Abstract: An impeller and apparatus for use therewith are described, the impellers having collapsible cups presenting variable entrance areas with respect to the fluid, the areas being determined by the velocity of rotation around a shaft on which the cups are carried. The apparatus for utilization of the impellers comprises a wind driven machine for power output, a wind driven machine having a plurality of levels of impellers, a wind driven machine for starting another wind driven machine which is difficult to start on its own, and a wind driven machine utilizing the impellers for providing turbulence in a liquid.

Abstract: A solar heating system is provided which utilizes the suns rays to heat fluid in a solar panel, which heated fluid is released to a storage tank when it reaches a predetermined temperature, and where it is available for withdrawal from the tank for heat exchange as desired.

Abstract: A power feed through for vacuum electric furnaces is provided for furnaces in which work pieces to be processed are placed inside a vacuum electric furnace chamber which is evacuated with a mechanical pump and then backfilled with a partial pressure of gas containing nitrogen, such as nitrogen or ammonia, or a hydrocarbon such as methane, or mixtures thereof. The work pieces to be processed are electrically connected to the negative (cathode) terminal of a D.C. power supply, the positive terminal being connected to the chamber wall and to ground. The power supply is energized and a portion of the gas is ionized. The work pieces are heated to temperatures of approximately 650.degree. to 1100.degree. F. for ion nitriding or to temperatures of approximately 1650.degree. to 1900.degree. F. for ion carburizing. The heating is effected at least in part by the ion activity but auxiliary heating elements may be used if desired.

Abstract: A foam product and method of producing the same for use in preserving cut flowers is provided which method provides in the manufacture of the product of foaming under mild conditions to preserve the wettability, and the preservative qualities of the foaming material and its additives so as to improve the life of the cut flowers which are mounted in the product.

Abstract: A fixedly mounted thermocouple for vacuum electric furnaces is described, which is particularly suitable for furnaces for nitrided or carburized case formation and which is particularly suited to avoid line of sight metallic deposition on the mounting from sputtering in the furnace and which could result in shorting, spaced shields being provided on the thermocouple mounting for this purpose.

Abstract: A powder sprayer is described having a barrel or cylinder of synthetic plastic material with an interior baffle cup preferably adhesively secured in the cylinder and closed by a cup closure plate, a check valve being carried therein, the cup bounding a powder chamber and having an air delivery tube, preferably slitted, extending thereinto. The air delivery tube has a threaded end for engagement by a nut rotatable by a manually accessible knob pivotally mounted on an end closure removably sealed to the barrel. The end closure carries a powder delivery tube extending therethrough with its inner end closed and with slits for receiving powder to be delivered through the outer end of the powder delivery tube. The outer end of the powder delivery tube is adapted for attachment of extension tubes and fittings for various types of powder delivery. The powder chamber can be readily refilled by turning the knob and removing the end closure for that purpose.

Abstract: A slip clutch of the friction type is described for interposition between a rotary shaft and a driven or driving element on the shaft, such as a gear, cam, pulley, crank or the like, the slip clutch including a split sleeve in engagement with the element or the shaft but retained against movement by a key carried in a keyway on the shaft or in the element, a split tolerance ring being interposed between the split retainer ring and the shaft or the element and retained against rotation with respect to each other and to the shaft or the element in the shaft by the key. The gear, cam, pulley and the like is retained against longitudinal movement along the shaft in any desired manner such as by a shoulder on the shaft and a split retainer ring in a groove on the shaft or by a pair of spaced retainer rings in grooves on the shaft.

Abstract: Cable hardware is disclosed for use with trolling apparatus for fishing carried by a boat, which cable hardware is carried on the line from a boom which extends from the apparatus and includes a line guide sleeve stop through which the line passes and which is prevented from passing through a bushing by the sleeve stop. The bushing is mounted in a bracket carried by the boom and the line preferably extends to a reel carried by the apparatus. Strain placed on the sleeve by winding of the line on the reel, does not place any undue strain on the hardware and transmits the strain evenly to the bushing. The line carried by the sleeve stop is prevented from kinking at the bushing and subsequent entanglement or breakage.

Abstract: A tube extractor for extracting tubes from the tube sheets of a heat exchanger, which utilizes a fluid pressure activated broach which is expanded and drawn into the end of the tube to be removed without expanding the outside diameter of the tube, and which then withdraws the tube from the tube sheet.

Abstract: A vacuum electric furnace is disclosed for operation with a hostile environment therein which may be above the melting temperature of most metals, other than refractory metals, with apparatus in the furnace for advancing the work, the advancing apparatus being a walking beam with provisions for protecting the exposed portions of the walking beam by the use of graphite and with work supporting buttons of molybdenum to prevent the work from reacting with the graphite at high temperatures, and with separation and shielding of portions of the walking beam from the hot zone and with liquid cooling of the shielded portions.

Abstract: A latch control for an explosion relief panel is described in which the panel of relatively rigid construction, is normally retained in place by an arm pivotally mounted at one end, a pivotally mounted fork assembly at the other end of the arm which includes a magnetically responsive keeper which is loosely attached to the fork assembly, a magnet carried by the arm normally holding the keeper firmly to prevent rotation of the fork assembly about its pivotal axis. A plurality of springs exerting the desired force are interposed between the panel and the arm. The door carries a rigid post, adjustable in length, for movement with the panel against the force of the springs to apply a releasing force on the keeper to release the keeper and move the fork assembly to a release position so that the arm rotates and releases the panel.

Abstract: A safety enclosure is disclosed which provides a portable self-contained ultra clean enclosed space environment, with easy access to the interior of the enclosure and which can be operated at relative positive, zero or negative pressure, depending on the usage conditions required so as to provide biological protection for an animal handler or investigator, to reduce contamination of the material inside the enclosure, and to prevent escape of noxious material to the outside.

Abstract: A decorative fabric and method of making the same is described, the fabric having a layer of longitudinal face yarns, the face yarns being connected at their edges by passage through a needle loom, and the face yarns and the fiber ends extending through the back being held in place by a retaining coating applied to the back. In making the fabric, the longitudinal face yarns are arranged in flat side by side relation, and then advanced through a needle loom for adherence, and the fabric is then bonded by application of a polymeric adhesive backing.

Abstract: A flare for waste gas disposal by combustion is disclosed particularly suited for use in remote areas such as deserts, where space is not limited and in which the portions of the flare exposed to radiation are of heat resistant material, the remainder of the flare and its supply connections being covered for protection against deleterious radiation effects thereon, provisions being made for protection of the waste gas supply line, pilot gas supply line and the ignitor supply line to minimize problems of expansion and contraction and to avoid erosion of the protective provisions.

Abstract: A ramp and ramp carrier for trucks and the like is disclosed in which the truck body is provided with long rails comprising channels facing inwardly and which carry the cross members and truck floor, the long rails being supported and secured to the spaced parallel truck frame rails, with interposed spacers of wood, the securing elements being exteriorly of the channels and truck frame to avoid interior interference with the ramp, the ramp being carried between and by the long rails with provisions for retention and, upon withdrawal for use, with the outer end on the ground having members for hooking over a rear plate on the body.

Abstract: A rigid light weight guard for chain saws is provided which includes a bar of soft metal mounted to the chain saw motor housing which is of a width slightly less than the saw chain, and which extends over the top of the saw chain spaced therefrom and down over the end below the center line of the saw chain and which permits of downward, horizontal and upward through cutting without interference by the guard.

Abstract: A sling is provided for supporting horses and other large four legged animals in an upright position for short or extended periods of time while in a stationary or traveling mode. The sling includes three major parts: a T-shaped member which conforms to the sternum and shoulders of the animal; a belly band or sternum abdominal band attached to the T-member; and a tail piece attached to the abdominal band by six adjustable straps. If desired, straps can be connected to a halter and to the sternum abdominal band to provide support for the animal's head. Straps are attached to the abdominal sternum support band which can be detachably secured to a sling support for raising and lowering of the sling, and if desired, moving the animal along a track from one location to another. The entire sling is formed of an easily cleaned fabric.

Abstract: A transverse interlock floor for the bodies of trucks, vans, trailers and other vehicles is disclosed in which extruded transverse floor panels are employed extending from side to side in the body with edge interlocks between adjoining panels, and with stiffening braces on the undersides of the panels, the panels being secured to and supported from below on transverse I-beams of the body and with intermediate stiffening braces if desired, the transverse I-beams being supported on the longitudinal I-beams or frame members of the body which latter are secured to the longitudinal frame channels of the truck chassis.

Abstract: A lease rod for textile apparatus including weaving looms and drawing in machines is disclosed comprising central enlongated hollow metal tube with inserted end tips preferably of molded synthetic plastic material the ends of the tube being disposed at an angle for engagement of complemental surfaces, the angular disposition of the engaging surfaces facilitating insertion into the system of warp threads to be separated and reducing the tendency of the threads to catch at the intersection and the end tips decreasing in thickness while spreading and with rounded surfaces to facilitate insertion into the thread systems.