Abstract: Pairs of flanges for connecting identical tubular sections in series. The flanges are complementary in form, one being welded to the end of the preceding section, the other welded to the adjacent end of the following section. The flanges include interengaging means for compelling alignment when brought together, limited areas in axial engagement which under the pressure available will enhance electrical continuity, sealing means for preventing passage of gas through the joint and means for holding the flanges together under high pressure.

Abstract: A dimpled golf ball for use after dark. The ball is made of translucent plastic and contains in a diametrical hole therein a chemiluminescent light stick which when activated renders the ball when used in the dark plainly visible in the air and on the ground. In a preferred form, the ball is made to comply with the rules of the United States Golf Association so that it may also be used for competitive daytime play. In a modified form, the resilience of the ball may be substantially diminished so that it will travel a much less distance than the preferred ball when hit with the same club.

Abstract: A safety device for use with machines in which the operator must use his hand or hands to position a work piece in the vicinity of a subsequently descending potentially dangerous element. The mechanism includes a downwardly movable probe which if intercepted by the operator's hand will prevent the machine element from operating. Removal of the hand to a safe position enables the probe to fall and the machine operation to proceed. The mechanisms are controlled by air actuated valves which automatically direct compressed air sequentially to the operative elements.

Abstract: A one piece illuminated drinking mug made of light permeable plastic, the mug wall being generally tubular with a flat bottom and having an axially disposed light permeable tube attached integrally to the bottom, the tube being longer than one half the vertical dimension of the mug, the tube being closed at its upper end and open at its lower end, said tube adapted to receive a light stick, and means for temporarily maintaining said light stick within said tube.

Abstract: A machine for driving a pin into a hole in a work piece. The pins are fed by gravity in a continuous succession from a pin supply to a passage extending through a pin receiving rotor. With a pin in the rotor, the rotor is turned through a selected angle to bring the pin and the passage through the rotor into alignment with a pin driving punch. Upon actuation of the punch, the pin is driven from the rotor into a passage in an adjacent aligned sliding pin guide. Movement of the pin through the pin guide temporarily ceases when the pin encounters a resilient stop. Continued movement of the punch then moves the pin guide and the pin therein until the nose of the pin guide engages the work piece. The punch, continuing to move through the passage in the now stationary pin guide, drives the pin past the resilient stop and into the aligned hole in the work piece. Upon withdrawal of the punch, the pin guide aided by a spring returns to it original position adjacent the rotor.

Abstract: Simplified means for connecting skidder rings to the tag chains that hold the skidder rings in spaced positions around a tractor wheel. Each skidder ring has four hooks spaced approximately 90.degree. apart, two at each side, of novel construction. Each hook is so shaped as to permit easy attachment thereto of the end link of a tag chain but which will positively preclude disconnection of the link from the hook when the parts are in operating position on the wheel.

Abstract: A playball made of translucent plastic and illuminated for play in the dark by an insertable and removable chemi-luminescent device known as a light stick. The weight of the light stick is less than 1% of the weight of the ball. The ball includes a self-closing valve whereby the ball may be inflated and deflated in conventional manner. The light stick just prior to use is activated and then inserted through a preformed passage in the uninflated ball. The inserted light stick is supported radially within the ball by a thickened inwardly extending translucent plastic post that is integral with the ball wall. Subsequent inflating of the ball to playing pressure causes the compressible post to grip the light stick tightly enough to prevent expulsion during use.

Abstract: A means and method for transporting fish from a lower body of water to a higher body of water. The means comprises a tubular lock with a gated entrance below the level of the lower body of water through which fish may enter the lock and a discharge passage above the level of the upper body of water. The fish raising means in the lock is a crowder pulled upward by a surface float as water from the upper body of water gravitationally flows into the closed lock filling it to the level of the upper body. Water is then pumped into the lock to raise the level to the discharge passage. The crowder is then caused to float upward the remaining distance through the water to the level of the discharge passage by the introduction of air into a pocket on the underside of the crowder. The fish are then automatically discharged from the lock into the discharge passage by the out of water position of the crowder.

Abstract: Steam generation means in a closed system having a pressured steam boiler positioned within a closed heated feed water chamber. The steam generated in the boiler is used to drive a turbine and an associated electrical generator whose output augments the outside primary source of electrical power which is fed to one or more electrical resistance units located in the boiler. The exhaust steam from the turbine at reduced pressure is used to supply heat in any closed steam consuming device such as a space heating system. The condensate is returned to the feed water chamber where it is held in preheated condition ready to be pumped into the boiler to maintain the boiler water level. The efficiency of the system is substantially increased by having means for raising the temperature of the turbine and turbine housing thereby to lessen the temperature drop of the steam entering and leaving the turbine.

Abstract: The construction of an expansion joint for use in the inner power conductor of a coaxial transmission line whereby the heat generated in the line may flow through the joints from the hotter areas to the cooler areas and conventional heat sinks with such ease and rapidity that there will be no destructive temperature buildup at any of the joints in the line. This is accomplished in major part by the introduction within each joint of a short section of metallic tubing of good heat conductivity that is in contact with both parts of the joint in heat transmitting relation. The tubing in combination with the novel joint construction greatly increases the rate of heat flow from the hotter part of the joint to the less hot part. The tubing is preferably fixed to one part of the joint and in sliding engagement with the other but it may be in sliding engagement with both parts.

Abstract: A machine for driving a spring pin or other similar cylindrical object into a hole in a work piece. One pin at a time is automatically fed into a shuttle. The shuttle is moved laterally to bring the pin into alignment with a pin inserting punch. Upon subsequent movement of the punch, the shuttle with the pin therein is moved downwardly until the work piece therebelow is engaged. The punch continues its downward movement, entering the shuttle and driving the pin into the aligned hole in the work piece. The downward moveability of the shuttle enables pins to be driven into work pieces whose upper surfaces may be a different vertical levels. Adjustable means controlling the stroke of the punch limits the depth of insertion of the pin into the work piece.

Abstract: A steam boiler for producing superheated steam directly in the boiler from saturated steam being generated therein includes a plurality of vertical sealed high pressure boiler water heating tubes, each provided with an electrical heating element and containing a limited quantity of water, mounted in a boiler water filled well in the bottom wall of the boiler. Energization of the heating element of each sealed tube produces high pressure saturated steam in the tube causing the tube to rise in temperature to generate saturated steam in the boiler from the water in the well. The tubes each have a vertical extent substantially greater than the controlled depth of water in the boiler. The saturated boiler steam is superheated by an elongated, sealed, vertical vessel mounted on the bottom wall of the boiler and extending upwardly into the boiler steam space above the upper ends of the heating tubes.

Abstract: A pin chuck press having means for adjusting the rest position of the pin inserting means up or down with respect to a work piece supporting base so that the inserting means will be able to place pins in the cooperating holes in work pieces of different vertical dimensions.

Abstract: An apparatus for playing a game of baseball with a regulation ball on a field having a size smaller than the conventional baseball or softball field. The apparatus for playing the game is a bat of conventional size but is made of flexible material which will allow the bat to sag or bend noticably as it is waggled back and forth by a batter.

Abstract: A lever type door handle assembly adapted to be mounted on a conventional lock spindle which may or may not include a lock tumbler cylinder. The assembly comprises a handle and three inexpensively made parts which may be assembled on a lock spindle to form a rigid unit without the use of pins or screws.

Abstract: In a winch or capstan, means for holding the free end of a rope in readily releasable condition but with sufficient force to insure that the turns of rope on the winch drum will not slip as the rope under tension is being wound thereon.