Abstract: A method for compacting molding sand in a molding box in which a model is present, which model is embedded in molding sand. The molding box is vibrated by means of imbalance weights, which are each to be rotated about an axis of rotation during operation. At least four imbalance weights being rotatable about parallel axes of rotation are used, which can be shifted in phase relative to each other.

Abstract: An offset conveyor system utilizes a lower conveying section positioned adjacent a pouring station where molten metal is poured into weighted and jacketed sand molds. Molds are transported on carriers along the lower section from a mold loading station to a weight and jacket placement station to the pouring station. After pouring, the carrier with jacketed mold is moved up an incline to an upper conveying section parallel the lower section and may overlap the lower section partially. Molds are transported in an opposite linear direction relative to the lower section to a weight and jacket removal station and to a mold dump station, where the sand mold and casting are removed from the conveyor. The carrier is returned to the lower conveyor section to receive another mold. The weight and jacket removed from the upper section is placed on a mold on the lower section, therefore only a minimum number of weights and jackets are used.

Abstract: A rigid cage cotton gin includes a feeder that delivers seed cotton locks to be ginned. A doffing cylinder at the discharge of the feeder casts seed cotton locks into a bonnet housing, with air inlet vents in the bonnet housing deflecting the seed cotton locks onto a revolving rigid cage having a series of sifting bars that are fixedly mounted thereto. The sifting bars are spaced-apart to define a series of slots. The rigid cage is rotated for seed cotton locks to be drawn to the slots between the sifting bars, and the fibers will be drawn through the slots by air currents flowing through the slots. A fiber-engaging cylinder is mounted within the rigid cage, with the outer surface of the fiber-engaging cylinder abutting the interior surfaces of the sifting bars. The sifting bars are contoured to restrain the cotton seed from moving closer than a predetermined distance from the surface of the fiber-engaging cylinder to control the minimum fiber length removed.

Abstract: A locking assembly to secure an all-terrain vehicle on a platform includes a securing member attached to the all-terrain vehicle and a receiving member attached to the platform. The receiving member includes a base support member that is mounted to the platform and a post member that is perpendicularly attached to the base support member. The locking assembly additionally includes a locking clevis that is attached to the post member that is designed to couple with the securing member. The securing member includes a base plate that is attached to the front end of the frame of the all terrain vehicle, while a locking cantilever bar extends from the base plate. In operation, the locking cantilever bar is positioned proximate the arms of the locking clevis, and the securing member can thereby be coupled with the receiving member to secure the position of the all-terrain vehicle on the platform.

Abstract: A predictive industrial control system for controlling individual cells of machines through multiple Programmable Logic Controllers in an investment casting processing and handling operation. An application server located in a remote, non-industrial environment executes an industrial control application (ICA) utilizing tagged reference names corresponding to individual machines and information input devices such as sensors on the production line. The ICA accesses local databases that hold casting shell part numbers and their associated recipe control words, and monitors the system for new shell part numbers as they appear on a load conveyor in the production line. Radio Frequency tags on the part signal the ICA to transfer the appropriate recipe control words and robot moves required to process the part in a primary processing cell's PLC. The PLC then controls each machine in the primary processing cell in accordance with the downloaded commands from the ICA.

Abstract: A garment portion processing assembly receives uncut material to process the material into a desired shape, such as the shape of a shirt collar, and then organize the formed material into separate stacks. The garment portion processing assembly includes a stack queuing assembly, a garment portion cutting apparatus, and a garment receiving assembly. In operation, the stack queuing assembly prepares the stacks of garment portions to be collected by the garment portion cutting apparatus to be processed. The garment portion cutting apparatus then collects the garment portions and processes the garment portions as desired by the user. The garment portion cutting apparatus includes a folding assembly for precisely folding the garment portion in an even manner, a shaping knife assembly treat is used to trim the garment portion according to the desired pattern, and a width knife assembly that makes sure the garment portion has the proper width.

Abstract: An annular closure ring and bolt assembly for securing a lid or cover in sealed relation with an open-head drum is provided in which an annular split closure ring is closed by tightening a bolt between a pair of laterally spaced lugs attached to opposite ends of the closure ring. Each lug includes a hole to receive the bolt wherein at least one lug hole is unthreaded, and the bolt includes a shoulder or sleeve such that when the bolt is inserted into the unthreaded hole, the shoulder fits substantially flush with that unthreaded hole. The bolt engages either a threaded hole in one of the lugs or a jam nut to draw the lugs together and tighten the closure ring around the drum. The tight engagement between the unthreaded hole of the lug and the shoulder of the bolt thereby reduces movement of the bolt within the unthreaded hole to secure the connection of the ring around the open-head drum.

Abstract: A soil tiller assembly for plowing multiple independent rows of soil includes a frame and attached thereto a coulter, a pair of tiller discs, a pair of secondary coulters, and a tilling assembly including a tiller wheel. The perimeter of the tiller wheel has a plurality of blades attached thereto, and the blades are rotated in the direction opposite each of the other blades described above. The soil tiller assembly is used to build up separate rows of plowed soil, which will prevent overtilling of the soil. Furthermore, the preferred method of operation allows the operator to build multiple rows of soil, delay contact of the soil for several months, and then plant seed in the rows of soil, such that the soil will receive required nutrients during the period of delay while further limiting erosion.

Abstract: A formed element trimming apparatus includes a base member, a nesting member connected to a ram cylinder mounted on one end of the base member, a clamping member connected to a clamping cylinder mounted to a second end of the base member, and a cutting plate attached to the base member between the nesting member and the clamping member. The cutting plate has a cutting aperture to engage any undesired attachments on the periphery of the formed element. The formed element is securely placed in the nesting member, which is designed to integrally receive the formed element. The clamping member, propelled by the clamping cylinder, traverses the cutting aperture to engage the nesting member and secure the position of the formed element between the nesting member and the clamping member.

Abstract: A current-conducting arm for conducting a current from at least one cable supports to an electrode in an electric arc furnace comprising an arm housing having a U-shaped base channel member and a U-shaped top channel member. Both channel members have a first and second wall, with the top channel member being inverted such that the first wall of the top channel member can be joined with the first wall of the base channel member, and the second wall of the top channel member can be joined with the second wall of the base channel member. The arm housing therefore has four annular corners to improve the conduction of current through the arm housing to the electrode. The invention further includes a spring assembly used to provide to aid an electrode holder in clamping the electrode. Moreover, a laser pointer is included for guiding the positioning of the arm housing in the electric arc furnace.

Abstract: A hand held-type apparatus for fracturing a gate or riser from a casting subsequent to a foundry pouring process. The apparatus operates off of a driven piston assembly, which upon a stroke of such causes a hammer end of the piston assembly to extend from the apparatus and contact the casting, thereby causing the fracturing of the gate or riser from the casting. The apparatus also includes an assembly for decelerating the driven piston assembly upon a stroke of such, as well as an apparatus for isolating the linear motion of the apparatus from the operator thereof.

Abstract: An articulated boat top assembly is attached to a conventional boat and operable to be moved between an extended position and a retracted position. The articulated boat top assembly includes a boat top that is secured to the boat via two articulated frame members. The articulated frame members include a series of skeletal components that are pivotally connected to each other. The skeletal components of the articulated boat top assembly include a base member, a pair of middle arms, and a pair of upper arms. The base member includes a pair of legs rigidly attached to the boat deck. The legs of the base member are additionally connected to each other via a stabilizing arm that reinforces the position of the frame members.

Abstract: A stackable transport pallet comprising a planar support member having a substantially cloverleaf shape. The planar support member includes a first and second wide frame member and a first and second narrow frame member that are joined together to form the cloverleaf shape. A pair of lateral bumpers and a pair of longitudinal bumpers are additionally connected to the planar support member, such that the lateral and longitudinal bumpers will provide a distance between the planar support member and the ground surface. The stackable transport pallet includes a set of braces that are operable to support a vehicle or other item being stored on the stackable transport pallet. In addition, a set of leg assemblies are also attached to the planar support member to allow the pallet to be stackable. The leg assemblies are pivotable between an extended and a retracted position. In the extended position, cargo may be loaded on the planar support member and stacked accordingly.

Abstract: An apparatus for promoting desired sand distribution into a mold flask in a foundry process, comprising a proximal distribution plate mounted subjacent a hopper, a distal distribution plate slidably mounted subjacent the proximal distribution plate, and a masking plate assembly mounted subjacent to the distal distribution plate. The proximal distribution plate includes a series of primary apertures, while the distal distribution plate includes a series of repeating secondary apertures therethrough, with each series of secondary apertures corresponding to one primary aperture. The masking plate assembly includes a masking plate having a series of masking plate bores traversing therethrough, with each masking plate bore corresponding to each secondary aperture. Each masking plate bore includes a principal diameter extending through the masking plate, with the principal diameter determining the flow rate of sand through the masking plate.

Abstract: A rail heating assembly including a series of individual heating modules is operable to raise and maintain the temperature of rails of a railroad track to reduce bending and deforming of the rails due to variations of atmosphere conditions. The heating module includes a series of burners with attached radiator plates so as to provide convective and radiant energy to heat the rails. The heating module includes an outer shell and a Venturi-shaped inner shell to surround the rail, with a series of burners attached to one end providing a stratified flame to heat the rail. A series of radiator plates mounted to the inner shell are heated by the flame, and the radiator plates radiate thermal energy towards the rail.

Abstract: A sterile immobilizing apparatus for restraining the movement of a patient includes a base platform on which is mounted a series of restraining members with a disposable sterile insert member engaging the restraining members and base platform to provide a sanitary surface for performing the desired procedure. The restraining members include a lower back support, an upper back support, an abdominal stabilizer, a cervical stabilizer, and a knee stabilizer. The lower and upper back supports are rigidly mounted to the base platform, while the abdominal stabilizer, cervical stabilizer and knee stabilizer are each movably positioned on the base platform. Between the lower and upper back supports is a lumbar opening in which the sterile insert member is positioned such that the area surrounding the medical procedure performed on the patient is sterile.

Abstract: A festooner transfers cloth between a dye machine and a transfer box utilizing a driven roller and a laterally mounted idler roller creating a vertical interstice to effect a vertical discharge of the cloth into a laying funnel. The driven roller is grooved to maintain tension on the cloth without creating adherence that would cause the cloth to wrap around the roller. A sensor further detects the presence or absence of driven roller, and reduces the speed of the driven roller when the idler roller is displaced from the driven roller.