Abstract: A knuckle or swivel joint of the half-ball and socket type comprising a stud terminating in an enlarged diameter half-ball member disposed in the socket member and having an end flat surface engaged by a resilient retainer cap disposed in the socket member. The retainer cap is elastically pre-loaded in an appropriate direction which causes firm engagement of the spherical bearing surfaces of the socket and ball in mutual swivelling engagement, thus, among others, compensating for wear.

Abstract: A solar energy collecting and radiating panel for heating a fluid such as air circulating in an enclosure disposed behind the panel. The panel is in the form of a pan made of sheet metal, such as thin aluminum, darkened on its irradiated surface, the blackened or darkened surface being protected by a pane of glass. The panel has a plurality of dome-shaped dimples embossed on and projecting from its irradiated surface such as to present a large surface area to exposure to sun rays and to capture solar energy independently of the sun height or position relative to the horizon. The heat absorbed by the panel is conveyed by its back surface to air circulating by convection or by forced circulation in a thermally insulated enclosure, for heating a building or for any other utilization. A plurality of panels may be disposed side by side to form a solar energy collecting array preferably mounted on an outside wall of a building, in a southerly orientation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for threading the electrode wire of a trailing wire EDM apparatus through a starter hole or aperture in the workpiece or through the machined slot, the workpiece being submerged in a machining fluid. A chamber is disposed in contact with the workpiece under the workpiece, the chamber being in communication with an end of the aperture through the workpiece. The chamber is connected to a source of suction, with the result that fluid being sucked through the aperture in the workpiece converges towards the inlet of the aperture and guides the end of the electrode wire into the inlet of the aperture.

Abstract: A linear bearing insert for the slide-receiver ways of a firearm wherein the slide is reciprocably attached to the receiver by a groove and tongue structure. The insert is in the form of a rod, preferably cylindrical, which is disposed in a groove, preferably the receiver groove, and which has a portion of its peripheral surface in sliding engagement with a partially cylindrical groove formed in the side of a corresponding tongue, such that the bearing surfaces in engagement are cylindrical rather than planar. After wear has taken place, causing objectionable play, the insert may be replaced by a larger size insert such as to compensate for wear and eliminate the play.

Abstract: A unitary assembly supporting an electrode wire guide member and a machining fluid nozzle providing a jet of fluid coaxially disposed with the wire, in a travelling wire EDM apparatus. The unitary assembly is mounted on a plate connected through a universal swivel joint to the lower slide of a cross-slide table. Lateral displacements of the plate cause the unitary assembly to orient itself under the action of a pair of fingers mounted on the plate co-operating each with a ramp mounted on the cross-slide table such as the unitary assembly constantly remains coaxial with the electrode wire.

Abstract: In a travelling wire EDM apparatus, a unitary assembly of at least one of the electrode wire support members and a machining fluid nozzle disposed coaxially to the wire is installed on a plate which is displaceable such as to provide the electrode wire passing through the machining zone in the workpiece with an appropriate inclination. Inclination of the unitary assembly of the electrode wire support member and machining fluid nozzle is obtained by a swivel member mounted on the plate and oriented by a tube through which the electrode wire is passed. The tube is supported along its length by a pivot which is at all times disposed symmetrically to the electrode wire lower support member relative to a plane of symmetry. The unitary assembly is also supported by a swivel joint member interconnected to the first swivel joint member such that the angular displacement of the respective swivel joint members are symmetrical.

Abstract: A system for suspending at least one shutter and for elevating the shutter or shutters for use as an awning. The shutters are slidable along rails and are engageable so as to cover a predetermined width when closed.

Abstract: In a die, punch and core rod assembly for a powder compacting press wherein the core rod or rods remain stationary while the punch or punches are reciprocable relative to the die, the invention provides individual longitudinal position adjustment for the core rods by clamping the end of the core rods in a collet-like threaded member such as a slotted set screw threading in a threaded bore in a core rod support member. The core rod support member is preferably in the form of a pair of plates one bolted below the other. The end of each core rod is immobilized in its adjusted position by being disposed in an axial bore in the collet-like threaded member and by being clamped between the sidewalls of a longitudinal slot extending part of the length of the set screw, as a result of the tendency of the slot to close when the set screw is driven through the lower plate with its tapered end engaged with a tapered surface at the end of an aligned bore in the upper plate.

Abstract: A disposable rupturable shipping and installation strap holding in a retracted position the output member of a linear actuator such as a pre-filled pre-bled hydraulic actuator. The strap has a retaining member fitted over the end of the actuator output member and a pair of symmetrically disposed strips or bands integrally formed with the retaining member and attached at their other end to a portion of the actuator housing. The strips or bands have portions of reduced strength which cause the strap to break and free the actuator output member upon first operation of the actuator. Preferably, the strap is molded of relatively thin flexible plastic.

Abstract: A heat transfer tube assembly comprising a pair of fluid circulation tubes disposed co-axially one within the other, the inner tube being held substantially concentric within the outer tube by a plurality of pairs of diametrally opposed depressions or dimples formed in the peripheral surface of the outer tube at regular intervals. Each depression or dimple projects inwardly such as to engage and indent the peripheral surface of the inner tube and to cause a corresponding portion of the inner tube to bulge inwardly during forming of the dimples in the periphery of the outer tube by forming punches or, preferably, by two pairs of diametrally opposed rolls, each provided with an appropriate dome-shaped protuberance on its peripheral surface for roll forming the dimples as a result of longitudinally feeding the outer tube, with the inner tube disposed within the outer tube, between the rotating rolls.

Abstract: An orientable unitary assembly for the support and guide member for the electrode wire of a travelling wire EDM apparatus, the assembly also comprising a nozzle supplying a machining fluid jet coaxial to the electrode wire. The assembly is supported by a cross-slide table permitting to incline the axis of the wire relative to a wire support and guide member disposed on the other side of a workpiece. The displacements of the slides of the cross-slide table are effected by leadscrews each driven by a servo motor, and the orientation of the assembly is controlled by the same servo motors via second screwthreads of different pitch each displacing a nut which, through a push-rod, controls the inclination of the assembly.

Abstract: An air circulation apparatus provided with a plurality of outlet nozzles separating the air flowing from the air circulation apparatus into a plurality of diverging air jet streams. The air circulation apparatus may take the form of a recirculation blower, an air space heater, or a room air conditioner.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for compensating uneven gravity filling with powder material of a die cavity formed on the top of a punch reciprocable in a bore in a die plate, the punch having an end face normally parallel to the surface of the die plate. The punch is mounted on an adjustable support member split into portions having each an end face disposed parallel to the end face of the other portion. The two portions have a common surface of junction disposed in a plane at an angle to the parallel end faces. The two portions are rotated together to orient the surface of junction in the direction of inclination of the punch, and the two portions are independently rotated the same amount in opposite directions as a function of the desired angle of inclination of the punch.

Abstract: In a ball and socket joint comprising a ball and a socket in mutual swivelling sliding engagement with each other, the ball having a stud integrally formed at one end thereof and projecting outwardly through one end of the socket, the improvement consisting in forming the socket with an annular groove circularly disposed at the edge of the open end of the socket for fitting and retaining therein the beaded end of a flexible oil-resistant seal having a bellows type body provided at one end with an annular band stretched over the periphery of the stud.

Abstract: A sealed bearing prepacked with lubricant, and provided with a sealing shell press-fitted over the bearing outer member or housing. The sealing shell has a radially disposed end flange holding the terminal flange of a bellows seal made of elastomeric material and having another end in the form of a garter flange resiliently engaged with the peripheral surface of the inner member of the bearing. Preferably, the sealing shell is made of two half-shells, for facility of assembly.

Abstract: The machine comprises a container supported by settable legs so as to make the machine perfectly vertical on its support. The container contains a filter opening into a discharge duct and supporting at its upper portion a cylinder containing at its base a motor and reduction gear assembly driving a central vertical shaft, said assembly being covered by a fixed bottom formed with a radial opening connected to a nozzle emerging above the aforementioned filter. The machine has a disc having at least one boss in relief driven by the shaft and coated on its upper portion with an abrasive layer. The cylinder is closed by a water tight cover through which the products to be cleaned have been introduced while said products are discharged after having been cleaned through a door placed in front of a discharge chute.

Abstract: A paint shield for masking the edge of a carpet or of a floor. The paint shield is in the form of a roll of a flat strip of thin resilient plastic material which is pre-scored. After unrolling, the strip is manually shaped along the score line to form an edge flange which is bent over such as to form a generally L-shaped, in section, paint shield.

Abstract: A portable display device for projecting on a built-in rear projection screen a road map, navigation chart and the like. The road map or navigation chart is in the form of one of a plurality of microfilm frames removably installed in a cut-out portion of a hollow drum in which is disposed a projection lamp. The drum is indexable in angular position and in longitudinal position such as to display an appropriate portion or frame of the microfilm.

Abstract: A flow meter, for measuring fluid flow rates, having a housing through which the fluid flows and is caused to impinge on an impeller or rotor for rotating the impeller at a rotational velocity representative of the fluid flow rate. The impeller or rotor has a plurality of teeth on which a light beam is reflected. A photosensitive device receiving the reflected chopped light produces at its output a signal whose frequency is a function of the rotational velocity of the impeller.