Abstract: A truck having a flat body is fitted with a tram to unload burdened pallets. The tram travels on rails and rollers fastened to the truck body. A burdened pallet on the tram is to be unloaded from the truck. A winch pulls the tram rearward and as the tram and load begin to tilt, one or more fixed restraining cables control the tilt. On contact with the ground a restraining pin holding the pallet from proceeding down the grade, automatically retracts allowing the pallet and burden to move down the tram. A flat adjustable spring bears against the pallet, reducing its velocity. The truck is moved forward and the pallet and burden rests on the ground. The tram is retracted into the truck by the winch. The truck driver closes the tailgate.

Abstract: A selectable toilet-water-level flushing system (10) that allows a toilet user to selectively control the quantity of water that is used for a toilet flush. The quantity of water used depends on whether liquid or solid waste is to be flushed. For liquid waste, only a partial flush is necessary; for solid waste, a full-flush is used. The system (10) functions by performing a simple modification to the toilet flush valve (12). The modification consists of inserting into the valve opening a weight (16) that causes the normally buoyant valve to become non-buoyant. Since the valve is non-buoyant, the lifting of the valve from the valve seat (36) is totally controlled by the toilet flush handle (38) which, in turn, is controlled by the user. Typically, for a partial flush the handle (38) is temporarily held in its depressed position for two seconds while for a full flush, it is held for four seconds. Over a period of time, by using partial flushes a large savings of fresh water can be realized.

Abstract: An improved toilet flapper valve (10) designed to directly replace either a conventional toilet flapper valve or tank ball valve. The valve (10) allows a toilet user to selectively determine the quantity of water used for a toilet flush by controlling the time that a toilet flush handle (38) is held in the depressed position. The water quantity used depends on whether liquid or solid waste is to be flushed. For liquid waste, a partial flush is used; for solid waste a full flush is recommended. The valve (10) consists of a resilient body having a cavity (12) located over the toilet tank drain (34). The cavity houses a weight (16) that fulfills two functions: it provides the weight necessary to make the valve non-buoyant and it produces under the area of the weight, a flat rigid section (18) that extends radially over and beyond the perimeter of the valve seat (36). This rigid section provides a positive seal without sagging which can produce unnoticed leaks.

Abstract: A sorter (3) is disclosed in which an article (A) to be sorted is delivered to a carrier. The carrier is moved by a conveyor drive along a path to a selected one unloading station UL at which two or more receptacles or bags (3) are located and the article is unloaded (dropped) from its carrier into its predetermined receptacle. After an article is loaded into the carrier, the carrier is inclined in one direction or the other and is conveyed to its selected one unloading station such that the carrier is in position to deliver its article to the proper receptacle. At each turn of the conveyor, the carriers inclined toward the inside of the turn may, optionally, be moved back toward their centered (vertical) positions as they are moved into and through the turn thereby to prevent interference between the carriers. A method of sorting is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mechanism for controlling the travel, velocity and stroke distance of a ram as used in punch and draw presses, and riveting machines, and a lever as used in automatic screw machines, feed mechanisms and indexing machines. In each embodiment the ram/lever is rotatably attached to a cam follower. When the mechanism is in the idle mode the cam follower is at rest in the idle area keeping the ram/lever motionless while the cam rotates. When the work mode is selected an escapement guide is actuated, causing the cam follower to transfer from the idle area into a cycloidal work groove intersecting the idle area. The work groove is configured to produce ram/lever motions commensurate with those required for the specific work piece. The mechanism uses fewer parts than are presently required for conventional machines is easier to maintain, more reliable and requires less power to operate.