Abstract: A plurality of blocks are removably held between a pair of elongated straight frame members, the majority of the blocks carrying a spirit vial therein. The frame members are held together by either a plurality of springs connected there between or by interconnection with the blocks. The arrangement of the blocks and the number thereof may be easily changed and selected at will. A pair of corner blocks may also be carried by said frame members adjacent the ends thereof.

Abstract: A taphole for a melting furnace includes a cylindrically shaped copper shell having a central opening through which molten material from a furnace passes and includes a reduced inner diameter portion defining an orifice. A plurality of narrow holes are formed in the shell wall adjacent the orifice but isolated therefrom and are interconnected to form a plurality of highly restrictive flow passages. Coaxially arranged about the copper shell is a coolant guide having a surface which is closely spaced from the copper thereby defining another highly restrictive flow passage which is also in communication with the plurality of passages around the orifice. A liquid coolant is supplied to the passages where the velocity of the same is made to accelerate to an ultrahigh velocity of at least 10 feet per second across nonworking surfaces of the copper shell forming parts of said passages to thereby sweep away steam generated upon the surfaces.

Abstract: A stackable flexible bulk container includes a bag portion of woven polypropylene and is comprised of a bottom wall, a top wall and an encircling side wall. At least two lifting strap loops are provided so that the container can be lifted by the tongs of a forklift truck. To enable the tongs to enter the loops without manual assistance, relatively rigid devices are associated with the ends of the loops to hold them upright and opened. The loops are also held outwardly away from the center of the bag so that similar containers can be stacked without interfering with the loops of the container below.

Abstract: A winch has a drum arranged on a rotatable shaft, a rope member connected with the drum and connectable with a load, a speed-changing transmission, a drive element arranged to drive at least one member of the transmission, and a clutch arranged to connect the shaft with the transmission to provide rotation of the drum with one speed and disconnect the shaft from the transmission to provide rotation of the drum with a different speed.

Abstract: A substantially rectangularly shaped metal housing includes a top wall, a rear wall, a pair of side walls and a bottom wall. The front edges of the side walls carry a pair of opposed, vertically extending channel members which are adapted to accommodate the side edges of a substantially rectangularly shaped front cover. A lock is mounted at the upper central portion of the cover which locks into a cooperating element on the inside top wall. The lock also interferes with the bottom wall when the cover is slid downwardly to allow the cover to be suspended by the housing. One of the upper corners of the cover is cut off so that the cover can be rotated and removed when in the suspended position. A strand bar extends between and is supported by a pair of opposed tapered indentations in the interior side walls.

Abstract: An insulating system for walls of furnaces, kilns and the like including apparatus and methods for retaining the system in place. The system includes a crisscross pattern of insulation blankets positioned against the wall, a vapor barrier and high temperature modular insulation blocks positioned against the vapor barrier. The apparatus and methods for retaining the system in place utilize studs welded to the wall upon which the insulation blanket and vapor barrier are impaled and between which are positioned the modular blocks. A block retaining pin with a notched portion midway thereof cooperates with an aperture in the end of the stud permitting the pin to pass through the aperture of the stud piercing the wall of block to retain the block while the pin is rotated to provide an interlock of the notched portion of the pin with the aperture of the stud.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle for carrying cargo. The vehicle includes a truck in the form of a tractor having a cab mounted on a chassis and supported on small diameter wheels. A first body is releasably, but stationarily, secured to the chassis by an elevatable fifth wheel assembly. A trailer, which is mounted on identical diameter wheels, is connected to the truck body, via a tow bar-pintle hook connection. The connection is located approximately 8 feet (2.44 m) forward of the end of the truck body. The trailer is separated from the truck body by approximately 1 foot (30.5 cm) so that it is enabled to pivot with respect to the truck through a long swing angle to enable the vehicle to safely negotiate corners and curves. The fifth wheel assembly is elevatable to enable the tractor, when the body is removed therefrom, to be used with conventional trailers.

Abstract: An advertising sign arrangement for a vehicle having emergency rear doors includes a rectangular sign on each side of the vehicle mounted adjacent the top and rear end thereof. The signs on the side extend slightly rearwardly of the vehicle. A rectangular rear sign extends between the other two signs and has its upper side edges pivoted to the other signs. When the rear door is opened, it engages the rear sign and pivots it rearwardly and upwardly so that it does not interfere with the operation of the door. An elastic member extending from the back of the rear sign is engaged by the doors when they are closed to hold the sign in its downward position.

Abstract: A fiberizing spinner for converting a stream of molten material into a plurality of fibers includes a substantially cylindrically shaped copper shell. A complementary shaped coolant guide is disposed within the shell and is closely spaced from the inner surface thereof so as to define a highly restrictive narrow flow passage. A liquid coolant is supplied to the passage where the velocity of the same is made to accelerate to an ultrahigh velocity of at least 10 feet per second across the inner surface of the shell to thereby sweep away steam generated upon the surface.

Abstract: Improvements to stud welding equipment having automatic stud feeding apparatus. The stud receiving chamber and receiving chamber entrance are positioned for top loading of the studs being fed through a stud loading tube. The stud loading tube and attached stud feed tube are detachably connected to the stud welding gun by a stud block and disconnect assembly which includes a transversely movable slider which provides the dual function of providing the detachable interlock with the stud welding gun and blockage of the stud loading tube when the assembly is detached.

Abstract: Stick and stud welding apparatus which utilizes a microprocessor and related RAMs, ROMs and peripheral interface devices to control the welding parameters. The ideal desired weld current and weld cycles in the case of stud welding can be selected depending upon the mode of operation and/or stud conditions. The program for the microprocessor instructs the microprocessor to periodically compare the actual welding current to the ideal current, compute the difference and alter the phase firing time of an SCR bridge to compensate or adjust the welding current to the ideal current. In the case of stud welding mode, the program further instructs the microprocessor to reference the selected number of cycles, compute the total energy delivered across the stud and workpiece gap from actual current, welding terminal voltage and time and enlarge the number of actual weld cycles to a given percentage of that initially selected to provide a total energy input to the stud as selected.

Abstract: Lifting tongs for a crane include a pair of tong arms pivoted together adjacent their centers. A tension spring biases the tongs into a closed position and a hydraulic cylinder moves the tongs opened and closed. A substantially V-shaped jaw is mounted on the lower end of each tong arm and is pivotally adjustable to accommodate various size workpieces. An alternative pair of jaws for lifting cylindrical members such as logs is also provided.

Abstract: A trough for delivering molten material flowing from a furnace includes an elongated copper member along which the material flows. A coolant guide is located beneath the copper member and is closely spaced therefrom so as to define a highly restrictive narrow coolant flow passage. A liquid coolant is supplied to the passage where the velocity of the same is made to accelerate to an ultrahigh velocity of at least 10 feet per second across the undersurface of the copper member to thereby sweep away steam generated upon the surface.

Abstract: A water ski fin is carried by a housing mounted to the upper surface of the rear end of a ski with the fin extending downwardly through an elongated slot in the ski. The fin carries a transversely extending wing thereon and the combination is capable of being pivoted relative to the housing and ski to thereby change the angle of the wing. Movement is accomplished by a handle on one side of the housing which rotates a cam element which, in turn, engages an opening in the fin adjacent the top thereof. A locking device maintains the wing and fin in the desired position by preventing further movement of the cam element.

Abstract: A baseball game includes a horizontal platform with a simulated baseball field on the top surface thereof. A baseball is carried at the top end of a rod, the bottom end of which is spring mounted to the board adjacent home plate. The ball and rod are held downwardly against the spring force and in line with the pitcher's mound by an electromagnet and are pitched when a pitcher releases a switch for the electromagnet. The pitcher may also control whether the pitch will be directly across the plate, inside or outside. The batter hits the pitched ball forcing the ball and rod downwardly and the angular position at which it hits the platform will be sensed by one of a plurality of switches. A visual indicator connected to the switches will indicate the position at which the ball struck. The various positions will be assigned various results such as "out," "base hit," "home run," etc. which will also be indicated.

Abstract: A subarachnoid bolt for use in measuring intracranial pressure includes a lower bolt half and an upper bold half which can be screwed into the lower bolt half. A tubular member extends downwardly from the lower bolt half and is adapted to be inserted into a hole formed in a patient's skull. The bolt is securely held in place when the free end of a tubular element carried by the upper bolt half enters the tubular member and cams the lowermost end thereof radially outwardly when the two bolt halves are screwed together.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for simultaneously welding by the stud end welding technique a stud having two or more ends. The stud includes at least one elongated relatively thin metallic projection from each end of the stud to be welded. The method and apparatus maintains a current density in a given projection sufficient to disintegrate the projection with consequent arc initiation. The resultant arcs melt all stud ends and plate. The molten ends are lowered into the pools at a controlled rate at which time the current is extinguished and the material solidifies.