Abstract: A method of assembling a variable speed belt drive of the type having a pair of shiftable discs received on respective input and output shafts with a drive belt entrained thereabout. Methodology of the invention includes providing a drive housing with a relatively large interior access opening. The drive housing has a support backbone at a generally central location in the interior access portion. The support bracket is mounted to the support backbone to straddle support the output shaft having a pair of variable speed discs mounted thereon. A singular one of a pair of constant speed discs is mounted on the input shaft. The drive belt is installed about the output shaft entrained in between the variable speed discs and with the loop of the drive belt placed about the input shaft. A second one of the constant speed discs is mounted onto the input shaft.

Abstract: A variable speed belt drive of the type having a pair of shiftable discs received on respective input and output shafts with a drive belt entrained thereabout further includes a cooperating housing backbone and support bracket. The housing backbone supports one axial end of the output shaft, and supports the support bracket, which extends through the loop of the drive belt to support the opposite end of the output shaft. The straddle support arrangement permits use of a nonload bearing housing cover and permits the performance of maintenance procedures for the drive belt and input shaft without disengaging alignment and support of the output shaft. One end of the input shaft is supported by the housing and the opposite end is supported with a thrust bearing which is received in a pivot mounted shifting yoke.

Abstract: A variable speed drive for a screw conveyor includes a mechanical adjustable variable speed belt drive and a torque-arm speed reducer. The belt drive is associated with the speed reducer through the combination of a mounting adapter and a mounting plate. A coupling shaft extends from the output discs of the belt drive through the mounting adapter and plate into driving relationship with the input of the speed reducer. The output shaft includes a mated splined output for receipt in a female splined input of the speed reducer. The speed reducer is outfitted with a CEMA standard flange for attachment to a screw conveyor with the screw conveyor drive shaft received in an output bore of the speed reducer. The mounting adapter and plate support the belt drive in a C-flow drive power configuration for minimizing space requirements, while avoiding damage to the screw conveyor mounting flange by controlling undesired bending forces thereat.

Abstract: An improved filter screen device is provided which comprises an elongated, tubular housing, a hollow elongated perforated tubular member releasably secured in the hollow central interior of the housing and a flexible sock-type filter screen releasably disposed over the outer surface of the tubular member in the housing. The housing includes an open upstream end which is closed by the tubular member and a closed opposite downstream end. An inlet is disposed at an acute angle to the length of the housing and intersects the housing interior between its upstream and downstream ends. A first outlet is disposed at the downstream end along about the longitudinal axis of the housing so as to communicate with the interior of the hollow tubular member. A second outlet is also disposed in the downstream end of the housing at an angle to the first outlet and communicates with a space between the filter screen and the housing.

Abstract: An improved liquid filtration system is provided which comprises, in combination, a tank or other vessel having a central cavity and a liquid inlet tube and liquid outlet tube spaced apart. A porous, rigid, self-supporting removable filter is placed in the tank between the liquid inlet and liquid outlet and forms part of the system. The filter comprises a plurality of modules, each module comprising a self-supporting body of granules cemented together by set organic resin such as epoxy resin and disposed in a frame of, for example, fiberglass-reinforced nylon. Preferably, the modules are steeple shaped, placed in a circle or wheel configuration and removably secured to a cross plate fixed to the walls inside the tank. The upstream portion of the filter body in each module preferably contains a layer of fine aggregate while the downstream portion of the filter body preferably contains a layer of larger aggregate.

Abstract: An improved reversible quick exhaust valve is provided which comprises, in combination, a valve housing and a flexible resilient valve member disposed in the housing. The housing has a hollow interior and defines and entry port and first and second exit ports. A valve support is positioned in the interior to define with the housing a narrow passageway between the inlet port and the first exit port. The valve member is in the form of a flexible plate having a depending wall. The plate is disposed over one end of the valve support and the depending wall extends into the passageway. The plate blocks passage of liquid from the inlet port to the second exit port. The depending wall flexes during passage of the liquid from the inlet port into the housing and through the passageway to permit the liquid to pass out of the housing through the first exit port.

Abstract: An improved liquid filtration system is provided which comprises, in combination, a tank or other vessel having a central cavity and a liquid inlet tube and liquid outlet tube spaced apart. A porous self-supporting filter is arched over the liquid outlet tube and forms part of the system. The filter comprises granules cemented together by organic resin. For example, fine aggregate stone particles are cemented together by an epoxy resin so that the filter is both porous and strong. Preferably, the upstream portion of the filter contains a first layer of fine aggregate while the downstream portion of the filter contains a layer of larger aggregate. The system also includes a connector releasably securing the filter over the outlet tube. The filter is relatively small, occupies only a small portion of the bottom of the tank, can be removed for cleaning and replacement and is light in weight. Preferably, the filter has an upstream cover portion of a porous metal plate material in domed configuration.

Abstract: The improved valve assembly comprises, in combination, a housing having an elongated central passageway and a plurality of spaced ports in the sidewall thereof along the length thereof in communication with the passageway, an elongated drive shaft disposed in the passageway and movable between a resting position and an actuated position, first biasing means biasing the shaft into the resting position, a plurality of valve openings along the length of the passageway and providing communication between adjacent ones of said ports, a plurality of free floating valve sealing elements disposed transversely on, secured to and spaced along the shaft in the housing, each said element being disposed between two adjacent valve openings, second biasing means in the housing around the shaft biasing the valve elements apart on the shaft, and actuator means connected to the housing for hydraulic pressure movement of the shaft between the resting position wherein a first spaced set of the valve openings is closed by the val

Abstract: An improvement is provided in a valve having a valve housing defining first and second valve openings and a valve sealing element in the housing. The improvement comprises a three-piece valve sealing element. That valve sealing element comprises a first hard retainer of metal or the like, a second generally cup shaped hard retainer of metal or the like and a resilient plastic component disposed between the first and second retainers and having an exposed sloped peripheral sealing surface which surface is adapted to engage the first valve opening defined within the valve housing. The second retainer has a curved peripheral surface engageable with the second valve opening within the valve housing, the two valve openings being spaced longitudinally from each other. The valve includes a valve stem connected to the valve sealing element for movement of said valve sealing element in the housing between the two valve openings.

Abstract: An improved liquid-filled dashpot mechanism for use with a spring-biased, axially-displaceable valve stem, comprising: a housing having a passageway therein, a stem in the passageway adapted for reciprocation therein, a pair of annular rolling diaphragms disposed in spaced-apart, face-to-face relationship within the passageway in the housing, each diaphragm being respectively secured in fluid sealing relationship to the housing and the stem to collectively form an enclosed container for the dashpot liquid, a piston fixedly mounted on the stem intermediate the rolling diaphragms adapted for operative displacement within the housing and dividing the container into two chambers, a liquid metering passageway in the piston for providing fluid communication between the two chambers, and a check valve secured to the piston to permit the unidirectional flow of liquid therethrough, and when the dashpot liquid is not permitted to flow through the check valve, to direct the flow of dashpot fluid through the liquid meter

Abstract: An improved liquid-filled dashpot mechanism for use with a spring-biased, axially-displaceable valve stem, comprising: a housing having a passageway therein, a stem in the passageway adapted for reciprocation therein, a pair of annular rolling diaphragms disposed in spaced-apart, face-to-face relationship within the passageway in the housing, each diaphragm being respectively secured in fluid sealing relationship to the housing and the stem to collectively form an enclosed container for the dashpot liquid, a piston fixedly mounted on the stem intermediate the rolling diaphragms adapted for operative displacement within the housing and dividing the container into two chambers, a liquid metering passageway in the piston for providing fluid communication between the two chambers, and a check valve secured to the piston to permit the unidirectional flow of liquid therethrough, and when the dashpot liquid is not permitted to flow through the check valve, to direct the flow of dashpot fluid through the liquid meter

Abstract: A combination lavatory and toilet assembly including a sanitary enclosure having a rear side with a plurality of apertures therein, an upper side including means defining a lavatory basin with a drain opening therein and communicable with a plumbing drain pipe, a front side defining an access opening closed by a pivotally mounted closure member, a relatively pivotable toilet adapted to be stored in a first position within the enclosure and being pivotable about a generally vertical axis to a second position disposed exteriorly of the enclosure to permit use thereof, toilet support and pivot means fixedly coupled to the rear portion of the toilet for supporting the toilet and for pivotal movement between the first and second positions and including means for coupling the toilet to water supply piping and means for coupling the outlet of the toilet in fluid communication with the plumbing drain, wherein the toilet support and pivot means is supported independently of the enclosure, and linkage means operatively

Abstract: A relievable hanger for towels and the like is disclosed which incorporates a ball having a fixed rod extending therefrom. The ball is movably captured within a socket to form a ball joint. A portion of the ball is bored out to receive therein a spring-loaded element with a rounded, blunted end. Positioning the rod upwardly to serve as a hanger for towels and the like disposes the blunted-end of the spring-loaded element over a detent within the socket. The blunted end is urged by the spring into the detent which relievably locks the rod in its upright position.