Abstract: An elongate roof ridge capping member for a tiled roof includes a pair of longitudinally extending flanges interconnected by a capping section. The capping section is connected to at least one of the flanges by a re-entrant portion, being so connected to both flanges in the case of a member for a duo-pitch roof. The re-entrant portion defines a longitudinally extending recess which can receive the end of a roof tile. The flange in the recess is provided with a longitudinal ridge or the like which inter-engages with the nib of the tile to hold it in position. Filler units may be used to provide weathering of tiles with profiled upper surfaces.

Abstract: A mobile structure is provided which comprises flexible joint assemblies with increased flexibility in a vertical direction and increased rigidity in the horizontal direction to facilitate towing over uneven terrain and further comprising free wheeling dish-like castor assemblies supporting the structure.

Abstract: In making a spacing frame for use in forming an insulated arrangement of spaced glass panes, the frame is made from a continuous length of a tubular bar arranged to contain desiccant granules of given size. A wall section of the tubular bar, which is to form the inner frame border between the glass panes, is cut transversely of the longitudinal axis of the tubular bar. The depth of each cut is selected to be substantially equal to the thickness of the wall section. The width of each cut in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tubular bar is selected so the desiccant granules cannot escape through the cut, and sections of the bar extending longitudinally from opposite sides of the cuts are bent relative to one another to form the frame corners.

Abstract: A method of making a closed-tread staircase, and of making steps for such a staircase. The tread and riser of each step are each made from a rebated, grooved slab; the rebates on tread and riser are mated to form a joint, which is secured by a joining strip of `V`-shaped cross-section formed with flanges which are forced into the slab grooves. Steps are joined together in the same manner, and a staircase formed by supporting a series of steps upon two or more stair carriages, each carriage comprising a stringer with a series of spaced cleats secured to one side. Each cleat provides a horizontal tread-supporting portion and a vertical riser-supporting portion. Each stair carriage may be made using apparatus which provides means for supporting and indexing a stringer and supporting each cleat at a predetermined angle while cleat and stringer are secured together.

Abstract: Asphalt composition shingles for new roofing and reroofing which provide a three dimensional appearance not unlike shake but with the characteristic lower cost and fire retarding characteristics of asphalt composition materials. The shingles may be cut from a standard roll of asphalt composition material, and are then folded to provide regions of differing thicknesses because of the differing number of thicknesses of the material in the various regions. The shingle design allows reroofing over existing shake roofs without requiring the stripping of the old roof. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and material for continuously forming and filling packages is disclosed. A web of packaging material is coated on one side with a hot melt adhesive while allowing a longitudinal strip adjacent to the edge of the web to remain uncoated. The web thus coated is drawn over a forming shoe which shapes the web into a tube whose interior surface is the coated side of the web, and in which the edges of the web overlap to form a seam such that the uncoated longitudinal strip is the inner overlapped edge. The longitudinal seam is sealed by the coaction of a heated shoe or collar located externally of the tube and a tonque positioned within the tube adjacent the uncoated longitudinal strip. The longitudinal seam is sealed continuously without the accumulation of hot melt adhesive on the tongue. After the longitudinal seam is sealed, the tube is sealed laterally at spaced portions by the coaction of a pair of heated dies.

Abstract: A method of joining an assembled multi-compartment medicinal dispensing device and an assembled multi-compartment extender to each other to provide an increased capacity device using an assembly fixture whose maximum capacity is no greater than that of the device. The fixture includes plural rows of openings, each opening being arranged for accommodating a respective compartment of the device during assembly thereof. The method comprises placing an assembled device on the fixture in a location wherein one row of openings is exposed, placing an assembled extender on the fixture with the compartments thereof being disposed within respective openings of said row, and with a portion of said extender disposed over a portion of said device and thereafter securing said portions to each other to join the device and the extender.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing cigarette packages from a foil wrapping which surrounds the block of cigarettes on all sides and from a printed paper wrapper, which is closed at one end by means of a bottom fold. In order to be able to work the foil covering and the wrapper on a single folding device, at least one tab is produced on the foil blank by two incisions in the region of the subsequent bottom fold and the tab is bent over approximately at right angles. Thereupon, the foil blank and the wrapper blank are brought together and connected together in such a manner that the edges of the two blanks approximately coincide on three sides while on the fourth side the foil blank protrudes beyond the wrapper blank. The interconnected blanks are folded on a folding mandrel around the long and wide sides thereof and are glued together, overlapping, on at least one long or wide side before finally the bottom fold is produced by folding the flaps onto the tab which lies against the bottom of the folding mandrel.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling bags and providing completely controlled handling of bags from filling through their movement to a bag closing station. A pair of elongated forming bars supported for up and down movement and traversing movement between a bag filling hopper and a laterally spaced bag closing station grip, flatten, and assist in forming gusseted bags after filling while the bags are still clamped on a filling spout, and thereafter controllably lower the filled bags to a conveyor and support the bags on the conveyor in traversing movement to a final bag closing station. A pair of gusset arm assemblies supported for lateral shifting movement on opposite sides of a filling spout each include a pair of gusset clamping fingers which are disposed inside of the mouth of a bag during filling. The clamping fingers are actuated in a predetermined sequence to hold and form the gusset pleats of the bag while permitting the bag to be opened over its full width during the filling operation.

Abstract: In a harvesting and threshing machine having stone sensing apparatus mounted within an infeed housing, the infeed housing being mounted to the machine and effective to receive crop material from a header and convey the crop material via a crop elevator from the header to threshing and separating apparatus within the machine, there is provided a solenoid activated spring wound clutch connectable to the stone sensing apparatus effective upon activation of the stone sensing apparatus to release the ejection apparatus fastened to the infeed housing to eject the detected object from the infeed housing prior to its being conveyed to the threshing and separating apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lawn mower wherein a lawn mower body frame includes a motor and an operatively connected transmission. The lawn mower motor body frame is supported by front and rear wheels. At least the rear wheels are independently supported on separate shafts which are rotatably disposed with respect to the lawn mower body frame. Pulleys are positioned concentrically on each of the separate shafts in opposing, spaced apart relationship to define a gap therebetween. A belt is disposed in said gap and operatively connected to the motor through the transmission to impart rotation to the rear wheels. The pulleys, the separate shafts, and the rear wheels are positioned relative to each other to permit slippage therebetween to facilitate a change in the direction of the lawn mower.

Abstract: The invention includes a combined clutch and brake mechanism for use in lawn mowers and other machines having a cutting means driven by a rotatably driven drive shaft. The combined clutch and brake mechanism includes a clutch member driven by the drive shaft. A brake member is spaced from the clutch member and is fixedly connected to the housing. A drive member is disposed between the clutch member and the brake member and is movable between a drive position wherein the drive member frictionally engages the clutch member and is rotatably driven by the clutch member and a brake position wherein the drive member frictionally engages the brake member and is restrained against movement. A linkage is provided for selectively moving the drive member between the drive position and the brake position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a raking device which includes a raking head composed of a plurality of raking tines which are moved over the ground, adapted for coupling same to a riding lawn mower or other suitable vehicle for propulsion power and providing means for a riding operator. The invention additionally providing a unique means of unloading the rake and clearing the tines of clogged material, serving greatly to expedite the completing of the raking operation.

Abstract: A harvester of the type comprising a pick-up mechanism operative to gather harvested material from the ground and to supply the same to a conveying structure within the harvester is further provided with a metal detector located within the harvester between the pick-up mechanism and conveying structure. The metal detector comprises a non-conductive shield structure which is disposed adjacent the path of movement of material passing from the pick-up mechanism to the conveying structure and arranged to provide a surface over which said material passes, and sensor means mounted within the shield structure and operative to produce a field which penetrates said surface and extends transversely across the path of movement of material being supplied by the pick-up mechanism to the conveying structure.

Abstract: A lawn mower comprises a housing which encloses a rotary cutting blade and which includes a sidewall having therein a generally horizontal grass discharge passage. A member is carried by the housing and extends in the grass discharge passage below the plane of cutting blade rotation. The member includes an inner edge portion which is located adjacently outside the periphery of the path of cutting blade rotation and an oppositely spaced outer edge portion. A lip extends generally vertically downwardly from the outer edge portion. The member deflects objects struck by the cutting blade and thereby obstructs the discharge of these objects outwardly from the housing through the grass discharge passage.

Abstract: A gatherer device for fruits, nuts, etc., which is made of wire shaped to form a basket which includes tines that are shaped to guide the fruit into the basket as the device is pushed along the ground in the direction of the fruit. The wires are connected together side-by-side on their upper length and the wires are shaped and spaced such that the fruit does not fall from the basket as the fruit is gathered.

Abstract: A main shroud is open at the bottom, and carries a housing on the upper end thereof. An annular director ring is mounted to extend in spaced relationship about the bottom of the main shroud, and a vertical shaft extends upwardly through the shroud and the housing and is connected with a power unit. An upper blower fan is mounted on the shaft within the housing, and generates an upward flow of air through the harvester. An impeller is mounted on the lower end of the shaft, and includes a mounting ring having external blades thereon which project into the annular space defined by the director ring. The impeller external blades generate a downward flow of air through the annular space, which is directed downwardly and inwardly to dislodge macademia nuts found in ground crevices, so they can be entrained in the upward air flow and discharged from the harvester.

Abstract: A stranding machine comprising a plurality of stands, each carrying a pair of bobbins disposed on opposite sides of the stand, wire on a bobbin being fed through a hollow, rotatable shaft on the stand along with a core, such as an electric cable core, and to a stranding unit. The number of stands is equal to the number of wires to be stranded, and each stand carries means for paying-off wire from either bobbin and means for loading either bobbin with wire, the wire guiding means of the latter being movable from adjacent one bobbin to adjacent the other bobbin, whereby one bobbin may supply the wire for stranding while the other bobbin is being loaded with wire. Drive means, separate from means which rotates the hollow shaft, rotates the bobbin being loaded and can drive either bobbin.

Abstract: An open-end spinning method and an apparatus wherein a flow of discrete fibers is supplied to a fiber spreading element by which they are spread over the entire periphery of an inner fiber deposit surface of a drum where a fibrous layer is continuously created. Fibers are successively withdrawn from the fibrous layer by taking off the open end of yarn and rotating it about its axis, due to a twisting moment acting on the yarn, such twisting moment being created in a region beyond the drum axis. The yarn can be given an additional twist by causing its open end to revolve about the axis of the drum. The invention enables the attainment of a high degree of the so-called cyclic fiber doubling in the spinning process, a high productivity at a relative low peripheral velocity of the operating elements of the spinning device, and the possibility of manufacturing yarns of various parameters and characteristics in one and the same spinning unit.

Abstract: Device for joining an upper thread to a lower thread by splicing, including a splicing chamber for inserting and joining the threads, a compressed air canal ending inside the splicing chamber, a thread feeder being movable from a thread receiving position to a thread surrender position for inserting the threads into the splicing chamber, thread cutting means for cutting off ends of the upper and lower threads to produce shortened thread ends, a controllable and adjustable compressed air dosing valve being connected to the compressed air canal, first pneumatic means disposed above the splicing chamber for receiving the shortened thread end of the lower thread, second pneumatic means disposed below the splicing chamber for receiving the shortened thread end of the upper thread, and suction nozzles disposed on the pneumatic means having screen-like perforated surfaces, the thread cutting means, dosing valve and pneumatic means being controllable as a function of the position of the thread feeder.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for break spinning yarn in a spinning machine. A fiber ribbon is formed into a fiber ribbon, the ribbon is false twisted in a first twisting element, staple fiber ends are lifted from the false twisted ribbon in a second, re-spinning twist imparting element, the second element being driven in the same direction as but at a higher speen than the first element, the thus resulting spun yarn is given an additional, true twist, and is then wound on a bobbin.

Abstract: This invention relates to the construction of the heatshield of a fuel nozzle guide of a tubine power plant and provides the separation of the higher temperature operating structure from the cooler structure to assure that the expansion and contraction is permitted without undue restrain for increasing its durability.

Abstract: An electrothermal thruster operating at high temperature is employed for satellite control.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a fuel supply system for mixture-compressing, externally ignited internal combustion engines is proposed, which serves to interrupt the fuel supply to the engine during overrunning. The control apparatus comprises sensors which furnish signals according to the attitude of the throttle valve, as well as the rpm of the internal combustion engine and the temperature of a catalytic converter situated in the exhaust pipe, and further comprises means for the evaluation of these signals as well as for the interruption of the fuel supply to the internal combustion engine and the introduction of supplementary air during overrunning at catalytic converter temperatures above the proper operating temperature for that device.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises an exhaust driven turbocharger for generating a maximum boost pressure in the intake manifold, said pressure being so high that knocking may occur, to achieve maximum engine efficiency. A knock sensor detects engine detonation, and in response thereto causes actuation of a valve for temporarily reducing the boost pressure such that the knocking subsides.

Abstract: A turbocharger system for supplying charge air to a combustion engine includes a nonventilated hydraulic turbine mounted directly on the turbocharger shaft, and an auxiliary combustor mounted in-line between the engine and the turbocharger. The nonventilated hydraulic turbine is selectively driven by a high pressure hydraulic fluid to drive the turbocharger for supplying air to the auxiliary combustor, which in turn supplementally drives the turbocharger throughout a broad range of engine operation to provide additional air flow to the engine when required.

Abstract: My invention relates to internal combustion engines that are intermittently operated as steam engines with the changeover from one phase to the other controlled by the heat of the metal of the engine in the region of the combustion.

Abstract: The control system interrupts the pneumatic signal controlling the demand of chilled water by utilizing a dual port direct acting controller to which are fed an outdoor air humidity signal and outdoor air temperature signal. The dual port direct acting controller provides a signal to control the heating source for the chilled water as a function of the outside air temperature and outside air humidity as well as the internal controls of the absorption system. Thus, the control system provides an optimal decision value for the respective climate range of conditions for the control of the heating source thereby reducing the fuel consumption of the absorption refrigeration system.

Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus with at least two evaporators which are controlled at different temperatures by a refrigerant, a vapor bubble pump for pumping the refrigerant, a vapor bubble pump for pumping the refrigerant and a delayer located in the conduit path in which the refrigerant flows when said vapor bubble pump is not in operation for delaying the refrigerant flow therethrough.

Abstract: A heat collection system is disclosed which is capable of collecting heat from an animal husbandry enclosure (10), such as a dairy barn, and transferring the heat into a home (12). Animal husbandry enclosures, such as dairy barns, tend to have excess heat, even in winter, the excess heat normally being wasted. The heat is collected by a pair of evaporators (14, 16) located in the dairy barn (10), with the evaporators being oversized to limit the amount of cooling taking place in the barn. Fluid from the evaporators is compressed by compressors (24, 26) after which it passes through a condenser (30) from which heat may be extracted into the home (12). Pressure regulating valves (20, 34) are provided to insure that the compressors (24, 26) are not overloaded and to insure that a maximum heating effect is achieved. A thermostatically controlled fan (40) is provided to drive air across the condenser (30) so that heat is introduced into the home.

Abstract: A portable cooler for use in transporting medicines or the like which must be kept at lower than room temperature includes an insulative housing containing a coolant compartment and a medicine compartment, each having its own lid, and heat sinks in the compartments thermally connected by a heat tube. Water ice, dry ice, or a chilled gel may be utilized as the coolant. The whole assembly is enclosed in a carrying case about the size and weight of a carrying case for binoculars or a camera.

Abstract: A flexible coupling having a rotatable drive and driven member. Each member has a pair of diametrically opposed lugs secured thereto. A floating member having four equally spaced peripheral grooves is disposed between the drive and driven member. Tilting elements contact each lug of the drive and driven members with two sides of each respective groove of the floating member.

Abstract: An arrangement for a warp knitting machine is disclosed as including individual sinkers movable between needles that hold a fabric, two right-angles sides of each sinker are disposed so that each knitted stitch now may be held away from the back of the needle.

Abstract: The invention provides a drying apparatus for a preliminary drying operation for tubular fabrics which includes a pair of drivable squeeze rollers forming a water expression nip, a freely rotatable supply roller resting against one of the squeeze rollers to form a fabric transportation nip, a transverse stretching device and air bubble forming means arranged below the water expression nip, a tube for receiving fabric from the fabric transportation nip at an upper end and a draining surface extending under the transverse stretching device and the lower end of the tube for receiving bundled fabric from the tube for passing to the transverse stretching device, and a means for supplying water to the tube for assisting downward fabric movement through the tube. The apparatus is compact, simple and can be effectively combined with other machinery for a final drying operation.

Abstract: In a door lock with spring bolt and dead bolt the lock follower body injection molded from thermoplastic synthetic resin is rotatably mounted in the lock case and resilient in itself without bias and without being influenced by any spring force when by radial movement of the lock follower body a plurality of legs extending therefrom bears against retaining pins and develops spring action by bending.The required spring load on the tumbler is effected by the provision of a free leg at the tumbler which rests unbiased against a stop pin and resiliently bends upon actuation by the key. The mounting of a door fitting at the door panel is facilitated by bores through sleeves provided in the lock case.The inexpensive fabrication permitting at the same time a maximum possible degree of dimensional precision is achieved by making both the lock case and the interior parts from thermoplastic synthetic resin containing no plasticizer. Preferably a polyacetal is used for the interior parts.

Abstract: A locking means for a trunk in an automobile is disclosed which can be unlocked by the rotation of a key inserted in a key cylinder of the trunk and which comprises a first switch provided at a proper location in the room of the automobile to open and close a D.C. circuit including an actuator means for unlocking the locking means. A second switch which is usually closed is provided in said D.C. circuit in such a way as to be opened by the rotation of said key inserted in the key cylinder of the trunk in a direction contrary to that for unlocking the locking means, thereby it becomes possible for a proprietor of the automobile who stands outside the automobile near the trunk to actuate the second switch so as to prevent the opening of the trunk by any other person against the will of the proprietor.

Abstract: A machine for forming rotationally symmetrical workpieces includes a base on which is mounted a roller head carrier for a roller head, particularly a multi-roller head having for example three shaping rollers which are arranged at an angular spacing of 120.degree.. The base further supports a headstock which carries the tool for the workpiece to be shaped and a pressing tail spindle for a counterholder which is associated with the workpiece for pressing same against the tool. The roller head carrier and the headstock interconnect through a feed drive for driving the shaping rollers along the workpiece by relative movement of the roller head carrier and head stock. One of the roller head carrier and head stock is connected to the base and the other one is movably guided on the base. The roller head carrier projects on the side of the roller head facing the headstock and has a recess which extends longitudinally of the machine.

Abstract: A machine for the rolling of cylindrical forms such as threads, worms, serrations, and annular forms, using two cylindrical dies whose axes are parallel or slightly skewed with respect to the axis of rotation of the workpiece, wherein the dies are supported on pivoting arms whose pivot points are cooperatively adjustable about a fixed horizontal centerline to provide for work diameter and die size changes. Workpiece size adjustment is achieved by a micrometer drawbar which can be either fixed for thru-feed work or hydraulically or mechanically actuated for infeed work. The dies are cooperatively driven by a central gearbox consisting of a hollow distributor gear flanked by two spindle drive gears, said drive gears being connected to the ends of the die spindles by universal joints.

Abstract: A method of producing, by universal mills, H-beams which are excellent in the strength and toughness of the joint between web and flanges. In roughing process, symmetric convexes, which have substantially the same cross section and differ in position in different mills, are alternately formed on at least either of the outer and inner sides of the web and flanges of the piece being rolled, to forcibly cause metal flow in the joints between web and flanges and thereby to increase the amount of strain of said joints. In finishing process, the convexes formed in said roughing process are pressed, thereby obtaining a H-beam having predetermined dimensions.

Abstract: Apparatus for bending valve stems of inner tubes used primarily in truck tires which facilitates locating the area of bending contemporeous with readily controlling the bend angle of the stems. An apertured clevis is pivotally mounted on a housing that is grooved to receive a valve stem, with a cylinder and piston connected to the clevis for actuating same with respect to the housing to effect a bending of the valve stem. The housing contains a cylinder and piston for actuating rack and pinion members with suitable indicia provided on the pinion for imprinting upon the valve stem. The cylinder and piston members for the bender and the marker are controlled by an air lock safety system.

Abstract: A gas analyzer calibration apparatus. The apparatus operably connects between a monitored gaseous environment and a gas analyzer. The apparatus includes a vacuum pump for drawing test gases from the monitored environment through the apparatus and through the analyzer. A fluidic gate selectively allows or impedes the flow of test gases to the analyzer and provides calibration gases to the analyzer at the analyzer's demand rate, and may be heated to prevent the condensation of hot test gases flowing therethrough. The fluidic gate will pass both span calibration gases and zero calibration gases, as desired. A vacuum breaker provides atmospheric gases for use as a zero calibration gas.

Abstract: A calibration test stand and method is presented for calibration of hydraulically powered torque wrenches. A hydraulic wrench to be powered by a pump is directly calibrated with the pump so that the pressure level of the pump can be accurately set to obtain the desired output torque level.

Abstract: A round-counter for heavy artillery guns comprises a small block secured ween stationary and recoiling gun parts. A surface of a recoiling part makes frictional surface contact with the stationary block so that erosion of the block through frictional wear is equitable to number of rounds fired. The device can also be used to count revolutions of a journaled shaft or the like.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring optical coupling coefficients is disclosed using the thermal expansion of a sample to reduce an externally applied tensile load of predetermined magnitude. The sample is illuminated with a known amount of incident energy. The absorption of this energy expands the sample which reduces the tension in the sample. The measurement of the tension reduction permits a direct calculation of the coupling coefficient .alpha., through use of the known parameters of a sample.

Abstract: A plug-in type oxygen detector for detecting oxygen contained in exhaust gas is disclosed which comprises a series connected, sintered N and P type oxide semiconductors which have temperature dependencies in the same direction and respond to a partial pressure of oxygen in exhaust gas, an output being derived from a common junction of the semiconductors.

Abstract: A hydrostatic tester that may be sequentially disposed in stands of tubular members as they are lowered into an oil well bore in which gas under substantial pressure may develop. During the period when the hydrostatic tester is disposed in a stand of tubular members but not in use, an improvement operatively associated with the hydrostatic tester automatically vents gas from the bore hole to the ambient atmosphere prior to the gas pressure building up in the bore hole to the extent that the hydrostatic tester will be blown from the tubular stand with possible injury to the testing crew.

Abstract: To effect reliable start-up of electronic systems in which a comparator compares a measured value with a reference, particularly in which a comparator senses current flow through a temperature sensitive resistor exposed to airflow to maintain the resistance value of the resistor at a predetermined level, with respect to the reference, a start-up signal circuit is provided to supply a minimum signal to the comparator before the system is operative so that the comparator will initially provide an output to control the current source for the sensing resistor to heat the sensing resistor to its desired level. The minimum signal is derived, for example, from a voltage divider and connected over a diode to the comparator which, typically, is an operational amplifier, the diode being so poled that, when the signal from the sensing resistor exceeds the minimum signal, it will block, thus cutting off application of the minimum start-up signal from affecting further operation of the circuit.

Abstract: In controlling the thickness of a moving web of material, after it passes through a production station containing a final control element for its thickness, it is moved past a radiometric device which measures the weight of the web per unit area. Downstream from the radiometric device, the web is moved past an optoelectronic device utilizing laser radiation for measuring the thickness of the web. The two measurements are compared and the radiometric device measurement is corrected based on the optoelectronic device measurement and the comparative corrected value is transmitted to a control unit which actuates the final control element in the production station. Preferably, the optoelectronic device is spaced from the production station so that it is out of the range of any significant environmental influences.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a method and apparatus for the verification and calibration of pumping rates in systems having a volumetric pump drawing fluid from a tank. An effluent valve is connected to the base of the tank and in turn the valve is connected to the base of a calibrated column. The column is also connected at its top to the top of the tank thereby providing equalized pressure conditions within the column and the tank. A sight level gauge mounted on the calibrated column, or a transparent calibrated column alone, may be used to determine the liquid level. The liquid levels in both the calibrated column and tank are continually at equilibrium during normal pumping operations. In order to operate the invention, the effluent valve is closed and the decrease in the level of the fluid in the calibrated column is measured during a timed interval to determine the pumping rate.

Abstract: An acceleration or deceleration sensor is provided which includes a casing, a core disposed within the casing having an elastic member and a magnetically soft member of an amorphous metal that is integrally bonded to the elastic member, and an electrical coil wound around the core.