Abstract: A resilient and compressible orthopedic pad adapted to be placed in a shoe under the longitudinal and metatarsal arches comprises a flat L-shaped bottom surface adapted to contact the inner sole of the shoe. One longitudinal side is substantially convex for the majority of its length and is adapted to roll up into the medial side of the shoe. The other longitudinal side is concave over the intermediate portion. The ratio of length to width of the pad is between approximately 1.3 and 1.5. The forward end of the pad is wider than its rear end. The forward end of the pad curves upwardly and rearwardly and the rear end curves upwardly and forwardly. Each longitudinal side curves upwardly towards the other longitudinal side.

Abstract: A method for testing for dysfunctional discs in which a spinal contact member contacts a disc under a low force to obtain the position of the contact member with the disc in its normal or usual unstressed position, the same disc is contacted with the contact member under an elevated increased standard force to obtain a second position of the contact member, and the two positions are compared to determine the condition of the disc. A complete contour of the spine is obtained and recorded. Apparatus used includes a roller which bears against the spine and rolls from disc to disc with the roller being mounted on a vertical calibrated rod. Means are provided to vary the pressure applied to the rod.

Abstract: A comfort pad made of resilent and compressible material has a flat bottom surface with a rounded rear end and a relatively straight outer longitudinal side which closely approach the inside rear and outer longitudinal side of the shoe when position therein. The inner longitudinal side is arcuate convex over most of its length with the arcuate convex portion tapering from one surface to the side and being bent upwardly when positioned in the shoe. The pad is substantially shorter than the shoe with the front end being arcuate convex and tapering downwardly and forwardly from the top surface which is generally the same shape as the bottom surface. A depression is provided in the top or bottom surface at the heel portion. The outer longitudinal side extends forwardly a shorter distance than the inner longitudinal side.

Abstract: Build-up on the surface of a refractory body receiving molten metal is eliminated or reduced by making at least a portion of a material that can be electrically heated to at least about 1150.degree. C., such as an alkaline-earth doped lanthanum chromite. When the surface is that of a nozzle or shroud, an electric current is supplied to heat the material around the opening in the nozzle or shroud to at least about 1150.degree. C.

Abstract: Apparatus for selecting a multi-digit number. A cage is defined by two end pieces, a plurality of peripherally spaced slats extending between the end pieces and wire mesh extending around and attached to the periphery of the end pieces is rotatable about a horizontal longitudinal axis. A plurality of balls with numbers thereon are enclosed in the cage. A plurality of single ball receiving pockets on the periphery of the cage spaced apart in a line parallel to the cage axis. The inner ends of the pockets are secured to one of the slats, which is wider than the remaining slats so as to be of sufficient weight along the parallel line so that the line is at the bottom of the cage when it is at rest.

Abstract: Steam suitable for use in conventional apparatus is produced by burning hydrogen to oxygen to generate very high temperature steam which passes through a pool of water to cool it and produce additional steam with the final steam produced having the desired temperature. Water is fed into the pool at a controlled rate during the burning of the hydrogen and oxygen to maintain the level of the pool within predetermined limits.

Abstract: The burner means for a blast furnace stove having a vertical shell, a combustion chamber adjacent the inside wall of the shell and checkers in the shell includes a generally horizontal first tube extending from the outside of the shell into communication with the combustion chamber, a ceramic tube within the first tube spaced therefrom, and a ceramic nozzle at the inner end of the ceramic tube extending upwardly at an angle between 45.degree. and 90.degree.. Air of fuel gas passes within the first tube around the ceramic tube and the other of the air or fuel passes within the ceramic tube with the gas and air mixing and burning upwardly in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: In grinding non-uniform workpieces rotating about a longitudinal axis an endless abrasive belt passes over a contact roll in tangent contact. The rotating workpiece is pressed against the belt at the tangent point and the belt is passed around the workpiece on at least one side from the contact point. The amount of wrap is sufficient to heat the workpiece relatively uniform. Either plunge or traverse grinding may be used.

Abstract: A one piece resilient and compressible pad having a generally oblong shape has a flat bottom surface with a rounded rear end, generally parallel longitudinal sides, a substantially straight forward end and rounded corners connecting the forward end to the longitudinal sides. The top surface of the pad is contoured with the forward end of the pad having a flat portion of maximum thickness and its heel end having a flat portion of lesser thickness. A sloping portion is provided between the two flat portions. The dimensions of the pad are selected so that when placed in a shoe with the heel end closely approaching the inside rear of the shoe, the flat portion of maximum thickness will underlie and protect the metatarsal and longitudinal arches.

Abstract: Solar energy is collected in any suitable manner with part of the energy being used immediately to produce mechanical or electrical energy. Another part of the solar energy is used to heat a liquid metal which is stored until the sun is not out. At that time the heat from the liquid metal vaporizes another liquid which is then used to produce mechanical or electrical energy. A further part of the solar energy is used to produce hydrogen which is stored until the mechanical or electrical energy produced by the first two parts of the solar energy during a twenty-four hour period is not sufficient to produce the required energy for the twenty-four hour period. At that time the hydrogen is used to produce the remainder of the required mechanical or electrical energy.

Abstract: A tool for grinding irregular surfaces such as transition welds includes a base adapted to rest on the surface of the workpiece, a track on the base and a carriage which moves longitudinally of the weld with one end on the track and the other end of the carriage having a roll which contacts the top of the workpiece. A trolley is supported on the carriage for transverse movement and carries a grinding wheel and its motor. Guide tracks on the carriage cause the grindling wheel to move in a non-linear path. The base is placed in position and the grinding wheel is reciprocated transversely as the carriage reciprocates longitudinally. If the weld is longer than the carriage movement, the base is moved after the grinding is finished at the first position to a second position adjacent thereto and the operation is repeated until the weld is completely ground as desired.

Abstract: A method of pouring molten steel into a container having a bottom made of material subject to damage by the falling stream includes providing a light weight tin free steel mat made from a plurality of thin sheets each having closely spaced holes therein over most of its area and the sheets being arranged in a plurality of layers arranged to define a honeycombed spongelike structure of considerable thickness having a plurality of discontinuous voids. Substantially flat individual thin sheets are arranged on the top and bottom of the spongelike structure to form an assembly with the top and bottom sheets being made from tin free steel. None of the discontinuous voids extend from the top sheet to the bottom sheet. The mat is lowered into the container and positioned on the bottom after which the molten steel is poured onto the mat which protects the bottom while it melts and is absorbed into the molten steel.

Abstract: A light weight ingot mold mat for receiving molten metal is formed from sheets of metal compatible with the molten metal. The sheets have closely spaced holes therein throughout most of their area so that they are very light and easily crumbled to form a honeycombed structure. The mat is placed on the mold stool and absorbs the force of the molten metal and chills it so that it freezes sufficiently to seal the joint between the stool and mold. The mat is melted and absorbed into the ingot.

Abstract: A felt pad having a beveled front end is produced from a workpiece having a flat bottom with an adhesive thereon covered with a strip of paper or the like and a straight front end. The apparatus includes a rotatable shaft having mounted thereon an abrasive wheel and a wire brush wheel including a cylindrical portion of the same diameter as the abrasive wheel abutting the abrasive wheel and a tapered portion extending toward the shaft axis. A shear plate provides a cutting surface with the abrasive wheel. The workpiece is mounted on a table and fed parallel to the shaft axis with its forward end also parallel thereto. The rotating brush bevels the front end of the pad and fuzz still attached to the pad is removed as it passes between the abrasive wheel and shear plate. A shroud surrounds the wheels and a suction is applied thereto to draw off the materials removed from the workpiece.

Abstract: A belt grinder for grinding a rotating non-circular work piece includes three rotatable rolls around which an abrasive belt moves. The rolls are arranged in a triangular manner with one of the rolls being the work roll which is slidably mounted toward and away from the workpiece. Resilient means applies a force to urge the work roll in the direction of the workpiece with the force increasing as the work roll moves toward the axis of the workpiece.

Abstract: Metal strip is made by heating a workpiece to an elevated temperature, wrapping it around a substantial arc of a first roll, positioning a second roll with respect to the first roll to provide a roll pass therewith at the exit end of the wrap, positioning a third roll with respect to the second roll to provide a second roll pass to give the desired strip thickness with the workpiece engaging a substantial arc of the second roll between the roll passes, the arc of wrap around each of the first and second rolls being less than 90.degree.. The second roll is rotated at a peripheral speed substantially greater than that of the first roll and the third roll is rotated at a peripheral speed at least as great as that of the second roll. A ferrous base hot rolled strip having a width of at least 20 inches, a maximum thickness of 0.04 inches and a length of at least 80 feet is obtainable by this method.

Abstract: A coke oven door for use in the end opening of a coking chamber having a generated gas outlet in its roof includes a plurality of plug sections each made of a hollow shell, preferably metal, having a vent through each side wall extending from the exterior of each section away from the outside of the coking chamber. Means are provided for fastening the sections to the frame in spaced apart relationship so that they can move vertically with respect to the door frame. The generated gases pass through the vents, up the flue formed by the hollow shells, out the top of the flue and into the generated gas outlet.

Abstract: A piece of furniture has a top with a pair of grooves therein and a pair of side pieces each having a top projection extending into or through the grooves and a surface for supporting the top. Aligned slots are provided through the side pieces adjacent the bottom. A cross piece having a neck at each end with shoulders at the base of the neck extends between the side pieces with the shoulders held against the inner surface of the side pieces by means of a wedge extending through a hole in the neck on the outside of the side pieces. The length of the cross piece between shoulers is selected so that an inwardly extending force is exerted on the top of the side pieces.

Abstract: A cooling plate for a furnace having a refractory lining surrounded by a steel shell having an opening therethrough includes a box embedded in the refractory lining and having a front opening closed by a front plate. A flange extends radially outwardly around the front of the box with its front surface matching the rear surface of the front plate. A collar surrounds the box between the flange and the steel shell. A plurality of sets of aligned holes are provided in the front plate, flange and collar with at least the holes in the collar being threaded. A cap screw passing through each set of aligned holes and threaded into the collar not only secures the front plate to the box but also secures the cooling plate to the furnace.

Abstract: A mixture of air, oxygen and engine exhaust gases is added to a fuel and fed to an internal combustion engine in controlled amounts to reduce the amount of toxic material formed. The oxygen is supplied by a plurality of oxygen converters arranged in parallel so that one or more of the converters are charging while one or more of the remaining converters are discharging oxygen. Each converter includes an inner chamber having a fluidized bed of a metallic oxide surrounded by a heating chamber. Engine exhaust gases are fed to the heating chamber to raise the temperature of the metallic oxide to that at which a higher oxide is formed. To obtain oxygen the temperature of the fluidized bed is raised by means of the exhaust gases to that at which oxygen is released and the original metallic oxide is formed.