Abstract: An automatic lubrication system comprising a series of divider valves operable periodically through a cycle in which charges of lubricant are delivered one after another in sequence to a plurality of points of lubrication, the valves being supplied with lubricant from a reservoir holding a supply of lubricant under pressure via an on-off control valve, the latter being controlled by a timer operable on receiving a timing start signal to time out an OFF period during which the control valve is closed, and having a sensor device responsive to completion of a cycle of operation to send a timing start signal to the timer, the supply of lubricant under pressure in the reservoir serving as both a power source for the operation of the valves and as a source of lubricant for delivery to the points of lubrication.

Abstract: A system for monitoring flow of lubricant in a line in a lubrication system wherein, in normal operation, lubricant is intermittently delivered through the line, the system comprising a thermistor in the line adopted to be cooled by lubricant flowing in the line, a timer for intermittently timing out periods during each of which a delivery of lubricant should occur, and a monitoring circuit which includes a fault signal actuated at the termination of any period in which a normal flow of lubricant has not occurred and the thermistor accordingly has not been cooled.

Abstract: A device (15, 18) for use in a body of water (10) as one of a plurality of such devices assembled in axial alignment with one another along a restraining element (16) to suppress incident wave turbulence, the devices having a hub (19, 119) adapted to receive the restraining element, a plurality of planar vanes (23, 123) for directing incident water extending generally radially and axially of the hub, an annular baffle (21, 121) disposed proximate the radial extremity of the vanes, a web (20, 120) for suppressing turbulence extending radially of the hub and oriented substantially perpendicular to the vanes, and elements (30, 130) on the hub precluding relative rotation between adjacent of such devices assembled along the restraining element.

Abstract: A kickboard for supplementing the buoyancy of a swimmer when grasped by a swimmer's hands including a generally elongate rectangular member (11) of relatively lesser thickness, one side (20) of said member being a generally planar surface, the other side (30) of said member having a plurality of spaced depressions (35) having wall sections (36, 37) thereof extending a substantial portion of the thickness of said member for providing substantial structural rigidity, some of said depressions having a portion (38) thereof attached to said one side (20) of said member for enhancing the strength and rigidity of said member and some of said depressions being positioned proximate the periphery of said member to facilitate gripping by a swimmer's hands.

Abstract: An electrically surge protected motor having a submersible housing (10) can be manufactured and tested for insulation weaknesses by first assembling the motor components in the housing (10) without completing a path to ground therethrough. Then the windings (11, 12) of the motor may be subjected to a voltage surge greater than the voltage magnitude at which the motor is to be surge protected. After completion of the test, a path to ground through an impedance device (17) which establishes the voltage magnitude at which the motor is to be protected may be completed. Several alternative grounding devices (23, 24, 25, 26 or 28) may be provided externally of the housing (10).

Abstract: A housing (12) carries a plurality of electrical components (32, 34, 36, 38) for controlling a submersible pump (70). A junction box (14) is attached to the housing (12) and receives a conduit (P) providing electrical power from a power source and also receives electrical conductors (C) from the pump. A common wall (30) between the housing (12) and the junction box (14) includes the sealed apertures (50) therein for the transfer of lead lines (L) from the electrical control components (32, 34, 36, 38) to the junction box (14) where they are connected to the power source and the electrical conductors (C).

Abstract: A sewage treatment system comprising means defining a receptacle including at least one chamber for receiving a body of sewage composed of liquid and solids the top of which is exposed to air, means for applying air, under pressure, immediately below the upper surface of said body of sewage in said one chamber, at an angle thereto to physically lift portions of said sewage from the upper surface of said body thereof in a spray form, thereby to expose said lifted portions to air and to infuse said portions with oxygen, the nature and angle of application of the air being effective at the same time to induce a current in the body of sewage having a downward spiral and an ever-decreasing velocity, said current being effective to induce suspended solids to be driven to the bottom of said chamber together with the heavy solids settled thereon, thereby to facilitate an extremely rapid aerobic digestion.

Abstract: A chlorinator (10) for chemically treating with tablets (T) water in a swimming pool having a water recirculating system with a pump with output and input sides including, a cannister (11) having a bottom (12), a top (13) with an opening (15) and connecting sides (14), a lid (20) for effecting fluid-tight sealing of the top opening of the cannister, an inlet (25) supplying water to the cannister from the output side of the pump, an outlet (40) transferring treated water from the cannister to the input side of the pump, a support (75) angularly disposed between the bottom of the cannister and the connecting sides to submerge a substantially uniform quantity of the tablets in the water, and a controller (45) adjustable relative to the cannister to establish the water level (L) in the cannister and supply uniformly treated water through the outlet.

Abstract: A hand-held, battery-powered dispenser for pumpable materials such as lubricants and, in particular, lubricating grease, comprising a handle, a head, a barrel secured to the head holding a supply of lubricant and a plunger slideable within a bore in the head. The bore intersects an inlet port in communication with the barrel and is in communication with an outlet port for the delivery of the lubricant under pressure. The plunger is reciprocated in the bore through a pressure stroke and a return stroke by a motor in the handle operating a drive mechanism in the head connected to the plunger. The user operates the motor by actuating a switch in the handle which completes a circuit connecting rechargeable batteries in the handle with the motor. A flywheel in the drive mechanism permits significant reductions in the size and weight of the motor and batteries so that the dispenser can be light enough and small enough to be hand-held during operation, yet capable of delivering the lubricant under high pressure.

Abstract: An improved roof or ceiling fitting for a monorail system, particularly useful in low seam coal mines. Rail suspension assemblies are each secured in a single counterbored roof hole and are adjustable vertically and laterally for alignment. A bolt is anchored in a hole and supports a collar-end of a crank-shaped suspension unit within the counterbore. A suspension-pin end offset from the collar axis extends below the roof to support a cleat for attachment to a rail. A roof plate is threaded on the collar and bears against the roof.

Abstract: Drink dispensing apparatus is presented wherein a system including plural dispensing terminals communicates with a central source of beverage ingredients for dispensing. Each of the terminals is interconnected with a central microprocessor which communicates with each of the terminals and the source of beverage ingredients to dispense to the respective terminals the particular formulations selected thereat. Further presented is circuitry interfacing the microprocessor with the various terminals such that automatic pricing, inventory control, sales totalization, and other housekeeping techniques may be performed by the microprocessor on a terminal-by-terminal basis.

Abstract: A pump for pumping high viscosity lubricants such as wheel bearing grease comprising a pump tube adapted to be disposed within a container of the lubricant, a piston rod and piston movable within the tube, an outlet at the upper end of the tube, an inlet at the lower end, a check valve in the piston and a valve at the inlet. Upon the piston downstroke, the inlet is closed by the valve and lubricant is transferred through the check valve in the piston from below to above the piston. Upon the piston upstroke, lubricant above the piston is forced out the outlet and lubricant is drawn into the tube below the piston through the then open inlet. The inlet valve is constructed so that it cooperates with the piston to develop a vacuum at the inlet before the inlet is opened. Upon opening the inlet, there is then a sudden exposure of the lubricant surrounding the inlet to the vacuum which draws even high viscosity lubricant into the tube to prime it. Reliable pump priming is thus achieved.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve mechanism for a hydraulic motor having a cylinder and a piston reciprocating therein, comprising a valve block having a valve face, a main and an auxiliary central exhaust ports, two main feed ports on opposite sides of the main exhaust port, and two auxiliary feed ports on opposite sides of the auxiliary exhaust port. A valve chest is sealed over the valve face and has aligned piston-receiving bores at its opposite ends, a chamber for pressurized hydraulic fluid between the bores and a valve-actuating piston slideable in the bores. A main D-valve and an auxiliary D-valve operable by the valve-actuating piston move within the chamber in sliding sealing engagement with the valve face. The main D-valve covers and uncovers the main exhaust port and main feed ports to control the reciprocation of the motor piston.

Abstract: A foundry for automatically making sand castings, in which a metal casting and sand cake are transferred to a container after partial cooling and are carried with the container to a storage zone to cool for a time independent of any restrictions imposed by the conveying path, conveying speed, or cooling time required by other castings being processed. During handling and cooling, the integrity of the sand cake about the casting is maintained to provide cooling characteristics desirable for complex castings with variations in wall thickness. Specific structures handle and convey the sand cake and casting efficiently and reliably. Associated structure fabricates the sand molds and pours the castings, all in a continuous process.

Abstract: A clock hand linkage and support assembly (10) for use with a clock drive mechanism (11) having limited driving torque and power supply and which rotationally increments a hand (14) in discrete intervals through a drive shaft (12) includes a hub (13) having a central portion (20) through which the drive shaft (12) may pass for free rotation about the drive shaft (12) and at least one angle bracket stay (24) for support of the hand (14). A compliant fastener (16) biases the hand (14) into flexible engagement with the angle bracket stay (24) preventing damage during shipment. A resilient drive linkage (18) is coupled to the drive shaft (12) by interference fit and is biased against the hub (13) by the compliant fastener (16) whereby the hand (14) may continually rotate with the hub (13) in controlled relation to the incremental movement of the drive shaft (12).

Abstract: A sensor for determining the presence of a particular volume of fluid within a plurality of reservoirs maintained as a portion of an automatic mixed drink dispenser. Fundamentally, the invention includes electrical contacts maintained within each of the various reservoirs, the reservoirs being aligned into rows and columns to form a matrix. A multiplexing circuit is interconnected to the rows of such reservoirs while a sensing circuit is interconnected to the columns thereof. The addressing of the rows of reservoirs by the multiplexer enables a signal to pass across the contacts and through the beverage maintained within the reservoirs, this signal being sensed by the sensing circuit interconnected between the columns of reservoirs. "Empty" reservoirs, or those having a low beverage level, may be quickly isolated by a determination of the row accessed and the column sensed to result in the failure of a contact to pass a signal.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for cleaning sewers, catch basins and the like includes a debris collection chamber mounted on the rear of a vehicular chassis. A vacuum conduit communicates with the chamber and is adapted to be lowered into the sewer. A vacuum fan also communicates with the chamber and draws air through the conduit and chamber thereby picking up debris from the sewer. As the debris enters the chamber, the configuration thereof creates a rapid decrease in the air flow velocity and otherwise interrupts the flow so that material entrained in the air is deposited in the chamber. The configuration of the chamber also permits facile discharge of the debris out of the bottom of the chamber in that one end wall of the chamber is swingable to open the bottom thereof. This same end wall also carries a hose reel for use in flushing the sewer. Because the debris which is picked up may well include water, means are provided to drain the water from the chamber.

Abstract: An air motor comprising a cylinder, a piston, and a valve mechanism for controlling the supply and exhaust of air to and from opposite ends of the cylinder, the valve mechanism comprising a D-valve and an actuator for the D-valve operable by the pressure air for driving the piston, movement of the actuator being controlled by valves at opposite ends of the cylinder for exhausting air from opposite ends of the actuator, these exhaust valves being operated by the piston, and the motor having means operable by the piston at each end of its stroke for restricting the exit of air from the cylinder to cushion the piston and prevent it from striking the ends of the cylinder.

Abstract: A continuous material, such as a block of urethane foam, is moved at a constant speed in a longitudinal direction on an infeed conveyor. A stationary cutting platen is situated at the end of the infeed conveyor. A cutting saw is movable in the longitudinal and vertical direction above the platen. A piece of the material, once cut, is carried away by an outfeed conveyor adjacent the platen. The movement of the conveyors and the longitudinal and vertical movements of the cutting saw are coordinated so that the cut of the material is always completed over the cutting platen.