Abstract: A battery charger assembly includes an outer casing with a sleeve assembled therein having a cavity profiled to receive a battery alone, or a battery and its associated appliance. A cam-operated assembly includes a cam member which moves a gripper assembly into the cavity to grip the battery. In this manner, a battery and/or its appliance may be inserted into the charger, and used in automotive use without the battery and/or the appliance becoming discharged from the charger assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of fuel additives for hydrocarbon fuels that acts to enhance efficiency and/or reduce pollution. The fuel additive is a phosphorus-containing composition that can be dispersed in hydrocarbon fuels or liquid carriers for combustion with the fuel in a combustion zone.

Abstract: A vent apparatus (10) includes a tank mount (12) made of a weldable plastics material and a fuel system component such as a valve assembly (13). Valve a assembly (13) includes a valve housing (14) made of a nonweldable plastics material and a valve (21) movable in a valve chamber (24) formed in valve housing (14) to open and close an aperture (23) leading to a venting outlet (22). Tank mount (12) supports valve housing (14) in a position in a mounting aperture (16) formed in a fuel tank (18). Valve housing (14) is made by injecting on-weldable plastics material into a mold containing the pre-molded tank mount (12).

Abstract: A vent apparatus includes a tank mount made of a weldable plastics material and a fuel systems component such as a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a valve housing made of a non-weldable plastics material and a valve movable in a valve chamber formed in the valve housing to open and close an aperture leading to a venting outlet. The tank mount supports the valve housing in a position in a mounting aperture formed in a fuel tank. The valve housing is made by injecting non-weldable plastics material into a mold containing the pre-molded tank mount.

Abstract: A vent apparatus includes a tank mount made of a weldable plastics material and a fuel systems component such as a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a valve housing made of a non-weldable plastics material and a valve movable in a valve chamber formed in the valve housing to open and close an aperture leading to a venting outlet. The tank mount supports the valve housing in a position in a mounting aperture formed in a fuel tank. The valve housing is made by injecting non-weldable plastics material into a mold containing the pre-molded tank mount.

Abstract: A vent apparatus includes a tank mount made of a weldable plastics material and a fuel systems component such as a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a valve housing made of a non-weldable plastics material and a valve movable in a valve chamber formed in the valve housing to open and close an aperture leading to a venting outlet. The tank mount supports the valve housing in a position in a mounting aperture formed in a fuel tank. The valve housing is made by injecting non-weldable plastics material into a mold containing the pre-molded tank mount.

Abstract: A multi-purpose vacuum cleaner accessory is provided for use in grooming multiple types of animals and for cleaning fabric and flooring substrates. The accessory comprises a body and a brush attachable thereto. The brush is configured for creating an airflow directed to the surface of the animal's coat or substrate so that the brush is effective for use on all types of animal coats and fabrics/flooring. The brush comprises a circumferential, downwardly-extending skirt and a plurality of cross-members extending inwardly from sides of said brush and joining together in the interior thereof. The skirt and cross-members have a plurality of downwardly-projecting, spaced teeth wherein the teeth are comprised of a thermoplastic material having a relatively high co-efficient of friction to adhere to loose hair to be suctioned (preferably, a durometer reading of Shore A65) and sufficient strength for said brush to achieve brushing action.

Abstract: A two-component vacuum cleaner accessory for the dual purpose of grooming animals and removing hair and debris from fabric such as that used for upholstery. The body of the accessory has a back and sides and attaches to a circumferential brush which has a skirt and cross-members with downwardly-projecting flexible triangular teeth. Flanges on the brush fit into recesses on the body and serve as handgrips for a user. Pressure drop across the device is controlled by the crosspiece and the design and length of the triangular teeth. The use of soft elastomeric triangular teeth having a high co-efficient of friction provides efficient removal of hair and debris.

Abstract: A gas supported bearing includes a first stationary bearing element having a longitudinal axis and a first bearing surface. A second rotating bearing element is coaxially aligned with respect to the first bearing element and includes a second bearing surface. A pneumatic load ramp is formed in one of the bearing surfaces to apply an asymmetric load to either bearing element to eliminate bearing whirl instability.

Abstract: A gas supported bearing includes a first stationary bearing element having a longitudinal axis and a first bearing surface. A second rotating bearing element is coaxially aligned with respect to the first bearing element and includes a second bearing surface. A pneumatic load ramp is formed in one of the bearing surfaces to apply an asymmetric load to either bearing element to eliminate bearing whirl instability.

Abstract: A device comprising a solid or powdered concrete admixture contained in a water-soluble container such that when the container and its contents are introduced into a wet mixer and agitated for a period of time, the water-soluble container is dissolved and the contents are released into the wet mixer. A separate water-insoluble receptacle is used to house and store the water-soluble container and its contents. In addition, there is disclosed a method for modifying the properties of a concrete by introducing a pre-weighed amount of solid admixture contained in a water-soluble container into a wet mixer and thereafter agitating the resulting mix.

Abstract: A self-pressurizing gas supported bearing includes a cylindrical bearing sleeve having a longitudinal axis and a cylindrical inner surface forming a first bearing surface with a random surface texture having a first R.sub.a roughness profile. A cylindrical bearing shaft is positioned coaxially within the bearing sleeve and includes a cylindrical outer surface forming a second bearing surface with a random surface texture having a second R.sub.a roughness profile. The sum of the first and second R.sub.a roughness profiles falls within the range of from about eighteen to sixty. A drive system establishes a relative rotational velocity between the bearing sleeve and the bearing shaft, generating a bearing stiffness force which causes the overlapping bearing surfaces to lift off and break contact. The bearing sleeve and shaft are dimensioned to maintain a predetermined means spacing between the sleeve and shaft. The bearing may also take the form of a linear bearing or other cylindrical configurations.

Abstract: A device comprising a solid or powdered concrete admixture contained in a water-soluble container such that when the container and its contents are introduced into a wet mixer and agitated for a period of time, the water-soluble container is dissolved and the contents are released into the wet mixer. A separate water-insoluble receptacle is used to house and store the water-soluble container and its contents. In addition, there is disclosed a method for modifying the properties of a concrete by introducing a pre-weighed amount of solid admixture contained in a water-soluble container into a wet mixer and thereafter agitating the resulting mix.

Abstract: A system is provided for activating a sensor during an initial stage of a vehicle refueling activity. The system includes a fuel tank filler neck having a mouth and a fuel cap having a closure rotatably engaging the filler neck for closing the mouth. A sensor is positioned in close proximity to the filler neck. The fuel cap further includes a seal between the closure and the filler neck, an outer shell providing a hand grip, a hub, and an actuator member movable between an inactive position and a sensor-activating position. The hub interconnects the closure and the outer shell for applying a torque to the closure after a predetermined amount of movement of the shell relative to the filler neck so that a lost motion connection is established between the closure and the shell. The lost motion of the hub acts to move the actuator member to its sensor-activating position before rotating the closure relative to the filler neck in an amount sufficient to break the seal.

Abstract: A compartmented pouch has two or more sealed compartments formed therein, these compartments being separated from each other by separator means which forms a sealing separator therebetween. One of the compartments has a stencil formed therein which may be in the form of holes punched in one wall of the compartment arranged to form a desired marking image which may be letters, numerals or symbols. In lieu of punched holes, the images may be formed by slots in this compartment wall. Removable tape is placed over the holes or slots. One of two fluid components is placed in one compartment and another of two fluid components is placed in another compartment which may or may not be the compartment having the images formed therein; these two components forming an etching or marking material when combined together.

Abstract: A compartmented pouch has two or more sealed compartments formed therein, these compartments being separated from each other by a breakaway partition. One of the compartments has a stencil formed therein which may be in the form of holes punched in one wall of the compartment arranged to form a desired marking image, which may be letters, numerals or symbols. In lieu of punched holes, the images may be formed by slots in this compartment wall. Removable tape is placed over the holes or slots. One of two fluid components is placed in one compartment and another of two fluid components is placed in another compartment which may or may or not be the compartment having the images formed therein; these two components forming an etchant or marking material when combined together.