Abstract: A fire extinguishing apparatus for use in collecting and extinguishing relatively lightweight Class A material includes a vacuum with an associated hopper, a conduit extending from the vacuum, and extinguisher connected to the conduit. Also, provided is a method of collecting and extinguishing relatively lightweight Class A material, which includes the steps of (a) causing the Class A material to be forcibly moved through a contained passageway and (b) extinguishing the Class A material as it passes through the contained passageway.

Abstract: A distribution manifold is provided for dispensing product into an airstream. The distribution manifold has a venturi port which has a front surface and a rear surface, as well as an air passage extending between the front surface and the rear surface. Additionally, the venturi port has a product inlet coupled to the air passage. The distribution manifold also has a bypass port which has a top surface, a bottom surface, a front bypass surface, and a rear bypass surface. The bypass port has a product throughway connecting the front bypass surface and the rear bypass surface. A wall of the bypass port defines a passage from the top surface to the bottom surface for insulating the passage from fluid communication with the product throughway.

Abstract: A power drive system is adapted for a sliding door mounted on at least one side of a vehicle for sliding movement forwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle. The system includes a reversible motor. A bracket is guided within a guide along a fixed path between the opened and closed positions of the door. An elongated drive member is slidably disposed within the guide and connected to the bracket at one end for driving the bracket along the fixed path. A translator mechanism operably engages with the drive member for powering movement of the door. The translator mechanism can include a rotatable hub, operably engageable with the drive member, a gear transmission for driving the hub, and a clutch mechanism for connecting the motor to the transmission. The translator mechanism preferably has sufficient power to pull the sliding door into a primary latch position with respect to the corresponding portions of a latch mechanism attached to the door and frame defining the door opening.

Abstract: A carrier for use in a pneumatic tube transport system includes first and second shell members, at least a first hinge for pivotally interconnecting the first and second shell members such that the shell members can move relative to one another between open and closed positions, and at least a first seal band interconnected to at least one of fore and aft portions of the first and second shell members. At least the first seal band includes a plurality of fibers mountable on a first backing strip, the fibers having a modulus of elasticity of at least about 1.times.10.sup.5 psi, being mounted perpendicularly relative to the first backing strip, and uniformly distributed on the first backing strip.

Abstract: A hidden storage system is incorporated in the bed of a vehicle without altering the bed's external appearance and the bed is provided with collapsible support beams. The storage system is located adjacent the wheel well sections of the bed, and uses hinges to open and close the fender/side panel of the bed. The collapsible support beams provide a support/safety mechanism if impacted from the side. Since the storage system does not alter the truck's external appearance, it reduces the attraction for theft. Also, since the storage area does not extend inwardly beyond the conventional wheel wells, the storage system leaves most of the truck bed free for use. The hidden storage system is incorporated into the bed by either an initial fabrication method or a conversion method using an existing bed.

Abstract: A system of grandstand with foldable bleachers, comprises an under-frame (1) mounted on wheels (2) and supporting a central horizontal floor (3). The floor (3) is provided with upright elements (8, 9), upon which are externally mounted, around horizontal axis (11, 12), two pivotable longitudinal lateral floors (15, 16), which can pivot between a first configuration in which they are folded one towards the other to form a space assembly meeting the legal dimension requirements which apply to trailers, and which can be hauled by a vehicle comprising the underframe (1) and wheels (2, and a second configuration in which they are unfolded externally at different levels to form a generally plane and oblique structure upon which seats (17) and (18) are mounted as bleachers forming an autonomous grandstand. An apparatus is also provided for folding and unfolding said floors in a unique manual operation.

Abstract: A hood shield for motor vehicles and the like comprises a layer of flexible, magnetically impregnated material to which is contiguously bonded a soft emulsion layer, the whole being cut in the general shape of a vehicle hood and including V-shaped cuts along the rearward edge thereof to facilitate placement onto a vehicle hood without bunching. Elongate edge trim material, including an inner flap thereof to facilitate imposition of a forced fit, is used to hold together the outer edge of the hood shield and the outer edge of the hood. Closing of the hood holds said edge trim material with enclosed hood shield edge against the remainder of the vehicle thereby inhibiting theft of the device.

Abstract: The visor system of the present invention provides a unique visor control and visor in which a two-piece control receives an elongated pivot rod. The combined torque control and slide permit the visor panel to slide with respect to the pivot rod and comprises a lubricous polymeric slide which extends around the visor rod to provide a sliding interface between the visor rod and a torque spring which surrounds the polymeric member and allows the visor to be moved to desired adjusted positions. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the slide comprises a segmented and partially split polymeric sleeve surrounding the visor rod. An adjustable cylindrical steel torque spring surrounds the sleeve and is secured to the visor body for providing the desired visor rotation and sliding action.

Abstract: A pneumatic pressure tank and valve system for pneumatically conveying a granular material to a destination can include a pressurizable chamber adapted to be filled with granular material through an upper inlet opening. When the chamber is filled, pressurized air is introduced into the chamber to lift a floating cone valve to a position closing the inlet opening. Pressurized air in the chamber conveys the granular material through an outlet opening toward the materials destination. The system operates on a very simple time cycle, while achieving effective use of the pressurized air for granular transport purposes.

Abstract: A powder coating apparatus and method feeds fine powdered coating material such as thermoplastic type material to a succession of discrete articles passing by the apparatus which includes a vibratory feeder bowl and a spiral track for delivering a substantially constant supply of powder coating material to the articles, wherein the powdered coating material is mixed with a pressurized airstream that delivers the powdered coating material to the articles. A sensor is also used to regulate an amount of powdered coating material supplied to the auger to the vibratory feeder. The invention also provides a powder feed system that deposits an excess of powdered coating material than that required to form the coating and provides for recirculation of the powder not ultimately used to form the coating back to the powder feeding apparatus.

Abstract: The canopy has a front and rear frame coupled to a top frame such that the lower edges of the front and rear frames are forward and rearward respectively of the top frame. The front frame has an upper window pane coupled thereto and a lower window pane having its upper edge pivotally coupled to the front frame. A window pane also is provided for the rear frame. Two pairs of flexible windows are provided for the two sides of the canopy. Two seat belt members are connected to the rear frame.

Abstract: An automobile window insert is used in conjunction with an automobile window frame that includes a slot and a bottom portion and has a moveable window within the window frame slot that can be moved downward into the window frame slot. The window insert has a mechanism that inhibits the insert from moving into the window frame slot beyond a predetermined depth and is shaped to be inserted into said window frame slot when the window is moved downward into the window frame slot so that the inhibiting mechanism rests on the bottom portion of the window frame. The window frame and the window insert in conjunction define an opening suitable for use by a driver to allow the driver to conveniently rest an arm or an elbow on the bottom portion of the window frame while seated in the automobile.

Abstract: A pickup truck cab protective slicker assembly has an elongated housing positionable transversely of a pickup truck cargo box immediately behind the pickup truck cab and on the forward wall of the box. The assembly has an elongated upper outlet over its length, a flexible protective cover spring wound in the housing and extensible through the opening, an elongated latch bar on the leading edge of the cover, including a handle for pulling the cover out of the housing and over the cab and hood, latch orifices in the latch bar, and bracket studs attachable to the truck at the front of the hood, positioned and oriented to engage the latch orifices for releasably retaining the cover over the cab and hood.

Abstract: A transformable cover assembly for pickup trucks is user switchable between a low profile, bed cover configuration and a fully deployed, camper configuration. The apparatus unfolds from a planar orientation into a pair of cooperating, stacked, generally wedge-shaped segments. The segments are complementary; the stacked wedge-shaped segments form an inhabitable enclosure in the general form of a parallelepiped when erected. A planar deck that is foldably deployed comprises a top that ultimately covers the upper segment, and a shroud that unfolds to form a border between the adjacent, deployed segments. A foldable framework comprising a plurality of cooperating members enables foldable transformation. As the assembly deploys it unfurls pliable, generally triangular walls at the segment sides.

Abstract: An air conveyor transitional section connects an upstream air conveyor section to a downstream air conveyor section that is not collinear with the upstream air conveyor section. The air conveyor transitional section includes a pair of elongated members having opposed inner edges and upper surfaces adjacent the inner edges. The inner edges of the elongated members are laterally spaced to define a slot that extends in a downstream direction of the air conveyor. The upstream air conveyor section, the transitional section, and the downstream air conveyor section are all configured for conveying containers in the downstream direction. Each container has a neck ring with an outer diameter dimension. The inner edges of the elongated members are laterally spaced by a distance smaller than the container neck ring outer diameter dimension so that the upper surfaces provide slidable support for the container neck rings.

Abstract: An electromechanical sun visor for a motor vehicle window includes a sun shade screen rolled onto a spring-loaded takeup roller and a roller housing attachable to the interior of the roof of the vehicle adjacent the window upper side. A rotatable shaft is driven in forward and backward directions with a bidirectional electric motor connected to the car battery to retract and extend the sun shade screen. Extreme positions of the screen are detected with microswitches that control shut off of the motor.

Abstract: An air conveyor apparatus is adapted for conveying bottle containers having a neck ring with an outer diameter dimension. The conveyor apparatus includes a first air conveyor section and a second air conveyor section. The first air conveyor section has a first conveying slot extending longitudinally therethrough in a downstream direction. The first conveying slot is defined by a first pair of mutually opposed, laterally spaced, substantially horizontal flanges. The first pair of flanges are laterally spaced by a distance smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the container neck rings so that the containers can be conveyed with the neck rings sliding in a friction engagement along the first pair of flanges as the containers are conveyed through the first air conveyor section. The second air conveyor section has a second conveying slot extending longitudinally therethrough in the downstream direction.

Abstract: A fiber dispensing system for storing and delivering fibrous material includes a housing for receiving and storing the fibrous material. The housing has an activatable dispensing mechanism for selectively dispensing the fibrous material from the housing. A control mechanism is electrically connected to the dispensing mechanism for receiving an activation signal to activate the dispensing mechanism. A load mechanism associated with the housing and electrically connected to the control mechanism measures the weight amount of any fibrous material within the housing and transmits a weight amount data signal to the control mechanism. The control mechanism further activates a solenoid valve which in turn activates a water nozzle spray assembly for wetting of fibrous material prior to discharge into a receptacle.

Abstract: An optimized aerodynamic drag reducing geometry for land-based vehicles incorporates a system of connected surfaces that utilizes square to round surface transitional design concepts to manage the flow stream around the rear or aft section of a land-based vehicle such as a semi-tractor trailer. The drag reduction is maximized primarily by reducing the total pressure drag on the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method blow or spray loose-fill insulation (e.g., fiberglass) into wall cavities and the like. The system includes a fiber recovery or recycling subsystem that vacuums up overspray or waste fibers and forwards them back toward the hopper. A fiber collector device having a fiber inlet and outlet is mounted above the hopper, and receives the recovered waste fibers and redistributes them back into the hopper so that they mix with virgin fibers therein. The mix of recovered and virgin fibers is then blown through the blow hose toward a wall cavity or the like to be insulated.