Abstract: An unlocking mechanism for use with wheeled vehicles and the like to unlock the steering post to permit the vehicle to be steered in response to the occupant's weight on the vehicle. The mechanism includes a sleeve-type bearing support for slidingly receiving and pivotally guiding the steering post and locking pin associated with the steering post which is restrained in a matching groove in the bearing support to prevent rotation of the steering post when the vehicle is unoccupied, but is spaced from the groove to permit rotation of the steering post when the vehicle is occupied.

Abstract: A replaceable sensing and indicating element for a bi-metallic thermometer of the type having an enclosure and a stem. The sensing and indicating element comprises a stem terminating in a bi-metal helical temperature sensing coil, a shaft extending inside the stem from the coil, an indicating pointer secured to the shaft, a calibrated temperature scale, adjustment means for orienting the scale, and a connector affixed to the sensing element stem. The sensing element is telescopically received within the thermometer enclosure and stem and is held in place by a bezel ring and restraining means. Accordingly, the sensing element may be easily removed from and replaced in the enclosure.

Abstract: A dispensing package for individual sheets pre-moistened with a volatile component. The package comprises a container impervious to the volatile component with a stack of the pre-moistened sheets therein in discrete, interleaved condition. One surface of the package has a restrictive dispensing orifice so sized as to just permit the passage therethrough of two of the pre-moistened sheets in tightly gathered form so that, as each sheet is pulled through the orifice, it will pull a sufficient amount of the next sheet of the stack through the orifice to be conveniently grasped by the consumer when desired and to serve as a plug for the orifice until it is extracted therefrom by the consumer. During the packaging process a sufficient portion of the topmost sheet of the stack is caused to extend beyond the opening to enable the consumer to grasp the topmost sheet and extract it without having to open the package container and pre-start the topmost sheet through the dispensing orifice.

Abstract: A method for finishing molten metallic coatings applied to iron and steel strip by the use of an elongate, laminar flow fluid jet, which jet is used to control thickness and quality of the finished coating.The narrow dimension of the fluid jet is contoured across the strip width to produce the desired coating weight at all parts of the strip and to produce a coated strip edge free from excessively heavy coatings and/or oxide "berries.

Abstract: The foam cleaning system for an electrostatic precipitator includes a source of a suitable detergent and means for introducing it into a foamer, a source of supply water which is piped through a water pressure reducing valve if necessary and then through a pressure gauge and solenoid valve control and through a suitable filter into the foamer, and a supply of compressed air which passes by suitable conduit through an air pressure regulator and solenoid valve control into the foamer. The detergent, water and air are suitably combined in the foamer and discharged therefrom as a foam into a manifold which will carry the foam to the electrostatic precipitators to be cleaned. The foam is introduced into a space provided at the top of the precipitator above the ionizer and collecting cell plates, between the inlet and outlet filters, and between the side wall of the precipitator. A drain is provided adjacent the precipitator.

Abstract: Improved tine arrangements for garden tillers including a basic tine assembly comprised of a plurality of relatively long tines configured to break a clod loose and a plurality of shorter tines configured to strike such clod and break it up. A typical garden tiller will include a frame mounting an engine, either vertical or horizontal, having handles by which the operator will guide the tiller and appropriate drive structure to rotate the tine shaft mechanism carrying the basic tine assemblies. Such a tiller may also include an adjustable wheel transport system and a fold-up adjustable stake with a swinging stabilizer which may be locked in fixed position for normal tilling or swinging for easy turn around at the end of a garden row. The engine may provide one or more forward speeds and a reverse if desired. The basic tines may provide a slicing or pick action.

Abstract: Automatic latch means for the door-actuating beam of a hopper car of the type having a plurality of hopper doors arranged in opposed pairs and swingable between a closed position and a downwardly depending open position when the door-actuating beam is shifted longitudinally by the piston of a fluid cylinder between a retracted door-closing position and an extended door-opening position. The latch means comprises a catch asembly mounted on the hopper car frame and a pivotable hook operatively attached to the door-actuating beam. When the door-actuating beam is in its door-closing position the catch assembly will be engaged by the hook and means are provided to maintain this engagement under all dynamic conditions of the hopper car. As a consequence, movement of the door-actuating beam to open the hopper doors is prevented and the hopper doors are thus locked in their closed positions. The cylinder piston is provided with a clevis operatively connected to the door actuating beam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting thermal energy to rotational energy by impressing a contained fluid with a thermal gradient in the presence of a centrifugal force field.

Abstract: A binding post terminal construction wherein the cylindrical body of the post terminates in an inwardly tapered annular shoulder, the end of the post having a conical recess therein, the post being divided into an opposing pair of tines by an arcuate slot, the arcuate slot cutting through the tapered shoulder and the conical recess to define a seat at the upper end of the post for receiving and positioning a straight length of lead wire to be inserted in the slot together with cam surfaces acting to bend the wire to conform to the configuration of the slot as the wire is displaced downwardly into the slot.

Abstract: A piano key frame assembly comprising a rigid metal frame, preferably formed from aluminum tubing, for supporting the piano keys and action, the frame having a front rail, an intermediate balance rail and a back rail, the back rail mounting adjustment means for leveling the keys, the key frame having adjustable feet by means of which it is positioned and leveled within the piano case, the conventional key bed being replaced by relatively narrow key bed brackets extending along the opposite sides of the case on which the adjustable feet are supported, means being provided to align and maintain the key frame on the key bed brackets.

Abstract: A pneumatic tool for driving clamp nails, having a single nose piece making possible the driving of clamp nails into the outside corner of a miter joint, or the inside corner of a miter joint, and having a plate which may be adjusted to position the nose piece at any angle from 45.degree. to 30.degree. off the vertical centerline of the tool. When set at the 30.degree. angle, the nose piece is in the optimum position to drive a clamp nail into an inside right angled butt joint. A safety is provided having a configuration like the nose piece. The tool is provided with a magazine for a stick of clamp nails, and an adjustable rail in the magazine makes it adaptable to clamp nails of different sizes. The guide body through which the clamp nails are fed into position below the drive is provided with a configuration which makes it impossible to feed clamp nails if the stick is inserted into the magazine upside down.

Abstract: Apparatus for drawing, or blanking and drawing, a flat metallic piece into a cup shape. A blanking punch, blanking die, draw die, movable stripper and a spacer are mounted on the stationary bed of a press. A pressure pad and draw punch are carried by the ram of a press. The pressure pad is positioned to contact first the blanking punch, then to contact the movable stripper and push it solidly against the spacer. As the ram continues its downward movement, the pressure pad collapses with respect to the ram by virtue of its connection to a piston operating in a cylinder in the ram containing controllable air pressure. The maintenance of a predetermined pressure pad-draw die gap during the draw prevents wrinkling, and the maintenance of the controlled pressure on the pressure pad prevents thinning and subsequent clipping of ears.

Abstract: A transportable tank is disclosed for use as a manure spreader or for distributing foodstuff for livestock in a cattle barn. The tank is adapted to be towed by a tractor and connected the tractor power takeoff through a chain and sprocket arrangement. Shallow conveyor screws are provided on the bottom of the tank and carry the substance therein to the front or rear depending on their direction of rotation. A circular plate is fixed to a hollow shaft connected to the chain and sprocket arrangement and has a plurality of ejection fan blades. Several toothed shredding rotors are disposed radially and mounted for rotation about their respective axes and orbitally about the axis of the circular plate. A planetary gear system with a fixed sun gear is arranged between the rotors and the hollow shaft. The circular plate with its fan blades and the rotors are accommodated in a cylindrical drum mounted about its periphery on rollers.

Abstract: A process of producing non-aging, low carbon steel having substantially no yield point elongation in the annealed condition and freedom from critical grain growth. A molten steel having an analysis typical of steel intended for rimmed or killed drawing steel is vacuum degassed to decarburize to a maximum carbon content of about 0.015%, and columbium (niobium) is added in an amount at least sufficient to combine with the carbon present in the steel. The cast material is hot rolled, finishing at 1500.degree. - 1700.degree. F (about 1090.degree. - 1200.degree. K) and coiled at a temperature of about 1500.degree. F (about 1090.degree. K) or less. The columbium addition retards the rate of recrystallization of the cold rolled product, and a wide spectrum of mechanical properties can be obtained in the final product by control of the final annealing time and temperature within the range of 1000.degree. to 1700.degree. F (about 810.degree. to 1200.degree. K).

Abstract: A method of preparing the surfaces of steel strip and sheet stock for fluxless hot dip coating with molten metal by passing the stock through a first heating zone containing the hot gaseous products of combustion of a sulfur-bearing gaseous fuel with air, continuing the heating in a further heating zone, and cooling the stock approximately to the temperature of the molten coating metal in a reducing atmosphere. The radiant energy absorptivity of the stock is increased by forming a visible sulfur and oxygen rich layer thereon in the first heating zone and preserving the layer throughout the further heating zone. Coke oven gas may be used as fuel in the first heating zone.

Abstract: A high temperature continuous strip anneal is added to the routings for both high permeability cube-on-edge oriented silicon steel having a permeability at 796 A/m of more than about 1850 and regular cube-on-edge oriented silicon steel having a permeability at 796 A/m of less than about 1850. For both grades of cube-on-edge oriented silicon steel the high temperature anneal is performed after the decarburization step and before the final high temperature box anneal during which the final desired orientation and magnetic characteristics are achieved. The post decarburization anneal results in improvements in both permeability and core loss.

Abstract: A dual track system whereby a transfer car can be turned at least 90.degree. in a minimum amount of space. The track system comprises a first set of parallel railroad-type rails of a standard size and cross section for the wheels of the lead truck of a transfer car and a second set of parallel railroad-type rails of the same size and cross section for the wheels of the following truck of the same transfer car. The first and second sets of rails are parallel to each other and overlapped with the right hand rails of each set lying in close proximity to each other and the left hand rails of each set lying in close proximity to each other. At the point where the transfer car is to begin its 90.degree.

Abstract: A method of preparing the surfaces of steel strip and sheet stock for fluxless hot dip metallic coating, comprising the steps of passing the stock through a first heating section under conditions which form a visible iron oxide layer on the stock surfaces within the color range of dark straw through blue, continuing the heating of the stock in a second heating section isolated from the first heating section in an atmosphere containing less than 5% hydrogen by volume, thereby preserving the oxide layer, and cooling the stock approximately to the temperature of the molten coating metal in a cooling zone containing a reducing atmosphere comprising at least 10% hydrogen by volume, whereby to reduce the oxide layer completely to a metallic iron surface wettable by the coating metal. The radiant energy absorptivity of the steel stock is increased by the formation and preservation of the iron oxide layer in the first and second heating sections.

Abstract: A process for forming sheet metal material having a yield strength and tensile strength which are sensitive to small changes in temperature at ambient conditions, wherein an unheated sheet metal workpiece is drawn between a concave die cavity and a mating convex punch by relative movement therebetween into the internal configuration of the die, and wherein the workpiece is selectively cooled in those areas which are susceptible to breakage. Cooling may be effected by cooling portions of the punch, or in complex part designs by cooling localized portions of the die, or both. The amount of cooling is relatively slight and may be only that required to remove heat generated by plastic deformation of the workpiece in the areas susceptible to breakage.

Abstract: A method of improving the surface insulation resistance of electrical steels having an insulative coating thereon by subjecting the electrical steels to electrochemical treatment as part of the routing thereof, to remove small metallic nodules, particles and the like extending through or protruding above the insulative coating. Following the electrochemical treatment, the electrical steels are rinsed and dried.