Abstract: A thermoplastic, one-piece coping insert adapted for use with a dental implant anchoring means includes a shaft that fits into an opening in a dental implant, an abutment head joined to the shaft and adapted to conform to, and fit smoothly on, or in the top surface of the dental implant, a bendable restriction or groove to facilitate preferential bending of the insert at the restriction when the insert is heated to the softening temperature of a thermoplastic, and a relatively unbendable post atop the restriction for receiving and supporting a dental prosthesis such as one or more prosthetic teeth.

Abstract: A low voltage switch without moving elements, uses a triac power switching element in series with the AC load. A flip-flop circuit provides latching operation for On and Off functions. The triac is isolated from low-voltage actuating circuitry by an optoisolator which draws power from a step down transformer. The transformer also isolates the AC line from the manual switch circuits. A metal case is heat sink for the triac switching element. A threaded nipple, an integral portion of the casing, can be inserted through plug openings in standard electrical junction boxes to form a continuous heat flow path from the triac into the juncture box.

Abstract: An apparatus for supportably elevating and lowering material handling apparatus having an elongate member includes two arms radiating upwardly from a base. A lower undercarriage arm is pivotably attached to the elongate member, and the lift arm is attached to a roller support which moves along a rail on the elongate member. The roller support and attached lift arm arm moved by a winch-drawn cable. At least one pair of spaced support sheaves is mounted on the elongate member, and the cable passes under the sheaves. At least one riser post extends upwardly from the base and is attached to the lower undercarriage arm so that it intersects the cable between the spaced support sheaves. A sheave mounted on the riser arm intersects and supports the cable when the elongate member is lowered. As the elongate member is lowered, the riser post supports an increasing portion of the downward load.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing animal feeds and the like comprises a rotor having two opposing end assemblies connected by a center shaft for rotation within a mixer box. A flighted outer auger is mounted in the terminal portion of each set of corresponding radial arms of each end assembly, parallel to the center shaft. Each outer auger is rotated by drive means within the first hollow rotor end assembly, powered by a high speed drive shaft, and the entire apparatus is rotated by a low speed drive shaft. The drive shafts extend from opposing end assemblies and are coaxial to the center shaft. An optional center auger or optional intermediately spaced augers, parallel to the center shaft, are rotated by drive means within the second end assembly, driven by one or more outer augers.

Abstract: A push-pull door latch having a pivotally secured handle and handle support perative for rotating a cam member via a pinion member in response to pivotal motion of an elongated leg on the handle support and the engagement of a driver tab on the elongated leg with the pinion member, and with the rotational motion of the cam member driving a slide member in translation, with the slide member connected with a bolt of a bolt assembly and with the translational movement of the slide member moving the bolt to a latched or unlatched position and with the slide member moving the bolt to its unlatched position in response to pivotal motion of the elongated leg by either pushing or pulling on the handle.

Abstract: A central core unit for ventilating and providing utility connections to peripheral workspaces disposed adjacent at least one electrical terminal, includes a cabinet having walls for enclosing the electrical terminal, a workspace fan mounted in a side wall of the cabinet, the workspace fan being operable to draw air from the workspace into a plenum defined by the walls of the cabinet, an air filter mounted in one of the walls of the cabinet, the air filter cleaning air drawn in by the fan and discharging the air back into the workspace and at least one electrical outlet mounted in one of the walls of the cabinet, the outlet providing connection to the electrical terminal through the cabinet.

Abstract: A combination lawn mower cutting blade and removable thatching devices with he thatching devices being selectively adjustable to vary the depth of thatching relative to the depth of cut of the blade.

Abstract: A mercury pump for analyzing geological core samples has a vertically oriented cylindrical cavity in which a lower portion forms a mercury displacement chamber and an upper portion in axial alignment with it forms a sample chamber. A pressure transducer, e.g., a strain gauge or solid-state sensor, in communication with the sample chamber produces an electrical pressure signal. A screw ball jack urges a synthetic-resin piston upwards in the displacement section to push the mercury into the sample chamber. The displacement of the mercury is sensed by an electronic encoder coupled to the hand crank of the jack, and provides data regarding both the direction and the amount of piston displacement. A microprocessor-controlled volume-measuring device has inputs connected to the encoder, and automatically provides core sample data, in response to the signals from the encoder, at the end of a core test run.

Abstract: Compressibility test apparatus and method of testing compressibility. The apparatus includes a holder having a sample chamber for holding a sample in the environment of a confining pressure and means for supplying an internal pressure to the held sample. The sample and various conduits and channels that communicate with the sample define an internal system volume. Connected in this internal system volume is an internal volume adjustment pump that is operable to vary the internal system volume in incremental steps, by which the internal pressure is reduced (or increased) in steps to increase (or reduce) the net confining pressure. As a result, changes in the sample volume as a function of changes in the net confining pressure are determined, from which the compressibility of the sample is obtained.

Abstract: The permeability of a core sample is measured during nonsteady state flow of fluid therethrough. A predetermined test pressure is supplied to an upstream end of the core sample while that sample is disposed in a fixed, closed volume and is subjected to a constant, predetermined confining pressure. The change in pressure across the core sample, with the passage of time, is measured; and the permeability of the core sample is determined as a function of the time-related measure of pressure change.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting and transporting particulate material from directly underneath the discharge outlet of a vehicle includes a collection chamber for receiving the particulate material. An auger is provided to convey particulate material from the collection chamber to an auger chamber for subsequent discharge of the particulate material into a receiving hopper. An extension mechanism is provided which permits telescopic extension of the collection chamber and auger chamber so that the collection chamber may be placed directly underneath the discharge outlet of the vehicle. A vertical positioning mechanism is also provided which allows the collection chamber to be raised from a lowered position to closely abut the discharge outlet of the vehicle. A swivel base mount is further provided so that the collection chamber and auger chamber may be selectively rotated between a position generally parallel to the vehicle and a collecting position under the vehicle.

Abstract: An extrusion machine for making elongated articles of concrete by forcing the concrete through a mold, the article having a relatively large core. The machine is moved forwardly by reaction as the concrete is forced against the molded concrete. A rotatable spiral conveyor extends longitudinally of the mold and moves the concrete through the mold. A nonrotatable forming element in the mold forms the internal cavity. The element is immediately following the downstream end of the conveyor. The forming element has its lower edge positioned so that not more than 10% of the height of the forming element is below the lower edge of the conveyor the lower edge and lower sides of the element being free of any substantial ramp. The longitudinal center line of the element is higher than the center line of the conveyor and includes a ramp extending upwardly from the downstream end of the conveyor. The conveyor forces the concrete over the forming elements to form the concrete article.

Abstract: A viscosimeter measures the viscosity of a fluid, such as a petroleum hydrocarbon liquid, by driving a capillary through the fluid and measuring the pressure drop across the capillary. The viscosimeter comprises a pressure cylinder, a piston within the cylinder having at least one capillary tube, and an arrangement for driving the piston at a known speed so that the fluid is displaced at a known volumetric rate through the capillary tube. Pressure sensors on either end of the cylinder measure the capillary pressure drop. In a preferred embodiment, the piston has a main body and a selector plate. The main body has a plurality of capillary tubes each of a different bore size, and the selector plate is rotatable relative to the main body by rotating a selector handle outside the cylinder. An oven enclosure permits the cylinder, and its fill of fluid, to be heated in an air bath to reservoir temperatures.

Abstract: A core holder is used in the nonsteady-state testing of permeability and other flow characteristics of a geological core sample. A reference pressure reservoir assembly contains a predetermined volume of test gas at a known pressure, and a gas operated valve admits this test gas rapidly to the upstream end of the core sample. The downstream end of the core sample is open to the atmosphere, and the pressure in the reference pressure reservoir assembly is monitored as it decays in time while the test gas passes through the core sample. The gas-operated valve is formed of an upstream plug, a gland fitting the plug, and a valve stem fitting into a generally cylindrical cavity formed in the plug and gland. The valve stem has an enlarged head at one end with an annular slot on a cylindrical surface thereof. This structure minimizes turbulence in the flow of the test gas through the valve assembly.

Abstract: A generally U-shaped channel member is positioned on top of the top surface of a plurality of foam plastic blocks in a horizontal wall segment, and vertically aligned concrete confining openings are formed through both the channel member and the plastic blocks. Concrete or the like is poured into the U-shaped channel and is funneled therefrom into the vertical openings. Once the concrete sets as a rigid supporting structure, the U-shaped channel is permanently retained in the wall structure. The U-shaped channel member is employed for attaching means to the exterior of the completed wall structure. Additional horizontal segments of the wall structure are formed by placing another horizontal layer of plastic blocks and a U-shaped channel member on top of the previously completed horizontal segment.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing the output signal of a gas chromatograph. An interface device receives the analog output signal and digitizes it, reducing the effects of noise and preparing the signal for processing by a digital microprocessor. The microprocessor detects and measures peaks in the signal and determines the desired identification (in order of ascending molecular weight) and concentration (peak amplitude) data. A logarithmic output signal is produced for displaying output signals with wide dynamic ranges on a strip chart recorder.

Abstract: A duplex strainer having a housing with an inlet port and a outlet port. st and second strainer chambers each have first and second ports which are in separate fluid communication with the housing. An efficient scotch yoke design coverts rotation of a first shaft into reciprocal lateral displacement of first and second disk assemblies to permit either the first or second strainer chambers to be closed off to flow while the other of the first and second strainer chambers remain open to flow.

Abstract: An invention in a rock core testing unit vibrator for generating a vibration at a controlled frequency for coupling to a barrel of a rock core test unit wherein a rock core cutting is jammed. In practice, the generator output is controlled to produce a harmonic or natural resonant frequency of the barrel of sufficient intensity to produce a resonant elastic vibration therein to shake that barrel relative to the rock core cuttings, dislodging the rock core cuttings that then fall therefrom under the urgings of gravity.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for grain and like particulate material utilizing a rotatably driven separator bowl having an outwardly inclined peripheral wall, in combination with a vibrator. Vibration and centrifugal force acting on material deposited in the rotating bowl cause it to move outwardly towards the bowl periphery and up the aforesaid inclined wall for selective discharge of relatively heavy and light particles at vertically spaced exit zones formed by a guide baffle assembly adjacent the upper periphery of the inclined wall.

Abstract: A viscosimeter having a first cell containing mercury or other electrically conductive fluid, a second cell containing a sample of fluid of unknown viscosity, and a pair of passages interconnecting the ends of the cells to form a closed circuit. A plurality of electrodes extend into the second cell in spaced relationship with each other along the cell's axis and are connected to an electrical circuit. Upon the opening of valves in the two passages, the conductive fluid urges the sample fluid through one of the passages and flows through the other passage into sequential contact with the electrodes in the second cell. The electrical circuit detects the rate of movement of the conductive fluid past the electrodes and produces an output signal related to the viscosity of the sample.