Abstract: A modular cable bridging assembly has a cable protector with side ramps, and a series of channels extending between its ends to receive cables or the like. End connectors enable the cable protectors to be attached together in series to any desired length. Secondary ramps can be removably attached over each side ramp of a cable protector for handicapped access. Each secondary ramp has a base extending laterally beyond the side ramp, and an upper surface extending over the side ramp having a slope that is less than that of the underlying side ramp. A secondary ramp connector is used to removably attach the secondary ramp to the cable protector. Edge rails can be removably attached to the secondary ramps for safety and structural rigidity.

Abstract: The present invention is a loading ramp assembly for loading objects onto a floor of a vehicle. The loading ramp assembly includes a multi-sectioned, foldable ramp capable of being stored in a compact enclosure located under the vehicle floor. The loading ramp assembly also includes a telescopic ramp supporting frame that alone slidably supports and retracts the ramp between an unfolded loading position, inclined from the rear of the vehicle floor to the ground, and a folded storage position within the compact underbody enclosure.

Abstract: A hand truck convertible into either one of a cart and an inclined cart includes a primary frame having a first pair of wheels rotatably mounted thereon. A secondary frame is pivotally attached to the primary frame and has at least one additional wheel rotatably mounted thereon. A connecting member is attached to the secondary frame. A first locking mechanism is attached to the primary frame and detachably secures the secondary frame to the primary frame while the secondary frame is in the hand-truck-position and while the secondary frame is in the inclined-cart-position. A second locking mechanism is attached to the primary frame and detachably secures the connecting member to the primary frame while the secondary frame is in the inclined-cart-position. Alternatively, a channel is formed in the primary frame and the connecting member is slidably engaged with the channel.

Abstract: A hand truck which is convertible into a cart having an elevated tabletop surface. The hand truck has a primary frame which includes a first pair of wheels rotatably mounted thereon. The hand truck has at least one additional wheel adapted to allow the hand truck to be used as a cart. The primary frame is generally parallel to a supporting surface while the hand truck is being used as a cart. The improvement to the hand truck includes a plate movably attached to the primary frame and movable between a first position, generally parallel to and contacting the primary frame, and a second position, generally parallel to and spaced apart from the primary frame, forming the tabletop surface.

Abstract: A hand truck with a folding nose piece that uses an efficient mechanism to secure the nose piece in either one of a first position, ideal for the transportation of items, and a second position, ideal for storage of the hand truck. The hand truck includes a frame having a pair of wheels over which the center of gravity of items is aligned during transport. A nose piece is rotatably attached to the frame and is rotatable between a first position, generally perpendicularly extended from the frame, and a second position, generally parallel to the frame. A lever pivotally connected to the frame moves between a locked position and an open position. The lever engages and maintains the nose piece in the first position when the lever is in the locked position. The lever also engages and maintains the nose piece in the second position when the lever is in the locked position. The nose piece is movable between the first position and the second position when the lever is in the open position.

Abstract: A fluid control assembly including a fluid control device having a main body, annular shoulders extending from opposite sides of the main body, and a tubular, relatively compressible liner extending out of opposite sides of the body through and axially beyond the shoulders, and at least one relatively non-compressible flange spacer positioned on each shoulder. The flange spacers extend from the main body of the fluid control device to between ends of the shoulders and ends of the liner, when the liner is in a non-compressed state. According to one embodiment, the fluid control assembly further includes bolts for securing the fluid control assembly to a pipe flange, and a liveload assembly positioned on each bolt.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly including a nozzle turret rotatably mounted on a body. The body has a face, an outlet in the face, and an annular seat in the face, surrounding the outlet. A relatively non-compressible strut extends from the face of the body, while a relatively non-compressible spacer abuts the face. A compressible sealing member is positioned in the seat and, when not compressed, extends out of the seat and further from the face of the body than the spacer. The turret has a bore rotatably received on the strut, and the turret abuts the spacer. Nozzles are arrayed in the turret such that the nozzles sequentially align with the outlet of the body as the turret is rotated on the strut. A fastener secures the turret to the strut such that the turret compresses the sealing member to provide a fluid-tight seal between the outlet and the nozzle aligned with the outlet. According to one embodiment, the nozzle assembly further includes structure for indexing the rotation of the turret with respect to the body.

Abstract: An automatic floor scrubber and buffer is described. This invention provides for simultaneous scrubbing and buffing of floors through the use of a plurality of pads operating at different speeds to optimize the scrubbing and buffing operation of the device. This invention also provides for the application of cleaning solution and the means of removing, collecting and storing the resulting dirty water and cleaning solution prior to the application of the buffers. Moreover, this invention provides the means for easily pivoting the scrubbing and buffing pads, thereby removing them from contact with the floor for transportation, removal or replacement. Also, this invention provides a propane powered drive motor thereby providing improved service life as well as permitting use where electricity is not readily available.

Abstract: A nut (10) for mounting into an opening (18) located in the central part of a panel (14) includes a sleeve (16) and resilient locking trips (44,46) and panel edge securing means 948) extending from opposite sides of the nut. When the nut is positioned within the opening (18) the locking strips (44,46) obstruct removal from the opening. On a bolt (62) being fully received within the sleeve (16) both the strips and edge securing means (48) contactingly engage the panel (14).

Abstract: The floss is comprised of one or more strands of a tensilized polytetrafluoroethylene. The polytetrafluoroethylene is tensilized by stretching with heating to increase the tensile strength and to decrease elongation. The floss is readily grippable since it has an irregular surface. The polytetrafluoroethylene is made to have an irregular surface by having a solid incorporated into the fiber structure. The solid has a diameter of from about submicron size up to about 125% of the thickness diameter of the fiber. The floss will have a coefficient of friction of more than about 0.08. There is an acceptable grippability without the need for a coating. In addition, the solid that is incorporated into the fiber can be a bioactive material for delivery of the bioactive material to the teeth and gums during flossing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for printing on a water soluble film for use in-line on a packaging machine. Typically, the packaging machine will form a web from a roll of water soluble film and transport the film web toward a forming, filling and sealing station where the web is formed into the shape of a container, filled with a substance and sealed to form a water soluble container. A printer in accordance with the present invention can be mounted to the packaging machine for printing on the film web while the packaging machine has temporarily halted transportation of the web. The printer includes a printing head with an engraved face which is applied to the film web by a suitable actuating device. Ink is supplied to the engraved face by pressing the printing head against an ink-absorbent pad. The actuating device includes a mechanism for rotating the printing head 180.degree.

Abstract: A container assembly includes an outer container and at least one inner container whose internal volume has the same ratio to the remaining internal volume of the outer container as the desired ratio of liquids to be mixed. An orifice in the inner container establishes communication between the lower end portions of the two containers so that a previously mixed liquid mixture of a predetermined ratio resides at the same level in both containers. The container assembly may be filled with additional mixture of the same ratio by filling the inner container with one liquid and by flushing that liquid from the inner container and into the outer container with a second liquid until the outer container is full.

Abstract: A light-weight sheet metal fastener (10) is formed from a single flat metal blank (20) to include first and second pairs of opposite side wall members (22, 24) having parts formed into leaf spring members (49), all surrounding a threaded sleeve (16) unitary with a center plate (12). The side wall members (22, 24) extend through a panel (14) opening (60) during mounting and the spring members lock against fastener removal.

Abstract: A sleeve constructed of a deformable material has a bore of such diameter as to permit sliding receipt over the forming threads on the end portion of a tap and locating about a reduced diameter unthreaded portion of the tap. The tap threads are constructed to initiate forming from the inner part of the tap shank and finish at the shank end. The sleeve is compressed to conform to the tap reduced diameter portion and moved to and off the threads as the tap is rotated forming threads on the tap inner wall. Reverse rotation of the tap to remove it from the threaded sleeve is not required.

Abstract: A nut is provided particularly for use with a sheet metal screw, which nut has a screw-receiving sleeve, with two or more roll-tapped threads having a flattened crest at the apex of the thread angles. An alternate embodiment contemplates providing a double thread on the sleeve inner surface of at least two full revolutions.

Abstract: A controllable mechanical seal for sealing a rotating body relative to a housing of a fluid device. The mechanical seal includes a pair of seal rings supported in juxtaposed relation in said housing. Each seal ring has a cylindrical outer surface and a radial end sealing face which, at a given operating condition of the machine, has a predetermined optimum convergence angle relative to the other seal ring face. The sealing faces are yieldably biased into contact with one another to define a dynamic seal there between. A seal ring support member is telescopically arranged about the outer cylindrical surface of one of said ring such that exposed surface area end regions of the cylindrical surface of the support ring are subjected to selectable differential pressures which cause the associated seal ring to distort thereby causing the seal face of the associated ring to assume a select angle of convergence relative to the seal face of the other seal ring.

Abstract: A mechanical seal assembly disposed within a pump housing for retarding the flow and leakage of fluids and other matter from being pumped along the motor drive shaft. The mechanical seal assembly of the present invention includes a non-rotating seal ring and a seal ring which rotates with the motor drive shaft. The non-rotating seal ring is resiliently mounted from the impeller side of the housing and is operably carried by the pump housing such that its seal face is urged toward the seal face of the rotating seal ring. A flexible assemblage comprises part of the non-rotating seal mounting arrangements and assures flexibility of the non-rotating seal face despite pump operating conditions.