Abstract: A fluid height sensor (10) includes a float (14) with an arm (20) fixed to a shaft (40) that extends into a cavity (30) in a housing (12). A switch assembly (32) in the housing includes a switch (50) formed by a largely stationary blade (52) and by a moveable switch blade (54) that moves forward (F) and rearward (R), respectively against and away from the stationary blade. The switch assembly also includes an activator (56) for snapping the switch blade as the shaft pivots back and forth. The activator (56) includes an activation blade (58) that is moved back and forth by the shaft, and a leaf spring (90) that extends in a loop between the outer ends of the activation blade and of the switch blade. The leaf spring compresses the switch blade by urging its outer end (74) towards its inner end (72), to cause the moveable blade to overshoot when it passes a center position in its forward and rearward movement.

Abstract: A low cost miniature illuminated pushbutton switch 10 for soldering to a circuit board (23), which avoids damage to an LED during such soldering to the board. The pushbutton assembly, which slides between outward and inward positions, includes a molded plastic frame (32), sheet metal pushbutton conductors (60, 62, 64) mounted on the frame, and an LED (36) having a bulb (74) lying forward of the frame and having leads (40, 42) joined to front ends of two of the pushbutton conductors. The pushbutton assembly also has a pushbutton depressing element (44) with a through passage (130) that surrounds the bulb and extends forward of the bulb, the pushbutton element having an inward end (132) that joins to the pushbutton frame through lugs (136).

Abstract: A sealed, pushbutton, single pole, normally closed switch for soldering to a printed circuit board. The switch operates by pushing an actuator that compresses a spring and breaks continuity between two terminals by moving a spring contact, disposed in the head of the actuator, away from the terminals. An O-ring is provided in an annular groove around a shaft of the actuator for sealing the switch between the actuator and a cover without significantly changing the actuator force, and the bottom of the switch has an epoxy seal. The method of assembling the sealed switch components is simple and low cost.

Abstract: The invention is a collapsible tire assembly for a vehicle designed for traveling over terrain. In detail, the tire assembly includes a rim rotatably mountable to the vehicle. An outer tube expandable from a stored condition to an expanded condition is attached to the rim. The outer tube includes side portions and a center tread portion for making contact with the terrain when in the expanded condition. A mechanism is included for mounting the side portions of the outer tube to the rim such that the outer tube forms a chamber. An inner tube is mounted within the chamber expandable from a stored condition within the chamber to an expanded condition expanding the outer tube to the expanded condition such that the center tread portion is supported by the inflated inner tube and the tire assembly is suitable for moving the vehicle over the terrain.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved injector/valve combination which permits nearly immediate response time to an actuator signal. Such a combination is particularly suited for injecting colorants into polyurethane slabstock foam and permits a substantial reduction in foam waste due to low colorations during an on/off cycle. Specifically, this invention combination comprises a novel ball valve which allows for instantaneous shut-off and -on without appreciable leakage or pressure drop and without the need to utilize a high throughput flow rate. Such a ball valve is used in combination with an injector which is actually attached to the valve, the configuration which permits continuous use and instantaneous on/off without a deleterious pressure drop and minimizes the possibility of turbulence as the liquid polymeric colorant flows through the injector.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved injector/valve combination which permits nearly immediate response time to an actuator signal. Such a combination is particularly suited for injecting colorants into polyurethane slabstock foam and permits a substantial reduction in foam waste due to low colorations during an on/off cycle. Specifically, this invention combination comprises a ball valve which allows for instantaneous shut-off and -on without appreciable leakage or pressure drop and without the need to utilize a high throughput flow rate. Such a ball valve is used in combination with an injector which is actually attached to the valve, the configuration which permits continuous use and instantaneous on/off without a deleterious pressure drop and minimizes the possibility of turbulence as the liquid polymeric colorant flows through the injector.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved injector/valve combination which permits nearly immediate response time to an actuator signal. Such a combination is particularly suited for injecting colorants into polyurethane slabstock foam and permits a substantial reduction in foam waste due to low colorations during an on/off cycle. Specifically, this invention combination comprises a novel ball valve which allows for instantaneous shut-off and -on without appreciable leakage or pressure drop and without the need to utilize a high throughput flow rate. Such a ball valve is used in combination with an injector which is actually attached to the valve, the configuration which permits continuous use and instantaneous on/off without a deleterious pressure drop and minimizes the possibility of turbulence as the liquid polymeric colorant flows through the injector.

Abstract: This Invention is a method and apparatus for spraying water on the underside of a series of colorant applicators in order to rinse excess colorant from the machine parts. There is a water manifold having a first end portion connected to an upper trolley by a pivoting joint and a second end portion attached to a lower trolley by both a pivoting joint and a sliding joint. Both the upper and lower trollies are constrained in the horizontal, vertical, and rotational direction by a series of cam followers. The extra degrees of freedom provided by the two pivoting joints and the sliding joint insure that no binding occurs. An optional feedback control system can be added utilizing a rotational position transducer to sense the angle of the water manifold so that the motion of the trolleys can be retarded or advanced accordingly.

Abstract: A platform which is raised and lowered evenly in a vertical direction only by a pair of piston activated four-bar linkages which are linked together through an endless cable or belt which will not allow one four-bar linkage to act independently of the other.