Abstract: The invention is a welding torch with a control means on the torch itself for adjusting welding current. This control means has a thumb button which can be actuated by the welder to turn the torch on or off and to adjust the current to an appropriate value for the weld being made. A latch means at one extreme of its travel is provided to hold the thumb button in the off position. This prevents the torch from being accidentally actuated by inadvertently moving the button.

Abstract: The invention is a multiglazed window and a spacer element for the window. The spacer element is made in the form of an elongated body member of generally rectangular cross section. This has an elongated interior chamber located along its longitudinal axis. The chamber is partitioned by a flexible diaphragm into two separate chambers. One of these chambers is in communication through longitudinally spaced-apart apertures with the interior volume of the window. The other chamber is in communication through similar apertures with the outside environment. the diaphragm is preferably of S-shaped configuration having a cross sectional length which corresponds to half of the circumference of the interior chamber. As pressure changes occur between the gas within the window and the outside environment the diaphragm will reform to accommodate the resulting volume change. This maintains equal interior and exterior pressures preventing glass deformation.

Abstract: The invention is a novelty ball having a multiplicity of extending flexible whisker-like protrusions. The whiskers are generally within the range of about 0.5 to 2.5 times the diameter of the ball. Materials of construction may vary but sponge rubber has been found to be very satisfactory for the ball and very small diameter surgical rubber tubing for the whiskers. As an example, a ball about 21/2 inches in diameter may have about 14 to 20 whiskers. The balls when thrown will travel straight but roll to a stop very rapidly due to the whisker action. They are particularly useful for teaching children throwing and catching skills and for juggling since, when in the air, they appear considerably larger than their actual diameter.

Abstract: A disposable tool for assisting in applying horizontal and diagonal siding. This comprises a strap having a plurality of attached and regularly spaced apart hangers. The hangers are spaced to provide for the desired overlap of siding as well as the correct distance between the bottom edges of siding pieces. In one version of the tool it is mounted so that it positions and holds the lower edge of a siding strip prior to nailing. The hanger portions are removeable after the siding strips have been positioned and secured to a wall. In another version the tool is mounted so that it positions and locates the upper edge of a siding strip. In this case it remains in place and is covered as successively higher strips of siding are applied.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a drum or roll which may be heated to high operating temperatures and is particularly useful in situations where a high heat flux is required under conditions of high nip and distributed loads on the drum. It consists of a relatively thin rotating shell supported on an axially located stationary inner core. The core has a plurality of shell support bearings. These have close radial clearances with the inner surface of the shell at each location where an extrnal nip roll would be engaged. The spaces between the shell support bearings form pressurizable chambers. These chambers can be filled with a hot pressurized fluid for supporting the shell between the supports located at the nip positions. In one application the roll would be used as the drum in a belt and drum press having high nip loads at several locations and high distributed loads applied by a tensioned belt. The fluid support system for the rotatable shell enables a very thin shell to be used.

Abstract: A belt on drum-type press which provides for utilization of a maximum amount of the drum circumference and provides a wide latitude of choice in the relationship between belt tension and press roll nip forces on the drum. In the preferred embodiments the press has a central drum free of axial bending moments and stresses.

Abstract: The invention is a multiglazed window and a spacer element for the window. The spacer element is made in the form of a flexible, resilient elongated body member of generally rectangular cross section. This has an elongated interior chamber located along its longitudinal axis. The chamber is partitioned by a flexible diaphragm into two separate chambers. One of these chambers is in communication through longitudinally spaced-apart apertures with the interior volume of the window. The other chamber is in communication through similar apertures with the outside environment. The diaphragm is preferably of S-shaped configuration having a cross sectional length which corresponds to half of the circumference of the interior chamber. As pressure changes occur between the gas within the window and the outside environment the diaphragm will reform to accommodate the resulting volume change. This maintains equal interior and exterior pressures preventing glass deformation.

Abstract: The present invention is a tungsten inert gas or similar welding torch which is readily adjustable in length for different welding situations. The torch has a relatively conventional head with a heat shield attached at the lower end. The heat shield serves as a resilient telescopic mounting for the gas cup which surrounds the electrode. It further serves to give thermal and mechanical isolation between the torch head and gas cup. A gas diffusion screen pack is located within and bears against an inner circumference of the gas cup to provide resilient support and center the cup about the longitudinal axis of the electrode. The gas cup may be extended or retracted a limited distance within the heat shield and may also be rotated if desired. Alternatively, longer or shorter electrode collet bodies can be screwed into the head to provide almost unlimited adjustment of torch length. A gas cup of appropriate length is used with each collet body.

Abstract: The invention is a fluid heated drum especially well adapted for use with a drum press in which high press roll nip loading and high heat flux to a pressed web are both encountered. A press of this type is disclosed in detail. However, the drum is more broadly useful in any application combining heavy mechanical drum loading and high heat flux through the drum surface. The drum is constructed with a thin outer shell spaced radially apart from an inner cylindrical body. Radial supports provide load bearing connections between the two. The annulus between the shell and inner body may be arranged in various patterns as a conduit for the flow of heating fluid. By using a thin outer shell which does not have to sustain high bending stresses a high rate of heat transfer is permitted. The outer shell may be made of copper or other high thermal flux but lower strength metal to obtain additional heat transfer advantages.

Abstract: An easily replaceable ventilated external insulator for a tungsten inert gas, plasma, or similar welding torch comprises a generally cylindrical member molded from a resilient heat resistant electrical material such as a silicone rubber. The inner wall of the insulator has a plurality of parallel alternating grooves and lands. The grooves communicate at each end with circumferential grooves which act as manifolds. At least one of these circumferential grooves has a vent to release to the atmosphere any gases formed between the insulator and the body of the torch head during welding operations. The vent is located so that these gases are directed away from the weld zone and do not act to contaminate the welding atmospehre.

Abstract: A press belt arrangement in which none of the compressive forces on the central drum are transmitted to the supporting frame. It provides a method in which a greater compressive force in relationship to belt tension is applied to the drum. The invention makes it possible to construct the central drum so that large quantities of heat can be fluxed through it for purposes of achieving the fast drying rates long sought in the industry.

Abstract: The present invention is a rotary tool cutter tooth having a readily replaceable cutting portion and a tool employing the tooth. The tooth consists of an elongated shank for mounting the tooth on the tool body with a cutter element being bolted to the forward end of the shank. Preferably the back face of the cutter element is vertically grooved to receive the forward end of the shank so that the two are precisely aligned and any forces which tend to rotate the cutter element during use are resisted. The face of the shank that adjoins the cutter element may further be provided with a negative or inverted step which engages a corresponding step across the groove of the cutter element. These steps interlock to resist forces which would tend to translate the cutter element radially outward when in use. The cutter element may be made of a tool steel or other hard alloy, whereas the shank is typically formed from a mild steel.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for treating a permeable web with a fluid. The apparatus has a rotatable drum with a fluid permeable endless belt reeved about at least a portion of the drum circumference. Two or more spaced-apart press rolls bear against the outer surface of the belt, pressing it against the drum with sufficient force to form nip zones. A belt position control mechanism gives the belt limited freedom of radial movement away from the drum in the area between the nip zones. This permits a gap of controllable dimension to form between the drum and the belt. The gapped region defines a volume which creates a permeable web treating zone. The drum surface has at least one row of spaced apertures located entirely around its circumference. These apertures communicate with a fluid supply system which can supply treating fluid under pressure outwardly through the surface apertures into the treating zones between the press rolls.

Abstract: The present invention is an electrical junction box of the type having side portions, a back portion, and an open face portion. A flange extends completely around the side portions. This flange is located sufficiently behind the open face of the box to leave a part of the side portions projecting forward of the flange. The projecting portion normally is equivalent in length to the thickness of the gypsum board, Sheetrock or other wall facing material being used. At least one wire or cable inlet extends outward from the side portions behind the flange for admitting electrical wiring into the junction box. These inlets will normally have a plurality of generally tubular apertures entering the interior of the box. Each aperture is originally sealed with a readily removable press-out diaphragm.

Abstract: A press belt arrangement in which none of the compressive forces on the central drum are transmitted to the supporting frame. It provides a method in which a greater compressive force in relationship to belt tension is applied to the drum. The invention makes it possible to construct the central drum so that large quantities of heat can be fluxed through it for purposes of achieving the fast drying rates long sought in the industry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining entrained gas-phase content of process streams comprising collection, isolation, and compression of a process sample, measurement of the compressive behavior, and calculation of the volume of entrained gas-phase by means of a thermodynamic equation of state. The sample is collected in a cylinder between a piston and a sealing plate. An actuator rigidly mounted on the piston force a piston rod into the contained sample where any gas phase is compressed. A pressure transducer measures change in pressure and another transducer measures linear travel of the piston rod to give information on volume change of the sample. The actuator travels with the piston at it is reciprocated by a first actuator to draw in or expel a sample. The apparatus is well adapted for automatic on-line measurement. A microprocessor operated control system for automatic operation is described.

Abstract: The present invention is an article holding device for attaching external loads to a packframe. It consists of upper and lower clamp assemblies adapted for attachment to adjacent transverse packframe members. A rod, oriented vertically when the packframe is being worn, is held between the clamp assemblies. At least one, preferably two, strap retainers are mounted on the rod. These will normally have freedom of rotational and vertical movement. A strap or similar load retaining member passes through the slots of the retainers. Arranged thus, a load can be held tightly and securely against the packframe. In the preferred form of use, two of the assemblies are mounted side-by-side so that at least two straps may be placed around the external load.

Abstract: A vise for holding small objects. It is particularly useful as a fly tying vise. It comprises a support bearing a housing having a rotatable central arbor carried in low friction bearings. The preferred form has a hub mounted at each end of the arbor. One hub houses a clutch or other locking device. The other hub bears a clamping arrangement having fixed and moveable members with distal jaw portions adapted to hold an object such as a fishhook. The clamping arrangement has a longitudinal axis essentially parallel to but off-axis from the longitudinal axis of the arbor. The axis of the arbor does not pass through the jaws of the clamping arrangement. This permits a hook to be held in the vise with its shank lying on the axis of rotation of the arbor. In this way body thread or other dressing can be rapidly and accurately applied as the fly is created. Jaw members have essentially parallel and planar opposing faces with the maximum opening being controlled by an adjusting screw.

Abstract: The invention comprises an adjustable case for stringed instruments, such as violins, violas, or guitars, which may have different body sizes within any given type. The case has a transverse interior fixed wall, preferably contoured for the button or lower end of the instrument body. This wall can be adjusted longitudinally to form a snug fit for any instrument having a body size within the adjustment range. The moveable wall has a cut-out area to act as a bearing surface for the neck of the instrument and tie-down straps to further eliminate movement during transit. A resilient pad, generally located on the floor of the case, is associated with each end wall structure. These support the sturdier end areas of the back of the body so that the more fragile central portion of the back is held above the bottom panel of the case. Thus, an impact to the outside of the case is not transmitted directly to the instrument.