Abstract: A weighing apparatus for a vehicle having tines in which a ramp is mounted on each tine in front of and in spaced relation to a weighing load bearing plate. The ramp and the confronting weighing load bearing plate are not mechanically joined. Below each weighing load bearing plate are load cells for emitting changes in signals representative of the weight of a load on the weighing load bearing plates. As the load advances toward the weighing load bearing plates, the ramps attenuate excessive forces and shock resulting from the load advancing onto the weighing load bearing plates. As a consequence thereof, the load cells are not subject to the excessive shocks or forces of an advancing load.

Abstract: A multiple-step cyclical ram advancing apparatus. In a three step configuration linear motion is imparted to a moving axis as revolution therearound translates said axis to provide a first linear push to a slide ram to abut articles, then a partial retraction of the slide ram during a period of dwell, followed by a second linear push to discharge the assembled articles. In other configurations, the ram is alternately advanced and retracted a varying number of times depending on the integer ratio of the number of revolutions of the pinion gear in half revolutions to the number of revolutions of the flywheel.

Abstract: A fire grate is formed with a slot configured to receive a narrow dimensioned section of a briquette. The walls surrounding the slot support the briquette in vertical orientation with the narrow dimensioned section of the briquette extending upwardly. Combustion air or gas flows through the slot for exposing the briquette to the combustion air or gas.

Abstract: An operator from a computer terminal initially enters a password or passwords into a computer system over a specific terminal line. If the password or passwords transmitted over the specific terminal is recognized by a master command line interpreter, then the master command line interpreter compares the password or passwords and the specific terminal with a table stored in the computer system. If the comparison by the master command line interpreter is invalid, then the master command line interpreter instructs the computer system not to log in the operator's request for access to the computer system. If the comparison by the master command line interpreter is valid, then the master command line interpreter instructs the computer system to log in the operator's request for access to the computer system. The master command line interpreter also instructs the computer system to assign a selected user command line interpreter.

Abstract: A cooking unit has a frame or a bowl-shaped vessel. Supported by the frame or bowl-shaped vessel is a horizontal support with a center opening therethrough. A firebox vessel with an open top depends from the horizontal support and is disposed in the center opening of the horizontal support. A fire grate on which fuel elements are seated is disposed in the firebox vessel below the center opening of the horizontal support. A cooking grill is disposed over the center opening of the horizontal support. Combustion air enters the firebox vessel through an opening above the fire grate other than the open top of the firebox vessel to supply combustion air to the burning fuel elements. The interior of the firebox vessel reflects the heat produced by the fuel elements toward the food on the cooking grill.

Abstract: A circular saw blade in which tooth assemblies are pivotally mounted along the periphery of the disc spaced apart at equal angular distances. Each tooth assembly has a U-shaped tooth wedging member pivotally mounted on the disc. The tooth is secured between the disc and the wedging member. Pivotal movement of the tooth wedging member in one direction wedges the tooth between the disc and the tooth wedging member. Pivotal movement of the tooth wedging member in an opposite direction releases the tooth from the wedging action between the disc and the wedging member. A cam locking member is rotatably mounted on the disc adjacent the wedging member. Rotation of the cam locking member in one direction locks the tooth wedging member in the tooth wedging mode. Rotation of the cam locking member in an opposite direction unlocks the tooth wedging member to enable the tooth to be released from the wedging action between the disc and the tooth wedging member.

Abstract: An outdoor cooking unit in which a bendable, disposable and non-combustible member is employed. The member is formed with a closed bottom and upstanding panels to form an inverted, truncated, pyramidal configuration with an open top. A fuel element is disposed within the member.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a concrete panel for constructing a wall of a building in which a reinforcing column of concrete is integrally formed therewith. The apparatus has a hopper in which cement is poured. Depending from the hopper is an inverted U-shaped channel member with depending walls for forming the column. Projecting outwardly from the bottom of the depending walls are flanges. Outboard of the flanges are runners which slide over rails for advancing the apparatus over a rectilinear path.

Abstract: A screed for an asphalt paver in which the bottom plate thereof is made of steel in the Brinell hardness range of 450-500 to engage road surfacing material. Stainless steel threaded studs are welded to the upper surface of the bottom plate for attachment of the screed to the asphalt paver.

Abstract: A water absorbent device for a fuel tank that has a permeable housing through which a liquid passes. Within the permeable housing is a permeable container through which liquid passes. Water absorbing material is contained within paper bags that are disposed within the permeable container for absorbing water within the fuel tank. The permeable container is removably disposed in the housing. At least one end of the housing is an open end, which is closed by a cap for retaining the removable container within the housing. The cap is removed to enable the container to be removed from the housing for replacement. A chain is attached to the housing for placing the housing into the fuel tank and for removing the housing from the fuel tank.

Abstract: A bulk material container with an opening has a door arranged to move over a rectilinear path for the opening and the closing of the opening. For moving the door over a rectilinear path to either open or close the opening, a threaded shaft is journalled for rotation within the container and is aligned axially with the center of the door. Means on the threaded shaft engage the door so that the door is moved over the rectilinear path by the rotation of the threaded shaft. A gasket surrounds the opening at the time of closure by the door. Continued rotation of the shaft for the closure of the door will cause the gasket to be compressed against the plate surrounding the opening. Rotation of the door is inhibited while the gasket is being compressed.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing an electrical switch responsive to fluid under pressure and a solenoid valve that controls the flow of fluid under pressure. Fluid under pressure is injected into a socket holding the switch to be tested. The magnitude of the pressure is predetermined in accordance with the rating of the switch. An electrical circuit is connected to the switch to determine whether the switch opens and closes at the rated range of the switch. A solenoid valve communicates with the socket. Fluid under pressure is conducted along a path. The solenoid valve is disposed in the path of fluid flow to control the flow of fluid under pressure. The electrical circuit is connected to the solenoid valve to energize and deenergize the same, thereby opening and closing the valve. A meter communicating with the flow of fluid under pressure indicates whether the solenoid valve is operating properly.

Abstract: A boat dolly has a wheel supported carrier. The carrier has spaced abutment plates, which support a boat tipped on its side. One of the abutment plates engages the bottom of the boat. The other abutment plate engages the lower side gunwale of the boat. The abutment plate that engages the bottom of the boat is adjustably secured to the carrier or regulating the distance between the abutment plates.

Abstract: A tent supported by a center pole in which the center pole serves as a chimney for a stove disposed within the tent. A water jacket surrounds the center pole for heating water stored in the water jacket. The center pole is formed from pole segments with are nested on top of another through a slip fit connection, whereby the center pole can be disassembled for transporting and storing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating removal of spent tubes from boilers or heat exchangers in environments where access to one side of the wall through which the tube extends is limited. The apparatus includes a jaw assembly that is movable between a retracted position, at which it can be introduced within a tube to be removed, and an expanded position, at which it radially expands the tube so as to prevent longitudinal movement of the tube. The jaw assembly can be manipulated between the retracted and expanded positions solely through the tube interior so that a worker stationed at a proximal end of the tube to be removed can move the jaw assembly to the expanded position at which the distal end of the tube is fixed against longitudinal movement. After application of pulling forces to fracture the tube, the jaw assembly can be disengaged solely by access through the tube from the proximal end, whereby efficiency of tube removal in environments of limited access is materially enchanced.

Abstract: A fire grate is formed with a slot configured to receive a narrow dimensioned section of a briquette. The walls surrounding the slot support the briquette in vertical orientation with the narrow dimensioned section of the briquette extending upwardly. Combustion air or gas flows through the slot for exposing the briquette to the combustion air or gas.

Abstract: A belt conveyor includes an assembly of conveyor idler rollers for supporting a conveyor belt advancing thereon. Each conveyor idler roller includes a cylindrical body that is freely rotatable about a shaft. A keeper seal prevents axial displacement of the cylindrical body along the shaft and inhibits foreign matter from penetrating into the central opening of the cylindrical body. The keeper seal comprises a radially projecting collar at the proximal end of the shaft which mates with a radially projecting groove formed in the cylindrical body to prevent axial displacement of the cylindrical body along the shaft and to inhibit foreign matter from penetrating the central opening of the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A bulk material container with a vent. Disposed in the vent is a filter membrane. Under normal conditions, fluid in the container breathes with the air under atmospheric pressure through the filter membrane. In one embodiment, when the bulk material in the container is under excessive fluid pressure, the filter membrane is fractured for fluid under excessive pressure to vent rapidly to atmosphere. In another embodiment, when there is an excessive vacuum in the container, air under atmospheric pressure fractures the filter member for air atmospheric pressure to instantaneously enter the container through the fractured membrane to reduce the vacuum within the container.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the drop height of a container by detecting changes in altitude pressure resulting from the drop of the container. The apparatus includes transducers for measuring absolute temperature, atmospheric barometric pressure, and the differential pressure between the release elevation and the impact elevation.