Abstract: A lighting fixture for mounting from a suspensory surface, such as a ceiling, wall, or the like, includes a counterweight for balancing or equalizing the weight in the fixture resulting from a ballast being positioned within the frame of the fixture. The weight of the frame is adjusted to equalization relative to the ballast for proper alignment during mounting of the lighting fixture.

Abstract: An electrical switch device includes a thick film switch element having a low temperature co-fired dielectric substrate, electrical conductor tracks embedded in the substrate and having a surface substantially flush with the substrate surface, and wiper contacts in sliding engagement with the conductor tracks. The switch is useful for position sensors, throttle controls, and digital encoders. A method of manufacturing a thick film switch element includes providing a low temperature co-fired dielectric substrate in a green state, depositing an electrically conductive material onto a face of the substrate, pressing the conductive material into the substrate until the material is substantially flush with the substrate face, and then firing the substrate and conductive material.

Abstract: A manual control apparatus, such as a control pedal, is configured for drive-by-wire control systems, and similar applications. In one aspect, the manual control apparatus comprises a hysteresis mechanism that provides more precise and ma controllable hysteresis than previous mechanisms. In a further aspect, the manual control apparatus comprises an angular position sensor, and the angular position sensor housing may comprise abutments that reduce variation in the sensor. In a still further aspect, the manual control apparatus comprises a stop pin that regulates the position of a rotatable member relative to the position sensor with less variation. The stop pin may also be used as a single fastener that holds the manual control apparatus together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a manual control apparatus, such as a control pedal for a drive-by-wire control systems, and similar applications. According to an aspect of the invention, the manual control apparatus comprises a hysteresis mechanism that provides more precise and controllable hysteresis than previous mechanism. According to a further aspect of the invention, the manual control apparatus comprises an angular position sensor, and the angular position sensor may comprise abutments that reduce variation in the sensor. According to a still further aspect of the invention, the manual control apparatus comprises a stop pin that regulates the position of a rotatable member relative to the position sensor with less variation. The stop pin may also be used as a single fastener the holds the manual control apparatus together.

Abstract: A flourescent lighting fixture includes a secondary housing member for ballast laterally offset from and to one side of a primary housing member for flourescent bulbing. A bridge assembly extends between the housing members. A dead air enclosure may be positioned to one side of the bridge assembly and within the primary housing member for heat transfer abatement purposes. A metallic diverter panel may be provided within the primary housing member, for example, as one wall of the dead air enclosure. The housing members include a series of exteriorly protruding fin plate means for defusing heat generated by the flourescent bulbing throughout and across the exterior of the housing members and away from the interior of the ballast assembly.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing calcium sulfide is provided comprising a container housing one or more drums, each drum having a substantially horizontal longitudinal center axis and containing one or more screw conveyors therein. Multiple drums are connected by passageways, and passages are provided for passing material into and out of the container and the drum(s). A heater is provided for supplying heat to the material within the drum(s). The process comprises passing the reactants, gypsum and charcoal, into the container and drum(s), heating the reactants within the drum(s) thereby initiating a chemical reaction converting reactants to products (including calcium sulfide), moving the reactants and products substantially horizontally in the drum(s) through the use of the screw conveyor(s) contained therein, and passing the products out of the drum(s) and the container.

Abstract: A connector is provided for securing a fluorescent light bulb having a given length into a lighting fixture having spaced apart bulb-receiving members, with the space between the bulb-receiving members being longer than the length of the bulb. The connector also has fluorescent bulb pin openings at one end which receive a lighting bulb pin or pins at one end and connector pins at the other end of the connector for receipt within a companion opening or slots within the bulb-receiving members of the lighting fixture.

Abstract: An electric lighting fixture for mounting relative to a ceiling is disclosed. An enhanced light deflecting louver system is also disclosed in which the louvers provide enhanced light deflection.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for attachment to a motor vehicle frame member is adapted to support a frame mounted vehicle accessory, such as a step or running board. The bracket assembly comprises a pair of primary brackets, a pair of connecting pins, a support member, a mounting bracket, and a leveling bracket. The primary brackets define surfaces engaging a vehicle frame member without drilling. The connecting pins extend between and connect the primary brackets. The support member is substantially vertical and is supported by the primary brackets and connecting pins. The mounting bracket extends substantially horizontally from the support member to the accessory. The leveling bracket is fixed to the mounting bracket at a point proximate to the accessory and is fixed to the support member at a point separate from where the mounting bracket attaches to the support member.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a plate driver head and more specifically to a plate driver head for use with a power impact tool. The plate driver head includes a steel head portion and a shank portion which can be received in most commercially available power impact tools. The drive head is provided with supporting gussets on opposite sides of the shank which extend to the upper surface of the head to provide uniform pressure distribution over the entire head work surface. The head is magnetized to hold the workpiece steady while being inserted into a surface. Several embodiments are disclosed, one of which is a flat uninterrupted work driving surface while another embodiment includes a recess in the driving surface to accommodate different configured workpieces without damaging them during the insertion procedure.

Abstract: A lighting fixture consisting of a downwardly opening housing having a plurality of fluorescent lamps mounted therein, a louver assembly substantially closing the open bottom of the housing and dividing its area into vertically open cells only certain of which receives light from each of the lamps, the louvers being of sufficient vertical height to restrict light passing directly through the cells to a restricted primary area of brighter illumination in the room below, and a translucent light-diffusing panel covering the cells of the louver assembly receiving light from each of the lamps. The lamps may be selected to emanate light of respectively different colors, and both the louvers and the light-diffusing panels may be of selectively different tints and colors, so as to impart a novel, decorative appearance to the louver assembly when viewed from outside of the primary lighting area.

Abstract: A system for the distillation of sea water comprising a sea water input conduit, an evaporator, a work extractor, a float, a condenser, a distilled water output conduit, and a brine solution output conduit. The evaporator is connected to the input conduit. The work extractor comprises a cylinder, a piston slideably engaging the interior of the cylinder, and a piston rod extending from the piston. The piston rod is pivotally coupled to the float. The cylinder is pivotally attached to a second float. The second float is connected to the first float. A conduit connects the piston-and-cylinder arrangement with the condenser. The condenser communicates with the distilled water output conduit. The evaporator communicates with the brine solution output conduit. The energy for this system is provided by the wave motion of a body of water.

Abstract: A work extracting device driven by the wave motion of a fluid comprising a first float, a cylinder, a piston slidably engaging the interior of the cylinder, a piston rod extending from the piston and pivotally coupled to the first float, and a second float connected to the first float. The first float has a density suitable for floating and moves in response to wave motion. The cylinder is pivotally mounted to the second float. The first and second floats are part of a Hagen array of floats. The first float has an arm extending a distance beyond the point of connection of the first and second floats. The piston rod is pivotally mounted generally about the end of the arm.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for use between a tractor-like vehicle and a trailer-like vehicle connected by a hitch connection means. The transfer apparatus comprises a linkage member attached between the tractor and trailer with at least a portion of the linkage member extending between the tractor and trailer at a position vertical with respect to the hitch connection means. Means in conjunction with the linkage member such as a hydraulic actuator may supply a rigid connection through the linkage member thereby preventing free hinging in a vertical plane between the tractor and trailer at the hitch connection means. The rigid connection may, for example, prevent rear-up of the tractor and shift weight to the rear driving wheels of the tractor.

Abstract: A plurality of different sized floats are connected into an array through nonlinear interfaces so their relative motions drive hydraulic pumping means. Floats in the array are sized to present a "black body" to the ocean waves incident upon the array. Fluid moved by the pumping means is used to drive an electric turbogenerator.

Abstract: A pattern mechanism for a knitting machine which is adapted to selectively control longitudinal movement of needles in their slots. The needles are provided with jacks in operating relationship thereto for moving the needle in a longitudinal direction. A separate butt element is carried by the jack and is movable relative to the jack both longitudinally and transversely in at least two alternate modes. One of the modes provides lesser longitudinal free movement of the butt element relative to the jack body than the other of the modes. All of the butt elements carried by a series of jack bodies are cammed to the mode which permits greater longitudinal free movement. Selected ones of the butts are moved to the mode providing lesser longitudinal free movement so that only the jack bodies carrying the selected butt elements will be elevated by a raised cam.

Abstract: A plurality of different sized floats are connected into an array through nonlinear interfaces so their relative motions drive hydraulic pumping means. Floats in the array are sized to present a "black body" to the ocean waves incident upon the array. Fluid moved by the pumping means is used to drive an electric turbogenerator.