Abstract: A method of reinforcing or retrofitting building roof structures against hurricane-force winds which does not require removal of part or all of the roof. The improved method includes directing a thin stream of a liquid polymer foam adhesive under pressure upwardly along the intersections of the rafters or support members and the roof panels, preferably on both sides of the support members. The foam adhesive then creams and foams, forming polymer foam adhesive gussets which firmly adhere to the adjacent surfaces of the support members and roof panels. This method increases the pull-off strength of a roof about seven fold and is able to withstand hurricane-force winds.

Abstract: A device for damping the movement of a movably supported structural part, in particular of a flap or the like in an automotive vehicle, where a tooth segment is located on the structural part, the tooth segment co-operating with a pinion which is associated with a rotary damping element and stationarily located relative to the structural part, whereby the rotary damping element is attached to a pivotally supported arm, in that the rotary damping element or the arm, respectively, has an extension, a guide portion being provided at the free end of the arm which co-operates with a guide path on the structural part such that the distance between the pinion and the tooth segment remains approximately constant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pre-stretched film, and to apparatus and a method of applying outer packaging to packages and to loads, optimized as a function of the structure and in particular the shape of the package or the load, in particular a palletized load, and also as a function of the transport and handling that the package or the load must be capable of withstanding without the outer packaging being dislocated. According to the invention, a stretchable film is stretched over at least one roller having a diameter that varies along its axis of rotation so as to form parallel longitudinal zones in the film that have different degrees of stretching. These zones make it possible, in particular, to track the external outlines of objects to be packaged and/or to provide locally-reinforced bonding, or on the contrary to present surfaces that are more relaxed. The present invention applies in particular to packaging and grouping together loads that may optionally be palletized.

Abstract: A fuel filler assembly, particularly for a motor vehicle, having a filler tube, pipe, or body connectable to a supply pipe of a fuel tank, a cap for closing the filler tube or pipe, a casing fitted to the vehicle body and defining internally a compartment for housing the filler tube or body and the cap, and a lid hinged to one side of the casing so as to close the compartment by means of a snap-engaging bolt for locking the lid in a closed position; the filler assembly also having articulated connecting components for connecting the cap to the lid and defined by a support integral with the lid and having a hollow seat defined internally by a hemispherical surface, and by a spherical head integral with the cap and which engages inside the hollow seat so as to keep the cap connected to the lid in any open position of the lid, and to position the cap facing the inlet of the filler tube or pipe so as to close the filler tube or body when the lid is moved to the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process of making strap using both post consumer and non-post consumer PET of wide distribution intrinsic viscosity (IV) through direct solid state polymerization in a flaked state to produce PET with increased, heterogenous IV suitable for high performance strap extrusion. The process increases the IV of post-consumer resins, consisting principally of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), by chopping the post-consumer plastic into flakes and chunks, rolling the flakes and chunks, preheating the flakes, and further heating the flakes and chunks in an atmosphere of hot nitrogen gas, thereby increasing the intrinsic viscosity. PET polymers having increased viscosities according to the present invention provide a polymer useful in manufacturing high performance strap.

Abstract: A connection between a metallic threaded fastener having a threaded portion and a part of plastic material having a bore, the threaded portion forming or tapping a counter thread into the wall of the bore, characterized in that for a predetermined number of threads, the entrance portion of the bore is provided with a circular shaped or arc shaped inclined cam surface which encircles the bore helically and which forms a step between the ends of the cam surface or the associated ends of adjacent cam surfaces, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of automatically forming, filling, and closing reclosable packaging bags based on a film of flexible material, e.g. a thermoplastic material, provided with added-on strips and in particular complementary male and female slideway closure strips, the method comprising the steps consisting in: providing a feed of flexible film; providing a feed of strips; and fixing the strips on the film by heat sealing; wherein: the step of feeding strips consists in providing a tape of flexible material carrying the complementary strips; and the step of fixing consists in heat sealing the tape onto the film prior to feeding the resulting assembly to the tube-forming neck of an automatic machine for forming, filling, and closing packaging bags. The invention also relates to machines for implementing the method and to the resulting bags.

Abstract: A golf tee shot-green placement monitoring system for monitoring golf tee shots to a designated green of a three-par golf course hole for determining the placement of such tee shots upon the green in connection with hole-in-one and closest-to-the-pin contests or challenges. The system comprises a club house base unit, a tee unit, and a green unit. Upon payment of a specified nominal fee, the participating golfer is issued a game card at the club house terminal. Upon reaching the designate three-par hole tee, the golfer inserts the card, or inputs encoded data, into the tee unit which then activates the green unit. Upon driving the tee shot, the green unit, comprising photodetectors and ultrasonic ranging devices, determines the achievement of a hole-in-one or the placement of the tee shot within specified distances from the cup or hole. If the golfer achieves a hole-in-one or places his tee shot within the specified distances from the hole or cup, prize money is awarded.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a plunger (13) designed to slide in a front portion (11) of the apparatus acting as a plug guide, for driving a plug and sealing it, then to be returned rearwardly to the firing position, with balls (18) for braking the plunger (13) which are mounted in recesses of the plug guide (11). By cooperation with the plunger (13), the balls (18) are driven radially towards the plunger (13) upon application of the apparatus and rearward sliding of the plug guide (11).

Abstract: A load leveling foot assembles with a panel for adjusting the height of the panel relative to a support surface. The load leveling foot comprises a foot body, a pivot portion projecting from the foot body for engagement with the panel, a base portion located on the foot body spaced apart from the pivot portion for engagement with a support surface, and an actuator-engaging portion located on the foot body spaced apart from the pivot portion and from the support portion. The actuator portion is configured for engagement with an actuator for pivoting the foot about the pivot portion in such a manner that the base portion rotates relative to the pivot portion so as to increase the distance between the base portion and the panel when the foot body is pivoted in one direction and to decrease the distance between the base portion and the panel when the foot body is pivoted in an opposite direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for wrapping articles in film material includes a stationary frame supporting a vertically reciprocable frame which in turn supports a rotatable ring member carrying a film carriage assembly by which film is wrapped around a load during rotation of the ring member. The ring member is a cast composite ring of a thermosetting, fiberglass reinforced polyester and comprises a flange by which the ring member is supported for rotation, and a body portion on which the film carriage and slip ring members are mounted.

Abstract: A spot welding head comprises a spot electrode 6, a spot electrode supporter 3 holding the electrode 6 on its tip, a base member 2 holding the supporter 3 in such a manner that the supporter 3 can swing on a first pin 4, a frame 1 holding the base member 2 in such a manner that the member 2 can swing on a pivot pin 14 as a second pin, a guide 17 for guiding the base member 2 relative to the frame 1 in such a manner that the member 2 can slide longitudinally, a first actuator 5 connected at its one end to the supporter 3 for swinging the supporter 3 relative to the base member 2 when a steel strap is spot-welded, and a second actuator 9 connected at its one end to the frame 1 and at its other end to the base member 2 for swinging or sliding the member 2 relative to the frame.

Abstract: The device comprises a band (9) made of relatively rigid plastic material designed to be sewn to the covering (4) and also hooking means (11) adapted to engage on a predetermined element (2) of the seat (1), the band (9) and the hooking means (11) being manufactured in a single piece from the same material.The seat (1) comprises in particular as the predetermined element (2) an end portion (6) in the form of a corner.The method provides for a sewing step in which the covering (4) is sewn on the fixing device (5) on the same side as the hook (13), the device (5) then being turned relative to the covering (4) so that its side opposite to the hook (13) is against the covering before clipping on the end portion (6).

Abstract: A wrapping machine for winding a web (1) of wrapping film from a roller (2) around an object to be packaged. The wrapping machine has a film dispenser (3) which comprises a frame (4) provided with at least one guide means (5, 11) in contact with the first side (1.sup.1) of the film 1 to guide the film; an openable gate section (7) provided with at least one guide means (8, 12) which is in contact with the opposite side (1.sup.2) of the film relative to the first side, the gate section (7) being pivoted on the frame (4) so that it can be moved between an open position (I) and a closed position (II); and a pre-stretching device (10) for preliminary stretching of the film. The pre-stretching device comprises a first pre-stretching roller (11) and a second pre-stretching roller (12).

Abstract: A grommet and adjustable strap fastener assembly including an elongate strap member having a head portion at a first end in combination with at least one body member having a first strap aperture for receiving the elongate strap member. A retention member protruding into the first strap aperture of the body member permits adjustable passage of the elongate strap member through the first strap aperture in a first direction. The retention member prevents passage of the elongate strap member through the first strap aperture in a second direction opposite the first direction. According to another aspect of the invention, the body member includes a second strap aperture disposed in a recess wherein the head portion of the elongate strap member is disposable in the recess of the body member when the elongate strap member is disposed through the second strap aperture.

Abstract: A support beam structure for use within an overhead rotating type stretch film wrapping machine comprises a main body portion which has a first end which is adapted to be fixedly mounted upon a mounting plate which, in turn, is adapted to be fixedly mounted upon an upstanding fixed support, such as, for example, an I-beam, and a second opposite end which is adapted to support a rotating arm of the overhead rotating type stretch film wrapping machine. The main body portion has a substantially vertically elongated octagonal cross-sectional configuration and comprises a bottom wall, lower lateral divergently angled side members, vertically extending side members, and upper lateral convergently angled side members. The upper lateral side members define tension members for supporting the rotating arm end of the main body portion, and the noted bottom wall and side members of the main body portion are integrally formed together as folded portions of a sheet metal blank.

Abstract: The device comprises a foot (7) equipped with two pairs of mutually opposite lugs (10A, 10B, 12A, 12B) one of which carries a crosspiece (11) having a portion (18) in the form of a wedge which points towards a slot situated between the lugs (12A, 12B) of the other pair, the crosspiece (11) having a body (17) in which a housing (19) is formed for a metal nut (4) with which the threaded metallic shank of a screw (3) engages, the screw (3) serving to drive the crosspiece (11) towards the base member (5) so that the lugs (10A, 10B) of the first pair flex while the wedge (18) causes the lugs (12A, 12B) of the other pair to bend outwards.The fastening support (1) also comprises a hook (6) provided for the pivot of a sun visor.

Abstract: An inflatable dunnage bag is comprised of a first and independently sealed bag that is inserted within a paper tube before the tube ends are sealed to form a second, independent bag. The combination of an inner bag within an outer bag provides increased bursting strength compared to similar ply bags created as only a single bag. The combination bag is much easier to construct since at least two plies of paper that are pressed to form the inner bag are no longer part of the bag end folding and sealing process. This is especially true if the outer bags ends are sealed by stitching them together.

Abstract: A depth-insensitive concrete fastener system is provided for securing roofing insulation materials to concrete roofing or decking. The concrete roofing or decking substructure is provided with a pre-drilled hole or bore having a predetermined diametrical extent. An anchor bolt fastener comprises a head portion, a pointed tip portion, and a shank portion interconnecting the head and tip portions. The shank portion has a first relatively smooth shank portion disposed adjacent to the head portion and extending toward the tip portion, and a second ribbed portion disposed adjacent to the tip portion and having an axial extent which is only a fractional portion of the entire axial extent of the fastener.

Abstract: An obliquely collated strip of brads useable in an angled magazine of a fastener driving tool, each brad having a head on one end and a point on an opposite end, the point of each brad of the collated strip of brads having a tip defined by converging first, second and third facets so as to form an edge at an acute angle relative to an axis of the brad, the edge of each brad forming a substantially continuous edge of the collated strip of brads, the head of each brad of the collated strip of brads arranged step-wise relative to the head of an adjacent brad, the step-wise arrangement of heads forming a stepped edge substantially parallel to the substantially continuous edge of the collated strip of brads, the head of each brad of the collated strip of brads being disposed at an angle relative to the axis of the brad, the angle of the head sloping oppositely relative to the angle of the substantially continuous edge of the collated strip of brads.