Abstract: Method of manufacturing, assembling and fabricating a woven-wire belt with unitary vertically-oriented lateral edge flattened-wire helically-wound surfaces along each lateral edge for dynamic-frictional drive of the belt by a rotatable substantially-cylindrical drive surface in a helically-curved path, free of any mechanical drive connection while in the helical path. Lengthwise-directed tension control of the belt is exercised, while the belt is exterior to the helically-curved path, to achieve desired frictional drive contact within the drive surface. An exterior travel path for the belt between exit from and return to the helically-curved path provides an endless belt travel array.

Abstract: Draw processing flat-rolled sheet metal substrate preselectively precoated on each surface with organic coating and draw lubricant into one-piece can bodies ready for assembly into sanitary can packs free of any requirement for applying organic coating or adding organic coating for repair purposes after fabrication and before such direct usage. Cupping of precoated flat-rolled sheet metal can stock using preselected tooling configurations and clearance avoids any increase in side wall metal thickness gage. Tension elongation during redraw is controlled over side wall height by clamping solely between planar clamping surfaces, tooling configurations and preselected clearances to decrease thickness gage uniformly over side wall height between flange metal open end of can body and curved transition zone at closed end. Surface area of the cavity entrance zone for each die is fabricated about multiple radii forming sharp edge about which coated can stock is drawn into each die cavity.

Abstract: Scoreline, profiling and reinforcing features are provided for an easy-access sheet metal end closure (20) and an integral opener (44). An endwall panel (28) is formed so as to substantially eliminate flexing of the sheet metal during rupture of residual metal of scoreline means defining a U-shaped tear strip (30). Such tear strip is oriented with its arcuately-shaped closed end (32) contiguous to the periphery of such endwall panel with scoreline legs (34,35) directed toward a portion at its geometric center (26). The opener is fabricated with a chisel-point (92) at its working end (66) to initiate puncture of such arcuate-shaped scoreline by Class I lever action. Rupturing of the scoreline is followed by pivoting of the opener about a pair of fulcrum points (82,83) which contact the panel one each external to a side of opening 62, with movement of the opening about such fulcrum points rupturing the scoreline legs by Class II lever action.

Abstract: A weld-free belt is formed by inter-coupled modular assembly of individual unitary components including an elongated link portion and transversely-oriented connector which provides for self-coupling coaction forming an integral rod extending across the width of an assembled belt. The inter-locked components are articulated for relative rotational movement across the width of the belt facilitating orderly movement of an assembled belt around curved portions of an endless travel path. Dimensions of the components can be selected to determine the lengthwise-collected relative motion between inter-coupled unitary components to achieve desired travel in a substantially-horizontal curvilinear path, about a tower in stacked conveyor paths, with the internal-periphery lateral side of an assembled belt providing for dynamic frictional drive in the curved-path tower arrangement.

Abstract: Weld-free belt assembly in which elongated link modules are coupled in widthwise side-by-side relationship by transversely-oriented coupling modules. An internal cavity is defined within each link along with a surface configuration on each side of the link which defines an entry access portion for a coupler and slot portions for enabling relative longitudinal movement of the coupler while retaining the coupler within the internal cavity. The interfitting coaction of the links and couplers enables an assembled belt to move from linear planar travel into a curved path to establish an endless-belt configuration. The relative movement of couplers within a link cavity enables longitudinal collection of links along the inner circumference when the belt enters a curvilinear travel path in approximately the same plane and enables re-extension for return to linear travel.

Abstract: Flat-rolled sheet metal is manufactured to preselected gage, mechanical properties and surface finish and is fabricated into unitary sheet metal shingle structures with interlocking folded over sheet metal layers providing for ease of assembly and weatherproofing along each side of a rectangular configuration portion which remains exposed after assembly of shingle structures in side-by-side interlocked relationship in a horizontal direction, and in overlapping partially-covering relationship in a vertical direction. Galvanized mild steel provides lightweight, high-tensile strength, impact-resistant and long-service-life shingle structure. Finish coating enables selection of coloring and thermosetting polymeric coatings facilitate embossing of exposed portions to simulate the appearance of cedar shakes or other types of shingles.

Abstract: Convenience-feature sheet metal end closure structure and tooling apparatus including a new scoring tool configuration (94) which enables a peripheral scoreline (102), which defines a separable convenience-feature endwall panel (112), to be located contiguous to the end closure chuck wall (100) which interfits about its periphery with the open end of a container side wall. The resulting convenience-feature endwall panel is separated such that substantially no obstruction to removal of solid-pack contents as a single piece remains. The separable panel (112) can be formed with a multiple-layer fold (127) of sheet metal extending along its periphery so as to shield torn residual metal remaining with the panel after severance along such peripheral scoreline.

Abstract: Golf putting structures and methods for dual-length conversion of a putter-club, including height adjustment to facilitate a pendulum-like putting stroke so as to minimize the opportunity for outside interferences. Adjustable length and rapid conversion features provide the option of using a first preselected putter length while enabling ready conversion, without attracting undue attention, to an extended length. In one embodiment, a hollow tapered-shaft putter is readily converted for receiving a coupling means of preselected configuration conforming to that of the hollow shaft which is integral with an externally-threaded adjustor rod. The remaining distal end of the adjustor rod is threaded into a receptor bushing which is integral with a height-augmenting receptor structure. Threading the rod into the receptor structure can be used to adjust the overall height for the combination structure.

Abstract: An aqueous phenol-formaldehyde resin solution with formaldehyde-phenol mol ratio in the range of 1.8 to 2.8, polymerization catalyst of 3% to 9% by weight, measured as NaOH equivalent, with less than 1% by weight potassium hydroxide, and about 0.1% to about 0.75% by weight potassium carbonate added after the catalytically-activated polymerization reaction has subsided while the resin is both soluble and fusible ("A" resol stage). Adhesive binders exhibit tolerance for variables in veneer moisture content from 0% to around 25% and in production timing from delivery of the veneer for assembly to curing of around 10 minutes to about 2 hours without significant degradation of bonding quality.

Abstract: Apparatus enabling electrically-isolated transfer of signal data between rail cars connected in tandem in the direction of intended travel. Cable-free space is established between optical transmitter and optical receiver means enabling automatic optical coupling and decoupling. Means are provided to maintain signal intensity and accuracy of signal data transfer notwithstanding changes in alignment and spacing between transmitters and receivers during rail guided travel.

Abstract: New composite-coated flat-rolled steel product and new methods of manufacture in which low-carbon steel, as received in cold-reduced continuous strip form is prepared for plating, a corrosion-prevention plating is applied, and a selected polymeric coating with lubricant is applied as the finish surface. The resulting composite-coated steel substrate is cold-rolled to decrease the composite-coated steel substrate gage. Selection of cold rolling steps, with non-use or selected use of stress-relief type of heat treatment before and/or after an initial cold-rolling of the steel substrate as received prior to surface preparation, provides for selective tin mill manufacture of composite-coated steel of various weights per unit area, for example, in the range of about 35 to about 100 lb/bb, produced by cold rolling of the composite-coated flat-rolled steel.

Abstract: Draw processing flat-rolled sheet metal substrate preselectively precoated on each surface with organic coating and draw lubricant into one-piece can bodies ready for assembly into sanitary packs free of any requirement for washing, organic coating or repair of organic coating after fabrication and before such direct usage. Selective organic precoating includes embodying a blooming compound which is made available as draw lubricant responsive to heat and/or pressure of draw forming; also, surface application of a draw lubricant after curing of the organic coating. Combined lubricant on each surface is verified before start of fabricating. Draw-forming of tensile strength sheet metal is controlled over side wall height by clamping solely between planar clamping surfaces and by interruption of draw to establish a flange at the open end of cup-shaped work product.

Abstract: Composite-coated flat-rolled steel, product, method of manufacture and method of fabrication in which single or double-reduced low-carbon steel, after surface preparation, is flash-coated with tin (about 0.05 #/bb) which is alloyed with the base metal. Dichromate treatment passivates the tin-iron alloy surfaces depositing a chrome oxide layer prior to application of an organic coating (about 3 to 15 mg/in.sup.2 to each surface). Enhanced coating adhesion of the organic coating enables draw-processing of the double-reduced steel base metal substrate into unitary can bodies without damage to coating or substrate.

Abstract: A computer assisted transit car door operating system for augmented automation of transit car door panel operation while providing safety provisions to restrain rail movement unless all passage doorways are closed. A programmable logic controller generates a sequence initiating (opening or closing) signal for a door panel; or, a manual input signal can be introduced for such purpose. The controller receives signals from a panel position sensor and a panel movement sensor to evaluate door panel status and generate status indication and panel movement signals. Automated control of door panel movement is selectively directed to a doorway, or doorways, at which an opening or closing problem is being encountered; that is, the exclusion of door panel movement signals to properly operated door panels.

Abstract: A rigid sheet metal substrate can body (50) and end closure (92) provides dependable tamper-evident and abuse-resistant packaging for shipment and long shelf-life storage without freezing; and, in addition, provides for direct heating in the can body after opening, including microwave heating, for serving and/or eating directly from such disposable container. The can body is shaped by draw processing with diminishing cross sectional areas in proceeding height-wise from open end (61) to closed bottom wall (56).

Abstract: Composite-coated flat-rolled steel can stock processing and product for fabrication of sheet metal cans, in particular for three-piece, welded or cemented side seam cans. Single or double-reduced, low carbon, flat-rolled steel of a gage in the range of about 55 to 110 pounds per base box is flash coated with tin (0.05 #/bb), which is alloyed with the steel base metal; at least 0.20 #/bb of tin is added to one surface only, flow brightened and water quenched; chemical treatment chrome oxide coating of about 100 to 750 milligrams per square foot is added to both surfaces and an organic coating of 2.5 to 15 milligrams per square inch is added to the surface which is free of flow-brightened tin for disposition internally of a can fabricated from such coated can stock. The equivalent of quarter-pound and higher coating weight tinplate protection is provided while decreasing tin requirements and maintaining three-piece can fabrication properties not available with coating metal substitutes for tin.