Abstract: A plurality of hollow prop casings are provided which are each composed of at least two telescopable sections. These sections are erected by putting them upright and are then telescoped apart until they bear upon the roof to be supported. They are then temporarily arrested in this position and filled with a hardenable substance in flowable condition which, when it hardens, forms a solid column that is able to support the roof. Reinforcing bars or similar elements may be provided in the interior of the prop casings to become embedded in the hardenable substance. Measures may be taken for facilitating disassembly of the prop casings with the solid columns therein, under circumstances in which the casings are subjected to downward pressure by the roof.

Abstract: In the embodiment shown is a handle to be mounted on a door stile, wherein the handle houses a latch plate, a bowed leaf spring interlocked with the latch plate, and a cam bar for moving the latch plate from one to the other of two positions, the cam bar being of such a length that one end thereof extends beyond one end of the handle when in one position and the other end thereof extends beyond the other end of the handle when in its other position. In both positions of the latch plate, its face is in a plane parallel to and confronts the stile. The latch plate has portions at one edge engaging an inner wall of the housing formed by the handle, and an elongated portion extending from such one edge passes through an opening in the wall and has a lip for latching to a jamb. When the door is closed, the cam bar in one position overcomes the spring to force the latch plate away from the jamb, and in the other position to permit the spring to position the latch plate wherein the lip thereof latches to the jamb.

Abstract: A device for facilitating the sorting of documents is disclosed. The device includes a housing and a drawer selectively positionable both within the housing and extending from the housing. The housing includes a document accepting portion above and supported by a frame. Both the drawer and the document accepting portion include a series of slots for receiving and temporarily retaining the documents as they are being sorted.

Abstract: A flexible joint assembly for interconnecting two conduits that transport fluid under pressure includes an annular housing and a tubular member of smaller diameter than the housing. The housing has an opening at each end, as well as two spaced apart, annular flanges that extend radially inwardly with respect to the housing. The tubular member has adjacent one end a flange which extends radially outwardly and which is disposed between the two flanges of the housing. The other end of the tubular member projects from an opening at one end of the housing for attachment to a fluid conduit. Between each housing flange and the flange of the tubular member is an annular flexible element that includes at least one body of elastomer. One side of one of the flexible elements is exposed to the pressurized fluid flowing through the conduits and the joint, while one side of the other flexible element is exposed to the exterior of the joint.

Abstract: For laying a pipeline on the bed of the sea, a plurality of pipeline sections are successively towed by a tug exerting a traction effort at a point spaced to the rear of the front end of a pipeline section being towed, while another tug exerts a holding effort at a point spaced in front of the rear end, the front and rear ends being maintained near to the surface by a system of floats and trail-ropes and the intermediate portion of the pipeline section being ballasted so as to be supported on the sea bed, whereafter the front end of the pipeline section is welded to the rear end of a preceding section, and so on.

Abstract: A pipe for underdrainage comprises (1) a liquid-collecting pipe; (2) a plurality of discontinuous protrusions on the outer surface of the liquid-collecting pipe; (3) a filter layer capable of passing liquid while substantially excluding solids, the filter layer being disposed around the liquid-collecting pipe and contacting the top portions of the protrusions; and (4) a liquid-conducting way composed of a space communicating both in the longitudinal direction and in the peripheral direction of the liquid collecting pipe and defined by the protrusions, the outer surface of the liquid-collecting pipe and the inner surface of the filter layer.

Abstract: A system for producing lithographic printing plates by image transfer from either a right way or a wrong way reading recording member, which comprise a conductive base having first and second register means thereon the register means being arranged and positioned respectively so that the first engages and locates an image receiving member and a recording member on the base and the second engages and locates an offset member on the base, the register means being spaced apart to allow access to the first register means while the offset member is engaged on the second register means, a roller having at least a conductive core arranged to move over the base outwards from the register means and return, and means to apply an electrical field between the roller and base and to change the polarity to prevent electrostatic image transfer during the outward movement of the roller and to cause electrostatic image transfer during the return movement of the roller.

Abstract: An improved perimeter support for a waterbed mattress. Sleeves are fixed to the liquid-containing bladder to be co-extensive with the marginal edge of the bladder. The sleeves are joined externally to the bladder so that the interconnecting seams are not adversely effected by action of, and reaction with, the liquid within the bladder. A self-contained chamber, filled with air or foam material, is slidably retained within each sleeve. The chamber provides sufficient lateral support for the bladder for effective body support; and if any one of the chambers is damaged, it can readily be replaced without having to replace the entire mattress.

Abstract: An underdrainage pipe comprises a liquid-collecting pipe, protrusions on the liquid-collecting pipe, a filter layer around the liquid-collecting pipe and a liquid-conducting way, and the protrusions having at least one recess for each and the bottom portion of the recess not reaching the surface of the liquid-collecting pipe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a door handle lock and latch mechanism for a corrugated roller shutter door wherein the door handle is situated some distance up from the bottom of the door.The door handle and lock is situated in a corrugation which is open to the front face of the door and the latch mechanism is located in an adjacent corrugation(s) open to the rear face of the door. The latch mechanism attaches to the lock mechanism through an opening in either or both of the top or bottom wall of the corrugation in which the lock is situated.

Abstract: A cash register drawer releasing device wherein the drawer latch is pivotally supported for movement to unlatching position, but normally blocked from such movement by a toggle device which may be released by a relatively weak electromagnet.

Abstract: A drive assembly includes a casing containing a planetary gear assembly. A speed control arrangement is provided in association with the planetary gear assembly to vary the speed of rotation of an output member relative to the speed of rotation of an input member. The speed control arrangement includes a first disc pack which is engaged under the influence of a spring to prevent relative rotation between a ring gear and a planet carrier. A second disc pack is also engageable under the influence of a spring to prevent rotation of the ring gear relative to the casing. Hydraulic motors are selectively operable to release the disc packs against the influence of the associated springs. In the event of a failure in the source of hydraulic fluid, both disc packs are engaged with a resulting braking of rotation of the driven wheel. A secondary or towing clutch is selectively disengageable to release the output member and wheel for rotation, even though both of the disc packs are engaged.

Abstract: A device intended for underground installation and microbiological decomposition of animal excrement has a tubular shaft having hinged closure means at its upper extremity and gripping means at its lower extremity which engage a large bucket. Mounted on the outer periphery of the shaft are an outwardly extending flange, spacer means to separate said flange vertically from the upper rim of said large bucket, and retainer means which function to position the shaft coaxially with said large bucket. A small bucket rests mouth upward on the inside bottom of said large bucket. The buckets confine a microbiologically active liquid. Excess quantities of said liquid are permitted to flow over the upper rim of said large bucket and enter an annular space surrounding said bucket from when the liquid dissipates into the earth. A tether means facilitates the lifting of the small bucket through said shaft. Sensor means are provided to conveniently determine the level of inert sediment accumulated within said small bucket.

Abstract: Releasably attached to the rod of a conventional towel rack by means of a pair of horizontally-spaced wedge-shaped undulating spring brackets is the top shelf of a double-shelf cabinet having end plates depending from the top shelf to a bottom shelf. Extending between the end plates near the forward upper corners thereof is an auxiliary or supplementary towel rod. The cabinet is attached to the rod of a conventional towel rack by lowering the brackets upon it between it and the wall to which the towel rack is attached, the wedge-shaped undulating form of the brackets causing them to snap into fixed recessed positions relatively to the towel rod and to be held therein by the wedging action. Pushing inward on the bottoms of the brackets disengages them from the towel rack whereupon the cabinet may be lifted off the towel rack.

Abstract: An underwater template has one or a plurality of pile housings through which piles are driven into the earth at the floor of the water to fix the template in place by forging the pile into grooves in the housing. The forging operations are performed by a rotary cold forge tool with expansible rollers, the tool being rotatable by a running string of drill pipe guided by a swivel which lands on and is centered by the pile, or the forging is done by explosives confined between seals within the pile section.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for severing concrete pilings containing one or more longitudinally extending reinforcing rods are provided. The apparatus is comprised of at least one elongated barrel, a projectile positioned within the barrel, remotely detonatable explosive means attached to the barrel for propelling the projectile through the barrel into contact with the piling and means for clamping the barrel to the piling.

Abstract: An improved articulated ball connector for use with pipelines as disclosed. In the illustrated embodiment, a sphere is attached to the end of a pipeline. A collar is fitted about the sphere. The collar has a surface contoured to match the surface of the sphere and its rotates or deflects through a designated angle. The collar has an encircling outer groove. A cup shaped receptacle receives the curved surface of the ball. The collar is abutted against a transverse shoulder on the cup shaped receptacle. The ball is pivoted relative to the cup shaped receptacle and the collar. A ring having a cross section which is U-shaped latches about the cup shaped receptacle and the collar. The U-shaped cross section includes upper and lower shoulders which protrude inwardly and engage the cup shaped receptacle and the groove in the collar. The ring is squeezed radially inwardly to clamp the cup shaped receptacle and the collar together.

Abstract: A safety bed provided by detachably arranged on a generally standard or other bed or infant's crib a gate rotatably carried by anchor means inserted under the mattress for frictional retention, making possible instant conversion of a standard or other bed to a safety bed as well as instant reconversion thereof. The gate is secured by suitable locking means in elevated position, inhibiting passage of the occupant's body from the bed. Upon release of the lock the gate may be lowered, permitting such passage. Various alternative forms of locks are disclosed, one form permitting disengagement of the gate from the anchor means. Also, various means are disclosed for attachment to the anchor means to reduce wear on the bedding by shifting of the anchor.

Abstract: A cylindrical branch connection fitting has an end adapted to be welded to a main pipe adjacent an opening therein with a pair of opposed ears and a pair of opposed crotches and a weld bevel extending outwardly from the inner edge of said end. A transition bevel extends from the center of each ear towards the centers of the crotches.

Abstract: This invention relates to a surface coating device of bamboos including the stays having anti-corrosion, insect-prevention property and produced by said device characterizing that a nozzle having an opening permitting to freely pass natural materials such as bamboos or tree branches whose outside diameter is irregular is inserted in the resin chamber set up adjacent to the cylinder pushing out melted synthetic resin such as vinyl chloride and by passing said natural materials or the materials whose surface has been evenly coated beforehand by chemicals having adhesiveness like tar as well as anti-corrosion, insect-prevention property at a constant speed slowly rotating from backward of said nozzle, said melted resin successively fed in to said chamber adhesively coats the surface of said materials in a state of film.