Abstract: A stair lift incorporates a pair of power jacks linked to a stair or step and associated with a vehicle such as a trailer adjacent the vehicle doorway, with the jacks operating in tandem to raise or lower the stair or step with a person standing thereon.

Abstract: Expansion of granular or particulate material is effected by supplying such material, for instance slate chips, at a charging zone CZ of a kiln 10, to the upper surface of a rotating annular hearth 12 so as to lie thereon in a uniform layer up to about three chips in thickness. The hearth 12 is rotating in the direction of the arrow 96, and the chips face thereon just after a preheating zone PHZ. The chips are carried successively through a treatment zone TZ wherein they are subjected to heat from regenerative burner arrangements 68, 70 and 64, 66 beneath hood 44, to a discharge zone DZ whereat they are loosened by a reciprocating rake 80, 82 and are blown off the hearth 12 and into a receiver 88 by air jets from radially directed nozzles 78 supplied by way of a manifold 76. The kiln, and its manner of use, enables expansible material, such as slate chips, to be substantially fully expanded and thereby achieve a product, suitable for use as a lightweight aggregate, of minimum possible density.

Abstract: A flue gas conduit connector for joining together the ends of flue gas conduits by means of locking tabs on the outer surface of one flue gas conduit which may be bent over a locking ring or the other flue gas conduit, the ends of the flue gas conduits being provided with complemental taper joints and a sealing gasket to provide a leak-proof corrosion resistant inner flue passage uncorrupted by low alloy fasteners.

Abstract: A flagpole for flags and pennants. Clips on the flag or pennant are rotatably received in circumferential grooves on the flagpole to prevent the flag or banner from becoming fouled or wrapped around the flagpole. An adjustable bracket is provided for holding the base of the flagpole relative to a supporting surface.

Abstract: A combination X-Y positioning mechanism includes a first guide means linearly reciprocable relative to a frame and a second guide means linearly reciprocable relative to the first guide means with the directions of relative reciprocation being substantially mutually perpendicular. A first carriage means is slidable along the respective first guide means and a second carriage means is fixed to the second guide means responsively to the actuation of a closed loop driven by a pair of stationarily fixed bidirectional drive motors and engageable with a series of strategically placed pulleys. A carrier is slidably supported on the second guide means.

Abstract: A mop of the "butterfly" type has a flat sponge releasably secured to the lower faces of a pair of base plates mounted for pivotal movement relative to the mop handle, a slide is telescopically sleeved on the handle, a yoke-shaped compression member is pivoted to the slide and slidable relative to the handle and base plates in a camming motion as the slide is moved relative to the handle causing the base plates to pivot relative to the handle to force the sponge into a U-shaped, folded, or face-to-face position to compress the sponge and extract liquid therefrom.

Abstract: A golf club has a head which may be selectively swingweighted by the club owner to any swingweight he may desire. The base of the head is configured to define heel and toe portions at opposite ends and rearwardly of its ball-striking-face. The heel and toe portions are enlargements in each of which a weight-receiving bore is provided, each bore extending inwardly from the outboard end face of the respective heel or toe portion. A cylinder is extendable into each bore and held therein by means of a threaded engagement therewith. A selected number of swingweights and a packaging member are receivable in each cylinder.

Abstract: A quick connect/disconnect assembly includes a headed bifurcated primary member or post having a secondary or locking means releasably, slidably and swingably related thereto for movements between locked and unlocked positions.

Abstract: A rail and latching system for cooperation with a sliding door associated with an animal stall includes an inverted U-shaped rail on the door bottom engageable with a U-shaped door guide on the animal stall and a latch slidably and releasably engageable with the door and animal stall.

Abstract: Engine exhaust gas containing soot is bubbled through a magnesium-water mixture and the resulting mixture is fed to the intake of the engine.

Abstract: Rescue apparatus comprising, a launcher, a missile and a supply of line mounted on the launcher, the launcher comprising a non-lethal firearm adapted to fire a blank round and having a barrel with a bore closed at its muzzle end, the muzzle end having gas ports therein, the missile being sleevable on the barrel and having means for connecting the line thereto, whereby when the firearm is discharged, gas escapes from the bore through the gas ports to propel the missile into space, carrying the line therewith.

Abstract: The method of blending powdered magnesium into diesel engine fuel for increasing engine power output.

Abstract: In an internal combustion type engine having a piston disposed within a cylinder, a plurality of ceramic cylinder inner surface sections are provided for covering surfaces of the cylinder chamber and the piston which are directly exposed to the ignited combustion gases as the piston travels through its stroke. Same are for the protection of the metal structure of the engine from exposure to the heat generated within the cylinder.

Abstract: An arrangement of interrelated automatically responsive accesories for an Otto type internal combustion engine wherein an exhaust driven turbine rotor housing is directly connected to the engine exhaust manifold outlet, with the full exhaust flame kinetic energies impinging with full maximum velocity-thrust force against the turbine rotor vaning, at a flow rate variously intensified by the volumes of oxygen and hydrogen gases being fed to the engine intake in accordance to engine speed and load conditions may determine.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an electrolysis cell having a plurality of electrically energized gas conduits is combined with an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A die, in which is to be formed a hollow article having a part-circular portion, such as a "J-tube", includes two opposed die blocks each formed with die cavities which together form the article, and a part-circular core which is positioned within the cavities to form the part-circular portion of the article. The part-circular core is removed from the article, after one die block has been removed, by rotating the core about an axis through the center of the part circle and raising the core along the axis. The axis is inclined to the surface of the die block, towards that length of the part circular core which emerges first from the part circular cavity.

Abstract: Expansion of granular or particulate material is effected by supplying such material, for instance slate chips, at a charging zone CZ of a kiln 10, to the upper surface of a rotating annular hearth 12 so as to lie thereon in a uniform layer up to about three chips in thickness. The hearth 12 is rotating in the direction of the arrow 96, and the chips face thereon just after a preheating zone PHZ. The chips are carried successively through a treatment zone TZ wherein they are subjected to heat from regenerative burner arrangements 68, 70 and 64, 66 beneath hood 44, to a discharge zone DZ whereat they are loosened by a reciprocating rake 80, 82 and are blown off the hearth 12 and into a receiver 88 by air jets from radially directed nozzles 78 supplied by way of a manifold 76.