Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing flash and other excess material from sand cores in which the cores are showered with impact particles of relatively soft material and contained in moving air streams issuing from a plurality of nozzles directed against opposite sides of cores being cleaned. Low pressure air from a blower is used at the nozzles to obtain a high density of particles in the moving air stream and provide for engagement of the particles in a gentle manner with the sand cores so as to minimize surface erosion of the cores.

Abstract: A composite metal and plastic tank consisting of a metal frame assembly with a replaceable hollow plastic container mounted therein. The plastic container has downwardly inclined flow channels formed in its base to insure complete drainage of the container when desired and the bottom wall of the frame assembly is flat to enable handling of the tank with conventional fork lift equipment. A comprehensive dunnage plate is interposed in the frame assembly between the container base and the frame bottom wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a window regulator comprising a generally flat tape having sufficient flexibility to follow a curved path of substantial radius but being sufficiently rigid to transmit in compression, when guided in a functionally rigid track, sufficient force to regulate a vehicle window, said tape having at one side a series of transversely extending substantially rack shaped teeth, the ends of said teeth being spaced from the edges of said tape to leave flat side guide portions, and a functionally rigid but bendable track comprising a channel having reversely bent guide flanges spaced to receive the toothed portion of said rack.A drive pinion is in mesh with the rack teeth, and preferably the track is curved to present a concavity to the drive pinion.

Abstract: A portable toilet comprises a spout via which accumulated waste contents are dumped at a suitable sanitary disposal station. The disclosed embodiment of portable toilet comprises separably mounted seat and holding tank sections which cooperatively define a storage housing for the spout when it is not in use. For dumping the two sections are separated. The spout is rotatably mounted in an aperture in the top wall of the holding tank and is swung from its stored position and a cap at the end of the spout is unscrewed. A vent valve is also provided in the top wall of the holding tank and it is manually operated by the person dumping the holding tank so as to vent the head space during dumping.

Abstract: An improved heat pipe comprising a duct having disposed at opposite ends thereof an evaporator with wick-lined hollow fins in the form of extended corrugations thereon, and operable to supply heat to the evaporator comprised of a gas combustor having an internal volume for containing the evaporator and combustion air for supply to a combustion chamber located therein; a wick capable of transporting liquid by capillary action lining substantially all internal surfaces of said heat pipe; an external heat sink operable to remove heat from the condenser; and a heat transport medium contained by said heat pipe. The evaporator is further comprised of a coarse porous material lining and completely filling the spaces within the hollow fins open to the evaporator for increased structural stiffness and ease of fabrication; and a porous mass completely filling the evaporator for increased compressive strength.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machine with automatically replaceable electrodes. The machine includes an electrode holder with a clamp operable to alternately receive and release an electrode, an electrode cartridge containing a plurality of stacked electrodes and a shuttle movable toward and away from the electrode holder. When the shuttle is moved toward the electrode holder, it removes an electrode from the cartridge and moves it into alignment with the electrode holder.

Abstract: The seat back for a bench vehicle seat is mounted for movement with an adjustable sector between an upright or dress-up position and a full reclining position, and may be positively locked in any intermediate position of adjustment. In addition, the seat back is releasably pivoted to the sector, and is automatically released for forward pivotal movement to a horizontal position when the sector is pivoted forwardly to a limiting position.

Abstract: A new and improved surge tank for the refrigeration circuit of an automobile air-conditioning system is fabricated from tube stock and comprises a unitary main cylindrical body having a sidewall and end walls. The end walls are formed by friction spinning.

Abstract: An articulated arm for conducting the beam of a laser to a point of utilization which moves relative to the laser. In the preferred embodiment the articulated arm is supported in a generally vertically depending manner from a stationary laser. The articulated arm terminates in a focusing clamp assembly which is positioned by an industrial robot. The articulated arm following the motions of the robot. The articulated arm comprises joints through which the laser beam is conducted and which contain mirror assemblies for changing the direction of the laser beam as it passes through each joint. A joint may include a rotary coupling member on a main body providing relative rotation of the axis of one of the incident and reflected laser beams about the axis of the other. The mirror assemblies include adjustable shim mechanisms which provide for the precision adjustment of the mirrors to secure alignment of the incident and reflected laser beam along the intersecting path segments through each joint.

Abstract: Method for installing conduit in a confined wall space are disclosed. A tape is introduced into the confined space behind the wall and is extended to an outlet point by moving a tool along the exterior wall surface. The tool has an electromagnet which attracts a metal roller on the end of the tape, drawing the roller against the interior wall surface. The tool has rollers, or wheels, allowing it to roll on the exterior wall surface, and hence the extension of the tape is by means of combined roller action on both surfaces of the wall. At the outlet, conduit is attached to the tape and is pulled into the confined space by retracting the tape. Retraction of the tape may be accomplished by a drum onto which the tape is wound.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for blow molding articles with deeply recessed edges utilizing mold halves each of which consists of a center section and end sections that are relatively movable in a direction lengthwise of the mold to enable both lengthening and shortening of the mold. Rack and pinion assemblies are associated with the mold sections so that in response to movement of one end section toward or away from the center section, the other end section is similarly moved toward or away from the center section to thereby enable selective lengthwise lengthening or shortening of the mold halves. This enables the mold halves to be shortened after they are closed on a parison to thereby compress the shape of the parison within the mold to thereby move portions of the parison closer to the edges of the mold cavity. This facilitates a uniform distribution of plastic material along the surface of the mold cavity when the parison is blown into conformity with the mold cavity.

Abstract: An improved piston ring assembly, particularly for a Stirling engine, comprises a piston ring made from a TFE fluorocarbon such as Rulon which is disposed in a piston ring groove and is acted upon by an annular bi-metal element disposed between the groove and the ring. When the engine is cold, the bi-metal element urges the ring outwardly so that a flat radially outer surface of the ring is forced into face-to-face contact with the cylinder wall. When the engine has warmed up, the force of the element of the piston ring is relaxed and the thermal expansion of the piston ring maintains the outer surface of the ring in face-to-face contact with the cylinder wall.

Abstract: A door control mechanism for use in conjunction with a pair of swinging doors to control latching. The mechanism comprises a first stamped metal part adapted to be fixedly mounted on the door. This part comprises a first track portion and a second track portion. A second stamped metal part comprises a slide portion which slidably engages one track portion of the first metal part. An actuating mechanism is arranged on the second track portion of the first stamped metal part and has an operative coupling with the second stamped metal part. The second stamped metal part is adapted to be connected to a latch bolt. When the actuating mechanism is operated, the second stamped metal part is selectively positioned along the first track portion of the first stamped metal part with the bolt being positioned accordingly.

Abstract: A float operated liquid level sensing switch for horizontal mounting in the sidewall of a container is disclosed. The switch can be inserted into an aperture in the sidewall regardless of its circumferential orientation with full assurance that its float is properly oriented to perform the level sensing function. The float is tubular and contains a weighting means which orients the float to a unique circumferential orientation. This positions a magnet on the float to a unique operating range. A reed switch is contained horizontally within a body portion of the switch and is surrounded by the float. The magnet is disposed to operate in a vertical plane relative to the reed switch and when the level drops to a certain level, the float similarly drops causing the magnet to activate the reed switch. In order to attain overlying relationship of the magnet to the reed switch, a pendulum weight is also included on the float diametrically opposite the magnet.

Abstract: An accumulator head for blow molding machines having a diverter sleeve that cooperates with other components in the head to form annular concentric flow paths for plastic material between the inlet and outlet of the diverter sleeve to divide the plastic material into two arcuate paths which subsequently meet and split into two more arcuate paths in which plastic material flows in a reverse direction relative to the first two paths and is directed to the diverter outlet. The diverter sleeve thus insures intimate mixing of the plastic material and eliminates the likelihood of a weld line in the plastic material. In addition, the diverter sleeve is mounted for up and down movement with respect to the inlet for plastic material to thereby eliminate dead points in the plastic flow path and facilitate changeover from one material to another in the head.

Abstract: A seat system comprises an encapsulated bolster wherein the seat cushion and bolster are foamed as a unit with the two being connected by an integral joining portion of the foam. Hinge structure may be incorporated into the design to enhance the durability of the construction, foam being foamed onto the hinge structure. The seat cushion and bolster can be advantageously trimmed by extending the seat cover laterally from the seat cushion, over the integral joining portion, and over upwardly and laterally outwardly facing surfaces of the bolster. The cover is trimmed off adjacent a lower edge portion of the bolster where the trimming is concealed from view. Principles of the invention may be applied to various types of bolster systems.

Abstract: An insulated metal edge guard particularly adapted for fitting onto the trailing edge of a swinging closure which closes against an adjacent panel. The edge guard comprises a U-shaped metal channel having beads at the distal ends of the legs of the channel wherein the beads comprise double reversal folds folded back against the legs. Insulating material is selectively applied to the metal strip by an extrusion, or co-extrusion, procedure prior to the strip being formed into the channel-shaped cross section. Various embodiments of edge guard are disclosed.

Abstract: A multiple tank and pallet assembly comprising a rectangular pallet and four rectangular tanks arranged in a side-by-side confined cluster on the pallet enabling handling and transport of the pallet and tanks as a unit, individual tanks being removable from the assembly when desired. Each of the tanks is particularly constructed to facilitate discharge of the contents so that the assembly can be used to dispense four different liquids.