Abstract: A panel for supporting the sidewalls of an excavation includes a plate, longitudinal members and vertical members. Each longitudinal member includes a first leg extending along the length, substantially parallel to and spaced laterally from the plate. The first leg of each longitudinal member being located adjacent and secured to the first leg of another member. A second leg, integral with the first leg, extends along the length, away from the first leg and toward the plate, the second leg being secured to the plate. Axially spaced vertical members are welded to the plate and to the longitudinal members.

Abstract: A trolley travels in response to rotation of a winch along a main cable of a suspension bridge having a tower and support cables extending along and substantially parallel to the main cable. The trolley includes a support assembly engaged with the support cables, first and second enclosures suspended from the support assembly, each enclosure located at a laterally opposite side of the main cable, and a tugger cable engaged with the winch and connected to the support assembly for pulling the enclosures along the main cable toward the tower and/or allowing the enclosures to move along the main cable away from the tower.

Abstract: A removable boot/protector for a foot or ankle that has been placed in a brace, cast or orthotic device comprising of a flexible, substantially weather-resistant body portion having a an inner sole; an enclosed toe section that extends upwardly from a front end of said inner sole and terminates in a first toe fastening means; a pair of side sections each of which extend upwardly from said inner sole and terminate in a flap that extends from the toe section, upwardly along an upper arch region of the foot and toward a front region of the ankle, each of said side section flaps connecting together at least partially along said upper arch region; and an enclosed heel section that extends upwardly from a rear end of said inner sole, said inner sole, toe, heel and side sections defining a cavity into which the human foot may be inserted and removed.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for moving with an excavator arm a trench box having a pair of adjacent spreader bars at a forward end. The apparatus has a bracket end for connecting to the excavator arm and a hooking fork. The hooking fork has a first surface that engages the first spreader bar of the trench box. The apparatus also includes a second surface for engaging the adjacent second spreader bar when used to lift the trench box from the trench or move the trench box along the trench floor.

Abstract: A generator for producing electric power includes a drive mechanism, such as a drive motor, having a rotor supported for rotation about an axis. A first generator magnet driveable by the rotor includes a reference pole facing in a first direction. A second generator magnet driveable by the rotor includes a pole of opposite polarity from the reference pole located near the reference pole and facing in the first direction. The first and second generator magnets produce a magnetic field whose flux extends between the reference pole of the first generator magnet and opposite pole of the second generator magnet. A stator includes an electrical conductor winding located adjacent the first and second magnets such that the magnetic field repetitively intersects the winding as the rotor driveably rotates.

Abstract: A method to operate a motor having a rotor supported for rotation about an axis, at least one pair of rotor magnets spaced angularly about the axis and supported on the rotor, at least one reciprocating magnet. The method includes the steps of moving the reciprocating magnet cyclically toward and away from the pair of rotor magnets, and consequently rotating the rotor magnets relative to the reciprocating magnet, or vice versa.

Abstract: Apparatus according to this invention for plasticating a resin polymer, especially polypropylene, includes a barrel having an inlet, outlet, and inner surface. A screw, located within and closely spaced from the inner surface of the barrel, has a longitudinal axis extending from the inlet toward the outlet, and includes length sections arranged in a series along the axis. The screw includes a core and a main flight located on and projecting radially from the core, extending in a helix along the axis, and having a push side and a trailing side. The screw sections include a feed section, a transition section following the feed section, a metering section following the transition section, and a barrier melting section following the metering section.

Abstract: A motor includes a rotor supported for rotation about an axis, at least one pair of rotor magnets spaced angularly about the axis and supported on the rotor, at least one reciprocating magnet, and an actuator for moving the reciprocating magnet cyclically toward and away from the pair of rotor magnets, and consequently rotating the rotor magnets relative to the reciprocating magnet.

Abstract: An apparatus for plasticating rubber, thermoset or thermoplastic materials according to this invention includes a barrel having a wall extending axially and laterally and having an outer surface and an inner surface. The wall has a thickness formed with mutually spaced holes extending at least partially through the thickness. The barrel is formed of material having a first, relatively low coefficient of thermal conduction conductors having a coefficient of thermal conduction greater than the first coefficient are each located in and engage a hole. Heat applied to the outer surface is conducted rapidly through the wall thickness along the length of the conductors to the inner surface, thereby heating and cooling material being processed located in a cavity surrounded by the wall.

Abstract: A rotatable screw for moving material in a plasticating process along an axis through a conduit from an inlet to an outlet. The screw having a feed section, barrier melting section, reorientation section and metering section disposed sequentially downstream. The screw includes an axial core, and a helical main flight that extends radially from the core and is formed with recesses located at the first periphery and extending through the thickness of the main flight and radially toward the core. A helical secondary flight extends radially from the core between successive helical passes of the main flight, and is formed with recesses extending through the secondary flight and toward the core. Materials conveyed along the metering section can cross through the main flight at the recesses and recirculate, in addition to passing over the periphery of the secondary flight, for still further enhanced and homogenous mixing, before reaching the outlet.

Abstract: A towable earth working apparatus for landscaping, leveling, grading, cutting and for spreading dirt, sand, gravel, is hitched by a trailer arm to a vehicle such as a small tractor or pickup truck. The apparatus has a grader secured to a trailer having a carriage frame with a wheel support assembly attached to a pivot attachment mechanism. The wheel support assembly supports laterally spaced wheels about a journal axis. A wheel support actuator is connected to the journal axis for transmitting actuator movement to the wheel support assembly, where the wheels pivot in both angular directions about the journal axis, to raise and lower the wheels relative to the grader, changing the grader's height. The angular inclination of the grader relative to a reference plane, and consequently the angular inclination of a cutting blade mounted on the grader, is still further adjusted by a pivot attachment actuator, such as a turnbuckle, of the pivot attachment mechanism.

Abstract: An adjustable frame for displaying three dimensional objects includes a peripheral border unit having segments with a front face and a channel extending along the segments, a side face formed integrally with the front face, keys for interconnecting the segments, a back panel, a retainer tab for contacting an outer surface of the back panel, a fastener including a head for retention within the channel and an elongated shank extending from the head for adjustably engaging the retainer tab along the shank and securing the back panel to the peripheral border unit. An outer surface of the front face of each segment having an ornamentally attractive façade. The frame may further include a second channel extending along the frame having an opening facing the back panel, a side panel for insertion in the second channel and extending from the front face toward the back panel to form a shadow box within the frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for draw forming, from a tubular workpiece, a tube or hollow shaft having a variable wall thickness, using a reducing die without an internal mandrel. A tension force is applied to the workpiece at one axial side of the die and a compression force is applied at the opposite axial side of the die. Changing the relative magnitudes of the tensile and compressive forces produces corresponding changes in the wall thickness as the workpiece passes through the die.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an end connection by which a tube of variable wall thickness can be formed by being drawn between a die and a mandrel. The end of tubular stock is reduced and its wall thickness increased by being extruded into the space between a reducing die and a mandrel located within the tube, the mandrel having a plug that forms the inner surface of the formed tube as the mandrel and die are retraced from the end. A screw thread is formed on the inner surface of the formed tube and is engaged by a screw thread on a pull pin adapted for attachment to an actuating cylinder that applies a force tending to pull the tube through the die and mandrel.

Abstract: A fastening device comprising a pair of attachment pads, one pad having a surface from which stems project, a second pad formed with openings and receptacles, each opening and receptacle adapted to receive a stem, the pads becoming interlocked by the fit of the stems in the receptacles. A woven, knit or knotted material of open texture having holes, preferable evenly spaced holes such as those of a screen or net, is secured between the pads by passing the stems through the mesh and into the receptacles. The pads and mesh material, so arranged, are secured to a structure by a bracket or clamp that is fixed to the attachment pads and mesh material.

Abstract: Apparatus for throwing a football includes a pivoting arm supporting the ball and a spring, which preloads the arm to pivot upward and release the football. The arm is rotated manually to a ready-to-throw preloaded position, where the arm is latched by a plunger and released to pivot and launch the ball in response to a command signal transmitted at a distance from the apparatus by a player awaiting the ball. The command signal causes an electric power source to energize a solenoid, whereby the plunger releases the arm, the spring pivots the throwing arm forward, and the ball travels an airborne path to the player.

Abstract: A plasticating screw having a feed section, barrier melting section, reorientation section and metering section disposed sequentially downstream wherein solid material is moved from a trail side of a main flight to a push side of the main flight in the reorientation section. The reorientation of solids is accomplished by discontinuing a barrier flight at a terminal end of said barrier melting section. The main flight decreases its pitch and continues into the reorientation section, which has a longitudinal length at least 360° about the screw axis. A melt channel and solids channel in said barrier melting section merge into a substantially uniform reorientation channel in the reorientation section so that solid plastic material conveyed along the reorientation section moves toward the push side of the main flight.

Abstract: A device for welding overlapping roof membranes comprising a chassis, an air discharge chute and a flame distribution assembly communicating with the air discharge chute. The flame distribution assembly includes a gaseous fuel source inlet, a primary burner, and an ignition source. A control unit ignites the primary burner by the ignition source. The blower connected to an inlet port of the air discharge chute directs heat generated by the primary burner through an air discharge outlet for welding the overlapping roof membranes.

Abstract: A doll head and doll wig combination in which the head has a pate. The doll wig includes a thin cap that securely fits to the doll's head. The thin cap includes a substantially translucent polymer material which conforms to the shape of the head of the doll. A plurality of hairs extend from the cap. The spaced relationship of the plurality of hair filaments may show thinning, a balding pattern or thick hair. An adorned covering for the pate provides a natural skin tone which is seen through the translucent polymer material. The cap may also have a netting portion with an adjustment mechanism to fit a variety of doll head sizes.

Abstract: A rail support system pendent from an overhead structure is provided for supporting, lifting, and conveying material, machinery, and equipment from one location to another, and for supporting movable trolleys and traveling cranes. The rail support system includes a plurality of side rail members wherein the side rail members are disposed in opposed pairs in uniform parallel alignment thereby forming a runway section with one or more runway sections disposed in successive end-to-end relationship to form a runway track. The alignment of the opposed pairs of side rail members are maintained by spacers and clamps that are disposed between and interconnect the side rail member pairs. Trolley vehicles travel in v-shaped track guides of the side rail members, and adjacent side rail members forming each half of the runway sections are secured together by joint plates that prevent the separation of the adjacent side rail members.