Abstract: A process of providing a disposable core for use in die casting processes. A salt material is molten and cast into a core of a desired configuration under exacting conditions. The fluidity of the molten salt is controlled enabling casting the salt material into a core by die casting methods. The die casting method provides a core with a high surface finish and strength. The core is evenly cooled subsequent to it being cast and is maintained at an elevated temperature to maintain its surface finish and structural integrity. The cast core is inserted into the dies of a metal die casting machine to facilitate casting a metal product having internal forms not otherwise attainable. The core is removed from the metal product by simply dissolving and flushing the core out of the casting. The salt material may be reclaimed by a de-salination process for further use.

Abstract: A adjustable clamping device for applying pressure to a puncture site of an artery. The clamping device has a radial arm movably supported on a column which extends from a base. A carrier movably mounted on the end of the arm supports a pressure pad. The radial arm extends in a parallel attitude over the base and may be adjusted vertically upwardly and downwardly in reference to the base and may also be pivoted in reference to the column. Lateral movement of the arm facilitates positioning the pressure pad over the puncture site. A releasable feed mechanism on the arm controls movement of the carrier and thus the pressure pad. With the feed mechanism engaged, rotation of the carrier provides a controlled feeding of the carrier relative to the arm. With the feed mechanism disengaged, the carrier may be rapidly advanced or retracted. Independent locking mechanisms are provided for clamping of the lateral movement of the arm separate from the vertical and pivotal movements.

Abstract: A modular apparatus comprising a neck band and a variety of inserts to provide different functional capabilities useful and beneficial for the treatment of an injury to the neck and the rehabilitation associated therewith. The neck band is provided with a pocket for receiving the interchangeable insertion of the various inserts. One of the inserts in conjunction with the neck bank provides an apparatus for immobilizing or limiting movement of the neck. A cylindrical insert in conjunction with the neck band provides an apparatus beneficial for improving articular motion of the joints of the neck. An insert filled with a medium that may be either heated or cooled in conjunction with the neck band provides either a hot pack or a cold pack. The neck band is of an elastic material and has formed loops on each of its ends to facilitate utilization of the neck band for exercise routines, either by using the band by itself or using the band with one of the inserts inserted in the pocket.

Abstract: An improved wedge for the felling of trees. The wedge is of a synthetic material and has a metal insert integrally molded at its base or head end. The insert, which is molded flush with the head end of the wedge body receives the impacting blows of a driving tool and protects the head end of the wedge from damage. The insert integrally molded within the body of the wedge permits the wedge to be tapered along its full length.

Abstract: A retrofit system for dedicated an Edison-type socket to receive only energy efficient lighting components. The retrofit system includes a power unit, an energy efficient lamp and an adapter. The adapter is arranged to be readily installed in the socket, but once installed it is not removable. The adapter is arranged for the removable mounting of the power unit and the power unit is arranged for the removable mounting of the energy efficient lamp. The retrofit system permits the exchange or replacement of either or both of the power unit and energy efficient lamp as required but does not permit conversion back to the inefficient incandescent lighting.

Abstract: A display system for two-dimensional displays wherein images are applied (e.g., photographically, printed or the like) to transparent sheets and transported through a viewing machine, the sheets being sequentially positioned in a back-lighted viewing window. The sheets are suspended from rods and stored behind the back-lighting area. The rods are arranged in a desired sequence in a storage rack having an entrance and exit. A chain is entrained on a circuitous pathway through the machine. The pathway starts at the exit end of the storage rack referred to as a pick-up station, then passes over the back-lighting area, extends downwardly between the back-lighted area and the window, passes under the back-lighting area and behind the stored display sheets to a return station that receives the sheets and directs them to the entrance to the storage rack, and then back to the pick-up station. The images are inverted on the sheets with the sheets suspended from the rods, e.g.

Abstract: A conveying system for an automatic food slicing machine is disclosed. The conveying system has a floating upper conveyor positioned above a lower conveyor. The conveyors cooperatively feed the food item to be sliced an incremental length into the slicing knives during the feed cycle and retain the remainder of the food item during the cut-off cycle. An indexing mechanism, adjustable to provide different feed length increments and timed to the rotational cycle of the cut-off knife, drives the conveyors. The indexing mechanism only drives the conveyors during the feed cycle and the conveyors remain static during the cut-off cycle. The food item to be sliced is captively held between the upper and lower conveyors during both the feed cycle and the cut-off cycle. Small diameter rollers at the exit end of the conveyors are utilized and are positioned in close proximity to the travel path of the cut-off knife providing retentive capability throughout the feed length range.

Abstract: A front wheel shock absorbing system for a bicycle wherein the legs of the front wheel fork include struts slidable in tubes. A cross brace bridges the front wheel and interconnects the struts to insure parallel movement of the struts. Elastomer pads between the tube ends and struts provide spring action. A cap in the tube ends provides access to the pads. A strut protruded from the cap down through a center bore in the pads maintains the pads in alignment. The strut end is flanged and removal of the cap, withdraws the strut and pads which are held onto the strut by the flange end. The flange is configured to permit the elastomer pads to be forced over the flange for replacement of the pads.

Abstract: A balanced draft vent system for a lumber kiln is shown and described wherein external and internal air pressure differential is taken into account in conjunction with internal humidity measurement in providing a balanced volumetric exchange of cool moisture laden air exiting the kiln and ambient air introduced into the kiln. The air exchange function of the balanced draft vent system operates independent of the driving forces of air circulation within the kiln.

Abstract: An automatic brake for vehicle winch that is automatically applied when the applied torque of the drive motor ceases and automatically released upon application of motor torque. The brake features brake pad segments that move radially outward against the interior of the drum to affect braking and retract radially inward to affect releasing of the brake. The pads have tapered ends that mate with opposed frusto-conical shoes. The brake utilizes rotation of a cam rotatable with respect to a cam follower in one direction to force one shoe toward the other to force the pads radially outward to engage the interior surface of the drum. Rotation of the cam with respect to the cam follower in the opposite direction releases the braking action. A wave spring is incorporated to eliminate chatter as the brake is applied and released. The configuration of the brake components provides a conductive path for the dissipation of heat generated by the braking action.

Abstract: Grain structure defect scanning is accomplished by a pair of light detectors directed toward an inspection point illuminated by a collimated light beam incident upon the inspection surface at a given angle of incidence. One detector, the specular detector, is positioned generally along the specular angle of reflection as defined by the angle of incidence and the other detector, the diffuse detector, lies substantially along the angle of incidence. When specular reflection dominates, as when the inspection point corresponds to clearwood, the specular detector indicates a higher reflective light intensity than the diffuse detector. When diffuse reflection dominates, however, as when the inspection point corresponds to a grain defect, both detectors indicate similar reflective light intensity. Grain defect discrimination is accomplished by calculating a ratio of specular detector output to diffuse detector output.

Abstract: A book binding process and apparatus are shown wherein polyurethane adhesive (PUR) attaches a crepe portion of a book binding to a book block and hot glue attaches the crepe portion to the book cover. The PUR delivery system includes an inclined trough positioned adjacent a polyurethane adhesive delivery roll. A polyurethane adhesive source delivers polyurethane adhesive upon the inclined surface of the trough and the polyurethane adhesive is metered onto the roller as a function of the separation of the leading edge of the trough and the roller.

Abstract: A dual independent hoist arrangement for a breakdown station is shown. The breakdown station includes an input conveyor depositing loads on an L-shaped tilting frame. The tilting frame pivots the load into a transport path whereat one of the two independently operable lifting hoists accepts the load directly from the tilting frame and moves the load along a transport path to a fixed discharge point. Load engaging forks of each lifting hoist move into and out of the load transport path for coordinated use and sequencing of the tilting frame and lifting hoists.

Abstract: A screening deck is shown and described including an intermediate frame structure mountable to the screening deck in a manner similar to that of an original screen component, but providing mounting formations for attachment of a plurality of screen modules thereon. The screening deck need not be modified in order to receive the intermediate frame. The intermediate frame may be applied to either a crowned screening deck or a flat screening deck. In the crowned configuration, the intermediate frame takes a form similar to the original screen, but includes mounting rails for receiving the screen modules. In the flat screening deck configuration, individual intermediate frame components mount along the longitudinal support beams and provide formations for mounting of screen components thereon. In each illustrated embodiment, individual screen components are mounted and dismounted without separate fastening elements and enjoy support along at least two edges thereof.

Abstract: An air brush is shown and described having separate gas delivery and media delivery portions whereby different media delivery portions may be provided with alternate media or media colors and selectively mounted upon the gas delivery portion. The media delivery portion includes an airless media sack which collapses upon delivery of media from the media delivery portion. By separating the gas delivery and media portions in the manner of the present invention, a user can quickly switch between media or media color without an intermediate cleaning step. The air brush of the present invention further provides freedom of spray direction including horizontal and vertical spraying. Both artistic and medical uses of the air brush are illustrated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rail seat abrasion measurement and analysis is shown wherein a rail seat measurement device is mounted with reference to non-wear portions of a concrete railroad tie and includes linear potentiometer devices adapted to determine a spacial relationship between the body of the measurement device and wearing portions of the rail seat. In this manner, the measurement device may be consistently mounted upon the non-wear portions of the concrete railroad tie in order that a series of accurate abrasion measurements may be taken. Other information collected includes static information such as track curvature, bank, and grade and dynamic information such as loading conditions and environmental conditions to which the rail seat is exposed between abrasion measurements.

Abstract: An accelerator foot pedal suspended from a support structure affixed to the front wall of a vehicle cab, a drum at the proximal end of the foot pedal defining, with the support structure, an enclosure which houses an internal rack-and-pinion gearing. A sensor mounted to the support structure generates a control signal representing the angular position of the foot pedal, the rack and pinion translating rotational movement of the foot pedal to an input of the sensor.