Abstract: A hand held-type apparatus for fracturing a gate or riser from a casting subsequent to a foundry pouring process. The apparatus operates off of a driven piston assembly, which upon a stroke of such causes a hammer end of the piston assembly to extend from the apparatus and contact the casting, thereby causing the fracturing of the gate or riser from the casting. The apparatus also includes an assembly for decelerating the driven piston assembly upon a stroke of such, as well as an apparatus for isolating the linear motion of the apparatus from the operator thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for scaring deer and other unwanted animals away from agricultural crop production areas using unnatural audible and visual stimuli. The invention generally comprises a substantially hollow housing having a removable top portion mounted atop a rigid support frame member. The exterior of the housing includes a plurality of light and sound emitting devices attached thereto, in addition to at least two rotatably mounted elongated arms having a hollow interior portion with a flowable metal particulate contained therein for producing unnatural sounds upon rotation of such for scaring deer and other unwanted animals away. The interior portion of the housing includes an electronic controller in electrical connection with a power relay for energizing the aforementioned electrical components, along with a motor assembly for imparting rotational motion to the rotatably mounted elongated arms on the exterior of the housing.

Abstract: An articulated boat top assembly is attached to a conventional boat and operable to be moved between an extended position and a retracted position. The articulated boat top assembly includes a boat top that is secured to the boat via two articulated frame members. The articulated frame members include a series of skeletal components that are pivotally connected to each other. The skeletal components of the articulated boat top assembly include a base member, a pair of middle arms, and a pair of upper arms. The base member includes a pair of legs rigidly attached to the boat deck. The legs of the base member are additionally connected to each other via a stabilizing arm that reinforces the position of the frame members.

Abstract: A stackable transport pallet comprising a planar support member having a substantially cloverleaf shape. The planar support member includes a first and second wide frame member and a first and second narrow frame member that are joined together to form the cloverleaf shape. A pair of lateral bumpers and a pair of longitudinal bumpers are additionally connected to the planar support member, such that the lateral and longitudinal bumpers will provide a distance between the planar support member and the ground surface. The stackable transport pallet includes a set of braces that are operable to support a vehicle or other item being stored on the stackable transport pallet. In addition, a set of leg assemblies are also attached to the planar support member to allow the pallet to be stackable. The leg assemblies are pivotable between an extended and a retracted position. In the extended position, cargo may be loaded on the planar support member and stacked accordingly.

Abstract: A decking system for placement on a subassembly having at least two spaced apart joists. A plurality of elongated tubular elements for placement in lateral interlocking engagement with each other transversely of and spanning the distance between the joists. Each of said plurality of elements having a top portion, a bottom portion, and first and second side walls connecting said top and bottom portions. The top portion extends laterally beyond the first side wall and has formed thereon a downwardly extending longitudinal flange. The bottom portion extends laterally beyond the second side wall and has formed thereon an upwardly extending longitudinal wall defining an upwardly opening channel adjacent the second side wall adapted to receive therein in watertight relation the downwardly extending longitudinal flange.

Abstract: A guard adapted for enclosing an exposed return roller in a conveyor belt system. The guard attachment brackets are adapted to utilize the existing attachment point hardware of the exposed return roller to facilitate guard installation on an existing conveyor system. The attachment brackets provide adjustment of the guard relative the return roller. The guard permits visual inspection to detect accumulation of debris between the guard and return roller. The guard may also be adapted with wiper extensions for cleaning debris from the conveyor belt surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for promoting desired sand distribution into a mold flask in a foundry process, comprising a proximal distribution plate mounted subjacent a hopper, a distal distribution plate slidably mounted subjacent the proximal distribution plate, and a masking plate assembly mounted subjacent to the distal distribution plate. The proximal distribution plate includes a series of primary apertures, while the distal distribution plate includes a series of repeating secondary apertures therethrough, with each series of secondary apertures corresponding to one primary aperture. The masking plate assembly includes a masking plate having a series of masking plate bores traversing therethrough, with each masking plate bore corresponding to each secondary aperture. Each masking plate bore includes a principal diameter extending through the masking plate, with the principal diameter determining the flow rate of sand through the masking plate.

Abstract: A sterile immobilizing apparatus for restraining the movement of a patient includes a base platform on which is mounted a series of restraining members with a disposable sterile insert member engaging the restraining members and base platform to provide a sanitary surface for performing the desired procedure. The restraining members include a lower back support, an upper back support, an abdominal stabilizer, a cervical stabilizer, and a knee stabilizer. The lower and upper back supports are rigidly mounted to the base platform, while the abdominal stabilizer, cervical stabilizer and knee stabilizer are each movably positioned on the base platform. Between the lower and upper back supports is a lumbar opening in which the sterile insert member is positioned such that the area surrounding the medical procedure performed on the patient is sterile.

Abstract: A materials handling apparatus and method utilizing flotation pads to inject a thin fluid film to produce a near frictionless surface for easily positioning and finishing foundry castings. The present invention further relates to a material handling apparatus and method utilizing a vacuum lock to serve as a vice for securing foundry castings or other work pieces during finishing stages. The invention further incorporates an apparatus and method for protecting the vacuum lock components from damage or interference with material movement during positioning.

Abstract: A rail heating assembly including a series of individual heating modules is operable to raise and maintain the temperature of rails of a railroad track to reduce bending and deforming of the rails due to variations of atmosphere conditions. The heating module includes a series of burners with attached radiator plates so as to provide convective and radiant energy to heat the rails. The heating module includes an outer shell and a Venturi-shaped inner shell to surround the rail, with a series of burners attached to one end providing a stratified flame to heat the rail. A series of radiator plates mounted to the inner shell are heated by the flame, and the radiator plates radiate thermal energy towards the rail.

Abstract: A festooner transfers cloth between a dye machine and a transfer box utilizing a driven roller and a laterally mounted idler roller creating a vertical interstice to effect a vertical discharge of the cloth into a laying funnel. The driven roller is grooved to maintain tension on the cloth without creating adherence that would cause the cloth to wrap around the roller. A sensor further detects the presence or absence of driven roller, and reduces the speed of the driven roller when the idler roller is displaced from the driven roller.

Abstract: A sand level sensing and distribution apparatus for monitoring and controlling the quantity of sand distributed from a batch hopper into a mold flask includes a sensor assembly connected to a level actuating assembly via a carriage assembly. A window is mounted within one wall of the batch hopper such that the sensor assembly may be used to monitor the level of sand within the batch hopper. The level actuating assembly is proximate the batch hopper, and the sensor assembly is therefore proximately positioned by said window. A control unit is included to receive the monitored signal from the sensor assembly, and, using such information, to control the operation of the level actuating assembly in positioning the sensor assembly to distribute the desired amount of sand into the mold flask.

Abstract: An improved hi-rail wheel assembly includes a frame connected to an axle tube surrounding an axle, a pair of railway wheels mounted in spaced relation on the axle tube, a first pair of pivotal links connected between a frame and the axle, and a second pair of pivotal links connected to the frame and the axle. The hi-rail wheel assembly is attached to a conventional roadway vehicle such that the extension of said pivotal links effects a downward lowering of the axle and the railway wheels from the frame and lifts the vehicle whereby the vehicle tires engage the railroad track, and the retraction of the pivotal links effects an upward lifting of the axle and railway wheels towards the frame such that the vehicle tires engage a ground surface or roadway. Each pivotal link includes a cam aperture and a recessed cam shoulder surrounding the cam aperture to receive a cam.

Abstract: A serge applying assembly includes a sewing machine and a cutting assembly attached thereto. The sewing machine will sew the desired serge onto the edges surrounding a section of material by feeding the material between a pressure foot and a feed dog for engaging the material to be sewn and cut. A cutting assembly is included attached to the sewing machine proximate the sewing needle. The cutting assembly is able to engage the material and make a desired cut to aid the operator in applying serge around the perimeter of the material. The cutting assembly includes a pneumatic cylinder having a housing enclosing piston, with a blade mechanically connected to the piston of the pneumatic cylinder. The cutting assembly is attached to the sewing machine proximate the pressure foot, and is able to cut the material so that the operator can rotate the material for serge to be applied to a second edge of the material. This process is repeated until serge has been applied to the perimeter of the material.

Abstract: A textile-edge binding assembly for applying binding tape to the edge of a textile includes a conventional sewing machine having a conventional needle and throat plate, a folding assembly, and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly is positioned proximate the needle, and includes a first blade coupled to a second blade, with a cutting driving assembly engaging both blades. A cutting aperture traverses the first blade. The folding assembly includes a folding member, which receives and guides the binding tape to be applied to the textile. The folding member traverses the cutting aperture for application of the binding tape. A trigger is connected to the folding assembly such that the folding member can be withdrawn from the cutting assembly, and the cutting driving assembly can actuate the first and second blades to cut the binding tape. Consequently, the operator is able to provide a continuous binding tape to multiple textiles.