Abstract: A process for economically handling spent mercury containing lamps in an efficient manner while protecting the environment against the release of mercury vapors into the atmosphere along with creation of non-toxic recyclable by-product materials therefrom is disclosed. The process includes the steps of: transporting a lamp crushing apparatus on a mobile vehicle to a site whereat mercury containing lamps are collected; loading the mercury containing lamps within a closed chamber defined by the lamp crushing apparatus; and, crushing the mercury containing lamps within the closed chamber while simultaneously extracting substantially all hazardous mercury vapors from the closed chamber during the crushing process to create non-toxic recyclable by-product materials from the lamps loaded into the closed chamber.

Abstract: An outdoor baseball practice facility including a playing surface with a plurality of adjacent stations arranged thereon. Each station of the present invention includes a homeplate with angularly diverging baselines extending away therefrom to define a playing field therebetween. The baselines of any one station overlap the baselines of one or more adjacent stations. The baselines of each station have a distinguishable appearance from the baselines of other adjacent stations to allow a batter to better appreciate whether a struck ball remains within a specified playing field. Each station of the present invention furthermore includes an apparatus for presenting balls at an elevated distance above the homeplate of each station. A homerun area on the playing surface is disposed a predetermined distance away from the homeplate of each station.

Abstract: A composite elastomeric spring having a predetermined final shape and including a first member of elastomeric material having a first durometer hardness and a second member of elastomeric material having a second durometer hardness is disclosed. The second member has a predetermined initial shape complimentary to an initial shape of the first member. The second member is positioned adjacent and in circumferential surrounding relation relative to the first member to define a preform composite spring member. After the second member is positioned about the first member, a force is applied to the preform composite spring member sufficient to simultaneously compress the first member and the second member thereby permanently changing the initial shapes of the first member and second member are permanently changed from their respective predetermined initial shape such that the first and second members are thereafter maintained in captured relationship relative to each other.

Abstract: An improved seal or boot for inhibiting contaminants from interfering with operation of a mechanism having two flexibly interconnected components which axially extend from opposite ends of the seal. The seal is formed as a one-piece hollow and elongated body defining an enclosed cavity wherein the pivotal connection of the mechanism is arranged and having first and second annular mounting ends. The first and second annular mounting ends are configured to allow the components of the mechanism protected by the seal to axially extend therefrom. To permit flexural movement of the seal and the interconnected components of the mechanism protected by the seal, a plurality of bellow-like configurations are disposed along a major length of the seal between the first and second mounting ends. Each bellow-like configuration on the seal has predetermined root and crest diameters with wall sections of a predetermined material thickness extending therebetween.

Abstract: An improved seal or boot for inhibiting contaminants from interfering with operation of a mechanism having two flexibly interconnected components which axially extend from opposite ends of the seal. The seal is formed as a one-piece hollow and elongated body defining an enclosed cavity wherein the pivotal connection of the mechanism is arranged and having first and second annular mounting ends. The first and second annular mounting ends are configured to allow the components of the mechanism protected by the seal to axially extend therefrom. To permit flexural movement of the seal and the interconnected components of the mechanism protected by the seal, a plurality of bellow-like configurations are disposed along a major length of the seal between the first and second mounting ends. Each bellow-like configuration on the seal has predetermined root and crest diameters with wall sections of a predetermined material thickness extending therebetween.

Abstract: A discharge gate assembly for a railway hopper car that satisfies the new AAR requirements and specifications and includes a frame defining a generally rectangular discharge opening with a gate slidably mounted on the frame for endwise horizontal movement between opened and closed positions. An operating shaft assembly is supported on opposite frame extensions for rotational movement about a fixed axis. The operating shaft assembly is operably coupled to the gate. A lock assembly is operably coupled to the operating shaft assembly and includes a vertically displacable stop member mounted for vertical and rotational movement about a fixed axis extending above the path of movement of the gate and in fore-and-aft relationship relative to an edge of the gate. When the gate is in its closed position, the stop member extends downwardly and into engagement with the gate edge to positively prevent the gate from substantial movement toward an open position.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a composite work from a single two-dimensional work having an image thereon. A flat backing member is provided having generally the same shape and size as the two-dimensional work. The work and the backing member are bonded together to form a work piece. The work piece is cut to define a geometrically shaped center section and a separate perimeter section, thereby breaking the image of the two-dimensional work regardless of individual sculptural components of the work so that each of the sections displays the respective portion of the broken image. The center section and border section are then assembled such that the continuity of the image formed by the sections is broken.

Abstract: A retainer pin assembly for releasably securing a ground engaging tool in position relative to an implement such as an excavator bucket, shovel and the like. The ground engaging tool is configured to fit about an apertured portion of the implement. Those portions of the tool fitting about the implement define a pair of axially aligned holes. The retainer pin assembly includes an elongated retaining pin extending through the aperture defined by the implement and the axially aligned holes in the tool for securing the tool to the implement. The retaining pin of the assembly is operably secured toward a central portion of the pin in positive locking relationship relative to the implement to inhibit axial or endwise movement of the retaining pin within the bore of the implement.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a signal indicative of loss or imminent loss of digging hardware normally arranged in operable association with an earth working implement.

Abstract: A lift boom assembly including a pair of laterally spaced interconnected lift arms having a tool mounted between forward ends thereof. Each lift arm includes a main lift link having upper and lower connecting portions at a rear end thereof. A second lift link is pivotally connected to the upper connecting portion of the main lift link and partially controls movements of the respective lift arm. The opposite end of each second lift link is pivotally connected to a frame of a machine on which the lift assembly is mounted. Movement of the lift arms is further controlled by a pair of control arms. A lower end of each control arm is pivotally connected to the frame. When the boom assembly is in a lowered position relative to the frame, a second or upper end of each control arm extends upwardly and rearwardly from the lower end and is pivotally connected to the lower connecting portion of the respective main lift link.

Abstract: An agricultural implement that includes a plurality of ground penetrating units for shattering the hard pan in a relatively wide pattern as the implement is drawn across the field while causing minimum disturbance to the top surface of the ground. Each ground penetrating unit includes a depending shank with a three piece plow point assembly releasably and symmetrically connected to a forward projecting lower end of the shank. The plow point assembly includes a shoe with first and second vanes attached to the shank rearwardly of a rear surface of the shoe and diverging outwardly from opposite sides of the shank. The shoe and vanes of each plow point assembly are separately and releasably attached to the shank such that any one component of the plow point assembly can be repaired or replaced independent of the other components.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated brake assembly capable of rendering both a service brake function and a park brake function to a rotatable shaft that passes through a stationary housing. The brake assembly includes a series of wetted rotatable and nonrotatable brake members arranged in a stacked and intermixed relation within the housing and arranged coaxially about the shaft. The brake assembly further includes a service brake piston and a park brake piston for individually or conjointly applying a compressive force against the brake members thereby providing a braking action to the shaft and a park brake piston. The pistons are preferably arranged in axial alignment with each other and coaxially about the shaft. The service brake piston responds to fluid pressure being introduced into, a first fluid receiving cavity. The park brake piston is spring applied and is responsive to the fluid pressure introduced into a second fluid receiving cavity.

Abstract: A transverse fan assembly including a fan rotatably disposed in an air plenum for driving air through an inlet opening and forcing air from an outlet opening defined by the air plenum. The fan includes an elongated axis of rotation defined by a central hub. A plurality of elongated fan blades extend in an axial cylindrical pattern about the hub to define an open-center fan. The fan further includes two disk-shaped fan blade mounting members arranged toward opposite ends of the fan. Each blade mounting member is connected to and extends radially from the hub. The fan blades are connected to and driven by the blade mounting members whereby establishing an air flow through the inlet opening and from the outlet opening.

Abstract: A fastener for fastening a paper retaining binder mechanism to an inner surface of a binder while remaining entirely concealed from an outer surface of the binder. The fastener includes an anchor plate and a post. The anchor plate defines first and second major surfaces. The first major surface is in confronting relation fastened to an inner surface of the binder. The post extends directly away from the second major surface of the anchor plate and serves to secure the binder mechanism to the inner surface of the binder. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for fastening an apertured paper retaining binder mechanism to the binder in a manner concealing the fasteners from an outer surface of the binder.