Abstract: Hydraulic fluid is supplied to hydraulic brake cylinders for calipers and brake shoes of a motor vehicle through brake line assemblies each including a flexible multi-layer high pressure brake hose having an end portion receiving an inwardly forged end portion of a small diameter high pressure steel tube. A metal collar receives each tube and is secured to the tube by a crimp or threads and/or a spring retaining washer, and is also crimped onto an end portion of the hose. The opposite end portion of each metal tube is flared and receives a tubular flare nut which may be threaded directly into a brake caliper or a brake control valve. The collar may be progressively formed from sheet metal, and may be secured to the tube by a non-circular crimp. Circumferentially spaced ears may be formed on the tube and project into corresponding grooves within the collar.

Abstract: An open top rain gutter has a front wall with an upper return flange and is mounted on a fascia board below a roof covering. The gutter is covered by an elongated cover device or strip formed or extruded of a semi-rigid plastics material having a generally uniform thickness. The cover strip includes a flat inner portion adapted to project under the rood covering, and a generally flat first intermediate portion projects over the gutter and is integrally connected to a second intermediate portion by a first thin flexible hinge section to provide for accommodating a sloping gutter. The second intermediate portion is integrally connected to an outer flange portion mounted on the return flange of the gutter and includes a nose above the outer flange portion and an inclined channel having bottom slots below the outer flange portion.

Abstract: An elongated strip of extruded plastics material includes a generally flat longitudinally extending inner portion adapted to project under the shingles of a roof and a longitudinally extending outer portion adapted to seat on the outer edge portion of a rain gutter and project outwardly from the gutter to form a drip lip spaced from the gutter. A longitudinally extending intermediate portion of the strip integrally connects the inner portion to the outer portion and has a rounded nose surface above a U-shaped channel portion having longitudinally spaced slots for directing water from the inner portion into the gutter and for deflecting leaves and other debris onto the outer portion of the strip for dropping from the drip lip. A tab or flange projects outwardly from the U-shaped portion and cooperates with the outer portion to define a channel for receiving the outer edge portion of the gutter and to provide for retaining the strip on the gutter and for pivoting the strip relative to the gutter.

Abstract: An elongated strip of extruded plastics material includes a generally flat longitudinally extending inner portion adapted to project under the shingles of a roof and a longitudinally extending outer portion adapted to seat on the outer edge portion of a rain gutter and project outwardly from the gutter to form a drip lip spaced from the gutter. A longitudinally extending intermediate portion of the strip integrally connects the inner portion to the outer portion and has a rounded nose surface above a U-shaped channel portion having longitudinally spaced slots for directing water from the inner portion into the gutter and for deflecting leaves and other debris onto the outer portion of the strip for dropping from the drip lip. A tab or flange projects outwardly from the U-shaped portion and cooperates with the outer portion to define a channel for receiving the outer edge portion of the gutter and to provide for retaining the strip on the gutter and for pivoting the strip relative to the gutter.

Abstract: An elongated strip of extruded plastics material includes a generally flat longitudinally extending inner portion adapted to project under the shingles of a roof and a longitudinally extending outer portion adapted to seat on the outer edge portion of a rain gutter and project outwardly from the gutter to form a drip lip spaced from the gutter. A longitudinally extending intermediate portion of the strip integrally connects the inner portion to the outer portion and has a rounded nose surface above a U-shaped channel portion having longitudinally spaced slots for directing water from the inner portion into the gutter and for deflecting leaves and other debris onto the outer portion of the strip for dropping from the drip lip. A tab projects outwardly from the channel portion for hooking or retaining the strip onto the outer edge portion of the gutter.

Abstract: A tall open top plastic container has a closed bottom portion sealed to the lower end portion of a tubular water filter member having an upper end portion sealed to a removable plastic top wall within the container and sealed to the container. Flexible water inlet and outlet tubes have inner end portions connected through the top wall to an annular inlet chamber surrounding the filter member and a center outlet chamber within the filter member. A flexible vinyl coupler body receives the outer end portion of the inlet tube and forms a friction connection with a faucet aerator. In one embodiment, the upper portion of the container defines a cavity above the removable top wall, and the flexible tubes are coiled within the cavity where they are retained along with the coupler body during storage by a removable snap-on cap. The cavity may also be formed by an annular wall molded integrally with the removable top wall and covered by a removable cap.

Abstract: A video tape cassette includes a case or housing formed by upper and lower mating case sections of molded plastics material. A tape supply reel and a take-up reel are supported for rotation within the housing, and a prerecorded magnetic tape is wound onto the supply reel. The leading end portion of the tape extends around guide rollers along a predetermined path to the take-up reel, and a tape erasing element or magnet is supported within the housing to erase the prerecorded material from the tape as it is wound onto the take-up reel and thereby provide for only one time viewing of the prerecorded material. The internal tape erasing element may be made ineffective to provide for original recording of the material on the tape and may be made ineffective after the one time viewing so that the cassette may be reused by the purchaser as a blank cassette. The cassette may also be constructed as a disposablle cassette, and other means may be incorporated to provide for only one time viewing of the material.

Abstract: A video tape cassette includes a case or housing formed by upper and lower mating case sections of molded plastics material. A tape supply reel and a take-up reel are supported for rotation within the housing, and a prerecorded magnetic tape is wound onto the supply reel. The leading end portion of the tape extends around guide rollers along a predetermined path to the take-up reel, and a tape erasing element or magnet is supported within the housing to erase the prerecorded material from the tape as it is wound onto the take-up reel and thereby provide for only one time viewing of the prerecorded material. The internal tape erasing element may be made ineffective to provide for original recording of the material on the tape and may be made ineffective after the one time viewing so that the cassette may be reused by the purchaser as a blank cassette. The cassette may also be constructed as a disposable cassette.

Abstract: A valve body defines an inlet and an outlet with a valve seat therebetween. A flexible diaphragm valve member has an outer portion supported by the valve body and a movable inner portion which cooperates with the valve seat to control the flow of liquid from the inlet to the outlet. A small bleed hole extends through the diaphragm valve member and provides a limited flow of liquid which is adapted to be vented to the outlet through a slightly larger vent passage defined by the valve body. In one embodiment, the vent passage is opened and closed by over-center snap movement of a flexible concaved bimetal disc positioned within the vent passage. The disc is heated by a small electric resistance coil when it is desired to open the valve, and when the coil is deenergized, the disc is cooled by the liquid flowing within the vent passage. In another embodiment, the vent passage is opened and closed by a flexible member in the form of a diaphragm disposed adjacent a metal disc forming an armature for a solenoid.

Abstract: A valve body defines an inlet and an outlet with a valve seat therebetween. A flexible diaphragm valve member has an outer portion supported by the valve body and a movable inner portion which cooperates with the valve seat to control the flow of liquid from the inlet to the outlet. A small bleed hole extends through the diaphragm valve member and provides a limited flow of liquid which is adapted to be vented to the outlet through a slightly larger vent passage defined by the valve body. In one embodiment, the vent passage is opened and closed by over-center snap movement of a flexible concaved bimetal disc positioned within the vent passage. The disc is heated by a small electric resistance coil when it is desired to open the valve, and when the coil is deenergized, the disc is cooled by the liquid flowing within the vent passage. In another embodiment, the vent passage is opened and closed by a flexible member in the form of a diaphragm disposed adjacent a metal disc forming an armature for a solenoid.

Abstract: A thin sheet metal strip preferably having a thickness less than 0.015 inch, forms a part-cylindrical portion which integrally connects a folded first ear portion and a second ear portion which is also folded in two embodiments. An integral tongue projects from the first ear portion and may have a pair of parallel longitudinal ribs which project inwardly and interfit with corresponding circumferential ribs formed within said part-cylindrical portion. A sheet metal screw projects through holes within the ear portions, and the second ear portion is adapted to converge toward the first ear portion at a substantial angle relative to the axis of the screw when the screw is tightened for producing a positive non-stripping cocking engagement with the screw. In one embodiment, each of the folded ear portions has a pair of generally triangular side flanges for reinforcing the ear portion, and preferably, the screw engages the tongue to urge it against the hose being clamped.

Abstract: A valve body defines an inlet and an outlet with a valve seat therebetween. A flexible diaphragm valve member has an outer portion supported by the valve body and a movable inner portion which cooperates with the valve seat to control the flow of liquid from the inlet to the outlet. A small bleed hole extends through the diaphragm valve member and provides a limited flow of liquid which is adapted to be vented to the outlet through a slightly larger vent passage defined by the valve body. The vent passage is opened and closed by over-center snap movement of a concaved bimetal disc positioned within the vent passage. The disc is heated by a small electric resistance coil when it is desired to open the valve, and when the coil is deenergized, the disc is cooled by the liquid flowing within the vent passage.

Abstract: A thin sheet metal strip preferably having a thickness less than 0.015 inch, forms a part-cylindrical portion which integrally connects a folded first ear portion and a second ear portion which is also folded in two embodiments. An integral tongue projects from the first ear portion and may have a pair of parallel longitudinal ribs which project inwardly and interfit with corresponding circumferential ribs formed within said part-cylindrical portion. A sheet metal screw projects through holes within the ear portions, and the second ear portion is adapted to converge toward the first ear portion at a substantial angle relative to the axis of the screw when the screw is tightened for producing a positive non-stripping cocking engagement with the screw. In one embodiment, each of the folded ear portions has a pair of generally triangular side flanges for reinforcing the ear portion, and preferably, the screw engages the tongue to urge it against the hose being clamped.

Abstract: A pants hanger is formed with parallel spaced first and second elongated support portions depending from a third support portion having a hook adapted to engage a horizontal clothes bar. The second support portion is cantileveredly positioned above the first support portion and is integrally connected by the first support portion to the third support portion. The free end of the second support portion extends past the integral connection of the first and third support portions to form a guide. In one embodiment, the support portions of the hanger are formed by bending a one-piece metal rod. The hanger is attached to a pair of pants by inverting both the pants and the hanger and then moving the hanger so that the second support portion slides onto one side of the pants, and the first and third support portions slide onto the other side of the pants. When the hanger is rotated to an upright position, the pants wrap around the second support portion and are retained in a depending position below the hook.

Abstract: A thin sheet metal strip having a thickness less than 0.015 inch, forms a part-cylindrical portion which integrally connects a folded first ear portion and a folded second ear portion. An integral tongue projects from the folded first ear portion and has a pair of parallel longitudinal ribs which project inwardly and interfit with corresponding circumferential ribs formed within said part-cylindrical portion. A screw projects through holes within the ear portions, and the second ear portion is adapted to converge toward the first ear portion and at a substantial angle relative to the axis of the screw when the screw is tightened for producing a positive non-stripping cocking engagement with the screw. Each of the folded ear portions has a pair of generally triangular side flanges for reinforcing the ear portion, and in one embodiment, the screw engages the tongue to urge it against the hose being clamped.

Abstract: A pants hanger is formed with parallel spaced first and second elongated support portions depending from a third support portion having a hook adapted to engage a horizontal clothes bar. The second support portion is cantileveredly positioned above the first support portion and is integrally connected by the first support portion to the third support portion. The free end of the second support portion extends past the integral connection of the first and third support portions to form a guide. In one embodiment, the support portions of the hanger are formed by bending a one-piece metal rod. The hanger is attached to a pair of pants by inverting both the pants and the hanger and then moving the hanger so that the second support portion slides onto one side of the pants, and the first and third support portions slide onto the other side of the pants. When the hanger is rotated to an upright position, the pants wrap around the second support portion and are retained in a depending position below the hook.

Abstract: A thin sheet metal strip having a thickness less than .015 inch, forms a part-cylindrical portion which integrally connects a folded first ear portion and a folded second ear portion. An integral tongue projects from the folded first ear portion and has a pair of parallel longitudinal ribs which project inwardly and interfit with corresponding circumferential ribs formed within said part-cylindrical portion. A screw projects through holes within the ear portions, and the second ear portion is adapted to converge toward the first ear portion and at a substantial angle relative to the axis of the screw when the screw is tightened for producing a positive non-stripping cocking engagement with the screw. Each of the folded ear portions has a pair of generally triangular side flanges for reinforcing the ear portion, and in one embodiment, the screw engages the tongue to urge it against the hose being clamped.

Abstract: An air inflated bag of flexible sheet material includes a front portion which is mounted on the body or cab of a vehicle such as a tractor hitched to a semi-trailer. A rear portion of the inflated bag extends between the cab and the trailer body to provide for a smooth non-turbulentflow of air around the cab and to the side and top walls of the trailer body for significantly reducing the aerodynamic drag on the tractor-trailer vehicle. The front portion of the bag is provided with a generally horizontal inlet which is located directly above the front windshield of the cab to direct a portion of the upward flow of air over the cab into the bag and thereby effect dynamic inflation of the bag at a predetermined road speed. The bag may be collapsed to a folded condition adjacent the cab for when the tractor is being driven without a trailer, and a bottom recess is formed within the rear portion of the bag to provide for extending service lines between the cab and the trailer.

Abstract: A valve body includes a base section having an inlet and an outlet and means forming a valve seat therebetween. A flexible diaphragm is supported for movement relative to the valve seat and includes a center by-pass port which is opened and closed by a valve member supported for axial movement by a closure section of the valve body. A pin-like actuating lever is pivotally supported by a flexible seal secured to the closure section and has an inner end portion projecting into an opening formed within the valve member. An elongated U-shaped bimetallic actuating element is mounted on the closure section generally parallel to the lever and includes a movable head portion. The bimetallic actuating element is preferably connected as a resistance in series with an electrical load, and a spring is compressed against the outer end of the actuating lever to cause rapid snap-action movement of the lever, and the valve member in response to slower movement of the head portion of the actuating element.