Abstract: Weld seams that vary in height along the lengths of a pair of workpieces are produced using at least one laser weld head mounted for vertical and rotary movements to accommodate differences in the vertical heights and contours of seam lines along which the weld seams are to be formed.

Abstract: A water fill device for a steam iron is provided with a shield in front of the outlet port thereof designed to enhance the appearance of the iron and to provide consumers with increased confidence in the avoidance of water spillage or leakage through the water fill device.

Abstract: A swivel assembly for connecting a load such as a television receiver to a support includes a swivel stem having a cylindrical head, a reduced diameter cylindrical middle body, and a mounting base. The stem is supported by a retainer assembly including thrust washers engaging the top and the bottom of head. An adjustment is provided for maintaining the thrust washers securely engaged with the head of the stem.

Abstract: A carrying case for heated food containers, particularly slow cookers, has a flexible bottom wall, side wall and lid so that it can be adjusted to accommodate food containers of various different dimensions. A clamp assembly is provided for securely holding a lid on the food container within the carrying case to thereby minimize the likelihood of accidentally spilling its contents. Means are provided for carrying other items on the lid of the carrying case. The case has a belt which can be tightened to adjust the case to different sizes of containers and straps forming a handle.

Abstract: A slow cooker is provided with a clamp assembly for holding the parts of the cooker together when transporting the cooker from one location to another. The clamp assembly includes downwardly-opening grooved portions of housing handles and an elastomeric band having opposite end portions received within the grooved portions of housing handles.

Abstract: An aircraft frame stringer is checked against designed specifications using a set of templates with stringer-engaging, upwardly-facing surfaces that match the designed contours of sections of the stringer at different locations along the length of the stringer. The templates are removably supported in mutually aligned and spaced relationship on a base assembly. The stringer is placed on the templates and measurements are made to determine if the stringer contours at the different locations match, within acceptable tolerance limits, the template contours at those locations. A computer model is used to determine the contours of the sections of the stringer at the desired locations thereon and to control the operation of a CNC machine for machining the templates.

Abstract: A radiant electric space heater is provided with a halogen light source which provides light to the same general area to which radiant electric energy is transmitted by the heating elements. The halogen light source is located behind a grill that covers a window located at the front of the heater.

Abstract: A portable electric hair dryer has a power switch which is automatically switched off as the hair dryer is mounted on a wall mount. The wall mount comprises a one-piece molded plastic body having integrally-molded clamping jaws for gripping the hair dryer handle. To deter theft, provision is made for storing and retaining intermediate lengths for the hair dryer's power cord behind the wall mount.

Abstract: A portable electric grilling appliance (20) for household use which has first and second heating units (22, 24) which, in use, overlie one another has substantially identical housing shells to make it evident to the user that the grilling appliance (20) can be used with either one of the heating units as the lower heating unit and provide support for the other heating unit. The two heating units (22, 24) have substantially the same exterior appearance and both are designed to function as either the top heating unit or the bottom heating unit. The two heating units (22, 24) are substantially symmetrical about a horizontal plane extending between them when the heating units are arranged one on top of the other to indicate to the user of the appliance that either heating unit could be placed on top and the other on the bottom.

Abstract: A cord guard has a power cord confining tube formed from a pair of wall members each of which has a series of stepwise and spirally extending wall panels. The panels of one of the wall members intertwines with the panels of the other of the wall members and both horizontal and vertical gaps are located between adjacent panels. In use, the tube readily flexes to a limited extent as needed by a spreading apart of the panel section margins that form the horizontal gaps.

Abstract: A radiant electric space heater is provided with a halogen light source which provides light to the same general area to which radiant electric energy is transmitted by the heating elements. The halogen light source includes a halogen light bulb located behind a grill that covers a window located at the front of the heater. A translucent lens is mounted on the rear of the grill in front of the halogen bulb.

Abstract: A food processor has a main body (10) with a base member (12) extending laterally. A bowl (16) sits on the base member (12) and a one-piece drive shaft (18) extends up through the bowl. A hollow lid (32) fits on the bowl (16) and the upper part of the drive shaft (18) is positioned in the lid space. A chopping or S blade (26) fits on the lower part of the drive shaft (18) is positioned in the lid space. A chopping or S blade (26) fits on the lower part of the shaft. A slicer shredder disc (40) and a displacement disc (46), can be positioned at the upper part of the shaft. Access to a delivery chute (36) on the lid is provided by a removable gate (50). The only removable parts of the food processor are the S blade, the slicer/shredder disc, the displacement disc and the removable gate.