Abstract: The invention provides an efficient and economical way for indexing products from a continuously moving chain conveyor to a stationary position for robotic operations and then returning the product to the moving chain conveyor. Indexing is achieved by a moveable shuttle carriage which is propelled along the axis of a main drive shaft through the engagement of a follower, located beneath the shuttle carriage, with a helical recess in the circumference of the shaft. Controlled acceleration, deceleration and positioning are accomplished by varying the rotational speed of a uniform helical drive shaft or by the use of a variable helical drive shaft rotated at constant speed. The shuttle carriage picks up a product carrier by engagement of a drive dog with the carrier to propel the carriage and carrier in unison to an operating station along tracks in parallelism with the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A fastener device for connecting a grid-like fence panel to a fence post comprises a helical rod presenting a plurality of ring elements therein. In the preferred embodiment, a vertical wire strand in the fence panel is placed adjacent the fence post with the helical rod being positioned so that the fence post protrudes through the lowest ring. Upon rotation of the rod, via a handle at the upper end thereof, the spiral rod winds itself about the fence post and wire elements adjacent thereto so as to join the fence to the post. A locking seat in the handle engages the top horizontal wire of the fence panel to hold the fastener device in place and preclude undesirable movement of the same away from its functional position. The fastener may be used to join a fence post to one or more wire panels and to join first and second wire panels to each other without the use of a fence post therewith.

Abstract: A novel molding pattern and method of making the same comprises the use of first and second image negatives sequentially positioned on opposed sides of a light sensitive resinous mass. Ultraviolet light waves are sequentially passed through each negative for user-selectable time periods so as to sensitize the portions of the resinous mass adjacent the image areas of each negative. Upon completion, a pattern is presented having a relatively offset primary image and a secondary background image with the secondary image also being in relief relative to a background area. The pattern is suitable for use in a casting-to-shape process or the like and eliminates the need for providing an engraved pattern with the primary and/or secondary images engraved thereon.

Abstract: Stationary apparatus presenting a combination memo pad holder and pencil sharpener assembly. The apparatus generally comprises a main housing having a compartment for insertion of a note pad therein. Flanges on the sharpener assembly releasably engage tracks on the housing so as to position the assembly in a first position if the apparatus is used on a desk top and a second position if the apparatus is attached to a wall or the like. The offset positions of the sharpener assembly enables a pencil to be inserted therein in a ready-for-use position.

Abstract: A method and performing apparatus for testing the efficacy of the lock-up mechanism for a torque converter on a transmission test machine includes a lock-up switch wired in a manner to simultaneously direct current to the lock-up solenoid of the transmission under test and a digital clock. The current is provided by the associated electrical system of the operating prime mover of the test machine. A simulated axle load on the test machine is braked to preclude rotation of the transmission's output shaft connected thereto. Upon operation of the prime mover, the transmission shifts into high gear and current from the electrical system is directed to the solenoid and clock by closure of the lock-up switch. Upon proper engagement of the lock-up assembly, the direct drive established between the driven and braked output shaft precludes rotation of the drive shaft. This preclusion of rotation shuts down the prime mover and cuts off generation of the current by the associated electrical system.

Abstract: Apparatus for ultrasonic detection of flaws in the rail base of a track rail includes a sliding shoe having a transducer unit and coupling medium reservoir mounted thereon. The transducer, which is part of an ultrasonic testing system, transmits search signals into the rail base and receives associated reflected signals thereof. These signals, being capable of pictorially representing defects in the base of the rail, are monitored by the tester. The preferred embodiments allow for relative movement of the transducer unit and coupling medium reservoir along the base of the rail in order to provide for a succession of transmitted and reflected signals along the longitudinal extent of the rail base so as to test for flaws, defects, etc. in the same.

Abstract: A railroad train moving along an approach to a grade crossing (or other location of interest) is detected by apparatus that is responsive to the change in effective track impedance caused by the moving shunt. A constant current AC signal is applied to the track adjacent the crossing, and the resulting voltage changed in amplitude and phase is picked off by a receiver on the opposite side of the crossing. Voltage and current information derived from these signals is inputted to a microcomputer which calculates the track impedance and determines whether or not a warning device or devices at the crossing should be activated. Such determination is made on a repetitive basis in accordance with a repeating program loop and stored in memory.

Abstract: A shingle mount for affixing first and second shingles along a roof ridge comprises a sheet member bendable about its longitudinal, medial axis to present first and second plates sloping therefrom. The mount is nailed atop the roof ridge so that the medial axis of the sheet defines the ridge line with the plates overlying the adjoining roof surfaces. At the end of each plate is a clamping flange which holds a ridge shingle atop each plate and in a proper position along the roof ridge upon insertion of the butt end of a shingle therein. The underlying plates direct moisture away from the overlying shingles and cooperate with the perforated clamping flanges to inhibit prolonged contact of deteriorating moisture with the ridge shingles so as to prolong shingle life.

Abstract: An attachment for a conventional ladder comprises first and second mounting arms, support arms and leg members arranged to present a cradle for receiving at least one bundle of shingles therein. Subsequent to insertion of the shingles into the cradle, the ladder is rotated about a pivot bar so as to swing the ladder and shingle-laden cradle between ground-adjacent and roof-adjacent positions. Upon reaching the latter position, a roof-adjacent worker removes the shingles from the cradle and the ladder is subsequently swung to a ground-adjacent, shingle loading positioning for subsequent loading of another bundle of shingles thereon. The process is repeated until the desired quantity of shingle bundles are loaded on the roof for subsequent installation thereon.

Abstract: This invention provides students with immediate feedback as to the correctness of their responses by closing switches at two different depths. A holding frame aligns six sheets in layers, one above another. Holes that are punched through some of the six sheets of material are all aligned on the same grid pattern. The top sheet is an instructional sheet that has response areas punched in it at the site of correct and incorrect answers. The second sheet down contains no holes, is elastic and electroconductive, and hides the depth of the underlying holes from the student. The third sheet down is non-conductive and has the entire grid of holes punched in it. The fourth sheet down is electroconductive, and has holes punched in it only at correct answer areas. The fifth sheet down is non-conductive and has holes punched in it only at correct answer areas. The sixth sheet down is non-conductive, but contains electroconductive inserts at all correct answer areas.

Abstract: A substructure for an oil derrick comprising a base frame, a top frame and an intermediate bifurcated support frame consisting of a pair of horizontally extending traveling frames. A linkage network of swingable leg members intercouples the base, traveling and top frames for movement in parallelism between collapsed and elevated conditions of the substructure. In the collapsed mode the frame members are positioned in an adjacent relationship for presenting a low profile to a flatbed truck which allows a portable oil rig to be easily shifted onto the top frame and into alignment with the oil wellhead therebelow. A block and tackle assembly operably engages the traveling frames and is coupled to the derrick hook carried by the traveling block of the oil derrick. Upon operation of the latter the swingably mounted traveling frames move towards each other causing an elevation of the top frame so as to present a working space between the elevated oil derrick and oil wellhead.

Abstract: In an indexing conveyor that employs a helically grooved drive shaft to propel a shuttle carriage that is, in turn, coupled with a product-bearing dolly, the carriage is provided with a drive connection assembly comprising a pair of follower rollers that are received within the drive shaft groove. The rollers are carried by a swivel bar on opposite sides of its axis, which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft. The assembly further includes a spring that biases the swivel bar in one direction so as to maintain the followers in engagement with the leading and trailing surfaces respectively of the shaft within the groove when the shaft is at rest or rotating at constant speed. Under rapid acceleration or deceleration of the drive shaft, pivotal movement in the opposite direction against the action of the spring causes both followers to engage the trailing surface during acceleration and the leading surface during deceleration.

Abstract: A fishing pole holder comprising a main cylindrical support having a plurality of leg members rotatably mounted thereto. Each leg member is separately rotatable about the support to allow the user to selectably incline the legs relative to the support and with the underlying surface in order to elevate the main support in a stabilized position on variously sloped underlying surfaces. A stirrup member for each rod is further rotatable about the support so as to receive a portion of an inclined fishing pole having one end contacting the underlying surface and extending over the support. The leg members are releasably fastened to the support and are stored within its hollow core allowing for easy transport of the holder from site-to-site.

Abstract: A fence protector comprising first and second panel members each having a vertical and horizontal leg therein. The vertical legs are placed on opposed sides of the bottom of a fence line with a strip of insulation material being initially interposed between the fence line and a vertical leg of one of the panels. Upon drawing the panels one towards the other by a bolt/nut combination or clamping device, a channel, filled with the insulation material, is presented with the bottom of the fence line contained therein. The insulation-filled channel precludes the entry of growth-enhancing elements into the channel and growth of vegetation therein.

Abstract: In the on-site manufacture of nipples of relatively short length for joining pipe sections in a conduit system, spacer pins and spacers are selected to achieve a user-determined displacement between an end stop and cutting element of a pipe groover used for cutting external annular grooves along the pipe stock. The use of the spacer pins and spacers allows the grooving tool to be displaced at measured displacements from a selected end of the pipe stock while providing a visual gauge to the user of such displacement.In the fabrication of these nipples, the end stop/yoke is positioned abutting a selected end of the pipe stock thereby positioning the cutting element where a first groove is cut. Upon selection of a combination of spacer pins and/or spacers the end stop is again positioned to abut the selected end of the pipe stock thereby positioning the cutting element where a second groove is cut.

Abstract: This invention provides students with immediate feedback as to the correctness of their responses by closing electrical switches at two different depths. A holding frame aligns six different sheets in layers, one below the other. The top sheet is an instructional sheet that contains printed questions and answers, and response areas near each answer choice. The second and fifth sheets are elastic and electroconductive and are connected to an electric power source. The third and sixth sheets are nonconductive and contain a grid of through holes. The fourth sheet is elastic and nonconductive, but has strips of elastic and electroconductive material bonded to its upper surface. Other electroconductive strips, at a 90.degree. axis with the above strips, are bonded to the bottom surface, the holding frame. Each individual electroconductive strip is linked to a computer via a switch relay.

Abstract: This invention provides immediate feedback to students as to their correct and incorrect responses by the incorporation of: a computer; electronic visual and/or audio feedback means; and a holding frame that contains a printed instructional sheet that is located above two sets of electroconductive strips, where the first set is located at a 90.degree. axis with the second set, and overlies the second set in a different but parallel plane. The centers of the conductive strips form the vertical and horizontal coordinates of a grid pattern. The instructional sheets contain response areas that are located above some of the points of intersection of the coordinates in this grid. Each strip in the two sets of conductive strips is connected to the computer, and the computer is programmed to know which points of intersection are correct response areas and which are incorrect response areas. At least one set of conductive strips is flexible or elastic.

Abstract: A carburetor attachment is designed for replacing a main jet(s) found in the float chamber of a carburetor. The attachment comprises an elongated tubular member with a bore running therethrough and presenting an opening at the lower end thereof. Threads at the lower end of the tubular member fasten the attachment to the threaded socket presented by removal of the normal main jet. In place, the upper end of the attachment extends above the normal level of the fuel found in the float chamber and has a port thereat providing communication between the internal bore and the surrounding ambient air. An inclined port adjacent the lower end of the tubular member provides a conduit between the surrounding fuel and internal bore. Upon actuation of the carburetor the resulting suction presented within the bore draws the surrounding ambient air and fuel through the respective ports for admixture therein.

Abstract: A molecular diffuser assembly is adapted to replace the carburetor of an internal combustion engine and is provided with a venturi-type passageway in communication with the internal combustion engine for drawing an airstream therethrough. A thermistor-type heater/evaporator assembly operates at a selected temperature to evaporate all the volatile constituents of the liquid fuel introduced thereto and provides a substantially complete vapor fuel for delivery to the venturi for diffusion with the airstream passing therethrough. A regulator assembly controls the amount of vapor fuel discharged into the venturi in response to parametric information delivered thereto, such information indicative of the mass flow rate of the airstream flowing through the venturi. The vaporized fuel in the venturi throat represents the fuel molecules at an optimal degree of separation so as to optimally react with the oxydizing airstream.