Abstract: A tank unit to be removably mounted to a cleaning device having a clean water tank and a waste fluid tank displaced along a common axis and joined together by a connector which also provides an inlet to the waste fluid tank adjacent the top of the cleaning fluid tank.

Abstract: A portable paint spraying device for generating a paint spray by centrifugally impelling liquid paint from the edge of a vertically oriented spinning disc. The disc is driven by an electric motor which also drives a conveyor screw used to lift the paint upwardly from a reservoir or container through a vertically oriented pump tube and into a spray chamber in the sprayer housing. The pump tube has a horizontal portion at the upper end thereof terminating in a delivery orifice through which the liquid paint is discharged into a centrally located recess or well in the front face of the disc. The disc has a relatively large flat annular region surrounding the central well which is in turn surrounded by an outer peripheral angled flange or lip having a feathered edge.

Abstract: A kit for assembling a toolbox adapted for installation in the back of a pickup truck, the kit containing: a preassembled upper section, an unassembled lower section, and fasteners for fastening the upper section to the lower section, when assembled. The interrelatable parts of the unassembled lower section include: a bottom panel, a pair of end panels, a pair of side panels, and four locking members. The end and side panels carry tabs for interconnecting with corresponding slots on the bottom panel. Adjacent side edges of the end and side panels have abutting locking channels which are slidingly interlocked by the locking members.

Abstract: A cabinet has an upper portion which encloses a ram member movable vertically by a motor driven scissor-type actuator from an upper retracted position to a lower extended compacting position within a container positioned within the lower portion of the cabinet. The container is molded of a plastics material and is supported by a two-wheeled cart including pivotal arms which extend around an intermediate portion of the container and are locked together for restraining the container during compacting. When the container is tilted by the cart into a compacting position under the ram member, the container actuates a sealing frame which lowers and engages the upper rim of the container for confining within the upper portion of the cabinet any odors released by the material being compacted within the container.

Abstract: A coatings application apparatus pumps liquid paint through a flexible conduit within a rotary variable displacement peristaltic pump to a conventional applicator head. Through constant speed rotating lobes peristaltic action squeezes coating liquid within the conduit through the paint applicator control handle and applicator.The control handle permits changes in the paint flow rate. Upon constriction of the conduit within the control handle, flow rate is reduced, back pressure develops with resulting tube distortion. Distortion levered forces act upon a pre-set loaded pump spring. Variation in pump displacement results. The liquid flow rate within the supply conduit is inversely proportional to the back pressure so developed. If fluid flow is completely arrested by full supply tube constriction, back pressure becomes a maximum and pump displacement becomes zero. The pump continues to operate, however, at constant R.P.M., requiring no high starting torque.

Abstract: A lift system for a wheelchair or the like on a transit vehicle includes a stationary main frame secured within a doorway recess of the vehicle and a side frame that is movable relative to the main frame. An articulated platform including first and second steps is pivotally secured to the side frame. Scissors linkage is pivotally and slideably connected to the main frame and to the platform such that upon being actuated, the platform may be actuated from a first position defining first and second steps to a second position defining an extended platform. Thereafter the platform may be actuated in a manner such that the scissors linkage crosses over its center point to lower the platform from the floor level of the vehicle to the ground level. Once the wheelchair or the like is mounted on the platform the reverse actuation occurs and the scissors linkage again crosses over its center point to raise the platform from the ground level to the floor level.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for popping corn by heated air which is circulated in a cylindrical popping chamber having a vertical axis to provide a fluidized bed of swirling and circulating corn to be popped. As the corn is popped, it is lifted upwardly by the moving air and volume of popped corn to form a column of floating corn above the popping chamber and the popped corn is discharged through the open top of the chamber.

Abstract: A cordless earth tiller has a housing mounted upon wheels and including a handle for guiding and controlling the tiller and tilting the same in a fore-and-aft direction. A power driven crankshaft disposed forwardly of the wheels carries a plurality of arms which depend from crankpins of the crankshaft and are provided at their lower ends with tines. Links are pivotally connected at one end to the arms and at the other end to an axle of the wheels whereby rotation of the crankshaft causes a tilling or cultivating motion of the tines. The tines sequentially impinge upon the ground in a substantially vertical direction and proceed through the ground at a rearward inclination to draw the tiller through the ground in response to rotation of the crankshaft. Modifications comprise the use of harrowing disks as wheels and the substitution of ice chipping tools for the tines, etc.

Abstract: A liquid mixing valve having a single handle for mixing hot and cold water which incorporates a pair of resilient, tube-like squeeze elements for water passage. A pair of cams, controlled by the handle through a linkage arrangement, restrict the cross-sectional area of the squeeze elements thereby regulating the hot and cold water flow rates.

Abstract: Adhesive joining system for joining a plurality of superimposed material layers. An elongated needle-like member is reciprocally and rotatably driven along and about its longitudinal axis so that each reciprocation causes the needle to pass through and be withdrawn from the superimposed layers. After the needle has passed through the layers, at least the outer tip is coated with an adhesive material. The adhesive material itself may be in solid, liquid or powdered form and be either heated or unheated. After coating, withdrawal of the needle from the material layers causes the adhesive on the needle to be deposited on the material through a wiping action caused by the pressure of the material exerted against the needle. Rotation of the needle-like member gathers loose fibers from the material layers and wraps them together in the adhesive to form a reinforced joint.

Abstract: An electric gun is provided for the sanitary extruding of comestibles, such as cookie dough, or the like, having an easily disassembled mechanism. Those portions of the gun which are in contact with the food are removable from the drive mechanism to permit sanitary cleaning as well as ease of filling. Reversibility of portions of the mechanism makes reassembly of the gun uncomplicated.