Abstract: A cylindrical apparatus or module to be included in a screw of a plasticating device. The screw has a helical flight disposed within and cooperating with the inner-wall of a heated barrel to form an upstream where material is fed into and a downstream where material exits the device. The cylindrical module has a helical channel traversing in a reverse helical direction compared with the direction of the flight. Input grooves extend in the surface of the module with input groove openings beginning within the helical channel and terminating in a dead end before intersecting the channel upstream. Output grooves, being adjacent to the input grooves, extend in the surface of the module with output groove openings beginning within the helical channel and terminating in a dead end before intersecting the channel downstream. A barrier is between the pair of adjacent input and output grooves to prevent direct communication therebetween.

Abstract: A plasticating screw having a main channel defined by a helical flight disposed within and cooperating with an inner-wall of a heated barrel. The screw has a longitudinal portion with a plurality of staggered rows of noncontinuous advancing grooves arranged in the main channel thereof. The axis of each row of advancing grooves being substantially parallel to the helical axis of the adjacent helical flight of the longitudinal portion. A noncontinuous helical channel is formed therein traversing in a reverse direction, compared with the direction of the helical flight, the channel having a plurality of retracting grooves. Each retracting groove cuts through at least one pass of the main channel of the longitudinal portion, including the advancing grooves therein, and intersects and passes through the helical flight at least once, so that molten resin can back flow and re-circulate therethrough.

Abstract: A deflection dampening apparatus for a process roll. The dampening apparatus having C-shaped first and second portions with both portions pivotally interlocking to form a ring. The C-shaped portions have an inner base and a notched outer surface comprising a pair of fined side walls. A plurality of screws are attached through a threaded opening in the inner base with a wedge shaped washer secured therebetween. The screws and wedge shaped washer communicate with the finned side walls, whereby tightening each screw causes the fins to extend outwardly to wedge between a cantilevered inner shell assembly and a cylindrical core of the process roll. When securely wedged therebetween, the dampening apparatus modifies the cantilever effect of the inner shell assembly of the process roll.

Abstract: A portable shoring device for securing the sidewalls of an excavation having a pair of walls or panels mutually facing each other and being held in spaced apart relationship by at least one support bar. Attached at opposite ends of each panel are vertical supports, which are arranged to pair in a substantially perpendicular coupling relationship with the corresponding vertical supports of the opposite panel. Each vertical support traverses along the height of the panel and has a female connection bracket. A plurality of panel connectors having a male connection device are slideably connectable with each panel by interlocking the corresponding female connection bracket of the corresponding vertical support with the male connection extension of the panel connector. The support bar attaches between two panel connectors on paired panels. Further, each panel connector has a bottom stop plate and a top panel lock to vertically secure the connected panel.

Abstract: A golf club protective cover which provides a semi-rigid upper enclosure to protect the club head and a sock-like lower enclosure attached to the upper enclosure for protection of the club shaft. The upper enclosure is formed as a semi-rigid cylinder and has an elongated opening in the side wall of the upper enclosure so that the club may be inserted into the cover from the top through the elongated opening or through the bottom of the lower enclosure in a conventional manner.

Abstract: An interval timing apparatus for use with a football during games or scrimmages. The timing apparatus comprises a stand having a holding area with a recessed shape to hold a football in a substantially horizontal position and a timer having a sensor communicating with the holding area so that when the football is removed from the holding area, the timer is deployed. The timer is operatively connected to a visual display showing the time generated by the timer. When the predetermined time has lapsed, an audio signal is generated by an alarm operatively connected to the timer.

Abstract: An inflatable indoor/outdoor three-dimensional display figure. It is made to be freestanding by using a base comprising an inflatable base portion and a pocket therebelow. A weight may be positioned in the pocket to further secure it in place for indoor use. For outdoor use the base has attached uninflated tabs around its perimeter. Using mounting fasteners that pass therethrough, the inflatable display figure can be mounted to the ground. The display figure may comprise fasteners for attaching an optional display area for a written message.

Abstract: A scarf flushing apparatus for cleaning the inside of tubes. The apparatus comprises a continuous and uninterrupted fluid flow system. The system comprises a transfer mechanism communicating with a flow control mechanism to direct flow through a nozzle to clean each tube being indexed therethrough and to redirect flow through a bypass line and into a reservoir during the indexing sequence. A pressure gauge and regulating valve communicate with the continuous fluid flow system so as to maintain substantially constant pressure throughout the fluid flow system during the cycling process.

Abstract: A micro-finishing apparatus for finishing the outer surface of small cylindrical workpieces with repeatability. The apparatus comprises a regulating mechanism rotating and feeding a workpiece against a micro-finishing spool drive mechanism. Planar extents of the regulating mechanism and micro-finishing spool drive mechanism form an opening having a distance that is no greater than the diameter of the workpiece. The workpiece is fed through the opening at an angle by a guide bar. The regulating mechanism rotates the workpiece against the abrasive of the micro-finishing spool drive mechanism and simultaneously feeds it through the apparatus.

Abstract: A golf club protective cover which provides a semi-rigid upper enclosure to protect the club head and a sock-like lower enclosure attached to the upper enclosure for protection of the club shaft. The upper enclosure is formed as a semi-rigid cylinder and has an elongated opening in the side wall of the upper enclosure so that the club may be inserted into the cover from the top through the elongated opening or through the bottom of the lower enclosure in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A fastening device comprising a pair of attachment pads, each pad having at least two faces with one face having a plurality of mushroom-shaped interlocking members. The interlocking members are uniformly spaced so that the mushroom-shaped members of one attachment pad interlock with the mushroom-shaped members of the opposing attachment pad. A screen material has a mesh corresponding substantially with the spaced relationship of the mushroom-shaped interlocking members of the pair of attachment pads. The screen material is securely engaged by the mushroom-shaped interlocking members of the attachment pads.

Abstract: A ceiling panel assembly is provided which connects directly to ceiling joists. The assembly has a plurality of ceiling panels and connecting hardware. Each ceiling panel has at least two oppositely disposed edge regions forming recesses. The edge regions of adjacently assembled ceiling panels define grooves with their respective recesses. The connecting hardware is adapted to connect each ceiling panel in the defined grooves directly to the ceiling joist.

Abstract: A mat is used as a ground engagement platform for supporting heavy equipment or as a road surface for supporting vehicular traffic. The use is intended to be temporary, with the mats being reusable. The mat, in its basic construction, includes a flat plate-like structure having a thickness and planar extent and an opening defined in the flat plate-like structure which extends in the thickness direction and is dimensioned to receive a lifting device for lifting and transporting the mat.

Abstract: The invention relates to an information display device which attaches to a tubular conduit. The tubular conduit has a longitudinal axis for transporting liquids. A display member having lateral and vertical edges and a display area for displaying information is attached to said tubular conduit by a tubular portion having a longitudinal vertical axis substantially parallel with the vertical edge of the display member. The attachment mechanism has an opening in the exterior wall along said longitudinal axis for inserting the tubular conduit therein. The display area is used for recording information. An extension member extends beyond the display area wrapping around the attachment tubular conduit for securing said information display device to said tubular conduit.

Abstract: An extruder for plasticating and extruding an extrudate, and an extrusion screw used with the extruder form the subject of this invention. The extruder screw includes an elongated root body and a thread portion helically wound about the root body and extending along the length. The screw having a low compression ratio, flight with a reduced helical angle, and a conical, tapered front end section where at least one-half flight of the thread has a pitch associated therewith which is different from the pitch of the remainder of the thread and where the diameter is less than the diameter of the remainder of the root body.

Abstract: An extruder for plasticating and extruding an extrudate, and an extrusion screw used with the extruder form the subject of this invention. The extruder screw includes an elongated root body and a thread portion helically wound about the root body and extending along the length. The screw having a low compression ratio, flight with a reduced helical angle, and a conical, tapered front end section where at least one-half flight of the thread has a pitch associated therewith which is different from the pitch of the remainder of the thread and where the diameter is less than the diameter of the remainder of the root body.

Abstract: A plasticating apparatus including a rotating screw having a helical flight disposed within and cooperating with the inner wall of a heated barrel. Solid resinous material is introduced to a helical valley extending between said flight to be heated and plasticized by said apparatus while being advanced towards an outlet opening by the rotation of said screw. The screw has a meter section for working, melting and mixing said resinous material at high temperatures. The bottom surface of the helical valley in said metering section is divided into side by side relatively shallow and relatively deep levels. Within the metering section is a transit channel having a reverse helical direction as compared with the helical direction of the flight. Because of the reverse helical direction of the transit channel, the transit channel intersects the helical flight and helical valley with the transit channel cutting therethrough.

Abstract: A plasticating screw and method of plasticating without thermal degradation problems. Said screw having a metering section with a helical flight disposed within and cooperating with the innerwall of a heated barrel. In particular, solid resinous material is introduced to a helical valley extending between said flight. The resinous material is heated and plasticized by said apparatus while being advanced along a helical path towards an outlet opening by the rotation of said screw. The bottom surface of the helical valley in said metering section having a plurality of geometrically shaped surfaces in side-by-side relation with at least two of said shaped surfaces being sloped. During operation, the level differential between the shaped surfaces induces a continuous tumbling, variable shear and mixing action upon the molten resin as the molten resin in the metering section flows along the helical path.