Abstract: An end protector link (60) captures and retains first and second elongate link pins of a multi-link conveyor chain, and includes an outer wall (41) defining a protective bearing surface, a spacer wall (62) carried by the outer wall, and an inner wall (63) carried by the spacer wall in spaced-apart relation to the outer wall and having a retainer aperture (75) for capturing and retaining respective enlarged heads (13) of the first and second link pins (12) between facing surfaces of the outer wall and the inner wall. The protective bearing surface of the outer wall is adapted for being engaged by wearing surfaces past which the conveyor moves to protect the enlarged heads (13) of the link pins to exposure to the wearing surfaces.

Abstract: A turbine blade with a tip squealer and method of rebuilding a turbine blade for a gas turbine engine. The blade is of the type including an airfoil having first and second spaced-apart sidewalls defining an interior void and joined at a leading edge and a trailing edge. The first and second sidewalls extending from a root disposed adjacent the dovetail to a tip cap for channeling combustion gases, and a squealer tip including at least one tip rib extending outwardly from the tip cap. The method includes the steps of removing the squealer tip, including the at least one rib tip, from the tip cap and adding new material to the tip cap to serve as a new squealer tip. A plurality of spaced-apart notches is formed in the new material between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the airfoil. At least one hole is formed in each notch communicating with the interior void of the airfoil for channeling cooling air from the interior void of the airfoil to thereby form a squealer tip.

Abstract: A cooled shroud assembly for a gas turbine engine having a longitudinal centerline includes at least one arcuate shroud segment surrounding a row of rotating turbine blades. The shroud segment has a forward flange, an aft flange defining an axially-facing aft edge, and an inwardly-facing flowpath surface, and the shroud segment lacks cooling holes for cooling the aft flange or the aft edge. At least one stationary turbine nozzle is disposed axially next to the shroud segment and includes an airfoil-shaped airfoil and an arcuate outer band disposed at a radially outer end of the airfoil and positioned axially adjacent to the shroud. At least one cooling hole is formed in the outer band in fluid communication with a source of cooling air. The cooling hole is positioned so as to direct a flow of cooling air against the shroud segment.

Abstract: A method of constructing a turbine blade for a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes casting the blade, forming a plurality of spaced-apart notches in the airfoil proximate the tip on the pressure sidewall and forming at least one hole in each tip shelf communicating with the interior void of the airfoil for channeling cooling air from the interior void of the airfoil to thereby form a squealer tip.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aircraft passenger seat assembly that includes: (a) first and second seats selectively movable between upright and reclined positions and adapted for being positioned beside and at inwardly-facing angles relative to each other; (b) a center console having a relatively wide aft end and a relatively narrow forward end for being positioned between the first and second seats; and (c) the relatively wide aft end of the center console including first and second foot wells therein adapted to permit the feet of a passenger seated in an aft-positioned first or second seat to extend therein when the aft-positioned first or second seat is in the recline position.

Abstract: A passenger accommodation unit with a deployable bed includes a passenger seat and a passenger bed positioned relative to the seat and adapted for movement between a stowed position in which the bed is upright and adjacent to the seat, and a deployed position in which the bed is horizontal for use and overlaps and is supported in part by the seat. The unit can include a credenza positioned adjacent the seat and between the seat and the bed that supports the bed when deployed.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine disk that includes a centrally disposed disk hub having an integrally-formed, radially outwardly extending web terminating at an outer end. The disk hub has a radially-displaced annular hub surface exposed to high pressure, high temperature discharge gases during engine operation. The radially-displaced annular hub surface acts as an axial free surface mitigating the formation undesirable axial stress in the disk hub.

Abstract: A hollow cooled airfoil includes an array of radially-spaced apart, longitudinally-extending partitions defining a plurality of cooling channels therebetween. A plurality of aft pins are disposed in at least one of the cooling channels. Elongated turbulators are disposed in at least one of the cooling channels, and are oriented at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the vane such that an aft end of each of the turbulators is closer to an adjacent partition than a forward end of the turbulator. The vane includes an array of radially-spaced apart, alternating longitudinally-extending lands and longitudinally-extending dividers which define plurality of trailing edge slots therebetween. Each of the trailing edge slots has an inlet in fluid communication with a trailing edge cavity and an axially-downstream exit in fluid communication with the vane's trailing edge. The dividers have an axial length less than an axial length of the lands.

Abstract: A foot splint for the prevention and rehabilitation of plantar fasciitis by maintaining a wearer's foot and, hence, his plantar fascia in a pre-selected amount of dorsiflexion. The foot splint includes a footplate for supporting the wearer's foot, a bracket integrally attached to the footplate near the heel region, where the bracket has at least one ankle angle preset, a strut (either medial, lateral, or both sides) extending along the lower leg of the wearer, a strut sleeve removably enveloping the strut. The sleeve has an upper end and a lower end, and the strut protrudes from the lower end of the sleeves. There is an adjustable leg strap attached to the strut sleeve at the upper end. The strap secures the upper end to the leg of a wearer during operation. A padded insole may be provided to cushion the wearer's foot from the footplate. The foot splint provides a comfortable “slipper-like” feel for the wearer.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in forming a deck includes a platform having alternating elevated and depressed sections defining a plurality of troughs for receiving a hardenable fill material such as concrete, and at least one elongate cover segment positioned on a terminal edge of the platform. The cover segment includes a first side that covers the terminal edge of the platform, a second side angled in relation to the first side, and a plurality of outwardly extending flanges positioned on the first side such that the flanges contact the elevated sections. The flanges sit on top of the elevated sections, and the second side of the cover piece is positioned underneath the depressed sections. The cover segment is maintained on the platform by frictional engagement of the flanges and the elevated section and frictional engagement of the second side of the cover segment with the depressed sections.

Abstract: A stretch-forming machine of the type wherein a pair of opposed curving jaw assemblies grip opposite end edge portions of a metal sheet for initially stretching the metal sheet into a yield state and forming the metal sheet into a predetermined curved configuration. Each jaw assembly includes a jaw having an array of adjacent grippers or groups of grippers moveable relative to each other to define a part of the curve of the jaw and adapted to extend along one side edge of the metal sheet from adjacent a first corner to adjacent a second corner of the sheet, a moveable yoke connected to the jaw, a pivot connecting the yoke to a beam way, and at least one actuator connected to the yoke for pivoting the jaw about the pivot to urge the grippers at opposing ends of the gripper array away from the pivot while the grippers adjacent a centerline of the gripper array remain approximately stationary.

Abstract: There is disclosed a glazing clip (2) for fitting about the edge of a glazing unit (60), the glazing clip (2) comprising means (6, 8) for interengaging with an ancillary element (40) on at least one side of a glazing unit, in use.

Abstract: A method is provided for electroplating a high temperature coating onto an airfoil. The method includes providing a shield having a recess defining one or more walls conforming to the shape of at least a portion of a pressure side and a suction side of the airfoil to be electroplated, introducing the portions of the pressure side and the suction side of the airfoil to be electroplated into the recess of the shield, attaching an anode and cathode to the airfoil, submerging at least the shield and the portions of the pressure side and the suction side of the airfoil to be electroplated into an electroplating tank containing an electrolyte, and electroplating a coating of a high temperature resistant metal onto the portions of the pressure side and the suction side of the airfoil to be electroplated to a predetermined minimum thickness.

Abstract: A blind for concealing an individual includes an annular support, a curtain, a first securing means, and a second securing means. The curtain is suspended from the support for surrounding the individual. The first securing means secures a rear of the support to an upright object, and the second securing means secures a front of the support to the upright object at a height higher than the first securing means such that the support is suspended from the upright object in a generally horizontal position.

Abstract: A collapsible box, including a bottom, top and first and second opposing endwalls, and first and second opposed sidewalls connecting the bottom and top of the box on opposing sides of the box. Each of the sidewalls have a top sidewall panel attached by a top hinge to the top and a bottom sidewall panel attached by a bottom hinge to the bottom. The top and bottom sidewall panels are attached together along adjacent edges by a center hinge, whereby the top and bottom sidewalls are pivotally-moveable relative to each other and the top and bottom between a erect position and a collapsed position. A catch member is carried on each end of at least one of the top and bottom sidewall panels proximate an extended pivot axis of the center hinge. A complementary catch member is carried on opposing side edges of the first and second endwalls for mating with the respective catch members of the first and second sidewalls to latch the box in the erect position.

Abstract: A child safety seat arrangement is disclosed wherein the child is secured to the safety seat by a harness. The harness is then secured with respect to the vehicle by a mounting arrangement that is independent of any seat shell. Preferably, there is also a seat shell that is itself secured with respect to the vehicle. Also disclosed is a child safety seat arrangement having a seat shell with apertures through which a harness can be passed. The harness preferably includes a main harness strap which is looped behind the seat shell, through a pair of apertures therein, to provide two shoulder straps to extend over a child's shoulders. The disclosure includes multiple pairs of apertures to allow for adjustment of the height of the shoulder straps.