Abstract: An automated container loader for mounting to the side of a vehicle adapted for collecting the contents of curbside residential waste containers. The vehicle has a vehicle body longitudinally attached to the vehicle chassis. The automated container loader is attached to the vehicle chassis by a slide and positioned adjacent the side of the vehicle body. The container loader is equipped with a lift arm having a gripping element having a gripper housing having an opposing pair of gripping jaws. The gripping jaws are pivotally attached to the gripper housing on opposite sides to their respective arms, thereby creating a cross-pivoting arrangement. The distance between the free ends of the gripping jaws is thereby reduced when in the open position. The cross-pivoting arrangement further allows the container loader to have a thin overall width, accomplished through use of a non-folding single-section gripping jaw.

Abstract: A device for controlling the conveyance of particulate material on a conveyor belt comprises a frame with an endless belt attached thereto. The apparatus is positioned above the conveyor belt and in frictional contact therewith whereby the motion of the conveyor results in motion of the endless belt on the apparatus. The particulate material thereby is passes between the endless belt and the conveyor belt and any bouncing movement of such material is prevented. Use of the present invention on conventional conveyor belts controls the dispersion of the particulate material carried thereon and allows for the speed of the conveyor to be increased. The present invention is suitable for use with a conveyor apparatus used with a truck and commonly known as a “stone slinger”.

Abstract: A disc harrow has a frame and a plurality of earth working discs. Each disc has a central aperture for attachment to a gang shaft. A mount attaches the gang shaft to the underside of the frame and has bearings to permit rotation of the shaft in response to forward movement of the disc harrow. The mount includes a first structural member, a second structural member and a resilient spring connected between the two members. In operation, upon striking of an obstacle by the discs, the gang shaft is permitted to upwardly deflect by the mount to prevent damage to the disc harrow. The second structural member has first and second portions with aligned longitudinal axes. The first and second portions are rotationally connected to permit rotation of the second portion in response to an angular moment applied to the second portion by deflection of the gang shaft.

Abstract: A laminated plastic barrier type fence encapsulates a printed message or sign. The plastic fence is laminated. A message or sign which is printed on a portion of one side of a first sheet of plastic sheeting material. The first sheet is then laminated to a second sheet of plastic sheeting material. A regular array of apertures is made in the laminated sheet to either side of the printing.

Abstract: A device for securing a rope or cable that may be easily mounted to an object or supporting structure. The device includes a base having a socket for receiving a plunger. A coil spring is located at the bottom of the socket and exerts an upward bias against the bottom of the plunger. Both the upper portion of the base and the plunger have circular apertures that may be selectively vertically aligned by depressing the plunger to permit horizontal passage of a rope through the aligned apertures. By releasing the plunger, a shearing force is applied to the rope due to the misalignment of the apertures, thereby frictionally securing the rope or cable within the device. A foot operated mechanism may be employed to assist the user in depressing the plunger. The plunger may also be selectively and/or releasably locked in a depressed position to maintain alignment of the apertures, facilitating insertion of the rope without the need for maintaining a downward force on the plunger.

Abstract: A truck has an extendable and retractable truck bed for receiving removable and replacing truck boxes of different lengths. The truck bed can be extended or retracted to fit the size of the truck box. The truck bed has movable supports that can be extended or retracted from inside or outside a cab to support the appropriate length of the truck box. The movable supports also act as a guide to guide the truck box onto or off of the truck bed. In a method of extending or retracting the truck bed, a single truck can be used to mount or remove truck boxes of different sizes.

Abstract: An agitator assembly for use within a sieve during automotive painting and cleaning operations has flutes consisting of circular conical discs aligned within the sieve by means of a magnetized cylinder extending through the flute or by means of a collar attached to said flute.

Abstract: A wagon for agricultural use having an all-wheel steering mechanism. The wheels are hingedly attached to their respective axles. Steering alignment of the front wheels is provided by the wagon tongue, which is pivotally connected to the wagon frame and at least one of the front wheels. The front wheels are connected to each other by a steering linkage, consisting of two equal length members pinned to each other at a connection point. A front shaft crank is pivotally attached at the same connection point and rigidly attached to a rotatable shaft mounted with bearings to the underside of the wagon frame. Changes to the steering alignment of the front wheels causes lateral movement of the connection point, leading to rotation of the shaft and a corresponding direct change in alignment of the rear wheels, which are equipped with a similar system of linkages and cranks. This causes the front and rear wheels to follow the same path.

Abstract: A device for controlling the conveyance of particulate material on a conveyor belt comprises a frame with an endless belt attached thereto. The apparatus is positioned above the conveyor belt and in frictional contact therewith whereby the motion of the conveyor results in motion of the endless belt on the apparatus. The particulate material thereby is passes between the endless belt and the conveyor belt and any bouncing movement of such material is prevented. Use of the present invention on conventional conveyor belts controls the dispersion of the particulate material carried thereon and allows for the speed of the conveyor to be increased. The present invention is suitable for use with a conveyor apparatus used with a truck and commonly known as a “stone slinger”.

Abstract: A method of making a mold directly from the object to be molded is disclosed. The object is placed within a walled enclosure having a closed bottom and open top. A plurality of elongated metal rod elements is vertically introduced and packed into the enclosure in vertical contact with said object and side by side contact with one another. An infiltration agent, such as a liquid resin or metal, is introduced over the elongated metal rod elements and allow to permeate into the spaces between the rod elements. The mass consisting of the liquid infiltration agent and the elongated metal elements is allowed to solidify into a mold which is removed from the object.

Abstract: An auger pump for pumping molten magnesium and its alloys from a furnace to a die casting machine, ingot mould, DC caster or the like is disclosed. The pump is comprised of a linearly aligned upper and lower portion. The upper portion is comprised of a housing which is attached to the furnace lid. An inverter duty electric motor is attached to the top of the housing and is controlled by a PLC. The auger shaft runs longitudinally between each portion and is supported in position by guide bearings located in the upper portion. The lower portion comprises a tubular casing which contains a gas inlet aperture and an feeder inlet aperture for drawing the molten magnesium into the pump. The outlet of the pump, a connector, is attached to a heated transfer tube, which conveys the molten magnesium to the mould.

Abstract: An extension flow mixer especially for viscous liquids has a housing (10) with an end inlet (12a, 14a) connectable to a pressurized source of the liquid, and an outlet (119) at an opposite end of the housing (10). A mandrel (30) located in the cavity has protrusions (20′, 32′) with sloping side surface, the outer edges of which cooperate with the internal surface (114a) of the cavity to divide the cavity into a series of chambers separated by slits, such that liquid passes successively through all the chambers and slits in moving from the inlet (12a, 14a) to the outlet (119). The slits have cross-sectional areas which decrease in the liquid flow direction. The mandrel (30) sides have helical grooves (134) forming passageways with the housing wall (114a) which allow liquid to be distributed evenly around the edges of the mandrel (30) to the inlet end or upstream chamber. The mandrel (30) may rotate to provide additional shear mixing.