Abstract: An extendable/retractable torque bar with four functioning parts is given. The torque bar consists of an elongated hollow sleeve member, an elongated torque rod member with a series of notches on one longitudinal surface, a pivoting locking member held in a cavity of the hollow sleeve member with one end engaging a notch of the torque rod member and a spring for exerting a bias to the pivoting locking member keeping it engaged with a notch of the torque rod at all times.The torque bar will automatically extend as separational forces are applied on its elongated members producing an automatic locking arrangement as each next notch in the series is encountered and producing an audible signal as each next notch is encountered. A further adaptation to the pivoting locking member and the rear most notch prevents accidental separation of the torque rod member from the hollow sleeve.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a process for nitrating an aromatic or substituted aromatic compound e.g., toluene or ortho-xylene, by reacting such aromatic or substituted aromatic in the presence of nitric acid. The improvement for enhancing the rate of nitration as well as the selectivity of nitration at the para-position in this process comprises carrying out the nitration reaction in the presence of at least an effective amount of anhydrous calcium sulfate or soluble anhydrite.