Abstract: A utility hook holds a handbag under a table. The hook includes a hanger that hangs from foot linked by a pivot joint with at least one axis of freedom. The part of the hook from which the strap of the handbag may be hung is located directly below the axis of pivot in such a way as to naturally align the hanger with a minimum of extension beyond the table. The foot may be rotated to align its major plane with that of the hanger to form a compact arrangement.

Abstract: An air handling system is provided which includes sections for the introduction of outside or ambient air relative to a structure to be mixed with a flow of inside or return air in a flow path in which the resulting mixture is impelled by a fan to be discharged through a plurality of radially disposed vents. The temperatures of the ambient and inside air as well as of the discharge air is converted into signals which are fed into a microprocessor which in turn generates signals to control dampers which in turn controls the rates of flow of inside and outside air into the principal flow path which is controlled by the aforementioned fan which generates a constant rate of flow through the discharge air vents. The temperature of the discharge air is used to control the ratio of the flows of ambient and inside air which collectively constitute the discharge air.

Abstract: An air distribution system is provided which includes a source of intake air leading into a conduit through which the air is forced by a fan or the like. Provision can be made for heating the air. The conduit is a rigid structure provided with a plurality of openings. In association with these openings, there are provided control devices of various types. One type of control device which is employed is used to change the direction of flow of the air upon the exiting of this air from the conduit. In another type of control device the diffusion of the air is controlled upon the exiting of the same from the conduit. Another type of device which is employed is an internal device designed to intercept at least part of the flow of air within the conduit and to divert the same through the associated opening. Some of these devices may be controlled by a signal generated at a remote signal source under the control of a sensor which is located in the area or enclosure in which air is to be distributed.

Abstract: An air curtain generator is provided in which an arrangement is incorporated for purposes of heating input air so that an air curtain is generated which is formed with heated air. The air is heated by igniting a mixture of combustible gas and air with the combustion products thereof being distributed through an elongated conduit provided with openings through which the combustion products are discharged. Intake air flows over the conduit into an air curtain generator which causes the thusly heated air to be distributed along a rectilinear path to form an air curtain.

Abstract: An air diffuser is provided, preferably for an air curtain generator, which consists of a frame within which are located a plurality of louvres. The louvres are striated and rotatably adjustable about respective axes of rotation. To provide for this rotatable adjustment the louvres are mounted on splined shafts which are received in splined receptacles. The splined receptacles are made in nesting sections which are releasably connected together to provide for the loosening of the shafts and adjustable rotation of the shafts and adjustable rotation of the same to positions whereat the shafts and thereby the louvres are locked in position. Some of the shafts are in parallel with the others. Some of the shafts are further mounted in axial extension of other of the shafts. The shafts of louvres which are in axial extension of one another are in nesting relationship and for this purpose are provided with polygonal cross-sections which prevent rotation of a relative nature therebetween.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the containment of dust within a bulk cargo container such as a ship or barge hold. A horizontal stream of ambient air is directed across the hatch opening by a plurality of interconnected air curtain modules which captures fugitive dust along its path. A plurality of interconnected dust collector modules withdraw the entrained dust particles at an opposite side of the hatch opening and exhaust the filtered air stream therefrom and deposit the filter cake back into the hold. The clean exhaust air from the dust collector modules may be used to form a vertical air curtain to deflect crosswinds.

Abstract: A blower apparatus is provided especially suitable for an air curtain, screen or barrier. The apparatus includes a blower in the form of a plurality of blades arranged to describe a cylinder. A guide encircles the blower, but is open-ended thereupon and extends axially beyond the blower to generate an air stream, the width of which is greater than that of the blower. A deflector or interceptor plate is arranged, which is coextensive with that portion of the guide, which extends beyond the blower and which is coextensive with a portion of the blower in a range of about 45.degree.-90.degree. thereof. The deflector or interceptor plate prevents air from circulating in an axial direction back into the blower and therefore improves the effectiveness of generation of the air stream, which flows tangentially out of the blower arrangement.