Abstract: A vacuum generating device and method include a member defining a passage, a first valve, a second valve, and a fluid communication conduit. The passage extends between a first end and a second end, and includes a constriction defining an orifice. The first valve connects the first end of the member and an ambient environment. The first valve is adjustable between first and second configurations. The first configuration permits generally unrestricted fluid flow between the orifice and the ambient environment. The second configuration substantially prevents fluid flow between the orifice and the ambient environment. The second valve has a first port and a second port. The first port is adapted for fluid communication with a pressure source at a first pressure level. The fluid communication conduit connects the second end of the member and the second port of the second valve. The fluid communication conduit includes a fluid communication tap at a second pressure level.

Abstract: A vacuum generating device and method include a member that defines a passage, a first valve, a second valve, a fluid communication conduit, a transducer, and a processor. The passage extends between a first end and a second end, and includes a constriction that defines an orifice. The first valve connects the first end of the member and an ambient environment, and is electrically positionable in first and second configurations. The first configuration permits generally unrestricted fluid flow between the orifice and the ambient environment, and the second configuration substantially prevents fluid flow between the orifice and the ambient environment. The second valve has a first port and a second port. The first port is adapted for fluid communication with a pressure source at a first pressure level. The second valve is electronically adjustable. The fluid communication conduit connects the second end of the member and the second port of the second valve.

Abstract: The headrest support tubes are secured to the seat frame member not by the usual welding, but by gripping the web of the member between two rings or lock-beads swaged into the metal of the tube. The first ring is swaged-out by compressing the tube. The tube, with the one ring, is then assembled into a through-hole in the web of the frame member. Then, the second ring is swaged into the metal of the tube, on the other side of the web, and the web lies gripped between the rings. The seat frame member may be an I-section extrusion, or a round tube with localized squeezed-flat areas, flanked by flanges.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor includes a frame having generally parallel sides with a plurality of load-carrying rollers rotatably mounted between the frame sides. A plurality of lifting rollers are rotatably mounted between the frame sides beneath the load-carrying rollers. A drive belt extends between the load-carrying rollers and the lifting rollers for rotating the load-carrying rollers in response to the lifting rollers lifting the belt into engagement with the load-carrying rollers. A plurality of sensing roller assemblies are mounted on selected, spaced load-carrying rollers. The sensing roller assemblies each include a carriage pivotally mounted on the axis of a load-carrying roller, a sensing roller mounted on the carriage on one side of the axis and a counterbalance roller heavier than the sensing roller mounted on the opposite side of the axis. The counterbalance roller is effective to bias the sensing roller into the path of movement of articles moving along the conveyor.

Abstract: A switch assembly consisting of a first surface for guiding a guide element in a first path, a second surface for guiding a guide element in a second path that crosses the first path, a first opening in the first guide surface for permitting passage therethrough of a guide element moving along the second surface in the second path, a second opening in the second guiding surface for permitting passage therethrough of the guide element moving along the first surface in the first path, a support for the first and second guiding surfaces, a cam actuator mounted for movement relative to the support between first and second positions, a switching wall mounted for movement relative to the support between a first position wherein it blocks the first opening and a second position wherein it blocks the second opening, cooperating structure on the cam actuator and switching wall for moving the wall from its first position to its second position as an incident of the cam actuator moving from its second position to its fi

Abstract: An improved conveyor system having elongate conveying tubes travelling in pairs in an endless path. The invention contemplates the provision of a slider in each of the tubes in the pair, interconnection of the sliders through a support and the provision of an article engaging pusher surface upon the support and situated above the tube pairs. The sliders are guided in slots extending lengthwise of the tube pairs and are shifted by an associated roller moving in a channel that is shaped depending on the desired shifting of the pushers.