Abstract: A method of producing laminated veneer lumber (LVL) with good dimensional stability, characterized by a particular lay-up of the veneers and the veneers being of at least two different wood species. The particular veneer lay-up and species arrangement, minimizes the tendency of warping and cracking of the LVL. All veneers are laid-up in pairs by species with the loose sides of each pair contacting each other and with the species pair sequence from face to core being identical on either side of the center ply or center line. The veneer tight faces of different species are bonded to one another. The dimensional stability of the LVL is optionally enhanced by a water repellent, flow promoter and bulking agent that is incorporated into the adhesive before application onto the veneer. The different species veneers are dried to different moisture contents before lay-up with the denser species being of lower moisture content than the less dense species.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a dimensionally stable composite board product made from a mixture of particles of a cellulose material and binder and a composite board so produced by such method. Dimensional stability is in reference to the resistance to thickness swelling when the board is subjected to high humidity or moisture conditions. The method and composite board displaying the attribute of improved dimensional stability involves subjecting the particles of cellulosic material to a pressurized steam treatment and then making the composite board under heat and pressure. When compared to conventional composite board that has not been subjected to the pretreatment, the difference in thickness swelling is significant.

Abstract: An air core reactor of the type having a plurality of coaxial coil windings connected electrically in parallel by structurally rigid spiders at opposite ends of the reactor. There are two electrically conductive spiders at least one end of the reactor. Selected ones of the coil windings are connected to one of the two spiders and further selected ones of the coil windings are connected to the other of the spiders at the one end. In the preferred form the windings connecterd offset from one another around the coaxially disposed coils. In a further preferred embodiment, there are two electrically conductive spiders at each of opposite ends of the coaxial coils. In a still further preferred form, at least some of the coil windings are wound at least two conductors high with the same number of turns and wherein the ends of said two conductors are circumferentially offset from one another by preferably 180.degree..

Abstract: A swing damper and a swing damper in one or more pivot joints, suspending a work tool such as a grapple from a boom. The swing damper is a hydraulic pivot joint where pivoting at the joint causes movement of a piston, in a closed chamber, that separates the chamber into first and second inter-related variable volume chamber portions. Upon movement of the piston, fluid is forced through a restricted opening from one chamber portion to the other with the amount of restriction determining the degree of damping. The piston is moved linearly in the chamber by a motion translating means operatively interconnecting the pivot shaft and piston. The motion translating means preferably is a screw thread on the shaft mating with a threaded aperture in the piston. Rods pass through the piston preventing it from rotating in the chamber.

Abstract: An athletic protector wherein the harness has a split detachably connectable waistband whereby the jock strap may be put on or taken off by the wearer without the need to completely undress. The harness has a front and rear panel merging one into the other by a narrower crotch portion with each of opposite marginal edges of the panels having a band of elastic or stretchable material secured thereto. On the inside of the front panel of the harness there is an open pouch, removably to receive a protective cup that is selectively adjustable in size and/or curvature. The opening to the pouch is preferably on the side so that the cup is slid in from the side. The opening to the pouch can be closed by a velcro type or button fastener or the equivalent.

Abstract: An invalid walker with a seat preferably removably mounted thereon and wherein the seat is a band of material with one or more pockets therein on a portion of the band that depends from the handrail of the walker. The band has two spaced apart loops formed therein for attaching the seat to the handrails of the walker. The handrails of the walker can slide into the loops or rods can be slid into the loops and hooks used, attached at one end to the rods and at the other end to the handrails detachably mounting the band on the walker. The loops in the band can, if desired, be provided with zipper closure means thereby making the seat removably mountable.

Abstract: An electrical resistor having first and second cylindrical resistance windings helically wound closely adjacent one another about a common axis and wound in opposite directions about such axis. The helical windings of the resistor are connected in parallel and the resistor is provided with terminals for placing it in series with a circuit to provide a resistance in such circuit. The resistors are used in a power distribution system that includes a first system connected to a second system by a tie line. The resistors referred to as braking resistors are located adjacent at least one of the power sources and are connected to the tie line through one or more circuit breakers.

Abstract: A structure including two or more posts, an elastically bendable panel and tension members where the panel is forceably held in a curved state by the tension members acting preferably through the posts whereby the entire structure is in a predetermined state of stress.

Abstract: A gas insulated current transformer wherein the metal tank having the inductive unit therein is mounted on the hollow insulating bushing and preloaded with spring pressure so that when the insulating gas within the bushing and the container reaches a predetermined and maximum safe limit the excess build up of gas pressure is allowed to escape between the otherwise sealed contact between the container and the bushing.

Abstract: An amusement occupant-propellable exercising device that has a platform intended to be securable to the foot of the user of the device and at least one glide set attached to the platform for travel along a surface. Each glide set is composed of a crank arm unit having a central shaft attached to the platform for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the direction of travel, a pair of oppositely directed arms spaced apart from one another along the axis with one arm extending forwardly in the direction of travel and the other extending rearwardly. A stub axle projects outwardly from respective ones of the pair of arms and a surface traversing element such as a skate blade, wheel or the like is mounted on respective ones of the stub axles. The glide sets can be arranged with one or two under the toe portion of the boot and one or two under the heel. The platform may be a plate, a boot, a ski, a skateboard or the like.

Abstract: A power line filter having at least an inductive element and a capacitive element and a circuit network with a coil therein coupled to the inductive element. The circuit network includes a capacitive element and resistive element parallel connected and in parallel with a serially connected inductive element and coil. The coil is closely coupled with the inductive element of the power line filter.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing to a smaller size residue or debris left behind after a tree processing or harvesting operation wherein the debris is dropped into a vertical assembly having a first reduction stage followed by a second reduction stage and below which there is mounted a fan or other conveyor means for delivering the reduced size of particles to a collecting container or other area. Being vertically oriented, there is self feeding from one unit to another and on the initial reduction unit, if desired, other impeller means can be utilized for infeeding the material to the cutters. The apparatus may be permanently mounted at a suitable location or, alternatively be mounted on a self-propelled mobile vehicle, movable from one location or another, and towing a trailer having a chip collecting container mounted thereon.

Abstract: A holder for a cup of refreshment having a jaw that closes and opens in response to respectively placing the cup of refreshment in the holder and removing it therefrom. The holder has a pair of pivotally mounted jaw members that have an upper part to grasp the container therebetween and a lower part that supports the container. Pivotal movement of the jaw members is inter-related and the center of gravity of the same relative to their respective pivotal mountings is such that the jaw is biased to a normally open position.

Abstract: A rim driven circular saw and a drive pinion rotatable about respective ones of a pair of spaced apart parallel axes wherein each of the saw and pinion having projections of gear tooth form about the outer periphery thereof with the teeth of one meshing with those of the other. The teeth on the saw each have a cutting edge set back from the normal intersection of the face and the top land of the teeth. The saw is journalled for rotation on a plate carried by a rigid frame and the plate has a thickness at least no greater than the kerf generated by the saw. The pinion is fabricated from a non-metallic substance such as nylon. Also disclosed is an accumulator type tree felling head incorporating, as the cutting device, a saw of the foregoing type.

Abstract: A combined seat and rowing device for a canoe which includes a U-shaped frame having the legs thereof interconnected by a cross-piece and clamps slidably mounted on such cross-piece to detachably mount the device on a canoe. The frame has two upwardly directed portions with an oar lock pivotally mounted on respective ones thereof. A sheet of flexible material traversing the frame provides a seat for the occupant and an optional backrest may be pivotally mounted on the frame.

Abstract: A method of promoting germination of seeds and apparatus for carrying out the same. The method involves subjecting a bulk of the seeds to a vacuum for a selected period of time and thereafter subjecting a slurry of water and the seeds to a gas pressure for a selected period of time. The seeds when subjected to a vacuum may be dry or in the form of a slurry of water and seeds. The pressurizing gas is preferably carbon dioxide and the apparatus for carrying out the method may simply be a vessel providing a sealed chamber for holding a slurry of seeds and water. The vessel is adapted for entry and exit of seeds and water into and out of the sealed chamber and apparatus provided for subjecting the chamber firstly to a vacuum and then to a pressure. After the seeds have been subjected to a vacuum and pressure they are removed and excess water is separated from the treated seeds.

Abstract: A tree felling head which includes a frame having a grapple mounted thereon with a grapple jaw which may be selectively opened and closed to respectively receive and grasp a standing tree and power means to selectively open and close the grapple; and a severing device mounted on said frame below said grapple for severing a standing tree. The severing device is a rim driven planar circular saw mounted around a peripheral portion thereof on an arm pivotally attached to the frame for movement in a plane transverse to the length of the standing tree, and included is a second power means for effecting rotation of said severing device.

Abstract: The water fall from a higher to a lower elevation is through an annular passageway having one or more turbines driven by the water as it flows through the column. The water flow is preferably a siphon action entry to the annular column being by way of an inverted U-tube with the inlet thereto immersed below the water level. The column is designed with offset portions whereby a plurality of turbines can be located downstream from one another in the column and laterally offset so that the turbines rotate about axes spaced apart horizontally from one another, each turbine or series of turbines driving an electric generator. The annular column is provided by two concentric shells or conduits spaced apart from one another, the flow of water being in the space between the shells.

Abstract: A balloon distress marker wherein the balloon has, in a wall thereof, a small compartment interiorly of the balloon and accessible through an aperture in the wall of the balloon for retaining an article therein. The compartment is substantially smaller than the volumne of the balloon and is useable for interconnecting balloons in series or inserting a flashlight therein to illuminate the balloon. A coupling for interconnecting balloons is preferably a small balloon in itself which can be inflated when in the compartment. A two-part balloon wherein the two parts are interconnected by a narrow neck portion rendering the marker useable as a life preserver. A rescue kit consisting of a casing having a removable top that can be illuminated by flashlights in the cap. Located within the container is a cylinder containing lighter-than-air gas for inflating the balloon.

Abstract: A fuel feed system for feeding particulate combustible material to a stove, a heater, furnace or the like, referred to herein as heating equipment, and the same in combination with such feed system wherein the combustible material is wood, preferably wood chips. A container is provided for holding a supply of the wood chips to be burned and a cover removably mounted on the container which, during use, is sealed on the container so as to provide a sealingly closed container. The conveyor system for moving the wood chips from the container to a burner in the heating equipment includes a first conveyor and a second conveyor for moving the wood chips along respective different flow paths and a drop box between such first and second conveyors that provides a contiguous flow path along the conveyor system. A normally closed one way flow valve is located in the drop box to prevent reverse flow through the drop box from said second to said first conveyor.