Abstract: A method of making a plurality of adjacent light pipe elements, the light pipe elements adapted for use in illuminating a microfiche. The ends of the light pipe elements are spaced apart from each other, to thereby coincide with spaced microimages on a microfiche. The method includes the steps of die-deforming a plastic sheet in the general form of a flat elbow, placing saw-tooth cuts at one end thereof, and subsequently rolling the sheet about an axis.

Abstract: Shredded paper for use as animal bedding material is compacted for packing by a reciprocating hydraulic compacting ram which displaces the material into an ejector chamber in a number of successive storkes. The pressure in the compacting ram is monitored by a pressure switch, and when a threshold pressure corresponding to a desired degree of compaction is reached a limit switch is effectively primed to trip the operation of an ejector ram upon completion of a compaction stroke, to eject the compacted material from the ejector chamber.The production of fertilizer particles is also described in which shredded paper impregnated with manure after use is comminuted and at least partially dried.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of the type having an inertia ring coupled to a hub by means of an elastomer member. The hub is attached to a shaft subject to torsional vibrations. The radially outermost portion of the elastomer carries angularly spaced pockets into which a damping liquid of high viscosity is placed. The specific improvement resides in thickening the radially innermost portion of the elastomer, relative to the radially outermost portion. In assembling the damper, the radially innermost elastomer portions are compressed, while the portions of lesser thickness are not compressed. A thin film of viscous liquid is adjacent the elastomer portions of lesser thickness, and thus functions as a viscous damper, while the thicker elastomer portions function to elastically dampen torsional vibrations.

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuator such as an hydraulic top link has an external indicator device for marking the position of the piston within the actuator cylinder. The indicator has a collar which clamps on to the piston rod and a finger which extends longitudinally along the outside of the actuator cylinder to provide a direct reading of the piston position. An indirect indication may be provided by linking the longitudinally extending finger to a spring loaded tape indicator, or to an indicator arm which moves angularly across a scale.

Abstract: A mitten having a capability of being used as a glove which includes a knitted, elongated, tubular member having one end closed and formed with elongated finger and thumb portions forming a glove. A waisted wrist portion is connected to the glove, and a tubular mitten portion extends from the wrist portion in the opposite direction. The mitten is open at its free end with an overlapping flap covering the free end and a thumb portion formed in the mitten portion such that when the glove is worn, the mitten portion can be folded over the glove with the thumb of the mitten portion coinciding with the thumb portion of the glove and the overlapped portion covering the opening at the end of the tubular mitten over the fingers.

Abstract: An improved band saw blade for cutting hard ferrous or non-ferrous articles, wherein the band saw blade comprises an elongated, flexible, continuous ribbon having a back edge and a toothed edge, the ribbon having a sinoidal pattern in the plane of the ribbon, the wavelength and pitch of the ribbon being selected to enhance the cutting of the article but is selected to avoid chatter based on the rate of speed of travel of the ribbon, the pressure applied to the ribbon during the cutting and the average length of the cut to be made in the article to be cut. A method of constructing a band saw blade with a sinoidal pattern including the steps of successively squeezing portions of the saw blade or ribbon alternately near its back edge and near its toothed edge, whereby the blade is formed with a continuous wave pattern.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a tropical fish training kit which includes an elongated notched rod and a plurality of rings adapted to be adjustably positioned therealong through which a fish is trained to swim, a plurality of tubes adapted to be interconnected to form a maze through which fish swim, a housing including means defining two paths of travel having opposite entrance and exit openings and a movable gate bearing fish or like food holding means which attract fish and upon movement of the gate from its closed to an open position, the fish move from the entrance opening to the exit opening to simulate a horse race, and a sheet having means setting off a plurality of individual areas, such as a tic-tac-toe game, with fish or like food holding means within each area.

Abstract: A leveling plate for leveling bases of light standards. The leveling plate is provided along two adjacent sides at right angles to one another with spirit levels. The leveling plate is provided with openings for engagement over bolts of a predetermined pattern. Also the leveling plate is notched for the reception of electrical cables so that the leveling plate may be applied while the light standard is still attached to its foundation and without disconnecting the usual electrical cable.

Abstract: A mixer has a cylindrical or partly cylindrical mixing container and a driven mixing mechanism revolving about its longitudinal axis which preferably extends horizontally. The central shaft of the mixing mechanism supports mixing tools on radial arms, ending at a short distance from the cylindrical internal wall of the mixing container. The central shaft is rotatably mounted to revolve over an arc of a circle running concentrically round the longitudinal axis of the mixing container.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper and method and apparatus for its manufacture. The outer inertia member carries a radially inwardly extending web, the web sandwiched by a pair of elastomer members. A two-piece hub sandwiches the elastomer members, the two hub pieces being held together as by swaging or by rivets. Tooling for the swaging mode of assembly is shown such that the elastomer members are deformed from an original to a final configuration, and the swaging then accomplished with a single continuous movement. The swaging assembly apparatus for the device includes Belleville springs, the apparatus limiting the maximum force applied to that portion of the hub members controlling the assembled elastomer thickness. The damper configuration facilitates low specific energy dissipation and large elastomer-to-metal interface area to thus tend to lower shear stress in the elastomer. In addition, should the elastomer fail in use, the damper inertia mass is mechanically constrained to remain with the hub assembly.

Abstract: A duct having the shape of a pyramid frustum for the flow of powder in suspension in a carrier gas is of increasing width and decreasing height in the downstream direction. The duct has a solid end-wall and a wall provided with an opening between the open upstream base joined to a supply pipe and a solid portion joined to the open downstream base so as to form a spray-discharge nozzle. The device comprises a screen having holes for the discharge of carrier gas and a grid formed by flat partitions. Inclined deflectors extend transversely within the duct in the vicinity of the opening, the angle of inclination being of increasing value from the upstream end to the downstream end.

Abstract: A head for a rotary turret machine for making incandescent lamps or fluorescent light tubes is capable of, sequentially, sealing a mount to the lamp envelope, exhausting the interior of the envelope, filling it with a fill gas and tipping-off the exhaust tube of the mount. The head accordingly includes a sealing burner, a tip-off burner disposed coaxially within the sealing burner and around the exhaust tube with the lead-in wires disposed between the sealing and tip-off burners, a coupling connectable to a vacuum pump or to a source of fill gas, and respective fuel pipes for the sealing and tip-off burners.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of the type having an outer inertia ring, a radially intermediate elastomer annulus, and a radially innermost hub. The polar moment of inertia of the entire damper is reduced by forming the hub of a low density material such as aluminum or plastic. The specific improvement resides in metal reinforcing members molded or otherwise inserted into the hub, thus overcoming material weakness and the phenomenon of creep in the plastic.

Abstract: A plough-share like mixing tool for brushing the internal wall of a cylindrical mixer container is disclosed. The mixing tool is designed for attachment to the outer end of a radial arm and fixed on the shaft of a mixing mechanism rotatably mounted in the mixer.The reverse side of the mixing tool is designed to form a convexly curved envelope.

Abstract: A sheet metal fan exhibiting special utility as a radiator fan for an internal combustion engine. A spider carries the blades on its arms, the arms each having a radially extending stiffening rib in opposed relation to a complementary rib in its blade to thereby form a tube where the stiffening ribs are radially coextensive. The stiffening rib on each blade intersects a continuous, blade stiffening channel.

Abstract: A sheet metal fan exhibiting special utility as a radiator fan for an internal combustion engine. A spider carries the blades on its arms, the arms each having a radially extending stiffening rib in opposed relation to a complementary rib in its blade to thereby form a tube where the stiffening ribs are radially coextensive. The stiffening rib on each blade intersects a continuous, blade stiffening channel.

Abstract: A flexible fan blade construction of the type wherein a decamber limiter is carried by each spider arm and bears against one side of its associated fan blade to thereby limit flexing (decamber) thereof. According to this invention, the decamber limiter terminates short of the heel of each fan blade. High stress concentrations due to contact between the heel edge of each fan blade and its associated decamber limiter are avoided by this novel construction.

Abstract: Solar radiation is collected and directed through transparent material for the optical conversion of solar radiation to infrared radiation onto a rod-shaped multijunction semi-conductor photovoltaic cell. This is achieved by means of a focusing structure of linear form having a focal line and a plate of transparent converting material. The plate is placed in the vicinity of the focal line and performs the double function of light guide and optical converter. The semiconductor rod is placed along one of the longitudinal edges of the plate.

Abstract: Synchronized angular displacement of articulated elements of an outwardly-extendable solar-cell panel is carried out by means of a device mounted between any two successive panel elements constituting a driving element and a driven element. Two independent and parallel traction members are pivotally mounted on support plates which are rigidly fixed to two successive driving elements. Two link-arms for traction members such as cables are pivotally attached to pins forming anchoring points for the cables. Each support plate has two stationary stops for limiting the angular displacements of the link-arms during the relative pivotal movement of the driven element with respect to the driving element.

Abstract: A gear mounting arrangement for lobe type air pumps. Angular adjustment between a gear (a form of hub) and its (lobe carrying) shaft permits a desired angular phase adjustment between the intermeshing lobes. The gear moves axially on its shaft and is held in place by positive screw or nut on one face and retained on the other face by a belleville spring. Rotation of the nut causes axial displacement of the gear and consequent phase adjustment.