Abstract: A stand for an elongate upright object, such as a tree, including a fluid-holding receptacle into which the butt, or base, end of the object may be received, with a restraining device for engaging and holding the butt of the object against lateral movement in the receptacle. A cover for the receptacle has an opening extending therethrough to receive a portion of the object with screw adjustable engaging members mounted on one side of the opening. An elongate serrated wedge is slidably mounted on the top of the cover opposite the engaging members. The wedge may be slid into position frictionally engaging the object to hold it in place against the engaging members. Another opening in the cover is so positioned and of such size as to receive a support for the wedge on another cover to accommodate nested stacking of a plurality of the covers. A fluid barrier is removably mounted in the receptacle to prevent fluid in the receptacle from contacting the base of the object if desired.

Abstract: Water-based defoamer compositions in the form of aqueous emulsions containing, as the disperse phase, about 25-55% of a water insoluble liquid hydrocarbon, about 25-55% of a normally solid fatty acid diamide, about 1.0-7.5% of hydrophobic silica particles, and about 8-16% of a non-ionic emulsifier having an HLB of about 8-12, the percentages being based on the weight of the disperse phase. Optionally, up to about 10% of the diamide may be replaced with a silicone oil. The compositions are useful for controlling foam in pulp and paper mill operations.

Abstract: A roller bearing assembly for reducing friction between a relatively rotatable shaft member and support member wherein the support member has a circular hole formed therein through which a portion of the shaft extends. The bearing assembly includes an elongate length of roller chain having pivotally interconnected links with rollers rotatably mounted therein. The rollers are of a diameter smaller than the difference in radii between the shaft and opening. The link side plates at opposite sides of the rollers in the chain have a width greater than the roller diameters. The roller chain is shorter than the circumference of the shaft and may be secured adjacent one of its ends to the rotating member in the assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic telephone answering device having an announcement tape deck for recording an announcement and for reproducing it in response to an incoming call. Circuitry including a syllabic detector and an announcement timer in the device provides different operating times in the deck's two different operating modes. In an announcement record mode, the deck is electrically deactuated a predetermined time period following the end of the announcement being recorded, i.e., after the absence of speech signals for the predetermined time. However, when operating in an announcement reproduce or playout mode, the deck is deactuated a different, shorter period of time following the end of the announcement on the tape. The longer deactivation period is provided after recording an announcement to insure that a sufficient portion of any previously recorded, longer announcement on the tape will be erased past the point where the deck is deactuated during announcement reproduction.

Abstract: A tape drive apparatus in which a pair of support mechanisms for two different recording tapes are mounted on amain deck, with drive for supported tapes being provided by a pair of rotary drive spindles that are carried on a floating subdeck which is mounted for limited pivoting and translating relative to the main deck. Mechanism is provided for shifting the subdeck to several different positions wherein the drive spindles which it carries are caused selectively to engage tires on rotary elements which form parts of the tape support mechanisms.

Abstract: A dump grate for use in a furnace is rotatably mounted therein and includes fluid coolant tubes sinuously arranged within refractory material comprising a grate plate for circulating coolant fluid. The grate plate is shiftable from a first substantially horizontal fuel supporting position to a nonhorizontal fuel dumping position. A rotatable conduit is arranged beneath the grate plate secured thereto for receiving coolant fluid inlet and discharge tubes for supplying coolant fluid and discharging same from the grate plate coolant tubes. Removable grate bars are arranged on portions of the surface of the grate plate, with the spacing provided between permitting selective varying of airflow through the grate plate for additional cooling purposes.

Abstract: An inspection system including apparatus for projecting onto a portion of one side of an object in a viewing station a positionally aligned, unidirectionally reversed image of the corresponding portion of the opposite side of the object. The system is especially useful in noting from one side of an object the total lateral span of a defect, such as a knot in a piece of lumber, which may extend completely through the object.

Abstract: Solar heating apparatus, including a reflector assembly made up of multiple adjustable cylindrical reflector bodies which direct the sun's rays toward a heat collector.

Abstract: A portable projection screen including a sheet of flexible material and a collapsible support for the sheet. The support includes a central hub member having a plurality of sockets therein. Multiple extensible-contractible rods fit at one set of their ends in the hub member and radiate outwardly therefrom. The outer ends of the rods are received in connectors secured to edge margins of the sheet, and when the rods are extended they tense the sheet into a substantially planar surface. A collapsible mast is provided for supporting the screen above a horizontal surface, or for hanging it on a wall.

Abstract: A recirculating furnace-dryer combination including a combustion chamber, a housing surrounding the combustion chamber for maintaining a greater than atmospheric pressure within the combustion chamber, a dryer in which a greater than atmospheric pressure may be maintained, and a feed conduit through which heated gases may be supplied from the combustion chamber to the dryer. Return conduits receive exhaust gases from the veneer dryer and recirculate them through a fan for repressurization into the housing, from which they are recirculated into the combustion chamber. A fuel feed, including an air lock, is operable to feed fuel into the combustion chamber, with an air lock maintaining a pressurized condition in the combustion chamber. Temperature sensing devices in the dryer are connected to controls to operate dampers in the feed conduits to maintain a preselected temperature range within the veneer dryer.

Abstract: A panel such as a door having a fire-resistant core and a frame encompassing the edge margins of the core. A method of making such a panel wherein the frame is prepared of frame portions which are united together in the frame. A method of forming the core in place within a frame, with the introduction of a hardenable material to within the confines of a frame, and permitting such material then to harden. A door skin or other covering is adhesively secured in place over faces of the panel.

Abstract: A display assembly for use on a vehicle such as an automobile arranged to communicate a visual message indicating distress when the automobile or its occupants require aid. A generally U-shaped carrying clip is supportably disposed on an upper margin of a side window and provides a rigid carrier for an elongated rod which is inserted through apertures in the clip. The generally U-shaped clip has two depending side members joined by a connecting portion which are disposed on opposite sides of the window to enable contact of the inserted rod with the upper margin of the side window to allow frictional contact between the upper margin and the elongated rod when the side window is substantially closed pressing the connecting portion against the side window's upper rest.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting tire casings. A cutter engages the crown of a tire casing from one side, while the crown is supported by crown support means on its opposite side. Guide means cooperating with the crown support means holds the tire casing while cutting progresses. A biased knife acts as the cutter which cuts the casing from the inside.

Abstract: Apparatus for directing confined sheet-like sprays of water onto the surfaces of rollers in a ground-compacting vehicle.

Abstract: A takeup reel for a combination hydraulic hose and electrical cable including a rotatable storage portion for taking up and paying out hose and cable, a stationary mounting member on which the storage portion is mounted for rotation, and a rotatable connector providing a fluid connection between hose stored on the storage portion and a supply of hydraulic fluid external to the reel. A brushless electrical connection is provided between cable stored on the storage portion and a supply of electrical energy external to the reel by an interface cable which may be coiled in either of reverse directions about the axis of rotation for the storage portion. A cable housing for the interface cable is joined to the storage portion for rotation therewith. The interface cable includes a plurality of flexible conductor elements.

Abstract: A fluid control valve which operates accurately in response to the pressure difference that exists between a pair of ports in the valve. The valve features a spool which is normally biased to one control position wherein it remains with the sensed pressure difference being below one preselected amount. The spool shifts rapidly to another control position on the sensed pressure difference exceeding this amount. In this other control position, the spool remains until the sensed pressure difference drops to another preselected amount which is significantly lower than the first-mentioned preselected amount. On this latter event occurring, the spool returns to its first-mentioned control position.

Abstract: A single-acting, three-stage, four-section telescopic ram for use in conjunction with a triple-lift type mast in a lift truck. The ram features an extremely low overall length when fully contracted, thus affording good operator visibility. The ram also is capable of producing surprisingly "high-lift" despite its low contracted profile. Further, the ram features an internal construction that produces constant lifting and lowering speeds for a load, as well as providing for positive control over the sequence of movements of parts in and on an associated mast.

Abstract: Straightening apparatus with means for rotating an elongate work element and advancing the same along its longitudinal axis. A bending station is provided in the apparatus which bends the rotating work element when such is advanced therethrough. The bending station includes infeed and outfeed parts mounted for relative universal movement on a central confining member. A tapered work element is confined within a sheathing device to produce an assembly of uniform diameter for processing by the apparatus.

Abstract: A tower crane and method of climbing the crane. The tower of the crane is initially stabilized at an elevated location, and the tower is released from a base frame supporting its base and elevated to place its base on an upper frame, the base frame is then elevated, and the tower is then dropped to place it on the newly positioned base frame with the upper frame then used to laterally stabilize the tower with the crane in operative condition.

Abstract: A filter belt with multiple strip or wafer elements assembled side-by-side to extend as a row extending the length of the belt.