Abstract: A collapser/collector and strapping apparatus for processing box partitions to place them in condition for shipment. The assembled partitions are collapsed and moved vertically into transversely indexed slots of a collector. From the indexed slots, the partitions are placed into bundles of a preselected number of partitions. The bundles are then delivered to a strapping section where straps are applied to hold each bundle together for further processing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cold pack for keeping beverage kegs cold during shipment, storage, and use. The cold pack comprises a container for the keg of rigid insulating material closely conforming to the keg and a tight fitting lid. The lid has a removable central panel to allow access to the keg valve. Upper and lower refrigerant cases are sized and shaped to fit the top and bottom of the keg, respectively, contacting the keg over a substantial area to facilitate conduction of heat from the keg. The upper case has a central hole designed to receive and surround the keg valve.

Abstract: A method of producing rapidly solidified metal powder utilizes a spinning metal source and a laser beam to melt the surface layer of the source and atomize it. The laser beam is directed at a glancing angle along the surface of the spinning metal source. The source spins at a high speed of 10,000-30,000 revolutions per minute. The atomized metal is solidified rapidly in an inert gas atmosphere. Very high cooling rates up to 10.sup.6 .degree. C. per second can be achieved. Very small and uniformly distributed particles of rapidly solidified metal can be obtained having a narrow particle size distribution from about 50-150 microns and typically having a high percentage of the particles at a particle size of below 100 microns.

Abstract: A soccer training and practice device that comprises a trampoline forming a playing surface in communication with a rebounder, and elastic ball-retaining cords, supported by collapsible safety poles, enclosing the playing surface. The rebounder's sides can be solid or of resilient netting, and the angle of the bottom of the rebounder with the playing surface is adjustable to control ball return speed. The rebounder and ball-retaining cords may be separately provided for addition to an existing trampoline.

Abstract: A sports training and practice device that comprises a trampoline having a resilient surface forming a playing surface, an arm extending from the trampoline, and a ball-like bag resiliently mounted to the outer end of the arm. The inner end of the arm has a collar for installation over one of the legs of the trampoline, and permits relative sliding and rotational motion therebetween. The collar and arm are slid and rotated on the leg until the bag is at the desired height and distance relative to the playing surface, and the collar is engaged to the leg at that point by tightening a bolt threaded through the collar to impinge on the leg. The bag and arm may be separately provided for addition to existing trampolines.

Abstract: A fish-trapping device has a feed pan therein which initially contains a substantial amount of feed; and that feed performs the dual functions of (a) helping to keep that device in position to enable fish to freely enter it and (b) enticing fish to enter that device. After substantial numbers of fish have entered the fish-trapping device and have eaten sufficient portions of the feed in the feed pan, that device will automatically and silently trap the fish therein.

Abstract: A garment has an automatically-adjustable-length drawstring with readily-flexible ends that can be tied to enable the garment to accommodate a large number of waist sizes; and that drawstring will automatically expand as the circumference of the wearer's waist increases during breathing in or movement of the wearer's body, and that drawstring will automatically contract as the circumference of the wearer's waist subsequently decreases during breathing out or movement of the wearer's body. In doing so, that drawstring will hold the waist of that garment against drooping relative to a user's waist. A resilient, extensible section between the readily-flexible ends of the drawstring will automatically and continuously maintain an effective, but lower-than-normal, value of frictional force between the waist of the garment and a wearer's waist.

Abstract: A suspension system for a drive axle includes an angular torque beam fixedly secured to the axle, one or two air springs extending between the torque beam and the chassis, and a universal joint comprised of two transversely mounted rubber bushings mounting the forward end of the torque beam to the chassis. The drive axle suspension may also have a beam guide mounted to the torque beam and extending upwardly adjacent the chassis frame, or a cross radius rod to limit lateral movement. Another embodiment of the suspension is for a steer axle which has a straight torque beam and either an outboard beam guide or an aft vertical rail guide to limit the lateral displacement of the suspension with respect to the chassis.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a truck type vehicle comprises a trunnion shaft rotatably mounted to the axle with a pair of spring supports mounted to the trunnion shaft, a pair of coil springs extending between the spring supports and the chassis, a pair of torque rods rotatably mounted and extending between a chassis member and the axle seat, and a torsion roll bar pivotally connected to and extending between the suspension on each side of the vehicle and the chassis frame. In an alternate embodiment, a single piece axle seat and spring support assembly is bolted to the axle for mounting of the springs.

Abstract: In a coin selector having a coin rail interposed between a main plate and a bracket, a true coin chute and a false coin chute disposed in parallel on the downstream side of the coin rail, a coin judging section for judging whether a coin moving along the coin rail is true or false and a gate lever driven by a command issued from the coin judging section to selectively guide the inserted coin to the true or false coin chute, the main plate has an opening disposed on the downstream side of the coin rail, the true coin chute is mounted on one surface of the main plate and the false coin chute is mounted on the other surface of the main plate in a manner that one end of the false coin chute is adjacent to the opening, so that the false coin moving down along the coin rail is guided into the false coin chute through the opening by the gate lever.

Abstract: A D.C. welder includes an engine-driven D.C. generator, a polarity-revers switch which can change the direction of current flow through the field winding of that generator to provide a positive or negative polarity at the welder output terminals, a circuit that automatically permits only uni-directional current flow through that field winding during the starting of the engine, and a further circuit that energizes a solenoid to close contacts which enable that generator to operate as the starting motor for that engine but which thereafter de-energizes that solenoid and then keeps it de-energized until the engine is at, or close to, rest.

Abstract: A frame assembly for an electric motor stator is described. The frame includes at least three arcuate units for encircling a wound core of an electric motor stator. The assembly further includes a means for interlockingly engaging the arcuate units so that the units may be maintained about the stator prior to welding. The interlocking means extends from at least one end of each arcuate unit. The interlocking means may include an overlapping portion extending arcuately outward from one end of an arcuate unit and an underlapping portion similarly extending from an adjacent arcuate unit so that the overlapping and underlapping portions may interlockingly engage with one another during assembly.

Abstract: An electric welder has magnetic cores with windings thereon which perform the functions of transformer windings as well as the functions of magnetic amplifier windings. The secondary windings, on each pair of those magnetic cores, are connected in series relation; and, similarly, the control windings on that pair of magnetic cores are connected in series relation. One of those control windings can have the voltage across it reduced to essentially-zero to cause a high voltage to be developed across the control winding on the other of that pair of magnetic cores--with consequent prompt saturation of that other magnetic core and with the development of an output pulse by the secondary windings on that pair of magnetic cores.

Abstract: A microprocessor based pellet mill controller provides fully automatic, programmed operation of a pellet mill with operator selection from among several operating system parameters to control a pellet run. The controller comprises an operator's console having a plurality of switches to permit operator selected between manual or automatic control of individual equipment in the mill; a plurality of switches to permit operator selection of a pellet formulation and mill load; a plurality of digital displays to monitor the status of ingredient input rates and total, and system operating parameters and totals; and a plurality of display lights to cue the operator and indicate equipment status. A software package is disclosed for achieving fully automatic operation, the microprocessor being capable to re-programming to alter its mode of operation.

Abstract: A video controlling and viewing system has a tiltable platform which supports a chair in spaced relation to a console that has a video screen; and a user seated on that chair can manipulate the control element of that console to simultaneously (a) move the views on the video screen up and down and also rotate them in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction and (b) tilt the platform oppositely of the movement of the views on that video screen. The programming means for the console is independent of the driving means for the platform to some extent but the control element of the console will cause the view on the screen to shift in one direction while the platform is tilted in the opposite direction. Cables, drums and motors are used to tilt the platform while views are being displayed on the video screen, and they automatically return the platform to a "home" position at the conclusion of the displaying of those views.

Abstract: The electric generator of the present invention has a plural-section main nding; and it uses uni-directional devices to permit current to flow through various sections of that winding as the rotor poles move away from various of the stator poles of that generator but to prevent current flow through those various sections as those rotor poles approach those stator poles. By preventing current flow through those various sections, as those rotor poles approach those stator poles, the present invention relieves the field winding of all need of overcoming the magnetomotive force of that main winding. As a result, fewer ampere turns are needed to enable that field winding to provide the magnetomotive force for that main winding.In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, an exciting winding has sections thereof that are wound on poles which have turns of the field winding wound thereon.

Abstract: A first wall and a second wall coact with a portion of a head covering section of a head covering to define an inner pocket and an outer pocket. The first wall is taller than the second wall to define a flap-forming portion; and a fold in that first wall permits that flap-forming portion to be moved outwardly over and downwardly below the level of the upper edge of the second wall to block the entrance to the outer pocket. That fold has a curved configuration in plan view so it tends to hold the flap-forming portion adjacent the outer face of the second wall as long as that fold exists. When the flap-forming portion is moved upwardly away from the outer face of the second wall to a position wherein it is generally in register with the lower portion of the first wall, a curved configuration of that lower portion of the first wall will resist movement of that flap-forming portion outwardly over and downwardly below the level of the upper edge of the second wall.

Abstract: A feed-holding member entices fish into a fish-trapping device which has an "exit only" closure for an outlet opening thereof. A "live net" is connected to that fish-trapping device adjacent that outlet opening, and, when the fish have satisfied their appetites, they will attempt to escape from the fish-trapping device. In doing so, the fish will open the "exit only" closure and pass through the outlet opening into the "live net"--which will hold the fish until they can be removed from that "live net".

Abstract: This disclosure depicts a starting control circuit for a multispeed alternating current motor having at least two run windings and at least two start windings and a mechanical rotational output.