Abstract: A motor vehicle lens manufactured for use in the European market is converted to comply with United States laws and regulations by grinding the textured interior surface of the lens, applying multiple coats of a transparent filler to the ground interior surface of the lens, applying a colored stain to the exterior and interior surfaces of the lens, and mounting a reflective panel to the interior surface of the lens. The converted motor vehicle lens comprises a translucent plastic panel contoured to fit a support housing, the panel having an exterior stained surface and a stained substantially flat interior surface. The substantially flat interior surface is formed by grinding the interior surface and applying multiple coats of the transparent filler to the interior surface of the lens. A reflective panel mounted to the interior surface of the lens permits the transmission of light from an incandescent bulb located in the support housing to pass through the converted lens.

Abstract: A check valve mechanism providing a valve body and valve seat assembly having noncircular eccentrically located hinge pin receptacles with independently controlled X-axis and Y-axis hinge pin locating surfaces. A simple cylindrical hinge pin is supported in the receptacles and supports a check valve disc in such manner that both opening and closing movements have components of rotary and linear disc movement relative to the hinge pin and valve seat of the valve mechanism.

Abstract: A method of welding using a preheating insert is disclosed. The method includes the steps of positioning and igniting a combustible solid fuel mixture within a pipe to preheat the pipe by convection to a proper temperature and welding the pipe. The preferred and illustrated embodiment incorporates an encircling bottom support having a centralized hollow tube. It is made of a frangible material to be easily broken should it fall into the pipe. It supports a hollow, cylindrical, combustible heating element. The heating element is made of thermite as an example. It includes a top located deflector plate to deflect hot gases flowing upwardly from combustion against the wall of a pipe to be heated. The apparatus is concentrically located within the pipe in the vicinity of the pipe section to be heated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for lifting and temporarily supporting an evaporator coil cabinet. The apparatus is place on opposite sides of the cabinet and includes a leg member in telescopic engagement with a threaded shaft. The shaft has a platform on one end thereof which is placed beneath an edge of the cabinet. A hand nut in threaded engagement with the shaft rests atop a shoulder on the leg member. As the hand nut is rotated, the shaft and platform are urged upward, thereby lifting and supporting the cabinet.

Abstract: A lingual orthodontic appliance system for edgewise orthodontic therapy incorporating twin type brackets with single bracket interbracket width. Brackets for anterior teeth incorporate three tie wings in T-shaped orientation and brackets for bicuspids have two pairs of twin tie wings. Molar tube brackets retain the terminal extremities of the archwire and provide hooks for closing loops, tie-back loops, etc. In each case the archwire slot opens toward the occlusal permitting simple and efficient insertion and positioning of the archwire within the various brackets of the appliance system.

Abstract: An improved table shear, and method for using same, for cutting sheet metal in precise dimensions. The table shear includes a hold down clamp in operative engagement with the cutting blade leverage mechanism. The clamp impinges against the sheet metal before the blade begins to cut, thereby preventing movement of the sheet metal during the shearing process. The clamp also protects the operator from the cutting blade during the shearing operation.

Abstract: A cable head catcher mechanism for use when running tools within a well and which catches the fishing neck of a wire line operated well tool in the event the wire line should become broken due to excessive force as the well tool reaches the upper limit of its travel within the well servicing apparatus. A segmented collet system within a pressure containing housing of the apparatus is operative to catch the fishing neck of a well tool to prevent the tool from falling in the event the wire line cable becomes broken. A sleeve piston is provided which operatively positions the segmented collet within the housing and is hydraulically energized to cause releasing movement of the collet to thus release the fishing neck of the well tool when desired. The mechanism is constructed to allow the cable head and cable to be installed without requiring cutting of the cable.

Abstract: A method of abrading fabric garments in a washing machine. The garments are placed in the washing compartment of a washing machine and the machine is filled with sufficient hot water to cover the garments. The garments are thoroughly soaked, and then the compartment is drained of sufficient water to enable the compartment to accept a predetermined amount of small sized abrasive particles to uniformly abrade the garments. The abrasive particles are added to the compartment and agitated until the garments are uniformly abraded. Next the compartment is drained of substantially all of the water and abrasive with the drainage fluid passing through a filter or trap capable of separating the abrasive from the water; rinsing and redraining are accomplished, and the sand removed from the filter for reuse in subsequent abrading operations.

Abstract: An X-ray fluorescence method and apparatus of detecting subsurface impact caused delaminations and cracks in cloth and epoxy-catalyst laminates which method and apparatus permit nondestructive testing and evaluation of the existance, location, parameters and depth of the subsurface damage.

Abstract: A combinatorial device especially adopted as a teaching aid in the study of finite, non-Abelian permutation groups. The invention structurally utilizes a central core member having a multiplicity of supporting members extending outwardly from the core member. Further, a multiplicity of face pieces are slidably interlocked with the support members such that a transitive permutation group is generated by varying the orientation of a multiplicity of the face pieces, having a common junction, about the core member.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for vessels such as tanks, pipe lines etc. for preventing leakage of fluid from such vessels. The sealing assembly incorporates an inner stop member which is collapsible for passage through a hole in the wall structure of the vessel and is expandable to engage the inner surface of the vessel. A closing and sealing material is applied to the external surface of the vessel in an uncured form and extends at least partially through the hole through which the stop member passes. A retainer plate is positioned on the outer surface of the closing material and is drawn into tight retaining engagement with the closing material by means of a forcing element in the form of a screw or screws which extend through the retainer element and are received in threaded engagement with the stop element. The closing material is in the form of a polymer which is applied in the uncured state and forms a bond with the outer surface of the vessel.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket system for edgewise orthodontic therapy which is adapted for attachment to the lingual surface portions of a patient's teeth. The lingual orthodontic bracket system of this invention is designed to permit occlusal and mesial insertion of an edgewise archwire into precision archwire slots that are defined by the respective brackets of incisors, cuspids, bicuspids and molars. At least some of the lingual orthodontic brackets incorporate fulcrum controlled twin tie wing systems to permit efficient controlled rotation of the teeth as well as archwire tipping and torque activities. The lingual bracket system of this invention also incorporates a molar tube that is designed for mesio-occlusal insertion of the end portion of the edgewise archwire and also permits pivoting or rotation of the archwire about the molar tube structure so as to bring the archform portion thereof occlusally into properly seated relation with respect to the archwire slots of other brackets.

Abstract: This locking mechanism incorporates mechanical objects such as pipe flanges having locking receptacles through which extend a retaining pin having a retaining sleeve threadedly received thereby and secured by means of a locking ring. Both the retaining pin and retaining sleeve can be installed and removed only by means of specifically designed installation tools. A locking plug is also received within one of the flange receptacles and is secured by a plug retainer pin. The locking plug can be installed and removed only be means of a removal key which is retained by authorized personnel. Sealing plugs secure the retaining pin and plug retainer pin in encapsulated position within the pipe flanges and thereby prevent tampering.

Abstract: An earth boring drill bit having roller cutters which are rotatably supported on journals by bushings. At least one of the bushings is formed by a plurality of bushing segments which are positioned about a circular bearing surface having thrust shoulders at each end thereof. The roller cutter elements are assembled about the bushing segments in heated condition, by press-fitting to establish a firmly seated relationship between the cutter and bushing segments upon cooling of the cutter. The rotary cutter is then secured to the bushing segments by means of a locking element to prevent inadvertent disassembly during drilling operations. End portions of the bushing segments engage hardened bearing inserts of cutter support legs to minimize wear during drilling operations. A circular sealing element positioned about the bushing segments establishes sealing engagement with the cutter support legs to prevent ingress of contaminants and egress of lubricant during drilling activity.

Abstract: This invention consists of producing a two-dimensional display from exploration seismic data designed to indicate zones of anomalous low velocity in the subsurface. Such zones may be indicative of porosity and the possible occurrence of hydrocarbons. They will be localized in terms of position along the seismic profile and in approximate zone of reflection arrival time. Data used in making the display are derived from both the CDP stacked seismic profile and corresponding velocity analyses used also to stack the data itself. Stacking velocity curves are plotted according to CDP location for each reflector designated by an interpreter to be of interest. These curves are overlain in pairs using calibration calculations and empirical criteria. Calibration helps smooth "noisy" values and compensates for velocity variations resulting from changes in separation or dip of the two reflectors from which the overlain velocity curves derive.

Abstract: Ultrasonic testing methods and units for characterizing planar flaws in hard-to-inspect materials such as welded and cladded pipes containing intergranular stress corrosion cracks. The invention characterizes flaws with pitch-catch transducers positioned front to back on a single module. One module uses a bimodal transducer to transmit longitudinal and shear waves to produce, through surface wave mode conversion, reflection and diffraction, a triplet of associated longitudinal and shear wave signals received by another bimodal transducer. Other modules use pitch-catch transducers to produce a doublet of associated shear wave signals from diffraction of an incident longitudinal and/or shear waves at the upper and lower extremities of underclad fatigue cracks and buried cracks. The signals are enchanced by multiple one sided cross focusing on preselected target areas in the test specimen and are cognizable by pattern recognition.

Abstract: Adapter for the insertion of a pin contact lighting lamp into an electric supply fixture bar. The fixture bar has an insulating support and a plurality of electric contact tabs along the support for contacting a current consuming element having electrical supply contacts at its ends. The adapter allows for the use of halogen lights with pin contacts and extends parallel to the fixture bar. A second type of adapter is orientable and fitted for being directed toward a precise point to be illuminated.

Abstract: Sampling bullets of the type which are fired into rock formations adjacent a well bore. Surprising and unexpected increases in the service life of the bullet and reliability in obtaining and retrieving core samples have been achieved.