Abstract: A novel article retaining web for use with beach umbrellas is disclosed. The web is designed for use with an umbrella having a central supporting pole, a plurality of spokes pivotally attached thereto and a plurality of struts extending from a position along the pole generally upwardly to engage the spokes to brace the same when the umbrella is in the open position. The web is characterized by a substantially circular flexible net having a central aperture defined therein, a substantially inelastic reinforcing strip disposed around the perimeter of the net, and a plurality of attachments periodically disposed along the reinforcing strip, one for each spoke of the umbrella for suspending the web from the umbrellas spokes. The sizing and spacing of the above-mentioned components is such that article access apertures are created between portions of the umbrella located between the spokes and the portions of the webbing suspended from those spokes.

Abstract: An integral and homogeneous connection between a terminal and a battery lug is accomplished without the requirement of specially shaped projections on either of the surfaces of the terminal or lug. Insulation is disposed between the lug and terminal and a portion of the overlapping area of the lug is pressed througn an opening in the insulation means to make contact over a relatively small area with the terminal. Welding jaws are used to press the lug and terminal together and a current is provided by the welding jaws to heat up the area of contact so that the lead begins to melt in the opening. Since the lug and terminal are continuously squeezed together by the welding jaws, more cold lead is introduced into the opening until the entire opening is filed with molten lead from the lug and terminal.

Abstract: A butterfly damper with a plurality of blades which can be locked in the open position, and which, when released, rotate about a hinge to the closed position. A pawl member, attached to one blade, extends away from the blade and through an opening in a second blade when the blades are in the open position. A mounting member attached to the second blade restrains the pawl member thereby holding the blades in the open position. A bimetallic link attached to the mounting member causes the pawl member to be released when the temperature of the air passing through the duct increases beyond a preselected level. A closure spring attached to the blades acts on the blades tending to force them apart against the action of the mounting member and the pawl member when the blades are restrained in the open position. The damper blades can be insulated to prevent the heat from a fire on one side of the damper from being conducted by the damper to the other side when the blades are in the closed position.

Abstract: An electrical resistance welding apparatus for making an integral and homogeneous connection between a terminal and a battery lug accomplished by limiting the area of contact between the two as by equipping the battery with an insulation card which is at least partially disposed between the lug and the terminal. The apparatus presses a portion of the overlapping area of the lug through an opening in the insulation card to make contact over a relatively small area with the terminal by first moving one electrode to contact the terminal and then moving the remaining electrode to contact the lug. The electrode assemblies clamp the lug and terminal together. Current is provided to the electrodes to heat up the area of contact as it is made, thereby melting the lead in the opening in the insulation card. As the lug and terminal are continuously squeezed together, more cold lead flows into the opening where the fusion is taking place.

Abstract: A novel calcium-strontium-tin-lead grid alloy is disclosed which exhibits a finer grain structure, higher hardness, improved castability and superior corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A temperature controlled liquid dispenser having an insulated receptacle with improved ventilation characteristics; and having a novel dispensing valve. A novel valve is described which can be removed from the liquid dispenser and the portable container thereby eliminating the requirement of emptying the container before removing it from the dispenser, yet allowing removal of the valve from the container whereby the container can be capped and the valve used again.The receptacle is adapted to receive a portable liquid filled container which is temperature controlled by a thermo-electric device in contact with a heat conductive lining which engages a portion of the interior of the receptacle for heating or cooling the contents thereof. Heat insulation-filled receptacle channel portions extend downwardly from the main body of the receptacle on either side of heat exchange fins which are attached to and extend downwardly away from the thermo-electric device.

Abstract: A novel type of solar collector is disclosed comprising an absorber within a downwardly directed cavity, a reflector for reflecting solar radiation up into the cavity and onto the absorber, and a light transmitting sheet which allows solar rays to pass therethrough. The solar collector has the property that convective loss is suppressed.

Abstract: A novel cargo trailer for carrying containerized loads is disclosed, which can be pulled from either end and comprises a plurality of axles, each of which is movable with respect to the undercarriage of the cargo bed to facilitate multi-directional hauling, better weight distribution, and the storage of a fully loaded trailer without utilizing a landing gear.

Abstract: A novel method is provided for precisely predicting and then ascertaining the time of ovulation by monitoring the mouth air of a female, a first peak after menses in the concentration of said volatile sulfur-containing compounds in said mouth air predicting ovulation by about 5 to 7 days, and a second increase thereafter being indicative of ovulation. Alternatively, a method is provided wherein TPTZ is utilized to sense secondary characteristics associated with the production of volatile sulfur compounds for the purpose of providing a simple colorimetric home test for determining the precise time of ovulation.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for sequentially forming integrally fused battery terminals on a plurality of storage batteries is described wherein a head means having a mold means adjustably mounted thereon is automatically movable with respect to a vertical axis, and has slidably mounted thereon a burning means for automatically producing a variable-intensity flame for melting said battery elements to form said integrally fused battery terminal during a vertial stroke thereof. An automated post burn station is further described having a conveyor means for advancing batteries sequentially to said burning station and for aligning said batteries with respect to said station for the above described fusing process. A plurality of novel sensors incorporated into the automated post burn station facilitates the rapid, automatic processing of batteries, while providing a high degree of safety and reliability.

Abstract: A method for producing batteries having plastic cases wherein a plurality of sets of batteries are placed in a plurality of portable tanks or tubs which are positioned at different heights above the floor and filled with water, filling the highest tub first and allowing it to overflow to fill the adjacent lower tub and so on until all tubs are filled and overflowing. Before the water is added to the tanks, electrolyte is added to unfilled, unformed batteries and a separate rectifier circuit is connected to each set of batteries for passing current therethrough to form or charge the batteries.

Abstract: A novel fire, smoke and air control damper is disclosed wherein one or more hook-shaped hinge portions formed intermediate between the longitudinal edges of each damper blade engage complementally configured hook-shaped hinge elements formed on opposite sides of the damper frame. Formed on each of the ends of each damper blade are additional hook-shaped sealing portions which are adapted to mate with the hook-shaped sealing portions of adjacent blades in the closed position in order to form a double seal. A "dead" air chamber is formed between contiguous portions of adjacent blades when those blades are in the closed position. As the blades are slightly displaced towards the open position, a seal is nonetheless maintained between the blades due to the configuration of the sealing portions thereof.

Abstract: A novel industrial battery stack is disclosed, wherein positive plates which have been longitudinally wrapped with a perforate or semi-perforate material are accurately aligned with respect to the negative plates and separators in the stack during the stacking operation. The novel spacing members of the present invention have a generally U-shaped cross section for engaging through the wrapping a portion of the positive plate adjacent to the longitudinal edges of that plate. Projections protruding substantially from the base of the "U" provide the proper distance between the edge of the wrapped plate and an adjacent longitudinal surface. During the stacking and burning operation, this longitudinal surface comprises the back wall of a novel industrial battery plate holder.

Abstract: A fire, smoke and air control damper is disclosed wherein one or more hook-shaped hinge portions formed intermediate between the longitudinal edges of each damper blade engage complementally configured hook-shaped hinge elements formed on opposite sides of the damper frame. A novel notch configuration is made in an inwardly depending flange in the frame on opposite sides, the hinge elements being made from at least a portion of the material notched from the frame. In the closed position, various blade portions engage opposite sides of the inwardly depending flange in the frame to form a seal therebetween, thereby providing a positive pressure resistant seal. The seal is made more complete along the flange in the area of the hinge element because of the novel notch configuration.Several embodiments of actuating the blades to move them between open and closed positions are disclosed. In one such embodiment, a link passes through an arcuate opening in the wall of the frame to engage a linkage rod.

Abstract: A novel method is provided wherein the grain structure and castability of low antimony lead battery grid alloy is improved by treating that alloy with trace amounts of phosphorus, and more particularly red phosphorus.

Abstract: A combination of an aryl sulfonamide-formaldehyde resin and film forming material, such as cellulose acetate butyrate, which may further include a surfactant, such as a non-ionic surfactant including, for example, an alkylarylpolyether, comprises a "universal" dispersant for resin additives, such as pigment materials. This composition generally includes 40-90 weight % of any of various types of additives, including pigments. The dispersant generally comprises from 30-80 weight % film former or binder, which may consist of cellulose acetate butyrate or a solid plasticizer, such as camphor, sucrose benzoate and dicyclohexylphthalate, and from 20-70 weight % of the aryl sulfonamide-formaldehyde resin. Apart from pigments, the additives may consist of fillers, extenders, etc., including, for example, calcium carbonate, antimony oxide and magnesium silicate.

Abstract: A novel method is provided wherein the grain structure and castability of low antimony lead battery grid alloy is improved by treating that alloy with trace amounts of phosphorus, and more particularly red phosphorus.

Abstract: A novel smoke, fire or air control damper is disclosed wherein a frame with an inwardly depending flange is articulated to at least one rotating blade by integrally formed hook-shaped hinge elements and hinge portions which are stamped in the blade and flange respectively. This novel hinging relationship simplifies the material and construction required to form the damper, and more particularly, the blade of the damper, while providing a blade configuration which overlaps appropriate portions of the flange to form a seal between the overlapping portions of parallel offset blade portions and the appropriate opposite services of the frame flange, when the blade is in the closed position.

Abstract: A novel multiple hook-up movable axle trailer is disclosed comprising the features of removable track extensions to allow the positioning of slidable axle assemblies at extreme ends of the trailer to thereby attain a maximum bridging distance between axles. A novel slidable kingpin assembly is also disclosed which may be used to facilitate the alternate end hook-up of an appropriately fitted trailer regardless of the absence of a permanent kingpin in that location. Alternatively, the slidable kingpin assembly may be used in combination with a novel pivotal axle assembly which may either be fixed or have a fork attached thereto and be released for steering.

Abstract: A novel system is disclosed for carrying containerized loads, which system basically comprises at least two trailers, at least one of which may be pulled from either end, such that a novel dolly may be utilized to interconnect said trailers for transport, while at the same time facilitating end loading cargo dock access to a plurality of containers mounted on each trailer. Additionally, a novel dolly is disclosed for coupling two trailers together for hauling, which dolly preferably comprises a plurality of axles, each of which is movable with respect to the frame of the dolly and with respect to each other to facilitate multi-directional trailer hauling, better weight distribution, easy hook-up, and convenient storage. The preferred embodiment dolly comprises means for limiting the pivotal action of the dolly with respect to its associated trailers, particularly during hook-up, loading or unloading operations.