Abstract: There is provided a surface alloyed component which comprises a base alloy with a diffusion barrier layer enriched in silicon and chromium being provided adjacent thereto. An enrichment pool layer is created adjacent said diffusion barrier and contains silicon and chromium and optionally titanium or aluminum. A reactive gas treatment may be used to generate a replenishable protective scale on the outermost surface of said component.

Abstract: A drum winch is replaced with a traction winch module. The traction winch module is mounted on and supported by the existing mooring winch frame of the drum winch. The traction winch module includes a traction frame, a front traction drum, and a rear traction drum. A portion of the drive system from the drum winch may be retained and used to drive the traction winch module. In one embodiment, the traction winch module is designed to mount between pillow blocks from the existing mooring winch frame. In addition, the power train and load-sensing systems from the existing drum winch may be used with the converted traction winch to drive the drive shaft and to provide the converted traction winch with tension information, respectively.

Abstract: A blade punch for forming teeth in a connector plate, the blade punch comprising an elongated blade having a metal working tip at one end and a shank at the other end. The blade has an elongated cross-section defined by opposing parallel spaced planar side walls and opposing ends. Each end comprises a major end wall and a minor end wall which converge to end wall intersections, where the end wall intersections are eccentric to a plane parallel to and midway between said side walls. Each end wall intersects a side wall at an obtuse angle. The metal working tip has opposed air cut faces abutting one another along an air cut edge and opposed first and second forming faces, each of the forming faces abutting one of the air cut faces along an exterior edge. Each of the air cut faces is bordered by a portion of one of the minor end walls, a portion of one of the side walls, the air cut edge, and one of the exterior edges.

Abstract: A furniture box spring frame for manufactured for high volume production. The furniture box spring frame has a first side panel and a second side panel. Each of the side panels is interconnected by a plurality of connector plates. The panels are assembled using truss assembly technology, realizing an increased rate of production. A first connecting member extends from a first end surface of the first panel to a first end surface of the second panel. A second connecting member extends from the second end surface of the first panel to the second end surface of the second panel. A plurality of notches are correspondingly defined in each of the side panels along a top edge surface. A plurality of slats are received and secured to a bottom planar surface of each of the plurality of notches. The plurality of slats extend from the first side panel to the second side panel.

Abstract: An improved end tank-to-header joint is disclosed. An end tank is formed with a flange portion that has at least one groove therein. A gasket having a predetermined cross-sectional shape is provided with at least one tongue portion that is adapted to engage the groove in an interference fit, thereby integrating the gasket with the end tank. A header is crimped to form a channel. The channel has a shape the corresponds to the shape of the gasket, such that the gasket is fully seated within the channel. A distal end of the header is then crimped around the flange of the end tank to ensure a fluid-tight seal at the joint.

Abstract: An intermodal bulk container includes a rigid outer frame having end frames interconnected by two upper trusses and two lower trusses. The lower trusses each form a respective sill. A container vessel is mounted within the outer frame and includes a cylindrical shell that forms lower openings. Hoppers are mounted in the shell to extend out of the lower openings, and these hoppers are joined to an interior surface of the shell above the openings. First and second domed end portions are secured to the shell to close respective ends of the shell. Lower support plates are secured to an exterior surface of the shell, and these lower support plates are secured to the sills to secure the vessel within the frame. The outer frame is fabricated as upper and lower frame portions that are completed prior to assembly with the vessel. The upper and lower frame portions are then separated and the vessel is installed in the lower frame portion.

Abstract: A sawing system is provided having a material conveyor for moving lengths of wood stock through the sawing system. According to one aspect of the invention, the material conveyor is preferably inclined upward from a frontal loading end to facilitate the loading of wood stock. The material conveyor is also preferably adjustable to accommodate different lengths of wood stock. According to another aspect of the invention, the sawing system has at least first and second power saws on one side of the material conveyor and at least third and fourth power saws on the opposite side of the material conveyor. Each of the four power saws is supported for independent angular movement of its saw blade about a pivot axis that is offset from the plane of the saw blade and parallel to the direction of the movement of the lengths of wood stock on the material conveyor. At least one of the first and second power saws is supported for horizontal movement relative to the material conveyor.

Abstract: A gantry press adjustment apparatus for vertically adjusting a parallel gantry press (10) with respect to a work surface (77). The gantry press has a rigid frame with a first side frame portion (12) and a second side frame portion (14), and a press roller (16) mounted therebetween. Each side frame portion has first and second generally parallel vertical members (28, 30). The adjustment apparatus has first and second planar members (40) which are adapted to receive and support the axle (60) of the press roller. The planar members are slidably mounted along a vertical axis of the frame portions. First vertical adjustment members (100, 200) are connected to the first side frame portion and to the first planar member, and second vertical adjustment members (300, 400) are connected to the second side frame portion and to the second planar member. A drive (134) is connected with each of the adjustment members to adjust each member at a substantially equivalent rate.

Abstract: A pitch break connector is provided. The pitch break connector has an outside and inside rigid member. Each member has a first generally U-shaped channel defined by a spine member between first and second legs. Each member has a first and a second pivot end portion. A hinge pivotally connects the inside and outside members through the pivot end portions in a generally longitudinally opposing position. In this configuration, the first and second end portions of the inside member can be pivotally accepted into a cavity defined by the generally U-shaped channel of the outside member when the members are pivoted about the hinge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a glass container in a blow-and-blow process. The apparatus includes an air flow controller having a housing defining a chamber, a piston disposed for reciprocal movement from a first position to a second position within the housing for moving a slide block therein, first and second passages extending through the slide block, a first port in the housing in flow communication with the second passage and a transducer when the piston is in its second position to create a negative air flow through the second passage and first port when a pressurized air flow is induced through the transducer to draw a vacuum beneath a gob in a blank mold to form a finish in the gob and sweep debris away from the gob and blank mold, and a second port in communication with the first passage and first port when the piston is in its first position to provide pressurized air to the gob.

Abstract: An air restriction indicating device for measuring very low ranges of filter restriction (e.g., on the order of 0.0 to 1.5 inches of H.sub.2 O or 0.0 to 0.54 psi) in a micronfilter used in vehicular heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The indicating device includes a housing that is separated into two sub-chambers by a flexible diaphragm. A indicating member is carried by the diaphragm so that the diaphragm and the indicating member move, within the housing, responsively to changes in the pressure of the air flowing in the HVAC system caused by restrictions in or clogging of the micronfilter. To facilitate reading, the indicating device also includes structure that progressively locks the diaphragm and indicating member in position.

Abstract: The connector plate has a rigid, planar base, and a plurality of adjacent elongated slots defined in said metal plate. The slots are offset in a sinusoidal pattern having at least one cycle with a maximum amplitude slot position, minimum amplitude slot position and at least two zero-point slot position. Each slot has first and second reverse-oriented mirror-image teeth extending from the plate at opposing ends of each slot.

Abstract: An improved fastener securing framing members to metal studs is provided. The fastener has rigid shank, an integral head, a self-tapping or drilling tip, and a first and a second spaced apart buttress threads. The shank has a generally circular cross-section and a longitudinally extending axis. The head integrally extends a first end of the shank and has a top portion and an underside. The self-drilling tip is extends from a second end of the shank. The first buttress thread is formed in said shank and is adjacent the head and partially traverses the shank, terminating from the shank's second end. The second buttress thread is formed in the shank and sufficiently spaced apart from the first buttress thread such that the first thread does not continue to threadingly feed the shank through an aperture formed by the self-drilling tip, the second buttress thread terminating adjacent the tip.

Abstract: A packing having a flexible core and a skin of expanded intercalated graphite with an adhesive layer, baked for a predetermined period at a predetermined temperature for reduced adhesive flowability while maintaining tack for holding the skin wrapped around the core of the packing and a method of manufacturing such packing.

Abstract: An adjustable hanging bracket having an elongated spine with a longitudinal axis. The spine has a first portion and a second portion. First and second opposed ears extend from the first portion of the spine in a direction transverse to the axis. Each of the ears have distal ends. First and second opposed flanges extend from the spine in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis and are adjacent to the first and second ears. The first and second flanges form an arcuate taper towards the second portion of the spine. A first and a second seat tab extend longitudinally from the second portion of the spine in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis and forman acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spine. Each of the seat tabs have distal ends. The flanges define a plurality of fastener openings. The openings are aligned about a plurality of vertically spaced axes.

Abstract: A passive riser tensioner apparatus for tensioning riser pipes on floating platforms and tension leg platforms utilizes one or more elongate elastic tensioning elements connected at top and bottom ends to the upper end of a riser pipe that are capable of being axially stretched. Each tensioning element has a threaded length adjustment rod and tension preload nut at its top end which adjusts the axial length to produce a predetermined preload tension force in the tensioning element between its connection to the riser pipe. A riser support collar slidably received on the length adjustment rod and riser pipe upper end is configured to be supported on the deck of the platform and allow axial movement of the riser pipe. A tension locking nut on the length adjustment rod releasably engages the length adjustment rod with the riser support collar when it is supported on the deck.

Abstract: An indicating device includes a housing that is separated into two sub-chambers by a flexible diaphragm. A indicating member is carried by the diaphragm so that the diaphragm and the indicating member move, within the housing, responsively to changes in the pressure of the air flowing through an air intake system caused by restrictions in or clogging of the air intake filter. The indicating device incorporates an electromechanical sensor for monitoring the position of the diaphragm and producing an output signal responsive thereto. In one embodiment, the sensor is a potentiometer which produces an output signal which varies continuously between a first value when the diaphragm is at its unrestricted position and a second value when the diaphragm is at its restricted position. In a second embodiment, the sensor includes a switching circuit which produces a switched output signal which varies between at least three states corresponding to three different diaphragm positions.

Abstract: A method of assembling a furniture box spring frame comprises the steps of:providing at least two truss-assembled side panels comprising the steps of providing a top beam, a bottom beam, a first end piece, a second end piece and a plurality of connector plates;positioning the top beam, the bottom beam, the first end piece, the second piece and the plurality of connector plates on a template; and assembling the top beam, the bottom beam, the first end piece, the second piece and the plurality of connector plates into a panel by compressing the pieces together;providing a plurality of connecting members and a plurality of slats;interconnecting the at least two sides panels with the plurality of connecting members such that the at least two sides panels are spaced apart and generally parallel to each other, andattaching the plurality of slats in notches across a top surface of the at least two sides panels which define a plurality of notches with diverging sides, to form a generally planar surface.

Abstract: A spring-biased latch is disclosed for removably attaching a first component, such as a seat, to an elongate member, such as the tubular frame of a wheelchair. The spring-biased latch comprises a body portion having a top and a pair of leg members that are adapted to removably receive an elongate member, a catch arm pivotally attached to the top of the body portion, and a release lever pivotally attached to the top of the body portion. The catch arm and release lever are configurable in a first position where the inboard end of the release lever abuts the inboard end of the catch arm such that the catch arm braces a portion of the wheelchair seat between the outboard end of the catch arm and the tubular frame of the wheelchair.

Abstract: An improved table for use in a truss assembly apparatus is provided. The improved table includes a frame supporting a plurality of panels that define a work surface. According to a first aspect, the plurality of panels are separated by at least one opening extending across the table. Mountings are provided for rotationally mounting a lead screw across the table along the opening between the panels. At least one jig stop carrier is threadedly coupled to the lead screw and movable along the lead screw in the opening between the panels across the table in response to rotation of the lead screw. A jig stop is connected to the jig stop carrier and to project above the work surface of the table. To vertically adjust the height of the jig stop mounted to the jig stop carrier, which is coupled to the lead screw, at least one threaded shank is fixed on each of the mountings. The threaded shank extends through an aperture in the frame of the table to selectively position the mountings on the frame.