Abstract: A new reinforced gutter-hanger supporting bar designed to be incorporated with the conventional spike and tube gutter hanger and installed on any eaves-hung metal gutter. The supporting bar creates the novel LOCK-IN preferred embodiment of the invention, which LOCKS-IN the spike. This greatly improves the performance of the spike and tube hanger by permanently correcting the serious fault of these hangers--loosened and often lost spikes--as no other device known to the art does. No changes are made in the existing spike and tube hangers.This new supporting bar is an inexpensive stamping, preferably fabricated from heavy sheet metal. Basically a one-piece metal strip it is shaped into three contiguous, yet different appearing sections.First, a short flat end section of an embodiment of the invention which comprises two transverse, appropriately spaced deep score marks and two 3.degree. bends, coinciding with an superimposed upon the score marks.

Abstract: Molten slag is fed from a receptacle to an atmosphere-controlled carbon-lined electric furnace through a refractory-lined siphon tube without allowing atmospheric gases to enter the furnace. Siphoning is initiated by reducing the atmospheric pressure within the furnace through the use of an auxiliary vacuum tank. Slag from the furnace is spun to form mineral wool insulation.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the precise sample mass and corresponding sample weight, being tolerant of and relatively insensitive to unwanted background environmental forces, while functioning independently of the force of gravity, uses a vibratory method and a feedback means to monitor and to sustain the sample mass in oscillation at the mechanical resonant frequency of the system in which the sample mass is introduced. The sample mass is forced to oscillate continuously by electromagnetic action, whereby the resultant motion is transmitted by springs and a transmission structure to supporting piezoelectric transducers. These transducers generate an output voltage signal representative of the sample pan's motion, that is amplified and returned to an electromagnetic drive coil in order to sustain oscillation and maintain the closed-loop nature of this system. These oscillations are monitored and the associated frequency measurements used in calculating the sample mass.

Abstract: A shellfish dredge includes a pair of longitudinally extending parallel and spaced apart runners having a collecting bag mounted adjacent the rear thereof. The runners support a frame comprising a pair of longitudinally extending spaced apart skids and at least two crossbars connecting the skids together. Secured to each crossbar and extending forwardly and downwardly therefrom at an acute angle are a plurality of tines thereby forming at least two parallel rows of parallel arranged tines. The skids extend downwardly beneath the bottom of the runners and are tapered at their forward ends so that the frame and tines will be cammed upwardly should the skids encounter an obstruction. Springs located between the runners and the skids bias the skids downwardly but allow for limited vertical movement between the runners and the skids.

Abstract: A modular stacking bag includes a substantially rectangularly shaped container having an open top and a cover hinged to the container for closing the open top. Spring clip members are secured to the upper edges of the container end walls and are adapted to be releasably coupled to similar spring clip members at the ends of a strap to thereby form a carrying strap for the bag. Alternatively, the strap can be passed through rings secured to the back of the container and worn as a belt. Each end wall is also provided with a plurality of snap elements which can be used to hold additional spring clip members. The spring clip members on one bag may then be releasably coupled to similar spring clip members on another bag to join two or more bags vertically or horizontally.

Abstract: A resilient rail fastener having a clip having a lower leg with a toe at one end and a heel at the other, an upstanding back portion between the heel and an upper leg, and a rectangular locating aperture in at least one of its legs which engages over a rectangular retaining block. The retaining block has pressure imparting means projecting from each side and bearing downwardly on the upper leg of the clip and thereby applies a downward pressure at each end of the lower leg. One end of the lower leg bears downwardly on the rail support and the other end on the rail to impart a toe pressure. The reduced cross-sectional area of the clip where it passes over the retaining block causes high stresses in the legs of the clip as well as at the locality of the clip heel, and the upstanding back portion has less stress than a hairpin clip, and this results in a lower spring rate for the toe clip so that toe pressure is retained upon rail settlement, and stress corrosion is reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for replacing or repairing missing or damaged abrasion resistant wearbars utilized in high velocity cyclone boilers. A retrofit wearbar having an aperture therein is utilized in conjunction with an end weldable stud wherein the wearbar and stud are placed in position over a damaged wearbar or against the boiler tube in the case of a missing wearbar and the stud end welding technique utilized to fuse the wearbar and stud in place with the damaged wearbar or boiler tube in the case of a missing wearbar in situ. An arc shield is utilized which has a projection from the weld fillet cavity thereof which cooperates in conjunction with the aperture of the retrofit wearbar to provide alignment of the stud in the wearbar and prevent shorting of the stud to the wearbar during the welding cycle.

Abstract: This invention relates to dry, dense, hydrophilic polyurethane foam cleaning pads containing abrasives, detergents and combinations thereof dispersed integrally therein as well as to a method of manufacturing these pads. The pads' surfaces are strengthened by the densification of the reacting prepolymer resin during manufacture, and preferably the pads have at least one surface textured for additional cleaning area. The surfaces can contain an optional additional layer of abrasives to obtain a greater durability and a more desirable scouring action.

Abstract: A clip for retaining sheet metal roofing or siding panels on a structure, while providing for thermal expansion and contraction of the panels, is made from a single piece of sheet metal. The metal is cut and bent so as to form a base portion having panel supporting embossments, and an upright portion which has panel retaining bulbous projections adjacent the top edge. Preferably there is an even number of these bulbous projections and they alternate projecting to opposite sides of the upright portion. Most preferably, the clip is made of stainless steel when it is intended for use with aluminum panels. The clip is adapted to have its base portion affixed to a building structure and its upright portion enclosed within the seam joint between two adjacent metal roofing or siding sheets which are formed over the bulbous projections of the clip.

Abstract: A soldering iron holder includes a box-shaped housing having mounted thereon a support supporting an electric soldering iron while not in use. A manually actuated power switch on the housing applies electric power to a soldering iron supported by the support means to heat the iron to operating temperature. An indicator arrangement carried by the housing is controlled by a first timing circuit in the housing and activated concurrently with operation of the power switch. The indicator arrangement includes an "iron heating" LED which is extinguished and an "iron ready" LED which is illuminated and an audible alarm which is sounded by the first timing circuit after lapse of a preset, predetermined time duration, e.g., five minutes, sufficient for the soldering iron to reach operational temperature.

Abstract: A steel railway sleeper has side walls and an upper wall, the upper wall having two pairs of upwardly formed protuberances, the protuberances of each pair forming respective rail retaining recesses which will hold rails correct to gauge, provide an upstand to which the stud is to be welded thereby reducing stud length, and provide a platform on which the spring clip can be positioned when the rails are assembled to the sleeper.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed which is particularly adapted to electrically and mechanically connect a transmission conductor to a distribution conductor. The connector includes a C-shaped body having a curved top wall adapted to fit over a transmission conductor. A screw-operated wedge is carried by the bottom of the C-shaped body and includes an elongated recess in the top for supporting the distribution conductor. A conductor interface has a handle or gripping means thereon which allows the same to be easily placed within the connector body between the connectors. The screw positively moves the wedge both in and out so that the clamping action of the connector can be tightened or loosened as desired. A frangible nut prevents overtightening of the screw and a locking washer includes tabs which may be bent into place to prevent the screw from accidentally turning.

Abstract: A tong arm assembly for carrying and moving a tong head arcuately between two horizontally spaced positions includes a housing having the tong head pivotally connected to one end; the other end of the housing being rotatably mounted to a fixed arm stud. A pair of levers located within the housing have their first ends pivotally connected to an extension of the stud and their second ends pivotally connected to the tong head. As the housing is arcuately moved, the levers maintain the tong head steady and in its proper orientation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for replacing or repairing missing or damaged abrasion resistant wearbars utilized in high velocity cyclone boilers. A retrofit wearbar having an aperture therein is utilized in conjunction with an end weldable stud wherein the wearbar and stud are placed in position over a damaged wearbar or against the boiler tube in the case of a missing wearbar and the stud end welding technique utilized to fuse the wearbar and stud in place with the damaged wearbar or boiler tube in the case of a missing wearbar in situ. An arc shield is utilized which has a projection from the weld fillet cavity thereof which cooperates in conjunction with the aperture of the retrofit wearbar to provide alignment of the stud in the wearbar and prevent shorting of the stud to the wearbar during the welding cycle.

Abstract: An elongated support member has a curved and pointed pick adjacent one end thereof. The other end of the support member is formed into a pair of tweezers. Mounted on the free end of each tong of the tweezers is a flat thin needle threader. To greatly facilitate their use and operation, the needle threaders extend outwardly to the sides and lie in a plane which is at a 30.degree. to 45.degree. angle to the axis of the support member.

Abstract: A survey data collecting system includes a booklet having front and back covers and a plurality of intermediate pages. The back cover is perforated to form a negotiable check, the face of which is on the outer surface of the back cover. The inner surface of the check has several columns of spaces thereon for indicating answers to questions which are written on the intermediate leaves and on the remaining portion of the back cover. The intermediate leaves decrease in width so that each succeeding leaf covers one less column of spaces than the preceding one.

Abstract: A suction collection system for use in collecting body fluids from a patient prior to, during or after surgery includes a rigid, cylindrically shaped hollow canister having a cylindrical side wall and disc-shaped top and bottom walls. A thin flexible plastic sheet material covers the entire outer surface of the canister to form an airtight receptacle. A first port in the top wall is adapted to be connected to a vacuum source for reducing the pressure within the receptacle. A second port is adapted to be connected to an aspirator for collecting blood and other body fluids. Within the canister and connected to the second port is a gross filter for removing particles from the fluid before it passes into the receptacle. Fluid within the receptacle can be removed through a normally closed outlet port in the bottom wall of the canister.