Abstract: A rotary-position catch (30) for a lazy susan (20) includes a prism element (40) with at least one dog (42) which receives at least one recess (50) of an oblong element (48) in an interference-type fit. One of the elements (40, 48) is secured to one end of a shaft (24) of the lazy susan (20) and the other element is secured to a cabinet (10) adjacent the one end of the shaft (24). The interference-type fit provides a catch for holding the shaft (24) of the lazy susan (20) in a selected rotary position.

Abstract: A bearing seal assembly, especially adapted for use between an automotive body and a steering wheel shaft is formed from identical molded annular rings (18) and (20) which snap-fit together through slots (38) and projections (42) and an annular gasket race (22) with a frusto-conical sealing lip (24). The annular rings (18, 20) form a T-shaped cavity (46, 48) in which the annular gasket race (22) is retained.

Abstract: A pipe hanger (10) for suspending a pipe (12) from a support beam (14) includes at least one flexible curved portion (16) which receives the pipe (12) in a snap-fit connection. The hanger (1) includes an elongate stem (22) for mounting the hanger (10) to the support beam (14). The stem (22) has a prismatic cross-section and a plurality of holes (26) extending therethrough in mutually perpendicular directions and graduated marking therealong. A plurality of hangers (10) can be used to mount a pipe (12) at an incline relative to the support (14) using the markings as guides.

Abstract: A suspension (10) for multi-wheeled vehicles includes a pair of outer equalizing beams (18) rockably supported by trunnion assemblies (22, 26) for deflection in response to changes in the terrain over which the vehicle travels. The equalizing beams (18) mount a pair of axles (16) supporting ground-engaging wheels. At least one inner equalizing beam (20) is mounted to a trunnion assembly (24) with the inner equalizing beam (20) providing a support for mounting of two leaf spring assemblies (28, 30) between the outer equalizing beams (18). In one embodiment, a four-axle suspension includes two leaf spring assemblies (28, 30) on each side of the vehicle. Each leaf spring assembly (28, 30) is secured between one of the outer equalizing beams (18) and the inner equalizing beam (20). The leaf spring assemblies (28, 30) include an axle connection (34) for supporting an axle (14) and a ground-engaging wheel.

Abstract: A bumper assembly (12) is disclosed for use with a self-propelled vehicle (10) and includes a bumper (18) mounted to a bumper frame (16) pendulously suspended from a vehicle frame (14) by means of a plurality of hangers (20). When the vehicle (10) collides with an obstacle in its path, the bumper (18) and the bumper frame (16) pendulously swing and deflect at least one spring-loaded arm (32), thereby activating corresponding electrical switch assemblies (30) connected thereto to disconnect the driving power to the vehicle motor and decelerate the vehicle.

Abstract: A vent apparatus for controlling the flow of heated exhaust air from a clothes dryer has a housing connected to the heated exhaust conduit and a filter within the housing for filtering the exhaust gases. Controls regulate the relative amounts of exhaust gases directed outside the dryer room and through the housing into the dryer room. In one embodiment, the heated dryer air is ducted through the housing and the control is a valve which directs the gas either into the housing or through the exhaust outlet of the housing. The invention channels moist, heated air into a house in desired proportions to conserve heat energy and to humidify the home in the winter.

Abstract: A squirrel cage motor comprises a stator and a rotor, the latter having a pair of end rings and conductor bars interconnecting the end rings, the bars and rings being supported on the rotor core. At least one end ring is provided with at least two insulating gaps to divide that end ring into at least two separate portions. The rotor of the motor can be braked to stop at a predetermined position by applying to the secondary winding of the stator D.C., or A.C. of the same phase as that applied to the primary winding. A three-phase motor can similarly be arranged by providing at least three gaps in at least one end ring.

Abstract: A furniture system has a pedestal supported, rigid support beam (101) and a selection of functional furniture items attachable thereto with various types of bracket assemblies. The support beam (101) is elongated and rectangular in cross section with two rounded upper flanges (128) and two rectangularly shaped lower flanges (129) radially extending from a rectangular central portion (126, 127) thereof. The bracket assemblies can be secured around certain of the radially extending flanges at a continuum of locations along the support beam. A pedestal structure (102) is connectable to the support beam (101) at certain positions along the lower radially extending flanges (129). The furniture items include various sizes and shapes of work surfaces, storage files, and supporting stands for accessories such as telephones and calculators. Separate beams can be joined together at right angles to each other.

Abstract: An automatically guided vehicle (110) is disclosed which follows guide lines positioned in a predetermined guide path (102) on the floor. The guide path (102) includes coded markings and the vehicle comprises sensing circuitry (210) capable of sensing the markings and generating proximity signals indicative thereof. The coded markings can indicate approach of the vehicle into a "congestion" zone wherein other vehicles similarly situated can cause hazardous conditions therein. Radio frequency (RF) transmission circuitry (240) on the approaching vehicle (110) is responsive to the congestion zone indication signals to transmit and receive RF signals to and from other vehicles on the guide path (102). The approaching vehicle (110) performs various collision avoidance operations as determined by the received RF signals.

Abstract: An open space office system comprises a plurality of freestanding work stations (10) constructed of vertical panels (14) and horizontal work surfaces (12). The room in which the work stations (10) are arranged are provided with a central ventilation means (41) which provides air circulation in the room. Each work station (10) includes at least one common conduit (26) arranged adjacent the work surface (12) thereof. A vent (35) disposed in each of the work stations (10) communicates with the conduit (26) thereby providing an air flow path from the central ventilation system (41) through the room to the conduit (26). In this way, return air of the ventilation system is evacuated from the room by means of the conduits (26). The conduits (26) are typically connected to a central return air duct (42).

Abstract: A crack (12) in a concrete, cement or masonry wall (10) is repaired by injecting a fluid, liquid latex (14) into the crack (12). The exposed surface of the crack (12) is covered with a liquid, impermeable barrier (20) and then the fluid, low-viscosity, liquid latex (14) is injected through the barrier (20) into the crack (12). The liquid latex (14) subsequently cures into a solid, elastomeric state. The latex (14) substantially fills the crack and allows shifting of the wall (10) due to temperature and pressure changes or settling of the wall (10) without damaging the cured latex (14) or causing any further growth of the crack (12).

Abstract: A poultry panel (20) for collecting manure comprising fiberglass reinforced layers (22, 30) with a preformed corrugated board (24) therebetween. The fiberglass reinforced layers (22, 30) consist of a resin-catalyst mixture (22, 30) containing calcium carbonate as a filler. The corrugated board (24) consists of two layers - one flat (26) and one corrugated (28). The poultry panel (20) provides a hard, rigid material which is easy to handle, inexpensive to manufacture, and resistant to corrosion. The poultry panel (20) is formed by spraying and laying successive layers of the resin-catalyst mixture and fiberglass sheets onto a metal form (44) with the preformed corrugated board (24) embedded between two such layers. The resulting composite is rolled to eliminate air bubble formation, cured until dry, removed from the metal form (44), and cured until hard.

Abstract: A partitioning system for segmenting an open area into smaller compartment-like regions includes a grouping of multifunction, interchangeable standardized component parts which are selectively utilized according to the partitioning panel designs to be assembled and the particular configuration desired. The partitioning system includes structural wall panels of a unitized, laminated gypsum sheet construction, window panels, acoustical screens, and door members. Angled joints between adjacent panels include a corner spacer which has a series of radially spaced slots for receipt of face plate members with resultant included angles of either 90.degree., 135.degree. or 180.degree. and the face plate members are configured for snap-fit with variously styled partitioning panel connectors.

Abstract: A light fixture incorporating a motorized insect exterminator includes a frame, a light source, and a motor mounted on the frame. A drive shaft of the motor is connected to an end of a clear and pliable plastic impeller. A translucent plate is mounted between the light source and plastic impeller. The free end of the impeller is rotated between 2,000 and 3,600 RPM's by the motor, sweeping out a circular area in the proximity of the plate on the opposite side from the light source. Flying insects, attracted to the light source, fly toward the light source, slow down to land on the plate, fly through the circular area at a relatively slow speed, and are fatally hit by the rapidly revolving impeller. The impeller is flexible enough and light enough to not injure or cut a finger which comes in contact with the rotating impeller.

Abstract: A file cabinet (10) including slidably mounted drawers (18) is provided with an interlock mechanism which prevents the simultaneous opening of two drawers. The interlock mechanism includes an elongate channel (24) having a fixed length and depth. Slidable within the channel (24) along the length thereof are blocks (42) and wedges (44). The blocks (44) include at least one end surface (48) which is at an acute angle relative to the bottom wall (28) of the channel (24). The wedge members (44) are displaceable relatively into and out of the depth of the channel. The wedge members have surfaces (52) complementary to and in sliding contact with the end surfaces (48) of the blocks. The length of the channel (28) is less than that of the combined length of all of the block (42) and wedge members (44) disposed therein and at least as long as the combined length of the block and one of the wedge members.

Abstract: An animal marking system for cattle and the like comprises a flexible strap (14) designed to be secured around the neck of an animal. One set of patches (22) bearing numbers and another set of patches (20) bearing a color are replaceably secured at two separate locations to the strap (14) so that the numbers and colors are clearly visible from a distance and from each of the two sides of the animal. The system includes sets of patches (20) bearing different identifiable colors to indicate the condition of the cow with respect to health, breeding condition or lactation. The patches are secured to the sides of the strap through a Velcro fastening system.

Abstract: A ball cock assembly (10) mounted to a water supply pipe (12) in a fill tank includes a valve housing (16) in which is mounted a valve (18) for regulating the flow of water through the ball cock assembly (10). The valve housing (16) includes a central passage (40) having chambers (42, 46) of differing diameters. The chamber (46) is in fluid communication with tank fill tube (22) and back fill tube (24). The valve (18) is generally cylindrical in configuration and includes an upwardly facing first piston surface (76) and a downwardly facing second piston surface (84) upstream of the first piston surface (76). The valve (18) also includes first and second shoulders (78, 80) which seat against valve seats (44, 48) in the central passage (40) of the housing (16). The valve (18) includes an orifice (90) therethrough which communicates fluid through chamber (42) above the first piston surface (76 ).

Abstract: An advertising display (22) for the back of a pick-up truck (28) and the like includes a frame (24) removably secured to the load bed of a pick-up truck (28) and an advertising medium (30) bearing a plurality of advertising messages mounted in a downwardly-sloping fashion on the frame (24), making the advertising (30) visible from the rear of the truck (28). A transparent sheet (62) mounted over the rearwardly-sloping frame (24) provides a protective cover for the advertising medium (30). In one embodiment, the advertising medium (30) includes a roll (31) of advertising material (30) which is mounted to a spool bar (75) on the frame (24). The advertising medium (30) is sequentially displayed along the rearwardly-sloping wall of frame (24) by a manually operated or motor-driven roller bar (79). A guide bar (77) is provided to guide the advertising medium (30) from the spool bar (25) to the roller bar (79).

Abstract: A table (10) includes an extensible top surface including end leaves (20, 22) which are slidably mounted on a frame (12). The end leaves (20, 22) are mounted by means of a roller mechanism (62, 66) which permits easy movement of the leaves between an opened and closed position to allow for insertion of a center leaf (28). The center leaf (28) is carried on the frame (12) and is displaceable between a down position below the top surface of the table and an up position wherein the center leaf forms a portion of the top surface. The leaf (28) is mounted to the table by means of a linkage (34, 46) which allows the center leaf (28) to be displaced between the up and down positions. In order to facilitate movement of the center leaf (28) to the up position, at least one torsion rod (40) or other spring element is mounted between the center leaf (28) and the table frame (12) to provide the desired biasing force to maintain the center leaf (28) in the up position.