Abstract: Automatic ladle systems adapted for use in metal die casting operations are disclosed herein. In a preferred form the invention comprises a rigid, supporting base on which a control platform is rotatably mounted for radially moving a ladle between a metal filling and metal pouring positions. The ladle is coupled to the platform by support arm structure extending from the platform which may be raised or lowered with a hydraulic cylinder. A parallelogram linkage system couples the ladle to the end of the support arm structure. Reach extension apparatus extending between the linkage and the platform moves the ladle outwardly with respect to the base during movement to a filling position. The reach extension apparatus and the parallelogram linkage allow the horizontal position of the ladle pour spout to remain substantially constant during raising and lowering of the ladle to prevent spillage. A tilting system interconnected with the linkage facilitates ladle draining.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and improved detachable step for a sawhorse or the like, which can be easily assembled and disassembled without the use of tools. The detachable step is supported between a pair of side rails. A pin may be used to secure the step to the saw horse.

Abstract: A machine which forms pipe elbows and other curved conduits by spirally winding a thin strip of sheet metal. The machine includes spaced apart cutting rollers which are reciprocated toward and away from one another by cams in order to cut the strip into a series of interconnected gores having contoured edges. The contoured edges are progressively bent in a manner to interlock by sets of bending rollers that are reciprocated inwardly and outwardly by cams. The strip is spirally wound inside of a ring shaped winding shoe having dies which interlock the opposite edges of the strip. Crimping rollers act to firmly crimp together the interlocked edges to form an acme seam. Clutches permit the cams to be selectively stopped so that the conduit that is formed can be provided with both straight and curved portions.

Abstract: An air sock for indicating wind speed as well as direction is the subject of the present invention. A fabric type sock member is mounted on an upright standard for pivotal movement about its longitudinal axis. A spring is provided for existing pivotal movement and an arrangement is also provided for effecting pivotal movement in response to wind speed. The air sock is divided into equal quadrants of different colors so that, as the wind speed increases, a different color will be visible from an aircraft overhead. In one form of the invention, a torsion spring is utilized to resist the pivotal movement and an impeller is provided for effecting the pivotal movement. In an alternative form of the invention, a single tension spring is utilized to resist the pivotal movement and also effect the movement in response to increases in wind speed.

Abstract: A battery charging device which is driven by a torsional spring. A gear train driven by the spring is coupled with a wheel having peripheral teeth. A control lever is reciprocated pivotally by a small spring to engage the teeth of the wheel in a manner to control its rotation. The wheel in turn applies impulses which help to keep the lever in motion. The gear train is also coupled with an alternator such that the intermittent movement of the gear train is used to drive the alternator. The electrical current produced by the alternator is used to recharge a battery. An electric motor operates in combination with the switch mechanism to automatically wind up the torsional spring when it has been unwound below a preselected tension level.

Abstract: This invention deals with a retractable tonneau top which is suitable for use on the open-bed of a truck, trailer or wagon. This tonneau top comprises a piece of covering material which is carried by a stationary bow structure, a movable bow structure and a plurality of intermediate bow structures which are located between the stationary and movable bow structures. The movable and intermediate bow structures laterally move along a pair of tracks which are attached to the opposing side walls of the open-bed. Movement of the top is controlled by means of a crank. Rotational movement of this crank is simultaneously imparted to a drive chain associated with each track. Each of these drive chains is in turn coupled with the movable bow structure such that the movable bow structure is capable of moving in combination therewith.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a carriage such as for an automatic welding machine for welding line pipe on a lay barge where the machine is successively lifted from and set upon the pipe. A power cylinder operates extendable legs in accordance with its full stroke and cables connected with an overhead support are also connected to the movable legs and trained over a sheave on the carriage to provide certain lost motion between the extended positions of the legs and their retracted positions so that all of the carriage weight is borne by the legs when extended and all of the weight is borne by the cables when the legs are retracted, thus insuring that the legs clear the pipe irrespective of variations in the distance between the pipe and the overhead support. The sheave is positioned on the carriage to effectively increase the distance by which the carriage is moved by the power cylinder throughout its stroke.

Abstract: The risk of lung "squeeze" in use of diving headgear in return-line diving systems arises through the need to subject the exhaust hose to suction pressure in order to withdraw the used gas from the helmet. The usual exhaust regulating valve can quite readily jam, needs considerable servicing, and can only provide the desired high flow rates at the expense of the mechanical advantage which must however be kept high to avoid rendering the valve unduly sensitive to across-the-valve fluctuations.

Abstract: This invention deals with an improved electrostatic shield which is adapted to be mounted on the applicator of a conventional diathermy apparatus between the radiating electrode thereof and the patient receiving treatment. The shield is comprised of a first and a second plurality of electrically conductive strips which form the body portion of the shield and which encircle the current carrying coil of the radiating electrode. The strips likewise form the face portion of the shield and define a plane which is generally parallel to the plane formed by the current carrying coil.Each strip of the face portion is preferably coupled with one of the strips of the body portion. However, the face portion strips of the shield extend generally radially inward from the outer periphery of the surface defined by the face of the shield. These strips then terminate within the inner portion of the area defined by the shield such that the terminating end of the strips are electrically insulated from each other.

Abstract: A harness for lifting heavy and bulky objects is the subject of this invention. The device provides for better lifting ability through superior load distribution and also provides for greater protection for the hands and arms of the person doing the lifting. A yoke type shoulder harness substantially spans the distance between the shoulders of the person wearing it while also circumscribing the neck area. Straps depend from the shoulder harness and are coupled with a rigid L-shaped support. The vertical leg of the L-shaped support substantially spans the distance between the hand and the elbow. The horizontal leg of the L-shaped support presents an enclosure having an opening for receiving at least a portion of the hand. A highly frictional covering on the upper surface of the horizontal leg holds objects in place. The strap means which couples the L-shaped supports with the shoulder harness includes buckle means for adjusting the effective length of the device.

Abstract: An underground conduit extends through the soil in two parallel stretches and connects at one end with a return duct and at the opposite end to the air intake of a heating and cooling unit. The return air duct may be closed off by a damper so that the return air is diverted through the underground conduit. The underground conduit may also be coupled with a forced air unit which is independent of any heating and cooling system. An air diverter in one stretch of the conduit recycles air through the conduit while a portion of the air is utilized. The constant temperature of the subterranean region results in the circulating air in the underground conduit being heated in winter and cooled in summer. To increase the air turbulence and the effectiveness of the heat transfer, the conduit may be corrugated. Sand may be packed around the conduit to retain moisture for more effective cooling.

Abstract: This invention deals with an improved rotary engine of the rotating abutment type and, more particularly, with a unique movement control mechanism which is suitable for use with such an engine. An engine of this type is equipped with two of these movement control mechanisms, each of which is arranged to control the operation of two of the engine's four pistons. In particular, each movement control mechanism is operable to periodically prevent rearward movement of its associated pistons for a predetermined interval and to limit forward movement of these pistons to a set distance during said predetermined interval. Each movement control mechanism is also operable to periodically couple its associated pistons to the engine's central shaft to thereby transfer rotary motion to and receive rotary motion from the central shaft at regular and predetermined intervals.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of constructing simulated vegetation for models. The method encompasses the steps of providing a substrate of non-ferrous light-penetrable fibrous material having a light penetrability of at least 50% and applying an adhesive to this substrate. The substrate is then at least partially covered with a non-ferrous leaf simulating material of ground rubber-like foam particles. It is contemplated that a preferred form of covering the substrate with the particles is by spraying the particles onto the substrate after the adhesive is applied.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes complementary mold members which cooperate to present a mold cavity in the shape of a clay pigeon or other articles. An injection passage leading to the mold cavity receives a slidable pin of smaller diameter than the passage. The pin has a tapered tip which, when the pin is extended by a power cylinder, seats in an outlet opening of the passage to block the opening in a manner to prevent the formation of a sprue on the part. The pin is heated along with a surrounding sleeve to maintain the material in the passage in a molten state and to assure proper release of the part from the mold. When the pin is retracted, molding material is able to flow around it, through the injection passage, and into the mold cavity.

Abstract: The mail sorting machine of the present invention is capable of receiving a supply of envelopes in a magazine from which the individual envelopes are picked off in succession by means of a suction device operating in combination with a pair of conveying belts having a friction surface facing the incoming envelopes. The suction device acts through holes in the conveying belts to draw the lead envelope against the friction surface of the conveying belts for separation of this envelope from the rest of the supply. The separated envelope is then transferred to a read station where a reading device reads a sort code imprinted on the envelope. The envelope is then provided to the storage section of the machine where it is directed to its designated sorting bin. The storage section of the machine is provided with a plurality of diverter mechanisms which are arranged in pairs to form a guideway through which the envelopes are directed.

Abstract: A panel structure for use in blocking glass panes against the passage of heat and cold. In one form the structure comprises first and second rigid foam panel sections joined together by a flexible sheet. The ends of the panels are exposed underneath the sheet so that they may be trimmed to fit the glass pane. Releasable means is also provided for mounting the panel sections in blocking relationship to the glass pane.In another embodiment one of the rigid foam panel sections is provided with a tapered edge so that the section will fit behind the lock on a double hung window. In a further embodiment of the invention a plurality of u-shaped channels are placed around the periphery of the rigid foam sections to form framework. Releasable means may then be secured to the framework to hold the panel structure in blocking relationship to the glass pane.