Abstract: A form assembly which may be used to provide a core portion in a concrete or other cast structure. A pair of former elements having interfitting hooks and flanges which are normally urged apart by a resilient sleeve which fits over the former elements. The sleeve biases the former elements to a collapsed position in which they may be inserted and removed. An inflatable tube is interposed between the former elements and may be inflated to move the elements to an expanded position wherein forming surfaces of the elements cooperate to provide a core about which concrete or the like may be poured.

Abstract: A motor driven can opener includes a pivotal hand lever assembly which may be removed from the can opener frame. A latch on the frame engages an edge portion of the hand lever to retain the lever on the frame throughout its normal operating range. A plate on which a can cutting element is carried is mounted to slide on the forward surface of the lever. A tab projects from the plate and catches on a hardened steel pin of the frame to hold the hand lever against the actuator of a rotary switch which maintains the motor in its energized condition during shearing of a can lid. When the can shearing is completed, the tab releases from the pin to automatically deenergize the motor.A manual crank may be employed as an alternative to electrical power. The motor is removed from the drive train when the crank is employed and brought back into the drive train when the crank is removed.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading, transporting and feeding large hay bales and hay stacks. An open bottomed trailer includes a frame mounted on a wheel assembly. Four panels mounted on the frame comprise a plurality of spaced bars. A pivotal lift supported within the panels includes a pair of pivotally supported forks and a hydraulic cylinder to pivot the forks and to lift a hay bale or stack supported thereon. In feeding, the lift is lowered and animals are allowed to feed on the hay through the barred panels.

Abstract: A device for stretching fence wire tightly between fence posts. A flat base plate has outwardly projecting L-shaped fingers which present end portions that are spaced from and parallel to the plate surface. A round camming bar is provided with partial circumferential grooves which are eccentric with respect to the bar axis. The fence wire is placed on the base plate, and the bar is placed on the wire with the grooves registering with the fingers. Turning of the bar causes camming action between the fingers and eccentric grooves in order to press the bar tightly against the base plate with the fence wire clamped tightly therebetween.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus providing for accommodating resistance while allowing the level of resistance to the exercise force to be varied is provided by the present invention. The exercise apparatus also includes a movable arm for indicating the magnitude of the force exerted by a user of the apparatus. A frictional member is journaled on a rotatable shaft which is rotated by a user of the apparatus. This frictional member is sandwiched between two other members rotatably coupled with the shaft and engageable with the first member to create frictional resistance. Means is provided for moving one of the members a predetermined distance longitudinally of the shaft in the direction of the frictional member and for holding the member in a predetermined longitudinal position to cause it to grip the frictional member with a predetermined force. Centrifugal force responsive structure is also provided and is coupled with the other member which sandwiches the frictional member.

Abstract: An improved process for separating gaseous materials from a mixture containing the same. The process is particularly useful for the separation of high concentrations of nitrogen or similar low boiling materials from hydrocarbon streams such as natural gas and comprises the steps of first liquifying a portion of said gas stream and thereafter separating said stream into a gas phase and a liquid phase in a separation column. The overhead gas stream from the separation column is then passed through one or more turbo-expanders to provide process refrigeration and process energy. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the energy recovered is employed to drive a feed compressor. In a second embodiment, where the feed is at or near the required process pressure, the energy will be available for other purposes.

Abstract: A bagging machine in which a series of spaced pusher arms serve to successively move articles linearly from a source toward and into individual bags located in a stack of bags at a bagging station. The stack of bags at the station is carried on a bag table supported on a bag supply conveyor system which extends to one side of the machine. The conveyor includes additional bag tables for carrying a plurality of stacks of bags in standby condition. The conveyor system is automatically controlled to replace an empty table with a loaded table in response to removal of the last bag on the table at the bagging station. Means are also provided for interrupting the movement of the pusher arms during transition of a loaded table into the space vacated by the empty table.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sandblasting and coating the interior surface of pipe is provided. A plurality of legs extend outwardly from a central mounting plate and are adjustable in length and angular disposition to accommodate different sized pipe. The mounting plate has a central opening for receiving an elongated lance of either a painting or sandblasting tool. The lance carries a collar which is adapted to abut the mounting plate. A spring-biased locking pin on the mounting plate is received by the collar to releasably lock the two plates together. The method of the invention comprises positioning the aforedescribed device in one end of the pipe and then securing a rope of a length equal to that of the pipe to the device. Next, a lightweight bucket is positioned in front of the device and the rope is coiled inside the bucket. A blast of air is then passed through the lance to move the bucket the length of the pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning the longitudinal margin of a loose sheet piling section above the mating margin of a set piling section to permit the piling sections to interlock. A base which supports a movable jaw mechanism is positioned on top of the set piling section. The jaw mechanism receives the loose piling section and includes rollers which guide the loose section as it is raised. When the loose section clears the top of the set section, a camming roller forces it laterally to align its margin above the mating margin of the set piling section. A further embodiment includes gripping elements on the base and interchangeable templates on the jaw mechanism which accommodate piling sections of various configurations. The templates carry universally rotatable rollers which guide the loose section and shift it laterally by camming action when it clears the top of the set piling section.

Abstract: A cable protecting device is attached to the wheel yoke of a cart equipped with swivel wheels. The device has a fender strap located forwardly of the cart wheel with same being connected to the wheel yoke at its upper end and further supported by a pair of braces at its lower end. A cable lifting plate is hinged to the lower end of the fender and extends to the floor level so that its leading end may receive and lift a cable encountered by the cart.

Abstract: A refreezable container for a cold storage structure which can be releasably secured to the lid of the structure is the subject of the present invention. The container comprises yieldable spaced apart sidewalls which form an enclosure for holding a refreezable liquid. A passageway through the enclosure and its sidewalls receives an elongated stud. The stud has a gripping surface at one end and is threaded on the other end. Along the length of the stud a lateral projection extends outwardly so that the combined dimension of the projection and the stud is greater than the corresponding dimension of the passageway. The yieldable passageway walls permit insertion of the stud which may then be turned to screw the threaded stud into a correspondingly threaded receptacle in the lid of the cold storage structure.

Abstract: For insertion in a firearm to prevent discharge thereof, a plastic rod having longitudinal ribs fits in the barrel and extends into one of the cylinder chambers of the weapon. The outer end of the rod is recessed from the muzzle end of the barrel and is tapped and threaded. A key threads into the rod and may be pulled outwardly to remove the rod from the gun barrel.

Abstract: A golf practice device includes a solid golf ball which is mounted within a thin net of cords carried on the bottom end of a flexible cable. A spring connects to the top end of the cable to absorb the force when the ball is struck. The top end of the spring and cable assembly is supported to swing about the lower leg of a crank arm. The upper leg of the crank arm is supported for rotation on the frame of the device so that when the ball is hit the impact force is distributed between the cable and the crank arm. A pair of cord ends which hang below the ball drag on the ground to quickly stabilize the ball in hitting position for the next stroke.

Abstract: A portable strain gauge for measuring stress in a bar. The instrument includes a pair of spaced magnetic bases that magnetically adhere to the bar. A pair of mounting pads may be firmly strapped to the bar at suitable spacing in order to mount the bases in situations where the bar is nonmagnetic. An actuator rod has one end fixed to the first base and its other end freely slides in an axial direction relative to the second base. A pivotal lever is spring biased against the actuator rod to pivot in proportion to movement of the rod relative to the second base as the bar is stressed. A dial indicator includes a plunger that is spring biased against the lever at a location offset from the actuator rod. The lever displaces the plunger in proportion to the movement of the actuator rod in order to mechanically convert the strain on the bar into stress which is indicated on the dial indicator.

Abstract: A movable bulkhead for partitioning a truck body or the like is pivotally supported on an overhead shaft. The shaft extends transversely between a pair of trolleys which ride along tracks and are capable of differential movement thereon. A second pair of trolleys are also track mounted to support a spring-loaded counterbalance mechanism for the bulkhead. Drum and cable assemblies included in the counterbalance mechanism automatically pivot the bulkhead to a raised position when the seal of the bulkhead against the flow of the truck is broken.

Abstract: A valve body is provided with a plurality of spaced parallel gas passageways which permit flow through the valve body from one face to the other. Each passage is controlled by a ball valve member which permits unidirectional flow only and which unseats and reseats without requiring springs. The balls seat on seats in the form of frusto-conical surfaces having an included angle of approximately 60.degree., the preferred range being between 55.degree. and 65.degree.. The ratio of ball diameter to the smallest end of the frusto-conical surface is 1.11 to 1. The balls are guided for substantially linear movement on the axis of the conical surface.

Abstract: A sighting device is mounted within the driver's compartment of a vehicle to assist in the accurate driving of the vehicle. A sight member provided with an opening is carried on one end of a telescopically extensible arm. The extensible arm and a swivel connection permit the sight member to be adjusted to a position in which it may be sighted through toward the dividing line of the road to give the vehicle driver an indication of the position of the vehicle relative to the center of the lane in which it is driven. A tinted glass for reducing glare and shimmer is removably mounted to overlie the opening by a clamp device.

Abstract: A rotary type electrical switch includes one housing section having a plurality of lugs and another housing section having resilient brackets which snap into engagement with the lugs to assemble the housing. The stationary electrical contacts comprise leaf spring elements which are held in place within the housing by bridge members. A spider member electrically connects selected contacts in response to manipulation of a shaft on which the spider is carried.A second embodiment eliminates the lugs and resilient brackets and holds the housing sections together with spring clips which surround portions of one housing section and engage shoulders of the other housing section.

Abstract: A guide device assists the driver of a towing vehicle in properly positioning the hitch ball located on same for connection with the hitch socket of a trailer. A cover is closely fit over the hitch ball to mount a telescoping sight arm thereto. A compressible ball is tightly inserted in the socket to mount a second telescoping sight arm to the trailer hitch. The sight arms provide guides which enable the driver to accurately back a towing vehicle toward the trailer for connection of the cooperating hitch portions.

Abstract: A digital display doppler radar unit has a moving mode and a stationary mode. The incoming doppler signal, which in the moving mode, represents both speed of the radar platform and speed of an approaching target vehicle, is separated into two signal components by selective filtering. One component represents the sum of the ground speeds for the radar platform and approaching vehicles. A time base is generated by a crystal control means and .[.the time base.]. is utilized for correlating the received doppler signals, indicative of speed, with the time base. Each doppler signal component is converted to binary coded decimal (BCD) information and a digital counter counts the cycles of each received doppler signal and compares the count with an amount previously stored. Circuit means are provided to validate the received doppler signal, allowing their continual processing only after a preselected number of valid comparisons are made.