Abstract: This invention relates to the use of rubber fragments from discarded tires in railroad ties. Such ties are made using rubber fragments which contain steel, polyester, or other strands or fibers, and which therefor are less expensive to prepare than fragments from which the reinforcing strands have been removed. These fragments are mixed with an epoxy mixture comprising an oxirane-containing resin and an amine-containing hardening agent. Test samples made using the materials described herein have excellent hardness, strength, durability, and nail-gripping characteristics.

Abstract: An adjustable support fixture and method for using same with a cutting assembly for milling or grinding a flat surface on a workpiece, the fixture including a suspended platen on which the workpiece is mounted, removable apparatus for establishing the cutting plane, devices for positioning the flat surface of the workpiece against the plane-establishing apparatus, and a mechanism for retaining the workpiece in this position as the plane-establishing apparatus is removed and the cutting operation is performed.

Abstract: A joystick and associated circuit including a joystick handle and angularly oriented opposed pairs of first and second switches positioned apart from each other on respective axes, the switches being selectively actuatable by movements of the handle, and a resistive path connected to each pair of opposed switches between an operating voltage source and an output terminal, each resistive path providing selected resistance to the respective output terminal which is representative of corresponding movements of the handle, each resistive path including resistive elements connected between the operating voltage source and the respective output terminal, activation of the switches causing the resistance of the respective resistive path to be altered to provide different resistive values to the output terminal.

Abstract: A parts loading apparatus comprising a turret structure having one or more passages therethrough for receiving and holding a row of parts to be fed therefrom one at a time, the plurality of such passages being arranged at angularly spaced locations around a central axis, each having an opening adjacent one end from which the parts held therein can pass, and a rotary actuator mechanism operatively connected to the turret structure to rotate the structure to locate different ones of the passages in alignment with a parts receiving fixture adjacent to one end of the passage and with a source of pressure adjacent to the opposite end of the passage. The subject parts loading apparatus may also be constructed to have a single elongated tubular member capable of holding a row of aligned parts therein with the piston positioned therein adjacent one end of the row of parts whereby applying pressure into the passage moves the piston and the row of parts therein and ejects the end most part therefrom.

Abstract: A combination of perfluorocarbon liquid and silicone is used to treat ophthalmological disorders of the eye. Perfluorocarbon liquid and silicone are injected into the eye to treat detached or torn retinas. A method of treating ophthalmological disorder of the eye with the combination of perfluorocarbon liquid and silicone is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved support mechanism for supporting a boring bar at spaced locations along its length within a workpiece during a boring operation, the present support mechanism being particularly adaptable for precision in-line boring of the cam shaft bores associated with overhead cam cylinder heads such as the Ford Escort overhead cylinder head presently in use and being specifically directed to centrally supporting the boring bar intermediate the respective opposite end portions of the cylinder head or other workpiece, the present support mechanism including a first annular member slidably positionable on the boring bar at an intermediate location along its length, the annular member being constructed to enable the boring bar to rotate freely therein, a second member slidably positionable within any one of the lifter bores associated with the particular cylinder head or other workpiece to be re-bored, the second member including a locking mechanism for locking the second member within any one of the lifter bores

Abstract: A watercraft performance type device for facilitating the on-plane operation of a watercraft comprising a plate-like member which is specifically designed to be removably attachable to the underside portion of the cavitation plate associated with the lower drive unit of a typical outboard motor or stern drive assembly, the plate-like member including an angularly related tab portion extending downwardly substantially across the rear end portion thereof, an opening strategically positioned for receiving the downwardly extending torque tab commonly associated with most cavitation plates, the torque tab opening being located and dimensioned so as to enable the torque tab to extend therethrough when the plate-like member is attached in operative position to the underside portion of the cavitation plate, and a cut-out arrangement associated with the front end portion of the plate-like member for positioning and locating the same in close abutting relationship with that portion of the lower drive unit located adjac

Abstract: A variable shelf organizer for merchandising products therefrom capable of being assembled to accommodate any shelf width and any product dimension including a substantially flat product supporting floor member having a plurality of channel-like spaces associated therewith for cooperatively receiving any one of a plurality of divider members, each divider member being selectively engageable with the channel-like spaces to form any number of segregated product guide channels for arranging products therebetween, the width of each such product guide channel being selectively adjustable by engaging the respective divider members forming the same with different pairs of the channel-like spaces thereby varying the distance between any two adjacent divider members.

Abstract: An improved radially expandable honing mandrel construction wherein a radially extendable work engaging portion can be positively retracted into the body member of the mandrel by operation of the adjusting member in a direction opposite its direction for expanding the work engaging portion, which positively retracting feature comprises a surface adjacent one side of the work engaging portion and a tab extending from the side of the adjusting member for engagement with the surface to retract the work engaging member when the adjusting member is operated in a direction opposite from that used for expanding the work engaging member, the surface and tab also cooperating to retain the work engaging portion in the mandrel. The invention also includes structure on the mandrel engageable with the adjusting member to prevent lateral movements thereof in the body member.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus for controlling the vending and payback of change in a vending machine and includes a device for establishing a list of permissible payback amounts from the vending machine and for adding each of the permissible amounts to a vend price established by a customer selecting a particular vend, and a payback storage device from which change is paid back including apparatus for determining the availability of coins in the payback storage device to satisfy the permissible amount for payback.

Abstract: A pad support assembly for supporting a buffing pad on a floor buffing machine including a pad support member of disk-like construction having a central overhead portion, an annular peripheral portion for engaging the peripheral portion of a pad positioned therein, and a portion connected therebetween, and a pad retainer plate for attaching to the central overhead portion of the pad support member to press a pad therebetween. The pad support assembly may also include an air impervious layer of material positioned between the pad and the peripheral portion of the pad support member so that air cannot flow down into the pad from above should a portion of the pad separate from the peripheral portion of the pad support member due to an irregularity in the floor being buffed. The pad support member should also be constructed so as to prevent air flow therethrough.

Abstract: An improved method for plating super abrasive materials onto the working portion of a honing tool, which method includes plating or otherwise coating a relatively thin layer of a composite material comprising a metal or metal alloy material having a friction reducing or lubricating type material occluded or otherwise associated therewith over the top of the bond already established between the abrasive particles and the working portion of the honing tool so as to substantially reduce and minimize the occurrence of having stock material build-up and collect between the abrasive particles, which stock build-up causes galling or scoring of the honed work surface during a honing operation. In the preferred embodiment, the composite material comprising the anti-galling coating surface is a nickel/phosphorous alloy material having micron-sized Teflon particles occluded therein.