Abstract: Structural members widely adaptable for use to build various composite structures and assemblies having horizontal and vertical supports, such as columns, beams and rails, are shown and described. The composite structural members include a longitudinal channel having a web and first and second legs. Each leg includes a plane that extends from a side of the web and is inclined relative to the web, and a cylinder is located at an edge of the leg that is spaced from the web. Various fittings can be used to engage at least one of the cylinders of the channel to fix the channel in position relative to a second, third and/or fourth channel to form the column, beam or rail. Further, select brackets can be used to attach together columns, beams and rails of the assembly.

Abstract: A process for making a panel for supporting the sidewalls of an excavation includes a plate, longitudinal members and vertical members. Each longitudinal member includes a first leg extending along the length, substantially parallel to and spaced laterally from the plate. The first leg of each longitudinal member being located adjacent and secured to the first leg of another member. A second leg, integral with the first leg, extends along the length, away from the first leg and toward the plate, the second leg being secured to the plate. Axially spaced vertical members are welded to the plate and to the longitudinal members.

Abstract: An orthotic device for a joint of the human body, at which a body part pivots, includes first, second and third members. A first connection joins the first member and the second member and defines a first axis about which the first member and the second member pivot through an adjustable range of angular motion. A second connection joins the second member and the third member, defines a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis about which the second member and the third member pivot through a second range of angular motion, and includes a limit to plantar flexion about the second axis.

Abstract: Structural members widely adaptable for use to build various composite structures and assemblies having horizontal and vertical supports, such as columns, beams and rails, are shown and described. The composite structural members include a longitudinal channel having a web and first and second legs. Each leg includes a plane that extends from a side of the web and is inclined relative to the web, and a cylinder is located at an edge of the leg that is spaced from the web. Various fittings can be used to engage at least one of the cylinders of the channel to fix the channel in position relative to a second, third and/or fourth channel to form the column, beam or rail. Further, select brackets can be used to attach together columns, beams and rails of the assembly.

Abstract: A system for processing plastic feed material includes a machine having a barrel and a screw that rotates in a repetitive cycle in the barrel. An induction winding encircles and extends along an outer surface of the barrel. A control system includes a controller that determines a duty cycle referenced to a length of the machine cycle in response to an error between a desired barrel temperature and a current barrel temperature. The controller electrically connects the power supply to the induction winding at least once during each cycle for a period whose length corresponds to the duty cycle.

Abstract: A method for securing the drum casing of a washer during shipping includes at least one airbag for wedging between the drum casing and washer housing. The preferred airbag has three arm extensions, although a bag with two arm extensions, or two separate bags could be used. Two of the extensions, or two separate bags, whichever is used, are positioned around the washer drum exterior to prevent free, lateral movement of the drum casing relative to the housing. The third arm of a three arm bag is slid between the drum casing and rear washer housing before inflating. Preferably included with this method is a spacer for wedging between the drum and a housing bracket to prevent free, vertical movement of the drum relative to its washer housing.

Abstract: An orthotic device for supporting a jointed limb of the human body includes a first segment having a first support member that extends along a posterior portion of the limb about the joint, a first support pad secured to the first support member, and a channel slot extending along the first support member. An extension segment includes a second support member that also extends along the posterior portion of the limb and a second support pad secured to the second support member. The second support member can be adjustably coupled to the first segment by entering and engaging the channel slot.

Abstract: An adjustable spreader bar of a trench box has male and female telescoping pipes. The male telescoping pipe has a plurality of indexed openings, and the female telescoping pipe has an outer threaded portion with a groove to receive a locking pin. A sleeve is threadably attached to the outer threaded portion of the female telescoping pipe, and the sleeve has a sleeve opening and an inside channel for receiving the locking pin therethrough, so that fine adjustments, in the relationship between opposing panels of the trench box, can be made by rotating the sleeve about the threaded portion of the female pipe for extension or retraction of the male pipe, by forcing the locking pin along the groove.

Abstract: A multi-sided frame assembly for screening has a fastening strip with male and female pads. The male pad has a first face from which spaced stems project in an ordered arrangement. The female pad has a second face formed with at least one receptacle extending into a thickness of the female pad. Each stem is located and sized for insertion into the receptacle. A woven, knit or knotted material of open texture having holes, preferable evenly spaced, such as those of a screen, is secured between the pads of the multi-sided frame by passing the stems through the mesh and into the receptacle. A cover can be removably engaged and selectively fastened to the assembled fastening strip. The cover envelops the pads, including fasteners, if any, used to fasten the male and female pads together or used to attach the multi-sided frame assembly to a supporting structure to hold the assembled frame in place.

Abstract: A door assembly includes multiple door panels arranged in series along laterally spaced tracks, extending laterally between the tracks, and supported for movement on the tracks. A first pair of hinge plates is secured to a first door panel, each member of the first pair being located at an opposite lateral side of the first panel. A second pair of hinge plates is secured to a second door panel, each member of the second pair being located at an opposite lateral side of the second panel. A first release pin alternately disconnects and connects the first and second hinge plates at the first lateral side of the door panels. A second release pin alternately disconnects and connects the first and second hinge plates at the second lateral side of the door panels.

Abstract: A pallet nail press for embedding outwardly extended fasteners of a pallet, particularly a block-type pallet having a top surface formed by a plurality of top-deck panels. The press includes a main support frame and an anvil surface having a plurality of plates resiliently attached to the press frame. The hammer beam and the anvil plates are vertically aligned. A mechanism for compressing the pallet between the hammer beam and the plurality of anvil plates is used for pressing the outwardly extended fasteners against the resiliently mounted anvil plates for embedding the fasteners in the top surface of the top-deck panels of the pallet.

Abstract: An orthotic device for a human body joint at which a body appendage pivots includes a first member extending along the appendage on a first side of the joint, a second member extending along the appendage on a second side of the joint opposite the first side, a connection joining the first member and the second member and having an axis about which the members articulate, a cuff spaced from the axis, and a mechanism displacing the cuff along one of the members in response to articulating the device at the connection.

Abstract: An orthotic device for a joint of a human body at which a body appendage pivots includes a first member able to extend along a posterior portion of the appendage on a first side of the joint and a second member able to extend along a posterior portion of the appendage on a second side of the joint opposite the first side. A connection joining the first member and the second member provides a series of defined positions spaced angularly about an axis at which positions the connection can be alternately locked and released, allows pivoting, selective ratcheting and positioning of the second member relative to the first member about the axis, and can restrict pivoting of the second member relative to the first member within a desired angular range of motion. Notably, this orthotic device uniquely combines multiple joint functions into one convenient device which allows it to be used at different stages of therapy without being replaced or requiring additional equipment.

Abstract: A trench shoring or shielding unit, for securing the sidewalls of an earthen formation, trench or excavation, includes a plurality of adjustable, vertically arranged panels forming a protective wall. As a shielding unit, two opposing protective walls are spaced and attached by at least two spreader bars. Each adjustable panel has opposing top and bottom ends, a C-shaped channel traversing the panel's height, and opposing side edges that inter-engage with the side edges of adjacent panels. Further, each adjustable panel is attached to at least one of two or more whalers along an inner surface of the panel by a clamp-like fastener having a bolt passing through the whaler and into the C-shaped channel of the corresponding panel. The inter-engaging side edges are segmented, preferable concave and convex, so that adjacent adjustable panels inter-engage to resist lateral torque or twisting that may be caused by shifting or collapse of the excavation.