Abstract: Process for the manufacture of components from untreated steel, comprising a series of heat treatment and forming operations, characterised by heating the steel to a temperature above the transition point (austenizing), isothermal quenching in a fluidized bed bath immediately after the austenizing heating giving the steel a bainitic structure and then forming the components under mild conditions.

Abstract: A mud guard adapted for attachment to the seat of a bicycle comprises an elongated semi-rigid body adapted to cantilever rearwardly from the seat post over the bicycle rear wheel. The body has a forward section comprising a pair of spaced apart, clamping jaw portions, each jaw portion being adapted to extend around one side of the seat post and having a forwardly projecting end portion. A locking fastener extends through the end portions to clamp them together around the post. At the rear end of the body is a yieldable extension member which is bendable when engaged and serves as a shock absorber to prevent excessive stresses on clamping jaw portions.

Abstract: An electrical plug connector adapted for connection with individual insulated wires of an electrical conduit comprises a housing having a plurality of elongated chambers each in line with a coupling element fixed in the housing. Each coupling element includes an elongated bifurcated jaw section having opposed inner knife edges that extend within an elongated chamber. A movable block within each housing chamber includes a first hole for receiving the end of an insulated wire to be terminally attached to a coupling element and a second hole for receiving a tool adapted to move the slider block within its chamber toward the jaw section of a coupling element so that the insulated wire previously placed within the slider block will move between the knife edges of the jaw section to provide an electrical contact. When each slider block is locked into its wire contacting position, the housing is closed and the connector is ready for use.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting leaks within underground or aboveground tanks and their associated piping whether the tank and/or piping is partially filled or empty. The apparatus is partially insulated to minimize temperature effects when injecting a test gas into the tank to be tested. The tank is pressurized to a fill pressure by injecting (bubbling) the test gas through any liquid in the tank. Once stabilized the pressure is reduced to a test pressure while the gas injection continues. The flow rate of gas into the tank is monitored by a flow meter able to measure small flows while the pressure is held constant by a pressure regulator having a high accuracy and the temperature of the ullage is monitored. A tight or leaking tank is determined by evaluating the flow rate of constant pressure against reference criteria which when met identify a tight tank and when not met identify a leaking tank under EPA guidelines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for painting traffic marking lines over old paint markings on road pavement is disclosed. The apparatus, normally installed on a marking vehicle having a paint gun and a paint supply, includes a detector which illuminates the pavement and utilizes a spectroscope to analyze the return inspection for the presence of one or more known preselected constituents of the old paint marking to control actuation of the valve on the paint gun and also track the old pavement marking. The apparatus also provides a paint gun delay function to account for the lead distance between detector and paint gun and enables the application of new paint markings directly over the old markings at a relatively high rate of vehicle speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for painting traffic marking lines over old paint markings on road pavement is disclosed. The apparatus, normally installed on a marking vehicle having a paint gun and a paint supply, includes a detector which illuminates the pavement and utilizes a spectroscope to analyze the return inspection for the presence of one or more known preselected constituents of the old paint marking to control actuation of the valve on the paint gun and also track the old pavement marking. The apparatus also provides a paint gun delay function to account for the lead distance between detector and paint gun and enables the application of new paint markings directly over the old markings at a relatively high rate of vehicle speed.

Abstract: An adjustable facial dressing for compression and/or support of facial features for medical treatment is disclosed. A main band elastic can be positioned on the face (head or neck) in various positions by adjusting the position of an integral hook tape tab at any position along the main band. A separate anchor strap has hook tape tabs at its ends. The hook tape tabs each engage one of two generally opposite sides of the main band around only one side of the face (head or neck). The anchor strap hook tape tabs can engage the main band at any position along the main band, to thereby provide compression or support of the face/head/neck area covered and assist in maintaining the position of the main band on the face. More than one anchor strap may be used.

Abstract: A net support assembly for training and practicing sports which use sports projectiles is disclosed. The assembly is lightweight, easy to setup, portable, and versatile. A shock-corded segmented fiberglass pole formed into an arch is supported from the ground or other fixed support structure. A durable extra long nylon net is loosely draped within the arch to receive and dissipate the energy of any sports projectiles (e.g. golf balls, soccer balls, baseballs, footballs, etc.) which may be directed into the net. The flexible movement of the top of the arch also helps to dissipate the energy. The expanse (height and width) of the net can be adjusted to vary the height of the arch according to the user's needs. The net is attached to the arched pole by rings attached to the net and surrounding the pole. The rings are captured on the pole by stoppers preventing the rings from sliding off the ends of the pole thereby avoiding the assembly step of threading the net on the pole.

Abstract: A vapor recovery apparatus which withdraws multicomponent vapor mixtures from processing apparatus (such as gas sterilizers) by condensation at two or more progressively colder levels while maintaining an appropriate balance between components during steps of capture and phase change. Two cold traps provide progressive partial condensation at multiple temperature levels and serve to reduce input energy requirements at least 50% compared to a single cold level. The components in the recovered mixture may include (a) recyclable ozone depleting, global warming and valuable CFCs or HCFCs, (b) hazardous materials and (c) contaminants such as water vapor and air. The system maintains safe balance of component materials by immediately and constantly draining the condensate from a warmer temperature stage into the liquid holding section of a colder trapping zone.

Abstract: A ring having two shanks which pivot around a pin parallel to the finger holes through the two shanks. One of the shanks has an gem setting receiving hole which receives a center gemstone prong setting when the two shanks are in an open position. When a center gemstone prong setting containing a center gemstone and a prong setting base is introduced into the gem setting receiving hole and the two shanks are moved to their closed position, the escape path for the center gemstone prong setting is blocked and the center gemstone prong setting is locked in place. Locating the pivot pin closely adjacent to the setting provides a significant mechanical advantage to carry loads of large bezels and/or gemstone clusters around a replaceable or interchangeable centered gemstone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for painting traffic marking lines over old paint markings on road pavement is disclosed. The apparatus, normally installed on a marking vehicle having a paint gun and a paint supply, includes a detector which illuminates the pavement and utilizes a spectroscope to analyze the return inspection for the presence of one or more known preselected constituents of the old paint marking to control actuation of the valve on the paint gun and also track the old pavement marking. The apparatus also provides a paint gun delay function to account for the lead distance between detector and paint gun and enables the application of new paint markings directly over the old markings at a relatively high rate of vehicle speed.

Abstract: The specification discloses fire retardant composites which are curable at ambient temperatures and based on resorcinol-formaldehyde resins having specified molar ratios of phenol and aldehyde and specific viscosities.

Abstract: A liquid filled bag loading device stabilizes the bag in a loading position and then releases the bag gently into a open top tray type box which can be easily closed. The loading device provides a powered roller at the entrance to a loading position to assist the bag in entering the loading position. In the loading position the bag floats on an air cushion over a set of trap doors as the bag is stabilized between side and back walls. A gentle tamper device is used to assist in accelerating the bag's stabilization prior to the trap doors opening to drop the bag vertically through a chute into a waiting box.

Abstract: An adjustable facial dressing for compression and/or support of and thermal treatment of facial features for medical treatment is disclosed. A main band elastic can be positioned on the face (head or neck) in various positions by adjusting the position of an integral hook tape tab at any position along the main band. A thermal treatment assembly having a pouch containing a thermal reservoir is removably engageable with the band at any position, such that temperature treatment is effectively provided to any part of a face. A separate anchor strap has hook tape tabs at its ends. The hook tape tabs each engage one of two generally opposite sides of the main band around only one side of the face (head or neck). The anchor strap hook tape tabs can engage the main band at any position along the main band, to thereby provide compression or support of the face/head/neck area covered and assist in maintaining the position of the main band on the face. More than one anchor strap may be used.

Abstract: An expansion washer structure comprises first and second washer elements having projected ramp members which engage. The ramp members have sloped ramp and level segments adjacent to one another which are disposed to progressively engage as the washer elements are rotated with respect to each other. An internal spring is connected between the washer elements to urge them in one rotational direction when normal compressive force on the washer elements is released. When the washer elements are rotated relative to each other, their ramp members move progressively to different positions, causing the washer structure to increase in thickness.

Abstract: A transit system includes a number of service request terminals located at frequent placement intervals in local areas served by the transit system. Transit vehicles flow throughout the local service area without predetermined routes or schedules. Movement of the vehicles is determined solely by the dispatches assigned to them in real time in response to service request. Passengers use the service request terminals to transmit a service request to a central dispatch controller that receives the request and automatically dispatches the most efficient vehicle to service the request. The central computer determines the most efficient vehicle by calculating the total added travel distance to service the request and destination in relation to the dispatches previously assigned to each vehicle. The service request is dispatched to the vehicle which would have the minimum added travel distance.