Abstract: A nestable lumber cart has a wheeled base having a front end, a rear end, and opposite sides, the sides of the base tapering outwardly from the front end to the rear end of the cart, an outer side wall extending along at least part of the length of each side from the rear end of the base, and a pair of spaced inner side walls extending along at least part of the base from the rear end of the cart and spaced inwardly from the respective outer side wall. The inner side walls define a central channel for supporting flat panels in an upright orientation, and each inner side wall and adjacent outer side wall defines a side channel on a respective side of the central channel for supporting beams. Each side wall has an outward taper matching that of the base sides from the front to the rear end of the cart. The base of the cart is designed to permit nesting so that the front end of one cart can nest into the rear end of another cart.

Abstract: A natural stone edging tile having a top portion and a generally perpendicular facing portion can be mounted on the forward edge of a countertop substrate and has a portion extending rearward of the forward edge that is approximately half as thick as the forward edge and the same thickness as conventional stone tiles that can be mounted rearward of the edging tile. The conventional tiles have a thickness that is approximately half as thick as a typical stone slab countertop, but to a person viewing the countertop, the entire appears to have the substantial thickness of a typical slab countertop because the forward edge of the edging tile has such a thickness.

Abstract: A method for applying a porous coating incorporating a tricomponent powder mixture deposited on a hard substrate (i.e. metallic or ceramic) by plasma spraying. The coating has high adhesion strength to the substrate, with outstanding thermo-mechanical characteristics and with good resistane to thermal or mechanical action. The mixure includes aluminum oxide and/or titanium oxide powder and glass powder as the coating's microstructure forming materials; aluminum and/or titanium power metal binder and aluminum hyroxide and/or titanium hydroxide powder as a material assuring the formation of coating's microstructure. Plasma spraying includes passing the powder through the plasma beam, simultaneously melting of the metal oxide, partially alloying components into separate plasma beam zones—the hydroxide to the colder zone, and the metal to the hotter zone. The aluminum particles reach the substrate first and develop the adhesion of the sprayed layer to the substrate.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering organic and inorganic matter from waste material wherein the waste material is sterilized and solid organic matter becomes soft when subjected to heat and pressure. The process may be carried out by first, feeding the waste material into a perforated container (10) mounted within a closed chamber (14). Next, the waste material is agitated and subjected to heat and pressure which sterilizes it and softens the organic matter contained therein. After heating under pressure, the pressure may be suddenly released from the chamber (10) which forces the softened organic matter outwardly through the perforations (12) of the container, thus separating the organic matter from the solid inorganic matter.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for casting structures using form-work is disclosed applicable but no limited to on-site casting concrete construction panels for subsequent erection. Set back from form-work location are set-back buttresses (11) fixed to the work site surface. The set-back buttresses (11) support sliding risers (25-29) which can be secured in place relative to the set-back buttresses (11) and released and moved to and from the form-work location. The sliding risers (25-29) support form-work at the form-work location. A plurality of sliding risers (25-29) can be supported by the set-back buttresses (11) one above the other. In this way side-forms can be supported for structures of complex vertical profiles; for example, convex or concave walls, steps and stacks of construction panels may be moulded. Also disclosed are reusable side-forms which are supported by the sliding risers (25-29) and can be used as form work for construction panels.

Abstract: A flat, rectangular lid member is designed to releasably close the open upper end of a burial vault. The lid member has an upper face, a lower face, opposite first and second ends, and opposite sides. A headstone holder formed integrally with or separate from the lid member projects upwardly from the upper face of the first end of the lid member. The headstone holder has an upright, rectangular cavity with an open upper end for receiving the lower end of a headstone to support the headstone in an upright position.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the decontamination of gaseous contaminants (especially oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor) from hydride gases (including their lower alkyl analogs) down to ≦100 ppb contaminant concentration are described. The critical component is a high surface area metal oxide substrate with reduced metal active sites, which in various physical forms is capable of decontaminating such gases to ≦100 ppb, ≦50 ppb or ≦10 ppb level without being detrimentally affected by the hydride gases. The surface area of the substrate will be ≧100 m2/g, and preferably 200-800 m2/g. Oxides of various metals, especially manganese or molybdenum, can be used, and mixtures of integrated oxides, or one type of oxide coated on another, may be used. The substrate is preferably retained in a hydride-gas-resistant container which is installed in a gas supply line, such as to a gas- or vapor-deposition manufacturing unit.

Abstract: A cable reel is disclosed which permits rapid and simple pay out and deployment of cable, retention of cable in operating position, and rapid and controlled retraction of the cable, without overrunning or overwinding of the reel. The reel utilizes a highly functional slip ring capsule which provides positive and continual communications contact and transmission, regardless of adverse weather conditions, handling or operating stresses, or other conditions which would otherwise affect transmissions in prior art devices. It also reduces damage to cables; premature loss of cables through workers' carelessness or deliberate discard of loose cables; operational delays caused by missing cables, or by workers being required to hunt for individual lengths of cable; and delays or malfunctions resulting from having cables of the wrong size, length, weather resistance, etc. A slip-on member prevents damage to the cable tip when the cable is dropped, and a retractable cover prevents damage to the cable tip.

Abstract: A display apparatus has a stationary base, a floating display member secured to the base by a first cord, and a balloon secured to the floating member by a second cord. The balloon is inflated with a gas which is lighter than air, and rises upwardly to suspend the floating member at a location spaced above the base member.

Abstract: A system for optimizing the use of auxiliary equipment for down hole operations in wells includes an elongated housing for mounting in a metallic pipe, a plurality of retractable elements mounted on the outer surface of the housing and movable between an extended position projecting outwardly from the outer surface to space the surface from an inner wall of the pipe, and a retracted position, and at least one permanent magnet on the outer surface of the housing which is attracted to the inner wall of the metallic pipe. The housing is moved closer to the inner wall of the pipe when the retractable elements are retracted by the pressure of fluid in the pipe, due to the magnetic attraction between the magnet and pipe wall, resisting movement of the pipe.

Abstract: A recoil-attenuating system for a gun having a barrel and breech assembly slidably mounted on a supporting carriage, the system using combustion gases at an early stage in the firing action to drive a piston in a cylinder which in turn is connected to a fluid-damped attenuator connected between the barrel and the supporting structure. The system allows a considerable reduction in weight of the entire gun structure.

Abstract: A method for making bags out of plastic material includes the cutting of individual portions from a roll of a tubular element and the simultaneous making of a bottom seam crosswise to the tubular element itself. Each portion is set up as to form a bag with a filling opening at the opposite end of the bottom seam. The extremities of the bottom of the bag are pressed down so as to form angular sections which are sealed by means of seams made crosswise to the bottom seam and folded back against the external surface of the bag. The filling opening is sealed by a crosswise top seam after the bag has been filled with the relevant products. Angular sections are then defined at the extremities opposite to the top of the bag. The angular sections are sealed by means of seams made crosswise to the top seam and folded back against th external surface of the bag.

Abstract: A sliding link or connection apparatus for use in lowering an auxiliary conduit or other equipment into a well casing alongside a production pipe is of predetermined shape and dimensions different from, and smaller than, the shape and dimensions of the well casing. The link has a first through bore for sliding engagement over the production pipe, and a second through bore for securing over a conduit or equipment casing to be lowered.

Abstract: A integrated scheduling method for installing modified precast building columns, first floor grade slab and supporting beams prior to site excavation, and to use these components, together with specialized shoring panels and/or modified exterior wall panels, which are installed simultaneously with the excavation, and together with underground floor structures and beams, as a shoring system during excavation. The shoring or wall panels are forced downwardly to support the excavation sides as excavation proceeds downwards, avoiding the necessity of a conventional shoring system.