Abstract: A reciprocating sleeve type valve mechanism having a valve housing within which is located a cage element. A piston, movably positioned within the valve housing, accomplishes linear opening movement of a cylindrical seal sleeve with respect to spaced polymer seals within the housing. Closing movement of the seal sleeve is accomplished by a return spring. Sealing between the cage element and a wear resistant external ceramic liner of the seal sleeve is accomplished by a seal assembly having a centrally located elastomer seal ring with polymer backup wiper rings positioned on opposite sides thereof. The seal assembly provides a bearing and guiding function to stabilize the seal sleeve during its opening and closing movement and to wipe particulate from the sealing surface of the seal sleeve as well as to maintain efficient sealing with the seal sleeve as the valve is opened and closed.

Abstract: A method for fluidizing particulate material within a retort (22) mounted on a horizontal shaft or axle (36) for rotation. Gas enters retort (22) through a pipe (52) extending along the longitudinal axis of the shaft (36) and is exhausted through pipe manifold (58). As retort (22) is rotated, particles of particulate material (23) are constantly intermingled and in contact with each other and the walls (31) of the retort (22). An injector assembly (60) may be connected to a retort (51) for injection of an additional particulate material (56).

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for treating particulate material or powder (33) of a size capable of being fluidized in a retort (31) mounted for rotation on a pair of end axles (18, 41). Retort (31) is mounted on a tilt frame (5) for tilting movement in a vertical plane. Gas conduits (18A, 18B) are mounted within an axle (18) for the supply and exhaust of gas for retort (31). A conduit (55) mounted within the other axle (41) permits particulate material to be passed into or out of the retort (31) as shown in FIG. 1B. A removable injection assembly (90, FIG. 10) is utilized for the injection of additional particulate material. A removable sampling assembly (95, FIG. 11) is utilized for removing a sample of the particulate material from the retort (31).

Abstract: A veneer panel (10) has a relatively thin veneer layer (12) secured to a relatively thick supporting base (16) to form a generally rectangular veneer panel blank. The outer veneer layer (12) is then grooved in a predetermined pattern with longitudinally extending grooves (30) and transversely extending grooves (34) in the veneer layer forming veneer rows (30). At least one end of the veneer panel (10) is cut across its entire thickness to form projecting end portions (32B) of varying lengths corresponding to the veneer rows (30) and defining slotted spaces (36) between the projecting end portions (32B). A complementary projecting end portion (32B) of an adjacent panel is provided and the end portions (32B) on complementary panels are interfitted to form a staggered joint defined by a plurality of transverse grooves across the entire width of the panels similar to the remaining grooves (30, 34).

Abstract: An improved mooring system for a vessel (10) having a mooring turret (19) which is rotatably coupled to a well (14) of the vessel (10) such that the vessel (10) is free to weathervane about the mooring turret is disclosed. An anchor leg support base (18) is fixed with the mooring turret (19) with anchor lines (20) secured thereto and anchored to the sea floor (24). A riser turret (25) is rotatably coupled to the mooring turret (19) and is fixed to the well (14) of the vessel. A riser support base (100) is pivotally coupled to a riser support device (30) for mounting the upper ends of a plurality of flexible risers (48) extending from the sea floor. The riser mounting device (30) is arranged and designed to pivot about two axes (34, 40) at right angles to each other relative to the riser support base (100).

Abstract: An elevator mechanism for use on drilling rigs for hoisting and lowering different sizes and types of pipe. At least two elevator frame sections are interconnected in relative moveable relation for movement between an open position for receiving a section of pipe and a closed position clamping about the pipe. At least two pipe clamping inserts being received in interengaged relation by respective elevator frame sections in a manner resisting upward and downward movement relative to the frame sections. The pipe clamping inserts are mechanically interengaged with the elevator sections to prevent inadvertent disassembly downward and are releaseably locked to secure the inserts against rotation relative to the frame sections. For assembly and disassembly of the inserts relative to the frame sections, the inserts, when unlocked, are rotated for engagement or separation of the mechanically interengaged relation.

Abstract: A toilet seat assembly having a pivotal toilet seat and a pivotal toilet seat insert to overlie rear and side portions of the opening thereof to facilitate safe and effective use by children. A seat insert body defines an outer peripheral recess and a support shoulder for supported and positioned engagement with the inner peripheral portion of the toilet seat. The pivotal connection of the seat insert is separable when the seat insert is at a predetermined angle between its seated and upstanding positions. The tail piece and pivot connections of the seat insert provide a stop to position the seat insert at an over-center position when upstanding to prevent contact of the seat insert with the seat cover of the toilet seat assembly. The forward side edge portions of the seat insert body define outwardly facing angulated surfaces which locate the frontal contact points of the insert and the conventional toilet seat to minimize the possibility of pinching the child during use.

Abstract: A method for making an internal upset (20A) on metal drill pipe (10) having a transition section (24A) with a curved inner periphery (28A) of a concave curvature extending continuously between the central portion (12) of the pipe (10) and the increased thickness end section (22A) and formed from a radius (R2). An external upset (20) is first formed in forging steps as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 by radially expanding and squeezing the end of pipe (10). Then the final forging step radially contracts the external upset (20) to form the internal upset (20A) as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. The finished internal upset 20A as shown in FIG. 7 has a transition section 24A with an inner peripheral curved surface 28A formed from a radius (R2). The forging steps are performed with a single heating of the metal drill time in a minimum of time preferably within around one (1) minute but in any event less than around two (2) minutes.

Abstract: A self storage warehouse facility (10) has a plurality of separate insulated self storage rooms (12) each having an exterior foldable door (14) mounted for movement between open and closed positions to permit access to the insulated storage room (12). The foldable door (14) has a plurality of insulated partitions (50, 52, 54) having rollers (66) mounted in guide rails or tracks (42) for movement. In closed position, the lower partition (54) has a lower tubular seal (74) which seals against the foundation (11) and an adjacent ledge (74, FIG. 4). The entire outer perimeter of the door (14) is sealed against a rubber strip (40) along the side edges and upper edge of the door (14). A tubular seal (72) seals along the bottom edge of the door (14). A solenoid operated damper (82, FIG. 7) in a cool air duct (80) is moved to a closed position by energizing of the solenoid (87) upon opening of the door (14). The damper (82) is opened upon return of the door (14) to a closed position.

Abstract: A side pocket mandrel arranged to receive a measuring instrument such as a pressure gauge in the open-bottomed side pocket thereof includes an electrical contact mounted at the top of the side pocket and connected to a cable extending upward to the surface, and an instrument lowered on a wireline kickover tool and inserted upward into the pocket and latched in place with a mating electrical connector automatically engaging the contact. Placement of the electrical contact at the top of the pocket prevents debris from settling around it and preventing reengagement after removal of the gauge for any reason.

Abstract: Soccer training shoes are provided having ball contact elements that cause a soccer ball to more readily bounce away from the foot of the user. In one aspect of the invention, a training device is provided for temporary attachment to the shoe of a soccer player for providing hard inside and outside ball contact elements that cause a soccer ball to more readily bounce away from the foot of the user and thus promote the development of the "soft feel" that is desirable for catching, trapping and dribbling activities. The training device is essentially in the form of a web of straps that encompass the toe and instep portion of a soccer shoe and with forward, intermediate and rear transverse straps each being provided with a relatively hard ball contact element for location along the vamp of a soccer shoe in the immediate region of the inside and outside edges of the sole of the shoe.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve (10) for a pilot operated fluid system (FIG. 4) for a pressure vessel (12). Pressure relief valve (10) has a valve body (14) forming a valve chamber (16) accessible by upper cover plate (24). A cylindrical housing (32) is mounted in the valve chamber (16). A valve stem (38) has a diaphragm assembly (40) on its upper end and a valve assembly (42) on its lower end. Diaphragm assembly (40) includes a rolling loop diaphragm (44) fitting between opposed surfaces (36, 60) of housing (32) and piston member (56). A circular guide (66) on valve stem (38) fits within housing (32) for guiding the movement of the valve stem (38). Valve assembly (42) is connected to valve stem (38) about a ball and socket joint formed by ball (70) on the valve stem (38) and a socket (84) on the valve assembly (42).

Abstract: A hydrodynamically lubricated interference type rotary shaft seal suitable for environmental exclusion and high pressure lubricant retention which incorporates composite multiple modulus construction and a non-planar flexible environmental edge heel geometry which cooperate to resist high pressure extrusion damage while minimizing interfacial contact pressure and accommodating radial shaft motion.

Abstract: A safety cover (36) for an opening (16) formed by an automotive service pit (14). The cover (36) is formed of a plurality of longitudinal columns (46) of a webbing material, and a plurality of transverse rows (48, 50) of webbing material stitched to each other to form a flexible safety cover. Looped ends (60) of alternate rows (48) of the webbing material are mounted by end support members (54) for sliding movement along a pair of side guide rails (38) between covered and uncovered positions of the opening (16). One end of the movable cover (36) has a fixed bar (70) on which looped columns (46) of the webbing material are secured. The other opposite end of the cover (36) have looped columns (46) around a movable end bar or rod (80) which may be releasably locked by a locking mechanism (90). One embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 10-14 discloses a safety cover (36C) supported on cables (41C) for sliding movement between open and closed portions.

Abstract: A drag rotary bit (10) has a bit body (12) with a center cutter element (34) for projecting from the bottom (22) of the bit body (12) at the axial center of the bit body (12). The center cutting element (34) has a pair of cutters (42) with cutting faces (46) thereon in opposed relation to each other. A pair of opposed relatively long blades (54) are mounted on the bottom (22) of the bit body (12) and extend across the entire bottom (22) of the bit body (12) to the center cutter (34) to divide the bottom (22) into two separate areas. A single nozzle (26) having a large diameter discharge port (28) is provided for each of the separate areas for cleaning the bottom of the hole and washing of the blades.

Abstract: A metal mounting frame (10) has a pair of parallel frame portions (20, 22) connected to each other to support a basketball backboard (12). Each frame portion (20, 22) includes a lower upwardly facing channel-shaped base member (24), a downwardly facing channel-shaped upright member (26), and an adjustable diagonal bracing member (28) extending between members (24) and (26). In a flat collapsed position, upwardly facing channel-shaped base members (24) are received within downwardly facing channel-shaped upright members (26) and diagonal bracing members (28) are received in the space between the channel-shaped base members (24) and channel-shaped upright members (26). For erection of the mounting frame (10) from the flat collapsed position, upright members (26) are unfolded from base members (24) and the lower free ends of diagonal bracing members 28 are then secured to the extending free ends of base members (24).

Abstract: An improved power filter circuit is disclosed. The improvement concern providing a clamping device between a ground lead and a terminal of a safety circuit such that when the power filter has its hot and neutral leads properly connected to hot and neutral leads of a utility circuit, a switch of the safety circuit connects the clamping device to be between ground and neutral leads of the power filter circuit, but when the hot and neutral leads of a utility circuit are reversed, the switch of the safety circuit connects the safety circuit directly between the neutral and hot leads of the power filter circuit, thereby creating an indicator, such as a red light, that the hot and neutral leads are reversed, yet the clamping device is now not connected between the neutral and ground leads of the power filter circuit. Accordingly, the clamping device connected between the ground and neutral leads may be rated during normal operations at a lower value, e.g.

Abstract: An improved modular building unit (1-6, 1A) including a building block (10, 10A) having lower and upper faces (9, 9A, 11, 11A), side faces (12, 12A, 13, 13A) and end faces (14, 14A). At least the lower and upper faces are provided with mounting strips (21-24, 53A, 54A) interfit with mating mounting strips (21-24, 53A, 54A) on similar adjacent modular building units (1-6, 1A) to join the adjoining building block units (1-6, 1A) in predetermined dimensionally accurate relationships. A method of securing the mounting strips (21-24, 53A, 54A) to the building block or brick (10, 10A) and the method of interlocking and securing adjacent modular building units (1-6, 1A) to each other are disclosed. A preferred embodiment of mounting strips (53A, 54A) is shown in FIGS. 8-10. A mold (203) is shown in FIG. 12 for the preferred method of forming a building block or brick (200).

Abstract: An interference fit pipe coupling has threaded sections inside each end portion which grip the outer walls of a plain end pipe that is forced axially thereinto. An outer, longer section of the threads are tapered Buttress-like threads that are formed on a helix, and a shorter inner section of the threads also are Buttress-like but are circumferential. A smooth cylindrical conformance bore is formed at the outer end of the threads and has an inner diameter that is less than the nominal are of the plain end pipe to reduce ovality thereof and prestress same for entry into the threads. When the plain end portion of a pipe is forced axially into the coupling, the outer threads grip the pipe end portion to provide a rigid connection, and the circumferential threads grip the pipe end portions at axially spaced points to provide metal-to-metal seals. An elastomer, plastic or other suitable material seal ring that is engaged by the opposing end faces of the pipe end portions provides a redundant or back-up fluid seal.

Abstract: A biscuit adapted to be ingested by a patient to enable measurement of gastric emptying has added prior to baking Spirulina Platensis alga grown in a .sup.13 CO.sub.2 atmosphere. These single cell organisms are oxidized after digestion in the small intestine to produce a detectible rise in level of .sup.13 CO.sub.2 in the patient's breath which is sampled and plotted to enable diagnosis of abnormal gastric emptying rates.