Abstract: A lawn thatcher assembly including a shaft and a plurality of blades and spacers extending therealong. The shaft has a helical surface thereon, and the blades have a matching helical opening, all of which permits the blades to be slid onto the shaft and present a final helical pattern of blade tips along the length of the shaft. The method of making the assembly is also achieved in this invention.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for stitching sheets of paper together by means of a hardenable liquid applied to hollow needles which roll with the movement of the stack of sheets moving tangentially to the rotational action of the applicator needles. The needles can be readily arranged in any pattern of applying the hardenable liquid to the stack of sheets, as desired, and the liquid is applied under pressure only at the location of the sheets themselves. Finally, a cover is placed over the stack of sheets with the hardenable liquid not yet set, and thus the cover is automatically glued or adhered to the stack of sheets for a finally neat and complete product.

Abstract: A beach building block which is formed with a single passageway extending in a vertical inclination therethrough and which presents a solid wall at the rearward side of the block for containment of sand and the like behind the block and thereby build a beach. The blocks are positioned in row parallel to the shoreline, and while they permit the wave to flow through the block, they dissipate the energy of the wave, and they also retard the return flow of the water with the suspended sand, and thus the beach is built behind the block by the deposit of the sand.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for establishing reel-to-bedknife clearance in a lawn mower which has an assembly of the two elements, one movable toward and away from the other. A threaded arrangement is provided for setting the desired clearance in the apparatus, and then, upon releasing a force which moves the two cutting elements into contact with each other, a spring will re-establish the movable parts, through a lost-motion connection, to establish the desired cutting clearance.

Abstract: A system for automating the stacking of bundles onto a pallet, and including a stacker for positioning bundles of sheets into discrete stacks, a strapper for tying the bundles and a lift mechanism for raising the bundles to an elevation. A pallet is positioned onto a pallet holder at the elevation and the bundles are placed onto the elevated pallet. A lift means supports the pallet while bundles are continued to be placed thereon, and the pallet holder is then moved clear so that the pallet can be lowered for additional loading and for ultimate removal, with the removal process taking place while another pallet is placed onto the pallet holder.

Abstract: A lawn mower having a cutting reel and a bedknife as its cutting elements, and with those elements being adjustable toward and away from each other for establishing cutting clearance. A hydraulic system is utilized for establishing the pre-selected clearance and for ultimately setting that clearance and maintaining it.

Abstract: Combustion engine having a cylinder and a piston movable therein and having a spark plug for igniting the combustible fuel. Three valves are concentricly located coaxially with the spark plug for separately controlling the flow of incoming fresh air to the cylinder and the flow of the fuel mixture to the cylinder and the flow of the exhaust gases from the cylinder. The engine presents the necessary valve seat for the exhaust valve, and the other two valves are also provided with valve seats, and springs urge each of the valves toward their respective seated positions. Also, push rods and rocker arms are arranged for opening the valves, as required. The entire arrangement provides for introducing a layer of clean air next to the cylinder wall and then introducing the fuel mixture into the center of the cylinder and adjacent the spark plug. Upon firing, the flame is primarily confined by the boundary of fresh air, and the flame is thus away from the cylinder wall.

Abstract: A method and system of routing a signature or stitching, and including taking folded signatures from a raceway and onto support bars or fingers and moving the signatures to a rotary stitcher where they are stitched and then removing them from the bars or fingers to a collection conveyor, all in a high-speed continuous action.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for creating a gap in a stream of sheets, and also moving the sheets at a uniform rate onto a take-off conveyor. The function is accomplished by diverting a portion of a conveyor to have it move through a longer path than the original path, and thereby have the portion move faster in order to create the gap.

Abstract: A lawn mower for a reel type lawn mower, and including mechanism for urging the bedknife cutting edge toward the reel and for positioning the bedknife cutting edge in the direction away from the reel, if desired. The cutting edge can be positioned either with a clearance or with no clearance, relative to the reel. The adjustment is automatic and consistently the same each time it is made.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for stacking bundles of sheets onto a table top or the like, and with the bundles being stacked in an interlocked manner where, in all layers of the bundles, the bundles have right angled relationships with each other, for sturdy and secure positioning of the bundles in the stack. A rotatable table is utilized for supporting the bundles, and a transport or carrier, such as an overhead crane, is utilized for bringing the bundles onto the table where, after a few bundles are placed thereon, the table is rotated and displaced and additional bundles are then placed onto the table for the interlocked relationship of all of the bundles.

Abstract: An adjustable jig for hole formation including a base on which a swingable arm is mounted and carries a bushing for guiding a cutting tool through the bushing and onto a workpiece clamped onto the base. The base clamp portion positions the workpiece in a position relative to the operative position for the cutting tool bushing, and there are adjustments for controlling the positioning of the bushing in the operative position and for controlling the positioning of the workpiece relative to the base. The entire arrangement is such that accurate holes or openings can be formed in the workpiece.

Abstract: A multiple collet work-piece holder having a block with a plurality of openings and a collet retainer disposed within the openings. The retainer has pistons which are subjected to hydraulic pressure for moving the collet to a clamping position. The opposite ends of the collet are completely free from any obstructions, so the work-piece can be inserted from either end, and the collet is securely held against rotation so that the work-piece can be machined as desired. Also, an automatic release of the collet is provided, so that the work-piece can be released when fluid pressure is relieved.

Abstract: A lawnmower reel-to-bedknife adjustment system wherein the bedknife cutting edge can be automatically positioned relative to the circumference of the cutting reel. An extendable and retractable link is connected to the pivotal bedknife at a numerical advantage relative to the pivot axis and thereby provide for a fine adjustment of clearance between the reel and the bedknife upon extension and contraction of the link. The link can be extended by fluid pressure, or the like, and it can be retracted by spring pressure, and a yielding force is arranged to establish the clearance to a pre-set condition each time. Also, a manual threaded adjustment is provided along the adjustment link so that manual adjustment can be accomplished when desired.

Abstract: A deburring machine which includes a power means and a rotating cutter plate adjacent a fixture which holds a work piece with a burr on the end. The cutter plate has a circular cutting opening therein which rotates past the work piece to remove the burr, and there can be a circular row of the cutting holes in the plate.

Abstract: A combustible newspaper log consisting of a roll of newspapers and a metal ring extending therearound for retaining the newspapers in roll form. The roll has the folded edges at one end of the roll and has the paper free edges at the other end, for ready ignition of the roll by a match or the like. The ring is of iron material and a substantial thickness and length and it does not distort under heat and is reusable.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for collating folded signatures which are removed from a stack of signatures and placed in parallel side-by-side relationship on saddle members. The saddle members move in a direction transverse to the folds in the signature, and thus spacing of the saddle members is close together and the entire apparatus and process can be performed at a high speed, in that arrangement. A signature pickup device is employed for removing the signatures from the stack in a stream relationship and delivering them directly to a collector where a flap opener can be employed for positioning the signature flaps on opposite sides of the collector saddle members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling a stack of sheets, including the stacking of the sheets from a continuous incoming stream of sheets and on a lower endboard, and compressing the stack and restricting the sides of the stack while the stack is moved laterally to a station where an upper endboard is applied and the stack is strapped or bound and then moved further away.

Abstract: A clutch control for a rotation and reciprocation transmission, such as that used in garment knitting machine. A shaft is alternately driven in a rotating and in a reciprocating mode, and there are two drive members flanking a clutch which shifts back and forth. A clutch shifter gate is utilized for synchronizing the engagement of the clutch with the drive members.