Abstract: This invention relates to devices and methods for installing ceilings made from tiles that are supported by a suspension grid that is not visible from the underside of the ceiling. One embodiment comprises channels that form the suspension grid, channel wall supports for supporting the grid where the ceiling abuts the walls, and hangers that are capable of establishing the ceiling level as well as supporting the suspension grid in its mid-span regions. Another embodiment comprises a method of installing the wall hangers, suspension grid channels, and hangers.

Abstract: Filters, catalytic converters and the like, for separating particulate matter and/or other constituents from a stream of gas or liquid so arranged that substantially all of the fluid passing through the filter must pass through separation material which permits the passage of the fluid therethrough while separating out and retaining the selected substances. Continuums of material are arranged parallel to each other in planar arrays, with periodic spacings between the continuums in each array. Such arrays are superimposed to form a "laminated" grouping, with each continuum in each array angularly oriented with respect to and in contact with the continuums in each next adjacent array which that continuum crosses. Internal distribution paths for the fluid thereby formed by the spacings between the continuums include passageways which extend laterally within each layer and cross-array or translaminar distribution channels produced by aggregations of intersecting paths of the lateral array channels.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices and methods for installing ceilings made from tiles that are supported by a suspension grid that is not visible from the underside of the ceiling. One embodiment comprises channels that form the suspension grid, channel wall supports for supporting the grid where the ceiling abuts the walls, and hangers that are capable of establishing the ceiling level as well as supporting the suspension grid in its mid-span regions. Another embodiment comprises a method of installing the wall hangers, suspension grid channels, and hangers.

Abstract: A joint socket member for a joint prosthesis, in particular a hip joint socket member of a hip joint endoprosthesis in which, in accordance with the invention, the cup element is formed from preferably two cup portions, disposed at least in two cup planes arranged radially at a spacing with a free intermediate space relative to each other, wherein openings are provided at least in the cup portion which is towards the bone, the number, distribution, shape and size of the openings, during the operation, permitting the introduction and secure holding of spongiosa or loose bone substance into the intermediate space and thereafter ensuring growth thereinto of new strong bone substance.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and methods for producing formed articles such as tortillas. Embodiments include apparatus comprising a non-sticking, heat tolerant, endless conveyor belt moving at desired constant speeds to position tortilla dough balls between the heated platens of a tortilla press. The press is moveable in the direction of the path of travel of the belt at the same speed as the belt when the platens are in their closed position with the dough balls squeezed between them. Thereafter, the press may be opened sufficiently for the upper platen to disengage the flattened dough and then slowed, stopped and moved counter-directionally to the direction of travel of the belt. At a pre-determined position, the press is again stopped and reversed to cause it to travel again in the direction of travel of the belt.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices for removing covers for utility installations, such as water meter shut-offs, that are located under streets, sidewalks, and the like. Such covers provide accessible protection for the utility devices that they cover. Embodiments of this invention include a tubular shaft, and a hammer rod which is slidably insertable within the shaft and has a combination chisel point - claw hook at its the lower end for penetrating through pavement material, dirt and the like that may have become deposited in the aperture of the cover, to enable the claw hook to latch beneath the cover and pull on one side of the cover to lift it upward. Through impact on the top of the shaft by the hammer arm via corresponding impact surface, the chisel point on the shaft may be hammered downward to cause it to penetrate into the aperture.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and methods for producing formed articles such as tortillas. Embodiments include apparatus comprising a non-sticking, heat tolerant, endless conveyor belt moving at desired constant speeds to position tortilla dough balls between the heated platens of a tortilla press. The press is moveable in the direction of the path of travel of the belt at the same speed as the belt when the platens are in their closed position with the dough balls squeezed between them. Thereafter, the press may be opened sufficiently for the upper platen to disengage the flattened dough and then slowed, stopped and moved counter-directionally to the direction of travel of the belt. At a pre-determined position, the press is again stopped and reversed to cause it to travel again in the direction of travel of the belt.

Abstract: This invention relates to vanes for gas turbines and methods for making them. Embodiments include vanes that have internal fluid travel paths and cavities to permit the passage of fluids therethrough. Such embodiments have an internal structure member supporting an outer shell which has been formed so as to have outer surfaces in the configuration desired for a vane, and has been retentively positioned on said structural member. The outer surfaces of the support member are so configured that together with the inner surfaces of the cover, they form desired internal travel paths and cavities. Embodiments include such structures and methods for making same wherein the internal support structure is made in accordance with the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,168.

Abstract: This invention relates to rain gutter devices, and in one embodiment comprises a bracket for use in supporting a rain-water deflector. The bracket is in the form of a flat continuum having a straight upper section and a double-reverse lower section. The lowermost portion includes a tab adapted for receiving the top edge of an associated rain-gutter. The upper section includes tabs for insertion into corresponding apertures in associated rain-water deflectors. Other embodiments include such brackets in combination with rain-water deflectors having bracket tab apertures, each of which consists of a central opening and side-openings that are separated from their associated central opening by a narrow web. Thereby, upon movement of the rain-water shield in its long dimension as a result of thermal expansion and contraction, the associated bracket tabs will break through the webs, eliminating restraint on migration of the shields and avoiding buckling of the rain-water shield.

Abstract: An ankle support system is provided which comprises an ankle brace portion removeably attached to the user's foot and a strap support portion attached to the user's shoe and including one or more straps, said one or more straps being connected to the ankle brace portion during use and being of a length which will: (1) restrain the joint from overextension, and (2) provide relatively unimpeded motion of the ankle joint through its normal range of motion. In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the strap support portion includes a first strap and a second strap, both of which are attached to the same side of the user's shoe, the first strap being wrapped around the lower part of the user's leg after first having passed around the back of the user's foot, and the second strap passing around the back of the user's foot after first having passed over the top of the user's shoe.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for transporting articles from one location to another by use of vacuum to suspend them from the underside of a perforated conveyor belt as it moves along the apertured underside of a vacuum box. Embodiments include a vertically actuable flat plate having a compressible bottom surface positioned within the box, whereby upon actuation of the plate downwards, vacuum acting through the apertures of the underside of the vacuum box may be interrupted and a slight positive pressure introduced into the apertures, to effectuate release of suspended articles.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention include methods and apparatus for the production of flour from which products such as corn tortillas, tortilla chips, "taco shells", and the like, may be produced, in a continuous process, by pre-cooking the grain, stabilizing its moisture content, milling it to particulate form for suspension in a super-heated stream of air, replacing the ambient air with air which has lower moisture content and is cooler, and segregating out the flour-size particles from larger particles which are further processed into flour.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include deflector support means for supporting the underside of a rain gutter deflector, said deflector support means including fastening means for retainably positioning said deflector support means with respect to the gutter with which said deflector means is to be associated characterized by being formed from strips of rigid material, having a straight, downward-sloping upper section and an adjacent downward curved portion for supporting the underside of such a deflector, and a lower downward directed segment adapted for affixation to the top front lip of an associated gutter either directly or via an intermediate gutter support ferrule.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for forming shaped pieces. One embodiment useful in forming metal parts, such as fins for use in the compressor section of gas turbines, comprises apparatus for use with a flat-surfaced die having a forming die depression in the upper surface, which has a pair of cylindrical rolls oriented with their axes parallel and positioned one above the other between the flat surface of the die and the lower surface of a downward acting hydraulic press, with the rolls simultaneously moveable horizontally and in rolling contact with each other, the upper surface of the die, and the lower surface of the hydraulic press platen, by a horizontally oriented hydraulic ram. The platen and the die are limited as to how close they may come to each other, and the rolls are free to "float" away from the die and toward the platen as the lower roll comes into contact with the work piece.

Abstract: A method of making an extruded food product from plastic food material by forcing the food material into the depression of a roll that is positioned within an extruder head of an extrusion device and is juxtaposed in closely spaced-apart relationship to an elongated aperture in an extrusion die with the axis of the roll substantially parallel to the long axis of the aperture, the roll having at least one depression in the surface thereof, at least one edge of which is a generally axially oriented leading edge and forms an abrupt ridge with respect to the surface of the roll, the depth of the depression with respect to the circumference of the roll being greater at each point along the leading edge than at the circumferentially corresponding point on the opposite trailing edge of the depression; and rotating the roll in a predetermined direction such that as the depression moves past the aperture, the leading edge passes the aperture before the trailing edge, thereby extruding the food material through the ape

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for producing bakery goods, and in one embodiment useful in producing so-called rosettes, comprises forming means for forming the desired shape from batter, and cooking means in the form of a tank for containing heated oil, wherein the tank includes means for moving the bakery goods from the region of original exposure of the batter to the oil to means for turning the goods upside down and re-exposing them to the cooking oil, and means for removing the cooked goods from the cooking oil, wherein said means are arrayed in tandem and have associated means for causing formed products to be moved successively from each of said means to the next in sequence, the apparatus being adapted to maintain the forming means within prescribed temperature limits and substantially entirely free from cooking liquid upon being dipped in the batter.

Abstract: This invention relates to protective apparel for the human body, and in one embodiment comprises an x-ray protective apron having a main body portion and securing flaps to be wrapped around the body to secure the apron in place. The securing flaps are located approximately in the region of the small of the back when in the securing position and are characterized by being variable as to degree of tightness and by being oriented with their outermost ends in a downward direction when in the secured position, thereby effecting fastening of the apron to the body and varying weight distribution of the apron as between the wearer's shoulders and lower back.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of automatic machinery and in one embodiment useful for removing the contents of "blister" packages in ribbon form, comprises a group of three in-line die blocks, which move together in a square motion, having a lateral distance of motion equal to the distance between blister packs on a common ribbon. Sequentially, the first is a positioning die, the second includes a bottom-positioned upward moveable perforating die to perforate an exit hole in the bottom of the package, and the third includes a top positioned downward moveable punch for impinging on the top of the blister and forcing the contents of the package out through the perforated exit hole.