Abstract: A composite building component includes a non-planar molded composite web having two outer zones and two angled zones wherein the caliper of the angled zones differs from the caliper of at least one of the outer zones, and a flange disposed on an outer surface of an outer zone. A method of providing a composite building component also is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system of forming a fire door core. Hydraulic binder and resin are supplied from raw material bins and mixed to provide a submixture. Exfoliated vermiculite is then mixed with the submixture to provide a mixture that is deposited into a plurality of compression molds. Each of the filled molds are pressed in a press at a predetermined temperature at a predetermined pressure for a predetermined period of time sufficient to harden the mixture into a hardened slab. The hardened slabs are then removed from the molds, impregnated with water or steam in a water impregnation assembly and dried in a drying assembly.

Abstract: A core component is molded to include surface depressions to compensate for varying widths and depths of the shell or framing of a building or structural member. The component includes two major surfaces defining respective front and rear sides of the component, and the rear side of the component is preferably the mirror image of the front side. The core component is preferably pre-formed and the surface layers are wetted to contain at least 2%, preferably about 4% to 20%, more moisture than at the thickness center of the mat to provide surfaces capable of adhesive coating for adherence to surrounding structural members, preferably two prefabricated molded doorskins. The core component is preferably made from a composite soft board material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stacking and loading disc-like objects into receptacles is provided. The apparatus includes a lane combining conveyor which receives multiple lanes of product and combines one or more of the outer lanes into the remaining lanes. A stack former is provided for forming individual stacks of patties which are side supported onto rails. The rails can be pivoted down to divert patties for clearing jams. After the product is formed on the stack formers, a stack transfer mechanism transfers the stacks of products formed on the stack forming rails to the matrix former. Matrix former receives individual rows of multiple stacks from the stack transfer mechanism. A stripper mechanism is used to ensure that the stacks are not scrambled during this transfer. Once the matrix former is filled with product, a case rollover mechanism is rotated to the matrix former.

Abstract: A plurality of spaced apart, flexible string hinges pivotally join an airfoil of a model airplane to its corresponding flight control element. Such string hinges are shown in use for pivotally joining an aileron to a wing, a rudder to a tail fin and an elevator or flap to a horizontal stabilizer to permit rolling, yawing, and pitching movement, respectively, of the airplane when in flight. In one embodiment, a plurality of string hinges are connected by means of conventional airplane glue between a series of spaced apart blind holes formed in a leading edge portion of an aileron and similarly spaced apart reinforcing ribs of a wing. In another embodiment, a plurality of string hinges extend between blind holes formed in a solid balsa aileron and holes formed through a trailing edge spar of a wing and are secured at opposite ends by glue or epoxy. Examples of string hinges used to pivotally join a rudder to a tail fin and an elevator to a horizontal stabilizer in a model airplane are also disclosed.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for a marine craft has a first bracket connectable to the stern of the marine craft. There is a second bracket connectable to the propulsion unit of the marine craft. The second bracket is rotatably connected to the first bracket for relative rotation about an axis of rotation. The propulsion unit can be rotated about the axis of rotation relative to the stern of the craft. The second bracket has a cylindrical bore extending therethrough. A piston is reciprocatingly received within the bore. The piston slidingly engages the bore and has a piston rod connected thereto. The piston rod is operatively connected to the propulsion unit.

Abstract: A deck gap cleaning tool comprises a pole and a cleaning head. The cleaning head comprises an upper portion that is pivotally connected to the pole, and a blade extending opposite to the pole. The blade is configured to be received between deck flooring gaps for clearing debris therefrom.

Abstract: A handcart having a deck and a handle is disclosed which deck is pivotable between a generally horizontal load-carrying position and a tilted loading/unloading position by pivoting the handle. The handle is shiftable between first and second positions to lock and unlock the tilting mechanism. A method of using the subject handcart is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing a consolidated cellulosic article having first and second surfaces of a desired contour, a uniform density and variable caliper and basis weight are disclosed. The method and system employ a primary press having first and second similarly contoured platens to consolidate a mat of cellulosic material and a binding agent to a softboard having first level of density with first and second opposed sides of similar contour. A removal tool is then employed to remove cellulosic material from one or both of the first and second sides in a planar fashion. The resulting mat is then compressed a second time by a secondary press having first and second platens corresponding in shape to a higher density level while maintaining a substantially uniform caliper and basis weight.

Abstract: A composite roof structure, and a corresponding method of fabricating the structure, are disclosed which includes use of a layer of non-cellular adhesive material (preferably a two-component non-cellular polyurea polyurethane adhesive material), roof insulation panels, along with a flexible roof membrane, preferably made of thermoplastic olefin rubber, including a rubber-like sheet having a fleece-like matting secured to the underside thereof. The non-cellular adhesive is preferably sprayed onto a roof substrate and prior to complete solidification thereof the roof membrane or roof insulation is pressed into the adhesive so that the matting becomes embedded therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the analysis of a gaseous component or of a component that can be transformed into gaseous form (23) of a sample (5) which provides that the sample (5) is filled into a sample receptacle (2) through a receptacle opening (4), and an analysis receptacle (7), which was previously supplied with a tracer reagent, is then by way of its receptacle opening (4) connected with the receptacle opening (4) of sample receptacle (2) via an adapter (10), after which step the component (23) is expelled from the sample receptacle (2) and into the analysis receptacle (7) wherein the analysis receptacle (7) is connected with the outside atmosphere in such a manner that a pressure compensation can take place. The invention further relates to a test kit, in particular, a test kit for implementing the method.

Abstract: The invention describes a filter device having filter elements (2 through 6; 12 through 20; 22 through 25) made of ceramic material which are combined into at least one filter element group (1, 11, 21) in which the filter elements (2 through 6, 12 through 20; 22 through 25) lie side by side next to one another and can be flowed through in parallel, which is characterized in that only some of the filter elements (2, 12, 22, 23) of each filter element group (1, 11, 21) have electrical terminals for connection with an electrical energy source, and at least that/those filter element(s) (2, 12, 22, 23) is/are made of electrically conductive ceramic material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a skid plate and a method for attaching the skid plate to the bottom surface of a pre-hung door assembly to improve wear and moisture resistance. The skid plate includes a first side having a first shaped portion configured to conform to the bottom end of a first doorjamb arrangement and a second side having a second shaped portion configured to conform to the bottom end of a second doorjamb arrangement. The method for attaching the skid plate to the pre-hung door bottom surface includes applying an adhesive to bond the skid plate to the bottom surface, positioning the skid plate so that the first shaped portion and the second shaped portion align with their respective doorjamb ends, engaging tabs against the frame side surface to the doorjambs, and driving fasteners through the skid plate and tabs.

Abstract: A vibration dampening apparatus and method for dampening vibration of a resonating instrument such as a cymbal, cow bell, wood block or the like, in a controlled manner. A vibration dampener is mounted adjacent the resonating instrument to engages the resonating instrument at a plurality of points simultaneously to absorb and deaden vibration. According to a preferred embodiment, a cymbal damping apparatus is mounted onto a structure resembling a drummer's hi-hat cymbal stand and substitutes a lower damping member in place of what, for a hi-hat, would customarily be the bottom cymbal. The foot actuated cymbal damping apparatus dampens or deadens the cymbal's ring or vibration via application of a padded damping surface to the peripheral edge of the cymbal, which then immediately absorbs and dampens the vibrations and sound of the cymbal.

Abstract: A prosthetic joint is disclosed that includes a plurality of elements, which may be provided in kit form, that can be assembled to form either a single-axis joint or a double-axis joint depending on whether an adaptor is used to join first and second elements of the joint.

Abstract: A two-piece safety mechanism for ceiling-mounted fans comprises a first and second cable. The first cable has a first fastener extending from a first end and a first connector extending from a second end. The first fastener is for operable association with a first fastening mechanism for securing the first cable to a fan. The second cable has a second fastener extending from a first end. The second fastener is for operable association with a second fastening mechanism for securing the second cable to a ceiling support. The second cable also has a second connector extending from a second end, which is releaseably attachable to the first connector to form a continuous cable. The claimed invention also provides for a ceiling fan having the two-piece safety mechanism for retaining the fan in close proximity to the ceiling support if its normal mounting apparatus should fail.