Abstract: Method and apparatus and article for forming picture frames and molding and the picture frame and molding made thereby, wherein the picture frame molding includes a fusible strip running the entire length thereof and wherein the abutting sections of molding at the corners of the frame are held together by the abutting fusible strips being fused together at the corners. The frame is preferably wood and the fusible strip is preferably a thermoplastic material that can be fused to itself by for example ultrasonic welding. Also, the dust cover or backing for the picture is fusible to the back of the picture frame sections.

Abstract: A framing system including a framing apparatus (10) comprising a series of self supporting frames (12, 14, 16 and 18) held together by joiner strips (28 and 30) and supporting decorative panels (20, 22, 24 and 26); the apparatus (10) can be used as walls, partitions, or for displays at exhibits and trade shows. The framing apparatus can be easily and quickly set up without tools, and the panels are easily removable and replaceable even after the system is set up. The frames can include electrical outlets (36) and cross strips (150) with a slot (154) for supporting heavy articles to be hung on the frames. A framing method and framing member are also enclosed.

Abstract: An annular trimmed lip shaft seal of the type not having a metal shell but consisting solely of an elastomeric body and a liner of low friction material bonded thereto, which liner includes a radial flange extending radially out beyond the outside diameter of the elastomeric body for abutting the housing for locating the seal, and for strengthening the seal to provide seal retention and alignment. A method for making the seal and a method for locating, retaining and aligning a seal are also disclosed.

Abstract: A disc brake boot seal 10 (and method for assembling a disc brake system) that is molded in its extended condition and that when moved into its collapsed condition will remain in its collapsed condition. The boot seal comprises a molded elastomeric sleeve 12 having a plurality of different wall portions 20-34 certain ones of which interact to releasably hold the sleeve in its collapsed condition so that it does not self-extend. The expense and high mold breakage resulting from the prior art system of molding a seal in its collapsed, convoluted condition are eliminated by this invention.

Abstract: A shaft seal 10 and method for use including an annular bore retention section 12 which includes a metal reinforcing shell 20 having a cylindrical portion and a radial flange; an annular flex section 16 comprised of axial flex section 28 and radial flex section 30; and a dual lip sealing element 14 comprised of primary sealing lip 32 and secondary sealing lip 34, both of said sealing lips being lined with a low-friction material such as, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene liner 42.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly 10 and method for preventing binding of disc brake caliper slider pins 34 in bushing seals 14 of a disc brake caliper 18. The bushing seal 14 is a unitary, molded, tubular article including a molded tubular elastomeric body 44 having a hydraulically formed tubular polytetrafluoroethylene liner 46 bonded to the I.D. of the elastomeric body and having a polytetrafluoroethylene scraper lip 48 adjacent the inboard end 50 of the bushing seal for scraping foreign particles off of the slider pin 34 to keep them out of the bushing seal 14 where they could cause binding. The bushing seal 14 also has a smooth tapering O.D. surface such that it can be easily installed in a slider pin bore 30.

Abstract: A multiport valve has a valve member which is moved so as to place the valve inlet into communication with a selected one of several valve outlets, there being a control member between the valve member and valve outlet which prevents flow from any intermediate valve outlet that may be traversed by the valve member as it moves to the selected outlet.

Abstract: Inner and outer sealing rings (16 and 18) for the balancing ring (12) of a hydraulic motor, each comprising an annular elastomeric body (30) including a flat, radially extending central ring (36) and a pair of sealing elements (38 and 40) projecting axially away from opposite ends of the central ring (36) and in opposite axial directions therefrom and tapering to a sealing lip (50 and 52) in the directions away from the central ring. The inner and outer sealing rings (16 and 18) have cylindrical O.D. and I.D. surfaces, (54 and 66), respectively. Each sealing ring preferably has a reinforcing ring (32 and 62) and a liner (34 and 64) of low friction material.

Abstract: A shaft seal 10 and method, for use, for example with a rotary drill bit in the oil patch industry, including an annular metal ring 12, an annular elastomeric body 14 and a polytetrafluoroethylene liner 16. The seal 10 has an axially inwardly extending lubricant lip 18 and an axially outwardly extending mud lip 20. When the pressure of the lubricant exceeds a particular value for which the seal is designed (for example, in the range of 100-200 psi), the pressure causes the lubricant lip 18 to reverse direction and allow lubricant to be purged and flow axially outwardly past both lips, until its pressure is reduced after which the lubricant lip 18 returns (flips back) to it original position. During purging, the mud lip 20 acts as a restricted opening controlling purging and excluding drilling mud.

Abstract: A pipeline pumpable coal-water slurry having a novel combination of coal particles and carrier water is prepared by a method wherein the particle sizes and their distribution are controlled in accordance with a particle size distribution formula which is especially beneficial for providing a novel coal compact with a minimum amount of void space between particles and a maximum amount of particle surface area with an advantageous amount of colloidal sized particles present. These features combine to enhance the dispersing effects generated by electrolytes and/or dispersing agents selected and added to the coal compact and/or slurry to provide a near maximum zeta potential to the particles in the slurry and to provide low viscosity to the resulting yield pseudoplastic coal-water slurry. Brookfield viscosities obtained, e.g. 1000 cps, or less, at 60 rpm with 75 wt. % coal, dry basis, make the coal-water slurry especially advantageous for transport by pipeline over long distances.

Abstract: A shaft seal 10 and method for sealing fluids in applications with excessive shaft-to-bore misalignment or dynamic shaft runout, including a seal 10 having a mounting section 22, a sealing element 24, and a convoluted flex section 26 which allows radial movement of the sealing element. The sealing element 24 includes a bearing member 42 having a liner 46 with a low friction, cylindrical bearing surface adjacent the lip 38, for causing the lip 38 to follow any radial movement of the shaft, and to prevent the lip 38 from taking an oval shape and leaking.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the controlled, intermittent, automatic dispensing of atomized fluid, such as an insecticide, into a use area, such as a barn, characterized in that the apparatus and its method of use are controlled to dispense fluid approved for use in the particular use area and supplied from an approved container provided with a vented fluid outlet and dispenser having a code cooperating with a code of a fluid inlet and dispenser means associated with the apparatus. The code includes mating key chambers and key pins arranged in a selected code for a selected approved fluid.

Abstract: A thrust washer is combined with a seal for preventing contaminants from entering into the assembly and doing corrosion damage. In one embodiment, a spring shackle bracket assembly thrust washer is provided with an elastomeric seal bonded thereto and having a sealing lip extending from the I.D. of the washer axially into the space between the spring eye and the shackle pin. In addition, a layer of the seal material on a radial face of the washer can prevent wear between the washer and the adjacent bracket.

Abstract: A non-convoluted, elongated sealing boot of elastomeric material in, or for use in, a cylinder and piston assembly of a disc brake of a vehicle brake system as a dirt seal to protect the piston and the cylinder chamber from road dirt and to prevent water entry. The sealing boot includes an elongated, molded elastomer sleeve which comprises seven distinct interacting segments, or wall portions, of a plurality of different and tapering thicknesses which permit the sleeve, when installed in a disc brake assembly, to be collapsed to a convoluted shape upon retracting the piston into the cylinder to replace the brake pads of the disc brake assembly.

Abstract: A thrust washer having a backing layer of resilient material such as rubber or other elastomers and having, for example, a polytetrafluoroethylene bearing surface, which can include one or more integral sealing lips formed from the polytetrafluoroethylene bearing material. Another aspect of this invention is a unitary article including said resiliently-backed thrust washer in combination with a seal. This unitary article can be purchased and installed as a unit taking the place of four separate prior art elements that had to be purchased and installed separately.

Abstract: A one-piece oil seal and boot seal including an oil seal portion with a sealing lip and a boot sleeve portion with at least one dust lip and preferably with both an intermediate dust lip and an outer dust lip. The one-piece construction overcomes the need for a separate assembly operation.

Abstract: A shaft seal (and method for making the same) of the type having an annular elastomeric body, a molded lip, and the molded lip having a liner of sintered polytetrafluoroethylene bonded thereto. The elastomer is molded simultaneously with the polytetrafluoroethylene liner being formed and bonded to the elastomer. The method for making the seal employs the same mold used to make common, molded lip elastomeric seals.

Abstract: Non-porous, Alfred shale terra sigillata coated ceramic utensils, such as cooking pans, pots, plates, cups and heating and serving dishes, having non-sticking food-contacting surfaces are provided for use in the preparation and/or serving of foodstuffs. The ceramic utensils comprise a ceramic body and an Alfred shale terra sigillata coating on said body, both body and coating preferably being made from Alfred shale.

Abstract: A two-part, separable, semi-unitized shaft seal for sealing between a housing bore and a relatively rotatable shaft extending through the bore and comprising a metal wear sleeve and a sealing member assembled onto the wear sleeve for shipment and installation of the seal as a unitized seal. However, when the housing and shaft are disassembled, the sealing member remains with the housing and the wear sleeve remains with the shaft, whereby each part can be examined and separately replaced, if necessary, without discarding the entire seal. The wear sleeve pressfits onto the shaft and the sealing member forms an elastomeric interference fit in the housing bore.

Abstract: An installation tool 10 and method for preventing damage to the lip or lips 34 and 35 of a shaft seal 12 mounted in a bore 16 of a housing 18 during installation of a shaft 20 through the bore and seal, the tool including a handle 26, an annular body 22 and a lip protective sleeve 24. The body and sleeve have a split 27 therethrough to allow for circumferential expansion thereof such that it can be removed radially off of the shaft 20.