Abstract: The invention relates to the hydraulic underground mining of bituminous sands, oil shales and other friable mineral deposits. Accordingly, the invention resides in the provision of a tunnel complex at or near the base of the deposit, in which tunnels are driven parallel one with the other, and spaced a substantial distance apart. An exemplary distance would be in the region of 2,000 feet. Hydraulic excavators are driven outwardly from the sides of the tunnels until the excavator heads are in a position substantially midway between adjacent tunnels. The excavators are arranged in a multiple array at spaced intervals along the tunnels, these intervals being adjusted such that there is interaction during operation, between adjacent excavator heads. The excavators may be positioned in two or more tiers by insertion into the deposit at differing angles from the operating tunnel, such that interaction between excavators is in two dimensions, horizontal and vertical.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tie member which enables an angle joint to be produced between two obliquely cut hollow members, and consists of two non-deformable parts each of which has two arms adapted to fit into one or other of the hollow members to be joined, and means for moving one part relative to the other to enable them to be moved apart. One of the parts includes two retractable plungers which slide in openings in its arms and which are each subject to thrust from a spring which causes them to project towards the facing wall of one of the hollow members so that they will enter a bore formed in this wall. The arms of the two parts are resiliently connected together, in particular by the springs to prevent the parts from becoming detached from one another.The tie member according to the invention enables a joint to be made under conditions of remarkable ease and simplicity, and automatically ensures that the hollow members are properly clamped against one another.

Abstract: Anti-skid tire chains for automobiles are known to be consisted of a various number of cross strands of steel or plastic link chains which have been fitted together into a harness or halter type of arrangement, and which is affixed to an automobile tire by means of some type of fastener mechanism which has been engineered (in peculiarity) to a given make of tire chain. In this invention, only one strand of steel or plastic link chain is constituted in every complete unit. Independent strips of flexible moulded plastic, having serrations molded onto one of the surfaces of each, are fitted to each end of the chain, and in their function thereof comprise a graduated fastener. A further independent piece of hard plastic, moulded in a `C`-clasp type configuration, serves to lock the fastener parts together. The invention is affixed to the tire through a wheel fello, and when installed, the whole has assumed the shape of a loop enclosing the `tubularity` of the tire.

Abstract: A construction panel comprising two substantially parallel sheets of material interconnected by bridging portions integral with the sheets, the sheets and bridging portions being formed by a moldable hard-setting material reinforced by a plurality of randomly oriented metal fibers distributed therein. Also described is a method for making such a panel.

Abstract: A method of numerically controlling the displacement of a working tool with respect to a rotated article subjected to said working according to the output signal of a computer capable of accepting plural executing program blocks and a system for carrying out said method.

Abstract: A substantially flat anchor member for positioning at the juncture between a plurality of containers for enabling the same to be moved as a unit. Wall means depending from the anchor member fit between the containers and cleats extending from the body of the anchor member penetrate adjacent containers to secure the same together. Cleats extending from the opposite face of the anchor member body penetrate the bottom of a container or containers placed on top of the anchor member. For open tray type containers used in shipping bottles, cans, etc., complemental retaining wall means extending from the opposite face of the anchor member engage the top of a bottle or can in the tray, thereby holding adjacent trays together.

Abstract: A coupling for attachment to air conditioning systems to prevent leakage of refrigerant fluid during testing and servicing thereof. The coupling includes an elongated outer housing adapted to be attached at one end to an air conditioning system. The housing is provided with an axial bore in which is positioned an inner cylindrical body member having longitudinal ducts, which member is movable longitudinally with respect to the outer housing. One end of the inner body member is adapted to be selectively engaged with testing equipment or a refrigerant fluid supply. A portion of the inner housing is aligned with a valve of the air conditioning system which is actuated thereby upon longitudinal movement of the inner body member, thereby permitting refrigerant fluid to flow through the ducts in the inner body member from the refrigerant supply to the air conditioning system. Means carried by the inner body member facilitate longitudinal movement thereof.

Abstract: A savings bank comprising molded upper and lower portions connectable to form a receptacle. The portions include engageable latch elements for securing the portions together so they may be disengaged upon insertion of a key.

Abstract: A control is provided for a wire coating line which includes means for driving wire along a path at controllable speed while coating it with plastic extruded at a controlled rate and temperature, and cooling means are located at a controllable distance from the coating means to solidify the plastic. The controllable factors affect both the capacitance and diameter of the wire produced. The control allows the line to be run in accord with stored digital values for the matters to be controlled. Closed loop control is provided because the relevant factors of line operation are measured, the analogue measurements converted to digital values and compared with the stored values to produce a control signal which has the effect of reducing the differences between a desired and measured line condition as represented by the digital values compared. Closed loop control is also provided for control of the line to produce desired capacitance or diameter values in the coated wire.

Abstract: A golf club having a shaft and a club head, the club head comprising a stationary, main body portion, and a face portion which is movable with respect to the stationary portion to vary the angular disposition of the face portion with respect to the stationary portion and the shaft of the club.

Abstract: This invention is a mechanical coupling for lashing marine vehicles together or to a dock. The coupling includes male and female members secured respectively to different vehicles or to a dock and a vehicle, which members may be quickly and easily connected and disconnected as desired. The female member includes a vertical track of substantial length in which the male member is movably positioned, thereby permitting relative vertical movement of the male member in the female member in order to compensate for the rise and fall of the vehicle in the water.

Abstract: A method for making cylindrical welded wire screens by continuously bending a wire into a helical wrap with juxtaposed equal wraps having their diameter substantially equal to the desired finished diameter of the screen whereby the radius of curvature applied to the wire is smaller than the radius of the wrap and the bending area is inside the outer circumference, supporting the wraps and progressively guiding them and bringing them into contact with supporting wires substantially parallel to the generatrix of the cylinder, and welding the wraps to the supporting wires at their contact points.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the precipitation of human blood plasma components characterized in that the initial blood plasma and the precipitating agent are continuously introduced into a precipitation container in an adjusted relationship but separated with simultaneous control of the required pH values. The suspension of the individual precipitants is conveyed across a delay station and then separated. The delay station includes a flow passageway connecting the precipitation container to a separating means, with the flow passageway being so constructed as to permit substantially laminar flow of fluid therethrough. Means are also present in the flow passageway for changing the residence time of fluid therein by permitting selective variation of the length of the flow passageway.

Abstract: Calibrating means for a microdispenser of the type wherein a plunger is operable to automatically draw a fixed volume of fluid into, and expel the liquid from, a precision capillary tube. The calibrating means includes a graduation marking on the capillary tube indicating the precise, predetermined quantity of fluid to be drawn into the tube. Calibration is effected by varying the degree of engagement of the microdispenser end cap with the microdispenser barrel, which effects corresponding longitudinal movement of the plunger with respect to the capillary tube until the outer terminal thereof is aligned with the graduation marking on the capillary tube. Friction means are provided for preventing accidental movement of the end cap after the calibration adjustment has been made.

Abstract: A portable bidet which comprises an adaptor to facilitate the interconnection of the bidet with a source of water under pressure; a water discharge tube and nozzle mounted for movement from an inoperative position substantially beneath the internal rim of a toilet bowl to a predetermined operative position wherein the nozzle lies substantially centrally of the bowl; a valve for variably controlling the flow of water to the discharge tube and nozzle, and; a manually operable lever pivotally mounted adjacent the bowl but externally thereof, whereby initial movement of the lever affects movement of the discharge tube and nozzle to the operative position, and continued movement of the lever in the same direction affects gradual opening of the valve means without causing further displacement of the discharge tube and nozzle from the operating position. In the preferred embodiments this adaptor provides for the reception of hot and cold water streams, and the mixing thereof to a predetermined operating temperature.

Abstract: Building brick for wall construction in which brick serves concurrently as integral form for poured concrete and also provides insulation. Brick has structure to produce voids in wall to reduce volume of concrete poured, voids producing further insulation. Brick has pair of plane rectangular spaced side members connected by plane rectangular connecting members, end portions of side members extending beyond connecting members. Upper edges of connecting members spaced below upper edges of side members and lower edges of connecting members are coplanar with lower edges of side members. Detachable cover plate rests on connecting members to form cavity within brick and when concrete is poured, cavity produces void in concrete between side members, connecting members and lower surface of brick.

Abstract: A golf club having an adjustable and removable weight insert positioned in the club head. The insert includes a tubular sleeve which is fixedly positioned in a complemental bore in the club head, the weight insert being substantially perpendicular to the sole plate of the golf club. The weight insert is positioned behind, and centrally of, the ball-engaging portion of the club's striking face and aligned with the plane of the club shaft. The insert further includes a screw member which is threaded into the tubular sleeve, on the shank portion of which a plurality of weight discs are removably positioned. A retaining member holds the discs in position and a sealing member is interposed between the head of the screw member and the tubular sleeve.

Abstract: The sub-ultrasonic ionization ignition system "PULSAR" changes the present characteristics of combustion in internal combustion engines.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating any type of organic waste such as sewage, garbage, weeds and surplus crops to convert them into useful products, having a treatment tank or plurality of such tanks, a conduit circuit for carrying a heating fluid therethrough; vibrators to vibrate the conduit to homogenize and mix the tank contents, a furnace for supplying heat to the conduit circuit with the fuel for the furnace being the gaseous product recovered from the treatment tank or tanks, and solar cells and microwave heating units to balance and maintain the supply of heat when the fuel supply to the furnace is low. Radiation diffusers may be positioned about the tank or tanks to assist in the conversion process.

Abstract: A self-centering, radially reciprocating jaw chuck for machine tools and the like comprising a chuck body member, a plurality of master jaws secured to the body member, each of the master jaws having a pair of circumferentially spaced fixed portions rigidly secured to the body member and a radially reciprocable portion positioned circumferentially between the fixed portions. Resilient means integral with both the fixed portions and the radially reciprocable portion connect these portions, and a work gripping member is secured to each of the radially reciprocating portions. Axially reciprocable means is provided within the body member for radially reciprocating the radially reciprocable portions, and work gripping members attached thereto, whereby flexure of the resilient means provides a self-centering action of the work gripping members with respect to the longitudinal axis of the chuck and the work.