Abstract: Apparatus for blasting particulate material onto workpieces wherein the workpiece is positioned within an enclosure, and a centrifugal impeller of a conventional type is supported in the enclosure on mobile mounting means for movement in a plurality of directions in such a manner that large surfaces or surfaces of complicated shapes can be blasted. The mobile mounting means and the centrifugal impeller can be operated remotely from outside the enclosure.

Abstract: Shelters and methods of making them are disclosed which include a basic module that has a frame over which a flexible fabric cover is fitted and appropriately attached so that when distended it will define the configuration of the module. A reinforced rigid plastics foam material is adhered to the outer surface of the flexible fabric cover, and a protective waterproof coating is adhered to the outer surface of the rigid plastics foam material. If desired, portions of the frame can then be removed leaving a self-sustaining shelter.

Abstract: A vent apparatus is mounted on an automobile door at the forward edge of the window opening, and the apparatus has a transparent plate which is secured permanently at an acute angle relative to the door glass. The apparatus includes two unitary die cast brackets each of which has a channel in its outer surface and in which the leading edge of the transparent plate is fixedly mounted. The shapes of the channels and the adhesive material employed for securing the transparent plate therein are such as to avoid creation of stress points in the transparent plate if the brackets are slightly misaligned during assembly on the automobile.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed relating to improvements in the construction and arrangement of cross-carriage assemblies carrying tool holders for use in conjunction with associated spindles carried on a rotary multispindle drum of the lathe. A plurality of arrangements are disclosed, all of which provide improved chip removal and greater access to the work space and tool holders.

Abstract: Lathe apparatus is disclosed which in one form is an automatic turret lathe in which a single turret head is provided that can support a plurality of tools for performing machining operations on inside and outside surfaces of a workpiece carried on the live spindle of the lathe. The axis of the turret head is disposed at a preferred angular relationship to the axis of the live spindle, and the receiving or mounting surfaces for the inside and outside machining tools are disposed alternately around the axis of the turret head in planar arrangements that provide optimum operating conditions for utilizing the outside and inside machining tools on a single turret head. An attachment for preturning of workpieces is provided which can be mounted on the headstock to perform cutting operations wherein the cutting tool is moved in response to movement of the turret carriage of the turret head. Another attachment is provided to facilitate supporting of the workpiece during the preturning of the workpiece.

Abstract: A box spring assembly consisting of a horizontally disposed rectangular frame and a plurality of main wire springs and intermediate wire springs connected to each other and mounted on the top side of the frame. Each of the springs has a generally straight wire body portion and depending end portions, each of which is of serpentine shape and has a pair of angularly related sections. The end portions are secured to the frame so that they are compressible in a vertical direction when subjected to downwardly directed load.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing pressure pulses developed by the collapse of bubbles in a liquid flow system to enable measurement of the rate of erosion caused to material by cavitation. A sonic transducer, immersed in flowing liquid, generates voltages in response to pressure pulses developed by the collapse of bubbles in the liquid. The voltage representing each bubble collapse is transmitted to electronic equipment. The electronic equipment measures the magnitude of each voltage signal and counts the number of voltage signals representing the number of bubble collapses sensed by the sonic transducer thereby providing data from which the rate of erosion can be calculated.

Abstract: Automatic turret lathe apparatus is disclosed in which a single turret head is provided that can support a plurality of tools for performing machining operations on both outside and inside surfaces of a workpiece carried on the live spindle of the lathe. The axis of the turret head is disposed at a preferred angular relationship to the axis of the live spindle, and the receiving or mounting surfaces for the inside and outside machining tools are disposed alternately around the axis of the turret head in planar arrangements that provide optimum operating conditions for utilizing the outside and inside machining tools on a single turret head.

Abstract: Lathe apparatus is disclosed which in one form is an automatic turret lathe in which a single turret head is provided that can support a plurality of tools for performing machining operations on inside and outside surfaces of a workpiece carried on the live spindle of the lathe. The axis of the turret head is disposed at a preferred angular relationship to the axis of the live spindle, and the receiving or mounting surfaces for the inside and outside machining tools are disposed alternately around the axis of the turret head in planar arrangements that provide optimum operating conditions for utilizing the outside and inside machining tools on a single turret head. An attachment for preturning of workpieces is provided which can be mounted on the headstock to perform cutting operations wherein the cutting tool is moved in response to movement of the turret carriage of the turret head. Another attachement is provided to facilitate supporting of the workpiece during the preturning of the workpiece.

Abstract: Masking sound generating apparatus for use in a conventional room enclosure occupied by adult persons of average range of heights comprising a hollow enclosure having a top opening and a side opening, a speaker mounted inside the enclosure intermediate the top opening and the side opening and facing outwardly from the apparatus through the top opening, and a circuit in the enclosure operable to develop an electric signal which is converted to an audible sound signal emitted by the speaker. Modulation means are incorporated into the circuit to cyclically vary the amplitude of the sound signal which provides the masking sound signal with a pleasant, natural sound characteristic. The sound generating apparatus is located in the room at a height intermediate the head of a standing adult person and the ceiling, and is positioned so that the speaker faces in an upwardly direction to direct sound signals toward the ceiling.

Abstract: A pallet supporting a plurality of containers in which small workpieces can be stored. The pallet consists of a base having supporting legs and an upright container supporting wall. Horizontally extending rails are arranged on the wall in vertically spaced pairs and the containers are slidably suspended on the rails so that they can readily be unloaded from the pallet. A security cover is provided which can be mounted on the pallet so as to enclose the containers supported thereon. The pallet of this invention is incorporated into a material handling system which includes a plurality of transport carts adapted to be hitched together for movement of a plurality of pallets between locations. Each transport cart is provided with spaced apart leg wells on which the pallet is placed and an access space is thereby provided beneath the base of the pallet to facilitate the placement and removal of the pallet on the transport cart.

Abstract: A weight distribution trailer hitch which has a pair of spring rods pivotally connected at their forward ends on vertical-axis pivot means adjacent the hitch ball and at their forward ends in a tensioned relation to the trailer tongue. The pivotal mounting for the forward ends of the spring rods is such that the spring rods are the same and are interchangeable and easily replaceable.

Abstract: A blast cleaning machine for blast cleaning parts comprising a main frame, a housing supported on the main frame, and a barrel assembly rotatably supported in the housing for oscillatory movements therein between loading, blasting and discharge positions. The barrel assembly has an annular side wall provided with relatively inclined sections that cooperate with relatively inclined surface sections at the bottom of the barrel to provide for a continuous tumbling and flowing of parts in the barrel across a stream of shot projected into the open end of the barrel by a conventional impeller assembly. This action of the parts assures a full cleaning of all of the parts in the barrel in a relatively short time.

Abstract: A centrifugal impeller of the so-called single-disc wheel type wherein the projector blades are mounted by dovetail joints to the impeller wheel and locked in position by releasable entirely encapsulated leaf springs inserted into recesses between the impeller wheel and an associated projector blade.

Abstract: A container consisting of a rigid outer tank having a collapsible bag liner for retaining viscous substances such as grease. A vane shape spacer assembly is disposed inside the bar and secured to the open upper end of the bag to provide a skeletal structure about which the bag can collapse as the grease is being removed to thereby insure more complete evacuation of a filled tank than has heretofore been possible.

Abstract: A system for securing vehicles to a rail car for transport thereby, with the system including a bi-directional tie-down assembly and a ratchet assembly, or the like, separate therefrom and with the bi-directional tie-down assembly having a double chain in a triangulated configuration for restraining the associated vehicle at the point of engagement. A pivotable hook assembly is provided which allows the selection of one or more hook configurations.

Abstract: Electrical discharge machining apparatus in which a plurality of generally parallel electrodes are moved during machining and during refeed in generally parallel paths. A drive roller assembly is provided for refeeding the electrodes after each machining cycle to compensate for erosion of the electrodes that occurred during the preceding machining cycle. The drive roller assembly consists of a plurality of rollers arranged on opposite sides of the electrodes so that the electrodes are drivingly engaged between the rollers. In one embodiment of the invention, the rollers slip on the electrodes after the electrodes have been moved to positions engaging the work until all of the electrodes have been moved into engagement with the work. In another embodiment of the invention, each electrode is independently driven and engagement of each electrode with the work is electrically sensed and in response to such sensing, the drive for that electrode is discontinued.

Abstract: A power track system for conveying and distributing electrical energy in a movable office unit having free standing walls. The system includes a plurality of track sections, each of which has a passageway in which an electrical cable is disposed. Connectors, joined to the cable, are secured at each end of the track section so that similar track sections can be connected together. The track sections are positioned on the floor under the free standing walls which secure the track sections in their positions. Outlets are provided at predetermined points along the track sections to enable connection of electrically operated devices to the cable.

Abstract: Electrical discharge machining apparatus having means to sense the position of the electrode at the start of EDM machining of a workpiece. The apparatus includes means to measure the forward movement of the electrode during each machining cycle and regulate the backward retracting movement of the electrode to a preselected distance so as to compensate for erosion of the electrode during the machining cycle to thereby facilitate positioning of the electrode in the correct location for the next machining cycle. The apparatus includes a sensing device operable to transmit electrical pulses corresponding to incremental movements of the electrode and control circuitry which receives the pulses and controls subsequent movement of the electrode.

Abstract: A test kit for detecting the presence of a specific microorganism in a biological sample utilizing the phenomenon of genetic transformation. The test kit comprises a transformable variant of said specific microorganism, such as auxotrophs which are distinguishable from their wild parent strain. The variants are transformed by deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted from microorganism cells present in a biological test sample. The detection of transformed cells indicates the presence of the specific microorganism under determination in the sample. The microorganism cells present in the biological sample are lysed utilizing an aqueous solution containing a surfactant capable of performing the lysing step.