Abstract: A spring motor and drag brake for use in coverings for architectural openings.

Abstract: An autonomous controller allows an AC induction motor to operate over a broad range of AC power supply frequencies by reducing the amount of current supplied to the motor at lower frequencies. The controller detects the frequency of the power supply and switches the supply current on and off during each AC cycle to limit the RMS current to a value that is related to the detected frequency. Alternatively, the controller switches capacitive reactance into the power supply circuit which reduces the current supplied to the motor at lower AC frequencies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid electrical connector for a lamp-to-harness interface, which comprises two connector halves. The first connector half includes an overmolded connector, preferably formed from injection molded PVC, which has terminals of a first sex at one end and wires at a second end. Each wire is electrically coupled to a respective one of the terminals. The overmolded connector has formed therearound a hard shell shroud which is substantially rigid and includes a first locking feature thereon. The second half of the connector comprises a hardshell connector having terminals of a second sex therein and a second locking feature thereon. By coupling the hardshell shroud to the hardshell connector and engaging the first and second locking features, the first terminals in the overmolded connector are caused to mate with the second terminals in the hardshell connector.

Abstract: A tilter system for a window blind permits a portion of the blind to selectively tilt closed while the balance of the blind remains tilted open. Various arrangements are disclosed for achieving this effect. One includes a lag mechanism in a two-piece tape drum which moves as a single unit during part of its rotation and as two independent drums during the balance of the rotation, with the ladder tape of the blind attached to one of the drums and an actuator cord attached to the other drum. The actuator cord is also anchored to the one of the tilt cables of the ladder tape at a desired point where the selective tilting closed of the blind is to be effected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid electrical connector for a lamp-to-harness interface, which comprises two connector halves. The first connector half includes an overmolded connector, preferably formed from injection molded PVC, which has terminals of a first sex at one end and wires at a second end. Each wire is electrically coupled to a respective one of the terminals. The overmolded connector has formed therearound a hard shell shroud which is substantially rigid and includes a first locking feature thereon. The second half of the connector comprises a hardshell connector having terminals of a second sex therein and a second locking feature thereon. By coupling the hardshell shroud to the hardshell connector and engaging the first and second locking features, the first terminals in the overmolded connector are caused to mate with the second terminals in the hardshell connector.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening is made for better closure, especially adjacent to the bottom rail. A movable weight is mounted on the bottom rail, so that the weight shifts to the lower side of the bottom rail when the bottom rail is tilted. A lift cord is mounted to support the bottom rail while being freely movable relative to the bottom rail at least in the front-to-back direction. The weight helps shift the bottom rail into the desired position, and, by being freely movable in the front-to-back direction, the lift cord does not interfere with the motion of the bottom rail.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening is made for better closure, especially adjacent to the bottom rail. A movable weight is mounted on the bottom rail, so that the weight shifts to the lower side of the bottom rail when the bottom rail is tilted. A lift cord is mounted to support the bottom rail while being freely movable relative to the bottom rail at least in the front-to-back direction. The weight helps shift the bottom rail into the desired position, and, by being freely movable in the front-to-back direction, the lift cord does not interfere with the motion of the bottom rail.

Abstract: A cam (23) provides a rotating guide surface (33) for the cage (30) of the roller elements (25, 26) of a bearing (22) used to support the load on the cam of an axial piston pump (11) that uses pistons (17, 18) having no shoes or slippers. The rotating guide surface (33) is provided by extending a cylindrical surface (34) from the rotating cam (23) through the inside diameter, or around the outside diameter of the rolling element cage (30), concentric to the centerline of rotation.

Abstract: A microprocessor based control system for establishing the optimum points of motor turn on and turn off for an oscillatory pumping system. The power to the motor is disabled at a point calculated to return the maximum stored mechanical energy to the system after turn-around. The motor is restarted at either a predetermined motor speed which may be different in the up and down stroke directions, or when the speed peaks. Safeguards are also provided under control of the microprocessor for disabling pump operation in the event of pump overtravel, overload or pump off. The control permits dynamic changes to the operating parameters of the pumping system in order to optimize the power required by the motor over a wide range of operating conditions.

Abstract: A propulsion unit for span scaffolds having vertical castered columns at the four corners thereof. The propulsion unit includes a first elongated frame member extending between the columns on one side of the scaffold, a second elongated frame member extending between the columns on the other side of the scaffold, and a third, wheeled, frame member extending crosswise between the first and second frame members, the third frame member being mounted on the first and second frame members for limited free vertical movement relative thereto.

Abstract: A rotatable platform assembly having upper and lower frames coupled together for rotation of the upper frame relative to the lower frame and about a first and fixed vertical axis. A large diameter ring, having its center at the first vertical axis, is mounted on the lower frame and has a cylindrical vertical outer surface and an annular horizontal track surface. The upper frame has a plurality of rollers in rolling engagement with the track and a chain sprocket mounted thereon and rotatable about a second vertical axis. A standard roller chain is trained around the ring and chain sprocket and the ring is provided with fixed chain-engaging pins and adjustable pad members engageable with the chain to take up chain slack between pins. A manually-operable, lockable and impact-releasable drive means is provided in the upper frame for rotation of the chain sprocket, so that the upper frame rotates about the first vertical axis with the rotating chain sprocket orbiting around such axis.

Abstract: An improved camp lantern comprising a spool fuel/air valve with OFF, START and RUN modes of operation is described. The spool valve is contained within a cylindrical valve chamber having fuel and air inlets and an outlet port leading to the lantern generator. The spool valve shaft also comprises a ramp contacting a cam follower for driving a rod and orifice cleaning needle. The needle enters and clears the generator orifice when the valve is in the OFF position. Thus, operating the valve in normal use also automatically clears the generator orifice. In addition to the operating convenience of this valve assembly, the parts count is low and the parts are easily machinable, making this lantern valve assembly reliable and economically producable in commercial quantities.

Abstract: A pedestal scaffold having casters on the scaffold base to permit the scaffold to be rolled horizontally while the scaffold is in a generally vertical position. Retractable outriggers are extended outwardly and locked in position to provide a large support area for the scaffold, with the act of extension and locking of the outriggers causing the casters to lift off the ground so that the scaffold cannot be moved when in use. When the outriggers are not in use and the scaffold is movable on its casters, the casters support the scaffold with a substantial tilt from elevation so that it cannot be used. Additional wheel support frames are provided so that the scaffold can be tilted down for rolling transport, such wheel support frames also serving to protect the user in case the scaffold should tip over when it is generally vertical and supported on its base casters.

Abstract: A press comprising an apertured press box which opens on a side parallel to its axis to admit the product to be pressed. After closing of the press box a ram is forced axially through the press box to compress the material and squeeze the liquid therefrom. A restricted opening is then formed at the end of the press box and the material in the cylinder is extruded therethrough.

Abstract: A base frame with four wheels, two of which are powered by separate hydraulic motors connected in series so that the fluid flowing through one motor then flows through the other. A speed control is provided whereby the constant output of a hydraulic pump either passes entirely through the motors or is partially bypassed around the pump.