Abstract: An adjustable foot pedal assembly for control of an industrial machine which is supported by a stand having legs includes a treadle plate rockably mounted on the foot pedal assembly beneath and longitudinal in relation to the stand, for operation of the industrial machine supported by the stand. The foot pedal assembly has a mechanism for selective transverse adjustment of the foot pedal assembly in relation to a longitudinal axis of the stand, connected to the legs of the stand, spacedly in relation to a floor, and a mechanism for selective vertical adjustment of the foot pedal assembly, in relation to the floor, connected to the means for selective transverse adjustment, and a mechanism for selective initial angle of tilt adjustment of the treadle plate.

Abstract: A network topography and associated protocol for exchanging data and control information between stations arranged in a daisy-chain wide-area-network (WAN) and a local-area-network (LAN). The protocol includes a circuit layer which routes messages between WAN stations, and a slot layer which routes slots between LAN channels and WAN devices. The protocol uses virtual circuits to route messages between devices. Broadcast messages distribute control information to all circuits. A circuit-specific control message allows passing control information to each circuit. Virtual circuits are established with a broadcast circuit-connect message and disconnected with a broadcast circuit-disconnect message. The maximum message size is regulated in accordance with the transmission speed of links over which a message must travel.

Abstract: A solid waste disposal unit having a lower, pyrolyzing chamber and an upper, oxidizing chamber separated by a movable plate. Waste is deposited in the lower chamber. The chambers are rotated to move the plate to a first position which seals the lower chamber from the entrance of air. While the chambers continue to rotate, a pair of heaters separately heats the chambers. The waste in the lower chamber is pyrolyzed in the absence of air and gives off a combustible vapor that in turn is oxidized in the upper chamber. A plurality of venturi jets, mounted in the movable plate, mix the vapor with air as the vapor passes into the upper chamber. Additional air is introduced into the upper chamber through a rotating regenerative heat exchanger recovering heat from the exhaust gases. After the waste is thoroughly pyrolyzed into a char, the rotation of the unit is reversed causing the movable plate to rotate into a new position wherein air is permitted to enter the lower chamber to cause oxidation of the char.

Abstract: A lightweight face mask for heating surrounding air to be inhaled by a user includes a thin cup-shaped inner shell and an outer shell spaced from and surrounding the inner shell, the inner and outer shells defining a preheating chamber therebetween through which air passes in a counter-current flow pattern before entering a user breathing space inside the inner shell. The mask may include an electric heating element and battery power supply for additionally heating air entering the user breathing space.

Abstract: A tool positioning system comprises a discontinuity detection means, such as an eddy current system, for detecting a discontinuity within a workpiece resulting from a joint between a first piece of material relative to a second piece of material, the discontinuity being detected from the back side of the second piece of material. The discontinuity is detected at a plurality of points by translating an eddy current probe over the back side of the second piece of material, the individual points thereafter being utilized to compute line elements that define the joint between the first and second pieces of material in a continuous fashion over the surface of the second piece of material. Thereafter a tool, such as a laser welding tool, is guided along the computed position along the backside of the second piece of material such that the first and second pieces of material are welded together along the joint.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a prefabricated composite pavement device comprising a shaped pavement mixture portion bonded to a support portion and a method and apparatus for making the same.

Abstract: A connector is inserted moulded into a panel and a fitting adapted to support, or attach an item to the panel interengages the connector. In one embodiment the connector is a plastics socket connector which comprises a hollow boss having a substantially flat end wall and a continuous side wall, a slot in the end wall, a raised membrane of material overyling and closing the slot and a closure shaped and adapted to be press fitted into the hollow boss to close the end of the boss opposite to the end wall. In this embodiment the slot is key-hole-shaped and receives a head of a headed stud.

Abstract: A child resistant buckle for seat belt restraints comprising a two-part buckle in which the female part, or part containing the release button, has a multi-part release button which can only be operated by a full size hand. A smaller, child's hand, having smaller fingers and thumbs, will not normally apply simultaneous pressure to all of the parts of the release button, which must be actuated simultaneously to release the other part of the buckle.

Abstract: A warning system for multi-lane roadways comprising a group of strips placed longitudinally across only the left-most lane of the roadway as referenced by a person facing in the designated direction of traffic flow.

Abstract: A knock-down room divider construction comprises a series of separate posts and panels which are mutually releasably engageable. Each post comprises a rigid core member covered on its outer surface with a fastening fabric which is complementary to a second fastening fabric on the vertical edge of a panel section. By having the panels and supporting posts as separate units, a lighter construction is possible and there is a greater flexibility in geometry and arrangement of the room partition.

Abstract: A system for controlling electrical energy consumption according to a user-set kilowatt limit and an automatic kilowatt limit calculated in a microprocessor. Power is limited by regulating an electric hot water heater according to a preset program and, if necessary, by lowering room temperatures due to electric heater cut back. The device features a computer-controlled display and simplified keyboard which permits the user to enter only valid data. The device also features program fail, power fail, and static detect circuitry to prevent computer error.

Abstract: A miniature utility light which can be detachably fastened in a handbag, pocketbook or articles of wearing apparel, or to the glove compartment of an automobile, or other items, so as to provide high intensity illumination enabling the user to perform operations at night, such as looking for keys, cosmetics, coins and other items difficult to locate in the dark. Specifically, at least one miniature battery is placed between an opaque and a clear plastic cover cooperating to form the case. Two lightbulbs are located with one bulb on each side of the battery so as to provide illumination through the cover and from the sides thereof. The clear cover has a serrate inner surface and has a pair of angled tabs which engage the opaque cover. The case also has mounted therein an externally accessible switch for selectively energizing and de-energizing the lightbulbs. VELCRO fastening strips are affixed to the outer surface of the opaque cover for detachably securing the light to a handbag or other article.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having an outer shell which is long as compared with its diameter and having a helical double-walled finned volute member which is wound to a small diameter around a core member, the proportions being such that the fins on the double-walled member touch the core on the inside of the wound convolutions and touch the shell on the outside of the wound convolutions. The tube which comprises the outer wall of the double-walled member extends through the shell so that any leakage into the space between the inner and outer tubes of the double-walled tube member will be discharged outside of the shell. The process by which the exchanger is made includes the steps of inserting an inner tube in a length of finned outer tube, winding them into a volute member, inserting a central core member therein, installing these members in a shell member and spinning the shell member closed to seal with the ends of the outer tubing of the volute member.

Abstract: A portable cooking unit for use with charcoal or similar fuel comprises dished fuel trays open at both ends and joined pivotally to a frame for movement between a raised substantially vertical portion, in which they are adjacent one another, and a lowered substantially horizontal cooking position. Perforate grills are positionable in grill support means located in the fuel trays to retain fuel in the fuel trays for lighting when the fuel trays are in their raised position, and to cook on when the fuel trays are in their lowered position. A top damper is positionable over the upper open end of the fuel trays when they are in their raised position to smother the fuel when cooking is finished.