Abstract: A modular pack unit is adapted to be replaceably mounted to a support structure having one or more quasi-cylindrical, key-hole-type, slot-defining formations disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support structure. The pack unit includes a substantially solid, elongated, head-forming and pack-reinforcing support element made from a resiliently firm yet flexible material including a generally cylindrical, solid, bulb-like portion having an integrally formed, radially outwardly extending solid fin portion. A first sheet or ply of generally flexible material has a first portion draped or looped tightly over the elongated element so as to conform closely to the contours thereof and a second portion extending outwardly from the support element. The looped portion has a first section closely overlying the bulb-like portion and second and third sections integrally contiguous with the respective opposite ends of the first section tightly overlying corresponding opposite sides of the fin portion.

Abstract: A resiliently mounted conveyor belt cleaner is provided to serve as a mechanical cleaner for an endless conveyor belt. The cleaner includes a plurality of independently operable scraper blade assemblies for removing objectionable foreign materials from the surface of the conveyor belt. Each of the blade assemblies is resiliently mounted on a support which is fixedly positionable transversely of and adjacent to the surface of the belt. Each blade assembly includes an elongated arm having a blade mounted at one end and a resilient support-engaging assembly at its opposite end, each support-engaging assembly being individual to its arm. In a first embodiment, a block of resilient material is used to bias each arm and absorb shock.

Abstract: An improved self-actuating linkage for a flexible band-type brake which eliminates binding or locking of the brake. The linkage includes a pair of pivotally supported L-shaped levers connected to the brake band. The levers cross and are pivotally connected to a cam member. The cam member has a pair of angularly related slots extending outwardly from a line through the axis of the drum and slidably receiving the pivotal connections to the levers. The brake is actuated by tensioning the cam member and the brake is released by movement of the cam member toward the brake drum, whereby the levers are spread within the angularly related slots to assure release of the brake band.

Abstract: A method of charging or recharging one or more agent storage containers which may be located at suitable locations about a high value room or area which is to be protected from fire or explosions. Some of the agent storage containers may be placed in relatively inaccessible locations and one or more can be discharged in response to the detection of combustion to immediately suppress or extinguish the fire or deflagration-type rapid combustion. Each type of container must be properly charged with a relatively precise predetermined mass of fire extinguishing fluid agent, such as bromotrifluoromethane or the like, for effective operation. The method of the present invention eliminates or greatly reduces the time, expense and safety hazards involved in prior charging methods by no longer requiring that the agent storage container be removed from its location and placed on a scale during the charging operation.

Abstract: An improved housing for a condition responsive indicating instrument which includes a one-piece, integrally-formed casing having a generally circular front support plate whose front surface is adapted for mounting a dial face thereon and a cylindrical wall integral with said support plate and extending rearwardly therefrom to form a cavity for housing the internal mechanisms of the instrument. A "blow-out" back cover normally seals the back of the cavity but is responsive to excessive internal pressure to break the seal to relieve the pressure. The back cover overlays a dual function diaphram which both forms the rear seal and compensates for temperature variations. A bracket is coupled, either directly or indirectly, between the rear surface of the support plate and the central portion of the back cover to prevent relative axial motion therebetween.

Abstract: A method of bonding a flexible superstrate, such as a flexible finish sheet, to a contoured substrate, such as a contoured fiberboard, particularly in mass production. The disclosed method includes supporting the contoured substrate in a downwardly facing cavity of a female die. The substrate may be coated with adhesive before receipt in the die cavity. A flexible superstrate is then positioned beneath the die cavity on a flexible sealing sheet. The die is then closed and a vacuum is drawn through the die cavity and contoured substrate to draw the sealing sheet into the die cavity. The flexible superstrate or finish sheet is thus drawn in face-to-face contact with the contoured face of the substrate, bonding the finish sheet to the substrate.

Abstract: An improved dynamic aortic patch is surgically implanted in the thoracic aorta and is systematically inflated and deflated to generate pressure waves in the bloodstream. The pressure waves assist the heart by augmenting the circulation of the blood through the body. The patch includes a flexible inflatable bladder and an independent envelope. The envelope has a reinforced surface for limiting and directing inflation of the bladder inwardly toward the lumen of the aorta.

Abstract: A method of welding together two thermoplastic surfaces to form a strong watertight bond therebetween comprising the steps of serrating the two surfaces while simultaneously melting the serrations formed therein and pressing the two surfaces together, ridge to ridge and valley to valley, to collapse the ridges and cause the molten thermoplastic material to flow into the valleys until a single continuous watertight seam is formed therebetween.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for filtering, including a plurality of separate filter media beds progressively decreasing in granular media size in the direction of filtration flow. One embodiment of the invention includes two separate media beds comprised of two intimately contacting granular layers of different granular size. A second embodiment of the invention includes three separated media beds. In this embodiment the first bed consists of a single media layer and the second and third beds are comprised of two intimately contacting media layers of different granular size. In both embodiments, the filtration flow rate through each successive separate bed is less than that in the immediately preceeding bed.

Abstract: An improved soft-feel handle construction including first and second parts each part including a flexible thermoplastic sheath wrapped around a cushioning member. One of the parts includes a thin, flat elongated conductive member positioned between the thermoplastic sheath and the cushion. The first and second handle parts are dielectrically sealed together with each handle part covering the seal so that the seal is formed interiorly of the handle.

Abstract: The frame structure comprises a pair of spaced apart vertical steel columns with a generally horizontally extending steel beam interposed between but spaced slightly from the columns by spacers carried by the columns. The columns and beam each has a generally H-shape cross-section. Moment inducing wedges are interposed in the spaces between the end faces of the beam and the columns. A plurality of fastening elements are provided at each end of the beam for initially rotating the beam on the spacers and for thereafter fixedly securing the beam to the columns, with the wedges when the fastening means are stressed inducing an upward camber into the beam prior to the application of the dead load. With such a construction the inclined face on each of the wedges is at an acute angle with respect to the vertical. By varying the acute angle or the angle in inclination of the inclined face on the wedge, variable end moments can be induced into the beam.

Abstract: The file cabinet securement structure includes a positive combination for eliminating accidents in offices resulting from the careless or negligent opening of file cabinets. This is achieved by arranging a file cabinet or cabinets with respect to a support and providing magnetic securement means therebetween thereby magnetically securing the file cabinet to the support. This is achieved without any mechanical fasteners being employed between the support, magnetic securement means and the file cabinet. The file cabinet has a first position when the drawers are closed with the center of gravity located within the file cabinet. It has a second position when at least one of the drawers is open and where the center of gravity is in a different position resulting in a tipping force producing a first moment about an edge at the bottom of the file cabinet tending to tip over the file cabinet.

Abstract: The process for the continuous hardening of tubes comprises helically advancing a plurality of tubes arranged end to end in a horizontal direction and externally heating said tubes. A further step includes simultaneously or successively heating internally the said tubes and subsequently cooling said tubes both externally and internally. A further step includes temporarily accelerating the feeding of said tubes to divide the substantially continuous line of tubes into individual tubes. An additional step before externally and internally heating the tubes includes preheating said tubes to a temperature in the range of 500.degree. to 600.degree. C. Apparatus for the continuous hardening of tubes includes a roller table for the longitudinal helical transport of the tubes arranged end to end. An external heat source is provided for heating the tubes and an external spraying ring is arranged axially in advance of the heat source for the external cooling of the tubes.

Abstract: A machine for blow molding articles, particularly bottles wherein a central, horizontal shaft carries a plurality of radial arms positionable at an equivalent number of work stations arranged in a common vertical plane. The work stations are grouped around the central shaft and are at varying distances from the shaft, and the arms are extensible to reach the stations furthest spaced from the shaft. Fixed actuating means are located adjacent the remote stations and the extensible arms are coupled to the actuating means located at these remote stations. In this way, the extensible actuating means is provided only where needed, the mass and complexity of the rotary arms is reduced and a simple, efficient structure is obtained. The method of the present invention includes the rotation of the shaft in stepwise fashion to align the arms in succession with the work stations and coupling the arm to the fixed actuating means for extension and retraction of the arms at the remote work stations.

Abstract: A system for transporting and storing long extrusions including a rack upon which a bundle of extrusions is stacked and a pick-up unit which engages the rack so that the stacked bundle of extrusions may be lifted. The rack includes a pair of spaced apart U-shaped frames each having a base and upwardly extending legs for receiving a stacked bundle of elongated extrusions. Each leg is formed of an outwardly opening channel whose base is provided with a vertically elongated slot near its upper end and with pins arranged within and extending transversely of the channel, one at the lower end of the slot and one at the upper end of the slot. Strapping is engaged around the lower pins and extended through the slots to span the space between the pair of legs of the frame to engage the upper portion of the bundle for securing the bundle within the frame. The upper ends of the legs of one frame telescopically fit into the base of a frame located above it for forming stacks of racked bundles.

Abstract: A torsional damper for reducing the vibrations produced when a shaft is driven by the intermittent application of a discontinuous force thereto, e.g. the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, comprising an integrally formed disk-like mass having three concentric zones, namely, an inner central zone, an outer annular zone, and an intermediate spring zone therebetween. The spring zone includes narrow, elongated, spirally-arranged, overlapping slots extending axially through the disk and radially between the inner and outer zones to provide spirally-arranged overlapping web portions which act as torsional springs or shock absorbers due to an inherent resiliency. The spirally slotted damper is formed as an integral unit by casting it from a metal such as cast iron with the spiraled slots having a predetermined size and shape to provide the desired damping effect.

Abstract: A dual purpose protective nose shield for race horses which includes a pair of generally cup-shaped reverse air scoops positioned over the horse's nostrils. Each scoop has a rearwardly flared deflection shield which prevents cold frigid air and/or mud or other foreign debris from the track from impinging directly upon the nostrils. The rearwardly facing breathing port of the scoop channels inhaled and exhaled air into an air space which is formed by the scoop about the nostril. The incoming cold air is warmed as it contacts the outgoing exhaled air and by the body heat generated by the portion of the horse's face over which it is channeled so as to prevent damage to the nostrils and impaired or shallow breathing often caused by the direct inhalation of cold frigid air.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for blow molding plastic articles, particularly containers. The method involves shuttling a pre-form blow mold between a parison forming location and a pre-form blowing location, and the transfer of a blown pre-form to a fixed final blow mold. The movement of the pre-form blow mold, both in its shuttling movement and in its open and closing movement, is utilized to transfer the blown pre-form. A clamp arm is secured to each pre-form mold section for engaging the pre-form at the pre-form blowing location and for transferring the pre-form to the final blow mold as the pre-form blow mold moves.In the use of the method and apparatus for the forming of containers, the clamp arms form the finish-defining portions of the final blow mold. When the pre-form blow mold is at its blowing location, the clamp arms register with the mold cavity of the fixed final blow mold to define the complete final article mold.

Abstract: An improved sweeper assembly having a pair of oppositely rotatable brushes supported in spaced parallel relation within a housing enclosure. A lower baffle plate is provided forward of the lower brush which defines an expanding throat for the housing. Particulate material is swept by the lower brush, through the throat opening and then propelled by the upper brush out of the housing into a collection hopper. The lower baffle also includes a downwardly facing arcuate lower end, which is spaced below the rotational axis of the lower brush and which serves as a drag plate, limiting the material swept by the lower brush. The brushes are driven by rotation of the ground supporting wheels at predetermined speeds to improve the collection capacity of the sweeper assembly.

Abstract: For use in wall constructions, novel studs are here shown, characterized by their having two sides or flanges of different resiliency when formed and mounted.They may be of different resiliency when initially formed; or they may be of similar resiliency when initially formed, but become of different resiliency when mounted.