Abstract: A piston pump having structure to maintain substantially parallel alignment of a piston rod and a crosshead extension as a crosshead slide undergoes wear. The structure includes a slot defined by the end of the piston rod for receiving a male pilot of the crosshead extension. In a further embodiment, the piston rod has a male pilot and the end of the crosshead extension defines a slot for receiving the male pilot of the piston rod. The slot may be oblong in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the piston rod. The structure may additionally or alternatively include a centering sleeve attached to the outer surface of the piston rod adjacent to and coaxial with the piston. A backflushing system may be used with the sleeve to keep the piston, piston sleeve, and pump cylinder cool. One such system has a conduit connected to the sleeve and in liquid communication with an annular cavity between the sleeve and the pump cylinder to circulate coolant therethrough.

Abstract: A bed side rail particularly suitable for use by childred has a protective panel which carries a pair of arms that fit under a mattress to support the panel at the edge of a bed. Hinges connect the panel to the arms so that the panel may be moved between an operative position wherein it extends upwardly from the arms above the level of the mattress to an inoperative position wherein it extends downwardly from the arms out of the way. The panel carries a flashlight which may readily be removed from the panel by a small child. The flashlight has an actuator in the grip which turns the flashlight on when the handle is grasped by the child, and the light will remain on for a selected period after the child replaces the flashlight in the pocket of the panel and releases the actuator. The flashlight is retained in the pocket so that it will not fall out when the panel is moved between operative and inoperative positions and yet may be removed from the pocket by the child when desired.

Abstract: A bed side rail particularly suitable for use by childred has a protective panel which carries a pair of arms that fit under a mattress to support the panel at the edge of a bed. Hinges connect the panel to the arms so that the panel may be moved between an operative position wherein it extends upwardly from the arms above the level of the mattress to an inoperative position wherein it extends downwardly from the arms out of the way. The panel carries a flashlight which may readily be removed from the panel by a small child. The flashlight has an actuator in the grip which turns the flashlight on when the handle is grasped by the child, and the light will remain on for a selected period after the child replaces the flashlight in the pocket of the panel and releases the actuator. The flashlight is retained in the pocket so that it will not fall out when the panel is moved between operative and inoperative positions and yet may be removed from the pocket by the child when desired.

Abstract: A valve for use in a valve housing which forms a flow passage, an annular valve seat being provided in the passage and the seat forming an annular seal surface, the housing, the seat and the passage being concentric on a valve axis. The valve includes a valve body which reciprocates on the axis in the housing toward and away from the seat, guide means on the valve body for slidingly engaging the seat and guiding the reciprocation of the valve body on the axis, and an annular insert mounted on the valve body adjacent the seal surface and concentric with the axis. The insert comprises a rigid part and a resilient elastomeric seal part, the rigid and seal parts being bonded together. The valve body includes a radially extending portion having an outer periphery and a groove formed in the outer periphery, the insert being mounted in the groove with the seal part facing the seal surface.

Abstract: A valve member comprising a lower support portion and an upper seal portion. The support portion is made of a relatively rigid plastic and the seal portion is made of a relatively soft plastic. The two plastic portions are integrally merged to form a single piece valve member. The valve member may further include an upper support portion which is formed of a relatively rigid plastic and is integrally merged with the seal portion. The method of making the valve member using a mold in the shape of the valve member, comprises pouring the material forming one of the portions into the mold while in a liquid or molten state, and then pouring the material forming another of the portions into the mold in a liquid state onto the first portion. The two portions merge or diffuse along the interface between them and, when cured, form an integral unit.

Abstract: An electronic measurement, data storage and readout system utilizing a programmable processor and controller to manipulate data measurements from a transducer is disclosed. Means are provided for electronically safeguarding the stored data.In the preferred embodiment means are also provided for reading out the data directly to a dedicated printer for producing graphical representations of the data and for converting the data to frequency-shift keyed signals which can be transmitted over telephone lines to the dedicated printer. A redeployment station is provided to reinitialize the programmable processor and controller.

Abstract: A valve element for a fluid pump comprises a rigid body and a flexible ring-shaped seal mounted on the body. The body includes an annular groove around its outer periphery in which the seal is mounted. An outer surface of the groove forms a first contact surface which engages a second contact surface defined by an inner circumference of the seal. Those contact surfaces form an angle of from 5.degree. to 10.degree. with the longitudinal axis of the valve element to resist the creation of a gap between those surfaces. The seal includes a longitudinally projecting annular finger which is hooked into a correspondingly shaped channel of the recess to secure the seal to the body. The contact surface of the seal is configured to reduce the compression imposed on the front end of the seal so as to render that front end relatively flexible and able to effectively absorb forces applied thereagainst by grit disposed in fluid being pumped.

Abstract: A valve seat member (18) presenting a valve seat surface (20) at one end against which an associated valve (16) seals. A valve stem guide (36) is supported in a central flow passage (34) of the valve seat member (18) by two diametrically opposed arms (38). An annular abutment surface (44) extends radially into the flow passage (34) and is spaced axially below the valve seat surface (20) and above the arms (38) for providing a ledge with which a removal tool (42) engages to extract the valve seat member (18) from a slush pump deck (12). The associated valve (16) includes a valve body (72) having a shape defined by a segment of a sphere centered at the apex (70) of a cone (68) which simultaneously defines the shape of a peripheral sealing face (74) of the valve body (72) and the shape of the valve seat surface (20).

Abstract: A valve assembly comprises a rigid seat and a valve for opening and closing the seat. The valve comprises a rigid valve body and an elastomeric seal element mounted on the valve body. The seal element includes smoothly concave seat-engaging surface which tapers in a forward direction. An annular recess formed in a rear surface of the seal element extends to a depth at least one-third of the distance from a rear end to a front end of the concave surface to define therewith a flexible lip. The walls of the recess are oriented such that pressures present behind the valve intensify the engagement of the seal element with both the seat and valve body.

Abstract: An electronic measurement, data storage and readout system utilizing a programmable processor and controller to manipulate data measurements from a transducer is disclosed. Means are provided for electronically safeguarding the stored data. In the preferred embodiment means are also provided for reading out the data directly to a dedicated printer for producing graphical representations of the data and for converting the data to frequency-shift keyed signals which can be transmitted over telephone lines to the dedicated printer. A redeployment station is provided to reinitialize the programmable processor and controller.

Abstract: A table top construction including a frame and a top plate with a rim bounding the marginal edge of the plate. An upper, inwardly extending flange of the rim rests on the upper surface of the plate and a lower, inwardly extending flange is spaced below the upper flange. Wedge members are inserted in the rim between the flanges to maintain the top plate against the upper flange. Connecting members engage the wedge members and the frame to prevent relative movement between the frame and the rim.

Abstract: A portable strip chart recorder is provided with a constant speed strip chart advancing drive powered from a clockworks and gear drive unit. The gear drive unit is sealed from the strip chart so that it cannot be tampered with when the strip chart is changed. The constant speed drive comprises a constant speed sprocket spool which engages sprocket holes in a strip chart running between a feed spool and a take-up spool. The feed spool is provided with a drag to allow variations in the rotational speed of the strip chart on the spool and provide tension on the chart whereas the take-up spool is provided with a slip clutch that allows the chart to be wrapped at a constant tangential speed even though the diameter of the chart on the take-up spool varies.

Abstract: A portable strip chart recorder is provided with a constant speed strip chart advancing drive powered from a clockworks and gear drive unit. The gear drive unit is sealed from the strip chart so that it cannot be tampered with when the strip chart is changed. The constant speed drive comprises a constant speed sprocket spool which engages sprocket holes in a strip chart running between a feed spool and a take-up spool. The feed spool is provided with a drag to allow variations in the rotational speed of the strip chart on the spool and provide tension on the chart whereas the take-up spool is provided with a slip clutch that allows the chart to be wrapped at a constant tangential speed even though the diameter of the chart on the take-up spool varies.