Abstract: A two-part clamp-connected chimney flue tee. The tee includes an elongated main section which is detachably connected to a transversely extending bull, or snout section. The main section has flue pipe connection ends and an oval cut-out portion in its sidewall, generally midway between the connection ends. The periphery of the cut-out includes an outwardly flaring flange, for mating with a corresponding contoured end of the bull section. Hooks are mounted on the inner sidewall of the main section, on opposing sides of the cut-out. Lever-actuated clamps, having a U-shaped locking member, are mounted on opposing inner portions of the sidewalls of the contoured end of the bull section. In mating the two sections, the bull section is press-fitted over the flange surrounding the cut-out. A locking member on one side of the contoured end is engaged with a respective hook. Then, the lever on the clamp is snapped toward the adjacent sidewall, into a locked position.

Abstract: A composition for regulating the growth of plants in which an effective amount of chlorocholine chloride, poly[oxyethylene(dimethyliminio)ethylene(dimethyliminio)ethylene]dichloride, and choline chloride, is diluted in an inert carrier. The inert carrier may be water, a solvent, or a surfactant. The composition with the diluent forms a liquid solution, which is sprayed on the foliage of subject plants prior to harvest. At least one inorganic salt may be added to the composition to enhance the efficacy of the liquid solution. A first formulation of the solution, preferably including the inorganic salt additive, may be applied early in the plant's development to discourage rank growth without inducing Cut-Out. A second formulation of the solution, having no inorganic salt but including a greater amount of chlorocholine chloride, may be applied late in the plant's development, to induce Cut-Out.

Abstract: A computer-controlled band saw sharpener employing electrically powered, X and Y axis drivers, each having a reciprocating element. The X-axis driver actuates a feed finger mechanism, to index the saw in repetitive, stepped fashion, while each tooth is successively ground. In concert with the X-axis driver, the Y axis driver repetitively lowers and raises a grinding head, provided with a rotary grinding wheel. Both the X and Y axis drivers include servomotors to rotate the shaft of an elongated ball screw. A carrier box houses a non-rotatable ball screw nut. The nut travels back and forth along the ball screw shaft in accordance with its direction and extent of rotation. Drive arms for the feed finger mechanism and the grinding head mechanism are bolted at their lower ends to a threaded bushing in the nut carrier box. The computerized controller is programmable, to produce virtually any desired tooth shape in the saw.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for re-mixing size and weight segregated Hot Mix Asphalt (“HMA”) which is continuously discharging from a windrow elevator. The apparatus includes an auger assembly having first and second helical auger sections, mounted in spaced relation over respective ends of an auger connecting shaft. The first and second sections are of converging, opposite handedness. Owing to their orientation and handedness, the augers advance incoming material inwardly, toward a mixing zone, adjacent and around an intermediate portion of the connecting shaft. The apparatus also includes an auger housing, having an upper portion with a material inlet, and a lower portion with a material discharge. The auger assembly is mounted for rotation within the lower portion of the auger housing. The housing surrounds side, bottom and end portions of the auger sections. The material inlet is above and in communication with upper portions of the auger sections and the mixing zone.

Abstract: A modular, bolt-in, rack and pinion assembly for replacing an existing steering gear box in a motor vehicle. A rack tube, including a pair of elongated slots in its sidewall, houses the rack. The rack tube is mounted to existing holes in the frame of the motor vehicle by means of a plurality of brackets. The rack has a tooth portion and a shaft portion. A pair of studs projects transversely from the shaft portion of the rack, each stud passing through a receptive slot. The studs are mounted to an elongated center link. The vehicle's factory tie rod assemblies are bolted to either end of the center link. A pinion housing is secured over a proximate end of the rack tube, maintaining a pinion gear in threaded engagement with the rack. In a manual embodiment of the invention, an outer end of the pinion is connected directly to the steering wheel shaft. In a powered embodiment, a servo having its own pinion gear is bolted to the pinion housing.

Abstract: An adjustable length shaft assembly including a handle portion and an extensible shaft. An upper end of the shaft includes a set of locking teeth. The handle has an internal locking mechanism with a tooth rack to accommodate the locking teeth. A control handle is rotated in a first direction, rotating the teeth away from the tooth rack, where the teeth are in a disengaged, unlocked position. With the teeth unlocked, the shaft can be longitudinally adjusted to achieve the desired length. Then, the control handle is rotated in a second direction, rotating the teeth into the tooth rack, where the teeth are in an engaged, locked position. In this manner, the teeth and the tooth rack provide a plurality of positive locking positions, each position providing a different shaft length.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for sizing and sorting articles in an article stream. A scanning station includes a plurality of laser line beam generators and a linear array including a plurality of photo detectors. A first group of generators and detectors is horizontally oriented, and second group is vertically oriented. The area between the generators and the detectors defines an exposure window through which the articles are passed. Each line beam generator has a respective cylindrical lens for collimating its output across the exposure window. The output information is sampled, digitized, stored, and analyzed. Computer-based determinations are made regarding the size, configuration, and weight of the articles. Articles determined to have predetermined physical characteristics are selectively removed from the article stream, and directed to diverting conveyors carrying articles having like characteristics.

Abstract: A computer-controlled band saw sharpener employing electrically powered, X and Y axis drivers, each having a reciprocating element. The X-axis driver actuates a feed finger mechanism, to index the saw in repetitive, stepped fashion, while each tooth is successively ground. In concert with the X-axis driver, the Y axis driver repetitively lowers and raises a grinding head, provided with a rotary grinding wheel. Both the X and Y axis drivers include servomotors to rotate the shaft of an elongated ball screw. A carrier box houses a non-rotatable ball screw nut. The nut travels back and forth along the ball screw shaft in accordance with its direction and extent of rotation. Drive arms for the feed finger mechanism and the grinding head mechanism are bolted at their lower ends to a threaded bushing in the nut carrier box. The computerized controller is programmable, to produce virtually any desired tooth shape in the saw.