Abstract: A method of producing monolithic metal blanks by freezing-on techniques resides in that the surface of a liquid metal melt is heated with the formation of a variable temperature field, defined by the temperature gradient between heating zones and cooling zones. The lines of equal temperatures constitute isotherms. The heating zones are disposed so that the isotherms having a temperature close to the crystallization temperature T.sub.c repeat the shape of the cross-section of the blank to be produced. A dummy bar is immersed equidistantly to the isotherm with the temperature of crystallization T.sub.c. Subsequent drawing out of the dummy bar from the melt with a linear speed defined by the rate of crystallization results in the formation of the blank.

Abstract: An apparatus for pouring molten steel into a mold in continuous casting of steel according to the present invention comprises a tundish holding molten steel; a nozzle which is set at the bottom of said tundish, the nozzle having a spherical shape and through which molten steel flows out of said tundish; a sliding plate which is set at the lower portion of said nozzle and which opens and closes said nozzle; an immersion nozzle which is set under said sliding plate and through which molten steel is poured into the mold; and a block body which has a core body therein, whose outer layer is made from refractory material and has a spherical surface large enough to cover the opening of said nozzle and whose bulk specific gravity ranges between the bulk specific gravity of slag and that of molten steel. A disc-shaped flange is coupled to the spherical surface portion.

Abstract: The disclosed method forms a zinc sleeve on an insulator pin by dipping the insulator pin in molten zinc at about 450.degree.-650.degree. C. to heat and wet the insulator pin with the molten zinc, setting the hot and wetted insulator pin in a die having an open-top cavity in such a manner that an annular open-top molding cavity is defined around the insulator, the die being at about 50.degree.-300.degree. C. when receiving the insulator pin, pouring molten zinc in the annular molding cavity through its open top, and solidifying the zinc thus poured.

Abstract: A hollow illuminated fishing bobber of generally spherical shape, comprising two substantially hollow hemispherical shell members with cooperating joining means on each of the shell members for joining the shell members together to form the generally spherical shape and with an annular sealing member interposed between the shell members, a lamp member having elongated electrical leads, one of the shell members is adapted to be the upper member and has apertures therethrough for receiving the lamp leads. An elastic pocket member is disposed within the hollow bobber receiving a disc type battery therein having terminals on either side thereof where the lamp leads extend into the pocket member on either side of the battery and are frictionally held in contact with the battery by the pocket member. The two shell members are identical and each defines an inner annular shoulder adjacent the open ends thereof.

Abstract: A method of producing a honeycomb body including a stack of structured metal sheets disposed in layers at least partially spaced apart from each other defining a multiplicity of channels through which gases can flow, the stack having ends twisted in mutually opposite directions about at least two fixation points, and a jacket tube surrounding the sheets and being formed of at least one segment, the sheets having ends joined with the jacket tube.

Abstract: A wheeled carriage has a chassis with a plurality of swivel casters, and a locking assembly actuated by a foot pedal located along the front of the carriage. Pushing down on the foot pedal rotates a cam that engages a cam follower on a "T" bar frame supporting two locking rings which respectively overlie two of the caster wheels to move the rings into a locking position in engagement with the wheels to lock the wheels and the casters in any position. The cam follower surface includes a ramp portion engageable by the cam for driving the rings to their locking position and a horizontal latch portion engageable by the cam in its "overcenter" position for holding the rings in their locking position. A lifter bar is engageable by the user's foot to rotate the cam back off the follower and permit the rings to resiliently return to their release position.

Abstract: The strengthening and stiffening of long, curved or tapered tubes is achieved by using internal strengtheners. The strengthening element conforms to the internal shape of the tube as it is inserted into the tube. The parts of the strengthening element which are then in contact with the inside of the tube have pre-formed welding material attached to them; a solid connection between the strengthener and the tube is achieved by selective heating, welding or by blowing adhesive material through the tube.If a tube has the non-welded strengthener in place, the forming or bending of the tube may proceed, since the strengthener takes the form of the tube at any stage of forming. The process is especially suitable for tubes with different cross-sections along their length.

Abstract: The soldering arrangement has a lengthwise extending tunnel arrangement (1) with a soldering tunnel (3) through which a conveyor arrangement (10) for the work pieces extends. A soldering tunnel (3) which is inclined upwardly in the conveying direction is provided with a floor opening which is surrounded by a downwardly protruding sealing skirt (18) which is immersed in the molten liquid solder material (20) in a tub (19) below the soldering tunnel (3). The soldering nozzles (24, 25) arranged within the soldering tunnel (3) are supplied through riser channels within the sealing skirt (18). A protective gas conduit (41) for supplying nitrogen opens into the soldering tunnel (3). The soldering tunnel (3) and the conveyor path of the conveyor arrangement (10) extending within the soldering tunnel (3), are tiltable about a horizontal crosswise axis (47), whereby the inclination of the soldering tunnel (3) is adjustable.

Abstract: A door closer is set forth having a housing, a plunger rod in the housing with a plunger at the inner end of the rod, and a main spring around the rod between the plunger and a housing end for urging the rod into the housing. An actuator carried at the housing end with an opening for the rod and mounted for transverse sliding motion relative to the rod, with a spring for urging the actuator into a latch space in the rod is utilized. With the door closer connected to a door, the actuator slides into the latch space when the door has been opened, to hold the door open. A further opening movement raises the actuator out of the latch space and a sleeve maintains the actuator raised, permitting closing of the door.

Abstract: A cover for door hardware which has a plastic sheet to be adhesively attached to the base of the door hardware and cover the door hardware while painting.

Abstract: A hand held, spring actuated single stroke piston desoldering instrument having a removable, replaceable nozzle tip in combination with a novel removal tool which also serves as a holder for several spare tips is disclosed. The barrel of the desoldering instrument is one-piece molded and includes an end cap portion with a forwardly protruding nose portion having a nozzle retaining central bore therethrough. The novel replaceable nozzle element has two annular grooves formed about its periphery: the first mates with an annular reduced diameter shoulder within the retaining bore of the end cap; the second is normally disposed forwardly of an outside of the end cap where it may be gripped by a pair of flexible jaws on the removal tool.

Abstract: The bottom of a solid metal charge melts to fill a form below the charge. During melting, usually, the metal that enters the form remains continuous with an unused solid part of the charge. After cooling, the formed metal is removed together with the unused part of the charge--and usually with the form too. They are separated later or in a different operation, and another charge is positioned immediately for melting into another form, so the useful duty cycle is very high. A preferred form of the invention uses an upper melting chamber and a lower forming chamber, separated by a horizontal wall but communicating by an aperture through the wall. The charge and form are placed against the wall from below to block the aperture. The charge preferably extends up through the aperture into or toward the melting chamber, where an arc electrode or other heater melts the top of the charge, particularly near its center.

Abstract: A mould for the production of a nodular or compacted graphite iron casting has parts comprising a treatment sprue, a runner, a slag trap, a filter chamber having an ingate and an outlet and having located therein a ceramic filter having an inlet and outlet, a casting cavity ingate, and a casting cavity, and the parts of the mould have a relationship one with another such that F2=0.8 F1 to 1.2 F1, F3=30% F4 - 100% F4, F4.gtoreq.4.5 F1, F5.gtoreq.1.3 F1, F6=2 F5 to 4 F5, F7.gtoreq.F5 and .ltoreq.F6, F8.gtoreq.F5 and .ltoreq.F6, F9=1.2 F1 to 3 F1, F10.gtoreq.

Abstract: A turner device for T-handles, especially for the types of T-handles employed in soft drink dispenser machines. The T-handle herein is in the form of a crank, having an eccentrically mounted rotatable handle and being provided with a principal hollow body in the form of a channel, but having a retainer plate. A spring is provided for receiving the base or shaft of the T-handle and for correctly positioning the same. The body of the T-handle is designed to releasably receive the top or T-bar of the handle such that the user of the device may conveniently rotate the handle by simply use of thumb and finger pressure on the handle so as to rotate the T-bar turner device and hence the T-handle releasably contained therein.

Abstract: A fastener for securing carpet in place on the treads of staircases or elsewhere includes an anchor member having a boss at one end which extends out of the carpet and a relatively thin flat arm which extends under the carpet and which is fastened to the underlying surface by screws or the like. A longer clamping member has a connector end secured to the boss of the anchor member and extends along the anchor member arm above the carpet to a location beyond that of the arm. The undersurface of the clamping member is stepped downward at that location forming a pressure pad which exerts pressure against the carpet beyond the anchor member arm, the pressure pad surface preferably being roughened to resist lateral motion of the carpet. Lugs on one of the members enter slots in the other to prevent pivotal motion of the clamping member relative to the anchor member.

Abstract: A core mold to be assembled with a shell mold for use in an investment casting process is provided. The core mold comprises a core matrix essentially consisting of an aggregate and an inorganic binder, a binder layer impregnated from the surface of said core matrix, a coating layer formed by coating a slurry over said binder layer, and a paraffin wax layer covering the exterior periphery of said coating layer. Also provided are a process for preparing the core mold and a process for preparing an investment casting mold in which the core mold is assembled.

Abstract: A method for forming an as-cast hole by using a core involves forming an undercut and casting by using a core die which is slidable at an angle with respect to mold closing and opening directions. At the same time, an as-cast hole with an axial direction different from the slide direction of the core die is formed. To form the as-cast hole, a floating core is slidably disposed in the core die for movement in the axial direction of the as-cast hole. An apparatus for practicing the method includes a stationary die, a movable die and the core die containing the slidable floating core.

Abstract: A hinge having at least three leaves pivotally joined along edges of the leaves and adapted for attachment to two members to be pivotally connected with at least one member secured to a pair of the leaves which are mutally inclined in such a way that each leaf of the pair resists bending of the other leaf of the pair. A present best mode embodiment of the hinge has four leaves and is designed primarily for use on so-called ultralight airplanes as aileron, rudder, and elevator hinges which are immune to fatigue stress failure. Another hinge embodiment is designed for use as a door hinge and has only three leaves.

Abstract: An improved fishing rod of the through rod construction type is disclosed. The rod includes a handle grip, handle body and a transition collar interposed therebetween and a rod blank received therethrough. The transition collar provides a smooth transition from the handle body to the grip. Additionally, the transition collar provides a means of offsetting the grip relative to the rod blank.

Abstract: An illuminated fishing bobber is formed from two threadably connected hemispherical shells. A transparent dimple adjacent one end of the body member houses a light and a conical reflector. A counter weight in the body member causes the dimple to be disposed in a normally inverted orientation when the bobber is floating in a body of water. An eyelet on the dimple is provided for securement to a line from a conventional fishing pole. A rotational spool of line in the body member contains an adjustable drag mechanism for exerting an adjustable tension on the line. A free end of line from the spool passes through an aperture diametrically opposite the dimple for connection to an external hook. Upon a fish strike, the bobber is turned to an upright orientation which causes a battery to be connected to the light by virtue of a position sensitive switch. A hinged brake arm is used to lock a stationary rim of the spool within the body member.