Abstract: An athletic supporter includes a waistband with a pair of leg straps each attached at one end to the waistband and at the opposite end to an elastic mesh protective enclosure which is held in position to provide groin protection on a human body. The protective enclosure includes overlying inner and outer layers of elastic mesh material sewn together to form a closed end portion connected to the end of the straps and an open upper end portion where the inner layer is sewn to the waistband. The inner layer forms a pouch for supporting the groin region in one application of use of the athletic supporter. In another application of use the protective enclosure is adapted to receive a protective cup which is held in position to protect the groin region of the body against impact blows. An elastic strap is sewn to the open upper end portion of the protective enclosure with the ends of the elastic strap sewn to the waistband.

Abstract: A valve body includes a passageway for the flow of fluid therethrough. A valve member, such as a ball valve member, is positioned in the passageway for rotatable movement about a first rotational axis between an open position and a closed position to open and close the passageway. An actuator orbits about the first axis to move the valve member between the open and closed positions. A bent unitary valve stem extends between the valve member and the actuator. A lower end of the unitary valve stem is aligned with the first axis and is connected to the valve member for rotation with the valve member. An upper end of the unitary valve stem is aligned with a second axis angularly displaced from the first axis. A bearing assembly retained in the actuator connects the stem upper end to the actuator. A bellows bent to follow the curvature of the valve stem surrounds the valve stem to form a primary pressure boundary hermetically sealing the valve stem.

Abstract: A two part input shaft is drivingly connected to a crankshaft of a punch press for rotation at a predetermined speed. An adjustable cam drive mechanism drivingly connects the input shaft to a driven feed roll. Continuous rotation of the input shaft is converted by the adjustable cam drive mechanism to intermittent rotation of the feed roll. The intermittent rotation of the feed roll is timed with the press operation so that the feed roll intermittently advances a preselected length of the workpiece to the press after each press operation. A clamp arrangement releasably engages a first portion of the input shaft to a second portion of the input shaft so that, upon disengagement of the clamp arrangement, relative rotation is permitted between the input shaft first and second portions. The input shaft first portion is drivingly connected to the crankshaft of the press and the shaft second portion is drivingly connected to the adjustable cam drive mechanism.

Abstract: The input shaft of a punch press is rotated at a continuous preselected speed and is drivingly connected by a cam drive mechanism to an output shaft to generate oscillating rotational movement of the output shaft. Upper and lower feed rolls are rotatably supported in a frame in overlying relation to engage stock material extending between the upper and lower rolls. A combination linkage and gear cluster transmits the oscillating rotation movement of the output shaft to one of the feed rolls. The second feed roll is pivotally supported in the frame for movement toward and away from the first feed roll. A coupling drivingly connects the gear cluster to the second feed roll to oscillate the second feed roll through an angle of rotation corresponding to the angle of rotation of the first feed roll and thereby drive both of the feed rolls to intermittently feed a preselected length of the stock material to the press.

Abstract: A tubular fitting is threaded at one end for connection to a valve, meter, or the like and at the opposite end to a compression nut. A bore extends through the fitting and includes a tapered or restricted portion. The tapered portion forms an internal shoulder. A compressible sleeve is positioned in the fitting bore opposite the internal shoulder. A reinforcing insert extends through the sleeve. The insert abuts the end of the sleeve. An annular space is provided between the sleeve and the insert for receiving an unthreaded conduit. The insert includes a plurality of annular serrations adapted to frictionally engage the end of the conduit positioned in the annular space. The application of a force on the conduit in a direction to pull the conduit out of the fitting advances the sleeve against the fitting internal shoulder. The sleeve is compressed onto the flexible conduit to increase the frictional engagement of the conduit with the insert serrations.

Abstract: A mechanical anchor including an expansion shell and a camming plug positioned in the shell is threaded onto the end of a mine roof bolt. A roof support plate is carried on the opposite end of the bolt. The mechanical anchor is inserted in a bore hole drilled in a rock formation with one or more resin cartridges advanced by upward movement of the bolt to the end of the bore hole. The cartridge is ruptured by upward thrust and rotation of the bolt to release the resin components for mixing. A stop device extending through the plug abuts the end of the bolt to prevent axial movement of the plug on the bolt when the bolt is rotated in a preselected direction to mix the resin components before the shell is expanded. Rotation of the bolt continues without expansion of the shell for a period of time to permit formation of a curable resin mixture.

Abstract: A first clamp member and a second clamp member are positioned in opposed spaced relation with a conduit, pipe or the like, positioned therebetween. Each clamp member has a body portion including an engaging end portion adapted for attachment to a structural support and an opposite connecting end portion. An intermediate portion having an arcuate configuration extends between the engaging and connecting end portions and is adapted to receive and support the conduit. A moisture resistant, polymeric material covers the clamp member body portions so that the clamp members are completely encapsulated to seal out the effects of moisture. A bore extends through the connecting end portion of each clamp member. In assembly, the bores are oppositely aligned to receive a fastening element which draws the connecting end portions together for engagement of the intermediate portions with the periphery of the conduit.

Abstract: A drill housing includes an internal cavity for receiving a unitary tubular support member rotatably supported by bearing assemblies in the drill housing. The tubular support member is connected through meshing gears to a drive shaft of a rotary motor mounted externally on the drill housing. An upper end portion of the tubular support member is rotatably supported by a first bearing assembly and is nonrotatably connected to a drill retaining member that extends into a central bore of the tubular support member. The drill retaining member has a socket for receiving the shank of a drill steel. A lower end portion of the tubular support member is rotatably supported by a second bearing assembly. An enlarged intermediate body portion of the support member separates the upper and lower end portions and supports the first and second bearing asemblies.

Abstract: A mechanical anchor including an expansion shell and a camming plug positioned in the shell is threaded onto the end of a mine roof bolt. A roof support plate is carried on the opposite end of the bolt. The mechanical anchor is inserted in a bore hole drilled in a rock formation with one or more resin cartridges advanced by upward movement of the bolt to the end of the bore hole. The cartridge is ruptured by upward thrust and rotation of the bolt to release the resin components for mixing. A stop device extending through the plug abuts a tapered end of the bolt to prevent axial movement of the plug on the bolt when the bolt is rotated in a preselected direction to mix the resin components before the shell is expanded. Rotation of the bolt continues without expansion of the shell for a period of time to permit formation of a curable resin mixture.

Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle maneuverable in an underground mine includes a low profile mobile body with a forwardly extending boom. Piston cylinder assemblies extending between the boom and the mobile body are operable to both laterally and vertically pivot the boom relative to the mobile body. A bracket extends forwardly from the outer end of the boom. The bracket is releasably engageable with a bracket receiver of a multi-purpose bucket by a pair of quick release pins. The bucket includes a movable portion connected by a pivot mechanism to a carrier portion. Piston cylinder assemblies extending between the movable and carrier portions are operable to generate pivotal movement of the movable portion toward and away from the carrier portion to locate the movable portion in a preselected operating position relative to the carrier portion for conducting selected material handling operations.

Abstract: Making characters on the periphery of a rotatable marking wheel are selectively rotated into marking position relative to the surface of a billet, ingot, bar, slab or the like by an indexing motor drivingly connected to the marking wheel. The marking wheel is rotatably mounted in a housing that is pivoted toward and away from the billet by an arm structure suspended from a frame. The frame is movable on a support transversely of the pivotal path of the marking wheel housing. The frame is laterally advanced incrementally by an indexing ratchet to move the marking wheel from one marking position to the next marking position to permit the marking wheels to stamp the billet with a series of characters. After the billet is marked with a selected character, the stepping motor rotates the marking wheel until the next desired character is in a position for marking. The frame is then laterally advanced to position the desired character opposite the billet.

Abstract: A connection between two pipes of a pipeline includes a pair of coupling members having externally threaded ends with sealing surfaces projecting from the ends. The threaded ends are advanced into opposite ends of an insulating sleeve fabricated of electrically nonconductive material. Internally threaded end portions of the sleeve are separated by an annular recessed portion. A resilient, nonconductive annular spacer is retained within the annular recessed portion. The spacer includes a pair of inclined inner sealing surfaces positioned in overlying sealing relation with the coupling member sealing surfaces and an outer sealing surface sealingly engaging the insulating sleeve to form a fluid and pressure tight seal around the annular space between the coupling members and the insulating sleeve in addition to electrically insulating the coupling members from each other.

Abstract: A threaded U-bolt receives a conduit to be clamped to an I-beam. A moisture resistant, polymeric material covers the conduit support portion of the U-bolt with the bolt threads remaining exposed. A clamping member covered with a moisture, resistant polymeric coating includes a first end portion adapted to engage a flange of the I-beam and a second end portion adapted to engage the conduit. A pair of apertures extend through the clamping member. A pair of resilient polymeric annular flanges extend upwardly from the upper surface of the clamping member and around the apertures. The U-bolt threaded ends extend upwardly through the apertures. A pair of polymeric nuts engage the threaded ends above the annular flanges of the clamping member. A resilient sealing flange extends radially from the open end of each encapsulated nut.

Abstract: A broadband radio frequency signal are in the range between about 5 and 400 MHz and a single phase 60 Hz AC power signal are transmitted through a cable transmission line of a cable television system. Amplifiers are powered by the 60 Hz AC signal. The amplifiers are operable as repeater stations that transmit the radio frequency (RF) signal. An RF choke connected to the transmission line separates the 60 Hz AC signal from the broadband 5 to 400 MHz signal. The RF choke includes a conductor of a preselected gauge formed in a coil having a preselected number of turns wound around a ferrite coil form. A ferrite bead is in series with the coil on a selected turn of the coil. The ferrite bead displays an RF series resistance or impedance to the inductance of the coil and reduces the series resonance of the coil. A resistor is connected in parallel to a selected turn of the coil at the opposite end of the coil and functions as a shunt.

Abstract: A series of individual conveyor assemblies each having an independent endless belt conveyor extending longitudinally thereon are positioned in overlapping relationship. Each conveyor assembly includes a pivotal section adjacent a material receiving end portion thereof and is pinned to a material discharge end portion of a preceding section. The material discharge end portion overlies the material receiving end portion. The pivotal section connecting adjacent conveyors maintains the end portions thereof in material conveying relation as the assemblies extend along a curved path through the mine. A support beam is secured to the mine roof above the connected conveyor assemblies. Each conveyor assembly adjacent the receiving end portions thereof is secured to the support beam by a roller assembly that is longitudinally movable on guide tracks of the support beam.

Abstract: A coiled arrangement of pipes convey a heated medium, such as a slurry, into, through, and out of a heater or fire box provided with an arrangement of high velocity burners. The heater is fired to a preselected elevated temperature. A plurality of radiation shields are positioned in close proximity to the surfaces of the pipes conveying the medium for heating. The position of the radiation shields relative to the pipes forms inner and outer heating zones within the heater to provide different flame temperatures. The radiation shields function as a physical barrier to prevent direct contact of the fuel flame and combustion products with the pipes. Thus the radiation shields are maintained at a higher temperature than the surfaces of the pipes and at a lower temperature than the combustion products.

Abstract: An improved contraceptive diaphragm is provided which has a bioerodible matrix that disintegrates in the vaginal fluids within a predetermined period of time. The matrix is made from a water soluble gel, more particularly from a water soluble polymeric resin gel, and preferably from a polyvinyl alcohol resin gel. The solubility of the water soluble gel in the vaginal fluids is controllably reduced for example, by heat treatment of the gel after formation of the diaphragm. The diaphragm does not have to be removed in a single piece, but is excreted as a slight vaginal discharge. In one aspect of the invention, a natural collagenous protein is embedded in the matrix to assure sealing adherence of the diaphragm when positioned in the vagina. In another aspect of the invention a hydrophilic material is provided at the center of the matrix to effectively absorb secreted cervical mucus thereby creating a dry passageway which will impede entrance of the sperm.

Abstract: A self-propelled mining machine includes a mobile body portion with a boom extending forwardly therefrom. The boom rotatably supports a rotatably driven cutter drum having peripherally extending cutting elements. The boom member includes a trough formed by inclined sidewalls. The inclined sidewalls are positioned in space relation and extend upwardly on opposite sides of the receiving end of a conveyor that extends continuously the length of the machine body portion. The sidewalls slope downwardly toward the lateral edges of the conveyor receiving end and form a material receiving bin or hopper. The receiving end of the conveyor forms the floor of the hopper. The front end of the hopper extends the length of the cutter drum. Suitable drive means rotate the cutter drum to dislodge material from a mine face and direct the dislodged material by rotation of the cutter drum over the cutter drum and rearwardly into the hopper.

Abstract: A pair of continuously driven pull rolls of stock puller supported on a table having a longitudinal bed engage a web of the stock material to continuously unreel the stock material from a coil. The pull rolls are rotated by a drive shaft that is coupled to an input shaft of a feed roll unit. The input shaft is continuously rotated by a pulley-belt drive connection from a common power shaft. Continuous rotation of the input shaft is converted to intermittent rotation of a feed roll that intermittently advances the stock material to a stock material forming device, such as a material stamping or punching unit followed by a material cutting unit. The stamping and cutting units also include input shafts that are drivingly connected by pulleys and continuous belts to the common power shaft. The common power shaft is continuously rotated by a pulley-belt drive connection from an output shaft of a variable speed DC motor supported by the table.

Abstract: A mailing device is in the form of a single sheet of paper which can be folded over on itself to form its own envelope. The device is a single sheet, which may be formed with portions of different paper qualities, and is to be folded in half and then in half again to put it in a form ready for mailing. In its once folded state, the device can be printed with the necessary message using a mechanized printer, and the address of the recipient can be printed on the same surface of the device as the message, and the address will appear on the correct face of the device when it is folded again.