Abstract: A driving pole for a ground rod or the like is provided wherein the ground rod is positioned in the hollow interior and driven into the ground in increments. Vertically spaced cross pins provide incremental stops for engaging the top of the ground rod for driving the rod into the ground as the pole is forced downwardly. The cross pins are preferably mounted on a bracket and spring biased into engagement tending to force the pin into the stop position. After each driving increment, the pole is raised, preferably with a rapid movement, the ground rod moves downwardly relative to the pole and the next lower pin 20 snaps into position for engagement with the top of the rod for driving. The biasing spring is mounted within the U-shaped bracket and a handle is provided for retracting the pins with a latch for holding the pins in the retracted position for insertion of the ground rod.

Abstract: The socket member for electrical connectors is obtained thanks to permanent deformation by twisting of a cylindrical sleeve of suitable metal, provided with through slots (2) arranged on its cylindrical surface and inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve. Each slot, previously to its twisting deformation, presents a transverse profile with sides (102, 202) diverging towards the exterior, and said sides meet at the ends of the slot forming curvilinear edges (302, 402) in such a manner that the vertices of said edges located on the inner surface of the sleeve are nearer to each other with respect to the vertices of the edges located on the outer surface, which are farther from each other.

Abstract: Improved and simplified measurement of the level of molten metal in a crucible heated by an induction coil utilizes a variable frequency power supply for the induction coil. Power supply frequency is changed to maintain the power provided to the coil substantially constant, independent of variations of power factor in the coil circuit. Detection of the frequency of power supplied to the induction coil provides an indication of the changes in power factor of the coil due to changes in the level of molten metal surrounded by the coil, and thus of the level of the molten metal.

Abstract: A method of drying wet coal fines smaller than 28 mesh in size employs both a vibrating fluidized bed type dryer and a coal fired burner for supplying hot drying gases to the dryer. A regenerative separator is interposed between the coal fired burner and the fluidized bed type dryer to satisfactorily remove particle matter from the gases without unacceptable pressure losses. Hot gases exhausted from the fluidized bed type dryer are also cleansed to remove particulate coal particles which are used as fuel for the coal fired burner.

Abstract: A safe deposit-type lock assembly having a fabricated metal cover plate and interchangeable lock noses or insert guides to provide the desired combination of big and little noses. The noses are cast metal provided with a universal size base having locking elements for engaging the cover plate. The locking elements include bayonet-type wings engaging the top surface of the cover plate and locking wedges engaging beneath resilient retainer arms stamped from the cover plate. A locking detent is provided between the retainer arms and the mating locking wedges. The safe deposit door is positioned flush on top of the retainer arms and wings to assure engagement of the detent once the lock is positioned on the back of the door. The heads of the lock plugs are received in the noses providing the desired match for previously installed boxes.

Abstract: A nestable and stackable basket assembly for shipping or displaying bakery products includes a bottom wall, side walls and end walls. Stacking towers, including stepped slots formed in the end walls, project inwardly to define nesting stop surfaces at different and corresponding heights on the upper end thereof. A pair of movable lugs with upwardly facing support surfaces are provided on each end wall and are adjustable for selective engagement with corresponding stop surfaces. The lugs project inwardly from the end wall and are interconnected with a rack and pinion arrangement for equal and opposite sliding movement when one of the lugs is manually indexed. The lugs may be manually indexed along the end walls to achieve (1) a full nesting position, (2) two intermediate stacking positions, and (3) a full stacking position; all with the baskets being in a vertical in-line relationship and without end-to-end rotation of the baskets.

Abstract: A solar assisted heat pump fluid heating system capable of reliable operation at higher than normal ambient temperatures is disclosed. The system includes a collection of solar panels and primary fluid storage tanks having integral coiled heat exchangers interconnected and charged with heat transfer fluid to produce heat. Temperature sensors positioned at the panels and storage tanks transmit temperature signals to solar control circuit. At predetermined temperatures, the solar control circuit energizes a first circulation pump transferring heated fluid from the panels, effecting heat transfer with a low temperature working fluid stored in the tanks. A second circulation pump transfers stored working fluid to a heat exchanger, effecting heat transfer. A heat pump generating a hot refrigerant fluid provides additional heat input when entering working fluid to the heat exchanger is below a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A gear box for a drive head of a conveyor comprises a casing 11 and a gear train contained within the casing 11 and including a plurality of shafts on which gear wheels are mounted, the shafts being rotatable about parallel axes and all the axes 16 being located in a common plane, with at least an output shaft having its axis of rotation off-set with respect to the common plane, whereby the at least one off-set axis is located above or below the common plane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for prebreaking relatively short upstanding flanges formed on the upper edges of a carton including a conveyor system for transporting the cartons and a pair of prebreaking idler rollers engaging the flanges. The prebreaking rollers include a grooved trap for engaging the upper edge of the flanges and side rails are provided to assure against buckling the flanges or the side walls of the carton. A pair of driven rollers aligned with the prebreaking rollers and timed with the passage of the end flanges complete folding of the flanges. The trailing edge of a notch formed in each of the driven rollers folds the trailing end flange.

Abstract: Motor-driven movement for timepieces wherein stator block core is formed in ring-shape with a magnetic material of a rounded bar, magnetic poles formed at both core ends are disposed as directed radially inward of the core and rotary shaft of minute hand wheel of output gear train meshing with a rotor disposed between the poles is radially displaced from the center of the core to the side opposite the magnetic poles, whereby internal space of the ring-shaped core having a coil wound thereon is efficiently utilized for arranging all internal components substantially within dimensions of the coil and minimizing the entire size of the movement.

Abstract: An "in-web" mineral winning machine 1 for reciprocation along a mineral face, comprises an elongate machine body 2, adapted, in use, to be located beyond the face side sidewall 14 of an armoured conveyor 16 extending along the mineral face, at least one bridge 10 extending rearwardly from the machine body 2 and adapted, in use, to overlie the conveyor 16 and to engage slidingly a trapping means 19, 20, 21 located at the goaf side 15 of the conveyor 16, the or each bridge 10 housing a machine haulage unit 34, and the or each bridge 10 being connected to the machine body 2 by at least one joint 9 providing for articulation along an axis 11 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine body 2.

Abstract: A magnetic core with reduced losses is provided along with a related improvement in the process for fabricating magnetic cores for electromagnetic devices from strips of amorphous magnetic alloys. Magnetic powder, or magnetic powder mixed with a suitable carrier, is applied to the core for filling gaps occurring between the layers of the amorphous strips.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive applicator comprises an enclosed wheel glue pot (2) the sides (3, 4, 5) of which fit closely to the sides of the applicator wheel (6), a doctor blade (7) preceding the applicator wheel, an anti-stringout wheel (8) following the applicator wheel, a remote tank (9) forming a reservoir for adhesive, a flexible hose (10) from the tank (9) to the glue pot (2), a pump (11) for feeding adhesive from the tank (9) through the hose (10), heating means for the tank and hose and glue pot, passages (12A, 12B, 13-FIGS.

Abstract: A classifier mill having first and second series of beaters (1, 2) on respective sides (3, 4) of the periphery (5) of a rotary pulverizer disc (6) within a chamber (7), an independently rotary classifier (8) coaxial therewith and radially inwards of the second series of beaters (2), an entry (9) for material into the chamber (7) at a position intermediate the pulverizer axis and the first series of beaters (1), and an exit (10) for fines coaxial with the classifier (8) and remote from the pulverizer (6), is further provided within the chamber (7) with an annular wall (18) extending radially outwards from clear of the periphery (19) of the classifier (8) to beyond the periphery (5) of the second series of beaters (2), and with a cylindrical wall (20) extending from the annular wall (18) past the peripheries of both series of beaters (1, 2), the cylindrical wall (20) being provided with a series of circumferentially spaced openings (21) disposed radially outwards with respect to only the first series of beaters

Abstract: A tool with a pair of longitudinally translatable components, includes a base with a lip to engage the underside of a boot covering a spark plug of an internal combustion engine. The other component, a slideable tongue, engages the engine head to provide a controlled reaction force against the underside of the boot to force it off the spark plug. The base of the tool may be fitted against the boot for aligning the tool to direct the reaction force in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spark plug. The tool is activated after alignment by manually compressing a handle connected to the tongue to move toward a finger grip rigidly secured to the base. The tongue preferably is connected to the handle by an actuating rod guided by a sleeve mounted on the base.

Abstract: A vehicle fire extinguisher is provided which discharges a copious supply of fire retardant into the engine compartment and in the vicinity of the fuel tank of the vehicle in response to a vehicle crash. The fire retardant deprives the areas of the vehicle most susceptible to fire of oxygen needed for combustion and fire development.

Abstract: A fluidic control device, in particular a vortex amplifier, comprises a casing having fluid inlet, outlet and control ports. A vortex chamber is formed within the casing by a plate which is spaced from a wall of the casing by members which each define a part of the periphery of the vortex chamber. Each member has a channel in communication with a respective control port for introducing control fluid flow into the vortex chamber. An aperture is formed in the plate adjacent each channel to divert a portion of the control flow to the opposite side of the plate and facing the inlet port whereby to reduce instability over the operating range of the amplifier.