Abstract: A detector arrangement is included in a preventive safety system that can be used within a process in which loosely formed process material is produced in a first unit (1) and transported (3) to a receiving, second unit (2), wherein the treatment to which the material is subjected in said first unit is liable to produce one or more discrete particles which have a temperature sufficiently high to initiate fire and/or explosion within at least the second part or unit (2). The necessary transportation of the loose material between the first unit (1) and the second unit (2) is effected along a path which includes a stabilizing zone (7), a high temperature particle indicating zone (8), and an extinguishing zone (9), wherein the indicating zone includes one or more particle sensors (10).

Abstract: A tailgate assembly for an open top load carrying container includes a tailgate for assuming the traditional closed and open configuration for dumping material from the container. The tailgate includes a venting aperture selectively closeable by a venting door movable between a closed and an open position, such that a substantial portion of the venting door is disposed within the container in the open position.

Abstract: An apparatus and process feed at a controlled rate a free-flowing particulate material entrained in a carrier gas. The apparatus includes a gastight closed supply vessel for holding a supply of the particulate material and a riser tube inside the supply vessel, the bottom end of which is open near the bottom of the supply vessel and faces a venturi nozzle connected or adapted to be connected to a propellant gas supply. A bend at the top end of the riser tube leads by way of a duct outside the supply vessel. The riser tube includes an upwardly directed aperture at the beginning of the bend inside the supply vessel in axial alignment with the riser tube.

Abstract: An improved wheelchair wheel and hub assembly is described that interposes reduction gearing between the handring or rotatable hand wheel and the drivewheel of the assembly. This gearing provides some mechanical advantage to users who may lack sufficient strength to propel themselves in a conventional wheelchair, especially in a home environment. A single speed assembly is described which is operated conventionally by rotating handrings either forward or rearward to produce a corresponding rotation of the drive wheel but, unlike conventional wheels, a complete revolution of the handring results in only a partial revolution of the drive wheel. In the hub of the assembly is a wheel locking mechanism which enables the wheel to be easily and positively locked for the safety of the user, preventing rotation of the wheel in either direction. Additionally, a ratcheting mechanism is incorporated into the hub design which can be engaged to allow forward rotation but prevent rearward rotation of the drive wheels.

Abstract: A relocatable sprinkler assemblage includes a flexible conduit connecting to a source of fire-suppression fluid, a heat-sensitive sprinkler head, a rigid fitting connecting the conduit to the sprinkler head, and a removable cap that, together with the fitting, creates a watertight compartment around the sprinkler head so that the assemblage can be moved while the sprinkler system remains pressurized and operational. The cap includes alerts the user to the condition of the sprinkler head, whether or not the head has been activated during the relocation process. In one embodiment, the cap is transparent, so that the condition can be determined by looking for fluid inside the cap. In another embodiment, the cap has a valve that can be operated manually to determine if there is fluid in the cap. In a third embodiment, the cap has a flexible bag that appears rigid if there is pressurized fluid in it.

Abstract: Air packaging peanut recovery system for recovering packing peanuts includes an operator held wand connected to a flexible conduit. The flexible conduit has a discharge end extending into a collection hopper having a mesh top. The wand is provided with an air valve having an actuating handle and a discharge jet. The air valve is connected to a connected source of air under pressure. The orifice of the discharge jet faces downstream and produces a vacuum at the inlet end of the wand when air under pressure flows through the discharge jet orifice. A turbulator pin is mounted on the wand and is adjustable to project into the path of the air stream discharged from the orifice of the discharge jet. By manipulation of the handle or adjustment of the turbulator pin, the vacuum may be readily adjusted.

Abstract: A preventive safety system may be used in a process in which loosely formed process material is produced in a first unit (1) and is transportable to a receiving, second unit (2), and in which process the treatment of material in the first unit is liable to generate a hazardous particle or particles which has/have a temperature which is sufficiently high to initiate burning and/or an explosion in at least the second unit.

Abstract: An air-conveying apparatus for moving articles along a path of travel at varying speeds comprises in combination a pneumatic conveyor for supporting the articles, a fan operatively coupled to the conveyor to provide air under pressure to the pneumatic conveyor to convey the articles there along, a damper to restrict the flow of air through the fan, and a controller responsive to a signal to vary the positioning of the damper and thereby vary the flow of air through the fan and consequently vary the speed of the articles being conveyed.

Abstract: A vehicle protective cover includes a plurality of lightweight separable panels, each having an inner layer, a thicker shock absorbing center layer, and a substantially thinner outer layer that defines a skirt having plural spaced-apart tie-down lines for securing the cover on the vehicle with the skirt disposed extending from the vehicle in a tensioned, stand-off position.

Abstract: A method of fighting a fire drives a first fire-extinguishing liquid from at least one spray head or sprinkler at a fire with a low-pressure pump. Thereafter it drives a second fire-extinguishing liquid from a liquid container and the spray head or sprinkler at the fire with a first propellant gas from at least one gas container, at least some of the first propellent gas remaining in the gas container after all of the second fire-extinguishing liquid has been driven from the liquid container. Still thereafter it again drives the first fire-extinguishing liquid from the spray head or sprinkler at the fire with the low-pressure pump, the low-pressure pump being driven by the first propellant gas that was remaining in the gas container.

Abstract: A blower assembly for a pneumatic transfer tube system alternately creates a pressure or a vacuum in a transfer tube. The blower is comprised of a housing having an internal cavity and a first and a second external port communicating with the cavity. A movable plate divides the internal cavity into two chambers which are generally isolated from each other. A blower having a vacuum end and a pressure end is mounted to the plate, wherein the vacuum end is on one side of the plate and the pressure end is on the other side of the plate. The blower when operating creates a pressure chamber on one side of the plate and a vacuum chamber on the other side of the plate.

Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a body having a water discharge port formed at the center thereof, a valve for opening and closing the water discharge port of the body, a receiver seat provided in a position opposing the valve, a heat sensitive member disposed between the valve and the receiver seat for supporting the valve, the heat sensitive member being disintegratable when heated, causing the valve to mote away from the water discharge port of the body, and a frame for supporting the receiver seat with respect to the body. To reduce directional dependency of exposure of a hot air stream to the heat sensitive member for an improvement in sensitivity of the heat sensitive member, the frame includes a plurality of y-shaped arms each having at least one draft hole formed therein and a portion inclined with respect to the heat sensitive member.

Abstract: An improved chimney-fire safety device includes a cylindrical canister that is placed in the top of a chimney or a stovepipe. The canister contains a mesh basket which has one or more membranes that are filled with extinguishing compounds. The mesh basket and a protective insulation platform are retained in the canister during controllable fires. The basket is secured to the canister by a tether. A fuse cap located in a bottom portion of the canister retains the basket, but disintegrates at a temperature commensurate with that of a runaway fire. When the fuse cap disintegrates, the mesh basket containing the extinguishing compounds drops from the canister and becomes suspended over the fire due to the tether; thus, the extinguishing chemicals are dispersed to the fire in a controlled fashion.

Abstract: An air lift pump for wet particulates has a plurality of transport tubes and air injectors disposed in a central column for transporting particulate matter from a lower elevation to a higher elevation. The central column has a closed top and an open bottom. Each tube has a lower, intake end, a lower first air injector and an upper second air injector. Each air injector is comprised of a housing disposed around an air injection section of the transport tube in which is mounted a first or second air jet, respectively. Compressed air is supplied to the first air injector via an air supply line and to the second air injector via an air supply line and the central column.

Abstract: A closed looped pneumatic transport unloading system in a cotton gin transports seed cotton from a trailer or module into the cotton gin. The closed looped pneumatic transport unloading system includes a fan, a cotton receiving unit, a separator, and a cyclone connected by conveying conduits to form the closed loop. The fan is positioned after the cyclone in the closed loop thereby reducing the wear on the fan. Cotton is input into the suction stream of the closed loop at the cotton receiving unit, and output from the suction stream at the separator. An air stream output from the fan is conveyed into the blow box. By providing a closed loop pneumatic transport unloading system, exhaust from this portion of the ginning process is eliminated.

Abstract: A fire detecting/extinguishing apparatus according to the present invention is comprised of a fire detecting unit which monitors to detect a fire within a monitoring area, the fire detecting unit stepwise scanning in a vertical direction while scanning the fire monitoring area in the vertical direction at each step of the horizontal scanning; a water discharging unit having a water discharging nozzle for discharging water to the monitoring area, the water discharging unit being rotatable in the horizontal direction, the water discharging unit being directed toward a position of the fire based on the fire detection by the fire detecting unit; a swinging unit which swings the water discharging unit in the horizontal direction; and a casing in which the fire detecting unit and the water discharging unit are housed as a single unit. Further, the apparatus of the present invention includes a cover fixed to a side of the water discharging nozzle which is opposite to the side of the water discharging nozzle.

Abstract: A vehicle rolling shutter system with magnetic door-ajar and compartment light switch. In combination with a vehicle, the rolling shutter system has a roller shutter, constructed of a number of interconnected links, for movement along guide rails positioned at opposing sides of an access opening to a cargo compartment of the vehicle. A lamp, for illuminating the cargo compartment, is positioned within the cargo compartment. An indicator lamp is positioned on a dashboard of the vehicle. The roller shutter has a lift bar which is mounted by mounting members to a lower portion of the roller shutter. The lift bar engages with strike blocks, positioned at opposing sides of the access opening to the cargo compartment, for retaining the roller shutter in a closed position. At least one of the strike blocks contains a magnetic switch element connected to the lamps.

Abstract: The bumper mountable camper stand includes a pair of base members each having first and second feet extending longitudinally opposite, and having a pillar extending perpendicularly therefrom, a lateral cross member and having a pair of tubes extending perpendicularly therefrom, first mounting apparatus for releasable mounting the first feet in sliding engagement to a mounting member on a frame of a vehicle, second mounting apparatus for releasable mounting the tubes in sliding engagement to the second feet, and third mounting apparatus for releasable mounting the tubes in sliding engagement to the pillars.

Abstract: A retractable cover for a vehicle cargo area includes a roller containing a bungee cord, operative as a retraction mechanism. The covers are fabricated of an opaque cloth or vinyl material, or a transparent or screen material. The covers may be deployed longitudinally across the cargo area, or vertically towards the top of the vehicle. A housing may enclose multiple rollers and provide openings to deploy the covers. The retractable cover is simple and inexpensive, and provides multiple capabilities for varying users' needs.

Abstract: A weld wire recovery system recovers the spent weld wire pieces from steel can bodymakers. The weld wire recovery system comprises a modular collection station installed at each bodymaker. The modular collection stations are connected via headers to a single central collection station. Each modular collection station comprises an entry fitting into which the spent pieces of weld wire drop. A primary air intake is connected to each entry fitting. An exhauster at the central collection station draws transport air into the upstream end of the primary air intake and into the entry fitting at a volume and velocity sufficient to sweep the pieces downstream through the header to a separator. A dielectric flexible connector directs the pieces from the bodymaker to the entry fitting. The flexible connector can be removed from the entry fitting for sampling the condition of the pieces.