Abstract: A spring-biased latch is disclosed for removably attaching a first component, such as a seat, to an elongate member, such as the tubular frame of a wheelchair. The spring-biased latch comprises a body portion having a top and a pair of leg members that are adapted to removably receive an elongate member, a catch arm pivotally attached to the top of the body portion, and a release lever pivotally attached to the top of the body portion. The catch arm and release lever are configurable in a first position where the inboard end of the release lever abuts the inboard end of the catch arm such that the catch arm braces a portion of the wheelchair seat between the outboard end of the catch arm and the tubular frame of the wheelchair.

Abstract: An improved table for use in a truss assembly apparatus is provided. The improved table includes a frame supporting a plurality of panels that define a work surface. According to a first aspect, the plurality of panels are separated by at least one opening extending across the table. Mountings are provided for rotationally mounting a lead screw across the table along the opening between the panels. At least one jig stop carrier is threadedly coupled to the lead screw and movable along the lead screw in the opening between the panels across the table in response to rotation of the lead screw. A jig stop is connected to the jig stop carrier and to project above the work surface of the table. To vertically adjust the height of the jig stop mounted to the jig stop carrier, which is coupled to the lead screw, at least one threaded shank is fixed on each of the mountings. The threaded shank extends through an aperture in the frame of the table to selectively position the mountings on the frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to charge a battery including a DC charge current supply having a variable output. The charging current is varied in accordance with several sensed parameters in the circuit so that battery voltage is accurately controlled. Initially, constant charging current is applied, and upon detecting that battery voltage increases to the gassing voltage, an incremental step reduction in charging current is triggered. The step reduction causes a decrease in battery voltage, dropping it below the gassing voltage. The step reduced charging current is then applied to increase battery voltage back up to the gassing voltage, thereby triggering another step reduction in charging current. This process is repeated multiple times providing a stepped current profile, i.e., each battery voltage increase to the gassing voltage triggering a step reduction in charging current, and in turn a corresponding voltage reduction.

Abstract: A truss bend correction system having a pair of in-feed correction rollers, a pair of finish rollers, and an out-feed correction roller define a path for counterbending the joints of a truss to reform the nail plates and thereby flatten the overall truss. The in-feed correction rollers and the out-feed correction roller are oriented downwardly with respect to the finish rollers so that an undesired upward bow of a truss joint is counterbent downwardly, thereby straightening the joints of the truss.

Abstract: A guard apparatus for covering the cutting edge of a circular blade of a radial power saw includes a pivoting guard member extending over a portion of the cutting edge of the blade, mounted to rotate essentially coaxially with the blade, and a fluid driven cylinder and piston mechanism connected to the pivoting guard member for automatically rotating the pivoting guard member to an open position to expose the cutting edge of the blade to a work piece to make a cut and to a closed position upon completion of the cut. The guard apparatus preferably includes an electric circuit and valves for controlling the flow of the fluid into the cylinder and piston mechanism to cause the cylinder and piston mechanism to rotate the pivoting guard member to a closed position upon completion of a cut, a switch mechanism for operating the electric circuit, and a cam portion protruding from the pivoting guard member for bearing against and activating the switch mechanism.

Abstract: A damper valve includes a base, a valve element pivotally mounted on the base and adjustable valve seat portions on opposite sides of a pivot axis, the valve seat portions being positioned on opposite sides of the blade. Each valve seat portion includes a stationary member fixed to the base, an adjustable element movable relative to the stationary member, and bolts fixing the adjustable element to the stationary member. In addition, adjustment devices are provided for moving the adjustable element toward the valve element to provide a precise fit along the entire length of the valve seat.

Abstract: An enhancement for use with a sawing system for allowing an operator to communicate with a computer control to more efficiently carry out the cutting operations in a manual manner. The enhancement of the invention computes optimized cuts, controls a stop block for use during the cutting operations, and detects manual strokes of the saw. The computer system interacts with the operator to prompt the operator to input defect-free lengths of the material and when to manually carry out the cutting operations, thereby providing an overall enhancement to the manual sawing system.

Abstract: A fuel filler pipe assembly is provided which controls the release of fuel vapors from a vehicle fuel tank so as to limit the amount of fuel vapor released into the atmosphere. The assembly includes an outer tube which is partitioned into two conduits--one for carrying fuel to the vehicle's fuel tank and the other for carrying fuel vapors to an on board vapor capture device. Passage of fuel vapors to the vapor capture device is controlled by a valve which itself is controlled by the attachment and detachment of a fuel filler cap to the assembly such that attachment of the cap causes the valve to close while detachment causes it to open. In certain preferred embodiments, the assembly includes a second valve for preventing the passage of substantial quantities of liquid fuel to the vapor capture device.

Abstract: A saw apparatus for automatically sawing pieces of material at various predetermined lengths and angles includes a power saw mechanism, a rotatable saw mechanism mounting structure, a motor for rotating the mounting structure, a translational power saw moving mechanism, powered anchoring mechanisms for anchoring the pieces of material during sawing, a mechanism for longitudinally positioning the pieces of material relative to the power saw mechanism for cutting at desired lengths, a power supply and power supply connecting mechanism for delivering power to the mechanism for longitudinally positioning the pieces, to the powered anchoring mechanism, to the power saw mechanism, to the motor for rotating the mounting structure, and to the translational power saw moving mechanism, switches for controlling the flow of power through the connecting mechanism, a computer and program for the computer for operating the switches so that at least one piece of material is longitudinally positioned by the mechanism for long

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to charge a battery including a DC charge current supply having a variable output. The charging current is varied in accordance with several sensed parameters in the circuit so that battery voltage is accurately controlled. Initially, constant charging current is applied, and upon detecting that battery voltage increases to the gassing voltage, an incremental step reduction in charging current is triggered. The step reduction causes a decrease in battery voltage, dropping it below the gassing voltage. The step reduced charging current is then applied to increase battery voltage back up to the gassing voltage, thereby triggering another step reduction in charging current. This process is repeated multiple times providing a stepped current profile, i.e., each battery voltage increase to the gassing voltage triggering a step reduction in charging current, and in turn a corresponding voltage reduction.

Abstract: A liveload assembly having a stack guide with a thread on the exterior side wall, a plurality of compressible belleville washers stacked inside the stack guide, and a retainer cap having a thread on an inner side wall for matingly engaging with the stack guide to hold the belleville washers in compression. The gland follower of a fluid flow apparatus is liveloaded by placing the liveload assembly over the bolt extending upwardly from the gland follower. A nut is threaded on the bolt to contact the stack of belleville washers and the retainer cap is unscrewed to a second position on the stack guide and fixed by turning a set screw through a bore in the cap and against the side of the stack guide. Compression of the gland follower is monitored by viewing the relative movement of the stack of belleville washers through a longitudinal slot in the side wall.

Abstract: A double wide, double deep pallet storage rack has a lowermost frame assembly provided with open front central aisles D opposite each double depth of pallets to facilitate storage and order picking as in distribution center warehouses providing an improved method of storage and order picking permitting individuals to enter the storage rack for article removal from a rear pallet of each double depth of pallets after a respective front pallet has been removed.

Abstract: An improved gas flow diverter is provided, which includes a rotatably mounted diverter blade, a rotatably mounted turning vane assembly, a drive shaft adapted for receiving torque from a drive mechanism, and a toggle assembly, including a pair of toggle joints, mounted on the drive shaft and linked to the diverter blade and turning vane assembly. The improved construction of the gas flow diverter allows dependent synchronous rotation of the diverter blade and turning vane assembly.

Abstract: A paint spray gun is provided with a mounting bracket for mountably supporting the housing of the gun. The bracket has a clamping section with a substantially circular opening therein. The bracket includes a split ring for clamping the gun within the circular opening, and has a shaft extending outwardly from the clamping section for mounting in a support. The mounting bracket allows placement of plural guns in close proximity for specialty work. The gun may further be provided with a thumb operated wheel disposed in a recess in the housing for controlling the flow of fanning air, and may have the needle which controls paint flow fixedly attached to an actuator piston assembly. In a preferred embodiment, all of the seals within the gun are formed from a material which will not swell or deteriorate when the gun is immersed in an organic solvent for a period of three hours. Preferred material for the seals is polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: Classifying apparatus and methods are disclosed for the classification of extremely small solid particles of 18 mesh or less in which low frequency, high amplitude vibrations are imparted to a screen simultaneously with high frequency, low amplitude vibrations. The screen may be inclined at an angle of about 20.degree. from the horizontal and the screen mesh may be about 18 mesh or smaller and have openings which are approximately square in shape.

Abstract: A paint spray gun including a housing, an assembly and an air cap for controlling paint fanning. An air restrictor limits the total air cap pressure, such that it may emit a high volume of spray at a low air cap pressure. The restriction of pressure is achieved by restricting air flow within the housing by an enlarged section of a central rod which cooperates with a bore forward in the bolt, which connects the housing to the assembly. Movement of the rod controls both the valve movement and the pressure.

Abstract: A system for controlling the release of fuel vapors and liquid fuel from a vehicle fuel tank is provided. The system includes: 1) a cap-controlled valve assembly which conducts fuel vapors to an on-board vapor capture device and which opens when the tank's fuel filler cap is removed or when the pressure in the fuel tank exceeds a predetermined value and which closes when the filler cap is replaced; 2) a first, normally-closed, flapper door and a flapper-door/fuel-nozzle seal, both of which are located in the region of the mouth of the vehicle's filler pipe, above the level at which fuel vapors pass into the cap-controlled valve assembly; 3) a second, normally-closed, flapper door and a flapper-door seal, both of which are located below the level at which fuel vapors pass into the cap-controlled valve assembly; and 4) a vent conduit which connects the fuel tank to the filler pipe assembly at a level between the first and second flapper doors.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling roof trusses including a multi-section assembly table with narrow, parallel, elongated openings in each section. Jig stops are individually adjustable along these openings by respective lead screws driven by stepper motors. The motors are controlled from a computer to automatically position the jig stops in accordance with a particular truss design. The apparatus has conveyor roller carriers between the sections of the assembly table which are raised to lift a completed truss up from the table, so that it can be slid off the table.

Abstract: A fuel filler pipe assembly is provided which controls the release of fuel vapors from a vehicle fuel tank so as to limit the amount of fuel vapor released into the atmosphere. The assembly includes an outer tube which is partitioned into two conduits--one for carrying fuel to the vehicle's fuel tank and the other for carrying fuel vapors to an onboard vapor capture device. Passage of fuel vapors to the vapor capture device is controlled by a valve which itself is controlled by the attachment and detachment of a fuel filler cap to the assembly such that attachment of the cap causes the valve to close while detachment causes it to open. In certain preferred embodiments, the assembly includes a second valve for preventing the passage of substantial quantities of liquid fuel to the vapor capture device.