Abstract: A self-supported rotary joint for introducing a heating or cooling medium, such as steam or water, into a rotating drying or cooling drum. The rotary joint is supported upon the drum structure by a rotating bearing housing whose bearings support the stationary nipple. The nipple supports the stationary rotary joint body head, and the stationary syphon support tube which supports the stationary syphon structure inside the drum. To prevent damage to the hoses supplying steam or water to the joint body head, and removing condensate or water from the joint, in the event of bearing seizure causing rotating of the nipple, the joint body head is mounted upon the nipple outer end by frangible connectors in the form of shear pins which prevent excessive torque being imposed on the joint body head.

Abstract: A tire mounting apparatus for mounting a flexible tire on a rim includes a robot having at least one articulated joint and a wrist. The robot is moveable with at least three degrees of freedom along a selectable one of a plurality of programmable predetermined paths. A central processing unit selectively executes any one of the plurality of paths stored in memory. A bead mounting tool is attachable to the wrist of the robot for movement along the selected one of the plurality of programmable predetermined paths of the robot. The tool is orientatable with at least three degrees of freedom independent of the selected one of the plurality of programmable predetermined paths. A workpiece support positions the rim in a predetermined location with respect to the robot and positions the tire in a predetermined orientation with respect to the rim. A signal is generated and sent to the robot corresponding to a size of the rim and tire combination to be assembled.

Abstract: A wire harness protector comprises a trough having front and rear walls, a bottom wall, and a cover attached to the trough by a living hinge. The front wall of the trough has one or more locking tab sockets with lateral tab-receiving openings. At least one locking tab is connected to the front edge of the cover by a tab living hinge in alignment with the socket on the trough. Guide blocks are provided on the cover to automatically align the cover to the trough and each locking tab with each associated socket when the cover is closed on the trough. Each locking tab can be independently moved on its own living hinge into the front-facing lateral socket opening to independently lock all of the tabs on the cover in their sockets.

Abstract: An automatic tube shearing system of the type requiring no shearing blades comprising an automatic two-stage tube feed mechanism and a bladeless shear. The feed mechanism comprises a tube loader, a pinch roller type initial drive, a selectively engageable main roller drive and an intermittent drive including a gripper which operates in a precision fashion to feed tube through the shear apparatus. The shear apparatus is of the type requiring tooling, both externally and internally of the tubing to prevent deformation during the bladeless shear operation. The internal tooling comprises a mandrel having a position stabilization rod extending along the tube end feed path and equipped with a pair of spaced apart latches which operate in a complemental fashion to permit tube lengths to be fed onto the mandrel rod and later fed through the shear without ever unlocking the stabilization rod and losing the proper positioning of the mandrel.

Abstract: A blower/dryer assembly of the type comprising an electric motor, an impeller attached to the output shaft of the motor to be driven thereby, a molded plastic toroidal housing surrounding the impeller and a discharge nozzle attached to the impeller housing. The housing is attached to an adapter plate on the base plate of the motor by means of threaded fasteners arranged in a circular pattern which pass through slotted openings in the adapter plate and into reinforcement plates on the inside surface of the impeller housing. The slotted openings permit the angular relationship between the impeller housing and the adapter plate to be non-incrementally varied over a substantial angular range. The impeller housing is formed of a large diameter clearance opening in the surface immediately adjacent the motor end plate so as to receive therein the large diameter adapter plate.

Abstract: An electrical junction block as used in an automobile electrical system has a pair of ports for removably receiving two separate connectors into connection with circuit traces of a printed circuit board contained within the junction block. The first port is configured to receive a wiring harness connector associated with one or more electrical devices into normal operating connection with the junction block. The second port is configured to removably receive a connector from a continuity tester such that terminals of the connector contact the circuit traces so as to be in electrical contact with the wiring harness connector. Accordingly, inserting the tester connector into the second port after the wiring harness connector is operatively installed in the first port puts the tester in connection with the electrical system via the circuit traces and allows the tester to perform a continuity check of the device without disconnecting the wiring harness connector.

Abstract: An apparatus for automating the machining operations required to form a teardrop shaped recess in a cylindrical member, such as provided for punches. The apparatus includes a four station turntable assembly, the four stations include a loading/retrieving station and three work stations approximately spaced 90.degree. from adjacent stations. The three work stations each include a grinding tool movable in a horizontal and vertical direction to control the machining of the cylindrical member. The turntable rotates the workpiece from one station to another station.

Abstract: A window regulator for moving a pair of slidable window panes toward and away from one another utilizes three flexible, inextensible members such as cables to achieve a pull open/pull closed mode of operation of the slidable panes. First and second of the flexible members are attached to respective first and second pane carriers and to a drive drum, and the third flexible member connects the first and second pane carriers. The first and third flexible members are routed around pulleys located at outboard ends of a guide rail along which the pane carriers travel such that rotation of the drive drum in one direction pulls the panes toward an open position, and rotation of the drum in the opposite direction pulls the panes toward a closed position.

Abstract: A transaxle drive unit including transmission gearing and drive wheel shafts interconnected by differential gearing all located within a casing. The novelty constituting brake apparatus directly mounted on a wheel drive shaft and located within the casing and installed simultaneously with the associated drive shafts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for lubricating a wheel having a predetermined wheel diameter and width includes a lubricating head for encircling the wheel to be lubricated. First and second lubricating rings are supported on the head. The first and second rings have a common axis and are spaced apart an axial distance from one another complementary with respect to the predetermined width of the wheel to be lubricated. Each of the first and second rings has a diameter greater than the predetermined diameter of the wheel to be lubricated. A mechanism is provided for driving the wheel to be lubricated into operable engagement with the first and second rings of the head, such that the first and second rings of the head operably engage along an entire periphery with respect to the first and second rims of the wheel. Preferably, the mechanism rotates the wheel through at least 360.degree.

Abstract: In a method for connecting laminated metal plates comprising the steps of forming a plurality of cutting lines independent from each other in a laminated metal plate, and forming a projecting portion by making a metal plate between the cutting line protrude in a laminating direction by a step that is higher than the thickness of the laminated plate, the following solutions are adopted with a view to preventing securely the dislocation of the metal plates in the laminating direction and also preventing securely the deviation of the metal plate in every direction in the laminated plate surface by the two cutting lines.

Abstract: A freeze-proof hydrant has a hollow, tubular housing adapted to be buried in the ground in a vertical orientation so that its upper end is approximately even with the surface of the ground and its lower end is below the local frost line. A base fitting at the lower end of the housing is connected to an underground pipe and has an internal shut-off valve for controlling the flow of water out of the underground pipe. The lower end of a removable standpipe has a threaded fitting which mates with the base fitting in a manner that opens the shut-off valve when the standpipe is screwed into connection with the base fitting. The standpipe projects upwardly through the housing to a point above ground level and terminates in a faucet. When the standpipe is inserted downwardly into the housing and screwed into connection with the base fitting, the shut-off valve in the base fitting automatically opens so that water flows upwardly into the standpipe and the faucet may be operated to deliver water as desired.

Abstract: A window regulator for driving two sliding window panes, such as of a truck rear window, in opposing directions has a housing containing two linear actuator, one driving each of the sliding panes. The first actuator has opposite ends engaged with a drive drum and a midpoint engaged with the first sliding pane, and the second linear actuator has opposite ends engaged with the drive drum and a midpoint engaged with the second sliding panes. The drive drum has two parallel, spiral grooves, one receiving each of the linear actuators. The first and second linear actuators pass around pulleys and guide blocks attached to the housing and follow separate paths within the housing such that rotation of the drive drum in one direction pulls on respective first ends of the first and second linear actuators to draw the sliding panes toward one another, and rotation of the drum in the opposite direction pulls on respective second ends of the linear actuators to draw the panes away from one another.

Abstract: A pressure plate filter having a filter vessel with an upper cylindrical section and a lowers downwardly tapering conical section. A stack of spaced-apart filter plates is mounted on a support frame within the filter vessel for pivoting about an offset axis between a lowered filtering position in which the filter plates are horizontally arranged within the conical sections to a raised filter cake discharge position in which the filter plates are supported above the conical section in a sloped position. The stack of filter plates is raised and lowered by means of a hoist assembly. In a further embodiment, the filter includes a separation frame which can move relative to the support frame and which causes the filter plates to move apart relative to each other when placed in the raised discharge position.

Abstract: A hairstyling comb particularly useful for applying streaks of highlighter to the hair comprises a hollow stem closed at one end and communicable at its other end with a reservoir of a viscous liquid to be applied to the hair. Discrete passageways are spaced along the length of the stem whereby its interior opens to discrete locations near the junctions between respective pairs of teeth of the comb. Concavities open generally laterally of the comb, each communicating with a respective one of said passageways and having a relatively greater cross-sectional area.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of manufacturing oriented cellulose films by spinning non-derivated cellulose dissolved in amino oxides into a precipitating bath. The cellulose solution is extruded downward through a film-blowing nozzle and an external air gap into the precipitating bath. The spun cellulose film can be inflated after exiting the film-blowing nozzle.

Abstract: A reflective marker is disclosed. The marker comprises at least one rotatable reflective element contained within an interior volume of an at least partially transparent container, such that the at least one reflective element is visible from outside the container. A drive motor is provided for rotating the at least one reflective element within the container to create a visually striking appearance. The drive motor is powered by at least one rechargeable power source; a recharging device is associated with the at least one rechargeable power source and further with at least one photovoltaic cell, the recharging device operative to recharge the at least one rechargeable power source using electricity supplied by the at least one photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A combination satellite television signal receiving antenna and a UHF/VHF antenna, particularly suitable for use with recreational vehicles. The satellite antenna is mounted for both horizontal and vertical adjustment having a circular periphery and the UHF/VHF dipole antenna is attached thereto and is of an arcuate configuration defining a portion of a circle concentric to the satellite receiving antenna dish configuration. The television and UHF/VHF antenna are mounted for simultaneous adjustment.