Abstract: A mixer for combining solid material such as asphalt shingles and/or recycled asphalt with asphalt binder. A method of using the mixer includes inputting large chunks of solid material to a first inlet of the mixer, inputting liquid asphalt binder to a second inlet of the mixer, passing the large chunks of solid material and the asphalt binder through a mixer chamber having a first stage and a second stage, the first stage comprising a helical screw and the second stage comprising a plurality of paddles, and obtaining a uniform mixture comprising small chunks of solid material and asphalt binder from the mixer.

Abstract: Screen separators and a screen tensioning system for separators that facilitates rapid measurement of screen tension. Each separator subframe screen is suspended between opposed subframe walls. Suitable linkages distribute vibration during the aggregate sifting process. Screen edge flanges are secured by tensioners that control a screen suspension bracket. A carriage bolt fitted through bracket orifices and the walls coaxially receive a resilient grommet captivated by an adjustable sleeve nut. As the nut is tightened, screen tension increases and the grommet diameter increases. A portable gauge with an internal U-shaped measurement sleeve is fitted over the deformed grommet to measure screen tension. A plurality of gauge calibration points bordering the deformed grommet determine applied screen tension.

Abstract: A self-contained, fully-integrated, energy efficient heating and cooling system or apparatus for conditioning the air on the interior of a building which includes a means for creating airflow through the apparatus, a section for cooling the airflow, a section for heating the airflow, a means for directing the airflow into the cooling section or into the heating section, a reheat device for tempering (i.e., reheating) the airflow exiting the cooling section, a return air section for receiving air returned to the apparatus from the building interior, and a means for pulling the returned air out of the return air section and venting the returned air to the environment outside of the building. The heating section of the present invention also provides a “four-pass” heat exchanger which may be assembled from sections of cast iron or other suitable materials, and a high efficiency combustion burner which may be integrated into the four-pass heat exchanger.

Abstract: A self-contained, fully-integrated, energy efficient heating and cooling system or apparatus for conditioning the air on the interior of a building which includes a means for creating airflow through the apparatus, a section for cooling the airflow, a section for heating the airflow, a means for directing the airflow into the cooling section or into the heating section, a reheat device for tempering (i.e., reheating) the airflow exiting the cooling section, a return air section for receiving air returned to the apparatus from the building interior, and a means for pulling the returned air out of the return air section and venting the returned air to the environment outside of the building. The heating section of the present invention also provides a “four-pass” heat exchanger which may be assembled from sections of cast iron or other suitable materials, and a high efficiency combustion burner which may be integrated into the four-pass heat exchanger.

Abstract: A filter for a spa or pool, having a filter body which receives a filter bag having a sheath encompassing the exterior of the filter body and a pocket extending inwardly from the front end of the sheath into the filter. Operation of the spa water circulation system draws spa water into the filter bag pocket while concurrently spa water is drawn transversely through the filter bag sheath and auxiliary spa water openings into the filter body. An O-ring encircles the upper portion of the filter bag to releasably retain such bag to the filter body during operation of the spa water circulation system.

Abstract: A filter for a spa or pool, having a filter body which receives a filter bag having a sheath encompassing the exterior of the filter body and a pocket extending inwardly from the front end of the sheath into the filter. Operation of the spa water circulation system draws spa water into the filter bag pocket while concurrently spa water is drawn transversely through the filter bag sheath and auxiliary spa water openings into the filter body. An O-ring encircles the upper portion of the filter bag to releasably retain such bag to the filter body during operation of the spa water circulation system.

Abstract: A filtering system for a spa or pool that includes a closed filtering tank which houses a filter having a filter body which receives a filter bag having a sheath encompassing the exterior of the filter body and a pocket extending inwardly from the front end of the sheath into the filter. An O-ring encircles the upper portion of the filter bag to releasably retain such bag to the filter body during operation of the spa water circulation system. A pump is provided to force water from the spa or pool into the filtering tank, through the filter body and back into the spa or pool.

Abstract: A filter for a spa or pool, having a filter body which receives a filter bag having a sheath encompassing the exterior of the filter body and a pocket extending inwardly from the front end of the sheath into the filter. Operation of the spa water circulation system draws spa water into the filter bag pocket while concurrently spa water is drawn transversely through the filter bag sheath and auxiliary spa water openings into the filter body. An O-ring encircles the upper portion of the filter bag to releasably retain such bag to the filter body during operation of the spa water circulation system.

Abstract: An internal spa filter for a spa, having a filter body with an inlet opening at its one end and a discharge orifice at its opposite end, the sides of such body are formed with auxiliary spa water inlet openings. The filter also includes a filter bag having a sheath encompassing the exterior of the filter body and a pocket extending inwardly from the front end of the sheath into the filter body from the main spa water inlet opening. Operation of the spa water circulation system draws spa water into the main spa water inlet opening through the filter bag pocket into the filter body while concurrently spa water is drawn transversely through the filter bag sheath and auxiliary spa water openings into the filter body, all of such spa water flows rearwardly out of the filter body through the filter body discharge orifice.

Abstract: A self-contained, fully-integrated, energy efficient heating and cooling system or apparatus for conditioning the air on the interior of a building which includes a means for creating airflow through the apparatus, a section for cooling the airflow, a section for heating the airflow, a means for directing the airflow into the cooling section or into the heating section, a reheat device for tempering (i.e., reheating) the airflow exiting the cooling section, a return air section for receiving air returned to the apparatus from the building interior, and a means for pulling the returned air out of the return air section and venting the returned air to the environment outside of the building. The heating section of the present invention also provides a four-pass heat exchanger which may be assembled from sections of cast iron or other suitable materials, and a high efficiency combustion burner which may be integrated into the four-pass heat exchanger.

Abstract: An internal spa filter for a spa, having a filter body with an inlet opening at its one end and a discharge orifice at its opposite end, the sides of such body are formed with auxiliary spa water inlet openings. The filter also includes a filter bag having a sheath encompassing the exterior of the filter body and a pocket extending inwardly from the front end of the sheath into the filter body from the main spa water inlet opening. Operation of the spa water circulation system draws spa water into the main spa water inlet opening through the filter bag pocket into the filter body while concurrently spa water is drawn transversely through the filter bag sheath and auxiliary spa water openings into the filter body, all of such spa water flows rearwardly out of the filter body through the filter body discharge orifice.

Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner system comprising a plurality of scrapers for contacting and cleaning a conveyor belt includes an adjustable, internal torsion assembly that avoids external springs. A scraper assembly comprises an elongated, generally tubular torque arm of square cross section having an integral, upwardly projecting flange that mounts the scrapers. The torque arm is mounted for rotation radially toward or away from the conveyor belt between suitable brackets. Internal Z-shaped torsion springs extend generally from the brackets to the torque arm interior. The springs yieldably bias the scraper assembly against the conveyor belt. One leg of the Z-shaped springs is torsionally locked within the torque arm between opposed corners, and the opposite end terminates in a drive key projecting from the brackets. Preferably a ratchet system is employed to lock the torque arm in a desired tension. A variety of different scraper blade shapes and configurations can be used.

Abstract: A vibrating screen separator comprising a tuned suspension system for controlling a sifting screen and a resiliently isolated vibrator drive system for efficiently vibrating the screen cloth. The separator may be configured with stacked decks and serially connected sections involving multiple cooperating sifting planes. A rigid frame inclined above a supportive surface suspends the cloth for sifting material. The cloth is tensioned between frame sides by mounting rails, and it overlies a reinforcing subframe. The rails are tensioned by eye nuts externally accessible at the sides of the frame. Material gravitationally flows over the vibrating screen towards the discharge end. The cloth is shaken by an elongated, center strip aligned with the direction of material travel. The center strip is oscillated by the vibrator drive system disposed above it, which is coupled thereto by linkage.

Abstract: Opposing rotationally adjustable vibration motors mounted externally to opposite side walls of a rectangular or circular separator greatly facilitates access to the motors for servicing and/or replacement and enables varying the intensity of vibration of the separator screen over a wide range while motor speed remains constant. Simplicity of construction, compactness and ruggedness of motor mountings is achieved.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a lateral beam frame assembly which is mounted on a mobile unit frame, and supports a vertically adjustable guide beams which in turn support a contra-rotating tobacco defoliating mechanism as well as the conveyor assembly for conveying a defoliated tobacco leaves to a common conveyor, is made laterally adjustable. The longitudinal beams are supported adjustably on the upper portions of the tractor mounting framework. A cable and winch arrangement is used for securing lateral adjustment of the beam and the rigidly mounted guide elements for supporting the vertical guide beams. In addition, an upper truss-forming cable or bar assembly is secured to the lateral beam so as to rigidify same and prevent bending moments from impairing the effective operation of the combine and harvester.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a tobacco combine incorporates a single pump for driving a pair of tobacco leaf defoliators in contra rotating directions, and a pair of hydraulic motors for the take off conveyors in the same direction. Precise synchronization of the defoliator blades driven by the motors is assured by serially connecting the motors in the hydraulic circuit. A 50--50 flow divider provides equal hydraulic fluid flow to a pair of hydraulic motors, each driving portions of a first conveyor system, respectively, the fluid flows from these two motors being combined to drive a common second conveyor system.

Abstract: In a tobacco combine having a pair of contra-rotating defoliation blade members, upper and lower guides are provided for assuring proper positioning of the tobacco leaves for defoliation without impeding the speed of defoliation such as by gripping engagements of the stalk. The upper guide has diverged forward ends which converge toward one another (in a direction toward the rear) and project downwardly (in a direction forward of the defoliating blade members), intermediate portions which converge gradually rearwardly with downwardly sloping parallel portions which, in turn, are connected by curved portions to rear suspension brackets.

Abstract: The suspension, as mounted in duplicate to a truck or trailer frame midway between fore and rear axles of a rear axle pair, is located relatively closely adjacent the rear of said frame; and it utilizes but a single air bag or spring unit, horizontally interposed medially between the axles, yet well spaced forwardly and inwardly from their wheel tires, as a springing agency.This unit acts vertically between the frame and a horizontal rocker arm assembly of the suspension that is coupled front-to-rear with a pair of generally similar leaf spring sets. The suspension affords an equal loading of the leading and trailing rear axles by a total of only two such air springs, each coacting with a fully floating beam, this beam being slidably associated between said spring sets.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tobacco harvesting implement comprising a frame assembly for mounting on a tractor, the frame assembly carrying a defoliation assembly constituted by contra-rotating pairs of rectangular flapper elements having plural slots along the lateral edges thereof and kicker to the rear of the flapper means operated in association with the defoliation assembly for insuring the deposit of tobacco leaves on a pair of longitudinally running conveyors. The kicker elements are greater in length than the defoliating flapper elements and include at least a pair in line with the defoliating flapper elements and a pair of 90.degree. relative thereto, and means are provided for adjusting the spacing between the pair of contra-rotating tobacco leaf defoliators.