Abstract: A wear-resistant article comprises a zinc base metal having a substantially continuous, hard chromium skin layer on at least one surface thereof and a chromium-enriched subsurface layer of the zinc base metal situated immediately below the chromium skin layer. The chromium-enriched subsurface layer has a gradually decreasing chromium content in a direction inwardly away from the skin layer and is at least as thick as the skin layer. The wear-resistant article of this invention is produced by direct electrodeposition of chromium onto the zinc base metal from a self-regulating bath under controlled conditions.

Abstract: A method is provided for binding a first low density bale with a plurality of straps and then reusing sections of the straps to bind a second, smaller bale which is compressed from the first bale. A plurality of primary straps are provided with a multiple of discrete arrays of longitudinally spaced joint elements, the joint elements of each array being adapted to interlock with the joint elements of another array to form a sealless connection therebetween. Each primary strap is looped around the first low density bale and the ends of the strap are connected through two of the arrays of interlocking joint elements. Each primary strap further has, at spaced locations along its length, severance indicia and readily disengageable anti-reverse engaging tabs. When desired, the first bale may be subsequently further compressed to allow removal of the primary straps.

Abstract: An omnidirectional communications antenna for transmitting and receiving horizontally polarized waves and adaptable for transmitting and receiving vertically polarized waves. The antenna is adapted to be supported on a single mast. It may be dimensioned especially for use in the citizens band. The antenna utilizes a plurality of, and preferably three, elongated half wave length radiating elements supported on a mast in a horizontal coplanar array. A cam acting locking mechanism for easily and firmly securing an antenna to a mast, or the like, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for binding an article with strap. A strap is encircled about the article to form a loop with the leading end segment of the strap overlapping an adjacent segment of the strap. The leading end is gripped to prevent further feeding and to subsequently restrain it against movement relative to the article while the trailing portion of the strap is retracted to draw the loop tight around the article. While holding the leading end segment of the strap and an adjacent overlapped segment against relative movement and under tension, either (1) a joint is first formed in the overlapping segments and the tension is then gradually released in the trailing portion of the strap to avoid shock loading of the joint and the machine or (2) the tension is first released only in the trailing portion of strap and the joint is then formed with tension in at least the overlapped segment adjacent the strap free end.

Abstract: A frame structure for a vehicle which includes two side members connected together by a torsional cross member and at least one other cross member is disclosed. The torsional cross member is secured to each of the side members in the rear portion of the frame, and cooperates with the side members to provide a liquid-impervious housing for the rear axle assembly of the vehicle. Because the torsional cross member has components oriented substantially parallel to and substantially perpendicular to the length of the side members, it provides the frame with multi-dimensional rigidity. In addition, because the torsional cross member combines the function of two members in prior art frame structures, the frame structure of the present invention has a lower center of gravity and is lighter than prior art frame structures.

Abstract: An oscillating gear ratchet drive unit transmits rotating motion and torque from a drive gear to a driven shaft in a preselected direction of rotation and includes a shaft and a gear operably connected to a drive gear and positioned transversely with respect to the shaft and supported by the shaft. Ratchet crown wheels are provided on the opposing major faces of the gear and have camming surfaces for producing axial movement of the gear on the shaft, with each camming surface terminating in an axial surface. Pins project radially outwardly from the shaft adjacent to each ratchet crown wheel and engage an axial surface to the drive shaft, and are adapted to engage the camming surfaces to move the gear axially whenever the shaft rotates faster than the gear, while also accommodating and limiting axial movement of the gear on the shaft.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle having two frame sections interconnected for pivotal movement about a vertical axis as well as a longitudinal axis is disclosed herein. The joint between the two frame sections includes upper and lower spaced pivotal connections between the two frame sections which define a vertical pivot axis and one of the pivotal connections is movable along a plane extending transversely of the frame sections to accommodate pivotal movement of the frame sections about a longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A cyclicly operable machine for providing a tensioned loop of fusible thermoplastic strapping about a loosely positioned object, wherein a hoop-mounted slip-feed carrier is caused to orbit the object in one direction while one end of the strapping is held by a gripper. In so orbiting, the carrier progressively wraps a closed loop about the object, the loop having overlapping ends which become sealed to each other by a friction-fusion operation. Such sealing accomplished by a cooperating anvil and vibrator which move into the strap path to create the seal and away from the path to allow the sealed loop to completely seize the object, after which a cutter severs the excess strapping from the object. A reverse orbiting of the carrier similarly applied a successive strap loop to the object.

Abstract: A self-contained flexible multi-purpose and multi-function energy control system capable of monitoring energy consuming loads, providing signals indicative of the state thereof and for selectively energizing and deenergizing such loads in response to a variety of preselected conditions and time frames. The system is also capable of cycling the loads and of varying the cycling pattern in accordance with preestablished conditions.

Abstract: An accumulator arm for use with a harvesting apparatus having support means with grapple means and cutter means on the support means consists of first and second portions which are pivotally interconnected and are normally biased to an end-to-end relation. The biasing means consists of a flexible member entrained over a sleeve forming part of the pivotal connection with first and second spring means interposed between opposite ends of the flexible member and the respective portions of the arm.

Abstract: An inflatable collector for solar energy is provided in which superposed layers of plastic sheet material are heat sealed to one another to provide a pair of layers providing an absorber unit in which the upper layer is pigmented to absorb solar radiation and the pair of layers are sealed to one another in a pattern providing a continuous elongated path. Fluid is supplied to one end of this elongated path and at least one transparent layer is provided overlying the pair of layers, to provide a return space above the pair of layers, and valve means are provided to interconnect the end of the elongated path remote from the fluid supply end with the return space so that fluid heated in the elongated path is further heated in the return space before being withdrawn from the collector.

Abstract: Low temperature curing aqueous coatings are provided in which the resin solids are constituted by an epoxy ester of a resinous polyepoxide with at least about 0.2 moles of monocarboxylic acid containing conjugated unsaturation and at least about 0.5 mole of monocarboxylic acid containing nonterminal nonconjugated unsaturation per equivalent in the polyepoxide. This epoxy ester is substantially free of epoxy groups and is copolymerized in solvent solution with monoethylenic monomers containing terminal unsaturation, including about 3% to about 20% carboxyl-functional monomers based on the weight of the copolymer to provide a nongelled, solvent-soluble copolymer possessing residual ethylenic unsaturation so that the copolymer can be dispersed in water with the aid of a base. These epoxy ester copolymers will dry and cure in air at room temperature.

Abstract: Polyethylene terephthalate fiber-containing fabric is flameproofed by application of an aqueous suspension of finely divided particles consisting essentially of octagonal hexabromide formed by the incomplete bromination of cis, trans, trans cyclododecatriene to provide a mixture having a melting point in the range of 177.degree.-191.degree. C. determined by differential scanning colorimetry using a heating rate of 10.degree. C. per minute. The treated fabric is dried and then heated with the octagonal hexabromide particles thereon to a temperature above the melting point of the mixture, but not in excess of about 200.degree. C. for a period long enough to achieve adequate penetration (30 seconds), to cause the hexabromide particles to diffuse into the fibers of the fabric to maximize fire resistance and obtain proper fixation of the particles to the fabric in a manner providing durability to laundering with minimum damage to the fabric.

Abstract: A method of producing tantalum or columbium powder is described for producing a selected desired particle size powder under controlled conditions with a high rate of production and yield of usable powder. A molten salt bath of an alkali metal tantalum fluoride or an alkali metal columbium fluoride and a relatively large amount of diluent salt to act as a heat sink is initially maintained at a low temperature in the liquidus range, an addition of liquid alkali metal reducing metal is added at a very fast rate to the continuously stirred bath to create a rapid temperature rise to the reaction temperature, and liquid alkali metal is thereafter fed at a fast rate to complete the reaction quickly at the final reaction temperature. Cooling is used for at least a portion of the reaction cycle at a rate sufficient to maintain the final reaction temperature within a desired range.

Abstract: A container for loose material, in particular for hot coal, during the operation of a coke oven battery including a novel deflecting means for directing particulate matter located in the gas emanating from the loose material back into the container to reduce the flow of particulate matter out of the container to minimize air pollution. The deflecting means is in the shape of an umbrella-shaped guide plate which is adjustable relative to the container to control an annular outlet opening for the gas. In the annular opening are located settling plates to further minimize the flow of particulate matter out of the container.

Abstract: A closed loop conveyor for viscid material is provided with a plurality of spaced, planar conveying flights within a material conveying conduit. The flights are mounted on an endless transporting chain and are moved from one or more charge stations where material is loaded into the conduit to one or more gravity discharge stations where the material falls out of the conveyor. At the discharge station the planar conveying flights are scraped clean by a rotatable assembly. The assembly preferably comprises a circular plate mounted for rotation in a generally vertical plane adjacent to the conveying path and about a substantially horizontal axis. A number of scraper blades are mounted on the circular plate substantially uniformly, peripherally spaced from one another and extend away from one side of the plate in a generally horizontal direction toward a conveying path defined by movement of the flights.

Abstract: A supply package for wet-impregnated multifilament roving is provided in which the multifilament roving is impregnated with a curable liquid having a tack less than about 6 (measured on a Thwing-Albert inkometer) in an amount at least sufficient to fill the spaces between the filaments in the roving, but not in excess of about a 3:2 ratio of curable liquid to fiber, by volume. This impregnated roving is way wound onto a cylinder to provide a crossing angle between the rovings in adjacent layers of at least about 10.degree. to provide free volume storage capacity between the angled rovings which accepts any liquid which may run off. In this manner the wet-impregnated roving can be stored wet in the way wound cylinder and easily withdrawn therefrom when needed.

Abstract: A lighter than air toy consisting of a basket gondola made of a light plastic or other material attached to the bottom of a toy balloon filled with a gas less dense than air, such as helium. The balloon, when inflated with a gas less dense than air, provides the buoyancy to lift the gondola into the air and allows it to rise freely or float at a predetermined level. Ballast weights can be added to the gondola to balance the buoyancy force so that the force of gravitation on the gondola and balloon is exactly balanced by the buoyant force whereby the gondola and balloon assembly together have a neutral buoyancy in the air. The basket gondola and balloon are held together by means of stretching the knot of the balloon through a keyhole slot made in the basket gondola. The knot is held in place by wedging it into the thin part of the keyhole slot. This invention is simple to make and put together. The basket gondola can be used as a childs toy or for advertising promotion.

Abstract: A combination jam-clearing and torque sensing traction wheel assembly and strap feed stopping mechanism is disclosed for use in a strapping machine which feeds strap in a chute about an article to form a loop and subsequently tensions the loop tightly about the article. The strap is fed into the chute by a rotating traction wheel which is driven through a torque sensing assembly comprising a driven plate, a spring-biased driver plate, and drive motor. Feeding of the strap is intermittently stopped and started as the driver plate is forced out of engagement with the driven plate when the torque increases beyond a predetermined amount in response to increased strap feed resistance resulting from an obstruction in the chute. In one embodiment, the strap feed stopping mechanism includes a permanent strap end abutment member located just past the strap overlap region in the strapping machine.

Abstract: A hollow housing is mounted in a wall of the dunnage bag and defines a chamber having an exterior opening in a portion of the housing on the exterior of the bag, and an interior opening in a portion of the housing communicating with the interior of the bag. A tube is provided for supplying pressurized gas or air adjacent the housing on the dunnage bag and has an alignment frame on one end for locating the tube relative to the housing and in alignment with the chamber in the housing. The alignment frame is substantially open to permit free flow of ambient air past exterior portions of the tube into the chamber. One or more orifices are located on a portion of the tube to allow discharge of jets of high pressure gas or air therethrough.