Abstract: A method and apparatus for rebuilding vehicle axles permits rapid repair at the failure site. The method comprises the steps of removing the damaged terminal portion of the axle including threads and bearing surfaces, boring a concentric cylindrical cavity within the axle, cutting radially oriented passages in the axle wall which intersect the cavity, providing a replacement terminal axle portion, and inserting the terminal axle portion into the cavity and securing the replacement axle portion into the axle by weldments or other suitable means. The rebuilding apparatus includes a substantially conventional boring machine having specially configured mounting components which facilitate securement of the apparatus to various axle structures.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus for extracting heat and/or mechanical energy from a pressured gas wherein the pressured gas is applied to the radially outer ends of rotating cylinder elements defining logitudinally extending fluid pressure chambers having one end thereof remote from the axis of rotation and the other end proximate to the axis of rotation. A free piston is mounted in each of the fluid pressure chambers and is reciprocable therein solely under the influence of the gas pressure and centrifugal force. Valving elements are provided at the outer end of the cylinder elements which are operable by the movement of the free piston toward such outer end to open the pressured gas inlet valve. A second valving element is provided near the inner end of each fluid pressure chamber to open ports causing the exhaust of the expanded, cooled gas from the chamber.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for automatically impinging or impressing bits or pieces of edible material such as bits or pieces of chocolate, chopped nuts or bits and pieces of other particulate edible material onto the periphery of a body or column of soft freezable confection such as a body of soft ice cream, ice milk or the like. The bits or pieces of edible material are agitated or vibrated as the edible material is fed to the periphery of a body or column of soft confection. The body or column of soft confection and the bits or pieces of particulate edible material on the periphery of the body or column of soft confection are moved through a restriction to impress or embed the bits or pieces of particulate edible material in the periphery of the soft column of freezable confection.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a pneumatic splint formed of three similarly shaped walls of flexible thermoplastic material. The inner and outer walls are of identical shape and are peripherally bonded to each other. The intermediate wall is of lesser peripheral dimension and has three of its edges bonded to corresponding edges of the inner and outer walls and the fourth edge bonded to an intermediate portion of the outer wall. The intermediate wall is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures and a plurality of equally spaced welded bonds to the outer wall. The application of fluid pressure to the interior of the splint when rolled into an annular configuration to loosely surround a human limb will expand the inner wall into intermittent engagement with the limb and the outer wall into a uniform, quilted cushion configuration.

Abstract: A material suitable for use in gaskets is disclosed. The material can comprise: (a) a mass of intermeshed fibers bonded to one-another at points of contact by an elastomeric binder; and (b) graphite distributed throughout the intermeshed fibers in an amount of from about 45% to 95% of the total weight of the material. The fibers can be organic and selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyester, polyamide, aramid and polybenzimidazole, or of cellulose, ceramic, glass or wollastonite. A gasket comprising the material, and a gasket comprising at least one surface layer and at least one additional layer of the material bonded thereto are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming a sgraffito type design in a clay form comprising the steps of: (1) applying a binder to a leather hard clay form; (2) applying a decorative coating with a binder to the leather hard clay form; (3) force drying the clay form to strengthen the form, increase the adherence of the decorative coating and form a tough bond between the clay and the decorative coating to withstand subsequent application and removal of an adhesively backed stencil; (4) adhering the stencil to the surface of the clay form; (5) sandblasting through opening in the stencil to form a design or pattern in the clay form; (6) drilling of holes if applicable to the product; (7) removing the stencil; and (8) firing of the clay form to produce the finished ceramic form.

Abstract: A door brace is disclosed adapted to interengage a door and a floor beneath the door and prevent unauthorized entry through the door. The brace comprises sections interconnected substantially end-to-end and collapsible with respect to each other into a compact form. One end section of the prop member has means adapted to engage the door, while the other end section has pivotally mounted base means adapted to engage the floor. Optionally, the prop member has lock means adapted to extend from the prop member to an exterior side of the door where the lock means is operable for locking or unlocking. The prop member may also have pressure-sensitive means adapted to signal a warning upon pressure upon the prop member due to unauthorized attempt to open the door.

Abstract: An improved fluid energy translating device of the axial piston type includes a cylinder barrel mounted on a drive shaft. The cylinder barrel is rotatably coupled to the drive shaft through a splined connection which includes crowned male splines on the drive shaft and female splines within the cylinder barrel. A port plate having inlet and outlet passages abuts one end of the barrel and intimate contact therebetween is maintained by a plurality of disk or Belleville springs operably disposed between the drive shaft and the cylinder barrel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an instrument for measuring the range of angular displacement associated with two human body portions connected to a common joint. The instrument includes two pivotally connected, elongate rods, and separate supports for supporting each of the rods on a respective one of the body portions in spaced relationship with the body portion. Each of the supports includes a pair of ball and socket assemblies which are mounted on the respective body portions in spaced relation to one another. The ball of each ball and socket assembly has an aperture formed therethrough for receiving the associated elongate rod. Such a support arrangement enables the body portions to be rotated about the common joint without affecting the natural movements of the body portions. An encoder is utilized to pivotally connect the two elongate rods and to generate an electrical output signal representing the relative angular position between the two rods.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake assembly for incorporation into chain hoists and the like includes a planar disk slidably secured to the output shaft of a pneutmatic motor by complementary splines. The disk is biased toward a planar surface and when in contact with such surface, inhibits rotation of the motor output shaft. Compressed air is supplied to both the pneumatic motor and the brake assembly through a network of passageways and check valves. Compressed air supplied to one face of the brake disk, translates the disk, disengaging it from the planar surface and permitting output shaft rotation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vise for securely supporting a workpiece relative to a fixed support. The vise includes a base member which is secured relative to the fixed support. A clamp assembly is rotatably mounted with respect to the base member and includes a pair of jaw members one member of which, except for the relative rotative movement between the clamp assembly and the base member, is fixed relative to the base member. The second jaw member is pivotally interconnected to the first jaw member. Both jaw members have a workpiece engaging surface formed thereon with the engaging surfaces arranged in a facing relation to one another. The vise further includes a threaded handle pivotally mounted on the second jaw member and cooperating with the fixed jaw member for pivoting the jaws relative to one another to move the workpiece engaging surfaces toward one another whereby a workpiece positioned between the surfaces will be securely supported.

Abstract: An adjustable neck-body joint for a guitar-like instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a main body portion and an elongated neck portion having at least two threaded apertures formed transversely therein near one end. The main body portion includes a recessed portion for receiving a mounting frame adapted to receive the one end of the neck portion. The frame includes respective apertures formed therein for generally aligning with the threaded apertures when the one end of the neck portion is received by the frame. Threaded fastener means extend through each of the frame apertures into cooperation with the threaded apertures for frictionally securing the neck portion to the frame. The threaded fasteners are smaller in diameter than the apertures formed in the frame such that, when the fasteners are loosened, the neck portion of the instrument can be adjusted relative to the frame. The frame is integrally secured to the main body portion of the instrument by a plurality of threaded fasteners.

Abstract: This invention relates to a retaining sleeve which is utilized in conjunction with an associated threaded cap to hold a replacement shock absorber within the cylindrical shroud of a vehicular suspension system of the type commonly referred to as a MacPherson strut suspension system. The retaining sleeve includes a hollow cylindrical upper member and a hollow cylindrical lower member. The lower end of the upper member is provided with collet portion having a plurality of radially movable arms. The collet portion has external tapered formed thereon for engagement with internal tapered threads formed on the upper end of the lower member. The relative rotation between the upper and lower members in one direction causes the collet arms to move radially inwardly to securely grip the outer wall of the cylindrical shroud. After a replacement shock absorber is inserted within the cylindrical shroud, the threaded cap can be secured to the upper end of the retaining sleeve.

Abstract: A tie rod load sensor for a die-casting or other machine includes an axially-extending bore formed in the tie rod to receive a strain gauged sensing member. One end of the sensing member is countersunk to receive a ball which concentrates the load when it is forced against the bottom of the bore by a bolt threaded into the opening of the bore. The sensing member includes a narrow central shaft portion upon which a plurality of strain gauges are mounted. The bolt is utilized to pre-load the sensing member such that the strain gauges mounted thereon will measure changes in the tension on the tie rod.

Abstract: An improved fluid pressure energy translating device of the axial piston type including a cylinder barrel mounted on a drive shaft. The cylinder barrel is centered on the drive shaft by a crowned bearing on the drive shaft and coupled through a splined connection which includes crowned male splines on the drive shaft. The crowned bearing and the crowned male splines on the drive shaft have centers located to either side to the center of bending of the drive shaft under load so as to eliminate tilting of the barrel.

Abstract: An electrolyzer is provided for processing fluids. The electrolyzer includes electrode plates having laterally extending electrical busses. The electrode plates are mounted in a non-conducting external frame having a plurality of ducts for the flow of process fluids between the electrolyte chamber and the ducts. Seals are provided between the electrode plates and the external frame.

Abstract: A series of alpha-olefin sulfur dioxide copolymers derived from the C.sub.4 to C.sub.18 alpha-olefins which may be readily processed to an optical article, such as a contact lens, having oxygen and carbon dioxide permeability which make them desirable in uses for contact lenses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting tool which is utilized to sever a cylindrical body such as a cylindrical shroud of a factory-sealed vehicular suspension system of the type commonly referred to as a MacPherson strut suspension system. The tool is designed with a construction which permits the tool to sever the cylindrical shroud while the shroud remains attached to the vehicle. The tool comprises an upper control mechanism which is mechanically coupled to a lower cutting assembly by means of a pair of coaxial elongate tubes. The lower cutting assembly includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, rotatable cutting wheels which are radially movable between a retracted position and an expanded position. The upper control mechanism determines the radial position of the cutting wheels by controlling the relative rotative position between the two elongate tubes.

Abstract: An air cooling system is provided wherein a refrigerant gas, which may be air, is expanded in a plurality of piston and cylinder elements which are concurrently rotated by a power driven shaft. The reaction force of the expanding gas produces mechanical energy assisting in the rotation of the power shaft. Valving arrangements are provided for supplying pressured gas to separate sets of piston and cylinder elements in timed sequence, if desired. The expanded, cooled gas is directed through a heat exchanger mounted on the rotating power shaft and returned to a compressor, also mounted on the rotating power shaft, for recompression and resupply to the rotating piston and cylinder elements. Alternately, the cooled gas may be fed directly into the room to be cooled.