Abstract: The invention is directed to a cupholder comprising a drawer slidably mounted within a housing for movement between a stored position and a use position. The drawer has a semicircular recess in combination with an arm to form a cup retaining area. The arm is biased away from the drawer. In the stored position, the drawer is retained within the housing and the arm abuts the interior of the housing. In the use position, the arm is biased away from the drawer to its outermost position to form the largest size cup retaining area. The arm can be pivoted inward toward the drawer and locked in discrete positions by a ratchet to form cup retaining areas of decreasing size to accommodate different size containers. Once the arm is pivoted beyond the smallest size cup retaining area, the arm is automatically biased outwardly to its outermost position.

Abstract: An anchor 100 is provided for anchoring a reaction plate 62 to an actuator rod 60 in a spring brake actuator 10 having a tubular actuator rod 60. The anchor 100 comprises an expandable plug 102 received within an interior space of the actuator rod 60, a bolt 110 extending from the reaction plate 62 through the plug 102 and a washer 108 having a threaded central aperture 81 threaded onto the bolt 110 whereby the plug 102 is compressed between the washer 108 and the reaction plate 62 to expand into engagement with an interior wall 120 of the actuator rod 60. Preferably, the plug 102 is formed of an elastomeric material.

Abstract: A label printer apparatus is arranged to produce printed labels from a continuing strip of adhesive-backed, linerless label material. By operation of a standard printer roller, the apparatus advances a strip of linerless material along a path from a roll of the material over a print head where a portion of the strip is printed. The printed portion is advanced past a cutting blade onto a label applicator and is severed from the remainder of the strip by operation of a cutting blade. A guide comprising a lower wall and a pair of opposing side walls is disposed along the path and serves as a guide for the adhesive back material from the roll to the printer. The printer roller is controlled by a control unit responsive to operator input instructions and the condition of a photosensor to position and reposition the leading edge of the strip relative to the print head, before and after printing operation.

Abstract: A multi-use vacuum cleaner capable of use as an upright vacuum or as a detachable vacuum module is disclosed. A detachable vacuum module is selectively mounted to the foot and support member of an upright vacuum cleaner. The vacuum module includes the vacuum motor, motor-driven fan, vacuum bag and hose. The vacuum cleaner may be operated as an upright vacuum, or alternatively, the module can be separated from the foot and support member and may be used independently of and at a great distance from the foot and support member for a wide variety of cleaning purposes.

Abstract: An exhaust hood is disclosed which comprises an open underside and a grease filter defining an exhaust plenum between the hood and the grease filter and a flow path through the grease filter. A shutter-like panel is slidable into the flow path adjacent to the grease filter for blocking a portion of the flow path to adjust a volume of air flowing through the exhaust hood. Multiple side-by-side panels may be provided and each panel preferably tapers in height across its width.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a motor and fan unit to a support chassis within a vacuum cleaner housing includes a support structure defining an opening for receiving a first mounting portion on a back end of the motor and fan unit, a support member having a recessed portion for receiving a second mounting portion on a front end of the motor and fan unit and a flexible locking tab having an opening and being movable between engaging and disengaging positions relative to the motor and fan unit for receiving in the opening of the locking tab the second mounting portion on the front end of the motor and fan unit when the locking tab is in the engaging position. The mounting arrangement also includes a retaining structure which is movable between assembled and disassembled condition relative to the locking tab.

Abstract: A conveyor comprises parallel side frames provided with a plurality of apertures and C-shaped cross members provided with apertures in the side walls disposed in juxtaposition to apertures in the side frames. The cross member apertures are each defined by a flat inner wall. The cross members are fastened to the side frames by means of hook-bolts having a hook portion extending through the side wall apertures and a shaft extending to a juxtaposed aperture in the side frame and provided with a nut and washer to secure the bolt in the side frame. The hook portion of the bolt is provided with a flat surface extending a substantial distance across the inner surface of the hook portion of the bolt to provide a load bearing contact area with the inner wall of the side member aperture. The cross members have tabs extending outwardly from each end which are inserted into complementary apertures in the side frames. The resulting bolted conveyor frame construction ensures frame alignment under heavy loads.

Abstract: A kit for converting a wheelbarrow for use as a towed garden cart is especially suited for wheelbarrows of the type comprising a pan supported on diverging beams, and a brace between forward ends of the beams, a forward wheel mounted to the beams adjacent the brace and a pair of depending legs mourned to the beams behind the forward wheel. The kit comprises rear wheel assemblies mounted to each of the depending legs and a front hitch plate releasably attached to the forward ends of the beams adjacent the brace and having a forwardly extending tongue adapted to connect to a hitch on a towing vehicle. The hitch plate has a riser received behind the brace and a return flange forming a channel to receive laterally extending support members which rest atop the beam forward ends. The rear wheel assembly preferably comprises an axle tube adapted to mount to each of the rear legs and axles bearing wheels releasably mounted within each of the axle tubes.

Abstract: A catheter for supplying liquid to the coronary sinus in a perfusion procedure comprising a tubular catheter body having an interior lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end; and an inflatable cuff (balloon) adjacent the distal end of the catheter. The cuff has a proximal end and a distal end, each of which encircle the catheter body and hermetically seal thereto. The cuff further comprises an elongated central section having a length of at least 1 inch. When the inflated cuff is positioned a sufficient distance into the coronary sinus to firmly retain the cuff therein, it blocks the left coronary vein where it meets the coronary sinus. Further, the cuff can comprise end panels defined between the central section and the proximal and distal cuff ends. The end panels have a shape which allows for flexure between the central section and the cuffs proximal and distal ends.

Abstract: A comminuted meat mixture of ground lean beef, pitted and ground uncooked cherries, oat bran, and other ingredients in lesser amounts. A method of making such a mixture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A roller conveyor for aligning and separating material placed on the conveyor comprises a frame having side walls connected by crossmembers and a plurality of rollers mounted between the side walls. The frame further comprises a pair of supplemental side walls disposed between the parallel side walls to define an opening in which is disposed an aligner/separator assembly. The aligner/separator assembly comprises two frame mounted counter-rotating rollers driven by a motor. The counter-rotating rollers extend at a predetermined angle above the plane of the conveyor. The counter-rotating rollers rotate in the direction of the corresponding side wall and any unit contacting one of the rollers is laterally translated in the direction of the corresponding side wall. The counter-rotating rollers serve to separate adjacent units and to align the units with respect to the counter-rotating rollers.

Abstract: An improved exercise device which is adjustable for users of different size and muscle capability. The device comprises a wheel rotatably mounted on an axle, a pair of handgrips telescopically mounted on the axle, and a length of elastic robing telescopically mounted on the opposite ends of the axle. Pads for a user's knees, and a padded purchase for the user's ankles are also provided. In one embodiment, the knee pads are adjustably mounted on the elastic tubing. In an alternative embodiment, the elastic rubing, knee pads and ankle purchase adjustably affix to a common frame. The user kneels on the pads, grips the handgrips, and rolls the wheel and axle forward, away from the pads until the user is in the prone position. Thereafter, the user rolls the axle and wheel backward, until the starting position is reached. A stop can be provided for limiting forward movement of the roller.

Abstract: An applicator assembly for the controlled application of fluid to a surface is disclosed. The applicator assembly includes a bottle, a pump trigger mechanism, a hand-held applicator and a solution conduit extending between the hand-held applicator and the trigger mechanism. The applicator includes a pair of opposed pads which receive fluid from the bottle through the conduit and a clamping projection for controlling the flow of fluid through the conduit into the applicator pad.

Abstract: A filter cigarette includes a tobacco smoke filter having a core of an expanded starch material which is biodegradable and readily soluble in water. The filter material is preferably formed of high amylose content cornstarch or potato starch extruded at a moisture content of between 10% and 21% at a temperature between 150.degree. to 250.degree. C.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for packaging containers in a carrier in two rows, in which a first half carrier is formed from a first blank by bringing a bottom portion into a horizontal position, placing a first longitudinal wall portion perpendicularly thereto, folding two side wall portions and partition flaps cut from the first longitudinal wall portion into a position perpendicular to the first longitudinal wall portion, inserting containers between the side wall portions and the flaps and bringing a second longitudinal wall portion into a position parallel to the first longitudinal wall portion and connecting it with the side wall portions, after which, in a similar manner, a second half carrier with containers is formed from an identical blank and both half carriers are composed by connecting two corresponding longitudinal wall portions to form a carrier with two rows of containers. The blanks can be made with a minimum of waste material.