Abstract: An inflatable air pad, or fluid impervious pad, is provided having three layers, the top and bottom being joined together to form an enclosed envelope with a middle layer interposed between defining an upper and lower chamber. Fluid is allowed to flow from one side of the middle layer to the other, such that there is uniform pressure throughout. A sealable port is provided in the enclosed envelope for the injection of fluid under pressure. The middle layer is attached to the top layer in a series of seals or attachment points in a rectangular array and is similarly sealed to the bottom layer in a similar rectangular pattern; however, the two patterns are positioned 180 degrees out of phase with each other. These patterns form a series of small cushion areas in the upper and lower chambers respectively and the cushion areas are nested within each other on an offset basis.

Abstract: In an inflatable pad or mattress, or a pad of fluid impervious material for holding fluids of any type, securement straps are provided of the same sheet of film material which is used to form the main portion of the pad. The securement straps are designed to fit around and under the corners of a standard bed mattress to hold the pad in position on the mattress. The film material which forms the main body of the pad is die cut such that four straps are provided at each of the four corners of the pad with each strap being connected to the pad at approximately the center of the ends of the pad and at a point along the side of the pad spaced from the corner.

Abstract: This apparatus is for use in measuring a weight, or force, and it is particularly useful as a scale. The apparatus includes a single vibrating wire and wire supports that rigidly clamp the two ends of the wire. A weight to be measured is applied to the wire in substantially the direction of its length, and the applied weight changes the tension in the wire. The apparatus includes a wire drive circuit that causes the wire to vibrate at essentially its natural resonant frequency. The frequency varies as a known cubic equation with respect to the applied weight, and a computer, operating in accordance with the equation, converts the measured frequency to a weight signal. The apparatus further includes vibration dampers and isolators for reducing the effects of sympathetic vibrations and of externally induced vibrations, and means to correct for external influences such as disturbing frequencies and ambient temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the air flow from a register of a forced air heating system. The apparatus includes walls forming a housing or cover that is adapted to be fastened to and enclose an air outlet register. The walls also form an outlet opening, and a pivotable flapper valve or wall is provided that is movable to close the opening. The valve is pivotable between an open position where the opening is not closed, and a closed position where the opening is obstructed, the valve being biased to the open position. The valve is located to be subjected to the force of air moving out of the register and through the housing, this force being such as to urge the valve to the closed position. The apparatus further includes a latch for holding the valve in the open position against the force of the moving air, and an electric control for disabling the latch in the presence of the flow of air. The electric control may be manually operated or it may be responsive to the ambient temperature conditions.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system for processing a plurality of random weight commodity packages in a supermarket utilizing a series of labels having nonrepretitive machine readable symbols thereon. The system includes a computer-scale having a data entry unit, a central computer including a memory bank, and a symbol scanner at a checkout station. Commodity-related data including the commodity identification and the price per unit weight are entered into the entry unit, most or all of the data usually being entered manually. The computer-scale includes means for serially weighing the packages, a price computer for computing the total package cost, and a printer for printing human readable data on a label. The system further includes means for applying a machine readable code symbol to each package, the symbol being located either on the above-mentioned label or on a separate label that is also attached to the package.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to control apparatus and particularly to a triggered switch connected in a first or controlled circuit and a trigger device connected in a second circuit. AC currents flow through the first and second circuits and there is a changing phase angle between the currents. Further, the current level in the second circuit changes. When the phase angle is greater than a certain value and the current level in the second circuit is above a certain level, the trigger device triggers the switch and energizes the first circuit. At angles below the value and current levels below the certain level, the switch is not triggered. Thus, the changing phase angle may be utilized to control the first circuit. The triggered switch is a thyristor type of device such as a triac, and the trigger device is preferably a reed switch. The control apparatus is particularly useful in controlling the start winding of a single phase AC motor.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to apparatus and method for controlling and protecting an electric motor. A transmitter is coupled to the motor and to the power lines for generating pulses on the power lines in certain circumstances such as during an overheated motor condition. A control unit is coupled to the power lines and senses the pulses and monitors the power current magnitude in the lines. The unit compares the current level with previously established upper and lower limits. If the current level is outside the limits for a preset length of time, a fault condition exists and the motor is turned off for a length of time that depends upon the severity of the fault. The unit also turns off the motor upon the receipt of pulses from the transmitter when a certain number of pulses regularly recur. The unit includes indicators for displaying the nature of the fault.

Abstract: A rack and pinion gear assembly 10 (FIG. 1) includes a resilient bushing which urges the rack into meshing engagement with the pinion. An arcuate inside bearing surface 54 (FIG. 4) of the bushing 18 has a larger radius of curvature than the curved outside surface 52 of the rack 12 against which it bears. The rack thus makes tangent contact with the bushing 18. When one portion of the bushing 18 is worn and therefore excessive play appears in the steering gear assembly 10, the bushing may be removed from the housing 16 of the assembly and rotated 180.degree. and then reinserted into the housing to thereby provide an unworn bearing surface which slidably engages the rack 12. The bushing 18 includes a plurality of axially extending grooves 70, 72, 74, and 76 through which lubricant is supplied to the bearing surfaces 52 and 54. In a second embodiment (FIG.

Abstract: A method of protecting plant life from injury due to frost or sub-freezing temperatures which comprises applying to the plant an effective, but non-phytotoxic amount, having regard to the plant being treated of a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is lower-alkyl;R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of:A. lower-alkyl, andB. 2-hydroxy alkyl of 3 to 18 carbon atoms; andA is selected from the group consisting of:A. alkyl of 3 to 13 carbon atoms,B. 2-hydroxy-lower alkyl,C. lower alkenyl,D. substituted phenyl, substituted by substituents selected from the group consisting of:I. p-nitro,Ii. halo, andIii. lower alkoxy, ##STR2## wherein R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of:I. hydrogen,Ii. alkyl of 2 to 18 carbon atoms,Iii. substituted phenyl,Iv. benzyl,V. lower-alkoxy carbonyl, andVi. 2-hydroxy-lower alkyl; and ##STR3## wherein R.sub.5 is lower alkyl;R.sub.6 is selected from the group consisting of:I. alkyl of 3 to 8 carbon atoms,Ii.