Abstract: A floor buffing machine having a pivoted buffer plate holding means to keep the buffer flat on the floor as the buffing pad wears is improved by a drive which includes a pulley on a shaft journaled above and below a yoke to provide a pulley that is above both bearings and is therefore free to have a drive belt installed or removed without disassembling the buffer plate holding means.

Abstract: A floor squeegee is used to force water along a flat, planar floor surface for pooling the water for subsequent removal. The squeegee comprises a handle, a connector attached to the handle and a blade held by the connector. The blade of the squeegee has a first spine portion of relatively inflexible material and a second flexible blade portion connected to the first spine portion. The flexible blade portion contacts the surface from which water is to be removed. Both the connector and the two component blade are relatively unaffected by either weak or strong acid or alkali solutions.

Abstract: A device on which a rotary floor buffing machine may be positioned and operated to remove built up accumulations of wax and dirt from the buffing pad thereof arranges a slightly elevated flat machine receiving area defined by a circular wire grille having a plurality of radially positioned bars extending from an elevated center section to a plurality of circumferentially spaced raised support members with the area beneath the circular grille being open and capable of receiving wax and dirt removed from the buffing pad throughout the area.

Abstract: A dynamic vacuum cleaning device permits continuous or intermittent extraction, aspiration and elimination of solid dusts and particles from a stationary or moving surface. The vacuum is created by forcing a gas at high velocity into a venturi. A tube extending from the venturi will have a negative pressure created therein, resulting in a suction. A brush may optionally be fitted to the end of the vacuum tube. An adjustable cam is provided to control the amount of suction. The device can be used for the vacuum cleaning of sensitive optical, phonic or delicate micromechanical apparatus.

Abstract: A door closer for regulating the movement of a door panel with respect to its frame has a body enclosing a chamber and an adjacent cylinder having a head. A piston is reciprocable in the cylinder toward and away from the head and in accordance with the door panel motion. A spring in the chamber urges the piston toward the head. A duct through the piston controlled by a check valve permits liquid flow from the chamber to the cylinder, but not vice versa. A passage in the body extends between the cylinder, near the head, and the chamber. In that passage near the head is a throttle valve for restricting liquid flow, and in the passage near the chamber is a bypass valve for restricting liquid flow and for permitting increased flow under increased liquid pressure. There is also a bore in the body extending between the passage intermediate the throttle valve and the bypass valve and an adjacent part of the cylinder traversed by the piston.

Abstract: A suspension device for a sliding wall panel of a sliding partition, in particular for humid rooms, having at least one roller adjustably mounted on the frame of the wall panel and capable of rolling in the installed state of the wall panel on a guide rail. At least one chamber is arranged in the frame, the chamber being open in the upward direction and housing an adjusting cylinder. The adjusting cylinder stands vertically and has an internal threading, which is engaged by a supporting element by means of external threads, the supporting element being secured against rotation and bearingly connected on top with the roller, so that the supporting element may be moved up and down by rotating the adjusting cylinder. An extension in the form of a pin is provided on the supporting element; it extends through and beyond the adjusting cylinder in the axial direction and engages a blind hole in the lower surface of the chamber.

Abstract: A ball-shaped device for use in supporting an eating utensil, such as a knife, fork or spoon, or a toothbrush, so that the device operates as an eating or oral hygiene aid for persons having arthritis or other crippling diseases or injuries of the hands. The device has a first passage through it for receiving a handle of an instrument to be held, such as an eating utensil or toothbrush. A second passage transverse to and intersecting the first passage is used to threadably receive a screw which can enter the first passage and bear against the handle of the instrument. In this way, the instrument is releasably secured to the device and the instrument can then be used in a normal fashion, such as for eating or brushing the teeth. The screw has a flat head on its outer end for easy turning of the screw even with only one finger. The device is formed from a pair of substantially hemispherical members which mate to form the spherical body of the device.

Abstract: A furniture hinge includes a mounting member that is fixable on a frame of a cabinet and a hinge casing that is insertable into a bore in a door of the cabinet. A hinge arm is linked to the hinge casing by means of hinge links. The hinge arm is mounted on the mounting member by means of an intermediate member and is held on this intermediate member by a screw. The position of the hinge arm is adjustable with respect to the mounting member.

Abstract: A hinge for display panels and the like that holds a movable panel in any of two or more fixed positions about a horizontal axis. The hinge consists of a fixed bracket containing matching curvilinear slots which enclose tabs extending from a movable panel. Gravity and friction hold the movable panel in a storage position; from that position the panel is easily moved downward and forward simultaneously, to another predetermined position.

Abstract: The method and means of compressing meat products is described which ensure that the top and bottom portions of the meat or poultry product or the like will be flattened and so that the meat product will have a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: An improved self-locking adjust tongue plate including a sleeve surrounding a lock bar extending in slots provided on side flanges of the tongue. The sleeve spaces the lock bar from the walls of the slots so as to avoid metal to metal contact, which may adversely affect the lock-up angles of the adjust tongue.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing variable capacitance pressure transducers and an intermediate article of manufacture produced in the practice of this method. In the method, a wafer of doped silicion or other semiconductor material has portions of the semiconductor material removed from spaced areas to form a plurality of recesses in the surface of the semiconductor material. The material is doped to enhance its electrical conductivity. A dielectric material has one of its surfaces coated with spaced areas of electrically conductive material. The semiconductor material is attached to the coated surface of the dielectric material such that the surface recesses in the semiconductor material are in alignment with the conductive areas on the dielectric material. This produces a plurality of electrical capacitors suitable for use as pressure transducers.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for assembling, on a mass production basis, shade devices for insulating a building area against heat transmission. Each shade device includes a roller, a plurality of shade sheets attached to the roller to be retracted thereon and detracted therefrom and a plurality of spacer devices mounted with one sheet of each pair of adjacent sheets to space them apart when detracted from the roller. The assembling apparatus comprises a sheet feeding section for ultimately feeding and assembling all of the sheets in generally mutually parallel relation. Other mechanisms place spacer devices in close proximity to each of the sheets on which spacer devices are to be mounted and attachment apparatus associated with the sheet feeding section and spacer device placing mechanisms attach each of the spacer devices to its respective closely proximate sheet.

Abstract: A piano action mechanism wherein a shaft pin for rotatably supporting a rotatable member on a flange is carried in bearings formed of bushing cloth glued to the surface of bushing holes in the rotatable member. With a pin inserted through the cylinders of bushing cloth, the assembly is dipped in water, dried, dipped in a solution of resin bonded fluorocarbon solids, again dried and the pin removed, to provide a durable and stable bearing having a low coefficient of friction and which is essentially noise-free and insensitive to changes in temperature and humidity.

Abstract: An improved heat exchanger in which the tube bundle therein comprises a plurality of tubes supported intermediate their ends by at least one annular enlargement disposed around and frictionally secured to the outer surface of at least one of the tubes with the annular enlargement contacting the outer surface of each tube next adjacent thereto. Means are also provided for encircling and maintaining the tubes in spaced relation in contact with the annular enlargements. Method of constructing the tube bundle for the heat exchanger is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for removing a surgical blade from a scalpel handle includes a housing having an aperture. A surgical blade attached to a boss of the handle is inserted into the aperture. The boss is pressed downward into a narrow notch in the wall surrounding the aperture so that the edges of the notch engage the shank of the blade, preventing it from being moved into the notch with the boss and separating the shank of the blade from the rear portion of the boss. Two spring loaded pinch members extend from within the aperture so that they can be pinched together by the fingers of a user and engage the opposed edges of the blade, preventing it from moving as the handle is pulled away from the blade, causing the boss to become disengaged from the blade and withdrawn from an elongated hole in the shank of the blade. When the pinch members are released, the blade falls to the bottom of the interior of the housing, which serves as a receptacle.

Abstract: Residual favorable stresses are induced in a zone of stress concentration in a coupling and connection joint mechanism of a drill collar or drilling tool, for example. The residual favorable stress is created by tensily stressing the material within elastic limits, relieving the stress in the zone by heating the material therein into a nonstressed plastic or liquid state, and releasing the tensile stress maintained in an area adjacent the zone. The residual force of elasticity in the area adjacent the zone applies the favorable residual stress in the zone. Preferably, the favorable residual stress is a compressive stress to resist fatigue failures from tension-induced cracks. The extent and depth of penetration of the favorable residual stress in the zone is controlled and is substantially greater than that available from mechanical cold-working surface-hardening techniques.

Abstract: At least one chip on a multiple-chip integrated circuit wafer is dedicated for use as a test device for checking mask level-to-level misalignment. The test device is made during the same fabrication sequence in which the circuit-containing chips are made. No additional processing steps are required for the test device. By forming unique S-shaped members in each test device and establishing electrical contact therewith, a sensitive electrical tester is provided for indicating level-to-level registration in the circuit-containing chips.

Abstract: A geometry and method of fabricating thin film resistors which are tolerant of faults in the film and therefore permit attainment of high resistances. The resistor includes a series of connected closed loops (15) each with a member (17) providing a short circuit path. Such members are successively cut and the change in resistance is determined after each cut. This change is compared to certain threshold values to determine the presence or absence of an open circuit fault in each loop. The resistor is then trimmed to its desired value by cutting only the loops where no opens have been discovered.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to join an insulated cable having an electrically conductive wire therein and a connector, having a cover and a body, the body having an electrically conductive element capable of piercing the insulation of the cable and being in electrical communication with the wire therein when the cable is joined to the connector, the cover and the body being capable of being secured together in such a manner as to hold the ribbon cable therebetween, the apparatus comprising, in combination:a loading die adapted to receive and to hold in spaced relation the cover, the body, and the cable, the loading die having positioning element associated therewith, the positioning element adapted to restrict the movement of the cover and the body in the loading die;a compression die associated with the loading die and capable of being moved relative to the loading die, and coming into pressure engagement with the body and the cover; andpressure applying component associated with the loading die and the compression

Abstract: An apparatus for an assembly line for assembling articles comprising a moving table, an operating unit disposed near the table having a member movable in two directions, at least one Bowden cable having a wire therein, one end of the wire being connected to the member, and a pulling mechanism to which the other end of the wire is connected. The return of the wire can be accomplished by a return spring on the member or by a second cable wire pulled by the pulling mechanism. Multiple units can be powered and controlled around the same table by one pulling mechanism.

Abstract: An improved fixture (28) is provided for positioning components of an integrated circuit (10) during the manufacturing process. In particular, a boat (32) is provided for supporting the lead frame (18) and base (14) of an integrated circuit in a predetermined position for bonding and embedding of the lead frame to the base. A guide assembly (30) is employed with the boat (32) when positioning the lead frame and base. The lead frame is inverted and slid along a guide surface (46) into a notch (74) to abut a surface (76) of a stop pin (72). The opposite end of the lead frame abuts a second surface (80) on a stop bar (66). Diverging faces (68) on opposite sides of the guide surface center the lead frame relative to the boat and guide assembly. A base is then slid along the inside of the lead frame to abut against a second abutting surface (80) on the stop pin (72) to position the base and lead frame in a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: For automatically mounting electronic components, such as tubular ceramic capacitors having no leads, in preassigned positions on a printed circuit board, there is employed a template having formed therein depressions arranged in mirror-image relationship to the arrangement of the preassigned mounting positions of the components on the circuit board. The depressions have a depth less than the diameter of each component. Removably mounted on the template is a guide plate having passages formed therethrough in register with the template depressions. The electronic components are chuted into the template depressions through the passages in the guide plate, and the positions or attitudes of the components in the template depressions are corrected by applying mechanical vibrations to the superposed template and guide plate, preferably while the latter are being tilted.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting frozen food is supported on a table provided with a series of grasping members surrounding the food and resiliently urged inwardly so that when a vertically reciprocable cutting blade cuts the frozen food, the severed pieces of food are restored to their original positions so that a subsequent cut made in an angularly related position in the food will subdivide the food in equal portions. A series of press plates are mounted for vertical movement with the cutting blade to resiliently bear against the top of the food while being cut to prevent upward tilting of the pieces being severed.

Abstract: A crutch gauge has an adjustable extension leg movable vertically in either direction relative to a pair of side members, which are the same length as the side members of a standard crutch, to enable determination of the length of an adjustable extension leg that is to extend beyond the side members of the crutch for a person being fitted. The crutch gauge includes a locking arrangement that enables the person, who is being fitted, to be supported by the crutch gauge while walking. The movement of the adjustable extension leg of the crutch gauge in either direction is accomplished without a person, who is fitting the person, having to bend over. The crutch gauge includes an adjustably positioned handle, which is disposed in one of five positions in accordance with the person being fitted.

Abstract: A gauge for checking linear dimensions of mechanical pieces, comprising a differential transformer transducer including a first member, substantially cylindrical, which supports a core, a second member, substantially cylindrical, which houses electric windings, and a sealing bellows having its ends fixed to the first and the second member, respectively.The two members are mutually movable and the electric windings provide a measurement signal representative of the position of the core with respect to the second member.The ends of the bellows are coupled to annular seats defined in the first and the second members, with a coupling which generates substantially compressive stresses at said ends.

Abstract: A device adapted to be employed in connection with the repair of damaged automobiles and the like wherein deformed portions of the automobile may be accurately returned to their original shape and position. A base is provided which may partially extend under an automobile and is provided with a vertically extending support on which one or more scales may be supported for vertical, horizontal and swingable movement relative to the support whereby the correct distance between two points may be readily set by a scale and repeated to assist in determining the amount a damaged portion must be bent or stretched to return it to its proper original position. By combining two devices, each including a base and a vertically extending support, accurate readings may be made very quickly with a relatively great saving in time. Portions of the device may be inverted to permit accurate measurement of distances from above rather than from below the body.

Abstract: A device for measuring and reading out the variation in the distance between the axle bore and the tread of a railroad car wheel at different angular positions on the wheel.

Abstract: Drafting apparatus comprises a drafting head having X and Y scribing edges. The drafting head is mounted for movement along a beam in the Y direction and its position is detected by an encoder. The beam is mounted for movement in the Y direction relative to the drawing surface and its position is detected by another encoder. The encoders control a numerical display device indicating instantaneous X and Y displacements of the scribing edges from a datum set by a zeroing control. A scaling device is arranged operatively between the encoders and the numerical display device whereby the numerical display device will indicate the real values represented by proportional X and Y displacements. The drafting head is rotatably mounted from a carriage and a third encoder detects the angular position of the drafting head and controls the numerical display device to indicate the instantaneous angular position of the drafting head.

Abstract: Method and means for controlling the drying and/or aeration of a stored product, particularly grains and other agricultural produce. The system requires consideration of the drying effect of blowing ambient air through the grain and is not predicated solely upon whether the ambient air will have a cooling effect on the grain.

Abstract: A fixing band for fixing a cyclist's shoe onto a pedal of a bicycle, which comprises a band body and a buckle, a shoe binding portion at an intermediate portion of the band body displaced in a circular arc widthwise outwardly of the band body with respect to the straight line connecting a base carrying the buckle and an insertion end to be inserted into the buckle, so that the binding portion is allowed to contact throughout with the outer surface of the shoe's instep.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for the recovery of sediments from the sea bottom, a suction head having a mouth is lowered into the sediment, raised from the sediment to form a depression, laterally moved to a new location adjacent the first depression, and the cycle is repeated to form a new depression. The suction head includes loosening means in the form of a worm or flukes which exert a low frictional resistance with respect to the sediment during lowering of the suction head and high frictional resistance when the head is being raised from the sediment.

Abstract: An attachment for a hoe that is used to scrape snow off a house roof; the attachment consisting of a bent wire being passed under each end of the hoe blade scraping edge so to raise the edge off the surface of the roof shingles; each wire including either one or two passes under the scraping edge and both ends of the wire being held on a bolt secured in a hole made through the hoe blade.

Abstract: My invention provides a movable overrider system for moving a reference element board 15r over the front faces of track-supported module boards 15 of a modular scheduling board system 10. An upper wall track 12 supports a trolley bracket 20 that carries a pair of wheels 21 engaging a retainer lip 17 and resting on a path 14 of the upper wall track 12, while lower track 11 supports boards 15. Holders 25 on the lower edge 24 of trolley bracket 20 hold the back of the reference element board 15r to hang downward from the trolley bracket. Holders 25 and bracket 20 are dimensioned to suspend reference board 15r at the same vertical level as track-supported boards 15 so that reference board 15r can roll along the length of tracks 11 and 12 and override the track-supported boards while staying in horizontal alignment.

Abstract: An edge lighted display sign is disclosed which provides a base portion, defining a housing for a light source and a variable duty cycle oscillator including an exteriorly disposed ratio control device whereby the light source may be controlled from an "off" position, through an "on" "off" blinking range, from a very slow to a very rapid blinking, to a completely "on" position. A longitudinally extending slot is provided along the top length of the base to receive a lower end length of a transparent panel, formed of a clear or translucent glass or a suitable plastic material, whereby the lower edge portion of the glass panel is directly exposed to the light source. In a preferred form, the light source comprises a fluorescent light tube, and a removable bottom panel is provided for the housing to permit access to the light source and the cycle oscillator. A back side of the transparent panel is provided with an opaque coating or covering. Alternatively, the back side may be frosted.

Abstract: A method for forming a counter bore in the bore of a shotgun barrel and a choke tube insert for the counter bore. The insert includes an internal surface formed with a choke constriction for modifying the choke of the shotgun barrel and threads on its external surface for engaging complementary threads formed in the counter bore. Complementary angles are formed between the inner end of the choke tube and a ledge on the counter bore for preventing powder residue from accumulating between the threads. The method includes the steps of inserting a portion of a shotgun barrel in a frame and potting the barrel in a material which has a melting point substantially below the temperature which would affect the bluing of a shotgun barrel, but which when solidified rigidly holds the barrel when a counter bore is being reamed in its bore.

Abstract: A retrievable and self-contained power projectile including a flexible and shallow, cone-shaped disc at its front end to kill flies, insects or the like, and a tubular member which carries a spring that powers the projectile. The disc is formed by a series of concentric spaced apart rings held in the cone shape by a series of tapered ribs at the rear side of the disc, all being formed integrally of a relatively soft plastic such as polypropylene.

Abstract: A walking doll is described having a pair of side by side legs which automatically pivot forwardly when lifted off the ground. The legs include movable, side by side buttocks. The doll may be connected to a stroller through a handle that oscillates from side to side as the stroller is forwarded. When the doll is connected to the handle the doll rocks from side to side causing one leg after another to be lifted from the ground. As a leg is lifted from the ground an eccentric weight within the leg causes the leg to step forwardly until the handle is rotated in the opposite direction at which time the leg again contacts the ground and the other leg is lifted off the ground. The handle is oscillated by a cam follower which follows a cam rotated by an axle of the stroller.

Abstract: A plurality of elongated, arcuate, molded synthetic plastic members simulating bark board are interconnectable along their longitudinal edges to provide a simulated tree trunk section assembly the ends of which can be interconnected with like tree trunk section assemblies to provide simulated tree trunks of various diameters and lengths, as desired, for growing vines and climbing plants in a supporting, soil containing pot. Brace rods received through openings in the bark board members near the lower ends of the simulated tree trunk, and frictionally retained in adjusted position to extend radially-outwardly in abutting contact with the inner wall of the supporting pot or container, serve to rigidly support the assemblage in erect position within the pot.

Abstract: In a tilting window having a sash journalled on a horizontal axis at the lowermost end of a suspension arm which through two further arms or links of different lengths are movably connected to the main frame of the window, the sash is moreover connected with one of said further arms through an additional link coordinating the tilting movement of the sash with the angular movement of said one arm.The suspension arm may at the same time serve as a cover band for the upper portions of the side members of the sash and the main frame.

Abstract: An exterior door comprises a frame having a pair of vertical stiles joined by horizontal rails. The outer surface of each of the stiles and rails is provided with a groove extending the full length thereof. The frame has a core. A pair of exterior panels are adhesively secured to the faces of the frame, with the upper, lower and side edges of the panels each being provided with a bevel surface having a predetermined angle. A closure molding is provided for each of the outer surfaces of the rails and stiles forming the frame. Each molding in its free state has a generally elongated rigid strip having a slightly curved web and an elongated ledge on the inner surface of the web which is perpendicular thereto. The web's outer edges are inclined, with the inner inclined surfaces thereon being on an angle equal to the angle of the bevel surfaces. The molding strips flatten out when applied to the frame, with the ledges fitting tightly into the grooves.

Abstract: Two grinding-wheel spindles bearing grinding wheels are mounted on a table which undergoes an angular displacement for simultaneously grinding convergent internal and external conical surfaces of a workpiece, on the one hand, and for truing the grinding wheels by means of truing tools, on the other hand. The truing tools are so positioned that the grinding faces of the wheels are trued in a manner whereby the workpiece surfaces are then automatically ground with extreme precision and the exact desired diameter of the circular edge formed at the junction of the convergent surfaces is obtained.

Abstract: A process and device for collecting and maintaining fresh amounts of rainwater. The device is comprised of a storage vessel having an inlet passage terminating near the bottom of the vessel, which is further provided with an overflow and a drain. The device possesses a through-pipe which becomes positioned in line with sections of a downspout between which the device can be installed. Water is introduced into the vessel via an upper downspout section and a branch pipe and excess water above the vessel's capacity is discharged via an overflow passage directly into the through-pipe and a lower downspout section. The vessel and its parts are preferably made in one piece by blow-molding a plastic material. The device is substantially intended for collecting small amounts of water.

Abstract: A multicomponent extendible structure which includes three elongated sheets of material which each have two long edge portions and connecting means located on the long edge portions for connecting adjacently located long edge portions together when the adjacently located edge portions are in a substantially nonbent condition and for permitting the long edge portions to be separated when the long edge portions are in a bent condition. The connecting means includes a series of alternating projections and slots located on each long edge portion and the projections on the long edge portion of one elongated sheet of material are adapted to be received by the slots on an adjacently located edge portion of another elongated sheet of material. The long edge portions are readily separable to permit the elongated sheets of material to be separated and stored when the multicomponent extendible structure is in its stored or non-extended condition.

Abstract: A plug frictionally fits within the lifting eye of an anchor insert of a tilt-up wall slab. The plug is provided with pin receiving passageways whereby a pin-bearing cover plate may be attached to the plug to cover over the access recess to the anchor insert.

Abstract: A segmented apparatus is mounted to a tower or other vertically extending structure on a plurality of spaced supporting members such as I-beams or the like. Each apparatus segments is mounted on a pair of supporting members such that the weight of the segment loads the supporting members either through or proximal to the shear center thereof for minimization of supporting member torsional loading.

Abstract: Vent apparatus usable with insulation for roof structures includes a covering vent for a vent pipe and a flexible gasket which is secured to the insulation, and the vent covering is dimensioned so that either it or the flexible gasket may move with the insulation without resulting in damage to the vent pipe.

Abstract: A truss made for use in the manufacturing of reinforced concrete slabs including a web portion so formed that it provides a series of V-shaped risers joined together by a center segment which lie along a common axis, with each alternate riser inclined downwardly and outwardly to opposite sides of the center segment. The V-shaped risers will have connected thereto horizontally disposed bottom chords and a top chord that extends through each of the center segments connecting the V-shaped risers together thus forming a reinforced truss.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for collating, cutting and packing containers with stick-like food products such as cooked sausages of the type commonly known as vienna sausages, hot dogs and the like.

Abstract: Apparatus for packing layers of objects into a box, wherein a pickup head equipped with multiple vacuum cups picks up a layer of the objects and descends into the box. The box is initially positioned in a packing station in an approximately correct position relative to the path of descent of the pickup head and as the pickup head approaches the top of the box, a chute structure is provided in which four guide panels snap into engagement with the four inner walls, respectively, of the box for four purposes: (1) to position the box precisely correctly relative to the path of descent of the pickup head; (2) to crowd the layer of objects on the pickup head together to conform to the dimensions of the box; (3) to guide the pickup head into the box; and (4) to serve as guards to prevent damage to the descending objects by the rim of the box.