Abstract: An elastic web fabric and method for producing the same. The resulting fabric is curl-free and has bi-directional stretch of between about 50-125% stretch in the width direction and 50-200% stretch in the length direction. In the preferred embodiment, the fabric includes a center marker formed from a two-needle shift of two rubbers to provide a centering line to aid in assembly of a finished article. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the left top edge of the fabric has about six rubbers and the right top edge has about 5 rubbers to prevent curling to produce a fabric which is more easily cut and fabricated into the finished article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extrusion coating a nylon fabric or the like. The apparatus includes a supply roll for supplying a length of fabric having a top and bottom surface and a take-up roll for taking up the length of fabric. An extrusion coating head located between the supply roll and the take-up roll and perpendicular to the movement of the length of fabric applies a plastic coating onto one surface of the length of fabric. A combining roll located between the supply roll and the take-up roll and adjacent to the extrusion coating head joins the plastic coating to the one surface of the length of fabric. In the preferred embodiment, the combining roll is heated to provide improved adhesion of the plastic coating onto the surface of the length of fabric while, at the same time, a water mist prevents sticking. The resulting fabric has a tear strength of greater than about 50 pounds and a weight of less than about 5.5 oz. per sq. yd.

Abstract: A door frame assembly for use in framing residential entranceways. The door frame assembly includes a support panel, a base strip, and a stop strip. The support panel provides strength to the door frame assembly while the base and stop strips provide weather resistance and a desired appearance. The door frame assembly may also include a brick molding strip. An extension strip may be used to adapt the door frame assembly for use in framing a garage door. The door frame assembly may also be modified to form a mullion post for use in patio doors and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining both the axial and angular positions of a defect in a tube wall. The apparatus includes a probe head positioned at the end of an elongated probe carrier having an imbedded orientation indicator. In the preferred embodiment, an encoder measures the angular orientation of the probe head when facing the defect relative to the angular orientation of the carrier and a photodetector and reflective strip measure the angular orientation of the carrier relative to a known orientation. A data processor uses this data to calculate the angular orientation of the probe head and the location of the tube defect.

Abstract: A knitting machine and method for forming a composite band including an elongate knitted band and a drawcord secured to a front face of the knitted band by a covering yarn overlying the drawcord and stitched to the elongate band. The knitting machine includes a frame. A first knitting station is provided supported by the frame for forming the elongate knitted band. A second knitting station is provided supported by the frame and downstream of the first knitting station for receiving the knitted band after it exits the first knitting station. The second knitting station is operative to stitch the covering yarn to the knitted band from opposite sides of and across the drawcord to form a channel area defined between the covering yarn and the front face of the knitted band, the drawcord disposed in the channel area.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling the pressure in a fuel tank ullage. The apparatus includes a vapor pump which withdraws vapors from the tank ullage responsive to a signal generated by a pressure sensor in communication with the ullage. The vapors are directed to a canister containing a VOC-adsorbent material where the VOC content of the vapor is removed. Non-polluting VOC-free air is vented from the canister to the atmosphere. The invention also contemplates the provision of a second canister which would accept the tank ullage vapors after the material in a first canister becomes saturated. A portion of the VOC-free air exiting the first canister is used a purge gas to regenerate the saturated material in the first canister. The operation of the multiple canisters would alternate between adsorption and regeneration until the tank ullage pressure is reduced to below a threshold level.

Abstract: A probe positioner for placing a monitoring device into the confines of a boiler or steam generator vessel. The apparatus includes a support arm having a plurality of links and hinges pivotally connecting the links. A handle is attached to a flange connected to the first link to provide axial rotation between first and second support arm orientations. A monitor mount for mounting monitoring devices is attached to the end of the third link opposite from the second link. The support arm is adapted to remain in the first support arm orientation while being horizontally placed through an opening in an inner and outer substantially vertically oriented wall and pivot downwardly at each hinge along the inner wall as the support arm is rotated from the first support arm orientation to the second support arm orientation without fully horizontally extending past the second wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a nuclear fuel assembly for leaks by sweeping a fluid along the fuel assembly while the fuel assembly is disposed in a pool. The apparatus includes a bridge overlying the pool and a mast assembly depending from the bridge. The mast assembly includes an outer, stationary mast and an inner, movable mast adapted to hold the fuel assembly and to position the fuel assembly in the interior channel between the upper and lower ends. The apparatus includes an injection assembly including an injection conduit, a nozzle and a clamp system for securing the nozzle to the outer mast. The apparatus also includes a suction conduit having an inlet disposed in fluid communication with the interior channel for collecting the fluid after the fluid sweeps the fuel assembly.

Abstract: A truck bed extender mounts to a vehicle to support loads which are longer than the load bed of the vehicle. The truck bed extender includes a main beam adapted to engage a conventional box receiver on the vehicle. A load support is mounted to the main beam and includes a load support bar which extends transversely to the main beam when the truck bed extender is in use. A storage mount is provided to allow mounting of the load support to the main beam in a storage position when the load support is not being used. The truck bed extender can be mounted to the box receiver in a storage position.

Abstract: A modular display apparatus for displaying indicia at a front thereof has an inner frame with horizontal support beams, the inner frame supporting a plurality of grid modules, at least one grid module being located above another. A plurality of pixels rotationally mounted to the grid modules each include first and second display faces joined along respective adjacent edges. The pixels have a center of gravity located on each pixel so as to interact with an external force applied to the pixel and provide a complete rotation, with a minimum of bounce, to display a desired display face. A triggering mechanism has a plurality of solenoids adapted for selective actuation to rotate selected ones of the pixels for changing the pattern of the desired display indicia controlled by an electronic signal transmitted from an electronics system.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a wood-thermoplastic composite material using a high bulk density feedstock. The feedstock is formed by feeding a wood-thermoplastic mixture to a pellet mill where the bulk density thereof is increased by a significant amount. The pelletized feedstock may be stored for later formation into a finished product and may be blended as necessary to maintain product quality. The feedstock is easy to handle and transport and provides a manufacturer with a large degree of flexibility and control over the manufacturing process.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying products at retail on a pegboard having spaced holes includes at least two pegboard connection elements each including a wedge-shaped back plate, upper and lower inward-facing grooves spaced apart a first distance and prongs spaced apart by a distance equal to spacing between holes in the pegboard. Knife brackets have upper and lower outwardly-facing flanges engageable with a corresponding pegboard connection by lateral insertion of the flanges in the grooves to engage the knife brackets with the pegboard connection elements and a plurality of indentations along a direction extending from the pegboard. A tray supported on the knife brackets has a catch shaped to be received in one of the indentations to permit the spacing of the tray from the pegboard to be adjusted to a desired distance. The tray includes front and rear walls having downward-facing ledge elements with one of the ledge elements being resiliently mounted to its respective wall.

Abstract: A dye tube spacer for package dyeing. The spacer prevents distortion of the ends of the yarn package when the package is compressed prior to dyeing. The spacer includes a continuous vertical inner wall having an upper edge and a lower edge, the inner diameter of the wall being substantially equal to the outer diameter of the tube. A vertical outer wall is spaced from the inner wall and has an upper edge and a lower edge. A top annular wall is inclined upwardly from the upper edge of the inner to the upper edge of the outer wall, the wall having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the end of the yarn winding. A bottom annular wall extends from the lower edge of the inner wall to the lower edge of the outer wall. A support shelf extends inwardly from the inner wall and is positioned to engage the end of the tube. The inclined top and bottom annular walls contact the ends of the yarn packages and prevent undesirable distortion of the yarn during compression prior to dyeing.

Abstract: A method of error correction for an ARQ system allows decoding when an even number of flawed packets are received. Multiple flawed replications of a transmitted bit sequence are compared bit-by-bit. A set of composite packets is formed containing all possible combinations of values at the disputed bit positions. A validity check is performed on each of the composite packets. If only a single composite packet passes the validity check, an acknowledgment signal is sent.