Abstract: A system for determining the eccentric characteristics of a tube wall comprising a positioning assembly supported by the tube which is moving in its lengthwise direction, and a plurality of thickness sensors supported by the positioning assembly having sensing axes disposed in predetermined angular relation with respect to one another for continuously measuring the wall thickness of the tube at predetermined angular locations about its periphery as it moves in its lengthwise direction. A signal processing means is provided for continuously computing the eccentricity characteristics of the tube based entirely upon the comparative values of the thickness readings of the sensors.

Abstract: A transmisson line system having improved stability from wake-induced oscillations in a bundle of subconductors wherein longitudinally spaced transmission line towers support a span of subconductors therebetween, and the subconductors are connected in bundled relation by a plurality of spacer members disposed in longitudinally spaced relation along the length of the bundle defining adjacent subspans of distinctly different, predetermined length therebetween.

Abstract: A convection steamer apparatus and method having improved heat-transfer characteristics for rapidly and effectively processing food items or the like at atmospheric pressure and at a relatively low constant steam temperature comprising a steam generator and distribution system for delivering steam in a turbulent controlled path to a heating chamber. A diffuser device acts to introduce substantially dry steam into the distribution system and a pressure differential generator device communicates with the chamber for continuously inducing a pressure differential to continuously purge air and/or unused steam from said chamber to maintain turbulent, generally orbital flow of dry steam in heat-transfer relation around the food items to be processed.The invention further contemplates an improved construction for an atmospheric closure for fluid and heat sealing of the heating chamber during the processing of such food items or the like.

Abstract: A merchandise packaging and display device for floor mats, and the like. The device comprises a sheet of paper board shaped to be folded over a marginal edge portion of a floor mat and which is then secured thereto by staples. The paper board has a slot for receiving the neck of a hanger by means of which the assembly may be suspended from a horizontal pole or bar. The hanger has arms which extend outwardly from the base of the neck portion and fit within the space between the top edge of the mat and the folded portion of the paper board. Sufficient clearance is provided so that the hanger may be rotated with reference to the paper board support, whereby the neck and head of the hanger may be moved into a position where they lie substantially flush with the paper board support, so as to reduce the over-all size of the carton in which the mats may be transported. The assembly enables mats to be displayed vertically.

Abstract: To enable a single pilot to make a safe and beautiful SOLO flight of a side-by-side dual-control airplane, the pilot is provided with a seat and seatbelts which seat him in the centerplane of the airplane, his right hand being placed on the right grip of the right control wheel, his left hand being placed on the left grip of the left control wheel, and his feet being placed on the two outboard rudder pedals, thereby permitting him to control the airplane with conventional motions. He leans sideward and/or diagonally forward to the right or left windows and/or elbow rests, banking and/or pitching the airplane while scanning the view, traffic and weather. Thus from the vantage point of the centerplane seat, the SOLO pilot can execute in less than a minute a prescribed routine of 0 percent BLIND maneuvers characteristic of his airplane type, whether it has the pilot seated ahead of, under, or over, the wing.

Abstract: A chemi-mechanical process for producing unbleached pulp with improved yields at high brightness including impregnating a lignocellulosic material in the form of wood chips with an alkaline solution containing an alkali metal borohydride in an amount over 0.1% by weight at a pH greater than 13, heating the impregnated chips at a temperature less than 150.degree. C to provide semi-cooked chips having a brightness in excess of 60 GE, and then defiberizing the semi-cooked chips to mechanically separate the fibers into an unbleached pulp having said brightness and a yield of at least 85%.

Abstract: A filter device for use in high acceleration applications, such as in the firing control of an artillery shell, including a resonator and a mounting assembly for supporting the resonator in a predetermined orientation during acceleration of the device. The mounting assembly includes a yieldable support means which provides a compliant mounting to enable substantially unrestricted vibrational movement of the resonator. The mounting assembly includes a support member which is disposed in predetermined spaced relation from the resonator for abutting engagement with the resonator to provide a firm support to limit the resonator's displacement during acceleration. The support means is arranged to return the resonator to its initial position out of engagement with the support member subsequent to acceleration of the device to enable the resonator to vibrate unrestrictedly as aforesaid.

Abstract: A tree cutting attachment for connection to a power mower or the like, and including an adapter means for mounting on the frame of the mower, and a cutting assembly including an elongated support arm connected to the adapter means and projecting outwardly from the side of the mower frame for engagement with a tree or the like. A continuous cutting element is movably mounted on a support arm for cutting engagement with the tree, and a drive assembly is operably connected to the cutting element being adapted for connection to the drive shaft of the power mower to impart movement to the cutting element for cutting through the tree.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for finishing the lengthwise extending edge of a foil including a finishing material mounting assembly for supporting a finishing material and a reciprocating jig assembly for holding the foil so as to position its one edge toward the finishing material and reciprocating the blade in its lengthwise direction simultaneously over one travel distance at one rate and a shorter travel distance at a more rapid rate. The finishing material mounting assembly includes a yieldable pressure means for urging the finishing material into tangential engagement with the edge of the blade. The jig assembly includes a rotatable jig head to enable the foil to rotate about its lengthwise axis, and the pressure means includes a relief means for imparting an oscillating rotating motion to the foil as it is reciprocated and to conform the finishing material to the contour of the foil edge, resulting in a rounded finished edge on the foil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding together two members such as relatively thick metallic plates. The plates are positioned vertically in the same plane and are spaced apart by a gap which is equal to the desired width of the seam or joint. A moving current of molten metal is caused to flow horizontally through the gap, starting at the bottom of the gap, until the plates are heated to a welding temperature, and then the flow is ceased to allow for weld solidification. For welding plates when the length of the weld is greater than the depth of the molten metal stream, the plates are moved downwardly simultaneously while continuing the flow of molten metal through the gap. The plates are moved at a rate which will allow for solidification of the weld metal until the gap is filled.

Abstract: A metal can end and method for making the same wherein the can end includes a body portion of substantially uniform metal thickness and a peripheral flange of reduced metal thickness to minimize the weight and quantity of material required for the can end. The can end is formed from relatively thin sheet material, such as aluminum sheet or the like, by punching or shearing a blank or disc from the sheet and forming the disc into a cup which is subjected to an ironing operation to reduce the thickness of the peripheral portion thereof and increase its projecting length. The ironed cup is then subjected to mechanical pressing, or magnetic discharge forming, to shape the peripheral portion into a curvilinear flange which is adapted to be double seamed to the can body.

Abstract: A floating installation for the recovery of a liquid pollutant, such as petroleum or the like, from navigable waterways, including a main vessel adapted for floating movement in the water. A receiving tank is operably connected to the main vessel, having a scoop hingedly connected thereto for skimming the liquid pollutant from the water surface as the vessel moves relative thereto. The scoop is equipped with buoys for controlling the level of the inlet end of the scoop with respect to the water surface. The opposite or discharge end of the scoop is connected to the receiving tank for discharging the collected liquid pollutant therein. The receiving tank is mounted for movement relative to the main vessel, such that it can float in the water independently of the main vessel. A primary separation means including settling tanks are supported on the main vessel to receive the collected pollutant and for separation of the water collected with the pollutant.

Abstract: A tiltable cooking receptacle apparatus which includes a frame and a receptacle supported on the frame for tilting movement toward one side of the receptacle between an upright position and a tilted position. A lever assembly is mounted on the frame for tilting the receptacle. The lever assembly includes a tilt arm which acts on the side of the receptacle in the direction of tilting movement for tilting the receptacle in said direction. The tilt arm is mounted for movement relative to the frame between a lowered non-tilted position and a raised tilted position, and is mounted for pivotal movement in the direction opposite to the direction of pivotal movement of the receptacle. Selectively actuatable drive means is operably connected to the tilt arm for moving the tilt arm between the lowered and raised positions to move the kettle between the upright position and the tilted position.

Abstract: A tire repair tool having a tube for insertion into a vehicle tire, and through which tire repair material may be inserted into a tire. The tube has one end fastened to a handle by a member which is removable whereby the tube may be replaced without replacing the handle.

Abstract: A sheet of pleated material is fed from a roll onto a moving belt. A guide means maintains the sheet in alignment. A light source is reflected off the pleats and the reflections from the peaks of the pleats are detected as pulses. These pulses are counted. When a predetermined number have been counted, the last pleat is marked and the counting is continued for another sequence.

Abstract: An amusement device having a housing which supports a rotatable member, such as a shaft. A power unit is supported by the housing for rotating the shaft. Track means is provided which includes one or more elongated, flexible track elements for selective frictional engagement with the shaft. Each track element comprises a cord which is wrapped about the shaft such that its opposite ends project in opposite directions therefrom. When tension is applied to the opposite ends of the cord, the cord will frictionally engage the shaft in clutching relation which tends to cause the housing to move in a direction which depends upon the direction of wrap of the cord on the shaft. When two cords are used, they are wrapped in reverse direction on the shaft so as to enable movement of the housing back and forth along the cords. The direction of movement along the cords will depend upon the direction of wrap of the cord having the greatest tension applied thereto.

Abstract: A game system including a pair of post members each of multiple target-like construction adapted to be mounted in upstanding, spaced-apart relation on a support surface and a plurality of throwing members each of multiple scoring construction adapted to be thrown by accuracy of the user onto respective of the post members for registering the scoring areas of the throwing members with the target areas of the post members to achieve a predetermined game score.

Abstract: 1. A new and distinct variety of flowering Malus crab apple tree, substantially as herein shown and described, characterized particularly by an upright, semi-dwarf growth habit, an arching and weeping effect of the branches, attractive pinkish colored flowers and abundant bright dark red colored fruits that may hang all winter, and which has apparent resistance to diseases which are common to most Malus species.