Abstract: This application discloses an apparatus for preventing heat damage to thermoplastic web material being converted to produce bags. After a selected number of bags have been made, the web feeding rolls are automatically stopped for a short period, which may be for one or more machine cycles or stopped for an indeterminate period on command of the operator, to allow removal or transfer of a completed stack of bags. When web movement is stopped, the web feeding rolls that are driven by a belt, are rotated in a direction opposite to the feed direction to withdraw the leading edge of the web from the plane in which the heated seal bar reciprocates. Withdrawing of the web occurs by applying additional tension to that reach of the belt which will effect reverse rotation of the feeding rolls. Such additional tension is created by freely rotating pulleys mounted on a plate oscillated by an actuator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a length of underwater pipe, such as a petroleum flowline bundle, between two subsea stations, for example a subsea oil or gas wellhead and a subsea manifold to establish a fluid conduit between these stations. The flowline bundle is transported by a surface vessel to location where downhaul cables are then brought to the surface from the underwater stations by means of call-up buoys. A flowline mating vehicle is connected to each end of the flowline bundle, the downhaul cables are attached to powered winches contained in these vehicles, and the bundle is then hauled downward by the vehicles to the subsea stations where it is connected to the terminals of the flowlines at these stations by a remotely actuated clamping system. The flowline mating vehicles are then released from the flowline bundle and the stations to be retrieved at the surface for reuse.

Abstract: A unitary, prefabricated railway car roof and its method of manufacture. Two elongated flat webs of galvanized sheet metal disposed in edge to edge abutting relation, and having a combined width slightly greater than the width of the finished roof, are preferably unwound from rolls and are intermittently moved through a welding station which bonds the two webs together into a single wide sheet. Downstream of the welding station the sheet is fed through dies of a hydraulic stamping press which form transverse corrugations at approximately two foot intervals in the combined sheet to provide stiffening panels extending substantially the full width of the roof, and at the same time to form a gable with the longitudinal weld line being the crest of the gable and defining the longitudinal centerline of the roof.

Abstract: A static vehicle wheel balancer has a base which is supported on the floor and which mounts a vertical post. A wheel balance head is provided for receiving and centering a tire and wheel assembly to be balanced and has a level for indicating unbalance. A universal pivot between the balance head and the post is provided wherein the pivot point of the balance head is maintained coincident with the post axis, even when the post axis is inclined from the vertical. In one embodiment, the pivot assembly is formed by an upwardly facing spherical anvil surface that supports three equal diameter balls. The balancing head mounts a single pivot ball that is supported by the three support balls. Resilient means are provided for cushioning the pivot ball. In another embodiment of the invention, the universal pivot action is obtained by the use of a Hooke universal joint. Another embodiment embodies a universal joint of the Hooke type wherein the spider arms are made in the form of flexible blades.

Abstract: This application discloses an improved device for reducing the velocity at which thermoplastic bags, as they are produced by a bag machine, are directed to a table, or other suitable support, for accumulation in even-edged stacks.

Abstract: Subterranean slurry mining with one or more mining nozzles which, during mining, directs a high pressure jet of liquid into a granular ore matrix to reduce the ore to a slurry which is thereafter pumped to the surface by an eductor pump including a high pressure eductor nozzle. The drilling and mining apparatus includes several different types of hydraulic control systems which operates at or below system pressure and allows the apparatus to be changed between the mining and a drilling mode. During drilling, the liquid is directed through an open foot valve and drill bit into the well cavity being drilled to wash the cuttings to the surface at which time the mining and eductor nozzles are closed. During mining the control systems close the foot valve and control the opening of the mining nozzle (or nozzles) and eductor nozzle.

Abstract: A well tool for running and landing underwater casing hangers. The tool includes a resilient split ring with external threads that engage complementary internal threads on the hanger, and an hydraulic system that is actuated through a control line at the surface, thereby facilitating release of the hanger from the tool by either hydraulic pressure or rotation of the running string to which the tool is attached.

Abstract: A carbon monoxide Monitoring System includes a control panel and remote alarm stations. The control panel is associated with a carbon monoxide monitoring unit, an emergency AC power pack and an alarm system. Each remote alarm station includes a visual-audio alarm system and a distress signal system. The carbon monoxide monitoring unit continuously samples the personnel air supply and if the CO reaches a pre-set concentration, it will provide a primary audio-visual alarm signal to a panel alarm for the control panel operator and to each individual remote alarm station, thereby giving warning of an excess of carbon monoxide gas in the air supply to the control panel operator and to the remote workers. In addition, if a worker at any remote station is in distress, he actuates his distress signal system which energizes the control panel alarm system. The control panel operator is alerted and takes whatever action is required.

Abstract: A truck which is designed to utilize its design length to the maximum effectiveness. The truck includes a frame upon which are mounted an elongated cargo bed and a cab for the operator at the forward end thereof. The power plant for the truck is located rearwardly of the cab near the center of the vehicle so that space will not be required at the front of the vehicle as in conventional truck constructions. The cab sits between the laterally spaced front wheels, and access thereto is provided by a door which is located in the front face of the cab whereby the cab may be entered and exited without climbing over the front wheels and enclosing fender structures.

Abstract: Subterranean slurry mining with one or more mining nozzles which, during mining, directs a high pressure jet of liquid into a granular ore matrix to reduce the ore to a slurry which is thereafter pumped to the surface by an eductor pump including a high pressure eductor nozzle. The drilling and mining apparatus includes several different types of hydraulic control systems which operates at or below system pressure and allows the apparatus to be changed between the mining and a drilling mode. During drilling, the liquid is directed through an open foot valve and drill bit into the well cavity being drilled to wash the cuttings to the surface at which time the mining and eductor nozzles are closed. During mining the control systems close the foot valve and control the opening of the mining nozzle (or nozzles) and eductor nozzle.

Abstract: An extensible boom has a base section that is pivotally connected to a machinery platform and at least one section that is movable axially relative to the base section. A cable system is provided for extending and for retracting the movable sections. The boom sections can be jammed together in either an extended position or a retracted position to resist compression axially of the boom, and to resist bending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the boom in a generally vertical plane. A live mast is offset from the base end of the boom in a vertical plane. Boom carrying ropes extend between the distal end of the base section and the live mast, while a boom pendant extends between the live mast and the distal end of the tip section of the boom. Support of the boom can be transferred by alternately tensioning and slackening the boom carrying ropes and the boom pendant.

Abstract: A transmission, in which power is transmitted from one variable diameter pulley to another through an endless band, has an automatic band tensioning mechanism. The band tensioning mechanism includes a tensioning shaft, an adjusting wheel rotatably mounted on the shaft, and a spring connected between the shaft and the wheel. A worm engaged with the wheel is mounted on a shaft slidably received in a locking member. The worm has a locking shoulder at one end which is normally urged, by the spring acting through the wheel, into engagement with a locking shoulder on one end of the locking member. The worm is moved out of locking engagement against the bias of the spring for rotation of the worm and wheel, and tightening of the spring.

Abstract: A wheel balancing apparatus for balancing an out-of-balance wheel that is mounted on a rotatable shaft includes force transducers positioned in a horizontal plane against resiliently supported bearings for the shaft to thereby detect horizontal components of the imbalance forces created by the out-of-balance wheel. Photosensitive switches associated with the shaft produce phase-displaced analog signals, which signals are supplied to a pulse producing circuit for generating a train of count pulses on one of two output lines depending upon the direction of rotation of the shaft. A counter, which has a capacity exactly equal to the number of pulses generated by the pulse producing circuit per revolution of the shaft, is set when the horizontal component of the imbalance force for a particular correction plane associated with the counter equals zero.

Abstract: A foldable two-piece boom is provided with an outer boom wing pivoted about an upright axis and being slidable relative to an inner boom arm which is pivoted to a frame member for both horizontal and vertical motion. A spring and cables in a mounting mechanism are arranged to permit the outer wing to pivot either forwardly or rearwardly when contacted by an abutment and thereafter gently returned to a neutral position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inner boom arm at a controlled rate which minimizes impact forces. The spring and cables are also arranged to permit pivotal movement of the boom in a vertical plane while maintaining the inner and outer sections in vertical planar alignment. In response to the horizontal swinging of the boom through 90.degree. from its extended to its folded transport position, the spring and cables cause the outer wing to fold in the opposite direction of the arm to firmly clamp against the inner arm.

Abstract: A street sweeper with an air recirculation type pickup hood includes a vehicle mounted hopper, a blower and a debris pickup hood extending transversely across a swept surface. The blower withdraws air from the hopper and delivers it to one end of the hood and an air stream and entrained debris leave the other end of the hood through an air return line connected to the hopper. Relatively narrow surface engaging sealing flaps extend along the front and rear sides of the hood. At one end of the hood an air lock is provided having a pair of sequentially operating air lock doors for admitting large articles of debris such as cans or bottles that are windrowed to the entrance of the air lock by an angled deflector.

Abstract: A vibration damper for inhibiting harmonic vibrations in a brake rotor during resurfacing operations is made by forming an elastic tube or band into a closed loop with tubular iron weights strung thereon before the loop is joined. The elastic tube is first stretched lengthwise to make its lateral dimensions small enough to thread through the tubular weights, and the tube is then relaxed and its ends are interconnected. The elasticity of the thus formed damper holds the tubular iron weights in preselected position on the tube and also allows it to be stretched over the edge of brake rotors which vary considerably in size. The resilient tube of the damper resiliently engages the outer periphery of the rotor to retain the weights in place on the periphery of the rotor as the weights damp the vibrations which occur while the spinning rotor is having its radial braking surfaces machined.

Abstract: A railroad car dumper, suitable for dumping cars of a unit train, is disclosed. The dumper has a frame and a carriage, with tracks on the carriage to receive a car from adjacent tracks. The frame has a sidewall to support a car on the tracks during dumping with the car couplers on the axis of rotation of the dumper. The dumper frame is shiftable laterally, while the carriage remains fixed to maintain alignment of the carriage tracks with the adjacent tracks. Lateral shifting of the dumper frame while the carriage and tracks remain fixed permits a locomotive, larger than the cars to be dumped, to pass through the shifted frame.

Abstract: A plurality of troughing rolls, that are suspended in a chain-like manner between opposite side frame members of a conveyor, support a conveyor belt so that the transverse cross-section of the belt defines a trough. The troughing rolls that are located adjacent each side of the conveyor belt are axially inclined in opposite directions. At least one arm is pivotally mounted on the frame and attached to the adjacent end of an inclined troughing roll. A locking pin is provided for retaining the arm in a first position where the troughing rolls support the conveyor belt. The locking pin can be readily moved to release the arm for pivoting to a second position where the troughing rolls are clear of the belt. The arm is mounted to pivot in a plane that is generally parallel to the adjacent inclined side edge of the belt. This plane is substantially the same plane in which extends the line of force that is applied to the arm by the troughing rolls in a belt supporting position.

Abstract: This caliper disc brake is normally held in its engaged position by springs and is released by a solenoid which acts through a lever assembly to activate the plunger of a hydraulic master cylinder unit which directs a measured volume of hydraulic fluid into a brake cylinder during each stroke to release the brake and provide a predetermined brake clearance. Brake wear results in a gradually diminishing volume of fluid within the brake cylinder with the excess fluid displaced therefrom flowing into a reservoir of the master cylinder prior to directing the measured volume of hydraulic fluid into the brake cylinder during the next brake releasing stroke. The cross sectional area of the master cylinder plunger and the brake piston are designed to provide a substantial mechanical advantage, and the lever assembly is fulcrum to provide an additional mechanical advantage thus requiring a much smaller than average power means for releasing the brake.

Abstract: A static vehicle wheel balancer has a base which is supported on the floor and which mounts a vertical post. A wheel balance head is provided for receiving and centering a tire and wheel assembly to be balanced and has a level for indicating unbalance. A universal pivot between the balance head and the post is provided wherein the pivot point of the balance head is maintained coincident with the post axis, even when the post axis is inclined from the vertical. In one embodiment, the pivot assembly is formed by an upwardly facing spherical anvil surface that supports three equal diameter balls. The balancing head mounts a single pivot ball that is supported by the three support balls. Resilient means are provided for cushioning the pivot ball. In another embodiment of the invention, the universal pivot action is obtained by the use of a Hooke universal joint. Another embodiment embodies a universal joint of the Hooke type wherein the spider arms are made in the form of flexible blades.