Abstract: A gas valve assembly for forming a plurality of valves is provided which includes a unitary valve body having a gas supply passage interconnected to a plurality of flow control chambers wherein the gas supply passage is interconnected with a supply of gas. A plurality of valve plugs corresponding in number to the number of flow control chambers are provided wherein each of the valve plugs is rotatably disposed in one of the flow control chambers. A plurality of gear train assemblies operate for rotating the valve plugs within the flow control chambers. A valve cover encloses the plurality of gear trains and mounts to the valve body. A plurality of motors, secured to the valve cover, operate to rotate the valve plugs within the flow control chambers, wherein the plurality of flow control chambers and corresponding valve plugs form a plurality of valves provided in a single valve body.

Abstract: An automatic washer includes a control which allows the user to observe the operation of the washer under a set condition or conditions. When these conditions are met, the user may open the door or lid of the washer and observe, for a predetermined period of time, the wash activity. After reclosing the door or lid, the washer may be restarted to continue the wash cycle.

Abstract: A dishwasher having a tub which includes a bottom sump and a side wall wherein a first dishware rack is supported within the tub and a second dishware rack is supported within the tub above the first dishware rack. A pump is provided for drawing wash liquid from the sump for pumping wash liquid through a pump outlet. A hub member is attached to the spray arm and extends downwardly from the spray arm. The hub member includes a bearing flange surface. A cap member which is connectable to the pump outlet has an annular bearing surface arranged between the bearing flange surface and the spray arm. The cap member is connectable to a housing wall provided about the pump outlet without the use of fasteners such that the spray arm may be readily connected to the pump outlet. The cap member is further provided with a discharge conduit. A supply line extends from the discharge conduit and is secured to the tub.

Abstract: An ice maker for use in a refrigeration apparatus as well as a method of optimizing ice production in an ice maker. The ice maker has a mold and a fan selectively operable to direct moving cold air past the mold during the ice formation process. In the preferred embodiment, the fan does not operate during the harvest portion of the cycle. A fan assembly consisting of a fan or blower, a motor, a switch in series with the motor and leads for electrically interconnecting the motor and in switch with the icemaker power supply is preferably assembled as a module removably interconnectable with the icemaker as an optional feature. The icemaker has an increased the rate of ice production due to the increased rate of convective heat transfer.

Abstract: A system for protecting optical elements from moisture and/or ice build up when used in freezing environment, such as a freezer compartment of a refrigerator. The system includes a hood or sleeve which can be assembled to an optical element such as a light emitting or receiving elements used in a freezer compartment. The sleeve acts to trap air about the optic element such that warm humid air does not readily move into contact with the optic element. Moreover, the warm, humid air that does flow toward the optic element may be cooled by the sleeve such that moisture condenses out of the air and onto the sleeve. A heater may be provided adjacent the sleeve for heating the sleeve if the optic element is impaired due to ice or moisture build up.

Abstract: A rack system for an oven wherein the oven includes an oven cavity having top, bottom, rear and side walls, the side walls including a plurality of support runners arranged as associated pairs on the side walls of the oven cavity. The oven cavity has an open frontal portion and an associated width defined by the lateral distance spanning the side walls. The rack system including a lower rack having a width substantially equal to the width of the oven cavity such that the upper rack may be supported by one of the runner pairs provided on the side wall of the oven cavity. An upper rack assembly is provided having a width substantially equal to the width of the oven cavity, the upper rack being supported on one of the runner pairs provided on the side wall of the oven cavity. The upper rack includes a main rack and an insert rack. The main rack has a width substantially equal to the width of the oven cavity and has a platform area and a cutout area.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic diverter valve is provided which has a valve body with a fluid inlet zone communicating with a fluid diversion zone, which in turn communicates with a fluid outlet zone. In the fluid inlet zone there is at least one inlet for a fluid, at least one air inlet and a venturi passage for guiding the fluid as a jet. In a passage downstream of the venturi passage the air inlet communicates with the fluid jet exiting the venturi passage and the jet enters the diversion zone. Depending on whether the air inlet is blocked or not, the fluid jet either continues straight through the diversion zone to a first outlet from the valve body or, if the air stream is blocked, the jet is diverted to impinge upon a wall in the diversion chamber, the wall being arranged to be directed toward a different one of the outlet openings in the fluid outlet zone.

Abstract: A lock assembly and a fluid or fuel line lock assembly resisting theft. The lock assembly includes a housing with a chamber an aperture for a key, and a cutaway. An inner member, preferably frusto-conically shaped, is inserted in the chamber from a direction opposite the key aperture and is secured therein, for example, by a cover member threaded into the end of the chamber opposite the key aperture. The fuel line lock uses the lock assembly and provides housing breakaway, fuel shut-off, line crimping, and air drawing features to frustrate a potential thief of the motor vehicle using the fuel line lock assembly of the present invention.

Abstract: A method of measuring the load in a member subjected to longitudinal stress, a load measuring device and a fastener tightening device using the method of measuring, a load indicating member and a load indicating fastener for use in conjunction with the method of measuring, a method of making the load indicating fastener, and a method of tightening the load indicating fastener. A preselected end of a pin is secured to a shank of a load indicating member, such as a load indicating fastener, in a manner such that the pin is unaffected by the elastic deformation of the shank in response to longitudinal stress. Coplanar first and second flat surfaces are formed, respectively, adjacent to the longitudinal ends of the pin and the shank furthest from the preselected end of the pin such as to provide reference surfaces for the measurement of the elongation of the shank in response to longitudinal stress.

Abstract: A method of measuring the load in a member subjected to longitudinal stress, a load measuring device and a fastener tightening device using the method of measuring, a load indicating member and a load indicating fastener for use in conjunction with the method of measuring, a method of making the load indicating fastener, and a method of tightening the load indicating fastener. A preselected end of a pin is secured to a shank of a load indicating member, such as a load indicating fastener, in a manner such that the pin is unaffected by the elastic deformation of the shank in response to longitudinal stress. Coplanar first and second flat surfaces are formed, respectively, adjacent to the longitudinal ends of the pin and the shank furthest from the preselected end of the pin such as to provide reference surfaces for the measurement of the elongation of the shank in response to longitudinal stress.

Abstract: A self-locking fastener having a bearing surface comprising a plurality of sets of serrations arranged to penetrate a workpiece such that, while a resistance to the loosening of the fastener from the workpiece is created, the marring of the workpiece surface is minimized. Use of the fastener is particularly advantageous if the workpiece consists of soft materials such as cast-aluminum or non-heat treated carbon steels. Each set of serration, when viewed as a profile, includes a downwardly inclined surface, a relatively deeper serration and a relatively shallower intermediate serration. The intermediate serration controls the depth of the penetration into a workpiece.

Abstract: A blind fastener assembly is disclosed, which is suitable for use in joint assemblies including advanced composite materials. The fastener assembly includes a pin, an expander, a sleeve, and an expandable washer, each of which have an initial diameter which permit them to pass through a hole in the workpiece. The washer is mounted about the pin shank between the sleeve and a tapered nose portion of the expander. The fastener assembly is inserted in a hole in the workpiece so that the expander head abuts the workpiece. Rotation of the pin causes the sleeve to force the washer to slide over the tapered nose portion of the expander causing it to expand and abut the blind side of the workpiece. In one embodiment of the invention the pin threadably engages the expander, and the head of the pin is positioned on the blind side of the workpiece. The washer is initially seated in a groove in the pin shank.

Abstract: An emergency stop mechanism for a lifting device capable of moving a load along a predetermined path against and with the force of gravity using a primary cable. The emergency stop mechanism includes a secondary cable or line functionally in parallel with the primary cable. The secondary cable is attached to the load and is wound around an idling drum, with means provided to keep the secondary cable taut around the idling drum. In the event of a failure of the primary lifting system, a braking assembly, sensing and actuated by a decrease in tension in the primary cable, arrests the rotation of the idling drum and thus stops or slows the descent of the payload.