Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for heat treating metal castings with sand cores provides for removal of the sand core and recovery of the sand core material for reuse. The method and apparatus eliminate the need for removing the sand core from the casting prior to heat treatment and thus eliminate the labor, expense, and possible damage to the casting incidental to conventional core removal techniques such as chiseling and shaking. The method involves heating the casting with sand core therein to a temperature sufficient to burn off the binder component of the sand core. The sand comprising the sand core is then blown out of the casting by directing a flow of air over the workpiece. The sand thus dislodged is then collected for reuse. According to the disclosed apparatus, the castings are heated in a furnace having fans for directing a flow of air over the workpieces.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the area and concentration of radioactive contamination on surfaces, objects and personnel is disclosed. The apparatus is capable of automatic adjustment without intervention by an operator, providing for self-calibration and avoiding the need for periodic calibration, source checking and maintenance by personnel. The apparatus is comprised of one or more position sensitive proportional counters coupled together to act as a single counter. A computer based acquisition system is used to collect the time, energy and position of an ionization event that is caused by the contamination. Collimated radiation sources are located inside of each position sensitive proportional counter. These sources act as stable artifacts in the position and energy spectra that the device acquires as a function of time.

Abstract: An elongated firing pin is constructed of titanium and defines a plurality of voids therein such that the firing pin is lightweight. The elongated firing pin extends axially and includes a tip at the pin front and a radially extending protrusion at the pin rear. The radially extending protrusion defines a first cavity that is accessible at the pin rear. The firing pin further includes an axially extending external surface and an axially extending internal surface. The internal surface surrounds and defines an elongated, axially extending bore that is accessible at the pin rear. The firing pin further defines a second cavity, and the second cavity is accessible at the external surface proximate to firing pin front. The firing pin additionally defines a third cavity that is also accessible at the exterior surface proximate to the pin front.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for heat treating metal castings with sand cores provides for removal of the sand core and recovery of the sand core material for reuse. The method and apparatus eliminate the need for removing the sand core from the casting prior to heat treatment and thus eliminate the labor, expense, and possible damage to the casting incidental to conventional core removal techniques such as chiseling and shaking. The method involves heating the casting with sand core therein to a temperature sufficient to burn off the binder component of the sand core. The sand comprising the sand core is then blown out of the casting by directing a flow of air over the workpiece. The sand thus dislodged is then collected for reuse. According to the disclosed apparatus, the castings are heated in a furnace having fans for directing a flow of air over the workpieces.

Abstract: A torque multiplying assist tool engages and pivots about a fulcrum to assist a conventional wrench in operating upon a work-piece. The assist tool functions as a secondary lever by receiving an applied force, pivoting about the fulcrum, and exerting a multiplied force upon the wrench. The wrench includes a grip element that is engaged to the work-piece and a handle extending from the grip element. The multiplied force is applied by way of a linkage assembly to the handle of the wrench causing the wrench to pivot such that torque is applied to the work-piece. In accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the assist tool is constructed and arranged to cooperate with the wrench to aid in the removal of a lug nut from a vehicle wheel. The work-piece is a lug nut (i.e., a primary lug nut) on the wheel and the fulcrum is another lug nut (i.e., a secondary lug nut) on the same wheel.

Abstract: Provided is a composite building panel including, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, a planar concrete slab portion at the front and a plurality of elongated frame members at the rear. Each frame member includes a first end and an opposite second end that define a length therebetween, and a front side and a rear side which define a width therebetween which is less than the length. The front side of each frame member is imbedded in the concrete slab portion along the entire length of the frame member, and the rear side of each frame member is oriented opposite from the concrete slab portion. The frame members are, in accordance with preferred embodiments, all oriented on one side of the concrete slab portion and function to reinforce the concrete slab portion; to define cavities therebetween for the installation of plumbing, electrical wiring, and insulation; and to provide for the attachment of wallboard.

Abstract: A purge supplement includes a vessel that attaches to a gas discharge line of a purge system. Adsorbent material is disposed within the vessel. In a Vent Mode the purge system vents into the vessel and the vessel vents to the atmosphere, whereby the purge system effectively vents through the vessel and the adsorbent material in the vessel adsorbs refrigerant. The purge supplement senses, by employing a weight scale or a refrigerant detection monitor, when the adsorbent material has adsorbed a certain amount of refrigerant, and at that time operation of the purge supplement switches from the Vent Mode to a Recycle Mode. When the transition is made to the Recycle Mode the vessel is isolated from the purge system and, after a slight delay, the atmosphere. After the slight time delay, the vessel is placed in fluid communication with an evaporator of a refrigeration system that the purge supplement is associated with. Refrigerant is drawn out of the adsorbent material and into the evaporator.

Abstract: Provided is an improved corrugated containerboard that includes a corrugated medium sandwiched between and secured to a top liner and a bottom liner. The corrugated medium, top liner, and bottom liner each include fibers that are oriented in a machine direction, and the corrugated medium defines a plurality of flutes that are oriented in the machine direction. The improved corrugated containerboard is constructed from conventional paperboard which is drawn through a corrugation system in the machine direction. A first piece of paperboard is drawn between a pair of dies to form the corrugated medium with flutes oriented in the machine direction. A second and third piece of paperboard are glued to either side of the corrugated medium to form the corrugated containerboard. Each die includes an engaging surface with ridges thereon, and the engaging surfaces are opposed and define a forming zone therebetween which the first piece of paperboard is drawn through.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-functional tool that includes two elongated bars. When the tool is in a push configuration, the bars are pivotally connected by a collar mechanism to define an obtuse angle between the bars, with each bar having a foot end extending from the obtuse angle. A force properly applied to the pivot point, for example, increases the magnitude of the obtuse angle thereby forcing the foot ends away from each other, whereby mechanical objects engaged by the foot ends are moved away from each other. When the tool is in a pull configuration, the two elongated bars are connected by the collar mechanism such that they are generally parallel and such that the foot ends thereof extend from the collar in the same general direction, with one foot end extending further from the collar than the other foot end.

Abstract: Provided is a flexible, water impervious flash strip for forming a substantially permanent watertight seal between an awning assembly and the building structure to which the awning assembly is attached. The flash strip includes a lip protrusion extending from the rear of the flash strip and biased to extend rearward and slightly upward from the flash strip, a leg protrusion depending from the rear of the flash strip, and a tab protrusion depending from the bottom of the flash strip between the front and rear of the flash strip. The tab protrusion is mated to the elongated stapling channel of a framing tube that is at the upper edge of the awning assembly and that is to be attached to the wall of the building.

Abstract: An equalizer assembly that integrates into the die cutting station of a press and comprises two hydraulic actuators, each of which interacts with one of the jackscrews of the press to create an internal hydraulic pressure. The internal pressure of a first of the hydraulic actuators corresponds to a loading force that is imparted upon the rotary cutting die proximate to a first end of the rotary cutting die, and the internal pressure of a second of the hydraulic actuators corresponds to a loading force that is imparted upon the rotary cutting die proximate to a second end of the rotary cutting die. The hydraulic actuators are in fluid communication with one another such that the hydraulic pressures therein are maintained substantially equal to define an overall system hydraulic pressure, and the hydraulic actuators are designed and arranged so that the loading forces generated thereby are substantially equal.

Abstract: A latching system, in accordance with a first preferred, embodiment of the present invention, comprises a notched post assembly, a post gripping assembly and a handle assembly, and, in preferred embodiments, a lock assembly associated with the handle assembly. The notched post assembly is comprised of an elongated post formed at one end with at least two opposing, axially extending rows of notches or teeth and alternately disposed smooth surfaces. The post gripping assembly comprises a channel for accepting the notched end of the post and comprises movable latch elements which cooperate with the notches of the post to effect the primary latching function of the system. The unlatching of the post from the channel is accomplished by rotating the post to disengage the notches and the latch elements.

Abstract: A container system includes, in its most preferred embodiment, a dispenser and a resealable, refillable container having a container body and a closure apparatus which includes a plug movably connected to a platform section which is connected to the container body through a rim section. The platform section defines a recess having a recess floor and a recess wall and an ovoid plug aperture located within the recess floor which is partially shielded by an aperture floor and selectively occupied by an ovoid bottom portion of the plug. The aperture floor defines an air hole and an upper surface which contacts a bottom surface of a wide end of the bottom portion of the plug, corresponding to the end which first departs away from the plug aperture.

Abstract: Provided is a key chain including a body defining a cavity that is accessible through a sleeve connected to the body. An insert member inserts through the sleeve to engage a biased button member that is movably disposed within the cavity. The button member defines an aperture that receives a portion of the insert member and the button member moves between a first position and a second position to selectively latch and release, respectively, the insert member to the body. The sleeve protrudes into the button aperture to restrict movement of the button member. A first key ring is attached to the body and a second key ring is attached to the insert member, whereby the key rings are disconnected when the insert member is withdrawn from the body and the key rings are connected with the insert member is inserted into the cavity and latched to the body.