Abstract: A thermal energy storage device and method for making the same. The thermal energy storage device is in the form of a sealed tube-like container such as a tube-like cylinder or other geometrical configuration partially filled with a phase change material such as calcium chloride hexahydrate. The cylinder is made of tubular high density polyethylene and more particularly an ultra high molecular weight high density polyethylene having a molecular weight of about 500,000 to 700,000 which is tough, chemically resistant, withstands low and high temperatures, acts as a moisture vapor barrier and can be fused and sealed. The calcium hexahydrate is filled in an open top cylinder, closed at the bottom by dissolving two parts of calcium chloride dihydrate with one part of water to provide calcium chloride hexahydrate in liquid form. The cylinder is filled to about 90% by volume and a cap of the same material is then preheated to about fusion temperature.

Abstract: A tool for removing sleeves from cylinders having an unrestricted opening at one end and a restricted opening at the other end. A stabilizer or guide rod device having a disc with a diameter closely approaching the internal diameter of the sleeve is placed adjacent a shoulder of the sleeve with a further disc used as a stabilizer within the sleeve. From the restricted opening of the cylinder housing having an internal diameter less than the diameter of the sleeve a plurality of radial or pie-shaped collar segments are inserted and placed on top of the stabilizer support disc and fitting over the shoulder of the sleeve. A pusher rod is inserted through the restricted opening of the cylinder and connected to the stabilizer support disc with apparatus for clamping the collar segments thereto. The pusher rod with the clamped collar segments extending over the shoulder of the sleeve in clamped relation is moved or pushed to force the sleeve out of frictional engagement with the cylinder and is removed therefrom.

Abstract: A wall puller tool and method for pulling or straightening walls. The wall puller tool is comprised of a steel pin-like shaft having a sharply pointed bottom end adapted to be struck into a plywood floor or the like and a pivotable laterally extending claw-like arm at a height roughly at the top of a 2.times.4 plate and having a perpendicularly downwardly extending pointed end adapted to be struck into the plate member. The tool, after being driven into the plywood floor and with the claw-like arm driven into 2.times.4 plate member of a wall frame, is operated by the elongated handle to drag or pull the 2.times.4 plate member towards the pivot point where the tool is struck into the plywood floor a distance as desired to straighten the plate member. The tool is made of steel so that it can be struck by a hammer or other tool to drive the shaft into the plywood floor and likewise the laterally extending arm at a top surface where it can be struck by hammer to drive it into the plate member.

Abstract: A preheater for aircraft engines utilizing as a source of thermal energy hot water from an automobile. The preheater is comprised of a portable housing having a radiator through which hot water from an automobile engine is circulated. A fan in the preheater energized by an electric motor having leads attached to the battery terminals of the car battery pulls air through the radiator of the preheater and is heated and then discharged by the blower fan through hot air ducts which are inserted in the air intake or nose wheel opening of small aircraft to heat the engine and oil sump in cold weather and facilitate the starting. The preheater is provided with a special valve which is inserted in the car and has a three-way position interrupting the hot water hoses to the car heater from the car radiator and a return hose to the pump.

Abstract: A packing pulverizer device for removing packing from cup-shaped packing glands having a valve stem passing therethrough. The pulverizer device is particularly adapted for use in valve stems confined inside yokes where the ends are difficult to obtain access. The device is comprised of a semi-cylindrical housing which can be opened and clamped loosely about the valve stem. The device has comminuting means at the bottom adapted to grind up and comminute old packing within the cup-shaped gland. Spiral flute means are provided on the exterior to remove the comminuted material. The device is provided with a handle for manual rotation and grinding and also a gear train means which can be employed for connection to a prime moving source.

Abstract: A plastic simulated brick wall free standing section adapted to be connected to other sections to form a brick wall.The plastic sections are of a open box-like structure having a simulated brick wall front. The sections are comprised of an even number of staggered tiers in which the tiers alternate in length to provide overlapping or overhanging bricks staggered between adjacent tiers one-half brick. In this fashion the sections may be inverted with respect to one another and interlocked and connected together by a pin passing through the overhanging end sections to lock the intertwined and interlocked sections together. A cap stone is provided at both the top and the bottom and extends forwardly from the front brick simulated wall a short distance so that when the sections are placed on the ground they provide a greater degree of stability while providing a pleasing appearance through the top cap stone.

Abstract: A valve stem lock for valves having an exposed valve stem. The lock is comprised of a pair of hinged sections movable from an open position to a closed position to lock about a valve stem. The two sections are provided with a base having slots which are adapted to bear against exposed bolts or the yoke of the valve stem so that rotation of the valve stem upon removal of a part such as a bushing nut or the like is prevented. The two hinged sections are adapted to be locked together in the closed position.

Abstract: An orifice flange clamp for use with a pair of butted together pipe line orifice flanges. The clamp is comprised of a pair of semi-circular bands adapted to be clamped together around the periphery of the butted together orifice flanges at their interface. The bands have cut-out sections fitting around the conventional test plugs on the orifice flanges. Plugs are provided for sealing off the break-away bolt holes. A specially devised pumping collar is provided for pumping sealant through a flange bolt hole. This pumping collar comprises an elongated bolt-like member having a reduced diameter fitted through opposed flange holes with nuts at both ends in order that a pumping collar having a loose fit over the elongated bolt-like member can be drawn tight. The pumping collar is provided with a port which receives a sealant line for pumping sealant at high pressure through the port and through the collar to the interface between the butted together flanges.

Abstract: An improved check valve of rigid plastic tubing of inexpensive fabrication. The check valve is made of plastic tubing into which a chord-like slot is cut in one embodiment and into which is dropped in the process of manufacture a valve support arm to which is connected a swinging valve member of a plate-like construction. The interior of the plastic tubing which forms the valve housing has an interior ring-like valve seat against which the valve member can seat in one direction of fluid flow. In the reverse direction of flow the valve member can be pivoted to open the valve. The valve housing is simply closed by a arcuate cover member fitting over the valve support arm. In another embodiment a valve shaft fitted in a chord-like position through the housing may support for rotary movement thereon a valve member having a sleeve receiving the shaft. The valve member is generally circular with a chord-like boundary at one edge which is adapted to seat against a chord-like baffle.

Abstract: A valve stem lubricating device. The lubricating device is designed for employment for use with valve stem valves that are difficultly accessible as in the interior of the valve yoke where the stem ends are protected and access is not available to the interior portion of the valve. The device is comprised of two hinged half sections or circular portions provided with lubricating material such that when the hinged sections are closed around the valve stem the lubricating material contacts the valve stem. The half sections are provided with an arcuate cut-out portion adapted to contact opposed vertical rod-like members of the valve yoke so that the cut-out portion can fit therearound. A friction fit can be made whereby the cut-out portion fits snuggly around the opposite support members forming the valve yoke. In a modification the lubricating device is provided with a super structure comprising two hinged half members which support inwardly extending wire bristles.

Abstract: Pinking scissors having replaceable cutting blades. The replaceable cutting blades have different edges to provide different types of pinking designs such as scallops, triangular sections, rectangular edges and the like. The replaceable blades are of rigid L-shaped construction one side serving as a base fitting against the supporting stem of the scissors and the other side having a cutting edge. Stop means are provided for registry on the supporting stems which are bifurcated and spaced apart to provide for easy reception of the replaceable blades. A special feature resides in the provision of a reversible cutting blade with both edges of the L-shaped sections having a pinking cutting edge. When not in use one section with the pinking edge serves as a base and when desired to provide a different design the blade may be removed and reversed with the unused portion serving as cutting edge and the section previously serving as a cutting edge used as a base fitting against the support stems.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for sealing a leaking pipe weld or pipe flange joints. The clamp comprises a collar having hinged-together arcuate segments. The collar is further provided with flanges adapted to be bolted together to connect the hinged segments which may be hinged together to form a pair of semi-circular sections. Each of the segments is provided with a main annular groove on the interior circumference with means on the exterior for filling the groove with a fluid sealant under pressure. A pair of annular border grooves spaced from the main groove are provided on the opposite sides of the main groove. Additional groove means are provided in the end walls of each of the segments which connect the main groove and the border grooves to provide a sealing means between the opposed end walls when butted together.

Abstract: A tire and tool carrier for trucks and the like. The carrier is in the form of a box-like support which is supported under the frame of a truck. It is comprised of a stationary box-like base to which is hinged a rear cover or door. The hinge point is to the rear of the mid-point of the tire in order that the tire may be tipped or moved. A floor of the cover has an arcuate tire positioning flange-like rim which serves to position the tire and also provides corner spaces at the rear and side walls of the cover to provide a storage area for tools. The cover provides a security protection to lock the tire and tools in a completely enclosed and restricted area. A spring means is provided as an assist to the cover in closing it from the open position after the tire is removed.

Abstract: A marking machine for marking metal nameplates, tags or the like. The marking machine employs a work table supported on a carriage which is movable into contact with a marking wheel to perform a printing operation. Improved advancing means are provided for the work table utilizing a feed pawl link having a pair of pivot points. One pivot point is connected to a feed link while the second pivot point is connected to a drag link moveable between upper and lower stops in a carriage casting. A bottom pivot point of the drag link is provided with a friction clutch on a pivot connected otherwise to a stationary portion of the machine. An improved feed rack is further provided which is polygonal in cross-section and may have different spaced teeth on each side for selective spacing. Half-spacing adjustment means are provided whereby the feed rack may be moved axially a half-space to change the spacing on the work table.

Abstract: A folding scaffold sign. The sign is constructed of a special honeycombed plastic material in which two sign panels are provided, separated by a fold line. The bottom corners of the panels are provided with metal legs inserted through openings forming the honeycomb structure. The legs are retained in the openings by elasticity and friction of the plastic memory material and the sign can be used as a triangular free-standing sign supported upon a floor surface, ground or the like. The sign may further be used as a cover for an existing conventional post-supported sign by placing the folded sign thereover and folding the panels together and retaining the legs in secured condition by a retaining chain. The folded-over sign may be stored in the same presentation when the panels are folded over against one another in superimposed position.

Abstract: A valve stem cleaner and positioner for threaded valve stems. The cleaner and positioner is designed for use with threaded valve stems in which the portion of the valve stem to be cleaned is inaccessible from the ends of the stem as for example, in an open yoke of a valve and also for use in valve stems where an end is accessible as above the valve hand wheel. For the inaccessible portion of the valve stem the cleaner and positioner is made in hinged half portions with semi-circular members which are adapted to be fitted around the valve stem and hinged together. The cleaner and positioner has inwardly extending wire bristles which engage the threads of the valve stem and a nut portion so that when the cleaner and positioner is opened and fitted around the valve stem by means of closure means the cleaner and positioner can be closed about the valve stem. A wrench fitted on the nut can move the device about the threaded valve stem to any position as desired.

Abstract: A gasket holder clip and method for using the clip to attach a gasket through holes in an underlying flange or the like to maintain alignment of the gasket holes and flange holes. The gasket holder clip is constructed of spring steel wire or other material of high degree of elasticity and rigidity and has a substantially V-shaped configuration with legs of the V-shaped structure having short outwardly turned arms. The clip is employed to hold a gasket having a plurality of holes against an underlying flange, as in an oil pan flange, having holes for registry with the gasket holes by inserting the clip with the legs pressed together through the bottom of the flange hole up and through the gasket hole and then releasing the pressure against the legs of the clip and drawing it down to engage the arms against the top surface of the gasket. The clip maintains the gasket against the flange by the bearing and biasing action of the legs of the clip against the interior walls of the flange hole.

Abstract: A packing injector gun for injecting packing under high pressure through a nozzle to pipe flanges and the like. The injector gun has high pressure barrel equipped with a piston to expel packing under high pressure through the nozzle to packing flanges. On the opposite side of the piston a high pressure reservoir communicates with a hand operated hydraulic pump connected to the exterior of the barrel. The hydraulic pump is adapted to force hydraulic fluid at extremely high pressure to the high pressure reservoir gun to operate the piston. The piston shaft to which the piston is connected has a portion extending outside the gun and has a handle for manual operation. A further U-shaped handle is connected to the middle of the barrel and extends over hydraulic pump for carrying by the operator and protection of the hydraulic pump.

Abstract: A water soluble coating composition having flash-rusting inhibiting qualities when used on ferrous metal surfaces and improved moisture resistance and film impermeability. The coating composition basically comprises a prior art water miscible solvent, and acidified aminoethylated vinyl polymer dissolved in the solvent and epoxy resin. To inhibit flash-rusting a rust inhibiting pigment selected from the group consisting of finely divided metallic alumimum or stainless steel is employed. The acidified aminoethylated vinyl polymer is one having pendant aminoethyl groups of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl radicals of one to four carbon atoms and the average of n ranges from about 1.0 to about 2.

Abstract: A vending machine using a drop shelf trigger operated vending mechanism. The drop shelf vending mechanism employs a rack having vertically aligned drop shelves having a square shaft which is axially slidable within a square hole provided in a wall of the rack. A rounded end portion of the shelf extends beyond the square hole in one side of the rack and is adapted to be contacted by an upwardly spring biased trigger that fits around and into the shaft inwardly into registry with the squared hole in the side wall of the rack where the drop shelf drops to release the article. The trigger mechanism is operated by a trip lever contacted by conventional coin actuating mechanism which turns an operating shaft upon which the trigger is slidably mounted. The trigger is spring biased upwardly on the shaft to contact in sequence the lower most and then further drop shelves. A trigger stop on the trigger stops the trigger at each unoperated drop shelf in sequence.