Abstract: Electronic parts that have axially extending leads are separated from a first strip on which they are supplied for being rearranged and retaped to provide a second strip for supply to an automatic assembly machine. The parts are separated from the first strip by cutting the strip transverse to the strip at locations between adjacent parts. The tape chips remaining on the separated parts are removed by engaging them with movable jigs, located on opposite sides of a body portion of the part, and by moving the jigs along the leads away from the body portion. The jigs are mounted on a rotating rotor and engage grooves in a stationary cam. The jigs move toward and away from each other by the engagement with the grooves as the jigs are moved around the stationary cam. After the parts are separated and the tape chips removed, the parts are transferred to a retaping machine to be attached to the second strip.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable wrap-around sleeve comprises a heat shrinkable sheet with a heat stable strip welded on one end. The free end of the heat stable strip is overlapped on the outer side of the opposite end of the sheet and welded thereto by heating applied directly on the outer side. This allows the material of the strip to differ in its properties from the material of the sheet, so that the nature of welded closure can be tailored to particular applications. It also allows manufacture of sleeves having hold-down adhesives applied on them to be conducted with greater ease and economy. The sleeve can be manufactured using continuous welding, for example by heated wedge welding.

Abstract: A mechanical baseball game comprising a playing board with a representation of a baseball field thereon, a movable bat which is capable of hitting from both sides of home plate, a ball, a pitching mechanism, a batting mechanism, and a plurality of batters, pitchers, and outfielders, all of which are modeled after particular real life players and are capable of simulating certain playing characteristics of these players.

Abstract: An improved fishing bobber has an upward facing concave hydrodynamic drag scoop underneath a buoyant body, and structure to slip-fit a fishing line through the bobber to a non-buoyant lure. The lure may be raised and lowered while the bobber is positionally restrained by the drag scoop. A method of fishing with the bobber and scoop, and a method of making the improved bobber are provided.

Abstract: A steam-raising system comprising a boiler, a pump connected by a flow passageway to the boiler to pump water thereto, and flow-control means connected to the flow passageway between the pump and the boiler to control the flow of water from the pump to the boiler. The flow-control means comprise at least two relief means in parallel with one another, but with their points of connection to the flow passageway between the pump and the boiler spaced apart in series with one another. The invention extends to method of operating a steam-raising system such that the system is controlled to keep its condition close to a minimum of the temperature and/or pressure of output from a boiler of the system expressed as a function of the flowrate of water supplied to the boiler.

Abstract: A device for repair of a roadway embankment includes a movable base which is capable of being driven on a two-lane roadway. A platform is mounted on the base and is rotatable with respect to the base about a generally vertical axis. A drilling rig is mounted on one end of the platform for drilling a hole for receiving an elongate reinforcing rail, and a power unit is mounted at an opposite end of the platform for generating power for the drilling rig and for counterbalancing the weight of the drilling rig. The drilling rig includes a drilling bit and a compressor for generating a flow of air to remove the drilling cuttings. The length of the platform is such that the distance between the centerline of the drilling bit and the outer side of the closest supporting wheel allows the base to be located on a undamaged roadway and the drilling bit operated to drill a hole for receiving the reinforcing rail in the damaged portion.

Abstract: A training device for use in conjunction with a golf club, includes a rod-like sighting element that can be removably affixed to a golf club in such a way that it extends over the front and back faces of the head of the club. The portion of the sighting element which extends past the hitting face of the club head is upwardly inclined in the direction in which the ball is to be hit. In one embodiment, the device consists of a plastic rod-like element which is attached to a base via an arm. The base is fitted with a magnet to secure it to the metal head of a putter. The arm holds the rod-like element above the head of the putter at an angle which is upwardly inclined in the direction in which the ball is to be hit.

Abstract: An electrode boiler comprising a container for containing water and electrodes within the container which serve to pass electrical current through such water and which are generally upright when the boiler is in use. Fill and drain valves are connected to the container to enable water to be fed to and drained from the container. An outlet of the container enables steam generated inside the container to pass out therefrom when the boiler is in use. A water level contact member is arranged to cause a signal to occur when the water in the container reaches a predetermined level. The boiler is provided with a store to store the value of an allowed time for water to boil away from the said predetermined level until the water is no longer in contact with the contact member. A timer is connected to time the actual time it takes for such boiling away to occur, and comparator is connected to the store and the timer to effect a comparison between the allowed time and the said actual time.

Abstract: An extrudable material, such as a hot melt adhesive, is applied to a substrate with simultaneous irradiation by a laser beam. The energy of the laser is absorbed by the adhesive and the substrate to cause the adhesive to spread into the fabric. When applied to a gap between two substrate sheets, the extrudable material creates a very strong bond. When one of the substrate materials is porous, the extrudable material will penetrate the thickness of the material and contact a lower layer to form a bond. The extrudable material is applied through a nozzle, and the laser beam is directed through the nozzle to be coaxial with the flow path of the extrudable material. The coaxial arrangement facilitates movement of the nozzle and beam in complicated patterns and ensures simultaneous application of the extrudable material and the laser beam.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful insert for dispersing a liquid additive into a water inlet stream in a conventional shower assembly wherein the assembly includes a water inlet pipe and a shower head assembly, the insert comprising a cylindrical body member having a wall, the member adapted for attaching at one end to the inlet pipe and at an opposite end to the shower head assembly; a baffle within and intermediate the ends of the body, the baffle dividing the body into an inlet and an outlet chamber and having a longitudinal passage therethrough from the first to the second chamber; and first and second passages through the wall, respectively from each of the inlet and outlet chambers.

Abstract: An electromagnetically operated fixed displacement pump is sought, which can cope with diversification of electromagnetically operated fixed displacement pump products, and internationalization of their destination, readily permits cost reduction by mass production and permits efficient supply and control of products. A terminal portion electrically connected to the electromagnetic coil projects from the top of the pump body. A control unit with a control section for controlling the stroke number is removably mounted on the terminal unit. The pump body is supplied with current from lead pins of a power source connector provided on the control unit through the terminal portion. The control unit is prepared according to the specifications of various pump products. Various control units thus can be replaceably mounted on the terminal portion with the pump body as a common component. It is thus possible to provide pump products meeting various specifications.

Abstract: A releasable clamp for the interior of an elongated tube, for use in telescopic tube arrangements and the like. The clamp comprises an outwardly expandable split ring having open ends and sides of cylindrical configuration, the sides of the split ring expanding outwardly to frictionally engage the interior surfaces of the tube when in expanded position, the split ring slidably movable longitudinally within the tube when the sides of the split ring are in unexpanded position. Wedges are provided, co-operating with the open ends of the split ring to bear against the ends of the split ring to force the sides of the split ring outwardly to expand it, tube engaging position. This releasable clamp may be used, for example, in an adjustable length handle for an appliance such as a floor polisher.

Abstract: An electric heater includes an electric heating coil that extends above the sidewalls of an air flow channel. The coil is formed in sections that extend transversely to the channel and are spaced by the width of a coil section to allow two heaters to be arranged face to face for shipping. This arrangement is very efficient because one of the heaters provides protection to the coil of the other of the heaters to reduce packaging costs.

Abstract: A safety device for a rifle, or other elongate firearm, includes a first part for removably attaching the stock to the chest of a user and a cord for supporting the butt portion below the user's chest. The firearm can, thus, be supported in a safe, substantially vertical orientation to allow the user's hands to be free. The stock portion is easily released to allow the rifle to be operated with the cord remaining attached and providing additional safety.

Abstract: A stopper device for use in molten-metal auto-pouring apparatus comprising an attachment part constructed to be releasably fixedly attached to a stopper device operator of such apparatus and a stopper support part adjustably connected to the attachment part so as to permit a degree of movement therebetween. Locking means are provided to enable the stopper support part to be retained in a given position relative to the attachment part. As a result, when the device is prepared for use, and the attachment part is fixedly attached to such an operator, the latter operates to move the device downwardly so that a lower end of a stopper mounted on the stopper support part engages the outlet of the apparatus, the said degree of movement enabling that end to be seated properly in the outlet, whereupon the locking means are used to retain the resulting position of the stopper support part relative to the attachment part to ensure that the stopper will be properly seated after subsequently being raised and lowered.

Abstract: An heater includes an electric heating coil that extends above the sidewalls of an air flow channel. The coil is formed in sections that extend transversely to the channel and are spaced by the width of a coil section to allow two heaters to be arranged face to face for shipping. This arrangement is very efficient because one of the heaters provides protection to the coil of the other of the heaters to reduce packaging costs.