Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for determining the wet strength of paper. It is necessary to know the wet strength of paper in order to determine the runnability of pulp in the papermaking machine. Present devices for measuring the wet strength of paper are slow and complex. The present apparatus includes a means for releasing a ball from a predetermined height to drop freely in a vertical path, clamp means to support a sheet of wet paper and to position the sheet at a pre-determined location within the vertical path of the ball and perpendicular thereto, and means for determining speed of the ball dropping in the vertical path below the clamp means.

Abstract: A tie-down device is provided having a turnbuckle-like tensioning member operated by a hand-cranked ratchet lever. One end of this member is connected by a pair of levers to a pair of jaws arranged to function as tongs to grip a railroad car part. The opposite end of the member has a double shackle arrangement allowing the device to be releasably attached to a surface-supported anchor member. A method of employing such devices to secure railway cars to the deck of a barge.

Abstract: An extrusion machine for continuously making articles, such as concrete slabs, by forcing the article-forming material through a mold, said machine being moved forwardly by reaction as the material is forced against the portion of the article already formed. The material is moved under pressure by one or more spiral conveyors through the mold, and a forming element of any predetermined cross-sectional shape is substantially aligned with the down-stream end of each spiral conveyor and is mounted so as not to rotate with the latter. It is preferable to provide a vibrator in each forming element.

Abstract: Control apparatus including first and second hydraulic cylinders hydraulically interconnected in parallel. Cam operated means for reciprocating the piston in the first cylinder, this causing relative movement between the second cylinder and the piston thereof. The second cylinder is connected to a cutter unit of a wood edging machine so that movement of the second cylinder moves the cutter unit. Pneumatic control means is connected to the piston of the second hydraulic cylinder and is operable to cause movement of the second cylinder unaffected by the piston therein. Detecting means is operatively connected to the pneumatic control means. This detecting means is positioned to detect knots in the edges of boards moving in the direction of the cutter unit to cause movement of said unit to avoid the knots.

Abstract: Door apparatus having spaced panels forming a closure and hanging in a vertical closing position and hung to swing back and forth as a unit, a latch mounted on the inner surface of each panel near the lower edge thereof and engaging a stop to prevent movement of the panel away from the other panel while permitting movement towards said other panel, and operating means on each panel operatively connected to the latch thereof. When either panel is swung towards the other panel it engages the operating means of the latter to operate the latch thereof to disengage its stop, thereby allowing the panel unit to swing out of the closing position.This invention relates to door apparatus which is normally latched in a closed position and which is unlatched to allow the door apparatus to move in either of opposite directions to an open position merely by the application of pressure against either of the two outer faces thereof.

Abstract: A device for bracing a door against being forced open from the outside is an extensible rod having a floor-gripping member on one end and a door handle-gripping pair of jaws on the opposite end. The pair of jaws are pivotally mounted and shaped so that opposing edges of the jaws are wedged into clamping engagement with the door handle with a force proportionate to the force being used to push the door against the brace.

Abstract: A roofing system of the batten type using sheet metal components with wooden or metallic batten supports.With the batten supports in place elongated pan sections are laid between the batten supports and secured to the roof by nails or screws at the top or near the top of the adjacent batten supports. Each pan section has a wide flat elongated central region which lies flat on the roof and which is centrally located between two similar upstanding side walls running the full length of the central region and fitting between two successive battens. Each side wall has an inner, downwardly directed double fold running along the side of the adjacent batten support and terminating short of the central region. A batten covering cap having a centrally located top and downwardly directed wings each with an inner upwardly folded edge fitting behind the double fold is positioned in place by sliding it longitudinally over the associated batten support.

Abstract: Precision guide means for accurately directing lumber to and/or receiving cut lengths from saws. The guide means is mounted for selective movement by setworks back and forth across a path along which the lumber moves. A closed hydraulic system includes piston-cylinder units with a unit near each of opposite ends of the guide means. One end of each cylinder unit is fixed against movement and the opposite end thereof is connected to the adjacent end of the guide means, and pipe means interconnects these cylinder units so that when the guide means is moved, hydraulic fluid is transferred from an end of one of the units to an opposite end of another unit to ensure that both ends of the guide means move exactly the same distance. The guide means can be a linebar and a tailbar interconnected by the hydraulic system so that they are moved in unison exactly the same distance by the setworks. The guide means can be or include a relatively long splitter.

Abstract: Tetrahedron blocks are used to assemble structures of various shapes and sizes. The blocks have side walls joined along ridges which converge at four corners of the block. Each wall has an opening shaped to receive a corner of an adjoining block making up a structural unit.

Abstract: A display unit having a plurality of adjustably mounted shelves, and a plurality of holder units adjustably mounted on each shelf, each holder unit comprising a base and one or two elongated holders mounted on and projecting upwardly from each base, each holder being of such dimensions as to fit within a wound roll or fabric and being long enough to support the roll on end in a substantially vertical position.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for cold cure retreading of worn tires using a fully pre-cured tread band bonded in place on said tire by means of a layer of cushion gum. In order to cure the layer of cushion, gum, steam is supplied to a rubber tube disposed within the tire which itself is mounted on a suitable rim assembly, and steam at a lesser pressure is supplied to an annular steam chamber whose inner wall is constituted by a steam impervious flexible bladder that circumscribes the crown portion of the tire assembly. Cone elements are disposed on either side of the tire assembly to support the bladder and prevent excessive bulging thereof beyond the crown portion of the tire.

Abstract: A bipolar signal is recovered and separated into its positive portion and its negative portion. The incoming bipolar signal and its inverted form are separately compared to a switched threshold. Switching of the threshold from a low standby level to a high level is effected by feedback of the output signals. The circuit generates a switched reference signal which is applied to two comparator circuits, one for the bipolar signal, the other for the inverted bipolar signal, and a hysterisis generator switches the threshold to its high level when a comparator circuit produces an output signal.

Abstract: A cellular structure for use in cartons having first and second parallel wall sections which are movable longitudinally relative to each other and away from each other during erection of the structure, outer dividers flaps cut from and hinged to the wall sections and extending longitudinally thereof and swingable outwardly therefrom, and inner flaps cut from the wall sections connected to and extending away from the outer flaps, opposed inner flaps being connected to each other so as to swing inwardly and cause the outer flaps connected thereto to swing outwardly when said wall sections are moved longitudinally relative to each other to form cells at the wall sections.

Abstract: A flame-proof product comprising a cellulosic base, and particularly a wood based product having at least one surface treated with a composition which when the surface is subjected to fire or high temperatures combines with some of the material of the base to form a protective intumescent coating on the surface which insulates the remainder of the product from thermal destruction. The treating composition includes potassium hydroxide and/or potassium carbonate alone or mixed with a comparatively small amount of sodium hydroxide and/or sodium carbonate. The composition may in addition include potassium chloride, or potassium acetate, or potassium citrate, or potassium bicarbonate, or potassium bisulfite, or potassium metaphosphate, or potassium nitrite, or potassium sulfide, or potassium sulfite, or potassium thiosulfate, or potassium phosphate (tribasic).

Abstract: A method of launching and recovering self-propelled submersibles by using a drogue below the surface of the water where comparatively stable conditions exist. A probe on the submersible is unlatched from or latched to the drogue during relative movement therebetween when it is desired to release or recover the submersible. The apparatus includes a suitable drogue, a probe connected to the submersible, and releasable latching device in the drogue and on the probe.

Abstract: A steam supply apparatus includes at least two pipes located in spaced apart, side by side relationship, and a cover member extending across the pipes and secured thereto. End members are secured to the respective opposite ends of the pipes, and a pair of baffles between each pair of pipes are secured thereto in a substantially V-shaped configuration with a slot between adjacent ends of the baffles at the base of the V-shape, the base of the V-shape being directed towards the cover member. Steam is supplied to the pipes, and each pipe has a series of apertures communicating the interior of the pipe with the space between the pipes, the cover member and the baffles.