Abstract: In a circular knitting machine, a series of nozzles are positioned closely adjacent to points at which the knitting takes place. A fan unit draws air in through the nozzles via ducting and thereby creates a localized suction effect at the knitting points. The air is then passed to a duct which extends over the top of the knitting machine proper, and is emitted through a series of peripheral ducts in a downward direction and towards feed devices which feed yarn to the knitting points.

Abstract: An automated material handling system utilizing one or more train-type guided vehicles moving along a rail with each train including a locomotive pulling a plurality of trolleys. Each trolley includes a tiltable tray, an onboard CPU, and onboard sensors for sensing information with respect to the product being carried by the tray. The sensed information is transmitted to the CPU of the trolley where it is stored and also transmitted to a CPU in the locomotive. The locomotive CPU is in radio frequency contact with an off-track dispatch computer controlling the overall operation of the material handling system. The CPU of each trolley is also in infrared communication with local CPU's positioned at unloading stations so that the CPU on each car may receive information by infrared transmission from local CPU's, information generated onboard by the onboard sensors, and command information from the locomotive CPU.

Abstract: A modular model verification mounting system and method for building and verifying a production tooling verification model with a surface contour made of a workable material is disclosed. The mounting system can include at least one base member for supporting the production tooling verification model. The base member has a first uniform grid of apertures disposed in a first surface at a first predetermined distance from one another. At least one component member is provided for attaching to the base member in cooperation with the first grid of apertures. The component member has a second uniform grid of apertures formed in at least one second surface and disposed at a second predetermined distance from one another. At least one armature is connected to the component member in cooperation with the second grid of apertures. The armature member has at least one custom surface adapted to support the workable material.

Abstract: An article of beach luggage in the form of a substantially rectangular envelope of open mesh material subdivided into two interior portions by means of a rigid structural interior divider. The left and right portions are accessible by parallel zippers which extend around three sides of the article. One interior side is open to receive beach towels, clothing and the like, while the other side is prepacked with a cooler which, along with other types of beverage carriers, may be permanently or removably mounted on the interior divider. Chair straps, umbrella sleeves, shoulder straps, a carry handle, and feet are provided.

Abstract: A plastic pallet and a method of shrink-wrapping an article onto the platform structure of the pallet. The pallet includes a plurality of legs and a planar platform structure supported by the legs and formed of upper and lower thermoformed sheets of plastic selectively fused together. The upper and lower sheets are maintained in vertically spaced parallel relation in a central portion of the platform structure and peripheral edges of the upper and lower sheets are fused together to define a downwardly extending peripheral lip defining a downwardly opening groove extending around the periphery of the platform structure outboard of the legs. The peripheral lip improves the stiffness and the side impact resistance of the platform structure and the groove facilitates the shrink-wrapping of an article onto the pallet.

Abstract: A method and device for changing oil and measuring oil consumption in an internal combustion engine having an internal oil lubrication distribution passage system with an oil filter and oil reservoir including a pump and receptacle for evacuating fluid from the oil reservoir, a pump and receptacle with a fresh oil supply for introducing into the oil reservoir through the oil filter and internal oil lubrication system. An electronic module on the vehicle and communicating and recording with the device facilitates the oil changing process in an easy and safe manner by communicating pertinent information to the device for changing oil including signal to the device an engine running condition and an oil filter-securely-in-place condition so that the device deactivates when the engine is running and the oil filter is not securely in place.

Abstract: A motor truck for use in collecting and processing solid waste material such as scrap tires. The truck includes a chassis including a cab; a body structure positioned on the chassis behind the cab and defining a storage chamber; a shredder mounted on top of the body structure forwardly of the storage chamber; a compactor positioned within the body structure beneath the shredder and forwardly of the storage chamber; and a conveyor system for conveying tires from a curbside location upwardly for discharge downwardly into the open upper end of the shredder. The shredded tires are discharged downwardly into the body structure rearwardly of the compactor, whereafter the compactor is actuated to stroke rearwardly and compress the tire shreds into the storage chamber.

Abstract: A circuit for use in providing high voltage power to a neon bulb positioned on the vehicle utilizing the vehicle DC battery as the power source. The circuit includes an invertor, a transformer, and a rectifier. The invertor receives low voltage DC from the vehicle battery, converts the low voltage DC to a low voltage AC drive voltage, and delivers the AC drive voltage to the transformer primary for conversion to a high voltage AC at the transformer secondary. The rectifier receives the high voltage AC from the transformer secondary, converts the high voltage AC to high voltage DC, and delivers the high voltage DC to the neon bulb. Since the power delivered to the neon tube is DC there is less need to shield the tube with respect to electro magnetic emissions and parasitic losses in the wire runs between the battery and the neon tube are significantly reduced.

Abstract: A process for the production of phosgene (COCl.sub.2) comprising first reacting perchloroethylene (CCl.sub.2 .dbd.CCl.sub.2) with hydrogen chloride and oxygen in the presence of a first catalyst to give hexachloroethane and water, separating the hexachloroethane, and second reacting the hexachloroethane from the first step with carbon monoxide in the presence of a second catalyst to produce perchloroethylene and phosgene which is separated from the perchloroethylene before the latter is recycled to the first step.

Abstract: A bobbin assembly provides means for mounting two coils in concentric relationship with one another for use in electrical devices such as solenoids, relays, and transformers. The bobbin assembly comprises inner and outer hollow, cylindrical spools each having a coil of wire wound thereon prior to being assembled with one another by moving the inner spool into the hollow interior of the outer spool. Alignment members extending axially from the inner and outer spools engage one another to maintain the spools in their concentric relationship and also provide wire guide means routing the ends of the coil wires away from the spools and terminating them in a manner facilitating connection of the coils to associated electric circuits.

Abstract: An electrical connector for wiring harnesses and other electrical devices has a latch to hold the connector in engagement with a mating connector and side and top guards to guard against inadvertent release of the latch. The guards also serve to prevent wires or other foreign objects from becoming entangled with the latch during shipping and handling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an open web (10) suitable for use in conveying and separating bodies such as root crops and stone sand clods. The web (10) comprises at least two elongate belts (11) extending parallel to each other in substantially spaced apart relation, and a plurality of rods (12) mounted in parallel spaced apart relation across the belts (11) with connecting portions (13) of the rods (12) secured to the belts (11). The connecting portions (13) are substantially embedded within the body of the belts (11) and secured thereto by bonding the belts (11) to the connecting portions (13).

Abstract: Described is a stocking having a comfort foot area. The comfort area encompasses the toe, sole and heel areas of the foot. A pad is sized to cover and be secured to the comfort area or integrally woven into the comfort area to act as a liner to protect and comfort the foot of the wearer of the stocking. The pad is made out of a thicker, absorbent fiber material to absorb wetness and allow the foot to breathe.

Abstract: A battery connection comprises a battery post protruding from a battery and a battery terminal for clamping connection with the battery post. The battery post has a base and a shaft extending therefrom, and the battery terminal has a clamping ring for surrounding the shaft and a flange extending from the lower edge of the clamping ring for contacting the upper surface of the base. Alternating grooves and ridges are formed on the underside of the flange to provide increased frictional engagement with the base and so inhibit rotation of the terminal relative to the base. Alignment tabs project downwardly from the flange to engage receptacles formed in the surface of the base when the terminal is in a desired angular alignment with the base.

Abstract: A clip for securing together a plurality of elongated articles such as hoses or wire bundles has a plurality of separately formed clamps. Each clamp comprises first and second generally arcuate arms connected at their first ends by a V-shaped hinge and movable about the hinge between a circular closed position and an open position wherein the free ends of the arms are parted to allow an article to be placed into or removed from encirclement by the arms. A link member interconnects the hinges of the clamp to maintain the clamps in spaced relationship with one another and includes braces which add stiffness to the hinge and resist flattening of the V shape. The hinges and link member are of uniform cross sectional thickness so that stress concentrations are avoided. The clip is molded in the open position so that during installation it is not necessary to manually spread the arms in order to position them around an article.

Abstract: A bumper beam for vehicles is formed from cold-rolled sheet steel having an initial tensile strength of approximately 70 ksi. The steel sheet is roll formed in a desired cross-section and swept into a curvature corresponding to the vehicle requirements before the steel sheet is heat treated by induction heat and quenched to provide a bumper beam having a tensile strength from 100 ksi up to approximately 260 ksi.

Abstract: A support member for a siding corner post which is spaced from the outer corner of a building to form a longitudinally extending hollow space within which the support member is located.

Abstract: Metal alloy workpieces are laser welded to one another with a laser head emitting a laser beam. The laser head and workpieces are moved relative to one another at a predetermined velocity along a weld path. The laser beam power is selectively modulated to have an output with a desired frequency andr amplitude. An oscillating motion of the laser beam is superimposed on top of the relative velocity of movement between the laser head and the workpieces along the weld path, such that a rate of cooling of molten metal is controlled to a predetermined rate. A stroke rate of the oscillating motion is synchronized with the frequency of the modulated power output so that as the laser head moves along the weld path at a constant velocity, the laser beam is oscillated to thereby cause the laser beam to at least slow down relative to the velocity of travel between the laser head with respect to the workpieces along the weld path during backward oscillatory movement of the laser beam.