Abstract: A system and method are disclosed which eliminates the use of a riser pipe in underwater drilling operations. The system includes a mud sump connectable to the top of a submerged wellhead and has a bottom with a mud inlet provided therein and an upwardly extending wall cooperating with the bottom to support a quantity of mud, the sump restricting the water to contact with only the upper surface of the mud as the mud passes upwardly through the mud inlet in the bottom. A hose, separate from the drill string, is used to carry mud to the surface of the water. A pumping means is used to pump mud through the hose in response to the quantity of mud supported within the sump to thereby return the mud to the surface of the water without the use of a riser pipe.

Abstract: A method of drilling shot firing holes in the face of a roadway or tunnel by means of a bucket loader on which is displaceably mounted a drilling mast which carries a slidable drill head, with power unit to displace the drill head with respect to the mast connected between the drill head and mast, comprises the steps of:Advancing the mast from a non-active, rearward position towards an active, forward position, by fixing the drill head with respect to the loader and activating the power unit;Fixing the position of the mast with respect to the loader and releasing the drill head and again activating the power unit to advance the drill head with respect to the mast, after drilling as required; andRetracting th drill head by activating the power unit, either as a preparatory step for subsequent advance to drill further holes or alternatively for purposes of retracting the mast, after fixing the drill head in its retracted position with respect to the loader and releasing the mast and again activating the power u

Abstract: In known scales, switching from a fine to a course measurement range automatically decreases the resolution by at least one place. Since the change in range takes place in dependence upon the total weight applied to the scale, displayed values after taring still lack at least one significant digit relative to the fine indication. In the present invention this digit is reactivated automatically upon activation of the tare key if the weight after taring is less than the predetermined fine range limiting weight.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system for controlling bouncing and pitching movement of a tractor and trailer unit. The suspension system comprises a four-bar linkage which cushions the vehicle ride by connecting the vehicle axle through the four-bar linkage to permit axle movement which cushions the tractor ride. The four-bar linkage comprises a scraper link, a final drive link, a power module link and a stabilizer link.

Abstract: A stabilizer for stabilizing a drive carried on a frame. The stabilizer includes a stiffener element which is connected between a portion of the frame and the drive. The stiffener element is connected by means of an eccentric connector which is adjustably secured to provide an effective length of the stabilizer for positively securing the drive to the frame portion. A pair of such eccentrics may be provided at opposite ends of the stiffener element for further adjustability of the stabilizer.

Abstract: An operator's platform, a vehicle cab and a forward tractor engine enclosure are pivotally mounted as a unit at a forward pivot point to a tractor frame. These components are suspended at the rear portion of the frame through an integrated suspension system including a coil spring and a shock absorber. A pair of stationary vertical guide members at the rear of the vehicle interact with adjacent wall guide surfaces of the suspended chassis. These stationary vertical guide surfaces allow the suspended chassis to pivot in a vertical plane around the forward pivot points while controlling lateral movement of the cab relative to the vehicle chassis.

Abstract: An anti-theft lock for use in automobile ignition systems having an ignition switch and a coil, the lock having a secondary switch, a flexible armoured tube surrounding electrical leads between the secondary switch and the coil, and an armour cap mounted on the coil. This arrangement makes it very difficult to obtain access to the ignition system for jumping the ignition to steal the automobile.

Abstract: An acoustic headset having a pair of elongated channel structures for carrying sound tubes which are provided with ear pieces situated adjacent upper end regions of the channel structures. These channel structures have distant from their upper end regions, respectively, lower end regions interconnected with each other by way of a connecting structure which forms a continuous, elongated, one-piece body with the pair of channel structures. The connecting structure interconnects the pair of channel structures for movement toward and away from each other while a releasable holding structure is connected with the pair of channel structures for releasably holding them at a selected distance from each other, so that in this way it is possible for the ear pieces to be accommodated to the distance between the ears of a given individual.

Abstract: An exhaust gas silencing system wherein standing waves are utilized in a silencing chamber to reduce low frequency components of noise, and a downstream muffler is utilized to reduce the high frequency components of noise. An expansion chamber can be utilized further to reduce the pressure of the sound waves.

Abstract: The present noise reducing apparatus includes resonators which have a small and variable volume as well as a high admittance. For this purpose the resonators constitute vibrating systems having at least one volume wherein the pressure is reduced below atmospheric pressure to provide a reduced volume stiffness. The volume is confined by wall elements having a very small or a negative spring rate under reduced pressure inside said volume.

Abstract: An elevator control system for controlling a plurality of elevator cars servicing a plurality of floors of a building by allotting a hall call originated from one of the floors to a suitable one of the elevator cars so that the hall call can be serviced by the selected elevator car. In the elevator control system, a scan signal generator is provided to generate a scan signal which is used to sequentially scan the floors in successive scan slots for detecting hall calls and elevator car service positions and converting the detected information into pulse signals. The elevator control system comprises counters for counting up the service loads of the individual elevator cars in the successive scan slots after the detection of the elevator car service positions, so that, when a hall call is detected in one of the scan slots, an elevator car providing a minimum service load at the specific scan slot can be selected, and the detected hall call can be allotted to the selected elevator car.

Abstract: An elevator system including at least one elevator car mounted for movement in a building to serve the floors therein, and pushbuttons for entering calls for elevator service. Calls for elevator service initiated by the pushbuttons are visually displayed in a predetermined order on a display in which the display positions for such calls are not specifically related to a specific floor, but which may be used to indicate a call associated with any floor of the building. In a preferred embodiment, the calls are stacked or compressed to provide a predetermined uniform physical spacing between adjacent calls of the predetermined order. The predetermined order and predetermined spacing are maintained as new calls are entered on the display, and answered calls are deleted therefrom.

Abstract: An elevator system including an elevator car having an entranceway, a door having one or more door panels mounted for movement to open and close the entranceway, a door operator for the door, and mounting hardware for mounting the door operator on top of the elevator car. The mounting hardware provides horizontal and vertical adjustment of the door operator, with all adjustments being easily made from the top of the car. When the elevator car has a two-speed door, the high and low speed hanger tracks are horizontally spaced from one another, and they are mounted outside of the vertical projection of the door operator frame. The door hanger plates for both the high and low speed door panels are disposed between the hanger roller tracks. The spacing between the high and low speed roller tracks enables the hanger plates and door panels to be placed in position, or to be removed, from the top of the car.

Abstract: A deceleration controlled and limited brake incorporates a deceleration sensor to limit the amount of braking torque which can be manually applied to a disc type brake. The deceleration sensor is a weighted lever which responds to deceleration by tending to disengage a disc clutch which the activated normal brake lever is engaging. The clutch force is applied at the end of a lever to provide the torque to engage the disc brake and provide deceleration of the vehicle containing the disc brake. Mechanical advantage together with deceleration control is provided by this clutch-brake assembly.

Abstract: An annular friction element for a multi-disc brake comprises pads of friction material alternating around the element with radial arms by which the pads are clamped relative to a ring joining the arms, the arms being of greater extent than the ring radially of the element.

Abstract: An engine brake control system comprises a cut-off valve disposed within an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine to block the exhausted gas flowing through the pipe and a vacuum motor having a spring loaded diaphragm piston operatively connected to the cut-off valve to close the valve in response to release of an accelerator pedal. In the vacuum motor, first and second chambers facing to the diaphragm piston are communicated with a vacuum source to open the valve during depression of the accelerator pedal in such a manner that only the second chamber is communicated with the atmospheric pressure in response to release of the accelerator pedal to swiftly operate the piston.

Abstract: A tabulation control system including a tab position memory shift register for memorizing tab-set position signals representing summed up values from the first position in a range in which tab setting operations are possible. A buffer register is connected to receive tab-set position signals in response to shift signals according to tab commands, a printing head position counter for counting the total and number of shifts of a printing head from the first position is provided. Also provided is coincidence detector which compares the output from the buffer register with the output of the counter and stops the printing head when these outputs coincide with each other.

Abstract: A work indexing apparatus is provided having a plurality of platens mounted on an endless conveyor adapted to be moved to a plurality of work stations in an indexing mode. The platens are positioned precisely by means of pins having a tapered surface rigidly attached to the platens and sockets adapted to receive the platens. The sockets are movable in an arcuate path to receive the pins and are linked to a common actuating means.

Abstract: An electronic control is provided for use with a container conveyor and an orienter, to correct the orientation of an improperly oriented container, or alternatively to turn a container through a controlled arc. In preferred form the electronic control includes an orientation detector which is set up by an operator by means of a mode selector to sense a predetermined shape characteristic of the container as it is moved by a conveyor. The presence or shape of the container is sensed at a time which is controlled by a time sequencer that is synchronized with the operation of the conveyor. If the container is incorrectly oriented or a rotation is desired, the orientation detector activates an actuator which in turn activates the orienter to turn the container.

Abstract: A device is described for capturing certain predetermined types of mail pieces from a moving mail flow and for regulating the subsequent delivery thereof to processing equipment. The device is comprised of a receiving station and a delivery station linked by a common narrow transport. The latter forms a shallow shelf or ledge situated at the bottom of the receiving station and adapted at any given time to catch a limited number of certain types of mail from a mixed stream as it flows through the station. Additionally, the receiving station includes a vane-like member for selectively deflecting all of the mail from the transport. The operation of the member is under control of the delivery station and depends upon whether or not mail pieces awaiting further processing downstream are present in the station. The motion of the transport is controlled by both the delivery station and the processing equipment to insure that they will be kept continuously supplied with mail.

Abstract: An overhead conveyor system comprising a conveyor, a track and a plurality of carriers movable along the track by the conveyor wherein each carrier is adapted to grip an article elevated into the path of the conveyor and to release the article. The conveyor extends along a path past a loading station and an unloading station. Loading means are provided adjacent the loading station for elevating an article into position to be gripped by the carrier and unloading means are provided at the unloading station for receiving an article released by the carrier at the unloading station. In addition, infeed and take out mechanisms are provided at the loading and unloading stations, respectively.

Abstract: An endless conveyor belt apparatus is employed for moving raw materials which are characterized in having fines associated therewith from one point to another. The apparatus includes a silicone-emulsion spraying device for applying an aqueous solution of the silicone-emulsion to the material supporting side of the endless belt in sufficient concentrations to promote the release of the fines from the belt when the material being conveyed is dumped, thereby preventing the undesirable build-up of fines on return idler rolls and beneath the belt at points along the belt's return path.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cooking products such as french toast in which the uncooked product is placed on one end of an endless steel belt upon which it is carried while being cooked. The product passes through a first cooking zone to cook it on one side, and it is then turned over and passes through a second zone in which it is cooked on the other side. The turning operation is performed by a flipper positioned between the two cooking zones which pushes spatula means under the product with a movement against the movement of the conveyor. The spatula is then swung about an axis transverse to the movement of the conveyor and directly above the cooking surface, and the product is turned or "flipped" along an arcuate path progressively with respect to the movement of the conveyor.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor of the kind which is adapted to feed articles thereon towards the downstream end thereof to replace any removed therefrom comprising longitudinally extending laterally spaced conveying surfaces adapted to support articles which are to be fed towards the downstream end of the conveyor, and an endless conveying band is disposed between the conveying surfaces. A selected portion of the band is adapted to be moved from a lowered position to a raised position wherein it engages the underside of articles bridging the conveying surfaces to progress them towards the downstream end of the conveyor to replace any removed therefrom.

Abstract: This invention provides an improvement in a vibratory conveyor of the type including an elongate utilized container, which can be vibrated as a free mass at a selected frequency and stroke by drive means, such as a motor having weights eccentrically mounted on its output shaft, and which container is interconnected by yieldable means to elongate counterbalance means located opposite one long side of the container and with the stroke axis of the container being inclined with respect to the long central axis of the container. Basically, the improvement of the present invention is that the counterbalance means is comprised of plural counterbalance sections which are longitudinally arranged generally parallel to the long central axis of the container.

Abstract: A combined artists paintbox and a liquid container, comprising a tray for housing the paints and brushes and a sealable liquid container hinged thereto. The liquid container is pivotable from an open position, providing access to the paints in the tray, to a closed position covering the open side of the tray. A separate liquid container is provided which can be supported by the tray or sealable liquid container when in their open position and which is used to hold the liquid poured from the sealable container. The separate liquid container is also made to fit over the tray and sealable liquid container to hold them in a closed position.

Abstract: A container for a product serves to protect the product during shipping and storage, then opens to display the product. A bridge member attached to the inner walls of the container retains the product on a planar surface which is centrally located within the container in the protect mode and is elevated above the container in the display mode. A magnetic latch within the walls of the container holds the container in the display mode.

Abstract: A collapsible easel support is provided for supporting a display on a surface at an angle. The display has a back panel which has hinged to its bottom edge a stay flap. Two slits extend from the interior of the stay flap to the interior of the back panel. A first score extends between said parallel slits. A second score in the stay flap extends between the two slits. A third score in the back panel extends between the two slits. The first and second scores define a stay panel to fold against said stay flap and said first and third scores define a support panel to support the easel at an angle to the surface.

Abstract: A multi-packaging device formed from stretchable and elastic plastic sheet material is disclosed as having a plurality of attached bands each including inner and outer curvilinear band sections wherein at least the outer curvilinear band sections thereof have a variable or tapering band width.

Abstract: A combination record album and mobile which includes a jacket for protecting a phonograph record removably insertable therein. The jacket has a plurality of strings extending from one surface thereof for mounting the jacket to a fixed support structure. A predetermined number of mobile figures are mounted on strings extending from the jacket so that the figures can be shifted between a first position in close proximity to the jacket and a second position suspended from the jacket for limited movement.

Abstract: A two-chamber dispensing package comprises a supply chamber and a discharge chamber. The discharge chamber has a discharge opening closed by means of a self-closing closure and communicates with the supply chamber via an opening. The discharge member has a flexible wall which may be manually deformed to generate a pressure upon the content of said discharge chamber thereby opening said closure and discharging content therefrom. The partition between the two chambers may be a curved flexible wall with an opening and the manual pressure may be exerted upon a wall of the package which thereby covers said opening to give an accurately measured discharge from said discharge chamber.

Abstract: A bicycle shipping package in which a bicycle is positioned in a carton with the bicycle front wheel removed, the rear wheel mounted and the bicycle components positioned in the carton such that the package dimensions of length plus girth are less than the maximum accepted for shipment via less expensive modes of transportation, such as by parcel delivery services.

Abstract: A strip tray for holding medical instruments during shipment, storage and use. The tray includes a strip of flexible material with receptacles on the strip for positioning medical instruments in a predetermined arranged pattern. The strip is adapted to be closed with the medical instruments contained therein protective position for shipment and storage. Furthermore, the strip is adapted to be opened and permit ready access to the medical instruments for use. Finally, the strip is adapted to be mounted to a protective covering which operates in cooperation with the strip when the strip is opened and closed.

Abstract: A carrier for glass tumblers, or the like, is formed from paperboard and comprises a sleeve. Locking flaps are folded inwardly from the ends of the sleeve. The flaps are formed with openings bridged by straps having tabs formed thereon providing angular relationship between the locking flaps and the walls of the carrier.

Abstract: Apparatus for size-grading elongated objects of differing diameters, such as green beans or the like, comprises concentrically arranged inner and outer hollow rotatable slotted drums, with the outer drum having a greater number of axially extending circumferentially spaced apart slots therein than the inner drum; drive mechanisms for rotating both drums in the same direction but at different relative speeds, whereby the slots in the inner and outer drums overlap in different relationships and cooperate so as to define entry slots of different widths at different peripheral positions around the outer drum; an object feeding chute outside the outer drum for directing objects to be size-graded to an entry slot of desired width; a conveyor within the inner drum for receiving size-graded objects which have fallen through the selected entry slot, and a collector on the outside of the outer drum for collecting those objects which have not fallen through the selected entry slot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for orienting a plate such as a seed plate in an electrolytic refining plant. While the plate is in a horizontal attitude and connected with a suspending lug which in turn is connected to a supporting rod, the plate is transported by a manufacturing line conveyer to a predetermined location where there is lowered into engagement with the plate a suction structure capable of holding and carrying the plate. The suction structure together with the plate and the supporting rod and suspension lug are raised away from the manufacturing line conveyer to a transfer location where the plate is capable of swinging to an upright attitude while clearing the above conveyer. At the transfer location the suction action of the suction structure is released, and a pair of rod-supporting members are displaced into engagement with opposed ends of the rod to support the latter when the plate is released to swing to its upright attitude, by gravity.

Abstract: A bale wagon having a bale-receiving area, a bale-accumulating area, means for transferring bales from the bale-receiving area to the bale-accumulating area, and an improved means for sensing the location of bales on the bale-receiving area and activating the means for transferring is disclosed. The improved sensing and activating means includes a cantilevered arm pivotable about a vertical axis between first and second predetermined sensing locations. A follower fixed to the arm and movable therewith either activates a sensor after a predetermined amount of radial movement corresponding to the second sensing location, or engages a spacer which is caused to activate the sensor after another smaller amount of radial movement corresponding to the first sensing location.

Abstract: An apparatus for laying sod comprising a wheeled frame which is propelled and steered by means of an engine which drives hydraulic motors connected to the drive wheels thereof. A sod platform is pivotally mounted adjacent its forward end to the wheeled frame and may be raised from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position by means of a hydraulic cylinder connected thereto. A fork-like support is provided at the forward end of the platform and is adapted to be inserted into a sod pallet when the platform is in the vertical position. As the platform is moved to the horizontal position, the sod members are positioned on the platform at the forward end thereof. A first conveyor is movably mounted on the platform to convey the sod members towards the rearward end of the platform. An upstanding support is secured to the conveyor for movement therewith for maintaining the sod members in a substantial upstanding position on the conveyor.

Abstract: An improved escapement is provided for use with a channel for feeding successive components to insure their continuous and individual release therefrom. The escapement includes elements for holding a next-to-endmost component in cooperation with a land extending lengthwise in the channel, in unobstructive position while the endmost component is released. The invention has particular advantages when one or more components in a stacked series may be of a form tending to overlap or have a small irregularity, such as a protruding flashing for instance, causing shingling and hence resisting automatic feeding one-by-one in the channel.

Abstract: A refuse compacting mechanism is provided in the container of a refuse wagon. The mechanism includes a series of bars transversely oriented on the floor of the container and a pusher mechanism at the rear of the container. Uncompacted refuse falls into the container rearwardly of the bars and is pushed toward and compacted against the rearmost bar by the pusher mechanism. As additional refuse is added and compacted, the previously compacted mass topples forwardly over the rearmost bar to be further compacted against the next bar. Preferrably, the bars are connected to endless chains and may be moved rearwardly in unison to aid in unloading compacted refuse from the container.

Abstract: A truck tow lift for connection to the fifth wheels of opposingly aligned trucks provides a means for towing one such vehicle with the other. The structure comprises an elongate beam member having downwardly extending standard SAE kingpins rigidly mounted on opposing ends, one of which is engaged into the fifth wheel of the tow truck, thereby becoming a horizontally pivotable and vertically rigid boom or extension of the frame thereof. Lifting means are mounted on the beam member and are connected to a lifting bar for raising the rear wheels of the towed truck off the ground. To connect the beam member to the truck to be towed, the operator positions the kingpin of the free end of the beam member over the fifth wheel of the towed truck so that it can be received therein upon lifting and attaches the lifting bar to the rear frame members. Then, the operator hoists the rear wheels of the towed truck off the ground and locks the kingpin into the fifth wheel.

Abstract: An attachment for a fork lift truck that facilitates opening and closing of railway freight car doors. The attachment includes a base plate which pivotally supports a push arm at each side thereof that is connected to means for providing a controlled shock absorbing pushing force to the door so as to prevent damage thereto.

Abstract: Multilayered, hollow plastic articles and method for making same are disclosed. The articles have a base portion, integral side walls and an integral open neck or rim portion. The articles also have an inner first layer of thermoplastic material and an outer second layer of pressure molded, thermoplastic material, wherein the inner layer includes a heat absorbing and/or dissipating base portion.

Abstract: Child-resistant locking means for a container having a threaded neck and a closure therefor. The closure has an inner threaded skirt and an outer more flexible skirt on the lower margin of which there is at least one axially extending, depending lug. The container has an abutment near, but spaced radially from, the base of the neck. The abutment has a face that lies in a radial plane of the container and an outer surface that extends inwardly from the outer edge of the abutment face angularly across the normal circular path of the closure lug. When the closure is turned onto the container neck, the lug (1) engages the outer surface of the lug and is flexed outwardly thereby, (2) snaps inwardly after it is turned beyond the abutment and (3) engages the radial face of the abutment when the closure is turned in a retrograde direction. In order to remove the closure, the outer skirt and the tab manually are squeezed inwardly so as to pass the abutment.

Abstract: A metal cap for crimping on the neck of a container has one or two tear lines of reduced strength about its skirt which define a tear-off strip. A perforation for initiating tearing extends across the width of the strip and at least one smaller perforation is also provided in the strip. A tear-off tab (plastic tape) engages both sides of the strip and is joined together through the perforations. The larger perforation is either U- or L-shaped, a straight slot or variations thereof. The portion of the tear line adjacent the larger perforation may be scored to facilitate initial rupture in the desired direction. One or more circumferential reinforcing ribs may be provided in the skirt on one or both sides of the tear-off strip. In addition to the full circumferential tear line, a partial tear line may extend between the larger perforation and a slot in the edge of the cap to provide an initially narrow tear-off strip, which enlarges to include the edge of the cap.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plastic drum having a circumferential recess in the sidewall of the drum near its top, in the form of a frustum of a cone and adapted to receive a one-piece snap-on metal ring carrier structure of a disclosed design that allows handling of the drum with fork lifts, parrot beaks and similar chime engaging devices.

Abstract: An explosive-suppressive mass comprises layers of expanded metal of which each layer is arranged in a selected orientation so that its mesh strands are inclined with respect to the mesh strands of the layers adjacent thereto. This gives economic and other advantages in the manufacture of the anti-explosive materials.

Abstract: A storage container for maintaining the sterilized condition of instruments or other articles. The container has a receiving tray and a lid with a unique sealing element that not only provides an excellent seal but also enhances the seating of the lid on the tray portion. Means are placed adjacent the interface of the lid with the tray for holding the lid above the tray during the sterilization process and for releasing the lid to seat in sealing engagement with the tray after the sterilization process. Mounted within the container is a combination relief and release valve to respectively control the amount of vacuum within the container and to release the vacuum in order to allow access to the interior of the container to remove the instruments or articles therein.

Abstract: The functioning of the cap part of a closure device having a thin-walled packing container is improved by applying a non-perforating score to the cap part in a position perpendicular to the direction of pull of the pull ring of the cap part.

Abstract: The present invention provides a membrane structure for a liquid gas storage tank. The structure is characterized in that the bottom wall of the membrane comprises a number of elongated corrugated members arranged in a square-lattice pattern, and each member has a pair of spaced, parallel, longitudinally extending corrugations. Also, the members are assembled by joining one end of each corrugated member to substantially the mid-point of another corrugated member extending normal thereto, and each opening between the corrugated members is closed and made liquid tight by a thin plate.Preferably, each corrugated member is a sheet member of U-shaped cross-section, having a pair of vertical flanges of equal height, located between a pair of sheet members of L-shaped cross-section which are arranged back to back in spaced, parallel relationship, the top edges of respective adjacent vertical flanges of said L-shaped and said U-shaped members being continuously welded together.