Abstract: A flexible starter bar has a body which comprises a flexible substantially planar spine on one side a series of blocks attached to the spine on the other side, and a plurality of block support means disposed between adjacent pairs of blocks adapted to protrude from one block of a pair so as to lie in abutting and supporting relationship with the other block of the pair, thereby increasing the effective length of the operatively outer side of the starter bar body so that the starter bar may assume a curved configuration and be self-supporting. The block support means are retractable to shorten the effective length of the starter bar body on the operatively outer side so that the starter bar may resume a straight configuration.

Abstract: With a continuous casting mold, the mold side walls each are formed by a supporting wall and an internal plate fastened thereto and getting into contact with the metal melt. On the side of the internal plate facing the supporting wall parallely arranged coolant channels are provided, which are designed as slits open towards the supporting wall and whose width is smaller and whose depth is larger, than the width of the ribs located between the slits. In order to render the cooling performance particularly effective, the width of the cooling ribs is smaller than, or equal to, 13 mm and the flow speed of the coolant is adjusted such that the heat transmission coefficient alpha between the internal plate and the coolant is between 20 and 70 kW/m.sup.2 K, preferably between 25 and 50 KW/m.sup.2 K, such that the heat flow density for the internal plate is larger than the heat flow density for a smooth internal plate having no ribs.

Abstract: The wheelchair of the present invention is made of a non-metallic material. The wheelchair is made so that it is easily assembled, light weight, and less expensive than traditional wheelchairs. The wheelchair employs a unique hinge assembly which provides support for the seat, back and foot rest. By using the hinge assembly, the seat, back and foot rest are selfsupporting because the hinge assembly distributes the forces acting upon these members through the side panels. The hinge members are molded integrally with the seat, back and foot panels. Further, when the side panel of the wheelchair is formed, slots are formed therein for receipt of the hinge member. The same is true of the foot rest. The present invention also employs an improved adjusitng mechanism for adjusting the pivotal relationship of the foot rest and an improved brake assembly.

Abstract: In continuously casting thin metal products such as sheets or strips, molten metal is introduced into the gap between a rotating cooled main cylinder and a counterrotating roller spaced from the cylinder to form a gap corresponding to the thickness of the desired product. The metal, in cooling, forms solidifying skins on the respective rollers. The peripheral speed of the roller exceeds that of the cylinder by 2 to 20%. The resulting product is substantially free of the surface defects characteristic of prior art processes.

Abstract: An apparatus has means for controlling the composition of a molten metal bath of various elements for providing a consistent molten metal product. The apparatus is automated and the addition of elements to a molten bath is automatically controlled. Also, a method has steps for controlling the composition of the molten metal bath of various elements for providing a consistent molten metal product.

Abstract: A cabinet lid stay is provided including a pair of arms pivotally coupled with each other for relative angular displacement at first ends of the arms and the second end of one arm is pivotally connected to a stationery cabinet portion through utilization of a damper construction while the second end of the second arm is pivotally connected to the cabinet lid through utilization of a pivot connector including a twist lock connection with a fixture mounted to the cabinet lid, the twist lock connection between the second arm and the fixture defining a relative rotation pivot axis of release therefore disposed in the plane of the arms. In addition, the first arm and mounting therefore to the stationery cabinet portion includes coacting structure by which pivoting movement of the first arm relative to the stationery cabinet portion may be adjustably limited to thereby limit the angular positioning of the cabinet lid when in its full open position.

Abstract: This device comprises plates held against front faces (1a, 2a) of the rolls (1, 2) in order to close the ends of a casting space (3) delimited by the rolls; each front face (1a, 2a) of a roll is equipped with a flexible endless band (5, 5') bearing, on the one hand, on the roll at the junction of its front face (1a) and its cylindrical surface (1b) and, on the other hand, on the opposite face of the associated closing plate (4), in order to ensure the seal between the latter and the front faces of the rolls.

Abstract: This invention provides improved casting processes, equipment, and products. The invention is especially advantageous for die casting.

Abstract: A concealable architectural hinge assembly has a mounting bracket with a U-shaped body which seats within a recess in the door jamb and a pair of flanges at its outer ends which extend along a face of the jamb. The mounting portion of one hinge leaf is secured to the bracket base wall and its knuckle portion is along its side edge in the direction of door opening movement, and it extends angularly outwardly to provide an offset barrel portion. The second hinge leaf has a generally U-shaped body with its mounting portion disposed against the edge of the door. It has a displacement or center portion which extends toward the other side edge of the first hinge leaf, and its arm portion extends substantially parallel to its mounting portion. The knuckle portion of the second leaf extends angularly from the plane of the arm position to provide an offset barrel portion aligned with that of the first leaf.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a ceramic reinforced piston and a molding machine therefor. A composite product composed of a cast product made of aluminum alloy or the like and shaped inorganic short fiber, particles or the like is obtained so that mechanical strength, wear resistance, heat resistance and the like of such composite product can be increased. Furthermore, mass production of such composite products becomes possible. A suitable amount of ceramic particles or a shaped inorganic short fiber is introduced in a casting mold, a molten metal such as an aluminum alloy and the like is then poured in the casting mold, and an upper punch is suitably pushed down on the molten metal to pressurize such molten metal in the casting mold. Push rams are additionally introduced laterally into the mold before or during the pouring of the molten metal to compensate for any shortage of molten metal and assure the metal penetrates the particles of fiber. The metal solidifies under pressure.

Abstract: A pattern for molding a die having a shaping panel and an attachment panel is produced by drawing a first rib figure extending from the shaping panel of the die based on configuration figure data which are entered manually or through data transfer into a computer-aided design system based on the configuration of a product, drawing a second rib figure extending from the attachment panel of the die in view of a relationship to a press machine which incorporates the die, and joining the first and second rib figures to each other thereby drawing an entire die figure.

Abstract: A collapsible container includes a base and walls. Each of the walls are connected to an edge of the base at a first edge of the wall. Each of the walls are also connected to adjacent walls and have a hinge, integrally formed in the wall to allow the wall to folded. The integral hinge allows the wall to be folded and to be separated into two pieces. The hinge includes at least a first hinge pin and at least a second hinge pin, each with a cylindrical surface portion and a flat surface portion. The hinge also includes arms adapted for rotating on the pins. The hinge members can be separated by moving the arms over the flat surfaces of the pins.

Abstract: The stopper rod for regulating the flow of a liquid has a body traversed by an axial channel and having at one end a porous nose fed with gas from the channel. The nose has a free space in the form of a hemisphere-shaped slot or lattice network communicating with the channel for delivery of gas thereto. Preferably, a plurality of spaced-apart bridges of solid material connect the two faces of the free space in order to increase the strength of the porous nose.

Abstract: A sliding door suspension system and a sliding door assembly for supporting a heavy sliding door from a door frame includes a rail horizontally mounted to the door frame. The suspension system includes a roller assembly which rollingly engages the rail and supports the heavy door. The roller assembly includes an axle or shaft having a bearing surface. The axle has at least one threaded end for securing the roller assembly and for attaching the roller assembly to a door hanger from which the heavy door is suspended. The roller assembly further includes a roller with a concentric hollow bore for seating a bearing assembly or bushing through which the axle extends in supportive engagement with the bearing assembly. The rail has a convex arcuate upper roller guide surface. The roller has a concave arcuate roller guide engaging surface which conforms to and engages the upper surface of the rail. The roller assembly also includes a door height and alignment adjusting member which threadably engages the axle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a locking hinge assembly for pivotally attaching a movable cowling panel to a stationary cowling portion in which the locking mechanism is incorporated into the hinge assembly. The hinge assembly includes pivoting links attaching the movable cowling panel to a stationary fitting member which, in turn, may be attached to the stationary cowling. The links, along with the stationary fitting member and the movable cowling panel form a quadrilateral with four pivot axes located at the apexes of the quadrilateral. The assembly includes a movable hook member mounted on the stationary fitting member such that it moves into engagement with a pivot shaft attaching one of the links to the movable cowling panel when the panel is in its closed position. A cam portion formed on one of the links contacts the hook member as the panel moves toward its closed position so as to move the hook member into engagement with the pivot shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hinge suitable for use in cabinets with inset doors. The hinge can be installed and adjusted on the door at the installation site. The hinge, is fully adjustable and will compensate for a cabinet and door distortion. The hinge has hinge wings which are concealed when the door is in the closed position. The hinge which employs a split cabinet wing into which the door wing folds on closing. Having the wings so configured results in reduced separation between the door and the mounting surface on which it is mounted.The hinge is suitable for a door closure unit wherein the dual catches are employed in the vicinity of the corners into which the door swings.

Abstract: A bias coil spring loaded ice fishing tip-up assembly having an indicator light consisting of a light bulb, two strand lead wires, a non conductive collar with a metal plate attached, a conductive collar and a battery clip. This assembly is attached to a movable strike indicator which, when activated by a trigger will cause the completion of a circuit, lighting the bulb intermittently at first, then becoming a steady source of light, signaling a fish strike.

Abstract: A method for producing a cast of titanium or a titanium-based alloy by fusing titanium or a titanium-based alloy containing an alloy element in a vacuum furnace while introducing argon gas therein and casting the resultant melt in mold, which method is characterized by adjusting the introduction of the argon gas so that the argon gas pressure (atm) in the furnace assumes the following magnitude proportionately to the alloy element content M (% by weight):Not less than 2.1 when 0.ltoreq.M<5Not less than 1.6 when 5.ltoreq.M<10Not less than 1.5 when 10.ltoreq.M<15Not less than 1.2 when 15.ltoreq.M.

Abstract: A mold casting process comprises, after pouring of a molten metal into a mold, rapidly cooling that surface layer of a cast product which is in contact with a mold, and releasing the resulting product from the mold when the surface layer thereof has been converted into a shell-like solidified layer. Such process is used for casting a mechanical part blank and apparatus for carrying out the process is provided.

Abstract: A fishing rod holder includes a generally U-shaped frame having right and left legs and a base leg connected between the right and left legs. A U-shaped support frame is operably connected to the legs of the first frame so that the support frame will pivot about an axis extending between the connecting points of the support frame to the first frame. A rod retention plate is connected between the legs of the first frame and includes a pair of elastic bands which are stretchable to form loops to frictionally hold the handle of a fishing rod. A pair of guide members are connected to the base leg of the first frame to retain an upper portion of the rod when the rod is retained by the elastic band. An extensible arm extends between the base leg on the first frame and the base leg of the U-shaped support frame, so as to selectively stop the pivotal movement of the support frame to prop the first frame at the desired angle.