Abstract: A split, circular flanged bushing for securing driving or driven elements such as sheaves, pulleys, and the like to a rotatable shaft, having an integrally formed key in the center opening of the bushing for insertion in a corresponding keyway in the shaft. The bushing is formed in a sintering operation and increased density is imparted to fillets or junctions between the flange and the outer wall of the body, thereby providing increased resistance to stress fatigue in these critical areas. Fillets between the key and the inner wall of the body are provided to distribute the stress concentration inherent in these areas.

Abstract: A rimless drum structure in which a drumhead has a membrane attached to an outer ring and an adjustment ring is disposed beneath the membrane within the outer ring. Tuning devices are spaced around the rings and are adjustable to urge the inner ring against the underside of the membrane, and thereby varying the tension and the tuning of the membrane. Two of such drumheads may be assembled in opposing fashion through the use of a plurality of rigid spacer members attached between the brackets of the upper and lower drumheads. An adjustable snare device having a cam type quick release mechanism and a snare tension adjustment device, may be mounted on the dual headed assembly. Sound control devices having bumpers exerting an adjustable amount of force on the upper drumhead membrane may also be used and these devices may be moved to positions at variable distances from the center of the drumhead to vary the sound effect.

Abstract: A power-operated, exterior rear view mirror, normally mounted on each side of large or long vehicles, having motor assemblies within the mirror housing which provide adjustment capabilities in both visual planes, vertical and horizontal. The mirror can be mounted on the vehicle using the existing mounting hardware and can be wired into the existing electrical system of the vehicle. A remote-control switch, located inside the vehicle within easy reach of the driver, controls the adjustment of the mirror, making the task of adjusting the mirrors virtually effortless and providing for safer vehicle operation.

Abstract: A nozzle for injecting adhesive materials into cracks in concrete, mortared joints in brick or stone walls, in timber, or in similar materials, the nozzle having a body with a center channel for conducting the resin from a suitable pump into the cracked surface. The nozzle may be surface mounted or mounted in a drilled hole, and has a proximal end adapted for connection to a conventional coupling and a distal end surrounded by spaced lugs which facilitate insertion of the distal end into a hole and aid in retaining the nozzle therein. The spacing between the lugs and a plurality of grooves in the distal end communicating with the center channel minimize back pressure when surface mounted and resist back pressure when mounted in a hole, and provide an even diffusion of the resin into the void. A collar is normally provided near the distal end for partially or completely sealing the installation and for retaining an adhesive gel or putty cone which further seals the installation.

Abstract: A window blind for controlling the amount of light admitted through a window, door, skylight, or the like. The blind is secured at the top and bottom of the window, making it suitable for use with all types of windows in buildings or vehicles, regardless of the relative orientation of the window with respect to the base of the structure or vehicle. The blinds have a plurality of horizontal slats, sequentially arranged in vertical alignment, and gear driven elements for supporting and adjusting the position of the slats.

Abstract: A bulk storage building structure for storing grain, dried clay and other granular products in which the normally encountered lateral pressure exerted on the walls of the structure is minimized by the spaced, slatted configuration of the walls which accommodates the angle of repose of the stored material. This configuration effectively increases the total available surface area of the structure such that the structure may be made as large as is necessary of practicable without the expensive wall reinforcements required for conventional storage structures.

Abstract: A wood splitting device for mounting on a vehicle, including a hydraulically operated log splitter. The wood splitter is capable of being pivoted from a horizontal position along one side of the vehicle to a vertical position at the rear of the vehicle or to any angular position therebetween, and is operational in any of these positions. The pivoting movement of the log splitter is powered by a hydraulic cylinder which moves guide and support arms pivotally connected to the splitter for supporting the splitter on the vehicle. The cylinder and the log splitter may be connected to the same hydraulic system, driven by an engine through a hydraulic pump and reservoir.

Abstract: A bearing assembly in which the bearing surface is composed of ice, and lubrication is provided by the frictional action of a shaft or other supported member against the frozen surface, which liberates a thin film of liquid. A collar, composed of a synthetic resin polymer material, such as the material sold under the trademark Teflon, is mounted on the shaft and rotates with the shaft against the liquid film on the frozen bearing surface. A chill conductor ring, composed of aluminum, surrounds the collar, forming a chamber therebetween for receiving the freezable liquid, and a refrigeration system circulates coolant through passages in the conductor ring to lower its temperature and freeze the liquid into a bearing surface.

Abstract: A plugging defeat system for use with a reversible electric motor having a motor shaft. A slipping clutch-type mechanism is used to sense the speed and direction of the motor and to selectively open forward or reverse enabling switches when the motor reaches a predetermined speed. If operating in the forward direction, the clutch mechanism will open the reverse enabling switch, once the predetermined speed is reached, preventing motor reversal until the speed has fallen to a safe level, and vice versa.

Abstract: A bushing and hub assembly for mounting sheaves, sprockets, gears, couplings and similar machine elements on a shaft, wherein two types of tapered bushings are used, the bushings having bodies of the same taper used with a single hub which is compatible with both bushings. One of the bushings has a radially extending annular flange at the large end of the tapered body and the other bushing is flangeless. The screw holes and plain holes are provided in the flange and at the interface of the bushing and hub for securing the selected bushing in place in the hub for mounting the machine element on the shaft with screws for tightening the bushings securely in place on the shaft and in the hub bore. The two bushings and the sidewalls of the hub all have the same taper and are interchangeable with one another, to provide optimum performance and convenience of installation.

Abstract: A pipe fastener for securing pipes along walls, ceilings or the like, having top and bottom members each having two generally broad, flat sides extending at approximately forty-five degree angles from a middle portion and a base portion, respectively. The four sides have a plurality of spaced, parallel slots with the slots in the top member being selectively engageable with the corresponding slots in the bottom member, thus forming an adjustable enclosure for receiving a pipe. A set screw is provided in the bottom member and disposed perpendicular to the pipe for securing the pipe within the fastener, thus providing both initial and final adjustability features. The pipe fasteners have been designed for use with common attachment devices, such as beam clamps or toggle bolts, and the fasteners can be connected in series for hanging or securing additional pipes along the same route.

Abstract: A flush valve assembly for use in the water storage tank of a toilet, the closing speed of which can be controlled and adjusted to seal the storage tank as soon as the trap in the toilet bowl has been refilled, thereby preventing water loss from an overfilled trap. A valve cup having a float is rotatably mounted within a housing and has an elongated horizontal slot or the like near the lower edge. The valve cup contains water when the storage tank is full, and upon initiation of a flush cycle, the float engages an abutment which is secured to the valve shaft and retards the rate of descent of the valve shaft by floating downwardly on the water in the valve cup as this water drains from the horizontal slot. The valve cup can be rotated to variably restrict the slot, thereby increasing or decreasing the rate of descent of the valve shaft to seal the tank as soon as the trap has been refilled.

Abstract: A wheel and mounting bracket assembly for boats and the like in which the wheel support has a vertically positioned shaft-like strut with a pair of spaced pins extending laterally therefrom, and a bracket having a body with side walls forming a generally U-shaped, elongated channel for receiving the strut in parallel relation therewith. Two pairs of opposed slots are disposed in the side walls in the outer edge for receiving the pins of the strut, and a latch having a longitudinal bolt locks the pins in one of the slots. The upper slot is preferably of an L-shaped configuration and the lower slot is of a straight inwardly extending configuration, and the lock is preferably used in conjunction with the straight slot to lock the pin therein. The bracket has uses other than mounting wheel assemblies and the like, such additional uses including securing a tow bar and anchor cable to the boat.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for drying lumber under vacuum conditions using a drying vessel operationally connected to a sump which collects the extracted moisture. Vaccum conditions are maintained in the vessel and in the sump within the range of 10,000 to 15,000 microns, which reduces the boiling point of water to less than 80.degree. F. The temperature within the vessel is raised to approximately 105.degree. F. by a heating source and this combination of reduced pressure and elevated temperature causes the moisture in the lumber to boil off as vapor. This vapor is condensed inside the vessel by refrigeration coils cooled to a temperature between 36.degree. F. and 42.degree. F., and the liquid condensed on the coils is carried to the sump through a drain pipe where it is pumped to waste disposal through a flow meter.

Abstract: A power-adjusted exterior rear-view mirror for large or long vehicles, having a motor and a remote control switch which permits the driver of the vehicle to adjust the mirror while seated in the driver's seat. The mirror can be mounted on the vehicle using existing attachment brackets and can be wired into the existing electrical system of the vehicle. Upon activation of the switch, the mirror rotates from side to side a short distance in a slow and continuous motion until proper adjustment is reached and the switch is turned off. A spring located inside the mirror assembly provides tension to hold the mirror in its adjusted position, and to permit the mirror to give way to a force applied rearwardly on its outside edge and to turn toward the vehicle, then to return the mirror to its original position when the force is removed.

Abstract: A rectilinear motion proportional solenoid which exhibits linear output motion that is linearly proportional to the applied electrical current input. The solenoid has an adjustment mechanism which is external to the working components of the solenoid for adjusting the gain or rate of displacement of the solenoid after final assembly or while the solenoid is operating without degrading the linearity characteristics, thus allowing dynamic calibration of an operating system.