Abstract: A stake installation tool for installing a stake in strata wherein the stake has a head at one end and a strata penetrator at the other end. The stake installation tool includes a driver. The stake installation tool further includes a stake retention assembly including a retention body, which contains a retention passageway. There is a flexible holder connected to the retention body. The head of the stake is received within the retention passageway and the flexible holder engages the head of the stake to operatively retain the stake.

Abstract: An alignment device for maintaining the relative alignment between a gate valve assembly and a valve bonnet positioned over the gate valve assembly wherein the valve bonnet has an interior surface. The alignment device includes a pair of substantially identical components wherein the components are securely connectable to each other when the alignment device is attached to the gate valve assembly. Each one of the components includes a body that has a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion is adjacent to the interior surface of the valve bonnet when the valve bonnet is positioned over the gate valve assembly. The body also has a transverse edge wherein the transverse edge contains an opening that receives a part of the gate valve assembly when the components are connected together.

Abstract: A sealing gasket that provides a seal between two members. The gasket includes a base at one end of the gasket and a gutter-forming surface at the opposite other end of the gasket. There is a pair of sides that join the one end and the opposite other end of the gasket. The sealing gasket is movable between a compressed condition wherein the gasket provides a seal between the two members and an uncompressed condition wherein the gasket does not provide a seal between the two members. When the gasket is in the compressed condition, the gutter-forming surface deforms to form a gutter along the one end of the gasket.

Abstract: A method of continuously casting metal strip, as well as an apparatus for carrying out the process, wherein the process includes the steps of: providing a pair of casting rolls operating at a selected rotational speed and the two casting rolls being spaced apart from each other at a pre-selected distance; introducing molten metal between the two casting rolls; monitoring the separation force exerted on the two casting rolls by the molten metal, and adjusting the rotational speed of the two casting rolls in response to the magnitude of the separation force wherein the rotational speed of the two rolls is reduced when the separation force is below a lower value and the rotational speed of the two rolls is increased when the separation force is above an upper value; and processing the strip by removing any shape defects therein.

Abstract: A submersible projectile includes an elongate body. The elongate body has an axial forward end and an axial rearward end and a peripheral surface. The elongate body has a generally elliptical cross-section along substantially all of the axial length of the elongate body. A plurality of fins project from the elongate body near the axial rearward end of the body wherein the fins are spaced about the peripheral surface.

Abstract: An adjustable depth grid assembly for a barbecue grid. The assembly includes a grid body which has a plurality of grid cross wires whereby the grid cross wires provide support for food, as well as optionally cooking briquettes, lava rocks, and/or other flavor enhancers, resting thereon. The grid body includes at least one bracket. The grid assembly also includes an outrigger which has a plurality of outrigger cross wires whereby the outrigger cross wire provide support for food resting thereon. The outrigger has at least one locator wire wherein the locator wire is slidably received in the bracket so that the depth of the grid assembly is adjustable.

Abstract: A front-end discharge concrete mixer truck which includes a truck chassis with frame rails wherein the frame rails are spaced apart a distance greater than 34 inches. The truck chassis having a front end and a rear end. An engine is mounted to the truck chassis midway between the front end and the rear end thereof. A mixer assembly is attached to the chassis. The mixer assembly has a rotatable barrel and an outlet chute. The mixer barrel is driven by the engine. The outlet chute is movable so as to discharge concrete at the front end of the chassis.

Abstract: A wheel chock assembly for chocking the wheel of a railroad car including a chock having at least one inclined ramp surface, a bottom surface, and opposite side surfaces. Each one of the opposite side surfaces of the chock contains a bore. A positioner presents an elongate arm with a retriever at one end thereof. The retriever has a projection which is receivable within a selected one of the bores in the opposite side surfaces. When the projection engages a selected one of the bores, the positioner can carry the chock for the selective positioning of the chock.

Abstract: A bulk hopper tank assembly which has a bulk hopper tank containing an opening at the top end thereof wherein a lid assembly selectively covers the opening. The lid assembly includes a lid, a generally vertical arm extending along the exterior side of the bulk hopper tank, and a generally horizontal arm connecting the lid and the vertical arm. A lifter connects to the vertical arm and is moveable between a down position in which the lid covers the opening in the bulk hopper tank and an up position in which the lid is vertically above the opening in the bulk hopper tank. A handle connects to the vertical arm and is moveable to a plurality of positions between a first position in which the lid is in the vertical volume of the opening and a second position in which the lid is outside of the vertical volume of the opening.

Abstract: A cutting tool for use in excavating an earth formation comprising an elongate tool body having a hard tip being affixed to the forward end thereof. The hard tip has a plurality of integral, coaxial sections including an integral ribbed section which presents a plurality of longitudinal ribs about the circumference thereof. The tip further includes an integral lobed base section which presents a plurality of radially extending lobes. An integral transition region provides a transition between the ribbed section and the base section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the accurate non-contact detection and measurement of static electric charge on an object using a reciprocating sensing probe that moves relative to the object. A monitor measures the signal generated as a result of this cyclical movement so as to detect the electrostatic charge on the object.

Abstract: A multi-portion carbide cutting insert which affixes to the forward end of a rotatable cutting bit. The cutting insert has an axially forward tip portion and a flange portion with at least four mediate portions between the tip portion and the flange portion. The first mediate portion has an included angle less than that of the second mediate portion. The second mediate portion has an included angle greater than that of the third mediate portion. The fourth mediate portion has the largest included angle.

Abstract: An apparatus for the levitation of a liquid drop by a fluid flow comprising a profile generator, a fluid flow supply means operatively connected to the profile generator. The profile generator includes an elongate cylindrical shell in which is contained a profiling means for configuring the velocity profile of the fluid flow exiting the profile generator.

Abstract: A process, and its related apparatus, for pre-treating corn or other grain, which makes use of exhaust air from a conventional dryer by conveying the exhaust air from the dryer through a heater and into a steeping container. The grain in the steeping container is slowly and evenly pre-treated as air passes through a perforated floor in the steeping container and through the grain or corn, thereby, yielding grain with uniform moisture levels and uniform quality.

Abstract: A tongue depressor dispenser having a support base to which an upper cover detachably mounts. A dispenser assembly mounts to the support base. The dispenser assembly includes an ejector assembly that is movable to dispense a single tongue depressor at a time.

Abstract: A device for adapting a detachably mounted vehicle seat for direct use when not attached to the vehicle. The device includes a base member which engages the brackets of the detached vehicle seat to thereby provide support for the vehicle seat.

Abstract: Cemented carbide substrates having substantially A or B type porosity and a binder enriched layer near its surface are described. A refractory oxide, nitride, boride, and/or carbide coating is deposited on the binder enriched surface of the substrate. Binder enrichment is achieved by incorporating Group IVB or VB transition elements. These elements can be added as the metal, the metal hydride, nitride or carbonitride.