Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting whether or not the gap in adjoining ends of a ring-like workpiece to be flash welded is of normal size, or is so much larger as to produce an unsatisfactory weld. The invention provides means whereby the amount the movable platen of a flash welder moves in a direction toward the stationary platen is compared with its position when the ends abut and flashing begins. If the ends are not materially beyond a predetermined normal gap, the welding action proceeds; however, if the ends are spaced beyond such normal gap, further action of the flash welding process is aborted, or a signal is activated; or both abortion and signal are provided. The invention is especially adapted for use in welding rings which are formed and welded in high production, such as rings that are further processed to make rims for tires of a vehicle.

Abstract: Electric heating elements, particularly adapted for use in solder pots or in other uses wherein a substance is to be maintained in a molten or plastic condition, and commonly termed in such uses as over-the-side heaters. A conventional tubular heater is disposed within the central opening of a thick-wall metal pipe or tube, and the latter is swaged to reduce its cross-sectional size and thereby fit tightly about the tubular heater. Thereafter, the pipe and the heater therein, are bent in a pipe bender to any desired shape.

Abstract: A fireplace closure containing means for supplying an additional amount of air to assist combustion of the logs, coal and the like in the fireplace grate at the time a fire is first started. The invention includes means for cutting off the additional amount of air after the fire is burning satisfactorily. The invention is well adapted for combination with a heat exchanger having forced air circulation and in such case the forced air is first delivered under the fireplace grate to assist combustion during the start of the fire. When the fire has caught satisfactorily, the forced air is then directed through the heat exchanger and is no longer delivered to the grate area. Included in this application are means to adapt and secure a fireplace closure of standard dimensions to fireplace openings of variable dimensions.

Abstract: The invention comprises an accumulator for receiving and storing tenuous material, such as thin plastic strapping band, from a processing apparatus wherein the material is extruded through a die to a desired cross-sectional shape, and is thereafter subjected to further treatment, such as stretch heating, compression, annealing and the like, prior to being wound on a winder spindle for storage or transportation. The accumulator comprises a long tube having an entrance positioned adjacent to the moving band prior to its arrival at the winder spindle, and includes an eductor apparatus positioned adjacent to the exit end of the accumulator and adapted to draw air into the accumulator entrance and consequently suck the band into the entrance end of the accumulator and into the accumulator a predetermined amount to store a quantity of band so that processing of the band may continue while feed of the band to a spindle is interrupted to permit removal of a full reel and assembly of an empty reel.

Abstract: A split-band heater adapted to encompass a cylindrical object for heating the same. The heater has tensioning means at the split for drawing the heater against a transverse peripheral surface of the object. The heater comprises two or more arcuate-shaped metal-sheathed heater sections, each in the form of a strip heater, each section being adapted for positionment along a respective portion of the transverse peripheral surface of the object.Each strip heater comprises an elongated metal channel having a planar base wall and a pair of coextensive side walls extending in the same direction from the edges of the base wall, the channel containing a resistance wire and electrical insulation means therefor, both disposed lengthwise within the channel, and an elongated metal strip fits transversely within the channel. The side walls of the channel are bent over adjoining longitudinal margins of the metal strip to lock it and the resistance wire and insulation means within the channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to electric heating elements, particularly of the open coil type, for installation in apparatus, such as room air conditioners or the like, wherein a thermostat is required and is positioned with its heat sensor in close proximity to an active heating portion of the heating element so as to be extremely sensitive to variations in heat. The invention insures that the thermostat is always properly installed, especially after service work has been performed on the air conditioner, and/or the heating element. Briefly, a tab extends from a terminal of the thermostat and is adapted to fit in only one relation within an opening in an insulator bushing. The bushing has an extending lug to fit in predetermined manner with a portion of a cross strip of a supporting frame to hold the bushing from substantial rotation.

Abstract: A fixture attachable to the table of a machine for holding a part to be machined in operative relationship with the tool of the machine. The fixture comprises a base plate having a locator pin extending from its bottom surface and adapted to fit within an aperture in the machine table to locate the fixture on the table. A plurality of sector-shaped support pads are secured to the top surface of the base plate in evenly-spaced radial relation, adjoining margins of the pads being spaced to leave therebetween radially-extending portions of the top surface of the base plate. Locator blocks are adjustable to various positions radially of said top surface portions, each block having a locating pin, the pins cooperating to engage either the inside or outside peripheral surface of a circular part or workpiece to locate the same. Clamps are securable at various radial positions on the support pads to clamp the workpiece and hold it against axial separation from the fixture base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a termination for a tubular electric heater, comprising a two-piece body of ceramic or high-temperature plastic which is quickly and easily assembled with a metal spade terminal. The two pieces of the body have interfitting parts which align the pieces longitudinally. One of the pieces has a cavity with a tapered entrance portion for receiving a complementarily-tapered portion of the spade terminal, the latter having a tubular portion crimped about the end of the resistance wire. The invention is adapted for use with a rectilinear heater tube, which may be of glass, quartz or a metal such as aluminum, and simular terminations close respective opposite ends of the tube. The resistance wire is disposed within the tube and is in the form of a helical coil which is tensioned on assembly to draw each termination in abutting relation with a respective end of the tube.

Abstract: A novel percussion instrument that may be adjusted to selectively provide well-known cymbal tones and snare drum tones, as well as many other tones which may be a combination or variation of cymbal and snare drum tones. The instrument comprises a tubular casing of rigid material, such as thin metal or plastic, having one end supported on a base and its opposite end open. A thin metal diaphragm overlies the open end of the casing with its peripheral portion in overhanging relation. Means are provided to support the diaphragm intermediate its peripheral portion, and further means are provided to hold the diaphragm against the rim of the casing to provide snare drum tones, or to hold the diaphragm spaced from the rim casing to provide cymbal tones.

Abstract: The usual oxygen lance, and a coating lance, are disposed in upright and spaced-side-by-side relation for selective lowering into the BOF vessel when the latter is in the normal upright position it occupies for refinement of its metallic charge. Preferably, the coating lance is lowered into the vessel immediately after the latter has been charged with scrap and molten iron and moved to its upright position. At this time the oxygen lance is in standby position while refractory coating material is forced through the coating lance and outwardly of its nozzle to coat various areas of the vessel lining. Thereafter, the coating lance is withdrawn from the vessel and the oxygen lance is inserted and the refining process is begun. At this time, the coating lance is held in standby position.

Abstract: The present invention is for the purpose of measuring the increase in growth or length of a sheathed heating element as it is reduced in transverse size to compact the refractory material therein, and feeding the growth to a logic control unit which is preset by an operator to obtain the desired final target length of the element within acceptable limits. The logic control unit, by computation, automatically subtracts the growth length from a preset length growth reference and makes the necessary additional computations that will send the proper signal to a motor control unit. The motor control unit translates the signal fed to it and in turn sends a signal to operate stepper motors, the latter controlling the bight between final compression rolls to compress the element just enough to elongate it within the target length range.

Abstract: The invention relates to support legs for bake elements used in microwave ovens of the dual-purpose cavity oven type. The improved support leg comprises a threaded stud welded to the sheath of a conventional electric heating element, the stud having a threaded portion projecting from the sheath and adapted to receive an interiorly threaded ceramic sleeve. Ceramic cement is preferably used to insure against disassembly of the sleeve from the stud. The support leg may also be designated as a support standoff since the ceramic sleeve provides electrical clearance between the metal stud and the oven liner bottom to isolate and prevent any metal-to-metal contact.

Abstract: The piercing unit of the present invention is a low-cost device having relatively few parts. The unit comprises a C-frame of cast iron. A hole is drilled from the top of the unit, through the top leg and part way into the lower leg. The bottom of the hole forms a seat for the lower end of the die sleeve. A punch holder slide is machined from tool steel for close-tolerance fit within the hole in the top leg. The slide has an opening extending inwardly from its lower end to receive the punch, and a threaded opening extending inwardly from its upper end to receive a stripper bolt. The punch holder slide abuts a shoulder adjacent to the inner end of the stripper bolt, and thus is backed up in its punching stroke. The punch abuts the threaded inner end of the stripper bolt and is thereby backed up in its punching stroke. Dog point set screws hold the punch assembled with the punch holder slide as the punch is being stripped from the steel it has just pierced.

Abstract: A gear pump for use particularly with the new type water hydraulic fluids. A gear track insert is located in the gear housing pressure-generating zone to protect the gear housing from abrasion and high pressure wear. The gear track insert is replaceable, when required, thereby saving the more expensive cost of replacing the gear housing. Isolation seals are of a new design to eliminate high pressure from leaking into the low pressure zone of the pump. These seals also control the pressure plate to gear face load to minimize wear and leakage.

Abstract: An open coil electric heater comprising a rigid support frame composed of a pair of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced members, with cross members between and secured to the longitudinal members. The cross members carry ceramic coil supports which are detachably connected to the cross members. Each coil support has an end formed with a cross slot to pass a part of a convolution of a coil and hook-like projections are formed on opposite sides of a coil support and are cooperable with the coil convolution part to detachably hold the same to the coil support. The heating coil is secured to the coil supports in expeditious manner and without the use of tools by twisting the coil so that said convolution part is aligned sufficiently with said cross slot to enable said part to be seated within said slot. The coil is then permitted to spring back so that the convolution fits against opposite side faces of said coil support and held in position by said hook-like projections.