Abstract: New molded products and methods of manufacturing the same are described. More particularly, the molded products comprise thermoset resins and intimately dispersed inorganic solid particles, and the method comprises in its broadest sense, preheating a thermosetting organic resin and a catalyst for the resin to a temperature sufficient to reduce the viscosity of the resin and catalyst to that of a very fluid liquid, and also preheating discrete inorganic solid particulates prior to mixing of the particulates with the fluid resin-catalyst mixture. Such regulated preheating of the resin, catalyst and particulates results in improved wetting of the particulates with the resin-catalyst mixture and in the release of air bubbles during the mixing operation thereby resulting in molded products having improved properties, particularly products wherein the resin is in relatively unstressed and unflawed condition.

Abstract: A socket can be programmed to adapt the pin out configuration of an integrated circuit for convenient plug-in use or substitution in an environment, such as a socket, ordinarily intended for a similar integrated circuit with a different pin-out configuration. The invention includes a support, a first plurality of electrical contacts mounted in a prescribed pattern on one side of the support, a second plurality of electrical contacts mounted in a similar prescribed pattern on the other side of the support, at least one of the first contacts and some of the second contacts being electrically isolated from each other on the same and opposite sides of the support, and printed circuit traces and plated through holes coupling respective first contacts on one side of the support to respective second contacts on the other side of the support.

Abstract: Foundry molding system, apparatus and methods are characterized by horizontally reciprocating flask shuttles located beneath and at entry and exit ends of a molding line conveyor which is operative to support horizontally aligned cope and drag flask sets for indexing along the conveyor in abutting relation through a plurality of stations for production of cope and drag molds in the cope and drag flasks, respectively. The entry and exit flash shuttles respectively operate positively to locate and transfer along the conveyor one flask of cope and drag flask sets out of and into alignment with a flask separate/set-on and flask take-off/close to permit set-on and take-off of the other flask at high production rates.

Abstract: A window assembly includes a sash with rails and stiles that define an opening. Glazing closes the opening and a grille covers the glazing. A retaining strip releasably attaches the grille to the sash. The retaining strip extends along substantially the entire length of at least two opposite sides of the window opening and is mounted on the rail or stile closely adjacent to the glazing. The strip hardware has an elongate V-shape formed of two substantially flat arms which connect to each other at an acute angle. One of the arms of the retaining strip is adhesively mounted to the rail or stile surface, and the other of the arms, the free arm, has a ridge or arch formed in the distal end portion which engages a groove in the outer peripheral edge of the grille.

Abstract: A modular electrical connector system provides relatively high density pin out capability for high speed signal transmission and coupling while maintaining discrete wire capability. The system includes plural cable terminators, plural connector blocks, each having plural cells to receive and hold respective terminators with the contacts thereof aligned for connection with further contacts inserted to engage the same, and a frame to hold the connector blocks securely in relative position to each other. Each cable terminator includes one or more contacts for electrically connecting with the cable conductor, electrical insulating molded about the junction of the contact and conductor, and a flexible locking mechanism to facilitate locking and removal of the terminator from its connector block cell, preferably from the back thereof, without disturbing other terminators in the connector block.

Abstract: A cable termination assembly has a staggered stripped cable insulation pattern to enhance the electrical isolation of plural ground isolation conductors from one or more signal conductors in the assembly, and a stepped crimp pattern at a juncture of the cable with a molded strain relief body provides an improved strain relief interaction therebetween. The cable termination assembly is made by removing the cable insulation in a pattern that exposes plural conductors while leaving an insulation portion covering part of one of the conductors to insulate the latter from the other conductors, and the exposed conductors are coupled to electrical contacts while the insulation portion left behind helps to assure the electrical isolation of the conductors from each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a fishing rod, includes receptacle and cover members pivotably connected to each other and movable about a pivot axis between open and closed positions, the two members when in an open relation being adapted to receive a portion of a fishing rod therebetween, and the two members when in a closed relation cooperating to define a housing circumscribing at least part of the contained portion of a fishing rod while supporting the fishing rod in a rest position with the axis thereof generally parallel to such pivot axis, and the two members being cooperative to engage with a part of the fishing rod to resist pivoting movement toward an open position in response to forces in the fishing rod tending to tilt the same on an angle with respect to such pivot axis, and an opening device or portion responsive to force applied by such fishing rod to the cover member in a direction generally perpendicular to such pivot axis to open the members to permit removing such fishing rod.

Abstract: A seal for coupling or valve assemblies employing flapper valves or the like has two axially and radially offset annular sealing members that are integrally joined by a relatively thin folding web section that provides the necessary flexibility to the seal. The radially outer sealing member is adapted to be clamped by a valve plate to the coupling or valve assembly housing to provide a first static seal surrounding the flow passage in the housing, whereas the radially inner sealing member essentially floats at the axial inner end of the web. The radially inner sealing member is adapted to be engaged by the flapper valve when moved to the closed position to provide a second static seal at the flapper valve face preventing flow through the coupling or valve assembly in either direction.

Abstract: A tire building machine and method employing a tire building drum for receiving at least one ply of tire material having an edge overhanging an axial end of the drum, a bladder turn-up mechanism extending axially outwardly from the drum, an annular array of radially contractible ply-down fingers movable axially to and from a position encircling the overhanging ply edge, and an axially movable ring device operative first to effect radial contraction of the ply-down fingers to turn the ply edge down over the end of the drum, then to set a tire bead against the turned down ply edge at the end of the drum, and then to push the bladder of the turn-up mechanism when inflated to cause the ply edge to be progressively wrapped around the bead and then over the drum.

Abstract: A tire building machine and method characterized by the employment of a rigid annular bead support at each end of and coaxial with the axis of a tire building drum for holding a tire bead in round and centered to the drum axis during bead placement, after bead placement and during a subsequent ply turn-up operation. The bead support preferably is in the form of a precision machined register ring preferably supported independently of the drum and having a radially outer bead support surface which extends slightly axially beyond a shoulder end face of the drum in radially inwardly offset relation to such end face. During bead placement and/or limited axial outward movement of the register ring, the register ring serves to wipe and firmly stitch interposed ply material to the inner diameter of the tire bead. During such wiping action, the bead may be axially held in place by an inflating turn-up bladder or by a bead setter utilized to set the bead at the drum end.

Abstract: An aqueous acidic plating bath for electrodeposition of tin, lead or tin-lead alloys on a substrate is described. The plating baths are free of fluoborate and comprise (a) at least one bath-soluble metal salt selected from the group consisting of a stannous salt, a lead salt, or a mixture of stannous and lead salts, (b) at least one alkane sulfonic acid or alkanolsulfonic acid, (c) at least one nonionic, cationic or amphoteric surfactant, (d) an effective amount of at least one primary brightening agent selected from the group consisting of aromatic aldehydes, acetophenones, and carbonyl compounds having the general formulaAr--C(H).dbd.C(H)--C(O)--CH.sub.3 (III)wherein Ar is a phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl, thiophenyl or furyl group, and (e) an effective amount of a secondary brightening agent selected from the group consisting of lower aliphatic aldehydes and substituted olefins of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.

Abstract: A loader for a tire curing press comprising a support, a loader frame mounted to the support for vertical and horizontal movement, a loader basket mounted to the loader frame for engaging, holding and releasing a tire, a first actuator for vertically moving the loader frame, a second actuator for horizontally moving the loader frame into and out of the press when open, and a mechanical guide for guiding the loader frame from an over-center position in the press to a center position as the loader frame is moved vertically in the press. The loader frame is supported on a spline shaft for movement therealong and rotation therewith by ball bushings riding in the grooves of the spline split. The loader basket comprises a plurality of generally radially movable shoes, an adjustable stop for limiting radial movement of each shoe and an adjustment mechanism for simultaneously and uniformly adjusting the adjustable stops.

Abstract: Pad holder includes a generally flat rectangular mounting plate or head having a front or bottom side to which the pad is attached and a top or back side having a plurality of spaced-apart ribs thereon terminating in a common plane substantially parallel to the planar bottom side of the mounting plate to provide for the transfer of pressure from the wringer plates of a conventional mop wringer to the pad through the ribs to squeeze out the pad. The ribs provide for the recess mounting of a hinge member to the back side of the mounting plate. The hinge member permits a handle socket connected thereto to be pivoted up against the back side of the mounting plate below the tops of the ribs where it will not interfere with the pressure engagement of the wringer plates with the ribs and pad, respectively, during wringing out of the pad.

Abstract: A relaxing snare for trapping animals comprising a noose having a constrictable loop for ensnaring an animal therein by tightening of the loop about the animals's neck upon the animal tugging thereagainst, and a lost motion locking slide device for relaxing the tightness of the constricting loop in the absence of such tugging by a preselected limited amount of tension which is great enough to prevent strangulation of the animal yet small enough to prevent escape of the animal by withdrawal of its head through the loop when relaxed. This controlling feature is directly opposed to the strangulation resulting from use of the standard locking type snare and allows the selection and releasing of non-target animals. Various forms of a lost motion locking slide device are disclosed.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, liquid crystal material, and especially nematic material, is encapsulated; according to another aspect the encapsulated liquid crystal material is used in liquid crystal devices, such as relatively large size visual display devices; and according to further aspects there are provided methods for encapsulating liquid crystal material and for making a liquid crystal device using such encapsulated liquid crystal material.

Abstract: An FM demodulator includes frequency conversion means (20) to derive from an FM input signal (10) a pair of like signals that are mutually phase-displaced by 90.degree.. Such signals are filtered (26,28), squared (30,32) and sampled (38). The output signal (40) of the sampling means (38) is used to control (62) the local oscillator (16) of the frequency conversion means (20). In one arrangement, the magnitude of the control applied to the oscillator (16) is dependent on the frequency of one of the squared (30) signals, whereas the direction is dependent on the logic state of the output signal (40). A similar control method can be applied to a superheterodyne receiver.

Abstract: A crane for use in a nuclear waste handling facility is disclosed. The crane includes a bridge of sufficient transverse dimension to span the width of the area being serviced, a bridge drive for moving the bridge along spaced rails extending longitudinally along opposite sides of the area being serviced, and a crane control cabinet depending from a cantilevered support extending from one end of the bridge. The nuclear waste handling facility includes a stationary radiation barrier extending longitudinally in spaced relationship to one of the rails supporting the crane. The barrier is positioned between the bridge and the crane control cabinet.

Abstract: A toy or novelty is disclosed which is in the form of standing mobile and has a series of parts each pivoted to another and each provided with eccentric weights. The weights and the arrangement of the pivots may be operative to pivot the parts from a position aligned with each other to a position extending from each other when the stability of the parts is sufficiently disturbed from the condition of stability when such parts are filed or folded. Alternatively, the parts may simply rock in an undulating fashion from the extended condition of stability. Some of the parts may have printed matter thereon which make sense or nonsense in one condition of stability or make sense or more sense in the other condition of stability. Some of the parts may include two parallel walls substantially to enclose other of said parts in the filed position. The parts may be circular in form and of reduced diameter in ascending order in one condition of stability.