Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for the microbiological modification of hardwood in that a microorganism, or an enzymatically active preparation thereof, specially selected for the hardwood in question, is supplied to the surface of the wood for attack thereof under carefully regulated conditions as regards temperature, relative moisture content, O.sub.2 content and CO.sub.2 content. Thereafter, the process is discontinued in a suitable manner, for example by treatment with steam or hot water, followed by drying; or by drying only.

Abstract: A golf club grip is formed of a bendable material and has a bore with a plurality of longitudinally extending portions which are angularly offset relative to each other. Due to this angulation, the insertion of a straight golf club shaft into the bore will straighten the bore and skew the axis of the hand-held outer surface of the grip toward the sweet spot on the face of the club.

Abstract: A double-acting Stirling engine has a central axis and four cylinders disposed along a straight line which intersects the central axis. Four regenerator/cooler units are disposed in a circle which is concentric with the axis. A tube system which connects the cylinders to the regenerator/cooler units includes first and second rings, both of which are formed of sets of tubes, and both of which are concentric with the central axis. The tubes in the first ring are connected to upper hot spaces of the cylinders; and, the tubes in the other ring are connected to the regenerators and to one of the tubes in the first ring.

Abstract: A stretcher frame for an artist's canvas is formed of four wooden side pieces with simple mitred ends, joined at the corners by four corner connector assemblies. Each corner connector assembly has a pair of perpendicularly interconnected arms of U-shaped cross section which slidably receive two of the wooden side pieces. A support bracket projects inwardly from each arm, and a connecting bracket projects inwardly from each side piece. A threaded rod is affixed to the connecting bracket and extends through the support bracket, and a spring on the rod biases the support bracket outwardly to apply tension to a canvas on the frame. To deter inward flexing of the side pieces, cross members extend between opposed pairs of side pieces. Each cross member includes a threaded rod, a spring on the threaded rod, a tube which is biased by the spring and receives the threaded rod, and a nut which is threaded on the rod to compress the spring.

Abstract: A knife holder has a base (2) which supports several gripping members (9) in the form of rollers (12) of elastomer placed pair-wise in side-by-side relationship and cooperating with each other. The rollers (12) are each mounted on a journal (13) located on the base (2) and have facing circumferential surfaces (14) which form therebetween a nip (15). A knife (10) may be moved with its blade (11) into and out of the nip, the rollers (12) rolling on both sides of the blade and under elastic blade (11) retentive deformation of the rollers. A protective outer casing (3) is removably mounted on the base (2) and has recesses (17) in the region of each gripping member (9) in order to permit ready insertion and removal of the knives (10).

Abstract: A list finder, for example, a telephone index, is provided in which all of the main parts can be integrally moulded of plastic mostly by simple moulds which do not require undercut moulding; the only essential non-plastic parts being a hinge pin pivotally connecting a base and a cover, and a spring. The base has two spaced apart pedestals each of which has laterally spaced upwardly facing and downwardly facing hinge pin seats, with a clear space being provided below the downwardly facing hinge pin seat so that this can be moulded by a unitary mould member which also moulds the underside of the base. The cover includes a planar portion and two downwards projections having a central web and a cylindrically curved flange, the flanges being engageable in T-shaped slots in the sheets of the index. The web member has an upwardly facing hinge pin seat, and an aperture is provided above this seat and the flanges so that these can be moulded by a unitary mould member which also forms the top of the cover.

Abstract: Volatiles-rich dust and kiln gases are removed from a cement kiln by means of a special by-pass probe system located in the inlet end of the kiln. The probe system is designated to prevent the build-up of solidified volatiles-rich dust on the probe surfaces.

Abstract: A clutch thrust bearing assembly includes a roller bearing, a clutch release fork for moving the roller bearing axially and a spring. The spring is connected to the inner race of the roller bearing and has opposite portions which bear against the two branches of the clutch release fork to center the fork relative to the bearing.

Abstract: To enable a traction splint to be applied to a patient's limb without substantial disturbance of the limb, the splint comprises a thrust member in the form of a collar-like strap sidewardly applicable to the injured limb where it joins the trunk of the body, a U-shaped caliper, to accept the injured limb, having its free ends locatable in relation to stubs projecting from the thrust member, and having a crotch end to which a tether secured to the distal end of the injured limb is selectively attachable so to vary the tensional load imposed on the limb.

Abstract: Quinoline-insoluble components are separated from coal tar pitch by treating the coal tar pitch which has a softening point of greater than 60.degree. C. (according to the method of Kraemer-Sarnow) with a solvent mixture comprising at least one solvent with paraffinic characteristics and at least one tar solvent, wherein the treatment is carried out at a temperature in the range of 200.degree. to 270.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for reprocessing used lubricating oils is disclosed wherein the oil is dried, treated with finely dispersed sodium metal at elevated temperature, the remaining free or organically bound metal is decomposed by means of an active hydrogen containing compounds, followed by distillation of the oil for recovery.

Abstract: A combination comprising a blade block for mounting on an abrasive throwing wheel and a blade for mounting on the blade block is provided. The blade has a front surface and a rear surface, a first opening on the rear surface and a second opening on the rear surface spaced from the first opening. The blade block is provided with projecting means, such as a lug, adapted for insertion in the first opening on the rear of the blade. An abutment means contacts the rear of the blade. An opening in the blade block is provided, and the opening is intermediate the projecting means and the abutment means on the blade block. The blade is held in position on the blade block by locking means, such as a deformable, resilient wire, adapted for insertion in the second opening on the rear of the blade and for insertion in the opening in the blade block.

Abstract: Polyurea polymer compositions produced by the isocyanate polyaddition process by reacting compounds having terminal groups and represented by the general formula: ##STR1## wherein z is an integer of 2 to 4, X is oxygen or sulfur and R is a group of the formula:-Y-[Ar-B].sub.kwherein k is an integer of 1 to 4, Ar is an aromatic group, Y is B when k is 1 and when k is 2, then Y is an alkylidene group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms and B represents a divalent polyalkylene ether group or polyalkylene thioether group such as is obtained by the removal of the hydroxyl or mercapto groups from a polyalkylene ether diol or a polyalkylene thioether diol of a molecular weight of about 100 to 15000, with a polyisocyanate. The polymer compositions are useful for the formation of vehicle tires of all types and for the formation of portions of vehicle wheels, for belts, fasteners and shoe soles.

Abstract: A cannula or catheter assembly has a cannula or catheter tube in a socket with a straight passageway. In order to equip such an assembly with a cheap and safe closure device which is easy to maneuvre without causing any movements injurious to the assembly, a connecting housing is fixedly or releasably connected to the socket and has a straight through-channel which is connected to the passageway of the socket and accommodates a hose section which seals against the channel wall and, to permit closing the through-channel, can be compressed at a location between its ends by means of at least one pressure body disposed in an opening in the wall of the through-channel and operable by means of a slide member movable in the axial direction of the through-channel on the outer side of the connecting housing.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a pressurised aerosol formulation, which is in the form of a mixture, to be sprayed as a cosmetic, room or medicinal spray, of a propellant gas and organic solvents, as the propellant, and also active compounds and solvents for the active compounds, wherein the improvement comprises that the mixture is in the form of a homogeneous solution and this contains at least 50 percent by weight, preferably at least 55 percent by weight, of non-combustible constituents--relative to the total weight of the mixture--and contains, as the propellant gases, carbon dioxide and dimethyl ether, and, as non-combustible constituents, at least water, carbon dioxide, methylene chloride and/or 1,1,1-trichloroethane. This pressurized aerosol formulation is during transport, on storage and in use a product of low accident risk for the indicated purpose.

Abstract: A black plate absorber divides the chamber of a solar collector into upper and lower spaces, both of which are provided with inlets and outlets for a heat exchange medium. Heat losses through the side walls are reduced by providing, between the chamber and the side walls, side conduits which have inlets and outlets for a heat exchange medium.

Abstract: A process for controlling the ratio:DBP NUMBER/DBP NUMBER AFTER PRESSINGfor carbon black pellets comprising mixing the carbon black with water and forming the carbon black and water mixture into pellets by means of a wet pelletizing machine, selectively controlling the rotating shaft speed of the pelletizing machine and the amount of water and the location of water injected into the pelletizing machine; and subsequently drying the wet carbon black.

Abstract: Two components, for example, conveyors, are interconnected by the intermediary of a connecting portion. The component connected to the connecting portion is shiftable along an alongate opening in the other component. The elongate opening is closable by means of a flexible web length which extends in the longitudinal direction of the elongate opening and in a loop about the connecting portion of the movable component. The connecting portion has guide means for successive lifting-out and laying of the web length respectively away from and towards the elongate opening on shifting of the connecting portion therealong.

Abstract: A stable plied yarn is produced by false-twisting two or more singles yarn strands with false-twist jets and passing the strands around a yarn wheel whereon the nodes are joined. The strands leave the wheel and ply together. The plied yarn is collected and can be tufted into carpet. The pressure of the fluid (air) supplied to the false-twist jets is varied to product varying amounts of twist in the singles strands which results in a range of twist amounts in the yarn plied therefrom, thereby avoiding streak effects in products made from the yarn.

Abstract: A rotary conical cutter lies adjacent to the lower edge of a food-retaining hopper to grate, shred or slice food in the hopper. Cut food enters the center of the cutter through openings defined by cutting edges which project from the conical wall in the cutter. A set of interchangeable such cutters have cutting portions with cutting edges which project different distances from their cutter axes and from their respective walls. The lower edge of the hopper is movable to vary its distance from the cutter cones, and retaining means are provided for holding the lower edge of the hopper at an adjusted position proximate to the path of the cutting edges of the cutting portions.