Abstract: A self-compensating constant-tension drive system for a belt conveyor used in a cryogenic freezing tunnel or other elongated thermal processing apparatus, comprising a hydraulic motor driving the drive pulley of the conveyor, a hydraulic pump driven by the tensioning pulley, and a pressure relief valve connected to the outlet of the pump to inhibit flow from the pump and thus inhibit rotation of the pump and tensioning pulley until a predetermined tension is established in the upper run of the belt; the belt is longer than the inter-pulley spacing to allow for substantial thermal expansion and contraction, and the excess belt length is stored in a catenary sag adjacent the drive pulley.

Abstract: A pilot operated sprinkler head comprises a two part housing having an annular diaphragm extending across a chamber between the housing parts, the diaphragm being sealed to a hollow bore main valve member and sealed to the chamber; one side of the diaphragm is exposed to the discharge of a pilot valve assembly for actuating the main valve member when the pilot valve is open; and a drain passage of restricted size to the atmosphere is provided between the housing and the main valve member, sized to insure proper pressure on the diaphragm to actuate the main valve member with the pilot valve open, the drain passage draining water from the diaphragm when the pilot valve is closed to permit the diaphragm and the main valve member to return to their original positions. The drain passage is shown in the form of an annular clearance around the valve member. The valve member is shown with hollow bore axially aligned with the inlet, and telescopically movable about a stationary strainer.

Abstract: An articulated chain conveyor has a plurality of links joined together by connecting pins each having a socket formed axially therein. A conveying surface is formed by a plurality of wire rod structures each having two ends respectively received in the sockets of adjacent ones of the pins and a support portion overlying the chain and extending laterally therebeyond to provide a support surface. Welded and non-welded rod structures for single-chain conveyors and a non-welded rod structure for double-chain conveyors are disclosed. Also disclosed are T-shaped mounting members and cooperating clips for connecting wire rod structures to a conveyor chain.

Abstract: A variable area exhaust nozzle is provided with seals between adjacent flaps to minimize flow loss therebetween when the flaps are modulated between minimum and maximum nozzle area positions. The overlapping seals is linked to the adjacent flaps by means of a bellcrank which operates to maintain the seal in a centered position between the flaps. A circumferential track is provided on the flaps to stabilize the seal in the axial direction.

Abstract: A foldable hand truck including an elongate telescopic central member and a pair of elongate legs pivotally connected to the lower end of the central member for swinging between positions extending either along and parallel to the central member or extending outwardly at a substantial angle therefrom. Elongate locking members are pivotally connected at one set of their ends to the legs and are slidable at their inner ends along the central member between positions spaced a considerable distance from the pivot connection for the legs, to permit collapsing of the legs, and a more closely spaced relationship with said pivot connections for the legs to lock the legs in their extended positions. Wheel assemblies are mounted on the legs and are swingable between stored positions closely adjacent the legs and operating positions extending outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: An unloading system for transferring dry bulk particulate material from a first container, such as a barge, into a pressure vessel, and thereafter into a storage container, all transferring being accomplished with vacuum and pressure equipment, and with the particulate material being aerated as it is transferred into the pressure vessel.

Abstract: Transportation apparatus including a load bearing conveyor having a plurality of platforms for transporting persons between spaced landings. The platforms include a plurality of longitudinal grooves, and the landings each include a combplate having a plurality of teeth which mesh with the grooves. The combplate includes a portion adjacent the teeth which is dimensioned and positioned to shield the teeth from mechanical stresses when the combplate is subjected to a deflecting load.

Abstract: The trailer of this invention comprises a plurality of readily foldable or separable components to provide a full width trailer for hauling conventional goods or a narrow trailer for special hauling purposes or for storage in a limited space. In addition it may be readily dismantled into a group of relatively small components which may be packed in a vehicle trunk or in a small storage space. In one form it includes two side frames with upstanding side boards, a leaf spring detachably connected under each side frame, and a wheel carrying stub axle fixedly connected to the spring. Cross braces connect the two frames and a cross-axle assembly of variable effective length connects the two stub axles. Fore and aft floor boards are hingedly connected to the frames and to each other, and one or more may be folded to define a narrower trailer on occasion. The trailer may be dismantled into the components mentioned for storage or transport.

Abstract: An elevator car including a passenger compartment having a selectable light distribution pattern through horizontally adjustable lighting fixtures and a vertically adjustable suspended ceiling which includes a light diffusing shield.

Abstract: A roller assembly useful as a self-aligning caster for recessed mounting in a support plate or tray such as those used in aircraft cargo loading systems. The assembly includes a sub-assembly of a cup housing having an upper, outer-annular flange with a roller support mounted therein on an annular bearing. The sub-assembly is secured by a single screw fastener that extends through a central aperture in the bottom wall of the housing and engages a ring retainer. The roller support has massive, upright standards which are spaced apart by the width of the roller and which have opposed slots in their upper faces to receive the support shaft of the roller. The roller and support shaft are received in the support base and are retained therein by a cover plate that has a radial slot to surround the roller and that overlies the roller shaft notches of the upright standards.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift device including a platform located in the stepwell of a motorcoach for raising and lowering a wheelchair between a first position wherein the platform is in horizontal alignment with an elevated floor formed with the motorcoach and a second position wherein the platform is at ground level. The device includes foldable hinged sections that are positioned through a linkage and a rotatable arm to form steps for use by able-bodied persons and are extendible laterally outwardly relative to the stepwell so as to align the hinged sections along a horizontal plane and thereby form the platform for supporting the wheelchair.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift device including a platform located in the stepwell of a motorcoach for raising and lowering a wheelchair between a first position wherein the platform is in horizontal alignment with an elevated floor formed with the motorcoach and a second position wherein the platform is at ground level. The device includes foldable hinged sections that are positioned through a linkage to form steps for use by able-bodied persons and are extensible laterally outwardly relative to the stepwell so as to align the hinged sections along a horizontal plane and thereby form the platform for supporting the wheelchair.

Abstract: An improvement in unloading pusher bar actuators for rack-type dough proofers. The improved actuator includes a linkage for transferring output of a motor to the unloading pusher bar, and the linkage includes an operating arm having a compound cam follower slot defined therein. The operating arm slot includes a straight section tangentially connected to an arcuate section for maintaining pusher bar stroke speed constant during one phase of the pusher bar forward movement.

Abstract: The carriage of a fork lift truck is actuated by the action of hydraulic fluid controllably supplied through a manually operated control system from a pump driven by an internal combustion engine having a carburetor. The throttle valve of the carburetor is partially opened in response to the operation of the control system in order to increase the discharge amount of the hydraulic fluid of the pump during idling of the engine.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift device including a platform located in the stepwell of a motorcoach for raising and lowering a wheelchair and including foldable hinged sections that are movable through a linkage to a first position to form steps for use by able-bodied persons and are extendible laterally outwardly relative to the stepwell to a second position to align the hinged sections along a horizontal plane and thereby form a vertically movable platform for supporting the wheelchair. A locking arrangement including first and second latch means is associated with the hinged sections for locking the latter in the first and second positions.

Abstract: Indexing mechanism for multiple station glassware inspection machines in which a plurality of pocketed starwheels are used. One set of pockets are formed with container encircling or restraining members which open and close in response to the contour of a box cam. The encircling members loosely retain containers so that they may be rotated about their vertical axes while held in a specific location. The finish of the containers is guided by an upper starwheel having pockets of a size commensurate with the size of the finish of the container. The containers to be inspected are brought into the starwheel with the encircling members opened. Upon closing of the encircling members, containers may be indexed through a series of positions where they may be inspected for various defects.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift device including a platform located in the stepwell of a motorcoach for raising and lowering a wheelchair between a first position wherein the platform is in horizontal alignment with an elevated floor formed with the motorcoach and a second position wherein the platform is at ground level. The device includes foldable hinged sections that are positioned through a linkage to form steps for use by able-bodied persons and are extendible laterally outwardly relative to the stepwell so as to align the hinged sections along a horizontal plane and thereby form the platform for supporting the wheelchair.

Abstract: A movable spray guard to be lowered alongside the ground engaging wheels of a vehicle including a flexible screen mounted in a track and moved by a motor driven chain from an operative position to an inoperative retracted position.

Abstract: The conveyer system comprises a conveyer trough, a pneumatic cell, and a conveyer surface. The conveyer surface may be laminated to the pneumatic cell, and may include a multiplicity of distally, parallelly, transversely disposed ribs.

Abstract: Apparatus for indexing cases into an uncaser or the like having a case conveyor with upstanding lugs which space the cases apart by a predetermined distance as the cases move in end-to-end abutting relation toward the uncaser. The indexer includes an endless chain having outwardly-projecting lugs spaced along its length a distance less than the length of each case. Each lug moves into the rear portion of a case as the case moves toward the case conveyor and swings the rear portion of the case to one side whereby the lug engages the leading wall of the next succeeding case and times the entry of the case onto the case conveyor.