Abstract: A flexible connector for screening machines comprises an assembly of a plurality of generally cylindrical, flexible collars. Each collar has an annular endwise bead on a first circumferential end and an annular endwise opening groove within an endwise surface of a second circumferential end. The collars are connected by applying force in an axial direction to adjacent and aligned collars to seat and secure the bead of one collar into the groove of an adjacent collar to form a tube along an axis of connection between a particle chute and a movable screen frame.

Abstract: A magnetic retrieval tool for retrieving magnetically attractable objects includes a magnet supported in a magnet housing on an elongated, flexible shaft. The magnet is positioned adjacent a face of the housing and is oriented with a line extending through the N and S poles being generally parallel to the face with pole pieces concentrating the magnetic force of the magnet at the face. A remotely operated force reduction feature includes a sleeve of a magnetically attractable material movable between a first position with at least a portion of said magnet disposed within the sleeve to reduce the magnetic forces of the magnet and a second position with the sleeve remote from said magnet.

Abstract: A track or caterpillar chain for track-laying vehicles, in which the track chain is constructed pursuant to the linkage principle, incorporating connecting pins supported in rubber bushings in the chain links, and separate connectors arranged outside on the connector pins which are clampable by a screw for the connection of the chain links. The track chain link, which to some extent is constructed as a tubular member has at least two openings provided therein for the receipt of toothed driving sprocket wheels or pinions, in which the openings are defined or bounded by two tube portions of the tubes extending somewhat transversely of the direction of travel of the track chain, and bounded by lateral or side strap-like connectors.

Abstract: A gardening tool comprising a pair of handles having upper ends and opposed lower scoops with sharp ends at a lower end thereof, and a device for pivotally connecting the scoops intermediate ends of the scoops.

Abstract: A tire rim protector for masking the tire rim while applying a liquid protectant to the rubber portion of the tire. The protector has a handle for maneuvering it and maintaining it in place while applying the protectant. A holder for a protectant applicator may be included on the outer surface of the protector, and a protectant applicator may be included within the holder.

Abstract: A collapsible ball retriever and storage unit is in the form of a receptacle composed of a plurality of side grills pivotally hinged one to the next, and a top gate and a bottom grate being pivotally hinged to respective ones of the side grills. The side grills are pivotable relative to one another to convert them between erected and collapsed positions, whereas the top gate and bottom grate are pivotable relative to the side grills to convert the top gate and bottom grate between closed and retracted opened positions. The gate and grate are latchable to others of the side grills disposed opposite to the ones thereof to which the gate and grate are respectively hinged. The bottom grate is adapted to rigidly retain the side grills in their erected position when the bottom grate is disposed in the closed position.

Abstract: A transportation system of a floated-carrier type according to this invention includes a carrier capable of running along guide rails with a cargo and load carried thereon. A magnetic unit is mounted on the carrier to float the carrier from the guide rails. A slowing-down device is provided to slow down the carrier when the carrier is just about to enter into a stop position. Projections of ferromagnetic material are provided on the side of predetermined portions of guide rails which the magnetic unit of the carrier confronts when the carrier is stopped in the stop position. The magnetic unit, together with the guide rails, establishes a magnetic circuit. The magnetic resistance in the magnetic circuit is smaller at the predetermined portions of the guide rails where the aforementioned projections are provided than at other portions of the guide rails.

Abstract: A hydraulic snubber for a skidding grapple employing an internal piston, the piston having associated therewith a line type seal to prevent leakage of pressure fluid against a friction disc and wherein the passage providing pressure fluid to the piston is equipped with a special fitting to prevent overload.

Abstract: A vehicle having a frame designed to reduce the damage caused by collisions between vehicles. The design of the frame has a cone shaped front and rear, with the point of the cone low to the ground to get under and lift the other vehicle in the event the front or rear of the vehicle makes contact with a conventional vehicle. If two vehicles of this design meet front to front or front to rear, the cone shape promotes glancability so the vehicles will glance off of one another rather that smash each other. The design of this vehicle includes an oval cross section, therefore if a conventional vehicle hits the side of the invention it will hit on the curved part of the side of the vehicle at the main chassis beam which is very strong. The curved part of the frame will promote the vehicle being pushed up tending to roll it over thus absorbing part of the impact as the conventional vehicle tends to have its front end pushed into the ground by being under the curved part of the inventions frame.

Abstract: Mechanically operated collet chuck for gripping round objects. Especially in automatic, program-controlled installations for the successive machining of round workpieces, a centered gripping of the round objects, which are changing in diameter, is important. The centering error occurring in case of a collet-carrying machine which remains stationary is compensated for by means of link quadrilaterals (3, 8, 10, 12) which latter cause collet jaws (9) pivotably mounted to the front ends of the collet arms (4) and forming four contact points to pivot with respect to the collet arms (4) in such a way that the contact points or contact lines come into contact with the round object (1) simultaneously, without a change in position of the machine or of the round object.

Abstract: A novel visor housing assembly for a sun visor for a motor vehicle, having a three-part construction comprising a frame member adapted to allow both a vertically slidable panel member, and a laterally slidable panel member to be located therein for slidable extension when desired from within the frame member, and front and back cover members adapted to enclose the panel members within the frame member. The visor housing assembly is provided with stop means adapted to co-act with the panel members so that when the cover members enclose within the frame member the slidable panel members, their slidable removal from the visor housing assembly is prevented. In another aspect the invention comprises an expandable sun visor having a vertically slidable retractable panel member, having a novel pivotable latch means in combination with a manually depressable release means, allowing the vertical panel member to be positively retained in a desired position.

Abstract: A handle for use with rollable garbage cans is disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the separation of solid particles from hydrous slurries being particles of different settling velocities, such as slurries containing minerals including ore solids, coal and sands. The slurry solids are subjected to the jetting action of water discharged through barrier plate openings to effect separation between particles of greater settling velocity, which progress downwardly through the openings and are discharged in an underflow, and particles of lower velocity that progress upwardly and are discharged in an overflow.

Abstract: A joint structure for an axle housing ball-end, in which the mounting surface of a knuckle mounted on an axle casing is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal axis of an axle, for example, about 4.degree., the position of a seal mounted on the knuckle being inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a spherical portion of the respective ends of the axle housing, and each end of an axle shaft disposed in the spherical portion of each of the axle housing ends forming the outer race of a constant-velocity joint.

Abstract: A manually operated tool has a spaced parallel pair of elongated flange members mounted on the jaws at the ends of two horizontally disposed tongs or calipers. Each of a pair of hand hold members is individually associated with a corresponding one of the tongs. Grip levers adjacent the hand holds selectively open or close the tongs and, therefore, move the flanges apart or together. The flanges may be placed over a row of substantially aligned necks of a row of bottles, even if some of the bottles are slightly misaligned. The grip levers are pulled to close the tongs and bring the flanges together, thereby gripping the necks of the bottles. To release the bottles, the grip levers are released. The flanges move apart under a spring bias to release the bottles. If more or fewer bottles are to be picked up, longer or shorter flanges may be substituted for each other.

Abstract: The tweezers (1) have a rigid closing ring (9) sliding without friction between the back end (5) of the tweezers, where the two legs of the tweezers are joined together, and the front (4) of the tweezers, where the tips (3) of the tweezers are located. Beyond the length over which it slides without friction, the ring (9) can slide further forward, overcoming friction and closing the tips (3) of the tweezers. It can also slide backwards beyond the frictionless length, until it either encounters a stop or experiences friction.

Abstract: A spare rib holder consisting of two oppositely disposed members pivotally joined at one end to simulate retractable jaws, the members being spring biased with respect to each other so as to normally be in open position, the free ends of both members being provided with oppositely disposed teeth for grasping a spare rib therebetween, the lower member having a ramp projecting forwardly therefrom for leading a spare rib to the jaws.

Abstract: The product and process of forming a flat mat as a liner for covering the exposed floor surface of a truck bed, the process comprising the flattening of a coiled strip of an aluminum alloy having up to 1.5% manganese therein and a thickness of from 0.063 to 0.100 inches, cutting and forming the flattened strip into a liner mat having certain dimensions rolling up the cut liner mat, heat treating the roll at 650.degree. F. for 2 hours, cooling the heat treated roll at an ambient temperature, shipping the cooled roll in roll form and unrolling the shipped roll into a flat condition for subsequent installation onto the truck bed floor surface; the product comprising the mat formed thereby having the composition and physical characteristics set forth.

Abstract: A wheel for pallet conveyor systems. A roller bearing is provided with a flange about its perimeter; an elastic tire, with a groove matching the flange, may be snapped onto the bearing.

Abstract: A fishing assembly for use in retrieving a separated or broken sucker rod from a well comprising a body member having a cavity in which a slide member is disposed therein for reciprocation within the body member. An entrance port is formed in the lower end of the body member so as to openly communicate with the cavity, and an elongated, longitudinally slot is formed in one side portion of the body member. A substantially arcuate-shaped internally disposed shoulder is supported by the body member substantially adjacent the entrance port so as to be opposite and in a facing relationship with the longitudinally extending slot of the body member. The slide member is connected to the body member via the slot so as to be reciprocably movable along the cavity axis of the body member from a lower position to an upper position. The slide member is biased in the lower position so that the slide member (when in the lower position) and the shoulder cooperate to capture a joint end of a separated rod.