Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a non-heat-treatable high strength aluminum sheet from aluminum scraps using a continuous caster. The method includes providing a molten aluminum non-heat-treatable alloy including Si about 0.7% max., Fe about 0.8% max., Cu about 0.3% max., Mn about 0.5-1.2%, Mg about 1.3-2.8%, Zn about 0.20% max., Cr about 0.2% max., Zr about 0.30% max., Sr about 0.30 max., the remainder aluminum, incidental elements and impurities; and continuously casting the molten aluminum alloy into a slab and rolling the slab into a sheet product with high strength and reasonable formability. Typically, the sheet product is used for the products, such as truck trailer siding panel or electrical conduits for the building industry.

Abstract: A method for producing aluminum drive shafts from molten aluminum alloy using a continuous caster to cast the alloy into a slab. The method comprises providing a molten aluminum alloy consisting essentially of 0.2 to 0.8 wt. % Si, 0.05 to 0.4 wt. % Cu, 0.45 to 1.2 wt. % Mg, 0.04 to 0.35 wt. % Cr, 0.7 wt. % max. Fe, 0.15 wt. % max. Mn, 0.25 wt. % max. Zn, 0.15 wt. % max. Ti, the remainder aluminum, incidental elements and impurities and providing a continuous caster such as a belt caster for continuously casting the molten aluminum alloy. The molten aluminum alloy is cast into a slab which is rolled into a sheet product. After solution heat treatment, the sheet product is formed into a tube having a seam which is welded to provide a seam welded tube. The seam welded tube is placed in a forming die and hydroformed to form the drive shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sound barrier system 10 including a sound barrier panel 20 having a face skin panel 30 held in spaced relation from a back skin panel 40 by a filler material 50. Each sound barrier panel 20 is provided with a tongue and groove design that permits panels 20 to be stacked in an interlocking fashion without fastening hardware.

Abstract: A process for producing aluminum sheet product having a controlled grain structure and texture using a continuous caster to cast molten aluminum into a slab comprising the steps of providing a source of molten aluminum and continuously casting the molten aluminum into a slab using a continuous caster; continuously rolling the slab into a sheet product and continuously annealing the sheet product in a controlled temperature range; measuring grain structure and texture of the sheet product to provide a grain structure and texture related signal on a continuous basis; and relaying the signal to a controller. In the controller, comparing the signal to previous signals reflecting grain structure and texture of the sheet product to provide a comparison; and in response to the comparison, maintaining or changing heat input to the process upwardly or downwardly to increase or decrease the temperature to produce aluminum sheet having the desired grain structure and texture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing aluminum vehicular frame members such as frame members from molten aluminum alloy using a continuous caster to cast the alloy into a slab. The method comprises providing a molten aluminum alloy consisting essentially of 2.7 to 3.6 wt. % Mg, 0.1 to 0.4 wt. % Mn, 0.02 to 0.2 wt. % Si, 0.05 to 0.30 wt. % Fe, 0.1 wt. % max. Cu, 0.1 wt. % max. Cr, 0.2 wt. % max. Zr, the remainder aluminum, incidental elements and impurities and providing a continuous caster such as a belt caster for continuously casting the molten aluminum alloy. The molten aluminum alloy is cast into a slab which is rolled into a sheet product and then annealed. The sheet has an improved distribution of intermetallic particles (Al—Fe—Mn) and improved formability. Thereafter, the sheet product is formed into a tube having a seam which is welded to provide a seam welded tube. The seam welded tube is placed in a forming die and hydroformed to form the frame member.

Abstract: An apparatus for restraining an animal includes a belt capable of being worn about the torso of a person. The belt has interior and exterior surfaces. A slide member formed from a length of flexible substantially non-stretchable material has two ends secured to the exterior surface of the belt. A slide member extends along a substantial length of the exterior surface of the belt in adjacent parallel relationship to the belt. A coupling member is slidably mounted along the slide member. The apparatus includes a lead having proximal and distal ends with respect to the person's torso. The distal end is securable to the animal and the proximal end is securable to the coupling member. Sliding of the coupling member along the slide member allows the lead to slide a substantial distance relative to the belt so that the animal can move a substantial distance about the person.

Abstract: An apparatus for restraining an animal includes a belt capable of being worn about the torso of a person. The belt has interior and exterior surfaces. A slide member formed from a length of flexible substantially non-stretchable material has two ends secured to the exterior surface of the belt. A slide member extends along a substantial length of the exterior surface of the belt in adjacent parallel relationship to the belt. A coupling member is slidably mounted along the slide member. The apparatus includes a lead having proximal and distal ends with respect to the person's torso. The distal end is securable to the animal and the proximal end is securable to the coupling member. Sliding of the coupling member along the slide member allows the lead to slide a substantial distance relative to the belt so that the animal can move a substantial distance about the person.