Abstract: The application discloses a method and apparatus for cutting bed sheets and the like from a large, continuous length of fabric, forming hems on the cut edges of the fabric panels, and then sewing the hems. The fabric is fed "wrong side out", and one of the hems is formed upside down while the other is formed right side up. One hem is formed more or less directly above the other. A pair of sewing machines are mounted one above the other, and the entire fabric panel, with the just-formed hem folds, is advanced laterally through the sewing machines, simultaneously sewing both hems. By arranging for the mounting of both sewing machines, one above the other, servicing of the machines by a single operator is readily accomplished. Moreover, the substantial amount of fabric between the two hems is accommodated in a generally vertically oriented loop of the fabric providing for highly efficient utilization of factory space.

Abstract: An articulated dual rotatable support is provided for casting ladles in which opposed supporting arms extend from an annular central support column which is rotatable. Each support arm may be raised and lowered independently of the other. Each support arm includes a U-shaped support arrangement carrying a ladle receiver. In addition, each support arm is supported in an open topped bearing arrangement so as to be easily lifted out of position for repairs or replacement. A power device for moving each support arm is provided connected to a transverse beam on the rotatable annular support and movable therewithin which power device is connected to an L- or Z-shaped power arm rigidly connected to each supporting arm to provide for the articulation of each supporting arm largely below the top of the annular support.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a diverter coupling, for use in connection with a water-powered appliance, for coupling the appliance to a water outlet, typically a standard household faucet. The diverter coupling is constructed predominantly of molded plastic parts, to accommodate low cost manufacture, and includes detachable sections mounted respectively on the faucet outlet and on the end of the inlet tubing to the appliance. When the two parts are coupled together, water flow from the faucet is diverted into the appliance inlet, flows through the appliance, and is returned and discharged at the sink. Pressure regulating means prevents overloading of the appliance by excessive water pressure.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device, particularly for use in connection with valves used in the control of fluids under high pressure, is disclosed. In the new structure, the valve trim includes a form of flow restrictor, which serves to limit flow velocity and which causes the fluid pressure to be reduced in a sufficient number of discrete stages to minimize noise and cavitation. The new flow restrictor comprises an axial stack of annular discs, each provided with a plurality of annular baffle ribs projecting from its opposite end faces. The annular baffle ribs on one side of the disc are slotted along a number of equally spaced radii, and the ribs on the opposite side of a disc are similarly slotted, but along radii offset from the first set of radii. When a series of these discs is assembled in a stack, downwardly facing ribs of one disc fit between upwardly facing ribs of a disc next below, providing a series of annular passages interconnected by radial slots.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a power toothbrush or the like characterized particularly by the fact that the brush element is driven in an orbital path, as distinguished from a more conventional angularly reciprocating motion. To particular advantage, the power driven brush may be motivated by a water powered nutating action motor mounted in the handle of the unit, although alternative arrangements, including conventional electric motor units, may be used to power the device. In the preferred appliance, an orbital output motion of a nutating drive motor is converted to rotary motion, and this in turn is converted back to an orbital motion in the brush or working element. In other forms of the device, the orbital output of the nutating motor is imparted directly to the working element. The latter arrangement has advantages of greater simplicity, while the former arrangement has advantages of greater compactness.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a combination feeder and sifter for particulate material. The apparatus includes a vertically elongated hopper for holding a bulk supply of the particulate material. A vibratory unit is positioned below the hopper and is movable independently thereof. An upper panel of the vibratory unit constitutes a bottom-forming panel of the hopper and is in direct contact with the bulk supply of particulate material. The bottom-forming panel has an adjustable feed rate device thereon which, when the vibratory mechanism is in operation, provides for a controlled rate of flow of particulate material from the hopper on to a vibrating sifting screen supported directly underneath the panel. The configuration and arrangement of the supply hopper and the bottom-forming panel are such that the mass of particulate material affecting the operation of the vibratory panel approximates that of an imaginary conical pile of the material.

Abstract: In a valve structure, a valve plug apparatus to provide a leak-tight valve shut-off, is disclosed. The valve structure includes a valve body provided with an inlet passage, an outlet passage and an internal web portion intermediate the inlet and outlet passages. A closeable passage-forming means is arranged in the web portion and a two-member valve plug is mounted on a valve stem for controlled axial movement within the web portion and operable to close said closeable fluid passage-forming means to shut the valve. In accordance with the invention, the two-member valve plug comprises a lower plug member and an upper plug member which are in a generally axially spaced relation on the valve stem. Packing means is held in a snug-fitting condition between the lower and upper plug members by an axially resilient member which acts between one end of the valve stem and the valve plug to urge the lower and upper plug members together.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing in a single method low-carbon steel, while at the same time selectively obtaining a slag high in vanadium content for separate applications. Moreover, the method allows for the separate production of a slag high in titanium content if the starting materials contain titanium. The above is achieved by introducing the pre-reduced ore directly to an electro slag resistance furnace which is lined with a refractory in accordance with the slag composition being used. The resulting smelted steel is tapped and the slag is tapped separately. The slag, containing the vanadium and small quantities of iron oxides, is then introduced into a reduction furnace. Slag, high in titanium dioxide, if present originally, is then tapped separately from the smelted crude iron, which is tapped with a high vanadium content. Subsequently, the crude iron may be separated from the vanadium in a shaking pan in the presence of oxygen, if so required, depending upon the desired product.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided in vehicles and particularly rail vehicles which utilizes the spacing variation between two trucks or undercarriages of the vehicle progressing through a curve to cause a tilting movement of the vehicle chassis in the curve to accommodate the centrifugal forces generated by the vehicle in the curve. This is achieved by transposing the generally horizontal forces of the above mentioned spacing variation into opposing vertical forces on each side of the chassis through various mechanical linkages. This avoids provision for elevations of the roadway in curves.

Abstract: A surface grinding machine is provided which comprises a head, a grinding wheel supported by the head, and a reciprocable bench for receiving and supporting a work piece. A toothed belt has opposite ends thereof fixed to the bench for effecting reciprocation thereof. The belt is guided by guide rollers mounted on the machine frame which deflect the belt to a drive pinion, which is driven by means of a thyristor-controlled reversible permanent magnetic field servomotor. The servomotor is controlled by a single control switch arranged approximately in the middle of the path of travel of the bench. The control switch operates a contactless trigger element which is connected to the servomotor.

Abstract: An immersible, floatable aquarium heater is provided, with universal mounting bracket which will accommodate both the old and new types of aquarium construction. The heater includes a sealing cap incorporating integrally the control knob spindle and the power line for the heater. The arrangement provides a triple seal to protect the vital heater controls from high humidity in the aquarium environment, with the seal preventing leakage in case of accidental submersion of the entire heater. The control knob of the heater includes a tamper-proof feature to avoid adjustments beyond a 10.degree. range, unless actually required.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting for a casting ladle for use in a steel strand casting plant where one or more ladles are cantilevered from a revolving turret atop a central support column. Each cantilevered ladle is set in the mounting of the invention which permits the monitoring of the ladle weight before and during casting.

Abstract: A truck is provided for transporting and lifting heavy metallurgical vessels from one place to another. The truck combines two functions ordinarily provided by two different trucks, in that the truck of the invention lifts and/or removes the vessel from its tilting mount for relining and when replacing it on the mount also refits the bottom plate and cover onto the vessel, the latter function usually being carried out by a separate truck. The arrangement includes a separate bottom plate carrying device configured to be positioned on the truck. The carrying device is positioned to be non-displaceable on the lifting mechanism and to be, when thus placed, subject to the centering and lifting mechanisms of the truck of the invention.

Abstract: A method is provided for inhibiting the development of friction fatigue stress between the mating surfaces of paired machine parts, and particularly those subject to oscillatory loads. This is achieved by maintaining the mating surfaces separated by placing between them a material either of a different crystal structure than the parts separated, or a material of a greater hardness. The separating material may be in the form of a connecting element, or it may be coated onto one of the mating surfaces.

Abstract: A support is provided for a metallurgical vessel, in which paired tie rods are provided superimposed upon each other to absorb the stress resulting from thermal expansion and contraction in the support. By superimposing pairs of the tie rods upon each other and pre-stressing them, a substantial capacity is provided for absorbing built-up stresses in the support while requiring relatively less space for accommodating the tie rods. The paired compression heads and tie rods are positioned concentric to each other on the same axis.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing steel in an economically acceptable fashion from iron sponge with less than 66% Fe and with high acid slag formers. This is achieved by first determining the acid slag forming composition of the iron sponge, and, thereafter, lining an electro-slag-resistance furnace with a lining compatible with the iron sponge composition. Then, the iron sponge is charged to the furnace and the liquid metal formed is withdrawn to a conventional arc furnace, for example, for further processing.

Abstract: The disclosure relates a method for finishing of tubular knitted fabric involving the steps of laterally distending the fabric to flat, two-layer form by passing it over a spreader frame, and discharging the fabric from the spreader frame into a pair of opposed calendering rolls. In accordance with the invention, the individual layers of the distended fabric are engaged substantially across their full width and the individual layers are controllably advanced independently of each other. Moreover, the side edge regions of the fabric are also controllably advanced independently of said individual layers.

Abstract: The invention refers to an overload control device between two revolving machine parts having substantially semicylindrical lugs or extensions uniformly distributed over the circumference. Two lugs, pertaining to two different machine parts, form cylinders with partition areas parallel with the direction of rotation of the machine parts, surrounded by hollow power-transmitting carrier drive links connecting the machine parts, and severing the connection by breaking in case of an overload. The carrier drive links consist of hollow cylinders made of high-duty, inflexible material mounted upon and surrounding the lugs under an initial stress.