Abstract: A plasticating apparatus including a rotating screw having a helical flight disposed within and cooperating with the inner wall of a heated barrel. Solid resinous material is introduced to a helical valley extending between said flight to be heated and plasticized by said apparatus while being advanced towards an outlet opening by the rotation of said screw. The screw has a meter section for working, melting and mixing said resinous material at high temperatures. The bottom surface of the helical valley in said metering section is divided into side by side relatively shallow and relatively deep levels. Within the metering section is a transit channel having a reverse helical direction as compared with the helical direction of the flight. Because of the reverse helical direction of the transit channel, the transit channel intersects the helical flight and helical valley with the transit channel cutting therethrough.

Abstract: A plasticating screw and method of plasticating without thermal degradation problems. Said screw having a metering section with a helical flight disposed within and cooperating with the innerwall of a heated barrel. In particular, solid resinous material is introduced to a helical valley extending between said flight. The resinous material is heated and plasticized by said apparatus while being advanced along a helical path towards an outlet opening by the rotation of said screw. The bottom surface of the helical valley in said metering section having a plurality of geometrically shaped surfaces in side-by-side relation with at least two of said shaped surfaces being sloped. During operation, the level differential between the shaped surfaces induces a continuous tumbling, variable shear and mixing action upon the molten resin as the molten resin in the metering section flows along the helical path.

Abstract: A front-end mounted earth working apparatus for a vehicle, including a skid steer, forms the subject of this invention. The earth working apparatus has a guide frame portion and grading portion. The guide frame portion is attached to the skid steer by a mounting plate. The mounting plate has a lifting fork extending forward therefrom being substantially horizontal. The grading portion is suspended below the guide frame portion by the lifting fork using a suspension mechanism. The grading portion being substantially parallel to the lifting fork. The grading portion further having front and rear blades attached to side rails. The rear blades being attached below the side rails by being pivotably hinged at one end and selectively secured to a corresponding adjustment plate so that the angle of each rear blade is adjustable.

Abstract: A conversion grinding wheel frame for an abrasive-belt to secure thereto for replacing a conventional stone grinding wheel used on a cylindrical roll grinding machine. The abrasive-belt conversion wheel is secured to a spindle of the grinding machine by a wheel clamping assembly. The abrasive-belt conversion wheel frame having an engagement working surface and a mounting surface with both surfaces having apertures therethrough traversing from a chamber within the abrasive-belt conversion grinding wheel frame. Fluid under pressure in the chamber escapes through the apertures to the working surface and mounting surface. The pressure of the gas expands the abrasive-belt while being mounted onto the abrasive-belt conversion grinding wheel frame. The mounting surface is diametrically tapered in relation to the working surface to afford initial engagement of the abrasive-belt which further assists mounting the abrasive-belt onto the working surface.

Abstract: An ankle and foot orthosis device for support and selective immobilization of a patient's ankle and foot comprised of a multiple part L-shaped construction with a contoured leg support portion, a foot portion and a heel portion. The heel portion has a resilient two-part construction interconnecting the leg support portion and the foot portion. The two-part interconnecting heel portion includes upper and lower portions with a pivotal connection therebetween to provide incremental angular rotational displacement between the leg support portion and the foot portion.