Abstract: A process for forming sheet metal material having a yield strength and tensile strength which are sensitive to small changes in temperature at ambient conditions, wherein an unheated sheet metal workpiece is drawn between a concave die cavity and a mating convex punch by relative movement therebetween into the internal configuration of the die, and wherein the workpiece is selectively cooled in those areas which are susceptible to breakage. Cooling may be effected by cooling portions of the punch, or in complex part designs by cooling localized portions of the die, or both. The amount of cooling is relatively slight and may be only that required to remove heat generated by plastic deformation of the workpiece in the areas susceptible to breakage.

Abstract: A high temperature continuous strip anneal is added to the routings for both high permeability cube-on-edge oriented silicon steel having a permeability at 796 A/m of more than about 1850 and regular cube-on-edge oriented silicon steel having a permeability at 796 A/m of less than about 1850. For both grades of cube-on-edge oriented silicon steel the high temperature anneal is performed after the decarburization step and before the final high temperature box anneal during which the final desired orientation and magnetic characteristics are achieved. The post decarburization anneal results in improvements in both permeability and core loss.

Abstract: A method of preparing the surfaces of steel strip and sheet stock for fluxless hot dip coating with molten metal by passing the stock through a first heating zone containing the hot gaseous products of combustion of a sulfur-bearing gaseous fuel with air, continuing the heating in a further heating zone, and cooling the stock approximately to the temperature of the molten coating metal in a reducing atmosphere. The radiant energy absorptivity of the stock is increased by forming a visible sulfur and oxygen rich layer thereon in the first heating zone and preserving the layer throughout the further heating zone. Coke oven gas may be used as fuel in the first heating zone.

Abstract: A dual track system whereby a transfer car can be turned at least 90.degree. in a minimum amount of space. The track system comprises a first set of parallel railroad-type rails of a standard size and cross section for the wheels of the lead truck of a transfer car and a second set of parallel railroad-type rails of the same size and cross section for the wheels of the following truck of the same transfer car. The first and second sets of rails are parallel to each other and overlapped with the right hand rails of each set lying in close proximity to each other and the left hand rails of each set lying in close proximity to each other. At the point where the transfer car is to begin its 90.degree.

Abstract: A reinforcing plate for use underneath two or more lapped thin gauge sheets to stiffen the lapped joint for prevention of damage to the seal from loading and to provide uniform compressant of sealant between the lapped sheets. The plate comprises an elongated planar member having pairs of parallel cuts evenly spaced along its length extending transversely from one edge thereof for substantially one half its width, the material between each of the pairs of cuts being bent into a down turned mounting flange of L-shaped cross section.

Abstract: Method and means for continuously contact-coating one side only of a ferrous base metal strip with a molten coating metal. One or more roll means are provided to conduct the strip surface to be coated above the surface of a bath of the molten coating metal. The strip surface to be coated is caused to travel sufficiently close to the molten coating metal bath surface that the surface tension and wetting characteristics of the coating metal will permit the formation of a meniscus which will continuously contact and coat the strip surface. The coating is subjected to jet finishing. The strip is maintained in a protective non-oxidizing atmosphere at least until the one side thereof is coated. The strip may be maintained in the protective non-oxidizing atmosphere until it is sufficiently cooled to prevent the formation of a visible oxide on the uncoated side thereof.

Abstract: Interlocked channel section panels having an interlocking joint wherein the male and female members are provided with deformable hook portions. During field assembly the female member overlies the male member with the outer surface of the corresponding upstanding members and upper portions of the male and female members adapted to mate throughout their lengths, and the deformable flange hook portions of the male and female members are capable of being reformed so as to conform intimately to effect continuous, positive interlocking of male and female ribs. A clip connector, including a body portion tightly sandwiched between associated corresponding upstanding members, upper portions and deformable flange hook portions of the sidewalls of the coupled panels, and a foot at the other end of the body portion of the clip connector anchored to a supporting member and fastening the connector along with the coupled panels to the supporting member, is also provided.

Abstract: An austenitic stainless steel which in wrought or cast, and annealed, condition exhibits excellent galling resistance, excellent stress corrosion resistance in chloride-containing environments, good resistance against intergranular corrosion, good high temperature oxidation resistance, and a high work hardening rate. The broad composition range is, in weight percent, about 13 to about 19% chromium, about 13 to about 19% nickel, 0.5 to about 4% manganese, 3.5 to about 7% silicon, up to about 0.15% carbon, less than 0.04% nitrogen, about 0.05% maximum phosphorus, about 0.05% maximum sulfur, and balance essentially iron except for incidental impurities. The steel can be readily worked with conventional equipment and has particular utility for applications in which moving metal-to-metal contact, corrosive attack and/or elevated temperature are encountered in combination. The steel can also be cast into articles of ultimate use, or utilized in powder metallurgy techniques.

Abstract: A segmented cylindrical reinforced plastic manhole structure comprising a cylindrical body surmounted by a transition element. The transition element is adapted to support a conventional manhole cover and frame assembly and has an opening closable by the manhole cover. The manhole structure body comprises a plurality of curved, nestable segments of cast or molded reinforced plastic material. Each segment is provided with vertical side edges configured to provide an interlocking joint between it and an adjacent segment and the segments may be so sized as to require two, three or more segments to complete the circumference of the manhole structure body. Each segment is provided with horizontal top and bottom edges configured to provide an interlocking joint between it and an adjacent segment thereabove or therebelow so that the segments may be arranged in tiers to provide a manhole structure body of desired height.

Abstract: A gate assembly has a frame with a sill and an opening for the passage of a fluid, and a gate slide mounted on said frame for movement toward and away from said sill, between open and closed positions. The improvement, in combination therewith, comprises a first flange projecting from the frame on both sides of the opening, a resilient sealing member fixed to the first flange, and a second flange substantially identical to the first flange projecting from the back side of the gate slide. The first and second flanges are so positioned that, when the gate slide is in the closed position against the sill, the first and second flanges overlap and the resilient sealing member is compressed so as to produce a water tight seal.

Abstract: A power grid for a fluidized bed for electrostatically depositing a powdered plastic coating material from the bed onto an elongated metal substrate moving in a path of travel above the upper surface of the bed on a substantially horizontal pass line. The power grid includes two co-planar wire mesh elements positioned beneath the surface of the bed, the elements having opposed edges in parallel spaced relationship and defining a gap therebetween beneath the pass line. The edges are upturned to form a plurality of electrode segments, the tips of the electrode segments being substantially coincident with the upper surface of the bed when energized. In operation the electrode segments form a row of localized corona discharges to either side of the passing substrate to effect electrostatic deposition of a thin uniform film coating of the powdered material thereon.

Abstract: Method and means for continuously contact-coating one side only of a ferrous base metal strip with a molten coating metal. One or more roll means are provided to conduct the strip surface to be coated above the surface of a bath of the molten coating metal. The strip surface to be coated is caused to travel sufficiently close to the molten coating metal bath surface that the surface tension and wetting characteristics of the coating metal will permit the formation of a meniscus which will continuously contact and coat the strip surface. The coating is subjected to jet finishing. The strip is maintained in a protective non-oxidizing atmosphere at least until the one side thereof is coated. The strip may be maintained in the protective non-oxidizing atmosphere until it is sufficiently cooled to prevent the formation of a visible oxide on the uncoated side thereof.

Abstract: A gate valve for high and low pressure service conditions. Flanges extend from side edges of the gate member, the width of the gate member through the flanges being substantially identical to the diameter of the cylindrical valve chamber in the valve body. A relief is provided on either side of the valve chamber and so positioned that the flanges are received therein when the gate member is in the closed position, whereby the gate member is not guided in the closed position to eliminate any possible binding thereof. A cylindrical recess is formed in the wall of the valve chamber encircling each inlet and outlet opening, the recesses being concentric, and a valve seat is received in each recess.

Abstract: A method of finishing a molten metallic coating on metallic strip wherein an elongated subsonic fluid jet, preferably ambient air, is impinged across the molten coating on the upwardly moving strip, the narrow dimension of the jet being increased progressively from the center to each end thereof by contouring the nozzle orifice through which the jet is discharged, adjusting the distance from the nozzle orifice to the strip relative to the narrow dimension of the orifice adjacent the strip edge to satisfy the relation Z.sub.o = .phi.d whereZ.sub.o = distance from orifice to strip.phi. = length of near-field region, expressed as a multiple of dd = narrow dimension of orifice at strip edge,And minimizing the ratio of fluid jet pressure to ambient pressure for a desired minimum coating thickness, whereby to obtain optimum finishing performance and to minimize ripples and edge build-up of coating metal. A high efficiency nozzle is disclosed wherein .phi. = 8 to 10 in the equation Z.sub.o = .phi.d.

Abstract: An improved hydraulically driven wire spooler for winding wire on spools at a uniform linear winding speed with means for manually adjusting base winding speed.

Abstract: A rolling support for moving scaffolding alongside the side or end of a building under construction, the support including frame structure which rigidly connects two outriggers together, a leading outrigger and a trailing outrigger, each of such outriggers having a near-side traveling wheel to ride on an exposed structural roof member adjacent the side or end of a building, and a far side force roller which extends beneath a parallel exposed structural roof member inwardly from the side or end of the building, the outriggers being parallel to one another and riding on parallel exposed structural roof members. The near-side travel wheel bears down on its exposed roof member and exerts substantial downward pressure thereon while the far-side force roller bears upwardly against the underside of its exposed roof member. Remote controlled motor means are mounted on the frame so as to drive the near-side traveling wheel.

Abstract: Blind fastening means for fastening thin materials together without crushing them. Such means comprises a blind rivet sleeve, a blind rivet pin provided with a head to engage the blind end of the sleeve, and spacing means provided intermediate the blind end of the sleeve and the head thereof. As the head of the pin is drawn against the blind end of the sleeve an enlarged blind head forms at the blind side of the materials being fastened while the spacer means engages the interior side of the uppermost of the materials being fastened whereby to prevent crushing of such materials. In one instance the spacer means comprises a spacer sleeve. In a modification the spacer means comprises a second enlarge blind head. The various enlarged blind heads may be achieved in several ways.

Abstract: A seam crimping apparatus for crimping standing seams of building panels.

Abstract: In offshore platforms and the like of the type comprising a structure, such as a hull, and a plurality of upright legs for supporting the structure on the floor of a body of water, the invention provides an improved rack-and-pinion type jacking apparatus for connecting the structure to the legs in vertically adjustable fashion. For each leg, at least one dual rack bar is employed, the rack bar having two opposed sets of rack teeth each extending along a different one of the two edges of the bar. A jacking unit is mounted on the structure adjacent each rack bar and includes at least one pair of drive pinions with the pinions of the pair each meshed with a different one of the two sets of rack teeth, so that the two pinions are opposed across the rack bar. When the legs each comprise a number of tubular column members, one of the dual rack bars is provided for each of a plurality of the column members of each leg.

Abstract: A method of preparing carbon steel strip and sheet for hot dip metallic coating in a Selas-type direct-fired furnace, wherein the atmosphere in the furnace is controlled to contain from about 3% oxygen to about 2% excess combustibles by volume, thereby forming a thin iron oxide film on the carbon steel surfaces. The strip and sheet is then heated in a subsequent furnace containing at least 5% hydrogen by volume at a temperature sufficient to reduce the oxide film, viz., at least about 675.degree. C. The direct-fired furnace is preferably operated at stoichiometrically equivalent fuel:air ratios.