Abstract: A rigging assembly for a dragline bucket has first and second hoist chains coupled to the bucket and first and second pickup links above the hoist chains. The chains extend along first and second axes, respectively, and define a fleet angle between them. In the improvement, the pickup links define a link angle between them which is substantially equal to the fleet angle. The pickup links are coupled with respect to respective hoist sockets by pins, the hoist chains are coupled with respect to the pickup links by other pins and all of the pins have substantially equal cross-sectional areas. Most preferably, the pins are identical to one another for parts "commonality.

Abstract: A filter cartridge has an inner filter element and an outer filter element concentric therewith. The filter elements define a water flow space between them and a container of sanitizing granules is positioned in the space. The granules kill waterborne bacteria that come into contact therewith. In a more specific embodiment, the container is in a riser tube positioned in the water flow space. In another embodiment, the cartridge includes two riser tubes, each holding a container of sanitizing granules. In the alternative, one riser tube holds a container of an oxidizer such as chlorine or bromine pellets.

Abstract: A method for joining a tube and a plate includes forming a short connection stub which is integral to the plate. The stub is imperforate and has a cylindrical stub surface around the stub circumference and for engaging the tube. The distal stub edge is spaced from the plate and defines a circle. A cylindrical tube has an interior tube surface, an exterior tube surface and a tube end. The tube end is placed in telescoped relationship to the stub and the stub thereby contacts only one of the tube surfaces, i.e., the interior surface or the exterior surface. The tube and stub overlap at a junction. A substantially uniform force is then applied radially around the stub surface and the stub, the edge and the tube are urged simultaneously radially inwardly or outwardly with respect to the axis.

Abstract: The disclosed eddy-current separator has several new features. One includes a magnet assembly which is metal-sleeved for protecting the magnets from impact by particles or objects piercing the waste-carrying conveyor belt with which the separator is used. A low-rotating-speed epoxy-layered shell surrounds the sleeve for additional protection. A conveying extension carries ferrous "fines" from the conveyor into the receptacle used to collect waste from which non-ferrous material has been separated. Such extension permits such fines to be under the substantial influence of the magnet assembly over an arc well less than 180.degree.. The conveyor belt uses relatively-closely-spaced cleats of reduced height to reduce the "loading" of an individual cleat with potentially-piercing ferrous fines. A two pole magnet assembly may be used and/or a magnet assembly in which the magnet pole faces are curved for air gap reduction.

Abstract: A hydraulic helm pump used for vessel steering has a housing, a barrel rotating in the housing, and one or more cylindrical pistons reciprocating in the barrel. The barrel has a separate abutment surface at the end of each piston bore and spaced from each respective piston. The pistons are solid, not hollow. A compression spring is interposed between each respective piston and the abutment surface and the spring outside diameter is about equal to the maximum diameter of the piston. When each piston is in its forward position, its forward end is very close to the abutment surface, thereby reducing unswept volume. And each piston return spring occupies most of the remaining otherwise-unswept volume between the piston and its bore. The pistons are random-fitted to their bores and include resilient piston-and-bore seal members.

Abstract: The new bread slicing guide includes a base member and a pair of guide members mounted with respect to the base member for pivoting movement about respective pivot axes. The pivot axes are under the base member so that the guide members may be folded toward and substantially against one another for storage. Each guide member is retained in a bread slicing position or a storage position by a position retention mechanism having a cavity and a raised portion generally conforming in shape to the shape of the cavity. A new method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A new method for making a filter module includes the steps of providing an adhesive dispensing implement and a support member having an annular flange. A filter medium is placed around the support member to form an intermediate assembly and the implement and the assembly are rotated relative to one another while applying adhesive to the medium and the flange, thereby securing the medium and the flange to one another. A related apparatus for making a filter module has a powered module support mechanism for rotating a filter module about an axis and an adhesive dispensing implement for applying adhesive to a rotating filter module. Preferably, the module support mechanism includes two parallel rotating bars for holding the module and the module assembly is rotated while holding the adhesive dispensing implement stationary.

Abstract: A vial for a builder's level includes a body with an interior wall and a body cavity containing a bubble. A marker ring is exposed in the cavity. In the improvement, the ring is embedded in the body and the interior wall and the ring have surfaces machined and coextensive with one another. The bubble moves smoothly across the machined wall and ring surfaces. A new method for making a level vial includes providing an intermediate vial product with a body wall having at least one marker ring embedded in it and machining the wall and the ring to form a wall surface free of discontinuities. The intermediate vial product is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new heating device for an appliance such as a coffee urn. Such device has a main heating element and a spaced-apart warming element, both of which are embedded in a common casting. The device may be mounted to and removed from an appliance as a single unit and when mounted, the main heating element is closer to the liquid container than the warming element. The elements are vertically spaced from one another and each element has flattened coil portions contacting one another. Such flattened portions minimizes the height of the device. The new device also has one or more "mounting points" for attaching auxiliary components such as a grounding wire and a thermostat, as needed.

Abstract: The disclosure involves a method for guiding a machine within an area. Such method includes the steps of triggering an acoustic locating signal from a stationary "beacon-type" base module to a receiver on the machine. The method is applicable for one-beacon, two-receiver and two-beacon, one-receiver applications. A related apparatus also includes a device for emitting a trigger signal and a device for determining the time elapsed between transmission and reception of the locating signal. An operating principle involves computing the module-to-machine distance by determining the "time of flight" of such signal. The machine is steered along a path, the locus of which is defined by an equation.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a pump having (a) a wobble plate, (b) a barrel, (c) a pair of piston assemblies reciprocated in the barrel by the wobble plate, and (c) a mechanism retaining the piston assemblies in contact with the wobble plate. In the improvement, the mechanism comprises a yoke member contacting the piston assemblies and a support member mounted to the barrel. The support member has a concave surface and the yoke member has a convex surface contacting the concave surface for bearing support. The support member coacts with the yoke member and permits oscillation of such yoke member in a plane substantially coincident with the barrel central axis. The new hold-down mechanism may be "cascaded" in that the pump may also include another pair of piston assemblies and a second yoke member contacting the second pair of piston assemblies. A bearing component, e.g., a spherical ball, is interposed between the yoke members.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for manufacturing storage batteries. The method is directed toward manufacture of a storage battery with a single weld between intercell connectors, positive and negative plates and external terminals. The apparatus comprises a frame, holding and positioning components, a lead dispensing assembly and an edge-heater assembly for sealing the battery case. The apparatus and inventive method permit dispensing of molten lead into selective segments of the battery case substantially simultaneously with sealing of the battery case.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder for steering a tiltable boat engine includes a cylinder housing with first and second housing ends. In the improvement, at least the first end includes a reduced-dimension relief portion preventing the cylinder first end from contacting the engine when the engine is tilted. A new method for making such a cylinder includes the steps of forming a cylinder housing having a mid-section and first and second housing ends and shaping a relief portion at the first end. The cylinder first end is thereby prevented from contacting the engine (and, particularly, the engine stern bracket) when the engine is tilted. The invention also involves unique manufacturing and assembly techniques.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a new valve and a hydraulic system incorporating such valve. A mode-selection assembly on the valve is adjustable between an open-loop position for system purging and a closed-loop position for normal system operation. A sealing member moves with the spool and with the mode-selection assembly in the open-loop position, the sealing member may be urged against a stationary abutment member in the valve. Such cooperative sealing member/abutment member contact blocks the closed-loop flow path and causes fluid to be "rerouted" to tank rather than back to the pump. The system is thereby temporarily converted to open-loop configuration for purging and is restored to closed-loop configuration by moving the mode-selection assembly to the closed-loop position. The new valve is particularly useful in hydraulic steering circuits for boats.

Abstract: A carrying cover for a food pan includes a pair of side channels generally parallel to one another and first and second cover ends generally parallel to one another and generally normal to the side channels. The cover handle is positioned closer to the first end than to the second end. When the two cover side channels and the cover end channel are engaged with respective edges of a steam table pan for pan carrying, the cover handle is "off center" with respect to the pan center of gravity. The force of gravity urges the pan toward the cover end channel which prevents the pan from sliding out of the cover.

Abstract: A new method provides test equipment having a humidification capability. Such method includes the steps of fabricating equipment having (a) a chamber for stress-testing products placed therein, and (b) a cavity for receiving a module. The equipment is installed in a product test facility and used for stress-testing (by, e.g., "temperature cycling") a first group of products placed in the chamber. Later (perhaps several months or years later), the module is mounted in the cavity, a second group of products is placed in the chamber and humidity-controlled air is circulated across the second group of products. The new method is particularly useful for manufacturers or testers of products like electronic printed circuit boards initially requiring only a temperature-related testing capability but later needing to add humidity-related testing regimens.

Abstract: The disclosed eddy-current separator has several new features. One includes a magnet assembly which is metal-sleeved for protecting the magnets from impact by particles or objects piercing the waste-carrying conveyor belt with which the separator is used. A low-rotating-speed epoxy-layered shell surrounds the sleeve for additional protection. A conveying extension carries ferrous "fines" from the conveyor into the receptacle used to collect waste from which non-ferrous material has been separated. Such extension permits such fines to be under the substantial influence of the magnet assembly over an arc well less than 180.degree.. The conveyor belt uses relatively-closely-spaced cleats of reduced height to reduce the "loading" of an individual cleat with potentially-piercing ferrous fines. A two pole magnet assembly may be used and/or a magnet assembly in which the magnet pole faces are curved for air gap reduction.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve assembly for use with a fluid motor has a control device, e.g., a valve spool, mounted for movement between a neutral position for motor disabling and an output position for motor operation. The improvement comprises a locking surface on the device and a lock member engaging the surface when the device is in the neutral position. Such lock member prevents movement of the device to the output position. The valve assembly may have two control devices, each having a locking surface. The lock member engages (or disengages from) such surfaces simultaneously. Means for manual and remote shifting of the locking member are also disclosed. The new assembly is particularly useful in mobile machines having hydraulically-operated equipment, e.g., a loader bucket, which is raised above ground.

Abstract: An improved asphalt roof-coating composition which includes asphalt cutback, clay, and a novel salt surfactant. The surfactant comprises an acid and alkoxylated fatty amines and alkoxylated ether amines. The novel surfactant amines are inexpensive and impart desirable physical properties to the composition.