Abstract: A technique for fastening together logs and a fastener therefor is directed to a self-drilling/tapping fastener which allows the fastener to be driven through the log to be secured without pre-drilling a bore. Counter-bore fins on the fastener head also form a counter-bore for the head. A lubricious coating applied to a portion of the shank accommodates settling of the logs and facilitates installation.

Abstract: A lifeline safety system is employed for anchoring a retractable lifeline system to a pre-cast deck panel to provide fall protection for workers. The lifeline anchor assembly employs a pair of clamp bars which are adapted and positionable for engaging opposing lifting notches of the pre-cast panel. The retractable lifeline is received in mounting shoes which are mounted to the top of a frame which extends across the top of the panel.

Abstract: A dump truck having an endless-conveyor structurally integrated into the bottom of the dump body, a conveyor hood opening in the tailgate of the dump body in longitudinal alignment with the conveyor and a conveyor hood mounted within the conveyor hood opening for being shifted between a forward extended position thereof covering the rear end of the conveyor and a rearward retracted position thereof generally flush with the inner face of the tailgate to facilitate use of the truck for open truck hauling with the tailgate in a flat open position extending rearwardly from the bottom of the dump body.

Abstract: An acoustic horn assembly for use as part of an electronic siren system for an emergency vehicle comprises a pair of integrated molded, rigid plastic members which cooperate to define a pair of divergent sound passages. The entrance ends of these sound passages are displaced do that they may be coupled to separate sound generators, the sound generators being supported from respective vehicle frame side rails. The sound generators are coupled to the sound passage entrance ends by adjustable length sound transmission conduits which are in the form of elbows.

Abstract: Web-shaped packaging material, which is to be cut into strips for integration into a package, is fed through a web-changing device which has knives and two conveying sections, the conveying sections converging upstream of the strip-cutting station. In order to be able to perform a web change-over, the web-changing device comprises a fixed knife arranged between the two conveying sections and movable knives which cooperate with the fixed knife for severing the respective webs of packaging material to produce leading and trailing edges which correspond to the shape of the front and rear edge of the strips. A deflecting device for the severed front end of a new web of packaging material is provided in each conveying section.

Abstract: The pliers in overall structure resemble conventional orthodontic pliers, but have specialized jaw members adapted to effectuate necessary gingivally directed bends in the distal ends of the arch wire. With reference to an imaginary plane along which the jaw members open and close, a first jaw member projects transversely from this plane and has a free end provided with an angulated, profile facing the longitudinal axis of the pliers. A second jaw member projects transversely to the plane, and has a free end provided with a concave, preferably angulated profile adapted to mate intimately with the convex profile when the jaws are in the closed position. Each of the profiles includes an inner surface closer to the pivot joint of the pliers, oriented perpendicularly to the plane and parallel to the pliers longitudinal axis, and an outer surface farther from the pivot, oriented perpendicularly to the plane and angled obliquely to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A heat storage apparatus is disclosed providing a vertical tube bundle arrangement in a vessel containing a heat storage medium. The tube bundle is divided into modular sector-shaped units each having a radial distribution manifold at the bottom and top with each radial distribution manifold having a plurality of perpendicular secondary manifolds to which the heat exchange tubes are attached. The modular units are supported on radial beams which support the units by the secondary manifolds. Alternate means may be used to feed the fluid through the tubes.

Abstract: A block of printed information, for example an address, is located on a moving page and data commensurate with the block only is transferred to downstream processing apparatus such as an optical character reader. The location of the block of information is accomplished by generating a real time binary profile of a data stream produced during scanning of the page and comparing the binary profile with a plurality of prerecorded profiles commensurate with the type of information to be located.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the mechanical refining of high consistency lignocellulosic feed material in a frustroconical refining zone, by facilitating the backflow of steam generated in the refining zone through the upstream feed zone which, despite the backflow of steam, imparts outward force on the feed material sufficient for the material to enter the refining zone and pass therethrough, without blockage or flow interruption. This is accomplished by providing, immediately upstream of the frustroconical refining zone (46), a hybrid feed/grinding zone (104), which acts on the wood chips with relatively high refining intensity at low refining power, so as to reduce the size of the material and outwardly convey the material by centrifugal force into the frustroconical refining zone against the backflowing steam, but without generating steam in the hybrid zone.

Abstract: An improved pattern of bars and grooves on the plates of a rotating disc refiner, whereby the inherent restriction in the transfer of material into the grooves of the refining zone is reduced relative to conventional designs. The invention can be implemented at one or both of the transition from an innermost, feed zone to an intermediate, refining zone, or the transition from an intermediate, refining zone to an outer, refining zone. The invention can be generally understood as providing an asymmetric or jagged transition line from one zone to another. The asymmetry can be seen in a plate segment, relative to the segment central axis, or it may be seen as a saw tooth shape with respect to laterally adjacent regions of the same zone. Preferably, a line connecting the inlets on laterally successive regions of a particular zone, defines a substantially continuous saw tooth shape or a succession of jagged, "Z" shapes.

Abstract: The method includes the steps of assembling one or more blanks (1) in supporting means (2, 3) so that the or each blank occupies at least the space to be occupied by elongate electrodes and, without disturbing the position of the blanks relative to said supporting means, removing material from all said blanks to generate said electrodes in position in said supporting means. Preferably the material is removed by an electrode-discharge machining (EDM) process, e.g. diesinking. The method avoids time-consuming alignment of preformed electrodes in said supporting means.

Abstract: A novel adhesive web or sheet having a carrier backing and an adhesive layer which can be cut with intricate graphic patterns and peeled to leave a reverse image of the desired graphic, as an adhesive on the carrier backing. The adhesive pattern is then transferred to the display or framing substrate, by the application of relatively low heat and pressure. After transfer, the adhesive pattern is right-reading, and serves as the bonding foundation for the ultimate graphic. A graphic sheet having a decorative upper surface, is placed with its lower surface on the adhesive pattern. Relatively low levels of heat and pressure are applied through the top, or decorative surface, thereby attaching the lower surface of the graphic sheet to the adhesive pattern, but not to the remainder of the framing substrate. After cooling, the graphic sheet is peeled away, leaving behind only that portion which bonded to the adhesive pattern.

Abstract: Endoprosthesis having two prosthesis parts which are connected by mutually overlapping lugs. The safety of the connection is increased due to the fact that the ends (5) of the lug clamp (3) are received in a positive-locking manner by pocket clamps (9) on the respective other prosthesis part. The engagement position of the lugs (3) is secured by screws (7). The contact surface (6) with which the lugs (3) face one another, runs at an inclination to the longitudinal axis of the connection region (2) of the prosthesis, which, on the one hand, allows the thickening of the lugs (3) near to their transition into the associated prosthesis part and a good power transition and, on the other hand, permits a clearance-free engagement of the ends (5) of the overlapping parts (3) with the pocket clamps (9) in the engagement position.

Abstract: A shut-off valve includes a housing defining a flow channel and a bore for receiving a rotary actuator, a valve member, and first and second seal rings. The first seal ring cooperates with the valve member to close and seal the flow channel. The second seal ring cooperates with the valve member to seal the actuator bore. The seal rings are composed of radially extending metal lamellae interposed between soft material lamellae. The soft material lamellae are composed of lubricating material having a non-homogeneous structure which have the capacity to form radial freely extending sliding layers. The metal lamellae have, at least in the region around the inside surface of the seal rings, axial deformations. Such axial deformations provide positive mechanical connection to the adjoining soft material lamellae, restricting the soft material sliding layers to at most one third of the lamellae thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus for splitting a stream of material into two or more streams. The apparatus includes a cylindrical housing with an axial inlet and two or more radial outlets which are axially spaced from each other. The apparatus includes an impeller which has a central shaft with a plurality of blades extending radially therefrom defining two or more sets of material receiving chambers. Each set of material receiving chambers has guide means directing any material which enters the chambers in that particular set outward through a specific outlet. Due to the rapid rotation of the impeller, each set of material receiving chambers receives material from the inlet at a predetermined ratio of flow rates relative, and guides that material outward through a particular outlet. The device is particularly useful for splitting a stream of particulate material into two separate streams having equal flow rates, even if the flow rate at the inlet to the stream splitter is inconsistent.

Abstract: Device for connecting bone fragments by a bone plate (1), which is to be connected to the bone fragments using screws (5). A screw (5) or group of screws is connected to a coupling part (6) at a fixed angle, which coupling part surrounds the bone plate (1) transversely, on the one hand forming with the underside (3) of the plate a swivel bearing and on the other hand having a cover plate (10), which contains at least three fixing screws (16) arranged laterally offset with respect to the swivel bearing. By adjusting these fixing screws, the coupling part with the associated screws can be angularly adjusted with respect to the bone plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for directly imaging fluorophores in tissue or fluid. The apparatus includes a fluorescence exciter light source for generating fluorescence exciter light, a collimater for collimating and directing the light onto the material, and a filter between the material and a camera or the examiner's eye for passing selected wavelengths of light to the camera or to the examiner's eye. The apparatus is useful for detecting leakage in vascular eye tissue, particularly leakage from iris capillaries into surrounding tissues or into the anterior chamber of the eye.