Abstract: An improved piston ring is disclosed, together with a process form making the ring. An annular steel base body has a lower layer formed by electro-plating a peripheral surface of the body with either a chromium or titanium nitrided gas. The ring is normally lapped until dull, smooth and free of residual metallic plating nodules, yielding random micro-abrasions in the lower layer. An upper layer of metallic nitride or chromium ceramic is formed onto the lapped lower layer, using physical vapor deposition means.

Abstract: A seal cartridge adapted to be mounted upon a rotating shaft, including a rotor and a stator, the rotor and stator being arranged to create a labyrinth portion and a contact portion. The rotor includes a radially outwardly directed surface and the stator includes a flange biased toward the rotor surface to create the contact portion. The rotor and stator create a labyrinth portion with a pair of inwardly facing ridges positioned within a pair of outwardly facing grooves. The stator may include a shoulder for positioning the seal cartridge with respect to the housing, or instead a sloped surface. A spring may be used to bias the flange firmly toward the contact surface of the rotor. The rotor may also have a flange which deforms and fits within an annular notch of the stator.

Abstract: A fireplace log holder and alarm system is designed for placement within the firebox of fireplaces. The log holder is comprised of parallel log supports having a very rough top surfaces so as to minimize rolling and slippage of the logs. Attached to the front of the log supports is the alarm mechanism which includes metal uprights having eyes in their upper ends. An elongated hollow metal tube spans the eyes of the uprights and is loosely received within them. During the course of combustion as logs shift and are partially consumed, any forwardly shifting log will precipitously contact the metal uprights or the metal tube and cause the tube and uprights to strike together. This rapid striking action generates a loud noise which serves to notify the occupants of the dwelling that log shifting has occurred and that a dangerous repositioning of burning logs demands their attention.