Abstract: A system of constructing a building using prefabricated wall and roof panels, each of the panels comprising interior and exterior corrugated metal sheets disposed on opposite major faces of a foamed core. The panels are assembled together in edge-to-edge relationship with complementary mating edges for securing adjacent panels. The joints between adjacent panels and between panels and support members are secured by self-drilling threaded fasteners. Metal strips are embedded in the panels to provide anchors for the threaded fasteners. A specially adapted insulating member is disposed along one edge of each panel to provide mechanical support without sacrificing thermal efficiency.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting vegetation with a rotatable head carrying a non-metallic cutting line extended into a cutting plane. A supply line coil is carried within the head. A mechanism in the head automatically feeds replacement line from the coil to constantly maintain a predetermined maximum length in the cutting plane. The cutting line length is extended immediately when any length of cutting line is lost to wear or breakage. The line-feeder mechanism feeds replacement cutting line at a rate proportional to the length of replacement cutting line.

Abstract: A portable workover rig for handling a pipe string in a well casing includes a base platform and a collapsible mast which is movable from a reclining transport position to an erect elevated position of use. The mast is supported for free-standing operation by a carriage assembly including a cantilever support base mounted on the base platform for pivotal movement from the transport position to the position of use. The carriage assembly includes lift arms coupled in parallel relation intermediate the cantilever support base and the rig support platform for maintaining the cantilever support base in parallel alignment with the base platform. Hoisting and snubbing operations are performed by drawworks including a linear hydraulic actuator carried on the base platform, a traveling block supported for vertical movement along the mast by hoist and snub cables, and traveling sheaves carried by the actuator through a stroke pathway which is oriented transversely with respect to the mast.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a frypot comprising heat transfer walls which are spaced to facilitate cleaning of the frypot. Each heat transfer wall comprises a lower vertically extending portion and an upper outwardly curved portion shaped to cause wastes to flow to the bottom of the frypot. A plurality of burners are provided for maintaining combustion in zones adjacent to the vertically extending portions of the heat transfer walls. This causes heated products of combustion to flow upwardly along the vertically extending and outwardly extending portions of the heat transfer walls, whereby heat transfer is effected through the walls to cooking oil in the frypot. Each burner comprises two or more orifices for discharging mutually interacting gas jets and a target for deflecting the gas jets and entrained air toward the heat transfer walls and for reflecting heat into the combustion zone and through the heat transfer walls.

Abstract: Frying apparatus including a fry pot and rack handling means for inserting a vertical stack of frying racks into and withdrawing the frying racks from the fry pot is disclosed. The rack handling means includes a frying rack assembly and a rack support assembly movably suspended with respect to the open mouth of the fry pot. The rack support assembly includes portions defining an open channel detachably engaging the frying rack assembly and means for guiding the frying rack assembly for movement from an elevated position above the open mouth of the fry pot wherein the frying rack assembly may be inserted into the channel prior to a cooking cycle or withdrawn from the channel after completion of the cooking cycle, to an immersed position inside of the fry pot wherein food portions previously loaded onto the frying rack assembly may be fried during a cooking cycle.

Abstract: Improved water insensitive bonded perlite structural materials are produced by combining expanded perlite with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal silicate and thereafter molding the mixture into a desired shape and curing the molded mixture under closely controlled temperature and humidity conditions. The aqueous solution of alkali metal silicate will be either a sodium silicate solution or a potassium silicate solution. The temperature and humidity conditions for curing the molded perlite and alkali metal silicate mixture are from about 180.degree. F. to about 225.degree. F. and from about 30% to about 60% relative humidity. By carrying out the curing process under the closely controlled temperature and relative humidity conditions, a water insoluble crystalline reaction product is formed between the alkali metal silicate and the reactive expanded perlite.

Abstract: A narrow profile power handle uniquely adapted for use as a flexible line trimmer having improved handling and safety features is disclosed. The power handle is also equipped with a quick connect and disconnect coupling and is useful for driving attachments to produce hand held rotary implements and tools such as brush cutters, edgers, cultivators, drills, etc., hand held reciprocating implements and tools such as hedge clippers, saws, etc., as well as portable water pumps, air compressors, generators, etc.The crankshaft of a two-stroke internal combustion engine is disposed along the longitudinal axis of a narrow profile housing which includes a rear handle having a hand grip portion disposed above and projecting rearwardly parallel to the axis of the housing. The cylinder extends upwardly from the crankcase, the carburetor is disposed below the crankcase, the flywheel, ignition system and starter to the rear, and the gas tank is disposed below the rear handle.

Abstract: An extendable utility boom assembly for assisting fire-fighting operations performed from a semi-submersible service vessel upon an offshore platform is disclosed. The boom assembly is moved to operating position by means of a carriage assembly which is mounted for movement along a track secured to the deck of the service vessel. Orientation of the boom assembly in azimuth and pitch is provided by a supporting frame which is pivotally mounted on the carriage assembly for angular movement through a horizontal plane, and a boom housing which is pivotally mounted on the supporting frame for angular movement through a vertical plane. An elongated utility boom is supported by roller bearing elements for axial movement through the boom housing. A first linear actuator is interconnected between the carriage assembly and supporting frame for displacing the supporting frame through the horizontal plane.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for the production of industrial parts of synthetic material comprising a portion of a rigid material surmounted by a portion of a flexible material, and in particular industrial parts serving as a means for making a seal between different parts of heating or air-conditioning equipment.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for cutting vegetation, comprising a motor and a rotating cutting head mounted at the ends of a support tube. One or more flexible non-metallic lines extend into a cutting plane from the cutting head. Unique first and second tubular handle members carrying cylindrical handgrips at their free ends are secured by a clamp to a straight portion in the support tube. These handle members have straight and curved portions arranged in combination so that the handgrips reside in a common horizon and with substantially the same angular displacement at the user's hands with the cutting head positioned directly in front of the user's body. With this improved apparatus the user has a comfortable stance with the cutting head before him and can make equal left and right swings without any undue strain or effort during vegetation cutting.

Abstract: A self-propelled semi-submersible column stabilized service vessel for tending offshore production and drilling operations is disclosed. The vessel includes a pair of submersible hulls having ballast compartments for controlling the buoyancy of the hulls. A rectangular service deck or platform which includes fire fighting equipment, rig inspection equipment, repair facilities, and load lifting equipment is supported by means of vertical stability columns which are compartmented and include ballast chambers for controlling the buoyancy of the columns. The fire fighting equipment includes an extendable fire boom for clearing debris and for positioning explosives on the deck of a burning production or drilling platform. An array of monitors is also provided for establishing a curtain of water for thermally shielding the service vessel and for extinguishing a fire on the platform.

Abstract: Apparatus for controllably transferring fluid from a pierceable pressurized container includes a valve body, a stem member which is threadably connected to the valve body at one end and a fluid-conducting hose at the other end, and an elastomeric valve ball disposed in a cavity between the body and the stem member. The valve ball controls fluid flow from the container through the valve body and stem member to the hose in response to rotation of the valve stem relative to the body. Simultaneously, the valve balls acts as a check valve to prevent flow of fluid to the container. An O-ring seal between the stem and the valve body is adapted to leak at high pressure and bleed off fluid.

Abstract: A seismic prospecting roll along switching system using a relatively small number of switches to provide roll along prospecting while also providing variable gapping with minimum loss of active channels. In a simple form two sets of switches are provided with each set having one switch provided for each geophone input and with switch outputs connected in pairs, appropriately selected, to the inputs of signal processing channels. The two sets of switches are connected to the processing channels in a skewed or staggered manner with the amount of skew corresponding to a selectable gap. A controller is provided for electronically closing the appropriate switches from each set in accordance with the desired gap. Additional switch sets may be employed to provide additional selectable gaps while maintaining complete utilization of processing channels.