel gear.

Abstract: A sewing machine buttonholing mechanism is disclosed wherein feed balance between buttonhole side stitches is attained by positioning of buttonholing cam means rather than by the balance control of the driven cam controlled feed mechanism, and zero feed during bar tacking is independently set and uninfluenced by side stitch equalization.

Abstract: A robotic end effector adapted to grip a fabric ply at a point remote from a free edge portion of the ply and a fabric edge influencing element resiliently supported from the end effector is provided to minimize distortion of the free edge portion of the fabric ply.

Abstract: A self correcting belt tracking mechanism is disclosed for a portable belt sander having an idler belt roller arranged with its axis movable into and out of co-planer relation with that of a driven belt roller, and springs acting in opposition to each other to resist such idler roller axis movement.

Abstract: A plastic needle package is disclosed with parallel partitions defining compartments in which needle constraining projections are provided by controlled deformation of the partition top and to facilitate removal of needles each partition is interrupted between its ends to encourage bending of the package to expose needle extremities for access.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner bag support in which a compression spring is itself supported in the interior of the upper terminus of an outer bag and carries a bag top support which resiliently maintains the bag elevated against lateral expansion thereof. An ornamental bag top member may be carried on the upper terminus of the outer bag and attached to the bag top support for movement therewith.

Abstract: A one-piece sewing machine bed extension including portions which deform as the extension is placed on a sewing machine and generate internal stresses coacting with interlocks between the bed extension and sewing machine so arranged as to firmly secure the bed extension in place in a manner which is augmented by forces applied to the bed extension incident to normal operation and handling of the sewing machine.

Abstract: A sewing machine thread guide is provided with a flexible plastic thread entrapping core portion, and a hard core encasing portion having thread supporting grooves in alignment with thread receiving eyelets in the core portion.

Abstract: A program timer wherein a single three blade switch assembly is utilized for both the line switching function and a cam track operated switch.

Abstract: A semi-automatic sewing machine control system responsive to successive signals from a sensor, such as a ply edge detector, influences in predetermined sequence a series of selected machine operations. This system accommodates interchangeably any variety of work sizes provided that the same sequence of sewing machine operations is involved.

Abstract: A sewing machine bed having main and open channel sections is molded of glass reinforced thermosetting plastic composition which is injected into the mold through a side gate located opposite the juncture of the main and channel sections providing advantageous fiber orientation resulting in dimensional stability and freedom from warpage.

Abstract: A presser foot and throat plate construction is disclosed for minimizing work feed drift in a sewing machine having a four-motion drop feed mechanism. By providing aligned and complemental ribs and recesses, one beneath the presser foot and the other in the throat plate, turning movement of the work fabric, which contributes to feed drift, is minimized and stitch forming characteristics of the sewing machine are enhanced.

Abstract: A rotary meter with an integral instrument housing is arranged so that the rotating components of the meter rotate about vertical axes. The meter includes upper and lower housings which together form a pressure hull. A cover is provided to be connected to the upper housing and define therewith an instrument enclosure. All instruments are mounted on the upper housing within the enclosure. The cover and upper housing are constructed to provide a secure, tamper resistant, environment for the instruments.

Abstract: A cam selecting drum which is loosely supported in punched out holes in the frame of a sewing machine is spring biased into stabilized indexed positions to prevent variable stitch formation, and an idler gear which is also loosely supported on said frame for engagement with a gear on said drum as well as a gear on a mode selecting dial is spring biased to provide a loose meshing relationship with the gear on the drum whereby a feeling of placement of the dial becomes evident in indexed positions of the drum.

Abstract: A clamp device is provided for gripping a fabric ply in place in a fabric folding mandrel to prevent slippage of the fabric ply relatively to the mandrel during the folding operation, and means are provided for bodily shifting the mandrel into a position facilitating proper introduction of a fabric ply thereto.