Abstract: After wet-drilling a hole until a bearing strata is reached, a mandrel with a removable overboot is lowered into the hole and the overboot is seated by a few hammer blows. The mandrel is than partly filled with thick concrete from its top, the top of the mandrel sealed, air-pressurized and a mechanical lifting force is applied. The pressure of the air within the mandrel plus the weight of the concrete forces off the overboot, and also forces the thick concrete against the sides of the hole, and the concrete forms a seal between the sides of the hole and the mandrel. The air pressure also helps lift the mandrel out of the hole.

Abstract: A safe comprising a box-like receptacle having a substantially rectangular cut-out opening in one of its walls adapted to be closed by a flat plate-like door. Said door comprising a substantially rectangular outer wall to which is attached a rectangular panel movable relative thereto. One dimension of the panel being longer than that of the outer wall and the opening. A lock on the door is used to slide the panel between a locked and unlocked position. In the unlocked position the panel extends beyond only one side of the outer wall of the door. In the locked position the panel extends beyond the opposite sides of the outer wall of the door. The opening in the receptacle is provided with means for holding the flat plate-like door flush with the outer surface of the box-like receptacle.

Abstract: A support system for panel members including an outer frame including at least four tubular members interconnected at end portions by joints to form the outer frames, an inner frame including at least four moldings extending along and complementary to the tubular members to form the inner frame and with the inner frame located within the outer frame, the moldings each including a groove extending along the length of the molding and with the groove having a configuration to receive a portion of the tubular member and with the grooves providing for the inner frame interlocked within the outer frame, and the moldings each including a channel extending along the length of the molding and with the channels receiving and supporting a panel member within the inner frame.

Abstract: A slightly negatively buoyant personnel-accommodating chamber is suspended from a pair of buoyant-link flexible drive loops engaging the under surface of an ice cover over the body of water in which the chamber is submerged. Propulsion of the chamber can be effectuated through the medium of a power driven sprocket wheel arrangement that propels the chamber along the buoyant drive loops which in turn are caused to "roll" along the under surface of the ice.

Abstract: A hydraulic coupling device for drawing and connecting two pipe flanges together, comprising a pair of clamps one of which is adapted for bolting the coupling device to one of the pipe flanges, and the other of which is movable towards and away from the first clamp by actuation of a hydraulic motor. An externally threaded spindle is connected to the motor and extends through an internally threaded bore in a sleeve on which the movable clamp is mounted, so that actuation of the motor causes the sleeve and movable clamp to slide lengthwise in the body bore as the spindle rotates. When the motor is reversed, the movable clamp swings radially away from the pipe to facilitate disconnecting the two pipe flanges. The coupling device also includes a hydraulic bypass switch to disable the hydraulic motor when the movable clamp arrives at a predetermined position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cylindrical housing mounted within a frame for rotation about its vertical, central, longitudinal axis. A chordal wall divides the cylinder into chordal segments and diametrically opposite access openings in the cylinder sidewall give access to each of the segments. A tray diametrically movable in one segment is controlled by a handle extending into the other segment. Sealing members prevent air leakage between the frame and the cylinder for all rotative positions of the cylinder within the frame.

Abstract: The base of an offshore gravity platform consists of at least two separately formed caissons, preferably of concrete, which are mounted one on top of the other or another. The roof of the lower of adjacent caissons and/or the bottom of the adjacent upper caisson is or are so shaped as to form between the caissons a space which is rendered substantially fluid-tight and wherein, when the platform is floating on the sea and when the platform is standing on the sea bed, fluid pressure in the space between the caissons is such that the two caissons are urged tightly together by hydrostatic pressure. Adjacent caissons may also be mechanically secured together.

Abstract: An apparatus for high speed application of locking compound to threaded fasteners. A chute guides a continuous flow of fasteners from a feeder bowl to a transporting wheel supported for rotation about a vertical axis. The wheel is provided with a magnet around its periphery which magnetically engages the heads of the fasteners to hold their threaded shanks extending horizontally outwardly from the periphery of the wheel. The fasteners are heated by induction heating and a liquid compound is applied under pressure to a controlled portion of the threads through a continuously vibrated nozzle. Heated air is then applied to drive off solvent from the compound. An air blower then applies ambient temperature air, followed by injecting a cooling air mist containing soluble oil which prevents the fasteners from adhering to each other prior to the hardening of the compound. A pick-off wheel magnetically driven by the transporting wheel separates the fasteners from the transporting wheel.

Abstract: A pipe-encircling steel shield includes integral bands with inclined slots for engagement with screw-type tightening elements. The shield compresses a gasket or packing member against the pipe ends to be coupled. This structure reduces the number of parts in comparable couplings by about one-half. The shield area preferably includes longitudinal slots which trap gasket material during tightening, facilitating use with irregular pipe sections.

Abstract: An offshore platform of the weighted base kind has a castellated contour at the base of the skirts, the shape of the contour being such as to produce, at the first impact with the ground, a contact line appreciably shorter than the average length of the contour.

Abstract: A magnetic brush developing unit for an electrophotographic copy-machine of the type having a magnetic applicator which moves toner particles along a path passing adjacent the photoconductive element having the latent electrostatic image to be developed, in which a grid having a fine mesh is interposed in this path for separating clots of toner from the toner particles. The clots entrapped in the mesh are vibrated by the magnetic applicator till they are shattered and pass through the mesh.

Abstract: A development apparatus in which particles stored in a chamber of a housing are deposited on a latent image. Air flow is controlled to prevent leakage of the particles from the chamber of the housing.

Abstract: Known furniture systems of the knock-down type are provided with improved connecting elements; i.e., hinge fixing plates, drawer slides, shelf supports and facing strips, which facilitate assembly and fabrication, increase stability and durability, and refine the appearance of the cabinet. The improved hinge fixing plate includes bearing bosses so arranged and structured as to accept conventionally available hinges in such manner as to permit adjusting of the cabinet door overhang. The improved drawer slide includes a longitudinal open-end rear slot and a transverse or vertical open-bottom forward slot spaced therefrom; the two slots cooperating to form an improved installation means. The shelf support bracket attaches to the side edge of a partial shelf having the rear section cut off to provide clearance for a lighting fixture. The shelf bracket uses countersunk holes to provide clearance between the heads of the attaching screws and the adjusting side walls.

Abstract: A method of reducing frost heave by increasing the viscosity of water in the ground. The viscosity of the water may be increased by the injection of carboxymethyl cellulose in an amount sufficient to increase the viscosity of the water by a factor of about 30.

Abstract: A high pressure flow-through swivel joint is particularly adapted for connecting high pressure water lines to a jet sled in an underwater pipe burying apparatus. The joint includes mating spherical joint surfaces which allow pivotal adjustment during assembly, in order to compensate for construction tolerances. In addition, the mating spherical surfaces allow rotational freedom for the joint inlet passage when the pipe burying system is in operation.

Abstract: An oxidizing tube encircled by an electric heater is disposed within a pressure envelope. A high pressure inert gas is supplied to the envelope and tube while hydrogen and oxygen are supplied to the tube while being kept at an elevated temperature to react with each other to form steam. The steam oxidizes the surfaces of silicon wafers placed in the tube to form silicon dioxide films on them. Alternatively a water evaporator may be disposed within the pressure envelope to directly supply steam to the tube with the high pressure gas aiding the supply of the steam.

Abstract: Portable apparatus to impart a rocking motion to a bed includes a first and second supporting members disposable adjacent to the bed ends and first and second elongated members respectively mounted pivotable at their centerpoints on the first and second supporting members. The bed is mounted on the elongated members so that it is supported between them, and a source of reciprocating motion, such as a hydraulic cylinder, is connected to one end of at least one of the elongated members to impart a rocking motion to the bed.

Abstract: A pipe laying vessel has a hoisting winch whose cable is connected to an underwater pipeline during abandonment and recovering operations by a shock absorbing device inserted into and connected to the free end of the pipeline. The shock absorbing device includes a pre-pressurized hydraulic accumulator which is hydraulically coupled to a cylinder and piston, the piston being connected to the hoisting cable with shock loading due to wave action on the vessel being converted to movement of the piston in the cylinder and against pressure of the accumulator.

Abstract: An emitter device for a drip type irrigation system. The emitter has an elongated body with a tapered portion at its lower end to facilitate easy insertion into the soil. The upper end of the emitter forms a small receiving chamber connectable to an opening. An adjustable valve means is interposed between the chamber and the opening so that the flow of water from a suitable supply source can be regulated. Outlet openings for the emitter are located near or within the tapered portion of the body so that emission is accomplished below ground level.

Abstract: A wall mounted storage locker comprising an upright hollow body having rear, side, top, and bottom walls, and upper and lower front wall panels that are removably mounted on the body. Each of the front wall panels has side flanges which overlap the body side walls and are spring urged by the resiliency of the panel material toward the side walls. Coacting stop shoulders are formed on portions of the panels and on the body side walls, the shoulders being engageable in positions of the panel flanges sprung toward the side walls, so as to releasably retain the panels on the body.