Abstract: A manually operable spreading apparatus for uniformly spreading a flowable material, such as a sealant or adhesive, on a surface comprises a rod with a transversely extending replaceable foam spreader pad at one end and a reservoir chamber for the flowable material mounted on the rod. A valve at the reservoir lower end is operable to discharge material from the reservoir for engagement with the spreader pad . The spreader pad is provided with a pair of spring urged side pads pivoted at its ends to form therewith a rectangular structure confining the flowable material to the area over which the spreader moves. A handle is provided part way down the rod to enable the operator to control the pressure of the pad on the surface.

Abstract: Power drivers are commonly used in production to tighten fasteners such as nuts and bolts. The socket which engages the fastener is normally coupled to the drive shaft of the power driver by a square male end on the drive shaft and a complementary square female connector on the socket. These components are not produced to close tolerances and as a result there is substantial play permitting misalignment of the rotational axes of the drive shaft and the socket and some rotational freedom between the drive shaft and the socket. In accordance with the invention an anti-vibration adaptor is provided comprising a sleeve containing a cylinder of resilient material which surrounds a portion of the drive shaft and a portion of the socket, including the point of coupling, sufficiently closely to minimize misalignment of the rotational axes of the drive shaft and the socket and reduce rotational freedom.

Abstract: Power drivers are commonly used in production to tighten fasteners such as nuts and bolts. The socket which engages the fastener is normally coupled to the drive shaft of the power driver by a square male end on the drive shaft and a complementary square female connector on the socket. These components are not produced to close tolerances and as a result there is substantial play permitting misalignment of the rotational axes of the drive shaft and the socket and some rotational freedom between the drive shaft and the socket. In accordance with the invention an anti-vibration adaptor is provided comprising a sleeve containing a cylinder of resilient material which surrounds a portion of the drive shaft and a portion of the socket, including the point of coupling, sufficiently closely to minimize misalignment of the rotational axes of the drive shaft and the socket and reduce rotational freedom.

Abstract: A guard rail scaffold assembly comprises a plurality of assembly members carrying horizontally extending guard rails. Each assembly member comprises an elongated base member attachable by a releasable connector to a fastener pad fastened to an above-ground structure surface. The connector allows pivoting movement of the base member for adjustment of the base member to be parallel to the surface. The base member also carries surface engaging members on opposite sides of the connector which engage the structure surface to maintain the base member parallel to the structure surface. A first post member extends from the base member and, when the scaffold is mounted on the guarded surface, this constitutes a guard rail support member or has a guard rail support member mounted thereon. When the scaffold is mounted on a wall surface a second post member is releasibly mounted on the first post member and receives the guard rail support member instead of the first post member.

Abstract: In methods and apparatus for the production of molded laminated articles a thin layer of a first moldable heat curable material is placed in the mold cavity of a heated mold and thereafter a second polymerisable material is injected to fill the remainder of the cavity, so that the materials are in intimate contact and form the laminate. The polymerisation of the second material is exothermic and the curing of the first material is facilitated by heat from this reaction. Preferably the second material is also foamable and the foaming generates pressure that molds the first material against the mold surface while it is being cured. Preferably the layer of first material is brought in contact with the mold surface, and air that would otherwise be trapped between them, is removed by drawing a vacuum between the layer and the surface. A preferred first material is epoxidised bondable uncured vulcanisable rubber and a preferred second material is foamable polymerisable polyurethane.

Abstract: Molded boot and shoe heels are made by injecting a foamable plastics molding material into a heel mold and thereafter injecting a pressurized gaseous fluid into the heel body after it has formed an outer skin against the mold inner surfaces but before it has fully set in order to displace and compress the foaming material and form within the heel at the point of injection at least one enclosed hollow chamber which provides a different degree of resilience to heel strike forces at the location of the chamber. A plurality of closely adjacent chambers may be provided to obtain the same effect, particularly when the heel is shallow. A preformed member may be molded into the heel to form the heel outer surface and ensure a minimum heel wall thickness at this location. The heel may be molded integrally with a sole part. The enclosed chamber may be vented to the ambient atmosphere or it may be sealed.

Abstract: A toe protector, or a metatarsal protector, or a combined toe and metatarsal protector for safety footwear are molded from plastics material either integrally or separately and then attached to one another for storage and incorporation into the finished footwear. Each part of the respective protector comprises a generally U-shaped body provided at the central part of its top outer surface with two mutually facing, spaced surfaces extending outward therefrom and bounding between them a central part of the top portion. A force receiving plate overlies the respective central part with its lower surface spaced from the central part, is of concave shape toward the central part, and has two spaced edges engageable with the two surfaces. In an integral structure the adjacent surfaces and edges are constituted by corresponding integral junctions.

Abstract: An inert atmosphere spot soldering process and apparatus uses pockets arranged to match the arrangement of the terminals to be soldered. The pockets are filled to over flowing with liquid solder by lowering the pockets below the surface of the molten solder in a solder pot. A flow of hot inert gas is provided through orifices adjacent the pockets. The terminals and their surrounding area are exposed to the hot inert gas for a period sufficient to drive off substantially all volatile liquids and the terminals are then immersed in the solder to a depth determined by the menicus of the solder in the pockets. After immersion, the terminals are seperated from the solder surface and the flow of inert gas is terminated after permitting the solder to solidify. The inert gas may be heated by thermal conduction from the liquid solder.

Abstract: A multiple compartment bag comprises a backing sheet and a cover sheet forming a first compartment open at its top end. A second compartment, usually shorter, is formed by a compartment forming sheet and a closure sheet overlying the cover sheet and one another, these smaller sheets being sealed at their edges to the edges of the two larger sheets to maximize the width of the compartment. The second compartment opening is labyrinthine, formed by the overlap between the compartment forming sheet top portion and the overlying closure sheet bottom portion. The length of the overlap is at least 30% of the total length of the second compartment, as compared to 10% in a prior proposal, and preferably is not more than 70%, thus ensuring safe retention of a bulky article in the second compartment while providing for ease of its insertion and its subsequent easy removal by the recipient.

Abstract: A post assembly for attaching a worker safety harness to a structure comprises a post member having two transversely spaced wall attachment assemblies at its lower end and on opposite sides thereof and a roof attachment assembly intermediate its ends, the assemblies being releasable to enable the post assembly to be removed while the parts attached to the wall and roof remain for re-use. The assemblies have attachment axes that diverge toward the wall to increase the transverse spacing between the attachment points as the spacing from the wall increases. The spacing of the wall assemblies and their placement on opposite sides of the post ensures that part of any sideways acting force is converted from undesirable shear peeling force to compressive force on one wall assembly and tension force on the other assembly. The part of each attachment assembly that contacts a surface may comprise a central plate with one or more side and/or end plates hinged thereto to accommodate curvature of the roof surface.

Abstract: An inert atmosphere spot soldering process and apparatus uses cups arranged to match the arrangement of the terminals to be soldered. The cups are filled to over flowing with liquid solder and provided with a enveloping flow of hot inert gas. The terminals and their surrounding area are exposed to the hot inert gas for a period sufficient to drive off substantially all volatile liquids and the terminals are then immersed in the solder. After immersion, the terminals are raised gently non parallel to the solder surface until they are above the solder and then the flow of inert gas is terminated permitting the solder to solidify. The inert gas may be heated by thermal conduction from the liquid solder.

Abstract: A weed growth inhibiting enclosure member for use with container grown ornamental plants comprises a frusto-conical open-ended tube of thin, flexible light-impervious material of diameter to fit snugly around the container exterior, and of a length such that its upper part overlays the open container top and can be wrapped closely around the plant stem for retention without using a tie. This upper part has spaced perforations of size to permit passage of water to the earth in the container while preventing protrusion of weeds therethrough. The member reduces evaporation and also protects the container exterior against the adverse effects of sunlight and dirt. The weeds are thus denied the light essential to their growth, while access of the wanted plant is unimpeded, so that the weeds remain immature and compete only minimally for water and nutrients. The wrapping of the tube part around the plant stem ensures that it will not impede growth of the plant, as might a tie.

Abstract: In the molding of boot and shoe heels a foamable plastics molding material is injected into a heel mold and a pressurized gaseous fluid is injected into the heel body after it has formed an outer skin against the mold inner surfaces but before it has fully set in order to displace and compress the foaming material and form within the heel at least one enclosed hollow chamber which provides a different degree of resilience to heel strike forces at the location of the chamber. A plurality of closely adjacent chambers may be provided to obtain the same effect, particularly when the heel is shallow. A preformed member may be placed in the mold to form the heel outer surface and ensure a minimum heel wall thickness at this location. The invention also includes apparatus for making such heels, and the heels when so made. The molded body may comprise a sole with an integral heel part. The enclosed chamber may be vented to the ambient atmosphere or it may be sealed.

Abstract: A guillotine cutting apparatus for solid bodies of hard brittle materials such as building bricks, blocks and stone, has a base member mounting a movable cutter for engagement with the body and cutting force applying means which imparts an impact cutting force to the cutter. Preferably a measuring frame for determining the length of the body parts that are to be cut comprises a movable stop member against which one end of the body is butted, the stop member being resiliently mounted in the frame to permit its movement away from the cutting plane as the body is cut. Preferably the cutting force applying means comprise a hand operated hammer slidably mounted on a relatively long shaft connected to the cutter member and guided by the shaft into contact with an anvil on the shaft, thereby imparting a stored energy high impact cutting force to the movable cutter.

Abstract: A greenhouse roof structure for the usual rectangular in plan greenhouse comprises at least two rectangular roof panels each having a lower edge hinged to the structure for movement about a respective horizontal hinge axis. The roof panels are movable about their hinge axes between a fully closed position in which their upper edges meet to form a roof peak, and a fully open position in which they extend generally vertically at least approximately parallel to one another for the greenhouse space to be upwardly fully open to the ambient atmosphere, as is needed for example to "harden" new plants before they are exposed to the harsher ambient conditions outside the greenhouse. Preferably trusses extend transversely between the two outer side walls, support members are carried by the trusses, and transversely extending upwardly convex arch members are each connected at its ends to respective support members to connect them against the forces, such as wind forces, applied by the roof panels.

Abstract: A vacuum attachment assembly is provided for use in combination with a corner sanding tool comprising a replaceable sander block of resilient foam material having a transverse cross section of the form of an isosceles triangle. The block is removably mounted on a carrier member which is inserted into a close-fitting chamber within the block body through a narrow entrance passage, the carrier being connected to a handle. The vacuum attachment comprises a C-shaped body having two parallel end portions extending from a central portion, and the sander block is of sufficient length that it must be compressed somewhat longitudinally for it to be inserted into the assembly, which is thereby frictionally retained under the resilience of the sander block body material. The attachment central portion has two parallel side walls which are butted by the resilient sander block to establish an air-tight, air-receiving plenum chamber between the attachment member and the sander block.

Abstract: A shaft is provided with a low speed oscillating progressive drive by means of hydraulic cylinders which operate a lever mechanism which may be clutched to and declutched from, the shaft. A pneumatic control system senses the position of the pistons of the hydraulic cylinders and provides a controlled oscillation of the cylinders. When the pistons cause the shaft to rotate in one direction a sensor causes the lever mechanism to be declutched from the shaft after a selectable number of degrees of rotation. The pistons continue their stroke to the normal limit where the lever mechanism is caused to be once more clutched to the shaft. This operation is continued producing an oscillatory progressive rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A one piece flat bottomed gusseted bag is provided which may be bottom filled and flat sealed. This structure permits a resealable bag to be filled and sealed without opening the resealable seal. The bag is formed with a revertive pocket at the bottom extending transversely from one side seam of the bag to the other and completely sealed at its ends to the side seams The pocket may be formed before or after sealing. The shape and attachment of the pocket is such as to produce a flat gusseted bottom on the bag when the bag is filled and the pocket forced outwards.

Abstract: A guard structure for installation at the edge of a building roof eave to assist in shingling employs a plurality of spaced roof cleats nailed to the roof, each having a hinge at its lower end with a hinge axis parallel to the eave. Each hinge connects the cleat to a respective vertical support member at a junction portion immediately adjacent to the eave. The portion of the support member below the eave or roof line engages the building structure, e.g. the rafter tail or fascia board, usually through a pressure plate, and may carry a screw-threaded adjustment member for adjusting the vertical attitude of the support member. The other portion of the support member has a lower outward upward inclined part carrying a toe board retainer member for an inclined toe board, and an upper vertical part carrying at least two vertically spaced back rail support members, as is usually required by safety regulations. The toe board and the back rails form a safety structure for the roofer.

Abstract: Planning and toy assemblies of the invention comprise element receiving and storage members and a plurality of elements adherable by permanent magnet attraction to their receiving surfaces, the assembly also usually comprising a folder in which they are stored and carried. Each member comprises a thin sheet of magnetizable metal with a surface sheet mounted thereover. The receiving member surface carries a planning grid or picture, while the storage members have depictions on their exposed surfaces of the elements that are placed thereon. Each element is a piece punched from permanently magnetized sheet material of sufficient magnetic field strength to adhere to the metal sheets, even through a thin non-magnetic layer, and also carries a depiction of what it represents.