Abstract: An apparatus and method for tilting a bed frame is disclosed. The apparatus raises and lowers an end of a bed frame between a horizontal position and an inclined position. The apparatus includes a power actuator connected to an extendable support bar. To raise or incline the bed, a support end of the extendable support bar contacts the floor while a lifting end raises the bed frame as the power actuator causes the extendable support bar to move from a retracted position toward an extended position. As the distance between the lifting end of the extendable support bar and the floor increases, the extendable support bar inclines the bed. To increase the rate at which the bed is inclined, ramps are placed between the extendable support bar and the bed.

Abstract: A refiner for refining material has a refiner disc arrangement whereby the outermost opposed refiner disc annuli have a particular corresponding refiner surface arrangement. A carrier element has a mounting surface, a central axis, and defines a plane generally perpendicular to its axis of rotation. An annular first disc is carried on the mounting surface concentrically relative to the central axis and has a first refiner surface facing outward relative to the mounting surface. A plurality of refiner bars protrudes axially from and extends generally radially along the refiner surface. A second carrier element is spaced from and confronts the first carrier element and has a second mounting surface thereon. An annular second disc is carried on the second mounting surface concentrically relative to the central axis and has a second refiner surface confronting the first refiner surface. A plurality of second refiner bars protrudes axially from and extends generally radially along the second refiner surface.

Abstract: A rotary disc refiner includes a pair of spaced apart refiner discs for refining or grinding a material that typically is fibrous material such as wood pulp or the like. Pressurized vapor, typically steam, produced as a result of the refining or grinding is exhausted through a channel in the refiner disc which extends through the body of the disc. Preferably, the channel is located in a refiner disc that rotates. The channel includes a vapor inlet opening located preferably in the high pressure midsection of the refiner disc, a vapor outlet opening which discharges the steam to the relatively low pressure outer section of the disc, and a passageway behind the refining or grinding surface of the refiner disc connecting the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: A refiner disc for a fiber refiner having a refiner disc removal device that is integral with and retained by the disc during refiner operation. The removal device includes a biasing element that is extended from the disc against its mounting surface to urge the disc away from the mounting surface. In its preferred embodiment, the biasing element is a threaded removal plug in a threaded hole in the disc. The plug preferably is of one-piece, unitary and headless construction, engaged by a tool during removal, and is no longer than the disc cross section. The hole is spaced from disc mounting bores, can be offset from the center of the disc to increase mechanical advantage during removal, and has a shoulder adjacent a refining surface of the disc for preventing the plug from backing out of the disc during refiner operation.