Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for treating work pieces, and particularly to electroplating small metal articles such as nuts, bolts, arms, hangers and the like. The apparatus, with little variation, could also be used for cleaning, pickling, tumbling, blackening, dying, etc. The apparatus comprises a plurality of horizontally disposed cylinders, each having an inlet and an outlet, with the outlet of the first cylinder in communication with the inlet of a succeeding cylinder. The cylinders are rotatable about their axes in opposite directions and each has a spiral rib in the body thereof pitched in a certain direction, and a spiral rib in the outlet also pitched in said certain direction. Each cylinder also has a spiral rib in its inlet and this spiral is pitched in a direction opposite to that of the ribs in the cylinder body and the outlet thereof.

Abstract: A circulation heater for heating a fluid, particularly a liquid such as oil, includes an imperforate heavy-duty steel tubular body closed at both ends and having internal vanes establishing a plurality of separated longitudinally - extending chambers therein. The vanes are ported to establish a fluid flow path serially through the chambers from an inlet communicating with a first chamber to an outlet communicating with a last chamber. One or more metal-sheathed electric heating elements are located within each chamber and the chambers and heating elements therein are so arranged and designed, for example, by making the chambers of uniform transverse cross-sectional area and placing different numbers of heating elements of identical transverse cross-sectional area in each chamber, that the velocity of the fluid increases as it flows from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: The inventions disclosed herein are improvements over constructions shown in three previous patents issued to me, namely, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,902,293, 2,959,428 and 3,002,636. The improvements herein disclosed relate to a truck trailer having a pair of spaced axles connected to the trailer frame. The front axle is rotatable about a vertically-disposed axis for steering purposes, and is totally self-contained, including its own suspension and a subframe which slidably engages the undersurface of the lower flanges of the two frame channels. When it is desired to adapt the trailer for "switch van" purposes (when the trailer frame and body supported thereon are slipped off the axles to be supported at a dock or on a railroad car) the subframe of the front axle is modified so that it supports both axles, but still has sliding engagement with the frame channel undersurfaces.

Abstract: An electrical control circuit which provides means of initiating the start of upset of a flash welding machine at an operator selectable value of flashing electrical energy. The energy signal for this circuit is taken from an energy monitor, such as the output of the circuit shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,075. The control circuit, by means of a single adjustment of electrical switch means, may include a few additional electrical components to enable initiation of the start of upset, or termination of upset, as a function of platen position rather than as a function of flashing energy. Further, by simple adjustment of additional electrical switch means, further electrical components may be included to control the distance the movable platen moves during the upset portion of the welding cycle. Also, a meter may be included in the circuit to display either upset distance or upset initiation.

Abstract: My invention is particularly adapted for metal saws having disc-like cutters, and especially abrasive disc saws, wherein the saw is fixed to a shaft which is rotatable within a bearing located at one end of a rocker arm. A drive motor, preferably an electric motor, is mounted on the other end of the arm and the latter is pivoted intermediate the saw and the motor on a bracket extending upwardly from a base. The arm swings about the pivot to move the saw toward and away from the work to be cut, which work is clamped within a vise secured to the upper surface of the base. The improvement herein disclosed comprises means for adjusting the amount the saw moves in directions toward and away from the work so that the saw does not "cut air"; that is so that the saw is halted in its up position just slightly above the work, and in its down position just slightly below the work.

Abstract: A simple, inexpensive rocker construction for a rocking chair comprising a pair of vertically-spaced, horizontally-disposed plates, the upper of which is adapted for securement to the undersurface of the seat of a rocking chair, and the lower of which is adapted to have swivel connection with a disc to which the supporting legs are attached. A pair of tubular posts are disposed vertically between the plates to provide a sweeping rocking action for the chair. Sturdy coil springs are connected between the plates to hold the latter assembled with the posts and to urge the chair to a normal position it would occupy if no one were sitting in the chair.

Abstract: An electric heating element for disposition on the top surface of a cooking range, having electrical terminals for plug-in connection with contacts disposed within a dielectric terminal block. The block is supported on the rangetop by means of a sheet-metal mounting bracket. The bracket has a pair of laterally-spaced connecting fingers, each removably contained within a respective socket in the terminal block and adapted to permit limited vertical and lateral movement of the terminal block. The bracket and terminal block are easily assembled without need of any tools.

Abstract: A base station microphone with a transmit bar and a monitor button, the latter being operable to actuate a switch to check for a clear channel before transmitting. The present invention relates to a simple mechanical interlock between the monitor button and the transmit bar, wherein the monitor button must be depressed before the transmit bar may be actuated for transmission. The improved interlock comprises a bell crank lever that has a portion disposed to block depression of the transmit bar. When the monitor button is depressed, the bell crank lever is shifted to move said portion from its blocking position.

Abstract: The invention relates to support legs for bake elements used in microwave ovens. The improved support leg utilizes a conventional wire leg used on bake elements for electric ranges, wherein the leg is formed of wire which is bent to V-shape to provide a bight and legs extending from the bight. Feet are turned outwardly and angularly of the ends of the wire legs, the feet being coined to provide projection welding ridges. A molded ceramic block is slotted to fit into and around the vee and legs of the wire leg, and the two parts are held assembled by welding the feet to the metal sheath of a conventional bake element. The ceramic block is adapted to engage the floor of the microwave oven and is held by the wire leg with sufficient play so that the block may align itself with the oven floor in the event the latter is not level.

Abstract: A device insertable into a fluid pipe to obstruct free passage of a solid member therethrough. The invention is particularly useful to prevent the siphoning of gasoline from an automobile tank. The improved device comprises an assembly of a conventional coil spring and a flexible tape extending through a length of the spring from one end, extending outwardly of the spring and then connected to convolution of the spring at a spaced place along the spring, the tape then being doubled back and extending through the eye in a head at one end of the tape. The assembly is inserted within the filler pipe of the gasoline tank and a pulling force is applied to a free part of the tape which is located outside of the filler pipe, while the upper end of the spring is held against substantial movement. The result is a doubling-up of the spring so that it crisscrosses and obstructs passage of a siphoning tube to the gasoline within the tank.

Abstract: The invention comprises a cage structure for a paint roller to support the cover for rotation about a shaft having a handle connected to an angularly displaced portion of the shaft, for the usual painting function, and a substantially similar cage structure fixed against rotation on a rectilinear shaft, the similar cage structure being adapted to support a roller cover that needs to be cleaned of paint, an end of the rectilinear shaft being adapted to be grasped by the chuck of an electric drill for rapid rotation, whereby the paint on the cover is removed therefrom by centrifugal action. It is the intent of this invention to simplify the manufacture of roller cages by duplication of parts in the painting function and the cleaning function to thereby drastically reduce their cost.