Abstract: An apparatus and method for pumping powdered materials. The apparatus includes a hopper having a discharge outlet in one end wall thereof. An agitator gently stirs the powdered material to prevent it from bridging and packing in the hopper. A sliding cylindrical sleeve, axially aligned with the discharge outlet, and a main piston therein are movable in the hopper for successively entrapping, or segregating, and discharging a portion of the powdered material through the discharge outlet. An auxiliary hydraulic cylinder within the sleeve contains a plunger that slides through a bore in the main piston. The plunger is independently movable relative to the main piston and sleeve, and, upon retraction, provides a void in the entrapped material to prevent bridging and packing in the sleeve. A fluidizing element in the hopper below the path of travel of the sleeve keeps the powdered material in a loose condition to further eliminate any tendency to bridge or pack in the sleeve.

Abstract: A valve, comprising: a cylindrical casing, closed at its ends by covers, and having axially aligned inlet and outlet chambers midway of its length disposed at right angles to the axis of the casing. Communication between said chambers is controlled by a ported, fluid pressure operated, movable valve plate assembly, including parallel cylinders, each containing a stationary piston connected to the inner end of a pair of axially aligned rods, or guides, fixed at their outer end to the covers. Each rod has a passageway communicating at its inner end with one end of its associated cylinder for supplying operating fluid thereto to bodily reciprocate the valve plate assembly on said rods within the casing. An adjustable collar positions a fixed wear plate in sealing engagement with one side of the valve plate assembly, and a fluid pressure actuated loading ring urges a floating wear plate into contact with the other side of said valve plate assembly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for elevating a prefabricated, offshore, well-drilling or other platform on a prefabricated upright support in deep water. The platform is elevated by jacking units on a platform having legs suspended from a superstructure on the support. The upright support is stabilized against wind and wave action by four guy lines anchored at one end to the sea bottom and connected at its opposite end to the drum of winches mounted on two of the caissons. There are two drums in each of the two caissons. Each drum is connected to one guy line and is separately driven by a remotely controlled, reversible hydraulic motor. The motors are operated to maintain the support vertical and the fottings equally loaded; otherwise, uneven penetration of the footings into the sea bed would result. The guy lines are always tensioned against marine and wind forces.The platform is buoyant and has four open caisson wells arranged in the same geometric pattern as the caissons of the support.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for elevating a prefabricated, off-shore, well-drilling or other platform. The platform is elevated by jacking units on the platform having legs suspended from a superstructure on the support. At least one pair of preassembled jacking units is mounted upon the platform at each caisson well. A superstructure is premounted on the upper end of each caisson. A set of self-energizing "fail safe" slips is mounted in the superstructure near each of its ends. Each jacking unit includes a tubular jacking leg. Means are provided for positioning each jacking leg so as to positively lock its upper end in the slips in the superstructure after berthing. Each jacking unit also includes a jacking mechanism comprising two slip holders, each containing a set of self-energizing, "fail safe" slips surrounding the jacking leg. Lifting rods associated with slip holder housings are pivotally connected at their lower end to the platform.

Abstract: A hollow handrail is pivotally connected at one end to a fixed bracket. A brace is pivotally connected at one end to another fixed bracket vertically aligned with the first-mentioned bracket. A slide is mounted in the hollow handrail and is pivotally connected with the other end of the brace. Locking means is provided on the slide for locking the handrail and brace in folded position, or in any desired angular position of adjustment. When the handrail is in its folded position, the brace is received and enclosed within the handrail.

Abstract: A concrete hopper has a plurality of arcuate channels in its bottom portion, preferably lined with a resilient material, such as rubber. The hopper includes a discharge end with discharge outlets formed therein in communication with the channels. A sliding sleeve-piston combination is associated with each channel for segregating and discharging a portion of the concrete through its associated discharge outlet. In other words, the sleeves are alternately filled by moving them through the hopper, and the pistons are operated to force the concrete out of the sleeves. A slide valve assembly including a discharge nozzle for connecting to a discharge hose and a pair of wear plates controls the discharge of pumped concrete from the discharge outlets. Hydraulic control means are included which automatically program the sequential operation of the sliding sleeve-piston combinations and the sliding valve.

Abstract: Apparatus for blending dry or slightly moist steam with water to produce wet steam of 20% to 70% moisture content by weight for treating logs or other objects in a closed steam treatment vat or vault. The apparatus includes a blender having a mixing chamber, to one end of which comparatively dry steam from a suitable source is supplied at constant pressure and flow rate through a pilot-operated pressure reducing main valve and a metering orifice. The blender also has a port through which water at a constant pressure and volume is supplied to the mixing chamber by a positive displacement pump maintained under a constant gravity head of water in an elevated supply tank. The outlet of the blender is connected to a back pressure regulator for controlling the outlet pressure of the blended mixture of water and steam to be supplied to the vault. The pilot valve is connected across the main steam valve and has a solenoid valve connected in the line supplying operating fluid to said main valve.

Abstract: A golf training device to aid golfers in developing a proper swing and to overcome sway, comprising a flexible cord attached at one end to one end of a strip of material, sold under the trademark VELCRO, adapted to be attached to a similar strip of material mounted on the back of a golfer's glove; a strap for connecting the other end of the cord, in the form of a loop, to the corresponding leg of the golfer; and a clamp for adjusting the loop to provide a cord length to suit the height and arm length of the golfer, the two strips of material being of the well known hook and loop fabrics providing interlocking engagement when pressed together and producing an audible signal when separated or pulled apart upon certain arm and body movements of the golfer. When the downswing is started correctly, the VELCRO strips should separate.

Abstract: An insert comprising a body to be embedded in concrete and having a prong smaller in size than said body, connected at one end to said body by a frangible neck. The prong has external ridges and is adapted to be driven by a hammer into an undersized opening in a mold to securely mount the insert in place. After the concrete has set, the prong is automatically broken off, i.e., separated from the embedded portion of the insert, as an incident to the stripping of the mold from the work.