Abstract: The invention relates to a condiment dispensing system for dispensing condiment and the like which includes a gas operated pump for moving condiment(s) from a condiment source to a delivery nozzle through a condiment conduit which includes a draw-back valve to prevent condiment buildup on the delivery nozzle. A gas-operated pump is controlled at the delivery nozzle to effect delivery of the condiment.

Abstract: A system for controlling fluid flow to an approximate constant rate is disclosed. The system includes a housing, a flow control element, a cutout formed in the flow control element, a valve element, and a spring. The housing has an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The ends are arranged and configured to receive piping. The flow control element is operatively positioned within the housing with the flow control element having an upstream end and a downstream end with a cutout formed therein. The fluid flows in the inlet and through the cutout into a larger chamber within the housing before exiting the outlet end of the housing in normal flow. A valve element is disposed within the housing adjacent and upstream of the flow control element. The valve element is positioned within the housing by a spring means which urges the valve element toward the outlet.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a gas sample from a sealed glass ampule containing a liquid and a gas, wherein the steps are immersing the sealed glass ampule in water beneath a collection chamber which is also immersed in water, breaking the glass ampule to permit the gas in the ampule to bubble upwardly into the collection chamber, inserting a hollow needle connected to a syringe into the collection chamber to obtain a sample of the bubbled gas, and injecting the obtained sample into a gas analyzer machine.

Abstract: A machine slide comprising a support member having two longitudinally-extending races with outwardly-facing, longitudinally extending grooves at opposite sides thereof, and a carriage movable on the support member. The carriage has two longitudinally-extending races having inwardly facing, longitudinally-extending grooves. When the carriage is placed on the support member, the grooves of the support member and the grooves of the carriage correspond to define two parallel longitudinally-extending raceways for roller bearings. There are two longitudinally-extending slits forming an island in the bottom surface of the carriage above one of the races on the carriage. A longitudinally-extending groove is located along the outside face of the side wall of the carriage nearest the island. A bearing retainer that regulates the spacing of the roller bearings is mounted within each raceway.

Abstract: A power transfer switching mechanism for interposition between a remote power inlet box and the electrical load center of a building includes a terminal compartment for receiving power input wires connected to the remote power inlet box. The switching mechanism includes a cabinet defining an internal cavity within which a series of switches are mounted. The cabinet further defines a terminal compartment, and a terminal assembly is disposed within the terminal compartment. The terminal compartment is accessible through an opening associated with the cabinet, and a cover is selectively positionable over the opening to provide or prevent access to the terminal compartment. A series of wires are interconnected between the terminal assembly and the switches, and power input wiring is received within the terminal compartment and interconnected with the remote power inlet box.

Abstract: A point-of-sale system freely configurable with a plurality of peripheral input devices. The system includes a general purpose computer with an input port for receiving data. An electronic interface is coupled to the input port and readily connectable to the plurality of peripheral input devices for transmitting data from the plurality of peripheral input devices to the computer input port. The plurality of peripheral input devices can be selectively connected and disconnected from the electronic interface, the electronic interface maintaining a continuous dialogue with the computer during the connection and disconnection of the plurality of input devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for longitudinally centering the front and rear pairs of vehicle wheels includes a frame having pairs of laterally movable tables, each for receiving one of the vehicle wheels. Pusher members are engageable with each vehicle wheel. A centering mechanism is connected to the pusher members and normally biases the pusher members laterally outward such that laterally inward movement of one of the pusher members due to engagement with an off center vehicle will be resisted by the centering apparatus which will in turn urge the pusher members laterally outward moving the vehicle wheels and the tables laterally outward to a longitudinally centered position. Preferably separate pairs of tables, pusher members and a centering mechanism are provided for each of the front and rear pairs of vehicle wheels.

Abstract: A dereeler for selectively feeding coiled stock into an associated fabricating machine has a reel support deck mounted for rotation in a normally horizontal plane. The reel support deck is shaped to support a reel of coiled stock thereon to pay out the coiled stock in a substantially horizontal direction. A motor is operably connected with the reel support deck and selectively rotates the same. A sliding guide arm has a lower end slidably mounted on a slide rail for horizontal translation therealong. The upper end of the guide arm is shaped to guide stock therethrough in a predetermined orientation into the associated fabricating machine. A first control line has one end operably connected to the guide arm and an opposite end operably connected with a controller shaft that is mounted for axial rotation on the dereeler. Extension of the guide arm along the slide rail rotates the controller shaft. A controller is operably connected with the controller shaft and the motor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved controllers for externally powered prosthetic limb devices or similar extension devices such as orthotic devices or a sensor probe device. The improved controller operates a highly-efficient, compact, reliable and low-maintenance tactile force feedback system for translating a sensed pressure force from a prosthesis contacting an object or surface into a tactile sensory feedback pressure force to the user. The tactile force feedback system comprises at least one contact-responsive transducer which translates a sensed contact pressure from a portion of an extension device which contacts an object or surface into a corresponding electrical signal. The electrical signal is received by a microprocessor and processed into a proportional output voltage for producing a proportional torque from a motor.

Abstract: A lot control and part handling apparatus having a base adapted to support the apparatus and a plurality of containers. Each of the containers is shaped to be filled with and retain therein multiple parts having a predetermined cumulative weight. A container support table is mounted on the base for rotation about a generally vertical axis and has a plurality of container support stations on which the containers are removably supported. A motor selectively rotates the container support table to sequentially position each of the container support stations at a fill position at which the parts are loaded into one of the containers. A weighing apparatus is positioned in vertical registry with the fill position and includes a scale with a vertically reciprocating lift member thereon which selectively and sequentially engages an associated one of the containers.

Abstract: An assembly for spraying a poultry house or the like with liquid biocide having a frame on which there is a spray manifold connectable to a biocide supply hose, the frame having a single front support in the form of a wheel or a skid and two rear supports in the form of skids, the frame being triangular and having lateral deflector plates mounted on its periphery.

Abstract: A valve construction relies upon solenoid-driven axial elongation of an annular magnetostrictive core element for opening displacement of an elongate poppet-valve member that is carried within the annulus of the core element. A first stiffly compliant preload independently urges the poppet-valve member into its seated position of lock-up at valve closure, and a second stiffly compliant preload independently prestresses the annular magnetostrictive core element into a fixed referencing abutment with valve-body structure. The currently preferred material of the core is Terfenol-D, which offers a strong elongation response to inductively coupled excitation. The elongation response is sufficient to serve the purposes of (1) closing a pretravel clearance prior to a flange engagement with the poppet-valve member and (2) also, via the flange engagement, displacing the poppet-valve member out of its normal valve-closing engagement with the valve seat.

Abstract: A lock structure for a container having a first part carrying a resilient latch and a second part carrying a latch retainer, the lock structure including a first housing mounted on the second part and having a chamber for containing the latch retainer, and a second housing mounted on the second part of the container and containing a key-operated latch-moving member for biasing the latch out of latching engagement with the latch retainer, the latch-moving member being of a configuration to be moved to a non-unlatching position by the resilient latch when the latch-moving member is not actuated to an unlatching position by a key.

Abstract: A monitoring assembly has a body which is capable of being attached to an article to be monitored, a first sensor having a secured state and an unsecured state and capable of being attached to an article to be monitored, and a first elongate cord extending between the first sensor and body and having at least one conductor and a) mechanically connecting the first sensor to the body and b) defining a conductive path between the first sensor and the body. The first sensor is in the unsecured state with the conductive path between the first sensor and the body interrupted.

Abstract: A straight fluid flow solenoid valve 10 comprising a conduit 24 having an inlet 148, an outlet 146 and a seat 88 member therein with an aperture 90 therethrough; a plunger 68, backstop 76 and spring 70 positioned inside the conduit 24 such that when a voltage is impressed upon a coil 22 circumferentially positioned around the exterior of the conduit 24, the plunger 68 is moved from a closed position to an open position thereby allowing a fluid to pass through the solenoid valve 10 in a substantially laminar flow stream while engaging the plunger 68 and the backstop 76.

Abstract: A mounting plate is disclosed that is adapted to be positioned between a main flow line and at least two differential pressure transmitters, to place the two differential pressure transmitters in fluid communication with a pair of pipeline taps on opposite sides of a flow reducing orifice plate in the main flow line is disclose. The mounting plate includes a plate-like body generally rectangular in cross section along its longitudinal axis and longer than it is wide along its transverse axis. The plate-like body includes a pair of ports that extend through the body and are in fluid communication with the pair of pressure taps with the longitudinal axis of the body parallel to the main flow line. A plurality of passageways or bores extend into the body to connect the ports to various combinations of pressure transmitters.

Abstract: An heat alarm for an electric panel cabinet mounts a heat sensor within the enclosed area defined by the electric panel cabinet to monitor the temperature within the cabinet and sound an alarm if the temperature in the cabinet exceeds an upper temperature limit. The heat alarm includes a mounting arrangement positioned between the enclosure of the heat alarm and the electric panel cabinet such that the heat alarm can be mounted to the electric panel cabinet and the heat sensor positioned within the cabinet. The mounting arrangement of the heat alarm is formed of a thermally non-conductive material such that the enclosure containing the heat alarm is thermally isolated form the electric panel cabinet such that the enclosure of the heat alarm does not affect the temperature within the cabinet.

Abstract: The present invention, in certain embodiments, discloses a vehicle transmission system having a typical transmission with associated transmission shifting apparatus that includes gears and a manually-operated gear selection apparatus. Such gear selection apparatus includes a transmission selector shaft interconnected between a shifting handle or rod in the vehicle's cab and internal gearing within the transmission. Manual manipulation of the cab-mounted handle or rod moves the transmission selector shaft whose movement in turn results in a gear change. The transmission includes a locking system according to the present invention with a swing arm secured to the transmission selector shaft with an upper surface having a window therethrough or stop thereon.