Abstract: A toaster having an automatic shut-off. The toaster includes a cavity to receive bread and which includes a heating element which may be selectively energized by a switch to cause toasting of the bread. The toaster also includes a carriage mechanism to move the bread between up and down positions. The carriage mechanism includes a bread support extending into the cavity. The bread support is connected to a support frame which rides upon a vertical slide rod. Also mounted upon the slide rod is a lock frame mounted to allow limited movement with respect to the support frame. A spring is connected to the lock frame to bias it into an up position, and the lock frame includes a lock mechanism to releasable maintain it in a down position. The switch for activating the heating elements is activated when the lock frame is in this down position. A release mechanism is provided to release the lock mechanism.

Abstract: A strainer attachment for the inlet fitting of a submersible pump. A threaded rod carries two retainer elements, one of which is rigidly mounted on one end of the rod and the other of which is threaded onto the rod. With the rod held in a skewed position, the stationary retainer element can be passed through the inlet passage formed in the inlet fitting. When the rod is then oriented in alignment with the pump axis, the retainer elements span the inlet opening. When the movable retainer element is threaded toward the stationary element and against the inlet plate of the inlet fitting, the two retainer elements grip the inlet plate between them to secure the rod in place. A strainer body having mesh openings for straining the liquid that is being pumped can be threaded onto the rod.

Abstract: A saw for grooving concrete includes a base supported by plurality of wheels such that a cutting guide of the base may press against the green concrete with a predetermined load. A cutter frame is pivotally mounted to the base and includes a cutting blade and drive means mounted thereto. The pivotal connection between the frame and the base is spaced from the cutting blade such that pivoting the frame with respect to the base will raise and lower the cutting blade between operative and inoperative positions. A handle is connected to the saw and extends rearwardly and upwardly therefrom such that an operator may stand behind the saw to push it during operation. The handle is pivotally mounted to the saw such that pushing the handle downwardly will cause the frame to pivot upwardly with respect to the base. The handle is telescopic and includes a pivot connection such that it may be folded to a storage or travel position.

Abstract: A device for assisting in the adjustment of sights for a hand gun including a base elongated in the direction of the axis of the barrel of the gun. The forward end of the base includes a pair of lateral spaced support legs, and the rear of the base includes a single vertically adjustable support leg. Adjacent the forward end is a spacer block having a bolt hole extending laterally therethrough. A clamping jaw is located adjacent each lateral side of the spacer block, with the clamping jaws having resilient foam or similar material on their inner faces. These inner faces are adapted to abut against the lateral sides of the frame of the hand gun to retain it in position and absorb recoil when the gun is fired. To move the clamping jaws into a clamping engagement with the hand gun, there is provided a bolt extending through the hole in the spacer blocks and the associated clamping jaws, with a manually operable nut threaded upon the bolt to provide a clamping force.

Abstract: A cart and a method of using the cart for tying steel rods, which cart includes a substantially rectangular frame supporting front and rear rollers. The rollers are in the form of cylinders having a substantial width which is much greater than the largest anticipated spacing between parallel reinforcement rods. The use of the cylinders as rollers allows the cart to travel upon the uppermost layer or set of reinforcing rods without becoming entangled in the lattice of reinforcing rods. A cushioned seat may be located on the frame adjacent an open area extending through the frame. The worker may support herself or himself upon this cushioned portion while the open area provides access to the lattice for tying the rods together. Vertical bars may support an alternate cushion at a position spaced upwardly from the reinforcing rods. The user may then rest his or her stomach or chest upon this upper cushion and lie in a faced down configuration with the reinforcing rods at arms length.

Abstract: A triple stack mold which is operated by a standard mold press and which presents three molding interfaces. Molten plastic is supplied to all molding cavities in equal amounts through a distribution system that includes manifolds in the mold components which receive the plastic and distribute it through passages leading to the mold cavities. The main passages leading to the manifolds are equipped with special nozzles constructed to compensate for differential thermal expansion of the mold parts.

Abstract: A novel series of chalcogenide glass compositions that are relatively highly selective for a specific ion in solution. When utilized as a sensing element for electrodes or similar analytical devices, a modified surface layer is formed on the surface of the glass in contact with the test solution. The surface layer being characterized by a surface ionic conductivity ranging from 10.sup.-7 to 10.sup.-2 S/cm, a diffusion coefficient ranging from 10.sup.-11 to 10.sup.-6 cm.sup.2 /s and having a ratio of electronic to ionic conductivity within the modified surface layer of not more than 1.0. Specific compositions having these unique morphology and transport properties are disclosed for the detection of cadmium, silver, thallium, mercury, copper and lead.

Abstract: A drum mixer is provided with a rotatable cylinder in which aggregates, reclaimed asphalt pavement and liquid asphalt are mixed to produce an asphaltic composition. The drum cylinder includes a first region, in which virgin aggregate is heated and dried by heat radiation and the stream of hot gases produced by a burner flame flowing in countercurrent flow to the aggregate itself to establish a highly beneficial heat transfer relationship. A second region doubles as combustion and mixing zones. In the mixing zone the reclaimed asphalt pavement and liquid asphalt is added and mixed with the aggregates. The combustion zone is formed along the center of the mixing zone by an elongated combustion assembly disposed along the central axis thereof. The combustion assembly and chamber extend from the discharge end of the drum through the mixing zone to the heating and drying zone to segregate the hot gases from the asphalt, thereby preventing degradation of the final product.

Abstract: A battenless hatch cover assembly for railcars. The assembly includes a series of hatch covers aligned end to end to cover an opening in a railcar. Each of the hatch covers is hinged along one side to the railcar, with this one side being common among the hatch covers. In an alternative embodiment, appropriate mechanisms could be used to selectively hinge the covers along both sides. The typical cover includes one longitudinal end having a male portion in the form of an upstanding lateral lip. The other longitudinal end is provided with a female portion in the form of a laterally extending downward directed channel. This female portion is adapted to overlie the male portions in a substantially mating configuration. A seal material is provided on the underside of the female portion to engage the male portion and provide an effective seal, and the female portion is sufficiently rugged to apply a sealing pressure upon the male portion.

Abstract: A packaging machine for round bakery products such as bagels and English muffins. The products are conveyed flatly side by side in successive transverse rows which are delivered by an infeed belt conveyor. The infeed conveyor discharges the products into open top chutes equipped with deflector rods located off center in the chutes. The products are rotationally deflected by the deflector rods to an edge down position. The chutes discharge the bakery products onto a packaging conveyor which receives the products in each group on edge and oriented face to face in a stack which can be conveniently packaged. Each deflector rod can be situated in two different alternative positions offset on opposite sides of the transverse center of the bakery product. This allows the faces of the products in each package to be oriented as desired.