Abstract: A method of reducing wear between the radial faces of a piston ring and the radial faces of the co-operating piston ring groove in an aluminium alloy piston is described. The method comprises the steps of locally alloying the region in which the piston ring groove radial faces are located to increase the concentration of at least one strengthening element and coating at least the co-operating radial faces of a piston ring with a compatible material. Nickel has been found to be particularly advantageous and an example is described of a piston which is locally alloyed by electron-beam melting wherein the nickel content is raised to about 12%. The co-operating piston ring was electroless plated with a nickel-phosphorus alloy.

Abstract: In a method of preparing a thallium oxide superconductor having components of Tl-Bi-Ca-Sr-Cu-O or Tl-Bi-Pb-Ca-Sr-Cu-O from raw material powder, the raw material powder is subjected to first heat treatment, then exposed to a compressive load, and thereafter subjected to second heat treatment. Thus, a thallium oxide superconductor having a high critical current density can be obtained.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a machine for forming helical lock-seam tubing. The machine includes rollers for forming flanges on edges of laterally staggered overlapped strips, a forming head for forming the strips into a helical configuration, rollers for clinching the flanges into locking engagement, reels for supplying the strips, and structure for guiding the strips from the reels to the forming rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus to adjust the position of a cutting plate supported on a bolster plate and to register the cutting plate with a die member in a die cutting press includes alignment plates disposed within openings adjacent opposite ends of the cutting plate, fastening screws to hold the alignment plates in position, and adjustable cams associated with the alignment plates to move the alignment plates and the cutting plate.

Abstract: A disposable case for deposing surgical blades includes a surgical blade removal device for removing a blade from a surgical knife handle. The case has an upper half and a bottom half connected by hinge means for allowing the upper half and the bottom half to be opened or closed, and also includes latches for securing the upper half and the bottom half together. Magnetic means are provided on the bottom half for retaining the blades thereon, with counting indicia provided thereon for designating and counting the blades that are to be disposed. A pad is provided on the outer surface of the upper half for receiving an adhesive tape, wherein the adhesive tape may be peeled from the pad and secured onto portions of the upper half and the bottom half to secure the case in a closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing multilayer steel wool filter pads includes a gantry which orbits heads about a central axis. The heads transfer portions of steel wool cut from a web onto a rotatable turntable to form a multilayer steel wool filter pad. Detection devices and a tool controller cooperate to synchronize the rotation of the turntable with the transfer of the steel wool portions to the turntable, so that each of the layers of the steel wool filter pad has its steel wool filaments oriented differently from those of the adjacent layer by an angle of approximately 90 degrees. A method for making rectangular steel wool filter pads involves advancing multiple steel wool webs through rollers, with each of the webs moving at the same rate, to form a combined web. The combined web is then cut into square portions with sides at least twice as long as the width of the rectangular steel wool filter pads. The portions are stacked so that the filaments of overlying layers are shifted 90 degrees from each other.

Abstract: A composite socket member for use with a prosthetic appliance for a residual limb which comprises an outer socket which defines an inner cavity generally conforming to the outer surface of a residual limb, an inner socket which defines an inner cavity and being adapted to receive said residual limb, with said inner socket conforming to the shape of said outer socket and when nested within the cavity of said outer socket defines an air space between the inner surface of said outer socket and the outer surface of said inner socket and an inflatable bladder being disposed between the inner surface of said outer socket and the outer surface of said inner socket. The inner socket contains at least one flex area in its side wall at a preselected weight-bearing location whereby upon inflation of said bladder, pressure is applied by said bladder against said side wall at said preselected weight-bearing location of the residual limb to control the movement and rotation stability of said prosthetic appliance.

Abstract: A method for making a drive line slip joint assembly of the type having a slip yoke and a yoke shaft, the yoke shaft telescopically engaging an internal bore through one end of the slip yoke, the yoke shaft having an externally splined portion with splines extending radially outwardly from a central axis, and the slip yoke having an internally splined portion with splines extending radially inwardly toward the central axis, with the splines of the yoke shaft intermeshing with the splines of the slip yoke to form a driving connection between the yoke shaft and the slip yoke, includes coating the splines of either the yoke shaft or the slip yoke with a low friction coating, heating the yoke shaft and the slip yoke to a temperature sufficient to soften the low friction coating, centering the yoke shaft with respect to the slip yoke, inserting the yoke shaft into the internal bore of the slip yoke, and cooling the yoke shaft and slip yoke.

Abstract: A motorized case trimmer is disclosed having a lever operated case holder and a motor driven trimming blade. The motor and blade are slidably mounted upon rails for quick and easy movement to provide sufficient clearance for loading a case into the case holder. A motor handle further simplifies the movement of the blade and motor whereby a simple one-step motion of the handle moves the blade and motor and locks them into a retracted position. Releasing the motor handle, permits the motor and blade to slide freely along the rails under urging by a pair of springs. The components of the case trimmer are mounted upon an elongate platform that permits adjustability of the position of the components for accommodating various size cases and for adjusting the cutting force of the blade against the cartridge case.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus is disclosed for the production of single plane ladder-type rack strip material in which wire cross bar elements are Tee-welded to the inside surface portions of opposed, parallel side elements formed of similar wire material. The welding procedure involves contacting the cross bar element centrally with an electrode of a first polarity and contacting the wire side elements on opposite sides with electrodes of a second polarity. During the welding operation, current flows substantially equally from the first electrode in opposite directions through the opposite weld interfaces to the opposed second electrodes. By observing physical symmetry in the electrical supply at opposite sides, equalization of current flow is optimized so that the emerging rack strip product is flat and straight, suitable for commercial marketing.

Abstract: A staple and stapler for injecting the staple in a manner so that the staple maintains a near constant width upon penetration of material to be joined and during staple closure/forming such that material perturbation and staple to staple spacing may be minimized. The staple has a rectilinear bridge part from which depend oppositely positioned side parts and from the side parts a pair of straight legs. In a preferred embodiment, the oppositely positioned side parts consist of a proximal arcuate section attached to the bridge part and an oppositely directed distal arcuate section attached to the legs. The legs may have sharpened points. Also disclosed is a stapler adapted to force the oppositely directed distal arcuate sections outward, in one embodiment, thereby forcing a reaction of the legs of the staple to face each other in linear alignment and form a closed staple.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for manufacturing an elongated metallic member (1) having at least one thickened wall area defined at a portion thereof. That portion of the elongated metallic member (1) is heated to a plasticizable temperature to form a heated area (5) while the latter is moved along the metallic member (1) and, at the same time, axially inwardly compressed to allow upsetting at the heated area (5), to thereby form a thickened wall area. A trailing portion (1a) of the thickened wall area of the elongated metallic member (1) immediately after the heated area (5) is cooled.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a metal wood club head. The head is fabricated in two half-sections, each formed by a casting technique. Increased production throughput is achieved by the use of forming dies to maintain the shape of the two half-sections after removal from the casting molds, before the head half-section elements have fully hardened to a solid state. The two half-sections are subsequently joined by welding together facing edges of the respective half-sections along a parting line. The parting line extends through the highest point in the head crown, generally parallel to the face region and behind the hose. The placement of the parting line permits the use of simple one-piece mold cores, since there are no negative angles within the half-section elements to prevent such a core from being removed. The method is low cost, and provides a high strength club head, with the weld joint located away from club stress points.

Abstract: The invention uses a lost motion clamping system to provide variable height clamping from the top of a one or more stacks. The variable height clamp is then locked in place. A second clamping means then provides additional clamping from the bottom of the stacks.

Abstract: An automatic tubing assembly device of modular design and suitable to utilization with thin-walled, flexible tubing is shown in several embodiments. The device includes a mechanical assembly for pure rectilinear motion to avoid tubing damage and an elongated jaw set (18) which applies a force to the tubing (45) over the fitting (1) involved and which flexes outward over the fitting (1). Use of a springed friction member (54) and sliding cam (21) act to achieve the rectilinear motion. The fitting (1) is supported along its length and the entire device is operable from one lever (7) which has only one degree of freedom and thus lends itself to assembly line automated uses. Additionally, multiple axis fittings can be accommodated through simple reconfiguration of the modular design.

Abstract: A dismount method of a large-sized tank by cutting is disclosed. The dismount method contains a cutting step of cutting the tank main body successively from a top at an almost central position so as to draw a swirl cut line to a bottom thereof to form a band with a predetermined width.

Abstract: An apparatus for microsurgical needle suture attachment includes a clamp for holding a needle such that the needle aperture remains in a fixed position; at least one guide member defining an angled guide area having a relatively wide portion and a vertex portion, the vertex portion being aligned with the fixed position of the needle aperture; a transport mechanism for advancing a suture end portion into the relatively wide portion of the guide member(s); and a deflection spring for moving the suture end portion into the vertex portion of the angled guide area.

Abstract: A method of forming a fluid treatment apparatus including providing a first and second sheets each having upper, lower, and side surfaces. A plurality of drive rod passages is formed through the first sheet between the side surfaces and through the upper surface. An inside surface of each drive rod passage is continuous with the upper surface and provides a bearing surface for a drive rod. At least one fluid injection passage and at least one fluid drain passage are formed through the first sheet between the upper and lower surfaces between the drive rod passages. A drive rod is inserted into each drive rod passage. The drive rods are rotatably supported by the bearing surfaces and extend above the upper surface. A plurality of drive rod passages is formed through the second sheet between the side surfaces and through the lower surface. An inside surface of each drive rod passage is continuous with the lower surface of the second sheet and provides a bearing surface for a drive rod.

Abstract: A carrier for a wire harness and fuel brake, or other tubes of a vehicle with inner and outer channels each having a generally C-shape cross section and constructed to releasably snap together to form a duct in which the wire harness is received. Snap clips on the exterior of the channels releasably retain the tubes. The carrier bundles the wire harness and tubes together and provides a self-supporting assembly for the flexible wire harness which facilitates installation and assembly to the underbody of a vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for basting layers of flexible materials together such as for quilt making includes a spacing member, such as a grid, having openings therein is disposed on a support surface. A backing member or first flexible member is operatively secured to the support surface and a second member disposed over the first flexible member. Other layers are then placed over the second flexible member and, in the case of quilt making, there would typically be just three layers. A basting gun having a hollow needle is then utilized by pushing the hollow needle through all of the layers of flexible material and into one of the openings in the spacing member. Then the basting tool is utilized to force the first end of the plastic fastener through the hollow needle so that this first end of the plastic fastener is on one end of the flexible members and the second end of the plastic fastener is on the other side of the flexible members whereby the flexible members are held together by the plastic fastener.