Abstract: A fence is disclosed having posts with grooves which receive an enclosure or sleeve into which the fence rail end portions are inserted. The enclosure or sleeve may be held by a retaining bolt which passes through the post at the location of the groove in the exterior surface of the post. The post may be made of subsequently hardening settable material such as concrete. In such case the post may have a centrally cast rod with a bolt secured at right angles to the rod so as to protrude out of the surface of the post. Alternatively, the bolt may pass completely through the post and the enclosure or sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for measuring axial thrust of a rotating, bearing supported machine shaft. The support bearings are operatively coupled through a shiftable crosspiece to a spring leaf upon which is mounted a variable resistance type strain gauge connected to an extensometric bridge circuit which provides an output indication of the axial thrust.

Abstract: A programmable, reciprocating, multiple electrical switch assembly contained within a waterproof housing. The assembly includes a plurality of discrete electrical switches arranged in a predetermined pattern on a fixed frame. The switches are triggered by projections strategically arranged on a sliding key-like finger which mates with the interior of the frame.

Abstract: A welding gun for wire spring relays has jaws designed to clamp the wire contact arm with the end of the wire on which the contact is to be welded projecting a predetermined amount through the jaws. Mechanism on the gun brings the contact against the clamped wire (to which it is to be welded) with a predetermined spring pressure, the mechanism increases the pressure between contact and wire by a consistent amount before initiating the welding operation.

Abstract: An automobile safety belt including means facilitating disengagement of the belt in an emergency by the wearer, another passenger or a rescuer and wherein the belt includes an auxiliary latch having a release strap so positioned as to be readily accessible while still permitting buckling and unbuckling of the belt in the conventional fashion.

Abstract: A portable, temporary roadway barrier for placement alongside a highway to visually direct and, when necessary, to physically control, automotive traffic.

Abstract: The invention relates to folding sail assembly for utilization as propulsion for small water craft, and persons on ice or roller skates. The invention comprises a kite frame including a main mast, a pair of transversally extending boom sections releasably coupled to the main mast intermediate itslength, and a sail stretched about the frame and releasably attached to the mast and boom sections. Each boom section being adapted, through the coupling mechanism, to be folded to a position parallel with the mast for transportation purposes. The invention may include as part of the frame at least one tail member positioned as to extend normal to the mast and attached to the rearmost end thereof, the tail portion of the sail material being attachable to this rearmost extension of the frame.

Abstract: A method of making a metal reinforcing strip suitable for use in reinforcing a coating applied onto a pipe comprising providing a strip of welded wire mesh having longitudinal and transverse wires, and passing the strip between a pair of rollers which deform the longitudinal wires to an extent which increases progressively across the strip.

Abstract: A method of producing an insulated electrical conductor, in which a wire conductor is coated with an inner layer of heat resistant material and covered with electrostatically deposited powdered polymeric material which is fused by heat to form an outer layer of insulation. An insulated electrical conductor produced by this method comprises a core carrying an inner coating of heat resistant material and an outer coating of fused polymeric material.

Abstract: An assembly for cleaning and packing tobacco leaves after curing. The cured tobacco leaves are conveyed to a rotating drum of wire construction to allow sand and dirt to be removed from the tobacco leaves while being tumbled. The cleaned tobacco leaves are then deposited within a sheeting ring which is positioned on a tobacco sheet. A power operated compression member engages the tobacco leaves within the ring to compress the same. Locking elements are provided for selectively engaging the sheeting ring with the compression member for removing the same as a unit from the tobacco, following which the ends of the tobacco sheet are tied together.

Abstract: Bar stock feed apparatus generally comprising an elongated tubular member adapted to receive a length of bar stock therein and a standard for supporting the tubular member in a feed position wherein the tubular member is aligned with the lathe spindle and in a second position wherein the tubular member is out of alignment with the spindle so that the stock can be loaded therein. A fluid actuated plunger is received in the tubular member and is advanced by pneumatic pressure supplied to the rear of the tube through an annular passageway formed by a pair of concentric tubes. A locking mechanism, which clamps the feed tube in position, includes a valve which controls the flow of air to the plunger and automatically interrupts the supply of air when the tubular member is not locked in place. A safety valve is positioned to be contacted by the tubular member when in its operative locked position and serves to bleed air from the supply line when the tubular member is not in the feed position.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument including a body which is formed from an elongated wooden board having front and rear surfaces. The rear face of the body is hollowed out to provide an elongated cavity extending longitudinally through a large portion of the body's length leaving a relatively thin top surface superjacent thereto. A fingerboard is positioned on the top surface of the body above the cavity and extends longitudinally thereof. Multiple strings extend longitudinally of the body above the fingerboard in engagement with bridge means, and means are provided at both ends of the body for holding the strings under tension.

Abstract: An electrically illuminated push button switch or indicator which can be used to operate and/or indicate a particular circuit, the device is provided with an enclosed light source which can safely be used in semi-hazardous surroundings and permits easy lamp replacement in the event of failure. The device includes a housing having a lamp holder at one end and being closed at the other end by a removable member having a translucent portion, the housing and the member having a pair of slidably concentric sleeves inside which a lamp is disposed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for construction of a thermal insulating wall, and also blocks which are suitable to carry out the process.Each block is in the form of a prism with two grooves which extend its total length, one on one face of the block, the other on the opposite face. At the time of wall construction, insulating strips are lodged in the grooves of the superposed blocks in order to constitute a staggered thermal barrier.The invention can be used for any construction which can benefit from good thermal insulation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously separating one sheet from each of several stacks and removing the separated sheets to a desired position wherein the sheets are picked up from superimposed stacks lying on a plurality of tables by means of several sets of pick-up devices, whereby successively the several tables with stacks of sheets are raised into contact with the pick-up devices positioned over them and subsequently picked up, the tables are then lowered away from the pick-up devices so as to separate the engaged and tightened sheets from their respective underlying stacks, supporting means for the sheets are slid between each separated sheet and its stack, the sheets are disengaged from the pick-up devices and dropped on the supporting means, and the supporting means are then moved horizontally from beneath the pick-up devices and superimposed vertically. The sheets are then engaged and simultaneously removed from their respective supporting means in a stacked relationship.

Abstract: Reinforced plastic articles such as pipes, receptacles and sheet-like laminated structures wherein the reinforcing material comprises at least one layer of a combination of glass fibers and steel cord; processes for making same.

Abstract: A spiral staircase having at least one straight section and at least one curved section wherein the steps are supported at one end thereof on a wall and at the other end are suspended from a handrail and wherein the handrail is formed from straight sections having a substantially uniform height above the steps.

Abstract: An air by-pass device for internal combustion engines comprising a first valve assembly positioned between the carburetor and the intake manifold and having a passageway providing fluid communication between the carburetor and manifold, and a valve member in the passageway for closing off the passageway to the fuel mixture, means for conveying ambient air to the intake manifold through the first valve assembly, a second valve assembly operatively connected with the air conveying means for controlling the flow of air therein, first and second solenoids for operating respectively the first and second valve assemblies simultaneously, and an electric line connecting the solenoids with a source of electric current and including switches responsive to the accelerator pedal position and the flow of air from the engine cooling fan so that when the accelerator pedal is released at a time when the air flow from the engine cooling fan exceeds the normal flow at idle, the solenoids will be energized for cutting off the f

Abstract: A current collector line especially for electric trolley systems and the like wherein a support member is attached to the rail of the trolley system and includes an adapter interlocked with the bus bar and with the support member, and wherein the adapter is locked in engagement with the support member by flexible detents and the bus bar includes flexible portions maintaining its engagement with the adapter.

Abstract: This invention relates to high carbon steel wire or cord suitable for use as a reinforcement for vehicle tires. By "high carbon steel" is meant here a steel of at least 0.2% C.