Abstract: An applicator for drywall mastic can alternatively cover flat drywall joints, outside corner drywall joints, or simultaneously both outside corners on a stub drywall, all with little or no manual adjustment of the applicator. A spring biased lever is pivotally mounted on each side of the applicator. Normally, the bias extends a projection on the lever which rides over the edge of the outside corner in order to guide and direct the applicator as it moves along a corner wall. A circumferential flange on a wheel cooperates with the projection to give greater stability. If the applicator is pressed against a flat wall, the projection is pushed back against the bias of the spring so that the projection has no effect.

Abstract: A mastic applicator includes a guide mechanism mounted to the applicator so that the applicator is maintained in alignment with outside corners during application of mastic. The guide mechanism includes a pair of corner guides which have guide surfaces aligned with the side edges of the outlet from which the mastic flows. The corner guides are spring mounted so that they retract when they are not positioned at a corner, thereby allowing the applicator to be used on both sides of a corner, as well as on flat joints, without adjustment to the applicator. The mechanism also includes a pair of stub guides located on the applicator surface. The stub guides can be slid into position to engage opposite outside corners of a stub wall for effective application of mastic between the outside corners.

Abstract: An improved dishrack for supporting dishware includes multiple subassemblies which are attached to a frame. Each of the subassemblies includes a pair of length wires to which multiple peg wires are attached. The peg wires have peg ends which extend upwardly to help support dishware. The dishrack includes fewer intersection points and thereby traps less dirt and facilitates washing action. A more efficient method of manufacturing dishracks includes the steps of welding wires to form peg mat ladders, forming the peg mat ladders into subassemblies, and attaching the subassemblies to a frame. An apparatus for making a dishrack includes a welding jig, which forms peg ladders, and a forming die, which transforms the peg ladders into subassemblies from which the dishrack is made.

Abstract: A modularly constructed, flexible, expandable conveyor comprises a pair of flexible, expandable X-shaped link assemblies, preferably in the form of a plurality of links pivotally connected to each other in order to form an X-shaped chain. Each X-shaped chain terminates in an end plate having mating bolt holes therein so that successive chains may be joined by passing bolts through the mating bolt holes in overlapped end plates. Then, knurled hand knobs are turned onto the bolts to clamp together the overlapped end plates. The end plates enable the X-shaped chain in any given module to expand or collapse independently of the X-shaped chains in other modules. The conveyor surface preferably includes a field of skate wheels mounted on rods extending between the link assemblies, at spaced locations along the length of the conveyor. The conveyor is sufficiently flexible to be able to form a curved conveyor surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying mastic to a selected surface includes a container for mastic, a pump assembly, and a drywall tool or wand. The pump assembly is positioned in the container so that it draws mastic from the container and delivers it to the drywall tool. The mastic delivered to the drywall tool is applied to the selected surface through a nozzle in the drywall tool. The pump assembly includes a pump, a pneumatic cylinder, and a linking subassembly connecting the pump and the pneumatic cylinder. The pump assembly is operated by an air compressor. The air compressor causes a rod in the pneumatic cylinder to reciprocate. The linking subassembly translates this reciprocation to a piston in the pump assembly. The piston reciprocates within a bore of the pump assembly and draws the mastic from the container. The apparatus is mounted on a hand truck so that it may be moved to different locations.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously rotating and translating a flat article comprises a flat, low-friction table surface and a plurality of conveyor-driven platens. Each platen frictionally engages an article and transports it linearly along the table surface. Simultaneously, a cam slowly rotates the platen, and with it, the article, through a predefined angular displacement, such as 90 degrees. The conveyer drive is implemented as a spaced pair of continuous chain loops supported by sprockets. The platens include a rotatable platen component supported by a structural carriage. Each carriage is connected to the chains at two positions. The front connection is rotatable about an axis transverse to the direction of movement of the carriage, but is otherwise fixed. The rear connection is both rotatable and slidable. The slidable rear connection accommodates necessary variations in linear distance between the front and rear connections as they follow the chain around a sprocket.

Abstract: A powdered, flexible, expandable conveyor comprises a pair of flexible, expandable link assemblies, preferably in the form of a plurality of links pivotally connected to each other in an X-shaped chain. The conveyor surface preferably includes a plurality of individually powered rollers. The individually powered rollers are mounted between the link assemblies at spaced locations along the length of the conveyor. Each of the powered rollers is rotatably driven by a motor housed inside the roller together with an individual gear box. Each motor is electrically connected to a terminal block located outside the powered roller which in turn is connected to a power supply. The gear boxes individually associated with the various motors may have different gear ratios in order to accommodate different loading. The conveyor is sufficiently flexible to be able to form a curved conveyor surface.

Abstract: A tool for applying mastic (mud) to drywalls during the installation thereof. The tool has a quick opening feature for cleaning or manually filling a cavity with mastic. The tool is pivotally connected on the end of a handle with a controlled friction. A double-edged blade shapes the mastic as it is applied to the wall. The blade may be reversed when one edge becomes nicked or otherwise unusable.

Abstract: There is provided a conveyor wheel comprising a male hub, a female hub mateably engaging the male hub, an outer wheel hub having an outer circumference for supporting an object, and a plurality of ball bearings supporting the outer wheel hub with respect to the mateably engaged male and female hubs. The outer wheel hub includes at least one rib of substantially triangular cross-section in the outer circumference. A wheel or roller conveyor including a plurality of the conveyor wheels is also disclosed.

Abstract: A corner finishing tool having means to contain a supply of mastic and having generally perpendicular means defining a corner with wear pads.

Abstract: A looper assembly for a two thread bag closing sewing machine in a simple arc within a single plane on one side of a moving needle, the plane being parallel to the needle axis and intersecting the line of movement of the bags at an angle of less than 45 degrees to reduce thread wear and breakage. A process of stitching the bags utilizing looper movement within a single plane is also disclosed.

Abstract: An auto-ranging sight includes an optical viewer that includes a reticle within the viewer. The reticle is a liquid crystal display having a plurality of horizontal lines which can individually be selected to be visible. A distance measuring device is provided for measuring distance from the sight to a target. Parameter information is input to a microprocessor to describe the flight of a projectile. The microprocessor also receives the distance information. The microprocessor then determines the required elevation for the optical viewer and attached weapon. It then selects one of the horizontal lines as the visible horizontal cross-hair. The operator then aligns the horizontal and vertical cross-hairs seen through the viewer such that the projectile can be accurately directed to the target. Optionally, a group of liquid crystal display vertical lines can be provided to accommodate windage adjustment for aiming the target.

Abstract: A connector or clip for grounding one or more electrical conducting leads in a microelectronic circuit case. A connector in the form of a metal plate attached to a wall of a case and to an insulated lead projecting through the wall, providing an electrical conducting path between the lead and the case. A connector plate with a flat face and a slot therein, and in one embodiment with an outwardly projecting tab at the bottom of the slot, with the connector being suitable for attachment by low temperature and high temperature brazing and spot welding.

Abstract: An exhaust gas sensor (10) is disclosed which includes a sensor element (12) and a member (48). The member (48) includes a hollow tube (50) and a seal disk (58). The seal disk (58) is urged into sealing engagement with an annular surface (14) on the sensor element (12) to prevent exhaust gas from entering the interior (26) of the sensor element (12). The inner electrode (22) of the sensor element (12) extends to the annular surface (14) in an annular ring (88). The seal disk (58) is permitted to contact the inner electrode (22) about the entire periphery of the ring (88).

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the porosity of sintered metal coatings on zirconium oxide ceramics comprising the placing of the metallic coated zirconium oxide part in an acid solution, heating the solution to a temperature below the boiling temperature of the acid, maintaining the part in the acid solution for a sufficient period of time to increase the porosity to a predetermined amount, and removing the part from the acid solution.

Abstract: An improved self-oiling system for the drive shaft and feed dog assembly of a portable, bag-closing sewing machine utilizes a drive shaft having an internal axial oil channel, an upper radial oil bore which extends from the oil channel to the outer periphery of the shaft to confront the lower main drive shaft bearing, and a lower radial oil passage which extends between the oil channel and the outer periphery of a feed dog eccentric cam which is integral with the lower end of the drive shaft. Oil is supplied to the lower main drive shaft bearing for further downward distribution along the bore, channel and passage to the outer periphery of the feed dog cam which is rotatably received in the feed dog block. An oil passage within the feed dog block delivers oil from the feed dog cam radial oil passage to a slide bearing within the block to lubricate the interface between a guide post and the slide bearing. Annular recesses are provided on the shaft and post to further enhance transfer of oil within the machine.

Abstract: A combined pump and oil reservoir and oil delivery apparatus directs oil to the internal chambers of a portable sewing machine where oil is distributed by pump pressure, gravity flow, capillary action, wicking, misting and movement of machine components. Oil is pumped into a manifold leading to upper and lower main drive shaft bearings and to the needle driving assembly for subsequent dispersion during rotation and reciprocation of machine parts to fling such oil outwardly within the internal chambers to oil machinery both directly and by misting.

Abstract: A combined pump and oil reservoir and oil delivery apparatus directs oil to the internal chambers of a portable sewing machine where oil is distributed by pump pressure, gravity flow, capillary action, wicking, misting and movement of machine components. Oil is pumped into a manifold leading to upper and lower main drive shaft bearings and to the needle driving assembly for subsequent dispersion during rotation and reciprocation of machine parts to fling such oil outwardly within the internal chambers to oil machinery both directly and by misting.