Abstract: A tow rope handle for water skiing or the like comprising an elongated hand grip with a pair of spaced holes extending transversely therethrough, a tow line threaded through each spaced hole and formed in a loop to firmly encircle the hand grip and a protective sleeve encompassing each tow line directly adjacent the hand grip. The sleeve is formed integrally with the hand grip and has a hole extending transversely therethrough, each tow line loop encircling the hand grip through the corresponding sleeve hole.

Abstract: An improved method of forming a shell mold for casting having a shrink bob is provided. A tubular frusto-conical shrink bob, or riser, is first formed from sand and a plastic or resin binder such that both the apex and base of the riser are open. The riser is then inverted and positioned on a casting pattern with the apex of the riser abutting against the casting pattern. The entire pattern is then cast with a thermosetting material, such as sand and a binder, such that the thermosetting material bonds to both the pattern and the riser. After hardening, the thermosetting material with the attached riser forms a shell mold which is subsequently utilized in a foundry casting operation.

Abstract: A protective cover layer is provided for the basis metal of an electrolytic anode, particularly for anodes used in the production of chlorine and caustic soda. The cover layer comprises a non-stoichiometric compound having the empirical formula:M.sub.n Pt.sub.3 O.sub.4where M is lithium, sodium, potassium, silver, or copper and n is a number in the range of about 0.4 to 0.6.

Abstract: A flow indicator for use in conjunction with a flow meter of the type which imparts a rotational movement to a shaft in response to the fluid flow rate through the flow meter. A biasing assembly for biasing the shaft in a rotational direction opposite to that produced by the fluid flow through the flow meter is provided comprising a spring carrier, a screw for securing the spring carrier to the shaft, and a coil spring secured at one end to the spring carrier and at its other end to a spring retainer shell which is secured against rotation to the flow meter. Removable pins extend through the spring carrier and the spring retainer shell to prevent rotation of the retainer shell relative to the spring carrier until the biasing assembly is secured to the flow meter indicator. An indicator needle is attached to an outwardly extending end of the spring carrier and provides a visual indication of the rotational position of the spring carrier exteriorly of the flow indicator.

Abstract: A device for radially tensioning the jaws of a chuck to permit the jaws to be accurately machined. The device comprises a flat ring coaxially mounted onto the chuck and having a cam slot formed therein for each of the jaws of the chuck. A cam follower is associated with each of the jaws and comprises a first portion fixed to its associated jaw and a second portion slidably received in the cam slot in the ring which is associated with the jaw whereby rotation of the ring radially tensions the jaws via the cam followers.

Abstract: The specification describes a thermal cutting machine for cutting up a continuously cast ingot during operation of a continuous casting plant, comprising a clamping means for entrainment of the thermal cutting machine with movement of the continuously cast ingot. A drive moves the thermal cutting machine along the continuously cast ingot and a cutting burner can be adjusted transversely with respect to the continuously cast ingot and can be driven. The thermal cutting machine is substantially enclosed by a cooling shroud, which only has a few passages for shafts, more particulary of support wheels and furthermore for a drive shaft of the cutting burner holder and for an actuating linkage of the clamping means.

Abstract: A work piece conveyor particularly suitable for moving piston connecting rods. The conveyor comprises at least two stands secured to base in a spaced apart relationship from each other. A pair of spaced and parallel rail members are secured to and between the stands in a generally horizontal elevation. A rough assembly having an elongated base portion is positioned beneath and parallel to the rail members so that the base of the trough assembly is spaced apart from the rail members at a predetermined distance. An oscillating mechanism is utilized to vertically oscillate the trough assembly relative to the rail members.The piston connecting rods are placed on the conveyor so that the ring portion of the piston rod connector is supported by the rail members and the elongated rod portion of the piston rod connector depends downwardly and abuts against the rough assembly base portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for detecting the transition of digital data signals the two states of which are modulated with two different signal frequencies from one signal frequency to the other signal frequency. Timing elements generate comparison pulses having a first and second duration at each pulse front of the modulated data signal during a second and first signal frequency respectively. The comparison pulses in turn are used to generate control pulses so that the leading edge of the control pulse coincides with the leading edge of the comparison pulse, and likewise, the trailing edge of the control pulse coincides with the trailing edge of the comparison pulse. The control pulses are fed to the up/down counting direction control input of a reversible counter having a clock signal connected to its input. A pair of comparators compare the contents of the reversible counter with a pair of preset separate threshold levels.

Abstract: A four-way lever switch which can occupy four different switching positions by moving the shift lever and which upon release of the shift lever, it and its apertaining parts at once return to their neutral positions. In the switch, a block carrying movable contacts moves on stationary contacts arranged on the base of the housing and its movements are guided by a plate mounted on the block. The guide plate is provided with an oblong aperture in which a hollow cube formed integrally with the block is movably inserted. The block moves laterally along the oblong aperture while the guide plate remains stationary. The guide plate moves only when the block is shifted in the direction perpendicular to the oblong aperture. By means of the guide plate, the movements of the contact carrying block are correctly conducted and no disturbance in the relative positions between the stationary and the movable contacts occurs.

Abstract: Apparatus for piercing an arcuate workpiece includes a frame, an index table rotatably mounted on the frame, piercing means horizontally adjustable on the frame with respect to the index table and a punch head movable horizontally into engagement with the workpiece mounted to the index table. A swivel clamping mechanism detachably mounts the workpiece to the index table.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing jewelry from a meltable working material is provided and comprises the first step of mounting the working material onto one end of an elongated pick. The working material is then heated until molten at which time a portion of the working material is contacted with a cool base so that the working material hardens and bonds with the base at the point of contact. The pick is drawn away from the base while simultaneously heating and maintaining the remaining working material on the pick in the molten state thereby forming an elongated part for a jewelry end product.

Abstract: A valve which may be manually operated between an on and off position and in addition includes a high pressure shut-off mechanism which is responsive to an external pressure. The valve comprises a housing having a through bore, a transverse fluid inlet bore which intersects the through bore, and a transverse fluid outlet bore which intersects the through bore and is axially displaced from the fluid inlet bore. A control shuttle is disposed in the through bore and is manually movable between a first position and a second position in the through bore so that in the first position the control shuttle permits fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet bore whereas in the second position the control shuttle obstructs fluid communication between the inlet and outlet bore.

Abstract: A wrapping machine for wrapping articles in stretchable material utilizes a lifting platform to lift articles into a sheet of the material. While holding the edges of the sheet, the wrapping operation takes place to stretch the sheet around the article and fold the edges under the article. During the wrapping operation, the article is held in place by arms gripping the sides of the article and, after wrapping, the article is discharged by movement of the article gripper. In addition the lifting platform is of special three part construction for maximum support to the article during wrapping, and the sheets are fed from a roll of material resting on a driven roller.

Abstract: Apparatus for balancing a rotating body in which the body is mounted for rotation and operatively coupled with a mechanism for rotating the body. Sensor means coupled to the rotating body transmit an unbalance signal in response to unbalance of the body to control means which compute the amount and location of compensating material required to be removed from the body in order to balance the body. Machining means for removing the computed amount of compensating material comprises a laser positioned to direct a laser beam at a rotating mirror synchronized to the rotational speed of the rotating body. An annular stationary reflector is positioned coaxially with the rotating mirror and is adapted to reflect the laser beam received from the rotating mirror to the rotating body thereby ablating the compensating material from the body.

Abstract: An aquarium filter comprising a siphon housing assembly and a filter holding tank assembly. The siphon housing assembly supports a pump assembly which functions to draw water from the aquarium through the siphon housing assembly and to pump the water to the filter holding tank assembly. The pump assembly utilizes a centrifugal impeller to pump the water through a pump outlet to the filter holding tank assembly. In addition, a venturi outlet is provided in the pump assembly near the pump outlet which produces a venturi vacuum to siphon water from the aquarium and through the siphon housing assembly.The pump assembly pumps water from the siphon housing assembly into a filter bag situated in the filter holding tank assembly. The filter bag is porous and coated inside with diatomaceous earth for removing impurities from the aquarium water. The filter holding tank assembly includes an overflow return area for returning the filtered water to the aquarium.

Abstract: A boat stabilizer system comprising a pair of nozzles attached permanently or temporarily to a boat to extend beneath the boat adjacent the front and rear so that a pressurized stream of water can be directed through the nozzles in a desired dirction to stabilize the boat against wind and current to prevent drifting.

Abstract: A solar energy powered hot air turbine comprising a heat collector having an air inlet and outlet with the turbine connected to the air inlet. The heat collector is heated by solar energy and is constructed so that the hot air exhausts through the air outlet thus sucking air in through the air inlet to power the turbine.

Abstract: A two part variable compression ratio (VCR) piston assembly having an outer member movable relative to an inner member to vary the compression ratio of an internal combustion engine and a hydraulic system utilizing oil from the lubrication system of the engine for automatically controlling the relative movement of the members to maintain a predetermined maximum combustion chamber pressure. A hydraulic circuit includes an upper and a lower chamber which expands and contracts conversely upon relative movement of the piston members and a system for supplying oil to the upper chamber and to the lower chamber via the upper chamber and for discharging the oil from the upper chamber in a manner which gradually changes the compression ratio of the piston until a predetermined maximum combustion chamber pressure has been achieved and which tends to maintain the maximum combustion chamber pressure after it has been achieved.

Abstract: An improved clamp is provided for clamping a pair of crossing elongated members together wherein the members cross each other at a predetermined angle. The clamp comprises a base which is disposed between the elongated members at their intersection and includes a channel formed on each side of the base for receiving the elongated members therein. The free ends of a U-bolt are disposed through registering apertures in the base so that one of the elongated members is entrapped in one of the channels and between the U-bolt and the base. A bar having apertures which register with the free ends of the U-bolt is placed over the free ends so that the other elongated member is entrapped in the other channel between the bar and the base. Nut members threadably engage the free ends of the U-bolt to secure the bar to the U-bolt and to thereby clamp the elongated members together at a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A bearing assembly with lubrication and cooling means for a bearing assembly of the type comprising an inner cylindrical ring, an outer cylindrical ring, and a plurality of bearing members disposed intermediate the inner and outer rings to permit rotation of the inner ring relative to the outer ring. An annular groove is formed around one end of the inner ring and a plurality of axial bores extend from the annular groove axially through the inner ring. At least one radial bore extends radially outward from each of said axial bores through the inner ring to provide fluid communication between the annular groove and the bearing members. In operation a lubricant, which is injected into the annular groove, flows through the axial bores in the inner ring. A portion of the lubricant is centrifugally forced through the radial bores to provide lubrication for the bearing members while the remainder of the lubricant flows through the axial bores to cool the bearing assembly.