Abstract: A device for brewing coffee in an aircraft is disclosed which operates automatically, and is substantially lighter than and brews coffee faster than conventional aircraft coffee makers known in the art, and offers a high degree of safety in its operation. The aircraft coffee maker uses a heater tube assembly having three heater tubes with heating elements therein which are arranged in sequential order to heat water as it flows through the heater tube assembly. The aircraft coffee maker provides an entirely automatic brew cycle, and uses redundant safety mechanisms to monitor the brew operation to ensure that the brewing operation will be carried out both efficiently and safely.

Abstract: The disposable beverage brewing chamber is usable in a conventional coffee or other hot beverage brewing and dispensing machine and includes a preferably inverted frusto-conical or rectangular container fabricated of paper, paperboard or the like and having a closed bottom with central liquid beverage dispensing aperture therein; closed vertically collapsible sidewalls and an open top defining a central cavity therewith. The cavity contains a filter bag holding brewable ground coffee or tea leaves or shreds or coffee substitute, herbal tea or the like and is positioned against the bottom aperture. Peelable strips may seal the top and bottom aperture. The top includes a single peripheral slide guide rim in the case where the container has a round or oval top, and a pair of slide guide rims at opposite sides where the top is square or rectangular. The sidewalls are accordion pleated or telescopable.

Abstract: A lightweight building structure and method of fabrication is provided which is especially adapted for use in airline galleys or other interior vehicular constructions. It includes fireproof sandwich/core panels interconnected by plastic adhesive in a novel manner. The method of fabrication includes construction of the assembly in a clean environment, including forming and mating components in the panels, cleaning and deburring the components, adhesively interconnecting the panels prior to further cleaning prior to painting. The assembly is constructed in a manner to insure a completely smooth and continuous surface which enables ease of cleaning while preventing accumulation of dust and dirt.

Abstract: The improved assembly includes a jump seat with a raised back portion and a seat portion hinged thereto and spring raised automatic movement from a horizontal operative position to a raised stored position. The seat back portion holds such spring and is hinged to the vertical arm of an L-shaped wall bracket, which may contain a second spring so that when the seat portion is in the stored position, the seat can be controllably swung into a flat stored position against the wall bracket, which bracket is adapted to be secured to an airplane galley wall or the like. The horizontal portion of the bracket includes a raised post and recess with sloped walls easily releasably seating with and disengaging from the underside of the seat portion. The seat includes a fully adjustable safety belt array, having a pair of parallel vertical shoulder belts releasably separately hooked to a pair of transverse belts. The latter are each adjustable in length.

Abstract: The lightweight caster assembly, when used on aircraft food and drink-dispensing push carts and other aircraft furniture, in place of conventional caster assemblies, reduces the overall weight of the aircraft furniture, thus resulting in a considerable fuel saving. Moreover, the caster assembly is inexpensive to make and install and is durable. It includes a caster wheel of lightweight metal or plastic and a generally inverted U-shaped support bracket or yoke. The wheel has transverse cut-out portions as well as transverse passageways through which metal or plastic reinforcing rods are inserted. The wheel axle passageway is lined with removable lightweight metal or plastic reinforcing and aligning sleeves. A lightweight metallic braking plate with a notched outer periphery may be releasably secured to one side of the wheel, against which a braking mechanism connected to a push cart can releasably bear to brake and stop the wheel from turning and to lock the wheel in the stationary position.

Abstract: The check valve is useful in air conditioning compressor units and is designed to take up little space while delivering a maximum flow of air or other gas when in the open position. The valve includes a generally cylindrical valve body with a generally cylindrical central passageway extending lengthwise and which is divided by a sloped annular seat into two portions of different diameters. A ball-shaped valve element is slideably disposed in the larger diameter portion of the passageway, the outer end of which is blocked by a transverse pin. Spaced longitudinally extending protrusions pass radially inwardly from the walls of the larger passageway portion to contact and guide the ball and to define with the passageway walls and ball exterior longitudinal gas flow channels between the ball and passageway walls. These channels are of improved size relative to prior art valves and allowed increased gas flow therethrough for more rapid and efficient air conditioning.

Abstract: The improved resilient flexible headrest of the present invention is inflated with air or fluid, or is filled with foamed plastic material, preferably of various resiliencies. The headrest can be formed of plastic, cloth or the like, and has a cavity within which the upper end of the backrest of a chair, couch or the like is receivable. The headrest includes means for securing the headrest in place to the backrest, preferably releasably. The body of the headrest may be structurally reinforced with stiffining elements and preferably has forwardly extending privacy wings which may be hinged and which include sound system speakers or the like. Alternately, the wings may be bridged by a privacy roof. The roof may have an eye shield such as a cloth or the like attached thereto and lowerable from the front thereof. A pocket with a transparent outer facing may be disposed on the outer surface of the body of the headrest to releasably receive a ticket, advertising indicia or the like.

Abstract: A dump valve assembly for opening and fluid-tightly sealing the drain outlet of a waste tank, the assembly comprisng a rotatable elongated shaft having a handle at its upper end and a first or lower compression plate adjustably secured to its lower end. Disposed concentrically about the shaft are a first and second tubular member, the former having a length less than that of the shaft, and the latter having a length less than that of the first tubular member. Fixedly secured to the lower end of the first tubular member is a second or upper compression plate spaced from the lower plate. Sandwiched and pre-loaded between the upper and lower compression plates is a valve plug made of an expandable material. The shaft is provided with a double-thrust ball bearing which abuttingly engages the upper end of the first tubular member to permit independent rotation of the shaft relative to the former member.

Abstract: An elevator comprising a self-propelled truck and a cab secured thereto and for use especially for transporting invalids and convalescents, the cab being adapted to be selectively lowered or raised relative to ground level by means of a vertical two-stage mast assembly. Electric motors within the truck hydraulically power the mast assembly, front wheels and the steering mechanism of the single rear wheel. Further electrically operated are interior lights, a courtesy light, windshield wiper and defroster fan and a bell effective to provide a warning when the cab is lowered or when the truck is moved in reverse. The square-shaped cab is further provided with all-around tiltable windows, a vent in the cab ceiling, wide sliding doors to facilitate easy access and exit, and bumpers in the cab lower contact areas. A manually positionable ramp aids a wheelchair passenger while boarding or leaving the cab, and an inner foldable safety railing further affords additional safety and support for such passengers.

Abstract: A mechanism providing both a brake and tie-down mechanism for a cart which utilizes a central support below the bottom of the cart for supporting both the vertically moving brake shoes and the rotating locks of the tie-down mechanism, and foot pedals at opposite ends of the cart for engaging and disengaging the brake shoes with the supporting surface and for rotating the locks to release the cart from the tie-down mechanism, the tie-down mechanism being arranged to receive a tie-down mushroom from either end of the cart.

Abstract: A brake device for a cart separate from the cart wheels and operated by downward movement of a foot pedal to cause engagement of feet with the floor and thereafter movement of at least some of the cart wheels a small distance off of the floor, the feet being disengaged from the floor to place the full weight of the cart back on the floor by downward movement of a second foot pedal.