Abstract: A manufacturing method is provided for the production of high density, high carbon, sintered powder metal steels. The composition consists of iron based powder, graphite, lubricant, and possibly at least one alloying element from the group of chromium, copper, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium or vanadium. The composition is compacted in rigid tools, sintered and during cooling an isothermal or slow cooling treatment is introduced between 650.degree. C. and 750.degree. C. The isothermal or slow cooling treatment may alternatively be applied during a heat treatment cycle that is carried out after a conventional sintering cycle. The material processed as described may then be formed to high density. Forming to high density is not practical with high carbon materials that have been processed by conventional methods. The high density article is then heat treated in a manner to suit specific product requirements.

Abstract: This invention relates to an adaptor having one end for activating a valve and another end for connection to a rod said adaptor including a socket at said one end to register with said valve for operating said valve, and including a slot at said other end for receiving and pivotally connecting to said rod. The invention also teaches a pin removal tool for removing pins underground from the surface.

Abstract: A threaded connector is disclosed for attaching a handle to a tool head, such as a rake or a broom. The threaded connector may include a central cap or plug and a plurality of opposed wings extending radially outwardly therefrom. The wings are in the form of hollow partial cylinders and are hingeably attached to the cap. The cap is positioned on the end of the handle and the wings are folded downwardly and inwardly to engage the handle. Each wing includes partial thread segments that register to form a full thread when the wings are folded together. The full thread has a shallow taper such that tightening of the connector within a mating socket in a tool head causes the connector to bind or wedge itself into the socket. To provide additional resistance to loosening a locking ring has longitudinal tenons which key into aligned rabbets in the connector and in the socket.

Abstract: An indicator for determining brake stroke condition on a vehicle braking system comprising: a bracket having an elongated member having at one end an attachment portion located generally at a right angle radius to the elongated member, the bracket mounted to a chamber mounting bracket which supports a brake chamber, the bracket chamber having a clevis assembly including a clevis pin which connects the clevis assembly to a brake arm; a continuous slot extending along the length of the elongated member, the elongated member running parallel to the clevis assembly; and a second bracket detachably mounted to the continuous slot along the elongated member the second bracket having a base and two extending members from the base; the position of the extending members being a predetermined distance from the clevis pin thereby indicative of the brake stroke condition on the vehicle braking system.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable armrest assembly for a chair having a hydraulic actuator that allows the upper arm of the chair to be raised to a multiple of positions by engaging the hydraulic actuator with a lever located on the underside of the upper arm. The upper arm may also rotate about a horizontal axis allowing the user to orient the upper arm to the most comfortable position for keyboarding.

Abstract: A floatable lounger includes a first buoyancy means; second buoyancy means spaced from said first buoyancy means; first and second extending means; and headrest rotatable about said first extending means between a first stored position and a second operable position. The floatable lounger provides for a simpler construction for a floating lounger with excellent buoyancy.

Abstract: A method of making a sintered article of powder metal having a carbon composition in the range of about 0.8% to 2.0% by weight, then spheroidizing the sintered article and then warm forming the sintered article at a temperature between 250.degree. and 700.degree. C. for a time duration selected to form the article to a final shape.

Abstract: An inventory retrieval method is disclosed for use with a central order desk computer. The computer has a database containing inventory unit identification related to specific storage locations in a warehouse. One or more inventory retrieval carts are provided, each cart having a number of containers suitable for receiving inventory picked from designated storage locations. Each cart has a display, and communicates with the computer by radio transmission. According to the method multiple orders are received at the computer. Each order is assigned to a container on an assigned cart. The computer sends successive pick locations to the cart, and the cart operator fills the containers on the cart according to the symbol received from the computer.

Abstract: A cover for the wheels of an in-line skate having a plurality of wheels arranged in tandem comprising an elongated retaining channel having a front end, a back end and a base having spaced upstanding side walls, and at least one cavity between the side walls for receiving the plurality of wheels; resilient tensioning structure associated with at least one of said cavities disposed at the front end; whereby the front wheel of the in-line skate is captured between the cavity at the front end and the resilient tensioning structure when forced between the resilient tensioning structure and cavity and whereby the wheels of the in-line skate are releasably secured between the side walls of the channel. The cover may also be used to store the skate in an upright position.

Abstract: A cover and method for applying the cover unto the wing comprising a flexible material to cover the top surface of said wing, said material having a leading edge to cover the leading edge of said wing and a trailing edge to cover trailing edge of said wing; a first set of spaced apart attachment straps each said first attachment strap extending from said trailing edge of said cover under said wing for quick release attachment to said leading edge of said cover, so as to attach and quickly release said cover to said wing; a second set of spaced apart removal straps, each said straps extending from said leading edge of said cover over said wing for quick release attachment to said trailing edge of said cover so as to remove said cover from said leading edge to said trailing edge of said wing by pulling said removal straps.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method or process of forming a sintered article of powder metal, and particularly relates to a process of forming a sintered article of powder metal by blending combinations of finely ground ferro alloys (either singly or in combination with other ferro alloys) with elemental iron powder and other additives and then high temperature sintering of the article in a reducing atmosphere to produce sintered parts with oxygen contents less than 250 parts per million (ppm). More particularly the ferro alloys admixed to the base iron have a mean particle size of approximately 8 to 12 microns, having previously been ground to size in an inert atmosphere.

Abstract: This invention relates to an adaptor for activating a valve, the adaptor includes a socket at one end thereof to register with the valve, the socket including at least one displaceable engageable ball plunger for gripping the valve when the socket is urged against the valve for operating the valve. The invention also relates to a service box assembly for a water valve disposed in the ground which utilizes the adaptor as well as the method of exposing a water valve to reinstall an inoperable service box rod in a service box assembly having a water valve below ground level. The invention also teaches installation tools to locate and maintain a service box rod within a service box assembly.

Abstract: In a closure for a container having an opening presenting an upstanding circular bead, said closure comprising: a closure body presenting a spout for dispensing liquids from said container, said spout including an annular recess for releasable securement to said bead; a cap releasably securable to said spout; a lock ring frangibly connected to said cap, said lock ring aligned with said closure body, said annual recess and said bead, said lock ring frangibly breakable from said cap to lock said closure body to said container.

Abstract: A floatation toy device includes a cylindrical elongated member, a variable buoyancy collar and an attachment collar. The floatation toy device provides for an improved and variable buoyancy of the floatation toy device by the user.

Abstract: In an interlocking device between a cap for a beverage container and a carbonation device for introducing carbon dioxide gas into said beverage container in a locked position, wherein said carbonation device includes projecting structure, and said cap includes rotatable capturing structure for capturing said projecting structure so as to lock said cap to said carbonation device.