Abstract: Apparatus for dispatching boards of lumber from packages of sawn boards delivered to at least one predetermined position. At least one arm is pivotally supported adjacent one end at a pivot point with its other end being rotatable around the pivot point. A dispatch pan mounted for rotation at the other end of said arm has a face at its forward side, as viewed in the direction of rotation of said arm, disposed to engage at least one board adjacent said first position and transfer it to a preselected position at an angular distance from said first position. Controlled means rotates the arm about its pivot point to move the dispatch pan from said first position to preselected positions and subsequently around to said first position to start another cycle of operation.

Abstract: A transport device for displacement of filter plates embodying a transport pawl pivotally mounted on a drawing element disposed to move the plates in the direction of opening. The pawl has a recess which cooperates with upwardly extending catches and a forward deflector surface which cooperates with the catch of an adjacent plate in a stack of plates to prevent the pawl from dropping into operative position. At least one additional pawl is pivotally mounted on the drawing element and has an additional deflector surface rearwardly of the recess therein which cooperates with the catch of an adjacent plate. The recess in the pawl may be of a length to engage two catches carried by two adjacent plates.

Abstract: A closed paint spray booth and method of spray painting an article therein which air inlet means is provided around the upper perimeter of the booth. Air exhaust means along lower portions of upstanding walls for the booth withdraws paint laden air from the booth. Inlet air is directed inwardly of the spray booth in position to be drawn downwardly and around the object being painted to define an air curtain around the object which is then drawn outwardly away from said object to the air exhaust means.

Abstract: A tree climbing platform embodying a base plate having side members projecting beyond an end thereof and disposed to extend alongside opposite sides of a tree with said one end of the base plate spaced from the adjacent side of the tree and the other end thereof extending away from the tree. A first blade carried by the side members bites into the opposite side of the tree from the side thereof nearest the base plate. A frame member is connected at one end to said other end of the base plate and extends inwardly beneath the base plate. A second blade at the inner end of the frame member bites into the side of a tree opposite the side thereof engaged by the first blade. Means is carried by the base plate for detachably attaching the base plate to the feet of a person standing thereon.

Abstract: A multi-directional positioner for moving one element relative to another element wherein a socket in a housing receives a ball with a rotating fit with a portion of the ball projecting outwardly of the socket and being connected to one element and the housing being connected to the other element. An arcuate groove in the socket extends in a plane passing generally through the center of the ball and receives an electrically actuated power unit which is pivotally connected to the side of the ball. An arcuate groove in the outer surface of the ball extends in a plane passing generally through the center of the ball and perpendicular to the groove in the socket and receives an electrically actuated power unit which is pivotally connected to the adjacent portion of the housing. The power units are energized singularly and/or jointly to impart relative movement between the ball and the housing.

Abstract: A dip net assembly for catching fish and the like embodying a loop-like member carried by a handle. The open end of a net member is secured to the loop-like member with the other end of the net member being closed. A U-shaped member extends laterally from the loop-like member and is detachably connected thereto at the free ends of the legs of the U-shaped member with the base of the U-shaped member engaging the closed end of the net member.

Abstract: A stabilizer for articles carried within a vehicle bed embodying an elongated support member extending transversely of the vehicle bed and attached thereto. A movable member beneath the support member is of a length to move inwardly of the bed and across the articles carried therein. A pair of actuators carried by the elongated support member are adapted for longitudinal movement toward and away from each other. A link is pivotally connected at one end to each actuator with its other end pivotally connected to the movable member so that upon movement of the actuators in one direction relative to each other the movable member is moved away from the article within the vehicle bed and upon movement of the actuators in the other direction relative to each other the movable member is moved toward the article to stabilize the same.

Abstract: A weapon safety receptacle embodies a housing section having an upstanding rear wall connected at its lower end to a forwardly extending wall which is connected to an upstanding front wall that terminates below the upper end of the rear wall to define an access opening between the upper edges of the front and rear walls. A cover section has a top wall connected to a depending rear wall which engages a recess in the upper rear portion of the rear wall of the housing section. A depending front wall of the cover section extends alongside the outer surface of and terminates below the upper edge of the front wall of the housing section. A resilient member connects the cover section to the housing section and urges the cover section toward and into engagement with the housing section.

Abstract: A plate-type filter press having filter plates suspended by centrally disposed support means is provided with a flushing unit insertable from below into the space between adjacent filter plates. Guide means are arranged in the proximity of at least one of the upper corners of the filter plates to prevent the plates from swinging relative to the support means and still permit insertion of the flushing unit between adjacent filter plates.

Abstract: An ice making refrigeration system embodying an accumulator tank above and externally of a refrigerant chamber and communicating therewith by valved means for gravity flow of liquid refrigerant to the refrigerant chamber during a freezing phase. The upper portion of the accumulator tank communicates with the intake of a compressor to deliver vaporized refrigerant thereto. The upper portion of the refrigerant chamber communicates with the accumulator tank by a vapor-liquid return conduit. The discharge side of the compressor communicates with a condenser and the liquid side of the condenser communicates with the vapor-liquid return conduit downstream of the refrigerant chamber and delivers makeup liquid thereto in the general direction of flow of refrigerant therethrough. Valved means delivers hot gaseous refrigerant under pressure from the compressor to the refrigerant chamber during a harvesting phase.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the thermal destruction of solid fuel material in a gravity-type multiple hearth furnace having groups of two or more superimposed hearths. Solid fuel is fed to the upper hearth of each group of hearths. Auxiliary fuel is selectively burned in the lower hearth of each group of hearths to maintain the discharge temperature of the exhaust gas flowing from each said upper hearth above the ignition temperature of said gases so that each group of hearths is operated as a combined drying and burning zone. Preheated air for combustion is introduced into the lower hearth of the lowermost group of hearths so that oxygen available for combustion increases as the solid fuel moves downwardly. Ash is removed from the lower hearth of at least the lowermost group of hearths.

Abstract: Spraying apparatus for cleaning filter press plates which are slidable along horizontal guides. A spray unit is provided with at least one row of spray nozzles located at spaced apart locations thereon and directed at the vertical surface of an adjacent filter plate. The spray unit is reciprocated over a distance equalling the distance across the filter plate to be cleaned whereby spaced apart areas are sprayed by the nozzles of the row of nozzles as the spray unit makes one run relative to the filter plate. Spray nozzles are positioned on the spray unit during the return run thereof between the spaced apart locations of the nozzles of the row of nozzles to spray the areas between the previously sprayed spaced apart areas on the return run of the spray unit. Fluid is supplied under pressure to the row of spray nozzles as the spray unit makes one run and to the spray nozzles located between the spaced apart locations as the spray unit makes its return run.

Abstract: A dust seal between a rotatable shaft and a passageway through a bin wall. A split sleeve surrounds the shaft and each section thereof carries a laterally extending plate section. Adjacent edges of the plate sections abut and are secured to each other to provide a composite plate which covers the passageway and overlies the adjacent portion of the bin wall. Threaded members carried by the bin wall extend through elongated slots in the plate sections with each slot being of a width and length greater than the diameter of the threaded member to permit adjustment of the plate sections relative to the bin wall.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for operating a filter press having a sludge feed pump and a pressure tank in communication therewith wherein during filtration a quantity of sludge is withdrawn and stored in the pressure tank under a cushion of compressed air and wherein sludge is introduced under pressure from the pressure tank into the press during the next charging operation. A conduit having flow control means therein communicates the upper portion of the pressure tank with the press for injecting compressed air therein. The upper portion of the pressure tank also communicates with a compressed air supply conduit having flow control means therein which is controlled automatically as a function of the sludge level in the pressure tank.

Abstract: Disk cutting apparatus embodying a pair of detachable clamping elements having flat surfaces facing each other for clamping a stack of sheets of material therebetween from which the disks are cut. At least one opening is provided through a clamping element and is of a size corresponding to the size of the disk to be cut. A cutter extends through the opening and has inner and outer cylindrical surfaces with the outer surface being of a size corresponding to the size of the opening. The inner surface at one end of the cutter is beveled to provide an outwardly flaring annular surface which terminates in an annular cutting edge.