Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying a snap fastener to a sheet of material, wherein the snap fastener includes a cap member having fastening means extending outwardly thereof and further includes a fastener member that is formed to receive the fastening means for interlocking said cap and fastener members on opposite sides of the sheet material, the apparatus including an annular flexible member that is movable into engaging relation with the sheet material as the fastening means of the cap member are penetrated therethrough, the annular flexible member circumscribing the area of sheet material through which the prongs are inserted and radially stretching the circumscribed area as said prongs are penetrated through the material so as to prevent wrinkling of the material after the application of the snap fastener thereto.

Abstract: An adjustable recessed electrical lighting fixture utilizing an electrical socket which engages a lamp. A mounting plate surrounds at least a portion of the lamp. A frame having a pair of legs pivotally connects the mounting plate and provides support for the electrical socket. The frame is pivoted in relation to the mounting plate to provide adjustment about a horizontal axis. A race which contacts at least a portion of the mounting plate is movable in relation to the mounting plate to provide adjustment about a vertical axis.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system wherein a valve in a line is moved between flow controlling positions by means of a fluid-operated actuator. The admission and exhaustion of line fluid to and from the actuator is controlled by sensors which are automatically responsive to predetermined high and low pressure of the line fluid.

Abstract: A chick cage system particularly adapted for the raising of chicks into pullets including upper and lower cage rows, the upper cage rows overlying the lower cage rows for approximately one-half of their width. The feed trough in the lower cage is offset laterally from beneath the upper cages so as not to be contaminated by falling manure. The upper cages, within which the chicks are started, include a barrier for reducing the size of the cage and a feed saver mechanism swingable with the barrier. The troughs run centrally of the cages to permit bird access thereto from both sides.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing pulley rims has a first press, for initially shaping a pulley rim from a pulley rim blank, a second press, for final shaping of the pulley rim, and a clamping assembly for holding and transporting a pulley rim blank between the first press and the second press. Each of the first and second presses include a pair of dies with opposing frusto-conical portions, one of each pair of dies having a cylindrical forward extension which is adapted to extend into a central bore in the other of the pair of dies. The clamping assembly has a pair of semi-cylindrical clamping members with opposed clamping surfaces shaped to conform to the circumference of a finished pulley rim.

Abstract: An egg transporting system having a plurality of egg belt conveyors leading from cages of a poultry installation includes a transition mechanism for dividing and orienting the eggs at the output end of each of the egg belt conveyors into a plurality of separate rows and depositing the eggs on an elevator. The elevator includes a plurality of endless loop belts on which there is attached egg transporting cradles for receiving eggs from the transition mechanism at vertically and horizontally-spaced input locations at the input side of the elevator and for transporting the eggs to the opposite side of the elevator and releasing them onto a main conveyor which extends in communication with several egg elevators for accumulating and collecting eggs from the poultry installation. The transition and elevator mechanism cooperate to provide a minimum of egg breakage and a maximum conveying speed for transferring eggs from the egg belt conveyors onto the main conveyor.

Abstract: A reinforcement member for use in conjunction with multi-tiered layer cage assemblies. The member is fitted between the diverging back walls of the uppermost rows of cages. It is formed from a metal channel having tabs formed in its ends, the tabs receiving individual wires forming the cage back walls.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method and apparatus for fabricating a pulley which the pulley rim is fabricated from a cylindrically-shaped blank of constant diameter which is deformed by relatively movable die forming members so as to form a ring having a V-shaped cross section which may then be assembled to a hub member. Auxiliary forming dies are also disclosed which may assist in the proper formation of the V-shaped cross section. In another form, the pulley rim is fabricated with multiple annular V-grooves. Apparatus effective for carrying out the above method is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An array of vertically spaced rows of poultry cages are mounted on opposite sides of A-frame end supports with the uppermost rows engaging and secured to one another along a corner to provide additional stability to the frame. Load transferring hooks are coupled between vertically spaced cages to provide support for the inwardly projecting ends of the cages while the cages at opposite ends of the subassembly are mounted to the legs of the A-frame by brackets. Longitudinally formed struts extend and are coupled along the top edge of each row of cages for providing longitudinal strength to the cages while simultaneously compressively gripping a manure shield draped over a rear inclined surface of each of the cages. Improved integrally formed tab means are formed in a support bracket at the end of each row of cages for interlocking subassemblies in an installation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pressure relief valve having an inlet to the interior thereof which comprises a passageway including an annular sealing member of resilient sealing material which has a sealing lip about its inner diameter adjacent its outer end, and a valve element slidably reciprocable within the sealing member between a closed position in which its one end extends through and beyond the lip of the sealing member, so as to contain fluid from a source to which the inlet is connected, and an open position in which its lower end is removed from within the sleeve so as to permit said fluid from the inlet to be exhausted through an outlet or vent port from the interior of the valve.

Abstract: The specification discloses an energy absorbing structure having a rod-like lateral cross section such as a hand rail, steering wheel or the like in which an inner structural member is made of a material capable of providing rigid structural strength, but being frangible upon sharp impact of the type encountered in vehicle accidents so as to absorb energy from the impact, and an exterior covering generally surrounding the inner member and being made of a somewhat stretchable, flexible, tough skinned and nonabrasive plastic material of sufficient thickness and strength that in the event the inner member does break, the covering prevents sharp ends or edges of the broken inner member from protruding and impaling an individual impacting the structure.

Abstract: An egg transporting system for receiving eggs from a plurality of egg belt conveyors leading from cages of a poultry installation receives eggs on an input side and transfers them to an opposite side of the system to an accumulation conveyor. The transporting system includes an elevator having a plurality of generally U-shaped egg transporting cradles with asymmetric legs for receiving and cradling eggs at the input side and holding and transferring eggs on the discharge side while providing a smooth transition of the egg from one leg to the other as the eggs are moved from one side of the vertical elevator to the other side. A plurality of the cradles are mounted adjacent one another to cross bars extending between endless loop drives with vertically spaced rows of cradles in abutting contact to present substantially continuous egg receiving openings to the belt conveyors.

Abstract: The fitting assembly embodies a pair of fittings, one of which is in the ure of a union having a thread on one end, a head on the other end and an axially disposed through aperture which has an enlarged central section provided with a sealing shoulder on the end. The second fitting is in the nature of metal or plastic tube which has a locking end divided into four quarters which permits the end sections to contract when advanced into the aperture and to expand into the central opening to form an anchor and a seal with an O-ring on the tube end when compressed on the sealing shoulder. The assembled fittings may, if desired, be rotatable relative to each other so that the union can have the thread rotated, via a tool engaged with a suitable wrenching surface, in the threaded aperture to which it is to be connected and the second fitting turned to have its end mated with an element to which it is to be joined.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of abrasive material in which (1) an abrasive mix is brought to fusion as in an electric arc furnace, (2) a relatively cold substrate is dipped into the molten material whereby a layer of solid abrasive material is quickly frozen (or plated) on the substrate, (3) the plated substrate is withdrawn from the molten material and (4) the solidified abrasive material is broken away from the substrate and collected for further processing to produce abrasive grain.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system wherein a valve in a line is moved between flow controlling positions by means of a fluid-operated actuator. The admission and exhaustion of line fluid to and from the actuator is controlled by sensors which are automatically responsive to predetermined high and low pressures of the line fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for processing poultry and other fowl for removal of the windpipe, esophagus and crop from the neck of the fowl. Fowl suspended with their necks hanging down are moved on an overhead conveyor in synchronism with a rotating holding and positioning carriage. A cutting blade is rotated in synchronism with the holding and positioning carriage against the back of the fowl neck to cut an incision to a controlled depth and to break the neck bone. The neck is then stretched by engagement with a stationary stretching member while the cutting blade remains engaged with the neck of the moving fowl to open the incision and separate the neck bone to allow access to the windpipe, esophagus and crop.The method includes cutting an incision to a controlled depth in the neck of a fowl and breaking the neck bone, and stretching the neck with a stationary stretching member to open the incision and separate the neck bone while moving the fowl along a predetermined path.

Abstract: A cabinet door construction wherein a panel is floatingly received in a seat formed in a generally rectangular framework forming a central opening blocked by the panel. A suitable retainer attaches to a front face of the framework for retaining the panel in the seat provided therefor in such a manner that the panel may expand and contract without cracking as humidity conditions and the like vary. The framework includes a plurality of rails arranged in a pair of substantially parallel sets disposed perpendicularly to one another and rigidly secured together by fasteners comprising a pair of parallel legs connected together by a web and driven into the abutting ends of adjacent rails so as to lie substantially in the plane of the framework.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pilot valve which controls the flow of a control fluid to and from a fluid-operated actuator, and which comprises an inlet to admit the control fluid to a chamber thereof, a port connecting the chamber with the actuator, a passageway connecting the chamber with a vent port, and a ball which is shifted between a set position closing the passageway so that control fluid is admitted from the inlet to the actuator and a tripped position closing the inlet so that control fluid is exhausted from the actuator out the vent port.

Abstract: The specification discloses an elongated metal strap with wiring along its length all molded in place and encapsulated in a plastic material. The strap is anchored to the vehicle and the free end includes either a belt buckle or a latch. Preferably, the strap includes a longitudinal channel and the wiring is located within the channel.