Abstract: An automatic washing machine having a tub defining an interior, a sump in fluid communication with the interior of the tub, a wash basket located within the interior of the tub and defining a laundry treating space, and a foreign object trap located in a portion of the wash basket that defines a foreign object passageway for retaining foreign objects.

Abstract: The Lower Back Spinal Support is a back support device worn by people laying down all types of flooring to support your upper torso, consisting of a wearable aluminum alloy breast plate padded in a form cushion, with an aluminum cylindrical telescopic swivel leg for height adjustment (which locks into place) and adjustable neck and back straps.

Abstract: A tarp bar may be an alignment member, a reinforcement member, and a furling control member, without adding substantial weight or complexity to a rolling tarp system. The tarp bar is fixed to the tarp a significant distance from the drive bar and is not motorized or otherwise powered, and is preferably attached only to the tarp material, parallel to the length of the tarp and the bed/trailer. The tarp bar is recessed or otherwise-concave along its length to allow cradling of, and hence parallel orientation of, an already-rolled portion of the tarp. The tarp bar is preferably broader than said already-rolled portion, so that two opposing edges of the tarp bar extend out beyond the diameter of the already-rolled portion so that the combination of the already-rolled portion received in the tarp bar is a non-cylindrical unit.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine having a foreign object trap located in a portion of a wash basket defines a foreign object passageway for retaining foreign objects.

Abstract: A self-unloading bed includes a conveyor with chain bars that are strong, light-weight and non-damaging to the floor upon which the conveyor slides. The preferred chain bar is an elongated bar with two legs, each of said two legs having a foot. The feet extend away from the leading (unloading) direction, the transition from leg to foot being formed by smooth bends, so that no sharp edges exist that would gouge into the floor as the chain bar moves across the floor. The preferred chain bar, made of a single metal bar with four longitudinal bends, is extremely strong for its weight, and it unlikely to bend or gouge into the floor during use.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for removing and recovering contaminants from a pipeline while containing and preventing the contaminants from spilling or leaking into the environment during said removal comprising. Specifically, the apparatus and method effectively and safely remove PCBs from a gas transmission pipeline. The apparatus and method implements a unique coupling system the prevents dangerous contaminants from escaping into the environment. Furthermore, the apparatus and method implements and system for recycling cleaning solution for continuous treatment of the pipeline.

Abstract: A passive anchor latching mechanism which allows its user to attach a moog line to an anchor without using a secondary mechanism such as a remotely operated vehicle to attach the cable or anchor wire to the anchor. The passive anchor latching mechanism comprises three elements: (1) a latch ring which may have a tether line removably coupled thereto; (2) an anchor post extending vertically upward from the top of the anchor; and (3) a crown line attached to the anchor and buoyed at the water's surface. The latch ring consist of a tail which attaches to the mooring line and a ring which slides downward along the crown line. The anchor post has an anchor collar coupled thereto which forms an annulus groove with the anchor post. The annulus grove latches the ring of the latch ring to the anchor post while the tail of the latch ring prevents the ring from detaching from the anchor post and riding backward up the anchor post once the latch ring is latched.

Abstract: An electronic combination lock includes a combination lock having a dial with no markings thereon. Rotation of the dial drives a generator which produces electrical pulses. The voltage pulses serves as a power source for the electronics of the lock. The lock also includes a security feature to disable the lock if the combination dial is stopped between dial rotations for a period of time which indicates dialing by an automatic dialer.

Abstract: An electronic combination lock includes a combination lock having a dial with no markings thereon. Rotation of the dial drives a generator which produces electrical pulses. The voltage pulses serves as a power source for the electronics of the lock. The lock also includes a security feature to disable the lock if the combination dial is stopped between dial rotations for a period of time which indicates dialing by an automatic dialer.

Abstract: An electric motor monitoring circuit apparatus for an electric motor has a three phase electric motor having an electric motor starter circuit. An insulation monitoring circuit is coupled to the electric motor and monitors insulation leakage of the electric motor and inhibits activation of the electric motor starter circuit when an insulation leakage exceeds a preselected threshold. A three phase monitor circuit is coupled to the electric motor for monitoring phase sequence in voltage amplitude for the electric motor.

Abstract: A water temperature control system for achieving one of a plurality of wash water temperatures for a washing machine having a hot water valve, a cold water valve and an inlet conduit for carrying a combined supply of water from the hot and cold water valves to a wash bath. If a WARM FILL option is selected by the user, the cold water valve is continuously energized thereby maintaining the valve in an open condition and a normally closed temperature responsive switch is connected in series with the hot water valve. The normally closed temperature responsive switch has a predetermined temperature set point and is located on the inlet conduit. The normally closed temperature responsive switch operates to cycle the hot water valve on and off to control the inlet wash water temperature at or below the first preselected set point. If a HOT FILL option is selected, the hot water valve is continuously energized and a normally open temperature responsive switch is connected in series with the cold water valve.

Abstract: A diver navigation system which provides reliable position information to able a diver to locate and when required repair existing underwater devices such as cables, leg moorings and the like. The diver navigation system comprises a synchronous range-range navigation system operating on a repeating timing cycle, which is accurately duplicated in a master transmitter, a slave transmitter and a receiver. Within the master and slave transmitter the timing cycle is subdivided into two equal approximately one second subcycles, the first subcycle being for the master transmitter and the second subcycle being for the slave transmitter. The master transmitter sends out a tone burst signal at the beginning of the first subcycle and the slave transmitter sends out a tone burst signal at the beginning of the second subcycle. Each tone burst signal, in turn, comprises a 34 kilohertz signal followed by a 32 kilohertz signal each of which has a time period of approximately one millisecond.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes a conveyor for conveying a plurality of fixtures, each of which supports one or more articles thereon, along a predetermined conveying path. A processing station, such as a spraying station, is provided near a first section of the conveying path. A rotatable chuck, supported upon a carriage, is positioned adjacent to the first section and serves to successively transfer each of the fixtures from the conveyor to the spraying station, and to return each of the fixtures after spraying back to the conveyor.

Abstract: A combination lock for a safe or the like is provided that is fully computerized and self powered. A rotary dial is connected to a stepper motor/generator to provide the electrical power to a capacitor to power the system. The stepper motor/generator also provides input signals in the form of a code sequence to a microprocessor that processes the signals to initiate the operation of a drive motor to release a lock bolt once the proper combination is dialed. A read only memory (ROM) determines the proper combination from a combination storage means and feeds the combination to the microprocessor for comparison to the inputted signals from the dial. As each combination dialing sequence is begun, a random code initiator provides a different starting position in the sequence so that electronic or visual surveillance equipment cannot be used to surreptitiously obtain the combination.

Abstract: A transferring system for use in a processing apparatus having a plurality of processing stations comprises an endless conveyor for conveying a plurality of articles along an endless conveying path through the plurality of processing stations. The transferring system includes a bridge assembly which displaces a portion of the conveyor located adjacent to the processing stations toward and away from the processing stations in order to allow the conveyor to transfer the articles into and out of the processing stations. The transferring system also includes a tensioning mechanism which takes up an excess amount of the conveyor as the portion of the conveyor moves away from the processing stations and which gives up an amount equal to the excess amount as the portion of the conveyor moves toward the processing stations.

Abstract: A plastic film bag with overlying front and rear bag walls, the upper edges of which define a bag mouth. Pleats defined in each bag wall extend vertically downward from the mouth-forming edges. The pleats, upon expansion by direct finger engagement therewith or the application of outwardly directed opposite forces on the opposed ends of the mouth portion of the bag, cause a lateral separation of the edges for initiating opening of the bag mouth. The bag may be vertically partitioned into lateral compartments with at least one wall of each compartment including a mouth-opening pleat therein.

Abstract: A system for automatically monitoring the insulation leakage resistance of an electric motor for a short period prior to operation thereof having timing means for delaying application of the motor control voltage to the motor and for applying a high voltage direct current to the windings of the motor during such period. A sense resistor is connected between the motor frame and the high voltage supply ground, and the leakage current therethrough is monitored by a comparator. When the leakage current exceeds a preselected threshold, an alarm is initiated and operation of the motor is inhibited.

Abstract: A low voltage power supply powers a high impedance, high voltage dc supply. An electronic switch serves to automatically connect the high voltage output to the windings of a motor when the motor is non-operating. A lead connects from the frame of the motor to a sense resistor connected to the high voltage system ground. A plurality of variable threshold comparators is connected across the sense resistor. Leakage of the motor windings insulation results in a current flow through the sense resistor producing a voltage drop proportional to the leakage. Each comparator is adjustable to produce an indication of a value of leakage resistance at which the comparator produces an output.

Abstract: A time delay combination lock having the usual combination mechanism including a stack of rotatable tumbler wheels journaled on a dial spindle by a driving cam, and a fence lever pivoted on a bolt to descend to a lower coupled position with the drive cam and retract the bolt along an unlocking path when the proper combination is dialed. A timing movement is provided having an intercoupling gear train including an input gear rearwardly adjacent the driving cam for winding the main spring to woundup condition upon rotation of the dial and driving cam through a predetermined arc. A pivoted blocking lever biased to a normal stop position is located in the unlocking path of part of the fence lever to bar unlocking movement of the fence lever in its lower coupled position, and the lock case has a fixed backup shoulder immediately adjacent the blocking lever to support the blocking lever against attempted forced displacement of the fence lever and bolt in a bolt unlocking direction.

Abstract: The invention disclosed in the application is a time lock for bank vault doors and the like having a plurality of timer units of the settable dial type with a clockwork mechanism which includes a slip clutch in the gear train which permits the main winding stem to be rotated in an unwinding direction to move the dial in a descending time direction if it has been overdriven to a higher time setting than desired, and which includes a kicker arm mechanism to be abruptly kicked by spring force against a carrier assembly for the time lock unit to shift the carrier to release position when the dial reaches zero time.